Thanks again for the great reviews!

Bookworm37 - some great advice from T coming right up, thanks for the idea!!!

Small spoiler for season 8's Threads here, nothing much to worry about though.

Chapter 7: An unwelcome surprise?

This time, when she woke with his weight on her, she didn't panic. One reason being that she was content where she was; the other being that his hand was making small circles on her hip, leaving goose bumps in its wake.

"Morning," she said tentatively, knowing that she was repeating the word from the conversation a month ago.

"Morning," there was a smile in his voice. She looked up and matched his smirk with one of her own.

"So. Janet tricked me, huh?"

"I'd say so. Though if I were actually to talk to Daniel ever about stuff like feelings," he said the word as if he was discussing something particularly disgusting. "I probably would have said exactly what she predicted." His hand stilled as he waited for her reaction. Which was a brilliant smile, and three words he never thought he'd hear.

"I love you. I never actually realised, I was so caught up with trying to get Malcolm to fall for me. You've always been there for me, and I've just been taking you for granted. You and the cake." He laughed at that, kissing the top of her head.

"Just so you know, I love ya too."

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(5 months later, Janet's place)

It was amazing how a piece of plastic could put the fear of God in her. The mere thought of this happening would have sent her screaming for the hills; but for it to actually happen. To her. She was the kind of woman that sneered at others who said that they had made a 'mistake'. Sam swallowed reflexively. He was gonna freak. He was gonna be so angry with her. And her colleagues would laugh at her. People would judge her. And-

"He's going to freak out."

"He'll be fine with it."

"He's gonna freak out and leave, I just know it."

"Sam, you're pregnant, not… not….I don't know what would actually make him leave you really."

"Janet…." She fiddled with the plastic, the blue line glaring at her from its small frame.

"It'll be fine, just tell him."

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"Yo, man, what's with the long face?" T threw himself into the free chair next to Jack, making the man in question jump in surprise.

"You really need to learn to make a little noise when approaching, T"

"Don't avoid the question."

Looking around at the empty gym, Jack leaned back and looked at the tall hockey coach. The guy had been a good friend over the years, and usually stood by and let him grump if there was something wrong. Not like Daniel and Sam, always wanting to 'talk'.

"Look, O'Neill, I know I usually let you be, but this time Daniel - and not even Sam - seem to wanna make you talk. So, I repeat: what's with the long face?"

"I don't think things are going so great between Sam and me."

"Ok, that's bull. Pull the other one would you."

"No, seriously, she's been distant for a few weeks now. She keeps going over to Janet's and that means they're talking about stuff. I walked in on them the other week and they went quiet all of a sudden, making me paranoid they're jabbering about me."

"So, you think she wants to finish with you?"

"Yeah."

"No way, man. That's not possible," T shook his head decisively. "She loves you. That much is obvious to any old fool."

"Maybe that's not enough. I woke last night and she was crying. I didn't turn around to comfort her 'cause I thought she'd dump me if I did. What kinda coward does that make me?"

"If she was upset, maybe you shoulda said something."

"I know, but I can't lose her, T. She's everything to me, it'd kill me."

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Wringing her hands together until her knuckles where white, she stared at his hunched back. He was marking some essays for Monday. On a Saturday night. Which meant he knew something was wrong and that it would involve a 'talk'.

"Ok," he said suddenly, spinning around on his chair. "I can't take it anymore with the staring at my back thing. Spit it out."

"What?"

"Whatever you wanna say. Say it." He poked a finger in the air for emphasis. Frustrated, she realised she was shaking. And that the only emotion in his eyes was worry, and maybe a flicker of pain. It was enough to make her hesitate again.

"You know, I don't think I've ever seen you look so nervous. I don't like it Sam. Hate it, in fact. So, if you're breaking up with me, you might as well do it quickly."

It took her a few seconds to realise what he was getting at.

"What?"

"You heard."

"You think I want to break up with you?" He grimaced, and the sadness that seemed to grip him spurred her into action.

"I don't think I've ever heard you say anything so stupid. I'm just-"

"It's just that you've been really distant for a few weeks, you know. I was sure that-"

"I'm pregnant." The only immediate reaction she could note was a quick intake of breath as he processed her words.

"Really?" His voice was an octave higher than usual; that had to be a bad sign.

"Yeah," she shuddered, looking down at her hands. "And if you don't wanna be involved with this, I understand. I mean, we've only been together five months, and it was my fault really, getting my pill dates mixed up and I-" she cut off her ramble as a pair of strong arms wrapped around her. She sagged in relief and tears welled up beneath her closed eyelids.

"Sammie, you will not be doing this alone. After all, you have Danny and the doc right?" he poked her in the ribs and she gave a watery giggle. "No giggling. And if those two are of no help, you can always come to me. No matter what you did with that pill or whatever: it takes two."

She opened her eyes and drank in the sincerity in his eyes. She sighed and nodded, a small smile forming.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being here for me."

"Always."

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The end...well, almost. Epilogue coming up...