Sun, Fun, and Ezra on the Run

by Sablecain

Alternate Universe: Stargate

Follows More Than Friends, A Light in the Distance, Under the Sun, Days of Yearning,

Part 1

SG-1 moved silently through the darkened stone corridors, with only the light provided by the flickering torches to guide their way. Colonel Jack O'Neill had

taken point when they entered the tunnel, and now his brown eyes shifted around uneasily. Just behind him, he could hear the harsh breathing of several of his team members. Under ordinary circumstances, SG-1 wouldn't be bunched up as they were ... too easy a target for the Gou'ald, or whoever else was causing trouble for them ... but these were hardly ordinary circumstances.

Bringing up the rear was SG-7, led by Jack's friend and colleague, Colonel Chris Larabee. Jack was uneasy about being out of contact with Chris for such a long time ... their situation demanded radio silence, at all times ... but given the circumstances, it couldn't be helped. This was, after all, no ordinary mission. That didn't stop him from wishing that Vin Tanner, SG-7's guide and sharpshooter, was up here with him. Especially after he heard a most unwelcome noise.

"Can't this line go any faster?!?!"

Jack sighed softly. So much for alleviating his boredom by pretending he was on a mission. Even as he heard Josiah Sanchez intone, "Patience is a virtue, brother," Jack had already located part of the problem. Dr. Daniel Jackson was wedged halfway between SG-1 and SG-7, tracing the strange, glowing swirls on the wall. A quick glance past Daniel told Jack that the previous speaker, the impatient one, wasn't the only one who wanted Daniel to move his ass. Vin Tanner was starting to sweat and his face was a rather unappealing shade of gray, even in the eerily lit tunnel. The kid's claustrophobia was kicking in, and kicking in big time.

Jack had known Vin for three years, and in that time, Jack had never seen the kid have a panic attack. He didn't want today to be the first time. Or because of Daniel's curiosity.

As he reached back to grab the space monkey by his collar, Jack reflected on the events which had led them to take a vacation, including a trip to Busch Gardens in Virginia. It had started out simply enough ... simple, at least, by SG-1 or SG-7 standards. Neither team really knew how to do things the easy way ... they never had, and Jack didn't think it was real likely that they ever would.

Originally, SG-1 and General Hammond were supposed to go to Washington, DC for a series of meetings with Congress about funding. Except ... Senator Kinsey had to put his two cents in, questioning the addition of Vin Tanner to SG-7. Hello? That had been three years earlier, what was wrong with this creep? Was he caught in some kind of time warp? The kid had proven himself time after time during the last few years.

With the senator's attack on Vin, SG-7 quickly became part of the trip. Perhaps seeing into the future, General Travis suggested that after the meetings, the two teams take a week's vacation. They had all been through hell lately, and they could use the time off. General Travis would remain behind in Colorado, hold down the fort, while his daughter-in-law, Captain Mary Travis, and young grandson, Billy, would accompany the two teams to DC. Mary, in turn, requested that her best friend, Dr. Adriana Wilmington, join them as well.

In the three months since the decimation of SG-3, Adriana had slowly begun repairing her relationship with her elder brother, Major Buck Wilmington. A tentative ... what? Friendship? Truce? That worked ... a tentative truce had begun developing between Buck's protege, Private JD Dunne, and the floating archaeologist. By Buck's figuring, this vacation would allow him to spend time with both his sister and his 'little brother.' Jack couldn't argue with that logic.

After the hell of the committee meetings, Jack was glad now that they had decided on a vacation afterward. While all of SG-7 had gone to DC, only Chris Larabee and Ezra Standish, the team negotiator, had joined in the meetings. That had been General Hammond's decision. Jack understood the rationale ... in the first place, to have all seven in the meeting would have been a logistic nightmare. In the second place ... and this part had been hard for Jack to accept ... while Vin could speak perfectly good English, the young man often lapsed into old patterns of speech when he was nervous, and crowds made him very nervous.

They wanted the committee members to look at Vin's accomplishments as a member of SG-7, and the general didn't trust those committee members to look past the young man's longish hair, past his colorful language, or past his shyness. Not that Vin would have ever put it that way, but Jack, and the general, did. So, defending the guide and sharpshooter had fallen to General Hammond, Jack himself, Chris, Ezra ... and Daniel Jackson.

Jack grinned to himself ... that actually had been one of the highlights of the meetings. As General Hammond had guessed, Senator Kinsey had attacked Vin's lack of formal education and his suitability as a member of the SGC. Before anyone else had a chance to defend Tanner, Daniel had jumped in with the sarcastic remark, "Soooo...you're saying that because I can speak several ancient languages and thus, have more education than you do in that respect, I'm more capable of doing your job than you are?"

Ouch. The response had temporarily silenced Kinsey, just long enough for Ezra to smoothly observe in a thickening Southern accent, "While Ah certainly would not presume to tell the distinguished membahs of this committee how to conduct themselves in the course of their professional duties, Ah must point out that Dr. Jackson is quite correct. While Ah do not doubt that Senatah Kinsey is quite ... adept ... in his particulah circle of powah, I submit, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, that Mistah Tannah is just skilled in his."

The thickening accent had alerted Jack to the darkening mood of the Southerner. He was, not to put too fine a point on it, seriously pissed off. Chris, for his own part, was just as pissed, and struggling to contain his fury. And Jack, who had one helluva temper himself, winced. He didn't know who was scarier when he was mad ... the elegant Standish or the seething Larabee. Neither alternative was attractive.

It seemed that General Hammond agreed, for as he took one look at his furious colonel, and another at the equally furious negotiator, he said, "Which is why I would like you all to direct your attention to page twenty of the brief I prepared for you, with the aid of Captain Mary Travis. A full report of Mr. Tanner's actions on the mission spoken of earlier, which resulted in Dr. Conklin's suspension from the field."

And so it went, with Kinsey bringing up aspects of Vin's past, and General Hammond or Standish shooting him down. Jack was glad he had played devil's advocate with the general when Tanner was first brought on board. Kinsey had objections to Tanner's hair, his lack of military background, his years as a bounty hunter, his lack of formal education, his status as a criminal (as JD Dunne would have said, huh?)

Part 2

On this last charge, Chris Larabee finally made his presence known, telling the committee, "Vin Tanner is not a criminal. He has never been arrested, never been charged, never been convicted. As a bounty hunter in Texas, he was briefly a suspect in the murder of Jesse Kincaid, until the man's own daughter, who witnessed the murder, cleared him. After that, a $50,000 hit was placed on his head by whichever mob family the actual murderer, Eli Joe, works for."

"This would be the same reason why Mr. Tanner disappeared for two years, correct, Colonel Larabee?" a committee member, a woman of about sixty, asked. Chris nodded his acknowledgment, and the woman continued, reading something in front of her, "According to the file provided for us, Mr. Tanner avoided detection of any kind, avoiding use of ATM or credit cards, for two years. And that he intervened when two bigots attacked Nathan Jackson, the medic for SG-7, in a bar. Colonel Larabee ... for two years, your second in command kept to himself, stayed out of the lives of others as much as he could. Why?"

"There are many reasons for his decision that night. Vin hadn't made his presence known in those two years, not officially at least, but I've since learned that he never stopped helping people, just in more subtle ways. That night, the night that I first met him, Vin had been on his own for two years. Captain Mary Travis was in the bar that night, and when the two bigots attacked Nathan, she stood up for him. Vin didn't react too well to the way they treated her. That played into his decision as well," Chris explained.

"So what you're saying, Colonel, is that this tough ex-bounty hunter stuck his neck out to save someone he didn't know ... because he was lonely? Please. We're not stupid here, Colonel," Senator Kinsey sneered. Jack muttered, 'wanna make a bet,' then grimaced as Daniel kicked his ankle. However, both Ezra and Chris had the situation well in hand. That didn't stop Jack from putting a calming hand on Larabee's shoulder ... or from wishing that Tanner was here to keep Chris cool. The kid had an uncanny ability to make Chris laugh.

"Ah believe what Colonel Larabee was tryin' to say was that many factahs played into Mistah Tannah's decision to help Mistah Jackson that night. Yes, Ah believe he was lonely, but more than that, he was angry that someone treated a fine lady with such contempt. And if you have evah had the opportunity to meet Captain Travis, Senatah Kinsey, Ah have no doubt that you would agree that she is a fine lady, indeed," Standish replied.

Chris Larabee had the patented Larabee Glare. Ezra Standish had his Southern accent and ten-dollar words, which could put even Harry Maybourne in his place if the slimy colonel was paying attention. Into the silence which followed, there was an uncomfortable shuffling of paper. Jack grinned ... Mary had testified the day before, and every time Senator Kinsey had tried to discredit Vin, the young reporter had responded with an example of Vin's courage, intelligence, and courtesy. He had finally pushed her too far when he played the education card once too often, and Mary had informed the senator in a frosty voice that she, as well as Major Carter and Dr. Frasier, had the pleasure of filling in the gaps of his formal education ... or was the Senator trying to insult their abilities as well?

Perhaps remembering the confrontation Jack was now thinking of, the congresswoman who had spoken previously, said in a voice that was almost as icy as Mary's had been, "As a single mother who held many jobs before I ran for office, I can appreciate Mr. Tanner's gallantry. The more I read, Senator Kinsey, the more I think this is yet another example of your personal vendetta against the SGC ... and this young man is just another means of attacking the program."

Senator Kinsey had tried to interrupt the woman, who went on in that icy voice, "Further, it's just as clear to me that while Kevin Tanner is not an officer, he most assuredly is a gentleman, and an intelligent one at that. I can certainly empathize with the general's unwillingness to subject the young man to this atmosphere, but I do regret not being able to meet him. My dear colleagues, we are wasting the money of the taxpayers with these hearings ... money that could be better spent in other ways. Mr. Tanner has proven himself repeatedly over the last three years. Let us allow him, and the rest of the SGC, to do their jobs."

"I would submit that our distinguished colleague from Michigan has succumbed ... " Kinsey began sarcastically. Jack knew what the senator was about to say. He had been about to accuse Senator Warner (Gwynyth Warner, if Jack's memory served) of falling victim to Vin's charms. He was a good-looking kid. But what Kinsey was accusing Warner of, was nothing short of unprofessionalism. Especially since, Jack silently observed, Warner is probably old enough to be Vin's mother. Jack wasn't stupid enough to believe that she couldn't find the kid attractive. She probably did. But she was no silly teenage girl ... hell, not even Cassie acted the way Kinsey was accusing Warner of acting!

"Senator Kinsey, that is enough. We have heard your opinion, and quite frankly, I'm as unimpressed with this witch hunt as Senator Warner is! I have read the same files as every other member of this committee, and while it's obvious that Mr. Tanner is a bit rough around the edges, it's also obvious that he's very good at his job. I echo Dr. Jackson's question ... do you believe that his education makes him more qualified to do your job? If not, then what makes you believe that Mr. Tanner's lack of formal education makes him any less qualified?"

It took Jack a few moments to find the speaker. He was an older man ... probably older than Hammond or Travis. Slender, and he was glaring at Kinsey for all he was worth. Watson, that was his name. Virgil Watson. The man continued, "It's also obvious, given his background and early life, that he could have easily become a predator. He did not. He became a protector. As far as I'm concerned, Vin Tanner will remain a member of the SGC as long as he, and the general, chooses. I motion that this committee make that recommendation official."

"I second that," Senator Warner put in, glaring at Kinsey. Oops. He just went too far. The motion was carried, and the men were dismissed with the thanks of the committee. Senator Warner had stopped them on the way out, saying, "I am sorry I couldn't meet Mr. Tanner. But for what it's worth, General, you made the right decision. I grew up in Texas, I know the worth of men like him. I can't say the same for all of my colleagues."

Her next words startled them all, as she added, "Are you planning to head directly back to Colorado, or did you allot yourselves some extra time?" Hammond said they wouldn't be heading back for another week ... they just hadn't decided where they would go, or if they would stay in DC. Senator Warner shook her head and replied, "No, no, no! I love Washington, DC, but this place is a veritable madhouse in the summer, especially on the weekends. I take my grandchildren to Busch Gardens down in Virginia, when they come for visits from Nebraska."

Which was how they ended up here ... oh, not here in this tunnel, waiting for their turn in a VR ride, but here, in Busch Gardens, in Virginia. All of SG-1 and SG-7, Mary Travis, her son, and Adriana Wilmington ... those three, of course, rooming together. Rain Jackson had returned to aid the Se'min'o, and couldn't be with them, but she had drawn a promise from Josiah Sanchez to make Nathan have fun.

Someone should have thought to make a similar promise, regarding Ezra Standish. The negotiator, who had been so suave in Washington, DC, had turned into a petulant child during the ride from DC to Williamsburg. They had taken two vans, but unfortunately, Ezra had ended up in Jack's van. Jack liked the Southerner ... when he could understand him. But after hearing from Teal'c about how excited Vin had been about the upcoming trip to the amusement park, Jack really wished Tanner had been in his van.

Standish settled down somewhat once they reached the hotel. They each settled in a room of their choosing, then returned to the room shared by Teal'c, Jack, and Daniel. A VCR had been rented, and the guys were pleased to find out that the women (Mary, Adriana, Sam, and Janet, who had flown in from Colorado with Cassie for a short vacation) had brought 'good' movies, instead of chick flicks. That had earned Jack a few pillows.

He knew the other guys agreed with him ... he was just the idiot who had opened his mouth with five females in the room. Five dangerous females, at that. The first movie to be removed from the goody bag was 'Gladiator.' Which, in the immortal words of young Private Dunne, 'seriously kicked ass.' Jack figured without really meaning to, Adriana had earned herself a few brownie points with the kid, for bringing it along.

Daniel got bapped on the head repeatedly during the course of the film, for critiquing everything from the historical accuracy to ... well ... the historical accuracy. That wasn't so unusual, since he often got whapped when they were watching a film within his expertise. Jack had learned the hard way not to take Daniel to see movies such as 'The Mummy.' Bad idea. Very bad idea. The last time Teal'c had come over to Jack's apartment for a movie night, Jack finally had to gag Daniel with a bandanna borrowed from Vin for a desert planet to shut him up.

No, the surprise was that Adriana, also an archaeologist, had whapped Daniel. The Egyptologist had protested after the third or fourth time she had whapped him, and Adriana said firmly, "Daniel ... hush. We aren't watching this movie with a bunch of students for education, we are watching this movie for fun. F ... u ... n. That means, we're not working. I don't expect any movie to be one hundred percent accurate. So hush up and watch the damn movie!"

"What she said," Cassie agreed, lounging on the floor beside Daniel, "even though Mom would wash my mouth out with soap if I ever talked like that." She squirmed on the floor until she was more comfortable, adding, "Besides, I'm not watching it for that, Daniel. Russell Crowe is hot, even if he is old." The male members of the audience who were all older than the Australian actor glowered at the girl.

Part 3

"Oh no, honey," Adriana laughed from her position on the bed, "Russell Crowe isn't old. He's not even close! Sean Connery could be your grandfather, but he's not old either." This was greeted with howls from the other women, and Jack looked at them, a little afraid. This was scary. It wasn't scary that the women were letting down their hair ... it was scary just how long their hair was when it was really down.

"This is right interestin,' ladies, but could we watch the movie now?" Vin asked. Jack angled himself until he could see the young man's face ... if Vin turned any redder, the local airport could use him as a beacon at midnight. He looked at Adriana, who was lightly brushing his sides with her feet, and she smirked in what could be best described as ... well, it was just plain evil. Who would have thought the quiet archaeologist had such a wicked streak?

"I think we're making Vin uncomfortable, ladies," Mary teased, her green eyes lighting up with mischief. Oh God. Adriana on a rampage wasn't bad enough. Mary Travis getting a little wild ... that was enough to terrify any sane man, and Jack had the unnerving sense that he would find out during this trip just why those four women were called 'The Four Corners.' Mary continued, "But we'll behave. For now. My son's asleep in the next room, and remind me to thank Nathan for watching him."

"He's just getting practice for when he's a daddy, Miss Mary," Josiah said with a smile.

Mary had smiled and silence fell once more as all eyes and ears were returned to the television set. It really was a good movie. Especially now that Daniel wasn't interrupting every few minutes with 'that's wrong.' Jack would have to remember to thank Adriana for her baps. Later, though. During the course of the night, they watched 'Gladiator,' as well as all three of the Indiana Jones movies. Jack chuckled now ... that had nearly driven Daniel crazy.

Those had been Janet's idea, and Jack would have to remember to thank her for that. After the 'psuedo-archaeology' movies were past (to borrow a phrase from Grinch Daniel), they watched 'Ladyhawke,' and if anyone had accused Jack of crying at the end, when the star-crossed lovers were finally reunited, he would have told him that it was just the dust in the room. Damn hotels were full of dust bunnies.

However, no one was particularly interested in Jack or his moist eyes. JD blurted out as Navarre whirled his lady love around, "Hey, Vin! That's what you did when Adriana got to the SGC! Had you seen this movie? Is that where you got the idea?" Jack groaned, burying his head in his arms. Did the kid know how to speak quietly? He totally missed Buck Wilmington cuffing the kid in the back of his head, but did hear JD's indignant, "Hey!"

"No, kid, I ain't never seen this movie 'fore. Though I reckon Drina has, since she was talkin' along with the actors," Vin answered. This time, Adriana bapped him on the head, and he twisted around to glare at her. She just laughed at him. Damn. Forget the pain meds ... he had seen her on those after Conklin's last mission ... just get her sleepy, and she got loopy. Jack kinda liked her like this, though. She was ... well ... for lack of a better word ... cute.

"We watched it together a few times, JD. And it was one of Sarah's favorite movies. No, don't apologize, Mary. This has a lot of good memories. A lot," Chris said softly. Jack looked over at the other colonel, and saw him blinking away tears. Jack understood. There were a few movies that held memories for him, memories of his own Sara, memories of Charlie. Movies, songs ... hell, even smells brought the memories back. Taking a glance around, Jack saw that he wasn't the only one who understood, either.

After that, the party broke up. Everyone was tired, and as the movies were rewound and returned to their respective owners, the others went to bed, exchanging sleepy hugs, and a few kisses. Curiously, no one had heard a peep out of Ezra through any of the movies, although Jack had seen that he was both awake and watching the movies. If Jack had hoped the Southerner wouldn't start complaining again that morning on the way to Busch Gardens, he had been badly disappointed. According to him, going to an amusement park was beneath his dignity as a gentleman. To which Daniel had pointed out, "But Ezra, you're not a gentleman."

Jack laughed to himself, remembering the 'what just happened there' look which had appeared on the Southerner's face. That had been an hour earlier. It had been agreed that everyone would go on one ride together, then they would split up. Chris, Mary, and Billy would be in one group (now there was a surprise ... what Jack wanted to know was when Chris would get his head out of his ass where that lady was concerned. Probably right around the Tollan finally started sharing their technology. Oh, say, around ... never?)

Vin and Adriana would be in another group, along with Ezra. Since this would be Vin's first trip to an amusement park, General Hammond had asked Adriana if she would mind Ezra 'tagging along.' Maybe in the hopes that Vin's enthusiasm would rub off on the Grinch-like Standish? That was a possibility, but the suggestion was definitely grounds for arguing that the general did, indeed, have a sense of humor.

Since Ezra was like her brother (in more ways than one), Adriana had agreed. However, at the moment, Ezra was bringing up the rear of SG-7, along with Josiah. Adriana and Chris were flanking Vin, who was evidently struggling with his claustrophobia. Jack could hear the low murmur of Adriana's voice as she talked about the same swirls of light on the wall which had so captured the space monkey's attention.

She was trying to distract Vin, and Chris was helping. As was Billy Travis, and Jack just hoped that no crazy, knife-wielding ex-girlfriends screwed up this vacation. He really didn't think any of them wanted to return in pieces to Colorado. Not that Vin had returned in pieces, per se, but he had lost a lot of blood after psycho-bitch (damn, but Adriana had a way with words) stuck steel into his gut.

"Is it me, or is it getting hot in here?" Chris murmured. Jack just sighed, leaning his head against the concrete wall. The name of the ride was 'Corkscrew Hill.' It was an interactive ride, like the kind you found at Disneyworld ... and, he had been told, Las Vegas as well. Jack had no idea what it was about, but they had found it in the Ireland section of Busch Gardens. Each section of the amusement park had a particular theme, inspired by a given country ... Ireland, Greece, Italy, Germany, France, Scotland, England ... even eighteenth century Canada.

"Ooh yeah, it's getting hot in here. That's what happens when you're stuck in a tunnel with fifty other people and no air," Jack replied, not bothering to ask how Chris had gotten up here. The other man snorted, and the older colonel went on, "So how's the kid doing? I could see him fighting off a claustrophobic attack, brought on by the dark, the crowd, the tunnel, and the space monkey forgetting that he was in an amusement park, not on a mission."

Even by the dim light of the tunnel, Jack saw Chris raise an eyebrow in amusement, asking, "Oh, as if you were doing anything different? Please." Jack rolled his eyes, and Chris continued, "Vin's okay, I think. Drina is keeping him occupied, and Buck kicked JD the last time JD started to bring up our last vacation all together." This time, it was Jack's turn to snort as the line moved ahead a little.

"Yeah, well, if any more of your psycho ex-girlfriends decide to hunt you down, I'm disowning you as a friend," Jack replied. Chris responded by punching his shoulder, and Jack continued more seriously, "Ella Gaines is dead. She's been dead for two years. Vin pulled through, Conklin has been relegated to cataloguing all the artifacts we've collected, ever since the SGC was first created. Stacy McPherson is paying for her crimes, and Vanessa returns to work next month. She's finally fit for duty."

"Now that is great news. I know you were worried about her," Chris said.

Jack nodded as the line inched forward yet again. Yeah, it was. While the SGC had been rattled by the attack and Ella's escape, as well as the revelation that Stacy McPherson had been sabotaging SG-7 all along, things had ended well. As Jack had said, Ella Gaines was dead, and her spy inside the SGC had been convicted of espionage. Vanessa Kowalsky had been suffering from a variety of ailments, including exposure to early mind-control experiments by the Gou'ald.

While Vanessa was returning to work in the SGC, she would not be going back into the field. She was considered a liability. As a colonel, Jack understood that. But as an uncle, he was still having a hard time with it. She hadn't asked to be a goddamn experiment, she hadn't asked to lose her uncle, she hadn't asked for any of the things which had happened to her. And yet, Vanessa didn't seem upset about not returning to the field as a member of an SG team.

She actually enjoyed working behind the scenes, she had said. Liked not having the pressure of living up to Charles Kowalsky. That was something else Jack could understand, and because she wasn't upset about not returning to the field, Jack let it go. She was happy, that was all he cared about. She was happy, and the true villains had paid for what they had done. And some were still paying for it.

"All's well that ends well," Jack murmured, nudged forward as the line once more inched forward. He really hoped the ride was worth taking an unpleasant trip down memory lane, having to pull the space monkey forward by his collar twice, and worrying over a claustrophobic sharpshooter. Claustrophobic sharpshooter. Jack glanced over his shoulder at Vin a second time. Shit. The kid looked even worse now. Yeah, this ride damn well better be worth it!

Part 4

If this line didn't move any faster, Vin Tanner was sure he would do something he would regret. What exactly, he didn't know yet. But ... He took a deep breath, trying to focus on the pretty images on the wall. He had overheard Daniel muttering something under his breath about proto-Celtic designs or some such thing. Vin didn't know about that, but the little swirls were right pretty. Adriana said softly at his side, "Wish I had some story to distract you in here."

"Aw hell, Drina," Vin answered, shaking his head to reassure his friend. That was not a good idea ... between the mounting claustrophobia and the dark and the heat, the motion had made him dizzy. He closed his eyes, allowing the dizziness to fade. Once he wasn't feeling quite so wobbly, Vin forced himself to concentrate on anything other than those three things, and continued, "I ain't a little kid. Ya don't have to do nothin.' This is s'posed to be your holiday, too. And this time, we ain't gotta worry about no crazy ex-girlfriends." Adriana snickered at that, even though the incident with Ella Gaines had shaken her as well.

"No, but we might have t' worry about crazy ex-boyfriends. You didn't see the way some of those twits outside were eyein' Mary. Was sure I would need t' kick some arse," she replied. Vin chortled at that, as well as the pseudo Irish accent she had employed. Chris slipped back into position ... he had gone up to talk to Jack, hopefully about keeping Daniel's butt moving forward, and Adriana continued, "Hey Chris, Vin doesn't think I can kick butt."

"Oh, I'm sure he knows better than that, little princess," came the reply. Chris leaned against the wall, smiling, and continued, "Besides, he should remember that Janet strictly forebade any fighting for another two weeks." This time, Vin glared at his best friend. Goddamn smart-ass cowboy! Chris, however, simply laughed quietly and added, "Of course, she didn't say anything about step-dancing. Just when are we gonna find out the story behind that, Vin?"

"Oh, right around never. All ya need to know is, I learned the hard way not to bet against Drina," Vin retorted. He heard Adriana giggle behind him, as she slipped her arms around his waist. Uh, no. No, no, no, no. She was not gonna soften him that easily. No way, it weren't gonna happen. If she wanted Chris to know that story, she was gonna have to tell him herself, because Vin had no intention of doing it.

"So, it was because of a bet? And because you lost the bet, because you bet against Adriana, the two of you learned to step-dance?" Chris asked. Vin felt Adriana nod her head against his arm, and Chris smirked, continuing, "That must have been fun to see. Just out of curiosity, little princess, what was the other side? What would you have had to do if Vin had won the bet, instead of you?"

"We never got that far. Or rather, he never told me ... we just agreed that the winner got to choose something we had to learn, together. Since I won the bet, I chose step-dancing. There was a lady at the college who was setting up a class, and I signed us both up. Since I'm a klutz, Vin was far better at it than I was," Adriana replied. Vin rolled his eyes. Here they went again. Damn girl.

"So, what would you two have learned if you had won the bet?" JD wanted to know from just behind Adriana. Vin looked over his shoulder at the cartographer. He had actually been distracting himself through half of their journey through the tunnel, by listening to JD ask Adriana questions. It seemed he had borrowed some of Casey's textbooks to educate himself, while Vin and Adriana were recovering from their injuries during their last mission.

This time, however, they recuperated at Nettie's boardinghouse, which allowed both Nettie and Casey to fuss over them. Curiously, while Nettie spent a great deal of time making sure Adriana was all right, she didn't really fuss over the young archaeologist. She talked to her a lot, but spent very little time actually fussing over her. Casey, on the other hand, couldn't do enough to make sure Adriana was comfortable.

Adriana had been confused by the attention, but she didn't seem overwhelmed or smothered by Casey. Vin had been a little confused by the girl's attitude, until Nettie admitted that her suspicion about Drina being molested by her father had been confirmed for her.

JD had blurted out this information while visiting the aunt and niece. Vin wasn't too happy about that, since it wasn't JD's story to tell, but Nettie had explained that she had believed that was the case. She had already cautioned Casey not to say anything to Adriana, to let her become more comfortable with them first. Comfortable enough that Adriana would tell them, on her own. Nettie was a right smart lady.

His landlady went on to tell him that Casey had cried that night, so angry that someone had done that to an innocent child. And Casey had admitted that she found herself wishing Adriana was her own child, so she could have taken proper care of that little girl. A physical impossibility, since Casey was younger, but Vin appreciated the sentiment ... the same sentiment which once led Carly to tell him that she wished she was his mother, after his own had died.

To protect the fragile truce between his 'little brother' and his friend, Vin kept this to himself. At least for the moment. While Drina and JD were still awkward around each other, they were at least talking. Early, Drina had told him about some of the things she had seen in Europe, while she was getting her Master's Degree and Ph.D. Vin had looked over his shoulder, to find JD listening intently as Drina described the Roman ruins in Trier.

As ever, he made no attempt to take part in the conversation, until JD asked him what they would have learned, if he had won the bet. Drina looked over at him questioningly, as if he provided the answer to a long-awaited secret. Vin answered reluctantly, "Ain't real sure. Probably skydiving. Was kinda reluctant with that, though, since Drina hates roller coasters." He growled when Drina whacked his butt.

"I do not hate all roller coasters, just the ones which turn you upside down. I'm fine with the old fashioned ones. Loop-de-loops, no thank you. I would have been fine with skydiving," Drina retorted. She looked over her shoulder at JD, adding, "But I'm kinda happy with the way things turned out. I got him hooked on Irish music, and got a graceful dance partner out of the deal. You know, JD, you gotta work on your stoic mask. When Vin and I started step-dancing to the music outside, I thought your jaw would come unhinged."

"I bet," JD admitted ruefully, "that was sort of the last thing I expected, to see Vin dancing like Michael Flatley." Drina gently nudged Vin forward, and JD went on, snickering, "Although, letting Ezra see you dance like that probably wasn't a real good idea, Vin. He'll try to enter you in the SGC talent contest." Vin looked at JD ... say what???????? The young cartographer gulped and said, "You hadn't heard about that? It was something that Colonel O'Neill came up with, said that things had been pretty ugly lately, and we all know how Buck feels about ugly."

"Not just no, but hell no! It's one thin' to be dancin' in front of y'all, but I ain't dancin' in front of no strangers," Vin retorted. More to the point, he wasn't dancin' in front of no crowd! Drina nudged him forward yet again, and Vin continued, totally forgetting about how the walls had seemed to be closing in on him, "Ez thinks he's gonna do that, reckon I'll have to figure out a few things I have on him. What, ya got some ideas there, JD?" The young man nodded, his hazel eyes gleaming even in the faint light.

"You could always bring up his mom finding out about the general's email address ... General Travis, I mean," JD offered. Much to Vin's surprise, Chris and Adriana exchanged a look, then broke up laughing. Since he didn't even know about this, he would have to rely on his two friends to tell this story. Maybe it was while he was still in the infirmary ... Janet didn't encourage gossip among her team.

"There's just one problem with that little scenario, hon. General Travis already knows, and it wasn't Ezra. It was Mary," Adriana informed him with a grin that surpassed impish. JD stared at her in disbelief, and Adriana continued, "Maude wanted the general's email address, because she found out from Senator Kinsey about the Stargate program, and realized what Ezra was doing."

"Senator Kinsey was likely drunk at the time," Chris said and Vin nodded his agreement. The Stargate program was still hush-hush. Chris went on, "And Adriana's right. Mary gave Ms. Standish the general's email address after the general okayed it. Once she found out that Ezra was our negotiator, she started supporting the program. And, since Maude inherited her late husband's seat in the Senate ... "

"Oh really? Maude's last husband was a senator? I missed that," Drina observed. Then again, Vin knew for a fact that Ezra and Drina rarely discussed their respective families, after Ezra had announced his intention to inflict some severe bodily harm on her father. Not that Drina had been mad, but it had shocked her. Why, Vin had no idea, but there were times when that girl confused the hell out of him.

"We're moving again, guys," JD pointed out. So they were. Adriana released Vin and reached into the bin they were passing for a pair of 3-D glasses, muttering something under her breath about hoping these worked better than the ones she was used to. Vin blinked. It looked like their long wait was at an end. He reached into the bin and picked up a pair of glasses for himself, passing another pair back to JD.

Part 5

It was arranged so that Vin sat between Adriana and Chris inside the theater. Probably wasn't what it was supposed to be called, but it worked well for Larabee's purposes. The pair knew how Vin felt about enclosed areas, and neither knew enough about the ride to do anything else. Adriana had her ways of looking after Vin, of protecting him, and Chris had his. Rather than oppose each other, they had decided to work together.

The trio buckled themselves into their seats, Vin slumping ever so slightly in his seat. Chris knew his back still hurt him a lot. He was fine as long as he was walking, but when he stood in place for several moments, that was when he began feeling the pain. He seemed to be all right, so Chris turned his attention back to the giant screen. A wizard 'sprinkled' them with fairy dust. To his left, he heard Billy Travis whisper, "Ooooooh." Chris smiled, relaxing into his chair. This trip to Busch Garden hadn't been his idea ... he hadn't been to an amusement park since Sarah and Adam. He was starting to remember, though, how much Adam had loved them.

It no longer felt like a betrayal of Sarah and Adam, to enjoy life, to enjoy those around him. In fact, he was sure Sarah would have scolded him thoroughly for cutting himself off for so long. Unbeknownst to Jack O'Neill, Chris and Mary had had their first official date three weeks earlier. Billy had stayed with Nettie at her boardinghouse, entertaining Vin and Adriana. That was how Nettie had put it to him ... he could help her take care of those two.

And Billy, like Adam years earlier, had taken this responsibility very seriously. When Chris and Mary had returned to the boardinghouse to pick up the little boy, Nettie told them that Billy had taken very good care of Vin, and after he went to sleep, went to Adriana for a story. She was as full of stories as Ezra, with the traveling she had done. The child had fallen asleep against her side, and that was how Mary and Chris had found him when they arrived.

Chris smiled now, remembering the sight of Billy snuggled against the young woman. They had seen Billy do the same thing in the van, except he had been snuggling against Vin. The sharpshooter had put his arm around the boy, much to Billy's delight. The little boy didn't know his own strength at times, and Chris was sure Billy's fierce hugs had caused Vin some pain. But the sharpshooter didn't attempt to remove Billy's arms from his waist ... just held the child against his side, listening intently to the little boy's questions and responding to them.

It occurred to Chris that he had seen flashes of what Vin must have been like as a child in the van. While he had seen Vin's sense of humor before, had seen his impish streak, he had never seen Vin that excited before. He had been looking forward to the trip, almost chattering in his excitement. Senator Warner had given them brochures for Busch Gardens, and they spent the trip to the amusement park deciding what they wanted to do.

Corkscrew Hill was, as he had been told, an interactive ride. The story went, the riders had been shrunk to the size of fairies. Or something tiny enough to fit into a basket. Which meant that they got bounced about in the box on a horse, in the arms of a little boy. And they wouldn't even discuss the sensation of falling. It was realistic ... too damn realistic, but as the lights came up, he looked first at Vin, then at Billy ... and the smiles he saw made it all worth it.

On the other side of Vin, Adriana pushed herself to her feet. Her limp was almost gone, at least until she got up after sitting for a while. She slung her denim backpack over one shoulder, smiling at Chris. The colonel swung the still-excited Billy into his arms, holding out his free hand to Mary as they left their seats. Billy chattered all the while. Wasn't that sooo cool? It was just like falling, only it wasn't really, and hadn't Chris had fun?

As they walked out, Mary said softly, "I almost wish we were going to stay together."

Chris looked at her with a frown, and she explained, "I mean, the group. Ezra will have his hands full, and I don't think Adriana will be much help to him. Seems to me she's encouraging Vin." Chris grinned at that. Encouraging? Hell, she wasn't encouraging him, she was out and out egging him on! Mary continued, "You know, I think we should meet at a particular ride, or something we can all do together."

"I think that's a great idea. General, Mary just had a brilliant idea," Chris said to General Hammond as the two SG teams returned to their CO and the sunlight. The general looked at them expectantly, and Mary proceeded to explain her idea, as well as her rationale. General Hammond listened thoughtfully, then a decidedly impish grin lit his face. Uh-oh. This didn't look promising. Not for Ezra, at least.

"I think I know exactly the place, Captain. Listen up, people ... as of five minutes from now, you're all on your own. But I want everyone to meet at noon for lunch, and for a game," General Hammond explained. The two teams gathered around him as he opened the map, explaining, "This is a game called 'Splashus Maximus.' It came very highly recommended from Senator Warner, and it involves water balloons. You are all to take part in this. Don't make me make this an order."

He glowered at Ezra as he spoke. Everyone else nodded, and Chris bit back a smile as he overheard Adriana whisper to Mary, "Water balloons, huh? Can you say, 'wet T-shirt contest,' hmm???" Mary laughed softly in response, and Chris glanced over at his little sister. She was wearing a positively mischievous grin, along with her swimsuit and cutoffs. Mary was also wearing a bathing suit under her shorts, although Chris found himself wishing it was a two piece.

"That's the general idea, Doctor. SG-1, SG-7 ... you have a go. Enjoy yourselves. And yes, Mr. Standish, that is an order," the general replied. Chris bit back a grin as Vin grabbed the back of Ezra's neck and Adriana grabbed his hand and the pair hauled the negotiator off with them. Poor Ezra. He didn't stand a chance. Maybe that was why the general had asked Vin and Adriana to take him with them? A half second later, the general observed quietly, "He looks like he's headed to the gallows. He's exactly with the people he needs to be with."

"You're a sneaky man, General Hammond," Mary said with more than a hint of admiration. The general just smiled, and Billy began wiggling. The captain looked at her son and added, "I think I know a young man who is eager to get started. We'll see you at noon, at Splashus Maximus, General." The general nodded and Chris put Billy down. They were on vacation, but this trip was for the kids. Whether they were eight ... or fifteen ... or twenty-seven. Or, Chris added to himself, glancing at Buck, thirty-eight.

JD was chattering away to Buck about the things he had learned, while reading Casey's books and talking to Adriana. Funny, he had always thought of archaeology as being so boring, and his opinion hadn't changed until he actually bothered to find out what archaeologists did. They would stay in Ireland for a while, since JD's family was from that country originally. Mary had asked that they go to Scotland, so Billy could see the horses. Like every eight year old boy he had ever known, Billy loved horses. Just as Adam had.

He didn't know where Vin, Adriana, and Ezra were heading, but he hoped they would enjoy themselves. For himself, that was exactly what Chris planned on doing. He had met Sarah in an amusement park, so many years ago. It seemed ... right ... that he start the rest of his life, this time with Mary, in another amusement park. He wanted to take things slow, to make sure Mary was willing ... but he was willing to make the attempt. To try again.

Part 6

Within a half hour of separating from the rest of the group, JD began wondering if it was too late to switch ... he would go with Vin and Adriana, and Buck and Ezra could hang out together. Buck was driving him crazy already, and JD found himself wondering why he was ever jealous of Adriana taking time with Buck away from him. Maybe because he had been an immature brat? Oooh, there was a concept!

JD adored Buck. The big major was his closest friend out of the others, although Vin was close behind. But Buck was more intent on flirting with the ladies than he was on riding the rides. Which, of course, was why JD was here! If he had gone with Vin and Adriana, he could have had the dual pleasure of having fun, and watching Vin have fun. Ezra liked to talk to the ladies as much as Buck did, it would have been far better for those two to hang around together.

But, General Hammond had decided that Ezra would be with someone ... two someones, actually ... who could appreciate the joys of an amusement park. JD smiled to himself as he shuffled ahead, remembering Vin's obvious excitement in the van. He had been practically bouncing in his seat, much to the amusement of the others ... especially Chris. Hell, JD thought Chris was having a ball just watching Vin!

JD hadn't been to an amusement park in years, and it was a bit like sensory overload. He didn't know where to start. He just wanted to have fun, rather than watch Buck flirt with exhausted young mothers. Buck had the fun part ... JD ended up playing with the little ones. Not that he really minded, since he loved kids. He had never stopped to think about it, that was just the way things were. But this was not turning into the vacation he had hoped for. He made a mental note to himself, to see if he could hang around with Vin and Adriana after lunch. Vin wouldn't mind, he was sure, unless ...

Naw. Naw, Vin wouldn't mind. He wasn't as sure about Adriana, but she had been really nice about answering his questions while they were waiting in the tunnel for Corkscrew Hill. JD still didn't think archaeology was fun ... and he never would, not after helping the archaeologists before the conclusion of things with Ella Gaines. But now, he could appreciate Adriana's love for her profession. And, it was a lot more interesting than he had originally thought.

Now, he couldn't say that he and Adriana were friends. But they were getting along better, and JD had noticed Buck beaming at him proudly. A few times, JD had been invited to sit with Adriana, when it was just the two of them in the cafeteria. They talked about the rest of the Seven, about Mary and Billy Travis. Safe topics. JD couldn't speak for her, wouldn't even try, but he wasn't really ready to talk about Buck, or what had happened when they had rescued General Travis nearly two years earlier.

The young cartographer's mind turned to the last gathering at Nettie's boardinghouse. Adriana had just moved out of her apartment and into a small cottage she was renting. It was only three bedrooms, not very big, but it gave her more room than her apartment. The day after she finished moving into her house, she had been adopted by a dog. JD laughed, remembering Buck's expression as he asked his sister, "Uhm, baby sister, don't you mean, you adopted the dog? Not the other way around?"

"No, Buck, I mean, she adopted me. A friend of mine at the animal shelter found out that a couple was moving out of state and couldn't take her with them. Amanda remembered that I could have a dog at my new house, and gave me a call. I went over to her house, and Mindy decided immediately that I was hers," Adriana had replied, reaching down to stroke the dark head of the border collie at her feet. Mindy was just a puppy, only about a year old. She was a beautiful dog, very affectionate with Adriana, but very wary around men.

Men, as opposed to little boys. She took to Billy Travis immediately, licking the little boy's face enthusiastically, and retreated to Adriana's side when any of the men ... especially the big men ... approached her. By the end of the visit, she would allow JD to approach her, even licking his hand, his face, whatever she could reach. Mindy was still a bit shy around the others, though Adriana had told him on the plane while Vin was asleep, that the puppy was getting used to Vin.

That had blown JD's mind. Animals, for the most part, loved Vin Tanner. Horses, cats, didn't matter. Mindy, however, was shy of him ... unless he was sitting beside Adriana, in which case Mindy allowed him to pet her. It seemed that if her lady thought someone was all right, all right enough to let him sit next to her, then Mindy would let a grown man pet her. But only if he was sitting next to her.

Which brought up an interesting question. At twenty-two, JD still looked very young for his age. Did Mindy think he was just a big kid? Is that why the puppy let him near? JD didn't know, but that was the last thing he needed. Someone else thinking he was a kid. Even if it was a beautiful border collie puppy. JD grinned to himself, remembering the way Casey had fussed over the puppy, and had been rewarded with a face-washing. And hand-washing.

Yes, Miss Mindy liked kids ... and ladies. She just wasn't too sure about men. JD wondered if she had been hurt by men. Amanda hadn't told Adriana about any abuse, to JD's knowledge, but that didn't mean anything. The young cartographer didn't understand it. Why would anyone hurt a defenseless puppy? What kind of sick bastard did that to anything helpless? Josiah had deemed such people cowards, Nathan had far stronger words, and Vin had just stared at Mindy very, very sadly.

That brought JD's mind back to the present. He wondered what kind of rides the others were riding. He thought about Splashus Maximus, and had to admit, he was looking forward to it, and the water rides. After three years in Colorado, he had forgotten how hot the East Coast could get. Growing up in Trenton, he had experienced sizzling summers and freezing winters. And that was a lot further north than Virginia was.

The days spent in Washington, DC had been boiling, to say the least, and the committee hearings hadn't helped either. JD had noticed that Chris always got a little more short tempered during the summer months. No explanation had been provided for this, since most people whom JD were more short-tempered during the winter months. Snow ... ice ... being plowed in after you had just finished clearing your driveway. It could get ugly ... and as Buck was so fond of saying, he did hate ugly.

JD heard little of what had happened in the committee meetings ... as soon as the SG-7 leader and the others got back to the hotel, Chris immediately changed into a swimsuit and dove into the pool. The ladies of the small group exchanged a look, then all changed as well. They waited, however, even after the rest of the men changed ... General Hammond expressing what was most likely on their minds. Chris needed to be alone.

He had, however, heard mumblings from Colonel O'Neill about that idiot Kinsey. JD didn't even want to know. While Maybourne was somewhat more tolerable these days when he popped up, Kinsey was ... now, how had Ezra put it? The young cartographer couldn't remember the words Ezra had strung together to describe the SGC's primary foe on their home planet, but he could remember what Vin said. And he really didn't think that was fit for the hearing of little girls or ladies. Vin hadn't either, which was why he had muttered it to JD while Mary, Janet, Sam, and Adriana were all in the pool with Cassie and Billy.

The line moved yet again, taking them further away from the pretty redhead whom Buck had been flirting with. JD rolled his eyes, wondering if Ezra had managed to get away from Vin and Adriana yet. Just before JD and Buck left Ireland, JD had encountered Adriana and softly suggested that if all else failed, she could get Ezra to think her leg was still hurt. Hmm. Now that he thought about it, wasn't that the leg which had been broken when the slab fell on her?

Oops, he didn't want to go there. Instead, he thought about Adriana's mischievous grin at his suggestion as she replied, "Nah, I don't think so. That was three months ago, JD, and Ezra knows about my recovery time." JD nodded in acknowledgment as the archaeologist continued, "But thanks for the idea. You just never know when it may come in handy." She had winked at JD, then sashayed off to join Vin and Ezra.

Which meant Adriana could be just as devious as Ezra, or even Chris, when it came to it. JD grinned to himself. Come to think of it, maybe it was time Buck's little brother and little sister joined forces and started giving back what he had been dishing out all these years. Oh, Adriana probably wouldn't be ready for another few months ... she was still a bit ... well, not really possessive or clingy. But she was glad to have her brother back in her life, one hundred percent, and she made no secret of it.

Give her a few months. Maybe after the first time Buck started worrying about Adriana and Vin's relationship. JD smirked. That sounded about right. Buck loved his sister and could be like a dog with his bone, when it came to looking out for her. It wasn't that he distrusted Vin, but still ... Adriana was his little sister. And she, while a bit quiet, had grown steadily more vocal over the last few years. The very first time Buck interfered in her relationship with Vin ... would be the last. JD grinned again. Yup. He was learning patience. He could be patient now.

At least until he saw Buck flirting with yet another beauty. This one from a young daughter. JD rolled his eyes. The little girl seemed to be about the same age as Billy Travis, and she didn't look pleased to see Buck flirting with her mother. Not in the least. Her small face was screwed up into a scowl ... in fact, she kind of reminded JD of Cassie when the teenager was protecting her mother from anyone whom Cassie deemed a threat.

Especially after the little girl punched Buck in the nose. JD bit back a giggle at the expression on the major's face, and the embarrassment on Terry Greer's face as she chastised her daughter Olivia. On second thought, if he and Buck stayed with these two for the rest of the morning, until they met up with the others for lunch and Splashus Maximus, things might just prove to be entertaining after all!

Part 7

While the others had gone off to the various attractions of the park, Josiah and Nathan had found a quiet park bench ... quiet, of course, aside from the laughter of children and conversation of their parents. It wasn't that Josiah thought he was too old for amusement parks ... he was just real choosy about what he rode. He wasn't a young man any more. And Nathan had outright admitted he preferred riding with Rain. Huh. Surprise, surprise.

Now, a half hour after leaving the rest of their party at the exit of Corkscrew Hill, the two men discussed the events of the last few days. Ezra had told Josiah about what had happened during the committee meetings ... Josiah had been anticipating what he heard, but it still made him angry. He was an anthropologist, a man of learning ... but he had received his degree, courtesy of the GI Bill. He had been a soldier, though it had been hard. He hadn't always been able to keep his cool.

After his sister had spun out of control, Josiah Sanchez had allowed few people into his heart. His students had been allowed partial entry, but not all the way. Daniel Jackson had been the exception. The boy had been crying out for attention, and Josiah couldn't turn his back on someone in need. Nathan Jackson, his companion now, was another who had penetrated that shield. JD Dunne, because he was so young, and in some ways, reminded him so much of Daniel Jackson. And, he allowed all of his new teammates the same access he had given his students for so many years. Up until he had visited Hannah and found himself accused of murder.

Then, someone else had catapulted through that last shield. Not because he had slipped under while Josiah wasn't looking, not because he had tried to penetrate the shield, but because he was just there. Josiah made a mental note to ask Chris if Vin had done the same thing to him when they first met. He had always cared about Vin ... hell, he was a good kid.

But in that week, Vin's staunch defense of Josiah had triggered something deep in Josiah. By the time it was all over, and rogue FBI agent Cyrus Poplar had been revealed as the true killer, Josiah had allowed Vin into his heart wholly. He had joined Daniel and JD as Josiah's 'sons.' Nathan had jokingly said in the past that Josiah could get a little 'Old Testament.' Which was Nathan's way of saying Josiah could raise some unholy hell, if you messed with one of his.

For Vin Tanner, Josiah would raise unholy hell. He had a renewed respect for Chris, after hearing Ezra's account of what had happened in the second meeting. He had already heard from Mary, when that lovely reporter was still fuming about Kinsey's attack on Vin's intelligence. If Kinsey and Mary ever met again, Josiah had the sense that Kinsey would have to learn the hard way, just as Ella Gaines had ... you didn't mess with Mary's little brother.

Josiah said now, "Don't know how Chris kept his temper. I've seen him gettin' just as Old Testament as me, Nathan. I know that man can be volatile. And I remember the last time someone called Vin's honor into question. Don't know how he kept his temper. Don't know if I could have." Nathan sighed, sitting forward on the park bench, smiling faintly as a group of youngsters raced past. No doubt, seeing in his mind the children he and Rain would have.

"Chris is a volatile one, no doubt. But he's smart, Josiah. He knows what's at stake, and it was a helluva lot more devastating, when it came from Daniel. People underestimate him, but Danny can be damn ruthless when it suits his purposes. He would have never survived Abydos or the last few years if he couldn't," Nathan answered. Josiah nodded, smiling faintly. Nathan continued, "So. Tell me about this movie night. Billy and me watched a bit of TV, but I could hear y'all laughing through the wall."

Josiah grinned and replied, "You did miss a fine night of entertainment, Nathan, and I ain't just talkin' about the movies. You know they rented a VCR from the hotel right?" Nathan nodded in answer, and Josiah continued, "Well, the ladies brought movies. You might say there was a historical theme to the ones we watched last night ... I hear that there are more in the stash, so we may watch more tonight. This time, get Ezra to baby-sit."

Nathan laughed outright, replying, "I was just thinking about him, about what he's doing right now ... wondering how Vin and Adriana are torturing him." Josiah threw back his head and laughed, remembering the 'what just happened there' look on Ezra's face as the guide and archaeologist had dragged him off, on their own personal adventure. If anyone could get Grinch Ezra to lighten up and have fun, it would be the guide who had never been to an amusement park, and the archaeologist who had been playing little mother ever since they had gotten here.

"I have no doubt that he's secretly enjoying himself, no matter how hard he tries to convince himself that he's miserable. You ready to move on?" Josiah asked and Nathan nodded. The pair rose to their feet, ambling along, smiling at each other when they saw children on the rides, or young lovers together. It caused an ache in Josiah's heart. He envied Chris for his Mary, Nathan for his Rain, JD for his Casey. He had been attracted to Maude Standish, but they didn't belong in each other's worlds. Emma Dubonet, the Emma Dubonet whom he had loved all those years ago, no longer existed.

When he had first arrived at Cheyenne Mountain, he had been quietly attracted to Janet Frasier, but convinced himself that she was too young for him. And after he found out about her failed marriage, he knew he wasn't the right one for her. She had already been through enough, a beautiful young doctor married once to a domineering bastard. She didn't need to be married to a man with so many demons of his own. Janet needed someone who could make her laugh.

By the time Josiah had met her, she had adopted Cassie as her own child, and that young lady had begun healing some of Janet's remaining scars. Instead, Josiah had chosen to think of Janet as a little sister ... she wasn't that much younger than Hannah. And with time, it had begun to get easier, actually believing that he saw her as a younger sister. A possibility of what Hannah could have been. Which wasn't to say he saw Janet as a replacement of Hannah.

No ... no, Janet deserved better than that, and so did Hannah. Interrupting his dark reverie, Nathan said, "So, tell me more about this movie night. What movies did you watch? You said most of 'em had a historical theme to them ... hell, Janet and I can barely get most of them yahoos to sit through an examination, and now you're tellin' me that they actually sat through movies? What about Daniel and Drina? I'm surprised that they didn't pick it to death."

Josiah saw a wall of rocks and steered his friend in that direction. It was the perfect place ... shady enough, and sunny enough at the same time. He sat down with a sigh. He rocked back as Nathan sat beside him, enjoying the sun, then turned to his companion with a smug grin. He replied, his eyes dancing, "I didn't say that, Nathan." The young man raised his eyebrows questioningly, but Josiah didn't say anything more.

"All right, I'll bite then ... Lord, you're gettin' as bad as Vin, and no, that ain't a compliment!" Nathan retorted in mock-exasperation. Josiah regarded his friend affectionately. Like hell it wasn't. While Josiah had only lately become Old Testament when it came to the young guide, Nathan had always been like that. It wasn't just about the guide's aid when they first met. But Nathan had always seemed to consider Vin special. The healer sighed, "So what are you saying, Josiah?"

Josiah smirked and replied, "Well, it went something like this. Daniel kept piping it with, 'That's wrong. That's wrong,' about every ten minutes. Well, Drina finally bapped Daniel and reminded him that they were supposed to be having fun, Mary eventually threatened to bring out the duct tape and all was well." Nathan just gave him one of his own patented 'I know better' looks, and Josiah completed obligingly, "Well, for the rest of that movie, at least. And that was 'Gladiator.' It started all over again during the next set of movies."

Part 8

Nathan looked at Josiah in amazement, asking, "Okay, now that I believe. But back up a sec ... you're telling me that Drina actually bapped Daniel on the head and told him to shut up and enjoy the film? Are we talking about the same Adriana Wilmington who always leaves the explanation of what they do to Daniel Jackson, because she doesn't feel she has the patience? The same Adriana Wilmington who keeps her mouth shut so tightly when dealing with ignorant senators and Maybourne, she's been known to come close to breaking her own teeth?" Josiah sniggered, remembering the incident in question, when Maybourne had pissed off Adriana.

The anthropologist replied with an evil grin, touched with pride, "Oh, did she ever ... of course, we were watching a movie at the time. And the last time she encountered Maybourne, they weren't talking about the movies, but about real life. Remember?" Nathan nodded thoughtfully, and then Josiah continued, "Anyhow, after she finished bapping Daniel and telling him to just shut up and enjoy the movie, then she and Mary started teasing Vin mercilessly."

Nathan was obviously still having a hard time processing this. While they had gotten off to a rocky start, things were eventually patched up between the medic and the archaeologist. In fact, the last time someone had gone after Nathan because of his skin color, Adriana had put her two cents worth in before anyone else had a chance. Then Vin had stepped quickly to her side, not saying a word. Within moments, all of SG-7 surrounded them. Problem solved. At last, Nathan asked, looking at Josiah again, "And Colonel O'Neill? I can't imagine he was silent through all this, aside from congratulating Drina."

Josiah simply chuckled and replied, "He just shut up and watched the movie. Well, after nearly getting beaned by a few pillows, for making a reference to chick flicks. I think you can imagine how that went over with the ladies." Nathan's broad grin told the anthropologist that he could, indeed, imagine how this went over with the five women who had accompanied SG-1 and SG-7 on their vacation.

Josiah paused as something occurred to him. After a moment, he observed, "Wonder if Vin has noticed just how many people have picked up on his nickname for Adriana?" He and Nathan were among those who had also begun calling the archaeologist 'Drina,' and Daniel Jackson had been one of the first to 'borrow' the nickname. Buck continued to call his little sister 'DeeDee,' though Josiah preferred 'Drina' by far.

Nathan laughed quietly, answering, "Reckon he has. Ain't a lot that boy misses, whether we're talkin' about tracks off-world, or the way teammates interact. Hell, when he does miss somethin,' I start to worry, that usually means he's sick or somethin.' Although, the last time I mentioned that to Colonel O'Neill, he said that either Vin's sick or he just trusts us to watch his back. But yeah, I think he's noticed."

Josiah smirked at the colonel's observation. Cassie had been known to observe to her mother and 'Aunt Sam' that Jack was a lot smarter than he let on. Cassie was a very smart young lady. Give her a few years, and she would be just as scary as Sam when she was pissed. The anthropologist asked, thoroughly enjoying the discussion, "Wonder if it bothers him at all? And if it does, I wonder how we would tell?"

The pair traded looks, and Josiah thought to himself that the only way he knew was if bodies or bullets started flying. Nathan answered, "Doubt if it bothers him ... he woulda let us know. That boy don't have the Larabee glare, but he still has his way of makin' it known when he's pissed off." Amen to that, brother, Josiah thought, then Nathan asked with a thoughtful frown, "That's somethin' else? We've heard the stories about why Buck calls her 'DeeDee' and why Chris calls her 'little princess,' but has Vin ever told you, or anyone else, about his nickname for Adriana? The story behind it?"

Josiah shrugged as he remembered his conversation with the archaeologist, and answered, "Honestly, there ain't much of a story there, Nathan. Drina told me one time, once we got back from Montana. It seems that only a few weeks after they first met, Vin was leaving her dorm and got the hell beat out of him by some hooligans. They told him to stay away from this friend of Drina's, then threatened Drina if he didn't do as he was told. When he came to, he could barely talk ... the best he could do was 'Drina,' and the name stuck."

Nathan's dark eyes narrowed in a way Josiah had come to recognize. As Josiah had silently observed only moments earlier, when it came to Vin, Nathan could get just as Old Testament as Josiah himself. The anthropologist said quietly, "It's in the past, Nathan, and they took care of the men who hurt Vin. It's over. We can't do nothin' to undo what was done to either of them. Or to your mother."

Nathan took a deep breath, then released it. Josiah had a pretty good idea what was bothering his best friend. While Nathan had guessed a long time ago Adriana had been molested by her father, the words had been spoken aloud. When that had happened, the resulting fallout among SG-7 and the other teams stirred up memories for the medic, and Nathan now understood why Daniel Jackson had reamed JD for abandoning his post (the reason JD was late meeting them before they left for Montana, they had learned). It was hard, dealing with memories sometimes.

At last, the young medic looked up at Josiah and said, "You're right. I'm sorry." Josiah reached over and gently squeezed the other man's shoulder. There was no need to apologize. Nathan had only hurt himself this time. Although, Josiah had no doubt that if the bastards who had attacked Vin had been nearby, Nathan would have inflicted serious damage on them. Once Nathan composed himself, he said, "So tell me more about these movies. What all did you watch? Though, from what you've said, watching the others was about as entertaining as the movies."

Josiah chuckled, remembering the rest of movie night, "Oh, it was. Mary actually threatened to sic Tickle-monster Billy on Daniel, if he didn't shut up during the Indiana Jones movies. Adriana reminded him, again, that they were watching for entertainment purposes. That this was an adventure movie about an archaeologist, not an archaeology movie. That didn't work, and that was when Mary threatened to sic Billy on Daniel."

Nathan raised an eyebrow, grinning broadly, and asked, "Indiana Jones? Now I almost feel sorry for Daniel. Must have been hell on him." While Nathan had never watched movies with the young man, Josiah had overheard Daniel venting about Indiana Jones wannabes who made things that much more difficult for real archaeologists. To which Adriana had added indignantly that Indiana Jones had cemented her love for archaeology. It remained a sticking point between the pair.

Josiah's answering grin threatened to split his face in half, as he replied, "Especially with five women in the room. Five women who can be very dangerous when they want. And five women who made no secret about their opinion of Harrison Ford." 'Gulp, pant, thud, swoon, in that order,' was how Mary had phrased, drawing nods of agreement from the other women in the room, including Cassie.

Nathan immediately began laughing at this description of the reactions of the women. Josiah could tell from his friend's expression that the medic was easily imagining the expressions of the women in question. Still grinning, Nathan said, "Oh yeah. Definitely hell for Daniel." Josiah nodded his agreement. The medic took several breaths, then said, "You know something, I'm tired of sitting and I'm tired of walking. What do you say, we find ourselves some amusements? Maybe one of the games in the arcades?"

"Best offer I've had all day, Brother. Let's go see if we can't win something for the children ... no matter what their age," Josiah replied. Nathan burst out laughing, and the pair went off in search of the many arcades in the park. Everyone in the SGC would have guessed that JD was the member of SG-7 who spent most of his time playing video games, and he did ... but Josiah never could resist arcade games, of any kind.

Part 9

Ezra Standish had come to the uncomfortable conclusion that at some point during their time in Corkscrew Hill, evil fairies had come out of the screen and inhabited the bodies of his two companions. Never, in the three years he had known Vin Tanner and two years he had known Adriana Wilmington, had Ezra ever known either to behave like this. Like ... like ... well, like a pair of ten year olds!

Usually, the young archaeologist left the pranks and such to her elder brother. She spent most of her time working with the other archaeologists. Which wasn't to say she didn't have a sense of humor. She did ... she was just more adult than her brother in some ways. Refined. At least, that was what Ezra had always thought, until today. He wasn't sure he would ever forgive his young companion for shattering his illusions about her.

And Vin! Vin had a sly, impish sense of humor ... often teasing Ezra, as he had when he had viewed Ezra in nothing but a tablecloth. But unless that odious vermin Colonel Maybourne needed to be taken down a few pegs, the young guide was fairly straightforward and businesslike in his actions. Of course, when Maybourne was being a pain in the afterburners, as Adriana had so delicately put it once, then things got entertaining.

But nothing ... nothing, at all ... in his association with either had prepared Ezra for the last two hours. He had been run all over the park. The first hour had been spent just looking. No rides. No games. Just checking out the various countries, and making notes about what they wanted to ride. Vin, of course, wanted to ride everything. But he wanted to look first, he wanted to ... to check over the terrain. Even when he was playing, the guide was working. While Vin had been eyeing the various landmarks around them, Ezra and Adriana exchanged a glance.

Only this time, it seemed, he was making mental notes about the lay of the land, so they didn't wander around in circles. That was fine by Ezra. He hated wandering around in circles, hated being dragged around like a damn equine. What was it that Teal'c had once said, about undomesticated equines not pulling him away from the side of his colonel? That was exactly how Ezra felt now.

And to admit he was actually enjoying himself? Never! He was the brains of the operation. He had insisted that Adriana get something to eat, and Vin had obligingly found a place where they could get something light to eat, and something to drink. She looked a bit better, and Ezra insisted that Vin could wait a little longer before they went on the wilder rides. That was fine with Vin, who was still looking.

There was so much to see, so many attractions. And while he would never admit the enjoyment he derived from just simply wandering about the park, he could not deny the enjoyment found in watching Vin and Adriana. Vin was more relaxed than Ezra had seen in months, and for the first time, Standish realized that the committee meetings had been a source of stress for the young man. He hadn't been there, no ... but they had caused him distress.

Kinsey had a grudge against SG-1, against the SGC, against General Hammond. And he would use SG-7 as a weapon against Hammond and the rest of the SGC. SG-7 was the most unconventional team in the SGC, but they were also one of the most effective. Even Maybourne, who had mellowed during the last year or so, had admitted that. Ezra still didn't like the spook, but he was more worried about Kinsey.

Kinsey wanted General Hammond out of the command position of the SGC. He also wanted to be president, and quite honestly, Ezra couldn't have said which possibility scared him more. He and General Hammond had sparred on occasion, just as he had sparred with General Travis, Colonel Larabee, and Nathan Jackson. But he was a good man, an honorable man, and one who was willing to take the chances needed to defeat the Gou'ald.

Senator Kinsey didn't seem to understand the danger posed by the Gou'ald. Neither had Ezra, not at first. Until he had seen some of the things done to the slaves under Gou'ald power. Until people he cared about had been harmed by the snake-heads. The trouble was, SGC was fighting a battle on two fronts. They were fighting the Gou'ald, and their own people. The spooks, like Harry Maybourne, and the true believers, like Senator Kinsey.

Maybourne cheated, but he was an honest cheat. He didn't pretend to be something he wasn't, and perhaps that was why Ezra had a little more respect for him. The former police negotiator detested cheaters such as Senator Kinsey. He didn't just cheat ... he cheated badly. And he lied about what he did. He wasn't cheating, he was simply doing what was best for the country. What was best for the country. Ezra shook his head in disgust. God help America, if Senator Kinsey was what was best for it.

He looked at his two companions again. Yes, Kinsey had tried to use SG-7, but found they weren't easily used. They did not go gently into that good night. They didn't know how.

Chris Larabee, while still a volatile man, had learned a few things during the last few years. He was no longer simply responsible for himself, or even just for his team. SG-7 still came first with him, and that, General Travis had been known to observe, was how it should be. But he didn't expect either of the generals to put the good of SG-7 above the good of the SGC. Yes, Chris was still volatile, but that wasn't what made him so dangerous. What made him dangerous was his tenacity and his commitment to his.

Ezra hadn't had many friends in his life. The way he had grown up made that very difficult. Even now, as he slowly let down the guard around his heart, it was hard for him to imagine having a friendship such as the one shared by Chris and Vin, or JD and Buck, or Nathan and Josiah ... even Mary and Adriana. Yes, Buck had become a very good friend, but it wasn't the same. And Ezra counted Buck's little sister as one of his best friends, but he had never been able to communicate with her, with just a glance, as she could with Mary.

He couldn't imagine how Chris had felt during the committee meetings, when Vin was being derided by that miserable curmudgeon, Senator Kinsey. He only knew how he had felt. Pure, potent fury. While he couldn't claim to be Vin's closest friend, the guide was important to Ezra nonetheless ... and Standish knew that Vin Tanner had been a better man at sixteen than Kinsey could ever hope to be. He hadn't even known the guide at the time, and he knew that.

So to hear Kinsey speak of his friend is such derogatory terms ... Only his lifetime of keeping up appearances had prevented Ezra from verbally ripping out that bastard's throat. What had prevented Chris Larabee from doing the same? Perhaps knowing that to give way to his fury would be self-gratification, but would actually hurt Vin? That was a possibility. Chris was willing to take responsibility for his actions ... hell, even two years after Ella Gaines' death, he was still blaming himself for the actions of that murdering bitch!

However, Chris would never willingly push his own punishment to someone else. There had been a time, only a few years earlier, when Chris would have gone for the man's throat. But, he had changed ... mellowed. Now, he was much more conscious of the good of the team ... and he knew Vin wouldn't want him to do anything that would put the team at risk. Chris wasn't the only one who was more conscious of the good of the team. So was Ezra.

The former police negotiator looked at his two companions, his green eyes flickering from the distant blue eyes of Vin Tanner to the bowed dark head of Adriana Wilmington. That was part of the reason why Ezra was here today. Not just because General Hammond had practically threatened him with a court-martial, although that certainly played into his decision. But because he had seen the expressions of the other members of the team when General Hammond had passed the suggestion of Senator Warner along.

Not for the first time, it occurred to him that he had been suckered into this whole amusement park thing by the general, when he had said it had to be unanimous. And an abstain vote counted as a 'yes.' Yes, he probably was had. Ezra would never be as enthusiastic as JD or Cassie, he didn't remember ever being that enthusiastic. But he would not be the reason for his friends staying in that infernal city.

Mind you, he had no intention of actually riding any of the rides. It had been a long time since he had played any arcade games, and while they weren't the sort of games he normally played, it was the best he would do there. However, that was where the general really got him, when he put him with Vin and Adriana. Ezra hadn't minded at first, since he didn't ever think they would be acting like a pair of children.

That had been his major mistake ... how exactly did he expect Vin, who had never been to an amusement park, to react? Yet, it was still rather jarring for Ezra to see the normally quiet guide happily singing along with his tiny companion, swinging her hand in time with the music. It was also jarring for him to see the equally reserved archaeologist do a handstand on the pavement, crying, "Spot me, Vin!" The guide would then grasp her ankles and hold her steady. Somewhat.

Not that the pair had left him out of their shenanigans ... oh, no, not in the least! At one point, while she was skipping along, Adriana had grabbed Ezra's hand and twirled him. Ezra had never been twirled, much less by someone so much smaller than himself. She had just giggled at his expression of discomfiture, released his hand, and skipped over to Vin's other side, switching hands. Mother would have been appalled. Her 'darlin' baby boy,' being twirled like a ballet dancer, by someone who was the size of the average ballerina.

That, however, made it worth any embarrassment or humiliation Ezra might have suffered as Adriana continued dancing around, pirouetting around Vin as if she really was a ballerina. Imagining the look on his mother's face if she had seen the little group. Curiously, the silly pair of youngsters got very few strange looks. A few amused looks, certainly, and Adriana had been recipient of more than one envious look, for the females in question no doubt believed the pair to be a couple. Oh yes ... just imaging the look on Mother's face was quite enough to make it all worth while to Ezra!

Part 10

While that particular trio was catching up on nourishment, Chris Larabee was relaxing in the sun. He had leaned back against the park bench while Mary Travis walked her son over to the chosen ride of the moment. And while Mary watched her son wriggling eagerly in his seat, just waiting for the ride to start, Chris watched Mary. The feeling of rightness had only grown as the hours passed. Billy squealed in delight, waving at Chris happily as the ride started, and Chris returned the wave, grinning broadly. Once the ride was started safely, Mary walked back from the fence, smiling. Chris took off his sunglasses and smiled back.

"You look very relaxed, Colonel Larabee. No worries about the Gou'ald, no growling about Senator Kinsey, or grumbling about your team?" Mary teased gently.

Chris reached his hand out to her and drew her to his lap, savoring the rightness. Yes, it felt good, it felt right to hold her like that. Chris didn't want to take it too fast ... wanted Mary to be sure this was what she wanted. He knew he was being overcautious ... Adriana had told him that more than once. And it wasn't like Mary couldn't take care of herself ... he knew she could. But Chris had failed the woman he loved once ... he couldn't bear to make that mistake again.

He could say that here, in the silence of his own mind. Here, where he wouldn't receive any argument from a determined little sister, a stubborn best friend/little brother, or a garrulous old friend. He had failed Sarah and Adam. He had failed to see the danger from Ella Gaines, a woman whom he thought had gone on with her own life, as he had gone on with his own life. And here, in the silence of his own mind, Chris could admit to one other thing.

He loved Mary Travis. He had been falling in love with her over the last three years, but falling in love and actually loving someone weren't the same thing. Chris had learned that from both Sarah and Ella. He loved Mary, and it was becoming easier to imagine the rest of his life with her. However, for the moment, he had to keep that between himself and Mary. God help him if Adriana or Buck found out about it. On that particular subject, Adriana was just as bad as her brother ... one time when Vin's theory that Adriana was really a Larabee fell apart at the seams. Rather spectacularly, at that.

"I, my dear Captain Travis, am on vacation, and as such, will allow nothing to vex me," Chris replied in his best imitation of Ezra Standish. Mary blinked at him, then threw back her head and laughed. She hugged him tightly, an embrace which Chris happily returned, then continued, "But to answer your question ... not even Jack O'Neill or Daniel Jackson's uncanny ability to get into trouble could worry me today."

Mary snickered and replied, "Better add Sam to that mix ... I saw her glaring at a few guys earlier, when they were ogling Cass." Chris winced, but knew she was right. Sam Carter was very much the protective aunt. Mary continued, "So. Tell me what else you're thinking about, since you won't let the guarantee of SG-1 getting into trouble worry you. And we both know that where SG-1 goes, trouble follows ... though SG-7 is just as bad."

Unfortunately, that was true ... trouble most often followed JD, though he had gotten a break when it had been Vin who had been hurt planet-side, only a few months earlier. But while JD was the youngest, trouble didn't limit itself to him. It just seemed that he was the most danger-prone out of them. On the other hand, there was Buck's habit with the ladies, Ezra and his cards, Josiah and his demons (of which, Chris shared more than one), Nathan's memories, and Vin's own haunted past.

In an amusement park, there was even more potential for trouble ... mainly for Buck and JD, since Buck couldn't resist a lady ... much less a pretty lady ... much less a pretty lady in need. He had gotten even worse about that, ever since his reconciliation with his sister. JD would naturally find some way to get hurt ... it gave Chris a headache, just thinking about it all. He wondered if he would have to worry about Josiah and Nathan, and decided not to. They were grown men ... they could take care of themselves.

He hoped, at least. He thought about the last group ... Ezra, Vin, and Adriana. He actually had as much faith in those three as he did in Nathan and Josiah. He knew Adriana could be, in Chanu's words, a little hellcat. But Chris figured the three would counterbalance each other, at least enough to keep each other out of trouble. Vin only became troublesome when he saw someone in need ... and if that happened, Chris knew the other two would back him up.

Still, he found himself thinking how glad he was that General Hammond had Œsuggested' to Ezra that he join Vin and Adriana. If he had been with JD and Buck ... Mary was evidently thinking the same thing, because she said thoughtfully, "You know, I was just thinking. You know that when Buck isn't hanging around with JD, he and Ezra are together. That's scary, imagining what kind of trouble those three would have gotten into today."

"Buck and his flirting, JD being accident-prone, Ezra being Ezra ... is that what you mean?" Chris asked and Mary just smiled at him. He would have gone on, but he found himself with his arms full of a beautiful blonde captain, as well as her eight year old son. One of them by themselves was a handful, but two? Chris grunted in surprise as the little boy threw himself against the two adults, but kept a hold of both Mary and Billy.

Not for the first time, Chris could see his son when he looked at Billy. Oh, Adam was a few years older than Billy ... he would be turning ten here shortly, if he had lived. But they had a similar spirit. But the reminders no longer brought tears to the colonel's eyes. He would never stop missing Adam, and he accepted that. Just like he accepted that letting another little boy into his heart wouldn't be a betrayal of Adam. Any more than letting another woman into his heart wasn't a betrayal of Sarah. It was time to let go.

"That was so much fun, what can we do next, will you go on a ride with me, Chris?" the little boy chattered as he removed himself from his mother's grasp and grabbed the colonel's hand. He pulled Mary and Chris to their feet. The two adults exchanged a look over the top of the boy's head, Mary grinning broadly and Chris making his best attempt at a long-suffering look. Where Billy Travis was concerned, however, he could never keep that up for long. Members of his team, however, were another story. Especially certain members of his team, who had the amazing ability to end up in the infirmary about as often as Daniel Jackson did.

As Billy pulled them along, Chris told Mary, "You were asking what I was thinking about. I already told you part of it. The other ... well ... I was thinking about Vin's expression when we came in here." Mary nodded, looking almost sad at the memory. Chris said softly, "That's why General Hammond asked them to take Ezra ... he figured Ezra couldn't hold out against those two. Vin, who's never been to an amusement park, and Adriana, who has made it her mission in life today to make sure he does everything he wants."

"General Hammond is a wily one," Mary agreed, "but we're not talking about the others any more. Understood? I trust Adriana to take care of Vin and Ezra, and you should too. The others can fend for themselves. We are going to enjoy ourselves and each other." Chris grinned, looking over her bare shoulders and legs, drawing a flush to her cheeks. Mary added, still blushing, "Now, that's not what I meant, Colonel Larabee!"

"Too bad, I'm already enjoying myself, Captain Travis!" Chris retorted, still grinning. Mary laughed again. In his mind's eye, however, Chris was seeing Sarah ... and she was smiling at him. He had been told ... he had let down Sarah once already. He wouldn't do it again. With that, he quietly turned away from his past, and toward the future ... the beautiful young woman who was his companion today and the little boy between them.

Part 11

Ezra Standish was miserable. At least, that was what he kept telling himself as his two companions dragged him on ride after ride, once they had eaten. The slower rides first, building up to the wilder rides. He had forgotten his desire to consider the whole humiliation worth it, just to see the look on his mother's face the first time Adriana had dragged him onto the bumper cars. Bumper cars were beneath his dignity, and he had no idea what he was supposed to do.

Behaving like his companions wasn't something Ezra had any experience with (although, if he was truly honest with himself, he would acknowledge that they didn't have much experience with it, either). Things had gotten even worse only a few minutes earlier, when Vin had just decided that he wanted to go on the Alpengeist ... a roller coaster which was more like a ride from hell. If only because of the horrendously long line. That alone spelled trouble.

Adriana had only agreed to go on the ride, if she could sit between Vin and Ezra, and squeeze their respective hands to a pulp. That, of course, trapped Ezra, since he wasn't about to do such an ungentlemanly thing as abandon his little sister. Besides, if Adriana had the courage to get on a ride which terrified her, certainly Ezra was man enough to be there to hold her hand, wasn't he? And he didn't fool himself. He knew she was far stronger than she looked.

As they moved slowly through the line, Ezra became aware of several things. First, Adriana was really the most experienced out of the three of them when it came to visiting amusement parks, and as he listened to the archaeologist answering Vin's questions about the amusement parks she had visited in her life, Ezra realized that was why she was going on something which terrified her.

No one should be alone at an amusement park, regardless of their age. It simply wasn't as much fun (then again, Ezra had been alone for so long, getting used to company was hard for him), and since this was Vin's first visit, Adriana wanted him to have as much fun as he could. Wanted him to do whatever he wanted. For the first time since he had met her, Adriana actually seemed older. Older than himself, older than Vin. Perhaps because it was the first time they had been in a situation where she had more experience than they did? That was something which Ezra hadn't considered, but it was definitely something to further consider.

After the fiasco of rescuing General Travis, and the resulting rift between Buck and Adriana, Ezra had few opportunities to see Adriana in a professional manner. She was often with Daniel Jackson or Bree Lincoln. In the wake of the disasters involving Stacy McPherson and Arthur Conklin, Adriana had proven herself to be a strong member of the archaeological team. Although, she had raised a few eyebrows when she had called Bree 'Cass,' which was quickly explained by her admission that Bree reminded her of a grad student in Texas, Cass Montoya.

At last, their long wait was over and the three slipped into a car of the roller coaster. They secured their seat belts ... and as soon as the belts were secure, Adriana's hand slipped around Ezra's. He had never been on a roller coaster, though he had a hard time believing it could be any worse than traveling through the Stargate. Something he considered telling Adriana, but opted instead to just pat her hand reassuringly.

And then they were off. Ezra's hand tightened around Adriana's, and then ... It was like flying. It was better than flying, because he felt the wind on his face, better than the Stargate. Better even than the cards. Ezra found himself screaming in exhilaration. Screaming? Ezra Standish didn't scream. He didn't scream in pain, he didn't scream in sorrow, or joy, or exhilaration. Yeah. Right.

He found himself giving a Rebel yell as the roller coaster took them on twists and turns, turning them upside down and sideways. Adriana had a bone-crushing grip on his hand, but he didn't mind. It didn't hurt ... the adrenaline now flowing through his system didn't allow him to feel the pain. At least not yet. But all too soon, the ride ended and they bumped along back into the station. Ezra looked over at his two companions, grinning broadly.

His eyes met Vin's, and saw the young guide was grinning just as broadly. And that Adriana's eyes were just now blinking open. Her face was white. Damn. She really did hate roller coasters. He thought back to her first time through the Stargate and cringed. Vin asked, "Ya okay, Drina?" She just looked at him, and while Ezra couldn't see her expression, he could see Vin's. The guide added, "Reckon that was a dumb question. Ow ... think ya damn near broke my hand, girl."

"Reckon it was. You owe me, Tanner. The next ride is gonna be sedate. Like a carousel, or maybe one of the sky-rides," Adriana answered as she struggled with her seat belt. Her hands were actually shaking. Vin reached over and undid her belt for her. She mumbled 'thanks,' still clinging to Tanner's hand as he helped her from the car. Vin put a steadying arm around her waist ... poor girl was having a helluva time walking.

"Sky-ride, reckon I can handle one of them. Gotta make sure it's one of them cars that holds at least four. We get on it, I'm gonna want my camera, Drina, then we gotta meet the others for lunch," Vin advised as his friend slowly got her legs to working again. Camera? Oh, what an excellent idea! Like Vin, Ezra had given his own camera to Adriana for safe keeping. He could get some wonderful pictures from the sky-rides ... gondolas, he thought they were called.

"That's fine. Goddess, I don't even want to think about food," Adriana muttered.

"Ya gotta eat, Drina," Vin advised, "I ain't about to watch ya keel over, and ain't gonna cart ya 'round. And I sure as hell ain't gonna listen to Bucklin and Larabee chew me out for lettin' ya make yerself sick. Oh, now don't be givin' me that look! I seen ya do that before, forgettin' to eat and just pickin' at yer food! Ya 'bout gave me a heart attack when ya passed out, and we ain't gonna talk about Will's reaction. Think he was bad, ya know he ain't nothin' beside yer brother and Larabee."

Oooh, rolling out the big guns, was he? The truth was, Buck and Chris probably would do exactly that. On the face of it, it was silly. Adriana was twenty-seven years old, not seven, not seventeen. But that last mission, involving SG-3 and the Magyars, had shaken both men terribly. It wasn't the first time Adriana or Vin had been hurt during a mission, but it was the first time it had happened when the rest of SG-7, or another team whom the colonel and major trusted, hadn't been with them.

SG-3. There were times when Ezra thought they shouldn't have an SG-3. First, there was the matter of Colonel Ella Gaines and her merry little band of cutthroats. That was, of course, excluding the exemplary Hildy, who had died far too young. Then there was that little fool who had nearly gotten Vin and Adriana killed, Major Harris. Maybe they should take SG-3 out of the lineup altogether. Those teams had a terribly annoying habit of causing harm to the people who meant the most to Ezra.

It wasn't just the SG-3 teams, though. It was people like Arthur Conklin and Stacy McPherson as well. Ezra had never said so to Vin or Adriana, but he had been with Bree Lincoln when the elder archaeologist had confronted Stacy McPherson. He was glad he was the only one with her. It got ugly, and Ezra knew how Buck felt about ugly, though he may have changed his mind in this instance.

Bree had, to put it quite bluntly, beaten the living shit out of Stacy. That incident had caused General Hammond to decide that under no circumstances would Adriana ever be in the same room as Stacy. Oh, Ezra knew Adriana had entertained herself through her recovery with thoughts of eviscerating Stacy ... or at the very least, threatening her with severe bodily harm. But such a meeting would never take place.

As it was, Bree was forced to stand down for several weeks. General Hammond, and General Travis, understood her actions, but rules were rules. And if Bree Lincoln, who was one of the calmest, most stable members of the SGC's archaeological community, had done that to McPherson, what would Adriana, who had been more directly affected by McPherson's acts, have done? Neither Travis nor Hammond wanted to find. Ezra couldn't blame them, because he didn't want to find out either. Nor did he want to lose someone he had come to care for greatly.

Because of Stacy McPherson, as well as Ella Gaines, he had almost lost both Vin and Adriana ... Vin to the stab wound, and Adriana to the rage which had almost consumed her. She had admitted to him later that if the others hadn't been there to keep her centered, she would have probably done something stupid. Ezra had his doubts about that, since she could barely walk, but he could appreciate the sentiment.

As it was, Mary Travis had learned on that long-ago day, just what she was capable of. And it was only the beginning, because her son hadn't been directly threatened, though he would have been eventually. Ezra envied young Master Billy in some respects. He knew that in her own way, his mother loved him, and that she had done her best by her own lights, but there had been times when he wished Maude was as ferociously protective of him growing up as Mary Travis was of her own son.

Enough of that! Something inside Ezra had broken free during that exhilarating turn on the Alpengeist. Something childlike, something wonderful. That was what made him say, "My dear friends, we are here for a day of celebration. Let us then celebrate!" He pulled away from the pair, laughing at their astonished faces. Maude would have been shocked ... appearances were everything, after all. Well, screw appearances. Ezra had been dragged to this amusement park, practically kicking and screaming, and damn if he wasn't going to amuse himself!

Part 12

Okay, who is this guy and what's he done with Ezra? Thinking about that kept Adriana Wilmington from tipping over in front of the two men, as her legs were still shaky from the ride. She had known Ezra Standish for two years, and while it had been established that she knew him better than a lot of people (not naming any names, of course), she had never seen this side of him. He had actually given a Rebel yell on that damn roller coaster!

(Mind you, it was occurring to her that not even Ezra had seen this side of himself before, but that wasn't much consolation to a woman whose head was still spinning from the roller coaster) A Rebel yell. Ezra Standish. One of the most composed individuals she had ever met. As she walked at Vin's side, slowly recovering her equilibrium, a most amazing idea occurred to Adriana. She lifted her head and smiled very, very slowly.

Vin, who knew her about as well as she allowed anyone to know her, asked guardedly, "Drina? What's goin' on inside a' that mind a' yers? And don't be sayin' nothin', 'cause I know ya better than that." Adriana looked at Vin, grinning at him broadly ... evidently reassuring him that he wasn't the intended victim of what she had in mind. And he wasn't. This time, at least. The future ... well, the future really depended on him.

With a cautious glance at the man in front of them (who was literally whistling 'Dixie'), Adriana observed softly, "You know, it just occurred to me. Remember the time Ezra shut Billy's cat out of his room, and that was where the litterbox was?" Vin swallowed hard, remembering the incident entirely too well. It was another vacation for SG-7, and Billy had put his cat's litterbox in the room he shared with Ezra ... which also held the only computer in the house.

The negotiator had shut the cat out of the room while checking his email, to avoid being turned into a human scratching post (which was a load of malarkey, since the cat had been declawed. However, Billy's kitten did like falling asleep in Ezra's lap, much to the chagrin of the former police negotiator). After he had finished checking his email, he and Billy had gone to bed, and just left the door shut ... leaving a terrible mess on the bathroom floor when Adriana awoke the following morning.

Being half-asleep and feeling something smelly and cold on the pads of her toes was not a pleasant way to totally wake up. Not pleasant at all. It had taken her several trips to clean the mess up, and while Ezra had apologized ... well, Adriana was never one to let an excuse to play a joke on a family member pass by. She wasn't ready to play any jokes on Buck yet, but Ezra had just provided her with incredible ammunition to use against him.

She saw an answering grin appear on Vin's face, and he bobbed his head in agreement. Adriana gave a low cackle of amusement. Now, she just had to figure out how to use Ezra's newly discovered enthusiasm to her advantage. That would take some time, but she wasn't worried about that. She had another week before they were scheduled to return to Colorado. And it wouldn't take nearly that amount of time.

"What?" Ezra asked as he swung to face them. He was walking backward ... Ezra Standish. Walking backward. He was determined to give her more ammunition, wasn't he? Well, that was fine, Adriana had no problem with that. She just smiled at him very sweetly, and Ezra's green eyes narrowed. He asked, looking from Vin to Adriana and back again suspiciously, "What just happened there?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Ezra ... Vin and I are just enjoying the sunshine, and not working. Of course, I'm also enjoying the scenery," Adriana added. She had no idea what imp possessed her to say that, but she could tell from the red stain creeping up from his shirt that he realized exactly what scenery she meant ... and it wasn't the landscape of Virginia, as lovely as that was.

Vin snickered at her side, easily ignoring Ezra's highly irritated, "Mistah Tannah!" That exclamation led to both Vin and Adriana laughing helplessly. If he kept this up, just the entertainment he was providing them would be payback enough for the sensation of cat poo on her toes. Ezra just glowered at them for a moment, then a wicked light appeared in his green eyes, and he said, "Well, my dear Dr. Wilmington, just remember the conversation we had in the airport before coming here."

Conversation ... oh. Oh. That one. She just maintained eye contact with Ezra. It was a good threat, but ultimately ineffective. Because if Ezra brought up that conversation with Vin, then he would also have to explain why they were having that conversation in the first place. And Adriana really didn't think Ezra wanted Vin to know that part of the conversation. She just smirked at her surrogate brother. A smirk that grew as the same thing dawned on him. And he did not look pleased with this discovery. No, not one bit. Even better. After all this time, he should have realized just how evil she could be, when she really wanted to.

"Aw hell," he growled. He turned back around and stomped away in front of them, reminding Adriana of a five year old boy who hadn't gotten his way. Adriana just giggled softly. He really had been hanging around Vin too much ... he was starting to pick up Vin's favorite expletives, as well as a few other things. And speaking of Vin ... he was eyeing her rather strangely. Oh. Probably wondering about that conversation.

And since she could, Adriana murmured, "Ezra and I were talking in the airport, before our flight was called and while you were wandering around, about possible problems." Vin cocked a brow at her, and she continued, "Possible problems where fraternization is concerned. He wanted my advice about a certain young lady ... one of the techs, I believe. He didn't specify her name, and I didn't ask. He did tell me that she wasn't with any of the SG teams. Anyhow, we came to the conclusion that it would be okay for him to approach this young lady, because he doesn't have any input about her job."

"So how come he was tryin' to hold that over your head?" Vin asked. Of course he would ask that. However, Adriana had already figured out a way around that. She had been telling herself the same thing for the last week, ever since that conversation had taken place. Ahead of them, Ezra had stomping ... probably ran out of energy, Adriana surmised. Or just realized just how childish he looked. Giving a Rebel yell on a roller coaster was one thing. Pouting like a five year old was something else.

"Well, when I gave him my opinion, I told him that I looked at it this way ... if I were to have an involvement with Chris, that would be one thing. He's my commanding officer ... well, sometimes he is. That would be dangerous. However, Chris and Mary's jobs are in two different sections of the SGC. So that's okay ... just like a possible involvement between you and me. We are in the same section, but we're equals. Ezra's overactive imagination took it from there," Adriana explained.

"Did not!" came the indignant reply from ahead of them. Adriana stuck her tongue out at him in response, and grinned when Vin laughed quietly. Ezra did an about-face, almost ending up on his ass at the same time. The guide and archaeologist both lost whatever control remained over their laughter, and Adriana leaned against Vin, laughing helplessly. He was barely able to stand up himself, he was laughing so hard. Ezra whined, "It's not funny!"

"Course it is, Ez, ain't every day we see someone 's graceful as ya land on yer ass," Vin retorted, grinning broadly. Ezra's face turned a lovely shade of scarlet when Vin said the word 'graceful,' and Adriana realized there was a story here. Vin continued, his grin broadening even further at Ezra's growing blush, "Reckon ya ain't told Drina 'bout that one time when ya dressed up in a dress." Adriana almost inhaled her soda ... dress???????

"Mistah Tannah!" Ezra squeaked, his face now reminding Adriana of a lobster in its skin tone. Oh, this was a good story. This was a very, very good story. Now, she just had to make sure she could keep Vin alive long enough to tell it. Of course, it was worth it, just to see Ezra this ... uncomfortable? This out of character ... oh, yes, this little bit of entertainment was worth the price of admission!

Ezra stomped back over to them, his green eyes bulging, and he hissed, "All right, what do you want? What do you want, to keep this quiet?" Adriana lost it all over again ... this was a very, very, very good story! Now, she just had to figure out a way to hear that story. If she knew Ezra, and she thought she did, he would do his damnedest to keep Vin from telling her the story. And Vin, of course ... well, Vin was Vin.

Through her laughter, Adriana gasped, "What do you want, Vin, to tell it?" Ezra turned a mock-glare on her, but she just giggled. And received the added pleasure of seeing the red creep up to his ears. Adriana forced herself to calm down, remembering the last time she had inhaled her soda. Not a pleasant sensation. She took a deep breath, wiping tears from her eyes, and repeated, "What do you want, Vin? I want to hear this story."

"Mistah Tannah ... " Ezra warned. He was trying. Oh, he was trying. Adriana could see the effort in his eyes. He was trying so hard. But Adriana could see something else in his eyes. Lessee, what would it take to make him go over the edge? She was having entirely too much fun, getting under Ezra's skin like this. And doubtless, he would make her pay for it later, possibly with help from her brother ... or not. Oh, now that was an idea!

"On second thought, Vin, I'll get Buck to tell me. I know how much he loves the ladies. And Ezra in a dress is a story he would love to tell, I'm sure," Adriana said, waggling her eyebrows at Ezra. That did it. His face got even redder ... and just when she thought he might just storm off again (which would have sent her back into convulsive giggles), a sound escaped him. He tried to glare at her, but she just smiled at him sweetly.

"Reckon that might be a good idea. Bucklin never forgets a lady. Yeah, I think that's a right fine idea. Speakin' of Bucklin and ladies, did I ever tell ya the story about the funny lady? Was back when we were helpin' J'siah, when he was accused of murder," Vin replied. He winked at Adriana. Not that she need any proof, since he usually could figure what she was up to, but that reassured her that he knew exactly what she was doing.

Buck was a consummate storyteller. Not to say a liar, but he loved telling stories, and he often embellished experiences he had. Buck liked to say it was the Irish in him. Adriana usually countered with the response that was one way of looking at it. Often with a wink at Chris, who would then try to keep from inhaling his beer or whatever else he was drinking. In any event, she knew, just as well as Ezra and Vin, that if Buck told that story ... ah, well ... if she wanted a truly accurate, as well as entertaining, account, Vin would be the one to talk to.

"D'oh!" Ezra practically squealed. Squealed. Ezra Standish. Known for his poker face, for keeping his emotions hidden from view. Appearances were everything, after all. Had squealed. Practically. He struggled for a moment, glaring at Adriana and Vin all the while, then growled, "All right! You want to hear this story, Adriana, then I shall tell you." She just smirked at him, and Ezra continued, "I shall require a beverage first ... and Mr. Tanner, not a word from you, understand? Not a word!" With that, he stomped in the general direction of one of the many food and drink stands within the park.

Vin and Adriana looked at each other and Adriana asked in a low voice, still shaking with laughter, "Was it my imagination, or did Ezra Standish actually say 'd'oh' in a conversation?" Vin nodded, rocking back on his heels as he laughed. Oh, it had been forever since she had seen him that relaxed! His bright eyes twinkled with amusement, and Adriana shook her head, adding, "Wish I had my tape recorder handy. Ezra's giving me some great blackmail material."

Vin responded with a smug grin, and removed an audio recorder from her purse. She stared at him, and he shrugged, replying, "Put it in while I was puttin' away m' camera. 'Fore we got on the Alpengeist. Mary gave it to me, 'long with a couple a' tapes when she found out that Ezra would be comin' with us. Reckon she figured somethin' like this would happen eventually." Adriana stared at Vin, then at the recorder, then she threw back her head and laughed. Ohhh, this would be fun! She tucked the recorder back into her purse, then wrapped her arm around Vin's waist ... yes, this would be a lot of fun!

Part 13

JD had changed his mind. While he wouldn't mind swapping places with Ezra after lunch, right now, the young man was getting a lot of entertainment, just from watching Olivia Greer. The little girl was bound and determined to protect her mama from the likes of Buck Wilmington. Every time it seemed likely that Buck would get somewhere with Mrs. Greer ... Terry ... little Olivia would intervene. With some help from JD. Of course.

And it was only fair. Buck had spent all this time flirting with ladies, and very little time actually on the rides. As it had been noted by more than one member of the SGC, paybacks were hell. JD still wanted to see if he could persuade Adriana to participate in a prank. He would spend the afternoon doing that. Olivia asked, "Whatcha thinkin' about, JD?" The little girl had left her mother's side, apparently growing tired of the game.

She took his hand and JD lightly swung it, as if she was his little sister. He replied, "I'm thinking about asking Buck's little sister Adriana. Wondering if she would help me pull a few jokes on him." Olivia's eyes lit up with mischief at the suggestion, and JD continued, "She's his little sister ... smaller than both of us. And bigger than you." Olivia rolled her eyes at that, making JD laugh.

"Well, duh! What's she like, JD? Do you think she'd help you?" the little girl asked in a low voice, peeking around JD to look at her mother and Buck. JD shrugged. It was hard to say. He had learned in the last few months that Adriana was a bit unpredictable. Olivia continued sadly, "I wish I had a sister or a brother. But my papa died when I was real little. Mama always said that if Papa had lived, I would have had little brothers and sisters. Do you have any little brothers or little sisters, JD?" JD looked at the child sympathetically. He understood how she felt. Until he joined SG-7, he had been an only child, too.

"Sort of ... I guess you could say Buck is like my big brother. And then there's Vin. He's five years older than I am. Nathan and Ezra. Chris is sorta like a cross between a big brother and an uncle. And Josiah's like my dad. I ... don't remember my father," JD explained. Truth was, he didn't know if his parents had even been married. But his mother had loved him and taken care of him to the best of her ability, until she got sick.

A quick look at Olivia's sad face told him that she understood. JD wanted to make her smile again, so he chose to distract her from the sad memories. Remembering that he had been talking about siblings, JD told her, "So, even though I don't have any brothers or sisters from my parents, I do have siblings. There's Mary, whom Chris likes, and maybe Adriana will become my sister, too. See, she's the same age as Vin. I don't know her real well. And don't tell anyone I said this, but really, she's Vin's girl. She just doesn't know it yet."

"That's silly, JD. How can she not know?" Olivia sighed, tapping her foot in irritation. JD just grinned. The funny thing was, Olivia was saying the same thing Casey had said when she found out. Casey and her aunt had decided that Adriana was Vin's girl. However, unlike her aunt, Casey didn't understand why neither had realized that yet. Nettie had answered the question of both young people with her explanation.

An explanation which JD now framed for Olivia's understanding, as he replied, "Well, they've been friends a long time. And they like it like that. Some really bad men hurt Adriana really badly ... and Vin's been hurt too. And they're both afraid that if they admit how they really feel about each other ... well, it's like Buck always says. Things could get ugly. And Buck hates ugly." JD screwed up his face, making the little girl laugh.

Olivia was silent for several moments, then asked, "JD? D'ya think Vin and Adriana will help you when you play a trick on Buck?" JD thought briefly about telling the little girl about the trick he had played on Buck, involving a love potion and Inez. Then decided it wasn't such a hot idea. While Olivia was a little more ... worldly ... than other six year old girls, JD didn't want to shatter any more of her innocence.

Instead, he replied, "Well, I'm pretty sure Vin will. Not so sure about Adriana, because she and Buck are getting along again. They ... had some problems. Still working out. Maybe I'll ask Adriana to help the first time Buck gives her and Vin a hard time." And knowing Buck, JD thought, that should be happening fairly soon. Buck was trying so hard to make things up to his sister for the years of neglect, he was bound to step on her toes eventually. Even with her almost limitless patience, it had to happen soon.

"Oh. Okay. Then, what kind of a trick are we gonna pull, if your friend Vin is gonna help?" Olivia asked, her mind turning to the next question. Damn if she wasn't a focused little gal! Her small, serious face was upturned as she said, "Maybe we don't really need his help, JD. I mean, isn't it easier if it's just the two of us, and then we can pull it when all of you are together?" JD thought about that. Truthfully, she was right. And then something occurred to him. He smiled, a positively evil smile that would have made Buck shudder in horror ... or beam with pride ... if he had seen it.

"You know," JD said, grinning down at his small companion, "I have an idea. After lunch, I'm gonna see if I can hang around with Vin and Adriana, and you can meet my friend Ezra. And before we meet the others for lunch, you and I can decide on what kind of a trick we can play with Buck. Then, after lunch, you can meet Ezra, and we'll tell him about the trick." Olivia cocked her head to one side, staring at him solemnly.

"But JD," she finally said, "if you're not here, then how are you gonna know?" JD gently rumpled the child's hair, grinning down at her. His dark eyes darted to Buck, then returned to Olivia. It took her a few seconds to figure out what JD meant, then a brilliant smile lit up her pretty face. She whispered, "Oooh! So what are we gonna do?" JD held his finger to his lips, and the child obligingly fell silent.

Leaning around Olivia, JD said, "Hey Buck, Mrs. Greer? I'm gonna take Olivia on that ride, if y'all want to stick around and watch." It was a request for permission ... but, Buck being Buck, took it another way. He winked at the youthful cartographer, smirking. Terry Greer nodded, and JD led Olivia in the direction of the ride. As they walked, JD told Olivia, "Now, here's what we're gonna do ... "

Part 14

He's up to somethin.' I ain't rightly sure what that somethin' is, but he's up to somethin.' Vin Tanner had come to that inescapable conclusion while Ezra took his time getting something to drink. He didn't mention his suspicion to Adriana ... her head was still spinning from the roller coaster, and Ezra's ... uhm ... odd behavior. Odd. That was one word for it. Vin had a few other words for it. None of which could be repeated with a lady present.

Never mind what Adriana said. The aforementioned lady was currently tucked all nice against Vin's side, arms wrapped around his waist as they sat on the park bench, waiting for Ezra. He looked down at her, smiling faintly, and asked, "Ya comfortable there, Miss Drina?" She tipped her head back to look at him and smiled impishly. Vin laughed softly and added, "Reckon I oughta take that as a 'yes,' then."

"Reckon you oughta," Adriana answered with that impish grin firmly in place. Vin growled at her. She always did that to him. Didn't matter what or why, she always did that to him. Drina continued, "So, m'dear, have you figured out what our Mr. Standish is up to yet?" Vin blinked at her in surprise, and Drina continued a bit impatiently, "Oh, c'mon, Vin! Yeah, I've only known Ezra for two years, but even I can figure out when he's play-acting. He's up to something, and I know you well enough to know that you know that." Play-acting ... yeah, that was a good description of what he was doin.' Still not the way Vin would put it, but ...

"Ain't rightly sure, Drina, but he is up to somethin.' Just don't think he realizes that we have a tape recorder with us," Vin reminded his friend. Drina's smile, once impish, had become downright evil. He had seen that smile before. 'Course, it had been a good five years since he had seen that smile ... the night they had taken their 'revenge' on Claire for setting them up. He added, raising his brows at her, "One good setup deserves another, right?"

"Absolutely, Kevin, absolutely. We'll figure out what kind of setup later, once we figure out what he's up to. I knew he was letting down his guard, but ... there's letting down your guard and then there's pulling a con. I've never seen Ezra pull a con, but I understand he can be a consummate actor ... evidently, since he was in a dress at one time," Adriana observed. Her eyes twinkled with merriment as she added, "I don't suppose anyone got pictures."

"Reckon JD did," Vin answered as Ezra headed back to them. Huh. Took him ten damn minutes to get a lemonade. He wondered if Ezra had been bartering to bring the price down. Sounded like something he would do. Probably got the poor kid all flustered with them fancy words a' his. Vin shook his head, grinning in a mixture of amusement and amazement. Even after three years with SG-7, Ezra still could make his head hurt.

"We were gonna start without you, Ezra, but Vin decided that wouldn't be very sporting of us," Adriana teased as the negotiator got closer. Maybe she had been reading Vin's mind, for she added, "What were you doing, trying to bamboozle that poor kid into giving the lemonade to you for a lower price?" That was scary ... it was scary enough when Larabee did it. But Adriana, even when they had been friends in Texas, had never been able to read his mind.
However for some reason, he had forgotten, this wasn't the painfully shy nineteen year old girl he had first met ... the new and improved Adriana Wilmington was a lot of things her younger self hadn't been. He didn't know why he sometimes forgot that, since she had been back in his life for two years. Maybe because most of those two years had been spent working? That could be it. He would worry about that later, since another verbal sparring match between Adriana and Ezra was just about to get started.

"Moi? My dear Dr. Wilmington, I am utterly shocked at your appalling opinion of me. Why, the very idea ... " Ezra began. Vin and Adriana looked at each other, then promptly burst out laughing. Ezra began blushing again ... huh. That was the second time today Vin had seen the Southerner blush. He was beginning to wish he had brought a video camera ... the others would never believe Ezra had been blushing without proof.

"In other words," Adriana retorted, "that's exactly what you were trying to do." By now, the tips of Ezra's ears were almost scarlet. Or maybe, Vin thought, he's just gettin' a sunburn. Ezra, unlike the other two, wasn't wearing a hat of any kind. Vin and Drina were both wearing baseball caps. Ezra, however, considered baseball caps or cowboy hats beneath his dignity. And he hadn't appreciated the various hats Adriana had tried on him in one of the shops.

Personally, Vin thought out of all the hats Drina had Ezra model, the one best suited to him was the jester hat. If only for the expression on his face when Drina had put it on his head. On the other hand, the one who really deserved the jester hat was Bucklin, but he wasn't here right now. So, his frequent partner in crime would just have to do in his place.

The expression which said quite clearly that Drina would be wise to watch her back once they got back to Colorado. Hell, Drina watched her back no matter where they were. The negotiator said now, "All right, perhaps I was attemptin' to negotiate with the young lady about the price of the lemonade, but I was hardly bamboozlin' her, as you so elegantly put it." Vin and Drina exchanged another look, then looked back at Ezra with matching evil grins.

Ezra swallowed hard and muttered, "Mistah Tannah, the last time I saw you smile like that, was when you persuaded me to take part in that abhorrent masquerade. And before you ask, there is no way under the sun you will ... either of you ... will be able to persuade me to partake in those old-fashioned photographs!" Vin looked at Adriana once more, raising his eyebrows in question. He hadn't really thought about it, but now that Ezra mentioned it ...

"That's fine, Ezra," Drina answered smoothly, "I'm sure Vin and I can handle that on our own, you don't need to act as our chaperone. It's not like we're a couple, and can't be trusted to be on our own." Ezra's mouth opened and closed, and Drina continued in a sweet voice, "But enough of that, Vin and I can discuss our plans for the pictures later. You promised me a story, I believe. Of course, if you would rather sit here and drink your lemonade, while we go take those pictures, I'm sure Buck would be happy to tell me at lunch?"

Ezra's mouth closed with a snap as he stared at Adriana. For his own part, Vin didn't know exactly what she was up to. He just knew that smile, and knew she was up to something. That left Vin in the uncomfortable position of having two companions who were up to something, and having no idea what either was planning. On the other hand ... well, it looked to get interesting, whatever happened.

As Vin came to that conclusion, Ezra said with a sigh, "I promised you a story, yes, although I do believe I made that promise to a fully grown woman, instead of ... well, yes, I did say I would tell you the story of how I came to be wearing a dress." Vin watched in amusement as Ezra backpedaled to avoid Drina's irritation. Smart man. Then again, Vin had never said that Ezra was stupid.

Ezra began, "The first thing you must know is that it was not my idea." Drina responded with what had become known around the military compound as a ya think look. Adopted from the master of the phrase himself, Colonel O'Neill, just about everyone in the SGC had used it at one time or another. Ezra continued with a sigh, "In any event, a diversion was needed in order to distract the villains from a rescue attempt that was taking place. Your companion was the mastermind behind the diversion ... myself in a dress."

Drina turned her attention to Vin, who just smiled impishly. He said nothing ... this was Ezra's show, not his. Drina looked back at the negotiator, who continued, "Yes, well, Mr. Tanner came up with the idea of putting me in a dress, complete with the various and sundry accessories that went with such an outfit. It was his considered opinion that I walked gracefully." Vin glanced at Drina, who was trying desperately not to giggle. He could see it in her face.

"You know, Vin, you fit that description as well as Ezra does," Drina observed.

Vin found himself blushing as he returned, "Yeah, but I figgered that he would make a purtier lady than me." Ezra glared at him and Vin shrugged. He didn't know how else to put it. Besides, while he had longer hair ... uh, no. No, if he followed that train of thought, he would really get himself into trouble. Instead, Vin continued, "Tell 'er the rest of the story, Ez. Ya know Drina. Ya don't tell her, she'll ask Bucklin." Ezra's answering glare told Vin that he and Drina would need to watch each other's back. That was fine. They always did.

Part 15

SG-1 was late. This was not good. To the surprise of General Hammond, not only had every member of SG-7 been at the prescribed meeting place, but none of them had gotten into trouble. How often did that happen? Of course, they hadn't come alone ... Major Wilmington and Private Dunne were accompanied by two ladies ... a young woman and her small daughter. The major was on vacation, but that didn't mean his libido took a vacation. Hammond knew better than that.

Mrs. Greer ... Terry ... seemed very nice, and her little girl Olivia reminded the general of his own granddaughters. Those four were the first to arrive, followed only a few minutes later by Colonel Larabee, Captain Travis, and Billy. The eight year old, predictably, was impatient to eat lunch and get back on the rides. Olivia agreed, though the general noted a mischievous twinkle every time she looked at JD. He had a really bad feeling he didn't want to know what those two were up to. Whatever it was, it spelled trouble for the major.

The trio of Standish, Tanner, and Dr. Wilmington was the next to arrive. Dr. Wilmington was beaming as she walked with a bag, and Tanner's smile reminded Hammond of the Cheshire cat. Those two were up to something. Standish probably knew it, but he pretended otherwise. That was fine. He couldn't wait to see what Tanner and Dr. Wilmington had come up with. Those two were imaginative on their own. Together ... it promised to get interesting.

Sanchez and Jackson were the last two to arrive. And then they had to wait for SG-1. Knowing his flagship team, and knowing the trouble they could get into, Hammond told the rest of his group to get something to eat. Dunne and Wilmington needed no further prompting. Standish, Tanner, and Dr. Wilmington followed them at a more sedate pace, exchanging indulgent grins at the antics of the pair.

Within ten minutes, SG-7, plus Dr. Wilmington, Captain Travis, and little Billy, were gathered around a picnic table under an umbrella with the general, and sharing stories. As Vin Tanner finished a particularly hysterical story involving Standish and him telling Dr. Wilmington about Standish's turn in a dress, the members of SG-1, plus Dr. Frasier and Cassandra, arrived.

Oddly, it was the normally quiet Dr. Wilmington who called attention to the approach of the missing team, observing, "Well, well, the prodigals are here ... they don't look like they've been in a fight. Not really." Those with their backs to the newcomers turned and regarded them. She was right ... they didn't look like they had been in a fight, though Hammond knew from previous, and occasionally painful, experience, that looks were often deceiving with this team.

"Reckon they look a mite ruffled, but not like I seen 'em in the past," Tanner put in, eyeing the team. O'Neill was the first to sit down, looking exhausted. But not too exhausted to knock the baseball cap from the sharpshooter, then ruffle the light brown hair. Tanner scowled, much to the amusement of his tiny, dark-haired companion. The sharpshooter growled at her, then 'attacked' her with waggling fingers at her sides. She squealed, twisting away from him with a giggle.

"Now, now children, if you can't behave, I'll just have to leave you with Teal'c for the second half of the day," O'Neill said. Tanner and Dr. Wilmington stopped their horseplay long enough to look at each other, look at Jack O'Neill ... and stick out their respective tongues at him. Teal'c raised an eyebrow, Major Carter hid a smile behind her hand, and Daniel Jackson simply grinned impishly.

"Who says we ain't behavin,' Colonel? Me and Drina been real good, ain't we?" Tanner asked the young woman. She nodded her head, and the two returned their attention to O'Neill. Hammond chanced a look at Chris Larabee, who was grinning at the antics of his two friends. Beside him, Mary Travis was shaking with laughter ... for that matter, the entire SG-7 team seemed amused by the banter.

"If you consider putting me through hell for the last few hours, 'behaving.' General Hammond, I do not believe you took one important thing into consideration when you instructed me to accompany these two young miscreants about the park this morning," Standish observed. The light in his eyes told everyone at the picnic table that he was teasing as he shot mock-annoyed glares at Tanner and Dr. Wilmington.

Hammond looked at him expectantly, and Standish added, "That sometime durin' the night, Mr. Tanner and Dr. Wilmington disappeared, to be replaced by my current companions. Because I assure you, just as I sit here, that is not Vin Tanner or Adriana Wilmington ... that's Satan himself and his consort!" The table erupted with laughter at this observation, while Tanner and the archaeologist just eyed Standish speculatively.

"What's a consort?" Olivia Greer asked with interest.

"Wife ... he's callin' Adriana Vin's wife, or queen," JD explained to the little girl. She opened her mouth to ask something else ... Hammond could see the question in her eyes ... but the young cartographer leaned over to whisper something. Olivia nodded her understanding, and went back to eating. JD continued, grinning impishly at Vin and Adriana, "You know, since Ezra seems to be having such a hard time with these two, what do you say I switch places with him, General? It couldn't have been a picnic for them."

"Next time someone questions Vin's patience, I'll have to point to today," Jack said wryly, "He hasn't shot Standish yet!" Another laugh went around the table at that, and Jack continued, "I guess you guys want to hear why we're late?" Hammond looked around, and saw matching grins on the faces of everyone at the table. Jack continued, "It's kind of a long story, and we haven't eaten yet ... "

"Go get some food, Colonel, we're not on a time table. And Private Dunne, it's fine if you and Mr. Standish switch places. So long as that's agreeable with Dr. Wilmington and Mr. Tanner," Hammond told the boy. The pair nodded, and Hammond continued as SG-1 went to the various food stands around them, "We'll take about two hours for lunch ... long enough to eat and let the food settle ... then head to Splashus Maximus."

"That looks like it's gonna be fun. I noticed it while we were coming up here, and noticed that the kids working that attraction had a CD player. Good way to alleviate the boredom, especially when there's no one coming," Dr. Wilmington observed. Hammond looked at the young woman, an idea taking root in his mind. CD player. He wondered if he should have a talk with the youngsters at Splashus Maximus.

Tanner snickered, adding, "This from the gal who cain't work without music. I 'member this one time, I guess the second semester of her sophomore year. Keep in mind, this was after Claire had moved out, and Carly had moved in with Drina. Anyhow, the library was closed for repairs, so Drina had to study in their room. Carly couldn't listen to music, so Drina finally went into the ladies' room with her Walkman."

"Actually, it was the bench in the shower room, Vin, get it right," Dr. Wilmington retorted, "and if I couldn't study in the library, I needed music. Don't ask me to explain it, that's just one of the weird things about me. Being in the library relaxes me, and if I can't be in the library, then music relaxes me enough to think. Ask Mary, she's been with me in my place when I'm working." The blonde captain nodded her acknowledgment.

"Yeah. I never could figger that out, but you're one of a kind, Drina," Tanner said. Dr. Wilmington just smiled very sweetly. Tanner's bright eyes sparkled with laughter, as he added, "Then again, when she says she's weird, she ain't jokin.' Ain't never met a gal who was so full of contradictions." The young woman scowled at him, and once Billy was looking away from the table, drawing Olivia's attention to whatever he had seen, the archaeologist flipped him off.

"Ohhh, I think I'm gonna have fun after lunch," Private Dunne said, laughing as Tanner grabbed the middle finger and pushed Dr. Wilmington's hand into her lap. He laughed again at the scowls directed at him, and continued, "Seriously! All Buck has done since we left you guys this morning is flirt with the ladies ... no offense, Mrs. Greer! At least with the two of you, I can do what I came here for!"

"Ride the rides," Dr. Wilmington supplied and the boy nodded eagerly. The archaeologist continued, looking at her best friend, "Mary, knowing you, you'll be walking around and watching Billy more than you'll be riding, so can I leave my bag with you?"

"Sure, I'll take care of it ... did you guys get to the photography place, like you mentioned last night, before we went to bed?" Captain Travis asked. Dr. Wilmington nodded and the captain removed the picture from the bag. A smile appeared, even as Standish glared at the archaeologist and the sharpshooter, his eyes filled with what looked like betrayal. After a moment, Captain Travis looked up and said, "This is absolutely adorable!"

"Lemme see," Jack O'Neill said, leaning across to peer at the picture. Captain Travis handed it to him, and a smile appeared as he added, "You're right, Mary. I think copies need to be distributed. I've heard of pictures being worth a thousand words, but that takes the cake." He handed it next to Hammond, across the width of his team, and the general examined the picture with a bemused smile.

It showed the trio in costumes from the Old West. Tanner was dressed in a hide coat, oatmeal-colored trousers, and a red shirt. His hands rested on the gunbelt, his stance and expression saying that this was a very dangerous man, one you didn't want to cross. Standish was dressed to the nines and sixes, according to the time period. Holding a deck of cards in his hands, which looked as natural to the time period as it did today.

Standing back to back with Tanner was their female companion, dressing in a simple blouse and skirt which also seemed appropriate to the time period. Arms folded over her chest, looking over one shoulder at Tanner, a rifle between them. Hammond smiled as the picture was passed around, and O'Neill said, "Well, I suppose it's time I told you what happened. This is gonna take a few minutes, so make yourselves comfortable ... "

Part 16

It was vintage SG-1. They just could not stay out of trouble. Then again, neither could SG-7, but they had been good. This time. However, judging from the look on young John Dunne's face, that didn't look like it would last too much longer. The boy looked like he was up to no good ... that little lady, Olivia, was up to her neck in whatever he had planned, and JD had just gotten Ezra involved as well.

Josiah Sanchez listened with amusement as Colonel O'Neill explained the various encounters of the last few hours. It seemed the fate of SG-1 to run into trouble even at an amusement park. Whether they were having to deal with bullies who thought Daniel was an easy target, overactive would-be suitors, or a curious Jaffa wanting to know everything about a ride, SG-1 could easily be summed up with just two words. Trouble magnet. Again, SG-7 wasn't much better. But looking around at the faces of his brothers (and sisters), Josiah was gratified that they all looked relaxed. Contented. Even happy.

Eventually, conversation turned to what they would be doing after lunch. The Splashus Maximus. As the general had said before, it involved water balloons and getting totally soaked when the balloons burst. Josiah wasn't the least bit surprised to see evil, matching grins appear on the faces of Adriana and Mary as the pair exchanged a glance. He also wasn't surprised to see Vin gulp at the look on his longtime friend's face.

It would have been a lot more fun, if the girls had been wearing t-shirts over the tops of their bathing suits, since that would have left a lot more to the imagination of the guys. However, that wasn't to be. Josiah was approaching fifty ... that didn't mean he was dead. True, he was attracted to women older than the evil twins, as JD had taken to calling them in the last three months. That didn't mean he couldn't appreciate the loveliness of these two young women. Look, but don't touch, he thought with more than a trace of amusement.

The Four Corners were in a whispered consultation now, as the general answered questions about what they would be doing over the next few days. They weren't scheduled to leave until the following week. Ideas which were being tossed about were Virginia Beach, Colonial Williamsburg, Richmond, among others. Nathan had observed that they would need at least one day to recover from their amusements today. Especially, he had added with an impish twinkle in his brown eyes, the older members of the group.

Josiah had silently, laughingly, vowed to get the young medic back for that comment. He wasn't old ... well, that was what he told himself. Sometimes, it was the only way to get out of bed in the mornings. Josiah looked back at the Four Corners once again. None of them had explained the use of the name, not yet at least, and he had a sneaking suspicion they never would. They enjoyed their secret entirely too much.

That was fine, though. He had the sense sometimes that while each of the young ladies had friends before, none of them had ever been part of a group like this. In a sense, it was like seeing a group of women taking back the teenaged years they never had. Complete with sleep-overs, pizza parties, and secrets. The kinds of secrets which didn't hurt other people. After the birth of her daughter, sixteen months earlier, Claire had told him about the secrets clause, and how that almost destroyed her friendship with Adriana.

He supposed he had told him because her own relationship with her father was now nonexistent. He refused to acknowledge Kevin, since the boy was half-Indian. And she would not subject her precious new daughter, Danae, to her father's hatred. But she missed having a father, and she missed Koje. Josiah proved to be an acceptable alternative, because of his own ties to Koje. And on golden afternoons like this one, Claire would leave his 'granddaughter' with him while she spent time with little Kevin.

It really was a glorious day. Josiah looked around at his friends once more, taking note of Chris smirking as he listened to Buck and JD squabble. Again. Vin's eyes shifting to the consultation between Sam Carter, Janet Frasier, Mary, and Adriana, as if trying to figure out what was going on ... and even if he wanted to know. Nathan listening with half an ear to the squabble between JD and Buck, and half an ear to the ideas for the rest of their vacation.

And Ezra, just sitting back and enjoying all of it. The negotiator had never seemed so relaxed ... happy, even. He smiled at Josiah easily, his green eyes twinkling, then laughed quietly as Josiah winked at him. The Southerner whispered, "You know, I do not believe I have seen Captain Travis and Dr. Wilmington so at ease since they returned from the cabin." Josiah nodded, remembering that weekend.

Adriana had offered to help Mary purify the cabin, but the pair had eventually decided that they would take back the cabin from the painful memories in a way that Mary felt most comfortable. That included a total redecoration. Not just the bloodstains were removed, but everything that reminded either woman of that day. The ritual, the actual redecoration, had taken place several months after the event. Mary couldn't bear to return to that place before. Too many memories, too much rage remained in her soul. And, in addition, they also wanted to wait until Adriana was fully healed from her own injuries.

Mary had been angry when she and Adriana left for Montana. Just the two of them, alone. Billy was spending that weekend with Chris, much to that little boy's delight. When she returned the following Monday, she was far more relaxed ... laughing even. While she had told Josiah that she didn't regret ending Ella's life ... not after everything that woman had done, to so many people, the act had scarred Mary nonetheless.

It wasn't until she took back what was hers that Mary finally began to heal from that day. There had been some second-guessing on her part. Wondering if she had done the right thing, in killing Ella. Wondering if she could have just wounded the other woman, and still protected Buck, Vin, and Billy. However, Josiah recalled, she had received her answers, and comfort, from a most unexpected source.

Over the years, Colonel Harry Maybourne had gradually mellowed. He was still a pain in the ass, still arrogant. But that had been tempered with some wisdom. Perhaps even decency (though Vin had gone on record as saying that was pushing it). He had told Mary that if Ella Gaines hadn't died that day, she would have returned, time and again, to threat those whom the captain loved. Maybe that was what Mary already felt in her heart, but needed to hear from someone else.

And truth be told, Josiah was just a little disgusted that he hadn't been the one who had healed that wound. He should have taken the pretty captain aside and talked to her, telling her what she needed to hear. Adriana, who was so like Chris, in so many eerie ways, and so eerily like Vin in others, had simply remained at Mary's side. Quiet ... supportive. Just ... there. In that way which was so like Vin.

In the end, though, it didn't matter who had healed the wound ... just that Mary had been able to accept what she had done, and gone on with her life. The seeds of her friendship with Adriana had taken firm root, in the horror of the day. So something good *had* come out of it. And her relationship with Chris had emerged even stronger from that day. Josiah didn't think either were ready to discuss love, much less commitment. For now, he supposed, it was enough that they had been able to hold onto each other through the storms following Ella's death. That had actually worried him, once Nathan pointed out that it wasn't Chris who killed her.

Chris hadn't shut out Mary, and Josiah wasn't sure if that was because he simply didn't have the energy, or if there was something else. Possibly the knowledge that Mary had sacrificed a piece of her soul, in order to save the life of a young man dear to them both. Josiah didn't know. Chris didn't confide in him about his relationship with Mary ... wasn't even sure if he confided in Vin about that.

In a sense, wasn't that what today was about? Healing wounds? Whether they were physical or emotional ... wounds caused by battle, or wounds caused by egotistical, money-hungry bastards. Both SG-1 and SG-7 needed this time. Especially since, as yet, nothing had really gone wrong. No psychotic ex-girlfriends. Nothing to call them back to Denver, nothing to return them to Washington DC. They were all just free to enjoy the day, and each other.

Part 17

During lunch, the two teams broke up into pairs, for Splashus Maximus ... there was a limit of two, or in some cases, three to a team. Not surprising Mary in the least, her son chose to be on the team with Chris and Vin. As the captain glanced around, she saw that no one else was surprised, either. Mary herself would team up with Adriana, while Buck and JD made up a third (big surprise there), with Josiah and Nathan rounding out the final team. Surprising no one (again), Ezra tried to beg out of the fun.

It was then that all hell broke loose. Ezra had tried to claim, once more, that such goings-on were beneath his dignity. Vin retorted that if giving a Rebel yell on the roller coaster wasn't beneath his dignity, then neither was the Splashus Maximus. Ezra immediately and vehemently responded that he had done no such thing. Vin and Adriana promptly contradicted him, and Vin had said with a smirk, "Ya done that, and a whole lot more!"

With a smirk just as wicked as Vin's, Adriana produced a recorder from her denim backpack, and hit 'play.' Mary immediately recognized it as the recorder she had given Vin, and covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. She knew that if she laughed, and Ezra realized she had given the recorder to Vin, she would be included in the payback. The Southern negotiator gave a very undignified yelp, his face turning crimson, and lunged for the pair.

Josiah and Nathan immediately grabbed for him, wrestling him back to the bench. It was hard to say, who was laughing harder ... Vin or Adriana. Since he was so much taller than Adriana, Vin held the recorder high over his head, where Ezra couldn't get it. Although, now that she thought about it, Mary had a feeling her best friend would have jumped up on the bench to keep it away from Ezra ... who wanted to keep the others from hearing everything.

And did they get an earful! Ezra behaving in a way none of them had ever seen ... had ever heard him behave. By now turning roughly the same shade as a fire engine, Ezra looked like he could have cheerfully strangled both of his companions. By the time the tape was finished, none one of the adults was straight-faced. As the women fought off what remained of the giggles, General Hammond said, smirking at the negotiator, "You'll be playing with water balloons with the rest of them, son, if I have to be your partner myself."

"I'll do that, General," Cassie said in a somewhat squeaky voice. Squeaky, of course, because she couldn't catch her breath to speak properly. The still red-faced Ezra sketched a bow to the girl, glaring at his two former companions. If it was possible for Vin's smile to get any bigger, no one could have figured out how. Cassie said, barely stifling a giggle, "Vin, that wasn't nice."

"Miss Cassie, I ain't never claimed to be nice. 'Sides, the way I figger it, he shoulda knowed that was comin.' Ez, ya keep that up, yer face is gonna freeze like that," Vin retorted. That provoked another spasm of laughter from the group. Vin shrugged, adding, "That's what my ma always used ta tell me ... reckon I've heard Nettie tellin' Casey the same thin' a few times since then, too."

JD's face immediately fell ... he and Casey had one of their infamous arguments the night before the departure for Washington DC. Mary felt sorry for the youngster. In the years they had been together, his relationship with Casey had always been ... tumultuous. But in recent months, things had gotten worse. Mary wasn't entirely sure why that was ... neither confided in her, and Mary wasn't willing to approach either of them. Not when her own relationship was ... unsteady.

True, things with Chris had stabilized, especially after the death of Ella Gaines. More to the point, after Mary had dealt with killing the woman. She tried to tell herself that Ella had killed Sarah and Adam Larabee ... would have killed Billy ... tried to kill Mary ... almost killed Vin. But she had still been a human being, at least at some point in time, and it was the first time Mary had ever killed anyone. It wasn't easy. It wasn't supposed to be easy.

While Maybourne (of all people) had reminded her that if she hadn't killed Ella Gaines, the woman would have kept coming back, threatening her family and friends, that hadn't helped with the nightmares, with the guilt. With the sense that she would never come clean. A conversation with Adriana had helped there. Years earlier, not long after she and Vin had first met, Adriana had killed men in self-defense. Adriana advised Mary to give herself time ... but never forget how that first kill felt. Killing wasn't something to be done lightly.

That had been the incident with Richard Boudreau, Mary recalled from her conversation with Daniel Jackson. According to the Egyptologist, the late Boudreau had become obsessed with Dr. Charlotte Richmond, then a grad student at the University of Texas. Charlotte, along with Boudreau and her husband Will (who was at the time acting like an asshole, in Daniel's words) had been on a dig when things started to unravel. There had been two other significant people on that dig ... a college sophomore named Adriana Wilmington and a teenaged bounty hunter named Vin Tanner.

Charlotte had become fascinated with Vin, and Boudreau had decided that the young man was competition, in a way that her husband was not (proof positive that her husband was being an asshole. Then again, as far as Mary was concerned, it would be real hard to match Vin Tanner). To that end, he and several buddies jumped Vin as he left Adriana's dorm a few weeks later, administering a beating that landed Vin in the hospital. Eventually, Boudreau and his cronies ended up in a shoot-out with the Richmonds, Vin, and Adriana.

As they headed down the hill to Splashus Maximus, Mary wondered if she should tell Adriana what she had learned after doing research for her father-in-law ... that Will and Charlotte Richmond were slated to arrive at the SGC in a few short weeks. She had learned in the last few years that the husband-and-wife team had been good friends with Adriana in Texas, and she had debated about telling Adriana that she would see her friends soon. However, she decided against it, when she realized what a can of worms that would open up.

No ... besides, she was sure it would be a wonderful surprise for Adriana. In more ways than one, as Mary had discovered that the biologist who would be traveling with the Richmonds had been Adriana's college roommate for two and a half years, Dr. Carly Tucker. Adriana would be going on that mission to smooth things over, since Richmond (Will) had a reputation for being abrasive. SG-1 and SG-7 would be escorting the new scientists to their outpost, where they would begin their studies.

Mary grinned to herself as they came within sight of Splashus Maximus. It looks like we have ourselves a modern day wagon train, she thought. But instead of bandits, outlaws and renegades, we have to worry about Gou'ald and Jaffa. Besides, their tour isn't permanent. They'll be there for three months, then turn over their work to the next batch of scientists. And, as always, there were back-ups.

For example, Carly Tucker's back-up was Dr. Richard O'Shea, a noted biologist. He was the back-up, rather than the primary, because SGC needed people willing to think past what they thought they knew ... who were willing to think past the obvious. Carly fit that bill far better than Dickie O'Shea, from what her father-in-law had told her. Mary grinned ruefully, realizing that Adriana's stories had rubbed off on her, as she found herself thinking of the young biologist by her first name, rather than as 'Dr. Tucker.'

There was one other thing, one other reason why Carly Tucker received the biologist spot over Dr. O'Shea. Will Richmond knew both of them, and while he and Carly tangled, Carly was better able to deal with the short-tempered archaeologist than O'Shea was. O'Shea and Richmond were like oil and matches. An explosive combination. Carly and Richmond were more like oil and water ... they didn't mix, but they didn't explode either.

Mary sighed ... well, that particular mission looked interesting. She hoped she would get to go through the Gate. She had asked General Hammond if she could go along as an observer. Rather than his normal answer ('maybe next time, Captain'), he had looked at her thoughtfully and replied, "Let me take a look, and I'll let you know, Captain."

"Hey, Mare ... time to stop woolgathering. Do you want me to pay for this one?" Adriana asked, drawing Mary back to the present. Mary forced a smile and looked at her friend. Today, she didn't look like an archaeologist. She didn't even really look like an adult. With her hair pulled back into a ponytail and dressed in her bathing suit and shorts, she looked closer to Casey's age than to her own twenty-seven years.

"I got it ... you got my lunch and Billy's, so it's only fair. Just out of curiosity, do you know why the general asked to borrow the soundtrack to Gladiator last night? It's not like we had a CD player in either of the vans," Mary asked. Her friend shrugged, but it was clear that it wasn't something which greatly concerned Adriana. Thinking it through, it didn't bother Mary either, and she turned her attention to something far more important ... getting out the money for the water balloons. Which would help her thoroughly douse Chris Larabee!

Part 18

George Hammond was feeling positively wicked. When he had asked to borrow the soundtrack for Gladiator the previous night, it was because the score had taken his breath away. However, an idea had occurred to him during lunch, after he had heard someone note that the kids manning the Splashus Maximus had a CD player with them. He would wait outside with SG-1, while SG-7 took their turn ... and when the battle began, so would the music.

It had been decided that Buck Wilmington and JD Dunne would engage Vin Tanner and Chris Larabee in a duel to the death with water balloons. As the teens passed the buckets to the participating members, Hammond noted a whispered consultation between Mary Travis and Adriana Wilmington. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the pair planned to find an advantageous position, and then ambush Tanner and Larabee, in the name of a wet T-shirt contest.

Good lord, he was starting to sound like Standish! Who was currently being dragged to station by Cassie Frasier. Hammond stifled a chuckle. The man looked like he was being dragged to the gallows, instead of a game. Of course, that was probably due as much to Hammond threatening him with a court martial (again) if he didn't participate, as his desire to preserve what was left of his dignity. And after the earful they got at lunch, there wasn't much.

Personally, Hammond would have waited to play back the tape. However, he couldn't argue that those two (Tanner and Dr. Wilmington) knew Standish better than he did. And they probably knew enough to watch their backs. The negotiator shuffled to a station with a decidedly hangdog expression. Until he saw an unoccupied station, and an evil smile appeared. Hammond followed the angle, and realized it was another good ambush site to pelt Tanner with water balloons. It looked like payback had already begun.

At least for Tanner, although Dr. Wilmington would have to watch her own back. As the two remaining teams took their places, Hammond approached the teenagers who were putting the cash away. In a low voice, the general asked, "Could you put this CD in, kids? Put it to the thirteenth track ... mood music for the entertainment you're about to receive." The girl, whose name tag identified her as 'Shelagh, Ireland,' took the CD with a curious expression.

A curious expression which gave way to a smirk, as she retorted with a soft Irish lilt, "Sure, and I think we can do that for ya!" The boy took the Gladiator CD from her hands, and began laughing. Hammond became aware of O'Neill peering over his shoulder as the CD was removed from its jewel case. He wasn't the only one. The rest of SG-1 were crowded around him, and Hammond glared at his flagship team. A sea of innocent stares was his reward. Not that he bought it. He knew this team entirely too well.

"You, General, are wicked ... this is gonna be fun," Janet Frasier observed with a laugh. General Hammond grinned at her, then leaned over to quietly request that the music begin when the first balloon was fired. The kids nodded their agreement, both sets of eyes sparkling with laughter. Hammond guessed this was the first time they had such a request, and they had every intention to have as much fun as possible.

"That is the composition which was utilized in the arena, was it not, General?" Teal'c asked. Major Carter nodded with a grin, her blue eyes twinkling with amusement. The Jaffa inclined his head, adding, "I believed it was so. I recalled O'Neill behaving as if he was conducting a symphony with the music." O'Neill glared at the big man, who simply raised an inquiring eyebrow, as if questioning the colonel's annoyance with him.

However, after all these years, Teal'c knew Jack well enough to understand exactly what he had done. O'Neill turned back, shrugging as if to say, 'yeah? So what?' Hammond offered him a bland smile, and turned his attention back to the players. Several of them were still putting their balloons in the catapults. Except JD Dunne, who wore an unholy grin. Hammond murmured to the kids, "Get ready."

Half a second later, the first balloon was launched. Dunne pulled on the rubber-band powered catapult, as far back as he could ... and then released it. Splat! Chris Larabee was promptly doused in water. The strains of the battle music could be heard, and even from where he was standing, Hammond could just about see Larabee's green eyes narrow. The balloon had been loaded into the catapult. Larabee leaned over and whispered something to Tanner, who nodded. Billy Travis was scooped into Larabee's arms as Tanner moved into position.

And then balloons were flying, even as Tanner prepared to let loose his first volley. Two hit at the same time, one from Mary Travis and Adriana Wilmington, the other from Cassie Frasier and Ezra Standish. They broke on impact on opposing sides of the board. Chris Larabee ducked over Billy protectively, as Vin Tanner was soaked through. The sharpshooter wiped away the water running down his face, his smile promising retribution to both teams. He was a sharpshooter for a reason, after all. The first balloon he sent out was a perfect hit, directly over Standish and Cassie.

The teenager squealed as the water poured over her. And Tanner continued his barrage, firing them out as quickly as Larabee and Billy could load them into the catapult. The other teams were giving as good as they got, with Mary and Adriana working as a team. On that team's second shot, Adriana sent out a balloon, but it fell short of its intended mark, splattering the team next door, Nathan and Josiah, rather than Vin and Chris.

The young archaeologist had flashed the pair a rueful smile, and from that time forward, Mary fired the balloons, while Adriana loaded them. Vin's shots were perfectly aimed, and always hit the target. Of course, this wasn't a situation where he could avoid getting wet. None of them could. However, if he was keeping track, Hammond would have had to say that Tanner would win if this was a contest between that team and Dunne and Wilmington.

It wasn't because Wilmington was less skilled than Tanner, but rather because the big major kept getting distracted by pretty ladies as they walked past ... and his shots ended up going wide. Sometimes, very wide. The small group huddled around the desk, almost got splattered more than once, because Wilmington was paying attention to the ladies, rather than what he was doing. Much to Dunne's chagrin.

However, eventually, they all ran out of balloons, and SG-7 emerged from the playing field, soaked to the skin and laughing like children. Hammond was pleased to note that the last member of the SG-7 returned as the next track began. If nothing else, he could say that his seventh team had excellent timing. It was something Standish often teased Tanner about. Mr. Tanner and his impeccable timing, Standish had been known to say on more than one occasion.

Adriana Wilmington approached the general with a grin, saying, "Well, I see you put my CD to good use. That was a great idea, wish I had thought of it. That's fine though ... gotta figure out how Ezra's gonna get back at me, since he's already had his payback with Vin." Hammond laughed and patted her wet shoulder as she headed over to join the others as SG-1 received their buckets.

They would be playing with civilians, not affiliated with any member of the SGC. It would be Jackson and O'Neill with Carter and Frasier. Cassie would be going back in, partnered with Teal'c. Hammond told the teenagers as his people filed onto the field, taking up where their compatriots had left off, "Put it on track three, the initial battle." The pair did as he asked, both still grinning broadly.

And George Hammond decided that even if they did nothing else, this day had been worth it all. Worth listening to Ezra Standish's complaints, worth the continued harassment from Senator Kinsey, worth the Washington heat. It had been a good day. Until today, until lunch time, when he had seen everyone laughing and joking, he hadn't realized how badly these two teams needed down time, and he decided that when he got back, he would authorize as much vacation time for the remaining teams as he could within the constraints.

For now, however, he simply leaned against the table while the civilians filtered in. This would be a different game, than the one involving SG-7.

Hammond wondered briefly if he should have told O'Neill to take it easy on the civilians. Then he dismissed the thought. O'Neill was a lot of things ... competitive, sure. And where the Gou'ald were concerned, he could be ruthless. But this was a game, not a war. O'Neill was a good sport with other military personnel (except Maybourne). He could trust O'Neill to behave himself ... couldn't he?

Part 19

After they were finished with Splashus Maximus, it was decided that they would split up again. They would meet back in 'Ireland' at six pm, giving them four and a half hours to roam the park more. JD would go with Adriana and Vin, after receiving a promise from Ezra to carry through on his prank. Ezra and Buck would disappear with the Greer ladies.

And, if for some reason, the rendezvous in 'Ireland' went awry, did everyone where they were parked? They did ... the section of the parking lot labeled Italy. And for every person who didn't know exactly where they were parked, they were with someone who did. In JD's case, he would be with two someones. As a tracker/guide, Vin made a habit of noting where they parked. As an archaeologist, Adriana did the same. And really, as a cartographer, so did JD, but he was on vacation at the moment. It wasn't ingrained, the way it was with the two elders.

JD, however, had entirely too much sense to refer to his two new companions as 'elders.' While they were five years older than he was, it was only five years. Five years, compared to the sixteen year age difference between himself and Buck ... eighteen between himself and Chris ... so on and so forth. They were a lot closer in age to JD. But they were still older than he was. Although, based on what he had heard at lunch, they could get just as young and silly as Billy or Cassie. Maybe even more so.

Chris, Mary, and Billy would remain together, as would the other teams. And JD had noted before the groups split up again, that SG-1 would be with the same teams as before. It was just SG-7. On the other hand, Josiah always pointed out that SG-7 was unique, even within the rather unique world of the SGC. To which, Nathan had responded, 'aside from JD's ability to end up in the infirmary.' JD had glared at Nathan, which only served to make the medic laugh. JD really needed to work on his glare.

As he walked away with Adriana and Vin, with the expressed purpose of spending more time on the rides than watching his companion flirt, JD went through the details of his plan in his mind. Ezra had been the easy part ... playing practical jokes on Buck was almost as much fun as playing practical jokes on Chris for the negotiator. And in some ways, even more fun, because Buck's glare or glower lasted all of ten seconds, then he would start laughing.

The participant in this which had surprised JD was Mary. Then again, in the last few years, he had found out that she had a wicked sense of humor. And more recently, he had found out about the role she played in getting Adriana to the SGC. She was one sneaky lady. He had told her as much while they were drying off, and after she had agreed to his request. She had just smirked and whispered, "Don't tell Chris that. That'll spoil the surprise." Eeep.

Olivia, JD knew he could trust to play her part. JD chuckled under his breath. That little gal was something else ... he couldn't quite figure out what yet, but she was definitely something else. Olivia had reminded him of a little cub, trying to protect the lioness. What was that B-grade movie he had been watching when Adriana had invited him to a 'movie night' at her place with Vin? He couldn't remember the title, but he did remember a great line, about the first rule of the jungle ... 'don't ever get between a lioness and her cubs.'

This was backward. Olivia didn't appreciate anyone messing with her mama. And while the little girl didn't tell JD much about her early life, JD didn't need to hear it. He could see it, in her behavior. She and Terry were all that the other had in the world, and neither were about to give up the other. JD could tell ... he and his mother had been the same way. And based on what he had heard during the last three years, it seemed the same had been true of Vin and his mother.

"So, boys, where should we start? JD, I hope you like roller coaster rides ... I hate them, and Vin loves them," Adriana observed as they headed back down the hill. JD had suggested one of the rapids rides when they got back from the Splashus Maximus ... right up until the time the three got a look at the line. JD had glanced at Vin, who had turned very pale. He had swallowed hard. A glance passed between JD and Adriana ... the archaeologist took one arm, JD took the other, and the pair swung Vin around and headed away from the ride.

"Reckon the water ride are gonna be right nasty, but there ain't a one that ain't gonna be long. Drina, if JD likes roller coasters, ya plannin' on sittin' on the bench to wait for us?" Vin asked. She nodded and Vin's blue eyes twinkled as he teased, "Chicken." Adriana glowered at him, but didn't flip him off. This time. However, a sly, almost malevolent, smile appeared. A smile that seemed to make Vin very, very nervous.

"I never claimed to be anything other than a chicken, Kevin. And I would have thought that you'd be grateful that I don't plan on going on any roller coasters, especially since you accused me of trying to break your hand last time ... unless ... " Adriana began. She cocked her head to one side, and that smile grew ever wider. She continued after a moment, "Unless, of course, you ... enjoyed ... my attempts to break your hand. I never thought you were that interested in holding my hand." JD swallowed hard ... ouch! Ouch? What was so ouch about that? Uh, he would figure that out in a minute.

It was 'ouch' because Vin's face, which had been so very pale only a few minutes earlier, was now bright red. Fire engine red, even. He strode ahead, muttering under his breath about damn smart-ass gals, and what the hell was that supposed to mean? It was so unlike Vin, JD could only gape at the serene young woman who still walked by his side. He had no idea where the words came from, but he blurted out, "Why exactly do you use foods when you're describing the color of Vin's hair? That's the last time I saw him that red."

"The last ... oh. Oh, okay, I understand. The last time you saw Vin that red was when I finally told Vin why women tend to use foods when they talk about his hair ... dark honey, butterscotch, so on and so forth. And you want to know?" Adriana asked. JD nodded. Adriana looked at him questioningly, repeating, "Are you sure you want to know?" Again, the cartographer nodded, and Adriana said, "Okay ... I told him it's because women tend to think he looks good enough to eat." It took a minute for the words to process in JD's brain. Then ...

"Oh ... oh! Oh, I really did not need that image in my head, Adriana! I mean ... man! Now I wish you hadn't told me!" JD blurted out. Adriana threw back her head and laughing. And on reflection, JD could see what was so funny. Still ... JD shuddered. No, he definitely didn't need that image in his mind. He shook his head and added, "Damn. Remind me never to forget that you really are Buck's sister!"

Adriana laughed again and replied, "Well, you did ask." That he had, and he was now wishing he hadn't. She indicated Vin with a bob of her head, adding, "And we better pick up our pace, or he'll leave us behind." JD shook his head, even though he knew she was right, and followed her to join their companion. There was one thing that was bothering him ... if Ezra was helping him with the practical joke on Buck, would Ez have told him if he would need JD's help to get Adriana back for her part in the lunchtime silliness?

Part 20

As soon as JD mentioned the photo place where he wanted Ezra to pull the prank, the negotiator knew exactly what JD's plan was. He had seen similar cardboard cutouts all over the park ... well, it probably wasn't cardboard, but that was beside the point. He had noticed them, and he had, in fact, been counting his blessings that neither of his newly juvenile companions had expressed a desire to take part in that.

On the other hand, it didn't surprise him in the least that Buck Wilmington himself would enjoy such a pastime. Colonel O'Neill often concurred with anyone who mentioned that there were times when he could have sworn Adriana was Chris Larabee's younger sister, rather than Buck Wilmington's. After this weekend, no one would think that way anymore.

And it did cross his mind ... why exactly didn't Adriana try to drag him, and Vin, to one of those atrocities? Unless she hated them as much as he did, though that was hard for Ezra to believe. Maybe she simply hadn't noticed them? No, that wasn't particularly believable either. The way that girl's head had been turning, pointing things out to Vin, Ezra had half-expected her head to turn all the way around, ala Linda Blair in 'The Exorcist.' Well, it didn't really matter. She hadn't dragged him to one of those things, for which he was very grateful.

Which brought his mind right back to JD's evil little plan. The boy had persuaded Mary Travis to take part as well ... Ezra didn't know what her role in this little drama was. However, he had a very good imagination. It was an absolute necessity, in his line of work ... the first one. And he thought he had a pretty good idea what JD had asked her to do. What he had to figure out, regarding the lovely captain, was whether he should include her in his own plot. He had already gotten his payback against Vin ... Adriana was getting hers now. The question was, since Captain Travis had provided Satan and his consort with that dreadful tape player, should he include her in the payback?

He didn't know yet. Something to consider for a later date, perhaps when she wasn't expecting it? That was a lovely idea. Now. Back to the current problem, Ezra thought, mentally scolding himself for losing focus twice within just a few seconds. His former companions had an unfortunate effect on his behavior and his ability to concentrate. Of course, that may have also been due to the fact that he had his brains scrambled by the roller coaster.

In which case, it was still partially the fault of his two erstwhile companions. Satisfied with his current ability to maintain his concentration, at least for the moment, Ezra turned his attention to his part in JD's prank. It shouldn't be too hard to persuade Buck to get his picture taken in the atrocious cutout. That was just the sort of thing which appealed to his friend. The thing which did concern him was Olivia's part in this little comedy.

How on earth would she make Buck's face contort in the necessary way? Ezra winced, thinking that one through. Okay. Maybe he really didn't want to know. Even at such a young age, females were unholy terrors. Deadly even. Especially little girls like Olivia, who was so intent on looking out for her mother. Ezra had only to remember some of the tortures he had dreamed up as a little boy, for anyone who dared to hurt his own mother, to wince once more.

Why did no one ever consider what natural protectors children were? Some of the most protective people he had ever known were children, himself included. Oh, most certainly, children could be breathtakingly cruel ... Ezra knew that from personal experience as well. But when it came to taking care of someone they loved, children could be just as grimly determined as any parent. Why did so many ignore that?

Ezra remembered one painful episode in his past, when he was about nine. He preferred not to think about that time of his life, since the people he had been living with had made it very clear they wanted no part of him. Only the money which his mother gave him while they were looking out for them. However, there had been one bright spot. Galen. After a particularly brutal day, the four year old Galen had arrived with his parents and elder brother, Dane.

When little Galen had realized that Ezra's foster parents had hurt him, the child had angrily vowed to 'beat their butts.' Only the intervention of Galen's parents had saved the couple with whom Ezra was living at the time from the wrath of a four year old. Maybe the child was ultimately powerless in the games played by adults ... then again, Galen's parents had been just as enraged, and spent as much time with him as they could before Maude took Ezra once again.

But that hadn't been the point. Galen's anger for him had touched Ezra's heart. Here was this little boy, five years younger than himself, determined to stand up for him. There were other children, who weren't nearly as kind as Galen, who devoted as much time to tormenting Ezra as Galen spent healing his spirit. But he had never forgotten that little boy. And while he doubted he would ever have children, Ezra had decided that if the unbelievable did happen eventually, he would name his son 'Galen.' Galen Standish. That had a nice ring to it.

He didn't realize he was staring into space, didn't realize he had gotten lost in the past, until Olivia shook his hand urgently and whispered, "Ezra! We're there!" Ezra snapped back to the present. They were indeed there ... and, in fact, Buck had arranged himself in the ... whatever that was. It was the tradition, he understood, to smile like an idiot while someone was taking your picture. Except, because of Buck's height, he was rather uncomfortable, turning his body this way and that like a pretzel.

Half of their job was already done ... well, one-fourth at least. He still didn't look as...pained...as he should. Ezra studied his friend with interest. Hmm. How could they change that? Whatever he decided on, his plan had to include Olivia. That was, as JD would put it, a gimme. For a moment, he wished he had brought either Satan or his consort with him, as one of those two would have had a wonderful idea. They were evil like that.

Well, Ezra P Standish was nothing if not resourceful. And that vague grimace now darkening Buck's face simply would not do. Not if they were to pull this prank off properly, and if they weren't going to do it properly, what was the point of doing it at all? As his mother would have said, appearances were everything. Appearances. What had happened last month, when Buck had made that godawful face?

Oh ... yes. Now he remembered. A smile of pure evil appeared on the negotiator's face. He told his companion, "Olivia, my dear girl, what I'm about to ask of may be difficult, but I have no doubt you can do it. It does, after all, come with the God-given gifts which every female receives." Olivia blinked at him, and Ezra leaned forward. It took only a few words whispered in the child's ear, before an unholy grin lit up her small face, and her eyes sparkled with mischief.

"I can do that, Ezra. I've wanted to do that, ever since he started lookin' at my mama like that, but JD wouldn't let me. But that's not where I wanted to do it," Olivia replied, her face contorting with disgust. Well, the position of the pinch was up for negotiation ... the pinch itself was not. Hmmm. Where else? Well, he could always leave it up to his small companion. She was rather imaginative. Most children of that age, whether they were male or female, were. And it had been his experience that those children who kept those imaginations well into their adulthood were the lucky ones. Ezra hoped Olivia was one of those lucky ones.

"Well, then, my dear ... I shall leave that to your discretion. You may pinch Major Wilmington wherever your heart desires. I am sure you have far greater experience than I in such matters," Ezra said. From what he had heard, the little girl actually threw punches a lot more than she pinched, but that wasn't the point. Olivia grinned wickedly, and Ezra decided it was probably best the little girl made the decision of where to put the pinch. The idea of a little girl pinching a grown man's behind made Ezra shudder, now that he thought of it. She should use her God-given gifts, indeed!

Part 21

Unbeknownst to the four, they were being watched. Chris Larabee asked, wrapping his arms around Mary Travis from behind, "So, what exactly is your part of this little plot? I saw JD talking to you while we were waiting on SG-1. And I know that you gave your tape recorder to Vin and Adriana ... so you can expect payback of some kind from Ezra. He's probably figured out that the tape recorder is yours."

"Oh, I'm sure I can expect payback from Ezra eventually," Mary answered, peeking over her shoulder to check on Billy, who was absorbed in his ice cream. The treat of the man now holding her. Of course. She continued, "You asked what my part of this was ... well, Ezra will take the picture himself. He has some friends in low places, so to speak, and they'll doctor it up appropriately. Then I'll put it into the base paper."

She felt Chris groan. She never could resist teasing him about that. But it was a hysterically funny story, taking place about six weeks after Vin and Adriana's return without SG-3. By this time, Adriana had been taken off her meds, and she celebrated by getting ... as Buck put it ... drunk off her ass. Chris had gotten just as drunk, with Vin and Mary watching in amusement as the normally reserved and even anal-retentive pair got thoroughly soused.

Well, Adriana wasn't anal-retentive, but she did have a tight control on her emotions. Even now. She had gotten better, as Mary herself had. However, it was still shocking to see her best friend ... well ... like that. At one point ... and this had been proof positive that Chris was drunk ... he had walked over to the jukebox and popped in a quarter. A few seconds later, Garth Brooks' 'Friends in Low Places' filled the bar.

Adriana, who had been getting silly beside Josiah, exclaimed happily, "I love this song!" With that, she had risen somewhat unsteadily to her feet and ambled over to Chris, who was leaning against the bar and humming along. Amazingly, though drunk, Chris was steady enough to lift Adriana into his arms, then put her atop the bar beside him. And as Adriana began singing along, somewhat off-tune, Chris had joined in.

It was something to behold. Mary could only watch in amazement as the pair sang along. But she had a pretty good handle on her laughter ... at least until the pair got to the line about 'kiss my ass.' Because, of course, at that point, they were singing the loudest, practically shouting it at the tops of their lungs. And to make sure Chris never tried to deny his own participation, Mary and the others had snapped quite a few pictures of the silly pair. As well as 'borrowing' Inez's security camera.

With Inez's full approval, of course. Actually, as Mary remembered it, Buck had told her that Inez practically shoved the tape into his hands. (Too bad she didn't shove something else, Mary had thought wickedly, Buck would have liked that a lot) They still had the VCR ... and copies had been made. Maybe they should watch that tonight? Mary stifled a giggle, but Chris whispered, "What's so funny?"

"Just thinking about your duet with Adriana, Christopher," Mary answered slyly, "wondering if we could ever get you to sing solo." She smothered a squeal as he tickled her, and continued, "I've been trying to convince Adriana to get up on the stage with me at karaoke. You know, you doing it might help. You know how shy she can be, and if she sees your ... shining example." This time, she couldn't contain the giggle that escaped when Chris tickled her again, and she squirmed away from his fingers.

"The only way I will get up on that stage again," he breathed as she squirmed, "is if I am drunk ... or if there's money in it. Understand?" She turned in his arms, the only way she had found to stop him from tickling her, and smiled up at him. The most evil smile she could produce. The one she had found usually resulted in ... ahhh, there it was. Chris said huskily, "I'm not getting up on that stage again, Mary. You'll have to convince Adriana on your own."

"I know," Mary answered impishly, "I just like tormenting you. And Adriana's not nearly as shy as she used to be. Especially not after today." Chris laughed outright at that. Mary wondered if the man now holding her, or if her friend, realized how much Adriana had changed in the years she had been here at the SGC. Well. Adriana was her friend, her best friend, but Mary was now with the man she loved.

It hadn't been an easy road, and they still had a long way to go before either were ready to remarry. She had loved Steven very much, and even after she had stopped missing him so desperately, she had found that she enjoyed being on her own. Mary Travis had decided when she married again, it would be because she loved the man. Not because she wanted security, not because she was alone. She wasn't willing for second best.

There had been times when she didn't think Chris Larabee was right for her, as attracted to him as she was. He was dark and moody, and Mary had despaired of ever being able to make someone like him happy. But ... and this she hadn't expected. Chris changed. Over the years, as the leader of SG-7, Chris had changed. She had changed as well. When she had first arrived at the SGC and realized what it was, Mary found herself lapsing back into the defensive girl she had been once upon a time. She had something to prove, and as it had been the case when she was a teenager, she could become rather bitchy.

She could admit that. And because she had something to prove, at least in her own mind, she and Chris had often clashed. Not that all of those early arguments had been her fault. Mary was enough of an adult to accept responsibility for what she had done wrong, and nothing else. She had learned the hard way, more than once, that trying to take responsibility for others (aside from Billy, of course), only led to more disaster.

But that had been a long time ago. She knew her place within the SGC, knew her purpose. She had nothing to prove, because it was when she simply did what came naturally, as a woman, as a mother, as a journalist ... that was when she proved herself. Mary's mind drifted to one of the sources of her greatest pride. Vin Tanner. Even after all this time, two and a half years, it never failed to awe her. That this proud, stubborn man, who refused to let anyone see just how vulnerable he was ... had asked her help. That he had enough trust in her to do that.

And she was so proud of him. She had always known that he was a very intelligent young man. That was plain to see, to anyone who bothered to look, and to listen. (Which let out Maybourne, at least at first, as well as Kinsey and Conklin) It wasn't until she started his lessons, along with Sam and Janet, that she realized just how smart he was. He had compensated for his lack of formal education by developing one hell of a memory.

She had always cared about Vin, although at one point, Chris had actually accused her of making Vin into a pet project, an accusation that had hurt. And there was as part of her which understood Chris didn't mean it ... that as he still did on occasion, he was lashing out after being hurt himself. This had been just after the first go-round with that bitch, Ella Gaines. But it hurt nonetheless, and she found herself examining her own motives again.

Was she using Vin? Treating him as if he was a doll which she could dress up? No. No, that wasn't right. She knew Vin was a human being. She had seen the pain in his eyes when Nathan was checked his ribs, after the fight. Dammit, she knew that! But she had been fascinated with this young man, and as she always did when she was curious about something, Mary found out everything she could.

Vin understood, when Mary explained this during one of their lessons. He did the same thing. And he had never believed that she was using him ... not as a pet project, and not to get to Larabee. Yer more 'n capable of taking care of that last part on yer own, Vin had said, winking at her. Don't worry about what Larabee said ... he's still mad at himself for trustin' that she-devil. I know ya ain't usin' me. I don't believe ya would ever hurt me a'purpose, Mary.

"Where did you go?" Chris asked softly, drawing her back to the present. Mary just smiled up at him, and Chris added, "Does that mean you're not gonna answer my question? I do have my ways of getting something out of you, you know." His voice was soft, with a touch of menace. Not that he would ever hurt her deliberately, but Mary could already feel his fingers brushing her ribs. Her smile became positively evil in response.

"It means, Colonel Larabee, that a girl needs a few secrets. Even from her man," Mary answered. Chris turned bright red when she called him 'her' man, but he didn't argue.

Good. The man could be amazingly dense at times. But then, that was a part of who he was, and she loved the entire package. As the last vestiges of pink disappeared from his cheeks and ears (he really was adorable when he blushed), Chris growled, "We'll see about that!" With that, he swung Mary into his arms, adding, "C'mon, Billy, daylight's wasting!" The little boy looked up with a grin, which grew when he saw his mother in the arms of his hero. For her own part, Mary didn't struggle, and why should she? She was exactly where she wanted to be.

Part 22

JD had decided he was exactly where he wanted to be. The young cartographer had more than made up for the few and far between rides before lunch in the last few hours. He had accompanied Vin on everything his friend wanted to ride. Sometimes Adriana joined them ... but on anything that turned her upside down, she would find something else to do while they were waiting in line and on the ride. JD distracted Vin from the crush of people around them by asking him questions while they were in line. As he was now.

"This is your first time at an amusement park," JD mused while they were in line for Apollo's Chariot. Vin nodded, glancing over his shoulder at Adriana, who was quietly reading on the bench. She had brought a book along, and while JD had thought it was silly at first, he understood her logic now. JD continued, once Vin's eyes had returned to him, "So how did you know that Adriana didn't like roller coasters?"

"She done told me, JD. In real vivid detail, when I asked her what scared her. Roller coasters that turn her upside down. She don't like that one bit," Vin explained. The answer was so simple, JD gaped at his companion. Vin asked with a faint smile, "What? Ya thought I was on a roller coaster and she throwed up on me or somethin' like that, JD?" Well, as a matter of fact, that was exactly what JD had thought.

"Actually ... yeah. I did. Is there anything about her you don't know? I mean, you two have been such good friends for a long time, it sometimes seem like you know everything about her, and she knows everything about you," JD asked. The line moved ahead a little, and Vin moved with it. It amazed JD, that when Vin wasn't aware of the people around him, he seemed much more relaxed. And maybe knowing that JD would watch his back helped.

"Lots I don't know 'bout her, JD. Lots she don't know 'bout me. It ain't 'cause we're hidin' things from each other. Reckon there are a few things I ain't told her, 'cause I ain't ready. And same goes for her. It ain't that she ain't strong enough to hear what I got to say. It ain't that I ain't smart enough. Some things just ain't come up in conversation yet," Vin replied. He took his baseball cap off and ran his fingers through his hair, then put the cap back on.

"Like what?" JD challenged. The thing was, he knew exactly what Vin meant. His argument with Casey before he had left for Washington DC had been caused by one of those things which had never come up in conversation before. Vin responded with an amused glance, and JD continued, "Look, Vin ... I know you say Adriana ain't your girl. But you're the only person I can ask these things. You make more sense than any of the others."

"Drina ain't my girl. She don't belong to nobody," Vin answered with more than a trace of exasperation. JD gave him his best kicked puppy look, and the guide warned, "Oh, no. Don't go there, JD. I ain't Buck, or Mary, or anyone else ya can use them puppy-dog eyes on." JD glared at him, and to his credit, Vin didn't laugh. He did, however, sigh, "But if ya wanna know ... and remember, she ain't my girl. She's nobody's girl. But I did find out somethin' that surprised me once. Found out that she don't like gettin' flowers."

JD blinked and stared at his friend. She doesn't like getting flowers???? JD thought all women liked getting flowers and chocolate! Vin shrugged helplessly, adding, "When she told me why, it made sense. Her favorite flowers, 'fore her ma were murdered, were carnations. That funeral home was overflowin' with carnations at her ma's funeral. And every day on the anniversary of her ma's death, her pa would have her put a rose on her ma's bed."

JD shuddered. He was still having a hard time coming to grips with what Buck and Adriana's father had done to that child after his wife's death. JD said after a moment, "But that kinda makes sense. I've been taking some psychology classes, and it sounds like she associates flowers with death and pain." Vin shot him a broad grin, and JD smiled back, then continued, "But I'm talking about something that makes no sense, at all. No explanation."

"Hell, JD, I think women always got a reason for what they do and what they feel. They just ain't always ready to share it with us. The thing we gotta do is respect that ... not laugh at 'em or tease 'em about it. Ya do that, they think ya don't take 'em seriously, and that makes 'em mad. Makes 'em think ya don't think they're important. No, that ain't somethin' I learned from Drina, but some a' her friends," Vin replied.

JD fell silent again as the line moved forward once more. Had he made fun of Casey, without meaning to? He had only been teasing her when he found out what her real name was. He had always thought it was 'Cassandra' too. Or that her initials were KC. Speaking of real names ... He asked suddenly, "Vin, if your real name is 'Kevin,' then where did you get ... " He floundered for a minute, drawing a half smile from Vin.

"Story goes, I couldn't say 'Kevin' when I was a little fella, and 'Vin' was the best I could do. It stuck," the guide answered. A shadow passed over his eyes, and he continued, "My ma was the only person who called me that, up until I met Drina. Hell, until Priscilla Meadows told her, I had plumb forgotten that 'Vin' weren't really my birth name. Reckon Drina used it at first to get a rise outta me, then just 'cause she liked it."

"She likes doing that ... trying to get a rise out of you. Vin, does it bother you when she calls you 'Kevin' to irritate you?" JD asked. Vin shook his head with a little exhale.

"Hell, no. If she really thought it irritated me, she wouldn't do it. It's part of a game we play, I reckon. Fact is, JD, I worry if she don't call me 'Kevin' at least once a day. Means somethin' ain't right with her. It's kinda somethin' sacred between us. She calls me 'Kevin,' and I call her 'Drina.' Now, I know a lotta the others, they call her 'Drina,' too, but I was the first. And she was the first person since my ma who called me 'Kevin.' Names are powerful weapons, JD. They always have been," Vin answered.

JD mulled over what Vin had told him, then said quietly, "I found out that Casey's real name is 'Casilda.' A name her mom got out of a romance novel. I teased her about it, saying it sounded like 'castle.' She got mad." JD found himself cringing at the look Vin gave him. One of Vin's disappointed looks were worth a hundred of Buck's rants. Vin just sighed and shook his head, as if nothing he could possibly say could cover what he was thinking.

But he did speak, saying, "JD, that name was a gift to her, from her ma. How would ya feel if she made fun of a gift ya got from yer ma? That's what ya done! 'Course she's mad at ya!" Put that way, JD could see exactly why Casey was so mad at him. And Vin was right. If Casey had made fun of something his mother had given him, he would have been furious with her as well. Put that way ...

"So how do I make it up to her? She's like Adriana, she doesn't like flowers ... just for a different reason," JD replied. Vin responded with raised eyebrows, as if to say, you're asking me? The cartographer continued with a sigh, "I mean, this is bigger than an apology. This is bigger than anything I've ever done." This time, Vin's expression was downright amused. JD laughed at himself.

"Reckon we could bring back a stuffed animal of some kind? Figger between the two a' us, we can get somethin' together that she'd like. Just ... remind me to keep my mouth shut when she starts askin' about ya and other gals?" Vin asked, wincing at the reminder of his last conversation with Casey on that subject. JD grinned, gently nudging Vin forward, and Vin continued, "Hell, I ain't never said I was no good with words!"

"It didn't matter what you said, Vin, she would have gotten angry. She admitted as much to me when we finally made up. Although, General Hammond was not pleased about reports of me making out with Maddy in the rec room," JD replied, feeling an all-too-familiar blush rise to his cheeks. His brief ... fling ... with Maddy Stokes had nearly cost him his career, his life, and his relationship with Casey. Yup, almost cost him everything.

"Reckon not, but I 'magine if ya asked General Travis, he'd have a few interestin' stories," Vin replied with a mischievous smirk. By now, they were at the head of the line, and Vin frowned, muttering, "Now how in the hell did that happen? We ain't been in line that long!" JD just grinned ... it seemed that getting Vin to talking was a good distraction. Vin shook his head and added, "Hell, reckon ya got that from Corkscrew Hill, didnja?"

"It worked, didn't? And like Josiah always says, use what works," JD replied with a grin. They were being allowed through the gate, and JD turned back.

Adriana was still sitting on the bench, but she was now looking up from her book. She saw JD looking at her and waved. JD returned the salute, grinning broadly. She inclined her head toward Vin, as if checking on him, and JD gave her a thumbs up sign. Adriana just grinned back, and JD gently nudged Vin into one of the cars. Maybe he and Adriana would end up becoming friends after all ... they'd see how things went. Maybe she could help him with Casey, too?

Part 23

Bucklin best watch his back, Vin thought as he and JD got off the Chariot only minutes later, those two decide to join forces, he'll be in a lotta trouble. Vin laughed to himself as he and JD exited the ride. Adriana rose to her feet, sliding her book back into her backpack. Damn, she managed to carry a lotta shit in that little thing! Wallet, cameras, tape recorder, and her book, too. He would have expected it with some of the purses she carried in college, but in those, she could have carried the kitchen sink, too.

He used to tease her about that. She never got angry ... it was one of the safe topics. But after hearing why she was so compulsive about carrying things in her purse, Vin had stopped teasing her. It stopped being funny ... he couldn't laugh at her desire to be prepared. Part of being a child was being helpless ... something he could understand entirely too well. Being prepared meant you were a little less helpless.

She smiled as the two men joined her and asked, "Did you boys have fun?" Vin swiped his hand at her, and she danced out of the way, laughing. She looked at JD, who nodded with a grin, and she continued, "Good. I'm glad to hear that. You won't believe what I saw while you boys were upstairs." By this time, her grin was so big, Vin was somewhat surprised that her face wasn't hurting as yet.

"Try us ... after some of the things which have happened just this week, I'd believe just about anything," JD challenged. Not just this week, Vin thought, but this whole damn month! And last month! He couldn't believe that Larabee had given him such wonderful blackmail material by singing along with Drina, when both were drunk off their asses. Drina could laugh it off, but Chris was another matter.

"I saw Josiah and Nathan engaged in a mock-sword fight," came the answer. Vin blinked, looking at his friend in amazement. Come again? He glanced at JD, and saw the cartographer staring at Adriana with the exact same expression. Adriana nodded with an impish grin, continuing, "Yup. I guess they went into one of the shops and bought a pair of plastic swords. Probably to surprise Billy, and they started dueling with 'em."

Josiah and Nathan. Had been dueling with swords. No matter how hard Vin tried, he couldn't wrap his mind around that concept. JD said, obviously choosing his words with care, "You know, Vin, we've been on almost every ride here. Maybe we should catch up with those two, and see what's going on." Vin looked at Adriana questioningly. There were a few rides they hadn't gone on yet, some of which she had wanted to ride.

"The way I see it, we can do both," Adriana replied. Vin remained silent, and Adriana continued, "We can ride what I still haven't ridden yet, and hang around with Josiah and Nathan. We've only got about two hours before we meet up with the others. I figure we can spend those last two hours either shopping or whatever. We start clumping together, it'll make it easier for us when we finally have to meet up with everyone."

Clumping? Vin raised his eyebrows, smirking at the phraseology. Adriana just glared at him, and JD said a bit hesitantly, "Uhm, Adriana? How did you know what Vin was asking you? I mean, all I said was we could catch up with Nathan and Josiah. Then Vin looked at you, and you ... how did you know what he was asking you? Is this kinda like the way Vin and Chris talk to each other without words?"

"Uh ... no. Not really. It was kinda obvious, when he looked at me, what he was asking. He knew there were a few more rides I hadn't been on yet, because he asked me about it earlier. And when you brought up hanging around with Nathan and Josiah, he wanted to know if I was okay with the idea. Nothing supernatural or psychic about it ... just real obvious," Adriana replied, shrugging. JD didn't look convinced.

However, he didn't push, and instead, "Well, it works for me. But why don't you want us to hang around with Mary, Chris, and Billy? I know Mary is your best friend, and Chris is Vin's best friend, so ... " JD let his voice trail off. Once again, Vin looked at his longtime friend questioningly. He had his own ideas about that, but he wanted to hear what Adriana was thinking. He had considered pointing out to JD that the youthful private had switched places with Ezra, but realized it was a different situation.

"JD. When you're with Casey, do you want anyone else around? Even Buck?" Adriana asked. JD swallowed hard, and Adriana continued, "Mind you, I've never had a boyfriend, so I couldn't say for sure. But Mary and Chris don't have a lot of chances to just be together. Yes, they've got Billy with them, but that's a little different. I'll catch up with Mary tonight, once we all hit the sack."

"Speaking of Casey ... I kinda need your advice, Adriana," JD replied, exchanging a look with Vin. The sharpshooter remained silent. Over the last three months, he had watched Buck's two siblings taking small steps toward something more than a truce. He wouldn't interfere. When Adriana didn't speak, JD continued, "I kinda screwed up with Casey before we left for Washington, and I want to apologize. But she doesn't like flowers. Do you have any ideas?"

The three began walking and Adriana put her head down, frowning thoughtfully. Over her head, JD looked at Vin with a half smile and a wink. Damn kid knew exactly what he was doing.

"Well ... it seems to me that ... hmm. I don't know, JD. I mean, I can see that you want to make things right with Casey, but ... the thing is, if you get her a gift, Casey's just unpredictable enough to accuse you of trying to buy your way back into her good graces," Adriana mused out loud. Vin glanced over at JD, who was nodding. Casey was nothing if not unpredictable. It was part of her charm. Most of the time.

"Yeah, that's what worries me as well. What about a stuffed animal from here? One that I won? The thing that worries me ... the other thing, I mean ... is that Casey may think that since I won it, I don't think I should spend money on her, you know? I just can't figure out which way to go, because it's like you said. . on the one hand, she might think I was trying to buy her back. On the other, like I said ... and I wanted a woman's perspective," JD explained.

"I can see your point. I don't know, JD. Like I said, I've never had a boyfriend, so I really couldn't comment about the appropriate measures when you've had an argument, and are trying to make things right," Adriana replied. She raised her head to look first at Vin, then at JD, then continued, "I mean, yeah, I had arguments with my guy friends ... more than a few with Vin. And Vin can tell you about the arguments I had with Will Richmond, one of the grad students I knew in Texas." Vin nodded, remembering those arguments quite clearly.

"Well, when you had an argument, and it was Vin's fault, did he ever ... you know ... do anything special?" JD asked. Adriana blinked, mouthed 'Vin's fault?,' and looked at the sharpshooter. He just shrugged, and Adriana returned her gaze to JD. The youngster seemed to realize what he had said and continued, his face turning bright red, "I meant ... well ... you know sometimes an argument can be primarily one person's fault."

"I ... guess. I just always felt that any argument we might have had was automatically my fault. I may have been in the right, and I was in the right from time to time, but that I reacted badly to it. You gotta understand, JD, that when I met Vin, I was nineteen years old. And most of my guy friends were a good bit older than I was. Vin was my only male friend who was my equal ... Will, Doug ... they tended to treat me like a little sister. Will especially was overprotective of me, to the point of being irritating about it," Adriana replied.

"This was 'fore I knew her," Vin pointed out, and Adriana glared at him. The guide cringed, remembering some of the arguments between the pair even after Will started mending his relationship with Charlotte. Some of which he had figured in rather prominently. Vin admitted, "Okay, that ain't entirely true. The point she's makin,' JD, is that I was the first guy friend she had who didn't try to smother her."

"He was the first guy my own age who treated me as an equal," agreed Adriana, "and while that was terrific, it did carry problems. We still argued, and we still fought. Usually over misunderstandings. I may have been in the right, as I said, but I figured we argued because I wasn't making myself clear enough. I figured that since I was to blame for every bad thing that happened to me, I was to blame for this as well." Her voice had become low and distant, as if she had returned to those years in Texas. JD was watching her, his hazel eyes filled with sadness. All three had stopped and gravitated to the side, where they wouldn't be in the way.

And Vin saw her through JD's eyes at that moment. Saw a young girl who automatically assumed whatever was wrong in her life was her fault. Not yet understanding that things were rarely that clear and concise, as Ezra would say. And seeing for the first time the damage which had been done by Buck and Adriana's father all those years ago. JD's eyes flickered away from Adriana, to come to rest on Vin, and the shame he saw there took Vin's breath away.

"But you know better now," JD said quietly, "You know that it's not always your fault." Adriana snapped back to the present, a warm smile brightening her face. JD hesitantly reached out his hand, then let it fall to his side. The pair looked at each other for a long moment, and Vin could see another step being taken forward ... JD wanting to reach out, but mindful and sensitive of what touch often meant to Drina.

"I know better now, JD. But I was nineteen years old at the time, and had only been away from my father for two years. So, when Vin and I argued, then later made up, I never expected anything from him. Not even an apology. I always got one anyhow, whether it was for the misunderstanding, or for something he thought he had said wrong, or whatever. But I didn't expect anything from him, much less a gift," Adriana explained.

"If he had been your boyfriend, would it have been any different?" JD asked and Vin glared at the mapmaker. So help me, he thought, if JD brings up Drina bein' my girl again, I will ... hell! Reckon I can figger out somethin' unpleasant for him! However, JD left it at that, and Adriana shrugged. JD said quietly, "I just don't want to go to her empty-handed. If your boyfriend made fun of a gift your mother gave you ... what kind of gift would you want?"

"JD, I'm not Casey. What I might want wouldn't be what she would necessarily want. But ... if you really want to know ... I've always loved water globes. Ever since I was a little girl. And ... " Adriana began. She got no further. Vin watched her in silence, wondering what was bothering her. After several moments, she looked at JD and said, "The gift doesn't matter. It's what comes from your heart. I thought I saw Nathan and Josiah."

The subject had been dropped ... or maybe he should have said dismissed. But JD and Vin understood anyhow, and a quick glance in the direction of Adriana's gaze told Vin that the two men were, indeed, only a little bit in front of them. He said lightly, "Reckon it ain't gonna take more 'n a few minutes to catch up with 'em. Ya might wanna ask J'siah, JD." The cartographer nodded and the trio set out after their friends. But Vin continued to wonder, as he would glance at Adriana's still-tense face, what was bothering her. What had she remembered?

Part 24

Buck Wilmington was remembering things he had never known.

Like what little demons, little girls could be. Ever since he had arranged himself in this contraption, Olivia had been driving him absolutely batty. The culmination had come a few minutes earlier, when the little devil had snuck up on him and pinched his shoulder. The pain from the pinch wasn't that bad. However, that, and the surprise of having Olivia sneak up on him, was enough to make him yelp. To say nothing of whacking his head on the damn contraption.

The damn child was worse than Chris Larabee when it came to that kinda thing. Hell, knowing Chris as he did, Buck was sure the other man would have been rolling on the ground, laughing his damn head off. And Vin would have been in a similar state. Buck scowled, putting off the end of his torture by another few minutes, as Ezra was still getting the perfect angle. What the hell was that supposed to mean, what was wrong with the angle he had now?

I have the perfect angle, Buck, Ezra had explained patiently only a moment earlier, but you keep ruining the picture, and for once, you cannot blame it on your animal magnetism! At least Ezra got it right, instead of JD forever calling it 'animal maggotism.' Damn kid! He wondered if JD had driven Vin and DeeDee crazy yet. Vin, not likely. DeeDee ... hell, he had only just started realizing just how little he knew his sister.

Dammit, Ezra, would you take the picture already! Buck's spine ached from being twisted into an unnatural position for such a long time. 'Course, he was used to being in unusual positions, physically speaking, but not for what felt like a damn hour! He wondered again about the evil trio, as Ezra had taken to calling Vin, DeeDee, and JD ever since lunch time. Or Satan, Satan's younger brother, and Satan's consort.

Buck grinned at that, remembering how Chris had almost fallen off the bench, laughing at this description of Vin and DeeDee. Satan and his consort. Buck had a sneaking suspicion that Ezra's willingness to trade places with JD had something to do with his payback against DeeDee for the lunch time entertainment. However, while he had realized that he had a lot to learn about his sister, he also knew something about her that maybe Ezra didn't. His sister had almost as much patience as Vin Tanner, and only JD bringing up her relationship with Vin would test that patience. DeeDee got very irritated when people referred to her as 'Vin's girl.'

Something bright flashed in his eyes, and he realized that Ezra had finally taken his picture. Buck painfully eased himself out of the structure, then onto his feet. Ezra said with a smirk, "Major Wilmington, I have no doubt your sister will wish to frame that picture." Buck just rolled his eyes, and Ezra continued, "I do wonder how she and Mr. Tanner are faring with young Private Dunne ... I wonder how many times JD has referred to her as 'Vin's girl,' and if Mr. Tanner has deposited him in a waste disposal unit for doing so."

"You're a fraud, Ezra ... you know it, and I know it. For all your talk, you miss being with those two crazy kids," Buck retorted. Ezra nodded almost sadly, surprising the big major. Wanting to make his friend smile again, Buck added with a laugh, "Of course you know what this means. As long as DeeDee gets annoyed with someone calling her 'Vin's girl,' it means she ain't. And that means I don't gotta hurt Vin." As he had hoped, the smart-ass remark made his friend laugh, and the green eyes twinkled.

"My dear Major, I do regret to inform you, but your sister would be most displeased with you, if you harmed Mr. Tanner in any way, shape, or form. And we won't discuss Colonel Larabee's reaction to such foolishness on your part," Ezra warned. Buck grinned. Hell, he would never hurt Vin ... not deliberately. Not just because his sister and Chris would both kill him, but because Vin was his friend. And the young guide had saved Buck's life more times than he could count. Been there at Buck's side before anyone else, in some cases.

Silence fell as the four began heading toward the main gate. Everyone was getting tired, and a conversation he had overheard between Terry and Olivia had forced a long-forgotten memory to surface. He said quietly, "I want to look in one of the shops for a snow globe ... water globe. Whatever you want to call them, you know what I'm talking about. I want to buy one for DeeDee." Ezra looked at him curiously.

He didn't speak, however, not that Buck needed any prompting. He said, "When DeeDee was a little girl, she loved water globes. She told me a few days ago that one of the reasons she finally left home was because that bastard had gone into her room while she was in school, and broken all of 'em. She had this collection of water globes, probably twenty of 'em or so. And he broke every damn one of 'em. Some of 'em, I brought back for her."

"Another violation," Ezra said quietly, his voice low to avoid attracting Olivia's attention. Buck nodded. Yet another violation ... Josiah had been there at the time, and told Buck that it was their father's attempt to keep Adriana under his control. It had backfired horribly, and sent the seventeen year old girl to Texas. She had packed while he was asleep that night, every single belonging she had. He would not destroy anything else she loved.

"Another violation. His way of telling her that she would never be safe, that she was his, forever. DeeDee didn't have that much stuff. The less she had, the less he could take from her. A few days after it happened, DeeDee took off. She packed the few treasures she had left, all of her clothes, and ran. I can't take back what he did to her, Ezra. I can't take back not being there for her, then or later. But I can do this for her," Buck explained.

Ezra was silent for several moments, then said quietly, without any of his usual flowery speech, "It seems to me, Buck ... this trip hasn't been just about relaxing and enjoying ourselves. That is not finished, and will not be even after we leave tonight. We have another several days of vacation. But it's also become about renewal, and finding parts of ourselves that we thought we had lost. As I have. I will help you find the perfect water globe, to begin a new collection for Adriana. And when the time comes ... as it must ... I will stand at your side to defend your sister against that monster who somehow managed to father two fine children."

Ezra's words took Buck aback. He looked at his friend, and saw only stubborn determination there. Stubborn determination to give back Buck's little sister some of the innocence she had lost so many years earlier. An impossible task, but Buck had to do something. Anything to make up for failing her so terribly. He swallowed hard and extended his hand to Ezra, an offering that was accepted. The two men stared at each other for another moment, and then ...

"Hey, look ... that's the pretty blonde lady!" Olivia called out. Buck and Ezra looked in the direction the child indicated. Mary was indeed a little further away, arms folded over her chest, with a big grin on her face. What was she watching? Buck couldn't tell from this distance, but he was sure it was Chris and Billy. Just then, the eight year old darted past his mother, and even from this distance, Buck could hear the little boy laughing.

A split second later, Chris followed, scooping the little boy into his arms and turning him upside. Chris had done that with Adam so many times before. His old friend righted the child, then spun around, still holding Billy tightly. Buck smiled. Ezra was right ... it was time to find parts of yourself that you thought had been missing. Maybe Chris would help him look for that globe? And maybe heal yet another wound?

Part 25

The strains of 'Holding Out for a Hero' alerted Nathan that he and Josiah were no longer alone. More to the point, it was the sound of a young female voice singing which alerted him, right before he heard feet running up behind him. The medic was ready for the body which came flying at him. He caught his would-be assailant by the waist and spun around, allowing Josiah to deal with his own attacker ... ignoring the giggles of delight coming from his new prisoner.

Vin Tanner approached with a broad grin, observing, "Ya got yer hands full there, Nate. Think ya handle her? Watch out for her feet." Nathan laughed, easily trapping the wriggling extremities between his calves. They all remembered Larabee's story about this girl and her feet. Nathan glanced over at Josiah, who had kept his own would-be attacker at arm's length. Literally. The big man had his hand on the crown of JD's head, keeping him in place no matter how hard the boy tried to make progress forward.

"Oh, I think we have both of these young'uns under control, Vin. Did they get away from you?" Josiah asked with a laugh. He finally released JD, and the young man almost stumbled. Josiah righted him, rumbling, "Best be careful, son, Janet wouldn't thank you for ending up in her infirmary while we're all on vacation." Nathan almost laughed aloud at the boy's glare. The kid had a ways to go before he matched Chris Larabee's glare.

"Naw. Weren't tryin' to keep 'em under control. Reckon JD has a question to ask ya, though," Vin replied. Nathan released the still giggling, still squirming Adriana, and she stumbled forward. The guide caught her easily, setting her back on her feet. From the gleam in his eyes, Nathan realized Vin was trying to decide whether or not to do something. After a moment, however, the guide wrapped his arms around the archaeologist from behind, and Adriana's hands put her hands over Vin's.

"I have a Casey question," JD admitted. Nathan and Josiah exchanged a look. There wasn't a one of them which wasn't aware of JD's tumultuous relationship with the pretty college student. JD continued, "We had an argument before I left ... well, I put both feet in my mouth at the same time, and she yelled at me. You know. An argument." Nathan did, indeed, know, and the young man continued, "I talked to Adriana and Vin, and now I want your opinion about what to get Casey as an apology gift."

"You can't get her flowers," Nathan observed, "because she doesn't like them." JD nodded. They all knew that. Nathan also knew the story behind that. It wasn't that she disliked flowers ... but she tended to think they were a lot prettier, still in her aunt's garden, then cut and put in water. Nathan couldn't disagree, but he also understood where JD was coming from. No flowers made it a lot harder to make up to your lady.

"And like Adriana said, Casey's kinda unpredictable. If I buy her something, she may think I'm trying to buy my way out of trouble, and if I give her something that I won here, she may think that I don't think she's worth the money," JD sighed. Nathan looked at Josiah, and the big man just raised his eyebrows. This sort of thing had been going on for the last three years, ever since JD and Casey had met.

"Unpredictable is one way of looking at Casey," Josiah agreed. He murmured, "Poetry is out ... the last time we tried that, it didn't work too well." JD groaned aloud, remembering the incident in question. It had been around the same time as Buck's defense of Inez. Nathan smothered a grin, remembering what Josiah had told him. However, he didn't laugh. Josiah continued, "Well, son, you could get her something she's really been wanting badly."

"JD ... you know that right before we left for DC, Casey came with Mary and me on a shopping trip, right?" Adriana asked suddenly. JD nodded. It was something which every member of SG-7 knew about, these shopping trips of Mary and Adriana's. Casey often accompanied the two older women when they went shopping. Usually, it was a weekend when neither Mary nor Adriana was needed at the SGC.

Adriana continued, "She was admiring one of the jackets we saw in a leather shop. Now, if you wouldn't mind going with me to one of the shopping malls, we'll see if we can't find one similar to it. It'll be pricey, but I can help you with the cost. And Casey and I are about the same size. If anyone asks ... not that it's any of their business, but people do ask ... I'll just tell them that I'm helping my little brother look for a Christmas gift for his girlfriend."

"You don't gotta help me pay for it, Adriana, but if you could help me find that jacket, I'd really appreciate it," JD said. Adriana smiled and reached out her hand. It was immediately grasped, and the two young people beamed at each other. Nathan looked at Josiah. It seemed that Buck's two younger siblings had made more than just a little progress today. After a moment, the hands dropped and JD looked at Nathan and Josiah with a speculative look.

Adriana did the same, leaning back into Vin's arms, and asked, "Now, we wanna know the story behind you two sword-fighting with those plastic swords."

"Busted!" Josiah said, laughing, "I don't imagine I can convince you three to keep this to yourselves?" The trio looked at each other, then looked back at Josiah and shook their respective heads. Josiah laughed again and said, "Didn't think so. Well, you see, Brother Nathan was just telling me about a fencing class he took in college. I took a few such classes myself, and we ... well, we decided to have a little fun before giving the plastic swords to Billy and Cassie."

"I wish I could have seen that ... you two playing with plastic swords. Can you imagine how much Ezra would pay, to have that kind of blackmail material on you two?" JD chortled. Nathan winced, remembering what Chris had threatened Ezra with, if Ezra ever showed anyone the video playback of the colonel and his 'little sister' singing 'Friends in Low Places.' Unfortunately ... or maybe fortunately ... he hadn't thought to pass that particularly threat along to Mary ... who currently had the tape.

"About the same as he would to have the tape of me and Chris singing. A lot. I happen to know, however, that Mary wouldn't sell that for any amount of money," Adriana put in, giggling. She brought her grin under control with some difficulty, then added, "Although, she may charge admission for everyone to see it tonight." This was greet with disbelieving laughter. Mary had brought the tape with her??????

"This ... could get interesting, brothers and sister," Josiah said, smirking, "but I believe we have another two hours before we have to meet the rest of our friends. So, shall we ride, or shall we shop? Or do both?" Nathan grinned as three heads bobbed at this last, and Josiah continued, "Well, our chariots await ... what is your pleasures, my children?" Vin released Adriana and the five headed for a bench where they could make their plans.

Part 26

While Nathan, Josiah, Vin, Adriana, and JD had joined forces, Buck and Ezra had met up with Mary, Chris, and Billy. Terry Greer realized her daughter was getting tired, and said good-bye to them only a few moments later. Buck wasted no time in telling his long time friend about his plans ... as well as that final violation on the part of their father, so many years ago. He was gratified to see an answering rage in the green eyes of his old friend ... as well as sadness in Billy's, and compassion in Mary's.

"I don't understand," Billy lamented as they walked through the store, "why would your dad do something so mean? Was Adriana bad? Is that why he broke all of her things?" How exactly did you explain about that sort of thing to a little boy, who had never known anything but love from his parents? Oh, he knew that there were terrible people in the world ... people like the men who had killed his father. But for a daddy to do that to his little girl?

"No, honey. Adriana hadn't been bad ... at least, no worse than any other girl her age. Her father did that to hurt her," Mary answered quietly. There was no way around it. No way to soften what he had done. Billy still didn't know everything, and none of the adults knew how to tell him. There was another complication ... Billy was a very honest, forthright child, just as his mother was a forthright woman. All were concerned that if Billy was told that Adriana's father had touched her in a bad way, in a bad place, he would bring it up with her.

"So how come nobody took her away from him? Celia Martin got took from her mom and dad, how come nobody took Adriana away? Was it because she was a big girl?" Billy asked innocently. The child was looking up at his mother, never saw the way Buck's face paled. Had no way of knowing that his innocent, and far too relevant question, was like a kick to Buck's gut. Why hadn't he known? Why hadn't he protected his sister?

"She ran away before anyone could take her away from him, honey. And now, Buck wants to give something to her ... a lot of the water globes which their father broke, Buck had given to Adriana," Mary explained quietly. Buck moved along the other side of the aisle, trying to occupy his mind which deciding which one he should get for his sister ... which would say what he wanted her to know?

Blessedly, Billy was silent for several moments, allowing Buck to concentrate. His next question, however, shattered the big man's concentration, as Billy asked, "Mom? Do you think we could get Adriana one, too?" Chris, who had moved down Buck's aisle, put his hand on Buck's arm as the man closed his eyes tightly. Billy continued, "My teacher, Mrs. O'Leary, said she had snowglobes which she had to give away, 'cause they're moving. Would it be okay if we gave one of 'em to Adriana?"

"I think she'd like that a lot, Billy. In fact, maybe while Buck, Chris, and Ezra are looking for that globe, why don't we go look for a gift for Grandpa? Maybe a belt buckle? And something for Grandma?" Mary asked. Buck opened his eyes to give Mary a grateful look, not minding at all that she could see the tears in his eyes. He smiled at her, a smile which she returned, leading her son from the store.

"You okay, big fella?" Chris asked quietly, picking up a musical snow globe. Buck didn't answer, running his fingers over the glass of the globe. It was unusual, for him to be so quiet, but in the months since he had learned how badly his father had abused his sister, Buck found himself wanting just some quiet time to think. Adriana had let him back into her life, with no reservations, no recriminations. But Buck had more than enough guilt on his own.

It was equally unusual for Chris to talk more than Buck, but the blond colonel continued now, "You can't take back what he did to her, Buck. You can't erase those years. Whether we like it or not, those two years before she met Vin, and after she left home, created the woman she is now. All any of us can do is pick up the remaining pieces ... and they are there. When she's ready, we'll know where to find those pieces." It was a long speech for Chris Larabee, but like Vin Tanner, the man could be damn eloquent when he wanted. The trouble was, it wasn't just the past which was bothering Buck right now.

"I was jealous of Vin, did you know that? Jealous, even when I was focusing totally on JD. Because whenever she needed comfort and support, it was him she went to. Even though she believed that I didn't care, I was still jealous of him," Buck finally said. He looked up to find Chris watching him intently, the green eyes neither judgmental nor comforting. Buck shook his head and muttered, "I screwed up but good, stud, then had the audacity to blame the kid for being there when I wasn't."

"Let it go, Buck. We're on vacation. We haven't had a mishap or any accident ... we've left that to SG-1. Let it go. Your sister is back in your life, one hundred percent, and now that she knows you love her, she's not letting you go. It's over," Chris said quietly. Over. Buck didn't know about that. Chris said after a moment, "I think I'll follow Ezra's example, and get her a water globe from one of the other places we hit."

Buck looked at his longtime friend and smiled in spite of the guilt he continued to feel. He said, "Chris Larabee, the guy who can scare most of the SGC just by looking at them, proves he's just a big softie when it comes to beautiful blondes, eight year old boys, and dark-haired little princesses." Chris glared at him, and Buck found himself laughing. The glare disappeared, and Chris winked at him. Buck looked down at the water globe which he had been caressing for the last ten minutes. Yes, that would do very well for a start. It was a bit pricey, but these things often were at amusement parks. And his sister was worth it.

He carefully carried the water globe to the cash register, trying to decide when he should give it to his sister. Christmas was too far away. And for a moment, Buck wondered if he was doing the right thing, bringing back memories she may have wanted to forget. And then he remembered the look in her eyes when she talked about finding the broken water globes on the floor of her room. No ... no, he was doing the right thing.

He wondered if Vin had heard that story yet, or if Adriana kept that to herself. He had caught Vin's eyes on him more than once in the last few months ... watching him and Adriana spend time together. He had seen the quiet approval in the bright eyes, before Vin tipped his hat and returned his attention to whoever was talking. And not for the first time, Buck wondered about what he would do, if things ever changed between his sister and Vin.

There was a part of him which wanted his sister and Vin together. He had been her friend for a long time, he could be trusted to take care of her. He was one of the best men whom Buck had ever known, and one of the most honorable. At the same time, DeeDee was his little sister, and there was another part of Buck which didn't think any man was good enough for her. Not even Vin Tanner.

Not that Buck was stupid enough to say so to his sister. He had made that mistake once before ... although he hadn't said that Vin wasn't good enough for DeeDee. However, he had mentioned the possibility of her and Vin getting together. She had asked with more than a little exasperation why people were so fascinated with her relationship with Vin. Why couldn't they just be friends? Why did people insist up making them be a couple? That had been at the Renaissance Faire he had taken his sister to ... his first solo trip with her.

Buck hadn't told his sister this, but the truth was, they seemed natural as a couple. Whether they were dating or not, whether they considered themselves romantically involved or not, most people in the SGC still considered Adriana to be Vin Tanner's lady. Just as the women of the SGC, both military and civilian, understood that Vin was Adriana's. That had been decided by Bree Lincoln, and, he suspected, Mary Travis as well.

He joined Chris and the others outside the shop. Billy was watching something intently as Mary conferred with Chris. Buck stepped up behind the little boy, and Billy turned at his approach. The child asked softly, "Buck? Isn't that Josiah and Nathan? What are they doing?" Buck concentrated, observing the pair in question. Well, yes, as a matter of fact, it was Nathan and Josiah. And it looked like ...

"I'll be damned," he muttered. Billy glowered at him, and Buck gave the little boy a swat, saying, "Now, don't you be tellin' your mama on me. Hey Chris ... take a look over there." Chris looked up from his conversation with Mary ... and his eyes almost bulged out of his head. Josiah and Nathan, often considered the most steady members of the team, were. ..swordfighting? With what looked like plastic swords!

Ezra burst out laughing, and Buck shook his head. He discovered his sister leaning against Vin, laughing helplessly. JD was almost doubled over laughing, while Vin was just shaking his head and grinning broadly. Buck began laughing as well. Well, well, well ... the day just kept getting better. First, he found out that very morning that Mary had brought the tape of Chris and Adriana singing ... wonderful blackmail material against his old friend. Now this. More blackmail material! As he watched his friends stage a mock-sword fight, the black cloud which had been darkening his mood slipped away.

Part 27

JD had opted to start shopping, while Vin sat down, and Josiah accompanied Adriana on the last of her sky rides. JD wasn't looking for a souvenir for Casey, but one for Miss Nettie. Nathan accompanied the boy, looking for a souvenir for Rain. Vin didn't mind being alone. Much as he enjoyed being with his friends, he was starting to run out of energy. Being with people often did that, and he needed some time alone to recharge his batteries, so to speak.

It had been a fantastic day ... more fun than Vin could remember having in years. But he was getting tired, and truth be told, was looking forward to returning to the hotel. He knew there was a good chance they would be watching movies again tonight in the room he shared with Chris, and that was fine. He could lay down or sit down, maybe even fall asleep. They had been talking about ordering out for a pizza. JD was in junk food heaven with this vacation.

JD. Vin sat back, watching his surroundings while he thought about his younger friend. JD had very deliberately asked Adriana's opinion about what he should do about Casey. Vin just didn't know why he had chosen to do so. Why not wait until they met up with Mary again, and ask her? Mary had known Casey longer, and she would have a better idea. Sure, Adriana was friends with Casey, too ... but that was a different sort of friendship.

JD knew that. Was that his way of reaching out to Adriana? It wasn't that Vin feared JD was setting up Drina ... he knew the kid better than that. It just puzzled him. JD and Adriana had been tentative toward each other during the last few months. Why had JD chosen now to take the next step? Had the time he had spent talking to Drina pushed him in that direction? Aw hell, what was he worrying about? The important thing was, two of his friends were getting along now, and that made things a little less tense.

Forcing himself to stop thinking about that, Vin turned his attention to the day. He was pretty sure he had ridden all of the roller coasters at least once. They hadn't gotten to any of the water rides, although they ... he, Ezra, and Adriana ... had found themselves getting thoroughly splashed while watching the Pompeii water ride. Vin laughed to himself, remembering the thoroughly disgusted expression on Ezra's face.

Adriana had convinced the former negotiator that he was less likely to get wet standing closer to the railing, since he would be closer to the water. The bulk of the water would hit the people behind him. Imagine his shock when he was thoroughly drenched ... and Adriana, who was standing behind him, against the back railing, was barely wet. At least at first. She had giggled, drawing Ezra's attention to her.

He had growled at her. There was nowhere for her to go, so she just stood still when Ezra scooped her into his arms, and into a fierce bear hug. She was just as wet as Ezra after that. And that, of course, was before Splashus Maximus. Vin laughed again, remembering the duel of the water balloons. General Hammond turning on Drina's Gladiator soundtrack had been a stroke of pure genius.

He thought of lunch, of the look on Ezra's face when Vin had played back the tape. The guide snickered. He had been expecting payback, and he had gotten it. And then there was the last few hours with JD. Vin wondered why Adriana hadn't done her shopping while they were on the wilder rides, then it occurred to him that she wanted her hands free when she did go on the rides. So, she was saving it until the end of the day.

Yeah, it had been a good day. None of them had gotten hurt this time around ... Vin's hand went to the scar on his abdomen, a constant reminder of their final encounter with Ella Gaines. But he couldn't regret stepping in front of that knife, couldn't regret saving Mary's life. She had immediately returned the favor, saving his life and Buck's. Vin still wished that hadn't been necessary ... wished Mary hadn't been forced to kill. She had her own scars from that day.

And true, they had another several days before they went home, but Vin's gut told him that everything would be fine.

He had no doubt that SG-1 would get into trouble between now and then, but they were known for getting into trouble. Trouble found them, almost inevitably. Trouble also inevitably found SG-7, usually through its youngest member, and occasionally Ezra. Just not the way it found SG-1. Vin again laughed, remembering the story of Teal'c becoming curious about the way one of the rides worked. Beware the curiosity of a Jaffa!

His thoughts were interrupted as Josiah and Adriana returned, Adriana's dark eyes almost green with laughter. He looked up with a grin, as Josiah sank down beside him, sighing, "Brother, you deserve a medal for keeping up with this lass. She's worn me out." Vin smiled at his friend, his eyes flickering to Adriana, who just smirked. Josiah added, "Of course, the fact that I wasn't expecting half the things she came up with might have something to do with that."

"I don't know why, Josiah. After two years, I would think you knew the way my mind worked," Adriana retorted. Vin ducked his head ... hell, he had known her for nearly ten years, and there were still times when she blew his mind, with the things she came up with! Adriana added with an impish grin, "Then again, I suppose you're not used to me behaving like ... now, how did Ezra put it?"

Josiah laughed and retorted, "If you're saying I'm not used to you behaving like a ten year old, you're right. Vin, I'd have to look over at her every few minutes, and make sure she hadn't turned into a little girl. Well ... that is to say ... a small child. She's already a little girl." This was said with twinkling eyes. Vin pursed his lips, trying not to laugh at the reaction he knew had to come. Adriana's dark eyes widened ever so slightly, then she whacked Josiah with her purse/backpack. Josiah raised his arms, laughing at her mock-indignant expression.

"I will have you know I'm five feet two inches ... that's hardly tiny!" Adriana retorted, making a valiant effort to keep from laughing. Josiah, who was more than a foot taller than she was, looked her up and down, and Adriana added, "All right, it's hardly tiny compared to most people! Sheesh! Keep it up, Josiah, and I'll have to challenge you to a swordfight." Vin almost lost what little remained of his composure at that. Adriana arched a brow at him, asking sweetly, "Something funny, Kevin?"

"I saw the last time ya decided to get into a swordfight with somebody, Drina. It weren't pretty, Josiah. If they had been usin' real swords, it woulda brought all new meaning to the phrase, 'slice and dice.' As it were, she just got splinters in parts a' her body that ain't fit for mentionin' in the hearin' of a lady," Vin retorted. Never mind the fact that Drina had been the lady in question. That weren't the point.

Adriana folded her arms over her chest with an evil smirk and replied, "And what about the first Halloween, back in '93? Remember that, dear Kevin?" It was Vin's turn to scowl, as he remembered the holiday in question. Josiah looked from one to the other, as if trying to decide if he should even ask. The question was taken out of his hands when Adriana explained, "Carly and Dawn talked Vin into dressing up for Halloween, the first year that the three of us shared an apartment. Remember that picture of Vin, Ezra, and me? Well, that's more or less how Vin dressed up. That wasn't the problem."

Vin groaned at the recollection, explaining, "We had to lock Carly in the bedroom durin' most a' trick or treat, 'cause of the way she were dressed. It were downright indecent, J'siah. She weren't wearin' hardly anythin' at all." Josiah, who had seen Adriana's pictures of Carly in the photo albums, merely raised his eyebrows. Vin continued with a sigh, "She had been listenin' to Drina talk about the Picts ... and painted herself blue. That was her costume."

"Ah, Lady Godiva in blue," Josiah observed, his eyes twinkling. Lady ... oh. Yeah. Lady Godiva. Now that he thought about it, it made a helluva lot more sense than a female Pict warrior, especially since Carly hadn't been carrying any real weaponry. That wasn't entirely true, either, because in her ... loincloth, Vin thought it was called ... she had been carrying a wooden sword. She had given herself more than a few splinters that night.

Part 28

"Something like that, yeah. She had strips of cloth shielding specific parts of her body, and her hair was loose. She was not amused at us, particularly Vin's reaction when he saw her," Adriana said, laughing quietly. She shook her head and added, "However, keep in mind, Carly was a bit of a wild one. Once she stopped and thought about it, and remembered that there would be little ones showing up at the door, she changed into something more ... ahhh ... kid-friendly."

"So what were you wearing, Miss Drina?" Josiah asked, his shoulders shaking with laughter. Trust Josiah. On second thought, Vin acknowledged, better Josiah than Bucklin. He really didn't want to think about a confrontation between Bucklin and Carly. Although, it might be damn funny. Early in their friendship, Drina had told him that Carly was, in many ways, a female version of Buck Wilmington. Knowing both of them, Vin could see the similarities. And they were just alike enough for sparks to fly when they met.

"Dawn dressed as an Egyptian princess ... don't ask me which one, she may have made one up. Dawn was known for doing things like that. And me? I dressed as Boadicea ... well, about as much as I could, with the materials I had," Adriana answered. Josiah nodded wisely. Adriana had told Vin a little about the Celtic queen, though not enough to explain why she had chosen that lady for that year. But, judging from Josiah's expression, it seemed the big man had a pretty good idea why she had made that choice.

"The Iceni queen who killed several thousand people to avenge her daughters and herself," the anthropologist said, nodding. Drina nodded in acknowledgment, and Josiah continued, "I can easily imagine Captain Travis making a similar choice ... in Halloween costumes, I mean. She'd do anything for Billy, but I don't see her taking it that far." Adriana smiled faintly.

"I'll dig out the pictures, if I remember, once we get back to Colorado. And here comes the rest of the Goof Troop. Did you guys get what you went after?" she asked as JD and Nathan rejoined them. In answer, JD raised his bag over his head, as if it was a trophy, and Nathan simply beamed. Adriana smirked and replied, "I'll take that as a 'yes.' And Vin, just because I got my butt kicked the last time you saw me with a sword, wooden or plastic, doesn't mean I haven't learned anything new." As Ezra, or Dawn, would have said if they had heard, 'touche.' Josiah laughed aloud.

"Nathan, our young sister has challenged me to a duel ... would you be interested in taking her place?" the big man asked as the pair reached them. Nathan just grinned broadly and Vin reached into the plastic sack carrying the two plastic swords. He handed one to each man, then drew Adriana out of the way. She responded as if she was the child which Josiah had teased her about being earlier ... she crossed her eyes at him and stuck out her tongue.

JD watched in awe, saying, "Damn. I guess I may have competition as the youngest after all." This time, she smacked him in the back of his head, which made Vin laugh all over again, even before Josiah and Nathan drew their respective weapons. It was something Buck would have done, and JD scowled at her, adding, "Geez, Adriana! You already reminded me once today that you're really Buck's sister, I didn't need another reminder!"

"Too bad," she retorted with a smirk, "reckon you got one whether you wanted one or not." JD just scowled at her again, and this time, Adriana giggled. Vin thought about it, then decided he didn't want to know what she meant by that. He had a bad feeling he already knew, but wasn't about to tempt fate by asking. Besides, Nathan and Josiah began their swordfight at that point, and Vin's attention was solely on the two men with plastic swords.

It wasn't like any sword fight Vin had ever seen on TV or in the movies. Carly had been addicted to the Highlander TV-series, and insisted on watching it, no matter what any else wanted. And all three girls had shanghaied him into going to see The Three Musketeers when it came out in 1993. He had seen swordplay before. But never like this. The two men were ... well, the best term for it was simply ... they were being silly.

Nathan had a wicked sense of humor, as Ezra had found out on more than one occasion, but this was the first time Vin had ever seen his friend actually behave like a silly little kid. Neither Josiah nor Nathan were taking the 'duel' seriously, with hand motions that looked like they had been directly lifted from Oliver Platt in The Three Musketeers. (A movie which Dawn had insisted on going to see five times)

In no time at all, JD was doubled over from laughing so hard, while Vin found himself having to hold Adriana upright. The guide himself was grinning from ear to ear, and this was the situation when Chris, Mary, and the others in SG-7 joined them. Nathan and Josiah were having entirely too much fun with their mock duel for Vin to interrupt, so he just nodded to Chris, and winked at Mary.

It wasn't until Nathan stumbled away from an exaggerated thrust, almost backing into Buck and Ezra, that the duelists even realized they had an audience. By now, the pair were really getting into it, complete with sound effects. Chris observed dryly, "I really hate to interrupt, but we do have to meet the others. And I know the ladies ain't done with their shopping."

Both men jumped, Nathan spinning around to face the colonel and almost falling into Buck and Ezra. Again. That set off Adriana and JD all over again. Nathan glared at the pair, growling, "I'll remember that, the next time you two get your a ... ahh, the next time you get yourselves into a jam!"

"With JD, that will probably be sometime tomorrow, with the way he ends up in the infirmary," Buck observed, winking at the youngster. JD glowered at the big man in response. A glower which quickly turned to a smirk, especially as he leaned over and whispered something, which not even Vin could hear, to Adriana. He could, however, see her expression changed as she listened ... and he could definitely see her answering smirk. She straightened up, laughing quietly, and Buck asked a bit nervously, "What?"

"Oh, noth-ing," Adriana answered in a singsong voice. She winked at JD in response, and continued, "And Christopher, you're absolutely right, I'm not even close to being done with my shopping, but you know something, I think I'll survive. After all, JD and I are hitting the mall tomorrow. We young'uns can do that while you oldheads are recovering from today." Her eyes were twinkling as she hassled Chris.

Larabee's green eyes narrowed as he hissed, "Did you just call me 'old,' little princess?" He put Billy, whom he had been holding, back on the ground. Vin rolled his eyes. Aw hell, here they went again! Buck scuttled out of the way as Chris approached Drina, his fingers waggling menacingly. And just what was in that bag which Buck was protecting so carefully? Questions, questions, questions. He also caught the look between Ezra and JD. Hmm. This looked interesting, too, especially after Ezra inclined his head. What the hell was that?

Larabee had reached Adriana and as he reached out with his still-waggling fingers, Adriana laced her own fingers with him, wrapping her arms and his own around her waist. Chris lifted her into the air, her feet a few inches off the ground. Adriana clung to him, giggling, and Larabee tucked her under his arm, as if she was a football. Vin just shook his head. Hell, he wished someone had a camera ... Larabee just kept giving them more and more blackmail opportunities! It was then that he saw Ezra remove his own camera and quietly take a picture of the cavorting colonel and giggling archaeologist.

"Well, then, let's head out, brothers and sisters. Although, with the way this day has been going, I'm sure we'll get to the rendezvous point before SG-1," Josiah said as Chris started toward the front gate, Adriana still tucked under his arm. She had wrapped her arms around his neck, still giggling. Ezra took up position beside Vin, and Josiah looked over at Mary, who walked with her arm draped around Billy, adding, "That reminds me, Miss Mary, didn't you tell me at lunch that we have a special video tonight?"

Mary grinned, blushing a little, as she replied, "Yes, Josiah ... you might say it's a musical. And I happen to know that anyone who has friends in low places will enjoy this." This earned her a squeal of laughter from Adriana, and a growl from Chris. Nathan carefully moved his own body, so Chris couldn't easily reach Mary, while Buck moved further away from Chris, still protecting that plastic bag. What the hell was in there?

"This, I can't wait to see. I bet it'll be even funnier the second time around," JD chortled. Chris just glared at the boy, who had turned his attention to Buck, and asked, "Buck, what's in there? You act as though ... you know, when I was in high school, we had egg babies in one of my classes. You're acting as if you've got one of those egg babies in that bag. What's in there?"

As he moved closer for a better look, Ezra effectively blocked him with his own body. Vin grabbed JD's arm, realizing immediately that whatever was in that bag ... and damn if he wasn't curious himself ... Buck didn't want anyone else to know about it. JD got the picture and backed off. He continued, turning his attention to Ezra, "So, Ezra, are you still saying that today was a waste of time?"

"Not in the least, Private Dunne, but it was never my contention that visiting an amusement park was a waste of time, as you so indelicately put it," Ezra retorted, ignoring the hoots of laughter from Adriana. He glowered at her, adding when she laughed even harder, "And remember, Dr. Wilmington, that while I'm walking on my own two feet, you're being carried from this park as if you were a football."

"Yeah, but I'm getting a free ride, Ezra," came the saucy response. Vin covered his mouth with his hand, struggling to keep from laughing aloud. Chris adjusted his hold on her, and Adriana adjusted with him, then added, "So, did you have fun today, Ez? That was the whole point of the exercise, you know." Chris stopped and put Adriana down briefly, then swung up into his arms properly. Adriana squeaked in surprise, then giggled, "Going up!"

Ezra never did answer her question, and she didn't press, because she had other things to consider. Like, Chris threatening to dump her into the trash if she didn't stop wriggling. Ezra said quietly at Vin's side, "If the point of the exercise was to return to us, that which we had lost, I would say the exercise was a success. Tell me, Mr. Tanner, what do you think of the name 'Galen' for a child? Specifically, Galen Standish?"

"Like it, Ez. But ya wanna be careful, 'bout nicknames and all," Vin replied. Ezra nodded in acknowledgment, and Vin continued, "Ya think about that for yer boy?" Again, the Southerner nodded, and Vin said, "I like it. Reckon ya would make a damn good dad." The negotiator stopped and looked at him, as if he had never truly seen Vin before, and the guide added, "Hell, Ezra! Anyone with eyes can tell what a soft touch ya for kids!"

"Careful, my friend ... that's slander," Ezra retorted, but his grin told Vin the truth. He looked ahead of them, adding, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the rest of our party?" Vin nodded ... yup. SG-1, with the Frasiers and the general. Ezra said with a chuckle, "I'm sure SG-1 was once again incapable of staying out of trouble ... and we'll hear all about it on our return!" Vin laughed quietly. He wouldn't get no argument from him ... none at all!

Part 29

This just hadn't been one of his better vacation days.

Still, Jack O'Neill couldn't regret any of it. As many times he had to separate Danny from would-be bullies, Cassie, Janet, and Carter from would-be suitors, and Teal'c from the machinery, a quick glance into the back of the van told him that it had all been worth it. In the last three years, he had never seen that exhausted, happy expression on Vin Tanner's face before. The young guide was in the very back of the van, eyes closed, an almost blissful smile in place.

"He had a good time today, I think," Jack observed to General Hammond. The other man nodded, his eyes flickering to the rearview mirror. They were almost to the hotel now, and the general had finally started seeing the humor in ... things. He hadn't been in a particularly good mood when they met up with SG-7 nearly an hour earlier, but that had improved. Especially after Major Wilmington had presented his little sister with an early Christmas present/late birthday gift.

Jack had yet to hear the entire story, but the most important thing had been the expression on Adriana Wilmington's face when she opened the box which had been presented to her by her brother. She looked like a little girl at Christmas, gently cradling the snow globe in her hands. The archaeologist had very carefully placed the globe in the hands of her best friend before throwing her arms around her brother and hugging the stuffings out of him. Maybe Jack should have bought something like that for Vanessa. He missed having the stuffing hugged out of him.

Although, he didn't miss hearing JD's sarcastic remark as the petite archaeologist showed her appreciation for her brother's gift. Something along the lines of 'Buck talks about his animal maggotism ... the only girl who's kissed him is his own sister!' Buck, who had been returning his sister's hug with restrained strength, had reached out and bopped the young cartographer in the back of his head. Jack hadn't been standing nearby, but he had been informed that the major had growled, 'Damn kid,' before returning his full attention to his sister.

The globe was still cradled in Adriana's hands, though now it was back in its box. She sat in the very back with Tanner, her head resting on his shoulder and her eyes closed. On Tanner's other side was Ezra Standish, whose smile shifted from contented to downright evil. Jack had heard from Mary Travis about JD and Ezra's prank on Buck. He couldn't wait to see the finished product in the paper, a few weeks from now. Buck Wilmington on the ski slopes without snow!

As Janet had said when she found out about the prank, and heard Jack's comment, "No wonder he crashed and burned." She did so love to give the major a hard time. The colonel thought it may have been one of the highlights of each day for her. And he shuddered about what would happen if he was ever present when all Four Corners were together, along with Inez. That was downright scary. Funny as hell to think about, but scary, too. Any time you got that many women together ... and that kind of women together ... it was scary as hell.

Jack leaned his head against the neck rest with a deep sigh. It had been a day and a half. But the colonel really couldn't regret any of it. His team had needed the downtime, just as badly as SG-7 did. And the vacation wasn't over yet. He had heard JD Dunne say that he and Adriana would be going shopping at one of the local malls the following day ... a peace offering, so to speak, as she tried to help him smooth things over with his girlfriend. A nice gesture, since they had both been wrong for the last few years.

Things were still pretty tentative, but it seemed to Jack that the pair had knocked down quite a few walls between them today. There had been the whole Gladiator thing ... and what was going on with Captain Travis and the way she had been teasing Chris about 'friends and low places,' or was this something he didn't want to know? His gut told him otherwise ... he wanted to know about anything that made Chris Larabee blush like a schoolboy.

For once, Tanner had refused to tell him what was going on ... just responded with a smirk and 'reckon ya'll have to find out on yer own this time, colonel.' Huh. As Chris had been known to observe in the past, damn scruffy bounty hunter! Now there was a switch. Hell, after the last few years and too many encounters with the Gou'ald to count, who would have ever thought that Jack O'Neill would actually trust a bounty hunter with his back? But the thing was, he did trust Tanner, who was, admittedly an ex-bounty hunter. But ...

"We'll be watching movies again tonight, Jack. Including a special feature. Colonel Larabee and Dr. Wilmington singing along to 'Friends in Low Places' at Inez's bar," the general said. Jack blinked and looked over at the general. Say again? He detected a smirk on the face of the other man, who continued, "Among other things, of course. Captain Travis brought the tape, to make Colonel Larabee sweat a little."

"A lot," Jack corrected, "I know Chris, sir, and he'll be sweating a lot. If only from chasing Captain Travis around the room to exact a little revenge." He paused, then shook his head. He really didn't want to go there, either. Damn. He just would not win tonight, would he? He glanced over his shoulder, to find the trio in the very back either asleep or damn close to it. At least Standish hadn't complained constantly this time. At least he got to ride with Vin this time. And at least he was away from his team, who had nearly driven him insane!

The general laughed unexpectedly as he pulled into the parking lot of the hotel, and replied, "You're probably right about that, colonel. We'll decide what we're doing in the morning, when we all get up. We should get the children tucked into bed." A semi-obscene suggestion was made from the second to last bench, the one holding JD Dunne and Buck Wilmington, and the general added, "I heard that, son."

A mumbled apology was returned, and Jack looked at the general questioningly. From the corner of his eye, he could see that Adriana, Vin, and Ezra were all fully awake. The general replied, "It was JD." Ah. Okay. Whatever the general said. Jack got out of the van and opened the sliding door for the other passengers. Chris and Mary were the first out, Mary cradling her sleeping son against her shoulder. General Hammond said, "I think Mr. Standish should baby-sit young Master Travis tonight, since Mr. Jackson had that honor last night."

"It would be my pleasure, General Hammond. Since I've already seen the ... ah ... entertainment planned for tonight," Ezra replied smoothly. He eased the sleeping boy from his mother's arms, and added, "I believe there is left over pizza, if Master William and I become hungry." The idea of Mr. Ezra 'Amusement parks are beneath my dignity as a gentleman' Standish eating pizza was just too much for Jack, but he managed to contain his laughter as the small group walked to the hotel room shared by Chris and Vin.

He and the general watched Standish ease into other hotel room, then looked back as everyone gathered around the tv. As she had the night before, Adriana sat on the bed closest to the tv, while Vin sat on the floor. Jack committed that picture to his memory, having the uneasy sense that it would be the last time for a while he would see either of them that relaxed. He murmured again, taking his place on one of the beds, "It's been a day alright."

"That it has, Colonel," agreed the general in a low voice, as he sat down at the end of the bed, "that it has. Vin Tanner behaving like a child of ten. Chris Larabee acting like an ordinary human being. Buck Wilmington being himself." Jack nodded his agreement. The general shook his head with a grin and added almost to himself ... almost, "Yup, a day of sun, fun, and Ezra Standish on the run."

The End
Next Story: Full Circle