AN: this chapters a little short but yeah this was a good place for it to stop… im almost finished with the next chapter… so ill probably have that up sometime on Saturday or something… also thanks to everyone who reviewed… I don't have time to thank everyone personally but thank you very much cause getting reviews makes me write faster nudge nudge hint hint :)…

"JESUS! IM COMING!" Jack yelled to the insistent banging on his door. "What the fu…" He froze and his words were cut off by the young woman holding a suitcase ... and crying, as soon as Jack noticed her tearstained face he suddenly sprang back into motion. "Cassie! Come in." He said as he ushered her inside. He took her suitcase and set it at the bottom of the steps and then put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the couch.

"Jack…" Her voice cracked and she started to cry. Jack sat down beside her and pulled her into as best of an embrace one can give when both party's are sitting down. He reached for the remote and turned off the TV. God that hurt. He thought as his neck cracked and ached from being forced into an uncomfortable sleeping position last night on the couch.

"Shh… Cassie, its okay, whatever it is it'll be okay I promise you…" he kept whispering encouragement into her ear until her sobs subsided and she released the tremendous hold she had on Jack but he kept one arm slung over her shoulders and kept her right next to him.

"I'm sorry to bother you this early but I really had no" her voiced cracked again but she would be damned if she couldn't even apologize without bursting into tears. "Jack I just didn't have anywhere else in town to go. I tried Sam's, and Daniel's but neither were home, and…" Jack cut her off.

"Well I see where I stand on your list." He said sarcastically, feigning hurt and sadness

"No Jack I just…" and with that she broke down again.

FUCK! "Come here"he gathered her into his arms again and kept apologizing. That was the last thing he was planning to do, he wanted to make her laugh not cry. But Jack O'Neill was not as emotionless as people believe. He just didn't show his emotional side around many people. And when Cassie felt a tear fall on her forehead she pulled away.

"Jack?" she questioned. "It's not your fault, I'm not upset with you."

"I know Cass." Jack O'Neill could show his emotions but he wasn't about to break down in front of a young woman who to him was like the daughter he never had. "Don't worry about me. Come on, tell me what's wrong."

His eyes were no longer slightly misty, they were the normal color and looked the same as they did any other time. The only thing that betrayed him was the one wet streak that the tear left falling from his left eye.

"Jack, I don't know…"

"Cass, look I know I may not be a woman like Carter, or as good with words as Daniel but I do love you, and I have been known to shell out some good advice if the situation calls for it." He smirked, which brought the reaction he was hoping for out of Cassie, a smile.

"Maybe later, Jack. I just want to hang out, could we maybe play cards like we used to?"

"Exactly how we used to?"

"Please" she begged.

"I don't know if my knees are up to it. I haven't been going in the field for a while so they'll probably argue a little but I can deal." Cassie practically leapt off the couch and grabbed Jacks hand and led him up the stairs.

AN : all kinds of reviews are welcome … a little constructive criticism never hurt anyone… at least that I know of… so yeah please review if you want to…