My POV

After a couple of weeks of physical therapy – four hours a day, five days a week – I was getting stronger. I still wasn't close to what I'd been, but I was getting there. And to top it off, since I was poisoned by those to blundering idiots, I'd been getting migraines! Sheesh!

They'd found a hair and some skin under my fingernails that weren't mine. So far, they didn't have any matches in the police database or in the FBI database. I didn't tell anyone, but I lived in fear that whoever had done this was going to try again.

One night, after a grueling session that morning, I wanted to go for a run. Me, mom, and dad decided to run the path at the park. Mom and dad didn't think I was up to it, but I had to do something…anything.

"Are you sure you're up to this, Sunshine?" asked dad, as I sat on the ground and he helped me stretch my legs. I could hear the worry in his voice.

"Yeah. I'm tired of just laying there and working my legs. I wanna move," I said.

"Ok. But, if you start hurting, we stop," said mom. "Understand?"

"Yes, ma'am," I said with a sigh.

She leaned over and kissed my forehead. "I just want you to be safe, honey."

"I know, mama." I smiled at her as she pushed my hair out of my eyes.

We took off at a slow jog. Although I'd promised everyone I wouldn't push myself too hard, I did anyway. During physical therapy, I'd block the pain from my mind and push myself until I was exhausted. I knew they wanted me to take my time, to heal slowly. But, I was aggravated at how slow they wanted me to go. So, I pushed myself to the limits of my endurance.

About half a mile into the run, I began to feel the burn in my legs, especially my left leg. I knew they could tell I was tiring, but they didn't say anything. They knew how stubborn I was. I'd promised them we'd only run a mile today, so I thought I'd be ok. Boy was I wrong.

We were almost to the truck when I felt my left knee pop and, with a cry of pain, I hit the ground. Dad picked me up and carried me over to a bench on the side of the path.

As soon as he sat down, he leaned me forward, because I was having trouble breathing. "Breath, baby. Breathe."

I leaned into mom. "It hurts too much!"

"I know, baby," she said, kissing the top of my head as dad continued to rub my back.

"God, I hate this!" I said.

"I know, honey," said mom. "You just pushed yourself too hard. You had four hours of physical therapy this morning and then you wanted to run. It's just too much, too soon."

"You're not Wonder Woman," said dad. "Super Girl, maybe. But not Wonder Woman."

I giggled, but then a cramp shut me up quickly and I fell off dad's lap. "Dad!"

He sat down behind me, cradling my head in his lap. I couldn't straighten my leg.

"Mama!" I gasped out. I clenched my teeth to keep from screaming from the unbearable pain in my legs.

"I'm here, honey." Mom straightened out my leg and massaged it like Aunt Janet had shown her and dad.

"Jack?" A woman's voice came from behind us.

Dad looked up. "Sara," he said plainly and looked back at me as he stroked my hair.

"How've you been?" she asked.

"Right now, not so good," he said.

A wave of nausea swept over me and I quickly pushed away from them. I could feel them trying to hold me back, but I crawled as fast as I could over to the grass and violently got sick. When I'd finished, I was shaking so hard, I could feel my teeth rattling. I rolled over on my back, away from the vomit, thinking the worst had passed. Then another cramp hit.

"Mama!"

"Shh," she said, stretching my leg out again. Dad helped me rinse my mouth out with his water bottle and put my head back in his lap.

"Dad, it really hurts!"

"I know, Sunshine. I know," he said, pushing my sweaty hair out of my eyes. He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

"Dad?" said Sara with a strange…hell, I don't know how to describe what it was I heard in her voice.

He looked back up at Sara. "What?"

"She called you 'dad'."

"Yeah. Sara, this is my wife, Sam, and my daughter, Jessie," he said.

"You remarried," she stated.

"Yeah. Almost a year ago."

Another cramp hit and I couldn't stop the cry of pain from escaping. "Dad!" I cried weakly. I couldn't stop the tears from falling.

"Shh, baby. I'm here," he said, sitting me up and wrapping his arms around me, as mom began to massage my leg again.

"What happened to her?"

He rolled his eyes. "She was in an accident about four months ago," he said.

It wasn't an accident. It was deliberate.

"What?"

"Yeah. When they find who it was, they're dead."

"Really?" There was something in her voice that I didn't like. Through my haze of pain, I could sense something.

(She knows something.)

Dad kissed the top of my head. (How do you know?)

(I read her.)

Another cramp hit, but mom massaged it out quickly. Dad picked me up and cradled me close to his body.

"Let's get you home, baby," he said as he started carrying me towards the truck.

"Jack, I really need to talk to you," said Sara.

Mom got in and dad sat me on her lap. "Sara, I don't have time for this. My daughter is in pain and nothing you could say could be more important than getting her home and taking care of her."

"But…"

Another wave of nausea took over and I leaned out the door and threw up again. "Shit!" said dad as he jumped back. I barely missed him.

"Sorry dad," I muttered as he handed me the water bottle again.

"It's ok, honey," he said pushing my hair out of my eyes again.

"Jack…"

"Damn it Sara! Leave us alone!" he yelled, jumping in the driver's seat. We took off for home, actually getting there in half the time it took us to get to the park.

Almost as soon as we got there, mom made me shower. It took a lot of strength, but I managed to shower and wash my hair. I put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt to sleep in. Mom had other ideas.

When I made it downstairs, I realized she and dad were on the back porch. I weakly stumbled my way out there.

"Hey, Sunshine. Feeling any better?" asked dad as he reached out for me, steadying me on my feet.

"A little," I said. "What's going on?"

"You're gonna soak for a while to work out those tense muscles," said mom as dad picked me up and sat me in the hot tub.

"Hot…hot…hot," I said, squirming a little. Then the heat penetrated my sore muscles and I relaxed. "Ahhhhh…"

They both laughed. "You hungry?"

"Uh…no. Don't even mention food," I said. "My stomach's still queasy."

Dad kissed me on top of the forehead. "Crackers and milk?" he asked.

"Ok."

Mom sat down while dad went to get my "dinner".

"Mama?"

"Yeah honey?" she asked, stroking my hair out of my eyes.

"I think it was Sara who threw me out of the car," I said softly.

"What?" she asked. "Are you sure?"

"No. But, if it wasn't her, she knows who did it. She already knew about you and me," I said.

"How did she know about you and your mom?" asked dad, coming back out. He handed me the crackers, milk, and some pain pills. I took those first.

"I don't know," I said softly. "It's ok if you don't believe me," I said closing my eyes with a resigned sigh.

"Hey, now. When have we not believed you?" he asked.

"But, this is different," I said.

"How honey?"

"She's your ex-wife," I said.

"Jessie, look at me," said dad.

I opened my eyes and looked at him and mom. "If you say she knows something, then we believe you. You and your mom are the most important things in my life. Sara is my past. And if she had anything to do with you getting hurt, I'll kill her."

"I'm scared, dad," I said fighting back tears. "I'm scared she's gonna try again."

"I know, baby. I know. But, we won't let her." He kissed my forehead again. "Now, soak and rest. We'll be back in thirty minutes to check on you," he said.

I nodded and closed my eyes again, relishing the warmth of the water against my aching legs and back.


Sam's POV

We watched as Jessie relaxed then quietly made our way back into the house.

"Jack, what're we gonna do?"

"If it was Sara, I'll kill her Sam," he said angrily. "Do you know if they still have that hair and skin they found at the hospital?"

"Since it's still an open case, yeah," I said, getting two beers from the kitchen.

I sat down beside Jack on the couch and handed him one of the beers. "Thanks, honey."

He put his arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my head where it lay on his shoulder. We sat there quietly for about half an hour, then I went to check on Jessie. What I found, made me smile.

"Jack," I whispered.

"What?" he said jumping up from the couch and running up behind me. "What's wrong?"

"Shh…she's asleep," I whispered. She'd relaxed so much, she'd fallen asleep in the hot tub.

He kissed my cheek and walked over to her. He sat on the side of the tub and pushed her damp hair out of her eyes. He sat there for a few minutes, staring lovingly at our sleeping daughter. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Sam, hand me that towel."

I did and he lifted her out of the tub and into the towel. I wrapped it around her and he picked her up. He carried her upstairs to her room and sat her in a chair. He left the room as I got her into some dry shorts and a t-shirt before laying her in bed.

(You can come back in now, Jack)

He came back in and tucked her in. She immediately rolled on her side and wrapped her arms around her bear. I had to smile. She looked so young and innocent lying there. She was young. But, she was far from innocent. She's seen too much to ever be innocent again.

"Night, Sunshine," he whispered before kissing her cheek softly, chuckling when she wrinkled her nose in her sleep.

"Night, angel," I said before doing the same. I heard the doorbell ring downstairs and Jessie whimpered in her sleep. "I'll get it," I said. "Make sure she's ok."

"Ok," said Jack as I left the room.

The doorbell kept ringing and ringing. Whoever was on the other side was starting to get on my nerves. If they woke up my daughter, there would be hell to pay.

I answered the door with a "So help me, if you wake up…" I trailed off when I realized who was standing there. Shit.

"Sara, now is not a good time."

"I need to speak with my husband," she said as she tried to walk in the door.

"My husband is getting our daughter to sleep," I said, blocking the door easily. Oh I was going to kill this bitch.

"How old is she?"

"She's thirteen," I said, getting aggravated with Jack's ex-wife.

"How long ago did you adopt her?"

"She's not adopted…"I began.

"Oh! I get it. You had her before you met my husband," she said with an evil grin.

I rolled my eyes. "Sara. Jack is married to me now. And no. Jessie is our biological daughter…mine and Jack's. Now…if you don't mind, I've got a hurt daughter to look in on."

I started to shut the door, but Sara stopped it with her foot. She stuck her head through and yelled, "Jack!"

He came running down the stairs. "What the hell is going on here?" he demanded. "Sara, what in the hell are you doing here? I told you before to leave us alone."

"This woman won't let me in your house!" she said. "I need to talk to you!"

"My daughter is extremely sick, Sara. I think you should leave," he said angrily.

"Not until you talk to me!"

"Sam, call Daniel," he said.

"Jack…"

"Please, baby. I'll take care of this. Call Daniel and…Murray," he said, pulling me into his arms and kissing me soundly.

"Alright," I said, reaching for the phone.

"Come with me," said Jack, grabbing Sara by the arm and dragging her outside.

I picked up the phone and dialed Janet's number. "Fraiser."

"Janet, it's Sam. Is Daniel there?"

"Yeah, just a sec." I heard her say, "Honey, it's for you."

"Hello?"

"Daniel…listen. Jack's ex-wife is here and is causing some problems. He wants you and Teal'c to come by. Bring Janet too. Jessie's not feeling too hot. She keeps getting cramps in her legs and she's thrown up twice."

"We'll be right there," he said and hung up as Jack came back in.

"Jack?"

"She's gone. She wouldn't tell me what was going on, but I think Jessie was right. She knew things about the 'accident' that no one but the person who did this would know." He ran his fingers through his hair.

"Why do you say that?"

He put his arms around me. "Just the way she acted and the way she talked."

"Do you think she's going to try to hurt Jessie again?"

"I don't know, babe. But, like I said. I'll do whatever I have to do in order to protect my family."

Just then, Daniel, Janet, and Teal'c showed up. "Where's Jessie?" asked Janet.

"She's asleep, but she's still in pain," said Jack.

He looked at me. (Take Janet upstairs and check on Jessie. I'm gonna talk to Daniel and Teal'c)

I nodded and he leaned over and kissed me. "Come on, Jan. She was in some serious pain earlier."


Jack's POV

I watched as my wife led Janet to Jessie's room.

"Jack, what's going on?" asked Daniel.

I sat down at the table and motioned for him and Teal'c to do the same. Once they had, I started talking.

"A little over an hour ago we went to the park because Jessie wanted to go for a run. We were halfway back to the truck when she started hurting…badly. She started to get sick when Sara showed up. She was acting strange. Anyway, we got Jessie home and into the hot tub." I chuckled. "She fell asleep in there. We'd just gotten her out of the hot tub and into bed when Sara showed up again and started yelling at Sam for not letting her in the house."

I took a deep breath. "Jessie seems to think that Sara's the one that threw her out of the car that night." I rubbed my hand over my face. "After the conversation I had with her, I think it's true."

"Why, Jack? Why would Sara do something like this?" asked Daniel.

"I don't know, Daniel. But, I'm planning on finding out."

A knock at the door broke us out of our conversation. Daniel went to get it as Teal'c and I headed for Jessie's room.

"Jack?" Something in Daniel's voice made me stop cold in my tracks.

"What?"

"Mr. Savage is here to talk to Jessie."

I walked back over to the door. "Mr. Savage," I said, holding my hand out.

"Mr. O'Neill. Is Jessie still awake?" he asked, ignoring my proffered hand.

"She'd better not be," I said. "She was in a lot of pain earlier and hopefully Janet gave her something to keep her asleep."

"Landon is gone. His real parents came for him yesterday. He left this for Jessie," he said, handing me an envelop. "Will you give it to her?" he asked indifferently.

"When she feels up to it," I said.

He turned and left, Daniel shutting the door behind him. "What was that all about?" he asked.

"I have no idea," I said, slipping the envelop in my back pocket. I met Sam coming down the stairs.

"Who was that?"

"Landon's dad. He said Landon's real parents came for him yesterday. He left a letter for Jessie." I saw Sam's eyes tear up. "How is she?"

"She's in so much pain, Jack," she said with a sob.

I pulled her into my arms and held her close. After four months in a coma, Jessie was so weak. We'd come way too close to losing her permanently. I buried my head in her neck and for a moment, allowed my tears to fall for the pain my only child was in. Only child.

"Shit!" I said.

"What? What is it?" asked Sam.

"I think I know why Sara did this," I said.

"Why?"

"Charlie. She blames me for Charlie's death. She thinks I stole her only child, so she thought she would do the same."

"Jack, it's not your fault," said Daniel.

"Everything I love dies, Daniel. How can it not be my fault?" I said vehemently.

"I'm still here, Jack," said Sam. "Jessie's still here. And we both need you so much," she added, putting her hands on my face, forcing me to look at her.

(Dad?)

(I'm here, baby)

(Why're you so sad?)

(Don't worry about it)

(I love you dad)

(I love you too honey)

(Dad?)

(Hmm?)

(It wasn't your fault. None of this was your fault)

(But…)

(NO dad! It's not your fault! Not me…not Charlie…not Sara's actions)

I knew Sam caught the conversation between us. "She's right, Jack," she said softly.

(Daddy?)

(I'm here)

(I need you. Please don't leave me)

A sob broke from my chest and I ran up the stairs into Jessie's room. She was laying there, eyes wide open, tears streaming down her face.

"Please don't leave me," she said through her tears. I could see the fear in her eyes at the thought of me leaving.

Janet moved out of the way and I laid down beside her, taking her small body in my arms. She started to sob. "Please, daddy. Please don't leave me alone again."

Sam crawled into bed with us. "Please don't leave me," murmured Jessie again.

I reached for Sam and brought her to us. "I'm not going anywhere, baby. I promise. I'm not going anywhere," I said choking on a sob.

The three of us cried for a long time, just holding on to each other. It took us a while to realize that the rest of SG-1 and Janet were still there. I left Sam and Jessie asleep in her bed and went to find them. They were sitting in the living room watching TV.

"I was wondering if you were ever coming out," said Daniel.

"How's Jessie?" asked Janet.

"She and Sam are asleep. What're you guys still doing here?" I asked with a yawn.

"We thought about what you said…you know…about Sara. We decided to stay here tonight so we could help you protect Jessie."

"Thanks guys. The guest rooms are actually already set up. So, if you wanna get some sleep…" I let the sentence trail off.

"Thanks, Jack," said Daniel.

"Night guys," I said, going into my room and changing into something to sleep in. I went back into Jessie's room and picked her up. "Sam…Sam…wake up, honey."

"What's wrong?" she asked sleepily.

"Nothing. Go change and come back to bed. The others are in the two guest rooms."

"Ok," she said yawning. She kissed Jessie on the forehead and left to get changed. I sat down on the bed and watched as my thirteen year old daughter toss and turn.

"No," she murmured. "Please…daddy. Remember…please."

"Shh, baby," I whispered. "I'm here." I leaned over and kissed her forehead, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

Sam came back dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. "Is she ok?"

"I don't know," I said. "She's dreaming."

"Daddy!" she screamed, waking herself up.

I took her in my arms. "Shh. I'm here, Jessie. I'm here."

"You were gone!"

"No, baby. I've been right here the whole time."

Janet, Daniel, and Teal'c ran it. "What happened?"

"Just a nightmare," said Sam, stroking Jessie's back. She was trembling and sobbing so hard that it seemed she would shake herself apart.

"You sure?" asked Daniel.

"Yes, Daniel. We'll take care of it," I said, hinting with my eyes for them to leave the room.

They left us alone, shutting the door behind them. Jessie was still in tears, still shaking uncontrollably. She cried herself hoarse. She finally started to calm down as Sam and I rocked her slowly.

My shirt was thoroughly soaked with her tears, but I wasn't concerned. The only thing that mattered to me at that moment was Jessie knew that I was there and that I wasn't going anywhere.

"Shhh baby. You're gonna make yourself sick," said Sam, continuing to stroke her hair.

"I…I…" she hiccupped. "I remember."

"Remember what, honey?"

"It was Sara! She threw me out of the car!"

"I'll kill her!" I exclaimed. "I'll fuckin' kill her!"

Jessie started to sob again, harder than before. Sure enough, she soon jumped up and ran to her bathroom, barely making it before she was violently sick.

Both Sam and I ran after her. I held her hair as Sam went to get Janet. "Easy, baby," I said as she vomited again.

She finally finished and I leaned her against the tub. She was shivering and tears were running down her face again. I got her a glass of water to rinse out her mouth as Sam came back with Janet.

Jessie rinsed her mouth out and spit in the toilet. "Just what I wanted," I said.

"What?" asked Sam as I picked Jessie up off the floor.

"To worship the porcelain god," she said with a grimace. "Ouch."

"What's wrong, honey?" I asked as I laid her on her bed.

"Migraine," she said, rubbing her temples furiously.


My POV

Janet went back to the guest room and got her bag. "Here. This arrived earlier. It's a new drug that should take care of your migraines."

Nothing she'd given me so far had effectively worked. I was willing to try anything. "What is it?" I asked, squinting my eyes. The light was starting to hurt my eyes. Dad reached over and turned on my nightlight.

"Daniel, turn that overhead light off."

"Imitrex," said Janet as she handed me the pill and a glass of water.

As I swallowed the pills, we heard someone pounding on the door downstairs. Even that sound was killing me. "Dad," I said weakly.

"Daniel, can you and Teal'c see who that is? And quiet them down for cryin' out loud," he said softly.

"Sure."

Janet went to the bathroom and I heard water running. Dad rolled me over on my right side. We'd found that sleeping on my side, helps to relieve the pain. He tucked another pillow under my head.

Janet handed him something and I felt something cold and wet on the back of my neck. "That better, baby?" he asked.

"Mmm hmm," I said.

We heard yelling downstairs and I recognized Sara's voice. So did mom and dad. I started to panic, to tremble. "Easy, honey," said dad, kissing me on the forehead.

"I'm scared," I whispered.

"I know baby. But, I'm not gonna let her get away with this…and I'm not gonna let her hurt you again."

"Jack!" screamed Sara from downstairs.

He looked at mom. "Call the police…otherwise, I'm gonna kill her," he said.

Mom picked up the phone as we heard the door slam. Daniel ran up the stairs. "Jack!"

"Ow," I said in anguish as mom hung up the phone.

"Keep it down, Daniel," said dad angrily.

"Sorry, sweetheart," said Uncle Daniel softly. "Sara said she'd be back with the police for us trying to keep her out of her house."

"What!" exclaimed dad…loudly.

"Dad," I said weakly. "Please."

"Sorry, Sunshine," he said, kissing me on the temple before mom started massaging the same temple. I was trying not to cry, but my head was hurting so freaking bad.

I closed my eyes and let mom's touch lure me to sleep. I was almost there when there was another knock at the door. I opened my eyes and saw Uncle Danny leave the room.

"Mama?"

"It's ok. He's just gonna go see who's at the door," she said.

I closed my eyes and allowed myself to go back to sleep. I was praying the whole time that I wouldn't have anymore nightmares.


Sam's POV

As soon as Jessie was asleep, Jack and I went downstairs to see what was going on. Sure enough, Sara had shown back up with the cops. They were actually handcuffing Daniel and Teal'c! That really pissed Jack off.

"What in the hell is going on here?" he demanded.

"Jack, these men wouldn't let me in our house," whined Sara. She spotted me. "And she's not supposed to be here either. She broke in earlier."

"This isn't your house, Sara! It's mine and Sam's," said Jack vehemently. He pointed to the cops holding Daniel and Teal'c. "Let them go. They're my friends," he added.

"Then who is she?" asked one of them.

"My ex-wife and the woman who tried to kill my daughter," he said.

As if on cue, Jessie cried out in pain. "Mama!"

I ran up the stairs, followed by Jack, Daniel, Teal'c and one of the cops. The other officer was handcuffing a struggling Sara.

Jessie was lying in bed with a severe cramp in her leg. Janet was trying to get her to let her straighten her leg out, but Jessie couldn't – wouldn't – do it.

"Let me, Janet." I reached out and coaxed Jessie into letting me massage her leg. Minutes later, she'd relaxed and Janet gave her a shot of Valium to relax her muscles even further.

"Mama?"

"I'm here, honey," I said, laying down beside her and laying her head on my shoulder.

"What happened down there?" she asked quietly.

"They've arrested Sara," said Jack. "She's not going to bother you ever again."

"Ok," she said softly.

"Are you sure that she is the one who tried to kill you?" asked the cop that had followed us upstairs.

Jessie tensed, but said, "Yes."

"How?"

"I…I…I remembered everything," she whispered.

"After almost five months, you remember everything?" he asked skeptically.

"Yes," she said with a sob.

I started rocking her slowly. "Shh, baby," I said, stroking her hair, trying to get her to calm down.

"Look, officer…" Jack trailed off waiting for the officer to fill in his name.

"Pembroke," he said.

"Officer Pembroke. As you can see, Jessie is in a lot of pain at the moment. She remembers everything that happened to her from the time she ran away until the time my bitch-of-an-ex-wife threw her out of the car," said Jack, his voice getting louder and more agitated by the word.

"Dad…please," said Jessie in a pain-filled voice. Her head was still hurting and the medicine Janet had given her hadn't kicked in yet.

"Sorry, honey," he said, kissing her temple lightly.

"Why is it so dark in here?" asked the officer.

"Jessie has a migraine headache, brought on by the stress of Sara being here," said Janet.

"Sorry," he said. "I get those too." He turned to Jack. "We'll need you to bring her in tomorrow to give a statement."

"Alright. Now, it's late and, like I said, she's in a lot of pain."

"Yes, sir. We'll leave now, but we need her…"

"I get it," said Jack. "Daniel, see the officers out."

I noticed Jessie had shut her eyes and appeared to be sleeping. Jack saw the others out of Jessie's room with a firm "Good night."

He shut the door as I laid Jessie back down on her right side and curled myself around her. Jack crawled back into bed and curled his body around mine. Jessie's breathing had finally evened out and I knew then that she was sleeping peacefully. The Valium seemed to do its' job.

I turned my face to Jack. "Are you ok?" I whispered.

"Yeah. I'm glad it's almost over. I don't think I've ever hated anyone as much as I hate Sara right now," he said with a sigh.

"I love you, Jack," I said, giving him a soft kiss.

"I love you, too, Sam," he whispered against my lips.

I turned back to Jessie and tucked her head underneath my chin. If Sara wasn't convicted, they were going to have to arrest me. If Sara wasn't convicted…I was going to kill her.