oooh, so predictable. enjoy! Also I GOT A FICTIONPRESS ACCOUNT for those of you who want to read my (not as good) personal writing (I dont post my BEST ones) the name is "White Rose Blossom" check it out! Thanks for all your support everyone! enjoy the next chapter

Chapter 2: Finding Out

Jack stood on the doorstep, tapping his foot. He had spent ten minutes in Carter's driveway, gazing up at the house and wondering if he should or shouldn't go up to it, before he finally had. Daniel had finally persuaded him to come to see her…the look on his face after their trip down thee had been enough to convince him. Was something wrong? He heard the door creak open, then a gasp of air and a long-lost voice crying, "Sir!"

O'Neill spun around on the doorstep, for he'd been facing the other way, and looked in the crack in the door. His emotions flying through his eyes for a split second overwhelmed Sam: pain, regret, curiosity, happiness…so many mixed feelings.

He held up his hand in greeting and attempted a feeble smile. "Carter," he said. They stood there for a moment, her inside, hidden behind the door, and him on the outside. After a while, he spoke. "Can I come in?" he asked, hesitating slightly.

Her breath caught in her throat, but she nodded, hiding herself behind the door as she pulled it open for him. He stepped inside, glancing all around his surroundings, but never once at her. She slipped the door shut with a click.

"Want something to drink, sir?"

He looked back at her for the first time, and she felt his eyes slide down to her stomach, and watched as they widened in shock. It took him a second to regain his composure. "Sure," he said, his voice coming out in something like a croak.

Sam made her way to the kitchen, and felt him follow her with his eyes. When she was out of his sight, he followed slowly, leaning on the doorframe of the kitchen and watching as she gazed into the fridge.

"Sorry, sir," she said, peering around the door at him. "No beer."

O'Neill saw her eyes dart quickly to her stomach, and he nodded. "Soda?"

"Ginger ale."

"Fine."

She popped the tab and handed the fizzing soda to him, then walked away to the living-room, leaving him to follow on his own. She sat down on her couch with a little effort, and motioned for him to sit on the one opposite to her. He did so, and silence filled the room for a few moments.

After taking a swig of the ginger-ale, O'Neill spoke, fumbling over his words. "So…how long have you been," he gestured awkwardly to her stomach.

"Pregnant?" Sam finished for him. He nodded, and she saw his cheeks flush slightly. She lay her hand on her stomach, her fingers twitching on the bowl that it created. "Nine months."

His eyes widened as he calculated. That would make it… "Before you left?"

A nod as a response.

His brown eyes unwillingly fell on her left hand, searching for a hint of gold encircling her ring finger, but he found none. His mind shot back to nine months ago…was it possible? "Is that why you left?" Another nod. He paused before asking the next question. Quietly, he asked, "Who's the father?"

Sam averted her eyes, and he winced, knowing he'd asked the wrong question. He watched as a tear slid down her face. For a moment, he sat there, an inner battle running through him. Finally, he got up, covered the distance between the couches and sat down next to her, pushing away the awkwardness in the room and trying to restore a feeling of friendship they'd had over the years.

When he sat down, she looked at him strange, but didn't resist when he dropped her arm over her shoulder and pulled her into him, and she allowed the tears to run freely down her face. When they subsided, he brushed them away with a thumb, and decided to try another question.

"When are you due?"

The question made her smile nervously, and when she spoke, he could hear in her voice the traces of anxiousness and excitement. "A few days."

"Congrats."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence for a while, until Sam felt a jolt on her stomach. She smiled and placed her hand over her skin; feeling the baby kick always made her happy. When she saw O'Neill's curious glance, she said, "It's kicking."

"Ah," he said, and took another sip of his drink.

Sam looked at him, and saw him gazing wistfully at where her hand rested. Smiling, she said, "Would you like to feel?"

She saw the happiness flash through his eyes, but he only shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. Reaching out, she grabbed the back of his hand, interlacing her fingers with his, and pulled it over to rest on her stomach. He smiled when he felt the jolt against his hand, remembering the times when Sara did that with him, her eyes lighting up each time. He gazed up into Carter's eyes and found the same light staring back at him.

When she released his hand, and he withdrew it, he asked, "Boy or girl?"

She shrugged with a smile on her face. "Don't know," she stated simply. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

Once more, they lapsed into silence, though a comfortable one, and then, without knowing why, O'Neill found himself compelled to ask, "Why didn't you tell us?"

Carter's eyes darkened and the smile slipped off her face. She looked away from him and snapped, "I wasn't exactly proud of it, sir."

O'Neill winced and tried to backtrack. "Carter, I…"

She cut him off mid-sentence as she stood up harshly from the couch. She walked away a few steps saying, "I think I have to…" and then stopped suddenly. She pressed both hands to her stomach in pain, and leaned abrubtly against the wall. O'Neill stood up suddenly, and strode over to where she was standing, placing his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

Her eyes were squeezed shut tightly, and she felt cool liquid rush down her legs. Opening her eyes wide in shock, she found herself staring back into O'Neill's brown ones. "My water just broke," she croaked.

xx

okay, it was short, but there's only 1 chap left, bear with me! Oh, and is this reminding you of "Secrets in the Snow" anyone? not as bad, I hope!