Author's note: Another story is coming to a close. I can't believe what an amazing journey this has been and I don't want it to end but I am having some problems with where to go from here. I have a possible chapter to close Future or Past but I need something knew for the next. Drop me some plot bunnies pretty please.

Thank you so much for your continued support and reviews, it makes me want to get up and write each day!

Chapter Twenty-One: One Final Meal

It was weird to think this would be the last time Jack served food from the oven and got juice and milk from the refrigerator in this house. The afternoon had passed quickly and now they were spread around in the living room while the kids all ate at the dining table. Daniel was sitting next to him on the couch and they both had plates on their laps. Sam and Teal'c were splitting their focus between the conversation and the children in the kitchen. Jack could hear his kids speaking in Latin, working on their fluidity. Daniel was talking to Ben who was sitting next to him and Lauren was talking to Sam. Akina, Lust and Desire were also eating spread around the room. The quiet conversation was a nice back drop to this final day here in this time. Now that they had accepted that they were leaving and they were doing it for all the right reasons, Daniel seemed to let the tension leech from his body and shoulders. With his young spouse a little more at ease, Jack found himself happy to make this choice.

Jack stood and took Daniel's empty plate from him. He walked into the kitchen and started a sink of soapy water and started talking plates and cups for each other the kids and grown ups as they finished. He slowly cleaned the dishes, just letting time float by until his father spoke up from the entry of the kitchen, "Stop stalling Jackie."

He smiled as he looked over to Ben, "It's hard sometimes to truly let go. I haven't given up my past in a lot of ways but now it's going to be so permanent." He slipped the last dish into the drying rack and drained the sink before he turned towards his dad.

"Its going to be just a permanent ten minutes from now and those women are sword fighting, freaking out your mother."

Jack snorted then walked around his dad to see the man was not exaggerating. Akina and the twins were indeed fighting using short swords in close contact fighting. Jack laughed and watched as Lauren frowned at them, moving as far away from them as possible. Daniel was enjoying the show, clapping when anyone got a good shot in but Jack turned back to his dad once more.

"I'm gonna miss you so much Pop but you're right."

"Of course I'm right, now get your kids into those cars and get out of here."

Jack smiled and pulled his dad into a tight hug before he walked back to the living and called out, "Its time."

He watched as all the kids walked in and started giving hugs to Lauren and Ben, though they were still awkward with his mother they all did it anyway. The hugs and kisses they shared with Ben were enthusiastic and bittersweet as well. Then Jack walked the kids out and loaded them into the Jeep and the truck. Akina and the twins were planning to ride in the van with Sam and her family since there was room for them. Then he returned and walked over to Lauren and gave her a hug, kissing her on the cheek gently. "Goodbye Mama, I love you."

Her hands squeezed at his back and she sobbed into his shoulder, "I love you Johnny, I'm sorry."

"I know Mama. I'm sorry too." She nodded and he tugged her away so he could look into her dark watery gaze, "Just so we're clear, I am not sorry for loving my husband or protecting my family. I am sorry that we fought so much over this and I'm sorry you felt you had to choose between loyalty to me or loyalty to Sarah."

"I know Johnny, please just go."

He nodded and turned to see Daniel hugging Ben again before they turned and walked out of the house Jack gripping Daniel's hand in comfort. As they climbed into the vehicles and they started towards the mountain in a silly looking train of vehicles. Jack was following the van that Sam was driving and the Jeep was just behind Jack's truck. He looked over at Zale and Zada where were silently watching the passing scenery outside the window. Zale was against the door, sitting in his car seat and Zada was in the middle with her chin tucked into Zale's shoulder.

"You guys ready to go home?" he asked in forced enthusiasm.

"Yes," the chorused quietly.

"You gonna miss this place at all?" Jack asked with a chuckle.

They both turned to give him a look that clearly said, 'Hells no.' Jack forced down the snort of laughter he had stuck in his throat. Zada sighed a little and turned to look at Jack in profile while he snuck glances towards her. "We are going to miss Grandpapa and Aunt Janet and Cassie but this world will never be safe for us and people hate Daddy for something like loving you, I do not understand this world."

Jack rubbed a gentle hand through her dark wavy tresses and smiled as he watched the road ahead of them, "I know baby. I don't understand it either sometimes."

"We never said anything but the things that your mother used to think about Daddy and us were unkind and not loving. I do not understand how she is like that when you have always been so different with us and Daddy."

Jack thought about his son's quiet words, "She wasn't like that before Charlie's death and before when I was married to Sarah. I don't know when things changed for her but she is not the same loving mother I grew up with and there is nothing I can do to change her mind. You know that Daddy and I, plus countless others love you more than we can ever articulate but sometimes people won't like you and that doesn't have to make a difference to you."

He shifted his gaze over to see them nod a little and then he could see the mountain in the distance, he heaved a sigh of relief. They were so close to the haven they left behind. He knew what Akina said to Daniel and the things she'd said to them in the past. The future was not without strange circumstances and magic much to Jack's displeasure but that's where they belonged now.

They got in through the gates at the mountain and everyone grabbed backpacks and Jack lugged Daniel's suitcase, which seemed to be carrying their entire library inside. Jack grunted at the weight as he got it through the doors and headed towards the elevator with the children and adults all following close behind. They were planning a quick goodbye in the gate room then the blast doors would close and in the enclosed room they would all disappear like they arrived seven months before.

There were several airmen who came to take their suitcases and bags down to the gate room and they headed to the conference room where General Hammond was standing with Janet, Tyan and a few of the heads who were close to the members of SG-1, all holding flutes of something sparkling. Jack smiled as he walked into the room.

"Jack, Daniel, Sam and Teal'c; I know it has been a short time in comparison to the years you spent in your other home but it has been great to see you and meet your children. I know you all have to leave and we will miss you but this has given us the opportunity to know you are going to be fine. Here's to the one true SG-1!"

A cheer rent the air and Hammond let it continue for a moment before he waved his hand to quiet the people.

"From this day forward, no one will ever use the SG-1 designation ever again," Hammond said and Jack stared in shock, as a picture was unveiled across from the flags, it was of the four of them at Jack and Daniel's wedding. They were standing close to each other, smiling into the camera and dressed in their wedding finery. Jack and Sam were attempting to hold their serious expressions but the twitch of happiness was there under the austereness of taking a picture in their Class A's. Jack smiled when he looked over at Daniel who was wiping a tear from his cheek. Sam and Teal'c were hugging each other and Sam had a hand pressed to her mouth trying to keep the gasp and sob quiet.

"George, surely that's a little much isn't it? What about Mitchell's team?" Jack asked, looking over to the grinning Colonel who was standing really close to Vala.

"General, we are glad to do a little jumbling around so SG-1 will always be yours," Cameron responded with his friendly southern twang.

Jack clapped to the men and women around the room and Daniel followed quickly then Sam and Teal'c added their enthusiastic clapping as well. Then as it died down again they mingled for a few minutes hugging people and saying their goodbyes. Jack said goodbye to Hammond, Janet, Cameron and Vala as well as a few who'd been around since the inception of the program and were still there now. He mostly watched the kids talking to their fans in the infirmary and Daniel talking to Tyan and the others from his department. About an hour passed before Hammond called a halt to the get together. Final hugs were given.

Janet came over and wrapped her arms around his shoulder, "I love you guys so much and please just be safe."

Jack nodded into her shoulder, "I will and right backatcha Doc, you were the first to really accept our children no questions asked and that is not something easily forgotten. Thank you for everything you did for us and what you continue to do here. Keep them in line, will ya?"

Janet pulled away with a grin, "Of course."

With that she walked over to Sam and the others and before to long passed they were all walking down to the gate room and once all seven adults and nine kids were passed the doors, the blast doors started to drop and he looked up to wave at Hammond and their SGC family until they could no longer be seen. Then they all laid their hands on each of the bags and packs they were taking. Jack took Zale and Zada's hands in his. Daniel reached out and picked Johnny up and cuddled him close. Janet reached out and took Daniel's free hand and Claire took Janet's other hand. Lust, Desire and Akina spread out and touched someone as Sam and Teal'c were reach out to touch their children and each other. Then Zada started to glow, her skin lighting up from under the surface and a shimmer moved to surround them all.

Akina smiled, "Good job Zada, I didn't think I could concentrate on a shield as well as work out the time travel. This shall make things much smoother."

Zada smiled but she had that unfocused look that meant she was concentrating on the task at hand. Jack squeezed her hand slightly in support. And then Akina touched someone, Daniel's shoulder and she had Greer gripped in her arms and there was the dip in his stomach that came right before the grey and dark room disappeared from sight only to be quickly replaced with the interior of the throne room in the Vannas castle.

It was home.