Author's note: Here we go, the next chapter! Hope you'll like it.

Very special thanks to LuSo  LOTS OF HUGS FOR YOU!

Chapter 9

"I'm capable of taking care of myself." She stated; her voice louder than intended.

"I know, Sam but look at you. He slapped you and you just stood there doing nothing. I know you can kick his ass but you didn't, and that's why I'm glad I was here to do it for you."

"I don't need you to look after me, Jack. I did a pretty good job myself the last three years."

"You think so?" The words slipped out unintended but anger rose deep inside him.

Here she was at his cabin with their daughter, who he didn't know about for two years, and now she was angry with him for trying to help. He didn't understand her, didn't understand why she left him.

"Why didn't you tell me? How could you leave me, when you knew you were pregnant with our child?" Her eyes grew bigger and she gasped. He knew? He had to find out that he was the father of their child by overhearing an argument she had with Pete?

"Yeah Sam, I heard you. And there's just one thing I'd like to know: Why didn't you tell me?" She was shocked, she didn't realise he might have overheard her confession, but obviously he had.

"And then what? Get court-martialled? Let this destroy your career, just because of me?"

"What? Just because of you? It takes two to tango, you know. It was my choice to, lets face it I didn't exactly protest I was a willing participant."

"I should have known better, Jack. I shouldn't have come to your cabin in the first place, and…" She stopped that train of thought.

"And what, Sam?" Jack encouraged her to continue. Inside he was still mad at her for keeping their child a secret, but his question was gentle, as though he was hesitant to ask. He didn't want to pressure her, but he needed answers. It wasn't easy for her either. He knew her well, even after three years, and she wouldn't just run away without proper reasons. Although, he wasn't sure he'd understand them, he knew she had always over thought things. Did she doubt the fact that he loved her? He'd told her the weekend they'd spent at his cabin three years ago.

"… And I shouldn't have forgotten that I hadn't had my shots for birth control." She brushed past him and let herself down on the couch.

"You know we could have figured it out, but there is something else. What is it?"

"You know we were military, I didn't want you to think I did it on purpose, you know; getting pregnant to bind you to me." Jack sat down next to her, his arm brushing Sam's.

"I'd never think that." he was shocked, and murmured: "We would have found a solution, and it would have spared all the pain of the past three years."

In her mind's eye Sam could see the last three years passing by: her leave of the SGC, her wedding, the day when she gave birth to Jack's child, her fights with Pete and the numerous times she had picked up the phone to call her friends and the moments she had decided against doing so. All the walls she had erected over the past three years finally trembled and she started to sob, the tears that had been welling up in her eyes finally broke free. When she'd left the SGC she had been sure she'd done the right thing, but now she doubted that decision: They could have figured it out! Her sobs got heavier as she was filled with regret and he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close in a comforting embrace. She'd hurt him, but he had never been able to stand seeing her cry. His former 2IC was in tears and she finally hugged him back.

"I'm so sorry, Jack…I was…I just…" He felt her tears soaking the thin material of his shirt.

"Shhh…it's alright." He assured her, his voice cracking with emotion, both knowing that it wasn't true. Silent tears ran down his cheeks. Nothing was all right. Her life was a mess and so was his. Here they were; back at the cabin where all this drama had begun, crying in each other's arms; seeking and giving comfort. Neither of them knew how long they stayed like that but eventually they calmed down.

"How are you feeling?" he said looking into her eyes and cringing at the black eye Pete had given her.

"Fine. You?" he nodded but there was no honesty in his actions, he didn't feel fine, and neither did she.

"Let's get back to Nan and Al's and pick up Charlotte. I guess they're wondering where we are." He suggested. "Or would you rather stay here? I can pick her up, it's no problem." She shook her head no and strode towards the bathroom.

"Just give me a sec here. I want to go with you; see that she's safe for myself."

"I'm still wondering how he found me?" Sam stated on their trip back to the Robertson's." He must have used some sort of tracking device." She mused.

"Hey, don't worry. He's not coming back." One of his hands left the steering wheel to search for hers.

"I hope he won't. You know; he told me he'd just take Charlotte with him, because he knew I'd follow her everywhere."

"So would I, to the ends of the Earth…. the universe for that matter" She squeezed his hand and their fingers entwined.

"I know…. I'm so sorry." She added as an after thought.

"We'll figure it out Sam, I promise." Jack assured her.

She nodded and looked at him. They'd find a solution. Hopefully it'd be one including: the three of them, a house, a dog and all the other little bonuses a life with Jack O'Neill would bring.