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"Please Janet. Just this once..."

"That's what you said last time..."

"No really, Janet. I feel fine."

"I don't know..."

"Aw, come on Doc! I'll take care of him!"

Janet looked at the four members of SG1, all eagerly awaiting her answer. She sighed heavily.

"Alright. But only if you..."

She didn't get to finish. Jack had Daniel out of bed in a flash and was already off down the corridor. Sam offered an apologetic grin but quickly dashed after the other two. Teal'c, however, remained.

"I will hear your advice, Doctor Frasier."

Janet sighed. At least Teal'c listened to her.

"Just tell him: no sex, drugs or rock 'n' roll."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow.

"What is this 'sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll'?"

Janet rolled her eyes.

"Just tell Jack. He'll understand."

The Jaffa nodded, then turned to the door. And as he left, Janet could have sworn she heard him mutter:

"Not that he'll bloody well listen!"

~

"So Danny: how are you really feeling?"

"Like hell."

Sam smiled and patted his arm. Daniel smiled and looked down at his arm. He lifted his wrist to the light and swore. Jack turned round at that, nearly crashing into the car in front.

"Problem Daniel?"

"My watch has smashed! My...friend gave me that."

Jack decided to ignore his hesitancy.

"What? When you fell?"

You see, earlier that day, Daniel had taken a rather ungraceful tumble down a cliff, resulting in his trip to the infirmary. He had been stuck in there for three days before SG1 had wheedled him out. Now they were off to Jack's place: to watch hockey, drink beer and relax for once. Daniel sighed and examined his broken watch. His best friend had given it to him before she...Daniel choked on his own thought and tears surfaced in his eyes. Brushing at them furiously, he slipped it off his wrist. He was about to put it in his pocket when Sam stopped him.

"May I..."

Daniel shrugged and gave her the broken watch. She turned it over and over in her hands, finally stopping at the back. She popped the catch gently and a piece of paper fell out. Daniel snatched it away and stuffed the watch into his pocket. Sam watched him, in shock. He turned away pointedly and didn't speak for the rest of the trip, leaving Sam to wonder.

~

Ah, 6.30 briefings! Jack loved those; only because the rest of his team looked like hell. Daniel had his coffee in front of him, looking as if he hadn't slept a wink (which he probably hadn't) and Carter's hair was a fly-away mess, usually soaking wet in her attempts to tame it. Even Teal'c didn't look his best, with deep shadows under his eyes. Only Jack was happy at these meetings. He was very much a morning person, being used to rising early for numerous Air Force occasions.

They had all arrived now and were obviously fighting killer hangovers from the night before. It had been very strained between Daniel and Sam but after a few beers, and a little coaxing from Jack, they were talking again.

Like they were talking now.

"I liked 1987; I finally grew up!"

Jack smiled, then realised who had said it.

"Daniel! It took you until '87 to grow up!"

Daniel scowled at Jack and Sam laughed.

"Well, I liked '83. Probably my best year."

"And how old were you then, Carter?"

"None of your business, sir."

"Yes, '83 was good. Fun, nights out...death..."

"What?"

Just then General Hammond walked in and they all stood up, looking at Daniel curiously, who seemed lost in a dream world. The briefing started quickly and everyone soon forgot Daniel's little proclamation.

~

"Well, here's our planet!"

Jack strode out of the Gate, followed closely by Sam and Teal'c. Daniel only just made it before the wormhole shut down, sending him skidding to the floor. Sam ran back up the steps for him and helped him up. He smiled gratefully and they both went down the steps. Jack raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He turned around to scout the terrain and a flicker of metal caught his eye. He knelt down in the sand and picked up the tiny slip. He felt a great shiver before falling forwards. Sam ran over and noticed the piece of metal in his palm. Without thinking, she touched it and fell into the sand. Daniel and Teal'c rushed onto the scene. Teal'c prised the piece of metal free and Daniel ran his finger over the inscription.

"It means..."

But the sentence was never finished as they both collapsed backwards. However, Daniel kept the words in his mind, turning them over and over in his head:

LET THE TRUTH BE KNOWN

~

Sam opened her eyes. The trees overhead cast menacing shadows upon her. She tried to get up, then realised she was lying on top of someone. She pressed a hand to his face. Metal...glasses...Daniel! Sam rolled off her best friend, as he woke up with a groan.

"What the hell...?"

"My thoughts exactly, Danny boy."

Sam glanced up at her CO and the burly Jaffa behind. She felt her cheeks reddening and struggled to suppress it. Daniel sat up now and Sam leapt to her feet, turning around to give Daniel a hand up. When they were all ready, Jack set off through the trees, towards a multitude of lights a few meters away. Suddenly Sam pushed in front, followed by Daniel. Jack couldn't stop them as they burst into a...car park! Jack and Teal'c came out behind them and Jack whistled softly. In front of them was an old run-down building with a flashing neon sign: The Temptress.

"Where the hell are we?"

"Actually, Jack it's more a case of when we are."

Jack stared at Sam and Daniel, who were utterly captivated by the building. Jack wasn't quite sure what was going on but Sam and Daniel looked like kids at a fairground.

"So, when are we?"

" '83"

They spoke together, still mesmerised by the building before them.

"How can you possibly know that?"

"They got the lamp in '82."

Sam pointed to a red lamp, hanging from a rusty nail.

"And it was pulled down in '84. It was closed for months beforehand..."

Daniel was walking towards the building before Jack grabbed his jacket. Then Daniel noticed the crowd. The moonlight hit various ornaments and piercings and reflected off weapons as well. Daniel laughed and shook Jack off.

"Don't worry; they're not bad people. Come on, let's go in!"

Before Jack could stop him, he had grabbed Sam's hand and started running for the door. Jack sighed and followed them. Teal'c was very puzzled but didn't say anything. He found Earth's culture very strange. The last time they had 'time-travelled', he had met the people of 1969 and was quite alarmed. And these people were even stranger. Sam and Daniel bounded up to the door, delight shining from their faces. Jack couldn't quite believe his eyes; his best friends had transformed into giggling teenagers before him. They walked up to the bouncer, Jack and Teal'c at their side. The heavy-set man looked at them sternly.

"Password?"

Jack cringed inwardly. Now they were for it! Daniel turned to Sam, who smiled.

"Eye of Ra."

The bouncer smiled and moved aside. Jack did a double-take but followed them in. It was a smoky, dusty club with a decidedly Egyptian theme; golden hieroglyphs and massive mosaics of Egypt were plastered everywhere. Daniel and Sam looked right at home and Jack and Teal'c had trouble keeping up. The pair crashed onto a table and sat down. Jack raised an eyebrow at the club's décor and crowd but shrugged it off.

"So, like to tell me what the hell is going on?"

Sam and Daniel immediately sobered up.

"This was a favourite haunt of mine, sir."

"Yeah, me too, Jack."

They were both looking round now, transfixed by the room. Jack rolled his eyes.

"So, how do we get back?"

But they weren't listening. They were both staring at a table across the room, where a lively party was going on. And in the centre of it were two figures who looked strangely familiar...

"Wakey, wakey team! What's going on here?"

"I know them."

They spoke as one, their eyes never leaving the table. Jack looked at the figures again and realisation struck him.

"Omigod, that's you!"

They both turned to him sharply, then to each other.

"Draco?"

"Angel?"

They flung themselves upon each other, hugging for all they were worth. Jack's eyebrows were through the roof but he turned to study the other two. The guy he presumed was Daniel had short, spiky hair, dyed a vile green and his glasses were strangely absent. Carter looked positively frightening. It seemed she had been part of the early Goth rebellion and it showed. Her hair was a deep black and her heavy black make-up was amplified by her bone-white skin. They both wore black and seemed pretty 'together' to Jack. He turned back to the present-day couple, who were talking a mile-a-minute.

"But you're dead. I mean..."

"No! I thought you were dead but there must've been..."

"Another plane! Oh God, we never checked!"

"We were running, remember? But I never forgot you..."

"Me neither, Draco. Never..."

"Whoa! Slow down, scientists. You're losin' me here."

They turned back to Jack and Teal'c, who were looking very tired. Sam started to explain.

"This is 1983. We were caught up in...life and, as you can see, looked very different. I went by the alias Angel and Daniel here was Draco. We were dating for...how long was it?"

"Eight months. Anyway, one night some men arrived at the club..."

Right on cue, several men banged the door open and pointed at Draco and Angel. Daniel and Sam were transfixed again, Daniel still intoning his narrative.

"We ran like hell..."

The scenes before them seemed to follow his words, as Draco and Angel dived out of the back door.

"We headed for the airport. I had enough money to skip the country to Egypt but Angel could only fly home."

"Didn't you ever find out what they wanted?"

Jack stared at them in disbelief. His two level-headed scientist friends could be rash and bold? It scared the hell out of him.

"Don't tell me you were a sensible teenager, Jack?"

Jack shifted his feet nervously and stared at the floor.

"Yes well, we're not all perfect."

Jack glanced at Teal'c, wondering whether his Jaffa friend had ever been rebellious.

"Anyway...you didn't check at all?"

"Well, we didn't see the point."

"The point?"

Jack was really worried now. Daniel was ashen and Sam didn't look any better. Then they looked at each other and smiled.

"There was a problem at the airport. Two planes were due to take off at 1am, mine to Egypt and Angel's to Chicago. Suddenly, there was an announcement over the tannoy, about a plane crashing into the control tower. I thought it was Angel's. No one...survived."

"And I thought it was Draco's. I was depressed for days."

"Yeah well."

"But we've worked it out now. There must've been another plane. 'Cause otherwise we wouldn't be here, right?"

Jack smiled at his two friends. Then realised that they had conveniently changed the subject.

"Hang on a minute! That's not what I meant! I meant, what about the men?"

Sam glanced at Daniel nervously, and he shrugged.

"Sir? We weren't always...as we are now."

"How do you think I had enough money to go to Egypt?"

Jack's eyes widened at the implication of Daniel's words.

"But, Danny...no..."

"I didn't take them, Jack. I was a dealer. Angel was my decoy."

"And a fun job it was too."

Daniel smiled at Sam as Jack shook his head in disbelief. Daniel was a drug dealer and Sam was...a prostitute? Okay, bad thoughts, bad thoughts!

"Right. So, how do we get back?"

"No idea whatsoever. You remember that metal slip thing?"

Jack nodded. How could he forget?

"Well, that got us here. And the inscription? It said 'Let the truth be known'. Maybe there's another one."

Jack nodded again and did a double-take. In front of him, embedded in the table, was another metal slip, with another inscription.

"I think I just found it."

Daniel studied the inscription and then reached out to touch it. He disappeared! Jack shrugged and the remaining three touched the slip. They disappeared in a flash of light.

And as they tumbled through time, Daniel thought over the latest inscription, wondering where they would end up now:

And we delve deeper into the past

~

"Well, this sure ain't home."

"Or that other planet."

"You don't remember the designation?"

Sam shot him a look.

"I don't always listen during briefings."

Jack had a feeling that the happy memories of 1983 had been skipping through her mind and he had no desire to find out about those. They appeared to be in some kind of office. Daniel picked up a file on the desk and paled. Jack came up behind him and his eyes widened. Daniel dropped the file and Sam read the title.

"Melbourne and Claire Jackson? Who the...oh, right."

Jack glared at her and she lifted Daniel's chin.

"Are you alright?"

"Sure Sam. Fine."

He choked slightly and Sam enveloped him in a hug. Just then, Jack heard noises from outside the door.

"Quick hide!"

Jack pushed Sam and Daniel into a cupboard while motioning for Teal'c to slip into another closet. Jack couldn't think of anywhere to hide, so just stood near the door.

It opened and almost went right back, sheltering Jack from prying eyes. Sam and Daniel had found that the cupboard was only about a meter square and Sam was pressed against Daniel's chest, feeling his heart quicken in anticipation. Teal'c had kept quiet so far and now listened closely to the conversation.

"I don't know what to do, Marty."

"They're small kids, Tom. Someone'll take 'em."

"Yes, I suppose. But that isn't really the problem, is it? I've got a perfect home for the girl but the boy wants to stay with her. Of course, she doesn't remember. The psychiatrist says she's submerged the memories to save herself the shock. At the moment, dear little Samantha can't remember a thing."

Sam sucked in a breath. Daniel had a sister? Called...Samantha? Sam shook her head furiously. No, don't think that!

"Yes, that certainly makes things easier. What's the name of her family, again?"

"I believe it's...yes; the Carters."

Sam felt as if she was going to be sick. Daniel's hold on her tightened ever so slightly and he was shaking slightly. Omigod...no! Carter was a common surname, it couldn't happen!

"Yeah, I remember. Jacob's picking her up tomorrow."

Jack was growing tenser by the minute. This wasn't what he wanted to hear. He had been waiting for his two friends to get it together for months now, ever since Carter had secretly told him she fancied Daniel. And then he had got Daniel drunk and received the same reaction. And after the expedition to 1983, he thought they had made. And now this.

"What about Daniel then? Have you contacted their grandfather yet?"

"Can't find him. Last time I heard, he was in Belize."

"Right then. We'll keep Daniel in foster care for a while."

The two left the room again and slammed the door. Jack stepped forward, not knowing what to say. Firstly, he let Teal'c out and then slowly approached the cupboard. He opened it swiftly and Sam and Daniel bolted out.

"I don't like heights and I don't like enclosed spaces!"

Sam's face was tear-streaked but Jack chose to ignore it for the moment. Daniel's arm was looped protectively around her shoulder and Jack hoped it would be enough.

"Right, let's find another slip."

"It is here, O'Neill."

They all stood around the desk and Daniel quickly translated the inscription before they all touched the piece of metal and disappeared.

Now, Daniel thought again, about Sam and about the new inscription:

AND NOW TO THE DEBATE

~

SG1 landed at their table in the Temptress, Sam still sobbing.

"Y'alright Sam?"

"Yes sir."

Sam wiped her eyes on the tablecloth and smiled faintly.

"So, where does this leave us?"

Everyone knew Daniel's words weren't about the time.

"We have a...slight problem. No one ever told me I was adopted. And the memories aren't coming!"

Sam slammed the table in frustration and Daniel laid a hand on her arm. She sniffed for a few moments.

"May I speak, O'Neill? I have a question for you."

"Go ahead Teal'c."

"Daniel Jackson once told me that it is immoral to not tell children they are adopted. If this is so, why does Major Carter not know of her adoption?"

"Sam here was a special case, Teal'c."

"I was?"

"You lost your memory Sam. What I think Jack is trying to say, is that telling you you were adopted would just confuse that brilliant mind of yours. Is there any logic in a past with no memories?"

Sam's brow knitted as she tried to grasp what Daniel had said. Suddenly Daniel's head shot up.

"Oh no!"

"What is it, Danny boy?"

"I'm in love with my...with my sister!"

Teal'c raised an eyebrow and Jack unconsciously copied him. The sight of both of them with their eyebrows raised sent Sam laughing, a rich happy laugh that settled the mood. She hadn't realised what Daniel had said or maybe simply chosen to ignore it.

"Well, do we do now, Samantha Jackson?"

Daniel blushed and Jack couldn't quite work out what he'd said wrong.

"Don't say that, Jack. It sounds like we're married."

Sam blushed as well and Jack leaned forward, evilly grinning at Teal'c.

"Oh really? Anything you two want to spill?"

Daniel looked at Sam and she shrugged.

"Well, before the mob came, we had just got engaged. Sam gave me a watch, the one that broke the other day. Of course, I gave her a ring."

"So that's why you were so cut up about the watch?"

"And I though I recognised it. I had to check, so I popped the catch and..."

"The paper you gave me fell out, just like it did before."

They smiled at each other but Sam began to cry.

"What's up, Angel?"

"We can't fall in love, Daniel. We're brother and sister, for god's sake! It's illegal for a start. And it's...incest."

Daniel blinked back his own tears, which started Jack off. Even Teal'c shed a tear and sniffed slightly. Sam leaned against Daniel and sobbed. He stroked her hair and looked up at Jack, pleadingly. Jack looked around quickly and found the slip in the table. Daniel gently lifted Sam's hand and laid it on the slip, just as Teal'c and Jack did the same.

And this inscription puzzled Daniel even more:

BUT THE STORY HASN'T ENDED

~

Back in the adoption office. Jack glanced at the calendar and frowned.

"That's odd, kids. Last time we were here, it was 1973. Now it's 1966."

"66? I was born in '66."

Sam frowned, wondering why they were here this time. Jack heard footsteps and motioned to the others. They went back to their hiding places, as a much younger Marty and Tom walked in.

"Strange business, this. The boy was just abandoned?"

"On the orphanage doorstep. The security guard's called him Daniel."

Now it was Daniel's turn to fret. Could it possibly be...?

"Do we have a family for him?"

"Well, the Jackson's have been waiting for years. Unfortunately, they've just had some good news: Claire's pregnant."

"Good for them you mean. Not so good for us."

"Or Daniel. They're coming anyway, just to see."

The intercom buzzed and a woman's voice rang into the office.

"The Jacksons are here, sir."

"Let them in, Moira."

A young looking Melbourne and Claire Jackson came in, Claire having a very obvious bump.

"Don't suppose you want another?"

"Not one to mince words, are you, Marty?"

"Not in the least, Melbourne."

"So, do you?"

"I think we can take another, Mel. Just one."

"I think we will, Tom."

"Right then. I'll have him ready.

"Good, good. So, what's his name then?"

"Daniel. Daniel Jackson now."

"It has a nice ring to it, Claire."

"It does indeed, Mel."

Jack felt the office vanish around him and he found himself on a carpet of...clouds!

"Yikes!"

"Indeed, O'Neill."

"Are you alright, Daniel?"

Jack turned to their archaeologist who was sitting on a cloud, looking extremely shocked.

"I knew they weren't my real parents but this..."

Sam tried to comfort Daniel, while exaltation burned within her. He wasn't her brother. She wondered briefly whether the law covered marriage between foster brother and sister. Teal'c pulled Jack to one side, looking concerned.

"I once placed this question to General Carter but am now...unsure if he was right. Do your people not love their children unconditionally?"

"Most of them do Teal'c. But maybe Daniel's parents didn't. It's a tough world, Teal'c. Not everyone can cope with a kid. Hell, I have trouble coping with Daniel now! Must have been a right handful at one."

Teal'c smiled. Daniel Jackson had once said that O'Neill's humour was a 'cure for the soul'. On this occasion, Teal'c had to agree with him. Jack sauntered over to Sam and Daniel, who were talking in whispers, obviously not wanting to be overheard, although Jack's ears caught a few words, like 'parents', 'love' and 'adoption'. Well, what else did he expect them to talk about? He was about to break up the 'couple' when some golden hieroglyphs appeared in the 'sky'. Teal'c's brow furrowed and Daniel looked up, eyes wide in amazement.

"Teal'c, I can't read it!"

"It is the language of the Ancient Ones, the race who built the Stargates. It says: 'And so the truth burns with a thousand fires, forging divides between the greatest. Is the most powerful weapon fear? Or is it indeed love? And the mighty hand of fate shall grace you. The trials before you are great but the path ahead is shadowed. What waits in the future is clearly decided by the past. The present can not affect its boundaries but they can affect it. The sham'kar has told all. Now you must decide.'"

"Lovely poem. Now what the hell does it mean?"

Daniel straightened his glasses and squinted nervously into the bright sunlight.

"Well, what's it basically means is that the past and future affect us now but we don't affect them. So...because of what we know, we should decide something."

"It's a cryptic clue! Someone somewhere is trying to tell us we have a decision to make. But what is it?"

While the scientists started pondering the message, Jack began looking for the metal slip, or the sham'kar thing. He found it and called Daniel over. Sam pulled the archaeologist up and he came over.

"What does it say?"

"The inscription? Um...can't quite make it out."

Without thinking, Teal'c ran his finger over it.

"It says..."

He disappeared, followed by Jack who had just picked it up. Shrugging, Sam and Daniel touched the metal together.

This time, it was Teal'c who was perplexed. What could it mean?

AS THE WALLS CRUMBLE, THE FAMILY IS LOST. NO LOVE, NO HATE, NO ONE: WHO MOURNS THE PASSING NOW?

~

Jack landed with a bump. Who knew sand could be so hard? The first thing he saw was Janet Frasier, leaning over him.

"Colonel? Where've you been?"

"1966, 1973 and 1983. That do ya?"

Janet raised an eyebrow. Was he joking? Teal'c was already walking around but there was still no sign of Sam and Daniel. Suddenly they both appeared, sprawled in the sand. Unlike the others, they were unconscious, an expression of worry on both their faces. Sam had a fistful of Daniel's' shirt and was half-draped over him.

"They've been through a lot, Doc. Let them rest, okay?"

Jack's voice came softly from her right. Janet looked over her shoulder and saw his mournful expression.

"What happened, Colonel? You've been gone almost two weeks."

"Two weeks, huh? Wonder why that happened?"

"Colonel O'Neill? Mind telling me what's going on?"

General Hammond was standing in the sand, not looking too pleased. Jack stifled a smile and took him to one side. Janet glanced over at Teal'c, who had resumed a defensive position around Sam and Daniel who looked pretty out of it. As Janet watched, Sam's grip tightened and she let out a low moan. Daniel blinked rapidly and opened his eyes, gazing down at Sam.

"Angel? Y'alright?"

Angel? Where had that come from?

"Oh, go away, Draco!"

Sam pounded him with her 'free' hand and then released his shirt, leaving a small circle of creases. Eventually, she sat up and opened her eyes.

"Finally!"

She stood up and turned around to give Daniel a helping hand. He accepted gratefully and was soon face to face with her. He touched her face gently and Janet frowned. What the hell was going on?

"Nightmare, Sam?"

"You?"

"Oh yeah, Mum, Dad, The Keeper: not fun."

"Yeah me too. Same scenes but Dad - I mean, Jacob - was there too. It was freaky."

Janet's frown deepened. This was very odd. Slowly, they both made their way over to her, arms around each other's backs.

"Hey Janet. Why are you here?"

"You've been gone two weeks."

"Wow! Maybe the sham'kar has some time-delay factor or maybe time-travelling takes time. Y'know, had to return us later so we're still in the right chronological time. Just because we were going back in time, doesn't mean our bodies stopped ageing. Perhaps we have been in flux for two weeks."

Daniel shrugged, obviously getting most of the speech. Janet, however, wasn't quite with it.

"You time-travelled? How did that happen?"

"Long story, Janet. Ask Jack."

And with that, the two went off to talk, leaving a very flustered Janet behind.

~

"I don't know what to do, Draco."

"For a start, you can stop calling me that. I grew up in '87, remember?"

Sam grinned and slapped him playfully. He loosened his grip on her shoulder a little and she escaped.

"Hey!"

He chased her into a little forest glade, a strange sight it the middle of a desert. He pinned her against a tree and she drew her breath in sharply. He leaned in closely and kissed her softly. She kissed back, letting herself drown in his embrace. Why hadn't she realised? Then again, Draco and Daniel were almost different people. Draco was always comfortable in a group, the life of the party. Daniel really hated crowds and only got drunk if Jack forced him to. But alone, with her, they were one and the same, quiet, but with a powerful silence and a wonderful kiss. Sam's fingers trailed lightly down his back and his fingers were firmly entwined in her hair. Passion raged within her and she wanted him oh-so-badly. But they were off-world, mere metres from their COs. It just wasn't the time. And Sam's heart was still smouldering with rage. This could wait for later. With reluctance, she pulled away from Daniel. He raised his eyebrows but she shook her head gently, whispering something to him. He looked quite shocked but she smiled at him and he laughed. They went out the opposite side of the glade, oblivious to Jack's watchful eyes. So, it finally happened. As he left, he barely noticed the strange carvings in the tree, or would've understood them if he did:

AS THE FAMILY DIVIDES, SO DO THE FRIENDS. FRAGILE ROMANCE IS EASILY BROKEN BY HATRED.

~

They all piled through the Gate. To Sam's surprise, Jacob Carter, the man she called father, was standing at the bottom of the ramp. She stared at him in amazement and felt Daniel's supportive hand drop from her shoulder. He knew she had to do this alone.

"When you disappeared, Major, we thought we should contact the Tok'ra."

Sam ignored the General and walked straight up to her father.

"It's good to se..."

Smack! Sam slapped his across the face. Jacob reeled in surprise, shocked by the cold anger in his daughter's eyes.

"You bastard! How dare you call yourself my father!"

Sam stormed out of the room, leaving several shocked officers. Daniel moved to follow her, when Jacob took hold of his arm.

"What's wrong with Sam?"

Daniel shook him off roughly and stared at him angrily.

"How could you do that to her? Every child has a right to know. You've caused her suffering all on your own. Even if she didn't remember, you could have told her, you should have told her! What kind of parent are you!"

Daniel stormed after Sam. Jacob just stood there, looking as if he'd just been shot. Teal'c walked out as well, muttering something that sounded distinctly like 'chau'va'. Jack gave him a sarcastic salute and went after his team. Jacob turned to General Hammond, silently demanding answers.

"She found out, I always told you she would."

"How? Who told her?"

"From what I gather, they travelled through time and found out that way. Obviously, someone wanted them to know. She's Doctor Jackson's foster sister and he's upset as well. Those two have a deeply entwined history: they were brought up together, orphaned together, split for adoption, met up again some years later and got engaged, thought each other dead and, finally, joined this program together. And you never told her, Jacob, making you the target for both their aggressions. I'm sorry, but you deserve it."

And with that, the General walked out, leaving Jacob alone.

~

Sam banged the locker furiously, wishing she could just wake up from this nightmare. She was adopted, she was Daniel's foster sister and her lover from '83 wasn't dead. Quite a lot to take in, in just one day. Or two weeks. Someone slipped in the room behind her and she banged harder.

"Go away. Leave me alone!"

Suddenly, there were arms around her waist, pressing her to him. She smiled weakly and he turned her towards him. Once she had thought she could drown in Daniel's blue eyes; they were so deep, so meaningful that they swept her away. If eyes were the windows to the soul, then she could read Daniel perfectly. He enveloped her in a hug and she gripped him tightly.

"Oh god, what am I going to do?"

"Stay with me, hopefully."

Sam almost smiled.

"I don't think I can, Daniel."

He held her at arm's length, searching her eyes.

"Why, Sam? Is this about Jacob?"

"He's a bastard!"

Sam pulled away from Daniel and tried to blink back tears.

"Where's my security, Daniel? Knowing I had a father, someone to help me through, it was my comfort. But I don't. He's a bad father, to me, and Mark, and I don't want him anywhere near me. I'm leaving, Daniel."

"Leaving? To go where?"

"New York. There's a place at a lab there."

"I'm coming with you."

Sam smiled at him. There was determination on his face and she had to give in.

"What will you do?"

"I'll do something. Raise the kids, perhaps."

Sam laughed out loud. She could just picture Daniel at home, surrounded by children. He'd make a great father. She'd make a great mother. Why not?

"When do we hand in our resignations?"

~

The next day General Hammond walked in to find three neatly folded notes on his desk. He opened them and read them through quickly. Jack knocked on his door. The General stood up immediately and grabbed Jack's arm as he left.

"We have a problem."

~

Sam and Daniel were in Daniel's office, trying to decide what to take.

"Do I need my Egyptology book?"

"Couldn't hurt. What about this Minoan culture reference?"

"We've got a living one on Broca, but I suppose I won't be able to get to it...take it."

"And just what do you think you're doing?"

Jack was leaning against the doorframe and General Hammond stood in the doorway. Sam and Daniel looked at each other and kept packing.

"Hello? Earth to the Jacksons!"

They looked up at that, Sam glaring at Jack.

"You aren't leaving."

"I think we are, Jack."

Daniel shut up the last box and taped it shut. He piled it on top of the another and picked them both up. Sam took another box and they carried them towards the door.

"Excuse me, sirs. We have a plane to catch."

"So, you're really going then?"

"Oh yes we are. So move!"

"Please, sir. We have to do this."

The General and Jack looked at each other. Suddenly they moved froward and took the boxes out of their hands, pushing them back into their seats. The two scientists were so surprised that they didn't even fight back.

"What he hell do you think you're doing?"

"I could ask you the same question."

Daniel stared at Jack for several moments before sighing loudly.

"Can we go yet?"

"No, you can't. This place needs you, we need you. You can't just jump ship!"

"Oh yes we can! And we are, so let us go!"

"Major, Doctor; there might be something you want to know first. The device you travelled by? The sham'kar? We brought it back, careful not to touch it. That was specifically tailored for SG1's DNA and Teal'c has identified it as Gourld technology."

"And that makes a difference? Does that change the fact that my father lied to me for 27 years? No, it does not. So what if the Goa'uld had a part in it? They were only revealing the truth, weren't they? And what harm is it doing? I found my fiancé and we're going to New York. What's wrong with me living with the truth?"

"Have you thought about us? Daniel?"

"I can think for myself, Jack."

"Yeah, Sarah was like that. Look what it did to our marriage!"

"Yes, I've thought of you. How many astrophysicists, archaeologists..."

"None of who are as skilled as you two. Or have the security clearance for that matter. Just out of interest, why do you think the Gourld planted that sham'kar thing?"

Sam was silent then. Daniel's brow furrowed and then his eyebrows shot up.

"Oh."

Sam turned to him quickly, wondering what his conclusion was.

"Well, what if they did it to split SG1 up? Wouldn't we, and the SGC for that matter, be more vulnerable without a solid premier team?"

Jack raised an eyebrow, wondering how the hell Daniel had placed his words into two sentences, when Jack hadn't got there with several.

"You're right, Daniel. That doesn't justify what Dad did!"

"Of course it doesn't, Sam. But, if you hadn't known, would have even considered the job in New York?"

"No. So, should we stay?"

She spoke slowly, thinking it through even as she said it.

"I think we should."

"Right then, let's get all this stuff unpacked, the General can tear up your resignation notes and we can get to debriefing. Oh, and then Jacob wants to apologise..."

"Oh no! I am not sitting through that! You can forget it right now."

Sensing that Sam was about to lose it completely, Daniel pulled her to one side and whispered something to her. She looked at him quizzically, eyebrow raised and he shrugged gamely. She nodded and he smiled. They rejoined their COs who were exchanging curious glances.

"I'll listen but I don't promise to forgive."

"Whatever suits you, Major."

~

Sam walked into the briefing room, holding Daniel's hand tightly. Jack sauntered in behind, watching them closely. Jacob was already at the table and he stood when the walked in.

"Sam, sweetheart..."

"Don't call me that! I'll listen but I'm not promising anything."

Sam sat down, still gripping Daniel's hand. He grimaced slightly and Jack smiled. He was sure Daniel would need a visit to the infirmary after this.

"Sam, I am so sorry. You didn't know a thing about yourself before you came to us and we thought we would only confuse you with talk of parents you didn't even remember. We did agree to tell you when you were 17 but you...weren't there. Think about it, Sam: what would you have done if I had told you?"

Sam looked at the floor and blushed red.

"I would've told you...that you should've told me sooner. Which you should have!"

Now, it was Jacob's turn to hang his head.

"I know, Sam. You probably think I'm a bad parent but I do try to help, really I do. Forgive me, Sam. Please."

"Oh Dad!"

Sam got up and hugged her father, finally releasing Daniel's hand. Jack noticed it was bright red, with little white indentations where Sam had dug in. Daniel cradled it in his lap, hoping she wouldn't crush it again in the near future. Jack was so glad they didn't leave. It wasn't just the small matter of great honkin' Goa'uld influencing his team but could SG1 cope with the loss? They had lost Daniel two times already, almost three; they couldn't lose him again. And Sam was the best 2IC Jack had ever had. No, they couldn't lose them and thanks to logic, they hadn't. Even Sam couldn't deny that it was an incredibly stupid idea and Daniel was currently in the mood to go along with everything she said. Ah, young love! Jack smiled to himself before realising that the briefing room had emptied around him. Cursing, he got up and went to find his team.

~

"Well, that went well."

"Yeah. Did you mean it before?"

"Did you?"

"What?"

"In the clearing. Did you mean it?"

"Go figure, Daniel."

"Right. And yes, I did mean it."

Jack listened to the innocent conversation passing between them and snuck up behind, grabbing them by the shoulders.

"Argh!"

"Hell!" They both turned to face Jack, not looking too happy. Jack grinned cheerfully.

"So, whatcha doing with all this sudden leave?"

"I have some archaeology surveys..."

"And I have experiments..."

"Oh come on! We have THREE weeks of leave! You can't work through it."

"Why not?"

Exasperated, Jack walked off, muttering about extremely thick-headed scientists. Sam and Daniel winked at each other and headed for the lift.

*THREE WEEKS LATER*

Sam and Daniel drove up to the SGC, chatting and laughing. Jack sauntered over, eyebrow raised.

"Working, huh?"

"Um...outside research."

"Oh yes. Come on, Daniel!"

They grabbed hands and walked over to the gates, to be let in. Shrugging, Jack followed. They went down to Level 28, asking Jack about his holiday but never mentioning their own. Jack was slightly suspicious but let it drop. Sam excused herself and ran towards the infirmary. She had to tell someone or she would burst. She dashed through the doors, to find Janet writing up notes.

"Hey Sam."

"You'll never guess what?"

Janet looked up at her friend's shining face and smiled.

"No. What?"

Sam held out her left hand. Janet gasped and held her hand to the light. On her ring finger was a thin gold band, with a single ruby in the centre. It was a wedding ring.

"Oh god...Daniel?"

"Who else?"

Janet smiled at that.

"We got married in Egypt, beside the Sphinx. It was beautiful."

"I don't know what to say Sam. Congratulations, I guess."

"Thank you, Janet. Now, I've got a briefing. Gotta run!"

"Good luck, Sam."

Sam smiled as she left and Janet sat back in her chair, hoping it would last.

~

Daniel wasn't quite sure how to tell Jack the news. So, he just said it.

"Jack, I'm married."

Jack turned quickly, staring at Daniel.

"You what?"

"I'm married. To Sam."

Jack sat down on the nearest bench and raised an eyebrow.

"Do you know how much trouble this makes?"

Daniel just stared and Jack's face broke into a smile.

"I can't call her Carter anymore!"

~

Sam stepped into the briefing room, to find everyone already there.

"Major Jackson reporting for duty, sir!"

She saluted and sat down. Teal'c smiled warmly at her and Jack gave her a wink. General Hammond also smiled.

"I know you've already had your fairytale wedding but the SGC would like to hold a reception, here at 9pm. Anyone with a security clearance is welcome and...other roles are yours to choose."

Surprisingly, Sam and Daniel knew exactly what he was talking about. Daniel stood up and smiled at everyone.

"Thanks guys. This means a lot to us.

"No sweat Daniel. You can't just spring this on us and expect us ignore it."

Sam and Daniel smiled. This day really was going well. The wedding was quite small but they were happy. Of course, their friends would've loved to have been there but it was impulsive, rash and they just couldn't invite everyone to Egypt and expect to get a reaction. And now they had a reception.

"I'm putting SG1 on stand-down. I'm sure you have a lot to organise."

The General stood up and left. Jack came over, smiling and Janet suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"Right Sam, I'll tell the people you're inviting."

"Well, all the SGC, Cassie, Katherine and Ernest..."

"And Danny boy? We expect you to be in your wedding gear."

Sam and Daniel looked at Jack in horror.

"You're not serious? We weren't exactly...conventional."

Jack smiled.

"Spill. What did you wear?"

"Well, I was in a tux and Sam..."

"Don't tell them Daniel!"

"Fine. It'll be our evening surprise."

"Okay, and roles? I'm guessing you got that part..."

"Sure, Janet. You're chief bridesmaid with Cassie. Daniel?"

"Jack's best man. Always would've been."

Jack smiled at him, then frowned.

"Oh god, that means a speech, doesn't it?"

"It does indeed."

Jack groaned and they all laughed.

"Well, see you all at 9!"

"Wait! What about dresses, suits, preparations..."

"We'll do it all. Just arrive at 9 in your stuff and we'll be ready."

Smiling at all their loving friends, Sam and Daniel left the room. Jack sighed and leaned on the back of a chair.

"How the hell are we going to be ready?"

~

It was half-past eight. Sam woke up slowly, slapping Daniel gently.

"Wake up, Daniel. We have to be at Cheyenne at 9."

Daniel opened his eyes quickly and tried to pull himself off the sofa, when he realised that Sam was still lying on top of him.

"For me to get up, you have to get up first."

"Oh right."

Sam pulled herself of her husband and Daniel grinned. He went to get his suit and told Sam he'd change in the bathroom. She nodded and went into the bedroom. Sighing, she pulled her wedding dress out of her wardrobe. It was decidedly Egyptian and Sam had adored it the first moment she saw it. Daniel had wanted an Egyptian theme and Sam had laughed, saying that didn't they have enough Egypt in their lives already. She put the dress on but couldn't quite reach the zip. Just at that moment, Daniel came in and slid it up her back. Sam put on her cloak and her head-dress, and held out her hand to Daniel. They walked to the car, ignoring all the funny looks their neighbours were giving them. They were a few minutes late to Cheyenne and the guard detail was giving them extremely strange looks. Sam thought Daniel looked so gorgeous in his tuxedo but she knew she looked...slightly strange. From the nervous glances the guards were giving her, she had a feeling she looked like Hathor. They arrived at the Storage Room and knocked nervously on the door. Someone shouted 'come in' and they stepped in. There was a massive cheer and loud applause. Half the men in the room were staring at Sam and most of the women were staring at Daniel. Jack's eyebrows were both raised but Sam and Daniel didn't notice. The room was beautiful. A giant mirror ball hung in the centre and there was a huge banner saying 'Sam and Daniel forever'. There were millions of decorations: tinsel, banners, Egyptian symbols and many more.

Jack couldn't quite believe what Sam was wearing. She had a simple form-fitting gold dress with red trimming at the very low neck. Running down the middle was a thin, light-blue strip that gradually got wider towards the bottom. Draped over her shoulders was a dark blue cloak and her headress was absolutely beautiful. It was golden, with a blue patch in the middle and red trimming and stones at the front. She looked dazzling. The music started and everyone began looking for partners. Jack turned round and found Teal'c dancing with Cassie. It was comical really, but a tap on the shoulder awakened Jack.

"Colonel?"

"Janet."

Jack offered her his hand and she smiled. Her and Cassie were dressed in dark blue dresses with gold trim, although Janet insisted she hadn't known what Sam was wearing. Sam and Daniel glided around as if they were floating and Katherine and Ernest were doing all right. Jack couldn't quite concentrate on his dancing with the extremely pretty doctor leaning against him and sending shivers down his spine.

Daniel nudged Sam and pointed to Jack and Janet, who were totally oblivious to the rest of the room. Sam smiled.

"Guess there's going to be another wedding, huh?"

Sam and Daniel smiled and settled back into their reverie. Daniel slid her gold bangles back up her arm as they threatened to fall off.

"You look beautiful, Samantha Jackson."

"Don't look so bad yourself."

Suddenly the music stopped and Jack stood up to speak.

"As most of you know, this party is for Sam and Daniel, who decided to run off a few weeks ago and get married."

There was some light laughter and Sam blushed.

"Anyway, I would just like to say that I could never hope for better friends. Daniel helped me through some tough times and Sam got me out of some scrapes. And we've had our arguments and our losses but we're a team and, what's more, we're a family. And I'm glad that Sam and Daniel have found happiness and no one deserves it more."

Sam smiled tearfully and Daniel wiped at his eyes. Janet sniffed and even Teal'c looked on the verge of tears. Jack raised his glass and everyone suddenly realised that they had glasses as well.

"To Sam and Daniel, the bride and groom."

"To Sam and Daniel."

Sam and Daniel clinked glasses and kissed each other passionately. There was a massive cheer but they weren't listening. A song started to play and everyone smiled. It was appropriate:

I can show you the world,
Shining, shimmering splendour,
Tell me, princess, now when did you,
Last let your heart decide.

I can open your eyes,
Take you wonder by wonder,
Over sideways and under,
On a magic carpet ride.

A whole new world...

Sam's favourite film was Aladdin and she absolutely adored 'A Whole New World'. Sam and Daniel danced for the whole song, finally stopping to kiss at the end. A perfect ending, an ending they had almost lost.

A whole new world,
That's where we'll be,
A thrilling chase,
A wondrous place,
For you and me.

*****

Sniff! Well, I think it was a happy ending!