Author's Note: So! Here it is… a new Campers! Story. Even better, it's going to answer some questions – and bring out some revelations that I know you guys have been waiting to see come out. So you'll just have to read along to see what happens.
Disclaimer: I don't own SG-1 or the SGC or those people, but I do have claim on Jaffer, Jack (the dog) and all other people I make up for this story (and don't forget Jake!)
That said, here we go!
OOOOOOOOOO
"How much longer, Daniel?"
The archeologist looked up from the wall he was crouched next to, one hand holding the paper across the chiseled lettering, the other holding the pencil he was using to do the rubbings with.
"I'm almost done, Jack."
"Good, 'cause it looks like it might rain, and just once I'd like to go through a whole mission without getting rained on."
"Or falling off a cliff," Ian added, coming over to look down and check on Daniel's progress.
Jack nodded.
"That, too."
Ian had never actually been on a mission where they'd fallen off a cliff, but he'd read all their mission reports by now, and there had been more than one where that had happened.
"I can't go any faster than I'm going, Jack. And if you keep pestering me, it'll just slow me down."
"I'm not pestering you."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not."
"Ian."
"Yeah, Daniel?"
"Make Jack leave me alone."
Ian snorted, and moved away, walking over to where Jaffer had been standing, watching a stand of trees not far away. The area was cleared – they never would have relaxed their guard so much if it weren't – and this was the second day they'd spent by this particular set of ruins. Daniel had been working hard to get everything down on paper so he could transfer it to computers back at the SGC during the upcoming weekend, and while Jack knew and understood that, it didn't make standing around any easier. Which was why he was going out of his way to annoy Daniel. It was something to do besides watch.
"What's going on, big dog?" Ian asked, idly, slapping Jaffer's side as he came up beside him. The lab snorted, snuffling his hand for a moment by way of greeting and then turned his attention back to the trees.
His nose was in the air, testing the wind, and his body was tense, but there was no sign of warning or agitation in the lab's stance, so Ian knew whatever it was that had Jaffer's attention, it wasn't something dangerous. At least nothing that Jaffer perceived as dangerous. He didn't read Jaffer's body language anywhere near as easily as Jack and Sam could, but Ian had a lab, too, and knew them well enough to know when they were worried. Jaffer wasn't.
Sure enough, a moment later a blonde form came streaking out of the trees, heading over towards Jaffer and Ian at a full run. Only a moment behind Jack (the dog) came Teal'c, holding his staff weapon easily and looking over his shoulder for just a moment before walking towards Ian as well.
"See anything?" Ian asked.
"There is nothing to see."
Which had pretty much been what he'd expected to hear.
"There have to be people here," Jack said, coming over and joining them. Obviously he'd annoyed Daniel enough and had decided to give him a break – or maybe Daniel had driven him away with techno speak or something. "We saw the tracks…"
"We're leaving tracks, too," Ian said, shrugging. "But we're not going to be here long." He hoped. "Maybe it's someone who just came by to see if there was anyone living here and left when they didn't find anyone."
"We didn't see any tracks by the gate…"
"I know."
"We have looked everywhere in the vicinity, O'Neill… and have not found anything. There is no one around."
"I know."
He did know. If there were anyone around Jaffer would have told them by now. But Jack didn't like the fact that they'd found footprints without the foot to go with them. Or he might have just been paranoid, he supposed. Time to change the subject, he supposed, before he allowed himself to go crazy.
"What are you getting Cassie for graduation?"
Ian scowled at the reminder.
"I still have weeks…"
Jack smiled.
"Meaning you don't have a clue…?"
"What are you getting Sam for Mother's day?"
Jack's smile faded into a scowl.
"I still have…"
"A day and a half."
"Smart ass."
Ian smiled.
"So… you don't have a clue…?"
"Of course I do… I'm just not… going to tell you. It's a surprise."
"Yes, I'm sure I'll be very surprised."
"What are you getting your mom for Mother's day, smart ass?"
"I already got it for her and sent it off. Dad will get it tomorrow and will have it on the tray he gives her breakfast in bed on on Sunday morning."
"He's giving her breakfast in bed?"
Ian smiled.
"He does it every year. For a while it was the only day we could be guaranteed he'd be home."
There was still a faint trace of bitterness in Ian's voice at the thought, but it wasn't anywhere near as bitter as it once would have been, and Jack ignored it.
"So what did you get her?"
"It's a surprise…"