"Hey there. Merry Christmas to you too. I thought you had plans." Jack stated. His face took on a concerned look. "Everything okay?"
Cassie giggled as she stepped back. "Yes, of course. I just wanted to surprise you for Christmas. I'm sorry I had to tell you I had plans, but it would have spoiled the surprise."
Jack smiled. "I think I could take a surprise like this anytime." He frowned.
Cassie noticed the frown. "What's wrong?"
"Since I didn't know you would be here, I let Henry trap me into going to a party tomorrow at the White House." Jack said.
Cassie smiled. "What's wrong with that? It's one night. I will be here until after New Year's."
"Nothing is wrong. I just wouldn't have agreed to go if I had known you were here."
"Nonsense Jack. You need to go." Cassie replied as she led him towards the dining room table. He saw she had food laid out for them.
"Looks good. Let me go change."
Jack came back down a few minutes later and sat down. He quizzed Cassie on her school and her finals and how things were going. She replied in her rapid fire talk when she was excited.
Things were good. She aced all her classes, and she enjoyed her time mentoring the new students at the university and she volunteered weekends at the new shelter for women. She was at first shocked that there were a surprising number of young women who came in to seek comfort and help but it was obvious she relished her role in helping them.
Jack sat back and listened, pondering at times if Cassie had discovered a new way to breathe as he was not convinced she actually stopped to take a breath. When she was done he smiled.
"Sounds like you have been busy. And doing well. I am proud of you." Jack said.
Cassie smiled. "I would never have made it without your help."
"Not true. I may have facilitated you being able to deal with it, but your seeking help, your progress, and your ability to recover and move on is all you. Never doubt that." Jack said.
"Thanks Jack. I mean that."
Later they sat in the living room and a thought hit Jack. "Cassie, how would like to see the inside of the White House?"
She has been about to take a drink of her wine and paused with the glass midway. "Uh…I don't think…"
Jack looked at her. "Not interested?"
"Well, it's not that, but I didn't bring anything close to clothes for that kind of event, and don't I have to be screened or checked out or something?"
Jack laughed. "I am pretty sure I can get you in. Besides, Henry would like to meet you."
Cassie looked at him wide eyed. "Why does the President want to meet me? How does he…?"
"Calm down Cassie. He just knows how important you are to Sam and me." Jack said.
Cassie looked dubious a moment, then nodded. "Are you sure though?"
Jack nodded. "Tomorrow we will go find you a dress."
They talked a while longer until Jack noticed Cassie was having a hard time keeping her eyes open. "Go to bed Cass, we will go shopping after you get up, no need to set an alarm."
Cassie smiled as she got up and pecked his cheek. "Good night. Love you."
"Love you too"
Late that night, Jack padded down the hall to peek in on Cassie and found her sleeping soundly. She had apparently pushed the cover down and was now curled tightly in a ball. He walked over and pulled the cover back over her. She almost immediately began to uncurl under the warm blanket. He smiled and walked back to his room.
The next morning Jack woke. He showered and dressed and then went down the hall to see Cassie was still sleeping. He quietly went downstairs and began to pull out things to make breakfast while starting the coffee.
Cassie came down still in her nightgown which was actually a hockey jersey he had ordered for her that had come in the wrong size and was too big for her. He was just finishing her pancakes. Jack smiled at her obviously just woke up appearance.
He handed her a cup of coffee and ruffled her already mussed hair. "Good morning Sunshine!"
He received a grunt in return.
After her first cup of coffee she felt much more human and talkative. They ate their breakfast and Jack began to clean up. Cassie looked out the back porch.
Jack noticed. "I haven't had time to clear the snow."
Cassie smiled. "That's okay. I can smoke on the porch."
Seeing Jack's stricken look she laughed. "I'm teasing Jack. I haven't had a cigarette in months. I actually wanted to work out, but I am not going to do it in three feet of snow."
Jack looked at her with a sour look a moment then glanced into the living room. "How about I move the coffee table and chair, would that give you enough room?"
Cassie followed his gaze then looked back at him. "You don't have to do that."
Jack was already moving. Cassie rushed to help move the table and chair and then went to change into workout clothes.
Cassie modified the workout Teyla taught her to fit in the smaller room and worked out for an hour. Jack watched off and on and was impressed with her dedication. He could also tell that she had been keeping a routine as she had toned considerably. He smiled to himself. She was definitely on the road to improvement.
Cassie went upstairs, showered and changed into clothes to go dress shopping. They went to several dress shops before she found one she liked. She walked out in blue dress and Jack was forced to admit she was stunning. When she didn't fidget.
"Cassie, you are beautiful, but stop fidgeting."
She smirked. "I feel funny in this thing."
The sales lady helping smiled. "You look beautiful." She looked at Jack. "When does your daughter need this?"
Jack was surprised. It had not occurred to him that they may not be able to take it now. "Uh, the party at the White House is tonight."
If the sales lady thought he was being sarcastic she didn't show it. "Okay, well, it won't take us long. We will get right on it. While we start, why don't you pick out some shoes?"
It took only an hour and they left with the dress, shoes, and a something Cassie called a clutch purse that as far as Jack could tell was useless for carrying anything other than a business card. On the way home, Jack picked up his Mess Dress uniform from the cleaners.
Later that night Jack waited down the stairs from Cassie. When she came downstairs Jack was once again reminded how beautiful the little girl from Hanka had become. "I'm going to have to assign a bodyguard to keep the men off you tonight."
She smiled and blushed. "Thank you."
The doorbell rang and they looked at each other in surprise. Jack went and opened the door to find a man in a suit standing there. He handed Jack his ID. "General O'Neill, compliments of President Hayes. I am here to take you and Miss Frasier to the White House."
Jack looked at the ID card and saw the man was Secret Service. He looked out to the street and saw a limousine in the street. He turned to Cassie. "I guess our ride is here."
Cassie looked around the inside of the limo when they got inside. "Holy Hannah, is this you people normally get around here?"
Jack smiled. "No, not normally. I am pretty sure Henry sent this to make sure I actually attended."
They arrived and the White House and a Marine opened the door and held out his hand to help Cassie out. Once out, Jack joined her and held out his elbow and she looped her arm around his and let him escort her inside. Jack could feel her tensing.
"Easy Cassie, it's just another crowd." Jack said.
She giggled. "Jack, I don't normally hang around in crowds that consist of millionaires, congressman, and presidents."
"Eh, most of them are not worth…"
"Jack!" Cassie hissed, cutting him off while sounding suspiciously like Sam.
It was their turn to enter. Cassie was startled when the man announced "Major General Jack O'Neill and his daughter, Miss Cassandra Frasier."
Cassie felt her apprehension climb as Jack escorted her down the marked aisle. They made it to the end and an older man and his wife stood.
"Jack I am glad you could make it." The older man stated.
"Oh, it seems someone sent a car to make sure I didn't get lost on the way." Jack replied.
Hayes smiled and turned to Cassie. "This lovely lady must be the remarkable Miss Frasier. Henry Hayes." He offered his hand.
Cassie blushed. "Thank you Mr. President. Please call me Cassie."
"And I am Henry, well, at least when it's just us. This is my wife, Louise." Hayes said indicated his wife.
Cassie shook her hand. "Nice to meet you ma'am."
The First Lady shook her hand and leaned close. "We both have heard a lot about you. You must be quite a special lady."
Cassie blushed even deeper. "Thank you so much."
They finished and moved down the line to their table. Cassie noticed Jack looking at the people slowly moving around and walking out onto the dance floor.
"You okay Jack?" She asked. She already suspected what he was thinking.
"Yeah, just kind of wish Sam could have come in." Jack admitted.
Cassie smiled then quickly adopted a straight face before he noticed. "I do too."
Jack looked at her and broke into a grin. "Well, how about I ask the prettiest woman here if she would like to dance with an old man?"
Cassie giggled. "Jack, I don't think anyone thinks you are an old." She held out her hand.
Jack led her out onto the floor and they danced to the music. Cassie looked around. "Thanks for bringing me here Jack. It's kind of neat."
Jack smirked. "Ah, youth. Christmas party at the White House and it's…'neat'."
Cassie giggled as Jack put on a fake disappointed look. Cassie glanced over and saw what she had been waiting for coming behind Jack. She slowly guided Jack so his back remained facing the same direction.
Jack turned as President Hayes tapped him on the shoulder. "Jack, how about I dance with Cassandra and you take this gorgeous lady."
Jack turned to see Hayes standing there with a smiling Sam in a beautiful red gown that accented her curves. He couldn't hide the surprise on his face, or the smile that came across it.