The Baby

by drdjlover

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asd/drdjlover/baby.php
Summary: Someone is pregnant. Who is the father?

Sam knocked on the door.

"Come in," came from the other side.

She turned the knob and entered Janet's office.

"What is so important you needed to see me ASAP?" asked Sam.

"Close the door and sit down, Sam".

"O--kay".

After making sure that Sam was seated, Janet asked, "Do you have something you want to tell me?"

With a confused look on her face, Sam replied, "No, I don't think so".

"Are you positive?" asked Janet.

"Janet, what's the matter?"

Choosing her words carefully, "Sam, according to the lab tests I just got back from your post-mission check, you're pregnant."

After realizing that Janet wasn't joking, "That's ridiculous! Do you have any clue as to how long it's been since I've had sex? Besides, I have my period, so there's no way."

"Well according to your lab work you are," insisted Janet.

Sam continued with her denial, "Janet, the test is wrong, run it again."

Standing up, and heading into the infirmary, Janet continued, "We don't normally run a pregnancy test. We only run them a few times a year. Actually, we ran it this time because we've gotten a new piece of state-of-the-art equipment for running blood tests. This blood was taken and run on the new piece a week ago. Then the blood was retested on the old piece of equipment to check the results. So, actually, these results are about eight days old right now. I know they came from SG-1 because of the color of the marker on the tubes. Each team has its own color. SG-1 is purple, so someone on SG-1 is pregnant and you being the only female..."

Sam sat on the exam table as Janet drew the required blood. "This will just take a minute with this new processor. I'll be back soon." With that, Janet took the tube of blood and disappeared into the lab. Minutes later, she was back and shaking her head.

Concerned, Sam asked, "Well?"

Janet handed her the paper with the results on it confirming Sam's denial. "I don't understand it," said Janet. "This new equipment is never wrong."

Hopping off the table, Sam said goodbye as she headed for the door.

Still confused as to why the test was wrong, a thought came to her. She went to her office and placed three phone calls. As three people entered her infirmary, she was ready for them. She drew the blood amongst protests for the anonymous blood test that had been missed during their post-mission testing.

As soon as their blood was drawn the three exited the infirmary and headed back the way they came. "What do you think that was all about?" asked Jack. "They draw enough blood each time we return they should be able to supply the Red Cross."

Daniel replied, "Not sure, but I really don't have time for this. I have three translations on my desk that I need to have done before Friday." Irritated, he headed up the stairs to his office; unwilling to wait for the elevator.

One hour later, the very unhappy Dr. Jackson was heading back to the infirmary after receiving another phone call from Janet. After trying his best to wheedle his way out of the return trip he finally gave up, and told Janet he would be right there. Minutes later, he was entering the infirmary. Janet immediately saw him and ushered him towards her office, noticing Jack was there as he entered. Looking between the two, Daniel cautiously asked, "What's up?"

"Gentlemen, I think we have a problem." Janet was staring at the two of them unsure where to start. She looked at her hands and began, "The additional blood that was drawn on SG-1 was for a pregnancy test. One of them came back positive."

Eyes wide, Daniel and Jack simultaneously said, "Sam?"

"No," replied Janet, squaring her shoulders and raising her eyes, she looked straight at Daniel and said, "it's you Daniel".

Jumping off his seat and heading for the door, Daniel exclaimed, "I don't have time for this little joke. Do you people have any clue as to what my workload is like? If you're done Janet, I'll be leaving." With that he opened the door.

"Stop!" Janet ordered, rooting him in his place.

Not sure he heard correctly, Daniel slowly turned around.

"Sit down, Daniel," Jack said. "I think we have a problem". The two looked to Janet for an explanation.

"I have no clue as to what to say, Daniel, but according to this blood test, you are pregnant."

"Look, this is ridiculous! I'm a man! Men do not get pregnant!"

Unsure as to what to do next, Janet decided, "Look, let's just do an ultrasound and set things straight. If the ultrasound is negative, we'll rerun the blood test." With that, the three entered the scanning room of the infirmary. Janet excused any personnel that were there and locked the door behind them.

"Lie on the table and undo your pants, Daniel."

Daniel did as Janet instructed. Getting the equipment ready, Janet squirted the gel onto Daniel's abdomen. Daniel squirmed at the cold temperature of it. Moments later, there was a gasp from Janet. Daniel and Jack just stared at the monitor, having no idea what they were looking at. Janet finally pointed to the screen, "see this?" asked Janet, "this is a yolk sac, and this," pointing to a blob inside the sac, "is a fetal pole, in what I can only describe as a womb. This is amazing. This new organ looks very much like a woman's uterus."

"Houston, we have a problem," said Jack, trying to lighten up the mood a little.

"I don't know what to tell you Daniel, but you are, somehow, pregnant."

Shaking his head, Daniel just kept repeating, "This has to be a joke... this can't be real."

Placing her hand on Daniel's, "This is no joke sweetie." Changing her attitude back to doctor mode, "I know this is embarrassing, but when was the last time you two had intercourse?"

Brought out of his shock abruptly by Janet's straight forward question, Daniel exclaimed, "We haven't had time to do anything other than a few stolen kisses for at least 10 days! Our schedule has been so busy, what with budget time, debriefs and off-world missions, there hasn't exactly been time to do anything!" Looking towards Jack for some sort of confirmation. Jack was just looking at the ultrasound screen showing the baby inside Daniel's abdomen.

Janet went around the bed to assist the very-pale Jack in sitting down. Jack was coaxed into a seated position without flinching a muscle. Daniel in the mean time, used the tissues that Janet had given him to clean himself of the gel.

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he asked, "Now what?"

"There are options. You can terminate this pregnancy, or we can try to see it through. If you decide to carry this child, I can only assume that you will have symptoms like any female may have. Nausea, vomiting, swelling, water retention, hemorrhoids."

"I understand the options, Janet. There is no way I am terminating this child."

"Okay, a man being pregnant is out of everyone's realm of expertise. The only thing I can do is to treat you as a female high risk pregnancy. You need to start prenatal vitamins right away," she walked away and returned with a couple of bottles"; they'll help you in getting the right nutrients every day. You need to stop drinking caffeine" a snap look at Janet from Daniel at that comment received a grimace of sympathy from Janet. "It's bad for the baby. I know coffee is your main food group, but..."

Waving his hand in understanding, "I get it. No more coffee."

"Oh no, just no caffeine. You can drink decaf," said Janet, knowing that Daniel thought decaf was just this side of cow pee. "I also want to do blood work on you every 3 days for the next couple of weeks. There is a hormone level that needs to be checked and another that should double every third day. I want you to take this also," handing Daniel another bottle, "This will make sure that another hormone is within safe levels for a pregnancy to continue. I can only assume that these levels will be the same for you as for a pregnant female, so I'm going with that assumption."

Jack finally was able to regain his composure and joined the discussion between Daniel and Janet. "I think he needs to go home."

It was now Daniel's turn to be catatonic. Assisting Daniel to his feet, and collecting his bottles, Jack ushered Daniel out of the infirmary and towards the elevators. Making their way to Jack's truck, Jack opened the door, Daniel got in without speaking. Once on the road, Jack attempted to make conversation with his rider to no avail.

10 minutes into the drive, Daniel suddenly put his hand to his mouth and yelled, "Jack, pull over."

Turning to look at Daniel, the sweat pouring down his face answered the question without him having to ask. The truck had not come to a complete stop yet, but Daniel was outside, on his knees, in the bushes emptying his stomach of the little contents he had eaten for lunch. Jack, by Daniel's side, attempted to soothe him by rubbing his back until the nausea subsided. After a few minutes, Daniel was helped to his feet and back into the truck.

Jack pulled into his driveway and quietly Daniel extricated himself from the vehicle. He walked to the door as Jack unlocked it. Entering, he walked to the picture window overlooking the backyard and stared. Jack went into the kitchen to retrieve a beer and a glass of juice for Daniel. When he returned, Daniel was not there, however, remnants of his clothing were. Following, and picking up the discarded items, he discovered Daniel had made his way to their bedroom. Daniel was lying on the bed, under the covers totally naked by the looks of things; and Jack knew what Daniel needed. Being together for the last 3 years, Jack and Daniel knew each other better than they knew themselves. Each knew what the other needed sometimes before they knew it themselves.

Divesting himself of his own clothes, Jack scooted under the covers and raised his left arm. Daniel needed contact; he needed to snuggle; he needed to feel loved. Not sexually arousing love, but the love from your mate when there are 'things' going on. Daniel snuggled into Jack and placed his head on Jack's chest. Jack draped his arm over Daniel and hugged him. After a few minutes, Jack could feel a smile spread across Daniel's face against his chest, and Daniel relax into him.

Quietly, Daniel said, "I'm going to be a... father," so in awe of his situation. "Do you realize that, Jack? I never thought this would happen. Sha'uri and I tried almost the entire time we were together on Abydos and nothing. Now, don't ask me how, but... *I* am carrying a child." A few seconds passed and Daniel jerked away, realizing what a baby would mean to Jack. "I'm soooo sorry, babe."

Smiling, Jack answered the apology, "What do you have to be sorry for? There is a miracle going on here. What more could you want? I've known you wanted a child. Something I couldn't give you; now you have it."

Laying back down on Jack's chest, he questioned, "Are you sure? You have to be weirded-out about this... I know I am! How could this have happened? What's going to happen to me?" He said looking back into the eyes of his lover, "To us?"

"We're going to be fine. We are fine. Now, just relax and sleep. I'll wake you up for dinner, okay?"

"Kay," and with that, Daniel went to sleep.

Three days later, Daniel returned to the infirmary as Janet had requested. Blood was drawn and she wanted to do another ultrasound. As she guided the wand over his abdomen and pelvis, she looked confused and Daniel picked up on the face she made.

"What's wrong, Janet?"

"Well," trying to find her words, "there has been a huge change in the size of this fetus. This baby is now the size of 6-7 weeks."

"What?"

At this rate, you will have this baby in 9 weeks instead of 9 months. Every woman on earth would be envious of you. How are you feeling?"

"Fine." Daniel wasn't fine. He was having trouble keeping anything in his stomach. But, being the good actor, no one knew of it. Up until this point, he had even been able to keep it from Jack. Sneaking out of bed to empty what little he ate at dinner. Lying to Jack that he'd eaten a late lunch at the commissary to cover up why he ate so little at dinner.

Heading to his office to try to catch up on his ever-increasing backlog, he swung by the commissary to pick up some breakfast, hoping to be able to keep it down. It had been days since he'd been able to keep anything down. He knew that some women got 'morning sick' during pregnancy, and if this was it, he could empathize with them. He was getting weaker by the hour, but continued his work. Several times barely making it to the bathroom to vomit, he emerged from the bathroom to find Jack unhappily standing in the middle of his office.

"How long has this been going on?" He asked annoyed that he didn't pick up on it. "I've had several airmen come to me with stories that they heard you in your bathroom."

Tiredly, Daniel answered, "Just a couple of days. I'm fine."

With the completion of his sentence, he fainted, and Jack caught him during his descent to the floor. Picking him up and laying him on his couch, Jack went to the phone and contacted Janet. Within minutes, she and her team was entering Daniel's office. Daniel was barely conscious and needed to be lifted onto the gurney.

Daniel stirred and opened his eyes. Confused as to why he was in the infirmary, he turned his head, looking past the IV tubing snaking into his arm, and found Jack sitting in his usual chair.

As Daniel turned his head Jack smiled, "Hey."

Blinking, Daniel responded, "Hey. Why am I here?"

Standing and coming closer to the bed, "Don't you remember what happened?"

"I wouldn't be asking if I did."

Janet entered the room at that point. Coming over to Daniel, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," responded Daniel.

Sarcastically, Jack answered, "Well, we all know what that means."

Patting Jack's arm, "Perhaps you could leave us alone for a while so I can exam Dr. Jackson, Colonel."

"I'll got and update the General," said Jack, not taking his eyes off Daniel.

"Now, Daniel, back to how you were feeling..." began Janet.

Sighing, Daniel replied, "...I was lightheaded."

"That wasn't all, was it?"

Resigned, knowing that Janet knew damn well what was going on, he confessed, "I was lightheaded because I had just vomited."

"How long has it been since you were able to keep anything down?"

Momentarily looking directly into her eyes, Daniel continued his confession, "It's been a couple days. I figured that it was morning sickness. That's what you call it, right?"

Janet nodded.

"It goes away, right?" Daniel pleaded with his eyes.

Janet nodded again, but added "Some women have a severe form called hyperemesis. Some are sick their entire pregnancy. Daniel, you have to have some form of nutrition in your system. You cannot survive without sustenance. You are not only doing yourself an injustice, but you have another life to think about now! That life inside of you has only you to draw from. That life relies on you for everything. Now, I know that is a big responsibility, but welcome to parenthood."

That statement hit Daniel smack in the middle of his forehead. Realization fell over his face and he realized that he would need help. "I'm sorry, Janet. I'm just so used to taking care of myself, that it's hard for me to ask for assistance. I am going to need help with this. I'm sorry."

Happy that he understood, Janet continued to examine Daniel. "This will help with the nausea," she stated injecting the medicine into the port on his IV.

"Okay, how are you feeling now?" asked Janet up on the completion of her exam.

"Better than I was. Thirsty... and maybe a little hungry," smiled Daniel.

"I'll get you something sent from the commissary; something that you should be able to stomach. If you can keep something down for a few hours, I'll disconnect you from the IVs and let you leave. I'll also give you something that should keep the nausea down to a minimum. Do you want me to get the colonel back in here?"

"No. When you release me, I'll drive myself home to rest. I assume you want me to go home and rest... right?"

"Of course, but only if you're no longer lightheaded. And, I have an airman drive you." Janet went to the telephone on the wall and ordered a tray to be brought to the infirmary.

Bland, or rather tasteless, was the only thing that Daniel could say nice about the food that was brought. Weak tea, chicken broth, a few saltines, and Jell-O... his favorite. Daniel had, when he ate, a palate for finer foods. After finishing his lunch with minimal nausea, Janet returned to release him from the infirmary with instructions to go home, rest, and drink and eat. And to return to her in 3 days or sooner, if anything occurs.

Daniel opened the door to his loft, telling the driver that he needed no further assistance as he exited the car. He needed to be alone with his thoughts. Where would his relationship with Jack, the relationship that they had to hide from everyone else, the relationship he waited his entire life for, be at the end of this? How could this have happened?

Deep in thought, Daniel tried to bring his mind around what was going on in his body. How could he, a man, be pregnant? Closing his eyes and replaying their last mission, he remembered something that the High Priest said during their departure blessing, 'A gift to those that are as one.' He wondered if that simple sentence was what was to change his life forever.

Sitting on his couch with a bottle of juice in his hands, head slung back in deep thought, he didn't hear the door open or close, or the person enter. However, whenever Jack was around, he knew it. "What are you doing here?"

Shocked that Daniel knew he was there because he knew he hadn't made a single noise entering, "I came to make sure that you were alright."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? Because, I love you."

"Well, Jack, you haven't exactly been happy about this whole thing," waving his hand toward his abdomen. Jack walked to the French doors, opened them, walked through, and leaned on the rail. Daniel followed, assuming that he wanted to talk; hoping he would talk.

"What's wrong, Jack?"

Long minutes passed, and Daniel was just about ready to walk away when he heard a quiet reply, "I don't want to lose you."

"Lose me?" asked Daniel, placing his hand on the small of Jack's back, "I don't intend to go anywhere, babe".

Turning into Daniel's touch, "Are you sure of this pregnancy? Are you sure you're all right? I mean, this isn't exactly something that happens every day. I can't lose you."

Pulling Jack into his arms, "I'm fine Jack. Things will be fine." Smiling he kissed Jack.

Two weeks later, during another weekly visit to Janet, he was looking at the display during his ultrasound and something happened. "What was that?" asked Daniel.

"What?"

"There was a... there it is again."

Amused, Janet responded "The baby is kicking," she smiled at Daniel.

Daniel's face was transformed by astonishment and utter joy, "The baby kicked?"

Janet smiled her yes, "Okay, you're now about 4 weeks into this pregnancy are you ready for the amniocentesis? This will only sting for a few moments, and then you'll feel some pressure."

Daniel nodded, and Janet continued with her procedure. As she finished, she explained to Daniel the results should be back in a couple of days.

"And you'll do all the testing we talked about?"

"Of course, Daniel." Janet completed her task saying, "Okay, we're done. You are about 4 1/2 months pregnant. You're starting to show," she smiled at him.

"I know, I'm going to have to take a leave of absence soon," replied Daniel shyly.

"I'll see you back in a week," with that, Janet left to finish her notes.

As Daniel went to leave, there was a painful stab in his side and he grabbed at it. It lasted only a few moments, and then it was gone. Shrugging it off, he went to his office to continue the translation of the ancient tablet found on their last mission.

It was hard to believe that SG-1 had been stuck on Earth for the last 4 weeks. Daniel knew that Janet had made an excuse to General Hammond about Daniel needing to remain on base due to an abnormality in his blood work. And even though she and her staff had been working hard to resolve the abnormality, it still remained. Chuckling to himself about the 'abnormality'.

Through the remainder of that week, the pangs continued and increased in intensity. While sitting at his computer to finish inputting a translation, he moaned. Finally, after grabbing his abdomen in agony, he decided to head to the infirmary. Barely making it there, he leaned on the wall and shouted "Janet!"

Upon hearing her name yelled in pain, she ran to where Daniel was. "What's wrong?"

Still gripping his stomach, "Stop... the... pain!"

Helping him to the closest bed, "What pain?"

As Daniel writhed on the bed from the pain, "Started a couple of days ago, and keeps getting worse. I thought it was gas or something," continuing to moan.

Drawing an injection, Janet then pushed Daniel to his side to inject the pain killer into his upper right buttock. "This should help; try to relax until it does."

Within minutes, Daniel was relaxed and no longer in pain. Dopily he said, "Thank you".

As Daniel slept due to the pain medication, Janet performed another ultrasound. Confirming her theory as to the pain, the fetus was growing in an area that was never meant to house a baby. The human male body was just not made for childbearing.

45 minutes later, Daniel began to stir.

Janet heard the stirring noises coming from Daniel's bed, made a phone call, and walked over to check on him. "Now tell me more about this pain," asked Janet curtly as she took Daniel's vital signs.

A short time later, Jack came charging through the infirmary doors, demanding, "What the hell is going on!?"

"Calm down colonel. I didn't call you to come down here and badger my patient."

"NO, I won't calm down!"

Groggily, Daniel responded, "Jack, please..."

"NO! Don't *please* me, Daniel! Fraiser, do something about this pregnancy!"

"JACK!"

"Colonel!" not sure what she was hearing. "This is not your decision, and if it was, the pregnancy is too far to terminate! At this stage, it is illegal."

Huffing, "Illegal? Do you really think that there would be any court in the land that would uphold that law! He's a MAN, for cryin' out loud!"

Frustrated at the exchange, Daniel yelled, "Jack, this is not your choice!"

With daggers in his eyes towards Daniel, "I should have been consulted!" With that, he turned on his heels and left in as much flurry as he'd entered.

With tears in his eyes, Daniel turned to Janet, "I'm losing him".

Rubbing his arm, "Why would you say that, honey?"

"He hasn't exactly been supportive of this whole thing. We haven't talked in days."

Shaking his head to get things straight and sitting up, he swung his legs over the edge and immediately wished he hadn't, due to the dizzy spell that almost overwhelmed him. "When can I leave," he asked, rubbing his eyes.

"You need to stay put for a while, Daniel."

Slipping off the bed onto his own feet, he said, "No". It was short, sweet and to the point.

Janet knew that he wouldn't stay put even is she ordered him to. She went to a cabinet and retrieved a handful of pen injectors specifically for pain. "At least let me instruct you on the injections."

"Janet, they're pens, it doesn't take much instruction. You place them against the skin push and wait 5 seconds. It doesn't take a PhD to do it," he continued.

"I never said it did," said Janet, "but are you sure that you're strong enough right now? Why don't you just wait until tomorrow morning and see how you feel then?"

"No," and with that he collected the pouch containing the injections and left. Since Daniel was 'showing', it was decided that he would stay on base. Daniel was given the best VIP suite, in an area that was never used by anyone. The pregnancy was still a secret, and he wanted to keep it that way. Until he was further along and unable to hide his 'showing' to others on base, he was continuing his work; and with that he headed back to his office. However, once entering his office, he felt extremely tired. His stamina was not what it usually was.

The injections worked for the next week and a half. Finally, Daniel could stand the pain no longer and returned to the infirmary. "Janet!!"

Knowing the voice and hearing the pain in that voice, Janet came running. Helping Daniel to the nearest bed, and remembering the exact scene only 10 days earlier, she went straight to work drawing up a stronger injection than what he had been using. After administering the injection into Daniel's left hip, Daniel began to relax. His breathing evened-out and he stopped sweating.

"Thank you" was all he could manage at the moment.

After allowing Daniel to rest for several hours, Janet re-entered the private room she had him moved to. There was only one other person in the infirmary, a nurse that Janet had known for quite some time, trusted with the information about Daniel. She had been sworn to secrecy and had signed a non-disclosure statement regarding his situation. Janet found Daniel sitting up, cross-legged in the middle of the bed with his head in his hands.

"What's going on Janet?"

Sitting on the bed next to Daniel, Janet started explaining, "Since the baby is growing so rapidly, and since your body is not exactly made for this..."

Nodding, "I get it. What's the next step?"

"Well, I've been doing a little research since you came back in. I think the only way to give this child the time needed to mature, is to place you... into a drug-induced coma. It will be safe for the baby and for you. I'll do tests every 2 days to check on the status of the baby. Right now, it's the only solution I can come up with. Do you want to think about it for a while?"

Shaking his head, "No. I want to save this child. You have to promise me that you will do everything to save this baby... no matter what," and he looked deep into Janet's eyes for his answer.

"My job is to make sure that you *and* your baby are safe. Do you want me to let the colonel..."

"NO! This is none of his business."

"Daniel, have..."

"NO! Like I said, this is none of his business."

"Tell me what happened" Janet questioned softly.

After a pause, and knowing that the question was going to be asked, closing his eyes as if to watch the scene he was about to reveal, he began, "it was a couple of weeks ago. Jack was taking a shower. It had been so long since..." Daniel smiled at the memory. "He's so much fun to wind up; I decided to join him in the shower. We hadn't been together in forever, what with our being off world so much and then my being sick. It felt sooo... good. Then Jack went down on me."

"In the shower?"

Opening his eyes, looking at Janet and realizing what he was revealing, he blushed.

"Don't worry, Daniel, patient-doctor confidentiality."

Closing his eyes again to recapture the memory. "He was... and then he started... caressing my chest and... my nipples. His hands slowly dropped to my abs, and then he..." his smirk turned into a frown, "He felt it. I'd been feeling it for a while, but it was the first time for him."

"What did he feel?"

"The baby apparently kicked. I was too caught up in the moment to feel it, but that's what I surmised. He backed-off faster than anything I'd ever seen; left the shower and he hasn't talked to me since. I can't believe that he'd want me to choose between him and this baby." Shaking his head, "I figured that after a few more years, we'd both retire, and then maybe adopt. I never... never dreamed that we'd be actually having a baby. I never expected him to make me choose. But, I'm sure even if he came out and said to choose, that I'd choose this life inside me. This baby didn't ask to be created; how could I turn my back on it?"

Feeling extremely depressed, and in the classic Jackson move, Daniel hugged himself as tight as he could with his expanding abdomen. Then, Daniel moved around and making himself comfortable laying back on the pillows, "Now, let's just get this started."

Realizing that she'd get nowhere with Daniel in this mood, she went back to doctor mode. "Okay. Like I said, I'll be testing you for different things every day. I should be able to perform the cesarean section in about 2 weeks. Once the cesarean is done, you'll be able to wake up." Going to the locked cabinet on the other side of the isolation room, she brought over the bottle needed to place Daniel into the coma that would most likely save his and the child's life. Smiling towards Daniel, she began injecting the fluid into the port on his IV.

"See you soon" and he closed his eyes and went to sleep.

After 6 days of testing and retesting Daniel, Janet became so infuriated at the last discussion she and Daniel had that it had been eating at her and she decided to vent. The person she needed to vent towards was Jack, so she called him to her office. Jack had been kept in the dark as to what was going on with Daniel and she knew that he was just as angry at Daniel as she was with Jack, so the meeting was going to be interesting.

Jack came through the door to her office like a bull in a china closet. Surprised at the abruptness of his entrance, Janet snidely answered, "well, do come in colonel, have a seat".

He came in and sat, "What's going on?"

Janet's eyebrows rose, "Good, lets discuss what's going on."

"Where's Daniel?"

"Daniel is safe. He's... sleeping right now. Come with me and I'll explain."

With that, she stood and escorted Jack to the end isolation room. It was locked. Jack swiped his card. The door didn't move, confusing him. Janet took her card out and, before swiping, stated "It's on medical lock-out. Only my card will open this door."

Ushering Jack in, he immediately spotted Daniel attached to a dozen machines, and ran to his side. "What happened?"

"I had to place him into a drug induced coma to save him and the baby."

"WHAT?!"

Pulling two chairs to the side of the bed, she sat and motioned for Jack to sit too.

"Right now, this discussion is Jack and Janet; do you understand?" Jack nodded dumbly. "I need to tell you some things that Daniel asked me to keep secret. This is not something that I do lightly. I take doctor-patient confidentiality very seriously and this is definitely going against my beliefs. I need you to sit there and calm down so you can absorb this information. Do you understand?"

Finally able to get a handle on his emotions, Jack nodded. "Look, I'm sorry. I've been looking for Daniel for days and nobody seemed to have a clue where he was."

"Daniel was in excruciating pain because of this pregnancy."

"Which is why I told him he needed to ter..."

Putting up her hand to stop him, "Please, let me tell you what's happening and then you can have your say. Okay?" Jack nodded again. "Because the male body was not meant to carry a child, this pregnancy had been causing Daniel a lot of serious problems. Initially it was the nausea and vomiting. He was unable to keep anything down for several days, but you already knew that. He had to be re-hydrated by IVs several times."

Angrily, Jack interrupted, "That's why something needed to be done!"

Raising her hand for him to stop, Janet continued, "After the nausea problem, which never really went away, Daniel was in some extreme pain. He came to the infirmary about three weeks ago for the first time. I was able to control the pain for a while with pen injections that he administered himself. However, that only worked for about 9 days. When he came back the second time, he couldn't even stand any longer; he collapsed just inside the door. How he made it to the infirmary on his own is beyond me. I sedated him heavily and started to research whether or not I could place him in a coma without harming the child. I found a safe drug to use and he's been here ever since."

Not knowing whether to be angry with Daniel or Janet he jumped from the chair and started pacing the room. "How could he do this without consulting me first?! I guess my opinion means nothing to him, does it! Of all the selfish things he's ever done, this has got to take the cake! He should have listened to me in the first place. He should NOT be pregnant!"

Staring at the ranting man in front of her, "Did you expect him to choose between the two of you!?"

Stopping immediately in front of her, "YES! We have a union between us. I guess it means more to me than to him."

Deciding that she could no longer listen to this from Jack, she bolted from her chair, "He knows *EXACTLY* what he's doing! Do you think this is something he planned? Daniel was the one with the nausea and vomiting! Daniel was the one that needed to hide his condition from the rest of the base! Daniel was the one with swollen ankles and constant peeing. Daniel was the one with mood swings that changed so fast your head spun!"

Taking in a deep breath and putting a lid on her anger, Janet continued, "I performed an extensive amniocentesis on Daniel 4 weeks ago. Would you like to know the results of that testing?" Jack opened his mouth to answer, but Janet didn't let him, and continued, "well, you're going to hear it anyway! That child that Daniel is carrying is his and YOURS!"

With that, Jack spun on his heels and dropped into one of the vacant chairs aghast at what he'd just heard. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me correct. That baby has Daniels' and *your* DNA! This baby is both of yours! He is carrying your child! He is carrying this child to give you something he never thought he could! To give you a child to love, he says, hopefully as much as Charlie. But, he didn't want you to feel obligated to love this child. He wanted you to love this child for no other reason than it was a child. Daniels' child. Whether it wigged you out or not!" Jack winced at the 'wigged-out' terminology knowing that Daniel used that term, and snapped his head up to look directly into Janet's eyes. "Yes, he told me about the encounter in the shower." Jack turned red.

"He should have told me about the tests!"

"What would that have accomplished? Would you have acted any differently? He has taken this upon his own shoulders, with no help from you, apparently from the beginning."

"If I knew that the baby was mine, I would have changed."

"But that's not what Daniel wanted! He wanted you to accept; accept without knowing. Faith in him to do the right thing. He could no more choose between the two of you than he could split his heart in two. So, yes Jack..., he knew *exactly* what he was doing; and why! I'll be in my office if you care to discuss anything further."

Janet left the room hoping that she got through to Jack. Jack sat dumbfounded. Eventually, Jack stood and went over to the bed. Taking Daniel's hand into his, and staring into the face of the one he loved more than life itself he said, "I've been an ass, and I'm sorry. I can't believe that you'd do this for me. If only you'd have told me."

The General had been updated on Daniel's situation every day. The General placed Teal'c on SG-3 as a replacement for a marine that broken his ankle during a sprint to the Stargate while being chased by Jaffa. Sam was placed on SG-15, doing a long-term analysis of a possible alternative energy source that had been discovered on P5X-352.

Jack spent the next two weeks not leaving Daniel's side. Jack bathed him, read to him, talked with him (holding both sides of the conversation), and massaged him, anything he could think of to comfort Daniel. Then came the day when all the testing came back positive. Janet could do the cesarean section. Bringing all necessary equipment into the isolation room, Janet and one nurse performed the surgery. Jack, scrubbed and dressed, sat at Daniel's head caressing his face, whispering into his ear words of love. The baby was born at 3:09pm on March 16th.

Daniel moaned. Janet was there taking his pulse and heard. "Come on Daniel, time to wake up." Daniel frowned and moaned again. "Daniel..."

Daniel struggled to open his eyes. Blinking and attempting to focus he looked at Janet and closed them again. Then they snapped open again, "The baby!" Placing his hands on his abdomen.

"Don't worry Daniel. We performed the cesarean section about 4 hours ago. The baby is fine. I was getting concerned as to your not waking up."

Daniel continued to force himself to wake up. "Thirsty."

"It's good to hear that," she poured a glass of ice water, placed a straw into it and brought the straw to Daniel's lips. Sucking on the straw, he quenched his thirst as he drained the glass.

Janet checked the fresh incision. Noticing that the incision looked far more healed than a short 4 hours worth. "Well, it looks like your body is still on the fast-track; actually, even more so. Your incision looks like it happened two weeks ago. Even the stitches are dissolved. Is there any pain?"

"None. Where's the baby?"

Smiling, "I can have the baby brought in for you if you'd like?"

"If that's what I'd like? Are you kidding?" he answered, smiling back at her. Janet helped Daniel raise the bed, and put Daniel in a more up-right position. Making sure he was comfortable and had water in his cup.

Janet left, promising that the baby would be brought right in. Daniel had been moved back into the VIP suite he had been occupying before being confined to the isolation room. The suite was large and was connected to another suite the same size. Hearing the door open, he turned his head and set his eyes on... Jack.

Jack was entering his room carrying the baby and wearing a smile; and Daniel's heart melted. Pushing forward and sitting up from his lounging position, he smiled and extended his arms for the baby. His breathing increased as his anxiety level skyrocketed. Jack placed the bundle into Daniel's outstretched arms. Daniel cradled the child and wept. Looking at the face of the infant, tears began to fall.

"I'm sorry, Daniel. I've been a complete fuck, and I'm going to spend the rest of my days trying to make it up to you."

As Jack sat on the bed, Daniel smiled at him and licked the tears from his lips. "I'm sorry too."

Jack was confused, "Sorry for what babe?"

Daniel shook his head, and turned back to the baby.

"The baby is a girl, by the way. You need to name her."

Daniel shook his head, and tears continued to fall, "She already has a name. I made all the arrangements weeks ago; before anything serious even happened. I gave Janet instructions what to do if something happened to me during the pregnancy."

"So," Jack continued, "What's her name then?"

Smiling, and continuing to cry he turned to Jack, "Jada."

"Huh?" Jack turned his gaze from the infant to Daniel's eyes.

"Her name. Jada Claire."

Still confused, "An explanation for Claire isn't necessary, but... Jada?"

Daniel licked the tears of love from his lips before answering, "JA - Jack, and DA - Daniel... Jada. If that's alright with you", realizing that Jack did have a say so in the name of their child. As that thought struck him, Daniel began weeping again.

"What?" unsure as to why the 'water-works' began again.

"Realization that this baby is ours just struck me." Attempting to control his crying, and without failing, Daniel continued, "You're just as much this baby's father as I am. During the amniocentesis, Janet confirmed that your DNA also made up this child. I figured out a couple of weeks ago, that this," glancing at Jada, "happened on our last mission. Remember the High Priest giving us a final blessing before we left?"

Jack nodded.

"If you remember, the last part of the blessing was 'and a gift to those who are as one'. We had made love the night before the mission. That night was incredible. That, along with the blessing, must have created Jada."

Too tired to continue the discussion, Daniel just turned his gaze to the baby in his arms and smiled at her. The baby started to cry and it flustered the two men for a moment. Jack, being in this situation once before, jumped into action. "She's probably hungry; it's been about 3 hours since she ate last." Jack went into the next room to retrieve a bottle, and upon his return handed it to Daniel.

Tentatively taking the bottle, he looked between the baby and Jack, "I've never done this before."

Jack returned to his seat next to Daniel and explained, "Don't worry, just place the nipple into her mouth, she knows what to do."

Daniel did as Jack suggested and, to his amazement, the baby did know what to do. She began sucking on the nipple and filling her belly. Instinctively, the baby gripped Daniel's pinky in her tiny had. Daniel gazed at the beautiful baby in his arms. My light blond hair, my blue eyes, Jack' big feet, he thought to himself. After a few minutes, Jack touched Daniel's hand, "now you need to burp her."

A look of shock washed over Daniel's face and he swallowed hard, "What?"

"Burp her, you know. Air gets into her belly from sucking and you need to burp her to make her more comfortable. Just place her over your shoulder and pat her back."

Daniel, again, did as he was instructed and was successful in extracting a tiny burp. Putting her back into the crook of his arm, Daniel continued with her feeding. The baby eventually fell asleep and Jack stood to remove the baby from Daniel's arms. "Where are you taking her?" Panic was setting in.

Smiling, "Back to her bed," and he walked into the next room. Upon his return, he retook his seat again.

The two sat on the bed, each watching their hands and not sure what to do next. Jack, not usually the one to begin a serious conversation, broke the silence. "I'm sorry. I've said it hundreds of times over the last two weeks, and I'll continue to say it for the rest of my life. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the way I treated you. I'm sorry for the way I've ignored you. I'm sorry for the way I shut you out. But...I'm not sorry for the way I feel about you. I was scared that you could have died. I am not ready, nor will I ever be, for that to happen. I need you in my life." As the loving confession poured from his lips, Jack turned and embraced Daniel. Thankfully, Daniel returned the embrace.

Daniel's eyes became heavy, and Jack noticed. Rising from the bed, "Daniel, you need to kick back and go to sleep. You've had a busy day."

Daniel made himself comfortable, and as Jack went towards the door, "Don't go. Stay with me."

The words stopped Jack in his tracks. He couldn't believe that Daniel was going to be able to forgive him so easily. But then, we were talking about Daniel here. He turned, with eyebrows raised and head tilted, "Stay?"

Smiling, and extending his hand out for Jack to take, "Stay". Jack sat back on the bed. Pulling Jack until he was lying next to him, Daniel placed his head on Jack's chest and one leg over Jack's legs, and settled into his usual spot. Jack's arms encircled Daniel and he fell asleep almost as quickly as Daniel had.

There was a nagging noise and he could no longer ignore it. As Daniel opened his eyes to try to discern what the noise was and where it was coming from, he realized where he was, and what the noise was. Quickly jumping from the bed, and waking Jack up in the process, he all but ran to the next room and picked up his daughter.

Cradling her in his arms, he smiled and looked around until he found a stash of diapers and wipes on the large bed. As he headed toward the items he assumed he needed, Jack entered the room. Laying the baby on the bed and undoing her one-piece outfit, Daniel went about changing the baby as Jack went to the fridge and took out a bottle. Jack then placed the bottle in the microwave and set the timer for 45 seconds.

Walking over to his lover, he watched with amazement as to how well Daniel was doing with changing Jada. Glancing up for approval, Daniel finished snapping up the outfit and put the dirty diaper into a pail that was set up next to the bed. The timer went off and Jack went to retrieve the heated bottle from the microwave. He replaced the top and began shaking the liquid to distribute the warmth throughout. He then sat on the bed across from his lover, their daughter between them.

"You feed her, Jack". Daniel smiled and looked lovingly into Jack's eyes.

Jack's head snapped up and gleamed at Daniel, "Are you sure?"

"Of course."

Jack gently lifted Jada and placed her into the correct position for eating. He walked over and sat in a rocking chair that was placed in the room by Janet. As Jack gazed at the infant as she ate, Jack confessed, "I used to love doing this with Charlie. Sara was breast feeding, but there were times that it wasn't enough and we would supplement with formula. To have another baby in my arms... <sniff> was something I never dreamed of. I love you, Daniel, and had never expected to have another child. <sniff> I thought that maybe, years from now, maybe we'd adopt; but never a baby, and never one that is part of me. It's a little overwhelming." Jack continued to gaze into Jada's eyes, enjoying the bonding that was happening between himself and his daughter, and allowed a few tears trickle from his eyes.

This was the side of Jack that only Daniel got to see. He cherished the fact that only he knew that Jack had such a soft side. That Jack did say things like 'to have another baby in my arms', or 'it's a little overwhelming'. His love for Jack deepened as he watched the two of them together. To have the man who he loved with his whole being and the child the two of them created together was more than Daniel could handle. He began to cry, silently at first. Jack watched as Daniel went back into the other suite. He finished feeding Jada, burped her and placed her back in the bassinet, asleep. He then went to Daniel.

Closing the door so they wouldn't wake the baby, Jack found Daniel sitting on the floor on the opposite side of the bed still crying. Lying on his belly across the bed, Jack placed his arms around Daniel and his head on his shoulder in support. Daniel placed his hands over Jacks and squeezed. Finally, after a few minutes, Daniel calmed down, "thank you"; he then pulled away and stood up. Jack rolled over to his side and Daniel lay down next to him. Shyly, Daniel began stroking Jack's face with the back of his fingers.

Jack cupped Daniel's face, "What happened?"

"I was on overload, emotionally I think, and the dam just broke. Seeing you rocking Jada like that..." he was unable to finish the thought as he eyes began filling again, and he turned away, confused by the depth of the emotions going through him.

"It was the same for me," said Jack. "All those memories of Charlie were hard to deal with." Gazing into each others eyes, they inched towards each other, and finally, their lips met. It had been so long for each of them to have the others' lips on theirs. Their love was expressed thoroughly in that kiss; a love that transcended all else. A love that told the other there was nothing but the two of them in their universe. They loved to kiss. These kisses were not meant to arouse, but to just convey their feelings for each other. When they finally broke, they continued to lay there and just watch each other.

They fell asleep, totally consumed by each other. Eventually, Daniel awoke. Stealthily, he extracted himself from his sleeping lover and went into Jada's room. Looking into Jada's bassinet, he noticed that she was awake. Picking her up, he made his way to the refrigerator and retrieved a bottle. Setting it in the microwave and setting it for the same amount of time Jack had, he changed Jada. Finishing that task, he got the bottle, shook it and sat down in the rocking chair. Cradling Jada in his arms, he began filling her belly.

Jack awoke a short time later, and hearing Daniel's voice from the other room, silently he went to peak. Seeing Daniel feeding their daughter; God, it sounded strange to Jack to be thinking that, he backed away as quietly as he had approached the door. He didn't want to disturb the bonding that was occurring. Jack then went into the bathroom for a shower. He turned on the water and stripped as it warmed.

Hearing the shower, and being finished with the feeding, Daniel placed Jada back into her cradle and went to find Jack. He quietly entered the bathroom, stripped, and entered the cubicle without Jack noticing. Daniel slipped his arms around Jack's waist, and Jack nearly jumped out of his skin. "Sorry," said Daniel simply as Jack turned around to face the smiling face of his lover. Daniel inched forward as Jack inched back until his back was against the far wall of the shower.

Standing so that his body was almost touching Jack's, Daniel kissed him. "Thank you."

Confused, Jack questioned, "For what?"

"For giving me Jada. No, for giving *us* Jada." <kiss>

"We can't do this" said Jack. <kiss>

"Why not?"

"Anyone could walk in," insisted Jack, pushing Daniel away, but not really trying to. <kiss>

"Uh, uh. Medical lock-out." <kiss>

"What about Fraiser?"

"Janet's not due in until noon; I checked." <kiss, kiss, nibble> Daniel's hand began roaming over his lover, with eyes half-lidded and as sensuous as he could, "please Jack, it's been so long," and he nestled his right leg in between Jack's.

Janet decided to come to work early, it was 1000 hours. Janet slid her card into the lock outside their room. Going straight to the baby, and noticing that she was sleeping, she wondered into Daniel's room. Expecting to see the two fathers discussing their difficulties, instead she heard moaning coming from the open bathroom door. Concerned that the moaning was Daniel and something had happed, she came around the corner of the door and stopped dead. What she saw were Jack and Daniel involved in oral sex, with Daniel on his knees in front of Jack.

Without saying a word or making a noise, she backed out and headed towards her infirmary with a blush on her face, thinking, 'thank heaven they've worked out their differences'.

Moaning was coming from Jack as he was standing in the oversized shower. His legs were spread wide and Daniel was kneading his buttocks while sucking on the head of Jack's cock. Grabbing for the shower's safety bars to steady himself, Jack's eyes sprung open as he thought he heard something. Realizing that he must have been wrong, he allowed himself to be drawn back into the feelings that were cascading throughout his body.

Daniel had reached for and obtained the shampoo, and using it as lube, snuck a finger into Jack's opening. Jack moaned again and Daniel took it for what it was, encouragement. Removing the finger, and spreading additional shampoo on his fingers, he slipped two easily inside, and began fingering Jack, hunting for that hidden button that would set Jack on fire. Daniel knew it wouldn't take Jack long, since it had been so long since their last time. Sure enough, within moments of finding and continually stimulating Jack's prostate, he came hard into Daniel's mouth. Daniel relished the taste of his lover; never letting a drop go to waste.

Daniel continued to suckle as Jack's cock wilted in his mouth. Suckling was one of his favorite things to do, and Jack knew it. It was a lengthening of his feelings of connection with Jack.

After his wilted cock slipped from Daniel's mouth, Jack slid down the wall to Daniel. Their mouths met and their kisses were almost frantic. Each wanting to become part of the other so badly that they couldn't get close enough. Hands stroking the other while their arms pulled them together.

Jacks hand finally found Daniel's engorged cock and he began pumping. As Jack began his attentions on Daniels' cock, he moaned into Jack's mouth. Daniel's hips thrust of their own accord, and the orgasm that ensued was strong and fulfilling; for the time being. As his come shot and spilled over Jack's hand, Daniel screamed his release into Jack's mouth.

As the two sated lovers held each other on the floor of the shower, each realized that nothing would ever be too great for their love for each other. Nothing would ever stand in the way of the love again. Daniel began, "I told General Hammond that my resignation is effective as soon as I walk out the main gate. However, he wants me to stay on as a consultant. He says that I would be able to work from home. I'm not sure what I want right now."

Pulling Daniel closer, Jack answered, "I've talked to the general. He has agreed to give you 12 weeks paid paternity leave. You don't need to make a decision right now."

Turning to look at Jack, "Will you be taking that paternity leave with me?"

Smiling, Jack answered "No..."

Before Jack could finish, Daniel jerked away and began, "What do you..."

But Jack placed his fingers on Daniel's lips to silence him so he could explain, "Daniel, we both knew this was coming. I'm not young, and my knees are too fucked up to continue. I've retired before; this time I'm *not* coming back."

After a few moments of relaxation, Daniel decided he couldn't let Jack retire and would try to get him to change his mind. "Jack, you love what you're doing. The SGC needs you, hell, the world needs you here. Your expertise in battle is too important to let go just yet. Ask the general for a desk job, or a training position. You need to at least pass on your skills to the upcoming recruits. Stay on as a consultant for training at least." Jack acquiesced and agreed to think about it.

Finally, the chill of the water coming from the shower, forced the two back into reality. They had been sitting on the floor for over an hour and their muscles had become cramped. Helping each other up, they dried each other and dressed. After checking on Jada, they went back into their suite and napped.

Three days later, Janet called Daniel to the infirmary. As Daniel entered, she ushered him to an exam table and closed the curtains.

"What's up, Janet?"

Unable to look Daniel in the eyes, she explained, "Just want one last check before you leave."

Smiling widely, "Really? I can leave?"

"Yep, lay back so I can check your incision," and she assisted him to his back.

As Daniel lifted up his shirt, undid his belt and his trousers he exclaimed, "I can't believe I can finally leave the mountain. It seems like I've been here forever!"

After gloving, Janet turned around to begin her exam. "Unbelievable."

Concerned, Daniel asked, "What?"

Blinking and shaking her head, "No, nothing wrong, other than your incision is completely healed and almost non-existent. Whatever made your pregnancy possible must also be increasing your ability to heal." Completing her examination, she patted him on the shoulder and gave him his walking-papers

Excitedly, Daniel all but ran back to the rooms he and his family, (Daniel smiled at that thought), were using. Swiping his cardkey and entering the room, he found Jack lying on the bed with their sleeping daughter next to him. Jack looked up as he heard the key open the door and immediately put his finger to his lips for Daniel to be quiet. Daniel tip-toed over to the bed as Jack slid off. Putting his arms around Jack, Daniel gave him the good news, "I'm sprung! We are out of here!"

"I thought you needed to be here for the next week," said Jack surprised.

"So did I, but Janet just handed me my papers, and... let's go!" Daniel turned around towards the dresser and opened the drawers to get his clothes so as to pack. He went to the closet and retrieved his duffle and placed his clothes into it.

Walking into Jada's room, he realized that he had nothing for her. Anxiously, Daniel began pacing and panting, "Jack... I never got a chance to go shopping for the Jada. There's nothing at home for her. We'll have to stop at the store on the way home to at least pick up diapers and formula. Wait. We can't leave; we don't have a car seat for her..."

Grabbing his lover by his arms, "Daniel, calm down. I got a car seat. And the rest..., other than the diapers and formula, we can get tomorrow. Don't worry, we can do this; you can do this."

Smiling and more relaxed, Daniel agreed. Jack was right. They were capable adults. Jack had been a father already. There was no reason they couldn't do this.

"All right. You're right, we can do this." Daniel smiled at Jack and picked up their daughter. "Let's go home."

With that, Daniel and Jack exited the rooms they had been sequestered in for the last 7 days. It felt good to be able to get out of the mountain. It was the middle of the night. They planned it this way so as not to have a base-full of people asking where the baby came from.

At the end of the elevator ride to the surface, they exited and went to the parking lot. Sitting in Jack's parking spot was a brand new white Mitsubishi Montero. Daniel was surprised that Jack wasn't ranting about the strange vehicle in *his* spot. As they approached the SUV, Jack asked "What do you think?"

Confused, Daniel asked, "Where's your truck?"

"It wasn't meant to be a family vehicle, so I traded it in and bought this. Good here in Colorado with its 4-wheel drive...airbags all around." Opening the door, and pointing inside, "and see? The best car seat money can buy. Nothing is too good for this baby... nothing."

Smiling, Daniel placed the baby into the car seat, which was placed correctly in the middle of the back seat. After buckling Jada into her seat, Daniel got in beside her. "I'm sitting back here; okay?"

"Of course. I'll take it slow." Getting himself situated in the driver seat, Jack turned on the ignition and began the 20 minute drive back to his house. No, their house; their home now. Smiling to himself, he realized that he had the family he'd always wanted. A person to love and that loved him, to trust and that trusted him, forever; a definite soul mate. It sounded so cliché to him, but there it was. Daniel was the person that completed him. A completion he had not felt with Sara.

When they pulled into the driveway, and into the garage, Jack stopped the car. Daniel extracted Jada from her seat and lifted her into his arms. This was something he was never going to get used to. Something he never wanted to go away... the feel of his daughter in his arms. Something he never thought he would have...ever. As he walked into the house, Jack turned on the lights and he saw what was in the living room.

Packages, balloons, gifts, stuffed animals. Everything a baby needed and more! With his mouth doing the 'guppy', Daniel turned around and looked at Jack. Jack was standing behind Daniel and just... smiling. Seeing the surprise on Daniel's face was worth it.

"Where... who..." was the only thing Daniel could get his mouth to say.

"We did this for you, Daniel. Janet went on a shopping spree and maxed out all of my credit cards. This was all delivered a couple of days ago. I came home in the middle of the night and put together everything." Placing his hand on the small of Daniel's back, Jack guided him towards the guest room. Jack opened the door and turned on the light. Inside was a beautifully decorated nursery. "I had the decorator come and redo this room earlier this week. I hope you like it."

Daniel stared at the beautiful room. It was tastefully decorated in Disney characters, and soft shades of purple. A beautiful antique, white metal canopy crib stood on one wall and a matching dresser and changing table stood close by. Walking over to the crib, Daniel placed his precious bundle into the crib. Turning, he pulled Jack into an embrace. After several moments, Daniel pulled back slightly, turned his head and gave Jack the most passionate kiss he knew how to give. The kiss continued for many minutes.

Panting, the two finally broke, panting and stared into each others eyes, not wanting to break the spell. Finally, Daniel took hold of Jack's hand and, leading him out of the room, turned on the baby monitor that was located on the dresser next to the door. He turned off the light and pulled the door until it was just cracked. He then led Jack to their room, and onto their bed. Daniel was comfortable with the weight of Jack on top of him. It was a weight he loved to feel. It was a weight he had missed over the last several weeks.

"Want to try for another?"

Jack just smiled and dove in for another kiss.

THE END