Sam was exhausted. Not only emotionally, but physically. She had spent the better part of last night crying into Daniels shoulder. Now, with her head resting on Teal'c's massive shoulder and her hand intertwined with Daniels, Sam felt safe and warm. The need for sleep soon outweighed her want to stay conscious. Closing her eyes, Sam felt sleep crash upon her like a tidal wave, and within a few minutes she was blissfully asleep, images of her beloved General running through her ever turning mind.
Teal'c looked down on the sleeping form of his dear friend. Over the years Teal'c had come to understand the human need to be in physical contact when being comforted, so he simply turned his gaze out of the window. The early morning clouds had created quite a beautiful scene.
Sam could feel her heart tighten as she walked up the path to her brothers home. She had seen Alison move from the window in her room as soon as Sam had stepped from the car. Now the fifteen year old was running out the door into her aunts ready arms. Sam held her niece close as tears streamed down both of their eyes.
"Oh Aunt Sam! I can't believe they're really gone!" Alison sobbed. Sam stroked her hair and ran her hand up and down her back.
"I know sweetie, I know." Alison took a deep breath, and held onto her aunt for a few moments then, realizing that there were two rather large men accompanying her aunt, she looked up.
"Umm, aunt Sam, who are your friends?" Alison asked wiping the tears from her eyes. Sam turned around to face Teal'c and Daniel.
"This is Daniel and Teal'c, they work with me at the base" Alison looked at Teal'c and Daniel for a brief second before extending her hand.
"Hello, I'm Alison." Daniel gently shook the young girls hand. Teal'c respectively bowed his head.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Alison Carter." Teal'c's strange mannerism made Alison smile slightly. But before she could make a wise-ass comment, Jenna came barreling out of the house, her long blonde hair flowing behind her, she was wrapped in a bath robe, and her hair was dripping wet. Jenna ran straight into Sam's leg, almost knocking Sam over. For a five year old she was really strong. Sam bent down and picked up her niece.
"Sam! I've missed you! Why are you away for so long? Everyone is sad and mom and dad and my baby brother aren't home and nobody's telling me where they are, they just keep saying 'They went away' and I don't understand." Unfortunately for Jenna, she had a mind, and mouth, that moved as fast Sam. So here she was in her favorite Aunts arms, looking to her for answers. Sam took a deep breath, Alison answered her sister's question.
"Jenna, Mom and dad are sleeping at the hospital, and brother is gonna come home in a few days." Alison's tone was soft, but her voice cracked a little when she lied to her sister about their parents, the poor girl didn't know how to explain to her sister that her parents weren't coming home. Sam watched as Jenna let the information sink in. Jenna's musings were disrupted by her grandmother's harsh voice.
"Jennafer Samantha Carter! Get back in this house and get dressed this instant!" Sam turned around and looked at her late brothers mother-in-law. The rotund woman was the very definition of monster-in-law. It was a miracle that Kathy had turned out so sweet and gentle.
"Hello Tabitha, I'm so sorry for your loss." Sam said kindly. Tabitha simply crossed her arms and turned her head.
"I'm sure, but your condolences can't mean much, it's not like you've ever lost a child." Tabatha curtly replied. 'Boy, this is going to be a hard week. I'm glad Daniel and Teal'c are here for me.' Sam started toward the house, followed by Teal'c, Daniel and Alison. Daniel decided to start some small talk with Alison.
"So, Alison, what grade are you in?"
"I'm a junior."
"Wow, you're pretty young for a junior."
"Yeah, I skipped a few grades in elementary school." Teal'c interrupted their conversation.
"Daniel Jackson, what the significance of being a 'Junior'?"
"Well, Teal'c it means that Alison is only a year away from completing high school, just like Cassie did." Teal'c raised an eyebrow and bowed in understanding.
"Where are you from Teal'c. You don't seem like you're from around here."
"I am not. I come from…"Daniel interjected.
"Zimbabwe, he came to the U.S. a few years ago." Alison looked at him skeptically, but decided to let the matter slide.