Changing Lives 34/55 (Sam/Janet femslash) Stargate SG-1
"Oh crap!" Sam exclaimed on the second Saturday of January as she exited the bathroom. She looked in horror at the sight of Albie the puppy sitting happily on the floor by the closet, chewing enthusiastically on one of Janet's shoes. Naturally the dog had settled on Janet's favorites, a pair of slinky high-heels, which she always wore on nights out when she wanted to look her best.
"Albie!" Sam cried, "why couldn't you have chewed an old pair? Janet's gonna kill me." Fortunately, Janet was on an early shift at the hospital, so she didn't yet know about the destruction the hapless dog had wrought on her footwear. Albie looked up at Sam, startled, a look of concern in his big brown eyes. "Oh Albie," Sam softened, and scooped the puppy into her arms. "I can never stay pissed at you. You didn't know, it's not your fault." And she dropped a kiss on his head. Albie snuffled affectionately in her arms. "We're just gonna have to get her a new pair to make up for it," she told him. "It'll be okay."
Sam wasn't really worried, she knew Janet loved Albie just as much as she did. But she knew she was going to have to do something about it. That was the third time that week that Albie had sneaked upstairs and helped himself to items of their clothing. The first time, it was one of Cassie's socks, which had amused them all no end. And a few days after that, Sam couldn't help but laugh when Albie trotted into the living room, enthusiastically chewing one of her bras. But this time it wasn't quite so funny; she knew how much Janet loved those shoes. Nearly as much as she did, she had to admit to herself; the sight of Janet's legs in them was almost too much to resist. Not that she ever did resist.
So, even though it was a Saturday, and even though she hated shopping as a general rule, Sam headed toward the mall. There was a very expensive shoe store there, and she hoped that she would be able to find a pair of shoes that Janet would like. And even if she didn't get it quite right, Janet could always exchange them. She just wanted Janet to know she had made the effort to make up for Albie's faux pas.
= = =
Two hours later, Sam let herself back into the house, carrying two bags. She had spotted Janet's car in the garage, so she hoped she would be able to give her the new shoes before she had a chance to realize what had happened. She had also dropped in at Victoria's Secret while she was out shopping. Sam was confident that, even if Janet didn't like the shoes, she would like the lingerie she had bought for both of them. She was certainly looking forward to them both trying out the new purchases later that evening.
Sam was surprised not to see Janet in the kitchen. Usually Janet went straight to the coffee machine when she got in from work. Then she heard the unmistakeable Fraiser giggle coming from the living room, so she stuck her head round the corner. She was entranced to see Janet on the couch, a wriggling Albie in her lap, and Janet was teasing Albie with what looked like a new toy. On closer inspection, though, Sam realized that the 'new toy' was in fact Janet's chewed shoe. "You've forgiven him, huh?" Sam said with a laugh.
Janet looked up and grinned. "I tried to scold him," she said, sheepishly, "but he's just so darned... cute!"
"He's a heart-breaker alright," Sam agreed. "But then I've always been a sucker for big, brown eyes," she winked as she spoke.
"Well then you'd better come here and give me a proper 'welcome home' kiss," Janet said with a twinkle, patting the couch next to her. Sam didn't need a second invitation, and she drew her lover into her arms and kissed her soundly. Both women laughed as they felt Albie wriggling on Janet's lap, determined not to be left out of any fun that was to be had.
Sam scooped him up and held him out in front of her. "You don't know how lucky you are, Albert," she said in a mock-strict tone, and then she smiled. "We're both lucky," she told him as she cuddled him to her, "to share our lives with someone who'll even forgive the destruction of her favorite shoes!" She remembered her shopping bags, and reached to the side of the couch. "These are an apology," she told Janet. "From me and Albie. You can exchange them if you don't like them," and she passed over the bag from the shoe store.
"Oh Sam, you didn't have to do that," Janet said, "he's as much my responsibility as he is yours." She opened the bag. "Wow!" she exclaimed, holding up one of the shoes, "you didn't have to do it, but I'm real glad you did. These are spectacular. They're even better than the ones he chewed. Thank you, baby," she kissed Sam gently. "You're so thoughtful. I love them."
"You're not just saying that?" Sam asked anxiously. She knew how particular Janet was about her shoes.
"They're perfect!" Janet insisted, trying them on and walked across the carpet. "How do my legs look in them?" she asked.
Sam's mouth went dry. "Perfect," she replied, her voice husky. "Just perfect. Which reminds me," and she picked up the other bag and handed it over. "Got a little something for each of us from Victoria's Secret," she smiled shyly. "Thought maybe we could try them on later?"
Janet grinned widely when she peeked inside the bag. "Oh yeah," she breathed, "that's a date!"
= = =
"You look tired, honey," Sam said to Janet as they ate dinner with Cassie and Anna. "You're not working again this weekend, are you?"
"No," Janet said, stifling a yawn. "Not until Tuesday, thank God. It's been a long week, lots happening. I'm glad I've got a couple of days off to catch up on my sleep. And I thought I might go shopping on Monday."
"Shopping?" Sam asked.
Janet smiled. "I thought I'd go to the mall and pick up one of those child safety gates. We can put it on the stairs, so Albie can't sneak up there when we're not looking. It's not fair on him to shut him in the kitchen at night, so this way he can wander around downstairs, and we can keep him out of the closets!"
Sam looked embarrassed, and Cassie and Anna laughed. "You just don't want him chewing your new shoes, Janet," Cassie said.
"I certainly don't," Janet said. "They're the best shoes I've ever had. I'm saving them for special occasions."
= = =
"Where's that Victoria's Secret bag then?" Janet winked saucily at Sam as they entered their bedroom that night.
Sam pulled her to her, and kissed her very softly. "You're exhausted, baby," she said gently. "Perhaps tomorrow would be better?"
Janet shook her head. "Now," she said in a quiet voice. "I've been looking forward to it all afternoon. And I've got all day tomorrow and Monday to catch up on my sleep. Please?" she looked pleadingly up at her taller lover. "Unless you're not in the mood."
Sam smiled. "Whatever you want, hon," she said. "I'm always in the mood, you know that. Nearly always, anyways. The bag's in the closet."
"I'll just get it, huh?" Janet smiled.
= = =
It was nearly 2am by the time Sam and Janet finally fell off to sleep, so when Janet's beeper went off at 4.30am, she didn't stir. Sam heard it though, and snatched it off the nightstand. "Call hospital," the line of text read. Sam decided to call herself; she wanted to see if there was any chance that Janet could be spared extra work.
Sam was disappointed, though. She called the hospital, and discovered that there had been a multi-vehicle pile-up on the interstate, and that Janet was urgently needed to help deal with the casualties. "Okay," she said reluctantly, "she'll be right there." And she went to wake her lover. "Jan?" she said softly, rubbing her arm to rouse her gently from her sleep, "they need you in at work baby."
Janet sat up, and blinked blearily. "Wha'? she asked.
"Hospital, bad traffic accident," Sam told her. "They want you in."
Janet was immediately awake. "Can you get me some clothes out while I shower?" she asked Sam, who immediately complied. Once she had laid out Janet's clothing, Sam shrugged on an old pair of sweatpants and a baggy sweater. She went down into the kitchen and made Janet coffee, which she put in a plastic mug and carried out to the car. She set the coffee in the cup holder in the car, and started the engine. It was a cold morning, and she wanted the car to be warm by the time Janet got into it. Sam had just returned into the house as Janet came down the stairs. "I'll see you later sweetie," Janet told her.
"Uh uh," Sam said. "No way. I'm driving you in. Coffee's in the car waiting for you."
Janet's heart melted at her lover's thoughtfulness. She was going to protest, but she knew it was fruitless. "Thank you, Sam," she said. "You're one in a million."
Janet rested her left hand on Sam's right hand as they drove. "I hate the traffic accidents," Janet said in a quiet voice, breaking the silence.
"I know you do," Sam's voice was equally somber. "Too many stories, huh? Real people?"
Janet nodded miserably. Sam squeezed her hand, saying nothing. She knew it was pointless to say anything. Janet had never managed to develop a hard shell in all the years she had been a doctor; she always cared too much about the patients for her own good.
As Sam drew up to the hospital entrance, she turned to Janet. "Call me," she said, "when you're ready to come home. Of if you just want to talk."
Janet kissed her, and set off at a run for the emergency department. Sam hated seeing her go, but she knew that Janet was one of the best in the business. She also knew that Janet's compassion, as well as her medical skill, would be invaluable in the next few hours. She just hoped it didn't take too much out of her.
= = =
By 4pm, Sam had still not heard from Janet. "I'm going in," she told Cassie and Anna. "I don't know how long she's going to be, but I need to be near her. If she calls," she instructed the girls, "tell her I'll be waiting in her office."
Cassie hugged Sam fiercely. "Tell her we love her, huh?" she said. Sam nodded. She was amazed how, in just a few short months, her 'daughter' and daughter's lover had become such an integral part of their family; she could no longer imagine life without Cassie and Anna.
= = =
It was nearly 6pm when Janet let herself back into her office, exhausted and emotionally drained. She shut the door behind her, and closed her eyes, not seeing Sam in the corner. "Oh God," her voice broke, "where are you Sam when I need you?" she said to herself.
"I'm right here, baby," Sam said tenderly, approaching her lover. "I'm right here," and she took Janet in her strong arms and held her tight. Janet melted into her touch, and started to sob.
"It was awful, Sam," she told her. "Just awful."
"Shh," Sam soothed, leading her to the small couch in the office. "I know, Jan, I know. Let it out." She rubbed her hand soothingly up and down Janet's back, trying to give her some of her own strength. "It's tragic when these things happen. If I were ever caught up in something awful like that, you're just the kind of doctor I would want. You make a difference Jan. Never forget that."
Janet nodded miserably. "Home?" her voice shook.
Sam took her by the hand, putting her own coat over Janet's shaking shoulders. "C'mon sweetie," she said, "we'll be back real soon."
= = =
After a long, hot bath together, Sam and Janet climbed into their big bed. Sam held Janet tight as she drifted off to sleep.
= = =
"Is it morning already?" Sam laughed as Janet passed her a cup of coffee.
"It is," Janet smiled. "And I have the day off, while you have to go into work!"
"You need the downtime," Sam said, seriously. "Are you feeling a bit better today?"
Janet nodded. "I'm sorry about last night, sweetie," she replied, "things just got on top of me."
Sam took her hand. "Never apologize for caring, Jan," she said, earnestly. "You wouldn't be you if things didn't get to you. Can you just take it easy today, honey? Maybe sleep a bit more?"
Janet smiled. "I'm okay Sam, really I am. I might have a nap, I'll see how the day goes."
"Well my last lesson starts at 2.30pm today," Sam told her. "So I'll stop by the store and pick up the gate for Albie. I'll be home by 4pm, I can do paperwork from home."
"I love you Sam," Janet said simply.
So Janet used her day to relax and recuperate from her traumatic weekend. She took Albie for a long walk in the morning, and had just awoken from a nap when Sam came home, holding the stair gate in one hand. Sam fixed the gate onto the stairs while Janet brewed the coffee, and then they spent the next few hours in companionable silence in the living room, Janet sitting on the couch with Albie on her lap, while Sam marked a pile of tests. By the time Cassie and Anna came back, the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable.
By 9pm, Janet was flagging slightly again, so Sam steered her upstairs. "An early night won't do you any harm, honey," Sam told her firmly. So Janet complied, and they climbed into bed together.
"Sam?" Janet asked.
"Yeah?" Sam replied.
"I've been thinking," Janet continued. "About that gate."
Sam was intrigued. "What about it baby?" she asked.
"Well," Janet was tentative. "What would you say if we found another use for it?"
Sam just looked confused.
"Well, not another use, exactly," Janet said. "The same use. But it's a child safety gate," she swallowed nervously. "Have you ever thought about us having a child of our own? As well as Cassie, that is?"
A slow grin spread across Sam's face. "Have a baby?" she asked. "Us? I think that's a fantastic idea. Oh Janet, d'you think we can do it?"
"I want us to try," Janet's voice shook slightly. "I really do, if you do too that is."
"I do," Sam said firmly, "I don't think there's anything I'd like more."
Janet smiled widely. "There's lots for us to discuss, who's going to carry it, what we do about the father, how many kids we want."
"I want lots of them," Sam said firmly. "Well, at least two, if we can manage it. Maybe more. Janet?" Sam asked.
Janet looked up. "Will you have the baby?" Sam asked her. "The first one at least. You'd be such an amazing mom. And I want to see you pregnant, carrying our child. What do you think, sweetie?"
"I'd love to," Janet replied quietly. "If that's what you'd like too."
"It is," Sam said. "Oh my God, are we really going to do this?"
"I think so," Janet started to laugh, "I really do think so. Here," she took Sam's hand and pressed it against her own, flat stomach. "If we're lucky, sometime soon our baby's gonna be in here. And I'm gonna get all big and fat and frumpy."
"You'll never be frumpy, Jan," Sam said seriously. "You're going to look amazing." She ran her hand along the smooth skin. "In my old timeline, you had a scar right here," she pressed just under Janet's rib cage. "It looked a lot like mine, actually," she said, referring to the residual scarring from her near-death experience at the hands of the Ori. "Shit, that was the worst day of my life," she remembered. "I really thought I was going to lose you."
"What happened, Sam?" Janet asked quietly.
"It was awful," Sam said, her throat constricting. "SG-1 were all on a planet called P3R-666. We were ambushed," she remembered the frightening speed with which the seemingly uninhabited planet had become overrun with hostiles. "We had a man down, from another SG team. Simon Wells, his name was. He had terrible injuries, nobody expected him to survive. You saved him though, baby. You were so brave, tending to him under fire. He named his baby after you, you know that?"
Janet took Sam's hand. "What happened, baby?" she asked softly.
"You took a shot," Sam tried to blank the picture from her mind. "Right here," she pressed gently on the spot. "Nobody thought you'd survive. Thank God we had a healing device. It took weeks, three sessions with the device each day. But slowly you came back to me. Shit, Jan," Sam was close to tears, "I don't know how you coped when you lost the first Sam. I don't think I could live without you."
"My life was empty before you came along," Janet said quietly. "I tried to move on. But it's not possible really, I don't think. You gave me a second chance of happiness. I'm not going to waste that."
"So we look into all the options then?" Sam asked, hope in her eyes. "For the pregnancy, I mean."
"Yeah," Janet smiled. "We'll look it all up, and then we'll sit down on the weekend and really talk about it all?"
"There's one problem," Sam was smiling as she spoke, so Janet knew it wouldn't be anything serious. "Albie's gonna be pissed when he's no longer the baby of the house!"
Janet grinned. "Just as long as he's house-trained before the baby comes along," she laughed. "I am not dealing with two lots of diapers!"