Author's Notes:

WoooHooo! I made it…. Here is the end of the story. Sort of. There will be an epilogue, but it will not be out until the end of the month. Anyway, this is a good point to end it. Sam is pretty much the Sam Carter of canon, just without the rank, but with a life outside the mountain. Pretty good trade-off.

Thanks to all of my faithful reviewers. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed hearing from you all.

Jackie W.

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See Part 1 for notes and disclaimer

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Samantha Carter O'Neill was smiling. She couldn't help it. Even though she knew that in a few minutes she could be permanently removed from what she'd come to think of as 'her' team, she was happy. The smile had pretty much been a fixture for the last week. What was even better was the matching smile being sported by her husband. It had taken her the whole first day up at the cabin to realize why he looked so different. She rarely had seen him with a real smile before. A smirk, a cocky grin, and a sarcastic sneer had all made frequent appearances. But this smile, this was new and she really loved it.

Quite a few airman had actually paused and done a double take as they passed the pair in the hallways that morning, obviously also trying to figure out what was different. Hammond had not told anyone about the wedding he'd attended the previous week, so gossip hadn't spread yet to explain the smiles. That would come soon enough. So for now a happy Jack O'Neill was a real mystery. A happy Sam Carter was not as unusual a sight, but still people found her smile contagious.

They both sobered slightly as they entered the conference room. Hammond was still in his office so they joined Teal'c and Daniel who were already seated and waited silently for the verdict. When the General did appear is was impossible to read his features. He carried a folder and after sitting at the head of the table he opened it and shuffled around a few papers. Then with a sigh he looked up.

"Well I sure hope you all enjoyed your time off. My week has been a bit chaotic thanks to the two of you," he stated looking from Jack to Sam.

"We're sorry, sir," Sam told him.

"Well be that as it may, you caused quite a stir. Best you were away for the most of it," he admitted. "There were a few members of the Joint Chiefs that would have liked have thrown the book at you Colonel. However since you hadn't really broken any rules since Dr. Carter is a civilian it was pretty easy to calm things down. Luckily the President was on your side, and he was often the voice of reason in our discussions. All of which is to say that a decision has been reached as to the future make-up of SG1," he concluded.

Four sets of eyes bored into him awaiting the final word.

With a smile he happily announced that for the time being Sam would be staying on SG1 if she so desired. Hammond was expected to produce a monthly review of how well the team was functioning and if at any time any of them felt that the relationship between Sam and Jack was detrimental to their working together they would re-evaluate the decision. Also, if Sam were to fall pregnant she would be pulled from active duty.

Now the entire group was smiling. SG1 departed the conference room, and immediately made plans to celebrate that night then Sam left them to go give Janet the good news. On entering the infirmary she found her friend in her office and closed the door so that they could talk.

"Sam! It's good to have you back. And I don't even need to ask how the honeymoon was, you are positively glowing, so I know you had lots of fun," Janet declared with a smile.

Sam actually blushed thinking just how much 'fun' she and Jack had had.

"It was great, Jan, but I have even better news!" Sam told her.

"Samantha O'Neill, are you pregnant?" Janet asked lowering her voice on the last part to a whisper.

Sam's eyes grew wide, "Holy Hannah, no! Jack and I were extremely careful. We want to wait a bit, get used to being married first. But the powers that be have decided I can stay on SG1!" she announced. "We are all celebrating tonight, so you have to come and bring Cassie," Sam declared.

"We wouldn't miss it. We'll just need to make an early get-away since it's a school night," Janet promised.

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Much later that night it was just down to the four members of SG1 who had moved the celebration from the restaurant they had begun the evening at to Sam and Jack's house. It was Daniel who started the toasting.

"To SG1, our slightly dysfunctional family," he quipped.

"To SG1," the other three all responded raising their glasses.

"And to Sam for putting up with the three of us," Daniel added.

"To Samantha, a fine warrior and friend," Teal'c added.

Jack gazed at Sam with a happy smile. For once he didn't mind opening up a bit and letting his good friends see just how he felt.

"To Sam, damn fine soldier, brilliant scientist, loyal friend and love of my life," he toasted.

Sam fought back tears as she acknowledged their praise by raising her glass to theirs. She thought back on the person she had been prior to coming to the SGC and could only hope that they knew that the woman that stood before them today was very much a product of the time she had spent with them.

Sam Carter (O'Neill) was a testament to the friendship, support, and love that she had been blessed with the last three years. With any luck she would continue to be blessed for many years to come.

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The End