A.N.: The beginning of this chapter is addressing a review I had received from a very nice reviewer. Thanks goes out to that reader for pointing out the issue and giving me the idea for the beginning of this chapter. I always enjoy hearing from the readers. This chapter might be a little shorter than usual, but I liked it just the way it is…didn't want to add anything extra that wasn't needed.
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It seemed like waiting was all Jack ever did. He couldn't help but pace the floorboards down. As on cue, Daniel made his way into the room.
"You could have told me, you know."
Jack looked up from the floorboards and just nodded.
"Do you really think the baby could be Ba'al's? I mean, I would think that they would have noticed that type of thing during Sam's initial exam. Not to mention the fact that Sam was taken capture almost four months ago. I would think that a pregnancy from that would have been noticed long before now."
Jack didn't say anything. He just went back to pacing and let Daniel continue. Daniel liked to talk things out anyways.
"Although, I suppose there's the fact that pregnancy isn't always visible immediately. If Sam wasn't reporting any new symptoms after her release, they might have not known to give it a second though. Who knows? Maybe Sam thought that any symptoms she was experiencing were complications from the trauma. You know how Sam doesn't always report all her symptoms because she doesn't want to be taken off of active duty. Plus, I mean, the doctors on staff here are fantastic, but let's face it, they aren't Dr. Frasier. Janet would have known exactly what to look for in that type of situation."
Jack was listening, although it might have appeared differently.
"Do you mind me asking, would you be happy if the baby was yours? I mean, everyone has kind of been assuming that the baby is Ba'al's when in fact, there is a better probability that the baby is yours."
He stopped pacing and just stood there for a moment, pondering the question. In all of the commotion, nobody had bothered to ask him that question. He sighed.
"To be honest, after Charlie died, I wasn't sure if I would ever want to have children again. Plus, I mean, my relationship with Sam is just starting to get serious after so many years of waiting. Despite all of that, yeah, I think I would be happy."
"Well, you know that I'm wishing you the best. Teal'c is, too. For the record, so are Cameron and Vala."
"Ah, yes. Where is Teal'c? I would have expected him to make his appearance known."
"He had business to attend to on Dakura. He couldn't stay, but you know Teal'c, not big on words. He sends his best wishes though."
The sound of a gurney could be heard coming down the hall. Jack shot up to attention and watched as the one he loved was wheeled back into the room. He couldn't read her face this time. She looked too worn out. Her eyes were fatigued. Although he could feel her sense of relief, he didn't know if it was just from the fact that now she knew. The suspense was eating away at his insides. The doctor was staying neutral.
"Although Ba'al is a Goa'uld, she would have been fertilized by the human host, so we would have to assume that the pregnancy would follow the normal timeline. If the baby was indeed the product of Colonel Carter's capture by Ba'al, she would be firmly in the second trimester of pregnancy. A fetus would be very visible on an ultrasound…fingers, toes, the whole nine yards."
Jack liked the direction this was taking.
"So…"
"So, General, Colonel Carter is definitely showing some probable signs of pregnancy. Her body is beginning to undergo the normal vaginal and cervix changes. We did a radioimmunoassay test, which is the most sensitive test for pregnancy, and that came back positive. However, the gestational sac is not yet visible on the ultrasound. There are still not any visible absolute signs of pregnancy, but I would say that there is a Colonel Carter is pregnant and that the pregnancy is less than six weeks."
This was the best news Jack had heard in a long time. He felt like a giant weight had been lifted off of his shoulders, and he knew that Sam must be feeling the same way. After the doctor gave some simple instructions and left, Daniel gave him a pat on the back, gave Sam a nod of congratulations, and left the couple to be alone. Jack just smiled.
"So, not definite yet but extremely probable that you're pregnant and its mine?"
"Most definitely."
"Are you happy?"
"Yeah, I think I am. Are you?"
"It's perfect."
He gave her a kiss on the forehead before gathering her things to take her home. Hand in hand once more, they made their way back to the car, only this time, the worry was replaced by a gentle glow of happiness.