OF THEIR PAST.

Spoilers- some general spoilers for seasons 1-3, AU season 4 (Anya didn't return, Xander joined the army, Tara and Willow did not get together and the whole ADAM thing occurred while Xander was on leave) and I may throw in some AU season 5.

Disclaimer- I in no way, shape or form own any of the characters or setting used in this story, they belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc (Buffy and Angel) and Stargate belongs to whomever it belongs to.

Setting- Two years after season 4.

Pairings- X/W, A/C, B/Wes and maybe some hints of Jack/Sam.

Note- please forgive my lack of knowledge when it comes to the army, what I don't know I make up so just go with me on this.

**

Alarms blared as the iris opened and the wormhole plunged into the room. It settled back into the gate, rippling slightly. A strange slurping noise was heard as five figures stepped out onto the ramp. Smoke followed them ad they made their way down the ramp. Col. O'Neil coughed and slapped at his clothes to remove the soot.

General Hammond rushed into the room. "Good Lord, what happened to you?"

Dr Jackson moved forward with an oval plate in his hands. "It's seems that the G'ould didn't want us to take this." 

General Hammond looked them over carefully. "Alright, go for your check up and then come to the debriefing room, immediately. Don't even stop to get changed, the President wants to speak to you."

The team dispersed after the call, it turned out that he had just wanted to congratulate them on a job well done after they had stooped the G'ould from taking over the Earth, yet again. The four men trudged into the male showers and slumped onto the benches. Daniel and Teal'c headed towards the showers, while Jack remained seated and the recent addition to their team opened his locker and pulled out a small box. He slumped back onto the bench, his dark head bent over as he stared at the box.

Jack looked over at him. "You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders, son. Anything I can do?" Jack asked.

He didn't know why but he liked this kid, maybe because he reminded him of himself when he was young, or maybe it was because of the way the boy had reacted to all this. Getting pulled out of training and told that aliens were real and that you were going to be fighting them; it would have to be a shock. But this kid just took it all in his stride, he was a good fighter too. Never left anyone in the field, and could get out of pretty much any situation. That's why they moved him up to SG1; he was too good to be wasted on the other teams when he could be helping the best.

Xander looked over at Jack and smiled wearily. This guy kind of reminded him of Giles, always wanting to look after everyone else but never wanting anyone to worry about him.

Xander held up the box. "I'm going home tomorrow, on leave. Going to ask my girlfriend to marry me."

Jack whistled. "That's a big step for someone your age. Your only 22, right?"

Xander shook his head. "23, but I can't wait anymore. I've known her forever and at first she was scared that I was going to leave her. Her previous boyfriend cheated on her and left. Then I was afraid that she was going to leave me. She's so funny, smart, beautiful, talent, why would she want me? But I'm going to do it. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow and I don't want to die without her knowing that I'm never going to leave her."

 Jack looked over at him impressed. "So why the long face?" 

Xander grinned self-consciously. "Sudden attack of nerves over the ring."

 Jack laughed. "Sorry, can't help you with that. Why don't you ask Sam?"

Xander raced through the halls of the Star Gate compound. Catching sight of a blonde head he swerved to the right, almost knocking people over. "Major Carter, Major Carter!"

 Sam stopped and turned to see an out of breath Xander. Skidding to a stop he placed his hands on his knees and tried to catch his breath. "I've been all over the compound looking for you."

 Sam smiled. "Really? What can I do for you Al?" 

Xander looked around then pulled her into an empty room. "I have a favour to ask of you. You see I go on leave tonight. I'm going home for a while since we got that plate thingy and translating those things always takes ages. Anyway I've got this girlfriend and we've been going out for some time and tomorrow I'm going to ask her to marry and I'm worried that she won't like the ring and could you just take a look at it and tell me what you think, if it's not to much trouble?"

 Sam smiled again. This was the most he had said in a long time about something that wasn't to do with battles. The first time he had voluntarily spoken about his home too. "Sure Al. It's no problem at all."

A wide grin stretched over Xander's face, which turned into a frown as he started patting down his pockets to find the ring. With a sigh of relief he found it in his hand and passed it over.

Sam opened the small velvet box and sighed at the beauty of the ring. It was silver with a willow tree carved on the front of it.

Xander looked over at her anxiously. "Her name's Willow, hence the-." He pointed at the ring.

Sam sighed again. "It's beautiful Al, she'll love it."

Xander's face lit up. "Really, thanks." Xander looked down at his watch. "Oh no, I gotta go the bus'll be here any moment. Bye!" Xander rushed off back to his room and grabbed his bag. He raced up to the bus stop as if the hounds of hell were on his heels.