Not mine. Will never be mine. But, I will play with them. I promise to put them back though.


My POV

I awoke the next morning still safely encased in mom's arms. I snuggled deeper into mom's embrace, just enjoying the peacefulness in the early morning light. I felt nauseous again, so I knew another migraine was on its' way. I'd hoped Aunt Janet left some of that medicine from the night before. I needed to pee and I knew if I didn't wake mom up, she'd have my hide. I couldn't stand on my own yet. It hurt too much.

"Mom," I said, shaking her gently. She moaned and rolled over to face dad. "Mama," I said, shaking her a little harder. She still didn't wake up.

I fell off the bed with a thud. I waited to see if they were going to wake up. Nope. I forced myself to my knees and started to crawl to my bathroom. I was halfway there when a cramp hit. The pain was intense and bit my lip. But, I kept going. I had to get to the toilet; otherwise, I was going to puke all over my carpet. I finally made it and threw up in the toilet, but the pain was overwhelming, that I couldn't help the cry that escaped.

"Mama!" I cried out…barely. I was still biting my lip, trying to keep from screaming.


Sam's POV

I awoke to Jessie crying out for me. I jerked away from a now-awake Jack and jumped out of bed. "Jessie!" I cried out, looking around for my daughter, but not seeing her.

"Mama," I heard her cry weakly, tearfully from her bathroom.

Both Jack and I ran in quickly. She was laying on the floor, clawing at her leg, trying to straighten it out. Jack picked her up and carried her back to her bed. As soon as she was settled, I began to massage her leg, slowly loosening the tightened, painful muscle.

Once her leg was relaxed, she stopped biting her lip. I reached over, wiped the blood from her lips, and pushed her hair out of her eyes. "You ok?"

"I gotta pee," she said softly.

I chuckled and picked her up. I helped her into the bathroom and let her do her thing. Jack went downstairs to get her some pain medicine and some juice.

(Mama?)

(You done?)

(Uh huh)

I opened the door and helped her pull up her shorts and balanced her while she washed her hands. "Why didn't you wake me up, honey?" I asked softly.

"I tried," she said tiredly. "But, you wouldn't wake up."

I could see the tears streaming down her face. I pulled her into my arms and waited until she'd put her arms around my waist. "I'm sorry, honey. Next time, throw some water on me. I'll wake up," I said, kissing the top of her head. For thirteen years old, she was still very small…maybe 4'3"…if that. I was over a foot taller than she was.

I got the reaction I'd been going for. She giggled. "Yeah…I can see that happening," she said softly.

"I love you, Jessie. I will do anything to help you get better," I said.

"I love you, too, mama," she said softly.

I kissed the top of her head again and picked her up. "Migraine?" I asked as she grimaced.

"Yeah," she said softly.

"Let's get another one of those pills that Janet gave you last night," I whispered.

She closed her eyes. (Ok)

I took her back in her room and laid her on the bed. "You wanna get dressed?"

"Yes, ma'am," she said softly.

I pulled a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt out of her closet and helped her get them on. We were finishing up when Jack came back inside with her medicine and juice.

"Here you go, Sunshine," he said handing her the drink and pills.

"Thanks, dad," she said softly.

"Welcome. You hungry?" he asked as she took the medicine.

"Not really," she said. "I just wanna sleep."

"Well, you need to eat something," said dad. "Even if it's just some oatmeal."

"Yuck," she said, as her stomach grumbled.

I laughed. "Come on, little bit," I said.

"Little bit?" she asked with an O'Neill smirk.

"Sounded good to me," I said, shrugging my shoulders as I helped her stand.

Jack picked her up and slung her over his shoulder in a fireman's carry.

"Dad!"

"Jack, she just threw up. Are you sure you want to carry her like that?" I asked.

He stood her up and then picked her up again, cradling her to his chest. I followed them downstairs hoping Jessie would eat something. We saw that Janet, Daniel, and Teal'c were already awake and fixing breakfast for everyone.

"Morning campers," said Jack as he sat Jessie in a chair at the table.

Jessie rested her head on the table as Jack massaged her neck, trying to relieve some of the tension in her body. "Janet, she's got another migraine," I said.

"Did the Imitrex work last night?" she asked.

(Yes)

"She said it did," said Jack.

She ran upstairs and grabbed her bag as I got a cold washrag and put on the back of Jessie's neck. Janet ran back downstairs, the sound hurting Jessie's head.

"Ow," she said in an anguish-filled voice.

"Sorry, Jessie," whispered Janet, handing me the pills.

Jack gently raised her head and slipped his sunglasses on her. Daniel grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and handed it to me. I handed Jack the pills and the opened water bottle.

"Open," whispered Jack. She did and he popped the pills inside. I knew she had her eyes closed, so I held the water for her and Jack tipped her head back to drink. When she'd done that, he picked her up and put her on his lap. She laid her head on his shoulder, trying to keep still.

We sat there in silence until her migraine was under control. She slid the glasses off her face and sat them on the table.

"Thanks, dad."

"Welcome, Sunshine," he said kissing the back of her head. "You want some oatmeal now?"

"No."

"Jessie, you need to eat something," said Janet in her best doctor's voice.

"I'm not hungry, Aunt Janet. I just want to go back to sleep," insisted Jessie, closing her eyes.

"I'll make you some broth, little bit," I said, just to see her smile. I was rewarded when she opened her eyes and gave me a sleepy grin. I leaned forward and kissed my daughter on the forehead.

"You need something in your stomach, honey," said Jack.

She sighed and said, "yes, sir."

I laughed at the look on Jack's face.

"Do you know how much I hated hearing that word come out of your mom's mouth?" he asked.

She giggled. "That's my little bit," I said.

"Mama!" she groaned at the new nickname I'd given her.

"What?" I asked with a smile.

"I don't know what's worse…sunshine, angel, or little bit!" she laughed with a giggle.

"Well, your dad is the only one who calls you 'Sunshine'. Grandpa calls you 'angel' and he stole that from me. Now, I'm calling you 'little bit'." I stopped and gave her an evil grin. "It's either that or 'mini-me'," I said.

Everyone laughed at the look of horror on Jessie's face when I said that. "Little bit is fine," she mumbled, closing her eyes again.

I quickly made her some chicken broth and handed her the cup. "Drink," I ordered as Daniel scooped eggs and bacon onto everyone else's plates.

She was still sitting on Jack's lap when she finished her broth. The adults in the room were talking about what we were going to do for Janet's birthday which was coming up.

"Dad?"

"Hmm?"

"Did I hear Mr. Savage last night?"

Jack closed his eyes. "Yeah, baby. He said Landon gave him this to give to you," he said pulling the letter out of her back pocket.

She took it and started to get off his lap. "Where're you going?" he asked.

"Living room," she said quietly.

"Here," I said. I picked her up and took her into the living room for some privacy. I could see she was trembling. "You ok, honey?"

"Mama?"

"Hmm?"

"Is Landon gone?" she asked.

"I think so, honey. I think his real parents came for him last night," I said, stroking her back gently.

"Ok."

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me," I said.

"Ok, mama."


My POV

I stared at the envelop for a long time. I knew he was gone. Even without reading the letter. I could feel the tears welling up and the pain in my chest was making it hard to breathe. I knew mom and dad were listening for any sounds coming from the living room. With shaking hands, I opened the letter.

My dearest Jessie,

By the time you read this, I'll already be gone. I guess I should start by telling you that my biological parents are coming for me tonight. I don't want to leave you, but they're not giving me much of a choice. I know there's no way to ever make this up to you. I can only hope one day you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. I can't say goodbye to you Jessie. I love you too much. It hurts too much to think that I'm saying goodbye to the one good thing in my life. I need you to look after the demon twins for me. They'll need you to keep them out of trouble. Please believe me when I say that I love you. Someday, we will be together. Please forgive me for leaving this way. I will write you when I get where I'm going. I'm sorry, Jessie. I can't say goodbye. I just can't.

Love Always,

Landon

I started to cry as soon as I saw his handwriting. There was something else inside the envelop. I dropped the letter on the table and emptied the envelop into my hand. There was a bracelet inside with a silver rose etched into the top. On the inside of the bracelet were the words: Gráim thú Muirnín. "I love you, too, Landon," I whispered, my heart breaking into a thousand pieces.

I couldn't stop the sob from erupting from my chest. I heard footsteps right before I orbed to my room.


Sam's POV

I heard Jessie start to cry and we all went into the living room, just as she orbed out. Janet and Daniel were keeping her from orbing out of the house, so we knew she went to her room. In fact, we could hear her sobbing from there.

I looked at Jack and he handed me the letter that she'd left. I quickly read it and my heart began to break for my thirteen year old daughter. Then Jack gasped. He held up the silver bracelet. It was gorgeous. A rose was etched into the top of the bracelet and there were some words etched into the bottom that I could feel with my hands.

"Daniel, what does this mean?" I asked after reading the words.

He took the bracelet and read silently. "It looks Gaelic," he said softly.

Jack took the bracelet from me and read the inscription out loud. "Gráim thú Muirnín. It means 'I love you, sweetheart'."

"Jack?" asked Daniel.

"What?"

"When did you learn Gaelic?"

"I've always known it, Daniel. Irish Catholic is what my family is," he said softly.

I wrapped my arms around my husband and felt him return the embrace. I knew he'd quit speaking Gaelic after Charlie died. But, I knew he'd started teaching it to Jessie.

"She's heartbroken," said Janet.

"Yeah," said Jack softly.

I ran up the stairs to find her lying on her bed, crying with a broken heart. I didn't know what to say, so I just lay down beside her and held her in my arms.

"It hurts, mama," she said between sobs, burying her head in my chest.

"I know, little bit. I know," I whispered, stroking her hair.

"But, he did say he'd write, right?"

"I guess," she said with another sob.

I didn't say anything else. I just held her and let her cry. This was something I had hoped she'd never have to go through. Something that, unfortunately, is a part of growing up…breaking up and heartbreak.

When she'd fallen asleep, I noticed Jack standing in her doorway. I held my finger to my lips, motioning for him to stay quiet. I extracted myself from Jessie and kissed her on the forehead. As hard as she'd cried, I knew she was emotionally drained.

"Here," he whispered, tossing something to me. I caught it and realized it was her bracelet. I reached over and placed it on her wrist. She curled up on her side and hugged her bear, a single tear sliding down her face. I reached over and wiped it away.

"Is she ok?" asked Jack.

"Given time, I think she will be," I said, watching as he walked towards us.

He sat down on the bed beside me. "I know he loves her. But, he's hurt her and that's something I can never forgive," he said.

"I know. I don't think he meant to hurt her like this. Something is going on with that boy and it's got something to do with Jessie," I said softly, watching Jack stroke Jessie's hair.

"What do you think it is?" he asked.

"I don't know. But, I don't think it's going to hurt her…not physically at least."

"Emotionally?" he asked.

"I don't know. I don't believe he'd willing hurt her in any way."

"It's the unwillingly that will have me end up killing him," he said softly.

"Jack…" I began.

"Just kidding, Sam. I know how much he loves her. Hell, that letter proved it." He sighed and ran his fingers through her hair. "But, she's only thirteen."

"I know, Jack. But, she loves him. Before she got hurt, she told me that after what that man did to her, she was afraid no boy or man would ever want her. Landon knows something happened to her, but not exactly what, and, to him, it doesn't make a damn bit of difference."

"But, how do you know that?" he asked.

"He told me," I said. "Right after she went into the coma."

"So, he really does love her?"

"Yes, Jack. He really does love her."

"Mama?"

"I'm here, honey," I said.

"Can we do my p.t. now? Get it over with?"

"Sure, honey." Jack went downstairs to get Janet. "Are you ok?"

"Not really, but I don't want to talk about it," she whispered.

"Ok, baby. If you do want to talk, I'm here," I said, hugging her and kissing her forehead.

"Thanks, mama."

Janet came up and we started her physical therapy. Both Jack and I kept a close eye on her for any discomfort. It went surprisingly well, considering the pain she'd been in the day before and that morning.

After her physical therapy, we were sitting in the living room. Jessie was working on a new computer program for me. That girl was a genius when it came to finding the mistakes in code.

Jack and Daniel were arguing over the remote. Jack wanted to watch a hockey game and Daniel wanted the Discovery Channel. Then the phone rang.

"O'Neill," said Jack, answering the phone and shoving the remote down his pants to keep Daniel from getting it.

"That's just sick, Jack," he said.

I reached down Jack's pants and grabbed the remote. He sputtered and dropped the phone back on the cradle. "Sam!"

I just grinned and tossed the remote to Daniel who held it between his thumb and forefinger. "Jack, that's just plain disgusting!" he said.

"My wife likes it," he said, causing me to blush.

"Dadddd!" groaned Jessie.

"What?" he asked massaging the back of her neck.

"Uncle Danny's right. That's just plain nasty!" she exclaimed with a giggle.

"Yes, boss. I won't do it again," he said with a deep sigh.

Jessie's stomach rumbled. "You hungry?"

"A little," she said.

I reached into the fridge and pulled out a salad I had made for her earlier. It had all her favorites…lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, turkey, ham, and parmesan cheese. "Here ya go, honey," I said, handing the bowl and a fork.

"Thanks, mama," she said. That's when I noticed something. She hadn't called me 'mom' all day. It was 'mama'. It felt good.

That's when I remembered the phone call. "Jack, who was on the phone?" I asked.

"Not sure. I kind of dropped it when you shoved your hand down my pants," he said with a smirk. I blushed again.

"I've got it mama!" said Jessie, putting down the bowl of salad. "Here's the problem," she said, typing something into the code. "Now, it should work," she said with that smile that lights up the room.

"Let's see it run," I said, as Jack and I gathered around her.

She typed in the run command and there it was. The program I'd been fighting with for weeks was working perfectly! I grabbed her in a hug and swung her around. "That's my girl!"

She giggled until I sat her down. "Now, you finish eating, while I save this to disc."

"Ok," she said. She finished eating her salad, sitting on the couch watching the hockey game with Jack. I could tell she was exhausted from the physical therapy, but was determined not to show it.

She finished her lunch and I took the bowl from her. When I came back from the kitchen, she'd curled up next to Jack and had fallen asleep with him stroking her hair.

The phone rang again. "O'Neill," he answered.

He listened for a few seconds. "It's going to be a while. She's taking a nap. Yes, I understand. We'll have her there as soon as possible." He slammed the phone down angrily, causing Jessie to jump in her sleep. "Sorry, Sunshine," he whispered, kissing her forehead.

"What is it, Jack? What's wrong?" I asked.

"That was Officer Pembroke. He wants Jessie to come down and give a statement against Sara," he said.

"She just fell asleep," I said, protesting, sitting down and putting her feet on my legs.

"I know. I told him that."

"And?"

"He said it has to be done. Otherwise, the judge is going to release her on bail."

"Damn it," I said.

"We gotta wake her up and get her dressed and down to the station by 1500 or Sara's free to go."

"Shit," I said.

"Might as well go now," said Jack. He leaned over. "Wake up, Jessie. Come on, Sunshine. I need you to wake up."

"Five more minutes, daddy," she murmured sleepily.

I laughed and gently shook her awake. She sat up sleepily. "Wha…what's going on?"

"We need to get you dressed," I said, standing and helping her stand. When I thought she had her balance, I let her go. "Are you sure you can walk?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said softly.

We watched anxiously as she slowly made her way to the staircase. Gripping the handrail, she made it to the top of the stairs. She turned and gave us a triumphant grin, which we returned. Then her face lost all color and she started gasping for breath.

"Mama!" she cried out, just before she collapsed.

I was halfway up the stairs when she collapsed. I knew I should've walked her up the stairs. She still wasn't well enough to do it on her own…especially after the four hour physical therapy this morning.

She was still conscious, but tears of anger and embarrassment were falling down her face. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"It's ok, honey. You're ok," I said as I picked her up and carried her into her bedroom and sat her down on her bed.

"Mama?" she asked softly as I pulled out a pair of jeans and her Air Force Academy sweatshirt.

"Hmm?"

"Am I ever gonna get better?" she asked in a voice so soft, I could barely hear her.

I laid her clothes on her bed and put my arms around her. She felt so small and so fragile to me right then.

"Jessie, you're gonna be fine. You just need to give yourself time." She looked away. "Honey. You were in a coma for almost four months. I know you're frustrated with everything right now. You need to take it one day at a time."

She groaned at the obvious cliché. But, I'd gotten my point across. "Just take your time, little bit and in no time, you're gonna be out there running circles around me and your dad," I said rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"I thought when I ran yesterday, it meant I was getting better. But, I guess I just made it worse, huh?"

"Not really. Just a minor setback," I said, kissing the top of her head where it rested on my shoulder. "Now. I'm gonna go appease your dad before he runs in here like a wild man. Get dressed and when you're ready, call me, ok?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Ok."

I could tell she wasn't happy with her situation. But, short of putting her in a sarcophagus, there was nothing we could do for her. I kissed her again and left her alone to get dressed.

"Is she ok?" asked Jack as I ran into him right outside her door.

"She's fine, Jack. She's just a little upset that she still isn't completely healed. She's frustrated and it's understandable."

"Are you sure that's all?"

"Yeah. She wants to be able to do things on her own again," I said as he put his arms around me. I buried my head in his chest.

"She's just like you," he whispered.

"Ya think?" I said with a chuckle. He leaned down and kissed me softly.

"Have I told you today how much I love you?" he said, pushing my hair behind my ears and cupping my face.

"Nope," I said with a grin.

"Well, that is something I have to remedy." He leaned in closely. "I love you, Sam…Samantha O'Neill."

"I love you, too, Jack O'Neill," I said as he closed the distance and placed his lips on mine. "At least I didn't call you 'John'," I said against his lips causing him to snort.

(Mama? I'm done)

(Be right there)

"You're daughter is waiting," I said. He kissed me again and opened the door.

"You ready, Sunshine?"

"Yes, sir," she said softly, playing with her bracelet.

"Put your arms around my neck, Jessie." She did and he lifted her up easily. When he just stood there, she looked up at him. "I'm gonna let you walk by yourself. But, if you start to get tired, you let me know, ok?"

"Ok."

I watched as Jack kissed the top of her head and let her go. She took an unsteady step. To my surprise, she reached out for Jack. He grabbed her arm and steadied her. "You got it?"

She took a deep breath and nodded. He released her and she took a steady step this time. She made it to me and smiled. She gripped the railing and, with me and Jack behind her, slowly made her way down the stairs. I grabbed my purse as Jack grabbed his keys. Daniel and Janet were riding with us. The story was that Jessie was still under a doctor's care…the doctor being Janet. It wasn't entirely untrue. Janet is her doctor and she's still in physical therapy.

With us still behind her, she walked all the way out to the truck and held on to the door. I opened it for her. She looked up at me and grinned.

"I did it," she said softly.

"You sure did," I said, giving her a hug before lifting her into the truck.

She smiled most of the way into town. But, when we were about four blocks from the station, the smile left her face. That's when I realized we hadn't told her where we were going.

"Jessie?"

"Mama, where're we going?"

"You remember Officer Pembroke from last night?" asked Jack.

"Yes, sir."

"He called and said they needed you to pick Sara out of a line up and file a formal statement."

"Oh."

I turned around and looked at her. Her blue eyes were wide with fear. I reached out my hand and she took it. She was trembling.

"It's ok, Jessie. She can't hurt you anymore," I said.

"I'm scared, mama," she said in a trembling voice.

"I know, baby. But, trust me. We're not going to let her hurt you again."

I kissed her hand and let her go. I could see she was fighting with herself, trying to maintain control of her emotions. Jack reached over and took my hand in his, kissing the back as I had done to Jessie.

When we got to the station, she got out on her own. She took a few unsteady steps and said, "Dad?"

"Hmm?"

"I…I…I can't make it," she said in a rush. Her left leg was beginning to shake uncontrollably. Jack reached her just as she started to collapse.

He picked her up and shuffled her until she was comfortable. "You ok?"

"No," she said. "I wanna go home. I don't wanna do this!" She started to cry, burying her head in his shoulder.

"Is she ok?" asked Daniel.

"She will be," I said softly.

"I wanna go home!" said Jessie angrily. "Please mama…please take me home. Please mama."

Just then, Officer Pembroke walked outside. "It's about time you got here." He noticed Jessie was terrified. "What's wrong?"

"She's scared you moron," said Jack, trying unsuccessfully to calm our distraught daughter.

"I wanna go home…I wanna go home…I wanna…" she trailed off and tensed up. "I…I…I'm gonna be sick," she stammered.

Jack carried her over to the trashcan and she was violently sick. "Go get her some water," ordered Janet. The officer left to do that as Jessie continued throwing up. She collapsed weakly in Jack's arms when the officer came back. Jack held the cup as Jessie rinsed out her mouth.

"Please mama…I wanna go home," she said through her tears.

"Is there any way that we can do this at another time?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, but it has to be done today. Otherwise, Sara is going to walk."

"How long is it going to take?" asked Jack angrily. He continued to rock Jessie back and forth, trying to calm her.

"About ten minutes," said the officer.

"Can you handle ten minutes, Sunshine?" he asked Jessie softly.

"I just wanna go home, daddy. Please," she begged, hiccupping through her tears. "I…I can't do this. I can't face her!"

"You can, Jessie. You're stronger than all of us put together," I said.

"Sunshine, you've been through so much and you've survived. You can do this," said Jack.

She cried for a few more minutes. She was only thirteen. She shouldn't have had to deal with any of this. We both had our arms around her. We were getting some strange looks from people going in and out of the building, but none of us cared.

Finally Jessie calmed and wiped her eyes. I pulled a tissue out of my purse and gently wiped her tears from her cheeks. She looked so helpless and frightened, I just wanted to take her home and hide her away from the rest of the world. She looked up at me and then at Jack.

"I'm ready," she said softly.

Jack nodded and I helped him stand up with Jessie in his arms. "You have ten minutes," said Jack. "Ten minutes and we're out of here."

The officer nodded. "Follow me."

With a silently crying Jessie in Jack's arms, the four of us followed the officer into the station. He led us to a dark room and told us to wait there. Jessie was trembling uncontrollably.

A few minutes later, another officer came in, along with a Captain. "Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill. This is Captain Yeager."

"Mr. O'Neill. Mrs. O'Neill."

"Colonel O'Neill," said Jack. "My wife is Major O'Neill."

"Army?"

"Air Force," said Jack. "Can we get on with this? My daughter is absolutely terrified!"

"I apologize," he said hastily. I got the feeling this guy didn't like us too much. For humans that was strange. Normally when people didn't like us without knowing us, they were either Goa'uld or Jaffa. It didn't really matter. Since Pete, we've all been a little leery when it came to the police.

He walked over to a phone. "Send them in."

At that time, eight women walked in the room in front of us. It was separated by a two-way mirror. Jessie reached out blindly and grabbed my hand. She was shaking so badly.

"Now, Miss O'Neill. Do you recognize any of these people as the woman who threw you out of her car?" asked Captain Yeager.

"Yes," she whimpered.

"Well? Which one?"

She hid her face in Jack's shirt again. "Third from the left," she said, loud enough for him to hear.

He picked up the phone and said, "Third from the left." It was Sara O'Neill.

"She identified her. Can we go now?" asked Jack.

"Yes," said Captain Yeager.

He stood with Jessie in his arms and together we walked out. Unfortunately, it was at the same time that Sara was brought out.

"You little bitch!" she screamed, running towards us. Before we could stop her, she'd ripped Jessie from Jack's arms and threw her on the floor, kicking her.

The officers tackled her, stopping her from doing any more damage. Unfortunately, it wasn't before we heard a loud crack. Janet knelt beside Jessie.

"What hurts, Jessie?" she asked.

"My side," she said with a sob. She had blood on her lips. Shit. Broken ribs, possibly punctured lung.

"Let's get her to the infirmary," said Janet.

Jack went to pick her up and she cried out before passing out. "Shit. Jack, don't move her," ordered Janet. She looked up at an officer. "Do you have a backboard?"

Without answering, he took off. A minute or two later, he showed back up with a backboard. Jack and Daniel gently laid Jessie on it and strapped her in. They picked her up and carried her out to the truck. Daniel rode in the back; Janet knelt beside Jessie, trying to make her comfortable. I was going to kill Sara for this. Nothing was going to stop me.

We got her to the hospital and rushed her inside, Janet taking over immediately. "You'll have to wait out here, guys."

We nodded. "I'm gonna kill her, Sam. I'm gonna kill her," said Jack, pulling me into his arms.

"Not if I get to her first," I said.

Daniel walked up. "I called Teal'c and General Hammond. General Hammond is going to pick Teal'c up and then they'll be here."

"Why?" I asked. "There's nothing they can do."

"General Hammond is going to make sure that Sara does not post bail," he said.

We sat down waiting for Janet to come out. About thirty minutes later, General Hammond and Teal'c had shown up and were waiting with us when Janet came out.

"Janet?"

"She's fine, guys. She's got three bruised ribs and a slight concussion, but she's fine."

"What about the blood?" asked Jack.

"She bit her tongue," said Janet.

"Are you sure, Dr. Fraiser?" asked General Hammond.

"Yes, sir."

"Can we take her home?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said. "She's bruised and sore, but she's going to be fine. As always, it will hurt more tomorrow."

"Can we give her anything?" I asked.

"Just what she's been taking. With the leg cramps, I thought about giving her some valium, but for the actual pain? Possibly morphine or demerol."

(Mama?)

(I'm here, honey. Dad and I are talking to Aunt Janet)

(Can I go home? I'm scared)

(Of what, honey?)

(Everything)

I looked at Jack and he'd caught the conversation too. His eyes widened with her admission.

(Please mama. I wanna go home)

(Ok, honey)

"Where is she?" asked Jack.

"Follow me," said Janet, leading us to a private exam room. Jessie was curled up, trembling with fear.

(Daddy?)

"I'm here, Sunshine," said Jack, walking over to her. He reached out his hand to touch her face and she opened her eyes. I could see the fear inside her normally brilliant eyes.

(I wanna go home)

"Ok, baby," he said. "We'll go home." He looked at Janet. "Right? She can go home?"

"Yes, sir."

Jack gently picked her trembling body up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her head in his shoulder. She whimpered slightly.

"Are you hurting?" he whispered to her.

(Yes)

"Doc? Did you give her anything?"

"Yes. The morphine should be kicking in soon," said Janet.

At that moment, Jessie visibly relaxed against Jack. I drove home with Jack holding Jessie. She hadn't said a word since we left the police station.

When we got home, Jack laid Jessie in her bed and covered her up. She'd fallen asleep just as we pulled into the drive way. He didn't have the heart to wake her. She woke up screaming a few times, but other than that, she didn't say anything out loud.


One Week Later

We all sat there staring at the TV, but not really seeing anything. "Sam?" asked Janet.

"Hmm?"

"Has she said anything?"

"Not since we left the station," said Jack, running his hand through his hair.

"We don't know what to do, Janet," I said. "When we ask her why she won't talk out loud, all she says is she's too scared."

"She thinks that to you?"

"Yes."

"Does she say why?" asked Daniel.

"No."

(Mama? Daddy?)

(We're here, honey)

(Where? I can't see you)

(We'll be right up)

(Ok)

"We'll be right back," I said. We ran up the stairs to find Jessie sitting up in bed.

"You ok?"

(You really want to know why I'm scared?)

"Yes," I said.

(The last time I said anything, I ended up with three bruised ribs and a concussion. The time before that, I'd been beaten into submission by my foster parents. If I don't talk, I don't get hurt)

"Jessie, you know we're not going to hurt you," said Jack. I could tell he was hurt by the thought that Jessie thought we would strike her for talking.

(I know, daddy. My heart knows that. But, my head thinks otherwise.) She started to cry and we wrapped our arms around her. (I don't know what to do)

"Just take it one step at a time, honey."

(I'm scared)

"We know, honey. We know. But, we're here for you. We love you and we're gonna help you get better."

"Just take your time," I said.

(But, it's been a week. What if…)

"Ah! No buts," I said. "You're going to be fine. Just take your time, baby."

(Yes, ma'am)


Two weeks later

Jack's POV

I'll kill Sara for this. Her actions have set us back almost two years. Jessie's hurting so much and I don't know how to help her. Sam was right though. We needed to give her time. She needed to take her time. Otherwise, we were going to lose her forever.

She ate fine. She did her homework that Sam got for her. She was a normal thirteen year old girl. But, she wouldn't speak. Now, we knew why. Even though she knew we wouldn't hurt her, she was terrified of being hit for saying something out loud.

As we crawled into bed that night and I held Sam in my arms, I thought back on the last few months. Jessie being thrown out of the car. Jessie in the hospital in a coma. Jessie at the police station. Jessie being afraid of everything.

I'd almost dozed off listening to Sam's steady breathing when it happened.

"Daddy!" screamed Jessie from her room.

Sam and I both jumped up and, grabbing our nine-mils, ran to Jessie's room, thinking the worst. Pete Shanahan was standing there holding a zat. As was Colonel Simmons. I knew I'd kill those bastards if I got the chance. Jessie was thrashing around on the bed and I knew she'd been zatted once. I could see Simmons ready to fire his zat and I jumped him, causing the shot to go wide. Sam knocked Pete out with a blow to the back of the head. I grabbed the zat and fired at Simmons, knocking him out.

I started to do the same thing to Pete, but Jessie stopped me with a word…one she said aloud.

"Daddy?"

"Call Daniel," I told Sam.

She nodded and grabbed the phone by Jessie's bed. "I'm here, honey." I looked over at her. She was sitting up with her arms around her legs.

"Why daddy? Why does everybody hate me so much?" she said softly.

"Not everybody hates you baby. Your mom and I love you. So does Grandpa George, and Grandpa Jacob. So does Cassie, and Daniel and Teal'c."

She started to cry and I held her close. "Daniel is on his way with SG-3," said Sam. I looked at her in shock. "Those Marines want their chance at these idiots too."

"Mama?"

"I'm here, honey," said Sam. "And I'm so glad you're talking again." She crawled into bed with us and we held a sobbing Jessie.

A moan from Shanahan caused Jessie to cry out in fear.

"What the…" he moaned.

I handed a violently trembling Jessie to her mom and stood up. I picked up the zat and shot him once, rendering him unconscious. I drug his unconscious body downstairs and tied him up. Oh how I wanted to pull that trigger two more times. But, I didn't. He was going to suffer for what he'd done to my daughter.

I went back upstairs and drug Simmons' body downstairs and did the same thing. Then I went back upstairs and picked up Jessie.

"Come on, Sunshine," I said softly. "It's almost over."

She was trembling badly. "I'm scared, daddy," she whispered.

"I know, baby. But, I'm not gonna let them hurt you again. If I have anything to say about it, they're both dead men."

I kissed the top of her head and we went downstairs to wait on the rest of the group to show up. We sat down on the couch to await their arrival.

Simmons came too first. "What the hell is going on?"

"You're a dead man, Simmons."

"For what? This freak?"

I sat Jessie on Sam's lap and stood. I walked over to Simmons and backhanded him, drawing blood. "Don't you dare call my daughter a freak, you son-of-a-bitch!"

I could feel Jessie's powers rising. "Back up, dad," she said softly.

I moved and she fired a glowing ball at Simmons, knocking him back out. She collapsed against Sam, breathing heavily. I rushed over to them.

"You ok, Sunshine?"

"Yes, sir," she said weakly. "Thirsty."

I went to the fridge and got her some apple juice. When I came back, she was resting peacefully on the couch with her head in Sam's lap. Sam helped her sit up and I handed her the juice.

"Drink it slowly, Sunshine," I said. For once, she did what I said without complaint. That's when I knew she wasn't feeling well at all.

A knock at the door broke the silence. "Come," I said. Daniel, Teal'c, Janet, and SG-3 walked in the house.

"Jack?" said Daniel.

"They attacked Jessie," I said angrily.

"What happened, O'Neill?" asked Teal'c.

"We woke up to Jessie screaming. We found these two assholes in her room. One of them shot her with a zat. I shot Simmons."

Simmons and Shanahan chose that moment to regain consciousness. They both tensed when they realized they were surrounded by five very pissed-off Marines, one extremely pissed-off Jaffa, and one angry archaeologist.

"What in the hell is going on?" asked Simmons cockily.

"You're going down, Simmons. You tried to kill Jessie O'Neill."

"Prove it," he sneered.

They could all see how terrified Jessie was of the two men in front of her. She was huddled on Sam's lap with her head buried in Sam's shoulder.

"Colonel?" asked Reynolds.

"What?"

"Maybe we should take them out of here. Jessie shouldn't be a witness to this."

"Do what you have to do," I said.

"What're you going to do with us?" asked Shanahan.

"You'll find out," said Reynolds, dragging him up by his hair.

Teal'c grabbed Simmons who tried to struggle. A direct hit to the jaw rendered him unconscious…again. They dragged the both of them out the door.

Jessie started crying uncontrollably. I think I know what they had in mind for the two idiots, but I really didn't want to know. Jessie was safe…and we were going to keep her that way.