Col Mitchell and his SG1 team finally arrived at base. They all reported to Gen Landry and as the Col mentioned he gave them all a week off. Tensions were running high with all the SGC teams and SG1 and SG2 were given the privilege of leave first. Col Mitchell was trying to decide whether he would like to spend time with his parents are have the whole team go on a trip together. They decided that Vala had never been to Jack's cabin, so they would spend a few days at Jack's and the last days with Cam's family.

Sam had called ahead to Jack to make arraingements for food, sleeping quarters, cooking chores, fishing and other activities as they play out. Jack was going to join them a day later after they all arrived. Sam and Vala had put away the food and chose to sleep in a room with "Girls Only" sign hanging from the door. Cam, Daniel and Teal'c decided that Jack may want to keep his own room for private reasons and Cam and Daniel decided to sleep in sleeping bags in the front of the fire place and Teal'c decided he could sleep under the stars or inside. Vala was ecstatic, she never knew camping out as Sam put it, would be so much fun. Sam could see the childish joy the emanated from Vala. They all had been to Jacks's cabin several times but bringing in a new member was a new experience.

"Sam, when can we go fishing? Is there any fish in the lake? Why do we need fishing poles? Are they shaped like fish?" Vala said with glee.

Sam had to laugh at Vala's constant questioning. "Soon, yes, and yes because that's one way of catching fish and no, the poles are long slim rods with modern attachments to snag fish."

"Sam?

"Yes Vala?

"Thank You for bringing me."

Sam was touched. She had to remember that Vala still was not familiar with earth and some of the customs that they normally would have taken for granted.

"You're welcome Vala. Come on lets start making some side dishes to go with the steaks or fish just in case no one catches anything, plan B."

"Plan B, what's that Sam?" Asked Vala curiously.

"Pizza Vala, Pizza. No cabin should be without a nearby Pizza place, especially with the boys."

Daniel, Cam and Teal'c were setting up the grill and stoking the fire. Jack had always kept his freezer well stocked with hamburger, steaks, ribs and his supposedly caught fish from his lake.

"Sam how did you meet Gen O'Neill? He's quite the catch around the base when he shows up unexpectedly."

"Heh, to hear you say that would make his day to no end. And what do you mean quite the catch?" Asked Sam.

"Well the female species of our little quaint mountain are always a buzz when he walks around the base. I mean look at him Sam, he's viral, nice crop of silver hair. It's amazing he still has his hair from what I hear and a nice butt."

"VALAAA."

"Well he does Sam. Matter of fact he has one of the best butt's around the base. I mean take a look at Dan……………..

"Vala? Can we change the subject? Asked Sam.

"You wanted to know how I met Gen O'Neill, right?"

"Well, I'm listening."

"Well I met Jack when he was just a Colonel, I was a Captain and Daniel was only new to SG1, Teal'c became a member much later. Anyway Jack, Jack had just lost a family member and became Commander of our little trio. Daniel was basically, and don't you repeat this Vala. A Geek. I mean Geekier than he is now, but a nice Geek. Jack was, well, not a Geek. He was cocky, intelligent, not a yes man and some say a great dancer. I kind of fell for him right off."

"So, you have, been looking at his butt." Vala mentioned non chalantly.

"Well, to be truthful Vala. Sam was whispering. He was and still is dashing." Sam couldn't believe she used an old style description of Jack. It just seemed appropriate with Vala.

"Go on, I know there's more." Stated Vala.

"Well to make a long story short. He lost someone very important to him Vala and I know he was pretty depressed when he first took charge of SG1. I think and encounter with an alien changed him and gave him closure. But since he was my commanding officer at the time, I couldn't even contemplate a relationship with him, but now things have changed and, we've grown a little wiser, slower and just taking our time with each other. It's been a long road to here and now it's, it's nice."

"I like Nice Sam; you deserver it." Said Vala.

"Thanks Vala; that's about the nicest thing someone has said to me in a long time." Sam smiled at Vala and started cutting and boiling potatoes for potato salad.

Vala decided to make a green salad and help Sam with other side dishes. The both talked about other unrelated subjects and checked on the men on getting the large brick pit started.

"No, No, No you can't stoke the fire with those kind of wood chips. Maple is best for Barbeque not that apple wood. It will take like apples, argued Cam.

"I believe that Col O'Neill has a taste for the apple chips Col Mitchell. That is why he stocks so much of these particular chips." Stated Teal'c.

"Well, I don't think he's going to mind Maple chips this year, stated Cam."

"Cam, don't you think if we mix the chips together it will give the steaks and ribs a "Mapple" taste." Daniel snickered at his obvious attempt at cooking humor. Neither Teal'c nor Cam were laughing.

"Well, any who, I'm going to check on the girls and see if they need any help." Stated Daniel.

"Yeah, you do that Danny boy and the men will dance around the fire and honor the fire God's." Cam said sarcastically.

Daniel was mildly cussing when he left Cam and Teal'c.

"Those Neanderthal, Babylonian barbarians. I've seen cave men do a better job that those two."

As Daniel was rounding the corner of the house, he ran into Sam and Vala, knocking her to the ground slightly. Daniel grabbed Vala from falling completly and Sam just shook her head and headed over to the pit.

"Sorry Vala, I didn't see you. Are you ok?" asked Daniel.

"Why Daniel, is it customary to curse before taking a girl to the ground and picking her up again?"

"Huh, Oh, sorry Vala. I was trying to tell those Cromanian men over there that cooking with both chips would make a great "Mapple" smell to the meat."

"Daniel, I know you are a linguist, I'm not, so you're going to have to translate what you just said."

"I mean, oh, I don't know what I mean Vala. Anyway, are you having a nice time up here?"

"Yes, Daniel I am and to think there's going to be a cozy fire to sit by later. Would you care to join me later, in what Sam has told me has been a ritual for procreating."

"What?"