disclaimer at beginning. Hmm.. Well this is the seventh chapter. By now it appears that Stargate really isn't mine.
Warning- two swear words in this one.
Thanks for all the reviews- the last two parts were sad to write as well.
Notes: ichargrl- the naquadah in her blood is a highly experimental strain, that is a manipulation of the biochemical reaction, of the mineral (as hopefully stated). They wouldn't put her in the field if her enemies would know she was on to them. As you can tell it doesn't always work, she should have been able to tell about Sam. It does seem to work for her protection, however, as Jacob and Sam had no idea. There's a longer explanation, but on with the story.

Mira has told me that my African Violet joke was far too garden geeky. For those who don't know, there is an African Violet called Stargate. It's quite pretty and goes along with Katarina's warped sense of humour.

Looking for suits had been put off for yet another week, as she spent her dual life above and below ground. Taking care of Sam and Jacob turned out to be an interesting challenge, a challenge with a twist. In the midst of a surprise mission, the geeky man had gone missing. So the anxiety that had been brewing and festering already was now at a boiling point. Instead of just two brooding people, she now had to contend with two more men who were just as overly wrought with concern as they searched the explored universe for their missing buddy.

More sleepless nights ensued, and then without any hint of an explanation, the geeky one returned. She thought he was annoying before, now he just wouldn't shut up. Apparently there was some kind of grand scheme, a betrayal, an ancient civilization with a weapon of doom, and a chance once again that the universe was going to blow up. Sounded like good fodder for a half decent fiction in her opinion. She was in the minority, however, as the other four, including Jacob, looked engrossed with his tale. Oh, that and the geek had somehow escaped death by going to a diner. The man was losing it by the minute.

It took them over six hours to regroup and discuss the implication of his fantastical tale. With all the things she had seen, she knew she should believe him, but his incessant comments and ramblings were preying on her nerves. Murray was addressed by a strange sounding name, which she mentally reminded herself to ask about at a later date. Standing in the doorframe she watched the team in action, reminiscing about her own days of team combat. She kept a careful eye on Sam's interaction with the general and took careful note of the odd appreciative looks the two would throw at each other every so often.

They worked well together. The general's talents seemed to lie in the strategic, obvious, and grammatical- all of which Sam lacked. Jacob, ever the commander, offered his approval and disapproval of each plan. The man not named Murray talked like a weathered soldier and the geek offered odd spiritual and compassionate notes where ever he felt they were needed to temper the battle readiness of the four. It was tempting for her to add her thoughts to the conversation, but she knew her intellect was based in this world's knowledge, while theirs was greatly expanded. After some sort of decision, the conversation turned personal and she turned to the hall.

Sam followed her out and looked around for something to say. Finally crossing her arms over her chest to ward off an invisible chill, Sam spoke.

"Thanks for staying."

"Not a problem." She glanced in the direction of the geeky man. "You actually believe his story?"

Sam nodded, acknowledging in her posture and facial expression the absurdity of the situation. They could both tell the guys were watching and listening in shamelessly to their little chat, which made it difficult to address what she really needed to talk to Sam about.

"If you are needed here on base, I understand. The wedding could certainly be put off for the fate of the universe."

Here she hoped she was giving Sam an easy out. A chance to think and carefully mull over her choice of Pete as a suitor and a chance for her to have a little heart to heart with Sam about love. The dreaded date was approaching faster than ever. There was obviously some kind of attraction between Sam and the general and with her connections she was sure she could find some way of keeping Sam in the midst of all this excitement. Not in a militaristic role, but life was full of compromises, and love she was sure, always ruled over all.

"No, no. I wouldn't want to do that to you. You already took all the time to send out the invitations."

Great, so now she was the scapegoat for the disaster of the century? Perfect.

"Really," And she meant it. Really. "Sam, it's not even close to being a problem. I can just drop everyone a line and…"

"You've already done so much." How incredibly ironic, her own hand against her own heart. Sam looked at her thankfully and she internalized her need to start screaming sense at her. "I'm not saying I won't be busy, but I really want the wedding to go on as scheduled."

She nodded, feeling defeated, and stood sulking as Sam walked off. She turned sharply to look at the men, who did their best to look innocently around. They needed more practice, not a single one fooled her. However, there would be another time, a better time, to remind them of the upcoming and pressing events on this planet. Like the approaching wedding and their lack of apparel for the event.

"Oh yeaah." Pete eyed a midnight blue suit in the window. The three men looked at her with pained expressions, as Pete and his friend went prancing through the store looking at every single truly ugly suit. He came back with a vintage 1970s monstrosity in powder blue. "What do you think? It's blue."

She bit her lip and went up to the front desk. The man greeted her and got the suits she had held for them.

They were classic in every sense and she was very proud that she had found them in such a small place. Pete eyed them and nodded in agreement.

"Very classy. Very Cary Grant. Sam will love em."

The two men dashed to the back, before being informed that they would be fitted two-by-two, as there were only two tailors available on hand. Already being in the right place and right time, the two men went on the stands first. That left the four of them sitting out in the main area, listening to them being scolded for moving and pricked by pins every so often.

The geeky one quickly began fidgeting and looking over at her. He looked like he was going to explode at any moment.

"So, how long have you known Sam?"

She paused from looking through her PDA files, and attempted to calculate a year amount. After realizing that it would give away her age, she decided to stick to years old.

"Since Sam turned seven."

This surprised the geeky man, and he leaned back in awe to calculate something or other.

"So you've been friends for almost thirty years then."

"Mmmhmm." She was a bit annoyed with him at the moment.

"Wow." He shifted to fully face her. "It's just odd, cause she's never mentioned you."

"Daniel.." The general looked at him with a clear "aww common" expression on his face.

"No, it's all right." Despite her words she still threw a thankful look at him. "Sam and I had a falling out before she ever met you, so it doesn't surprise me."

"A.. a falling out?" Geek man was more curious than she was, and that was saying something. At least she had some tact.

"Yes, she was engaged to be married." Daniel squirmed in excitement, awaiting the next part of the tale. "And I refused to be a bridesmaid." He seemed disappointed. "Well, don't look too wrecked. It was a horrible argument. She was in love. He was a psychopath. She always falls for these weak ass jerks."

The room had suddenly grown far too quiet; she looked up to see Pete standing at the far side of the room. He had heard everything she had said, and now she was sure she would never hear the end of it. He stood motionless, before rocking back on his heels and addressing her.

"Well, the suit fits just great. I take it you don't need us for anything more."

She shook her head. He nodded and took off with his buddy. Seeing their quick exit, not-Murray and Daniel got up wordlessly and headed in the back to be fitted.

"You certainly have a way with words."

"I don't need to be lectured, General."

He nodded and turned back to look where his friends had gone.

"Was his name Jonas?"

She looked up.

"Pardon?"

Hand gestures suddenly abounded. "The guy that she was engaged to."

She nodded, wondering how any of this had any relevance.

"Well, you were right." Oh, she was? "He was a weak assed psychopath."

He had met him? Interesting. She wondered what other lunatic fringe Sam had dated since then. The woman had talent for sniffing it out. She shifted uncomfortably, near ashamed to ask the next question.

"Did she marry him?"

He looked completely surprised that she didn't know. He half muttered a no, and looked over in the direction the muffled noises were coming from. She didn't? After all these years it shocked her that Sam had accepted her advice. Sam had been very young and terribly headstrong back then; consequently, many conversations revolved around the definitions of their friendship. It varied from day to day, some days she was being too maternal, some days she was hoarding advice. She was never able to win. In the end, she had only thought of herself as an older and very concerned sister. Nothing more. Pride had cost her almost fifteen years of seeing someone as dear to her as family.

She attempted to stifle the emotion. What was wrong with her lately? Crying, reminiscing. She was getting soft. She pulled in a deep breath, and looked blankly at her PDA. The general was watching her, trying to figure her out.

"She never told me."

The near tears turned to ironic laughter. In all her years, she'd never known Sam to take her advice. Now it seemed she had. Hopefully it had done some good. She shrugged off the outburst and turned back to her files.

"So you don't approve of Pete either?"

She eyed him carefully, wondering what was implied in the question. Bored of thinking it over internally, she asked.

"What are you getting at General?"

He didn't seem to know either. He shrugged and threw out a few half decent hand gestures, before concluding that he had drawn a blank. Then he started up again and shifted his posture.

"I guess, we've always just wondered why Carter never married."

Well that made no sense.

"And now I think I get it."

Well she as sure hell didn't.

"Between her father and you, any guy would have a challenge."

Fair enough. She'd seen enough of them cry to know she was cruel. The small smile that played on his lips amused and irritated her. Okay, so he just knew her and he'd figured it out. So what. It was more than obvious, he didn't have to think himself so clever.

At this point she was more than willing to play all her cards. There was less than a month until the dreaded day, so if he was going to make a move it would have to be now.

"And you think you can win us over?"

She said it with little seriousness in her voice. His brows furrowed as he thought up a good, or perhaps any, response. He had just opened his mouth when the two men came out and told him it was his turn to be poked and prodded. She watched him go, and turned to the two men ready to attack them for their perfect timing.