A/N: Whew, that last chapter was a marathon. Once it started flowing, though, I just couldn't shut it off. I'm on a roll now, so don't be surprised if the end to this saga appears within the week.
One of my dear readers pointed out that there was no way a very pregnant Sam was going to make the journey from Cheyenne Mountain to Arlington, either by plane or over land. Honestly, I hadn't even considered that. I suppose, upon reflection, I just figured Sam would find some way to get to Jack's funeral, even if it meant employing an Asgard transport device! (C'mon, if the SGC can get an entire team to the Pegasus Galaxy, certainly they can get Sam to Jack's funeral!) But, thanks, as always, for thinking about the details!
As for this chapter, I'd like to think of it as a nod to all those real-life people engaged in military service who are far away from their loved ones. Life, unfortunately, does not stop during these periods of service, and all members involved often have to make due with long-distance communications until the happy day they are reunited. To those fine, dedicated individuals, I'd like to say, "Thank you for your sacrifices."
Finally, I really would have loved to use Sam's mother's name, but I could not find it mentioned in the show, and didn't want to make something up, for fear of sounding lame.
Okay. Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming…
Chapter 26
"Dead?" Jack's eyes widened in shock. "C'mon, you're pulling my leg. In all my years of service, I've been classified as 'missing in action' more times than I can count, but dead?" He examined the faces of his comrades for some sign that they were joking. Teal'c's moist eyes and Hammond's flustered expression clearly told him all he needed to know. They were quite serious. "You thought I was dead?"
Hammond nodded. "We buried your remains at Arlington less than two weeks ago."
Jack's jaw dropped open. "You buried me?" Then he blinked in confusion. "Wait. Remains? What remains?"
Teal'c and Hammond exchanged another uneasy glance. The general took a deep breath and attempted to explain. "An airman videotaped your last mission on P3X-812. His camera caught the entire series of events which started when you placed the metallic key into the ground, and ended with something that can only be described as a high-energy bolt of lightning striking your last observed location. The force of the blast knocked over everyone within a hundred feet. As for you…" Hammond trailed off, trying to formulate the appropriate words. "Well, son, all that was left was a smoking pile of dust and ashes. Everyone who witnessed the event or saw the tape agreed – there was no way you could have survived that blast."
Rubbing his forehead in disbelief, Jack walked to a chair and heavily sat down. "I'm buried at Arlington." He gazed numbly at the general. "Was it a nice service?" Then, all at once, he seemed to be struck by a thought. Leaping from his chair, he took two bounding steps to Hammond and grabbed him by the arms. "Are you telling me that Sam thinks I'm dead?" Gripping his CO desperately, he began to look quite frantic. "She got news of my death on our wedding day?"
Hammond winced, closing his eyes for a moment. Any official objection he might have to being manhandled by a subordinate officer was washed away in a torrent of pained remorse. "I'm afraid so. Daniel was the one who told her. It wasn't pretty."
Jack looked like he might be sick. "Good God! She must be living in hell!" Releasing Hammond, he turned to Teal'c. "How… how is she?"
The large warrior pondered the question. "She has been stronger than anyone I've ever known, O'Neill. She is residing with Daniel until the babies arrive."
That seemed to ease Jack's overwhelming anxiety somewhat. "Thank God she's not alone, but still…" He trailed off, looking lost. Then, his eyes snapped back to General Hammond. "You've got to call her. Now. These bozos haven't let me near a telephone, which I suppose has turned out to be a good thing. I'm sure if she'd gotten a call from her dead fiancé, she'd have been ready to commit herself."
Hammond was already walking across the room. Opening the door, he signaled a young marine who was walking by. "Son, I need the immediate use of a telephone. And please get Colonel Raker in here."
The marine nodded crisply. "Sir, there's a telephone in the Colonel's office. I can take you there, if you'd like."
Turning to Jack and Teal'c, Hammond gestured to the conference table. "You two sit tight. I'll see what I can do about getting in touch with Colonel Carter. And, Jack, I know you don't want to hear this, but we'll need to get you checked out by the base physician before you can go home. I want at least a preliminary examination performed to ensure nothing is drastically wrong."
Much as Jack wanted to argue, he held his tongue. From past experience, he knew that cooperating was often the best way to get things accomplished quickly. And, in this instance, he was primarily concerned with speed.
Sam ground her teeth against the overwhelming pain in her abdomen and lower back. She'd been at the hospital almost twelve hours now, and her labor was still inching along at a grueling crawl. The anesthesiologist had finally been called for an epidural, but had not yet arrived to do the procedure. In the meantime, Sam lay in bed, huddled miserably against the exhausting pain that intermittently washed over her. As the contraction faded, she exhaled deeply.
Sarah sat on one side of her, and Daniel on the other. Much as she tried concentrating on the task at hand, she couldn't help being a little worried about Teal'c. Daniel's report that their friend had been whisked away with General Hammond on a secretive mission did little to ease her mind.
Sarah noticed the far-away look on Sam's face. "What are you thinking about, sweetie?"
Sam smiled in spite of her discomfort. How had this woman gotten to know her so well in such a short period of time? Traumatic experiences tended to cause the formation of strong, unique bonds between people. Apparently her new friendship with Sarah was no exception. "Just worried about Teal'c. It's so unlike him to run off without telling anyone."
Daniel reached over and gently rubbed her shoulder. "Teal'c can take care of himself. I'm sure General Hammond will have him back in no time."
The big-brother protectiveness that Daniel had shown in the past few weeks could easily rival the attentions of her actual big brother. Sam glanced at her friend, grateful for his unbending support. "I know, Daniel. It's just that I really want him here."
He nodded. "I'm sure he'll be back soon. Sergeant Harriman said that he could be back anytime in the next day. And, not to point out a sore subject," he said, wincing with his appraisal, "but your labor is moving at a snail's pace. He may well make it back before you give birth."
Sam sighed. "I hope so, Daniel. I guess I'm not as worried about him missing the delivery as I am about his safety. I hate to think he's in any danger. I couldn't take it if…" she trailed off, her voice thickening with anxiety and grief.
Sarah squeezed her hand. "Don't you worry about a thing, Sam. General Hammond wouldn't put Teal'c in any danger. I'm sure it was just a quick errand that couldn't be delayed. While I won't pretend to understand half of what you do, I know how dedicated Teal'c is to you and your twins. He'll get here safe and sound. If you're lucky, he'll be here before the big event, but if not, he'll still be able to meet your little ones as soon as he arrives."
Breathing deeply, Sam nodded. Her confidence in the balance and justice of the universe was deeply shaken. Since Jack's death, she'd been repeatedly racked by gut-wrenching fears of random things going wrong in her life. She understood the irrationality of these fears, and tried to not let them rule her emotions, but it was an uphill battle at times. Still, Sarah's words made sense, and she tried to focus on them in her uncertainty.
If only Teal'c would hurry up and arrive.
Jack pulled the t-shirt over his head, impatiently waiting for the doctor to finish his assessment. "Well," he asked briskly, "am I healthy?" Instead of wasting time while General Hammond conversed Colonel Raker and attempted to call Sam, Jack had put the moments to good use. His physical was just wrapping up, complete with x-rays to rule out symbiote infestation. The doctor, of course, did not know he was looking for a possible alien intruder in Jack's body, but he certainly could check for anything unusual.
The middle-aged marine looked over Jack's chart and nodded. "Yes, sir. Everything here appears to be in order." He shrugged. "Except for your persistent knee problems, you appear to be in perfect health."
Jack nodded. "Good. Now where's General Hammond? No offense, but I want to get the hell off this base and back to my pregnant fiancé."
The doctor laughed. "No offense taken, sir. I'm sure I'd be just as anxious." The man got a far-off look in his eyes as he continued speaking. "I missed the birth of my middle son when I was serving in the Gulf War. Didn't get to see him until he was four months old." Focusing again on Jack, he smiled. "Still, when we did finally meet, it was love at first sight. And my wife likes to joke that her labor was much easier without me there fussing over her."
O'Neill couldn't suppress a smile at that. "Yeah, I can hear Carter saying something like that."
The doctor looked mildly surprised. "Carter?" he asked, sounding curious. "You call your fiancé by her last name?"
Chuckling, Jack explained. "She and I served together for years before we were finally in a position that fraternization rules didn't keep us apart. And now it's just habit. Calling her 'Carter' isn't so bad, but she gets pretty ticked when I only refer to her as Colonel."
Looking vastly amused, the marine shook his head. "You two must be quite a pair."
Jack gazed off into space with a bemused expression. "I suppose we are." He sighed. "I just hope she forgives me for putting her through all this."
The doctor tilted his head thoughtfully. "If she's a soldier, she'll understand. My wife never served, so she doesn't always identify with why I put myself in such dangerous situations. But I suspect, sir, that your Carter will not only forgive you for your dedication to your country, she'll probably respect you more for it."
Eyeing the marine carefully, Jack nodded. "You're probably right. Carter is one hell of an officer." He sighed. "And, assuming I finally get the hell out of here, I'll be happy to tell her that in person."
As if on cue, the door to the field-hospital exam room swung open. Hammond walked in with Teal'c right behind him. "Well, son, I've got some news."
Jack felt his shoulders tense. "Good or bad?"
The older general considered a moment before answering. "Both, I suppose. The bad news is that I couldn't get in touch with Colonel Carter. The good news is that Sergeant Harriman knew exactly where she was, and why she was unavailable."
Gesturing impatiently, O'Neill waited for Hammond to continue. "Well? What's the problem?"
Hammond spoke as calmly as possible. "Not exactly a problem…" Seeing the anxious gleam in the younger man's eye, he hesitated before continuing. "She's just gone into labor."
Jack made a noise that fell somewhere between a growl of anger and a sigh of defeat. "Well, of COURSE she did! Because if she'd waited another twenty damn hours, I could have BEEN THERE." He threw up his hands in exasperation. "Clearly, some higher power is trying to make this as hellish as possible for both of us!" The disgust in his voice was nearly physical.
Teal'c approached him and lay a hand on his shoulder. "Relax, my friend. According to Sergeant Harriman, her labor is progressing very slowly. If we leave now, we may still arrive before the delivery."
Jack seemed to jump out of his chair. "Then what the hell are we waiting for?"
General Hammond held up a hand. "We still need to get your physical –"
The marine doctor swiftly interrupted. "It's finished. He's healthy as a horse. The requested scan of his spinal column revealed absolutely nothing out of the ordinary."
Tapping his foot impatiently, Jack glared at Hammond. "Can we go now? I'm assuming that the combined pull of a Brigadier and Major General ought to get that plane off the ground immediately?"
Hammond glanced quickly at Jack, and finally gave up trying to restrain him. "I'm sure you're right son." Looking at the marine, he quickly formulated a plan. "Could you get on the phone and tell Colonel Raker that I won't be able to talk to him before I leave? And would you let the folks at the airstrip know that –"
Seeing that O'Neill and Teal'c were already out the door, the doctor waved at Hammond. "Consider it done, sir. Good luck getting back in time!"
With a final nod at the doctor, Hammond rushed out to follow his comrades.
"That's it, Sam! You're doing great. Deep breath and push!"Daniel stood at the head of Sam's bed, supporting her shoulders and trying to offer any words of encouragement that might sink into her pain-clouded consciousness. Sarah stood on the other side of the bed, counting off slowly while Sam pushed with all the might in her small body.
The obstetrician suddenly looked up with great excitement. "I can see your daughter's head, Sam! A few more good pushes and she'll be out!"
In spite of the joyous pronouncement, Sam could only grind her teeth and issue a low scream. As the next contraction hit, she dimly heard Sarah resume counting, and Sam bore down with every fiber of strength she could muster. Then, despite the numbing-effects of the epidural, Sam felt an incredible buildup of pressure followed by an odd, shifting sensation. She could hear Daniel and Sarah both exclaiming loudly, but what really got her attention was the next, magical sound that filled the room.
The high-pitched, angry cries of Janelle Sha're O'Neill split the air with enough force to make hearing anything else difficult. The name she and Jack had chosen was meant to honor a whole host of people. "Janelle" was the best cross between "Janet" and "Shinsall" that they could come up with, and obviously "Sha're" was a tribute to Daniel's late wife. He'd been both touched and honored when they'd asked for permission to use the lovely name. Now, as Sam listened to the enthusiastic wailing, she felt tears spill down her face in mute joy and awe. When the nurse held up the gooey, squawking baby, she swore she'd never seen anything so beautiful in her life.
"Okay, mom," the doctor instructed, "you're not done yet. Nurse Jennifer will clean up your daughter, but you've still got to push her brother out. He's already dropped down. If we're really good, we can get him out before your cervix starts to close."
Sam, still reeling from the emotional high of seeing her daughter for the first time, was a bit staggered. Still, when the next contraction hit, she started pushing again with all her might.
Less than ten minutes later, another set of angry cries filled the delivery room. This time, Sam didn't even try restraining the sobs that rose unbidden in her throat. Daniel and Sarah, too, found themselves wiping moisture from their eyes. The incredible journey that had brought them to this point had connected them in a deep and profound way. In the last month, they'd shared the agony of death. Now it was time to share the joy of life.
Throat thick with emotion, Daniel leaned forward and kissed Sam gently on the forehead. As the nurse held up a second sticky baby, he looked at his friend questioningly. "What did you decide to name him?"
The name of their son had been something of a bone of contention between Sam and Jack. Both had agreed that they wanted their children's names to mean something, but with so many important male role-models to honor, choosing the right one had been next-to impossible. Sam, however, didn't hesitate with her reply. "It was actually pretty easy. He's named for the bravest men in the entire universe." As the nurse finished toweling off her son, she gently wrapped him in a light blue blanket and brought him to rest in Sam's left arm. Sarah, who had been holding Janelle, stepped up to Sam's other side and set her daughter into her right arm.
Tearfully holding the most precious gifts in all the world, Sam beamed with joy. Leaning over, she kissed her daughter's tiny nose and smiled. "Janelle, I'd like you to meet your brother, Jonathan Daniel Teal'c O'Neill. But, you can just call him 'Jack' for short."
An hour later, Sam's room was quiet and peaceful. The doctors had finished their examinations of both mother and babies, and everyone checked out perfectly. Daniel now stood in the dimly lit room holding little Jack, while Sam gently cradled baby Janelle.
"He's got Jack's eyes," Sarah whispered, leaning over the tiny, sleeping infant in Daniel's arms.
Sam had to agree. In the few moments when her son had been awake, she'd managed to get a good look at his delicate features. His eyes, though currently blue, had a decidedly dark, gray-brown cast to them. Sam would be willing to bet that as time went by, they'd darken into the startling cocoa hue of his father's eyes. By contrast, little Janelle's eyes were the brightest, crystal-clear blue of a mid-summer sky. She blinked quietly at her mama, content to stay warm and bundled against her chest.
Gazing adoringly at her children, Sam couldn't suppress another wave of tears. When Sarah glanced over and saw her sniffling again, she quickly rushed over and handed her friend a tissue.
"I'm sorry," Sam whispered thickly. "I just can't help it. This has to be the strangest feeling in the world. I've never been so happy or so sad in my life." Wiping away another river of tears, she glanced at Daniel and her son. "Jack would have been so proud right now. I'd give anything to have him here…" she trailed off as emotion overtook her.
Sarah patted her gently on the shoulder. "I know, sweetie. But, try to remember, as long as you have your babies, Jack will always be with you. His son is a spitting image of him, and little Janelle certainly seems to have his 'mad face' down pat."
Laughing through her tears, Sam nodded. "I know, and I can't imagine loving anything in the world more than these babies. It just would have been nice if Jack could have seen them at least once."
Daniel walked closer to the bed and shared a sad smile with his friend. "Sam, I feel very strongly that wherever Jack is, he can still see his little ones." Unspoken communication passed between the two. While Daniel couldn't speak of the specifics of his ascension in front of Sarah, Sam knew he was basing his comments on personal experience. As he continued, he blinked moisture out of his own eyes. "He's here with us, Sam. I can feel it."
A gentle knock at the door cut off Sam's reply. Looking up, she was overjoyed to see Teal'c and General Hammond entering her small hospital room. "Oh, I'm so glad you made it!"
Teal'c beamed as he saw the two, tiny bundles. "When the nurse told us you were in a post-partum room, we knew we had missed the delivery. I am very sorry that I was not here for you, Samantha."
Sam waved dismissively. "Honestly, you didn't miss much. With the exception of the last five minutes, the labor and delivery process was slow, excruciating, and entirely unpleasant. This is the good part, I promise." Gesturing for them to enter, she was a little surprised to see General Hammond hanging back in the doorway. "You can come in, General," she said warmly.
Hammond just shook his head. "It's a little crowded. I'll just wait here until Teal'c has had a chance to meet your babies."
Shrugging, Sam returned her attention to the large Jaffa. He walked in, looking happier than she'd ever remembered seeing him. As he approached, he nodded to Janelle. "May I hold your daughter?"
Sam smiled and happily held her up to him. As the huge warrior bent down and gently lifted the tiny, pink bundle, Janelle regarded him with a wide-eyed, serious expression. "She looks very much like you, Samantha. What is her name?"
Swallowing back the persistent lump of emotion in her throat, she spoke as evenly as possible. "That's Janelle. And her brother is named Jonathan. Jonathan Danilel Teal'c O'Neill." With that pronouncement, Teal'c's head lifted sharply in surprise.
"You do me a great honor, Colonel Carter." For a moment, he seemed overcome with emotion. However, when General Hammond quietly cleared his throat from the doorway, he seemed to snap back to the present. Looking at Daniel across the room, he nodded at the archaeologist. "Daniel Jackson, would you not be more comfortable sitting down?"
Daniel shrugged. "No, not really. The baby actually seems to like it when I –"
"Sit." Teal'c interrupted his rambling explanation with a firm command. Seeing the serious look on his face, Daniel immediately snapped his mouth shut and wordlessly obeyed.
Sensing something odd was going on, Sam glanced from Daniel to Teal'c to Hammond. "Is everything okay?" she asked, a hint of worry in her tone. Sarah, too, seemed to notice the strange undercurrents as she quietly slid into a second chair across the room from Daniel.
Teal'c smiled reassuringly. "Indeed it is, Samantha." Taking a deep breath, he looked at the General briefly. Then, clearing his throat, he continued. "I understand that it is tradition to bring a gift to the new mother when visiting her in the hospital."
Sam nodded. The standard cover story for Teal'c's somewhat abnormal behavior was that he was from Africa and therefore unfamiliar with American customs. Sarah had been told this, and she had apparently accepted it, as she didn't look suspicious in the least. Smiling at the large warrior, Sam lifted her hand in a gesture of dismissal. "Don't worry about it, Teal'c. I know you came right from your business with General Hammond, so I didn't really expect you to bring me anything."
Shaking his head, Teal'c spoke quickly. "You misunderstand me, Samantha. I did bring you a gift."
Looking puzzled, she glanced at the Jaffa, who carried nothing but her daughter. She also examined General Hammond, who was completely empty-handed. "Um, Teal'c…" she said gently, "not to sound ungrateful, but I don't see anything."
Teal'c and General Hammond locked gazes for a moment before the general turned his attention to the hallway. With a slight nod, he stepped backwards in order to allow a well-muscled figure to move past him.
Time seemed to stop in the small hospital room. The sharp hiss of three identical gasps was followed by a silence so compete, it was nearly spiritual. Then, quietly, Jack's voice pierced the stillness.
"Sorry I'm late."