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Life, Love, and SG-1 Year 2	By : jennifercarteroneill Category: Stargate: SG-1 > General Views: 2929 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate: SG1, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1
- 2
Disclaimer:
Not mine. Will never be mine. I just like to play with them. But, Jessie and
Landon are mine.

My POV
It was the
day before my first day of school and I was scared. I didn�t know anyone except
Cassie. When they tested me, they decided to put me up a couple of grades. So,
instead of being in fifth grade, I was put in eighth. My first day in a school and
it�s junior high. Sheesh. So,
here I was the day before and a total wreck. I wanted it to be perfect. I
know�I know�unrealistic. I couldn�t help it. I guess what really sucked was my
first day of school was also a Friday and we�d just gotten back from the Tok�ra
base, visiting with Grandpa. I really hadn�t been feeling all that well since
we left. I had a bad feeling things were about to change.
�Hey mom?�
I called out. I knew she was in her and dad�s room.
�Yeah?�
�Where�s
my notebook?�
�Be
specific, honey,� said mom coming in my room.
�The blue
one,� I said, digging through my backpack. I had different colored notebooks,
one for each class. I knew I�d put it
in my backpack earlier that day.
�Here,�
she said. I could hear the humor in her voice. I turned around and she handed
me my blue notebook. Apparently, I hadn�t put it where I thought I had.
�Thanks,�
I mumbled sheepishly.
�Jessie�calm
down,� she said, pushing my hair behind my ears before putting her hands on my
shoulders. �You don�t have to be so nervous.�
�I
know�I�m not nervous.� I said, my voice breaking.
I sat down
heavily on the bed with a sigh, just as dad walked in. �Hey Sunshine�what�s
wrong?� he asked.
�She�s
nervous,� said mom.
�I�m not nervous,� I said, my voice breaking,
tears filling my eyes. I leaned forward and held my head in my hands.
�Then
what�s wrong?� she asked, sitting down beside me. Dad sat down on the other
side.
�Talk to
us, honey,� said dad, putting his arm around my shoulders. �What�s wrong?�
�I�m
scared,� I whispered, angrily wiping the tears from my eyes. �Actually, it�s
more like terrified,� I said as I sat back and laid my head on his shoulder. I
was trembling and I couldn�t stop.
�Of what,
sweetheart?� asked mom.
�Everything. I haven�t been to school since I was five,� I said. �Everything I
learned, I taught myself�or I�ve learned in the last year,� I added softly.
�What if nobody likes me?�
�Honey,
you�ll do fine,� said dad, stroking the back of my head. �Everybody�s gonna
love you. We do.�
�I just
wish I knew somebody there.�
�You do know somebody. Cassie�s gonna be
there,� said mom.
�Yeah, but
she�s in ninth. I�m in eighth. She doesn�t want to hang out with an eighth
grader,� I said.
�Who
says?� came a voice from the hallway.
�Cassie?�
�Yeah.
Jessie, listen to me,� she said coming into the room. �I�m gonna be there the
whole time. I�m not gonna let anyone pick on you or hurt you in any way.�
�I�m
scared Cassie.� I couldn�t keep my voice from trembling.
�I know.
So was I my first day at school. At least you�re human,� she said.
�Genetically
enhanced,� I murmured, wiping at my eyes again. I still had trouble believing
that all these people cared about me�loved me even.
Dad softly
swiped the back of my head. �Behave,� he said.
�Well,
it�s true. I am genetically enhanced,�
I said.
�True,� said mom. �But, genetically enhanced or not, you�re still my baby.�
I blushed.
�I�m not a baby anymore,� I said softly.
�You�ll always be my baby,� she said, wrapping
her arms around me and hugging me tight.
�And
mine,� said dad, pulling me from mom and wrapping his arms around me in a
strong hug.
I knew I
must�ve been blushing bright red by this time. Cassie realized that and smiled.
�Guys, you�re embarrassing her,� she said, laughing.
Laughing,
they both kissed me on the side of the head and backed off. �You ok now,
Sunshine?� asked dad, rubbing the back of my head.
�Yeah, I
guess so. I�m still scared, but I guess I�ll be ok.�
�You�ll be
fine. The school has our pager numbers, cell phone numbers, and the phone
number to the SGC�direct line to General Hammond,� said mom.
�I thought
that number was classified,� I said.
�Yeah, but
you�re a special kid. General Hammond insisted that he be put down as one of
the contacts. As did someone else,� said dad.
�Who?�
I asked.
�The
President,� said dad.
�Sweet,� I
said.
We laughed
at the expression on mom�s face. �You are so
much like your dad.�
�I know,�
I said. �Try not to hold it against me.� I jumped from the bed and tried to
run.
�That�s
enough outta you,� said dad, grabbing me around the waist and pulling me back
to the bed and tickling me mercilessly.
�MOM!!!
Help me!!!� I squealed, trying to get away from dad.
�Nope,�
said mom laughing at me and dad. �You set him off. You have to deal with the
wrath of Jack O�Neill.�
Dad kept
tickling me until I ran out of breath, then he let me
up. �Now, what was that remark, Miss O�Neill?�
�I said I
was proud to be like my dad,� I said, still trying to get my breath.
�That�s
what I thought,� he said, pulling me up from the bed. �Now�how about I treat you
three ladies to dinner?�
�Pizza Hut?� I asked.
�Yeah sure
ya betcha,� he said.
We all
piled into the truck and went to dinner. I was still nervous, but it was
getting better. After dinner, I let the conversation lull me to sleep, leaning
against mom.

Š��

Jack�s POV
By the
time the meal was over, Jessie was sound asleep, leaning against Sam. To me, it
was the perfect picture. My daughter and my wife. We�d
finally been given permission to marry and General Hammond had performed the
ceremony. We�d only been married a couple of weeks. There was no longer a Major
Samantha Carter at the SGC. Instead, there was Major Samantha O�Neill. I loved
her so much�I loved them both more than I ever thought possible.
�Come on
guys. Cassie, I�ll drop you off at home and then we�re gonna put Jessie to
bed,� I said.
I paid for
our dinner and picked Jessie up. That girl slept like a log. After dropping
Cassie off at Janet�s, we went home and put Jessie to
bed. Sam got her dressed and I tucked her in. I couldn�t believe that she was
actually going to school. We�d had a long talk regarding what school she would
go to�if it was going to be a private school or public�the Air Force said they
would pay for a private school because of her abilities, if that�s what we
wanted.
We talked
to her and we decided a semi-private school would be better�more like an
academy. It was the same one that Cassie was going to. When she asked why she
had to go to school anyway, we told her that she needed to be around other kids
her age. She kept telling us that she was fine where she was at...being tutored
by all of us. But, she needed to come out of her shell�somehow. I could only
pray that she would be ok. She was strong�she is strong. Stronger than me or her mom.
She�d been through so much, I just wanted her to be
ok.
We sat
there for a long time, watching her sleeping peacefully. She hadn�t had a
nightmare in months, so we hoped she was getting over the past. I loved that
kid so damned much. After Charlie, I never thought I�d love another child that
much. But, Jessie�in some ways, I loved Jessie more than I�ve ever loved
anyone�except Sam. I absolutely refused imagine my life without either one of them.
I know one thing�s for sure, if I were to ever lose them, I would die. I
wouldn�t sit there, holding the gun like I did the night they came to get me
for the first trip to Abydos. No. I would take the gun and pull
the trigger. I wouldn�t think about it. I would just do it.

Š��
Sam�s POV
Jessie was
awake before we were. That in itself was not unusual. She was always up before
we were � running, riding her bike, just all in all exercising. I got up and
fixed her breakfast while she was in the shower. I knew she wouldn�t really be
all that hungry because of the nervousness.
She came
downstairs wearing the academy�s standard uniform�plaid skirt, white shirt,
knee-high stockings, black loafers, and a plaid jacket with an embroidered
crest that said �Stevenson�s Academy� on the left side. She looked so small and
frightened, I just wanted to take her in my arms and keep her home forever.
But, I knew that wouldn�t bring her out of her shell. Hopefully, having Cassie
nearby would help.
�Mornin�
honey,� I said, kissing the side of her head as she sat down at the table.
�Mornin�.�
�You hungry?�
�Not
really,� she said quietly. She was looking really, really pale.
�Honey,
you ok?� I asked sitting beside her.
�Yeah,�
she said softly, staring at the table.
�Mornin�
Sunshine,� said Jack, walking up behind us and wrapping his arms around her
neck. He kissed her on the cheek and then kissed me on the lips. �Mornin� Sam.�
�Mornin�,�
mumbled Jessie.
�Mornin�,�
I said, returning his kiss.
He noticed
Jessie�s paleness. �You ok, Sunshine?� he asked rubbing the back of her neck.
�Yeah,�
she said softly again, still staring at the table.
�Jessie,
everything�s gonna be fine�I promise,� said Jack, sitting down across from her.
�But, what
if��
�Ah!�
interrupted Jack. �No buts�no what if�s. Everything is going to be fine. Janet
is going to drop Cassie off here and then we�re going to take you both to
school. We�ve got a meeting with all of your teachers this morning. That way,
they know that every once in a while, you will be missing school.�
�Why?� she
asked distractedly.
�Well,
you�re a part of SG-1 now,� he said. �You�ll be going with us on certain
missions�not all, but some.�
�Really?� she
asked, finally sounding herself�excited and happy. �What are you gonna tell
them?�
�Yes�really,�
I said, stroking the back of her head softly. �We�ve got a sealed letter from
General Hammond. I�m not sure what�s in it, but he thinks it will convince them
to let you go at least a couple times a month.�
Jack stood
and got a bowl for her cereal. I grabbed the orange juice for her. He poured
the cereal and milk as I handed her the carafe. She poured her a glass and
stared at it for a moment. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head.
�Whatcha thinkin� about honey?� I asked.
�Not much.
Trying not to think,� she said,
taking a bite of her cereal.
�You know
you can tell us anything, right?� asked Jack.
�I know. I
guess I�m still a little scared,� she said softly.
�You�ll be
fine,� said a voice from the backdoor.
�Hi Janet,
come on in,� I said, looking up.
She and
Cassie walked in and sat down at the table. �Jessie, you don�t have to be
nervous. I�m gonna be there. From the classes you signed up for, you�re gonna
be in some of them with me,� said Cassie.
�Really?�
She perked up at this.
�Yeah.
You�re gonna be in my physics, calculus, and phys ed�oh�and
history,� she said, grabbing a piece of toast off the table.
�Sweet,�
said Jessie.
That got a
laugh from all of us. My fun-loving daughter was back in control. We finished
breakfast and Janet left for the mountain. We got Jessie�s notebooks, pens,
pencils, etc and got ready to go.
We were
halfway there when Jessie realized she�d actually left her backpack at home.
�Orb it,� said Jack.
�Why
didn�t I think of that?� she asked before muttering, �backpack.�
It appeared and she checked to make sure everything was secure.
�Because
you�re brain is on overload?� asked Cassie with a grin, reaching over to tickle
her.
We all
laughed, but Jessie squirmed away from Cassie and shut her eyes. �Honey, you�re
thinking too much,� I said.
�Boy does that ever sound familiar,� said Jack.
I laughed
at him. �How many times have you told me that?�
�I�m not
sure I can count that high,� said Jack.
I looked
back at Jessie. At least she was smiling. I held my hand out to her and she put
her smaller hand in mine. I squeezed her hand comfortingly. �Honey, we�re only
a thought away. Just reach out for us
and we�ll be there,� I said returning her smile.
�Ok,� she
said softly.

Š��
My POV
When we
got to the school, I realized it was smaller than I thought. I was glad. I�m
not big on crowded places. People were staring. I�d hoped it was because mom
and dad were in their BDU�s.
I�d
already been given my locker number and combination so we put my stuff in there
first. Then we went to the Headmaster�s office to wait for him
Cassie had
gotten permission to stay outside the office while waiting on me. I was sitting
between mom and dad in the office.
�Sorry,
I�m late. There was a fight in the hall and I had to break it up,� said
Headmaster Wallace.
�That�s
ok,� said dad. �It�s understandable.�
�Ok,� he
said, sitting behind his desk. �Jessica O�Neill. But, you go by Jessie�is that
correct?�
�Yes,
sir,� I said softly, sitting up straighter.
�Manners�I
like that in my students. Too bad they don�t show up too often.�
I grinned
at mom and dad. This was going to be an interesting day.
�Ok, here
is your schedule,� he said handing me a piece of paper. �You have twenty
minutes for homeroom. During this time, you will be able to complete unfinished
homework, work on essay�s, or read. According to this your first period class
is calculus; second period is history; third period is physics � then lunch.
Fourth period is physical education; Fifth period is English literature; Sixth
period is Computer Science.� He trailed off, his eyes getting wider. �I must
have switched your schedule with another student�s,� he said, sounding a little
confused, searching the top of his desk.
�Why?�
asked dad.
�According
to her file, she is only twelve years of age.�
�Yes, sir.
I am twelve� I said. �But, those are the classes that I chose.�
His eyes
widened. �Really?�
�Yes, sir.�
�Are these
not too advanced for one your age?�
�Mr.
Wallace, my mom is an astrophysicist and a Major in the US Air Force. My dad is
a Colonel in the US Air Force with two degrees in something he won�t tell us
about.� I glared at dad about that one. He just grinned. �I�ve been
home-schooled for the last year. I know you�ve seen my entire file. You know
what�s happened to me. If you look at the rest of the paperwork, you�ll find
that I took all of the entrance exams for those classes and passed them with no
problems.�
He flipped
through the paperwork and we watched his eyes widen in surprise. �According to
this, you tested at college level in each of those classes.�
I blushed
and tried to make myself small. �Yes, sir,� I was able to squeak out.
�Do not be
ashamed of your intelligence, Jessie. We need students like you.�
�What do
you mean, �students like her�?� asked dad.
�Students who are intelligent enough to do the work and who are not
afraid to show it.
Students who are willing to lend a hand to those who are
struggling with their work. From what I�ve seen, you will be an
exceptional addition to the Academy.�
�Thank
you,� I said softly.
�Now, are
you ready to meet your teachers?�
�Yes, sir.�
We stood and
he took us into another room full of teachers. I started to panic. I couldn�t
breathe. I don�t like crowds. Dad rubbing my back and mom holding my hand were
the only things that kept me from bolting out the door and orbing home.
(Easy Sunshine) � dad
(I wanna go home) I wasn�t crying�yet, but I knew
they could hear the tears in my thoughts.
(I know baby. But, just give it a
chance) � dad
(I wanna go home!)
(Breathe Jessie) � mom
�Miss. O�Neill.� The Headmaster�s voice broke into
my thoughts.
�Sir?�
�These are
your professors.� As he said their names, they each stood. �Professor Thompson
� Physics; Professor Connors � Calculus; Professor Jessup � Computer Science;
Professor Novotny � History; Professor Taylor � English literature; and Coach
Kinney � Physical Education.� He nodded towards me. �Professors�Jessie
O�Neill.�
�Welcome
to Stevenson�s Academy, Jessie,� said Professor Taylor.
�Thank
you, ma�am,� I said, still wanting to go home.
�These are
Jessie�s parents,� the Headmaster said. �Colonel Jack O�Neill
and Major Samantha O�Neill.�
�Army?�
asked Professor Novotny.
�No, sir.
Air Force,� said dad. �We�re stationed at Cheyenne Mountain.�
�We were
told that Jessie would be missing a few days a month in regards to something
she has to do at the base?� said Professor Novotny, making it sound like a
question.
�Yes sir.
Jessie is an integral part of some research I am doing inside the mountain,�
said mom.
�What kind
of research?�
�It�s
classified,� said dad. They only nodded. Everyone knew something went on at the mountain. But, nobody knew what.
�Are you
ready, Miss O�Neill?� asked Professor Jessup.
�Yes,
sir,� I said. �Can I have a moment with my parents?� I knew I was pleading.
Really didn�t care.
�Yes,�
said the Headmaster, ushering every one out of the room.
I probed
their conversations outside the door. I wanted to know what they thought about
me.
A little shy isn�t she? She spoke
so softly.
Yes, I noticed that too. She
wouldn�t let go of her mother�s hand and I thought I would strain myself trying
to hear her.
She�s a little frightened. She has
not been away from her parents since they found her.
What do you mean �found� her?
According to her file, she was
kidnapped when she was a baby. She was only returned to her parents a little
over a year ago. She had been severely abused by the people that were sworn to
protect her. It is only natural for her to not want to leave the safe haven of
her parents.
Oh dear Lord! That
poor child.
Yes. The man who abused her is dead
and his wife is in prison for allowing it to happen. On a brighter note, did
any of you have time to review her test scores?
Yes. That kid is brilliant! I can�t
wait to get her in my class. Finally, a student with some
brains.
�You gonna
be ok, Sunshine?�
�Yeah�I
think so,� I said softly, squeezing their hands. They�d heard the conversation also.
�Yeah.
I think the teachers here are going to be keeping an eye out for you,� said
mom.
�I
guess�they seemed nice,� I said.
�You ready
to do this, Sunshine?� asked dad, hugging me from behind.
�As ready
as I�ll ever be,� I said.
�Just
remember baby,� said mom. �Just a thought away.� She
reached out and stroked my cheek softly.
�I know,�
I said, fighting back the tears. I was scared to be left alone with a bunch of
people I didn�t know. But, there was something tingling in the back of my mind.
Someone was there that I knew�very well. But, I didn�t know who.
�I love
you, Sunshine,� said dad.� He turned me
around and hugged me tight. He was fighting to control his own emotions.
�I love
you, honey,� said mom.
�I love
you too, guys,� I said, hugging them back. �I�ll see you in a few hours.�
Mom and
dad gave me kisses on the cheek and then we walked out into the hallway. Cassie
was talking to my professors and the Headmaster.
�You ok,
Jessie?� asked Cassie.
�Yeah,� I
said softly. �I will be.�
Students
were coming into the school now. Up until then, it�d just been a few of them
and me. Now, they were coming into school full-force. I was having trouble
breathing because a lot of them were staring at me�or maybe they were staring
at mom and dad. Dad put his arms around me from behind and hugged me, helping
me to breathe.
Three boys
walked past and stared at me. They looked familiar. The older one had jet-black
hair and midnight-blue eyes. The other two had blonde hair and green
eyes�twins. They actually did a double-take before they turned around and
stopped in front of us. Dad started to move me behind him.
�Jessie?�
asked the black-haired one.
I stared
at him. I knew him. �Landon?�
�It is you!� he said, pulling me from dad
and into a big hug.
�I never
thought I�d see you again,� I said, hugging him back equally hard.
�Hey!
Don�t forget about us!� said one of the twins�Connor and Caleb.
The four
of us stood there in the hallway outside the Headmaster�s office hugging each
other. I was the only one crying, but I could tell they were close to tears
themselves.
�Jessie?
Honey?� came from both mom and dad,
I backed
up, but didn�t let go of Landon�s hand. �Mom, dad, this is Landon, Connor, and
Caleb. They were in the orphanage with me�and in the first home,� I said
softly.
�You tried
to protect my daughter? Even back then?� he asked Landon.
�Yes,
sir,� said Landon with a ghost of a smile.
The three
boys looked at me. �I found my biological
parents,� I said softly, finally letting go of Landon�s hand and hugging
mom and dad.
�Wow!�
said Landon, as dad kissed the top of my head.
�What
about you guys?�
�We were
adopted by a couple of families,� said Caleb.
�Cool.
So�what�s your last name now?�
�Mine�s
Savage,� said Landon. �Those two are Simpson�s.� He got a chuckle from dad.
�What classes are you in?� he asked.
I handed
him my schedule and he looked it over. �Sheesh girl!
These are some advanced classes!� He reached out and touched my face.
Surprising mom and dad, I didn�t flinch away. �But, you were always the smart
one in the group.�
�Still
is,� said Cassie with a grin.
There was
that damn blushing thing again. Mom and dad laughed. �Sheesh.
They pick on you like we do,� said dad.
�I know�I
know,� I groaned.
�Miss O�Neill,�
said the Headmaster.
�Sir?�
�Mr.
Savage is in some of your classes. In fact, he is in all of these classes.� It
reminded me that Landon was also very advanced for his age.
�Yes, sir.�
Dad
checked his watch. �Sunshine, we have to get to the mountain. You know what to
do if you need us right?�
�Yeah, dad. I know,� I said softly.
He put his
arms around me and hugged me tightly to him. �We�ll be back at 1500 to get
you,� he said.
�Ok,� I
said, hugging him and then mom.
Landon
reached out and took my hand when they released me. �I�ll look after her, sir,�
he said. �I promise.�
�You do
that,� said dad.
(I want the full story on these
three when you get home�especially this guy Landon) � mom
(I will)
�Love you
Sunshine.�
�Love you,
too, guys.�
�Now,
git!� said mom, stroking the back of my head one more time.
I knew
they were watching me as Landon led me away. I wanted to turn and run back to
them, and beg them to take me home. Cassie was talking animatedly with Connor
and Caleb. We parted at homeroom, but Landon stopped me before we went in.
He pulled
me into another hug. �God, I�ve missed you,� he said, kissing the top of my
head. He still had a slight British accent. But, as far as he could remember,
he was from Colorado.
The only
male people I�ve allowed to touch me since the first night I found mom and dad, were dad, Uncle Daniel, Teal�c, Grandpa Jacob and
Grandpa George.
But,
Landon was different�as were Connor and Caleb. Connor and Caleb were like my
brothers. But, Landon�well, let�s just say that I gave my heart to Landon when
I was five. He gave me his heart also. He�d tried his best to protect me,
although many times he couldn�t. We belonged together. We would be together
when we were older.
�I�ve
missed you too,� I said.
He kissed
the top of my head again and we walked into the classroom together. The
homeroom teacher saw me walk in and Landon introduced us.
�Professor
Anderson, this is Jessie O�Neill. Jessie, this is Professor Anderson.�
�I�ve
heard a lot about you Jessie,� said the professor. �I am looking forward to
working with you this semester.�
�Thank you, ma�am.�
�Now, both
of you take a seat so we can get started,� she said with a smile. She saw the
protective way that Landon was hovering and I think that�s what she was smiling
about.
�Come to
attention class,� she said. You could�ve heard a pin drop in that room. �We
have a new student. Jessie, would you tell us a little about yourself�your full
name, age, your hobbies, what your parents do�information like that.�
I looked
at Landon with wide eyes. I wasn�t aware of having to tell anything about
myself. When he nodded, I smiled at him and slowly stood. �My full name is
Jessica O�Neill. I�m twelve years old and I go by Jessie.� A lot of the
students gasped at my age. I smiled again and continued. �My parents are both
officers in the Air Force. I like to draw, write stories, play guitar, skate,
and run�and that�s about it.�
I sat down
quickly. Landon reached over and squeezed my hand. �Stay away from him,� said
someone behind me. �He�s mine.�
I turned
around and looked at the girl behind me. She was eyeing Landon with something
in her eyes. Then she looked at me with hate in her eyes. Great.
My first day of school and I�d made an enemy. Oh well. She couldn�t be any
worse than the Goa�uld.
�Leave her
alone, Kate,� said Landon. I could tell he was aggravated with this girl. �She
knows me better than anyone else.� He smiled at me. �Besides, she�s my �� he
trailed off.
�Your what?�
�My
girlfriend,� he grinned at me. I returned his smile, although shyly. I hadn�t
seen him in a long time and he still fel the same way.
�What?�
she hissed. �You just met her!�
�Just what
it sounds like,� he said to her. �She�s mine and I�m hers�from the moment we
were born. And I�ve known her since she was five.�
I laughed
softly. He didn�t know that he was actually more than ten years older than me.
Technically, I hadn�t even been born yet!
�What
about us?� demanded Kate.
�There
never was an us,�
said Landon. �I told you the first time. I was meant for only one person�and that person is finally here.� He smiled
at me.
�Thanks
Landon,� I said softly.
�For what?�
�For
everything,� I said as he squeezed my hand again.
The rest
of the day passed without incident. I was happy. I took my first physics test.
The professor actually wanted me to wait, but I told him I was ready.
�Miss
O�Neill, you will be exempt from this test,� said Professor Thompson as soon as
Landon and I walked in the door.
�I�d
really like to take this test, sir,� I said.
�But, you
have not had a chance to review the material,� he argued.
�Sir, my
mom�s an astrophysicist. She�s taught me a lot. I�d really like to take that
test,� I said.
He looked
at me for a moment. �Sir?� said Landon.
�Yes, Mr.
Savage?�
�I think
she�s ready for it. She�s very�very smart,� he said squeezing my hand. He
hadn�t let go of me all day. It was comforting, in a strange way. In a way, he
was the only thing that was keeping me from orbing home.
�Alright,
Miss O�Neill,� he said. �But, I will only allow this once. However, I will not
grade this test for you.�
�But��I
started to argue. I stopped when I saw the look on Landon�s face. �Yes sir,� I
said.
We took
our seats beside each other.
�Class,
come to order. Mr. McDonald, please come forward and hand out the exam
booklets.�
A
red-haired boy walked to the front of the class and began to pass out the
tests.
�Do not open your booklets until you are
told to do so. Once you have completed your exam, please open to page 253 in
your textbook and read chapter fifteen.�
Once all
the tests were passed out, we sat there waiting for the teacher to tell us we
could start.
�You have
one hour to complete the exam. Begin,� he said leaving the room.
I opened
the book and tried to keep the grin off my face. I knew this stuff�I actually knew
this stuff. This was stuff that mom dealt with everyday. Thirty minutes later,
I was sitting there reading chapter fifteen. The professor had entered the room
again and realized that I was the only one reading the textbook. I looked up at
him when he entered and saw the surprise on his face. I was an
twelve year old in a class full of fourteen and fifteen year olds�and I was the
first one finished. Once the surprise ended, he actually smiled. I remembered
the conversation that I�d heard. He was the one who couldn�t wait to get me
into his class.
(Sunshine, you ok?)
I hid my
smile in my book. I knew if I didn�t contact them soon, they�d contact me. (Yeah dad. I�m fine. Just reading.
I wondered how long it would take you to contact me.
(Well, you sure weren�t contacting
us and I missed you.) I
grinned. I could hear the pout in dad�s thoughts. (Whatcha reading?)
(Electricity and Magnetism)
(Huh?)
(She�s in physics class, Jack)
(Hi mama)
(Hi honey. You
doing ok?)
(Yeah. I�m fine. Landon�s here and so is Cassie. They�ve been keeping an eye
on me the entire day)
(Ok. We�ll let you get back to
class. Love you Sunshine)
(Love you guys too)
�Pens
down, exam booklets closed. The exam is over,� said Professor Thompson. �Pass
all exams forward please.�
We did and
the rest of the class began to read the work. I noticed he pulled mine out and
began to look at it. His eyes widened in surprise. When he looked up, I looked
down. I kept my eyes on my book, not really seeing the information. I was
nervous about what he would say.
When class
was over, Landon took my hand and started to lead me from the room to lunch,
but the professor stopped us.
�Mr.
Savage, I would like a word with Miss. O�Neill in private please,� he said.
I think he
saw the warning in Landon�s eyes. I know I felt the tension in his body. I
touched his arm. �I�ll be ok,� I said softly.
He leaned
down and kissed the top of my head. He was so much taller than me and he hadn�t
even finished growing. He smiled at me and walked out the door.
�Is there a problem. sir?� I asked, shuffling my
feet.
�No. I
just wanted to let you know how you did on your exam.� He looked through a
stack of tests before he found mine. He handed it to me with no expression on
his face.
I closed
my eyes and opening them, looked at the exam. He�d graded it. A big fat A+ at the top. This time, I couldn�t stop
the grin from spreading across my face.
�I have
only one question,� he asked.
�Sir?�
�How did
you know all of this? You haven�t read the text that was covered here. You
haven�t been in a classroom since you were five years old. How did you know all
of this?� He sounded dumbfounded.
�My mom is
Major Samantha O�Neill. She�s an astrophysicist and she taught me everything I
know about physics. She�s published papers and everything.�
�The name
doesn�t sound familiar.�
�Her
maiden name was Carter,� I said.
�Your
mother is Dr. Samantha Carter?� he asked in shock. I guess he didn�t recognize
her in her BDU�s. Come to think of it, mom does look different in her BDU�s
than she does in her scientist getup.
I smiled. �Yes, sir. But, she�s a Major in the Air Force and she�s
married to my dad, Colonel Jack O�Neill.�
�Your
mother is Dr. Samantha Carter?�
I giggled
a little. His reaction was kind of funny. �Yes, sir. She�s
taught me everything I know about physics and calculus and chemistry.�
He was
still in shock that mom was famous in science circles. �Sir?�
He looked
at me with something in his eyes�respect, I think. �Yes, Miss O�Neill?�
�May I be
dismissed?
�Sorry.
Yes. I imagine Mr. Savage is still standing at the door.�
�Thank you sir. Do I need to leave the test?�
�No. You
may take that home. In fact, I think I�ll be sending all of
your tests home.�
�Why?� Had
I done something wrong?
�I want
your parents to know how lucky they are to have such a brilliant child.�
I blushed.
Damn it. They needed to stop this. �Thank you sir,� I mumbled.
I turned
and walked out of the room. Immediately, Landon took my hand and pulled me to
him.
�I still
can�t get over the fact that you�re here�you�re really here,� he whispered.
�Me too,�
I replied.
�Hey you two. Let�s eat!� Caleb said, coming up behind us. He started to take my
hand and Landon actually growled at him.
�Mine,� he
said, pulling me back to him and wrapped one arm around me.
I grinned
at Cassie. To me, he was undeniably the hottest boy in school and he was mine.
He only wanted me�no one else.
�Find your
own girlfriend,� he growled at the twins.
�I have,�
said Connor. �She�s just not here.�
�As have
I,� said Caleb, taking Cassie�s hand.
The smile
left my face. �You never told me you knew them�or that you were Caleb�s
girlfriend.�
�I didn�t
know that you knew them. I would�ve told you where he was or told him where you
were.�
I nodded.
�It�s just��
�Just
what, honey?� asked Landon.
�Everything
is happening so fast,� I said, with a trembling voice. �I�ve got a bad feeling,
Landon. Something bad�s gonna happen.�
Landon
held me tighter and kissed my temple. �Everything�s gonna be fine,� he
whispered. �I�m here now�and I�m not letting you go again.�
Somebody�s
stomach growled, breaking the tension among us, and causing us to laugh. �I
think that�s our cue to eat,� said Connor.
A
red-haired girl walked up and hooked her arm around Connor�s. �Who�s your new
friend?� He removed her arm and stepped more towards us.
�She�s not
exactly a new friend, Allison. We�ve
known her a long�long time.� He smiled at me and Landon. �Jessie O�Neill, this
is Allison Brandon. Allison, this is Jessie.�
�You�re
the new girl aren�t you,� she said.
�Yeah,� I
said softly.
She smiled
at me. �Welcome to Stevenson�s,� she said reaching out to hug me.
I backed
against Landon and I saw a frown appear on her face. �What? What�d I do?�
�I�I�m
sorry,� I stuttered. I turned and buried my head in Landon�s chest. He wrapped
his arms protectively around me. �I�I��
�She
doesn�t let a lot of people touch her. It�s nothing against you, Allison,� said
Cassie. �There�s only certain people that she will let touch her.� She reached out and gripped my shoulder
gently. �It�s ok, Jessie,� she spoke softly to me. I still wouldn�t look up.
Landon held me tighter as I trembled.
�And I
suppose you�re one of those people?� she asked angrily.
�Yes,� she
said. �As is Landon, Caleb, and Connor.�
�Why?� she
asked, trying to put her arm through Connor�s.
�Because I know her. Her mom and my mom are best friends,� said Cassie,
putting her arm through Caleb�s.
�How long
have you known her?� she asked
Landon.
�If you don�t mind, Allison, we�d like to eat
lunch some time today,� said Landon with a warning in his voice. I looked up at
him and he smiled before kissing my forehead.
She saw
the warning in his eyes, more than heard it in his voice. �Fine, be that way.
Connor, are you coming to the party on Friday?�
�For the
hundredth time�NO,� said Connor.
�Why not?� she whined.
�Because I said so. I�ve got a girlfriend.�
�What�s
her name? Does she go to this school?�
�Her name
is Titania, and no. She doesn�t go to this school,� he said.
�Come on
guys,� said Landon. �Let�s get something to eat.�
Landon let
go of me, but kept hold of my hand. Surprisingly, I felt safe even though the
cafeteria was crowded. We got our food and sat down to eat. I didn�t want to
think about anything�only the way that I felt: safe and loved.
The rest
of the day was uneventful. Most of the girls ignored me because I was with
Landon. He�d told them that I was the one whom he�d been waiting for. It was
hard to explain.
At the end
of the day, Landon walked me to my parents and gave me a hug and kissed me on
the cheek.
�I�ll see
you Monday?� he asked.
�Yeah.�
�Here,� he
said handing me a piece of paper. �Our phone number.
Call me tomorrow.�
(Can I give them our phone number
dad?)
(Yeah, but you promised to tell us
about them)
(I will. Thanks)
I quickly
wrote down ours and handed it to Landon. �I�ll call you tomorrow,� I said
softly.
He smiled
and opened the door for me. I got in and watched him as we drove away. I
couldn�t keep the grin off my face. I�d found them again�my friends and my
protector. But, like I said. I�d given him my heart
when I was five. Now, I�m twelve and he�s fourteen. I knew that we�re destined
to be together. Don�t ask me how I now�I just do. He said he could see things
in me and he knew that we were meant to be together.
I turned
back and stared out the window, with the smile still on my face.
�Well?�
asked dad.
�Well,
what?� I asked.
�How was
your first day of school, honey?� asked mom.
�Weird,� I
said.
�How so?
Do you have any homework?�
�Yeah a
little bit. Oh�and I took my first physics test today,� I said.
�They made
you take a test your first day? That�s just cruel,� said dad.
�They
didn�t make me take the test dad. I
wanted to,� I said with a grin.
�What?� he
asked, sounding shocked. �You wanted to take the test?�
�Yeah,� I
said with a smile.
�Why?�
�Don�t
look so shocked, Jack,� said mom. �You�re always sayings she�s just like me.�
�Yeah,
that�s not what surprised me.�
�Well?�
�Just the
fact that anybody would want to take a test is beyond me,� said
dad.
I laughed at
the expression that I could see on dad�s face in the rearview mirror. He
threatened to tickle me senseless if I didn�t stop laughing.
�Why did
you want to take that test?� he asked, as he pulled into the driveway.
�Because I
knew I could do it,� I said with a shrug of my shoulders.
�How�d you
do?� asked mom.
I smiled
and reached into my backpack, pulled out the test, and handed it to mom. She
looked at it and actually squealed.
�What?�
asked dad. �What?�
She handed
him the test and he shouted, �Yes! That�s my girl!�
I grinned
and got out of the truck. Dad grabbed me around the waist and swung me around
in circles, making me dizzy. He actually tossed me to mom and she did the same.
�Mom!!!!
You�re gonna make me sick!� I exclaimed as she continued to swing me around.
She stood
me up and I stumbled. �Now, I�m dizzy,� I said as mom caught me, steadying me.
�You
didn�t even study for it!� said dad. �An A+. My baby made an A+ on her first test�her first day,� he
yelled, pulling me into his arms again and hugging me tightly.
�Dad!
Shhh�� I said. �Keep your voice down! The neighbors�ll hear you!�
He and mom
laughed. �Come on. Put your bag in your room and get changed.�
�Why?�
�We�re
taking you out to eat tonight to celebrate,� said mom.
I smiled and
went to do as I was told. I had just finished tying my shoes when mom walked
on. �Honey?�
�Hmmm?�
�Who is
this Landon? What is he to you?� she asked.
�I�m not
really sure. All I know is he tried to protect me when I was in the orphanage
and in the first home. He�s my protector,� I said as dad walked in.
�What�s
that mean?�
�He�s two
years older than me and�
he would beat up the other kids when they picked at me for being
so small,� I said softly. I really hated remembering this stuff. �He would
sneak food from the kitchen when they wouldn�t let me have any�things like
that.�
I stood
and walked to the window. �I remember one night, I�d been sent to bed without
dinner again because I had missed a spot on the window I was cleaning. I kept
telling them that because I was short, I couldn�t reach it, but they didn�t
listen. They never listened. It had been a couple of days since I�d been
allowed to eat anything anyway. But, Landon snuck into the kitchen and made me
a cheese sandwich.�
I fought
the tears welling up inside, threatening to burst out. I was shaking, but I was
able to keep them from seeing it. I clenched my fists and dug my fingernails
into the palm of my hand in order to control my emotions.
�He kept
doing that whenever I got in trouble. Or he�d bring me a blanket when they took
mine away. He�d put medicine on my cuts and bruises. He helped me and they
never caught him. But, they found the crumbs from the sandwiches in my room and
I got whipped for it. More like beaten�with his belt.�
I knew I still carried the scars from that beating�both physically and
emotionally. The shaking became uncontrollable. I couldn�t hold back the flood
of emotions anymore.
�I was
only five years old!� I cried. I began to fall to my knees, but dad caught me
before I hit the floor. He pulled me onto his lap and held me, rocking me
gently, until I was cried out. When I looked up, I saw mom had joined us on the
floor and was stroking my hair softly, tears streaming down her face. I looked
up at dad and saw the same tears in his eyes.
�Why can�t
I forget this? Am I ever gonna forget this?� I asked him shakily.
He reached
up one hand and stroked the tears from my cheeks. �No, baby.
You�ll never forget. But, you will eventually move past it.�
�Like you
and Iraq?� I asked softly.
�Yeah.
I�ll never forget what happened to me in that prison. But, you and your mom
have healed the pain it caused�you got rid of the nightmares,� he said,
continuing to stroke my cheek.
I shook my
head. �Better be prepared,� I said sitting up.
�For what,
honey?� asked mom.
I
shuddered. �Every time I think about this stuff, I have nightmares.�
�You wanna
sleep with us tonight?� asked dad.
�No. I�ll
just try to keep the screaming and crying down to a dull roar,� I said with a
hiccup.
Mom rubbed
my back gently. �Honey, you know you can sleep with us if you start having
nightmares.�
�I know.
It�s just��
�Just what?�
�I�m too
old to sleep with my parents,� I said. �I�m not a baby anymore.�
�I know,
honey,� she said with a smile. She reached out and stroked my cheek before
kissing my forehead. �But, like I said last night, you�ll always be my baby.�
I finally
smiled at her. �Thanks mama.�
�You�re
welcome baby,� she said hugging me tightly.
�Now, are
you guys ready to eat?�
�Dad�it�s
only 3:30.�
�I can see
that,� he said.
�I�ve got
homework.�
�Well,
finish your homework and then we�ll go eat,� said mom, pulling me off the
floor. �What subject?�
�Calculus,�
I said, pulling my book and notebook out of my bag. �Also,
history and physics.�
�Need some
help?�
�Actually, yeah. I�m having a problem with these two,� I said, pointing to the
calculus equations that were giving me trouble.
�I think
I�ll leave you two geniuses to it,� said dad. �This is definitely waaay over my
head.� He stood and started to leave my room.
�Daddy?�
I rarely called him �daddy� anymore, only when I wanted something or when I was
scared. This time, I wanted to tell him something.
�Hmm?�
He turned and looked at me.
�I love
you,� I said softly.
He smiled
and walked back over to us. He pulled me from my desk chair and hugged me hard
� popping my back in the process. He kissed me on the forehead and said, �I
love you too, Sunshine.� He ruffled my hair and went downstairs.
About an
hour later, I�d finished my homework and we were on our way to O�Malley�s. Dad had called Daniel,
Janet, Cassie, and Teal�c, but only Daniel and Janet showed up. Cassie was
spending the night at another friend�s house. Teal�c was on Chulak with his son
and Bratac. I was tired�emotionally drained. But, I managed to stay awake
during dinner. They were all proud of the test score.
�I still
can�t believe that you made an A+ on your first test! And you didn�t even have
to study for it!� said Daniel.
�Yeah,� I
said with a yawn. �I know.� I laid my head on dad�s shoulder.
�Ok guys.
Dinner�s over. Time to get home and into bed,� said mom.
We said
our �goodnights� and left for home. After I took my shower, I was sitting on my
bed reading The Hobbit. It was only
about 7:30, but I was exhausted. They came in to say goodnight.
We did the
usual routine. I hugged and kissed both of them and they returned it.
�Sweet
dreams, Jessie,� said mom.
I
shuddered, thinking about the nightmares that I knew would come. Dad caught it.
�You ok,
Jessie?�
�Yeah.
Just�remembering,� I said with a pain-filled sigh.
�Are you
sure you don�t wanna sleep with us?� asked mom.
�Yeah,� I
said with another yawn.
�Well, you
know where we�re at if you get scared,� said dad rubbing my head.
�I know. Night guys.�
�Night
honey,� said mom.
�Night
Sunshine,� said dad.
I closed
my eyes and drifted off to sleep. I knew they stood there and watched for any
sign that I was having a nightmare. I vaguely heard them leave the room a few
minutes later.
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Life, Love, and SG-1 Year 2