Epilogue

"Wow…"

Jack looked up from cuddling Jake, followed Sam's gaze, and saw that Ian had entered the commissary. The young man stopped at the doorway to look around, saw Jack, Sam and Daniel all sitting together and made a beeline their direction.

"His limp's gone," Daniel noticed.

"He looks wonderful," Sam said.

He did, too. The three weeks off had obviously done him good, because Ian looked relaxed and refreshed, and when he came closer, Sam saw that he also looked a bit less gaunt, as well. Which meant he'd probably managed to gain a few pounds – although none of it was fat.

He stopped at the table, giving them a rare smile – although not so rare for them, just everyone else.

"Good morning."

"Hi, Ian," Sam said, gesturing to the spot across from her – beside Daniel. "Have a seat."

He did as he was told, looking over at Daniel as he did.

"Wow. You look… red…"

Sam snickered. Daniel had spent his vacation in Egypt, and had come home sunburned and peeling.

"Have him take off his glasses," she suggested.

Daniel scowled.

"It was hot."

"And there was no suntan lotion?" Jack asked.

"I used it."

"Did you have a good time?" Ian asked, wondering how bad he looked without his glasses on. Probably they were outlined in white on Daniel's face, and he had to actually suppress the urge to reach over and pull them off.

"It was incredible," Daniel said, smiling. He so rarely actually had a chance to go on an archeological dig any more. Certainly not for the simple pleasure of wanting to learn about the people they were digging up. Now days, it was a matter of life or death it seemed; find out who these people were so we can figure out what they knew that we can use to fight the Goa'uld. It was far more appealing – and relaxing – to simply be digging for the sheer love of finding new things. "How about you?"

Ian scowled.

"Before or after the three feet of snow that got dumped on us?"

Jack smiled.

"It's Colorado, Ian. We get snow in March. Hasn't anyone told-"

"It was sunny and 70 in New York yesterday."

"Did you fly home?" Daniel asked.

Ian shook his head, ignoring Jack's amused snort.

"I was just getting ready to go on a road trip, when the blizzard from hell struck and snowed me in…"

"He was going to take Shawn and River to California for their Spring Break," Sam explained. "But it snowed, and River and Shawn decided to fly out, instead."

"You didn't go with them?" He asked Ian.

"No. I decided there was plenty I could do here, instead."

"Like…?"

Ian scowled.

"Stuff."

"Uh huh."

Meaning he hadn't wanted to fly. Especially in the middle of a blizzard.

"So you spent your vacation with Cassie, then?" Daniel asked, when it was obvious that Ian wasn't going to add anything more to the conversation.

Ian scowled again.

"No, she flew to Maryland with Doctor Fraiser to check out Johns Hopkins."

"Oh."

It was no secret that Cassie had already been accepted to the University the next fall, or that Cassie had every intention of becoming a doctor. With her grades and her mother's influence in the medical field, there was no way she wouldn't have been accepted, really. All that had made her hesitate was her relationship with Ian and the fact that she didn't want to go away for school.

But when she'd brought that up, he'd reminded her that he was going to be at the Academy the next year and wouldn't have nearly the freedom that he did, now. He'd see her on vacations and they'd be able to keep in touch. And he'd kissed her soundly, reminding her that he wasn't going to go looking for some floosie while she was gone. He'd wait. She'd wait. And it would make the summers that much sweeter for the waiting.

Besides, they still had the rest of this school year and the summer before they separated, and they could make the most of it. And had managed to spend a little time together before she'd left.

At his place. Since every time he went to hers, Janet was always watching him walk to make sure he was still on the road to recovery – even though the limp had been gone after only a few days – and that got annoying almost immediately.

"They should be back today."

"So what did you do on your vacation?" Jack asked.

Unlike Ian, he and Sam both looked tired and weary – although they'd never been happier. Jacob was a handful for them, but he was doted on by both parents – and Jaffer – who certainly didn't grudge the lack of sleep they were experiencing.

"Nothing," Ian said, truthfully. "I spent some time in the gym and worked out."

"You look good," Sam said.

He blushed a little, and changed the subject immediately – as he usually did.

"Jake looks like he's gained fifty pounds."

"Eight," Jack said, handing the baby over the table to his godfather, who reached out and took him without a complaint. He should have known the minute he transferred attention to the baby someone was going to decide he had to hold him. At least now, though, he didn't look quite so fragile, and he definitely weighed a lot more than he had. Still…

"Cuddle him, Ian…"

Ian rolled his eyes, and cuddled the infant close.

"Did you have breakfast?" Sam asked, smiling at the way Jacob reached up and grabbed for Ian's chin, missed and ended up with a handful of skin on the cadet's neck.

"Yeah."

"Toast doesn't count as breakfast."

"I didn't have toast," Ian told her, trying to detach Jake's fingers from the death grip they had on his skin. "I had poptarts."

"Oh, that's much better…"

Sam shook her head, and stood up.

"I've got some work to get done in my lab… you guys aren't going anywhere until Teal'c gets back, so if you're not busy, would you be willing to give me a hand?"

He nodded, looking at Jack, who shooed him off.

"I'm supposed to be doing paperwork, so go on and have… fun…"

Since Jack was wearing the baby harness thing to carry Jake in, Ian handed the baby over to him, wincing as his neck was pinched hard. Little guy had a strong grip. Jack took his son and blew a raspberry on his little cheek, drawing his attention from Ian back to himself so he wouldn't fuss at the change of hands.

"Paperwork, huh?" Ian asked, standing up and straightening his shirt.

"Yup."

"So… we'll be seeing you in about half an hour or so, then…?"

Sam chuckled, and dragged Ian away before Jack could come up with a response, and Daniel looked over at his friend, not even trying to hide his own amusement.

"He sure knows you well, doesn't he?"

Jack scowled, and looked from Daniel down to Jacob, who was playing with the collar of his father's uniform.

"Come on, Jake. We don't have to put up with this crap, do we? Yeah. We'll show them who can get their paperwork done…"

Putting his son in the carrier on his chest and belly, Jack stood up.

"I'll see you in a little bit," Daniel said as Jack headed for the door. He wasn't ready to start his day just yet – maybe one more cup of coffee. But he knew that by the time he was ready to go to his office and start cataloguing the things that the other SG teams had found the last three weeks, Jack would be tired of his paperwork – or bored – and would come looking for him. Especially if Sam and Ian were babbling to each other in technospeak.

Even a baby wasn't going to change some things, after all.

The End

So! That's it for this story. Let me know what you thought. Favorite lines, least favorite. I know there are things that weren't addressed – like Ian's knowledge and new abilities – but they will be eventually. It's just part of the ongoing storyline. On my forum (the link is in my profile) I made a poll asking if people are getting burned out on the campers series and would prefer me to write other stories instead (non campers stories) so if you'd take a minute and go there or let me know in an email or a review your thoughts I'd appreciate it. Just remember that if you don't sign in or leave an email, I can't reply to you!

Thanks, guys!