AN: Sorry about the delay. I was having weird computer issues this morning

Facing the storm

Their 'sort of' honeymoon was peaceful and pleasant. They supposed they could have flown somewhere with a beach but Sam just wanted rest and alone time with Jack so the cabin it was. They came back a week later and Sam called Pete and asked him to meet her at the pond at Phillip Miller Park halfway between Denver and Colorado Springs. That way neither of them had to drive all the way.

Pete was already sitting on the solitary bench by the pond throwing bits of bread at the ducks when Sam sat down next to him.

"I didn't think I'd be hearing from you again." Pete tells her. There's a note of bitterness in his voice and Sam can't help but wince a little.

"Yah." Sam sighs.

"So… what's up? Saved the world and changed your mind?"

Sam shakes her head. They kind of had but… not. "I needed to talk to you about something."

"Okay, so let's talk." He smiles.

Sam twines her fingers in her lap. Subconsciously she hides her left ring finger from view. "Pete… I'm pregnant."

"What? Oh…well that's great, isn't it? I mean, isn't it some kind of sign, don't you think?"

"Pete… there's only about a thirty percent chance the baby is yours…. I uh… just figured you had a right to know in case it was."

"Wait… what are you saying Sam? Did you just jump in bed and have sex with some stranger the minute we broke up?"

"It wasn't like that." Sam snaps at him. "Before I started dating you… I… was seeing someone. Someone I was just supposed to have a casual relationship with but… well… I started to care about him… a lot more than I was supposed to. When I realized my feelings were… what they were… I ended things because I didn't know his feelings had changed too. When I started dating you… he seemed happy for me. I… I thought it was because he didn't care that way… I'd forgotten how self-sacrificing he is, didn't ah… didn't realize the only thing he cared about was that I was happy even if it broke his heart."

Sam sighs. "After I called you, I went over to his house to apologize for hurting him. We were friends and I'd been pretty awful. We talked for a really long time and he told me that he'd had feelings for me for a really long time. That he'd let me go because he loved me and wanted me to be happy… and he thought it was because I'd figured out he had feelings for me and didn't want that from him. We… we just meant to hug each other, a kiss to apologize… but dad was his good friend and we ended up needing comfort from each other."

"So you had sex with your ex because your dad died. You could have done that with me, Sam." Pete told her sourly.

Sam shook her head. "Pete, a lot of the reason I ended things with you had to do with me not being over him. It wasn't fair to you, Pete. I care about you but I wasn't in love with you. I didn't even realize I was so entirely in love with him until you asked me to marry you and then I didn't know what to do about it."

"Great… so I've just been what… a rebound guy for you?" He sighs. "The offer still stands you know… I'd still marry you, especially for the kid. We could be good for each other, help you get over this guy for toying with your emotions and all."

Sam frowns. "Pete… I… I can't marry you."

"Sure you can. It doesn't need to be big or elaborate, all we need is a justice of the peace and a courthouse."

Sam shakes her head. "Pete… I'm already married."

"Wait… you weren't ready to marry me but you jump right into a marriage with this guy? How does Grace's father feel about all this?"

Sam sighed and shrugged. "He's fine with it. Happy actually."

"Don't tell me you still have feelings for him too, Sam." Pete said incredulously.

"Grace was conceived during a one night stand. We didn't know each other and never would have, had we not ended up working on the same base." Sam was dancing a fine line here. She didn't want Pete to know the truth but she didn't want to lie directly either.

"Sam… How soon can you find out paternity on this kid?"

She shrugged. "You have to be twenty weeks along but the procedure isn't safe, it's caused miscarriages. I'd really rather wait for after it's born if you don't mind."

"All right, well, I guess let me know when the ultrasound and stuff are so I can be there if you need me."

Sam shakes her head. "Pete, I don't need that from you... it's going to be a bit difficult anyway. I'm moving to Nevada."

"Why the hell are you moving to Nevada?"

"I've been given a temporary reassignment so there wouldn't be any action against us for being different ranks and working on the same base. We'd planned to file a join spouse after the assignment."

Pete huffs. "Have you at least told this guy the kid might not be his?"

"Pete, that isn't fair. I've always been honest with you and him too. I just didn't ask the right questions and he can tend towards obfuscating. He knows the baby might be yours. He told me he'd love it either way and I believe him. Genetics has never been a criterion for him with kids. He's loved Grace all along."

"Oh, let me guess… you married that coworker that was always around. Probably scored points with the kid taking her over to her dad's. I bet they are even buddies. You military types do tend to stick together." Bitterness has crept back into his voice at the idea that Grace's dad had picked who he wanted his baby mama to be with and that was that.

"I'm sorry, Pete. I know this is hard for you. If the paternity test comes back that you are the father I'll make sure you sign the birth certificate if you want to, otherwise my husband will. If you want to be at the hospital for the birth, I'll make sure you get clearance to do so as it will probably be on base."

"Nah. I don't need to be there. You have a husband for that."

"Jack and I talked… if it is your child we'll make sure you have equal custody and visitation. I'll work with whatever schedule works for you to see them." She plucks at the fabric of her skirt.

"So that's it? You make me drive all the way out here to tell me this?" Pete demanded. "Knowing it made no difference to the situation because you'd already gotten married to Jack."

Sam shakes her head. "I'm sorry you were expecting something different, Pete. I've hurt you both so much and there's not anything I can do now to change that."

"Got a time machine… wait... no. Don't tell me, you probably do but can't use it for personal stuff." He says sarcastically as he gets up. "Take care of yourself, Sam. Tell Jack I said congratulations." And he walked back to his car; muttering under his breath.

Sam sat on the bench for a few minutes looking at the ducks. She sighs and gets up to leave for her half hour drive home. She had packing to finish.