Borealis (Stargate Atlantis FF)

Chapter 8 Unexpected meetings part 1

Steven Caldwell was getting ready to go back to Milky Way. Actually he as well as Dedalous and her crew were already prepared to take off but they were waiting for anyone who would like to go back with them. It was typical of the group of newcomers to contain some that will request coming back immediately. Gate travel did that to some of the people. Not everyone was cut to live in another galaxy and travel through the 'gate. He would wait for those and take them back to Earth. This time, however, Steven was also really curious how Carter would react seeing some of the new people. That's why he perched on the catwalk from her office to the control centre just in time to see the gate activating. Jack was there also, in some casual clothes, apparently to greet people.

"Where is she?" Asked Jack when no one else than Daniel Jackson came through with a smile.

"Nice to see you too, Jack." Said Daniel. "She should be right beside me."

"She?" Asked Sam looking questioningly at Jack. "Anything I should know about?"

"Just wait..." commented Steven.

"Everyone knows but me?" Mocked Sam.

But there was no one unusually familiar immediately following Daniel through the gate. The last part of the group, as always, were men with the large crates containing all the things the newcomers brought to Atlantis. And then there was a young woman helping them.

"Cassandra?" Asked Sam virtually running down the stairs.

"Sam!" Said woman exclaimed hugging Carter fiercely. "I hope you won't be opposed to me staying here?"

"You joking? Of course I look forward to having you here!" Sam said. "Anyway, who came with the idea of this surprise?"

Cassandra did not answer but she did look at O'Neill in a suggestive way.

"He will pay." Commented Sam with a smile. "We have a lot to talk about, but now I neet to take Sheppard and his team to give a little 'Pegasus 101' presentation. Then we'll talk."

"Okay."

The first part of Pegasus orientation was always the most boring since it was covering all the dos and don'ts. It was traditionally covered by Sheppard. Then Carson had some things to say and McKay at the end was the last and most laugh-worthy as always. Carter took a minute to welcome them all once more and then O'Neill came forward, making all of them wonder what had happened. As usually, the inhabitants of the City were all gathered in the gateroom and adjoining corridors just to see who came this time and how much of them will chicken out at the very beginning.

"Since we're all here, folks," started Jack "I wanted to get over with something."

"Jack?" Asked Sam. She looked around and saw a lot of curious glances. Then she saw Daniel and Sheppard sharing a knowing glance. That made her wonder what surprise did those three devise now. "What is that all about?"

Jack waited until the gateroom was flooded with people and almost everyone saw what was happening before he walked up the stairs and dropped on one knee before Carter with a whining. "I hate those hard floors. This knee will torment me for weeks..."

"Jack?" Asked Sam again seriously curious and a little light headed. "What is going on?"

"Samantha, Carter," started Jack looking her in the eyes, taking her hand and picking a small velvet box from his pocket. "Will you be my wife?"

There was a striking silence in the room followed by a loud cheering and whistles. Sam was speechless. She was sure there was some surprise prepared for her but she didn't anticipate something that important. She was lost in her own thoughts until Cassandra's worried voice woke her up.