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Sam opened her eyes the next morning and yawned. She looked at the couch back and frowned. Why was she on the couch?
She rolled over and saw an empty makeshift crib. In an instant, she remembered Natalie.
"Sleeping beauty awakes!" Jack called from the doorway. Carter looked up. Natalie was nestled in his arms; his shirt clutched tightly in her hot little hands.
Carter ran a hand through her tousled hair and sat up. "How is she?"
"She's fine," Jack assured her. "I woke up and she was just lying in her crib, staring at me with her blue eyes."
"Violet," She corrected sitting up. "Thank you sir."
Jack transferred the baby to Carter's arms. "No problem."
Natalie stared at Carter's face for a moment then slowly touched her face. A smile lit the baby's face and she began patting her new 'mother's' cheek.
Sam slowly stood up. "Sir," She asked. "Could you watch her again while I get cleaned up?"
"Sure."
She stroked the soft down on the little head then hurried away.
"You guys look good together," Daniel commented. Jack started and looked over at the doorway. The archeologist stood there, watching him.
"Mind your own business."
"I am in agreement with Daniel Jackson." Teal'c said appearing behind Daniel.
Jack sighed. "Teal'c..."
"Jack, we're just saying. This could be your chance."
Jack stood up so quickly that Daniel took a step back. The older man walked towards him and then handed him Natalie.
"I said... mind your business."
And he walked away, calling over his shoulder. "I'm going to make breakfast."
Daniel sighed and looked at Teal'c. "It's hopeless."
Å
Carter pulled on the light blue t-shirt and smoothed her tan capris. This was ridiculous. She was acting like she was on a date... which she was most definitely not.
She shook her damp hair and pulled open the door. Daniel stood outside, Natalie in his arms. Carter automatically held her arms out for her, which Daniel instantly obliged.
Natalie cuddled against her 'mother'.
"She likes you." Daniel said with a grin.
Teal'c appeared with a bottle. "Major Carter, O'Neill asked that I bring this to you."
Carter accepted the formula. "Thank you Teal'c."
He inclined his head and looked down at the small child so eagerly sucking on the nipple. "She is most beautiful Major Carter."
"Thanks Teal'c."
He smiled and bowed.
"Do you want to hold her?"
"I believe that would be unwise. She appears to be most satisfied with her present company."
Daniel nodded. "Hungry? Jack made omelets."
She shook her head. "Not really."
"Not hungry?" Jack asked appearing in the doorway. "No way! My world famous omelets-"
"That have beer in them..."
"Really?" Daniel demanded. "That's your secret ingredient?"
"Carter!" Jack complained. "I was trying-"
"O'Neill, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c began. "You must be quiet or you will awake the child."
Carter shot the large Jaffa a grateful look and shifted the baby slightly. She had fallen asleep, the bottle still in her mouth. Carter removed it and placed it on the sink counter. ""How long was she awake sir?"
"I don't know... 30 minutes, an hour?"
She nodded. "How close is the baby room to being done?"
Jack groaned. "Who knows? Cassie's coming over in a bit to help us finish...Oh, andSG-2 and 12 will be over in two hours to help."
"Really? Wow."
Daniel smirked. "Jack threatened to get them sent to Ba'al occupied terriority. He would have gone for the whole base but over half of the SG teams are off world."
She stifled a laugh. "Well... thank you sir."
"It was nothing," He said modestly.
Jack's cell phone rang. He pulled it out and checked the display. His eyes widened and he answered it.
"Doc, I didn't do it, honest."
He was quiet then nodded. "Sure, now?"
"Okay then."
"Alrighty."
"I'll tell her, bye."
He closed the phone. "Fraiser wants to see the baby... mind taking her in?"
She shook her head. "Just let me get a few things."
Å
"I can't believe I forgot how much stuff you need for a baby," Jack grumbled.
Carter picked up the now very full backpack that was substituting for a diaper bag and the baby sling and placed them on the driver's seat.
"I'll see you in a few hours sir."
Jack took a last peek at Natalie, happily settled in her car seat. "Okay then... don't have too much fun."
She grinned. "I'll try not too sir."
He smiled and she drove off.
"CAREFUL OF THAT ICE AHEAD!" He hollered.
Daniel rolled his eyes at Teal'c. Say what Jack may, he knew there was something between them.
And he was going to prove it.
Å
"YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
Sam dropped the backpack onto the floor and set the car seat on the lab table. Natalie looked indignant at being restrained so long. Sam instantly unbuckled her and picked her up.
"It's okay, honey. I'm sorry- it was necessary."
Sam knelt down to pick up the baby swing, which had fallen onto the floor and put it on. She placed the baby in it. Natalie whimpered but settled down after a few minutes. She gave a sigh of relief and turned to look at the thick pile of reports on her desk. She picked up one and began reading.
Å
"We're almost done guys!"
SG-12's leader, Aaron Smyth, sighed and dropped his paintbrush. "Believe me, Jack, this is a lot harder then it looks."
"It looks great!" Cassie cheered louder. "C'mon, we can do it!"
And with her pushing and prodding, the room was finished 30 minutes later.
"Looks nice if I do say so myself!" Fay Mayhew agreed.
Jack nodded. "Looks good... who's up for pizza?"
The entire room was unanimous.
Å
"Major Carter. O'Neill has requested that I bring you home."
Carter started and looked up. "Teal'c? What time is it?"
"It is approximately one o'clock."
She looked at her watch. "I fed Natalie two hours ago- think she's okay?"
"I am sure she is fine or she would not be asleep."
Carter looked down at the little figure, fast asleep in the swing. She carefully transferred her to the car seat. Natalie never woke.
"Indeed... you will be a wonderful mother Major Carter."
She smiled. "Thanks Teal'c."
She grabbed the car seat and noticed he had the diaper bag. "You ready?"
He inclined his head. "After you."
Å
Daniel met the two outside of her house, grinning foolishly.
"You okay?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I'm great. How… how was Natalie?"
"She was fine. Slept most of the day."
Teal'c opened the door. "Shall we go in Major Carter?"
She nodded and stepped inside. To her surprise, the living room and kitchen were both clean- something they had not been when she had left.
"Looks nice Daniel."
He took the car seat. "Go look at the baby's room."
"But-"
"Go!"
She slowly walked down the hall. Her CO and a few other people she recognized from the SGC were outside the door, talking. Upon seeing her, they straightened and smiled. Jack pointed to the door and she stopped.
There was a large bow on the door. Underneath it, large purple italic letters spelled 'Natalie's Room'.
Carter smiled and pushed open the door.
"Oh my... oh sir..."
The room was painted a light purple. The sun shone through sheer purple coverings and white curtains. A light brown crib matched the floor, which was sprinkled with several little rugs and one large area rug. A few pictures adorned the walls. The changing table stood in one corner, while in another corner, the toy box sat next to a rocking chair. The dresser was against the end of the crib, and the (purple) playpen was in the middle of the room.
"This is all a temporary arrangement," Jack said quickly. "We can move whatever you want-"
"It's perfect," She whispered. "Just beautiful."
"Really?" He asked. "You like it?"
"It's perfect, sir."
He gave her a goofy smile. "We have pizza… want any?"
She turned and Jack saw a tear in her eye. She laughed and brushed it away. "I'd love some, sir."
Well people…
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