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"Incoming traveler!"

Jack sighed. "And it was so quiet without the monkey…"

Sam covered a smile. "He has been gone a week, sir."

The event horizon rippled as one, two, three figures came through.

"There's Anise, sir," Sam pointed out to her CO with a mischievous smile on her face. He looked like he was about to flee.

General Hammond just shook his head and gestured for SG-1 to go down to the gate room. Inside the room, Daniel and the female Tok'ra were talking eagerly… until the Colonel entered, prompting Freya seized control.

"Colonel O'Neill. Major Carter."

Jack nodded at her. "Freya. Jacob. Space Monkey."

He grimaced. "Haven't you come up with something better?"

"Klutz… annoyance…"

"Never mind."

"Have a good time?"

Daniel eyed the cup of coffee in Teal'c's hands. "Is that for me?"

The Jaffa gave it to him with a little bow.

"We have made much progress in deciphering the writing," Freya answered. "Dr. Jackson will continue to translate until a Tok'ra operative collects his work."

Jacob tuned out and focused on his daughter. "How are you, Sam?"

"Fine," She assured him, giving him a hug. "Busy."

"How's… Natalie?"

"She's fine. Great, actually. Beautiful."

He nodded. "That's good."

"Can you stay Jacob?" General Hammond asked.

The Tok'ra shook his head regretfully. "Anise and I have to get back to the Tok'ra and report our findings. We're already late because Daniel insisted on getting digital photos of every piece of wall."

His daughter nodded. "That's Daniel."

Jack, Daniel, General Hammond, and Freya headed to the control room to dial the coordinates to the Tok'ra's new world, leaving the father and daughter alone.

"So, how are you… really."

She frowned. "Dad, I'm fine."

"It's not easy raising a kid by yourself. You can't do everything Sam."

The Major looked at the gate that had begun spinning.

"Chevron one encoded!"

"I can do this, dad," She said looking at him. "I can."

He gave her another hug that lasted until the seventh chevron was locked. "Bye Sammie… take care."

As he and Freya went through, she whispered. "I can do this."

A week later…

Sam groaned and leaned back in her chair. "I can't do this."

Natalie wailed, as if in agreement.

Sam looked at the infant. Natalie had been colicky and the Major had her hands full with both her and an ever-increasing workload. General Hammond had offered to relieve her of some of it, but she had quickly insisted she could manage.

She had spoken too quickly.

"Hey, Sam, I was-" Daniel began; hurrying into her lab, not even looking up from the notes he was reading. Natalie whimpered, causing him to look up.

"What's the matter with Natalie?"

"Colicky," She said wearily. "Janet says babies get it all the time."

Daniel winced. "Poor kid." He looked at the weary Major. "How are you doing?"

She tried to smile but knew from the look on his face it failed. "She won't sleep. Same old story."

"Why didn't you call me?" The archeologist demanded. "Or Jack or Teal'c? We could have taken care of her for you. Jack said he offered the other day to care for her…"

Carter rocked Natalie for a few seconds. "I… I wanted to prove to myself that I… that I could do this… alone… and I can't."

"You're not alone. Jack, me, Teal'c…" He squeezed her shoulder. "You've got us." He finished simply.

She gave him a watery smile. "Thanks, Daniel."

He put down his papers and held out his arms for the miserable baby. "Wanna go rest, eat, or whatever?"

The Major nodded and left- after giving him a bear hug.

Å

Jack was nearing the commissary when he heard loud cries coming from inside the room. With a slight smile, he pushed open the door to see SG personnel hurrying towards him, desperate to escape the noise. Looking around, he spotted Daniel at one of the far tables, trying to eat and comfort Natalie simultaneously.

"Whatcha doin'?" He asked, taking a seat from across from him.

The archeologist pushed his glasses up. "I'm eating."

Jack eyed Natalie. "She's hungry."

Daniel fork hit the plate. "I'm almost done," He mumbled taking a big sip of coffee.

Jack rolled his eyes and disappeared. He reappeared minutes later, bottle in hand. Daniel took it thankfully. The two men watched her slowly drink the entire bottle.

"Why do you have her?" Jack asked, gesturing to the baby.

Daniel frowned and set the bottle on the table.. "Because Sam needed some rest. Badly. She's been working like crazy, trying to make this work. No one said motherhood was easy... especially alone."

Jack frowned back. "She has us."

Daniel gave him a look. "Jack, this is Sam we're talking about. I don't think she's ever asked me for help. Welcomed it, but never asked." He bounced Natalie gently and was rewarded by seeing her eyes close. " I mean, how many times has she asked you for help?"

The Colonel absorbed his words. "Yeah… there's Carter for ya."

Daniel looked at the baby. "Well, at least she's asleep."

"Yeah," He agreed. "After she wakes up, I'll talk to her."

"I meant Natalie."

"Right."

Å

"Hey, Carter, wait up!"

The Major slowed down slightly. Daniel had had Natalie for nearly five hours… he had to be annoyed…

"Carter!"

She automatically stopped and turned to face him. "Sir?"

Jack wondered if she realized that her hair was sticking up in all directions. "Nice nap?"

"Have you seen Daniel?"

"He's in his lab."

"With Natalie?"

He shook his head. "Teal'c's kelnoreeming and watching the kid. She's fine."

She slumped against the corridor wall. "I didn't mean to fall asleep," She muttered. "I was just-"

"Exhausted and too stubborn to ask for her friends help." He finished for her.

Sam opened her mouth to retort but stopped. "How long has she been asleep?"

"Maybe two hours."

She pushed herself from the wall. "Thank you, sir."

Jack stopped her. "Nat's fine, Carter. Go… do something. Go to Starbucks. A movie. Just… chill…"

"But I-"

"Ahh!"

"Sir-"

"AHH, AHH! Go."

She took a few steps down the hall before turning to face him. "Colonel…" She began, looking rather nervous. "Do-do…" She licked her lips. "Uh… I uh… do you want… I mean, I could use some company… sir."

Jack slowly nodded. "Sounds fun."

She gave him a brilliant smile. "Are you ready?"

"Just have to change into my civvies."

"I'll meet you by my car, sir."

Å

Around the corridor, Daniel stood still, looking rather shocked and pleased.

"What is wrong Daniel Jackson?"

He started and turned around. Teal'c stood there, Natalie asleep in his arms.

"J-jack and Sam are going for coffee."

A gleam appeared in the Jaffa's eyes. "This is good news Daniel Jackson."

Daniel smiled as Natalie yawned. "Indeed."

Å

Several days later...

General Hammond sat quietly, waiting for Jack to show up. It had come to his attention that both he and Samantha Carter had been seen in public, together, several times.

SG-1 had always gravitated towards her lab… and her. Naturally.

But General Hammond couldn't pretend to hear the rumors circling the base. The two had been seen together. More then once… and by themselves.

And knowing the history between them, he thought it best to have a little talk with the Colonel.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. He could hear Jack joking around with Walter.

The General sighed. "Come in."

Å

Lunch…

"What's eating Jack?" Daniel asked curiously. "He's been a grouch all morning."

Carter shrugged and tried her hamburger.

"O'Neill was summoned to General Hammond's office this morning. Perhaps this is the reason of his irritability."

"Why?" The archeologist asked with his mouth half full.

"That I can not say for certainty."

"Oh, come on, Teal'c," Carter said with a small smile. "You know everything that goes on here."

"Yeah," Daniel agreed.

Teal'c opened his mouth to speak but was cut of by Jack dropping his tray on the table and taking a seat next to him, looking out of humor. The team promptly looked at him.

"What?"

"Well…?"

"Well what?"

"Well… what did the General say?"

Jack ignored his lasagna and began on his pie. "Noneyabeeswax."

"That's mature."

"Oh, shut up Daniel." He swallowed his mouthful and looked at his second-in-command. "How's the kid?"

"She's fine. Janet has her."

He nodded and looked at his place.

"Sir, is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, Carter."

She arched an eyebrow before standing up. "I should get back to by lab. Teal'c, Daniel, sir."

"Bye Sam," Daniel called. He waited until she was out of the room before looking at Jack and asking, "Was it about you and Sam?"

Jack scowled. "Shut up, Daniel."

"I am in agreement with Daniel Jackson."

"Not you too!"

"Could not Major Carter be transferred to another team?"

"I'm not going to send her off to a lower team. She's the best… she deserves the best."

Teal'c silently agreed.

"She could retire and just be a scientist." Daniel suggested.

"I would never ask her to give up her career. 'Sides, Jacob would murder me."

"I believe Jacob Carter wishes Major Carter will be happy."

"This isn't fair," Jack protested. "It's two against one. No, actually, three against one."

The archeologist set down his fork. "Well, it looks like you have a big decision to make. And soon."

The Colonel looked at his plate. "Yeah..." He picked up the rest of his pie. "See ya."

"What do you think he'll do?" Daniel asked once he was out of earshot.

Teal'c looked at his friend. "Of that… I am uncertain.


Does anyone have any creative ideas on how both can stay on without retirement and transferring? Suggestions for this story welcomed!

Anyways...

I hope you liked it. I'm not sure I'll be able to update before next Sunday... next Saturday is my sister's wedding and we hav TONS of stuff to do so...

Anywho...

PLEASE REVIEW!