Disclaimer/rating: I don't own Stargate. I think you know that already, but I have to remind myself before I get too carried away with writing. This fic contains mild language. Nothing worse than what is on the show.

Running Away: Chapter 9

Ha ha! It's Wednesday! Lindsey smiled smugly as she got dressed. Tuesday had been complete misery for the young woman. She had often wondered why she was listening to Ben. What good was sitting on information like that!

It was especially hard to look at Cassie. In the time Cassie had lived with her, Lindsey had grown oddly attached to her. They were sisters, and Lindsey was even getting protective of the girl. Now she finds out they are really related.

Lindsey, growing up with Claire as her mother, had always believed in fate. Everything happens for a reason. People are brought together so they can accomplish something. And this past month only strengthened her already firm belief. And hopefully convinced the skeptical Benjamin.

Her musings were cut short with the phone ringing.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me."

Ben. "Hi. It's Wednesday."

Her brother laughed hollowly. "So it is. A little excited, are we?"

"Just a little." Lindsey walked across the room to her closet and looked over her extensive shoe collection. "Now, I'm pretty sure you didn't call to find out what day of the week it was. That's something I would do, but not a very 'Ben' thing to do."

"I'm impressed that you are so willing to make fun of yourself."

"Ben…I have to stop by school before meeting you guys for lunch. Spit it out."

He hesitated. "Yeah, about that…I kinda…can't go." His voice fell flat.

Lindsey had an all out panic attack. She sat on the ground of her room. "What do you mean, you can't go? You know how I get. I blabber; I say all the wrong things. I don't know when to shut up! Please, Ben, you have to be with me!"

"I'm sorry! But the guys and I have to have one more rehearsal before the gig tonight."

"Ben," she tried calmly. "What is more important? Your band, or family?"

"That's not a fair question! If I say the band, you'll tell mom and she'll kick my ass!"

"Well, what are you going to tell her when you cancel?"

"Linds…I already told Mom. She understood. But she does have something to tell you. So, maybe we don't have to tell her today. Let mom do all the talking."

She clutched her heart. "Ben, are you trying to kill me?" he laughed. "It's not funny!"

"I have to go now. Love you."

"Ben," she said in an urgent tone. But he had hung up. "Damn it!"

Angry, she finished getting ready and rushed out to NYU before meeting her mom. Lindsey was thinking about another day before telling her mother the truths she and Ben had discovered. Another 24 hours of torture.

Or so she thought.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Claire was sitting alone at a table, waiting for her daughter. She was slightly disappointed that Ben wouldn't be there to hear what she wanted to tell them, but tonight was a big deal for him. More so than past gigs. It was at a more popular club.

In the long run, it wouldn't matter. Both of them would discover Cassie was their cousin. And that their godmother, although estranged, had loved them. But now she was gone.

Claire, don't take yourself there. The last thing you need is to break down in the middle of his restaurant.

Lindsey walked up to her, breathless. "I'm sorry that I'm late. I was picking up an application for NYU for Cassie."

"Oh?" Claire's eyebrows shot up. "That was very nice of you. She deserves it."

"I know. She's so sweet. I consider her family. That's why I'm going to help her pay for it."

"…Wow. That's generous of you."

"Yeah, well, if her family doesn't know where she is, the least we can do is see she gets what she deserves."

Claire held up a hand to stop Lindsey from talking more. "I…called someone."

"Someone Cassie knew?"

"Yes."

Lindsey's face brightened. "That's great."

"Yeah." Claire's tone was sad. "But I also found something out. Something you should know."

At that moment, the waitress walked up. While Claire ordered, Lindsey's mind was whirling. Does she already know? Why is it troubling? Then something she forgot to think about crossed her mind. If Aunt Janet is Cassie's dead mom, then Aunt Janet is… The waitress was gone, and it was a good thing, too. Because Lindsey burst into tears.

Practically as it happened, Claire snaked a comforting arm around Lindsey. "Honey? What's wrong?"

Lindsey couldn't find words. She sincerely hoped that her mother already knew. Because if not, this lunch would end with the two of them sobbing at the table. Lindsey knew that Claire and Janet hadn't spoken since she was young, but her mom loved Janet. The stories about Janet Lindsey had heard were enough to make her fall in love with her aunt, and she couldn't imagine after experiencing those moments losing her.

"I just thought of something…"

"Sweetie, what? If you tell me, you'll feel better."

"Mom, I think you already know."

Claire racked her brain. "You're going to have to give me a clue."

Lindsey partially regained her composure. "Two words: Aunt Janet."

Claire froze. Two tears in the corner of her eyes threatened to come out. "How…" she cleared her throat. "How did you know?"

Her daughter pulled out of their embrace to look her mom directly in the eye. "Ben and I found a picture that Cassie had, and we recognized her." She wet her lips with her tongue. "How did you know?"

"Well," Claire started. "I ended up calling a Dr. Daniel Jackson. He was in her cell phone. He was relieved to her she was safe, but not at all surprised she didn't want to speak to him, or any of her friends back in Colorado Springs. He made mention of her mom, Janet." Claire took a deep, shaky breath. "That was when I pieced it all together."

Poor Lindsey was crying again. "That picture…the only thing that registered with me was that Cassie was my cousin. I completely forgot…" she gulped. Claire could only nod and hug her daughter again. They stayed like that for a while.

"You know, this complicates things. At least for me." Claire was the first break the silence as the waitress set their food down in front of them.

"How so? I was already thinking of Cassie as family. I can't wait to tell her."

Claire shook her head. Lindsey was shoving lettuce into her mouth. "The hardest part about losing Janet was that I didn't get to talk with her before it happened. I didn't even know until years after. And Cassie is putting that same distance between herself and all her family at home. I can't let her screw up like I did. But I don't want to force her into anything."

Lindsey swallowed and downed some water. "Why can't you just tell her the whole truth? She's reasonable."

Claire had to think about that one.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Ugg! That man is so disgusting! He has horrible eating habits…watching him makes me want to puke."

"Oh, that's pleasant," Cassie couldn't help at supplying. She was standing in the kitchen of the restaurant she worked at with her fellow waitress, Carmen.

"Hey! You haven't seen him."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "I'll be right back. I need to check on table 23."

Cassie made her way out to the main eating area. She weaved her way between the mostly unoccupied tables to a family of four. "Do you guys have everything you need?"

The woman grinned at her. "Yes, thanks so much. We'll take the check now."

Returning the smile, Cassie slapped the bill onto the table and strode off.

On her way to the kitchen, she spotted Lindsey and Claire at a corner table. It was one of Carmen's tables, and Carmen was there talking their orders. Cassie was about to go over there when, after the waitress marched off, Lindsey burst into tears. The sight of this thoroughly confused Cassie. Lindsey was strong. She was never rattled like that. Cassie changed her course, and followed Carmen through the swinging doors.

"Carmen, those people you were taking orders from. What were they talking about?"

"Those women?" Cassie nodded. "Colleges. The mother was about to say something, though.

Cassandra went back out and picked up the bill from her table, all the while pondering. Why on earth was Lindsey crying? Does it have anything to do with her dropping out of college? Cassie hoped not. Whatever they were talking about, it was not something like that.

With another glance in their direction, she saw Claire had comforted Lindsey and was now speaking to her in what must have been a quiet yet strong tone. Should I go over there?

No. If I need to know what they are talking about, they'll tell me. She assured herself.

But there was still that shadow of doubt. Won't they?

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Notes: So, that was chapter 9. Sorry the update came so late, it was done on Monday, but as most of you must know, the site was down.

Thanks to my fabulous reviewers:

gatelover313: so, my attempt at humor was recognized. I'm glad; I thought it would end up being a really bad pun, the kind that people groan about. Now that I mention it, I'm sure some people did.

SG-Fan: Thanks! You're always so nice! The connection between Janet and Claire was absolutely unplanned. I was writing, and it just popped into my fron! Sometimes the unexpected plot twists, both for readers and the author, are the best kind!

SGCFan4ever: Glad you liked it!

Auror Dora: Oh, I feel so privileged…I love long reviews. The ending? That, my dear, is going to be a surprise. But a happy ending is defiantly not too much to ask for.

BitteBrigitte: Ah, you should come to expect the unexpected. :-P thanks for the complements, glad you like it!

Oh yes, and thanks to all that read. Hope you are enjoying as much as I am!