Author's Note: Well we are almost done this one. Reviews have fallen off are you guys made at me? Well I guess if you are you will be even madder at the end of this one. Love to hear you comments....
A few days passed and Charlie waited to hear from Jack about whether or not they'd be able to go through the mirror. He also knew that he would have to talk to Cassie and tell her that he was leaving.
He had tried a few times but she was avoiding him just as much as he was avoiding her. He told himself that he was waiting until Jack told him if he was really going, but it was just an excuse. No matter how much courage he had to do so many other things, talking to Cassie terrified him.
Finally Jack came home his face was full of worry but he held out the paper to Charlie. "We leave tomorrow. Are you sure about this? It will be dangerous. We have no idea what we will find when we step through that mirror." Jack looked directly at Charlie making sure he understood the risks.
"Yes, I need to know that it is all gone. If it is all gone, I know that I belong here with all of you. If there is anything I can do for them I want to help." Charlie explained.
Nodding Jack sighed, "Alright then. The arrangements have been made. Have you talked to Cassie and told her that you are leaving? She needs to hear it from you."
Charlie shook his head, "No. I should have done that already but she has been avoiding me." he turned to leave but stopped, "You and Sam know that this has nothing to do with the two of you. I need to know if my parents and Cas are alive. I never meant to hurt you but I need to know."
Jack reached out his hand, "I understand Charlie. I would feel the same way," but dropped his hand, unsure if Charlie wanted any comfort.
Charlie saw the move, taking a step toward Jack the boy hugged him tightly. "I love you Dad and thank you for everything. Your Charlie would be proud of you because I am. You are a good man Jack O'Neill whether you believe it or not." and then he was gone.
Charlie drove slowly trying to think of a way to tell Cassie that would not hurt her. He knew it had to be done, but he just wished there was another way. She already had an idea that he was leaving, but knowing it for sure would be much harder for her. Charlie liked Cassie, he liked her a lot, she just wasn't Cas, the girl who he'd grown up with, and until he knew for sure that Cas was dead, he couldn't give up on her or the chance to have a life with her.
He knew it was silly, he was only sixteen and he had his whole life in front of him, but somehow he knew that if Cas was still alive, they would have a future together.
The drive ended quicker than he would have liked as he pulled up at the Frasier home. As he headed up the sidewalk, his steps dragged. Before he reached the door, it opened and Cassie was framed in the fading light.
"Charlie!" her voice was surprised. She had her purse in her hand and Janet was right behind her.
He stopped and shoved his hands into his pockets, "I need to talk to you. Can I come in?" his voice was hesitant and she shrugged.
"Mom, can you give us a minute?" She asked Janet who nodded before heading back into the house. Once Janet was gone, Cassie turned back to Charlie. She motioned to the swing on the front porch. The two of them sat awkwardly on the swing, close to each other but not touching.
He turned his head to see Cassie watching him before he could say a word she said, "Charlie, I know you have decided to leave. I've known since the night of the Prom, but it's really going to happen, isn't it?" her voice was quiet, "You're really going back." It was a statement not a question.
"Yes, I never meant to hurt you." he sighed, "I-"
Cassie took his hand and squeezed it, "It's alright. I knew all along that you love her, the other me. I told myself that even as I found that I loved you, too. I knew that one day you would leave me to find her because I would have done the same. You're too much like Jack, both of them, to leave all those people behind and live a nice fluffy life here. I didn't know how much time we would have together but I wanted to make the most of it." she pulled him into his arms giving him comfort, "I meant what I said that night. I do hope you find her. Goodbye Charlie. Be safe." she kissed him once on the lips and then she was gone.
The door slammed as she went back inside. Charlie sat there for a long time wishing things could be different but knowing they couldn't. The door opened and closed again and Charlie looked up expecting to find Cassie standing there. He was surprised to find Janet instead.
"I think it's time for you to go, Charlie." her voice was not angry, just sad.
Charlie stood and turned to Janet, "For what its worth, I really wanted this to be home when I came here. I really wanted to make a new life here, I just couldn't forget the old one. Forget those people I left behind."
Janet reached out and squeezed his shoulder, "It's alright, Charlie. I do understand and so does Cassie. She's just upset right now. She doesn't want you to leave but she knows that you have to. She loves you enough not to try and change who you are. Be careful tomorrow." she touched his face one last time.
"Thanks Janet. I should go now. Tell Cassie-" he paused unsure if he should say it, "Tell her that I won't forget her. Tell her goodbye." he shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away down to the car without looking back.
Janet watched him go hoping that he'd find what he was looking for.
Charlie arrived back at the house and Sam was waiting when he came through the door. Immediately she hugged him, "How did she take it?"
Shrugging Charlie said, "She already expected it. All I did was confirm it. Sam, I never meant to hurt her or you? I really didn't-"
His pain about having hurt Cassie and them was clearly written on his face and Sam hugged him harder, "I know that and I know Cassie does, too. Have you told Morgan yet?" Sam asked, letting him go.
"You haven't told her yet?" Charlie was surprised, he'd thought Sam would have done that already.
Sam shook her head, "No, I wasn't sure if you wanted to do it yourself."
Charlie sighed, "She should hear it from me, not you. I should do it now. Where is she?"
"She's in her room with Jack. He's reading to her before bedtime." she said and motioned with her other hand down the hallway. Charlie squeezed her hand where it rested on his shoulder and headed down the hallway.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Sam asked before he disappeared around the corner.
Stopping, Charlie turned back and thought for a moment, "Yes, I'd like that."
Sam and Charlie headed to Morgan's room. Jack looked up when Sam and Charlie opened the door. Morgan, who was reading, sensed that something was wrong and stopped mid sentence to look at the doorway as well.
Her blue eyes sought out everyone and then finally settled on Charlie, "What happened?"
"I'm going back, Morgan. I'm going home," Charlie stated bluntly.
Morgan looked at the adults, "I can't go, can I?" her voice was quiet and sad but they all heard her.
Jack wrapped his arms around her, "If it's safe, you will be able to go home, too. Just not on this trip. Charlie and I will go first to check it out."
Charlie stepped into the room, "I have to know what happened to them. If there is nothing left for us there I will come back and stay, but I have to know." he sat down on the other side of Morgan, "You're not loosing me. I will come back."
Morgan wrapped her arms around Charlie, "I know but please be careful and tell Mommy and Daddy that I love them."
"I will Pumpkin. I will," Charlie promised.
During the exchange Jack crossed the room and stood next to Sam, who still stood by the door. With tears in her eyes, Sam watched the two children say goodbye to each other. Leaning into Jack she said, "I don't want them to leave, but somehow I knew that they weren't ours to keep."
Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "It will all work out. Let's leave them alone." he said as his hand traveled down her arm to link her hand with his. "Let's go to bed." and he led her to their room so the two of them could say their goodbye.
Early the next morning Jack awoke still tangled up with Sam. He held her close for a few more moments before he slid from the bed. Kissing her temple he said, "I love you Sam. I'll come home to you and our baby. Always - trust me Sam." and then he went to wake Charlie so they could head to the mountain.
Jack crossed to Charlie's room and found him asleep on his bed with Morgan curled up beside him. Shaking the teenager, Jack called, "Charlie. It's time to get up."
Charlie woke up and sat up carefully so that he didn't disturb Morgan. He dressed quickly and said to Jack, "She climbed into my bed early this morning. She said she had a nightmare and that I could make it better." he stopped and looked at his little sister, "Is she going to be alright?"
Picking up Charlie's pack from the floor, Jack studied Morgan as well, "She'll be fine. She's strong and she has Sam. Now let's get going before she wakes up."
The two of them left the room, both forcing themselves not to look back.
Sam rolled over reaching for Jack but found his side of the bed cold and empty. Immediately sitting up, she searched the room for him but she knew that he was already gone. Grabbing his discarded shirt from the floor she went to check on Morgan. When she opened the door to the little girl's room she found the bed empty.
It was then she heard the quiet sobbing coming from Charlie's room. Opening the door she found Morgan sitting in the middle of Charlie's bed crying, "He's gone, Mommy and he might not come back."
Sam sat down on the bed cradling the sobbing girl in her arms as she rocked her. "We have to believe that they will come back Morgan. We have to."
Gathering the girl in her arms, Sam carried her back to her bed and together they fell into a restless sleep while they waited to hear good news or bad.
Sorry, I'd forgotten about this one. It made me cry. I knew they said goodbye but I'd forgotten how emotional it was. I will be a nice author. If enough of you review I will post the next chapter later today and the last one tomorrow morrning. I hope to hear from you. ~Kelleth~