Thanks so much for the lovely reviews! For those of you who were wondering about Sam's denial of a relationship - this chapter should explain.

Keep those reviews coming - please and thank you.

Jack simply closed his eyes, overwhelmed by everything that had happened. He'd heard what Carter – Sam – had said, but he wasn't sure if he could take it all in. The bastard had gone and done it and now – now he didn't know what to do.

"O'Neill?" Teal'c's voice finally penetrated the haze which surrounded him. He leaned back slightly, Carter still clutched in his arms.

"Yeah?"

"I have the container which held the embryos", Teal'c informed him gently.

"Yeah?" he repeated. "Uh – and?"

"They are gone."

"But – there should be one still there", Jack answered, feeling confused. He heard a small sob from Carter and then she stepped away from him, causing his arms to drop by his side. Why he suddenly felt bereft he couldn't have said.

"What is he talking about Sir?" Sam looked between the two men, feeling shaky and confused by all that had happened.

"The embryos Carter", O'Neill said, looking at her with concern written clearly on his face. "Uh – Ra'mash grabbed two of them when he fled – at least that's what we think. According to Teal'c the second one is gone too."

"Gone – but where? He only spoke of one child -", her voice faded. "And the others?" Her eyes grew frantic. "There were six altogether – that's what they told us."

Jack simply nodded, not sure what to say. Fortunately Teal'c was more clear-headed than either of them at that moment and it was he who spoke up.

"We believe there were six Major Carter. Ra'mash discovered that we had arrived and he fled, taking only two of the containers with him. I believe he felt he could travel more easily that way."

"So, the other four are safe?" she asked, looking back and forth between her two teammates.

Jack grimaced and rubbed his hand through his hair, leaving it sticking up wildly. If things had been different she would have laughed, but right now things were too serious for any amusement to make its way in. "Well – he", he nodded towards the body of the alien, "actually found a – uh – surrogate and he", he made an indeterminate gesture with his hand.

Sam frowned – not sure what he was saying. She looked again at Teal'c. "What?"

"He found a surrogate and implanted one of the embryos", Teal'c said plainly.

Jack reached out and quickly put his arms back around Carter when it looked as if she was about to faint. After staring at him dazedly for a few seconds she seemed to get the strength back in her legs and straightened. "So you mean – someone – is pregnant with my – our – with -?"

"Yeah", Jack answered quietly.

"What are we going to do?" she asked him, her voice sounding as if she were once again about to cry.

"I don't – know Carter. We'll think of something."

She laughed bitterly. "Right. Something!"

"Look I – I - we'd better get you back and checked over. Are you – Sam, are you okay?"

"No", she answered shortly, almost angrily. For some reason she wanted to lash out at the Colonel, but, when she looked more closely at him she realized she was being horribly unfair. This wasn't his fault and he was just as much a victim as she was. She sighed. "I'm – okay physically – at least I think I am. Otherwise", she shrugged.

"Yeah", he nodded, knowing what she meant. "Let's call Jacob and have him pick us up so we can get this sorted out first – then we can worry about the other."

"Wait. Is it the container that's missing, or just the embryo?" Sam asked, realizing Teal'c hadn't made it clear.

"The containers are here", he answered, holding them up. "But they are empty."

"Oh God", she sighed. "You don't think-?" she put her hand on her abdomen. "But he only referred to one child."

Jack walked over to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Sam – listen, we will get this thing figured out. Right now we just have to get off this planet and get back to Earth. We'll get you checked out, okay. Just – try not to think about it too much for now."

She swallowed and then nodded. He was right – there was really nothing they could do now anyway and there was no point speculating. She took a deep breath, straightened herself and nodded again, this time with determination. "Yes Sir", she said.

As they headed towards the entrance of the mine shaft, Jack thought about what they should do next. They'd buried Ra'mash in a shallow grave in the mine shaft. There was really nothing else to do – and no one to contact. One day someone may find his bones and wonder what had happened to him – but that was to be his only legacy. They left him without a backward glance – relieved to be done with hime.

Daniel however, was still back in the town with the woman – Saeena – and they would have to collect him. What to do with her was the question. There was no way he was leaving a child of his here on this planet – not in the conditions that existed here.

Jack thought about the young woman and remembered what she'd said about being ruined – that her family wouldn't accept her with a child. He closed his eyes briefly. Would she want to abort? The thought brought real pain with it. That was his child – even if it had been created in a less than conventional way. Could he handle the thought of its destruction? But then, could he insist that she bore someone else's child, especially if it brought her ruin?

He could feel his shoulders become more and more tense as they walked and he hadn't even let himself think about Carter and the fact that she too - . Damn it all to hell, he wanted to shout. What did he do to deserve this? What did she do to deserve this!

"I believe we can contact Jacob Carter now, O'Neill." Teal'c was standing looking at him in concern. It was only then that Jack realized they were outside – and probably had been for quite some time. Even Carter was looking at him with worry in her eyes.

"Sorry – just thinking", he grimaced. He lifted the communicator, but then dropped his hand almost immediately. "What are we going to say to him?"

"Nothing", Carter said sharply. It took only a few seconds for her expression to change with the realization that they had to tell Jacob something – even if not everything. "I'd rather not tell him about my – implantation", she said softly. "Can we just tell him about Saeena and that Ra'mash is dead?"

"He'll -" Jack abruptly bit his lip. He had been about to say that Jacob would find out eventually, but then realized that Carter might decide to not keep the child – probably wouldn't in fact. If the idea of the alien woman terminating the pregnancy bothered him – he refused to even acknowledge the pain that the thought of Sam doing so had given him.

"He'll what Sir?" Sam was looking at him with a strange expression on her face.

"Nothing Carter. Okay – we'll tell him that the bastard is dead. We can tell him about the woman – and that we've retrieved the embryos. Anything else we'll keep to ourselves for now."

Both Teal'c and Sam nodded and then Jack once again lifted his arm and spoke into the communications device. Ten minutes later Jacob had ringed them up to the ship.

"Can you send me down close to the town?" Jack asked after they'd given the Tokra the expurgated edition of their adventures. "I'll go talk to Daniel and Sa – whatever her name is."

"Saeena, O'Neill."

Jack nodded at his friend and turned back to Jacob. "We also need to do something with the cart. I don't want to leave the poor animal there and the owner will need it back."

"I'll ring you down right beside it Jack", Jacob said, fiddling with his controls. "Why don't you pay someone to take it back? They'll probably appreciate the money."

"Yeah, okay." He looked over at Sam in concern. Her father hadn't seemed to notice, but he could tell she was almost sick with worry and fear. He so wanted to be able to help her, but knew that this situation was beyond him. With a nod to her father he walked to the ring room and was soon back on the planet.

"You doin' okay girl?" he patted the ugly but somehow endearing animal on its rump. "Someone will be back to take you home", he told her. With a final look at their ride, he headed into the village. Once there he arranged with someone to take the animal back to its owner. He just hoped that the person would do it and not decide to keep it.

"Daniel?" he called, when he arrived at the administrator's house a few minutes later. He heard a faint response and walked down the hallway. Instead of going back into the 'lab', he found them in another room across the hall which looked as if it had been used as a bedroom/sitting room. Daniel was on the only sofa, seated beside Saeena.

"You two okay?" he asked as he entered the room.

"We're fine. How is Sam?"

Jack had radioed Daniel to give him an update and to tell him that they'd found Carter and that Ra'mash was dead. He hadn't given the archaeologist any details however, deciding to wait until he could see him in person.

"She's – upset", he told his friend. "But hanging in there. You know Carter."

"Yeah", Daniel nodded, thinking about the woman that was as close as a sister to him. "He didn't – hurt – her did he?"

"No – no. At least – she claimed not, although I think that forcefully impregnating someone could be classed as hurting them", he said bitterly.

"Yeah", Daniel nodded his agreement. "I just – didn't want to think of him – doing anything else."

"No – he didn't. I kind of think he and the other guy had a – thing – going."

Daniel frowned. "What?"

"Oh for God's sake Daniel – the alien dude was gay!"

"Really? How do you know that?"

Jack sighed, wondering how in the world they'd even gotten into this discussion. "Doesn't matter", he muttered. "Right now we have to figure out what to do with -" he nodded at Saeena.

The young woman instantly looked terrified and edged closer to Daniel, who put his arm around her. "Don't worry. Jack won't hurt you. None of us will hurt you." He looked up at the Colonel and frowned. "I think – Saeena tells me that she won't be accepted here in her village if they find out she's uh –"

"Pregnant?" Jack asked plainly.

"Yeah. So I think we should consider -"

"Does she want to get rid of it?" Jack interupted, deciding to be blunt and get this over with.

"Get rid of it?" Saeena looked at him in confusion. After a second her expression changed and she looked horrified. "You mean – the baby?"

"Uh – yeah", Jack nodded, his heart beating a mile a minute.

"Never!" she cried. "That is – I could – it is a sin."

"I think they have pretty conservative views here Jack", Daniel tried to warn him. "They don't – it's probably much like 19th century Earth. I doubt they allow that kind of thing here."

"Okay", Jack nodded, refusing to show his relief, even though it left a whole different problem. "Okay then – what are we going to do?"

"Well", Daniel looked at him carefully. "I was speaking to Saeena, while we waited for you and I think the best thing would be for her to come with us."

"Come – you mean back to Earth?"

"Yes. Jack – just wait!" Daniel stood and took a step towards the older man, who had started to object. "We don't actually have to take her to Earth. We could take her to one of our allies – but we'd make sure she was looked after carefully."

"And then what?" Jack looked between his friend and the young woman who was still saying very little.

"Uh", Daniel looked down at her. "Saeena says that she can tell her family she is coming with us as our servant. After a few months – once the baby is born – she can come back. We'll give her enough money to set her and her family up for years. She says that should make them happy enough not to question her."

"And the baby?" Jack asked softly.

"Well -" Daniel started to answer when Saeena interrupted him.

"It is not my child", she cried. "I did not want to have a child – not like this", she cried. "I will not hurt it – I could not – but I do not want it. I have – my betrothed would not understand."

"Jack, once she has the baby – she'll come back and you and Sam can – decide – what to do. There are lots of good people who would adopt it, if that's what you want or -" Daniel stopped talking, unsure of how Jack was taking all this. All he knew was that his friend was looking strange – not like he'd ever quite seen him before.

Jack nodded – that's all he could manage right now. Part of him felt incredibly relieved – but part of him continued to wonder what the hell to do about this whole situation. Finally he let out a deep breath.

"So – does she need to tell her family she's coming with us?"

"Yes, but I think – if she's up to it – it would be better coming from Sam. She could claim she needs a maid servant. It would look better than Saeena going off with a man."

"She already went with a man", Jack scoffed, reminding his friend about Ra'mash.

"He was Metran", Saeena announced suddenly.

"Metran?" It was a word Daniel didn't know and he looked at the woman with a puzzled frown.

"Yes", she frowned as well. "You know – Metran."

"Uh – I'm afraid I don't. What does it mean?"

She looked embarrassed at that and bent her head. "He preferred – men", she whispered.

"Ha!" Jack exclaimed. "See, I told ya – gay!"

"So your family knew this", Daniel asked her, intentionally ignoring Jack.

"Yes. It was the only reason they let me go with him."

"But – is that – allowed here?" Daniel couldn't quite see how a society that condemned abortion and unwed pregnancy would allow same-sex relationships. It certainly didn't sound like Earth.

Saeena's brow furrowed in confusion. "Allowed? It is not something one allows", she explained. "It just is."

"Oh." Now it was Daniel's turn to be embarrassed. "Well – I guess – so", he turned to Jack. "What do you think?"

Jack took another deep breath and let it out. "Let's contact Sam and explain things. If she agrees she can come and speak to Saeena's family."

In the end – to no one's surprise – Carter came back to the planet and told the girl's parents and boyfriend that she needed a maid servant and would they allow her to take their young relative? There was some argument – mostly from the boyfriend – but when Sam pulled out a bag of coins – with a promise for more at the end of Saeena's service, the objections slowed down.

To give him credit, the boyfriend continued to object. It was Saeena who pointed out that they could start their lives together much more easily with money. "It will only be for a short while", she soothed him. Eventually he too agreed.

Finally, with many teary goodbye's, Saeena followed Jack and Daniel and Carter towards the woods. Once out of sight of the village Jacob ringed them up to the Teltak. Soon they were on their way back to Earth.

"What are you going to do with her?" Jacob looked at the man seated beside him in the co-pilot chair. "Can you take her to Earth?"

Jack blew out a puff of air. "Probably not. Oh, we'll take her to the SGC – but I doubt Hammond will let her leave. We'll put in a call to some of our allies and see if she can stay for a while."

"Until she has the baby?" Jacob prodded.

"Yeah."

"And what then?'

"I don't know", Jack said, the irritation thick in his voice. "I just don't know."

"It's your child."

"For God's sake! I know that Jacob. Do you think I'd forget a thing like that?"

"Did you retrieve all the embryos?"

"Uh – yeah", Jack answered, keeping his eyes straight ahead.

"You don't sound so sure."

Crap – why had he sat here, Jack wondered. Jacob could be as bad as a – a very irritating mosquito which wouldn't let you alone and kept buzzing by your ear. "We're pretty sure", he finally answered. "I – it's just – we were told there were six."

"You think there might be more?" the older man asked, surprised.

"NO – I mean – maybe, but we don't' think so. Uh, I think I've got to -" Jack stood and pointed towards the door to the Teltak's bathroom.

"You think?" Jacob grinned, but didn't' say any more as the Colonel walked away. "What the hell's the matter with you O'Neill", he sighed softly. With a shake of his head he continued to fly the ship.

"You okay Sam?" Daniel had come over to see his friend, leaving Saeena sleeping on a mat on the floor. The young woman was exhausted with all the turmoil of the day. Besides that, he really hadn't had a chance to talk to Sam.

"I'm okay", she answered with a small smile.

"Right", Daniel scoffed. After a short pause he continued. "Now – how are you really?"

Sam sighed and rubbed her cheek. "Confused – scared – angry – terrified."

Daniel reached out and gently put his hand on her leg. "It'll be okay", he said.

"Really? And how do you know? People keep saying that, but how? How can it possibly be okay? I'm pregnant with my commander's child – and another woman is carrying our child. I'm not even in a serious relationship. I don't know what to do!"

"What about Pete?" Daniel asked quietly.

She froze for a second and then blinked rapidly feeling suddenly sick. "I – I know – but -"

"But what Sam? I mean, you're engaged. That's sounds like a pretty serious relationship to me."

"No – I mean – it is, of course it is but it's just that – when this happened I wasn't thinking about – he's not – oh God Daniel – I, I wasn't even thinking about him. How could I not think about him? How could I forget him? I love him?"

"Do you?" Daniel spoke softly, gently. "Do you really love him?" He was careful not to sound judgmental or even that he doubted her but he had wondered for a long time about Pete and whether Sam was with him because he was truly right for her or because – she couldn't be with the person she really wanted to be with.

"Of course I do! I wouldn't have agreed to marry him if I didn't love him. It's just – with everything going on I just -"

"Didn't think about him?"

"Yeah – it doesn't mean -"

"Sam – look, I'm not trying to tell you what to do or how to feel but – it just seems to me that with everything going on that's exactly the time you should be thinking about the person you love."

She was silent at that, and he could see the varied feelings move across her face. He saw anger – at him for pushing her – sadness, for what he wasn't sure – and finally guilt. He was pretty sure that was because she was beginning to admit to herself the truth – that maybe she didn't love Pete as much as she thought she did.

"He's a good man", she said finally.

"Mmm hmm – I'm sure he is."

"He loves me."

"I'm sure he does."

"And – and he can give me a good life."

"Can he?"

"Of course he can Daniel", she replied, angrily. "I told you – he loves me. We're going to get married and have a good life together."

"What about the baby?"

"He'll – he'll be a good father. I'll explain it to him and I know he'll understand. He'll love it just like it was his."

"And what about Jack?" he asked softly. "How do you think he'll feel knowing another man is raising his child?"

"He'll – he'll probably be glad."

"Oh come on Sam – you're not that stupid!" Daniel was starting to feel angry at the woman seated next to him. "He's already lost one child – do you really think he'll want to lose another one?"

"He won't lose it", she answered angrily. "He can – visit." She stopped and closed her eyes, suddenly hearing herself – and how absolutely pathetic and – cruel – she sounded. She knew the Colonel, knew how he loved children. He'd never be satisfied with visits. "Maybe – maybe we can have joint custody or something."

Daniel took a deep breath, suddenly feeling guilty for having pushed Sam about this whole thing. All he could think about was how hurt both his friends could end up. He also admitted that he hated the thought of Shanahan raising Jack's child. He couldn't imagine how Jack must feel. "Look Sam – I'm sorry – it's not really any of my business. You and Jack will have to work this out together. I just want you to – to be honest with yourself. If you really love Pete then I'm sure it will be fine. Just make sure you really do love him. Don't marry him just because you want some kind of cookie cutter life. This – changes things. Think about what you're doing, okay?"

She sat for a moment, pondering what Daniel was saying. She was so confused she didn't know what to do or what to think. But she nodded and gave him a small smile. "I will", she promised.

Jack had been watching the two of them for a while, wondering what they were discussing. They both looked so serious and yet were speaking so softly that he couldn't hear. At one point he'd thought he'd heard the name Pete – and had instantly felt a solid core of – something – in his gut. He refused to name it and instead turned and headed towards Teal'c. He slowly lowered himself next to his friend.

"O'Neill", Teal'c nodded to him. "Are you well?"

"Yeah – I guess."

"This has been difficult for you."

"You can say that again", the Colonel agreed, letting his head drop back to rest against the wall.

"This has been -"

"Teal'c!" Jack half laughed. "You know I don't buy that anymore, don't you?"

"I do, however it seemed appropriate."

"Trying to cheer me up?"

"Indeed."

"Thanks buddy – I'm afraid it'll take more than that."

"Have you spoken with Major Carter?"

"About the – "

"About your children?"

Jack sighed and closed his eyes. "Not really. I didn't think it was a good time with Jacob and everyone here."

Teal'c nodded his understanding and the two men sat quietly for the next few minutes. "Samantha is engaged to be married to Pete Shanahan", Teal'c said finally.

"I know."

"You must do something to stop it."

"What?" Jack lifted his head and looked at the Jaffa. "Stop it? You mean the – wedding?"

"I do."

"But – she wants to marry him. How can I stop her from being happy with him?"

"I do not believe she wants to marry him", Teal'c informed him. "And she is bearing your child, not his."

"God – don't remind me!"

"You do not want this child?" Teal'c almost sounded surprised.

"What? I mean – no – of course I don't -" Jack stopped speaking, a frown suddenly appearing on his forehead. Of course he didn't want a child – did he? He hadn't planned to have more children – hell, he had no plans to ever get married – since the only woman he wanted didn't want him. But now – the choice had been taken out of his hands and he was going to have a child, even though he still couldn't have the woman he loved.

"You know that if she marries Pete Shanahan he will act as father to your child."

Jack's jaw clenched. He hadn't thought of that – in fact, he hadn't really allowed himself to think of any of the consequences of this reality. All the while they'd been searching he'd convinced himself they'd find the embryos before there was the possibility of an actual child. What he – they were going to do then was something else he hadn't thought about – but now – crap! "No way in hell!" he ground out. "That's my child and I'll be damned if some other man is going to raise it."

"You may have no choice O'Neill – not if she chooses Shanahan."

"God!" What could he do? What should he do? The thought of the cop just about killed him. He'd had to stop thinking about the two of them together when he'd found out about Pete as that had been more pain than he'd been able to stand. Still, he'd known she was happy – he'd tried to convince himself that was enough. But now – a child – his child? No way. No way in hell.

It was a few hours later and Jack was once again sitting beside Jacob. Teal'c had spelled the Tokra and former general off for a while so that he could sleep, but now he was back to piloting the Teltak.

"So – what do you want to do with Saeena?" Jacob glanced sideways at him. "Take her with you to the SGC?"

"I guess so", Jack nodded. "She should be checked out to make sure she's healthy."

"And then?"

"I don't know. Hammond may let her stay until -", he shrugged.

"She could stay with you", Jacob suggested.

"With me?" Jack stared at the former general. "That's – just -"

"Just what? She's having your baby Jack. You can be there for the pregnancy."

Although that thought was somehow reassuring, the idea of having her around for months was – disturbing. He didn't know quite why that was, although it may have been because she was young enough to be his daughter and the fact that she was carrying his child made him feel like he'd done something – perverted. He groaned softly. It wasn't his fault. He had done nothing.

"You could keep the child", Jacob suggested softly.

"Keep it?" Jack was staring out at the stars, the idea hitting him like a punch in the gut.

"Why not? It is yours and since you don't know who the mother is -" Jacob glanced at him again, "you don't, do you?"

"Huh?" Jack lipped his suddenly dry lips and decided to ignore the question. "How could I look after a baby?"

"It's called a Nanny Jack – or daycare. Parents do it all the time nowadays. Hell, there are a lot of single parents that manage just fine. You could do it."

Yeah – except for the fact that he did know who the mother was – and he didn't think she'd like the idea of him being the only one to raise the child. But then, she was having a baby as well. Hell, maybe they could divide up the kids like that old Disney movie – one for him, one for her.

That thought made him suddenly feel like throwing up or crying – he wasn't sure which was less manly. All he knew was they had a helluva situation, and no good way to solve it. Damn Ra'mash, damn Nirrti, damn normal, decent cops who were in love with the woman he – and damn his stupid, bloody life.

"We're almost there Jack", Jacob suddenly interrupted his thoughts – thank god. "I'll ring you down to the surface by the Stargate and you can gate home." When Jack looked at him in confusion he sighed. "We're on Queretl – it's a deserted planet with a Stargate. It'll get you home without me having to sneak the Teltak into Earth's atmosphere."

"You're not gonna come?"

"No, I have to get back. I've already spent more time than I could afford on this."

"Oh – I see. Look – I - thanks Jacob", Jack gave a crooked grin to the other man. "I appreciate it."

"Damn right!" Jacob grinned. "You owe me one."

"Anytime Jacob – anytime – except remember I owe you the favor, not the Tokra."

As they stood waiting for Daniel to dial the gate Jack said a quick prayer. He didn't know what was going to happen next – but he knew it was going to be life-altering.

And he didn't know if he was quite ready for a whole new life yet again.