Summary: Sam goes missing during a mission and the consequences of her experience will change her life forever (and someone else's too).
Warnings: None yet.
Pairings: J/S (what can I say, I'm a Jack/Sam shipper, but I do write others too)
Season: Seven-ish
Spoilers: Wee bit here and there from the whole series.
A/N: We all know how it goes, RL. Our family is going through some tough things. Sorry for making you all wait so long.
Take The Long Way Home by Oz Lovi
Last Time: Now he knew what got his attention as he heard a knock at the door. Not wanting to wake Sam up yet he quickly opened the door. Looking at his visitor, he nodded in greeting, "Jacob." As he stepped out of the way to let him in, he glanced toward the living room. Keeping his voice low he motioned toward the kitchen. "What's up?"
"I was guessing Sam would likely be with you, but I guess…"
Nodding toward the living room Jack said, "She's asleep on the couch."
Chapter Seven
"That's why you were whispering." Leaning against the counter top he stared Jack down. "You want a family with Sam. Seeing Jack's jaw clench he knew he was correct. "As a matter of fact, I think you've both wanted a life together outside work for years." Softening his look he continued, "I didn't need Anise's little test files to figure that out either. I saw it a long time ago, and I know neither of you would go against the non-frat regs. Even if I happen to think they're wrong in this case."
Jack found his attention locked onto Jacob's words. He thought the regs were wrong in their case? He'd figured out a long time ago that they had some non-reg feelings for each other, and he hadn't told anybody apparently? Also, it seemed he didn't object to the idea of them together. "You've never hinted that you thought there was anything, beyond friendship, between me and Sam."
"Son, anybody who knows both of you well, can see it easily. We just keep it quiet because we know there isn't anything going on between you."
Jacob didn't use the word son when talking to him usually. This in itself told Jack volumes about how he felt. Changing the subject a bit Jack asked, "Did she tell you the baby moves around a lot? She likes to kick a lot too."
"No. So, it sounds like you agree that you're having a girl?"
"Yeah." Jack smiled. The door behind Jacob opened and they both smiled as Sam walked in.
Smiling brightly at them, she rubbed her swollen belly. "Somebody is hungry again." Seeing her dad eyeing them with a smile, she ducked her head a little.
Not really thinking about their audience, Jack leaned over and put his hand lightly on her belly. "Hi, did you and mommy have a nice nap, sweetie?"
Sam smiled as she felt the baby move. "What did I tell you. If she's been quiet and you talk to her she kicks."
"And if I talk to her when she's been moving she quiets down." Jack grinned as he straightened up.
Jacob observed this interaction with great interest. Anybody who saw them would easily think they were a married couple expecting their first child. There was a n obvious difference in Jack's behavior, and even Sam seemed much happier than he'd seen her in a long time.
"So, what's up, Dad?" She'd been wondering if he had come to talk to her or Jack.
"Nothing. I just thought I would see how you were doing."
Sam noticed he eyed Jack as the men exchanged a glance before looking back to her again. "Dad, you haven't really gotten to feel her move yet. Here," she said as she took his hand and placed it on her belly. Feeling the baby kick again, she smiled.
After spending a moment quietly feeling the baby move around, Jacob grinned and moved his hand away. It occurred to him that the baby might be so active because of Selmak. "You know, Sam, depending on how much of your protein marker and naquadah she inherits, she might be able to sense a symbiote."
"Maybe, but I just think she knows you're her grandpa."
Snapping his fingers Jacob said, "I almost forgot to tell you, Mark called. I guess he's been trying to get you for weeks. When I answered the phone he had a lot of questions. I told him you'd been on an unexpected assignment out of the country and hadn't had an opportunity to tell him before you left. He seemed to take the excuse easily enough, but I had to promise to have you call him."
Sighing, Sam nodded. "I suppose we should get this over with."
"Do you want to tell him over the phone, or go see him?" Jack waited as she thought it over.
"It might go over better if I tell him in person. He can't hang up on me that way."
Jack looked at her questioningly, "I thought you two had a much closer relationship now. You don't really think he would hang up on you, do you?"
"We are a lot closer now, but he's likely going to be upset that I didn't tell him about the baby sooner." Sam slouched in resignation as she anticipated the potential argument.
"I'll go with you," Jack said with determination.
Giving him a somewhat surprised look she said, "You Don't have to do that."
He shrugged, "Maybe I don't have to, but I do want to."
Jacob chimed in, "Tell you what, I'll go too. I haven't gone to see his kids in a while. It would be an excellent reason for me to tag along, and play mediator if needed."
"Thanks, dad." Sam gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"No problem, honey. By the way, Jack, George said he was coming by to talk to you."
"He told me he might later." Jack's eyebrows went up when Jacob shook his head.
"No, he said he is coming over. He was hoping that Sam would be here. Whatever he wants to discuss it's concerns both of you."
Looking at Jack for a moment Sam finally voiced their shared question. "Is it a good something or a bad something?"
"He honestly didn't give me any idea of what it is, but he didn't sound displeased." Gesturing with his hand Jacob offered, "If you want I'll stick around until he gets here."
"Thanks, Jacob." As Jacob preceded them to the kitchen door, Jack stopped Sam. She looked over her shoulder at him, but didn't turn around. Stepping closer, he slid his arms around her from behind and laid his hands on her baby belly. As she slid her hands on top of his they laced their fingers together. When she leaned into him, he pulled her closer and gave her fingers an affectionate squeeze that she gladly returned. "We will find a way, Sam," he whispered. She nodded and smiled as she looked over her shoulder to lock eyes with him. Straightening a little Jack looked up at the man watching them from the doorway.
Looking up Sam whispered, "We seem to have an audience."
"I noticed." The other man grinned, but refrained from commenting. "You saw all that, Jacob?"
"Heard it too." As he walked out to the living room, Jacob heard them follow quietly. Turning as they got close to the seats, he made sure to take the armchair across from the couch. He saw how they shared a quick look before Sam sat on the couch and Jack took the other armchair. Looking at him Jacob couldn't keep from commenting, "Why don't you sit with Sam?"
Waving the comment off Jack replied, "This way she can stretch out."
With a grateful smile, Sam turned and put her feet up on the couch. After a few minutes of companionable silence she perked up and looked at Jack. "I forgot my snack."
Standing he said, "That's right, the baby was hungry again." Making his way into the kitchen, he heard Jacob return to their earlier topic of conversation.
"Do you think Janet will actually let you go all the way to San Diego?"
Thinking about it for a moment Sam shrugged, "That's a good question."
Motioning casually toward the kitchen, Jacob grinned at his daughter. "You look good together. I've always thought so." Seeing her stunned look he added, "You know, I liked him the first time I met him. Even though I already knew he was your CO I kind of figured that someday, somehow you'd wind up together. I even hoped you'd make it work, despite the regulations."
Sam turned her stunned gaze to the kitchen doorway as Jack walked back in with a tray of snacks and a look that plainly said he'd overheard all that.
Sitting together quietly for a little while, the group was a bit jumpy by the time the doorbell rang. As Jack opened the door to the General, Sam eyed him closely. Standing slowly to attention, Sam smiled lightly. "General Sir."
"Major, I was hoping that you'd be here." Stepping down into the living room, George nodded to his old friend, "Jacob."
"George," he acknowledge with a nod. "I should go so you can talk."
"No, Jacob. If they'd like you here, I don't have any objection." Seeing his officers exchange a quick look, George could tell that they wanted the moral support. Jacob was Sam's dad, but he might as well be family to Jack too.
Taking seats around the room they all stared at each other in silence for a moment. "Uhm…what was it you wanted to talk to us about, General?"
The man was nervous George realized. In fact, they all seemed to be. "The first thing I'll tell you all is, at ease." As he smiled, everyone seemed to relax a little, so he continued. "The President and I had a meeting concerning this situation." So much for relaxed, he thought as he saw Jack and Sam both clench their jaws. "Before I explain exactly what was discussed, there are a few questions I have to ask."
"Ask who, Sir?" Sam asked hesitantly. She wasn't too sure she wanted to know, but if it was something bad surely he would have told them up front.
"Both of you actually. I need you to be completely honest with me. Even if the questions may make you a little uncomfortable." Seeing nods of agreement from them both he plunged on. "Alien viruses and technology aside, have you ever been involved romantically?" He didn't think their eyes could get much bigger.
"No, Sir." Sam couldn't fathom why he would ask. He had to already know the answer was no.
"No way." Jack knew the General knew the answer.
"While serving in the same command have you ever shared so much as a kiss?" George watched them closely as they shook their heads and answered in unison.
"No." Jack quickly dismissed the time loop in his head. He'd resigned to ensure they weren't in the same command, just in case. It was a shame she couldn't remember that kiss after the loop reset. Getting himself back on topic he asked, "Why do you ask? I mean you have to know the answers already, General."
"Yes I do, Jack, but I gave the President my word that I would ask to verify my belief before giving this to you both." Pulling an envelope with a Presidential seal on it out of his coat, George placed it on the coffee table. "As of this moment you have an offer open to you, from the President. Should you choose to take him up on it, you will have an irrevocable special dispensation, by Presidential order, that will make you immune to court martial should you decide to pursue a romantic relationship." Taking in their disbelieving looks he broke it down for them. "In other words, the frat regs no longer apply in your case, in recognition of everything you have done for the country and planet. Especially given that, through no inappropriate behavior, you have a baby on the way together. It also helps that he and I both know you two have feelings for each other and have sacrificed having a life together, outside of work and friendship, to do your duty." Sitting up a little he added, "If you want a chance to have this little family together, you have it."
Silence descended upon the group and Jacob decided they should give Sam and Jack a chance to digest the information of their new found freedom. "George, would you like something to drink? I'm sure we can find something in the kitchen." Getting a nod, he led the way into the other room.
After a moment Sam spoke very quietly, "I guess you were right."
"They way we were looking for just got dropped in our laps," Jack whispered in response.
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Okay, so there has finally been some progress. Well, sort of. :o) Next chapter is already partly typed up. I'm still transferring from the written notebook, so it takes a little time. I'll get another post up as soon as I can. Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed, and please review.