Storytime with Rachel F Hundred

Chapter 12

Rya’c stared at her as though she had lost her mind.

‘It’s my friend.’ Cassie explained. She felt her heart beating wildly in panic that he wouldn’t listen. ‘Please.’

The dragon bristled behind her as it registered Rya’c’s hostile pose.

‘You are certain it will not attack?’ Rya’c asked. He eyed the dragon apprehensively.

‘Just…just wait a moment.’ Cassie turned to the dragon and tried to smile confidently. She could feel its waves of anxiety; the little dragon felt threatened. ‘It’s OK.’ She assured it. ‘Rya’c is…is my brother. Do you understand?’

The dragon waited a long moment before it bumped her leg with its head and the emotions she was bombarded with changed to acceptance.

Cassie let out a slow breath of relief. She nodded at Rya’c. ‘It’s OK.’

Rya’c lowered his weapon slowly. He and the dragon regarded each other warily across the short expanse of grass.

For a long moment nobody moved.

Cassie cleared her throat noisily and gestured at Rya’c. ‘We should take care of your injuries.’ The graze on his head looked bad and she was assailed by the fleeting memory of her Mom cleaning Cassie’s skinned knee and warning of infection.

Rya’c shrugged as though he anticipated her concern. He motioned towards the stream and they made their way down to the grassy bank. He sank into a cross-legged sitting position and Cassie followed his lead. She took out the healing device and slipped it on her hand. The dragon rested a short distance away; its eyes never left Rya’c. It was evidently withholding judgement.

Rya’c glanced at it before sighing in resignation. Cassie focused on the healing. She closed her eyes and allowed her emotions to trigger the device. She felt it complete its work and opened them again. The skin was mended and smooth; the bruise on his cheek gone completely.

Rya’c thanked her as she repacked the healing device and motioned for him to wash the dried blood from his face.

‘Do you have something to eat?’ Cassie asked eagerly. The berries had been great but they hadn’ t been filling and her stomach was gurgling at her reprovingly.

‘In my bag. There is water too.’ Rya’c said as he cleaned up.

They ended up sitting by the stream eating protein bars and exchanging stories. Rya’c had landed mid-way down the hill, bruised, scratched and winded. He had seen the dragon flying away with her but he had been too far away to shoot at it. He had secured their packs and followed in the direction he had seen the dragon flying only stopping when it became too dark to see.

‘We should reach the packs by nightfall. We can camp for the night before setting out in search of my father and the others.’ Rya’c informed her as she finished devouring her second protein bar.

Cassie nodded in agreement. The nights were very dark and Rya’c couldn’t track them without light. ‘I agree.’

‘I believe I may know where they have taken shelter.’ Rya’c continued, a note of excitement creeping into his voice.

‘You do?’ Cassie licked her fingers and handed Rya’c the wrapper to place in his small bag. He exchanged it for a water canteen. She drank down the purified water quickly, almost gagging at the chemical taste after the freshness of the stream water.

Rya’c gestured at her. ‘There was a pyramid not far from the Stargate.’

‘There was?’ Cassie couldn’t remember seeing it but then again, her attention had been somewhat taken up with the massive dragon.

‘I estimate it was a few hours from the Stargate.’

‘That would make sense,’ Cassie said, ‘I can’t imagine the Goa’uld wanting the Stargate too far away from their pyramid.’

‘It is unusual that the Stargate was not inside.’ Rya’c took back the water canteen and drank deeply.

‘That would have been better.’ Cassie agreed. ‘We might have missed the whole dragon experience.’

Rya’c gave a nod and glanced over at the dragon again. ‘It has been aptly named this Land of Dragons.’ He brushed off his tunic and got to his feet. ‘We must begin walking if we are to retrieve the packs in daylight.’

Cassie fell into step beside him and the baby dragon fell into step beside her.

A few hours later, her enthusiasm for their mission was waning thin. Cassie was tired, hungry and dirty. She grimaced as she pulled her vest top away from her slick skin. She had taken the outer layers of clothing off as the day had become hotter. Between the walk, her overnight stay by the bank of a stream and fall through the trees, her clothes were dirt-streaked and rumpled.

Her stomach ached again. She had started fantasising about macaroni cheese MREs. She had no idea how people went without food for days because she had barely survived one, and she’d had two protein bars and some fruit. At least she wasn’t craving alcohol…

Cassie swiped at her brow and wondered how Rya’c managed to look so cool. She unscrewed the water flask he had given her and took another sip of water. The mouthful of liquid was warm but it eased her dry throat. She screwed the cap back on. They were being careful only to drink a little every so often. They had stayed walking by the stream for a long while but eventually Rya’c had determined they would need to head away from it in order to go in the right direction for the packs. The trees provided better shade from the sun but the air was stuffy under their leafy canvass.

The dragon walked beside Cassie on the narrow jungle path. It hadn’t quite decided to trust Rya’c and she could sometimes feel its anxiousness at the young Jaffa’s presence. She looked over and gave it a reassuring smile. It flexed its wings in response.

Rya’c shot the dragon a look. ‘I am not certain that it is a good idea to keep the dragon with us.’ He had tried the same argument earlier and Cassie had continued to argue that the dragon was coming with them.

‘I know but it did save me from that bird thing.’ Cassie repeated. She sighed. ‘I keep thinking what happens when its Mom shows up but…’

Rya’c looked at her when she fell silent.

Cassie gave an awkward shrug. ‘What if it doesn’t have a Mom? What if it’s all alone?’

‘You have a soft heart.’ Rya’c commented dryly.

‘Thank you.’ Cassie beamed at him.

Rya’c looked at her, amusement lighting up his face. ‘It was not a compliment.’

The dragon froze suddenly as it had done when it had spotted the birdlike creature.

Cassie held up her hand and Rya’c stopped. They both stared into the undergrowth as though they could peel back the layers to reveal what was lurking behind the green canopy.

‘Maybe…’ Cassie began to whisper.

‘Shhh!’ Rya’c’s head tilted as though he was listening for something. He suddenly whirled around to his right, and raised his staff weapon…

Teal’c stepped out of the forest, his own weapon raised.

For a moment, father and son stared in disbelief, weapons pointed towards one another. Cassie placed a hand over her heart; it was racing with so much relief and hope and…it was Teal’c! And he was alive and…tears pricked the back of her eyes and she blinked rapidly.

‘Rya’c!’

‘Father!’

Teal’c lowered his weapon and moved forward at the same time as his son. Teal’c clutched his son close to him; Rya’c’s arms held his father strongly.

Cassie swiped at her cheeks, unable to prevent the tears from falling as she watched the two Jaffa hug. A nudge beside her and a wash of confusion that wasn’t her own made her realise she had forgotten the presence of the dragon. She quickly bent to the dragon and whispered to him that it was OK; that Teal’c was a friend.

‘Now that is a beautiful sight.’ The drawl had Cassie turning to her right to see Colonel Mitchell grinning away at the reunited Jaffa.

He hadn’t seen her, Cassie realised. ‘Colonel Mitchell.’ She straightened and greeted him with a wave.

Mitchell made to move toward her and the dragon sprang forward, growling. Teal’c made to push Rya’c behind him but Rya’c moved instead to grasp his father’s arm and shake his head.

‘It’s with us!’ Cassie declared, holding both her hands up. ‘Don’t shoot!’

‘Cassandra Fraiser, you must move.’ Teal’c said firmly. His weapon was aimed directly at her. Cassie held her ground; unaware of her lips firming into a stubborn line that Teal’c recognised all too well from her teenage years.

Mitchell craned his head to look around her at the dragon suspiciously. ‘It’s a dragon.’ He pointed out as though they hadn’t noticed that fact for themselves.

‘I found it last night.’ Cassie explained quickly. ‘It’s a baby; it was hurt; I healed it. It won’t harm you.’

Teal’c lowered his weapon. ‘I see.’

‘I see?’ Mitchell hadn’t lowered his weapon and his tone was one of disbelief.

‘If Cassandra Fraiser believes the dragon will not harm us,’ Teal’c’s dark eyes bore into her for a moment before he returned his gaze to Mitchell, ‘then it will not harm us.’

Mitchell half-lowered his gun, sighed and lowered it all the way.

Teal’c regarded Cassie solemnly. ‘It is good to see you, Cassandra Fraiser.’

Cassie half-ran, half-skipped the distance between them and threw her arms around the Jaffa. His arms moved to hold her. She felt her tears well up again. Suddenly, it was as though she was a child again and scared to death, and he was there and everything was going to be OK…

Teal’c’s hold on Cassie tightened when she trembled, but he didn’t say anything and she was grateful for that. She struggled to get her whirling emotions under control.

She stepped back, swiping at her face and the tears that had spilled out onto her cheeks. ‘Sorry. I’m just really, really glad we found you.’

‘Technically,’ Mitchell pointed out with an easy smile, ‘we found you.’ He looked at them both. ‘You were not who we were expecting.’

‘Long story.’ Cassie said. She looked at them both critically. Mitchell seemed OK all things considered; bedraggled and his hair was probably longer than he liked it under the cap but he looked fit and well. Teal’c looked good on the surface but she could see the tired circles under his eyes; the pain that lingered in the lines of his face. She nudged Rya’c. ‘You have the tretonin?’

‘Yes.’ Rya’c took some from his small bag immediately.

Teal’c took it with a small nod of thanks. He injected it immediately.

‘We have more in the packs we have stowed.’ Rya’c said confidently.

‘That’s good news.’ Mitchell said mildly. ‘We were getting a little low.’

Teal’c must have been rationing it, Cassie realised; no wonder he looked tired. She frowned and folded her arms around her torso. ‘The others?’

‘Back at the pyramid.’ Mitchell said quickly. He gestured at her. ‘Teal’c and I caught sight of your arrival from a distance. We radioed Jackson and let him know we were heading out after you.’

‘Jack and Sam?’ Cassie questioned urgently. She didn’t miss the look Mitchell shot Teal’c which clearly asked how much he should say. ‘What?’

‘Sam’s injured.’ Mitchell admitted. ‘She’s fine, kind of, but…’ he grimaced, ‘she’s not completely OK either.’

Cassie frowned heavily. She was fine but not completely OK? What the hell kind of answer was that?

Mitchell waved at her. ‘You’ll see for yourself. The General got knocked off his feet by a dragon when we first arrived. He has some bruises, but he’s OK.’

‘We should continue our journey if we are to make it back to the pyramid before dark.’ Teal’c said.

‘We need to find our packs. We brought supplies.’ Rya’c added before Cassie could make the same point.

‘So lead on.’ Mitchell indicated for Rya’c to take point. ‘I’d rather not spend another night out in the open.’

Teal’c gave Cassie a warm look before falling into step beside his son. Mitchell fell into step on one side of Cassie, the dragon on the other. They listened as Rya’c told his father about their mission; how they had found them.

‘We think, well, hope that Vala made it back to the cargo ship.’ Cassie added when Rya’c finished with their arrival on the planet. ‘She and Jonas should be on their way.’

‘I am pleased to hear news of her.’ Teal’c said calmly. ‘And of Jonas Quinn.’

‘Yeah.’ Mitchell sighed. ‘Although, don’t take this the wrong way,’ he said, ‘but I was hoping our rescue team would be Marines or, you know, the Odyssey.’

Cassie punched his upper arm lightly. ‘You’ll just have to make do with us.’

‘Well, you did find us.’ Mitchell conceded, smiling widely. ‘So, I’ll guess you do.’

Teal’c looked back at them both with a twinkle in his eyes. ‘Indeed.’

Chapter 13

The pyramid loomed up out of the dark.

Cassie barely took in the immense size; the luminous white stones towering into the sky. She was exhausted. Her focus was on putting one foot in front of the other; her gaze pinned to the ground to try and avoid falling over a stray root or branch. She was barely aware of the dragon keeping pace by her side, of Mitchell behind her carrying one pack, of Teal’c and Rya’c ahead of her leading the way.

She was regretting the decision not to camp out again overnight but they’d all wanted to try and make their way back to the pyramid. After Mitchell’s cryptic comments, she had wanted nothing more than to see Sam for herself.

Cassie shivered as she realised that they left the undergrowth of the forest and were walking across a large square of clear land in front of the pyramid. The rough ground had given way to paved stones. There were weeds breaking through the cracks and a slick layer of moss in places but she could imagine it in her minds’ eye; a forum where the Goa’uld would have held court.

Two stone dragons guarded the staircase up to the pyramid’s entrance. The baby dragon bounded over to sniff inquiringly at them before smartly running back to her side. Cassie looked at the steps with trepidation. There were so many and she was so tired. The dragon sent her a wave of sympathy. It was tired too. She took a deep breath and began the ascent.

One step at a time.

Jack, Sam and Daniel were in the pyramid, Cassie reminded herself as she felt the climb up the stairs begin to bite at the muscles in her calves. She was almost there. Almost there. She stumbled on the last step but Mitchell caught hold of her elbow steadying her. She smiled at him gratefully before they moved into the cool passageway. It opened out into a large hall. Huge statues of dragons lined the room and what remained of a throne marked the back wall, but Cassie’s attention immediately went to the three people sat around a brazier in the centre.

She hurried over despite her tiredness as Daniel and Jack rose to their feet to greet her. She hugged Jack first, careful of the bruised ribs that Mitchell had told her about. The General gave a soft, muffled humpf and she quickly stepped back.

Jack kept hold of her though, his brown eyes running over her, taking in her appearance. She flushed. She knew she looked terrible although Jack looked the same. His BDU was rumpled. His face was etched with pain; the lines that gave him such character were deep and there were dark circles under his eyes. His short white hair had grown a little and stuck up everywhere. She repressed the urge to tousle it, aware that he wasn’t in the mood for humour. She waited for him to say something.

‘Just what the hell are you doing here?’ Jack asked bluntly. He cast an accusing look in the direction of Rya’c.

Teal’c bristled on behalf of his son, and Daniel sighed. Cassie saw him adjust his glasses from the corner of her eye.

‘Don’t blame Rya’c.’ Cassie said quickly. ‘This was my idea.’

‘Of course it was.’ Jack retorted. He glared at her instead. ‘Have you gone nuts?’

‘Jack.’ Daniel gently nudged him away from her and stepped in to hug her.

Cassie hugged him back. He felt thinner as though he had lost weight but he looked OK otherwise. Tired, maybe.

‘It’s good to see you.’ Daniel said firmly. He glanced at Jack pointedly as he moved back.

Jack ignored him and gestured at the dragon. ‘Who’s your friend?’

Cassie was suddenly grateful Mitchell had contacted Daniel and warned him as soon as they were in radio range of their impending arrival and guest. She got the distinct feeling Jack would have shot first and asked questions later.

‘It’s a dragon.’ Cassie said absently as her eyes fell on Sam.

The other woman hadn’t moved from her position by the fire. She sat, scribbling into a book, muttering to herself. It was as though she hadn’t even noticed their presence.

A sense of grim foreboding made Cassie’s stomach quiver. ‘Sam?’ She crouched down beside her.

Jack’s expression softened. He lowered himself to sit beside Sam, grimacing with pain. He rested a hand on her arm, stilling the writing. ‘Carter,’ he said gently, ‘Cassie’s here.’

Sam looked at him blankly before she turned back to the notebook.

Cassie pressed her lips together as she took in Sam’s disinterest; a sharp arrow of worry lodging in her chest. ‘What’s wrong with her?’

‘We don’t know exactly.’ Daniel answered carefully. He folded his arms around his torso.

Jack shot him a meaningful look. ‘She was attacked.’

‘We don’t know that.’ Daniel said with the air of a man who had said the same thing many times.

‘The dragons showed up; Carter collapsed.’ Jack snapped. ‘It sure as hell looked like they attacked her to me.’

‘They might have been trying to communicate.’ Daniel replied firmly.

They glared at each other.

Teal’c swiftly moved to stand in between the two men. ‘Perhaps we should organise the supplies and allow Cassandra Fraiser and my son an opportunity to rest and eat.’

‘Good idea, big guy.’ Mitchell agreed quickly.

Jack darted a look to Daniel but nodded jerkily. Jack’s attention returned to Sam. He handed her another pencil.

‘You go ahead and rest up.’ Mitchell said, nudging Cassie’s elbow.

Cassie waited until everybody was busy before she simply sat down beside Sam and Jack at the brazier. She watched as the dragon scampered away to investigate the pyramid, and she made sure it was occupied and wasn’t getting in the way of the others. She looked over Sam’s shoulder and tried to read the scrawl across the page in the firelight. ‘What’s she writing?’

‘Numbers.’ Jack said quietly. ‘Equations.’

Cassie reached out and gently stroked a strand of Sam’s blonde hair away back from her forehead.

‘She’s in there.’ Jack said forcefully. ‘Somewhere.’

Sam suddenly stopped and stared at Cassie. She dropped the pencil and reached up with a hand to cup Cassie’s cheek; the calluses that marked her fingers were rough against Cassie’s skin.

‘Sam?’ Cassie covered Sam’s hand with her own as she searched the blue gaze for a sign that Sam recognised her.

‘Pretty.’ Sam declared. She moved away from Cassie and picked up her pencil again.

Cassie swallowed her disappointment. The urge to cry was strong and she dropped her gaze to the ground feeling tired and drained, and wanting nothing more than to be somewhere, anywhere else. Home, maybe, wrapped up in her cosy towelling robe with a large, very large mug of coffee in her hands after taking a marathon shower.

‘Hey.’ Jack murmured.

Cassie looked across at him inquiringly.

‘She’s going to be OK.’ Jack said confidently.

Cassie nodded but she felt too like crying to speak. She focused on the walls of the room; on the pictures that filled every space but were too faded to see what they were at a distance. She let the activity around her wash over her; watched as Teal’c and Rya’c set about making a meal; as Daniel and Mitchell arranged the blankets and set up another couple of beds in the far corner of the room which had been designated for sleeping. She made a half-hearted offer to help when they started stowing the rest of the supplies but Daniel declined and she didn’t protest.

Half an hour later they were all sat round the fire with some kind of vegetable and meat stew. Cassie pushed it into her mouth and tried not to gag. It didn’t taste bad but she had no idea what the meat was and she was afraid to ask. The dragon wolfed down his portion and curled up behind her.

‘Tastes just like chicken, huh?’ Jack teased her.

Daniel shot her a sympathetic look from the other side of the fire. ‘It’s a bird creature of some sort.’

‘One tried to attack Cassandra Fraiser earlier.’ Rya’c said. He sat beside Cassie; his father to his other side.

‘Really?’ Jack looked at her concerned.

‘The dragon protected me.’ Cassie explained.

Jack grimaced and turned his attention to his food.

She tried not to take his disbelief personally; maybe a change in subject was in order. ‘So what happened to you guys?’

‘Well, you worked it out, right?’ Mitchell replied, apparently confused by her question.

‘We think we know.’ Cassie said. ‘But…it would be good to hear what exactly went down.’

Jack motioned at Daniel with his spoon. ‘Why don’t you tell the story?’

There was a long look between the two men and Cassie heard the silent apologies and acceptance that were exchanged for their earlier spat – she had known them too long not to be aware of the communication.

‘Well,’ Daniel began, ‘you know we went to Cartegia for a renewal of our treaty.’

Cassie nodded.

‘Sam went on a hike into the mountains with Teal’c and Cam on the first day while Jack and I handled the new treaty signing.’ Daniel continued.

‘Sam had some device tracking an energy signature.’ Mitchell chipped in. ‘Teal’c found footprints going in the same direction.’

Teal’c inclined his head.

‘Then we found the temple which kind of shocked the bejesus out of us.’ Mitchell added.

‘I can see why.’ Cassie said, remembering how ostentacious it had appeared from the cargo ship.

‘When they came back we realised that the Cartegians hadn’t been seeded by Merlin and were just another race of humans left behind by the Goa’uld.’ Daniel sighed. ‘Sam and I went to the library the next day to do some more research.’

‘And found the scrolls.’ Cassie inserted.

Daniel wrinkled his nose. ‘Well, more accurately, Kitana gave us the scrolls when she realised we were looking into pre-Council history.’

‘Kitana was very interested in Daniel.’ Jack commented slyly, licking his spoon.

Even with the firelight, Cassie could see him flush.

‘Which is how we really should have known she was a bad guy.’ Mitchell quipped.

‘Indeed.’ Teal’c intoned, a hint of a smile playing about his lips.

Daniel glowered at all of them. ‘She must have heard Sam and I talking about the Goa’uld lock on the DHD.’

‘And she knew Sam could activate it.’ Cassie nodded. ‘We worked that out.’

‘We went back to the Council and tried to talk them into giving us access to the naquadah; tried to reassure them the Goa’uld are pretty much gone but…’ Daniel shrugged.

‘They didn’t go for it.’ Jack threw his spoon into his tin and turned to help Sam who had simply been stirring hers listlessly. ‘We’d already signed the treaty; had a party.’

Daniel rolled his eyes. ‘When we got back to the inn, there were two notes waiting for Sam. One was a warning…’

The one they had found, Cassie mused tiredly, as she set aside her own dish. She watched as Jack coaxed Sam into eating.

‘And one that said Saki, the maid from the inn, was in danger and that if Sam wanted to help her, she had to go to the temple alone.’ Daniel finished.

‘You did not let her go alone.’ Rya’c noted.

Teal’c held his son’s gaze. ‘We did not.’

‘We followed at a safe distance.’ Mitchell said. ‘Sam was going to stall while we got the lay of the land. We figured they wanted Sam to unlock the Stargate so we thought we would go along with that; activate the wormhole, we’d grab Saki and escape; dial home from the other side. That’s why we had our stuff with us.’

‘Obviously Saki didn’t need saving; she was in on the whole thing.’ Daniel sighed heavily. ‘Kitana had Sam surrounded. She threatened her and Sam believed the best route out of there for all of us was through the Stargate like we had planned.’

‘Only things didn’t go to plan.’ Cassie surmised, hugging her knees to her chest and resting her chin on top of them.

‘Sam activated the lock; the dial started automatically. Kitana and the others hadn’t seen a wormhole engage before, and Sam didn’t warn them about the backwash. It took out the three closest to the Stargate; the rest moved away in fear.’ Daniel explained. ‘We used the moment to attack and…’

‘We escaped through the Stargate.’ Mitchell concluded.

‘The Cult did not follow you?’ Rya’c asked, his brow creasing with confusion.

‘Sam was the first through on this side,’ Daniel shrugged, ‘as soon as we were through, she touched the lock on the DHD this side and…’

‘The wormhole disappeared.’ Mitchell shook his head.

‘Carter said if someone was mid-transit they were lost.’ Jack said bluntly.

Daniel grimaced. ‘Although I think it was unlikely. The Cult were a little apprehensive about the wormhole after it took out their people. I’m not sure they would have followed us immediately.’

‘You did not encounter the dragon as we did on your arrival?’ Rya’c questioned, sitting forward, his face lit up with the flames from the brazier.

The dragon behind Cassie, snorted.

‘Not when we came through.’ Daniel said. ‘No. We were alone for a while; long enough for Sam to work out that the DHD was locked back to Cartegia.’ His hands weaved in the air as he explained. ‘Sam had started trying to figure out a way to detach the lock device from the DHD and that was when the dragons showed up.’

‘You mean when they attacked.’ Jack snapped.

‘Showed up.’ Daniel said tightly.

Cassie frowned at the angry edge to their voices and shot an anxious look over her shoulder at the baby dragon.

‘Three of them just descended right in front of us.’ Mitchell jumped in, evidently hoping to ease the tension. ‘We had weapons raised but we hadn’t fired; they just kept looking at us and then…’

‘Sam collapsed.’ Daniel allowed soberly. ‘She screamed and fell to the ground holding her head…’

‘I got off a couple of shots.’ Jack added gruffly.

‘Which is when one of them lashed out and hit you with its tail.’ Daniel retorted.

‘They took off, didn’t they?’ Jack glared at him.

‘Guys.’ Cassie gave them both her best admonishing look. Given she’d perfected the look from watching her Mom and Sam with the two men, it had the desired effect.

Sam patted Cassie’s knee and she turned to her quickly. Sam passed her a half-filled food tin. Cassie took it, bemused. Jack reached over and snagged it from her hand; he began to coax Sam into eating again.

‘With Colonel Carter unconscious and O’Neill injured,’ Teal’c continued the tale, ‘we determined that taking cover in the pyramid would be wise.’

‘Been here ever since.’ Mitchell put his tin down and picked up a tin mug filled with warmed water and the instant coffee Cassie had packed.

‘Sam woke up the day after the attack.’ Daniel said quietly. ‘It was clear her mind had suffered some kind of psychic shock.’

‘So no playing with the Stargate to get us home.’ Mitchell said brusquely. ‘Not that it would have been possible; the dragons have posted a sentry since we left. That’s the one that greeted you.’

‘We figured it would take the Odyssey five days to reach us from Cartegia.’ Daniel added. ‘When they didn’t show up, we realised that it was probable that Kitana and her friends had managed to intercept the message we left for Goy with the inn-keeper, and that the other clues we had left hadn’t been found.’

‘We found them.’ Cassie murmured.

‘And here you are.’ Jack said lightly.

‘We had no idea if anyone was still looking for us.’ Mitchell admitted. ‘We kind of hunkered down for the long haul.’

The room fell into silence.

Cassie glanced at Sam. The older woman had finished her meal with Jack’s help and had returned to her scribbling. Cassie bit her lip. ‘I could try healing her.’

‘Healing her?’ Jack questioned.

‘I have the healing device and Vala taught me how to use it. It’s how I healed the dragon.’ Cassie explained. ‘I can try healing you and Sam.’

Jack glanced around the group as though getting their opinion before he met her gaze again and nodded. ‘Tomorrow. You need some rest.’

‘We all need some rest.’ Mitchell agreed.

There was a beat between the two men, and Cassie took a moment to wonder at who had command. It had to be awkward for Mitchell suddenly having his predecessor back on the team. Cassie slid a look to Sam. Well, both his predecessors; Sam had led SG1 too although in the circumstances it was clear Sam wasn’t up to sparring with the two men over who was leading. Not that Cassie could see Sam being aggressive about it – Sam was too gracious for that. Cassie could imagine that Sam had left it to Mitchell and Jack to tussle over the leadership while just smoothly stepping in to offer the best decision when they reached an impasse.

Jack sighed and pushed himself to his feet. She could see his wince of pain and the way he gingerly fingered his side. He patted Sam on the shoulder.

‘Come on, Carter.’ Jack ordered briskly.

Sam set her note book aside and got to her feet. She followed Jack out of the room.

‘We found a bathroom down the hall.’ Daniel explained. ‘It has stream water running through it. Jack will help Sam clean-up before we all turn in.’

Cassie flushed and gave a nod of understanding. She could hear her Mom’s voice nagging her to offer to take over, and Cassie knew on one level that Sam would hate having the guys see her so vulnerable. But Cassie didn’t have the first clue what Sam needed from a care perspective and it was evident that SG1 had it well in hand.

Mitchell got to his feet. ‘I’m going to check the perimeter.’

Cassie wasn’t surprised when Teal’c and Rya’c went with him. Cassie wondered at Rya’c’s energy; she knew she was going to struggle to go to the bathroom, wash-up and change before bed.

Daniel moved to sit beside her. He picked up Sam’s note book and flipped through it before setting it aside with a heavy sigh.

She nudged him. ‘You OK?’

Daniel nodded. He nudged her back. ‘You know we’re really pleased you’re here, right?’

Cassie cuddled into him like she’d done when she was a child. She rested her head on his chest as her arms went around his waist. She felt him shift to hold her; the feel of his chin on top of her head.

‘I’m really pleased you’re here too.’ Cassie murmured. ‘I thought…’ She left the rest of it unsaid knowing he would understand, and when his arms tightened around her briefly, she knew he had.

Daniel was quiet and Cassie absorbed the solid feel of him, soaking in the movement of his chest beneath her head as he breathed; the brush of air across her hair; the solid, regular thump of his heart-beat. She felt her eyes closing of their own accord; the firelight blurring in front of her.

Just a moment, she thought muzzily. She just needed a moment…

Chapter 14

Cassie wasn’t sure what woke her.

The dying embers of the fire cast a reddish glow over the stone walls, distorting the pictures painted there with shadows.

She stared sightlessly at the ornate ceiling before letting her gaze slip to the sleeping bodies of SG1 around her in the semi-darkness of the room. Teal’c was missing and she guessed he was keeping watch. She wondered briefly how she’d gotten to her bed and blushed as she realised Daniel must have carried her.

Poor Daniel.

She gazed at the slumbering form of Sam beside her. In the dark, with Sam asleep, it was all too easy to pretend that everything was fine with the other woman; pretend that she knew who Cassie was and that she loved her.

Her heart ached a little and Cassie wet her lips a little. She closed her eyes, intending to fall back into sleep.

Beside her, Sam gave a sleepy moan and Cassie’s eyes flew open again.

Sam’s face was creased with pain; she was in the throes of a nightmare. Cassie was suddenly aware that she could somehow feel the edges of it; the skittering panic, the terror.

Cassie looked towards the foot of her sleeping bag and the bulky form of the dragon. It lifted its head and gazed at her as though confirming her unspoken question whether it was responsible for the emotional amplification and her being able to feel Sam’s nightmare.

And just as suddenly as she had felt the nightmare, a balm of peace and warmth from the baby dragon encompassed her. She could feel Sam responding too; sliding back into deeper sleep.

‘Good boy.’ Cassie whispered at the dragon. He had soothed Sam’s nightmare. It lowered its head.

She wondered at what horrors Sam had dreamed about; Cassie knew Sam had experienced enough for real for many of them to come back and haunt her in the night. The faint memory of Not Sam, of the Goa’uld – Tok’ra – threatening her in her Mom’s office flitted through Cassie’s head; of Sam curled up devastated in an infirmary bed and so sad.

Cassie stretched out a hand and wrapped it around Sam’s.

She closed her eyes again and slept.

It was morning when she woke next. Daniel directed her to the bathroom and Cassie indulged in a long wash in the bathing pool. She dried off and dressed in clean jeans and t-shirt, surprised at how much better just getting clean could make her feel. She grimaced at her pink skin. She’d caught the sun the day before and it was sore to the touch. She slatered on moisturiser in the hope it would help alleviate the worst of it. She secured her wet hair into a ponytail and wandered back into the main room.

The dragon padded up to say hello before it wandered away, curling up in a corner to sleep. Sam was back by the brazier. She was scribbling again. Jack and Daniel sat beside her, eating breakfast. Cassie joined them. Daniel made her a plate of some reconstituted eggs mixed with some starchy vegetable that tasted like potato. She wasn’t surprised to learn Mitchell, Teal’c and Rya’c had left early on a hunting expedition. When she had finished eating, Daniel poured her some coffee and handed her the mug.

She inhaled the bitter aroma and wished again for her espresso machine. ‘I miss real coffee.’

‘You should have seen Daniel in the third week.’ Jack said dryly. ‘It wasn’t pretty.’

Daniel shot him a look but conceded with a wry smile. ‘At least this is something like the real thing.’

Cassie smiled at him apologetically. ‘Sorry about falling asleep on you last night.’

‘You were exhausted.’ Jack commented. His long fingers tapped at the metal mug he held. His gaze speared hers. ‘Mitchell said you got snagged by a dragon?’

Cassie shrugged. ‘I’m fine.’ She hid her face by taking another sip of her coffee. She didn’t really want to talk about the terrifying minutes in the grip of the dragon. She knew Jack would react badly and she decided it was best not to encourage him to think the worst of the dragons given the baby dragon was still around. She cast her mind about for a distraction. ‘So,’ she said brightly, ‘when do you want me to heal you?’

Jack gave her a knowing look. Apparently she wasn’t getting away with it that easy. ‘Mitchell also said something about you facing down Kitana and her crew?’

‘Well, not me so much as Vala.’ Cassie waved a hand dismissively. ‘She handled it really.’

Daniel looked over at her with amusement. ‘I can imagine how that went.’

‘She was brilliant.’ Cassie said with fervour. ‘She just bamboozled Kitana into agreeing to what we wanted.’

‘She’s good at that.’ Daniel said dryly.

Cassie smiled at him. ‘I still can’t believe we found you.’

‘I can’t believe you found us either.’ Jack agreed caustically.

‘Jack.’ Daniel cautioned.

‘Daniel.’

Cassie cleared her throat hurriedly. ‘So: healing?’

Both men stared at each other for a long moment before they turned to her.

‘Carter first.’ Jack said firmly.

‘OK with me.’ Cassie agreed. Her eyes settled on Sam. She seemed unaffected by the nightmare and disturbed sleep, but equally as uninterested in anything other than the journal as she had been the day before. Cassie swallowed her disappointment; she couldn’t deny she had woken hoping that Sam would miraculously recognise her. She really hoped the healing device would work on Sam’s injury.

‘Where do you want her?’ Daniel asked, setting aside his crockery to assist them.

‘Stretched out on her sleeping bag?’ Cassie suggested. She didn’t think it made a difference but Sam might as well be comfortable.

It took all three of them to coax Sam into giving up her scribbling and lying down on the bag. Sam muttered under her breath, shifting restlessly. Her fingers continue to scribble even though she was without pen and paper.

‘She’s not happy.’ Daniel noted uneasily. He looked at Jack. The silent question of whether they were doing the right thing, what Sam herself would want, hovered in the air.

Jack grimaced. ‘If this works she can yell at us all she wants.’ He determined. He nodded at Cassie to go ahead.

Cassie took out the healing device and knelt beside her. She closed her eyes and thought of Sam; of hearing her voice for the first time and the way Sam had reassured her, how Sam had held her hand when she had walked through the Stargate for the first time…

Cassie could feel the healing light flow through her but she knew it wasn’t working even before she opened her eyes. The device couldn’t heal what had happened to Sam. Cassie slumped back onto her heels. She didn’t want to look up and see the disappointment in Jack’s and Daniel’s eyes.

‘It didn’t work.’ Daniel said quietly.

Cassie shook her head. ‘I’m not certain, I mean, Vala might be able to help her – she has more experience of using the healing device than I do but…I think, whatever’s wrong with her,’ she swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat, ‘I think the injury is just too great to be healed by the device.’

Jack got to his feet. ‘You did your best.’

She heard his footsteps walk away and when she looked up he was gone from the room.

Daniel tried to smile at her but when he couldn’t muster one up he turned back to Sam. ‘Come on, Sam. You can get up now.’

He helped her off the sleeping bag and back to the brazier, settling her down with her note book. Sam gave a happy murmur and started writing quickly; her attention completely focused on whatever numbers and equations were running through her head.

Cassie wandered back over to the fire, uncertain of what to do; what to say.

‘Can you stay with her?’ Daniel asked, straightening and stretching to ease out the kinks in his muscles. ‘I want to check on Jack.’

Cassie grabbed hold of his hand before he could leave. ‘Let me go.’ It was evident he and Jack were butting heads and while she knew that was just part of who they were, she didn’t think Jack was going to appreciate another lecture on how the dragons weren’t to blame for what had happened to Sam.

Daniel raised his eyebrows in surprise, but he slowly nodded in agreement. ‘He usually sits out on the top of the steps.’

Cassie patted his shoulder and made for the door. She followed the passageway back out into the bright sunlight and blinked madly as her eyes adjusted. The heat drenched her in sweat within seconds and lightly scorched her sensitive skin.

Jack hadn’t gone far; he sat on the top step of the staircase exactly where Daniel had said he would be. His face was set in harsh lines; an impassive mask of granite that wasn’t exactly welcoming; his sunglasses an extra barrier between him and the rest of the world.

She walked over and sat beside him anyway. She didn’t speak for a long time, breathing in the scented air and looking out at the vast landscape with its green carpet of jungle and brilliantly blue sky.

The dragon had followed her out and it sniffed around the top of the staircase before running down into the empty forum below. She tracked it as it chased around around a small bird and a scampering creature of some sort. It seemed happy to be out in the air.

‘I’m sorry.’ Cassie said eventually.

‘Not your fault.’ Jack shifted, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands in front of him. His jaw tensed.

‘It’s not your fault either.’ Cassie remarked. She hooked her arm around his and leaned in to rest her head on his shoulder.

Jack didn’t reply and Cassie knew he wouldn’t confide in her. She hugged his arm and hoped he’d accept her comfort. There was a long pause when she thought he wasn’t going to before he moved and slid a hand over hers.

‘Doc would have been very proud of you.’ Jack murmured.

Cassie closed her eyes to hide her tears. ‘I miss her so much.’

Jack gave a huff of agreement.

Her Mom would have known how to have helped Sam, Cassie mused. She would have been able to reassure Jack because her Mom had always known how to do that. She had been a wonderful doctor.

‘Of course your Mom would also have had a conniption fit at you being off-world on a mission putting yourself in danger to save us.’ Jack said conversationally.

Cassie couldn’t prevent the laugh that bubbled up and escaped her, because it was too true. ‘Are you planning on having a conniption fit on her behalf?’ She asked, amused as she remembered his greeting the night before and his words at the fire over breakfast.

‘Nah.’ Jack bumped her shoulder with his own. ‘I’ll leave that to Carter.’

There it was again, Cassie thought; Jack’s absolute certainty that Sam would make it through OK. She wondered whether he was just in denial or whether he needed to believe it to offset his own guilt and fear over what had happened.

‘We should go back inside so I can heal your ribs.’ Cassie suggested.

Jack nodded but he didn’t move. He pointed at the dragon. ‘You know it could be a Goa’uld.’

He sensed the naquadah too, Cassie realised. He hardly ever spoke of the time that he had been a Tok’ra host but it had left him with the same physiological legacies as Sam even if he usually denied it.

‘It’s not.’ Cassie said, confidently. ‘I doubt a Goa’uld would want a baby dragon for a host.’

Jack didn’t look convinced. ‘Either way, you know we can’t take Puff home with us.’

Cassie looked at him askance. ‘Puff?’ She spluttered.

Jack smirked. ‘Teal’c named it this morning.’

‘Puff?’ She repeated indignant. Her little dragon was so not a Puff. Maybe a Drake or Draco; she’d been playing with the name Marmaduke – but he was definitely not a Puff. Cassie pressed her lips together. She’d talk with Teal’c later. ‘Weren’t you the one who told me every kid had to have a dog?’

‘It’s not a dog.’ Jack pointed out exasperated.

‘Maybe every kid has to have a dragon.’ Cassie retorted. ‘It’s like an alien rule.’

Jack’s eyes narrowed on her. ‘When did you become such a smart-ass?’

‘I was taught by the best.’ Cassie said, primly, trying to keep the smile off her face.

Jack’s chest puffed out proudly. ‘So you were.’

‘Mom was a wonderful smart-ass.’ Cassie said cheekily.

Jack’s mouth fell open a little before he slammed it shut and wagged his finger at her. ‘Oh you are so going to pay.’

Cassie giggled. After all the stress and worry of the previous weeks, the light-heartedness of their exchange had her almost giddy. She hugged Jack. ‘I was really worried about you.’ The admission slipped from her lips before she could call it back.

Jack tightened his grip on her. ‘We’re OK.’

Cassie let herself be comforted for another moment before she moved. ‘Come on.’

She knew she could heal Jack and maybe, just maybe, it would make them both feel better about not healing Sam.

Chapter 15

Sam was playing with the baby dragon. Or maybe, Cassie mused as she watched them, the baby dragon was playing with Sam.

It had returned with Cassie and Jack to the pyramid. Jack had made a token protest at getting horizontal but he had settled on his sleeping bag and stayed relatively still while she had healed him. His bruising was easy to repair and Cassie was pleased to see him roll back onto his feet without the movement causing pain. He had given her a sincere thank-you.

Daniel took advantage of their presence to head over to the far side of the room to study the walls, leaving them to look after Sam.

The dragon had somehow managed to tease the notebook away from Sam and was happily chased after the pencil she kept throwing for it. Sam was apparently enjoying herself and the dragon seemed happy enough so…her eyes went to Jack without thinking.

Jack watched warily as the dragon rolled over on its back and unashamedly let Sam rub its belly. He seemed to sense Cassie’s regard and looked over at her, raising a scarred eyebrow in a remarkably scary imitation of Teal’c.

Cassie picked up Sam’s discarded notebook. She flipped through it and blinked at the scrawl of numbers. Every page was covered with formulae as though Sam was trying to work something out or trying to hold onto what she could remember.

‘Some of it is flight calculations for the 302s.’ Jack said with studied casualness, glancing at her from over the rim of his mug. ‘There’s some astronomy. I made out naquadah generator fuel ratios and Daniel apparently recognised one calculation as part of the proof of the intergalactic bridge.’

‘How come she remembers all this but she’s…’ Cassie struggled for a description.

Jack shrugged. ‘Who knows how Carter’s brain works?’ He motioned with the mug towards Daniel. ‘He thinks she held onto the numbers somehow when they attacked, but now she’s just trying to make sense of them.’

‘And while she’s trying to make sense of the numbers, she just ignores everything else including take care of herself?’ Cassie clarified.

Jack didn’t bother to reply.

Cassie bit her lip and set the notebook aside. ‘Do you think she knows? I mean, do you think she understands what’s happened to her?’

Jack’s lips twisted. ‘I hope not.’

She flinched.

Jack sighed heavily. ‘If she remembers the numbers, I think there’s a good chance deep down she remembers everything, Cassie. But how much she’s aware of right now…’ He shrugged. ‘I don’t think she knows otherwise she’d be better.’ He tilted his head. ‘Maybe.’

Cassie nodded slowly. It made sense; in a Jack O’Neill kind of way.

Jack peered into his mug and set it down. ‘I’m going to head out and get some air.’ He got to his feet and stretched. He took a couple of steps towards Sam and crouched. The dragon watched Jack as he placed a hand on Sam’s arm.

‘Carter, come on. Time for a walk.’

The dragon leaped to its feet and hovered anxiously.

Jack stared at it. ‘You want to come too?’

It gave a huff and looked over at Cassie.

She felt a rush of hope; it wanted to stay with Sam. Cassie nodded slowly giving it her permission.

‘OK, Puff.’ Jack said slowly, his eyes narrowing at the interplay between them. ‘You can come but you’re cleaning up your own mess.’ He tucked Sam’s hand into the crook of his arm and led her out. The dragon bounded after them.

‘We are not calling it Puff,’ muttered Cassie under her breath. She rubbed her arms and got to her feet, suddenly feeling at a loss. She missed the company of the baby dragon but she couldn’t be too displeased at how it had attached itself to Sam. She considered how its soothing empathy had helped Sam in the night; maybe it was helping her somehow with its playing – bringing Sam some peace from the relentless numbers in her head.

Her eyes caught on a movement at the far end of the room. It was Daniel; he was immersed in his study of the walls. She wandered over and stood just behind the archaeologist as he examined the picture on the wall intently.

‘Daniel, what are you doing?’ She asked, curious.

Daniel started as though surprised to find him behind her. He briefly looked at her over his shoulder before he turned back to the wall and gestured up at the pictures. ‘These mosaics are telling the story of the reign of the Goa’uld Queen who built this pyramid. It’s fascinating.’ He turned and pointed at the far corner. ‘They show how she was exiled by Sokar and banished to the far corners of the galaxy. How she found this planet which was rich in naquadah and discovered the dragons.’

‘The dragons are native to the planet?’ Cassie asked, her interest rising.

‘Yes, and I think there are signs that they were – are – sentient.’ Daniel gestured wildly towards the wall. ‘According to the history here, the Goa’uld attempted to enslave the dragons as beasts of burden but they attacked. There was a war but the dragons lost and the matriarch, the Dragon Queen, was placed under some kind of mental control by the Goa’uld. A collar of naquadah was placed around her neck.’

He made a motion with his hands as though choking someone. ‘Actually, there’s a…’ he walked along one wall and back to another.

‘Here.’ He pointed at a brilliantly realised picture of a silver dragon wearing an ornate collar. ‘I think that controlling the matriarch enabled the Goa’uld to control all the dragons although it’s not clear whether this was because they didn’t want their matriarch to be harmed or whether there was a domino effect.’ He stopped, pausing for breath.

Cassie examined the walls and pointed. ‘This is when the Goa’uld went to Cartegia.’

‘Yes.’ Daniel’s fingers hovered over a line of hieroglyphs. ‘It says that she had discovered Cartegia scouting for Sokar but without his dominion over her she decided to claim it for herself.’ He nudged his glasses up his nose. ‘She brought slaves to mine for her.’

‘The Cartegians.’ Cassie surmised. She looked around the walls and gestured. ‘Is there anything about the Cult here?’

‘No,’ Daniel said slowly, ‘but then the Cult only happened on Cartegia because the Goa’uld abandoned the human women she kept around as spare hosts.’

Something about the way he said it made Cassie pace away anxiously.

‘Something’s troubling you.’ Daniel commented, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Cassie whirled to a halt and looked back at him. ‘I think about what Kitana did in trapping in Sam, in trapping us and I know she’s…a bad guy – woman – but,’ she grimaced, ‘I can’t help thinking Kitana had a point.’

‘Ah.’ Daniel said. He waited a moment. ‘About what?’

‘She said that we were only interested in our own agenda. That we didn’t care that her ancestors had been given to the men as chattel, raped and…and married against their will.’ Cassie spoke quickly; the words toppling out one on top of the other. ‘She said we didn’t care that it still happened to the women on Cartegia.’

Daniel’s brows rose at the last sentence but despite the pained look in his blue eyes, Cassie could tell he was giving her words serious consideration. ‘I can see how she must feel that.’ He said eventually.

‘But?’ prompted Cassie. Her anger flared when he remained silent. ‘She was right; we don’t care?’

‘It’s not that we don’t care, Cassie, it’s just…’ Daniel grimaced, ‘complicated.’

‘So explain it to me.’ She demanded.

Daniel gestured for her to join him and they sank down in front of the wall into cross-legged positions.

‘Look, we made a lot of assumptions about Cartegia.’ Daniel admitted. ‘We’d just got past the plague on Earth; just lost the Prometheus…and then the Odyssey made an emergency stop for some repairs when we were aboard one time, and we found Cartegia.’

‘You made first contact.’ Cassie said. ‘Didn’t you question them about their society?’

‘Enough to establish that while they had a medieval society, there was a justice system and the majority of their laws were fair. Beyond that, it wasn’t – isn’t – our place to make a judgement about their society.’ Daniel said firmly. ‘Admittedly, we should have dug deeper and done more research, and then we might have realised about the true origins of the Cartegians and the internal issues they have with the Cult. But we had a war to fight. There just wasn’t time.’

‘It doesn’t make it right.’ Cassie muttered.

‘No,’ agreed Daniel, ‘it doesn’t.’ He sighed and leaned forward. ‘And I don’t personally agree with the way the Cartegians treat the women in their society. I even discussed the issue with Goy at the new treaty signing. Now, I know about the Cult, I can understand why the men have worked so hard to maintain a patriarchal control but I would prefer they adopted a different approach.’ He paused. ‘And as an anthropologist, I have to respect that the inequality is part of their society just as the planet Juygu has a matriarchal society which doesn’t allow their men to vote or Calli where the women hold the warrior positions and ban men from doing so.’

‘If Kitana had come to you and asked for sanctuary though…’ Cassie let the question trail away.

Daniel shrugged. ‘If she had lodged a complaint regarding the equality of women in her society and a wish to leave…we might have listened. As a Goa’uld sympathesiser though,’ his nose wrinkled, ‘we might have requested the help of the Tok’ra in finding them a new home in a very remote part of the galaxy without a Stargate.’

Cassie nodded slowly. ‘What will happen about Cartegia now?’

‘Well, if Jack has his way we’ll go back, rip up the treaty and dance on it.’ Daniel said with a touch of exasperation. ‘But seriously? I can’t see the IOA or the SGC wanting to retain Cartegia as an active ally given the danger to SGC personnel now.’

She sighed, propping her elbows on her knees and leaning forward to rest her chin on her clasped hands. ‘It’s just…I was thinking that if I was on Cartegia I would probably be in the Cult too. I mean, especially since I wouldn’t know about the Goa’uld not really being Gods.’

Daniel nodded enthusiastically. ‘If I was young, female and living on Categia, I’m sure the Cult would appeal to me too. It is the active feminist movement despite the religious association with the Goa’uld.’

Cassie waved at the walls around them. ‘Why did the Goa’uld abandon them anyway?’

‘I think the Goa’uld lost control of the Dragon Queen and,’ Daniel said, ‘when that happened, she lost control of all the dragons. Like I was saying, I think the Dragon Queen and all the other dragons are connected somehow.’

‘You mean like telepathically?’ Cassie realised.

Daniel nodded, without looking at her; his eyes scanning the walls with its myriad of images again. ‘Maybe.’

‘I think you’re right.’

Her words had his head snapping round again. He looked at her quizzically. ‘Really? Why?’

Cassie lifted one shoulder. ‘The baby dragon communicates with me empathically.’

Daniel stared at her. ‘It…you…’ he motioned wildly, ‘how?’

Cassie shrugged. ‘I don’t know, I just…,’ she sighed, ‘every so often I’ll get this wave of emotion from it; comfort if I’m upset or gratitude when I healed it.’ She gestured, warming to her subject. ‘Last night, I woke up because it had picked up on Sam’s nightmare and I could feel her emotions through it but then, it soothed her.’

‘Incredible.’ Daniel murmured. He crossed his arms over his chest. ‘Are you sure? I mean, you have been through a lot in the last few days and…’

‘I’m not making this up, Daniel.’ Cassie said firmly.

‘But when you arrived, you didn’t feel anything from the dragon that, uh, snatched you?’

‘No,’ Cassie allowed, ‘but maybe that’s because it wasn’t attempting to communicate with me.’

‘Why haven’t any of us felt anything?’ Daniel asked.

‘Maybe…maybe it’s like the healing device. Maybe you need naquadah like it does to feel it.’

‘The dragon has naquadah in its blood?’ Daniel questioned, blinking.

Cassie nodded. ‘Not a lot, just enough that I can feel it when its close. Jack felt it too. He thinks it could be a Goa’uld.’

‘Unlikely.’ Daniel frowned. ‘If naquadah is part of the equation,’ he mused out loud, ‘that could explain why the dragons we encountered focused on Sam. She has the most naquadah in her blood and she’s female. They probably assumed Sam was the leader.’

‘But if they tried communicating with her telepathically, she wouldn’t have been prepared for it,’ Cassie theorised, ‘it might have felt like they were screaming at her.’

‘And it caused a psychic overload.’ Daniel frowned. ‘That makes sense.’

‘Do you think they’ll help us with Sam?’ Cassie asked, her mind leaping ahead. If the dragons could repair the psychic damage they had caused…

Daniel shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I mean, it’s possible if they knew what had happened that they might be able to help her but we would have to have some way of communicating with them, and it’s possible that they might communicate just empathically like…’ he waved towards her.

‘I think that’s because he’s a baby.’ Cassie said.

As if he knew they were discussing him, the dragon walked back into the room, flopping down beside her with a growly oomph. She absently patted its head.

‘We can’t be sure.’ Daniel said, looking at the dragon with renewed interest.

‘Can’t be sure about what?’ Jack questioned as he ushered Sam back into the room. He set her down by the smouldering brazier and handed her a note book. She happily began scribbling.

Daniel exchanged a cautious look with Cassie as they got to their feet as Jack approached them.

She folded her arms firmly over her chest. ‘I think Daniel’s right.’

Jack placed his hands on his hips. ‘About?’

‘About the dragons trying to communicate with Sam.’ Cassie held up her hand as Jack’s brow lowered ominously. ‘Just listen before you freak out.’

‘I do not freak out.’ Jack protested.

Daniel looked at him in disbelief.

Jack waved a hand. ‘Just tell me what you’ve got.’

They went back through their findings and thoughts. Jack listened intently. Eventually they stumbled to a finish.

Jack rocked back on his heels. ‘There are a couple of flaws in your theory.’

Daniel frowned. ‘Such as?’

‘Well, for a start, I have naquadah.’ Jack pointed out. ‘Yet the dragons didn’t try to communicate with me.’

‘Because you’re a man.’ Daniel rejoined. ‘They’re matriarchal; they assumed Sam was our leader. If anything they probably thought you were her consort.’

Cassie had to look away to prevent herself from smiling.

‘But when she collapsed…’ Jack argued.

‘You started shooting.’ Daniel pointed out. ‘At which point they left. It probably explains why the other dragon didn’t try talking with Cassie either.’

‘OK,’ Jack conceded, ‘but it doesn’t change the fact that I haven’t felt anything from Puff.’

‘Puff?’ Daniel’s brow creased in confusion.

Jack pointed at the baby dragon.

‘We’re calling him Puff?’ Daniel checked.

‘No, we’re not.’ Cassie said firmly.

‘Whatever we’re calling him, it – whatever,’ Jack made an impatient gesture, ‘I haven’t felt anything from it.’

Cassie looked at him bemused.

‘Actually, that might be another reason.’ Daniel said thoughtfully. ‘We know Cassie’s DNA, and the DNA of her people, was manipulated by Nirrti. It’s entirely possible that she’s slightly more advanced than us genetically. She might have latent telepathic abilities.’

Jack raised his eyebrows.

‘So you think it’s the combination of my advanced physiology and the naquadah?’ Cassie murmured. ‘I just haven’t had my brain scrambled like Sam because of what Nirrti did to me?’ Her disgust edged her words.

Daniel lifted one shoulder in a half-shrug. ‘I don’t know but it’s possible. After all, if we assume…’

Jack lifted a finger effectively cutting off Daniel as though he had asked out loud for him to shut up. ‘How does this help Carter?’

‘Maybe if we could find some way of communicating with the dragons, they would be able to fix the damage they caused.’ Cassie suggested.

‘So you’re suggesting we go in search of them and ask them to help?’ Jack checked.

Cassie winced at the incredulous scepticism in his tone. ‘Maybe?’

Jack looked at Daniel.

‘It’s got to be worth a try.’ Daniel said quietly.

Jack looked towards Sam. She was rocking back and forth; writing away in the ubiquitous note book. Cassie saw Jack’s concern glimmer out of the dark depths of his eyes for a brief moment before he slammed his mask back in place.

‘Yeah.’ Jack turned back to them. ‘It’s worth a try.’

Chapter 16

Cassie had lost the argument over the dragon’s name. Teal’c had raised an eyebrow and that had been the end of the discussion. As Jack had commented, nobody argued with the eyebrow. She grumbled about it to herself as she sat down with everyone else for the mission briefing. Puff sat behind her and she could feel its excitement.

After she and Daniel had convinced Jack that they should try finding the dragons to ask for their help with Sam, they had talked it over with the others at lunch. The problem, as Mitchell had put it succinctly, was how they went about finding the dragons. Given their flight capability, they could be nested anywhere on the planet. Rya’c had simply pointed out that the dragons may have replaced the sentry by the Stargate that had tried to snatch Cassie, and perhaps making contact with it would provide a beginning.

Another discussion had followed on who should go back to the Stargate to find out. Teal’c had won that round with the eyebrow again. He and Rya’c had set off after their meal and had returned just before dinner with the news that the dragon had been replaced.

All of which had led to Jack declaring they’d do a mission briefing early the following day. Nobody had argued.

Cassie yawned; it had been an early start. She looked around the group with interest. Jack had taken position at the nominal head of the make-shift grouping with everyone else arraigned either side of him as though sitting at a table. Mitchell had taken a “seat” immediately on Jack’s right; Teal’c and Rya’c completed that side. Daniel had sat opposite Mitchell, Sam was sandwiched between him and Cassie.

‘OK,’ Jack cleared his throat, ‘well, first off; we all can’t go.’

‘Agreed, sir.’ Mitchell said evenly.

The two men looked at each other with shared understanding. Jack knew Mitchell thought he should stay behind and Mitchell knew that he knew. There was an uncomfortable silence.

‘Let me start by saying I won’t be going on this field trip…’ Jack began.

Cassie saw Mitchell’s shoulders ease down.

‘…and neither will Carter.’ He concluded firmly.

‘I think that’s sensible.’ Daniel jumped in. ‘Until we establish whether the dragons can help her, we should avoid a repetition of what she went through before and given you, uh, shot at them before…’

Jack gave him a pointed look before he turned to Mitchell. ‘It’s your mission, Colonel.’

Mitchell sat forward. ‘Yes, sir.’

Daniel adjusted his glasses. ‘Cassie has to go: she’s the only one who can communicate with the dragons at all.’

Jack looked at Cassie.

She tried not to squirm under his intent gaze.

‘You up for it?’ Jack asked.

Cassie nodded quickly. ‘If it helps Sam…’ she shrugged. She’d do anything to help Sam, just like any of them would.

Jack gave a resigned sigh. She knew he wasn’t happy at her inclusion; that he would prefer it if she stayed behind with Sam. Cassie knew some of it was because she wasn’t trained for dangerous missions but more than that, she figured a part of Jack still thought of her as the frightened kid they’d brought back from Hanka.

‘If Cassandra Fraiser is going then I will accompany her.’ Rya’c said firmly.

Teal’c raised an eyebrow. It was his only protest but it was enough for Rya’c to bristle.

‘I am sworn to protect her on this mission.’ Rya’c insisted heatedly.

His father inclined his head.

Daniel raised his hand. ‘I should go too.’ He motioned at Jack and then at the walls. ‘I think I understand a lot of their history now and…’

‘And you’re our first contact specialist.’ Mitchell agreed with a nod. ‘It’d be good to have you along.’

‘I will remain with Colonel Carter.’ Teal’c said firmly. He glanced towards his son, his eyes twinkling. ‘I am sworn to protect her.’

It was a recognition that Rya’c had declared her his sister, Cassie realised; just as Teal’c considered Sam as such.

‘Sounds like you have your team, Colonel.’ Jack said. He leaned forward. ‘I guess I don’t have to state our priority here.’

‘No, sir.’ Mitchell agreed. ‘Make contact; see if they’ll help Sam; get back to the pyramid with everyone intact.’

Jack nodded. ‘Then let’s get to it.’

Preparations didn’t take long and before she knew it Cassie was hugging Jack goodbye.

‘Stick with Daniel if anything happens.’ Jack instructed her gently. ‘Even if he ends up dead he always comes back.’

She gave a half-hearted laugh and let go of him to turn her attention to Sam, who was once again writing.

‘Sam,’ Cassie murmured and crouched down at her side, ‘we’re going to get you some help.’ She stroked Sam’s hair. ‘Hang in there.’

Sam didn’t respond and Cassie felt the lack of response keenly.

‘All will be well, Cassandra.’ Teal’c murmured beside her.

Cassie rose and briefly hugged the Jaffa. ‘Look after her.’

Teal’c let go of her and she moved to join Daniel by the doorway.

Jack looked over at a restless Mitchell. ‘Good luck.’

Mitchell gave a brisk nod. ‘Let’s go, people.’

They headed out.

It was a two hour walk to the gate and Cassie felt her stomach churn uneasily as she followed Daniel through the jungle. It was butterflies, Cassie told herself; just butterflies.

Monster butterflies.

She was nervous about approaching the dragon at the Stargate which was only natural given the last dragon had attempted to carry her away. She wondered at that. Maybe it had sensed the naquadah in her; maybe it would have attempted to communicate somehow when they had landed somewhere.

Puff skipped back to her and sent a wave of reassurance. It was happy. She could tell it was hopeful of something. She figured it wanted to help Sam too.

Cassie repressed a sigh. She had walked through the Stargate; she had faced off against the Cult of the Dragon; she had been carried away by a dragon and survived. She could do this. She could attempt to make first contact with the dragons and convince them to help Sam.

An hour into the walk and Cassie was finding the heat oppressive. She could feel a trickle of sweat travel down her spine, cutting its way through a layer of sun-cream Teal’c had insisted she put on. She really had to learn a defence against the eyebrow.

She breathed in deeply. There was a heavy scent of perfume in the air from pink and orange flowers that looked like someone had crossed an orchid and a rose. It was stifling; like walking into the front of a department store clouded with spray perfume. But Cassie loved the riot of colour that bordered the pathway. Daniel had told her that formal processions of the Goa’uld’s retinue would have made their way back and forth down the same path.

A shiver went through Cassie.

‘You OK?’ Daniel asked, falling back to walk beside her.

‘Just creeped out at the idea that the Goa’uld once walked along here like we’re doing now.’ Cassie admitted.

‘Well, the Goa’uld is long gone.’ Daniel said.

‘You said the Goa’uld lost control of the Dragon Queen.’ Cassie murmured.

‘If I had to guess I think the Queen found some way to free herself.’ Daniel rubbed a handkerchief over the back of his neck. ‘There’s a roughly drawn picture in the lower corridors of the pyramid of the dragon losing the necklace. I think it was drawn by one of the fleeing human servants.’

‘Ah.’ Cassie grimaced. ‘So, just to recap; we’re going to face dragons who helped defeat a Goa’uld?’

Daniel grinned at her. ‘Well, not the same dragons.’ His brow creased. ‘At least I don’t think they’re the same dragons although who knows how long they live.’

‘That’s not reassuring.’ Cassie pointed out dryly.

‘Well,’ he offered with a smile, ‘we’ve defeated our share of Goa’uld too.’

‘You.’ Cassie corrected, carefully stepping over a large vine strewn across the path. ‘You’ve defeated Goa’uld.’ She had stayed on Earth hiding in the bushes.

‘Don’t underestimate yourself.’ Daniel advised. ‘You can do this.’

Cassie fell silent. She wished she was as sure as he seemed about her ability to communicate with the dragon.

‘We’ll be right beside you.’ Daniel continued.

Puff ran back to her and another wash of confidence flooded over her. Puff believed in her too. Cassie took a deep breath. She could do this; she could. Sam’s life depended on it. But she really wished her flask contained vodka and not water. She shook away the feeling.

In the distance, the Stargate glinted brightly under the glare of the two suns. They were almost there. They had decided a direct approach would be best but as Cassie continued walking, she was aware of the open space between them and the Stargate; open space that left them vulnerable to attack.

There was a movement by the Stargate and Cassie felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle; her skin broke out in goose-bumps. They had been spotted. She knew it as well as she knew her own name.

Mitchell signalled them for them to stop and she realised that he had spotted the same movement ahead. The Colonel squinted down the path. ‘What are we thinking? Do we continue?’

‘Let’s keep walking.’ Daniel said firmly.

Mitchell tilted his head and sighed. ‘You sure about this about, Jackson?’

Daniel shrugged. ‘Apparently I’m the first contact specialist.’ He said dryly.

Mitchell sighed. ‘Yeah, that’s what I thought.’ He took a step forward.

Ahead, the dragon by the Stargate took flight.

They all froze.

Puff growled a warning as the dragon in the sky approached. It sailed over them; the backwash of its wings slamming into them and sending them staggering.

Mitchell swore. ‘Take cover!’

‘No!’ Daniel countered, holding his ground. ‘Just wait!’

The dragon circled overhead and suddenly plummeted out of the sky with an eerie cry.

Cassie raised her arms to protect her eyes as it landed on all four legs in front of their small group, sending a shower of dirt into the air. She coughed violently as the dust hit her lungs. She couldn’t see through the cloud of debris.

‘Weapons!’ Mitchell ordered.

‘Wait!’ Cassie ran forward and grasped his arm before he could aim.

The large red dragon in front of her focused on her; its head snapping in her direction. It opened its mouth…

And suddenly, Puff was in front of her, its wings fully extended to protect Cassie, its head lowered to the ground and a cry of warning screaming from its mouth.

Emotions bombarded Cassie as her baby dragon seemingly communicated with its own kind. Anger, she recognised immediately; protectiveness – it considered Cassie its family just as deeply as Rya’c did, Cassie realised. It wouldn’t let the larger, and presumably, adult dragon hurt her.

Cassie caught another emotion from the red dragon as it reared back; surprise. It was surprised although Cassie couldn’t tell whether that was because Puff was with them or because Puff was protecting her.

The red dragon sat back on its haunches and regarded the younger blue-green baby with a faintly quizzical air. Puff folded its wings into its sides and also sat down.

Cassie closed her eyes as she felt Puff’s emotions; a remembered emotion of hurt and pain; of loneliness. Her heart ached. She’d felt that same way once. All alone and so scared. But then the emotions changed; joy, its pain healed but regret and worry…Puff was telling the red dragon of their meeting, she realised.

‘What’s going on?’ Mitchell whispered.

Cassie cleared her throat and tried to speak. ‘They’re talking, I think.’

The red dragon’s head swivelled towards them and its yellow eyes blinked at them.

Mitchell lifted a hand in apology. ‘Don’t mind us. We’ll just be over here minding our own business.’

The red dragon was relieved. Cassie read its emotions as it apparently conversed with Puff. There was an overwhelming sense of relief at the baby’s survival; at its return. But there was also concern. It considered them as dangerous; as an unknown quantity. Puff tried to reassure the red dragon but it sent Puff a wash of emotion that Cassie couldn’t figure out.

‘Cassie?’ Daniel inquired softly.

‘I don’t know.’ Cassie answered reluctantly. ‘I think Puff is trying to convince it we’re the good guys but I don’t think it’s buying it.’

‘Try talking with it.’ Daniel encouraged.

Right. Talking with it. That was what they were here to do. Cassie cleared her throat.

The red dragon’s head turned toward her abruptly and Cassie took a startled step backwards. Mitchell held his ground as did Rya’c and Daniel. They surrounded her, Cassie noted; all of them protecting her.

Cassie stilled. She straightened and looked directly at the adult dragon. Please, she thought strongly; please; we need your help. She thought of Sam; of the brilliant woman Sam was, of how injured she was. Please, Cassie reiterated; help us.

There was a flicker of shock that emanated from the red dragon. It sent a look towards Puff who gave a huff as though to say: ‘I told you so.’

Cassie focused as a storm of emotion ran through the red dragon. It was disturbed by her. She couldn’t help think she had made things worse.

The dragon sent a wave of something towards the small baby. A command, Cassie surmised given the way Puff lowered its head to the ground in disappointment. The red dragon gave a sudden cry and took to the air. They all ducked and raised their arms again as another cloud of dirt rose into the air. When Cassie looked up she could see it hovering above them expectantly.

Puff turned to her and gave a small whiny cry. She could feel its regret as though it was her own. It bumped its head into her legs and she knelt down to hug it.

‘You have to go home?’ Cassie asked sadly.

Puff burrowed its head against her chest. Sadness at their parting filled her up until she couldn’t tell what of the emotion was Puff’s and what was hers. Puff moved away from her and with an inelegant run, leapt into the air to join the adult, its wings flapping wildly as it lurched unsteadily in the air.

The dragons turned and flew away, towards the Stargate and beyond.

‘Cassie?’ Daniel asked urgently.

Cassie shook her head; blinking back tears. ‘They’re going home.’

And taking with them the hope of healing Sam, Cassie thought; defeated. They had failed. She had failed.

Chapter 17

Cassie sat on the bottom of the pyramid staircase, her hands wrapped around the mug of coffee she had hoarded after lunch. She watched as Sam was escorted around the forum by Daniel, Jack and Teal’c. Daniel would stop and point at the plants engaging Sam’s mind for a moment or two; Jack would counter, lifting his hands from his gun to gesture as he made some strange observation or joke, and Teal’c would simply be there; an oasis of calm for Sam whenever she needed a break from the other two. It was very much their usual by-play despite Sam’s injury.

Rya’c sat down beside Cassie. He watched the antics of his father and friends as silently as she did. Cassie felt her muscles slowly start to unknot; her gut started to untwist. She felt the nagging bite of failure again despite Daniel’s suggestion the previous evening that when Jonas and Vala showed up they could try again. With a cargo ship they could find the dragon’s territory easier and Daniel thought making contact with the dragon matriarch might make a difference. Jack had countered that it was one thing making contact with a singular dragon; another to tackle the Dragon Queen deep in the heart of her home turf.

Cassie sipped her coffee, relishing the faint bitter taste. She breathed in deeply and took in the vista before her; the wild, green tangle of jungle around them; the white square of the forum with its patches of green; the mountains in the far distant rising up into the azure sky.

It was beautiful planet, Cassie thought. It was so different from Hanka with its temperate climate and cool forests, the grassy plains where blue and purple wildflowers would blossom in the spring. She felt a twinge of homesickness for the first time in years. She’d like to go back one day, Cassie realised. She wanted to go back and pay tribute to her family; to her mother and father who given her life; to the brothers and sister she had lost.

The brother she had found stirred beside her and she turned to him.

‘They belong together.’ Rya’c said simply, gesturing out at the four people in front of them.

‘They always have.’ Cassie agreed.

Rya’c lifted his chin. ‘I used to believe the Tau’ri had taken my father from me.’ He shook his head. ‘It was only after I proved my own worth as a warrior that I realised that they had given me my father by freeing him from Apophis, the False God.’

‘I wanted to be them.’ Cassie confided quietly. ‘When I was little; I wanted to be like them; to be a hero and save the world. I don’t know why I stopped.’

But she did. It had been the moment Sam had told her that her Mom had died; the brilliance of Janet Fraiser snuffed out on some bloody battlefield under an alien sun.

A breeze rushed by them and sent her hair flying.

Cassie brushed the red strands back absently. ‘I was going to be a teacher.’

Rya’c glanced at her.

‘Back on Earth,’ she explained a little self-consciously, ‘I was going to be a teacher.’

‘A worthy calling.’ Rya’c said.

Cassie’s lips twisted. ‘But not mine.’ She sighed heavily. ‘I think I’ve been fooling myself. I think I never really stopped wanting to be…’ she motioned with her cup toward SG1, ‘them.’ She shook her head. ‘Maybe Will did me a favour.’

‘Will?’ Rya’c’s face creased in confusion.

‘My ex.’ Cassie explained. ‘He dumped me a couple of months ago. He had someone else. He wanted to be with her more.’

Rya’c’s face grew angry. ‘He dishonoured you.’

Cassie grinned suddenly. ‘I punched him.’

Rya’c nodded in approval. ‘This is good but I should challenge him to a fight to the death regardless.’

Cassie’s mouth fell open; a brief flicker of panic stirred. ‘You’re kidding, right?’

‘I am your brother, Cassandra Fraiser.’ Rya’c said formally. ‘I cannot let such a slur to your honour to go unchallenged.’

She stared at him and just caught the twinkle in his dark eyes. She wagged a finger at him. ‘You almost had me.’

Rya’c shrugged. ‘My wife has told me often that women are more than capable of defending their own honour.’

‘You love her very much.’ Cassie noted, trying hard to keep the jealousy out of her voice; she wished someone loved her as much as Rya’c evidently loved Karyn.

‘Yes.’ Rya’c agreed enthusiastically. ‘I will be glad to return home to her.’ He leaned in conspiratorially. ‘We are with child.’

Cassie smiled widely. ‘Rya’c! Why didn’t you say…that’s great!’ She couldn’t quite believe that he had left his pregnant wife to help them with the mission but, in reflection, she realised that it had been a matter of honour to find his father. And Karyn was undoubtedly safe on Hak’tyl with Ishta.

‘Karyn is convinced she carries my son.’ Rya’c said brightly. ‘But I think I would like a daughter.’

She was going to be an aunt. The knowledge made her happy. Cassie nudged his knee with hers. ‘Does Teal’c know?’

Rya’c nodded. ‘I told him on our first night here.’

Cassie smiled and waved at the four SG1 team-mates in the forum. ‘You know he’s probably told them already.’

‘Told them what?’ Mitchell threw himself down to sit beside Cassie on her other side.

Cassie and Rya’c exchanged a look.

Rya’c opened his mouth to reply but stopped suddenly. He pointed into the sky. ‘Something approaches!’

Mitchell raised a hand from his gun to shield his eyes.

‘Is it a cargo ship?’ Cassie asked urgently but she was already talking to air. Mitchell and Rya’c were both on their feet. She threw her cup to the ground and was running after them before she knew it, clattering over the slippery moss and patchy white stones to close the distance between her and SG1.

Mitchell was yelling; a warning, Cassie realised. Even if it was a cargo ship, they had no guarantee it was Jonas and Vala. There was an outside chance someone else could find them – like the Lucian Alliance.

Jack seemed to understand first. He shouted at Teal’c who simply picked Sam up in a fireman’s hold. Daniel turned to look at the sky and was pulled away by Jack. They were all running…

They met in the middle and turned back for the pyramid as one…

In the sky, the object grew larger and Cassie slowed as she recognised the shape and form as the cargo ship.

‘Cassie, get into the pyramid!’ Jack ordered. ‘Go!’

‘But…’ Cassie started to protest but a look at Jack’s stern features had it dying on her lips. She made for the steps.

Behind her on the forum, Jack took position behind one stone dragon; Mitchell another. Both of them looked fierce and determined; both of them held their weapons with an innate ability that spoke of experience.

Cassie tried not to think about the possible danger to them; tried not to think of the sacrifice they were making placing themselves in the frontline to cover the rest of them as she made it into the safety of the pyramid.

They entered the great hall at a run. The air cooled Cassie’s heated skin and she stood breathing heavily in the middle of the room.

Teal’c gently placed Sam down.

Sam gazed up at the Jaffa with wide, frightened eyes. She didn’t understand what was happening, Cassie surmised, as she stooped to sit beside Sam and placed an arm around her.

‘It’s OK, Sam.’

Sam shifted, curling up inside Cassie’s embrace and Cassie swallowed her shock at the trusting gesture even as she clasped Sam to her tightly. She lifted her eyes to see Teal’c and Rya’c, weapons in hand, leaving to support Jack and Mitchell. Daniel pulled his handgun from its holster and took position by the doorway. He sent her a wry smile. ‘Don’t worry. It is probably Vala and Jonas, and, you know, we’re over-reacting.’

Cassie held onto Sam and wished she’d thought to pick up her zat.

The silence stretched.

Cassie could hear was her own heart beating at a fast canter inside her chest; the rough intakes of breath that she made. Sam’s quiet mutterings, equations and things that Cassie couldn’t make sense of, sent puffs of air across her neck even as the other woman held on tightly to her.

What was happening outside, Cassie wondered anxiously. Surely the cargo ship had landed; surely they knew if it was Vala and Jonas by now or someone else…

There hadn’t been any sound of gunfire but then she hadn’t heard anything. The hall was insulated against the noise in the forum apparently. Worry about the rest of the team outside nagged at her incessantly.

Daniel suddenly moved. He straightened and gestured towards her even as he holstered the gun. ‘It’s OK. It’s Teal’c…’ he started smiling, ‘and some guests.’

Cassie rubbed Sam’s shoulder soothingly and let out a long breath. ‘See, Sam? It’s OK. It’s Jonas and Vala.’

She could hear voices getting closer as the group made their way up the passageway towards the hall.

Sam inched away from her and slipped out of her hold. Cassie handed Sam the notebookand pencil reluctantly. Sam immediately began writing, rocking back and forth as she scribbled. Cassie got back to her feet just as the group entered. She saw Vala first and felt a rush of relief; the former thief had made it back to the cargo ship; hadn’t been killed by the Cult.

Vala skipped across the hall and grabbed Cassie. ‘Cassie!’

Cassie patted Vala’s back. ‘Vala.’ She winced as Vala’s grip tightened. ‘Need to breathe here.’

Vala inched away and beamed at her; her eyes sweeping over her critically. ‘You look terrible.’

‘Thank you,’ said Cassie dryly. Her gaze went behind Vala and Jonas gave her a small wave. Cassie moved to welcome him.

They hugged briefly.

‘You found them.’ Jonas said softly. The memory of their conversation in the cargo ship when she had confided her belief that she was meant to find SG1 came back to her and Cassie nodded, flushing.

‘Technically, we found them.’ Mitchell drawled.

Cassie shot him a look.

Mitchell held up a hand; his blue eyes twinkling at her irrepressively. ‘I’m just saying.’

‘You made good time.’ Daniel commented as the group made their way into the hall and gathered around the brazier. ‘We weren’t expecting you for another day at least.’

Jonas slid a look towards Vala. ‘Someone decided to take a short cut through an asteroid belt.’

Vala grinned. ‘We made it didn’t we?’ She shrugged. ‘And besides, we sent a message to the SGC telling them everything so if we had been destroyed by an asteroid, everyone here would have still been rescued.’

Jonas opened his mouth to argue and Daniel placed a hand on his shoulder.

‘I wouldn’t bother.’ Daniel said with a sympathetic smile. ‘She’ll win.’

‘Thank you, Daniel.’ Vala said primly. She caught sight of Sam and the lively amusement faded from her mobile face. She made her way over to her and frowned when the other woman didn’t move. ‘Samantha?’

‘Vala,’ Cassie began but she stopped; unsure how to explain.

‘What’s wrong with her?’ Vala asked bluntly.

Jack cleared his throat. ‘We have a lot to catch-up on.’

In the end, they sat around the hall, drinking coffee and exchanging stories. Vala explained how she had zatted the DHD on Cartegia, causing the wormhole to shut down just before she ringed away. She was certain the lock device was fried and even if the Cult wanted to travel through the Stargate, they couldn’t.

Cassie caught the look Jack and Mitchell exchanged and realised both men had been concerned about the possibility.

Rya’c and Cassie’s covered their arrival quickly before Daniel retold the story of SG1’s original mission and Sam’s injury. He explained how they had tried to heal her; their theories about the dragons and how they had tried to elicit their help.

‘Dragons?’ Jonas asked incredulously. ‘As in actual dragons?’

‘Let me guess,’ Daniel replied, lifting his mug, ‘you thought they were Unas?’

Jonas nodded. ‘You?’

‘Unas.’ Daniel agreed. ‘But they are clearly dragons.’

‘Fascinating.’ Jonas murmured.

‘Yes.’ Jack said dryly. ‘Fascinating.’ He turned to Vala. ‘You think you can help Carter? Cassie thought you might have better luck with the device.’

Vala shook her head regretfully, sending her pigtails flying. ‘I mean, I could try but…’ she sighed and gestured at Sam, ‘I’ve never heard of the Goa’uld healing device working on this type of injury.’ She frowned. ‘But then I’ve never really heard of this type of injury.’

They all looked despondent. Cassie tried to keep her own disappointment from her expression; tried to hide that she had secretly hoped that Vala would be successful with the device where she had failed.

‘So, we’re back to the dragons as our only option of helping Sam.’ Daniel said.

Jack looked unhappy at the pronoucement, and he wasn’t the only one.

Cassie sighed; her belly churning with worry.

They were going to have to find the dragon’s den and face down the Queen after all.

Chapter 18

‘How come you get to go and I don’t?’ Vala complained, wiping a hand over her sweaty brow. She lounged back against the gold wall of the cargo ship cockpit and pouted.

Jonas grinned at her as he sat down in the pilot’s seat. ‘It’s my cargo ship. I go wherever it goes.’

‘You know that excuse is getting rather old.’ Vala grumbled.

Cassie hid a smile at their bantering as she sat down in the passenger seat Rya’c vacated for her. The Jaffa moved to stand behind her.

‘Besides,’ Daniel said as he and Mitchell entered from stowing the supplies in the back, ‘you have naquadah in your blood and we don’t know if you can communicate with the dragons safely.’

‘We’d rather not end up with you in the same position as Sam.’ Mitchell added.

Vala sighed heavily. ‘Fine. I’ll just…’ She pointed at the door.

‘Bye!’ Daniel gave her a small wave.

She glared at him but she made her way out of the cargo ship. Mitchell followed her to close the door.

Jonas waited until he saw Teal’c and Vala had walked back to the pyramid steps before he took the cargo ship up into the sky. He cloaked the ship to give them greater stealth.

‘So where to now?’ Jonas asked.

‘We should head to the Stargate and keep going.’ Mitchell suggested. ‘Puff and the other dragon flew off in that direction.’

‘It was also the direction that the dragon attempted to carry Cassandra Fraiser towards.’ Rya’c agreed.

Jonas made an adjustment to the flight path and the cargo ship swerved and looped through the clouds.

Cassie settled back and watched the jungle underneath them. They were way past the Stargate and the spot where she had fallen after zatting the dragon. The early morning sunshine was bright; it glinted dully off the metal of the ship and Cassie found herself blinking as sunspots obscured her vision. She turned away from the view and glanced around the small team.

Jonas was the only addition to the group that had set out in search of the dragon a couple of days before. She could tell that he was excited at the prospect of meeting them despite the danger and the circumstances. He’d been enthralled by the descriptions of Puff and how the baby dragon had been so protective of her.

Their mission, as Jack had stated several times at that morning’s briefing, was purely recon. They were to find the dragons’ location, make an assessment of numbers and threat; to gather intel so they could determine what the best way to approach them might be. Jack had suggested Cassie should stay behind but Daniel had argued for her inclusion again; if they did run engage with the dragons for any reason, Cassie was the only one who could communicate with them. On one hand, she was pleased that she was considered so vital that she had to be included, and on the other, she was incredibly apprehensive. Their previous attempt at convincing the dragons to help them with Sam hadn’t gone too well and she couldn’t help feeling that had been her fault somehow.

The cargo ship suddenly rose steeply.

‘Woah.’ Mitchell suddenly moved to stare out of the windshield.

Cassie followed his gaze and her mouth fell open a little. The jungle landscape was giving way to a vast mountain range. Beneath them the green lush environment disappeared and yellow and brown rock took its place. The ground rose up sharply. The mountain was huge and Cassie couldn’t see any paths along its rocky side; it seemed uncompromisingly inaccessible.

‘I guess they’re not keen on visitors.’ Mitchell murmured.

‘Would you be?’ Daniel replied. He stood just behind Jonas, one hand on the back of the pilot seat. ‘They were oppressed by the Goa’uld for a long time.’

‘Uh, I think I see something.’ Jonas slowed the cargo ship as he gestured toward a dark cloud ahead of them almost covering the horizon.

‘I don’t see anything.’ Mitchell complained.

Daniel leaned forward. ‘It looks like a swarm of birds.’

Rya’c pointed as the cloud shifted formation. ‘Those are not birds.’

‘It’s the dragons.’ Daniel said, a note of awe in his tone.

Cassie’s mouth went dry as she took in the size of the swarm. ‘There has to be dozens of them.’ She was suddenly massively grateful for the cloak that kept them hidden from view.

‘Can you get us closer?’ Mitchell asked urgently.

Jonas shot him a look. ‘Is that wise?’

Mitchell’s lips twisted. ‘We need to know what we’re up against.’

‘With all due respect,’ Jonas said, ‘I think we can see what we’re up against just fine from here.’

Daniel cleared his throat before Mitchell could argue. ‘Maybe we should try going around them and seeing what’s on the ground.’

Jonas acquiesced and took the cargo ship down. They skimmed the surface of the mountain as they gave the cloud of flying dragons a wide berth. They crested a ridge and Jonas brought the cargo ship to a halt as they looked out at the sheltered canyon below them.

As far as they could see, there were dragons nesting; dragons of every shape and size; of brilliantly jewelled green, red, purple and gold, and some of a plain muddy-brown hue. There were groups of young dragons scampering along the ground; in and out of nests as they played. A mud bath took up one corner of the canyon and they could see some dragons rolling in it; letting the suns bake it into their scaly skin.

‘Well, we found them,’ said Mitchell. ‘Here there be dragons.’

‘Lots of dragons,’ agreed Daniel.

‘They are a sizeable number.’ Rya’c agreed grimly.

There weren’t just dozens of dragons, Cassie thought, half-panicked; there were hundreds.

Mitchell gestured out at the canyon walls. ‘They have sentries posted along the edges: look!’

Daniel nodded. ‘There seems to be a meeting place over there.’

Jonas scooted them closer; careful to stay high enough not to disturb the dragons. The place where Daniel had pointed towards was a naturally raised circle of stone surrounded by four massive boulders. A silver dragon held court in the centre.

Cassie wet her lips. The dragon looked identical to the one in the pictures in the pyramid. ‘Is that…’

‘The Queen.’ Daniel supplied. ‘It looks like the one in the pictures but it must be a direct ancestor.’

‘Wow.’ Jonas murmured. ‘She’s…stunning.’

Cassie felt something brush across the surface of her mind. She blinked. ‘Uh, guys?’

They all turned to her.

‘Something just gave me a mental nudge.’ Cassie explained hurriedly. Her hands dug into the leather arms of her chair.

‘Maybe we should…’ Daniel began.

‘Get out of here?’ Mitchell finished.

Jonas nodded. ‘Sounds good to me.’

Suddenly below them, the Dragon Queen’s head swivelled towards them and froze as she looked up at the exact spot which marked their position.

They all stared back.

‘Uh, she can’t see us, right?’ Mitchell asked hurriedly.

Jonas frowned. ‘We’re cloaked so I don’t see how.’

‘She sensed me.’ Cassie said anxiously. ‘That’s how she knows where we are.’

‘How?’ Jonas demanded.

‘Never mind how,’ Mitchell ordered, ‘let’s get out of here: now.’

Jonas set his hands on the control and turned the cargo ship away from the glaring Queen; back in the direction they had flown. He stopped abruptly.

The swarm of dragons they had seen in the sky was heading directly towards them at speed.

Cassie’s heart skipped a beat.

Mitchell swore. ‘This is bad.’

‘Very bad,’ agreed Jonas.

‘We could fire on them!’ Rya’c suggested. ‘Warn them away!’

‘No!’ Mitchell said. ‘That would give our position away.’ He looked over at the Jaffa. ‘How good are you at flying one of these buckets?’

‘He’s better than me.’ Jonas motioned for Rya’c to take over from him.

Rya’c moved into the pilot’s seat and took the controls. Immediately, the cargo ship dived. The swarm moved to intercept.

‘How do they know where we are?’ Mitchell demanded.

Rya’c tried another evasion; looping up and over, down and under, trying to shake them. The swarm matched his every move.

‘I hate to say it, but this isn’t working.’ Jonas clutched the back of Cassie’s chair, trying to keep himself upright as the cargo ship lurched to the right.

‘They’re following the shift in the air currents.’ Mitchell’s blue eyes hardened. ‘You have shields right?’

‘Right!’ Jonas informed him quickly.

‘Then: full stop.’ Mitchell ordered.

Rya’c glanced at him but he brought the cargo ship to a halt.

‘Brace for impact!’ Mitchell said.

Cassie gripped her chair and watched as the swarm of dragons rushed at the cargo ship. Somehow they didn’t hit it; they broke off just in front, rushing around the vessel as though they knew its exact shape; their collective force buffeted it making it rock wildly from side to side despite its technology. Cassie felt her stomach roil in protest as the dragons stopped and the ship steadied as Rya’c engaged something on the console.

‘I think I’m going to be sick.’

It took Cassie a moment to realise it had been Jonas who had spoken and not herself. He had placed a hand over his belly.

‘Me too.’ She agreed.

‘Me three.’ Daniel held up his hand. ‘Are they gone?’

‘They’re coming back!’ Rya’c said, looking at the ship’s sensor.

For a second time, the ship rocked under the force of the dragon hurricane.

Cassie felt sweat bead on her upper lip; her heart was racing as she held onto the chair. She could see them flying past, a mass of wings and legs…they circled in the distance and came at them again…

‘They’re trying to force us down!’ Mitchell realised out loud.

‘Here’s a thought; maybe we should let them!’ Daniel suggested, hanging onto the pilot’s seat tightly as the ship was shook for a third time.

‘This is a recon mission, Jackson!’ Mitchell pointed out.

‘Sure, because it’s not like any of those have ever gone wrong before!’ Daniel retorted. He staggered over to Cassie. ‘Can you communicate with them?’

‘I…I haven’t felt anything from them!’ Cassie stuttered, nervously.

‘Try!’ Mitchell implored her.

Cassie darted an anxious look at Daniel who gazed back at her encouragingly. She closed her eyes and tried to sense the dragons. There was nothing. She wet her lips as the ship rocked under the dragons’ attack again.

Her mind pictured the silver dragon. Stop it! Cassie thought strongly. Please! Stop it!

Abruptly, the attack broke off and the cargo ship was steadied by Rya’c.

Cassie opened her eyes and breathed out slowly.

‘They’re falling back.’ Mitchell noted tightly.

‘Cassie?’ Jonas inquired.

‘I asked the Queen to stop the attack.’ Cassie said nervously, turning to look at him. She shook her head. ‘I don’t even know if she heard me.’

‘Oh, I think she heard you.’ Daniel commented, gesturing back at the windshield.

Cassie swivelled round in her chair and froze.

The silver dragon hovered in the sky just in front of the cargo ship. Her yellow eyes peered into the ship as though she could see right through the cloak.

‘OK,’ Jonas said, ‘I think you got her attention.’

You are Goa’uld! A voice whispered across her mind.

Cassie tried not to jump but she couldn’t prevent the slight jerk of her body at the mental intrusion.

Rya’c looked at her concerned. ‘Cassandra Fraiser?’

‘She thinks we’re Goa’uld.’ Cassie managed to get the words out, past her dry lips. Fear skittered through her.

‘Tell her we’re not.’ Daniel instructed gently.

Cassie nodded quickly. We’re not Goa’uld.

A sequences of pictures appeared in her head; of herself healing Puff with the Goa’uld device; of healing Rya’c and Jack.

Goa’uld, whispered the voice.

A picture of Teal’c appeared; another of Rya’c.

Jaffa, whispered the voice insistently.

No, Cassie thought back strongly. We are not Goa’uld. We are of the Tau’ri. We defeated the Goa’uld and the Jaffa are free now.

Show me!

‘Cassie?’ Daniel placed a hand on her arm. ‘What’s going on?’

‘She doesn’t believe we’re not Goa’uld, I think she wants me to show her the truth with my mind.’

The men around her all exchanged a concerned look.

‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea.’ Mitchell said.

‘You would be vulnerable to an attack.’ Rya’c agreed.

‘On the other hand, we don’t have a lot of options here.’ Jonas argued. ‘Cassie communicating with the Queen may be the only way we have of convincing the dragons we’re not a threat and beyond that, getting help for Sam.’

‘He has a point.’ Daniel said. ‘We knew this was a risk when we took this mission.’

Had they? Cassie wondered if she’d been the only one who had naively thought they were just going to take a look and be back in the pyramid in time for dinner.

Mitchell sighed. ‘The General is going to kill me.’ He seemed to take a moment to weigh up their options before he waved at Cassie. ‘You ready for this?’

Was she? Cassie thought of Sam. How could she not try? She nodded briskly.

‘Go ahead.’ Mitchell said softly.

Cassie pressed her lips together and tried to steady her breathing. She closed her eyes. If you want to see…

It was as though cold fingers clamped around her mind; reaching in to search through her memories…

The first team from Earth arriving on Hanka; the parties and the celebration of a new alliance…the building of the astronomy lab…

The plague and Nirrti…Cassie hiding in the bushes, Sam coaxing her to come forward, Teal’c reaching out a hand to her…

Her Mom examining her and the trip back through the Stargate…Earth and the SGC…the pain in her chest…the bunker and Sam coming back to hold her, to be with her even though Cassie could have blown up…

More, whispered the voice.

Cassie felt the cold go deeper. Pain spiked through her head and she stifled a cry even as she grimaced…

Not Sam! The Tok’ra threatening her. Jack comforting her and later…Sam curled up in the infirmary bed, tears in her eyes, so sad and devastated…

Sam talking with her about time travel and paradoxes and Cassie saving them in the future…

And her birthday party…kissing Dominic…the ability to move things with her mind and Nirrti crashing through the observation window…healing her…

More, whispered the voice.

Please, Cassie thought desperately. The fingers tightened in her mind, cold and harsh, ruthless and sharp. A rush of memories surged forward…

Sam telling of her of her Mom’s death and the funeral; the sadness; the loneliness…

Remembered grief overwhelmed Cassie; she was drowning in it, tears seeped out of her eyes and ran unchecked down her face…

And Sam…wonderful, brilliant, quirky Sam…trapped in her numbers and equations, the sense of loss Cassie felt at the lack of recognition in Sam’s eyes as she looked at Cassie and declared her pretty…

‘Cassie!’ Daniel’s voice echoed dimly in her head as though his words were travelling through a long tunnel.

And suddenly the cold was gone.

Cassie opened her eyes.

Jonas was talking to her urgently, saying something but his face was blurry in front of her and the sound distorted so she couldn’t make out the words. Her head ached; the pain too much for her to handle, and Cassie gave up her hold on consciousness.

Chapter 19

Everything hurt.

Cassie gave a soft moan as she was pulled slowly but insistently back to awareness. Sounds filtered in through the fog in her head; soft murmurs that comforted her; a breezy laugh that triggered a feeling of happiness. There was a crackle of fire; the clink of a tin mug; whispers in the darkness and the rustle of fabric.

Her fingers closed on the slippery nylon of a sleeping bag, and she could feel the weight of a heavy blanket over the top of her. It was warm and cosy; so comfortable. She was almost tempted to let herself sink back into the darkness, back to sleep and dreams.

But there was an uncomfortable dampness over her forehead. It was clammy and wet; moisture trickled down the side of her face. Her hand shifted to move it as she opened her eyes, and she gave a sigh of relief as her fingers closed around a cloth and removed it.

The vast ceiling of the hall in the pyramid was above her momentarily before Vala’s face immediately filled her vision. ‘Finally!’

Cassie winced.

Vala grimaced apologetically. ‘Sorry,’ she mouthed.

‘Just…headache.’ Cassie croaked. She gestured at Vala. ‘Water?’

Vala hurried away but returned a moment later with a mug. She helped Cassie sit up and take a drink.

Cassie swallowed the water gratefully; letting it slide down and soothe her raw throat. ‘How long was I out?’

‘A day give or take a few hours.’ Vala admitted.

Cassie sighed. She looked around and her eyes settled on Sam, sitting cross-legged beside her, her blue eyes intent on Cassie.

Vala noticed the direction of her gaze. ‘She’s been like that since they brought you back.’ She said conversationally.

‘Is she…?’ Cassie began hopefully.

‘She hasn’t recovered as far as we can tell but…’ Vala shrugged. ‘When the boys brought you in and placed you down, it seemed to pull her out of her numbers. She’s just been sat there watching you.’

So, a change but not really an improvement, Cassie mused wearily. Or maybe it was; if Sam had somehow recalled that she cared about Cassie…she rubbed her head, trying to soothe the ache there.

‘Here.’ Vala handed her some painkillers. ‘I’d offer to heal you but somehow I don’t think it will work.’

‘What happened?’ Cassie asked, bemused. The last thing she remembered was the Dragon Queen, opening her eyes and seeing Jonas before blissfully sliding into unconscious and away from the pain, the storm of memories and emotions…

‘You tell me.’ Vala said evenly. She sat beside Cassie and picked up a mug. She took a large gulp as she looked at Cassie quizzically. ‘According to Daniel, you tried communicating with the Dragon Queen, started sobbing and then, poof.’ She gestured at her with the mug. ‘You were out like a light.’

‘It was too much.’ Cassie admitted. ‘She was in my head and…’ she took a deep breath, ‘it was just too much.’

‘At least you tried.’ Vala patted her hand.

Footsteps had them both turning toward the door.

‘Cassie!’ Jack walked over swiftly and knelt down beside her to hug her gently. He pulled back and looked at her searchingly; his brown eyes raking over her. ‘You OK?’

‘I’m fine.’ Cassie assured him. ‘A little sore around the edges maybe.’ She tried to smile so he’d lose the anxious look that was etched into his features. He seemed to have aged overnight; his hair askew and his face puffy with lack of sleep and worry.

Jack darted an annoyed look at Vala. ‘You were supposed to come and get me when she woke up.’

Vala lifted a shoulder. ‘I thought she might like a few moments before everyone descended on her.’ She said blithely.

Sam moved suddenly, surprising them all. She muttered something under her breath and picked up her notebook and pencil.

Cassie saw the disappointment flicker in Jack’s eyes before his guard went back up. He’d evidently hoped her vigil with Cassie had been a sign of improvement. She searched for any topic to change the subject but her mind was consumed with a need to know how she had gotten back to the pyramid.

‘What happened?’ Cassie asked. ‘The last thing I remember is the Dragon Queen and then…’

‘Cassie?’ Daniel’s voice sounded from the door and before she could say anything, he was across the hall and hugging her tightly.

She winced even as she tried to free a hand to pat him consolingly.

‘Thank God! We thought…’ he stopped before he said anything more but Cassie filled in the blanks.

‘You thought I’d been injured like Sam.’ She realised. Her gaze shot to Jack who pressed his lips together as though to prevent a confirmation from escaping.

‘But you’re OK?’ Daniel checked. He studiously avoided looking at Jack and she guessed that they had argued about it.

‘Sore,’ repeated Cassie; she shoved at the blanket and pushed it away as she sat up more fully, ‘but OK.’ She grimaced as her body made its needs known. ‘I need the bathroom.’

Vala immediately moved to support Cassie as she got to her feet. ‘Easy.’

Cassie wobbled as she got upright and she was grateful as Vala helped her walk the short distance to the bathroom.

‘I’ll get you some clean clothes.’ Vala said, pushing her towards the toilet before leaving her.

Cassie made use of the facilities and when she walked out of the small cubicle, she saw the stack of clothing Vala had left for her. She washed up slowly; her limbs trembled with fatigue as though she had jogged a marathon. The feel of clean clothes was heavenly; the soft cotton of her t-shirt a welcome relief against her sensitive skin. She dunked her hair and washed it but the activity used up the last of her energy. Vala arrived back as though she had sensed Cassie needed her. She towelled Cassie’s hair, tsking loudly and proclaiming her disapproval at Cassie attempting something so strenuous before she escorted her back to the hall.

Everyone was gathered. Cassie accepted gentle hugs from the rest of the group before Vala shooed the men away and settled Cassie by the fire with some soup. The others gathered round with mugs of coffee and a tense silence filled the air.

Her stomach rumbled hungrily and Cassie made short work of the meal. She set aside her tin and looked around. Jack and Daniel were looking anywhere but at each other; Mitchell had his head down as though to avoid unwarranted attention; Jonas was unusually subdued as was Vala. Teal’c and Rya’c sat on opposite sides of the fire…

They must have argued, Cassie deduced. Jack and Teal’c had probably not been impressed at the others turning up with her unconscious after attempting to communicate with the Dragon Queen. Add in the worry that the communication might have left her as scrambled as Sam…

Curiosity nibbled at her again. ‘What happened?’ She blurted out into the silence. ‘I don’t remember anything after the Queen talked to me.’

There was a long pause.

‘Then she did talk to you?’ Jonas inquired tentatively.

‘Kind of,’ Cassie murmured. She brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs.

‘You don’t have to talk about it.’ Vala said firmly, ignoring the look the others shot her.

‘It’s OK.’ Cassie assured her. She rubbed her nose. ‘There wasn’t really so much talking as she…she kind of searched through my memories to check we weren’t the Goa’uld. She knew I had healed Puff, Rya’c and Jack with the device, and she identitfied Rya’c and Teal’c as Jaffa so…’

‘So she thought we were Goa’uld.’ Daniel sighed. ‘No wonder she was hostile. She was probably worried that we were here to try and enslave her and her people again.’

‘It looked like it hurt.’ Jonas said quietly.

‘It did.’ Cassie softened the words with a smile but the memory of the cold that had invaded her mind made her shudder. ‘I’m fine.’ She wondered if she had said it to convince everyone else or herself. She gestured at Jonas. ‘What happened after I, uh…’

‘Took a nap?’ Jack suggested caustically.

Cassie’s lips twitched. ‘Well?’

Daniel cleared his throat. ‘Puff appeared out of nowhere.’

‘Puff?’ Cassie smiled. It seemed her baby dragon had remembered her. It warmed her to know it still wanted to protect her.

‘Uh, we think he talked to the Queen.’ Jonas explained. ‘And then she flew back to the ground and the rest of the dragons cleared the sky.’

‘Puff escorted us out of dragon territory.’ Mitchell added. ‘Once we got past the mountain, he headed back.’

Once they were safe, Cassie mused. She was disappointed Puff hadn’t come back with them but she understood. He was with his own kind; his family. Her mind returned to the mission.

‘So, they let us leave.’ Cassie stated. She felt the same dull disappointment that she had once again failed to find a solution for Sam’s predicament.

‘Yep,’ Mitchell confirmed, ‘they just let us go.’

Jonas stirred. ‘I think whatever communication happened between you and the Queen definitely confirmed to her that we weren’t a threat.’

‘Yippee.’ Jack quipped.

Jonas flushed.

Daniel frowned at Jack. ‘Jack.’

‘Daniel.’

‘Oh please. Let’s not start that again.’ Vala said brightly, confirming Cassie’s suspicions that there had been a major argument over the events of the mission and bringing Cassie home apparently injured.

Both men glared at Vala.

‘All I’m saying,’ Jack said tersely, ‘is that now the Queen’s poked around in Cassie’s head, they must know our capabilities.’

‘And that’s a bad thing because…’ Daniel baited.

‘As you are well aware, Daniel Jackson,’ Teal’c asserted forcefully, ‘if the dragons choose to attack us they will know our vulnerabilities.’

‘If they attack en masse we’d be toast anyway.’ Mitchell countered. ‘Believe me, they don’t need to know our vulnerabilities; they can overwhelm us with sheer numbers.’

‘I agree with Colonel Mitchell.’ Rya’c confirmed.

‘It’s more likely that now they know we’re no threat to them that they’ll leave us alone.’ Daniel pointed out with some exasperation.

‘Well, we’re not waiting to find out.’ Jack said authoratively. He gestured at Cassie. ‘I agreed to wait until Cassie recovered but now she’s awake, we should get off this rock and make our way home.’ He looked around the group. ‘How soon before we can leave?’

Cassie looked at him, shocked. They were leaving?

‘A couple of hours to get things organised and stowed away, sir.’ Mitchell replied.

‘I still think…’ Daniel began.

‘Ah!’ Jack held up a finger. ‘We’re going.’

‘You’re forgetting it’s not your ship.’ Daniel pointed out.

Jack looked over at Jonas.

Jonas glanced at Daniel and back to Jack. He sighed heavily and Cassie could see he was debating whether to argue or whether to accept Jack’s decision that it wasn’t safe to stay any longer.

‘I can get the cargo ship ready for departure in a couple of hours.’ Jonas said eventually.

‘Good.’ Jack set his mug down with a thump. ‘Then let’s get moving.’

He walked out before any of them could reply.

‘You stay put!’ Vala instructed Cassie sternly. ‘Look after Sam. We’ll take care of packing everything.’

Cassie didn’t argue. She felt as weak as a kitten. She watched as the others set to work; as the realisation they were really leaving the planet sank in. Cassie searched through her memory of her interaction with the Queen. If only she had done something differently; if she had explained somehow…

Sam scribbled away beside her; the scratch of the pencil across the page was becoming far too familiar a sound for Cassie’s liking. Cassie couldn’t believe Jack was prepared to leave with Sam still injured; with the dragons still Sam’s best hope for a cure.

But…

What if he was right? What if there was a chance the dragons would attack them? They had tried to communicate with the dragons twice and twice they had failed. She had failed, Cassie thought depressed. There was no guarantee a third encounter would prove more fruitful than the others. And there was a risk a third encounter would seriously harm her. She could remember the cold feel of the Dragon Queen in her head; the pain of it all too well.

Cassie shuddered.

Jack couldn’t take that risk, Cassie surmised regretfully. He was looking after all of their safety and not just Sam’s. And the others knew that – even Daniel despite his protest. She would bet that it was the reason why Jonas had acquiesced.

She looked at the woman writing beside her and sighed. Maybe when they got to Earth they’d be able to find some other way to assist Sam. Or maybe there just wasn’t a solution and Sam would remain injured for the rest of her life; trapped in the endless stream of numbers running through her head.

Tired tears smarted Cassie’s eyes and she swiped at them angrily. There had to be another way! There had to be some way of reaching the Queen and making her help them!

Cassie got to her feet slowly. The others were busy preparing to leave; their attention on the packs, the sparse belongings and supplies. She crept quietly out of the room and into the passageway. Cassie took a moment to catch her breath and waited to see if anyone followed her; nobody did.

She smiled grimly and started towards the exit.

Chapter 20

Cassie paused on the top of the steps and scanned the forum below for Jonas and Jack. There was no sign of either. They must be in the cargo ship, Cassie mused. If she could make it down the steps, across the forum and into the jungle…

And then what?

How far to the Stargate? How far to the dragons’ lair? There were days of walking ahead. She grimaced. How far did she think she would get before someone caught up with her?

And seriously; she had no water, no healing device, no common sense! Cassie snorted. She had stormed out of the hall on a whim like a child. She knew better.

Her body sagged downwards as the last of her energy drained away. She stumbled to sit on the top step.

‘Decided against making a run for it?’ Jack’s caustic tone behind her made her flush.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw him leaning against the wall to the side of the doorway. She hadn’t even noticed his presence.

Jack closed the distance between them and sat down beside her.

‘It feels like we’re giving up on Sam.’ Cassie admitted tiredly.

‘We’re not.’ He replied tersely.

‘We’re not?’ Cassie retorted. ‘Because leaving kind of feels, you know, like we’re giving up.’

Jack’s jaw tensed. ‘Carter cared that you were injured.’ He pointed out evenly. ‘She’s in there somewhere. There’s a chance she can come back from this on her own and if she doesn’t…we’ll still be there for her.’

‘I know but…’ Cassie sighed heavily. ‘I just feel like I haven’t done enough to try and talk with the Queen. Maybe if we stop by the dragons on our way and I tried again…’

‘Cassie…’ Jack bit out before he caught himself and reigned himself back.

‘I feel like Sam was counting on me to get her help, that you were all counting on me,’ Cassie admitted miserably, ‘and I…I failed.’ There was a lump in her throat.

Jack stared at her for a long moment. ‘C’mere.’ He stretched out an arm and hugged her to him.

She went willingly, sliding her own arm around his waist; resting her head on his shoulder.

‘You did good out there.’ Jack said quietly. ‘Whatever you showed the Queen made her let everyone go: that’s a win in my book.’

‘I didn’t save Sam.’ Cassie mumbled into his jacket.

‘It’s not your responsibility to save her.’ Jack said firmly. ‘You did your best; that’s all you can do.’

‘It wasn’t enough.’ Her fingers twisted the zipper on his BDU jacket.

‘Sometimes it just…isn’t.’ Jack sighed.

They sat in silence, watching as the suns dipped lower in the sky.

A noise behind them had Jack glancing over his shoulder.

‘Sir.’ Mitchell hoisted the packs he was carrying. ‘We’re ready to pack up the cargo ship.’

Jack nodded and shuffled Cassie and himself to the side of the steps so the others could walk down.

Teal’c was last out, carefully guiding Sam past them and down the steps.

Jack gave Cassie a final squeeze. ‘Come on. We don’t want to miss our flight.’

Cassie attempted a smile at the joke but she couldn’t quite manage it. ‘Jack…’ Cassie caught hold of his hand. ‘I’m sorry about…before.’

He tapped her nose. ‘You wanted to help. You have nothing to apologise for, Cassie.’

She let him help her up. She looked out a final time at the planet, wanting to lock it into her memory – and froze. One hand gripped Jack’s arm as she pointed at the sky with the other.

‘Jack!’

He looked up, following the direction of her finger. He stiffened at the sight of three dragons approaching. ‘Son of a…’

Jack tugged at her arm and they hurried down the steps. Cassie tried to keep her footing on the worn stone as she ran quickly, trying to reach the others.

‘Everyone into the cargo ship!’ Jack yelled. ‘Now!’

Rya’c turned at Jack’s words and spotted the dragons. He called out a warning to the others.

Teal’c made to grab Sam but she eluded him and ran back towards the pyramid, back towards Cassie and Jack…the others set off to stop Sam…

The dragons were getting closer.

Jack let go of Cassie and caught hold of Sam as she made to run past into the pyramid. He struggled with her until Teal’c and Daniel caught up with them; helping to restrain her. Rya’c and Jonas reached Cassie. They placed an arm around her, supported her, half-carried her as they headed to the cargo ship. She was barely aware of Mitchell and Vala covering them all.

The dragons fell from the sky in front of them; between them and the ship. The ground shook as they landed.

Cassie recognised one immediately. It was Puff! She let go of the others and moved forward without thinking. The baby dragon bounded happily towards her. Joy filled Cassie to the brim as her arms went around the baby dragon. She hugged the dragon close and felt its own joy at being reunited with her. Love and happiness raced through her veins.

‘Puff!’ Cassie pulled back and looked at it with a wide smile. ‘You came back!’

‘Cassie?’ Jack’s quiet voice intruded and she glanced behind her to see him stood in front of Sam with Teal’c. Daniel and Jonas both had their arms around the injured woman, holding her steady. Mitchell and Vala were ranged either side closing the defensive circle.

‘Puff came back.’ Cassie said needlessly as she straightened.

Jack nodded. ‘I see that.’ He gestured with his head towards the two adult dragons Puff had brought with him. ‘Who are its friends?’

She looked back to the others and straight into the yellow eyes of a silver dragon; the Queen!

Cassie froze. ‘It’s the Queen and…a guard, I guess?’

‘The Queen, you say?’ Jack’s eyes swept over them. ‘What do they want?’

She felt a strange sensation; a tickle across the forefront of her mind. She looked sharply at the silver dragon with foreboding remembering her previous experience.

It bowed its head and looked her deeply in the eyes. I do not wish to harm you, child.

Cassie suddenly found it hard to breathe. The voice was melodic and perfect; it was tinged with a maternal overtone that reminded Cassie of her Mom. ‘I can hear you.’ I can hear you.

‘Cassie?’ Jack asked again impatiently.

‘I can hear her, Jack. In my head.’ Cassie explained. ‘She doesn’t mean to harm us.’

‘Is she here to help Carter?’ Jack asked brusquely.

Cassie turned back to the dragon. Sam, she thought strongly at the dragon, can you help her?

The silver dragon cast a look at the green dragon beside her before she dipped her head back to Cassie. After you shared your memories, child, I realised what had happened. Those who went to greet your kin did not realise your sister could not hear them as you can hear us. The psychic connection was too much for her. They meant no harm. Her green eyes flickered to Jack. This one attacked and we believed your kin to be the same as those that once imprisoned us.

Cassie winced. Jack was only trying to protect her.

We understand this now, the silver dragon concurred. We will try to help. Bring her forward.

‘Jack, they’re going to help.’ Cassie said quickly. ‘They want us to bring her forward.’

Jack hesitated for a long moment.

‘Jack.’ Daniel said.

‘Daniel.’ Jack replied calmly.

‘We have to trust them.’ Daniel said quietly. ‘We have to try.’

Jack sighed and nodded.

Teal’c took Sam’s arm and escorted her forward to stand beside Cassie. He bowed his head to the Queen before he moved back.

Cassie put her arm around Sam and looked up at the silver dragon. Now what, she thought.

Now, we try to repair what we damaged, the silver dragon said smartly. We will need you to act as the conduit. Sit on the ground and place your arms around your sister.

Cassie urged Sam to sit and dropped to sit behind her. She placed her arms around Sam’s waist. She could feel the other woman trembling in her hold. ‘It’s OK, Sam.’ Cassie whispered in her ear. ‘Remember what you told me in the bunker? Be brave.’

Sam stilled.

‘Cassie?’ Jack sounded anxious and concerned.

‘It’s OK.’ Cassie tried to reassure him but her own voice shook with fear and nerves.

The baby dragon dropped to lie beside them and placed its head on Cassie’s thigh. The silver dragon slowly folded its legs underneath it; it lowered its head and Cassie closed her eyes as its forehead touched her own.

Be calm, child, the silver dragon whispered. All will be well. Open your mind as you did before.

Cassie breathed in and tried to do as the dragon asked; tried to ignore the previous memory of pain and cold…

Chapter 21

Tendrils coiled around her mind and she shivered but they lacked the impersonal ruthlessness that Cassie had felt before; instead, a welcoming warmth seeped through…

And suddenly, in her head, she stood in the centre of the forum; there was a collar of naquadah around her neck and a woman with red hair and glowing eyes in front of her forcing her to bow down before her…

It wasn’t her in the forum, Cassie realised with a start; it was the silver dragon; Shela, the Queen of the Dragons, the matriarch; the same dragon that was communicating with her. She was Ancient, wise and immortal…

Cassie’s eyes almost flew open but she forced herself to remain in position.

A memory of a violent riot, of blood and pain; Shela was free and she was angry. So many of her children had died because of the Goa’uld’s whim. Fire rained down on the Goa’uld and her Jaffa; their human slaves. It was terrifying and it was glorious; Cassie could taste the ash in her mouth; taste the fire. Revenge and vengeance for the pain caused to her kin.

The scene washed away and another tableau formed; Hanka. They were in Sam’s mind now, Cassie thought with confidence.

Teal’c approached with Cassie clutching his large hand. Sam’s compassion and her love for her sparked.

The cold grey walls of an elevator appeared. Sam was crying; wrenching sobs. She was leaving Cassie behind and it was unfair, so unfair and…Cassie was awake. Sam’s mind was making the connections so quickly and then she was on her feet before the thought had even had a chance to take root; her hand slamming into the controls to stop the elevator, to go back down and return to Cassie…

Another SGC room took shape; an exotic woman with dark hair glowering at the formidable Janet Fraiser stood in front of her with a gun in her hand.

Shock ran through Cassie as she recognised Nirrti and her Mom. She had known that her Mom had coerced Nirrti somehow into helping Cassie when she’d been sick but she’d had no idea…her Mom looked so fierce – a tigress protecting her cub…

Everything shifted again and it was a school corridor. High school. Her chest tightened at the memory about to play out: of Sam telling her of her Mom’s death and the crushing pain. She felt her own grief rise up as she experienced Sam’s.

Another memory blurred the edges of the harsh loss of Janet Fraiser; a sterile hospital room and the slow beeping of a monitor. Sam’s hand clutched Cassie’s tightly as Sam promised Cassie that she would help her get sober; that she would take a leave of absence, whatever it took but she would be with her…

Love suffused Cassie; coursed through her and into Sam.

And abruptly, Cassie’s mind was her own again.

The silver dragon – Shela – lifted her head and shuffled back. The green dragon bumped her gently as though checking Shela was fine. Puff moved too; scampering away to Shela.

Sam stirred in Cassie’s arms.

‘Sam?’ Cassie said softly.

Sam raised a hand to her head and rubbed her forehead. She gave a soft moan.

‘Sam?’ Cassie tried again.

Sam lifted her head and looked around. She stiffened at the sight of the dragons but her focus shifted back to Cassie. She frowned. ‘Cassie?’

Cassie couldn’t help the smile that lifted her lips despite the tiredness that threatened to overwhelm her. ‘Yes. It’s me.’

Sam looked at her bemused. ‘What’s going on?’

Cassie let out a shaky sob and hugged Sam hard. Sam responded instinctively, shifting to hold Cassie properly and hugging her back.

‘Cassie?’ Her voice was filled confusion.

‘I just…I just…I thought I’d lost you.’ Cassie said, tearfully. She turned her head and buried her nose in the crook of Sam’s neck.

Sam stroked her back. ‘It’s OK. I’m OK.’ She rocked, comforting Cassie as best she could.

Cassie held on tightly for another long moment before she shifted and looked behind her.

Jack stepped forward. ‘Carter?’

Sam scrambled to her feet and Cassie followed. ‘I’m OK, sir.’

Almost as though they coordinated it; the rest of SG1 moved up beside their team-mate.

‘Glad to see you up on your feet again.’ Mitchell grinned at Sam.

Vala hugged her. ‘It’s good to have you back, Samantha.’

‘Vala?’ Sam’s face creased with confusion and her eyes widened as she caught sight of Rya’c and Jonas.

‘What are you all doing here?’ Her disbelief raised her voice an octave.

‘Hey.’ Jonas offered her a broad smile.

‘It is good to see you again, Colonel Carter.’ Rya’c bowed.

Sam’s attention returned to Cassie. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Rescuing our collective asses.’ Jack explained succinctly. His eyes strayed to the dragons who remained motionless, watching.

‘We’ve been MIA for weeks.’ Daniel jumped in.

‘Weeks?’ Sam frowned. ‘The last thing I remember is the dragons,’ her eyes flickered to them, ‘arriving at the Stargate and then, this.’ She raised a hand to her head. ‘What happened?’

Before they could reply, the hum of a transporter beam sounded in the air. Shapes appeared behind them; SG3.

For a frozen second, the new arrivals stared at the dragons.

Immediately, Cassie, Rya’c and SG1 all moved to stand in front of the dragons, their hands raised up.

‘Lower your weapons!’ Jack ordered briskly. ‘They’re friendlies.’

‘Sir?’ Colonel Reynolds questioned the order.

‘They’re friendlies.’ Jack repeated. He shot Cassie a look. ‘Right?’

‘Right.’ She agreed.

Reynolds and his team lowered their weapons and it was as though it was a signal for them all to move. For a few seconds there was chaos. Cassie caught the end of Vala explaining everything to Sam; of Reynolds explaining their orders from General Landry to Jack and Mitchell…

Cassie moved away from the melee and quietly walked over to the dragons. She wanted to say goodbye to them. Puff hurtled towards her and she dropped to hug the young dragon. She let go of Puff and stood in front of Shela cautiously.

You and your kin are leaving us, Shela’s voice fluttered through her head like a leaf falling to the ground.

Yes, Cassie thought sadly. I just wanted to say thank you – for Sam. And for sharing your story with me.

And you with me, Shela replied. You are a fascinating people to have overcome the Goa’uld and gained your freedom. Her silver head lowered again and her yellow eyes met Cassie’s kindly. You are much loved, little one.

Cassie flushed. I know.

Shela lifted her head and stretched out her wings. Come back and talk with us again, Cassandra Fraiser. We would be friends.

Cassie watched as the dragons took flight, rising into the air with sweeps of their wings before turning in an elegant glide to fly away. She was aware of the others moving to stand beside her; watching with her as the dragons disappeared from view.

‘They are just incredible.’ Jonas broke the almost reverent silence. He grinned at her; his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

‘Incredible.’ Cassie confirmed.

‘And fascinating.’ Jonas said.

Daniel sighed. ‘I had so much to ask them and…’

Cassie placed her hand on his arm. ‘Shela, the Queen, shared their story with me and we have an invitation to return.’

‘And we’re going to have plenty of time getting home on the Odyssey for you to grill her for the details.’ Jack said crisply.

Vala patted Cassie’s arm and made a face. ‘Be afraid. Be very afraid.’

‘Well, I’ll miss that too. I should take the cargo ship back.’ Jonas said, disappointed.

‘We could give you a tow.’ Jack jerked his thumb towards the ship. ‘Drop you off on the way.’

Jonas smiled. ‘Sounds good.’

‘Come on then. Let’s get the packs and get going.’ Jack ordered.

Everyone turned in the direction of cargo ship. Cassie made to follow after them but Sam stopped her.

‘You came looking for us?’ Sam questioned lightly but her blue eyes were serious. ‘You gave up your studies, left Earth and came looking for us?’

Cassie pushed her hands in the pockets of her jeans. ‘Are you going to yell at me?’

The corner of Sam’s mouth lifted. ‘Don’t get me wrong; I’m proud of you, and I think I may owe you big time for whatever you did back there, but…yes, I might be going to yell at you.’

‘Jack said you would have a conniption fit.’ Cassie teased.

Sam’s eyebrows rose. ‘He did, did he?’

Cassie nodded, happily throwing Jack under the bus. It was in a good cause; better for Sam to be mad at Jack than mad at her.

‘You know what?’ Sam slung an arm around her and squeezed.

‘What?’ Cassie asked.

Sam grinned at her. ‘He was right.’

Uh-oh.

o-O-o

Epilogue

It had been a crazy three months.

Cassie smoothed a hand over her hair, checking that her long auburn hair was tamed into the elegant French ponytail. She looked over her appearance critically; the smart green BDU, the black bulky tactical vest all gave her the appearance of a member of the SGC. She picked up her worn olive cap and carefully put it on.

Sam had been surprisingly understanding about her decision to change tracks and join the SGC after they had returned from the Land of the Dragons although Daniel and Teal’c had been the most outwardly supportive. Jack had taken some convincing. Cassie figured it was only after she’d made it through the six week boot camp that the SGC used to train all their civilian personnel that the Head of Homeworld Security had conceded that her decision wasn’t a spur of the moment reaction.

Cassie had joined as a research assistant reporting to Nyan, an alien archaeologist who had joined the SGC after saving SG1 on a mission during the early years of the programme. Cassie had wrangled her way onto a new correspondence course studying anthropology and sociology. It would be hard to work and study at the same time but she was looking forward to the challenge.

Will was a distant memory. She’d heard from Kelly that he’d broken up with Susie or whatever her name was. Cassie wasn’t interested. Vala had called it “taking a boy break” and she was right. Cassie was actually sharing a house with Vala in Colorado Springs. The other woman had been keen to try living off base but hadn’t wanted to do it alone; she had jumped on Cassie moving to Colorado Springs as an opportunity to try.

Her eyes flickered to the pictures on the inside of her locker. One showed her, Jonas, Rya’c and Vala. It had been taken on the planet after Jonas’s and Vala’s arrival by Daniel who had given it to Cassie on their trip home on the Odyssey saying he thought she might like it as a memento. Cassie smiled at the picture. Jonas had pushed for a Stargate programme and it looked like the Langaran government was going to agree. He had already proposed a joint return mission to visit the dragons. Cassie couldn’t wait. Cartegia, on the other hand, had been declared off limits by the SGC. The last they had heard was the planet was in the midst of a civil uprising instigated by the Cult.

The next picture had been taken the week before and handed to her with solemnity by Teal’c; it was a snap of his son and pregnant daughter-in-law. Cassie had promised herself she would see Rya’c and Karyn when the new baby was born. They were family after all.

The third picture was of SG1; an old picture of Jack, Sam, Daniel and Teal’c flanked by her Mom and the late General Hammond. Cassie felt a renewed pang of grief at the sight of the old General. He had passed away a couple of weeks before.

The last picture was a shot of her with her Mom. Her Mom stood behind her, arms around her, head peeking out over Cassie’s shoulder. Her warm sherry brown eyes were alight with laughter and Cassie’s face was screwed up in giggles. It had been taken on Cassie’s birthday shortly before her Mom’s death. She gently touched the photo before she closed the locker.

It was her first official off-world mission. She was accompanying SG20 with a few of her civilian colleagues to survey some ruins. It was an orientation mission meant to get the civilians used to being off-world. She placed a hand over her belly where the monster butterflies were back at work. Just nerves; she could handle them. She straightened her shoulders, picked up her pack and headed out.

The corridors were busy. SG3 had just returned from a mission; an ambassadorial delegation led by SG9 was being escorted down one corridor; an alien complaining loudly at the smell of Earth, down another.

Cassie returned nods from people she knew as she hurried to the gate room. She accepted her zat from Sergeant Siler with a murmured word of thanks before she entered right on schedule and froze.

Jack stood to one side with one hand in the pocket of his BDU pants, the other gesticulating at Daniel wildly. Sam, who was temporarily in charge of the SGC while General Landry headed up some special project in Washington, ducked her head and tried to hide a grin at whatever Jack was saying. Vala whispered something, probably an observation about Jack and Daniel, to Mitchell who smiled. Teal’c stood beside Daniel, hands clasped behind his back regarding the others with a look of indulgence.

Cassie frowned. She had explicitly told her SG1 family not to treat her any differently to anyone else at the SGC even though her connection with them was common knowledge. She sighed and allowed herself a moment to check Daniel looked OK. He’d been injured on a trip to Atlantis and had taken some time to recover. She adjusted her cap and marched into the room to stand beside the other civilian assistants, Alisha and Brian. She ostensibly ignored SG1.

Major Grogan and his team marched in. Grogan nodded sharply in approval as he saw the civilians lined up. He spotted SG1 and did a double take; he and his team snapped to attention at the brass in the room.

‘At ease!’ Sam called out, walking over to the SG team with Jack. She nodded at them but she didn’t glance over at Cassie.

Grogan shifted his position. ‘Colonel. General.’

‘Relax, Grogan.’ Jack ordered. His brown eyes stayed on the young Major. ‘I woke up this morning with something of a yen to spend the day in the gate room with SG1.’

‘Really, sir?’ Grogan managed a straight face although how he kept a straight face was something of a mystery to Cassie who refused – refused – to be amused by Jack.

‘Yes,’ Jack continued, ‘we’re wishing everyone well today as they set off through the old Stargate, aren’t we, Carter?’

Sam didn’t bother hiding her amusement and her blue eyes drifted to Cassie with something of an apology before returning to Grogan. ‘You all set, Major?’

‘Yes, Colonel.’ Grogan allowed a small smile. He was only too aware of the relationship between SG1 and Cassandra Fraiser. ‘We’ll keep the civilians safe, I promise.’

‘Excellent.’ Jack agreed. His brown eyes moved to Cassie. ‘Because we wouldn’t want anything to happen to any of our civilians.’

Cassie rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, for crying out loud.’ She muttered.

Teal’c moved forward. ‘I wish you well on your mission, Cassandra Fraiser.’ He shot Grogan a severe look that promised things would not go well for the young Major if Cassandra was not returned without harm.

Mitchell was more circumspect; he nodded at her and stayed back. Vala bounded over and hugged her before winking at her and moving aside.

Daniel stepped up and punched Cassie lightly on her upper arm before he stuck his hands in his pockets. ‘I’ll look forward to your report.’ He said cheerfully.

‘You promised.’ Cassie hissed at him. If there was one person who she would have expected to comply with her wish for SG1 to ignore her, it would have been Daniel.

He shrugged unapologetically.

Jack nudged Daniel out of the way. He wagged his finger at all of them. ‘Remember, kids; no dragons. It’s a rule.’

Alisha and Brian looked completely bemused. Cassie was tempted to stick out her tongue but she wrestled the urge into submission. She was a professional; she could do this without resorting to childish tactics where Jack was concerned.

‘You ready?’ Sam asked softly, placing a hand on her arm.

Cassie took a deep breath and nodded. Sam squeezed her arm gently, turned and nodded up at the control room. There was a suspicious sheen of tears in Sam’s eyes as she regarded Cassie for a brief second before looking away.

Cassie knew Sam was thinking of a certain late CMO; how proud Doctor Janet Fraiser would have been to have seen her daughter walk through the wormhole as a fully fledged member of the SGC. Cassie swallowed back her own emotion as the Stargate spun; as the wormhole bloomed in the centre of the Stargate. The blue puddle glistened and rippled.

Grogan ordered his men to move out and followed them up the ramp. Alisha and Brian cast SG1 nervous looks and followed after SG20.

Cassie turned on her heel and walked up the ramp. She paused in front of the event horizon. She remembered the first time she had walked through with Sam’s hand holding hers; of walking through during an evacuation with her Mom’s hand tight around her own. And she remembered, walking through the wormhole a few months earlier on a personal mission to find and save SG1 just as they had once found and saved her.

She looked back over her shoulder. Her family were lined up watching her; love and worry, pride and joy written across their expressions as though they had spoken the words aloud.

Cassie smiled brightly at them and stepped into the wormhole.

fin.