Confessions
Jack knew Sam had not been happy since her return to the SCG. He knew that she loved being back in her own home and spending time with Cassie but whenever her asked her about work she sounded defeated and always said 'it's fine'. When Sam didn't want to confuse him with technobabble he knew something was up.
Sam stood outside the door to Jack's Washington apartment, trying to summon the courage to enter. She knew she had made the right decision when she had spoken to General Landry earlier in the day but it wouldn't stop Jack from being disappointed that she hadn't spoken to him about it and more than anything she didn't want him to be disappointed in her.
She didn't know why she hadn't spoken to Jack about her decision. Even before they were a couple she had always valued his opinion about her career – it didn't mean she always agreed with him but in the past she had always run things past him and knew he would support her decision. Maybe now that he was her husband she subconsciously thought he might not be as objective as he used to be? Sam mentally shook herself, she was over-thinking again.
Sam took a deep breath and let herself in – surprised to see Jack already home and sitting on the couch with a beer in his hand.
"I was wondering how long you were planning to stay out there." He said, as if it were the most normal thing in the world for Sam to stand at the front door for ten minutes before coming in.
Sam smiled at her husband feeling some of the tension she had been carrying around for the last few weeks ease from her body. "Take me to bed and then we'll talk."
Jack needed no more encouragement than that – he was on his feet faster than someone half his age.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Several hours later they were eating pizza in bed when Jack raised the subject of Sam's earlier behaviour. "So spill Carter."
Sam looked at her husband and knew she had been stupid to worry about his reaction – he loved her and had always supported her – why would that suddenly change?
"I've asked to be taken out of the field." There she had dropped her bombshell and if the look on Jack's face was anything to go by he certainly hadn't been expecting it.
"Wow", he was stunned. "Wasn't expecting that – ummm – why?"
Sam had rehearsed what she was going to say the whole trip to Washington and of course now that she had to say it out loud she couldn't think of a single word she had planned.
"Sam I know you were disappointed when you didn't get back command of SG1….."
Sam interrupted him before he could say anymore. "This isn't about ego – yes I'll admit I was a bit disappointed – I can admit that, but when I thought about all the paperwork that goes along with command I realised it would mean less time with you and less time working in the lab." She smiled at him. "I guess I just had an unrealistic expectation that things would be like they used to be."
"Mitchell?" Jack was able to cut straight to the root of the problem.
"I knew it would take time to get into a rhythm as a team and I was prepared for that", Sam leaned over and snagged the last slice of pizza as she continued. "Jack, he's reckless, he puts our lives in unnecessary danger on a regular basis just so he can be a hero." She rushed on, "I realise I was spoilt having you as a CO, but it comes down to trust – I knew I could trust you with my life and as much as I like Cam as a person I don't trust his decision making in the field and I guess I would like to live long enough to have your children." Sam said as she smiled and took a huge bite of the pizza. "General Landry and I spoke this afternoon and he is more than happy to take me out of the field so I can work on the phase technology full time."
Jack watched as she devoured the pizza; his brain registering everything she had just said and he felt some of the constriction around his heart ease. He would never ask her to leave SG1 so he could sleep at night when she was on a mission and not spend most of his time worrying if she was coming back to him. But the thing that his brain was rolling over and over was her comment about having his children. Ever since the night they had gotten engaged and he had thought for a brief moment she was pregnant it was something he just hadn't been able to let go of.
"Sam, I'm not going to lie to you – I couldn't be happier that you will be working with your doohickeys – I won't have to worry about you so much and the few strands of hair that aren't grey may stay that way and I definitely want you to live long enough to have a whole hockey team of babies." Jack moved the now empty pizza box onto the floor and pulled Sam into his embrace. "It's not something we ever really talked about – I wasn't sure if it was something you even wanted."
"To be honest I wasn't sure – I knew it certainly wasn't an option while I was going off-world but – I don't know – somehow it just feels like the right time." Sam placed her hand on Jack's chest "You were born to be a father."
Jack looked at Sam hopefully, his voice a combination of fear and excitement. "So we are really doing this?"
"Well we can try." Sam smiled as she traced lazy circles on his chest. "Just remember this body has been through a lot in the last ten years – who knows when it will decide enough is enough." Sam tried to say it lightly but Jack could hear the fear and nervousness in her voice.
"Let's take it one day at a time."
"Jack O'Neill was that a cliché I just heard?" Sam teased knowing that Jack understood her fears.
"Indeed it was Mrs O'Neill and on this particular day I don't think it would do any harm to start practicing – in fact I have a feeling we are going to need lots and lots of practice."
Sam giggled as her husband began to divest her of her t-shirt. "I do like your thinking General."
Several hours later Sam snuggled with her head resting on Jack's shoulder and whispered "I have an appointment with Dr Lam next week."
Jack drifted off to sleep and dreamt of Sam with a huge swollen stomach – she had never looked more beautiful although even his sub conscious questioned why on earth she was wearing Egyptian robes?
TBC
Next chapter – back to ancient Egypt for the last time