Hi – and as always thank you for the incredible reviews and comments!
Just one note about the medical procedure (ultrasound) I talked about in the last chapter. Someone pointed out that this is not the way an early ultrasound is done. In fact, it can be and is exactly what I had at six weeks. Abdominal ones like I described aren't as common at this early stage but can be done. FYI – I studied midwifery in university and worked for many years in this field so try to be accurate when it comes to pregnancy and birth– although I always appreciate comments and corrections from readers. I absolutely make mistakes. My background also explains why so many of my stories are about pregnancy and babies!
Jack slowly made his way to Hammond's office, his mind in turmoil. He was absolutely, completely, totally freaked out by everything that had happened – was happening – but the sight of those two little blobs had affected him deeply. Now he didn't know how to think or to feel.
He stopped before he reached the General's office, trying to get his head on straight. He was still pretty sure he didn't want this or need this in his life right now – but still – two babies? Hell, three, if he counted the alien woman. But he didn't want to count her, didn't want to think about her. And then of course there was Spud – what the hell was he gonna do about him? He did not want –
"Colonel?" The General was standing in the doorway of his office, looking at him strangely. "Are you planning on coming in?"
"Sorry Sir", Jack replied, following Hammond into his office. "Just thinking."
"Have a seat Colonel", Hammond waved his officer forward. "And I'm sure you have a lot to think about. Care to share?"
Jack readjusted himself in the chair, which suddenly felt too small, too hard, too straight, too constricting. Yeah right Jack, he scolded himself, you're not baby bear! Get a grip.
"Colonel?" Hammond prompted again.
"Sorry Sir", he said again, this time with a sigh. "It's just – that it's complicated."
"Of course it is Jack. It's always complicated – especially when Sg-1 is involved."
Jack gave a crack of laughter, knowing that the General was being honest, but also trying to ease the situation. "That's for sure Sir!" He gave another sigh and moved his legs – again. "So – as I said, it's complicated." For the next ten minutes he went through everything that had happened on Teknora, ending with the discovery that Sam was carrying twins. The only thing he didn't tell Hammond was how he'd felt on seeing the babies, how he worried about what Sam was going to do, how he feared what Pete Shanahan was going to do, and what was going to happen with Saeena – just a few of those details he left out.
This time it was Hammond who sighed – or maybe groaned. Jack knew things were bad because the man was rubbing the top of his head. It was a sure give-away that the General was stressed – no, not just stressed but perturbed, disturbed, agitated, frantic, tense – and just plain pissed.
"So – what are we going to do Jack?"
O'Neill looked in surprise at the General. He's asking me, he thought? "Uh – not quite sure Sir", he finally managed to mumble. I was counting on you to figure this out! Of course he didn't say that – although his expression probably gave it away.
Another head rub, another sigh. "Okay – let's figure this out together", the General replied. "There shouldn't be a problem with the Air Force – this has all been well-documented from the beginning and we know it wasn't something that was done – intentionally."
"Nice of the Air Force", Jack muttered.
"What was that Colonel?"
"Uh – nothing Sir."
"Fine." Hammond gave a sharp nod, but included the look of death – or look of 'don't piss me off Colonel'. "So, I'll let the powers that be know what's happened. They'll probably insist that Major Carter be taken out from under your command."
Jack nodded – he'd expected that.
"She will, of course, be restricted to Earth as long as she's pregnant."
"She won't be happy", murmured Jack.
"No, probably not. But until we have proof that going through the gate isn't harmful for pregnant women, then we're not taking any chances. As I said, she'll remain Earth side. Both of you will receive any counselling you require – " Hammond held up his hand, palm outward stopping Jack from speaking, "I know – you don't think you'll need it – but Major Carter may decide that she does. Whatever, it will be available if you need it."
"And once the – uh – kids arrive?"
"That will be up to Major Carter – and you if she so desires. I will try to make sure that neither of you suffer career-wise over this, although you know as well as I that there are the 'official' reports and the more insidious ones that don't surface in public places. There will be talk – especially since those outside of the SGC can't ever know how these children came to be."
"I know Sir." Jack looked up and stared at the ceiling – he wondered if the General knew there was a broken acoustical tile up there? "What about – Saeena?" He didn't want to think about consequences – right now he just needed to figure out what to do now.
Hammond let out a big puff of breath. "Now this one may be more difficult to handle. You're telling me she's pregnant with one of these – embryos?"
"Yeah – at least I think so. I haven't spoken to the Doc since she went for her ultrasound."
"Okay – let me check." Hammond picked up the phone and called down to the Infirmary. After a brief conversation, where he gave nothing away, he hung up the phone and pursed his lips. "Well, that's that! She is indeed pregnant – about seven weeks along. You're sure this is one of uh – the embryos?"
"If you mean was it mine – ur – mineand Carter's? Yes, then we're pretty sure. Uh Sir – did they say – is there just one or – more?"
It took a moment for the General to figure out what he was asking, but in the end they figured it out. "Okay then - Child? One.!"
"Thank God." Jack bowed his head in relief. Three was going to be hard enough to deal with. He figured it had to be only one based on the remaining embryos – but hell, with his luck lately …
"So, any ideas on this one Colonel?" The General was looking at him with compassion – which he really hated. He was close enough to losing it as it was.
"Uh – not really. I think – Carter and I will have to talk it over. I – it's my – our – child and I want to make sure -"
"Yes?"
"I don't want it being raised on some foreign planet Sir", he said angrily.
"You want to - keep it?"
"I – yeah, I guess." Hell, he hadn't really thought about this in any detail, although he knew he would fight to the death to make sure his child didn't disappear into some other solar system.
"Okay", George breathed out and rubbed his head – the two together really showing how stressed he was. "I guess the issue is what to do with her now. According to Dr. Frasier she's in good health, even if a bit underweight. She certainly can't stay underground here at the base for the next seven months but I don't know if I'm comfortable having her go off base."
"Where else would we take her?"
"The Tokra?"
"No! I'm sorry Sir but – just no. If she went with them – hell, who knows what would happen. No – I don't want any child of mine in the care of those guys."
"Jacob would make sure she – and the baby – were okay. It is his grandchild."
"He doesn't know."
"What? You didn't tell him?" Hammond sounded surprised and slightly angry.
"No – Carter wanted me to hold off. I don't think she was quite sure what to do."
The General nodded slowly. "I see – probably a good decision not to tell him – although you're going to have to sooner or later."
"Me? No way – Sir. I'll leave it to Carter."
"Coward Jack?"
"Damn right Sir! I'd rather face a room full of System Lords."
Hammond laughed. "Yeah, I agree with you on that one. Okay", he sighed, "back to the alien woman. I have to figure out what to do with her."
"I – think the best thing is for her to stay here Sir – on Earth. We can look after her and watch out for her. She's practically a kid – she'll pose no threat."
"Will she be able to keep quiet about where she's from?"
"I'm sure she will, if we impress it on her."
"And where will she stay? With you?"
"I – probably not a good idea Sir. She's frightened of me I think and – it would feel weird."
"Yes, you're probably right. I doubt Major Carter would want her to stay with her?"
"No – no that wouldn't work at all."
Hammond looked at him closely and quickly understood. "So – that leaves Dr. Jackson."
"She trusts him", Jack agreed, "although it might be difficult for Daniel. I mean – he's got a small place and I think he might be a bit uncomfortable with a young woman hanging around."
"So what option does that leave us?"
"Well, I thought we could ask Janet – Dr. Frasier."
"Dr. Frasier?" Hammond frowned for a few seconds, considering the suggestion. "It seems like a good idea, but she'll have to agree to it. I don't want you or anyone to pressure her."
"I won't General – I promise. I thought I'd – give her something – some money you know, to cover her additional costs – if she agrees that is."
"Good idea", Hammond nodded. "In fact, I think the Air Force needs to chip in something too. Well, do you want to ask her or shall I?"
"I think I'd better Sir. She might think it's an order coming from you – and she can tell me to take a giant leap if she's not interested."
"Okay – I'll leave you to it. If that doesn't work however, we'll have to think of another solution. I'll also have to get permission for her to go off base. It may be impossible in which case we'll have to look to one of our allies – I know, not the Tokra – to take her in."
"Thank you Sir."
"And Colonel."
"Yes?" Jack looked at his superior, curious at his tone. He was pretty sure this was going to be very uncomfortable.
"Take care of yourself. I know this has to be hard and you've been through a lot recently. If you need anything – if you need to talk – or something, you know my door is always open."
"Of course Mon General – and I shall gladly avail myself of this open door – if I ever need it!" Jack gave the General a grin, although inside he felt warmed by Hammond's words. He knew he'd be very tempted to spill his guts to this man – but also knew he wouldn't do it. It just wasn't him.
"I mean it Jack. Don't let yourself bottle this up. Come talk to me – or Frasier – or even Mackenzie if that would help. This is a lot to take in and you might need some help. If it makes you feel more comfortable, drop by my house for a beer. We'll keep this strictly between friends."
"Thank you General – George", he smiled. He still didn't plan on talking to anyone, but he was really touched.
"Okay – enough – I see Teal'c and the others should arrive soon. Let's get this over with."
As it was, the briefing didn't last too long and was relatively painless. Hammond told them that the Colonel had explained everything – asking only if they had anything different to say. They went over a few minor details and left off any discussion of the pregnancies or what was going to happen next.
"What about Saeena General?" Daniel asked, a worried frown on his face. He'd more or less taken responsibility for the young woman and felt like he had to represent her interests. He glanced at both Jack and Sam, only to sigh. Both of them were looking down – and refused to say anything about her.
"The Colonel and I have discussed some options, but until we have a chance to talk to everyone involved I'd rather not say too much. Don't worry – she will be well cared for."
Daniel nodded, although he still felt concerned. It's not that he didn't trust General Hammond – it was the rest of the Air Force, and the NID he didn't trust. Still, he was pretty sure Jack would make sure nothing bad happened.
"Alright people" the General continued as the speaking voices quickly dumped out. I want you to take some down time until further notice. Major Carter, can I see you for a moment?"
Sam pulled into her driveway, totally exhausted and ready for doing absolutely nothing. She would really have loved to take a long, hot bath, but Janet had warned her against it, explaining that hot baths and pregnancy didn't go well together. A tepid bath didn't sound at all appetizing so she decided on getting into her comfy jammies, getting a big bowl of ice-cream and watching a total chick flic – although one without babies in it.
She refused to allow herself to think about anything at all relating to said small humans, to Colonels and commanding officers or to alien women carrying her child. Nope, she was going to get comfortable and turn on An Affair to Remember. A good tear-jerker was always good for a wounded soul.
She let out a long sigh of relief as she collapsed on the couch, remote in hand. Much better. She turned on the TV, settled back and took a big spoonful of Rocky Road ice-cream
It was the Colonel's favorite, she remembered, just as the sweet, cool taste landed on her tongue. Crap! Why did she have to think about him? She concentrated on the movie, paying particular attention to sexy Cary Grant. She loved the combination of sexiness and humor that he portrayed – kind of like the Col – "Aaargh!" She stabbed her spoon back into the ice-cream. Stop thinking about him and watch the damn movie.
Except she couldn't. She kept picturing his face as he watched the two tiny figures on the ultrasound screen. She could see his wonder and his – could she admit to herself that it was joy? Yes – that's what it had been. She knew, because she had felt it herself, through all the fear and anguish and uncertainty – yes, there had been joy.
Cary Grant was speaking to Deborah Kerr – God, he was so amazing! But she was pretty sure that Cary wouldn't have known what to do with a Goa'uld, or how to save her if Deborah Kerr was kidnapped by an evil scientist. She was positive he would make jokes while he was being beaten and tortured. And she was absolutely sure he would do absolutely anything and everything – even so far as giving his life – to make sure those he cared about were safe. So Cary, you may be handsome and debonair, sexy and witty and gorgeous – but you weren't Colonel O'Neill!
Her head dropped back with a soft plop onto the couch cushion. She was in big trouble. She was pregnant – with her commander's babies. Worse than that, however, was the fact that she cared about him – way too much – and she was having his babies, and she was engaged to a kind, decent, lovely man who loved her dearly and who could give her a wonderful life.
She stood up suddenly, plunking the ice-cream bowl down on her coffee table. She marched over and turned off the TV – even though the remote was on the couch.
"You're a great guy Pete", she said out-loud, but you're no Cary Grant!
Okay – now that just made her feel guilty. Of course he wasn't Cary Grant! She didn't want Cary Grant. She wanted decent and kind and – all those things Pete was. Jack – ur – Cary was just someone to think of from afar, someone to dream over and fantasize about and imagine having his beautiful, brown-eyed babies.
God – she was having his brown eyed babies. "Not Cary's idiot", she murmured out loud. "Jack's." Oh my God – she was having Jack O'Neill's babies! What the hell was she going to do?
She'd been home two days with little or nothing to do. She would normally have gone for a long run – but was worried it was too much this early in the pregnancy. Janet had told her to carry on with her normal activities, but somehow a ten mile run seemed a bit excessive.
She debated calling Daniel and Teal'c – but knew they'd ask questions when the Colonel didn't show up. It's not that she didn't want to see him, it's just she didn't want to see him! Yes, she was a chicken, an out and out coward. She kept remembering his expression when he'd tried to talk to her after her visit with Hammond. He'd reached out to her to try and discuss what was happening and she'd shut him down. She just couldn't deal with it right then – but she should simply have told him that and asked for a bit of time. Instead, she'd bitten his head off and told him she had to go see Pete.
God – she wanted to flay herself. Why had she said that? She'd instantly seen his expression close down and the warmth die out of his eyes. He'd simply said 'fine' and had turned and left her standing in the hallway. She'd wanted to rush after him, but had been too emotionally and physically exhausted. Instead she'd come home and had avoided the whole damn thing.
She needed to talk to him – she needed to discuss what they were going to do. But she didn't know – that was the problem and what was worse, she didn't know what she even wanted. Everything was mixed up and right now all she wanted to do was not think about him and certainly not talk about him.
That's why, when the door rang, she almost didn't answer it. She was positive it was the Colonel. He'd tracked her down (okay – so he knew very well where she lived and that she was at home) and was going to force her to talk to him. She had a brief picture of him tying her to a kitchen chair and forcing her to listen. She couldn't help but grin – it would be true torture if it was the other way around!
In the end she decided she might as well get it over with. They did need to talk and they might as well do it now.
She slowly padded to the front door and, with a deep breath, reached for the handle and opened her front door.
"Surprise baby!" Pete was standing there, hidden behind the biggest bouquet of flowers she'd ever seen.
"Pete", she said faintly – in surprise and, if she was telling the truth, in displeasure. If there was one person she wanted to see less than the Colonel, it was Pete. "How come you rang?" she asked, taking the flowers out of his hands and turning towards the kitchen in order to find a vase. "Don't you have your key?" She'd had to eventually given him a key, although it had been a surprisingly difficult thing to do. Still, she'd done it when they'd gotten engaged. She figured there was no way she could deny him this, not when they were soon to be married.
"I do, but I wanted to surprise you. Do you like the flowers?"
"They're beautiful Pete – thank you."
"Anything for my beautiful gal", he said, sliding up to her and leaning forward to give her a gentle kiss on the mouth.
It was only at that moment that she thought about the Colonel and about the fact that he would have to bend down – even if just a couple of inches – to kiss her. Pete, on the other hand, simply leaned forward or – on some occasions had even had to lift his head up. She liked tall men – loved tall men. She peered at Pete and admitted that she wished he were taller.
"Would you like a drink?" she finally asked, the guilt making her sound warmer that she was feeling.
"I'd love one babe", he replied, turning her with his arm and walking with her into the kitchen. She quickly found a vase, filled it and plunked the flowers in. She then fixed a cold drink for herself and Pete.
"So – how did your mission go?" he asked, taking a sip of the straw. "You were gone for a pretty long time."
"Mmm hmm", she answered, using the straw as an excuse not to speak.
"Was it – did you – you know, kill any of the Gould guys?"
"Gould guys? Sounds like someone who would be out selling cookies!" she scoffed. "And no – we didn't kill any Goa'ulds." She wasn't about to tell him about Ra'mash.
"So, what were you doing? And before you say 'classified' – remember I do have clearance!"
She stared at her boyfriend – her fiancé – and wondered if this was the time. Should she tell him she was pregnant - with twins – and they were the children of her commanding officer and a man with whom she'd never even kissed (she wasn't about to count that time in the locker room years ago). Should she beg him to stick with her, to marry her and raise the babies as his own? Would Jack allow that? Would this man want that? Did she want that?
She must have been staring for longer than she realized because Pete actually came over and snapped his fingers in her face. "
"Wha - ? Huh?" she replied, fuzzily.
"Are you sure you're okay Sam?" Pete was looking at her worriedly. "You look like you've seen a ghost. Have a seat and maybe then you can tell me what's wrong."
She gratefully took the glass of iced tea he brought to her and she sat and tried to relax. After a few deep sips she set the glass on the table beside her, ready to continue.
"Pete – first off, I need to tell you I'm pregnant."