And they Say Talking to one's self is the first..

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or worlds portrayed it this work of fan fiction. It is meant to be purely entertainment for anyone crazy enough to read it. The worlds and characters belong to their creators and corporations.
A/N: Fair warning this is AU. This means any and all seasons of any and all shows are mixed into the works. The pairings may not seem cannon compliant. However, I do promise interesting results because of it. I play with timelines to get things to fit the way I want it too. I have chosen to use a bond as a story plot line because it has its uses later on. I hope everyone will give the idea a chance.
Fire

8/12/2010

By: Fire Wolfe
Beta: Genuka Who rocks as a beta.

Part 20 And they Say Talking to one's self is the first sign of insanity...

Kate Todd watched the young people she was assigned to protect. She could not believe the deference the president was showing them. It was clear that he thought they were important for some reason. She had been a field agent for a number of years and her gut told her there was more to them then was evident at first glance. She decided to do a profile on them as a group and individually. It was not strictly necessary for guarding them however she had learned that the more she knew the better she could anticipate potential threats and the way her charges would react to any given situation.

Who to begin with? Now that was a question in and of itself. She looked around the vehicle and her eyes rested on the red head called Willow Rosenberg. She was young perhaps around 21 or so with deep red hair and green eyes. She was dressed simply but elegantly in a long flowing skirt with her hair pulled back. She wore a pair of Gucci sandals and carelessly kicked them off for the ride. On her right was a shy blonde woman named Tara McClay. The blonde was perhaps a year or two older and stuttered when she spoke in her soft tone. She was dressed in a long flowing skirt which reminded Kate of the type of outfits worn by flower children in the 1960's. Yet it was well made and clearly expensive. Tara's Gucci sandals were of the highest quality and seemed to be a match for Willow. Both women wore dark rings on their left hands with emeralds on the second band.

On Willow's left was the young man Oz. He was older then the women and his hair was dyed the same shade of red as Willows. His dark black pin stripped suit was Armani and his Vernice penny loafers were polished and had a shiny new penny in each. He looked like he would have preferred to be in a pair of baggy cargo pants and raggedy tennis shoes. Yet he was clearly dressed to support Rupert. In fact all the young people seemed protective of Rupert Giles. Kate would have thought to classify them as family if she did not know they were not related. Then again maybe they were family by choice. That would explain the deep bond between them all.

There was one clear fact that Kate got from watching them and that was that these people were dangerous. They might appear young and innocent but not one of their eyes reflected that. Instead they all had ancient eyes. They reminded Kate of her grandfather's eyes and that was not necessarily a good thing. He had been a soldier during WWII and had fought on numerous battle fields as well as freeing the Jews at several camps in Poland. His eyes sometimes had that same dark and pained look. Despite the fact that these young people wore designer gear Kate would bet her last dollar they merely saw it as a form of defensive armor. She wished they would talk more so she could get a feel for them. However they were all silent and communicating by looks which was actually kind of freaky.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Faith sat across from a tall Italian American Secret Service agent. She had to admit he was nice looking eye candy. Xander scowled at her and she winked. She mentally sent
"Chill Boy Toy I am just looking."

"Yeah well no playing with the nice men with guns Faith. We so do not need issues."

"Yeah whatever X-Man, I mean really I so am not looking for a relationship."
Xander chuckled

at that Faith had changed a lot but, he doubted she was thinking long term when she looked at that agent like he was a steak and she was starving.

"Well it's been a while boy toy. Unless of course you want to volunteer to help feed the H and H, I mean it was not so bad the last time?"

Xander grinned and reached into his pocket. The agent glared at him then relaxed as he pulled out a Twinkie. He tossed it to Faith. The sugar should help.

Faith grinned at him and said "Thank X." She quickly opened it and took a bite out of the first sugary treat and handed him the other one. "Damn this is so good."

Xander chuckled as he took the other Twinkie. "Yep at least I can feed one H."

Faith almost choked at that. She grinned. "Hey Secret agent man you got any water? I'll take a rain check on the other."
Xander turned beet red at this comment.

The Agent Vincent Garibaldi handed her a bottle of water which Faith drank down quickly. She felt relaxed and ready to deal now.

Dawn watched them with amusement. Sometimes they acted like such children and they said she was a kid?

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Well looks like I'm on my own. Janet thought.

You are not alone.

Janet froze she had forgotten her new symboite. Ah sorry, I did not mean to insult you.

There was a wary chuckle. I understand, you must get used to my being here. I can help.

"Ah that is good to know."Janet said. She spoke verbally clearly not certain how to communicate.

Just think what you wish me to know or what you wish to ask. Came the mental reply. Janet grinned and began bombarding her new partner with questions. With luck between them they would be able to get away.

XXXXXXXX

Sam Carter's fingers flew over the computer screen. She was angry and frustrated because whoever had infiltrated the SGC's computers core was now gone and she could barely find a trace. They had been that good and it pissed Sam off. Contrary to what Cassie thought she was a rather skilled hacker. She had to be in order to get around Gao'uld systems as often as they did. What was pissing her off was that the security protocols she had implemented were the hardest she could design using human, Gao'uld and Azgard technology. In short she had cheated.

After the last debacle with the NID Sam had spoken to Hermiod the Azgard scientist working on their battle cruisers and he had helped her rewrite several sub systems. She had even as Cassie guessed created some passwords using Daniels extensive knowledge of near extinct languages and script. Now however the hacker or hackers as the case may be were gone. If she had not set some very specific programs she would never had known they had left a tracer behind. What was worst was that Sam strongly suspected their entire data base had been copied and this was a major complication and comprise of security. Sam closed her laptop and looked over at her commanding officers. "Sir they have gotten into the computers. Whoever did this, copied-"

She was interrupted by the commander of the SG-1. "So what they get last week's reports?" O'Neill quipped. That might be bad but they could seal it off and deal.

Makepeace who was now sitting at the table looked down he hide a smirk. If he heard right then the Red Witch had them by the balls, he almost pitied O'Neill if she took offence at what she read.

Sam glared at Jack and then looked back at General Hammond. "Sir they got more than last week's reports." Sam paused. "I am not sure how they did it but they came in from the base supply files and used them as a door way. The Hacker then copied and downloaded our entire main data base and left a program designed to copy anything new and forward it."

Jack's grin faded and Daniel winced and cursed. It was clear that they were screwed. "They got the whole data base? That means we could all be exposed."

Yeah we could. So, could Cassie and that would endanger her. Once more Jack considered the idea of taking her off world. Maybe to the Tollan could help. They owed them and Cassie was advanced. So maybe...

His thoughts were interrupted by the general. "While this groups gaining access to our data base is very disturbing we have a greater concern at the moment. Colonel are you paying attention." His tone was a little harsh and Jack's head jerked up.

"Ah, Yes sir. I was just thinking maybe we could take Cassie to the Tollan or send her to Atlantis. She'd be out of reach then. I mean that's the greater worry right? Keeping her safe?"

The general seemed to instantly lose his anger. "Yes, it is the most important thing." He raised his hand to any protests about the SGC being compromised. "The president is going to inform Dr. Giles about the Stargate."

There was a stunned silence. "I believe he wants our two groups to work together to help Cassie at this time. He seems to believe they will be helpful in international relations, or at least with the United Kingdom."

Cassandra who had been sitting silently rolled her eyes. "Not bloody likely." I bet he has plans to try to use me to make an alliance she thought.

Everyone looked at her sharply.

Cassandra decided she was tired of everyone talking over her and thinking they got to decide her life. She loved every person in the room, ok maybe not Makepeace but really she was not some puppy to be handed over to new owner.

"Cassie, language."Daniel said if he was shocked by her startling slang and sudden accent he did not show it. "We just want to keep you safe with us. We don't know these people."

Cassie rolled her eyes. "Really Uncle Daniel, bloody hell you are all talking like they are some evil over lord or Goa'uld's you have to protect me from. Need I remind you that Uncle Rupert is my family?"

Everyone looked stunned except Makepeace who was smirking. He could clearly see that even if this girl was not a blood relation to the Giles family she would most certainly fit in perfectly. Every demon in the world knew not to mess with that particular watcher family. He smiled enjoying the show despite his circumstances. Hell the Giles family always had spunk and attitude and that was not even considering the watcher that had charge of the Queen of the slayers. He had a feeling that Cassandra Frasier would fit right in with Rupert Giles and his slayer and maybe even give him a run for his money.

Teal'c who had been listening quietly now chose to speak. He was a man of few words so his options were always listened to by his teammates. "Cassandra tells us about this Rupert Giles. You have named him family and are eager to defend him. Perhaps we are concerned because we have never met him."

Cassie gave Teal'c a grateful smile Maybe at least one of her Uncles was thinking rationally. She decided that if he was willing to listen and with her aunt's support she might make this work. She knew that Aunt Sam wanted her to be happy and was at least willing to consider her wishes. The others not so much, then again they were used to protecting the weak and innocent. Of course Cassie was neither anymore but Uncle Jack and Uncle Daniel and Grandpa George all still saw her as the scared little girl they had rescued. Only Aunt Sam had ever really put her best wishes and fears ahead of her own. So she trusted that she would do what was best for her. Uncle Teal'c, well he didn't see her as a child because among his people she would already be considered an adult. He would fight to keep her safe but would always support her choices.

TBC...