Chapter 24: The Shroud

SOMEWHERE IN SPACE - ODYSSEY GATEWAY

"We may have made things worse right now. But in the long run, it could be our only chance to win the war. Cameron reasoned as the Ori ships passed into hyperspace. Sam sought Jack's gaze. She had hoped for a split second that they had achieved the victory they had been waiting for. It was selfish to think of them at that moment, she knew. Nevertheless, she had put off any possibility of happiness for almost ten years, sacrificing her life to save the universe. Who could blame her, knowing that her union depended on resolving the Ori's conflict. Nevertheless, all was not lost. They had saved Daniel. As they watched the last ship pass into hyperspace, she felt Jack's fingers brush hers. Nothing was lost. There was still hope.

"Well... That's not all, but I'm hungry." Announced the General to lighten the atmosphere.

"How can you think about eating at a time like this." Daniel threw out, exasperated.

"Carter thinks better on a full stomach." He argued, turning to the woman. "Carter, are you scheduling us to go home?" He asked, she smiled.

"Aye, sir." She turned to the console.

"I'll save you some jelly at the Mess."

SOMEWHERE IN SPACE - SHIP ODYSSEY - GENERAL JACK O'NEILL'S HEADQUARTERS

"We could have told them tonight, it would have been good news at least."

"Jack! We've got Daniel back... That's already good news." She admonished him as she lay down beside him in the narrow bunk in his quarters. He put an arm around her waist to bring her closer to him.

"That's just it... Sam, we're going to have to teach them, you know. Mitchell knows." Reminded him Jack by spreading the crazy locks that had fallen on his forehead.

"Soon..." She promised. "After what I saw in the other reality... We may need some good news." She rested her head on his shoulder. "For now, this stays between you, me, and Mitchell." She murmured, playing with the ring that protruded from her regulation nightwear. Jack slowly straightened up, pulling her along with him. "What ?" Sam wondered as she scrutinized him.

"Let's get married." He suddenly proposed.

"What?!"

"Samantha, the Ori are at our doorstep and you saw what they did in that other reality... If we wait any longer, we may never get married. Sam... I don't want to spend another day having to make excuses to come to the base to look after you if anything happens... Let's get married, I love you, you love me. When the Ori threat is over, we can celebrate our union with style... Wedding dress, ball opening, family and friends... But I don't want to wait any longer. Let's get married, just you, me and Cassie. And when it's over... we'll tell everyone and start over. I don't want to spend my life waiting for the right moment, I want to spend my life with you. Let's get married."

"But... I... How..." Her brain was spinning at a hundred miles an hour, trying to get some order in her mind.

"Carter, stop thinking. Do you want to be my wife ?"

"I do."

"Then I'll take care of everything. The President is bugging me for you to brief him on this alternate reality. I'll bring you to D.C. and we'll get married. I don't want to waste the time we have left."

"Okay... let's get married !"