They walked into the ice cream shop and ordered. As they sat, Jack not for the first time wondered how the small, young woman could eat so much ice cream.
She looked sheepishly at him as she realized he was watching her. "Sorry," She said through a smile, "I haven't had ice cream in a while."
Jack laughed. "Yeah, it's been at least two whole days." He teased.
He was rewarded with a chocolate colored tongue stuck out at him.
Cassie's next appointment went smoothly. This time Jack stayed in in the waiting room the whole time.
By the third week Cassie had shown a marked improvement. She was more like herself and while she still sometimes startled easily, it was not the cringing, scared reaction she had been having. She smiled more and was not as anxious when Jack was not close by, although admittedly, he never did go very far from her, but was not worried about leaving her for a few minutes. And Jack had not had to sooth her from nightmares in almost two weeks. She was becoming more her old self again, in fact, she had begun to study for the finals she knew she had to make up and was determined to make good grades. She cut back her smoking even more. Jack had recorded all of this into a video for Sam, so she could stay up to date on Cassie's progress and had Hank transmit it through on one of the scheduled contact times with Atlantis.
As with all things, it was due to change however. Cassie came out of her appointment into the waiting room. She looked around and was surprised to see Daniel waiting on her as opposed to Jack. She felt her apprehension rise, then took a deep breath and suppressed it. She knew she had nothing to fear and Daniel certainly was her family.
She walked over to him as he stood up. "Hi Cassie."
She gave him a hug. Other than a few cookouts at Jack's which Jack had insisted on in order to give Daniel and Teal'c a chance to spend time with her, she had not seen a lot of them since her going to Jack's for help. She felt guilty.
"Hi Daniel. Where's Jack?" Cassie looked around. "And…Murray?"
"Jack had to go to D.C. He couldn't avoid it, although between you and I, he tried hard." Daniel answered. "He asked me to come here and wait on you. Murray is waiting outside."
Cassie nodded and they walked outside. She saw Teal'c standing outside, apparently fascinated by two hummingbirds using a feeder hung off the eaves of the building. She walked over and hugged him.
"Hi Teal'c"
"Hello Cassandra Frasier. I trust you are well?" Teal'c asked.
Cassie turned to face both of them. "I assume Jack told you what happened?"
They both shook their heads and Daniel spoke up. "Cassie, Jack just said to make sure one of us was here for you when you came out, and to make sure you got home okay. He said it would be up to you to share whatever you felt comfortable with, and both Teal'c and I are okay with that, but want you to know that we both love you and if you need anything, we are here."
Cassie smiled. She looked over and saw Jack's truck. She reached into her purse and pulled out the spare set of keys. "Ice cream?"
Daniel, in his car, followed Teal'c and Cassie in Jack's truck to the ice cream parlor and they sat and enjoyed their ice cream. Cassie could not help but smile at the huge amount of ice cream Teal'c was eating. She told them both about what happened to her and how Jack had been forced to take a leave of absence to help her and now she was in therapy.
They both listened attentively until she was done. Teal'c looked over his now empty bowl, eyeing Daniel's remaining ice cream. Daniel caught the look and moved his bowl out of reach.
Teal'c then looked at Cassie. "And where would someone find this man, John?"
Cassie knew immediately where this would go and knew it would end badly for John if the big Jaffa actually got hold of him. "It's okay Teal'c. I know now what a weasel he is. He is not worth your effort, but thank you."
"How does he compare to furry mammal?"
"Well, if it helps, Jack called him a degenerate ba…"
"Okay," Daniel interjected quickly. "I think we can guess what Jack called him. Teal'c I will explain the analogy later. I will have to talk to Jack about his…terminology, and you know how Sam feels about you emulating Jack's language."
Cassie's face took on a sheepish look and she nodded. Even as an adult, Sam still frowned on Cassie using foul language and she was quick to fuss at Jack for using it in front of her.
They finished their ice cream and then went back to Jack's house. They sat around talking, catching up, gossiping, but as time went by Daniel noticed Cassie kept glancing at her watch more often and seemed to be a little more apprehensive. Jack had warned him that he had been constantly nearby Cassie for the last few weeks and while he thought she was fine, Daniel needed to watch for signs she was getting nervous.
"Cassie, I am sure Jack is doing all he can to get back quickly, and Teal'c and I will remain here with you until he is back." Daniel said.
Cassie sighed. "Sorry. I just…"
"It's okay. You have been through a lot and Jack has been a constant presence to help you through it. It's understandable." Daniel said.
"Yes, he really has gone above and beyond. I don't think…" Her voice trailed off.
"He would do anything for you Cassandra Frasier, as would any of us" Teal'c interjected.
"I appreciate that, guys." Cassie said.
They talked some more and finally turned on the television to see what was on. Daniel was in fact beginning to worry about how late Jack would be coming back. He and Teal'c had a mission tomorrow with SG5 but he already knew he would not leave Cassie alone if Jack had not returned. He got up and went to the kitchen where he knew Jack kept the takeout menus. It would soon be time for supper and he knew that Jack had begun enforcing regular eating times on Cassie to get her back into a routine, and although he knew Sam had ordered Jack to cut back on the take-out for Cassie, he and Teal'c were not the best choices for cooking meals for the young woman. He pulled out takeout menus from nearby Chinese, Mexican, and Italian restaurants and walked back in the living room.
Everyone settled on Chinese and Daniel placed the order, adding extra in case Jack showed up. He had just hung up the phone when a flash of light appeared and Jack was standing in the living room. He looked up just in time to offset the impact of Cassie's full speed hug.
"Hey, I was only gone a little while." He said through his smile.
"I know. Just missed you." Cassie said, but not letting go.
"I'm sorry Cassie. I just couldn't get out of it."
She finally pulled back. "I know, and I don't mean to be so clingy. It's…well, I will work on it." She said quietly.
Jack grinned at her as he mussed her hair. "Don't work on it too hard. It's kind of nice to be wanted. Now I am going to change."
A few minutes after he returned the doorbell rang. He raised his eyebrows in question at Daniel.
"Uh, we kind of ordered Chinese." Daniel responded.
Jack nodded moving to the door. He stopped and turned back. "Just so we are in agreement…"
"Do not worry O'Neill. Colonel Carter needn't be made aware of our dining choice in this instance." Teal'c spoke up.
Daniel and Cassie nodded agreement.
"Right." Jack said turning back to the door; somehow sure that Sam already knew and was plotting his punishment.
They ate at the table and enjoyed each other's company. They finished their food and Cassie helped Jack clean up while Teal'c and Daniel prepared to return to the SGC as they had a very early departure tomorrow.
Daniel found a moment to quickly brief Jack on Cassie filling them in on what happened and her apprehension at his absence. He also told Jack call again if he needed help with Cassie.
"Thanks Daniel, I appreciate it." Jack said.
Daniel nodded. "Jack, I know sometimes you have doubts, but you have been doing a great job. Cassie couldn't ask for better."
Jack smiled. "I just hope she never has to endure something like this again."
"Me too. Oh and uh, on that note, I don't recommend ever telling Teal'c where to find John. If he finds him, it will not end well." Daniel warned.
Jack looked back at the big Jaffa giving Cassie a goodbye hug. "Yeah, I can see that."
Later that night, Jack and Cassie sat in the living room, Cassie going over her session with Jack while she had a glass of wine.
"Doctor Reagan thinks I can cut back on my sessions. She says I need to gain my independence back." She concluded.
"How often does she want you to come?" Jack asked.
Cassie frowned slightly. "She didn't say, but she wanted you to call her tomorrow."
"Okay, I will call her in the morning then." Jack said.
The next morning Jack called Doctor Reagan. She stated that she felt Cassie was ready to cut to a twice a month visit and suggested Jack find something for her to do to occupy her mind. Jack then asked about the possibility of going a month without a meeting so Cassie could take a trip. A little back and forth and the assurance that Cassie would have access to care if an incident came up and Doctor Reagan was willing to sign off on it, provided that Cassie came to see her within five days of her return.