Mirror's Past

By Major Dork

Chapter Two "The Visitor"

General O'Neill stared up at the gate, standing just before the ramp. It was hard to believe how long it had been since he'd gone through. He missed it, but more than anything he missed his family. Washington wasn't quite as bad as he thought it'd be, but it would never be home, and it would always be missing something… his friends. He missed this place. Finally Jack tore his eyes from the gate and exited the gateroom. It was late; perhaps he'd get some rest.

Jack walked down the many corridors, corridors he knew by heart. Finally he came to Sam's lab and instead of passing it he stopped, peering inside as he watched Sam, Daniel, and Teal'c. "I don't know, Sam, I just don't think the other Daniel and Jack would keep this from you unless it was important."

"I wouldn't even know the guy, I don't see it," fought Sam, obviously frustrated.

"Perhaps you do, Colonel Carter. O'Neill and Daniel Jackson did not mention who came with them to ancient Egypt on the mission to correct the timeline. Perhaps it is someone you know and O'Neill and Daniel Jackson feel it is best if you are not notified so as to protect you from any awkwardness."

Sam folded her arms. "Twice I've found out that my counterpart from other alternate universes were with General O'Neill and we were never awkward."

"Yes you were, Sam. After that second time you couldn't look him in the eye for three days!" Daniel exclaimed.

"That was different! I'd just watched him kiss… well… me!"

"O'Neill seems oddly attached to the Doctor Carter in his timeline, perhaps he is the father of the children," offered Teal'c.

Sam and Daniel looked over at the Jaffa in surprise. Neither had even thought of that. "You don't really think… do you?" said Daniel.

"No… I doubt it… I mean… just because in those realities we were together doesn't mean it'd be the same in this one." Part of Sam wanted that more than anything else in the world, another part of Sam was so freaked out by that thought that she was sure if it was true her heart would stop.

"Sam, even you'd have to admit if Jack had retired right now, and you were no longer under his command you'd be jumping his bones this very second," Daniel told his friend frankly.

"Daniel!" Sam could NOT believe he had just said that! Was everyone turning into the frank, sarcastic Jack O'Neill!

"Sam, you broke up with Pete BECAUSE of Jack, we all know it, we just never said anything because we figured it wasn't our place."

"It's STILL not your place. Any feelings I may or may not have for General O'Neill are private, and I'm not about to share them with you!"

Daniel sighed. "Either way… I'm sure if we can save your counterpart from Ra's hands that she'll tell us."

"Tell us what?" asked Jack as he walked into the room, deciding it was time to make his entrance. He felt rather guilty for listening in, especially after their… interesting conversation.

"Jack!" said Daniel in surprise.

"General!" said Sam at the same time.

"O'Neill," greeted Teal'c, bowing his head in respect.

"Hey guys, how's it going?"

"Good, sir, and you?"

"Well, I haven't killed any of those smart mouth nitwits back in Washington, so I'm doing well so far."

Sam smiled, THAT smile, which of course made Jack feel like he was on top of the world, a feeling he hid quite well. "That's good to hear. We've all missed you around here, General."

"And I've missed all of you! Landry tells me we're to ship out in four hours… or is it fly out… is flying even involved in this?"

Sam grinned. "We, sir?"

"I'm coming with you all on this mission."

Daniel looked at his friend in surprise, trying to absorb what he'd just heard. "What? Why?"

Jack just sighed. "Well number one… the President says I've been getting on his and everyone else's nerves and they feel 'I' need a break. Number two you'll need someone to get the ship back to our own timeline when we've done our job since most likely the Jack O'Neill from Egypt won't be coming back with us, and three… because the President strongly believes that if I do this I'll be much easier to stand for at least another few months or so."

Teal'c smiled at his old friend. "I am pleased you will be joining us out in the field once more, O'Neill."

"Yeah… it'll be nice to get some action."

That sentence was SO not what Sam wanted to hear as thoughts of him getting a DIFFERENT kind of action entered her mind. She really hated when he did that. "Of course, sir, I'm sure it'll be just the thing for you."

Jack smiled. "Oh I'm quite sure, Colonel, quite sure."

Meanwhile another Jack O'Neill sat on his bed, staring out into nothingness as he thought of his wife, Sam. He already missed her, needed her. The bed seemed so empty without her in it, lying next to him. She'd always loved to cuddle; something he'd never really liked until he was with her… with her it was soothing. With her it seemed somehow… right, although if he was being truthful, everything about Sam in his life felt right… especially after their first night in Egypt.

FLASHBACK

That night after their small success capturing the Jaffa Patrol, and rescuing two of their people, everyone celebrated their victory; Jack was sitting alone in the cold night simply staring up at the stars, so still that someone could easily mistake him for a statue. He'd never seen the sky so clear, so beautiful. Of course normally he'd be right there with the others, dancing and drinking, but tonight he just wasn't in the mood. It wasn't that he was in a bad mood, because he wasn't. He and a VERY hot woman had made out in that time ship and it had been glorious. He hadn't felt this good in a long time, a very long time. Sure, he was going to miss his cabin by the lake, and his precious boat, Homer. He'd miss a lot of things… beer, TV, The Simpsons, beer… yup, lots of things. "This seat taken?"

Jack looked up and smiled at the beautiful blonde before him. "Have a seat," he offered to her, watching as she sunk into the sand close by him. "I saw how beautiful the sky was and just felt like relaxing. Jack laid back, looking up at the stars, for a second Sam just sat there, and then finally she laid down next to him, slowly moving her hand into his. For some reason she seemed much shyer than she had in the time machine, perhaps it was the whole expecting to die part that had made her so… forward.

Sam sighed, smiling. "Everything is so clear out here! I could stay out here forever."

"Yeah, I know what you mean."

No one said a word as they looked up, staring at the sky together, their hands almost bound to each other in the night, finally Jack spoke. "Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you mean what you said?"

"About what?"

"About lying to me about liking me because you wanted to get to know me."

"Yeah."

"You didn't seem very cautious when you had your tongue in my throat…" he muttered.

"Hey! I thought I was going to die! If I was going to die, I wasn't about to do it a coward."

"What makes you think you're a coward?"

"I wasn't being cautions, I was being scared. Ever since the last guy I was with I haven't been the same… haven't trusted people like I used to. Believe it or not, but I haven't made out with a guy like we did in that time machine since my last relationship."

"What happened?" asked Jack.

"He turned out to be a big jerk… I'm just relieved I didn't marry the jerk. I can't even tell you how big of a mistake it would have been!"

Jack smiled. "So is dying with honor the only reason you kissed me?" he finally asked, wanting to know how to proceed with this thing between them.

"No…" Sam hesitated, then rolled her head over to look into his eyes, their faces only inches apart. "I've never been this… drawn to anyone before. The moment we first met I could feel it... although it was kind of clouded out with annoyance after you killed us off your boat."

Jack chuckled. "Yeah… sorry bout that."

"Either way… I guess I just couldn't help myself. I just really wanted… to kiss you."

Jack's smile faded as he looked at her lips. "I know exactly what you mean." With that their lips met, hesitant at first until Sam turned on her side, her right arm and leg moving on him as the kiss deepened. Jack moaned as her tongue moved into his mouth, exploring. God he wanted her. When the kiss ended, both were panting, flushed with desire. "Your tent or mine?" he asked.

Sam giggled. "Who needs a tent? No one can see us. Besides… I don't think I could make it that far."

"Sweet," whispered Jack just as he captured her lips, rolling them over so he was lying on top of her body. Jack moved his left hand down her body, stroking her belly before going under the fabric of her black shirt. "Now where were we?" Jack asked, moving his hand slowly up her stomach until it reached her bra. "Ah yes… right there," he muttered in between kisses just as his hand grabbed her breast, over the bra.

"Oh god," moaned Samantha, arching her back so his hand took in more of her breast. "It's been waaaaaayyyy too long." Jack wasted no time, quickly taking off their clothes, already hard and ready. Slowly the two made love, unable to stop as they let their bodies take control, not caring about the consequenses anymore. All they had was each other. They'd never be able to return to the life they once knew, but as the became one soul, one body, neither seemed to care. Falling from their high they looked into each other's eyes, both looking at each other with a mixture of surprise, pleasure, and a love just not possible after only knowing each other for a few days. "Wow," Sam whispered in shock.

Jack smiled back. "I think I just saw God."

Sam laughed at that, unable to suppress her laughter despite the fact that it was rather hard with him laying there on top of her. When Jack moved to get off of her, she quickly reacted, holding him to her. "No… it's okay… just stay. I can handle your weight. Just stay."

Jack nodded, moving his arms around her, his forehead resting on hers. In that moment, Jack had never wanted to let her go. He'd never even wanted to get up. All he had wanted was to stay in that moment, stay within her, feeling her bare skin under him. All he had wanted in life was her. Just her.

END FLASHBACK

Jack held a hand to his chest, closing his eyes. God, if it was the last thing he did, he would find her. He wasn't about to let Ra take away his second chance at happiness. Hell no, he wasn't going to allow it. He wouldn't lose Sam and the kids the way he lost Charlie. This time, he'd set things right. This time he would not fail the ones he loved. History was not going to repeat itself this time. "Hang on, Sam… just hang on."

Daniel Jackson, who was still enjoying his short time in the future… or was it the present, smiled as he looked over at Sam and Jack, talking quietly to each other, laughing as they played cards in the commissary. Daniel found it rather amusing that not long ago, he'd never thought they'd get together, then after seeing them together in twice in Egypt… he found their future together to be much more possible. They'd have their chance, of that he was sure. She'd obviously missed him since his time in Washington. Just before Daniel, Sam, Jack, and Teal'c had gone back in time to look for the ZPM, Jack had told them he was going to Washington and that Hank Landry would be taking his place in a little over a month. Jack had made sure they knew everything he could say about his old friend Hank, and how they'd known each other for what seemed like forever.

Jack had also made known that Landry's daughter would be the new main Doctor, which had also sparked interest in who she was, and things like that. SG-1 had been sad to know Jack was leaving, but relieved that he was leaving them in the hands of friends. Daniel was rather happy, though, that he'd never lived those changes. Landry and Lam seemed like good people, as did Mitchell, but Daniel had always hated change. Daniel again smirked as he thought of one change he hadn't hated all that much, especially since he'd known what it'd do for his friends….

FLASHBACK

Samantha Carter paced the large tent over and over again, her anxiety growing by the second, Daniel watching her as she did so. O'Neill and Teal'c had been mapping and taking notes of all Ra's forces and any weak spot worth exploring. They'd been taking things slow many of the months that had gone by, not just going against him, but carefully planning every second, every action. Another thing that had been going on slowly was Samantha's relationship with Jack O'Neill. They'd been together for nearly a year now. Their relationship was a most complicated one. For months they'd become both friends and lovers, trying to get to know each other as well as their counterparts had after nine years of working together. Daniel could already see they'd learned more about each other than their counterparts ever could, but on the other hand, Daniel could also see the things where they both hadn't a clue. "Uh Sam, you're gonna ware a hole in the ground."

Sam glanced over at Daniel Jackson, still pacing. Over the months she'd quickly become close to Daniel, friend with him, the way his Sam and him and been friends. He knew her better than she knew herself, mostly because he had known her… for nine years… just not HER her. If that even made sense…. This Sam had become one of his best friends, They'd relied on each other for advice, confided in each other since all those months ago when they'd finally got settled in their new life. "I can't tell him yet!"

"He's gonna notice sooner or later."

"God, this is so messed up! We haven't even said 'I love you' to each other."

"Do you?"

"What?"

"Love him. Do you love him?"

Sam stopped pacing and looked over at her friend, realizing he seemed more amused than worried. "Of course!"

"Does he love you?"

Sam began to pace back and forth once again. "Yeah, I think so… I hope so… uh… I suppose I don't actually know for sure. He hasn't even said anything. He's told me he cares about me… and I know he'd give his life in a second to save mine… as scary as that is. I could never deal with losing him if he'd done it for me… I hope it never comes to that." She was rambling. It always happened when she was worried about something. Right now, Samantha Carter had never been so worried and upset in her life. Daniel guessed it was a pregnant thing, and once again thanked whatever real gods were out there that he wasn't a woman. "Oh god, this is so screwed up!"

"The relationship between Sam and Jack in any reality ends up screwed up one way or another… consider it a tradition."

"Not helping here, Daniel!"

"You think he's gonna freak. That's why you don't wanna tell him."

"Well I would! I mean, we'd been so careful! I watched things so closely… this shouldn't be happening."

"Sam, you and I both know it had nothing to do with that. Sometimes things just happen. It's not a bad thing, Sam."

Sam froze, looking at Daniel in surprise. "Daniel, I'm pregnant with his BABY! Of course it's not a bad thing… but it isn't necessarily a good thing either. We both know with the rebellion against Ra growing stronger that any of us being weighed down with other responsibilities would be too much of a distraction. We're planning a war against Ra. I wouldn't call that a good environment for a baby."

"Sam, an all out attack against Ra won't be happening for a long time. Ever since we began this rebellion Ra's been on to us, our forces have been severely diminished thanks to him. We have to wait for the right moment to attack, we can't rush into things. I made that mistake once, I won't do that again."

"What if Jack doesn't want to be a father again? What if he doesn't think he can do that since Charlie? It hurt him so badly, Daniel! What if he can't go through that again?"

"Sam, this may be his second chance to a family again. I know he was a good father to Charlie. That kid in there's lucky. He'll be thrilled. You should tell him, Sam."

"Daniel-"

"Sam, just tell Jack! Trust me. Just tell him."

"Tell me what?" came a new voice. Daniel noticed the freaked out expression on her face, which she quickly suppressed. She froze immediately, eyes wide in surprise and dread.

Daniel smiled. "Hi Jack. Uh… Sam has something she needs to tell you. It's pretty big, brace yourself." The Doctor moved to stand, knowing this was a conversation best left only between the two.

"Brace myself, huh? How big can it be?"

Daniel looked his friend in the eye, a slow grin forming on his face. "Oh it's big… real big," and with that, he left the tent and left them to have their little talk.

Jack turned to Sam, eyes full of curiosity. Daniel could see that look he'd seen many times before. I will SO kill you for this later, Jackson! "Sam?"

"Uh… I have to go." Sam moved to leave, but Jack grabbed her hand before she could. Daniel watched the scene silently, staying away from their eyes. Okay, so he was nosy… he REALLY wanted to see this!

"Sam, what's going on? You're starting to scare me."

Sam hesitated, sighing deeply as she realized what might be his reaction to her news. "Jack… you uh… better sit down for this one."

Jack frowned, sitting in the seat Daniel had been in moments ago. "Sam? Am I gonna like this?"

Sam stood before him, collecting in all the courage she could muster. "That depends."

"On what?"

"On how you look at it."

Jack let out a long sigh. "Where's the Jack Daniels when you need it."

"Jack, this is serious!"

"Yeah, I know, hence the reason for my wish of liquor. What's going on, Sam?"

"I'm… I'm… ummm… I… Jack… I'm… pre… oh for cryin' out loud! I'm pregnant!"

Jack sat there, completely still, just staring at her for almost a full minute. Sam's eyes were wide, tears in her eyes, just begging to fall. His mouth was open now, eyes wide in shock. Daniel almost winced at the look of pure pain in her eyes, Jack though, didn't seem to notice this. "Okay, maybe I don't need any Jack Daniels. Sam… did you just say what I think you said?"

"Yeah Jack. I'm pregnant. It's no joke… it's real."

"How do you know?"

"Well, considering I should have gotten my period a month ago… and then there's the fact that I've been throwing up every morning for a while now… not to mention how crazy my moods have been! You know I actually CRIED when Daniel said I was going to be a mom! I cried! And not just a few tears either… I cried like a baby! The only thing that stopped the crying was the fact that I had no liquids left to lose! I'm most definitely pregnant. I think I'm even gaining weight! I'm starting to look fat!"

"You look perfect."

"Jack, I'm already starting to show!"

"I barely noticed a thing last night… hell, I never had any idea."

"Jack… I'll understand if you don't want to deal with this. I mean, this is all my fault! I should have been more careful! Done something… I'm so sorry."

Jack smiled, standing up, his eyes staring into hers, barely blinking. "Sam, how can you say that? It's no ones fault… it's a damn miracle. I just… I don't know what to say. Sam, nothing would make me happier than to know you were having my kids… kid. Forget careful, this is great!"

Sam's eyebrows rose in surprise. "You mean you're not upset? You're really okay with this?"

"I'm more than okay with this, Sam! I love you! This is the best day of my life!"

Sam froze… eyes once again wide in shock. "Wha… what did you say?"

"I said I love you, Sam, more than anything. God, you've made me the happiest guy in the universe!"

Sam lunged at him, her arms wrapping around his neck as she cried. "I love you too, Jack. Oh god, I love you so much. Thank you, oh Jack, thank you so much."

"Other way around, I should be thanking you." Jack grinned from ear to ear, in a daze. "Wow, I'm gonna be a dad again."

"It's your second chance, Jack. A chance to be a dad again."

"Marry me?"

Sam stiffened, moving away from him. "Jack, I realize we're going to have a child and all, but I don't want to marry you just because of it."

"That's not why I asked."

"Well, you gotta admit, the timing doesn't say so."

"I asked because I love you… and for five months I've become more and more devoted to you and only you. I never really had this kind of a relationship with Sara." Finally Jack pulled out a small gold ring, with a beautiful blue crystal on top. "Teal'c and I made it about three weeks ago. I figured… that maybe… one day I'd use it, when I knew you felt for me what I felt for you. Please, marry me."

Sam grinned her 100watz smile, lunging at him once again, only this time Jack lost his balance and fell to the floor. The two laughed at the fall, before Sam finally caught eyes with him again. Carter slowly leaned her head down and kissed him, showing him all the love she held for him in her heart. "I love you, Jack."

"That a yes?"

"No," Sam told him, Jack frowned immediately, his heart sinking. "That would be a 'HELL YES!'" Sam then added.

Jack grinned, shaking his head. "Sweet!" The two kissed once more, not holding back. When the kiss ended Jack moved his right hand up to caress her cheek. "You're beautiful, you know that? I love you so much."

"Hey Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you say we do a repeat of last night?" she asked, her eyebrows going up and down, a mock imitation of Jack.

Jack chuckled. "I'd say that I may be the luckiest man in the world… jeez… I think you're worse than I am!"

Sam just shrugged. "Hey! I'm not normally this bad! I just happen to be with the sexiest man a girl could ask for! There's just no way you can blame me for getting all hot and bothered with you around."

Jack grinned. "Have I mentioned how much I love you?"

"You might have… yeah."

Daniel Jackson gave a small smirk as he watched the two love birds kiss once again, before leaving them alone. They'd most likely be busy for a few hours. Upon seeing his expression Teal'c cocked his head. "Daniel Jackson, why are you smiling?"

"Oh, no reason Teal'c… just happy. You have no idea how stressful it is to wait so long for fate to finally run its course."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow, as always. "O'Neill has finally asked her?"

"Yup."

"As the Tau'ri have come to say… finally!" the Jaffa muttered, smiling.

Daniel laughed. "Couldn't have said it better! Oh man do I wish Hammond was here. Alternate Sam and Jack or not… I so won our bet!"

"Bet?"

"Yeah, we bet to see how long it took before they finally got together. I said somewhere after year nine… he took when Sam makes General…."

Teal'c frowned, confused.

Daniel just shook his head. "Damn… fifty bucks… boy do I wish Hammond were here."

Teal'c simply shook his head. "You are a very strange human, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel just shrugged. "You have no idea…."

END FLASHBACK

Daniel sighed, shaking his head. Well he was back home… maybe he should give Hammond a call. He really did want his fifty bucks….

TBC…

A/N: Hope you like this one, I felt a bit frustrated in this chapter, still haven't gotten it right… but that's okay! Just tell me if you like it! I'm sure there are some 'parts' that you hopefully enjoyed. lol