Since Jack, Janet, and Corran were talking to Lt. Colonel Paul Davis, Sam stood with Mary Wills.
After a few hours Mary finally woke up. Mary looked around. When she saw Sam she smiled, “Whatever you did to me really knocked my lights out.”
Sam smiled, “How do you feel?”
Mary smiled back, “Refreshed. Thank you.”
Mary examined the room. She asked, “I take it I am at that Air Force Hospital?”
Sam smiled, “Not exactly, but it is part of the Air Force.”
Mary stared at Sam for a bit. She asked, “I take it you have some important to tell me?”
Sam smiled, “Yes. I was told to tell you about how we travel.”
Mary sat up as she was ready to be told the best story in her life.
Sam saw this and smiled warmly. “We go through an alien technology that we call the Stargate.”
Sam explained how the Stargate works.
Mary replied, “Cool!”
Sam smiled, “It is very cool.”
“How did you all come to get this alien technology?”
Sam told her how it was found, and the history of why it was buried.
Mary said understandingly, “I see why it is a big secret.”
Sam said straight out, “That was then, and now things are much different. I think it is time to allow the public know about the Stargate Program.”
“What about these Goa'uld characters. Will they still present a danger?”
Sam did not answer. Mary saw that.
To change the subject, Mary asked, “What happen to you Sam?”
Sam was about to walk away. Mary gently grabbed her hands. “I am here for you as you were for me. It is okay.”
Sam was not looking at her. Sam said, “No, it is not okay.”
Mary gently said, “Sam, please look at me.”
When Sam did, Mary asked again, “What happened?”
Sam said, “I went through horrors that I never experience in all my combat training, or on the field.”
Mary softly said, “Please tell me about them.”
Sam shook her head. “It hurts far too much to even talk to my friends about it.”
Mary said, “I love you Sam. All I want is you to have the best life you can for what you have done for me.”
Sam sighed, “It is not like I do not want to talk to you about what happen. Dammit! I want to scream it out, but something is keeping me from doing it.”
Mary said with a smile, “I would not doubt it is this energy field you all call the Force that is keeping you from all the sudden blurt it out.”
Sam asked with amazement, “What do you mean?”
“It was the Force through you that saved my life, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Now it is saving your life.”
Sam gave her a big smile, “Thanks Mary.”
“It is the least I can do for you.”
To change the subject, once again, Mary asked, “So when are we going through this Stargate?”
“That is why I was told to tell you about the Stargate. It was to get you ready for what to expect. When they are through talking...”
A knock on the door interrupted her. Sam, through the Force, realized who it was. Sam said, “Come in all.” As they were walking in Sam said, “You met Dr. Frasier and Jack. Let me introduced you to my Master, Corran Horn.”
Mary gave him a big smile. “It is an honor to meet you.”
Corran replied with a smile, “Thank you. It is an honor to meet you too.”
“I take it traveling through this Stargate does not take that long.”
Corran smiled, “No it does not. How would you like to travel through it?”
Mary gave a big smile. “Yes. I would very much.”
Mary looked at Dr. Frasier. “The doctor said she wanted to do a few test on me first.”
“Yes I did. The human body does go through a lot through a worm hole, trust me.”
“I trust all of you.”
“If you will excuse me, Jack is going to take me to dinner.” As Sam was about to walk out with Jack, she asked her Master, “Are you coming with us?”
“You two love birds go ahead. I will stay with Mary.” Corran looked at Mary and continued, “If you do not mind me doing so?”
Mary gave a big smile, “Are you kidding. I have so many questions. I do not know where to start.”
Corran and Sam looked at each other due to Mary's enthusiasm.
Before Sam and Jack left, Mary said, “Have a good time with your honeymoon you two.”
Jack blinked his right eye at her.
After they left, Corran quietly took a seat.
Mary asked Corran, “Well Master Jedi what do you see in me?”
“You are a very open minded person.”
“It does not take much to know that you want to know about a person that wants to go to galaxy far, far away.”
“I trust Sam enough to know that you are a good person”
Mary excitingly said, “I get it. You were monitoring me in getting Sam to talk about how she feels regarding all the horrors she faced.”
Corran gave a big smile. “I see how Sam is so opened minded herself. Is everyone on Earth this way?”
Mary sighed, “I wished. She wants to open up, but it is something more than buried feelings. Sam is one special person. Whoever took her, I think that person knows the power Sam has in her. For some reason Sam came in that restaurant I was working in. She happened to be at the table I had my small heart attack. I do not call that a coincidence.”
“I do not either. You are right. She wants to open up, and I believe it has nothing to do with the fears she has faced.”
“What could it be then?”
Corran sighed, “I wished I knew.”
Mary said understandingly, “Sam appears to be behaving normally. The only logical think I can come up with is that someone has deliberately blocked Sam from talking.”
“As I told her, what has been put on her is a very old torture technique that has been illegal for many, many years. The only way for Sam to break through is by her opening up.”
Mary felt like crying for Sam. Mary breathed out, “Whatever happened to her, she is one special lady, and it has nothing to do with saving my life.”
Dr. Frasier said, “Sam is one special person, and it has nothing to do with the Force.”
Mary asked her, “What do you mean?”
Dr. Frasier answered, “Did Sam talk to you about the Tok'ra?”
“A little bit, but not all that much.”
Dr. Frasier told her more about the Tok'ra, and about Jolinar and Sam.
After hearing everything what Dr. Frasier said to her, she asked, “How did Sam react after Jolinar died for her?”
“Due to Sam's love for others, she felt very sad.”
Mary replied sadly, “Like it was her fault?”
Dr. Frasier nodded.
Mary looked at Corran. “How can I get her to stop blaming herself for what has recently happened to her?”
“That was what I been finding from you through the Force. You did something to Sam that caused her to open up, even though it was a very small bit.”
Mary smiled, “What did you find in me? Am I able to use this Force, and be trained as a Jedi Knight?”
“I am afraid not, but you are special.”
“How? I am a waitress at a restaurant at the end of the Universe.”
Dr. Frasier said, “Who anyone is in life has nothing to do with the work they do. It is something a lot deeper.”
“Why does Sam not understand this about herself?”
Corran smiled, “For that moment Mary, you got Sam to see it.”
Mary went wide eyed in amazement. “It seems that we need each other. I needed Sam to save my life, so I can save hers.”
Corran gave a bigger smile, “Exactly.”
**********
As Sam and Jack were going up the second elevator, Jack asked, “Does Mary knows where she is yet?”
“Unless someone else tells her, no she does not. I only told her about the Stargate and a few other things.”
“You know that Corran was monitoring you conversation with her?”
Sam smiled, “I know. I asked him to do it.”
Sam paused for a moment, “What I did not expect was what Mary did for me.”
Jack was told by Corran what had happened, but he wanted to hear it from her. Jack asked, “What was that?”
“Mary sparked something in me to see that I have a purpose in life. Regardless of what I have been through, I now see I have a purpose in my life. I do not fully understand it, but I am guessing I will soon.”
Jack replied with a smile, “You Jedi constantly amaze me.”
Sam smiled, “I did vow I will please you.”
Jack put his arms around her, and said, “Yes you did.”
They kissed and caressed each other till they reached the top.
When they reached the top, Jack said, “I think they are making the elevator move faster.”
“Sorry love. That was me. I am hungry.”
Jack smiled, “Same here love.”
They got into the limousine, and took off to the destination Jack gave the driver. When they walked inside the restaurant and sat down, Sam was in thought.
Jack said, “Pennies for your thoughts.”
Sam smiled, “Just thinking about what Mary and I were talking about. How much I want to talk to all of you, but it just will not come out.”
Jack replied, “In that case Sam, do not force it out. When it is the right time to talk, then you will. All of us are concerned that you will not do so when it is time.”
Sam sighed “I have been thinking that very thing, and it scares living hell of me.”
Jack gave a loving smile, “If you are thinking like that, then you will not go crazy.”
Sam frown, “Jack, when I was in that cell, I went more than crazy. How I rebounded from it, I do not know.”
Jack understood, “Are you feeling like you did?”
“NO! Thank God for that. I think being here on Earth is helping, but I am not done with a galaxy far, far away. I do not think I ever will be.”
Jack smiled, “Seems like everything is turning out super for you.”
Sam smiled back, “Of course. I am married to you after all.”
For the remaining time at the restaurant Sam and Jack just talked about everything else in their lives that had nothing to do with the Jedi Knights, Earth, or where ever. For that time, they were the only two people in existence. Their love for each other was the only thing that mattered to them. When they were done eating, they went back to their apartment. They continued with their love for each other.
**********
Four days had passed since Sam and Jack had been back on Earth. They had the last three days completely uninterrupted. That afternoon while Jack was elsewhere talking to Colonel Davis on the phone, Sam was alone meditating in the Force as she was sitting on a bench.
All the sudden Sam blurted out, “Oh my God.” Through the Force, Sam saw someone was planning to jump from a nearby building, and no one had noticed it.
Since she was alone, Sam quickly used the Force to get herself behind that building. Sam looked to make sure there was no one around before jumping all the way to the top.
She quickly and quietly moved to where she needed to go. When Sam was several feet near the lady that was about to jump, Sam used the Force to gently allow the lady to know she was there.
The lady immediately screamed, “Stay back, or I will jump!”
Sam slowly sat on the ground American Indian style. “As you can see, I am sitting.”
The lady turned around and saw Sam was sitting on the ground. Sam smiled, “I am Samantha Carter O'Neill. What is your name?”
The lady said with a bitter tone, “My name is Kim....Kim Matthews.”
Sam smiled, “It is good to meet you Kim.”
“How did you know I was up here? I just walked up here a few minutes ago.”
Sam answered, “Believe it or not, I felt you were up here.”
Kim started to cry. “My whole life has been shattered. My boy friend had been verbally abusing me, lost my job...” Kim cried even louder. She continued, “If I do not find the income, I can lose my baby.”
Kim cried and cried. Kim looked right at Sam and asked, “Tell me that you have not faced anything like that.”
Sam replied with no expression, “What you have faced is horrific, but I have faced a lot worse that I hope you will never have to go through.”
Kim said in a crying voice, “What was that?”
For the first time in Sam's life, she has told a person what she has been through. Sam did not leave out any details. After hearing everything that Sam said to her, Kim asked, “How in fucking hell did you survive going through all that?”
Sam swallowed hard, “Kim to this day, I do not know. Sometimes I still wonder if I will ever recover.”
Kim wiped the tears off her face, and walked away from the edge of the building. Kim walked closer to Sam.
Kim asked, “Who are you? I know you name, but there is something about you that has to be something special to live through all that you have been through.”
“I do not know about anything special, but I do have something that right now no one on Earth has.”
Kim sat down in front of Sam in the same manner as Sam was sitting. Kim asked, “Please tell me.”
“One day when I was at the spice mines, I was rescued by a female that had the most amazing abilities that I had never seen in my life. She not only removed the collar that was around my neck, but she deactivated that chip behind my neck that my captors used to torture me. She did these things without touching anything. She did not use any electronic device. She controlled an energy field that these Jedi Knights called the Force.”
“Shortly after, I started being trained to be a Jedi Knight. A moment ago, I was meditating in the Force on a bench not that far from this building. That was when I felt your presence, and that you were about to jump off this building.”
Kim asked, “And you rescued me as this Jedi Knight did for you?”
Sam smiled, “It is you that has rescued yourself.”
“I still am facing the same issues. I still feel so violated from the abuse he gave me. I also need a job to feed my baby girl.”
Sam was quiet for a moment. Sam finally said, “I might be able to help you. My bother runs a business. He is in advertisement.”
Sam started to stand up. Sam asked, “Can you go with me to meet him?”
Kim replied, “I have nowhere to go. My baby girl is still at my parents’ house. I usually pick her up around 5pm.”
Sam smiled, “Good. It is not that far. I first want to meet up with my husband to let him know where we will be going.”
They both took off. When they arrived at the bench Sam was sitting, Jack started to come in view.
Sam said to Kim, “I will be right back.”
Sam walked towards Jack. She told him all that went on with Kim Matthews.
Jack nodded, and Sam went to Kim's side.
Sam smiled, “Let's go.”
It did not take long before they reached the building where Sam's brother worked.
After the brother/sister greetings, Sam asked if they could talk privately.
Mark replied, “Sure. Let's go to my office.”
When they all entered, and Mark closed the door, Sam told about Kim's problems, and that she needed a job.
Mark looked at Kim, and said, “I have several job openings. I can test you on what you can do, and we can go from there. As for your abuse with your boy friend, I know of a good lawyer that can help you deal with him.”
“I am not the type for revenge. I just want him out of my life.”
Mark smiled, “I am sure you do Kim. This lawyer will help you. He can also help you in helping you raise your little girl. Getting a job here is easy enough, but getting on your feet takes a little more than that.”
Kim smiled, “I cannot thank you both enough.”
Sam smiled, “There is one thing you can do for me. Until these Jedi Knights are known to Earth, I ask that you keep what I have told you under your hat.”
Kim gave an understanding smile, “I will. I hope you can overcome all that you have been through.”
Sam sighed, “I hope so too.”
Mark said to Sam, “You appear to be a lot better from the time I was on Coruscant.”
“Yes I am, thanks to the meditation sessions we had.”
Mark smiled, “Anytime sis.”
“Being back here on Earth is doing a lot.”
Kim asked, “Excuse me for asking, but how long will you be staying?”
Sam smiled, “Jack and I will be leaving sometime today. I need to complete my training.”
Mark acted like he was upset, “Surely Corran will train you here on Earth.”
“I have been thinking of allowing him to do that, but I need to be there?”
“That is a bunch of bull! If you Master was here hearing you, I will allow him to paddle your ass good.”
Sam smiled, “It is has nothing to do with hiding in that galaxy.”
Mark still gave her that look that he did not fully believe her.
Kim said, “If I were in your position, I can understand why you want to go back, but I also see that you need to be here on Earth. After all you saved my life.”
“That is another reason why I need to go back. When I am a Knight, I can continue to do great things for everyone on Earth, and myself.”
Mark frowned, “I still would like for you to talk to your Master before you leave Earth.”
“Mark, he has given me to freedom to choose.”
“I know that bonehead, but will you choose the right thing?”
Sam thought about it for a moment and answered, “Yes, I am choosing the right thing by being fully trained there.” Seeing that Mark was not convinced, she told him all that she believed about her purpose of being in a galaxy far, far away, and what Mary had done for her recently.
Mark replied in astonishment, “You do belong to both worlds.”
“I also help the police stop some bank robbers.”
“I heard about that on the news. The police was completely baffled about how the car was stopped.”
Kim smiled, “I remembered them saying that their tires were cut in a very unique way.”
Sam grabbed her light saber, and turned it on.
Both Kim and Mark were amazed.
“This is a Jedi's weapon, a lightsaber. The Jedi Knights are there to serve and protect the peace.”
After Sam turned off her lightsaber and put it back on her belt, Kim said, “When you get back, become the best Jedi Knight in the fleet.”
Sam smiled, “I will.” Sam got up from her chair, and said to Kim, “Good luck.”
Kim stood up to give Sam a hug. Sam gave her a hug in return.
Kim said before Sam walked off, “May the Force be with you.”
Sam smiled. Sam told her goodbyes to Mark before she left.
As Sam was walking back to where Jack was waiting for her, she was starting to feel depressed. She thought talking to someone about her feelings on what she went through would help, but at the moment she felt worse. How Sam was feeling, she wanted to go back to Coruscant and stay there. Just the same, Sam was not going to quit on herself. Sam said out loud, “I am Sam O'Neil, and I am a free person.”
When she caught up with her husband, she gave him a smile. Sam said, “Thank you for putting up with me.”
Jack replied, “I am proud of you in helping these people. That is who you are after all, a person that will not turn down anyone. That is why I love you so much, lady.”
Sam asked, “How is Mary?”
Jack said, “In great health thanks to you.”
Sam gave her husband a hug. Jack hugged her back. Sam asked Jack to keep holding her.
Jack understood the moment she came up to him that something was upsetting her. Jack did not ask what it was. He patiently waited for her to tell him.
Sam told Jack that she told Kim all what she had faced in a galaxy far, far away. Sam continued, “Instead of feeling better, I am scared out of my mind.”
Jack still did not say anything. What could he say to comfort her? The only thing he could do for Sam was to show his love for her by quietly holding her in his arms. Sam just allowed Jack's love engulf her completely. It was that love which guided Sam back to where she was mentally before she helped Kim Matthews.
While still in Jack's arms, Sam said, “Thank you love. We could not have married at a better time.”
Jack smiled, “Anything for you. I after all bought you a sunny day, every day, since we been here.”
Sam laughed.
Sam sighed, “We need to get back. I have to finish my Jedi training. If I do not, I would be running from that. I am not a runner. If I am to help anyone else on this planet, I need to fulfill my life first.”
“I would not doubt that you will be training someone to be a Jedi Knight the moment we all come back to Earth.”
Sam smiled, “You do have great thoughts my love.”
“My first one was marrying you.”
Sam and Jack walked to the limousine that would take them to the SGC. When they got there, Mary and Corran were waiting for them in the Gate Room.
Sam smiled at Mary, “Ready to go?”
Mary replied, “Try to stop me. What is it like to travel through this Stargate?”
After the connection was established, Corran said, “Piece of cake.”
Mary said, “Wow! Some cake.”
Jack smiled, “Ready to travel the yellow brick road?”
Mary replied, “Let us visit the Wizard.”
They all walked through.
When they came to the end of their journey, Mary saw all the activities of Coruscant. She was acting like a kid in a candy store. There were all sorts of life forms. There were all kinds of transportation flying in the sky, and moving on the grown. There were countless things to see on a world named Coruscant.
Mary said, “I take it we are not in Kansas anymore.”
Jack replied with a smile, “Nope. I say this place is a lot better.”
“There is a lot more to see than the yellow brick road.”
Dentralla came up to them. Mary was amazed and a bit nervous on how tall this life form was in front of her.
Sam smiled, “Mary, I want you to meet a dear friend of mind. Her name is Dentralla. She is a Wookie.”
Dentralla growled. Sam translated, “It is great to meet you. Welcome to Coruscant.”
Mary curtseyed, and said, “This world is wonderful.”
Dentralla replied, “I think so, thank you. My home world is on Kashyyyk. Due to my life debt with Sam, my world is with her.”
Mary looked at Sam and back to Dentralla. “She has saved my life. I might have to give her a life debt of my own.”
“I would not be surprised if a good many on Earth have not done so already.”
Sam smiled at what Dentralla said. “Come on Mary let me show you around.” As they were walking from the Stargate, they ran into C-3PO.
Sam said to Mary, “This is another friend of mine, C-3PO.”
Mary smiled, “Good to meet you.”
Sam told him that Mary was from Earth.
C-3PO replied, “It is an honor to meet another from Sam's planet. I am a protocol droid. I can speak over six million forms of communications.”
Mary excitingly said, “Cool!”
Sam, with C-3PO at their side, showed Mary the time of her life. Mary was able to talk to a number of Twi'leks, Gotals, Whiphids, and Tin-Tin Dwarfs. Mary's last stop was to meet the rest of SG1. They were at a cafeteria.
Sam said, “Teal'c is a Jaffa.”
Mary replied, “It is great to meet you both.”
Daniel asked Mary, “How did you like traveling through the Stargate?”
Mary smiled, “Piece of cake.”
Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c smiled.
“I love this world. I can see why all of you are here. Everyone that I have met was so kind.”
Teal'c said, “We are happy you like this place. Please have a seat. We are about to eat our morning meal.”
Mary smiled, “Thank you.”
Daniel asked, “Do you want something?”
Mary replied, “Thank you no. I ate a little before I went through the Stargate.”
They all looked at Sam. Sam just smiled. Mary was a little confused. Sam told her about the first time she went through the Stargate.
They continued to make small talk. SG1 did all they could to make Mary feel she was welcome and comfortable on Coruscant. Mary loved it. She felt more at home here in this world than the one she left. Sam was happy for her.
Sam was feeling more comfortable about being back. She left her markings on Earth. She made an impression that she did not count on.
When she went to help Mary, it was the right thing to do, even as an officer of the United States of America, she would have helped her. It is true that she has an ability to use the Force on Earth. Without it, Mary would not be alive and talking to everyone she met.
When Sam chased after the bank robbers, she was still doing her duty. She knew that she would not have been able to even chase after then without the Force. She tried to find something simple in helping Kim.
She could not think of one thing she did without the Force in anything she did. She really wanted to find something. All the sudden she came to realize how important her life has been with the Force. After all, she has been telling everyone that she wanted to complete her training.
Sam did not realize it at the time, but she had shown a genuine smile.
Mary whispered in her ear, “What are you so happy about?”
In response, she just smiled more.
Sam whispered back, “I have come to fully realize how important in becoming a Jedi Knight is to me.”
“I could have told you that. You did save my life with the Force.”
