So, my first midterm was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be, which meant that I was done early, which meant that I had free time before my next class, which means that I finished yet another chapter and was able to post it! Yay! Anyway, thanks for all the wonderful reviews...keep them coming. I don't know what my schedule will be like exactly between now and when I leave on Thursday, so maybe there will be another chapter this week, maybe not. I am almost finished though. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 10: A New Beginning –

"Morning Sunshine." Daniel whispered close to Sam's ear.

Sam sat up quickly, almost hitting Daniel in the head with her own. Looking up she saw Daniel standing next to her with a smirk on his face.

"You really should start keeping a pillow in here. That way you wouldn't have permanent key prints on your face." Daniel laughed.

Sam just glared at him. She noticed Teal'c standing at the end of her desk with what Sam recognized as amusement on his face, and standing slightly behind him, a woman Sam hadn't seen since walking out of her reality and into this one.

"Vala!" Sam exclaimed excitedly, forgetting for a moment that although she knew Vala, Vala didn't know her. "Oh, I'm sorry." Sam said, realizing her mistake. Standing up, she ran her fingers through her hair as she stepped toward Vala. "I'm Colonel Samantha Carter, you can call me Sam."

Vala smiled warmly at Sam as she shifted the sleeping baby in her arms and took her hand. "Daniel has told me so much about you Sam. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, even if you're an…alternate you."

Sam laughed.

"Colonel Carter we were heading to breakfast, will you join us?" Teal'c asked.

Sam's stomach chose that moment to growl rather loudly. Everyone chuckled in response.

"Guess that answers that." Daniel said as they turned to leave Sam's lab.

Λ

SG1, plus Vala and baby Samantha, sat around their usual table, laughing and joking. After six days of having Sam "back" the atmosphere around the base had changed drastically. All those in the commissary smiled at the easy camaraderie among the flagship team. Those who had been at the SGC long enough to know the original team, felt especially happy and found themselves once again believing in the untainted luck of SG1: even when they died – they still managed to kick ass.

The general feeling of ease was suddenly chilled as General O'Neill walked in. Everyone except for SG1 quieted and silently watched the General's every move.

Jack's entrance didn't go unnoticed by Sam and Teal'c who faced the door. Daniel, however, was so engrossed in his story that he missed the looks on his teammates' faces. Vala simply didn't know the two well enough to notice the subtle changes in their faces.

Letting Daniel ramble on, Sam and Teal'c continued to eat and listen, but watched Jack's every move. Both noticed as Jack made it through line, scanned the room, and wavered as his eyes found them. Silently Sam urged him, but was still surprised as he made his way across the commissary to their table.

"So there I am trying to translate the writings on the columns of the temple, when…"

"Mind if I join you?" Jack unceremoniously interrupted Daniel.

Daniel and Vala turned and stared at Jack in shock. Without her military training, Sam would have busted out laughing at the comical looks on their faces. Instead she looked up at Jack and smiled. Sam's eyes locked with Jack's for a moment, what she saw there sent a warmth throughout her. Traces of the coldness still lingered, after all things weren't going to change overnight, but there was something else there now as well: a warmth she hadn't seen during her time in this universe.

"Of course General."

Sam was pulled away from her musings by Vala's voice answering Jack's previous question. Jack allowed a small smile to flit across his features as he sat down.

"I'm sorry Daniel, I interrupted your story, please continue." Jack said as he started eating.

"Umm, it really wasn't that interesting." Daniel finally managed to stammer out.

"So Teal'c how's the family?" Jack asked, turning to the Jaffa.

"Ry'ac is well. He and his wife are expecting their second child."

"Second, huh? How does it feel to be a grandpa?"

"It is very enjoyable O'Neill."

"So Daniel, have you regained the ability to speak yet?" Jack quipped.

Vala and Sam chuckled at the look on Daniel's face.

"I…I…I...Oh for cryin' out loud!" Daniel exclaimed.

At that Jack and Teal'c joined Sam and Vala in laughing. For a brief moment Daniel looked offended before giving in and joining in the laughter.

Λ

Sam was still smiling as she worked in her lab the rest of the morning.

"Well someone's in a better mood this morning. Care to explain?"

Even the interruption couldn't dampen Sam's mood. She simply looked up and smiled.

"Like I need to explain. I know you were there watching the whole thing."

"I wasn't…"

Sam cocked an eyebrow. "When you aren't pestering me you're following him to monitor progress."

"Fine, so I know. You're doing well. I was thinking that next…"

"You should reveal yourself." Sam interrupted.

"I-I can't." The voice sputtered. Sam raised her eyebrow again. "We had this discussion earlier Sam. You know my limitations."

"I appreciate your predicament, now try understanding mine. Tomorrow will be one week since I was unceremoniously pulled from my reality and thrown into this one. My team is probably frantic in their search for me. As much as I love having Janet around again, I'm ready to go home."

"But…we have so much more to do!"

"No. You have more to do. I've started the process; the rest is up to you, Daniel, Teal'c, Janet and General O'Neill. You have until tomorrow at 1000 hours to reveal yourself to the General, or I'll do it for you."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."