AN: Hi! So, a little info about this chapter...the situation described in the beginning actually closely mirrors how my first child was born. I had a huge argument with my husband one night, that lasted quite a few hours into the night. Just as I was about to go to sleep, my water broke, and I went into labor. I figured (since it's based on an actual experience) it would make a pretty realistic situation. Plus, LOL at the idea of Rodney punching Kavanagh in the face!

As I said last chapter, if anyone has an idea for a different direction to the story, let me know! The only reason I ended this a little short was because I have a bunch more fics I'm trying to finish, and also because as I said before, I couldn't Whump anyone anymore in this fic! Hope you've enjoyed the story, and R&R! I loves the reviews!

PS...also wanted to mention, thank you SOOOO much for all the favs, alerts, etc! I'm so happy so many people are enjoying the story!

Chapter 10

Sheppard was really tired now.

The team had just gotten back from dealing with another faction of the Genii, and all he'd been looking forward to was a hot shower, followed closely by a good night's sleep. Well, he'd actually planned on looking in on Jordan first, since she was now due to have her baby any day, but that hadn't gone as well as he'd have liked.

Jordan had been upset over a comment she'd heard Kavanagh mutter at Rodney shortly after the team returned - something like, "Where's Sheppard's newest charity case?" Rodney had snapped back at him, actually telling Kavanagh that he'd shove his fist right through the smarmy scientist's skull, but the damage had been done in Jordan's mind. She began to cry as she told Sheppard what had happened, and though it had upset him as well, he was just so damned tired that he'd just brushed it off and told her to forget about it. Which, of course, was the wrong thing to say. She got mad at him then, and the argument escalated until he finally stormed out of her room, leaving her to fling herself onto her bed, crying in anger and sadness.

Now, he laid awake in bed, turning over the evening's events in his mind, kicking himself for handling the situation the way he had. At least four times, he considered getting up and trekking back to her room to apologize, but he changed his mind each time, telling himself that she was probably asleep by now. The last thing he wanted was to disturb her sleep, now that she was so close to her due date; she'd need all the sleep she could get, to have the strength to deal with her labor and delivery, not to mention dealing with a newborn.

Heaving a sigh, he rolled over onto his other side and pulled up the blankets, finally feeling tired enough to actually sleep. He was just about to drift off, when his earpiece crackled from its place on his bedside table, and a voice called out, "John?"

Recognizing the fear in Jordan's voice, he rolled back over and grabbed the earpiece, bolting upright at the same time. "What is it?" He asked her even before he had the com slid into place.

"I…I think my water just broke."

That was all it took for him to leap out of bed, nearly tripping over the clothes he'd tossed beside it only an hour ago. "I'll be right there. Just stay calm," he told her, as he pulled a t-shirt over his head and slipped on a pair of sneakers.

"Okay," she replied breathlessly.

He couldn't believe this was happening, especially right now, when he'd had so little sleep. He silently wondered if the reason she'd been so emotional was because she'd been about to go into labor, and neither of them had recognized it. If that was the case, well, he felt even more like an ass than he had before.

As he jogged down the halls, he tapped the com again, and called Dr. Keller. She answered groggily, but when he explained the situation to her, she snapped into doctor-mode and told him she'd be waiting in the infirmary for them.

"Sheppard, what's happening?" Rodney asked him, and Sheppard slid to a stop before he could collide with either Rodney or Ronon, who had been walking with him.

"Jordan…water broke…having baby," Sheppard gasped. "Gotta go."

As he started off again, Rodney called, "What, now? Really?"

Frustrated, Sheppard shouted back, "No, I'm just practicing. Yes, now!"

This time, he darted around the corner without waiting for his friends to reply, and continued on his way to Jordan's quarters. When he reached her room, he only had to think "open" for the door to slide open for him. At least the city seemed to understand the urgent situation.

"Hey! Slow down before you kill yourself," Jordan said as he ran into her room and rushed over to her bed. She was sitting upright and smiling, but a few droplets of sweat were already beginning to stand out near her hairline, and her hands were clenched in her lap.

"Sorry. I was just…"

"I know."

He nodded. He loved that about her – that she knew what he was going to say. "Contractions?" He asked her.

Jordan chuckled, but stopped short when a wave of pain rippled across her stomach and back. When it eased somewhat, she replied, "Every five or six minutes."

He moved to help her up off the bed, but she grabbed his shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I got mad at you for no –"

He shook his head and interrupted. "It's okay. Let's just get you to Keller."

Jordan grabbed a bag that had been packed full of clothes for both her and the baby, and slung it over her shoulder. Sheppard wrapped his arm around her waist to support her, and they slowly made their way out of the room and down to the transporter, then down the final hallway toward the infirmary, stopping twice when more contractions wracked her.

Inside the infirmary, they found not only Dr. Keller and a few nurses waiting for them, but also the three members of Sheppard's team, Major Lorne, Dr. Zelenka, and Colonel Carter. As soon as everyone saw them enter, the conversation they'd been having stopped, and Jordan suddenly had a picture of Mary and Joseph entering the crowded inn. If she hadn't been in so much pain, she might've laughed out loud at that.

"Okay," Dr. Keller shouted to the group of visitors, "everyone out! I'll let you know when the visiting hours are."

There were a few disappointed murmurs, but everyone quickly filed out, to line the halls and wait. Ronon hung back for a moment, his dark eyes seeming even blacker with a mixture of worry and excitement. Taking a tentative step forward, he gently laid his hand on Jordan's shoulder. Jordan stared into his eyes and then nodded, and he turned on his heel and left the room.

"What was that?" Sheppard asked her.

"Basically he wanted me to know that everything would be okay."

"Well why didn't he just say that, then?"

Jordan smiled softly. "Not everyone's good at voicing their feelings."

Catching on that she was ribbing him, he replied, "Funny."

"I try."

"Okay, you two," Keller interjected then. "Can we get Jordan comfortable, and get an IV going, before the baby decides to drop where you're standing?"

"Sorry," Sheppard said, grinning covertly at Jordan before leading her to the bed Keller indicated.

When Jordan was situated, Keller glanced at Sheppard and asked, "You okay, Colonel? You look tired."

He nodded. "I'm fine."

Sure, he was tired. But he wouldn't miss the next few hours for anything in the world.

A high-pitched wail woke Sheppard up from a sound sleep. Raising himself on one elbow, he glanced beside him and saw Jordan lying there, still deep in slumber despite the noise.

Stifling a chuckle, Sheppard swung his legs out of bed and stood up. She was still exhausted, and needed her rest. She's been through a lot the past few days. He padded barefoot into the kitchen to grab a bottle of milk, swiping tiredly at a balloon bouquet that was anchored to a drawer, as it was in his way of the refrigerator. He managed not to trip over the diaper bag that always seemed to materialize directly in the middle of his path no matter where he was, and made his way back into the sleeping area, flicking on a dim light as he passed the switch. When he reached the crib, which Teyla and Ronon had pitched in to buy together, he looked down into it, and into a pair of bright blue eyes.

"Hey, you tryin' to wake the whole city?" he asked quietly, reaching down to rub small circles on the baby's pink pajama-clad belly. Rodney had given the pajamas to Jordan during the baby shower, his face glowing with pride even as he was subjected to snide comments and witty remarks. Sheppard grinned as he remembered that day. Due to the baby's sudden arrival, the shower had been held in the infirmary, chairs set in a half-circle around Jordan's bed. It had been fun, he had to admit, and the food – pot-luck was the term they'd used – was amazing. The presents had seemed to just keep coming – the crib, a swing from Keller, a car seat from Zelenka for use in the Puddle Jumpers, a mess of knitted afghans, bottles, diapers…he couldn't remember them all, but he knew Jordan had carefully written each one down in the baby book Carter had given her, along with the thousands of pictures everyone had taken both before and after the birth.

The baby had since stopped crying, instead content to intently study his face. Sheppard smiled and carefully lifted the baby out of the crib, settling her into the crook of his arm. He didn't think he'd ever get past the wonder he felt whenever he held a baby. They were so small, so helpless – and yet so full of life. He sank down into the nearby rocking chair, adjusting the blanket she was swaddled in and slipping the bottle into her mouth, which instantly began to suck eagerly on the nipple.

"Hey, slow down. Gonna get air in that little tummy."

At the sound of his voice, Jordan lifted her head, blinking in the soft light. "John?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep. "Is she hungry again?"

Smiling, Sheppard replied, "It's okay, babe. I've got her."

Satisfied with his answer, Jordan turned onto her side and went back to sleep.

Sheppard gazed lovingly down at the little girl in his arms, and said, "Don't I, Hope? I've got you, and I'll never let you go."

THE END!

Well, that's it, folks! It's been a fun ride...and to think, all based on a short dream I had one night after too many SGA episodes! (As if there's such a thing! LOL) Anyway, so glad I got to share this with all of you!