A/N: Once again I am so sorry that I haven't posted sooner. I've been so busy with training now that I am out of the academy - there's not much time to do anything but sleep! And I'm sad to say I hit a bit of a writers block. It's not always easy figuring out how to get the characters to where you want them to go in a story. I don't know when I'll post again but PLEASE don't think I've given up. This will not be left as an incomplete wip - i just don't know when I'll finish it :(

"It's not that funny," Jack grumbled at her while she tried to smother her giggles. "Hey you," he said as he shook the paint brush in her direction, nearly splattering her with paint. "No giggling Colonel."

"Jack! You're awful at painting."

"Yeah well – you need to get out of here. Paint fumes aren't good for prego's like you. Hey," Jack cried as he rubbed the back of his head. Sam had managed to hit him square in the back of the head with an unused paint roller. "Watch it Carter."

"Jack, stop before you ruin the walls. Come help me up and I'll let you take a break until the others get here."

"Sold," he offered as he dropped the paint brush back into the paint can, splattering paint on the tarp that covered the carpet. "Come on gorgeous, up you get." Jack helped her up from the new rocking chair that they had bought and slowly led her out of the soon to be nursery. "Feel like something to eat?"

"Really? You actually need to ask me that," Sam half laughed as Jack automatically led her into the kitchen. "Oh, you know what sounds good? I think there's some left over spaghetti."

"Well, have a seat," Jack said as he pulled out a chair for her. "I'll fix you a plate."

Sam couldn't help but smile warmly at Jack. The man was a giant teddy bear but he always pretended otherwise. After he placed the plate of spaghetti in front of her he kept her company. He moved through the kitchen, cleaning and straightening up while he talked about the twins. He kept it light and he made his usual jokes but Sam always found comfort in the familiar with Jack; and jokes from Jack were as familiar to her as his face was.

Even after she had finished eating and Jack had finished cleaning they stayed in the kitchen talking about the twins. He'd been teasing her about her need to start and finish the nursery in a week's time and she kept suggesting baby names that she knew he didn't like. At one point her giggles had gotten the better of her and now Jack was trying to kiss her into silence. She had to admit, he was doing an exceptionally good job ….. So good in fact she hadn't even heard the doorbell ring. "Sam," Jack mumbled against her lips. "They're here."

Sam hummed at him in a way that half asked what he had just said and half said she didn't care. "I'd be happy," he started as he pulled away from her lips, causing her to moan in frustration. "To tell them to leave." Jack's lips began to explore her neck and Sam couldn't help but curl her toes. "But then the nursery won't get painted."

She sighed heavily as he continued to tease her. He was hoping she'd agree to his suggestion but, as much as she wanted to – she really needed that nursery painted. Sam released her hold on the back of his neck and slid her hands down to his chest, gently pushing him away. "You had better go let them in then."

"Spoil sport." Jack continued to grumble to himself as he left the kitchen and Sam just smiled.

She leaned back into her chair and closed her eyes while she listened to Jack greet Daniel and Teal'c. Moments like this were what comforted her most. They got her through the months that she was at Eleftheria. Things were easier now that the rest of her team was there with her but … nothing compared to quiet moments at home. Home. Now there was a thought. It hadn't taken any time at all for her to consider Jack's place home.

"That's because you belong here Samantha."

"Mmm," she agreed with her eyes still closed and her smile in place. "How are you Oma?"

"I'm well. I would ask you the same but it's quite evident that you are at peace."

"Yes," Sam offered as she finally opened her eyes and smiled at Oma. "I haven't seen you in a while, what brings you by today?"

"I wanted to say hello. I enjoy our conversations, I miss them."

"I know; I do too but things don't seem to slow down these days. How about you? How are things with the rest of the Ancients?"

"They are still very vigilant of you, if that's what you mean."

"I know that," Sam offered easily. "I can feel their presence whenever they're around. I meant how are they treating you? The last time we were all in one room together they were not thrilled about your relationship with Chaos."

"Things are as they are," Oma offered.

"As long as they don't make things difficult on you I suppose that's alright," Sam unconsciously rubbed her stomach as she felt the twins move. "What really brings you by today Oma? As much as I enjoy them there is always a reason behind your visits."

"I wanted to check on you and the twins Samantha; are you all well?"

"Don't you already know the answer to that?"

"No my dear," Oma smiled sadly. "I've refrained from observing you as much as possible. I know what your privacy means to you. And after what happened with Ba'al – it felt like an intrusion to observe you at my leisure."

"Thank you," Sam whispered sadly. Nothing seemed truer these days. Sam had always valued her privacy, but after everyone had watched her memories ….. "If it's not too much trouble … I'd rather you were the one to watch me."

"What do you mean Samantha?"

"Like I said I can feel you and the other Ancients when you're around. If I could have a choice in the matter – I'd rather it be you that was watching me instead of them. You're the only one that respected my choices, who didn't try to force my hand when he was torturing me. That means a great deal to me Oma."

"Very well," Oma offered with a small nod.

"Good," Sam offered calmly.

"Jack," Daniel whispered from his spot in the kitchen doorway. Jack pushed past him into the kitchen while the others crowded around to see what was going on. They watched as Jack placed his hand on Sam's shoulder before he looked up to Daniel.

"She's fine," he said as he moved back towards the group.

"Jack, she's glowing."

"She does that Daniel."

"It's never been like this before," Janet offered gently

"Samantha does look very similar to Oma Desala when we first encountered her," Teal'c agreed.

"Look guys," Jack countered. "She's fine. I've told you she's been glowing more recently. This is part of it. Whenever she talks to Oma she goes all glowy and wispy. She'll go back to being solid again when she's done."

"She's talking to Oma," Daniel asked.

"Yeah, she's the only Ancient Sam will talk to without making her project a physical form. Come on, let's get started on the nursery."