A/N: Thank you all for the kind words and votes of confidence regarding the theme of this story. I hope I can do it justice.

In addition to the previously mentioned TWs, there is now a new one for mentions of abortion.

Chapter 2

"Just lie back Colonel," Dr. Allison Brightman said in a soothing voice as she started to help Sam into the stirrups mounted to the examination table. "Now scoot forward–"

"I'm sorry, I can't!" Sam jerked back into a sitting position, her pupils dilated with panic. "That's how–I just can't." She bit out and shook her head.

"It's all right, Sam," Dr. Brightman adjusted her patient's gown, making sure her entire back was covered, then came to sit in front of her. The padded stool allowed her to meet Sam at eye-level. "There's no rush," she told her sincerely.

When Colonel Carter had strode into the infirmary, Allison had assumed she was in a hurry to get her post-mission check finished. After taking one look at her, however, she knew. Sam had been assaulted. There was a dark look in the woman's eyes that Allison had seen too frequently over the years as an Air Force physician. She knew, from experience, that Sam needed some time to process what had happened. Even if Colonel Carter was adamant the assault had been medical in nature, Allison knew it was still a violation and would treat it as such.

"You said their goal was impregnation," Allison said carefully, taking a logical, scientific approach. She hoped looking at the mechanics of what had happened would allow Sam to compartmentalize the experience so Allison could gather the information she needed to help her. "Do you know what mechanism they used?"

"It was like IUI," Sam responded harshly, using the acronym for intrauterine insemination. "They extracted what they needed from General O'Neill–" Sam's eyes went wide as she realized what she'd just said. "He didn't–it wasn't–he fought them," Sam said frantically.

"I understand," Allison reassured her, fighting back her own shock. She'd deal with that later, right now, Sam was her priority. "You don't need to worry about defending him," Allison said gently.

"General O'Neill's DNA is safeguarded by the Asgard," Sam rushed to explain, "so they couldn't simply–," she waved her hand, "they needed me specifically. My 'sacred womb' they called it," she let out an exasperated huff. "Apparently, the Naquadah in my blood when mixed with his Alteran DNA is special. Somehow. I didn't understand it all," she looked miserable. "I'm sorry."

"That's okay. You're doing great, Sam," Allison nodded. "What happened next?"

"You have to understand…we didn't know what was happening until it was too late," Sam said forcibly. "We…I mean, General O'Neill and I were separated from the others. Then we were drugged while examining their technology. When we woke up, we were restrained to a table. That's when they extracted his sample," Sam squeezed her eyes shut at the memory. "When I realized what they intended to do, I tried to stop them. General O'Neill fought like hell, but–I should have been able to stop them," she whispered as tears formed in her eyes.

"It sounds like you did everything you could," Allison said. "You did nothing wrong, Sam. Nothing," she touched the back of her hand gently. "Do you understand?"

Sam nodded woodenly. "Let's get this over with," she said suddenly, ready to get the exam finished.

"Are you sure?" Allison looked at her carefully trying to gauge her state of mind. "We have all the time we need."

"I want a shower and I know I can't take one until this is over," Sam replied stiffly. "Can you please just do it?"

"Alright," Allison nodded and helped Sam get into position. As carefully as she could, she performed the internal examination.

Sam squeezed her eyes shut and threw her arm over her face, willing herself not to break down. She forced herself to relax as Dr. Brightman completed the necessary steps before telling her it was done.

"There are definite signs of what I'd expect if you'd undergone an IUI procedure," Allison told her, "but I didn't see any signs of injury. While we wait for your lab results, I'll order an ultrasound and MRI to be sure. And with you on birth control–"

"I stopped taking it," Sam said miserably. "Pete wants to start trying for a family immediately," she cast her eyes downward.

Allison pursed her lips remembering that the Colonel had received permission to switch to a daily contraceptive pill instead of the depo shot. That was going to make this a little bit trickier. "Could you have been in the earliest stages of pregnancy prior to this?"

"No," Sam shook her head, "I mean…Pete and I haven't been intimate in a while." She wanted nothing more than to be swallowed up by the floor and disappear. She turned her head to stare at an empty wall. "And the Kisqua checked."

Allison nodded, accepting the assessment. "Then our next step is to discuss your options."

"My options?" Sam sat up a little straighter as her mind whirled. She hadn't thought of anything beyond getting through this examination. It's what she'd been trained to do, just keep putting one foot in front of the other until you made it out of whatever situation you were in. It's how she'd always operated when faced with a dilemma. But options meant she had to actually stop and think about this situation.

"You could take the equivalent of a morning after pill," Allison said matter-of-factly. "But given that you already require higher doses of hormones to prevent ovulation, I would advise against it. I fear that the dose needed would cause a multitude of side effects."

Sam nodded stiffly.

"I can perform a D and remove everything from inside your uterus which will effectively prevent implantation," Allison continued. "It would essentially be a preemptive abortion."

"Abortion," Sam whispered the word as her mind went numb.

"Or your third option is to wait and see," Allison said. "You might not conceive at all. IUI is hardly a guarantee and your physiology is quite unique."

Sam nodded again, but she'd stopped hearing much of anything after Allison mentioned abortion. For some reason her entire being screamed out against the idea, but she knew it was the most logical option. But then again, she wasn't alone in this. Her head snapped up.

"I need to speak to General O'Neill," Sam announced, her tone startling Allison who was still talking about the likelihood of conception taking place.

"This is your decision, Sam," Allison reminded her carefully. "You don't need your commanding officer's approval even if he might be personally involved."

"I'm sure," Sam snapped, then took a deep breath. "It's not…I'm sure," she said again, forcing her voice to remain even. "Please, I need to speak with General O'Neill."