Here's your chapter for the day! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it.

!Warning! There is a character in this chapter!

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"Where were you last night?" Sam asked as Cassie walked out onto the back patio. She immediately noticed the younger woman's faint blush and Sam grinned. "Out with Sage I take it?"

"Maybe," Cassie returned. "How's Kurt?"

"He's good. I keep thinking he's going to propose though."

Cassie frowned. "Why do you say that?"

"He gets flustered whenever someone brings it up," Sam answered. She shrugged. "Maybe it's just wishful thinking."

Cassie's face split into a huge grin. "You want him to propose," she accused.

"I do," Sam agreed, a faint blush on her face. "I care about him so much. He's kind, smart, funny, compassionate, respectful…everything Jonas and Pete weren't," Sam said. "But I don't think he will though."

"Why wouldn't he? He loves you, doesn't he?"

"He does, but because of his mutation…" Sam trailed off.

"Who cares? You two can get married here."

"Who'd marry us though?" Sam demanded.

"I'm sure General Hammond would. Jack would probably do it for crying out loud," Cassie returned.

"He has to propose first though," Sam reminded her friend.

Cassie shrugged and looked out at the basketball court and saw Sage playing a game with Alex, Scott, and Logan. She smiled as Sage dunked the ball. Sam followed her gaze and grinned coyly.

"So…how's Sage?" Sam asked.

"He's fine," Cassie said absently.

"I bet," Sam giggled.

"Hey!" Cassie said, shoving Sam jokingly.

Sam's cell phone rang and she answered it. "Carter. I'm good General, how about you?" she asked. The smile faded from her face. "Sir? What is it?" Cassie saw tears spring into her eyes and immediately knew something bad had happened. "I'll be there by the end of the day sir." She hung up and placed the phone back in her pocket.

"Sam, what's wrong?" Cassie asked.

"I need to go back to the SGC," she answered distractedly, heading inside. Cassie frowned and followed her friend.

"Sam, what is it?" Cassie demanded, shutting the door to her friend's room.

"My Dad's dying," the blond said, collapsing onto the bed, the tears falling from her eyes. "More accurately, Selmak is dying and even if he were able to leave it would still kill them both."

Cassie sat next to her friend and hugged her. "I'm sorry Sam." The teen pushed her own tears aside as she comforted her friend. "When do we leave?" she asked.

"You don't have to…" Sam began.

Cassie cut her off. "General Carter and Selmak were my friends. Of course I have to go." She handed Sam a tissue and walked to the door. "I'll be ready to go in a few minutes." Sam nodded and Cassie walked out, nearly bumping into Kurt.

"Is Samantha okay?" he asked.

"Not really," Cassie whispered. "Her father's dying. She could probably use some comforting from you." He nodded and walked in as she headed to her room.

Kurt silently shut the door behind him and sat on the bed. Sam collapsed against him and he held her. "It's okay Samantha. I'm here." He gently rubbed her back, calming her down.

A few minutes later she broke away, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said.

"For what? Crying because you care about someone you love?" he asked. "Don't be. That makes you a strong person."

"Cassie told you then?"

"She only told me you're father was dying," he answered. "I am willing to go with you," he added. "Professor Xavier had Beast develop a device that will mask what I really look like."

Sam smiled. "I'd like for you to come, but you don't have to feel obligated to come," she said.

"I know. But I want to come so I can be there for you," he replied. She nodded gratefully and began packing some of her things. Kurt helped her before he teleported into his own room to pack his own things. A short time later they were done and went to Xavier to inform him that they had to leave for a few days. He nodded in understanding and told them that Scott would fly them to Colorado in the X-Jet. Sam thanked him and they headed for the hanger.

"You're coming Sage?" Sam asked.

The young man nodded. "If that's not okay…" he began.

"That's fine," Sam replied. He nodded and they boarded the plane.

Sam let out a slow breath as the flag was being folded and taps was playing. The long military coat she wore blew in the slight breeze. Her brother and his family stood on her right while Kurt, Cassie, Sage, Jack, and the rest of the people from the SGC and a few members of the Tok'ra stood on her left.

Sam accepted the flag and the twenty-one gun salute sounded. She said a final goodbye to her father and Selmak as the last round was fired. She clutched the flag tightly to her chest as people began to disperse.

"You okay Sam?" Mark asked, walking over.

"Yeah. Just can't believe he's actually gone," she replied.

Her brother nodded. "He seemed to be doing so well." He ran a hand through his hair. "He worked with you on that Stargate Program, didn't he?"

Sam nodded. "He was the official liaison between us and the Tok'ra."

"Didn't he have one of those…Tok'ra things in him?" he asked.

"Selmak. It's what saved his life from the cancer," she replied. Kurt walked over and snaked his arm around her waist. "Hi Kurt," she said softly. "Mark, this is Kurt. Kurt, this is my older brother Mark."

"A pleasure to meet you," Kurt said, shaking Mark's hand.

"Likewise. When did you two meet?" he asked.

"At the institute," Sam replied.

Mark nodded. "So you're a…you know?"

Kurt nodded. "I am indeed. This however is not my true appearance."

Mark shrugged. "Doesn't matter what you look like." He looked down at his watch. "Well, we've got to get going. Sorry we can't stay longer." He hugged Sam and walked over to his family and they left.

Janet meandered over as did Cassie and Sage. "How you holding up?" Janet asked her friend.

"I'll live," Sam replied. "I had several more years with my father than he should have had. We were closer than ever. I am sad that he's gone, but I know he'll be watching over me."

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