Author's Note: Hehe, the reason I don't bring Teal'c all the time, is that I get Jack (O'Neill) and Jack (the lab) twisted up sometimes in a sentence and I just get tangled. And I know if I'm tangled, then the readers have to be as well. Straight up warning now: If Teal'c is holding a Jack, or stroking a Jack, or doing anything of that nature to a Jack, chances are it's his dog.

..............

He slipped out of bed far earlier the next morning than he'd intended to. Not that he'd wanted to sleep in, since that was a good thing to do at home, when all you had to look forward to on your day off was yard work, or hanging out at the house watching TV, but when he was at his cabin, well, there was a whole lake of fish to catch – despite the rumors to the contrary – and there was a lot of nature to sit and contemplate.

Sam woke up when he moved beside her.

"Morning?"

"It's early," he whispered, wincing when Jaffer stepped on him to lean over and lick Sam's cheek. She rolled away from the dog, pushing against his head to keep from being slobbered all over. She wasn't ready to wake up completely yet.

"Need me?"

He gestured for Jaffer to get off the bed, and kissed her neck softly, smiling when he felt her shiver at the touch.

"I'm just going to take Jaffer out. Go back to sleep."

She nodded, already almost asleep again. He might not want to sleep in, but Sam most definitely did.

He waited only long enough to make sure she was asleep, then slid out from under the covers and dressed in the dark. Then he headed for the door – where Jaffer was already waiting on him – and went out into the living room.

It was still dark outside, which was a sign of just how early it was, but Jack didn't mind the early hour. A busy day of sitting on the fishing dock napping while waiting for a fish to drop in your lap was going to leave him plenty of time to catch up on his sleep if he needed it.

Jaffer headed for the door leading outside, telling Jack without words that he needed out. So they went out.

It wasn't as dark as Jack had thought it was. The sky was just beginning to light up in the east, and the sun wouldn't be far behind. He stood on the front deck near by the door and watched as Jaffer ghosted through the area, running around, his nose low to the ground as the lab smelled all sorts of smells that he normally didn't smell in Colorado.

"Don't go too far, little man," Jack warned him. Not that he was worried about the dog getting lost, he just worried in general. That was his job, right?

Jaffer looked over at him, wagged his tail as if to reassure him that he wouldn't do anything to get himself in trouble, then resumed his sniffing as he looked for the exact spot he wanted to pee.

The door opened, and a blonde shadow darted past Jack to join Jaffer in his quest. Jack looked over and saw Teal'c coming out the door.

"Morning, Teal'c."

"Good morning, O'Neill."

"Sleep well?"

"Daniel Jackson snores."

Jack smiled. He'd known that. All those allergies, after all, and they had to be doing something to his sinuses.

"Want to sleep with me and Sam?"

Teal'c actually smiled. Jack saw it in the predawn light.

"Perhaps I will sleep on the couch tonight."

"We'll get Daniel some allergy medicine, Teal'c, that'll stop the snoring." Jack promised.

Teal'c didn't reply, but Jack didn't mind. The two of them stood on the deck and watched the dogs frolic with each other – both of them having far more energy in the morning than either Teal'c or Jack – and watched as the sun came up.

"Okay, enough splendor," Jack said, finally. "I'm going to go do the dishes."

"I will help you, O'Neill."

They called the dogs in – neither was willing to let them stay outside without supervision – and headed inside.

By the time Sam made an appearance an hour or so later, the dogs were fed, the dishes were washed and put away, and there was a pot of coffee brewed and waiting. By the time Daniel made his appearance half an hour after that, the first pot of coffee was gone, replaced by another, and breakfast was started.

"Morning all."

"Hey Daniel," Sam said, handing him a cup of coffee which he accepted gratefully. "How'd you sleep?"

"Like a log."

Teal'c scowled slightly, but Jack was the only one who saw it. He snorted into his coffee cup, but gave everyone an innocent look when all eyes turned to him.

"What are we doing today?" Daniel asked, almost as if he were afraid to hear the answer.

"I'm going to go fishing," Jack told him, watching as Sam finished scrambling the eggs, and Teal'c buttered the last slice of toast.

"But you're not supposed to go fishing, Jack," Sam said, confused. "I thought Monica said Jaffer wasn't allowed to go...?"

"Jaffer's not allowed to be near fish hooks, Sam," Jack corrected her, taking a plate of eggs from her when she dished him some. "Thanks."

"Wait a minute," Daniel said, as he took a plate of eggs from Carter as well. "How are you going to fish without fish hooks?"

Teal'c handed out toast to everyone and they sat down at the table to eat this time.

"Oh, I have my ways. Come and see?"

"No, thanks. I think I'll work on the runes I brought with me," Daniel said, shaking his head. He was curious, yes, but he wasn't all that curious. Besides, Sam would tell him.

"If you will take Jack with you, O'Neill, I will have a chance to meditate this morning."

Jack was just as energetic as Jaffer was, after all, and didn't like to sit still for long periods of time if it could be avoided. And Teal'c would much rather do his kelnoreem than fish for non-existent fish all morning.

"Sure, Teal'c. He's always welcome." Jack looked at Sam. "Just you and me and the dogs, then?"

She smiled and shook her head.

"I brought some paperwork of my own to work on, Jack."

Well, it wasn't exactly what he'd had in mind, Jack thought a little peevishly, but at least he had them all at the cabin. Eventually he would wear them down and they'd be forced to relax. It'd just take some time, he supposed. He finished his breakfast, and stood up.

"Well, then, you guys can do dishes, and I and the dogs will bring home fresh fish for lunch."

He headed for door, stopping only long enough to get his fishing pole and tackle box, then called the dogs and with one on either side, the three left.

"Think he's mad?" Daniel asked, munching on toast and feeling maybe a little guilty for not spending time doing what Jack wanted.

"No." Sam shook her head. "He's just biding his time."

"Indeed."

Daniel didn't ask what she meant, since he was pretty sure he already knew. He and the others finished their breakfast, then started their monring.

......

Author's note: Monica is Jaffer's vet, for those who don't remember, or didn't know