* * *

Once again I must thank Neet for all her encouragement and the marvellous beta – she’s an absolute star! not to mention I drove her to utter distraction with the use of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! too many of these !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Content Warnings: violence, attempted non-con, language ...lots of blood and character deaths

***

I feel the relationship of Jack and Cassie hasn’t really been explored in the show to its potential and I just adore the interaction that has been explored by one or two excellent writers ... Inspiration for this fic was from Rocky Top Wine by Gallagater and Charli and if you haven’t read this you should (and part two) – it’s excellent – but other than that it bears no relation to what you are about to read! 

* * *

Have you read the warnings? If so please begin!

**********

“He shoots, he scores!” yelled Jack as he swept the puck into the hurriedly contrived goal, his victory twirl short lived as a figure crashed into him and he went down with a yelp.

The breath knocked out of him, he lay dazed and sweaty on the ice as the figure half on top of him struggled to rise.

“You’ve been eating too much of your mom’s cooking,” he complained as he held out a hand to be tugged up.

“And you don’t eat enough!” retorted Cassie, her pretty face frowning as she helped him stand. “Sorry Jack, the brakes weren’t quick enough then,” she apologised.

“Well, at least you didn’t get me with the stick,” he grinned and tapped her on the helmet she wore.

“Damn, I knew I’d forgotten something,” said Cassie grinning, the snapping of her fingers not having quite the effect she was looking for under the thick gloves.

“Oh … you’re sure taking after your mom, she’s always jabbing me too!”

“She just likes looking at your butt,” said Cassie with an evil grin and hurriedly she skated after the puck that had shot off the ice.

Jack stared after her, his mouth open for a moment, before shaking his head ruefully.

He took off his helmet to rub his hand through his sweat matted hair and skated slowly across the lake.

He breathed the clean sharp air in deeply, the cold pushing through his lungs, his energy revitalised by the rush from the cold sweet air as he gazed across the landscape.

The beauty of the lake and the surrounding area never failed to capture him. Its stunning beauty in winter gave him strong reminders of the thrill of youth - never forgotten moments of chasing across the first ice of winter. Fishing in summer held a certain appeal, but nothing to compare to the sharp blue of the ice, the sun’s weak winter rays reflecting from its surface, as well as the added bonus that very few people dared to venture here in winter.

So enthralled was he in the view, he was only partially aware of Cassandra Fraiser skating to a halt besides him, his attention only claimed when she linked his arm and leaned into his shoulder.

“It’s really beautiful here, thanks for bringing me. When you said skating I thought you’d be taking me to another rink.”

“I haven’t been here for a while, but it’s not changed,” he admitted, his eyes scanning the breathtaking view again.

Cassie squeezed his arm again. “Thanks,” she whispered.

“Worth dragging you away from the Saturday gang at the mall then?” he teased.

“Hell yeah!” retorted Cassie.

Jack winced. Cassie seemed to pick a lot up from him … and Doc didn’t seem to think any of it good from the way she lectured him.

“Cassie …” he began with a sigh, then paused with a smile as he looked down and saw her face beaming with mischief back up at him.

“Gotcha!” She punched him playfully on the chest, skating off.

Jack laughed and gave chase.

It turned into a game of tag on the ice. Cassie eventually surrendered breathlessly, holding her hands up in submission, laughing.

“Ok, I definitely gotta keep fitter, it’s not fair an old guy beating me.”

Jack laughed and grabbed at her jacket, panting heavily himself. “Less of the old, kiddo!” he complained. “Come on, I’ve got a flask of chocolate in the truck, let’s get back.”

Cassie smiled happily. “Mmm, chocolate.”

“Huh, what is it with chocolate and women, eh?”

Cassie beamed at being called a woman. At fourteen she considered herself very grown up … that was until she was with Jack … then age usually had no meaning for her … she just enjoyed every minute too much, but the mischief reared its head again.

“Mom reckons it’s a substitute for sex,” she said, trying to look innocent.

The squawk of embarrassment he began to utter turned into a coughing fit, Jack going quite red in the face and not just from the coughing.

Cassie slapped his back with enthusiasm; it was nice to know she could still wind him up … with success.

Eventually Jack managed to resume normal breathing and shook his head, giving her a ‘You wait’ look.

They moved to the bank, took off their skates and replaced their boots, both of them grimacing at the coldness of their boots’ interiors.

As Jack slung the skates and helmets over his shoulder, Cassie picked up the sticks for the journey back to the truck.

The snow wasn’t particularly deep, nicely crisp and they crunched their way across it to the vehicle, leaving clear footprints behind them.

*

Cassie practically inhaled the cup of chocolate, reminding him of a certain archaeologist that he knew and his relationship with coffee. She cocked her head at his grin and demanded “What?”

“Nothing,” he responded with a shrug.

“Don’t nothing me, Jack O’Neill!” she retorted with a swing of her hair.

Jack’s eyes narrowed on the vision of Janet that appeared before him. “Don’t do that!” he scowled.

“Do what?” she asked innocently.

“Ah, never mind,” he finished lamely.

Cassie seemed to be content finishing her chocolate off and Jack tidied up the cab in his truck before neatly capping the flask and putting it away.

“Do you think we could visit that cool shop we saw on the way up?” begged Cassie.

Jack started the truck up, giving her a headshake as he did so.

“Your Mom said to have you back by 1800 hours at the latest.”

“Oh, she won’t mind if we’re late a little bit anyway, it’s only ‘cause one of Mom’s old friends is stopping by.”

“Then we had so better not be late,” said Jack as he swung the truck around and began the slow journey over the narrow snow covered road.

“There’s a great gadgetry-type shop next to it … pleeease?” she begged.

“Uh … that would still be a nooo!” he responded with a grin.

“I’ll sulk!” she pouted.

“Fine, better you who I can dump off soon, than face your Mom on Monday morning for a physical!” he retorted.

“Dump off?” she echoed. “I’m bitterly wounded,” she announced and clutched at her young bosom.

“You really should get better grades at your drama class,” he grinned and despite herself, Cassie grinned back.

She could never stay annoyed at him for long!

*

Cassie was fiddling with the radio, switching stations looking for music she liked when she felt the truck slowing and looked up.

“Someone broken down?” she asked as she saw the truck to the side of the road. It was an army type truck, the ones with a canvassed back and tailgate, but it bore no military markings.

“Maybe,” said Jack as he slowed right down and took the precaution of popping the central locking down.

A figure stepped out into the road from the truck and waved at them to stop.

Jack brought the truck to a halt just behind the truck, but still on the road.

“Hi there, can you give me a hand?” called the man. He was bundled up against the cold, with only a beard and glasses showing from beneath his hood.

Jack wound his window down a little, he felt somewhat uncomfortable, something seemed … well off somehow. “Want me to call you a tow truck?”

“Maybe you could take a look?” asked the man stepping closer to Jack’s side of the truck.

“Well, I’m no mechanic,” said Jack with a shrug.

“That’s not what Sam told me, she said you kept that old bus running when you all went back to …” blurted Cassie. Jack’s eyes widened and he shook his head and Cassie stopped realising what she had been about to say. She blushed and gave a hurried apology. Damn, why was her mouth running today? It didn’t usually.

“Look, I’ll call you a …” began Jack, then stopped dead as he turned back to the window to find the man had a gun trained on him. The eyes that stared back at him were a killer’s eyes and he knew the man would have no qualms using the weapon.

“Crap!” he muttered. “Look, if its valuables you want, I’ve not got much. Take my wallet,” he said, raising his hands from the wheel. If the man had been a little bit further away he could have risked pushing Cassie down and gunning the truck away, but where the man was the gun was practically at the window, no way could he miss such an easy shot.

Cassie sat on the seat completely still. Jack heard her take a gulped breath.

“Out,” demanded the man.

Jack’s eyes narrowed as another figure stepped out from the other truck and moved around to Cassie’s side, also brandishing a gun.

“Move!”

Jack weighed everything up quickly and came to the conclusion that there was nothing he could do at the moment – on his own it might have been different, but with Cassie there …

“Okay, take it easy,” said Jack quietly and popped the central locking open. The man stepped back, the gun still pointing at Jack’s head, as he opened the door.

“And the girl!” barked the man.

“Cassie, nice and easy, come on,” urged Jack, motioning her to follow him out on his side.

Cassie was pale, but she obeyed Jack, sliding over the seat and down to stand beside him at the side of the truck.

They’d removed their coats when they’d got in the truck and the cold wind made them shiver. Jack pulled her closer to his side. “How about we get our coats?” he asked.

The man shook his head. “Uh, you won’t need them.” He backed away slightly and called into the back of the other truck. “Okay!”

Two more men appeared and the canvas was thrown back. Jack couldn’t see into the back of the truck from where he stood.

“Move!” He motioned them with the gun to the side of the road. “We’re taking your truck.”

“That’s fine, we won’t be causing you any trouble. Just take it and go,” said Jack quietly, but his words were ignored.

The man stood guard over them while boxes were being unloaded from back of the other truck. Jack shielded Cassie the best he could from the bite of the wind, keeping her wrapped in his arms. He could feel her trembling slightly, but whether it was from the cold or nerves, he wasn’t sure. He watched the men carefully, tucking away in his memory everything he could about them, but they were well cocooned in their clothing, not giving much away.

The other three men kept moving the boxes and then called for assistance with something.

“You,” motioned the man with the gun. “Any funny business and the girl gets it!” he warned, gesturing Jack over to the others.

Jack reluctantly moved over and what he saw made his eyes widen. A missile gleamed wickedly in the truck’s dim interior. He realised that this was no ordinary liquor warehouse robbery or something and it stunned him for a moment.

Two of the men climbed into the truck and Jack stood at the back with the other man, waiting as the long, thin body of the missile was slid towards them. “Make sure you get a proper hold,” warned the man beside him with a glare.

Jack took hold and grunted a little with the weight. The markings on the missile told Jack all he wanted to know … and all he wanted for the moment was to ensure that Cassie wouldn’t be harmed.

The men staggered over to Jack’s truck and carefully loaded it. Two of the men secured it.

The man with the gun pushed Cassie over to them and she shot forward to hug Jack. He enveloped her shivering body in his arms, wondering what was next.

*

One of the men had been rummaging around in Jack’s truck and he came over, throwing Jack’s wallet to the man with the gun.

“What?” demanded the man irately as he caught the wallet with one hand, the gun unwavering.

“Check it out … he’s Air Force!” growled the man. “*Colonel* O’Neill!” he stressed the ‘Colonel’.

“So?” said one of the other men as they moved over.

“So … should they catch us up, what better hostages than an Air Force officer and his daughter?”

Jack winced, he had been hoping they would just be abandoned with the broken down truck, maybe even hog tied, he could have done something about that … but as hostages…

“My Mom’s expecting us home real soon,” announced Cassie.

“Yeah and when they start looking for them it won’t be just a quick nosey around by the local sheriff,” added one of the others.

“No, but you know we need two days before we get picked up, and the army is hot on our trail. This could just be the leverage we need. They’ll think twice about coming in with guns blazing if one of their own is in the firing line,” said the man with the gun.

Jack sighed heavily. He *so* knew it wasn’t going to be a simple robbery, things were never *that* simple for him!

“Look I’m almost retired, I fly a desk, they’re not gonna be screaming for me. Besides that I am *not* army. They won’t be too bothered about saving my ass from being shot,” he urged quietly.

“You’re coming with us. Any smart stuff and the girl gets it, okay?” snapped the gunman, his mind obviously made up. “Get in,” he ordered. “In fact, you can drive, you obviously can handle it in the snow,” he said, with a sly dig at the man who was about to get behind the wheel. The would-be driver scowled and moved over, allowing Jack to get in.

Jack settled behind the wheel with two of the men beside him. Cassie was pushed into the back, sandwiched between the other two. The gun dug into her ribs, making her yelp.

“Hey, there’s no need for that,” snarled Jack, turning on the seat.

The gun was suddenly jammed against his throat. “Just drive where I tell you. Any sudden moves and your daughter is history, got that?” The gun barrel was jabbed, punctuating each word as the man spoke.

Jack nodded slowly and turned back around.

“Good, now follow the road up to the crossroads, then right on up to the old fort.”

Jack nodded and put the truck into gear, making a smooth start. He kept the truck going steadily, well accomplished at driving in snow; it held no fear for him. He knew they were heading up to the old army base. It had been abandoned some ten years ago, but there were still buildings, and, Jack remembered, a landing field.

*

The journey seemed to take forever, yet was only a little over three hours. They’d made good progress over the higher road where the snow was heavier still, even though it was treacherous, steep, and narrow. The high cliff on the left ensured the road was always scattered with loose rocks just waiting to snare the unwary. The base had been primarily built as a training camp, but its inaccessibility for part of the year and the inability of the road to cope with the traffic it necessitated, were just a couple of the reasons it was abandoned Jack recollected, not alone that its small landing field was unsuitable for anything except helicopters.

Jack kept glancing in his rear view mirror to watch Cassie, proud to note that although pale and obviously frightened, she held still and kept her head up.

The light was beginning to fade as they made their way to the camp gates. Jack saw that there had been some traffic up there recently; the tracks in the snow seemed quite fresh. The warning notices reflecting in the headlights, the ‘keep out government property’ signs … blatantly ignored as one of the men jumped out and removed the chain and heaved the gates open. Jack drove through and halted the vehicle as the man fastened the gates again, before jumping back into the truck, shivering.

“Damn it’s cold out there,” he complained, gesturing Jack on.

“It’s gonna be a damn sight colder later,” said the man beside Jack as he nodded towards the huts. He motioned to Jack to pull up in front of a warehouse and two of the men jumped out to open the doors before waving him to drive in.

“Out,” ordered the gunman as he slid across the seat, pulling Cassie with him.

Jack turned off the ignition, but left the keys in. Wordlessly he climbed out and stood waiting. Everyone’s breath was marking the air and the cold stung.

“At least let us get our coats,” he asked quietly.

The man considered it for a second or two, and then nodded. Jack went to the back of the truck and rummaged behind the rear seat where the men had thrown their stuff.

Jack’s hand slid into his coat pocket and found his cell phone still there. Obviously the man who had found his wallet hadn’t checked further. He slipped it out of the pocket and after switching it off, put it down beneath the seats. He didn’t think the man with the gun was dumb enough not to search him properly. He retrieved Cassie’s coat, hat and gloves as well as his own and climbed back out. He held the coat out to Cassie, but the man with the gun stopped him and throwing the gun to one of the others, searched the coat thoroughly and then pushed Cassie up against the truck before doing the same to her.

He repeated the actions with Jack, kicking his legs open wider, making him stand palms down against the bonnet of the truck. Jack wondered at the man’s efficiency and thought he might be ex-army or police.

Satisfied that there was nothing, the man allowed them to don their coats. “We’ll unload in the morning,” he said taking his gun back from the other.

Jack was pushed roughly out of the warehouse. He kept Cassie close to his side, his arm around her shoulder.

The gun poking into his back kept him steady as they approached the barrack block. The building looked dark as they walked towards it, but the door opened to show the lighting was on and the heat from the wood burning stove greeted them kindly.

“Bout time!” complained one of the two men sitting close to the stove. He stood up quickly as he saw Jack and Cassie. “Who the hell are they?” he demanded.

The gunman shoved Jack forward into the room. “We had a little bit of trouble with the truck.”

“What? Where’s the consignment?” growled the man who had risen. He was well built, face rough with stubble and his blond hair was dark with grease.

Jack noted the rifle he had slung in his arms, held lightly and easily.

“It’s safe. Thankfully the Colonel here had a nice truck we could use,” laughed the gunman.

“Colonel?” queried the blond.

“Want to off them now?” asked the other man who now rose. He was massive, his bulk reminded Jack of Teal’c, but the man’s face showed none of their alien friend’s intelligence, he looked at them with an expression that Jack couldn’t quite pin point yet.

“Nope. They make hostages for now … maybe later,” he grinned in response, laughing when Cassie’s gasp of fear reached his ears.

“Okay, Brinks, stow them in the back room. Think you’d better tie them up.”

Brinks, the blond man nodded. “Come on, Si,” he motioned the huge man beside him.

Si bent and retrieved some rope from the backpacks that were heaped in a corner, before walking to the back of the room and opening another door.

Brinks motioned with his rifle for Jack to follow.

Si flicked the switch on the wall and the dim lighting showed them a dusty corridor. The cold outside the room hit them, making them shiver slightly. Si pushed open another door just a little way down.

The room was bare and dusty, the single lit bulb showing the cobwebs hanging from the low ceiling, and Cassie shivered again. Jack squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.

Si threw some of the rope at Jack. “Tie her up,” he ordered.

Silently Jack took the rope. He motioned Cassie to sit down and she put her hands in front and held them up to Jack.

“Sorry, Cass,” he gave her a tight smile.

“It’s okay,” she whispered.

“Less talk and more action, old man,” threatened Si.

Jack quickly completed his task. He wasn’t foolish enough to leave the ropes lose, but made them only as tight as was necessary.

“Feet too,” said Brinks.

“She’s just a kid for crying out loud,” complained Jack, as he straightened a little.

The blow from the rifle butt connected with him even as he saw it coming and it dropped him in one.

 “Jack!” screamed Cassie as Jack went down like a lead balloon across her legs.

Brinks laughed. “Chicken shit officers!” He put the rifle down and dragged the unconscious man off Cassie, tying the Colonel up proficiently, and making sure that the ropes were good and tight.

*

PART TWO

Cassie sat quietly while they tied her ankles up after they had trussed Jack up well, viciously pulling on the ropes until they dug into his skin.

She was afraid that if she said anything they would hit out again, so she kept quiet.

“Don’t try and untie him if you know what’s good for you!” threatened Brinks.

Thankfully they left the light on when they left. Cassie shivered, whether from fear or cold she couldn’t have said, maybe both.

“Jack?” she whispered as she shuffled herself closer to the prone man.

She drew herself awkwardly to her knees and leaned over the still figure. They’d trussed him tight, his hands were behind his back, and he was face down on the cold concrete floor.

She shook his shoulder anxiously. “Jack please wake up,” she begged.

He groaned slightly. “Jack,” she urged.

One eye opened and peered at her blearily. “Cass?” he whispered.

Cassie sighed with relief. “Are you okay?”

“Um, think so, gah!” Jack groaned as he tried to lift his head up.

“Stay still,” begged Cassie when she saw the flicker of pain cross what she could see of his face.

Jack’s eyes flickered shut for a moment and he swallowed harshly before he struggled, and with Cassie’s aid, flipped over onto his back. “Crap!” he muttered as the room swam for a moment and he fought the nausea that threatened.

“The bleedings stopped, but you’re gonna be awfully bruised,” said Cassie as she eyed the wound on the side of his face.

“It’ll be okay. A few bruises won’t matter,” Jack said with a grimace as the room spun again.

Cassie’s frightened face pulled him out of it, and he eased himself up and shuffled back to prop himself up against the wall. “Come here,” he whispered and Cassie crawled close to lie against him.

“It’s cold,” she muttered.

“Yeah I know,” Jack responded, watching their breath making puffs of clouds in the dim light. “What time is it?”

Cassie struggled, pulling at her sleeve with her teeth to check her watch. “Almost eight,” she sighed.

“Damn, your Mom will be having kittens right about now” Jack winced with feeling.

“Think they’ll send a rescue team out soon?” asked Cassie with a sigh.

“Soon,” Jack promised. He knew although the alarm would be raised when they didn’t return to Janet, nothing much would happen until he failed to report in to the SGC, and that wouldn’t be until 2200 hours, having drawn a late shift to cover Hammond while he was on leave. The search would commence, but Jack realised they would have no idea where to begin as Janet had probably thought, like Cassie had, that they were merely going to another rink.

“They won’t be looking just yet, will they?”

“Not for a while yet,” Jack answered honestly.

“What do you think they’re going to do with us?”

“Hopefully they’ll just leave us tied up while they do what they have to and then leave.”

“They didn’t hide their faces … and we know two of their names,” said Cassie in a whisper.

For a moment Jack wasn’t sure how to answer her on this. He thought rapidly, not wanting to distress her any further - for now at least.

“They said they were waiting to be picked up. Maybe they’re leaving the country and it won’t matter if anyone can identify them.”

“Oh … maybe,” said Cassie, her voice a tiny whisper as she huddled closer to him.

“Where’s your hat?” asked Jack suddenly, glad to have a change of topic.

“In my pocket,”

“You should have put it on,” accused Jack. “See if you can get it out and on. It’ll help keep you warm.”

Cassie sat up and struggled to get her bound hands near her pocket. After fumbling a little she managed to snare her hat and began to pull it on clumsily.

“Keep flexing your fingers, it’ll help,” Jack suggested.

Cassie waggled her fingers and gave him a grin from beneath the lopsided hat.

“Good girl, let’s try and get some rest for now.”

Jack sat quietly while Cassie huddled into him. He was stiff and cold, aching, but held still while Cassie fell into a light sleep, murmuring occasionally, but still sleeping.

Jack sat worrying about just how long their captors would keep them alive. He had huge doubts that a rescue team would find them in time. Eventually the cold and the quietness lulled him and his head dropped onto his chest.

*

The door opened with a bang. Jack’s head shot up from the doze he’d fallen into.

Cassie woke with a start and gave a small cry as the pain from her bound wrists made itself felt.

The man called Si entered with a tray, putting it down on the floor quite near to them.

“Please untie her hands. Just for a little while,” Jack pleaded.

“I uh, I need a bathroom,” said Cassie in an embarrassed whisper.

The big man gave a roll of his eyes. “Hostages are more trouble than they’re worth!” he growled. “You too?” he asked Jack.

Jack nodded. He didn’t feel the need urgently, but who knew when he’d get the chance again.

“Okay, one at a time. You first,” he said to Cassie.

He hauled Cassie to her feet roughly by her hands and she cried out in pain at his grasp.

“Hey!” Jack protested, “Go easy, she’s only a kid.”

Si growled, but let go of Cassie’s hands. He pulled a large knife from his belt and held it up to her face, laughing as she showed fear and then with a quick movement slit the ropes on her wrists. He bent and did the same with the rope around her ankles.

“Latrines this way!” he snarled as he grabbed at Cassie’s jacket roughly, and hauled her hobbling out of the room, the door closing behind them with a bang.

It felt like an eternity before they returned and Jack only relaxed when he saw that Cassie was okay.

Si bent and slit the rope around Jack’s ankles, hauling him up. “While we’re gone you get some of that down you, girl,” he nodded towards the tray that held water and some chunks of bread.

He didn’t cut the ropes that bound Jack’s wrists, but propelled him towards the door. Jack staggered as the blood began returning to his feet. His head swam from the combined effects of getting up too quickly and the blow to his head before they tied him up, but the man didn’t give him chance to rest and pushed him forwards.

Jack could smell the latrines before he saw them as they turned the corner.

Si then slit the ropes from Jack’s wrists and roughly pushed him towards the urinal.

Jack bit down as the blood returned to his fingers with a rush of pain and he flexed them trying to get them working properly.

“Hurry up!” snarled the big man impatiently.

“Uh yeah, just a moment, my fingers are a bit numb,” said Jack as he tried to get his zipper down. With the second fumble he managed it and at last he managed to pee. Jack’s brain was frantically working while about his business, using the time to check out the room.

All too soon Si was manhandling him back down the corridor, but Jack had weighed up the best time to make his move.

As soon as Si pushed him into the room he feigned stumbling forward, and with a quick movement turned and let fly, knocking the man down. He knew he wouldn’t get a second chance, so he made sure his punches counted, smashing into the man’s face a couple of times with all his strength.

Making sure the man was out for the count, he grabbed the knife from the limp man’s hand and ordered Cassie to get him the ropes. He quickly bound the man, and grabbing Cassie’s hand, pulled her out of the room. He shut the door behind them and dragged her back towards the latrines.

Once there he quickly moved to the boarded up windows and used the knife to begin prying the boards loose. He knew they wouldn’t have much time; it might only be minutes before someone went looking for Si.

Soon Jack had cleared enough wood from the window to get through.

“Just in case, you remember where the truck is?” he whispered hurriedly.

Cassie nodded.

“Okay, now listen carefully. I’ve hidden my cell phone in the truck under the back seat, on the floor. If it’s clear, we are going to get to the phone and get some help. If not then plan B, get the hell out of here, okay?”

Cassie nodded again.

“Good girl, hup,” said Jack and boosted Cassie up to the window. He followed her closely and they crouched in the darkness for a moment to let their eyes adjust.

They made their way across the open ground as quietly as they could with the snow crunching beneath their feet.

They reached the warehouse in a few minutes. Jack listened hard for a moment in the stillness of the night, and only when he was convinced nothing was stirring, did he let them continue.

They entered the warehouse, the noise of the door opening seeming awfully loud in the night air. Jack’s truck stood silently, its bonnet open and Jack quickly ascertained that whoever had disabled it, knew their stuff.

He pushed Cassie gently towards the truck’s rear door, while he quickly checked the back of the vehicle. He shook the fact from his mind that these men were somehow in possession of the latest proto-type of a missile – one that was quite capable of taking out a large city all by itself! He hauled himself up and ran his fingers over the missile head, checking for the panel he knew was there. Using the knife, he quickly removed the screws and lifted the panel.

He drew a quick breath as he realised the missile was actually set, ready for firing and all but armed, and quickly cut into the wiring, removing a small, but vital box, without which the missile was doing nothing and going nowhere.

Pocketing the box, he jumped down from his truck and checked around the warehouse. He noticed the small door at the rear and hurried back to Cassie. She’d retrieved his phone and switched it on and was frantically trying to dial.

“No signal,” she hissed at him.

He had wondered why the men hadn’t contacted their base when their truck had broken down – now he knew. “Okay, we need to get further from here. The signal’s being blocked by the last ridge.”

“Can’t you make the truck work?” she asked.

“Sorry Cass, they’ve disabled it, we need to hoof it out of here, I know they’ve got other vehicles, but we can’t hang around.” Jack shoved the cell phone deep into her pocked as he heard a door banging and shouting from the barrack block. He pulled Cassie towards the back of the warehouse and through the rear door he had spotted.

He knew that someone would already be heading for the main gates, so he took off in the other direction, holding back his pace so that Cassie could keep up with him.

All too soon Cassie was gazing up at the wire fence that loomed before them.

“I can’t climb that,” she squawked.

“Yes you can.” Jack hurriedly snatched off his jacket, and holding it by one sleeve, slung it above them so that it lay over the top of the barbed wire on the top of the fence.

“Come on,” he urged. Cupping his hands together, he waited while Cassie put her foot into the cradle he made, and as she pushed up he used the momentum to boost her higher. She found she could just get her hands to the top of the fence and as Jack pushed harder, she heaved herself up, using Jack’s jacket squirmed uncomfortably on to her belly on the fencing.

“Roll yourself over feet first and let yourself down by your arms before you let go,” whispered Jack as he backed up from the fence.

Nerves swam in her stomach, but Cassie followed his directions and let herself drop to the floor. The thump that resounded through her feet and to her knees as she hit the ground wasn’t too bad, and she stood panting, wondering how Jack was going to get over.

She watched as Jack backed up and then moved away a little as he came running at the fence. He launched himself up and managed to grasp the top of the fencing, hauling himself up and over with grace, and had silently landed beside Cassie before she knew it.

“You’ve done that a few times,” she accused.

“Came in handy sneaking out of boot camp,” he confessed, giving her a quick grin as he snagged his jacket back off the wire. The rips in it didn’t matter for now, as long as it could keep him warm.

Jack quickly put on his jacket and grabbed Cassie’s hand, and together they made for the tree line. The moon was shining quite brightly, which made the going easier for them; on the other hand it would also make it easier on their captors to follow them.

From the forest, Jack heard the gunning of a truck in the distance and knew their pursuers were already out on the road. The high-pitched engine noise that followed gave him extra worry as he recognised the sound of motorbikes.

Jack pushed the pace as hard as he could until Cassie began slowing and gasping, and he stopped, leaning over slightly to recover himself. The night air was cold and their lungs ached as they tried to draw breath.

Jack panted, “Check the phone again.”

Cassie fumbled in her pocket and checked the phone, shaking her head in disappointment.

“We’ll try again after the ridge,” said Jack, keeping his expression carefully neutral.

After a few minutes they resumed the fast pace the best they could. Cassie’s heart was thumping madly and she longed for a proper rest, but she fought along valiantly, not wanting to let Jack down.

Jack knew the lie of the land and his main worry was to get past the ridge. He knew the road was more or less the only way down; the alternative was too steep, and too hard, especially at night. On his own he knew he might have made it, but he couldn’t risk Cassie’s life that way.

The thick trees gave them cover, but it also made the going more difficult in the darkness. Cassie’s stumbling tore at Jack, but she never complained and he felt immensely proud of her valiant effort. He just hoped she could keep going, if not neither of them would be going anywhere.

Jack knew the ridge wasn’t far away. They’d heard the high pitch of the motorbikes, possibly two from what he could judge, and he knew the men were searching the roadside.

He looked around for a sheltered spot and picked a large outcrop of rocks. He drew Cassie over to it with him and knelt down, making Cassie sit.

“I need you to stay put a little while,” he whispered.

Cassie’s face lit with fear. “No, please …” she beseeched him.

“It’s the best way. I need to scout out where they are. Once we get by that ridge we’ll get a signal and help will be on its way.” He squeezed her shoulders comfortingly. “You’ve been so brave Cass, just a little longer now.”

Cassie’s face lit with a tremulous smile and she sniffed, rubbing a dirty hand across her face, smearing the dirt already there. She was still holding back the tears and Jack drew her into a quick hug.

“The road is the only way down.” Jack pointed out the direction of it. “As soon as you get the chance to make that call, speed dial 1 first, you’ll get General Hammond, if not 2, okay? That’s Carter. Tell them you’re on the old Fort Johnson road, close to Almond Ridge. Cass hon, tell them six men, that we know of, and that they have a NEM 303 and to get in touch with Peterson, okay.

Cassie’s eyes went wide at that. “A what?”

“The missile they have. It’s very important. Now repeat it to me.”

Jack made Cassie repeat the information and he knew she would remember it. “One other thing, just in case, don’t let *them* find the cell phone on you, okay?”

Cassie didn’t need him to expand on that. She nodded in swift acceptance of his warning. He gave her a quick hug and his parting shot was to wait one hour only and then get to the road and sneak on down!

“You’re coming back!” she demanded.

“Course I am, that’s just in case I get, erm, well stuck, okay?”

Cassie nodded and checked her watch. Jack smiled at her and moved off quietly.

*

Cassie sat shivering lightly, now that the adrenalin and the heat from running were dissipating. The night suddenly seemed filled with noise, twigs crackling and trees groaning. Checking her watch once again showed her that time was almost standing still. “Please hurry back Jack,” she whispered into the night.

*

PART THREE

Jack crept forward, his pace slowing and getting quieter as he approached the road. He hadn’t heard the sound from the motorbikes for a little while now and it made him even more cautious to think they might be checking on foot.

He held the knife ready in his hand. If the only way to get Cassie safe was to take out each and every one of them, then he would do it. None of these men were innocents here and he had no qualms about killing them if he had to.

The road was a little down from his current position and he moved stealthily amongst the trees and rocks. He heard the whine of a motorbike in the distance – just one – and nothing else.

The road began to grow further away from him, the bank down to it steep, now almost a ten to twelve foot drop. He knew the further down he went the drop would become worse and Cassie wouldn’t be able to climb down it in the dark without ropes. He weighed up whether he could go just a little further and then crawling on his belly to the edge, he scanned the scene in front of him. The moon was hovering in and out of cloud, making it easier to see the road, but also easier for him to be spotted.

The road bent around out of sight and he sighed silently and squirmed further along until he had an unobstructed view.

Sure enough the truck was sitting on the road, dark and silent - waiting.

Jack carefully crawled a little closer. He could now make out hushed tones, no words, just two men whispering something. The loud sudden burst of static from a radio interrupted them and he heard the radio break into speech.

“Christ, turn it down,” squawked one of the men, his words clear in the night air.

“Si, you spot them?” asked the other man, obviously ignoring the plea from his companion.

“No sign of them down here. I’m coming up to join you. Did Brinks spot anything?”

“Nah, he’s on foot above us, but nothing yet.”

“Okay – be with you shortly. Out.”

Jack’s heart thumped with the words he’d overheard. That meant Brinks was somewhere behind him … somewhere near Cassie possibly. He quickly weighed up his options. He needed to clear the road and get back to Cassie … he just wasn’t sure how much time he had. He opted for getting back to Cassie first. He wasn’t going to take any chances he didn’t have to with her life.

*

Cassie heard the twigs snapping again. It wasn’t far away from her and she raised herself slightly, trying to peer around the rocks.

“Jack?” she whispered faintly.

The moon’s rays didn’t give her much light because of the trees, the shadows very dark and menacing.

The noise came from behind her now and she spun around in the dark. Her heart was beating painfully and her mouth felt so dry she found it hard to swallow.

She felt so close to tears. It had been easy to keep them at bay while Jack was with her. Despite their situation, as long as Jack was close by she had still felt safe, protected. Alone and in the dark she was very afraid.

Another noise came from close by and she stood in alarm, ready to bolt.

She backed away from the noise slowly, heart hammering madly, threatening to burst and she suddenly felt herself being snatched backwards. The scream she uttered was stemmed in mid flow by a hand jammed viciously across her face and as she felt it make contact she bit hard.

“Ow, you bitch!” snarled a voice in her ear. The hand withdrew suddenly and landed back on her face with a slap that made her teeth rattle. Her right arm was drawn up behind her back in a painful grasp, snagging her hair along with it as she struggled.

She found herself turned around and the smell of grease and body odour made her want to gag.

“Hold still, bitch. Where is he?” the man shook her viciously and when she didn’t answer he slapped her across the face again.

Tears and rage boiled within her. She didn’t have the distance to use a knee, so she used her feet to lash out as she struggled. She drew her head back, just as Jack had taught her - when you couldn’t use your knees, use your head!

THWAK!

“Fuck!”

The man screamed in pain as she connected with his face. Finding herself free, Cassie ran stumbling into the dark.

The man’s angry shout from close behind made her gasp for breath. Within seconds of freeing herself she was tackled and thrown full length on the ground.

She fought like a wild cat, but the man’s strength overpowered her and despite her efforts, she was turned and pinned beneath him, his breath so close to her face she wanted to gag.

The moon chose the worse time it could to appear in full strength and she saw her attacker’s face clearly, the rage in it showing even in the dim moonlight.

“Bitch!” he snarled. “Fuckin’ officer’s brat!” He slapped her across the face before swiping at the blood that ran down from his nose.

He grimaced in pain. “You broke it!” he howled in rage and pain and slapped her again.

His eyes suddenly lit and he licked his lips. “I ain’t ever screwed an officer’s daughter … and a Colonel at that … would have been better a General’s but …” he laughed as her eyes widened in terror.

“No,” she whispered from her painfully dry throat.

He snarled. “I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget.” Pinning her wrists above her head with one hand, he pulled at her coat with the other.

Cassie struggled, but her attempts only seemed to fuel his ardour. He laughed and grabbed at her breasts painfully. “Jack,” she whispered as tears crept down her face.

“Jack? He ain’t your daddy then? Don’t tell me the old bastard’s knocking you off? Even better …” he grunted and moved back from her a little, fumbling at his waist.

The terror she felt rose in her and she put her head back and screamed.

*

Jack was cautious on his way back to Cassie. He knew he would be of no use to her if he was caught. The moonlight wasn’t helping much and its sudden appearances would only help to light him up for anyone in the vicinity.

He judged he wasn’t far from where he’d left Cassie when he spotted tracks in the snow. His instincts were urging him forwards, his military mind urging caution … and as he moved his pace began increasing as his senses raged.

The scream that broke the silence of the night was suddenly cut off. His heart leapt into his throat. “Cass,” he whispered hoarsely hurrying even more.

Panting, he arrived at the spot where he’d left her. The snow showed signs of a struggle and dark patches of blood were scattered on its surface, frighteningly vivid against the white.

“Oh God … no please not Cassie,” he moaned quietly, instinct pulling him forwards, following the blood splatters and imprints in the snow.

“Not another child, please God,” he prayed.

The second scream flared his rage. He shot forwards, knife brandished, no coherent thought other than she was alive and being hurt …

*

Cassie felt the man’s hands at her neck in a bid to cut her scream. She choked and the scream died in her throat. She felt his full body weight on her, his arousal pressing against her thighs, and she bile as she sobbed, fighting to breathe.

A buzzing sound grew in her ears, and just as she felt herself beginning to slip into darkness, the pressure on her throat was suddenly released. Drawing a heaving choking breath she opened her eyes as her attacker was suddenly pulled from her.

She watched mesmerized as he was pulled up, saw the terror in his eyes as he realised just what was going to happen as the strong hand clamped over his mouth. His eyes widened and Cassie watched in horror as the knife slid across the man’s throat, the dark blood spurting, spattering her face and clothes, as the blade completed its deadly task and yet she continue to stare, as if in deadly fascination as the light went from his eyes before he slumped and was released, his body falling as if in slow motion.

Cassie scrambled to prop herself up, her feet finding no purchase to push her away from the body at her feet. The moonlight hideously lit on the bloodied knife in her rescuer’s hand and she sobbed wildly.

“Cass … oh God, Cass, are you okay?” Jack threw the bloodied knife as far as he could from them as he saw her terror. He launched himself beside her onto his knees, blocking her sight of the body.

“Cass, hon, are you okay, talk to me? Did he … did he touch you?”

Cassie looked up to see Jack’s face. The anguish on it shocked her. All she wanted was to feel his arms around her, to feel safe and she held her arms out to him.

*