A/N: Hello, everybody, and thank you for your patience! Life has been crazy lately and the muses have been on vacation, but I finally wrangled one of them long enough to write a little more for this story! Sorry for a short chapter, but more is coming soon. Scout's honor.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Just a couple seasons of SG-1 on DVD.


Daniel stared down the corridor, then turned back to Teal'c. "Did he just say what I think he said, or am I dreaming?"

Teal'c said nothing, but extended a hand and pinched him on the arm.

"Ow, Teal'c, what the – what did you do that for?"

"I believed that it was acceptable on this world to pinch a person who expressed skepticism of an event that they have just witnessed, is it not?"

"Yeah," Daniel conceded with a sigh, rubbing his arm, "but usually only when the person in question specifically says 'pinch me'. But good job on your research," he added, causing a slight nod from Teal'c.

He paused for a moment, holding a fist to his mouth as he contemplated what Jack had just said. "Do you think … what I mean is, should we go see Sam?"

"Is there a reason we shouldn't?"

"Well, judging from how Jack reacted, I can't imagine how Sam is feeling."

"Then perhaps she would appreciate a visit from a friend," Teal'c intoned, beginning to walk the opposite direction.

"Oh no. I'm not going by myself," Daniel replied, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the elevator doors.

Teal'c smiled, humoring Daniel's gesture as he attempted to pull his arm.

"Okay, fine. But I think in this situation, two is better than one."

With that final cliché, Teal'c nodded solemnly and they began making their way towards Carter's lab.


Sam always found it amusing when someone would knock on the edge of the solid metal door when they walked into her lab. The door was already open; there wasn't much point. Yet hearing the everyday rap of knuckles felt more human that someone sharply calling for her.

This time, Daniel and Teal'c walked into the lab.

Suddenly self-conscious, she pulled the sweatshirt down her abdomen and forced a smile as she glanced up at them. "Hey guys. I thought you were still on 482."

"We got rained out, so we headed back early." Daniel pointed a thumb behind him. "Ran into Jack."

"Yeah?" she replied, staring so intensely at her computer screen that she was surprised that it didn't catch on fire. Knowing where this conversation was about to lead, she forced herself to stay seated.

"Yeah," Daniel repeated.

"What'd he say?"

"Well, you know him. He doesn't say much, but he conveys a lot."

"You've got a lousy poker face, you know that?" she replied curtly, turning to glare at him.

"Yeah," he replied quietly.

Sam turned. "Teal'c?"

"General O'Neill informed us that you have unexpectedly become with child," Teal'c replied somberly. "However, given the circumstances in which it happened, I am unsure as to whether I should offer my congratulations."

"Let's hold off on that for a while, okay?" Sam said, crossing her arms.

"What happened?" Daniel asked, taking a step closer.

"What did the general tell you?" she asked.

"Something about an offworld bug and immaculate conception," Daniel replied.

She nodded to the side, pursing her lips. "What do you know? He got it right." When Daniel raised an eyebrow, she added, "We believe that somehow, the glowing lifeform that we saw on 482 harvested genetic material from General O'Neill and then deposited it in me, causing conception." Her hands moved to the hem of her sweatshirt and slowly pulled it upwards.

Daniel knew her well enough to know that she didn't take up binge eating in a day. "Whoa," he replied, seeing her slightly expanded belly pressing against the fabric of her black shirt.

"Suffice it to say, this isn't your run of the mill pregnancy. Janet estimates that the baby is about 10 weeks old but at the rate it's growing, it'll be full-term in about two weeks."

Daniel's mouth hung open as he searched for a reply, but all he could come up with was "wow".

"Yeah," she softly replied, draping her sweatshirt over her stomach. She shrugged. "But please, no baby showers or corny jokes. It's hard enough to deal with this as it is."

"Yeah, no, I understand. Is there anything we can do?" Daniel asked, motioning between him and the Jaffa.

She shook her head and forced a brief smile. "If you brought back anymore samples, or if you found anything else, let me know."

Daniel shook his head. "The storm hit pretty quick. We didn't have a lot of time to finish surveying the area. If it looks better in the morning, we may head back."

Sam nodded, then turned her attention again to her computer.

Daniel placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, then headed for the door. Teal'c nodded and followed behind him.

Once they were out of sight, Sam leaned back in her seat and expelled a sharp sigh. Attempting to conceal this pregnancy was now impossible. She wouldn't be able to wear baggy sweats for much longer.

With that, she reached for the phone and dialed O'Neill's office extension.


Walter Harriman was the first to see the light come back on in O'Neill's office. He slid his chair back, stood, and went up the stairs, a folded piece of paper in hand. Winding his way through the conference room, he raised his hand to knock but paused for a moment.

The comments of some newer personnel were unsettling to him. Anyone who had worked here long enough were aware of the undying loyalty that every single officer and airman had for each other. To insinuate that Carter had slept her way to the top and was now suffering the consequences put a bitter taste in his mouth that nothing would quite get rid of.

And yet, the message in his hand seemed to prove him wrong.

He sighed, and finally knocked.

"Come in," O'Neill called from the other side.

He slowly opened the door. "General?"

"Yeah?" he replied, opening the laptop computer on his desk.

"Colonel Carter left a message for you." He handed it to his CO, then promptly withdrew his hands behind his back.

O'Neill opened it, read it quickly, then looked up at Walter. "Is she still on base?"

"No, sir. Colonel Carter gave me this message half an hour ago. Topside security confirmed that she left base fifteen minutes ago."

O'Neill nodded. "All right. Thanks, Walter."

"Yes, sir," he replied, turning to exit the way that he had entered.

But he stopped, did an about 180, and spoke. "Sir?"

"Yes, Walter?"

Wringing his hands together, trying to phrase this in the best way possible, he slowly started, "It's come to my attention that some of the newer personnel on base have made some … disrespectful remarks about Colonel Carter's situation. Not only are they disparaging of her, but of yourself, sir."

"Yeah, I had a feeling the rumor mill was gonna start up again." O'Neill sighed, running a hand over his face, then turned back to the sergeant. "What about you?"

"Sir?"

"What about you?" he repeated quietly.

Walter didn't even hesitate. "Sir, I've worked here for eight years. I have seen an inordinate amount of impossible things. It's easier to accept them. And I know and respect the officers on this base. I know that what they're saying couldn't be farther from the truth."

O'Neill nodded. "How do you know?"

"Because I trust you and Colonel Carter to always do the right thing."

The general made a face that, to any other person who did not know him, could be construed as a frown. But to the people who had been by his side for years, it was the best way he could show how touched he was.

Walter nodded at him. "Is there anything you need, sir?"

"No, not right now. Thank you."

"Yes, sir," Walter replied, turning and leaving the office, intent on having a stern word with the people who started smirking when they'd accidentally read the note.


Jack opened the note after Walter shut the door.

"I'll be in the maternity section of Target if you need me. SC"

He sighed, crumpled up the note, and reached for his phone.


A/N: Next chapter is already in the works! Stay tuned... and thanks again!