She walked into her lab for the final time before heading to the gate.

Several years of her life had been spend working there and as soon as the klaxon sounded that would change. Her life had changed a lot since Alex had arrived, unexpected or not she was grateful to have her daughter.

But this room held the most memories of a life before she came along, memories good and memories not so good and memories she wouldn't change for all the world. This room more than any other held memories of why SG-1 had stayed together through everything and yet that would soon change.

She dropped her bag from her shoulder to the floor, walking around slowly picking up objects and smiling to herself as she remembered what they meant to her.

"Major Carter"

She turned to see Siler stood in the doorway

"Everything is ready" he said

"I'll be there in a minute"

He never said anything just placed his hands behind his back and walked away

Moments later a deep sigh escaped her lips as she wrapped an arm around the bundle in front of her smiling down at her "guess we'd better getting going huh?" she spoke softly

A cough came from behind her "I'm on my way Sergeant" she answered

"Stay"

She jumped slightly at the recognition of the voice "Sir"

Colonel Jack O'Neill had propped himself up against the entrance to her lab "you could stay you know" he continued

"It's a little late...."

"No it's not"

She turned to look at him "Sir" her eyes pleaded with him

"You'll miss this" he replied picking himself up

"I don't have a choice"

"Carter?"

"You of all people should know why I'm doing this"

"Try me"

"We've been down that road Sir"

"Let's go down it again"

"We should go"

"Not happening Carter....give me more than just because I've been a arse the last few weeks else you're not leaving"

"Isn't that enough"

"Sam"

"Colonel"

"Get a transfer....hell I'll get a transfer"

"We'd still have the same problem"

"I'd stay away"

"That easy"

"Done great so far"

"It shouldn't be that way"

"No"

"But the reminder isn't helping is it?"

"It's not her fault"

"I know, I heard you last night"

"I should get Thor to take care of it....."

"It's part of you Sir"

"I wish it wasn't"

"Memories are important"

"These shouldn't exist...and we shouldn't be...."

"I know, things aren't always that simple"

"What about her?" Jack asked indicting to Alex "she's a little young for gate travel"

"She'll get command of this base yet Sir"

"No doubt"

Daniel entered the lab "Sam Jacob's here"

"Thanks Daniel"

"No problem....Jack" he added in acknowledgement of his presence but in a tone that said he wasn't happy

"Give us a minute" she said glancing from him to Jack

"Right" Daniel said

Once he left Sam continued "we'll be fine Colonel"

"Really?"

"Sure I might be able to get the Tok'ra to trust us more"

"That'll be nice"

"Yeah" she added a little down hearted

"Still leaving?" he asked

"Looks that way"

"Want me on me knees?"

"Not enough Sir...besides I wouldn't want to leave knowing I put you in the infirmary

"Would be worth it"

She flashed him one of her priceless smiles

"Fine, you win, but first I need to have a few words with Alex...sign a peace treaty and all"

"Sir" she looked confused

"Just a minute it's important"

"Alright"

She lifted Alex from the baby carrier getting very little fuss from her and slowly approached him placing her daughter in his arms.

"Do you mind if....it's personal....it'll only take a minute?"

Sam reluctantly gave in to his request "I'll be in the gate room" she added

Jack waited till she had left and even walked to the entrance of her lab to check for signs she was still there before he continued

"All right short stuff, here's the deal, normally in situations like this I'd be required to get you a dog, however your taking a trip with your mom and I don't think these folks would be your average dog lover kinda people, so..." he stopped trying to look deep in thought as he walked around the room carrying her

"So, I'm giving you the next best thing, you'll thank me for it one day as soon as your old enough..." he changed his hold on her and reached into his breast pocket retrieving a piece of paper. Unfolding it he read what it said "I Colonel Jack O'Neill of the United States Air force do effective immediately hand over my entire VHS Simpson's collection to one Miss Alex Carter to view at her mothers discretion until she reaches a suitable age" he folded the paper back up and placed it in his pocket.

"How's that?" he asked "we got a deal?"

She had started to doze off but her small arm had outstretched towards him so he placed his little finger where she could wrap her hand around it to make the deal. "good choice, you've scored one of the finest American TV shows on cable"

"Now down to business, you have to look out for your mom no over working her with too many late nights and you ever....ever need anything regardless of what's happened between us...you call me right? not so much now cos you're a little young to know DHD manuals, but SG-1 will bring you home anytime you like"

A few minutes later Jack was walked in to the gateroom witnessing Sam say her final goodbyes she smiled weakly at the sight of her daughter in his arms obviously trying to hide tears. He gently handed her over "Carter your daughter drives a hard bargain"

"Sir" she looked puzzled

He removed the note from his pocket, took a few seconds to scribble something on it and when her hands were free handed it to her

"Sir this isn't necessary"

"Sure it is Carter, we made an agreement

"But....The Simpsons?"

"It's a classic show and she's got taste"

"We don't have a video recorder"

"I'm having one sent to you"

"TV?"

"Taken care of"

"Electricity?"

"Use a generator"

"Sir"

"It's a gift Carter" he said holding his hand up to stop any protest "besides its part of her culture it shouldn't be missed because she's living on another planet"

"Yes Sir"

"Sam you ready?" her Dad called

She looked across to him seeing the gate already active

Looking back to Jack he had backed away slightly from her so she took this as the right time to go she took a final look at her friends and colleges of the last few years and turned to join her father as she walked to what would be come home.

Jack hurriedly reached into his back pocket looking for what he forgot, realising it wasn't there he called out "wait!" just before Sam was about to leave with Jacob "wait!"

Turning around they saw all there friend waiting to see them off Jack had continued to say something but it wasn't heard as he headed back out of the gateroom leaving everyone wondering what was going on.

He raced to he's office to continue his search, he hadn't lost it, it was done this morning at an urgent request and at a price five times higher than normal thankfully the delay in her actually leaving had meant he could do one final thing before they left.

He rummaged round his desk opening a drawer his eyes finally found what he was looking for. He picked it up carefully and hurried back to the gate occasionally running into a few officers on route and yelling his apologies as he kept moving.

"Got it" he called as he re-entered the room

"Colonel O'Neill what's going on" the General asked not looking at all amused

"Sorry General, I had some business to take care of concerning Major Carter" he answered heading up the ramp to where she stood talking to her father.

"Jacob" Jack acknowledged

"Jack"

"Carter a word"

"Sir" she replied as he pulled her off gently to one side

Carter you know it occurred to me...." he trailed off

"What?"

"You know what this place does"

"Sir we really should be going"

"Hear me out"

She stood awaiting what he wanted to say

"We need a new team member Carter"

"Sir I'm sure General Hammond will give you all the data you need to find a replacement"

"I'm not filing for a replacement in fact I was thinking maybe SG-1 should become a five man unit"

Sounds good Sir...who have you lined up?"

"It wouldn't be immediate there's still training to be done, I recon she'd handle it"

"Who Sir?"

His eyes set upon Alex and he revealed a small baseball cap showing it to Sam before placing the olive green cap hat on her head with the words Honorary SG-1 Member printed on it in black.

"Cute Sir" she couldn't help but smile

"Ya think"

"Thank You" she placed a light kiss on his cheek

"For old times sake" he replied

"Yeah" she spoke he voice hardly heard but sadness was definitely detected in it

"Go on get going someone needs to show our new rookie here how gate travels done"

"I Sir"

"And Carter the door is always open"

Moments later everyone stood to attention and they were gone.