Later back at the house CJ watched from his hiding place, underneath the table in the back yard, as pairs of shoes shuffled by, their owners speaking in hushed tones again and again about how horrible a tragedy it all was. CJ whipped his head around as the tablecloth moved admitting his best friend, Shayla.

"Thought I might find you here." Shayla sat down next to her friend.

CJ just glared determined to stay quiet until he was left alone.

"Your grandpa's getting worried. He sent me to find you." Shayla shifted making herself more comfortable. "Teal'c's been standing by the stairs since we got here, so I knew you weren't up stairs and there aren't all that many good hiding places else where in the house." She grind, "You're getting predictable."

CJ continued looking a head, seemingly mesmerized by the shoes in front of him.

"Mrs. Whitman brought some of her famous apple pie. I could get you a slice if you want."

"I'm not hungry." CJ finally spoke up for the first time in the last few days.

"I could get some cards and we could--."

"No."

Shayla nodded. "--Or we could just sit here."

And that's exactly what they did, surrounded by quieted conversations. After a moment CJ, unable to take the sound any longer, gestured out into the room.

"Look at 'em, all stuffed into their dress clothes, parading around like they're on show. None of them care, not really any way. To most she'll just be another no face, no name, dead soldier, in a week or two." CJ tugged at his tie, "She hated getting all dressed up for no reason. Can't say I blame her, I can hardly breath in this thing. She would have hated..." He stopped talking as tears once again threatened to fall.

Shayla shrugged, "They do it for respect I think?"

"I hate this." CJ continued as if Shayla hadn't said anything.

"I know."

CJ turned his head sharply staring his friend in the eyes. "No you don't..." He looked away his voice catching. "She shouldn't be in some stupid box, in some stupid hole in the ground, with a stupid piece of stone and a name being all that's left of her. She shouldn't..." CJ roughly wiped a hand across his cheek. "She shouldn't have left me and he shouldn't have left either."

"Dad says she's in a better place now." Shayla took a hold of CJ's hand. "And that she's not feeling any pain any more."

"A better place? How could any where but with her family be a better place?"

Not having an answer Shayla just shrugged and the two friends sat silently for a minute before CJ spoke again.

"I don't think I can take one more stuffy adult squeezing my shoulders telling me how sorry they are. Why are they sorry any way? It's not like they did any thing."

"I guess it's just one of those things, like when adults say they're fine or you look good, but don't really mean it."

"I miss her." CJ whispered so softly Shayla almost didn't here him.

"I do too." Out of nervous habit Shayla chewed on her lower lip before speaking again. "If you want I can share my mom with you."

This caught CJ by surprise. "You'd do that?"

"Sure, she's a good mom. You're welcome to here any time, heck I'll even share my dad with you if you want."

CJ sat thinking about the offer, momentarily tempted. "Nah I don't think it would be the same."

"Ok, but the offer is always open and you'll always have me for a best friend."

"Promise?"

"Promise." Shayla smiled. "Best buds forever, remember we signed that pact, friends for always."

"Thanks Shay."

"Any time.'

Shayla then started to climb out from under the table. "I better go tell your grandpa I found you, before he sends Teal'c looking for us." She looked back. "Hey at least you still have a great grandpa."

"Yeah I know I do." CJ shifted over towards where Shayla was. "I'll come with you. I think I'd like some pie now."

"You still sad?"

"Yeah but it's a different kind of sad now."

Shayla nodded her head. "Good." The two friends crawled out from under the table and went to find CJ's grandpa and some pie.

Fin?

A/N: Ok people that's it this story is over (Maybe?) I may or may not write another story using these characters I haven't decided yet. I have a vague idea for one more future story that would take place after 'The Otherside' but no definite plot bunnies have hit me yet. So until my next story peace out and later days.

Thanks to anybody who
has reviewed this story.