Disclaimer: Stargate SG-1, its characters, and the many worlds of it do not belong to me- I'm just playing around.
THANK YOU for your feedback... it was great reading it!
Well... hope you enjoy this chapter!
Jack picked up the baby. She stirred and yawned, unaware her mother was now dead.
Natalie.
That's what Sara had wanted to name Charlie if he had been a girl. He watched as her eyes fluttered open revealing violet eyes.
"Sir?"
He looked up. "She's changed!"
She smiled. "Thank you, sir," she said rather dubiously, eyeing the t-shirt tied around the baby. "But," she said holding up a pack of diapers. "Compliments of General Hammond."
"Ahh... the good ol' General," He said handing her the baby.
Carter slowly put the diaper on, pausing every time the baby cried.
"God Carter, she won't break!"
Carter blushed and picked up the changed infant. "Can you bring clothes, sir?"
"You have som-" he stopped. "OH! D'oh. Right away!"
She smiled as he hurried away. She looked down at the infant and a wave of love washed over her. She was so tiny, so perfect. She had wisps of golden hair covering her head that went beautifully with her violet eyes.
"You're so pretty!" She cooed. "Yes, you are!"
"She is," Daniel said quietly. "What did the General say about you keeping her?"
Carter busied herself with Natalie.
"Sam?"
"I didn't tell him."
"Oh."
She stroked the baby's head. "What does her name mean?"
"What, Natalie?"
She nodded.
"I...," Daniel stopped. "I'm not sure."
"To be born. It comes from 'Natalia' which means to be born on Christmas."
They turned around to see Jack holding some clothing. "It's what Sara wanted to name Charlie." He explained.
Carter pushed away the twinge of jealousy she felt at the mention of his ex-wife's name. "That's pretty. Do you think she was?"
"Was what?"
"Born on Christmas."
Jack looked at the blustery late March morning. "She could have been."
Å
The gate activated sending forth the old Doc, her troops and needles, yippee. After being poked and prodded a ZILLION times, we were finally declared plague free. The kid passed inspection as well even though the General was a little uneasy bringing her on base. Teal'c and Daniel remained to help deal with the bodies while Carter and I returned to Earth with the baby. We bundled that baby up so well it's surprising the little mite didn't cry!
"Welcome back Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter."
"Thank you, sir," Carter said giving him a small smile. "This is Natalie."
General Hammond held his arms out for her. "She's beautiful, Major," he said touching her little cheek. "It shouldn't be hard to find a family for her."
Carter gave Jack a pleading look. He had agreed to tell him about the promise she had made.
"About that," Jack mumbled. "Sir, in your office?"
Hammond looked surprised and nodded handing the baby to Sam.
Carter crossed her fingers and left for her lab.
Å
Natalie was peacefully sleeping in a basket Teal'c had lent her. She had placed a pillow in it and covered her with blankets.
Carter slowly typed her report, stopping every few minutes to check on the baby. What was taking the Colonel so long?
"Carter..."
She looked up. "Sir!"
He sat on her stood. "What's up?"
She blinked. "Uh, nothing sir, what did-"
He stood up. "Where's Natalie?
"Over there," she said gesturing to the corner. "What did-"
"Aww, she looks so sweet..."
Carter clenched her fists. "COLONEL!"
He looked up. "Yes, Carter?"
"What. Did. The. General. Say. Sir?"
"OOHH... that."
She frowned.
"He understands."
She exhaled sharply. "I can keep her?"
"Well, what did you expect to happen?"
"I... don't know."
At that moment, Natalie wailed. Carter was up in a second.
"Carter, wait," Jack said softly. She looked at him.
"You don't have to get up every time she cries. Maybe now, but if you do that when she's older, you will have a spoiled child."
She gave him a small smile. "I have lots to learn."
"I'll help you."
Å
As soon as I said it, I realized it sounded rather suggestive. Whoops, NOT my intention. I mean, I'd- oh who am I kidding? I love my 2IC, well, at least I think I do... she sure is hot.. And funny... and she likes blue jell-o. Which make her quirky... I can stand quirky. Beautiful... Hot...
"Sir?" She breathed.
He looked up. "Uh, I mean, I know a lot about kids... I can help you."
Sam nodded. "Oh. Okay, yeah, I could uh, yeah, I could use help."
The baby sat up.
"Jack, look! She's sitting up!"
Jack tried to ignore the use of his name. "Um, yeah, babies do that, Carter."
Carter hurried over to the basket and picked her up. "Look at you!"
Jack watched his second in command play with the child and felt something he hadn't felt since Charlie had died. It was like... he had been given a second chance. Another chance at fatherhood...
Fatherhood? Jack, get a grip on yourself man. You gotta be married to a lady 'fore you can claim fatherhood.
Carter drew closer. "Um, I know you are busy but I was wondering if... if... if you'd like to help me shop for things for her." She paused and tried to read his expression. "I mean, you don't have too, I can take Daniel-"
"I have better idea." He said standing up, "Why don't we all go?"
"But they aren't back-" She began when Jack pointed to the doorway. Daniel and Teal'c both stood there, grinning.
She nodded then paused. "But we don't have a baby seat..."
Jack grinned. "Wanna bet?"
Å
"Any man or woman on this base that has a car seat that could hold a four month old infant, please report to the control room... I repeat, any man or woman on this base that has a car seat that could hold a four-month-old infant, please report to the control room. Thank you."
"Thank you sir," Carter said giving the General a bright smile.
Hammond nodded. "Ahh, here they come!"
The first to appear was Siler. "General Hammond? You needed a-"
He nodded. "Is it in your car now?"
"Yes sir, but-"
"Good."
"Sir-"
Carter stepped forward. "Do you mind if I borrow it? I can return it tonight."
Siler fell prey to her smile. "Sure, I just have to pick my Suzy up after work so about 6:00..."
"I'll be sure I have it back to you in time," She promised.
He grinned. "Thanks, Major."
Jack frowned. "All men fall victim to you, Carter."
She smiled. "It's not me, it's Natalie."
Indeed. The little blue-purple eyes were staring at him.
"Hi..." He said waving a finger at her. The infant sighed and closed her eyes. "Well, let's get this show on the road!"
I hope you liked this chapter…
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(Smiles… please?)
