Sighing as she laid on the lounge, Xanthiea stared at the television before her eyes drifted to the clock above it. She was late! Xanthiea, or Xan as she preferred to be called, was ten years old. She had her mothers piercing blue eyes and what she has had to take her mothers word for, she has her fathers hair. It was a medium light brown, and yet was still dark enough to enhance her fair skin. She had never met her father, but knowing that her mother was a saint at school, Xan knew she was more like her father then her mother in a lot of ways!
Granted she looked more like her mother, but she still was a devil child at heart and was constantly on the end of comments like "You're so much like your father!" or "If your father was here!" Xan couldn't take it, she knew her father was some hero god for the air force, but she had never met the guy! She wasn't sure if it was because he doesn't know of her existence, or if it is because he's just an asshole like Jonas was. Jonas Hanson! That was a topic for another day! Or to be precise another six months, if all parties had the time, to sit down all day every day for that six months! If they didn't then it would take SO much longer!
So the fact that the ringing of the doorbell running through her head, caused her to jump shocked her more then she thought. Was she THAT deep in thought? Nevertheless she got up and headed to the door. Upon opening it she frowned at the man standing there.
"Can I help you?" She questioned watching him, as he shook his head and blinked several times before actually looking at her.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare, you just look like someone I know."
"That's ok," she smiled at him. "So, what can I do for you?"
"Is your mum or dad home?"
"No, mums on her way, but won't be here for a few hours, why what's wrong?"
"Oh, no nothings wrong," he smiled. "I'll leave you alone then. Have a good night." He smiled at her before turning and leaving.
The following morning Xan, was eating her breakfast alone. She had made coffee in case her mother had come home really late last night, and was sleeping in. But she was too scared to go into her mothers room to see if she was there or not. She knew what it might mean if she wasn't in her room, and Xan being of ten years of age, did not want to have to think about that, and then being taken away, without anyone letting her to try and find her father at least!
As the lunch bell rang everyone grabbed their lunches and ran for the cafeteria. Slowly getting her lunch and heading for the door a voice rang through Xan's mind.
"Xanthiea," turning she smiled gently at her teacher who waved her over.
"Yes, Miss Jays?" She asked softly watching the teacher.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes, miss,"
"Xanthiea, you've been distracted all day, if something's..." Stopping as the door opened behind Xanthiea, the teacher raised her hand to stop the people walking in, and gave her attention back to the young girl by her side. "Did your mum go on a mission?"
"She normally tells me,"
"And?" She prodded. Shrugging Xan looked at her. Nodding she smiled gently. "Ok, go have your lunch," and with that Xan turned with a bowed head and started walking towards the door. Slowing however as several pairs of feet came into view, which caused her to look up. Upon seeing the uniform the man directly in front of her was wearing she froze and dropped the paper bag that housed her lunch, and in turn causing the small glass jar in it to shatter.
Jumping slightly Miss Jays looked up and noticed the men. Moving quickly she stood just behind Xanthiea and watched them.
"Can I help you?" She questioned watching as the front man crouched in front of Xan.
"Xanthiea Carter?" He questioned gently, which made her legs instantly go weak and if he wasn't there to catch her, her knees would have made a rather quick connection with the floor. Grabbing her tightly, he was about to stand her back up, when she gripped his jacket and started crying.
"My, my, mummy!" She cried burying her head into his shoulder and gripping his jacket for dear life. Looking up at Miss Jays, he stood holding Xan.
"Ma'am, would we be able to take her things with us?"
"What? She's not going anywhere! What if someone comes to get her?"
"Tell them, she's with Colonel Jack O'Neill! If she's a Carter, then I know both her uncle and grandfather, personally." And with that he left with the four men surrounding them. As they walked down the corridors of the school, a now walking but still very upset and fragile Xanthiea had a death grip on Jack O'Neill's left hand. They had two men walking in front of them and two behind, and all four so close that Xan couldn't move away from them, and no other child could try and grab her.
Staring at the non moving lifeless body of his daughter Jacob Carter, and host to the Tok'ra Selmac, were more then distraught. The only thought's he had were of his granddaughter. The little tyke spurred so much life in him, even before he blended with Selmac. He was sure that who ever was sent to retrieve her would continue to evade her questions and therefore set in her mind that her mother was in fact dead.
Hating that fact Jacob sighed and stared at his daughters body. He knew she was alive, he knew she'd pull through, but he didn't know when and how. Janet the CMO of the base was her best friend and he knew that she'd do everything in her power to pull his daughter through this. Janet, there was someone that he loved like a daughter. She had beautiful brown hair, was rather short compared to a lot of other women on base, but was very firm as well.
Looking up from the room Janet gave a small smile at the man sitting there. Turning back to her patient, she sighed and went over the test results once again. As she moved to the monitors that were set up all around the bed, she shook her head but jumped nevertheless as her patient started stirring to life.
"Sam?"
"Janet?"
"Yeah Sam, I need you to just stay calm ok?"
"What happened?"
"You got hit, you've been out for a few hours, but you have a long hard up hill road to climb yet," she said gently watching her. Sighing Sam nodded.
"Xan?"
"The Colonel's been sent to get her, they should be on their way back here,"
"Xan," Sam whispered again which got Janet frowning.
"Sam, didn't you just hear me?"
"Xan,"
'God no!' Janet thought, 'please anything but this!' As she ran to the door she hit the emergency button and as the alarms sounded Janet was by Sam's side watching her, but no recognition came, and Janet felt tears welling in her eyes.
"Doctor?"
"We need to test her hearing, A SAP!" She yelled as no one made a move. Quickly jumping into action they took Sam from the room.
"Hey leave her alone!" A child's voice rang out through the corridors as they were lined with children watching.
"Yeah!"
"Your just bullies!"
"She's too young for you lot anyway!" Came a loud voice from Jack's right. Looking up he noticed a teenager standing next to his obviously younger sibling.
"Xan!"
"Xan! Run away!" Two voices filled her head as she gripped his hand tighter, if that was at all possible.
When they finally left the school grounds and he helped her into the back of the SUV, he buckled her in, as she simply sat there staring out the window.
"Colonel," she said gently staring at her hands.
"Call me Jack," he said just as gently. Nodding she sniffled.
"Is my mummy alive?"
"She was when I left Xantheia."
"Can you call me Xan? Mummy does, and... I feel like I'm getting in trouble when you call me Xantheia,"
"No problem Xan," he stated smiling at the young girl as she looked at him.
"Will I be able to see my mum col... Jack?" She asked watching him.
"If she's awake I don't see why not, but we have to talk to the general first ok?" Sniffling she nodded and returned her gaze to the passing houses and trees alone the side of the road.
