The Footprints I Left Behind, by Normative Jean (PG)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Show: SG-1

Rec Category: Cassandra Frasier
Characters: Cassandra Frasier, Jennifer Hailey
Categories: gen, action/adventure, friendship
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: normative_jean
Author's Website: nj_fic / Normative Jean at AO3
Link: The Footprints I Left Behind

Why This Must Be Read: I devoured this story with a huge grin on my face: Jennifer Hailey and Cassandra Frasier, on a mission-gone-wrong through the Stargate. I love the characterization and the snark and the shared challenge of living up to huge expectations. Throw in a great science-y twist, and you've got a real winner of a futurefic!


She waves a hand towards Cassie. “Lead the way, Doc.”

“Okay, first of all? Either call me Dr. Frasier, or Cassie. Doc reminds me way too much of Un--an old family friend.” Because seriously, it’s getting pretty annoying, and Cassie has no idea how long they’ll be stuck out here.

“Really?” Hailey asks. “That’s what you’re starting with? All right, then, Doctor Fras...” She trails off, suddenly wide eyes visible even in the dimly lit cave. “Oh. Oh. I’m so sorry, I didn’t even realize you were--”

Cassie hurries to interrupt. “It’s fine, really.” She knows what’s coming next; she’s seen it enough from the SGC personnel who knew her mother. “I guess I didn’t realize you knew my mom. Aren’t you kind of...” Okay, now she awkwardly stalls out. This is going great.

“Young?” Hailey chuckles. It’s sounds different this time, lighter, like there’s an extra layer missing. Maybe it just sounds less cocksure. “Yeah, I get that a lot. ‘Youngest SGC recruit ever,’” she waves a hand through the air as she recounts the epithets. “‘Most promising Air Force cadet since Samantha Carter.’ I guess I should apologize for giving you crap before. If I’d realized who you were, I’d have offered to buy you a sympathy beer before the mission.”

Cassie recognizes her tone; it’s one of commiseration, that of someone who knows what it’s like to be living up to impossible standards, but to still strive for them anyway. Cassie knows she’ll never be Janet Frasier. She doesn’t want to be. But it would be nice if people stopped gawking every time she introduced herself in the infirmary.

Most promising Air Force cadet since Samantha Carter. Oh, no way... “Oh! I know you!”

Hailey runs a hand over her face and mutters something really rude under her breath. “Awesome.”