COPYRIGHT: existing characters belong to MGM and the creators of the Stargate Franchise. Story written for fan fiction.

AUTHOR: innovare

SUMMARY: Pondering only gets a person in trouble, but there will always be someone who saves you.
A one-shot story not bound by the original Stargate timeline.

SEASON: After Season 8 and during the beginning of Season 9

CHARACTERS: General Jack O'Neill, Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter, General Hank Landry

PLEASE BE ADVISED: story has not been beta'd. I apologize in advance for any mistakes. They are unfortunately mine.


PRELUDE


"We've always been there for each other."

"Saved one another."

"Come hell or high water."

"Whether by oath."

"Obligation."

"Rules."

"Regulations."

"From the first day you challenged me in the conference room."

"When you saw me as more than just an astrophysicist."

"You held your own in combat."

"You stood by me through the toughest of battles."

"Thick and thin."

"Always."

"Always."

"A time we've waited."

"Rejected."

"Pushed aside."

"Lost."

"Divided."

"Surrendered."

"Torn apart."

"Taken."

"Betrayed."

"Lifted."

"Defeated."

"It led us."

"We found each other over and over again."

"Never forgotten."

"Never wasted."

"Charged forward."

"Looked back."

"You were there."

"So were you."

"You didn't understand."

"Not always, but it didn't stop me from trying."

"Your strength."

"Your strength."

"Determination."

"Saved us."

"No kidding."

"Sometimes."

"But not always."

"You stood."

"Stood, we did."

"Fallen away."

"Shattered."

"Drifted."

"I couldn't find you."

"I couldn't find you."

"Hearts broken."

"Hearts mended."

"No words."

"Actions were enough."

"One glance."

"Told us all we needed to know."

"The day we came together."

"The time we decided."

"We would never let go."

"We were separated."

"The emptiness hurt."

"Memories erased."

"Alone."

"Only to feel again."

"The heartaches, the tears, and the embraces."

"Always."

"Always."

"The story of our lives."

"So near."

"And yet out of reach."

"Forbidden."

"You're saying we're fruit?"

"Never."

"I thought so."

"These chain of events."

"Over the years."

"Has brought us here."

"To this place."

"And."

"And where is here exactly?"

"It's what we're here to find out, General."

"Hey now, come on."

"So?"

"So?"