AN: ChappaEyebrow thank you for mentioning that (I would've contacted you otherwise, but I'm not sure how that works).
Never mind what I previously wrote, thanks for those that helped me find the other story :) I will be continuing this story, but I might do it differently then I had planned (and possibly hinted at/ announced a little of) at first. For now though, I won't be updating until tomorrow or so at latest. And again thanks for all the nice reviews btw :D I'm glad ya'll are enjoying it. I'm surprised that I enjoy the writing far more then I thought lol. So who knows, maybe I'll be writing more fanfics sometime in the future ;)

Final update on the AN: I know I wrote I'd update soon, and the lack of update has nothing to do with the previous AN and everything. The author of the other story ('How the other half lives') was ok with it :) Just wanted to let you guys know it didn't have anything to do with that, I just got sick. So the next chapter will have to wait untill I'm better, which should be soon (why do people always get sick during the holidays?). Anyway still thanks for all the reviews and everyting :)

Chapter 9 - Trees and Bubblebaths: Sam's POV

After the 3-day hike back to the Stargate I was actually a bit over the initial awkwardness of being inside my CO's body. Of course, I kept stubbornly ignoring just that whenever I had to 'use the bushes'. Ignoring it made it a whole lot easier. Giving it a second thought was enough to embarrass me for a lifetime. And that whole first attempt had been...just messy, incredibly weird on so many levels and...intriguing actually. On a scientific level of course. But again. So not thinking about that now. At least sleeping went remarkably well now I didn't wake up every so often by the loud snoring that usually came from Jack. Since I was the one doing the snoring now, I slept right through it. A definite plus. Always look on the bright side and all that right? And thankfully, Daniel only teased Jack, not me. But I think that's because he knows the things I can do with his computer. Or him. And he also knows Jack wouldn't actually do anything he threatened him with. Teal'c however, after the first day, seemed to no longer feel the need to tease either of us in his subtle way. If anything I could've sworn he sometimes threw us a somewhat sorrowful look. Of course, with him knowing everything, he probably realized that this wasn't only awkward because of the male/female body switch, but more because of with whom we switched. That hadn't exactly crossed Daniel's mind yet though. But neither of us actually talked about it either -aside from the necessities-. Maybe he was to focused on finally being able to get back at Jack a little. Nearing the Stargate we grew quiet. And with we, I meant those of us that weren't Daniel.

"But really though, you should record this or something. You know? What it's like, it'll be very interesting for so many reasons, not just scientific ones. Like how you handle it, how you adapt, and the impact it ha-"

"Oh for Cryin' out loud, Daniel!"

"What? All I'm saying-"

"Yes, we ALL know what you're saying. Since we've been listening to it for the past...oh 3 hours!"

"Ok ok, no need to get your panties in a twist."

I never knew I could look quite that annoyed. But then again, I never exactly had a mirror around, when McKay was in close proximity. Like on the base, or the same ship...city...

"Daniel Jackson, I think now would be a wise time to remain quiet."

I noticed him silently communicating with Teal'c for a few seconds, and visibly 'go' serious.

"Ok. But I do have a real question though. How are you going to handle it on base? I mean, are you going to inform the staff, or just look for the quickest way to fix it and hope nobody will notice? It might confuse a lot of people if this takes a while."

I hadn't thought about that. It would be really confusing for people to see me in my current state working on technology and Jack, in my body, in his office handing out orders and whatnot.

"I suppose we try to fix it first, and if we find out it'll take longer then we anticipated, we make an official announcement or something?"

As soon as I said it I realized I had practically given an unofficial order. I made a decision that clearly wasn't mine to make. I hesitantly looked over at Jack, but saw he looked amused, not angry.

"Even though you're in my body now Colonel, I do believe I still hold the higher rank. Despite what it currently says on my-...the uniform I'm wearing."

Noticing the twinkle in his eye I knew it hadn't mattered and he was up for joking around a bit.

"Sorry sir...Although I'm not so sure about that. I could always claim you've gone mental and that I'm really you. With the hours I make, I'm pretty sure people will believe it. Besides...-"

Insert his shit-eating grin # 1

"I have Daniel and Teal'c to back me up."

"Now how do you know they're on your side, and not mine. T. buddy? You're on my side right? And Daniel, after what you've done the past 3-"

"Yeah...sorry Jack, but no. I would be on Sam's side."

"It is indeed unfortunate General O'Neill, that Colonel Carter has become...overworked and appears to have - as you put it- 'lost her marbles'."

"T? Seriously, T. You can't be serious right? Tell me you're joking..."

By now Daniel was laughing out loud again, and Teal'c was obviously very pleased with himself. I could tell Jack wasn't actually offended, he seemed to be having his fun with it too. Probably glad Daniel had stopped annoying him. By now we had reached the gate though, and it was time to go home. I had a sudden feeling like this wouldn't be over as quickly as we had hoped. And we'd be in a whole lot more trouble when we got back. I immediately sobered up at that thought and started dialing the gate. What if we would be stuck like this? A bad feeling came over me. I sighed deeply and mentally reprimanded myself. I would figure it out. I always did. No matter how long it took, because I couldn't stay like...I just couldn't. The wormhole established and instead of going through immediately I looked over at the others. They'd all quieted down and stood staring at the Stargate for a minute.

"Look, let's just get this over with. Since we don't know how long this will take I'll send out a notification right away, because this just could create too much confusion in a short time. It'll be difficult for a while, but I can always make anyone that causes trouble scrub the toilets with his or her toothbrush. And what's one or two more days right? Besides I have a reputation to worry about, I don't even want to think about what others will think to see me in a lab. Working."

"It would be more likely harmful to Colonel Carters reputation if others see her with your handheld computer game, or amusing herself with a Yo-yo O'Neill."

"Hey! Now that's not fair..."

"At least it won't be awkward for us Teal'c."

"Indeed."

"You know, next mission I want it to be a planet with pearly white sandy beaches, beautiful blue oceans, a great big fishing pond-"

"With or without fish Jack?"

"Without fish of course. And not too many trees. Aside from the obvious, that's what I hate about this planet. To many damned trees. And of the couple of days we've been here it rained half of them. So no rain. Nice sunny weather would be good..."

Grinning a little more confident now I walked up to the Stargate and stepped through, the others following soon after. Jack had already said we would debrief first, getting that out of the way. He was right, others had to know. Unfortunately. I could almost see the smug smiles on the marines if they found out. When we stepped out on the other side, we were still talking like nothing happened, making me momentarily forget our 'situation'.

"Oh man, I can't wait to take a nice hot bubble bath, give myself a manicure and settle down with a good book."

Now suddenly fully aware of the strange looks I was getting, including a somewhat surprised glare from 'Jack', I quickly realized my mistake. The guard who had greeted us and was about to accept my P90 looked at me a bit scared and confused. But not without obvious amusement either. I tried to say something, but he beat me to it.

"Sir...I didn't know you read books?"

This set of Daniel laughing again, this time joined by a few grinning guards in the gateroom. 'Jack' let out a fake-indignant sounding 'Hey!'. And I hurried myself to give a quick explanation of the situation. Probably beet-red by now too. After everyone -Daniel mostly- had calmed down, Jack turned serious again.

"Ok, Campers, time to go. Better get this fixed. Ladies first..."

He gestured at the stairs up to the briefing room when he said that and then continued to walk up immediately after. Of course.