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Destination

Life’s Journey 6

By Shiaw Mei Mei

 

Jack was in a daze.  Everyone had come in with their congratulations over his impending fatherhood and then thankfully left him and Sam alone.  Dr. Carmichael wanted her to stay in the infirmary a little longer.  They needed something to counteract the effects of the naquadah in Sam’s system.  Until they found it, he thought it would be easier to control in the infirmary.  Of course, now that the true nature of her condition was known, sedatives couldn’t be used.  In fact, most drugs couldn’t be used.

 

Atotoztli and Xochiquetzal returned to Tenochtitlán.  Atotoztli would be back with some natural remedies that might help Sam.  It had been literally ages since there had been a similar pregnancy on Tenochtitlán but there was information on the treatment of it.  Jacob went with them but said he would return soon.

 

Jack smiled at the thought of Sam pregnant.  It had been a few short weeks ago that they had talked about starting a family.  Neither of them expected it so soon.  They didn’t realize that the Xochiquetzal had rid Sam’s body of the hormones that prevented conception.  The symbiote’s natural ability to heal took care of what it perceived as a hormonal imbalance.  Xochiquetzal had no idea that the hormones were there for a medical purpose.

 

He was lying on the hard infirmary bed with the head raised slightly.  Sam was dozing lightly; lying with her chest against his, her head nestled under his chin, one hand resting over his heart.  He had his arms wrapped around her gently.  She was tired again.  The fatigue that she had felt at first had returned.  He didn’t like the idea of this pregnancy taking so much out of her.  He hadn’t thought about how the naquadah left over from Jolinar would affect her system.  But she seemed so happy about being pregnant.  He shared her happiness initially.  Another chance at fatherhood was something he had never dared hope for.  Sam was the only woman he had loved enough to even consider a family with and he thought that they would never be together.

 

It was only a little more than two months ago that the dream had become a reality.  He was still in shock over his good fortune.  Sam had spent a month with the Aztecs because of her blending with Xochiquetzal.  When he could get there to see her, their time together seemed dreamlike since it was spent on Tenochtitlán.  Once they got back, it had been a flurry of moving, missions and work to catch up on.  They wanted to share a normal life together but it had been anything but normal so far!

 

And now, Sam was pregnant.  At Atotoztli’s urging, Dr. Carmichael had run some tests on her hormone levels and was able to determine that something was out of whack with her system it but had taken a Tok’ra healing device to finally get the diagnosis.  Jack had been so happy when Sam told him but he wasn’t sure he wanted this if it was dangerous to Sam.

 

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t hear her wake.

 

“Why the worried look?”

 

He jumped slightly at the sound of her voice.  He schooled his expression rapidly but it wasn’t quick enough.

 

“Don’t try to hide it from me, Jack,” her voice was soft.  “I can read you too well.”

 

He sighed and his mouth scrunched up in a slight grimace.  She was right.  To her, he was a completely open book.  He didn’t know how she did it.  He could fool anyone but her.

 

He kissed her forehead.  “I want a child with you, more than anything, anything except at the risk of your health.”

 

“It’s not risking my health, Jack,” she turned so she could see his face better.  “Maybe my sanity, but not my health.”  She smiled at the slight smirk that spread across his face.  “It will be okay.”

 

He sighed as he pulled her closer.  “What if it’s not?”

 

“We’ll cross that bridge if, or when, we come to it.”

 

She could feel his head nod against her hair.  “How do you feel now?” he whispered.

 

“Still tired but okay.”

 

“Well, I am going to talk to the doc about springing you.  You can stay in one of the VIP rooms if he won’t let you leave base.”

 

“Hmm, that’s a good idea.  The bed is bigger.”

 

He laughed into her hair.  “Yeah, not that I mind the closeness a small bed requires but this is one hard mattress!”

 

“Yeah, and no privacy!”  She craned her neck up to kiss him lightly on the lips.  “It would be nice to have a little privacy,” she whispered as her hand slid from his chest to parts lower.

 

Jack cleared his throat and captured her hand before things got out of control.  Just the thought was enough to arouse him.  “I think that should wait until we have that privacy!”

 

Sam just laughed and laced her fingers through his.  “Well, get me out of here soon or you may just have to deal with it!”

 

Jack sat at his desk trying to concentrate on work.  He was still worried about Sam.  The doctor said he wanted her to stay in the infirmary until Atotoztli returned.  Jack had to get some work done so he reluctantly left Sam’s side.  Not that he was actually getting any work done thinking about Sam and the baby.

 

He exhaled sharply.  The baby.  That thought kept coming back to him.  Thoughts of Charlie as a baby, Sarah pregnant also came back to taunt him.  He wanted a child with Sam.  At least he thought he did.  The pain over Charlie’s death hit him hard all over again.  Could he handle another child?  He realized that another child wouldn’t, couldn’t take the place of Charlie but could he handle the thought of screwing up again?  Of doing something wrong with this child?  Or of something happening to Sam?  He closed his eyes and tried to push down the lump in his throat.  An ice-cold pain shot through his heart at the thought of losing Sam.

 

But she wanted a child.  They were having a child.  There was no other option.  Sam wouldn’t consider terminating the pregnancy because it might be dangerous to her.  And, truthfully, Jack would never consider the option either.  It was a child.  A child of his and Sam’s.

 

With the issue finally settled in his mind, Jack tried to concentrate on his paperwork before Walter caught him daydreaming.  There was nothing to consider and thinking about it would only make him crazy.

 

The sound of the gate activating brought Jack back from the report he was reading.  He hurried to the control room hoping it was Atotoztli.  His hopes were partially answered as the technician on duty announced the Aztec IDC and Jacob emerged with a woman following.

 

Jack hurried down to the gate room to greet them.  “Jacob!  Glad you’re back!  Find anything helpful?”

 

“We think so!  Jack, this is Malinal.  She is a healer also.  She volunteered to come and take care of Sam.  She’s had experience with a similar case.”

 

Jack nodded at the woman.  She had long dark hair and skin that looked as if had been stained with walnuts.  She was dressed the long tunic and leggings that Jack knew was favored by the women of her planet.  She seemed rather young to have much experience.  “Thank you for coming.  Any assistance is appreciated.”

 

“We are grateful to be of assistance to the former First Servant,” the flanged voice made Jack flinch slightly.  Evidently, the woman had been informed of Jack’s prejudices.  She just smiled at his discomfort.  “I have assisted in a similar pregnancy which makes me uniquely qualified to be of service.”

 

Well, that at least explained why one so young would be so experienced.  “Well then, let’s go see Sam,” Jack said as he motioned Jacob to take the lead to the infirmary.  Jack followed beside Malinal.  “So, how long ago was this pregnancy?”

 

“Approximately, 90 years ago.  A previous host was a healer in a remote area of our world.  Not too many live away from the city but there are some.  A female host was seriously injured.  The symbiote died keeping her alive.  The host refused to take another symbiote out of respect for the sacrifice hers had made.  She later married and became pregnant.  There were similar difficulties.”

 

Jack snorted a laugh.  “Difficulties?  Sam goes from exhausted to angry to hysterical weeping in no time flat.  I can’t keep up!”

 

Malinal laughed softly.  “Yes, those were some of the difficulties.  There were others.  Complications in the birthing.  The child did not want to be born.  And he had a withdrawal period from the lack of the naquadah.”

 

“Didn’t want to be born?  Withdrawals?”

 

“Do not worry!  The child was weaned off the dependence through his mother’s milk.  And, yes, the child was reluctant to be born.  He was overdue by three weeks.  We had to force labor.  It was a difficult and painful birth but Jacob tells me that your people have a way to remove the child even if it is stubborn.”

 

“Yes, surgically.”  Jack was starting to feel better about all of this.  Malinal sounded like she knew what she was doing.

 

By the time they arrived at the infirmary, Jack felt better than he had when he left it earlier.  To think that he would ever be grateful to snakes!  He was amazed at the difference between the Aztecs and the Goa’uld, even the Tok’ra.

 

Jack led the way into Sam’s area.  She appeared to have been crying.  “Sam, what’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing,” she sniffled.  “I just…nothing.”

 

Jack leaned over to kiss her before he introduced Malinal.  The Aztec woman nodded to Sam as Jacob came around to hug Sam.

 

“Dad,” Sam whimpered.

 

“Oh, Sammie, it’s going to be okay.  Malinal has something that should help stabilize your mood swings.”

 

“Oh…good…” she sobbed as she burst into tears again.

 

Malinal smiled at the sobbing woman.  “I believe I am here none too soon!  Jacob, I will need some boiling water to mix with the dried powder.  Can someone accommodate me in this?”

 

“Sure, I will get a nurse,” Jacob replied before kissing Sam on the forehead and leaving the area.

 

Jack sat down next to Sam and put his arm around her shoulder.  He, too, kissed her forehead as his free hand intertwined his fingers through hers.  “Malinal was telling me that she can help with the pregnancy and with the birth.  She’s been through this with another woman that had a similar experience with a symbiote dying.”

 

Sam nodded and buried her face in Jack’s shirt.  “I’m sorry.  I know why I am this way but it doesn’t help!  I can’t stop crying!”

 

“You should have had someone call me.  I told them to if you needed me.”

 

“I told them not to bother you.  There’s nothing you can do and you have work to do.”

 

Jacob reappeared between the curtains.  “Someone will bring the water shortly.”

 

Malinal had been looking around at the accommodations.  “Is there another place she can stay?  This is neither the most comfortable nor appealing place for her.”

 

Jack nodded.  “We were going to move her but the doctor wanted to keep a closer eye on her until Atotoztli returned.  He didn’t want her alone if she had another spell.”

 

“A wise precaution when dealing with the unknown but it is not necessary in this case.  Is the other place close?”

 

“Yes, just a couple of floors up.”

 

“May we move her there before I administer the treatment?”

 

Jack nodded.  “Sam, you feel like going up to the VIP rooms?”

 

Sam had been listening to the conversation with her face buried in Jack’s shoulder.  “I would like that.  I don’t like everyone around here to see me like this.”  She sniffled again and her hand tightened on Jack’s.

 

“Okay, let me go get the doctor and tell him what’s going on.”

 

“No,” Sam said loudly.  Her voice softened as she whispered, “Don’t leave me.”

 

“I’ll go, Jack,” Jacob volunteered.

 

Jack nodded to the older man.  “It’s okay, Sam.  I’m not going anywhere.”  He hugged her a little tighter.

 

Malinal smiled at Sam as she moved near the bed.  Her hand reached out to pat Sam’s back.  “The powder that I have brought will help with the emotional highs and lows, child.  I will stay to regulate the amount that your body requires.”

 

Sam looked at the woman carefully.  “How long will that take?”

 

“As long as it takes,” she smiled softly.  “You are very dear to Xochiquetzal and to her people for what you did for her.  I will stay until the child is born if necessary.”

 

Sam burst into tears and buried her face in Jack’s chest.  She couldn’t believe this woman would give up the next eight months of her life for her.

 

They managed to get Sam calm enough to move to one of the VIP rooms.  Dr. Carmichael wasn’t sure he wanted her out of the infirmary but Malinal insisted.  She told him that she would remain with her until the drink took effect.  Carmichael insisted on samples of the powder to analyze but, considering the Colonel’s current state, didn’t object too strenuously to Malinal administering them before the test results came back.

 

Malinal showed Jack the amount of powder to water to use.  She asked if they had a sweetener of some kind to add since it was bitter.  Jack sent Jacob to the commissary for some sugar.

 

Malinal turned to Jack and Sam.  “I am glad that Jacob is gone for a moment.  I need to tell you of the other effects of this particular cure.”

 

“Side effects?”  Sam’s voice was tremulous.  She didn’t know if she could handle anything else at the moment.  Jack sat down on the bed next to where she was sitting and slipped an arm around her.

 

“What kind of ‘effects’?” he asked.

 

“The original use for this was as an aphrodisiac.”  Malinal almost laughed at the look on Jack’s face.  Sam looked at him to see what she found so amusing.  His jaw had dropped and there was almost a look of panic.  Sam burst into laughter regardless of her depression.

 

“Jack, you look like you are about to run!”

 

He quickly tried to school his expression but failed.  He had to laugh as well.  It had shocked him for a moment.  “I’m sorry, but my first thought was if things get much more, eh, intense between us, I might not make it through the pregnancy alive!”

 

Sam and Malinal both laughed at his words.

 

“Well, friend Jack, you seem to be rather healthy.  I think you will survive!”

 

“Survive what?” Jacob asked as he opened the door.  The three of them burst into laughter.  “Oh, you told them about the side effects.”

 

Jack was trying desperately to control the blush that he knew was rising on his face.  Jacob loved to make him blush ever since he found out he could!

 

Malinal tasted the sugar to test the sweetness.  She added a little to the steaming cup and stirred it.  Sam was watching her closely.  She wanted to be able to take care of herself.  She didn’t want to have to have a nursemaid.  She wanted to be the normal self-sufficient person she had always been.  She never expected pregnancy to disrupt her life this much.  She knew that it would change things but not this way!

 

Malinal handed the cup to Sam.  It was only about a third of the way full.  “We will start with a small amount and increase it as necessary until we have found the correct dosage.  Drink it all at once when it is cool enough for you to do so.”

 

Sam nodded as she blew on the fragrant brew.  It smelled familiar.  Malinal had said the sugar was to cut the bitterness.  “How did you discover this remedy?” she asked as she waited for it to cool.

 

“It has been used by our people for eons as an aphrodisiac but it was well known for its calming properties.  Some people used it more for that reason than to enhance their sexual activities.  When I had the problem with the woman I spoke of, I managed to enhance the calming qualities by refining the curing process.  Most of the properties that made it an aphrodisiac have been removed but not all.  It affects people differently.  There may be no side effects at all for you or you may find that your sex drive has increased significantly.”

 

Jacob was trying hard not to laugh.  He couldn’t help but be amused.  He shouldn’t be.  It was, after all, his daughter they were talking about but Jack’s expression was a cross between excitement and fear!  Jacob tried to keep his expression neutral but Jack caught on to his amusement.

 

“Go ahead, Jacob, laugh if you want!  It’s killing you not to.”

 

Sam giggled slightly at the looks the two men were giving each other.  She was so happy that her dad and Jack got along so well but she wasn’t sure she wanted her dad here when they were discussing her sex life.  “Get over it, guys.  I just want to get back to normal.  If this stuff helps, then you both will have to live with it.”  With that, she up ended the cup and drained it.  It tasted a little like bitter dark chocolate.  Not bad at all except a little more sugar would help.

 

“Okay, Malinal, how long does it take to know if it helps?”

 

“A few days at this dosage and we should see some changes.  We will start adjusting the dosage after that.”

 

Sam nodded.  “Thank you, Malinal.  I appreciate your help.”

 

“It is my pleasure to serve.”  She tilted her head in respect.  “Is there quarters nearby that I could make use of?  Carter needs to rest and we should leave her to it.”

 

Jack stood quickly.  “Sure, there are two other VIP suites on this floor.  You can use one of them.”  He leaned over and kissed Sam’s forehead.  “I’ll be right back.”

 

She nodded as Jack and Malinal left.  Her dad stood there smiling at her.

 

“What?”

 

“Are you happy, Sammie?”

 

“Yes, Dad, except for these weird mood swings, I am happier than I ever thought I could be.  Jack’s really concerned though.  He’s afraid of something happening to me.”

 

“Well, I think Malinal has managed to reassure him to some degree.  She explained a lot of it to him when we first got here.”

 

“I hope so.  He has enough to worry about without this.  Besides, I want him to be happy about this baby.  I don’t want him worrying about this through the whole pregnancy.”

 

“He’ll be okay.  He’s tough.”

 

Sam laughed lightly and shook her head.  “He’s not as tough as you think, Dad, not when it comes to kids.  I’ve seen the way he is around them.  I know the nightmares he still has over Charlie.  I know this baby can never replace Charlie but he loves children and he deserves another chance.”

 

Their conversation was cut short by Jack’s return.  “Okay, Malinal is in the room to the right.  Jacob, you can have the room on the other side of hers if you plan on staying.  Walter is looking for me.  Will you be okay, Sam?  I can tell him to wait.”

 

“No, I’m fine now.  Maybe you can get someone to bring me my computer.  It would give me something to do.”

 

“Okay and I’ll bring dinner back later.”  He leaned over to give her a quick kiss goodbye.  “See you later.”

 

Jack hoped Sam wasn’t too hungry.  He was running late.  Walter had been pleading for certain reports and he had been spending a lot of time in the infirmary the last few days.  He called to tell her that he would be a little while longer and he could get someone to bring her dinner if she wanted but she said she would wait for him.  He could hear Malinal’s voice in the background but Sam didn’t sound upset or anything.  He was almost done with this particular report and then he could leave.

 

Walter’s head appeared as if by magic.

 

“Two more minutes, Sergeant!  Two more minutes!”

 

“Yes, Sir, but that’s not what I wanted to tell you.”

 

“Oh,” Jack looked up at the man as he stepped through the door.  “What’s up?”

 

“Dr. Carmichael wants you to stop by the infirmary before you finish tonight.”

 

“Oh, okay, thank you, Walter.”

 

Jack headed quickly to the infirmary.  He wondered if Carmichael had found something in the powder that Malinal was giving Sam.  Surely if it had been dangerous, he wouldn’t have asked him to just stop by.  He hurried his step at the thought of something else wrong with Sam or the baby.  He saw the doctor as he walked into the infirmary.

 

“Doc, what’s up?”

 

“Thank you for coming by, General.  I wanted to let you know the test results on the Aztec powder.  You aren’t going to believe this.  I mean, I just couldn’t believe it!  I ran the tests three times just to make sure!  In all my years as a doctor and a researcher, I have never come across anything like it!  It’s just…”

 

“What is it?”  Jack’s impatience cut through the doctor’s rambling.

 

“It’s chocolate.”

 

“It’s what?”  Jack’s tone was disbelieving.

 

“The powder, it’s a derivative of chocolate!  The processing or refining method has taken the anti-depressant that is naturally occurring in chocolate and intensified the effect but the base element is the cacao bean, which is what cocoa or chocolate is made from!”

 

“So the past few days of hell could have been solved by feeding Sam a Hershey bar?”

 

The doctor laughed hard at the look on the General’s face.  “No, I’m afraid not.  Unless you think she could have handled a couple of hundred of them!  It’s been refined to a very potent state.  However, I have to warn you, sir.  There are other, um, side effects to the raw cacao bean.”

 

“Don’t go there!  Malinal has already mentioned it!  Thank you for your concern.”  Jack just shook his head as he turned to leave the infirmary.  He paused for a moment and then turned back to the doctor.  “Unless, well, I mean…”  Jack was trying hard to figure out a way to word this.  “Um, my last physical…everything was fine, right?”

 

Dr. Carmichael was biting the inside of his mouth trying not to laugh.  “Fine, sir.”  His voice was on the verge of cracking.  “Strong heart, good lungs… please leave before I do something that could be misconstrued as disrespectful.”  There were tears of laughter welling up in his eyes.

 

 

Sam was feeling better now that she had something on besides hospital attire.  Her dad had run to the house and brought back some clothes.  She was dressed in her favorite sleepwear, a comfortable pair of pajama pants and a spaghetti strap top.  And she finally had her computer!  She had managed to actually get some work in between her crazy mood swings.  A noise at the door preceded the sound of someone kicking it.  Sam opened it to find Jack laden down with a tray full of food.

 

He managed to get it to the table without any mishaps and turned to hug Sam tightly.  “I’m sorry it took so long!  Dr. Carmichael wanted to see me after I finished the reports that Walter was hounding me for!  Maybe I should just really retire!  They’re all driving me crazy!”

 

Sam enjoyed the warmth of his embrace as she laughed into his chest.  “And then you’d just go crazy with nothing to do!”  She lifted her face to his to steal a light kiss.  It felt so nice, his lips tender against hers.

 

“Well, in about eight months, I’d have plenty to do!”  He whispered against her lips.  “How are you feeling?”

 

Sam sighed and snuggled her face into his neck.  “Okay.  I was a little depressed earlier but Malinal came over and we talked for a while.  She told me more of what to expect as the pregnancy proceeds.  She said it would take a little longer for the medicine she brought to really kick in so I would have to expect more mood swings until then.  Her host, Papantzin, took over for a while and we talked as well.  It is kind of nice finding two new friends in one body.  Papantzin has a daughter.  She had her before she blended with Malinal.  She has helped at other births too.”

 

“Well, just having her, them here makes me feel better!”

 

“Really?” she lifted her head to look at him.  “Even though they are blended?”

 

He laughed lightly at her incredulous tone.  “Of course, Sam!  Anything or anyone that can help you safely through this is fine by me!  Snake or not!  I am just grateful that they were willing and able to help!  Without them, you’d still be in sick bay with the doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with you!”

 

“You realize that they plan to stay for the entire pregnancy?” 

 

He could sense by the tone of her voice that she was up to something.  “Yes…” he grew slightly suspicious.  “And…”

 

“I want them to stay with us.”

 

“With us? As in at the SGC?”

 

“No, as in at the house.”

 

“Full time?  At night too?”

 

Sam laughed.  “Well there is the extra bedroom.  I think that she will be comfortable there!”

 

Jack paused for a moment to let it sink in.  His life was changing so rapidly.  First, him and Sam and then her moving in with him and now…a full time nurse?  His house was getting really crowded really fast!

 

“Do you think that you will need her full time?”  An idea had popped into his head but it depended on her answer.

 

“Well, no, not if the powder does its job but I don’t want her confined to the SGC.  That would be too hard on her.”

 

“How about your house?”

 

“My house?”

 

“It hasn’t sold yet.  We could take it off the market that way she would have some privacy.  I could assign a driver so that she wouldn’t be stranded.”

 

“I hadn’t thought of that!  And Dad said he was going to stick around for a while so he could stay there too.”  She frowned slightly.  “What about furniture?  We got rid of all our extra stuff.”

 

“Well, doesn’t your Dad have some stuff here in storage?  We could move his stuff into your house until the baby is born.”

 

She looked up at him with a huge grin on her face.  “I knew I wanted you for more than just your looks!”

 

He laughed at his brainy Sam.  “Well, that’s nice to know!  I thought it was just my charming personality!”  He kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly.  “Now that that is settled, are you hungry?”

 

Sam’s grin turned to a mischievous smile.  “Well…” she nibbled on his neck before continuing.  “I am but not necessarily for food!”  Her tongue flicked out and sampled his skin.

 

Jack felt a shiver run down his back as her open-mouthed kisses teased their way up his throat to his chin before reaching his mouth.  Her lips caught his lower lip and sucked on it lightly. 

 

“Hmmm, I guess dinner can wait!”  He let his lips close on her top lip, nibbling lightly. 

 

His hands found their way up the back of her shirt.  Their mouths parted only to facilitate the removal of her top.  He began moving them slowly back toward the bed.  He stopped as the edge of the bed made contact with the back of his legs. 

 

His mouth began to wander away from the sweetness of her mouth to sample the softness of her throat.  He slowly sat down on the bed, pulling her to stand between his thighs, as his mouth moved lower through the valley between her breasts.  His hands slid around from her back to knead her breasts gently.  She gasped as the pad of his thumbs grazed her sensitive nipples.  Her hands covered his, urging him to massage more firmly.  He raised his eyes to see hers closed her mouth open in obvious pleasure as he complied with her unspoken request. 

 

Her hands slid down his arms, up his shoulders and finally, to the back of his head.  She pulled slightly, urging him forward.  He moved one thumb from her nipple and flicked at it with his tongue, eliciting a gasp from Sam.  As his mouth covered the hardening flesh to suckle gently, she moaned something that sounded like ‘yes’.  His hands continued to massage her breasts firmly as his mouth enjoyed her nipple.  He moved to the other nipple to give it similar treatment as Sam moaned with pleasure.

 

He moved one hand down her flat stomach to the elastic of her pajama pants.  His fingers slipped inside the elastic and traced a route around from her belly to her back.  His hand slid under the elastic band to cup her firm bottom, pulling her closer to him.  His other hand moved to join the first as his mouth kept her breasts occupied.

 

Her breath was coming in pants as he eased the pajama bottoms down her legs.   His hands quickly returned to cup her wonderfully firm cheeks, pulling her back to him.  His mouth started a wet trail from her breasts down her stomach.  His kisses suddenly turned from passionate to gentle.

 

“Hello in there,” he whispered.

 

Sam’s eyes welled up with tears when she heard the whispered words.  Her hands pulled his head close to her stomach.  She felt his arms wrap around her waist as he silently communed with the child forming in her.  A surge of love for this man overwhelmed her.  He was everything to her, friend, lover, and comrade and now he was to be the father of her child!

 

Jack felt rather than heard the soft sob.  He looked up to see tears streaming down her face.  Her eyes shone with love and tenderness.  He smiled as he recognized the emotions running through her.  He pulled her gently so that she sat down on his leg and his arms wrapped around her tightly. 

 

“I love you,” he whispered.  His hand caressed her stomach.  “You’ve made me happier than I ever thought possible.  You’ve given me another chance at life.”

 

Sam’s throat was tight with tears.  Unable to speak, her mouth reached for his.  Her tongue sought his with restless passion.  Her hands stroked his face, his hair.  She was lost in his taste, his feel as he eased her back on the bed.  She felt his hands caressing her body, moving with slow sure strokes.  His long fingers sought her aching core as his mouth continued to cover hers. 

 

Her tongue tangled with his as her hands sought to undo his shirt.  She wanted his skin against hers.  She wanted to feel his bare chest against her breasts.  Her hands faltered as his fingers dipped into her wet heat.  His kisses swallowed her moans.  His mouth absorbed her cries as the heat from her core spread and her body convulsed in pleasure.  Her hands tightened on his shirt as he continued to stroke her until her body calmed.

 

Jack was amazed at Sam’s sensitivity.  He had barely touched her before she flared into orgasm.  He wondered if it was the powder, the pregnancy or just the moment.  He didn’t really care.  He loved being able to bring her pleasure.  He felt the urgent tug at his shirt again.  She had managed to get a few buttons loose before she lost control.  He sat up and swiftly pulled his fatigue shirt and t-shirt off over his head in one movement.  Her hands pulled at his shoulders, bringing him back down to her. 

 

His upper body covered hers as their tongues resumed their erotic dance.  She moaned at the feel of him against her, the warmth and texture of his skin, the taste of his mouth.  His chest hair teased her sensitive nipples.  His leg moved between hers, his thigh pressing slightly against her highly aroused groin.  She moved slightly against him, moaning at the rough feel of his fatigues.  She could feel his erection pressing into her thigh.

 

Jack could feel her wetness through his fatigues as she pressed against his thigh.  He could feel her body tighten as she moved against him.  Her restless tongue faltered as he pressed harder.  She buried her face in his neck as she began to move urgently against him.  He moved with her, letting her movements guide him.  Her nails dug into his shoulders, her teeth, into his collarbone. 

 

Sam was delirious with the feel and taste of him.  He held on to her tightly as once again her body convulsed and writhed as exquisite pleasure flooded her body.  She felt his hands slide up under her back and held tightly to her shoulders as she growled against his shoulder.

 

“Jack…please…” Her words were gasps of pleasure and need.  His lips nuzzled her neck.

 

“What, Sam?  What do you want me to do?” he whispered in her ear.

 

“Please…I need you.  I need you…inside me.”  Her hands frantically tried to undo his fatigues.  She fumbled with her loss of control.

 

The tears that ran down the side of her face met his cheek.  His tongue tasted the tears as he kissed his way back to her mouth. 

 

“Whatever you want, Sam.”  He sat up to try to unlace his boots but her hands were unbuttoning him, pushing his fatigues away to free his erection.

 

“Now…” her voice begged.  “Please…”

 

He gave up on his boots and pushed his fatigues down further.  Her hands pulled desperately at his shoulders as he covered her with his half-naked body.  He slid easily into her depths as her strong legs wrapped around him.  He could feel her muscles seize his erection as she once more plunged into ecstasy.

 

It was his turn to moan as her hot depths tightened around him.  He had to control his urge to move or this would be over quickly and he wanted this to last.  Her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him into another deep kiss as her body trembled out of control.  He tried to concentrate on her hot mouth as she came down from the height of her orgasm.  If he didn’t think about her wet center, about being buried in her, maybe he could maintain some control.  But she began to move.  Her legs alternately clenched and released, moving him slightly in and out of her.

 

“Oh, Sam, wait…please…” He gasped against her mouth.  “Give me a minute.”

 

“No,” was her terse whispered reply as she continued to torment him.

 

“Oh, shit…” He couldn’t resist the pull of her body.  His control disappeared as he began to move within her.  Her legs relaxed as she got her way.  He plunged hard into her as she pulled her knees up close to his shoulders to allow him to slide deeper into her.  Her hands moved easily over his now sweat slick shoulders.  Her lips moved to taste the beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead.  He began to  move fast and hard into her body.

 

He could feel her tense up as she started to come again.  Her neck strained as her mouth was a frenzy of activity on his face, his eyes, his forehead, his lips…  Her tongue slipped into his mouth as he gasped.  He felt her tighten around him as he continued to invade her body.  Her head fell back as a hoarse cry escaped her throat.  Her body shook hard beneath him, her fingers dug into his upper arms.  He could feel her warm wetness flowing around him.  He followed her willingly as he released his own warmth.

 

Sam deliriously pulled his face to hers as his arms gave out and he lowered himself to rest on her.  Her mouth devoured his as her body continued to tremble violently.

 

“I love you so much,” she whispered as she nuzzled his neck.  Her arms pulled him closer forcing him to relax his weight on her.  His hands slid under her shoulders.

 

He kissed her neck, tasting the salt of her sweat.  “I love you, too,” he murmured in her ear as his fingers ran through her damp hair.  “If this is what that powder does to you, I am going to demand a steady supply of it,” he laughed lightly.

 

She snorted a slight laugh.  “Malinal said the powder wouldn’t start working for several days!  This is what you do to me!”

 

He raised his head to look at her in mock fear.  “If this is just you, I might not survive if the powder has any affect!”

 

Sam laughed as she kissed him quickly.  “Don’t worry; I’ll be gentle with you!”

 

“Oh, speaking of the powder, Dr. Carmichael finished his analysis.”

 

“And?”

 

“It’s chocolate.”

 

“It’s what?”

 

“He said that it is derived from the cacao bean which is where chocolate comes from.  He said that the raw cacao bean not only has anti-depressant qualities but is known as an aphrodisiac as well.”

 

Sam started laughing so hard that tears started streaming down her face.  “Choco…late…” she sputtered through her amusement.  “It…tasted like chocolate, I just didn’t think about it!”

 

Jack joined in her laughter.  “I asked the doctor if we should have just fed you Hershey bars instead.”

 

Sam sputtered with laughter again.  “Or hot chocolate!  Or chocolate ice cream!”  She couldn’t stop laughing.

 

“Well, he said that the properties of it were enhanced by the refining process and that it would have taken a few hundred candy bars to equal the dose that Malinal gave you!”  Jack wiped the tears of laughter off her face with his fingers as she gained control of her fit of giggles.  He grinned at her amusement.  “I also asked him how my heart was on my last physical.  I thought he was going to choke trying to keep from laughing.”  That sent Sam off again.  “He actually asked me to leave before he did something that could be ‘construed as disrespectful’.”

 

Sam convulsed in a fit of laughter.  She couldn’t believe Jack asked the doctor that!  She kissed his silly grin as she tried to calm down.  “What did he say about your heart?” she giggled.

 

“He said it was strong.  Right before he asked me to leave.”

 

“That’s good to know.  Hate to be widow before I get to be a wife!  Not to mention the embarrassment of the circumstances surrounding your demise!”

 

Jack’s face changed from hilarity to serious.  “Hey, we need to do something about those wedding plans!  We can’t have our kid born without his parents married!  Are you doing anything next weekend?”

 

“Next weekend?  How can we plan a wedding in a week?”

 

“Well, you can’t go off world now so you have plenty of time to plan it.  Have you thought about it, I mean, what kind of wedding?”  Jack rolled over and sat up.  His current state of dress was uncomfortable.  He started unlacing his boots while Sam moved up on the bed to the pillows and slid under the covers.

 

“Well, some.”

 

“And?”

 

“Very small.  Friends and family only.”

 

“I like.  Keep going.”  He got one boot off and started on the other.

 

“The base chaplain to perform the ceremony.”

 

“Good, I like Father McCourt.”  Jack grinned over his shoulder at her.  “He’s Irish, you know.”

 

“I know,” she smirked at him.

 

“Go on…” he prompted as he stood up to shed the rest of his clothes.  He crawled under the covers with her.

 

“And as to where, I thought about the back yard.”

 

“At our house?” he asked as he snuggled up against her.

 

“Uh huh.  We could decorate the deck for the ceremony and put chairs in the yard for the guests.”

 

He nuzzled her neck.  “I like it all.  See you have it all planned and we still have a week to go.”  He kissed her throat.  “What are you going to wear?”

 

“That I haven’t thought about.  What about you?”

 

“Blue jeans?”

 

She smacked him in the back of the head.

 

“BDU’s.”  He was smacked again.  “I guess I could still wear blues although I am retired.  I’ll think of something.”

 

She glared at him slightly.

 

“Don’t worry.  It will be appropriate attire.  Who is going to be your bridesmaid or maids?”

 

“Cassie and I think I would like Xochiquetzal, if she can be there.  Though I wish Janet were here.”  Her eyes welled up with moisture at the thought of her best friend.

 

“Me, too,” he whispered.

 

“I suppose you will have Daniel and Teal’c stand up with you?”

 

“Who else?” he whispered as he nuzzled her ear.  “Besides, I think Teal’c would hurt me if I didn’t ask him.  I think he’s wanted us together as long as we have!”

 

“I think you are right about that.”

 

“So there, other than the dress, you have it all planned!”  He kissed her lightly on the lips.  “You hungry yet?  Dinner is cold but it’s chicken so it should still be edible.”

 

“Yeah, actually, I am hungry!”  She started to get up but Jack pushed her back down.

 

 

Sam woke to the sounds of the shower running.  The place in the bed beside her was still a little warm.  Jack hadn’t been up long.  Her mind drifted over last night’s activities.  The unbelievable sex they had still amazed her!  It just kept getting better as they learned each other’s bodies.  She had never responded to anyone’s touch the way she did to Jack’s.  Maybe there was something to be said for years of pent up sexual frustration!

 

The thought of last night warmed her all over.  The sound of the running shower and the thought of the water running down his body warmed particular parts of her body.  She got out of the bed quickly and slipped quietly into the bathroom.  She could see him silhouetted against the clear shower door.  He looked like he was washing his hair.

 

He felt a draft as the shower door opened.  Because of the suds covering his face, he couldn’t see Sam as she climbed into the shower with him.  He felt her fingers run lightly over his chest, following the water that ran down him.  He jumped at her touch and began to harden as her inquisitive fingers wrapped around him.

 

Sam watched fascinated as he began to harden quickly in her hand.  He was trying to rinse the soap off his face so he could see her.  Most of the water was running down his back so she knelt down in front of him and lowered her head to taste him.  He exhaled sharply at the surprising feel of her tongue.  She quickly devoured him, letting him harden fully in her mouth.  She savored the sensation of his arousal growing before she began moving her mouth on him.

 

Jack braced one hand on the wall as he felt her tongue on him.  He still couldn’t open his eyes without getting soap in them.  He gasped as he felt her mouth slide around him.  His passion flared as she moved slowly up and down his shaft.  He gave up on rinsing his hair and let the water run over his head of its own volition.  His eyes closed, his remaining senses went in to overdrive.  Touch being the only one really working at the moment, he marveled at the sensation of her mouth on him, the warm water flowing over him, her hands caressing him.

 

“Oh…Sam…” he murmured, tasting the warm water that flowed past his lips.  Her tongue circled him before she drew him in again.  She teased the underside of his erection with her tongue as she pulled back again.

 

She could feel his quickening arousal against her lips.  His free hand found its way to her wet hair.  She was torn between wanting to give him pleasure and wanting him to share it with her.  He made up her mind for her as his hands reached under her arms and pulled her up to him.

 

The soap now rinsed away, he opened his eyes to meet her blue ones.  He could see the passion in their depths.  He pulled her into the streaming water with him as he caressed her breasts and teased her nipples between his thumb and finger.  His mouth captured hers, his tongue demanding entrance.  She acquiesced to its demands and hers met his in a tangle of passion.

 

His hand followed the rivets of water to where her thighs met.  She spread her legs slightly to allow his inquisitive fingers to find her sensitive flesh.  Her hands tightened on his shoulders as she stood on her toes to maintain contact with his mouth.  Water ran into her mouth as she gasped at the pressure of his fingers.  She swallowed quickly as he continued to kiss her.

 

He knew he found what he was looking for when she gasped.  He increased pressure as he massaged her in a slow circular motion.  Her mouth pulled at his bottom lip as she steadied herself.  He felt her trembling as he slid his fingers into her, letting his palm continue the pressure that had left her gasping.  One of her hands moved off his shoulder and followed a stream of water down to his groin.  It was his turn to gasp as she began to stroke him.

 

He wanted to be in her now.  He moved her against the shower wall as her arms enveloped his neck.  Her long legs enclosed his waist as he used the wall for leverage to push into her hot depths.  Her mouth suckled on his lips as he tried to move in her.  He cursed his damaged knees as he felt them trying to buckle, his feet slipping on the wet floor.

 

Sam noticed the trouble he was having maintaining her weight and his footing in the wet shower.  She moved her legs back down his body allowing him to slip from her.  She already missed the feel of him in her.  He started to protest until she turned around, bent over into the spray of the shower and braced her hands against the wall.  She spread her legs slightly to give him access. 

 

He quickly reentered her hot depths from behind.  He began moving quickly in her, his hands holding her hips tightly.  The hot water ran freely between them adding a new sensation to their already aroused bodies.

 

Sam moaned loudly as he ravaged her body.  His groans sounded almost primal to her.  Their position felt primitive.  She wanted him to take her, to possess her, to mark her as his own.  She heard her voice urging him on without realizing it.  She was past caring about her own pleasure.  She wanted him in the most elemental way.  She wanted his seed, his children.  Never mind that she was already pregnant.  Her brain ceased to think logically.  Only the feelings he stirred in her body made any sense to her now.

 

Jack’s mind was in a fog as he plunged helplessly into her.  He could hear her, saying she wanted him, urging him on.  His hands gripped her hips harder as he felt the surge of passion in the pit of his stomach.  His cries came out guttural, rasping as he filled her.  He could feel her tighten around him, milking him with her own orgasm.  He felt her body tremble and begin to slip away from him as her knees gave out from passion.

 

Sam thought she would fall.  Her knees were weak and wobbly with the sensations that surged through her body.  She felt Jack’s arms wrap around her waist as he helped lower her to the floor of the shower.  The water still ran freely over their bodies as he pulled her close to him.  His mouth engulfed hers as his legs wrapped around her and his hands intertwined in her wet hair.

 

His voice was soft when they finally were able to speak.  “Did I hurt you?” he asked fearfully.

 

“Oh, no,” she whispered, shaking her head.  “No, I just…wow…?”

 

He just laughed and kissed her since he felt the same loss for words.  “We’d better make use of the hot water while there’s some left,” he finally said as their bodies calmed.

 

They spent the remaining time gently washing each other.  Their passion sated for the moment, they tenderly lathered each other, massaging sore muscles beneath the foam, soothed aching joints.  They took their time drying each other off, stopping to kiss and caress each other.  They took pleasure in the simple sharing after their tumultuous lovemaking.

 

Seated at her computer in the VIP suite, Sam was interrupted by a knock at the door.  “Come in,” she yelled a little irritably.

 

Malinal entered with a pot of steaming water.  “Time for your medicine,” she said in a pleasant voice.

 

Sam glared at her slightly.  She was way too cheerful.  Dr. Carmichael wanted her to cut down on her caffeine intake due to the pregnancy and she missed her morning coffee.  She realized that she was glaring at the woman and schooled her expression.

 

“Sorry, Malinal.  I am a little cranky this morning,” she said rising from her chair.  She watched as the woman measured out the dark brown powder and mixed it with water.  She handed it to Sam to add her own sugar.

 

It had been a full week since she began Malinal’s treatments.  Her moods had stabilized to some degree but Malinal insisted that they increase the dosage again.  They had a good laugh when Sam told her Dr. Carmichael’s findings.  It reassured Malinal to know that the cacao bean was readily available on this world.  It was difficult to find and harvest on her world.  She would speak with Xochiquetzal about trading the refining process for the raw beans.

 

Malinal was also pleased at the future living arrangements.  Jacob already has his furniture moved out of storage and into Sam’s house.  Malinal had been there a few times to help.  Jacob had also taken her shopping to find some appropriate clothing.  She was dressed now in a long flowing skirt with a simple blouse.  She found the clothing comfortable.  Jacob requisitioned a car from the motor pool to allow them the freedom to travel back and forth from the base as needed.  He was already staying there.  Malinal would move in once Sam was allowed to go home.

 

“I believe this dosage is going to be the one.  Your moods have noticeably stabilized and the child appears to be progressing nicely.  Have you had any other symptoms of pregnancy yet?”

 

“Some tenderness around my breasts and a little nauseous in the mornings but that’s about it.  I can still eat, though.”

 

Malinal smiled slightly before asking her next question.  “Have you noticed any side effects of the cacao powder yet?”

 

Sam blushed slightly.  “Well, maybe.  I mean, things have always been a little intense between us…so I’m not really sure if it’s the powder or…well, just us.”

 

Malinal laughed lightly.  “Well, it doesn’t hurt a couple to have intense times between them.”

 

“Yeah, I guess.”  She blushed as her thoughts drifted over her midnight attack last night.  “Anyway,” she said attempting to change the subject.  “When do you think I will be allowed to go home?  Jack’s getting insistent about the wedding and there are a lot of things I need to do.”

 

She had managed to talk him out of the wedding being tomorrow.  She wasn’t allowed off base yet and there were some things that she wanted to do herself.  If Malinal and Dr. Carmichael gave her the okay to leave today, then it would be next weekend.

 

“I think that you should be allowed today.  I will speak with the doctor.  I see no need for you to remain confined.”

 

“Thank you, Malinal, thank you so much for everything!”  Sam’s joy at the idea of getting out of here was obvious.

 

Jack’s morning was dragging.  He had very little sleep last night, at least uninterrupted sleep.  He would dearly love a nap at lunch but he promised Sam he would have lunch with her.  He should probably eat something before he went to her quarters.  If today were anything like lunch yesterday, he wouldn’t be getting any food.

 

Not that he was complaining!  Well, maybe a little.  He never worried about their age differences before but he was beginning to wonder if he could handle Sam’s increased libido.  Sarah had never been particularly interested in sex while she was pregnant.  Of course, she had a rough pregnancy, serious morning sickness and tired all the time.  He understood at the time because she didn’t feel well.

 

Sam, on the other hand, wasn’t having morning sickness at all.  She had a little dizziness and slight nauseous feeling but nothing that kept her down since Malinal appeared with her magic chocolate powder.  He was thankful that the VIP rooms were sound proof.  He was also thankful that Jacob and Malinal would be staying at Sam’s house, since their bedroom wasn’t.

 

His mind still reeled from last night.  They had made love before they fell asleep.  Sam seemed to be completely sated at the time.  But, a little after 0200 he woke to find her hands and mouth doing all kinds of things to him.  He felt himself react to the memory of her mouth, her tongue.  He exhaled sharply.  What a way to wake up!  As soon as he was hard, Sam had straddled him.  He wondered if she would have continued if he hadn’t awakened!  He almost felt like he wasn’t really needed, well, except for a certain part of him!  She certainly didn’t need his assistance!

 

The memory of her riding him hard, her strong thighs controlling her movements caused certain unwanted reactions that were thankfully hidden by his desk at the moment.  He had to stop thinking about it or he would be trapped there until things settled down!  But he couldn’t help but think about the sight of her blonde hair mussed from sleep, her eyes half closed in passion, as she rode his body.  Well, he wouldn’t soon forget that sight!  It was almost like a dream, granted, a very erotic dream.  He didn’t think he was ever fully awake.  His body reacted to her but his mind was cloudy with sleep.

 

It couldn’t have taken long…  He wasn’t exactly in the frame of mind to time it.  Soon she was panting as her body quaked with pleasure.  His body reacted and joined her.  She collapsed on him, kissing him for a moment before she slid off him and went back to sleep, snuggled up to his side.

 

Maybe it was a dream.  She didn’t say anything about it this morning.  He shook his head slightly.  It couldn’t have been a dream.  It felt too real.  He’d had erotic dreams before, especially about Sam, but none had ever felt that real.

 

The phone ringing interrupted his thoughts.  “O’Neill.”

 

“Jack, it’s Sam.”

 

“Hi, I was just thinking about you!  You want to meet in the commissary for lunch?”  That way he might actually get to eat.