Hey! I just got this one back from my beta! And rushed to add the last fixes and here you are!

Enjoy!

M.

PS: Yeah... It's a long fic! I can't believe how long it is!

Chapter LVIII

July 23rd, 2005

Helen's underground cabin

Sanctuary City

Sam smiled as she looked at Jack's sleeping form. She couldn't believe how things had changed in a day. She frowned in worry then. They only had a week to explore this thing they had before it became forbidden again.

"I can hear you think, Carter," Jack whispered. Managing only to turn his head to look at her.

He was sprawled on the bed while she was sitting on a chair. One he was sure wasn't there before. It was close enough that her feet lingered on the bed's end, leaving her glorious legs on display.

"What's wrong?" He asked. His back cracked when he sat up, and he flinched. "I guess I am oh-so-old," he chuckled. In a blink of an eye, she was sitting beside him, rubbing his back tenderly. "That was cool," Jack grinned.

"What was?" Sam frowned in confusion.

"The way you were there and then here before I could even blink." He grinned. "I guess I'll be seeing more of your extra skills now?" He wondered. She bit her lower lip, feeling self-conscious.

"Is that a bad thing?" she doubted, and he shook his head.

"Of course not! It's impressive. Besides, I know I didn't only imagine the things that it lets you do," Jack wriggled his eyebrows, remembering the use of her extra speed when it was his turn. Sam laughed at him.

"I didn't know you were such a horndog."

"I keep it well hidden," he grinned. "Seriously, what was wrong before?" Sam opened her mouth to speak, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to ruin the moment for him too.

"Nothing," she whispered. Jack looked at her with narrowed eyes, not believing it. "Really, there's nothing wrong, not right now at least."

"You know what's wrong?" he asked, eyeing her. She shook her head. "Hunger, I'm famished." Sam checked the old watch that was hanging on one of the walls and grinned.

"Well, you should be. It's been over 18hs since the last time we've eaten real food."

"It's that so?" he grinned.

"Yup, because you are a horndog," she stated.

"With you, any time. Now, come, I'll see what I can make."

"I should make dinner, and you should go to the shower. Maybe even get dressed! You are awfully distracting," Sam added with narrowed eyes as she licked her lips slowly.

"We could go somewhere to grab a bite?" he offered, standing up.

"And where exactly we go out?" she grinned.

"To one of the restaurants in the city? I'm sure the Doc has hooked us up to some payment method. We could always wash dishes for food," he joked.

"Huh, it's almost dinnertime at mom's," Sam said of the blue, and Jack grinned.

"Sounds like we have a plan."

"You are serious? You want to go to my mom's for dinner?" Sam asked, surprised. He kissed her cheek.

"Sure, the food there is always fantastic!" Jack said over his shoulder as he made his way to the showers. "You should get dressed, Samantha! You too are awfully distracting," were his last words before the bathroom door closed behind him.

July 23rd, 2005

Underground Sanctuary

For some reason, Nikola was still lingering at her office. Helen wondered if she needed to have a conversation with her oldest friend to try to figure out what was going on in that brilliant mind of his. Or if she should simply wait until he decided to open up at some point.

While she hoped for the latter, Helen knew it wouldn't happen with Henry in the room, and the werewolf she chose to call son, didn't seem to be in a rush to leave her office.

Nikola raised his eyes to her. Aware that she was observing him but said nothing. He just flipped the page of the book he had in his hand. Then, as one, the three of them had scrunched up their noses, and not surprisingly, a knock on the partly open door followed.

"Enter!" Helen shouted. Nikola sighed, and Henry's eyes widened before he typed something as fast as he could as he blushed furiously.

"Ah, Samantha, General," Helen welcomed with a mysterious smile. "I'll be with you in a minute."

"I'm done, for now, Doc. Call me when, uh, you know…" Henry said and then rushed away. Not before he stopped behind the couple, took a whiff, and shook his head in approval before he finally disappeared out of the room.

Nikola stood up and placed himself in front of Jack and eyed the General who shuffled in response to the menace the usually talkative abnormal and father of his girlfriend sent his way.

"We didn't expect you two to join us tonight," Nikola said. Eyebrow raised, and warning glare still fixated on Jack. Before Sam could question him, he turned towards her with a smile and pecked her cheek. "Samantha, the days are always brighter when you join us."

"Nikola," Helen huffed. Sam chuckled as she saw her mom rolling her eyes.

"You know where to find me, Helen. I'll guess we'll see you in the dining room?" Nikola prodded, then he took a whiff and shook his head. "Oh, well," he let out before he walked away.

"What was that?" Sam asked, pointing towards the door as Helen walked towards them. Magnus kissed her daughter's cheek, nodded politely to the General, and led them to the seating area.

"You don't want to know," Helen said with a wide grin on her face.

"Now, I want to know," Jack added curiously. Helen tilted her head, noticing how not only they sat closer together now, but they seemed to be very much in sync.

"I'll advise against it, General."

"Mom just tell us," Sam rolled her eyes.

"Very well then, as you already know, Samantha; some abnormals have developed a great sense of smell," Helen started.

"Yeah, like I can smell the thing that makes you unique and identify it easily. Just like Nikola, the werewolves… and you…" as Sam spoke, her eyes widened. "Oh, no…"

"I did advise against it," Helen chuckled as a look of horror took over Sam's expression.

"I don't understand," Jack frowned. Sam was blushing furiously, and ill-advised or not; he now needed to know why.

"Every individual has a unique scent, General," Helen explained. "That's until they share the physical aspects of being a couple. Then, the uniqueness is shared between the couple whenever they have... well, coupled," she said amused.

"So, you mean…" Jack trailed, trying to convince himself that she couldn't possibly mean what his mind was telling him, she had said.

"Yes, General. We all know you had sex," Helen chuckled. "Although, there is no need for an upgraded sense of smell to know that. It's obvious from your behavior, too," she shrugged.

"Helen, have you…." Will said, entering her office and stopping dead in his tracks when he noticed the guests. His mind providing him with the apparent change in their relationship, and he grinned. "Congratulations!" He grinned.

"Not you too!" Jack groaned. Will frowned for a bit and looked at Helen, who tapped her nose. Will laughed.

"Oh, don't worry. You'll get used to it," Will shook his head. "I know it took us quite a while to stop being annoyed by people looking at us with knowing glances," he said, plopping himself next to Helen.

"Us? Really?" Helen said with an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, us... we are one now," Will joked.

"Wait, you mean? You'll know every time we…" Sam trailed off, made some weird gestures with her hand, and then blushed again as her mom nodded.

"You'll get used to it," Helen grinned. Sam grimaced. Then she noticed something and frowned.

"What does it mean when someone's scent changes?" Sam asked. Helen smiled softly and stole a glance towards Will.

"You'll know soon," was all she answered. "Have you considered my proposition about the cabin?"

"We discussed it," Jack pointed. "But we can't take it away from you."

"Nonsense, you wouldn't take it away from me," Helen pointed out. "I don't require it anymore. I'm sure you'll have more use of it than I do. I suppose you don't have to accept it, but if you let me know. I'm sure we can find a way to have it ready for you whenever you need it." Sam and Jack exchanged a look, and then Sam smiled.

"Sounds good, thanks, mom."

"Now, I assume you both are here for dinner, so why don't we head out to the dining room?" Helen said, standing up and walking towards the door. Jack and Sam stood up and walked out, and Will followed them, stopping by Helen's side.

"Is there anything she doesn't know?" Jack asked when they were away enough.

"A lot of things, General… a lot of things," Helen answered as they reached them.

"Jack, she also has an excellent hearing," Sam giggled.

The foursome walked in silence, and Sam was surprised to see they were heading to the main dining room and not to the private one they used whenever she visited.

"We are going to the main dining room?" Sam frowned in confusion.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault," Will said. "There was a small accident at the smaller one today," he blushed.

"Do I want to know?" Sam asked.

"No," Helen and Will said at once, exchanging a mortified glance.

"I'll trust your word," Sam said.

As they approached the main dining room, they saw it was crowded. The foursome entered the room. For a split second, all the ones with an enhanced sense of smell turned around, looked at the newly formed couple, and then continued with their activities.

During that split second, Sam blushed profusely, and Jack wanted to disappear. Also, during that time, Helen walked past them with a bright smile and made her way to the buffet. Will followed, and everyone's eyes seemed to follow the Doctors. Soon, the boisterous activity was in full swing again.

They didn't notice exactly how long they stood rooted to the spot, but when they finally took a couple of steps towards the buffet area, they saw neither of the Doctors were there anymore.

"There you are," Ashley said behind their backs. "Mom says you'll be more comfortable outside," she pointed towards a door that they never knew existed. The couple nodded and followed Ashley through the buffet and then out, to find out that there was a small terrace that overlooked the city.

"Whoa, this is nice! Why did I never know about this?" Sam said, taking in the view.

"Because there was no need," Helen offered.

"If someone didn't break our family dining room, we wouldn't need to be here," Ashley added, looking pointedly at Will.

"I was trying to help!" Will said, shaking his head.

"Anyhow, now that you two are a happy couple. Where do you want to spend tomorrow?" Ashley asked. "I heard Santorini is the second most romantic place in the world," she said with a hopeful sigh.

"I never took you for a Greek island kind of girl, Ashley," Will grinned. "I thought you'd say Paris or Rome, maybe Venice."

"Nah, too overcrowded. I'm my mother's daughter. I might seem outgoing, but if I go on a holiday, I want to be as far away from people as I possibly can," Ashley said, making Helen laugh.

"I'm partial to private places, yes. I do believe Bruges is a perfect romantic spot," Helen offered.

"I have a soft spot for Vienna," Nikola said, joining them.

"Iceland was nice," Will offered, and Helen's eyes twinkled, looking at him.

"Now, if you'd want romantic sunsets by the ocean, then I'll recommend Cerf Islands," Helen added. "But I have an inkling you already have a spot you want to visit," she said, crooking her head and looking at Sam, who, in turn, blushed.

"Yes?"

"So, where's that?" Jack prodded.

"Your cabin?" She said, not quite looking at him.

"Really? I've been inviting you over for years," Jack said, looking at Sam and Helen with an amused frown.

"Well, I didn't think it was wise for me to go before," Sam shrugged. "It doesn't mean I didn't want to."

"Don't worry, we got you covered," Ash said with a mischievous smile. "I can take you there after dinner. Or tomorrow morning, or whenever you want to go."

Two hours later, Ashley was standing with them at the front porch of Jack's cabin in Minnesota.

"Well, I've done my part," Ashley grinned.

"Ash, before you go," Sam said, stopping her.

"Yeah?"

"I'll be inside," Jack offered and gave them some space to talk.

"Mom mentioned that everyone's scent is unique. Do you know what it means if someone's scent changes?" Sam asked worriedly.

"You smelled her, too," Ashley's eyes twinkled. "We'll know for sure soon. My guess is mom is waiting until she knows it is safe to tell us. No one will ask or assume until she confirms it."

"It?" Sam asked. Ashley laughed.

"Yes, you know, that thing that can happen when you have unprotected S. E. X.," she chuckled.

"Oh… you mean…" Sam said with widened eyes.

"Yup, there's a chance we get a sibling in a few months. Now, go! You have an adorable piece of hunk out there waiting for you," Ashley grinned. "Enjoy him!" she said, wriggling her eyebrows before she teleported back to the Sanctuary.

July 23rd, 2005

Underground Sanctuary

Helen had found her way back to her office. To Helen's surprise, it was Nikola who she found inside her office. He was sitting on a couch with his ever-present glass of wine in hand. While clutching a cellphone in the other one. Helen figured he had to be talking with Iov Ivanov if Nikola's side of the conversation in perfectly spoken Russian was the thing to go by. She smiled and nodded in acknowledgment of him as she passed by his side.

In a blink of an eye, Nikola lowered his glass, grabbing her wrist in exchange and stopping her from going further inside her office. "Spasibo, do skoroy vstrechi," Nikola grinned to the phone before he lowered it to the table beside his glass. "Dearest, Iov sends his regards. He says he can barely wait to see you looking gorgeous in the dress he designed for you."

"And the important one?" Helen asked.

"It's finished. He will be here at the dawn of Wednesday morning to fit it or change it for her," Nikola waved dramatically.

"Then, tonight, we hope that everything else goes as it was planned for yesterday," Helen chuckled. Nikola scrunched up his nose. "What's wrong, Nikola?"

"His smell was all over my baby!" He pouted, and Helen chuckled. "Speaking of babies and smells, I've smelled that congratulations are in order?"

"It seems so. We want to wait until it's further along to share the news," Helen smiled. "You know, in case something horrible happens in the next couple months, and I need to enter death sleep…," she grimaced.

"It won't," Nikola smiled reassuringly. "I'll hold my congratulations until you've deemed it proper. I won't ask how it happened, because I could live without the graphics," he chuckled.

"Then don't," she grinned.

"Helen, do you know that you have my full support in any case, right?" he offered, and her heart fluttered.

"Of course, Nikola. It goes both ways," she pointed out. Nikola huffed.

"His scent was all over my baby," he said again and grabbed his glass.

"I thought you liked him," Helen pointed.

"I like him, but I wasn't ready for that! Who knows? As things are now, she could be getting a brother, and I could be getting a grandson around the same time!" he said with widened eyes. "I could be a grandfather! Oh, God, I need something stronger than wine," he said and disappeared out of her office.

July 23rd, 2005

Jack's Cabin.

Sam had never been there before. She knew Daniel had spent a few days at the cabin soon after he lost Sha're. Sam knew Teal'c had also come to spend a weekend. Her friends had chosen not to disclose too much about it around her. She wondered, sometimes, if it was because they knew how she felt for Jack, or if it was to keep her guessing what his famous cabin looked like, hoping that she would finally cave in.

Well, now she knew. It looked like a cabin in the woods.

At least for as much as she had seen so far. Since she was still standing on the porch. The only thing she could see from her position was that it was made from logs and forest surrounded them. Sam couldn't help but think that for a guy who complained about trees every time they found them off-world, his property had hundreds of trees too many.

A while after Ashley's departure, Sam turned around. With a nervous sigh, she opened the front door and walked in. It was not at all what Sam expected to find. It looked like she had stepped inside his Colorado Springs house. She smiled. Noticing the nicely polished wooden floor, she got rid of her shoes and stocked them in the closet she found on her left.

She padded through the corridor towards what she expected was a living room; she was not mistaken. But instead of the TV that took over one of the walls of his living room back home, she found a glass wall.

She stopped dead in her tracks and gasped. Through the glass, she saw the famous lake where the bass were big and sunsets to die for. They got there too late to enjoy that view, but that took nothing away from the one she was admiring.

Twinkle lights that seemed to be floating instead of hanging brightly illuminated the space between the window. Candle lanterns hung shining from some trees, and there was a winding path marked with more candle lanterns. A mix of white, yellow, and red rose petals covered the trail.

The scenery by itself was breathtaking. But it had nothing against the one thing that caught her attention. In the middle of the dock stood Jack, waiting for her.

Even if he was far away, she knew his attention was on her. Sam could feel his eyes burning into her skin, and her heart raced. Almost floating, she found the door to the outside. Sliding them open, she found a pair of slippers already waiting for her there, and then she strolled to him.

Jack smiled at her, a full smile. One Sam learned the previous night; he had saved only for her. To her utter surprise, the moment she stepped on the deck, Jack kneeled.

"Yes," she said even before he could ask the question. His eyes crinkled as his smile got bigger, and amused, he shook his head.

"You didn't even hear the question, Sam," Jack said, but it didn't matter. Sam was toppling him over and kissing him senseless. Jack took the ring he had been holding for years out of the black velvet box and slid it on her finger.

"Perfect fit," Sam smiled, "just like you and I." She added before she captured his lips and then him below her. They made love on his deck, just like Jack had always imagined would happen.

When the candles were starting to burn out, and they were laying on their backs carefully wrapped together and watching the sky, Jack grinned.

"So, does this mean you want to marry me and be my wife?" Jack asked, and she chuckled.

"Yes, it means I want to marry you and be your wife," Sam grinned.

"You are crazy," he stated, and she snorted.

"Now you figure that one out?"

"Heh, I had my doubts." Jack joked, getting a playful punch to his arm for it. "Are you sure you want to marry this old fart?" He asked again.

"You are not an old-fart," she rolled her eyes, "and yes. Unless you keep asking, then I might have to consider it further."

"I'm cool with your answer. So, I'm not asking again," Jack grinned. Sam knew something else was on his mind and was about to ask him when he turned to watch the sky again. "So, Carter, whatcha' say about getting hitched on Wednesday?"

"Wouldn't it be better if we did, I don't know, a Friday or Saturday?" She asked.

Jack wiggled, patting the bundle of his clothes until he found whatever he was searching for. She frowned utterly confused at his actions, then he showed her the screen of his cellphone, the calendar app was open, and he pointed to an entry.

"I mean, this Wednesday," he said. Sam's eyes widened and then watered. The entry he showed was marked as an anniversary. 'The day you met Sam,' it said.

"Yes," she whispered then.

"Cool," he said nonchalantly and leaned back again.

"Cool," she answered back as she settled on him again. "Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"How did you know about the lanterns and the twinkle lights?" she wondered. Jack chuckled.

"She said you might want to know that," Jack whispered. "I don't know how she knew, though."

"She?" Sam frowned, moving away to watch him, and then it dawned on her, "my mom." Jack nodded.

"Doctor Magnus also said that of all the romantic places in the world, you would think of this one as the one you would like to visit. I guess she was right."

"Wait, so she knew about this?"

"I can't lie to you, Sam," said placing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "We wouldn't be here if she didn't help me."

"Really?"

"Yup."

"That's why we got this week?"

"Yeah."

"Wait, but you got promoted. My mom doesn't have a say on that, or at least I think she doesn't."

"No, she doesn't. She knew it would happen way before any other person in the SGC or HWS knew about it." Jack blushed then, and she frowned, curiosity taking over.

"What?"

"Well, it's funny actually..." he chuckled nervously. "Your mom overhead me when I asked your father - Nikola, not Jacob - if he would allow me to marry you whenever we were out of the same chain of command. So, when I went to her office, she already knew what I was going to ask, and before I could do anything, she told me what she knew and asked if I had a date in mind." He stopped as he heard Sam sniffling.

"What's wrong?"

"You asked Nikola for my hand in marriage?" Sam asked in awe, tears shining in her blue orbs.

"Yes," he answered dubiously. "I also asked dad." He added. Sam clung to his chest, and he felt the warm trail of tears. "They both said you were a grown-up, and you could make your own decisions." Jack offered. That only made her cry harder. "I told them I knew that better than anyone, but that I wanted to know if they would have my back," Jack added quickly, his words sounding desperate and worried at the same time. "Sam? I'm sorry if that was wrong."

"Oh, God, Jack. I love you so much!" she said, confusing the hell out of him. Sam sat up, her naked body at full display, but as he was worried, his eyes followed hers.

"I don't get it," Jack frowned. "Are you mad? Is that why you are crying?"

"No," she shook her head. "I'm… I can't believe you went to my parents before you popped the question," she grinned, caressing his face lovingly. "Especially when I know you and words aren't always a good pair."

"And your parents are as scary as hell."

"There's that too. God, Jack. No one has ever known me that well, no one has ever pondered that I would like to know that my parents approve of the man I love. Then you go and ask them first," she kissed him, her chest molding to his. She shivered as his calloused hands found the soft skin of her back to keep her in place before he pulled her closer.

"For a minute there, I thought I screwed it bad," he whispered.

"It was perfect," she whispered back. They weren't sure who started the kiss, but all conversation was forgotten again.

July 24rd, 2005

Jack's Cabin.

Their lazy Sunday started not so lazily. The sun wasn't still even up when they had woken, happily sore from their activities. Jack chased her to his room, mentioning something about air conditioning, warm covers, and a comfy bed.

They made a pit stop in the living room. Jack decided that the table he had there was perfect for them. Between kisses, he had pushed her to sit on top of it, and he grinned. Her eyes darkened when she noticed it was just perfect height. Soon they were rocking together as her heels pushed into his back, and her nails scraped another set of fiery marks. While Jack's mouth lost itself in the crook of her neck, his hands were making paths of fire as they caressed everything he could at the same time.

"This is not the comfy bed I was promised," Sam chuckled in his ear, still panting slightly as they both came down from their high.

"I can't help it! I've waited for you for years! Now I have to find a way to get them back."

"They don't all need to happen during the first weekend, Jack. You can save some for our wedding night too."

"Are you complaining, Carter?" he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Never, sir. Carter's aren't quitters, sir! She mock-saluted, getting down from the table so slowly that it felt like a glorious caress for Jack, who was still standing right next to her.

"Good," his eyes glinted in mischief, and Sam knew she was in trouble. He then linked their hands before leading her to his room.

They had fallen into bed and kissed lazily. Jack couldn't remember ever being more relaxed and carefree as he did right now and had since he lost himself in kissing her Friday afternoon.

"We should grab some sleep, Jack," she whispered. "I don't want to, but I'm afraid if I don't, I might go into a death sleep and scare you for good."

"Okay, sweet dreams," he said, placing one last kiss on her lips that lingered a bit too long, but, before either of them noticed, they were both out for the night. (Or morning)

Their lazy Sunday continued with some more kisses as they both woke up, a shared shower, and breakfast around noon. Sam laughed at some point, telling him that she hadn't spent so much time naked ever. Jack joked that they could always try to increase that time, as he sent her robe back to the floor.

"Are we really doing this?" Sam asked, kissing him.

¨You mean this this?" he said, kissing her neck. "Or this?" he mumbled, touching the hand that had his ring on it.

"This latter," she chuckled. Jack stopped, searched her eyes, and smiled.

"Only if you want to, Sam." She smiled brightly.

"I do. I've wanted to do it for too long."

"God! You have no idea how happy you make me," he sighed happily.

"I guess tomorrow first thing in the morning we go to the city hall to check what we need? And hope we manage to make it happen on Wednesday?"

"Nope. Tomorrow we go back to our places, to get ready for your last day at the SGC. Even if theoretically, that was on Friday. I asked Walter to organize a party, even if he doesn't know what it is for. Fair warning, I don't know what to expect there."

"Oh. And the paperwork we need?"

"Don't worry. I came to realize that your attention to detail is a family trait," he said with a sheepish grin. "Your mother has been taking care of who knows what to get things ready for Wednesday since Friday. Most likely even before that."

"So, you are telling me you always knew I would say yes?" She grinned.

"No," he added sadly. "For a long time, I was sure you would marry someone else, and there was nothing I could do to stop you."

"I'm sorry. I've hurt you, I…," she sighed. "I thought I wanted a normal family, normal friends, something to show people that I can do 'normal.' I guess it took me a while to notice that I am so far from 'normal,' that even if I tried, I could never be something I'm not."

"What's normal, anyway?" Jack offered.

"Yeah. So, what do you know about what my mom's been doing?" the raised eyebrows made her chuckle. "I guess I should know since it is my mom."

"All I know is that we've been forbidden to enter the Sanctuary. You are supposed to be there Wednesday, bright and early in the morning."

"How are we getting back home then?"

"Ashley will take us straight to our homes."

"Huh, we'll kinda have one house too many."

"Make that two houses too many. Starting August 1st, you are going to Nevada, and I'm going to DC. I want to keep a house in Colorado. If you want to keep yours, we can sell mine."

"No," she shook her head. "I love your house. We can sell mine."

"What if they need you at the SGC?"

"Then, I'll stay at home. The one I share with my husband, won't I?" she grinned.

"I like the sound of that."

July 24rd, 2005

Underground Sanctuary

"Jacob, what can I do for you?" Helen asked as the man entered the room.

"I was wondering, you are aware I have a son, right?"

"Yes, Mark. Will you want to drop by his home and give him the invite?"

"I'm not sure he will want to be there," Jacob sighed.

"Oh, yes. I've visited Mark before; he will be there. But since you are here, you can do me the favor of getting that out of my hands. I was supposed to send him the invite, and they were supposed to call Will to arrange everything from transportation to clothes. You think you can handle going shopping with your son and his family?"

"Yes!" Jacob grinned. "Is there anything you haven't thought about?"

"I'm sure I can find something as we near the date," Helen joked. "Ashley should pick up the happy couple and get them to the Springs in a couple of hours. I can ask William or Nikola to show you the way out to San Diego. Unless you want to take a car for yourself? Also, for accommodations, I have a hotel in town you can use."

"Thank you, Helen. You have no idea what it means to me."

"Jacob, you gave me memories of my daughter. I will never be able to pay you for it."

"You saved my life."

"I did what I could, but it was a selfish act. I did it to avoid seeing Sam in pain. I still owe you. I'm sure we can discuss this for hours; however, I don't have the time, and you should be packing. I hope you found the clothes to your liking?"

"Yes, everything is perfect," he said, and she grabbed her radio.

"William, change to my channel," she said, fiddling with it.

"Yes?" Will's voice came from the radio.

"If you are free, can you help Jacob travel topside?"

"I'll be free in an hour."

"Does that work for you, Jacob?'

"Yes," Jacob grinned.

July 24th, 2005

San Diego.

Jacob parked the car that Will had provided him in front of Mark's house. He sighed, he had been deployed several times during his life and had had missions under the classified range. But, for some reason, it wasn't until now that he felt the weight of having to lie to Mark.

The past few years had been good. They had reconnected, found a way to get somewhat along, and whenever Jacob was Earthbound for long enough, he would visit. Something he knew Sam didn't. There always was something more pressing. And now, she had a whole other part of her life to keep hidden from Mark.

Squaring his shoulders, he got out of the car and walked towards the house.

July 24th, 2005

Underground Sanctuary.

"So, what's the plan for Sam's brother?" Ashley asked, plopping herself on one of the couches and propping her feet on the coffee table with a grin. A raised eyebrow from her mom told her that her manners didn't amuse Helen at all.

"You," Helen stated.

"Me?" Ashley frowned, a bit taken aback.

"Yes."

"I don't see how I am a plan," she asked, confused. Helen grinned.

"I'm afraid we'll need to sedate the family so you can teleport them from place to place. It will just be easier and faster that way. I'll tell you the details when I have them all figured out."

"I see. I'll guess you'll want me to transport the other guests and the newlyweds too?"

"There won't be a need. We'll use the sphere system to our advantage. Except for Samantha's brother, all the involved are aware of the Sanctuary. We will need to have vehicles ready at both exit points."

"Do they know they'll have two parties?" Ashley asked.

"No. Samantha wanted a small intimate ceremony with family and friends where she could be herself. At the same time, she wanted to invite most people she works with and have some fun. Let's just say we are helping her not to choose." Helen smiled.

July 24rd, 2005

Jack's Cabin.

It was late that night when Ashley popped up at Jack's cabin porch. She knew the place and could've just teleported inside, but she didn't want to see things that she shouldn't. So, she opted for the front porch and knocking on the door.

She could hear the movement inside. It wasn't long until Jack opened the door looking at her, surprised.

"Cab service," Ashley grinned.

"Come in, Ashley! We were finishing dinner."

"It smells nice."

"It's beer omelet," Sam shouted from her spot at the kitchen island.

"Do I want to know?" Ash asked as Jack led her further inside the house.

"It's quite good," Sam grinned. "Let me guess. You came to pick us up."

"You know it. I happen to be a cool taxi when long distances are involved," she grinned. "So, where am I taking you?"

"I need to get to my home, and Jack needs to go to his," Sam said, standing up and collecting her plate to wash it.

"Ow, are you sure you will be able to separate yourself for a night after being joined by the hip for the past forty-some hours?" Sam blushed.

"Well, I was going to pick up some clothes I need for work and then drive to Jack's."

"Nonsense, I can teleport you both to your home. You can pick whatever you need and then I'll take you to his. Faster and no car in the driveway."

"I guess that's the plan then," Jack said.

"What about mom? Doesn't she need help? I mean, isn't she planning our wedding?"

"God, no! You stay away from the Sanctuary. You don't need to give her any more ideas," Ashley added in dismay.

"That bad?" Sam asked worriedly.

"Nah, I'm joking. You know, mom; she has everything ready by now. Don't worry. I'm sure she gathered all the information she needed from both of you to give you your perfect wedding without you even realizing it."

"Jack mentioned she had something to do with the set up for his proposal?"

"Yup. Did you like it?"

"Like it? I loved it. It was perfect. Not that I needed all of that, but…"

"It made quite the difference," Jack said. "Can you thank her when you see her?"

"Sure… Bro." Ashley grinned. "Let me know when you guys are ready. I'll be outside. It's quite a lovely view out there."

"Wait? You've been here before?" Sam asked, stopping Ashley midway to the back porch.

"Of course, how did you think everything was transported here in no time?" Ashley shouted. "Go, get ready. Shout when you need me."