1 year later (Earth time) 1.5 years later (Othalla time)
"They are due at any moment Sir. We received a second urgent message, all it said was to have a medical team on standby in the gate room." Walter's unusually tense voice relayed the information immediately upon General Landry's entrance. General Landry nodded and nervously began pacing the control room as the technicians just as nervously concentrated on their screens. The immense Stargate loomed silent in front of their stations deep in the bowels of Cheyenne Mountain.
"Where are they…?" He muttered as he glanced at his watch. "Go ahead and have the medical team come in".
"Yes Sir." Walter reached for the phone and relayed the command.
Just as the gate room became a hive of activity with SF soldiers positioning themselves strategically and the medical team making a place convenient to the ramp, Dr. Daniel Jackson made his appearance at the top of the control room stairs – his rumpled clothing and scruffy hair were testimony to his all night vigil. "Any more news?" his anxiousness apparent in his voice as he jogged over to stand behind Walter to stare out at the sudden activity in front of them.
Landry stopped his pacing and gazed accusingly at the younger man, who never looked his way, "I thought I ordered you to get some rest, Dr. Jackson!"
"Uhh… I don't remember that." Was Daniels' drawled response even as he continued watching the gate room -- his known 'one track' disposition very much in evidence.
Landry rolled his eyes in his frustration, which was a familiar feeling for him when he was around the young Doctor for any length of time. How had O'Neill and Hammond managed him? His arbitrariness in what orders he chose to obey was enough to drive any career military man crazy.
"It's amazing how bad your memory can be. Yet, you manage to learn at least two new languages a year, Dr. Jackson."
Ignoring the general's retort, Daniel quietly remarked, "I don't get it – why are they coming back through the gate? I would have thought it would be too dangerous…" Daniels voice trailed off.
None of the control room technicians responded -- after hearing the same statement for perhaps the hundredth time since early yesterday morning – they knew he was not actually talking to anyone but himself.
"NONE of us GET IT. They haven't sent any details – just that they were coming and to have a full medical team ready in the Gate room." Landry's patience was wearing thin and fear for the expected travelers had a lot to do with it.
Suddenly an Airman came into the room, "Sir the President is on the phone. He wants a status on their arrival." Landry nodded and headed for his office as he yelled back over his shoulder, "Call me at the first sign."
Walter and the other technicians all heaved a quick sigh of relief. Daniel Jackson noticed this and said, "Bet you're glad he's gone. Right?" even as he continued watching the gate as if willing it to activate. He was oblivious to the technician's quick glances at each other, as their second wish would be for one jittery Doctor of Archeology to also leave the room.
Daniel sensed it first as almost in concert he straightened in anticipation as the huge disk started its slow movement. The sound of an incoming wormhole filled the room along with the claxons sounding loudly.
"INCOMING…" Walter's loud conditioned response rang out. There was no need to call Landry back as they could hear his feet coming quickly down the stairs from his office. Walter anticipating him said quickly, "Closing the iris, Sir." The trinium shield closed. Tensely they watched the chevrons engage and suddenly the whole area went dark and without warning the iris re-opened on it's own.
"They're here!" Daniel's excitement apparent in his voice as he turned and ran for the stairs leading down to the gate room.
Landry tersely addressed Walter at the console, "If you don't get a valid signal – let me know before you try and close the iris." And then he too quickly left to join up with Daniel who was standing immediately at the end of the gate ramp. The only sounds were the nervous fidgeting of the weaponry and the claxons still blaring the arrival notification. The last chevron locked and the room was filled with the whooshing sound as the watery-looking event horizon blew out and back in leaving the dark room flickering with the serene blue aura.
"Come on… Come on… Come on. " Daniels' muttering was only audible to Landry standing immediately beside him.
Finally a form was silhouetted and then broke through – then another and another: none of them whom Daniel was expecting. The three Asgards came slowly down the ramp until they halted in front of General Landry and Daniel Jackson. Daniel continued to stare over their heads at the Stargate… waiting.
The tallest of the gray aliens, addressed the group, "Greetings from the Asgards. My name is Felspre. This is Buddy and Eyvind."
Daniels' attention was diverted to Felspre as he asked inquiringly, "Buddy? I'm sorry but…. Did you say his name was… Buddy?" He asked as he tried to hide his smile.
Felspre nodded, his large dark eyes blinking once. "It has become a very popular name at re-cloning."
"Ookaay..."
"We are the advance team – to make sure you are aware of the direness of the situation and to make sure that you have your most competent medical staff here."
Landry spoke up, "What 'dire' situation? And yes, as you see the room is full of medics. Right now, I'm feeling clueless and want an explanation."
Just as Felspre opened his small mouth to answer, a sucking sound and then a familiar gruff voice thundered out from the event horizon,
"FELSPRE! You did it again! What is your problem! She is NOT dying – she's having a BABY!"
"JACK! Daniel surged past the startled alien trio and up the ramp to engulf the tall blue uniformed figure of Jack O'Neill in a relieved hug.
How are you? Where have you been? I've been up ALL NIGHT … Waiting … Do you KNOW how much coffee I'm drank in the past 24 hours! When we heard that medical teams were needed we were all so..."
Jack broke in on the ranting, "WHOA DANIEL! Easy Big Fella --- you're gonna blow a gasket if you don't rein it in a bit." Jack pulled back from Daniels' clasp and grinned as he patted his friends' rumpled head. "You're looking well, Danny boy, how long has it been -- a year?"
"Yeah… since the wedding -- I've missed you both." Daniel suddenly realized someone was missing – and his blue eyes whipped around Jack and then back into the taller mans' dark eyes – "Where's Sam?"
"Right behind me with…" and before he could finish, the horizon slurped again and Sam appeared with two Asgards on each side of her, holding her by the elbow.
Jack leaned over to Daniel and in a low tone murmured, "They have been holding her like that ever since they found out she's pregnant. Whatever you do … don't let her within reach of a Zat – she CANNOT be held accountable."
Fascinated, all Daniel could do was nod.
"Hey guys" Jack addressed the two Asgards on each side of her: "Why don't ya let her go now…enough is enough."
"Jack! Get them way from me or so help me I swear that I..."
"Aakkk! NOW CARTER …Get a grip, we're home now."
"Don't 'Aakkk' me…. " But her anger was fleeting as Jack reached her side and motioned the two Asgards to step aside. Pulling his very pregnant wife into a reassuring hug, he quietly added,
"We're home Sam. No more White Glove treatment – you're on your own now, Ma'am."
"White Glove! I wish it had only been white glove more like the 'boy in the plastic bubble'. I am soo glad to be… DANIEL!" Her glad yelp at noticing her favorite Archeologist brought an even larger grin to Jack's face as he let go of his wife so that Daniel could greet her. With extreme care, Daniel gave her cautious hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Wow Sam, you're big."
Jack's apprehensive "Oy" was the only sound in the sudden silence.
Uhh maybe I..I..Shouldn't have said tha tha.. that.." Daniel stammered, "You actually look really great for being sooo BIG." He looked at Jack and asked, "Did I just say it again?"
Jack nodded his face sympathetic.
Daniel plundered on, "What I meant to say…" She clamped her hand over his mouth, halting anymore foot-swallowing comments - as staring deadpan she quietly said, "You haven't seen me in a YEAR – and the first thing you can say is…how BIG I am? "THANKS DANIEL…" She tried, but couldn't maintain her posturing; her trademark 'light-up-the-room' grin broke across her face as she hugged her mortified friend once again, and added warmly, "You do realize that YOU and only YOU can yet away with saying that."
Jack nudged her, "See Sam … no 'White Glove' treatment here and you owe me five bucks." and grinning impudently at the embarrassed Daniel he waggled a long finger in his face, "I KNEW you would so screw up!"
Behind them the wormhole suddenly disengaged and simultaneously the lights blazed again throughout the complex. The short reunion was brought to a close as they became aware that they were the center of attention in a room filled with SF's, Airmen, medics and one slightly impatient General.
Jack, with one arm around Sam walked her down the ramp while Daniel retained a grip on her other arm. O'Neill's voice rang out again, "Hank! Thanks for having us!"
Landry smiled in welcome at his old friend even as he could not keep the exasperation out of his voice, "Welcome back Jack. Sam. I'm very interested in understanding exactly what is going on here."
Jack raised his graying eyebrows – and pointing at the briefing room window asked, "Could we possibly…?"
Landry nodded immediately, "Of Course. Uhh... Is the medical team needed as your urgent messages dictated?"
"Not MY urgent messages, General… "Jack's accusing eyes sought out Felspre's as he continued and pointed toward the tallest of the Asgards, "They're his messages and… No. We don't need a medical team. Uhh, right Sam?" sudden concern evident in his face.
"I'm fine. Fine. Can we go sit down now?" Sam asked wearily but still managed a smile.
Upon being assured that she was okay, Jack continued, "Apologies Hank for causing such a ruckus, Sam was experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions and Felspre and Company thought it was on-start of labor. They made us wait them out. Who'a'thunk they actually panic?" Jack shook his head in wonder.
Daniel and Landry were shaking their heads in wonder – 'Wonder' that Jack actually knew about Braxton Hicks contractions.
Daniel always the inquiring mind had to ask, "Uhh Jack, how did you know about Brax…"
Jack interrupted, his voice defensive, "WHAT! I've been reading stuff, DANIEL… like, 'Mister Spock' books!"
"Doctor Spock. Jack." Sam said with a grin and added, "He has too. Every night – a different one, 'Childbirth for Dummies' was the last and I think the reason we are here. Can we sit down please and we'll explain all." Sam asked again.
Landry nodded, "Of course, the briefing room now." and turned to lead the way.
It was almost like old times, Daniel thought as he looked around the briefing table at his former SG-1 team. Jack sitting relaxed, even as his long fingers beat the table top to some rhythm only he could hear, Sam immediately to his left. General Landry at the end in his usual spot – even as Daniel still considered it Hammonds' seat in his mind. If only Teal'c were here – but he was off world at Dakara dealing with Jaffa Nation issues that seemed to take up more and more of his time. All five of the Asgards had been offered seats but had refused. Instead they had positioned themselves in a protective fashion lined up against the wall behind Jack and Sam, their large eyes moving constantly over the room, ever vigilant.
Daniel was amused that the Asgards thought that bodyguards were needed for Jack O'Neill and Sam Carter-O'Neill; two very proficient military officers. He wondered what the reason was for this behavior and planned on finding out.
End of Part 1 of Change Happens Again