I checked, but MGM and SCI-FI still own it.
CHAPTER 10
The following day Jack rented a car and they headed back to Colorado. Things in the car were tense to say the least. Sam hardly acknowledged the fact that he was there; instead she spent her time either looking out the window or fooling around with the radio. After the first hour or so of their silent ride, Jack decided that he needed to do something about all the hostility in the car. He tried the one subject that he thought she would most willingly talk about.
"So, how is the whole baby thing been going?"
"Baby thing?"
"You know—baby thing. I mean it's been a while since I last saw you and you were what, three months along?"
"Four." She responded.
"So how have things been going?"
"It's been alright. It was a little difficult at first, trying to find a doctor who had enough clearance to see me through the pregnancy."
"Has it been difficult, being on your own and all?"
"I haven't really been alone Jack. I ran into Harry shortly after arriving and he's been great."
"Harry Maybourn?"
"Yes. Harry and I are old friends, remember?"
"Yeah, I mean he is the one who cleared the air about certain things, but I didn't think that you guys were that close."
"He has been looking after me since I was a kid. He was my handler when I was at NID; he became like family. When I transferred to the SGC we had to distance ourselves for appearance sakes. Now, however we don't have anything to worry about.
"He has been doing everything he can to help. He goes to all my doctors appointments with me, helped set up the nursery—even though it took him five hours to put the crib together because he was too stubborn to ask for help. He even tried to bribe the doctor to tell him the sex of the baby after I decided I didn't want to know."
"Sounds like he has been taking really good care of you."
"He has; I have been really lucky to have him—to not be on my own."
"Sam, you are not on your own. I am going to be involved with my child, be there with you every step along the way."
"No! As I recall you told me that everything between us was a mistake and that you wanted nothing to do with this baby. Well I granted you your wish Jack. You do not have to worry; my baby and I will be perfectly fine."
"Sam…"
"Leave it Jack. Once everything in Colorado is settled you won't hear another word from me."
"And if I want to know anything about the baby?"
"You can ask my dad about his grandchild when he visits."
"That's it? Just updates every few months from your dad?"
"You're lucky to even get those Jack."
Jack did not know how to respond. She was right; he had said all those things when he kicked her out of his life. But then she also knew that he was still hurting over Charlie and she would never cause him that kind of pain no matter how mad they were at each other.
- - - - - - -
Over the next couple of hours he sat there thinking about how he had gotten to this point in his life. When he had first entered the military the idea of having a family was the furthest thing from his mind. Then he met Sara and his view on his life changed. They had Charlie three years into their marriage; of course he had not been there for that event. His job had not allowed him to be there for all the milestones in his sons' life—first steps, first words, first day of school. And it was his job that had cost him his family. After Charlie's death he had shut himself off from the world, especially Sara. He blamed himself for his death and in that it caused the death of his marriage. When he had returned from that initial trip through the stargate he found that Sara had filed for divorce and had moved out of the house.
A year later he found himself back at the SGC where he met Sam. Although he would never admit it, he had fallen in love with the second she had walked through the door, actually the minute she asked if he wanted to arm wrestle. It had taken him years to act upon his feelings, and all he did was manage to screw it all up again.
- - - - - - -
They stopped later that night, after having crossed the Colorado state line. They checked into another hotel deciding to rest before continuing their journey the next day. Like that afternoon, their evening was one of silence. Sam refused to talk to Jack in fear of being hurt again, and Jack stayed silent in order to not upset Sam.
Jack woke at around nine the following morning to find Sam sitting on a chair by the window. He watched her for a while realizing how much he missed her. But he also knew how much he had hurt her, and wasn't too sure if she would be willing to forgive him.
"Contemplating your escape plan?" he asked.
"Even if I was, I doubt that I would get very far."
"So, what are you doing up?"
"Just thinking. So how much longer do we have?"
"Well we crossed into Colorado last night, so probably just a couple of hours. We should be back at the mountain around two or so."
"The mountain? Jack, General Hammond…"
"Is expecting us. He wants to see you as soon as we get back. They all do Sam."
"I find that hard to believe Jack."
"Sam, we all want you back, not just as our friend but as a member of the SGC. You wouldn't believe the supporters you have on the base, even after we told them why you had been transferred out. No one cared that you worked for the NID, none of them thought that you were still working for them. We have been through hell because every person on the base wants you back. Walter repeatedly sent us to the wrong planet and kept giving General Hammond the wrong paperwork to fill out. Cassie has refused to talk to any of us, even Janet, since you have left.
"What I am trying to say Sam is that we all miss you. Most importantly, I miss you. I have tried to make myself fall out of love with you since that day in the briefing room, but I haven't been able to. No amount of time is going to change the way that I feel about you Sam."
"I feel the same way Jack, but…"
"There is still the trust issue. I know; I have hurt you badly, but I need to know Sam—will you ever be able to trust me again?"
"It is going to take some time Jack, but yes, I think I can."