Epilogue
(Six years later)
C.J. was so nervous he thought he might throw up. After all this time he was finally going to marry Shayla, the love of his life. C.J. could still clearly remember exactly when and how they'd finally gotten together.
(Flashback. It's about two weeks before the start of C.J. and Shayla's junior year.)
'Why me?' C.J. thought to himself as he again caught Senator Kinsey looking at him like he was the spawn of Satan. C.J. knew that Kinsey and his dad didn't get along at all, but come on.
C.J. and Shayla were attending a dinner party being held in honor of SG-1 once again saving the world from mass destruction. They'd both been to one or two of these functions before and hated them, they tried what ever they could to get out of going when ever possible, but this time they hadn't really been given a choice.
"Remind me again why we're here." C.J. asked Shayla as she joined him at a table near the back corner of the room.
"That unspoken obligation to our parents." Shayla joked while she sat down.
"And the half pints aren't here because why?"
"Too young."
"Lucky them." C.J. lightly banged his head on the table causing Shayla to laugh.
C.J. really hated these things with a passion. Normally he was better at hiding how he felt, but having to go to this party on the anniversary of his mother's death was making it harder.
"Want to dance?" Shayla tried taking C.J.'s mind off of things.
"Nobodies dancing." C.J. looked around the room.
"That's why I thought it safe to ask."
"No, you know what I need? I need to get out of here and clear my head." C.J. went to stand up and leave but was stopped by Shayla's hand on his arm.
"You ok? I know this is a rough time for you." Shayla always worried about C.J. even more around this time of year.
After meeting her gaze for a moment C.J. broke off, saying something about needing a drink, and made his way into the crowd. Shayla, really worried now, was right on his heels hoping C.J. wasn't going to do anything stupid.
"Again whose bright idea was it to put a bunch of officers and politicians into a room together?" Jack questioned as he stood behind Sam with his arms around her waist and his chin on her shoulder. They were technically off duty and could therefore show their feelings for each other and Jack was taking full advantage of it.
"It's only for a few more hours." Sam was having fun seeing Jack so uncomfortable, it wasn't every day she got to see him like this.
"I know, I know...but I swear I'm this close to killing somebody."
"Yes well that's why you have me here to keep you from doing just that and starting an international incident." Sam gave Jack a quick kiss before leaving to mingle some more.
Jack was about to make a smart-ass comment, but stopped short when he noticed C.J. storming off. Curious about what was going on Jack made his way towards C.J.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jack demanded as he took the glass of wine C.J. was about to drink, away from him.
"What's it look like I'm doing?" C.J. replied sarcastically. "Now if you'd kindly give me back my drink."
"I don't think so. Incase you hadn't noticed you're a little young to be drinking."
"Why, because you say so?"
"Look I don't know what's been up with you lately but you'd better change your attitude pretty quick." Jack was getting fed up with C.J.'s behavior over the last couple of days.
"Whatever, I'm out of here." C.J. started to walk off but was stopped by Jack grabbing his arm.
"Where do you think you're going? I'm not done talking to you yet."
"I'm getting the hell out of here that's where. This is your party, your life, not mine. I never wanted to be here in the first place." With that C.J. broke out of Jack's grip and took off outside.
Jack was about to go after C.J. when he was stopped by Shayla stepping in front of him.
"Jack just let him go. He needs some time to cool off and if you go after him now, you'll both end up doing or saying something you'll regret."
"Shayla I know you're trying to help, but something is going on with C.J. and I aim to find out what."
"I know exactly what's going on with him, so trust me when I say wait for him to cool off."
"But..."
"Jack, look I understand you're worried, but you have to understand we've only been in this reality for about a year and even though I have the Daniel and Janet of this reality and C.J. has the you and Sam of this reality, we're still dealing with the loss of friends and family in our reality."
"That's what this is all about, the death of his mom." Jack was starting to fell like a real ass about the way he'd acted. "I can't believe I didn't..."
"Yeah, six years today. Look I'm gonna go find C.J. and make sure he's ok, you stay here, do your thing, and try not to start any international incidents." Not waiting for an answer Shayla went after C.J. having a good idea where he was at.
Leaving the mountain Shayla headed in to the surrounding forest. After walking for a good 10-15 minutes Shayla found the river she was looking for and followed it to where it created a waterfall that drained into a fairly large lake.
Spotting C.J. standing on the edge of the cliff, Shayla began to worry he might do something rash.
"C.J.?" Shayla couldn't help the fear that crept into her voice.
Shayla was unsure about what to do when she got no response of any kind from C.J. She was about to walk over and try to pull him away from the cliff's edge, when he started talking.
"She loved it here." C.J. stated, not turning around or acknowledging Shayla. "Said it reminded her of the planet I was born on or Tree World as my dad liked to call it. I remember we would spend hours out here just the two of us."
After a moment of silence C.J. started talking again.
"Shay, do you know why I like to run? I mean really know why I'm always running any chance I get. I run because it's the only way I have to escape, escape from all the demons, the pain, the sorrow, the anguish, and everything else bad about my life. When I run nothing else matters all my burdens disappear and I'm free with out a care in the world. But in the end it's all just a lie, no matter how hard I try or how much I want to I can't out run it all. Eventually it catches up with me and everything starts all over again, like a never ending cycle."
"Yeah I know exactly what you mean. When things start to get tough for me I escape into my art. I also know how you feel so why don't you come back away from the edge and talk with me, tell me what's going on, please."
"You think I'm gonna jump don't you?"
"I'll admit the thought had crossed my mind. Prove me wrong?" Shayla reached out and took C.J.'s hand. C.J. allowed Shayla to take his hand and lead him over to a near by log where they could sit down.
"Don't worry if I was going to do anything like that I'd have done it long before now. But you have no idea how easy it would be for me to just take that last step. The only reason I haven't tried anything is because of Trey, but more importantly because of you. When things get too hard, too tough, when I just can't take it any more and I feel like I need an out, all I have to do is see your face and things don't seem so bad any more. Besides Trey, you were the only good thing left in my life after...You're the light that leads me back from the edge, the one constant in my life, the one person I can always count on, and I love you for that..." C.J. got an embarrassed look on his face and couldn't bring himself to look at Shayla. He hadn't meant to say most of that.
When there was no response C.J., feeling he'd just ruined their friendship, got up and was starting to leave when Shayla grabbed his hand. She couldn't believe what C.J. had just told here, she'd never known any of those things. Some of the things he'd said, like his wanting to end it all, scared the hell out of her, but the other things, like his loving her, thrilled her to no end.
Locking eyes they both gazed deeply into each other's eyes. After what seemed like hours of just standing there, but couldn't have been more than a minute, the two moved in closer together. It was hard to tell who made the first move; both had just instinctively moved into each other and shared the first of what they hoped to be many kisses.
(End flashback)
Someone had once told C.J. that if you have nothing worth dying for in your life, you have nothing worth living for. Well he'd found his something and he would do whatever it took to keep her in his life.
When Jack entered the room C.J. was supposed to be getting ready in, he found C.J. sitting on the floor in a corner of the room wearing only his pants, his knees drawn up with his arms resting on them and his head down.
"C.J. everything ok?"
"Dad I don't know if I can do this." C.J. never lifted his head. Jack knelt down in front of his son and placed his hands on C.J.'s shoulders.
"You're not having second thoughts are you?" C.J. shook his head no, "Worried Shayla's having second thoughts?" Jack further prodded. This caused C.J.'s head to pop up.
"Why did she say something?" C.J. was beginning to panic.
"No, of course not."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. C.J. listen to me you and Shayla both have been through a lot in your lives; death of friends and family, the loss of a world, and having to start whole new lives and through it all you've both been side by side, neither one of you is going to stop being there for the other."
"Yeah, but..."
"But nothing. You can do this just get up at that alter, look at Shayla nothing else, and tell her what's in your heart. That's not so difficult is it?"
"God I hope not."
"Good now what do you say we finish getting you ready? Can't have you getting married half naked, now can we."
"I don't know, it would probably distract everyone from the fact that I can't remember my vows." C.J. joked as Jack pulled him up to his feet.
"Don't worry you'll remember when the time comes."
Jack helped C.J. finish getting ready. When he was done, Jack turned C.J. around to look in the mirror. Jack had never been more proud of his son then he was that day.
"You look great son, and wait until you see Shayla, she'll take your breath away."
"Thanks dad, for everything." C.J. pulled Jack into a hug and whispered in his ear, "and you were right all those years ago, you're not the same man he was, you're the better man and I couldn't ask for a greater dad."
Jack returned the hug, to choked up to say anything. Before he could find his voice and respond a four-year-old boy and girl bursting into the room interrupted the two.
"Daddy" "C.J." They both shouted as they launched themselves into the arms of the older men.
"Jaren, Andrea what are you two doing here?" Jack was curious.
"Looking for you daddy." Andrea answered as she played with his hair.
"Yeah mommy said to find you." Jaren added.
"Do I dare ask what you two did to Trey in order to get away from him?" C.J. questioned. Just then Trey stuck his head into the room.
"Hey have you two seen the twins...oh there you two are. Dang you guys are getting quick."
"Alright people it's starting to get crowded in here. Dad you go find out what mom wants and Trey you take the twins and go do whatever."
After saying their good byes the others left C.J. alone once again.
Entering Shayla's dressing room, Janet wasn't really surprised to see Shayla pacing around the room. She'd been a nervous wreck all morning. Janet found it quite amusing to see her normally cool and collective daughter losing her cool.
"Shayla, honey sit down, relax, breath." Janet steered Shayla into a near by chair.
"Mom, I'm not sure about this. I mean what if he's having second thoughts?"
"Shayla I can guarantee you that he's not having second thoughts, he's not going any where. I've watched the two of you grow up and I've known from day one that the two of you have had something special, an unbreakable bond between you, and that's not going to change any time soon."
"I know but..."
"But nothing. You know I bet you anything C.J. is having the same feelings you are."
"Really?"
"Yes. So please just relax everything is going to be fine, I promise."
"Thanks mom, you always know what to say to make me feel better."
"You're welcome..." Someone knocking on the door and cracking it open slightly interrupted Janet.
"Everyone decent in there?" They heard Ryan asked.
"Yeah it's clear." Shayla responded.
"Good." Ryan entered the room carrying a little three-year-old boy. "Lookin' good sis. You're going to take his breath away."
"Thanks Ry. Now is there a reason you and Cale are here or what?"
"Oh yeah, mom I came in here to tell you that you might want to go save dad and Marina. Anise finally managed to corner the two."
At hearing this Janet quickly gave Shayla's shoulder a reassuring squeeze and then left to go save Daniel and their three month old baby girl. Soon after Shayla chased her brothers out of the room as well.
C.J., Trey, Jack, and Ryan stood at the alter as the music started. They watched as Andrea came down the aisle, throwing flower peddles, followed by Jaren and Cale each carrying a pillow with a ring on it, next came Cassie, Janet, and Sam. Finally Shayla and Daniel appeared at the end of the aisle and began walking down it.
When the two reached the alter, Daniel took C.J.'s hand and placed Shayla's in it. They gazed lovingly at each other as the minister went through the usual ceremony. Both nervously turned towards each other when it came time to say their vows. C.J. started to speak, but had to stop and clear his throat when his voice started to crack, Shayla gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and he continued.
"Shayla I've loved you ever since that day in the park when we were six years old and you pushed me off that jungle gym." This got some chuckles from the guests. "When the world around me darkens, you're the candle that breaks through the darkness. When I'm falling into nothingness, you're my safety net delicate as a spider's web, but strong as a silvern rope.
When I'm lost in my insecurities, you're my guide back to life, helping me to find myself again. When I'm happy you're the one that smiles with me and joins in my laughter. You are the savior of a drowning me. You are my world and make life worth living. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, 'till death do us part."
"C.J. I've loved you for as long as I can remember. Whenever I feel like I'm fading away, you're the one who shows me who I am and what I live for. When I feel lonely and unloved, you're the shining star that's there for me, wherever I may be. When the floods of tears seem to be never ending, yours is the hand that wipes my tears away and brings a smile to my face.
You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are my sunshine on a cloudy day. To me you mean more than words could ever say. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you in sickness and health for richer or poorer, 'till death do us part."
The minister continued with the ceremony and they exchanged rings. After it was over and C.J. had been given permission to kiss the bride, they both turned and were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Carter Jacob O'Neill for the first time. All the guests broke into applause as the newly weds made their retreat down the aisle.
Later after some pictures at the church, everybody made their way to the reception hall. The rest of the day and evening flew by, filled with dancing, eating, drinking, and laughing. It was a wonderful celebration of friends and family.
A/N: I hope you all liked my story even if it was just a little bit. I would like to say thanks to all the people who've reviewed this story.
P.S. I'm currently trying to work out another story that could be seen as a prequel to this story. It will take place during Jack and Sam's time spent stranded off world and there after. Hopefully I'll be able to start posting chapters soon.