Chapter Text
Epilogue
They did not talk about PX9-757.
Teal’c had known about the romantic inclinations between O’Neill and Samantha Carter for likely longer than they had.
He had long believed that they were a good match: both proud, fierce warriors on and off the field; both deeply passionate; both fiercely protective of those they cared about.
They were kindred spirits to not just each other, but to himself as well. He considered O’Neill his brother and Samantha Carter his sister, family in every way if not in blood.
But he did not understand why they did not allow themselves to be together, especially when it became apparent that they were aware of the other’s feelings.
But, as the Earth saying went, they were both adults, and it was their decision to make.
Even if it was a needlessly dumb decision and he would much rather elect to ignore it.
He had prepared himself many times over the years to do battle in their honor should it be required, should they decide to change their minds and make the correct decision regarding one another and disregard the rules that they believed kept them apart.
But that moment did not come, and he watched, broken hearted for both of them as they both attempted to move on from one another.
While O’Neill was very discreet in his relationship with Kerry Johnson of the CIA, Teal’c knew that there was more than a working relationship there after seeing them talk one night late in O’Neill’s office. There was an easy familiarity there, the sort of familiarity that O’Neill should have had with Samantha Carter and that could only come from an intimate physical relationship.
He did not know Kerry Johnson, but she seemed to be an honorable woman, and Teal’c did not have fault with her.
He did not, however, like Pete Shanahan.
On the handful of occasions he had the chance to observe them, he wondered if Samantha Carter even liked Pete Shanahan herself.
And while he may have been quietly surprised to learn of O’Neill’s disentanglement with Kerry Johnson, he was not at all surprised to learn that Samantha Carter had ended her betrothal with Pete Shanahan.
But he had been surprised, though, to learn that she had told him first.
“While I am honored that you felt comfortable enough to disclose this information to me, Colonel Carter, I do not understand why this is not something you wish to discuss yet with others.”
“It’s complicated, Teal’c,” she sighed, “I’ve been dealing with enough sympathetic looks as it is lately with Dad’s passing, and I’m just not sure I’m ready for more of them because of this.”
“But Daniel Jackson and O’Neill-”
“I’ll tell Daniel soon, I promise. But, the General…?” she shook her head, and it was one of the few times since their first meeting all those years ago on Chulak when Teal’c could remember her being at a loss for words.
He stepped closer to her, lifting a hand to rest on her shoulder in support even as he dropped his voice to a low murmur. “...is he not the reason you ended your engagement, Samantha Carter?”
She looked up at him, eyes wide with shock and quiet panic. “N-no, th-that’s not wh- I-I mean…”
He bowed slightly before her, putting their eyes at equal level as he leaned in towards her. “You must tell him how you feel, Samantha.”
He could see tears forming in her eyes, and he gently squeezed her shoulder as he heard her quiet, shaky reply. “...what if I’ve already burned that bridge, Teal’c?”
“I believe this is one bridge that is truly impossible to burn. You will find the time to tell him of your feelings, and soon. Of this I am certain. And I am also certain that you will find him a more than willing recipient of your words.”
She pulled him into a fierce hug at that, one he was more than happy to reciprocate, and he only pulled away from her when she was ready.
Therefore, he was not surprised when O’Neill offered to take all of them fishing a few weeks later and she agreed to join them.
Teal’c immediately spoke privately with Daniel, informing his bespeckled brother that they would be finding accommodations in town instead of staying at the cabin.
When pressed as to why, he gave Daniel a pointed eyebrow raise and then spared a glance over at O’Neill and Samantha who were speaking about something unrelated to their upcoming trip.
Daniel did not seem to entirely understand, but he agreed nonetheless.
And Teal’c knew that his plan had been successful as soon as he entered O’Neill’s cabin that first morning.
For starters, O’Neill had an arm wrapped around Samantha’s back, his hand resting low on her hip, and the two of them were standing far closer than they had ever allowed themselves before, heads bowed together as he whispered something against her ear that made her entire face light up with a smile.
There was also a softness about them both - a word Teal’c would never have associated with them individually before - that spoke volumes to their sudden rise into romantic intimacy.
And then there was the fact that she was wearing an article of his clothing - an old t-shirt that was clearly a few sizes too large for her smaller frame - and O’Neill seemed to rather enjoy the sight of her in it.
When he next caught her gaze, Teal’c gave Samantha an encouraging smile and a small bow of the head, noting the way she blushed even as her grin widened into her coffee cup as she took another sip out of it.
But while Teal’c had thought it was quite obvious that O’Neill and Samantha had finally made the correct decision regarding one another, he was surprised to learn that Daniel had not figured it out by the near-end of their trip a week later.
“It’s getting late,” Daniel announced with a yawn. “Teal’c and I should be heading back soon.”
“Why don’t you guys just stay here tonight?” O’Neill asked before taking a sip of his beer, his free arm loosely draped across Samantha’s shoulders, and Teal’c noted how comfortable she looked curled up against his side, her head resting on his shoulder. “You can help us pack this place up in the morning, and we’ll all head back home together. You can check out of the hotel on our way out of town.”
Daniel laughed at that. “And uh… where exactly would we sleep, Jack?”
“You’re both big boys, Daniel. I’m sure you can have an adult conversation about who takes the spare bedroom and who takes the couch.”
“Which leaves Sam sleeping… where, exactly?”
O’Neill and Samantha tilted their heads curiously at Daniel in perfect synchronization before sharing an amused look at one another and then turning their amused looks back towards the archaeologist.
“How many beers have you had, Daniel?” O’Neill asked.
“The same place I’ve been sleeping all week-” Samantha continued, lifting her hand from where it had been resting on the inside of O’Neill’s thigh just above his knee to gesture at the man in question. “-with him.”
“Wait, wha-? Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait… What do you mean with Jack?”
The two turned to look at each other again.
“Are we being too subtle, Carter? Is that what’s happening here?” O’Neill turned his gaze over to Teal’c. “You know, right T?”
“I do indeed, O’Neill,” Teal’c replied, a marked note of amusement in his voice. “I knew as soon as I first observed the two of you together upon our initial arrival here at the cabin. Let me officially congratulate you both on this new step in your journey together.”
“Thank you, Teal’c,” Samantha grinned, her smile softening slightly when O’Neill leaned in to press his lips against her temple.
Daniel sputtered, “Ho-How have I not noticed this?”
“Good question. She’s been stealing and wearing my clothes all week.”
“...she has not.”
“Has too.”
“She has not!”
“Indeed she has been, Daniel Jackson.”
“I’m literally wearing his favorite flannel right now, Daniel.”
“Yes… It looks excellent on you, by the way.”
“I just figured you got cold and Jack was being a gentleman!”
“Hey! I am many things, but a gentleman is not one of them!”
That earned O’Neill a solid - if playful - thump to the chest from the back of Samantha’s hand.
“Did you also not observe the lack of Samantha Carter’s personal items in the spare bedroom and bathroom when you’ve been in them this week, Daniel Jackson?”
“I… Well, no, but- Sam’s usually a very neat and organized person and I just figured-”
“-what, that I was packing everything up after every use?” Samantha giggled. “Come on now, Daniel…”
“They have also been very physically affectionate with each other all week.”
“What do you mean?”
Samantha answered with a laugh, “You were literally standing next to me getting a cup of coffee this morning when he gave me a good morning kiss.”
“I was?”
“There is also the manner in which they are currently arranged on the couch. I believe the term is ‘cuddling’, is it not?”
“Hey! I am many things, but a cuddler isn’t one of them!”
“He’s very snuggly, actually.”
“Carter! What did I just say?”
She giggled again at that before wrapping an arm around his middle, burrowing in closer to his side and letting her eyes slide shut in obvious contentment when he wrapped his arm a bit tighter across her shoulders and pressed another kiss to the top of her head.
Clearly proving her point.
“...so, the two of you are a thing now?”
“Yes, Daniel,” O’Neill replied, a twinkle in his eyes as he took another sip of his beer. “We’re a thing now.”
Daniel was quiet for a long moment as he let all of this sink in, and Teal’c found he was rather enjoying the companionable silence.
And then Daniel broke it again to ask another question, “So… who’s going to be your Best Man, Jack? Me or Teal’c?”
O’Neill did not hesitate. “Teal’c, obviously. With your observational skills, there’s no way I’m trusting you to hold onto the ring.”
“Hey!”
“Ooh! That means I get to call dibs on you being my Maid of Honor!”
“Hey!”
“I think he’s got the legs for the dress, don’t you Carter?”
“I hate you both.”
Samantha clicked her tongue against her teeth. “Not sure how well Peridot would go against his complexion, though…”
“I disagree, Samantha Carter,” Teal’c joined in on the teasing. “I believe it would stand out nicely against the blue of his eyes.”
“I’m going to bed. You all suck.”
“But if you take the spare bedroom, where’s Carter going to sleep?”
“She can take the couch, and you and Teal’c can cuddle in your bed.”
“Yes… but Teal’c’s a bit of a burning furnace, and I’ve gotten kinda used to this one sticking her ice cold feet against my shins in the middle of the night.”
“You love it.” Samantha grinned up at him.
“Yeah… I do…” O’Neill grinned back.
“Okay, stop it you two. It’s weird suddenly seeing you all… Domestic.”
“Get used to it, Daniel-” O’Neill chuckled before dropping his head and stealing a kiss from the woman in his arms, the look on his face truly adoring as he pulled back to gaze into her eyes. “-it’s not going away any time… well, ever actually.”
While they had refused for many years to speak of the events of PX9-757, Teal’c was truly elated to know that they finally had.
And if there was any one singular true God out there somewhere in the universe, well… the heavens help them if they ever tried to tear these two apart again.
Because he would be there to fight for them until his dying breath.
~End~