EARLY MORNING RAIN
It was a beautiful summer morning. Cassie looked out of the window and couldn't quite believe it – the sun was already shining, the sky was blue and when she opened the window the fresh air smelled just wonderful. Yup, that was summer out there.
She was about to spend two weeks at her friend's house. She hasn't seen her whole year so she promised her she would come so they could catch up on the lost time. Well, studying med-school could be time demanding – and living in completely different state could complicate things a bit as well.
Just one more year and she would become a doctor. She'd be hopefully starting her Residency. It was a difficult road she had decided to take but she had no regrets. She had her family and she would never forget her mother – she was sure she was proud of her up there – wherever she was. Cassie didn't believe in Heaven but on Hanka they had a similar belief and after long hours of talking to Daniel and well, about a dozen of other people through the years, she decided to stick to her own beliefs. But thinking about it – Janet could as well be in Heaven, yeah, she could live with that as well.
Her friend was still asleep. They had both arrived late at night. Cassie, however, used to early mornings, couldn't sleep anymore. So she wrote her a note, got dressed and went out for a walk. She heard there was some kind of a farmer's market in town, alongside the riverbank, so she wanted to go there. Might as well be the place to buy breakfast at, huh?
In blue long skirt and white t-shirt she went out and realized she had been smiling. Yes, it was summer.
In two weeks she would go home. Finally home. She had more than one home actually but her heart was still at the same place – Colorado Springs. Right after her home-planet it was the place closest to her heart. She loved it there. Of course, she was equally as happy at Jack's place in DC but still – there was something about Springs she just couldn't forget. She couldn't analyze it but that didn't matter. She just loved it there.
Sam was on a mission with SG-1, she had let her know. She should be back in two weeks. She promised Cassie she would take her to the SGC – there were people out there that would like to see her. She had been like a mascot, their lucky charm – she was the girl that survived all the horrible stuff, she was the girl the whole base loved as their own. And well, truth to be told, she couldn't wait to talk to some of the nurses and to Walter and Siler… Yep, she was and always would be in their eyes the girl SG-1 brought home, saved, the girl their beloved Doctor adopted.
Well, on the other hand – when she for example started to date boys, she was pretty scared! She knew that there were lot of people caring for her – but also that they would try to scare her guys away. And not just Jack and Daniel but others too – even the Marines! But truth to be told – she knew that they would take care of her. What girl on Earth – or any other planet – could say that she had sort of a loyal army willing to do all the possible and impossible for her, huh?
Yeah, she had to grin. She really loved those people. And not just because they knew and cherished her mother but also because they were simply good people. She had been in contact with some of them over the years and she was grateful for it. They were sometimes even giving her information and sharing gossips about SG-1. She just hoped Jack had no idea about that!
Oh, Jack. Her Jack. He used to be Uncle Jack to her but over the years his role kind of shifted. He had always been more like a father to her. But so was Daniel. She just couldn't pick. So now he was just Jack and Daniel was just Daniel. No uncles. Once she talked to Daniel about this and he asked her "Can you see yourself walking down the aisle in your wedding dress?" and she smiled and nodded. And so he asked another question "And who is by your side giving you away?" – that was the moment she just knew.
Her first thought came back to her father of course. They had no such custom on Hanka but still – it should have been him. But then she realized she wanted Jack there to be giving her away. She didn't want to tell Daniel, she didn't want to hurt his feelings. But he told her that it was okay, that he loved her and that no matter what Jack would say – he was sure Jack would be honored because he loved her like a daughter. And especially after losing Janet.
Cassie knew that her mom wanted Sam and Jack to be her guardians. Maybe because she had been hoping the whole time that the two of them would eventually get together – but maybe just because she knew they would keep her save, loved and protected and that they would do everything in their power and beyond to be there for her – which meant that they would always try even harder to get back home to her. Just little extra motivation.
Cassie was walking through the city, smiling, thinking about her family, enjoying the morning sun shining on her face. She was also pretty hungry! Yeah – she would buy herself some breakfast at the market. Some fresh pastry and juice.
The market was really beautiful. Farmers from all around the area were there with their goods – all from vegetable and fruit through flowers to pastry and bread, spices and honey. She bought some stuff and couldn't stop smiling. This was indeed very welcomed break from school. She loved it there!
"Ma'am, can I help you with something?" Suddenly somebody asked her. She realized that she had been lost in thought. She was looking at some pastry but not really paying attention. She looked up and saw young man watching her, smiling at her, waiting for her to say something.
"Oh, yes, I'm sorry…"
"Are you looking for something extra or…?"
"Actually I could use some pastry, I feel like having sweet breakfast. But nothing too sweet. Any suggestions?" She asked.
"Hmmm and do you prefer nuts or fruits or combination of both?" The guy asked. They started to talk and he helped her to pick something for her to eat. She also bought some rolls and bread – she knew her friend's place was empty after weeks when nobody had been living there.
Cassie thanked the guy and left. She could feel him watching her back but to her surprise she didn't mind. She even looked back and caught him looking at her. He blushed immediately and smiled at her. She smiled back but kept on walking. She actually liked the guy!
On her way back she stopped by again. She just couldn't help herself. Maybe it was just the summer and the sun and for some reason she really felt pretty and kind of happy that morning so … why not?
"Oh, hi…" He said, way too shy to look at her at first.
"It was pretty tasty, thank you. Good choice."
"I'm glad you liked it."
"Can I ask you – the recipe – any special thing there?"
"No, not really," he said, grinning at her. "It's my grandmother's, she's from France and this is actually quite common there."
"And so you brought it here…"
"Yes."
"So this bakery… yours?" She asked, not really thinking about the reason why. So what, she was just being polite, right?
"Oh no, my friend's. I'm just helping out through the summer…"
"So you're not from here?"
"No, not really. You?" He asked and looked a bit worried that he had overstepped the line. Of course – she could have just lied to him – but why?
"The same. Just visiting a friend. I'm from Colorado Springs."
"Hmmm, you like the mountains?" He grinned at her.
"Yes, I do actually. You know it around there?"
"Just a bit… You have a family there?"
"Yes, part of it… and some overseas and also in DC."
"Wow, kind of a big family, huh?"
"Oh you have no idea…" She smiled at him. Now this would be interesting explaining! Yeah – Teal'c lives overseas – on a different planet. Daniel is dating an alien. Oh and there's Sam of course, after commanding half military base in a different galaxy and space ship she's finally back home… She chuckled – and confused the guy a bit.
"So… I might get to see you around?"
"You might." She told him and smiled. She was about to walk away when he finally asked her about her name.
"Cassandra. But everyone calls me Cass or Cassie. But you know, as a gentleman, you should have told me your name first."
"Oh… Well… I'm sorry… Eh…" he was really nervous – now that was cute! "My name is Christopher, people usually call me Chris."
Cassie didn't answer. With flowers in her hand and shopping bag over her shoulder she just smiled at him and slowly left. Her beautiful morning got a lot better!
It made her think again. She missed Jack. She hadn't seen him in ages! She knew that his job in DC was important and that it was difficult for him to have actual time, especially now, but still. She missed him. And phone calls, mails and letter were simply not enough.
But he promised her that he would visit Colorado Springs. He promised. She was kind of counting on that. She had some business to take care of there during the summer and she would probably need his help as well as Sam's. Luckily they were living under one roof while in Springs… and in DC as well actually. It was nice to have the family complete.
Cassie was afraid what would happen years ago. But they just made it – and she was happy for them. For all of them. Everything felt right back then. Sam was leading SG-1, she had Cam and Daniel and Vala with her, occasionally Teal'c as well and she was happy, Cassie knew she was. She knew that the fact that Jack had to stay in DC complicated everything but it was nothing in comparison to all those years spent apart. Sam and Jack just belonged together! And the distance couldn't keep them separated.
Well so now they were together and it felt just right. They still weren't married but Cassie knew they'd been thinking about it for some time. They just wanted to wait for her to finish school. And also – Jack was promised retirement by the end of this year. In December he should be leaving DC. That meant that Hank Landry would take on his position in DC, Jack thought his friend was ready for it. And Sam agreed to lead the SGC after that. No more missions, less risks. And also – she'd be living in the same state as Jack – well – in the same city. Jack wanted to go back to Springs. They kept his house there, they were living in his house there, so… it felt just perfectly right.
So Cassie knew that this summer was the last one spent like this. Things would change in few months and her family would be back together in Colorado Springs. She couldn't have asked for more.
She still remembered the time when they told her about all that – the moving, the retirement, everything. She was so damn happy! And now she couldn't wait to be back home… but she was here, in this lovely city with a friend she had dearly missed. She would enjoy her time here and later on she would enjoy the rest of the summer with her family.
Cassie got back to her friend's place. Norah was still asleep so Cassie made breakfast for her and with her cup of morning coffee she sat down in the garden. The sun was just too beautiful to resist. Norah was up soon and joined her there. They talked about their lives, about everything. They also went for a walk, had lunch outside and the whole day they kept on talking. Yeah, friends are friends and no matter how long they are kept apart, they always find a way.
"And now the most important question… how's Jake?" Cassie asked Norah.
"I didn't want to tell you over the phone…"
"What?"
"We broke up."
"What? When?"
"About a month ago… he got a job offer and decided to take it."
"Did you talk about it?"
"Yeah, he came to me and didn't know what to do… but it was his dream job so I encouraged him. You know… it would be there, hanging in the air between us and in the end he would resent me for stopping him."
"But like this you lost him…"
"We're still in contact but… "
"I'm so sorry…" Cassie said and Norah knew she was being honest. Cassie had met Jake about three times over the last two years and she really liked him. She thought that he and Norah would stay together – they were so good together. It was a shock to hear he would leave her because of a job offer. But well, if she told him to go… Damn it sucked.
"And what about you? Anybody since Samuel?" Norah asked.
Samuel was Cassie's boyfriend. They met at school, date for a while but he turned out to be actually gay. Now that hurt, yeah, but they talked about it, he apologized and she was grateful that she had helped him to find himself. Some guy would be really happy with him one day. But on the other hand she had to admit – it sucked. A lot.
"No, not really."
"Cassie it's been almost a year… you have to get out a bit."
"You know how it is…"
"Yeah, you either have classes or you live in a library…"
"Med-school is like that." She tried to defend herself.
"I know but I hate to see you alone all the time."
"Don't worry about me, okay?" She told her friend and hugged her.
They met when Cassie was 12. Norah used to live in Springs as well. But her parents moved away and so now she was living here. They were on a trip in Europe so she had the house to herself. So far she just didn't manage to find something she could afford for herself.
Cassie, while talking to her friend about her non-existent love life, wanted to tell her about the guy she met in the morning but in the end decided against it. It was nothing – just a little flirting on the market. And he was not even from around.
Oh but he was nice. He was just a bit higher than she was, broad shoulders but nothing extreme, short dark blond hair, perfect blue eyes – not too pale, not too bright, a little bit green-ish, he had nice hands and soothing voice. She could imagine listening to him for hours. He was attractive, that was true. She caught herself smiling while thinking about him. That was a bit odd but well – nothing wrong about smiling at the memory of fine looking man. Right?
Just before falling asleep she realized she would like to see this guy again. Well, who could tell what would happen in the next two weeks?
