A quick note on the title: it seems that there is already a StargateFic in progress called "Snapshots." Janissima very nicely wrote me and asked if I would be willing to change mine. I agreed because her story was posted first. I think "Picture Book" will work very well for this, as books will play a big part in Ella's growth.

Thanks to LadyTwist and EternalStargazer for your reviews. Dessert Blossom-By-The-Sea, I love your screen name. Thanks for the great review comment. This is a slow and meandering story. I know where it is going, but it is hard for me to get there. And it feels weird not to have guns or aliens or explosions. I worry that people are a little put off by the child abuse aspects, but they are crucial to the story. However, this chapter is much lighter. And I get to use one of my all-time favorite books. Please read and review.

Previously:

When Daniel woke the next morning, there was a sign taped to the bathroom mirror. It read:

"Daniel –

Thanks for diner. The spagete was good. Thanks for cleaning the kichen. Im sorry I used the 'F-word' on you. I didnt mean it.

Ella"

The Library

And that was how Daniel grew a new shadow. A short, slightly chubby new shadow that was mostly quiet but in times of stress would spit out some of the most appalling curses Daniel had ever heard. For the next few weeks, wherever Daniel went, Ella was sure to follow. She would not come too close, but preferred to hover in the vicinity. If he were in his room, she would be in hers. If he went downstairs, Ella would soon wander down as well. She was also learning how to survive in the house. After her first disastrous day, Mrs. Greerson made an extra effort with Ella. All of the house rules were carefully explained. Every child had chores, both daily and weekly. Weekly chores included kitchen duty and other house cleaning tasks. Even Brian had to do chores. Daily tasks were the ones that Ella had the most trouble with. They included keeping her room clean and doing her homework. Making her bed elicited a blistering stream of curse words from Ella. Smothering his laughter, Daniel finally came in and showed her how to make the severe military-approved "hospital corners" the Parson's had taught him. Her homework was another matter.

Daniel never got the impression that Ella was lacking in intelligence. But for the past several years her schooling had been inconsistent. Her new school placed her in a special program to give her a chance to catch up with the rest of her class. Unfortunately, this embarrassed her deeply and she refused any help with her work. While doing his own work in his room, Daniel could hear Ella swearing under her breath as she struggled through her assignments.

A few weeks after Ella's arrival, Daniel received a book box from his grandfather Nick. Nick sent these "intellectual care packages" every month or so, along with long rambling letters expounding his latest "unconventional" theories. The gem in this box was a copy of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night that had been translated into ancient Greek. Whether in English or Greek, Daniel believed that Shakespeare was meant to be read out loud. Enjoying himself immensely, Daniel did not hear Ella come home until it was too late.

"Daniel, what are you doing?" Ella asked from his doorway.

He was very embarrassed to be caught "performing." "Um…reading. It's a book my grandfather sent me."

"You have a grandfather? Why don't you live with him?"

Daniel was never comfortable answering questions about Nick. What could he say? I don't live with Nick because I don't think he likes me that much. Maybe I look too much like his daughter, whom he did love. And anyway he is too busy chasing "Giant Aliens" to give a damn about his daughter's only child. Out loud he only said, "It's complicated."

Ella nodded as if she understood. "So, what are you reading?"

"Do you know who Shakespeare is?" Ella shook her head. "Well, he wrote plays a long time ago. This one is called Twelfth Night. Somebody translated it into Greek and I'm just reading it. Out loud."

Ella puzzled that for a few moments. "You speak Greek?"

"I speak a few other languages. My parents taught me some and I just kept up the studies on my own."

"Wow...I don't think I…Daniel, do you like school?"

Truthfully, most of his school either bored or scared Daniel. He was too smart for his classes and too awkward for the social aspects. He had skipped two years and was really just waiting to get to college. Most of his time at this high school was spent avoiding Brian and his gang. "Not really, I guess," he admitted with a laugh. "But I like to learn. What about you?"

" The classes are so hard Daniel! I'm such an idiot." There was no doubt in Daniel's mind that Ella wasn't just saying these things. She believed it." Everyone has always said I'm stupid."

"Just because the classes are hard, doesn't meant that you are stupid," Daniel replied. "It's hard because you're new. I can help you if you want. And once you get some friends there it will get easier."

Ella looked at the ground. "I don't think so. The kids there don't like me. They know I'm just a foster kid. They think I'm a freak."

Daniel didn't know what to say. He was the same way, but he tried not to let it bother him too much. "You know, Ella, if you're a freak for being a foster kid, so am I."

Ella thought about that for a moment. Giving him a rare smile, she went to her room.

That Saturday, Daniel stopped by Ella's room. "Hey, I'm going to the library. Would you like to come?"

She gave him a confused look, "Why?"

"To look at books, to read, to get out of the house and away from Brian." That was all it took. She jumped off her bed, grabbed her shoes and waited by the front door.

When the arrived at the library, Ella looked lost. Daniel set her at a table and went to find his books. On a whim he picked up one for Ella.

When he got back to the table, he placed it in front of her. "What's that?" Ella asked suspiciously.

"A book." When she continued to look suspicious, he teased her, "You do know what they are, right?" She raised her left eyebrow and glared so he elaborated, "It's called The Secret Garden. It's about an orphan named Mary Lennox. She is bratty, angry and often rude. You might like her."

Choosing not to answer, Ella pulled the book to her and started to read. Daniel settled into his research on Ancient Egyptian burial rites, and assignment from Nick. After some time, Ella looked up from her book. "Why do they keep saying things are 'queer'?" she asked.

Still focused on his own task, Daniel replied, "Queer means weird."

"No it don't. Queer means gay."

He let out an exasperated sigh and looked over at her, "In this book, queer means weird, okay?"

It was obvious she didn't believe him, but continued reading anyway. A few hours later the library was closing.

"Come on Ella, time to go home," Daniel started to pack his bag.

Surfacing from her reading, Ella's dazed look was quickly replaced by panic, "But I'm not done with this! I wanna finish this book."

"Okay, we'll check it out."

"But I don't have a card!"

"It's okay, I'll use mine." Privately, Daniel was really amused by her panic but tried not to let on. It was nice to see her interested in something other than swearing.

"Oh, thanks." Sheepishly, she pulled her stuff together and followed him through the check out process.

As they walked home, Daniel noticed Ella worrying her lower lip with her teeth. "What's wrong?"

She took a deep breath and looked up. "Daniel, if I can finish this book, and if I take really good care of it, can I check out another book on your card, please?"

Her voice was so anxious that again Daniel wanted to laugh. But he responded seriously and respectfully, "Sure, that'll be fine. And I grabbed you an application form. Once Mrs. Greerson signs it, you'll have your own card."

She gave him ashy, but happy, smile. "Thanks, Daniel."

TBC