Oh, god I can't believe I'm done once more. I feel both sad and relieved. I though enjoy writing and exploring this aspect of SGA and of course I love writing for you guys and am grateful for all the nice reviews.

Of course I would once more like to know what you think.

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Epilogue

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The biggest secret of them all

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John stood fidgeting with the ribbon of his Medal of Honor. He still couldn't believe they had awarded him with that or that he had gotten promoted. His eyes searched the room for Teyla and Torren, but he couldn't find them. After a moment he was drawn back into the discussion, O'Neill, Landry and a General John had never met before and hopefully never would again, were having.

He grabbed a glass of champagne when a waiter passed their group. He was just about to take a sip, so he could evade a question the strange General had thrown his direction when the President joined their group.

He had already thanked John exuberantly for saving Earth, hell he had gotten promoted and awarded for that. So John hoped it had nothing to do him, but then the next words out of the President's mouth had John almost choking on his drink.

"Colonel, I was hoping to meet that wonderful wife of yours and of course your son Torren. Jack promised they would be here tonight as well."

John's gaze snapped to O'Neill and Landry panicked; both Generals were deliberately avoiding looking at him. And John realized with a snap they knew, they both knew.

John had no clue what to say or how to react.

"She and Colonel Carter are currently upstairs changing Sheppard's son into his pajamas. They should be back any moment."

John's gaze zeroed in on O'Neill who still avoided looking at him. Who else knew besides them and of course the President?

Ever since Woolsey had come to Teyla's quarters looking for him, telling them that he knew about their relationship and wanted them to look for shared quarters, he had wondered who else knew.

Luckily the ladies returned, with Torren and Woolsey in tow, before John could say something he might regret. Teyla was as surprised as John, while Carter obviously was in on their secret too. The President asked them a bunch of questions, showing an incredible insight into John and Teyla's private life. When he asked about future kids both blushed, but didn't answer.

After a while the President and unknown General left.

"You all knew?" John couldn't stop the question before tumbled from his mouth.

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XOXOXOXOXO

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About a year ago… at the SGC

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"Hank," O'Neill greeted, stepping further inside the other General's office.

"Jack," he greeted back.

"What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to know if you can tell me about this," he held a piece of paper at O'Neill.

Jack took the paper and looked at it. He tried to swallow a bark of laughter, but couldn't.

"Where did this come from?" he asked, clearly barely able to hide his amusement.

"It was mailed," Landry stated, one eyebrow raised.

"You opened Sheppard's mail?" O'Neill blurted, surprised.

"Since it was mailed to Lt. Colonel and Mrs. John Sheppard, Walter thought it was wrongly shipped and gave it to me to decide."

"So you opened it."

"Damn straight I did; I needed the dates to figure out who really was meant."

"So, what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to talk to Woolsey so that I can talk to Miss Emmagen after Coolidge is done with her."

O'Neill put the marriage certificate down, without giving it back.

"She is an Alien, Hank, don't forget that."

"She is a member of the military contingent, alien or not."

"Vala and Daniel are a couple too, and on the same team."

"He is her CO!" Landry stated, "It's against the rules."

"We need him out there."

"Don't you think I know that? We have to make sure that doesn't blow up on us, before we can straighten things out."

O'Neill chuckled.

"You seem awfully undisturbed by this."

"I knew you liked Sheppard." O'Neill's answer was a glare.

"There is no need to cover anything. Teyla is an employee of the IOA and on Sheppard's team as a civil member."

"You knew about this?"

O'Neill shrugged and grinned.

"Sheppard was smart enough to inform Dr. Weir prior to starting anything with Teyla, and she got me and Woolsey on board. Everything checks out and there are no rules that would allow for Sheppard to fear repercussions. I even got it signed off by the President."

Landry gawked at O'Neill.

"How else do you think I got Teyla's papers that fast last month?"

"Why haven't I heard about this before, if it's official?"

"Oh, it's not. I'm still curious how Sheppard managed to keep his relationship hidden this long. I can't belief he had the guts to actually marry her." He picked up the marriage certificate again shaking his head and chuckling.

"It probably wouldn't have come out," Landry admitted, fishing for another sheet, "except for this."

The letter stated that the marriage license number had been copied wrongly and that therefore a new certificate with the right number had been issued and sent to the couple.

O'Neill chuckled again.

"Good, that means I can send this to Sheppard and tell him to stop hiding."

O'Neill pulled the certificate to his chest.

"Why the hell has no one told the man that his relationship is within regulations anyway? He has a kid on the way."

"Carter will inform him as soon as the kid is born, until then we'll enjoy the side effects."

"Ah, what?"

"Hank, when was the last time Sheppard gave you a headache for ignoring rules or orders?"

Landry's face went slack in surprise. After a few moments he started to smile.

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XOXOXOXOXO

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While Landry and O'Neill told their story, Ronon, Rodney, Amelia, and Jennifer as well as SG-1 and Carson Beckett joined the group.

"So, yes, Colonel, we all knew," O'Neill stated amused. "By the way, let me congratulate you. I hope you two invite me to the official party. I mean, now that you are on Earth, it's time you two make it official."

Landry and Carter joined in on congratulating the couple as well as everyone else. Teyla and John were still pretty much speechless about the whole thing.

That night, John not only got promoted and awarded; he also got to live his life with his family openly, which was so much more important.

It was close to midnight when Teyla and John decided to head to their room.

"Colonel, I hope I get an invitation to that big party soon," O'Neill reminded them as they said their good night.

"Don't worry, General, you're on top of the list, but first things first," John answered, his eyes mischievous.

"And what would that be?"

"You see, now that all of our secrets are out, I'm planning to take my wife and son on a nice, long vacation. And while we're there I'm planning on getting started on that second kid the President asked about."

For a moment there was stunned silence, but then everyone started to laugh while watching the happy family walk into their new and not so secret life.

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The End!