Cassie sat and stared at the phone. Sam had broken the news to her a few hours earlier and she knew she had to call Anton before too long. Janet had been seeing him in a manner that she suspected was intended to be more than friends since that awkward dinner date a month beforehand. Janet had flown out for a weekend at his mansion in Reefside California just the weekend before. Apparently Anton was going to be coming to this weekend to reveal some big news to her. She just knew that this was meant to reveal that they were dating.
Cassie picked up the phone and after flipping through Janet's contacts found Anton's number. Dialing the phone she didn't know if she could hold it together but she somehow managed while the phone rang three times. After the third ring a voice came over the phone however it wasn't Anton's.
"Trent speaking, can I help you?" the voice issued forth through the phone.
Cassie sucked back her breath, "This is Cassandra Fraiser, and I need to speak to Anton Mercer about some important affairs."
"I am sorry Cassandra but my father just boarded a plane to Colorado. I can relay a message to him in a couple of hours when he reaches his destination." Trent replied with a hint in his voice that he knew that this wasn't just another business call.
"Thank you Trent, Could you tell him Janet's daughter called with an urgent issue." Cassie attempted to get across without breaking into tears.
There was a muffled sound on the other side of the phone and Trent did a double take, "Wait you mean to tell me that you are Janet's daughter Cassie?"
"Yes that would be me." Cassie said biting harder to hold back the tears.
"Cassie, is something wrong with your mother?" Trent asked firmly back in a manner that showed Cassie that she could trust him.
Cassie shook her head even though she knew the gesture could not be communicated through the phone and she broke down crying.
"Cassie, I am on my way to Colorado. I can't explain how but I will get there ahead of my father and hold him off so you don't need to do this alone." Trent said before hanging up, "I will see you in a few hours."
SG1PR
Daniel looked at Sam as she got off of the phone, "Was that Cassie?"
Sam nodded, "Apparently Janet was seeing an old friend of hers. Cassie attempted to call off a visit he was supposed to make however she missed him and now his son is flying out here to be with his Dad when he find out. Trent will apparently beat his Father here somehow."
"Well this is going to be an interesting family reunion." Daniel said leaning back against the table
"You're telling me! Cassie wants me to be there, she doesn't know if she can take telling an entire family about her mother's death or at least the cleaned version." Sam shook her head, "The thing is Daniel I don't even know if I can handle telling this guy. Cassie wasn't even supposed to know the true cause of death."
Daniel shrugged, "Do you think Cassie would have believed that there was an accident at the lab?"
"No she wouldn't however this guy is another story." Sam replied to which she got her coat, "I should head over there so we can both prepare for their arrival."
"Good idea and I will stay here and wait." Daniel nodded as Sam walked out of the lab to go get changed.
SG1PR
Jon stood on the practice field with a few other first year students and practiced his kata's. In his other life he had teased Teal'c for these repetitive motions that he was doing however since coming to this school he had grown to respect the hard work that went into putting the motions into the correct order. Technically he didn't have to be out here as it was a Saturday but he had figured that he had nothing better to do.
The school had been quieting down since the interschool ninja competition however there was still talk of smaller upcoming matches in which the schools would meet again. However the threats on the other school had stopped disrupting the cafeteria. One thing that had changed though was his roommate Josh, since the competition he had started hanging out with other students who seemed to be almost the equivalent of the jocks of the school, some of them had competed in the ninja completion but most of them were just the 'extra' practice at strange hours crew.
Narrowing his eyes as he thought of Josh and his one eighty he saw Josh walk across the field with Leila, and Gage two of his newest friends. Laughing the three of them walked down onto the beach. Realizing he was so distracted he stopped and followed the group thinking he would find out what they were up to.
Following silently at a distance remembering his special ops training he followed the group to one of the many sea caves just around the bend of the shoreline from the school. When he walked into the cave there was just a deep dark cavern that was void of any echoes to indicate someone was walking in the cave.
Behind him was a cough followed by a stern voice, "Mr. Grayson I hope you have a valid reason for being in one of the sea caves which you know very well is against school policy."
Jon jumped as he turned to face Sensei Bradley's younger brother Blake.
"I was following my roommate and he went into this cave here with a few other classmates." Jon said coming back out of the cave.
"You do realize why these caves are off limits don't you?" Blake asked Jon sternly
"Something about the tides?" Jon asked but then looked to the waves which were showing low tide.
Blake nodded, "Exactly which is why someone is always watching these caves and before you think that it is safe because it is low tide just remember that if you get to wandering around in there and get lost that just maybe you will find yourself trapped during high tide?"
"I understand and seeing as this is my first offence of this matter and you aren't really school staff do you think you could just let me off the hook. Besides there are other students down here that just might need your help." Jon said trying to get out of the punishment he knew would come from being caught here.
"Unfortunately the code of this school doesn't work that way, I will forward your message onto my brother but until then why don't you go see if you can help the cook with the dishes. If there are any other students down here they will also face an extra task once they are discovered," Blake pointed Jon in the correct direction.
Jon started walking and heard Blake walking behind him however once he reached the edge of campus he turned and saw that Blake was nowhere behind him. Certain things about the school had begun to creep him out and the fact that the faculty could just appear right behind him like a navy seal or a ninja was just the tipping point.
SG1PR
Cassie walked down the stairs having gotten changed out of her pajamas at Sam's advice to answer the doorbell. Opening the door she revealed a handsome man with light brown skin and black hair. In some way he seemed familiar as if she had seen his picture before but was trying to think if Janet had shown her any pictures of Anton's son but nothing came to mind of course this wasn't the best day for remembering things.
The man nodded, "I am assuming you are Cassie, I am Trent as you probably guessed. I take it my father hasn't arrived yet?"
Cassie shook her head but let him in, "It is nice to finely meet you Trent. My mom talked highly about meeting you a few weeks ago."
"I know, I only wish our meeting could have been under better conditions," Trent nodded as Cassie showed him to the living room where Sam waited on the couch.
Cassie introduced Sam, "Trent this is Major Sam Carter, she was my mom's best friend and my God Mother."
Trent held out his hand, "I am very sorry for your loss Ma'am."
Sam shook his hand, "Cassie told me she couldn't finish telling you why she had been calling you."
Trent frowned, "I know how hard it can be losing a parent that I recognized it in Cassie's voice when she called. There are few other things that can top that emotion. I have been through it; I know when someone is faking to try and get attention and when it is the real deal. I thought it better that I be here when my dad finds out."
Sam nodded, "I am sure you are right. If you don't mind though could you share how your parents died?"
Trent shook his head, "I don't mind, it was a rock slide and cave in while on a dig with Anton. Anton tried to save them however forces got between him and my parents and by the time he was able to be of any assistance it was too late, they made him promise to look after me for them. I however hated Anton for the first year blaming him for taking my parents from me."
Cassie nodded recognizing the story that Anton had told over that first dinner together and as she did she pushed back tears.
Trent frowned and handed the younger girl a Kleenex, "I don't think I could imagine doing it a second time though. I can't imagine how hard this is for you, a child is never supposed to lose a parent let alone three parents.
Cassie broke down with giant sobs before explaining, "I have actually lost four parents."
Sam looked shocked, "Cassie?"
Cassie wiped her eyes, "I never mentioned it because I wasn't even a year old so I don't remember him very well but my first father died in a farming accident. Our village didn't accept widows very well so within the month my mother married a young widower and he raised me as his own alongside his children who were a couple years older than myself."
Sam hugged the younger girl, "Cassie grief does funny things to our memories and we recall the strangest things.
Trent sat down across from the two women, "I know this might be rude but seeing as we were talking about parents would you care to tell me how your parents' died?"
Cassie shook her head but looked at Sam, "You can tell him."
Sam nodded, "Cassie's entire village was killed by a virus that swept through the region. Cassie's survival was a medical miracle."
Trent shook his head as he comprehended the pain Cassie had been through but jumped up when the doorbell rang, "I will get it; it is probably my Dad anyhow."
Sam nodded as Cassie sat up and wiped her tears away and attempted to dry her face. She had wisely chosen not to wear any makeup which she was now grateful for even though she knew her eyes looked swollen and red at least she didn't have dark streaks running down her face.
From the hall came an exasperated sound, "Trent what are you doing here?"
"I took the private jet after receiving a call from Cassie just after you took off on your commercial flight here. I felt it better that I be here." Trent replied as he showed his father into the living room.
Anton looked at Cassie and then at Sam, "Where is Janet?"
Sam frowned, "Mr. Mercer you might want to have a seat."
Anton sat down and eyed Sam very suspiciously, "There was an accident in the lab where Janet was working earlier this week. Because of the security level of this accident I was prevented from informing Cassie until just this morning and we are still dealing with the repercussions at the base. Janet was a good Doctor and she is sorely being missed."
Anton became silent and stunned as he shook his head, "I don't understand Janet told me she was a doctor at the air force academy hospital. How could this have happened?"
Sam shook her head, "That is correct however she also worked at a lab which is trying to find a cure for PTSD and one of the patients treatment backfired."
Anton shook his head, "Why didn't she tell me that she was working in that type of situation?"
"Could you imagine if it got out that she potentially knew a cure for PTSD? Anyone and everyone would hassle her to treat them. She had been ordered to keep quiet about it, but seeing as it wasn't officially classified I will share it with you. You have a right to know." Sam explained trying to make the lab accident believable while also keeping far from what she had actually been doing at the time of her death.
Anton stood up, "Would you mind if I come to the funeral?"
Cassie nodded, "Please I think my Mom would have liked that. It will be in two days at noon. The viewing will be tomorrow night at seven."
Anton nodded and indicated that Trent should follow him, "Cassie thank you for telling me, I am much appreciative."
After Anton had left Sam looked at Cassie, "That wasn't so bad now was it?"
Cassie shook her head, "Now I just need to get through the next couple of days. The first time someone close to Janet died I had a hard time comprehending why you wait so long to bury a person. On Hanka we buried them within the hour that their death was confirmed."
Sam nodded, "It isn't so much the fact that we want to lengthen the grieving process before giving the families closure it is so that people can study the body and try to figure out how their death could have been prevented or even in some cases what caused the death."
Cassie attempted to smile and let out a weak laugh, "Jack would say that they should put a warning label saying Staff blasts kill." Cassie's smile faded as she realized that there wasn't much talk about her favorite Colonel.
Sam read the gaze and smiled, "Jack is fine, he did take a staff blast as well but he will survive although he is going to be making us all miserable for a while."
SG1PR
Jon looked up from the pot he was scrubbing. The cook had made an economy sized pot of mashed potatoes and so far he was failing at getting the gunk out of the pot.
Hunter walked in, "Jon could you come walk with me?"
Jon looked at the pot and the cook nodded that it was alright that he leave the kitchen.
Hunter walked towards the beach, "I understand that my brother caught you down by the sea caves earlier."
Jon frowned, "Yes sir."
Hunter nodded, "I have been thinking on this for some time and I believe you are ready to know the truth. I don't think you are completely ready to handle the truth however."
"I don't think I follow you Sensei." Jon replied as he followed Hunter towards the caves.
"This school was founded on a secret code of honor Jon and every student finds out about it sooner or later. You are a bit sooner because I know you are skeptical given your past." Hunter explained, "Before you go saying that you don't know what I mean, you need to know that I know everything about you and yes I mean everything."
"How do you know everything?" Jon asked feeling very pale and not sure if he should believe the man or run off thinking he was crazy.
"I know you are skeptical but I am sure you remember the term GSA." Hunter explained.
Jon nodded his head as he followed, "I know that they are a bunch of crazies who think they are more powerful than other Uhh people out there."
Hunter laughed as he led Jon into the sea caves, "Why don't you hold off judgment until you see just what I mean." Hunter faced the wall and motioned to the wall while repeating, "Thunder rumbles, Lightening burns together they are a storm!" all of a sudden the wall began to disintegrate and Jon was instructed to step into the swirling wall with Hunter.
SG1PR
Two days later
Cassie walked down the aisle following her mother's casket out of the corner of her eyes she saw Anton and Trent but it was the person sitting next to Trent holding his hand that made her stop and hold up the procession. Her eyes made contact with the woman but she quickly looked ahead and followed the casket to the hearse.
After the burial Cassie felt eyes on her so she turned to see the last person she ever wanted to see at an event like this.
"Cassie you have my hugest condolences, I am so sorry for your loss. Trent informed me and I just had to come." The woman said formally
Anton came over and laid a hand on the woman's shoulder, "Cassie I see you have met my daughter in law, she begged to come saying she had met you and felt for you."
Cassie nodded, "Yes Kira and I have met."
Anton nodded, "I was actually coming here this weekend to tell you that Kira was my daughter in law. Janet advised me that I should do it in person before she invited you to my home."
"Mom knew?" Cassie grew angry.
Kira frowned, "Cassie, if I had known about your mom and Anton when I met you two years ago I would have told you who I was related to. I however try to keep my private life well private because it is the least I can do for Trent and Anton, even though Trent is quite famous in his own respects."
Cassie shook her head and stormed off to where Sam waited to take her home.
SG1PR
Jack shook his head as he sat up in his bed, "Sorry I couldn't make the funeral, I wish I could have been there for Cassie."
Sam shook her head, "It is alright although if you had been uninjured you could have given a certain pop star a kick in the butt."
Jack shook his head, "there was a pop star at the funeral; gee I picked one heck of a funeral to miss."
"Not in an official capacity however I guess Janet has been seeing an old friend of hers and it turns out that his adopted son is married to Kira Ford. Kira came along with Trent but no one bothered to let Cassie no that Kira was going to be in attendance." Sam explained with a shake of her head.
"Yes I would surely have given her a kick in the butt." Jack shook his head, "the nerve of some people."
"Cassie is at home tearing down all pictures over Kira off of her walls and I didn't want to get in the middle of her grieving so I came here to check on you sir." Sam replied, "But there is more, and I am waiting until she is more level headed to show Cassie this."
Jack took the envelope and flipped it over
Sam took it back, "Anton Mercer slipped this to me last night at the viewing and told me that when I felt Cassie was ready to accept the gift she could have it."
"Cool what is it? it looks awfully thin to be an impressive gift." Jack replied as he followed the envelope.
"It is apparently a full ride scholarship to any school that Cassie would want to go to," Sam frowned.
Jack whistled, "So Janet was seeing a rich guy whose son is married to a pop star, she really knew how to choose them."
"I can't tell but it feels like Anton Mercer is trying to buy Cassie over or pay her off." Sam shook her head as she tucked the envelope away.
"Ehh, let the rich man throw his money around, she can save that trust fund we have been saving for her for after school when she can't find a job right away." Jack shrugged.
Sam shook her head, "It still feels wrong somehow."
Jack shook his head before wincing, "Carter the money is hers, let her decide will you."