Thank you to all my amazing readers for your kind and lovely comments! I will definitely return to Stargate after a needed break. My plan is to try some serious writing (which I actually edit and spend a bit more time on) as well as to try out a new fandom (Stargate will always be my first love but my kids want me to try something else for a while). So - again thank you and I will finish this and my Threads story over the next week or so.

"I was worried about her Colonel", Janet began. "That's all."

"No, that's not all Janet", Jack answered. "You were angry and you took it out on Sam – and now you haven't been by in over two weeks. Something else is going on."

The Doctor opened her mouth, as if to argue, but then snapped it shut. She took a deep breath and then nodded towards the living room. "Let's sit", she told the two men.

Once they'd been seated Jack looked at the woman he'd often trusted with his life, and the lives of his teammates. He was damn well going to get to the bottom of this. "So – what is this all about?"

Janet closed her eyes briefly and then took another deep breath. "I – was angry", she admitted.

"That was obvious – what I'm not so clear about is why. We didn't try and exclude you from anything. We had an emergency situation and got to the hospital as quickly as possible and then everything just – happened. So tell me why you were so upset."

"I – don't know", she admitted, looking shamefaced. "Look", she started to explain, "your lives are my responsibility. I've had to fix up each one of you after disastrous missions – and there have been times I've had to work my butt off to make sure you stayed alive. When you didn't call – I guess I just felt like – all of that didn't matter."

"Didn't matter", Jack exclaimed. "God Janet – how could you possibly think that? You have to know that we trust you, we rely on you – that you're part of our team – at least you were."

At those words the petite woman swallowed. "I just – I'm sorry Colonel. I guess I shouldn't have gotten so upset. I just wish that you'd called."

"Okay fine – next time I'll try and remember to call", he answered, somewhat sarcastically. "I'll just tell Sam to hold on because I have to go and call someone."

"You could have called after the crisis was over", she told him sharply. "You had time to call Daniel."

"Because we needed a ride", he explained. "For goodness sakes Janet – you have to know you're being unreasonable!"

"Uh – Jack", Daniel started to interrupt.

"No! I will not be made to feel guilty over this", O'Neill said firmly. "We did nothing wrong and if you have a problem with that Janet, then I suggest you get over it. You're a professional for God's sake. You should know better than this."

For a moment she looked angry and ready to fight back. Jack could see the moment she backed off as her shoulders relaxed and she breathed out.

"You're right Sir", she finally said. "I've been telling myself I've been a fool for the last couple of weeks and that I have to get over it. I was hurt and took it out on you."

"And you hurt Sam in the process", he told her quietly. "And that's the last thing she needed."

"I know", Janet said softly. "And I really am sorry! I would have been over days ago but -"

"But?" Jack frowned, wondering what would have stopped her from coming to see Sam. It wasn't like Janet at all.

"Well – Saeena kept telling me to stay away – that Sam needed space. I knew she was wrong but my hurt feelings got in the way and I allowed myself to listen to her."

"Saeena said that?" Jack looked at her in confusion. He then glanced over at Daniel, who was scowling. "Why in hell would she say that? She doesn't even know Sam."

"I know. I just – I think maybe she's jealous of her."

"Saeena is jealous of Sam? Why?"

"I don't know but I think it has something to do with the pregnancy. She hasn't said much but I'm pretty sure she resents the fact that -" she stopped suddenly, looking at Jack nervously.

"She resents the fact that – what? That she's forced to carry a child that isn't hers?"

"Yes", Janet answered softly. "I think that's exactly it. That and the fact that you're involved in Sam's life whereas Saeena feels - alone."

"Is she going to – abort?" he asked heavily. He'd thought they'd been through this already, but it sounded as if Saeena wasn't happy with the situation. Maybe now that she was on Earth she'd make a different choice.

"No – I'm pretty sure she isn't planning that – she certainly hasn't said anything to me about it. I don't know what she's thinking. She doesn't really say that much to me – at least about the pregnancy. She chatters on about all sorts of other things, but not that."

"Janet, does she like it here?" Daniel spoke up after having remained quiet during most of the conversation.

"Yes – she loves it – or at least that's what she tells us. At first she was a bit nervous, but after a week or so she seemed to love the freedom she has here. I guess her planet is pretty male-dominated."

"Probably', Daniel nodded. "Jack and I were talking about this. I'm worried that she's not going to want to leave."

"Does she have to?" Janet asked. "Couldn't she stay here?"

"And do what?" Jack asked. "She's not trained in anything. She doesn't have family – or friends – here, and she'd have to spend her life hiding the fact that she's an alien."

"Like Cassie?" Janet asked, looking at him seriously.

"Only a bit", Jack answered. "Cassie was a child when she came here and there was lots of time to get her accustomed to Earths customs and get an education. She also has you. Saeena is a grown woman and no one is going to adopt her. It'll take her time to acclimatize and then we'd have to figure out what she could do to support herself."

"Maybe someone should talk to her", Daniel suggested. "Make sure she understand the situation and that she has to return to her own world. It would be kinder to tell her now, rather than wait until she's even more used to living here."

"I hate the thought of her going back to her own planet", Janet shook her head. "Not one that oppresses women like they do."

"There was no evidence that their women were treated badly", Jack told her. "At least – I guess by our standards they would be oppressed, but if that's where they are in their development, there's not much we can do."

"We could offer her sanctuary", Janet argued.

The Colonel sighed. "It's not really up to me Doc", he finally said. "You'll have to take it up with General Hammond." Wanting to leave behind the discussion about the young alien woman, Jack re-addressed the problem between Janet and Sam.

"So – are you going to come and see her?"

"Sam you mean?" Janet asked. Before allowing the Colonel to answer she continued. "Yes, of course I'll come. I'm sorry I stayed away. I really didn't mean to hurt her." She gave a crooked grin. "I just wanted to wallow in self-pity for a while. I'll go and see her this afternoon, if that's okay?"

"Yeah, that should be fine", Jack nodded.

"She'll be thrilled to see you Janet", Daniel said, clearly happy that things seemed to be working out.

"Uh – she's pretty pissed Janet", Jack informed her. "It might take a while and a bit of groveling before she comes around."

"Sam? Really?" Janet frowned and stood thinking for a few seconds. "Well, I deserve it so that's okay. As long as she forgives me in the end I'll be fine."

"Janet", Jack paused and grimaced, not quite sure how to say what he had to say. "Uh – Sam is still dealing with the loss of the baby. I'm afraid – I'll ask you not to -" he paused and scratched his head. "What I'm trying to say is that she is still sad about the loss – which is perfectly normal", he pointed out. "What she doesn't need is someone – you – telling her to 'get over it'."

Janet closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them. "I'm sorry", she said once more. "I was stupid and insensitive and – I'll apologize." She paused, "and I owe you an apology as well." She suddenly looked directly at the Colonel. "I'm sorry Jack – for how I behaved, but even more importantly, for your loss. I – you didn't deserve to have that happen and I know it must be hard." She gave a slight smile. "I know I haven't been supportive of either of you but – I am here for you if there's anything I can do."

Jack stood and walked over to where Janet was sitting. He knelt down in front of her and reached out and took her hands. "Thank you Doc", he told her. "That means a lot." Then he grinned. "And I'd much rather have you on our side. You can be pretty scary when you're mad."

She laughed and squeezed his hand. "Yes – well – when you're as short as me you have to cultivate 'scary'. I have to keep those Air Force Colonels in line you know. They can be quite a handful."

This time he laughed and pushed himself to his feet. "I better get back", he told her. "Sam's probably getting hungry and man – who would have known how scary a hungry Carter can be."

"How is she, really?" Janet asked him. Jack almost laughed again as he saw Janet the doctor suddenly appear.

"She's fine", he told her. "Her OB said everything looks good but she wants her to stay on bed-rest for another couple of weeks."

"And how are you managing?" she asked knowingly.

"Me?" he grinned. "I'm fine too. I may have discovered a new career if I decide to retire."

"And that is?"

"A cook. I make a mean lasagna!"

After the Colonel and Daniel had gone, Janet sat back down on the couch and reflected on their visit – and about the way she'd been acting. She felt embarrassed when she thought about what she had done. The call about Sam had come after she'd been working long hours and she'd been exhausted. That's the only reason she could think of to explain her childish behavior. She had been hurt and had acted childishly and not as a professional – or even as a friend. She grimaced at the fact that she'd basically pouted for two weeks.

That suddenly brought her thoughts around to the young woman who was staying with her. She hadn't really noticed before speaking with the Colonel, but now she realized that Saeena had done everything she could to sabotage her friendship with Sam. Suddenly, all sorts of the alien woman's comments came back to her and Janet realized that she'd been subtly undermining her relationship with both Sam and the Colonel.

Janet shook her head, wondering how to deal with this development. She still felt sorry for Saeena, who'd ended up in a situation not of her making. Still, there was a streak of – of toughness in her that frightened the doctor. She also worried about the young woman's influence on Cassie. Her daughter had quickly identified with the other woman – enjoying having another 'alien' to talk to.

With a sigh Janet stood up and made her way slowly to the kitchen. Why couldn't life be simpler? She stopped and laughed – realizing that working at the SGC guaranteed that life wouldn't be simple. It also wouldn't be boring. She made her way into the kitchen, unaware of the young woman staring down from the second floor landing.

Sam was reading when she heard a knock at the door. Since Daniel had stopped by earlier and Teal'c was away with Sg5, she wondered briefly who it could be. Probably just one of Jack's neighbors or friends, she decided. It had been another thing that had surprised her since she'd moved in. He knew a lot of people and was clearly a very popular person in the neighborhood. Half his neighbors seemed to drop by at the drop of a hat.

She heard him speaking to whoever had arrived and the next thing she knew there were footsteps coming up the stairs. She quickly rearranged the covers, hoping that it wasn't someone important.

"Sam?" Janet's voice sounded from the doorway to her room.

Sam looked up in surprise, not having expected to see the doctor after a two-week long – very noticeable – absence. "Janet", she replied coolly. There was no way she was anywhere near ready to forgive her friend.

"Hey", Janet took a couple of steps into the room. "Colonel O'Neill said it would be okay if I came up."

"Did he?" Sam asked, her eyebrows raised. "I'm surprised you wanted to."

Janet sighed and took another step forward. "I wanted to because I came to apologize", she said. "I am so sorry for the way I acted and for the things I said. I don't know what got into me other than the fact that I was overtired. Whatever the reason, it was inexcusable and I'm sorry."

Sam regarded her for a moment, wondering whether she should let herself simply forgive the Doc – or hold out for a bit. "You really hurt us Janet", she said. "I counted on you as a close friend, and you weren't there for Jack or for me."

"I know", Janet said, sounding sad. "I'd do anything to change the way I behaved. But – I hope you'll give me a second chance?"

After a momentary pause Sam nodded. "Of course. Although to be honest, it may take me a while to forget what happened. I'm still not feeling very – charitable – towards you right now."

"That's understandable", Janet nodded and stepped right up to the bed. "Look Sam – I also wanted to tell you how sorry I am about the baby. It was a terrible loss and I think I said some horrible things to you. Please know that you have all my sympathy, and if there's anything I can do ….?"

"Just – be my friend Janet – and don't ask me to 'get over it'. It'll take me time and in the meantime I need to grieve."

"I know – that's what the Colonel said", Janet told her.

"The Colonel said?" The bed-ridden woman looked at her in shock. "When did he say that?"

"Didn't he tell you? He came by my house earlier today."

"He – why?"

"Why?" Janet laughed. "To give me hell for the way I treated you." When Sam went to speak Janet held up her hand. "He was right Sam – I did treat you badly – both of you. But I'm here to try and make that up, if you'll let me."

Sam frowned, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Okay", she finally said, and patted the mattress beside her. "But you realize that means you're going to have to amuse me. It gets pretty boring just lying here."

"I thought the Colonel was looking after you?"

"He is", Sam smiled. "But he can't be with me all the time – he's doing everything for me including cooking. And I don't want to burden him anymore than I already have", she told her doctor friend.

This time Janet grinned. "Somehow I don't think he minds", she said, which caused Sam to turn slightly pink. "So – tell me what you've been up to while lying around like a lazy bum! And tell me what it's like to live with Colonel O'Neill?"

Jack could hear the laughter – and sometimes the giggles – from upstairs and breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like Janet and Sam were back to being friends. He grimaced slightly, wondering if he'd made a big mistake! The two women would probably come together to gang up on him. He sighed, but then smiled again. He really was happy for Sam.

Saeena wandered aimlessly through the house. Cassie was in school and Janet had gone out on some mysterious errand. She'd told Saeena that she'd probably be gone for hours and the young woman couldn't help but be curious.

She glanced at some of the items Janet had which were like nothing she'd seen before. When she'd first arrived on Earth she'd been overwhelmed by the amount of things the people owned. Many of them were wonderful – she could tell they were huge labor saving devices. How she wouldn't love to have a 'washer' to do her clothing. The stove and oven were also wonderful, and the stove didn't have to be kept alight all the time.

There were some things that she still couldn't quite figure out though. She knew the 'computer' was an important part of the household, but she'd never been able to figure out what it was used for, let alone how to use it. It couldn't cook or clear or be a weapon, and therefore she couldn't figure out why anyone would want one. She reached over and touched the keys and then shrugged. Oh well – she didn't need to learn to use one of these things if she wanted to stay on Earth, she decided.

Saeena put her hand on her belly, feeling the small bump that had started to pop out a few days ago. She couldn't quite believe she was with child. It was every woman's dream on her home world, but with this pregnancy she was torn. The child wasn't hers – she was just a – what did Daniel call it? – a surrogate. She was nothing more than an incubator for an alien child and she hated that fact.

"You should be mine", she whispered, rubbing her hand over her belly. "O'Neill has another child coming with Samantha. Surely they can let me alone with this child. I will love you baby", she crooned to the unborn child. "Don't you worry – I won't let anyone take you from me. You're mine – and you're going to stay that way, even if I have to leave this planet and go somewhere far, far away.

Sorry - I couldn't leave an evil Janet! Now Saeena ... da da da dum!