Emma knocked on the door to Cassie's room, poking her head round when she didn't get a response.

"I'll do my chores in a minute mum."

"Such a good little girl." Emma giggled as Cassie's head shot around to where she was stood, a grin forming on her face.

"Emma!" her expression suddenly looked concerned. "Is something wrong? I don't remember us arranging to meet up."

She shook her head. "Nothing's wrong. Your mum let me in. I need to talk to you." She shuffled uncomfortably, knowing she should be happy she could finally reveal her secret to her best friend, but she was too nervous to feel anything else.

Cassie sat up, concern etched on her face. "What is it?"

"Can I sit down?"

She nodded, indicating to the edge of the bed. Emma moved into the room, closing the door behind her before sitting next to her friend.

"I wanted to be the one to explain it, to tell you. I didn't want you to find out like everyone else, or later tonight and I couldn't keep it a secret any longer."

"Just tell me what it is."

"Sam's my mother."

Cassie burst out laughing, quickly sobering when she saw Emma's sombre expression.

"You're serious?"

"Yes."

She moved to mimic Emma's position, staring down at her hands, trying to grasp the concept. "But how? I mean, I know how…Why didn't we know?"

"I was adopted as a baby. Sam was about our age, too young to look after me. She was always around though, as a friend, a big sister of sorts. She'd take me to the fair, to see movies, would come round and play with me. I've always known she was related to me, a mother of sorts, but it wasn't until I was older that they explained to me what that meant."

"What about your father? Your real one I mean."

Emma shrugged. "I never knew him. Sam never talks about him. I asked once but she seemed rather upset by it so I never asked again."

"You weren't curious?"

"I have a Dad, a wonderful one. There's a reason Sam hasn't told me about my biological one, and it has to be that I wouldn't want to know so I'm better off not knowing."

Cassie didn't look convinced. "Do you really not want to know or are you making yourself believe that as you don't think you can find out?"

"It doesn't matter. Can we please not talk about him anymore."

She sighed, realising that she had pushed too far. "I'm sorry, it's just a hard thing to grasp."

"I know. Sam told the others in letters, your mum showed me hers. I didn't think that would be the best way to tell you."

"Mum knows?"

"Yep, and Jack, Daniel and Murray or whatever his name is."

Cassie smiled. "His name is Teal'c. But don't tell anyone I told you."

"I promise. Oh, and Sam's having a get together tonight at hers, give everyone a chance to discuss and ask questions. Want to go?"

She didn't reply, moving to stare out of the window. "I'll think about it."

"Cassie?"

"I'm fine. I just need a little time alone. Thanks for coming to see me, I'll see you tonight."

Emma nodded, hurt by the abrupt change in her friend's mood. "Bye."

Cassie waited until the door closed before bursting into tears.

A few minutes later someone knocked on her door, not waiting for a response before entering. "Cassie?"

She didn't turn round. "Hey mum."

"What's up?"

She sighed, knowing that Janet could see right through her act. "It's nothing."

She heard Janet move towards her and turned to face her, finding herself wrapped in loving arms. "Is it something Emma said?"

Cassie nodded, separating herself from her mother and sitting on the edge of the bed. Janet moved to sit next to her. "It's just such a shock, finding out about Sam and Emma."

"I know. But it's a good thing right?"

"I suppose. But what if they go away together? Or do something together and forget about me?"

"Oh sweetheart." Janet pulled her closer, placing her arm around her. "I promise you're not going to lose Sam or Emma. I won't let it happen. Sam loves you as a daughter, she would never stop seeing you."

"But she has her real daughter now, she doesn't need a replacement."

"Look at me," Janet gently moved Cassie's face around to face her, wiping away at a tear that fell. "Sam never thought of you as a replacement daughter, I didn't need to know about Emma to know that. She thinks of you as a real daughter, as real as Emma. It may be hard at first, it's going to take us all time to adjust to this but the fact Emma came to see you, to tell you herself, shows how much she cares for you and wants you involved."

Cassie smiled slightly, realising the truth behind her mother's words. "Thanks mum."

Janet kissed her on the forehead before standing, walking to the door. "Are you going to come to the get together tonight?"

"Definitely."

Janet smiled, silently promising that she'd make sure her daughter didn't get hurt, even if it meant breaking out the big needles.