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"So when does this shindig start?"

"What is a shindig, O'Neill?" Teal'c said, bemused by the general's choice of words.

"For the hundredth time, it is like an event, a party. When does it start, I wonder?" O'Neill said, grumpy that there would be another birthday he'd celebrate somewhere else than on Earth. Just once he would appreciate nice quiet fishing trip at his cabin, no fuss, no nothing. At some point, the need to celebrate that you've been alive for one more year disappears and the parties become an annoyance.

"Actually, I think we look very nice."

"As long as it's not paperwork, I'll be fine." The general said grudgingly, sitting down at the table. He then began to fiddle with his bracelet, even though Laura had already told him off for playing with it, because he twice accidentally pushed the panic button. So twice Laura almost hurt herself getting to him as soon as possible and then she discovered it was only a mistake.

"Do you not wish to celebrate?" The Jaffa with the most expressive eyebrow said, sitting down in the other available chair.

"So many things are out of place, it just doesn't feel right to celebrate anything." O'Neill looked at his friend, who - for a change - was sporting a big frown on his face. The general let out the air out of his lungs in a loud sigh. "I'll be fine."

"Then let me bring the last of the needed supplies and we'll be all set." Teal'c raised to his feet, explaining where he was going.

"I'll go with you."

"I'm sorry, O'Neill. But Laura threatened me with bodily harm if I let you help. I will be back shortly."

O'Neill sent a lopsided smirk after him and went back to meddling with the locked boxes that sat in the middle of the kitchen. Unfortunately he couldn't open any one of them despite enormous effort. Teal'c in the meantime contacted Laura who was just examining Sam before the party and was told to join them.

Laura installed a special table close to the bathtub, so she could check Sam's state right before they went to the party and there was no danger the guys would see her. The table was quite high, so she had to help Sam on the table, but that was the only hiccup.

"So are you excited for the party?" Laura asked, rearranging the big fluffy towel that was draped around Sam's body. She grabbed a pillow and put it under Sam's head, so would be more comfortable.

"I guess." Sam shrugged, biting her lip. The birthday party was a welcomed distraction from everything that had happened, but she could see a few scenarios where it went badly. From what she had heard the general wasn't that keen on it and who knows how they'd get on with her memory still so affected.

"Wow, don't you sound really excited…" Laura laughed. Unbeknownst to Sam, at precisely that time were Laura's hands positioned over her legs with dim blue light surrounding both of them. "Anyway, don't worry about anything. All is prepared. I wrapped your gift first."

"I'm still not sure about that…"

"Sam, Sam, Sam… You need to relax. You've listened to too many mission reports lately. I will have to be stricter when it comes to your regime, young lady." Laura's voice sounded unnaturally steady, especially since she was in such a hurry.

"You're too cocky today, you know that?"

"Well, I've never been to a birthday party. I'm just so-" Laura's voice was interrupted but screeching of the radio. "Damn, I have to fix the radios." Laura muttered under her breath before she heard Teal'c talking.

"This is Teal'c. I am getting the last supplies for the party. Then we'll be ready."

"Thank you, Teal'c. We'll almost there, too."

"What are you even doing now?" Sam wanted to know, not liking the wait.

"I need to prepare too, you know?" Laura called to her as she was slipping into her dress. "Not everyone is as pretty as you."

"Oh, you flatterer. What did you pick in the end?"

"For me?"

"Yeah."

"Green dress with short sleeves. But not like army green, but lively fresh green. They were the most comfortable. I mean, who do I have to impress?" Laura chewed on her cheek, thinking that actually wanted to impress the general, she just didn't think a dress would be the way to do it. But that is not the issue Sam was concentrating on."

"And who do I have to impress?" Sam said, panicking.

"That's not what I meant. Your case is different." Laura just briefly brushed her hair and slipped into her high heels. "I just wanted to do something nice for you and make you feel great about yourself. Remind you that life's not just books and reports, you know?"

"You remind me of your father…" Sam muttered, pretty sure Laura wouldn't hear her.

"Really? I guess you really remember more and more." Laura spoke and it made Sam jump up, because the voice sounded much closer to her than she'd expect. "Oh, sorry. I forgot to tell you I'm walking towards you."

"I'm fine. You just surprised me." Sam assured her, finding she was perhaps actually looking forward to the party. She was buzzing with expectation.

"Now let's get you into your dress. It's beautiful, as I already told you million times, I know, but still. It is. Everything just came together perfectly. The color is just as we've talked about. Sometimes with things like clothes the Asgard core misses, but this was the proverbial nail on the head or something."

Sam laughed, partly due to Laura's effort to get acquainted with the English colloquialisms and partially because finally the show started. She used her hands to push herself to the sitting position, waiting for Laura to make the next move.

"Okay, so as I promised, your dress, my queen."

"Now you're overdoing it." Sam said in mockingly serious tone.

"Alright, alright. So hands up, please." Laura helped Sam find the sleeves and put her hands through it, then Sam got rid of the towel and let the dress envelop her figure.

As soon as they started talking about it, Laura wanted Sam to consider blue for her party dress because it accented her amazing eyes, but for some time Sam was not really participating in the discussion. In the end, she agreed. After trying two shades of blue, one lighter, close to turquoise and another one little darker than the air force dress blues. Of course Sam looked absolutely gorgeous in both, as Laura had repeatedly told her, so in the end they went with the one that Sam thought fitted her the best, which was the lighter one.

When Sam was dressed, Laura dragged over a chair for her to sit down. Since Laura didn't know much in terms of Earth's fashion and the research done by the Asgard into the customs of Earth mainly confused rather than informed her, she kept it pretty simple. Per Sam's request she applied some black mascara and lipstick that was the color of peach apparently, according to the Earth research database.

"Okay, all done, just some final touches." Laura undid Sam's ponytail and after a few brushes let the hair just naturally flow down her shoulders. "Let me just quickly check on the guys."

"Teal'c, you ready in the kitchen?"

"We are on standby, Laura." Teal'c said, his voice stern as ever."

"Thanks." Laura answered him and then smiled before she talked to Sam. "Standby. It's a party, not an attack. Still they're ready. That is something. Let me get the wheelchair."

Sam heard Laura walking away and then coming back, she even recognized the quiet movement of the wheelchair. Using the normal chair as a support, she stood up and let Laura guide her to the wheelchair. The night was young and she didn't want to get exhausted before they even reached the party.

"You know that I even locked away some areas of the ship today. You earthlings always run around, causing trouble. And I want tonight to be great." Laura quipped.

"If the general is your father, you are from Earth too, you know." Sam reminded Laura, shifting in the wheelchair, trying to make sure the dress wouldn't be ripped when they moved. She couldn't wait to be able to walk around the ship for long periods of time, exploring, seeing…Anyway, enough of that, she said to herself, focusing on Laura.

"Yeah, but according to the analysis of my DNA, my mother wasn't. So I am an exotic mix of something special."

"You definitely are." Sam agreed, giving a warm smile in the general direction of Laura, who just started pushing the wheelchair slowly towards the door. "Do you regret not knowing who your mother is?"

"Ehm..." Laura swallowed against the lump in her throat. For some reason, yes, it felt unfair she didn't know her mother. Somehow she always thought she would discover who she was and then maybe she would get to meet her or at least find out something about her.

"Sorry, Laura, I understand if you don't want to talk about it. I-"

"No, it's just that I just got one parent back and frankly I still can't believe that."

"Of course."

"Let me check where the guys are exactly." They stopped and Laura pushed a few buttons on her bracelet. "They're sitting on the table. Perfect. So, are you feeling up to it?"

"Yeah!" Sam said, sitting up in the wheelchair. "I think so."

"Then I'll be right back." Laura said and then walked towards the kitchen.

Sam heard Laura saying hello to the guys and then some things being moved. After a while, the fumbling became more intense and finally when it ceased, music started playing. Sam was far enough not to be able to recognize the song, but close enough to hear Laura steps almost immediately after it started playing.

"Let's go, then." Sam heard Laura say as she helped her out of the wheelchair. She took a moment to make sure she was steady on her feet and then took a few steps in the direction Laura was leading her. "45 degrees to the left and go straight."

"Pizzas!" O'Neill exclaimed, carrying five paper boxes to the table. "And it smells so nice, Teal'c. You know what, yes, this was a good idea."

Teal'c stood facing the door, so he caught sight of the colonel right away. "O'Neill!" He said, trying to get general's attention.

"Yeah, I know, I know. Laura said prepare the food, but I only tried one piece. Also - it's my birthday party, so -ow." He turned to Teal'c, prepare to see his eyebrow in work, but instead the Jaffa was pointing towards the female leaning against the doorframe. "Carter?" That was all that came out of his lips, but he sure as hell wanted to say more.

She was dressed in light blue dress that hugged her body in all the right places, her long blonde hair was dancing around in little curls and most amazingly of all, she was standing all on her own. Letting go of the frame, she took a few steps in his direction, prompted by his exclamation. Her hands were stretched in front of her as a precaution, but she seemed to be doing okay. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he registered Laura cautiously walking few steps behind Sam, just in case she wanted help, but his attention was elsewhere.

As she moved closer, he started to notice how focused she was. Her brow was slightly furrowed and from time to time she bit her lower lip. She seemed to just glow with energy, looking like a completely different woman than the one lying all the time in the infirmary. It only took one more look to make sure it was her, alive and well. They were the same blue eyes, now unfortunately somewhat unfocused, that used to stare at him in amusement when he said a joke or threw a sarcastic remark.

She slowed down considerably, and he didn't know if he was supposed to go to her, or shout out. In the end he decided to say her name again, but walk slowly in her direction. They were only few feet apart, but it seemed like forever. He didn't want to bump into her, so he stopped few steps apart and waited for her hands to encounter his body.

When he felt her touch, her face lit up with a beautiful smile. "Hello, sir. Happy birthday."

"Carter, so good to see you." He snaked a hand around her waist, just to be on the safe side and asked if she wanted to sit down.