Back In Briefing Room

"Permission to check on Major Carter, Sir." Jack had waited as long as his stretched nerves would allow. He had already stood, anxious to be on his way.

"...Is there a problem, Col?" The General had felt the tension like everyone else, genuinely concerned for both the woman and the man before him.

"None I can't handle, sir." Was all O'Neill would comment as yet.

Hammond's blue eyes read Jack's brown ones for a long beat. "....Then...I suggest you go 'handle' it, Col."

"Yes sir..." Jack nodded his respect and his gratitude. "Thank you."

Corridor–SCG

"Hey....asswipe." Normally, Calli Hertz would have addressed the man in a more civil manner seeing as he out-ranked her. She had never been one to allow insignias to influence her opinion of a person's moral or ethical behavior and right now...she was not happy with O'Neill's 'behavior'. Not one little bit.

Jack had checked the Infirmary but Janet had not seen Carter. He had searched their usual 'haunts' and came up empty. She wasn't answering her cell...he was beginning to get a little worried.

"Hey " Calli called loudly, finally getting his attention.

Jack had heard her the first time but was positive she could NOT have been addressing...him. He looked at the woman, his expression bemused. "You talkin to me? ?"

"Yeah, DiNero...you're the only asswipe here."

Jack...stepped....closer...."Excuuuuuse, me? "

"She's in there and you'd better put things to 'right'....cause I'd hate like hell to have to 'key' that nice new paint job of your's." Calli really wouldn't have minded at all. "She treats me like I'm not stupid and I like her. If I were you, I wouldn't 'blow it' again." The woman moved on past the man, her eyes clear...holding his easily. "Col....Sir "

Jack found himself vaguely...insulted. He had other priorities. He headed for Corridor 'C'. He tried the door and found it unlocked. He walked in.
Samantha Carter stood, shock registering on her face. She had been sitting at the desk and...she had been crying. Shit...he hated that thought.

He began without preamble, closing the door with a decided finality behind him. "Let's get a few things straight here...shall we?"

She opened her mouth and the man put on his best 'command' face. "I'm speaking, Major...don't even think about interrupting....One...you feel 'responsible'..." He "quoted" with his fingers, his expression a mocking one. "For what happened that night? Yeah...whatever I made the decision, Carter...not you I f I had wanted to go get the damned things...I would have. Truth...?"

The man stepped right up to the desk, facing the woman more than squarely, his eyes flashing his irritation. "I wanted to ride you 'bareback'. I wanted to feel each and every 'moment' of you." He ignored her blush. "And, I wanted to 'feel' it as God intended." He stopped only for breath. "Two...that baby you carry is mine. I want to be a part of it...of it's future, and...God willing...yours " He made his way around the desk, his eyes holding hers masterfully. She retreated slightly. "Three...you are not 'alone' in this..I'm here And I have no damned intention of leaving. So..." He motioned, continuing his trek and the woman continued to...retreat. "You be pissed if you want...it's probably a 'hormone' thing or something. I'll wait until you're over whatever this is but make no mistake." He shoved the chair out of his way and continued his advancement. "I'm here...and I'm staying. You do what you have to do...and I'll do what I have to do...are we clear yet?"

The woman had halted her steps, because...Jack O'Neill had halted his. She felt the tears welling in her eyes.

"Don't." He closed his. "That tears my insides apart, baby...." He sought her out. "....Come mere."

Carter went to his arms, her own embracing him in a death clasp. "Oh, God...I...I thought..."

"Shut the hell up. You'll piss me off again. I fucking know what 'you thought'...and don't ever think it again "

"No Sir." She whispered huskily. "I won't think it again....I swear."

She could feel the man's body relax. "You ok? I was worried shitless."

He held her tightly...as if he didn't want to let go...not ever.

"I...I don't know anything about...being a 'Mom'." She blurted her worse fears. So glad this man was there to listen. So very...relieved and...joyously...glad. "I never had a 'Mom'...I'll screw up. The kid will turn out to be an ax murderer...or worse "

Jack wondered fleetingly...what could be worse but he held the woman tightly and said instead... "You'll be the best damned 'Mom' on the entire planet, Carter. Hell...name any of those 'P' something planets we've gone to...any of them...and, hands down...you won't find one woman that has been a better 'Mom " He buried his face in the sweet fragrance of her neckline, his lips kissing the warm skin in open affection. "Trust me on this...I know."

"How?....how do you 'know'?" She wanted proof.

"Because I say...and I don't lie to you." He lifted his head and she raised those eyes that melted his soul. "I never have....and....I never will."

Carter kissed him with all the passion and need she was suddenly experiencing. And he...kissed her right back.

One kiss lead to another and....yet...another and soon...the man was grimacing his new-found pain. He broke one such kiss to....get a little perspective on the matter. It didn't work.
"....Shit." Jack frowned for his lack of control. Oh well....what the hell.

"...Sir..." Carter watched his experienced fingers work the belt on her BDUs...."What are you...doing We...can't....not here " She glanced around the empty office. "Someone will...come." In reality....she had never been so turned on by the thought in her entire existence.

"Yeah...me..." O'Neill unzipped her slacks and then his trousers. He turned her 'about-face." "Inside you....gonna take the Scenic Route, Major....bend " He forced her over the edge of the desk, fiddling with the front of his pants, reaching for what he would be needing in a few....

Carter gasped, swirling just in time to see.....Jack O'Neill disappear before her very eyes in an Asgard 'beam' of brilliant, white light.