Chapter 9 - Fire Pit

After the haunted houses, the party began to wrap up. Sam helped her brother bring in the hamburgers and their fixings.

"I wish you could visit us," she said, though she knew that was impossible. Because of Iasis, the Tok'ra would never allow it.

"Maybe, some day." He and Betty were both exhausted, but their kids were still running around outside.

Jacob was already inside, putting things away. As was Jack.

"Maybe we can wait until tomorrow for some of this stuff," Mark said.

"Nah," Jacob said. "We have reinforcements. They'll be here soon enough. Why don't you and Betty relax. You did most of the work ahead of time."

Mark sat down. "Thank you."

Sure enough, Garshaw arrived with her guards. Then Teal'c. Than the rest of the Tok'ra. Jacob gave out orders, and Mark was amazed by how quickly his house changed back to normal.

"Wow. You guys are fast." He went outside to help, only to find that they had taken care of that as well. Only the fire pit was still there, still burning.

"Dad, are we making s'mores?" Tom asked.

"Pleeease," Tina begged.

"Yeah. Go ahead."

They cheered as they ran off to get everything.

Mark set more chairs around the fire pit as others came out.

"What is s'mores?" Gete asked. "They said it had chocolate?"

"More candy?" Malek asked before giving him a kiss. "Haven't you had enough?"

"Didn't you eat four trays of nachos?"

"They were little," he defended, gesturing with his hands.

Gete laughed as he sat down.

Tom and Tina came out, then competed with each other on who got to explain s'mores. Gete was the only Tok'ra interested in the food, taking his time to carefully roast his marshmallow. The children did not, making theirs quickly before eating them.

Mark turned the music off, and multiple Tok'ra sighed in relief as they took out their earplugs. Some houses were still playing music in the distance.

"How did you all enjoy the party?" Betty asked before gesturing to her children. "Bed. You have school tomorrow."

They protested and complained.

"No grumbles," Mark said. "Go to bed."

Tina went first. Tom looked like he was about to protest again.

"Go. Kevin is tired," Jacob said.

That got a smile out of him. "Alright. Kevin. Time for bed." He grumbled again, but left.

"The party was quite interesting," Lantash answered. "The dungeon was…less fun."

"I think it was a little too familiar for some," Jacob added so that the topic wasn't pushed.

"Oh. I…" Mark hadn't even considered that.

"Some of the devices are very similar to devices developed on diff…in different countries." Anise added. "Some eerily so, despite being developed completely on their own." She wasn't sitting, and she went into the house.

"I liked the ghostly mermaids," Martouf said.

"They were just ghosts," Betty informed kindly.

"Then why did they have tails?"

"So they can fly."

"That doesn't make sense," Malek said.

"Well, no, I suppose it doesn't."

Jack grinned.

Aldwin made his s'more, then bit into it. He soon had melted chocolate on his hand. He frowned as he turned his hand. "How did I mess that up?"

"They can be messy," Mark said with a chuckle. "You might want to try it with less chocolate, next time."

Aldwin finished the cookie as Malek grabbed a paper towel. He got it wet to wash his hand.

"I can wash my own hand."

"Maybe I just wanted an excuse to hold your hand." Malek grinned before kissing him.

Mark was curious, noticing that necks were often stroked or grabbed between Tok'ra mates, and only between Tok'ra mates. He realized though, it might be a personal question, so he didn't ask.

Jack was unusually quiet. He was exhausted, but he didn't want to miss out on any of this. It was quite a wonder to see Tok'ra just having fun, relaxing, and he had to admit, he was shocked when he saw any of them drinking. It had taken years, but they were finally letting their guard down around him.

"Has anyone seen Daniel?" He asked, realizing he hadn't seen him in a while.

"He and Freya are upstairs," Jacob replied.

Jack nodded, yawning.

"Speaking of which, it's time to turn in," Jacob added, mostly for Mark and Betty's sake. He knew, however tired, they would stay as long as the last guest.

Others in the group, such as Teal'c or Garshaw, were already inside. The rest of the Tok'ra took it as an order to go in. Betty made sure to put out the dying fire.

"They were up so early, yet still have more energy than I do," Mark said.

"We do have extra help. Even with that-"

I'm a that now?

"-believe me, it'll catch up to us." You know what I mean.

They all went inside.

Upstairs, Sam heard Malika fussing before she went into their room.

"I cannot find what is wrong with her," Lantash said in worry. He held her in one arm while using a healing device to scan her.

She laughed. "She's just had a big day."

"That's all it takes?"

"Sometimes."

Lantash sighed in relief, then kissed Malika. He set her in his lap, facing him, then flared his eyes. He knew she enjoyed that. Malika looked into his eyes, slowly calming as he kept glowing them. She finally went to sleep.

Sam changed into a nightgown. "Are you going to hold her all night?"

"Just a little longer," he said, looking at his daughter with love.

Sam kissed them both before going to bed.

To be continued…