DISCLAIMER: The story, characters and everything regarding SG-1 and the SGC belong to MGM, Gekko, Secret Productions etc. They are not mine and never will be. The original characters are all mine, and you can't have them!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: First of all I've tried to stay as true to the series as I can. There's a few things I've changed from about season 7 onwards, such as Janet not dying in 'Heroes' (because that never should have happened), and 'Unending' never happened so the Asguard survived. You'll find out specifically why I needed to change these things when you read my story. Plus, I miss Thor too much to let him die again. Oh, and that thing with Pete never got a chance to frustrate us, so don't worry about that either. There are a few technological liberties I have taken, so for the sake of the story just go with them. Another thing to note is that I'm Australian and thus write with Aussie syntax ('s' instead of 'z', 'lounge' instead of 'couch', that sorta thing). Don't hate me for where I was born. It also feels so good to finally let the secret out! I kept the ending hidden right till the last moment. Sorry mum for keeping you hanging for months, but I know you liked the 'big reveal' better this way.
THANK YOU: I would like to thank many people who have helped me throughout this difficult time, not only in writing this story but with life in general. First of all, thank you Ralst for creating and maintaining this wonderful site, without you I would not have had this opportunity (there's also a little surprise in here for you). Thank you to all the writers and readers on the site that make P&P a great place to visit (or live in sometimes). Thank you to my colleagues for putting up with my ranting, almost on a daily basis. Thank you to my beta-readers: Gina D, Ella, Greg, and mainly my mum. Focusing on mum now: Thank you for helping me and supporting me. My great mum helped beta-read, encourage, entice, question, support, listen, brainstorm, and love. Without her this story may never have been finished, and certainly wouldn't be this awesome (her words, not mine *wink*).
SPOILERS: For 'Window of Opportunity' and 'Watergate' in season 4. Some other bits and pieces too.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.

… In Time
By KC

She came flying through the gate and landed hard, rolling onto the concrete floor. Guns aimed but she didn't notice them. She wouldn't have even cared after what she'd just been through. Her whole body ached, not that that mattered either. She had a mission; she just hoped she came through at the right place…

Voices, distant, movement around her. Someone grabbed her, pain intensifying. She struggled to see. She needed to know where she was…

"What's the date?" She heard herself whisper. Hearing her own voice, clear, helped her regain a little focus. Her eyes opened to see a familiar blue, and as her vision cleared, the blonde strands that framed the blue.

"October the 13^th," came the echoing reply. Her head felt like a cavern, every word resounding within the expanse.

"What year?" She emphasised the question by grabbing the jacket of the person holding her.

"2000."

She sighed in relief. "I made it mum… I made it…"

PART 1

-beep- -beep- -beep- -beep- -beep- -beep-

The first thing she noticed was the consistent beep of the machine beside her, and then the pain. She wasn't sure what hurt more; her ribs, her shoulder or her head. She tried to open her eyes but they wouldn't obey her. Even if they did, she knew how bright the room would be and the idea of it didn't sit well with her. Next thing was to try and move her right arm; it didn't seem to hurt so far. One finger twitched, and then another, until she eventually balled her hand into a fist and relaxed it again.

She continued this movement until she was confident she could give someone the finger if provoked, not that she would. She tried to twist her wrist in a circular motion, and once that too was mastered, moved on to bending her elbow.

Someone must have noticed the movement because she heard footsteps approach her. She felt a warm hand hold her wrist, checking her pulse. She tried to grab the hand, as she felt the need for reassurance.

"Mum…" She whispered hoarsely.

"It's ok; you're safe. Just relax and try not to move." She heard a soft but commanding voice say. "You've still got a nasty concussion, among other things."

"What's the date?" She asked again. She didn't know how long she'd been out, nor did she remember the first answer.

"The 15^th of October, 2000."

"How long was I…?" She tried to lift her head but was overwhelmed with a throbbing pain.

She felt a hand gently hold her down, and heard the owner whisper, "2 days."

She tried to swallow, but her mouth was too dry. "How badly am I hurt?"

"Two cracked ribs, severe concussion, and your shoulder was dislocated."

"That would explain the pain…" She said cynically as she struggled to open her eyes again. One opened slightly, and then the other, slowly coming into focus. She scanned the room gradually and then looked at the woman beside her bed.

"I'm Doctor Janet Fraiser," the woman smiled warmly. "And you are?"

"Kerry." She looked around the room again, searching for any other listeners.

"Do you have a last name Kerry?" Janet asked.

"Yes…" Kerry faltered, "but I can't tell you…" Kerry knew it was pathetic, but it was the truth. Just being there was breaking the law, let alone telling them anything.

"Why is that?"

Kerry looked at the Doctor again, "I'm not allowed to. I'm, um, from the future…"

"From the future?" Janet asked sceptically.

"Yes." Kerry said, instead of nodding.

Janet frowned, "How far in the future?"

"Well… I'm 20, so at least 20 years." Kerry smiled. If she wasn't in so much pain, or was on a mission to save the fate of the entire world, then she would have thought the scene to be rather amusing.

"Right…"

"Look, I know it's hard to believe, and I know that the General is going to want proof, but surprisingly enough you already have it."

Janet raised her eyebrows, "We do?"

"You've taken a sample of my blood, right?"

"Yes." Janet frowned in confusion.

"Well, when you run a DNA test on it, it will be the proof." Kerry's throat constricted. "And it may be a little… troubling, and I won't be able to explain the details of it. You can run the test as many times as you want, but it will reveal the same thing."

"What will the results be?"

"I can't tell you that either. You're not even supposed to run the test, but I couldn't exactly stop you. Plus, I need you to run it to prove who I am. But you mustn't show anyone the test results except for General Hammond. Only you and he can know."

"Right," Janet frowned again. "So, let me get this straight; you're from the future, your name's Kerry, you can't tell us any more than that, but a DNA test on your blood, that we aren't even supposed to run, will reveal who you are, but you can't tell us any more than that either?"

Kerry thought for a moment. "Yes. Although there are things that I have to tell you, whether I'm allowed to or not."

"And that would be…?"

Kerry sighed and closed her eyes. "The reason I'm here… is to stop a very terrible thing from happening."

Janet's expression softened when she saw a few stray tears roll down Kerry's cheeks. "What happened?" she asked softly.

Kerry lifted her right arm and wiped the tears away. "They die… everyone, the whole world…" More tears fell. "And we, they came, and…" Kerry began to cry. "They killed everyone, my friends, my family… I watched you all die…"

Janet's heart broke at the despair in Kerry's voice. She could tell that this girl had experienced something horrible. She stroked Kerry's hair gently with one hand, while her other held Kerry's firmly.

"It will be ok. We'll help you fix it. No one will die." Janet said soothingly.

For some reason Janet felt a strange bond with the stranger in her care. The cause puzzled her, and she thought that it may have been her maternal instincts, or perhaps even her doctor 'do no harm, heal all wounds' attitude, but there was something oddly familiar about this girl.

She could hear muffled voices as she slowly awoke. It wasn't the first time she had woken up in the infirmary to those muffled voices, nor would it be the last she hoped. But this time was different. Same place, same people, different time.

She grunted in pain as she tried to sit up. That was a big mistake, she commented dryly to herself.

"Lie down!" She heard Janet order, and then felt her hand checking her pulse. That simple action, so comforting, that she actually complied despite the seriousness of the situation.

She heard movement around her and slowly opened her eyes. There they were; her family and friends, yet strangers in some way. They all looked at her, a few flashes of curiosity, some scepticism, and some worry.

"Hi there," Daniel smiled.

"Hi." Kerry replied.

"Kerry, SG-1 wanted to see you and ask some questions about why you're here. I told them that they'd have to be quick, because you're in no state for anything more than that." Janet explained, for the benefit of Kerry and the fidgeting team at her sides.

Kerry grimaced, "Ok, but I can't promise I can answer everything."

"This is Jack, Sam, Daniel and Teal'c." Janet pointed to each one in turn. "And this is Kerry."

"So you've come back in time, huh?" Jack began.

"Yes."

"Why?" Daniel asked.

Kerry sighed; she would have preferred to do this at another time. She clenched her teeth and right fist and prepared for the heartbreak. "Our enemy sent someone back in time, roughly a few months from now, and they kill you, SG-1. Consequently, all the good you did never happened, and Earth was not as it should have been."

"And you came back to warn us?" Daniel assumed.

"Yes and no. I came back to save you."

"You?" Jack raised his eyebrow.

"Yes. Me." Kerry said with an air of dignity that the seemingly frail and injured body didn't appear to posses.

"Hang on, how did you know that Earth's history had been altered?" Sam cut in.

"The SGC and its personnel have been fitted with a device that protects it and them from unnatural ripples in the time continuum. Unnatural being any changes that were made after the devices were activated."

"Kinda like a shield from time?" Jack asked.

"No. It would be more like a shield from changes in time."

"How? I mean, we don't even understand time travel, let alone how to be aware of the ramifications." Sam's mind whirled through all her knowledge about time travel.

"I can't give any specifics. All I can say is: we knew something was changed, we worked out what happened, and now I'm here to stop it." Kerry lifted her right arm and held her hand to her head.

"Right, that's it. You lot are gonna have to continue this another time." Janet said sternly. Jack opened his mouth to protest but Janet subdued that quickly with a long-honed glare.

"We'll see you later. I hope you feel better." Daniel smiled.

SG-1 was herded out by Janet, and Kerry was sad to see them go. Although she didn't want to answer their questions she still wanted some company. Not that it would have mattered for long as she soon fell asleep again.

The male members of SG-1 sauntered off in various directions, but Sam stayed back to talk to Janet.

"Do you believe her?" Sam asked quietly.

Janet glanced at Sam as she led them back to her office. "Yes. I see no reason for her to lie, especially in her condition."

"She'll be right in a couple of weeks though, won't she?"

"Yes. For the most part, at least. She's been through a traumatic event, and it's still playing havoc on her mind."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked as she sat in the chair opposite Janet's desk.

Janet sat in her own chair. "Most of the times she's been asleep she's been having nightmares. She hasn't said anything, because she has only woken up a few times, but whenever I check on her she looks frightened and mumbles 'no' and such."

Sam frowned with concern and said, "What do you think happened?"

Janet paused. She had some idea, from what Kerry had told her when she had that minor break-down, but she also knew that what was said was strictly confidential, and no matter how much she trusted Sam, she couldn't answer her friend.

"I'm not sure," she said neutrally.

Janet watched as Sam bit her lip, a common occurrence when she was trying to work something out, or if something was troubling her. She wondered which it was, or if it was both. It wouldn't be the first time. All Janet had to do was sit and wait, and Sam would say something soon enough, or have one of her eureka moments and sprint off to solve the world's mysteries.

"She called me 'mum'."

"When?" Janet asked. As far as she knew she'd been there both times Kerry had woken up.

"When she first came through the gate. She said 'I made it mum' and then passed out. I just assumed she was delusional."

Janet frowned, distracted. "She called me 'mum' too."

"She did?" Sam looked up for the first time in minutes.

"Yeah, when she first woke up."

"Well, we can't both be her mother, so she must have been out of it."

Janet nodded, "Must have."

Sam stood up and straightened her jacket, "I guess I should let you get some work done. I'll see you later Janet"

"Ok. I'll see you later." Janet waved absently.

Sam waved in return and then walked back out into the infirmary. She was walking past the beds, so she glanced up at Kerry's sleeping form. She was twitching, and her face was contorted with horror. Sam changed directions and headed straight for the bedside.

"No, no, no, no, no, oh God no, please no." The words escaped Kerry's lips, barely a whisper.

"Shhh, it's ok. You're safe." Sam said self-consciously. She had never been any good with comforting people and felt rather inadequate.

Sam took Kerry's hand into her own and held it firmly, as her other hand stroked the girl's hair back. Something must have worked, because within moments Kerry's face relaxed to a frown, and her body stilled.

When Kerry seemed to relax more, Sam looked around for a chair. There was one next to the bed beside Kerry so she picked it up and placed it where she was previously standing. She sat in the chair and held Kerry's hand again.

She still felt uncomfortable, but somehow her presence helped the troubled girl, and that was enough to get her to bear it.

It was dark. And cold. She could feel sharp, hot pain coursing through her limbs, as if she was being pulled in every direction. Maybe she was?

A searing light invaded her vision. After the initial shock subsided the chamber could finally be seen. The walls consisted of large stone blocks adorned with the scariest and sharpest surgical instruments she'd ever seen. Only one door was visible from her detained position. A hideous and terrifying face filled her vision and hovered above her. Green scales; half dry and falling off, half forming and slime-covered. The sneer grew with her cries of pain. And the eyes! Cold. Evil. And hungry.

They were going to kill her.

Sam sat there, staring into space. She didn't know how long she had been sitting there; she was lost in the recesses of her mind. She was trying to figure out how it was possible to have a device that shielded someone, or something, from changes in time. She would say it was impossible, but she had learnt not to use that word. Improbable was more suitable in her line of work.

She looked back to the sleeping form on the bed. Kerry's hair was similar in colour to Janet's, perhaps a little lighter, and came to sit just above her shoulders. She was sure that normally the girl kept quite fit, although her injured state currently seemed to hide that fact. When Kerry had been awake, Sam had noticed that her eyes were an even brighter blue than her own. There was something peculiar about this stranger from the future.

Sam looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Janet quickly removed her hand and stood beside her.

"Hey," she whispered.

"Hey," Janet returned. She looked at Kerry with a frown.

"Is something wrong with her?" Sam asked with concern.

Janet closed her eyes briefly. "No. She's fine."

"Ok…" Sam felt a little confused. Janet was acting strangely. "What's that?"

Janet looked at the folder in her hand and then at Kerry again. "It's nothing. I'm off to report to General Hammond. See you later."

Sam watched as Janet walked off. She didn't even wave when Sam had said goodbye. Something was definitely wrong, she could at least tell that about her friend. But what was it? Sam had no idea.

Janet knocked on General Hammond's door softly. She wasn't quite sure if she wanted to be doing this. She didn't even know how she felt about what she had to tell the General. Everything seemed so complicated and confusing right now. She had just put together a report on the results of the DNA tests on Kerry's blood, and the earlier description of 'troubling' just didn't cut it; it was downright impossible!

"Enter," Hammond called.

Janet turned the knob and pushed the door open, entered, and closed it behind her. She placed the file on Hammond's desk and sat in the chair opposite in silence.

"What's this?" he asked.

"Kerry's DNA results," Janet answered quietly.

General Hammond opened the folder and scanned through the documents quickly. He shot a puzzled look at Janet and then took a more thorough examination of the papers in his hand. After several moments he looked up again.

"Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?" he asked in confusion.

"Yes."

"But how?"

"I don't know, Sir. According to everything scientifically known to the human race, it is absolutely impossible. But I've run the test seven different times, using two different methods, and the results never changed."

"How do you feel about it?" He wasn't talking about it being impossible.

Janet stared blankly at the paper-weight on the desk in front of her, "I don't know, Sir. Confused as hell, to say the least."

"Should Major Carter be informed?"

"No!" Janet sat up straight. "No, Sir. Kerry said that no-one was to know, other than us. Plus, I'm not to sure how she'd handle it. She's still a little fragile after Martouf's death."

"What do you suggest then?" Hammond was concerned.

"Nothing, Sir." Janet stood. She had to get out of there. She needed… air? Something. She needed not to be here. "We know who she is, and that she must be telling the truth. It's now up to SG-1 to help her save the future."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Janet asked quietly, aware of her staff puttering about.

"Would you have believed me if I did?"

Janet sighed, "Probably not."

Kerry stayed silent. She felt strangely awkward.

"So you weren't delusional when you called us both 'mum'…"

"What?" Kerry tried to sit up, but changed her mind as a painful reminder coursed through her body.

"Don't try and move," ordered Janet. "Sam said you called her 'mum' when you first came through the gate, and you called me 'mum' when you first came to. We both just thought you were too out of it to know who was who. I guess we were wrong."

Guilt overwhelmed Kerry, "Are you mad at me?"

"What?" Janet looked at Kerry. "No, of course not. Why would I be?"

Kerry was about to shrug, but thought better of it. "I don't know… For not telling you? For the results of the tests? For what's going to happen? For… I don't know…"

"Kerry, I'm not mad. I'm just a little… overwhelmed." Janet smiled reassuringly. "It's not every day you find out you have a daughter with someone you've secretly been in love with for years."

Kerry chuckled, "Yeah, about that… Now really isn't the time to tell her. You'll get together, but she's not in the right frame of mind at this point in time. She's still focused on solving all the technological mysteries of the universe so we can defeat the Goa'uld."

"Tell me about it," Janet grumbled. "I have to blackmail her into coming over for dinner these days."

"Really?" Kerry laughed, but stopped suddenly to clutch at her ribs.

"Easy…" Janet stroked Kerry's hair and she soon relaxed again. "I had to threaten to schedule more frequent and complicated physical examinations for SG-1 if she didn't come."

"I bet she would have loved that." Kerry said dryly.

Janet grinned, remembering the occasion. "She actually sounded frightened at the prospect."

"Probably more to do with Jack's response when he found out why it happened."

Now Janet laughed. "Wouldn't surprise me."

Kerry sighed gently, exhaustion taking over again, and then yawned. She closed her eyes and felt Janet step back.

"Wait," Kerry reached out her hand. "Stay, please… I don't want to be alone…"

"Ok." Janet took hold of Kerry's hand and sat in the seat Sam had left there. "I'm right here."

Kerry sighed again, and felt her body almost meld into the mattress beneath her. Her body felt so heavy and unnatural. She didn't know whether it was due to her injuries, or the pain medication slowly being released into her bloodstream.

Muffled voices, again familiar tones. Flashes, explosions, blood…

"No!" Kerry cried out.

Janet rushed to her side, "Kerry, shhh, it's ok. I'm here."

Kerry gripped Janet's lab coat as if her life depended on it, and perhaps it did. Tears streaked down her face as her memories continued to flash through her mind. She felt a hand take hold of her other, and she looked up into Sam's eyes. She held onto the hand tightly as she sobbed through the painful images.

When the images finally stopped Kerry collapsed back onto the bed, tears still flowing. Janet and Sam shared a look of concern.

"Make it stop!" She begged. "Please, make it stop! It hurts so much…"

Janet gave Kerry with a higher dose of morphine, although she knew that it wasn't physical pain that she was referring to. Janet just hoped that if she could dull the lingering physical pain, then the girl would be able to deal with the emotional pain a bit better.

PART 2

"How are you feeling, Kerry?" General Hammond asked gently as he took a seat at the head of the table.

They were in the debriefing room. The General sat in his usual seat, with Jack, Daniel and Teal'c to his left, and Janet, Kerry and Sam to his right. It had been two weeks since Kerry had tumbled through the Stargate, and although she wasn't yet in perfect health she knew she had to tell them what had happened, at least in part.

"Much better, Sir." Kerry answered in a military fashion.

General Hammond gave a slight nod of his head, but shared a sceptical look with Janet. He could clearly see the girl was better, but 'much' wouldn't have been in his description of her. Her colour was starting to return, but her eyes were still haunted, and she still flinched with each movement.

"Without interruptions," Hammond said, looking pointedly at Jack, "can you please explain the reasons for you being here?"

"Yes, Sir." Kerry nodded gently, careful as her head still felt a bit like jelly. "First and foremost, I will not be able to explain every little detail. We have something called The Temporal Law, and my mere presence here is in breach of that. Me actually telling you what I'm about to is, as they say, 'digging a deeper grave', or a worse sentence at my court martial. But this must be done.

"As I briefly explained to SG-1 earlier, the SGC and its personnel were implanted with a device that blocks them from unnatural ripples in the time continuum. By unnatural, I mean any changes that were made after the devices were activated."

Kerry spoke clinically, like she had described the devices a thousand times in science seminars or the like. It was when she got to the more personal aspects of her being here that her voice faltered.

"We have had the devices for some time now, although our enemy clearly wasn't aware of this fact. We found out recently that they were plotting something diabolical, but as enemies go, they are always doing that, so we thought nothing of it. It wasn't until… perhaps a week before I came through, that time really slipped away for us and we became aware of what they'd done.

"Somehow they had managed to send one or more of their soldiers back in time, and had killed SG-1. The exact minute and method is uncertain, but I know roughly when it is to happen. May I?" Kerry paused, gesturing towards the jug and glasses on the tables in front of her.

Sam stood before the General had nodded and poured a glass. She placed it gently in front of Kerry and sat back down. Kerry lifted the glass to her lips and sipped from the rim slowly. Her throat was dry already, and she had barely begun her tale.

"Thank you." Kerry smiled meekly at Sam and then glanced around at her friends and family before continuing. "Everything had changed. Except for the SGC and its personnel of course. Most of the personnel were on base, a few were off-world, but some were topside. It was unanimous that the fates of those topside were out of our control."

Kerry took another sip. "The enemy realised the temporal barrier had been lifted and sent in troops. It was a long fierce battle holding them off as most were ordered through the Stargate to the delta site. It took us several long hours of listening to the pounding of the enemy's attacks to come up with a solution. From then on it was our goal to get someone back here to warn and save SG-1."

Kerry's eyes glazed over, memories of that last day taking over her. She spoke, but her voice was distant as she described part of what she had witnessed.

"Get those men out of here!" Jack ordered.

A few airmen helped the nursing staff to carry the wounded men deeper into the base. The enemy had already taken the top 10 levels of the complex, and were taking each level faster, and with more ferocity.

Kerry had one of Siler's arms over her shoulder, and Janet had the other. They dragged him with the others, further and deeper, forever to the sound of insistent pounding. The briefing room had been set up as a triage centre.

Kerry alternated between the battles upstairs and treating patients for her mother. Sam had been confined to the triage centre already, as she was well and truly pregnant with another child. They didn't know whether it was a girl or boy; they had asked not to be told.

It was Sam who came up with the plan. Despite her modesty, she was a very brilliant scientist, soldier, and mother. Someone was to go back in time and stop the enemy from killing SG-1. They had the technology to predict solar flares, they had for some time. However, they just weren't allowed to use that knowledge for time travel, thus the Temporal Law.

As the enemy drove them deeper more men and women died trying to protect them, to buy them more time for a solar flare of the right intensity. When one was finally estimated they only held the last 3 levels at bay. That was when things started to get worse.

0327 was the predicted time for the flare. They had been awake for days, and knew that this was their last chance, their last hope for survival. Jack was to go, but that soon changed.

At 0249 he died. He was wounded while defending level 26, and was captured by the enemy. Kerry watched on the security monitor in the control room as he used his famous sarcasm and wit to insult the enemy leader. He managed to get out quite a few curses before they beheaded him.

At around the same time Daniel had been cut off from the group defending that level, and he used the last moments of his life to secure the stairwell to the next, giving the plan a few extra minutes.

It wasn't long before the enemy broke through though, and now even the nursing staff had to fight. Janet and her medically skilled crew wielded guns and fired at the approaching enemy.

Ever the doctor, Janet couldn't help but treat the minor wounds as her colleagues' weapons thundered around her, Teal'c's staff blasting. It was a painful moment when Janet ordered Kerry to retreat back to the debriefing room.

Janet was bent over the nurse that had only been posted to her staff only a month ago, bandaging a gash on the man's forehead. Kerry stood there, gun in hand, staring with begging eyes at her mother to come with her.

"Go!" Janet yelled again. "Get down there now!"

"I won't leave you!" Kerry cried back.

"Kerry Fraiser-Carter, you will do as you're told. Now get down there and make sure Sam and you get to safety!" Janet ordered sternly, tears streaming down her face.

Kerry was frozen, torn between saving her mother and saving the world. And although saving the world included saving Janet, it still ripped her heart in two to know what fate would soon arrive for the stubborn doctor.

"Go." Janet said again, this time more pleading than anything.

Kerry took a step back, and then another, and whispered 'I love you' as she turned and sprinted down the corridor. When she got to the briefing room, she couldn't look Sam in the face at first, but as the blasts got closer, and 0327 soon approached, they exchanged a pained and knowing look.

Anyone who could hold a gun defended the control room as Sam and Kerry programmed the computer and set the dialling sequence to begin at the precise time necessary.

"I'll shut off all the doors to the gate room once you're down there." Sam said as she typed at the keyboard, setting the self destruct for 30 seconds after the gate was supposed to activate.

"What?" Kerry frowned. "No! I'll close all the doors. You're going to go through and save yourself."

"Kerry, don't argue with me! I am your mother and you will do as you're told."

"Why does everyone keep telling me that? I am a capable soldier, and I can fend for myself. If I want to save my parents from certain death then that is what I'm going to do, dammit!"

Sam paused, and smiled slightly, "You're more like Janet than I realise at times."

Kerry mirrored Sam's small smile.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you're going down there right now and going through that Stargate." Sam held her gaze as Kerry tried to challenge her in vain. "I have to make sure you're safe."

<Self destruct in 2 minutes and counting>

Kerry sighed. She had lost this battle of wills and she knew it. She gave Sam a brief but emotional hug and then made her way down to the embarkation room.

<Self destruct in 45 seconds>

The blast doors were still open, and she watched helplessly as Sam checked over her shoulder. The gate activated as the blast door slowly descended, unfortunately not before Kerry saw Sam run through with a metal pole of some kind. Kerry's heart ripped again. She had lost everyone, her friends, her family, her parents.

<Self destruct in 10 seconds>

<9>

<8>

<7>

She had to <6> save them.

She turned to the <5> gate.

<4>

She ran up the ramp <3> and launched <2> herself into the <1> event horizon.

Kerry seemed to realise where she was now, and wiped the tears from her face that had been falling during her recount of the fateful moments that led to her time travel. She wasn't the only one with tears. Even General Hammond was moved by the sorrow in Kerry's final words. She had to save them.

Kerry cleared her throat and took a few sips from her glass. Janet and Sam finally understood what terrors the girl had been facing while she thrashed about in her sleep, and the pain she must feel every time she looked at them.

The General cleared his throat. "I think that's enough for now. I'm sure the Doctor needs to get Kerry back to the infirmary for some rest."

"Yes, Sir." Janet said.

"Thank you, Kerry." Hammond tried to smile reassuringly at the girl.

Kerry nodded, but said nothing further. She didn't speak at all as Janet wheeled her back to her bed, or as she helped her in. Janet couldn't help but stay with Kerry as she stared blankly up at the ceiling. Janet held Kerry's hand firmly, but felt no gentle squeeze in return. It was as if Kerry had withdrawn into herself. Was it to stop the pain? No, Kerry surely knew that it wouldn't. Janet sat there thinking as her staff continued to work diligently around her.

Sam sat there staring at the dismantled motorcycle. She had gone there after the debriefing. She wouldn't have been able to tell anyone how long she'd been sitting there before Daniel popped his head in.

"Sam?" he asked as he stepped into the room. "Sam."

She looked up at him blankly for a moment then realised she was being spoken to. "Daniel! Sorry, I was, um… thinking."

"I've been thinking too. I find it very odd that a 20 year old could come to work in a facility like this, let alone to speak with such maturity and experience. How does that happen?" Daniel said, mainly to vocalise his thoughts, but also because Sam was probably wondering the same thing.

"I don't know. To be honest, I'm not sure if I want to know." Sam looked away and began to put her bike back together.

Daniel was shocked, "What do you mean you don't want to know? How can you not?"

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it. Look, I'm pretty busy right now. I'll see you later." Sam said without even glancing up once. She continued to replace part after part, using whatever tool was necessary.

Daniel stood there for a moment in shock at Sam's dismissal. What was wrong with her? He thought. Whatever the problem, now was not to time to fish for answers. Knowing her for years, he knew she needed space to sort out what was in her head first, before trying to explain it to anyone else.

Janet was lost in her own thoughts when Daniel came up behind her. He didn't speak, but merely watched the scene in front of him.

Janet was sitting silently holding Kerry's hand. Kerry was not giving any pressure in return, but lay there with her eyes closed. Her breathing suggested she was awake, but he couldn't say for certain with this stranger. Questions began to circle in his head again and he withdrew in silence, not wanting to disturb anyone in their own reveries.

PART 3

Three days had passed since Kerry's debriefing of the team. Everyone had been out of sorts, for various reasons. Daniel had been quiet with his own thoughts and theories, Jack and Teal'c had been doing physical training together but neither were interested in conversation, General Hammond had done his usual duties but without his normal enthusiasm, Janet had been switching between trying to get all her work done, spending time with a very reserved Kerry and keeping track of Cassie, and Sam had been avoiding everyone. She had even left the base after a day and had not returned.

Kerry had barely spoken to anyone, only answering the nurse's and Janet's medical related questions. Every time Janet had asked about something more personal Kerry would just brush it off, saying she was tired.

Today was different. Although she was still reserved with the nurses, when Janet came in for her afternoon shift Kerry cleared her throat to get Janet's attention. When Janet looked over Kerry put on her best pleading face. Janet, the ever dutiful mother, was caught, hook line and sinker.

"Hey there," Janet said as she reached the bedside.

"Hey."

Janet showed false shock. "Wow, that's more than I have been getting lately. You must be feeling better!"

Blushing with guilt, Kerry answered, "Sorry."

"Well, you're talking to me now, and that's the important bit. How are you feeling?" Janet started by feeling Kerry's forehead for a temperature, followed by holding her wrist to check her pulse.

"Still a bit sore."

"Considering I've seen the footage of you coming through the gate, that's not surprising."

Kerry looked down and started fiddling with the corner of her sheet.

"What's wrong? I haven't seen you fidget before. But I know there's something Sam wants to talk about when she does it. Spill it kiddo."

"I want to go home."

"Home?"

Kerry just nodded in response.

"Home as in…?"

"When I'm from we all live at your house. That is our home." Kerry looked up at her mother. "I don't want to be here. I want to go home."

Janet paused, unsure what to say.

"Can you ask General Hammond, please?" Kerry had a real pleading look on her face this time. "I'll be good, I promise!"

"I know." Janet smiled. "You being good isn't the issue."

"Me being from the future is?"

"Well, probably, yes. I'm not sure if he will allow it." Janet looked concerned. "And what would we tell Cassie? I don't think 'Hi darling, this is your little sister from the future. Don't tell Sam,' is going to work."

"Why not?"

Janet snorted, "You've got to be kidding me! Do you know how close those two are?"

"Yes."

Janet paused again. "Right. Well, then you know what I'm talking about."

"Cassie and I are close too. I mean, we will be. Don't worry, she'll understand." Kerry tried to reassure the flustered doctor.

"And what about this time rules thing?" Janet waved her hand about.

"Temporal Law. And I've already broken most of it so I might as well go the whole nine yards. Why stop now when my military career is already over with the risk of jail for life? No point dwelling in the past." Kerry laughed, "Oh wait! I am!"

Janet squinted, "Have the nurses you given anything I don't know about?"

"No. I just really want to go home." Kerry swallowed, "I've had my whole family killed, had to come back in time alone to save the universe, and all I want to do is curl up on the lounge with my parents and my big sis watching whatever rubbish is on TV. Or even a movie! I love old movies like St Trinian's, or Imagine Me & You! Please mum, please make the General say yes!"

Janet sighed. "Alright. I will talk to him. But no promises, ok?"

"Ok." Kerry smiled genuinely for the first time since everything changed.

"And what do you mean 'old movies'?"

"Come in." General Hammond ordered from behind his desk.

He had just been interrupted from his thoughts on the past few weeks. He had recently taken to sitting at his desk deep in thought, and was often interrupted with one crisis or another, as was the way of life in the SGC. But this time it was Doctor Janet Fraiser who opened his door, without any sign of urgency.

"Doctor, please take a seat." He sat up straighter. "What can I do for you?"

"Kerry has a request, Sir."

"Does she? And what would this request be?" Hammond laced his fingers together and rested his clasped hands on his desk.

"She would like to be able to leave the base and stay at my house, Sir."

General Hammond was silent for a moment. Janet was worried he was going to refuse. He had that familiar frown across his brow, after all.

"Although we know who she is, I will let her go on the proviso that one of SG-1 or yourself is with her at all times."

"Yes, Sir." Janet said, surprised at how easy that had been.

"What about Cassandra?"

Janet paused, "Kerry said she would explain as briefly as possible. Cassie is very mature and would understand. We know that she wouldn't discuss it with anyone given her history."

Hammond nodded.

"What about Sam? She hasn't been on base which is rare enough, but she hasn't answered my calls either. Have you heard anything?" Concern shone from Janet's eyes.

"She said she had some things to take care of off base, and then she left. I will call her and update her on the situation."

"Yes, Sir." Janet looked away.

Hammond noticed the gesture, "What would you prefer me to say to her?"

"Sir, she still doesn't know about Kerry being her, our daughter. When I spoke to Daniel yesterday he said Sam was acting a bit strange before she left. He said that she reacted oddly when he mentioned Kerry. Perhaps that's why she's left the base? Because she senses something about Kerry?" Janet spoke to reflect her thoughts.

"Perhaps. What do you propose, Doctor?"

"What if we tell Sam that Kerry is her daughter? Then that would explain any of the 'weird' vibes that Sam may have been getting."

"And you?"

"She must not know about my involvement. All we should tell her is that I kept it secret under your orders and that you have now decided she should know."

"What does Kerry think of this?"

Janet looked at her hands, "I haven't spoken to her about it yet."

"I would do so before you tell Major Carter." The General suggested.

"I don't think I should be the one to tell her."

"Then who should? I don't think Kerry is in the best state to do it. Her emotional state is fragile enough as it is without trying to explain something like that to someone who is possibly avoiding her."

"You could tell her."

"I could." Hammond paused. "You go and talk to Kerry. I'll call Sam now. Kerry can go home with you tomorrow afternoon after your shift."

"Thank you, Sir."

"What?!?" Kerry exclaimed. "I don't think that's a good idea!"

"Kerry, hear me out." Janet placed her hand on Kerry's arm to try and calm her. "Sam will have no idea about my relation to you, you can explain it however you want to Cassie, and you get to go home. And if Sam is suspicious about you staying at my house then I can tell her that you still need to have medical supervision."

"This is a disaster waiting to happen." Kerry said, shaking her head.

Janet held up her hands, "Hey, you're the one that asked to go home."

"I didn't mention anything about telling the others who my parents are!" Kerry whispered in frustration, not wanting to raise her voice too high.

"Sam, not the others."

"They'll find out. I know what we're like." Kerry folded her arms as best she could and put on her pouting face.

The car pulled into pulled into the driveway and came to a stop. Janet glanced over at Kerry who had dozed off about 15 minutes ago. Although she had many forms of proof, at times it was still hard to believe that the young woman in the passenger seat was her daughter. And a daughter that she would one day share with her best friend none the less!

"Kerry."

Nothing.

"Kerry. Wake up sweetie. We're home." Janet squeezed Kerry's arm because shaking that side would cause pain.

Kerry shifted slightly, "Home?"

"Home."

Janet undid her and Kerry's seatbelts then got out of the car. She walked around to the passenger side and opened the door. Kerry had her eyes open and was looking around through half closed eyes.

"It looks a little different."

Janet smiled, remembering her first conversation with Kerry, "At least 20 years will do that to a place."

Kerry looked at Janet, getting the reference. "You think you're funny."

Janet smirked. "Come on. You've got a sister to meet."

Janet helped Kerry out of the car and then grabbed a bag from the back. Kerry followed just behind Janet, nervous of the events ahead of her. Janet opened the door and stood to the side to let Kerry in. Kerry paused for a moment then slowly crossed the threshold.

Immediately she felt a wave of warmth and comfort wash over her, but there was something unfamiliar about the place, something odd. It felt like the air was energised. Stepping further into the house she could hear the TV go silent. Was it turned off or put on mute? As she was about to turn into the family room a figure appeared in the hallway.

"Hi."

"Jordan, thanks for taking care of Cassie this afternoon." Janet came to stand beside Kerry.

"It's no problem at all, Janet. Gives me time to wind down from my work. Cass is just up in her room doing her homework."

"Good." Janet noticed the strange look on Kerry's face. "Jordan, this is Kerry, a family friend. Kerry, this is Jordan, my neighbour who is kind enough to look after Cassie occasionally."

Jordan held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you Kerry."

Kerry cleared her throat, "Likewise."

Kerry took the proffered hand and both women felt a jolt pass between them, although neither acknowledged it. They let go quickly and hid their emotions from their faces.

"Will $50 do?"

"What?" Jordan looked at Janet.

"$50?"

"No. I mean, it's alright. I don't want anything. As I said, it was good to take a break from my work."

"Oh, ok then. Thank you." Janet frowned slightly. "Speaking of which, how is the new piece coming? Will it be ready for your exhibition?"

"I think so, yes."

"Exhibition?" Kerry asked, curious about the stranger standing before her.

"Our Jordan here is a very talented artist, although she rarely says as much."

Jordan blushed, "I am just expressing myself through art, that's all. If people like or don't like it then that's up to them."

"See what I mean?" Janet smiled. "She has an exhibition at the local gallery on Friday night."

"Are you guys still coming?"

Janet paused, "Someone has to stay here to look after Kerry, but I'll ask if Sam can take Cassie."

"Why complicate things?" Jordan waved her hand. "Kerry, would you like to come? That way the good Doctor can look after you there."

Kerry smiled, "I'd love to."

"It's settled then. You can all come and enjoy the free drinks."

"Drinks?" Kerry's eye lit up. Between the pain medication and alcohol she wouldn't feel the aching of her ribs or memories. It was almost too perfect! Almost…

"No." Janet said sternly. "One, you're only 20, and two, there is no way in the whole history of the universe that I will let you drink with that medicine in your system."

"Well, there was this one time…" Kerry's words died as she received Janet's look of death. "I'll be sitting on the lounge. Nice to meet you Jordan. I'll see you Friday if I am allowed."

Janet watched Kerry awkwardly move past Jordan and into the family room. She shook her head and moved aside as Jordan walked past.

"Don't mind us. Kerry's recovering from a few injuries right now."

"It's quite alright. I should be heading off anyway. Plenty to do tomorrow as you can imagine."

Janet nodded. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Jordan was half way out the door when she turned back to Janet. "Tell Kerry I hope she feels better soon, and I really would like her to come to my exhibition if you'd let her."

"I will. Tell her that is" Janet winked. "We'll see how she is on Friday as to whether I'll let her or not.

"Thanks. Well, goodnight."

"Night, Jordan."

Janet carried the bag of fatigues and medicine into the family room and found Kerry channel hopping with mute on. "I see you've mastered the archaic technology already."

Without removing her eyes from the screen Kerry answered, "It's runs in the family."

Janet chuckled. "I know."

Janet came to stand behind Kerry and leant on the lounge, and watched what was being shown on the TV. Nothing particularly interesting was on; the news, a soap and sports. What Kerry was really dwelling on was the two conversations soon to take place: the first with Cassie, and the second when Sam arrived. She couldn't decide which one she was more nervous about.

"Do you want me to call Cassie down now?" Janet asked.

"Ummm," Kerry still hadn't chosen between her two approaches. "I guess I'll wing it like everything else. I'd ask 'what do I have to lose?' but I already know the answer to that."

Janet gave Kerry's good shoulder a comforting squeeze. "Cass! We're home!"

"We?!?"

"Come down please! Stop making me yell!"

Footsteps were heard along the landing, and then down the staircase. Cassie walked into the room and stopped, looking between her mother and the stranger for answers.

"Cass, this is Kerry. She's going to be staying with us for a little bit."

"Hi." Kerry said, clearly nervous.

"Hi." Cassie said in return.

"Cassie, why don't you sit down with Kerry while she explains why she's here, and I'll go think up a dinner plan." Janet smiled and gave Kerry's shoulder one last squeeze before walking off to the kitchen.

Cassie looked at Kerry warily before making her way to one of the single seaters. "So, how do you know mum?"

Kerry chuckled nervously, "It's funny you should ask… I, um, well it's a long story."

"Good, it'll keep me from doing my homework longer then."

A genuine smiled graced Kerry's lips before she made the mental transition to 'explaining tone'. "I'm from the future, sent back in time to save SG-1 from being killed and subsequently saving the world and countless others."

Cassie blinked for a second, although for someone in her early teens she was quick to recover, "So you're an alien?"

"Nope, just your regular run-of-the-mill human. Well, for the most part. At the moment I'm a genetic mystery but they'll figure that out one day."

"But that still doesn't answer how you know my mum and why you're staying here and not at the SGC."

"Well, the answer to that is a bit sensitive, so I'll have to get you to promise that you won't repeat what I tell you to anyone but me or Janet."

"Sure, whatever."

"No, Cass, I need you to promise me. Swear to me on Janet's life that you will not discuss it with anyone except Janet or myself unless she or I say you can."

"You're serious, aren't you?"

"Very."

"Fine. I swear."

Kerry looked at her a moment.

"I swear on mum's life that I won't discuss what you tell me with anyone but you or mum without permission."

"Alright, good, well now that that's settled. I'm staying here because Janet is my mum, which is obviously how I know her."

"What? That's impossible. Mum doesn't have a boyfriend."

"I know. Nor will she."

"I don't get it." Cassie shook her head.

"You know who she likes, right?"

Cassie squinted her eyes, "Maybe."

"Well that person is my other parent."

"Impossible! Now I know you're lying."

"I'm not lying, Cass."

"Stop calling me Cass. You're not my sister."

"I am whether you like it or not. I have just seen everyone I care about killed before I came here, and now they don't even know me," Kerry was crying now. "Don't you think if I could make everything better by clicking my fingers I would? Mum is struggling to keep her feelings in check because she can't tell them about our relationship, G-Man is trying to keep a lid on everything, Sam-mum has been avoiding me and is feeling God knows what since she was just told that I was her daughter but no one will tell her with who, and now you're accusing me of lying when all I'm trying to do is save your life!"

Kerry was shaking now. She was so emotionally and physically drained that she couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

"I, I'm sorry." Cassie got up and sat on the lounge beside Kerry, unsure of how to take her pain away. She tried to think what her mum would do in this situation and put her arm behind Kerry and rubbed her back in the most soothing way she could.

Janet walked past at that moment and stopped in the archway to take in the scene. She debated whether she should help to comfort the distraught woman or let her daughters be. In the end she decided to help and walked around the lounge to sit on the other side of Kerry, her injured side. Kerry jerked slightly with another body beside her but the tension dissipated shortly after Janet pulled her into a mother's hug.

They sat like this for some time, Janet hugging Kerry while Cassie rubbed her back gently. The shaking and tears had stopped by the time the doorbell rung. Kerry sat up straight and regretted it immediately. She held her side and clenched her jaw to ride out this latest assault of pain.

"Easy!" Janet frowned. "Cassie, stay here with Kerry. I'll get the door. Remember what Kerry told you about what to say to who."

"Yes, mum." Cassie said in submission.

Janet stood up and pushed a strand of Kerry's hair behind her ear before heading towards the door. Kerry just stared straight ahead. She looked scared out of her wits.

"Kerry, you need to breathe." Cassie elbowed Kerry gently.

Kerry took a deep breath and looked at Cassie, attempting a slight smile. "Thanks. I forgot about that."

Cassie turned to look behind Kerry, "Hi Sam!"

"Hey Cass. How'd that science project go?"

"Really well. I got an A-."

"That's a good mark. You should be proud."

"Yep." Cassie looked at the still terrified Kerry. "I need to go finish my homework. I'll see you two after."

Sam walked around the lounge and sat next to Kerry, with her nervous hands positioned on her knees.

Sam cleared her throat. "Hi."

"Hi." Kerry's reply was barely above a whisper.

"I guess you're not going to explain more than you already have, right?"

Kerry shook her head.

"Didn't think so…" Sam paused for some moments. "So, um…" Sam let out a frustrated sigh and clasped her hands together on her lap.

This was not going the way Kerry planned. Not that she had planned anything in particular, she just knew how she didn't want it to go, and awkward was at the top of that long list. She mimicked the position of Sam's hands with her own and sighed as well, audibly with more sadness than frustration. Sam looked at her with concern.

"This must be hard for you as well." Sam admitted.

"Well, it's no picnic." Kerry conceded.

"No. It's not." Sam frowned. "There are so many questions! I want to ask them all, but I know you won't answer. Whoever came up with this Temporal Law thing has a lot to answer for."

Kerry genuinely laughed at this, and then clutched her sides with the resulting pain. Sam gripped her shoulder and laid a hand on her knee, "Whoa, easy there."

"Sorry, it's just… well, um… you wrote the core structure of the Temporal Law…" Kerry tried not to laugh again at Sam's face.

"Oh, well that figures. I would do something like that." Sam gave a small smile. "So I only have myself to blame?"

Kerry nodded. "Yep."

The rest of the night passed quite quickly and without incident. Kerry and Sam didn't talk much longer before Janet came in and asked what Kerry wanted on her pizza. After sharing 2 pizzas, one being Kerry's cheese and bacon and the other a toppings galore, they settled down to watch a movie. Cassie and Kerry sat between Janet and Sam on the long lounge, which soon led to Kerry falling asleep with her head on Sam's shoulder shortly into the movie.

Janet couldn't help but smile at the scene. Her future daughter and her future partner? If she hadn't already seen unbelievable things working at the SGC she wouldn't have believed it. Even now she barely did. She gave Cassie a quick squeeze around the shoulders. Cassie wasn't far off from falling asleep either, but luckily the movie was almost over.

Once the credits started rolling Janet pushed Cassie up and ordered her to bed. It was one of the few times she didn't protest. That left the problem of a sleeping 20 year old leaning on Sam. Sam smiled at Janet, which contained the faintest of smirks.

"The spare room is ready." Janet spoke softly.

"I'll carry her up." Sam moved to try and cradle the younger frame.

Janet shook her head. "No. We'll wake her up."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Doctor's orders."

"Yes Ma'am!" Sam saluted with her free hand.

"Kerry, sweetie, wake up," Janet squeezed Kerry's right shoulder. "You need to go to bed."

A grunt came from the limp form.

Sam pushed and held Kerry into an almost sitting position, "Kerry wake up."

Another grunt.

"Don't argue with your mother. Up and to bed now."

A shorter but more powerful grunt was heard as Kerry's body stiffened and held itself up. "I'm sleepy."

Both women laughed. "We know. That's why we're taking you to bed. Janet says the spare room is ready."

Sam stood and held her hands out to Kerry, who took them and was carefully helped up. Through instinct and experience she stood straight up and wrapped her arms around Sam's waist and leant on her mother. Sam closed her eyes and hugged her daughter back, the weight of the situation almost overwhelming her. They stood like this for a moment before Sam stepped back and, with her hand on Kerry's back, led her to the spare room upstairs.

Kerry didn't even bother changing into something else to sleep in. She got under the covers after taking her boots and socks off and lay on her right side. Kerry wrapped her arms around Sam's neck, pulling her down into a hug.

"Goodnight mum." Kerry said sleepily, mentally saying 'I love you' as well.

Sam pulled the blankets up to Kerry's shoulders. "Goodnight sweetie."

Sam turned off the bedroom light and half closed the door to block out the hallway light. She smiled at her daughter, the idea of being a mother growing even more on her. She's been a second mum to Cassie, for the most part, and has loved every minute of raising the alien girl with Janet. This was different though, but apart from Kerry being her own flesh and blood she couldn't say how.

Janet was finished tidying the kitchen by the time Sam walked in. She poured Sam a glass of water and refilled her own. It was something they both did before bed, reminding Janet how well they knew each other, and had so many little things in common. Both drank their glasses, Sam refilling hers and draining it before either spoke.

Sam opened her mouth to speak, but closed it again.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Janet said, her eyes looking at random spots on the floor.

"You couldn't. I understand." Sam responded calmly.

Janet looked into blue eyes. Oh, how she wanted to tell Sam everything and just fall into her arms! But now was not the time. Kerry had confirmed what she already knew. She would just have to bite her tongue and keep her hands to herself.

Sam gave a small shy smile, "Do you mind if I sleep upstairs with you? If she has another nightmare…"

"I know. You want to be close to her." Janet swallowed. "And I don't mind at all." She put the glasses in the sink and slowly headed back upstairs. "It's not the first time we've shared a bed, and I'm sure it won't be the last." Janet grinned and turned off the last of the lights, Sam right behind her.

PART 4

The smell of pancakes wafted into the room. Kerry breathed deeply, inhaling the familiar scent. It was almost like she was home. The sounds, the smells, all correct but the memories negated them. She was home alright, just not the home she should be at. After gingerly stretching and swinging her legs to sit on the edge of the bed she opened her eyes and looked around the familiarly strange bedroom. It was still the spare room when she was from, it just was decorated differently.

"Cassie! Get dressed for school now!" Janet's yelling reminded Kerry even more how bizarre things were.

Still wearing the fatigues and black shirt from the base Kerry stood slowly then made her way downstairs to the kitchen. Sam was making pancakes under Janet's watchful eye, while Janet was puttering around getting ready for work. Some things never change! Kerry thought to herself.

"Morning." Kerry announced cheerfully, reliving a scene she'd experienced hundreds of times before.

"Good morning Kerry. Do you like pancakes?" Sam asked with a slight tone of apprehension.

Kerry grinned, "Of course! I don't think you could be a part of this family and not like them." Kerry realised what she just said and looked up in alarm at Sam, but Sam was already back to concentrating on her cooking. Kerry shared a sheepish smile with Janet as she sat down at the table.

Cassie came down not long after, dressed and carrying her school bag. She sat at the table next to Kerry just as Sam was dishing up breakfast. Cassie was already halfway through her second pancake when Janet sat down with two mugs of coffee, for the two adults of course, and began eating. The pancakes were as wonderfully delicious as Kerry remembered, so she savoured each bite and the experience of having breakfast with her family again, however different it currently was.

The back patio was warm to sit on, heated by the morning and midday sun. The hardwood decking moved slightly as Kerry crossed her legs and rested her hands on her knees. She breathed in deeply smelling the flowers of her mother's garden. It was one of her favourite places to sit and think, amongst the ever changing aroma.

It had been a while since she had sat out here. Life at the SGC had been so hectic with the war. She kept thinking if maybe she could have done something different that it'd all be different, and she wouldn't have been thrust into the past to save the day, alone. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the horrific memories of those last days in her own time.

There was a noise to her right. She looked over to the fence and saw Janet's neighbour Jordan scraping leaves out of her gutter. She must have been standing on a ladder. Kerry watched her for a moment, puzzled.

Jordan looked around and saw Kerry watching her. Jordan smiled and waved with a gloved hand. "Hi there!"

"Hello." Kerry responded with cheer that didn't reach her centre.

"Nice day to be outside isn't it?"

Kerry nodded.

"I couldn't just be inside painting all day, nor could I paint outside." Jordan sighed. "The paint dries too quickly out here. And I needed to get these leaves out anyway."

"Some things must be done." Kerry replied with a tone of sadness.

Jordan must have picked up on this. A look of concern flashed across her face, though went unnoticed by Kerry. "Want some company with… whatever it is… you're doing? What are you doing anyway?"

Kerry laughed at the quizzical look. "Well, I am trying to meditate." She gave a half laugh and shrugged with her good shoulder. "But it's not working. I can't seem to clear my mind."

"Maybe if we both try?" Jordan said before she climbed down the ladder and moved it next to the fence. She climbed up and jumped the fence, landing with a soft thud on the grass.

"Maybe…" Kerry was most curious when Jordan joined her on the patio in the same seating position about an arms length away. With one last smile Jordan looked ahead, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Kerry took the cue and did the same, trying to concentrate only on her breathing.

They must have been sitting there for some time, because by the time Kerry had became re-aware of her surroundings the sun showed that it was much later in the afternoon, perhaps 1500 or 1600. Maybe the two of them making the effort did make a difference. It was still warm and the sun still hadn't reached them under the awning yet. Kerry stretched her upper body, finding it hurt less than she expected.

She looked at Jordan, who still had her eyes closed. It seemed as if she was concentrating rather than meditating. Kerry watched the pensive face and took a mental note of Jordan's fine features: her wavy dark brown hair, her petite figure, although not stature because Kerry distinctly remembered looking slightly up into deep brown eyes upon their first meeting, and perhaps her most attractive feature to Kerry was her positive aura, although she couldn't see that.

Not wanting to disturb her, Kerry just gazed around the garden in silence, strangely feeling calm and rested. A little while later Jordan sighed. Kerry looked over and smiled. "Thanks for sitting with me. You must have helped somehow because I feel better now."

Jordan smiled, "I'm glad."

Suddenly the glass door behind them slid open and Sam stepped out. "I'm going to pick up Cassie now."

"Can't I stay here?"

"You know the Doctors' orders. You can't stay alone."

"I'll stay with her." Jordan offered, and then looked at Kerry. "If that's ok."

"It's fine by me." Kerry looked up at her mother pleadingly, trying to pull that face she knew worked nearly every time. "Can I stay, please? I really don't feel like being in a moving vehicle at the moment." She tactfully held her injured side.

Hook, line and sinker. "I suppose the movement would cause your ribs discomfort… Alright, but don't tell anyone. This will need to remain a secret between us."

Kerry beamed, "Thanks!"

"The front door will be locked, and your painkillers are on the kitchen bench. You didn't take them at lunch, but also I didn't want to disturb you, so we won't tell Janet about that either."

"'Mum's the word." Kerry winked and conspiratorially tapped the side of her nose.

"Call me on my mobile if you need anything, although I'm just going around the corner."

"Precisely! So the sooner you go the sooner you get back." Kerry smiled sweetly.

Sam shook her head. "Cheeky child. I'm sure I didn't raise you to do that."

Kerry just grinned in response.

"Be good."

Kerry continued to grin until Sam was almost to the front door. She chuckled as she turned back to Jordan. "I'm going to enjoy messing with her. Unfortunately I know I will be made to regret it later."

"What makes you say that?"

"Oh, it's just a matter of time." Kerry laughed at her own joke.

Sam and Cassie returned to the house to find the girls still sitting out the back talking. Sam gave Cassie a glass of water and Kerry's painkiller and sent her outside as well.

"Sam said to take these." Cassie handed her load over. "Hi Jordan."

"Hi Cass. How was school? Jordan smiled.

"Oh, you know, the usual."

"Hi sis. How're you feeling?" Kerry teased Cassie with a grin as she sat down in front of them to lean against the pole.

"Hi sis. How're you feeling?" Cassie played along while pointing warningly at the medicine in Kerry's hands.

"Relatively alright. Thank you for asking." Kerry bowed her head in acknowledgement before taking the tablets with water.

"I wonder what mum's going to do for dinner?" Cassie asked.

Kerry put her empty glass down. "I don't know. But whatever it is, I'm just happy to be eating real food again."

"Real food?" Jordan enquired.

"I've just spend the last few weeks in the base infirmary. Even field rations would have been a delicacy!"

They all laughed.

"What are you having for dinner Jordan? Maybe we can give 'the adults' some ideas."

Jordan tilted her head to the side in contemplation. "Well, I haven't thought about it. I guess whatever I can make from the contents of my fridge."

"Have dinner with us!" Cassie bounced. "You're already here so you might as well. Plus, it saves you making something. I don't like cooking dinner. I leave that to mum."

Kerry smirked, "I know."

Jordan smiled sincerely, "I'd love to, if Janet and Sam don't mind."

"I'm sure they won't." Cassie grinned mischievously.

She wanted to be happy. She really did. Her closest family and friends were with her, but it just didn't feel right. She laughed and joked at their antics over the afternoon barbeque, and in those brief moments she felt a semblance of joy. But now there was that increasingly familiar ache in her heart, the one that pulsated through her chest and spread to the tip of every limb.

Jack and Sam were playing Twister with Cassie while Janet spun the needle on the board and laughed at them. Teal'c sat next to Janet and watched with his eyebrow raised. He was amused, Kerry knew, but he would never laugh openly at the folly. Daniel sat opposite Kerry at the small outdoor table with a half finished game of Uno between them. Janet wouldn't allow Kerry to play Twister, understandably, so Daniel volunteered play something else.

Uno was Kerry's idea. It was a classic game that she often liked to play at these barbeques, although Teal'c was her favourite to play with, his stoic expressions never giving anything away. Daniel was easy to read. Right now he had 2 cards left, versus Kerry's 4. His were yellow. Kerry had a yellow skip, a blue 7 and 2, and a wild card. She had invited Jordan to come, but the artist had things to prepare for the following night's exhibition.

Daniel put his cards face down, "I still can't figure out what we're still doing at the SGC. It's at least 20 years from now and we're still saving the day?"

Kerry smiled slightly, "Teal'c is still part of SG-1 with me, you and Jack are in research/advisory roles, Janet is Chief Medical Officer again, and mum is the Chief Science Officer. As for the aging thing, well we've had quite a few advances in medicine since now. You still look dashingly handsome, don't worry"

Daniel blushed.

"It's amazing what leaps in science will occur when you bring back loads of alien technology from around the universe." Kerry added.

"So how does a 20 year old get to be a Captain in the Air Force working in the world's most top secret facility?" Daniel asked as he picked up his cards and continued to play the game.

Kerry looked at Daniel, shock clear on her face. "Ah… Are you serious?"

"Yeah…" Daniel frowned. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I can't answer that!" Kerry looked at him incredulously. She opened her mouth to speak again but closed it.

"I've been thinking. A lot. Some things just don't add up." Daniel took off his glasses and cleaned them. "You're young. Sure, you're Sam's daughter so obviously very intelligent, but it just all seems a bit surreal."

Kerry frowned down at her Uno hand trying to hide the worry she felt. She wasn't the only intelligent one at that table.

"I know you're different, special, otherwise Sam would never have let you into the program. I just can't figure out how or in what way."

Kerry sighed. He'd never give up. She knew that. "You're right."

Daniel blinked. "I am?"

"Yes." Kerry cringed. "I am different."

"How? Why?" Like a kid in a candy store Daniel couldn't hide his excitement.

"A few ways," Kerry shrugged with both shoulders. Surprisingly her shoulder and ribs were feeling much better. Perhaps being at home was the best medicine for her. "I'm faster, slightly stronger, my mind works a bit quicker. Doctors say I use more of my brain capacity than a normal human."

"Wow."

Kerry shrugged again. She really didn't want to talk about it. "Anyway, none of that matters, so forget we had this conversation. I'm here. SG-1 will live. The universe will be safe. End of story. What I can do or why is of no consequence."

Daniel looked put off but he shook the feeling, understanding Kerry's position in the matter. "Does Sam know?"

"No!" Kerry panicked. She lowered her voice when Janet and Sam looked over with concern. "And she can't know either. She will know in my own time, of course, but not now. The consequences to the timeline would be heinous! Please, you cannot tell anyone what I just told you. Please, promise me."

"I won't. I promise. Your secret is safe with me."

Kerry let out a shakey breath. She'd just have to trust him not to let it slip. She knew he'd never tell them intentionally.

PART 5

If she had to be honest she would admit to having a crush on the upcoming artist. Her mothers would say it was a school girl crush, as it usually was, but this was different and she couldn't quite work out how. It frustrated her trying to figure it out so she would just give up and say it's because she's in the past and Jordan would be way too old when she got back to her own time.

Tonight was Jordan's exhibition and Kerry was actually feeling nervous about it. When Janet asked her about it Kerry said she was feeling nervous because she'd never been to an exhibition before and didn't know what to expect.

"So you can go fight deadly alien races but you're scared about going to an art show?" Janet laughed.

"I'm not scared." Kerry said with dignity.

Janet smiled, "Then wipe that frown off your face and be glad I'm letting you go."

"Yes Ma'am!" Kerry saluted. She then turned back towards the stairs, "Hurry up squirt!"

"Who are you calling squirt?" Cassie yelled back as she ran down the stairs.

Kerry grinned when Cassie came to next her, "You."

"But I'm your older sister." Cassie tried to get the upper hand.

"Not yet, you're not." Kerry winked.

The drive there was pretty mundane. Cassie was prattling on about school, with Sam and Janet listening in rapture. Sam didn't know it yet, but this was one of those happiest moments in her life that she'll look back on when she is in peril. She had told Kerry once that whenever she was in a dangerous situation her sole thought was to make it back safely to her family: Janet and Cassie. And now her.

Kerry sat in the back with Cassie and tried to listen as much as she could. She wasn't used to Cassie talking about school, but rather her very fulfilling career. Of course she'd never tell the others what that was.

When they arrived they paid the $10 entry fee each and walked inside. Cassie was the first to speak, "Wow! I knew Jordan could paint but these are amazing!"

"She's very talented," Janet added.

Sam nodded in agreement

Kerry was mesmerised. Jordan was indeed very talented. The quality of the artwork displayed around the walls of the gallery was outstanding, and the tingling sensation heightened the excitement. Kerry ignored the goose bumps and walked over to the nearest painting, leaving the others to browse at their own leisure. It was a landscape scene, with tones of red and brown mainly. The sparse trees stood tall and defiant, reaching out to the sky with branch and leaves alike. Upon closer inspection it wasn't painted but drawn with pastels.

The next painting in the sequence along the walls had similar tones, but it was of a forest fire. Under the acrylic painting was a title of 'Rejuvenation', with accompanying text that explained that the natural Australian bushland required a periodic cleansing with fire, and that some of the plants couldn't grow unless the heat of the fire broke their seed pods open.

Kerry continued to look at each painting in detail, taking the time to examine the intricate similarities and differences in technique between each. She had never thought herself an art critic but she was extremely fascinated with Jordan's work. It was like each painting was real, and if she looked at the landscape works long enough she almost felt as if she was there.

After a while Kerry felt a presence near her. She looked around and found Jordan watching her with an unreadable expression on her face. Kerry smiled and Jordan came to stand next to her.

"What do you think?" Jordan asked, indicating the painting Kerry was looking at. It was an abstract painting. The flowing watercolours on the canvas appeared to dance to music only the vibrant hues could hear.

Kerry considered it with her head to the side then looked into Jordan's eyes, "It's beautiful."

"You like it?"

"Yes." Kerry said and nodded without hesitation.

Jordan beamed, "I'm glad. I'm also glad you could make it. I'll have to thank Janet later."

Kerry grinned, "I made her a deal."

Jordan raised her eyebrows in question.

"I won't go getting hurt again, and she lets me come tonight. I feel I'm the winner out of that one."

Jordan laughed, "Yes, it does seem that way."

"What is your inspiration?" Kerry indicated the numerous masterpieces around her. She had been dying to ask.

Jordan frowned slightly as she took a moment to think how to phrase her answer. "Many things. Life. Death. Love. Loss. Take that one there for example," she pointed at 'Rejuvenation'. "The bush must be burnt for it to survive. I've never seen such a beautiful contradiction elsewhere."

"Have you been there? To Australia?"

Jordan winked, "Not in this life."

Kerry smirked in response. "How 'new age' of you."

"I, um, was wondering something…" Jordan started fidgeting with the hem of her white blouse. She was also wearing black suit pants, Kerry noticed appreciatively.

"Yes?"

Jordan took a breath, "Did you wanna go out some time?"

Kerry just gaped at her.

"It's ok if you don't want to. I'll understand. I just…"

Kerry cut her off. "No. Yes. I mean, yes I'd love to." Kerry stumbled over her words. "But I can't..." She finished lamely.

Jordan looked dejected, "Oh…"

"I want to, I really do. But I can't. I can't explain why either. I wish I could."

"It's ok. It's fine." Jordan looked behind her. "I should continue to mingle. Potential buyers and all. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening. Bye"

"Jordan!" Kerry called but Jordan didn't stop. Kerry watched as Jordan joined a group of people looking at an arctic landscape and joined in the discussion. All Kerry could do was stand there and try to calm her breathing.

Kerry had been quiet all evening, went to bed as soon as they had got home, and barely spoke at breakfast. Sam was worried.

"Janet?" Sam followed Janet and Cassie out the front to the driveway. Janet was taking Cassie to a friend's place for a sleepover.

Janet turned to Sam and frowned at the look on the physicist's face, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I'm worried about Kerry." Sam shrugged.

Janet nodded, "She has been rather quiet. But she gets that way. Knowing what she's gone through I don't blame her."

Sam looked at the ground, "I know."

"Hey," Janet put her hand on Sam's arm. "Why don't you try talking to her? Take her for a walk. A short walk. A little fresh air might do her good."

Sam smiled, "Thanks Janet. You always know the right thing to do." Sam turned and walked back inside, leaving Janet smiling lopsidedly in her wake.

Kerry heard the car pull out of the drive while she pretended to be asleep on the lounge. She heard Sam come in and sit on the arm of the lounge. She felt fingers on the bottom of her feet, tickling to get a response. Kerry held on as long as she could before she pulled her leg away from Sam.

"Cut it out mum! That tickles!"

"That was the idea." Sam grinned, "Now come on, we're going for a walk."

"A walk? Do we have to? I'm tired."

"Don't argue. Doctors orders."

Kerry snorted and grumbled words of protest as she sat and up slowly got to her feet. "'Doctors orders' my arse. I bet 'Doctor' doesn't necessary mean M.D…."

Sam laughed. She gathered her mobile and keys while Kerry put on some shoes. She waited for Kerry at the door and opened it to let her daughter through when she approached. Kerry walked right through the door and down the steps without a word or glance to Sam. Sam followed her and they settled into a steady pace along the sidewalk.

They walked for some time in a reasonably comfortable silence. Sam watched Kerry out of the corner of her eye. Once Kerry had calmed down about going for a walk she seemed to be enjoying it. Every now and then she'd take a really deep breath, as if enjoying the fresh air. She also looked around with a constant look of wonder on her face.

When Kerry caught Sam watching her she gave a small smile, "It looks so different."

"I can imagine many things must be different where you're from, when you're from."

Kerry nodded.

"What's been on your mind? You've been very quiet since last night. Did something happen?" Sam asked, her voice full of concern.

Kerry frowned. She wasn't sure if she should tell her mother about it, or how much if she did. Sam in her time definitely wouldn't freak out about her daughter being asked out by another female, but this one was far from declaring her lesbian desires. Plus, add in the fact that Jordan was from this time and not her own and the fat lady might as well just sing now!

Sam watched the emotions play on Kerry's face. Patience wasn't one of her well known traits, but she tried to remain quiet.

"Ah…" Kerry hesitated. "I, um, well… you see… Um, Jordan asked me out last night."

Sam's eyes opened wide in shock. "She what?"

"She asked me out. On a date. Well, I think it was intended to be a date. We didn't exactly discuss the intricate details of it."

Sam swallowed. She wasn't sure how she should handle this. "What did you say?"

"No. Of course." Kerry looked uncomfortable, and a little disappointed.

"But…?"

Kerry shrugged and refused to meet Sam's eyes, "…I wanted to say yes."

"Why didn't you?" Sam asked before her brain supplied her with the answer.

Kerry snorted. "As if I could! I'm from the future, in case you didn't remember. And that's just the start of a very long list why I couldn't." Kerry clenched her jaw to fight off the tears. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I just… it's hard."

Sam put her arm around Kerry's shoulders and gave her a quick hug. "I know. I'm sorry too. I wish I could make everything better. I suppose that's what being a mum is all about. It's been less than a week since I found out. You'll have to cut me a little slack."

Kerry chuckled. "You've practically been a mother since Cassie came to Earth."

Sam waved in dismissal. "That was Janet. I just helped where I could."

"So modest, but so wrong."

Sam looked at Kerry, who returned the glance with a seemingly innocent look.

"Can you not tell Janet please? About Jordan. I don't think she'd take it too well."

"Are you saying Janet's homophobic?" Sam asked in alarm.

"No! Of course not!" Kerry said a little too quickly. "I just don't think she'd appreciate me wanting to date her neighbour who will be old enough to be my mother."

"Ah, I see your point there." Sam nodded in agreement. "Well, your secret is safe with me."

Kerry smiled warmly, "Thanks mum."

"So you like her then?"

"Who?"

"Jordan."

Kerry scratched the back of her neck. "Ah, yeah. I do." Kerry shrugged again. She was glad her shoulder felt much better. "You know how it is. You just fall for someone, the actual person. Not what they look like on the outside. Although, I'm not saying that Jordan isn't a very beautiful woman, I'm just saying she's a great person. What's not to like?"

Sam frowned a little. "I didn't think of it that way before."

"You should try it some time. It's very liberating."

"And very mature."

Kerry smiled, "I try."

On Monday morning Kerry and Cassie sat at the kitchen table chatting away about Jordan's artworks. They described their favourites and what they liked about each one, in detail, much to Sam and Janet's amusement. Sam cooked omelettes for breakfast while Janet got ready for work. Janet watched her two daughters with affection. She was going to love being a mother to both Cassie and Kerry, one day. If only she could give Sam a goodbye kiss on her way to work, Janet teasingly thought to herself.

Janet was pulled out of her fantasy when she saw Kerry lean back and stretch her arms slowly into the air. "Don't do that!"

Everyone froze. Since Janet was looking at Kerry she asked with a guilty, "Do what?"

"Don't stretch like that. Are you trying to damage the repair going on in your ribs?"

"No…" Kerry said cautiously. "It actually doesn't hurt that much. It feels a little stiff, but it's not that painful."

Janet looked at Kerry doubtfully.

"Seriously. It doesn't." Kerry put her arms down and smiled reassuringly. "I guess I forgot to mention that I heal a little faster than normal, admittedly I'm a little surprised myself at how fast this time, but the pain's going away so why question it, right?"

Janet and Sam shared a wary and concerned look. Sam was shocked by this information. "You heal faster? How?"

Like a deer caught in the headlights, Kerry struggled to come up with a response that wasn't lying, but wasn't telling the truth either. "I, um, I'm not 100% sure. But don't worry, it's nothing bad. My body mending a little quicker is a good thing. I'm not as afraid of paper cuts as some people. Of course, Daniel and especially Siler will go unmentioned in that department."

Sam knew Kerry wasn't telling them all she knew. She would just have to leave it for now and maybe ask again when they were alone. Kerry having the ability to heal faster than the average human certainly unnerved her. Could it be because she was once host to Jolinar? Could it be the chemical that was released into her body from the Antanik Armband? Could it be something else she wasn't aware of?

Part 6

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