Thank you for reviews! Here's chapter 2.
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Cassie filled Sam and Jack in on her classes and some of the recent projects she had done. When she was finished, the room was quiet; except for the sounds of eating.
"Derek, what's your major?" Sam asked.
Cassie opened her mouth to answer, but Derek beat her to it. "Undecided at the moment."
Sam nodded.
"Not sure what I am going to do yet. Thought I would take my general classes this year."
Sam smiled and took a bite of her food. Jack had finished his meal and was holding a bottle in Grace's mouth.
"What do you do with the Air Force ma'am?" Derek asked.
"Call me Sam." She smiled, "Deep space radar telemetry."
Derek nodded. "Oh" 'Probably a cover for something classified' he thought. Derek remembered that Cassie had mentioned that Sam traveled a lot for her job.
Sam stood and began clearing the dishes from supper. Derek stood and helped.
"Thanks" Sam said as he handed her a plate. They walked into the kitchen to put the dishes in the dishwasher.
"Ma'am"
"Sam"
"Okay, Sam," Derek paused, "I was wondering if it would be okay if I slept on the couch tonight?"
Sam looked up at him from her position at the dishwasher. She smiled. "If you want to share the spare room with Cassie, I won't object."
Derek shifted his weight uncomfortably. "I think I would feel better if the General knew I wasn't sharing a room with Cassie."
Sam suppressed a giggle. She walked over and put her hand on Derek's shoulder. "Derek, what ever makes this situation easier for you."
Derek smiled, "Thanks"
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They all watched a movie together, Cassie, Derek, and Sam on the couch, and Jack in the chair with Grace in his arms asleep. After the movie was over, Sam excused herself to bed, dragging Jack with her. That left Cassie and Derek on the couch.
"Cass, I am going to sleep out here tonight." Derek said quietly.
Cassie's eyes widened. "Why?"
"Because"
"I am sure they wouldn't care." Cassie said, putting her hand on his knee.
"I am sure Sam wouldn't care. I am not so sure I want to upset a man like General O'Neill." Derek paused, "The fact that he could probably snap my neck just by thinking about it kinda gives me the willies."
Cassie had to smile. "Well, really Sam could probably kick your butt too."
Derek smiled. "So you see why I am sleeping out here?"
Cassie nodded. "Not that I wouldn't want you with me, but I want you to be comfortable."
"Goodnight Cass"
Cassie leaned into Derek and kissed him forcefully. Their lips parted and she smiled. "Goodnight"
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Sam opened a book to read before bed. Jack was lying next to her with eyes closed, but clearly not sleeping.
"So"
Sam looked over a Jack, his eyes still closed. She closed her book and sighed. She wouldn't be reading anytime soon. "What?"
Jack opened his eyes and looked over at her. "So, what do you think…about…Derek?"
Sam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I think he's a nice guy. He adores Cassie."
"Yeah, he's okay. His story checks out. Both parents in the Air Force, Dad flew in Iraq, from Nebraska."
"You didn't" Sam said in disbelief.
"I did. Ran a check on him about an hour ago." Jack said grinning.
Sam shook her head.
"What!" Jack said looking over at Sam. "Someone's got to look after her. I think I am the dad figure."
Sam slugged him in the arm.
Jack looked over at her, grabbed the pillow from under his head and socked Sam in the head with it.
"Oh, Jack O'Neill, this means war." Sam said grabbing her own pillow.
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Cassie said good night to Derek and headed towards Sam and Jack's room. She needed to talk to them, tonight. As she approached their room, she heard muffled voices and the bed bouncing. Cassie took a deep breath and knocked. The sounds stopped abruptly. "It's me, Cassie. I need to talk." She heard footsteps and the door opened to reveal Sam, hair mussed up and looking winded.
"Come in Cass."
Jack was on his knees on the bed, shirtless, face flushed.
Cassie raised an eyebrow at him.
"What? We were having a fight to the death with pillows." Jack said, falling forward onto his stomach; his pillow under him.
Cassie smiled. She believed it.
"Cass, what's up?" Sam asked, interrupting Cassie's thoughts.
"I am sorry about today. About not telling you the friend I was bringing was also my boyfriend." Cassie paused, wringing her hands. "I just wanted him to meet you guys."
Sam put her arm around Cassie and squeezed.
Cassie continued. "He really is a great guy. The next break we have, we are going to see his parents."
Sam smiled. "Nervous?"
"Oh yeah. Only he has two older sisters and a younger brother too." Cassie said.
Jack smiled. "Derek hasn't met Danny and T yet."
"That's tomorrow." Sam said.
Cassie rolled her eyes. "Great. All I need is for him to take one look at Teal'c. Jack you freak him out enough without Teal'c."
Jack laughed. "I was good. Besides, he has a few things going for him."
Sam squeezed Cassie's shoulder. "Cassie, don't worry about it. Why don't you get some sleep. We will see you in the morning." Sam said, leading her towards the door.
"Okay" Cassie said, nodding. "I will see you guys in the morning."
"Nite Cass" Jack said lying up against his pillow.
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