Hearts Series Chapter 2: Mended Hearts, a stargate: sg-1 fanfic

Title: Mended Hearts

Author: fulinn28

E-mail: fulinn28@ficwithfins.com

Website: www.ficwithfins.com

Rating: PG

Pairings: Sam and Jack

Category: Angst and ship

Season: AU

Content Warnings: Contemplation of abortion. No Details.

Summary: Sam's decisions leave a trail of broken hearts.

Spoilers: "A Hundred Days", "Solitudes" and "Children of the Gods", "Matter of Time" and "Cold Lazarus"

Status: part 2 of 3

Sequel / Series: : "Broken Hearts", "Mended Hearts" and "Soaring Hearts"

Size:

Disclaimer: "All publicly recognizable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognized characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead is coincidental and not intended by the author."

Authors Notes: All feedback is welcome and will be answered. Thank you to Su Freund, the best beta I could ask for, this story is so much better for her efforts and suggestions. All remaining errors are mine and mine alone.

Chapter 2 Mended Hearts

*** One week later, Dr. Browns office ***

This past week had been one of the worst that Jack could remember. He had jumped at the chance to spend the week working at the Alpha Site; each time he visited, it grew on him more. Absently he wondered if it was time it had a full time commander. He and Sam had maintained a cool, polite attitude towards each other, the few times they had been together. He had spent a great deal of time trying to find a solution, one that could work for both of them. Finally towards the end of his mission, he had an inspiration and a plan came together for him.

Jack sat in his truck watching the front door of the office building. The building housed a series of doctors' offices and he knew that Sam had gone in to Dr. Brown's office, an OB/GYN. Luckily for him he had read the slip of paper where Sam had jotted down the time/date of her appointment. How could she want to terminate the pregnancy, kill their child? His heart truly ached with the thought of losing yet another child

He exited the truck, walking into the office of Dr. Brown. Looking around at the bright and cheery office he saw Sam sitting alone, even among the other mothers to be, in the waiting area. Jack walked over to the receptionist, identifying himself as the "partner" of Ms. Carter. Producing his credit card he asked that any medical expenses be charged to his account. She blinked, asking if he realized that it could amount to a little less than $5,000.00. Jack looked at her in annoyance, "I said use the card to cover the expenses!"

The woman behind the window nodded sadly, knowing that this patient had come in for abortion counseling. Funny, she thought, the guy who got Ms. Carter "knocked up" as the saying went, didn't look happy to be here. Humph, Ms. Carter must have made him come to the appointment, the rat!

Jack walked quietly over to the seat beside Sam and, sitting down with quiet grace, he laced his fingers through Sam's.

"What are you doing here? How did you find me?" Sam asked, her voice trembling with fatigue. She had not slept well following their confrontation or, in reality, the rest of the week. The haunted look of pain on Jack's face, the slump of rejection in his step as he had left her house that night had twisted the knife in her heart, made worse by the fact that she was the cause of that pain.

Jack stared at her, trying to keep his anger and disappointment under control, then said "I saw the information on your phone pad. You… You…You … planned to do all this without a word to me? Why, Sam? I love you! You know this; I told you every chance you gave me. Did you think I wouldn't want a child?" His voice had started out a quiet murmur, but had risen as his emotions had got the better of him. "I understand that this will prevent you from carrying out some of your duties but only for limited time. Lab work won't compromise your chance of promotion." Jack fell silent, and then ever so softly that it barely registered as a whisper, he said, "Unless, what you said was true. You really don't love me? I was, in fact, nothing but a passing infatuation?" Jack stared at her his anger giving way to a deep sadness.

"Sam, I have an option for you. Please just listen to me. I don't believe for one minute that you want to kill our child. However I do understand your sense of panic. This pregnancy is not occurring at a time that fits into your life. So, here's what we can do. You agree to carry this child till birth, and then, through a private adoption, you allow me to adopt him. I'll retire, head to Minnesota with our child. You don't have to name a father, no one gets hurt. You might get a letter unbecoming an officer, but hell, I've got them, and my promotions kept right on coming."

Jack let out a sigh, glancing up at Sam, to see the tears once again flowing down her cheeks. "Sam, it'll work, you'll know where the child is, that he's safe and loved. If you want to be part of his life you can be, or not, whatever you want. We'll do this through any doctor you want. I'll pay all the expenses. Sam, it'll be no worry for you. Please?"

Jack was begging, fighting for the life of his child. In his heart, he didn't believe that Sam wanted to end the pregnancy, only that she was in such a panic that she couldn't see a way out. He'd seen it on missions, where the solution wasn't obvious, that Sam would get fixed on one solution and keep working to make it fit, even after it was apparent that a new plan was needed.

Sam looked up, into the deep brown eyes of her former lover, and very slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry Jack, I can't do it, I just ...I just don't know." Sam appeared to be confused and uncertain as to what she was doing.

The nurse called her name and Sam slowly rose. Jack stood as well and Sam looked at him, tilting her head to one side "where are you going?" she asked "There's no need for you to come with me."

Jack looked into Sam's eyes and played the last card he had. "Sam, I know that I cannot stop you from doing this, if this is what you've decided. I ask just one thing. I'd like to hear the baby's heartbeat, just one time. Then I'll leave, if that's what you really want, you'll never have to see me again." Jack stopped talking; there was nothing left to say.

"Ok" came the quite answer "you can listen to the heartbeat, once. Then you leave and stay away." Jack blinked; he'd won the battle but lost the war.

They entered the doctor's inner office together, both of their sets of eyes straying around the room, wondering what instrument he'd use to end the life growing within Sam's womb. Jack took a seat at Sam's side, taking her hand in his; he whispered to her, "Remember this Sam. I love you. You may not love me, I accept that" his voice stumbled, "but I will always be here to help you regardless of whether you ask for it or not." With that last statement he gave her hand a gentle squeeze and fell silent.

The doctor entered the office, taking his seat at the desk, turning around to face the couple. Noting the protective stance of the gray haired man towards the pretty blonde woman, the tears in both their eyes, he knew that the information from Janet Fraiser was probably right on the money. This young woman was in a panic and trying to "cure" the problem as quickly as she could.

"Ok, Ms. Carter lets see what we've got. I understand you're here to receive abortion counseling." Dr. Brown stated calmly.

"I came for the abortion. I don't need the counseling." Sam stated flatly.

"Ms. Carter, I understand your feeling of urgency. However this is not a decision that you should take lightly, there are no second chances. I need to be sure you understand all of the implications of your decision." The doctor pressed on, hoping that young woman would listen to his advice.

"Now I want to run a couple of simple tests on you. Check on the age and position of the baby in preparation for the abortion. I also have some pamphlets for you to take with you. They will give you a brief description of how the termination of the fetus is accomplished." Dr. Brown was laying out the ultra-sound wand, lubricant and fetal heart tone amplifier.

"Ms. Carter if you could lay back and draw you blouse up away from your stomach, I'm just going to attach these leads to your stomach." A loud sound came through the speaker, a steady thump.

Jack's head slowly came around to stare at Sam's stomach, "is that the baby's heartbeat? I mean he's really alive in there?"

Dr. Brown smiled, "yes, that's your child's heartbeat. A nice strong steady one, it's just right for a child of about ten weeks of age." The doctor took a quick look at the mother. She lay perfectly still not moving a muscle, her head turned to one side.

"I have one additional test to complete and then we can set up the appointment, if you wish." He turned to his instrument tray and gathered the lubricant spreading it liberally across Sam's stomach. Switching on the wand he pressed the end of it to her stomach, moving it about the area of her belly button. Suddenly he stopped and smiled.

"What is it doc?" Jack asked, not understanding what was happening.

"Well sir, would you like to see your child?" Dr. Brown inquired.

"You can do that?" Jack asked in awe.

"Of course, I can. Here look up at the monitor" instructed the doctor.

Jack followed the directions and looking into the monitor, getting a glimpse of his child nestled in his mother's womb. Jack stared at the baby, feeling the tears slide down his cheeks, and making no effort to wipe them away.

Jack glanced down at Sam, but her eyes were firmly shut. "Doc can you make us a copy of these pictures? Maybe two copies, if it's no trouble." He asked.

"Sure, can I make a couple of copies on CD. You can play them in any computer." said the doctor.

"Thanks." Jack said, thinking that if those pictures didn't change Sam's mind then nothing ever would.

"Ok, Ms. Carter everything looks to be in order. Here you go; you can use this cloth to wipe your stomach off. Then make an appointment with my secretary if you still want to go ahead with the procedure." With that the doctor was off to his office to update his files on one Samantha Carter. He also, planned to give his friend Janet Frasier a call, let her know he'd done as much as he could. As long as Ms. Carter didn't head to one of the same day clinic's in the area, he had perhaps bought them a couple of days which she could use to make an informed decision.

Sam cleaned up and slid off the table, avoiding Jack's eye, striding past him towards the door and freedom. Jack reached out a hand and grasped her arm, "Sam take these things with you. You owe it to our child to at least know what he looked like, and the sound of his heartbeat. Think about him while you're reading the pamphlets on his death." Sam grabbed the disk and papers from his hand and was gone in a swirl of blonde hair and attitude.

Jack drove slowly, not sure what he was doing or where he was going, until he looked up and recognized the front gate to Cheyenne Mountain. He went through the sign-in process, wandering down the halls and corridors of the mountain until he ended up at his subconscious destination, General Hammond's office.

He raised his hand, using his knuckles to knock at the door. "Enter!" General Hammond commanded. Jack did as he was ordered, coming to attention in front of his commanding officer.

"Jack. What can I do for you?" General Hammond inquired.

For a moment Jack was silent then he drew himself to attention, saluted his commanding officer and said "Sir, I have come to you to turn myself in for conduct unbecoming a senior officer."

"For the remainder of this interview, Jack, the conversation will be off the record." Hammond stated gently.

"No Sir! I formally request it remain on the record." The Colonel stared over Gen. Hammond's left shoulder, his eyes boring a hole into the concrete wall.

"Sorry Colonel, but I'm the man who decides when topics are on or off the record. I've already made up my mind." the General replied firmly. After all it wasn't like he didn't know what was coming. He had turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to the rumors, had been for years. What he did not know for a FACT he did not have to act on. Privately he was pleased that these two officers had found some happiness together. Now, however, with a baby on the way, the situation was taking a dangerous turn.

"What's happened Jack? I mean today, to bring you to my office?" Hammond probed gently. Sam had come to him a couple of days ago, much as Jack now stood before him, to request a stand down from gate travel until a small medical problem could be sorted out. His gentle questioning had eventually got the truth from her; she was pregnant but had a solution in the works. He had granted her the stand down, lab work only for thirty days. As time passed, he had expected a request for a transfer and an announcement of the upcoming birth. Instead it had been very quiet, which was making him very uneasy.

For a moment nothing happened, then Jack dropped his gaze to meet the General's, and stated very softly. "She's decided to terminate the pregnancy. I did everything I could to convince her that we could work it out, but she had already fixed her mind on her solution. My suggestions meant nothing to her." He swallowed a couple of times to regain a sense of control. For a man who rarely displayed his true emotions, his feelings were to close to the surface.

"Jack, I'm so sorry. I had hoped we could work out another option for you. Did this happen today?

"No, the appointment's in a few days time but she's not listening to anyone. She's just in an out and out panic over this." Jack hung his head. How had he done this to her? She was the best thing to ever happen to him and he'd hurt her far more than he could imagine.

"Jack, look at me!" the General barked, waiting till he had complied before continuing, "Don't give up, you never know what might happen in those few days. I'm sure that Dr. Fraiser and Cassie are keeping a close eye on her and perhaps they can talk with her, help her see the options that are available. If they do, I assure you we can find a solution for the both of you. Why don't you take a couple of weeks off yourself? I think you could use the down time. We'll muddle along without you for a bit. You're dismissed." General Hammond said with a tone that accepted no argument.

"Thank you, Sir." Jack spoke softly. Then standing to attention he saluted his commander, performed a parade ground perfect about face, and left the office.

General Hammond shook his head sadly; this situation was bound to get worse before it got any better. Why he wondered did life seem to beat up on the same people day after day? These two fine officers had already seen their share of tragedy, suffered enough. Where was the harm in allowing them to find some small piece of happiness? Quietly he leaned back in his red leather chair, contemplating the options he had open to him to help them when the time came.

*** Sam's House ***

Sam sat in her living room drained of all emotion. She had been so angry the whole ride home from the doctor's office; at having to wait even longer to finally put an end to this ordeal.

However, if she was honest with herself, and listened to that little voice in the back of her mind, she was not a hundred percent sure she was doing the right thing.

The sound of her baby, in the doctor's office and, she reminded herself, Jack's child as well, had brought on a tremendous swell of mothers love. As she had lain on the bed, her head turned towards Jack, she could smell his scent; hear his awe as he spoke with Dr. Brown.

She slowly reached forward for the CD that Jack had forced into her hand, turning it over and over as she thought about the baby growing inside her.

She retrieved her laptop from the dining room, and set it up on the coffee table. Slipping the CD into the drive on the computer, she waited for it to boot up. Sam sat on the couch gazing at the images of her child as they slowly passed before her eyes, her ears picking up the thrum of a strong healthy heartbeat.

She leaned against the cushions at her back, a smile upon her face as she dozed off, dreaming of raising this child with Jack. The joys and heartaches of raising a family with someone you love, and who loves you.

So, Sam slept on dreaming of a life that might yet be.

She awoke some two hours later. The house was silent, the laptop batteries long since having run out of power. She smiled a dazzling grin as a new plan began to form in her mind. The first step was to call Jack in hopes that it wasn't too late to mend a broken heart.

*** Jack's House ***

Jack had returned home from the base, and his conversation with the General, feeling let down. He was angry and frustrated at not being allowed to help in the decision making process for the fate of his child. Everywhere he turned someone else was taking control of his life! It's his life too that was being affected, how was it no one seemed to recognized this? Everyone was so damn concerned with Sam; it's her body, her career her, her, her! His anger spilled out from him as he stood in the kitchen trying to get a meal prepared. The knife he was using slipped, slicing open his finger. Blood dripped, unnoticed on to the floor. Jack took a deep breath, regaining some control; half heartedly he wiped up the counter top and found a band-aid for his finger. Feeling tired and depressed he abandoned his plans for lunch and instead headed up to his roof top to do some thinking and a little planning.

He settled down with a beer thinking, here he was with a two weeks downtime and nothing to do but fret. Sam had made it very clear that he was not a factor in her life any longer. She had never loved him with the same all consuming emotion that he had for her; something he had not realized, leaving him feeling so much the fool, a dirty old man lusting after a much younger woman.

Coming to a decision, Jack climbed down from his roof and walked in to the kitchen, his hand resting on the phone. Finally he picked it up and called the departure number for Peterson AFB, looking for a hop to Minneapolis / St. Paul Airport. His cabin in Minnesota had always been his refuge when the world overwhelmed him. He'd head there, since no one here seemed to need him for anything. The airman on the other end of the line assured him his luck was good, and a flight would be leaving in about two hours.

Moving quickly, Jack grabbed the computer disk from the doctor's office, locked up the house and headed for his truck, everything he needed was already at the cabin except for perishables. He'd get a rental truck at the airport in MSP and stop for food closer to Lake Rose.

He never heard the ringing phone, as he backed his truck out of the driveway taking his broken heart with him.

Continued in "Soaring Hearts" part 3