Hello to everyone that has been following this story. It is with regret that I tell you this chapter will be the final episode, and the end of this series. I have other writing projects that I am pursuing, some in Sci-Fi, some in other directions, but all are original works. All of your comments and feedback from PM's have been so supportive, that I can't thank you enough. Fanfic has taught me many things about writing and storytelling, and I would like to thank the creators of the site for giving amateur writers like me the opportunity to post our work. I want to make special mention and my sincere thanks to samcarter2, SkyHighFan, and AlexanderD, for the assistance over the last few years in reviewing and assisting in my work; their comments and input have been very helpful. I think it was only fitting to leave Destiny in a similar way to the original series, perhaps with a somewhat open ending —so I hope you enjoy the final chapter. Once again, thanks for reading and ENJOY!
Cheers, Steve1911
SGU s04 e20
Destiny
At the edge of the Valeyian galaxy, a decision had to be made by all of the crew. They had not yet reached that point, but Eli and Nick knew what was coming and informed Everett, who told the rest of the crew on Destiny.
It had been four months since the final defeat of the Ori, who now only existed in a database of history. Lessons had been learnt, and the people of Earth had a real awakening of just how fragile life can be. Although the Ori were defeated while attacking Earth during the war, it wasn't without loss. Several major cities across Europe and the Americas were invaded and had sustained heavy casualties and destruction while other parts of the world were left untouched.
Everett stood atop of the stairs in the gate room, while everyone else gathered to hear the message that had finally come through from Earth. He read the freely spoken words of the current United States President, who had addressed the United Nations and the Intergalactic Alliance on Earth several hours ago.
"I am here today, not as a President, but as a member of our human race. If anyone on Earth still had doubts about alien life elsewhere in the universe, they had it forced upon them up close and personal only a few months ago. Military personal, police, emergency services, and civilians, from all over the world, banded together in the fight for our lives, against the twenty three Ori armies that managed to land within city limits and country lines. For the first time in our history, this was not a war about politics, power, or money; it was about the right of humanity's freedom and our right to survive as the human race. While our alien allies and others took on the might of the Ori fleet in another galaxy, with the help of a few Asgard and Ursini, mankind defended this amazing planet we call home."
"I know there have been terrible losses in many countries; but I say to you, our human spirit of never giving up, never surrendering, will give us the courage we need to forge on ahead. To our brave men and women who today are still out in space, putting their lives on the line in the name of peaceful exploration, I wish to sincerely thank you all—for your courage and sacrifice, in the face of an extremely formidable enemy."
"Finally, I would like to say to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, upon the altar of humanity's freedom; on behalf of the eight billion citizens of Earth—we will grieve for your loss and hold in our hearts that they now rest in peace, knowing the countless lives of ours and other worlds that they have helped save with their heroic actions. May their families find comfort within these actions of our fallen heroes—they will be forever remembered by all."
As Everett finished reading, a tear dripped onto the screen of his alien I Pad. They too had suffered loss and heartache. Dr Brody was nursing Captain Tez back to health after her F-302V had been rammed by an Ori fighter causing a heavy leak of radiation. It had taken something precious from both of them—her ability to have or carry a child. The blast of radiation had gone through Tez's lower abdomen first, causing severe damage to her womb, ovaries and part of her intestinal tract. Even the Valeyians with all their technology said that 'Short of transferring your consciousness into a cloned body, there was nothing we could do to repair your damaged womb tissue—to save your life, a hysterectomy had to be preformed. Deep from our hearts, we are painfully sorry for this loss Captain Tez.'
They had each other, and the Valeyians had been able to halt and repair all the other radiation damage to her body. They decided that their love would be strong enough to make that one sacrifice.
Ronald Greer was also coming to terms with the loss of a good man and his close friend, Sgt. John Wallace. He accompanied Sgt. Wallace back to Earth, and taken the task of notifying his family in person. Greer answered John's wife's tear-soaked questions of how and why with total honesty and humility, shedding his own tears alongside hers. He also handed her a Bronze Star awarded to John, for his heroic actions in saving many lives.
Nick put his hand on Everett's shoulder, knowing he was still upset at the loss of Telford. Even with all they had been through, he had always considered him a good friend. A now 'semi retired' Jack O'Neill had gone to visit Everett's ex wife personally, to break the news.
"He does a good speech Ev, I hope it helps with the healing back on Earth," said Nick compassionately.
Everett smiled at him and winked, "Aye, 'Scotty'," he said in a more cheery voice attempting to lighten the mood, making Nick smile.
Nick stated, more than asked, in a somewhat more serious manner, "You haven't told them yet?" as they walked down the stairs together.
Everett answered, "I was about to, but then this came through and I figured it was enough for one day."
Rush contemplated the answer for a moment before saying, "Well, we still have a week before we reach the outer limit of the galaxy; but you as know, there are only two directions we can go. Destiny's programming wants her to go the distance, but it is a long time onboard. A lot can happen in twenty two years!"
They shared an understanding look before Everett said, "Yeah, we'd get old!" He hung his head and shook it softly before saying as he looked back to Rush, "Three hundred and ninety million light-years; are you absolutely sure Nick? I mean, I still don't get it—why does Destiny want to go to this far galaxy, when there is one only fifteen million light-years away? It's only just under a year's travel in stasis."
Nick nodded with a smile, "Unfortunately, yes," he said with his own disbelief adding, "And that's at Destiny's top intergalactic FTL speed in the void, around two thousand light years per hour," he paused contemplating the answer. "As for why, I guess she has a reason; Lady Destiny wouldn't even give us a straight answer to that one!"
Everett joked back, "Maybe we should have taken the offer of the Ur'torina Drive; be much faster."
Nick laughed and said, "Even a hyper-drive can only do around *5000 LY per hour; and as I told you, she didn't want that; you know she gets temperamental sometimes." They walked off together and headed for the observation deck.
(*Based on SGA Daedalus trip time of three weeks from Milky Way to Pegasus Galaxy. 2.5m ly distance at 1.3 ly/second: or 4960.3 ly/hr (Source, SG Wiki—just imagine where mankind would be if it were possible! Warp Drive? Maybe one day...)).
Several days earlier, Nick had sat down with Eli and Lisa in the observation deck going over the reasons for Destiny's choice of galaxy. The ship had obtained masses of information from the Valeyian Databank about the next thirty galaxies, and to Destiny's AI, it seemed a waste of "her time" traveling through them. This had caused major issues for the crew, as Destiny had selected a galaxy that would take nearly twenty two years to reach at her maximum void FTL speed.
Another party came to sit with them at the table; Lady Destiny. Nick found it frustrating knowing she had all the answers at her fingertips, yet would not tell them.
Eli started with a smile toward Lady Destiny. "Is it you, or the ship?" His answer came from her warm hand gently placed upon the top of his.
"No, it's me in the flesh Eli. I see we have a dilemma, " she said still clasping his hand motherly, " I thought I might offer you some assistance."
Nick was first to politely ask the most pressing question, "Why the distance? What is so important about the galaxy she has chosen?"
Lady Destiny looked intently at Nick as she contemplated her next words. "It has far more to do with what you all seek than with that which Destiny herself is programmed for."
Eli and Lisa subconsciously leaned forward to her some sort of revelation, being noticed by Lady Destiny as she continued.
"All of you seek understanding of what the Ancients found in the background noise of the this universe's beginning—just how close to that, do you believe we are? I believe Destiny is trying to help you understand by taking you to a galaxy which, in universal terms—is strangely very young."
Lisa asked, "Is that because it's a galaxy we would never get to see from Earth, given the expansion rate of the universe?"
Lady Destiny answered smiling at her. "You're a very smart and beautiful young lady, Lisa—but that isn't really why. Don't forget how far out in space from your home world you are—so your observable universe is far different than that of Earth. In fact, your own galaxy is just a mere speck of light from out here! Destiny has covered nearly more distance than Earth's observable universe is wide."
The trio wasn't surprised by this announcement of distance; furthermore, they were intrigued by the vastness unfolding before them. Lisa was well aware of the universe as we know it, with the distance between galaxies expanding exponentially—some were even traveling faster than the speed of light due to Hubble's Law* (Wikipedia), and would never be seen. In fact, the void distance between galaxies, even in their alternate path, was always increasing between the next.
The penny dropped for Nick as he realized what Destiny was attempting to do, as he said gazing in thought, "Destiny is trying to take us back in time! She wants us to see it with our own eyes—is that what you're leading to, Lady Destiny?"
She answered cryptically. "If you know where you came from, you will find where you're going... Besides," she added, "It will give the children a chance to grow up along the way," with that, she smiled and left them.
Lisa just stared at Nick and Eli for a moment before saying carefully, "Time travel?! Come on, how?"
Nick and Eli both nodded with Eli saying, "Well, falling into the magnetic field of a star can cause time shifts. Just remember when the second Destiny showed up, and what happened to the Infinite Voyage and their crew from a supernova. I believe it may be possible Destiny is attempting to skim by several stars in FTL along the way," Eli was now lost in his own thoughts of the complexities of time travel.
Lisa still wasn't convinced. "Okay, say it is possible. How can Destiny know what the outcome of such a move will be? Skimming through a star in FTL—how do we know what time shift we'll get, if any?"
The two boys looked at each other believing in a feeling they both had as Nick responded to Lisa's valid question. "Something tells me we may be getting a little help from a higher source—Lady Destiny and her ascended friends."
Eli spoke his mind openly and put his thoughts out there for everyone. "The Ancients are amazing teachers and now that they are free to interact if they choose, I believe they want us to see the answers with our own eyes. What do we learn as a race of beings if we are just handed everything on a spoon? This is their way of sharing more than an answer, by giving us the opportunity to experience it for ourselves."
Lisa hadn't thought of it this way and Eli's comments made complete sense. She said, "Like their way of finishing the mission perhaps?"
Nick answered, "I believe so Lisa and it seems we have been chosen to do so."
As with many ships, scuttlebutt had traveled about a twenty two year stasis sleep over a massive void crossing. What was even more scary, a long void crossing through time/space without any major gravitational influence, meant the Earth may age much faster in that twenty two years, than the ship. Just how much, was a strongly debated theory by the crew.
Camille and Vanessa were seated at a table in the galley, having a quiet conversation about what to do next. Vanessa's time in the military was at an end in a couple of months, as she contemplated life outside of all things now familiar to her.
Camille was saying, "It would be a big step, but I'm sure there are plenty of outside contracting companies that would see the benefits of where you have been, and what you know. I don't think it would be hard for you to find work, if that's what concerns you," Camille reached across the table and took a hold of her hand, squeezing it gently.
Vanessa replied honestly, "It's not the whole work thing, I mean, I have money and that. Like where the hell can we spend it out here?" she chuckled, "I just don't know how I would feel about fitting back into so called 'normal nine to five life' after living out here."
Camille looked at her with love in her heart, "But you'd have me..." she said softly.
Vanessa pulled Camille's hand closer and kissed the back of it, "I know Camille, and that's not my worry. It's more the amount of adjustment from being here with all this, and then being able to let it go. I'm just not sure how I'll cope with that—I mean, where the hell do you find a job that compares to this?" she waved her hands from the center outward, motioning toward Destiny.
Chloe walked past and smiled at them, as they quickly changed their conversation to a more recent event with Vanessa saying to Camille quietly, "Do you think she is showing yet?"
Camille laughed inaudibly at the question before answering, "Geese, they only had their honeymoon just over three months ago; give her a chance!" she laughed a little louder this time.
Vanessa joined in adding, "Destiny seems to be becoming a maternity ward," she chuckled loudly.
Camille said, "If I was a betting person, I'd put money on that they stay out of stasis, with Eli, Ginn and the others. You know, to give the children a chance to grow up around each other. I heard her early scan was suggesting twins, one of each; that will make it interesting in later years!" she said with a cheeky smile.
They got up and took their food trays back to the counter, and left the Galley for some R and R quiet time.
Another Earth day passed without any unusual event, except for Castell and his immediate family coming aboard unannounced to see everyone. As the Stargate came to life, Castell telepathically called Everett to let him know they were coming through. Everett gave a call to the gate room to stand down, and then went down to meet him.
Castell stood in his best golden robes, his wife and daughter looking stunning as usual in matching royal blue and purple flowing dresses. "Greetings Earthling!" he said in a perfectly pitched voice-over of Melvin the Martian, "Take me to your leader!" Everett and several others in the room began to laugh—which started with silence but soon became hysterical.
After a moment of trying to compose himself, Everett finally said, "Oh, that would be me!" as he continued laughing, doubled over with his hands on his knees; it was a colossal tension release for those who heard.
Castell loved making people laugh being that unconditional happiness was a way of life to him, as he walked forward embracing Everett and saying, "How are you my brother; it has been too long—oh, before I forget, Warenz and Odin send their regards to you all; Odin especially said to say hello to young Mrs Scott." Smiling cheekily, he let go of Everett and continued, "Now, what has been happening on this great ship Destiny?" he asked.
They all walked off together and headed toward the observation deck as Everett replied, "Well, just the usual stuff—fighting unfriendly aliens, destroying planets, saving damsels in distress—you know how it is," now it was Castell's turn to laugh at Everett's light-hearted remarks.
They continued to make small talk and jokes until reaching the observation deck, with all of them smiling broadly. They all sat down around a large round table to the right hand side of the grand observation window, joining Te'arly who was watching over a peacefully sleeping Hadri'an in a stroller. Both Valhalla and Robina went straight to see Hadri'an and Te'arly, careful not to wake the cute little man, snuggled warm in his light blue blanket. (If you have children or grand-kids—like me—you will understand that feeling of watching them sleep; it's just inexplicably joyful and heart-warming...).
Te'arly seemed to have a glow about her that was immediately picked up by Valhalla and Robina, as they talked about how she was adjusting to raising Hadri'an on a starship, rather than a planet.
Valhalla was asking Te'arly, "Have you noticed any difference in how he seems to be developing in artificial gravity as opposed to being on a planet?"
Te'arly looked at Hadri'an as she spoke, "Well, funny you should ask that; I think Destiny has been reducing the gravity force around him when he has tried to roll over or move, making it easier for him," she turned to face Valhalla, "And then slowly increased it back to normal as he gets stronger. A couple of times I have gone to pick him up and felt very light on my feet next to him," she smiled and gave a slight giggle. "I think it was her way of helping!"
Robina's expression was that of knowing something; as Valhalla noticed, she looked to Te'arly and back to her daughter, then back to Te'arly. Valhalla gently moved forward to Te'arly and placed her hand softly on her belly, looking into her eyes and said,
"Te'arly, do you know?"
Te'arly blushed slightly and smiled, quickly putting a finger to her lips and saying very quietly, "Shhh! I haven't told him yet," out of the sight of Everett who was now standing at the window rail with Castell.
Robina asked slightly confused but discretely, "Why? Was it not something you wanted?" Her question was based on her own idea, that creating a child was a gift of love between two partners, never unplanned or accidental; at least that was the way it was on Valeya. Sex was one thing, but having a child was a choice to be made by a couple, when they felt they were ready. She spared a thought for Captain Tez and Dr Adam Brody.
Te'arly had learned about Valeyian culture, and coupled with her own understandings from her home world, she didn't see the question as offensive or rude; she had a very valid reason for not telling Everett yet—she only found out herself a few hours earlier. "Um, it's not that I don't want to, I only found out this morning after I was late by a few days, and I haven't had him alone to give him the good news yet. I know he yearns to be a father once again to his own; he is already a father to Hadri'an, and loves him like his own son," Te'arly looked blissfully at Hadri'an, sound asleep.
Robina smiled at Te'arly, and reached for her hand saying, "Tell him—tell him now while we are here!" she squeezed her hand gently as she offered her encouragement.
Everett and Castell finally came back to the table and sat beside their respective partners, with Ev asking, "So what have you guys been gossiping about?"
Robina and Valhalla both looked at Te'arly with a reassuring smile and nodded for her to tell.
Te'arly grabbed Everett's hands and took a deep breath. "Honey," she paused looking for the words, "I think I might be pregnant again!"
Everett took in the news with a slightly stunned look that quickly turned to the realization that it was to him. His heart began to pound, staring at the woman who was his whole world, now pregnant with his child. The smile that broke from his face as the others watch on, was the most loving and blissful look that human anatomy is capable of. Words failed him as he half dragged her out of her seat and into his arms, forming an intimate embrace. Castell and his family cheered for them as Everett finally got some incoherent words out.
"Baby! Us? We're having a baby?!"
Te'arly held him tight and replied simply, "Yes my love, you and me are having a baby."
With both of them overwhelmed by emotion, the tears of joy began to flow freely. They kissed and cried on each other at their unexpected creation of life. It took several minutes to come down from their joyous high, back to the reality of everyday life on Destiny. After things had calmed down as much as they could, Castell had something he needed to tell Everett.
The six of them sat around the table and listened as Castell got their attention. "Everett, Te'arly; firstly, congratulations of a new beginning of life." He then became about as serious as he would ever get and said quietly, "There is something we need to tell you before you leave this galaxy."
Everett put away his joy for the moment, and focused his full attention on what Castell was about to say, adding, "Okay—my day is going well so far, you aren't going to spoil it are you?"
Castell smiled and shook his head, "No, but it may surprise you. We have been keeping a secret from you all though," he waited for Everett's body language to respond.
Ev asked quickly, "What sort of secret?" not too sure for the answer.
Castell held his cards for a while longer with his response, "Well to start with, let's talk about you. The gift I gave you outside the bridge before I was taken—well that may be somewhat permanent. On the bright side of that, you will keep your 'special' abilities for your lifetime, and be able to work on and enhance them greatly over that time. The darker side of that will be that you can see the outcomes of things at times, good or bad," he gave Everett a moment to take in the gravity of what he just said, before continuing. "And—well, these abilities are genetic. So there is a good chance they have been passed on," he said, motioning to Te'arly with a slight hand gesture and smile.
Everett looked to Te'arly who replied to him and Castell, "That's not so bad; the fact that we know will allow us to give guidance to our child when the need arises." She seemed unfazed by Castell's prelude to what is to come.
Everett looked hard at his friend and asked, "But there is something else too, isn't there?"
Castell's smile was replaced with a look of minor concern, but not that of a great revelation. "I have to be honest with you Everett, you are a true friend to me; one who has proven beyond a doubt how much you care about me and my family, and people in general." He took a deep breath and finally allowed Everett and Te'arly to feel what they had sensed for some time.
"Our people, including all those you have met, did in fact ascend."
Everett somehow knew, but hearing it from Castell brought a very real conformation of it, followed by a feeling of disappointing anger of being lied to. "You told us that you chose not to, now you say you have? I don't get it; what's the catch?"
Castell sighed, "My friend, there was no catch. We ascended, we chose to retake human form; although we were able to keep most of our ascended abilities. We are who we said we are, the ancestors of the one's you know as Ancients, and for that matter the Ori, but as for being completely human, well..." Castell conceded that Everett would be somewhat pissed at him for a while, but he knew in his heart that all relationships go through rocky periods. Everett was a good man and Castell had struggled with keeping this secret from him since they met. What Everett didn't know was why, and that would be his next question.
Everett, resting his elbows on the table, placed his hands on the sides of his head and rubbed his temples before looking deep into Castell's eyes and saying something that would cut Castell to his very core, "That hurt Castell; why didn't you trust me? It would not have made a difference as to how I treated you, or what we would have done for you and your people. I don't understand—was this all part of some kind of test?" Ev was really feeling shattered that Castell didn't trust him enough to tell him.
Te'arly placed her hand on Everett's leg, giving it a gentle squeeze of empathy. She looked to Castell and asked sincerely, "But being taken, could you not have helped yourself?"
Castell looked at his own wife who nodded for him to give the answer. "No, I really did need your help. I let them take me because I knew I could survive whatever they threw at me, and I know that had they taken you or one of your crew, they would not have. I did it to protect all of you. Genesis didn't care who he took, he just wanted revenge for whoever was standing against him. It was just sort of luck that I was on Destiny at the time he come to collect."
Ev looked at Te'arly, then turned back to Castell saying, "I doubt luck had anything to do with it—you would have known he was coming. At least be honest with me about that!" He was angry, but then something came back to his mind and he realized there was another way to see this from. His next words were far more sombre as he looked Castell directly in the eyes saying, "I'm sorry about Genesis; I know he was family."
Castell took a deep sigh and nodded. "I know. Unfortunately there is no helping someone who has reached the point of no return. He was so corrupted by the power, not even I could have helped him come back from there. Don't be hard on yourself because of me Everett, you made the right choice to stop him." Even Valhalla and Robina nodded their agreement. Castell smiled at Everett and said sincerely, "I'm sorry too Ev, for keeping this from you. You and your people are good and decent and we should have trusted you." There was mutual understanding and acceptance in both men.
Ev asked him, "What about the fate of your world; I mean, you guys obviously have the power to change it?"
Castell answered him honestly. "It is not up to us to interfere with the workings of the universe, even when a galaxy is swallowing your own. We will stay human until it is time to ascend again, but there is a little surprise we have left for your good friend, Jack O'Neill."
Everett was really curious now, "Now you have to tell me, or I won't be able to sleep!" he said with a cheeky smile.
Valhalla wanted to answer, so Castell allowed her to tell. "Our daughter," she looked at Robina, "would like to move to Earth and teach our ways and technology. She will also bring our history and understanding of all things we know about the universe, and of course, our technology—everything to be shared." She rubbed her daughter's arm affectionately and added, "She would also like to find love, and have a family of her own one day."
Te'arly beamed a huge smile and said, "She won't have any shortage of men competing for her affections, that's for sure!"
The stunning Robina blushed and covered her face for a moment, before breaking into laughter. "Thank you Te'arly."
Ev stared at his good friend for a moment before saying, "I'm going to miss you, all of you."
Castell laughed, "Oh Ev, you think so three dimensional sometimes. Just because you're crossing the void doesn't mean I can't drop in occasionally. We have many ways of catching up with you; eventually you will grow strong enough to call over great distance. You'll see, just give it time. Just remember this; friends never leave, they just go different places..."
In another part of Destiny, Nick and Amanda were half working, half talking about what was to come and what they both wanted.
Nick said, "I have left permission with Ev to get me out if they really need my help at any stage; not that I'm expecting anything to go wrong with Destiny, but you never know. The question is, would you like to be out with me, or stay in stasis?"
Amanda thought for a moment before answering. "I don't know Nick. The thought of a long stay in stasis does scare me somewhat and I have to say, I'm not sure yet if I'm willing to do it. Give me some more time to think about it."
Nick knew better than to push her, after all, it was his mistake in the first place for how she ended up last time. "Okay, we still have a couple of days to think about it," and he left it at that.
Chloe was busy making plans for a nursery corner in her and Matt's quarters, when Matt came in, sneaking up behind her and putting his arms around her waist.
Chloe giggled as he whispered in her ear, "I love you Mrs Scott, want to have my babies?"
She turned in his arms to face him and passionately kissed him for several moments, after which she said while rubbing her nose against his, "Are you suggesting I should be naughty with you, Captain Scott? What would my husband think?"
Matt smiled and corrected her, "I am your husband and I would think you should be very, very naughty with me!"
They fell on the bed together, laughing, and were soon enough back to kissing as Chloe began to rip off her clothes after pushing Matt down and climbing over him. As she sat there in her lacy black bra, reaching up she untied her long dark hair, allowing it to fall behind her. Chloe bent forward and placed her hands on Matt's strong shoulders.
She said honestly to him, "I want us to stay out of stasis. I don't want to be pregnant and in stasis; it would mean I was pregnant for twenty two years, and I have no idea if that would harm our babies in anyway."
Matt could feel her grinding against him, but remained focused on what she was asking. "I've been concerned about that too, but Eli and Nick assured me it will not cause any harm to you or the twins."
Chloe used her body to get the answer she wanted, as she rubbed herself harder across his pants. "You won't be able to feel this in stasis..." and with that she removed the obstacles in her way and began to make love with her husband.
They lay together sometime later with Matt saying, "Making love with me is not going to make up my mind, you know!"
Chloe ran her hand across his body sensually, "Oh really?" she asked in a sexy voice, "I beg to differ," and she began to kiss her way across his chest
Matt smiled at her persistence with him and added, "You know we're going to be twenty two years older than everyone else when they come out, doesn't that bother you?"
Chloe stopped teasing him and laid her head on his chest. "What does it matter if we get old sooner or later? I want our kids to grow up around other children, and if we wait, then the others will have grown up already. I don't really care about getting old, and at least this way, my mom may have a chance to meet her grandchildren. If we go in, she might never get that chance."
Matt could see how important this was to her and knew that as long as they were together, he would be happy too; happy wife, happy life. "Okay," he said trying to sound defeated, although Chloe saw through it immediately and smiled, "We'll stay out."
Chloe snuggled into him, "I love you..."
Standing in front of the observation deck window in his full dress uniform, Everett held Te'arly's hands in his as he tried hard to take in her exquisite beauty. Valhalla and Robina had dressed her in a stunning gold lace and white silk strapless dress that accentuated he womanly curves, and flowed nearly five feet behind her. Castell stood before them performing a traditional Valeyian wedding ceremony, as everyone onboard watched on.
Castell announced, "Everett, you have made a commitment to Te'arly above all others; do you do this of your own free will?"
He couldn't stop the tears from rolling down his face, "Yes, I do," he answered quietly.
Castell then asked, "Te'arly, you have made a commitment to Everett above all others; do you do this of your own free will?"
Te'arly answered through her own tears, "Yes, I do," she was lost in his love.
Castell was fighting to hold back his own feelings of joy for them. "According to the free wills of these two people, they have committed into unconditional love for each other, for all eternity. May respect and understanding be their essence, may passion be their joy, and may unconditional love hold them to each other, even through passing."
He paused for a moment then said, "Under Valeyian understanding, and before all of these good persons,"
"I now pronounce you to be husband and wife!"
Castell smiled at Everett saying quietly, "Well, what are you waiting for, kiss her!"
Music rang out as they embraced in a romantic kissing session, not even hearing the loud cheers from the crowd of friends before them. They turned and walked into a rice shower past the very people who had become family to them. Then the night was filled with laughter, dancing, eating and drinking; but most of all, hope. Hope for a safe journey across the void, and the future that lay beyond aboard the Ancient ship, Destiny...
EPILOGUE:
In the days that passed before Destiny left the Valeyian galaxy, only a handful of the crew elected to stay out: Everett, Te'arly and Hadrian; Eli, Ginn, and Lala; Chloe and Matt; also TJ and Varro, who were trying for their own children. Ev and Te'arly found out a few weeks after that they were having a daughter, and about six months later, finally TJ and Varro announced they were having a son.
Camille and Vanessa returned to Earth through Destiny's Stargate, with both of them being treated like rock star heroes on their return. Job offers came from everywhere for both of them, but in the end they started their own business teaching and preparing both military and civilian people for life on star-ships in deep space. Although they did miss the life on Destiny sometimes, they were happy to be on solid ground, back on Earth.
Once a year Nick and Amanda would come out of stasis for a week, just to ensure Destiny was functioning as she should, and also to catch up on anything that may have happened. They soon became known to the now growing children as 'Uncle Nick, and Aunty Amanda' who only came around for Christmas.
Adam Brody and Captain Tez "borrowed" an F-302V and returned to Tez's homeworld to help with the rebuilding after the Ori's destruction. They passed a message through Apollo 2011 to say they had made it safely, and apologized for stealing the 302. Everett thought it a small price to pay for their happiness. They got out an occasional subspace message to say hello.
With the help of Robina, Earth's technology soon superseded even that of the Asgard, along with the teachings of Ascension for those who desired to do so. Jack was eternally grateful for her help in advancing mankind, he remained semi-retired until well into his eighties. When he finally retired due to poor health, Robina finally first convinced him—then helped him to ascend before his passing. She too, eventually found love with a man who was a descendant of the Ancients and carried a longevity gene that would allow him to stay with her for their natural lives. He was the son of Colonel Sheppard that he had never known about—there was also an issue of just exactly which timeline or universe his father came from.
Colonel Cameron Mitchell, became Brigadier General Mitchell and took control of the SGC after General Landry retired a few years after the Ori war. This was a position he kept until his own retirement some twenty or so years later. Daniel Jackson finally got together with Vala and tried for a normal life; a year later they were back at the SGC out on missions again—it seemed "a normal life" just didn't cut it for them. They retired back on Earth soon after their return as Vala had fallen pregnant.
Colonel Samantha Carter was recognized for her outstanding service to the Air Force, and to the people of many different worlds. She was promoted to the rank of Major General, and given several awards for Valour under Off World Combat. She traveled on many ships to different worlds, manly as a liaison to Earth, and still assisted in technical engineering of ship design after her retirement in 2028 at the age of 60. Sam and Jack O'Neill had finally surrendered to their feelings for each other and married in 2021, remaining together until Jack's ascension. Robina helped Sam to ascend a few years later. It was rumored that both Jack and Sam retook human form sometime later, and lived a simplistic lifestyle in a small community on a distant planet in the Milky Way galaxy—one without a Stargate.
It was around Lala's eighth birthday that Eli and Ginn began to see what they had always thought; something was very different about her. She was showing abilities beyond any child her age and any human. Many times they had caught her playing by herself and talking to Destiny about different worlds that they had never heard of; Eli had just put it down to her imagination, but the detail in which she spoke was uncanny. Finally they started to see these worlds appear, some as rouge planets in the void, some around dwarf stars with several close in planets outside of galaxies. They knew then that there was something very special about their beloved daughter. On the day of her eighth birthday this had become really apparent when Eli and Ginn placed her present down on the table and Lala moved it to where she was sitting through telekinesis, several feet away. "Thank you mommy and daddy" she said smiling at their open mouthed expressions. Could she be the one who brought harmony to all? Eli remembered the vision he had seen after talking with Lady Destiny in the database room; in his own heart, he already knew the answer.
As goodbye was said to all those going into stasis, those staying out could only imagine what the years to come would bring. Destiny would refuel skimming through many suns along her path and had plotted a course that would take them across time, close to the outside of several galaxies with appropriate suns to refuel on, in case it was needed sooner. This had added nearly 25 million light-years to her journey, but it would keep her precious cargo safe. After the last hug and handshake, the stasis pods were sealed. Destiny shut down many unnecessary systems and decks, going into power conservation mode. They had one last thing to finish, a trip around a star to refuel.
As Eli stood watching the blue waves of time go past on the observation deck, he smiled looking out over Destiny's shielded hull. Remembering back, he turned to see Everett and the others standing beside him.
This time, he would not be alone...
Lady Destiny appeared behind everyone and walked up to the rail saying to all,
"Let's see what lies beyond..."
Destiny vanished into the distance.
"For Steph"
(1988 to 2012)
We all miss you, especially your daughter Krystal. Your gift of organ donation saved the lives of 4 others."
Our love always,
Steve, Robyn, Ben and Krystal