Naquadah Tipped Warheads & Banana Smoothies ~ Over 16s ~ 6 of 11
Details, disclaimers and Part One here
Part Two here
Part Three here
Part Four here
Part Five here
Dowload the mp3 podcast for this chapter by clicking (right click to save) here
Sunday, July 29th 2007 - Officer’s Quarters Area 51
Well, it’s been a busy two weeks, so sorry no update.
As you can see, I’m back at Area 51, working on the Hermes and some other stuff. In fact, all my projects are progressing satisfactorily, ship, machine, and baby.
I am finding I'm quite liking being in charge of R&D here. Although I miss the field work, I relish being the boss. I enjoy the buzz of working with the civilian experts, but the military life is familiar. I hope my command of civilian teams as well as the military personnel has improved - I’ve learned so much from you, about how to deal with people; they are so much less predictable than electrons!
General Kerrigan seems to think so too. I had an interim review the day before yesterday and he was very encouraging. He was also urging me to think about a permanent position here after the baby is born, and Jack, I’m seriously considering it. I would love my child to have a stable home life like the type I didn’t have. The work here is 9-to-5, Monday through Friday. Kerry even mooted the possibility of part time hours if I was interested. Again, I’m giving it careful thought.
I don’t know if I could sell the house in Colorado Springs though - after all, that was also my dad’s home.
More things to think about.
You always said I think too much.
Baby Carter/O’Neill is getting bigger and you know that AF maternity smock that looked ridiculously baggy 10 weeks ago? Well, it doesn’t look so ridiculous now. I’ve got quite a belly.
Looking at myself naked is hysterical... but you know, I have to keep doing it. I can’t believe that it is me in the mirror with my arms enfolding our much cherished child; I just never expected to find myself pregnant.
Oh! I am due to start ante-natal classes next week. I did investigate a Lamaze program but you have to attend with a partner.
Enough said.
Following on from my visit to Mark’s, I’ve tried to keep open the lines of communication. It’s a slow but sure thaw, I hope. Mark asked me if I would like him to tell Pete Shanahan about my condition. He’s moved back to Denver as you know, and apparently found someone else. I’m glad; although it ended badly, I feel that it was mostly my fault. I’m cringing just thinking about our last conversation. I told Mark, yes, please, thank you very much, and Mark said he’d try but Pete seems to be avoiding him these days.
I hope I haven’t caused a rift there - after all, my brother was only trying to help me find me a man that I could connect with. Of course, that man had really been three steps in front of me for nine years.
It’s so HOT now, so I’m gonna hit my bunk to try and get some shuteye.
Catching your six,
Sam
xxx
Monday, July 30th 2007
What a fun day.
Rodney McKay was visiting from Atlantis. Obviously rumor control hasn’t reached there yet because the look on his face when I emerged from behind a Hermes bulkhead with my bump preceding me was nothing short of comical.
He began making ‘nggh’ing noises and gesturing towards me.
“You’re pregnant!”
What is this? A replay of the conversation with Mark?
“I KNOW,” I hiss through my teeth, fold my arms over my belly and give him THAT look. Jennifer Haley (who is also seconded here by the way) just about collapses behind a wiring loom.
McKay is so damn predictable. Until now.
He HUGS me! And kisses me on the cheek (weird) and cheerfully offers me congratulations and loudly announces that he thought I must have been a lesbian.
My response: “….”
Haley is making convulsing noises by this time; I’ve already told her she’s going to pay!
Then, he doesn’t even mention the baby and demands an update on the Hermes!
He is the most irritating man!
Gagh, it’s way too hot for all those exclamation marks.
I’m heading for bed early - it was so humid last night and I hardly slept. My AC is cranky. And so am I.
Mental note to fix both tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 31st 2007
Long day.
Too hot to type.
AC still cranky.
McKay still annoying.
‘Night.
S
x
Wednesday, August 1st 2007
Another long day
Don’t feel so good
Sunday evening, August 5th 2007 - Area 51 Sickbay
Yeah, I’m in sickbay.
Dressed in white, on a drip and having to hide my laptop from the nurses.
It’s like old times back at the SGC, except for being 28 weeks pregnant, of course. You’re gonna be so mad at me, but let me explain.
Towards the end of Thursday afternoon, I was working on the port bulkhead of the Hermes. As you know, dry dock is 500 ft below the Nevada desert. The air is cooled (although I think that’s more for the benefit of the sensitive electronics rather than the personnel!) but not enough when you have your own extra source of central heating. Oh why I couldn’t I have arranged to get accidentally pregnant so that I could end my last trimester in the winter?
I was drinking as much as I could, but if I drink too much, I have to... well, you get the idea.
I guess I kinda skimped on lunch. Don’t get mad, it’s just so hot, I did get halfway through my pastrami bagel before I couldn’t swallow any more. I should have called it quits then, I guess, but you know me. I had the bit between my teeth and we were just getting to the end of a problem with some pesky processors. I had hitched myself up through a crawlspace to check it out when I felt myself slip backwards. I could dimly hear Jennifer screaming for a medic, but then I fazed out for a while.
When I come to, Rodney McKay is kneeling over me. He’s moving my arm and pulling up my leg. What the hell is he doing?! I feel myself being moved onto my side. What?! He’s putting me into the recovery position, a bit awkward with the baby in the way. He knows the recovery position?
But he’s gentle and talking to me the whole time, even though I think that he thinks I’m unconscious. I try to speak but my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth.
I’m scared!
What’s going on?
I feel like I’m on fire, but why is it so damn cold in here?
I can feel McKay ripping off my AF T-shirt, this is too surreal. He’s giving orders. *He’s* giving orders?
Now I’m being sponged down with a wet cloth. It’s Rodney, cool handed, gentle Rodney.
I can’t really remember the rest, but I understand that getting me out of that cavern was interesting. It seems that I made too many demands of my pregnant body and that I was in danger of a pyretic crisis. One iced water bath later, (I don’t recommend it), lots of tutting over protein in my pee and I’m being admonished by the base CMO for not taking better care of myself.
Pah.
And McKay? Get this. His Dad was a gynecologist. Now doesn’t THAT figure?
Not that I’m complaining; it seems his prompt action may well have saved me and the baby.
Like I said, surreal.
The next day, Daniel comes to visit, with General George in tow, of all people. They bring Tropicana, grapes and concern. I’m too tired to refute that so I let them fuss, dozing off and on.
At one point I awake and think I see Mark and Dad. I guess they could be. My brother and my father, that is.
I have AC, iced water and friends.
Right now, I don’t need anything else.
Thursday August 9th 2007 *FINALLY* back in my quarters
I’M SO BORED!
B-O-R-E-D
BORED
BORED
BORED
I *hate* being on sick leave!!
Friday, August 10th 2007
The BEST news!
Daniel is coming back to visit! He’ll be here tomorrow!
What a great friend he is, back and forth across two state lines in one week just so I don’t start ripping the walls apart in frustration; I don’t know how I could have got through the last few months without him.
Sam
xxx
Sunday, August 12th 2007 0949 hours
Hiya! Mother of your child here.
I’ve had a really lovely weekend. Daniel arrived as planned and brought Cameron Mitchell with him! You remember that we shared several classes at the AF academy and were stationed at the same Iraqi base back in ’92? It was so good to see him again! Believe it or not, but *we* managed to bore *Daniel* with talking too much, hahaha! I am awed by the way Cam has got himself back into such good physical shape after Antarctica. He confessed that he still gets crippling back aches sometimes, but he can’t forget that it could all have been much worse. He still tells the most awful cheesy anecdotes but he brought more of his mom’s pie, which is just stunningly delicious. I vaguely remember his mom and dad coming to our Academy Graduation Parade. I recall his Dad on crutches and his mom in the biggest hat I’ve ever seen, both looking so proud. I recollect her asking where my parents were and it got kinda awkward; I avoided the truth for sure: My mom’s dead and my Dad’s too busy to attend.
She mothered me all day, clucking about ‘skinny girls these days’ and gave me the loveliest hug when she and Mr. Mitchell climbed into their Taurus to head home.
Isn’t that odd - I remember something that happened nearly 20 years ago but sometimes in the dead of night I forget what you look like; I have to switch on my nightstand light and look at the photo of us. You know my favorite one - we’re sittin’ on the dock of bay fishing - I’m humming the song now. That was such a great day.
Anyway, nighty-night, lover boy.
Sam
xxxxx
August 13th 2007 - My office, R&D Area 51
Back at work!
Yes!
Well, to tell you the truth, I’m only allowed back part time, five hours a day, for four days a week - the base CMO has told me if my blood pressure goes up again, she’ll sign me off onto sick leave until the baby comes. By the look on her face, she meant it, and Jack, you know I’d go stark raving nutso if that happened, so I’m behaving myself.
Rodney has been recalled back to Atlantis so I can’t thank him personally again, but it does indeed look like he saved our lives.
Damn.
I’ll never live that down!
Sam and Baby
x
Part Two here
Part Three here
Part Four here
Part Five here
Dowload the mp3 podcast for this chapter by clicking (right click to save) here
Sunday, July 29th 2007 - Officer’s Quarters Area 51
Well, it’s been a busy two weeks, so sorry no update.
As you can see, I’m back at Area 51, working on the Hermes and some other stuff. In fact, all my projects are progressing satisfactorily, ship, machine, and baby.
I am finding I'm quite liking being in charge of R&D here. Although I miss the field work, I relish being the boss. I enjoy the buzz of working with the civilian experts, but the military life is familiar. I hope my command of civilian teams as well as the military personnel has improved - I’ve learned so much from you, about how to deal with people; they are so much less predictable than electrons!
General Kerrigan seems to think so too. I had an interim review the day before yesterday and he was very encouraging. He was also urging me to think about a permanent position here after the baby is born, and Jack, I’m seriously considering it. I would love my child to have a stable home life like the type I didn’t have. The work here is 9-to-5, Monday through Friday. Kerry even mooted the possibility of part time hours if I was interested. Again, I’m giving it careful thought.
I don’t know if I could sell the house in Colorado Springs though - after all, that was also my dad’s home.
More things to think about.
You always said I think too much.
Baby Carter/O’Neill is getting bigger and you know that AF maternity smock that looked ridiculously baggy 10 weeks ago? Well, it doesn’t look so ridiculous now. I’ve got quite a belly.
Looking at myself naked is hysterical... but you know, I have to keep doing it. I can’t believe that it is me in the mirror with my arms enfolding our much cherished child; I just never expected to find myself pregnant.
Oh! I am due to start ante-natal classes next week. I did investigate a Lamaze program but you have to attend with a partner.
Enough said.
Following on from my visit to Mark’s, I’ve tried to keep open the lines of communication. It’s a slow but sure thaw, I hope. Mark asked me if I would like him to tell Pete Shanahan about my condition. He’s moved back to Denver as you know, and apparently found someone else. I’m glad; although it ended badly, I feel that it was mostly my fault. I’m cringing just thinking about our last conversation. I told Mark, yes, please, thank you very much, and Mark said he’d try but Pete seems to be avoiding him these days.
I hope I haven’t caused a rift there - after all, my brother was only trying to help me find me a man that I could connect with. Of course, that man had really been three steps in front of me for nine years.
It’s so HOT now, so I’m gonna hit my bunk to try and get some shuteye.
Catching your six,
Sam
xxx
Monday, July 30th 2007
What a fun day.
Rodney McKay was visiting from Atlantis. Obviously rumor control hasn’t reached there yet because the look on his face when I emerged from behind a Hermes bulkhead with my bump preceding me was nothing short of comical.
He began making ‘nggh’ing noises and gesturing towards me.
“You’re pregnant!”
What is this? A replay of the conversation with Mark?
“I KNOW,” I hiss through my teeth, fold my arms over my belly and give him THAT look. Jennifer Haley (who is also seconded here by the way) just about collapses behind a wiring loom.
McKay is so damn predictable. Until now.
He HUGS me! And kisses me on the cheek (weird) and cheerfully offers me congratulations and loudly announces that he thought I must have been a lesbian.
My response: “….”
Haley is making convulsing noises by this time; I’ve already told her she’s going to pay!
Then, he doesn’t even mention the baby and demands an update on the Hermes!
He is the most irritating man!
Gagh, it’s way too hot for all those exclamation marks.
I’m heading for bed early - it was so humid last night and I hardly slept. My AC is cranky. And so am I.
Mental note to fix both tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 31st 2007
Long day.
Too hot to type.
AC still cranky.
McKay still annoying.
‘Night.
S
x
Wednesday, August 1st 2007
Another long day
Don’t feel so good
Sunday evening, August 5th 2007 - Area 51 Sickbay
Yeah, I’m in sickbay.
Dressed in white, on a drip and having to hide my laptop from the nurses.
It’s like old times back at the SGC, except for being 28 weeks pregnant, of course. You’re gonna be so mad at me, but let me explain.
Towards the end of Thursday afternoon, I was working on the port bulkhead of the Hermes. As you know, dry dock is 500 ft below the Nevada desert. The air is cooled (although I think that’s more for the benefit of the sensitive electronics rather than the personnel!) but not enough when you have your own extra source of central heating. Oh why I couldn’t I have arranged to get accidentally pregnant so that I could end my last trimester in the winter?
I was drinking as much as I could, but if I drink too much, I have to... well, you get the idea.
I guess I kinda skimped on lunch. Don’t get mad, it’s just so hot, I did get halfway through my pastrami bagel before I couldn’t swallow any more. I should have called it quits then, I guess, but you know me. I had the bit between my teeth and we were just getting to the end of a problem with some pesky processors. I had hitched myself up through a crawlspace to check it out when I felt myself slip backwards. I could dimly hear Jennifer screaming for a medic, but then I fazed out for a while.
When I come to, Rodney McKay is kneeling over me. He’s moving my arm and pulling up my leg. What the hell is he doing?! I feel myself being moved onto my side. What?! He’s putting me into the recovery position, a bit awkward with the baby in the way. He knows the recovery position?
But he’s gentle and talking to me the whole time, even though I think that he thinks I’m unconscious. I try to speak but my tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth.
I’m scared!
What’s going on?
I feel like I’m on fire, but why is it so damn cold in here?
I can feel McKay ripping off my AF T-shirt, this is too surreal. He’s giving orders. *He’s* giving orders?
Now I’m being sponged down with a wet cloth. It’s Rodney, cool handed, gentle Rodney.
I can’t really remember the rest, but I understand that getting me out of that cavern was interesting. It seems that I made too many demands of my pregnant body and that I was in danger of a pyretic crisis. One iced water bath later, (I don’t recommend it), lots of tutting over protein in my pee and I’m being admonished by the base CMO for not taking better care of myself.
Pah.
And McKay? Get this. His Dad was a gynecologist. Now doesn’t THAT figure?
Not that I’m complaining; it seems his prompt action may well have saved me and the baby.
Like I said, surreal.
The next day, Daniel comes to visit, with General George in tow, of all people. They bring Tropicana, grapes and concern. I’m too tired to refute that so I let them fuss, dozing off and on.
At one point I awake and think I see Mark and Dad. I guess they could be. My brother and my father, that is.
I have AC, iced water and friends.
Right now, I don’t need anything else.
Thursday August 9th 2007 *FINALLY* back in my quarters
I’M SO BORED!
B-O-R-E-D
BORED
BORED
BORED
I *hate* being on sick leave!!
Friday, August 10th 2007
The BEST news!
Daniel is coming back to visit! He’ll be here tomorrow!
What a great friend he is, back and forth across two state lines in one week just so I don’t start ripping the walls apart in frustration; I don’t know how I could have got through the last few months without him.
Sam
xxx
Sunday, August 12th 2007 0949 hours
Hiya! Mother of your child here.
I’ve had a really lovely weekend. Daniel arrived as planned and brought Cameron Mitchell with him! You remember that we shared several classes at the AF academy and were stationed at the same Iraqi base back in ’92? It was so good to see him again! Believe it or not, but *we* managed to bore *Daniel* with talking too much, hahaha! I am awed by the way Cam has got himself back into such good physical shape after Antarctica. He confessed that he still gets crippling back aches sometimes, but he can’t forget that it could all have been much worse. He still tells the most awful cheesy anecdotes but he brought more of his mom’s pie, which is just stunningly delicious. I vaguely remember his mom and dad coming to our Academy Graduation Parade. I recall his Dad on crutches and his mom in the biggest hat I’ve ever seen, both looking so proud. I recollect her asking where my parents were and it got kinda awkward; I avoided the truth for sure: My mom’s dead and my Dad’s too busy to attend.
She mothered me all day, clucking about ‘skinny girls these days’ and gave me the loveliest hug when she and Mr. Mitchell climbed into their Taurus to head home.
Isn’t that odd - I remember something that happened nearly 20 years ago but sometimes in the dead of night I forget what you look like; I have to switch on my nightstand light and look at the photo of us. You know my favorite one - we’re sittin’ on the dock of bay fishing - I’m humming the song now. That was such a great day.
Anyway, nighty-night, lover boy.
Sam
xxxxx
August 13th 2007 - My office, R&D Area 51
Back at work!
Yes!
Well, to tell you the truth, I’m only allowed back part time, five hours a day, for four days a week - the base CMO has told me if my blood pressure goes up again, she’ll sign me off onto sick leave until the baby comes. By the look on her face, she meant it, and Jack, you know I’d go stark raving nutso if that happened, so I’m behaving myself.
Rodney has been recalled back to Atlantis so I can’t thank him personally again, but it does indeed look like he saved our lives.
Damn.
I’ll never live that down!
Sam and Baby
x