A/N: I do not own Stargate Atlantis or SG-1 and all mistakes are mine. Spoilers for SG-1's Heroes part 2 and Singularity. Hope you enjoy, and please review.

Rating: T, just to be safe.

Summary: Cassie gets offered the chance to work on Atlantis at her graduation party.

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When Daniel Jackson first asked me if I wanted to go to Atlantis, I had to think about it. A few years ago, I would have jumped at the change. But ever since my mom died, I've been kind of distant.

When I first heard about her death, I wanted nothing more to do with the SGC or the stargate. After all, they were responsible for the death of Janet Fraiser; of course, they were also the ones that saved my life, several times actually. They're also the reason I am where I am today. On Earth I mean.

But then I realised that I couldn't run forever, and had to accept everything that had happened.

Daniel said that her death had been painless and quick, I guess I can find comfort in knowing that she didn't suffer.

The thing that hurt me most about her death was the fact the we had a massive argument the night before about Dominique, my boyfriend. She said that he didn't really care about me and that I was too good for him. When I told him about her death, he just shrugged it off like it wasn't important, so I dumped him.

The last thing she ever said to me was, "Go to your room!" if I'd known that was the last time I was going to see her alive, I would have just accepted what she said, instead of answering back.

Anyway, Daniel's offer was completely out of the blue. I'd just graduated from medical school and Uncle Jack (even after all this time I still call him my Uncle) had thrown me this huge party at the SGC.

It was typical 'Jack' party. There was music, beer and cake. A lot of cake.

I mingled for a little while, danced and opened some gifts. I got a 'First Aid For Dummies' book from Jack, a emerald necklace (my birthstone) from Sam, some priceless artefact from Daniel, my very own zat from Cam, a Kelly Clarkson CD from Teal'c and a pair of leather boots from Vala.

After a few hours the music was beginning to give me a headache, so I went to step outside for some fresh air.

I really don't get the point of surprise parties. I came to the SGC because Sam asked me if I could help her some piece of alien technology. So I went to the SGC dressed in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, if I'd known there was going to be a party, I'd have worn the new dress that my friend had brought me for my birthday. It only occurred to me that something wasn't right when I saw Sam in a red dress. She hardly ever wears dresses.

"Hey," said Daniel, as he came and stood next to me. "Having fun?

"Yeah, except for the fact that I look like I'm going to a punk concert, my hair is a mess and my pants clash with my shoes," I sighed. Daniel looked a little upset and I realised what I'd just said. "I'm sorry. I know you must have worked hard to organise this party. I really appreciate it."

He smiled. "Your welcome."

I took a sip of beer and pulled a face when I realised it was warm. "Thanks for the present. It's not gonna blow up, right?"

Daniel chucked. "No, it's perfectly safe. Vala got it when we were off-world a few weeks ago. Sam and I ran tests just in case though."

We stayed outside for a few minuets, staring at the stars and catching up on everything I'd missed while I was away at school.

"Are you OK?" I asked when I noticed that he hadn't listened to a thing I'd said about the time my roommates and I put soda in the sprinklers and pulled the alarm.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he obviously wasn't. "Listen, Cassie, I've been offered a place on Atlantis."

"That's great," I cut in. "You've been wanting to go for ages, right?"

He sighed. "Yeah, but I can't go. I have too much work to do here. I was wondering…I was wondering if maybe you'd like to take my place."

I stared at him, wondering if this was some sort of prank that Uncle Jack had set up. Then again, is Jack really that smart? Probably not. "I…I can't," I said.

Daniel looked me in the eye and said, "I know it's a lot to think about right now. I mean, you've just graduated from med school, you still getting over the death of your mother, you have your whole future ahead of you. But I'm asking you to consider it. It's an amazing opportunity Cassie."

I took another swig of warm beer. "How long have I got to decide?"

"A week."

My eyes widened involuntarily. "A week? Daniel, I can't decide something like that in a week."

"I know. Just promise my you'll think about it," he gave my hand a light squeeze and went back to the party.

Uncle Jack called me in a few minuets later and said that he had another surprise for me. I went back inside and he brought out this huge cake with my name in huge letters. It also had my title, Dr Cassandra Fraiser. It must have taken ages to make and decorate. I blew out the candles and made a wish. I wished for Jack and Sam to finally get together.

The party died down a couple of hours later and I decided to call it a night and go home. My roommate will probably wonder where I am. If she's still up anyway, it's really late. Well, it's one in the morning, so I guess that makes it really early.

Teal'c was the only one who hadn't had much to drink, so he gave me a lift to the apartment my roommate and I live in.

"Thanks Teal'c," I said as I got out of the car.

He smiled. "You are most welcome, Cassandra Fraiser. Let me congratulate you again on your graduation."

I smiled back and waved as he drove off down the road. All of the lights are off, so I guess Gemma must be asleep. Gemma and I have been living together since we both started at medical school. We formed an instant friendship and have been inseparable ever since. Sometimes it's really easy to forget that I wasn't born on the planet.

I unlocked the door and went to my room. I put the gifts I had received on the desk, stripped off my clothes and collapsed on the bed.

The smell of bacon frying pulled me out of a deep sleep the next morning. Damn Gemma and her abilities to cook! I looked at the clock and groaned when I saw that it was only ten in the morning. Rolling out of bed, I crawled into the shower, pulled on a shirt and a pair of pants and followed the smell of food.

"Morning Gem," I said as I sat down. A hot cup of coffee was pushed in front of me, which I was grateful for. I can't function with out coffee.

"Hey, where were you last night? I was beginning to get worried," said Gemma as she shovelled fried eggs and bacon onto my plate.

"Sorry, my friends through me a surprise party."

Gemma pulled a face. "So not fair. Why didn't you invite me?" she pouted.

I smiled at her. "Because it was a surprise party. Meaning that I didn't know about it. You know I would have invited you if I knew."

She poured herself a glass of orange juice and sat down next to me. "You have a good time?"

"Yeah, it was good. I've brought some cake back if you're interested."

She took a sip of juice. "Maybe for lunch," she said as she tossed as streaks of brown hair out of her face.

Before I fell asleep last night I thought about what Daniel had said about going to Atlantis. I have always wanted to go. It's meant to be beautiful and apparently the ocean stretches for miles. It's just the wraith and the threat of impending death that seems to follow them everywhere they go that puts me off.

"Something on your mind?" asked Gemma, pulling me out of my train of thought.

I pushed the half-empty plate of food away from me, suddenly not very hungry. "Listen, Gemma. I've been offered a job by one of my friends. It's stationed very far away and I have to decide by next week. Do you think I should take it?"

"Where would you be working?"

I sighed; I hate having to be this secretive. "It's classified," I said.

Now she sighed. "Cassie, everything with you is classified these days."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I wish I could tell you more, but I can't."

"Go if you want to, I don't mind," she said, although she obviously did, she's a bad liar.

"But that's just it, Gem. I don't know if I want to go. I wouldn't be able to come back for months," I got up and flopped down on the couch.

Suddenly an idea struck me. I fumbled around for my cell phone, realised that it was in the pocket of the pants that I'd worn last night and dialled a number.

"Hi, Jack. It's Cassie. Listen, I need a favour," I said, as Uncle Jack answered the phone.

Three days later I got a call from Jack saying that my favour had been approved. I'd asked Jack if he could find a way to Gemma a place on Atlantis. He pulled a few strings and was able to get her security clearance.

"Gemma, could I talk to your for a minuet?" I said as I hung up the phone.

She popped her head out from behind a magazine she was reading. "Sure, what's up."

I sat down next to her on the couch and snatched the magazine out of her hands before she had a chance to complain. "I was able to call in a couple of favours and I got you security clearance," I said and I waited for her reaction.

She raised an eyebrow. "You mean you can tell me about this job offer?"

"If you promise to believe me."

"I will, I promise," she said, her blue eyes filling with excitement."

"OK, I've been offered a chance to work at Atlantis," I finally said.

She just stared at me for a few minuets like I was mad. "Atlantis? Seriously Cassie, how much did you have to drink last night?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes. I knew this would happen. "I am being serious Gem."

"And how would we get there, eh? How would we got to Atlantis?" she asked.

"On a space ship. It's called the Daedalus. It will take us about three weeks to get there," I explained.

She smiled and shook her head. "Seriously Cass, you can't expect me actually believe this crap."

"You promised you would," I reminded her.

"Where is Atlantis?"

I smiled slightly. "In a galaxy far, far away. The Pegasus Galaxy to be exact."

She still looked like she didn't believe me. "How higher security clearance do I have?"

I shrugged. "Ask me a question and I'll see if I can answer it."

She thought about it for a few seconds. "OK, what do your friends really do. The ones that threw you that party last night. I'm pretty sure they don't work in an office."

I took a deep breath. "They work at a place called the SGC, Stargate Command. You see thousands of years ago there was a powerful face known as the Ancients. They built a device called the Stargate. With it, we are able to travel to other planets and even other galaxies. Several years ago my friends travelled to a planet called Hanka, where they found me."

He blue eyes widened. "Wait a minuet. You mean you're an alien!"

"Don't shout!" I told her. "And yes, I'm an alien. I was adopted my Dr Janet Fraiser, she died when she was off-world."

Gemma looked shocked. "No way! That's how your mom died?"

I smiled sadly. "Yep. I spoke to one of the guys in charge and he was able to get you a place on Atlantis. If you want it of course."

"Of course I want it! When do we leave?!" she demanded.

She's taking it rather well for someone who just found out that her best friend is an alien. I felt really relieved that after years of secrets, she finally knew the truth, about me, about SG-1, about everything.

I smiled and said, "Three days."

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So, what do you think? Should I continue?