Part 18

Okay, so what can I say? Someone gave me a swift kick up the arse and told me the truth! The original Chapters 17 and 18 were not [quote]up to my usual standards[/quote] :) I like to think of that as a compliment! ROFL! Well, it inspired me to rewerite them.

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Sam took a deep breath as they approached the medical room. Memories of first arriving back from P8X-989, or rather from first waking up; she didn't really remember arriving back from the planet, all she really remembered was the pain. Almost instinctively she reached a hand to the small bump on her abdomen and felt instantly better. The queasy feeling was subsiding as her proximity to Jack increased and she smiled at the warmth that was emminating from it.

"You okay?"

She turned to Daniel and couldn't help but smile wider when she realised he looked ready for her to hit him for asking. "Yes, Daniel, I feel okay. Maybe a little nervous, but I'm okay. And thank you for asking." Daniel let out a relieved breath and she added, "Just don't make a habbit of it, okay?"

"Okay," Daniel shook his head and leaned towards her, kissing her forehead. "I think this is where we leave you to deal with stuff on your own."

Sam nodded and took a deep breath as she watched Janet enter the room, no doubt making sure that Martouf and Jack were okay to receive their visitor. She smiled as best she could as Teal'c, Daniel and the General left her alone, finally turning to the dorr in front of her.

I really don't want to do this, she rubbed the back of her neck as she entered the room.

Oh, but I do. In fact, do you mind if I watch when you break the news to him? Could be fun.

Jack, you are lucky you're under the inlfuence of an alien hormonal imbalance or I what I did to you would ensure that we never have any more kids.

You...do you think we ever will?

Sam's eyes widened as she realised exactly what she had just said, and she froze. I...I mean...

"Samantha?"

She jumped a little as Martouf's voice broke into her thoughts. "Hi,"

We'll finish this conersation later. She heard the voice in her head and studiously ignored it as she made her way to Martouf's bedside. And don't think I'll just let the matter drop either.

Sam groaned inwardly, I don't doubt that you will.

"Samantha, would you please ask your doctor to release me?"

Please release me, let me goooo!

Jack! Sam admonished, but she couldn't help but smile a little.

You don't like my singing?

Now that you mention it, no!

I'm hurt

Jack, I'm trying to have a private conversation, will you please leave me alone?

"Samantha, can you please release me?"

"I will Martouf, in a minute. I need to talk to you first,"

This should be interesting.

Jack, she thought, a warning in her tone. I'm going to ask you nicely to please leave my head alone while I talk to Martouf.

Oh, but this could be…

Jack.

Okay, okay, I'm shutting up.

"Samantha?"

Shaking her head a little, she smiled at the man. "Sorry, Martouf, I got a little lost in my thoughts for a moment there."

He smiled and nodded before struggling to sit again. Ater realising the futility in trying to move, he lay back with an audible sigh. "Samantha I have something I must confess to you. I have tried but I feel…"

"Martouf, please," Sam took a deep breath. "Please, let me speak first."

"If it pleases you."

"Please," Sam closed her eyes for a moment and steadied herself. "Martouf, you remember all that I told you about the pregnancy? About all the strange side effects?" At the Tok'Ra's nod, she continued. "Well, this is just another one. These feelings you're having, the way you and Jack are acting, it's all just another side effect. I have to tell you…"

"You are wrong, Samantha. What I feel is real."

"No, Martouf, it isn't. This pregnancy, the tests that surround it have taken hold of the feelings you had for Jolinar and are projecting them onto me. It's a test Martouf and the answer to it is simple. I love you, but only as a friend, there was never anything more. You loved Jolinar so much that you want to see her in me, but she's not really there, she's just an echo and you have an echo of her inside you already, in your memories and in your heart. I do love you Martouf, I'm just not in love with you, and if you're honest with yourself, you know you're not in love with me either."

There was a strange hum in the air and suddenly a brilliant blue light flashed before her eyes. It seemed to be emminating from Martouf before it suddenly swept away from him and dissapeared.

Martouf took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "It is strange. I felt such passion for you, so much anger towards Colonel O'Neil and it is gone. My actions…I have behaved foolishly and I…"

"No, Martouf," At his look she smiled. "Okay, yes, you were an idiot, but that wasn't your fault, and you could never be as much of an idiot as Colonel O'Neil so that's one consolation."

"Hey! I'm not deaf, Major Carter."

Sam shook her head and rolled her eyes. I thought you weren't listening

No, I said I'd leave your head alone, I never said anything about eavesdropping. Now, that's one conversation down…isn't there another one you should be having now?

She gulped and turned to face Martouf. "I…I, have to go and…I mean…"

The man smiled. "You must talk to Colonel O'Neil. I understand, but I would appreciate it if you would allow me to leave."

"I don't know if Janet would…"

"It's okay, Major."

Sam turned to face the opening in the curtain where Janet was standing. "Was everyone eavesdropping?"

Janet smiled. "No, Sam, I was just checking on the patient, but he seems to have returned to being sound of mind, so I see no reason to leave him like this. Especially when I've let the Colonel go and Martouf is much more in control of his actions than the Colonel."

"I have ears you know, and if people are going to insult me, I'd appreciate it if they did it when I wasn't here."

"Oh, don't worry, Cononel, we do," Janet said with a smile.

"You know that sounded like a good idea until you admitted to it."

Sam smiled as Janet shook head and approached the bed. The two of them quickly freed Martouf before leaving Sam alone in the room…with Jack.

"So, you going to talk to me as well, Major?"

"I thought we'd talked already," she said, her voice a little shaky.

"I think we both need to talk a little more," he reached a hand to her shoulder and turned her around to face him.

"I'm not sure I can,"

"Sam, things have always stood in our way, but I heard what the General said to you, there's nothing in our way now, nothing but our own pride and our own worries. Do you honestly want that to be what stopped us?"

Sam frowned. "When did you get so smart?"

Jack grinned boyishly. "Oh, about two or three months ago, some weird things buzzing around in my head."

Sam smiled beore growing serious. "Sir, I…Jack," she took a deep breath and looked up at him. "Jack, I have to say this now before I lose my nerve. Daniel seemed to think it was important that you knew, and he's right it is. I…"

"I know, Sam."

She stared into his eyes and smiled. "I know you do, you're too nosy to keep out of my head, but I want to actually say it. I don't want this telepathy to take that chance of telling you away from me. I love you, Jack and not just as a friend. I'm in love with you,"

"I know," Jack smiled and closed his eyes, leaning forward and resting his forehead against hers. "I didn't use to. Never thought it was possible that you could ever think…that you could ever feel that way. And then I knew and you have no idea how many times I've questioned it but I do know and I love you too, Samantha. And not just as a friend. I'm not too great with words, but I know I couldn't live without you,"

Sam smiled, unaware that she was crying until Jack wiped the tears from her eyes. "Damn hormones,"

Jack laughed and she looked up at him and time seemed to stop. Slowly, she leaned closer, her breathing increasing until it was all she could hear.

"Sam, Jack I'm…totally interrupting. I'll go now."

She laughed as Daniel quickly left the room and turned back to face Jack, momentarily surprised when his lips met hers. It was a tender kiss, but it was filled with more passion and want and need than she'd possibly thought it ever could be. A strange tingle erupted in her stomach but she didn't want to stop, instead pulling Jack closer to her. The feeling spread until it surrounded her, engulfed her and then it stopped. They pulled apart, gasping for breath, staring at each other wide-eyed.

Woah.

She smiled. Yeah, woah.

That was amazing. You…do you think the tests might finally be over.

I don't know

Jack smiled. Well, if they end as well as this one did, I'm thinking I won't mind so much

Sam grinned. Yeah, I think I could put up with it.

"Well, if that's all you feel about it, I'll just…" He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as Sam pulled him closer for another kiss.

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End of Part 18

Okay, so bits were the same, but hopefully it's much better now! Thanks for your patience with this fic, I really appreciate the feedback; I love hearing from you all.

Thank you!