Chapter 6

Daniel had left the gym and followed Sam. She had seemed calm but he could see that she was hurting a lot. He caught up with her and they boarded the elevator together. With no other ears around Daniel tried to explain Jack's issues

"Jack loved her. They weren't together and I'm not sure how she felt but he has realised that he loved her"

Daniel's quiet statement filled the small space

"Is that why he wants nothing to do with me?" She asked the obvious question

"I think so. He has no idea how to talk to you. He loved the other you but couldn't tell her due to the regs and now you are here, there are no regs but because of that he has no idea how to talk to you"

The elevator stopped and Sam made to move. She stopped outside the door

"Thank you Daniel I understand now. I'll stay away and we can both get on with our lives"

Sam quickly turned and began to move away but grabbed onto the wall, dizziness overcoming her.

Daniel leapt out of the lift to catch her. He picked up her limp form and placed her on the floor of the elevator. He quickly pressed the button for the infirmary.

The ride seemed to take forever and Sam still hadn't opened her eyes. Daniel's thoughts were running wild

'I can't lose her again, I can't do this' his panic was rising by the second.

The lift stopped and Daniel yelled for help when the doors opened. Sam was quickly transferred to a gurney and placed in Janet's care. Daniel, hovering and in the way, was succinctly told to disappear. He ran through the base to find Kowalski in his quarters and his team mates in the gym. 15 minutes later there were four pacing men in the infirmary corridor.

"Daniel we shouldn't be here. This is not our Carter" Jack stated

"Jack you can do what you like but I need to know she is ok. We couldn't protect our Sam, maybe we can help this one" Daniel said with force. He flinched back a little when he saw the pain and desperation flash across Jack's face. It was quickly replaced by his mask of indifference. Jack sat down still in a mood but his friends could see that the anger covered pain and extreme loss.

"She is awake and asking for you Major" Janet said brightly coming out into the corridor

"Daniel she said to say thank you but she understands that none of you wish to stay"

"Can you tell us what's wrong Janet" Daniel asked

"No Daniel, with the other Sam I would, you were her family. Sam is very clear that you are not her family even although she could really do with one"

"Fine, thanks Doc. We'll be off" Jack responded walking away, Teal'c followed after bowing to Janet.

Daniel stayed where he was and addressed Janet again

"Janet please tell Sam I'll be here for a while incase she needs someone who would like to be her family again" Daniel looked at Janet then at Jack who had stopped further down the corridor hearing Daniel's request. When Jack didn't respond Daniel sat down and watched the others walk away.

In the infirmary Charlie approached Sam's bed

"Hey Doc, you been causing trouble"

Sam smiled, trust Kowalski to make a joke, he was almost as bad as Jack. At that thought a sharp pain went through her heart. Why couldn't she just cut her losses and leave this place. It would make life so much simpler, especially now. Sam sighed, she knew why she had nowhere else to go.

"I'm fine, just got a bit dizzy"

"So what happened, what did the Doc say?"

Sam looked down at her hand. Charlie could see she was holding her wedding picture but there was something behind it. Sam moved her hand revealing the small picture and instantly Charlie realised what was going on.

"You're pregnant" he said with almost sadness

"Yeah, and Jack's not here" Sam said before bursting into tears.

Immediately Charlie moved closer to her and pulled her into his arms. She had not cried with anyone since Jack had been killed.

Looking on Janet hoped this open grief was a good sign. The Doctor had been wearing a mask since she had arrived, Janet believed it was time for the mask to be taken away. She wondered about the father, Sam had been cagey at best. She wondered about Charlie but it didn't appear likely from the body language. Then suddenly it hit her. How could she be so stupid? There had only been one man in her Sam's heart, why not this new Sam. Janet shook her head and moved towards her patient. Things could get very much worse before they got better. Especially if Sam told the Colonel he was effectively a Dad again.