--- --- Of Being A Rock --- ---

The cabin was barely lit by the fire burning in the fireplace. Shadows danced over faces that showed nothing but despair and sadness. Next to her, Cassie could hear Sam's shallow breathing. She'd fallen asleep some time ago, exhausted from crying. The boy, Jeremy, sat in front of the fire, staring with dead eyes into the sparkling red and yellow. Those colors were also reflected on Teal'c's golden tattoo, his face giving away nothing of what he might've been thinking.

Snuggling closer to Daniel and settling herself in his arms, she felt his grip tighten on her. Once again, she'd lost a part of her family but she'd also gained a new little brother. Life was an ironic bitch sometimes.

Teal'c's calm voice suddenly pierced the silence, making her jump slightly.

"Do you know how O'Neill died, Jeremy Matthews?"

Cassie's heart went out for the poor boy, his face turning just a shade paler. Of course, they had all been curious to know who directly Jeremy was and the boy had given them a rather flippant story about how he came to be Jack's son. She was sure that he had left out many details, but the pain in the boy's eyes was enough to stop her from asking. And now, Teal'c was asking such a question. She could understand why Teal'c would want to know. He'd taught her enough about the way of the Jaffa and dying as warrior stuff but she couldn't believe that he had really asked. The boy had just lost his father and Cassie could pretty well identify with how he must feel now.

"I was there, at the lake. He wanted to teach me hockey. I stood at the shore, calling for him. He stopped, waving at me, and the ice broke under him. Maybe if I'd been earlier, he would still be alive, maybe..."

Jeremy's scrawny body broke directly in front of her, his form shuddering as he drew in a deep breath. She could see his reluctance to show his weakness, reminding her awfully of Jack. Even his mannerisms were similar, she thought as his hand ran through the brown strands of his hair.

"I saw the shock on his face as he realized what was going on. And, then, he was gone. I rushed towards him, tried to pull him out, but I couldn't. He was gone, simply gone. I reached into the water even, but there was nothing. For just a second, I thought I saw a bright white light somewhere under the water, but I guess..."

"White? As in 'glow' white?"

Cassie heard the hint of hope in Daniel's voice and she freed herself from his steady grip.

"Yeah, it was kind of glowing. I called the police and they sent divers down. Hours later, they pulled out his body. I still..."

This time, Jeremy was really crying and Cassie stood up to kneel down next to the boy, pulling him into her arms. Although he struggled at first, he soon collapsed. Sobs crushed him and she held him even closer.

"Daniel, I'd like to examine the corpse back at the ESGC. If anything's wrong here, we'll find it."

She watched Daniel nodding, the boy in her arms stilling a bit. If the glow was of any significance, she'd find out. She wasn't the head of the medical staff at the Earth Stargate Complex for nothing.

--- --- --- --- ---

Daniel felt empty. Completely, utterly empty. The letter had confirmed that Jack had had the grace to forgive him; he'd even kept himself informed about Daniel's whereabouts. But Daniel had not had enough strength to even call him. One little call wouldn't have killed him. But he had been too frightened and, for once, as stubborn as Jack.

Now it was too late and Jack was gone.

Another sleepless night had passed by, strange shadows haunting him. He had fallen into some half sleep, half nightmare where Jack's face, eyes wide and full of fear, called out for Daniel to help him. The visions had vanished when the first rays of sunlight had shone into the room, raising him from his state of distress. Stretching his stiff limbs, he silently got up. His friends were spread throughout the room, covering couches and chairs and his face twisted in a slight smile.

He stepped over Cassie's legs resting on the small table. When he made his way towards the huge glass door, he could see the snow glistening like diamonds in the soft morning light. Jack had been right; this place was wonderful. His eyes continued their journey, stopping at Jack's boots sitting outside. Although Daniel hadn't seen Jack in ages, he hadn't even noticed just how much he missed his friend.

The sparkling white outside caught his eye again and reminded him of Jeremy's words. He had seen bright white, glow, and Daniel couldn't help but feel hope swelling inside of him. If he had learned one thing throughout his years with SG-1, it was to always expect the unexpected. Especially when it came to dealing with Jack O'Neill. They all had fought death more times than he wanted to remember but they'd always made it no matter the odds. Maybe this time, would only be one close call more, one more time where they'd laugh at death.

He heard Cassie shift in her sleep. A picture of Janet suddenly sprang to his mind, her hand clutching to his. Fear had been written in her eyes. That time, death had laughed at them. Probably, death already laughed heartily at them again. Yet, hope refused to let itself be pushed back into the box where it had been hiding.

Pulling his eyes away from the wonderful serenity outside, he started preparing breakfast. The others awoke to the smell of coffee and pancakes. Sam refused to eat anything and the dead eyes that looked back at Daniel scared the hell out of him. He knew that there had always been more to Sam and Jack's relationship than just professionalism but he wasn't prepared for what he saw now. She looked as if she'd died along with Jack.

Everyone in the room apart from Sam jumped at the shrill sound of the doorbell echoing through the cabin. The mutual chewing stopped immediately. Daniel went to answer the door, finding two figures standing outside. Their outward appearance screamed bureaucrats, even if he'd seen them from miles away.

"Hi, my name's Jean Friedman and this is Michael Warren. We're looking for Jeremy Matthews. We're with the Jackson County Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services Division."

Daniel's eyes narrowed as long-forgotten feelings resurfaced. Memories of children's homes and ever-changing foster parents danced through his head, his stomach turned into knots.

"Yeah, come in. Jeremy's inside."

Seating them on the couch, he didn't need to listen to their explanations. He knew exactly why they were here. They were going to take Jeremy with them. But not without a fight. The boy had had a hard life and Jack was right. He needed a family and Daniel would see to it. He owed Jack so much more than that but this was a start.

--- --- --- --- ---

Jeremy was gone. They had been repeatedly assured that it was only a matter of days until all papers were signed and ready. Ms. Friedman had told them that they wouldn't want to keep Jeremy longer than necessary and Cassie seriously hoped that this was true. Daniel had fought like she had never seen before but even Teal'c's silent threatening had no effect on the two intruders.

Cassie was well aware of Daniel's past and understood his feelings completely though she'd had so much luck with her own adoptive family. The expression in those blue eyes was more than enough to show her that he identified with the boy. Both had lost their parents early, both were much too smart for their own good, both had found a friend in Jack.

But, despite all their fighting and reasoning, in the end they had had no choice but to hand Jeremy over. They had assured him it wouldn't be long but she had seen the fear in his eyes, belying his cool demeanor. Although she hardly knew the kid, she had taken an instant liking to him. Perhaps it was their similar history. Perhaps it was those green, intelligent eyes and charming smile that would melt every woman's heart. Apart from Jean Friedman's, as it seemed. She couldn't let Jeremy down.

But she couldn't let Jack down, either. Her mind raced through all equations until she found a solution she felt would work. Daniel and Teal'c would stay here, trying to solve the problem with Child Protective Services. Both of them were more useful here. Knowing Daniel, he would be too passionate about this and, although he was normally the perfect negotiator, his behavior during this latest meeting had shown her that he couldn't cope with this situation. So, Teal'c needed to stay to keep Daniel from doing something stupid.

She'd take Sam back to Colorado with her. Sam Carter, the woman who'd always been her rock, who'd always been there to catch her when she'd fallen, that very Sam Carter who had been silent, caught up in her own world throughout this whole incident. She remembered Sam after Jolinar, her face pale, as white as the sheets she had been laying on, dark shadows under red eyes. Cassie had been so afraid that day, so scared.

Yet the Sam, sitting next to her on the couch, her mind turned inward and trapped in her own world of pain and sorrow, scared her so much more. She'd feel much better if Sam was with her in Colorado instead of staying here where everything directly screamed of Jack's presence… and his absence.

Cassie realized that it was time she started repaying some debts. And she'd start by being the rock that Sam needed.

--- --- --- --- ---

A/N: Many, many thanks to those of you who have reviewed so far. It really means a lot to me. I was starting to doubt the story, but you've given me hope again. Please keep on telling me what you think of it.