A/N. Ok Ok I know, I'm a bad writer, I'm really sorry my muse abandoned me and real life got in the way and I didn't want to post the chapter when it was a really rubbish basic plot outline, so I've completely re-written it.

Also I've split the last chapter in half, so this is the first half and you've got Romieg65 to thank for it for giving me long overdue kick in the behind. Lol. I was convinced to post the half I have and keep writing the second half.

Oh and just to let ya know, if it seems like I'm skimming over the wedding too much, its probably because, although its really cute, its just not incredibly vital to the plot and also I've gotten a little sick of weddings as my bro's is in like 7 weeks and that's all that's being talked about a the mo he he he.

Anyways enough with my little rant, hope this is worth the REALLY long wait.

Chapter 12 – The Wedding and the Homecoming.

The wedding itself was a very small event, just like Jack and Sam wanted. They got married in a tiny little white chapel in the centre of Vegas by a kindly old man who owned and ran the place with his wife. Daniel was best man, Janet and Cassie were bridesmaids and Jack jokingly told Teal'c he could be a page boy.

"What is a page boy?" he asked amidst the laughter for the suggestion.

"It's someone, normally a little boy, who helps people to their seats, when it's a adult they're generally referred to as Ushers" Sam smiled.

"But there is no one to seat" Teal'c pointed out which set them all off laughing again.

They wrote their own vows, to which Cassie and Janet cried when they were recited. They went like this:

"Sam, when I first met you I was a stubborn arrogant jerk. I didn't want to have this beautiful astrophysicist on my team, you know how I hate scientists but you quickly worked your way into my heart and earned my respect as an officer. I think you've had me since that blue dress. I won't promise to protect you because I know that you can protect yourself, but I promise that I'll always come back for you because I never leave a man behind, I can't promise that I'll be here forever but I can promise you to love you for as long as this life will let me. In the end this is what it comes down to, I love you Samantha Carter, for better or worse, always." Jack smiled at her and she returned the smile and was invited by the minister to say her vows.

"Jack, we've both fought hard over the years to deny any and all attractions between us. I didn't feel anything when we were trapped in the ice-cave, right? I didn't care that you walked away from me on Endora when I hadn't seen you for three months and I got you home, did I? My heart didn't jump in my chest when you said you cared for me more than you were supposed to, did it? No, I felt everything when we first met, I almost died when you walked away from me and my heart exploded when you said you cared. I love you so much Jack O'Neill and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, for better or worse, always." After they had kissed for the first time as man and wife, Thor dropped them back at the cabin in Minnesota.

Whilst they were enjoying the rest of their holiday (well honeymoon for Jack and Sam), Teal'c took it upon himself to develop the wedding photo's for Jack and Sam. He had taken an interest in photography and had brought all the necessary equipment and chemicals whilst in Las Vegas. Having spent the entire day locked in the study, he emerged in the evening.

"O'Neill, Colonel Carter, I have a gift for you"

"Now Teal'c, her name is O'Neill now," Jack smiled.

"Won't that be confusing back at the SGC" Janet asked, frowning slightly.

"Yeah I've been thinking about that, Jack" Sam started.

"And …" he prompted and then figuring he knew what was coming he finished for her, "You want to keep your name"

"No!" Sam stopped him quickly, "I just think I should keep Carter around the base"

"You could hyphenate, just think Colonel Samantha Carter-O'Neill"

"No thanks" Sam laughed. Jack pulled her into a bone crushing hug.

"I love you, Mrs O'Neill"

"I love you too," she gave him a quick kiss and turned back to Teal'c, "I'm sorry Teal'c, you were saying?"

"Indeed, I have heard it is traditional for marriages to be celebrated on this planet with the giving of a gift, therefore this is my gift to you both" he pulled the photo album from behind his back. Sam took the album from him, puzzled. She opened it to the first page and stared and the picture there with and slow smile forming on her face.

"What is it Sam?" Jack asked tilting the book slighting so he could see.

"Teal'c … this is …" Sam began, "Wow, just … wow!" she turned through all the pages, seeing lots of pictures of her and Jack and several of all the wedding party, mostly pictures of them laughing and spontaneous moments although some were posed. Jack was in shock at one of the pictures as it looked extremely similar to the picture that alternate Sam had brought of her wedding day to her Jack. He had Sam encircled in his arms from behind and they were both laughing at the camera. Of course Sam looked completely different just as he did but to him, his Sam, the one in this picture looked so … radiant. Sam thought that the best picture was of her and Jack just as they had kissed before they kissed after their vows when they were looking into each others eyes with their lips barely touching.

When SG1 plus Janet and Cassie arrived back in Colorado Springs, they made their way back to their homes before they went back to the base. Sam wanted to check on he gate systems. She was amazed that they hadn't managed to destroy the gate whilst she had been gone or that Felger hadn't introduced some other sort of virus to it and Jack just wanted to show off his new wife.

As the elevator opened, Sam was already walking off towards her lab when Jack stopped her.

"Hey, wait" he said, pulling her back to him, "Where's my kiss?" Sam broke into a grin and kissed him softly. Jack kissed her back, the kiss going from soft to passionate very quickly until Sam pulled away. "Hey!" he objected.

"I want to make sure that you've got something to look forward to" she winked and walked away smirking. Jack walked to his office and walked in, smiling at Hammond who stood up to meet him.

"George, how goes it?" he asked.

"It's been real quiet. SG9 had a little trouble with the trade agreement on XP3-79G and the marines on SG3 had a minor problem with the inhabitants in M71-10A, but other than that … well there is one other matter we need to discuss"

"Oh?" Jack questioned, he faltered at the serious look on his mentors face, "What's wrong?" he questioned.

"We found out who made the hit on Colonel Carters home," George told him. Jack could tell that whatever the older man had found out was not good by the look on his face.

"Spit it out sir" he prompted.

"It appears that Shannahan has …" he paused searching for the right word, "requested that Colonel Carter be 'injured' in some physical maner." There was a silence in the room, Jack was fighting an internal battle with himself. On one hand, he wanted to rip off Shannahans head and on the other, he knew he needed to help keep Sam safe. When he finally spoke his voice was ice cold.

"You mean to say that he has actually put a hit out on my wife" If General Hammond was at all surprised at the title of wife he didn't show it, instead he nodded calmly and passed a file to Jack.

"There's the evidence we've got so far. The damage to the Colonel's home was caused by one of these attempts, apparently when they realised she wasn't home, they decided to trash the place instead."

"I'm assuming the police are looking for him" Jack stated.

"Yes but I'm assuming you'll want to put together your own team now to track him down."

"Yeah, I'll get Daniel and Teal'c on it. Of course, Sam will want to be a part of the investigation" he sighed.

"Jack, I'm gonna call her in now to discuss this" George told him.

"Let me do it George?" he asked.

"Ok, but do it now, don't hide it from her"

"Are you kidding? That would be more than my life is worth" he joked but then turned serious as he continued, "I'm gonna grab Danny and Teal'c, they should be here now and go talk to her. It might actually be a good idea to take Janet with actually, Sam tends to listen to her" Jack stood up and turned to the leave, "Well, see ya later George" Just as Jack was walking out of his office, Hammond shouted to him.

"And when did Sam become your wife?" Jack laughter could be heard all the way down the corridor.

A little while later, Sam was working on some of the work she had missed whilst she had been away and she heard a soft knock on her door. She looked up to see Jack, Daniel, Teal'c and Janet all stood in the doorway.

"Hey guys, what's going on?" she asked smiling.

"Err Sam … we have to talk" Daniel started.

"Ok" Sam drew out, her smile faltering slightly, "What's going on?"

"Sam, please don't freak out" Jack began, "While we were away, Hammond has been investigation who broke into your house"

"I'm assuming he's found something then?" Sam concluded feeling slightly anxious as she looked into the faces of her friends and husbanc.

"Yeah he did …" at this point, nobody seemed to know what to say, or how to say it.

"Will someone please just tell me?" she pleaded. Jack took a deep breath.

"It was Pete" Jack stated.

A/N. Ok I know that is quite an evil place to leave it, but I figured that leaving Sam's reaction and what happens to Shannahan to the other chapter would be a good way to split it. Anyways please, please review even if its just to yell at me for not updating til now (sheepish grin whilst peeringout from hiding place). Thanx guys luv Nicki.