Chapter Two: Conflicted Hearts
The Fourth of July dawned bright and sunny and Charlie rose with it. The sun was just rising as she stepped out of the still and sleeping house. Oblivious to the beautiful scene, she headed down the steps, trying to decide which way to go. As her feet touched the sand she took off running in a full sprint.
She hated this day, everyone seemed to think birthdays were a thing to be excited about, but for Charlie it was hard to celebrate a day she wasn't sure she was happy about. Ever since her mother had taken her away from her father, birthdays had been days of loneliness and being forgotten.
Her mother had refused to celebrate Charlie's birthday or even the Fourth of July. More often than not Charlie had spent the day by herself or a babysitter who talked on the phone more than to a sullen little girl. As Charlie grew older it had turned into a day of cleaning for her bipolar mother.
For Charlie there had never been party dresses, cake or even balloons, only bad, lonely memories. Once she had gone to live with her grandparents they had tried, but it was hard to overcome so many dark years with a smattering of good.
Charlie ran until her body gave out and she fell on her knees at the edge of the surf. The cool water washing over her feet helped to cool her overheated body. Today of all days her mother's voice was the loudest, ripping away at the new relationships Charlie had begun to build. Breathing heavily, she banished the thoughts and memories pounding her soul ruthlessly. Don't waste your energy on her, Kawalsky. She ain't worth it.
Suddenly her senses tingled and she knew someone was approaching. Her whole body went tense as she tried to determine if the newcomer was friend or foe.
A hand touched her shoulder and Charlie reacted, grabbing the offending arm and wrenching it across the newcomer's back forcing them face first into the sand.
The would be attacker howled in surprise but Charlie immediately let go and stepped back. "Nate! You should know better by now than to sneak up on me."
Nate rubbed his now sore shoulder and arm. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you something and just wasn't thinking."
Stepping closer, Charlie touched his shoulder. "Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"
"It hurts... a lot, but I'll live. I've had worse injuries. I did call your name; thought you heard me but I'll make sure next time." Getting to his feet, Nate forced a smile. "Anyway I have a surprise for you. Come back to the house when you're ready. "
Then, with a soft touch to her cheek, he walked away.
Charlie watched him go for just a moment before she raced to catch up with him sensing that it was time to make that step forward and trust.
"Nate, I'm ready now." Reaching out she took his hand, with a slight hope that today might be a good day.
Sam pulled to a stop in front of her house. She closed her eyes, wondering when the battle would stop replaying itself before her eyes. The explosions and the imagined screams rang in her ears, so many dead.
Although she ached to enter the house and find Jack and Jasmine, fear kept her frozen. Sam sat there staring at her small house, waiting for it to disappear once like it did each time in her dreams while floating alone in space.
It had been a grueling week and now she was finally home or so she hoped. Too many times while floating in space she'd come home, stepped from the car and walked up the steps to the front door. She'd opened it to find the black of space covered with floating debris and death.
Closing her eyes she rested her head on the steering wheel and breathing in slowly using the feel of molded plastic to anchor herself. The sun was just coming up over the mountains and the house was dark. Jack had no idea she was coming home today, in fact, she wasn't supposed to be here for another three days; but Cam had ordered her off the Odyssey at the first gate and told her to go home to her husband and baby. Stepping out of the car onto the damp grass, Sam crossed the lawn and headed up the steps. The dew on the lawn had soaked her shoes, telling her that this time was real. The third step squeaked under her feet as she ascended to the porch.
Her hand shook as she turned the knob. It didn't open this time, instead it was locked and she had to fumble for her key as her breath increased wondering if her life waited on the other side of the door or the void.
Opening the front door she found the hallway and her home welcomed her. Surrounded by the life she and Jack had created over the last few years. Their wedding pictures mixed in with those of Jasmine lined the hallway with a few scattered shots of SG-1 in its various forms and a few of Jon and Cassie as well.
She had come so close to losing everyone this time, she had to watch it all happen while she floated helplessly with ships exploding around her and then the silence. The worst part was drifting among the dead wondering if she would be joining them as Sam's air supply decrease breath by breath.
Sam opened the bedroom door slowly, hoping to avoid the squeaky hinge and wake Jack.
Closing her eyes Sam, locked the scene into her memory. Jack lay in the middle of the bed sprawled out on his back with Jasmine asleep on his chest. Sam could hear the little girl's soft snores from the doorway. This was what she was fighting to save, this was why she did was she did so that her daughter and any other child would have a future.
Quietly she dropped her bag on the floor and shed her clothes. Grabbing Jack's discarded t-shirt from the floor Sam crawled in next to him curling around his side as she tucked his free arm around herself. Leaning over she brushed a kiss on his stubbled cheek. "I love you, Jack."
He mumbled in his sleep and his arm tightened around her. "Always, Sam, always."
Reaching out Sam brushed the downy hair on her daughter's head; her last thought before drifting off to sleep was she was finally home.
The sun just peeked over the mountains as Jon took Cassie's hand, helping her from his truck. Jon led her across the tarmac to the small two man glider he's borrowed for the day. A film of mist clung to the ground but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was a beautiful morning for a flight.
Jon opened the canopy and did a pre-flight check. "I thought we'd take a short flight and have lunch before meeting up with Jack and Jasmine for dinner and fireworks. Have you ever been in a glider?"
Cassie shook her head. "No, are you sure it's safe?"
Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, Jon smiled. "Of course it is. I'll be piloting. I've done this lots of times, even since I became Jon." Gently he steered her toward the locker room where they'd dress in their flight suits. "Now let's suit up."
Forcing a smile, she nodded "Let's do this."
When they stepped from the locker rooms, Jon helped Cassie climb inside the cockpit and strap herself in. He placed a headset over her head and then took his own seat in the front.
"Cassie, you can breathe easily. This is a training aircraft so it's very safe. Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be Jon. I'm still not sold on this. Why can't we take up something with an engine. You have your pilot licence don't you?"
Jon laughed. "Yes, but there is something about gliders I have always loved. It's like the stars; they haven't let me down." Jon motioned to the pilot as he spoke into the radio. "Time to go."
There was a slight jerk as the cable tightened and began to move taking flight.
They began soaring through clouds, coasted for a while before the cable released and Cassie gave a startled squeak as it fell away.
Once Jon gave him the thumbs up the pilot in the plane waved. "I'll come pick up the two of you and the glider from where we agreed around 1400 hours."
The plane dipped as it caught a downdraft and Cassie let out a startled cry but she relaxed as Jon swiftly wrestled the aircraft back under control. The wing tilted to the right and Jon turned the glider taking them in another direction. They flew for a while gliding silently over the landscape.
Motioning with his head Jon pointed below them. "Take a look Cassie. I thought you'd like to see it from the air."
Cheyenne mountain and then past the their meadow was right below them. It was more beautiful from above.
Jon heard Cassie gasp. "It's beautiful thank you, Jon."
"I'm so glad you like it, but that isn't the end of surprise." Jon took the glider down landing in the meadow.
When they came to a stop, Jon popped the top and helped Cassie out. "I have more, this isn't the end."
There was something in his expression that caused Cassie to feel a strange unsettling emotion that chilled her. Something was very wrong. "Jon, what have you done?"
"Nothing too difficult or horrible. Just trust me." Shedding his flight suit Jon tossed it back into the glider and removed a picnic basket from the front of the glider. "See just a romantic picnic."
Taking off her own suit, she watched Jon, wondering what was going on and if he'd tell her the truth.
Jon snapped the blanket as he laid it out on the grass beside the stream. "Now my lady have a seat and I will serve thee." He bowed low making Cassie laugh but the feeling remained, in fact she felt even worse.
Dishing her up some food; he leaned back against the tree. "I made all your favorites and I didn't burn anything. Sit down and I'll feed you."
Cassie began to relax just as Jon began to play with her hair. "Cassie, I'm so happy we've made this work; I can't imagine where I'd be without you. You not only saved me, but you have shown me the way. I hope you'll always be proud of me, even after I make this decision."
Sitting up, Cassie turned to look at him; her whole body was frozen. "What the hell does that mean?"
Jon drew a sharp breath. "I'm thinking of testing out and applying to the SGC. I think Haruka can get me assigned there. I've heard things and I think I'm needed there."
"Are you sure this is what you want?" She pushed the hair out of her face trying to get a grip on her now ragged emotions. "I mean I thought you were still trying to find out who you were; how are you going to find Jon submerged in Jack's life? Besides this isn't your choice; General Shark and the SGC command hold all the cards. You have to convince her to let you do anything, but even then it's not all up to her."
"They need me. Cassie. Something bad went down a while ago and I can help them. They lost a lot of lives; this isn't some crusade or vendetta. I have useful skills that might save lives."
"So that's what this was about? A nice little moment to let me down easy?" She got to her feet and kicked her plate scattering the remnants of her meal. "Well you can forget it, Jon. Don't think I'm going to sit back and smile and wave while you go off to war. This wasn't the plan we agreed on."
As Jon got to his feet he grabbed, Cassie's shoulder, turning her to face him. "Cassie, I didn't expect something like this to happen. I figured everyone was at peace and it would give me time to figure out who I was but I don't have that luxury not anymore. Jack can't be out there but I can, I know things that most of those other SGC people can only dream about."
Cassie reached up and removed the chain and Claddagh ring Jon had given her for Christmas and handed it back. "Well Jon, I hope you're happy alone, because I can't stand by and wait for another death notification. I already had one too many in my life."
Turning on her heel she headed off down the dirt road knowing it was a long walk, but not caring at the moment.
There are two more chapters up on my site and if you would like to check them out Google my penname and you will find me. I love to hear from you whether you liked it or loved it. :0P
Also I have published two original pieces of work on Kindle you can find a link to them on my website as well.
if I get enough review I will be pushed to add the chapter early, like Friday, instead of later next week. I have one so far this week but I think I could handle a few more.