Chapter 12

Three hours later, SG-1, Sheppard and his team, SG-7 and 22, came stumbling out of the gate and into the embarkation room in the SGC, carrying two wounded priests who in fact were Tok'ra spies. An apprehensive looking General Landry greeted them and then abruptly told them all to go to the infirmary.

"You need help there?" Rodney asked, concerned.

"If you don't mind," Vala said. She had run out of the house half scaring the priests, and half scaring the rest of the team with her wild screams and thrashing arms. She managed to take down 10 priests before a stun gun threw her to the ground.

Rodney wrapped his good arm around her as they went toward the elevators. Cam and Sheppard handed their weapons over gladly and helped any of the other team members who were wounded. Sam noticed Daniel looking at her. "Hey, you're bleeding on the floor," Daniel said lightly.

She looked down at her leg, which had been gashed when the Prior had tried to stop her from getting to the gate. No one knew that the Dunes priests had staff weapons. "Oh it will make it easier for all to follow then."

"I personally would not want to follow that," Jack said as he came down the stairs. "Lovebirds," he greeted them.

"Maybe we should go to the infirmary then," Sam said.

"I think you may actually like it there," Jack said, nodding them to go toward the elevators.

Daniel helped her, almost taking her in his arms and carrying her, but decided it would look utterly unprofessional. She had earned that gash honorably: saving his butt once more. "I would kiss it and make it better, but I don't want to worry Dr. Lam."

"I can handle one kid eating dirt, but not two," Sam said, leaning her head on his shoulder as they wobbled into the infirmary.

"Sam!" a voice cried as soon as they opened the doors.

Sam looked toward where the voice came from and smiled: Cassie stood next to her boyfriend Nirrim, holding a sleepy looking Jacob. Her heart melted onto the floor as she saw the toddler sucking his thumb and trying to keep his eyes open, even with his mother coming toward him.

"Hey, silly," Daniel said as he took Jacob and hugged him. Sam pushed some of his hair away and planted a kiss on his forehead.

"Okay, I hate to break this up, but Colonel Carter, you are bleeding on my floor," Carolyn Lam said as she steered Sam to one of the beds. "Up, and let's see."

Daniel sat next to Sam, holding Jacob who had finally gone to sleep in his arms, and watched as Carolyn pushed Sam's pant leg up, exposing the wound. Bringing his eyes to hers, he smiled weakly. "How much farther does this push my debt to you?"

"Oh, another 100 years of marriage should do it," Sam said, smiling.

"That's all? I think I can swing another 100 years. Maybe a few more of these?" he said, nodding down to Jacob.

"I think I can swing another one. Always wanted a few," Sam said. She watched as Carolyn smiled weakly at Cam who was asking how she was doing. "After all, I think Cam is liking the whole Uncle thing, and I know Cassie is all about the kids."

"Let's get home so we can discuss this further," Daniel said, kissing her lightly.

Susan, the mystery woman Sam had found about the day she confessed her love to Daniel a little over 2 and a half years prior, was sitting on the dock overlooking the water. She was showing Jacob how to control the remote control tugboat Jack had gotten him. With the help of Teyla he was getting the boat to go in perfect circles.

Daniel was talking to Teal'c who was a proud grandfather and could not say enough about his new child. Cam leaned against the house, chatting with John Sheppard and listening to how Daniel told Teal'c of their adventure while he was off world. Vala was talking to Rodney and Ronan about the possibility of going back with them to Atlantis, a subject Rodney was strangely warming up to.

Sam stood beside Jack, shaded under the porch and sipping iced tea. "So when are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know. She's been very patient," Jack said into his bottle of beer. "But I know that patience is wearing thin."

"As long as you notice," Sam said. He gave her his eyebrow move and she quickly added "sir" in jest.

"Well, look how long it took you and Danny-boy to realize there was something more than just brains between you."

"We hadn't been dating for 2 and half years."

"One date, if I remember. You move slowly," Jack said. He grinned as she punched him lightly. "Hey go easy, old man here."

"I don't know about that, the way you were barking orders …"

"You were not playing hockey right. First off, it was not even on ice, and second, there had to be someone keeping score. I tell ya, those Atlantians are pretty good," Jack said. Shooting her a quick smile, he added, "But they never had the professional training you all did. Vala may have a use yet."

Sam laughed as they moved away from the porch. The boys broke up and moved closer to the lake, seeing that most of the food was already laid out. Daniel moved to wrap his arms around her, watching as Jack went over to Teyla, Susan and Jacob, bringing them over to the table.

"So is he going to do it?" Daniel whispered.

"He has had time enough to run around and check out the cliffs," Sam whispered back. She smiled as Jacob came tottering toward them, arms stretched up. Sam picked up her son and kissed him, looking back at Daniel. "I told him cliff diving is worth it."

Daniel tickled Jacob and lightly plucked his nose, making Jacob dance in Sam's arms. Looking at her crystal blue eyes, he nodded. "The 2000 feet are pretty easy to endure with the right person."

Their attention was drawn to Jack and Susan, who were also standing with their arms around each other. "One moment before we dig in. I want to say thanks to Colonels Mitchell, Carter, and Sheppard for bringing you all back to the safe side of the galaxy," he said, holding up his glass of now iced tea. "Also I want to thank two lovebirds who showed me that you can run around and fall a few times, but you always come back to following your heart. So," he paused, and Sam and Daniel shared a private glance. "Um, Daniel?"

Jack patted his jeans but did not feel anything. "Jack?" Daniel asked, enjoying drawing out the pain for Jack, but Sam elbowed him and nodded into Susan's direction. She was looking a bit confused. "Oh, right," he stepped around Sam and came to Jack passing the small item to him and quickly moving back to Sam's side.

"Right. So, after much thought and – dare I say it – reflecting on my feelings, I have followed my heart to this." He turned and in one smooth motion, went on a bended knee; of course he grimaced as he rested on his knee. Opening the box, he held it out toward Susan. "I'm not good at this, so will you help me follow my heart?"

Susan had tears in her eyes and nodded.

Daniel pulled Sam to him and kissed her hair, whispering, "Reminds me of this lovely woman I helped follow her heart."

"And it's been a wonderful 2000 feet ride," she whispered back, kissing him deeply as the others applauded the engagement of Jack and Susan. "A wonderful 2000 feet below."

THE END! WHHOOO HOOO! I hope you have enjoyed the last 12 chapters of 2000 Feet Below, if so, drop me a quick Review! That way my muse will know if we should pick up one of thes bunnies that is asking to be written... Thanks!