What if, on her wedding day, Sam had second thoughts?

What if she wasn't as strong as everyone thought she was?

What if she ran?

And what if it had all been different?

I guess this is it. The big day. The day everyone's been waiting for; the most important day of my life. The day I've been dreaming of since I was a little girl.

Sam looked at herself in the mirror, smoothing her gown with her hands. Cassie fussed around her, fixing her veil. Everything should be perfect on day like this one. But it wasn't. Something was niggling at her; eating her inside. And she knew exactly what it was. Maybe she shouldn't have invited him. Could she really go through with it when in her heart she knew it was wrong.

Her head told her to go for it, that what she wanted could never be. That with Pete she'd get the perfect life; the little cottage house with the white picket fence, the dog, the family.

But her heart thought otherwise and was fighting back; she didn't want all that, not with him anyway. She needed to choose; her job or her happiness.

There was a knock at the door and Jacob put his head around the door, 'Sam? Can I come in?'

She smiled, 'Sure Dad.'

'You look beautiful.'

'Thank you.'

'Cassie, can you give us a moment?' Cassie nodded and left.

Sam gave him a puzzled look, 'What is it?'

'Sam, I'm sorry to do this now, but Selmac insisted he had to talk to you.' Jacob closed his eyes briefly and the gou'ald inside him took control, 'Major Carter, you look beautiful.'

'Thank you Selmac,' she looked at him, 'Dad said something about you needing to talk to me?'

'Yes', Selmac locked his eyes onto hers, 'Major Carter, are you sure that what you're doing is right?'

Sam laughed softly, 'Sorry?'

'Are you sure you are joining in union with the right man? For once a sacred tie is made it should never be broken. If you are having any doubts, you should not go through with this.'

'Selmac, I know you mean well but I am sure of what I'm doing,' Sam lied, 'Now if you'll excuse me, I need to finish applying the final touches. I'll be ready soon.'

Selmac bowed his head and Jacob took over, 'I'm sorry Sam, I didn't want to do this now.'

Sam looked at his reflection in the mirror and then looked at her nails, 'What would you do?'

She heard a small, quick in-take of breath and Jacob spoke, 'Sam, I'm not your mother and I know her advice would be the best thing right now, but here's what I know; when it comes to love, you've got to listen to your heart, over-riding all else. And I think that's what she would say.'

Sam turned to face him, tears welling in her eyes. Her mouth was set in her trademark firmness, fighting against her fears. He held out his arms and she rushed into them; something she had not done since she was fourteen. 'I can't do this Dad,' she whispered, her tears rolling unchecked down her face, 'I'm not ready.'

'I know,' Jacob held his daughter's head to his chest, 'And one day you will be ready; to take that step and admit your feelings. But right now you need time and space to think.' He pushed her out, gripped her shoulders and looked into her eyes, 'Go; I'll cover for you.'