Sam sat back on the bed a moment and just breathed slowly to calm her nerves then opened the file Jack had sent. She typed in their shared encryption password and the video began. Sam could see it was done at night at his house in D.C. She could also tell he was very agitated.

"Sam, Cassie is in trouble and I am so not sure how to take care of her. I found her…" Sam listened to the video tears began to run down her face. Cassie had been abused. Beaten by someone she trusted. And she was stuck here. Worse, Cassie was scared of her being disappointed. How terrible a person, how bad a mother was she that Cassie would be afraid she would be upset with her over something like that? She could hear the fear and doubt in Jack's voice. He was trying, bless his heart, but he obviously felt so lost.

Sam was still sitting in her bed, tears on her face when her door chimed.

"Damn." She cursed as she wiped her face and walked to the door.

"What!?" She asked as soon as the door opened. She was immediately sorry when she saw Teyla standing there with a slight upturn on her lips.

"Teyla, I'm sorry. I just…" Sam began and trailed off.

Telya smiled. "General O'Neill asked me if I would not mind personally checking on you. He said you would need a friend."

Sam couldn't help but smile. So Jack. Dealing with all he is, and he is still worried about her. Sam nodded and indicated Teyla should come in.

"You know Jack and I were appointed guardians of a girl named Cassandra?" Sam asked.

"Yes, I had the pleasure of talking to her very briefly a moment ago. She is a beautiful young woman." Teyla said.

Sam smiled. "Thank you. Yes she is, and she is very smart. She has a heart of gold. She really has been a great girl.

Telya listened, studying Sam's face. "But something is wrong?"

Sam felt her eyes water. "I just found out I have been a terrible mother to her." Sam blurted out.

Teyla's face maintained her serene calm. "Somehow, I seriously doubt that Colonel Carter."

Sam looked away. "Then why when she is going through something so terrible, she is afraid of what I will say?"

Teyla's face showed momentary confusion. "Perhaps if I had more information?" She prodded.

Sam turned back to her. "Sorry. Yes. Here, let me show you this video Jack prepared."

Teyla watched the video, stopping and repeating a few sections. She then looked at Sam. "I think you are misinterpreting her reaction Colonel Carter."

"Sam, please Teyla. You are here helping me, and we are alone, I think you can call me Sam."

Teyla laughed. Sam had admonished her before that she was free to use her first name, but as with Sheppard, Teyla picked her times.

"Sam, I do not think you comprehend Cassandra's current mindset. From what you have told me about her, she is a sweet child who has suffered tremendous loss. You and General O'Neill have provided her a family and stability, apart from the dangers of the SGC."

Sam winced. It had been a little less than a year ago that Jack and Sam had to face down an assassin, and Cassie had been forced to help them, even going undercover to help bring down a cabal if of people out to use technology from the gate to further their own purpose. She looked at Teyla. "For the most part."

Teyla noticed Sam's involuntary wince, but decided to let it go for now. "This girl, according to what I can guess, considering all she has been through, is extremely attached to you. Perhaps even more than a normal mother-daughter relationship. I assume she was quite upset when you came to Atlantis."

Sam nodded. "She took it hard. And I admit it was hard on both of us."

"You have been the most stabilizing influence in her life. You found her and brought her to Earth. You were involved in her life even after she was adopted by your friend, and you took care of her after her mother died." Teyla explained

"Yes, Cassandra was always special to me. I would have considered adopting her myself if not for my involvement on SG1" Sam replied.

Teyla nodded. "And you are, by all accounts, one of the smartest people of your world, and a formidable warrior who has led her team into battle and always managed to come out top."

Sam's face flushed from all the praise. "It was a team effort."

"Granted, but you were instrumental in that team. And according to John and Rodney, your intelligence and your skills as a warrior bailed your team and even your planet many times." She adopted an almost evil grin. "It has the added bonus of making Rodney scared of you."

Sam smiled at that.

Teyla continued. "Cassandra obviously looks up to you and idolizes you as the strong female role model she most wants to emulate. Now, due to this, her confidence is shaken. She was taken advantage of and beaten by someone she trusted, and she couldn't defend herself as she is sure you could and would have."

"Cassie was not trained in combat or self-defense like I was." Sam interjected. "I mean she has rudimentary self-defense training from Teal'c, but she would not expect to defend herself against a vicious surprise attack from someone she trusted."

"Of course not, but she knows the person she loves as a mother, admires as a person, and strives to be like would not have had to suffer through that. It is perception. A wrong perception, but a perception that she has forced into her mind."

Sam looked up a moment, then back at Teyla. "I do know what she is going through. I…was not always able to defend myself."

Teyla indicated they sit down.

They sat and Sam explained her experience with Jonas Hanson.

Teyla listened attentively. When Sam was finished Teyla nodded at the computer. "I take it that was the allusion to which General O'Neill made to Cassandra."

Sam nodded. "I know Jack. He wouldn't come out and tell Cassie about it without my express permission. He would think it was violating my privacy."

Teyla nodded in understanding.

Sam wiped her eyes. "Teyla what am I going to do? The two people I care about most are hurting. Cassie because of what happened, and Jack because he is so terrified he will make a mistake and make it worse."

Teyla smiled serenely. "I do indeed have a suggestion Sam, but it will ask you to make a decision both personally and professionally."