28?

During the very dangerous ride to the SGC, Sam admitted that she'd been having labor pains for hours before she went to find Jack. She didn't want to be one of those women who went to the doctor every time their stomach hurt. Jack thought about chiding her, but instead he grabbed her hand and held it the rest of the way.

They arrived at the compound the same time Janet did. Jack looked around and didn't see Daniel, but he didn't have time to ask where he was because Janet was asking all kinds of questions herself. "How far apart are the contractions?" She asked, while at the same time demanding a wheel chair from one of the Marines at the check in point.

Jack gave her a blank stare. "Uh…I forgot to time them." He said meekly.

She gave him a short glare, then turned her attention to Sam. "How are you doing?" She asked, after helping her into the wheel chair. Sam tried to decline, but Janet practically shoved her into it. She looked pointedly at Jack and he jumped into gear, pushing Sam towards the elevator. Rooster followed closely, keeping an eye on Sam.

Sam was doing her breathing and concentrating during the elevator ride. Her eyes were closed and she had a hand over her belly. Her water broke in the elevator, a fact Sam hated, but there was nothing she could do about it. Jack made a mental note to inform someone to clean it up while Janet continued counting between each contraction. Jack wondered again where Daniel was. "Hey, where's Danny-boy?"

Janet glared at him and continued counting. Jack scowled. He hated that such a small woman could make him tremble in his boots faster then Apophis himself. It was probably her big needles. After she finished counting she answered his question. "He's at home watching Chandra. We couldn't get a babysitter this late."

"Aw hell no!" Jack exclaimed as the elevator doors opened and he pushed Sam towards the medical bay. Sergeant Siler passed them and gave Sam a smile. She didn't notice. Jack told Siler to follow them into the medical bay. "Sergeant, what do you know about kids?"

Siler paled, looking over at Sam. "Uh, I know nothing about giving birth, Sir."

Jack gave him a confused look before it dawned on him that Siler thought he was talking about Sam. "Not her! That's what she's for!" He pointed to Janet, who was helping Sam onto a bed. Jack jumped when he saw her and went to Sam's other side. After Sam was on the bed Janet left to get some tools and a few nurses. "Siler, I'm ordering you to go to Dr. Jackson's house and watch Chandra so Daniel can be here. And get someone to mop up the elevator."

"Sir?" Siler asked.

"I mean now Sergeant!" Jack bellowed. Siler saluted, then rushed out of the door.

Sam laughed between her breathing. "Do you think sending accident prone Siler to watch a doctor's baby is the best idea?"

Jack flashed her a grin. "At least she has a mother who can patch her up." He smoothed Sam's hair down. "How are you doing?"

Sam gripped his hand as another contraction hit. Jack didn't realize how strong she was. She could probably bench press as much as Teal'c. Well, that might be pushing it. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. When the contraction passed she released his hand. Jack got a towel and dried her forehead as Janet walked back in, followed by Teal'c.

"He saw me in the hall." Janet answered unvoiced questions. "Where's Sergeant Siler?"

Jack dodged her eyes as he answered, "On his way to your house."

Janet was about to berate him when Sam screamed in pain. "Janet!"

Janet got into position and informed them that Sam was completely dilated. "You have to push now Sam."

Jack braced himself for more pain on his hands while Sam obeyed her best friend and doctor.

Twenty hours later…

Janet laid the baby girl in Sam's outstretched arms. Both women were crying, and as Jack watched Sam cradling the baby, he began to mist up too. He looked up at Daniel with the proudest grin he'd ever worn. Daniel grinned back at him. Even Teal'c was smiling. "She's beautiful Sam." Jack whispered to her, kissing her cheek gently.

Sam didn't know what to say. She couldn't believe she had just given birth to the most wonderful baby in the world. The solar system. The universe.

But it wasn't too long before Sam handed the baby to Jack while she succumbed to the sleep that was tempting her. As much as she wanted to hold her baby and look at her and coo at her, she knew she was exhausted beyond belief. So as she slept Jack held the baby girl.

He never thought he'd love a child so much after Charlie. When Charlie died, a part of Jack died too. The father part of him. But with this baby girl's life came a renewing of that part of him that he was certain would never live again. He reluctantly passed the baby to Janet to hold. While she and Daniel admired the baby, looks were passed between the two of them. Jack thought about asking when they'd be doing this for them again, but decided he'd leave it be for the moment. Teal'c held the baby and Jack swore he heard him cooing at her.

A few minutes later Daniel drove Janet home, promising to return as soon as he could. "She wants to make sure Siler hasn't lost Chandra."

Jack grinned, looking up from the baby. "Thanks Daniel." He said quietly.

Daniel smiled. "Thank you Jack." He said. Jack knew it was for sending Siler to watch Chandra.

"Daniel." Janet said from his side.

"Bye Jack. I'll be back in the morning." He put his arm around Janet as the two walked out of the lab together.

Jack was alone in the medical with the two females he loved more then anything. He kept looking at the sleeping Sam, then at the sleeping baby. Rooster had been quiet throughout the labor, only barking when he had to go. Jack had a marine take the dog out, then he asked the marine to get the dog something to eat. When asked what Jack shrugged. For the moment, rule number one would have to be ignored.

But now Rooster was wagging his tail excitedly. Jack kneeled on the floor, though the act bothered his knees. He held the baby up to Rooster and the dog sniffed her eagerly. When he tried to lick her face Jack brought the baby out of reach. "Oh no you don't boy." He said, shifting the baby to one arm so he could pet Rooster. He patted the empty part of Sam's bed and Rooster gently jumped on it. Jack knew Sam would like to wake up with her entire family next to her.