Next Generation: Chapter Five
Title: Next Generation
Chapter 5 - Changes
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None
Season: Anytime after Season 6, The Changeling, with Daniel in – so I guess somewhere at the beginning of Season 7 (but no season 7 spoilers)
Summary: Jack, Daniel and Sam have been missing for four months now they're finally coming home, but only Jack and Daniel come through the gate
Pairings: Sam/Jack
Disclaimer: None of these people belong to me (sadly)
Author's Note: Woohoo! Chapter 5 – bring it on... sorry that's me getting a little carried away with the whole 'writing more than 4 chapters thing' sometimes I amaze even myself lol. Anyway thanks for all your reviews! You make me so happy (
Thanks: To my darling beta readers Cathain Nottingham and Amy (Liechtensteinerin), who without this story would be... well crap frankly.
"How's she doing?" Jack asked as he approached Sam in the infirmary.
She jumped, startled by his presence, "She's doing well, hopefully they'll let me take her home soon."
He smiled, "That'll be good."
"Yeah," she let out a long sigh, "It's so hard being here, not being able to look after her, have her as my own. You know what I mean?"
He reached his hand inside the crib and gave Carmen's cheek a soft stroke, "When Charlie was born," he started slowly, "I remember bringing Sara home from the hospital – it was so exciting and scary at the same time. Like we were about to start this big adventure and had no idea what to do." he laughed, "I wasn't a very well prepared dad."
She smiled back, "I'm sure you were a great dad." She swallowed nervously, in part at the tense situation surrounding Charlie, but more at the guilt playing on her own mind – she had to tell him – but how? How to even approach the subject? She wanted so much to tell him, but there was something that held her back. Fear that it would ultimately approach the issue they both danced around? Or just that it would finally sink in, that Jack was the father of her daughter?
She sat slowly down on the bed and watched him as he carefully picked Carmen out of the crib and cradled her against him. The image tugged at her heart, he looked so perfect holding her, and he looked...like her dad.
"Anyway I don't think I'll be facing fatherhood again," he continued.
"What?" she said, dropping out of the mental day-dream.
"I said I'm not likely to be a dad again."
'Oh God,' she thought mentally 'just tell him.'
"No?" she said instead.
"Come on Carter, I'm no young man."
She looked at the floor, trying to hide her smile.
"Exactly." he laughed.
"Not even if you find the right person to have them with?" Sam asked without even thinking about what she was saying. She looked up and her eyes met his – with that look, that look that spoke volumes – full of love and pain, hopes and dreams about what couldn't be.
She looked away hurriedly and he returned his glance to Carmen, "I think I'll have to cope with being Uncle Jack," he said quietly, "not that I mind," he added to Carmen, "I'll just spend time with you when you're being cute then mom can take over when you cry."
Sam laughed, "That doesn't sound like a very fair deal to me, if you want to be her favourite uncle you'll have to do more than that."
"Favourite uncle...no problem." he grinned, "I mean who else is it going to be? Daniel will probably try and encourage her to take up rock collecting and Teal'c..." he paused as he searched for the right words, "Actually Teal'c might be hard competition, you know that guys a real party animal once he gets going."
Grinning she gently took Carmen out of his arms as he held her out, "I'm sure you'll all be great uncles."
"Or Godparents," he added, "Godparents is good too."
"Of course...shouldn't you be...?"
"Ah yes...work...that I'm suppose to be doing, I better go...do that, I'll be back later okay?"
"See you later Sir" she called as he hurried toward the door.
"See ya!" he waved a hand casually and she felt a familiar fluttering in her stomach as he shot them a quick grin.
"This is not good," she told his daughter as she wandered back to the crib.
* * * * * * * *
"Jack." Sam narrowly missed colliding with a couple of technicians as she raced down the corridor after him "Wait!"
He swivelled round on his feet and gave a puzzled frown, "Didn't we just...?" He pointed in the direction of the infirmary.
"Yes, sorry Sir, I just..." she stumbled, "just really, really need to talk to you."
"And before we were...?"
"Talking I know, but this is serious."
"Oh," his face turned to a picture of worry, "is everything okay?"
"Erm...can we go somewhere private?" she asked, suddenly very aware of the guard standing nearby.
"Of course." he said softly, "come to my office."
"Thanks Sir."
* * * * * *
She closed the door behind them as they entered the office, "So?" Jack asked leaning against the desk, "what's up?"
"Erm" she started nervously wringing her hands, "It's about Carmen...there's nothing wrong..." she added hurriedly as he stood up, concerned.
"What is it then?"
"It's her...her...about her father." She it quickly, before she could regret it.
"Oh." he frowned, "Have you found him?"
"Yeah." she said quietly, wishing her heart would stop beating so loudly.
"Where is he? Is he going to come here? Who is he?"
"Jack." she stopped him, she bit her lip and looked up at him her face trembling. For a second they just stared at each other, Sam felt overwhelmed with all the emotion, and he saw the truth in her eyes.
He opened his mouth to say something, to ask something but he choked on the words and just gave a small stutter.
All Sam wanted right then was to have him hold her in his arms, to succumb to all that emotion that was passing between them, but instead they just stood there, separated by years of build up barriers, terrified of what would happen is they broke them.
"How do you know?" he eventually asked quietly.
"Janet found a match in your DNA, she just stumbled across is by accident...there was no doubt in the match. You were there in Anzar's labs," she stopped, struggling, "there's no reason why it couldn't be you." she finished quietly.
"It's unbelievable," he said sitting down "I know, I know," he raised a hand before she could speak, "it's true, it just doesn't feel real, this whole situation." he put his hands on his face.
"Jack," Sam started, tears threatening.
"I'm sorry, it's just a shock, I don't mean to be acting like this."
She gave a soft smile, "It's okay, I understand – I should have told you sooner."
"Sooner?" he said looking up suddenly, "When did you find out?"
She swallowed, "A couple of weeks ago."
"A couple of weeks!" he exclaimed.
"I'm sorry... I just couldn't find the right time to tell you."
"The right time?" he looked at her in disbelief "You couldn't find the right time to tell me I had a daughter! That I was...was her dad?" his voice quietened as he said the words and they struck both of them.
"Sorry." he said, "You can't blame me for being angry, all this time you've known – hell we were just talking about how I wouldn't get to have any more kids and you knew!" he shook his head in disbelief "Was is that you didn't want it to be true? You'd rather it was some random man from another planet who you'll never know?"
"No, it's wasn't that at all, please don't think that," she begged.
"Colonel O'Neill to the Gate room." the voice came over the speakers.
"Damn it!" he shouted slamming his hands on the desk, as he stood up, "Not now! I have to go." he said quieter turning to Sam who had jumped at his shout "I'll be back in a minute, don't go anywhere." and with that he turned and left the room.
* * * * * *
Sam sat down in the chair and put her head in her hands. She didn't know what to think, he hadn't reacted badly to the actual news – more to the fact that she hadn't told him till now – which was understandable, it just didn't seem to be the most important issue at the moment.
* * * * * *
Jack hurried along the corridor, his mind racing, now he was away from Carter he could think straighter and the reality hit him. She'd only just told him, true but that didn't matter, what mattered was that Carmen was his, her baby was his.
"General? You wanted me?" he said hurriedly as he entered the room.
"Oh Colonel, its okay we don't need you now."
"Great." he said angrily, "Big waste of time that was."
"Colonel!" Hammond said, half in surprise and half in anger.
"Sorry Sir." he called, as he rushed out of the room...back to Carter 'no' he thought as he passed the corridor to the infirmary.
* * * * * *
Sam jumped at the buzz of her pager – it was Jack 'Sorry, something came up, I'll talk to you ASAP.'
'Great.' she thought, he was probably avoiding her now, trying to pretend this wasn't happening. Blinking back tears she stood up determinedly and mentally shook herself out.
* * * * * *
Jack held his daughter against him, his hands holding her close and her eyes staring at her with a newfound wonder. Cradling her in his arms he gazed down into her face and smiled, "Hey," he whispered, "I guess things are going to be a bit different from now on huh?" Carmen gave a small gurgle in response and his smile increased. "Ah, what does it matter to you? You've got no worries." He laughed, "You don't have to worry about saving the planet." His face grew serious and leaning in closer he whispered, "Whatever happens – with the Goa'uld, between me and your mum, whatever – I promise I'm going to look after you...both of you."
"Sir," Sam interrupted quietly from the door where she'd been watching.
He looked up, "Carter," he sounded relived.
"I didn't know you'd be here," she said quietly.
"Sorry, I had to come see her...you know."
"Yeah I do."
"Look Carter,"
"Sir," they both spoke at the same time.
"Carter I'm sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to get like that, it was just a shock," she nodded in response, "I thought I'd better come here and get some perspective."
"Did you get some?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Sir..." she started.
"I think you can call me Jack now."
She laughed, "Sorry...Jack," Awkwardly she brushed her hair out of her eyes as she gave a small sniff, "You don't have to do anything, you know? It's not like you expected this or did anything towards it...we'll be fine on our own. I...I..." she stumbled, "I don't want to confuse things."
"You're saying I can walk away?" his brow furrowed in confusion, "I can walk away and leave you two?"
"Yes Sir."
"Is that what you want me to do?"
"No Sir." her voice trembled.
"You really think I would ever give this up?" he indicated to Carmen who lay peacefully in his arms.
"I, I don't know sir."
"Listen Carter, we may not have...erm..." he stuttered, embarrassed, "'Done' anything, but that doesn't change anything, she's still my daughter and I'm not going to let that go without one hell of a fight." he fixed his gaze on her determinedly.
A smile broke on to her face as relief consumed her, overwhelmed she burst into tears.
"Hey, hey, hey..." Jack said placing a concerned hand on her arm, "It's okay." He carefully put Carmen back into the cot and put his arm round her shoulder. "It's going to be okay." He assured her as he pulled her closer to him and wrapped both arms tightly round her body. "I'm going to help you get through this – both of you."
"I'm sorry," she sobbed, her body trembling in his arms as she gasped for breath through her tears, "I don't know why I get like this."
"Shhh, you've had a rough time, you're not recovered, stop worrying about things and concentrate on getting better."
"I just want to look after my baby."
"Hey," he pulled his head away from her and flashed a quick smile, "Our baby."
She gave a small laugh, "Sorry, yeah...our baby." As she said the words it struck her how right they felt. How right it felt to be here in his arms, talking about 'their' daughter. Just then, when she could feel his strong arms protectively gripping her back, she thought he might kiss her...just for a second she thought he would but then he gave a small cough and the moment passed.
"Okay," he said decisively pulling away from her, "I want you to go to the commissary and get something to eat – you don't look like you've eaten in days." He second-guessed her protests, "Then go get changed to normal clothes and meet me by the main exit in an hour."
"Sir? Are you sure?"
"Major..." he warned jokingly "That's an order."
"Yes Sir." giving him a slightly bemused, puzzled look she turned and left the room.
"Right." Jack said turning to Carmen and lifting her up, "Let's go suck up to evil Aunt Fraiser shall we?"
* * * * * *
And hour later Sam was standing by the main exit, dressed in a pair of jeans and a blue T-shirt she nervously paced the corridor. She'd been there about 5 minutes and was about to go look from Jack when he rounded the corner.
In one hand he held the handle of a baby seat, within it Carmen lay, wide- eyed and alert.
"Sir? What are you doing?"
"Getting you out of here Carter." He told her as he swiped his clearance card and opened the door. "Don't worry," he said at her look "I'm not kidnapping you...I told Hammond that you were going crazy stuck in here and the only way you were going to go anywhere was if she came too. So he's given the three of us the afternoon off." He raised his eyebrows at her smile, "I'm your escort, to make sure nothing happens to you."
"Right," she laughed, "so where are we going?" she asked as they approached his car.
"Fishing?" he looked at her and raised his eyebrows hopefully.
"Sir! This is Carmen's first trip outside the SGC, we are not taking her fishing!"
"Damn it," he muttered as he fitted the seat into the car, "It was worth a shot."
He glanced at her as he started up the car engine and just caught a glimpse of that beautiful smile that sent pleasant shivers down his spine, licking his lips he grinned himself, "Hockey then?"
"Sir!"
End of Chapter 5
A/N: Next Chapter is on its way, will prob be a bunch of Sam/Jack fluff then next few chapters will involve Hammond and Jacob – hurrah
Title: Next Generation
Chapter 5 - Changes
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None
Season: Anytime after Season 6, The Changeling, with Daniel in – so I guess somewhere at the beginning of Season 7 (but no season 7 spoilers)
Summary: Jack, Daniel and Sam have been missing for four months now they're finally coming home, but only Jack and Daniel come through the gate
Pairings: Sam/Jack
Disclaimer: None of these people belong to me (sadly)
Author's Note: Woohoo! Chapter 5 – bring it on... sorry that's me getting a little carried away with the whole 'writing more than 4 chapters thing' sometimes I amaze even myself lol. Anyway thanks for all your reviews! You make me so happy (
Thanks: To my darling beta readers Cathain Nottingham and Amy (Liechtensteinerin), who without this story would be... well crap frankly.
"How's she doing?" Jack asked as he approached Sam in the infirmary.
She jumped, startled by his presence, "She's doing well, hopefully they'll let me take her home soon."
He smiled, "That'll be good."
"Yeah," she let out a long sigh, "It's so hard being here, not being able to look after her, have her as my own. You know what I mean?"
He reached his hand inside the crib and gave Carmen's cheek a soft stroke, "When Charlie was born," he started slowly, "I remember bringing Sara home from the hospital – it was so exciting and scary at the same time. Like we were about to start this big adventure and had no idea what to do." he laughed, "I wasn't a very well prepared dad."
She smiled back, "I'm sure you were a great dad." She swallowed nervously, in part at the tense situation surrounding Charlie, but more at the guilt playing on her own mind – she had to tell him – but how? How to even approach the subject? She wanted so much to tell him, but there was something that held her back. Fear that it would ultimately approach the issue they both danced around? Or just that it would finally sink in, that Jack was the father of her daughter?
She sat slowly down on the bed and watched him as he carefully picked Carmen out of the crib and cradled her against him. The image tugged at her heart, he looked so perfect holding her, and he looked...like her dad.
"Anyway I don't think I'll be facing fatherhood again," he continued.
"What?" she said, dropping out of the mental day-dream.
"I said I'm not likely to be a dad again."
'Oh God,' she thought mentally 'just tell him.'
"No?" she said instead.
"Come on Carter, I'm no young man."
She looked at the floor, trying to hide her smile.
"Exactly." he laughed.
"Not even if you find the right person to have them with?" Sam asked without even thinking about what she was saying. She looked up and her eyes met his – with that look, that look that spoke volumes – full of love and pain, hopes and dreams about what couldn't be.
She looked away hurriedly and he returned his glance to Carmen, "I think I'll have to cope with being Uncle Jack," he said quietly, "not that I mind," he added to Carmen, "I'll just spend time with you when you're being cute then mom can take over when you cry."
Sam laughed, "That doesn't sound like a very fair deal to me, if you want to be her favourite uncle you'll have to do more than that."
"Favourite uncle...no problem." he grinned, "I mean who else is it going to be? Daniel will probably try and encourage her to take up rock collecting and Teal'c..." he paused as he searched for the right words, "Actually Teal'c might be hard competition, you know that guys a real party animal once he gets going."
Grinning she gently took Carmen out of his arms as he held her out, "I'm sure you'll all be great uncles."
"Or Godparents," he added, "Godparents is good too."
"Of course...shouldn't you be...?"
"Ah yes...work...that I'm suppose to be doing, I better go...do that, I'll be back later okay?"
"See you later Sir" she called as he hurried toward the door.
"See ya!" he waved a hand casually and she felt a familiar fluttering in her stomach as he shot them a quick grin.
"This is not good," she told his daughter as she wandered back to the crib.
* * * * * * * *
"Jack." Sam narrowly missed colliding with a couple of technicians as she raced down the corridor after him "Wait!"
He swivelled round on his feet and gave a puzzled frown, "Didn't we just...?" He pointed in the direction of the infirmary.
"Yes, sorry Sir, I just..." she stumbled, "just really, really need to talk to you."
"And before we were...?"
"Talking I know, but this is serious."
"Oh," his face turned to a picture of worry, "is everything okay?"
"Erm...can we go somewhere private?" she asked, suddenly very aware of the guard standing nearby.
"Of course." he said softly, "come to my office."
"Thanks Sir."
* * * * * *
She closed the door behind them as they entered the office, "So?" Jack asked leaning against the desk, "what's up?"
"Erm" she started nervously wringing her hands, "It's about Carmen...there's nothing wrong..." she added hurriedly as he stood up, concerned.
"What is it then?"
"It's her...her...about her father." She it quickly, before she could regret it.
"Oh." he frowned, "Have you found him?"
"Yeah." she said quietly, wishing her heart would stop beating so loudly.
"Where is he? Is he going to come here? Who is he?"
"Jack." she stopped him, she bit her lip and looked up at him her face trembling. For a second they just stared at each other, Sam felt overwhelmed with all the emotion, and he saw the truth in her eyes.
He opened his mouth to say something, to ask something but he choked on the words and just gave a small stutter.
All Sam wanted right then was to have him hold her in his arms, to succumb to all that emotion that was passing between them, but instead they just stood there, separated by years of build up barriers, terrified of what would happen is they broke them.
"How do you know?" he eventually asked quietly.
"Janet found a match in your DNA, she just stumbled across is by accident...there was no doubt in the match. You were there in Anzar's labs," she stopped, struggling, "there's no reason why it couldn't be you." she finished quietly.
"It's unbelievable," he said sitting down "I know, I know," he raised a hand before she could speak, "it's true, it just doesn't feel real, this whole situation." he put his hands on his face.
"Jack," Sam started, tears threatening.
"I'm sorry, it's just a shock, I don't mean to be acting like this."
She gave a soft smile, "It's okay, I understand – I should have told you sooner."
"Sooner?" he said looking up suddenly, "When did you find out?"
She swallowed, "A couple of weeks ago."
"A couple of weeks!" he exclaimed.
"I'm sorry... I just couldn't find the right time to tell you."
"The right time?" he looked at her in disbelief "You couldn't find the right time to tell me I had a daughter! That I was...was her dad?" his voice quietened as he said the words and they struck both of them.
"Sorry." he said, "You can't blame me for being angry, all this time you've known – hell we were just talking about how I wouldn't get to have any more kids and you knew!" he shook his head in disbelief "Was is that you didn't want it to be true? You'd rather it was some random man from another planet who you'll never know?"
"No, it's wasn't that at all, please don't think that," she begged.
"Colonel O'Neill to the Gate room." the voice came over the speakers.
"Damn it!" he shouted slamming his hands on the desk, as he stood up, "Not now! I have to go." he said quieter turning to Sam who had jumped at his shout "I'll be back in a minute, don't go anywhere." and with that he turned and left the room.
* * * * * *
Sam sat down in the chair and put her head in her hands. She didn't know what to think, he hadn't reacted badly to the actual news – more to the fact that she hadn't told him till now – which was understandable, it just didn't seem to be the most important issue at the moment.
* * * * * *
Jack hurried along the corridor, his mind racing, now he was away from Carter he could think straighter and the reality hit him. She'd only just told him, true but that didn't matter, what mattered was that Carmen was his, her baby was his.
"General? You wanted me?" he said hurriedly as he entered the room.
"Oh Colonel, its okay we don't need you now."
"Great." he said angrily, "Big waste of time that was."
"Colonel!" Hammond said, half in surprise and half in anger.
"Sorry Sir." he called, as he rushed out of the room...back to Carter 'no' he thought as he passed the corridor to the infirmary.
* * * * * *
Sam jumped at the buzz of her pager – it was Jack 'Sorry, something came up, I'll talk to you ASAP.'
'Great.' she thought, he was probably avoiding her now, trying to pretend this wasn't happening. Blinking back tears she stood up determinedly and mentally shook herself out.
* * * * * *
Jack held his daughter against him, his hands holding her close and her eyes staring at her with a newfound wonder. Cradling her in his arms he gazed down into her face and smiled, "Hey," he whispered, "I guess things are going to be a bit different from now on huh?" Carmen gave a small gurgle in response and his smile increased. "Ah, what does it matter to you? You've got no worries." He laughed, "You don't have to worry about saving the planet." His face grew serious and leaning in closer he whispered, "Whatever happens – with the Goa'uld, between me and your mum, whatever – I promise I'm going to look after you...both of you."
"Sir," Sam interrupted quietly from the door where she'd been watching.
He looked up, "Carter," he sounded relived.
"I didn't know you'd be here," she said quietly.
"Sorry, I had to come see her...you know."
"Yeah I do."
"Look Carter,"
"Sir," they both spoke at the same time.
"Carter I'm sorry about earlier, I didn't mean to get like that, it was just a shock," she nodded in response, "I thought I'd better come here and get some perspective."
"Did you get some?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Sir..." she started.
"I think you can call me Jack now."
She laughed, "Sorry...Jack," Awkwardly she brushed her hair out of her eyes as she gave a small sniff, "You don't have to do anything, you know? It's not like you expected this or did anything towards it...we'll be fine on our own. I...I..." she stumbled, "I don't want to confuse things."
"You're saying I can walk away?" his brow furrowed in confusion, "I can walk away and leave you two?"
"Yes Sir."
"Is that what you want me to do?"
"No Sir." her voice trembled.
"You really think I would ever give this up?" he indicated to Carmen who lay peacefully in his arms.
"I, I don't know sir."
"Listen Carter, we may not have...erm..." he stuttered, embarrassed, "'Done' anything, but that doesn't change anything, she's still my daughter and I'm not going to let that go without one hell of a fight." he fixed his gaze on her determinedly.
A smile broke on to her face as relief consumed her, overwhelmed she burst into tears.
"Hey, hey, hey..." Jack said placing a concerned hand on her arm, "It's okay." He carefully put Carmen back into the cot and put his arm round her shoulder. "It's going to be okay." He assured her as he pulled her closer to him and wrapped both arms tightly round her body. "I'm going to help you get through this – both of you."
"I'm sorry," she sobbed, her body trembling in his arms as she gasped for breath through her tears, "I don't know why I get like this."
"Shhh, you've had a rough time, you're not recovered, stop worrying about things and concentrate on getting better."
"I just want to look after my baby."
"Hey," he pulled his head away from her and flashed a quick smile, "Our baby."
She gave a small laugh, "Sorry, yeah...our baby." As she said the words it struck her how right they felt. How right it felt to be here in his arms, talking about 'their' daughter. Just then, when she could feel his strong arms protectively gripping her back, she thought he might kiss her...just for a second she thought he would but then he gave a small cough and the moment passed.
"Okay," he said decisively pulling away from her, "I want you to go to the commissary and get something to eat – you don't look like you've eaten in days." He second-guessed her protests, "Then go get changed to normal clothes and meet me by the main exit in an hour."
"Sir? Are you sure?"
"Major..." he warned jokingly "That's an order."
"Yes Sir." giving him a slightly bemused, puzzled look she turned and left the room.
"Right." Jack said turning to Carmen and lifting her up, "Let's go suck up to evil Aunt Fraiser shall we?"
* * * * * *
And hour later Sam was standing by the main exit, dressed in a pair of jeans and a blue T-shirt she nervously paced the corridor. She'd been there about 5 minutes and was about to go look from Jack when he rounded the corner.
In one hand he held the handle of a baby seat, within it Carmen lay, wide- eyed and alert.
"Sir? What are you doing?"
"Getting you out of here Carter." He told her as he swiped his clearance card and opened the door. "Don't worry," he said at her look "I'm not kidnapping you...I told Hammond that you were going crazy stuck in here and the only way you were going to go anywhere was if she came too. So he's given the three of us the afternoon off." He raised his eyebrows at her smile, "I'm your escort, to make sure nothing happens to you."
"Right," she laughed, "so where are we going?" she asked as they approached his car.
"Fishing?" he looked at her and raised his eyebrows hopefully.
"Sir! This is Carmen's first trip outside the SGC, we are not taking her fishing!"
"Damn it," he muttered as he fitted the seat into the car, "It was worth a shot."
He glanced at her as he started up the car engine and just caught a glimpse of that beautiful smile that sent pleasant shivers down his spine, licking his lips he grinned himself, "Hockey then?"
"Sir!"
End of Chapter 5
A/N: Next Chapter is on its way, will prob be a bunch of Sam/Jack fluff then next few chapters will involve Hammond and Jacob – hurrah