Chapter Notes:
Angst ahead. We're waiting for Grace.
This is dedicated to PhDelicious.
She so graciously volunteered to be my Beta. I'm so grateful to her! She recognized a great need and has done a great job. She has improved the flow of this story, corrected errors. Still, all errors are mine and mine alone.
Chapter 7
Teal'c moved faster than he had in a long time; letting thoughts of nothing else but Samantha lead him. They'd had no trouble resulting from their raids and he was too unaware of his surroundings. He missed some of the signs and sounds he would have otherwise noticed.
He had been worried for Samantha ever since they had been stranded in this desert. Teal'c felt that he understood Samantha Carter more than either DanielJackson or O'Neill. He would take it personally if something happened to her or to the baby. He did not know what would become of Samantha. He had known of women on Chulak who did not survive the loss of a new born infant. He didn't know if he would. This baby was more important to Teal'c than anyone would ever know.
Samantha was a completely different woman now, and he didn't like the changes. She'd not only lost her happy attitude but she'd lost her strength as well. He knew how much she cried. Her eyes had stopped twinkling the week they'd buried the Jumper and she gave up hope. He knew how alone she had felt, even if she hadn't told him. He and Samantha were kindred spirits. They had lost the most and had masked their emotions and feelings.
Teal'c remembered well her loss of hope when O'Neill had been stranded on that moon with Maybourne. He knew then it had been because she felt O'Neill was forever lost to her. He had made it his business to watch over her. With DanielJackson ascended at the time, Sam had clung to him. His love for this strong, independent warrior woman had just increased. He respected only one other woman as much, Ish'ta, to Teal'c they were peas of the same pod. This time Samantha Carter had been much worse. She was not only filled with guilt, but had lost all hope.
At first it had seemed to him nothing would bring her out of her depression. Even O'Neill couldn't do anything to make her smile. In the time before, as he had begun to think of 2005, she would light up like the stars on the darkest night if O'Neill so much as walked into the room. Even now, that Samantha and O'Neill had grown much closer and were obvious in love, she still wasn't the Samantha he had known for so long. At times she seemed even sadder to him. She still had that radiant smile for O'Neill, and there was no doubt that she was happy with him and their soon expected baby. Teal'c knew her better. He knew she couldn't be completely happy and satisfied for long without something very technical to challenge her mind, something to fix, or some cause to take up. Only when Samantha was in O'Neill's presence was she not sad. He still worried and wondered what would happen to her; he knew how well she could hide her true feelings.
O'Neill was as happy as Teal'c had known him to be in eight years. True, he wanted to lead Ra away from Earth, and free these locals. He worried for their safety; but he had something to keep his mind busy- the same type of work he had done all his life- military strategizing.
DanielJackson had fit in with these people like a missing piece of a puzzle. He had found someone to love and complete him. Daniel was the least of his worries. Give DanielJackson an ancient culture to study and he was happy, let alone the chance to live it. No, DanielJackson could live out his life here and never have a moment of discontent. Not true of the rest of SG1.
Eight years ago, Teal'c had given up everything of personal importance in his life to fight for Jaffa freedom. With the help of his teammates and the rebel Jaffa, the Jaffa were a free nation. Teal'c had helped to make his family safe. He had been happy settling into his role as a leader in the new Jaffa Nation. He missed all of it, more it seemed than he had when he had given it up willingly.
Teal'c had lost as much or more than Sam. He had finally come full circle in his life before being stranded here. He had found Ish'ta, whom he could truly say "was the love of his life" to borrow a Tau'ri expression. He would never see her again, and that broke his heart. He had lost his son and soon to be grandchild. He would never see the baby. Then there was Bra'tac, whom he loved as a father.
He fully understood the extent to which O'Neill had suffered after his son's accident. Teal'c had lost his entire immediate family, all at once. No, Teal'c was not a happy camper. This was one of the reasons he spent so much time working on the rebellion. It took his mind off himself. His grief had also made him much less aware of the things that should have been instinctive to him.
Teal'c reached the tribe's living area and stopped just as he reached the century posted on the outskirts. "Identify yourself," he heard in the local language.
"It is I, Teal'c. I have come to talk with Ketra. It is Samantha. We think there is trouble with the baby." The century allowed Teal'c to pass. He moved quickly to Ketra's tent and called for her husband, At'tok.
"At'tok, it is Teal'c. I must speak with Ketra. Samantha needs her. The baby is trying to make its presence known." At'tok and Ketra knew from his tone of voice to hurry. She dressed quickly, and they both appeared outside the tent. At'tok watched as she left with Teal'c.
"What is wrong with her? Teal'c," she asked.
"Samantha is complaining of severe stomach cramping. She was doubled over with pain when we heard her cries and awoke from our slumber. That is all I know," he stated.
They were quiet as they hurried the rest of the way to their campsite. Each lostin their own thoughts. It was not long before they entered the tent and Ketra was leaning over Sam.
"Sam, what is it child? Where is the pain?" She asked as the guys backed out of her way.
"My stomach is killing me. It hurts so badly, is this normal?" Sam had learned much of the language from Ketra. They understood each other well.
"Have you noticed any bleeding or water?" Ketra asked.
"No, but I haven't really looked."
"I will need to look at her," Ketra said to Jack. "You and you have to leave," she directed Teal'c and Daniel. They moved out of the tent and Jack slid in behind Sam's back and raised her head to his lap while Ketra washed her hands with some of the water prepared for her.
"Daniel boiled the water and gathered clean cloths for you," Jack said, watching Sam's face.
"Good, I will need much," Ketra returned as she moved Sam's skirt up and began to pull her underwear down. Ketra quickly examined Sam, then looked back at Jack, then at Sam. "She is ready, it will be within this night that your baby will be here," she stated as a matter of fact.
Jack moved around to sit on the side of the bedding, holding Sam's hand. "You okay, baby?"
Sam's face scrunched up and she squeezed his hand tightly as another contraction hit. "Ketra, the baby's not due yet. It's too early. What if something is wrong?" She couldn't bring herself to say 'with my baby' but Jack was reading her thoughts.
"Sam, she'll be alright. So will you. Please don't panic. Just relax, and let Ketra do what she needs to. I love you, Sam." He lowered his head to kiss her lips. She stared into his eyes.
"I'm scared, Jack."
"I know, baby. Just hold on tight to me. I'm right here." Even though he didn't say it; Jack's voice betrayed his own worry.
Ketra didn't comment to either of them. She knew from experience that childbirth, at its best, was a risky thing for both mother and child. She prayed for the sake of this woman that her baby would live if the woman did. Ketra knew in her heart that Sam could not stand the loss of her baby.
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Daniel and Teal'c were waiting outside when Jack appeared in the tent opening. "She wants to see you both."
Daniel jumped to his feet as fast as he could with Teal'c not far behind him. "What's wrong, Jack?" Daniel's eyes were as wide as his voice was afraid.
"O'Neill?" was the only question Teal'c asked; but his eyes betrayed his fright. Teal'c rarely showed such emotion.
"She just asked for you both. That's all I know," Jack replied without looking at them.
They both knelt beside the bedding one on each side of Sam, each holding one of her hands. She squeezed both as hard as she could. "I love you both so much," she hesitated through the next contraction. "If I don't make it though this, please take care of each other and Jack and our baby. I'm so sorry I brought you all here. Please forgive me?" She was crying now. Jack moved in between her and Teal'c. He picked up her shoulders and head and kissed her lips, "No, Sam, don't think that way. You and little, Grace, will be fine. I know it. Sam ... Look ... At ... My ... Lips ... It ... Is ... Not ... Your ... Fault ... We're ... Here. It's mine."
"I thought we had finally settled that. I was in command." he held her eyes in his. She smiled at him, just as another contraction began. When she could breathe, she said, "Silly man, when were you ever in charge?"
Jack grinned, the one she loved so much. "God Sam, did you always know what you do to me?"
"No, Jack," she whispered just as another contraction hit hard. When Sam could breathe again, she looked from Jack to Daniel. "I have to admit, you let Daniel have his way as much as you did me. Did he do things to you?" She flashed her million watt smile at him. She wanted them all to remember the good times if she didn't make it through this.
Jack stopped grinning, "God, Sam, you really don't think that do you?"
Teal'c raised his eyebrow. Daniel laughed, really laughed. Sam loved the laughter. Her heart filled, just as another contraction hit.
"Is it me or are they getting really close together?" Sam asked. They could see the fear in her eyes. "I love you guys so much," she addressed them all; but she was looking at Jack.
"Sam, I love you too, with all my heart. Sam. It's my fault. I was the one who asked to come here," Daniel said softly with tears forming in his eyes.
"I think we each bear responsibility for this mission," Teal'c said in his baritone voice. He would not let something happen to Samantha with her thinking he blamed her in any way.
Jack agreed quickly. "You got that right! Can we just forget about who's at fault and focus on Sam and the baby." He looked from one to the other, "Sam, please don't worry, you'll be ok."
"Colonel Carter, I am of the opinion that you are not only a great warrior, a kind and loving friend, but also a beautiful woman. I will always protect and love you." Teal'c surprised and stunned her with his comment. He had not used her military title in a long time, it emphasized even more his sincerity. Her eyes with more tears. She knew they thought she was going to die. She couldn't say anything else.
Another contraction hit and she screamed, almost breaking the bones in both Jack and Daniel's hands. She relaxed back against the bed, looking at Jack with painfully sad eyes, and let go of Daniel's hand, "I'm sorry, Daniel. It's not you I want to hurt."
Jack had his mask on tight. The only emotions he was letting Sam see was love. He refused to let her think he felt anything other than that. "You hurt me all you want, baby. I don't care if you break my hand. Hell, break them both!" He held both her hands.
Ketra moved back in between Sam's legs. She looked at Jack, but didn't say a word. It scared Jack to death. "It is time to push, Samantha. Can you do that for me? The very next time you feel the pain, push with all your strength." She smiled at Sam as if to say all would be ok, but Sam didn't miss the look in Ketra's eyes.
Jack eased his long, lanky body behind Sam's head and shoulders, pulling her up against his chest and wrapping his arms around her from behind. He placed his hands on each side of her stomach. He wanted to feel the contraction and help her push. He felt so helpless and scared. 'What if she?' He couldn't even voice the thought in his head.
Sam placed her hand over one of Jack's, and Daniel held tightly to her other hand. The contraction hit, again harder than the last. She couldn't breathe, but pushed as hard as she could. The pain let up and she fell back into Jack's embrace. Daniel eased his hand from her and swung it around, then rubbed his fingers. He felt as if it had been caught in a vice. Jack noticed his expression and laughed at him.
"If you think this is so damn funny! Jack, let me grab hold of your balls squeeze as tight as I can. See if you laugh!" Sam's voice was squeaking loudly.
Ketra looked up at Sam; she didn't know what to think. She wasn't used to women being so vocal or disrespectful of their husbands in front of others. Jack only laughed. He remembered Charlie's birth. Sam was nothing to the mouth he had taken from Sara.
"I was laughing at Space monkey, Sam; his never had his hand in such a tight grip." He patted her stomach. Just as he touched her muscles, they tightened again and she screamed. He held her tightly and Daniel reached for her hand.
"No," she said through gritted teeth.
"Let Teal'c hold my hand, he can stand it." She looked with pity at Daniel. Teal'c reached for her hand.
"It will be my honor to have my fingers broken, Samantha," he stated stoically, but his eyes twinkled with both laughter and love. He hadn't witnessed a Tau'ri birth before. The birth of Ry'ac had been quite calm compared to this. Drayac had done nothing but scream.
Jack looked at the gleam in his eyes. He knew he meant it. "Good, Teal'c, you hold both her hands."
"Oh, No, JACK! If I have to go through this, you at least have to hurt too," Sam stated in her most commanding voice, as much as possible through gritted teeth. She squeezed his fingers as tightly as she could to make her point. He chuckled and let her mash his fingers. If it helped her in anyway, he was more than glad to give up his fingers. He leaned over her neck to kiss her lips, surprising her.
She looked over her head at his eyes. "I do still love you, even if I do want to hurt you right now."
"I know. You can hurt me. I love you more than anything. If I could do this for you, I would," he stated just as another contraction hit. Sam pushed with all her might, and scrunched up her face, bearing down as hard as she could. The pain let up, and Ketra checked for any changes. Ketra looked up at both Jack and Sam. She still didn't say anything.
"Well?" Sam questioned. Ketra just looked at her sadly. "I don't think you are opening up as you should, Samantha."
"What do you mean," Jack asked before Sam could say anything.
"She is so small," Ketra replied to Jack.
"What can you do to help her?" he asked.
"I have no means to help her if she does not open more for the baby to come through." Ketra sounded very sad.
Jack looked at Teal'c. "Get my knife from my boot on my right ankle. Pour some boiling water in a bowl and clean it with soap, Teal'c. We still have some of the alcohol and betadine scrubs, plus the surgical disinfectant. Bring them to me."
"What are you going to do, Jack?" Daniel asked.
"Whatever I have to, Daniel. I'll need your help. Move here, when I move and hold Sam as tight as you can."
"Jack, if you're planning what I think you are, you can just think again," Sam screeched at Jack as another contraction hit her. She pushed and Jack held her as tight as he could, trying with all his might to help her push the baby out.
"Sam, you've been in labor for over eight hours. I'm worried for baby. Your contractions have been less than thirty seconds apart for sometime. We have to do something. Baby, do you trust me?" Jack asked as he moved from behind Sam. He sure hoped she did, because he wasn't so sure of himself. He could do with a little of her encouragement.
"I trust you, Jack. I'm just not sure what you are planning to do."
"Daniel." he commanded. Daniel moved into place behind Sam holding her as tight as Jack had.
In the mean time, Teal'c had prepared the items Jack has asked for. He had sterilized the knife, gathered the antiseptics, and also clean cloths. "Teal,c, you're gonna have to hold Sam down around her hips." He looked at her sadly. "Baby, I am so sorry, but this is going to hurt, bad. Please just hang on and you can do anything you want to me after this. Just remember I love you," Jack said with tears in his eyes.
"Jack, you better not be trying to do a C-section on me!" Sam screamed through tears and pain.
"I'm not, I hope anyway. Sam, I just have to help open you so I can pull the baby out, okay?" he asked. Jack intended to do whatever it took to save her and his child. If worst came to worst, he would find that damn sarcophagus that he knew Ra had.
"Jack, don't you let my baby die. If it comes to it that, it's her you need to save. Please? Jack, promise me." But Jack couldn't look at Sam. All he could think of was removing the baby. If he lost Sam, he would never make it here. It was hard enough to think of losing the baby, but he refused to give up Sam. 'No,' he thought. He couldn't make that promise. He knew he would do anything he had to; just as he had said, to keep her with him, with them.
Without Sam, the baby would die anyway. How would they feed it or take care of it? But could he really justify killing his own child to safe his wife? He had already been responsible for the death of one child. Could he kill another? Even to save Sam? He couldn't believe it would come to that. He prayed for the first time in a long time to the God of his youth. God, he couldn't live without her.
Another contraction hit Sam, harder than any of the others. She fainted. Jack didn't know if it was from exhaustion, pain, or if she was that afraid. She had struggled so.
Jack took advantage of her unconscious state. He splashed the surgical disinfectant over Sam's exposed areas, and cut both sides of her outer walls trying as best he could to stay away from the baby's head. Thank God, it was head first. Maybe he would have a chance at saving the baby. He had been worried until he examined her himself.
He could see some of the baby's head, but he could tell she was too small. If he were brave enough, he really would try to do a C-section. But Jack knew Sam would not survive such a procedure without the appropriate drugs and sterile conditions. He had no choice but to try to take the baby the 'old fashioned way.'
'What a joke,' he thought. 'Old fashion my ass.' He was more afraid than he had ever been in his life. He would even go back to that damn Iraqi prison if it would save Sam or their baby. Jack took a deep breath, closed his eyes and prayed for all he was worth.
Looking up at Daniel then at Teal'c, "You guys ready?" Daniel's eyes couldn't have been any wider or wilder looking. He was a picture of fear.
Teal'c was staring at Jack, trying hard to read his actions. "O'Neill, what are your intentions?"
"I have to cut her so I can get the baby out. Earth doctors do it all the time," he answered Teal'c.
"Yeah, but you're no doctor, Jack." Daniel commented, coming out of his state of shock somewhat. Do you really think you can cut Sam with that knife?" Daniel was terrified.
"O'Neill, would you prefer I do this?" Teal'c asked.
"No, Teal'c, this is my wife and my baby. I can do this. I just wish to God, I didn't have to. If something happens to her,..." tears filled Jack's eye. TBC End Notes:
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