Chapter Nine.

Daniel and Teal'c had told Sam everything they new of their circumstances. Once they'd debriefed with the General, Sam had worked tirelessly to determine what had happened and how they were going to fix it. It took her two solid days but, as always she got there.

Now they were all sitting around the briefing table after having listened to Sam's report, discussing their next course of action.

"It is imperative Jack that the wormholes are established at precisely the same moment." Sam was saying,

Jack always loved the sound of Sam's voice even, and maybe especially, when she was techno-babbling about something that had her excited, but it was nothing compared to hearing his name in amongst it. And he figured he was getting way too used to it.

"Sam, you said we have no way of communicating with them, how are we going to know when to activate the 'gate?" Daniel asked.

"O'Neill, you have said that SG-1's mission to P3X 292 was scheduled for a duration of four days." Teal'c rumbled, his hands clasped calmly together in front of him.

"Yeah, they were due back Monday at 2300." Jack replied, understanding where Teal'c was going with this he continued. "You think they'll figure this out too and go for that time?"

"It makes sense. They were the ones due back then. I'd say it's our best bet Jack." Sam said. She smiled at him sweetly.

She was being a bit cheeky she knew, but she couldn't help it. At their first briefing after she'd woken from the sedative he'd actually asked her to call him General or sir. 'Carter, I understand you are a USAF Colonel where you're from?' He'd said. She'd replied in the affirmative of course and he proceeded to ask her to address him in the proper fashion for a Colonel to address a General and her commanding officer. Sam felt herself overwhelmingly amused by this. She told him in no uncertain terms that as she was likely from an alternate reality, he was not actually her CO, therefore she was under no obligation to treat him as such. She was quite proud that she managed it without grinning her butt off. She knew he didn't mean anything bad by the dressing down. They'd discussed the 'name' thing once and Sam knew that having her call him Jack made him uncomfortable. It had nothing to do with ranks or superiority complexes it was just too personal for him. That's why he never called her by her first name; he couldn't allow all those barriers to crack. He and his Sam were not together in this reality, she didn't know why exactly, and she knew Jack well enough not to bother asking, but she decided she might have to do something about it before she left tomorrow night.

I will not smile back at her. I swear she's doing it on purpose! Jack thought to himself, managing through sheer force of godlike will to keep his face straight. Damnit, how can her smile do that to me?!

"Ok well that's the plan then. We'll dial out to P3 whatever at 2300 hours Monday, SG-3'll be going out to the planet a half hour before." He said, turning away from her and resolutely refusing to glance back in her direction.

"Jack, SG…" Daniel began, but was cut off by Jack.

"Uh ah! I need someone there to observe and tell me what happened later Daniel and SG-3 are the only team available."

"Jack," Sam began.

Damn, if I look at her she'll smile at me again. Ordinarily Jack went out of his way to make Carter smile, but since the body swapping thing – or was that mind swapping – anyway he felt it wasn't right, like he'd be cheating on her or something…Whoa!! So not appropriate CO thoughts. Her open smile coupled with the 'Jack' stuff just blurred the line too much. If it was his Carter he probably wouldn't mind, actually he'd probably be pretty damn happy about it but this wasn't his Carter. This one was married to the other him, the one that was currently with his Carter who was carrying his child according to this Carter…ah crap, that head-ache's comin' back.

Sam noticed the General rub at his temples.

"Jack?" She said with concern in her voice.

"What? Oh sorry Carter, what were ya sayin'?"

"I was going to say Jack, that I suggest any travel to and from P3X 292 should be done via the Alpha Site, to ensure this doesn't happen again."

"This could happen again?" Jack asked in disbelief.

"The chances are slim, as I said the conditions have to be just right, but it is still possible. I advise erring on the side of caution in this case."

"Good idea Carter. Ok campers, that's it then." The General stood and noticed Sam quickly follow. She may call him Jack, but she still treated him with the respect he'd always gotten from her, well mostly. "You guys…do whatever it is you do until Monday I guess. Carter, lock the new travel protocols into the computer system."

"Yes Jack." Sam replied.

'Yes Jack', 'Yes Jack!' Seriously he liked the sound of that way too much.

He turned abruptly, heading to his office, but stopped mid-stride and turned back.

"So dinner in the commissary at 1830?" He asked them collectively.

They nodded. Sam smiled again, Jack's stomach flipped and he groaned internally. But Daniel voiced their answer.

"Sure Jack?"

With that Jack returned to his office, thinking he was a glutton for punishment to be having dinner with her and yet found himself hardly able to wait, and SG-1 left the briefing room to wait for Monday. No words were spoken between them. None were needed; they all knew that if their plan didn't work they'd be stuck here for good. Daniel and Teal'c shared a concerned glance as they made their way down the spiral staircase. This would be hardest for Sam, she'd be losing her husband and her unborn child.

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Sam was bored. Sam did not do bored well. Most people didn't know this about her because she always had an aura of control and calm about her. She never showed her boredom externally the way Jack did. When Jack was bored everyone knew about it.

She smiled to herself and opened one of the drawers in the lab desk that belonged to this world's Carter. Sure enough she found what she was looking for - four yoyos, three juggling balls and a huge pile of 'AA' batteries just the perfect size for a Gameboy.

Her smile grew.

Teal'c and Daniel had gone to their on base quarters for the night, but she couldn't sleep and Jack had expressly forbidden her from 'playing with his Carter's toys.'

Hence her boredom.

She had to admit she was a little peeved at this Jack for that command, although she kind of appreciated it too. She wouldn't want anyone fiddling around in her lab either. Jack better have done the same thing or I'm going to kick his ass.

That thought brought with it images of Jack's sexy ass and she smiled again.

Her hand travelled to her abdomen and her smile faded. Her stomach was flat and firm again, her body in peak physical condition. She'd been told by Janet that it would take at least three to four months for her to get back to field ready fitness after the baby was born. SG-1 was to be put on stand down and she and Jack planned to take extended leave together for that time. God she missed him! She so much wanted him to hold her, to bury his face in her neck and rock her gently. No one, absolutely no one can hug like Jack. Her one comfort was that both he and the baby were safe. She'd avoided thinking too much about anything. Afraid that it would lead her to another breakdown, she put all her effort and concentration into her work. It wasn't hard, she'd had lots of practice at using her work to suppress her feelings over the years, especially when it came to one Jack O'Neill.

She began to wonder again at the reasons for the Jack and Sam of this reality not being together. There didn't seem to be that many differences between these universes. The very situation they were in was a testament to that fact. In fact the only differences they could discern was that they weren't together and that in this world Janet had been killed. She felt a pang of sympathy for her other self.

She glanced at her watch, 2230. If she knew him well, and she did, Jack would still be on base, he'd never go home while his team was in any way compromised. He'd be off duty, but too wired to sleep.

Commissary.

Sam rose and headed for the commissary.

He wasn't there. Ok maybe he was different from her Jack; she figured she'd make sure.

There was an airman sitting alone in the corner, reading. She strode toward him.

"Airman!" She snapped.

The man shot to his feet at attention. "Ma'am."

"Has General O'Neill been in here recently?"

"Yes ma'am. The General took a plate and left with it about five minutes ago ma'am." He replied, nervously. It was common knowledge that Colonel Carter didn't anger easily. It was also common knowledge that when she did – look out.

Sam took pity on him, she wasn't really angry after all, she was just frustrated and annoyed with a certain man. But now that she knew she wasn't wrong only off by five minutes, she felt better.

"Thankyou airman." She said gently and gave him a small smile to reassure him that he wouldn't be scrubbing latrines for the rest of his life.

She turned and headed out of the commissary. He had taken his food away with him, it would be pie and she knew where he would have taken it.

Sure enough, there he was, sitting behind his desk looking adorable, pen in hand and a plate with nothing but crumbs on it to the side. She was always amazed at how he could eat a slice of pie in two mouthfuls. Too bad she'd missed it.

He looked up at her as soon as she'd come close to his open doorway, there was no sneaking up on Jack O'Neill.

She knocked on the door frame. "Can I come in?"

"Sure Carter, what can I do for you?" He replied.

She walked slowly noting the stack of files on his desk. "I'm not disturbing you am I Jack?"

"No." He waved a hand at the desk, "nothing I don't desperately want to be disturbed from Carter. What's up?"

She ignored the question.

She couldn't help the slight smirk that appeared on her face as a wicked plan formed in her mind. She shouldn't do it, it was pretty cruel, but seeing Jack's face…she just couldn't help herself.

"Shouldn't you be off duty and going home by now?"

She had framed it as a question but her tone of voice and the terrifyingly feral look in her eyes told Jack it wasn't. "Oh well… ah…"

Sam knew there were aspects of her personality that this Jack was not privy to. Of course her playful and rather devilish side could have something to do with her spending far too much time with her beloved husband, but who cared, the point was this one wouldn't have a clue it even existed, so basically she could get him but good.

"Jack." She repeated, lowering her head slightly and gazing at him through her eyelashes with her most seductive smile. She really shouldn't be doing this, but she had decided that this Jack needed a push in the right direction.

Jack swallowed nervously. Nervous, Jack was never nervous and yet this woman… he was actually nervous at the look she gave him, a look he'd seen only in his fantasies.

Oh God!

He stood up as she came around the desk his left hand stretched out protectively in front of himself. His chair flew back.

"Ah Carter…"

"Jack, my name is Sam, try it Sssaaammm." She drew out her own name as she advanced on him, forcing him to back up. She managed to suppress a grin and maintain her sexy leer. This was just too easy.

"Carter, this isn't…" His back met the wall and he trailed off as her forefinger touched his lips.

"Jack, you are not my CO. I'm just Sam and you're just Jack." Her voice came out in a sultry whisper as her lips hovered over his ear. "And you're mine."

Her possessive statement was the sexiest damn thing he'd ever heard.

She bit his earlobe gently and flicked it with the tip of her tongue, knowing full well how much he liked it.

He growled deep in his chest, was that him, and his eyes closed involuntarily.

He opened them again as she released his ear and dragged her lips from his ear over his cheek and to his mouth, where she hovered, her wide blue eyes gazing up into his.

She was so close.

He should push her away, he should stop her but instead his arms disobeyed, they came up, his hands resting lightly on her hips. His brain wouldn't function properly, all he was aware of was the intoxicating scent of her, the delicious pressure of her soft body pressing into the hard planes of his, her sweet breath on his lips and her bright sapphire eyes. Carter's eyes…inches away from his. He can't move, he's suspended in those eyes, forgetting that there's another Carter behind them. His brain chants one thing over and over, 'Sam.'

She saw him falter, saw the moment of weakness. Felt his warm hands settle on her hips in a tentative touch. She closed the distance and pressed her lips to his.

Her kiss was soft at first but then he felt her tongue run along his lower lip.

And that was it.

"Sam." He growled her name. One hand came up to cup the nape of her neck, his fingers threading into her hair, the other took a firmer hold of her hip and he kissed her.

Suddenly she felt herself spin.

With a deft move Jack spun them around pinning her hard against the wall with the entire length of his body. He wanted her, he always had. He wanted her desperately right here and now up against this damn wall.

Damn but this man can kiss! She was half afraid her little plan might have back-fired but then…

He froze suddenly, their lips still pressed together.

This wasn't right, he thought, god it felt wonderful, but something wasn't right.

He opened his eyes, looking into hers and ever so slowly pulled his lips away. She's not Carter, this isn't Carter, Carter would never do this.

Breathing heavily he lowered his head to her shoulder for a moment. He braced both arms against the wall at her back and pushed his body off hers. He lifted his head, "You're not my Sam," He said hoarsely.

She smiled broadly at him, her seductive face gone. He was surprised and stepped away from her.

"But you want her don't you, I just proved that." She replied, "You reacted to me because you forgot for a minute that I'm not her."

He didn't know how to reply, his body was still giving him grief and he struggled to regain his equilibrium. He scrubbed at his face with both hands as he turned away from her. But Sam wasn't letting him off that easily.

"Do you love her? Doesn't matter I know you won't answer, don't talk about this sort of thing. Ordinarily I don't either, but I will say this. If she's anything like me, and I have a feeling she is, she loves you too. More than anything, more than she ever thought it was possible for someone to love."

He stared at her, not believing what he was hearing. His own thoughts echoed back to him from Carter's mouth, only not quite.

"You're not her, you don't know!" He barked. "For one thing my Carter would never have done that!" He waved between them. "with her CO."

"Unless she was under alien influence right?" She smirked at him.

"Yes well…That's not the point!"

"No the point is, you are not my CO. And you're not my Jack, my Jack married me. He found a way."

"So you cheat on you're husband often do ya?" Jack was getting seriously irked by this whole situation. No way was she anything like his Carter.

"Well since you Jack O'Neill, are my husband, albeit in a different reality, its not exactly cheating, especially considering this is actually her body. Besides which, I did it deliberately Jack. I wanted to know if you felt anything for her and I knew it wouldn't go too far."

"And how exactly did you know that."

"Because I know you, you weren't kissing me, you were kissing her. And I knew you'd realise it."

She was right. He'd only responded to her the way he did because as he gazed into her perfect eyes he saw Sam, his Sam. He broke the kiss, because his soul – his brain wasn't functioning – screamed that it wasn't Sam and he'd listened.

"Look Jack, just think about it. Talk to her when she gets back. And let me tell you she will get back because I'm due to give birth to our baby any day now…" She stopped as her voice cracked a little, betraying her emotions on the subject.

Jack noticed, and his voice softened.

"So you really are supposed to be…" He still couldn't say it.

"Pregnant. Yes Jack." Her voice was very soft and soothing now. He didn't get to hear that voice often, but he loved it every time. "You said you wanted to be a father again."

I did, he did? Jack couldn't speak. He knew somewhere deep inside that he would have loved to be a father again. Problem was, the only woman in the whole damn universe he wanted to have a child with was Carter.

She moved to him again and placed her hand on his arm. With a squeeze she released him and left the room.

Jack took a deep breath as he ran a hand through his hair. He could still taste her lips, her tongue, and as incredible as it was, he knew that kissing his Sam would be so much more.

He looked at the pile of paperwork on his desk, but couldn't face it right now. He would try to get some sleep and try desperately not to think too much about what just happened. Thinking was always bad.

A/N: I'm afraid Sam may have been a little OOC here, but i kinda like the idea of cheeky Sam. A side of that's always been there but Jack hasn't seen before. Plus i just felt like some Jack and Sam lovin'. Please review and let me know what you think. And thanks for reading. Special thanks to all who have reviewed - blue jello for all of you.