Chapter Four

Sam stood at the base of the Stargate ramp eating a bright green apple. River pranced a few paces back and forth at her side. When that didn't get Sam's attention she sat down and made her back as straight as possible as if trying to perfect her sitting posture. Sam glanced down at her and River whined quietly.

"River seems nervous." Daniel commented.

"No," Sam shook her head "she just wants my apple."

"What?"

"It's her favourite thing."

"I don't think I've ever heard of a dog that liked apples."

Jackson made a angry huffing noise.

"I don't think Jackson likes you calling his daughter a 'dog'." Sam chuckled.

During the conversation the Gate had been slowly dialing. River hadn't even noticed, she had her eyes glued to what was left of Sam's apple. Just as the Vortex snapped out at them Sam offered River the apple. The young Wulf-mutt sank her teeth into the juicy fruit. Chewing it quickly she swallowed it, core and all. Licking the last of the sticky juice off her jaws she wagged her tail happily.

"Ready?" Sam asked River.

River looked at the Event Horizon and tucked her tail. This was not her first trip through the Gate. Sam had carried her through Gate to safe worlds many times when she was younger to make sure that she was adjusted to the strange event.

However, River seemed to sense that this time was different. She looked to her father who was dressed in his light weight vest, there was no need for bullet proof armour this time around. River was wearing the same vest and a bright pink camo collar that Jack had given her. Jackson stepped up to River and nuzzled her neck before walking up the ramp with Daniel. River looked up at Sam.

"We're next." Sam smiled.

"Get your fuzzy butt in gear!" Jack's voice chuckled over the PA system.

River looked over her shoulder and then held her curly tail up higher to ensure that Jack got a good view of her rear.

"That's not very lady like." Jack scolded. "Who raised yo...oh, that's right. I guess you're not to blame."

"Can we go now?" Sam sighed.

River answered by taking a hesitant step forward. When Sam walked confidently up the ramp River gained more courage and picked up her pace. They stepped through the Wormhole together and took the icy trip. On the other side Jackson bounded up to River and licked her face. Daniel looked at Sam expectantly.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You thought we'd switch, didn't you?"

"It had crossed my mind. After all Jackson and I switched during Gate travel."

"Trust me, I haven't forgotten it."

Daniel smiled ruefully and rubbed between Jackson's large ears. River sniffed the air and raised her hackles. Just as she did so Daniel's contact on the planet came into view. Sam ruffled River's fur to let her know that she had done well to alert her to the approach, but at the same time also letting her know that they weren't in any danger.

After introductions they all followed the man to the massive stone library. The civilization seemed to be Egyptian in decent, which had Daniel overly excited. These people had risen above the concept of Goa'uld as false gods on their own, and they had the entire revolution documented. They had been developing for centuries free from oppressive rule and had lifted themselves up as a culture of peace and art.

Daniel looked like he was home.

Jackson looked like he was ready to go back to the SGC.

After a few hours of lounging around, watching Daniel read ancient text, River came over and nudged Sam awake. Sam looked around and yawned. Every joint in her body was in some form of pain or simply stiff. She stood up and stretched out.

"Daniel?" Sam asked and then waited. "Daniel."

When Sam had to repeat Daniel's name for the third time Jackson got up and nosed his partner in the ribs.

"Huh?"

"River and I are going for a walk." Sam informed. "Jackson, make sure Daniel stays out of trouble."

Jackson whimpered.

"I know, it's a tough job."

Jackson wagged in agreement.

River was already heading for the library's ornate wooden doors. Sam gave Jackson one last pat on the head, and just for good measure she gave Daniel one too. He look up at her with a confused look. Sam chuckled and joined River.

Sam had her sidearm, but had left her P90 at the SGC. She couldn't imagine any threat on this planet that couldn't be handled by her trusty 9 mm. River was prancing as they made their way to a near by forest.

Jack had once wondered out loud why so few of the people they came across built their cities around the Stargate. He instantly regretted doing so as Daniel launched into about ten theories he had as to why cities tended to be close too, but not too to the Gate.

Sam was just glad that they didn't, it not only helped strategically, but it also gave River and her a nice place for a stroll. The forest had neatly groomed pathways that took the pair past small waterfalls, interesting plant life, and other natural wonders.

River's nose was on overdrive as she sniffed all over everything. She never strayed very far from Sam. Every few minutes she would halt her investigation to listen to her surroundings. Even in the excitement of a new world she was not letting her guard down.

Sam and River had been walking for an hour, but the circular nature of the paths meant that they hadn't gone too far from the city. They came to a pleasant glade with soft moss covering the ground. Sam stepped a few feet off the path. River started rolling around in the moss gleefully.

Stepping up to where River was enjoying herself Sam suddenly pitched forward. With a breathless cry she landed on her hands and knees. River leapt up with her ears perked up on high alert. Sam lowered herself to the ground slowly and rolled over onto her back. River whimpered and licked her face gently.

"River, River, I've hurt my leg. Go get Daniel, go get help."

River took a step away and then took another step closer to her partner. She whimpered again and nuzzled Sam desperately. Sam cried out again causing River to tuck her tail and pace back and forth.

"River, go get Daniel, go get help."

This time River gave Sam one last supportive lick and dashed off back down the path as quickly as her padded feet could take her. Once the Wulf was fully out of site Sam sat up with a sly smile. She looked around and found a large boulder off to her right. Getting up without trouble Sam walked over to the rock and sat down so that she could lean her back against it.

"I should have been an actress." Sam chuckled to herself as she pulled out her radio. "Daniel?"

"Did it work?" Daniel's voice came over the radio.

"Well, she left running. I assume she's on her way to you."

"Good girl."

"I think it might be wise if when you get here if you wrap my knee or something, just so she doesn't think we were tricking her."

"I can do that."

Sam put her radio away and prepared to wait. She stretched out her back and then yelped in genuine pain. Furrowing her brow Sam reached back and rubbed her lower back. Right at the base of her spine was a sore spot. Sam sighed heavily, feeling old. Feeling suddenly tired she laid down on the soft moss covered ground. She had not planed to fall asleep, however she did exactly that.