The Touched

Part 10

"Major, far be it from me to tell you what to do, but I don't think running away is going to help matters."

"With all due respect, Sir, getting away for a while, isn't running away. I doubt I could do that even if it were my intention, considering that, in nine months, I'd have to slow to a stand still...or a lay on my back in agony...uh, sorry, Sir."

The General sighed and sat down at his desk, "There's nothing I can say to make you reconsider?"

"My mind is made up, Sir."

"Very well," Hammond sat up straight, "I'll make contact with the Tok'Ra as soon as I can." Sam gave him a tight smile, nodded and began to head to the door.

"May I make one *suggestion*, Major Carter."

"Of course, Sir," Sam replied, knowing instinctively what he was going to say.

"May I suggest that you at least inform Colonel O'Neill of your plans."

"I think that Colonel O'Neill and I have spoken more than enough." She replied icily, only softening when she focussed again on the General's face. "But I don't think I really have much of a choice in the matter, Sir. He's going to talk to me whether or I want to talk to him or not."

With a final nod, the Major considered herself free to go. George sighed and leaned back in his chair. Things were never easy, and, now? Well, now they were getting damn near impossible. His main team had been torn apart, not only as an SG unit, but also as a family. He couldn't imagine what Major Carter and Colonel O'Neill were going through, although, he did know that the two of them were stubborn as mules. But he also had to consider that this had an effect on Teal'c and Doctor Jackson. But the foremost thing on his mind was simple. What in the hell was he supposed to tell Jacob?

~x~x~x~x~x~

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Sam groaned as she turned, trying not to flinch as the door smacked against the wall. Waving to the passing Captain to reassure him that she needed no assistance, she crossed the room and closed the door, deliberately paying no heed to the raging Colonel in her quarters. She turned back to her bed and continued to pack the few essentials she carried on base.

"Carter, I said, what in the hell…"

"I know what you said, Sir!" She half snarled as she spun around to face him. Her anger was slowly bubbling to the surface and she wasn't sure how long she could control herself. "And I think you know what I'm doing or you wouldn't be here."

"So, you were just planning on leaving without saying a word?" He took a few steps towards her, but she stood her ground.

"Actually, Colonel, whether or not you believe me, I had planned to tell you."

"Yeah, after you made the decision without me."

"It's not your decision to make!" Sam placed a hand on her head, steadying herself on the bed frame as a wave of dizziness hit her.

"Damn it, Sam," Jack placed his hands on her shoulders, guiding her onto the bed. He sighed, brushing her hair from her forehead. The move obviously startled her, as her head jerked upwards - although she instantly regretted it as the world began to spin again.

Jack sighed, "Look, I know we've not exactly been getting along for the last few hours," Sam snorted. "Okay, so 'not getting along' is a bit of an understatement. I…I don't know how to handle this, but you shutting me out isn't helping."

Sam closed her eyes and looked to the ground, "I know. And I'm sorry." She looked back into his eyes. "I really am, but until I get things sorted in my own head, I can't be of any use to you…or this child."

"So, Janet got back to you then?" She nodded. "And?"

"And, we're definitely having a baby."

We. That simple word seemed to lift the fog that had been clouding his thick mind for the last few hours. She had acknowledged that the child was his. He was going to be a father again. And Sam was going to be his…what? What was Sam going to be to him? The mother of his child? The woman he loved? His wife? He couldn't propose to her, not now, not ever like this. The child would come first, always first, and there was nothing he would put in front of it. Besides, she'd think the baby was the only reason he was doing it. And even if she didn't, she'd never say yes…right?

"Penny for 'em?"

Jack offered her a small grin and, again, brushed aside her short hair, "You're still going aren't you?" he asked sadly. She slowly nodded and he sighed.

"I have to, Sir. I…"

"Please, Sam, will you cut the crap and call me Jack. We're having a child, I think it's okay for us to be on a first name basis."

"Okay, Jack," she said with a lopsided grin, liking the sound of his name on her tongue. "I have to go." She continued, the mood turning serious again, "I need to get things sorted in my own head…I need to think things through. And so do you."

He nodded in agreement before taking her hands in his own, succeeding in surprising her, yet again. "Just promise me one thing." He asked softly.

"What?"

"Promise me you'll come back and…that you'll let me be a part of this child's life. I already lost one child, please don't take that chance away from me again."

"I'd never do that to you…ever."

"I know…I just had to ask." She nodded her head and he stood to leave. Knowing how he dealt with these things, she knew he wouldn't be at the gate to see her off, so before she even realised what was happening, she had stood and pulled him into a tight embrace. Shocked, but not completely and utterly stupid, Jack held her back, held her for dear life.

"Come back to me, Sam." He held on for a few more minutes before pulling away. He kissed her on the forehead lingeringly, before placing a hand on her abdomen, a strange, yet peaceful expression on his worn face. Giving her one last look, he turned and walked to the door, closing it gently behind him.

"Good bye, Jack."

~x~x~x~x~x~

Okay, I gave in and let them part on good terms! ;) I hope to have the next part up soon…I think I'll just wait and see how many reviews I get for this one first! ;)