Title: Stories from the Table: The Commissary 
Author: JoaG
Feedback: joag_sg1@hotmail.com 
Author Website: http://members.attcanada.ca/~jogall/ 
Rating: PG13
Pairing: Jack/Daniel, established relationship 
Category: Challenge, Hurt/Comfort
Date: 03 April 2003
Series: Tokra Flats Table series 
Archive: Majel’s site, tok’ra flats
Others, please ask, I'll share (except for 
Daniel - hands off, he's mine <G>)
Synopsis: A Springtime Challenge offered by Mayor Debi.
Our travelling table is once again in the commissary.
Notes: Un-beta'd. All errors are mine.

I am a table. I am a rectangular four-foot wide by eight-foot long, golden oak table with lots of grain, a leg on each corner, and a polyurethane sealant. This is important, because though it removes me from the level of ‘fine’ furniture, it adds to my versatility and my longevity. I was purchased in the early 90’s by the U.S. Air Force Quartermaster in a spasm of upgrades for the offices of NORAD. After I was delivered I was reassigned to a priority slot in a new command under the mountain cryptically referred to as SGC. I can seat eight formally, ten comfortable, and twelve friendly. Because I was purchased without chairs, I knew that my life would be one of utilitarianism not formal dining. In other words, I’ll see a lot of service of all kinds.

I am once again situated in the commissary, to replace several of my smaller brethren who have been removed for repairs. Damaged while mobiles called marines decided to arm wrestle, I heard that it was an awful sight to behold. It has left many of my kind nearby trembling in fear every time an elbow is rested on their surface.

It is either very late, or very early. I am unaware of the passage of time when the mobiles are not nearby. The lights are dim, the room is empty. Most of the mobiles do not frequent this particular room at this time of night.

“Atchoo.” The sound echoes in the empty room as Tall Civilian Daniel makes his way inside. He sniffles loudly, and shuffles his way slowly towards the food counter. Tall Civilian Daniel picks up several items, places them on a tray, and carries them over towards me. He quickly deposits the tray on top of me as he grabs the edges of my top and holds on tightly. “Atchoo! Atchoo!Atchoo!” A fine mist is sprayed over my surface.

“Damn,” my favourite mobile says as he sits down heavily in a chair. More sniffles once more, and a loud honking sound ensues. He sighs loudly before inching the chair underneath me. He places his elbows on my surface, and his head falls into his hand. I hear squeaks of fear coming from my neighbours, but I am not afraid. This mobile is my friend. I have saved his life, supported his sleeping body, and held his secrets.

He is a picture of misery; his eyes are watering, his nose is red (and also leaking, but being a table, I will not point this out to him). I am slightly concerned as I sense he is having problems breathing through his dripping nose.

“Atchoo!” This last explosion is followed by Tall Civilian Daniel’s hand hitting my surface hard. Being made of solid wood, this action simply startles rather than hurts me. I cannot imagine why he would wish to injure a table, until I realize that his behaviour is one of irritation.

He removes items from the tray and places them before him. I recognize the sound of snap, crackle and pop as he pours cold liquid inside a bowl. The din this foodstuff makes does not hide the raspy breath and sniffles coming from Daniel. He picks up a spoon and dips it into the bowl. As he brings the spoon to his mouth, his body convulses once more.

“Atchoo.”

“Bless.”

Tall Civilian Daniel looks up in surprise towards the door and sees Tall Military Jack staring at him. He sniffles once more as his spoon clatters loudly in the bowl. Drops of white liquid splatter my table top as the contents of the bowl spill out. He puts his face in his hands as Tall Military Jack comes to stand beside his friend.

“Daniel, are you all right? You look terrible,” Jack says as he places a hand on Daniel’s bent neck.

“Allergies, Jack. I forgot to take my allergy pills,” he replies in a thick, nasal voice.

“How the hell could you forget to take… is that why you left early this morning?”

“Ten days on a desert planet with no allergens,” Daniel interrupts, as he looks up at Jack. “And yeah, I couldn’t sleep, and I didn’t want to wake you, so I decided to come in early.”

“You gonna be okay?”

“Yeah,” Daniel replies in a soft voice. “I’m just waiting for the pills to kick in, but they’re taking their sweet time. Atchooo.” Daniel removes his glasses and places them beside his bowl, rubbing his now leaking eyes with his palms.

Tall Military Jack walks over to the far counter and soon returns with a cup in his hand. He pushes the bowl away from Daniel and places the steaming cup before him.

“Tea?” Daniel asks.

“Yeah. I put some honey in it, the way you like it.” He pushes the cup closer to Daniel. “Drink up.” He watches with concern as his friend sips at the brew.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have dragged you out for that picnic yesterday,” Tall Military Jack says as Tall Civilian Daniel makes that honking sound into a tissue again.

“I’m not!” Tall Civilian Daniel exclaims as he stuffs the tissue into a pocket. “Jack, do you know how long it’s been we just sat around and relaxed? Just you and me, alone? No work, no worries, no prying eyes. And besides, I love spring. That’s the only time of year that the soil has that special smell to it, like it’s enticing all the seeds to hurry up and sprout, to come and see what they’re missing outside. The leaves have just finished budding, it’s like the trees have all had a buzz cut, and everything’s starting to grow back in. The wind is warm and the air is so fresh and clean.”

“And obviously full of pollen to which you’re allergic to.”

Tall Civilian Daniel rolls his eyes before he takes another sip of tea.

“Everything is coming back to life now … it’s like Mother Nature has been holding her breath over winter and is letting it out slowly. Everything’s been put on hold… waiting for a sign, a signal none of us are aware of. Then almost overnight, the grass is green, the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing. Did you hear them singing yesterday, Jack? They sounded so happy.”

“Yeah, well we all know why the birds were singing.” At Daniel’s puzzled look he continued. “You know… the birds and the bees… springtime?

“Well, as I remember it, you were singing pretty loudly yourself at one point,” Daniel says with a smirk. His grin fades as he is assailed once again by a loud fit of sneezing.

“Okay, that’s it. You’re going to see Fraiser.”

Nodding wearily, Tall Civilian Daniel pushes his chair from me, and stands up by using me as support. I am happy to oblige, and wish at this moment that I came equipped with wheels. I would gladly carry his weight to the infirmary, if only to ease a bit of his suffering.

Tall Civilian Daniel removes his dirty dishes while Tall Military Jack wipes my top with a clean, damp cloth before they leave. As they walk out of the commissary, I hear Daniel say, “Can we go back there soon, Jack? I really did enjoy the picnic.”

I do not hear the response as he sneezes loudly once more.

Tall Civilian Daniel’s words have kindled a vague memory in me… of small, swift and colourful creatures flitting among parts of me, singing and chirping happily. Of feeling the breeze ruffle fluttery leaves, my trunk and branches bending and swaying to the whims of the wind. The soil surrounding my roots wet and warmed by the sun. My body offering shelter to wildlife, of standing tall and proud, happy to be alive…. is this a dream of which the mobiles often refer to?

I am a table. My job is simply to be here and serve the mobiles as best I can. But today I have a question that none seem able to answer. Do tables dream?

FINIS