"I'm going to be in so much trouble when we get back. It won't matter that I didn't know what this place is before stepping foot in here. It won't matter that I made sure to ask McKay what Atlantis' database had to say about this place and he said it wasn't even listed in there so there wasn't any information at all. None of it will matter. All that will matter, is I was somewhere I shouldn't be." Xander said.

"Doesn't help your investigation much, either." Sheppard said, head tilting slightly to the side.

"Investigation?" Xander asked, startled.

"It's okay, we figured out O'Neill wants you to determine if those creatures are a threat. We know you can't say anything."

"Oh, thanks for not pushing. If I can tell you, I will. I promise. But in the meantime." Xander tilted his head sidewise himself as he looked at the holographic display in front of him. "We really need to leave. Cordelia's already going to want to make me miserable just for being in this place. You ever found one of these places before?"

"The Ancients version of a brothel? No. The holographic displays of what they offered are particularly interesting. That one would make the Kama Sutra people proud."

McKay seemed mesmerized by the display of a large chested blond who was particularly bendy. Teyla was standing with her back to the display. Ronan looked like he'd like to stay. Finally they made it outside and back into the jumper.

"Well, that was a bust." Sheppard said. "I'm sure Elizabeth won't be any happier then Cordelia when she finds out, either. Man, for people who seemed to think meditating was the ultimate greatness, they sure could get wild when they wanted to."

"And very open minded. Some of those displays would be enjoyed in San Francisco while the Baptists in the South would be clutching their pearls." Xander said.

Sheppard nodded as they headed back to the Stargate.

The next two places they visited weren't nearly as interesting, at least from everyone but McKay's point of view. One was an astronomy lab that was still functioning. It was automatically scanning the stars and recording their movements and had been doing so since before the Ancients left Pegasus. The other was a place where medical equipment was manufactured. Carson was particularly happy about that one, as it meant new parts and extra equipment that could be sent to Earth for reverse engineering.

Soon, though, it was the day the full moon cycle started and Xander reminded Elizabeth that they had the next three days blocked out for a trip to the mainland. And no, postponing it wasn't possible. She reluctantly allowed them the use of a jumper and they loaded their supplies on board and headed over to the mainland. Xander made sure to scan the area carefully, determining that there was no human life signs and no predators in the area they chose.

He set the jumper down in a clearing and they moved out into the wooded area. They each scented and found no predators, but there was animal scent around them. Beyond that they could smell water, fresh and clean. Yes, this would do for the full moon cycle.

Normally, the full moon cycle was spent in a small house in their backyard. A place that could be secured from the inside, that had an open area where Xander could put his sleeping bag and a blanket down. Cordelia and Jesse would curl up in their other form and sleep beside him. They had been doing it this way for years and it worked for them. This time it would be different. Xander had decided that he would transform for awhile too. The three of them could run around for awhile, stretch their legs, then Xander would herd the others back toward the jumper. He remained in full control even in this state, while Cordelia and Jesse were more animal. They'd remember some of what happened while in this state, but not everything.

Once transformed, they did just that, run around. Xander rubbed against Wolf-Cordy and she let him. They playfully chased each other and rolled around with Wolf-Jesse. Eventually they tired and Xander herded Wolf-Cordy and Wolf-Jesse back to the jumper. He transformed back and closed the hatch, no use inviting trouble in and the little family settled down and slept.

The next two nights were equally uneventful, but relaxing and on the day the cycle completed, they headed back to Atlantis ready for another month of exploration.

"Maybe we should do that more often." Cordelia said, as they flew back. "Go to the woods and let ourselves stretch like that. Now that Jesse's older, it would be easier to handle."

"Best time to do it would be during the summer, like now. What do you say Jesse, want to do it again next year?"

Nodding happily, Jesse said. "Yeah, I like being able to run around. It felt good."

"Then we'll do it again. For now though, your mom and I need to get back to work. We'll come out here again next month before we head home."

He carefully set the jumper down in the jumper bay and they exited, pleased with how well it had gone.

Just a family outing. That is, if you're a family that can transform into animals.