Ties that Bind pt 14

See disclaimer etc in pt 1


We arrived back at the Colonel's house after the service and Murphy had everything under control. She had put the posters that Cassie made on stands in the living room with flowers all around the room. She had set up tables and chairs outside, and had the caterers set up the food in the dining room. I decided to get out of my dress blues, opting for something casual. By the time I had finished changing, people were already arriving. Mrs. Riley, Janet's neighbor, came with others from the Senior Center where Janet and Cassie had volunteered at. Cassie's friends from school also came to show their support, and quickly surrounded her with hugs and kisses.

We were all gathered in the dining room when General Hammond arrived with my dad. The General said that Senator Kinsey was not very happy about the lack of respect shown to him at the service, and had threaten to get Daniel kicked out of the SGC program. General Hammond threatened to call the President, making Kinsey back down. But he left reminding General Hammond that his time was also numbered at the SGC, and he should get his retirement letter ready. Daniel said he should have just hit him. It would have made him feel better, and he probably would have gotten a standing ovation from the whole base. The General chuckled and said that Kinsey wasn't worth Daniel's time or effort. He also said that he was proud of us for the wonderful and caring words we spoke about Janet. There hadn't been a dry eye in the house and he couldn't have hoped for better.

Ferretti and Murphy came in and handed us all a beers. I said I wanted to propose a toast. "To Janet Fraiser: the best friend anyone could have ever had. We are all richer having known her. May her memory live on in our hearts forever,"

The day passed by quickly. More and more SGC staff arrived, and I could see Daniel talking to some of the nurses. Teal'c was keeping on eye on Cassie and her friends, and the General and my dad were talking to Ferretti and Murphy, getting the latest information on what we had found out.

I went to look at the posterboards in tribute to Janet. She was so full of life. I remember some of the pictures being taken, but others I would have to ask Cassie about. I sensed someone and turned to find Jack at my side.

"I bet Doc was really upset at Cassie for taking that one," Jack said, pointing at the one with Janet in hair rollers and a facemask.

I nodded yes, smiling. "Most of these pictures are of birthdays, Christmas and Thanksgivings we all shared. It's going to be hard when the holidays come around again. She used to organize all that stuff. She said it was for Cassie's benefit, but honestly I think she also did it for us since we really don't have anyone else to celebrate with. I don't know what I'm going to do with out her. She was always there. Who am I going to lean on when the going gets tough?" I asked.

He took my hand and squeezed it. "What am I, chop liver? We are going to work "us" out. As soon as all this all blows over, we are going to have a chance to really figure things out. I'm here for you Sam, never forget that," Jack whispered.

Before I could respond, his cell phone rang. Answering it, he told me it was Harry. I went and found the General, Dad and Ferretti, informing them that Jack was on the phone with Maybourne. We waited to see what he had found out.

After he hung up with Harry, he walked over and asked me to bring Teal'c and Daniel to the side of the house. He had some news and wanted to talk without being overheard.

Harry had followed Kinsey and his people back to the hotel. Since Murphy had found out what hotel he was staying at, she had gone up to his room and bugged the place. Kinsey apparently had been in a foul mood after the service.

"It seemed the good senator was not to happy that he didn't get his way at the service and was cursing the SGC and especially SG-1 for ruining his plans," Jack said.

"Harry's also said he's coming by. He needs back up to meet one of his contacts. He's on his way, but he warned me that we have some unwanted guests in the front. They're keeping tabs on our comings and goings, so we have to be careful. Ferretti, Teal'c. I need you to come with me. We don't want to take any chances since we are getting close to the truth. Daniel, Carter. Keep an eye on Cassie. Murphy. Harry emailed you some pictures he wants you to work your magic on and see what you could find out about them. He also asked if you had gotten any information on Smith," Jack said.

Murphy nodded no but said she was still working on it. "Major Palmer follow him on the base, swiping a cup he used so I could run his prints. But with the service being today, that was all put on the back burner. I could go back to the SGC. He left it in my lab. As soon as I get a good one print, I'll be able to find out who he really is. Permission to go back to base, Sir?" Murphy asked Ferretti.

General Hammond said he was going back to the base and Murphy asked if she could get a ride. I wanted to go with Jack, but I knew he would say no. We all couldn't just disappear. All that would do is draw suspicion from those watching the house and those attending the wake. So I wished them all good luck and made sure they each had a cell phone to keep in contact.

The Colonel, Ferretti, and Teal'c snuck out through the back so they wouldn't be followed. General Hammond and Murphy left through the front. Daniel and I went back inside.

We kept moving around, keeping our guard up and looking for anything out of the ordinary. I spoke with Felger and Combs, who had arrived late, and were telling me their stories of Janet. Daniel was talking to Palmer and Russell, asking them to keep an eye on the men in front. I quickly scanned the room but could not find Cassie. I started going room to room. I asked Dad to check the bedrooms to see if she had gone into hiding. Getting Daniel's attention, he came over and I asked if he had seen Cassie.

He hadn't, and said he'd go check outside and see if he could find her out there. As time went by, I began to panic. I asked everyone if they had seen her and they all responded no. I went in search of her friends, and when I finally found them, they were a little tipsy. I asked them where Cassie was and what they had been doing. They looked at each other nervously and said they were only trying to help by giving her alcohol to take away the pain, but Cassie had started rambling about other planets and not being normal and about men that were after her and her family.

"We were coming to look for you Major Carter. She's really scaring us. We were only trying to make her feel better, but I guess we overdid it," one of the girls said.

I tried to calm myself down. "Can you please take me to her?"

They led me to the Colonel's roof where I saw a ladder going up to it. I told them to go and find Daniel. While they did that, I climbed up the ladder. When I got to the top, I saw Cassie sitting with an empty bottle of wine next to her.

I told myself to stay calm. She was hurting and her friends were only trying to help, but this wasn't the way to deal with her loss. I sat down next to her and could see she was crying.

"Cassie, what are you doing up here, and how could you be drinking alcohol? You saw what it did to Daniel the other day. Plus, you scared Daniel and I to death when we couldn't find you. Cassie honey, I know this hurts, but alcohol is not the answer. You can't just erase what happened by drinking; you have to deal with it. I know it hurts, but I'll be here to help you through the pain," I said.

She looked at me and her lips started to quiver. "I just wanted to stop hurting Sam. I hurt all over. I just didn't want to feel anything anymore. I'm tired of people tell me how sorry they are. My friends were only trying to help. I know that's not an excuse, but they said a couple of drinks would make me forget that I was entitled to it; that since I had just lost my mom, nobody would blame me for doing it. But all I've done is disappoint you and everyone else. I'm sorry, I should have known better, but I just wanted to stop these feelings. I thought this was the answer, that it would make me happy. But all I feel is sick, and if this roof doesn't stop spinning I think I'm going to fall off."

"We'll talk about this later. Right now, we need to get you down from here. Do you think you can make it down the ladder, or do I have to carry you down," I asked.

"No, I can make it with your help."

She stood up and almost stumbled. Grabbing onto me, I steadied her and started to help her to the ladder. I heard Daniel climbing up the ladder. Reaching the top of the roof, he saw me trying to steady Cassie and knew exactly why she was swaying. Daniel looked at me and I nodded my head, telling him that now was not the time to lecture her of the evils of alcohol. He came next to her and helped me get her to the edge of the roof.

He climbed down and held the ladder steady. Dad came around the corner, as did Major Palmer and Captain Russell. I asked her again if she could do this and she nodded yes.

She made it down slowly and was helped by my dad. I climbed down next and Daniel asked who had given her the alcohol. I told him that her friends were only trying to help and suggested to him that he round the girls up and try to sober them up before they headed home. I didn't want a gang of angry parents calling me wondering why I had served alcohol to a bunch of teenagers.

As soon as I reached Cassie, she grabbed my hand. "Sam, I don't feel so good. I think I'm going to be sick."

I took her inside and straight to the bathroom. I knew she had learned her lesson. I heard a knock on the door, and I left Cassie and answered the door. It was an airman that I didn't recognize. I asked him what I could help him with and he said that he was relaying a message from Dr. Jackson that he wanted us to meet him by the garage in 10 minutes; something to do with Colonel O'Neill. I thanked him and went back to Cassie.

I cleaned her up with a washcloth and sat her on the edge of the tub. I told her I was going to get her something to wear. She said okay and I went to get her clothes.

Walking through the living room, almost everyone had already left. Cassie asked what had happen to her friends and I told her that Daniel had sobered them up and had Major Palmer taking them home. She apologized again and promised me that she would call them to apologize for her actions and to see exactly what she had let slip about her past life. "Hopefully, they'll think I was so drunk that I was talking nonsense," Cassie said.

We were heading toward the side of the house when I heard a noise behind me. I turned and saw no one. Cassie kept walking. When she passed a tree, she was grabbed into the shadows. I tried to run to help her but was also grabbed. I could feel someone behind me with what felt like a gun.

I was told to not scream, that if I tried anything that Cassie would be hurt. He asked if I understood and I nodded yes. I was then told to walk towards the tree.

Walking to the tree, I saw the airman who had given me Daniel's message with his arm around a struggling Cassie.

"Sam, what's happening?" Cassie asked.

Before I could answer the man holding her gripped her tighter and pulled out a Zat gun, telling her to be quiet and that no one would get hurt if we cooperated. If not, he would shoot us. Cassie began to whimper, but I told her that everything would be alright and not to worry, that I would not let them harm her.

The airman, apparently named Kelly, told Peters to tie her hands behind her back. He then asked me to put my hands behind my back. When I didn't comply fast enough, I heard him cock his gun and point it at Cassie. I told them I would do anything they wanted and if they stopped pointing the gun at her, I would comply. I let him tie my hands behind my back and found myself wondering what had happened to Daniel, Dad and Captain Russell.

Then Peters came closer and whispered, "I bet you're wondering where Dr. Jackson is? Let's just say he's indisposed and when your dad finds him, we will be long gone. Kelly, tie the kid up and tape her mouth. Her whimpering is getting on my nerves. The sooner we leave, the better."

They had this planned all along. How else would they know that the Colonel, Teal'c and Ferretti wouldn't be here? They had sent them on a wild goose chase to make their job easier. I was looking for something that I could do to stop them, but couldn't find anything.

Looking at Cassie, I knew what she was thinking. I nodded my head slowly, not wanting to tip them off. She looked at me and nodded yes. She motioned to her left and I knew she was going to try to bring him down. We had to try at least she would get away.

Airman Kelly had grabbed Cassie around the chest and was surprised when she used all her might to strike him on the side of his ribs with her elbow, pulling him over her shoulder with one swift move. My captor was just as surprised when I turned around and disarmed him by throwing my whole body towards him, knocking us to the ground.

The rest was a blur. I heard Cassie scream at the top of her lungs. I yelled at Cassie to run, but Kelly yanked her to the ground, and they struggled to get the Zat gun he had dropped. My captor was trying to get up, but I knocked him down again. I heard the Zat gun and turned around to see another man coming towards us. I struggled to get up to stop him from shooting Cassie. But I didn't get too far because Peters came up behind me and knocked me on the head with the butt of his gun as everything faded to black.

I was coming around. I could hear voices and tried to get up, but was held back. I began to struggle, butheard the Zat gun. I opened my eyes and tried to focus on where I was. I was still at the Colonel's house and tried to see who was talking. When my head stopped spinning, I could see Jack, Ferretti and Dad with guns in their hands, trying to talk to who ever had me. I tried to speak, but the Colonel nodded no. I looked around and found Cassie on the floor unconscious in front of me, with Kelly next to her. So I assumed that it was Peter's who held me captive.

"You're crazy if you think your going to get away. Do you think I'm going to let you walk out of here with her? You signed your own death certificate as soon as you hurt her and Cassie. You must not have worked at the SGC long enough to know me well enough. So I'll ask you one more time let her go, and I'll let you walk out of here alive. You know your friends are gone by now. We saw them leave as soon as we pulled up. Be smart. Let her go and nobody gets hurt," the Colonel said.

I stared at Jack, but his attention was on Peter's. I could tell he wanted to kill Peters with his bare hands for trying to take Cassie and for hurting me. But he kept his focus on getting me free.

Peter's looked at Jack. "I'm not letting her go O'Neill. I read your file. You're tough enough, but you don't know who I am. So back off. Pointing the Zat at Dad and Ferretti, he told them to drop their weapons or I was going to be killed.

They looked at Jack, and he nodded. They dropped their guns and were told to move away from us. We started to move toward the front. I was being dragged since I wouldn't move. Peter's whispered in my ear that I'd better cooperate. I started to walk backwards with him.

"O'Neill, I need your keys. Throw them in front of me, and nothing funny, or I'll shot the pretty major here," Peter's sneered.

Fishing for his keys from his pocket, he threw them behind him. Peters raised the Zat and fired. I was scared as Ferretti went down. Dad and Jack came closer, but the Zat was pointed at me and they both stopped. Peters pulled me back and stopped. Tears started to roll down my face. I looked at both at them. "Do what he wants. Don't try anything else, Sir. Dad, please."

"Listen to the little lady. Major, now please pick up the keys by your foot." I looked down and saw the Colonel's keys. Looking at Jack, I could see he was looking behind us. I knew that something was going to happen, so I slowly started to bend down to get the keys.

I heard a noise behind us, and Peters was distracted enough for the Colonel to surge forward. He grabbed me out of Peter's grasp and rolled us away from harm. Teal'c came up behind Peter's and had him disarmed and on the floor in seconds.

Jack asked if I was okay. I said yes and tried to sit up. He let Dad help me while he went over to where Peter's was being held by Teal'c. Dad asked if I was okay, but I waved him away and started towards Cassie. She was still unconscious and looked so pale. I pulled her towards me and held her close.

Kelly was dead and I pulled Cassie away from him. Then I heard Daniel yelling out our names.

He came around the corner and stopped at the scene in front of him. Cassie started to stir and began to flay her arms around and scream. I tried to hold her down, but needed Daniel's help to calm her. She recognized me after she got her bearings and hugged me tightly. She had thought that I was dead after Peters had knocked me out. They had zatted her after that and that's all she remembered. I told her it was all over and that the guys had saved the day. I tried to help her up but as soon as I stood, I felt dizzy and almost fell. But two strong arms held me up. Turning, I saw that it was Jack. I said thank you and he held on to me tightly. He asked Cassie if she was alright, but she didn't answer. She just continued to look at the man on the floor that had tried to kidnap her.

"It's over Cassie. We'll get the information we need from these two and it will all be over," Jack said. He also said that he wanted to check the house before we went inside. He didn't want any more surprises.

So we moved to the deck. Daniel brought out blankets for Cassie and I. After everyone left, we went into the living room and sat on the couch. Jack had kept Dr. Warner behind to check us out. He had his medical bag with him and started to check Cassie out. Other than some cuts and bruises, she would be alright.

He then started on me and clean and dressed the gash Peters had given me when he knocked me on the head. He really wanted me to come with him to the SGC but I said no. I was needed here and I wasn't going to leave Cassie. He said he would be on call if we needed anything. Leaving a sedative for Cassie, Dr. Warner then left.

They had tried again, and almost succeeded, in taking Cassie. I closed my eyes to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. Daniel sat next to Cassie and pulled her into his arms as she started to cry. I turned away. This was all my fault. I couldn't protect her. Maybourne had warned us that they would stop at nothing to take her and I guess I didn't take him seriously. I scolded myself for being so careless and not keeping my guard up.

I was lost in thought when Jack came in and sat next to me. Putting his arm around my shoulder I leaned into him and started to cry quietly. He took my hand under the blanket and squeezed it. He asked what the Doctor said and I told him that I was fine. He saw the dressing on my head and I could see the anger on his face. He suddenly tried to get up, and I knew what he wanted to do. I stopped him and asked him to please stay, that I needed him.

He looked at me and held me tighter but didn't say a word. Daniel said he was going to put Cassie to bed and would stay with her through the night. He gave Jack the instructions Dr. Warner had left for my observation. I was not to sleep for a couple of hours since I might have a concussion. I asked Daniel what had happened to him. He said that an airman had come to him, saying that you were hurt attempting to stop someone from harming Cassie out in the front. When he had gotten there, he was Zatted.

Maybourne came in angry. "Jack you shouldn't have done that! He'll be unconscious till next week. Didn't they teach you discipline in the Black Ops? Kelly's dead and Peters isn't any good to us. I need to get in touch with Murphy. She needs to get me all the information she can on these two." I gave him her number and watched him leave.

I looked at Jack. He simply shrugged his shoulders as he responded. "He had the nerve to touch you. No one hurts you and lives. I lost it when I came in to the backyard and saw Cassie out cold on the ground and this bastard trying to hide behind you. I wanted to kill him with my bare hands. I started after him, but your dad stopped me. I saw the blood trickling down your face and I wanted him to pay for that. I'm not sorry for hurting him. I just wish I had a sarcophagus so I could kill him and bring him back to life."

I pulled his hand from under the blanket and could see his knuckles where bruised and bloodied.

"What made you comeback? I thought they were going to take us. I was praying for you to come back. So what happen?" I asked

Jack sighed. "Maybourne picked us up and went to the meeting place and waited. After an hour, it hit him that this was a set-up and that they wanted us away from the house to try to take Cassie. With only Danny, you and your dad watching her, it would be their best chance. So we high tailed it back here and you know the rest."

Jack stood up and said he was sorry, that his feelings for me were clouding his judgment. He said he should have had more people guarding us, and that he was to blame for this. I stood up and went behind him and put my arms around his waist, leaning into his back. He turned around and picked me up into his arms and held me tight.

He whispered into my neck that if anything had happened to me he didn't know what he would have done. "I felt this rage Sam, like I didn't care if he killed me. I just needed to get you away from him and that's dangerous. I never want to feel like that again. Please give me another chance. I promise to keep you and Cassie safe.

I told him he had nothing to be sorry for, that it wasn't his fault and I could never blame him. He kissed me and then let me go. I was surprised by how quickly he put me down, but after hearing the door close, I knew why.

Dad came in to give us an update. He had called General Hammond and told him what had happened. Murphy was still waiting on the fingerprints results and was starting to work on Peter's and Kelly's background. Ferretti was going to take Peters back for medical treatment and Maybourne was going back to Daniel's to try and find out who had sent them on a wild goose chase.

He asked me if I was okay and I said I'd be fine. I looked around at the mess and decided to start cleaning up. Dad said he would take watch in the front. He gave Jack and I a strange look. I wondered if he knew what was going on. Jack offered to help me clean up. After we were done, Ferretti had come back and Dad came in to see what was going on.

"Peter's is not going to be conscious for a while. He had a broken nose, cheekbone, two black eyes, cracked ribs, a collapsed lung and a broken arm. The doc will tell us when he wakes up. Griffith and Ayers are assigned to guard him so no one goes in or out without the Generals' permission."

Dad shook his head. "I know you were angry Jack, but you didn't have to beat the guy within an inch of his life."

Jack was about to say something, but I touched his arm. Dad noticed my touch. I changed the subject and said that the day's events were catching up with me and that I was tired. Jack suggested I get some sleep. I looked at Dad to say goodnight, and he saw how close we were standing to each other.

I said I would only go to sleep if Jack promised to get some sleep as well. He said he would and I walked down the hall to his room to try and get some sleep.

To be continued.