Daniel followed Cassie into the private room at the rear of the chapel with Jack and Teal'c close behind. Too close, as it turned out, because Daniel stopped short, causing Jack and Teal'c to crash into him. Teal'c's quick reflexes and steadying hand kept Jack from hitting the floor, but Daniel wasn't so fortunate. From his position on the carpet he continued to gape, while Jack's face registered shock and Teal'c's eyebrow rose in bemusement.

Sam stood before a mirrored vanity in her wedding gown. The form-fitting satin bodice demonstrated clearly that for all these many years fatigues had camouflaged her finer assets, but that thought barely made the radar. She stood on one leg, the other resting on the edge of the vanity, oblivious to the fact that the full, gauzy skirt of her dress had slid back far enough to reveal the lace edge of her thigh-high stocking. She was preoccupied, furiously tightening the laces on her combat boots and reciting a string of curse words under her breath.

"Uh, Sam?" Daniel (in some ways the bravest of them all) ventured tentatively as he scrambled to his feet.

"What!" she snarled as she slammed her boot to the floor and spun on him. It was meant as a question but came out as an exclamation.

"You look beautiful?" he replied. It was meant as an exclamation but came out as a question.

Sam sighed in frustration. "Thanks," she grumbled. "Is Dad with you? He was supposed to be here half an hour ago."

Daniel looked expectantly, and somewhat pleadingly, at Jack. Taking the hint with resignation, he took a step forward and dove right in. "He hasn't arrived yet, and we haven't received any word."

"Did you try to contact him?" Sam asked, her voice a fraction below screaming.

Jack's expression said, "Duh!" but his voice too-calmly replied, "Yes, Carter, of course we tried."

Carter flopped into the nearest chair, her skirt puffing out all around. "What else can possibly go wrong? Mark's wife and children have the stomach flu, the florist's truck broke down, and amongst a dozen other little irritations, and I broke the heel off my damned shoe. Now my Dad is AWOL. Who the hell is going to give me away?"

Daniel shot Jack a sidelong glance. "Jack can fill in. In fact, it seems quite fitting."

"Daniel!" Jack and Sam snarled simultaneously.

"I would be honored to assist you," Teal'c quickly interjected in an attempt to defuse the situation.

"Thank you, Teal'c."

An awkward silence descended. Sam stood and smoothed her skirt over her hips. Jack had to look away.

"We should allow you to finish your preparations," Teal'c said.

"Yes. Sorry, Sam," Daniel said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "First to kiss the bride!" he declared affectionately.

Sam laughed, and it lifted some of the weight that bore down on her. "Teal'c?" she said, "It is a tradition." With a fond smile, Teal'c bent and kissed Sam's cheek. Turning, he gave Daniel a pointed look and they quickly slipped from the room, surreptitiously gesturing to Cassie to follow.

Jack and Sam appraised one another. "Carter..." Jack began.

"Yes?" she asked too quickly, completely afraid of what might come out of his mouth next.

"Combat boots?"

She gave him that smile, the one that made the rest of the world disappear. He was suddenly completely afraid of what might come out of his mouth next. Thankfully, she answered him.

"They were in the trunk of my car. All I had."

"Truth is, it's kinda comforting. I'm not used to seeing you without them."

"They're actually a lot more comfortable than my high heels," she said, kicking a steel toe out from beneath the folds of fabric.

"You look amazing," he said before he could stop the words from escaping. Sam looked up at him, sadness showing despite the smile.

"Thank you, Sir."

"I, uh, better go."

"Sir? Tradition."

They looked at one another mutely for several moments. Jack leaned in and softly brushed his lips to hers.

"Goodbye, Sir," she whispered. Jack didn't look back.

Daniel and Cassie cornered Jack as soon as he re-entered the foyer.

"So?" Cassie asked.

"Et tu, Cassie?"

"Jack, did you talk to her?" Daniel pushed.

"Did you expect us to pass notes? Take up sign language?"

"Jack!" Disgust rang out in unison.

"Oh! You mean did I put Carter through more emotional upheaval and make a complete ass of myself? No, I passed up that valuable opportunity."

Jack was spared from further interrogation by the arrival of the father of the bride. "Jacob," Jack called, gratefully breaking away to greet him. "You're a sight for sore eyes."

"Why, Jack!" Jacob exclaimed with a hearty dose of sarcasm. "I didn't know you cared."

"Carter hasn't exactly been calm about your late arrival. Plus, Teal'c was going to walk her down the aisle, and we didn't have time to teach him that step-pause-step thing. It could've turned ugly."

Jacob smiled. "Let's get this show on the road. Where's my little girl?"

"I'll take you to her," Cassie offered and led him out of the foyer.