Cliff Simon Factoid: In 1992, Cliff won the Mr. South Africa talent and action man competition. That led to a guest role in the South African TV show, Egoli: Place of Gold, and he eventually attained a role for 6 years on the show.
JACK
When I feel like twenty minutes passes, I go back up front. Matta and Jacob are talking to themselves in Goa'uld. Jacob is now in the pilot seat, but I can see him teaching Matta how to do something with the control panel.
"So. How do we find her?" I ask.
They both look up at me. Jacob puts the display up for all of us to see.
"The signal was coming from this continent," Jacob says, pointing up and to his left. I look at the display. My heart sort of drops.
"Um, isn't that sort of a big search area? What if these people aren't friendly? What if we can't land? What if we can't find her?"
Jacob looks back at me and gives me what I can only describe as a fatherly smile. Then he rolls his eyes at me.
"Jack, relax. We will find her," he says.
I turn around to see the others gathered behind me. They all smile or stare at me. Janet touches my arm as she walks by me to go stand behind Matta.
"OK. Matta, put us in geosynchronous orbit over this continent. Start the scans. Let's see what we can find," Jacob says.
I am looking at the display like I am hoping Carter would just pop up. I know it doesn't work that way, so I just stand there behind everyone with my hands in my pockets, hoping to hide the nervous shakes of anticipation.
SAM
I slowly stand up and grab my backpack. I walk up to Itsak and Joph. Itsak is making the last welds on my ship. Joph sets up a tiny light to help us all see a little bit in the darkness. I smile at Joph, knowing that Itsak would not see me through the torch light and helmet he has over his eyes.
"I'm going to take my bag inside and turn the ship on and do some tests. Come join me when you are done," I say with a smile.
"I'd love to see the ship. We will be along shortly. Thank you," Joph says.
I go inside the ship and turn it on. I check the systems. I have power. Navigation. I think about the comms. Should I wait to test it? Why wait? Even if a Goa'uld or someone else were up there listening, I'll be leaving soon. May as well send a voice message into the stars. Here goes nothing.
"This is Major Samantha Carter. I am alive. My ship is repaired. I will be returning home in a matter of minutes," I pause, finger still on the proverbial transmit button.
Do I say anything else? Is that enough of a message? How long will it take to reach Earth? Then I hear yelling outside of my ship. I shut the ship down quickly, then I ran outside.
When I get outside, I am confused. There is another man and woman here now. And then I see Rybak and Mardi. Great.
"Ah, Samantha, there you are. Nice of you to join us. Now, will you tell us who you really are?" Mardi says, but it is Rybak's stare that frightens me.
He has something on his face I could only describe as a smile. Yet, the Aschen never show emotion. I know something is up, and it isn't good.
I see the other woman run up to Itsak. He immediately opens his arms to her, and they embrace like lost lovers. This has to be Mara.
"And Mara, welcome back. You are also just in time to be arrested," Mardi continues.
I look around. It is me, Joph, Itsak, Mara, and whoever this other gentleman was, against Mardi and Rybak.
"You can't be serious. It's five against two. You're going to just give up because he is present in front of you?" I say rather loudly, pointing at Rybak.
"Isn't it time to fight for your land?" I ask, looking directly at Joph.
JACK
All of a sudden we all hear her voice crack through the speakers. We hear her message, and we all stare at each other, except for Matta. He is the sane one and compiles her position.
"There she is!" Matta days, pinpointing her location on the planet.
Jacob tried returning her call.
"Sammie! Hey, kiddo, it's your dad. Come in," he says. Jacob keeps trying to get her to answer.
"What happened? Why won't she reply?" I ask.
"I don't know. Matta, let me drive," Selmak said.
Matta quickly gets up out of his seat, and Selmak takes over.
"Buckle up. Jacob told me to step on it," Selmak says.
I smile and then grab onto the back of the center console thingy. Yes, that's a technical term. We all are in a heightened state of excitement and nerves right now. Or maybe it is just me. Ya, probably just me.
We make it through the atmosphere and Selmak cloaks the ship. She sets her Tel'tak down a little ways from where Carter was transmitting. We can not see Carter's ship in the darkness, but we can see a light coming from her location.
We get out of Selmak's ship and start the short walk to find Carter.
SAM
Almost at the same time, Joph moves behind Rybak and restrains him, and the other gentleman, the one whom I do not know, moves and restrains Mardi. Mardi begins yelling and telling us how we are all going to die, and how we will regret the day we ever messed with the Aschen.
I look at Rybak. He is not taking his eyes off of me. I have no idea why I am so interesting to him. I walk up to him. Joph has his arms locked behind his back. Every time Rybak tries to move, Joph pulls his arms back further.
"Why am I so interesting to you, Rybak?" I ask.
He glares at me. I haven't known him ever to be this emotional, even though he stands stoic as ever.
"You have given us another vector to lay claim to," Rybak says.
"What does that mean?" I ask.
"Your transmissions were intercepted by us. We know you are not from here. We will use the ring and come to you next."
I look at him and laugh. He has no idea who he is messing with. He can't possibly know Morse code. All he can know is they intercepted transmissions. And he had no clue how the Stargate system works. He has no idea how limited their Stargate is.
"I highly doubt that. Good luck," and I am cut off by someone yelling my name behind me.
I spin around to see my dad. My heart leaps out of my chest. Is he really here?
"Dad?" I say softly.
He starts walking to me. I can feel my heart rate go up. I can feel my eyes water up. If I could run, I would have. But I just waddle these days. Oh shut up, Sam! Your dad is here!
"Is it really you?" I ask as he steps up to me. His eyes travel down my body, but then back up to my eyes.
"Yes, kiddo. It's me. We heard your messages. Not us, per say, but some HAM operators in Kansas heard your Morse code. They eventually got the message to the SGC," he says softly.
He opens his arms to me, and I fall into him. I lightly sob, and then realize we don't have a lot of time.
"Oh god, Dad. Thank you. Thank you. But, things are a bit different now," I whisper in his ear.
He lets go of me a little bit so he can look me in the eyes.
"I see that. I like the dark hair," he says softly. He is smiling and runs his fingers through my long hair.
"Not really what I meant, Dad," I say, a bit bashful.
"I know. It's OK. We'll figure it all out when we get you home," he says, lightly touching my face with his hand. He kisses my cheek tenderly, like any father would.
I feel someone step up behind my dad. There can only be one other person with this kind of presence.
I look up over my dad's shoulder and he is standing right there. Our eyes meet, and I can not hold back my emotions. I give him a huge smile, and I feel relief flood over me. He came to get me. He came to take me home. Everything will be OK now.
I reach around my dad for Jack. I embrace him, but it is my oversized belly that hits him first. He doesn't put his arms around me.
After a few seconds I pull back to look at him. I have all sorts of questions in my mind. Has he found someone else? Does he hate my hair? I look at him in the eyes, and I feel all emotion drain from my face. He is hard and guarded.
"Jack, what's wrong?" I whisper.
He looks down at me like he can't believe what he is seeing.
"You, uh, have been busy since you've been gone," he says, loud enough for dad to hear.
My heart drops out of my body, and my soul is crushed by his words. I stand there staring at him, not even knowing how to reply. What the hell just happened? I don't have time for this right now.
I turn away from Jack to face my dad. I try to keep it together.
"Dad, this is Itsak, Mara, Joph," I say in a quiet, shaken voice, "and I didn't catch your name," I say to the mystery gentleman.
"I am Rivan. I am Mara's father. We have returned with news, and to reunite Mara and Itsak," he says, turning his head towards his daughter who was still canoodling with Itsak.
I smile at him.
"Rivan, it's nice to meet you," I say softly.
I turn towards my dad. I'm trying not to choke on my words.
"Dad," I make sure to only talk to my dad. I can't deal with Jack right now. I take my dad's hand and walk him to everyone.
"These people, the Odeni, they saved my life," I say, hearing Mardi still mumbling to herself.
"I've been with Joph and his family, and then with Itsak and Carilyn posing as Itsak's Match in order to survive," I turn to Mara. She is already standing close to Itsak and they are holding hands.
I let go of my dad's hand, and walk over to Mara and Itsak.
"Mara, it is an honor to meet you. Itsak has done nothing but say wonderful things about you," I say quietly, and walk up to her.
I take one of her hands, and then I take Itsak's in my other hand. We stand in a circle, just the three of us holding hands. I turn my eyes to Mara.
"Nothing has happened between us. This baby is not his," I say softly so only the two of them could hear me. "I wish you both well in your future. Thank you, Itsak. For everything," and I squeeze their hands and let go.
I give Itsak a huge hug right in front of everyone. I don't care who sees me. Especially him.
Then I walk back to Joph and Rivan.
"Joph, I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me," I start. "I will never forget you and your family, and what you did for me."
Mardi starts getting mouthy at me again, saying how the Aschen will hunt me down and kill me, blah, blah, blah. I turn to Dad and take his Zat.
I tell Rivan and Joph to let go of Mardi and Rybak. They both look at me like I am crazy.
"Trust me," I say.
They let go, and I zat Rybak and Mardi. They crumple to the ground.
"They are not dead, but this will make restraining them easier for you. I have to go now. Thank you," I say quietly, looking at Joph.
All of a sudden, Jannelle and Carolyn come through on the path. They see me in the soft light and smile. I smile back at them and go swiftly as I can to Carilyn. I hug her tight, then move to hug Jannelle.
"I have to go now. I will try to come back one day to see how things are going," I tell them both.
"All is well, Samantha. Or all will be. We will be free one day," Jannelle says, releasing me from our embrace.
"Thank you. All of you, thank you. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you. I hope you get your planet back," I say, then turn to my dad.
It is then that I see Daniel, Teal'c, Janet, and someone else in an SGC uniform, standing a bit in the distance. Have they seen everything?
My dad is by my side, and I am facing Jack, who is standing in between me and the others. I speak to my dad, but keep my eyes on Jack.
"Dad, please have Teal'c, Colonel O'Neill, and Daniel fly this Tel'tak back to Earth. I need you to take me home. Now," I say loud enough for all of them to hear.
Jack tries to touch my arm, but I wiggle away from his gentle hand.
"Carter," he starts.
I spin on my heels and glare at him. I can already tell my eyes are tearing up. I am not going to lose it in front of all these people, but damn these hormones are saying otherwise. I am hurt, and I am angry.
"Why don't you go do the math, genius!" I yell at him.
Then I storm off, waddling towards my dad's Tel'tak. I take Janet's hand and drag her along with me. I immediately went into the ring room. I notice I still have her hand in mine. My breath is getting shorter, making my breathing erratic. I turn to her and I can't stop my heart from breaking.
I look into her eyes and I see her understanding. She knows. I sit down on the platform bench thing. I can't hold it in. It all comes crashing out.
Maybe I anticipated too much. Maybe I wanted too much. This reunion is nothing that I imagined. I imagined being held by him, and telling him this was his child. I pictured him getting down on his aching knees, and putting his hands on my belly, and kissing his baby through me. He is going to be a father again.
And he threw it all in the garbage. Does he even want another baby? Will he be a part of this baby's life? I've always known him to love children. What has happened?
Janet sits down next to me and holds me as I cry. I try to form sentences, but only sobs come out of me.
My dad comes in, followed by the other SGC person. Dad stops in the doorway and nods to the other guy before walking to me. The other person I guess can fly this thing because we take off. Dad stays in the doorway just watching me cry on Janet.
Minutes pass before I calm down enough to be able to talk. I wipe my eyes with my hands, and wipe my nose with the apron of the dress I am still wearing. I am a mess.
"How long until we get home?" I say, all sniffly and sobby.
"About nine hours. Sam, how are you doing?" Janet asks me.
"I'm fine, Janet," I say, looking up to my dad.
"OK, well, obviously, you are pregnant. Did this happen on that planet?" she asks.
I know she is just doing her job, but I really feel like she already knows the answer to that question. Pretty sure everyone knows now.
"No. You know whose baby this is," I said, lowering my eyes. "I am sure everyone knows now," I say in a whisper.
My dad looks over at me, and I look up when I feel him move closer to me. I pat the space to my other side for him to sit. I don't care that he listens to Janet's questions.
I feel Janet put her hand on my back and caress me.
"He just assumed it wasn't his," I whisper. I can't really find my voice right now. I'm so tired. I feel few more tears leaking from my eyes.
"The night at his house after we all left?" Dad asks.
I squirm in my seat. So awkward having to answer these questions from your own dad.
"Um. Ya," I say, wiping my eyes and nose with my apron.
"Aw, kiddo, I can't imagine what you have had to go through all these months.
He puts his arm around me and hugs me from the side.
"We had a memorial service for you. Mark and I had to declare you killed in action. We had to find a way to move on."
"I figured you would have. I know. But still," I say as I touch my baby.
My dad puts his hand on top of my hand that is still on my belly, and he continues talking.
"But, I'm going to be a grandfather again, and frankly, I don't care who the father is. OK, yes, I do, and I'd like to strangle him right now. Selmak gave him a little lecture before I came on board. I am so glad you are alive, Sammie," my dad says with a smile.
My dad pulls me in for another side hug and kisses the top of my head.
"Me too. I tried to get home," I say, starting to cry again. I sound so funny when I cry and try to talk at the same time. I'm sure I'm blowing snot bubbles, too.
"I really did try to get home. The storm on the planet had so much lightning. The Tel'tak got hit. It must have created a weak spot in the back of my Tel'tak. I was venting atmosphere, and I had to set her down. It took me this long to get it fixed." I pause to wipe my nose on my apron.
"I tried. I really tried. Then I found out I was pregnant. I sent those messages every single day. All I wanted was to get home."
Janet stops caressing my back. I collapse into my dad's side. He just holds me as I cry on his shoulder for a while.
"Sam, I know you have a lot going on, but I do need to examine you," Janet says softly. She looks at me, and I shake my head.
"Not that kind of exam. That can wait. Just the basics. Stuff that your dad can be present for," she says trying to get me to smile. I nod my head and sit up straight.
Janet does what she has to do.
I learn the other guy's name is Captain Matta. He is my replacement on SG-1. Great. I don't have my old job. But, like I was thinking before, I may not want to be on an off-world team anymore.
"How is Matta doing?" I ask.
"I guess OK. But he's no Samantha Carter," my dad says. "I am going to go up front. You ladies take the time you need. I'll shut the door."
He stands and turns and hugs me again. He takes my head into his hands and looks me directly in my eyes.
"No matter what, you are always my baby girl. We'll get through this together."
I smile at him, and he leaves me alone with Janet.
JACK
I see her hug that other guy. Is that the father of her baby? My mind is racing. I watch her talking to her dad. I say her name softly, and I try to reach out to her, but she shrugs me off.
"Why don't you do the math, genius!" I hear her yell at me. I think I screwed up. But what did I do?
I look around to everyone. The local folks are putting some sort of duct tape around the arms of the two people that Carter zat'd. Daniel makes his way over to me while Teal'c goes to speak with the man who Carter just hugged. Daniel just stares at me in disgust.
"What?" I ask.
"Don't tell me you are that oblivious."
"She's pregnant, Daniel!"
"Ya, she is pregnant, you dumbass. Didn't we tell you that things may not be the same for her? We warned you, and you didn't give her a single moment to speak. Did you ever stop to think about whose baby that is?" he asks me, pointing to Selmak's Tel'tak. He is pissed.
I thought about that. Didn't I? No, I didn't. I just assumed…
"Aw, Crap." I say, realizing that the baby Carter is carrying is mine. I take my hat off my head and look straight up into the tree canopy above us. I put my hat back on and look down at my feet. I look back up at all the activity around me.
I see Jacob walk over to me before he goes to his own Tel'tak. But it isn't Jacob's voice that greeted me.
"You know, for someone as perceptive as you have been this whole time she has been gone, you really are stupid when it comes to the things in life that matter," Selmak says. Then she glows her eyes at me, and leaves to go to her own ship. The ship with Carter in it.
I walk inside the second Tel'tak and go straight into the ring room and sit down. I wait in silence for Teal'c and Daniel. I guess they are taking some time talking and helping the locals. It gives me time with my own thoughts.
When I approached Carter tonight, I felt the same sensation inside me that I felt all those times on Earth when I just knew she was alive. It feels, I don't know, like I vibrate with a sixth sense or something. And then I opened my damn mouth. How could I have done that? I take my hat off and throw it across the room. I run my fingers through my hair and over my face.
They did tell me to expect things to not be the same anymore, but a pregnant Carter was not on my radar. But, somehow, I knew it was my child. And I said the most complete opposite thing that I ever should have said upon seeing her alive again.
I hear Daniel and Teal'c finally come in. Teal'c goes up front to drive. Daniel comes back to drop his pack. He just stands and stares at me.
"I don't want to hear it," I say.
"Well, you are going to hear it. What is the matter with you?" he asked me.
"I screwed up."
"Ya, you really did. And now you have about nine hours to figure out how to fix this."