After the Divide Chpt 3
Author's note: I guess I should have posted this on the first chapter on the rewrite, but I guess I assumed that most had read the original. In response to some inquiries about the story, this is an AU. It doesn't follow the along with the episodes of the first season very well because obviously I have to accommodate that Sam is pregnant in my story.
There have also been concerns that Col. O'Neill doesn't seem to be in character. To be frank, that early in the show we're still learning about him, and not having been through everything that they had been through by the end of the series we cannot with certainty say how Jack, Sam, Daniel or Teal'c would react to every little thing. That give us authors a great leeway in what to do with our characters.
Jack loved his son therefore I think the knowledge that he had another child on the way would be enough to shake him out of any established patterns of behavior that he would deem not good.
I highly disagree with several of my readers that there was not in any way any feelings between them that early in the show. I think they had attraction all over the place. And attraction is a great motivator for more.
I do however thank those who emailed me with their well written constructive criticism. I have not had any flames, but I felt I should at least respond to my readers and rather than say the same thing over and over I just posted it here.
I hope you all keep reading!
Thanks!!!
Minor disclaimer: I don't own em, never have and never will!!! I am just having a little fun in my own sick little twisted corner of the universe!!! Now on with the story!!
The drive in to the base the next morning was quiet. Sam had woken up early running to the bathroom. Jack had let her be figuring that she would like her privacy. After a few minutes she emerged from the bathroom and found Jack waiting in the kitchen with a glass of juice and dry toast for her.
They simply smiled at each other and headed out the door. Jack had helped her into his truck and headed for the base. Sam quietly ate her toast, contemplating the events of the previous day. In the span of 24 hours, Sam had been to another planet, become ill, learned she was pregnant, by her commanding officer no less, and said commanding officer had more or less proposed to her. There's a thought. Mrs. Jack O'Neill. she thought to herself. She turned to the man beside her and studied him as he drove. He was definitely good looking like Janet had said. He was a little crass, somewhat short tempered and generally irreverent to the powers that be, but he always got the job done and tried to do the right thing.
She turned away before he caught her staring at him. She wasn't ready to talk about what was on her mind. Am I actually considering marrying him? She asked herself. Yes. She admitted. It's not like I am in love with him. Not yet, but I could be. She continued thinking as they headed up the mountain drive that would take them into the heart of Cheyenne Mountain and to the SGC.
Sam was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice Jack park the truck and kill the engine. He even got out and had opened her door before she realized what was going on.
"You ok?" He asked holding the door open for her.
"I'm fine, sir. Just thinking and not paying attention."
"Thinking about good things, I hope."
"Yes, sir." She replied with a cryptic smile that left him tingling all over. Watch it, Jack. You're not supposed to fall in love with her, remember? He thought to himself. Yea, whatever.
Outwardly he simply smiled and they headed to the first of many checkpoints they would have to pass through before reaching the SGC located beneath NORAD.
The briefing was scheduled at 0900. It was just before 0800, so Jack went ahead and escorted Sam down to see Janet. They continued on in silence. Neither knew really what to say to the other. Soon they were at the infirmary.
"I guess I'll see you at the briefing." Jack said turning to go.
"Jack, you can stay. Janet's just going to check up on me and set a date for an initial sonogram. You want to be there, don't you?"
"Absolutely." He responded smiling, following her into the infirmary.
"Morning, Janet." Sam called to her friend. Janet looked up from her desk and quickly got up to greet them.
"Good morning. I hear there was some excitement at your place last night? Everything all right?" Janet asked.
"How'd you hear?" Jack asked.
"Daniel. He's already been here this morning."
"Ahh." Jack responded.
"I guess somebody didn't like my décor. We walked in on a burglary in progress. My house is trashed but, nobody got hurt. The perps got away though." Sam answered.
"How bad is it?" the petite doctor inquired.
"Holes in the walls, carpet ripped up. There is trash everywhere. Looks like they broke in shortly after I reported for our last mission three days ago. They were looking for something, and before you ask I've got no idea what. I bought the house when I took this posting, and since you know we've been heavy in the off world rotation I'm usually only there one to maybe three days of each week. So I don't know. We're waiting on the reports from the crime scene guys. So we'll see."
"Well I'm glad nobody got hurt. I told you having him around would be beneficial." Janet replied flipping through Sam's chart.
Sam blushed profusely and avoided looking directly at Jack. Jack was not usually really good at reading people, but he recognized a blush when he saw one so decided not to ask what the good doctor meant.
"So, Doc, when do we get to meet junior?" He asked.
"Already decided it's a boy, huh?" Janet asked smiling.
"Nope. Just can't think of anything else to call the baby. At this point I'll take what I can get. As long as he or she is healthy."
"Well if you come back this afternoon around 3pm, I can do the ultrasound then. Of course that is as long as we're not in the middle of an emergency down here." Janet said taking Sam's blood pressure and checking her temp. "Any nausea, pain, or dizziness?"
"I was a little dizzy when I woke up this morning, but it passed quickly." Sam responded.
"Hmmm, we'll see if that passes in a few days. You were so not in good shape yesterday. Your body will probably even out in a bit. Oh while I am thinking about it. I had these sent over from the academy hospital." She finished handing Sam a bottle of prenatal vitamins.
Sam opened the bottle and was taken aback at the size of the pills.
"Geez, Janet these pills are huge." Jack laughed at Sam's excited observation. "What are you laughing at?" Sam asked turning to him.
"Sarah said the same thing when she learned she was going to have to take those things. But they really are good for you." He replied.
"Sam, you need to take one a day, EVERY DAY, it's very important that you take them. The baby will get everything its needs from your body even at the expense of you. You will be the one needing the vitamins because your body is going to give everything to the baby."
"I know, but you should try taking these things, Janet." Sam responded taking the proffered glass of water and downing a pill. Janet made some more notes and told them she would see them at 3 o'clock.
Sam quickly got off the bed and was followed by Jack out of the infirmary.
"I need to get a few things from my lab before the briefing. I'll meet you there, ok?" Sam said heading off to her office.
"Everything ok." Jack asked.
"Everything's fine, Sir. You need to get your notes from your office and I need to get a cup of coffee." She whispered.
"Ahh, you know that's not good for the baby." He whispered back to her.
"I know but I am just going to have to cut down." She whispered a twinge of guilt sounding in her voice.
"Hey don't feel bad, Sara struggled with the number of cokes she drank. At least coffee doesn't have all the extra stuff that cokes have in them. Go get your coffee. I won't say anything to Janet." He smiled conspiratorially and headed off to his office.
Sam headed off to Daniel's office. It wasn't far from her lab. She could raid his coffee stash; grab the few things she needed from her lab, and then go on to the briefing. The door to Daniel's office was open and he didn't appear to be there, but he had been here recently as evidenced by the freshly brewed pot of coffee. She went over and got a cup out and found a note by the sugar. It read:
Sam,
Sorry not here to chat. Had a few last minute things to do before the briefing. But enjoy the coffee anyway..
Later,
Daniel.
She smiled. He knew she would come looking for coffee. The guys were really sweet. She made her cup of coffee and drank it on the way to her lab. She went over to her desk and sat down for a moment savoring the warm brown liquid that had sustained her through many a long night and day. She watched the swirling steam come off the top of the liquid and marveled at how such a small thing can demand so much attention and control a person's actions. *Kind of like a baby.* she thought. She thought again how much her life was about to change. She sat there for a few minutes just drinking the coffee before she looked up at the clock and realized the time. She drained the last dregs of the coffee and set the cup down. She gathered her things and headed off to the briefing room.
She made it to the briefing just in time. She quickly took her seat next to Jack as he gave her a questioning look. She gave him the don't worry about it look, which for the moment he seemed to accept.
"Now, people, I trust you are all rested and ready to enlighten me as to events of your recent mission."
"Yes, sir." Jack responded. "Well, we went, we saw trees, Danny played with some roc…"
"Artifacts, Jack." Daniel interjected.
"Right, artifacts, rocks same thing. Carter got sick, we came home. That's it in a nutshell."
"I see. You concur with the Colonel's report, Captain?" Gen. Hammond inquired, a slight smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. Trust Col. O'Neill to deliver the short story.
"Yes, sir. It was a rather uneventful trip, General. I think the site is rich with scientific information. I would like to send another team of scientists through to run more tests."
"And I would like to go back with an archaeology team, General. Preliminary date from the MALP indicated there were some ruins not far from where we were." Daniel put in.
"I guess you'll both be pleased to know that your request for the SGC to create a science team and an archaeology team was approved by the President. He agrees that we need not only to defend ourselves but learn about and from the peoples we will encounter. So we have two new teams, SG 2o whose members will be rotated to suit the needs of the each mission, and SG 21 whose members will be permanent. In anticipation of this decision we've already trained and cleared several of the scientists for off world travel. As well we've already vetted and cleared several archaeologists that Dr. Jackson recommended."
"Really?
"Yes, Doctor. Your top four candidates signed all the appropriate paperwork and are currently being housed in the VIP quarters. This team will be under your direction. Get them ready to leave with SG10 in the morning. I trust 4 days will get you started?"
"Absolutely." Daniel responded excitedly.
"Captain, I'll send the SG20 with them as well. Please outline what tests you want done for the time they will be there and have your people ready to leave with SG10 at 0700 tomorrow morning."
"Yes, sir." Sam replied making notes on her notepad of the tests and the people she should send.
"Colonel, in the meantime, I expect you to get your backlog of reports done. I have not yet decided on a temporary replacement for Captain Carter, pending her return to Gate travel. SG-1 is not scheduled to be off world for another two weeks so you will have plenty of time to get them done."
"Yes, General." Jack replied glumly.
"Teal'c, you may join Dr. Jackson if you would like."
"Hey, Teal'c, you can help me with my reports." Jack put in.
"I shall accompany Dr. Jackson, General." Teal'c responded not even acknowledging Jack's comment.
"Before we are done, do we have a report from the CSI team from Captain Carter's home?" Hammond asked.
"No, sir. I checked in with Major Starnes this morning and she said she would have the report to you and Captain Carter by the end of the day." Col O'Neill responded.
"Very well, dismissed people." General Hammond said and stood to leave. The officers at the table all stood as he left. Daniel and Sam began gathering their notes, each already making mental lists of things that needed to be done before SG10 gated out in the morning.
"Well I guess you both are going to your labs to get things ready for tomorrow." Sam and Daniel nodded in unison. "Which means, I guess, that I'll get a start on the paperwork." Jack quipped. "Lunch at 1130?" Again they both nodded in unison. He took that as the affirmative and left to start processing the massive pile of reports that had accumulated in such a short time.
Later that morning, Jack had made a serious dent in his paperwork and was tired of looking at it. He looked at his clock, 11:15. Can't hurt to head that way. He got up and headed down to Carter's Lab.
It took a few minutes to get down there and as he approached her lab he noticed that her door was open so he slowed down so that he could observe. He quietly took up a spot in her doorway just watching her work. She was staring intently at her computer and making notes on a notepad. He could swear he saw the gears turning in her mind. After a moment he decided he would probably embarrass her if she caught him staring so he announced his presence.
"I hear they are serving lasagna and blue jello for lunch and its going fast."
Sam looked up and smiled. Leave it to Jack to find a way to make her smile.
"Then I guess we had better get down there." Her stomach growled as if in agreement with her decision.
"Come on, Captain, time to feed Junior." Jack said standing in her doorway motioning for her to join him. She got up and joined him. They headed in the general direction of the mess hall. They made a quick stop at Daniel's office only to find it empty.
"Guess he went on ahead." Sam offered.
"Not likely, you science types have to be reminded to eat. He's off doing something alright but its not eating." As if to prove the point as they rounded the corner, they ran into Daniel with his nose buried in a report.
"Jack, Sam, Going somewhere?" Daniel said stopping before he ran them over.
"Yea, Daniel. Lunch. Now." Jack said grabbing Daniel's shoulders and turning him around and heading again in the direction of the mess hall.
"It's lunch time?" Daniel asked following.
"Yup, happens every day about this time." Jack responded as they walked through the doors of the commissary. They all got in line and got their trays. They joined Teal'c, who had already arrived, at a table in the back of the commissary and proceeded to eat their meal in companionable silence. None of the felt the need to fill the silence and so they ate. As Jack was finishing up he took the opportunity to watch his "science twins" as he had come to call them. They both ate their meals methodically in pattern. Daniel ate one at a time before going on to the next one and, Sam taking bites from each item on her plate in a repeating pattern. Some of the things they did never ceased to amuse him.
Sam and Daniel quickly finished up and Daniel excused himself to finish his preparations for the trip out the next morning. Teal'c deciding he didn't want to get wrangled into helping Jack with his reports, nodded at both Jack and Sam and followed Daniel out. Their leaving left Sam and Jack alone. Not really knowing what else to say, Jack said, "So you want to me at the infirmary at 3 or should I come get you a few minutes before?"
"Anxious?"
"In a way, I suppose. I never thought I would be a father again."
"Probably best if you come get me. I have a lot to do in the next few hours and I really might forget about it; whereas you with all that paperwork will be staring at the clock intently willing 3 o'clock to get here." She responded getting up and putting her tray away. "I'll see you later, Colonel." She called and strolled out the door.
"Later, Captain." The Colonel called after her. He sat there a few more minutes and then put his tray away as well and went back to his paperwork. When he got back to his office, he realized that he had managed to kill a whopping 45 minutes. He still had three hours before he would see the first pictures of his new baby.
"Man, 3 o'clock cannot get here fast enough!" He said sitting down to his desk.
I'll try to get the next part up in the next few days…sorry to leave you hanging; I'm still working out the details of the pregnancy. And all that…Please R&R!!!