Carter was perched on a barstool at Jack's kitchen counter eating breakfast. Jack watched her as he sipped his second cup of coffee. He'd spent a long night contemplating what he wanted, now he had to find out what was in that giant confusing brain of hers. Carter appeared to be an open book – she was straightforward, honest, easy-going – but really she was very complicated. She had as many issues as he did when it came to relationships. It didn't help that this situation was scientifically impossible. He knew that had to be making her nuts.

"So," Jack said, jumping in with both feet, "what are we going to do about this baby thing?"

Sam set down her fork and sighed. She knew the only reasonable answer. Why was this so difficult to talk about? She forced herself to speak, but she couldn't quite look at him. "I think adoption is the only feasible solution."

"Adoption?" Jack repeated. "That's...an option. But then, you know, you put all this energy into making the thing and someone else gets to keep it? That hardly seems fair."

Carter stared at him blankly. What was he getting at?

"Or…we could, I don't know…keep it?" he said casually.

"And how do you propose we do that?" Carter asked, growing somewhat irritated. She was past that moment of pretending and just wanted to make concrete plans. She wished he would be serious.

"It's not hard, Carter. We just keep it. As in, not give it away."

He was serious! Carter was unprepared for this. "Are you asking me to quit the SGC?"

"Absolutely not," he said firmly. "I will."

"Sir!" she said in surprise. "You can't retire. Not now with the scrutiny the SGC is under. It could mean the end of the Stargate program."

"I think that's overstating it a little, Carter," he challenged.

"I don't think so," she replied.

"Fine. You leave me no other option. I'll hire a nanny. One of those Swedish ones, with the great legs."

"Be serious," she begged him.

"I am serious," he answered, "and considering that I appear to have contributed my own genetic material to this project, I think I ought to have some say in the outcome. Don't you?"

Something clicked in Sam's head. "What did you say?" she asked distractedly.

"I said, I ought to have some say in this."

"No, before that," she answered excitedly.

Jack saw her eyes light up, and he knew it was no use. She'd transitioned into Science Whiz Barbie again, and all hope for this conversation was out the window. "I don't know. What did I say?"

"You said 'genetic material,'" she replied. "Sir, we need to try to contact Thor."

For once it wasn't difficult. That in itself was enough to convince Jack that Carter must be on to something.

Thor confirmed Sam's suspicions. "We have been monitoring your planet for some time in order to protect you from this attempt," he told Jack. "Loki must have located you on another world."

"Your little mad scientist is on the loose again. Just great," Jack muttered. "I thought you said I wasn't the answer to your problems."

"You are not," Thor replied.

"But Loki theorized that his child might be?" Carter asked.

"That is correct, Samantha. O'Neill represents a substantial step forward in human development. Loki felt that the offspring of such a human might show further progress," Thor explained.

"Is there any truth to that?" Jack demanded.

Thor was silent for a moment. "It is possible," Thor conceded. "We could not know until the child reached adulthood."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Jack asked, tired from trying to take it all in.

"We did not wish to burden you with this, O'Neill," Thor said.

"Yeah? Well, I don't mind the responsibility, it's just missing out on the fun part I'm not happy about," Jack grumbled. Carter gave him her patented wide-eyed remonstrative stare.

"You do not understand, O'Neill. We would wish to take the child."

''Come again?"

"In our observation, early and continued stimulation is essential to reaching the development potential of the human brain. Under our care and training the child could reach its maximum potential."

"No way. No way!" said O'Neill. "You can't raise a kid in a laboratory."

"I assure you, O'Neill," Thor began.

"What do you guys know about raising children anyway? If you had any recent experience in that department, we wouldn't be here!" O'Neill caught himself when he looked at Thor. He breathed deeply, trying to calm down. "Look, kids need to be kids. They need love, they need fun, they need... television."

"We would provide the child with a suitable environment, O'Neill. We are aware of the human needs for leisure and companionship. And of course your child would be honored by all Asgard, as you are," Thor replied patiently.

Sam had been so quiet, Jack had almost forgotten she was there. He turned to her, searching her expression and learning nothing of her feelings. "Sam?" She did not respond, instead addressing Thor.

"Can you promise us that the child will not be experimented on or harmed in any way?" she asked.

"We only wish to educate the child and encourage its intellectual growth. I promise no harm would come to it."

''Our research shows that a child's development potential is determined within the first five years of life. Is that your observation as well?" Carter questioned.

"To a greater degree, yes," Thor responded, as though he did not quite understand the relevance.

"And you consider this to be the best hope of your race?" Sam added softly.

"Yes."

Sam looked into Jack's eyes. He saw her answer. Without breaking their contact, he spoke to Thor. "You have five years, Thor. Then the kid comes home."

The details were worked out quickly. All agreed it would be safest and wisest to maintain secrecy. Thor made an official request for Colonel Carter's assistance on an unspecified project. Though this was certainly unusual, where the Asgard were concerned, concessions were made. And as her C.O. made no objection...

In reality, Sam would leave with Thor, but he had arranged for her to reside with the Nox until the child was born. The Nox could ensure the child's health and a safe and painless delivery.

Jack arrived at Sam's house a few minutes before Thor was expected to transport her. She was surprised to see him, having said her goodbyes at the base.

"I forgot to give you this," he said, handing Sam the box he carried. "It's just some documents I'd like you to review while you're gone. So are you all set?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," Sam replied. She set the box on top of her gear. "It's exciting in one sense. In six months' time, I'm sure to learn something new about the Nox. But I'm going to miss...home, Sir."

"Home will miss you, too," he said. A charged silence hung between them for a moment.

"I'd better go," he said, nodding towards the door.

"Yes, Sir." Sam moved to escort him out. Impulsively, Jack reached for her arm and led her into his own. She laid her head on his shoulder.

"Take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will. You too, Sir. Be in one piece when I come back," Sam teased gently.

Jack kissed the top of her head, held her a moment longer, then let himself out of her home.

Sam was introduced to her hosts and her belongings were settled in a small room in their little thatched home. She was encouraged to rest for a while, after which her hosts promised to familiarize her with the area.

Returning to her room, Sam noticed the box the General brought before she left. Documents? She grinned. Did he really think she'd buy that?

Inside the box were two smaller boxes, wrapped and ribboned. Sam opened the first and read the note enclosed.

Dear Sam,

Six months is a long time and we were afraid you might forget what we look like, so we took these photos for you. We're also sending along the camera and film. Bring back pictures of the baby, and at least one of you when you are as big as a house!

Your friends,

Daniel & Teal'c

Inside the box were Polaroids of Daniel and Teal'c, and a few attempts to catch Jack unaware. He clearly was not cooperating. Beneath the photos were the camera and several boxes of film.

Sam opened the second box, and laughed out loud. She lifted out a stack of Simpsons comics, two boxes of chocolates, and a copy of The Big Book of Baby Names. On the bottom of the box was a note.

Carter,

Thought you could use some emergency supplies.

As for the names, I took the liberty of crossing out the ones I would never forgive you for, and jotting my preferences in the inside cover.

If you need anything, dial home.

Jack

Sam opened the cover of the book. Carefully inscribed inside were two names.

Emily Samantha O'Neill

Daniel Jacob O'Neill

Sam didn't need the book. She couldn't imagine choosing anything better.