8
The arguments began as soon as Gen. Hammond gave the ok for Sam to be transported back to P3X-456. "I'll take her." Jack volunteered.
"I think I should be the one to take her." Daniel objected, staring at Jack.
"I would be the logical choice." Teal'c added, his arms crossed in a determined manor.
Gen. Hammond sighed. He rubbed his temples, then looked up at the conscious part of his flagship team. "You all will take her."
…
As they walked through the gate Eros, with a broad smile, greeted them. He seemed happy to see them, until he noticed Sam, unconscious on a gurney. "What has happened?" He was alarmed and rushed up to her.
"She passed out." Daniel informed him.
"Seems she's addicted to whatever drugs you pumped through the vents in the 'temple'." Jack answered.
"Come, we must take her to mother." He led them to the temple, hurrying through the streets.
The three men carried Sam's gurney the short distance to the building that had started everything. Once inside, Eros left them to find his mother. "Let's stay together this time." Jack said, giving Daniel a pointed look.
Daniel ignored him and looked down at Sam. She looked like she was sleeping. "Jack-" He connected eyes with Jack for a moment. He wanted to tell him that he never meant for any of this to happen, but now that it had, he was glad it did.
"I know Daniel." Jack said gently. He couldn't exactly blame the guy for something that wasn't entirely his fault.
"I can't lose her Jack."
"We won't." Jack promised him. With a deep sigh Jack resigned himself to accepting Daniel and Sam as a couple. Janet had confided in him the many looks she'd seen passed through them. The kiss she'd witnessed. "They are in love Colonel. It's not the narcotics."
"Or the baby." Sure, he'd only known about the baby for a few hours, but nevertheless, Daniel loved it.
"We'll do whatever is necessary." Jack vowed.
"Indeed." Teal'c bowed slightly towards Daniel.
"Thanks."
They looked up when they heard the doors opening and watched as Aphrodite, as beautiful as before, rushing towards them. "Lay her here." She directed them to a bed of pillows. They placed the gurney on the smooth surface of the marble floor, then carried Sam the foot and a half to the 'bed'. "She is with child."
"We know." Jack said, his earlier gentleness gone.
Aphrodite looked up at Daniel. "You're the father?"
"I…uh…yes." Daniel stammered.
Aphrodite frowned. "She was not supposed to faint." Aphrodite's brow furrowed, making her look extremely unattractive. She called for her daughter. "Take them to the dining table and get them some food while I look after Sam."
"I don't think so." Jack stated, steeling himself.
"We're not leaving her."
Aphrodite nodded. "You all love her, don't you?" It was more of a rhetorical question and no one answered it.
"What has happened to her?" Daniel asked, sitting down next to Sam on the pillow bed.
Aphrodite looked over at him. She had Sam's head cradled in her lap and she was smoothing Sam's hair down. "She will waken soon."
"That doesn't answer the question." Jack said, stepping closer to Aphrodite.
"The baby has drained her system of Euripi. She will wake up when she gets a sufficient supply."
"Euripi? Is that the crap you've drugged us with?" Jack asked.
Aphrodite stood and looked at the men in front of her. "We did not mean any harm. We are a people of love."
Jack looked at Daniel, bent over and holding Sam's hand. "The baby will be ok?" He sighed. God he hated being so nice!
"The baby is in perfect health." Aphrodite smiled for the first time since they showed up. "You must eat."
"We will not leave Major Carter." Teal'c announced.
"We will bring the food to you." With the lift of her arm and swing of her wrist, Eros went to get the food brought into the main temple room.