Just a short one tonight folks. This is about Landry's reaction to Sam's news.

"I wish you didn't have to go", she murmured into his shoulder. The others were still in her living room but Jack had taken her back to her bedroom to say goodbye. He had to catch an evening transport back to DC. As it was, he would get in late and then have to get up early for his meeting.

"Me too", he answered, giving her a soft kiss on her temple. "But hopefully you'll be able to fly out tomorrow or Tuesday and spend a few days."

"If General Landry lets me."

"Hank's a good guy. I'm sure he will and if not -"

"Jack?" she said, leaning back and looking at him through narrowed eyes.

"What? I'm not going to do anything. We'll just have to sick Teal'c on him."

She laughed and rested her head on his chest again, and stood there quietly, just enjoying being close to him. It had been a wonderful day although she was still half in shock over the pregnancy. She hadn't had time to even think about what it was going to mean and she and Jack hadn't really discussed anything, beyond the fact that they were both happy about it. They would have to talk though, and soon. This little being was going to change their lives in profound ways – she just didn't know what those ways were as of yet.

"You're thinkin' too much", he murmured into her ear. "Just enjoy. We have lots of time to figure things out."

"But -"

"But nothing Carter. All you need to do right now is be happy and to know that I am here for you and the baby one hundred and ten percent. We're gonna do just fine."

She chuckled, knowing that it was going to be hard for her to relax – that just wasn't who she was. She liked to figure things out, to plan, to come up with solutions for everything. Jack, on the other hand, was often content to let things be and to allow the answers to come when they were needed. She took a deep breath and decided, right there and then, that she was going to listen to him this time and not worry – at least not too much.

"You'd better get going", she finally said.

"Tryin' to get rid of me already Carter?"

She swatted him lightly. "Don't even joke about something like that O'Neill. If I could I'd tie you up and keep you here."

"Really?" he waggled his brow. "Sounds like fun!"

"Jack", she laughed. "Now get going! Daniel's going to drive you to the airport. I'd go but I need to take Cassie over to her friend's house and -"

"And take a nice warm bath and relax." He took her in his arms and they shared a long and tender kiss. "I'll see you soon Sam and remember I love you." He then leaned over and spoke to her stomach. "And I love you too little bean. You take care of yourself and your Mommie!"

"Little bean?"

"Well, it's not quite a tadpole yet so -"

She laughed again – loving how he could make her do that even at the saddest, most difficult moments of her life. "I love you too."

She watched as he drove away in the car with Daniel and then turned back to Teal'c and Cassie. She really hoped Landry would give her that leave.

She couldn't believe how nervous she was. She'd had breakfast in the commissary with both Daniel and Teal'c and they'd given her all sorts of encouragement but still, she had never expected to have to do this. She didn't know quite how she felt about not going through the gate, at least for the foreseeable future. She did hate the fact that she'd left the other two members of her team in the lurch.

"Colonel Carter, how are you?"

"Oh, good morning Walter." Sam looked up in surprise at the Sergeant. She'd totally forgotten that he'd be lurking outside of Landry's office. She gave herself an internal kick – the poor man wasn't lurking – he was Landry's assistant and had every right to be here. "I'm fine, thank you. And you?"

"Fine Ma'am. I saw General O'Neill yesterday", he informed her. "He's looking good."

"Yes, he is", she nodded.

"He said he was here to see Cassie. I hope everything went well."

"Uh – yeah, it was great. We had the whole team there and Cassie – it was good, very good."

"I'm glad. I know how much the general enjoys coming to see you – and Cassie of course."

"Of course", she managed to give a small laugh. Jack was right. Walter definitely knew something. She was pretty sure, however, that whatever he knew he'd keep to himself – or at least she hoped so.

"Is General Landry in", she finally asked.

"Yes Ma'am. Just go ahead and knock – he's not doing anything urgent right now."

She had to take a deep breath before finally getting the courage to knock on the door. At the general's 'come in', she took another breath and turned the handle.

"Colonel Carter. Come in. What can I do for you?"

She liked General Landry and she knew that Jack did too. In fact it was he who had recommended Landry for the position. The two of them went way back, although neither man spoke openly about how they knew each other. Still, Landry wasn't Jack or Hammond – both of whom she'd had a very close working relationship with. She respected the present general; she just didn't know him all that well.

"Uh Sir, hi." Okay – that was profound Sam. "I needed to speak with you about something rather urgent General."

Landry's usually pleasant face quickly changed and a frown began to appear. "Have a seat Colonel." After she was seated he leaned forward, a concerned look in his eye. "What is it? I hope you're alright?"

"I'm fine Sir, thank you. But it is about me – I mean – I'm afraid I won't be able to go on the mission this week – or at all – at least not for quite a while." She closed her eyes briefly. Just spit it out Sam.

"You won't – can I ask why?"

"I'm – I'm pregnant Sir."

Landry stared at her, his face blank. Sam was pretty sure he had been blindsided and didn't know quite what to say.

"This wasn't planned", she quickly filled the silence. "I mean – I was on birth control, as is required for all women going through the gate. I don't know – I guess – it just didn't work and so now I'm … pregnant."

"Uh – " Landry finally blinked. "Are congratulations in order?"

"Yes Sir", she gave him a brief smile. "I'm – we're happy but honestly, it wasn't planned. It was something of a shock in fact."

"I see. Well, as long as you're happy that's what's important so – congratulations Colonel. As for not going through the gate, I'm afraid you're correct. We'll have to take you off of active service, at least until after the baby is born."

"That's fine Sir. I am really sorry about this. I hate the fact that I'm leaving you and my team in the lurch. I hope you'll be able to find a replacement for me."

Landry gave a small laugh. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. Jack was right when he told me you were one of a kind Colonel. Still, I'll see what we can do. And don't worry – this is good news and we'll make do just fine."

"Thank you Sir", she gave a relieved smile. "Uh, there was one other thing – but I totally understand if it's not possible."

"What is it Colonel?"

"Well, I was wondering if I could take a few days leave. I don't have anything pressing on my plate this week – and since I can't go on the mission with Daniel and Teal'c, I thought maybe I could take some time? This all happened so suddenly and I need to – figure out what we're going to do."

Landry smiled. "That should be fine Colonel. If you can just send me a report on any projects you're working on before you go, then take the rest of the week off."

"Thank you Sir", she felt relieved and knew Jack would be thrilled. She stood up slowly. "I should be able to get everything to you this morning. I'll also let Daniel and Teal'c know that I'm off the rest of the week."

"Do they know about the pregnancy?"

"Yes Sir. I told them this weekend. They were happy for me, although they're trying to convince us that we need to name the baby after one of them."

Landry cracked up at that, obviously enjoying the idea of the two men fighting over whose name the baby would have. "What if it's a girl?"

"Danielle or Muriel Sir."

That caused him to laugh harder. "What about 'Jack' or 'Jacqueline'? I'm sure O'Neill wants to be in on this as well." He looked startled. "Does he know? I'll have to inform him that you're restricted for gate travel."

"He knows Sir", she nodded.

"And he's not insisting you name the baby after him?"

"No, he didn't suggest that, at least not yet."

"Probably a good thing. People might get a little suspicious if you name your child after your former commander. It might give rise to rumors and that's the last thing you need."

Sam thought for the barest second about whether she should say anything or not. Not quite sure how Landry would react, she opted for discretion. "I don't think I'll name the baby Jack", she answered, although inside she wondered if it wouldn't be a great name for her – their – child. Somehow she suspected that Jack wouldn't go for it.

"Thank you again Sir."

"No problem Colonel." Landry stood up and moved from behind his desk. He held his hand out. "I am thrilled for you. Just take care of yourself."

"I will General – thank you."

All the way to her office she wondered if she'd done the right thing. Should he have told him? Would he be angry when he found out whose baby it was? She glanced over at Walter, who was giving her a friendly smile. Yup, he definitely knew something.

As soon as she arrived back in her office she pulled out her phone and called Jack's cell.

"Hello, O'Neill here."

"Hi, it's me."

"Hi." She could almost hear him straightening up and looking a little bit happier now that he knew it was her on the line. "What's up?"

"I told General Landry – about the baby."

"Good. How'd he take it?"

"Very well considering. He congratulated me and told me not to worry about the timing."

"Good, although I didn't expect anything different from him. He's a decent guy."

"Yes, he is. One day you're going to have to tell me where you know him from."

Jack deftly avoided promising any such thing. Instead he turned the subject neatly. "So, what about -"

"He gave me leave", she interrupted. "I just have to send him some notes to let him know what I was working on and then I can go."

"Excellent", he answered in a theatrical voice. "Can you come this afternoon?"

"I'll try, but I have to pack. I'll check with Petersen to see if there are any flights."

"Good."

"Jack?"

"Yes?"

"I told the general about Teal'c and Daniel and the name thing."

"Mmm hmm?" She could tell from his voice that he was confused as to why she was telling him this.

"He asked if you also wanted me to name the baby after you."

"Really? It's kind of a nice idea. I hadn't really thought of it be-"

"Jack!"

"You don't like it?"

"No – I mean – I wasn't thinking about the name, but when he said that I wondered if I should tell him about you – that you're the father I mean."

"Oh, I see. And – did you?"

"No. I kind of -"

"Chickened out?"

"I did not chicken out. I just thought it maybe wasn't the right time."

"You chickened out."

She sighed. "Okay – yes, I did. I just don't know what he's going to think – what anyone's going to think."

"Sam, we talked about this. I thought you said you were okay with it?" He sounded suddenly serious, and she could detect a thread of worry in his voice.

"Of course I'm okay with it Jack", she reassured him. "It's just – I don't know quite how to handle it. I mean, a relationship between us was one thing, but now everyone's going to see that we're – "

"Sleeping together?"

"Yes! You don't have to worry. You're in DC and no one will look at you and go 'General O'Neill's sleeping with the woman who used to serve under him. – And don't even say it. I do not serve you in any way, especially not in bed."

"I wasn't going to say a thing."

"No, but you were thinking it!"

"So now I'm going to get in trouble for what I'm thinking?"

She laughed. "No – as long as you think good things about me!"

"Always", he answered sincerely. "Now don't worry about Hank or about what people will say. I have a suspicion that no one at the SGC is going to be surprised that we're together. As for the baby, I bet you'll find that everyone is happy for you."

"I hope so", she sighed.

"Carter!" he warned.

"I know, I'm thinking too much. Look, I'd better go so I can try and catch a transport today. I want to see you."

"Me too Carter. You go and don't worry. Everything will be just fine."

She was smiling when she hung up the phone. How did he do that? How did he always make her feel better? She turned and faced her computer, wanting to finish quickly so she could get to DC and to Jack.

Hank was buried deeply in the latest mission report from Sg-1 when the phone rang. He had to figure out who he could possibly get to replace Colonel Carter. He hadn't been kidding when he said he couldn't really replace her. There was no one quite like her. Hell, there was no one like any member of Sg-1. They were certainly a unique team. He lifted the phone absently, wondering if Jack missed being a part of Sg-1. He rather suspected he did.

"Hello."

"Hank."

Speak of the devil! It was O'Neill himself. For a brief moment he wondered if Jack somehow could see into his mind – or at least into his office. He was tempted to look around to see if there was a camera anywhere – at least a camera he didn't know about. He laughed to himself. Jack O'Neill would never do such a thing.

"General? What can I do for you?"

"Nothing Hank. Uh – this isn't an official call."

"No?" Hank was curious. As much as he and Jack had been friends for a lot of years, they weren't ones to call and chat. "What kind of call is it then?"

"Uh – a personal one. I understand that Carter was in to see you this morning."

"Ye-es", Hank answered, not giving any details. The content of his discussion with Colonel Carter was confidential.

"And she told you she can't go through the gate anymore?"

"Jack – what is this about?"

Jack sighed loudly – Hank could almost see him running his hands through his hair, leaving it standing straight up. "Well you see - I may have had something to do with that."

Hank frowned in confusion. "What? To do with what?"

"With her not going through the gate."

"How – what – what the hell are you talking about Jack? I know why she can't go through the gate and it doesn't have anything to do with you."

"Well – yes it does, actually."

"Okay, I'm assuming you know the reason behind her removal from active duty?"

"Yup – she's pregnant and pregnant women can't go through the gate."

"So, how does that have anything to do with you?"

The silence on the phone seemed to stretch on forever, but in actual fact it was only a few brief seconds. It was enough time, however, for the light bulb to go on. Landry sat up straight, his eyes bulging in shock.

"You're not telling me -?"

"What?"

"Oh my God – Jack."

"Yes Hank?" O'Neill answered, his voice thick with innocence.

"You – it was you."

"Hank?"

"You – you're the father, aren't you?"

"Yup."

This time the silence went on for longer.

"Uh – Hank?"

"Shut up Jack", Landry answered calmly. "I'm just thinking of ways to kill you that aren't going to get me in trouble."

"Oh."

It was almost two minutes later before Landry was able to speak. "You made me lose my best officer."

"I know – I'd like to say I'm really sorry but -"

"But you're not?"

"Nope", Jack answered, popping the 'p'. "Not in the slightest."

At that Landry began to laugh. "You are so going to pay for this O'Neill!"

Jack sighed dramatically. "Believe me Hank, I know. Diapers, not enough sleep, teething, colic."

"Teenagers, college …"

"By then I'll probably be in a nursing home and won't care."

"Congratulations Jack. As much as I hate you for doing this, I am really happy for you."

"Thanks Hank." Jack grew serious. "I know Carter feels badly about letting you down but it really wasn't planned."

"I know, she told me. It doesn't matter though. If you're both happy that's all that's important. So I assume she's flying to DC to spend the rest of the week with you?"

"Yeah."

"Well, have a great time and again, congratulations. And next time you're here, you owe me a huge steak dinner and as much as I can drink."

"Deal. Thanks Hank. I appreciate your understanding."

"You're welcome - Daddy."