They sat side by side on the edge of the bed, but the distance between them felt vast. Sam stared down at her hands, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind the entire flight back, but now that it was time, the words were more complex to form than she had anticipated. Jack was quiet, waiting, giving her space to speak at her own pace. He knew that whatever she had to say, it was big.
Finally, she exhaled slowly, gathering the courage to begin.
"So... I saw Janet," she started, her voice soft, almost hesitant.
Jack's head turned slightly, his brow furrowing in concern. "Is everything okay?"
Sam nodded quickly, giving him a small smile to reassure him.
"Yeah, everything's fine. She did the testsandchecked my hCG levels. I'm about six weeks along. The baby was conceived in Atlantis, by the way, during your last visit. She gave me prenatal vitamins and told me to schedule my first real prenatal visit in a few weeks when I hit nine weeks." She paused, glancing at him. "Janet said... I need to start taking better care of myself. Diet, sleep, cutting down on caffeine... the works."
Jack let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Okay, that's good, right? Everything's... normal?"
"Yes," Sam confirmed, but the tension in her voice didn't ease. She took another breath, her hands clenching together as if bracing herself. "But that's not all. I've... made a decision."
Jack's heart stuttered, sensing where this was going. "What decision?"
Sam looked down, her eyes avoiding his.
"About the assignment—the Hammond," she said quietly. "I'm going to refuse it."
Jack blinked, surprised. He opened his mouth to respond, but Sam quickly continued, cutting him off.
"I know you've been working behind the scenes to find another way, to get them to offer me something else," she said, her voice tight with emotion. "But I've thought about it, Jack. And when the official orders come through, I will tell them the truth,that I'm pregnant. And I'm not interested in a command that takes me away from Earth."
Jack's throat tightened. He swallowed hard, trying to process her words. "Sam, I..."
She raised a hand, stopping him from continuing.
"In fact, I'm seriously considering taking a break from the Program. At least for now. I need to focus on the baby."
Jack stared at her, his mind spinning. She had said the words so clearly, so firmly, but they left him feeling unsteady. He didn't know what to say. This was Sam Carter, the most dedicated, brilliant officer he'd ever known. The same woman who, years ago, told him they couldn't be together because her career came first, because duty and feelings didn't mix.
And now... she was talking about stepping away. From all of it.
Sam waited for his response, the silence between them growing more oppressive with every second. When Jack didn't say anything, her patience began to wane.
"Jack, say something. What do you think?"
He blinked, shaking off the haze of shock.
"I—uh..." He cleared his throat, searching for the right words. "If that's what you want, Sam, I'll back you up. Of course, I will. But..." He paused, his voice softening. "Are you really sure you want to 'pause' your career because of the baby? I mean, you've always made it clear that your work is a priority for you."
Sam's eyes narrowed slightly, confusion flickering across her face.
"What are you saying?"
Jack shifted uncomfortably, realizing he was treading dangerous ground.
"You told me once—back when we first... you know—that we couldn't be together because duty came first. That your career was the most important thing in your life."
Sam felt her stomach twist at his words. "That was a long time ago."
"I know," Jack said quickly, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "I know we've moved past that. But, Sam, I just... I want to make sure you're really thinking this through. You've worked so hard for this. All the missions, all the sacrifices. Are you really ready to put all of that behind you for our child?"
The way he said it—our child—it made her heart ache. But something in his tone unsettled her, making her feel like he wasn't entirely on the same page. She stared at him, her face going pale.
"Are you saying you don't want this baby?" she asked, her voice trembling. "That you think it's a mistake for me to put the baby first?"
Jack's eyes widened in alarm. "No, that's not what I'm saying, Sam."
"Then what are you saying?" Her voice rose, her emotions bubbling to the surface. "Because it sounds like you think I'm going to regret this. That I'm making a mistake by wanting to take a break from my career."
Jack shook his head, his heart hammering in his chest.
"That's not it at all, I swear. I want this baby, Sam. More than anything. I just... I don't want you to look back a few years from now and regret walking away from everything you've built."
Sam's breath hitched as she processed his words. The tension in the room thickened, and for a long moment, neither spoke. Jack watched her, his stomach in knots, unsure of how to bridge the gap that seemed to have opened between them.
Finally, Sam broke the silence, her voice low but filled with a quiet resolve.
"I've thought about this a lot, Jack. And I'm not walking away from everything. I'm choosing to prioritize our baby. That's what matters to me now."
Jack ran a hand through his hair, frustration seeping into his voice.
"I'm not saying the baby isn't important, Sam. Of course, it is. But I know you—you've always been so driven, so focused on your work. I just don't want you to feel like you're giving up a part of yourself for this."
Sam's lips tightened, her eyes flashing with hurt.
"You think I'm giving something up?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Jack, I'm gaining something. I'm becoming a mother. Isn't that just as important?"
Jack immediately regretted his choice of words.
"That's not what I meant. I know it's important, Sam. It's everything. But you've spent your entire life dedicated to this—your research, your work, the Stargate. I just don't want you to feel like you must sacrifice everything you've worked for."
Sam stood up, pacing the room, her hands trembling with frustration.
"Why does it feel like you're worried about me giving up my career when all I care about right now is this baby? Why are you making it sound like I'm choosing wrong?"
Jack stood as well, trying to close the distance between them.
"I'm not, Sam. I'm just trying to make sure you've thought this through. That's all."
Sam stopped, turning to face him, her face pale and filled with emotion.
"I have thought it through. Every minute of every day since I found out. And you know what? The only thing that scares me more than stepping away from my career... is the idea that maybe you don't want this baby as much as I do."
Jack's heart clenched at the sight of her standing there, looking so vulnerable, so afraid. He quickly crossed the space between them, taking her hands in his.
"Sam, look at me."
She hesitated, her eyes uncertain, but she slowly met his gaze.
"I do want this baby," Jack said, his voice firm, filled with conviction. "I want it more than anything. More than I've ever wanted anything in my life. I'm sorry if I made you feel like I didn't. I was just scared that you might resent giving up your work. But if this is what you want—if the baby is your priority—I'll stand by whatever decision you make. I'm with you. Always."
Sam's eyes searched his, the tension slowly easing from her body as the sincerity in his words washed over her. She let out a shaky breath, her hands gripping his tightly.
"I don't want to resent anything, Jack. I want this. I want us to be a family."
Jack's shoulders relaxed as he pulled her into his arms, holding her close.
"Then that's what we'll be. A family."
They stood like that for a long time, wrapped in each other's arms, the weight of the conversation slowly lifting as they came to an understanding. The road ahead was still uncertainand full of difficult decisions, but one thing was clear—they were in this together, no matter what.
Eventually, Sam pulled back slightly, her eyes soft but determined.
"I'm going to tell them, Jack. About the baby. And I'm going to refuse the Hammond."
Jack nodded, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Okay."
She smiled faintly, the tension between them finally dissolving. "Thank you. For standing by me."
Jack kissed her softly, his lips lingering against hers. "Always."
Sam's official reassignment orders arrived in a crisp, manila envelope stamped with the official seal of the United States Air Forceon its front. She had been expecting it for days, and when it finally landed in her inbox, her stomach twisted into a knot.
Wearing her dress blues, she sat before General Jameson, a no-nonsense officer known for his unwavering commitment to duty and discipline. The room was quiet, the air thick with tension. Sam could feel the pulse in her throat as she passed the reassignment letter back to the general after quickly skimming it. The George Hammond. It was precisely what she had anticipated — command of a top-tier ship, a coveted position in the Air Force's space program.
General Jameson leaned forward, his gaze intense.
"Colonel Carter, this is one of the most prestigious assignments the Air Force offers. I hope you understand the magnitude of this opportunity."
Sam nodded, her throat tightening as she tried to form the words she'd rehearsed so many times in her head.
"Sir, I am honored by the assignment. Commanding the Hammond would be a career milestone," she began, her voice steady but laden with emotion. "But regretfully... I have to decline."
A heavy silence settled over the room. General Jameson's brow furrowed in confusion.
"Decline? Colonel, this is unprecedented. May I ask why?"
Sam exhaled slowly, her fingers gripping the arms of the chair as she met his gaze.
"Sir, I recently learned that I am pregnant." The words left her mouth, and she saw the shift in his expression — a brief flash of surprise followed by a composed neutral mask. "Due to my age, combined with my medical history, my doctors have classified it as a high-risk pregnancy. Commanding a vessel in space... would be incompatible with that."
For a moment, the general said nothing, processing her words. The room felt impossibly small, the wall clock ticking suddenly too loud.
"Pregnant?" he echoed as if the concept needed more time to settle in.
"Yes, Sir." Sam straightened her back despite the discomfort clawing at her insides. "I am fully aware of the gravity of this decision. But I have given it considerable thought, and I believe that stepping away from this assignment is in the best interest of my child and myself."
General Jameson blinked, clearly caught off-guard by the revelation.
"This... is unexpected," he said slowly, glancing at the paperwork before him. His fingers lightly tapped the desk as if searching for the right words. "I will need to inform higher command. Given this new information, the decision will need to be reassessed. We'll consider your situation carefully, but you are to stand by until we receive further instructions from above."
"Understood, Sir." Sam kept her face neutral, though inside, her emotions churned. Relief that she had finally told him, anxiety about what this meant for her career, and an overwhelming sense of uncertainty about the future.
"You're dismissed, Colonel," General Jameson said after a beat. His voice softened slightly as he added, "Congratulations, by the way."
"Thank you, Sir," Sam replied, her voice low but steady.
She stood and saluted before reaching the door.
As the door closed behind her, she felt the weight of the meeting lift slightly from her shoulders. But the tension remained, curling tight in her chest. She knew she was facing a pivotal moment in her life, both personally and professionally.
As she walked down the corridor, her feet automatically carried her toward Jack's office. Her mind raced, replaying the conversation she'd just had, trying to anticipate how things might unfold. She momentarily paused outside Jack's door, taking a deep breath before knocking.
"Come in," Jack's familiar voice called out from the other side.
Sam stepped in, feeling the tension in her body shift as Jack looked up at her, concern already etched on his face.
"How'd it go?" he asked, leaning back in his chair, his eyes never leaving her.
Sam swallowed hard, stepping further into the room.
"It went... as expected, I guess. They were surprised," she said, her voice tight, still processing the whirlwind of emotions from the meeting. "I told them about the baby."
Jack raised an eyebrow, his lips pursing as he waited for her to continue.
"They said they'll need time to reassess the situation," Sam added, her fingers playing with the edge of her uniform jacket. "I'm to stand by for further instructions."
Jack's expression softened as he stood and crossed the room to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently.
"Are you okay?"
Sam nodded, though her heart was still pounding.
"I think so. It was... tense, but it's done. I don't know what's going to happen next. They didn't seem prepared for this."
"Who would be?" Jack said softly, his hand sliding down her arm. "It's a lot to take in."
Sam let out a shaky breath, finally meeting his gaze.
"I just didn't expect it to feel this... final. Like I'm closing a chapter."
Jack's brow furrowed as he searched her face.
"Are you having second thoughts?"
"No," she said quickly, shaking her head. "I know I made the right decision. It's just hard, you know?"
"I know," Jack murmured, pulling her into his arms. He held her close, his chin resting on top of her head. "But you're doing the right thing, Sam. This isn't the end of your story. It's just a new chapter."
Sam closed her eyes, sinking into the comfort of his embrace. The uncertainty of the future still loomed, but she allowed herself to be held at this moment, knowing that whatever came next, they would face it together. Mainly because as soon as the news of her pregnancy started to spread, it didn't take a genius to figure outwho the father of her baby was—the Head of Homeworld Security.
Jack prepared meals for Sam daily, determined to keep her on track with the doctor's instructions. Every time Sam pushed her plate away, a shadow of frustration flickered across his face, though he tried his best to remain patient.
One evening, as they sat at the kitchen table in their house, Jack set down a colorful plate in front of Sam: grilled chicken with steamed vegetables and quinoa. Janet's orders had been clear—more nutrient-dense meals, plenty of greens, and a balance of protein to help support her and the baby. Jack leaned against the counter, watching her.
"C'mon, Carter. You need to eat," Jack urged, his voice calm but insistent.
Sam poked at the vegetables, her face a picture of quiet defiance. "I'm not hungry, Jack. I had a big lunch."
Jack crossed his arms, his gaze softening but his worry evident. "Yeah? What was this big lunch? Coffee and a granola bar don't count."
Sam's lips pressed into a thin line. "I had something. Just... not a lot."
He sighed, pushing off the counter and walking over to sit across from her.
"You need to eat, Sam. You heard what Janet said. You've got to keep your strength up."
"I know what Janet said," Sam shot back, her fork still untouched. "But I'm fine. I don't need to eat a mountain of food just because—" She paused, not finishing her thought.
"Just because what? You're pregnant, Sam. You've got more than yourself to think about here."
Sam glared at him, her hands clenched around the fork.
"I'm not going to let myself go, Jack."
Jack's brow furrowed, caught off-guard by her tone.
"Let yourself go? What are you talking about?"
She looked away, a tense silence falling between them before she muttered, "You wouldn't understand."
Jack's patience thinned.
"Try me," he said, leaning forward to meet her eyes. "What's going on?"
Sam stood abruptly, pushing her chair back with a scrape.
"I'm not doing this," she said, walking away from the table and towards the basement door.
Jack quickly stood, following her.
"You're not doing what? Talking to me? Eating? Following Janet's advice?"
She paused at the door, her hand on the knob, frustration boiling over.
"I'm not going to sit around getting fat, Jack. Okay? I'm not."
Jack's eyes widened in surprise, the words hitting him like a punch.
"Fat? Sam, that's... What are you even talking about? This is a pregnancy, not—"
"I know what it is!" Sam snapped, her voice rising. "But I can't just let it... I can't let it change me." Her voice broke, and she clenched her jaw, her hand trembling slightly as she gripped the door handle.
Jack softened, suddenly realizing what was really bothering her.
"Sam... is that what this is about? You think you're going to... what, lose yourself?"
Her silence was the only answer he needed. Jack sighed, taking a step toward her.
"Come on. Let's talk about this."
Sam opened the door to the basement, clearly avoiding the conversation.
"I need to work out."
Before Jack could stop her, she disappeared down the stairs. He followed, watching from the doorway as she jumped on the treadmill, immediately setting it to a punishing speed. Within minutes, she was sprinting, her face set in determination, her body glistening with sweat. Jack stood there, arms crossed, frowning deeply.
"Sam, this isn't healthy," he called out over the whir of the machine.
She didn't respond, pushing herself harder, her sneakers pounding against the treadmill, almost drowning him out. Jack waited a few minutes before stepping closer.
"You need to slow down. You're pregnant, for crying out loud!"
Sam ignored him, her face flushed, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she increased the speed. Jack's frustration reached a breaking point.
"Sam, stop!" he barked, slamming his hand on the treadmill's emergency stop button. The machine jolted to a halt, and Sam stumbled slightly, her chest heaving with exertion. She shot him a glare, wiping the sweat from her brow.
"I was fine!" she snapped.
"You're not fine," Jack said, his voice louder than he intended. "You're overdoing it. This isn't about staying in shape. It's about—" He stopped, lowering his voice as he saw the vulnerability in her eyes. "It's about you being scared."
Sam crossed her arms defensively. "I'm not scared."
Jack stepped closer, softening his tone.
"You are, Sam. You're terrified. You're afraid of what's going to happen to your body, afraid I won't... what? Won't find you attractive anymore?"
Sam's expression faltered, and she looked away, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You're always so calm, so... fine with everything. I just... I don't want to change."
Jack's heart sank. He reached out, gently touching her arm.
"Sam, I'm not calm because I don't care. I'm calm because I trust you. I trust us." He hesitated, searching her face. "You're not going to lose yourself because of this. And you're sure as hell not going to lose me."
Sam's eyes filled with tears, and she tried to blink away.
"I'm sorry, Jack. I just... I'm scared of what's going to happen. My career, my body... everything feels out of my control."
Jack pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"You're not alone in this. We'll figure it out together, okay? You don't have to fight this by yourself."
Sam buried her face in his chest, her hands clutching his shirt as she allowed herself to let go of the tension she had been carrying finally.
"I just don't want to lose who I am."
Jack pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"You won't. You're still Samantha Carter, one of the smartest, toughest, and sexiest people I know. And you're going to be an amazing mom. We'll get through this."
They stood like that for a long time, Sam slowly calming as she rested against him. Jack knew they still had a long way to go, but they had taken a step forward together at that moment.
Weeks passed after that night in the basement, and though the tension had eased between Sam and Jack, the uncertainty still loomed. Sam's future felt like a blank canvas, and the weight of not knowing where her career was headed gnawed at her. That's when the call came—a message from the Pentagon.
Sam sat across from General Jameson in his office, her fingers gripping the edge of the chair as he handed her the orders. He gave her a sympathetic look, understanding the crossroads she had been standing at for months.
"Colonel," General Jameson began, his tone soft but professional. "We've been reviewing your situation and your capabilities. You are one of the brightest minds in this program, and while off-world command may not be in the cards for you at the moment, there's another option I think you'll find meaningful."
Sam's heart thudded in her chest. She had prepared herself to hear that she would be relegated to a desk job or, worse, that they couldn't find a place for her at all. But something in Jameson's eyes told her there was more to it.
"As you know," he continued, "the Asgard have generously shared their technology with us. We've been steadily integrating it into the fleet. But with this new initiative comes an enormous amount of responsibility—supervising the construction and development of several new ships equipped with this tech. We need someone with your expertise to lead this effort. You'd be heading the entire project."
Sam blinked, her breath catching in her throat. Lead the project? It was far beyond anything she had anticipated.
"You want me to oversee the building of new ships?" she asked, almost in disbelief. "With Asgard technology?"
Jameson nodded.
"You'd be at the department's helm responsible for every new vessel we produce over the next few years—no off-world missions. You'd work primarily from Earth, supervising a team of scientists, engineers, and military personnel. It's a way to stay in the fight without leaving the planet."
Sam's mind raced. The prospect of working so closely with Asgard tech, of helping build the next generation of Earth's defenses, sent a thrill through her. It was everything she could have hoped for in a command position—except she wouldn't be in space. But then again, she hadn't wanted that anymore, not with the baby on the way.
General Jameson leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly.
"I know this isn't exactly what you had in mind when you thought about command, Colonel. But given your circumstances, it's the perfect fit. You won't have to put yourself at risk, and you'll still be contributing significantly. We need you."
Sam felt the weight of those words. It wasn't just about her anymore—her decisions now affected her childandher future family. And yet, here was a chance to do something meaningful without risking it all. She took a deep breath, feeling the nerves settle into a steadier rhythm.
"I'd be honored to take the position," she said, her voice firm.
Jameson smiled, relief and satisfaction evident in his eyes.
"I had a feeling you would."
Later that evening, Sam entered the house to find Jack on the couch, flipping through the news channels. She still felt a little breathless from the meeting, her mind buzzing with the possibilities. Jack looked up as she entered, immediately sensing the change in her.
"Well?" he asked, sitting up straighter. "How'd it go?"
Sam dropped her bag by the door and joined him on the couch, her hands fidgeting slightly in her lap. "It went... surprisingly well."
Jack raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate. Sam took a deep breath, her excitement bubbling to the surface.
"They offered me a new post. I'll be staying on Earth, withno off-world missions. They want me to head the department overseeing the construction of new ships with Asgard technology."
Jack's eyes widened in surprise. "You're going to be building the ships?"
Sam nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Yeah. It's not the same as commanding one, but... I'll be designing and supervising the construction of the next generation of Earth's fleet. I can't think of anything more important than that."
For a moment, Jack said nothing, absorbing the weight of what she had just told him. Then he let out a low whistle.
"Sam, that's... huge. I mean, you're basically going to be responsible for every ship we fly in the next decade."
Sam shrugged, trying to downplay the enormity of it, but she couldn't keep the pride out of her voice. "It's not exactly the same as leading a crew into space, but... I think it's the right move."
Jack's hand found hers, squeezing it gently.
"You're damn right it's the right move. You'll still be out there, Sam—through those ships, you will be part of every mission. And you get to do it without leaving Earth."
She exhaled, finally feeling the total weight of the decision lift from her shoulders.
"Yeah," she said softly. "And I get to stay here. With you. With the baby."
Jack smiled, a warmth spreading across his face as he pulled her into his arms.
"You know, I think you're going to be just as much a part of the fight as you ever were, if not more. And I'm pretty sure the universe will be better off with you behind the scenes, ensuring those ships don't fall apart."
Sam laughed, resting her head against his chest.
"Maybe. But it feels right, Jack. I was so scared that stepping back from command meant giving up everything I'd worked for. But now... I'm building the future."
"You are," Jack agreed, his voice soft but enthusiastic. "And you're doing it while still keeping your feet on the ground. Literally."
They sat there in comfortable silence, the hum of the television fading into the background as they both let the reality of Sam's new role settle in. There would still be challenges ahead—balancing this high-stakes job with the demands of motherhood—but Sam felt like she had found the solution that fit her new life for the first time in a long time. She wasn't losing herself; she was evolving.
Sam reached up and kissed Jack on the cheek, feeling the warmth of his support wrap around her like a blanket.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"For what?"
"For being here. For... everything," Sam replied, her eyes meeting his.
"Always," Jack said with a grin, pulling her closer.
And in that moment, Sam knew—despite the challenges, the uncertainties, and the changes—she was exactly where she needed to be. She wasn't just leading the futurebut building it, one ship at a time.