They travelled through a couple of gates before dialing Earth. Sam teased Jack about being paranoid, but in fact she agreed that it would be smart to keep the address to Terasano a secret. It had been their sanctuary for many months, and they wanted to make sure they always had a place to go that no one else knew about.

When Sam put in the coordinates for Earth, she couldn't help the fast beating of her heart or the sense of anticipation – and almost fear. It had been months since she'd been home, and while she knew things were fine, she still worried. It wouldn't take much for things to go to hell again.

Once the event horizon had settled down, Jack turned and looked at her, his brows raised. She wasn't moving but was staring at the blueness that was a door to the stars.

"What is it?" he asked softly.

She smiled and then looked at her husband. "Even after all these years, I still find it hard to believe that we can simply step through that," she nodded her head towards the gate, "and be halfway across the galaxy."

"I know," he answered, turning to look at the Stargate, "I still feel it too. Somedays I wake up and think it will all have been a dream."

"Dream, not nightmare?" she asked him.

He thought for a moment. "Some of both, I guess. But mostly it's been – amazing."

"You sound as if it's all coming to an end."

This time he turned back to her and grinned. "Oh no – I think the adventure is just beginning, especially with Carter-O'Neill junior on the way."

She laughed. "It is, isn't it." she put her arm through his. "Well Colonel – time to go home?"

"Yup, time to go home." Jack put in the code to let the SGC know they were coming, and then arm in arm they walked through the blue event horizon.

"Honey, we're home!" Jack called out in his fake Ricky Ricardo voice. He stood with a grin as General Hammond first looked through the control room window and then hot-footed it to the gate room.

"Colonel, nice to have you back." But the General's eyes were on Sam, and a big grin split his face. "Major Carter! It's good to see you. How are you doing?"

"I'm well Sir –but – uh – I'm not Major Carter anymore – at least I don't think so."

The General waved his hand. "Yes – any and all charges have been dropped and you've been reinstated, although it looks like you won't be on active duty for long."

Sam glanced down at her obvious baby bump and let out a small grimace. She then glanced at Jack, who was looking as proud as punch for having gotten her into this state. She rolled her eyes, which caused him to shrug and grin harder.

"So General, is everything ok here?"

"Well, outside of the fact that Washington is in an uproar and my superiors are clamoring to speak with you – things are fine."

"To speak with me? Why for goodness sake? How in hell did my name get out there?"

"I guess Henry Hayes had an attack of conscience and when he announced his resignation he apologized for the treatment you'd been given and said that you were an honest to God American hero.."

Jack's face grew serious and he glanced at Sam. The last thing he wanted or needed was more attention. He just wanted to live his life with his wife.

"Don't worry Jack," Hammond said gently. "The Joint Chiefs have promised that they simply want to talk to you and then will let everything go. I don't think they suspect anything other than you got caught up in the plans of some ambitious and powerful men."

"I hope they'll keep their promises. The last thing I want – or need – is more political crap."

"I don't blame you Jack. Just remember that right now the country is in turmoil so they may want you to at least speak to some of what went on – anything that's not classified.

"Which isn't much," Jack sighed. "I'm really ready to be done with this whole thing."

"It'll be okay Jack," Sam took his hand and smiled up at him. "And if it's not – there's always Terasano."

Jack nodded. In fact he was seriously thinking about asking Walter to dial the gate and to return immediately. But then he looked at Sam and remembered why they were here. He wanted her to get checked out. Right now that was more important than the Joint Chiefs or politics or anything.

"Uh General – Sam wants to have Janet check her out. There aren't really any doctors on - where we were. We want to make sure that Junior is happy."

"Of course. And you need to get checked out as well Jack. Afterward come up to my office and we'll talk some more."

"Are Daniel and Teal'c around Sir," Sam asked.

"I've asked them to meet us when you're done in the Infirmary. Teal'c is on base but Daniel was at home. You'll see them shortly."

With that the two travelers made their way to the Infirmary. Sam peeked in first, and saw Janet speaking with an Airman, her back to the door. She put her finger up to tell the nurse and the Airman not to say anything and walked up to her friend.

"Hey Janet, what's up?"

Janet jumped and let out an exclamation – and dropped her penlight on the Airman's lap. She whirled around. "Sam! Oh my goodness, what are you doing here?" The Doc immediately threw her arms around her friend and hugged her.

"I've missed you!" she said, sounding almost tearful.

"I've missed you too, Janet," Sam laughed softly.

"Hey, what about me, Doc?" Jack asked, sounding put out, although his eyes were twinkling.

"I've seen you too much lately Colonel," Janet said sternly as she pulled away from Sam. "Did he tell you he spent some time in the Infirmary?" she asked her friend.

"Yes, he told me he suffered a "snake-bite," Sam said with a look at her husband.

"A snake-bite?" Janet laughed. "Yes, I guess that's exactly what it was."

"And he's okay?" Sam asked.

"Oh, you know him – he's a fast healer. He's fine. But what about you?" Janet stepped back and looked at her friend more closely. "You're looking gorgeous Sam. Pregnancy suits you."

"That's what I've been telling her, Doc," O'Neill said. "She doesn't believe me."

"Well you should. Is everything okay?" Janet suddenly sounded the doctor she was.

"I think so," Sam told her. "But we wanted to have you check me out, just in case."

"Of course. Why don't you go and change into a gown – go to Iso room one. Colonel – I'll have Nurse Richards do your standard medical check." She scowled at the Colonel. "There's nothing we need to know, is there Colonel? Nothing else has happened to you?"

"Nope," he said happily. "I'm right as rain Janet. Ask Sam if you don't believe me."

"He's fine, Janet," Sam laughed. "In fact, he's more than fine." She looked at him and smirked.

"Okay – too much information," Janet told her. "Now go get changed!"

"Alright." Sam smiled and gave a little wave to her husband and then was gone.

Janet regarded the Colonel seriously – causing him to lift an eyebrow in inquiry.

"She's happy," Janet stated.

"You didn't think she would be?" Jack asked softly.

"Oh, I know she's been in love with you for years," she admitted. "But I couldn't help but wonder if the two of you would work."

"We are – we do," Jack told her, his voice serious for once. "We're both happy Janet. She's the best thing that ever happened to me."

Janet looked at him for a handful of seconds and then nodded. "She is – and you're the best thing that's happened to her. Now go – get checked out. When you're done come to the Iso room. I'm sure Sam will want you with her when I do the ultrasound."

An hour later and everything had been checked out. Sam and the baby were both fine – and Jack was thrilled. He had gotten to see his baby and it had been a magical moment. He'd felt remarkably emotional and had to work hard not to let himself get all teary. Sam had known, of course, but hadn't said anything. Instead she'd squeezed his hand and told him she loved him.

They had decided not to find out the baby's sex. Jack said he didn't care – and Sam knew that was the truth. She felt much the same so agreed to wait.

After everything was done, they two of them made their way to the briefing room. Sam was especially anxious to see Daniel and Teal'c.

"So, the wanderers have returned," Daniel said as he stood to give Sam a ferocious hug. "It's good to see you Sam," he told her.

"It's good to see you too Daniel. Thanks for looking out for us all these months. And you too Teal'c," she said as she turned to give him a hug as well.

"We are pleased that everything turned out successfully," Teal'c told her. "I regret we could not do more to assist Colonel O'Neill."

"Hey, I knew you both had my back," Jack told him as they gave one another a man-hug. "And everything worked out fine."

For the next hour and a half the four members of Sg1 along with General Hammond spoke about all that had happened since Jack's spectacular and almost lethal accident. Of course, he left out some of it, recognizing that it wasn't safe to tell others all that had occurred or about the changes within him. It wasn't that he distrusted any of his friends – but it was something he didn't want to burden them with. He knew that he would become a wanted man if anyone knew. It was enough that Sam knew some of it – more than anyone else – and Burke knew a bit. Beyond that, it was his secret to live with.

He knew, however, that he had been given a gift - even if it felt more like a curse to him – and that he had a responsibility to do something with what he had been given. He didn't know quite what that was yet, but he knew it was more than making pottery on Teresano, or even staying on with the Air Force. He figured that a chat with Thor might be in his future. He'd just have to wait and see.

After they were done, Jack asked to speak privately with Hammond. He told the General he was planning on retiring, although George asked him to hold off.

"Just give it some time, Jack – you have lots of leave coming to you. The Air Force might come up with something for you that might interest you."

Jack finally agreed, although he hated the feeling of being unsettled. For now though, he and Sam were on leave. They'd figure it out together.

"I am so looking forward to a shower," Sam told him as they were driven back to his house. They were both tired after their arrival back on Earth and wanted to do nothing but rest for the next few days.

"Mmm, me too. I'm also dreaming of some Mexican food and a good beer," Jack told her.

"Things look good," Jack said a few minutes later as they got out of the car. He looked around at his property, but everything was in order. "It feels like forever since I've been here."

"It has been," Sam said softly. "Daniel said that he and Teal'c have been looking after the place. We'll have to have them over soon to thank them."

Jack agreed as they walked to the front door. He pulled out his key and opened it and stepped in.

He was home. He stopped and breathed in the familiar air and then glanced around. Nothing had changed since he was last home - which felt strange as so much had changed.

"Daniel said he brought over some groceries before going to the base. But I'm going to have to go get some clothes." She looked down at the skirt and blouse she'd worn on Teresano. They would look terribly out of place on Earth.

"For now I'll lend you some sweats," her husband told her. "You'll look cute – like a fluffy teddy bear!"

"Jack!" she scolded. "I am not a teddy bear."

"No, but you're cute," he replied, taking her into his arms and kissing her. "I love you Mrs. O'Neill. Welcome home."

She laid her head on his chest and sighed. "It is nice to be back," she said. "I just wish we could stay here and have no one bother us. I expect that's not going to be possible though."

And she was right. The very next day after they got back, Jack got a call saying that the honor of his presence was requested at the Pentagon. He managed to put it off for a couple of days, but in the end he had to travel to DC. Teal'c agreed to stay with Sam while he and Daniel flew out.

He managed to tell most of his story – only editing the parts about the Ancient downloads. He was surprised at how – nice – they were, but then he realized they wanted him to go on the news circuit – to make him out to be a hero. They were all desperate for some good news after all that had happened with the President.

While in DC he was even approached about running for office. He laughed, until he realized they were serious.

"Uh- I'm the last person you want as a politician," he'd told them. "I have a habit of saying what I think rather than what the spin doctors want me to say. I think you'd better find someone else."

They finally allowed him to return home. He'd been offered pretty much any position he wanted and a promotion, but he'd told them he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do. He'd get back to them.

What he really wanted, of course, was to get back to his pregnant wife. Although there was still time before the baby came, he'd promised her he wouldn't leave her again – and here he'd already been gone almost a week. This time, as he flew back to Colorado Springs, he promised himself that nothing would make him leave her side again.

The next few months were good ones for Jack and Sam. She took an extended leave, deciding to wait until after the baby before making a decision about what she wanted to do. As for Jack – well, he went back to work, but only on base. He refused to leave Earth until Sam could travel with him. He ended up working – unofficially – as Hammond's XO until such time as he knew what he wanted to do.

Time was finally nearing for Sam to have the baby. Jack knew it was also time he made up his mind about what he wanted to do. The pressure was on him from the Air Force to accept a position at the Pentagon. But part of him wanted to retire and return to Terasano, to where life was much simpler. Sam was no help – she was just as torn as was he.

In the end, they both decided to wait until the baby came and then to make up their minds. It was going to be soon.

Next chapter is it! The end.