"Dad, where are we going?" I asked.
"Cheyenne Mountain."
I relaxed slightly, but something was bothering me. I'd felt the power in my hand…in my mind. I knew I could've killed him with that…whatever it was. That made me shiver.
Dad broke in on my thoughts. "Penny for your thoughts," he said.
"I was just thinking about what I could've done."
"What was that glowing thing?" mom asked. "That was new, wasn't it?"
"Yeah," I said quietly.
Dad put his arm across my shoulders. "Hey, now. That was cool."
"I could've killed him."
"Huh?"
I took a deep shuddering breath. "I could've killed him. I could've killed him with that glowing ball thingy. Don't ask me how I know…I just know. I could feel it," The tears started to fall.
He kissed me on the temple and said "But, you didn't. You stopped yourself."
I really started to cry. "I don't wanna hurt anybody. I just saw him threatening you and mom and I lost it. I wasn't going to let him hurt you. I'm tired of being pushed around."
"We know, baby. You wouldn't be you if you didn't feel that way." said mom.
"Hell, if you hadn't done that, I was going to kill him anyway." said dad. "Or at least knock him around a little."
I wiped at the tears making tracks down my face and managed to giggle a little.
"Hey now. No giggling. You know that." said dad as he squeezed my shoulder and then put both hands back on the wheel.
I relaxed a little as mom's arm replaced his. She squeezed my shoulder and kissed my temple. I laid my head on her shoulder and let myself relax a little more. We were halfway to the mountain when I realized something…no…I felt something. I turned around and gasped. "No!"
"What's wrong, baby?" asked dad.
"He's right behind us." I said.
Mom turned around. "Shit."
Dad looked in the rearview mirror. "Damn it. I knew I should've knocked him out."
Pete had his siren going and lights flashing. "Keep driving, Jack," said mom.
I started shaking again. I sent out my consciousness to hear what was going on. "Shit."
"What?"
"There's a roadblock ahead. He's trying to make sure we can't escape."
"Sam, contact General Hammond and tell him what's going on."
The day's events were starting to catch up with me…Pete pulling a gun…me losing my temper…I could've killed him. I couldn't stop shaking. Mom picked up her cell phone as dad slid his arm around me again.
"Easy, kiddo. Everything's gonna be alright."
"Dad, I'm scared."
"I know baby. But, I said I'd keep you safe and that's what I'm gonna do." He was silent for a few seconds. "Can you orb things long distance?"
"Yeah I think so."
"Can you orb two zats from the armory at the SGC?"
"I think so."
"Do it."
I shut my eyes and concentrated on the memory of the armory. I'd only been in there a couple of times, but I knew exactly what I was looking for. I concentrated and whispered "Zat." One appeared in my hands. I repeated myself and the other showed up.
"That's my Sunshine." he said proudly. He took one of the zats and hand it to mom who had just hung up her cell phone.
"Jack, General Hammond is sending backup." said Sam.
"How long?"
"Ten minutes."
"Damn it we don't have ten minutes!" he said, slowing the truck down.
"Dad! What're you doing? Don't slow down!" I cried out.
"There's a side road around here. I use it when I go camping." He looked around as Pete caught up with us. "Ah. There it is."
"Hang on." he said, jerking the wheel to the right. Mom grabbed me to keep me steady. We drove about a mile from the main road. We could hear sirens in the distance. Dad grabbed me by the arm and pulled me out of the truck. "Come on, Sam." he yelled as we started to run.
We must've run for a mile before stopping. Dad was right. I wasn't in shape anymore. We rested for a few minutes. I orbed the canteen to us. We each took a sip.
"Come on. We have to keep moving."
"Jack, where are we going?" mom asked, helping me up.
"There's a cave about a half mile from here. We can take cover there."
We started running again and mom got her leg caught on a branch. "Shit!" she cried out. We stopped and dad checked her leg. It was a long, jagged gash. Dad helped her stand and we ran/limped on. We found the cave easily. Dad helped mom to sit down on a stump.
"This is your version of camping?" she asked.
"Yeah. I've got a med kit here somewhere. I'll patch up that leg." He turned and rummaged around in a duffle bag that was against the wall. "Jessie, can you eavesdrop on them?" I nodded. "Do it."
I sent out my consciousness. I found Pete and another man, close by. I didn't expect this.
(They went this way.)
(Simmons)
(Detective)
(Why do you want that kid so badly?)
(Experimentation, detective. Simply put experimentation. I want to know what she can do and how she does it. I told O'Neill and Hammond this wasn't over.)
I cut the connection and started shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down my face. My fear of most doctors was gone thanks to Janet. But, the fear of being cut opened was still very strong. I bit my knuckle to keep from screaming. I was shaking and rocking back and forth, whimpering softly. Shock? Oh yeah.
Dad was checking on mom's leg. He had his eyes on her. He didn't see my reaction to what I had witnessed. He cleaned her leg and then bandaged it. "That better?"
"Yep," said mom.
He kissed her lightly on the lips. "Good." he said when she smiled and kissed her again.
"Jessie you ok?"
I didn't say anything…still rocking back and forth. They slid toward me. "Angel, what's wrong? We're safe here," said mom, putting her arms around me.
"Jack, I think she's going into shock," as she felt the tremors wracking my small body.
"Shit!" dad hissed. "Baby, look at me. Jessie look at me!" He put his hand on my chin, turning my head towards him. He saw the terror in my wide eyes. "Come on sweetheart! Talk to me," he said pushing my hair back from my face.
I was still biting on my finger…still rocking back and forth, whimpering slightly. He forced my hand down and out of my mouth. I'd bitten it so hard, it was bleeding.
"Shit." he said. "Now, why'd you have to go and do that?" He reached for the med kit. After bandaging my finger, he poured some water on a rag. I watched all of this with a curious detachment. It was as if it wasn't happening to me. He wiped my face with the rag, but the tears were still flowing freely.
"Baby, talk to me. Please," he begged.
I couldn't make a sound. If I opened my mouth, I knew I would start screaming and not be able to stop. I did the only thing I could. I spoke to them with my mind.
(He's gonna experiment on me)
"Who? Pete?" whispered mom.
I shook my head. (No, but Pete's helping him)
"Helping 'who' baby?" whispered dad, cupping my face and wiping the tears away.
(Simmons)
"Simmons," I heard the anger in dad's voice.
I heard a noise…people coming closer. They'd found us.
"Come out, come out wherever you are."
Dad looked at mom. "Simmons," he whispered.
"Come on Jack. I know you're there. Send out the kid and we'll let you and Carter go." He stopped talking. "Well, we'll let you go. The good detective has some unfinished business with Carter." They both laughed.
"Go to hell, Simmons!" yelled dad.
"Jack, Jack, Jack. This is going to go worse for the abomination – as the good detective calls her."
"Fuck you and fuck him," dad yelled again.
"Such language O'Neill! You have five minutes, O'Neill. Make the right choice here and you may live to see tomorrow."
(Dad) I'd calmed down and had found that empty place again that kept me sane.
(Easy baby. We're gonna get you out of here)
(I think I can get us out)
(How?)
(I think I can orb all of us out)
They looked at me in shock.
"You can do that?" whispered mom.
"Why didn't you say something sooner?" whispered dad.
(Because I 'm scared dad…and I've only done it twice with more than me. But, yeah, I think I can)
"That's my girl" dad whispered and wrapped his arms around me, holding me for a few minutes.
We stood together. "Wait," said dad, putting his hand on my shoulder. "Jessie?"
"Hmm?"
"Do me a favor before you orb us to the SGC?"
"Ok."
He took my hands in his. "Do you trust me?" I didn't like how he asked that so I looked away. "Jessie, look at me." I looked in his eyes. "Do you trust me?"
I swallowed. "Yes," I barely whispered. He could see the fear in my eyes.
"I want you to orb us outside, behind Simmons and Shanahan. Can you do that for me?"
I gasped. "But, why? Dad, I just wanna go home. Please," I begged.
He pulled me into his arms and I buried my head in his stomach. "I know baby. And that's where we're going. But, first, I've got some unfinished business with those two assholes out there." He held me at arm's length. "Do you remember my promise the night we found you?"
"Yes," I whispered.
"I'll die before I let them take you."
"Don't say that! I don't want you to die. I don't want anyone to die because of me…especially you or mom." I said. I stood up straight and terrified. "I'll go with him."
"Like hell you will!" whispered dad, furiously.
"Jessie, you're not going anywhere with them," whispered mom just as furiously.
"Mom, if I go with him, he'll let you and mom go."
"Jessie, we're not letting him take you. We're not letting anyone take you from us again." said mom, leaning into us. Dad held both of us for a few minutes.
"Time's up, O'Neill."
"We're coming out." dad yelled.
"Hang on," I whispered.
"What's wrong?" asked dad.
"This," I said and knelt behind mom and put my hand to her leg. They saw the familiar glow as I healed the gash.
"Is that better mom?"
"Much better, baby. Thanks," she said and kissed me as I stood.
"I've been waiting for this day for a long time," said dad.
"Why?"
"I owe Simmons a little payback. He shot me in the back while I was on a mission to rescue your mom…and he tried to take you away from us."
(Dad, you're not going to kill him are you?)
(I was until you said it like that)
(Dad, you can't!)
(I won't. If you won't let me kill him, can I at least knock him around a little?)
I giggled. "I guess so."
"That's my Sunshine," he said. "You ready?"
I nodded. "I guess so," I said dejectedly.
"Hey Sunshine," I looked up at him. "I promise."
I took a deep breath and straightened up. "Take my hands." They did. I got a kiss from both of them on both temples.
"When we get out of the cave, I want you to freeze them, ok?"
My courage was weakening. They could tell. They both squeezed my hands. That gave me the courage I needed to do what had to be done. I nodded. I concentrated and orbed us out of the cave.
When we rematerialized, we were behind Simmons and Shanahan. They heard us and turned. I threw my hands up and froze them. They were facing us with wide eyes. They both had guns in their hands, which dad quickly took and tossed to the side. He turned back to us. "Damn."
"What?"
He nodded his head behind us. "Look."
We turned and saw about thirty armed men behind us.
"Simmons's men," said Jack.
I shivered and started to panic. He pulled me close and whispered, "Easy baby. Dad's here. Unfreeze these two only. Can you do that?" I nodded. He let me go and I unfroze them.
"How in the hell did you get past us?" yelled Simmons.
Dad took my hand and pulled me towards him. "My daughter." Then he let my hand go. I slid to mom, who wrapped her arms around me.
"Cut the bullshit, O'Neill. We know who she is. I told you before that this wasn't over."
"Then you know what she can do."
"Not all of it." Simmons leered at me. "But, we will. That I can promise." He took a step toward us.
Dad held up his zat and pointed it at Simmons. Mom pointed hers at Pete. I tried to make the glowing ball thingy come back, but it wouldn't. Too scared I guess.
Dad looked at Simmons, advancing slowly toward him. "I've waited a long time to do this." He pulled his arm back and punched Simmons in the face.
"Dad, the freeze is starting to wear off." I could feel it like a prickling sensation on my skin.
"Ok baby."
"Simmons. Shanahan. I'll say this once…and only one. If either of you come near my family again, I'll kill you. I don't know how, but I will kill you. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal." said Pete.
"Good. Simmons?"
"Yeah, but I will promise you this. I will have her."
"Over my dead body."
"If that's the way it has to be, then so be it."
"Get us out of here, Jessie." he said, taking my hand.
"How are you going to get passed all these guards, Jack?" asked Simmons.
"Hmmm…you already forgot what she can do?" He nodded to me. "Let's go."
I started to orb out as Simmons reached for his gun and fired once.
-
"Back at the SGC"
We orbed into General Hammond's office. "What the hell?" he yelled.
They let my hands go. "Simmons tried to kidnap Jessie. Personally, I wanted to kill him, but she wouldn't let me. I think the asshole actually shot at us. But, he missed because my little hero orbed us out."
"Dad?"
He turned around and the grin fell. "Yeah, baby?"
I looked down at the blood spreading across my t-shirt. "He didn't miss."
"No!" dad yelled, running towards us as I collapsed to the floor.
