LUCKY BUG – second chapter

In a week Cassie was all fine again. She was looking forward to her ice-skating lessons. But then Janet came home with a sad expression on her face and unshed tears in her eyes. It didn't look good.

"Cassie?"

"Janet, what happened?"

"There was… an accident."

"Accident?"

"Yes."

"Sam?"

"Sweetie…"

"No… no! NO!"

She ran away then, into her room and tried to hide behind her bed. She was crying so much. Janet followed her and sat down onto her bed. She needed to find a way how to tell her… she didn't want the girl to think the worst but she didn't know how to explain though.

"Sweetie, we don't if she is dead or not. We hope that they're okay."

"They…?"

"There was an accident. Daniel and Teal'c got back, they got hurt but they're gonna be okay. I promise. And… They are sure both Sam and Jack had stepped through the Gate."

"But they didn't get home?"

"No, they didn't get back… something happened and we don't know what. But we believe they are okay. They could have stayed on the planet or maybe they got sent somewhere else."

"So…"

"So they might be okay, alive and well. Just on some other planet than on Earth. We don't know why the Gate malfunctioned. But …"

"Sam will figure out and get back home, right?"

"I'm sure she will."

"And she's with Jack…"

"Yes, she's with Jack. "

"He'll take care of her, right?"

"He will, of course he will. He always does."

And so Cassie practically jumped into her arms and refused to let go for hours. She was just too scared. And Janet could understand it, she was scared as well. She just couldn't imagine what would happen if… She refused to finish that thought.

And so for all the time Cassie had been worried. Janet was staying on the base, just in case. Those endless long hours were the most difficult ones she could remember. Not knowing what happened, what to do… watching the panic and fear, feeling the pain and desperation… she hated it.

When they found them, Cassie was on the base along with Janet. She wanted to stay. She was asleep in Janet's office, exhausted from waiting for the news. Janet woke her up. Cassie was so happy… she couldn't believe it.

And so when they finally brought them home, Cassie needed Daniel's and Teal'c help to keep Cassie out of the way. They needed to take care of both Sam and Colonel O'Neill and that could be really difficult with a young worried girl nearby.

By the time Cassie was finally allowed to visit them in the infirmary, it was Valentine's Day. She noticed the atmosphere changing, even down there in SGC but she couldn't understand. And so Daniel tried to explain it to her. Along with Janet and Teal'c they were having lunch together that day.

He wanted to tell the girl all about the history of it, about all the traditions and origins… but got interrupted by the romanticized version of it told by Janet. She wanted to show Cassie the real thing as well! They were arguing about it, trying to find the right way how to make it look like one of the oldest and best days of the year. Cassie was actually grinning at them.

"Daniel, can we buy something for Jack and Sam?"

"Eh… sure. If it is okay, Janet?"

"Of course it's okay…"

"But they…"

"Don't worry sweetheart, they both will be sleeping the whole day. Go, have fun. Bring them something nice…"

She kissed her then and Daniel took her shopping. He was really proud of her. He tried to explain everything about his own injury to her, he tried to tell her about all the aspects of their work, he tried to explain what could have probably happened on Antarctica… and she managed to grasp it, more or less. She was still worried but that was understandable. She got really close to losing the only people she loved. And that was something he could understand pretty well.

"So Sam took care of Jack?"

"Yes, she did. She saved him."

"I thought it would be the other way around, like in fairy-tales…"

"Hmmm but there are stories when the lady saves the knight… Look at Belle and the Beast..."

"I know… but still… it's Jack… saving Sam… I like the sound of that."

Daniel had to smile at her then. She was becoming more and more human and less alien, if he could said that like this. Having these romantic ideas was really cute. Especially about those two soldiers.

"Well, but Sam saving Jack sounds nice too…"

"I guess…"

They were passing by a shop with plush animals and cards, with little blue and gray and brown bears… Cassie stopped there.

"Daniel…?"

"Yep?"

"What about those bears?"

"Hmm… why not."

"Can we take blue and brown one?"

And so they bought two cute little bears and went back to the SGC. Both Jack and Sam were still asleep so she made them notes and put the bears next to them onto their beds. Daniel tried to correct her, she put the brown one to Sam's hand and the blue one next to Jack. He assumed she would want it the other way around, his guess was the eye color of his friends being the key… but she just smiled at him and told him that it was all exactly as it was supposed to be.

"You sure about that?"

"Jack saving Sam, Sam saving Jack…"

And then he understood. She was a clever girl indeed.

Little they knew that both Sam and Jack would fall in love with those little plush creatures and keep them close all the time. They had them among their personal belongings on the base. Those little bears were giving them strange comfort sometimes. Both the blue and brown being warm and welcoming, and besides they both were gifts from love and that meant the world to the Captain and Colonel. Especially sometimes.

Because of school Cassie couldn't stay on the base anymore after the Valentine's day. She had her duties and she knew that Sam wouldn't want her to miss school because of this. She managed to visit them few times though. Thankfully.

In a few weeks Sam was almost fine and Jack was just getting there. Only his leg would need more time. But from a hard cast he could switch to light splint. Janet was sure that he would make a complete recovery. Sam saved him indeed.

They all could sense that this event would be troubling them all for some time. And so they were reluctant at first when Cassie suggested movie Saturday over at Jack's place.

"Why Jack's place?"

"Because when I was ill, we were at our place. So now he is ill so we will go over to his place…"

And Janet had to agree. That was a logical thing to do. Other agreed in the end, although Sam looked like she would rather stay at home.

Jack was actually happy to have them there. It was still pretty cold outside, still lots of snow although the sun was getting warmer and warmer, the days getting better and better. Well, he kept on feeling the bloody chill anyway. And if Carter's thick jumper was of any indication, she was still having some troubles with shaking off the cold as well.

Cassie sat down next to Jack on his couch.

"Cassie…"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry that I won't have a snow-ball fight with you…"

"Your leg is hurt, I understand."

"Yeah, that too…" He couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice.

"You don't like the snow anymore?" She sounded puzzled, a bit sad maybe.

"I wouldn't say that…"

"But you don't."

"Cassie…"

"It's because you were trapped in an ice cave?"

He shot panicked look at Carter and then at Janet. Did they really have to tell her everything?

"Yes… "

She smiled at him, tugged the blanket around him more firmly and kissed his cheek.

"It's okay… we can try next year."

The atmosphere was getting better by every minute. Cassie could have that effect on them. Jack knew that even next year he would be having some really nasty feelings and memories but well… he had a whole year to come in terms with them, right?

"Well, you know, Sir, I was hoping to learn how to ice-skate as soon as possible…"

"Really? You're not worried, Carter?"

"Noo… besides we can wait few weeks… doesn't matter because we have the ice-skating rink in Springs and it's opened whole year…"

At first he tried to tell her that she was being crazy. But then he understood. She was fighting the same fear as he was. And the best approach was to face it. And it was better to face it for an hour at ice-skating rink when you could walk out into a sunny summer day than having to face it in December.

"Hmmm… so what do you think, Cassie?"

"I'm in!"

"Teal'c?"

"I still would like to learn how to ice-skate, O'Neill."

"So when I am fit and up and ready we can go…"

"So I better get my bag ready, huh? You all trying to skate, huh? I'm gonna be sooo busy…"

"Janet!" Sam was shocked. But others were laughing.

"You know, Carter, she might have a point…" Jack supplied and made her smile a bit.

Cassie was happy with the outcome. She wanted to watch a movie but didn't know which one. So she offered Jack the chance to pick one up. He was the ill one here anyway. And after some really hard thinking he asked her to put the Wizard of Oz in. She had never seen it before.

Cassie snuggled closer to Jack and they were watching it together. She had lots of questions about such an old movie but Jack obviously didn't mind answering her and explaining things. She fell in love with the Scarecrow… as Dorothy did. Everybody just knew that Dorothy had fallen for the Scarecrow!

Janet had some shopping to do so she left them there. She would just pick up Cassie later. Teal'c was sitting on the ground by the couch, watching the TV with the same affection as Cassie was. It was new to him as well.

Sam was sitting in the armchair, wrapped in thick blanket but still feeling a bit cold. She knew it was not physical but psychical but there was not much she could do about it. It would take her some time to make it through. She had never liked these near-death experiences and this one was a bit close. Well, way too close.

It was warming her heart seeing her CO with the girl. Chatting about the yellow bricks and how cute and funny the lion was. Yeah, old movies had some deep magic in them, that was for sure.

Sam got up then and walked to the kitchen, the blanket still around her shoulders. She could use some more tea. Daniel followed her there without a word.

"Hey…"

"Daniel… hey…"

"Everything okay?"

She was looking to the living room, seeing Jack answering both Cassie's and Teal'c's questions and she just had to smile. They looked so happy… and all of the alive and well.

"Yes, it is…"

She couldn't keep the tears from falling from her eyes. And she hated herself for being so weak but these last weeks had been really horrible. Reluctantly and while not being entirely sure of himself, Daniel hugged her. And she melted into his friendly arms. He was trying to soothe her worries, to tell her that everything would be fine… And she just chuckled.

"Yeah… when there is no more snow."

"Cold?"

"Sometimes… somehow… yes."

Daniel nodded in understanding and walked away. He left her standing there, puzzled. He brought her one of those heating bottles from Jack's bathroom.

"What… how…?"

"Jack has some pretty amazing things around here you know?"

He was grinning at her. And she could only smile at him and appreciate the gesture. He filled the bottle with hot water then.

"Sam…"

"Yes?"

"What really happened out there?"

"Daniel…"

"Something is troubling you and … I just want to help."

"I can't talk about it… not now."

"Later?"

She was about to tell him that no, never… but she could only nod. Yes, they would talk later. Daniel noticed the tears being back in her eyes. He didn't want to make her cry, not again, so he just gave her the bottle and she walked back to the living room. She sat back down to the armchair with the bottle hugged to her chest. It was warm and really comfortable.

"Sam… you are cold?"

"It's better, Cass, don't worry…"

But she couldn't fool her that easily. Cassie asked Jack if she could bring another blanket. And he told her to go and find some. She walked away and brought the one from his spare bedroom. She tugged it around Sam then and after she got reassured that it was perfect, she walked back to the couch and found her place back there.

Jack noticed the heating bottle Sam was having. It was his… but he was sure she had no idea about the secrets of his bathroom. He looked at Daniel. His friend just shrugged and tried to pretend that he had no idea what this was about. But Jack thanked him silently. Daniel got the message, smiled at him and sat down. They were friends, right? So little help was allowed all the time and well, big one a well.

They all could feel the tension leaving the room, they could tell that things would be getting better. They had to.

"Hey, Danny… can you give me the package that's by the door?"

Jack asked then. Daniel got curious so he walked to the door and found a package there indeed. He brought it to Jack.

"What's in there?"

"Something I wanted to give you, munchkin… I wanted to wait for some special occasion but well… now is as good as anytime, right?"

"For me?"

"For you."

He gave it to her and watched her in amusement as she dug in. And soon all the papers were tore apart, gathered and thrown away and Cassie was having brand new and shiny DVD in her hand.

"So what is it?"

"It's… thank you!"

She hugged him then. She almost knocked the wind out of him. Others were curious and smiling. Daniel managed to take a look at the cover. It was Beauty and the Beast… the third part named Belle's Magical World.

"I notice that this was supposed to come out and … so I ordered it for you."

"Thank you…"

"And we can even watch it if you want to…"

"Really?"

Jack looked around at others. They just nodded and shrugged, it was okay with them to watch Belle and the Beast and all the lovely talking furniture.

"Yep."

Cassie got up and put the DVD in. There was something about Belle she could only admire. And obviously they noticed. Daniel gave her the second part for Christmas and Jack gave her the third part. She was so happy. Well, she was happier when Janet had told her that both Sam and Jack would be fine but this was close behind…

"O'Neill, I believe another movie from this Walt Disney will be in cinemas soon."

"You sure, T.?"

"Yes."

"Well… I had no idea."

"He's right, Sir. Another Princess movie."

"Princess?" Cassie almost squealed.

"Yes. Mulan."

"When when when?"

"I believe the poster spoke of June, Cassandra Fraiser."

"Can we go? Please? Please? Can we?"

"We have to ask Janet…"

Cassie didn't answer at first. She was looking at him and thinking.

"That was not an answer…" Oh so she noticed.

"It's fine by me but we still have to ask her."

"Okay."

And they settled into a comfortable silence then. Jack hit the play button and the movie started. And so they witnessed how Belle had befriended the castle staff, how all the lovely creatures had tried to be happy and to never lose hope, how the Beast had learned to love and trust others, how Belle had fallen in love with the Beast and the Beast had fallen for her. And they watched how they both managed to change and became better people in order to allow the love to grow. And Cassie loved every second of it, as did others. Well, they were trying not to let it show that much. Cassie noticed though anyway.

Jack was getting really tired by the end, he was still having some pain meds in his system and he could survive only limited amount of time on the couch. He needed to get to bed.

Daniel offered Teal'c a lift back to the base. They said their goodbyes and left. Sam stayed in with Cassie. They would leave with Janet later.

"You should go to bed, Sir. You need to rest."

"Carter…"

"Come on, I will help you. And don't say anything… You know, doctor's orders…"

She gave him the pointed look saying 'I know you want to complain but you should better be quiet' and it actually managed to keep his silent. But he had to smile. Yeah, wrong kind of doctor's orders… he would never forget that.

"Cassie, can you get the bed ready?"

"Sure!"

She jumped down from the couch and walked to Jack's bedroom to prepare the bed.

Jack could walk easily on his own now although while being tired or after sitting for longer periods of time, he could use his crutches. He didn't want to use them now though. He didn't want to scare Cassie, not again.

"Sir… you should take them."

"No. She thinks I'm better…"

"So you will let me help you?"

And no matter how hard it was, he could only say yes. And so she helped him to get up and wobble back to his bedroom. She helped him to get settled. He was asleep before she managed to close the curtains at the window. She took off his shoes and covered him with the blanket. He deserved all the comfortable sleep he could get.

She allowed herself one moment of silence in his room, in his presence, watching him breathing steadily. She didn't notice Cassie coming closer and hugging her. She surprised her.

"Don't worry, Sam. He will be okay."

"I know… I know. Let's go."

And so they walked from the room and closed the door behind themselves. Sam knew the girl couldn't have noticed but… Colonel O'Neill really had to be tired and exhausted to fall asleep so quickly like that. Well, she couldn't blame him. His body needed the strength to heal.

Janet picked them up. She noticed the change in Sam's eyes and could only hope that she was definitely finally feeling at least a bit better. It would be about damn time.

They wanted to go the ice-skating rink but well, their luck was sticking to them here on Earth as well as off-world. The whole building was under reconstruction and would be opened in July. So they just had to wait.

In the June the whole team was playing at Jack's backyard. They were playing some ballgames and throwing the Frisbee. It was fun. And then Jack brought the envelope.

Cassie was curious and when she opened it, she jumped into his arms and then ran to Janet to show it to her. Jack bought tickets for the premiere of Mulan for all of them, SG-1 plus the Fraiser family.

"We are really going?"

"Well, the Colonel asked me nicely so yes, we are."

Cassie was beyond being just happy by then. It would be her first cinema experience. She had no idea about what to expect. So when she found herself sitting there with those she loved, huge popcorn on her lap and giant diet coke in the holder, she could only grin.

And so they enjoyed the cinema. They were laughing while Mushu was trying to be a big dragon, they were hoping for the little bug to really bring them happiness. Jack and Daniel were bickering about the way how Disney saw ancient China and its war techniques. Janet was just hoping that Mulan and Shang would just end up together… and Teal'c was trying not to disturb them all by his own thoughts about the importance of having daughters. He was raised in a similar society, he knew that. And yet his time with SG-1 had shown him that women and men could be equal. And so he was glad that Mulan had proved the same thing to Shang.

After the movie they were all smiling and laughing, commenting scenes and jokes. They ended up at Jack's place, having small garden barbecue. They started a fire as well. They were sharing stories and just having fun.

"You know what… we can go the next time as well."

"What, Daniel, you love Disney?"

"Well, like you don't."

"He has you there, Sir."

"Et tu, Carter?"

"Sorry, Sir…" She was laughing by then.

"Jack? Can we go the next time as well?"

"I agree, O'Neill, this was most pleasant experience."

"Don't look at me, Sir… I'm more a Marvel girl…" Sam supplied.

Jack was about to answer her, he was about to have some sneaky comment, she could feel it. And she wouldn't be surprised by some rather inappropriate comment. He had it in himself sometimes. But Cassie just said another sweet please and so he agreed.

And without even realizing it, Daniel and Jack had just created one of the best traditions possible. Little they could know that they would go to the cinema to see every new Disney movie. And little they knew that they would be going to Marvel's movies as well, much to Sam's delight.

"You know, the best was the bug anyway."

"The bug?"

"Yes! Mushu liked him so much! And he called him a lucky bug."

"You like that?"

"Yes… He was so small and so cute and well… lucky!"

"Well, I can call you lucky bug if you want to…" Jack offered with a smile.

"Would have to catch me first!" Cassie told him and got up and ran away. And soon they were chasing each other in the garden.

And he captured her and tried to win a tickling battle with her. It left them both breathless and laughing, a bit cold and a lot happy.

"You are my lucky bug, Cass…"

"I am?"

"Yes. Yes, you are…"

And then she kissed his cheek. She could be a lucky bug…

"So small and blue and cute and ticklish..."

Laughing and trying to tickle each other, they walked back to the fire and got warmer there. Janet just brought them some blankets… she was worried that they would catch a cold or something. And they really shouldn't risk that. The weather was too nice to be wasted in bed fighting a flu or something. Besides, they had an ice-skating rink to be opened soon… and one little girl looking forward to it.

Janet knew that sooner or later she would have to face the consequences but right now she was really content with her little crazy family. She would have never guessed… but she had never been happier.

A/N: I know there was some more potential in this chapter... I know I know, some scenes could have been much better... sorry but I sort of liked it simple as it is now... But I admit that one scene just won't leave me be... so I guess I will get back to that conversation and to that scene and write more about it in a different story. Hehe... one sentence, one question, one promise between friends... I won't tell you which one it is but I guess you know anyway... :o)) We'll see how it goes! :o)