I'm sure you all thought I'd been kidnapped by aliens or maybe got attached by replicators. The truth of the matter is, I owe you all a huge apology for leaving you hanging so long. It's not something I usually do, so can only plead temporary insanity.

In actual fact, my only excuse is that my muse packed her bags and snuck of in the middle of the night, leaving me with no creativity or drive. Instead, I spent the last few weeks discovering some other fan fic sites and reading.

I'm afraid I may be coming to the end of my Stargate writing (at least for a while). I've been writing for about 3 years straight and have quite a number of stories posted. Unfortunately, I've lost the mojo that's kept me writing. Maybe a short break will be all I need. I also realized (or had kindly pointed out to me) that I was making a bunch of mistakes in the story – mostly because of being tired and distracted. Again, I think a break will be good for me.

I will finish this story first, however. I'm on vacation over the holidays so will hope to bring this story to a conclusion. Thanks for your patience and here's the next chapter (and I went back and fixed my mistake about Sam telling about the break-up – you might want to reread the previous two chapters). Thanks again all. I hope you enjoy.

The first few days at Jack's house were a bit uncomfortable. It was strange really, she thought – they'd worked together for years and knew one another just about as well as any two people who weren't a couple could know each other. Still, they were living under very different circumstances in a whole different category, she grinned to herself. At first it was hard to know how to relate to one another.

Jack himself was being a total sweetheart. He waited on her hand and foot – so much so that she'd finally had to tell him to relax. "If I need anything I will call you Sir, really. You don't have to do everything for me."

"Yes I do", he nodded decisively. "Remember that you're on bed rest Carter. That means you do nothing but read, watch TV, eat, etc. I'll do everything else."

"But you're running up and down stairs constantly!"

"Yeah? So? It's good for me. I think I was starting to grow a paunch." He patted his stomach and grinned.

She couldn't help but grin in return. She had to admit that he seemed – happy, so she finally just relaxed and let him look after her.

It was at that point that things started to get much better. In fact, she could honestly say that she was enjoying herself. If it wasn't for the ache that still remained because of the loss of one of the babies, she would say that she was happier than she'd been for a long time.

She and the Colonel spent a lot of time simply talking. It wasn't about anything in particular and nothing that was heavy or deep. Instead they spent the time getting to know the little things about one another – the things that didn't come up when they were on missions, or even when they had gotten together for team nights.

Jack realized, during these times, that he actually knew both Teal'c and Daniel better than he did Sam. Before this whole thing had happened he'd had to maintain a distance between the two of them that he didn't with the guys. He could never invite her over to his place by herself, or ask her to go places with him. Where it was natural to call up Daniel and invite him over to watch a movie or go to a game, with Carter he'd had to keep a careful distance.

But that had changed and now they spent many hours alone together. Sam leaned back and her lips quirked in a small smile. She had discovered something since she'd been staying with the Colonel – and that was that Jack O'Neill was, in many ways, a very different man than Colonel O'Neill.

Oh- he was still the same honorable, brave and quirky man she'd worked with so many years. But Jack was also gentle and kind and very much a man who loved his home and spending time puttering around. He also enjoyed doing quiet things – something she never would have expected. He loved music and reading – which surprised her tremendously. He'd always given the impression of someone who had little time for intellectual or cultural pursuits. He came across as a man of action – someone who didn't have the patience to sit and listen or think deeply about things.

She realized how narrow her vision of him had been. Of course when he was in the field the last thing he'd spend time doing was reading. Even the conversations that Daniel wanted to embark on – and okay, her too if she was being honest – would have often gotten in the way of the job he had to do. He relied on the science members of his team to do the thinking and theorizing – he had to make quick choices based on the facts in front of him, protect his team – and Earth – and make instant life and death decisions.

In his home he could leave those things behind and allow himself to be a man, not a soldier. She smiled again – who would have thought that Jack was a lover of opera and of classical music and art and literature. She laughed softly and touched her stomach. "You have a very special daddy, kiddo", she murmured.

"Who are you talking to?" Jack asked as he sauntered into her room. "Not going crazy are you Carter?"

"No Sir", she grinned. "I was just talking to the baby – telling it that its Daddy is a fraud."

His eyebrows lifted. "You tellin' our kid stories about me already? And why am I a fraud?"

"Because you've pretended for years that you're a rough soldier with no interest in or knowledge of anything intellectual. And you like opera?"

"Uh – is there a rule that I'm not supposed to like opera?"

"No, of course not. Wait – does Daniel know?"

"That I like opera?"

"Yes – that, and that you like to read – I mean really Sir Dostoyevsky?"

"What's wrong with Dostoyevsky?"

"Nothing – but it's not exactly Sports Illustrated."

"No, it's not." He tilted his head and lifted his eyebrow. "You think that's all I read?"

"Well – you do give the impression that you're not exactly interested in more – uh – "

"Intelligent pursuits."

"I guess that's one way of putting it. So, you're a fraud."

He grinned. "Hey, I do what I have to do."

"Pretend that you're -"

"An idiot", he grinned again. "Yeah."

"No Sir – you do not come across as an idiot", she answered seriously, "Sometimes just a little – clueless." She paused and then regarded him seriously. "You know that Daniel is going to kill you, don't you."

"Only if he finds out." He stared at her, his eyes suddenly narrowing. "And he's not going to find out, is he?"

This time Sam grinned. "Hmmm – maybe not. I mean, I might be induced not to talk."

"Induced? How?" He looked at her suspiciously.

"We-ell, I was thinking about lasagna."

"Lasagna? Uh – you want me to go buy you lasagna?"

"No – I want you to make it." She smiled sweetly at him. "And some nice crusty garlic bread, a big, freshly made Caesar salad – oh, and some home-made Tiramisu for dessert." She folded her hands on her lap and continued to look at him with an innocent looking face.

"You seriously want me to cook for you Carter?"

"Yes Sir – I'm dying for home-made Italian."

"And what if I go find a real Italian cook who can whip you up some of those delicious things?"

"Mmm – not the same", she shook her head. "You know I can call Daniel and tell him about all the books you hide in your room don't you?"

"How do you know -"

"Hah! So you do hide them."

He sighed. "I don't hide them Carter. It just so happens that that's where I like to read. Okay fine – you want lasagna – lasagna it'll be. But don't blame me if it's inedible." He walked to the door. "You need anything right now? I'll be gone for a bit."

"No, I'm fine. Where are you going?" She couldn't believe she'd just asked him that. It was something she never would have done a few weeks ago. How things had changed.

He turned and gave her a dirty look. "Shopping! I have to go and buy ingredients for a home-made Italian meal!" He sounded so disgruntled that she couldn't help but laugh.

In the end the mean had turned out really quite well. In fact, when she took her first bite she looked at him suspiciously. "Did you really make this Sir?"

"Jack – and yes I made it Carter. Didn't you hear me cursing and swearing for the last two hours! And you should see my kitchen – it'll take me a month to clean it."

"Get Daniel to do it", she grinned. "And by the way, now I really do believe you are a fraud. That was delicious." She wanted to laugh at his look of embarrassment.

"Well – Daniel gave me good instructions – and I bought the Tiramisu. I'm afraid it was beyond me." He stood up and stretched. "Are you gonna be okay? The General asked me to look at some officer evaluation reports."

"I'm fine Jack – and thank you for a wonderful meal."

"You're welcome – and you're not going to say anything to Daniel, right?"

"Of course not – a deal is a deal." She waited until he was almost out of the room before she spoke again. "Of course, I didn't promise not to tell Teal'c."

He stopped and turned, his eyes narrowed. She bit her lip, trying hard not to giggle as he stared at her.

"You realize it's only because you're pregnant with my child that I'm not gonna get you for that Carter?"

"I know Sir."

"And you also realize that you won't be pregnant forever, and that I have a long memory?"

"I know that too Sir."

"Jack." he told her. "Just so we're clear on that Carter." With that he walked out of her room to the sound or her saying 'Sam'.

As she lay there all she could think about were his words. "It's only because you're pregnant with my child." She could feel the warmth spread all the way from her toes to the top of her head. She leaned back and closed her eyes, allowing herself to finally begin to hope.

Jack was whistling as he made his way from Carter's room. He smiled – she kept bugging him to call her Sam, but he liked Carter. It was – his name for her. It meant something special to him, although he liked Sam too. The problem with 'Sam' was that it brought the dream a little too close and it frightened him. Not because he didn't want it, but because he wanted it so much – and yet was afraid it would never happen.

It was a couple of weeks into Sam's enforced bed rest that Jack finally decided he'd had enough of Janet's pissy attitude. The fact that she hadn't been back to see Sam infuriated him. Sam didn't say much, but he knew she was hurt and for that Jack would do battle with anyone, including a 5'2" pain in the ass, power monger of a doctor. So, he told Sam he was going shopping and headed over to Frasier's house.

He wasn't stupid however – no matter how many people thought he was. Nope – not stupid. He took Daniel with him.

"You mean she hasn't been over once?" Daniel asked in surprise.

"Nope – not after that first time. She's called a few times – always has an excuse. I talked to Hammond and he said things have been slow at the SGC – no emergencies, accidents, injuries, etc. No – she's avoiding us."

"I can't believe that of her", Daniel shook his head. "Sam is one of her best friends. Where is this coming from?"

"I don't know", Jack sighed as he pulled up to a stop sign. He sat for a moment, tapping the steering wheel with his fingertips. "She was hurt we didn't call her so maybe she's still upset about that. We didn't do it intentionally – there really wasn't time and she couldn't have done anything. Then, afterward, she said some things to Sam that were – hurtful. She didn't mean them to be, but I couldn't let her get away with it. After that she was furious and well – here we are."

"What are you going to say to her?"

"I don't know", Jack pulled up in front of the Doctor's house and stopped the car. "Just give me a kick or something if it looks like I'm going to strangle her."

"Okay – just – take it easy. I'm sure there's an explanation for all this."

It took a few minutes before anyone answered the door, and when she did, both Daniel and Jack were surprised.

"Saeena!", Jack exclaimed. "Uh – how are you?" He glanced nervously around, hoping that Janet, or even Cassie, would suddenly appear.

"I am fine Colonel", the young alien woman answered.

Jack could barely believe it was the young alien woman who was standing talking to him. Besides the fact that her English had gotten really quite good, she looked like a young American woman. She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and her hair was brushed back into a pony tail. No one would ever think that she was an alien. He shook his head at her lifted eyebrow, realizing he'd been staring.

"Uh – I came by to see Dr. Frasier. "Is she here?"

"She will return in a few moments", Saeena answered. "Please, have a seat." She showed them both into the living room, acting as if she was the hostess. "May I bring you something?"

"No – uh – no, we're fine. So, how are you?" Jack quickly looked down at her stomach and noticed that she had a small bump – she was starting to show.

Saeena immediately placed her hand over her stomach and replied. "I am fine", she said, sounding defensive. "Janet says the baby is doing well."

"Uh – good", Jack nodded, not sure what else to say. He glanced over at Daniel, hoping that he would take over, saving him from having to deal with the young woman. Before he had a chance, however, Saeena spoke again.

"I am sorry about Samantha – about the baby I mean. Janet told me." There was a pause and she continued. "And I am sorry for you. It was your child too I guess."

She guessed? Jack lifted his eyebrow, not sure quite what to say. "Uh – yeah, thanks."

"Although you didn't love her", Saeena continued. "I mean – it was not your choice to have a child with her – or with me, so maybe you were not so sorry".

He felt Daniel's hand on his arm, which was a good thing because the anger flared hot and he wanted to lash out. The touch stopped him and he took a deep breath. "I was very sorry", he said, as carefully as he could. "It was my child."

She nodded, although she didn't look as if she really believed him – or maybe she didn't want to believe him. He suddenly had the feeling that something was very wrong. Fortunately Daniel began to speak at that moment.

"So Saeena, what have you been doing with yourself?"

For the first time the young woman smiled as she turned to Daniel. "I have been learning all about Earth", she told him. "Come, let us sit down and I will tell you all I have learned." She practically danced into the living room, followed more slowly by the two men. She plunked herself down on the couch, curling her legs underneath her. "Sit here", she patted the seat beside her, looking at Daniel. Jack she pretty much ignored, so he sat in an armchair and watched as she spoke to Daniel.

She babbled away, all about the many things she had seen and done since she'd come to Earth. She'd obviously taken to shopping and malls in a big way. She also couldn't get enough of TV and modern appliances. Jack wondered briefly how she'd handle going back to her own world after the baby came.

Good God – the baby. He closed his eyes, realizing that he'd avoided thinking about it or about her. But the fact was, this was his child – his and Sam's – and they needed to make a decision about how to handle everything. He started to open his mouth, to say something, but realized now was not the time. He needed to speak with Janet and find out a bit more about Saeena and speak with her about the baby. He also had to talk to Sam about it. It was a stupid, awful situation and he hated this. He hated that those damned aliens had put him – no them – in this situation.

"Jack?" Daniel's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Huh?" He looked up, startled. "What?"

"I think Janet is home", Daniel told him softly, nodding towards the front door.

Jack turned, to see the Doc standing in the doorway to the living room. He immediately stood up. "Hey Doc, how ya doin'?" He figured he might as well act as if the last time he'd seen her she'd been ready to shoot him.

"I'm fine Colonel. And you?"

"Fine. Good. Yeah – great even. Uh – we came over to talk to you."

"I see. Let me put away some groceries and I'll be right with you."

It was only after she'd walked away that Jack glanced over at Daniel. His friend's face mirrored his own thoughts. Janet was still upset. Damn – this was not going to be fun.

"I shall leave you", Saeena stood up. "Daniel, I hope you will return. I would like to tell you more of my experiences."

"Oh – yeah – right – sure", the archaeologist stuttered, looking quickly over at Jack.

"Colonel", Saeena bowed her head once. "Again, my sympathies are with you." With that she gave one more smile to Daniel and left.

"Well – I guess she likes you better than me", Jack commented, his eyes still on the doorway where she'd left.

"I think she just finds me more comfortable", Daniel spoke quickly. "I'm sure she doesn't mean anything by it."

Jack turned his face towards his friend, an expression of surprise on his face. "You don't need to try and make me feel better", he told the other man. "I'm not hurt by it. It's just a bit – worrisome." He bit his lower lip, thinking about how the alien woman had reacted. It was more than the fact that she felt nervous around him – but what it was, he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Worrisome?" Daniel frowned. "How?"

"I don't know. I just think she's not the sweet innocent she appears." Suddenly Jack swung around and faced his teammate. "She's going to have trouble returning to her home", he said. "She's enjoying life here too much."

"Oh, I don't think we should worry that much. I mean, doesn't she have a fiancé back on her world? And she'll probably begin to miss her family."

"I don't know about that. Weren't they the ones who basically sold her?"

"Yeah but – I don't know Jack – I mean, she has to go back, doesn't she?"

"I guess so", Jack muttered. "I don't know." He continued to try and figure out what was going on but eventually shrugged. There was nothing he could do anyway, other than have that conversation with Janet. With a sigh he acknowledged how much he wanted that conversation to happen.

It was at that moment that the tiny doctor appeared, an angry glint in her eye. Jack sighed. This was going to be less than pretty.

"So Janet", Jack started, looking deeply at the woman who had been a friend and colleague for many years, but now seemed to have become something of a stranger.

"So Colonel", she repeated, giving him the steely physician's eye.

"I thought you might want to hear about Sam – you know her – the woman who used to be your friend."

Daniel whipped his head around and stared intently at his friend. "Jack?"

Jack waved his friend off. "I'm sorry Daniel – but it's time to figure out what the hell is wrong. Janet?"

Janet opened her mouth, gave one short nod, and began to speak.