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FAN FICTION Cassie Cronicles : FamiliesUnicorn NOTE: This story involves Cassie, from 'Singularity' and 'In the Line of Duty'. Knowledge of 'Enigma' would be useful. Set in Season 4. A man sat, reading, at his desk. He was rereading old reports in the hope of finding reasons for more money to be diverted to the Stargate program. His best bet, he decided, was taking the "the other guys are really bad" line. I always had, and still did, works with the Commies, after all. He found the report of Nasya, which in turn led to the report of Major - Captain then of course - Carter's infestation by Jolinar. How had O'Neill discovered it? That's right, that girl, Cassandra. What had happened to her? The man shuffled through his papers, trying to find the relevant one. When he did, he studied it carefully, before doing some quick calculations. Hmmmm. If he was right... Maybourne drained his coffee cup, a smile that could only be described as sinister on his face. Well, that was interesting. He picked up the phone. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Cassie, Happy Birthday to you!" I took a deep breath and blew. The sixteen candles flickered and went out. My family, sitting around the table with me, clapped and laughed. Then I realised why they were laughing. The candles were relighting themselves! "That's cheating!" I cried, blowing them out again. They all laughed gain, and helped me pinch them out. They're not really my family of course. My family were all killed by the Goa'uld five years ago. But these people are my family now. Teal'c, the first one I saw who didn't scare me. Daniel, our geek, but he's great really, always has time for me. Jack, like my father, of favourite uncle, and I know he sees his son Charlie in me. Sam, who saved me and who I helped save. And Janet, my adoptive mother. And Black Hole, my dog. It seems Jack was joking about the Orule' but we kept him anyway. I pulled a sugar decoration off the cake and broke it in half, tossing half to Hole and popping the other half in my mouth. "Cassie," Janet admonished me. "Don't feed the dog." "Oh, leave her alone Janet," Jack told her, laughing. "It's her birthday." "Well can we eat the cake now?" I asked, eying the chocolate gateau. "Presents first," Sam insisted. She handed me a brightly wrapped package. Soft, cloth maybe. Could it be...? Ripping the paper away I revealed the hideously expensive dress that I'd been pining for since I first saw it in the shop. I gaped. "Thank you Sam!" I gushed, reaching over to hug her. "Audrey will die of envy." Audrey lives just down the street, and she's my best friend. I pulled the dress out of it's plastic packet and held it over my clothes. "You like?" Jack grinned. "I find it hard to believe that this is the same little girl we found hiding in the bushes. Who gave you authorisation to grow up?" "I was not aware that authorisation was required to the Ogrow up'" Teal'c said, once again utterly confused. "Well you obviously never got yours, sir," Sam muttered. We all grinned and I sat down to receive more gifts. "Here you are Cassie." Daniel passed me a square present. It didn't rattle, though Daniel winced when I shook it. On opening it I found four leather bound books in a matching box. "The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien," I read aloud. "What's that?" "They're considered one of the greatest fantasy series of all time," Daniel told me. I carefully pulled The Hobbit out and opened it at the front page. It was covered in gold ink, and marvelously detailed. "They're gorgeous," I told him, awe struck. "Thank you!" Daniel smiled, happy to please me. I carefully replaced them on the table before turning to Teal'c. "Happy Birthday Cassandra," he said, solemnly handing me another non-rattling box. I practically tore it open. Friends season 7 boxed set! I laughed with happiness. "Thank you Teal'c!" Friends is one of my favourite shows. Mom encourages me to watch real-life-ish shows like that. She reckons they will help me learn about life in Earth, and I suppose she's right. I still occasionally forget things that all kids my age should know, and older things, like who Audrey Hepburn is. Lot's of kids think I'm weird at school. Did I mention that? The Adults unanimously decided school was a must. But I suppose I've got it better than Teal'c. He's got 90 years of not-living-on-Earth-iness to overcome. "You can come over and watch them anytime Teal'c," I assured him. "Thank you Cassandra," he replied. Jack's present had to be retrieved from the hall. "I noticed your old one was getting a bit rough," he explained as I tore open the long passage. A hockey stick. See, I'm captain of the school hockey team, and Jack tries to get to all my games. Audrey says I'm suffering from MPS -Multiple Parent Syndrome. Meaning that I'm an over achiever. But I have a genuine interest in the things my family gives me. "Cool," I thank him. "We'll waste Highthorn now!" And I'm very competitive. That's their fault too. But I think Mom's present was the best. It's not wrapped. A small wooden box, carved with flowers and animals and a little gold catch on the front and a key sticking out of the side. She shows me how to wind it up then tells me to open the lid. Music tinkles out of it and a tiny doll starts to spin in front of a mirror inlaid into the lid. Little velvet lined compartments slide around on wooden rails. My eyes bug. "It's a family heirloom," Janet explains. "It's been handed down from mother to daughter on her sixteenth birthday since...well, since forever. A jewellery box, to keep all your jewellery safe." I glance around the table. Everyone id smiling proudly at me, and suddenly my eyes fill with tears and I jump into my mothers arms. "Thank you," I whisper. "Thank you a million times a day forever." She hugs me tightly. "You're so very, very welcome," she tells me. Then she lets me go. "But I think there's still one present left." I turn back to my seat to find a white envelope lying on the table. Sitting down, I pick it up and carefully open it. A bright green card covered with stick figures carrying balloons greets me. Every balloon has OHappy Birthday' on it and inside is written OHappy 16th Cassie, from everyone at SGC.' Then masses and masses of signatures. Even General Hammond signed it! But that's not all. A slip of paper, about the size of a $20 note sits tucked inside. OThis voucher entitles Cassandra Fraiser to the computer of her choice, all peripherals and $250 worth of software. From everyone at SGC.' "Holy Hannah!" I yell, jumping up to run around the room. "Thank you! Thank you thank you thank you!" Everyone laughs at my exuberance, as I give everyone a kiss and a hug. I'm not acting like a normal teenager at being presented with about a thousand bucks worth of computer, but then, I'm not a normal teenage girl. I finally calm down and return to my seat as I'm told that I'm very welcome. "Can we eat the cake now?" Daniel asks plantitively. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><>< Standing over me, talking in their distorted voices, eyes glowing. Pain, then more voices, laughing and congratulating themselves. Then the strange feeling of transport. Then more and more of the distorted voices, and I see, understand why they laugh. Dead, all dead, everybody, my family, my friends, the strangers that came from the Circle. I hide, hide from all the death, then I hide form the strangers that come... "Arghh!" I woke up with a yell, looking around. My room, on Earth. Just a dream, just a bad dream. Blackhole, lying on my bed looked up and barked quietly. I shushed him, not wanting to wake Mom up. Hole shuffled up the bed in that curious way dogs have. He licked my hand, whining. I smiled at him. He was my other best friend. Picking up my new jewellery box from the bedside table, I wound it up again. Replacing it, I opened the lid and the quiet tinkling music lulled me back to sleep. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>><><>><><><><><><><><><><><>< Janet crept down the hall as quietly as possible. She'd been woken by Cassie's yell, and she wanted to check on her. She pushed the door open carefully and looked in. The jewellery box sat open on the bedside table and Cassie looked asleep. She must've woken up. Black Hole sat up and thumped his tail. "Good boy," Janet whispered. She shut the door again. Thank you for the dog, Colonel. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> SG-1 and Janet stood in General Hammond's office. "No," Sam declared. "Absolutely not!" "No way in hell," Jack confirmed. "I'm getting a curious sensation of deja vu," Daniel said to no-one in particular. "There is no way, sir," Janet said, "that I am letting that creep anywhere near her." "I was not aware it was allowed to exploit children so," Teal'c said. "That's the point, Teal'c," the General sighed. "According to our laws, Cassandra is not longer a child, but she's not an adult yet." "We didn't let him get the Tollans and there is no way he is getting Cassie," Sam said viciously. "And as with the Tollans, unofficially, I support you. But officially, I don't see what can be done. Colonel Maybourne has agents on this base that we haven't identified yet." The General steepled his fingers. "If we tried to Ogate her out we'd be caught..." "Laundry basket?" Jack suggested. Everybody looked at him. "What?" Daniel asked. "Take the innards out of a M.A.L.P. and..." He looked at everyone looking at him. "Don't tell me you can't take the innards out of a M.A.L.P.," he groaned. "What the Hell is the point of that?" "Maybourne will call in a lot of favours if he's serious, maybe even get the police involved," Sam muttered. "Add a tragic story or a reward and the whole country will be looking for her." "He can do that?" Daniel asked, surprised. The military might of SG-1 nodded. "This sucks!" "How long do we have?" Teal'c asked, slipping into strategic mode. "It will take him a few days to get organised, but I'd say a week at the most," Hammond informed them. Their faces hardened in determination. "Dismissed, go see if you can think something up." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< I arrived home the day after my party to see a Sam's car in the driveway. Which meant maybe Daniel and Teal'c but probably not Jack, he preferred to drive his own car. I went in the open door calling a greeting. "Hi Cassie!" "We're in the kitchen," came back to me. No Daniel or Teal'c then. I dropped my books at the bottom of the stairs and went on through. "...Gonna tell her," Sam hissed. "Not yet-" Mom replied. "Tell me what?" I asked, opening the cookie jar and pulling one out. Yum, choc fudge. Mom and Sam exchanged a look. "Do you remember we told you about the Tollans?" Sam asked, grabbing a cookie herself. "Mhhmmh," I mumbled around a full mouth as I jumped up to sit on the bench. "One fell in love with Sam-" said Sam blushed "-they could walk through walls and Daniel saved them from the life of intellectual labour had planned. What about them?" "Well, now that you're sixteen," Janet said slowly, "America doesn't consider you to be a child, and you don't require a legal guardian anymore." They both looked a cross between sad and angry as I tried to connect these seemingly unrelated pieces of information. Maybourne wanted Tollan technology and... "Maybourne wants to take me away!" I cried. I looked to the two women, who nodded reluctantly. "You're not going to let him are you?" "NO!" they cried. "No we are not," Sam repeated urgently. "We will do everything we can, and I mean *everything* to keep Maybourne away from you." But the panic must have still showed in my face, because Sam came and took my hands. "I said I wouldn't leave you, and I meant it, even if you're old enough to look after yourself now." I jumped off the bench and hugged her. OWon't leave you' always makes me feel safe. She squeezed me hard before letting me go. "What does he think he'll get off me?" I ask curiously. "*I* can't walk through walls." "I don't know," Janet said. "Maybe he heard you can identify Goa'uld," she suggested. "But...But that's because of the naquaada piece in me isn't it?" It had been kind of a shock finding out what Nyerti had done, and what they had intended to happen. I'd gone a little recluse out of guilt, but everyone had talked me out of it. "We think so," Janet nodded. "And we don't think it's transferable," Sam said. "So, once again, Maybourne is way over his head in something he doesn't understand." She smiled to reassure me. "But we want you to keep an eye out anyway." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Her warning proved necessary. Two days later I arrived home after a more than usually stressful day at school - I had to give a speech on family. The house was empty, which normally was not unusual, but I was expecting Mom and Sam to take my computer shopping today. Darn, must have got caught up at work. I pulled the key out of my bag and opened the door. The answer machine light was bleeping, so I ran the messages. "Hi Cassie, it's Sam. Look sweetie, I know we promised we'd go shopping and we're really sorry, but it looks like we've got another all-nighter going on here." "Hi Cassie!" another voice, Daniel I think, called. Sam continued, sounding like she was laughing. "We're sorry honey, and we promise to make it up to you at the weekend. How does a fun park sound?" "Sounds great!" another voice interuppted - Janet. "Wasn't asking you - Ah Colonel, hands off!" I shook my head. Jack can't keep his hands away from hoo-dickies. "So, fun park this weekend, and computer tomorrow. Okay? We're really sorry Cassie, but you know how work is." She gave a shout of alarm. "Turn it off! Gotta go now. Keep an eye out for you-know-who. Bye." A chorus of farewells followed. I sighed. Sometimes it really sucks having all of your parents working in something you *know* is important. Try as I might, I just can't get mad at them for working late. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< "Subject has been sighted," the disembodied voice said in his ear. "Proceeding West along Park Avenue, towards target." "Acknowledged," Maybourne replied. So far, so good. Hopefully the blockheads hadn't spooked her, but he doubted it. She hadn't been on Earth long, she was still naive. But she could tell them so much. "Subject has entered the house," the voice said. "Okay, prepare to move in." "Acknowledged." Maybourne nodded in satisfaction. The men he had were reliable, if not all geniuses. The snatch should go without a hitch. After the prescribed length of time he gave the signal. The van he was sitting in roared into life, speeding around the two corners and rocked to a halt in front of Dr Fraisers house. The doors opened and Maybourne jumped out, and 16 men followed from the cars. Three to each side and 12 into the house. Into the empty house. That showed signs of a teenager returning from school. "Dammit!" Maybourne yelled. "You must've spooked her!" He turned to the team's commander. "Find her!" <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Of course I saw them. Sheesh, it'd be pretty hard not to. I'd noticed one of the cars parked, but I hadn't clicked then. It was when an identical car drove past the end of the block, then back the other way, that I got suspicious. But the final straw was when a third identical car pulled up over the road. Those cars are specially chosen to look inconspicuous, but they look *so* inconspicuous that they are glaringly obvious. Nobody except government heavies ever drove them. But just because Maybourne has a single digit IQ doesn't mean he's not dangerous. I swore, badly. Blame school. Then I ran. Out the back door, call Black Hole, but not too loud. Climb up the stack of boxes placed there just for that purpose and onto the shed.Hole managed to get up, but with a lot more noise. As the squeal of tires came form the road, I jumped. The fence behind the yard is 8 feet high, and 2 feet from the back of the shed. Before we were caught, me and Audrey had spent hours jumping the gap into the long grass of the empty allotment behind the house. Now, I landed with a thump, rolling like Sam had always told me. A moment later Blackhole landed beside me. "Good boy," I told him, rubbing his head. I hadn't been sure he would jump. Voices on the other side of the fence cued me to lie down in the long grass. "Down, still," I hissed. Obediently, Black Hole dropped and froze. He's very well trained. Jack says some of the dogs he worked with in Shadow Ops weren't as good. Daniel says I'm a natural. Soon a head popped over the fence, but he wasn't looking for a khaki clad girl (I'd given into fashion) and her dog lying in the grass right next to the fence. He was looking for someone trying to run away. But four out of my five parents are military. I know better. But as soon as the head vanished we were up and running. Not a mad sprint, that would attract attention, just a jog. I pulled my jacket hood up to try and hide my hair, and made a mental list of what I had. Twenty bucks in my pocket, sneakers, quite warm clothes - fall's getting on - and...and a dog. Hmmmm. Not much. Now, next order of business. What do I do? Nobody would be home until early tomorrow, but the house would be watched. I could find a place to hole up until then but they'd freak if they got home and I wasn't there. So, to the base. I'd need a ride then. Audrey. Deciding I was a safe distance from Maybourne, I turned towards Audrey's house. When I thought I was level with it, I went crosscountry. Across three backyards and then the road loomed in front of us. watching for a minute, I saw one of Maybourne's men walk past the end of the block. looking frantically. As soon as he was out of sight, I sprinted across the dark expanse of tarmac. Another few yards, and I was standing on Audrey's back porch. I knocked, and within moments she opened the door. "Cassie," she exclaimed, ushering me and Blackhole in. "Did you see the FBI?" "Probably Shadow Ops actually," I replied absently. I noticed Audrey gape a little. "They to do with your folks?" she asked. "Uh, no. Me actually." "You!" Audrey squealed. "Why do they want you?" Blackhole whined. "Sorry boy," she apologised. "Why do they want you? Are they trying to get Dr Fraiser to do something?" she asked eagerly, but quieter. She's a bit melodramatic sometimes. "That's probabaly on the agenda too," I said nonchalantly. Mrs Calum, Audrey's mother arrived in the kitchen. "Cassandra," she said sternly. "Why are they after you?" I sighed. You can argue with General Hammond easier than Mrs Calum. "They think I know something," I sighed. "Something they want to know." "Do you?" Audrey asked nervously, glancing towards the road. "That's beside the point," I laughed. "They think I do, so I do." Then I became more serious. "But I was wondering...well, I came here because..." "What do you need Cassie?" Mrs Calum asked. "A ride. Up to the base. Or at least near to it." Mrs Calum frowned, and I crossed my fingers behind my back. "Can you promise me that this isn't because you've done something illegal?" "Mrs Calum, you've met the people I consider my parents," I said drolly. "Anything illegal I may have done was authorised by the President," I assured her. She regarded me carefully, and I put on my best angelic face. She glanced at Audrey, who was nodding eagerly. "You two get in the car. I'll be there in a minute." "Thank you Mrs Calum," I said gratefully. Audrey started humming the James Bond theme as she led me and Blackhole into the garage through the door into the house. We climbed in and soon Mrs Calum got in too. I pulled my hood back up and scrunched down as we pulled out of the driveway, Blackhole oblivious to anything except for the fact that he was going for a car ride. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< "'You are entering a restricted area,'" Audrey read aloud from the sign. "Okay you can stop here," I told Mrs Calum. "Thank you so much." "Anything to defeat Big Brother, right?" Audrey laughed nervously. Mrs Calum nodded at me in the rear view mirror, a very Teal'c-ish action. Then Audrey pulled me into a hug. "Be careful Cassie, okay? OCause I need your help for my science project - not to mention the games next week," she joked. "I'll be careful," I assured her as she let me go. "Here." She pushed something into my hand. "But don't break it or lose it, okay?" I looked at Oit'. Audrey's prize Swiss Army knife. "Okay," I nodded, smiling reassuringly as I got out of the car. "Thanks again. I'll call if I can." I shut the door and with a final wave Mrs Calum turned the car around carefully and drove off. I headed off up the hill, Blackhole following obediently. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Lt. Andre Collan was dead bored. Speculation on why Lt. Katie Gere and Cpt. Al Burn had arrived together this morning could only last so long, and so long had long gone. Checking people in and out of the base was one of the lower risk jobs - the further from the Stargate the better as far as he was concerned - but it was also one of the most boring. Usually. Today he was surprised to see a blonde girl saunter up to his booth and put her elbows up on the desk. She drummed her fingers and a moment later a HUGE black dog jumped his front feet up. Collan wondered where his backup was even as he realised she looked familiar. "Hiya. Sorry about OHole, he's not very well trained," she said brightly. Her manner was very familiar too, thought Collan. "Can I help you?" he asked. "Probably," she nodded. "Is Doc Fraiser or any of SG-1 available?" It still didn't click. Collan carefully picked up the phone. The dog was growling, and he didn't like dogs. General Hammond answered. "Sir, there's a girl here asking to see Doctor Fraiser or SG-1... She has a dog with her, blonde....No, I haven't heard anything from the first two checkpoints....Yes sir." Very confused he handed the phone to the girl. "Hello General Sir....Yip....Big Brother was after me....Well I couldn't just leave him....I caught a lift...I *do* know what Osecret' means....I didn't know the number....It's on the speed dial....Probably....Oh. Are you sure?....Oh, he's got not idea....Is he mad?" She winced. "Oh we....Yip....Just so long as nobody tries to leave me in a bunker again....I was joking!....I know I've got his sense of humour, better than the big guy's." She giggled. "I'll tell him you said that!....Na...Okay....Yip....Yes. Later sir." She put the receiver back down next to the dogs paw, grinning at Collan. He reached for the phone, but that giant dog pulled back his lip and growled menacingly. "Sorry," The girl grinned, handing it back just as the elevator opened and Colonel O'Neill emerged, looking esasperated. Was she his kid? Collan wondered. No, couldn't be, didn't look a thing like him. Carters? Fraisers? Jackson's maybe? "Cassie? You better not be messing about," he said sternly. "I know better than that!" OCassie' objected. She turned back to Collan, patting the dogs head. "If we weren't here, Blackhole here doesn't have your scent, okay?" she said, so politely that Collan thought he must have imagined the threat. The dog jumped down and and both of them went to O'Neill. "Cassandra," he sighed, "who told you you could terrorise the personnel?" He glanced up at Collan. "Carry on," he ordered. Collan carried on. Arguing with O'Neill got you in trouble nine time out of ten. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< Jack's office still looked the same. "You really need to redecorate this place," I mused aloud. "In fact this whole base could do with a coat of paint." Blackhole wandered around the room, sniffing everything. Satisfied nothing was going to bite, he settled down on the floor. "Cassie," Jack said sternly. "What are you doing up here?" "Maybourne and his cronies turned up," I explained. "We went over the back fence and caught a lift up to the restricted zone." "You avoided a snatch team?" he asked, mildly impressed. "A team is only as good as it's worst member," I recited. "And Maybourne was involved." I rolled my eyes. "They gave me at least two minutes warning - more if I'd been paying attention." Jack raised his eyebrows. "Well, I'll have a word to him about that." He glanced around the room. "The Internet's on Uncle Sam - but nothing that will get us in trouble, Ok? I gotta get in the way a bit. One of us will get you some grub when we get a sec." He glanced at OHole. "He eats people food right?" I laughed. "He loves it. Don't worry Obout me Jack, I can amuse myself. Go help Sam blow some stuff up." "Yes ma'am," he grinned. Then, locking the door behind him, he left. The chatrooms were still entertaining me when Daniel knocked on the door. "Lemme in." "What's the password?" I hissed out the keyhole. "There isn't one! Do you two want dinner or not?" he replied. Needless to say, I opened up. "Who're ya chatting to?" he asked as he put the tray on the table. "Hackers mainly," I shruged, eyeing the food. Not particularly appetising, but as it was getting on to 8pm, I wasn't too fussy. I tossed a handful of fries and one hunk of meccelaneous meat on the floor for Balckhole and picked my way through the rest of it while I talked to Daniel. "What are you talking about?" "How to take remote control of a nuclear warship and what we'd do if we did," I said nonchalantly. I'm sure the reaction from a Marine would have been more impressive than Daniel's was. "They've got some pretty good ideas for people who weren't sat in front of a military supercomputer for their first go." Daniel shook his head. "Just don't give away any state secrets okay? We'd all be cut off," he warned, grinning. "No one would believe me anyhow. I could spill all and even add some extra stuff-" The computer dinged. "You've got a message," Daniel grinned. "Jack says there's a blanket in the closet, you can crash on the couch if you're tired. Someone will come and check on you later, but this alnighters still on. Sorry," he apologised. "It's cool," I assured him. "Don't work to hard, it's bad for you." "Night Cassie." "G'night Daniel." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< "Sir, she's here." "Are you sure?" "Certain, sir. The grapevine down here is unbelievable." "But accurate?" "Accurate enough sir. Do you have any instructions sir?" "Just wait until I get there. Inform me immediately if she starts to leave - by any way." "Yes sir." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< I had fallen asleep on Jack's couch - thankfully it's not too uncomfortable. Blackhole lay on the floor where I could pat him in my sleep. I was having the dream again, where the Goa'uld take me, up up into their ships. I didn't hear the clicking of the lock, though Hole must've. The next thing I knew, the door slammed open and the his barking woke me up. "Get the dog," a voice yelled. I recognised it, but I was too asleep at the time to name it. As it happened, it was Maybourne. Four Marines marched in, looking like they were going for me. Blackhole barked and snapped and growled at all of them. I couldn't think of anything to say, still half asleep, and my glare wasn't up to much. "The dog you idiots!" Maybourne said again. There was a pft zing of a tranquilliser gun, and OHole collapsed, growling as he passed out. "You shot my dog!" I finally managed to shout. The I tried to break for it. OI'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees' and all that. I didn't even make it to the doorway before I was grabbed. "Let me go!" I yelled, struggling. But they were stronger than I was. They dragged me down the hallway, I'm not sure what direction. About that point, the dream, which had never really let go, took hold of me again. "Let me go!" I yelled again, but desperately now instead of angrily, as Othe Goa'uld' dragged me. "Help me please! Sam!" I cried, somehow remembering her. "Mom! Help!" "Cassie!" "Shut her up or we'll have the whole base on our heads," the leader snapped and a hand clapped over my mouth. "Cassie!" a second voice yelled. "Maybourne!" A bellow, turning into an angry roar, echoing down the halls. Some reason returned to me, and I bit my captors hand, stamping down on his foot at the same time. His grip loosened as he swore. Another quick struggle and I was free, sprinting down a convenient hall. Until I hit... A Jaffa, his tattoo shining in the light. I screamed, freezing solid. Goa'uld, Goa'uld Goa'uld, my scattered brain told me. "Cassandra,I am Teal'c," he said softly. "Do not be afraid." The Dream released me and I collapsed into Teal'c's outstretched arms. "Teal'c!" Maybourne yelled, approaching down the hall. "Hand her over." Teal'c gently moved me behind him. "I cannot permit you to take Cassandra," he said calmly. My hero, I thought. "I have authorisation form the President." Maybourne advanced; some of his men had guns out. "I'm ordering you to hand her over." "I am under no obligation to follow orders from your President," Teal'c informed Maybourne. He was about to continue I think, probably on the whole Ojustified in ripping you to shreds' kinda thing, when General Hammond appeared. "Colonel Maybourne," he snapped. "*I'm* ordering you to cease and desist. I don't want to hear about the President. I'm here, he's not, and Cassandra is staying right here." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< They tried to explain it to me, but at the time all the details went over my head. Adrenaline and relief, mixed with happiness. We all sat down together - me Mom, Sam, Jack, Daniel, Teal'c, Maybourne and a few of his people, General Hammond and a blonde lady. Sam said she was from JAG. "How did you meet SG-1 and Doctor Fraiser," she asked me. "They saved me. They protected me when *they* tried to kill me." It came out a little more viciously than I intended. "You live with Fraiser?" I'm not sure why she was asking all the questions - I could see the file in front of her. "Yes, because Sam couldn't take me." "Couldn't?" "Janet works shifts," Sam explained. "Sometimes I'm away for days at a time, week occasionally." She sighed. "I would love to have Cassie with me, but I just can't give her the care she deserves. But I see her as much as possible." "And you're happy with this arrangement?" JAG Lady asked. "Yes," I nodded. "I know Sam doesn't have enough time to look after me. I'm happy with Janet." Lady nodded. "Colonel Maybourne?" "She's potentially a very useful subject-" "She's not just a subject!" Jack yelled, surging up out of his seat. All the others expression matched. "Colonel O'Neill," General Hammond said firmly. Jack glared at Maybourne as he sat down. "Maybourne please continue," he offered in a tone that suggested he only said it because he had to. "She could teach us a lot, that could help us *and* the war with the Goa'uld-" "Teach you?" Daniel spluttered. "They didn't even have electricity! I mean no offense Cassie, but the people on P8X-987 were *not* advanced. We were only there to see the...the..." "Accretion disk," Jack supplied. "Thank you. To see the accretion disk." "You're welcome." "Cassandra showed no particular aptitude in school that would indicate extra knowledge," Mom rattled off. "Except computers - which we know they didn't have. Perhaps the logic appeals to her or something." "She can sense Goa'uld," Maybourne insisted. "So can I," Sam snapped. "I don't see you dragging me off to see how." Maybourne's face said perhaps he wanted to. "Slavery is slavery, whether it be of the mind or the body," Teal'c noted. I noticed Mrs-JAG-Lady-who-thought-she-could-dictate-my-future looking at me. "Cassandra?" she asked, in the silence that followed Teal'c statement. "Do you have something to say?" "Yes," I said firmly. "Stop talking about me as if I'm not here! And second. Colonel Maybourne. You want me to help you? To help SGC and Earth?" he seemed shocked at my addressing him. Yes, I thought, I do have a brain. "Yes," he replied. "So why don't you just ask me?" I asked. Obviously I would be more help if I was helping willingly. Did you think I would say no?" I asked, feeling several emotions jostling foe room. "Do you know what they did Maybourne? Do you? Let me tell you." Anger seemed to be winning just now. "They killed my family, and my friends - they killed my world. They ruined my home. Everything I knew was gone." Tears of of present anger and sad memories welled up in my eyes. "Of course I want to help! Why wouldn't I ? But I *can't* and I hate that. I hate not being able to help, and I'm waiting for the day I can come back in here and be useful!" Maybourne regarded me strangely as my family made murmurs of protest about my supposed uselessness. "I'm promising you know Maybourne - and everyone - that if I knew anything, I'd tell you. But I don't know anything," I finished quietly. I looked around , my bit said. "Thank you for sharing your opinion with us Cassandra," General Hammond said. He was looking thoughtful, as were JAG Lady and Maybourne. He opened his mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by Blackhole barking just outside. "OScuse me," I said, standing up. "But Blackhole will come find me soon." I slipped out the door and went to see my dog. He turned once more to growl at the Airman behind him, then jumped up to greet me. "Good boy," I told him him. "Will you quit waving that gun at him?" I asked the Airman. "He's already been shot once today." "Colonel O'Neill told me to watch him once he woke up. But he's vicious!" Blackhole Oviciously' licked my face. "He's not. He was just worried about me." I patted him. He's probably hungry. Can we go get something to eat?" "The mess?" he suggested gingerly. "Okay. I know the way. Heel boy." I stood up and began walking down the hall." "What about-" asked the Airman. "They know my opinion." <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>< A flurry of activity by the door alerted me to SG-1's entry with Mom. Maybourne, his cronies and JAG Lady were nowhere to be seen. Daniel went for coffee while the rest of them came and sat down at my table. Blackhole resettled himself at the end, only to be stepped over by Daniel. "Why'd you run off Cassie?" Mom asked. I frowned. "I told you what I wanted. Why did you need me there to settle technicalities? My being there wouldn't've changed your decision. Besides," I added, "'Hole wanted feeding." "We did want you involved in the decision making," Sam said. "It's your future here." I sighed, esasperated. "Daniel, help me here," I pleaded. "I read up on DSS. You say your bit, then leave to let the adults haggle over details." "She's right," Daniel conceded. "Trust me on this." "It would too have made a difference," Jack protested. "It would have modified your language," I corrected him. "Besides, I trust you guys." I looked at them expectantly. "So...?" "So...?" "So what's gonna happen to me?" I asked. But the bright smile on my face was a sham. Only practice stopped me from shaking, and I was dreading their next words. A home? With Maybourne? Ward of the State? Possible futures flashed through my mind. Would this be the last time I saw my family? A long time ago, as soon as I figured out what to look for, I had tried to find my legal status. I was pretty sure the adults didn't know about my research. Not even Audrey did. But I'd found out. My formal title was refugee, blameless victim of a war I didn't start. When I'd looked, I didn't have a passport, though that might've changed. I didn't have a birth certificate. I didn't exist, so I had no rights. America could wash it's hands of me and bear no blame. My only mark was in reports so classified that most of Congress couldn't read them. I had no legal status. "What's gonna happen to me?" I repeated, their hesitation almost reducing me to tears. "Unless you object, in which case we can stop them," Mom said, " The adoption papers are being drawn up as we speak." Adoption...? Nobody said anything, waiting for me to respond. Adoption...? They were adopting me? The rush of emotion was too much for me. A late night, two attempted kidnappings and an adoption is just too much for a 16 year old. I burst out crying, throwing myself into Mom's arms. I shook and sobbed as she held me tightly, and Balckhole got up to nuzzle at me. Somebody, Teal'c I think, was asking me if I was alright, but I couldn't speak, save for "Thank you thank you thank you." I mumbled around my tears into Mom's hair. Someone was patting my shoulder, and slowly I regained my composure. "Thank you," I said again, to everyone this time. "I...I thought..." "Not a chance kiddo," Jack grinned. "Your stuck with us now." "And we're glad to have you aboard," Sam said. What had I been thinking? These people are my family, and family sticks together. The End....for now. Used with permission. Return to Fan Fiction? | Return to DHD home? |
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