A/n: I hope you have been enjoying this series and chapters. Just a warning that it's almost near the ending. There is a shippy scene at the end of the chapter. Onward…
General Hammond stated out of the blue. "My wife is dying of cancer. If you can cure her," he paused to sigh and look down, "can I be your candidate? She's old; we're both old. I was going to retire to take care of her, but she has so little time as you do. Can you help me?" He was pleading with tears in his eyes. Everyone was bewildered; 'where did this come from?' was the thought on everybody's mind.
Solaris broke the silence. "You poor soul, of course we can help. In fact, this will be the best arrangement anyone could hope for. My darling and me are going to live eternally through you and your wife. Do you understand and agree to what you are asking for?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold the phone. George, what are you doing!" Jack asked still bewildered.
"May I have a moment alone with my people?"
"Of course." When Solaris and Janet were gone, George spoke up. "I've been thinking about this for awhile. Ever since you first came back from this planet with the symptoms. My wife's been dying for 3 months now. She had fought this same cancer 3 years ago, but it just came back stronger than ever. Nothing could help her. I've thought this through; I'm not going to spend my life regretting not being able to help her when I have the resources from literally the universe at my disposal. And since I'm pretty sure I'm staying with Solaris's people, Jack, I hereby promote you to the rank of Brigadier General."
Jack was speechless and inwardly feeling it was indeed the best possible solution in this situation. "Thank you sir, but who's gonna run SG-1?"
"Major Eliot, would you do the honors?"
He gasped, "It would be my honor."
"Then it's settled, you're hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. And Major Carter, I'd like it if you could supervise from the Pentagon; we need as much inside assistance as possible. I am also promoting you to Lieutenant Colonel. You've gone long enough without any acknowledgement. You work miracles on the gate."
George smiled broadly as well as everyone else. "And my best wishes to you Colonel Carter," directing this to the other reality Sam. "I'll ask Solaris to get you back to normal and sent back to where you belong. I imagine people are anxious to get you back."
"Thank you sir."
Daniel stood quietly enjoying the happy endings until General Hammond's voice brought him out of his thoughts. "Dr. Jackson, son, I haven't forgotten you. Since you are the foremost expert on all things ancient, I would like you to lead the expedition to find the lost city of Atlantis."
"Thank you sir."
"No need. I was going to do this anyway. Besides, after this, I'm actually giving you all the hard jobs."
Everyone laughed. "Well aren't you going to say goodbye to everyone on Earth? And Teal'c? You still have to get your wife here." Daniel asked all flustered.
"Indeed," a deep voice entered the dome. He nodded his greetings. "I was sent word of this event on Dakara and would not miss it for the world." (Jack, Daniel, and Sam gasped at the correct use of the saying) "You will be greatly missed General Hammond, but the people of Solaris would have been given a noble and wise leader. There is someone who wishes to see you." Teal'c smiled for once, a rare occasion indeed.
A frail but jovial woman walked in. "George, what adventures you've been on. How come you never tell me anything?"
They all laughed at this question. "Are you ready sweetpea?" As George took her hand in his, 'aws' were heard from the two Carters. Solaris walked in, Janet in tow. "Hi guys! It's so good to see you. Solaris just cured me, who's next?" Jack, Daniel, and Sam simultaneously raised their hands.
"That can be arranged. Please follow me." Solaris spoke kindly. Janet gave Daniel a quick kiss before he followed Solaris out of the dome. The soon to be retired General George Hammond was going to record a final message to all the personnel at the SGC as well as to his relatives.
Jack was ushered into the cave where he originally drank the 'tomato' juice. In the center of the one of the deeper compartments stood a mirror. Jack looked around for anything else, not knowing the purpose of that single mirror. Staring back at his reflection he noticed he needed a haircut. "Ya know, I don't like surprises. Either you fix me or I'm heading to find Daniel and Sam and they can help me out."
Solaris, still in calm manner, started to explain. "This mirror does not only show your reflection, but what you see in yourself. At this very moment, you see yourself as being a 'changed' man, and perhaps also needing a haircut, but what you really must focus on is your inner reflection. Dig deep within your soul, and once you have stopped lying to yourself, you are, as you would call it, 'fixed.'
"Ah, part of the Oma Desala Fanclub, are we?"
Solaris gave a slight chuckle, "Indeed, how did you know?"
"Holy…I was just kidding, you are?" he sighed, "I figured as much, the whole 'your soul should translate through your actions and outer appearance' stuff." Jack shrugged.
Solaris chuckled again. "I will leave you as you wish."
"I didn't say a word," Jack's hand went up in resignation.
After Solaris left, silence consumed Jack in an uncomfortable aura. "So," Jack said clasping his hands together. "Lets get down to business."
"Lets" his reflection replied.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. I know, I know. Mirrors, reflections, inner deep soul searching, and all the good stuff that Solaris spouts is probably not in your interest list, but believe it or not, you're talking to yourself. So make the best out of it, talk some sense into me…you…us. Whatever."
"Well sounds like me…what do you want me to say? I just want to get help and get out of here."
"I know, but here's a side of you that you don't get much time to communicate with, heck, no one truly ever talks to themselves. The easiest way is to pretend I'm someone you've never met, but can totally trust with all your deepest secrets/desires. Go on, start with current events."
"Ok, well, Danny and I were turned into vampires and on our way to help these people, bumped into Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter."
"Ah, yes." They both nodded in agreement, but technically he was nodding and it was just his reflection.
"Is that what I've been lying to myself about? I know I like her, and wish to know her better. What's more to it?"
"There isn't. You just haven't admitted it, is all. Sure, you FEEL so, but you never SAID so."
"To be honest man, I've been wanting to know what else there is to that pretty blond besides her brain and brawn. I wished she were on SG-1. But it would probably drive me nuts at the same time being so close to her, and yet not allowed to have her. What a dilemma the other Jack faces. But at least he had her there in the first place. It's kind of a comfort. This is getting way too sappy, but I look at her and I can't keep my composure. Even my jokes get lamer. Look at me, literally talking to myself, about stuff I shouldn't be."
A noise caught Jack's attention and a beautiful but timid blond stepped out. "I'm honored." She said with a shy but melting smile. Jack's heart caught in his chest. Sam was walking closer and closer, backing him into a corner. At last, she had pinned him to the wall, the only sound heard was their heavy breathing. Jack didn't know what to say so Sam spoke for him. "Hey. I know it's probably your job to back me up in a dark corner and have your way with me, but you took awfully long with that mirror. Kind of ironic considering men don't need that much time with mirrors, yet it made sense, 'cause men can't convey their feelings."
Jack was about to comment on that remark when Sam silenced him with a deep, passionate kiss, which of course, he did not mind. When she pulled back to catch her breath, Jack took the chance to grab her and pin her against the wall. They continued to kiss. Without notice, Jack started to kiss along her neck and right when he reached below her ear, he spoke huskily, "This was about the spot where I drank from you. You probably can't remember at the time, but you seemed quite content in that moment."
Sam could hardly breath. Of course she remembered it; she derived great pleasure from it. Who knew being bitten could be so sexy. "Jack" she could barely reply before his mouth assaulted hers again. The world didn't exist to them during what seemed like eternity together, but even reality must barge in sometimes. Both were breathless, speechless, and motionless when the kiss ended, and they searched each other's eyes for answers and unfulfilled desires. Jack finally backed away to give Sam room to catch her breath.
"I've always wanted to do that." She finally said.
Jack gave his infamous smirk, "I could tell."
The silence was eased into a comfortable sense of hope. "I guess this turned out to be a good bargain for both parties." Jack finished talking to his reflection, which remained still at last; a restless soul at peace with himself.
Sam smiled. She would never forget this hidden side of Jack O'Neill. She thanked her lucky stars for the urge to finally 'make out' with the man of her dreams. Sam felt slightly amazed that her reflection would actually suggest such an idea, but deep down, she knew it was something she would never pass up.
