Unsure of what else to do Daniel had left the base of the enormous tree and made his way awkwardly on four feet back to the Gate. At first he'd tried to activate the DHD himself. He was still about the same size as he had been in human form and could reach the dial. However, the device simply could not be use with paws, the power crystal would not respond. Eventually he'd simply laid down at the base of the Gate and waited.

As expected when he was overdue to check in the Gate opened. The first wormhole had obviously been an attempt at radio contact. Now that the Gate was activating a second time Daniel knew his friends were on their way.

"Jack is never going to let me forget this."

Daniel stood up and watched as Jack, Sam, and Teal'c came through the shimmering vertical pool of light. Jack spotted him first and froze.

"Hi, guys." Daniel greeted. "I know this is hard to believe, but it's me, Daniel."

"Carter?"

"He looks like a fox, Sir." Sam replied to the unspoken question.

"Yeah...I know." Daniel smiled ruefully. "This woman, or witch or something turned me into this. I think she was upset that I hurt the Tree. Hopefully you can help appeal on my behalf and get me changed back."

"It's the biggest Goddamn fox I've ever seen." Jack noted.

"'It'?" Daniel replied indignantly.

"He does not seem pleased to see us." Teal'c commented.

"No, I'm so glad to see you, guys." Daniel said truthfully. "I'm just annoyed about the new fur coat."

"Why is it barking at us like that?" Jack asked as he unlatched the safety on his P90.

"I don't know, Sir." Sam replied.

"Wait...you don't understand me?" Daniel asked as a cold fear raised the fur on the back of his neck.

"Perhaps it has rabies," Sam offered "rabid animals often act strange."

"I don't have rabies!" Daniel barked.

"In that case."

Daniel's eyes widened in fear as he realized that Jack was taking aim at him. He jumped back just as a spray of bullets kicked up the dirt where he'd been. Daniel instinctively tried to stand on his hind legs and fell backwards to the dirt.

"Jack! No!" Daniel cried as he scrambled backwards. "It's me!"

Jack furrowed his brow and hesitated before shooting again. Using the split second caused by Jack's indecision Daniel twisted around and ran off into the thick woods. Teal'c stepped forward with his staff weapon charged.

"Shall I track after it?" Teal'c asked.

"No, let it go." Jack replied. "Let's just find Daniel."