They sat in silence and watched the sun come up. Neither noticed the tall, beautiful blonde watching from the window. She didn't want to intrude on their time together. She had woken up as Jack had when Cassie had entered their room, but Cassie clearly had wanted to talk to Jack so she hadn't moved.

She sipped her coffee and smiled. Jack had really done well with what he had, and although Sam knew he would always have doubts, Sam was positive Cassie could have very well slipped off the deep end if not for him. She still hadn't approached Jack with her idea yet, for fear of his reaction, but she also knew that deep down, he most likely would consider her request.

As the sun came up and began to rise higher, Jack felt a heavy weight on his side. He looked down to see Cassie's eyes closed. He chuckled.

Cassie's eyes immediately popped open. She sat up. "What?"

"You fell asleep again."

"I was just resting my eyes." Cassie protested.

"Uh huh." Jack responded dubiously. "Let's go inside, you can lie back down."

Cassie shook her head. "I will come inside in a moment. I want to swim."

Jack nodded as he got up to give her privacy. They never did find her swimsuit and Jack was okay with her skinny dipping as long as she was mindful of the water temperature. He admitted he would feel better if the water was warmer, but they came up with a deal. If she stayed in more than twenty minutes, he called her out of the water and had her wrap in a warm towel. He turned to see Sam coming down the dock.

He raised his eyebrows in question as she kissed him. "I was going to ask her about something."

Jack nodded. "She is going swimming. I am going to warm a towel. Please drag her out in twenty minutes."

Sam nodded as she walked out onto the dock. She turned to Jack. "Warm two."

Jack smiled and waved acknowledgement over his shoulder as he walked to the cabin.

He watched from window as Cassie squealed. She and Sam had apparently gotten into water fight. Jack knew from experience that would be a fairly evenly matched bout. He looked at his watch. He smiled and grabbed the two warm towels and walked outside. "It's time to get out kiddies"

"Aw Jack!" Cassie whined.

Sam glanced at Jack then looked as Cassie. "Come on Cassie, let's get out. You know the rules when the water is cold."

Cassie looked sheepish a moment then nodded. "Yes ma'am."

Sam began to climb out when she felt a huge wave of water hit her naked back. She looked up in shock at Jack, who was trying very hard not to smirk. Sam turned back to Cassie. "Oh no you didn't."

Cassie grinned and failed to notice Sam coiling. She yelped in surprise as Sam sprung at her, ensuring she landed close enough to Cassie to give her a face full of water.

"You kids done clowning around yet?" Jack laughed.

Cassie and Sam looked at each other. They both smiled. They turned and moved closer to the dock. Jack caught the synchronized attack almost too late to dodge the incoming water. As it was, he managed to survive with some water down his side.

He looked back at the two women. "That will cost you your warm towels." He turned and made like he was going to walk away.

"Jack, we're sorry." Cassie called out.

Jack smiled and held out a towel for Sam, then handed her Cassie's towel as he turned and walked back to the cabin.

Sam came into the cabin a few moments later. He looked up from his magazine.

"She will be here in a moment." Sam replied to the unasked question. "I need to talk to you."

Jack nodded and looked out the back door to see Cassie sitting on the dock, smoking.

He turned to Sam. "So what did you tell her to give you time for?"

Sam gathered her thoughts. "I want to take her to Atlantis."

Jack's only response was to stare back at her.

"Atlantis? You want to take Cassie to another galaxy, arguably in the middle of a war?" he finally asked.

Sam flinched slightly. "Hear me out, Jack. If, and that's a big if, there is enough time after she talks to a counselor about her…experience, and before she has to go back to school, I would like to have her come spend some time in Atlantis with me."

"Sam, I know you want to always be there for Cassie, and God knows she would be better off with you close by than me, but…"

"Jack, this is not an indictment against your parenting. You have done as well as any parent could. That plus the fact the kid that did this is still alive shows how well you have done." Sam explained.

Seeing something cross his face made her heart stop. "Jack, the boy is still alive, right?"

"Yes, he is still alive. But I will admit killing him came to mind. Several times." Jack replied sullenly.

Sam sighed in relief.

"But back to the topic at hand. Sam, Atlantis is a dangerous place and more important, you know we don't allow families. If I made an exception for you…" Jack argued.

"Jack, the Wraith have been relatively quiet fighting amongst themselves lately and some still think Atlantis is destroyed. And I don't want Cassie to come as my daughter, although I admit that is a big part of it." Sam countered.

Seeing Jack indicate with his hand to continue Sam knew he was willing to listen. She also knew that was only because it was her.

"Physicals are coming due and Jennifer Keller could use help in medical and I think Cassie could help out." Sam explained.

"And?" Jack prodded, knowing there was more.

"For so long Cassie has had you and I as role models. And let's face it; we are not normal healthy role models." Sam continued.

Jack nodded. "And you think Keller is?" He had met the young doctor a few times, but admittedly did not know her other than what he read in Sam's reports.

"She is an outstanding doctor, and she is much stronger than she believes herself to be. She has grown a lot since coming to Atlantis but she is not trained in combat outside of basic survival skills and what has picked up from Sheppard, Teyla, and Ronan. I think it would be great for Cassie to see someone who can contribute and be an important part of a team without being super tough and always willing to fight."

Jack nodded. True enough. Cassie always had SG1 in her life, and for reasons no one could explain, they had always made it back. Well Daniel died a few times, but even he managed to return home. He glanced out the window and noticed Cassie coming toward the cabin.

"Let me think about it Sam." He replied.

"That's all I ask Jack." Sam answered. They both knew that Jack was going to give her suggestion a much higher regard than normal, but she also knew his need to protect Cassie would weigh heavily in his decision.

Cassie came in and smiled at them both. Something on their faces made her pause. "Everything okay guys?" She asked anxiously.

"All good Honey." Sam replied.

Jack nodded. "In fact, if you are still willing, I think I will call this lady and see if we can't get you an appointment." He said pulling the card Hank had given him out of his wallet.

Cassie looked apprehensive a moment, then nodded.

Jack placed the call while she and Sam went and got cleaned up.

Cassie came back to find Jack making breakfast and Sam setting the table. She looked over at Sam with a questioning glance. Sam nodded and went to the kitchen to take over.

Jack came out a few seconds later and indicated they should sit. "Okay, she will see you. Your first appointment is the day after tomorrow, so we will leave tomorrow. You will probably see her twice this week, to see what your needs are and stuff. Now Hank has good things to say about this woman, but she is not vetted so…"

Cassie nodded. "I am Cassandra from Toronto, not Hanka, and my parents don't fight across the galaxy for the safety of Earth and my uncle is not a former First Prime Jaffa who used to carry a larva Gao'uld around, and my other uncle hasn't died, moved a higher plane of existence and then come back home as a human several times"

Jack smiled. "Right. But, if you do decide you need to talk to someone who is vetted, then we will find one for you. Okay?"

Cassie nodded. As Jack started to get up Cassie grabbed his wrist. "Jack?"

He looked down at her and easily picked up on the apprehension on her face. "Yeah, Sweetheart?"

"You will be there with me right? You are going with me?" Cassie asked, pleading.

Jack smiled and hugged the young woman. "Cassie, if you need me there, I will be there, but don't forget, the doc may not want me in the session with you and we kind of have to go with her guidance, but I will be taking you and I will be there when you out if at all possible."

Cassie nodded. "Thanks Jack."

They ate breakfast and cleaned up. Jack asked if they wanted to go on a hike and everyone seemed willing so they enjoyed a nice peaceful walk around the woods near the cabin.

Later that afternoon, Sam gathered up her things and had placed her bag down in the living room. Cassie was holding her tightly with tears in her eyes. "I wish you didn't have to go." She pouted.

Sam hugged her tight, moisture evident in her eyes as well. "I do too Honey, but I told you I would not be able to stay long. It was kind of not a sanctioned trip home."

Cassie looked up at her with worry. "You won't be in trouble because of me will you?"

"My boss can be pretty demanding, but I can handle it I think" Sam said looking at Jack who merely smirked.

"Okay" Cassie said quietly. She stepped back to give Jack and Sam a private moment.

Jack walked over and they kissed. "Thanks for coming to bail me out."

"Jack, you were doing fine. This is just something no parent ever wants to deal with, but like everything else you and I have had to do, we back each other up and find out how to make it work. Just take care of my little girl." Sam said.

Jack nodded. "I will, and I will send updates."

Sam glanced over at Cassie. "And please, give serious consideration to my request."

Jack smiled. "I will".

Sam took her communicator out and placed it in her ear. She reached up to tap it then paused. "I love you both."

"I love you too" was heard in unison.

Sam smiled. "This is Carter. One to return to the SGC. A flash of white and she was gone.