They stayed like that for almost ten minutes when Jack noticed she seemed to be calmer. "There is food for you downstairs. When is the last time you ate?"
She muttered something Jack could not make out.
"I'm sorry?" He asked.
She sat up and wiped her eyes with the handkerchief he had given her. She sniffed. "I said it has been a while. I don't honestly remember when."
Jack smiled at her. "How about we go down and eat and spend some time together? If you feel like talking, then we will talk. If you want to wait to talk, then we will. That sound okay?"
Cassie nodded and scooted to put her feet on the floor.
Jack followed her down the staircase. His heart was in turmoil. He could handle alien attacks, backstabbing politicians, ruthless business people, but he had no idea to help the woman he thought of as his daughter. This kind of thing was Sam's domain but with her on Atlantis, that was not an option. For now anyway. He was smart enough to admit that he was not above using his influence to call Sam home to help Cassie. No matter the cost to his career.
Cassie walked to the table and stood. Jack noticed she stood close the wall, as much in the corner as she could. He realized he was going to lose control of his emotions if he couldn't help her. As it was he could barely stand to see her crying and so upset. He was so used the happy, balanced Cassie that seeing her like this was killing him inside. He indicated a chair. "Sit down Cassie, I will heat the food. We have coffee, or hot chocolate. I also have soda in the fridge."
Cassie nodded and sat. She looked up. "Hot chocolate will be fine." She said quietly.
Jack nodded and went into the kitchen. He came back in a few minutes with the hot chocolate. He set it down in front of her and then went back into the kitchen. He came back a few minutes later with a plate of food and some soup. He placed it in front of her and then sat down.
She slowly picked up a piece of bread and pulled a small piece off and nibbled. She looked at him. "Aren't you going eat?" She asked softly. Her voice so quiet, Jack almost couldn't understand her.
"Maybe in a bit." He answered. He watched as she nibbled on the bread.
"Would you like to talk about it?" He asked.
She looked up, and Jack could see what? Fear? Doubt? "Can…can we just maybe watch The Simpsons for a while?"
Jack smiled. "Tell you what, Honey, you eat at least some of your soup and any of the chicken you can, and we can watch the Simpsons all night if you want."
Cassie almost smiled and she picked up her spoon.
Later Jack got her situated on couch with a blanket and put in a Simpsons DVD. He wished she had eaten more, but she managed half a bowl of soup and a couple of bites of chicken so he figured he better not push it. He moved to sit in the chair next to the couch.
Cassie was watching him. "Jack?"
"Yeah Sweetie?"
"Will you sit here on the couch with me and let me lay my head in your lap like I used to?" Cassie asked, clearly pleading.
Jack was surprised. Cassie had long ago outgrown laying her head in his lap. "Sure I will."
He came over onto the couch and sat down. Cassie adjusted her small frame and laid her head on his thigh, grabbing his arm and pulling it around her almost as if it was a security blanket.
Jack sighed inwardly and started the DVD. Cassie made it through the first fifteen minutes before she was asleep, but she kept her tight grip on his arm. Jack resigned himself to the fact he was going to be here all night and most likely sore in the morning. He was not young anymore, but it would be worth it if it comforted the young woman.
Alone with thoughts his mind pondered the problem. Cassie was upset. It was obvious she had been in an accident or fight or…He shook his head. He didn't want to think about that. She came over halfway across the country to the one place she thought she could be safe. Well, okay, he admitted to himself that her first choice would have been Sam, but Delta didn't fly to the Pegasus galaxy yet. That posed another issue. He had to let Sam know. Since he and Sam had become Cassie's guardians when Janet died, they had made it a point to ensure they were in full agreement with things concerning her, and kept each other up to date on anything and everything concerning her life. And let's face it, I am way over my head and not smart enough to help her. Sam is so much better at being a parent.
He heard a noise and looked down. Cassie was whimpering and trembling. She began to mutter and twist. Jack gently ran his hand through her hair and hummed. It was a trick he had used when she was young, even before Janet died, to calm her when she was upset or she was sick. Janet had once commented that was the only guaranteed remedy that never failed. He watched closely as Cassie became still and her whimpering stopped. He looked up at the pictures on his mantle. I need help here.
Jack awoke the next morning to find Cassie gone. He panicked a moment and jumped up. He immediately regretted that as his body protested the position he had slept in. He quickly went upstairs and didn't find her anywhere. He ran back down the staircase. He looked at the front door. The chain was still in place so it was obvious she didn't go out the front. He looked to the back door and saw that the lock was open. He peeked out the curtain to see her on the deck. He opened the door and walked out.
He was shocked to find her smoking a cigarette. "Cassie?"
She looked up. The bruise on her face was very evident now. It covered the left side of her face from just in front of her ear to her cheek. Her eyes were red and watery. Judging by the moisture on the front of her shirt and her sleeve she had been crying and wiping her eyes a while.
She glanced down at the cigarette and then back up at him. "I'm sorry. Guess you have another reason to be disappointed." She looked down.
Jack chose his words carefully. "Cassie, I love you. You know that. I could never be disappointed in you. I am concerned. I want you healthy, but, right now, let's consider it something to deal with later."
He moved to sit down as she nodded. He turned to her. "How long?"
Cassie sighed then took a drag on her cigarette. She blew out the smoke. "On and off since Roebuck."
Jack nodded. "Well, you're the one telling Sam, not me."
That actually brought an honest smile to Cassie's face. She took another puff on the cigarette as she looked out into the yard. "It's quiet here."
"Cassie, what happened, Honey?" Jack asked
She looked away a moment then back at him. "I screwed up Jack." She replied with her eyes watering.
"What possibly could you have done that was so bad?"
Cassie sighed as she finished her cigarette and stubbed it out. "Well, you know John and I have been dating a while?"
"Yes?" Jack answered. It was true he knew John. He had him vetted when Cassie and he were beginning to get serious. Jack's opinion was that of a spoiled brat. Congressman's son who had Daddy had taken care of everything for him. Jack didn't like the boy one bit, but Sam had told him it was Cassie's decision and he had to respect it and support her. He didn't like John, and they definitely did not hit it off when they had met. Jack felt he did not treat Cassie well enough.
"I found out he was cheating on me." Cassie said.
Jack felt a pang of sorrow for her. He could only imagine her pain upon finding that out. "I'm sorry Cassie." He said in a gentle voice.
He reached out slowly to her hair. He could see fear in her eyes a moment, but she didn't flinch. He slowly pulled her hair back. "Cassie, did he do this?"
Cassie turned away. "It was my fault."
Jack felt his anger well up. It was all he could do to suppress it. He breathed slowly. "Cassie, nothing you could have done would ever warrant a man hitting you. That is not something a real man does. That is a coward." His voice was flat, but he was seething.
Cassie lit another cigarette and refused to look at him. "No, it was my fault. I did it. I caught him with…her and I confronted him. I started yelling and called him a name. He did it to calm me down."
Jack was so mad now he could barely control his temper. He was going to kill John. Plain and simple. He counted to ten inside his head. "Cassie, I am going to tell you something and I am going to very firm and very clear. There is no reason for a man to hit a woman. Period. You are not talking combat, you are talking a relationship. A man that does that is not a man; he is a weak, useless coward."
Cassie glanced at Jack. "I started the fight Jack. I was the one yelling and screaming."
"Cassie that is a natural reaction to finding out your significant other is cheating on you. Betraying your trust. Crushing your heart, but I am telling you, you did not do this. It is not your fault. You did not deserve this." Jack stated.
Cassie looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I wish I could believe that."
"Cassie, as much as I have done in my life, I have never lied to you. Ever. I am telling you the truth." Jack said.
Cassie nodded. "I know you have always been honest with me Jack."
Jack looked at her a moment. "How about you come inside, clean up, and I will fix you some breakfast?"
Cassie looked out into the yard, then back at him. "Sure. Sounds great. Let me finish this," she held up her cigarette, "and I will be right in. I just need to think."
Jack nodded and headed inside. He had to make a phone call.
When Cassie came in she heard Jack on the phone. She couldn't help but hear him.
"No sir, I don't know…..I know that…..sir, with all due…..okay, Henry, I have to be here for her…..look, sir, she's my daughter, and I will be here for her. If that causes heartache, then I will have my resignation on your desk first thing Monday morning….yes I do mean it…okay…..thank you sir…..I will…thank you again…yes sir, you too…bye sir." Jack clicked off his phone. He turned and saw Cassie there.
"Hi." He said.
"Who was that?" Cassie asked.
"Oh, just work." Jack answered trying to sound nonchalant.
"Work?" Cassie prodded.
"Yeah, just Henry. I took a leave of absence." Jack replied.
Cassie gasped. "Henry as in Henry Hayes, the President of the United States?"
Jack nodded.
Cassie's face fell. She headed to the stairs. "I'm going to go. I can't be responsible for you getting in trouble with the President."
"Stop right there Cassie." Jack said; his voice brokered no argument.