When All Else Fails

Chapter Thirty Four

Disclaimer: Not my show, not my characters... mostly. Fehr and Bridges and Sanchez, who all appear in this chapter, are mine.

XXXX

A week flew by and Jack had yet to propose, or give an indication that he was planning on doing so any time soon. Of course, the man had told Daniel that he wouldn't tell anyone until afterwards, which was partly the archeologists fault, since he had pestered Jack so much about it. But still, Cassie and Daniel were growing impatient, and they couldn't do a thing about it except to wait and see what happened.

The girl had stopped by the SGC once to have lunch with Sam, a few days earlier. Ever since (Sam) had returned from ascension both had made an effort to spend more time with each other as the had before. Cassie because she had already lost two of her mothers, and nearly lost the woman who was like her third, and Sam because she knew that Cassie had gone through so much, too much in her life and she felt guilty for adding herself to the list of the young woman's lost loved ones. She would make up for it any way she could, and Sam had a brilliant idea.

They had been busy chatting over their lunch when Daniel had walked into the commissary, "Hey, Cassie..." he greeted, "are you here for Fehr's promotion ceremony?"

Cassie had shot Sam a dirty look, knowing immediately she had been set up, "Ceremony?"

Daniel nodded, oblivious to the silent conversation going on between the females, "Nothing fancy, of course. It's just going to be in the briefing room with Jack, SG-1, and SG-5... well, Sanchez, he's really the only other SG-5 member as of yet. Anyway, I think that the SG-3 marines might be there as well, not to mention Captain Bridges, but I'm sure there would be enough from for an extra person." The man shrugged and sneaked a few fries from Sam's tray. "I bet he would appreciate it."

"I'm not SGC personnel, Daniel. Am I allowed to attend things of that nature?"

"You're still Air Force," Sam pointed out with a shrug of her shoulders. "All we'd have to do is find you a fitting uniform, and I'm sure there are a few laying around somewhere..."

Bull. Sam had purposely found one Cassie's size and made it a point to leave it in an unmarked locker. How on earth did that get there? Hmm, that's strange...

"Alright," Cassie agreed with a sigh. No use in arguing anyway– and she did want to go. "If Jack say's it's ok."

That wouldn't be a problem. Sure, Jack wasn't fond of the crush between the two, but he had to, and did, admit that Matthew Fehr was good people. And would, in turn, be good for Cassie. Besides, Sam pretty much had him wrapped around her finger, and could get him to do almost anything, within reason and chain-of-command, of course. This would be a piece of cake– speaking of cake...

Jack had told Sam to keep the night open, he was taking her out to dinner. She wasn't of the occasion, or if there even was one, but she wasn't going to argue with Italian food and a night out with the man she was head-over-heals in love with.

"Well," Daniel announced, taking her out of her thoughts. "The ceremony is in twenty minutes... I should go change, I guess."

Sam nodded, standing and picking up her tray, "We probably should, too..."

"After we talk to Jack," Cassie reminded her. There was no way she was going to waltz into the briefing room without permission.

"Right," Sam agreed, "then let's go right now."

"Now?"

"Yup, we've got to have time to get ready when he says alright..." she smiled and went to discard her tray, leaving Cassie in her wake and Daniel headed for the door. The twenty one year old finally managed to get out of her chair and do the same with her food, then follow Sam out the door and down the hallway to the elevator, which then headed to Sub-level 28. Sam then proceeded to Jack's office, knocked slightly, then entered without having permission to do so.

When they entered the office, Jack was standing up, ready to argue with whoever was coming in without his say so, but then he noticed who it was. "Cassie?" he questioned, glancing at the girl, then towards the other woman, "Colonel Carter..."

A smile crept onto Sam's face, he knew something was up. "Sir, since Cassie is already here... it wouldn't be much of a problem to have her attend the promotion ceremony for Captain Fehr, would it?"

He hesitated for a second before answering, "I'm not sure..."

"Oh, come on, sir," she stated, emphasizing the sir, "it's not like there's going to be a large number of people packed into the briefing room. I think one more body won't make much of a difference."

Jack sighed, having caught on to the 'sir's' she had been using. Of course, it was mandatary at work, but lately when it was just the two of them, she called him Jack– even if they were still at the SGC. "I guess... if she can find dress-blues."

"That won't be a problem," Sam grinned. "I'll see you in fifteen minutes, then, sir."

"Yeah, fifteen minutes..." he was a bit sore now, because he had been bullied into letting Cassie attend the ceremony. Not that he didn't want the girl around, but this was going to bring her and Fehr closer. In his eyes Cassie was still too young to date, and she would always be. Even a nice guy like Matthew Fehr wasn't good enough for the girl that was like his niece... daughter even. "You'd better be on time, Carter."

"I will sir," she assured him, pulling Cassie with her out the room. "Fifteen minutes."

XXXX

Twelve minutes later Sam and Cassie were entering the briefing room, pushing through the group of marines crowded around the door. Some of them looked at Cassie, uncertain of who this young woman was and why she was there, and only a few knew exactly what was going on. Even Teal'c was confused about why she was there, but he knew it had something to do with Sam and Daniel, as most unusual things he had ever seen normally did. He knew, of course, that this had nothing to do with Jack. It was no secret that the man was possessive of those he loved and did not approve of a crush between the two younger adults. Teal'c, however, thought that Fehr was a good person and would be a suitable mate for Cassandra Fraiser.

"Cassandra Fraiser," he greeted with a bow as Sam led her over to where Teal'c and Daniel stood, "it is good to see you again."

"You too, T," she replied with a genuine smile. "Did you get a haircut?"

"Indeed," he nodded.

"Looks good," she complimented, looking around. "Where is Jack?"

And not to mention Lieutenant, no Captain, Fehr.

"He and Fehr are in his office, they'll be out in a minute," Daniel answered with a grin much like the one that Sam had been wearing for the past half hour. Cassie knew that grin and at the moment she did not like it. They were planning something. She knew it.

Moments later, the door to Jack's office opened and Jack stepped into the briefing room, followed by a Captain Matthew Fehr. The young man nearly stopped in his tracks when he noticed her, and he sent her a confused look to which she simply shrugged and smiled sweetly. She wasn't that sure as to why she was there, either, but now that she was, she wasn't complaining.

Fehr took his place next to his CO, Major Sanchez, who had just recently returned from the Tok'ra home world. The man's slender frame and sunken eyes would have one believe that he had just gotten over an illness, rather than returning from having his body inhabited by a snake-like alien. His eyes, once bright and joyful, were now dark and suspicious. Sam felt for him, not understanding his pain of having been a host to a Goa'uld, but knowing how difficult it is to watch things happen through your eyes, but having no control over it. She hadn't been in control once during her time with Jollinar, and even knowing that the symbiote was peaceful, it had still terrified her.

Everybody in the room came to attention when Jack turned to Captain Bridges, who would be reading the commendation, at Fehr's request. Not that he didn't like Walter... but Bridges was his closest friend. Jack turned to Fehr quickly before the man began, "Lieutenant Fehr is a fine solider, and from what I can tell, just as good a man. He risked his life to save that of others, and even managed to cause himself more harm than the enemy did in the process," both the general and lieutenant smiled briefly, before Jack continued. "In a way, he reminds me of myself when I was young." A few raised eyebrows caught Jack's attention and he shot evil looks at those around him. "For his sake, lets hope he doesn't develop my habit of ignoring the chain-of-command.

"That being said," Jack continued, turning to Bridges once again, "would you do the honors, Captain?"

Bridges nodded, "The President of the United States has placed and confidence in the patriotism, integrity and abilities of Lieutenant Matthew Fehr. Lieutenant Matthew Fehr is now promoted to the grade of Captain, United States Marine Corps." He pinned Fehr's new insignia on his uniform and saluted him, Fehr returning the gesture before returning to his CO and doing the same. Jack saluted him back.

"Captain Matthew Fehr," Jack said, earning a few catcalls from the marines who had attended the function, "now raise your right hand and repeat after me..."

XXXX

The ceremony had ended and after his marine brothers had informed him that he was being taken out for drinks that night, to celebrate, he sat down in one of the briefing room chairs, sighing heavily. Who knew that being promoted would be such an energy drainer... but then again, it was probably the bum leg. Or, the massive headache.

Most people had filed out of the room, except for SG-1, sans Daniel, who had run off muttering something about a translation that needed to be finished, soon. The General still remained, as did Cassie and Bridges, too. Currently, the 5 were talking to each other, Sam having asked how Bridges' anniversary went. When Cassie's eyes glanced around the room, searching for him, they found the man sitting in a chair, looking worse for wear. She excused herself, walking quietly to where he sat, and then touched his shoulder gently.

"Matthew?" she questioned, kneeling down to attempt to look at him closer. "Are you ok?"

"Fine," he mumbled, nursing his pounding head. "It's just a headache..."

"Do you want some Advil?"

He shook his head, "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."

Easier said than done. He didn't look so good. "Are you sure? I think something might be wrong... how is your leg?"

"It's ok," he assured her. "I'm fine."

Cassie snorted, "Listen, Matt– one of the first things that my mom made sure I knew, was that when it comes to one's health, I'm fine is usually bullshit and the person is usual much worse than that would like others to think."

"You're mother was a brilliant and evil woman." he said, looking up at her for the first time during the conversation. "But, I'll be alright, trust me. It's just a headache... and it probably has a lot to do with my leg."

"Does it still hurt?"

"Not when I take the drugs," he said with a grin. "It's healing, I'll be back to perfect health in a week or so... I'm not going to complain with Brightman."

The girl smiled lightly, "She's just looking out for you, trust me on this one. If you cooperate a bit more, she won't be so hard on you." A grin stretched across her face, "Maybe you are like Jack."

Fehr smiled a bit at that statement– as far as he was concerned, there was nothing wrong with being like the General. He was, in fact, a General... so that had to be something important. "Hey..." he asked, a bit shyly, "do you have anything planned for tonight?"

She shook her head, feeling her cheeks flush, "Why do you ask?"

"Uh... the guys want to take me out for drinks, if I have a good enough excuse, I can get out of it..."

Where she might have minded that he was using her to get out of going out with a bunch of guys if it had been anybody else, she smiled at the offer pertaining to Fehr. "I'd be honored to be your scape goat."

He fumbled for an explination, "Not that I wouldn't want to spend time with you, otherwise... It's just... I..."

"I understand," Cassie assured him. "What time?"

"What time, what?" Fehr asked, a confused expression appearing on his face.

"I assume you are going to pick me up... or do I have to drive to wherever it is we're going?"

"Oh," he grinned sheepishly, "sorry. Um... I guess at 1900."

"Ok," she replied, standing back up. "I'll be at Jack's, do you know where to go?"

Fehr nodded, the General's house was known to almost everyone on base, just in case he wasn't able to be reached any other way than to drive to his place. "Yeah..."

"I'll see you at seven then," she told him, smiling slightly.

Cassie glanced over her shoulder at Sam and nodded towards the door, telling the woman to follow her. Sam understood this and excused herself from the guys, glancing at Jack, who was scowling something fierce. Obviously, he had been watching the exchange between Fehr and Cassie, as well. Without another word she walked casually out of the room, containing her excitement for the young woman.

She was waiting for her down the hallway from the briefing room, "I think he just asked me out on a date..."

"You think?"

"Well, I'm not sure what we're going to do. He just said that he was invited to have drinks with some of the marines, and I guess he wasn't really looking forward to it. But, that if he had a good excuse, he could get out of it."

"You think you're ready to date? So soon?" Sam asked, worried that the girl might be rushing into a new relationship because she had recently broken up with her fiancé.

"I really like him, Sam..."

"I know you do."

"So? You and Jack are going out tonight?"

Sam nodded.

"Any special occasion?"

"Nope."

"You think he's gonna...?"

The Colonel's cheeks turned a light shade of pink, "I don't know..."

"I think he's gonna."

"Really?"

"Yeah, it just seems like a good time, don't you think so?"

"I think anytime would be a good time, Cassie."

Made sense. "Well... I think that he's gonna."

"We'll see. What time is Fehr picking you up?"

"Seven... at Jack's house. I figured I'd make it somewhere he knew of..."

"Good idea. I don't think we'll be there then."

"I was hoping not... I don't think Jack likes the idea very much."

"He'll get over it."

"Because he's gonna have a wedding on his mind."

"Maybe..."

"Oh, I think so."

"Maybe..."

"You know he's gonna."

Sam grinned, "I hope so."