She knew it the moment she woke up in the hospital and found him sound asleep in the chair by her bed. In actual fact, she'd known it the moment she'd seen him when he'd arrived while she was in the Emergency Room. Jack was going to stick to her like a burr on a dog's behind.

She couldn't help but grin as she watched him, his mouth hanging open and a thin trail of spit hanging from the corner. He'd tried really, really hard, up until now, not to be overly protective. After getting caught up in a hostage taking incident and getting herself shot, she knew there was no hope in hell of getting him to back off now.

She laughed silently and shook her head. She might as well just accept it and enjoy the attention. It was just for a few more weeks and she could certainly handle that. She thought for a second – no, not only could she handle it, she was kind of looking forward to it. Although she was a tough soldier, and she'd been through a lot in her life, this last episode had frightened her like nothing ever had. She unconsciously put her hand on her belly – yes, the thought of something happening to the baby had terrified her.

So, she was going to just lie back and enjoy the attention and the mothering from a certain to be overly cautious husband. She doubted very much that she'd be going anywhere without him. Poor man – he was going to get very tired of her.

She looked at him again, and this time her expression softened. He looked tired and she could see the lines around his eyes and on his forehead. She knew this had taken a lot out of him and it would be awhile before he would be able to relax. The thought that he'd lost her and their child, must have just about killed him. She'd have to ask Daniel and Teal'c how he'd fared because he would only joke about it and not tell her.

Thank heavens their friends had been with him. He probably would have gone wild otherwise. She was looking forward to going home and spending time with Teal'c and Daniel and just resting after her ordeal.

The baby had been pretty quiet during the night, but now was moving around like crazy. "You are an O'Neill, aren't you", she said to the bump. "I can tell you and your father are going to keep me busy."

"What are we going to do?" Jack's sleepy sounding voice interrupted her chat with the baby.

"Morning", she smiled at her husband. "I suppose you slept there all night?"

He just grunted, neither agreeing or denying it, and stood up. Bending over he kissed her gently. "How are you this morning?" he asked with a worried frown.

"I'm fine. I had a good sleep and am definitely ready to go home. My side's a little sore, but not too bad. They brought me some Tylenol in the night and that seems to be enough."

"Good", he reached down and kissed her again. "Hopefully they'll be by soon and you can get out of here. I called Daniel and asked him to drive over with some clothes for you and then he can drive us home."

"Sounds wonderful."

Just then the Doctor walked in, accompanied by a nurse. "Good morning Mrs. O'Neill", he smiled. "I hear you had a good night. I'd just like to check you over and if everything looks okay, you can get out of here."

By the time Daniel arrived and she was dressed and ready to go, it was almost noon. She was wheeled out to the entrance of the hospital where Jack helped her into the front seat. He then climbed in back and they headed home.

"You're looking good Sam", Daniel commented as he drove. "After what you went through I thought you'd look -"

"What?"

"I don't know – a lot worse I guess."

"Well, everything's okay, and it's just a crease. I've had much worse on missions."

"Yeah, but you weren't carrying a baby at the time!"

She was silent, thinking back to the terror she'd felt when she thought the baby had been hit. Jack was silent too, probably thinking much the same thing. "The baby is fine", she said after a couple of minutes, more to reassure herself than anything.

"So, I assume you're just going to take it easy now?" he asked, glancing at her and looking in the rear view mirror to see Jack. O'Neill was staring blindly out of the window, not taking part in the conversation at all.

"Well, for a few days anyway. I'm still working -"

"I called Torrington", Jack finally spoke. "Told him what happened and that you needed to be at home. He understood."

For a second she could feel the anger build – what right did he have to call her boss and tell him she wasn't coming back to work? She was about to turn around and lambast Jack, when Daniel caught her eye and gave a quick shake of his head. She closed her mouth, but fumed all the way home.

When they arrived, Sam got out of the car quickly and headed into the house before Jack even had time to make it out of the car. He watched her go, his eyebrow raised in inquiry. He then looked at Daniel with a puzzled look.

"Uh, I think she's upset that you arranged things with her boss without talking to her first", Daniel explained.

"How could I?" Jack asked in frustration. "She was in the hospital after being shot, for God's sake!"

"Well, I think she would have wanted to decide whether or not she was going back to work. You know Sam – she's pretty independent about things like that."

"What? Oh for heaven's sake – that's not what I meant!" He then stormed into the house, this time leaving Daniel with a puzzled frown on his face.

God these two, he thought. Their life certainly isn't ever boring. He followed slowing, hoping that maybe Teal'c was around. He needed someone sane to talk to.

"Sam", Jack called. "SAM". He raced upstairs and found her lying down on their bed, her back turned to him. He sat down on the edge of the bed next to her. "Sam?" he said again. "Please look at me."

After a pause, where he was sure she was deciding whether to listen to him or to tell him to take a flying leap, she slowly turned over. "What?"

"I think you misunderstood me", he answered softly.

"What?" she said again. "How did I misunderstand you?"

"I didn't tell Torrington you weren't going back to work at all. I simply called him and said you were hurt and wouldn't be in for a few days. I told him you'd call as soon as you felt up to it and talk to him directly."

He could see the moment she realized what she'd done. It was not long after that he could see the guilt infuse her face. "Oh Jack – I'm sorry. I just – I'm sorry. I think it must be blood loss. I should have known you wouldn't do that."

"Yes well, I was tempted I admit! I just figured you'd whip my butt if I tried."

"I almost did", she admitted.

"Yeah, I know. Look Sam, as much as I know it's your decision and if you decide to go back I won't say anything – no, I take that back – I'll probably say a lot – but I won't stop you – I really want you to reconsider working any more. With everything that's happened, I just think it would be better if you were to stay close to home and take it easy. It's not that long until the bump arrives and it can't hurt to take it easy"

"Okay", she answered.

"I mean, I know you have important stuff going on, but they managed before without you and they can do it again. For once I'd like us to put ourselves and our family first rather than the Air Force."

"Okay."

"I know it will be hard on you to give it - "

"Jack!"

"Huh? What?"

"I said okay. I'll stay home. I don't particularly want to go back right now either. I'd much rather be at home and take it easy and prepare for the little one."

"You would?" he asked with surprise.

"Yes, I would."

"Oh." He looked at her for a moment as if not sure what to say or do. She figured he'd been practicing this all the way home and now had had the wind knocked out of his sails.

She grinned and leaned forward – as much as she was able – and kissed him. "Now close your mouth and go fix me something to eat. I'm starving!"

His face slowly crinkled until he too was grinning. "You got me you know."

"I know – you might as well get used to it!"

When he got to the kitchen both Teal'c and Daniel were there scrounging through the cupboards. "We were going to see if we could make you guys something for lunch", Daniel explained. "Uh – everything okay?"

"Yeah – it's good. Just a simple misunderstanding. We have some soup and I think there's left over chicken. We can make chicken salad sandwiches."

The three men spent the next few minutes preparing lunch. After working together for years, little needed to be said, although at one point Jack burst into laughter.

"What?" Daniel looked up at him. Teal'c did the eyebrow thing.

"Oh, I was just imagining what the three of us must look like. After all we've been through – wars, battles, alien possession, death, ascension, resurrection - here we are making chicken salad sandwiches!"

"I don't know", Daniel said, glancing around, "I think it's kind of nice."

"It is indeed." Teal'c agreed. "Especially knowing that Colonel Carter and your child are both safe."

"Yeah that's – definitely nice", Jack smiled at his friends.

They all ended up in the Master bedroom, sitting on the bed and spending time talking and laughing together. It reminded Jack of many of their team nights although the bedroom was a bit different. Still – it brought a warm feeling of family – something Jack had thought he had lost – but now had found again in these three people. He glanced down at Sam's belly – okay four people.

Daniel and Teal'c stayed a couple of more days but then had to return to Colorado. "We'll come out for the baby Sam", Daniel had said.

"We would not miss it Samantha", added Teal'c. "The child needs his or her family here to welcome it to the world."

"Thank you guys", she said, tears in her eyes. "That'll mean a lot."

Jack hadn't been into the office since she'd been home and she hadn't asked him about it. She figured he must have taken a few days off. After Daniel and Teal'c left, however, she had assumed he'd return to work. She was fine now – the wound was healing well. She felt good, although she tired easily.

"Jack", she finally asked one morning at breakfast. "Aren't you going into work today?"

"No", he answered shortly, looking at the paper.

"Uh, why not?"

"Told Schwartz I had to be at home with you."

"But I'm okay now Jack. I don't mind if you go in."

Another Jack O'Neill 'grunt' – the sound he made when he didn't want to answer – and he turned the page and kept reading.

"Jack?" she asked.

"Hmmm?"

"Put the paper down please and speak to me."

The paper lowered slowly, and a reluctant Jack was looking at her across the table.

"So tell me – when are you planning to go back to work?"

"Uh" he bit his lip.

"Jack!"

"I – don't know", he finally admitted. "I might have told Schwartz that I had to stay with you – for a while."

"How long?"

"Um – till after the baby?"

"Jack! That's over two weeks away, and it could be longer. I'm perfectly fine."

"That's what you said when I went to the SGC and look what happened!"

"That wasn't my fault!"

"I'm not saying it was. All I'm saying is that it's easy to say everything is okay and you'll be fine, but you never know what could happen. I don't want you to be alone!"

"I highly doubt I'll be involved in another hostage taking."

"Maybe not, but with our luck you never know. Anyway, it doesn't have to be that – it could be something completely different!"

"Like what?"

"I don't know – like you go into labor suddenly and you're all alone. Or maybe you fall and need help and can't make it to the phone. Hell, I don't know – I'm just not going to leave you by yourself."

Well, she'd known it and so wasn't surprised. Still – she should try. "What about work? Aren't you going to get awfully behind."

"So? What's the worst that could happen – they give my job away? That would be great actually. I'd be more than happy to retire."

"Yes – or the world could come to an end!"

"Well if it does, we won't know about it anyway so it won't matter."

She sighed and shook her head at her husband. "Okay fine! But if you're going to stay at home you're going to have to cater to my every whim, you know."

"I am?"

"Yes of course. I'm a pregnant woman almost ready to give birth. I deserve pampering.

He groaned dramatically, although she could see the humor in his eyes. "Your wish is my command your highness!"

"Yes, and don't you forget it."

So, for the next week Jack watched her like a hawk – but also looked after her as if she was something rare and precious - which of course to him, she was.

She was still feeling great and things were going well. Jack did spend quite a bit of time on the phone dealing with work and a few times people came by with mysterious papers and file folders. Unfortunately, it wasn't a respite for her as he would follow her around while he talked on the phone, refusing to let her out of his sight for more than a few moments at a time.

"What are you going to do when the baby comes Jack", she'd finally asked him one day. "I mean, you do plan to return to work don't you?"

He looked slightly panicked and then shrugged. "I don't know. I – kinda think I'd like to be around more. I – I missed so much of Charlie's early years and I want to spend more time with this one."

She knew how difficult it still was for him to talk about Charlie so all she could do was kiss him. "If you want to be at home, I'm fine with that. I just don't want you to feel you have to, you know. I will be fine and you're working close by. It's not like you're off on missions anymore so you will be here for this child."

"Yeah, it's nice that we're not chasing all over the galaxy now, but can lead simple, normal lives!"

At the moment he finished speaking, a brilliant light appeared and both Jack and Sam disappeared.

"What the hell!" Jack fell back on his butt and managed to grab Sam just in time to pull her on top of him so that her landing was soft. They'd been relaxing on the couch and when they rematerialized it was into a space without furniture.

"Are you okay?" he asked, worried. He looked at Sam, but other than appearing surprised, she looked fine.

"Yeah, I'm okay – just – where are we?" They both looked around and it only took a second or two before they realized where they were.

"THOR!" Jack shouted. He eased his way out from under Sam, gently helping her sit on the floor. He then pushed himself to his feet. "Here", he bent over and helped Sam stand up – a process that took a while since she was far from flexible.

"THOR!" he shouted again, when she was on her feet. "Where the hell is that ill-mannered little bugger? "THOR!"

There was no sign of anyone, so Jack moved quickly to the panel which opened the door of the room they were in. "Stay here", he instructed.

He began to search the Asgaard ship, shouting every couple of minutes. He was frustrated, and starting to get worried, when he finally reached the control room of the vessel and saw, behind a panel, one of the short gray aliens. Up until today he'd really liked them, but now he was furious and ready to strangle the supreme commander.

"Thor – wait", he stopped when the alien looked up. "You're not Thor!"

"I am not, General O'Neill."

"Well then, who the hell are you and why did you beam us up?"

"My name is Njord and I have been entrusted with bringing you to meet with Supreme Commander Thor about a mission of extreme importance. We will arrive in one of your earth days, so please make yourself comfortable General O'Neill."

"Okay, see here Neeyord – you can bloody well turn the ship around and take us back home. You don't just go and kidnap someone and take them halfway across the galaxy without even asking them. I don't give a damn why Thor wants to see us. Just take us home."

"Commander Thor has only requested to see you General. I do not understand your reference to 'us', unless I am misunderstanding your human language?"

"You're not misunderstanding in the least. You may have only wanted me, but you got Colonel Carter as well – she's back in the other room. Crap!" he suddenly realized. "I have to go get her – she's going to be going crazy."

"Do you mean that she accompanied you to this ship?" the Asgard asked, his eyes blinking slowly.

"She didn't 'accompany' me – you brought her when you beamed me up!" He turned and headed quickly towards the door. "How is it that you didn't know that?"

"I fixed on your vital signs O'Neill – she would only have been transported if she was in close proximity to you."

"Yeah, well if you'd asked -"

"I apologize. I should have asked and then only you would have come."

"No, if you'd asked I would have told you to go to hell! Now, get this ship turned around and head back to earth. I'm going to get my wife and tell her we're going home." With that he left the control room and Njord – who was standing with his little mouth hanging open.

"Jack!" she breathed in relief when he returned. "I was just going to come and find you."

"Sorry. It took me a while to locate anyone."

"Thor?"

"No – a guy by the name of Eyore or something. Thor sent him to bring me to see him – something about an important mission."

"What is it?"

"I have no idea and really couldn't care less. I told the guy to take us back home. Are you okay?" he asked, noticing that she seemed a bit pale.

"I'm fine, just tired. I'd like to find a chair to sit down."

"Yeah – well Nord told me to make myself at home – so there must be someplace we can rest."

He led her towards the control room, his arm around her back to support her. She seemed to be a bit short of breath and he was growing increasingly worried. God – now was not the time for something like this to happen. He was really ticked at Thor and the next time he saw him he'd give him a piece of his mind.

They finally arrived and the little Asgaard looked up as they walked in. "My apologies Colonel Carter", he began, "I did not intend to bring you on board. I hope you are well."

"Uh – yeah -"

"She needs to sit down", Jack interrupted abruptly. "Do you have a chair?"

Again with the blink and then, "I apologize again. Yes, a room has been prepared for General O'Neill and you will be able to rest there. I will show you." He moved away from his console and began to lead them back out of the room.

"So how long until we're home?" Jack called to the Asgaard as he moved, surprisingly quickly, through the corridors.

"Here", Njord opened a door and gestured into a room which contained a table and chair and a cot. There was food and drink set out on the table. "I hope this is adequate?"

"Lie down Sam" Jack led her to the cot and helped her down. She breathed a sigh of relief and put her legs up and curled up on her side.

"That's better", she smiled.

Jack turned back to Njord. "You didn't answer my question. When will we get back home?"

"I apologize O'Neill, but my instructions were to bring you to Commander Thor. I will be pleased to return you back to your planet after you have spoken to him."

Jack erupted in fury. "TURN THE DAMN SHIP AROUND OR I'LL WRING YOU NECK!" he shouted. "You moron, my wife is about to have a baby and we need to be close to the hospital. We don't have time to go for a little visit. If you don't turn this thing around I will personally kick you from here to Jupiter."

"I apol -"

"STOP APOLOGIZING!" He forced himself to calm down. "I just want you to take us back home. You can explain to Thor that we have to be on earth for the baby. He can come visit us if he needs something."

"I ap – I am sor – I cannot", he finally admitted. "My orders are to take you to Commander Thor and - "

"AAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!" he yelled, literally pulling his hair out.

"Jack?" Sam said softly. "It's okay. We'll get there quickly, see Thor, and then head home. I have another week until I'm due and it could be even longer. I'll be fine."

"Sam!"

"Jack, I don't think he's going to take us home so we might as well accept it. We've got food and drink and a place to sleep. Everything's going to be okay."

Jack knew when he was beaten, although he was definitely going to kick some teeny Asgaard butt over this one. "Fine!" He turned to Njord. "Get us to Thor quickly and then you can take us home. We'll stay here – and you – scat! I don't want to see you right now or I might be tempted to – do something I shouldn't."

Njord simply nodded and then turned and fled – although he tried to be dignified about it, Sam could tell he really wanted to get away from the crazy Tauri O'Neill.

"I think you scared him Jack."

"I hope so – the little twit! "Commander Thor ordered me", he said in a high pitched voice. "God, you'd think with the Asgaard as intelligent as they are they wouldn't have produced such an idiot. Maybe he was a mistake – like a reject clone or something."

"Jack", Sam scolded, laughing. "I'm sure he's a bright per – Asgaard and probably very nice. You know as well as I do that sometimes one has to follow uncomfortable orders. He really didn't have a choice."

"Everybody has choices Sam – they just choose not to exercise them!"

For the next few hours they just rested and talked. They shared some of the food provided by Njord – it wasn't bad – but wasn't terribly exciting either. Sam didn't eat much at all and seemed to be increasingly uncomfortable on the little cot. Jack stayed on the chair in order to give her more room.

"You okay?" he asked, after she changed position again.

"Yeah – just a back ache."

"You want a rub?"

"That would be wonderful, thank you." She turned, the task obviously arduous, and faced away from him.

He spent the next 20 minutes giving her a vigorous back rub. She seemed to want him to do it as firmly as he could and he grew a little worried that he'd bruise her. "Are you sure this is helping?"

"Yeah", she murmured. "My back is really aching. Your child is big and I get tired carrying him/her around all day."

He continued to rub until his hands grew too tired. He finally scooted in and spooned up behind her. He gently put his arms around her and put his hand on her tummy.

"Thank you", she murmured. She raised one of his hands to her mouth and kissed it. "I love you."

"It's because of my backrubs, isn't it?"

"Of course", she said in surprise. "You thought otherwise?"

They lay together, not talking, for quite a while. It was only after a few minutes that Jack realized something. "Sam, why is your belly getting hard every few minutes?" He was suddenly starting to worry.

"Hmmm?" she asked, half drowsy. "Just Braxton Hicks", she answered.

"You're sure?"

"What?"

"You're sure they're just Braxton Hicks? I mean – how's the back ache?"

"It still aches, but that doesn't mean anything."

"Sam – are you sure? When", he paused and took a deep breath. "Look, I know that back aches can be a sign of early labor. Tell me if the pain gets worse, okay?"

She was silent and then he saw a small nod. "Sam?"

"Okay", she said softly. "Jack – I – you may be right."

"WHAT!"

"I – these contractions seem a bit different – and they're starting to hurt. I mean, it's not bad, only a teeny bit uncomfortable, but it feels lower somehow than the others."

"God!" He stood up. "I knew it – I just knew it." He moved to the door and opened it. "NJORD! GET YOUR ASS IN HERE!" He then returned to Sam and sat down beside her. She had rolled over and was facing him, a slightly bewildered look on her face. "How are you now?"

"Uh – about the same as 30 seconds ago. Not much has changed."

"Oh – okay, but tell me if you feel anything any different." Just then the door opened and their pilot walked in.

"You wanted to see me General O'Neill?" Poor Njord looked rather panic stricken. Sam had a brief thought, wondering if Asgaards sweat.

"Yeah – it's no longer a choice. You will turn this ship around and get us home as fast as possible. Colonel Carter is in labor" when Njord looked puzzled Jack rolled his eyes. "She's going to have our baby anytime now. We have to be home."

Njord looked back and forth between the two humans, wondering what Commander Thor saw in them. So far they'd seemed to be more trouble than they were worth. "We will arrive in a few hours and you can mention your concerns to the Commander. I am sure he will be willing to let you return home."

"Njord", Sam said softly, "I don't think you understand", she said gently. "I have to make it home. It could be very dangerous for me to have my baby out here. I need expert help and I don't think the Asgaard have much experience helping deliver babies."

"We do not, although Supreme Commander Thor is very knowledgeable about humans. He will be able to assist you, I'm sure."

"Jack!" Sam was really worried he was going to do something to Njord and the last thing she wanted was to be stuck in space in an Asgaard vessel with no idea as to where they were or how to get home.

"Sam – we have to get back to earth!"

"I know. Please Njord, take us back."

For the first time, the Asgaard was looking uncertain. She was almost sure he was going to comply but then he seemed to straighten. "I am sorry", he said firmly. "We shall arrive in a few hours." Not saying any more he turned and exited their room."

Sam sat and listened to Jack swear and rant and rave for the next 5 minutes. She didn't stop him because frankly, she felt exactly the same – she just didn't have the energy or the oxygen to be quite so articulate.

"Jack!" she suddenly squeaked in surprise.

"What? What is it?" He rushed to her side and sat down. "What's wrong?"

"I think my water broke!"

"Ah hell!"