Chapter 21
Cassie walked out of the sky link and up the steps to the concourse gate, backpack slung over her shoulder. She stepped out and to the side, pausing to look around. She spotted them instantly. The crowd waiting for other passengers fell aside before them like . . . what was the expression? Ah, yes, from the Earth Bible - Moses parting the Red Sea. The four formed an uneven V, like a flock of geese flying in formation. Jack was on point, flanked by Teal'c on his left , Sam and Daniel no his right. Everyone around them stepped aside, such was the presence that surrounded them. Cassie almost smiled. The four, individually, were formidable in their own right, but together they were a force to be reckoned with. It was a good feeling to know they were there for her, no matter what. Cassie sighed minutely and she felt a bit of the tension she'd been carrying ease as the four surrounded her and the loving comfort radiating from them seeped into her grieving soul.
Little was said as SG-1 surrounded her. Cassie attempted a watery smile as Jack stepped forward to hold her tight. After a moment, he leaned back, searching her eyes before hugging her again. Jack let go and first Daniel, then Teal'c, filed forward to embrace her. At last Sam stood before her, tears glistening in her eyes. They reached for each other and held on for a long time. Cassie pulled back first and sniffed as she dashed a tear away. She gave Sam a small, uneven little smile and Sam smiled back as she tucked Cassie under her arm to walk by her side. "C'mon Kiddo, lets get you out of here before we all lose it."
With that, the male members of SG-1 fell in around them, unconsciously protecting them as they walked out of the airport and to Jack's waiting truck. They threw Cassie's backpack in the bed and piled in, Jack driving, Sam riding shotgun and Cassie sandwiched comfortably between Daniel and Teal'c in the back seat. As Jack headed the truck toward his cabin, Cassie sighed deeply and leaned her weight against Teal'c, laying her head against his massive arm. The big man glanced down and shifted to settle her more comfortably into his side. At last she safe and with her family. Her remaining family. She knew she had a long way to go before she made her peace with the weight of grief she carried, but she'd learned long ago, when Sam had been taken by Jolinar and lived, that these people wouldn't let the darkness claim her. Comfort surrounded her and Cassie sighed, closed her eyes and allowed sleep to take her.
After about 20 minutes, Teal'c rumbled in tones low enough not to disturb her, "I believe CassandraFraiser has fallen asleep."
Daniel glanced down as Sam spun in her seat and Jack glanced in the rearview mirror. Cassie's breathing had deepened and relaxation had eased the look of strain that had etched her features when she'd come off the plane. Daniel had to resist the urge to brush back a lock of hair that had fallen in her face. He didn't want to disturb her rest.
"Poor kid, she's been through a lot. First her parents and all the people of Hanka, then Janet and now Jacob," Daniel whispered and shook his head.
Jack glanced again into the rearview mirror and spoke low, his tone grim, "If it's one thing we've all learned, Daniel, life's not fair and it's often most unfair to those who deserve it least."
Teal'c intoned "Indeed" with a nod of his head and Sam reached out to lay her hand on Jack's arm. The rest of the long ride to Jack's cabin was made in comfortable silence, each keeping their own counsel, glancing often to check on their sleeping charge.
It was well into the night when Jack pulled off the road and up the long track leading to his cabin. The gravel crunched under the truck's tires and the change woke Cassie. During the ride, she'd shifted in her sleep, coming to rest her head against Teal'c's massive chest. Teal'c had turned, resting his back against the door, to make her more comfortable as she slept. Bleary and at first unsure where she was, Cassie paused before opening her eyes, slowly remembering where she was, and with whom. Relief flooded her. She wasn't in the least embarrassed at having fallen asleep on the big guy. She knew, for all his appearance and formidability,Teal'c had a tender heart. She pushed off and settled herself again between the two men. "Thanks T."
Teal'c nodded, "You are most welcome, CassandraFrasier." Over the years he'd become accustomed to the short form of address O'Neill used for his name. O'Neill had rubbed off on all of them to one extent or another and Cassandra's use of O'Neill's address did not trouble him, he knew, rather, that it was a sign of deep affection.
Jack glanced around as he pulled up to the cabin. "We're home, kids. Let's get in, get settled and get some shut-eye, it's late."
All five emerged a bit stiffly from the truck and stretched before heading toward the front door. Daniel grabbed Cassie's backpack and slung it over his shoulder before putting a hand to the small of her back to guide her up the steps. Cassie turned to flash him a brief smile as she entered the cabin. The great room was dimly lit and not much was to be seen of the detail of the room and she was too tired to take it in. She allowed Sam to guide her to the bathroom and guest bedroom, where she made quick work of washing and brushing her teeth before she climbed into bed to snuggle beneath the covers.
Sam came and sat by her side, brushing her hair back from her face. "You sleep now. I'll be in in a bit, okay?"
Cassie nodded and tears shimmered unshed in her eyes. "I love you, Sam."
Sam leaned down and took her in her arms, hugging her tight. "I love you too, Cass. Everything will be alright. It'll just take some time. Sleep." Sam stroked Cassie's cheek one last time before she got up and quietly shut the door. Within minutes and for the first time in what seemed like forever, Cassie fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.
Sam let herself out and made her way into the great room. Daniel had just finished making coffee and silently handed her a cup before they all sat down.
Jack put his arm around Sam and glanced down, "How's she doin'?"
"Sleeping, for now. We'll have to see how it goes in the morning."
Having seen Cassie, Daniel appreciated Jack's idea of letting Cassie lead the way in discussing her grief. In a lot of ways, Cassie had take on both Jack and Sam's coping mechanisms. To say neither was fond of discussing their feelings in a group setting was an understatement of massive proportions, but each could sometimes be enticed to open up one-on-one. "I think you're right Jack. I think it would be best if we either approach her individually or let her come to us. She's too much like both of you," Daniel glanced meaningfully at Sam and Jack, "to try to approach in a group setting."
Daniel was finally on the right page, but the mood had gotten heavy and Jack lightened it as he did best, "Excuse me? I was right?" Jack turned and nudged Sam. "Get this down Carter, Daniel said I was right."
Sam rolled her eyes, but took the point and smiled, "Well, it's been know to happen occasionally." Sir was on the tip of her tongue, but she managed to catch it before it escaped.
Jack clasped his heart. "Carter, you wound me."
Daniel just shook his head. Eight years had taught him that nothing was ever going to change Jack's warped sense of humor. He turned and patted Teal'c on the shoulder. "Lets get ready for bed."
The boys moved to the loft and came down to change places in the bathroom before settling in, leaving Sam and Jack on the couch. Sam let out a gusty breath and settled closer into Jack's embrace.
"Sleeping with Cassie tonight?"
"I think I should. I told her I would. Do you mind?"
Jack held her tighter. "No. I'll miss you, but I don't mind." He'd miss her terribly, in fact. In the past few days, the habit of years of sleeping alone had been completely turned upside down. Having Sam spooned into him as he slept felt as natural as breathing. He would wake when she got up to use the bathroom, only to fall easily and deeply to sleep when she returned. And waking up with her was heaven. But he was going to Washington and he knew, much as he'd like, he couldn't take her with him. Long distance was going to become a way of life for them, sleeping more alone than together. Every moment they had now was precious to him, but Cassie needed them. He'd live with sleeping alone. Jack got up and pulled Sam to her feet, hugging her tight and giving her a soft, lingering kiss. He broke the contact before it could become heated – no sense going down that road – and ducked his head into her shoulder to whisper, "C'mon, let's get you go bed."