Sam sat in her office with the President and the Generals talking lightly of their tour and the general set up of the facility. She was glad they were keeping the conversation light; she didn't have the energy for the serious discussions that always seemed to arise with the President. Especially when Jack would be coming in the door any second. "CARTER!" Cue the dramatics, she sighed to herself as Jack barged into her office … she really wished she hadn't sent Mal'tec and Ead'ogar off with her father …
"You lied to me!"
"Colonel, as you can see I'm in a meeting –"
"I asked – I asked and you told me no! How long have you been in labor?!"
"…If you must know well over nine hours. Now if you don't mind –"
"NINE?! Why the hell didn't you tell me?"
In moments like this she really missed being able to stand up with ease, it was a great way to both intimidate and (literally) stand up to others. "I did not tell you COLONEL because you and your team were on a mission. That takes priority and you damn well know that."
"It was a stupid treaty Car-"
"It was your assignment," she said, cutting him off. "Just because I am having your children does NOT mean that I am going to recall you from a mission that you were assigned to handle DAYS ago when I'm not even in ACTIVE labor! It's contractions Jack, stop hovering and get over it."
Jack hesitated as he studied her and she saw it the moment it clicked for him. "You lied to me because I hover? Oh COME ON Carter, Dad hover's way worse than I do!"
"Yes, and that's why I had Mal'tec and Ead'ogar escort him back to the SGC. He's keeping the General company until he's informed that he is allowed back on my base. If you'd like to take some time to visit the General, I'm sure that can be arranged."
"…DANIEL!" Jack turned about abruptly, disappearing into the hall before popping back into the office with Daniel in tow.
"You're in labor?" Daniel rushed over to Sam and made to grab her arm but she shot him a death glare that she was certain even the President flinched at.
"Daniel, I love you but, if you touch me I am going to dislocate something."
Daniel took a few steps back before looking to Jack. They shared a conspiring look before they both said 'Teal'c' and ran off again. "I'm sorry," Sam offered as she looked to the President and the Generals, three rather stunned men. "As soon as I speak with Teal'c I'll be able to resume our meeting Sir's. Really –"
"In light of the news perhaps we should table this for later."
Before Sam could respond to Amos Teal'c walked into the office with his usual calm manner. "O'Neill and Daniel Jackson have informed me you are in labor Colonel Carter." Jack and Daniel show up on either side of Teal'c looking triumphant.
"It's early labor Teal'c. I'm still several hours off from active labor."
"Can I assist you in any way Samantha?" Love it, Sam smiled. Teal'c had gotten used to addressing her by her first name. He always addressed her by her rank in military situations but when he started calling her Samantha she knew Teal'c was in teddy bear mode. Well teddy bear mode for her, grizzly bear mode for anyone who was annoying her.
"Would you please remove Jack and Daniel from my office? I have things to take care of before the twins take up all of my focus."
"Indeed." Without another words Teal'c turned around and grabbed both men by their shoulders, forcefully shoving them out of the office and closing the door behind him as they left.
Following that debacle Sam had spent a good fifteen minutes assuring the Generals and the President that she was perfectly capable of continuing the meeting. However, now that it was out she was in labor, early though it was, she had one of the Generals help her up and she continued the rest of the meeting walking in her office. A good 30 minutes after she had started walking and the President finally called an end to their meeting.
"Now that we are officially done I think we'd better get you back to the SGC," the President offered brightly.
"Oh… that's not necessary Sir. I've decided to stay here."
"What?"
Sam couldn't help but bite her lip as she rubbed her stomach. "I've spoken with General Hammond and Dr. Frasier about the matter Sir – we all have some concerns that we thought might best be alleviated by my remaining here."
"What concerns?"
"Sir –"
"What concerns Colonel."
Crap, Sam thought as she cringed. "It's a number of things Sir. Between the Ancients poking around, which aside from Oma has been unheard of till now, and these abilities of mine we've been questioning how this is going to affect the actual labor. The closer I get to giving birth the more aware I am. It's not just Oma keeping an eye on me anymore. There are a number of Ancients that have been hanging around the last week. I don't have any control over these abilities and we have no idea how that's going to translate to the twins."
"I want you on Earth Colonel," the President ordered firmly.
"Sir –"
"What aren't you telling me Colonel?"
Damn, three times he had called her by her rank … "The last couple of weeks I have felt more and more Ancients hanging around … Since yesterday I noticed something … Whatever, or whoever, it is that's hanging around now … it feels … different, then the Ancients."
"Do you think it might be Chaos," Schwartz asked.
"I don't think we can rule that out Sir."
She watched the President as he thought about what she had told him; thought about what he already knew. He was weighing his options and she tried not to hold her breath. The truth was she wanted to be on Earth when she had the twins but considering what she had just told him she didn't think it was wise. On top of that they were trying to keep everything as quiet as possible. Eventually it would all come out. More than she cared to share had come out here on Eleftheria, but she still hadn't had to use the cover that her father and the guys had come up with. Not yet anyways.
"I want you on Earth Colonel. You are on maternity leave effective immediately. Grab O'Neill, SG-1, and your things and get the hell back home. Am I clear?"
"Yes Sir," Sam offered, half excited and half concerned about this choice.
She followed the three out of her office but didn't even bother to glance at Jack and Daniel as she passed them in the hallway. "Jennifer," she called as she saw Hailey coming down the hallway.
"Ma'am?"
"You have your things packed and ready to head back to Earth don't you?"
"Yes Ma'am," Hailey smiled.
"Why don't you grab your things, Colonel Tutor and meet us down by the Road. I'd appreciate it if you'd escort the President and the General's back to the SGC."
"Certainly Ma'am, Sirs." Without pause Jennifer turned about and headed the way she had come.
"If you'll follow me gentleman," Sam offered a bit tightly. Damn contractions.
"I will accompany you Samantha," Teal'c offered as he appeared next to her.
"I'm fine Teal'c. It looks like we are headed back to Earth today. Why don't you grab your things?"
"Like Lieutenant Hailey I am also 'packed and ready to go'. My time would be better spent at your side." He held his arm out to her, waiting expectantly and she smiled slightly as she looped her arm through his, placed her free hand on his forearm and let him lead her down to the Road …
Hailey and Jamie were already waiting for their group when they turned the corner. The two stood next to the almost comical hand painted, crooked, sign that Jack and Daniel had put together. In bright yellow letters it read 'Yellow Brick Road' with an arrow underneath that pointed to the Road (as everyone called it now). She was sure that would never get old – but the damn contractions were already getting there, and according to Jo she likely had several hours left before she was even near active labor.
She couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips and felt Teal'c's free hand tighten on her own. "Are you having another contraction Samantha?"
"No, it'll be a while till the next one Teal'c, I'm fine."
"You have a lot on your mind," he stated in his usual way.
"Indeed," she smiled up at him. "Jamie can take over from here Teal'c," she offered as they stopped in front of Jamie and Hailey. "Thank you for the escort."
With a slight bow Teal'c handed her over to Jamie and then offered his goodbyes to the President and the Generals. The group matched her pace as they followed the Road out to the Gate. She and Jamie were at the back of the group while Hailey kept the others engaged. "How are you feeling," Jamie asked softly.
"Overwhelmed," Sam offered honestly. "The President has ordered me back to Earth, effective immediately. If you need anything Jamie –"
"I've got you covered Sam, you just worry about those twins and I'll take care of Eleftheria."
"Thank you Jamie." Sam squeezed his arm in thanks but, continued the rest of their trek in silence. She was tired and she had far too much on her mind.
"Sam," the President started, pulling her out of her own thoughts as they came to stand near the Gate. "I expect to see you at the SGC within the hour."
"Yes Sir."