FOR TOMORROW

CHAPTER 9

For disclaimer and other information, please refer to chapter one.

A/N: A special thank you to my wonderful beta, Lennie.

I also wanted to thank you all again so much for following the story chapter by chapter and sending me your wonderful thoughts! I can't tell you enough how much this means to me. Thank you, thank you!

And now, on with the chapter. ENJOY!

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"Earth being destroyed? What the hell, Thor?" Jack exclaimed. He was really tired of all the surprises he was getting lately.

"Wouldn't we be killed too if we were at the cabin?" Sam asked, reluctantly.

"No. The cabin you were at is a replica we have created on another planet, here in my home galaxy. I am afraid you were never back on Earth," Thor confessed with multiple blinks.

"Thor!" Jack yelled, very frustrated and trying his best to regain some control. "Take us back, now!" he finally demanded.

"No, O'Neill, not yet. You must help me and convince the others to form the alliance now, so we can stop the invasion of Earth," Thor replied with determination.

"How are we gonna do that if they think we're still at the stupid fake cabin?" Jack said, each time more frustrated.

Thor was quiet for a moment, looking between Jack and Sam. Moments later, he finally sat on his chair and spoke. "I need your approval to do what has to be done."

"Oh, I so knew that was comin'!" Jack cried in desperation. "What is it this time, Thor?"

"I need you to allow me to accelerate the growth of your child. With the prompt birth of your baby, we can initiate the Alliance and stop the attack on Earth and all the other planets in your galaxy," Thor explained, never looking away from Jack.

Sam's mouth and eyes were wide open in disbelief. "What? Accelerate the growth? Thor, you have to be kidding! I don't even think I'm ready to be a mother!" Sam confessed and then turned away from Thor and Jack.

"Sam…" Jack started, but she turned around and with her eyes, stopped his words from coming.

"I'm sorry, Jack. I did need time to get used to the idea that we're going to be parents. Now he wants us to have the baby now?" She shook her head and covered her face with both hands. "Please excuse me, I need a moment alone." Sam glanced at Jack once again and left the room decisively.

Jack watched her leave and closed his eyes as he lowered his head.

"I am sorry, O'Neill, I thought you would be pleased with my plan," Thor said.

Turning to face the gray alien, Jack walked closer to him and kneeled to match his height. "Look, Thor, I found out I was becoming a dad two days ago. From what I can tell, Sam hasn't known for more than a week. She is very early in her pregnancy…"

"Four weeks, four days, and seven hours to be precise," Thor added, interrupting Jack abruptly.

Jack frowned and then raised his eyebrows. "See, that's just weird. And… inappropriate! Why would you know that, Thor?"

"I have been monitoring Colonel Carter for a while, O'Neill. As I said before, I apologize but it was my duty to do so. On behalf of us all."

"Yes, well, that is the problem now, isn't it?" Jack looked at Thor as the creature stared at him confused. "We are not your little lab rats to study and monitor whenever you feel like it. You guys crossed a fine line here, and you're lucky the plan is to save Earth, otherwise, I'd be kicking some major alien butt right now!"

"O'Neill…" Thor began.

"Ah, ah! I don't wanna hear it! Now I need to see how Sam's doin'. I'll be back in a minute. You… stay here." Without hesitating, Jack walked in the direction Sam had gone, leaving Thor sitting alone in the bridge of his ship.

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Daniel paced helplessly through his lab, while Teal'c stood in the threshold in silence.

"Are you alright, Danieljackson?"

The blue-eyed archeologist shook his head and massaged his temple desperately. "No, Teal'c, I'm not. I just wish we could do… something!"

"I believe our duty is to remain here. We should get word soon from the Asgard," the tall Jaffa said.

Daniel looked at Teal'c for a moment. "Teal'c, I think I've had it with this. Why is it that after all we have done for Earth and countless others, we still can't have a normal life? I mean, Sam and Jack shouldn't have to go through this. They should be able to retire, have their kids, live in peace."

Teal'c raised his eyebrow and approached his friend, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I concur, Danieljackson, but life does not always play the way it should. We committed ourselves to fighting this war, and I believe we will not be free until all the battles have been won. Colonelcarter and O'Neill have a great responsibility, but they also have been given a great honor."

"You mean, the Alliance deal?" Daniel asked, not believing what his friend was saying.

"Indeed. I am not in agreement with sacrificing their child, and I will fight for them if necessary, but…"

"The importance of their baby in the greater scheme of things is honorable," Daniel completed for him. "Yes, Teal'c, I see you point."

Both men looked at each other, as a silent understanding was made between them. Later, Teal'c bowed his head and left the other in his lab as he once again, read his notes and books, searching for the location of his lost team mates.

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"Sam? Sam, you in here?" Jack called as he entered one of the many rooms in the Asgard ship.

"Yes, Jack, I'm here," she responded from where she was in front of a large window.

"Ah." Walking slowly, he reached her and stood behind her. "Wanna talk?" he asked hesitantly. Talking was not one of Jack O'Neill's strengths, but he felt it was necessary to resolve the problem they had, starting with knowing how she felt.

"About?" she responded absently, her eyes locked on the view of the stars outside.

"Us, becoming… parents?" Jack said after a pause. Getting no answer from her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her hair lovingly. "Listen, I hate the way this is happening just as much as you do. You know that, don't ya?"

She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.

"So… whatever you decide, I support you. No matter what."

Sam turned her face slightly to meet his eyes and smiled softly. "Really?"

"Sure I do! Why wouldn't I?"

"Are you ready for this? I mean, just a couple of weeks ago we were talking about getting married and, if I remember correctly, you almost freaked out on me."

He looked at her, his eyes burning into hers. "Sam, there is no doubt in my mind where and how I want to be with you. The wedding and kids were always part of the plan. I just… I wasn't always sure I deserved you."

"Jack…" she began but was silenced as his lips touched hers gently.

"Sam, after all we've been through, you know I'm sure now."

She smiled again, as she turned fully to stand in front of him. "I just wish our baby could be normal, you know?"

"Really? You do? That would be so boring!"

She giggled against his chest and then raised her face to look at him as he smiled smugly at her. "Our kid can never be normal. Not with a mom who's been host to a Tok'ra, who has saved the world and the universe I may add, God knows how many times, and who blew up a sun, for cryin' out loud!"

She laughed and shook her head, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Or, a dad who has had the Ancient download twice, who has survived not one, but two Goa'uld almost blendings, who aged dramatically within days, who…"

Again, she was silenced by his mouth, as he kissed her soundly. When they both came apart for air, Jack ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her forehead. "There ya go, no way in hell our kid would ever be normal. And you know what? I wouldn't want that either, would you?"

"No," she said. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go do this!" She took his hand and walked with him to the bridge where they knew their small friend would be waiting anxiously.

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"Are you ready, Colonelcarter?" Thor asked, as he stood in front of the control panel, only feet away from the crystal capsule where Sam lay.

She looked up, meeting Jack's assuring gaze and smiled. "Yes, Thor, I am."

"O'Neill, please move away from the capsule. The light emanated from it may be harmful to your eyes and skin."

"Harmful to my eyes and skin, but o.k. for the baby and Sam?" Jack asked sarcastically.

"O'Neill, as I explained before, the radiation occurring inside the capsule will not harm them, I assure you. But, the external effects may be irreparable," Thor replied.

"Fine, fine!" Jack walked away, and stood by Thor watching the monitor in front of them, obviously not understanding anything that appeared on it. "Thor, how long is this gonna take?"

"Only a little more time. Afterwards, Colonelcarter will be nine months pregnant and ready to give birth to your child," the alien explained calmly as he concentrated on the monitor.

"Ready to give birth? And I assume you know how to handle a labor, do you?" Jack asked, his eyes wide and his heart pounding.

"I do not, O'Neill. I thought you did." Thor turned to Jack and met his scared and enraged eyes.

"NO, THOR! Why would I know that? What in God's name gave you that stupid idea, for cryin' out loud!" Jack screamed as he paced and shook his head.

Thor was quiet for a moment, until a bright light shone by Jack.

"DANIEL?" Jack called as the figure of his friend appeared by his side.

"Jack?" the other exclaimed, looking between Thor, Jack and the crystal capsule in the distance.

"If I am not mistaken, Doctor Daniel Jackson has experience in the birthing matters," Thor explained to the two astonished men.

"What? Birthing? Huh?" Daniel turned to Jack. "What is he talking about?"

"Thor, why couldn't you just bring us back to Earth?" Jack asked, his anger barely controlled under his breath.

"That is not a possibility, O'Neill. If the Ori or the Goa'uld find you there, there would be no hope. I am sorry, but we are going to have to bring your child here, on board my ship."

"Jack? I thought Sam was just four weeks pregnant! What's going on here?"

"Daniel, she's inside that capsule. We are accelerating the growth of the baby so we can do the Alliance thing now and stop the attack on Earth."

Daniel watched as Jack explained, but his face paled as his words ended. "Accelerate? Alliance? Attack?"

Jack shook his head and turned to Thor. "Listen, Thor, giving birth can be very risky. What if something goes wrong?" he asked, deep concern now replacing his irritation.

"I have brought the necessary supplies. That is all I can do, O'Neill. I am sorry, but this is our only option." After a long pause in which Jack simply stared at Thor, the monitor changed and the capsule opened. "It is done. You can see her now."

Jack blew a long breath and walked helplessly towards Sam, trying to find the way to explain to her how and who would bring their baby to the world… or, to the ship, in their case.

TBC……