An Officer and a Mountie
TITLE: An Officer and a Mountie
AUTHOR: Tiffany Flowers (tiffanyflowers2@hotmail.com)
RATING: PG
ARCHIVE: SJRA and Tiff and Alex’s Archive ONLY!! Others ask.
DISCLAIMER:

SG-1: Belongs to MGM, Gekko, Double Secret and Showtime.
dueSouth: Belongs to Alliance Communications and Paul Haggis.
All characters will be returned in one piece. NO money was made and this author intended NO infringements. I own only the idea of the story.
CATEGORY: S/J Romance S/B Friendship
SUMMARY:

Fraser and Ray Kowalski go camping in Colorado and end up attending a wedding.
SPOILERS:

dueSouth: Call Of The Wild Parts 1&2 and Victoria's Secret.

SG-1: Serpent's Venom, Divide and Conquer, Tok'Ra 1&2, and Seth.
SEASON/SEQUEL: SG-1: S4 DS: S5 This story ties into "Love and Duty" a little.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Thanks to Calara's fic, "Love and Duty," I have decided to add to the "Soldier and a Mountie" series. This is my FIRST dueSouth/SG-1 crossover, so be nice. :) The song, “dueSouth" is written by, Jay Semko and Bryan Potvin. Singer is not said.              
\\ // Thought
~*~ Lyrics
WARNINGS: None
FEEDBACK: Would be nice :)
Copyright 2001 TIFFANY FLOWERS

********************************************************************************************
The squad room of the Chicago P.D. was bustling with the work of everyday, criminal life. Phones were ringing and the detectives were talking to people on the other end.
Suddenly, the barking of a dog cut through the commotion of the squad room and two men and a white wolf walked into the room.
"Well, that was a great trip, Fraser." Stanley Kowalski said, looking at the pictures in his hands.
"Yes, it was," Constable Benton Fraser said to Ray. "Glad you wanted to come."
"Woof, woof." The wolf barked at his Canadian friend.
"Glad you were there too, Diefenbaker." Fraser said, enunciating clearly to his deaf wolf.
"Vecchio!" A loud voice boomed.
"Kowalski, Sir." Ray returned and walked into Lieutenant Welsh's office.
Fraser sat at Ray's desk and waited until his friend returned.
"Hello, Fraser." A soft female voice said to the Mountie.
"Ah, hello, Francesca," Fraser greeted her. She was the sister of the real Raymond Vecchio, who had gone undercover with the mob, but was now retired. "how are you today?"
"I'm fine, Frase," she replied. "Where’s that brother, or rather, fake brother of mine?"
"In with the Lieutenant." Fraser said, watching her go back to her desk. He looked around and stopped at a map of the U.S.A. He got up and walked over to it and took a hard look at it.
"Thank you, Sir," Ray Kowalski said, coming out of the lieutenant's office. "Hey, Fraser I get to sta....Fraser?" Ray looked at his desk and noticed that his Mountie friend wasn't there. Then he saw him over by the map.
"Ray," Fraser said, when he saw him out of the corner of his left eye. "Have you ever been to Colorado?"
"No," Ray answered. "Why?"
Fraser turned his head to look at his American friend and smiled.
"Let's go camping there," Fraser said, pointing to a spot on the map, while still looking at Ray. "Colorado Springs."
"Colorado Springs, Fraser?" Ray asked.
"Yes, Ray," Fraser said. "What’s wrong with Colorado Springs?"
"It's a city, Fraser!" Ray exclaimed, his voice rising in volume.
"But there are mountains, Ray." Fraser replied, keeping his voice calm.
"Oh, well okay," Ray said, calming his voice again. "Colorado Springs it is."
"Good," Fraser smiled again. "Are you still packed?"
"I need new, clean clothes," Ray said. "I'll drop you off at the Consulate and I'll pack up new clothes and pick you up?"
"Good, I'll re-pack as well." Fraser agreed.
Francesca, who was eavesdropping, walked over to the two men.
"If you want, I'll get your plane tickets, Ray." Francesca offered.
"You'd do that for us, Frannie?" Ray asked, obviously surprised.
"Yeah, sure," Francesca said. "In fact, I'll do it now and go get them."
"Thanks, Frannie." Ray said.
"Thank you kindly, Francesca." Fraser said, grinning.
Ray and Fraser left together, Ray left Fraser at the Consulate to repack, while Ray went to his place to get his camping gear and fresh clothes.
Fraser was in the middle of packing some blue jeans and red flannel shirts, when he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in," Fraser said. He looked up and noticed Meg Thatcher standing in the doorway. "Ah, Inspector Thatcher. Good to see you back in Chicago. I thought you were doing...."
"I wanted to come back here, Constable," Meg said. "Why are you here?"
"Same reason as you, I guess." Fraser said, looking deep into her eyes.
"Where are you going? You just got here." She asked, eyeing his pack and sleeping roll.
"Camping, Ma'am," Fraser said. "With Detective Kowalski, formally known as Vecchio."
"Oh," she replied, sounding disappointed. "Well, have fun, Constable."
"Meg," Fraser said, using her first name. "I missed you."
"Likewise." She whispered, as Fraser came closer and took her face in his hands. He ran his thumbs over her lips, and then leaned down. As their lips were about to touch, they heard shouting from downstairs.
"HEY, FRASER!" Ray called. "LET'S GO!"
"Coming, Ray," Fraser called back. "See you in a few weeks or so."
"Constable," Meg called out before he left the room. "See you in a few weeks or so." She placed her right hand on the back of his neck and kissed him on the lips good-bye, making him blush.
"Thank you kindly." Fraser said, and then walked out of the room. He went to Ray's car and they headed to the airport.
"So," Ray said, finally getting settled in his seat on the plane. "A few weeks spent in Colorado? Sounds like fun."
"Yes, Ray," Fraser said. "You never know, we might have another adventure."
At that moment, the plane lifted off the ground and the landing gear folded up under the plane and flew off into the Illinois cloud cover.

***********************************
The Stargate's event horizon oozed out and snapped back, creating a flat, vertical, liquid mirror of energy.
Suddenly, four figures came through the gigantic ring and walked down the metal ramp. They removed their weapons and gear, and handed them to the waiting soldiers.
"I take it you found nothing, Colonel?" A stout, bald man asked.
"No, Sir, General." The one called, "Colonel" replied.
"There were no indications of life, General Hammond." A dark-skinned, tall, bald man informed him.
"Alright," Hammond said. "Clean up and checked out. We'll debrief at 1400 hours, Colonel O'Neill."
"Yes, Sir." O'Neill replied. He looked at the rest of his team. He first looked at a very disheveled, short-haired man with glasses, then a tall, bald, black man with a gold emblem on his forehead and a thin, tall weapon in his right hand.
His gaze finally fell on a tall, slender, blonde with blue eyes. She was in the process of removing her samples from the F.R.E.D vehicle at the base of the ramp.
"Daniel, Carter, Teal'c," O'Neill called out to each of them, making them face the older looking team member. "You heard the general. Go do it."
Teal'c, the tall, black man, nodded his bald head once and left the Gate Room, while Daniel, the disheveled man, followed right behind him. Carter on the other hand, hung back and waited for O'Neill, then they walked down the corridor together.
"Well, at least Teal'c's looking better," Samantha Carter remarked. "Just wish he'd talk to us about what happened on Heru’ur's ship."
"Yeah," Jack O'Neill said softly. "But you know Teal'c."
Sam walked into her lab and turned on the lights, set the samples on her table and then turned to Jack.
"Aren't you going to clean up?" Sam asked, grinning at him.
"Aren't you?" Jack retorted with a grin of his own. Sam just smiled and turned back to her samples.
"I'll wait," she said. "Besides, I want to get a head start on these soil samples."
"Alright," Jack quipped. "Have fun, Sam."
"Yeah sure, ya betcha." Sam said under her breath as Jack left her lab.
Ten minutes later, Jack came into her lab, rubbing his short, grey hair with a short towel. He just stood there watching Sam doing her thing. Sam reached up with her left hand and massaged her right shoulder the best she could, while still working on the soil samples in front of her. Seeing this, Jack walked up behind her and began to massage her shoulders and neck.
"Mmm," Sam moaned softly. "Don't stop that."
"Is that an order?" Jack whispered in her right ear, his breath caressing her ear and making a few strands of hair dance.
"No," Sam whispered back. "It’s a request. Or a favor. However you want to look at it."
"Ah," Jack said, continuing to massage her shoulders. "The shower's free now."
"Okay," Sam replied, making Jack stop. "Give me a second to finish up here."
Jack spun her around and took her face in his hands, making her look at his chocolate brown eyes straight on.
"Sam," Jack said. "Your samples can wait. They'll be here when you get back. You work hard enough as it is. Shower. Now. Debriefing is in 15 minutes."
"Yes. Sir." Sam said, reluctantly leaving her lab and headed to SG-1's locker room to clean up and put on fresh fatigues.
Fifteen minutes later, Sam, Jack, Daniel and Teal'c were in the Briefing Room waiting for General Hammond.
Daniel and Teal'c sat next to each other on one side of the table, while Sam and Jack sat on the other. Jack and Sam stood the minute General Hammond entered the room.
"As you were, people," Hammond said, waving Sam and Jack down. "Colonel O'Neill."
"Yes, Sir," Jack said, beginning the debriefing. "As far as a military threat, P3C....uh."
Jack looked at Sam, who grinned back at him.
"P3C 573, Colonel." Sam replied, trying not to laugh.
"Right," Jack continued. "P3C 573 is not a military threat, Sir." Jack looked at the general.
"Doctor Jackson," Hammond said, looking at Daniel. "What about their culture?"
"Well," Daniel began. "Whoever they were, they're long gone. From what I've seen and found, their culture is close to those of the Australian Aborigines, but I can't see what might have happened to them or the planet's inhabitants."
"Like the Anasazi," Jack remarked, causing Sam, Daniel and Hammond to look at him with amazement, while Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "What!? I do know some history."
"At any rate," Daniel continued. "They vanished without a cause. General, I'd like to go back and collect some more artifacts."
"Duly noted, Doctor Jackson," Hammond said. "I'll make sure you go with SG-11 again, Son."
"Thank you, General." Daniel said.
"Major Carter," the general said, turning to their Stargate expert. "What about you?"
"Well," Sam started. "From the soil samples that I obtained, they have a very high Naquadah content. We should try to get as much soil as we can. Then I'm sure we can separate the Naquadah from the rest of the soil."
"Very good, SG-1," Hammond said. "I have INTEL on your next mission, which you'll embark on in two days. You'll be going to P4G...."
Hammond was interrupted by a knock on the door and Master Sergeant Harriman entered the room.
"Excuse me, General," Harriman said. "I have a note for Major Carter."
"It's alright, Sergeant," Hammond said. "I've ended this briefing. Dismissed, SG-1."
As SG-1 was leaving, Sam got the note and read it:
"Samantha, meet me on the surface at nightfall. 2100, not a minute later. A Stargazer."
Sam tucked the note into her pocket and smiled, knowing who it was from. She walked back to her lab to finish up on her soil samples.
After hours of working on the soil and trying to figure out how to separate the many minerals, Sam glanced up at her clock. 2055.
\\ I should get up there. // She thought to herself. She got up and headed out of her lab, putting on her SG-1 field jacket.
At the surface, Sam found the spot where she came to stargaze. Jack had found her here one time.
"I knew you'd come." Jack's voice said.
"Always." Sam replied, smiling.
Sam and Jack looked at the stars for two hours and then Jack said he was going back down into the mountain.
Sam was about to go back, when she heard voices and an animal whimpering. Sam went in the direction of the sounds, but stayed hidden. She felt her pockets for her sidearm. She always carried one on the surface. It was force of habit no thanks to Jonas.
"Hold it!" Sam shouted, coming out from behind her cover. "Don't move!"
A man with dark brown hair, a man with sandy blonde hair and a white wolf were in another clearing, sitting around a fire, but when Sam came through the trees, the men stood and the wolf just sat there staring at her.
The man with sandy hair started to reach for something and Sam saw what he was going for under his leather jacket.
"I said don't move!" Sam shouted, causing the man to hold both hands up. She reached in and disarmed him. She put the gun in her coat pocket and walked backwards to her original spot, looking at the dark-haired man with recognition.
"Grrrr." The wolf growled.
"Dief, no." The dark haired man said, looking the wolf in the eyes. The wolf quieted and kept an eye on Sam.

"This is a restricted area," Sam said. "You’re under arrest."
"On whose authority?" The sandy haired man asked.
"By that given to me by the United States Air Force," Sam said. "Now move. And you, put a leash on that thing."

"Understood." The dark haired man said, and then put a piece of rope around the animal's neck.
Sam took them to the lock-up and then went to report to General Hammond and Colonel O'Neill. When she told them about what happened, they began to watch the men and the wolf on the monitor.
IN THE LOCK-UP CELL

"I think we're in trouble, Ray." The dark haired man replied.
"Oh, we're in trouble," Ray replied back. "You think we're in trouble, Fraser?"
"Well," Fraser said. "I would think so, given our current situation, Ray."
Suddenly, the door opened and two very angry looking men, and the woman who had found them, were standing in the doorway. Ray and Fraser were staring at them, while Diefenbaker walked up to Sam and licked her hand a couple of times.

"Oh, dear." Fraser said out loud, suddenly recognizing the woman was Sam.
"What are your names?" General Hammond asked.
"Well," Fraser began. "This is Diefenbaker, my wolf, Detective Ray Kowalski, and I'm Constable Benton Fraser."

"Constable," Sam asked, masking the recognition in her voice. "Aren't you a long way from Canada?"
"Well, yes," he answered. "I first came to Chicago on the trail of the killers of my father, and for reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture, I've remained attached as liaison with the Canadian Consulate."

"Fraser," Ray said. "Do you have to say that every time you meet somebody?"
"Well, I...." Fraser said, only to be interrupted by the slightly younger man next to Hammond.

"Hey," he shouted. "Argue on your own time."
"Understood." The Mountie said.
"I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill, this is Major General Hammond, and Major Sam Carter." Jack introduced.

"Pleasure." Fraser said.
"How did you find this complex, Son?" Hammond asked.
"General Hammond, was it," Fraser asked, getting a nod from the man. "We weren't looking for any complex, I assure you. My friend and I merely camping."

"Right," Jack replied, rolling his brown eyes. "I highly doubt that."
"I speak the truth," Fraser said, looking at Sam. "You know I do."
"Carter?" Jack asked, not missing the look that the Mountie and his major shared for a brief second.

"Sir?" She asked, shaking her head.
"Is he telling the truth?" Jack inquired.
"Yes, Sir," Sam answered. "I know for a fact that he's telling the truth."
"Do you know this man, Major Carter?" Hammond asked, glancing at her sideways.
"A long time ago." Sam said simply.
"Airman," Hammond said, turning to an SF. "show these men to A3 quarters."
"Yes, Sir." The SF said.

"Constable, Detective," Sam said. "Will you follow us?"
"Of course," Fraser said. "Ray, Ray, Ray."
"Right behind you, Fraser." Ray finally said, snapping back to reality.
Sam showed Ray to his quarters first, and then Fraser and Dief followed Sam to their quarters.

"Airman," Sam said. "Dismissed."
"Yes, Ma'am." The SF said, closing the door.
Sam stood near the door, watching the wolf and his master.
"Thank you kindly." Fraser said, staring into her pale blue eyes.
"You're welcome," Sam said. "Benton?"
"Yes," he replied. "Is it Samantha or Sam?"
"Sam's fine," she answered back. "You know that."
"Why didn't you tell me it was you?" Benton asked.
"I didn't know it was you." Sam said.

"What did you mean a long time ago?" He asked, curious about her earlier statement in the cell.
"Remember when I was up in the Northwest Territories? The Jonas thing?" Sam said, refreshing his memory.

"Oh, yes," Benton said. "I remember now. It has been a long time."
"Too long," Sam replied. "How have you been, Ben?"
"Good," he said, grinning. "You?"
"I've been better." Sam admitted.
"How's the 'Jonas' thing?" Ben asked, causing Sam's expression to change.
"He died four and a half years ago, Ben," Sam whispered sadly. "On a mission."
"I'm sorry, Sam," Benton apologized, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Really I am."
"I know." Sam said, forcing a smile.
"So this is where you've been hiding, huh?" Benton asked, changing the subject. Sam nodded.

"Yup," Sam said. "This is where I've been."
"I see," he responded. "You like it?"
"Yeah," Sam said. "I do."
Benton was about to say something, when there was a knock on the door. Sam opened it and Daniel was on the other side of the door.

"Sam," Daniel said. "You’re wanted in the G-Room."
"The G-Room," Sam asked, eyeing Daniel, then caught on. "Oh, right. I'll be right there, Daniel."
"Okay." Daniel said, and then left.
"The G-Room?" Benton asked, echoing Sam and Daniel's words.
"It's hard to explain," Sam said, trying to keep the Stargate a secret. "I have to go."
"Okay," Benton said, watching her close the door behind her slowly. "Dief, stay. Dief, NO!"

***********************************

   In the Gate Room, there were several SF's pointing weapons at Ray Kowalski. Jack, Teal'c and Daniel were in the room as well when Sam entered.
"I thought this was the bathroom," Ray said. "I swear!"
"Take him to lock-up! Now!" O'Neill barked. The SF's took the detective back to the holding cell with Jack, Teal'c and Daniel following behind. In all the commotion, they didn't see Diefenbaker enter the Gate Room.

"Dief," Sam said, making eye contact with the wolf. "What are you doing here?"
"Diefenbaker!" Benton shouted from the corridor outside of the Gate Room. Sam shouted harshly to the remaining SF's to close off the Gate Room, but the doors closed too late, and Benton entered the room.
"Ben," Sam whispered. "You can't be here."

"I tried to stop Dief, but he ran out of the room. I tracked him here." Benton tried to explain.
"It's okay," Sam said. "But you can't say anything about what you have seen in this room. You or Ray."
"I promise, Sam." Benton said.
"Thank you," Sam said, letting Dief walk back over to Benton. "Why don't I show you and Dief my lab?"

"Alright," Benton replied. "What's in your lab?"
"Just stuff that I work on," Sam told him. "Soil samples, Naquadah reactors, things like that."
"Interesting." Benton said.
"This is Daniel's lab," Sam said as they passed the archaeologist's lab. "Mostly his stuff is ancient artifacts and stuff. Jack calls them rocks. I'll let you meet Daniel later."
Sam and Benton spent a couple of hours in her lab. Benton understood the things that she told him. He even helped with her current samples.

"Sam," Benton said. "What is P3C 573?"
Sam's head shot up and she stared at him with wide eyes.
"What did you just say?" Sam asked.
"What is P3C 573?" Benton repeated.
"Oh, dear." Sam said, looking at the glass vial in his hand, which still had the planet's binary number sticker on it. Sam didn't know how she was going to explain this one to the Canadian Mountie.

***********************************
ONE WEEK LATER

Sam finally convinced General Hammond to allow Fraser and Ray to walk around the base with SG-1. Hammond was weary, letting the Chicago cop and the Canadian Mountie roam the SGC facility and knowing all about it, but he had their word that they wouldn't say anything about the complex.
Sam was in her lab, Dief at her feet, when Jack walked in.

"Hey, Sam." Jack greeted, grinning at the sight of the wolf.
"Hey, Colonel." Sam returned, turning to face her C.O. She noticed that his already short, grey hair was getting greyer. His brown eyes and facial features remained the same.
"I was thinking about throwing a small get together for our new friends," Jack said. "You up for it, Sam?"
"Yeah," Sam said. "Count me in, Jack."

"Jack?" He asked, shocked.
"So?" Sam asked.
"Just asking," Jack replied. "It’s just that you hardly ever call me Jack."
"Oh," Sam simply said. "Is that a problem?"
"Nope," Jack said. "See you at 1900?"
"Sure." Sam said. She and Jack continued to talk until Benton came into Sam's lab, noticing Jack looking over Sam's shoulder.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Benton apologized, causing Sam and Jack to jump apart.
"Fraser," Jack greeted. "See ya tonight, Sam."
"Okay." Sam said, watching Jack leave her lab.
"You alright?" Benton asked, obviously very concerned about her.
"Yeah," Sam sighed. "I guess."

Benton watched as Jack's form finally disappeared from view.
"You care about him," Benton said. "Don’t you?"
Sam's head shot up, and that's when Benton saw the love for this man that she once had for him those many years ago.
"I'm sorry, Ben." Sam apologized.

"No need, Sam," Benton said. "I knew I couldn't hold onto you forever. After all, you're the Golden Falcon, remember?"
"I never meant to hurt you," Sam tried to explain. "I swear."
"Sam," Benton said, taking her face in his hands. "If he makes you happy, then I'm happy for you and Jack."
"Thanks," Sam said, and then frowned. "But...."
"But what, Sam?" Ben asked.
"He's a colonel and I'm a major." Sam told him.

"What does that have to do with anything, Sam?" Ben wanted to know.
"The military has these rules against a higher ranking officer seeing their subordinate, let alone someone under their command." Sam explained.
"I know how you feel," Ben said. "It’s the same with Inspector Thatcher and myself."
"Well," Sam said again. "I care about him a lot more than I'm supposed to."
"I know." Ben said, seeing that what she had just said had an impact on her and meant something to her.

"Let's go." Sam said, realizing what time it was.
"Go where?" Ben asked.
"Jack's place," Sam replied. "He’s throwing a small party for you and Ray."
"Ah," Ben replied back. "I see."
On the way to Jack's, Ben and Sam told each other what they had been doing since Victoria got Benton shot in the back. Fraser explained why the Ray that Sam knew was no longer with him, while Sam told Ben about her father and what had happened to him, and also about how Mark and her father are talking again.

When they got to Jack's house, Benton shook everyone's hand and took a seat on the couch next to Teal’c; Jack sat next to Sam, who was next to Benton, while Daniel and Ray took the chairs.
"Uh, Fraser," Jack said, holding up a video. "I hope you don't mind, but I rented "Dudley Do-Right" with Brendan Fraser."
"No," Benton said, laughing at Jack's choice of movie and knew the pun behind it. "Not at all."
"Are the two of you related, Benton Fraser?" Teal'c asked stoically, making Ben laugh again.

"No," Ben said between chuckles. "I'm afraid not, Teal'c."
"I see." Teal'c answered.
After the movie, Ben noticed that Jack had walked out back and followed him, concerned.
"Are you alright?" Ben asked.
"Yeah," Jack replied. "Just thinking."
"About Sam?" Ben asked.

"How did you know?" Jack asked, wanting to know.
"Sam said the same about you." Ben answered.
"Oh." Jack said softly.
"Might I tell you something?" Ben asked, getting Jack's full attention.
"Sure," Jack said. "Just  don't go scientific on me."
"Understood," Ben replied with a grin. "Jack, is it?"
Jack nodded his answer.

"Well, Jack," Ben began. "You and Sam share a common bond that I don't."
"The stars," Jack said, making Ben nod his head. "What's that got to do with what you wanted to tell me?"
"I'm getting to it." Ben said with another grin.
"Oh. Sorry." Jack said, grinning back at him.
"You and Sam are one in the same," Ben began again. "Think about a map. There are four directions on this map, but the two of you are only going one way. You let the northern sky carry you away."

"I guess we do." Jack said, fully understanding his metaphoric meaning.
"You know," Ben started again. "You could walk a hundred thousand miles and never really find a home, but when you look up at the clouds, you can see which way the wind is blowing. The wind is blowing you home, Jack. To Sam. Don't let that go by you. Don't lose what's been given to you."
Benton turned and walked back into the house, leaving Jack to think about what Ben had just said to the military-minded man.

"Jack?" A soft voice called, bringing him back to reality.
"Sam." Jack whispered.
"Are you okay," Sam asked, sounding highly worried about him. "You’ve been out here for quite some time now."
"Just thinking," Jack said. "That’s all."
"Ben sent me out here to see if you had thought about something that he told you." Sam told Jack, and then stood beside him with her left hand on his right.

"Yeah," Jack said. "I even understood what he was saying."
"Did you?" Sam asked.
Suddenly, a song erupted from the living room that was slow. It was a guitar instrumental from one of Jack's CD's.
"'Cabin Music' by Jay Semko, Jack Lenz and John K. McCarthy." Jack told Sam, as he drew her into his arms.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Daniel and Benton exchanged high-fives and smiles.
"I told you it'd work," Daniel said to the Mountie. "What did you say to Jack?"
"Nothing," Ben said. "Just that him and Sam were brought together for a reason. My time with her is over."
"What is your meaning, Benton Fraser?" Teal'c inquired.
"I met Sam when she was still involved with Jonas Hanson. We became good friends and eventually lovers, but now my time is through. I had a vision that told me I had to let her go." Ben told them, keeping his feelings in reserve.

"She's in good hands then, Benton." Daniel said to his new friend.
"I know that, Daniel," Ben said sadly. "Thank you kindly.

***********************************
THREE DAYS LATER

As Ray and Fraser were waiting to board their flight in ten minutes, Sam and Fraser walked down to Starbuck's for coffee.
"Let me ask you something, Ben." Sam said, breaking the silence.
"Alright." Ben said.
"The last I heard," Sam began. "You and Ray....Stanley...."
"He prefers Ray." Ben interjected.
"Okay. Ray," Sam said. "Were off to find the Hand of Franklin. The reaching out one, right?"

"Yes," Ben said. "We did."
"Did you ever find it?" Sam asked.
"No," Ben said simply. "But it's out there waiting to be found."
"Fraser!" Ray yelled. "They're boarding."
"Coming, Ray!" Ben called out, running to the gate, Sam behind him.
When they got to the gate, Ben turned around to face Sam.
"I'll miss you, Sam." Ben said, giving her a hug.

"Miss you too, Ben," Sam said, returning the hug. "Find that hand, huh?"
"I will," Ben said, smiling. "Keep in touch, eh?"
"I will." Sam said, letting Ben go and taking Jack's left hand in her right.
"Jack," Ben said, shaking the colonel's right hand. "Take care of yourself and Sam."
"I'll do that," Jack responded. "Take care, Benton."
"Understood." Ben said, and then walked toward the tunnel to the plane.
"Ben," Sam called out. "Tell Thatcher how you feel about her."
"I will," Ben replied. "Thank you kindly."

"Let's go, Fraser!" Ray said, grabbing Ben by his shirt collar.
Sam, Jack, Daniel and Teal'c waved good-bye to their friends, then left the airport to return to the SGC.

***********************************
FIVE MONTHS LATER

Benton Fraser was working on some reports, when there came a knock on the door.
"Come in." He said.
"Constable Fraser," Constable Turnbull said excitedly. "This came for you today."
"Thank you kindly, Turnbull," Ben said, taking the envelope from him. He was about to open it, when he noticed Turnbull still in the room. "That's all, Turnbull."
"I was wondering, Sir," Turnbull babbled. "Why you would get an invitation from Colorado, Sir?"

"Turnbull," Ben said, thinking of a way to get rid of the bumbling Mountie. "Do you smell smoke?"
"SMOKE!?" Turnbull shouted, running out of the room.
"He's unhinged, Son." Robert Fraser said, appearing out of nowhere.
"Yes, I know," Benton replied. "Dad, do me a favor and give me a minute."
"Of course, Son." Fraser Sr. said, and disappeared into Ben's closet.
Ben opened the white envelope and eventually opened the card and saw the gold lettering:

            "Northern sky carries us away,
            With four directions on our map,
            We go one way."

Ben instantly recognized the words and read on:
            "Benton Fraser, you have cordially been invited to the wedding of Colonel Jonathan "Jack" O'Neill   
            and Major Samantha "Sam" Carter. RSVP your response to djackson@sgc.gov."

Benton put the invitation back in the envelope and smiled, then got into his e-mail.
            "TO: Daniel Jackson
            FR: Constable B. Fraser
            SUB: RSVP"

Ben paused to think, and then typed his reply.
            "Daniel, I will be attending and bringing Meg Thatcher. Thank you kindly, Benton."
Ben hit 'send' as his phone rang.
"Hello." Ben said into the receiver.
"Hey, Fraser," Ray replied. "Guess what I found on my desk?"
"A wedding invitation?" Ben guessed with a smile.
"How'd you know?" Ray asked.
"I received one as well," Ben said. "Are you taking Francesca?"
"I was thinking about it," Ray said. "Why? Who you taking? Ice Queen?"
"Her name is Meg," Ben replied, sort of angry. "And yes I am."

"Cool," Ray said. "Guess I better get them something, huh?"
"Me too," Ben said. "Talk to you soon, Ray."
"Bye, Fraser." Ray said, and then hung up. Ben then got up from his desk and walked to Thatcher's office.
On his way in, he noticed that Turnbull was at his desk, unconscious.
"Definitely unhinged." Ben mumbled, then walked into Meg's office.
"Benton." Meg said when he entered his office.
"Hey," Ben greeted as he saw her looking at him with curiosity on her face. "How would you like a vacation?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wanted to stay here." Meg Thatcher joked.
"How about Colorado," Ben asked, handing her the invitation. "I already RSVP'ed, so you can't get out of it."
"Are you serious, Benton?" She asked, excitement filling her voice.
"Pack your best clothes, Meg," Ben said. "And your dress reds."
"Why the reds?" Meg asked, wondering what he was thinking.
"To put a Canadian twist into it." Ben said with a smile.

***********************************
 TWO WEEKS LATER

"Benton, Meg," Sam called out at them, the reception well underway. "Thank you for coming."
"You're welcome, Samantha." Meg said, handing Sam and Jack her gift.
Sam opened the box and found matching Air Force pocket watches with their names engraved on the back. Sam gathered Meg up in a hug.
"Meg," Sam sighed. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome." Meg said again, and then shook Jack's hand in thanks.
"Meg," Jack finally said. "What’s with the uniforms?"

"It was Benton's idea actually." Meg told them.
"They look fine, Meg." Sam said, Jack nodding his agreement.
"Uh, Sam, Jack," Ben said. "This is for your house."
Jack opened the box and revealed a medium sized plaque. Jack read the inscription aloud:

            "The stars rush on by
            We look to the northern sky
            Thousands of miles walked
            Many years we've talked
            Four directions on a map
            But only going one way forever."

There was a picture of an Aurora Borealis on the bottom of the plaque, as well as the constellation Orion.
"Benton," Jack said, obviously surprised. "This is a wonderful gift. Thank you kindly."
"You're welcome, Jack." Ben said, smiling at how Jack used his common thank you.
Suddenly, there was a ringing of glass as someone tapped on it with a metal object.

"I'd like to make a toast," Daniel said, raising his glass. "To happiness."
"Happiness." The crowd echoed.
"I, too, would like to propose a toast," Ben called out. "I met Sam five years ago and had the chance to know what a wonderful person she is. To Sam and Jack, may you always love each other and have many adventures together. To forever."
"Forever." The crowd echoed again.
THAT SAME NIGHT

Sam and Jack spent the night in each other’s arms. That earlier afternoon, they saw Benton and his friends off at the airport, and then came home. The yard and house had been cleaned up while they were gone.
Daniel and the others were long gone when they returned, but Daniel and Benton had left them a CD to listen to.

"Jack," Sam whispered. "Play the song again, will you?"
"Sure, Sam." Jack said, pushing the 'play' button. The song started to play and Jack caressed Sam's left shoulder, while Sam traced designs on his sparsely haired chest. Then they heard the lyrics starting to be sung.

~*~ High winds,
       Northern sky will carry you away
       You know you have to leave here,
       You wish that you could stay
       There's four directions on this map,
       But you're only going one way

       Due South, that's the way I'm going
       Due South
       Saddle up my traveling shoes,
       I'm bound to walk away these blues
       Due South

       You could walk a hundred thousand miles
       and never find a home,
       You always knew someday you'd have to strike
       out on your own
       You look up at the clouds and you can see
       which way the wind is blowing ~*~

As the chorus repeated and the song ended, Sam and Jack had fallen asleep; the plaque Benton gave them over their heads. Their hearts belonging to the other forever.

THE    END