The plan was to walk around the center of the city and then a small café break before returning to the base. The group walked around the city, entering a shop whenever the window shopping was deemed insufficient to enjoy the variety that the shop was offering. There was something for everyone: electronics, thrift shops, clothes, a shop with a variety of China plates and cups, a few florists, bookshops, and many more. Barbara was looking around, widely swiveling her head with little concern for her neck. It was amazing. The city was bursting with life. The cars were constantly going on the road and the people chattering as they went on about their lives. Big families with many children and the loners, bursting in, laughing, or shouting into their mobile phones.

And here I am, not even trying to do anything of myself.

The group entered a big bookshop that had intrigued the girl. A jingle of a doorbell greeted her as she opened the door. And a dusty paper and leather, that old and new book smell rushed her, leaving her too stunned to continue. It was a two-floors shop. The books were everywhere. The wooden shelves were prolapsing under the weight of the books. The girl was softly ushered in by Major Warren, with the rest of the team following the pair. She exhaled in reverence. It was Heaven.

Makepeace looked around the shop before returning his gaze to the slightly vibrating girl standing in front of him.

"Get at it," he laughed as the girl saluted the man and rushed up the stairs. Lieutenant Johnson followed the girl at a more sedate pace. The rest of the team also spread around the shop.

O'Neill was standing by Merrin, as they both gazed at the picture she painted. It was a picture full of plants and trees and a matchstick figure in one corner.

"Nice," commented Jack before pointing out the stick figure. "Who's that?"

"It's a representation of Major Carter."

"Of course, it is," sagely nodded the Colonel, continuing to gaze at the painting. The pair stood for some time, gazing at the fresh masterpiece.

"May I ask a question?" the alien cocked her head to the side glancing at the man beside her before returning her gaze to her painting.

"Shoot."

"That girl, Barbara," Merrin slowly started. "She is very far from home, isn't she?"

O'Neill had his gaze fixed to the painting. He crossed his hands on the chest before exhaling deeply. The whole situation with Barbara was weird.

"Yes, she is. And she has no clear way to get home," the man ruffled his hair before letting his shoulders fall. "We will help her find a way home."

The man then reached for the now dry painting taking it off the easel and rolling it for easier transportation.

"Come on. We have more places to visit!"

Barbara was leaning on the banister, looking over the floor below, not focusing on any of the people. Instead, she focused on her breathing to try and keep it even and deep. She knew that Johnson was also somewhere on her floor. Just in case.

Breath in. Breath out.

Just in case of what?

Breath in. Breath out.

I am having fun exploring the city. It was a nice break.

Breath in. Breath out.

Something is bound to happen. If it is going to help me find the way home all the better. If it is something else… I can't even call for help! What is the common danger in America during the 90s? Modern history was not a subject school covered… in a good way. Kidnappings? Rape? But it is a city with a relatively big military presence, no? It does have the NORAD and the SGC…

Breath in. Breath out.

Am I really looking for a way to get home? Maybe I am just running from my responsibilities. Am I really helping them here with the retypes? How am I going to contribute after I finish?

Breath in. Breath out.

Could I possibly try an invent problems for myself?

Breath in. Breath out.

Breath in… Breath out…

Breath in…

Breath out…

"Are you done looking around?" she whirled around at the question, her hand gripping the banister so that the knuckles turned white. Johnson leaned next to her on the banister gazing down. She studied the man, trying to calm down.

"It is okay to be not okay," murmured the man. A squeak of surprise escaped from her. She didn't expect him to speak. "You have been stuck here for several months after all. With no clear way to go home. I don't want to presume as if I understand the situation, you have found yourself in."

She stared at the man, her expression blank. Johnson shuffled before rising to stand straight.

"Would you like a hug?" the officer prompted the girl, as he raised his hands a bit. Barbara looked up at the adult, her lower lip wobbling a bit before she gave a short nod and hugged the man. He hugged her back. A minute later he felt something wet spread on his shirt.

They stood like this for a bit before Barbara pulled away, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. Johnson stood with Barbara letting her get herself together. Soon the girl nodded, and the pair went down the stairs, joining the rest of the team that quickly left the bookstore.

"I saw on the way here a café, where we can grab a lunch," offered Colonel Makepeace as soon as the team left the shop. No one disagreed as the breakfast was long ago and the weather was getting colder to remain outside. They quickly went, with the colonel going behind the group, his hand reaching into his pocket for the phone.

"Welcome to the fair!" O'Neill waved his hands as if presenting the event to Merrin. Screams of joy reached the girl from the territory before her.

"And what exactly is a fair?"

"Oh, I think you would love it," the man offered his hand to the girl who had grabbed it before leading her inside. "It is a moving place that has all kinds of activities for people to have fun. It has games of precisions where you can win some prizes. It has some attractions, like thrill rides, where you move at various speeds. It has also many foods."

The pair went down the main lane, Merrin looking around, drinking in the views around herself. Jack pulled her to a roller coaster.

"This is like the staple ride of such events," explained O'Neill as both stood in the line.

"And the people will just get into this contraption? It doesn't seem very safe…" asked the alien as she watched a pendulum ride on the other side of the road. "If the weight won't be correctly distributed, or the device properly installed there is a risk of structural collapse."

At her words, the ride groaned but stood its ground before coming to a stop. The riders excitedly left the attraction, dispersing in different directions. A new group quickly filled the places and soon the pendulum ride was again in full swing.

"All the rides are meticulously checked in the morning and the evenings for damage or malfunctions. Of course, they don't let people on the damaged rides," explained the adult as the pair were ushered onto the cars of their ride. They were quickly strapped in. Jack smiled, imagining Merrin's reaction to the attraction.

The car started its slow ascent up before coming to a stop on the top. You could see the whole park from the top. Deciding to use the pause Jack warned his companion.

"Just remember, try to relax and enjoy!"

"What do you mean to try to rela-a-a-A-A-Ax?" Merrin asked as the car tipped down and the wind carried her screams far.