Here we are at the end guys! The very last chapter. I hope you all like it.

NOTHING IS EVER THAT SIMPLE

By LetitiaRichards

Previously:-

"It's not your fault Teal'c. I don't even think he realised it. He's in shock. Let's get him to the infirmary."

Chapter 33 – Epilogue part 2

Daniel sat on the hard chair between the two infirmary beds, Teal'c was standing sentinel over the foot of Jack's bed, while keeping watch over Sam too.

A groan from Jack alerted them to his waking moment.

"Jack?"

Jack forced his eyes open and blinked a few times to clear his vision. He recognised the infirmary, but the last time he checked, it was Sam that had been hurt, not him.

"Sam?"

"She's here Jack. Janet says she's gonna be fine." Daniel was quick to reassure his friend.

Jack sighed in relief, but then wanted to know why he was lying in bed. He tried to get up but an intense pain in his shoulder drove him to lie back again.

"What happened?"

"You were injured Jack. Janet had to fix your shoulder. It probably happened when you went after Sam. You went into shock and collapsed in the shower."

"Ugh!" Jack groaned, he could barely recall getting back to the SGC let alone anything that happened afterwards. He turned his head to the side so he could see Sam in the next bed; she was either still unconscious or asleep, he wasn't sure which.

"Colonel. How're you feeling?" Janet had sneaked up on him without him realising it and he almost leapt off the bed.

"Geesh Doc. Give a guy a heart attack will ya! You touting for patients here?" he complained breathlessly.

Daniel snorted and Teal'c raised an eyebrow.

"Apart from having a near heart attack Colonel, how are you?" Janet persisted ignoring the giggled amusement coming from her fiancé.

"I'm fine Doc. What about Sam?"

"She's fine Colonel. She woke up a little while ago, but couldn't stay awake. She was utterly exhausted. The head wound isn't anything to worry about, but I'll need to give her some medication for a while."

"Why?"

"Um boys if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to the Colonel alone." Her interruption and her words alone were enough to desperately worry Jack, and as soon as Daniel and Teal'c had left the room he pounced on her, pushing himself to sit up despite the pain and being hampered by the sling. He took a few tentative steps across to her bed and grasped Sam's hand in his, trying not to think that there was anything seriously wrong with her. Why else would Janet send the others from the room?

"Doc?"

Janet smiled widely, a knowing smile that said she knew something he obviously didn't.

"Colonel...Jack. I ran some regular tests and a couple of scans, and when Sam recovers I'll run some more scans to confirm the results, but all indications show that Sam is so tired because she's pregnant. Congratulations 'Dad'!"

Jack felt his knees turn to jello and gripped the side of the bed. His Sam was carrying his child? Already? He felt himself smile, a huge grin that stretched from ear to ear before the news really sank in.

"Really?" he asked when he'd recovered his senses and the past guilt consumed him.

"Absolutely," Janet confirmed.

"Crap?" he sighed, suddenly feeling frightened of the prospect of screwing this child's life up, and possibly Sam's too, just like he had with Sara and Charlie's.

"What?" Janet didn't like the look on Jack's face. He looked as if he'd lost a million dollars and found a dime.

"I blew it Doc. Last time I had a kid I..." he gulped down the fear and nausea. He felt vulnerable for the first time in years. "I don't know if I can..."

Janet understood then what he was so afraid of.

"Look, what happened back then was an accident Jack, and no way was it your fault. This time you'll just be more careful is all. Don't throw away this opportunity to make things right because of what went wrong in the past. Sam's lucky she got pregnant. After Jolinar I wasn't sure she could have any kids...don't make her regret this Jack. She loves you and I won't let you break her heart."

Jack hung his head in shame and embarrassment. He'd never revealed to anyone the deep seated fear inside from losing Charlie. Those were indeed dark days, and it was only Daniel's innocence, and earnest pleas that had brought him back from the brink of destruction.

"I've never known you to be a coward Jack. You've always faced adversity head one, don't change that now. For Sam's sake don't live in the past. This is a big opportunity for you to put that particular ghost to rest and make a brighter future. Not many people get a second Chance Jack. Heaven only knows why, but God's given that opportunity to you. Take it while you can. Sam needs to know this is something you want. For god's sake don't ruin her life just because you don't think you could be a father to your own child."

Janet wasn't furious, but her words were harsh and Jack felt the unfamiliar sting of tears. He knew she was right. He just wasn't good at keeping something like this from his heart. It had exposed the gaping wound that haunted him, and now Janet was telling him that it was alright because the skin had grown over that ugly scar and he would be okay now. He nodded then. If she believed he could do it, then...

"You can be a great dad Jack. I've seen you with Cassie, and with Tessa and Kayla. They all adore you. How much easier will that be with your own? I'm sure that if Charlie were around today he would agree that you were the best."

"We argued. Over some stupid water pistol. That's when he..."

"Cassie and I argue all the time Jack. It doesn't mean anything. It's what kids do. Did you never argue with your parents? 'Cos I guarantee you did at some stage. I can't imagine you being a saint."

"I guess." His lips twitched; she was right there, he was certainly no saint.

"Sam's never borne a child before Jack. She'll be second guessing herself and nervous about every little thing. That's one thing you can help her with. To quote your favourite cliché – been there and done that. I'll even buy you the damn T-shirt!"

Jack turned at Janet's words with a snort of laughter. He couldn't help but grin at her analogy. She was right. He could do this. He had been given another chance, and this time there was no way he would screw this up again. Sam would need him and he loved her so very much. He warmed to the idea and moved to enfold Janet into a one armed bear-hug, almost lifting her off her feet until she remonstrated him about his bad shoulder and that he should have been resting.

"Ya think I could?"

"I know you could!"

"Thanks Janet. I guess I was just...well, stunned, overawed, freaked a little at the news?"

"But you'll be okay with this?" Janet persisted, looking up into his dark eyes to see if the familiar confidence was back in place. It was.

"Sure Doc. Strike one for the power-mo... Oops!" Jack grimaced as he remembered not to finish the none too flattering moniker he labelled Janet with.

Janet glowered but couldn't help her lips twitch and she turned and left the room with a shake of her head, trying to keep the smile to herself.

"Sorry!" Jack called after her.

"You will be!" she called back over her shoulder as she closed the door behind her.

"Crap!" Jack sighed. He looked down at Sam's sleeping figure and was rewarded by fluttering eyelashes, twitching fingers and a soft sigh.

"Hey!" he called softly, before leaning in to sweep a light kiss over Sam's lips.

"Jaaack?" Sam answered sleepily, squirming a little as she roused.

"What? Who else were you expecting to kiss you awake?" Jack sounded peeved and she opened her eyes wide at his tone, but then relaxed when she saw he was grinning.

"Idiot!" she said affectionately. It was then she noticed his arm resting inside the sling. "You're hurt!"

"And you're not?" he replied quickly, neatly avoiding the issue.

"I'm fine..."

"Ack!" Jack interrupted. "Don't say it Sam. I've spoken to Janet while you've been sleeping. I have to say that because of what she told me there is no way you are ever going through that Stargate again, at least not for a long time."

"What? What's wrong? You're kicking me off the team because of a little injury? Don't even think it flyboy," she warned with annoyance, warming to the subject of his sudden obsessiveness. She could well look after herself; how dare he go all macho on her now! She sat up too quickly and Jack had to reach out to steady her when the room spun round and she was in danger of falling from the bed.

"Hey. Take it easy." He grasped her in his good arm and she pushed him away.

"Jack. Just because I get injured on a mission that doesn't give you the right to bar me from leading my team through that gate. Don't you dare..."

Jack snorted with laughter in the face of her continued angry tirade and it stopped her in her tracks.

"Jack?" She sounded so confused that Jack took pity on her.

"I said I don't want you going through that gate for a long while, at least not until our child is old enough for a child minder. Or perhaps we can find a good Nanny."

"Our Child? I'm...I'm pregnant?" she gasped, her eyes as big as dishes.

Jack just gave her a lop-sided grin and nodded.

"Oh God Jack! I'm...we're gonna have a baby?" she looked aghast.

"Uh huh!"

Then Sam burst into tears and Jack quickly wrapped her in his arms as best he could still hampered by his injury. Her hormones were obviously wacko.

"'Cmon Sam. It's not that bad, is it?"

"I'm...I just...I've never...I don't know the first thing about kids Jack. I don't know if I can..."

"That's where I can help out Sam. It was a long time ago, but I guess it's like riding a bike... something you never forget. I'll be there for you Sam. I'm not risking you or the baby. I want this child to grow up."

"Oh Jack, I love you. Are you sure this is what you want though?"

"Sure. I love you Sam. I love everything about you and if that means sharing our lives and making a family then bring him on."

"Him? It might be a girl jack?"

"Nope. It's definitely a boy. It's an O'Neill tradition. Boys always come first."

"Not where the Carter's are concerned they don't. I'm older than Mark remember!"

"Well that's the Carter tradition. It may have escaped your notice but you're an O'Neill now, so it means that Sean Patrick O'Neill will arrive first."

"You have this all planned don't you?" She pulled back and folded her arms over her chest, frowning up at him.

"Of course!"

"Well, Mr. Know it all, Olivia Grace O'Neill will make her debut before Sean. I'm sure of it."

"She can't."

"Yes she can!"

"Can't

"Can!"

"Don't even try that on me. It's bad enough when Daniel does it." Jack wagged a finger at her in denial. He was so not getting into that game with her.

The door opened then and Janet came into the room holding a large brown folder, accidentally listening their little word game from the doorway when nobody had noticed her open it. She'd overheard every word. Mac bounded into the room in her wake and made a bee line for Jack who bend down and made a big fuss over him.

"How about both?"

Two heads swivelled round in surprise.

"What?" the gasped in union before turning to look at each other.

"I said, how about both. Congratulations you two. It's twins, and from what I can tell, it's one of each." She took the print outs of the scans to show them. "Due in just under six months time.

They were both right. Sean and Olivia would be born together.

Jack hugged Sam tighter as she cried softly into his shoulder. Mac leapt onto the bed eager to a part of this loving fest.

"You'll be fine, both of you! All of you!" Janet said before leaving them alone.

"I'll have to give up going off-world Jack. I want to anyway. There's no way I would be able to leave them too long with anyone else."

"I wasn't going to mention this because I'd already turned General Hammond down, but now... I think I'll take him up on his offer." Jack looked a little sheepish at his confession. He hadn't mentioned it before because he didn't want to consider it before, but now; well things are different. There was no way he could place himself in danger when Sam and his kids were waiting at home on him. He wouldn't do to his children what he and Sam had gone through by losing a parent.

"What offer Jack?" Sam demanded. He'd never mentioned any such offer to her.

"He said if and when you ever started a family, then he would put me up for promotion. It would mean the end of my going off world, but at least it would be safer for me and give me more of a chance to be with you more."

"Brigadier General O'Neill? Wow! I like the sound of that...sir!"

"Careful Colonel. That's... well, whatever. I'll be head of the SGC. Hammond will be moving on to Washington. It seems they've created a new position there. Hammond will be head of Home-World security at the pentagon and be directly responsible to the President. No middle men and no-one else to meddle with our funding. You think I could manage this end?" Jack asked, still a little doubtful; it was a desk job after all.

"I know you can Jack. You can do anything you put your mind too."

He wrapped her in his arms again and kissed her deeply.

"I love you Jack."

"Love you too; or three or four!" he smirked, the light of love in his eye as he looked at Sam and moved his eyes down her body to rest them on her tummy, whilst absently rubbing Mac's ears. Nobody could have been happier than they were at that point Everything was much simpler when it was surrounded by love and shared with someone special.

The End.

Well, there you are folks. Another story finished. And yes, there is another one waiting in the wings. I hope you all enjoyed this story. Please let me know what it was you enjoyed the most about it. I would love to know, so that it will help me know what to include in future stories.

Thank you to everyone who has read this and especially to those of you who reviewed it too. I really do appreciate your time and effort and all your wonderful comments. They've truly amazed me! Thanks!