Fading Memories
By Terri D. Thomas
Part 3
"I'll never figure out what Jack sees in this place," Daniel muttered as he wiped the remnants of peanut shells from the table with his hand. He then did the same with the booth before he plopped down on the cushion. He examined the palm of his hand and turned up his nose at the little grains of salt and miscellaneous food now embedded in the creases. "Ugh," he groaned as he cleaned the hand on his jeans.
Teal'c slid into the booth across from him. "If you do not like this place, Daniel Jackson, why did we come?"
Daniel smiled at the question. Teal'c had a point. Why did he drag the big Jaffa here? "I guess it's because Jack likes it. . .and I really don't know many other places to hang out in Colorado Springs."
"Why?" The question was innocent.
"Well, I'm not from this area. I came here because of the project and never have really had time to explore my surroundings. It was hard enough finding an apartment to live in let alone getting to know the city."
"Ah," Teal'c nodded, understanding the predicament only too well. "Like me, you have not had an opportunity to leave the SGC on many occasions."
"No, I haven't. When I'm not working with SG1, it seems I'm involved in other translation projects." Daniel paused for a moment. "But I don't mind. It keeps me busy. I don't have much time to think about. . .other things."
Teal'c's brown eyes met Daniel's blue. A look of understanding passed between the two. Daniel broke the contact first and grabbed a menu from the center of the table. Teal'c copied his friend's actions.
"Well, I think a greasy hamburger and a mound of French fries might hit the spot," the younger man said as he read the menu.
"That sounds. . .interesting," Teal'c commented.
"Trust me, if you want something really bad for you, that's the way to go."
"Why would I want to eat something which was bad for me?" Teal'c asked, frowning.
Daniel laughed. "Because the food that tastes the best is always the worst for your body. However, I suppose with your. . .friend in there, the bad stuff won't even phase you."
Before Teal'c could respond the waitress was upon them. "What can I get for you?" the red-haired woman asked.
Daniel glanced at Teal'c and knew the man didn't have a clue what to eat so he took it upon himself to order for them both. "We'll both have your largest hamburger and a side of fries."
"To drink?"
Daniel glanced at Teal'c again. The man's blank stare said it all. "Give us to draws."
"You got it," the woman said as she flipped her small notebook closed and returned to the bar.
"I think I need a beer," Daniel remarked.
"I have had beer," Teal'c said.
"Yeah, with Jack, right?"
"Yes. It is. . .interesting."
"You don't like it?"
"It is. . .okay. We have similar drinks on Chulak."
"Fermented drinks. . .like alcohol?" Daniel glanced around the room to make sure no one was in earshot of the two. The bar was so noisy that he was certain no one could hear. "Really? I would think that the larva would prevent alcohol from affecting the mind."
"It quickly causes any adverse effects to pass quickly. But the drinks are still enjoyed. They were handed down through the ages and are a tradition amongst my people."
Daniel thought about the words for a long time before he spoke again. "Do you find it difficult to be here?"
"In this place?" Teal'c asked.
"On Earth."
Teal'c gave his answer careful consideration. "Sometimes, yes, it is difficult. However, I know there is a reason for me to be here. I have a purpose. That is enough."
Daniel nodded. "I wish I could be so certain."
"You are not?"
"No. . .not really. Sometime I feel that Abydos was more of a home to me than this place has ever been or ever will be."
"When you find your wife, will you return there?" Teal'c question was asked out of pure curiosity.
Before Daniel could answer the waitress returned with their beers. Waiting until after the woman was away from the table, Daniel nodded. "If Shau'ri wants to return there, I will go with her."
"There is doubt in your tone."
Daniel nodded. "If. . .when I find her, she may not wish to return to Abydos. A lot has. . .happened to her. . .to us."
Teal'c nodded. "I am certain that when she is returned to you she will not care where you live as long as you are together."
"I hope so, Teal'c. God, I hope so."
The two men ate their hamburgers. Teal'c was fascinated by the football game which was playing on a nearby television. Daniel did his best to explain the rules, although when he tried he found they were much more confusing than what he remembered.
Later that evening, Daniel glanced out the window. For the first time he noticed it was dark. The two men had spent the entire afternoon talking and watching the people around them. Daniel could feel a slight buzz from the multiple beers he had consumed and knew he wasn't really in a position to drive. And while Teal'c appeared more than capable of navigation, he didn't know the first thing of driving in the city.
"Let's get some fresh air," Daniel suggested. "Maybe it'll clear my head and we can get out of here."
Daniel tossed a few bills on the table and moved toward the bar's exit feeling Teal'c's presence close behind. The two men stepped out onto the darkened street which ran in front of the building. The air was cool and Daniel tugged his jacket up around his neck to keep him warm. He pointed to his left. "The car is over here." He didn't know if he was reminding Teal'c or confirming it for himself, but Teal'c simply nodded. "I don't think I should be driving yet. Let's take a walk around the block. That should be enough to clear my head."
The two men took out walking. As they passed an alley which was a half-block from the bar, they heard a commotion. Trash cans crashed to the ground, the sound of metal clanking against asphalt echoed down the alleyway.
Teal'c was immediately on alert and took a step forward. Daniel grabbed the larger man by the arm. "Don't worry. It's probably just a cat."
Teal'c's tense muscles relaxed. The two men continued on their way. They had only taken a few more steps when the sound of a gunshot reverberated from the same alley. "That was not a cat," Teal'c commented.
Daniel ignored the man's assessment and took out running towards the source of the noise. Teal'c followed close behind as the two men were swallowed by the darkness of the alley.
End Part 3
To Part 4