"We have a problem."
The look on his face - barely contained fury mixed with a degree of acceptance - made everyone sit up and take notice.
"What is it?" Sam asked.
"Samuels showed up on base." Jack ground his teeth, "Some one has put two and two together and come up with three."
"I guess we were lucky it took this long." Daniel placed his book on the coffee table, "We tell them it's mine. I'm not Air Force so they can't court martial me."
"We'll tell the truth." Sam shook her head, unfolding her long legs and leaning forward to brace her elbows on her knees.
Jennifer Hailey, eyes like saucers, followed the conversation like it was a tennis match. Cassandra was chewing on her thumb nail and pretending to be fascinated by the box the video game had come in.
"Are you ready for that, Sam?" Janet asked.
Sam closed her eyes and rolled her head on her shoulders like she had a crick in her neck, "Yeah." She sighed resignedly, "I've been thinking that letting Jack take the blame is kinda cowardly anyhow."
"What do you mean?" Janet moved to the couch and took Sam's hand letting Jack drop into the arm chair. Teal'c stood behind him and glowered fit to ignite a forest fire.
"I'm a major in the Air Force, right?" Every one nodded in varying degrees of perplexity. "I have a responsibility. I can't hide what happened to me, guys." Sam choked briefly causing both Janet and Daniel to put their arms around her. "If I act as if I have something to hide it looks like I think I'm some how at fault. And I'm not. Let Samuels come. I'll shove the truth so far down his throat�"
"Easy, tiger," Jack grinned, "I like the way you think." He puckered his mouth in pretence of disappointment, "On the other hand, I do kind of like being the stud of the SGC."
"I've got news for you there, colonel," Janet teased.
"When's the hearing?" Sam leaned back against Daniel.
"Slimeball's going to let us know. I don't imagine it'll be far off."
"Okay. Janet? I'm kinda hungry now."
"You have dinner?" Jack trailed Janet to the kitchen, "I could use some dinner. The commissary was serving beef curry and I know how you all hate it when I eat curry�"
Sgsgsgsg
"Janet?"
Janet was sitting up in bed with a half dozen journals spread around her, the same yellow notepad on her knee and several pencils about her person. Sam was lying under the covers on her left.
"You want me to put the light out?"
"No. It's okay."
"I won't be much longer." Sam rolled over so she was facing her. "What is it?" Janet asked.
"When's my due date, Janet? I'm sure you or Robin told me already but I forgot."
"September 12th."
Sam nodded, "That's what? Fifteen weeks?"
"Thereabouts, why?" Janet scribbled on the pad.
"Will you stay with me? Until� y'know." Sam looked anxious.
"Hey." Janet brushed the back of her knuckles in the blonde hair draping over Sam's ear, "Of course I will. We'll all be with you Sam."
"Yes. But will you� Janet, I don't want to see the baby. Will you make sure he's taken away so I don't see him?" Sam's voice was shaking.
"Whatever you want, Sam," Janet promised. She laid aside the notepad and scooted down so she was lying on her side. She studied Sam's troubled visage for a moment then cupped her cheek, "You don't have to worry, Sam. Your dad will be there with the Tok'ra. They're going to take the baby and hide him."
Sam nodded. She had been aware that her father was involved in making arrangements for the protection of the Harsesis.
"I'm a little scared," she admitted.
"Oh," Janet moved to hug Sam, "You don't have to be scared, honey."
"I know. Women have been having babies for millions of years."
"That's not what I mean."
"What if he isn't Harsesis, Jan?"
Janet pulled back so she could see Sam's face, "What do you mean?"
Sam frowned, "Well there's no guarantee that he is, is there? Will the Tok'ra still want him if he isn't?"
"Whether he's Harsesis or not, Sam, the goa'uld modifications to his cardio-pulmonary system make him very, very interesting. The Tok'ra have promised to take care of him either way."
Sam was still for a long moment, "Oh," she said eventually. "Crap." She groaned and rolled onto her back, "I hadn't thought of that."
"What?"
"He'll just be a lab rat to them, won't he?"
"I don't think your father will let anyone treat him like that, Sam."
"Have they said he'll have a family?"
Janet's heart was pounding but she tried to be calm. This was the first time Sam had demonstrated any kind of interest in her child's future. Until now he had simply been a thing inside her that she could not wait to get rid of, if she mentioned the pregnancy at all.
"No. But your dad�"
"My dad was never around when I was growing up. I don't imagine that being blended with Selmak is going to make that much difference to that," Sam said dryly.
"Well� we could ask. I just kind of assumed that the Tok'ra would arrange for a foster family for him."
Sam shook her head, "That's not how they work, Janet. They don't have much experience with kids and they don't have family units, if Jolinar is any indication."
"What do you mean?" Janet propped herself up on her elbow.
"New hosts are usually adults who agree to be joined because they're sick. Once they're joined they don't have children."
"For the same reason the goa'uld forbid mating." Janet realized.
Sam nodded, "So, although the host may have had a family, for most of the Tok'ra that's a long time ago. I don't think they'll really have a clue what to do with a baby."
Janet nodded thoughtfully, "I guess maybe we should rethink the whole Tok'ra thing then."
Sam shrugged and turned away, indication that she had had as much of this conversation as she could stand at this time. After a few minutes, Janet returned to her research.
Sgsgsgsg
The commotion in her living room brought Janet running down the stairs. She had been dressing for work and had just been zipping up her skirt when the doorbell had sounded. Cass had called that she would get it and a moment later there had been raised voices and the sound of heavy boots trampling into her house.
"What the hell is going on?" Janet found herself facing down two stony faced MPs.
Sam - stunned - was sitting on the couch with a bowl of cereal on her lap and a glass of orange juice halfway to her mouth. Cassandra, overwhelmed by Samuels supercilious wafting of some official looking document he claimed to be an arrest warrant, was standing in front of the TV with her arms wrapped around her middle and her mouth open. Samuels was now hiding behind the substantial figures of the two MPs he had brought with him. The patio door had been the SFs entry point and two of them stood behind the couch with their handguns trained on the intruders. There was an awful lot of testosterone in the room, Janet realized. She held her hands up in a calming gesture.
"Okay! Okay� lets everyone just calm down."
The two SFs didn't waver. The two MPs, sensibly, didn't move a muscle. But the four traded unwavering glares.
"Doctor Fraiser, I believe? I'm here for Major Carter."
"Samuels? You're Samuels?" He nodded, light gleaming in his perfectly oiled hair. "What do you mean? You're here for Major Carter?" Janet demanded.
"This," Samuels elbowed his way between the MPs he had brought with him all the way from Washington, "This is a warrant authorizing me to take Major Carter into custody. If you'd like, major, we can wait a few minutes while you get dressed."
"What?" Sam shot to her feet, "I'm not going any where with you!"
Samuels looked like he was enjoying himself, practically bouncing on his toes as he brandished the warrant.
"This document, signed by the head of the TDC, says otherwise."
Janet glanced over her shoulder and met the eyes of the shorter of the two SFs, Luke Faraday. He nodded and turned on his heel and left the house. His colleague, Jimmy J Jones, shifted his footing so as to better cover the MPs.
"I wonder if I can guess who the head of that department is these days," Sam muttered in disgust as she moved to put her body between Cassandra and the room.
Samuels smiled. It wasn't a pleasant expression, "I have a plane waiting, major. If you could --"
"I'm Major Carter's physician, colonel. I'm afraid she's in no condition to be traveling." Janet planted her hands on her hips.
Samuels's lips stretched wider in the parody of a smile. "Oh, I know all about Major Carter's condition, doctor. That's why I'm here." His face hardened, "We can go now, major, if you don't mind traveling in your jammies."
The MPs took a half step forward but froze as Jimmy J moved his finger from the guard to the trigger and tightened his stance.
"Sergeant," Samuels sighed, "Don't be an idiot. Stand down and let these men do their job."
"I have my orders, sir." Jones ground out from between clenched teeth.
"As do I. Mine come from a United States senator."
"Mine come from a two star general, sir, who will have my ass in a sling if I let you remove the major, sir."
"My senator trumps your general, son. Put the gun down."
"Can't do that, sir." Jimmy J's forest green gaze never wavered.
"I'm the CMO of the SGC, gentlemen. In medical matters I outrank both your bosses and I'm saying that Major Carter is not leaving this house."
The stand off held for another minute, broken when the telephone on the coffee table began to ring.
"That'll be for you, colonel." Faraday reappeared. He had holstered his weapon and looked inordinately pleased with himself.
Samuels stared at the ringing phone.
"Here." Sam snatched it up, thumbed the connect button and shoved the cordless into Samuels hands.
"Samuels," he said cautiously. He visibly deflated as he listened to the voice on the other end. "Yes, sir, I understand, sir." A fat bead of sweat rolled down Samuels' temple. "I am acting� yes, sir." Samuels handed the 'phone back to Sam, "He wants to talk to you."
Sam stared at the 'phone for a second then raised it slowly to her ear, "This is Major Carter." Her eyes widened and she stumbled to the couch, "Mr. President? Yes sir� thank you, sir. I'm fine�" Sam looked up at Samuels who was fidgeting, "Yes sir, I understand. I appreciate that. Thank you, sir." Sam thumbed the disconnect button and stared at the receiver in her lap for a moment.
"Was that who it sounded like?" Janet asked, awed.
Sam nodded, "Yes." She frowned at Samuels who was looking sick, "What are you still doing here? The man told you the hearing will take place at the SGC and I'm perfectly capable of finding my way there."
"Get out of my house, Samuels."
Sgsgsgsg
"Janet? Jan?" Sitting cross legged in the bed beside her, Sam nudged Janet's shoulder a couple of times, "Jan? Wake up."
Janet muttered something unintelligible in the pillow as she turned her head away.
"Jan, please."
"What?" She lifted her head and blinked fuzzily, "What's wrong?"
"I'm�" Sam frowned, "I'm sorry. Go back to sleep."
"No, I'm up." Janet levered herself up onto her elbows, "What is it?"
"The hearing's tomorrow."
"I know. I was in the briefing room when Samuels made the announcement, remember?"
Sam nodded. In the moonlight her face looked angular and washed of color.
"What's up?" Janet shook herself, "Are you worried about the hearing?"
Sam nodded and bit her lip.
"There's nothing to be anxious about, sweetie. We'll all be there and we'll all tell the truth and it'll all be over."
"That's the problem."
"What?"
"I've never actually told anyone what happened."
Janet blinked, "Not even Gunny?"
Sam shook her head miserably, "I don't know if I'll be able to talk about it."
Janet leaned over and took hold of Sam's head in both hands and planted a warm kiss on her temple, "Tell me, if you like."
"I� I� don't know if I can."
"It's just me, honey." Janet smiled a slow, soft smile.
Sam closed her eyes, took a deep breath and held onto it for a long moment. Then she exhaled and nodded, "Can we go downstairs?"
"Sure." Janet slipped out of the bed and crossed to the door to pull on her robe. She retrieved Sam's from the hook and turned back to the bed, Sam had not moved.
"I think, maybe, we should do this, Sam. So you're prepared," she advised.
Sam nodded and, moving with the slowness of molasses, she climbed out of the bed, straightened the covers, accepted her robe from Janet, slipped her arms through the sleeves, tied the belt around her burgeoning belly and, finally, with a dark and brooding expression, followed Janet down the stairs.
"Would you like some tea?"
Sam shook her head as she pulled a straight backed chair out from the dining room table and sat down. Janet returned from the kitchen a moment later with a couple of glasses of water. She placed these and a box of paper tissues on the table and sat down in the seat to Sam's right.
"Do you want to just tell me about it or would you like me to ask you questions?"
"I don't know where to start."
"Colonel O'Neill said you two were ambushed by Serpent Guards?"
Sam nodded, "That's right�"
As she told the story, Sam's shivering became more and more pronounced. At one point, Janet got up and fetched the blanket from the couch and draped it around her shaking shoulders. As she sat down again, Sam seized hold of her hand and did not let go.
"I felt so damn helpless and overpowered, Janet. They held me down like I was nothing. They wouldn't even look at me."
"What about the other people in the hall? Didn't anyone try to help?"
Sam shook her head vehemently, "Some of them were goa'uld but not all of them. Some were human but no-one lifted a finger, Jack begged them�"
She choked and Janet rose and moved to stand beside her. She rubbed Sam's shoulders soothingly and pressed her to her side.
"He tried so hard but no-one would listen. I tried to break free, Janet. I really did but by the time I'd come around from getting blasted with a pain stick it was already too late, they had a hold of my wrists and ankles." Sam rubbed one wrist, frowning distantly, "Then� then�" She closed her eyes and swallowed the cold nausea rising in her throat, "God. It hurt so bad. I was� I was� so dry and� I� I could feel him tearing me up� inside."
Janet hugged Sam tight and pressed a kiss to her crown, "I'm so sorry, baby."
Sam shuddered violently, "I'll never forget his face or� or the sounds he made." She screwed her eyes shut, "God. He made the most revolting noises."
Sam rocked slightly, her eyes still tight shut.
"Sam, sweetie, open your eyes. Stay here with me," Janet urged gently.
Sam's eyes snapped open and she stared up at Janet wildly for a moment before shuddering and relaxing a little.
"Okay. I'm okay."
"Can you tell me the rest?"
Sam's bottom lip wobbled but she nodded, "He came inside me. It seemed to go on forever and he didn't� he didn't pull out straight away." She frowned, "He waited until the blind woman gave him a signal."
"She had the strange device, the daa'umut?"
"Yeah, it gave off this sick yellow glow after he� before she�"
"Did you feel anything from the device?"
Sam shook her head and laughed mirthlessly, "All I felt was dirty and used and sick to the pit of my stomach."
Janet stroked her palm up and down Sam's spine, "Were you in pain?"
"I felt like I'd sat down in a bath of acid."
"What happened next?"
"Colonel O'Neill was screaming all kinds of threats and abuse and Apophis had him beaten to the ground. At that point I thought he was dead. I thought I was next and I passed out. Next thing, I'm sitting up inside the damn sarcophagus and Apophis is telling me that he's planted his seed in me and that he's going to make us forget until it's too late to stop it growing."
"And then he healed Jack?"
"I� I don't know if he used a healing device or the sarcophagus on Jack. Is it important?"
"No. I imagine if it is the panel will ask Jack which it was."
"Okay."
"Is there any more?"
Sam shook her head, "No. I don't remember waking up after he did whatever he did to our memories. Finishing off the mission and coming home is all bit vague."
"I wish we'd been able to spot something."
"It wasn't your fault, Janet. I mean, I passed routine hormone tests and everything, didn't I?"
"Yeah," Janet sighed regretfully, "I still wish though."
Sam tilted her head back and regarded Janet seriously, "Thank you."
"What for?"
"Being here, I guess. Again."
"Anytime," Janet promised. "How do you feel?"
Sam considered for a moment then nodded, "A little better."
"I'm glad."
"Uh� Janet. There's something else I think I ought to tell you about."
"Oh?"
"I, uh, I wasn't exactly myself. In fact, I think I was probably a little crazy at the time."
"What did you do?" Janet placed her hand under Sam's chin and tipped her head back. Alarm flared in her charcoal eyes as she found shame and fear in Sam's expression. "Sam?"
"I� do you remember a couple of days after I started throwing up? I was sleeping in the VIP quarters?"
"Yes?"
"Well. Look, I'm not sure how you're going to react to this, Janet, and I'm worried about that."
"Why don't you just tell me and we'll worry about me later."
"No. I mean� if you went all Chief Medical Officer on me I could be screwed. For real."
"Sam, why don't you just trust in me to react in the way that's the best for you? Tell me what you did. I promise I won't go off the deep end."
"I tried to kill myself."
Janet froze. Then she broke away from Sam, returned to her chair, put her head in her hands and began to weep.
"Oh, Janet, don't. Please, it's okay. Jack came along and� well� believe it or not he talked some sense into me and I didn't do it. I didn't really know what I was doing and -"
"I'm supposed to be your friend." Janet sat up and snatched a handful of tissues out of the box in the middle of the table, "I'm supposed to be your doctor. Why didn't I see any of this?"
"Because I hid it from you. I hid it from you all. It was just luck that brought Jack there in time. He didn't know."
Sobs hitched in Janet's throat and she wiped at her nose fiercely, "Sam� I love you and I didn't know."
Sam reached over and grasped Janet's hand and squeezed it tight. "I know you love me, Janet. I know. That's why I know I must have been out of my mind to think about hurting you and Cass and the guys by even thinking about quitting like that."
"Have you thought about it since?"
Sam shook her head in a firm denial, "I swear."
"Please, tell me if you ever do. Don't just� don't just leave us like that."
"I won't. I promise."
"Oh, God," Janet moved quickly to pull Sam into a bone crushing embrace, "Don't you dare. Don't you, ever, dare."
"I won't. I promise. I won't."
Sgsgsgsg
"I'm sorry to have to put you through this, major," Hammond apologized again.
"I understand, sir. Allegations have been made and I'm ready to answer them." Sam tugged unhappily at the collar of her new dress blouse.
They were waiting in the storage room on level 17 that had been the scene of O'Neill's aborted Protected Planet treaty negotiations a couple of years earlier. The decorations had long ago been removed but the furniture remained. The TDC hearing was taking place in the briefing room before a panel of three senior officers. Sam had been allowed to nominate her choice but Hammond had been vetoed by the TDC on the grounds that he was a witness. Instead General Mike Kerrigan had been recruited from the Air Force Academy. The TDC representative was Colonel Albert Samuels. The third party was supposed to someone who was impartial and had no prior knowledge of the parties. Several names had been suggested by both sides before they reluctantly agreed on General Maureen Watson. Sam had never met her but liked her reputation for being a hard taskmaster with a low tolerance for politicking. Samuels had tried to argue that as a woman Watson would have an unfair affinity for a fellow female officer but his objection had been laughed out of the room. It had taken the best part of a week for the two visiting officers' schedules to be arranged to allow this meeting and then Watson had to be briefed about the project which had taken another day. The hearing had finally started the previous day and had seen a number of junior officers from the SGC on the stand. Today, it was the turn of the major players.
Jack was lying on the couch with one shiny shoed foot on the floor. His dress blue jacket was unbuttoned and he had pulled his tie loose. He had one arm over his eyes and was snoring softly. Daniel, neatly turned out in his "funeral" suit, was sitting in a hard chair in the corner, reading. Teal'c's crisp navy suit hung on him like he was a male model. He was standing near Daniel, hands clasped behind his back and, had it not been for the periodic clenching of his jaw, he could have been mistaken for a particularly striking mannequin. Janet, also in dress blues, was sitting at the table with her legs crossed and her hands folded neatly in her lap. A thick medical dossier with Sam's name and service number on the spine sat in front of her.
Sam, for her part, was pacing. She was wearing a dress blue maternity smock and had only recently given up cursing the name of its designer and all his relatives. It had come as something of a shock for her to realize that her own dress uniform no longer fit and that this A line monstrosity with the hideous pleating was her only official option. As for the shoes�
The door opened and an Airman entered, "Doctor Jackson, The panel is ready for you now, sir."
"Thanks, Reid." Daniel stood and let Teal'c straighten his tie for him, "Sam?"
"Yeah?" She stopped pacing long enough to look at him.
"I can still tell them I'm the father."
Sam smiled and crossed the room to embrace him, "Just tell the truth, Daniel." She kissed him lightly on the cheek then frowned and used her thumb to rub off the smudge of lipstick.
"Okay." Daniel smiled one of his soft smiles and followed the Airman out. The door closed.
As the day wore on the population of the waiting room dwindled until it was just Jack and Sam. He had given up the couch to her after lunch and now sat with her stocking feet in his lap. He had been massaging them gently for a while as they waited in silence.
"Carter?"
"Mmm?" She had her eyes closed and was relaxed.
"You're the best second in command I ever had."
Sam raised her head and looked at him in surprise, "Uh� thanks." She frowned at him but his eyes were on his hands where they were still rubbing her feet. She lay down again.
A couple of minutes passed.
"Carter?"
"Yes?"
"You know I love you, right?"
Sam lifted her head again, "I know that," She responded softly, "And if I could sit up with any kind of dignity I'd kiss you for saying so."
Jack grinned, "Yeah, you are getting kinda ungainly."
"Kiss? Kill? I'll decide after you help me up."
"Nah lay still 'til they come for ya." O'Neill slipped out from under her legs and stood, stretching his arms over his head, "Think this is going to go on 'til tomorrow?"
"I hope not. I love you too."
"How could you not? I mean - what's not to love?" Jack beat on his manly chest then coughed weakly.
Sam laughed and turned on her side. She struggled to get comfortable for a moment until Jack noticed and helped her position a cushion between her knees. He then took to pacing, measuring the room with precise parade ground strides, his movement not an expression of impatience but simply something to do. After a few minutes he noticed Daniel's book and swiped it up.
"You want me to read to you, major?"
Sam opened her eyes, "If you like. What is it?"
Jack studied the spine for a moment, "Journeys� no, travels with no luggage? Baggage?" He frowned, "It's in Latin. I'm a little rusty."
"Maybe later."
Jack nodded and sat down in Daniel's chair and bent his head over the book.
Sgsgsgsg
"I'm not denying that Major Carter and I have had relations, sir. That's a matter of record." O'Neill was on the stand. This, simply, meant he was sitting at the briefing table facing the panel of three. An Airman was sitting at a discreet distance taking short hand despite the presence of a microphone on the table. A Technical Specialist was manning the desk in the corner that ran the AV equipment in the room.
"That admission alone is enough to have you both dishonorably discharged, colonel." Samuels was leaning forward in his chair. He looked like a hyena with the scent of blood in its nostrils.
Maureen Watson, a big boned Nordic looking woman whose white hair was swept into a severe bun, spared Samuels a distasteful glance.
"A matter of record, colonel?"
"Yes ma'am, if you'll refer to the mission reports for SG1's visit to P3R118." O'Neill nodded calmly.
"Perhaps you could�" Her lips lifted slightly.
O'Neill nodded, "We were mind stamped ma'am."
"Oh yes. Doctor Fraiser explained how that worked. I believe a number of the workers you freed are now mining trinium for us on�"
"P12J291, ma'am, the shrinks� I mean psychiatrists� said that the freed slaves needed the routine of work. It was all they've ever known. In return we're helping them build a town, providing medical care, training, HBO�" Jack trailed off.
"Very noble of us." Watson smiled a little and made a few notes on her pad.
"Fascinated as I am by the fate of a few dozen escaped convicts, general, could we please get back to the matter at hand? Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter have both freely admitted to having sex whilst in the same chain of command --"
"Well jeez, Bert, when you put it like that you suck all the romance out of it," Jack protested.
General Kerrigan hid his grin behind his hand, "That incident was over eighteen months ago. Do you have any evidence to suggest that the affair is ongoing?" He addressed Samuels.
Samuels gawped, "Other than the extremely obvious pregnancy you mean?"
"You know, Bert," Jack sighed mildly, "You really shouldn't pay any attention to locker room gossip."
"Then you are denying that you are the father of Major Carter's baby," stated Watson.
"I'm not the father." O'Neill's temper suddenly flared, "But I wish I was!"
Shock showed in all three of the faces across the table from him and O'Neill grimaced.
"I think you'd better explain that remark, colonel," Watson said grimly.
So he did.
Sgsgsgsg
Sam Carter was shaking.
The seat in the briefing room had still been warm when she had been escorted to it by the solicitous Airman Reid. Kerrigan had smiled at her warmly as she tried to make herself comfortable. Watson regarded her with no perceptible expression whilst Samuels refused to meet her eyes.
"Colonel O'Neill was very thorough in his description of the events leading to your pregnancy, major," Watson said crisply. "We just have a few questions for you then we'll retire to reach our verdict. You do understand that this is not a court martial but a hearing to decide if there are any charges to answer."
"Yes, ma'am." Sam nodded.
"Major Carter." Kerrigan addressed her carefully, "Can you tell us, who is the father of your child?"
"Apophis, sir," Sam answered without hesitation.
"Major, I want you take your time and tell us how that happened."
Sam's chin came up and she sat up straight. "We were ambushed�"
She told the same story that O'Neill had related a short while before. At the end, as she explained the circumstances surrounding the discovery of her pregnancy, her voice wavered a little but she did not falter. Generals Kerrigan and Watson regarded her soberly. Sam realized her knuckles were white where she was gripping the arms of her chair and she forced herself to relax. Samuels had not looked at her since she entered the room and was now studying his cuticles.
"There's no proof," Samuels said suddenly, bolting upright in his chair. "This is just some fantasy they've concocted to cover up the truth!"
"Cover ups are your specialty, Samuels." Sam sighed.
"Are you able to continue, Sam?" General Kerrigan asked.
She nodded, "Yes sir. I just want this over with."
"I think we all do." Watson glared at Samuels, "Some of us have real Air Force business to be getting on with."
"But there's no proof! They're lying! They have to be!"
Sam was starting to slump, "Call Doctor Fraiser. Ask her to bring my latest sonogram with her."
"There's no need." Watson shook her head.
"Ma'am, with all due respect, yes, there is. If he," Sam gestured pointedly at Samuels, "goes away from here with any doubt about the truth, this won't be over."
"Very well," Watson nodded and gestured to Airman Reid, "Pass on the major's request to Doctor Fraiser, please." He nodded and left the room. "Would you like to take a break, major? You look beat."
Sam shook her head, "I don't want to take these shoes off ma'am. Once they're off they're going in the trash."
Watson smiled, "Three kids, major. I never did manage to convince the Air Force that they needed to reconsider that damn design. I always felt like I was wearing a tent."
"Yes ma'am." Sam tried to muster a smile but was flagging rapidly.
Kerrigan rose and poured water from the carafe into his and General Watson's tumblers before turning over and filling a fresh glass. This he brought around the table and placed in Sam's hand. He sat on the edge of the briefing table.
"I can't tell you how sorry I am about all of this, Sam," he said quietly.
Sam took a sip and nodded, "Thank you, sir. That means a lot."
"You doing okay?"
"I have good friends, sir. I'm lucky."
"Yes. Yes you are. What about Jacob?"
"He's busy, sir. But he stops by when he can."
"I'm glad. You know if you need anything�"
"Yes sir. Thanks."
"Doctor Fraiser, sirs."
"This is a video tape of Major Carter's last sonogram." Janet didn't waste any time on pleasantries. She simply handed the tape she had brought with her to the Tech Sergeant manning the AV equipment. "If you could let that play to time index two eleven then freeze it," she instructed.
The lights dimmed in the room. General Kerrigan returned to his seat as the screen stored above the window to Hammond's office descended. Snow cleared and a black and white image appeared. Watson sucked in her breath, immediately seeing why the sonogram was important. Sam had her fingers pressed to her lips and her head down as the fluttering sound of her baby's heart beat echoed around the room. The sound went off when the picture froze.
"What the hell is that?" General Kerrigan breathed.
"That, sir, is the device Apophis implanted in Major Carter's womb at the time of conception. We couldn't identify it at first. In fact, we still don't really know what it is." Janet considered the solid white mass in the chest cavity of the fetus, "What we do know is that it seemed to be designed to prevent us from terminating the pregnancy." Sam winced and Janet paused before going on, "Subsequently, following an accident with a piece of Tok'ra technology, the device migrated into the child. It is now carrying out the functions of his heart and lungs which were destroyed in that accident."
"My, God," Watson swallowed, "You're telling us that the baby has no organic cardio-respiratory system at all?"
"We think the device is partly organic, general. It's certainly growing with the child."
"It's a monster�" Samuels was white faced with horror. "It's a damn goa'uld monster."
Sam stood up quickly and had to splay her hands on the table to keep from falling. She could not make words for the nausea in her throat.
"That's enough!" General Kerrigan barked as Janet hurried to support Sam with an arm around her waist. "Airman, assist the doctor in escorting Major Carter to the infirmary."
"But�" Samuels protested.
"I said that's enough!"
"We'll let you know our decision in an hour, major. But I don't think you have anything to worry about." Watson glanced at Kerrigan and he nodded agreement. The two generals turned on Bert Samuels as Sam was helped from the room.
Sgsgsgsg
"She's exhausted, sir. And pretty upset."
Janet Fraiser was standing guard in the door to the room in the infirmary where she had sequestered Sam.
"Understandably," Kerrigan nodded. He looked gaunt. It was no secret that he still thought of Samantha Carter as his prot�g� and star pupil even though her Academy days were long behind her. "Is some one with her?"
"Yes sir."
"Good." He regarded Janet for a second them smiled and leaned in conspiratorially, "Which one?"
"Does it matter, sir?" Janet knew this man held her friend in the highest regard but right now her patience was wearing exceedingly thin with the whole day, in general, and with anyone involved in the hearing, in particular.
"No. I guess it doesn't. If your patient is not to be disturbed, perhaps you could tell her that the panel has decided that there's no case to answer."
Some of the tension went out of Janet's small frame, "I'll be sure to tell her as soon as she wakes, sir."
"Good." He frowned, "You're one of her friends aren't you?"
"Sam has a lot of friends, sir," Janet answered suspiciously.
"Relax doctor." He pulled out a card holder and passed her a business card, "If she needs anything don't hesitate to call. My home number is on the back."
Janet looked at the card in surprise then pocketed it quickly, "Thank you. I believe Colonel O'Neill is in the Commissary, sir."
Kerrigan smiled, accepting her minor concession, and left.
Sgsgsgsg
In the Air Force there was no such thing as a secret. Where records were kept, news always leaked. The truth of this became apparent when, two days after the TDC hearing wrapped up, Sam reported to the mountain to request that she be allowed to return to duty and everyone she met either blushed and avoided her eye, smiled at her in exaggerated sympathy or tried too hard to behave like they always did towards her, which only resulted in both parties being embarrassed. She had made an appointment with Hammond but he left a message at the check in on the eleventh floor that he was tied up and for her to wait. When Sam entered the commissary the noise level dropped for a second then returned to normal. Dark blonde brows drawn together, Sam helped herself to a mug of decaf. She turned quickly as she felt eyes on her back but found everyone studiously engaged in their own business. She felt conspicuous in civilian clothes, especially the over sized shirt and baggy pants she had borrowed from Teal'c. Shoulders tight, she filled a second mug with regular coffee and left.
"You sure you're not busy?" Sam hovered on the threshold.
Janet quirked her brows, "What's up?" she asked.
Sam shrugged, the corners of her mouth turned down, as she came in and placed the second mug on the corner of Janet's desk, "I brought you coffee."
"Thanks." Janet refrained from pointing out the coffee percolator burbling gently on top of a filing cabinet.
Sam lowered herself onto the couch and stared morosely into her coffee. Janet studied her for a moment then returned her attention to the folder she had been working on.
"I thought I wanted to come back to work," Sam said on a sigh a few minutes later. Janet put down her pen and waited. "I� its kind of weird."
"Being here?" Janet asked quietly.
Sam nodded and pulled her legs up under herself. She chewed reflectively on her thumbnail for a while. Then she sighed, "Everyone knows, don't they?"
"I guess. You do know how well respected you are around these parts, don't you?" Sam's wide blue eyes fastened on Janet's earnest brown, "It's true. Things will be awkward for a couple of days but it's only because people care."
Sam grimaced and rubbed at her face, "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely," She snatched up the receiver as the 'phone rang, "Fraiser� yes sir. I'll send her right along, sir." She hung up, "That was Hammond. He's ready for you now."
Sam stood up slowly and tugged her shirt straight. Then she straightened her spine, put her shoulders back and stuck out her chin.
"Hey," Janet grinned, "Relax. It's a shoo-in."
Sam rolled her eyes and left the office.
Sgsgsgsg
"Your doctors agree with you, major." Hammond smiled indulgently, "Not only are you fit for restricted duty but they recommend it. You can work any four hours, five days a week that you choose. But you are to report to the infirmary if at any time you feel unwell."
"Thank you, sir." Sam beamed then sobered, "There is one small problem�"
Hammond frowned, "What might that be?"
"I burned the dress, sir."
Hammond laughed, "Really?"
"Well, no, not really, I wouldn't destroy Air Force property, sir."
"It's all right, major, as long as it doesn't interfere with your duties, you can wear what you like."
"Thank you, sir. I think the quartermaster should be able to supply me with jumpsuits that will do for a while."
"Well, good, I know Lieutenant Simmons has been anxious for you to take a look at some software he's been developing�"
"I'll get started right away."
"Sam," She pulled up just short of the door, "Remember to take care of your self."
"I will, sir." She blushed.
"And welcome back."
Sgsgsgsg
Sergeant Jimmy J Jones was waiting on the eleventh floor to escort Sam to the surface and her ride home that lunchtime.
"Ma'am," He relieved her of the duffle bag she was toting then frowned, "You all right ma'am?"
Sam focused on him and frowned, "What?"
"You look a little peaked, ma'am." Jimmy pressed the call button for the elevator to the surface.
Sam blinked blearily, "I'm just a little tired."
Jimmy grinned, "I remember when my mom was expecting my kid brother - he was something of a surprise - she would never lie down until she was ready to fall down. I don't know why but it was like she had to prove she could still do everything she had always been doing despite the fact that she was lugging around an extra thirty pounds."
Sam followed him into the elevator car, "You don't really do subtle, do you, sergeant?"
Jimmy grinned, "No ma'am. Did you eat yet?"
"I don't see 'nursemaid' anywhere on your uniform, Sergeant Jones."
"No, ma'am, but Doctor Fraiser asked that we take extra special care of you today, seeing as how it's your first day back."
Sam grumbled under her breath as the lift climbed.
"We can stop for take out or there's soup and a sandwich in the refrigerator."
"You don't have to do that, Jimmy." Sam sighed.
The elevator eased to a halt, "No ma'am." Luke Faraday was waiting by the Humvee and nodded all clear to his colleague, "I was also instructed to ensure that you take a nap this afternoon."
Sam's jaw dropped, "You're kidding!"
"Yes ma'am. But I imagine I wouldn't be if Doc Fraiser thought you weren't taking care of yourself."
"Okay, okay, I quit. The sandwich will be fine."
Sgsgsgsg
P2H536 looked a lot like British Columbia only without the McDonalds or Starbucks or any of those other places that made B.C. so amenable. In fact, now he thought of it, all P2H whatever had in common with B.C. was the damn trees. O'Neill sighed and turned from considering this to share his insight with the other three members of his team. Daniel was standing at the DHD, Teal'c a few yards off watching their six. Jack groaned,
"Where the hell is the munchkin? She was just here. I swear I left her right�"
Hailey stepped into view. She had been standing out of Jack's line of vision, concealed from him by Daniel's body.
"Uh, Jack�" Daniel began in a tone that suggested he was about to remonstrate with him, in a nice way.
"Munchkin?" Hailey had a tight grip on her P90 and a gleam in her eye, "Is that the best you can come up with, sir? I'm disappointed." Jack's head went back and he regarded her with a jaded eye. "I had been led to believe that you could be way more creative than that."
Daniel choked and Teal'c moved closer.
"You want creative?" Jack asked.
Hailey nodded. Daniel groaned and Teal'c's eyebrow flickered imperceptibly.
"I can do creative." Jack said softly, a deadly grin unfurled across his features, "Oh, so very creative."
Hailey gazed at him implacably.
Daniel moaned and depressed the centerpiece of the DHD. The 'gate kawooshed.
Jack watched Hailey key in the team's iris code on her GDO. When she nodded he turned and bound up the steps and through the puddle.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" Daniel asked plaintively, walking through the 'gate with Hailey. As their boots clanged on the ramp on the other side he continued, "What kind of monster you have created?"
Hailey just grinned at him and headed out.
"Are you all right, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c materialized at his elbow.
Daniel nodded, "Oh, yeah, for now. But I'm going to need Pepto-Bismol later, lots and lots of Pepto-Bismol."
Sgsgsgsg
"Hello!" Janet closed the front door of her house and walked into the living room. She swung her briefcase onto the table under the front window and frowned, "Hello?" She stood still and listened. The silence was cavernous. She was used to finding Sam, or both Sam and Cassie, working on projects at the dining room table. Today, for the first time in almost a month, her house was empty. She sighed then smiled. There was a part of Janet Fraiser that loved to be alone, enjoyed the chance to listen to the noise inside her own head without the distraction of the noise outside. She frowned. The house should not be empty. Come to think of it, there ought to have been an anonymous van parked somewhere nearby on the street. Still frowning, she touched the playback button on the answering machine:
"Hi, Mom, listen, some of the guys from class are going over to the park after school. We're going to listen to music and hang out. I finished my math project yesterday so I'm all caught up on home work so I thought it would be okay. I'll be home by ten. I remembered to charge my cell so you can get me if you need me. Talk to you later. Love you."
Janet nodded to herself and wandered through to the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator and stared into the light for a moment then closed the door without removing anything. She lifted the kettle off the hob and shook it speculatively. Then she replaced it and turned on the heat. Taken with a task, she efficiently assembled the makings of a cup of tea. Then she turned off the kettle and walked away. She mounted the stairs slowly, pausing halfway up to straighten the studio portrait of herself and Cassandra, trailing her finger fondly down the two dimensional cheek of the then twelve year old. She glanced into the teenager's room as she passed. As usual, it was as neat as a pin down to the corners of the bed sheets folded with military precision. Jack O'Neill had taught her how to do that. The bathroom next door was a different matter. Sighing, Janet tidied the damp towels, strewn over the wash basin and edge of the tub, into the hamper and straightened out the shower curtain. She replaced Cassandra's toothbrush in the holder, screwed the cap on the toothpaste and rinsed the tooth mug clean. She bypassed the guest room and moved to her own bed room. It was a neat as Cassandra's. Fetching a pair of moss green pants and a soft, doeskin colored, wraparound blouse out of the wardrobe, Janet washed quickly and changed clothes, hanging up her uniform on the back of the door ready to be taken to the dry cleaners. Back in the living room, she tidied a copy of The Gazette newspaper and a magazine from the coffee table into the rack at the side of the couch, plumped up all the cushions in the room then flung her self down in the armchair. She drummed her fingers on the arm for a while then caught herself and folded her hands neatly in her lap. A moment later, she jumped up and hurried to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator again. This time she removed eggs and milk and placed them on the counter and retrieved a mixing bowl from a lower cupboard and a whisk to join them. Then she hesitated and returned every object to its starting place. Hands on hips, Janet stood with her head down and chewed on her lower lip for a minute. Then she returned to the living room, picked up the cordless 'phone from its base unit and folded her self into a corner of the couch. She speed dialed three and listened until the other end connected.
"Hey, Sam, where are you?"
Sgsgsgsg
Instead of going straight home, Sam had asked for permission to visit her house. After her escorts; Sergeants Jimmy J Jones and Luke Faraday, conferred with Major Castleman, they made the detour. The SFs suggested that she wait with the driver in the humvee while they secured her house then waved her up the path.
"Nice place, ma'am." Jimmy J said.
"Thanks. It was my dad's house when he worked at the Academy."
Sam considered the dustsheets covering the furniture in the living room for a moment then made her way into her bedroom. She pulled open a couple of drawers and began throwing items of clothing onto the bed. Jimmy J waited, politely, just outside the door.
"I didn't know you were a brat ma'am."
Sam grinned, "Third generation Air Force, sergeant, you?"
"My daddy's a journalist, ma'am. Mom's a painter. I have two brothers, Matthew makes pots, Paul's still at school but he says he wants to be a lawyer."
Sam broke off shoving her underwear into the small knapsack she had retrieved from the closet and stepped out into the hall to consider Jimmy for a moment, "How the hell did you wind up in the service?"
"I'm the black sheep, ma'am. I got in some trouble when I was a kid and ended up being sent to military school for the summer. I loved it." Jimmy grinned, "Shocked the hell out of my folks when I told them that."
"Did you try for the Academy?"
"No, ma'am, I just wanted to be a grunt."
Sam smiled, "How long is left on your ticket?"
"Two years. I think I'll be signing on for another ten though."
"Good for you." Sam returned to her packing.
"I wouldn't mind getting myself a long term posting - 'overseas'. If you know what I mean."
"I do." Sam stepped back out into the hallway, "I just want to visit the garage while we're here, if we have time."
"There's plenty of time, ma'am." Jimmy followed her, "I have to call Sergeant Ziplinski before we head back to the house. He decided to take this opportunity to change the van over."
Sam nodded and led him through her house. Faraday, as short and sturdy as his partner was tall and whip thin, was waiting inside the front door. The sergeants exchanged a nod as Sam abandoned her jacket and bag on the counter in the kitchen. Then Jimmy J followed as she unlocked the side entrance to the garage and stepped through. Her precious Volvo took up half the space, a dust sheet tucked around it neatly. Sam patted it absently as she rounded it, headed for the two smaller covered objects. Sam hesitated then used both hands to carefully unfold the sheet from the first of her motorcycles.
"Oh, my," Jimmy J gasped. "That may be the single most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life." He sat down, hard, on a packing case and gazed unblinkingly at the Indian.
Sam smiled proudly, "She is something isn't she?" She caressed the tear drop shaped gas tank lovingly, "A 1946, Indian Chief, formerly in the service of the Colorado State Police."
"Did you rebuild her yourself?"
Sam nodded, "She was a rust bucket when I got her, took me two years." She smoothed her palm along the tan saddle.
Jimmy J was nodding like an acolyte in the presence of glory, "Did you change the foot controls over?"
Sam bestowed a blinding grin on the tall, chestnut skinned man, "No!"
For a long time the two bike lovers just silently communed with the gods of chrome, steel and leather and worshipped their sleek embodiment in the form of the restored Indian.
"Did you ever take her on a trip?" Jimmy broke the quiet eventually.
Sam sighed, "I haven't had the chance yet, maybe next year. What do you ride?"
Jimmy shook his head mournfully, "I am currently between rides, ma'am. I put my last bike under a truck."
The sound of the Sam's cell 'phone trilling in the house, caught her attention. As she backed towards the door she cocked her chin at the other dust sheet, "Take a look under there." She left Jimmy tugging the cover off her second bike and retrieved her 'phone from her jacket pocket, "Sam Carter."
"Hey, Sam, where are you?"
"At home." Sam returned to stand in the doorway and watched Jimmy J as he crouched beside the Harley, his nose practically in its innards as he inspected the engine configuration.
"I'm at home," said Janet.
"No, I mean my house." Sam returned to the kitchen, "What are you doing home? I thought you were working late tonight."
"I was but SG11 came home early so I wasn't going to be required."
"Oh."
For a long moment the only sound on the ether was silence.
"I assume you have company?"
"Yeah, Jimmy and Luke are here. Turns out Jimmy J is a bike nut."
"Oh. Well. I guess I'll see you later then."
"I was planning on being home for you coming home," Sam said quickly.
"Oh." Janet's smile traveled across the airwaves, "Should I make dinner?"
"I'll bring take out. What would you like?"
"Surprise me."
"Okay. See you soon."
"Okay."
"Bye then."
"Bye."
"Okay."
"Hang up the 'phone, Sam."
"Yes, Janet."
"You always have to get the last word, don't you?"
"Pretty much," Sam grinned.
"Hang up."
"Hanging up, now." Sam disconnected quickly and grinned at the 'phone for a second before tucking it in her jeans pocket.
"Jimmy! Time to go!"
Sgsgsgsg
It was a Wednesday. SG1 had gated out a couple of hours earlier. Sam had been in the control room when they trooped up the ramp and vanished through the glowing puddle of plasma. It had been the first time she had seen them actually leave for a mission since she had returned for work and she had been taken aback by how left out and lonely she felt when the gate closed behind them with a noisy gulp. She hung around the control room until Walter Davis had asked her if there was anything he could help her with. She had shaken her head distractedly and left.
"Is there something I can do for you, major?"
Doctor Warner almost ran into her as he came barreling into the infirmary. Sam was hanging around poking absently at the packages of sterile dressings stacked on a trolley, waiting time to be packed into cupboards or medkits.
Sam shook her head.
"Doctor Fraiser's busy, right now. We have a bit of a panic on," Warner explained, backing away hurriedly.
"Can I help?" Carter perked right up.
"No." Warner shook his head emphatically. Then he eyed her conspicuous bump, "In fact, you probably shouldn't be here at all, major."
Sam blanched and nodded and left obediently.
Sgsgsgsg
"Doctor Warner said you were looking for me." An hour later, Janet Fraiser swung into Carter's lab. "Y'okay?"
Janet had replaced the blue skirt, blouse and tie she had left the house wearing that morning with blue scrubs under a white coat. She had also traded her three inch heels for a pair of white bootees. The effect was to render her even smaller and more fragile looking than usual.
"I'm fine. I was just ... What happened?" Sam slipped off her stool and pulled Janet into the lab and prompted her to take her seat.
"We had a drill - chemical spill."
Sam let out a breath, "I thought - Warner didn't tell me it was just a drill."
"Well, that's kind of the point." She took in the frown on Sam's face and the shadows in her eyes, "You were worried?" Sam grimaced and turned away, crossing her arms. "Aw, Sam," Janet grinned and reached out to place her hands on Sam's shoulders and pull her back into a tight hug, "Thank you, sweetie." Sam shrugged out of the embrace and turned to lean against the workbench, her lips pursed and her eyes downcast. "Sam?"
"I was scared."
"There's nothing to worry about, Sam. If it had been for real the infirmary would have been locked down. You were in no danger."
"I wasn't scared for me." Sam grated. Vulnerability was translating into defensive anger.
Janet digested this for a moment, studying Sam's sulky posture and darkening eyes.
"Oh." She slipped down off the stool and put some more distance between them, unconsciously mirroring Sam's stance, "Oh."
Sam closed her eyes and sighed and made a conscious effort to let go of the tension vibrating through her. "I'm being unreasonable. I should go home."
"What's going on here, Sam?" Janet asked quietly.
Sam hung her head then looked up from under her bangs, "I watched SG1 gate out today. I guess I'm just not used to being left behind."
Janet laughed shortly, "It's no fun, is it?" She was aware that Sam had changed the subject but was inclined not to pursue the truth. She did not care to examine her own motives for letting it slide, "If you're tired you should just go home. Do not drive yourself."
Sam nodded, "Yeah. I think I will."
Sgsgsgsg
"Thumbelina?"
"Way too obvious, sir."
Sgsgsgsg
SG1 had been on another three missions. All had been uneventful. Jack O'Neill had joked that all the times they had gotten into trouble in the past must have been her fault since they were managing to keep out of trouble in her absence. Sam had taken that remark hard and retreated into herself until Daniel had reamed the colonel out for being an insensitive ass and he had come to find her and apologize. He had come armed with an armful of flowers and several expensive boxes of chocolates and had been so pathetic Sam had relented and let him in the house. If Sergeant Ziplinski, on duty in the van monitoring the cameras still watching the Fraiser house, had thought anything of the doorstep exchange he kept it to himself.
Sgsgsgsg
"Dopey?"
"I'm working on two PhDs, sir."
"Sneezey, then."
"Uh, that should probably be my name, Jack."
"Okay, Grumpy!"
"Are you going to name all seven dwarves, sir?"
"Dopey, Sneezey, Happy, Doc, Bashful, Grumpy, Donner, Blitzen�."
Sgsgsgsg
It was Sunday afternoon. Summer had exploded in Colorado in a confusion of tar melting heat and a riotous rainbow of sudden flowerings. As O'Neill had a pool at his house his place had turned into something of an unofficial SGC Sunday hang out. Leaning on the guard rail around his rooftop deck, O'Neill took a suck from his chilled bottle of beer and regarded the bodies littering his property. SG9 were sitting cross legged in a circle under his Cyprus tree playing cards with an intensity the heat should have precluded. Sergeant Walter Davis was refereeing a game of water polo - keeping the peace between SG12 and a team of Sergeant Siler's technicians. Teal'c, wearing a chef's hat that had been a gift from a nurse, was running the barbeque with a degree of efficiency that only a Jaffa could maintain. Daniel was sitting on an upturned crate in a corner of the garden away from the noise and splashing of the pool. He was surrounded by a half dozen children ranging in ages from about two to fourteen years. All were gazing at him in rapt attention as he told them a mixture of wild stories culled from his extensive readings. He had a one year old in his lap who was sucking his thumb and completely mesmerized by the archaeologist. Behind Jack, lounging in his deck chairs, Major Castleman and Sergeant Faraday were debating the merits of different baits for catching sea bass.
Now - who was missing? Cassandra - Janet had left a while ago to drive the girl to the Mall where she was meeting friends for an afternoon's shopping. Hailey - Jack looked for her for a moment, eventually spotting her curled up under a golf umbrella she was using as a sun screen, fast asleep. And Carter. Now where was Carter? He checked the garden again and frowned. Okay - not in the yard. Where the heck was she?
Sgsgsgsg
Janet leaned on the door frame at the entrance to Jack's bedroom. It was a large airy room which appeared to only hold a Japanese bed. His closets were all concealed. Several of them were lying open and some of his clothing had been discarded on the white clothed bed. Sam Carter, clad only in one of Jack's white dress shirts and her underwear, was standing in front of the full length mirror that hung on the back of one of the closet doors. She was evidently mid way through raiding her COs wardrobe to supplement her own. As Janet watched, Sam smoothed her hands over her swollen abdomen; the bottom three buttons of the shirt would not fasten, and sighed. From behind it was scarcely noticeable that she was pregnant, so little weight had she gained. From the side, dressed, she looked like she was concealing a basketball. As a smile curled over Janet's features, Sam turned to the side and stared at her profile in the mirror.
"You're gorgeous. Get over it." Janet chuckled, coming into the room and leaning into her friend.
"I'm fat," Sam demurred. "And I've started to waddle."
Janet slipped her arm around Sam's waist and the two of them studied the mirror.
"Okay. I'll concede the waddle part but you are not fat." Janet tried to pinch an inch of flesh over Sam's ribs and failed.
Sam yelped and twisted away, "That tickles!" Janet laughed like Fu Manchu and came after her. "No! Janet! Don't!" Sam flapped her arms trying to keep her friends evil tickle fingers from making contact. "Janet!" Sam trapped both of the doctor's hands in her own, "Quit it!" She twisted so that Janet's hands were trapped under her arms. "Oh!" Sam froze, bent over.
"What is it?" Janet was suddenly anxious.
"Feel!" Sam straightened and pulled Janet's hands around both her sides to press her palms against the taut flesh of her belly, "Feel that?" A tiny foot pushed into her hand.
"He likes tickling." Janet chuckled and stroked her hand around Sam's belly, looking for the infant's next kick.
Sam lifted her arms and moved her body to bring Janet into a face to face hug, "He likes you. He hardly moves for any one else."
"That's because the kid has taste already." Janet grinned from ear to ear, looping her arms around Sam's neck.
Suddenly everything was very quiet and still. Sam was profoundly aware of the compact curves pressed against her, the scent of Janet's sun tan lotion mixed with her honey shampoo and another, elusive, indescribable fragrance and all the reasons she had for why this was such a bad idea evaporated. For her part, Janet was aware only of her heart pounding in her ears and the sapphire blue regard that had her transfixed like a bug in amber. What happened to all the oxygen? Oh, there it was. Wafting like a glacial breeze from between the trembling lips of her best friend as she lowered her head. Janet opened her mouth like a starving babe and was rewarded with the warm, thick mango lush taste of Sam's tongue as it slipped and slid against her own. Janet was vaguely aware of a ground swelling groan emanating from her as her body leapt and surged deeper into Sam's arms. Nimble fingers found a solid purchase in ripe corn hair and Janet felt her knees tremble as their mouths meshed and mated.
"Oh, my God," Janet pushed back, breaking the seal between them but not the embrace, "What the hell are we doing?"
"Janet�" Her name issued from Sam's lips like a whispered invocation, "Please�" Sam's eyes had melted to deep navy blue and she looked more vulnerable than Janet had ever seen her.
"Oh�" Janet felt all the anxiety and tension that had, for a moment, threatened to overwhelm her drain away and she smiled softly, "Come here." She tugged Sam's head down.
Sgsgsgsg
Jack O'Neill was transfixed. He had found Major Carter and, if he could not persuade his painfully aroused body to cooperate and move him out of this hallway, a whole world of hurt. For another second he stared at the two women lost in each other then he carefully, silently, reached out and pulled his bedroom door over. Then he staggered down the stairs, his legs giving out three from the bottom. He put his head in his hands and groaned and wondered why these things had to happen to him.
"Hey, Jack. Can I get by?" Tim Castleman asked pleasantly.
Jack's head jerked up and he stared at the burly security chief as if he had materialized out of the ether, "What?"
"I need to use the facilities, Jack, if that's okay."
"Uh, yeah," Jack started to stand then dumped himself down again, "Actually. I've just�" He thumbed over his shoulder, "You might want to use the downstairs."
"Told ya to lay off that imported beer," Castleman chuckled and retreated.
Jack dropped his head in his hands and groaned again and even though it didn't do anything to make him feel better he kept on groaning for quite a while.
Sgsgsgsg
"I have no idea what� I've never� I don't� I'm not�" Janet was babbling as Sam trailed her warm mouth up the side of her neck and nuzzled beneath her ear.
"Ssh," Sam soothed, touching velvet lips to hers.
Janet hesitated for a moment then smiled and caught Sam's lower lip between her teeth. Sam's eyes widened in surprise then slid closed as Janet released the delicate flesh and soothed the hurt by suckling the lip gently.
"We have to stop." Sam suddenly straightened, breaking the kiss with an audible pop.
Janet blinked in confusion that metamorphosed into fear as Sam frowned.
"I don't� do you? I mean�" Janet closed her eyes and pressed both hands to her temples, "If I could just form one coherent sentence." She sighed in frustration.
"Janet," Sam released her hold on the smaller woman's waist and moved to sit down on the edge of Jack's bed. "You know I'm�" she grimaced; hating the word she was about to use but having no easy alternative, "Bi-sexual." Janet nodded and came over to sit cross legged beside her. "Well� I'm pretty certain you're not. Or at least, that you haven't been."
Janet held her head in her hands, "Sam, I've never� I mean, sure I had all the usual crushes but�"
"Yeah," Sam nodded resignedly, "So, I guess we should just chalk this up to the heat, huh?"
Janet straightened, "If you think that's best."
Sam nodded, "I love you too much as a friend; my best friend, Janet, to let this - indiscretion - mess us up." Janet was frowning in confusion but Sam wasn't looking at her, "Can you forgive me? Forget this and still be my friend?"
Tears like drops of crystal were sliding down Sam's pale cheek.
"Of course," Janet moved quickly to cup Sam's chin, swiping away the tears with her thumb, "I love you. It's forgotten."
Sam smiled tremulously and nodded gratefully. They embraced quickly, loosely. Then Janet jumped up off the bed and scooped a pile of Jack's shirts and slacks up in her arms and flung them into the closet.
"Jan?" Sam asked suspiciously.
"We're going shopping. I can't stand to see you in the guy's clothes any longer. You should have something nice to wear."
Sgsgsgsg
The fall of evening had chased most everyone home. Teal'c had helped Jack skim and cover the pool as dusk darkened the sky. Hailey had left on the back of Siler's Harley, laughing like a demon child. Sam had pleaded exhaustion and begged a ride home from Major Castleman. He had not planned to check in on his men guarding the Fraiser residence but it had only taken a look at Carter's pinched, porcelain features for him to offer.
"Sam looked tired." Daniel was washing dishes in Jack's kitchen, ignoring the dishwasher in favor of playing in the soap suds.
Janet nodded but said nothing. She was perched on a stool at the counter and was staring into her mineral water as if it held all the answers.
"Forty two," Daniel said.
"Huh?" It took a moment for his non sequitur to penetrate her distraction.
"The answer to the question of life, the universe and everything; forty two." At Janet's blank look Daniel smiled, "I guess you haven't read Douglas Adams."
Janet sighed, "No. But I will if you think he can help�." She stopped talking.
"Help with what?" Daniel scrubbed at an oven tray vigorously.
Janet knocked back the last of her water and slid off the stool, "It's nothing."
"Janet�" Daniel frowned and, grabbing a dish towel for his soapy hands, chased her into the living room. "What's up?"
Janet shook her head, "It's nothing, Daniel. Let it drop." She curled up in an armchair.
Daniel studied her thoughtfully as he dried his hands. Then he dropped the towel on the coffee table and crowded into the chair beside her. Janet was forced to wriggle into his lap if she didn't want to be squashed or give up the seat. Daniel planted a sloppy kiss in her hair as she settled in his loose hug.
"Did you ever get something you didn't know you wanted then have it taken away just as you realized that it was the one thing you need more than anything?" Janet asked suddenly, her dark eyes obsidian in the half light.
"Wow." Daniel thought for a second then nodded. "Sha're, I guess." He waited for Janet to say something else but when she didn't he probed gently, "Why?"
Janet's eyes filled and she dashed at the escaping tears angrily, "Forget I asked."
"Uh� no."
"Daniel, please. I can't�"
"It's me, Janet. Come on."
Janet pressed her face into the soft of his shoulder for a long minute. Then she took a deep breath, "Sam." She breathed.
Daniel's eyes widened comically behind his glasses, then he narrowed his gaze, certain he had misunderstood, "Sam has a problem with something she�"
"No." Janet shook her head, her lips twisting in a humorless grin.
"Oh." Daniel absorbed her correction for a moment, "Oh." He stretched the syllable into an expression of realization.
"Daniel, don't say a word. Please. It was crazy� we were fooling around and the baby kicked and the next thing you know�" Janet buried her face in his shirt and groaned.
"Was it good?" Daniel asked impishly. Janet pinched him, hard. "Yow! Sorry! I was channeling Jack there for a moment."
He realized Janet was lost in recollection as she stared into the blind eye of the TV opposite. A soft smile unfurled across her mobile lips.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"I'm not gay, Daniel," Janet declared quietly, "I mean� I'm just not."
"Uh huh, from the look you just had on your face I'd say maybe it was time to reconsider that, Janet."
"I'm thirty seven years old, Daniel! You don't think I might have noticed before now?" Janet kept her voice low but there was no mistaking the flare of her temper.
"Then maybe you're just Sam-sexual."
"Huh?"
"You know. Like homosexual? But instead of liking all women you just like Sam? Or, maybe, you just didn't meet the right woman yet."
Janet stared at him like he had sprouted an extra head, "You are so not helping." She struggled to her feet and pulled her camisole and shorts straight, "If you can't say anything constructive, I'm� I'm going home!" Janet stalked to the door.
"Janet?" Daniel called softly, "You know where I am."
She nodded and didn't slam the door behind her.
Sgsgsgsg
Sam Carter was sleeping in the guest room when Janet finally made it home.
During Janet's protracted, aimless, drive around the suburbs of Colorado Springs, her cell 'phone rang. It was Cassandra calling to ask permission to stay overnight at Lisa's. Cass had come on the line with her best wheedling voice, fully expecting to have to resort to emotional blackmail to get her way. She got off the 'phone quick when Janet readily agreed to her request, too distracted to put up any kind of argument.
Janet took a long, cool shower and flung herself into her bed determined to fall immediately into a deep, dreamless sleep. Everything would be better in the morning. Clearer. The insanity setting her on fire would have worn off and common sense would have reasserted itself. Yeah. Right. And I have a bridge to sell� Janet groaned and pulled her pillow over her face. She knew it was impossible for her to smother herself but right now giving it a try seemed worth the effort. Oh, God and she had just had to tell Daniel - that meant facing him too. She was still castigating herself roundly when she fell abruptly asleep.
Sgsgsgsg
Something�
Jane woke suddenly, bolting upright in the bed.
"It's just me." Sam's voice curled out of the shadows at the foot of her bed.
"Sam? What is it?" Janet rubbed at her face.
"I� I tried to sleep through there, Janet. Really but I keep� it feels like I'm going to fall off the edge and you're not there to catch me." Sam's voice was tremulous.
Janet flung back the covers and held out her hand.
Sam didn't move out of the dark but her labored breathing gave away her despair.
"We're friends, right?" Janet asked softly, "Come to bed."
Sam was burrowing into the warm spot in a heartbeat. "I'm sorry about today," she whispered.
Janet wanted to ask about which part but she did not. She simply lay back down and closed her eyes.
Sgsgsgsg
Continues in part five.