The Tau'ri were strange. Teal'c had noticed that fact when he had first sworn allegiance to Earth, and at the time, it hadn't concerned him. They could have as many odd customs and inexplicable beliefs and pointless sayings as they liked, as long as they were capable of combating the goa'uld threat. Now, however, it had become apparent that their peculiarity was rubbing off on him. They had stepped through the Stargate five minutes before, and had found the area around the 'gate to be rich in vegetation, as Major Carter had informed them it would be. She had not informed them of the forest a short distance away, at the base of a steep slope.
Upon seeing that forest, O'Neill had begun a steady mumbled stream of tree-related curses, and apart from issuing brief orders, he had not stopped since. This was not unusual. What bothered Teal'c was that he had observed Daniel Jackson and Major Carter exchange eye-rolls of amusement – and he, a Jaffa, had smiled. Smiled! Fortunately, he had caught himself and resumed his usual impassive expression before anyone noticed.
"You okay, Teal'c? You look a little worried."
Teal'c started. They had noticed? He really was losing his touch. These humans were a bad influence. "I am fine, Daniel Jackson," he intoned solemnly.
"Desert or trees, trees or desert, you know, there are other ways to decorate a planet!" O'Neill was saying.
"They were not deliberate decoration, O'Neill," said Teal'c, because it amused him to watch the Colonel's frustrated attempts to explain himself. Sadly, this time his antagonism went unrewarded.
"I know." O'Neill rubbed the back of his neck absently. "So, Carter, which way? We're going through the forest, aren't we. You're going to make us go through the trees, aren't you. You're going to point that way, and we'll have to hike all the way through the trees to what looks suspiciously like a big honkin' mountain, and then you're going to make us climb it."
Daniel Jackson wandered back to the 'gate, looking around, examining the plant life. Teal'c, keeping a wary eye on the archaeologist, listened in silence while Major Carter explained that yes, they would be going through the forest, toward the foot of the big honkin' mountain, but she wouldn't make them climb it, no, it's not that far, don't be a baby, sir, we can walk it in a couple of hours, and no, she seriously doubted that the trees were evil man-eating aliens that would consume them and spit out their gear.
Once the officers had finished bickering, O'Neill stalked up to Daniel Jackson, who was completely oblivious, and yanked his collar, hard. Daniel Jackson stumbled, regained his balance, glared furiously at O'Neill, and started grumbling to himself in a way that meant they would not be walking in silence for a good long time. Teal'c sighed inwardly, and fell into step behind Major Carter.