SGC VIP Suite - very late at night

After a long presidential phone call O'Neill bid Landry good night at the entrance of the VIP suite. Jack closed and locked the door behind him, then leaned against it for a long moment. The unlit room and the cool silence a balm to his aching, throbbing head. Alone. He couldn't remember the last time he had been completely alone, certainly not this past year. Turning the light on, he noticed something on the bed. Someone had placed his BDU's there for him, along with his toiletry bag from his locker that he still kept on base. Picking up a note lying on the stack of clothes, he smiled, recognizing Daniels' hen scratching that passed for handwriting, Thought you might like to have these. Get some sleep and I'll see you in the morning. Daniel.'

Smiling, he picked the items up and headed for the bathroom. When was the last time, he had a steaming hot shower with unlimited water? FOREVER ago. Amazing how much you miss even the smallest things - beer, pie and hockey games ranked right below Daniel' on his list of missed things.

A half hour and a long shower later, he felt better than he had in eons. Exhausted he gave the comfortable bed a wistful look before dressing once again only this time in the clean dark-blue BDU's. He had to check on Sam, he knew that he wouldn't get any sleep until he had been reassured by seeing her with his own eyes.

Finding his way to the infirmary he found her easily enough as she was the only occupied bed in the long room. Quietly, he reached her sleeping side and was glad to see how peaceful she seemed to be resting. He glanced around hoping to see the nurse on call, but no one was visible at the moment. Noticing her chart hanging from the end of the bed, he wondered if he would understand it and opened it. With a squint and a frown he saw that her BP readings seemed high to him. All the other scribbles on the chart made no sense so he put it back.

Moving up to her side, he brushed back long bangs and kissed her forehead as he studied her sleeping face with worried eyes for a long moment. Then, he silently left, never noticing that two pairs of large dark eyes impassively watched his actions where they stood in darkness against the back wall, their chosen position to watch over their charge.

SGC Infirmary - early the next morning

Her first thought upon waking was, "Where am I?" and then remembered -- SGC and felt once again the boundless relief flood through her. The familiar swooshing of the air running through the duct system and the ever-present low hum of generators seemed to calm her as she lay quietly. Suddenly she knew she wasn't alone and without moving her head spotted them, Sveni and Kaln standing quietly against the wall, watching. Sighing, she closed her eyes and thought of waterfalls, soothing, cool mountain streams; willing her tranquility to return as she imagined the serene images. At least they were leaving her alone - a complete turnaround from their antics just days before.

"Good morning Col. Carter", Sam opened her eyes in surprise; she had been concentrating so hard she hadn't heard Dr. Lam approach. A pretty woman with serious brown eyes that reminded her of Janet gazed at her probingly. Much more serious in her bedside manner than Janet Sam thought and then willed herself to stop the comparison as it wasn't fair since no one had yet to measure up to her lost friend.

"Good morning. What time is it?" Sam asked her voice scratchy with sleep.

"0700 - How do you feel?" This was asked even as she picked up her wrist and checked her watch.

"I feel like an overweight whale -- Other than that ... pretty good. Fine actually. I'm not sick - just pregnant. When can I get out of here?" She couldn't help it - she was defensive.

"Soon, I think. Let me re-check your vitals and if those look good, you should be good to go."

Efficiently, Dr. Lam adjusted the blood pressure cuff and upon taking it, frowned slightly but didn't comment as she recorded the readings.

"Thank you Doctor. Have you seen Jac... General O'Neill this morning?"

"Not yet. Last nights charge nurse said he was up late last night, she saw him slip out of here around 2:00 this morning, so he may still be asleep."

"Not my ..."

"Not who...? Sam?" She smiled when she heard his voice and then he stuck his head around the curtain before stepping in and standing at the end of the bed -- both his hands in his pockets as he rocked on his heels.

"Not you... that's who. I knew you would get up with the birds no matter what time you hit the sack."

"It's terrible to be so predictable. So Doc... what's the good news?" addressing Dr. Lam directly.

Sam spoke up before the Doctor could, "I'm about to be released! So, you're here just in time to take me to breakfast. I've been dreaming of blue jello for weeks!"

"Sweet! Grab your hat and let's make tracks..."

Doctor Lam spoke up her attitude serious, as always, "Before you leave, I want to mention the OB-GYN from Washington will be arriving this afternoon; he'll want to see you both around 1400 hours."

"Affirmative Doctor." Jack answered briefly as he wondered how Hank Landry had produced such a serious child as this. Which then made him wonder how different would his own child be from himself? Vastly he hoped.

After stopping by their suite so that Sam could freshen up, they made their way down to the Commissary just in time to meet up with Daniel at the entrance.

"Glad to see you're up and about, Sam." He gave her arm a quick squeeze and gave Jack a pat on the shoulder.

"Ready for breakfast?"

Jack nodded, "After living a year on Othalla, eating the Asgards version of Earth food? Yasure yabetcha!"

Daniel was happy. Once again, it felt like old times - They were at their' table, Daniel, Jack and Sam. Watching as Jack scrutinized his coffee, inserting a cautious finger in it and then shrugging and taking a sip while Sam after finishing her oatmeal was now starting on her second bowl of blue jello, her eyes closed in enjoyment. Their thoughts must have been on the same wavelength, as Jack broke the silence, "When's Teal'c due back?"

"A week, I believe. I sent a message yesterday that you both were coming in, so hopefully he'll try and wrap things up sooner."

"I heard that the situation with the Jaffa has been difficult."

"Take what you've heard, power it by 10 - multiply by 100 and you might understand exactly how hard it's been. Personally, I'm feeling little hope that they can ever agree on anything." Daniel's voice conveyed his frustration.

"Don't be negative, Daniel... That's my job." Jack said as he opened another box of fruit loops.

Daniel had to smile as he remembered the countless times Jack had pulled them from the brink of death by not accepting what 99.9 of the other military leaders would have; he never gave up the fight -- NEVER. Negative was something that in action Jack O'Neill had never been.

"Okay, Jack. I know that Teal'c could use a pep talk when you see him. The political arena has been extremely wearing on him."

Jack snorted, "Tell ME about that. I'd rather face down an army of replicator bugs any day than a room full of do-gooder politicians."

"You seeing anyone, Daniel?" Sam asked suddenly as she had finished her blue jello and was sneaking fruit loops from Jack's bowl.

Red color flowed from Daniels' neck up to his forehead, "Not really. Well, yeah, but nothing serious."

Suddenly alert, Jack and Sam scrutinized him as if on a reconnaissance - trained eagle eyes alert for sign... "Oh yeah, Daniel? Who's the lucky lady?" Jack asked.

"Carolyn." Daniel mumbled into his coffee.

Sam and Jack exchanged looks - Jack knew, but Sam didn't know a Carolyn' and indicated this to him. This communication was done without words, as Jack mouthed, "Doctor Lam" and understanding shone in her face as she nodded.

"She seems ... nice." Sam said thoughtfully as she studied Daniels' still red face.

Daniel shrugged his whole body conveying that he was not in the mood to discuss this. "Yes. She's very nice, very dedicated to her job. Like you Sam, she's a workaholic. When she's not on duty; she's usually in the lab doing research in her specialty, botanical medicine. Plus, she is the most efficient person. Beta site's medical facility was re-organized by her and now has the highest efficiency rating of any emergency room bar SGC's... "He stopped realizing he was rambling.

Staring, brown eyes intent, Jack commented, "WOW. I can see why you like her." His sarcasm not lost on Sam, but was on Daniel.

Daniel nodded pleased, "Yeah."

Sam grinned and snagged more fruit loops.

"I'm glad for you Daniel." Sam said quietly. She was replaying her impression of Dr. Lam in her mind and made a note to find time to get to know her better.

Daniel pushed his glasses up and moved his waffle around on his plate, "Well, like I said, nothing serious at the moment. Not sure if it's going anywhere. Don't want you getting the wrong idea. But, Thanks."

Unable to resist, his Shakespearean accent lousy, Jack intoned," Me thinks he doth protest..."

"Stop it guys!" Daniel said with a contented grin.

Suddenly the commissary was silent; everyone froze in mid-activity as two Asgards entered the cafeteria and without pausing, approached the table that had already been the topic of interest to everyone in the room. As usual they positioned themselves on either side of Sam. The smaller of the two gray aliens spoke up, "It's time for your check-up Col. Carter."

Studiously, Sam pulled Jack's cereal bowl over so she could reach it easier and picked fruit loops randomly to eat. "Kaln, I'm eating breakfast, give me five."

The Asgard watched her and the blinked once. "You should not be eating that substance. It is very unhealthy Colonel Carter. We have given you the intake guidelines several times. Why do you choose to ignore them?"

Jack laid his hand over Sam's to placate her, and turned in his chair to address the two aliens, "Come on guys, I KNOW that our agreement was that you would still examine her twice a day - but let her finish eating. We'll meet you in the Infirmary in 15. Deal?"

They simply nodded, and retreated out of the room. The noisy lunchroom chatter started up immediately as all the diners that had witnessed the encounter all began talking at once.

Sam sighed heavily as Jack put a comforting arm across her shoulders.

Curious, Daniel asked, "twice a day? Isn't that excessive?"

Jack grimaced, "No Daniel. The hourly examinations that they were doing we considered excessive. One of the reasons we left. This is a piece of cake. Hmm... Speaking of which..." Jack's brown eyes lit up when he saw the cake slices being put out. "Right back...kids." and made his way back to the food line.

Daniel stared at Sam's white face, "hourly examinations? Why do you suppose...I mean... did they explain...? "

Sam shook her head, "No. No explanation, my own theory is that they felt insecure in this area of medicine as they themselves do not reproduce..." with a slight gasp, Sam stopped talking and a puzzled look came over her face as something seemed to be happening to her. Another gasp came from her. Daniel suddenly realized that something wasn't right, "Sam? SAM!"

Shaking her head as if bewildered, she pushed back from the table and stood, "Don't know..." and then she abruptly groaned. Jack heard her - even as Daniel would have thought it impossible as he was all the way across the noisy room. Depositing his cake on the nearest table, he swiftly jogged to her side - "Sam?" He questioned softly. She just nodded. "Wow. I don't think that was a Braxton-Hick."

"Come on..." He grasped her elbow. Sam, holding her stomach, her face pearly white, and her blue eyes wide with pain suddenly gave another shuddering groan and bent over.

"Holy Hannah" she whispered through clinched teeth and then without warning, passed out.

Daniel, who had been frozen like a deer in headlights, snapped out of his shock and rose to her aid.

Jack barked out order, "Notify the Infirmary. Page Dr. Lam!" as he scooped up his wife in his arms and made for the door.

In three minutes Sam was back in the infirmary with a harried Dr. Lam doing the examination after she had run everyone out into the hall with the exception of the Asgards as they were medical professionals and considered themselves Colonel Carters' physicians -- even if alien.

"She's early." Jack's voice was tense.

Daniel sat slumped as Jack paced the hall before him.

"They didn't want her going into Labor." He added as he stalked back and forth.

"I should have brought her back sooner." his voice harsh as he walked.

Daniel stared at the floor, knowing he should say something comforting but couldn't. I'll say something in a minute he thought numbly - give me a minute - I'll come up with something good. Just one minute and I'll help Jack. Over and over in his mind, he thought this and never spoke.

"OUT! OUT OF HERE!"

Daniel sat up alert at the sound of Carolyn's shouting. Suddenly the infirmary door was jerked open and all five Asgards walked hurriedly out into the hall. Carolyn stood at the door, her normally calm face full of fury.

"Soldier, I'm ordering you to keep them out of here. If they try and come in - restrain them."

"Yes Doctor." was the immediate response from the hallway guard.

"Doc?" Jack strode to the door, "What's going on?"

"The Asgards are not welcome in my infirmary."

"Why?"

"Their philosophy on the care of Colonel Carter is not in keeping with my own."

"DOC! "Jack's voice rose, full of frustration at her ambiguity.

Dr. Lam decided to tell him, "They indicated that if there is a decision to be made - the child must live at the sacrifice of the Mother."

"WHAT?"

"Don't worry Sir... I'm sure that we won't have to make that decision."

"How is she?"

"Still unconscious, but we are monitoring her. The baby appears to be fine, no stress indicators."

"Why is she unconscious?"

"That's the question. I'm not sure. Doctor Emerson has landed at Peterson and will be here within the hour. He's one of the best OB-GYN's in the country with top security clearance."

"I need to get back in to her - as soon as we have her situated, you can come in." With that, Dr. Lam gently closed the door, leaving Jack staring vacantly after her and then turning to stare vacantly at Daniel -- his face as usual, stoic. Were the capricious fates once again about to rain suffering down upon him and his? If anything happened...he couldn't even finish the thought.

End of Part 3 - Change Happens Again