Author's Note: Okay guys just because I messed the last chapter up here is the next one. I hope you like it. Yalla, Moosepath01, Sapceman41 and TwilightEclipseForever and General36 this one is for on and enjoy.

For the rest of you just sit back and enjoy.

Running Again

As the Limo drove them back to Janet's house Cassie and Sam sat side by side while Jack sat facing them. No one spoke for the entire ride.

Finally the limo pulled to a stop in front of the house and Cassie tried to escape. Jack's hand grabbed her arm when she moved to get out, "Cassie we need to talk about what you are going to do now. You have two choices; both Sam and I have been named your guardians. So you can move in with me or Sam. We will have to sell your house. You don't have to decide right away. Just think about it." his voice was so kind that it almost broke Cassie.

Studying her fingers Cassie said, "Why can I stay here in my house alone. I'm old enough to take care of myself. I'm almost eighteen and I was alone most of the time anyway." she looked right at Sam, "It's not like either of you really have room in your life for me."

Before either of them could respond Cassie shook off Jack's hold, opening the door on her side of the car and fled. She rushed passed all the people gathered in her house to celebrate Janet's life and mourn her death.

Without stopping she hurried up the stairs and into her room slamming the door. As she ran she heard feet pounding behind her but she never turned to see if it was Sam or Jack.

Once in side her room she threw herself on her bed, letting herself cry not only for Janet but for herself. Someone knocked on the door, but she ignored it. There was silence and she thought they had left until Jack said her name through the door, "Cassie?"

She still didn't answer and he continued, "I meant what I said about you coming to live with me but only if you want to. I know that I am an old man but if you need me I'm here for you. I love you Cassie. Remember that." he waited to see if she would say anything and then his footsteps receded.

Silence reigned in the room as she continued to cry. It was only broken by a voice from inside the room, "Those words don't come easily for him, Cass. He meant what he said and I would take him up on the offer. If that is what you want."

Cassie's head shot up and she saw Jon leaning against the window sill with his ankles crossed and his arms crossed over his chest.

She searched his face, "Are you sure? Jack is so hard to read even when I can see his face. You know all that from just hearing his voice? I'm never sure what to think with him."

"No, he meant every word." Jon said as he sat beside her on the bed wrapping his arm around her shoulder, "Come're."

Cassie melted into him, enjoying his strength. He seemed like a rock she could anchor herself to in the storm her life had become. Every time she thought she was doing fine something came along dunking her under. Knowing he was close by was the only thing that kept her from drowning over the last few days.

After a while she looked up at him, "You said that you'd take me away from here. I know where I want to go. I'll tell you tonight when you come for me." Although she didn't want him to go she said, "Sam will be in here soon. You'd better go or they will find you in here." Somehow she knew it would be bad.

Reaching out hesitantly he cupped her cheek, "Are you sure about leaving? Sam and Jack care a lot for you. They'll worry about you." he said hoping she would change her mind and stay here with them. Cassie needed them and they needed her.

Jon on the other hand was worried that he would end up breaking her heart. He had feelings for her but none that he could or would allow himself to act on. She was Cassie after all. She wasn't a child but she wasn't a woman yet either. Maybe someday but for now he had to keep his distance.

"I need this Jon, please." her pain washed away any more resistance.

Gently he traced her lips with his thumb, "Be ready at midnight. I'll meet you out front. If anything changes let me know." and then he was gone and Cassie was alone once more.

Sam came to the door almost immediately after Jon's departure. Unlike Jack she didn't stay outside the door. She came in and sat down beside the teenager. Neither of them spoke for a while. Sam reached out and took Cassie's hand, "I do want you to live with me. I'm sorry that I haven't been there for you as much as I should have been. I have no excuse for you, but I am sorry. I love you and I have thought of you as my own daughter but I want you to be happy. If you want to live with Colonel O'Neill I won't stand in your way."

Cassie looked at Sam amazed, "Can't you even say his name. It's Jack, not Colonel, not Sir, his name is JACK! Most all he loves you and you love him. How can you just sit there and ignore it?" Cassie pulled away from Sam to walk over to the still open window.

Sam looked very uncomfortable, "Cassie, it's compl-"

"No, don't you dare to make excuses. It's not that complicated unless you make it. You just have to stop being scared. Stop running." Cassie couldn't stop her anger as it bubbled over. She was angry at these two for not seeing what was right there in front of them. They had a chance to be happy but they both seemed determined to be miserable.

Sam and Jack were alive but being stupid. Her mother was dead and she would never have the chance that they were ignoring. It wasn't fair that they were wasting their lives.

Sam studied her hands, "I'm with Pete now. I love him and he makes me happy."

Cassie couldn't hide the disgust in her voice, "Oh and that makes your feelings for Jack just go away. I know you love Pete. How could you not he's like this adoring puppy and follows you around, but one day you will wake up and realize that he's not what you want. You want to be loved not adored. Sam he's not what you want or need. Jack is and you know it."

Unable to defend herself against Cassie onslaught Sam just chose to ignore it, "We'll stay here tonight but you need to decide what you want to do. Who do you want to live with Jack or me?"

Cassie knew that it was time to stop this. She had made her choice a long time ago but she wanted to hurt them like they were hurting her. Now she saw that it was a silly thing to do to them. "What if I choose both of you?" Cassie asked.

Turning Sam asked, "What do you mean?" intrigued by Cassie's answer.

"I stay with you one week and then Jack the next. Also anytime Pete is in town I can stay with Jack. It will be easier for all of us that way."

For just a moment Sam looked relieved but it was gone so quickly that Cassie wasn't sure. "That should work. Do you want to tell Jack or do you." Sam used his first name to avoid anymore yelling.

Forcing a smile Cassie said, "I tell him." before turning back the open window.

Getting to her feet and straightening her uniform, Sam asked, "Are you coming down?"

Wishing she could escape now instead of later tonight, Cassie stared out the window. She would spend the next few hours listen to how sorry people were that her mother was gone. Sighing heavily she said, "Yes, in a minute."

Sam took a step toward the door but changed her mind pulling Cassie into her arms, "I miss Janet too. We need to talk but only when you are ready. See you downstairs." Sam kissed her once on the forehead before leaving her alone once more.

The party, if you could call it that, was as painful as Cassie expected it to be. The room was filled with conversations that stopped whenever she came within hearing distance. Cassie wandered around like a wraith, not talking to anyone but drifting as she counted the hours until she could leave with Jon and escape. Logically Cassie knew she couldn't outrun the pain but she had decided to try.

She was glad when people finally started to leave, their unbearable murmurings of condolences were better than their pity-filled looks and silence that had followed her all afternoon.

Once everyone but Jack and Sam were gone, Cassie forced herself to eat a plate of leftovers. While she was choking down her food Cassie managed to find Jack and let him know what she had decided. He smiled one of his rare smiles and hugged her, promising to take he shopping to pick out the things she would need for her room at his house.

She hardly heard a few minutes later when Jack took his goodbye and left, he wanted to go up to his cabin and take her with him. That wouldn't be happening until he was cleared by Dr Brightman, and Jack was stuck in Colorado Springs.

Each bite gagged her, but Cassie finished the whole plate, just to avoid any arguments with Sam. As soon as the plate was done Cassie disappeared back into her room and shut the door. This time she locked the door and shoved her desk chair beneath the knob.

Sam came by before she headed to bed and knocked on the door, "Cassie, may I come in?" when she could not open it.

There was no answer. Sam went away again, not wanting to wake Cassie if she was really asleep.

Cassie lay there unmoving for hours while she waited to make sure that Sam was asleep. As soon as the house was quiet, she began to gather her things stuffing them into her pack. That done she still had another hour before it was time to go. She sat on her bed, hugging Colonel to her chest as she watched the minutes crawl by.

Finally the clock downstairs struck midnight and Cassie slipped through the house, out the front door. As promised Jon was waiting by the curb with the truck running.

When he saw her he got out of the truck and took the pack from her tossing into the box on the back with his own, "Hurry, we don't want to get caught." he whispered as he opened the passenger door and helped her inside.

Coming around the front of the truck, Jon questioned himself if this was really a smart thing to do. Should he really take a minor away from her family and friends? It was so close to kidnapping even if he was sort of her age, in body at least. If Jack found out… Jon shuddered. He would probably lose his head.

"This is not the time, Jon," he murmured. Shaking off those thoughts, he jumped into the truck and started driving. As soon as he was a few blocks away Jon asked, "Where are we going?"

Cassie looked directly at him as she answered a bit shaken but grimly, "Minnesota."

There you go folks more tomorrow. I double checked this one it should be okay. Ha ha this time it took me to the fourth chapter to give you guys a cliffhanger. Kelleth