AU as I do not believe Teal'c and Sam were ever together during the fifty years in "Unending." I couldn't get this storyline out of my head, though. I own nothing, etc.
Colonel Samantha Carter was going to Atlantis.
Teal'c had known for some time that she would continue to be promoted and placed in command of units much larger than SG-1. How could she not? With her intellect, her prowess on the battlefield, and her well-developed leadership skills, she made a prime candidate for military advancement. As vital as she was on the SGC's flagship team, she could not be left on it forever. She deserved to be placed in charge of Atlantis. Knowing this, however, did not keep him from feeling a sense of loss.
Colonel Carter - Sam - was packing up the last of her things in preparation for her trip. It suddenly struck him as odd that one short step could take her so far away. Almost as odd as being in a relationship with her in a time dilation field for fifty years and then having it just... vanish. He had many memories of that time. Being with her. Holding her as she cried. Making her laugh and alternatively making her sigh with varying emotions. She, however, had no memory of it, only knowing that the time had passed, and that she had once again saved her team from dying that day.
But this was not the time for philosophical reflection on the concept of distance. He was there to bid her farewell, to encourage her as she stepped up and out into the Pegasus galaxy. His emotions based on events that both had and had not happened were of no importance. Today was about her and ensuring - not that she was ready (I know she is) - but that she knew she was ready. He spoke warmly as he stood in the doorway looking at her, giving her the sage words Master Bra'tac had given to him once before.
She turned to him, looking as lovely as ever. She had, of course, aged over the past ten years. All of the Tau'ri did. These years did not detract from her beauty or her brilliance. Familiarity with her character and mind only added to her charm. O'Neill was a very lucky man to have her heart.
She acknowledged the wisdom of Master Bra'tac's words, but she bowed her head. He could hear the quiver in her voice. She would miss her family, for that is what SG-1 was to her, very much. He could understand the loss she was beginning to feel.
He had to walk towards her.
She then verbalized how much she would miss the SGC, which had become something of a home for them, and her people. He maintained a warm smile for her, secretly loving her and secretly glad that they, and by extension, he, meant enough to her to be missed. Without giving away too much of his feelings, he admitted that he appreciated her missing them.
Her eyes glistening, she commented on the length of ten years. Fifty years was a long time, he thought. But the ten years they did have - that they both had and could remember together - were indeed incredible. They had defeated the Goa'uld and the Ori. They had fought side by side again and again. They had broken bread together, camped together, watched the best and worst motion pictures the Tau'ri had to offer, and encouraged each other through some of the most significant experiences of their lives. Her eyes shone with the friendly love engendered by that time and with all the emotions of saying goodbye. He, in turn, verbally confirmed that they had lived through an incredible decade together.
She gave a brief laugh as she remarked that this time had certainly not bored her.
He could reminisce with her for a long time, but he knew it was time to help her move forward. He reminded her that although she had already done much, she was now needed in Atlantis.
She sniffled, sucking in tears as she looked down. Once upon a time, he would have pulled her close and kissed her. He would have held her tight and done his utmost to ease her pain.
But that had been when there was nowhere to run, no one else for her turn to with the same trust and love she had built up for him. There was no future other than what they could create within the ever-confining borders of a spaceship. She had been so very concerned that all of her efforts would be for naught, and that they would have all spent their lives waiting for a reset only to die having wasted their time. They took any chance at a real life that they could.
Now, they all had a future with real choices. They could go where they wanted to go and achieve even more great things. He resolved then and there - he would not let her sit in a prison of her own making, creating borders where she was once again stuck with limits on the life she could lead. He had seen her live a life in which she mourned the loss of what could have been and, he knew, settled for what she could have. When the time dilation field was broken, and everyone but he had become their old selves, he had let her go, sad at his loss but happy to see her restored to her bright and hopeful young self.
So, he listened as she told him that while she was partially anticipating going to Atlantis, she also worried about the possibility of leaving her work on Earth prematurely. He was glad that he was still someone she felt she could confide in, and he would help her see what he saw in her and for her.
He explained that she would still be contributing valuably - only in Atlantis instead of the SGC. He could see her taking this in and gradually agreeing with him. Colonel Carter, he could swear, would contribute greatly to any society whether she was in command or locked away in some room.
He further noted that her posting was, in fact, a reward that she should accept and enjoy. He saw in her eyes that she was touched as she accepted his praise. He hoped she could see in his eyes the deep admiration he felt for her. She had earned every advancement she had ever made.
It was time to address the loss that continued to keep her eyes swimming with tears. He knew something of her loss since he had lost any romantic connection he had with her when she had inevitably saved them all. But, she herself was still there. They had stepped through the Stargate again together, broken bread together once again, and slipped right back into sharing their thoughts and emotions with each other. He had not lost her, and she needed to know - she would not lose them. And so, he told her that her team (their team) would always be near. He knew he certainly would be.
She smiled through the tears, and asked him if her fellow SG-1 members might visit her in Atlantis one day.
Referring to a long ago memory, he firmly reassured her - he would definitely be there.
She let out a laugh, and then, there was one last hug. He savored the moment, the connection. In that hug, he felt all the warmth of their true affection for each other. Their friendship - that love - could never be taken away. He nearly cried, but managed to recover his outward composure. This was not goodbye.
As they stepped back from each other, he could see that a tear had run down her face, but as held onto her arms, she nodded. He could see that she had accepted the move. She knew, just as he did, that this was the right path for her. She would be brilliant. She brushed away her tears and agreed - she would go.
She reached for her briefcase as he released her, sad but accepting. He made way for her to move, and they walked out of the room, together.
It was time to let her go once again, but this time, he knew the loss was not complete.
