Please see chapt 1 for disclaimer. Ah – yes – another erratic update. Reviews rock – and they tempt me to write faster – even though I really should be doing my Russian homework.

Chapter 3

"SG-1 You have a go!" Announced General O'Neill, watching as his former team walked up the ramp.

SG-1 were accompanied by several of the newer recruits and some of the veterans who were there to escort SG-1 in case of any problems.

Not that Daniel anticipated any real problems. The planet they were gating to had ruins that Daniel had to come up with some very inventive excuses to visit. No signs of Goa'uld activity ever, ruins that had definitely seen better days and no significant scientific discoveries from the initial MALP readings. However, Daniel had pointed out that this would be a wonderful place to practise some basic archaeological skills for those with no training.

After much wheedling, and playing on his bumbling archaeologist persona, Jack had finally given in if only to shut Daniel up.

Daniel smirked to himself as he walked up the ramp, remembering the how the conversation went.

"Daniel, there is no point to going there!"

"Jaaack. How many times have we had problems because the new teams don't understand what they're doing? This will give me a chance to show them what to do – and make sure they know how to do it without injuring anything they pick up or themselves."

Jack snorted. "This coming from the man who always touches things he shouldn't?"

Daniel glared.

Brigadier General Jack O'Neill had faced down many things in his life. The glare Doctor Daniel Jackson was giving him, however, was one thing he could do without.

"Fine. Go! Show them how to pick up your rocks."

"It's artefacts Jack."

"Yeah, sure. Just go."

And Daniel got his trip authorized.

The planet itself was distinctly uninteresting. There were very little signs of habitation other than the ruins. The scenery was not particularly special; in fact at least one member of the team had described it as 'straight out of a western, only with ancient ruins, and no bar'. Daniel himself had noted the similarities between the odd-looking bushes and tumbleweed. Even the weather on the planet was nothing to write home about. If of course any of the teams had authorisation to write home about anything involved with the Stargate. Which, of course, they didn't.

That was the real reason why Daniel had wanted to go to the planet. One of the people with them was writing home. Or at least writing to someone they really shouldn't be. This trip would either clear them of any suspicion, or prove beyond a doubt that they were guilty as hell in leaking classified secrets. Daniel would not be handing them over to Jack as he had found that such a process tended to be long winded and not remotely appropriate for the perpetrator. Nope, this time if they really were doing what he believed they were doing he'd be calling Ali instead.

The more sympathetic part of Daniel hoped they weren't remotely guilty.

"I'll expect to see the Magnificent Seven riding across the plains before tonight." Joked Captain Sean Bennett, one of the new team members, taking in the scenery as he recovered from his first ever bout of Gate induced sickness.

Daniel glanced up and grinned at the Captain. Then he sighed as he thought of what lay ahead. Then he sneezed.

"Damn allergies."

"He did what!" Ali roared down the phone.

"I'm sorry sir but it appears that Doctor Jackson is unavailable. Along with the member you told us to watch."

"Unavailable." Ali hissed as he gripped the telephone tighter. "Unbelievable. I'll kill him." He took a deep breath and released it slowly, attempting to calm down. "Thank you." He said in a much calmer and quieter voice. "Please keep me informed."

"Yes sir."

Ali Bay hung up the phone and sank into his chair. "Damn you Daniel. Did you have to pull this on us again? Wasn't it enough to tell us that there was another 'at risk' member of the SGC?" He wiped his brow with his hand, feeling the lines on his forehead. "Half of these are because of you, you know that? No wonder Jack O'Neill claims his grey hair is because of you..." He stopped as heard the door open and close behind him.

"You cannot blame him for doing as he was taught." Said a voice from behind.

"And who taught him Grandfather? Who taught him to remove any threats to the Medjai as he sees fit?" Replied Ali without moving from his chair.

"Stop slouching, it is unbecoming of a Medjai." Was the amused response.

Ali sat up, turned and glared at his Grandfather who was walking towards him. "And you never once slouched? Ever?"

"No." Answered Ardeth Bay as he laid a hand onto Ali's shoulder and squeezed. "I know you worry Ali. As do we all. But Daniel must do his duty, as he has sworn to do. As must we all. Daniel will be fine. You know he is more than capable of looking after himself. After all, who taught him?"

"You did."

"Exactly." Replied Ardeth, puffing up his chest.

"Stop being ridiculous!" Ali laughed as he watched his grandfather pull all manner of proud expressions, each more pompous than the last. "I know Daniel is more than capable - but I still worry. Ever since he vanished..." He trailed off.

"Was that the first time? Or one of the others?"

"All of them! His persona makes it worse! It's almost as though he cannot help ending up in these situations!"

"He takes after his grandmother." Replied Ardeth. "She was much the same. Fortunately they both learnt to work around the ability to bring about the destruction of the planet quite successfully. He has learned to use it to his advantage." He murmured soothingly. "Daniel will be fine. You will see. Now come! There is food waiting to be eaten."

Ali rolled his eyes, but obediently followed his grandfather out to eat. "I still say Daniel adopted his persona far too well." He grumbled.

Back on the planet Daniel was just beginning to set up his tent. He was bemused as he noted just how some of the new recruits looked at him with surprise as he erected the tent and sorted out his role in the camp with no hesitation. Apparently it hasn't occurred to them that I've been doing this since before they were in high school. He noted wryly. I've been doing this since I was born. Literally.

He glanced up at one of the two moons that orbited the planet. The days here were on average 34 and ¾ hours long. Give or take a few minutes. Sam will be occupied keeping an eye on the recruits and how those moons affect tidal forces. If there are any tides on this vile planet. He noted, as he sneezed once again. Damn allergy medication. Janet always got it right… No don't go there. That way lies madness. He told himself firmly. Not that that would be a huge change for me. Although hopefully no white padded cells this time. He wrenched his mind away from the increasingly snide thoughts in his head, which all sounded disturbingly like a combination of Jack and Ali. Right, tent sorted, everything I need out. Time to check out the ruins without any interference.

"Sam!"

Colonel Samantha Carter glanced up. "What is it Daniel?" She asked, shading her eyes from the glare of the moon as she looked at the archaeologist.

"I'm just going to check out the ruins – see what's best to use for later ok?"

"Sure Daniel, we're pretty much set up here. Teal'c could you go with him? Simms, Trent, Markowitz – set up a perimeter."

Daniel, Teal'c, Simms, Trent and Markowitz set off to do their tasks, leaving Sam and the rest of the group to finish setting out camp.

I do hope I'm wrong about them, Daniel mused as he walked alongside Teal'c in the direction of the ruins. I really do.

Not sure if I'm 100 happy with that. Please review and let me know what you think.