After several months, they finally let me out of Cheyenne Mountain. Even though I'd gotten all the casts off, dad carried me outside the day we left. They'd set up rooms at both of their houses for me. Daniel drove with Teal'c in the front, while me, mom, and dad sat in the back seat of the truck. It was time for lunch and Daniel suggested McDonalds.

I knew about McDonalds, but I'd never been there. Their kids always taunted me that they ate at McDonalds but I couldn't. I let myself relax as dad gave me a piggy back ride into the restaurant. People stared. I guess it was because of the piggy back ride.

Dad ordered me a happy meal with a cheeseburger. He ended up playing with the toy. After eating oatmeal morning, noon, and night, for years, I was anxious. They watched closely as I ate everything.

After we ate, they took me to the mall. They wanted me to pick out some toys to take home. Home. Anyway, after that meal, I was getting sleepy. Even though I'd eaten regularly at the base, I still got sleepy after eating. I was warm and comfortable in mom's arms, so I lay down on the seat and put my head in her lap. Dad pulled my legs up on his. I was in that space between waking and sleeping.

I heard Uncle Danny say "We're here."

Dad chuckled. "Take us to Sam's house Daniel. She's asleep. We'll do this later."

"Ooook."

The last thing I remembered was dad carrying me inside and tucking me into bed. I think Daniel and Teal'c stayed for a while. But, when I woke up they were gone. Mom and dad were sitting on the couch, cuddling when I hobbled downstairs. It's not that easy when one leg isn't strong enough to hold you up anymore.

"Hey." I said sleepily. It was just another one of dad's phrases I'd picked up.

"Hey angel. C'mere." said mom.

I snuggled on the couch between them and mom wrapped her arms around me. "How'd ya sleep?"

"Ok I guess. What time is it?"

"3:00." said dad.

"Why'd you let me sleep so long?"

"You needed it. The longer you sleep, the stronger you'll get." he said.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just feel like I'm sleeping all the time."

"Nah, you're just tired of the therapy and workouts Janet is putting you through."

"I know."

"Hey guess what?" said mom.

"What?"

"Your dad decided that we're having a barbeque on the 4th and Daniel and Teal'c are going to pop fireworks. A kind of 'welcome home' for you."

I sat up and mom let me go. I didn't say anything. I think they realized something was up. Maybe they were expecting me to be excited? Probably. I dunno.

"Baby, what's wrong?" said dad, putting his arm around me. I laid my head on his shoulder and toyed with my short's string.

"I've never seen fireworks. They always kept me locked in the basement." I whispered.

"Well, that's never gonna happen again, sunshine."

"I know, but I wish I could forget it all."

"Baby, it might help if you talked about it…"

"Nope. Not gonna happen." I said standing up.

"Baby…"

"Please dad. I just want to forget it" I begged.

He grabbed my wrist gently and pulled me back down on the couch. "We'll help you. I promise."

They'd already decided that I would spend one week at mom's house and one week at dad's. When I was at dad's house, mom would stay with us. When I was at mom's house, dad would stay with us. That way we could all be together and no one would find out about them. I was finally safe and beginning to find happiness. I'd finally found a home…well, two homes, but to me, they were still one.

When mom and dad were off-world I would stay with Janet and Cassie. After ten years of being scared and alone, I had a family and friends. But, most of all…most important…I was safe.

Then I almost lost it again.

-

It was the 4th of July and SG-1 was on stand down for a week, so they were all there. Janet and General Hammond were there also. We were going to have fun. I'd never seen fireworks. Dad had planned on something big for my first 4th of July with them…with my family. Woohoo!

We had finished eating. Daniel and Teal'c were getting ready to start the fireworks. I was playing with Cassie's dog. Janet had brought him over because Cassie was spending the holiday with friends.

"Jessie, quit chasing that damn dog and come watch!" yelled dad over the music. ZZ Top's Tush was playing on the stereo. I liked rock. He liked classical and jazz. We both liked ZZ Top. I ran over to him and he picked me up, giggling, over his shoulder. He sat down on a blanket and pulled me into his lap. He kissed me on the side of the head and motioned for mom to join us. She sat down beside us and leaned over and kissed my cheek.

Teal'c started the first fireworks and I was in awe. I'd never seen anything so beautiful. I leaned forward and sat there with my mouth open. Mom nudged dad and nodded towards me. He grinned, put his hand under my chin and closed my mouth. Wrapping his arms around me, he snuggled against me and said "So, whatcha think?"

I smiled and leaned back against him. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"Well, I can think of one…no…two things that are much…much more beautiful." said dad.

"What?" I asked, not taking my eyes from the fireworks in the night sky.

How could anything be prettier than this?

"You and your mom." he whispered, kissing the back of my head. I giggled and he said "Hey, now. You know the rules. No giggling." I giggled again and he tickled me.

"Dad, quit it!" I complained, but they knew it didn't really bother me that much.

The doorbell rang. "Daniel, can you get that?" asked mom.

"Sure."

Dad smiled and put his arm around mom's waist. She leaned into his embrace. I smiled inwardly.

Daniel walked up. "Ummm…Jack? This guy says he knows Jessie."

"Hop up, sweetheart." he said.

I stood and turned around as dad and mom stood. I froze. It was him. He'd found me.

Damn it. I knew it would happen. I tried to tell them.

"There you are. We've been looking for you for months. Your mother is worried sick."

I started backing away from him and dad. "No, no, no, no, no."

Dad reached for my arm and pulled me to his back. Holding tightly, he waited until I put my arms around his waist and buried my head against his back shaking violently. All he said was, "Jessie?"

"It's him." I whispered. Mom stepped up and wrapped her arms around me from behind. She buried her head in my hair.

They didn't have to ask 'who'. They all knew exactly who I was talking about.

(Go inside. Tell Janet to call the police) - dad

(I'm scared, mama) I knew they could hear the fear in my thoughts.

(You're safe. I'm not going to let him hurt you again) - mom

(Promise?)

(We promise. Now go inside and tell Janet to call the police) - dad

(Ok)

Mom had heard the conversation, so she let me go. I shivered as I walked past him. He tried to grab me, but I orbed into the house.

-

"Jack's POV"

"What the hell was that?" he shouted.

I walked towards him. "Sit down, Mr. Evans. The police are on their way."

"What? Who are you people and how do you know my name?" he asked, backing away. He ended up backing into Teal'c, who grabbed his arms in a vice-like grip. He looked up at Teal'c he grinned maliciously and forced him into a chair.

I walked over to him. "I promised Jessie that I would kill the man who beat and raped her." I said, advancing slowly.

"I don't know what you're talking about." he insisted struggling against Teal'c.

"Don't play dumb, asshole. Jessie told us everything." I said as I backhanded the man. General Hammond and Sam grabbed me by the arms.

"Jack!" exclaimed Sam.

"Who are you people?" he repeated, spitting out blood.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill, United States Air Force. Two l's. I'm her father."

He laughed bitterly. "I don't think so. I've got a piece of paper that states I'm her father." He was getting braver because General Hammond and Sam were holding on to my arms.

"You may have a piece of paper, but I have something more important. Something that will stand up in any court of law."

"Really? And what would that be?"

"Blood." I grinned evilly at the man. "I'm her biological father." They let go of me.

"That's not possible! They looked. She doesn't have any family!"

"Wrong," said Sam stepping forward, taking my hand in hers. "He is her father." I squeezed her hand, intertwining my fingers with hers. "And I am her mother."

We could hear the sirens were getting closer. Then they stopped in front of the house. "Danny, go let the nice policemen in please." I said politely.

"Sure Jack." He went to the front door and let them in. They followed him through the house, into the backyard. "Is there a problem here?" said one of the cops.

I recognized him immediately. Pete Shanahan. Idiot extraordinaire. This cop had asked Sam out on several occasions, but didn't know about Jessie or me. Besides, it wasn't anybody's business but ours.

Pete nodded at Sam and smiled. "Sam, it's good to see you. What's going on?" Then he saw our hands intertwined. His eyes went wide.

I spoke up. "Detective Shanahan. We - Sam and I - want this man arrested."

"For what reason?" Pete asked, still trying to get past the sight of us holding hands. Hell, if it weren't so serious, I would have enjoyed this.

Sam cleared her throat and said, "For rape."

"Who did he…?"

"Our daughter, Jessie." she said.

"Our…what?" he asked incredulously.

"Daughter. Mine and Jack's."

"Huh?"

Very bright don't you think?

"How did you…"

"Pete?" asked his partner.

Pete shook his head, trying to clear it. "Do you have proof that he raped her?"

I was getting pissed. "Her diary." I turned to Fraiser. "Go tell Jessie that we need her diary."

We stood there in silence as she ran up the stairs. Then Pete asked, "How old is the rape victim?" He sounded…I dunno…pissed maybe?

Hearing it put like that, Sam burst into tears. Pete took a step towards her as I pulled her into an embrace. Pete looked daggers at me.

"C'mere baby." I said, pulling her into my arms and burying my head in her shoulder. I held her a few minutes.

"Dad?"

We all looked up as Janet led Jessie down the stairs slowly by her hand…she had her diary in the other hand. She was shaking with fear, trying to stay as far away from him as she could. "C'mere baby." I said, holding my hand out. I still hadn't released Sam. We were getting some strange looks from General Hammond. But, we were off duty and I was trying to make a point…not just to Pete, but to everyone. Sam was mine. Jessie was mine. I would do whatever I had to do in order to protect them.

She let go of Janet's hand and ran to us, in tears. We gathered her, sobbing, in our arms. I took the diary from her and handed it to Pete. "Everything is in there."

"How old is the victim?" he repeated.

"She has a name Detective. Her name is Jessie O'Neill. She's ten years old."

I can be pissed if I want. I'm her father…it's allowed.

"Well, Colonel, do you have any physical evidence that this man raped her?" he said in a smart-ass voice.

Fraiser stepped forward before I could say, or do, anything. "I do."

"And you are?" he asked snidely.

"Dr. Janet Fraiser. I examined Jessie five months ago and during the examination, I discovered she'd been raped. The report is on file with the Colorado Springs PD. The results are back at my lab."

Jessie's head jerked up at this.

Uh oh. Not a good sign.

She jerked away from us. "What?" she asked backing away from us. "How…how could you? You didn't tell me that."

She ran up the stairs crying and then into the house. Pete smirked. "Typical." I really had to restrain myself from beating the shit out of him. "I'll need those results for DNA analysis." Oh yeah…I was going to beat the shit out of him for just being there.

Once again, I'm her father, I can be pissed.

"You'll have them in the morning."

Pete nodded to his partner who handcuffed Mr. Evans, read him his rights, and led him to the car. Pete turned to Sam. "Sam, I'd like to talk to you…alone." He looked at me and grinned maliciously. I had the feeling he was going to get quite a shock.

I looked at Sam, who rolled her eyes. She leaned forward and kissed me on the cheek. "It's ok." she whispered. "Go check on our daughter. I'll be up in a minute."

"You're sure about this?"

"Yeah. It's time I put him in his place."

To everyone's surprise, I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers. I'd never done this in front of anyone except Jessie. She parted her lips and I deepened the kiss. We held the kiss for several seconds. We both groaned as my lips left hers. I put my forehead against hers, both of us breathing heavily. After a few seconds, I let her go and kissed her forehead.

"I love you." I whispered.

"I love you too." she whispered back.

I then turned and gave Pete a smug look as I sauntered into the house.

I wish I were a fly on the wall so I could see this.

-

"Sam's POV"

Pete growled and turned to me. "Why?"

"Why what?" I asked, trying to clear my thoughts. Jack had thoroughly muddled my mind with that short, but powerful kiss. Wow. Damn. I shook my head trying to clear it.

"Why him?" he asked angrily.

"Why not?" I said. "We have a daughter together. Besides, my relationship with Jack O'Neill is none of your business."

"Sam, I've been trying to get you to go out with me for six months. You don't return my calls. Don't answer the door when I come by. And not once…not once did you mention having a daughter…a daughter with him. Your brother never mentioned her either" he said distastefully.

"Because that's none of your business, Detective."

"But…" Pete began.

"Sam!" Daniel came running down the stairs. "Sam, come quick! Janet, you too."

"What's wrong, Daniel?"

"It's Jessie. She's hurt."

I started to run past Pete and he grabbed my arm. "We're not through here," he growled.

Jerking out of his grip, I slapped him hard. "Yes, Detective, we are." Turning to Daniel, I asked, "Daniel, can you show him out please."

I ran in the house, the panic inside building. They were gathered in the bathroom, so I ran in there. I saw Jessie lying on the floor in Jack's arms with only a towel wrapped around her. Her body was bright red, almost blistered. He held her as tightly as he could as she sobbed uncontrollably.

I fell to my knees beside them and put my hand on Jack's shoulder. "My God! Jack, what happened?"

"When I came in to check on her, she was in the shower…only hot water. She kept saying, 'I can't get clean. I can't get it off.' I turned off the hot water and turned on the cold as quick as I could. But…" His words fell off as he looked at me helplessly.

Janet came forward. "You did the right thing, Jack." She turned to me. "Do you have any burn cream?" I only pointed to the medicine cabinet.

Janet knelt beside her, gently drying what she could with a towel. "Jack, hold her up."

He moved her as gently as he could and she whimpered in pain and Jack choked back a sob. "Shh baby," he said, kissing her forehead. "I know it hurts." He nodded to Janet. "Do what you gotta do."

Jack held her gently, but firmly as I helped Janet to spread the cooling salve. She'd stopped whimpering. When we finished, he picked her up and took her to her bedroom. He turned his back as Janet and I put her in some dry clothes. She didn't make a sound even though it must have hurt like hell.

We laid her on the bed and gathered around. The phone rang. General Hammond went to answer it. She didn't even move. "She may be going into shock, Jack."

He sat down on the bed and put his hand on her head. "Come on, baby. Come back to us. Come back to me. Please."

General Hammond walked in. "That was Detective Shanahan. That…man…is dead. He tried to escape and they were forced to shoot him."

"Good. I only wish I could've done it myself." said Jack bitterly. "Did you hear that baby? He's dead. He can't hurt you anymore." Still no response, only shivers. "Please baby. Come back to me" he begged, his voice breaking.

"Jack, I think she's going into shock." I said, trying to fight the overwhelming fear building inside.

-

"My POV"

"No." I whispered, causing every one to jump. Janet moved toward the bed to check my red skin. After letting her, I spoke up. They wanted to know everything…well, I was gonna tell them. If they didn't want me…at this point I really didn't care.

"It was the day I turned seven. That's when it happened the first time. I had gotten into some trouble a couple of weeks before and they sent me to the basement without anything to eat. But, that was normal anyway."

"Jessie…" dad began, but I talked over him.

"I orbed into the kitchen. They'd locked the fridge, but I knew what was in there. I orbed out some cheese and I heard someone behind me. I knew I was caught."

"For the first couple of weeks, it was small things…food, toys for their kids, beer. Things like that. I didn't think I was hurting anybody. I just wanted to be wanted…wanted to be part of the family. They started treating me better. They actually gave me real food instead of scraps. I finally felt like I belonged."

I took a deep breath. "Then things changed. He wanted more…bigger things. Jewelry for her; bigger toys for them; a drawer full of money. I told him 'no'." I sat up in bed. "That night…when I told him I wouldn't do it anymore…he got drunk."

I looked at dad and his eyes were shut, tears streaming silently down his face; his jaw and fists were tightly clenched. When I stopped speaking he opened his eyes. The look of pain was so raw I had to look away. I looked at mom and saw the same expression. Nowhere to look, so I looked at the blanket.

"He came into my room that night. He handed me a sheet of paper with four things listed: hands, belt, whip, or wrench. He told me to choose."

I laughed bitterly. "I thought I was playing it safe by choosing his hands." I took a deep breath. "God!" I screamed.

My outburst caused everyone to jump and dad inched closer, trying to get me to stop talking. Mom put her hand on his shoulder and, when he looked at her, she shook her head. "Let her talk."

He grasped her hand in his and kissed her palm. He laid his cheek against her hand as I continued.

"He took my clothes away…then he put his…he put…he put his…" I stopped and took a deep, shaky breath. Dad let his tears fall silently down his face.

"After that, I never chose his hands again. After that night, I always chose the wrench. Every time. For three fucking years, I chose the wrench. But, every once in a while…he said it was to make sure I knew my place."

Dad reached for me again. "Jessie…" he began.

"Don't." I whispered, backing up on the bed. "Don't fuckin' touch me." I had a mouth on me...a bad mouth for a ten year old. He dropped his hand. I couldn't stand seeing the pain in his eyes. Getting out of bed, I walked to the window.

"That last night was the worst. I refused to do any more stealing for them. He didn't give me a choice. He used all four…all four."

Mom started to cry. I don't know if it was my words. Maybe it was voice…empty. No emotion at all. Maybe it was both. It was either keep empty or go hysterical. Not gonna do that.

"The last thing I remember is her coming into my room and telling me it was my fault. Everything was my fault for disobeying him. I knew then that I had to get out. I knew then that if I didn't, he would kill me."

"I waited a couple of days. I thought I could get stronger and orb out. When I was, I did." I looked out the window. "I'd been dreaming about the stargate for about three weeks. I knew it was coming. I knew I'd be safe there. I knew exactly where I was going. I knew how to get there. I didn't know how long I was going to last, but I knew that I was not going to die in that house."

"I passed out after orbing." I watched their reflections as mom and dad walked towards me. "When you found me, I'd been there for two days. When I was awake I wanted to die. When I was asleep, I wanted to die. That's all I wanted…to die."

I stopped talking and turned to face them.

General Hammond stepped forward. "Why did you choose the wrench?" he asked.

"What?" I asked, never taking my eyes from dad and mom.

"You said you always chose the wrench. Why?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Why not?"

"What were you thinking every time you chose the wrench?"

"Doesn't matter."

"I'm just asking."

"Every time I chose the wrench, I thought 'fuck him.' He couldn't do anything worse to me. So, fuck him."

Dad and mom stepped toward me. "It wasn't your fault, Jessie." said dad.

I nodded. "I know Jack." I said calmly. They noticed I didn't call him dad. He noticed and flinched, pain strong in his eyes.

They both reached for me. "It wasn't your fault, Jessie." said mom.

I backed up. "I know that, Sam." I'd quit calling them mom and dad. Distancing techniques work wonders.

They both put one hand on each shoulder. "Baby, it wasn't your fault."

I threw them off and backed up. "Don't. Don't do this."

At the same time, they said, "It wasn't your fault."

I held my hands up and backed up against the wall, the tears coming down now. "Don't fuck with me. Please, mom…dad. Not you two…please." I was pleading with them, but I didn't care.

Dad stepped up again. "It wasn't your fault, sweetheart."

I fell to my knees, put my head in my hands, and broke down. "Oh, God! Why did he do this to me? What did I do wrong?" I screamed.

I started banging my head against the wall, trying to get rid of the memories. Mom and dad gathered me into their arms and both whispered, "You're safe. It's going to alright."

"What did I do?" I screamed again.

"You didn't do anything, baby. It wasn't you." said dad.

"Yes, it was. It was my fault. If I didn't have these damned powers, none of this would've happened." I cried.

"If Thor hadn't taken you from us, none of this would've happened." said mom through her sobs, holding as tight as she could without hurting me.

I tensed up. "Shit. Not again." I cried before...

"It's easier to run
Replacing this pain with something numb
It's so much easier to go
Than face all this pain here all alone
Something has been taken from deep inside of me
A secret I've kept locked away no one can ever see
Wounds so deep they never show they never go away
Like moving pictures in my head for years and years they've played
If I could change I would take back the pain I would
Retrace every wrong move that I made I would
If I could stand up and take the blame I would
I would take all my shame to the grave
It's easier to run
Replacing this pain with something numb
It's so much easier to go
Than face all this pain here all alone
Sometimes I remember the darkness of my past
Bringing back these memories I wish I didn't have
Sometimes I think of letting go and never looking back
And never moving forward so there'd never be a past
If I could change I would take back the pain I would
Retrace every wrong move that I made I would
If I could stand up and take the blame I would
I would take all my shame to the grave
Just washing it aside
All of the helplessness inside
Pretending I don't feel misplaced
It's so much simpler than change
It's easier to run
Replacing this pain with something numb
It's so much easier to go
Than face all this pain here all alone"

I finished the song to the shocked looks of all there. I sobbed violently. "Damn it! Why?"

They rocked and soothed me for what seemed like hours. I cried myself to sleep. When I was finally calm enough and the sobs wracking my body had slowed to small tremors, dad picked me up and laid me on the bed.

"I'll keep you safe baby…I promise," dad whispered, kissing me on the forehead.

"We promise," said mom.

Janet motioned for everyone to leave, but dad and mom refused to leave.

"Nope," said mom and dad both.

"Ok…ok." said Janet, as she ushered everyone else out of the room. She waited until mom and dad were dressed for bed before she left. She didn't want to leave me alone, just in case I woke up. The last thing she saw before closing the door was dad taking me in his arms and mom putting her arms around me.

-

"Janet's POV"

General Hammond stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "What happens now, Dr. Fraiser?"

"Now? She starts to heal."

"What was that song?" asked General Hammond.

"I don't know" I said.

Daniel spoke up. "She said sometimes a memory will trigger a song and she can't stop it."

"Damn." was all I could say.

The four of us stood there talking for several minutes about the night's events before I said, "I'm going to check on her one more time before I leave."

"We'll wait for you here, Doc."

I walked back up the stairs and opened the door. I stepped back to the top of the stairs. "General." I motioned for them to come up. Thinking something was wrong, they ran up the stairs. I put my finger to my lips. "Look." I whispered.

We looked in the room and, for the first time in hours, we all smiled. Jessie was curled on her side, her small body being held protectively by Sam, fists held tightly against her chest. Jack was in front with his own arms around both of them.

"Well, I'll be a space monkey. That would be the perfect blackmail picture." whispered Daniel, grinning.

We all laughed softly, but stopped as Jessie twitched and cried out in her sleep. "No…don't! Don't!"

Jack's hand smoothed Jessie's hair. He kissed her on the forehead. "Shh…baby…you're safe. Daddy's here."

Sam's hand rubbed Jessie's back. "Shh…mama's here."

After several minutes, she finally calmed down. They continued stroking her head and back until she fell silent. Then Jack's hand automatically found Sam's and they intertwined their fingers.

"Would you look at that?" said Daniel with a grin.

I turned to General Hammond. "Isn't there something you can do for them?"

"Like what?" he asked.

I threw my hands up in the air. "I don't know! Talk to the President for them. Ask him to clear the way for them to be a real family. All three of them. Together."

"There's a lot to be considered, Doctor. The safety of their team for one."

Teal'c spoke up. "General Hammond. I, for one, would not mind them being together. After all, is it not true that Jessie will be accompanying us on certain missions?"

"If I can get the clearance, eventually...even though she's only ten. But…"

I broke in. "No 'buts' General. Those two people deserve to have some semblance of a normal life. They've got a child together for Christ's sake. Think about that child lying between two people who love her and who would give their lives for her…and for each other."

"I know." said General Hammond rubbing his head. He nodded his head. "I'll see what I can do."

Easier To Run – Linkin Park