Set after Orpheus (Season 7), fourteenth in the 'By My Side' Series
It's Cassie's high school graduation, and all the gang are there.
Author's Note: I hope this is ok. I'm only guessing with this whole graduation thing - I am not American, so I did a lot of guesswork based on TV and books. So please forgive me for any mistakes. I hope you like it, anyway:)
CharmedAli: Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it so much. Is this soon enough:)
Sci Fi Fan Gillian: Thanks!
feb04: Thanks:)
Vickysg: I'm so happy you loved it! And here is the next part you were so looking forward to:)
froggy0319: Thanks you so much for your high praise:) Yes, I just love that episode too! I thought it would be worth changing around Sam and Jack's relationship, as it opened some great possibilities:) He he, I'm glad there's no need for shooting... yet! (I can't promise you won't want to in future parts!)
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"Cassie, honey! It's time to get up!" Janet called up the stairs.
Cassie rolled over, and looked at her clock, it was 7:08. And today was her graduation. With that thought came ten million butterflies, swarming in her stomach. Well, it was here, one of the most significant days of her life, and the dawn of change. She felt very solemn.
Until her mother called her again, "Cassie, come on, up you get!"
Shaking herself from her reverie, she bounded down the stairs, to see if her mother had cooked something special for breakfast. She had specially taken two days off from her medical duties at the SGC. For that, Cassie was truly grateful. The fact that her mother worked such long hours, meant that she wasn't always on hand, though at Cassie's age, she was basically able to care for herself. She walked down the stairs, to see her mom, in her bathrobe, standing over the stove-top, flipping pancakes.
Cassie's mouth watered. As nervous as she was, butterflies couldn't compete with pancakes!
"Mmm," Cassie murmured appreciatively, and went to hug her mother. "Morning, Mom. Smells great!"
Janet smiled. "I thought it would make a nice breakfast. Since we'll have a late lunch, this ought to fill you," and with that, she started to fill-up Cassie's plate.
Cassie took her plate and sat down. "It feels really strange. I mean, graduating is exciting and all, but I'm really nervous about starting college in the fall," she expressed.
"I know, sweetie, it's perfectly normal to feel that way. So, relax, enjoy today, and we'll make the most of your summer vacation," Janet reassured her.
"Thanks Mom," and with that, Cassie tucked into her breakfast.
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After getting showered, organised, and dressed, followed by a phone call from Janet's parents to wish the young graduate their congratulations, it was time to leave for the school. The ceremony was to be held in the auditorium there. As they were walking through the door, Janet looked at her daughter proudly. "You're all grown up now sweetie," Janet broke off, feeling teary, and the two embraced, careful not to mess Cassie's blue gown.
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At the school, they met with Daniel, Teal'c, Jack, and Sam. They all gathered around Cassie and fussed over her. They all took turns hugging the girl that they had helped raise, and they were all grinning like idiots. So was Cassie, for that matter.
Jack teased her, "Well, when you're all famous, don't forget us little people."
Cassie laughed. "I've still got college to get through yet!"
"And we're very pleased that that you've done so well. You were a shoo-in for all of your college choices!" Sam enthused.
Cassie smiled in reply, Sam was so determined that would be a part of the Stargate program someday. Something to do with her destiny, or whatever. Either way, she didn't mind. She hoped use her skills there someday, in the science field. After the chance for life the SGC had given her, she wanted to give back to them, especially since it was such an important cause.
Once again her solemn thoughts were broken off. This time, it was by her friends, Amber and Natalie, running up to her. She heard one of their mothers calling out for them to 'watch their gowns'. The trio hugged tightly.
"Can you believe it's our graduation? I'm going to miss you guys so much, come September!" red-haired Amber burst out.
"Yeah, I know! It'll never be three of us again. It's so scary and exciting!" the slightly chubby blonde Natalie chimed in.
"I know, I know!" Cassie replied, squeezing their arms.
But the group soon had to break apart, since it was time to get ready for the ceremony. They re-brushed their hair, checked their make-up, adjusted their gowns, and departed.
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Janet, Sam, Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c watched as Cassie received her diploma from the school principal. Janet, Sam, and Daniel madly took photos. As Cassie walked down from the stage, she flicked her hat, and looked proudly on, before moving on. Janet was glad for all of the tissues she had brought with her - she certainly needed them! She felt so proud, that the child she had taken on five and a half years ago, was here, nearly and adult, about to begin a life for herself. Sam was pretty teary herself, the frightened girl she had bonded with after her entire world had been killed was no longer a child, but an independent young woman.
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After the ceremony, The five adults met with Cassie, and made her pose for more photos, this time, with Janet. However, Cassie convinced all of them to pose with her, and asked Natalie to take the photo for them. Then she posed for various photos with several different friends.
With this out of the way, Cassie had to leave them for the professional photographs, and would join them later. In the meantime, the adults were left to mingle, and eat from the trays of food being offered.
Cassandra's physics teacher, Ms Rooney a mid-thirty-ish woman, came over and spoke to them. "I've been very pleased with Cassandra's performance this year in physics - in all of the science subjects, actually," she told Janet. "I hope she'll enter the field of science, and that we'll hear a lot more about her."
Janet smiled. "Then I ought to mention that my friend here, Samantha Carter, has a PhD in astrophysics, and has pushed Cassandra in that area."
Sam blushed. "Janet, you have encouraged her just as much in biology and chemistry."
The teacher smiled. "I can see why she is so dedicated. And Dr. Carter, it's a pleasure. I've read some of your work. Fascinating - wormholes don't sound quite so far in the future as they might seem."
"Well, the Air Force has been very supportive of my research in the field," Sam told the woman.
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After a little while, Cassandra joined them again, but soon ran off again to talk to a young male graduate. Because of this, she kept a distance from the group. To everyone's amusement, she appeared to be giggling a lot, as well as standing fairly close to him.
Janet ginned and whispered, "She hasn't taken so much interest in a guy, since she broke up with Dominic."
Jack jokingly made a 'protective-father' face, and asked, "Would you like me to deal with him?"
The group laughed.
Teal'c added, "If you require any assistance, I would be happy to oblige."
The group laughed harder. Cassie turned, and gave them a 'cool it' look.
Daniel remarked, "Ah, young love."
Sam asked, "So, how are you with her leaving for Chicago in the fall?"
Janet looked sad. "It will be a part of my life over, I'll be all by myself again. And here, you two are, and it hasn't even begun for you yet."
Sam hugged her friend. "You'll just have to come around and keep me company, Jan."
"Thanks," Janet showed her appreciation, giving Sam a quick squeeze.
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Finally, the time came where the group went out for their meal. It was enjoyable for all, and all presented Cassie with gifts. Sam and Jack presented the young graduate with a necklace and a check, Daniel presented her with some books he hoped might be of use to her in some archaeological studies, Teal'c presented her with a digital camera, and Janet presented her with a brand new laptop computer. Cassie was pleased with all of these gifts.
After their meal, the party broke up, and Cassie went off to join some of her friends.
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On their way home, Jack and Sam talked.
"Can you believe that that grown woman up there was the scared little child we rescued from Hanka nearly six years ago?" Sam said, a little tearfully.
"It's amazing isn't it?" Jack agreed. "It shows it's all worthwhile. Even if it all puts more and more grey in my hair."
Sam laughed. "You still look as sexy as ever!"
That made Jack grin.
"How did your own high school graduation go?" Sam asked. "I know I'll never forget mine."
"Why?" Jack asked, wondering if he really wanted to know the answer.
Seeing him look, she laughed. "Nah, it was no big deal... it was just hilarious. We had a real prankster in our class, and he pulled a few funny stunts."
"Such as?" Jack asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Well, for starters, when the principal walked to the front of the room, this guy, he set Darth Vader's theme blaring through the PA system," Sam chuckled, remembering.
Jack laughed. "What else?"
"Um, he put glue on some of the chairs... Dad was less that amused by that, by the way," Sam grinned.
Jack had an image of Jake, in full uniform, walking around with a chair stuck to his butt, and snorted. He would use that little piece of the information at just the right time.
"What happened to the guy?" Jack asked curiously.
Sam rolled her eyes as she thought back. "Oh, he went on to be a stand-up comedian, among other things. Last year he was indicted for fraud."
"Why am I not surprised?" Jack smirked.
"So what about you? Anything out of the ordinary at yours?" she asked
"Um, the night before, me and a couple of buddies went out to celebrate. With my buddy's brothers ID, I might add. Needless to say, the next day, I wasn't feeling the best. I spent the morning over the toilet bowl, and Mom dragged me there by the ear," Jack recounted.
Sam laughed, she could well imagine that. Jack must've been quite the lad.
After a pause, Sam spoke again, "Jack?" she asked.
"Yeah?" Jack replied.
"I love you," Sam leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"And I love you. I don't know what I would do without you?" Jack told her.
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Coming Soon on Story 15: Gotcha!