After Carter departed, Jack diligently followed her instructions, ensuring Grace began her recovery as promised. True to her word, Carter called in the evening, and they conversed on the phone for quite a while. Jack had no idea what they discussed because Grace deliberately closed her bedroom door.
Jack retreated to the living room and watched a game on TV, his mind wandering. He decided to stay home the next day, although he would be working remotely. Carter was likely returning to Homeworld. He had tried to reach out to her, but she hadn't answered his calls. He didn't push further. Eventually, they would need to discuss what had happened on his rooftop deck, but he sensed they both needed more time to process.
Jack struggled to come to terms with what had occurred, especially the unexpected kiss, which he found deeply unsettling. Despite his reservations, he resolved to give himself and Carter the space they needed to navigate the complexities of their situation. Time, he believed, would eventually provide clarity.
After two days and returning to the office, Jack sat at his desk, immersed in his work. His focus was abruptly interrupted by a phone call from Hank Landry, who sounded noticeably distressed.
"What now, Hank?" Jack inquired, already bracing himself for the bad news.
"Jack, you won't believe..." Hank's voice trailed off.
Jack closed his eyes briefly. "Don't tell me. Another one?" he sighed, expecting the worst.
"Worse. Now we have another you," Hank said, his tone grave.
Jack's eyes snapped open in disbelief.
"What?" he exclaimed, his voice laced with shock.
Hank held the phone away from his ear momentarily.
"Hank?" Jack called, seeking reassurance.
"I'm here, Jack. A little deaf, but I'm here," Hank replied.
Jack took a deep breath, trying to process the information.
"Tell me what the hell happened," he demanded, his voice tinged with urgency.
Landry sighed heavily.
"The same. We received an unscheduled activation, an old SG-1 code, like before. I opened the iris, and you came through," he explained.
"From her reality?" Jack asked, his mind racing.
"It appears so. He's undergoing exams in the infirmary, but we must act quickly because you are both alive in this reality. He claims he came searching for her and says he has a way back to their reality," Hank relayed, his tone serious.
Jack's complexion paled. "He what?" he asked incredulously.
"We still don't have all the details, but that's what he stated upon arrival. He's here to retrieve her. Supposedly, McKay and Zelenka found a way to utilize the Stargate as a quantum mirror in their reality, and they plan to reopen it in 48 hours. That's our window," Hank elaborated.
Jack closed his eyes once more, grappling with the enormity of the situation.
"I'll need to inform the President," he stated firmly.
Hank tapped his fingers on the desk in contemplation. "And what will you tell her? How do we proceed?" he inquired.
Jack ran a hand over his face wearily.
"The truth. If she chooses to return, we can't prevent her. It's her reality. Assuming this individual proves to be genuine," Jack replied, his voice laden with uncertainty.
Hank nodded in understanding.
"I'll have the test results within two hours. I'll contact you as soon as I have them. Perhaps it would be best for you and her to come here," he suggested.
Jack swallowed hard, weighing his options.
"I need to confer with the President first. Then we'll decide," he decided.
"Understood. We'll keep in touch," Hank acknowledged before they ended the call.
Jack sat back in his chair, his mind swirling with implications and decisions to be made. This unexpected turn of events had thrown everything into disarray, and the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on his shoulders.
Jack sat in his office, trying to decide what to do. He had just finished a lengthy conversation with the President about the unexpected arrival of another version of himself through the Stargate. The President wasn't pleased, to say the least, and tasked Jack with keeping him updated on the situation.
With a heavy heart, Jack hung up the phone, his eyes drifting to his wedding ring. He already had enough on his plate, but now another Jack O'Neill appeared out of nowhere.
"Fucking hell..." Jack cursed under his breath, rising from his chair and pacing the office. He knew he needed to talk to Carter about this, but he had no idea where to begin such a conversation.
Fear gripped Jack as he considered the possibility that Carter might want to return to her own reality, which seemed like the most likely outcome. He couldn't bear the thought of Grace losing her again, losing her alternate version of a mother. The pain of that thought gnawed at him from within.
Finally, Jack made a decision. He couldn't delay any longer.
"Call Colonel Carter and tell her to get here. Now," he instructed his secretary firmly.
With a nod, Martina quickly dialed Carter's extension and conveyed the order. "She'll be right here, Sir," Martina informed him.
Jack sighed heavily, closing his office door while waiting for Carter to arrive.
"Wanted to see me, Sir?" she asked as she entered, her tone cautious.
They hadn't talked since she left his house after caring for Grace. He had returned to work, but no words had been exchanged between them. They had been keeping their distance until now.
"Close the door and sit, Carter," Jack instructed, gesturing to a chair.
Once Carter was seated, Jack wasted no time getting to the point.
"I've received a call from Landry. We've got another visitor from your reality. He wants you back," Jack explained, his gaze fixed on her, searching for her reaction.
Carter paled visibly, her grip tightening on the arms of her chair. This was hardly what she expected to hear when she was called to his office.
"I see…Who?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Me," Jack replied.
Carter's reaction was immediate. She went even paler, her breath catching in her throat.
"How... how did he manage to..." she began, but her words faltered as she struggled to comprehend the situation.
"He hasn't been debriefed yet, but he claims McKay and Zalenka managed to turn the Stargate into a quantum mirror. He's giving us 48 hours before redialing to make a decision," Jack explained, crossing his arms as he spoke.
Carter opened and closed her mouth, clearly overwhelmed by the implications of what Jack was saying.
"He can't stay here... you're both alive," she murmured, almost to herself.
Jack sighed heavily.
"I'm aware of that, Carter. That's why we have to figure this out quickly," he said, trying to remain calm despite his inner turmoil.
"What do I do?" Carter asked, her voice filled with uncertainty, looking at him.
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"You're asking me? It's your life, Carter. You have to decide whether you want to return to your reality if he proves who he says he is and the Stargate works," he replied, surprised by her question.
Carter bit her lip, looking down at her hands. "Yes, of course," she murmured.
Jack ran a hand through his greying hair to collect his thoughts.
"We need to confirm his identity first, before everything else. I'm flying to the SGC, and I assume you want to come along," he said, his tone gentler now.
Carter nodded silently, still unable to meet his gaze.
"Very well. I'll take care of the flight. Go home, pack some things, and I'll pick you up there," Jack said, reaching for his phone to make arrangements.
Carter hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"What about Grace? She's still recovering..." she said, her concern evident.
Jack cursed inwardly, realizing he hadn't considered Grace's well-being in all of this.
"Damn it," he muttered. "I'll have to call her babysitter to stay with her overnight. She hates it, but there's no other way. I won't take her to Colorado Springs," he explained, already dialing the number.
Carter nodded understandingly, rising from her seat to leave. She had packing to do, but more importantly, she had the decision to make. Her life could be changing altogether again.
Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill found himself perched on an infirmary bed within the confines of the SGC, enduring the familiar discomfort of needles being inserted by the base's Chief Medical Officer, Carolyn Lam. He had anticipated this part, yet he still harbored a deep-seated aversion to needles. Determined to be prepared for any eventuality upon stepping through the Stargate, he had opted to travel armed, clad in his BDUs, vest, and with his trusty P-90. McKay and Zalenka's vague assurances about Sam having dialed Earth provided little comfort; Jack knew better than to underestimate the unpredictable nature of interdimensional travel, especially if he was traveling to another reality.
As he sat there, Jack was met with the gaze of a somewhat surprised General Hank Landry and a contingent of armed airmen who seemed well-versed in the protocol for such situations. Jack wasted no time succinctly stating his purpose and identity, recognizing the urgency of confirming whether he existed in this reality. The absence of shackles and tremors indicated that, for now, there was no duplicate of himself causing havoc nearby, but Jack knew time was of the essence.
His attention was diverted as Daniel Jackson and Teal'c entered the infirmary, their presence eliciting a strained nod from Jack. Since relocating to D.C., he had intentionally maintained distance from his former SGC comrades. Teal'c had committed himself to the cause of the Free Jaffa; Daniel had surprisingly married Vala. He was more dedicated to his academic life, Cameron Mitchell was occupied training cadets, and Carter had ascended to commander aboard the Hammond before her mysterious disappearance. Their interactions had been limited to professional necessities, mostly confined to on-screen communications. He hadn't seen Carter in person since his brief visit to Atlantis for an inspection, during which they had maintained a careful distance.
"Daniel, Teal'c," Jack greeted tersely, his tone betraying the tension beneath the surface.
Daniel raised an eyebrow to indicate his awareness of Jack's unusual demeanor.
"Are you alright?" he inquired, concern evident.
Jack cleared his throat, and his unease was palpable.
"Just traveled to another reality, and there's a good chance another me is roaming around, so... no, I'm not okay. Where's Carter?" he demanded, cutting to the chase.
Daniel and Teal'c exchanged a meaningful glance before Daniel spoke cautiously, "She's been informed of your presence here."
"And yet there's a delay?" Jack pressed, impatience edging into his voice.
Teal'c took the initiative to respond this time.
"Colonel Carter is not currently at the SGC," he revealed cryptically.
Jack arched an eyebrow. "No? Then where is she?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Silence hung heavy in the air as Daniel and Teal'c hesitated to respond.
"I'm her commanding officer. I have the right to know," Jack asserted coldly.
At that moment, General Landry interjected, taking charge of the situation.
"You may hold that position in your reality, General, but things operate differently here. Your test results have confirmed your identity, so please accompany me. We need to talk. Gentlemen, briefing room," Landry directed, signaling for Daniel and Teal'c to follow.
They exited the infirmary, making their way to Level 27 for what promised to be a pivotal discussion.
In the calm confines of the briefing room, General Landry steered the conversation, his inquiries direct and pointed. Until Jack arrived, he had the task of gathering as much intel as possible.
"You mentioned Rodney McKay and Radek Zelenka managed to convert the Stargate into a quantum mirror. Is that accurate? Can you travel back?" he queried, his gaze fixed on O'Neill.
O'Neill nodded in affirmation.
"Yes, though I can't provide the technical details. They have been working on it since we noticed Carter's disappearance. Both attempted to explain before I left, but it was all Greek to me. What matters is that it's a one-time use deal, and he won't be able to activate it again after the 48-hour window. This is our final shot," O'Neill clarified, the weight of the situation palpable in the room's silence. "Besides, where's Carter?" he pressed again, and his tone edged impatiently.
Clearing his throat, Landry responded diplomatically, "She's en route."
O'Neill shot him a pointed look. "From where?" he demanded.
"Washington, D.C.," Landry admitted, recognizing the futility of concealment when he was bound to find out sooner or later.
An eyebrow arched in surprise, O'Neill sought further clarification.
"She's staying in D.C.? Doing what?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Daniel and Landry exchanged a knowing glance while Teal'c remained impassive. O'Neill's persistence demanded an answer.
Landry sighed, choosing his words carefully.
"She's been assigned to Homeworld Security. She works alongside you... the other version of you," he revealed.
O'Neill clenched his jaw at the revelation.
"What? She works where?" His irritation was palpable, catching the others off guard. Clearly, the dynamic between Jack O'Neill and Samantha Carter differed significantly from their reality.
Sensing the tension, Landry intervened, suggesting they await Colonel Carter and Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill's arrival.
"Their arrival?" O'Neill questioned incredulously, his eyebrow raised in disbelief.
Landry sighed heavily, growing increasingly displeased with this version of O'Neill.
"Yes, Colonel Carter and Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill should be arriving shortly," he confirmed.
Under the table, O'Neill balled his fists, the weight of the impending reunion settling heavily upon him as he lapsed into a tense silence.
As he sat on the plane toward Colorado Springs, Jack felt a knot of nerves tightening in his stomach. It wasn't just the prospect of leaving Grace in Pauline's care that made him uneasy, though that decision was always tricky. Pauline had already been staying with Grace since he had gone back to work. Since Sam's passing, finding a reliable babysitter had become necessary, especially since his job sometimes took him away from D.C. But leaving Grace behind wasn't the only source of his unease this time.
Sitting across from him in her dress blues, Sam avoided his gaze, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap. They hadn't spoken since he picked her up from her house. The silence lingered through the car ride and into the flight, thick with unspoken tension. Jack knew he needed to break it before they reached the SGC. If she returned to her reality, this might be his last chance to talk to her.
Taking a deep breath, Jack cleared his throat, breaking the silence between them like a heavy curtain. "Carter," he began, his voice tentative yet firm, "we need to talk."
Sam finally looked up, her eyes meeting his briefly before flickering away again. "I know," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sir", she added.
Jack leaned forward slightly, trying to catch her gaze.
"I understand if you're feeling conflicted," he said gently. "But we can't keep avoiding this."
Sam nodded, her expression troubled.
"I just... I don't know how to deal with all of this," she admitted, her voice wavering slightly. "I had come to terms that this was my reality now and then…Everything I thought I knew has been turned upside down."
Jack cleared his throat.
"I know it must be overwhelming," he said softly. "And you don't have much time to decide, but whatever you choose, I'll support you."
Sam looked at him, her eyes searching his face for reassurance. Slowly, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Okay," she said, her voice more robust now.
As they settled back into a more comfortable silence, Jack felt a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. Now, he had to wait for what she would choose: go back to her reality with her Jack O'Neill or stay here.
Sam sat in the vehicle, her mind swirling with uncertainty. She knew she couldn't decide until she spoke with the Jack O'Neill who had come through the Stargate. As they drove towards the SGC, she couldn't shake the feeling of being outsmarted by Rodney McKay, a sensation she wasn't accustomed to after years of solving complex problems. However, she figured that it was probably Radek Zelenka who had figured out how to solve the mystery of traveling to another reality, and Rodney just took the credit. Lost in her thoughts, she barely noticed when they arrived.
"Are you coming?" Jack's voice jolted her back to the present.
She blinked, confused. "What, Sir?" she asked, trying to focus.
Jack stood outside the car, his hand on the door, and his patience was thin.
"We've arrived, Colonel, and we are expected," he said, his tone hinting at impatience.
Sam quickly exited the car, her mind still racing.
Entering the Mountain together, they were greeted by Daniel.
"Hi, guys," he said, his smile tentative.
Jack acknowledged him with a nod, while Sam nodded in return.
"We've been gathering in the briefing room. How do you want to do this, Jack? General Landry sent me to ask you first...before, you know," Daniel said awkwardly.
Taking a deep breath, Jack considered their options.
"What did he say?" he asked, stopping in the corridor.
Daniel cleared his throat, relaying the information. "McKay and Zalenka transformed the Stargate into a quantum mirror that can only be used once, in 48 hours, to get him and..." Daniel glanced at Sam, "...and Sam, if she wants, back. One-shot. And he was stunned that Sam was working with you in D.C.," he added.
Sam swallowed, feeling the weight of Jack's surprise. She could only imagine what he must have thought. Jack took another deep breath, his gaze shifting to Sam.
"Can we be in the same room without shaking like Jello?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
Sam nodded hesitantly. "He's just arrived. But things have to be brief, Sir," she said softly.
"Very well. We'll all meet in the briefing room, and then I suppose you two need to talk alone," Jack said, his eyes resting on Samantha Carter's pale figure.
She nodded again, her silence speaking volumes.
Jack entered the briefing room first, followed by Daniel, with Sam bringing up the rear. His eyes immediately landed on his other self, clad in BDU and vest, sitting where Carter used to sit back in SG-1 days. O'Neill remained seated as Hank and Teal'c stood up to greet them.
"Jack," Landry greeted him while Teal'c offered his traditional "O'Neill" greeting. Jack couldn't help but notice his other self's intense gaze directed solely at Sam. It was anything but friendly; it was pure fury. Glancing at Sam, he was surprised to see her meeting his other self's gaze with her trademark Colonel Carter expression — all business, no bullshit. Clearly, something was going on between them.
"Came for a visit?" Jack asked casually as he sat on the other side of the table, facing his other self, with Sam settling in beside him.
"When someone under my command disappears, it's my responsibility to retrieve her. Fortunately, Rodney McKay and Radek Zelenka figured out how to do it. I would like to have a private word with Colonel Carter," his other self demanded, the tone more command than request.
Jack leaned back in his chair.
"You'll get to that part. First, a few questions," he retorted, matching the cold tone. He didn't like this version of himself he was seeing; it was unsettling. Had he turned into such an asshole?
"Questions? You want to ask me questions?" O'Neill raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"Well, you are in my reality, in case you didn't notice. So yes, I'm asking the questions, pal," Jack replied sarcastically, feeling the tension rise.
Sam watched the exchange in silence, sensing the confrontation brewing.
"Ask away," O'Neill said, crossing his arms.
"It's just one question. What if Colonel Carter decides to stay with us?" Jack asked with a tight smile.
O'Neill's expression hardened, and the room fell into a heavy silence as all eyes turned to Sam.
"That's something between Colonel Carter alone and me," his other self replied, his gaze now fixed on Sam.
Adjusting a medal on his uniform unnecessarily, Jack continued, "Right... but just so you know, and it's clear before any conversation takes place: if she decides to stay, she will stay. Period," his tone darkening.
Sam held her breath as the other Jack leaned forward in his chair.
"Is that a threat?" he asked, his voice cold.
Jack shook his head.
"No, just information," he said, a hint of a smile on his lips.
With that, he stood up, gesturing for the others to do the same.
"You can have the room. We'll be outside," he said, intentionally placing a hand on Carter's shoulder as he left. Sam blushed, her eyes dropping to her hands as the room cleared, leaving the two of them alone.
As the door closed behind them, Sam lifted her head to meet the furious gaze of the man seated across the table—someone she had never anticipated seeing again.
"Carter, you seem well and in good health. So, what the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, his hands resting firmly on the table.
Sam swallowed, steeling herself for the confrontation.
"Well, Sir, it wasn't by choice. I dialed the Stargate to escape the Lucian Alliance men. I was just as surprised as you to find myself in an alternate reality," she replied, her tone devoid of emotion.
O'Neill crossed his arms. Skepticism was evident in his expression.
"Are you telling me that it was pure chance? Do you stumble into an alternate reality just like that? That's your story, Colonel? That's what you're sticking with?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
Sam blushed slightly, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. "That's what happened, Sir," she affirmed.
O'Neill glanced around the briefing room, taking in the familiar surroundings.
"McKay suggested that you might have intentionally traveled to an alternate reality. On purpose," he stated slowly.
Sam's blood ran cold at the implication.
"What?" she gasped, gripping the arms of her chair tightly.
"You had found a way to use the Stargate as a mirror and deliberately jumped to another reality. His words, not mine," O'Neill clarified, his gaze unwavering.
Sam struggled to find her voice, her mind reeling at the accusation McKay had proposed.
"And you believed him?" she asked, her shock evident. "Did Zalenka also support that preposterous idea?" she asked, swallowing.
O'Neill shrugged nonchalantly.
"You're the genius, Carter. And you didn't return. As for me, well, I'm here because McKay and Zalenka figured out how to make the Stargate work like a quantum mirror. If they could do it, there's no reason why you couldn't. So, I'll ask again. Why haven't you returned to your reality, Colonel? Have you deserted?" he inquired, his tone turning colder.
Sam looked at him incredulously.
"Deserted? Are you out of your mind?" she retorted, her disbelief turning to frustration.
O'Neill's expression hardened at her defiance.
"Watch your tone, Carter. You're speaking to your superior officer. I'll put you in handcuffs and drag you to prison if I have to," he warned sharply.
Sam bit her lip, her frustration mingling with a sense of injustice.
"I apologize, Sir," she said through gritted teeth, struggling to maintain her composure.
O'Neill's expression remained unforgiving.
"Well, I'm waiting for your explanation, Colonel. Have you deserted?" he pressed again, his tone unyielding.
Sam covered her mouth, momentarily taken aback by the accusation.
"You honestly believe I would do that? Sir," she added, her voice tinged with hurt.
O'Neill took a deep breath, his words calculated to wound.
"It's a possibility I can't rule out as Head of Homeworld Security. You are one of our greatest assets. Temptation is always looming, and, as it turns out, we don't know each other that well," he stated in his tone-cutting.
Sam felt the sting of his words, a sharp pain piercing her heart.
"It appears so," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. "But no, I haven't deserted. I just used a Stargate and ended up here. I can't explain how or why," she asserted, her tone growing colder as she fought to regain her composure.
O'Neill's smile was devoid of warmth.
"You don't know? Well, that would be a first," he remarked dryly.
Sam met his gaze with steely resolve, refusing to let his jabs reach her. She held her tongue, choosing silence over further confrontation.
"Very well, let's say I believe you, and it was just an accident. You found yourself in an alternate reality. In that case, are you ready to come home?" he asked, his eyes locked on hers.
Sam had doubts when she entered the briefing room, but she had none after being accused of desertion and explicitly told that there were no feelings left between them.
"I'm staying," she said firmly.
O'Neill's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Excuse me?" he asked, taken aback.
"I'm staying here. I have no intention of returning to a reality where I was considered a deserter, and you even considered that possibility after years of working with me. After everything we went through together. But as you said, we don't know each other, Sir," she added coldly.
O'Neill's frustration surged, and he got up, his anger evident.
"You are returning with me!" he almost yelled.
"No," Sam said in the same tone, refusing to back down.
The shouting match continued until Jack opened the door and interrupted them. "You do know we can hear you from outside?" he asked, moving closer to Carter.
"This is a private conversation!" a furious O'Neill yelled.
Jack frowned, disliking being yelled at on his turf, even if it was another version of himself.
"It appears the conversation is over when she said no," he pointed out.
"You were listening," O'Neill accused.
Jack shrugged. "You were yelling. Everyone listened," he stated matter-of-factly.
Sam suddenly turned to Jack, her expression almost transparent. "Can I be excused, Sir?" she asked.
Jack nodded. "Leave, Carter. I'll take it from here," he said.
Sam was about to leave the room when she stopped and looked at her CO for the last time.
"One last thing, Sir. Please tell Cassie that I'm sorry and that I love her", she said, leaving the briefing room without another glance at the Jack O'Neill from her reality.
However, as soon as she left, O'Neill attempted to pursue her but was blocked by his counterpart.
"Not so fast, General," Jack said firmly.
O'Neill was fuming. "Get out of my way," he ordered.
Jack shook his head.
"This is my reality, so unless you want to go back to yours with a nice pair of shackles, be nice and sit," he said, his voice cold as steel.
O'Neill looked at the closed door and then at his counterpart before sighing and taking his seat. "She can't stay," he said.
"Why?" Jack asked, still trying to grasp the significance of her choice.
O'Neill joined his hands, looking down at them. "The Program will miss her tremendously. She will be promoted to General in a couple of months," he explained calmly.
Jack wasn't surprised.
"However, you won't miss her?" he asked, genuinely curious. He was trying to understand their strange dynamic.
O'Neill gave him a fierce glare. "My feelings are irrelevant," he stated firmly.
Jack adjusted his dress blues once more, a nervous habit.
"And that is where you are completely wrong. Your feelings are all that matter to her," he said, speaking from his heart. He received a surprised look in return.
"Pardon?" O'Neill asked.
Jack showed him his wedding ring.
"I married her in my reality. My Samantha Carter. She died three years ago on an off-world mission, and part of me died that day. But I don't regret a single day we spent together, the beautiful daughter we have, and the love she gave me. She was my soulmate," Jack said, his emotion-filled voice.
O'Neill was looking at him, mouth agape.
"You married her?" he asked incredulously.
Jack nodded. "Yes, Hammond managed to change the fraternization rules. This Carter told me that in your reality, she was engaged to some guy when you were about to move to D.C. Was that why you grew apart?" he asked, seeking understanding.
O'Neill paled slightly.
"That's none of your business," he muttered defensively.
Slowly, Jack crossed his arms. "No, it's not. I was trying to understand why she's still in love with a jerk like you," he said bluntly.
O'Neill blinked several times in disbelief.
"What?" he asked, his voice filled with confusion.
"Although now, I think she's getting over you. Pretty fast," Jack added with a small smile, seeing the realization dawn on the other Jack's face.
"I want to talk to her again," O'Neill demanded, his tone still commanding.
Jack shook his head firmly. "Sorry, it's not happening. You had your chance, she said no. When that Stargate opens, you're leaving, and that's final," he asserted.
"You can't order me," O'Neill seethed, his anger palpable.
Jack smirked. "Actually, I can. This is my world, not yours. So, nice to meet you. I have a daughter to take care of. Safe journey back," he said dismissively, rising from his seat.
O'Neill mimicked his movements, aggressively advancing towards Jack.
"I want to talk to Carter," he insisted once more.
Jack took a defensive stance. "If you want to make this ugly, it'll be ugly for you," he warned, his resolve unwavering.
Stopping just inches from Jack, O'Neill's face flushed with anger.
"You think you have a shot with her? That you can replace your dead wife with her?" he taunted, a twisted smile playing on his lips.
In a sudden fury, Jack's fist moved almost instinctively, landing on the other man's face.
"Don't talk about my wife!" he growled, his hand trembling with rage.
The tension in the room was shattered as the briefing room door swung open, revealing Daniel, Teal'c, and General Landry entering almost simultaneously. Acting swiftly, Teal'c positioned himself between the two Jacks, his imposing presence keeping them apart.
"She only cares about herself," O'Neill shouted, his frustration evident as Teal'c firmly held him back and preventing to fight back.
Jack released a shaky breath, trying to regain his composure.
"I'm good, Teal'c," he assured, surrendering his hands.
Addressing General Landry, he said, "Hank, please show our guest to the VIP room and keep him there until the Stargate opens. Then send him back promptly. He'll be returning alone," Jack ordered, his tone firm.
Jack straightened his dress blues and exited the briefing room, stunning everyone.
Jack trembled slightly as the elevator ascended to the surface. As expected, Carter was already waiting for him topside, pacing near the car. She halted her movements as soon as she caught sight of him.
"Ready to go?" he asked, attempting to mask his agitation.
However, she noticed his demeanor immediately. "Are you okay, Sir?" she inquired with concern.
Jack nodded, trying to compose himself, and gestured towards the car's back door.
"Get inside," he instructed.
Sam complied, and they set off for the airfield once again. Their time in Colorado Springs had been brief, less than three hours. Sam marveled at how quickly she had made life-altering decisions. Before boarding the plane, Jack paused and took hold of Carter's arm.
"Are you sure about staying, Carter? You still have the option to go back with him," he offered.
Sam swallowed, her resolve unwavering.
"I was just told that my CO considered me a deserter at some point. So, nothing is waiting for me in that reality anymore, Sir. Only Cassie and she's a capable young woman. I'll miss her dearly, but I'm putting my life first for once. So, I'm staying," she declared firmly.
Jack nodded in understanding, silently acknowledging her decision. They boarded the plane bound for D.C., the journey back characterized by a heavy silence as they grappled with their thoughts, processing the events of the briefing room. Jack decided to omit the details of his final exchange with his other self. It seemed irrelevant now, given that Carter's choice had been made, and he couldn't help but feel a secret sense of relief. Grace would be ecstatic, and that was enough for him.
As the Stargate hummed to life, exactly 48 hours after Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill arrived in their reality, the atmosphere in the Gate Room tensed. Armed airmen stood by, escorting O'Neill and providing him with a P-90. General Landry bid him farewell, the moment's weight palpable before O'Neill left without uttering a word. With a collective exhale, the room relaxed as the Stargate shut down.
Landry immediately contacted Jack, informing him of O'Neill's departure. He quickly relayed instructions not to open the iris to any more old SG-1 codes. Jack wasn't willing to risk any unexpected visitors. While O'Neill had claimed it was a one-time shot, Jack couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. If they had managed it once, who's to say it couldn't happen again? He wasn't taking any chances.
Deciding that Carter needed time to process everything that had transpired, Jack granted her the day off. After all, she deserved a moment of respite after the chaos of the past few days. The President and others had expressed surprise and satisfaction with her decision to remain. Still, Jack wasn't entirely caught off guard after encountering his other self, and he had even considered that Carter could have deserted. Reflecting on the encounter, Jack couldn't help but wonder how he had turned out to be such a prick.
Deep down, he knew the answer lay in the presence of the Carter women in his life. Having Sam by his side had made him a better man, shaping him in ways he hadn't even realized. Perhaps that was the critical difference between them. While Jack had his wife, his other self had continued alone, gradually transforming into a bitter version of his former self. Jack recognized echoes of that bitterness within himself, especially after the loss of his son. He might have spiraled down a similar path if it weren't for Grace.
In the end, Jack concluded that the Carter women had saved his life in more ways than one. They had molded him into the man he was today across all realities and existences.