I want to thank all of you that have sent through feedback to me. I have really enjoyed writing this story, and I am surprised I am on Part 5 of all things ( Thanks again!!

Title: Alone in a Empty House Author: Serendipity Summary: What happens next Category: Agnst, Hurt/Comfort/S/J Authors Notes: They don't belong to me. Dedicated to Kathy

Carter's POV

I was sure he would come to me at some point during all of this. I just didn't expect him to be waiting for me at my house.

In his truck, crying.

I didn't expect that at all.

I knew that I needed him to be here for me.

And I am glad he is here.

But the sight of him in his truck like that.

All I wanted to do is take him in my arms and support him with all my might.

I have lost one of best friends, but also so has he.

As I open the door Cassie is the first one through the door, and I step in to hold the door for the Colonel, who is taking his time for some reason.

He walks up to me and stops right in front of me, as he reaches for me I pull him towards me in an embrace. He wraps his arms around my waist and hold me so close.

There are so many things going through my mind right now.

My tears start to flow again, and I can tell that his are too.

He whispers to me, and I am barely able to understand, but I do. He said he was sorry.

Much to my dismay he pulls away, but not totally. His hand finds mine and we close the door behind us and Cassie is once again in my arms.

This is so hard. I don't know how I am going to get through this. I don't know how Cassie is.

I feel the Colonel (should I keep referring to him in such an official way, here? Like this?) anyway, he reaches up and rests his hand on my back and from where I am standing it looks like Cassie's too.

Silently giving us strength. Or wanting to join us in the embrace.

I think he needs us just as much right now.

A while later, Cassie goes into 'her' room and silently shuts the door.

Jack said he would gather Cassie's stuff from my car and bring it in the house for me.

Which is good because I don't think I have the strength to do much of anything right now.

So I put some tea on and sit down on my couch, my legs curled up under me. I just stare out the window in front of me.

God I miss her already.

If she were here she would know exactly what to say to cheer me up. It would probably be something like 'Sam, you know, they would not like you to sit here alone in your house, feeling guilty over something you couldn't have avoided.'

Yeah yeah yeah, I have had that conservation with her, oh about every time Jack has gone missing.

But now I am sitting here alone, I don't know what to do. Cassie won't stop crying, and neither will Jack.

I don't even feel him sit down next to me on the couch. I know he wants to talk, I know he does. But I am not sure I can talk right now.

I want him close, but I don't. And I don't know how to feel or what to do.

I would feel guilty if I sent him home... so I can't do that. But, I just don't want to talk to anyone.

So here I sit here, my feet curled up under me... and next to the man...

Umm, anyway, I can see the wheels turning in his mind, I have to put a stop to this. I can't do this right now.

"Carter...Sam.." There is such sadness in his voice, I am unsure of what to actually say to him.

"Jack, I..." I look up at him, "I can't talk about this right now, I just can't."

Sadness is just pouring out of me, I can feel the tears again.

I feel so guilty.

This all my fault.

I think he can see what I am feeling, just by looking into my eyes.

"Sam, this is not your fault."

I just stare blankly at him. How can he say that?

"How can you say that?"

"Because she was treating the injured, she was doing her job. You had nothing to do with it."

"Yes I did."

Doesn't he get it?

"No Sam, you didn't. What did she do, tell you she was going to die in the locker room this morning."

How did he know?

"Not in so many words, no."

"Sam, you didn't do this."

"Yes I did, don't you see?"

I am angry now, voice raised, damn it listen to me!

"You are going to wake Cassie, Sam, calm down."

"No I will not calm down Sir! This is my house, and you are my guest. I will not ask you to go home, for the shear fact that I don't want you driving home in this... I don't know what this is. But don't you dare tell me that I am not responsible for my best friends death, because I am!."

I can't sit here anymore so I get up forcefully I might add and step over his legs. As I do he reaches for my hand and I pull it away.

Silently I go into my room and close the door.

Silence and darkness.

I strip down into my sleep clothes and get into bed. All I want to do is cry myself to sleep.

Cassie's POV

I knew they would think I was asleep. I wasn't, I was just sitting in what I would normally call my second room.

I think now it's my room though.

I put up some pictures of mom and me, and I was just laying in bed looking at them.

I started to drift off, when I heard talking and then Sam's raised voice. They were arguing. I heard Sam say something about mom's death being her fault.

I hope it's not true. I know it can't be, that maybe it's just the guilt talking.

I hope it is.

I wait a few minutes, should I go out and see if everything is alright? I don't think I should. I don't want to get into the middle of this, but I want to know.

I don't want my family to argue.

That's what these guys are now, they are my family. Not that they weren't before, it just takes on new meaning now.

I hear Sam walk to her room and close the door.

Well I know jack is still out there. Maybe I will go check on him in a minute.

I straighten my mom's picture and climb off the bed. Checking my eyes in the mirror, I slowly open my door and step out.

Why am I being so cautious?

I see jack sitting on the couch all alone. He has tears in his eyes, like he just lost his second best friend in the world.

Maybe I should try and talk to him.

"Jack?"

"Hey Cassie, how are you feeling?"

"I am okay, considering."

"Do you want something to eat, I am sure Sam has something for you to eat..."

"I am not hungry." I pause and sit down next to him on the couch. "Where is Sam?"

"She went to bed."

"I heard you guys arguing."

"Yeah."

"Why?"

He looks so sad right now, I don't know what to say or do to make him feel better.

"Sam, is carrying around a lot of guilt for what happened to your mom."

"But she didn't have anything to do with what happened, did she?"

"No Cassie she didn't. Although she thinks she does."

"I have to talk to her."

He reaches out to me and stops my retreat.

"No I would just leave her alone right now Cassie."

"But..."

"Cassie."

"Okay, but can I sit here with you?"

"Of course."

We sit for a while, not saying anything, just enjoying each others company.

It was so nice not to be alone.

"Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"What happened to my mom?"

"I don't think I should tell you Cassie."

"I want to know, please."

"She was helping an injured member when she was shot."

"Was it painless?"

"I would like to think so Cassie."

"I wish I could have said goodbye."

"I know." He pauses for a moment, "But she wanted me to tell you that she will always love you."

"You were with her?"

"Yeah, Cassie I am so sorry, if I could trade places..."

"Don't say that Jack."

"I think I am going to go watch some tv, then hopefully go to sleep." I tell him.

"Don't stay up to late Cassie."

"I won't. I think you should go check on Sam in a little bit, she was crying before."

"Yeah."

"Be easy on her Jack."

Jack's POV

Well if she got any smarter then, I'd be in real trouble.

I will go check on Sam like Cassie asked me to.

I just hope she wants to see me.

I need to see her.