The next morning was chilly, but not really cold. The kind of chill that you know the sun will burn off long before the day is really begun, although it certainly made it tough to leave the warmth of the blankets.

"Stay close to Teal'c today," Jack told Ian as the two of them were strapping on their holsters and preparing for their morning. Teal'c had taken Jaffer and Jack (the dog) out for a morning pee, and Daniel had left as soon as it was light out to go find out when they would be leaving for the cave.

"Why, Jack?"

Ian wasn't annoyed or anything, and he wasn't arguing with the order. He just wanted to know the reason behind it – in case something had happened while he'd been sleeping that he didn't know about.

"Let's just say I don't like the funny looks these folks have been giving you."

"Think they're up to something?"

Ian wasn't worried about the funny looks – although truth be told he hadn't really noticed. They were a bunch of villagers, for shit's sake. He could handle himself.

"I don't know," Jack told him honestly, shrugging. "Just keep your eyes open today, okay? I don't want to have to explain to Sam why we have to go looking for a new Godfather for Jake."

Ian smiled.

"I'll stay alert."

"Good." Jack headed for the doorway. "Let's see if they have any breakfast made. I'm starving."

Which was a great idea as far as Ian was concerned. He could eat a horse. If there had been one around.

OOOOOOOO

Daniel was standing next to the main fireplace area when they went outside. The archeologist was chatting with a group that held an equal portion of men and women who were also apparently waiting for breakfast to be served. There were little kids running all over the place, playing some sort of tag game, but several of them stopped when Ian made an appearance and ran over to greet him and Jack, smiling and looking like any other kids fresh off a playground.

"Good morning!" one of the girls said, cheerfully.

Jack smiled.

"Good morning."

The girl looked at Ian, who hadn't greeted her.

"Good morning," she repeated.

He sighed, inwardly, and nodded.

"Morning."

Jack grinned.

Before they could say anything else, Jaffer came rushing up to Jack – much to the concerns of those parents who happened to be out and about and saw the large creature bolting towards their children. The adults didn't have any familiarization with the dogs – and they were nervous and leery of being too close to them. Or having their children too close. The kids, on the other hand, had all met the dogs the day before and knew them to be friendly.

They swarmed over Jaffer, taking the attention off Ian, who wished for about a dozen more dogs just then – although Jaffer was more than willing to be the center of attention.

"What is it about you and kids?" Jack asked him, still grinning his amusement.

Ian scowled, and turned for the fire once more, with Jack still walking beside him.

"They're like a bunch of little viruses, all just waiting to pounce on you…"

Jack snorted.

"They're not that bad."

"You have to say that; you're a father."

"They grow on you."

"Like a disease?"

Jack shook his head.

"You just need to spend some time with them and get to know them."

Ian looked at the group of kids, all of who were trying to pet Jaffer at the same time, and being noisy and disgustingly cheerful about it.

"I'd rather eat my own-"

"Breakfast!"

Daniel interrupted the conversation before Jack could find out what Ian would rather do, but neither of them minded, really. The archeologist was holding a plate that was heaped with steaming food, and Ian's mouth watered immediately. One thing the villagers knew how to do was cook, that was for sure.

The woman who had handed Daniel his plate handed Ian one as well – giving him a welcoming smile and a slight bow. Jack was given one also, and then both were handed a steaming mug of some kind of tea.

"Jack!"

They all turned and saw Richard walking toward them with a small group of council members following. Ian understood immediately what Jack had meant by the odd looks – the ones he was getting just then from those men were just plain weird – but Jack greeted them amicably enough.

"Good morning, Richard."

"How did you sleep?" The older man asked him politely, now turning his attention to Jack as if trying to hide the fact that he'd been watching Ian.

"Fine, thanks."

"Good…" he paused as Teal'c joined them, and one of the women handed the Jaffa a plate of breakfast as well – although she did it tentatively. Teal'c bowed a thank you to her and was rewarded with a shy, nervous smile. "As soon as breakfast is finished, Braxton and a few men will escort you and your companions to the cave you wish to see."

"Thank you, Richard," Jack said as they all walked over to the mats that served as furniture to eat on. "Will you be coming as well?"

Richard shook his head.

"It's a walk for younger legs than my own," he said. "I would ask that when you return here you tell me what – if anything – you find."

"Of course," Daniel said. Like he'd be able to keep it to himself anyways?

"How far away is this place?" Jack asked.

"Several hours' walk."