Disclaimer: The dialogue for the ceremony at the beginning of this chapter was taken directly from an episode of Stargate SG-1. I use it here with thanks to the writers, knowing that I could not have come up with anything else which would have been so appropriate.

Stargazers/Stargaters Part 27

Once Colonel O'Neill ordered everyone to "move out", the entire group exited the conference room and were directed towards another by two SFs, where all of their luggage had been laid out on tables. SG-1 and Sha're had disappeared for a few minutes saying only that they needed to change. While they waited for SG-1 to return, the two military personnel instructed several of the parents who had brought their good suits and/or dresses in hanging bags, that all of their clothing would have to be packed into their one piece of luggage.

"There's no telling how a hanging bag would react within the worm-hole, Mom." Liz explained.

"Don't worry, once we arrive at our home, we can make any wrinkles disappear with a snap." Isabel added soothingly.

So the parents repacked their luggage and were given brief instructions on how to best travel through the Stargate, by those in the group who already had experience. They had finished the briefing and some butterflies were starting to flutter around in several nervous stomachs, when the door opened and SG-1 came in.

"Whu-hoe! Daniel, Sha're...Teal'c." Alex exclaimed with a grin.

"Wow, Colonel, Captain!" Liz added looking admiringly at her friends.

Colonel O'Neill and Captain Carter had changed into their dress-uniforms, resplendent with all of their medals, especially O'Neill who had a chest-full of them. Daniel was wearing a sharp-looking navy-blue suit with a matching shirt and tie, which matched his eyes so well. Sha're seemed to have taken her husband in hand even in the few days since she had been returned to him, since Daniel was not wearing the ugly brown suit he usually wore for special occasions. Sha're in turn was wearing a long gown with long leaves, but made of a thin cotton which was printed in lovely earth-toned patterns reminiscent of North Africa and Egypt. And Teal'c was wearing all white; suit, shirt, slacks topped by his Panama hat, which hid his golden tattoo on his forehead.

"I feel distinctly underdressed." Philip murmured as he looked down at this casual shirt and slacks.

"Don't worry, Dad; you look fine." Max assured him.

"The General ordered us to dress in our Class A uniforms since we will be acting as official ambassadors and negotiators for Earth." Sam explained.

"Plus it's always a good idea to look your best when you are going to be given an award." Jack added.

"Yes, sir." Sam said, but looked strangely at her superior. Jack for his part only raised his eyebrows innocently.

"If everyone is ready, we'd better be going." Daniel said and the entire group picked up their suitcases.

SG-1 was also using suitcases so as not to wrinkle their uniforms. When the group neared the door to the Gateroom, Sam Carter made to turn and take the stairs up to the Control room, but an airman stopped her.

"Begging your pardon, ma'am; but the General requested that your entire teem join him in the Gateroom." He said.

"Oh, alright, airman." Carter said, shrugging.

The group had moved on without her, but SG-1 had hung back to wait for her, so they all walked into the enormous room together, Jack, Daniel and Teal'c in front, with Sha're and Sam bringing up the rear. Then the three men separated once they were inside and Sam saw to her surprise most of the SGC's personnel lined up in neat rows around the edge of the room. Liz, Alex, their friends and families had also been arranged neatly to one side and her father was standing smack-dab in front of them. A podium had been set up at the top of the ramp to the Stargate and General Hammond stood waiting behind it.

"Wha-what's going on, sir?" Sam asked Jack.

Jack was about to respond when General Hammond spoke up from where he stood behind the podium.

"SG-1, will you come forward, please?"

Daniel left Sha're and walked up the ramp with his teammates to stand in a row on its right side.

"Before you leave, I have one small bit of business which I thought best to perform here rather than on Antar." General Hammond explained. "Please come to attention."

Everyone in the room, even the civilians stiffened as the General read a letter.

"From the Vice-Chief of Staff of the Air Force; in recognition of Captain Samantha Carter's outstanding work, I hereby authorize her immediate promotion to the rank of Major. Captain, step forward."

After Sam stood by his left side, the General continued.

"The United States Air Force has recognized that you have fulfilled tasks and duties well beyond the rank of Captain. It is with great pleasure that I bestow on you the responsibilities, the respect and the rank of Major."

As the General pinned her new rank insignia on Sam's right epaulet, Colonel O'Neill came forward to pin the other one on her left. When they were done, Major Carter saluted her superiors smartly.

"Thank you, sir." She told the General, smiling as Hammond returned her salute.

At this, everyone in the room broke out into applause and cheers. Sam blushed but turned to walk back down the ramp with her teammates.

"Well done...Major." Jack O'Neill told her sincerely and then left to perform his duties prior to departure as Jacob walked up.

"Sammy, I am so proud of you!" Retired General Jacob Carter said as he hugged his daughter.

"Thanks, Dad." Sam said trying not to cry.

"I am very proud of you too, Samantha." Selmac added.

"Thanks." Sam told the symbiote. "I'd better get up to the Control Room so we can leave on time." Sam said to cover her emotions and Jacob let her go still grinning broadly after his little girl.

Someone brought the podium down from its place in front of the Stargate, most of the personnel went back to work and General Hammond joined the newly promoted Major up in the Control Room.

"Sir, thank you for this ceremony, it meant a lot, that it was performed here in the SGC." Sam said, looking back over her shoulder.

"I believed that this honor should be given separately from the one you will receive on Antar, tonight." The General agreed. "And that all of your scientific colleagues and fellow airmen should be present for the promotion you earned while working here among them."

"Thank you again, sir." Sam said trying not to let any tears fall. Her superior saw her struggle and cleared his throat gruffly.

"Everything seams to be a go, begin the dialing program, airman." He ordered the sergeant who was seated in front of the computer.

"Yes, sir; Stargate dialing, chevron one engaged..." He said.

Down in the Gateroom, Daniel, Liz and Alex were preparing their friends and family for what they were about to see, but gasps and one startled cry came out of Amy DeLuca's mouth as the wormhole was established and the Stargate whooshed out its wave of energy. Max left the group and ran up the stairs to the Control Room. As Max spoke to his people on Antar, giving the required security codes, the parents received their first realization that they were truly about to travel to a distant planet, an alien land...because Max was not speaking English, but another language, the like of which none of them had ever heard before.

"What is Max saying?" Nancy asked Daniel.

"Um, I don't really know, Mrs. Parker; I haven't had the chance to really learn Antarian yet." Daniel admitted.

"I would imaging that he is informing his people that he and the others are returning home and that they are brining guests, Mom." Liz said.

Just then, Max finished speaking and he and Major Carter came back down into the Gateroom.

"Okay folks, as we explained before, we're going to use the buddy system." Jack O'Neill explained. "Major Carter, Teal'c and I will go through first to show you how easy it is; those of you who have stepped through the Stargate before, take the hand of the first-timer you've been partnered with...and let's go!"

Michael took Amy's and Maria's hands, Alex took his father's, Isabel took each of her parents' hands, Liz took Jeff's and Max took Nancy's, while Kyle and Jim Valenti declined to hold hands but instead walked up the ramp besides Daniel, Sha're and Jacob Carter. One by one, they all stepped through the Stargate and only moments later stepped out onto Antarian soil.

Everyone was exclaiming, chattering and or laughing after the experience as Max gently disengaged Nancy Parker's hand from his own before he and the other three royal Antarians walked over to the guards who were positioned nearby. Here the parents saw the first sign of the four young people's authority as the guards snapped to attention upon their leaders' approach. Their conversation took only a few minutes but when they returned to their friends and families, Max and the others were wearing the headbands which marked their royal rank.

"I like it!" Liz whispered to Max as she brushed his bangs off of his forehead so that the headband was more visible.

"You do?" Max asked. "Well, you'll be given a set of your very own as soon as we're married." He reminded her and then turned to everyone else. "Welcome to Antar, everyone. If you'll follow me, we have some transports which will take us down to the Capital, waiting outside."

Everyone agreed to that, picked up their luggage and followed Max and Liz out of the giant cave. But as they came out into the sunshine, it was Max's turn to be surprised. A huge crowd of perhaps hundreds of his people had gathered outside the cave to welcome their leaders home. They were cheering, clapping and singing with joy.

"Oh man, I begged them not to do this!" Max muttered to Liz, his ears starting to turn red as he turned back to the crowd and shyly smiled and waved at them.

Jeff Parker had heard the remark and wondered at Max's modesty; that all the power and popularity had not gone straight to the young man's head. Meanwhile, Max was holding up the hand which was not still holding onto Liz's smaller one, to quiet the crowd.

"Thank you so much for this wonderful welcome, everyone!" He called out in Antarian as Michael, Isabel and Tess quietly translated for their friends and family. "As you know, the four of us traveled to Earth only to attend a birthday party and wound up being reunited with our soul-mates." The crowd burst out in cheers again until Max's raised hand quieted them down again. "We were also reunited with the families who took us into their homes and raised us while we were on Earth. We have brought all of them, as well as our friends; SG-1 with us so that they could all see our home planet of Antar and get to know many of you as well." Max finished and the crowd broke out in cheers to welcome all of the visitors.

"Thanks again for being here today!" Isabel called out in a friendly dismissal and the crowds started to disburse.

"Before we go down, take a moment to look around." Max suggested to everyone in their group.

As they looked down upon the Capital of Antar, everyone saw the beautiful, yet alien architecture of the city below them and the exotic loveliness of the flowers, plants and trees, which covered the hillsides or decorated the parks among the buildings, in the city below.

"This is incredible, Max!" Philip managed to say.

Everyone else had been silenced, unable to think of anything to say, which would be worthy of the beautiful sight which lay before them.

"Yes, it is." Max agreed, looking down at his Capital. "Let's go down now, shall we? If you will all please take seats within these vehicles." Max pointed out the hover-craft which were waiting nearby.

Everyone did so and they were soon making their way down the hill, faster than anyone could have jogged down on foot but still slow enough to be given a great view of the countryside. The hover craft stopped at the outskirts of town and everyone exited the vehicles but left their luggage inside at Max's instruction. The vehicles took off again, towards the Royal Manor while the group started to walk down the street.

"We don't have fare to walk and I thought that you'd have a better chance to see our city up close this way." Isabel explained.

As they passed Khivar's royal palace, Daniel made a point of explaining to the parents what the building had once been and what it had recently become. Jack also pointed out the playground and explained that the Royal Four had been the ones to design and build it. When they all arrived at the manor, Isabel led everyone inside and gave them all a quick tour of the downstairs rooms; the livingroom, diningroom, library and kitchen before taking them all out onto the lovely back patio where drinks had been left for them and several other people were waiting.

"As you can see, we don't have a lot of room here; just five bedrooms upstairs..." Isabel said. "So we asked if some of our friends wouldn't mind hosting you while you are here and they all graciously said yes. They will be your hosts as well as interpreters, when we cannot be with you, as most Antarians do not speak English."

"Anywhere's fine as long as hosting us isn't too much trouble." Diane said sincerely.

"No trouble at all, Mrs. Evans; we are honored and happy to host the parents and friends of Zan, Valondra, Rath and Ava...known to you of course as Max, Isabel, Michael and Tess." A woman stepped forward to say.

"Mom, these are Paala and her husband, Josso; they will be yours and Mr. Whitman's hosts." Isabel said.

Then she introduced everyone else's hosts as well. The Parkers and Amy DeLuca were staying with another couple.

"SG-1, you will remember Mardall, Tholla, Seria and Beneck." Isabel pointed out the four-square who had fought beside them aboard Apophis' mother-ship. "Teal'c and Jim, you will be staying with Mardoll and Tholla, while Jack will stay with Seria and Sam, you will be staying at Beneck's house. I hope this isn't against your regulations or anything; a woman staying with a man and vice-versa. I'm just trying to match you up with people you already know and have common interests with. As you'll remember, Jack; Seria is more the warrior while Beneck is one of our best scientists for all the butt-kicking their four-square accomplished, fighting Apophis...and of course as you are our guests of honor they will be your escorts for the party tonight as well." Isabel explained.

"No, that'll be fine." Both Jack and Sam said casually...too casually, Isabel thought as she hid a smirk and watched the two officers surreptitiously glancing at each other as they said it.

Max gave Isabel an intense stare for a moment, one she returned with an innocent glance before continuing. "And Sha're and Daniel will have the guest room Sha're occupied before."

The hosts then moved forward to introduce themselves before leading their guests to their homes where they could rest a little and freshen up. After seeing their parents off to their accommodations, Max turned back to Liz and the others.

"Uh, why don't the rest of you make yourselves comfortable, either outside or within...Isabel and I have to go speak to Valaria...our birth-mother. While she knew about Apophis' attacking Antar and SG-1's coming through the Stargate to fight beside us, she does not know what happened after that...our traveling through the Gate back to Earth or about our being reunited with all of you."

"Uh oh." Alex murmured uneasily.

"Do you want me to come with you, Max?" Liz asked.

"I'd love to have you beside me, Liz; but I think it would be best if only Isabel and I speak to her this time...explain everything." Max said.

"Of course...but if I can help..." Liz agreed.

"Thanks for that, Liz...I love you." Max murmured softly to her as he kissed her cheek, but then turned away and walked beside his sister, through some saplings and bushes to a house partially visible beyond them.

"How is Valaria likely to take the news about you guys being reunited with us?" Liz asked Michael and Tess.

"I don't know, Liz." Michael replied. "Valaria is a Very strong woman, one of Antar's best and most beloved queens...she ruled beside her husband for many years and then brought our people through over fifty years of civil war...and yet sending her children away from herself and this planet to keep us safe and to allow us to grow up was one of the hardest things she's ever had to do."

"Max and Isabel will have to convince her that they will never leave Antar to live on Earth again." Tess finished. "All of us, especially you Liz and Alex will have to make your homes here on Antar and only commute to Earth if necessary..."

The friends had talked back and forth while they relaxed out on the lovely patio; Michael and Tess answering the first of their many, many questions for over an half hour, when Max and Isabel returned followed by an older woman. Everyone stood when they saw her and realized who she must be. Max and Isabel came to stand before their friends with Valaria in between them.

"Mother, I'd like you to meet our loves and very good friends." Max said before he began to introduce everyone to her...Isabel introduced Alex and then finally..."Mother...this is Liz; Elizabeth Claudia Parker. Liz, this is our mother; Her Royal Highness, Valaria, Dowager Queen of Antar."

Max introduced them formally, unlike the casual introductions he had made for everyone else. Liz was special...to him and to Antar, as she would be taking his mother's place as Queen of Antar by his side, one day soon.

"Your Highness." Liz somehow said and did all the correct things; dipping a quick yet graceful curtsy to the older woman. "It is an honor and pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

"Elizabeth Parker, it is my pleasure to meet you and to welcome you to Antar." Valaria replied rather stiffly but then she smiled and her amber eyes lit up. "Zan has been talking about you for years...I am glad that he was able to find you again...I know that you have made him very happy."

"I hope so, ma'am." Liz replied smiling back at her.

"Wow, I guess the meeting went well with mommy-dearest." Maria whispered to Michael who nodded.

"Valaria was concerned that we would abandon her and return to Earth, but we have assured her that we will never do that to her or our people." Isabel explained. "After that, she insisted on coming out to meet you all right away." Valaria nodded.

"My children..." Valaria's open arms encompassed all four of them. "Have told me a great deal about all four of you over the years...and about your parents. I look forward to meeting them tonight."

"Thank you, ma'am." Alex said smiling.

"Well I know that you want to get out and look around and that Zan has some other business which he must attend to, so I will leave you be for now." Valaria said.

"Thank you, Mother." Max told her and she lifted her hands to stroke the cheeks of her son and daughter.

"May you always be happy together with your soul-mates." She said and then turned to retrace her steps back to her nearby home.

"Uh, guys; where did Daniel and Sha're go?" Max asked, after Valaria had left; only just noticing that their friends were missing.

"Sha're took Daniel inside, to show him their room and then I think they were going to walk in the gardens, out front." Liz explained and Max nodded.

"So, what's the plan for the rest of the day?" Kyle asked them.

"I have to meet with the Council...I know it will probably be boring for you, but would you like to come with me, Liz?" Max asked.

"Sure, Max." Liz agreed.

"Good!" Max smiled. "That shouldn't take too long; since I kept in touch with them while we were gone. Our parents should be coming back soon and then the rest of you can take a tour of the Capital. Liz and I will catch up with you after my meeting...but before they do come...Isabel, what are you planning for Jack and Sam?"

"What do you mean, Max?" Isabel asked innocently.

"I know you made the arrangements for SG-1's accommodations before we even left Antar and then you asked me to confirm them with Seria and Beneck when I checked in the other day..." Max trailed off but pinned his sister with his amber stare.

"Okay, okay...I'm just...trying to get them together." Isabel explained. "Even a blind man could see how much they mean to each other and from what I've heard they'd do anything for each other...except admit their feelings to the other...or take any steps to change the regulations which keep them apart."

"That is true." Alex agreed. "I've heard around the SGC that they've risked their own lives to save each other's; of course they more or less live together when they travel off world and somehow manage to get along and have become best friends."

"So what are you planning exactly?" Max asked Isabel.

"Well, I figure all the other circumstances for bringing two people together have already happened to Jack and Sam; they're good friends, they have a lot in common in their work, yet also have their own individual lives, they have fought side by side, seen each other wounded and vulnerable!...What else is there? I'm going to make them jealous!" Isabel stated, rubbing her hands together in glee.

"Oh man, this should be good!" Michael smirked.

"But what about Seria and Beneck, mightn't they get hurt; being in the middle of all this?" Liz asked.

"I don't think so, Liz." Isabel assured her friend and brother who were both worried about the consequences. "Seria and Beneck are both just good friends and are in on this for the fun of it...nothing is going to happen between either of them and Sam or Jack. I just think that they'll really hit it off with their house-guests; have a lot to talk about. They are both quite charming and will probably get the laughter flowing in no time flat...and besides which you have to admit...Seria is lovely and Beneck is quite handsome...although not my style..." Isabel assured Alex who only grinned back at her, secure in Isabel's love and his feelings for her in return. "That should spice it up just enough to make things sizzle!"

"So they've saved each other's lives and are really good friends, but how can you be sure that there really is that 'something extra' hidden somewhere within those two?" Maria asked.

"I saw some interesting things when I dream-walked them." Isabel said grudgingly.

"You dream-walked them, when?" Kyle asked.

"When we first came to Earth." Michael answered for her. "We felt pretty secure in our relationship with SG-1, but we had to be sure that there wasn't anyone with an ulterior motive, working at the SGC, so I asked Isabel to check them out for us."

"Uh...huh." Kyle said thoughtfully and then grinned. "So, what kinda stuff did ya see?" He asked.

"I'm not going to tell you that, Kyle!" Isabel rebuked. "Michael and I had an agreement that I would only tell him anything which pertained to us...everything else was to remain private."

"Oh come on!" Kyle exclaimed.

"Just a little something!" Tess begged.

"There must have been something really good to make you turn into a match-maker!" Maria said.

"Nah, she's always been a stick-her-nose-into-other-people's-business-and turn-their-lives-upside-down-kinda-girl." Max said standing a safe distance from his sister.

"Oh you!" Isabel exclaimed irritated. "Oh all right! There was one rather sweet thing I saw which I guess I can tell you about, but no more than that and you have to promise not to tell anyone else about it." Isabel insisted.

After all of the friends agreed, she told them.

"There was a time, not too long ago, when Daniel and Sam were wounded while SG-1 was off-world. Sam's wound was only superficial, but Daniel's was rather serious. Anyway, on the day Daniel was to be released from the Infirmary, Sam, Jack and Teal'c came to pick him up. When she saw him, Sam hugged Daniel in a friendly, I'm-glad-you're-okay-kinda-way. What I saw in one of Jack's dreams was his wish that Sam would hug him that way in the very least, instead of calling him 'sir' all of the time and saluting him...there were a lot of emotions which came along with that dream, but I'm not going to tell you lot about any of them." Isabel finished and her friends groaned.

"Oh...that is so sweet! So the crusty Colonel has a soft, gooey center?" Liz asked.

"Well, at least a small one and he really wants it to ooze all over Sam." Isabel agreed.

"What about Sam, you must have seen something in her dreams too." Alex coaxed.

"Yes I did..." Isabel said grudgingly but then relented. "Oh all right, I'll tell you about just one time...um... Sam and Jack were trapped inside an ice-cave and Jack was badly hurt. In the end, right before they were rescued, Jack started to hallucinate and thought that Sam was his ex-wife...in her dream, Sam wished that she was his wife so that she could comfort and love him at other times besides when he was at death's door."

"Wow..." Maria sighed.

"I think we get the picture, even if we didn't get to hear any of the 'good stuff'!" Alex said.

"Yeah...it's a go for 'Operation Matchmaker'!" Max agreed and everyone grinned before he took Liz's hand and led her away from their friends and towards the Council meeting. "See you later, guys."