Just a short update today. I promise the next one will be longer. Jackie sends grateful thanks for all the wonderful reviews.

What Fate Decrees - Part Twenty-seven

Jack settled back in the car, happy to just relax and let Janet concentrate on her driving. It wasn't long before they were pulling up outside his house.

As soon as they opened the door Cassie ran over, but stopped short of throwing herself at him.

"Are you okay now?" she asked.

"Yep, your mom sorted me out."

"I wish," muttered Janet under her breath. Jack gave her an indignant glare.

"Where's Sam and Daniel?" Janet asked, looking around.

"They're getting food. We had it ready for when you got back."

"And here it is," Daniel announced, carrying a tray of sandwiches in from the kitchen with Sam following close behind holding a coffee pot. "We thought you probably wouldn't have eaten."

Jack sank down onto the sofa with a groan, with a little effort managing to get his legs up. "Ah, I'm glad to be back," he sighed.

Daniel handed him a coffee which he accepted gratefully, but he shook his head at the offer of a sandwich.

Janet sat in the chair opposite, kicking her shoes off as soon as she was able. She took a mouthful of the coffee thankfully and sighed. "I needed this."

There was silence for a few minutes, finally broken by Daniel clearing his throat. "Well, is anyone going to tell us?"

Jack raised an eyebrow, but continued to sip his coffee without answering.

"Well?" demanded Daniel, as Sam found something interesting to gaze at in her own coffee cup.

"Two ribs gone," sighed Janet.

Daniel winced. "Ouch," he said, with feeling.

There was another pause in the conversation before Cassie spoke. "Where've they gone?"

"Yeah mom, where've they gone?" echoed Jack.

Janet's look told him 'where I'll send you in a minute' and Sam sniggered.

As Janet explained to Cassie about the expression, the girl's face began clouding over again. "Oh Sam, now you mustn't go jumping on Jack yet 'til he's better," she informed her solemnly.

Jack almost choked on his coffee, making him wince and clutch his ribs. Sam's face turned a lovely shade of pink.

"I'll remember that Cassie," she said in an even tone.

Jack saw that Janet and Daniel were both smirking like crazy and couldn't resist saying something. "Remember Sam, just until I'm better," he chuckled.

Sam turned a darker shade of pink, but she couldn't hide a smile. Her smile widened into a grin and Jack's stomach flipped at the sight.

Afternoon turned to evening as they sat chatting, having put on a suitable video for Cassie. Jack was half watching as the girl flicked through her favourite scenes on the old Laurel and Hardy comedies he collected. He smiled as Cassie giggled, bringing back memories of sitting with Charlie doing the same with him. The pain of Charlie's death stayed at bay for a while, while he searched his memory for the good times.

Sam was lying back on the other end of the sofa casting glances his way. He smiled back at her, feeling tired and wondering whether to call it a day, but loath to break up the happy evening and loath to part from her company. The decision was soon taken from him when Cassie, unable to stay awake any longer, fell asleep on the floor at his feet.

Janet smiled down at her sleeping daughter. "Time we left, sir."

Jack stood and without thinking bent to pick the girl up, but was halted by Janet placing a hand gently on his sleeve. "No lifting," she said softly.

Realising what he'd been going to do he grinned at her apologetically. Daniel seeing the problem, stood. "I'll help," he said and scooped Cassie up as gently as he could, but given the lack of parental practice he was somewhat clumsy, and Cassie woke up demanding to be set down.

"Sorry," apologised Daniel.

"Don't worry, I'd have needed to wake her when we got home anyway," said Janet. Cassie yawned and stretched, still half asleep. "Say your goodnights honey," the doctor added.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sam watched as Cassie gave Daniel a hug and then went over to her while Janet gathered up her daughter's belongings. The girl climbed onto Sam's knee, hugging her tightly. "It was fun today wasn't it, except for Jack getting hurt?" she whispered.

"Yeah it was," Sam whispered back conspiratorially.

"Jack likes you, a lot," whispered Cassie and Sam blushed, but before she could respond, Cassie carried on "He gets unhappy, but I know you could make him happy all the time. He wants children you know," she added seriously.

Sam was taken aback at Cassie's statement. She wasn't sure how to answer her, but Cassie didn't seem to expect an answer, and she turned to her mother.

"Mom, can I sleep over?" she pleaded.

"Not tonight, dear," said Janet, whilst trying to stifle a yawn.

"Aw, please." Cassie whined, looking at Jack with large eyes. He looked at Janet questioningly. Sam knew he could never refuse a child, but had learned over the years not to cross the mother.

Janet looked at Cassie and then at Jack. She couldn't decide who looked the most appealing at that moment.

"I give in," she sighed.

Cassie smiled gleefully. "Goody, thank you." She dived back on Sam. "Sam you can sleep with me," she announced, hugging her again.

"Oh, I'm not staying," answered Sam quickly.

"Please. We could go out tomorrow for breakfast before we go to the park," pleaded Cassie.

"Looks like tomorrow's planned," said Jack dryly.

Janet laughed. "Do you mind?"

He shook his head. "Glad to," he added sincerely.

"Well, that gives me space to get some overdue things tackled tomorrow. Just don't go over doing it, Colonel."

"Actually, if Cassie and Sam are going to baby-sit, I could do with playing catch up myself," put in Daniel. "Janet, could you drop me off at home?" He snatched up his coat from the hall, and was almost out the door before either Sam or Jack could react.

"What?" began Jack, suddenly looking awkward. Sam saw the glances that Janet and Daniel exchanged, and glared at them.

"Good idea, Daniel, no problem," said Janet cheerfully, totally ignoring the daggers Sam was sending them.

"Sam, Cassie, make sure he's a good boy," she said and cheekily patted the lanky Colonel on his shoulder before opening the door. Daniel and Janet almost flew out the door in their hurry to depart and before either of the others could object, they were gone.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

"Whew," breathed Daniel as he put on his seatbelt. "Did you see the look on Jack's face?"

"Yeah, like a rabbit caught in the trap," laughed Janet.

"Oh, I don't think killing him is what Sam's got in mind," smirked Daniel.

Janet snickered. "Nope, but she'd better keep off those ribs."

xoxoxoxoxoxo