The Decision
Jack and Samantha talked over their options endlessly, making sure they hadn't missed anything, but in the end they knew the only real option was to take Grace home to her other parents. She was a child of the future and so was their baby – they didn't want to deprive either child of an education and the chance to grow up with all the luxuries and opportunities Jack and Samantha had taken for granted. Although the deciding factor was when Daniel mentioned that the average life span of an Ancient Egyptian was only around forty years.
They also knew that any time travel they did would have to be a one way trip for them – they couldn't afford to play around with the time line any more than they had. Samantha was pretty sure that once they went into the future she and Jack would eventually just cease to exist – after all they were the wrong Jack and Sam for this time line and that part of the decision weighed heavily on them and was probably why they were procrastinating.
In the end Samantha finally had to force them to make the decision. It was becoming impossible to get comfortable at night and she had spent the night awake and thinking. When Jack rolled over and wrapped his arms around her huge middle she rested her lips on his forehead and gently woke him.
"Jack?"
"Hmmmm still sleeping." He mumbled.
"Jack! Wake up!" Samantha commanded knowing Jack would snuggle closer and just go back in to a deep sleep if she didn't order him awake.
Jack sat bolt upright. "Is it the baby? Do you want me to get Daniel?"
"Shhh No." She didn't want Grace to wake up just yet – she needed to talk to Jack in peace without an energetic three year old interrupting. "It's just – well - we need to go today."
"Today?" Jack was fully awake now. "Why today?"
"I don't know. It's just a feeling I guess – but regardless of that – it's a three day walk to the jumper – we have a three year old with us and I don't know how much longer I will be able to walk that far." Samantha glanced at her swollen feet and hands and knew that it was not a good sign. "I can't explain it I just know we need to leave today."
Jack may not have known Samantha that long but he did know she was way smarter than him and had great instincts – besides what sane man argues with a pregnant woman. "Okay then – I guess we need to work out what we need to take." Jack was in full military mode, planning for a mission now that the decision had been made.
"Already done." Samantha smiled. "We just need to wake Grace and say goodbye to Daniel". Samantha sighed. "You don't think there is any way we can convince him to come with us do you?"
Jack kissed her lightly. "We don't know what's going to happen to us when we get there – but I'm guessing, seeing as we don't belong there, it's not going to be good – Daniel is happy here – he fits in – it makes sense that he would want to stay."
Jack had just enough time to capture Samantha's lips in a sweet but brief kiss before a three year old bundle of energy launched herself at the people she considered her parents.
"Hey little one!" Jack blew a raspberry on Grace's neck to make her laugh. "You want to go on an adventure?"
"Will you and mummy be on the vencha too?" Grace asked her eyes sparkling just like her mothers at the thought of an adventure, even though the tone of her voice showed she was concerned about being separated from them.
"You bet we will. I couldn't let my best girl go off and have a vencha without me." Jack began tickling the child he considered his own. He had surprised himself at how much he enjoyed being a father – Samantha had said he was a natural but he was concerned that after the things he had seen and done in his career he had become hard. Grace had softened him – Samantha had too, but Grace – she was something else – he was completely besotted from the first time she wrapped her little arms around his neck and called him dad.
"Well if we are going on an adventure we had better pack and go and say goodbye to Uncle Daniel." Samantha said as she rose awkwardly from what passed as their bed.
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Samantha had tears streaming down her face as she said goodbye to Daniel. Grace hugged her mother closely sensing she was upset. Daniel pulled Jack aside and offered to accompany them to the jumper – he wasn't sure how Jack was going to cope with a heavily pregnant woman and a small child walking that far. Jack was tempted by Daniel's offer but knew the trek home would be too dangerous for a man alone.
Jack pulled Daniel into a manly hug and whispered "Thanks – for everything."
"No problems Jack – this is what they would have done too – for what it's worth."
And with one final goodbye the trio set off into the desert with a few possessions, a compass and provisions for five days.
As they walked Jack marvelled at how strong his girls were – neither complained about the heat or sand. Grace never once asked to be carried and he knew Samantha was tired and uncomfortable – she hadn't been sleeping for the last few nights and she was still having problems with her swollen hands and feet. After four days of walking they finally reached the spot where they had hidden the jumper. Unfortunately all they could see was sand.
"Is there any way we have misread the map we made?" Asked Samantha.
I have been making and reading maps for a lotta years – this is definitely where we left it" Jack's voice was a mix of exasperation and worry.
Samantha wanted to sit down and cry – in her mind every step through the desert had been one step closer to a bubble bath and a proper hot meal and now it looked like they were going to have to turn around and go back with only one days worth of food and water to get them there. She sat down on the sand dune, too exhausted emotionally and physically to keep standing. Grace came and sat next to her while Jack scouted around.
Grace began to dig in the sand until she tugged on Samantha's arm, "Mommy I hurt my hand."
Samantha looked down at the child. "Did you sweetheart?" She said absently.
"Yes. I hurted it when I tried to dig a hole and the sand stopped."
Samantha looked at Grace's hand and then noticed something silver where she had been digging. "Jack! Jack! Come here!" Samantha yelled.
Jack came running over and immediately saw the dull silver in the sand where Grace had been digging.
"Grace! You little genius!" Jack scooped the little girl up and swung her high in the air, planting a big kiss on her cheek as he set her on her feet.
It took them just over an hour to dig out enough of the jumper to open the rear door. It took Samantha another two hours to get the systems working well enough that she felt comfortable for Jack to take off.
Samantha sat her exhausted body next to Jack and held Grace on her lap. She was amazed at how quickly they were in space then before she knew what had happened Jack closed his eyes, the time device pulsed and she was looking at a different set of stars.
TBC
A/N - Thanks everyone who has reviewed and added this story to their alert list. I hate stories where the author begs people to review but I have to say it is lovely to know people are reading and enjoying, so if you do feel like reviewing I'd love to know
Next chapter - the Jack's and Sam's finally meet