Chapter 28.      Jessie's big day

For the millionth time Jack glanced at his watch.  A full thirty seconds had passed.  Somebody was messing with time he was convinced, it had to have been slowed down.  Teal'c appeared looking very natty in a suit, Jonas in tow grinning as always and wearing the traditional garb of his planet.  For one irrational moment Jack wanted so much to wipe the smile from his face.

"They have arrived O'Neill," said Teal'c.

"Okay."  Jack stood up, tucked his uniform cap under his arm, tugged his tie straight and braced his shoulders.  This was it.  Teal'c and Jonas slipped by through the closed door at the end of the corridor to join Janet, Sam, Cassie and General Hammond beyond.

Daniel stepped out of the car and held a hand out to Jess, which she gripped gratefully.  "It's still not too late," he joked.

"Don't," she warned.  "I want to be sick."

"That's just nerves."

"I still don't understand why he's insisting we do it," Jess complained, as she smoothed an invisible wrinkle from her dress.

"Jack is a man of very strong values, to him this is the logical next step."

"Old fashioned you mean."

"Something like that," he agreed with a wry smile.  "Ready?"

"No.  Daniel what am I doing, is this a huge mistake?  I'm pretty good at those."

Daniel touched her cheek, "You are doing the right thing.  Now you know as well as I do it doesn't pay to keep an air force Colonel waiting, they like everything to run to schedule."

"This I do know," she agreed.  "Thank you for doing… well everything."

"What are friends for."

"I'm ready," Jess squeezed his hand and together they climbed the steps leading to the heavy oak doors of City Hall.

First glimpse of Jack in full dress uniform and Jess felt all her fears dissolve.  God but he was so unbelievably handsome, and that uniform – oh boy did it do something for her.  Jack smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners and Jess smiled right back.  For a moment no one else existed, they had all they needed right there.  Jess ran her fingers over the rows of multi-coloured medal ribbons on his chest.  "I'd forgotten how devilishly handsome you look dressed as an airman," she told him.

"Looking pretty hot yourself teacher lady."  The silky deep gold material of her shift dress and matching accessories complimented her unusual colouring making her hair glow just the way he loved the best.

"Are you absolutely sure about this Jack, I mean absolutely?"

"I want to get a ring on your finger woman.  I want everyone to finally understand how serious I am about you, about us.  I want to spend the rest of my life with you.  As my wife."

"Okay," she replied faintly.  "I'm convinced."

"I should think so.  Shall we?"

Jess hooked her arm through his and together they took the last few steps toward their joint future.

If the wedding ceremony itself had been deliberately low key, the party afterwards was anything but.  Once again the base conference room had been lavishly decorated in honour of the occasion and the guest list read like a galactic good guys who's who.  Daniel had spent a deal of time with Jess trying his best to give her an overview of all the different races she was likely to meet.  It was one thing to see it all written down in Daniel's meticulous handwriting, a whole different ball game when they were all interacting together, moving, talking, laughing.  A daunting prospect.

Jess met Rya'c, Teal'c's son and a fine young man he was growing in to.  Rya'c was accompanied by Teal'c's former teacher Bra'tac, a forthright Jaffa very like Jack in lots of ways, a true soldier, and Rak'nor who once saved Teal'c from certain death and had since joined the ranks of rebel Jaffa.

The Tok'Ra were represented by Jacob, someone Jess would never tire of meeting.  With him were Malek, a rather serious young man who, in Jess's opinion needed to learn to lighten up some.  There was also a female Tok'Ra.  Daniel greeted her as Anise, Jack as Freya.  It was still the hardest thing, to remember just who it was you were speaking to when in conversation with a Tok'Ra.

Of course not everyone was from another planet.  The base was heavily represented, every single SG team currently earth bound had at least one member at the party, including to Jack's surprise Colonel Chekov, and even more unexpectedly a Dr Sveltlana Markov whom Jack had met during one of their more bizarre operations.

Major Davis, whom Jess had first been introduced to way back at her first base formal, a lifetime ago, was working the crowd.  A real smoothie, almost as slick as the politicians it was his job to keep sweet and off the SG's case.  He was also a demon dancer and vehement in his support of the SGC and the work they carried out.

It was Cassie who drew Jess's attention to another of the mystery guests.

"I think Sam has a date," she said.

"Really?  Where?" asked Jess.

"As far from Jacob as she can be without actually leaving."

"I see her," and Jess did.  Sam's head was bent close to a man with dark blond hair cut conservatively short but not military, lots of freckles, dark well fitting suit and an air of someone used to being in charge.  He and Sam looked very comfortable together.  "They look cosy."

"I wonder who he is," mused Cassie.  "And why we've never met him before."

"His name is Barrett," Jack spoke over the girl's shoulder causing both her and Jess to jump as if caught doing something wrong.  "Agent Barrett to be exact.  NID.  Can't trust 'em.  Spooks.  Bad guys."

"He doesn't look bad," said Cass.  "He looks…"

"Rather cute," Jess finished.  "Not a bit bad."

"Yeah, well I'm reserving judgement.  Wanna dance Mrs O'Neill?"

"Love to Mr O'Neill."

"Excellent."

As soon as they were out of earshot Jess asked something she'd been itching to know.  "What's the story with you, Daniel and the Tok'Ra lady, the one with the eye catching breasts?"

"Has she?" Jack tried and failed miserably to look surprised.

"Spill fly boy."

"She had the hots for me, her snake had the hots for Daniel.  Creepy situation.  She kissed me once.  Scared the hell out of me."

"A gorgeous woman like that has the hots for you and it's scary?" Jess laughed at him.

"The hots for both of us.  Simultaneously."

"Poor you."

"Too right."

"And how many more sexy ladies are there roaming the universe who have either kissed or been kissed by you Colonel O'Neill?"

"Not as many as Daniel, it's the hair you know, the grey tends to put them off."

"Really?  I think I need to know more details."

Jonas appeared at Jack's shoulder, saving him from further embarrassment.  "Dr Jackson asked if you might join him for a moment Colonel.  There's someone here to see you.  And if I may I'll finish your dance."

"Knock yourself out.  I'll be back soon Jess."

"Go.  Meet and greet.  I'll find you," she kissed him and sent him on his way.

Jonas's dancing style was a little stilted.  "I'm sorry," he apologised.  "I'm still learning."

"You're doing fine," Jess assured him.  So what have you been filling your time with of late Mr Quinn?"

"Since Dr Jackson returned to SG1?  Plenty.  My services are used by other SG teams, there's always a great deal of research to do here, cataloguing and recording finds.  I'm very busy."

"You don't mind?  Daniel replacing you I mean?"

"How could I mind, he's back where he belongs."

"So who has Jack gone to meet?"

"A woman.  I don't know her."

"Intriguing."

"I'm sure she's just another guest, one you'll meet very soon."

"Oh I will, count on it.  Ow, toes Jonas!"

And she did.  As soon as the last note died, Jess thanked Jonas for the dance and went to find her husband.  He was just inside the door, talking to a woman and younger man.  Both were wearing homespun clothes, old fashioned on Earth by a few hundred years.  Both looked uncomfortable.  Jess joined them.

"Hey Colonel."

"Jess," he turned to her without dropping the other woman's hands which, Jess noted, were holding tightly to his.  "Meet Laira and her son Garan.  Old friends from a world called Edora."

"Hello," Jess smiled at them both.  The return looks were a mix of caution (him) and sadness (her).  "Edora.  I don't think Daniel mentioned it in my crash course on our guests today.  Is it a nice place?"

"It's home," Laira replied.

"It is a good place," added Garan.

"Sure is," agreed Jack.

"You sound like you know it well," Jess said to Jack.

"I got stuck there.  Long story.  It was only Carter's brain and Teal'c's brawn that got me home.  In the end."

"Jack was a great comfort to my people," Laira told Jess, reluctantly dropping his hands.  "Our village had been all but destroyed by the fire rain.  Jack worked tirelessly to help us rebuild our homes, plant our crops.  He became a good friend to my people.  And to Garan.  And to me.  Fair day and be well Jack.  Garan, it is time to return home."

"But you've only just arrived," said Jess.  "Stay a little while at least."

"We should not have come at all.  I'm sorry.  Goodbye Jack, and I wish you both… happiness."  Laira's voice threatened to break.  Garan placed a protective arm about her and scowled at Jack.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean… aw hell you know I would never hurt you," Jack protested.

"I know," Laira assured him.  "Fare you well Jack."

"And to you Laira."

Once they were gone Jack turned to Jess and pulled her into a fierce embrace.  Fingers ran through her hair, he breathed in deeply her subtle fragrance, enjoying her soft warm curves in his arms.

"Laira was…" he struggled over the words.

"No," Jess touched her lips to his.  "You don't need to explain anything to me.  We both have a past.  She is in your past?"

"Long passed.  I thought I was never coming home.  I had to accept my life was on Edora."

"And they found a way to rescue you.  For that I am very glad.  Remind me to thank Sam again."

"One of SG10 mentioned the wedding to Laira during a routine visit and she wanted to know for sure."

"Forget it Jack.  I have no need to know.  You work every day with a man who I used to wake up alongside.  We both have pasts.  I don't want yours.  What I do want," she kissed him again.  "Is your future."

"It's all yours."

"Good."

"So how are you feeling now?" Daniel asked as he swept her round the deserted dance floor in the familiar setting of the base official function room.

"Pretty damn fine thank you for asking."

"Glad you went through with it?"

"Delighted.  Jessica Elizabeth O'Neill, sounds right don't you think?"         

"I do indeed.  You suit being married."

"I can't remember it ever feeling this good before."  Across the room Jess caught Jack's eye and the smile he gave her warmed her through, there was a thrill in her blood, a promise of what was to come when they were finally alone.  "Thanks for the dance Daniel, I have to…"

"I know, I saw."

"Lord," she blushed.  "That obvious?"

"More than you could possibly know.  Go then, enjoy that smile."

"This is all your fault you know," Jess tapped the end of his nose.  "If you hadn't walked on to campus that day, looking so damned sexy I wouldn't have wound up here today."

"Married to one of my closest friends.  I really must be more careful where I walk."

"Something like that."  Jess kissed him fondly.  "I love you Daniel Jackson."

"Get away with you Mrs O'Neill."  Daniel watched her go and thought he was hiding his regret remarkably well.

Marriage was a huge step and coming so completely out of the blue the way it had had surprised them all.  Over night Jack had got it into his head he wanted to marry Jess and that as they say was that.  Daniel would never dream of saying anything but he was pretty sure the suddenness of the decision was due in no small part to his return.  He knew, however, from the time he had spent with Jack and Jess he was never going to be a threat to their relationship.  Because what they had was – magical.  A true union even before the day's ceremony.  But if it was what Jack needed to be absolutely sure in his own mind then so be it.

Jess covered the distance to Jack with deliberate slowness, enjoying the heat in his gaze and allowing the tension to move up a notch or two.  The tips of their fingers touched, there was a blinding flash of hard white light and Colorado Springs was gone.  "What the…?" Jess stuttered.

"It's okay," Jack breathed in her ear, his arms the only thing stopping her from falling.

"Where are we?" she demanded.  "What happened to our party?"

"It's still there.  We, however, are on board Thor's ship."

Another burst of white light and there before them stood a familiar small grey alien.  Well familiar to Jack at least.  "Hey Thor, good to see you."

"And you O'Neill.  I am here to pass on my congratulations."

"Your?  Oh, you heard," Jack looked pleased.  "Thor, meet Jess, my wife, Mrs O'Neill."

"Mrs O'Neill," Thor held out his hand very formally and a stunned Jess took it.  "It is a pleasure to meet you at last.  Colonel O'Neill did not do you justice with his description."

"Thor, was that Asgard flattery?" there was laughter in Jack's voice.  "I'm impressed."

"It's good to meet you too Thor," Jess chose to ignore Jack.  "I never imagined it would be possible, I mean, not being military and all that.  Sorry, I'm babbling."

"Please accept this small gift," a small stone materialised in his free hand and he placed it in hers.  Jess looked closely at it, it was covered with tiny intricate carving, reminding her strongly of Viking runes.

"Thank you.  It's beautiful."

"According to legend the spell cast by the words is designed to keep you both strong and well all your lives."

"Couldn't run the budget up to a ship then?" joked Jack.  "Oh well, guess we'll have to make do with the one we've got."

"You have a ship?" Jess stared at him.  "Like this?  Jack O'Neill, what else don't I know that I ought to know?"

"Nothing, nothing," he replied hastily.  "Well thanks for stopping by old buddy, but we really ought to get back to our party."

"Can you join us for a while?" Jess asked.

"Unfortunately I cannot," said Thor.  "Perhaps there will be another occasion when I can indeed remain."

"I hope there is," Jess smiled at him.  "I would like to get to know you, Commander Thor."

"And I you Mrs O'Neill."

"Hang on one second Thor," Jack called out as Thor motioned for them to be transported.  "There's one thing I want Jess to see before we go."  He led her across the room to a window and there, in the distance, was a small blue green planet.

Jess was silent for a time, then turned to Jack.  "Thank you."

"Like it?"

"Love it.  You see pictures taken from space but it's not the same, not the same at all.  I think I understand a little better."

"Understand?" Jack asked.

"Why you do what you do.  Why you risk everything to make sure it stays just the way it is."

"Thought you might.  Okay Thor, time to beam us outta here."

The party seemed to be swinging along merrily despite the absence of the principal guests.

"There was a time when Thor pulling a stunt like that would have all the alarms bells ringing round here," Jack told her.  "How standards have fallen."

"How do the rest of the world's tracking stations not pick up his ship?" Jess wanted to know.

"Because the Asgard are crafty little buggers with very sophisticated cloaking devices.  They've been keeping an eye on us for centuries."

"Why?"

"Waiting for us to become advanced enough to deal with them."

"And we are?"

"Kinda jumped the gun a little but yeah, pretty much.  Now," Jack linked her fingers through his.  "What was it we were planning before Thor gate crashed our party?"  Jess let her face say it all.  "Oh yes," he grinned.  "I was thinking the very same myself."

"I know you were," she laughed.  "Even Daniel picked up the vibe.  When are you going to let me in on the big honeymoon secret?"

"Soon," he promised.  "I just need to make sure a couple of things are done and we'll be ready to roll."

"Things?" Jess asked.

"Trust me Mrs O'Neill."

Jack was gone less than five minutes and when he returned Janet and Sam closed in on Jess.

"Ready for your surprise?" asked Sam.  "Packed plenty of bikini's?"

"You're going to love it," said Janet.

"What have you guys been up to?" demanded Jess.

"If we told you that it would spoil the surprise.  Let's go," Janet propelled her toward the door, Sam and Jack falling in behind.  Along the corridor to the elevator, a swipe of a pass card and they were moving again.  Down!  Large red numbers flashed up on the display.  24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

"Twenty eight?" now Jess was really puzzled.  "Isn't this the ultra ultra secret level?"

"You've just been standing in an alien ship Jess," Jack pointed out.  "Doesn't get much more secret than that.  After you ladies."

They all stepped out and Jess allowed herself to be guided down more corridors until they reached a large solid looking door.  Again it was activated by a swipe card and opened noisily on its runners.  And then…

"Oh my God!" gasped Jess.  "Is that what I think it is?"

"If you think it's the gate then the answer would be yes," replied Sam.

"Jack O'Neill what exactly are you up to?" Jess turned on him.  "Explain."

"I picked out a nice quiet, uninhabited planet with an excellent beach for our honeymoon.  Can't offer you five star accommodation but it's not bad."

"I'm going through the gate?"

"Well I hope so, won't be as much fun on my own," he said.  "It's a piece of cake Jess, trust me."

The door opened again and in came Daniel, Jonas and Teal'c; all grinning at her stunned expression.  Jess looked again at the shimmering ring.  Piece of cake.  Yeah, right.

"Time to go," Jack touched her arm.

Jess turned first to Sam and hugged her.  "Thank you."

"Have a good time."

Jess leant closer and whispered in the other woman's ear, "Agent Barrett, cute."

Sam laughed self-consciously, "Yeah, well, we'll see."

Next came Janet.  "You have a good time, doctor's orders," she told Jess.

"How can I possibly not."

Teal'c and Jonas both kissed her cheek and wished her well.  That only left Daniel.  Jess buried her face in his neck as his arms held her fiercely.  "You're the best Daniel Jackson."

"Love you too Jessie O'Neill.  See you when you get back.  Try and find time to get yourself a tan."

"I'll try," Jess smiled wickedly.  "And when I get back I'll tell you all about the little fantasy you fixed in my head when you were still ascended."

"Fantasy?" he looked puzzled.

"It involved a hammock."

"A hammock?"

"See you soon."

"Hey," he complained as she drew away.  "You can't leave it there."

"You bet I can.  See you when I get back."

"I'll be right here, waiting for you to explain that one."

"Explain what?" asked Jack, curious.

"An incident involving a hammock."

"Ah.  It just so happens that I know there's a hammock where we're headed, I fitted it myself."

"Excellent.  Show me."

"Ma'am."

As they walked up the ramp the small crowd threw confetti and it rained down on the happy pair like multi-coloured petals in a spring breeze.  Laughing with delight, Jack's hand holding firmly to hers Jess set off on the journey of a lifetime, due to last a lifetime.

Did she enjoy it?

What do you think?

Feedback would be very much appreciated.