Sam continued to recover at home with the occasional visits from Daniel and Teal'c. Unfortunately, Jack had been called back to the Pentagon, so Jacob moved back into his daughter's house to support her recovery.
Sam had been contemplating a much-needed conversation with Cassie. They had grown somewhat distant since Sam's departure from the Air Force due to Vladimir's threats. They had only exchanged brief phone calls since her reinstatement at the SGC. Sam was acutely aware that her behavior had hurt Cassie, and she regretted not confiding in her. However, Sam's primary concern had always been Cassie's safety. She would rather have a safe but estranged Cassie than risk her life. Moreover, Cassie had been swamped with her university exams. But now, with Spring break in full swing, Sam felt it was the right time for a more profound discussion.
She picked up her cell phone and dialed Cassie's number, letting it ring. Cassie saw the incoming call but made the decision not to answer. She was still harboring a deep sense of anger towards Sam and didn't feel ready for a conversation. Cassie had felt profoundly betrayed when Sam had abruptly left the SGC and vanished from her life. She had sought answers from Jack, who had only provided vague responses, claiming it was a complicated situation they were working through. Sam later called to apologize, explaining that she had been forced into her actions and promising to reveal everything someday. She also expressed her deep remorse. Months had passed since that call, and Cassie still struggled with her feelings.
Cassie sat in her dorm room, staring at her cell phone and contemplating whether to listen to Sam's voicemail. After a moment's hesitation, she finally pressed the play button. Sam's voice filled the room.
"Hi, Cassie. It's Sam. I know we haven't been in touch, and I'm truly sorry. I'm on medical leave and know you're on Spring break. I can send you a flight ticket if you'd like to visit. Just let me know. Love you."
Tears welled up in Cassie's eyes as she played the message several times. She yearned to go to Colorado Springs to bridge the gap that had formed between her and Sam, but her anger still lingered. After a deep breath, she composed a simple text message: "Sent the ticket."
Within moments, her phone received an equally succinct reply. It read, "Okay." Cassie took another deep breath, determined to reconcile with Sam, and decided to travel to Colorado Springs.
Upon receiving confirmation from Cassie that she was willing to visit, Sam was determined to make her stay as comfortable as possible. During Jack's time there, they had not spent every day in bed, and Sam had finally relented, deciding to purchase the furniture for her home. Jack was more than willing to assist. Together, they selected the furnishings that would transform Sam's house from a vacant storage space into a warm and welcoming home. Additionally, her father needed a proper bed to sleep on during his stay. Sam's home had been thoughtfully furnished and decorated by her and Jack, with a keen eye for style and comfort and possibly a future home for both.
A spacious and inviting sectional sofa took center stage in the living room. Its plush cushions promised relaxation. The elegant glass coffee table added a touch of sophistication to the room. To cater to Sam's love for books and movies, they chose a modern entertainment center with ample storage for her books, DVDs, and memorabilia collection. A soft, neutral-toned area rug lay beneath the furniture, tying the room together and creating a cozy atmosphere. The walls were adorned with carefully selected framed artworks, including abstract pieces, adding a personal touch to the space.
Moving into the dining room, a sturdy wooden dining table and matching chairs stood ready for hosting friends and family for shared meals. A wooden buffet provided storage and a surface for displaying decorative items, making it a functional yet stylish addition to the dining area.
Sam's office was designed with productivity in mind. A large and functional desk with plenty of workspace accommodated her research and projects, and it was paired with an ergonomic office chair for comfort during long hours of work. Teal'c and Daniel had lent their helping hands to install both wall-mounted and standalone bookshelves to store Sam's extensive collection of scientific journals and reference materials. The office featured Sam's accomplishments and mementos, including framed diplomas, awards, and a whiteboard for brainstorming and planning.
In the other guest room, where Sam's father, Jacob, was staying, Sam had also put thoughtful effort into making the space comfortable and accommodating. Jacob had a comfortable double bed with a classic wooden frame adorned with crisp white linens and cozy blankets. On either side of the bed, matching wooden nightstands provided convenient surfaces for personal items, such as a book or a glass of water. The room featured a spacious closet and a dresser with drawers to ensure Jacob had ample storage, although he usually traveled with only his Tok'ra suit. A small writing desk with a comfortable chair was placed near the window, offering a spot for Jacob to read or work on personal tasks if desired. The room was decorated in warm, earthy tones to create a serene and inviting atmosphere. Framed family photos adorned the walls, providing a sense of nostalgia and comfort. Additionally, a couple of potted plants added a touch of nature to the room. Sam had considered every detail to ensure Jacob's stay in her home was as pleasant and comforting as possible, making it a space where he could relax and feel at ease during his visit and different from the tunnels where he usually lived.
In preparation for Cassie's visit, Sam had thoughtfully furnished the guest room, which now served as Cassie's room. A cozy, queen-sized bed with an elegant, minimalist headboard had been selected. The bedding was carefully chosen for Cassie's comfort, boasting soft, high-thread-count sheets, a plush duvet, and an array of comfortable throw pillows. A dresser and a spacious closet were included in the room to accommodate Cassie's belongings. Sam ensured a small desk and chair were available, providing a comfortable workspace for Cassie if needed to study. The room exuded warmth and hospitality, with its soft pastel color scheme and framed photographs and artwork that held memories of their shared experiences over the years. Sam intended to create a guest room that would feel like a home away from home for Cassie, where she could relax and feel wholeheartedly welcomed during her visit.
As the plane touched down, Cassie's heart began to race. She had sent Sam her flight details, and Sam had assured her she would be waiting at the airport to pick her up. After disembarking, Cassie returned to the arrivals area with only a carry-on. Spotting each other almost simultaneously, their eyes locked. Cassie held her breath, studying Sam closely. She appeared thinner and paler than the image Cassie had held in her mind, but she knew Sam had mentioned being on medical leave. Her medical training kicked in immediately.
Hi," Sam greeted, her hands shifting awkwardly from her front jeans pockets to the back as if unsure where to place them.
"Hi," Cassie replied, her gaze fixed on her surrogate mother. It was undeniable; Sam had lost weight and appeared like someone who hadn't seen much sun, signaling an absence of off-world missions. Cassie couldn't help but blurt out her concern, "Are you sick?"
Sam swallowed, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions.
"I was injured," she replied in a hushed tone.
Cassie scrutinized Sam from head to toe and responded, "Oh..."
They continued to stand face to face at the arrivals area, their meeting devoid of hugs, kisses, or any displays of affection.
"Are you ready to go?" Sam asked finally, glancing at Cassie's carry-on.
Cassie nodded, "Yes," and Sam sighed, reaching for her car keys.
As they walked silently towards Sam's car, Cassie noticed that Sam still drove the same Volvo she had while dating 'stupid' Pete.
"Do you mind putting your bag in the trunk yourself?" Sam requested. "I can't lift anything right now," she admitted, her cheeks coloring slightly.
Cassie obliged, placing her bag in the trunk without uttering a word. As they got into the car, Sam began to drive them to her house.
"Thank you for coming, Cassie," Sam said, keeping her focus on the road. "I know it couldn't have been easy."
Cassie stared out the window and replied, "No, it wasn't."
The journey unfolded in silence until Sam parked in front of her house. Cassie looked surprised, noting the house's new appearance.
"What happened? It looks like it's been renovated," Cassie remarked, taking note of the fresh materials and paint.
Sam cleared her throat.
We should talk inside. Cassie, my father, is also staying with me while I recover. I hope you don't mind," Sam explained.
Cassie regarded Sam, a perplexed expression crossing her face.
"Are you dying or something?" she inquired bluntly.
Sam's cheeks reddened, and she replied, "No." She sighed and added, "Why?"
Cassie turned her gaze from the renovated house to Sam, her eyes sharp.
"First, you look unwell, then your house is completely different, and Jacob stays here while you recover from an injury? Come on, Sam. It's me you're talking to…" Cassie rolled her eyes.
Sam cleared her throat once more, her discomfort evident.
"I'll explain everything inside," she said, opening her door and leaving the car. Cassie had little choice but to follow her, her curiosity piqued.
Jacob had decided to stay the night at the base when Sam told him Cassie was arriving. He wanted them to have some privacy. "Dad?" Sam called as soon she entered the house. There was no answer, and as she placed her car keys at the usual entrance, she noticed a handwritten note from her father.
"Sam, I'm staying at the base tonight. Enjoy your time with Cassie. Love, Dad." Sam read the note her father had left, pocketed it, and then turned to Cassie. "We have the house to ourselves," she informed her.
Cassie took a moment to absorb the news and followed Sam's lead.
In her old room, Cassie gasped when she realized everything was different—new colors, new furniture. She explored every corner, her emotions running high. After a while, she composed herself and headed to the living room, where she found a similar shock. Everything had been transformed, and Sam was seated on the couch. Sitting at the opposite end of the couch, Cassie kept her distance.
"So, what's going on?" she inquired.
Sam clasped her hands and began, "I'm sorry for everything that happened, Cassie. I know you're hurt because of the things I've done. Unfortunately, I had to do them. Jack's life was in danger, and I couldn't risk it."
Cassie's eyebrows shot up. "Jack?!" she exclaimed, taken aback. "Since when do you call him Jack?"
Sam blushed, confirming that something significant was happening.
"I'll get there," she promised. "I was put in a situation where I was forced to leave the SGC and the Air Force and disappear, or people I care about would get hurt. Things are resolved now, but it took some time and was difficult."
Cassie, clearly frustrated, cut through the vagueness. "Can you please stop beating around the bush and tell me the truth? I'm not a kid anymore."
Sam looked at her with relief and apprehension, but she knew Cassandra Frasier was no longer a child. Taking a deep breath, she revealed everything that had truly transpired—Vladimir Babanian, his threats, blackmail, her actions, and Jack's rescue, leaving no detail untouched.
When Sam finished, Cassie looked pale and stunned.
"Are you okay, Cassie? Do you want some water?" Sam asked, concerned.
Cassie appeared lost in thought.
"Why didn't you tell me any of this before?" she asked.
Sam sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"Honestly? I was scared of your reaction, ashamed of my actions, and afraid you wouldn't forgive me. I wasn't in a good place, emotionally. I had too much to deal with."
Cassie studied Sam's troubled expression. She hadn't seen that look since Jolinar took her, and all the anger suddenly dissipated.
"It's okay, Sam. I understand," she said with compassion.
Sam met Cassie's eyes, her welling with tears. "You do?" she inquired tentatively.
Cassie smiled.
"Yeah. It's complicated. Life is complicated. It's the story of my life," she admitted.
Sam's eyes filled with tears, and she made no effort to hide them.
"I'm so sorry, Cassie. I didn't want to hurt you," she confessed, sniffing.
Cassie moved closer to Sam, placing a hand on her thigh.
"I know. It was Jack, right? You had to do what you had to do," Cassie said reassuringly.
Sam took Cassie's hand and held it tightly.
"Yeah, I had to," she confirmed.
Cassie suddenly embraced Sam, tears streaming down her face.
"I missed you so much," she said, closing her eyes.
Sam hugged Cassie tightly.
"Me too, honey," she said, kissing her neck tenderly.
They held each other for a long time, the weight of their separation gradually lifting as they embraced.
During their Chinese takeout dinner, Cassie decided to dig deeper into a topic that piqued her interest.
"So, tell me more about you and Jack," she inquired, looking at Sam. As anticipated, Sam blushed, and Cassie couldn't help but smile.
Setting down her Kung Pao chicken and wiping her mouth, Sam spoke slowly, "Well, one of the reasons I wanted to talk with you is about that. Things between Jack and me have... evolved."
Cassie finished her egg roll and asked, "Evolved?"
Sam sipped her soda and continued, "Yeah, we're…You can say we are kinda of together. Although only a few people know about it."
Cassie couldn't contain her excitement and joy. She opened her arms wide and exclaimed, "Hallelujah! Finally!"
Sam rolled her eyes but was pleased with Cassie's reaction.
"Look, Cassie, we've received special permission from the President. We're getting married," she began, but Cassie cut her off with an exuberant hug, practically screaming with joy.
"Oh, God! Finally!" Cassie cheered, her excitement uncontainable.
Sam had to push her away gently.
"Okay, calm down and behave," she said, smiling.
Cassie obediently retook her seat.
"Tell me all the details. I want to know everything. Oh, I have to call him," she exclaimed, reaching for her phone.
Sam placed her hand over the phone.
"Wait. It's late, and he's been working a lot. You can call him tomorrow morning," Sam suggested.
Cassie blushed slightly but agreed, saying, "Okay," as she returned her phone to the table.
The rest of their dinner was lively discussions about Sam and Jack's new relationship and upcoming marriage. Cassie was thrilled, and her excitement was contagious.
Jack had just settled into his office when he received a text message on his cell. He had tried reaching out to Sam the previous night, understanding that her reunion with Cassie might have made her nervous, but she hadn't responded, and he hadn't pushed the matter. As he glanced at the message, a smile broke across his face. It was from Cassandra Frasier, asking if she could call him. He promptly replied with a simple 'yes,' and seconds later, his phone rang.
"Hi, Cassie," he greeted as he powered up his computer.
"Hello, General. So, when is the wedding?" Cassie asked, her voice filled with enthusiasm. She and Sam were having breakfast in the kitchen, and Jack's heart warmed at the thought.
Jack cleared his throat.
"I see you've already talked with Sam," he commented in a neutral tone.
Cassie laughed.
"You two are so adorable now that you're not using those stupid ranks anymore," she observed, prompting Sam to try and slap her arm playfully. Cassie deftly avoided the incoming hand.
"I won't comment on that," Jack quipped.
Cassie continued with her inquiry, "Well, Jack, I want you to comment on when the wedding is taking place because Sam and I need to go shopping for a wedding dress, and I need some guidance— you know, weather, hot, cold."
Jack attempted to buy himself some time.
"What did Sam say?" he inquired.
"That's exactly the problem. She didn't tell me a date. She just said it would be in the coming weeks. I'm sorry, but that doesn't work for me. She could be talking about winter, for all I know. She isn't reliable," Cassie remarked and once again narrowly avoided a retaliatory swat from Sam. Cassie cheekily stuck her tongue out.
"Oh, and I'm reliable?" Jack, now amused, questioned.
Cassie inched away from Sam, grinning. "You're older, so in theory, you should be," she teased.
Jack sat up a bit straighter in his chair. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" he inquired.
Cassie, her eyes dancing, was poised to escape the kitchen, well aware of the impending retaliation from Sam.
"Just give me a date, for crying out loud," Cassie pleaded.
Jack grinned. "Two weeks, Cassie. We'll get married in two weeks," he informed her.
Cassie beamed. "Thank you, General. Love you," she said.
"Love you too," Jack replied, hearing the call end. He let out a heavy sigh. If his day started with this kind of interaction, he knew he was in for a barrage of calls and messages on his cell. He'd better keep it charged—just in case.
"What did he say?" Sam asked, her curiosity piqued by Cassie's pleased expression.
Cassie, with a sly grin, crossed her arms.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" she replied, posing her question.
"Cassandra Frasier," Sam warned, her patience wearing thin.
Cassie, still smiling, nonchalantly shrugged her shoulders.
"Fine, Ms. I-am-getting-married-but-do-not-know-the-date. Well, now I know when you're getting married, so thank you very much," she quipped.
Sam's patience was waning. "Cassie," she reiterated.
"In two weeks. That's what Jack said," Cassie disclosed quickly.
Sam blushed at the unexpected news.
"Two weeks?" she repeated. "I... we don't have time to..." She couldn't complete her sentence as her brain seemed to experience an unprecedented malfunction.
Cassie refrained from laughing.
"It's okay; we have plenty of time. I'll help you. If the wedding is at the cabin and you're inviting just a few guests, it's perfectly manageable," she reassured Sam, her confidence unwavering.
Sam took a seat at the kitchen table, still feeling uncertain.
"I don't know," she admitted, lacking confidence in her ability to plan a wedding so quickly.
Cassie placed a calming hand on Sam's shoulder.
"Don't panic, Sam," she said. "First, we'll take care of the dress, the food, and the guests. Are you having a honeymoon?" Cassie inquired slowly.
Sam was so preoccupied that she didn't even register Cassie's question.
"What?" she asked, lost in thought.
Cassie held back her laughter, although it was quite a challenge.
"You know, marriage, honeymoon... things a couple usually do," she clarified, gently pushing her luck.
Sam, however, was still lost in her thoughts.
"I... we didn't talk about it," she replied, her mind elsewhere.
Cassie let out a heavy sigh.
"Okay, I understand your situation is a bit different, but surely you're allowed to go on a honeymoon. I'm calling Jack," she declared, reaching for her phone.
Panicked, Sam placed her hand over Cassie's phone. "NO!" she almost shouted.
Cassie looked at her, surprised by Sam's reaction.
"I'll talk with him about that... later," Sam muttered in a low voice, her cheeks flushed.
Cassie nodded understandingly.
"Okay. So, dresses. Do you want to look around, get an idea?" she asked tentatively.
Sam took a deep breath.
"Okay, I suppose I have to," she replied without much enthusiasm.
This time, Cassie couldn't help but laugh.
"For heaven's sake, Sam, it's your wedding, not your funeral," she teased.
Sam rolled her eyes, even though she was secretly grateful for Cassie's presence.
"You know I don't like shopping," she said, almost pouting.
Cassie playfully bumped her shoulder.
"We can also buy some sexy lingerie," she winked.
Sam blushed a deep shade of red.
"Thought so," Cassie remarked. "Come on, Colonel. We have lots of things to do and very little time," she said dramatically.
Sam got up and followed her, grateful to have her friend by her side during this whirlwind wedding preparation. She missed her friend Janet, who had always been her confidante and support in such times.