Chapter 25: bad guys

"Sounds like it's worth checking out. Go ahead." General Landry nodded as he handed the MALP photos back to Daniel.

"Should we not wait until Colonel Carter returns from Washington?" The Jaffa wondered.

"She's still there briefing the President on the scenario that played out in the alternate reality where the Stargate was made public." General Landry informed them.

"Well that's taking longer than it was supposed to." Cameron muttered, annoyed. He suspected that the "Fishing" man must have had something to do with the several-day delay.

"It could be a good way to examine what might happen here." Daniel reminded him. He was getting more and more worried about the arrival of multiple ships through the Supergate, the guilt was eating away at him.

"Sounds like President Hayes is having a hard time just getting past the fact that he wasn't President. General Landry told them as he closed the briefing.

WASHINGTON D.C. - RESIDENTIAL AREA - GENERAL JACK O'NEILL'S APARTMENT

"You ... I ... WHAT?!" Jack smiled at Cassandra's dazed expression. Sam's hand squeezed Jack's. "No but... I mean... Of course. Of course! I'm so happy for you!" The young woman jumped from the couch to throw herself into Sam's arms, then Jack's. She punched him in the arm.

"Ouch." He exclaimed as he massaged his bicep.

"But what an idiot! I can't believe you sent her back to the SGC as if nothing had happened between you ! I could have strangled you if I didn't love you so much! You're so stupid." Lectured the young woman before hugging him. He threw a glance to his fiancée over the head of Cassie.

"Did you know about ous ?" Sam asked. Cassandra turned to her, outraged at being thought so blind.

"Honestly, did you think you were discreet? The only one who didn't see it was Daniel." Mocked Cassie. In front of Jack's surprised look, Cassandra continued. "Well, I have to admit that Teal'c is probably the first one to discover the truth." Sam and Jack looked at each other, completely baffled. "You really think we didn't notice? When Sam returned to the base, you were both miserable... We're not stupid, you know ! But then again, neither of us would have seen this..." She pointed to the engagement ring on Sam's finger. "...come... Now you're surprising me. But I'm so happy for you. Mom would have loved to be here." A sad smile grazed Sam's and Jack's lips, they too would have loved Janet to be there.

"I'm sorry you have to keep this information to yourself, Cassie but..." Sam began.

"I suspect that if you are getting married like this, it's because ... You don't have the authorization to do it with great pomp and circumstance yet ? I'm in the army now, I know what it can cost two officers to fraternize. That's why I've never confronted either of you about it." She pressed their hand into hers. "I'd keep it a secret. But I want to be there when you tell Daniel. That's my only request !" Jack burst into a frank laugh and placed a kiss on the young military woman's forehead.

"You'll even be able to take pictures." He promised her.

"I have a question though..."

"Which one?" Sam asked.

"How can Mitchell know about this before I do?" Jack burst out laughing at Cassie's indignant expression.

WASHINGTON D.C. – A HOTEL ROOM

"Nervous?" Cassandra asked as she helped Sam adjust her hair. They were both in a downtown hotel room, booked by Jack for the occasion.

"No ... Impatient but I feel a little guilty." She admitted as she straightened up. "Jack would have loved to have Daniel and Teal'c by his side." She confessed.

"I think what Jack wants above ... is to marry you Sam." Cassie reminded her. "And then, as I understand it, once the Ori threat is gone, I'll have free rein to throw you a memorable bachelorette party." She tore a burst of laughter to the future bride. She took advantage of the hilarity of her almost mother to take out a small case of her pocket and to offer it to her.

"Cassie, what is this?"

"I know this isn't the wedding you dreamed of Sam." They had kept things simple, a simple white dress, Jack's suit, a dressy outfit for Cassie. But Cassandra knew that traditions mattered. "But you still have something new." She pointed to Sam's dress. "And I know underneath you have something blue." She scoffed, referring to the pastel lingerie the bride was wearing. The latter blushed and laughed. "So you miss something borrowed. " She gestured to her to open the box. Inside was a bracelet set with white and blue stones. "It belonged to..."

"Your mother." The military's eyes misted over as Cassie slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. "That way she'll be with you." Samantha looked up and placed the palm of her hand on the girl's cheek, brushing away a tear at the edge of her eyes.

"She's with me... Because you're here. Thank you, Cassie. I couldn't have asked for a better witness than you." The two women embraced each other with emotion.

(...)

He was pacing back and forth in the reception room that he had privatized for the occasion. The justice of the peace at his side was smiling to see the military so nervous. Jack had put on his ceremonial uniform. A request from Samantha. She had admitted to him that she had often fantasized about him in that uniform, which had made him laugh. He also had a soft spot for her in her uniform.

"Jack ... You'll end up burning a hole in the carpet." Commented the lawman.

"With all due respect..." Began the military, but was interrupted by the entrance of Cassandra in the room. The young woman was wearing a sage evening gown, and a bouquet of flowers rested in her hands. Jack addressed a luminous smile to her. She was beautiful. She walked towards him and positioned herself at his side.

"You look so great." Jack chuckled to her, his eyes fixed on the door. Cassie placed a kiss on his cheek and then leaned in to kiss the lawman.

"She's going to be so happy to see you." She whispered to him. The door opened. And Samantha made her entry. She wore a very simple dress in white satin, her shoulders were released, her hair tousled. Jack was devouring her with his eyes. Sam couldn't take her eyes off him. Cassie stifled a sob. She had promised herself she wouldn't cry, but... it wasn't every day you got to attend your parents' wedding. A hand rested on her shoulder. She swiveled slightly towards the man of law who handed her a handkerchief. She smiled at him and retrieved it. Cassandra then noticed that General Hammond also looked very emotional. It was only when they faced each other in front of the makeshift hotel that Samantha realized who was there to marry them.

"General Hammond !"

"George, Samantha, please." Past the astonishment, she hugged her former superior. Then turning to her companion, she asked. "How?"

"We needed someone to marry us in secret... Someone who has the confidence of the President to agree to keep our ... exemption." Jack pointed out. "And George agreed to be our Justice of the Peace."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world." Confided the military as he opened the small book set before him. "Shall we begin?" The engaged couples faced each other. "We are gathered here today to unite the lives of Samantha Elizabeth Carter and Jonathan "Jack" O'Neill..."

(...)

"Jonathan O'Neill do you take Samantha Elizabeth Carter to be your lawful-wedded wife? Do you agree to love her, to cherish her, in sickness and in health, in this universe, this galaxy and in all others, until death do you part?" The bride and groom's oath had been modified by Cassandra to fully match those who were united today.

"I do." He asserted as he looked into his wife's eyes. George turned to her.

"Samantha Elizabeth Carter do you accept Jonathan O'Neill as your husband? Do you agree to love him, to cherish him, in poverty and in sickness, in this universe, this galaxy and in alle others, until death do you part?"

"I do." She replied, looking him in the eye.

"Cassandra, the rings." George indicated. She presented the case in which rested two simple platinum rings. Nevertheless, inside the ring, an engraving represented the coordinates of the Earth. Jack took the first ring.

"Jack, repeat after me. Samantha, I give you this ring as a symbol of the love I feel for you and my commitment to you, to keep the promises we made to each other today." Jack repeated the ritual words and then passed the ring to Samantha's hand. "Your turn Sam, repeat after me. Jack I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you and my commitment to you, to keep the promises we made today." She placed the ring on her husband's ring finger. "This is my favorite part." Confided the former General to the witness. Jack and Sam pivoted toward him. "By the power vested in me by the President of the United States, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride, Jack." The latter did not hesitate and tenderly kissed the one who had just become his wife under the benevolent gaze of their witnesses.

WASHINGTON D.C. - INTERNATIONAL MILITARY AIRPORT

They were alone in the hangar housing the Cesena that would take Sam back to the SGC. They'd had a chance to spend a few days together enjoying their new marriage. Nevertheless, the Ori were still present in the Galaxy and Sam's presence was needed at the SGC. Jack gently brushed Sam's cheek, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. They said nothing, savoring each other's presence before they had to part ways. She stood on tiptoe to kiss him one last time before she had to resume her role as his subordinate.

"Colonel Carter." He greeted her half-heartedly.

"Colonel Carter-O'Neill, please." She took him back with an amused smile on her lips.

"Finally." He sighed as he kissed her passionately one last time.