Disclaimer: Not mine, but I do like to play with them. :D

My POV

"Hey, mom?"

"Yeah, angel?"

"What time are you and dad going in tomorrow?"

"About 0800. Why?"

"Just wondering if I should have Cassie pick me up or if you were going to drive me to school," I said, coming out of the bathroom drying my hair.

"We'll drop you off," said mom as she put my clean clothes in my drawers.

"Ok. Don't forget my basketball game tomorrow night," I said.

"1800 hrs right?"

"Yep."

"We'll be there," she said as I crawled into bed. "Did you finish your homework?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Hey, Sunshine," said dad walking in my room.

"Hey, dad," I said with a yawn.

"Tired?" he asked as he sat down on the side of my bed.

"Yeah. Practice was harsh today. But, the final qualifying game is tomorrow and Coach wanted to know that we were ready."

"And are you?"

"Yeah. I think so," I said with another yawn.

"Game starts at 1800, right?"

"Yes, sir." I was so ready for bed. They finally got the hint and both leaned down to kiss and hug me goodnight.

"Night, Sunshine," said dad. "I love you."

"Night, dad," I said. "I love you too."

"Night, honey," said mom. "I love you."

"Night, mama," I said softly. "I love you too," I added with a yawn.

They left the room and I gradually fell asleep, dreaming of our team going to the state finals.

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The next night

"Great game, guys," said the coach.

I didn't care. We'd won, but for me it didn't matter. They showed up late. They showed up with ten minutes left and I didn't care anymore. They had only been to two games the whole season. Most of the ones they'd missed were because they were off-world. But, there were a few important games they'd missed because they'd forgotten. They'd gotten busy at the base and had completely forgotten me. This was probably one of those times. I gave up. I couldn't do it anymore.

I slammed my locker shut after my shower and walked out of the locker room. It was 20° outside still, but I was wearing nothing but a tank top and a pair of shorts. It being Friday night, there was a party after the game at Caleb's house. I hadn't planned on going, but since mom and dad had shown up late, I was going. I walked out of the gym and saw mom and dad running towards me.

"Jessie!" screamed dad.

I turned around and met dad's eyes with mine. I ignored them and got in the car with Caleb. "Drive," I said.

"But, your parents…" he said.

"I don't care," I said. "Just get me out of here." I was trying to keep in the tears. The pain in my chest was overwhelming. I couldn't breathe it hurt so much.

"What's wrong, Jessie?" He parked the car in front of my freaking house and helped me out. We sat on the porch and wrapped his arms around me. He was like my older brother.

"They promised," I said. "They promised they'd be there." I couldn't hold the tears in any longer.

"Who promised?" he asked, stroking up and down my back.

"My parents. They said they'd be there and they weren't." I held on to him and cried, not noticing that mom and dad had pulled up and were standing in front of me.

"They showed up, Jessie," he said. "They were there."

"Ten minutes left in the game, Caleb. Ten fucking minutes," I said.

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Jack's POV

We'd missed her game. Damn it. Sam had called the school at 1200 to let her know that we had to go off-world for a few hours. We had hoped we'd be back in time for her game. But, we both knew it wasn't likely. We hated the SGC at the point in time for making us disappoint our daughter…for hurting our daughter.

We had time to get our physicals and a shower before we broke every traffic law to get to the school gym. We got there for the last ten minutes of the game. We watched Jessie make the winning three-pointer. But, we'd missed the rest of the game. I knew she'd be upset. I knew she'd be angry. But, I wasn't prepared for pain I saw in her eyes when I called her name. She was hurt…extremely hurt.

She jumped in the car with Caleb and they took off. We knew Caleb would probably take her home so we took our time, letting Caleb talk some sense into her. I knew she wouldn't talk to us right then. Maybe after she calmed down a bit.

We parked the truck and walked up to the porch. Caleb was holding Jessie in his arms.

"They promised," said Jessie. "They promised they'd be there." I could hear the pain in her voice.

"Who promised?" asked Caleb.

"My parents. They said they'd be there and they weren't!"

"They showed up, Jessie. They were there."

"Ten minutes left in the game, Caleb. Ten fucking minutes."

Caleb looked up and saw us standing there. I motioned for him to move and, when he had, I took his place and Sam sat down on the other side.

She looked up and saw me sitting there. "Leave me alone," she said, standing and running into the house.

"Sir…" began Caleb.

"Go home, Caleb. We'll take care of this," said Sam.

"But…"

"Go," I said, leaving no room for argument.

He left quickly and Sam and I went into the house. I could hear Jessie crying in her room. "Every fucking time!" We could hear the pain in her voice and it tore me up inside.

We opened her door and saw her lying on her bed crying her eyes out.

"Jessie…" I began.

"You promised! You lied to me!"

"Baby, we're sorry. We called the school and…" said Sam.

"Leave me alone! It's something you're good at," she said softly and, using her powers, slammed the door shut and locked it.

I pulled my keys out as we listened to her sob. That was the final straw. I couldn't keep disappointing Jessie and keep my sanity. It hurt too damned much to see her in such pain.

I unlocked her door and we saw she was still on her bed, but sound asleep, tears still streaming down her face. "You promised," she whispered in her sleep. I sat down on her bed and stroked her hair. She opened her tear-filled blue eyes and looked at me. "You promised."

"I know, Sunshine. You didn't let your mom finish earlier. We called the school at 12:00 to let you know we had to go off-world for a few hours. We really thought we'd be back."

"Let me guess. You found some type of technology that either you or Uncle Danny just had to play with," said Jessie bitterly.

"No, honey. They actually were pretty primitive. They tried to take us hostage. We fought back and in the process, Uncle Daniel was hurt," said Sam.

Jessie's face crumbled and she rolled away from us. "I'm sorry," she whispered. I could tell she was ashamed of her behavior. I wasn't though. I knew how much she wanted us there.

"Jessie, look at me," I said softly as I turned her over. "Don't ever apologize for being yourself. I know you're hurt that we missed your game. I know how much that game meant for you."

She sat up and wiped at her eyes. "It's not the game, dad. I…I wanted you and mama to be proud of me for doing something on my own," she whispered tearfully.

I pulled her into my arms and squeezed her. "We are proud of you, Sunshine. I don't think there have ever been two parents more proud of their child. After everything you went through, you're a straight-A student; you play basketball, softball, soccer, and hockey; you're on the debate team and student council; and you fight the Goa'uld. We couldn't be more proud of you if you were perfect…which – in my opinion – you are."

I handed her off to Sam and let Sam hug her. "Jack's right, honey. You've got to know that we tried our best to get there tonight and that we didn't want to be anywhere else but with you."

Jessie started to cry again. Sam rocked her back and forth, slowly rocking her to sleep. "Why does this hurt so much?" asked Jessie softly. "I should be used to this."

"Used to what, Sunshine?" I asked.

"Being let down. I'm used to being let down," she said as she closed her eyes.

"Not by us, you're not," I said. "Since we found you, we've tried not to break any of our promises to you." I ran my fingers through my hair. "And it seems that that's all we're doing lately."

"Maybe I should just quit the team," she mumbled.

"What? Why?" asked Sam.

She opened her eyes and looked at us with such sadness that my heart actually stopped beating for a second or two. "Because I'm supposed to be on SG-1. I'm supposed to be there with you when you go off-world. It's the sports that are keeping me from being there when I should be."

"No, Jessie. You're only fourteen. You're a kid who needs to be a kid," I said. "You should be at school, playing sports and just having fun."

"But…"

"No, buts, Sunshine. Saving the world is important. But, you being happy is even more so to me and your mom."

"Really?" she asked. I guess she was surprised. She knew how much Sam and I loved our jobs. But, I guess she felt that she came in second after the SGC.

"Really. You are our number one priority. Saving the world is secondary," said Sam.

I could see the tension seep out of her body as what we'd told her sank in. I knew then we were going to be ok.

Sam started rocking her again and, this time, Jessie allowed her mother to put her to sleep. Sam laid her down and we both kissed her goodnight.

As we entered our bedroom, I thought of ways to make it up to Jessie. "Sam?"

"Hmm?"

"What would you say if I retired again? You know…became a full-time dad?"

She put her hand on my arm and stopped me. "Jack? What brought this up?" she asked.

"I'm just tired of disappointing Jessie," I said. "Maybe if I retired again…"

"That's not gonna solve anything, dad," said a voice from behind me.

I jerked around and saw Jessie standing in our doorway. I motioned for her to come in. She walked in, moving a little stiffly.

"But, if I retired, I could spend all my time with you. I'd never miss a game and we wouldn't have to go through another night like tonight," I said, pulling her onto my lap.

She laid her head on my shoulder and sighed. "You'd hate it within a week. Then you'd hate me," she said softly. "You need to stay in the Air Force." She yawned. "Still have to fight the Goa'uld."

Sam sat down beside us and kissed Jessie's forehead. Jessie gave her a sleepy smile. "She's right, Jack. You'd hate retirement within a week."

Jessie yawned again. "Two against one, dad. You lose," she said with a giggle.

"No giggling," I said tickling her. She squirmed, squealed, and then cried out in pain. I stopped immediately. "What? What's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. I got elbowed in the game tonight. Kinda bruised."

"Let me see," said Sam.

"Mom…it's just a bruise."

"Jessie…" I began, a warning in my voice for her not to argue.

"Oh alright," she said. She laid down on her right side and let Sam lift her t-shirt up.

"Baby, this looks bad," I said, staring at the large black and blue bruise marring my daughter's skin.

"I've had worse," she mumbled. "I'm ok. I'm just a little stiff."

"Well, I'd feel better if Aunt Janet checked you out to make sure nothing's broken," said Sam.

"Mommmm," she whined.

"Jessie," Sam whined back. "Don't argue with me."

"Yes, ma'am," she said with a sigh.

"Get some clothes on and we'll go," I said as she stood up and walked into her room. A few minutes later, she came back out and said she was ready to go. She looked extremely tired and she was shivering.

I wrapped a blanket around her and carried her to the truck. "I can walk, dad."

"I know," was all I said. I sat her on Sam's lap and drove away.

When we got the SGC and signed in, Jessie was already half asleep. I knew she was hurting, but as usual, she refused to show it.

"Everything ok, sir?" asked the airman at the checkpoint.

"Yes."

"Dad, put me down. I can walk," said a very sleepy Jessie.

"I know, but you're hurting…and don't try to deny it," I said.

"Wasn't going to," she mumbled against my shoulder.

I grinned at Sam who was trying not to laugh. "Contact Dr. Fraiser and have her meet us at the infirmary," I said to the airman.

"Yes, sir."

By the time we made it to the infirmary, Jessie was asleep again. As I laid my sleeping daughter on the infirmary bed, Janet entered – followed by a sleepy Daniel.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"What happened?" asked Janet.

"She got hurt in the game tonight," said Sam as Jessie opened her eyes again.

"I'm alright. It's just a bruise," she said with a yawn.

"Let me be the judge of that," said Janet. "You know the drill." She handed Jessie an infirmary gown and motioned for her to get changed.

"Napoleonic powermonger," muttered Jessie. I laughed out loud. Jessie was shorter than Janet! Boy, did that bring back memories.

"Wonder where she got that from?" hissed Janet.

"Couldn't tell ya," I said with a smirk.

"You guys could leave while I change," said Jessie.

"Ok, ok," said Sam. She kissed Jessie's forehead and frowned as Janet pulled the curtain shut. "She's got a fever."

"We'll check that in a minute," said Janet.

"Now, what happened?" asked Daniel.

"She said she was elbowed in the ribs at the game," I said softly.

"Who won?"

"Stevenson's," said Sam. "We got there with ten minutes left in the game."

"Jessie scored the winning three-pointer," I added with no small amount of pride.

"I'm ready," said Jessie with a cough.

We waited impatiently while Janet checked on Jessie. I knew the bruise was bad. Hell, it covered most of her side.

Janet came back out. "I'm sending her to x-ray. She's running a slight fever so I've given her some Tylenol." She motioned for a male nurse to roll Jessie out in a wheelchair to x-ray. I thought I caught a glimmer of fear in Jessie's eyes as they passed. But, as soon as I saw it, it was gone. I mentally shrugged it off.

Several minutes later, we heard shouts and screams coming from the room where Jessie had been taken. We took off at a run. When we opened the door, the first thing we saw was the nurse against the wall, held by something invisible. Jessie was cowering on the floor, trembling with fear.

"Sunshine, what's wrong?"

"I wanna go home," she whispered as the nurse fell to the floor. Sam rushed to her side.

I looked up at him. "What did you do to her?" I demanded, grabbing him by the collar of his lab coat.

"Nothing! I tried to help her get on the table and she freaked out!" he spat.

"You don't touch her!" yelled Sam. "Nobody touches her without her permission! You've been here long enough to know that!" We were both so pissed.

Everyone knew that you didn't touch Jessie unless she gave you her express permission. Even after all this time, she would freak out or freeze up if a stranger touched her in any way. All new recruits were told not to touch her without permission. They were told during their orientation by me, Sam, Janet, Daniel, Teal'c, and General Hammond. During their off-world orientation with the Tok'ra, this was reiterated by Jacob, Selmak, and Malek.

"Get out," said Janet.

The young Lieutenant haughtily made his way out of the x-ray lab. At the doorway, he turned back. "My father will hear about this," he said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Sam holding Jessie closely.

"His father is Senator Rheinhold," said Janet.

"Shit. One of Kinsey's friends," I said watching Sam and Jessie.

"Come on, honey," said Sam softly. "Let's get you checked out."

She gently took Jessie by the arm and helped her stand.

"Mama?"

"I'm here, honey," said Sam. "So is dad."

"I'm cold," she whispered and sneezed.

"Let's get you x-rayed and then we'll get you warmed up," I said softly, not wanting to spook Jessie any more than she'd already been spooked.

Together, Sam and I got her up on the exam table and left the room while Janet took the x-rays. Suddenly, Jessie's body began to glow. It reminded me of how her hands glowed when she healed someone. She was healing herself. It was amazing to watch and, yet at the same time, frightening.

We rushed back in as the glow died down. Jessie's eyes were closed in sleep, the only sounds from the lab were the machines and my daughter's steady breathing. Janet lifted her gown and we saw that her bruise was indeed gone.

"Wow," said Sam.

"Yeah," I said in agreement. It was amazing. The large bruise from earlier was completely gone. She was still trembling, but was resting peacefully.

"Mama?" Jessie slowly opened her eyes.

"I'm here. You ok?"

"What happened? I feel completely drained," she said with a yawn.

"We think you healed yourself," I said taking her hand in mine. "I guess you're tired because it's the first time you've done it."

"Oh. Can we go home now?"

"I don't see why not," said Janet. "But, I want to take those x-rays just to make sure. Ok?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Jessie as she closed her eyes in resignation.

"We'll be right outside, Sunshine," I said before kissing her forehead.

"Please don't leave me, mama," she whispered as she grabbed Sam's hand. Damnit. She was terrified of being alone.

"Here, Sam." Janet handed her a heavy protective gown and I helped her put it on. I stepped behind the screen and Janet started the x-ray.

Jessie was stone-still while she was getting x-rayed. She hated the infirmary. She once told us she felt like a lab rat or a pin cushion every time she was in the infirmary.

Once it was over, she closed her eyes in relief. Sam lifted her from the bed and took her back to the room where her clothes were. We were standing outside the curtain while she dressed, when General Hammond walked in.

"Jack."

"General."

"Where is Jessie?" he asked.

"In here, Grandpa George," came a muffled voice from behind the curtain.

"When she's finished, I need the four of you in my office. I just got off the phone from a very irate Senator Rheinhold," he said before leaving the infirmary. He didn't like to see Jessie in there any more than we did.

We heard a gasp from Jessie and Janet opened the curtain. Jessie was sitting on the bed, her face white as the sheet, and her eyes were tightly shut. We could see her body trembling in fear. Sam and I rushed over to her and Sam gathered her in her arms.

"M…m...mama," stuttered Jessie.

"Shhh, honey. I'm here," whispered Sam.

"He wants me gone," whispered Jessie.

"Who?'

"That lieutenant."

"Why?"

"I don't know," she whispered again as I stroked her hair.

"It's ok, Sunshine. I'm not gonna let him hurt you," I said as Sam rocked her to sleep. Healing herself took more out of her than she would ever admit.

I picked her up out of Sam's lap and carried her into General Hammond's office. "Come."

Sam opened the door to find the General pacing behind his desk. "Reporting as ordered, sir," said Sam.

He stopped his pacing and saw Jessie's pale face buried in my shoulder. "She's just sleeping, sir. She finally healed herself and it wiped her out."

"Ah. Have a seat."

We both sat down, me sitting slowly so I wouldn't wake Jessie.

"I just received a phone call from Senator Rheinhold. He's scheduled a hearing tomorrow morning to discuss Jessie's future with the SGC."

"Excuse me, sir. What do you mean her future?" asked Sam.

"Because Jessie wounded his son's pride, he wants Jessie gone. He said that even with her unique abilities, she should not be part of the SGC, much less SG-1."

"Jessie's the only reason we're alive right now," I said angrily.

"I know. He doesn't see it that way. He sees a teenage girl who has no business being on a military base like the SGC," said Hammond.

"What do we need to do?" I asked resigned.

"Keep her calm and safe. Have her here at 0900 hrs ready to fight."

"We will, sir," said Sam.

"One more thing. Senator Kinsey will be here."

"Why?" demanded Sam.

"He's determined to take over custody of Jessie. If he can prove that her talents are being wasted here, he will take her."

"Over my dead body," I said vehemently.

"Sir, Jessie has uncovered plots against the President, earth, and our allies," said Sam. I could hear the fear in her voice, even if General Hammond couldn't.

"I know. That may be the only thing that will save her."

He cleared his throat. "Now. Take her home and keep her safe."

"Yes, sir," we said together.

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Sam's POV

I was actually terrified of what was going to happen the next day. If I knew anything about Kinsey, it was he was ruthless. He didn't care who he had to hurt in order to get his way. Even in her sleep, Jessie knew something was going on. She whimpered the whole way home. There was no way in hell that Kinsey was taking her away from us.

"Mama?" Her small voice was husky with sleep.

"Shh, I'm here. Go back to sleep," I said softly, holding her just a little bit tighter.

"I'm scared."

"I know, baby. So am I."

"He wants to experiment on me like Simmons," she whispered.

Jack reached over and took her hand. "We're not gonna let that happen, Sunshine."

"If Kinsey wins tomorrow…"

"He won't, Jessie. General Hammond is not gonna let that bastard take you away from us. The President won't let that happen. Hell, Thor won't let that happen," said Jack.

I held Jessie as she started to cry. She was so scared of someone experimenting on her. Even though she loved Janet, she was still scared of her.

Jack held her hand all the way home, lending his own support to our distraught daughter. She silently cried the whole way home. I didn't know how to help her. I knew that if it came down to it, we would leave Colorado Springs. Where would we go? It didn't really matter. All that mattered was Jessie would be safe and we would be together.

Sorry it's taken so long to update. Bad case of writer's block on both stories. Hopefully, it's gone.