AN: I don't want Daniel to be too hard on Sam here. Partly because last month he had already had a talk/argument to her about it. Plus, the wedding reception is a little too late to be telliong her these kind of things, things that they had said before. I wrote Teal'c bit while listening to Barbra Streisand :D I've written so much while listening to her at night, it's been very good for me. I've done half of the next chapter with the songs and it's going well.
Enjoy!

'So, Sam? How's the party going?' said Daniel a little cautiously. After he had talked to Jack at the dinner, he had realised that Jack was kind of right. He shouldn't be feeling disappointed in Sam. He was proud of her. His 'sister' had gotten married and he was happy for her. Like an older brother ought to be. But, like any older brother, he felt protective. And if his kid sister Sam got hurt, well let's just say there'd be hell to pay, preferrably on Sokar's moon.

'It's great, Daniel!' She said excitedly. 'Everyone's so nice. And Mark said the said the funniest congratualtions salutation to us.'

Wow, he thought. She was very bright and bubbly this evening. Perky. For some reason this grated on his nerves.

'So…' he said casually . 'Jack's speech was great, wasn't it?' Sam's eyes narrowed for a split second, knowing what Daniel was trying to do. She just nodded.

'And he's right you know. What he said. I haven't seen you happier. Well except for that time on that planet where you drunk that stuff and went off your face.' Sam gave a grin at that and then frowned.

'Hey, we all agreed we would never bring that up again!'

'Well, it's quite an amusing storie for parties, anyway.' Okay Daniel, time to put the humour aside.

'Sam. Remember what I said last month? After Icame back from the dead again?' She nodded warily.

'Well… I take it back.' Sam looked up surprised. "As your friend I gave you… some kind of advice. But it seems that, it was unecessary. He pulled her closer to him in an affectionate hug.

"Truly Sam, if you are happy, then I am happy for you." 'Happy for you.' Well that's a phrase that has been used a whole lot today.

Sam smiled at him with tears in her eyes. Sure Daniel had really annoyed her last month, but she knew he really cared about her happiness and she loved him for it. She was so lucky to have such caring friends. The song ended and she took the oppurtunity to give Daniel a kiss on the cheek. "I really appreciate it, Daniel. Thankyou." They walked back over to Teal'c together, each glad that they'd had this chance to express such feelings before she left.

Daniel stood next to Teal'c smiling in a big-brotherly way as Sam persuaded Teal'c to dance with her.

'I would not wish to cause trouble upon you and Pete Shanahan, Samantha Ca-Shanahan. You are married; it would be improper.' Finally she got him to come by saying that they're practically family like Jack said, and if he didn't mean it she'd just go.

Teal'c took Sam's arm and they walked over to a section of the dance floor and proceeded to dance in a waltz-like fashion. Teal'c could sure dance good.

'May I offer my fondest congratulations SamathaShanahan. And all the happiness in the world.' Teal'c said with solemnity as they danced around he floor.

'I am most grateful to you, Teal'c of Chulak.' She said jokingly. 'It means a lot to me.' Teal'c held up his hand signalling for Sam to twirl around, which she did. 'Did you ever think things would turn out like this, Teal'c? I didn't think I'd be leaving the SGC for ages. But…' She gave a shruch and waited for him to answer.

Teal'c gave a sigh as his brain thought of something suitable to say. "I have always imagined Samantha, that we would completley defeat the Gou'ald and our other enimies, and then the SGC would no longer be needed. That we would all stay together in this area and continue to share that deep friendship we have with one another. Sam looked up at him surprised that he siad her first name, and at his answer. She didn't really know what she expercted; that answer was as good as any. As long as it didn't contain the words "Jack O'Neill." Teal'c was very sneaky though. Very subtle in producing a connotation with… that name.

Sam sighed inwardly. Just because everyone thought she made the wrong decision doesn't mean it was the wrong decision. What the hell was everyone's problem! She only wanted to love and be loved. And to actually feel that love.

She didn't want to work at the SGC forever. She wanted to have a life and a family. And she got that with Pete.

'Samantha, as your "older brother" as you say, it is customary on Chulak for the older brother to sing a traditional marriage song to you and your husband.' Sam made a face, hoping against hope that he was just joking. 'We must find PeteShanahan when the present song finishes.' Sam's eyes widened as she realised that he was serious. She tried to think of some excuse, but the song promplty ended and, ina manner of speaking, she was dragged off the dance floor and into Pate's arms by the intimidating alien. Pete was standing in a quiet corner, apart from the other guests.

'What's going on, honey?' Pete whispered in her ear, letting a cold whisp of breath down her neck. She gave a slight shiver. 'Teal'c is singing a traditional Chulak song to us.' Pete grimaced. He had an understanding of what it entailed. 'Is that a bad thing?' he asked, wishing for reassurment that the worried look on her face was not because of Teal'c.

'It depends on what type of song it is, Petey. He threatened to sing a retirement song for General Hammond once and he himself described it as fortunate that he wasn't going to.' She whispered back. She saw Teal'c looking at them curiously. She gave Teal'c a smile. 'Sorry, Teal'c. Please, start your chant.' Teal'c held his hands up to the sky and chanted, 'Kree! Kree! Shal tek nak. Kree! Kree!' He lowered his hands and folded his arms in a mace-windu style. He continued chanting in Gou'ald. Thankfully it did not sound too bad, and was quiet enough so as not too attract the attention of non-SGC personnel, which might have led to awkward questions.

The melody was solemn, monotonic, emotionless and quite simple. But basically the words just blessed their marriage with future, fidelity, love, happiness… children etc.

Suddenly the melody changed. It became more frantic, urgent, desperate and pleading. For once Teal'c's voice had a real tone to it; it was everything the melody was. He looked Sam seriously in the eye; his expression hard to read.

Sam's smile dropped as she primitively translated the Gou'ald words into English. His tone and his expression made sense. It was a persuasive speech, well a persuasive song in actual fact. In effect, thought it was more tactful and verbose, the chant said, "Jack loves you, you should be with him. Sam don't be a fool and ditch this loser." It was an audacious thing for Teal'c to do but the urgency in his voice made her realise he was only doing it because he loved her.

In a small way it annoyed her, as it was a very parental thing to do. 'I know what's best for you because I love you' type crap that her dad used to pull on her when she was younger.

But if Teal'c was so urgent about singing it to her, what would the General be feeling about it? She was almost afraid to know.

She looked over at the person in question for possibly the twentieth time that night. He was talking with a lady from SG-3 and their eyes were both turned amusedly towards their side of the courtyard. No doubt they were amused that the big alien guy was singing to her and Pete. And no doubt Teal'c noticed her glance at Jack. With a small smile (yes, a smile) he finished his song , graciously accepting the quiet applauding from the happy couple. Pete quaked a little as he shook the man's hand, but felt a little better when Teal'c gave him a clap on the back. The first one was nice and light, but the second one was a little too energetic and nearly toppled Pete over. Teal'c apologised profusely, however insincerely.

Sam stood on her tiptoes and gave him a firm hug and a kiss on the cheek. 'Thanks, Teal'c,' she muttered in his ear. 'But no thanks for the song.' She gave him a mock glare to show that she was only half joking. Teal'c bowed. 'Good luck, Samantha', he simply said, squeezed her hand and walked away in search of Daniel.

SJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJSJ

So far Sam's reception had been pretty good. She really enjoyed dancing with her family and friends and talking to the people that she loved. At the moment, she and Pete were talking to one of his fellow police officers. He and Pete were talking pretty fast, anxious to catch up with each other as much as possible before they left. Sam was not the only one who would leave friends behind.

Right now they were heartily laughing about a particular incident involving a mall, two teenage boys, a can of coke and a photo booth. She smiled at them with a vague interest, thinking about a particular incident involving alien armband devices, a pool table, four large steaks and a couple of drinks. She gave a slightly larger grin at the thought, wishing she could tell them her own hilarious stories.

Instead she surveyed the crowd, wanting to find someone else to talk to. Her gaze fell on Jack and she felt her smile drop. He was talking with General Hammond and again, did not look too happy. Sam remembered what her dad had said. Okay, so she should ask Jack to dance. Well she had asked Teal'c and Danny and General Hammond and Cassie and Mark and other people to dance. She convinced herself that she didn't really have time to ask him, yet, and allowed herself to be led to different people by Pete. And yet now… that excuse didn't really hold anymore.

Excuse. That so was not an excuse! Okay, so maybe it was an excuse. She was trying to avoid him; avoid any… uncomfortable conversations.

But it would look pretty weird if she didn't ask Jack to dance when she'd even asked Siler.

Her eyes filled with determination. This was not something to be afraid of. This was just Jack.

She gave Pete a rub on the arm to get his attention and pointed in the general direction of Jack and Hammond. He nodded his acknowledgment and so, she walked slowly across the courtyard wondering why her legs suddenly felt like lead.

Jack looked at her; an almost frightened rabbit expression flashed across his face. Well at least she wasn't the only one who was uncomfortable.