Chapter 3 - The Restaurant
After the plane, they immediately wanted to get food.
"We should go to a real restaurant," Sam said, knowing that Malek would not enjoy fast food.
"We are right next to Pizza Empire," Jack replied.
Kela'an squirmed at the thought of preheated pizzas.
"I am not eating junk food," Malek argued.
"It's not junk food," Jack replied.
"It is to him, and not just him," Sam answered. "Look, I know a restaurant closer to Mark's. He can meet us there. You and Malek will like it."
Jack sighed, wishing he had eaten before they left. "Alright."
-x-x-x-x-
"Sam!" Mark greeted outside of the restaurant. "Oh, is this..?"
"Malika Jolan Carter."
"She's beautiful." Mark immediately picked her up. "Malika. Wow." He laughed. "I'm an uncle. She's so little."
She's perfectly healthy, Kela'an thought.
He didn't mean it like that.
He realized he forgot to hug Sam. "Sorry, Betty's working. The kids are staying with her parents."
Sam nodded. "I know. I didn't give you much notice."
"Yeah, but that means I get this one to myself." He looked passed her, then muttered, "Oh, no."
Jack turned to see an old friend of Jacab's, then teased, "You had to pick this restaurant."
"His sons?" Malek asked, seeing two young men with him.
"Brad and Fred. I haven't talked to them in years though," Sam replied.
"Just like their father," Mark answered. "Much worse when he's around."
"General Glenwood," Sam greeted, ignoring Jack's look of amusement. "Lieutenants."
I do not like him, Kela'an thought.
"Colonel. General," Cyrus greeted before focusing on her. "I heard you retired."
"An injury forced an early retirement…sir," she replied, which was technically true.
"Huh," he seemed to look over for any sign of anything, but Kela'an had healed up the burns months ago.
You could limp or something.
I'm not going to fake limp.
"She was injured in the line of duty," Jack defended, offended on Sam's behalf.
He still looked skeptical, then looked to Malek.
Just go into the restaurant before he insults us, Amb thought.
I agree, Malek thought as he went in. He was followed by Jack and Sam.
"Who's the new guy?" Asked Brad. "The new husband? What was his name?"
"No. That's Malek. They are just friends," Mark answered.
"Friends?" Brad smirked. "Just friends, huh? The two of them and no husband in sight."
"He's a snowflake," Cyrus answered dismissively, causing his sons to laugh.
Did he just insult me? Amb thought. Don't look. Just pretend we didn't hear him.
Mark frowned slightly before going in.
"The two guys though? It's so obvious that they are screwing each other."
Let's go to the table, Amb said when Malek almost walked out again.
He insulted you and Martouf.
"Malek?" Sam called, seeing that he was getting angry. "Our table is ready."
Malek went to the table.
"What's wrong?" Sam asked.
"He called Amb a snowflake in a manner that was clearly dismissive, and he believes Martouf is cheating on you with me."
Mark was a little embarrassed that Malek had heard when he hadn't said anything. He knew from experience though, arguing with Cyrus just made him ruder and sometimes louder.
"Given how everything started, he's not too far off," Sam replied with amusement.
"We wouldn't do that."
"I know," she replied as she sat down.
"It is minor," Malek replied, knowing that now wasn't the time.
"Paul," Mark greeted as he sat down. "This is my sister, Sam."
The waiter smiled. "It's nice to meet you."
"And her friends, Jack and Malek."
"Hi. I'm Paul. Mark used to come in here all the time with his family." He noticed that Malek took one look at the menu, then promptly set it down.
"We're going to need some time," Mark said.
"Whenever you are ready." Paul left to take orders from Cyrus and his sons.
Sam read off the menu, helping Malek decide what he wanted. Once he decided, all the modifications essentially made it a new meal. However, Paul took down the order without a word.
Her phone rang after, and Sam checked who was calling.
"General Hammand. I need to take this."
"Tell him hi," Jack offered.
Sam gestured before heading outside.
Malek drank some water then checked on Malika.
"You never wake a sleeping baby," Jack said.
"She is wet."
"She'll let you know when she wakes up."
"But then she'll be uncomfortable. I promised Martouf that I would take care of her."
"She'll be fine."
"She might get a rash."
"She won't get a rash for-"
Malika woke up and began crying.
Malek immediately scooped her up in his arms while grabbing the diaper bag.
"Do you even know how to change her?" Jack asked as he followed.
"I have changed her many times."
"Yes, but those are…different diapers." Jack followed him.
Mark said nothing, then watched in some amusement as they bickered their way to the bathroom. He gave thanks when the drinks arrived, then waited for Sam.
"Where'd they go?"
"They argued over who gets to change a diaper."
Sam grinned.
"How's…uh, civilian life?"
"Very busy. I don't get to work on projects like I used to, and I miss my motorcycle. I'm learning a lot though, and it's nice living with my husbands."
"And…" He touched the back of his neck, not sure how to ask about Kela'an.
Kela'an felt warm that he asked.
"She's still in mourning," Sam answered honestly. "She will be for a while, but she's adjusting. We're working together." She looked over as Malek and Jack returned.
"I can't even imagine such a…change. For everyone." He frowned slightly, hoping that the symbiotes understood that he meant for them as well. "I mean, we changed houses growing up. A lot."
Paul brought the food, asking if they needed anything else.
"I don't think so," Sam answered.
"Said goodbye to a lot of good friends," Mark continued. "I never got used to it. I can't imagine, well, that."
"A part of you dies each time," Malek replied.
Jack frowned. He knew it must hurt. He hadn't realized how much pain was kept hidden.
-x-x-x-x-
Mark talked mostly about himself through the rest of the meal, having more questions for when they could really talk.
Malek was largely quiet, and Jack found himself wondering which one was in control. Realizing that he was probably staring and being done with his meal, he slipped away. He paid for the meal, getting his card back when Sam caught him.
"You are supposed to be my guest."
"Well, I did invite myself."
"I'll get the tip then."
"Too late. Paul might like me better than he likes Mark now."
Sam laughed. "Well, I have to feed Malika. I'm going to take her outside."
Jack nodded, then stepped back to the table. He saw Mark and Malek talking now.
"Dad said you are married now."
"Yes. Aldwin is a wonderful husband."
"Who proposed?"
"In a way we both did after I was…shot."
"What?" Mark asked in amusement.
"It wasn't entirely thought through," Malek admitted, then chuckled.
Jack's jaw dropped. He had never heard Malek or Amb laugh before.
"You're all fixed up now?"
"Yes, I am…'fixed up.'"
Jack went outside where Sam was sitting on a bench with Malika.
"Jack?"
"Is that? Um, which…?"
"Malek."
"Malek. Malek laughs?"
"You left because he laughed?" Sam asked with amusement.
"He used to make Mark nervous, and now they are laughing together."
"Yeah, they get along now."
"I've never seen Malek laugh before."
"Never?"
"He's always on guard around me." Jack sat down. "I mean, I have seen him smile…but even that is pretty rare."
"That would have been a good time to approach them."
"Naw. I'd probably turn him back into…serious Malek." Jack glanced back.
-x-x-x-x-
"What did Sam mean by Cyrus not being far off? If you don't mind me asking."
"I am certain you recall when Samantha was missing for a while."
"Yeah."
"Well, we were fine, but there was…memory issues."
"You had amnesia?"
"Yes, and, if you will, a 'housing' mix up."
Mark frowned, then laughed, then coughed because he had been drinking water. "Wait? What? Seriously?"
Malek chuckled softly. "Yes, but now everyone lives where they should."
"So…um, who lived with you?"
"Martouf."
"That's actually explains a lot. So…you…dated my sister?"
"Yes."
"You still care her, don't you?"
He smiled. "Yes, and Aldwin knows. There are still people he loves as well. It doesn't diminish how much we love each other."
Mark smiled. "I don't know if I could ever get used to anything like that, but I suppose for you guys, it works."
"It does."
-x-x-x-
Mark waited until Malek was almost done eating before going to the counter to pay the bill.
"Your friend, Jack, already paid,"
Paul replied. "Is there anything else I can help you with. Boxes to go?"
"No, thank you. We ate everything."
Mark sighed when Cyrus approached. "Thank you, Paul."
Paul left the counter to take more orders.
"It doesn't bother you that Sam married a man who is obviously cheating on her? Or that she left the Air Force?"
"Martouf is faithful, and her own commanding officer confirmed-"
"Open your eyes. Even you can't be that stupid."
"Then you insult Jacob as well," Malek replied bitterly as he approached.
"That's General Carter to you. She deserves better than your boyfriend."
"I'm faithful to my husband."
"Oh, please. I saw the way you were prancing around him at the party. It was disgusting!"
"He's like my brother, I-"
"That's even worse!"
Sam and Jack both came in when they saw something was wrong.
"What? Are you going to go cry to your boyfriend now?"
"Hey!" Jack said in defense, but Malek replied before he could say more."
"Gete is my husband, and he's certainly a better one than you."
Mark nervously glanced around, noticing that they were attracting attention.
"Malek, calm yourself," Kela'an ordered, though he actually outranked her. She could see his anger building.
"Malek," Jack warned on the same time, jumping slightly at Kela'an's sudden change in control.
"You do as you're told," Fred ordered as he pointed a finger at Malek.
Malek flinched before realizing that Fred was just pointing.
I don't think he was going to attack us, Amb thought.
"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," Paul said to Cyrus as he approached the group.
"Me?"
"I've been told that you started this."
People are watching us? Amb asked nervously. I don't like crowds watching me.
"He is a bitter, old fool," Malek muttered in Goa'uld before closing his eyes. He gave Amb control.
"Thank you," Kela'an said.
"What language is that?" Cyrus asked. It didn't even sound familiar.
"What did you say?" Brad demanded.
"That is not your concern," Kela'an replied.
"Leave the restaurant," Paul repeated with emphasis.
They were distracted enough that they barely noticed two men walking in.
Thieves! Danger! Malek didn't convey those exact thoughts, but the feeling. The two men were deadly.
Amb looked over as the first began pulling out a gun, walked over, giving a punch to take him out as he disarmed him. In almost the same move, he shot the second man's hand, forcing him to to drop his own gun.
"On the floor." Amb ordered, backing up so that neither man could tackle him.
Jack immediately grabbed the second gun while Kela'an called the police. She gave Sam back control mid-dial. Cyrus stared in shock. Most of the other patrons ran out the emergency exit.
"How did you know?" Mark asked in shock.
"I could see their motive. Go in the back in case they try anything. Paul, is there anything with which to secure them?"
"In the back."
"Show me," Sam said. "Then stay in the back. He's right. They might still pose a risk." She gestured to the few customers that didn't run. "The rest of you as well."
Mark grabbed Malika while Paul gestured the way. He gave Sam the packaging tape.
"Will this work?"
"Yeah."
"Thank you. Thank Malek." He added nervously. "I've never… Wow. The restaurants up north have been getting robbed from two gunmen. I didn't think…" He was pale and sweaty.
"You are safe now. Just stay here until the police come."
"Thank you."
They noticed before we did, Sam thought as they left.
It's my fault. I should have been more aware while we were talking.
I could have noticed as well.
You were worried about Malek, distracted. I should not have been.
As she used the tape to secure the men throughly, she picked up stray thoughts that Kela'an felt she would not have failed with Drack.
I am not blaming you, Kela'an thought quickly. I was too emotionally involved in the argument.
Because you still mourn him.
Yes, but that does not excuse my failure.
Amb put the gun down only after the the criminals were secured thoroughly. He noticed that Jack was on the phone. He stayed near the two men in case they tried anything.
"Are you alright?" Sam asked.
He nodded. "I have been called worse."
Jack got off the phone.
"Sir," Sam said.
He followed as she gestured for him to move away.
"They have cameras. That footage cannot be released to anyone."
"I know," Jack replied. "Hammond is already on it."
Meanwhile, Amb sighed when Cyrus approached.
I can be polite, Malek thought, knowing that Amb didn't want to deal with the guy.
"Who are you?" Cyrus asked.
"Amb," Malek answered.
"Alright. What are you?"
"A farmer."
"You took them down before they even had a chance to make their move."
"I have to be able to protect my crops."
Cyrus frowned.
"I realize that as a witness, you can no longer leave the restaurant, but that doesn't mean you get to talk to me."
Fred was about to say something, but was quieted at a gesture from his father.
Malek was glad that Cyrus didn't push the matter.
-x-x-x-
The police arrived. Questions were asked, but much to Cyrus' surprise, they were released much earlier than expected.
"I thought we would be questioned for hours, especially…" He looked to Malek.
"I guess we got lucky," Jack replied.
Cyrus didn't believe that, and he was very curious as he left with his sons.
"That was long enough," Malek added.
"Yeah, let's get to Mark's. Who is driving with whom?"
"You should go with your brother," Malek said. "I'll watch Malika for the drive." He knew that moving the car seat would be a bit of a hassle.
"Jack, you don't mind?"
"No. I'm good."
Malek took Malika, then gently talked to her as he buckled her in. He checked all the straps multiple times to be sure.
"Look um." Jack approached. "I know Cyrus is an ass, but you looked like you were going to hit him."
"He insulted Amb."
"Would you have hit him?"
"I gave Amb control."
"You once got involved in a fight at a funeral," Jack replied with skepticism.
"That was different."
"You almost hit Fred."
"I thought he was going to attack me."
"Look," Jack said. "I know you are protective of your hosts-"
"No," Malek interrupted. "You don't know. You don't understand. You don't know me, and you never will." He walked away to get in the backseat of the car.
Jack sighed.
To be continued…
(I have no idea if Pizza Empire is a thing. I just made up something that sounded like a fast food chain.)
