Early morning before class Cassie dropped Sam off at the airport. After the check in Sam called Jack.

"O'Neill." he barked into the phone not really noticing who the caller was.

"Good morning to you too. Sorry, I can call back later." Sam said and whispered "Or maybe I should stay here."

That didn't go unnoticed by Jack.

"Sorry honey, I haven't looked at the phone to confirm who the caller was, I just finished a rough meeting. I'm not in the best mood today. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon."

"It's ok. I just wanted to let you know that I'll arrive around 3pm."

"Ok, I'll send Jim. It could be a long day for me, Sam. I'm so sorry, I wanted to be home early..."

"Jack, I knew you would have to work. It wasn't planned for me to visit this week so don't stress yourself. I'm very happy to relax at home alone and sleep next to you at night. Just a week to recover, that's all I need."

"Relax? Recover? Sam, you have me worried here. That doesn't sound like you at all, you sure you're ok?"

"Don't worry, everything is good. Look, they announced my flight. I have to go, see you tonight. I love you!"

"See you tonight, have a safe flight. Love you too. Bye Sam."

Before boarding she took a quick detour to the ladies room. It was still early in the morning and the dizzy spells and the nausea were still bothering her.

She was lucky that the flight wasn't fully booked at all. She had a row on her own and as soon as they were up in the sky she closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

That worked until the plane hit turbulence. She was immediately awake and was just barely able to reach the puke bag to empty her stomach into it.

Seconds later a stewardess was by her side to offer help.

"Hi, that's no problem, it happens all the time. Can I help you?"

Sam took a sip from her water bottle.

"I'm sorry, that never happened before." she truly responded "I'm an air force pilot for God's sake." she frowned. "But since I'm pregnant my body chemistry seems to have turned upside down."

The stewardess smiled at her.

"Oh I know how you feel. It was the same for me, I couldn't be up in the air for a whole four months. Seems like it's worse for us that used to be in the air all the time. It will get better, I promise. And congratulations by the way."

"Thank you. That gives me hope for my flight back." Sam joked.

"I think we just left the worst turbulence behind. But don't hesitate if you need something, ok?"

"I will let you know. Thank you very much."

A few hours later Sam exited the plane on unsteady legs. She felt like shit, exhausted beyond comparison. She was happy that Jim was there already to pick her up.

"Good afternoon Colonel!"

"Hello Jim, thanks for picking me up."

"That's really no problem. The General is sad that he wasn't able to make it in time. In fact he has a lot of meetings today, so it could get late for him to come home. He asked me to tell you to make yourself comfortable, to order some take out and to not stay awake because of him. "

"Yeah that's what I thought."

She entered Jack's home as Jim drove away.

On her way to the bedroom she took a deep breath to inhale Jack's scent, which was lingering so comforting around the house.

She put away her belongings and reached for Jack's dresser. Grabbing an old air force shirt and sweatpants, happy to change out of her clothes.

As she searched Jack's kitchen for food she realized why Jim told her to order take out. In the end Sam managed to prepare herself a sandwich.

Taking it out into the dining room she sat down with her laptop. Only because she was on medical leave it didn't mean she couldn't work from home a little.

Sorting out problems helped her to relax.

Outside the sky turned from bright blue to dark black. Sam had tried to stay awake for Jack but had to realize it could take hours for him to come home depending on what was going on in the Pentagon right now.

She took off the sweatpants and went to bed in only his T-shirt.

Way past midnight Jack came home. After his trip to the bathroom he slipped into bed with Sam. Wrapping his arm around her from behind, she didn't quite wake up but snuggled closer into him.

He watched her for a while noticing just how pale she really was. His hand found its way under her shirt coming to rest over her abdomen unknowingly stroking the spot where his unborn child was growing.

"Welcome home!" he whispered before he drifted into sleep.

When his alarm went off Sam was still fast asleep. He got out of bed to take a shower. The long day yesterday was far away from fun, but it allowed him to be home at a reasonable hour today. He was looking forward to it.

Jack just pulled himself a cup of coffee into his to go cup as he heard Sam rushing to the toilet. She vomited her heart out.

He carefully entered the bathroom. Sam stood in front of the sink, splashing water into her face and brushing her teeth.

"Good morning! Wow, you didn't joke when you said you don't feel well. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Sam smiled warily: "Morning! No thanks, I'm used to it by now. I'll get better soon, I promise. It's good to see you!"

"I'm really glad you're here!" Jack told her and kissed the top of her head.

When he opened his mouth to speak they heard Jim honk to let Jack know that he's here.

"I have to go, but I'll be back around 4pm. What's your plan for today?"

"I think I'm going to take a walk, getting some fresh air will do me good. You know, these are my old stomping grounds so I know the area. What do you say if I pick you up and we'll walk back home together? We can grab some food on the way."

"I would love that. You think you're up to it?"

"Of course, it's always better in the afternoon. Don't worry too much, Jack."

Another honk from Jim.

"Ok, ok, I have to go now. See you later." he said not really noticing the hints from Sam and for the first time today he really kissed her.

When Sam felt better she got dressed and left the house. She remembered a little bakery just around the corner and to Sam's surprise it was still there.

She bought herself a tartlet with a coffee and sat down in front of the shop, enjoying the sun warming her face.

One or two coffees a day were ok, her doctor told her. Sam was glad because she wasn't sure if she could give up her coffee consumption.

She let her fork slide through the creamy cake, never being fond of sweet baking goods, it seems the pregnancy has changed that already.

Her mobile phone beeped with a message from Cassie.

/Hey Sam, haven't heard from you. Was your trip ok? And how did it go with Jack? Thought you would call or text me. Kiss you, Cass/

/Hi Cassie, sorry that I didn't contact you. I was exhausted, the trip was rough. For the first time in my life I had to use these puke bags on the plane. Embarrassing. And as to 'how did it go with Jack'... It didn't. Love, Sam/

/What did you mean 'It didn't'?????/

/I mean he had to work overtime and I was fast asleep when he got home. I'm trying to tell him today. Let's phone tomorrow, ok?/

/Ok, good luck. And don't worry. Love you, Cass/

On her way to the pentagon she let her thoughts wander to the many what ifs in her life right now.

Not sure how to tell Jack about the pregnancy. But she was sure she wanted to tell him at home, so that he wouldn't have to hold back his reaction. Whatever that may be.

Jack was already finished when Sam entered his office.

"Hey, you're looking better."

"And I'm feeling better. Had a nice piece of cake in a bakery I know from when I lived here. Ready to go?"

"Yes, let's go. And I want to know everything about that bakery. Why didn't I know about a bakery with delicious cakes?"

That made Sam giggle.

As they passed a hot dog stand Sam had to have one. "Wow, that smells fantastic."

"They are really good, I happen to get one once in a while. You want one? We could eat it in the park across the street. There's a playground with some picnic tables."

"Sounds good."

They took a seat, enjoyed the food and the weather and talked about everyday stuff as a baseball hit Jack in the chest.

Two young boys came running towards them.

"We're sorry Mister! I threw the ball too hard. Tony wasn't able to catch it." one of the boys said.

"He you show off, Brian. Don't you think I can't catch a ball you're throwing? You have to aim better. "

"That's not why we're here Tony, remember...we're here to say sorry..."

"Hey guys!" Jack interrupted, "Don't argue, that was a good strong throw young man, but your brother is right, you didn't aim the right way."

"Do you understand something about baseball, Mister?"

"A bit." Jack replied.

"Could you show us? Our mom doesn't know anything about it and Dad is overseas."

"If your Mom is ok with it I could try to show you."

Tony and Brian ran to their mother Jack in tow.

Sam had to smile. Jack running after the children without looking back gave her confidence. She knew that dogs and kids were Jack's favorite people and seeing him around young kids made her realize just how Jack O'Neill was father potential.

He played for a good 15 minutes before he excused him and got back to Sam.

"I'm sorry."

"It's ok, Jack. These two are really cute."

"Yes, they are. I miss playing baseball. At least I'm able to play and enjoy it again."

Sam squeezed his hand as they smiled at each other.

"Come on home, it's getting late." she told him.

"It's only 6pm, but I'm dying to get out of that uniform."

They changed into their comfortable clothing and Jack went to sit down in the living room.

"Jack, I think I'm turning in, I'm pretty tired."

Jack looked at her with worry in his eyes: "It's kinda early, isn't it?"

Sam smiled, she knew this was the perfect moment to tell him.

"Get used to it, it's like this in the first three months..." Sam left the room towards their bedroom.

As she reached the top of the stairs it dawned on Jack "What?" he asked more to himself. He hurried after Sam and stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Making her stop as well.

"Wait a minute! What are you saying to me?" Jack said, fixing her with his eyes.

Sam had a big smile on her face.

"Let's just say, there might be a lot of baseball for you in the future."

"Yeah?"

She giggled and headed to the bedroom, Jack running after her he threw her on the bed. Cupping her face he placed a sweet loving kiss on her mouth.

"Are you sure, Sam? A baby?"

"Yes Jack, a baby. Our baby!"

All her worries were gone in a second, Jack was overwhelmed with joy and didn't hesitate to show it to Sam that night.

Even when it was still early he had no complaints about going to bed.