"Indeed." Teal'c paused for a moment, looking towards the house, and then spoke again. "One of my functions as First Prime to Apophis was to interrogate and assimilate information from my former Master's captured enemies. Even if I did not know Andrew so well, I am trained to recognize nuances in expression and voice, and could not have missed the signs. Because I do know him so well, however, it was obvious."
It was the longest speech Ian had actually heard Teal'c give anyone, and he'd never asked the Jaffa about his life before he'd defected to join the SGC – and he wouldn't. Teal'c continued speaking, turning now to look at Ian.
"I have noticed it before, but when I ask Andrew what is bothering him, he simply shrugs and tells me it is nothing."
"It's something."
Teal'c nodded.
"Indeed."
"So…" Ian hesitated. None of this was rally his business, but he was pretty sure that Teal'c was feeling way out of his comfort zone on this one – what did a Jaffa know about teenaged boys, after all? "Have you discussed it with his mom and dad?"
Teal'c nodded, again. Of course he had. He was methodical and David and Miyra Stephens had been the first he'd turned to.
"They do not understand what the problem is, either. Andrew is normally a social child, but recently he has…"
"Withdrawn? Been moody? Grumpy?"
The Jaffa nodded, surprised.
"All of those. His parents have tried to talk to him as well, but he gives them the same response he gives me."
Ian nodded. Big shock there. His parents would have been the last person Ian would have turned to, either, if his mother had given him a choice in the matter. Maggie, however, was a far stronger willed person than anyone gave her credit for – she had to be to deal with the fiery tempers of her husband and son.
"He's probably having a rough time at school, Teal'c," Ian told him, putting the car in gear and heading back out onto the road. He didn't want Andrew to come back out and see why they were sitting in the car not going. "Either he's bored, or getting picked on by some assholes, or-"
"He does not mention being picked on, or having troubles."
"And he wouldn't," Ian said, shrugging. "I wouldn't, if it was me."
Of course, no one had ever picked on Ian. Some kids had tried, of course. Ian had been a fairly small guy himself when he'd been younger, but they'd learned quickly that small or not, Ian wasn't going to back down no matter how many of them there were and was just as apt to beat the shit out of those picking on him as he was to be beaten up. Once they'd learned that, he'd been left alone – and usually given a wide berth. His temper was something of a hindrance sometimes, but it served him well other times.
Teal'c looked over at him, pondering what had been said, while Ian drove them back to the SGC. Neither of them were big on small talk – which was one of the reasons they got along so well – so neither said anything until Ian pulled into the main gate and parked in the spot usually reserved for Jack. His truck wasn't there – it was after 5 and he was probably home with Sam and Jake, since Sam's car was gone, too. Then Teal'c spoke again.
"May I ask you a question that is wholly personal, Ian Brooks?"
Ian shrugged.
"Sure."
"When you were younger did you have similar difficulties?"
Yeah, that was a personal question, wasn't it? Ian didn't mind, though. He nodded.
"School can be hard for smart kids, Teal'c. It was for me."
"How does one deal with the problem?"
"I'm not a shrink, Teal'c."
"How did you deal with it?"
"My mom kept me pretty busy."
"Do you believe I should tell Andrew's parents to give him more housework?"
Ian shook his head. More dishes and vacuuming weren't the answer – although he didn't know what the answer was.
"I'm not really even sure that's what's wrong with your friend, Teal'c. It might be something else, completely. Maybe he's having girl troubles – or maybe his teachers don't like him."
"How do I find out what the problem is if he will not tell me?"
Teal'c really sounded frustrated – which was saying something, because Ian rarely saw him show any emotions. But Ian didn't have a clue, either.
"I'm probably not the person to ask, Teal'c."
For that matter, he was probably the last person to ask. His people skills rated right up there with his baby holding skills.
"Andrew seemed to take a liking to you," Teal'c noted, looking over once more, and making no move to get out of the car.
Ian shrugged.
"He's probably heard plenty about me from Shawn."
Teal'c was silent again, and Ian wondered what was going on in that bald head of his. Surely he wasn't thinking that Ian would be a good choice to talk to the kid. He wasn't. He was a jerk, and hardly anyone's ideal choice of a role model.
"I would ask a favor of you, Ian Brooks…" Teal'c said.
He couldn't even hide the consternation he felt when Teal'c said that. He was! He was going to ask him to-
"Teal'c, I'm not a very-"
"There is a chance he might tell you what he will not tell me or his parents. You are closer to his age, and have experienced what he is going through… I have… I am not completely familiar with the workings of the mind of adolescents. Not human ones, at least."
Or Jaffa, for the matter. He couldn't even figure out his own son half the time.
"I'm not a good role model."
"He does not require a role model, Ian Brooks. Andrew knows the difference between right and wrong. What he needs is someone to talk to who will understand him – and what he is going through. Even if all you do is get him to talk to you; if you can tell me what is bothering him, I will deal with it."
"But-"
Ian sighed. Teal'c had never asked him for anything before. Had always been good to him, and had been training him without asking anything in return. He'd done it out of mutual friendship and enjoyment for the teaching – like Ian had enjoyed the learning. It was obvious this was important to Teal'c, or he'd never have asked. Just as obvious that this kid meant a lot to the Jaffa, because again, he'd never have asked. It wasn't such a big thing, was it? And if it would make Teal'c happy… well…
"What do you want me to do?"
