Heat Chapter 38

Carolyn Lam observed her patient, a woman whom she had yet to meet. Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter. When the new CMO had arrived at SGC, she was given a huge amount of medical data on her fellow soldiers. Carter's file, however, had priority and confidential marked on it and was sitting at the top of the pile. Notes indicated that she was transferring to Area 51 but, because of the unusual nature of her "blended" physiology, her medical records would be archived within the SGC and serve as a case study for any other incidents involving alien possession. Carolyn's background in the military had not fully prepared her for what she was about to read. She had taken this assignment for personal as well as professional reasons. She wanted to see just how her father commanded an elite group of Air Force specialists who were part of off-world missions. It was the stuff of science fiction. Full briefings and highest security clearance became part of her preparation for Cheyenne Mountain. Seeing and going through the Stargate for the first time added to her astonishment. As a doctor, she had a good grasp on physical science but the reality of Gate travel and what it did to the human body was almost surreal. She stayed up late at night studying all she could about the SGC and its personnel. SG1, the flagship team, continued to fascinate her. Yet, as she transitioned into the base, they were being disbanded and re-assigned so she never got to meet them. However, she felt as if she had because of what she found in their files. Their many life-threatening encounters with aliens were both frightening and sobering. Time and again, they had made it back under unbelievable odds. She had gained a new sense of respect for the SGC units and for this particular woman soldier who seemed to have had more than her fair share of alien assault and injury.

Lam was grateful that her father had chosen her to provide treatment for Sam Carter. Not only would she get her patient through the next few critical days but she would continue to provide careful screening as Sam's new spleen began to grow and function. Regeneration of living tissue within the human body was a giant leap and Lam was privileged to be part of the clinical experience. She couldn't help but think that, once again, Sam Carter was being placed in a heroic position. The irony was that this brave woman was totally unaware of her predicament. However, that would be changing soon.

Sam's last transfusion had been completed and the transfer to earth-based medications was going smoothly. Still, the patient had begun to show signs of agitation and her heart and pulse rates were more elevated as she was being revived. All readings lay within the normal range of response, though, so Carolyn had dismissed the other doctors, keeping the critical-care nurse. Once they regulated these last few minutes of twilight sleep, she would invite Jack back into the room.

Jack was pacing back and forth. Why was it taking so long?

He jumped when a hand touched his back. Turning quickly, he saw Alayna, looking quite tiny in her oversized robe. There were dark shadows under her eyes that he hadn't noticed before. Her fragility drew his mind away from Sam and he hastened to get her a chair. One of the ICU nurses also came over.

"Madam, are you well?" Alayna's wan smile and nod of the head was meant to assure the nurse that she was fine. But neither the nurse nor Jack was convinced. He decided to take charge.

"Why don't you get the First Lady a drink of water, eh? Better yet, that sweet bug juice that tastes like Gatorade."

Alayna chuckled and backed up Jack's request. "Yes, please bring me a large glass of the juice." The nurse turned and went off on her mission. Jack sat down on the floor next to Alayna's chair, sensing that she had something to tell him, but also anxious for news of his friend.

"How's Karnak? What's the latest?"

Alayna sighed, "He's still very critical but the fever is coming down and that's a good sign. They will be keeping him unconscious for a couple more days. I got to tell him about Kaya though. Well, I spoke and prayed that somewhere, wherever he is right now, he got the message."

Jack looked up at this indefatigable woman. Her grace under pressure reminded him a lot of Sam. "He got the message alright; he's got a lot to live for. Besides, I told him in the desert that I had to show him how to diaper a baby. For that alone, he will recover."

Alayna laughed quietly and, as she had earlier in the day, placed her hand on his arm. It was a small but endearing gesture and it meant a lot to Jack. He covered her hand with his and the friends became silent, retreating to their private thoughts for a few moments.

She was the first to speak. "Now tell me about Sam."

"I don't want to get my hopes up too high but considering the fact that she just had a major operation and is going back in for more surgery, she seems to be holding her own. It was a bit crowded in there a few minutes ago, too many people. Funny, when I first saw her like that – the tubes, ventilator, all those IV bags hanging – I was spooked. I couldn't find Sam. Now, watching her the past day, all I see is Sam. It's like all the medical stuff has receded to the background and it's just Sam lying there in that bed. I want to look in her eyes, ya know?" Jack looked at Alayna's intent face. "Of course you know. You're going through the same damn thing."

Alayna squeezed his arm. "We're going through this together, Jack. They would want us to support each other."

"Friggin' biplane. Next time, I swear, I'm buying your husband a model-airplane kit. The guy is going to get his kicks flying models for a while … it's a perfect hobby to teach a little kid too. Kaya will love it."

Alayna's eyes moistened. "Jack, we will never tame Karnak. He's such a free spirit and I don't regret his need to live life to the fullest. It's not for many. We, Aquilians, have been tempered by generations of enslavement. I think our generation has begun to relax again and find moments of pure pleasure, like the way you saw us on the dance floor. We love music and it resurrects something good in ourselves. Frankly, though, we take our children far too seriously. Karnak will want Kaya to play."

"I can help there. Believe me. I was looking for a toy for the kid already and couldn't find anything light and fluffy. Just to know, Uncle Jack will be coming back with some important playthings from planet Earth. But Uncle Jack will not buy Karnak a new biplane."

The nurse interrupted their laughter and handed a large cup to Alayna. She put a finger to her lips, reminding them that this was a surgical ICU.

Alayna turned to Jack. "Do you think we'll wake up Sam?"

"I sure hope so" was Jack's mischievous reply. "I can't wait to see those baby blues."

"Jack, I have a favor to ask." Alayna's voice had turned soft and earnest. Jack could tell that she wanted him to pay attention, stop with the light banter.

"What is it?"

"I want you to tell Sam something for me, if she's alert enough to understand what's going on. Okay?"

"Sure. Lam said that, if it goes well, we can probably keep her lucid for an hour or two and then re-introduce meds to put her back under. I know she'll probably be disoriented at first and that's why I'm damn sure I want to be the one who's doing most of the talking. I want her to see a friendly face when she wakes up with that hose in her mouth. Did I tell you I hate ventilators?"

"At least you'll get the chance to calm her and communicate. I wish I could do that with Karnak …" her voice drifted off and Jack felt like an ass for rambling on about waking Sam up. Alayna was right; they were going through this ordeal together. The least he could do was be more sensitive to her needs too.

"I'm sorry, sometimes I run on without thinking."

Alayna smiled wearily once more. "Karnak often reminded me, 'it's the imperfections in people that we love'."

"And love always finds its way home", Jack added. "The guy is an optimist; I'll give him that."

Alayna returned to the subject at hand. "You know that Kaya has no living grandparents nor aunts and uncles. You and Sam were fighting by our side when our family members were killed in the war of liberation. This child is the beginning of our lineage again. She will carry the stories we tell her of her ancestors - their brave deeds, their sacrifices. However, she has no living sponsors for her naming ceremony. This is an important ritual in our culture. The sponsors are to be blood relatives; if all family members are deceased, then it is written that only those who are linked by deep bonds of friendship may step forward to represent the child and make an offering in the temple in her name. Karnak and I had discussed this when I first got pregnant. We discussed which pair of colleagues would best honor our ancestors and our new child. Jack, we did not take this lightly. We continued to speak about this as the baby grew in my womb. When we knew that you and Sam were coming here to be honored for your many contributions to our planet, we agreed that we would ask you to be the baby's sponsors. We had planned to ask you after the plane trip to the outpost, just before you returned to the Stargate. What made it even more special was the fact that you two had finally declared your love for each other. We were thrilled. We also knew that your commitment to our child would ensure a return for the formal ceremony which is held when the child reaches one month of age. Jack, I can speak for my husband when I say that you and Sam have become kin to us. Aquila is your home too. You have both shed your blood on our soil during the war of liberation and now, once again. You have brought the wonders of science and technology to our people. You have been our staunch defenders and loyal friends. It will honor us immensely if you and Sam will be sponsors for Kaya."

Jack was speechless. He felt like he was coming in from the cold. There was something so good, so right about Alayna's request. He got up and gently pulled Alayna from her chair to wrap her in his strong arms.

"If Sam can understand you, tell her about the baby and ask her to stand with you as sponsor."

Jack looked at Alayna and whispered, "It will be our honor I'm sure, but of course, I will ask Sam."

Just then the hospital door opened and Dr. Lam beckoned Jack inside. However, Alayna held onto his arm to reveal one last piece of information.

"It is also the custom to name the child after one of the sponsors. The baby's full name will be Kaya Samantha."

"Now that's one honkin' lovely name." Jack was beaming. "Are you gonna be okay getting back to your room?"

Alayna was feeling stronger and more hopeful by the minute. She could see the joy in Jack's face. She waved him off and walked slowly back to her baby.

The infant nursed greedily while gazing into her mother's tear-stained eyes.

"Oh, Kaya, you will grow up surrounded by love."