The first thing Jack noticed as they exited the event horizon was that the temperature was warm but not hot and there was a slight breeze. Next he noticed the smell – he couldn't quite figure out what it was, but it was lovely and he took a deep breath and held it for a few seconds.

"Mmm – Oregano, laurel and lemons", Sam murmured.

"Huh?"

"The smell. It reminds me of a visit I made to the Greek Islands when I was in college." She turned to him and smiled. "Doesn't it smell wonderful?"

He couldn't help but return her smile, suddenly feeling better than he had in a long time. "Makes me hungry", he told her.

She laughed. "Men and their stomachs!"

"Hey, I've seen you eat an entire pizza at one sitting Ms. Carter so no sarcastic comments please."

She laughed again and then did a 360 degree turn, looking at the area around the Gate. "Doesn't look like the Gate is being used", she commented, noticing the unkempt terrain and the lack of a groomed path.

"No", Jack agreed, also carefully perusing the area. "That might be a good thing – or a bad thing", he commented.

Sam grinned and raised her eyebrows at him. "Covering all bases are you?"

"You Samantha Carter are getting way too sassy for your boots. Come on, let's go see what we can see." Suddenly he grew serious. "Keep your eyes open – it's pretty but that doesn't mean that the natives are friendly."

"Or that there are any natives", she said under her breath.

The two former officers walked forward, keeping a close lookout around them. It wasn't long before they heard the sound of water and soon came out on a rocky promontory, overlooking a beautiful azure sea. "Wow", Sam breathed. "It's gorgeous."

"Definitely looks like the Mediterranean", Jack agreed. "Look", he pointed to an area a few feet away. "A trail."

They made their way over to it but couldn't tell if it had been in use in the recent past. It was flat and clear though and much easier to walk on than the grass and rocky hills closer to the Gate.

They continued on the trail, which followed the line of the water far below. It slowly meandered downward getting closer to the sea although they still remained well above it.

They'd walked for over an hour before Jack called a halt. They stopped and rested, sitting on the edge of the trail and looking over the beautiful vista.

"I sure hope the people are nice", Sam breathed, leaning back on her arms. "I think I could enjoy living in a place like this."

"Yeah, me too. Just our luck though and it'll be full of evil aliens, or warring natives."

"Don't be so negative", she scolded. "The people could be wonderful and friendly and welcoming."

"I suppose", he frowned. "We could be due for a change from our usual luck."

She reached out and swatted him. "Think positive thoughts."

"Right, as if that's going to make a difference." He slowly got to his feet, brushing off his pants. "Come on", he held out his hand and helped pull her to her feet. "We'd better get moving. We need to find a fresh water source and hopefully some Souvlaki and roast potatoes and rice and Greek Salad and Retsina and …"

Sam watched as Jack continued on the trail, listing all the Greek foods he could think of. She couldn't help but grin – God she adored him. She laughed and started walking, listening to his voice as it carried back to her

… "baklava and oranges and olives …."

She laughed. "You're making me hungry Sir", she called to him. He stopped and turned towards her, a smile on his face. "So stop it, unless you can produce even one of those things."

It was almost two hours later when they came upon a stone statue of a little boy, with a faucet sticking out of its mouth. Jack's eyebrows went up and he approached it. After looking it over he reached out and turned a handle hidden on the top. There was a gurgle, a spurt and a groan – and water began to flow out of the tap.

"I think we've found some fresh water", he said with a look at his companion. "You wanna test it Carter?"

She got out one of her remaining two water test kits and put some of the water in the tube. A moment later she lifted her head. "Looks good."

"Mmm", Jack regarded the faucet somewhat suspiciously. "I guess we have no choice." He took his canteen and held it under the water. Once it was full he took a long swig, enjoying the cool, refreshing taste. He watched as Sam went to fill hers but reached out his hand and stopped her. "Just wait", he commanded.

"Wait? Why?"

"Uh – just want to make sure it's okay first."

She gave him a look he couldn't quite decipher, although he figured it wasn't exactly a pleased one. The hands on her waist and the fact that she was leaning forward slightly definitely gave the impression she was a little ticked. "Are you telling me that you're planning to be the official taste tester so that I don't get sick? You're crazy." She reached around him and filled her canteen and then drank practically the whole thing at once.

He winced – this wasn't Major Carter his subordinate at all. He was going to have to be a bit careful from now on. "Sam?"

"Don't Jack – don't throw yourself in harm's way to try and save me from unknown threats. We're a team – and I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself."

"Yes you are", he agreed, "but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try and watch out for you." When she went to speak he held up his hand. "Just like I know you'll do for me. Look – this isn't me treating you as the 'little woman' Sam – you know I've never done that. But we can't afford to both get sick. Next time I'll let you drink the water first, okay?"

She looked at him suspiciously, as if she didn't quite believe him, but after a moment she nodded. "Okay, deal. And I'll hold you to it."

"I'm sure you will Carter. Well, so far it looks like the water was okay so let's fill em up and get going." He peered up at the bright blue sky, his hands shielding his eyes and wishing for his sunglasses." Looks like it'll be dark in a couple of hours. Let's go a bit further and make camp. Damn, and I was hoping for some lamb souvlaki!"

They made camp in a little clearing just off the trail. There was plenty of dry wood for a fire and the ground was soft from the needles of the local trees. It was fragrant and the temperature was ideal. As Sam settled back and looked up at the stars all she could think was that if they'd only had that souvlaki it would have been a perfect evening.

"Here", Jack reached out and handed her some dried meat, some of their quickly diminishing food. "We really have to find a nice restaurant soon", he said, leaning back and looking up at the sky. He yawned and lay back completely. "Look at those stars", he said. "You don't often see them so bright."

"They're beautiful. I wonder what system it is?"

"Hmm. It's the Casus system", he said, half asleep. "See, that star there, that's Caerulium – see how blue it is? And over there, that's Ignis – see how it moves and glows just like fire." He grew quiet, as he looked at the stars up above him, unaware of Sam's startled look.

"You recognize them?" she asked after awhile, speaking softly.

"Mmm hmm. Don't you", he mumbled.

"I've never been here before", she told him. "In fact, I don't even know where we are – in the galaxy I mean."

"Oh."

She listened as his breathing got deeper and soon he was out like a light. She couldn't help but wonder. Jack – no, Colonel O'Neill would never just fall asleep like that on a mission. And, when she thought back to the episode of the water she wondered what had happened to that man, that officer? There was something about this planet, she decided, something about those stars that had lulled Jack into a rare feeling of safety. She smiled and continued to lean back. She'd stay awake and watch over him. He was still recovering from his wound and all that had happened to him. As she continued to watch the bright stars she said a little prayer to whoever was listening, that this place offered peace and a home.

She drifted off after a couple of hours, although she tried to stay awake. She'd also tried to wake Jack but he's simply mumbled something incomprehensible and had turned over and gone back to sleep. In the end she'd been unable to keep her eyes open either.

"Hey Carter?"

"Mmm – wha'?" she groaned and snuggled up more closely to the source of toasty warmth.

"Carter?" this time her name was said with a strong current of humor. "As nice as this is, I really do have to go and water a tree."

"Hmm?" She felt movement and frowned, grabbing a hold of the large heating pad that was keeping her warm and relaxed.

"Sam", Jack laughed. "I really do have to go."

At that she forced her eyes to open and then blinked a few times, trying to clear out all the sleep. Once her eyes had cleared she realized that she was looking down at the Colonel.

She frowned. Why was he underneath her? What had happened?

"Carter?" he said again, his brows raised at her confused look. "Whatcha lookin' at?"

"Why are you – there – Sir", she murmured.

"Uh, I honestly don't know. I woke up and you were on top of me. And as nice as it is, my bladder is going to explode if I don't go – and I mean go Carter."

"Oh – sorry Sir." She quickly rolled off of him, wincing at the grunt of pain from her commanding officer. "Sorry", she said again, realizing she'd just kneed him in the – "sorry".

"God Carter", he said as he stumbled to his feet. "Watch those knees next time!"

"Sorry", she said for the third time, but this time with a small giggle.

He gave her a mock glare and then strode off into the woods. A few minutes later he returned, looking much happier. "Whew", he said. "Musta had too much of that water yesterday."

By this time Sam had remembered where they were – and that Jack was no longer her CO. The moment the thought had come to her she had felt herself turn red – which was absolutely silly. She was just glad Jack wasn't within sight of –

"Hey Sam – how come you're so flushed?"

Shit! "Uh – just warm from sleep Si – ur – Jack." She struggled to her feet and slapped her clothes, trying to remove some of the dust. "My turn", she said as she headed off into the trees.

Jack looked at her with a bemused expression, wondering what that had been all about. She hadn't been red when he'd left – but when he'd returned her face had practically glowed. Must have been embarrassed about kneeing him in the balls.

Speaking of which – he wiggled about a bit, trying to readjust. She really had got him and they were still a bit tender. He grinned at that – he'd welcome Sam making him tender any day.

"Stop it!" he told himself severely. Now is definitely not time for thoughts like that.

"Stop what Jack?" Sam returned, looking much cooler and calmer than a minute ago.

"Oh – just thinking about bacon and eggs."

Sam sighed. "Definitely stop it Jack. I would kill for some good eggs – and some nice warm biscuits with melted butter."

"Now you stop it and come and join me for a delectable meal of dried – something."

She sighed but went over and sat next to him, beside the now cold firepit. "I'm really sorry about – uh – sleeping on top of you there. I didn't do it on purpose. I must have been cold."

"Hey, I'm not complaining about that. You make a very nice blanket – although I must admit that's the first time my blanket has attacked me!"

"I didn't attack you Sir. It was an accident."

"Mmm hmm – well, at least it makes me that much more confidant that you can defend yourself."

"One of the first things we learned to do in our self-defense class", she grinned.

"I'm sure it was", he nodded. "Definitely very effective."

"So – how far do you think we should go before we turn around – if we don't find anything I mean?"

"Well, unless we come across a source of food we can't go on too much longer – another day maybe. At least we seem to have water."

They'd discovered another two faucets on the trail and each time had filled their canteens. That this planet had, at one time, been populated was obvious, but they had no way of knowing whether or not anyone was still here.

But they were to find out a short while later. It was Sam who heard it first. She stopped and motioned to him – and he froze, trying to hear what had startled her.

And then he heard it himself – it was the sound of sheep baa'ing. He couldn't help but grin, although knew they had to be careful. With a nod he indicated they should move forward. They walked for another 20 meters and then the trail curved and opened onto a large meadow. In the meadow was a flock of sheep – and a shepherd.

The shepherd looked like a young man of about 16 or 17 – he was just starting to grow a beard. He carried a hook and was laughing at the antics of a tiny lamb. He must have heard something however, and he turned quickly towards the trail. When he saw Jack and Sam he stopped, frozen.

The three of them stood there for what seemed like a long time – something out of a cartoon thought Jack – but in fact was probably only a few seconds. It was the young man who moved first.

"Chairetismos!" he said, looking from one to the other.

"Uh Chai yourself", Jack answered. God, what he wouldn't have done to have Danny with them right now. "We're strangers – uh, in a strange land -"

"Jack!"

He glanced at Carter and shrugged. "You do it then."

She shook her head and then smiled at the young man. Jack was pretty sure that was all it had taken – because the kid smiled and soon was chattering away in –

"Greek", Jack said, looking at the boy in wonder. "He's speaking Greek."

"Do you understand some of it?" Sam asked, looking hesitant.

"No – I understand all of it." He smiled and proceeded to speak to the shepherd, rattling off Greek like it was his native language.

Sam was grateful that they'd at least be able to communicate, but found it rather unsettling that Jack could so easily understand and speak seemingly any language. So far she had seen very little evidence of his so-called powers, but this brought it back to her why they were refugees on a strange planet.

"He says his name is Alexios", Jack informed her. "These sheep belong to his father – who according to Alex, is a big local honcho."

"A honcho?"

"Okay, someone of importance. He has invited us to go with him and he'll introduce us. He's also asked us for dinner."

"Dinner?"

"Yup, dinner."

"Well what are you waiting for", Sam asked. "Let's go."