"Cadet Brooks, perhaps a few laps around the parade ground would help you keep your mind on what's going on around you?"

Ian managed to look apologetic and scowl at the same time.

"Yes, Sir."

He took off at a quick jog, well aware of the route around the parade grounds. He'd run it a million times already, it seemed. The cadet sighed, and shook his head when he heard the all too familiar words, "You, too, Cadet Adams, and Cadet Rivers..." which meant that the instructor had decided – unfairly this time – that Shawn and Hayden had something to do with Ian's inattentiveness during the morning calisthenics.

A moment later Adams and Hayden were both running to catch up to him, and when they did the three fell into an easy rhythm. They were good at running together, even though the older two took much longer strides than Shawn did.

"Well... shit..."

"Sorry, River," Ian told him, genuinely contrite. Even more, Hayden knew he was sorry, because he'd called him by his first name – which he rarely did.

"What's going on, Ian?" Shawn asked. "You didn't even notice when Samuels flipped you off. I figured sure we'd be running for that."

"I don't know," Ian told them, shrugging. "I'm a bit distracted, I guess."

"You feeling okay?"

"Yeah."

"Something you ate?"

"I just said I feel fine, Adams."

"A girl?" River asked. "I've seen the way you look at Hilary..."

"No."

"A guy?" Shawn asked, grinning, knowing the response he was going to get this time. Sure enough, Ian didn't fail him.

"Fuck you, Adams."

"Seriously, Brooks..." River said as they made their first turn. "What's-"

He was interrupted when the three of them were suddenly joined by another runner. This one was dark, and huge and he angled across the parade grounds to intercept Shawn – who suddenly found himself bowled over in a tangle of feet, legs and a wickedly fast tail that was wagging furiously.

Ignoring the fact that he had grass in his short hair, Shawn grinned hugely and tried to roll over, only to find himself pinned down.

"Jaffer!"

The black lab wuffled his neck and took a couple swipes at him with his tongue.

"Let me up, tubby," Shawn complained, rolling over under the dog so he could look up. Sure enough, Jaffer was standing over him, big feet on either side of his head, and the back feet on either side of his hips, staring down at him with cheerful brown eyes.

"Hey, Jaffer."

Shawn looked over and saw that River and Ian had stopped running as well, and had come over. Ian especially loved Jaffer – who was the same breed and color as his own black lab, Bubba. Although Jaffer was larger than his own dog.

"What's he doing here, Shawn?" River asked, grinning at the way the lab had his roommate so neatly trapped under him.

"Sam's lecture is today. He must have come with her." He wondered if Jack had come as well.

"We're going to get in trouble," Ian said, looking over at the instructor. He saw that Major O'Neill was standing next to the Lieutenant, and they and the rest of the class were all looking at the three cadets and lab.

"What is he going to do?" River asked. "Make us run laps?"

"Good point. But we-"

He was interrupted by a whistle being blown, and the three saw the Lieutenant waving them in.

"Let me up, Jaffer."

This time the lab did as he was told, stepping neatly off Shawn and moving to the side. Ian and River both reached down and grabbed the younger cadet and pulled him easily to his feet.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." Shawn slapped some stray grass off his uniform – he'd have to change now, for sure. "Jaffer wouldn't hurt me."

The black lab wagged his tail, fiercely. Nope, he wouldn't hurt Shawn! He liked Shawn!

They trotted back to the rest of the class, with Jaffer strutting next to Shawn, who didn't weigh much more than the lab did.

"Sorry about that, Lieutenant," Sam was saying when they got within hearing. "He doesn't always do what I tell him." It was obvious Sam was talking about Jaffer, who came over and sat down next to her, perfectly at heel and looking innocent.

"I can understand that, Major," the Lieutenant said, nodding. "They don't always do what I tell them to do, either." It was just as obvious who he was referring to, and Sam smiled.

"Adams, go change."

"Yes, Sir."

"You're dismissed until lunch."

"Yes, Sir."

Shawn gave his roommates a look that told them he'd see them at lunch, and turned to head off the parade ground. Sam fell into step beside him a moment later, a smile on her face.

"You look good, Shawn." She told him, resisting the urge to give him a hug. That definitely wouldn't have been a good idea – he'd have been teased the rest of his life.

"You do, too, Sam. How are you?"

"Great." She answered, smiling. "Jack wanted to come, but he absolutely couldn't get out of training exercises today – flight training for some of the advanced pilots – so you just get me."

"And Jaffer."

"And Jaffer." She agreed.

"I'm glad to see you, Sam," Shawn assured her – unnecessarily. She knew he was. "I was planning on going to your lecture."

"You want to help give it?" She teased.

He grinned, and shook his head.

"Um... no."

"What were you running for?"

"Ian got in trouble for not paying attention, and since River and I were closest to him, I guess the Lieutenant figured we were the reason he wasn't."

"Were you?"

"Not this time."

She laughed as they walked inside the main Cadet dorm.

"Which means you've done more running than just today?"

"Oh yeah. We're running fools."

"Why am I not surprised?"

Shawn gave her an innocent look that she immediately recognized as Jack's, and this time she couldn't help but put her arm around him in a half hug. They were inside, now, so no one would notice.

"It's usually Ian's fault – but sometimes it's River's."

"And never yours?" She asked, her eyes laughing.

"Of course not. Everyone knows I'm sweet and innocent."

"Of course they do..."

Even Jaffer snorted at that.