AN: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! I appreciate it. This is a short chapter butthe next onewill be posted soon.

Chapter Four: Invitation

As soon as Daniel, Jack, and General Hammond walked into the cemetery, Cassie walked quickly over to them and put her arms first around Hammond, then Daniel, and finally Jack.

Cassie hugged him for longer than the others, seeking strength and comfort in his arms. She began to cry again, sobbing softly into his shoulder. Jack stroked back her long hair and murmured, "It's okay, Cass. You're going to be okay."

Cassie's open vulnerability and need for comfort was what finally broke Jack. He clutched her tightly and for the first time since hearing of Sam's death, he cried, burying his face in the young woman's neck.

This time it was Cassie that offered comfort. She soothingly rubbed Jack's back as she whispered in his ear, "It's okay, Uncle Jack. It's okay to cry… It's okay… I know you loved her."

After a few moments, they finally released each other. Jack quickly composed himself, wiping away the tears on his face and giving Cassie an appreciative smile. Cassie then took Jack's hand in hers and led him over to the tent beside the freshly dug graves. She sat next to Alec Colson, and Jack took the seat on her other side. Throughout the brief service, she held the hands of both men, one in each of her hands.

As he watched the scene unfold before him, Daniel hoped that it was a sign that some kind of reconciliation between the two men might take place – for the sake of the young woman now sitting between them who loved them both so much.

The ceremony was very brief and soon they were lowering the two caskets into the ground.

As the graveside service came to an end, Colson stood and turned to talk to Jack. His expression was kind and sympathetic, while Jack's remained cold and critical.

"General O'Neill…" Colson greeted him, "Thank you for coming. It means a great deal to Cassie, as you can tell. I was wondering if you could perhaps come back with us to the house. Cassie would love to spend some more time with you before you head back to Washington… and I have something that Sam asked me to give you."

Jack looked perplexed but jumped at the opportunity, believing it to be his chance to interrogate the man standing before him. "Sure…are Daniel and General Hammond invited as well?"

Colson appeared apologetic and shook his head. "Unfortunately, what I have to give you is for your eyes only."

Jack nodded his head in understanding and then excused himself to walk over to Daniel and Hammond.

"What's going on, Jack?" Daniel asked apprehensively.

"Colson invited me to dinner. It seems Cassie could do with some company and…he said something about Sam leaving something for me. You guys go ahead and take the car. I'll get a cab back to the hotel after dinner."

Daniel appeared a little upset about being excluded, but Hammond quickly suggested that they go out on the town together and catch up. But Daniel was also worried. He knew that Jack was up to something…and he didn't want the bad relationship between Colson and Jack to adversely affect Cassie.

"Jack…you're not going to do anything stupid, are you?" he asked warningly.

"Never, Daniel. I just have a few questions that need to be answered. And Colson is the only one who knows the answers. Don't worry…I'll wait until Cass is in bed before I interrogate him."

Daniel frowned at Jack's response. "Just be careful, Jack. Just because Sam chose him over you, doesn't make Alec the enemy," he chastised.

Jack's eyes narrowed in annoyance and anger. "It's not about that, Daniel. It's about finding out the truth. I can't let it go. Sam's dead and there is no way in hell that you are going to make me believe that it was an accident."

Daniel knew it was no use trying to dissuade Jack. The man had a one-track mind. At best, Daniel believed that this dinner with Colson might bring about a new understanding between the two men. At worst, it would further tear Jack apart and set him off on a one-man crusade to prove that Alec Colson was responsible for Sam's death.

TBC