AN: Yes, this is a shorter chapter than most, but the last two were longer than usual for this story, and like I said, my writing has slowed down lately.
Sam watched in horror as her Jack went down. "Why the hell did you do that?" she demanded as she hurried over and crouched down by Jack, who was sitting up and rubbing his head.
"He's your goddamn CO!" Dad said, in the tone of voice he used to dress down wayward lieutenants who had screwed up especially spectacularly. "We don't talk for a couple months, you don't tell me why you want to see me, I get out here and find out you've sublet your apartment. A call to George gets me your current address, and I get here to find you're not only shacked up with your CO, he's knocked you up! How the hell did you think I was going to react?"
Oh, boy. "First of all, he's not my CO any more. I was reassigned to another part of the base before the relationship started. Which I know you know because I told you."
"How long before? Two days? Sam, you haven't been here long enough to get reassigned unless George had a damned good reason. And if you're pregnant enough to feel the baby already—"
"There were extenuating circumstances. You can ask General Hammond, if you don't believe me," Sam said through gritted teeth. "Second, if you'd called ahead to say when you were going to be here, I'd have picked you up at the airport. Third, the reason I didn't tell you is because I wanted to tell you in person that you were going to be a grandfather again, instead of over the phone." She turned back to Jack. "You okay?"
"Just peachy," Jack said. "So, that's Dad, huh?" He climbed to his feet, and Sam winced as she heard his knee pop. "Pleased to meet you." His voice was heavy with irony as he stuck his hand out. "Jack O'Neill."
"Jack," Sam said in exasperation. There was no need to annoy Dad further.
"Major General Jacob Carter," Dad said, glowering at him. But he did shake his hand, which was a good sign. "So, when are you two getting married?"
Jack opened his mouth.
"At this point," Sam cut him off; she couldn't trust him not to antagonize Dad, "we're not planning on it. Which was my decision."
Dad glared at her. He probably wanted to blame Jack for corrupting his beloved daughter; having said daughter take firm credit for not even being engaged with a baby on the way wasn't what he wanted to hear. "So, just what are your plans?"
"Well," Sam said before Jack could open his mouth, "right now we're living together. If, after we've lived together for a while, we get along well, we may get married. If not, I'll move out. Either way, we're not going to rush into anything permanent. While we're exploring our relationship, we're getting ready for the baby. And letting family know, which is why you're here." She crossed her arms. "So, now that you're here and you know, are you going to be civil and polite and get to know the father of your grandbaby, or am I going to have to ask you to leave until you cool down?"
Dad glared at Jack. "I'll behave."
Sam nodded firmly. "Good. Now, I'm hungry, and I want dinner. Are we going to stay here and cook something or go out to eat?"
"I don't care," Dad said.
"I could whip something up," Jack said, "give you two time to talk."
"Are you sure, Jack?" Sam asked. "You just got back a couple hours ago." Even more importantly, if they were in a public place such as a restaurant Dad might feel less willing to blow his top.
"I got it," Jack said. He gave her a quick kiss. "Go talk with your Dad."
Sam smiled at him. She'd just have to rely on the two men to keep their tempers. Could this go any worse? "Thanks." She turned back to Dad and gestured to the door to the hall. "Why don't I give you a quick tour and then we can settle down in the living room?"
"Sure," Dad said, gesturing for her to lead the way.