Chapter 79
Sam's POV
As I walk back into the briefing room, I notice Janet's absence immediately.
"Hey, where'd the Doc go?" asks Jack as he takes his seat beside me.
"She had some tests to run O'Neill." Replies Thor.
"Danny-boy's okay, right?"
"Indeed."
"Well, Major, Colonel. As soon as your reports are written you are on leave for two more weeks."
"Yes sir." Replies my husband with enthusiasm.
"Jack?"
"General?"
"The report first?"
"Of course General. It'll be on your desk in an hour."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
"Oh you have my word sir."
"Very well. Dismissed. Thor." The General stands to leave and I stand up with the others, only to lean against the table as my head starts to spin.
"Sam?"
"Major?"
"MajorCarter?"
Ask four worried voices and I blush. "Just dizzy sir. I'm fine."
"Sit down." Orders Jack and I obey, too weak to argue. Teal'c pours a glass of water and passes it to Jack who is hovering protectively.
"I'm fine." I reassure them as the colour returns to my face and the dizziness passes. "I just stood up too quickly."
"Thor. Maybe you should take Sam now and examine her while I do my report, huh?" asks Jack.
"As you wish O'Neill."
"Thor wait." I interrupt.
"Sam. Don't argue with me on this one. I know you've typed your report already. I'll proof read it and give it to the General with mine."
"Agreed Colonel. Go ahead Major."
"Aye sir." I start to stand up, but Jack holds me in place.
"Buddy, take Sam's chair too."
I open my mouth to protest, even as the Asgard beam envelops me and I find myself seated on the Baliskner next to Thor.
"Major Carter. Are you well enough to stand?"
"Thor, I'm fine. Honestly. I just stood up too quickly before." I reply, standing without a problem this time.
"Please follow me to the examination chamber." He stands up and walks down a corridor to my right. I follow him and we enter a small room where an Asgard is waiting for us. "Major Carter, may I present Heimdall. The Asgard scientist who will be assisting me. Heimdall, this is Major Samantha Carter."
"Major Carter. It is a pleasure to meet you at last. I have studied your physiology as much as possible and hope that this examination will provide the information we require." Replies the slightly shorter Asgard with a higher pitched voice as she holds her hand out to me in greeting.
"Nice to meet you Heimdall." I answer, shaking the proffered hand.
"I understand you are a human scientist?" she asks.
"Uh yes. A theoretical astrophysicist."
"My field of study is genetics and physiology. I have been studying your race for two thousand and five hundred of your years. I was the one who examined O'Neill the first time he travelled to our Home World. May I extend my congratulations on your recent nuptials and pregnancy."
"Thank you."
"I was most pleased to learn that O'Neill had selected you as his wife. From my previous scans and discussions with Thor, I had hoped you would agree to this examination."
"Uhh, no problem."
"Please step on to the examination platform." She points towards a slightly raised circular step in the centre of the room.
I walk over and stand on the step.
"Please do not be alarmed as I initiate the scan." She fiddles with something on the console between us and several blue green circular lights descend slowly from the ceiling, buzzing around me like fireflies. "You may feel a pressure on your abdomen in a moment."
I tense automatically, my hand going to hover protectively over my stomach
Heimdall looks me in the eye. "No harm will befall you or your daughter while you are in my care Major Carter." She reassures me and I am stunned as her small mouth curves upwards in a smile. "Would you like to see a large representation of your child at this stage of development?"
"Uhh, sure."
"Please direct you attention to the display on your left. I have increased the magnification several times."
I turn my eyes to look at a golfball sized group of cells and despite knowing without a doubt that I am pregnant, my breath catches in my throat.
"I will now project the growth of you child as she develops within you. The perspective will change once the foetus is large enough to be seen by the naked eye."
I nod and watch as the projection morphs into a salamander like image and then, finally, takes the shape of a baby.
"This is a projection of your child's most likely image at eight and a half months, shortly before she is born."
I reach out to touch the image, but it flickers as my hand passes through her and I draw my hand back with a blush.
"There is no need to feel embarrassed Major Carter. I believe I understand your need to hold your daughter."
"Heimdall, could you store that hologram for me for an hour or two?"
"You wish O'Neill to see the projection as well?" asks Thor and I had almost forgotten he was still in the room.
"Yes."
"Very well Major Carter. I am pleased to inform you that you and your daughter are healthy at this time and she holds both O'Neill's superior genetics and your capacity for knowledge."
"Heimdall?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks."
"I am simply accomplishing my task Major Carter. May I have your permission to continue remotely recording your physiological responses?"
"Sure."
"I wish to complete a current scan of your husband when he is available."
"Jack will be here once he's finished a few duties at the SGC Heimdall. I'll be happy to introduce you. He might be…"
"I am aware of O'Neill's protectiveness and reactions to those he does not yet trust. I shall not take offence. I have been studying his physiology and Thor often comments on how O'Neill interacts with his friends and enemies. As I said previously, I am pleased you accepted him as your husband."
"You are both excellent specimens of your race." Adds Thor.
"Thanks Thor." I reply with a smile, imagining Jack's reaction to being called a 'specimen'.
"Major Carter. While we await O'Neill, do you have any concerns you wish to discuss?"
"I was a little concerned about the effect of my blending with the Tok'ra Jolinar on the baby. And Gate travel."
"The protein marker and naquadah in your blood will be passed on to your child. It will most likely benefit her in infancy and childhood, rather than being detrimental. You will be able to breastfeed if you desire. Should your daughter require a blood transfusion she may encounter the same difficulties you experience and I recommend that you select a Doctor from the SGC to be your advisor both during pregnancy and her Doctor once she is born. The Stargate itself has no adverse affects upon human's at any stage of development."
"Thank you."
The voice of a strange Asgard comes over the ship's comm, talking in their native language.
"Major Carter. O'Neill is prepared to join us. Please step down from the examination platform and I shall arrange to beam him directly into this room."
I step down and a few moments later Jack appears, obviously having been transported up mid sentence.
"-test Doc." He stops and looks around. "Hey Sam. Thor. Unknown Asgard dude."
"I am called Heimdall O'Neill. It is a pleasure to meet you again."
"Again?"
"I examined you when you were unconscious on our Home World. I wished to ensure you were not adversely affected."
"Ahh. Thanks lady."
"O'Neill, the Asgard do not have gender." Says Thor and I glance at Heimdall to see her smiling again. Weird.
"Sorry, Hilda is it? You just seem like a girl."
"Jack. Be nice. Her name is Heimdall." I chide him softly. "She's been very kind and she has a surprise for you."
"A surprise? Cool."
"In fact O'Neill, you are partially correct. The human name Hilda evolved from my name. It means 'Battle-maiden'."
"And you're Thor's Doc?"
"In a way, yes. I study genetics and physiology. I am pleased to inform you that your wife and daughter are in good health."
"Sweet."
"Shall I play the surprise now Major Carter?"
"Please do Heimdall."
The smaller Asgard plays the hologram.
"Just watch Jack."
He frowns at me but obeys and I see his brain catch up quickly. "Is that-"
"Your daughter at her current stage of development. I will now project her predicted growth."
I watch Jack's face as the image transform again and I swear I see my big tough husband blinking back tears as it ends.
"So, that's what the little rug rat is gonna look like when she pops out?"
"What is a rug rat O'Neill?" asks Thor as Heimdall tilts her head in confusion.
"He means the baby Thor."
"Yes, O'Neill that is the most likely visage of your offspring at birth." Says Thor.
"Cool. Hey Heimdall. Thanks."
"You are welcome O'Neill. Will you let me scan you as well?"
"I thought you already had a remote control check up thingy?"
"I do. However, it has been two years since the machine was recalibrated to your current stage of development. It will not take long."
"No big needles okay?"
"The Asgard do not use needles O'Neill." Replies Thor and I swear I see Heimdall's lips twitch in amusement.
"Where d'ya want me?"
"Please step on to the examination platform."