Sam got out of the truck and walked up the sidewalk toward her house. As she walked inside, Jack stood awkwardly on her doorstep. "You can come in." She said when she realized that he was still standing outside.

"Are you sure?"

She chuckled. "Jack, the only thing that has changed is that I'm carrying your child, and if that isn't cause to let you in, I don't know what is."

He entered. "We, uh…we need to talk."

She nodded and motioned him into the living room. "You know, I'm thirsty. Do you want something to drink?"

"Nah."

She shrugged and walked into the kitchen. She returned with a glass of water.

"All right," she said, sitting in one of the armchairs. "What do we have to talk about?"

"Well, for one thing, we need to make a couple of plans."

"Well, let's just skip Plan A."

Jack looked at her, confused.

"What? It never works anyway…so, let's just start with Plan B."

He shook his head. "That was…kinda funny."

"What do we want to plan right now?" She asked, taking a sip of water as she curled her legs underneath herself on the armchair.

"Well…let's start with the baby." He said, uncomfortably.

"Well, that's easy. I'm keeping it."

He looked visibly relieved. "I'm glad…"

"You thought I could even consider an abortion?" She asked, studying him, understandably hurt.

He took a deep breath- it was time to hope that she didn't have the same wacko hormones that Sara had had… "I've never really thought about what would happen if we got into this…situation. Honestly, I didn't think you would even consider it, but…I guess you don't really know how well you know someone until you're in a situation like this."

She was quiet for a few moments. "So, what's next?" She whispered, still trying to decide whether he had just apologized or…she didn't know what else.

"I guess we talk about us."

She just waited.

"Whether there's going to be an 'us' or not."

"You mean if we're going to be a traditional family or two single parents?" She clarified.

"Uh…yeah."

She bit her lip while she thought about it. "I don't want to resent you or the baby."

"Neither do I."

She continued to ponder. "I think 'us' should be taken kind of slowly. I mean, I don't want to get married in two weeks just to hide…my pregnancy."

"But if I were to ask you out on a date?" He asked.

"I would consider it.' She said, honestly.

"But?" He prompted.

"But what about the Air Force?"

"I'll retire." He said, simply.

"How many times have you tried that?"

"A couple."

"They're never going to let you go."

There was a pregnant silence. "So, what?"

"I'll leave the Air Force."

"Carter, you can't do that!" He insisted. "You're way more valuable than me..."

"I'll return as a part-time civilian consultant." She continued. "I'm still valuable as a scientist."

He couldn't argue with that. "I guess that settles everything." He said, getting up. "Call me if you need anything."

She looked up at him. "You're leaving so soon?"

"I forgot," He said, chuckling. "I owe you some dry toast.'

She closed her eyes. "That's not what I meant."

"I'll be right back."

She allowed her eyes to follow him into the kitchen, and he caught her glance. He swallowed as he went into her kitchen. She had a tender look in her eyes that surprised Jack. But, it wasn't the fact that she had a tender glow emanating from her; it was the fact that it was there when their eyes met that surprised him.

She followed him into the kitchen. "So, do you mind if we leave ranks at the Mountain?"

He looked up, "No."

She smiled. "Good. Because I don't think our current situation is a 'sir; or 'Carter' situation."

He chuckled. "Nope. I think it's a 'Jack and Sam' situation."

There was more silence as Jack handed her the toast. She smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem."

He watched her take a dainty bite of toast. "I think I'm going to take it one bite at a time." She said, placing the slice of dried bread back onto her plate.

"Yeah. Take it nice and easy."

He wanted to ask her out, but he didn't want to seem like he was taking advantage of the situation.

"You should take some vitamins." He said, lamely.

She looked up. "I know. I was going to get some tomorrow."

"Oh."

They lapsed back into silence, and Sam just sat as she studied the man who had been declared her child's father. His deeply dark brown eyes were so animated, but at the same time, they veiled their true beauty. His gray hair lay characteristically ruffled atop his head. He hadn't shaved in a few days, and the stubble on his chin gave him a slightly more rugged look. And the doors in her heart seemed to open one at a time as she observed each feature.

She had never felt this way about anyone. So, she was left unable to do anything but realize that she had loved this man for the last few years.

He set a dollar on the counter, and she looked up in surprise.

"Sorry, I didn't have a penny. But, I guess your thoughts are worth more than anyone else's."

She chuckled. "I was just thinking."

"Hence the dollar on the counter."

"Our baby is going to be very good-looking.'

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

"You're…attractive." She said, her heart beating rapidly.

He smiled. "So, the gray doesn't bother you?"

"No. In fact, I love it."

Their eyes met and for a moment, they felt completely exposed. As if the other understood them so perfectly that there was no need for words.

"What are we going to tell your dad?"

She shrugged, breaking eye contact with him as she took another bite of her toast. "We should probably start with the truth."

"Start with?" He asked.

"You know Dad. Every once in a while, I have to remind him that I'm an officer in the Air Force, just like he was- is…I don't know."

"So, you don't want to think about it either?"

"Not really."

"Well, can I distract you tonight?"

She blushed. "Uh…"

He realized how that sounded and he laughed, nervously. "That's not what I mean. I was trying to ask you out."

She shook her head, chuckling. "I'm sorry…"

"No problem. It's my fault."

She gazed at him. "I don't really feel like going out tonight."

He smiled. "Maybe tomorrow."

"No, it's not that I don't want to spend time with you, it's just that…"

"I understand." He said, walking toward the door."

"Do you want to stat and watch a movie?" She asked before he walked out.

He turned. "I can go if you want to rest."

"Please…don't."

He studied her. "A movie sounds great."

"Good. You choose."

"Me?"

"Yeah."

"So, you really want to watch Mission: Impossible?"

She laughed. "No."

"What? No Troy?"

She laughed again. "No really, Jack. I can order some Chinese and you can choose the movie."

"Car- Sam…what do YOU want?"

She looked at him. "Company." She replied, simply.

"Company won't leave…even if you choose a chick flick."

She grinned. "Careful now. The base rumor mill will be unforgiving if they found out that Jack O'Neill watched Sleepless in Seattle with his second-in-command in his arms. They'd end up saying something to the effect of you getting 'caught.'" She almost blushed when she realized that she had suggested that they cuddle. Of course, that had been her intention all along, but...the fact that she said it aloud had really intimidated her.

He smiled. "Sleepless in Seattle? Not bad. You're on."

Tears began glistening in her eyes.

He panicked. "Sam, don't cry. I thought you wanted to watch Sleepless."

She reached for some Kleenex, and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry. I just…"

He now had his hand on her arm, and she looked into his face. "Thanks."

"For what?"

She snickered, trying to regain her emotions. "For being man enough to watch a chick flick."

After the food arrived, Sam and Jack sat themselves down on the couch and started the movie. Sam curled her legs underneath her as she sat, eating her beef and broccoli with her fried rice.

Suddenly, Sam turned to Jack. "Do you know what would be great with this fried rice?"

He turned. "What?"

She smiled at herself. 'I was going to say Moose Tracks ice cream. Sick, huh?"

"Do you have any?" He asked, not seeming phased.

She shook her head.

"Look, I'll run to the grocery store. I'll be back in twenty minutes."

She looked at him. "Are you sure?"

"Yep."

She grabbed his arm as he stood up, and pulled his face closer to hers. Then, she kissed him. "Thank you."

Jack looked into her eyes, trying not to be surprised by the sudden outpouring of affection from Sam. "You're welcome."

He returned a few minutes later to find the movie stopped, and Sam in pajama pants and a camisole. He found her absolutely mesmerizing.

"Jack? Come in."

He held up the carton of ice cream in his hands, triumphantly and she smiled. "Thanks again, Jack."

"No problem. Consider it a down payment on Junior."

She chuckled. "Come on! Let's start the movie!"

By the end of the movie, she had fallen asleep, curled up next to him on the couch. He tenderly swept one of her blond locks from her face. "I'm a safe bet." He whispered, kissing her on the forehead.

She stirred. "Is the movie over?"

"Yes."

Her eyes fluttered open, in response. "Hi."

"Hi."

When she realized who she had been cuddling up against, she shot up. "Oh my gosh, I'm sorry."

He placed one finger on her lips to silence her. "It's okay. Now, let's get you to bed, then I'll clean up and head home."

"I can handle it."

He smiled. "Don't forget, you're sleeping for two now. I'll take care of it.":

He sent her off to bed and returned to the living room where he cleaned up the take-out dinner. But before he left, he glanced back to the bedroom. She had him. He was caught. And that thought both freed and terrified him.