Epilogue

Jack tasted the soup and smacked his lips. The scent of the butternut squash filled the kitchen of the cabin along with the roast chicken and vegetables in the oven. The cabin smelled like Christmas to Jack. He had needed the day of mindless domesticity, he mused as he considered the taste of the soup. The events on Avalonia had drained him; he'd spent the journey back on The Phoenix sleeping off his experience and two more days being poked and prodded in the infirmary of the SGC before Carolyn Lam had declared herself satisfied that he was fine and released him. He had agreed with the President to take his leave early and with Sam still fully occupied with The Phoenix he had headed up to the cabin early to prepare for the Christmas holiday.

He glanced around at his efforts. The homely rustic cabin had been transformed with tinsel and holly. Mistletoe had been strategically placed on the front door along with a festive wreath. There were candles and a tree. He had decorated it quite haphazardly but it looked OK in his considered opinion. He'd placed the Christmas presents Sam and he had already picked out and wrapped for their friends underneath the branches. There was some classical music playing on the sound system Sam had set up the last time she had been at the cabin and there was a cosy fire in the hearth.

Everything was done. All it needed was Sam who was due to arrive at any moment and the rest of the brood who would turn up the next day on Christmas Eve.

The soup needed something, Jack mused. Maybe salt, maybe pepper. His eyes alighted on the half-drunk bottle of beer on the counter. He considered it, shrugged and picked up the bottle upending a glug of the contents into the soup. He took another taste.

Perfect.

The hum of a transporter alerted him to Sam's arrival and he turned hurriedly, snatching the towel off his shoulder and dumping it on the bench. He hurried over to her as she appeared, dressed in tight jeans, a white t-shirt and a brown leather bomber jacket. One bag appeared beside her; she had another slung over her shoulder and she was incongruously carrying a small brown paper bag.

He kissed her hello enthusiastically. 'Hey.' He said smiling, his brown eyes twinkling at her as he pulled back to gaze at her.

'Hey.' Sam hugged him. 'How are you doing?'

Jack shrugged. His finger traced over the bruise on her cheek. It had faded to a dull yellow. 'You didn't let Vala heal it?'

She rolled her blue eyes at him. 'What and lose all the admiring looks of fear The Phoenix crew have been giving me?'

'Ah.' Jack smirked. 'You have learned well, young Skywalker.'

Sam shot him a look. 'Teal'c made you watch Star Wars again on our way back from Avalonia, didn't he?'

Jack didn't deny the charge. He hugged her again and leaned in for a kiss. It was a while before either of them surfaced. He revelled in the feel of her pressed up against him; in the citrus scent of her hair, the soapy scent of her skin and the faint hint of oil. His lips twitched. She'd evidently been working on the engines again. He sniffed again.

'Do I smell baked goods?' He asked seriously.

'I stopped by the SGC. Cam baked us some macaroons to wish us Merry Christmas.' She waved the brown bag at him.

'You don't even like them.' Jack said, letting go of her and snatching the bag out of her hand.

'Whereas there isn't a cake or a biscuit you haven't laid eyes on that you don't like.' Sam pointed out with some amusement.

He pushed another macaroon in his mouth in response.

Sam glanced around the cabin. 'Hey, this place looks great!'

Jack paused in the middle of biting a macaroon and nodded. He brushed some crumbs off his blue sweatshirt. 'Hmmm.' He chewed and swallowed hurriedly. 'I may have made a bit of effort.' He said with false modesty. He threw the bag down on the sofa as he headed back into the kitchen. He turned down the heat on the soup and the food.

'Something smells nice.' Sam slid her arms around his waist. She leaned over his shoulder and kissed his cheek. 'You're spoiling me.'

'That's the idea.' Jack admitted with a smile. He turned and hugged her again.

Sam smiled suddenly. 'You know Daniel has talked General Landry into giving everyone refresh sessions on protocol in the New Year.' She poked a finger into his chest. 'Including you.'

'Remind me to thank Daniel.' Jack pulled a face.

'Don't be too hard on him.' Sam chided gently as she locked her arms back around him. 'He felt really bad when you went missing.'

'Well, he did save me from Vizar so I guess I can give him a pass.' Jack commented.

'Daniel said they made contact with Avalonia yesterday ostensibly catching up after their seven days of mourning.' Sam informed him. 'Apparently, Bally is the new King; he was found in a dungeon. He's invited the rest of SG1 back to complete the treaty. He's, uh, requested that perhaps you don't return.'

'Sensible.' Jack commented dryly.

'Apparently,' Sam said, 'according to the Avalonians, Arthur returned with his Knights, defeated Vizar and freed the Avalonians from his tyranny with the help of the Fairies of Avalon before disappearing in a flash of light.'

'Really.' Jack's hold on her tightened.

'Really.' Sam repeated. Her eyebrows drew together quizzically as she scanned his expression. 'What's wrong?'

He made a face. 'Let's just say having those powers was kind of freaky.'

Sam ran her hand through his short hair, her hand ending up resting at the back of his neck, her fingers stroking through the strands. 'I have to admit I'm really glad that the sisters were able to remove them again.'

'Me too.' He cupped her face with one hand and she leaned into it, turning her head to place a kiss on his palm. 'You want a drink?' He plucked the beer bottle off the bench and offered it to her.

'I'm OK. Will dinner wait while I grab a shower?' Sam asked, and he wondered as he caught a glimpse of sudden nerves in her blue eyes.

'Sure.' Jack dropped another kiss on her lips. 'You go ahead.' He watched her grab her discarded bags and walk away with concern. He wondered at her nerves. He was reasonably sure that he would have heard, or rather been involved, if she had received a new posting so he didn't think it was professional. Which left personal.

He frowned.

There was nothing – at least, that was nothing beyond the obvious; him going missing and risking death to save the universe. He stirred the soup listlessly and turned the heat way down.

Jack moved back into the den area. He picked up one remote and stopped the music. He put on the TV instead, turning to an old movie; a Christmas rerun of It's A Wonderful Life. He settled back on the cushions.

The movie didn't grab his attention. He'd seen it too many times to get caught up in the fictional issues of a man debating his value; he was too busy debating his own. Jack sighed. Sam loved him; he loved her. There was nothing to worry about. She was probably just a little shaken about everything that had happened. He wasn't exactly completely, totally, over it himself.

It had been strange having Arthur's powers; he hadn't felt like himself. He'd experienced some strange dreams since; of riding into battle with a dragon on his armour, Sam smiling at him dressed in robes and finery, of magic. Those had been mixed with the nightmares where he remembered the pain of the spider's bite; the way his arm had burned; the way he had fought for every breath.

He closed his eyes and shoved that memory away. Nothing to worry about, he repeated to himself firmly. Besides, they had five whole days over Christmas to work everything out. He looked up as Sam re-entered and headed into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. She had changed into blue flannel pyjamas he noted as she made her way to him and cuddled up, resting her still damp head on his shoulder.

'It's A Wonderful Life?' She questioned.

Jack nodded.

Sam frowned and shifted. She reached in between them and pulled out the bag of macaroons. She shuffled closer to Jack and he put his arm around her shoulder. Sam absently opened the bag and began eating.

Jack watched her with amusement as she finished one macaroon and absently reached into the bag again. 'Carter.'

'Hmmm.' Sam said around a mouthful of food.

'You hate macaroons.' Jack pointed out.

Sam froze, her hand buried back in brown paper. Her eyes flitted to his and his stomach lurched as he saw the nerves in her eyes again. 'I seem to be craving them.' She confessed.

Jack began to smile and stopped abruptly as her choice of words hit him. 'Craving?' He asked delicately.

Sam nodded.

'Any particular reason why?' His heart was beating in his chest so loudly he was sure she could hear it.

Sam moved to look directly at him. Her blue eyes were swimming with anxiety. 'I'm pregnant.'

Jack felt his throat close up. His eyes fell to her belly and snapped back to her eyes. 'You…you're sure?'

'It's early – very early. But I got it confirmed today.' Sam said. Her fingers fidgeted with the buttons on her pyjama top.

'Pregnant.' Jack reached out tentatively and covered her stomach with a trembling hand. He stared. Too many emotions rushed through him; fear, joy, wonder. He knew she was waiting for him to speak; to say something but…he couldn't.

A baby.

Their baby.

He lifted his stunned eyes to hers. 'We're having a baby?'

Sam nodded. A tear fell from the corner of her eye and he wiped it away with his free hand before pulling her close.

'God, Sam.' Jack buried his face in the crook of her neck. 'A baby.'

'I know.' Sam whispered.

He moved abruptly to scan her face worriedly. 'And you're OK, you and the baby?'

'We're fine. Healthy.' Sam assured him quickly. 'Carolyn wants to do a scan after Christmas and she wants to run some additional tests given our ages and my medical history.'

Jack nodded. 'I'll be there.' He jumped up suddenly and raced to the kitchen. She watched in bemusement as Jack dumped the soup in the sink and walked sheepishly back to her. She slipped her arms around him as his went around her.

'Beer?' Sam asked, her face alight with laughter.

Jack kissed her, softly, reverently with all his love for her in his touch for her to feel. 'Carter…' He stopped unable to complete his thought; there were just no words. He loved her; he loved their child. The love they shared meant everything to him. His hand rested over their baby and hers moved to cover his.

Sam smiled; the smile she had always reserved for him; the one that made him feel like he was the King of the Universe. 'Merry Christmas, Jack.'

The End