Chapter 20
A year had gone by since Jack O'Neill had taken over the SGC. He and Lt Col Carter hadn't seen each other in almost 4 months as she was gone to help with the Prometheus Program. She had decided to help on the project because things were quiet around the SGC it was getting old sitting around just doing lab work. The General had still never replaced the fourth member of SG1 and therefor rarely sent them on dangerous missions exploring new worlds. If he did, he sent SG3 with them. He trusted Col Reynolds to cover their six and to bring his team home. So after a while, the members of his # 1 team kept signing up for different endeavors. Besides Carter helping the Prometheus Program, Daniel was off to Atlantis, and Teal'c was back on Chulak trying to help Bra'tc with all the rebel Jaffa. It had been a year since General Hammond had moved to the Homeworld Security office in Washington and he decided with the Prometheus Project off and running that he wanted to get back out in the field when the post was offered to him.
When the president asked who Hammond thought should take over the Homeworld Security Office, he couldn't think of anyone better than his previous 2IC, Jack O'Neill. General O'Neill had been pondering about accepting the president's last proposal to move to Washington and especially to watch over the NID. He'd even get another star in the process.
He didn't want to leave the SGC but with everyone always gone, and seemingly all the System Lords had been defeated or at least quiet, he thought that it may be time for change. He had discussed it with Carter the last time they talked and she thought he should do what he wanted. Of course she preferred he stay at the SGC as she was almost done with the Prometheus Project and would be back. She didn't want to prevent him from advancing in his career just as he would never block her from doing. They'd just have to do a bit more travelling in order to see each other.
When Carter returned to the SGC, she felt the vibe very different. O'Neill had already cleared his things out of the General's Office and was on a two week break before taking his new post. She met with General Landry who appeared to be a nice guy but it wasn't the same without O'Neill there.
Carter then met up with her friend Janet. She hadn't been feeling well over the last week or two and wanted to be checked out. Dr Frasier did a full physical and didn't find anything but with the symptoms, she suspected one thing, so she took blood. There were several people in and out of the infirmary so she asked her friend to follow her into her office and to shut the door so they could talk.
Janet looked up to her friend with a questioned look almost embarrassed, "Sam, honey, you know I wouldn't ask if I didn't feel it necessary…. But, when was the last time you had intercourse?" Sam turned bright red, "Janet?!" The Dr had a serious look, "Sam, what I am asking is, do you think there is a possibility that you are pregnant? I am trying to establish a timeline." Janet just looked to the floor not able to look her friend in the eye.
Sam was in shock, "Pregnant? It can't be, I mean, um, let me see…" she had talked to her friend about the secret relationship she shared with O'Neill, it was not a rare thing to talk to Janet but for some reason, she was more embarrassed right now, probably because now they'd been 'caught'. "Janet, I am on birth control!" The Dr just shook her head, "I know, that's what you told me but it isn't fool proof." Janet gave her friend a look with a raised eyebrow.
"So, when was the last time Sam?" she asked again. Sam started thinking, "Well, I have been gone 4 months so it's more than that, so I'd have to say the night before I left." The Dr was nodding her head, "That would be about the right timing. Let's get the bloodwork going and I will let you know later tonight. But I do feel a difference in your pelvic palpation and you have gained a few pounds since your last visit…." Sam started crying in disbelief so Janet went over and put her arms over her friend.
"Janet, what am I going to do? I can't have a baby right now." Janet didn't really know what to say. "It'll be fine honey, you will work it out and right now only you and I know. Once I get the results, I will call you. If it is a positive, sit down with Jack and discuss it. You know he will do whatever he needs to make it ok." Sam slowed her crying knowing it was true.
General Jack O'Neill had thought a lot and finally accepted the position forcing him to move to Washington. On the day of the ceremony where he received his second star, Hammond and Carter both attended and congratulated him. "Major General Jack O'Neill. It's got a nice ring to it huh?" he asked his friends. General Hammond smiled a big smile and shook his hand, "Congratulations Jack. I heard General Landry has taken over the SGC, I hope he knows what he's in for!" Carter shook General O'Neill's hand to congratulate him and gave him a quick hug while whispering in his ear. "Tonight flyboy!" He raised one eyebrow and released the woman after all, they were in public.
After the reception Gen O'Neill went to his apartment while Gen Hammond gave Carter a ride to the hotel where they were staying. About an hour later, Carter called a taxi and found herself at the General's apartment which had been set up with wine and candles.
Carter knew she was in for quite the night. The lights were dim and she did not see Jack. She walked in and put her bags down when she saw the rose pedals on the hallway floor leading to the bathroom. She smiled, removed her shoes, and followed the path. When she got to the end, she found Jack in an oversized Jacuzzi tub smiling and holding a glass of wine for her. "What took you so long?" he asked with a smirk.
She stood just trying to take it all in, "Jack O'Neill…. I didn't know you were such a romantic." He smiled, "There's a lot about me you still don't know….. now, all you have to do is get out of those clothes and climb in, I'll take it from there…." Tears welled up in her eyes as she got undressed and climbed into the tub, she loved this man so much.
Sam climbed into the tub and sat back against Jacks chest. His hand pushed her hair from her neck so his mouth could begin exploring while his other hand was finding her breast. She was in complete ecstasy. He always knew exactly what she wanted as he continued kissing her neck and shoulder, her head against his chest allowing him to explore wherever he wanted.
After a few moments he realized she was still teary so he whispered while kissing her shoulder and pulled her closer against him. "What's the matter baby?"
She didn't want to tell him yet but she thought now she needed to. "Jack, I have something to tell you…." He was still caressing her with his mouth, "ya? What's up?" Her tears got a little heavier so he stopped kissing and just held her tight against him and nuzzled into her neck. "Jack, I was feeling funny the other day so I stopped in to see Janet." He paused, "and?" She turned to look at him, "and she thinks I'm pregnant. She is running blood work now to confirm but she thinks I am about 4 months into it and has removed me from any gate travel. Jack, what am I gonna do?"
He was in shock but took her face in his hands and took her for a deep kiss. "Sam, WE will do what WE need to do. I can retire, I've done it before." She didn't want him to have to retire but right now she didn't see any other way unless she resigned from the Air force.
Sam just cried and stayed cradled in the arms of the only man she ever truly loved. She knew he'd do anything for her and ALWAYS be there for her but it was so scary. "Are you upset?" He cradled her and shook his head, "Upset? About what? It takes two to tango right?" he squeezed her tighter. "Samantha, you do believe me when I say I will ALWAYS be here right? That includes for our child."
Somehow the thoughts Jack had for the night were gone, they were just curious to wait for Janet's call to confirm the pregnancy. He was with the woman he had always wanted but there would be consequences. The couple climbed out of the Jacuzzi and decided to order dinner from room service.
At about 9:00, Sam's cell phone rang and she ran to answer it. When she saw it was Janet she took a deep breath and she and Jack stared into each other's eyes. "Hello?" Jack walked over behind Sam to hold her and rested his head on her shoulder from the back so he could hear Janet as well. "Hi Sam, it's Janet." Sam was frozen, "Hi Janet, so.. did you get the results?" There was a pause, "Yes, I just got them. Sweetie, the results came back as positive." Jack squeezed Sam against him and nuzzled his face into her neck. There was a pause, "Have you told Jack?"
"Yes, I just told him tonight and he's right here so he heard you tell me." "Ok,sweetie, I want to check on you again in 2 weeks but when you get back to the SGC we need to sit down and discuss things with General Landry since he's going to have to make some changes in the teams and decide how he wants to handle your not doing anymore gate travel for a while."
Jack heard every word Janet said so he talked over Sam's shoulder. "No, problem, she will be back tomorrow. But give Sam & I a chance to talk some things out before you mention anything to Landry ok?" Janet knew what he was referring to, "Yes sir, I will wait until I speak to you or Sam. I do wish you both luck."Jack could feel the sincerity Janet conveyed in her sentence and could picture her with a big smile. "Thank you Janet, talk to you later." "Bye Sir, bye Sam." And they hung up.
The couple sat on the couch holding each other just thinking things out. Where they would live, Sam and Jack each still had their own houses but with Jack in Washington and Sam in Colorado Springs it wasn't easy. The other and biggest issue is how to handle the relationship without being court martialed. Jack had made up his mind that he would retire, he wasn't going to let his baby grow up a Military Brat without a father in his/her life and besides, he didn't want Sam to have to take on all that pressure without him.
Jack decided to return to the SGC the following day with Sam so they could talk to General Landry together. Jack had Sam pull the transfer records up on the computer. "Yes!" Jack blurted out. General Marque had signed the temporary transfer accepting Carter as an assigned officer at Nellis AFB 4 days prior to Sam actually flying down to Area 51 to work on the Prometheus Project. So technically, she was not under Jack's direct chain of command at the time of what anyone would know was their "first and only affair" the night Sam must have become pregnant. Jack had it all worked out in his head and explained his thoughts to Landry and Carter.
Landry certainly was not happy about being in this situation but technically this happened before he took the post. He just left the room shaking his head with a half smile. "You two kids just work it out, let me know what you decide, neither of you technically work here at the SGC or even at Peterson AFB at the present time, so it doesn't matter to me!" Sam slapped Jack on his arm and smiled and she began typing. "Sir! Look at this, General Marque signed the transfer of my records from Area 51 to General Hammond when he took command of the Prometheus Project." Jack just stared into her eyes with question and she knew she was stumped at her thought. "Don't you see sir! General Hammond has still not signed my transfer back to the SGC! I am still under his command!"
Jack was still staring into her baby blue eyes as he caught on. "Let me make a call!" and he ran to the phone to call General Hammond. Jack explained the situation and Hammond was beyond pissed off to the point that Sam could hear the screaming through the phone across the room while Jack held the phone away from his ear. But when he hung up the phone he had a smile on his face. "He'll do it, he'll hold you on the Prometheus Project doing research for another month which will give us time to better handle things." They were both excited; they may have dodged the proverbial bullet as they say. And it would make it hard for anyone to prove that Sam & Jack had an affair during the actual time Sam was in Jack's direct chain of command. Of course very shortly thereafter leaving his command yes, but technically she had been transferred a week prior to her leaving Colorado Springs.
Of course with their latest plan with Hammond, it meant Sam would have to go back to Nellis AFB for another month to do the research on the Prometheus Project but it was better than being court martialed they figured.
Jack & Sam walked out and informed Landry of what they had worked out. Sam would not be transferred back to the SGC for 30 days and when she did transfer back, she would not be doing any gate travel per Dr Frasier so General Landry was going to have to do something with SG1 for about 10 months to a year at which time Sam would return to work and could go through the gate. Sam had figured 5 months while she was pregnant and then she was hoping to take a 6 month maternity leave.
"A year? I can't hold up SG1 for a year!" Landry didn't know what to do. "Colonel, if you are not going to be able to lead SG1 through the gate for a year, I am going to be forced into bringing in a senior officer. I am not sure I can hold a position for you to lead your own team when you get back, you may have to take second OR THIRD IC depending on what is happening at that time!" Sam and Jack made their usual eye contact so they could communicate without talking. Sam finally responded that she understood he had to do what was best for SG1 but made sure he knew she was going to be ready to take the command when she returned.
After they were done talking everything over, Jack & Sam stopped by Janet's Office to say hi and to let her know what their plan was. When Carter stepped out to use the ladies room, Jack informed Janet of his intention of marrying Sam in the next three weeks. He is going to pop the question before he left to return to Washington and they would be married before Sam returned to the SGC.
Janet was taken back but understood that they needed to do this in order to stay out of trouble, if they could. She smiled up at the General and gave him a quick hug. "You take care of her, you hear me!" Jack smiled down at her. "You know I will. And I will be in touch with the plans, please don't tell anyone. The wedding will be small, maybe just you & Cass, Daniel, and Teal'c. I will mention it to Hammond but I doubt he would come, he is PISSED!" Janet chuckled, "well sir, Cassie & I wouldn't miss it for the world!"
Jack stepped out into the hallway as Sam was walking back down the hall. Now that he was looking, he could see a tiny baby bump showing through her fitted shirt. The two left together and headed for Sam's house. As they pulled up, Jack asked if he could borrow her car so he could run a few errands and check on his house. "Sure.. but, I'll go with you." Sam wasn't catching onto his intentions. "No, no, you go rest, you've had a long day and you don't want to get too tired, remember you have to fly back to Nellis in the morning."
Sam thought for a moment, "ok, you're right". She couldn't help but suspect he was up to something but figured he just had some things to take care of as he said. After all, she was not privy to all the things he had to handle at the new job. She leaned over to give him a kiss before getting out of the car so he could slide into the driver's seat.
Once Jack saw that she had made it into the house, he left directly for the strip mall downtown and found the jewelry store. He sat for almost an hour looking at ring after ring uncertain of which diamond she would like. He knew she wasn't really a jewelry wearer even at home so he didn't think she would want anything too elaborate but more functional yet something that didn't look like it came out of a Cracker Jack box.
The jeweler finally showed him the one that he thought would be perfect so he took out his credit card to make the purchase. The jeweler could see the glow in Jack's face and couldn't help but comment. "She is one lucky woman, not many men spend so much time picking the perfect ring. It is obvious to me that you are truly in love with your lady." Jack was beaming. "I don't know how lucky she is but I know I am getting the best partner I could ever hope to have and she is carrying my child."
The jeweler smiled and tipped his head, "well congratulations then. Here's your receipt. Please keep me in mind when the two of you are ready to purchase your wedding rings and maybe someday a mothers ring." Jack's face just dropped, shit, I still have to buy wedding rings for both of us! Doh! He shook the jewelers hand and thanked him, "I'll see you soon!"
After leaving, Jack stopped by his house to check on things. As he was walking through his living room he looked up at the photo of he and Charlie and stopped. He took the photo off the wall and sat on the recliner for a moment staring at the photo, suddenly memories flooded his mind and a tear hit the glass. When he snapped out of the thoughts, he took the photo and a few other things and put them in a duffle bag with a bottle of wine he had been keeping for a special occasion and took one more look before locking up the house and getting back in the car.
He decided he need to make one more stop before going back to Sam's house. As he pulled into the narrow driveway winding through a peaceful field of stones , he finally came to a stop at one with a familiar name. He got out of the car, walked over, and squatted down tracing his finger over the etched name "Charles O'Neill". Again a tear had escaped as he was telling his son about how much he missed him and that he was going to be marrying Sam and they were going to have a baby. He apologized to the boy and promised that he would be a better father to his little sister or brother and that he hoped Charlie would help watch over his new sibling.
Shortly thereafter, a shadow approached behind him and stopped. Jack spun around to see who it was and was surprised to see the figure of his ex-wife. She could tell he had been crying and had a concerned look on her face. The last time she found him like this it wasn't really him, it was some kind of alien energy form.
When he stood up and saw the gentleness in his face, she knew it was the real man. "What's going on Jack, are you ok?" He turned back to her and tried to close to dams that had opened up a few moments ago. "How long have you been standing there?" he asked as he finally made eye contact with her.
"I just walked up. I was driving by and saw you down here so I thought I would stop. Are you ok?" She knew it was not often if ever that Jack cried. He put his head down and tried to figure out what to tell her. He hadn't thought about running into or telling Sara about his new found fortune of love but now he's faced with it. He looked up to look her in the eye, "ya, I ah, I came down to talk to Charlie a bit. I wanted to let him know some things that were changing."
Sara's face became more concerned, she still loved her ex-husband but they both knew too much had happened to ever make it work again. "Like what? Jack, are you ok?" He just nodded his head," I am fine. Actually I came to tell Charlie I was getting married and am expecting a new child." He looked away, it was a very uncomfortable situation. Tears welled up in her eyes and began biting her upper lip as she accepted the info. "Well, then I am happy for you. I hope everything works out" and she began turning to leave. Jack stepped and grabbed her shoulder turning her back towards him. He took ahold of each shoulder and looked her in the eyes, "I'm sorry Sara. I hope you also find your soul mate. You truly deserve to find and be loved by the perfect man. I know I am blessed to have Sam in my life and certainly don't deserve it as much as you do. If there is anything I can do…" she held her hand up to him as she began crying harder. She was hurt, jealous, and happy for him all in the same moment and didn't want to say anything she would regret. Enough regretful words had been said between them over the years.
"Jack, I am happy for you, I really am. And I am sure Charlie will watch over his new brother or sister. You don't need to do anything for me.." and she was crying so hard she was shaking. Jack took a deep breath and pulled her in to embrace her. She grabbed him and held on, his strong body was so badly missed. Jack nuzzled his neck to her shoulder and whispered in her ear. "I will always love you, I hope you know that. Don't ever hesitate to call me if you need anything or just need to talk. And I do truly hope you find the right man." They both separated and smiled before letting each other go and getting into their separate cars.