Carolyn Lam sat in the briefing room alongside SG-1 and General Landry, the atmosphere tense with anticipation.
"What are the results, Doctor?" General Landry inquired, his gaze fixed on the base's CMO and his daughter.
Carolyn cleared her throat, her expression serious as she studied the data before her.
"It's Colonel Carter. No clone, no replicator. It's her DNA—naquadah present, everything matches," she reported, her voice steady.
Landry exhaled heavily. "But from another reality?" he pressed, seeking clarification.
Carolyn nodded solemnly.
"I tried to inquire about how she crossed over, but she either doesn't know or is unwilling to divulge," she explained, her tone reflecting the frustration of the situation.
Vala interjected with a sly smile.
"I find it hard to believe Samantha wouldn't know," she remarked, a hint of mischief in her voice.
"Indeed," Teal'c concurred, his expression inscrutable.
Carolyn continued, her voice measured. "And she's older than our Samantha Carter," she revealed.
Landry furrowed his brow in concern. "What do you mean?" he prompted.
Carolyn shuffled the papers on the table, collecting her thoughts.
"When our Sam passed away, she was 41. This Samantha is 47," she disclosed, the revelation settling over the room.
Daniel absorbed the information and quietly processed it.
"Did she mention anything about her current assignment?" he inquired, seeking further insight.
Carolyn shook her head.
"She's holding the rank of full bird Colonel," Sheppard said, noting the distinct uniform she wore.
A heavy silence enveloped the room as everyone contemplated the implications of these revelations.
"We need to debrief her," Landry stated firmly, breaking the silence and steering the focus back to the task.
Daniel was designated to accompany General Landry to the interview with this alternate, Samantha Carter. His previous experiences and diplomatic skills made him the ideal choice. They found her in the isolation room on Level 21, where she awaited their arrival. Since she wasn't handcuffed, Sam rose and saluted Landry, who returned the gesture before motioning for her to relax.
"At ease, Colonel," Landry began as they all took seats.
Daniel initiated the conversation with a friendly smile. "So, alternate reality?" he inquired.
Sam returned his smile. "It appears so," she confirmed evenly.
"Do you have any idea how you ended up here?" Daniel inquired.
Sam shook her head. "I went through the Stargate at PX4-897. That's all," she replied succinctly.
Daniel made a note of the planet designation PX4-897, unfamiliar with it.
Landry leaned forward, his curiosity evident. "What were you doing there, Colonel?" he asked.
Sam cleared her throat before responding, "I was leading a mission, Sir."
"Leading?" Landry pressed for clarification. "What is your current post, Colonel?" Landry continued, sensing there was more to her story.
Sam bit her cheek momentarily before answering, "Commander of The George Hammond, Sir."
Landry raised an eyebrow.
"The George Hammond?" he repeated slowly, seeking clarification.
Sam swallowed, realizing she needed to clarify. "The ship, Sir," she explained.
Daniel and Landry exchanged a glance, processing the unexpected revelation.
"And what was your previous assignment, Colonel?" Landry inquired next.
Sam's unease grew palpable. "Commander of Atlantis," she admitted reluctantly.
"Atlantis?" Daniel interjected, surprised by the revelation.
Sam nodded, her gaze shifting between Daniel and Landry. Sensing the tension, she continued, "I gather from your expressions that there's a divergence from the Samantha Carter of this reality."
Both men remained silent, prompting Sam to press further.
"Which you aren't going to tell me..." she trailed off with a sigh. "But I need to know if I'm dead or alive here because of the entropic cascade failure," she added, her voice taking on a colder tone.
Daniel cleared his throat, but Landry addressed her concern directly.
"Our Colonel Carter was killed three years ago, off-world," he disclosed solemnly.
Sam's complexion paled, and she whispered, "Oh," her gaze falling to her bandaged hand in her lap.
"So yes, your paths have diverged," Daniel confirmed, though he refrained from delving into further details, respecting the delicate nature of the situation.
Landry cleared his throat, his tone as solemn as possible.
"Marital status, Colonel?" he inquired, his gaze steady.
Sam felt her cheeks flush as she glanced between Landry and Daniel.
"Single, Sir," she replied, her mind reeling with confusion and uncertainty. What was happening?
"Oh God," Sam muttered to herself, the realization hitting her like a tsunami. She looked at Landry and then at Daniel, her heart pounding. "I was married here?" she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief and dread. Had she married Pete? Or was it...?
"I'm sorry, Colonel, but I'm not authorized to answer that question. At least, not right now," Landry responded carefully, aware of the sensitive nature of the situation and Jack's instructions.
"Right," Sam muttered, her mind racing with possibilities. There were only two options—Pete or Jack. She silently prayed for the latter.
"For now, that's all, Colonel. Try to rest," Landry said as he rose from his seat.
Sam was too lost in her thoughts to respond. Daniel cleared his throat to gain her attention.
"We're done for now. Rest, Sam," Daniel said with a sympathetic smile.
Sam rose to her feet and saluted Landry once more. He returned the gesture before leaving the room, followed by Daniel. Alone, Sam sank back into the chair, her head spinning with questions about the world she now found herself in. Was Jack still the Head of Homeworld Security? She pressed her fingers to her temples, feeling the onset of a headache.
Outside, Daniel and Landry made their way swiftly to the General's office. Once inside, Daniel closed the door behind them, and Landry took a seat.
"Jesus. Now I have to send this to Jack," Landry muttered, briefly closing his eyes.
Daniel ran a hand through his hair.
"Well, Carolyn already sent him the lab results, so he knows she isn't a clone," he remarked, trying to offer some reassurance.
"Commander of the Hammond?" Landry exclaimed, surprised by the unexpected revelation.
Daniel shrugged.
"It seems this Samantha chose a different path for her career. She held two commanding posts, besides SG-1, while our Sam remained with SG-1 and eventually married Jack. From what I could understand, their paths diverged there," he explained.
Landry nodded thoughtfully.
"Poor Jack," he murmured sympathetically, realizing the weight of the situation on Jack's shoulders. He picked up the phone and instructed for the security tapes from the isolation room interview to be sent to the Head of Homeworld Security immediately.
Jack sat in his office, fixated on the screen as if watching a horror movie unfold before his eyes. He barely registered the discussion in the room; his attention was solely on her. She looked slightly older, with longer hair, but it was undeniably hers. The same voice, eyes, and essence of Samantha Carter. His heart raced as he absorbed every trace, every detail.
He had to watch the interview again to understand the conversation entirely. His pulse quickened as he learned she was single. They hadn't married, and the future they had planned together—Grace, their daughter—was nonexistent in her reality. She was Commander of the Hammond, a position she had held after Atlantis—two commanding positions.
His Sam had declined the Atlantis assignment when she found out she was pregnant with Grace. Jack swallowed hard, the memories flooding back with painful clarity.
He remembered going to Hammond and confessing that his feelings for Sam ran too deep to continue as CO of the SGC. Hammond had pulled strings; hell, he had pulled the entire cord, convinced the President to change the fraternization rules at SGC, and orchestrated their marriage as soon as it was allowed. Sam had been listed for the Atlantis assignment but opted out upon learning of her pregnancy. Instead, Jack negotiated a position for her with SG-1, based at the Pentagon, with occasional off-world missions when needed. When Elizabeth Weir was lost to the Replicators, her second in command, John Sheppard, was eventually chosen to replace her.
Sam's career had taken a hit, but she had never regretted her decision. Their daughter and their marriage had been her priority, a commitment she honored until the day she was tragically killed.
Jack closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face, as the office filled with her voice—the voice of another Samantha Carter that mirrored his beloved wife in every way. It was a bittersweet symphony that echoed the memories of their life together, a reminder of what could have been and what was lost.
When Jack returned home that night, he couldn't meet his daughter's gaze, fearing she might sense the deep pain in his eyes. Instead, he urged her to order pizza and withdrew to his office, seeking solace amidst the familiar comfort of Sam's books and meticulously preserved belongings on her desk. They were maintained almost like a shrine, cleaned and arranged in the same manner as she had left them in a desperate attempt to deceive his mind and cling to the hope that she would return home unharmed someday. He dreaded the creeping suspicion that he was gradually losing his sanity.
He unbuttoned his jacket with trembling hands, loosened his tie, and retrieved their photo album from the shelf. It had been untouched since Sam's passing, but Jack felt compelled to revisit their journey together tonight.
His fingers traced the pages adorned with their wedding pictures at the cabin, surrounded by SG-1, Cassie, Hammond, and Landry. A tender smile graced his lips as he lingered on a photo of Sam asleep on the deck in a black bikini, unaware of his stealthy capture. Flipping through the album, images of her pregnancy began to emerge, her radiant smile illuminating each frame.
Jack's throat tightened with emotion. He had been overjoyed when Sam had revealed she was pregnant, the news delivered in the quiet intimacy of their bedroom, lights dimmed. The memory of her words was etched into his mind like an indelible imprint, a cherished moment that would endure for eternity.
"Are you asleep?" Sam's voice broke the quiet of the night, her hand tenderly resting on his chest.
"Not yet," Jack replied softly, turning his head to meet her gaze.
Sam shifted closer, her leg draped over his, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
"Oh, are we going to...?" Jack teased, a playful grin dancing on his lips.
Sam chuckled, intertwining their fingers. "We might," she teased back, her lips brushing against his neck.
"Might?" Jack echoed, kissing her hand gently as they shared a tender moment.
She guided their joined hands down, pausing at her belly. "We've already done it enough," she said, her voice tinged with emotion.
Jack's breath caught in his throat. "What do you mean?" he asked softly, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath his touch.
"I'm pregnant, Jack," Sam revealed, her lips meeting his in a slow, affectionate kiss.
"Pregnant?" Jack repeated, his eyes widening in disbelief.
"Yes," she confirmed with a quick peck before leaning back slightly.
"Like, pregnant?" Jack asked once more, seeking confirmation.
Sam placed his hand flat against her belly, a radiant smile gracing her features.
"Yes, General. I'm having your baby," she declared, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Jack blinked in astonishment before a grin spread across his face, brighter than it had been in years.
"Oh, yes, you are," he murmured, kissing her passionately. That night was filled with unforgettable moments, and they began a new chapter in their lives.
Jack slowly turned another page of the photo album, revealing the hospital pictures of Grace's birth. It had been a tumultuous journey, with Sam enduring nearly fifteen hours of labor yet facing it with the same resilience that defined her. Gritting her teeth, crying out in pain, and clutching his hand tightly, almost breaking it, she had pushed through it all. But when Grace Carter-O'Neill entered the world, crying and kicking, she became the most precious sight in Jack's eyes. Perfect in every way, with her mother's blonde hair and captivating blue eyes, Jack fell in love with her instantly. He now cherished two Carter women with all his heart.
As he flipped through the photos, he witnessed Grace's growth over the years, marveling at how much she resembled her mother. His hand hesitated as he reached the last pages of the album. A lump formed in his throat as he gazed at the final picture: Grace and Sam at the rowing club, their smiles radiant. It had been taken just one month before Sam's untimely death. Jack hadn't taken any more photos after that day. With a heavy heart, he closed the album forcefully, his hands trembling with emotion.
Jack wore his wedding ring despite his pain, a constant reminder of his love for Sam. Her ring rested on his nightstand, nestled in its original box alongside her engagement ring. It had been one of the most agonizing moments of his life, second only to Charlie's death when he had to retrieve her belongings from SGC. The sight of her lifeless body and the solemn task of collecting her rings and dog tags had shattered him to the core. He had unleashed his grief in the supply room, heedless of who might hear his cries and shouts. Carolyn had administered a sedative to calm him, while Teal'c had remained steadfastly by his side.
During those dark days, Vala and Daniel had provided unwavering support, staying with Grace off-base until Jack found the strength to tell his daughter the heartbreaking truth about her mother's passing. The memories flooded Jack's mind, each a poignant reminder of their profound loss.
Grace had been silent when Jack delivered the tragic news, her shock palpable as the reality of her mother's death sank in. For two straight days, she cried without respite, her grief overwhelming and unrelenting. Eventually, through her tears, she demanded to know who had taken her mother's life. Her insistence took Jack aback, but Grace persisted, needing closure and understanding.
Reluctantly, Jack revealed the names of those aliens responsible, though he knew it offered little solace. Several SG teams swiftly returned to the planet where Sam had met her end, exacting vengeance ruthlessly. No one was spared in their pursuit of justice. Reflecting on it now, Jack couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for issuing such a directive. In his anguish, he had been overtaken by rage, and the SG teams had followed his orders without hesitation.
Colonel Carter was revered and cherished by all who knew her, her loss leaving an irreplaceable void in the hearts of her comrades. Her funeral was a sad yet poignant affair, a testament to the profound impact she had on those around her. It was a gathering of sadness and beauty, a final tribute to a woman whose legacy would endure for eternity. And amidst the sorrow, Jack found solace in knowing Sam would always be remembered with the utmost reverence and love.
Three years had passed since Sam's death, yet the arrival of another Samantha Carter into their world reignited feelings and emotions that Jack had fought so hard to keep buried. Conflicted and unsure, he grappled with the dilemma of whether to involve himself in this new development. Should he leave everything to Hank and stay out of it, or should he go and see her? But for what purpose? Curiosity? Morbidity? She wasn't his wife, after all.
Jack closed his eyes, wishing fervently that this was all just a nightmare. He longed for the simple comfort of opening his eyes to find his wife walking through the door, her reassuring smile making everything all right again. However, reality cruelly reminded him of the emptiness that filled his home and bed, and he reluctantly opened his eyes to face it.
Staring at the closed door, Jack felt a pang of guilt as he remembered his 10-year-old daughter, Grace, alone in the kitchen, having dinner. With a heavy heart, he pushed aside his turmoil and forced himself to focus on his immediate responsibilities. Rising from his chair, he made his way to the kitchen, determined to be there for Grace, even as his thoughts remained consumed by the presence of the other Samantha Carter.
Sam found herself confined to a VIP room, guarded by an armed airman stationed outside her door. After showering, she lay on the bed, attempting to gather her thoughts amidst the whirlwind of confusion. The Stargate's function as a quantum mirror seemed apparent, but the mechanics behind it remained a mystery. Investigating the Stargate on the planet where she had initiated her journey might provide answers, but that wasn't feasible. She was still perceived as a potential threat, which is evident from the reactions of General Landry and Daniel upon learning about her current and previous assignments.
As Sam reflected on her counterparts' different life choices, she couldn't help but shiver at the thought of Pete. The relationship had been a mistake she had managed to avert before it was too late. However, her bond with Jack had never been salvaged after her decision to pursue another man. Their interactions had remained distant and formal, leaving Sam with a lingering heartache. Yet, as time passed by, she had come to terms with their situation and focused on her career and her surrogate daughter, Cassie.
Over the years, loneliness had become a familiar companion for Sam, leading her to the sobering realization that romantic love might not be in the cards for her. Despite encountering potential suitors, she had consciously chosen to remain alone, unwilling to repeat past mistakes. If she couldn't have the love she truly desired, she would rather be alone than settle for anything less. Finding herself in a different reality only heightened her curiosity about Jack's whereabouts and well-being. She admitted to herself that she was intrigued.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Vala peeked in, her long black hair making her stand out.
"May I?" she asked with a smile.
"Sure," Sam replied, also smiling.
Vala entered and closed the door behind her.
"So, alternate reality... How are you dealing with it so far?" Vala asked, looking at the exact copy of her deceased friend.
Sam shrugged.
"Still processing it. Besides, I don't have much information about this reality. Only that I'm dead," she said.
Vala cleared her throat. "Yeah, sadly, you are," she confirmed.
"Can you tell me about that, or is it classified?" Sam asked, curious.
Vala sighed, considering her options. She had sought guidance from General Landry on what information she could disclose. Since her primary objective was to gather intel, he had granted her some leeway in deciding what to reveal.
"It was an off-world mission. You went there as a science advisor. SG-1 wasn't with you. Things went bad. You…, I mean, the other you were caught in the middle of a rebellion and, you know..." she trailed off, lowering her eyes.
Sam swallowed. "So, I was still in SG-1?" she asked, intrigued.
Vala looked up. "As a consultant," she explained.
Sam crossed her arms, feeling a sense of unease. "But I was still in the Air Force?" she pressed.
"Yes," Vala confirmed.
Sam raised an eyebrow, her confusion evident. "So, I only worked as a consultant for SG-1? That's it?" she clarified, finding it difficult to comprehend.
Vala nodded.
"I take it in your reality SG-1 is no longer active?" she asked in return.
"No. Teal'c is running the Free Jaffa, I'm commanding the Hammond, Cameron is training cadets, and you and Daniel have married," Sam divulged, deciding there was no harm in being transparent.
Vala coughed awkwardly.
"I'm married to Daniel?" she echoed, blinking in surprise.
Sam nodded.
"Yes. I went to the wedding. It was very nice. Your dress was beautiful," she reminisced, trying to ease the tension.
Vala blushed at the compliment.
"I had a wedding dress?" she asked slowly, sinking onto the bed.
"Yes, like a Disney princess. Your words," Sam confirmed with a smile. "It was quite an experience. Very... memorable," she added.
Vala seemed lost in thought.
"Married to Daniel," she mumbled, seemingly processing the revelation.
Sam gently placed her injured hand on her lap.
"I trust the same didn't happen here?" she inquired, her tone soft yet tinged with sadness.
Very slowly, Vala shook her head.
"I see," Sam said quietly, feeling disappointed.
"Can I ask you a question, Vala?" Sam ventured cautiously.
"Sure," Vala replied, looking at her copy-friend.
"Where is General O'Neill?" Sam asked, her concern evident.
Vala hesitated for a moment. "Right..." she started.
"It's okay if you can't answer. I just wanted to know if he's all right," Sam reassured her.
"Right," Vala said again, her response lacking conviction.
Sam's heart rate quickened.
"Vala, he is all right, isn't he?" she pressed, her expression growing more concerned.
Vala stood up abruptly.
"Yes," she answered without much conviction. "I've got to go," she added, quickly opening the door and leaving Sam with a sinking feeling that she hadn't been told the whole truth about Jack O'Neill's well-being.
As Vala exited the room, she nearly collided with Daniel in the corridor. Observing her troubled expression, Daniel inquired, "Is everything all right?"
Vala hesitated before blurting out, "We're married."
Daniel's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Pardon me?" he responded, taking a step back.
Vala took a deep breath. "This Samantha claimed that we're married in her reality. She even attended our wedding," she elaborated.
Daniel struggled to find words, his mouth opening and closing several times.
"Oh, I see," he eventually managed to utter.
"She mentioned that it was beautiful," Vala added, unable to contain her excitement.
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Oh…Right. I have some... you know... work to attend to," he hastily said, hurrying down the corridor.
Vala watched him go, a smile lingering on her lips. "Married," she repeated with a grin before making her way to the cafeteria.
Meanwhile, Daniel sought refuge in his lab, pondering the implications of this revelation. "Married?" he muttered incredulously.