Chapter 23

One year later

The problem with going on a date, Sam had always thought, was that there is always so much you could talk about, but so little you do actually say. Going on a date with a person who is your best friend on the other hand leaves very little to talk about. You can't discuss each other, because you know pretty much everything already. And there are two ways the date can go. Either you enter an awkward silence as you think of things to say, or you relax into your old friendship and it's like no-one ever spoke of upgrading the relationship.

As Daniel had driven them away from the base the afternoon the colonel had his jello reaction, there had been no doubt in Sam's mind that awkward silences would never be a problem.

As Daniel lay in the sun that afternoon with Sam, discussing everything and nothing, he felt like he could've done so forever.

This explained why he was now in the middle of a clearing in a forest with Jack, having an argument about floral arrangements.

"Jack. No."

"But Daniel…" Came the whiney response. "Teal'c spent ages on these, you can't disappoint him."

Teal'c quickly asserted that he had nothing to do with the adventurous flower arrangement Jack was holding.

"Fine. But that nice girl over there did, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to disappoint her."

Daniel sighed but secretly he was quite amused. "No Jack, you don't want to disappoint her. This is a forest. It's full of natural plant life. Why would I want to add flowers?"

"Maybe you don't, but I'm sure Sam would."

"Go and ask her then."

Jack nodded and went off to find her and Daniel looked at Teal'c. "Are we sure he didn't bring some jello with him?"

"It is strange that one whose own marriage did not end so well would be so keen to see it with his best friends."

"Hmm."

"I am very honoured that you invited me to this event Daniel Jackson. I always had faith in you and Major Carter."

"Thanks Teal'c. Really. And of course I invited you; you're one of my closest friends. I'm glad Sam and I didn't disappoint you!"

There was a cry from one of the colourful tents set at the edge of the clearing and Jack came out hastily and sidled back towards Teal'c and Daniel.

"I don't think Sam is really that bothered either. Honestly, for a person who dresses in BDUs 99.9 of her time she sure is sensitive about putting on a nice dress."

Daniel and Teal'c shared a look and the three lapsed into silence as they watched the little clearing get its final preparations for the wedding ceremony about to take place.

"Daniel. I just wanted to say. You and Carter, you're like relatives to me. Annoying relatives, but still family. I'm glad you're getting hitched."

Daniel looked at Jack and smiled. "Thanks Jack. I guess I best go get ready."

Half an hour later Daniel stood at the head of the clearing in a smart dark suit, with Jack and Teal'c at his side. He looked round at the friends gathered to see him and Sam wed, and felt a sense of pride and warmth for the people he knew and the work they all did.

Sam heard the violins start a tune and turned to Janet.

"Ready?" Janet asked, squeezing Sam's hand and smiling.

"As I'll ever be."

"Nervous?" Cassie piped up from behind Janet.

"Not especially so, but you know… So. We good to go? How about you Cassie? Come out from behind Jan so I can see you."

Cassie shuffled to the left slightly and Sam studied the girl in front of her, fidgeting slightly in her dress.

"Stop fidgeting," Janet chided softly, before turning to look at Sam.

"You look beautiful Cassie." Sam handed her some flowers to hold and cleared her throat.

"We all look beautiful. Out you go." Janet ushered the two of them out of the tent in front of her.

The string quartet struck up a tune and Daniel looked up as Sam appeared from the tent Jack had come out of earlier. He would never fail to be mesmerised by the sight of Sam in dress, and judging by the look on his team mates faces as he glanced at them, they wouldn't either. The sun glanced off the white dress that she wore and made her look almost unearthly, and as their eyes met they shared a smile.

Sam slowly walked up the make-shift aisle with Janet and Cassie following her at a respectful distance. She smiled at the guests as she passed and paused when she reached General Hammond.

"Have you heard anything from my father Sir?" She asked quietly. Janet and Cassie paused too and smiled at the people they were stood near.

"I'm afraid not Sam. The Tok'ra say he has been detained on a very important mission. You know what they're like."

Sam nodded.

"May I say though that you look very beautiful and he will be very proud. And I'm sure he will see lots of photos – I believe Teal'c has learnt how to use a camera especially for today."

Sam smiled and nodded.

"Thank you Sir."

"You're welcome Samantha. Now I think you fiancé would prefer it if you were up there standing next to him."

Sam grinned again and finished her walk to Daniel.

Janet and Cassie took their places beside Teal'c and Jack and the ceremony was ready to begin.

"You look beautiful." Daniel whispered as they turned to face the Friar – who luckily appeared to be sober today. Jack wagered it wouldn't be long after the ceremony before he appeared drunk again.

"You're looking rather fine yourself."
Daniel smiled at the response and sneakily squeezed her hand. "Has Jacob made it?"

"No. General Hammond says he's been detained on some mission."

"We'll get plenty of photos. He'd be very proud of you Sam. He loves you. I love you too."

"I love you. Which is good because that's why we're here."

The friar cleared his throat and looked at them.

"Ready? No anxieties? I'm still available if you so choose Marian."

"Sam."

"Sam. I'm free."

"It's a tempting offer, but I think its Daniel I'd like to marry." Sam glanced at Daniel and smiled.

"Well it was worth a try." Speaking loudly, the friar began.

"Dear, dear people. Friends, colleagues, men of the woods… We are gathered in this clearing today to bear witness to the joining of two of… Earth's finest scientists, and the marriage of the greatest couple our country has ever known.

If anyone knows why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

There was a pause and the friar glanced at the couple in front of him. "I love this bit." He whispered. "You wouldn't believe some of the things people get up to…"

Jack raised his eyebrows and the Friar cleared his throat.

"Good. In that case, I shall continue." The Friar glanced at a little prompt card in his hand where Daniel had carefully written some pointers about their names and where they came from.

"Doctor Daniel Jackson, do you take Major Doctor Samantha Carter to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better and worse, in sickness and in health, in times of world annihilation and frustrating lab work, and will you love and cherish her 'till death do you part, and after that in the case of yourself?"

Sam and Daniel grinned at the vows and looked at Jack.

"What? They needed spicing up a bit."

Daniel turned back to look at the Friar and then at Sam. "I do."

"Jolly good. And do you, Major Doctor Samantha Carter take Doctor Daniel Jackson to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better and worse, in sickness and in health, in times of world annihilation, frustrating lab work and boring diplomacy meetings, and will you love and cherish him before and after death?"

Sam looked steadily at Daniel. "I do."

"Excellent. Then I declare, by the power vested in me by God and the… United States Air Force, that you are now husband and wife, and let no man on any planet bring into disrepute the vows you have made here today. You may now kiss the bride."

And Daniel did.

X x x x x

The sun was beginning to set and the voices were beginning to get louder in the warm night air as Sam noticed a shadow stealing around the edge of the clearing towards her. Making her excuses to the people she was talking to, she left them and made her way over to the darkness near the trees.

"Dad!"

"Sammy!"

Father and daughter embraced and Jacob held Sam back slightly to study her.

"You look very beautiful. And very happy. May I say now I'm very proud of you. Your mother would've been proud of you as well."

"Thanks Dad."

They hugged again and Jacob continued.

"I'm sorry I missed the vows Sam. You know what it's like. I got back as soon as I could."

"I know you did. It's ok. Teal'c took lots of photos for you."

"Good. Have I missed the dances as well?"

"No. You've missed the speeches though."

"Shame. Did Jack say more than a sentence for his?"

"Dad!" Sam giggled. "Not really actually."

The sound of the string quartet tuning up could be heard and Jacob turned to face the clearing.
"And has your husband reserved the first dance of the evening or can your old man have the honour?"

Sam smiled and took her Dad's arm. "I think I can dance one dance with my old man."

Daniel watched Sam and her father dancing and thought back to his own parents. He was glad Jacob had made it to the dancing at least – he knew Sam would've been upset if he hadn't come at all. It's a shame his own parents couldn't have seen him get married. He was sure they would've liked Sam. He had a quick drink for them and stood up as the music finished. Walking into the area that had been cleared for dancing he bowed slightly and offered his hand to Sam.

"May I have the next dance?"

Jacob held Sam and looked at Daniel. "Well I don't know about that son. Do you promise to take care of her?"

"I do."

"In that case you may. Welcome to the family Daniel." Jacob briefly embraced Daniel before handing him over to Sam.

The music started again and Daniel and Sam began a slow dance around the clearing.

"I'm glad Jacob made it."

Sam nodded and lay her head on Daniel's shoulder. "Your parents would've been proud of you today." She replied, guessing what Daniel what was thinking.

Daniel gently kissed her neck. "I know. I love you."

"I love you too. This day has been perfect, thank you."

The Friar walked passed, true to form as drunk as ever.

"Major Marian. Doctor Robin. May you live forever and have plentiful offspring."

"Amen to that," replied Jack, joining Sam and Daniel in the dance area with the flower-arranging girl.

The sun completely disappeared behind the trees and fires were lit around the clearing as the celebration of love continued into the night.

The End.

A/N 6 months later and here we are. Perhaps if I didn't have so many epic breaks between chapters we would have got here sooner, but don't they say life is the journey, not the destination? "wonders where she is going with this point".

Anyway. Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, spurred me on, given me abuse, corrected errors, pointed out flaws etc… There is unlikely to be a sequel at this current moment of time but hey, who knows? I was wondering whether to do it as part of series where I explore old stories, perhaps King Arthur next. Let me know what you think. And if you can't get enough of me (I know it's hard – what with me being so amazing) then I still have Coffee Flavoured Kisses to finish and I personally think it's a good story. And what better praise is that for a story? Peace out and thanks again.