A Gift Of The Amazons 11

Mission's End 2

by John O'Connor

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asj/john/amazons11.php
Summary: Sam and Janet help establish a diplomatic liaison on Themyscira
Info:

Note: The biographical information on William Moulton Marston came primarily from an article in the December 28, 2001 edition of the Chicago Tribune, including his rather unusual marital situation. Any speculation on Olive's origin though is strictly my own.

The Fraiser House, Colorado Springs - Day Nineteen - Late Afternoon

After Cassandra left the two women in apparent teenaged-disgust, they held each other & chuckled.

"Quite a change from last night, huh?" Sam whispered to Janet.

Smiling, Janet nodded and said, "It's typical though. She is almost sixteen. I remember being that age."

"Oh really?"

Pushing a smirking Sam away, the smaller woman stood with her hands on her hips and glared. "I'm not that old! Only a few months older than you!"

Sam just snickered. Then she pushed Janet towards the couch. "Sit. Relax. I'll go look and see if we have anything edible in the kitchen."

"Thanks." Janet smiled radiantly then added, "You young whippersnapper!"

Laughter trailed Sam into the kitchen and Janet sat on the couch, sorting the mail that had accumulated. But quickly paled. Laying her head back on the sofa, she started to doze.

"Janet? Wake up. Our guest will be here shortly."

"Huh? Whazzat?"

"C'mon. Wake up," Sam said, gently shaking Janet's shoulder.

"He-ey," Janet said sleepily. Then she smiled, she loved to wake up to those bright blue eyes.

"Beth will be here soon. She just called from the Complex. The colonel's giving her a lift. Go wash your face." Sam tugged her love up from the couch.

"Okay! Okay! I'm going...I'm going." Janet slowly moved towards the hall, saying, "Colonel O'Neill is giving her a ride? Will he be able to keep his eyes on the road?"

As Janet closed the door to the small bathroom off the main hallway, she heard Sam ask, "What do you want to do about dinner? We have a couple of boxes of mac and cheese, some questionable sliced ham, rock-hard bread, and something that looks like powdered Jell-O in a baggy in the cupboard."

Janet finished her business and looked at her reflection only to see a big smile on her face. She didn't question it. She knew she was happy. Gloriously, deliriously happy. She had a daughter she loved, a lover and friend she adored, and a new little girl on the way. She ran her hand over her flat stomach.

A baby! She and Sam were going to have a baby! This was more than she had ever dared imagine, much less hope for, when they became lovers last summer.

And now Sam was chattering away in the hall like they were a regular family. A family with all the little domestic things they had to deal with like groceries, bills, housekeeping, and especially raising a teenager.

But, she corrected herself, they were a family. Maybe not a typical "Leave It To Beaver" family... Two loving parents, both women, a teenager from another planet, and a baby on the way conceived in an Amazonian parthenogenic device. Yeah, definitely not your typical American family, but a family nonetheless.

"What's so funny?" Sam asked when Janet emerged from the washroom giggling. Janet explained and soon she was laughing too.

"So, what are we going to serve our guest?"

"Pizza!" came a shout from the den.

"Well, that's a surprise!" Janet snorted.

"Hey, you know, if she likes it, that might not be a bad idea," Sam said. "It might be awhile before she can eat anything like that again."

"Considering the food available on Themyscira, I don't think she'll miss pizza too much," Janet responded.

"Well, we'll find out. That's Jack's truck." Sam went towards the door, "He still needs to get that muffler looked at."

Sam opened the door to see Beth get out of Jack O'Neill's pickup. She reached into the bed to remove a small overnight bag and Sam realized they still hadn't figured out what to do about sleeping arrangements.

Waving at her superior and the State Department woman, Sam whispered to Janet, "What are we going to do about Beth tonight? You only have the three bedrooms: yours, Cass', and mine."

"So, you rough it tonight with me? Not that bad, is it?" Janet quipped as she covertly caressed the blonde's denim-covered rear.

"Hmm...no, I guess I can suffer for one night," Sam muttered sarcastically. "Now, knock that off. Beth! Hi. How was the drive?"

"Jack's a pretty good chauffeur. And he didn't once make a pass at me," the tall black-haired woman said. "Well, maybe once in the elevator coming up from the SGC..."

"Only once? I better get him in the Med Center for a checkup," Janet responded.

"Yeah, he must not be feeling well," Sam agreed. "Come on in. It's freezing out here."

The three women settled in the living room and Cassie came in to join them. Also to plead her case for pizza.

"So you are the famous Cassandra. I've heard a lot about you. Hi, my name's Beth."

Cassie shook the proffered hand and said, "Nice to meet you. Do you like pizza?"

"Cassandra!"

"That's alright, Janet," Beth said with a grin. "I love pizza. And something tells me I won't be getting much where I'm going."

"They don't have pizza on Themyscira? That's terrible!" Cassie exclaimed.

"You know about...?" Beth asked in surprise.

"Yeah, I kinda hear about a lot. You know, since... Hey! I'm famous?"

"Oh no," Janet moaned, covering her eyes dramatically.

"Well, in some areas. You know, because of where you're from," Beth said. Seeing the stricken look on Janet's face, she stopped. "Did I say something?"

Sam laughed, "No. We're just worried about Short Stuff's head getting too big for her own good."

"I'm not short!"

The phone rang and Cassie dashed to answer it. "It'll be Cindy for me..."

"We won't see her for a while," Janet said, as Cassie declared she'd be in the den and not to disturb her unless it's a matter of life and death.

The three adults, with a hasty interruption of Cass' important call ("And I go 'Yeah, right!' And she goes, 'No way.' And I go 'I'm so sure that.'"), they decide on a large deluxe pizza.

"Good thing I have free nights and weekends," Janet muttered as she threw a dark look towards the den. Grabbing her cell phone, she dialed the nearest Old Chicago Pizza.

"Cassandra knows about Themyscira?" Beth asked, still a little surprised.

"She's generally been privy to a little more information than an average civilian," Sam said. "And Janet and I thought it best, after consulting General Hammond, to tell her most of the truth. Now, in light of Janet's condition, that was probably a good idea."

"Yes, I suppose that does make sense. As much sense as anything else in the SciFi Channel world I've stumbled into..." Beth laughed.

Janet put the cell phone back in her purse, announcing, "Pizza will be here in about forty-five minutes or so."

As Janet sat on the couch, Beth asked, "So, how long have you two been together?"

"Wha...?"

"Huh? What do you...?"

"It's alright. I am too," Beth said with reassurance. "That's a big part of the reason I was chosen out of the other volunteers. Being openly gay isn't necessarily good for your career in the current administration but I could never go back into the closet, you know?"

"Ah, well, that is...we're not..." Sam started to say.

Janet simply said, "Sam and I have been together since last summer when we vacationed together. It was never anything we..." Janet paused for a moment, "Until that trip, I never even considered women that way."

"Neither did I," Sam finally said. "But then again, there aren't any others like Janet."

"What gave us away?" Janet asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Inside she was afraid something she or Sam had done had given them away. From the look Sam tried to hide, so was she.

"Don't worry. It's nothing obvious. It's not like you're flying the rainbow flag..." Beth chuckled and went on, "Little signs like looks that linger a bit longer than normal between friends, if you know what to look for. The way you can occasionally finish each other's sentences. And a general feeling I get around you. Being a lesbian in a het world, I learned early on to read body language." Beth finished with another laugh, "You guys are good though. I wasn't really sure until I asked the question. You could've easily been very good friends and I could've looked like a complete fool. Not that it'd be the first time..."

"Good. It seems like enough people know as it is," Sam sighed with relief.

"Yeah," Janet agreed. "First, Daniel walks in on us last Thanksgiving and then Teal'c finds YOUR bra in the tree at Christmas..."

"As I recall, that was your cup size!" Sam protested. "Hey! Why are talking about this in front of...?"

Beth laughed again, "That is one of my hidden talents. And an asset in diplomatic circles. I used to call it my superpower. Many people feel very comfortable around me and feel like they can say what they feel. And I never tell tales out of school. If you catch my meaning."

"Thank you," Janet said.

Sam nodded, then said, "Yeah, I'd hate to have to deal with Jack O'Neill learning about us."

"Not a problem," Beth said. "He seems to think you're both married to your work and have forgotten what sex is."

"Jack O'Neill?"

"Why?"

"Well, not in so many words but he made his meaning clear. Just gotta use that innate ability I have to read between the lines. Comes in handy dealing with foreign dignitaries and diplomats."

Sam shook her head, "Unbelievable. He doesn't think we care about...?"

"You know, I think Jack O'Neill learned how to talk about sex from 'Three's Company.' His attempts to discuss certain tests or problems are so full of double-entendres..."

"Yeah, but he is kinda cute," Beth said. Then, seeing the raised eyebrows, added, "For an older guy... If I was into guys..."

"Hey, Janet! There's one good thing... We don't have to pretend to suffer through sleeping arrangements," Sam said.

"Suffer? Why!!!"

Sam ducked the small throw pillow Janet hurled at her. Unfortunately, the lamp behind her wasn't so lucky.

~~~

After replacing the broken lightbulb, the talk turned to the other members of Sam's team and Beth even managed to get the stories about the previous year's holidays out of the red-faced pair.

"And Teal'c really thought it was an ornament?" the diplomat asked, laughing.

"No, no. He's just so..." Sam was saved trying to explain Teal'c's dry humor by the doorbell.

"Pizza's here!" came the yell from the den.

Sam went to the door and Janet muttered, "She's never staying with Jack O'Neill again..."

After the pizza arrived, Cassie finally hung up and joined them in the dining room after helping Sam get the drinks in the kitchen, beer for Sam, wine for Janet and Beth, and Diet Coke for Cassie.

The pizza was hot and tasty and the conversation light and fun. Beth seemed to enjoy the easy-going relationship of the three women of the house. And they never made her feel like a third wheel.

"...so there I was, madder than hell, and Janet just comes up, puts her hand between my shoulder blades and says, 'It'll be okay.'

"I said, 'Okay? Okay? How is it going to be okay? They turned me into a brainless bimbo!'"

Janet interjected, "Yeah, she wasn't much in the grey matter. Kinda like what's-her-name? You know, the one that the colonel gets all ga-ga over?"

"With the personal flotation devices in her chest?" Sam asked with an evil grin. "Pamela Anderson."

"Yeah! Your character was like her," Janet teased. "But, of course, at the time I was the sole of compassion."

"This is that insipid show with Dom DeLuise's son?" Beth asked. "He does a really bad Captain Kirk?"

"Yes!" Sam acknowledged. "Anyway, that was all Janet did and my anger just disappeared."

"Yup, my healing touch," Janet said.

"Puh-lee-azze!" Cassie said, rolling her eyes.

"Don't you have some homework?" Janet asked in a mock-stern voice.

"Nope, got it done."

"Gossip with one of your little friends?" Sam suggested.

"We are not little or small or short or..."

"Okay! Okay! I give." Sam held up her hands in surrender.

"You guys wanna talk about stuff I don't need to hear, right?"

"Maybe," Janet said, knowing that was more than enough to get their daughter to leave the room.

"Adults," Cassie said as she took her dishes into the kitchen.

"She's wonderful. If I didn't know, I'd swear she was from here," Beth said.

"Well, the little woman has everything to do with it," Sam said.

"I'll give you little," Janet said, leaning over to kiss Sam.

"God, you two!" Cassie exclaimed shaking her head,as she passed back through the dining room. "I'm going to call Lynn."

"My poor phone bill," Janet lamented as the three adults returned to the living room.

Beth said, "I was intrigued with your team member's theory about the character of Wonder Woman and how the creator knew about Themyscira."

"Yes?" Sam asked. "I thought it was kind of interesting too."

"I did a quick search of the internet the day before I reported here. I'll leave you a disk of the file if you'd like. Well, the theory seems to fit but some of the details are off from the real story. William Moulton Marston was a Harvard psychologist and ahead of his time. He predicted the rise of an American matriarchy within one hundred years in 1937," Beth said.

"A matriarchy? Like Themyscira?" Janet asked.

"I suppose so. I really only came across a quote from an interview in the New York Times. He did predict that women would take over politically and economically. And, from the files I was allowed to see, it seems this Hathor tried to make that come true..."

"Don't remind me," Sam said.

"What are you so upset about? I actually had to kiss the airman," Janet said.

"That's what I'm upset about."

"Well, back to Marston. He... Oh, incidentally, he came up with the original idea for the lie detector. Anyway, your teammate's theory was that Hippolyta's aunt was his wife. It doesn't look that way. His wife's name was Elizabeth. She seems to have a fairly solid terrestrial background. But he also had a mistress named Olive. She's a bit more of a mystery. I couldn't even find any picture of her.

"Anyway, they all lived together in a happy relationship, from all I could find. Marston even fathered children with both women. After Marston died, the women continued to live together happily.

"Olive used to wear two wide silver bracelets, like the comic character. And apparently looked quite a bit like the character of Wonder Woman as well. Or I guess the character looked like her.

"Now, it's possible that she was Hippolyta's aunt... If I could've found a picture of Olive, we could show it to the queen."

Sam felt something nagging at her but, like a thought just on the edge of awareness, she couldn't force it.

"So, what do you want to do for your last night on Earth?" Sam asked.

"Sam!" Janet exclaimed at her mate's dark joke. She vowed that Sam would spend less time with a certain colonel too.

"I don't know? You guys play cards?"

The Gateroom, Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Colorado, Earth - Day Twenty - Mid-morning

"It's not fair," Sam whined while chevron five locked into position.

Janet looked up at her lover, "What? That she won $25.00 off you or that you can't play poker for squat?"

Sam glared at her wordlessly. At that moment, Beth came into the room. She was dressed in fatigues and carried a small backpack and a tote bag. Her other things were already loaded on a MALP sitting at the base of the ramp.

"I'm ready," she declared. "I think." The last was said as the sixth chevron locked in. "Is it always this loud?"

"Chevron Seven locked!" echoed through the room. This was followed almost immediately by the plasma bursting out of the Gate with loud 'kaa-woosh.'

"Louder," Sam said.

The MALP lumbered up the metal ramp and slowly disappeared past the liquid silver event horizon.

"C'mon. It's a piece of cake," Sam said as she strode up to the open Gate.

Janet put her hand on Beth's back and gave her a subtle push. The tall diplomat swallowed and walked up towards the bright pool.

"This is safe, right?"

"Like going off the high dive," Sam declared stepping into the Gate.

Beth stared and shook her head and took a deep breath. Stepping through the Gate, she said, "I don't like the..."

Janet followed quietly.

Themyscira - Day Twenty - Early Evening

"...high dive!" Beth tumbled out of the Gate into Sam's waiting arms.

"You okay?" Sam asked.

"Yes, I think so," Beth said as she stood upright. "That was quite a..." She stopped and put her hand over her stomach, "Maybe I shouldn't have eaten breakfast."

"It'll pass in a second. Do this enough and you won't even feel any queasiness," Janet said as she walked down the old rock ramp to her companions. "So, how was your first interplanetary trip?"

"Wow!" Beth said as she looked around. "This really is another planet."

"Yep, and those are really aliens," Sam said, waving at the approaching hovers.

The hovers came to rest inches above the ground near the trio from Earth. Diana stepped down and greeted Beth in the traditional manner.

After the kiss, Beth smiled and said, "I think I can get to like this place!" Janet snickered and Sam looked off towards the city towers.

After helping Beth with her translator devices, they boarded one of the hovers. Diana took the controls and they sped back towards the capitol.

"Your things will be taken to your home by the ladies on the other hover," Diana explained. "Fear not. Nothing will be opened. We value privacy."

As the city grew, Sam asked hopefully, "Any word on the ship?"

"Sadly no. Some debris has been recovered but, so far, no sign of any of the crew or your teammates. I am sorry, Sam," Diana said as she placed her hand on Sam's shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

"Mother is expecting us but she asked if you would care for dinner. I realize you came from a different time on your world but she's adamant about offering you food and drink," Diana said with a small grin.

"I'm fine," Sam said. Janet nodded in agreement.

Beth shook her head, "I'm not sure I'm ready for any food at the moment."

"Gate sickness," Janet quipped. "I have something in my bag, if you'd like."

"No, it's getting better. I think is was the undercooked bacon in the cafeteria," Beth said.

Sam and Janet had offered to make breakfast for their guest but she had declined. She had agreed to breakfast with Jack O'Neill, not realizing he was thinking of the SGC mess.

Sam's only comment was, "He's got to get out more."

Soon, the four women were in Hippolyta's main audience chamber. As Diana's sister, Troya, ran to get their mother, the foursome relaxed on the soft sofas before the throne.

"This place is magnificent! It's like something out of a De Mille movie or... No, Hollywood's got nothing on this!" Beth declared.

Hippolyta entered and Beth stood up to greet her. The others followed.

"Please, be at ease," the Queen of the Amazons said as she came up to them.

"Mother, please allow me to introduce Elizabeth Anne Blish of the United States of America and the planet Earth," Diana said.

"Welcome Elizabeth Anne Blish," Hippolyta said. Then she kissed Beth in greeting. Beth's eyes widened at the contact.

Hippolyta stood back for a moment, staring into Beth's eyes. Then she blinked and turned to her throne.

"You-your majesty. It's an honor to be here. I thank you on behalf of the people of Earth." Beth bowed slightly.

"Please, join me in the inner chamber. We will all be more comfortable," Hippolyta said as she led the way to a side door.

Beth followed immediately. Diana walked with Sam and Janet.

"Mother seems quite taken with Beth," the princess said.

Janet smiled and agreed. "Yes, and Beth seems to be a bit enthralled too."

"Love at first sight? Come on..." Sam protested.

"It is possible, Samantha," Diana countered.

They fell silent as they entered the queen's inner chambers. The queen and the ambassador were standing together looking out at the darkening sky, the Veil of Sappho slowly emerging.

"Mother?"

Hippolyta turned and stepped up to Sam saying, "I was remiss in welcoming you back. Welcome back to Themyscira, Major." Hippolyta gently cupped Sam's face and kissed her.

Stepping over towards Janet, Hippolyta welcomed the doctor in a similar fashion. As their lips met, Sam's eyebrow arched slightly. Was their kiss longer than protocol required?

"Please sit. Would you care for some refreshment?"

As the queen went to the door and requested a decanter of wine, Janet saw the look on Sam's face and smirked. She was jealous! Her Sam was jealous! It was so sweet.

"I love you, you know," Janet whispered quietly.

"And I love you," Sam said, her face once again serene and happy.

The next hour was spent in idle talk, helping Beth on her first step to accepting the fact that she was on another world and what she could expect in her new post.

At length, the queen stood and said it was time for her to retire. Diana led the Terrans from the palace and out into the warm night.

"This is amazing," Beth said, gazing in awe at the celestial display of the Veil.

"I'd say you'll get used to it, but I'd be lying," Janet said.

"Sam, Janet, I'll show the ambassador to her quarters. I'll say good night to you," Diana said.

"Do we see our people tonight?" Janet asked.

"I suppose we should," Sam said. "But, chances are they're either in bed or out enjoying the night life."

"In bed, eh?"

"That wasn't what I meant, Janet," Sam protested. "But..."

Sam and Janet clasped hands as they walked towards their guest quarters. "It's almost a shame we'll have to leave here in a few days," Janet said.

Sam stopped and took both of Janet's hands in hers, soft skin meeting slightly calloused skin familiarly. "I'll miss it too but...we'll always have our memories. And the greatest gift of all..."

They both looked at Janet's still-flat stomach and then smiled. Pulling Sam to her, Janet held the blonde's face, brushing the tip of her nose against Sam's lightly. She whispered, "Yes, our daughter."

Sam moaned quietly as Janet claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss.

The taller woman's hands slid up and down Janet's back as Janet's hands tangled in Sam's short hair, holding their faces together.

Breaking the kiss, Janet looked deeply into Sam's eyes, "I want you. I want to make love to you. Now."

Sam wasn't about to pass up such a wonderful offer. "Come then, my love."

~~~

Hours later, Janet raised her face from her lover. Having sated her need to again pleasure the blonde (at least for the moment), she crawled up alongside Sam.

Smiling down on Sam, Janet licked her lips, savoring the flavor of this oh-so special woman. Looking deep into Sam's blue eyes, now dark in the wake of several orgasms, Janet leaned close and kissed her.

"I love you, Sam," Janet said in a quiet voice.

"And I love you Janet." Sam's voice was sincere until she chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Janet asked, rising up, slapping Sam's stomach and scowling at the amused woman.

"I was just thinking how you ruined me for anyone else..." Sam said.

"I? I ruined you? Just who was it who kissed who on the beach last summer?" Janet said in mock indignation.

"Um, you know, I... I really don't remember," Sam confessed.

Janet started to laugh, "I don't either. Isn't that ridicu...?"

The brunette doctor collapsed onto the blonde physicist, laughter shaking her body. Naturally, Sam enjoyed the feel of Janet's naked flesh against her own, but the vibrations from Janet's laughing was having an effect on Sam's libido.

Flipping Janet over, Sam loomed over her. Janet looked up in pleased surprise. "I thought you were...?"

"Not anymore. Second wind, I guess. I want you..."

"I thought you already proved that I don't taste any different now that I'm pregnant," Janet teased.

"Ah, but a good scientist always checks the results of any test she runs," Sam countered before lowering her face to Janet's rearoused sex.

Themyscira - Day Twenty-one - Mid-morning

In the communal dining hall, Sam and Janet met the remaining members of their special SG team. The absence of their two missing members was acutely felt.

"Good morning ladies. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that Colorado Springs is quite cold and another winter storm is predicted for today," Sam said, attempting to lighten the mood. As the women looked out at the warm, sunny morning, they all chuckled politely.

"Janet and I brought back the ambassador, as planned. She will meet with us shortly. I expect you all to help out and help Beth get up to speed before we have to return to Earth. She will spend the next two days with either Janet or myself. Then, I want her to accompany each of you for a day to get a feel for what we're trying to discover.

"Now, the schedule for the remainder of our time here... That's rather open-ended. I expect we have only a few more days, maybe a week, before the DOD decides to pull us out and send in experts. That said, see how much you can find out and as usual, share with us when we meet this evening. Meanwhile, anyone want to relate anything with us that they've discovered over the past few days?" Sam looked around the small group.

Liz Harding said, "I haven't learned anything really. But I have to say, our people in Congress could really take lessons from these women."

That earned a laugh from the assembled team.

"I guess the same could be said for the society itself. Nothing exciting to outsiders but a fascinating sociological setup. While I wouldn't say it's the ideal society, the openness and honesty are refreshing. And their general outlook on life is wonderful," Jennifer Crue said. "Oh, and it's nice not to have to hear J Crew jokes too!"

Everyone laughed at that.

"The farms are pretty automated," Carla Greene said next. "I have spent time on one of the nearby ones. The equipment is essentially the same as we use back home, just more streamlined. Well, that and the autopilots that run them. The really interesting thing is how they take the city sewage, process it and use that for fertilizer. Although I wouldn't recommend trips to the processing center..."

"Yeah, their waste management system is incredible! We could definitely use this back on Earth," Allison Moore added.

Ashley Rand cleared her throat and every eye in ear-shot turned to her. In her clipped British accent, she said, "I haven't begun to scratch the surface of their power systems. I think I mentioned the superconductors they use? The energy/heat ratio is far lower than anything we've come up with. The problem is trying to find out how they do it."

"Have you asked anyone yet?" Sam asked.

Ashley lowered her almond-shaped eyes sheepishly, "Well, not really... I didn't even consider that. I've been poking around on my own. The only other two worlds I've been to were pretty...tight-lipped about things."

Sam smiled, understanding where the young woman was coming from. "Just try. The worst they can do is not tell you." Ashley nodded.

"Terri? We've heard from everyone else. Anything you want to share?"

The shiest member of the team looked up quickly before looking back at her breakfast plate. "I... There's not much to... I don't think any of you would be interested."

Janet decided to speak up, "Well, I don't know about anyone else but I am definitely interested about the Themyscirans art and culture."

"Well... The dominant theme in their art, literature, and music seems to be...um, l-lesbianism." Terri took off her glasses and fiddled with them nervously as she spoke.

"All things considered, I'd be surprised if it were any other way," Ashley said. The others agreed.

Terri then looked up at Jennifer and went on, "I spent the first week or so on the ancient texts and records. All were basically offshoots of the ancient Greek and Roman records here in this city. I guess the other cities old records are divergences from that particular race's Earth traces.

"You see, Themyscira - the city that is - is pretty cosmopolitan. Kinda like New York or one of the other big cities. There are people from all over Themyscira - the planet that is - here. But some of the other cities and towns are more provincial. Edo's population is descended almost entirely from the early Japanese brought here by the Goa'uld. Tara and Emaine Macha are all Celtic. Tenotchitlan are Aztec by descent. But without the blood sacrifices..."

Terri paused for a moment. "Why the Goa'uld put so many different cultures on one planet doesn't make sense from the evidence we have of other worlds settled by abductees from Earth."

"Well, keep looking. You might find the answers in the old Goa'uld records recovered from the mothership," Sam offered. She stood when she saw Beth enter.

"Ladies, this is Beth Blish, Earth's first ambassador to Themyscira."

Introductions were made all around and the SG team made the newest visitor from Earth feel welcome.

The next several days fell back into the routine of their first weeks on Themyscira with the exception of Beth accompanying various team members for a day.

Every night, the team would gather at Sam and Janet's quarters to discuss anything new that might have come up. But, from the general discussions both that week and the week prior, most of the earth-shaking finds had been passed on to them the first two weeks of the team's visit.

And every night, after the increasingly brief meetings, the team would break up into pairs or individuals to enjoy whatever aspect of Themysciran nightlife they had a taste for.

Only a few seemed to have any kind of routine here. Ashley always headed for the Amazon equivalent of a dance club. By the end of the evening, she often had a new partner in her bed.

Beth, being the newcomer, spent a couple of nights with one or more of the other Terrans. Soon, though, she found herself heading towards Hippolyta's chambers. While rumors spread quietly within the SG team, in fact the two women spent most of the time simply talking. And their obvious mutual attraction for one another never seemed to come up.

Terri Morgan spent every free minute she had with the princess. The poor girl was head over heels in love with the beautiful Amazon, and Diana had fallen for the shy bookworm as well. Terri knew she had to squeeze in as much time as she could before the recall to Earth came through. The team willingly made allowances for her after it became apparent how much they cared for each other.

Sam and Janet spent a lot of their evenings merely strolling hand in hand through the Royal Gardens. This activity was too prosaic for the younger team members so they weren't too worried about being discovered.

And, every night, they returned to their quarters and made love for hours.

"Sam?"

"Yes?" Sam said sleepily. She was tired from a long day exploring the ancient Goa'uld wreck. That, coupled with the orgasms Janet had happily provided, left her with a deep-seeded urge to sleep.

"What about Terri?"

"Hmm...what? Terri...? Sounds nice..."

"What?"

Sam blinked rapidly in confusion. She had been musing on the baby's as-yet unchosen name while sleep tried to claim her.

"You're not talking about the baby's name?"

"No. Terri Morgan, our teammate."

Sam sat up, the sheet falling to her waist and exposing her breasts. She knew this conversation was going to go on for a while.

"What about Terri Morgan?" Sam said. Then, seeing Janet's eyes were no longer focused on her eyes, added, "Hey! I'm up here."

Janet chuckled and said, "I know but I can always look in your eyes... Anyway, Terri is really in love. And Diana seems to feel the same way. It doesn't seem right that they have to be split up."

Sam looked at her lover. Janet was on her side with her head propped up on one hand, the sheet gathered around her waist as well. Forcing herself to look up into Janet's eyes, she smiled a little sadly.

"Yeah, it doesn't seem right. But, sweetheart, she is in the service. That often takes precedence over personal needs. Terri is aware of that. She took the same oath you and I did when she decided to wear the uniform."

"But there must be something we can do..." Janet said, a plaintive note in her voice.

"Short of condoning her going AWOL, I don't see what. And I don't think the Themyscirans would want to have to deal with a deserter when we're just starting to forge diplomatic relations. If she were a civilian like Ashley, she could refuse to return and, unless the Amazons forced her, we couldn't do much. But she's not, she's Air Force with all the duties and requirements that come with it."

"Damn. You know, sometimes I hate it when you're right!" Janet smacked Sam on her bare stomach lightly.

Sam looked at her and said, "We still have several more days here. Let me give it some thought. Okay?"

In lieu of a verbal response, Janet slid her hand lower down Sam's abdomen and under the silky sheet. Sam shuddered and sucked in a large gasp of air as she felt Janet's fingers comb through her pubic hair.

Leaning over, Janet kissed Sam's navel, her tongue prodding the sensitive depression. She smiled as she was rewarded with a soft groan from the blonde.

"Oh Janet..." Sam moaned, her fingers combing through Janet's auburn locks, urging the woman to follow her hand.

Soft lips kissed their way towards the dark blond triangle as two slender fingers slid into dark, moist heat.

Janet's tongue slid through the light-colored curls until she reached her goal: Sam's musky, aroused sex. She sealed her lips around the lust-swollen outer labia and thrust her tongue deep into her lover's core.

"Oooohhh! J-j-janet!" Sam moaned as Janet began to make love to her. "Oh! I love it when you...when you k-k-kiss me like that."

Soon, Sam gave a quiet cry of release. Janet climbed out from under the sheets and kissed Sam lightly on the lips, smearing some of the blonde's essence on her own mouth.

"Hmm, tastes good on you..." Sam said in a dreamy voice.

As she lay down to let sleep claim her, she heard Janet's voice from a distance.

"Yeah, Terri isn't a bad name at that."

Themyscira - Day Twenty-four - Late Afternoon

Sam returned to the city center on a hover provided for her use. After another day taking samples from the Goa'uld ship's dead power plant as well as running a hull analysis, she desperately wanted to bath.

"Major Carter!"

Sam turned at the sound of her name. Hopping out of another hover was Troya, youngest daughter of Hippolyta.

"I thought I told you to call me Sam," the Terran said.

"Well, Mother doesn't think it's respectful for someone my age to be so familiar with someone your age," the teenager said.

"My age? I'm not that old..." Then Sam shook her head ruefully. "Then again, I am over thirty. When I was your age that was practically ancient.

"Tell you what, when it's just us, including my team, you can call me Sam. Okay?"

Troya nodded happily.

"So what's on your mind, kiddo?" Sam asked as she hooked a power coupling to the underside of the hover.

"Maj... Sam, do you think I could come to Earth sometime? I'd love to see it. After hearing Terri tell Diana about America, I really want to see it."

Sam put her arm around the girl's shoulder, "Well, I think it would depend on your mother and your sister. And your government. But I don't think there would be a problem."

"You have a daughter back home, don't you? Maybe she could show me around!" Troya said, excited by the idea that she might see the homeworld of her ancestors.

"She's not my daughter. I help Janet raise her but she's Janet's girl. And Cassandra is about your age too," Sam said.

"That would be... Is the word 'cool'?"

"Yeah. Cool, rad, da bomb..." Sam said. If she was completely honest with the young woman, she'd admit that her knowledge of teen slang was woefully out of day. Even if she did watch "Buffy" regularly.

"Cool," Troya said, as if trying it out. "Cool. Oh, there's Diana."

Diana was standing by the entrance to the 'motor pool' clearly waiting for someone. Sam guessed it was her young companion.

"Samantha, Troya. Good afternoon. Samantha, there was a message for you. Your superior would like to speak to you at your earliest convenience," Diana related.

"Oh? That can't be good..." Sam joked. In truth, she believed she knew what the content of the conversation was going to be. While she was looking forward to returning to Earth and resuming her position as Jack O'Neill's 2IC, she was enjoying this little vacation.

"I'm sure it will not be bad news," Diana assured Sam.

"No, I'm sure it's okay. That was just a joke. Did he say when I should call?" To offset the time difference between Themyscira City and the SGC, they had agreed to set times for conversations between Sam and General Hammond, outside of emergencies.

"At your earliest convenience," Diana replied.

Sam nodded and turned back to her Hover. Behind her, she heard Troya tell Diana it would be cool for her to go to Earth. Sam smiled and shook her head. Teenagers were the same all over the galaxy.

~~~

Sam powered up the MALP's communication array then dialed Earth. As the wormhole stabilized, Sam sent a hail to the SGC. Moments later, General Hammond's voice came to her from across the galaxy.

"Hello, Major. How's the mission coming along?"

"Fine, sir. Beth - Ms. Blish seems to have been a good choice by State," Sam said.

"Good."

"Was there something else sir?"

There was a momentary pause then Hammond's voice returned. "Yes, in four days time, you and your team are to return to Earth."

"Yes sir. I understand sir."

"Very good. You've done an excellent job, Major. It has not gone unnoticed either."

"Thank you sir. Uh, sir?"

"Yes?"

"What about the work my people have done? Will they be..."

"You know as well as I, Major, that will be determined after the information you bring back is evaluated thoroughly. Why, is there a problem?"

"No, but I have some ideas..."

~~~

The shadows had noticeably lengthened as the interplanetary conversation went on. Finally, it came to an end.

"Yes sir! I'll pass that along. Thank you."

"Thank you Major. I'll discuss your thoughts with the Pentagon and State. Again, my congratulations to you and your team on a job well done. SGC out."

Sam stood for a long moment in thought as the wormhole disengaged. Then she powered down the communications array, resetting it to stand-by mode and took the hover back to the city.

~~~

Sam got into the communal hall late to join her people for dinner.

"Well, ladies, we're going home in four days." Sam waited for the news to sink in. Over all, the other women seemed happy with the news. The only obvious exceptions were Ashley Rand and, not surprising, Terri Morgan.

"What we need to concentrate on now is wrapping up whatever you happen to be working on. Full reports are expected when we return. Then, the nice folks in Washington who sign our paychecks will decide how to proceed," Sam said.

"Sounds good to me," Janet said. A couple of others echoed her response.

Ashley sat up and asked, "What are the chances that I could stay on? Their power system is fascinating."

"Unfortunately, that'll have to wait. Chances are those of you involved in more technical aspects of Themysciran life will be back," Sam replied.

"Oh, and General Hammond wanted me to pass on congratulations to all of you for a job well done. Apparently we have done a very good job here.

"Another thing I had confirmed is that there will be a Board of Inquiry scheduled within the next month to look into the accident. Some of you, maybe all of you, will be called to testify. Just a heads up," Sam added.

"Sam? Are you in trouble? You had nothing to do with the ship wreck," Ashley declared.

Sam shook her head, "No, I don't think so. SOP for any lost teams or members is an inquiry - a fact-finding session more than anything else. I will need some of the Amazons' weather reports and accident reports but I don't expect anything to come of this."

"I think we might just take a minute to think about our missing friends though. Maybe say a prayer if that helps," Janet suggested.

The table sat quietly for several moments before finally adjourning to Sam and Janet's for the evening mission briefing.

Stargate Command - General Hammond's Office - Day Twenty-five - Early Afternoon

Jack knocked on the door to the general's office. He clapped his hands together and rubbed them briskly as he said, "So, the ladies are coming back and SG-1 will be back to kicking butt and taking names? Sir."

"Not quite Jack. I'm afraid you're not scheduled for a mission for at least a week after they return. I've ordered that all special team members take at least a week down-time before resuming their usual duties," Hammond said.

"A week?!? I have to sit on my aching butt another week? I'm going to go nuts!"

Hammond smiled, he did like the go-getter attitude of his premier team leader - most of the time. "Sorry Jack. Most of them have worked practically non-stop for the past four weeks. They deserve some time off."

"Yeah, whatever..." Jack mumbled as he walked out of Hammond's office.

Hammond's smile broadened as he heard Jack's dwindling complaints echo off the concrete walls of the corridor.

Themyscira - Day Twenty-seven - Morning

"Ambassador? Can I have a word?"

"Of course Sam. Why so formal?"

Sam looked at the other woman and said, "I have a formal request to make..."

Themyscira - Day Twenty-eight - Morning

A small crowd had come from the city on several hovers to the Stargate. Sam was pleased with how many new friends they had made. She was also a little sad to be leaving them.

Off to the side, Janet was in an earnest discussion with Paula from the Medical Center, probably discussing aspects of Janet's pregnancy. Diana and Terri were behind the Gate, discretely holding hands and talking quietly. Others of her team were paired off with their Amazonian friends saying their good byes.

Sam couldn't help but grin when she saw the retinue Ashley had collected. 'The woman's a babe-magnet,' she thought. This was immediately followed by the horrified thought, 'I do spend too much time with Jack O'Neill!'

Hippolyta clapped her hands once and the assembled women quieted. "It is a sad day for us. Our new friends from across the stars are leaving us. But it is also a happy day. Because we do have new friends from our ancient homeworld. And we shall never be far from each other's hearts.

"Farewell, Samantha, Janet, Elizabeth, Allison, Carla, Ashley, Jennifer, and, of course, Terri." The queen paused and smiled at the shy young woman that had stolen her oldest daughter's heart. "We shall always remember your comrades, Mavis and Marcy, as we shall always remember you. The loss of these women on one of our naval vessels was tragic. But it was the result of the need and desire we all have to know more about each other and our respective cultures. This learning will continue, in honor of the women lost when our ship, the Gabrielle, was swallowed by the sea."

Sam was startled to realize she had never learned the name of the Themysciran ship that had gone down, she had been too preoccupied by the loss of her team members. Sadly she shook her head.

"Please know, women of Earth, that you will always be welcome here." With that, Hippolyta bowed towards the homeward-bound Terrans. They all inclined their heads towards the queen, none had dry eyes.

"I have an announcement to make," Sam said, taking Hippolyta's place on the platform in front of the silent Gate. "It is customary for our diplomats to have our own security. Even in the capitols of our closest friends, there is a small military presence as there is in embassies from other countries in our own capitol, Washington.

"In light of that, and until a suitable squad can be drawn up for Ambassador Blish, I order Lieutenant Terri Moore to remain behind when we return to Earth."

Terri looked up quickly, her cheeks wet from her silent crying. Diana, her eyes equally wet and red, looked at Sam then at her love. She wasted no time in crossing the grass to stand by Terri.

SG-13 cheered and congratulated their friend and her lover. Sam looked at Janet and was stunned by the look the doctor sent her. A look combining disbelief, love and gratitude. Janet mouthed "I love you" and Sam smiled as she nodded and mouthed, "And I you."

Diana stepped up and hugged Sam fiercely. "Oh, thank you so much, Samantha!"

"You are welcome. It's the least I could do after the gifts you've given us," Sam said, taking Janet's hand as the doctor joined them. "I will make arrangements for her to be posted to the ambassador's staff permanently but that will take time and she will need to return to Earth at some point.

"But...this way, if she wants, when her enlistment is up, she can remain here with you."

Terri grabbed Sam in a rib-cracking hug, "Oh thank you Sam!" Then she hugged Janet, but, mindful of Janet's condition, not quite as hard.

"Take care of each other," Janet said. Sam nodded then went to the DHD.

As the event horizon rippled like liquid silver, Sam simply said "Farewell" and the team stepped through the Stargate for Earth.

Epilogue 1

The Fraiser House - Colorado Springs, Colorado - Four days after the Amazon mission - Afternoon

Sam, clad in a loosely-tied robe and nothing else, sat holding her laptop, her eyes staring at the screen unseeing.

Janet, her hair disheveled by their latest bout of lovemaking, came into the living room tying the sash of her robe. "He-ey!"

When Sam didn't respond, Janet hurried over, "Sam? Honey?"

"Huh? Oh Janet. I... I think I found something..."

Worried by the tone of Sam's voice, Janet sat next to her and took her hand. "What?"

Still staring straight ahead, Sam said in a low voice, "Remember when Beth was telling us about Moulton and Wonder Woman?"

"Sure, of course."

"Polly, the third part of their marriage, was Hippolyta's relative. Her nickname on Themyscira was Pol. I remember Diana telling me that."

"Yes? So? We already guessed that."

"That's not all of it."

"Sam, what's the problem? Tell me," Janet insisted.

"According to these notes," Sam indicated the laptop and the disk she had inserted in the drive, "Polly had two children. Two children, Janet."

"Yeah, I remember."

"But that's... Janet, don't you see? She had babies. And she had the Themysciran gene alteration. So would her children."

Janet's face fell as she realized what her lover was telling her. "That means that..." Janet couldn't finish.

Sam said, "Eventually, the male populace will slowly dwindle and finally disappear from Earth."

In a whisper, Janet asked, "How long?"

Sam closed her eyes, "Probably a few centuries, by my reckoning."

"Oh God!"

They sat quietly for several minutes before Sam rapidly typed, opening files and an internet connection. "Wait. There might be..."

"What, Sam?" Sam didn't answer and finally Janet went to fix dinner, knowing how Sam could phase out anything but the problem she was fixated on. She smiled wickedly, thinking Sam was the same when it came to making love.

Several hours later, Sam came into the kitchen. Her dinner was saran-wrapped and in the refrigerator. she put it in the microwave and waited while it heated up.

Janet came down when she heard Sam moving around. "What's up?"

"I spent the last few hours checking records. I was able to find the children that Polly had by Marston. both female of course."

"And?"

"I couldn't find any further information. No record of them marrying or having children..."

"So, there's no danger of the gene alteration here?"

"I didn't say that, Janet. I found no records. There could be several reasons for that. There's nothing to record. Or, the records, if they were made, disappeared. Or, the records were deliberately covered up."

"So...?"

"I don't know, Janet. I just don't know."

Epilogue 2

Stargate Command - Dr. Fraiser's Office - Three weeks after the conclusion of the Amazon mission.

Sam practically bounced as she entered Janet's office. There was also a huge smile spread across her face.

"Let me guess, the review board cleared you," Janet said, a smirk threatening to break free on her face.

"Yup! I'm completely not responsible," Sam said.

"You certainly can be irresponsible!" Janet teased.

"Hey!"

Janet came and wrapped her arms around Sam, "I'm glad for you. It's just too bad..."

"Yeah," Sam sighed. "I just got a message from Beth. Nothing new since they picked up the remains of the life raft last week."

Janet buried her face in Sam's chest, her wet eyes darkening the blue coverall. "There may still be a chance..."

"No, I don't think so, Janet. They've combed that area pretty thoroughly. But I do have good news."

"Oh? What?"

"General Hammond has agreed with my posting Terri to Themyscira. Once I explained how much headway she'd already made on their ancient records. I guess it helped when I compared her to Daniel." Sam smiled, "The colonel was practically begging the general to keep her there. Something about too many eggheads in one basket."

Janet hugged her partner even more tightly. "I love you, my egghead."

"I love you too, Shorty."

"Hey!"

The End

Next: Breaking The News