From the Ruins

Part Four

"It's just not going to work, sir," Sam said. "I've reconfigured this thing every way I know how. It's just not compatible with the other power."

Amon was kneeling beside Sam where he had gone to help her while Jack and Daniel were outside. He rose as Daniel entered.

"Well, it looks like we may not need it. That is if Amon still wants us," Jack said.

"I would not have it any other way."

"Of course you wouldn't," Daniel muttered. Jack and Amon turned to look at him.

"What?" Jack asked pointedly.

"Nothing."

"You do not wish to leave."

"No, I don't."

"They are not here, Daniel," Amon said going over and placing his hands on Daniel's shoulders. "They are in here." He put one hand over his heart and the other hand on Daniel's chest. "And here. If the ceiling falls, it will not bury them."

Daniel laughed. "I know that."

"Do you?" Amon asked harshly.

Jack and Sam winced. Teal'c frowned. Only Daniel didn't physically react.

"I must make room in my tent. Come. Help me."

"I don't think so," Daniel said. "I have stuff to do here."

"Surely it can wait," Amon said turning to Jack.

"Yeah."

"Jack?" Daniel was desperately trying to contain his frustration.

"They can handle things here. Come." Amon moved toward the door.

"That's not the point."

Amon turned and said whatever it was he had said the other day in the same tone.

Almost immediately, Daniel wilted. He cast a hopeless look at Jack and followed Amon.

"Whoa," Sam said.

"Yeah," Jack said.

"What did he say?"

"That's what I'd like to know."

***

Amon and Daniel walked silently to Amon's tent.

Daniel gasped when he stepped inside. Clothing, books, papers, tools, supplies and other odds and ends were scattered over the floor and the two small tables.

"You see why I need help. I wasn't expecting guests."

"Apparently not. And I thought Jack's office was messy."

They spent the next half hour putting things in as much order as possible given the limited storage space.  Basically, everything had to be stacked along the walls.

"Will this be enough room for your crew to sleep?" Amon sat on the floor beside Daniel and handed him a glass of something Daniel didn't particularly like the smell of. "It doesn't smell very good, but it's refreshing." He took a long drink to prove it.

"This should be fine. We've slept in smaller places before." Daniel took a tentative sip. "Not bad," he said and drank more.

"Perhaps I should put a warning outside my tent. 'Watch your step'."

Daniel laughed.

"Oh, you did bring it along." Amon exclaimed and hugged Daniel. "I was beginning to think you'd lost it all those years ago."

"Huh?" Daniel asked untangling himself.

"Your laughter. I almost forgot how good it sounds."

"I still have it. There's just not much to laugh about these days."

"You have good friends, a nice job and you're doing what you love."

"Well, when you put it that way, I guess I should be happy all the time."

"Tell me what else has taken your smile."

Daniel sighed. "That's a long story."

"Remember the many, many times I told you stories when you were a child?"

"Yes. I always loved your stories."

"Then, you owe me."

"That's sneaky. That's Jack sneaky. Did he put you up to this? Because if he did-"

"He didn't. And even if he did you wouldn't do anything to him. I wouldn't let you. Now, stop stalling and do what you've always been good at."

"What's that?"

"Talking. Jack would agree?"

Daniel laughed again and started telling Amon about Sha're. He had to modify many details, and he thought Amon was suspicious but the older man didn't call him on it.

***

As Daniel and Amon cleaned up the tent, Jack, Sam and Teal'c packed their gear and moved it outside the temple.

"That's the last of it," Jack said as he and Teal'c set the second shelf beside the first one. "Except that energy measurer thing Carter's leaving to continue monitoring."

"Are you referring to the-"
"Yeah, that." Jack waved a hand in dismissal. "I'll never remember the technical name."

"Sir, do you mind if we take a break before moving all this over to Amon's tent?" Sam asked coming out of the temple.

"Sure. We've got plenty of time."

"It is nearing dark, O'Neill."

"I know. But, I think Amon wanted some quality time with Daniel."

"That should be good for Daniel," Sam said sitting down.

"Perhaps Amon can impart peace to Daniel Jackson regarding his parents."

"Maybe."

"It's hard to get peace when someone you love dies," Sam said. "Especially if you're surrounded by things and people that remind you of your loss."

"Yes, it is," Jack said.

"Indeed."

***

"Daniel," Amon whispered. He was too choked up to say anything comforting.

"It's ok," Daniel assured him. "I mean, it's not really. But, it will be. When it's less fresh. I moved on after mom and dad. I can do it again. I hope."

"You will. You are strong. Stronger than many others I know."

"So I've been told. I don't feel terribly strong though. Especially after the dreams."

"You dream of her?"

"All the time."

"Did you dream of them?"
"Yes. Still do sometimes. In the dreams I remember their voices, but when I wake up the memory's gone. And sometimes I can't remember their faces until I look at a picture."

"Do not worry, Daniel. They will never be forgotten. By you. Nor by me. Sha're will not be forgotten either."

"Thanks. I know that. I just forget it sometimes. Can I ask you a question?"

"That's another thing you've always been good at. Too good in fact." Amon smiled.

Daniel smiled too. "Can't argue with that." He paused. "How is it that you were able to pick up our relationship as if years hadn't separated us? I mean, I'm not the same as I was all those years ago."

"Much of you has changed, yes. But at least some of you is still the same. This part I know and can continue walking with."

They sat in silence for a moment until a horn blew suddenly, startling them.

"I didn't realize it had gotten so late," Amon said rising and going to open the flap.

Daniel followed him. "It's dark. Jack, Sam and T- Murray should have already been here with our stuff. I hope nothing happened."

Amon grabbed Daniel's arm as Daniel pushed past him. "They are fine. See." He pointed to the well-lit food tent. Jack, Sam and Teal'c were seated at one of the tables talking with the others gathered for dinner.

"What are they doing? Why didn't they-? Oh."

"Jack is wise," Amon said.

Daniel nodded.

"Hungry?"

"Sure."

After dinner, SG-1, Amon and a few other men moved SG-1's gear into and around Amon's tent.

"Thought you might want to keep this with you tonight," Jack said handing Daniel the last journal as Sam and Teal'c spread their blankets on the floor.

"Thanks."

"Just try not to stay up all night."

"Ok."

"I must give you forewarning," Amon said stretching out on his pallet. "Some of my men say they hear me snore."

"That's ok," Daniel said. "We're used to that. Jack snores too."

"I do not. Do I?"

"Um, sometimes, sir," Sam said as Teal'c said, "Quite often, O'Neill."

"Yeah, well." Jack pointed to Daniel, then Sam then Teal'c as he said, "You talk in your sleep. Not always in English. You whimper occasionally. And you growl. When you actually sleep."

"I whimper?"

"Yeah, actually you do," Daniel said. "But only sometimes."

"Murray?"

"I am unfamiliar with that term; however, you occasionally make a mewling sound."

"You don't know whimper, but you know mewl?" Jack asked as Sam buried herself under a blanket.

"He asked me to sign him up for a word of the day email," Daniel explained. "Both words basically mean the same thing," he informed Teal'c.

"I must also forewarn you that I am not a morning person."

"Ah, now that we are definitely used to." Jack said putting his arm around Daniel and pointing to him with the other hand. "Carter? Murray? Am I right?"

"You are correct, O'Neill."

"He's usually nice to me in the morning," Sam said sitting up.

"That's because you make the best coffee, and he knows if he's not nice to you, you won't share."

AN:  Thank you for all the nice reviews. I'm so glad you're enjoying this. I enjoyed writing it. :}