Okay, so sue me! I thought I was nearing the end but the story insists on going on and on! I realized that I hadn't dealt with Jacob or poor Pete (don't bite my head off for saying that – remember, he's lost Sam!) so it needed a bit more. I really will finish it this weekend! I hope you don't mind and all have patience with me!

Jack had been right. The General was not happy. In fact, he was REALLY not happy. Rarely had they seen him get so angry that he had trouble speaking. Janet had practically been in tears and had received a severe reprimand. He couldn't do much to Daniel and Teal'c other than give them a tongue-lashing but both of them looked pretty sheepish by the time they'd left his office. They always thought of Hammond as a pretty easygoing man. Not today!

It was Jack and Sam who actually got off the easiest, even though they were the cause of the whole mess. Hammond was quite understanding of everything that had gone on during their captivity. Secretly, he was amazed at how long they'd lasted. He thought they would have caved much sooner, especially knowing how they felt about each other.

No, the real problem, and the reason for his anger, was that if it had been reported immediately they could have passed it off as alien influence and duress. No court would hold a soldier guilty for disobeying something like the frat regs to save a life – or to prevent torture and mutilation. It's not like they had given away earth's secrets! The trouble was the delay made it look like a cover-up. It looked like his people had worked together to keep it a secret and that they'd come up with a story to explain the pregnancy. Some people who had it in for Jack and the SGC were going to try and make something of this!

"Do we know if the 'cure' is permanent Colonel?" For his sake George hoped it was but it would help if it weren't, in the event of a court martial.

"We don't know Sir. So far I haven't suffered any kind of a relapse."

"But you haven't been separated from Major Carter for any length of time, have you?"

"Ah – no Sir."

"I see. Well, maybe that's what we should do. Let's see if this 'illness' comes back. If it does, and we can prove that Major Carter is necessary to prevent you from getting sick, then that might be all we need. If it doesn't we're going to have to figure out something else." He sighed and rubbed his head. This was giving him a terrible headache.

"So, we're hoping I have an incurable illness that is only treatable by 'being close' to Sam for the rest of my life? Is that right Sir?" O'Neill was at his sarcastic best.

"Hell Jack, I don't know. It's a lose-lose situation. I don't know what else to say. I've sent Griff with Paul Davis to the planet – both planets – where the women have gone to try and get their statements. Hopefully that will be enough." He looked up at the Colonel. "In the meantime Jack, you and the Major had better stay away from each other." He held his hand up as Jack went to protest. "I know it will be difficult but I think it's important. We don't want it to look like you're thumbing your noses at the Air Force – at least not until this is over."

"What if I get sick again?"

"We'll make sure that we bring Major Carter back quickly if need be. I've put a call into Jacob and I'm going to suggest they go and visit Mark for a few days."

"And what about me Sir?"

"You'll stay on base Colonel. That way the doctor can monitor you. It will also keep you out of trouble." He stood up and walked around to where Jack was standing, stiffly, in front of his desk. Placing his hand on the Colonel's shoulder he spoke. "I'm sorry son. I know this is hard but it'll work out in the end. The next little while is going to be difficult; just have patience." He laughed to himself. That was probably the hardest thing he could have asked of his subordinate. Everyone knew Jack didn't do patience.

"Okay Sir. I understand. And don't worry – this is worth it. I'll be on my best behavior." Smiling, he stood up straight and gave the General a classic salute.

"Can I see Sam before we're separated?"

"Of course Colonel. Jacob won't be here for a few more hours."

"Does he know?"

"Only that Sam has been found and that's she's safe. He doesn't know anything about … anything else."

"Oh joy! This is one conversation I'm not looking forward to. Do you think maybe I could go visit Thor for a while Sir?"

George laughed and waved his officer out of his office. He was confidant things would be okay.

Jack hadn't given Jacob much thought but he knew the man – Tokra? – wasn't going to be happy. Hell, if I was Jacob and my daughter was having my baby I wouldn't be happy either! On that very confusing note he went to find Sam.

"Jack, he's not going to kill you. I won't let him!"

"Yeah, but what about Selmac? Can you keep him from killing me?"

"Uh – I don't think they'll try to kill you separately."

"No – together – and that means they'll be harder to stop. No, I tell ya Sam, I think it's better if we run off and elope. I'm sure there's a nice tropical planet somewhere that the Tokra have never heard of. Maybe I still have an address or two stuck in my brain from the Ancient head-sucky thing."

"No Jack", she laughed. "As much as I love you I don't want to run away to a hidden planet somewhere. I'm sure Dad will be just fine. In fact, he'll probably be happy for us."

"Oh sure. He'll welcome me with open arms. Sam, I'm the one who MAI'THUNED his daughter! No father is going to be happy at that!"

"Well, I suggest you don't tell him like that. It sounds rather – lewd. In fact, I suggest you avoid any talk of any kind of … uh"

"Sex?"

"Yes, SEX! Between us."

"Great. I know, we'll tell him you got pregnant through some kind of alien parthenogenesis. That way he can't blame me!"

"Parthenogenesis? Jack, do you even know what that means?"

"Of course I do – non-sexual reproduction."

"How do you know that?"

"Uh, I don't know. Biology class?"

"Okay – well, you're right but I don't think he'll believe us."

"Why not? Stranger things have happened in our travels."

"He might have trouble believing it when the baby comes out and it looks like you."

"Maybe it'll look like you."

"The probability is that it'll have brown eyes and hair. If I reproduced on my own my offspring would be blond and blue-eyed. And the fact is that most babies look more like their fathers than like their mothers – scientists think it's a way that nature has of creating a bond between the infant and the father who really had no other way of knowing that the child was his."

He stared at her in wonder. Only Sam would carry on a conversation about genetics and bonding at a time like this. "So, no alien parthenogenesis?"

"No Jack, I think we have to tell him you're the father."

"Damn!"

"You don't want people to know this baby is yours?"

"Ah hell Sam, that's not what I meant. Of course I do. I'm thrilled, happy, proud, excited – all those things. I couldn't want anything more than this baby. It's just that I want to survive to see it!"

She laughed again. It really was quite amusing to see Jack in such a panic. There wasn't much in this world that frightened him. But he was obviously really worried about her father.

She turned and took his hands in hers. "Jack, my father may be a little upset at first – I think he'd be that way no matter who 'Mai'thuned' his daughter. I'm his little girl. But I also know he likes and respects you. He's not going to hurt you – I'll make sure he knows that I'd kick his ass if he did. It may take a while for him to come around, but in the end he will. He won't want to miss out on this grandchild like he did with Mark's kids for so many years." She reached over and kissed him. "And if he does threaten to kill you then we can check out that tropical planet!" She then kicked him out of her office. She needed to get a few things straightened up before heading off to visit Mark for a week.

Jack wandered around the base, driving everyone crazy. He finally tracked down Daniel – the perfect solution for his restlessness. There was nothing he enjoyed quite so much as harassing his friend.

It took Daniel a little while longer than it had Sam to finally get rid of the man. Teal'c showing up at his door saved him.

"Teal'c!" he said in relief. "Jack was just saying how much he wanted to go for a work out in the gym with you."

"I did not Daniel."

"No? Oh, I thought that's what you said. But I'm sure you'd like to, right? Teal'c would love to go with you, wouldn't you Teal'c?"

Teal'c looked like he was about to refute this but the agonized, pleading look on Daniel's face made him change his mind. "Indeed O'Neill, I would be pleased to join you."

"Thanks Teal'c but I'm waiting for Jacob. Don't want to get all hot and sweaty. I can just stay here with Daniel."

"No you can't Jack." Daniel sounded panicked. "This isn't a good place to be when Jacob comes. Uh, you should go find Sam – she probably wants you with her."

"Nah, she kicked me out of her office."

"Really? I wonder why? Hey, I bet you're hungry? Maybe Teal'c and you can go eat. You're both looking a little peaked!"

Jack sighed and stood up. "Okay Teal'c, I think Daniel is giving me a hint. Let's go get a snack." As he left he was sure he could hear Daniel mutter, "hint! I practically had to push him out the door!"

Jack was eating a piece of pie when he heard the alarms going off signifying an unscheduled gate activation. Hell, Jacob was here. Suddenly he lost his appetite.

"I believe that Jacob Carter has arrived O'Neill. Would you like me to accompany you?" Jack looked suspiciously at his friend. He wondered if Teal'c suspected he was nervous.

"Hell yes Teal'c! Do you have your staff weapon handy! If Jacob makes any sudden moves – shoot him!" The two men got up and headed to the gateroom. It took longer than normal as O'Neill walked very slowly!

When he arrived he could see Sam giving her father a hug. The former General and present Tokra almost looked teary eyed. He had to have been in agony with Sam captured.

"Jack!" Jacob cried out when he saw the Colonel enter the gateroom. "It's great to see you. I was so relieved to hear you'd made it back safely. Hi Teal'c." The Jaffa spoke briefly to Jacob, which allowed Jack the opportunity to look at Sam with a question in his eyes. The small shake of her head let him know that she hadn't said anything yet.

"Hi Jacob! Good to see you too. Yeah, it's great to be back."

"Where's George?"

"He's dealing with some important business right now" (yeah, like saving their asses!). "He said he'd see you shortly."

"Okay good. Let's all go to the Commissary and you can tell me everything. I feel like a good cup of earth coffee."

"Well then you certainly don't want to go to the Commissary", Jack murmured. "Uh, why don't you and Sam go and get caught up? I'll see you later. Teal'c, you coming?" He wondered how far away from the SGC he could get if he ran to his truck right now? Would he make it before Sam told her father what was going on?

Sam glared at him. He almost thought, for a moment there, that her eyes had glowed. "I think you should join us Sir. Dad will want to hear your side of things too." Closing his eyes (yes, your life really did flash in front of your eyes before you died), he took a deep breath.

"Okay Carter – er Carters! I'll come. Teal'c, do you want to join us?"

"That is all right O'Neill. I will visit Daniel Jackson. I believe he needs my assistance."

Coward! Jack glared at his sniveling weasel of a Jaffa friend as he escaped.

"Come on Jack", Jacob slapped him on the back. "Let's go. I want to hear all about your adventure – and don't leave out any of the details!"

Oh yeah, like that was going to happen. Jacob, just let me tell you about the day I kissed your naked daughter on the – oof! a sharp elbow interrupted his daydream. He looked down at his Major and she was giving him that look that wives and girlfriends use on their men. It was a 'don't screw this up or you're sleeping on the couch tonight' look. What a great day this was turning out to be!

"So we were right. Matsya was planning to have you get pregnant and then sell your child to Ba'al. Oh Sammie, I'm so sorry. Are you really all right?"

"Yes Dad, I'm fine. It was tough on the planet but I really wasn't hurt. The Colonel bore the brunt of it. They wanted the women healthy for pregnancy.

Jacob turned and looked at the Colonel, who had been unusually silent. "I'm sorry Jack. It must have been tough. Why did they treat you so badly? Didn't they want to use you to – ah – 'breed'?"

"Yes, but I refused. They didn't like that so they tried to force me."

"Really? How do they force someone to – ?"

"Oh you know, just a little torture here and there." When Jacob kept looking at him Jack felt compelled to continue.

"They had this little device – they stuck it in my stomach and then whenever they were unhappy they'd activate it. Hurt like hell."

"I've heard of something like that before. How did you get rid of it?"

"Oh, a friendly Jaffa hit me in the stomach and it popped right out. Good thing because it was supposed to activate if we left the compound."

"You were lucky then." He turned back to his daughter. "You're sure none of the men hurt you? I mean I'm thrilled – but it seems kind of strange if they wanted you to get pregnant. Why didn't they have any of the men 'force' you?" He looked at Sam, worried that she wasn't telling him the truth.

"Well, you see Dad, they didn't want just any child. Matsya had promised a 'Tauri' child. He wanted a child from Jack and me."

Jacob didn't look surprised at this. It's what they had expected after all. He turned to Jack. "I can only thank you Jack, for refusing to do what they wanted. I can't imagine what it would have been like if you'd been forced to – do that – and have a child together. I always knew I could count on you to look after my daughter!"

Shit! Now what. He looked at Sam, panic in his eyes. Please save me!

"Ah Dad."

"Yes Sammie?"

"There's something you should know about my time on the planet." She sounded very serious

"What? Did someone hurt you? If they did I'll kill them Sam – Selmak and I will make sure whoever the bastard is won't get away."

It looked like Jack was about to bolt so Sam reached out and put her hand on his arm.

"No Dad. No one hurt me; just the opposite in fact. Someone took great care of me and loved me."

"What? Is it that Pete guy?"

"No, I mean on Matsya's planet."

"What are you saying Sam? Someone loved you on Matsya's planet? Did you meet someone there?" Jacob was sounding very confused and Jack could see why. He figured it was time to just come out with it.

"Jacob, Sam and I fell in love. We were forced to be together on the planet otherwise they would have turned me into a eunuch or killed me. As a result Sam is pregnant." There, that was straightforward and open and honest. He turned towards Sam and freaked out when he noticed her terrified look. Oh crap, he should have let her handle this.

There was dead silence from across the table. Jacob was staring directly at him, not moving a muscle. When Jack saw his eyes flash, okay, just once it was true, he had to force himself to stay seated.

"I don't think I heard you right Jack", Jacob said softly. "I thought I heard you say you, Colonel O'Neill, took advantage of my daughter, your Second in Command, and made her pregnant. But that can't be right because that would never happen, would it Jack?"

"Ah, yes – I mean no. Hell, that's exactly what I said Jacob and you know it." He sat up straighter. "Your daughter and I are in love and we're going to have a child – which we will also love. If it hadn't been for what happened on the planet we probably would never have been in this position, but it did and here we are. We did what we had to to survive and I for one don't regret it. Sam and I have a chance for a life together and we plan to make the most of it. I'll also do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't harm Sam's career."

Jacob still sat stunned. Suddenly he came to life and stood up. "You Bastard! What the hell were you thinking? You're her commanding officer! I'm going to kill you for this!"

"Dad! Sit down and shut up!" Samantha was furious. "Don't you dare act like some Victorian father defending his daughter's virtue. I'm a grown woman and I make my own choices. In this case I chose Jack – partly because of the situation we were in but mostly because I love him and have for a long time. We were alone and frightened and we came together. I don't regret it either. I'm going to have a baby Dad – your grandchild. If you refuse to accept Jack then you are also refusing this baby and me. I won't give either of them up." She stood up and pulled Jack with her. "Think about what you risk losing Dad and decide if it's worth it." With that she turned and walked out of the Commissary.

Jack turned back to Jacob, knowing he was probably taking his life in his hands. "I love her Jacob, more that I thought it was possible to love anyone. I'd die rather than hurt her." Getting no answer he tried one last time. "She loves you and wants you to be a part of her life. If you do this you'll lose her and she'll lose someone very important to her. You don't have to like me – hell, you can hate me all you want – just try and pretend for her sake. She needs you." With that he turned and walked out, knowing he needed to find Sam.

Jacob sat for a long time thinking about what had happened. Selmak tried to reason with him but he refused to listen. He was angry and wanted to nurse that anger. He felt as if his world had just tipped upside down!

Jacob was so proud of his daughter and he had known she would probably make General one day. At least she would have. Knowing the Air Force he was pretty positive that this would stop any chances she had. Even if they weren't court martialled for this it would be a black mark on her record – an invisible one, maybe, but one which would follow her forever.

With a heavy heart he decided to go and see George.

"That went well." Jack stood in the doorway to Sam's office. He didn't know what she was doing but whatever it was it didn't look good for the parts she was bashing around on her desk.

"Ah, take it easy Sam. You could hurt yourself."

"It's him I want to hurt Jack. The stupid, damn jerk! What right does he have to talk to me – or to you - like that? Who does he think he is?"

"Your father?"

"Don't you start to defend him Jack. He was wrong and pig-headed."

"Yeah, I agree, but give him some time. It was a shock Sam and I know I didn't handle it well, but maybe he'll come around."

"You don't know my father very well if you think that! He never changes his mind once it's made up."

"Oh, I don't know about that Sam. I've seen him be pretty flexible at times. And didn't he make the first move with Mark."

"Why are you defending him? He just threatened to kill you."

"Yeah, and I'd probably do the same thing. Sam, you have to know that I'm no great prize. No father would want to see their daughter stuck with an aging flyboy with bad knees and a pretty bleak history."

She didn't say anything at first, simply walked up to him. She then spoke softly. "Permission to not be Major Carter right now Sir?"

"Huh? What? Okay, I guess so Sam."

"Thank you." With that she hauled back and slugged him hard on the arm. Damn that hurt. He'd probably have a bruise there tomorrow.

"Hey, whatdya do that for?"

"For talking stupid Sir. You are absolutely a prize and I won't have you disparaging yourself like that. I'm honored that you chose me. You could have had any woman on this base – they're all in love with you (or with Daniel). No, this has nothing to do with you – except that you're my CO – which does make it a bit worse. No, Dad would react like this to anyone. He still thinks of me as a 13-year-old girl. God, you should have seen the way he treated my first boyfriend. The poor kid wouldn't even look at me after Dad got through with him!"

"I can assure you that I will still look at you Carter. In fact, I'll do more than 'look'." He waggled his eyebrows at her, which made her laugh. She leaned against Jack's chest. She needed him to hold her right now. The whole thing was so upsetting!

"Come on. You need to go home and rest. Get your things and I'll drive you." She knew she shouldn't go with him – they were supposed to be discrete right now – but frankly, she didn't care. She needed him.

As they drove silently to her house she thought about her father. She was still so angry with him, but even more she was hurt. It felt terrible when someone you counted on let you down. She looked over at Jack and smiled to herself. He was one man she knew would never let her down.

Just before they reached her house she had another, less pleasing thought. Her father had mentioned Pete and she realized she hadn't even given the man a call. This was going to be another difficult conversation. She was just about to wound a good and honorable man. She could feel the tears starting to form in her eyes. The last thing she had ever wanted to do was to hurt people she cared about and it looked like she was about to do it to two of the men in her life.

The truck stopped and Jack got out and opened her door. Taking her arm he led her up to the house and, unlocking the door, guided her inside and down the hall to her bedroom. Once there he made her sit on the bed and proceeded to undress her. When she was wearing nothing but her underwear he pulled the covers down and tucked her in bed.

"Jack" she called tearfully, "I don't want to be alone."

Pulling off his shirt he answered, "and you won't be – never again." Climbing in beside her he put his arms around her and pulled her to him. Holding her he stroked her back until he felt her breathing even out. Soon, she was asleep. He continued to hold her, knowing that she needed the comfort and grateful that he was the one who could offer it to her. Soon he too fell asleep.