Frustrated
Driving away from Jack's house, Cassie popped in a The Pretty Things CD. He had needed to get to the base for a few hours and run the odd errand and she had managed to trade vehicles with him – quite a coup. The fourth time "Loneliest Person" repeated tears came. She couldn't help but think of Jack. She really loved that man. She could still see him carrying Bugsy to her in the park, his shirt covered with dog hair and Janet grousing "What was that man thinking!" and everyone else laughing, especially Sam. She remembered too when she was little, not a few months after coming to live with Janet, and still getting used to her move from 'Toronto'. After spending time with friends from school in their homes and with their families, Cassie had asked Jack if he could be her daddy. She couldn't remember the exact words he used but it was something to the effect that it was an honor that he didn't deserve. She didn't get the implications for many years after that.
Why couldn't someone love him the way he needed? He should have someone in his life and she knew who that someone was. Those two were the smartest, greatest people she knew and the most screwed up. She wished they could get stranded on a paradise planet and not get rescued till they had screwed each other senseless.
Every guy who showed Cassie any interest was a callow, immature idiot and Sam, with the opportunity of a lifetime, passes up Jack O'Neill for that lump. She could just scream at the insanity of it. If Cassie could find a guy that could measure up to the likes of Jack O'Neill she would tackle him. The song on the next CD was Misery and finally Cassie just laughed with salty tears drying on her cheeks. She could see the sign now - "Carter and O'Neill, Frustrated Incorporated". She wasn't totally sure about Sam but the poor man must be frustrated.
He wasn't a total recluse. Sure he had SG – 1, but that was sort of past tense these days, and he had his drinking and poker buddies but when they went home he was alone. At least she never saw any trace of women there; oh yes "frustrated incorporated". Maybe there were things she didn't know.
As well as he tried to hide it, a spark left his eye since Sam took up with that clown. He claimed it was all the responsibility and stinking paperwork. She could see through the excuses and maybe, just maybe she could do something about it. Maybe Jack should date some hottie and rub it in Sam's nose. No, that just wouldn't be right but what if she does get married, what then? Never gonna happen!
It was about time, in fact way over due, to get things rolling. When he got back she would spend some time with her Uncle Jack and let him know how important he was to her. It wasn't what he needed but sometime you just need to know you are important to someone; that someone, anyone, loves you.
At this point she pulled up to Sam's house with Jack's truck. She wasn't exactly sure what she was going to do this weekend but Pete was not getting any alone time with Sam if she could help it, even if it made Cassie gag. And Jack's truck sat in front of the house as a constant reminder – bigger, stronger and vastly superior in every way.
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The Pretty Things – "Loneliest Person"
Soul Asylum – "Misery"