"Uh – you can say something at any time", he told her, after the pause had grown to almost a minute. He finally got up enough courage to look at her, only to see her with tears running down her cheeks. Crap – had he just blown it big time? Had all the stuff they'd been saying meant something else to her? Had he misread –

"Stop it Jack", she finally spoke. She turned to him abruptly, practically knocking his nose with her face. She then reached out and grabbed his arms. "Thank you. You'll never know how wonderful it is to hear you say that."

"So you're – uh – okay with - ?"

"Okay? I'm – I'm thrilled." With that she leaned forward and –

Sam Carter was kissing him. Samantha Carter was kissing him. Samantha Carter was kissing him. Major Samantha Carter was kiss –

"Stop it", she murmured again, this time against his lips.

Okay – he could do that. For the next few minutes there were absolutely no thoughts running through his mind. All he knew – or rather felt – was that life was suddenly perfect – oh, and Sam's lips – he definitely felt those.

"Were you serious?" she asked, after a long, long time of sitting and kissing and – kissing.

"About", he cleared his throat, since that had come out with nothing more than a croak. "About what?"

"About the Air Force – about the fact that we don't have to worry about the regs."

"Oh – yeah – totally serious." He grinned at her and leaned forward, his eyes closing in anticipation.

"But how?" she interrupted his movement.

Damn! He sighed, opened his eyes and leaned back. It appeared as if the kissing was over – for now – and the explanations were beginning. Crap. "Uh – I told you – I asked Hammond if he'd go to bat for us and he did."

"But what if -" her words stopped, but he could tell from her eyes what she had been going to say.

"What if this", he gestured between the two of them, "hadn't happened?"

"Yeah."

"Well then – nothing. You wouldn't have known anything about it. It was only an 'in case' scenario. Hammond wouldn't have said anything to you."

"Would you have let me go?" she asked then, thinking back to earlier in the evening.

Jack pulled back a little at that and ran his fingers through his hair. "I don't know", he said honestly. "I kind of got the impression from what you said that you weren't happy here so – probably."

She shook her head. "I'm so sorry." Before he had a chance to respond to that she continued. "But you must have known I really didn't mean it. I'm not that good an actress."

He shrugged. "I – it doesn't really matter now, does it? I mean, you're here and everything is working out fine."

This time she sighed. "I guess but – there's still a lot to discuss."

"I know", he glanced at his watch, "but now's not the time. It's 5:30 in the morning and as nice as this is, I'm tired and you must be too."

"Kind of", she said, although the yawn that immediately followed her words indicated she was beyond 'kind of'. She laughed. "I guess I am. I should probably be -" she looked at him, not finishing her words.

"Going?" he asked, a question in his voice. "Uh – if you want to I won't stop you, but I wish you wouldn't", he told her quietly. "I like having you here."

"Good." The smile that appeared on her face practically blinded him. "Wait right here." She hopped up off the couch and ran quickly to the front door. He frowned as he watched her leave. It was only a few seconds before she returned, small duffle in hand. "I wanted to get my things."

He laughed softly. "You came prepared?"

"Of course. I kind of thought you'd suggest I stayed. And anyway, I discovered that I missed you when I was all alone in my place. So, if you don't mind having your housemate back?"

"Of course not! In fact, I much prefer it." He rubbed his nose with the tip of his index finger. "But – um – where –"

She looked about as embarrassed as he felt and he almost wanted to roll his eyes. They really were a pair.

"Well, I think I'd better stay in the guest room." She looked down and contemplated the floor for a moment. "It's not that I don't – I mean, I'd like to – but I think -"

"It's too soon", he said gently, understanding what she was trying to say. "Why don't you keep the master bedroom? My stuff is still in the other room and you're used to that bed. It'll only take a minute to put fresh sheets on it."

As he grabbed the sheets from the linen closet he had to keep himself from whistling. The day – or actually yesterday, if he was being completely accurate – had started out great, had quickly gone downhill, and was now back to great. He knew if he saw himself in a mirror he'd be mortified at the soppy look of a guy crazy in love. He shook his head at himself – he was acting like a teenage boy.

Still, it was great! He walked back into his – Sam's – bedroom, to see her looking at him affectionately.

"Sheets", he said with a grin, holding them up. "You get over there and we'll make this up quickly."

It took less than five minutes to get the bed made back up. When it was done Jack just stared at her from across the mattress. He admitted – to himself, not to her – that the bed was screaming at him to reach over, grab her and throw her down on it. He could feel his heart start to speed up and knew that it was time to get out of here.

"Uh – you know where everything is", he stuttered. "Just make yourself at home."

"I will", she nodded with a smile. "Thank you Jack."

"Thank you", he whispered. She was looking at him expectantly, and he knew he needed to go over and kiss her good night. The only problem with that was that damn bed!

"It's okay", she told him then. "I understand. Just go to bed."

She understood? He looked at her closely. Damn! She really did understand – and he was pretty sure it wasn't because she could read him, but rather because she was feeling the same. His grin reappeared. "Rain check?" he asked, referring to the kiss good night.

"Rain check", she nodded. "And it should probably be somewhere else."

"Yeah", he glanced down at the soft and comfortable mattress, "anywhere else would be easier." He lifted his head and smiled at her. "Good night Sam. Sleep tight."

"I will Jack – and don't let the bedbugs bite!"

He lay back in bed, contemplating the ceiling in his guest room. It was amazing how it had changed – how much better it looked in just a few short hours. In fact, everything was better. He fell asleep with a smile on his face.

Sam lay there for a long time, contemplating what had happened. She felt warm and happy and safe – something she hadn't felt, at least not like this, for a long, long time. She knew there were things still to worry about. Life wasn't suddenly perfect and both she and Jack were strong personalities so there was bound to be conflict. Still, for now she just wanted to allow herself to feel happy. She sighed and closed her eyes and fell asleep, a smile on her face.

"Hey – you like pancakes?" Jack turned around when she walked into the kitchen, his hand holding a fry pan.

"I love pancakes", she told him with a grin.

"Good – because that's what we're having. Jack's special pancakes!"

"Don't tell me – they have beer in them?"

Jack stared at her in shock. "Of course. You need to ask?"

She watched as he made them – he wouldn't let her help. "You're a fraud", she finally told him.

"Really? Why this time?"

"Because you didn't put any beer in the batter."

He took the dripping spoon out of the batter and pointed it at her stomach. "Junior doesn't need beer", he informed her. "I'll have to make Jack's 'almost as special' pancakes. Not quite as good but better for the kid."

"So", she sat back and stretched, feeling more than full after quite a few of Jack's pancakes.

"So?" He loaded the dishes into the sink, whistling all the while. "Whatcha thinking?"

"Just how nice this is", she told him. "I could get used to having a man make my breakfast for me every morning."

"A man?" he turned and scowled at her.

"Well – you", she clarified.

"Okay – good. Except I only do breakfasts on special occasions", he informed her.

"Really? What kind of special occasions?"

He thought for a few seconds and then began to list them. "Let's see. Hmm – for teammates after missions that go FUBAR".

"You never made breakfast for me when that happened", she interrupted, complaining.

"Carter, Carter, Carter – of course I didn't. You didn't show up at my doorstep at 3:00 in the morning upset, like my other teammates", he answered.

"No?" she smirked at him.

"Oh – yeah – right. Okay then, so I make breakfast for all my teammates who show up in the middle of the night." He frowned. "Why do I do that? They should make me breakfast."

"I'll do it next time", she agreed. "When else do you make breakfast?"

"Uh – after serious poker nights", he told her.

"Why then?"

"Well, it's usually because the guys are unconscious on the living room floor and it's the only way I can get them up and out."

"Okay. Is that all?"

"Well", he let out a heavy sigh and leaned against the counter. "I also make breakfast for the beautiful woman I'm in love with – who also showed up at 3:00 in the morning – and who is going to have my child."

She smiled at that and stood up. Walking over to him she put her arms around him and hugged him. "I could definitely get used to that."

"Having me make you breakfast?"

"That too", she smiled. "But I meant having you say that. I love you too you know."

"Mmm hmm", he answered, lowering his head to hers. "Does that mean you'll make me breakfast?"

"Of course – as long as you don't mind burnt toast."

He groaned slightly. "You really can't cook, can you?"

"Nope. That's why I'm coming to stay with you. I've eaten much better the last few weeks than when I was at home."

He groaned and hugged her again. "So, why did I get the Air Force to let us be together?"

"For my sparkling personality?"

He lifted an eyebrow.

"For my scientific expertise?"

He shook his head.

She sighed. "For the baby?" she patted her tummy.

"Only partly."

"So – why then?"

"Because they knew I couldn't live without you."

They spent the day together, much as they'd done for the last few weeks. They talked about random things and laughed a lot. Of course now they also spent a lot of time touching and kissing. In fact there were a number of times when Sam went to speak when she'd be interrupted by a kiss. She finally got her revenge by doing the same to Jack. She was pretty sure he didn't' mind.

It was late afternoon and they were sitting in the living room, both quiet and content. It was actually Jack who decided it was time. With a deep breath he gave Sam a slight squeeze and then leaned back.

"We should talk."

She grimaced slightly. "Yeah, I guess, although I'd prefer not to."

He chuckled and put his arm around her. "Yeah – my philosophy too. But we need to with - ", he nodded towards her stomach.

"I know. So – what do we talk about?"

"Well – I think we need to figure out the next few months and then – what we're going to do when Junior comes."

"Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we not call the baby 'Junior'? It kind of gives me the creeps."

"Right – sure – what do we call it then?"

"How about 'the baby'?"

"Nah – too boring. Let's call it sprout."

"Fine – sprout it is. Okay – what do you want to do?"

"Well – I want us to spend the next little while getting to know one another", Jack said softly.

"But we already do know each other", she said with a lift of her brows.

"No – I mean yes – but – you know me as your commanding officer – and friend and I know you as Carter and my 2IC. I want to know you as Sam – as a woman and – friend."

She smiled. "That sounds nice. And then?"

"Then we – move on to the next step."

"The next step?"

He smiled slowly, one side of his mouth lifting. She'd only seen that look once or twice before. This time it sent shivers – good shivers – down her spine. "Sounds wonderful."

Saeena pounded her pillow and tried to get comfortable. Cassie was in lying beside her, reading a book.

"What's wrong?" the Cas asked. "You seem upset about something."

"No – yes", she said suddenly, sitting up. "Cassie, can you keep a secret?"

"Of course!" the younger girl sat up and looked at the woman she had begun to idolize. "I won't tell anybody!"

"Okay then – you know I'm pregnant?"

Cassie nodded. "My Mom told me."

Saeena looked at her closely. "Did she tell you what happened?"

"No – just that it's not really your baby and you won't be keeping it."

"Did she tell you whose baby it is?"

"No", Cassie shook her head, her eyes wide.

"Well – it really is my baby except the people here on earth don't want me to have it."

"Really? Why not?"

"Because – because the child is special. You see, they think it will have – special powers – and they want to use it for experiments."

"You're kidding!" Cassie looked at her in shock. "That's horrible." She thought back to her own experiences with the Goa'uld and felt a bit nauseated. "What are you going to do?"

"For now, nothing", Saeena told her. "I'm safer staying here with you and your Mom until it's time to have my baby."

"And then?"

"And then I'm going to need your help to escape and hide. If they can't find me, they can't take my baby."

Cassie nodded at her. "Of course I'll help you. My Mom -"

"NO! You can't tell her – promise! She's – she has to do what they say because she's with the military. If she helps me she'll get in terrible trouble. If she doesn't know, they won't touch her. She can honestly say that she didn't know anything about it. Can I trust you?"

Cassie nodded again, flattered to have been asked to help her new friend. "Okay", she answered. "Just tell me when you want to go."

"Okay – and you have to promise that no matter what they say to you you won't tell them? They'll lie and try to convince you of all sorts of things that aren't true. I promise you – this is my baby and I'd die before I'd let anyone steal it."