A/N: Thanks for the reviews and well-wishes – they mean the world to me. I'm delighted that so many of you are still hanging around for updates, despite the snail's pace at which they've been written! I can't tell you how much I love seeing your responses in my mailbox. You guys really are the best.

Now, as promised, another installment of the story. Probably 1 or 2 more chapters after this and the entire trilogy will officially be wrapped – just in time to see the official end of SG-1 on SciFi. sniff! In any event, it will be fitting if I manage to finish this epic saga at the same time SG-1 makes its swansong in the U.S. So, don't be surprised if I really do manage to get this story finished by Friday night.

Chapter 26

Scorching, arid winds swept past Daniel's face as he stared into the harsh beauty of the Egyptian desert. He and Sha're had talked extensively about where to have their wedding. They'd considered a host of different friendly planets, and even tossed around the idea of being wed in the SGC – a prospect which had dimmed considerably since they'd become aware of Woolsey's obsessive voyeurism where SG-1 was concerned. In the end, the Great Pyramid of Giza seemed like the perfect backdrop for their nuptials. The impressive structure reminded Sha're of her own past, while simultaneously highlighting Earth's brave revolt against enslavement. And, of course, the Pyramids had been the site of the original gate excavation (and the origin of Daniel's theories about alien life forms,) which had united the couple in the first place.

Now, six short weeks after Christmas, Daniel and Sha're stood on the Giza Plateau, staring at the magnificent stone monument in quiet awe.

"It looks so..." Sha're trailed off, contemplating the structure. "Old," she finally finished, sounding both satisfied and a little sad.

Daniel smiled faintly. "It is old. Earth rebelled against the Goa'uld thousands of years ago."

Sha're's eyes skated over her fiancé's features tenderly. "Until I met you, a future free from enslavement was more than I could imagine."

Looking into her bottomless, dark eyes, Daniel found his heart swell with love for her. "Until I met you, pretty much everyone I knew thought I was a miserable failure," he said with a dry smile. "You made me feel invincible," he said softly.

She smiled at him, eyes alight with mock innocence. "You mean to say you are not invincible?"

He chuckled. "Hardly. I'm pretty sure even Sam could kick the crap out of me."

Sha're patted his hand consolingly. "I am fairly sure that Sam could, as you say, 'kick the crap' out of most people," she said with a smile.

Daniel shrugged. "Yeah, probably." Then, with sudden, uncharacteristic spontaneity, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly on the lips.

"Hey! Break it up!" The sound of Jack's official 'Air Force General' voice snapped through the dry air as he approached the couple from a few steps away. His gruff tone, however, was offset by a broad, teasing grin.

Standing next to him, Sam gave her noisy husband a firm shove. "Jack, leave them alone!" she hissed. "They're getting married in a few hours."

Jack waved a hand dismissively. "Lousy excuse," he quipped, still smiling at the pair.

A deep voice quietly interrupted from behind them. "I seem to recall several instances when you and your wife were rather affectionate in public." Teal'c casually approached Sam and Jack, a faint smile playing along the corners of his usually stoic mouth.

Staring at the warrior with wry accusation, Jack shook his head. "Whose side are you on, T?"

One of Teal'c's eyebrows shot up. "I did not realize that I was required to choose sides." He paused. "In fact, I was unaware there were sides."

Sam just laughed. "With Jack, there usually are."

Teal'c looked puzzled. "Then, what are the sides in this debate?"

Sighing in exasperation, Jack rolled his eyes. "Teal'c, it was a metaphor. You know, us versus them. Boys versus girls. Logic versus emotion."

Teal'c stared at him silently.

"Oh, for-cryin-out-loud, never mind." Jack waved a hand in frustration.

For their part, the embracing couple didn't seem to notice any of the background noise. Locked in a tender kiss, they were completely oblivious to the world around them.

Moments later, Sha're slowly opened her eyes and stared giddily into Daniel's bright, blue gaze. He smiled tenderly at her.

"Let's go get married."

The ceremony was performed by a dark-eyed government official whose soul job seemed to be officiating marriages in front of the giant pyramid. Still, his smile was warm, and his blessing of the union seemed genuine and heartfelt. The couple exchanged lovely, simple vows reflecting their deep and abiding love for one another. In their hearts, both Daniel and Sha're felt as though they'd always been married. This ceremony simply made official what was already etched in their souls.

Sam watched the entire wedding through a veil of happy tears. When Daniel finally leaned forward to kiss his bride, Sam leaned close to her own husband and spoke tenderly into his ear. "I love a happy ending," she whispered.

Jack smiled down at her, eyes sparkling. "I prefer a happy beginning," he quipped. "Endings usually suck."

Unable to restrain a chuckle at his irreverent – if mostly accurate – humor, Sam shook her head. "Good point," she replied. "In this case, I think we're looking at both."

Jack's smile slowly turned sincere. "We're starting to become experts in that area, hey?"

Nodding slowly, Sam felt another round of happy tears spill down her cheeks. "Considering how things might have turned out for all of us, I'd say we're very blessed."

Jack leaned over and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "No argument there." Then, looking into her blue eyes, he smiled faintly. "Can you believe that we'll be married a year next week?"

Sam's heart fluttered joyfully at the reminder. Finally, he would be able to recall their stolen moments together on the volcanic planet. Smiling radiantly, she nodded. "It's going to be a wonderful anniversary," she predicted.

Looking up, Jack noted with some amusement that the newlyweds were still locked in a passionate embrace. "Maybe we should poke them or something," he said dryly. "At this rate, we might all still be standing here on our anniversary."

Rolling her eyes, Sam gave a long-suffering sigh. "That's what I love best about you, sweetheart," she said sarcastically. "You're such a romantic."

Later that evening, all the members of SG-1 sat around a softly-lit table in the elegant private party room of their hotel's restaurant. Sam had just called Jacob and Sarah to check on the twins, and was feeling able to unwind and enjoy the festivities.

Jack was animatedly giving Teal'c lessons in the best approach to catching Northern Pike – a monologue which the large Jaffa seemed to be mostly tuning out, while Daniel and Sha're whispered softly into each other's ears. Taking in the entire scene with a smile of affection, Sam once again felt gratitude for her good fortune sweep over her profoundly.

Looking up, Daniel quietly raised his glass and waited for everyone to give him their attention. After a few moments, he took a deep breath and began speaking. "I just wanted to thank you all for flying out here to be with us on our special day. I know that being away from the twins is difficult for you guys," he said to Sam and Jack, "but it means the world to us that you were here."

Sam gazed at him with a sweet smile. "You're family," she said simply. And, in her heart, it was true. She'd long loved Daniel like a brother, but since his absolute dedication to her when she'd been pregnant and grieving, Sam couldn't imagine feeling more for an actual family member. He'd been her rock, and she was delighted in his own, newfound happiness.

Sharing her affectionate look, Daniel seemed to understand her thoughts perfectly. "Well, thanks anyway," he said.

Delicately clearing her throat, Sha're softly redirected the group's attention to herself. "I, too, wanted to thank you all. Not only for being with us on our wedding, but for accepting me into your hearts. The circumstances which brought me here could have been terrifying and horrible. But, instead of being made to feel like an outsider, your support and determination have instead made me feel as though I had come home." Smiling brilliantly, she raised her glass. "To the best friends in any reality," she said softly.

"Here, here," Jack replied softly, raising his own glass aloft. In moments, the soft clinking of glasses was followed by gentle hugs and kisses as the five friends celebrated the happy sentiments.

As they all settled in and began to resume normal conversation, Sha're gazed at each of her friends in turn, feeling a remarkable sense of peace. In fact, she hadn't felt this content since her last wedding night. Suddenly, memories from her previous life began to flicker through her mind like scenes from a movie. As the sensations and images began to grow more intense, a shadow passed over the bride's face. "Daniel," she whispered quietly, tugging softly on his sleeve, "I am suddenly not feeling very–" Before she could finish her sentence, her eyes rolled into the back of her head, and she slumped backwards into her chair.

Daniel's voice held a raw edge of panic. "Sha're?" Seeing her unresponsive form sliding sideways, he grabbed her reflexively, sending his water glass to the floor. "Sha're!" This time, there was no mistaking the sheer terror in his eyes.

Springing into action, Teal'c stood and helped Daniel pull the unconscious woman from her chair. As Daniel swept her limp form into his arms, Sam was already on her cell phone, notifying the SGC that they may need to prepare an infirmary bed and an Asgard Transporter. Jack had stood and flagged the waiter, asking if there was immediate access to medical care.

As crisis descended upon the team, the familiar acrid tang of adrenaline and fear thrummed grimly through each of their bodies. Still, as familiar as the emotions of the situation were, none of them were comforted by the routine.

With quiet, precise efficiency, the team which had so often saved the universe now fought to save one of their own.

Less than four hours later, the members of SG-1 sat numbly in the familiar surroundings of the SGC's infirmary. Thanks to the Prometheus and its onboard Asgard transportation technology, the team was able to quickly get home once it became apparent that Sha're's illness was not something easily treatable in a foreign civilian hospital. Still dressed in their eveningwear, the team looked rumpled and distressed.

To Sam, it was a scene which conjured horrible memories of her own shattered wedding day.

Silently taking in the miserable scene, Sam's heart broke into a million pieces every time she looked at Daniel. He'd refused to leave his bride's side for a moment, and was now seated dejectedly at her bedside, tie undone and hanging loosely at his collar. His eyes shone with desperation and unbridled fear.

Swallowing a lump of emotion, Sam turned her attention to her husband. He stood silently in a corner of the small space, eyeing his friend with grim sympathy. Teal'c stood directly beside him, wearing a nearly identical expression.

Rubbing the bridge of her nose in an act of sheer frustration, Sam knew exactly what her husband was thinking. He was feeling guilty for having not investigated the cylinder further. Somehow, Jack seemed convinced that Sha're's answers were inexorably linked to the stone circle which had brought her to this reality. And, even though deep in her heart she reluctantly agreed with him, Sam was still desperately hopeful that Dr. Brightman's recommendation to wait and see if Sha're pulled out on her own panned out.

The alternative – exploring the alien device which had wreaked such havoc in the past – was far too dreadful to contemplate closely.

Sighing softly, Sam stepped close to Daniel and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. Whatever the outcome, she knew she could not leave him. He'd been there for her in her own darkest hour. She was committed to being there for him in his.

Silently offering her support, Sam stiffened her spine and prepared for the long night ahead.