AN: Here's the next part. By the way, I DO have super fast typing skills but the story comes only at the whim of my writing demon within – Boris. Do I have an end in mind for this? Boris does, I assume. Me, not so much. I originally began this almost as a one shot character study but it sort of took on a life of its own. Like so many of my other stories. I'm so not in control but it seems to all work itself out in the end. Thanks for all the support and I hope you like the next part…
General Hammond looked up from the reports he was perusing as all four members of SG-1 turned up in his office.
"Could we have a word, sir?" Colonel O'Neill asked.
"Why don't we move to the briefing room." The General suggested. They had sparked his curiosity considering they'd only left less than an hour ago and their faces were all very serious.
"So what's this about?" Hammond asked as they all settled into the briefing room chairs.
SG-1 exchanged glances and then Daniel spoke up. "It's about my friend, General. The thing I didn't mention before was that this friend is actually John O'Neill – the Asgard made clone of Jack."
"I see. What happened?"
"John has made it his mission to make sure the school runs smoothly. Since he's been there…"
Jack interrupted. "Yes, yes… I don't think the General is really interested in school statistics. Let's just say that mini-me has been kicking some delinquent butt and that everything is all sunshine and roses now. Except that while he was making all this progress with the kids, the faculty turned out to contain one massively evil son of a bitch. The type that likes to mess around with little girls."
"Oh my god."
Daniel continued. "John walked in on one such attack and that teacher is now in hospital in critical condition. So far the police and the DA aren't interested in prosecuting John or investigating him further."
"So what's the problem?"
"It turns out that the teacher is instrumental to some big FBI case and has been granted immunity from prosecution." Major Carter told him
"What!"
"We were hoping that some of your contacts might give us more information about this case and find a way to make sure that Frankston doesn't get away with what he's done." Carter passed him a couple of pages of computer printouts with the relevant details.
"If this Frankston doesn't make it, we could run into some difficulties with the FBI for blowing their case." Hammond pointed out. "They could go after Colonel O'Neill's clone – which is something we don't want to happen. Obviously if they start looking into his background we could run into some difficulties."
"We wish to protect JohnO'Neill from all harm, General Hammond." Teal'c asserted. "He must be allowed to continue the life he has created for himself."
"I think it's safe to say, sir." Jack's voice was firm. "That each and every one of us would be willing to call in certain favours from high up if necessary to achieve the outcomes we want."
"Understood." Hammond sighed. "How many? How many girls?"
"Six." Daniel replied tightly. "That have come forward so far. There might be more."
"God." Hammond couldn't help but think of his grand daughters. If anyone hurt them he'd rip them apart. "I'll let you know what I find out. In the meantime, this situation is your top priority."
"Thank you, sir."
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"Are you sure this is a good idea?" John asked Ally as they paused on the doorstep of the extremely impressive house belonging to the Marlowes.
"If she's not up for visitors then her folks will just say so and at least she'll know we're thinking of her." Ally decided.
It had been Ally's idea to come visit Heather. Apparently, Heather had been released from hospital some time last night. Unlike Ally, Heather had not appeared at school. Neither had the other girls.
"Maybe we should have called first?" John suggested.
"We're here now." Ally pushed the doorbell.
Mr Marlowe opened the door looking rather haggard. Definitely not his usual crisp suited self at all. He took one look at the pair on the door step and opened the door further to let them in.
"John." He clasped John's hand firmly and shook it. "Thank you so much for what you did for my girl."
"Anyone would have done the same."
"Not necessarily quite as good a job. Thank you. I'll be calling the school board about getting your suspension revoked. It's just ridiculous that you should be punished for what you did."
"It's okay, sir. It's only a week and not on my permanent record."
"Still. It won't do at all."
Mrs Marlowe appeared, also looking very tired and not as polished as she usually did. She'd obviously been crying a fair bit. "Jonathan…" She practically collapsed in John's arms.
He rubbed her back, trying not to feel awkward. He didn't really know her very well. He'd only really been to Heather's place for a few parties which he patrolled with eagle eyes to make sure no-one got up to anything stupid.
Mrs Marlowe eventually pulled away from John and then turned her attention to Ally. "How are you doing, sweetie?"
"Getting there, Mrs Marlowe… we just wanted to drop by see how Heather is."
"That's so sweet of you, dear." Mrs Marlowe looked like she was going to cry again so Mr Marlowe quickly took them upstairs to Heather's room.
"Heather, honey?" He knocked on her door. "John and Ally are here to see you but they'll come back later if you want."
"It's fine, daddy."
Heather was sitting cross-legged on her bed. Wearing tracksuit pants, a baggy t-shirt, with no make up and her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, she looked even younger than she was. She seemed really fragile but calm.
John sat in her desk chair while Ally plopped down on the bed with Heather. "You doing okay?" He asked.
"I'll live." Heather replied, definitely not her usual chirpy, cheerleader self. "Thank you both for what you did yesterday."
"No problem. I enjoyed every minute of kicking the bastard's ass."
"It gets easier, right?" Heather asked Ally. "I mean you're coping better?"
Ally's eyes closed briefly and she took a deep breath. "Some days are harder than others but I think now that it's truly over and he can't hurt anyone else… I think it'll get better yeah."
"I hope he dies. Is that bad?" She asked. "God, I hope you won't get into trouble if he does, John! Shit! Don't worry, Daddy has really good lawyers. He won't let anything happen to you."
"Don't you worry about me, Hezzah."
"I've been thinking about your friend, Daniel."
"What? Daniel? How do you know about…"
"You know… that talk you gave in 'Society & Culture' last semester… on the person who inspires you most in regards to ethical and moral issues?"
Ally grinned. "Oh, I'm so going to tell him about that!"
"You are not!" John was horrified. He practically forgotten all about that talk – and he so hadn't mentioned it to Daniel! He gave Ally a filthy look and then turned back to Heather. "You were saying?"
"I was thinking about what he'd do in this situation. I mean if he'd been hurt and there'd been others who were also hurt by the same thing. I think he'd want to help the other people."
"Probably." John agreed.
"So… I was thinking all last night… maybe I could start like a support group or something. All the girls could come here and we could hang out. Just talk about how we feel and vent and stuff. I mean my parents could even organise a counsellor for all of us. Someone really good. Do you think that's a dumb idea, Ally?"
"No…" Ally's voice was quiet. "I think it's a really good idea and very considerate of you, Heather. Strength in numbers and all that." She took Heather's hand.
"My other idea… and tell me if you think it's stupid or whatever because I'm not certain that I'm thinking clearly… was that maybe John might consider teaching like a girl's self defence class. I mean… everyone trusts you and obviously you know some martial arts… It wouldn't have to be just for the girls involved but anyone who would like to feel safer, you know?"
John swallowed hard. Man, Heather was really surprising him. He felt moved. "I would be very happy to be a part of that."
Heather smiled bravely. "Good. I've got some planning to do then. I feel like the only way I'm going to get through this is to focus on more positive things. Distractions. Speaking of which, do you both feel like playing some x-box or watching some DVDs?"