A/N: Thanks again to everyone who's taken the time to give reviews. It's funny, but this story is not at all what I originally planned. Your suggestions, questions, and comments must have had an impact on me, because I've chucked my original outline, and am now just going where the characters in my head are directing me. LOL! I have no idea how long I'll be able to push out chapters this fast, but as long as I'm still inspired, I'll keep at it! Enjoy!

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Chapter 6

Sam paced the short length of her living room. She'd been walking the same circuit for the better part of an hour, but felt no better now than she had when she'd started. She was a hopeless wreck and a bundle of restless energy.

Where was he?

If nothing else, Jack O'Neill was generally predictable – at least he was to her. Sure, there were lots of people who might throw up their hands in exasperation trying to figure out what made Jack tick. But after all they'd been through together, Sam could generally read Jack like a book.

Unfortunately, she seemed to be having an off day.

After being struck dumb in the infirmary by the latest of Dr. Brightman's test results, Sam had allowed Daniel to drive her home. She sincerely hoped he hadn't been offended by her lack of conversation. She simply had not been able to string more than two words together. It was clear that Daniel hadn't wanted to leave, but she'd finally been able to convince him that all she really needed was time alone.

It had taken all of five minutes sitting alone in her kitchen, staring at Pete's bouquet before she'd decided she needed to call Jack. Unfortunately, there had been no answer at his home. So, she'd dialed his cell phone. And she'd gotten his voicemail on the first ring, which meant his phone was either shut off or outside the service area.

Quick calls to Daniel and Teal'c had not shed any light on the situation. Nobody seemed to have any idea where he'd gone. Sam reasoned that he'd have to be back tonight, because he was due at work tomorrow morning. So, she'd broken down and left him a voicemail message, asking him to call her at his first opportunity.

Since then, Sam had been oscillating between worry and annoyance. Had he gone fishing? Visited a friend? Tied up some loose ends for the SGC? Whatever the case, he really should have told someone. It was dangerous to go off alone.

Of course, the absurdity of those worries was not lost on Sam. Jack was a man who had faced his own death and the end of all life on Earth with calm, capable action. It seemed ridiculous to fear for his safety on a fishing trip. But given the absolute irony of her life at present, Sam would put nothing past the fates.

Brrrrrrring!

When the phone did ring, she was caught so off-guard, that she actually jumped. Quickly collecting herself, she rushed to answer it.

"Hello?" Please let it be him.

"Carter? What's up?" Jack's voice washed over her like a soothing tide. One set of anxieties rushed out of her, leaving her feeling a bit ragged.

Sam took a deep, steadying breath. "I hate to bother you on the weekend, sir. But I have some things I'd like to discuss with you." She started pacing again. She couldn't help it. While no longer concerned for his safety, she still had a rather impressive set of other worries to deal with. And they were all crashing down on her like a ton of bricks.

"In person?" He didn't sound very surprised by the request.

"Well, if it's not too much hassle, sir." Sam held her breath, awaiting his reply. She could have lit Vegas for a week with the nervous energy coursing through her at that moment.

"Actually, it's no hassle at all, Carter. I'm on your front porch."

Sam was so startled, she almost dropped the phone. "What? You're where?" She poked her head through the curtains. Sure enough, there was Jack, standing right in the middle of the porch.

Seeing her face through the window, Jack smiled and waved. "Well, I got your message. Turns out, your house was on my way back from the airport. Figured I'd just come by. Then I thought I'd better make sure you were here and awake before I dropped in unannounced." He cocked his head to the side. "Uh, Carter, are you gonna let me in?"

"Oh! Yes, sir!" Abruptly, Sam realized she'd been staring out the window in mute disbelief. Without further delay, she slammed down the phone and rushed to open her door.

"Hi," she said, sounding a bit breathless. "Please, come in."

As she ushered him to a seat on her sofa, Sam desperately tried collecting her thoughts. She'd planned on having a few minutes notice before talking to him. Since that was no longer an option, she sincerely hoped she didn't end up sounding too stupid.

"So," Jack said a little too brightly, "what did you need to talk about?"

"Well, sir." She paused, looking at him. "Can I call you Jack? I think this is going to be one of those conversations, sir."

To his credit, O'Neill hardly flinched. "Go for it."

Nodding, Sam continued. "Okay, Jack, there are actually a few things I think I should fill you in on. " Unable to sit still, Sam stood up and resumed pacing again. "First of all, you really shouldn't go running off without telling anyone where you are." Whoa. That was not what she'd been planning on saying.

O'Neill raised an eyebrow, but didn't interrupt.

"I mean…" she trailed off. "I have no idea what I mean, sir. Just disregard that."

Jack shook his head. "No, you're absolutely right. Considering what you're going through, you should be able to get in touch with me if you need to. I'm sorry for leaving with no explanation, Sam. I said I'd be here for you, and I meant it."

"Oh. Well. Thank you, Jack." Sam wasn't sure if she could possibly feel any more off-kilter than she did at that moment. None of the conversation was going according to plan. Taking a deep breath, she decided to try again. "This has been a rather eventful weekend for me."

Jack nodded. "Yeah, me too. I visited General Hammond in DC. Got some good advice on our situation."

Looking totally astounded, Sam sank into a chair. "You did what?"

O'Neill had the grace to look embarrassed. "I suppose I should have asked you before going to see him, but I'm pretty used to acting on my own." He cringed. "I'm really sorry, Carter. If it helps, he promised me that our conversation was totally off the record."

Sam blinked. "Oh. Okay." Her composure was now completely shot. "Daniel offered to marry me," she blurted.

"What?" Now it was Jack who looked astounded. "Daniel proposed?"

"I wouldn't call it a proposal, so much as an offer of assistance." Sam said faintly.

"Well what did you tell him?" Jack demanded.

She sighed in exasperation. "I told you. He didn't really ask, so I didn't really have to answer. He just left the option open for future reference. And he made it very clear that he was only offering as a friend. Nothing more." Trying to collect herself, she focused on Jack's face. Seeing no small amount of anger mixed in with his shock, she was unable to stifle a giggle. "He said you'd kick his butt if he tried putting the moves on your girl." Oh, dear. There went her mouth again.

Much to her amazement, her last comment actually made Jack smile. "Danny said that? I always knew he was a smart boy." Seeing the surprise on Sam's face, he winked. Sam supposed that meant he was just kidding. He wasn't really feeling possessive.

"So, anyway," she continued, "I thought you might like to know. I think he meant it as an out for both of us. He's not military, Jack. If I married him, there wouldn't be any damage to either of our careers. And, being that he's pretty much family to both of us, you know you'd still have a place in all our lives."

Jack ran a hand through his hair. "It was very gallant of Daniel to offer. But, Sam, I already told you. I'm not going to be a favorite uncle to this baby. I'm going to be its father."

Sam licked her lips. "Ah, Jack, there's more."

O'Neill shook his head, looking a bit punch-drunk. "What? Did Teal'c propose, too?"

She couldn't help giggling. "No, thank goodness." That would be a conversation she would not want to have any time soon. "Actually, Jack, I had some mild cramping today."

Immediately looking concerned, he leaned forward, studying her intently. "Are you both okay?"

Sam swallowed. "Ah… Yes. But, at Dr. Brightman's recommendation, I'm seeing a perinatologist in 6 weeks."

"A peri-na-who?" Jack still looked worried.

She explained. "A perinatologist is a high-risk obstetrician."

He interrupted. "High risk?" Alarm resounded clearly in his voice. "Carter, what's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, Jack. Just a precautionary measure." She took a deep breath. "It's actually routine to refer all women with twin pregnancies to a perinatologist."

At first, she wasn't sure he'd heard her. His face was absolutely blank. Then, after a few moments, he sank back into the couch. "Twins." He laughed, sounding just a little bit unglued. "Of course. The alien fertility drug strikes again."

Sam smiled weakly. "Are you sure you don't want me to take Daniel up on his offer?"

Sighing deeply, Jack looked her in the eyes. "Don't be silly." Seeing the obvious anxiety on her face, he patted the seat next to him on the sofa. "Carter, come here."

Somewhat shyly, Sam rose from her chair and crossed to where he was sitting. She sat down beside him, still holding herself a bit stiffly.

Without a word, Jack put his arm around her and pulled her snugly against his side. As if by magic, Sam felt her troubles shrink just a bit. It felt so amazingly, undeniably good to just lean on someone. Especially when that someone was Jack. Unfortunately, much to her surprise and chagrin, she then proceeded to burst into tears.

Instead of running in fear, which was Jack's usual response to tears, he actually seemed to pull her closer. "Shhhh. It's going to be okay, Sam." Jack placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head and held her securely as she cried.

"I'm so sorry," she hiccupped in between sobs. "Must be these damn hormones."

Jack smiled into her hair. "Sure. Some excuse. Just because you're having a couple of babies, you think you can get all emotional on me." His voice was light and humorous, leaving no doubt that he was just teasing her. Then, turning serious, he spoke softly. "Go ahead and lean on me, Sam. I'm not going anywhere."

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The faint glow of predawn had begun to fill the room when Sam opened her eyes. A crick in her neck said she must have slept in an awkward position.

It was the soft snore rumbling beneath her ear that really clued her in to the situation.

With a distinct feeling of dé·jà vu, Carter lifter her head and examined the person sleeping beside her.

Her first feeling was relief. At least this time they both had clothes on. Her second feeling was somewhat warmer and less definable. Sam remembered crying on Jack's shoulder for a good long while the night before. Once the tears had started, she just hadn't been able to shut them off. She must have exhausted herself – something that wasn't hard to do these days – because, according to the clock on the wall, it was now four in the morning, and Jack was still here. She was touched beyond measure that he'd stuck around.

Silently, she examined his face. There was no denying that he was an attractive man. But, beyond that, there was real character etched in his rugged features. Sam was fascinated. She rarely had the opportunity to examine him like this, so relaxed and unguarded. The boundaries they had placed around their relationship had generally prevented moments like this from occurring. And now, Sam found it difficult to look away.

Somewhere within her head, a voice whispered that this sort of study was dangerous. Despite the current situation, it was not prudent to let herself act on any of her feelings for this man. Sitting there, gazing at his face, Sam couldn't help realize how very precious he was to her. She knew that this road led only to heartache, but ever since their fateful night together, she'd been virtually unable to leash her thoughts concerning Jack O'Neill.

The utter unfairness of the situation struck her like a two-by-four. Frustration and anger clawed in her belly, making tears form in her eyes. Here was a man who was honorable, witty, and determined. He was someone who had proven himself trustworthy a thousand times, and had acknowledged strong feelings for her on more than one occasion. Not only that, he was the father to the two tiny lives growing inside her. And yet, despite all that – in truth, because of all that – she could not have him. While this was nothing new to her, it seemed that if the universe had any sense of balance and justice, the situation would change somehow.

Blinking rapidly, Sam wrestled her feelings under control. She didn't have the time or energy for self-pity anymore. Her own life might be a royal mess, but she was going to do everything in her power to give her children something much more hopeful. And that probably should start right now, by waking their father in time to get to work.

With one last look at his sleeping face, Sam leaned forward and spoke softly. "Jack, it's time to get up."

A quick intake of breath preceded the gentle flutter of his eyelids opening. There was one fuzzy, unfocused moment before he came completely awake that Sam swore she saw something deep and powerful in his gaze. But it was gone in an instant and replaced by the intense, sharp presence she was so used to.

"Morning," he said, trying to work the kinks out of his neck. "What time is it?"

Sam abruptly realized that she was still pretty much laying on top of him. Pulling away, she answered, "About four o'clock." Once there was a safe distance between them, she met his eyes. "I'm sorry I fell asleep on you last night. You really didn't have to stay."

Jack just shrugged and continued to stretch. "It's no problem, Sam. These past few weeks have been one hell of a rollercoaster for us both. You were obviously exhausted, and in truth, so was I."

Sam nodded, and silence descended. She supposed she should feel awkward, but she really didn't. Meeting his gaze, she only felt a swell of tranquility. At times like this, when it was just the two of them, she could actually believe that things would be okay.

Sensing her mood, a half smile appeared on Jack's lips. In a gesture of affection, he reached out and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.

Somehow, though, the innocence of the moment seemed to change. Instead of letting his hand fall away, Jack continued to run his fingers along her cheek. Tension flared, and Sam felt mesmerized. Unable to look away, she saw a host of emotions flicker through his gaze far too quickly to catalog any of them. But, undeniably, the gentle affection of a moment before had transformed into something much more intense. Without apparent thought or intention, both of them began leaning toward the other, until their faces were separated by mere inches.

Suddenly, Sam's eyes widened. Without explanation, she abruptly pulled away and bolted out of the room. Within seconds, Jack heard retching from the direction of the bathroom.

"Well," he muttered to himself, "I've never had that effect on a girl before."