"Okay," O'Neill said after Jacob/Selmac had left promising to return the next day for a healing session with Charlie. "are you going to introduce your friend before we introduce her to Salem with what I assume is going to be lots of fireworks?"

"Faith Lahaine, late of Boston, Mass, newest Scooby and most recent Slayer, meet General George Hammond, Colonel Jack O'Neill, Major Samantha Carter, Dr. Daniel Jackson and Teal'c, Jaffa who single handedly started a rebellion against the Goa'uld."

"Slayer?" O'Neill focused on the word. "Like Buffy? Another girl enhanced by that group you mentioned."

"After they tried and thought they'd succeeded in killing the one made after Buffy. We've got theories on why we think they did it, but no proof, yet." Xander answered. "Kendra's guardian managed to save her and brought her to us for protection and once Faith's guardian found out what they'd done, brought her to us as well."

"Someone needs to explain to them how unacceptable their choices are." O'Neill growled.

"We're working on it." Cordelia grinned. "And Xander promised Kendra she could tapdance on the ribcage of the head asshole. We intend to have a grand party to celebrate."

"So you met another version of myself and the Colonel?" Carter asked, changing the subject and trying to delay seeing Salem. It was great that Zelda Spellman had decided she liked working for the Program and continued popping over from her reality. Most women on the base did not, however, like the fact that Salem would often come with her.

"No, my counterpart had just finished a meeting with them and they'd left about an hour before we popped out in front of him." Xander told her. "He and the rest of the surviving members of their version of the Scoobies are nearing thirty years of age. Dawn was practicing her portals and there are often difference in the date and the time when we land. Get this, he's got a doctorate and is the Chair of Arcane Studies at Myskatonic University, a really weird place, he told me a few things while we were talking."

"Surviving members?" General Hammond asked quietly, thinking of the people in his Command that they'd already lost.

"First reality we'd landed in where I'm dead." Cordelia replied. "We've been to two where Xander had died, but didn't stay dead and a bunch where Ms. Calendar has died, but none where I've died. That Xander was working on getting on with his life and he'd recently gotten engaged, interestingly to Faith's counterpart. They were happy together."

"He still missed her though." Faith smiled slightly. "You make a big impression."

"So do you." Cordelia grinned. "Anyway, that Xander does a little consulting for the program and that's how he knows your counterparts."

"Arcane Studies?" Daniel asked. "What does he teach?"

"Myths, old languages, strange customs and beliefs, religions. He sometimes goes on archeology digs."

"Sounds like someone you'd want to recruit, Daniel." O'Neill decided.

"At least he does consulting work for us." Daniel agreed.

"So, no one's explained to me why they think there's going to be fireworks when I meet this Salem guy." Faith pointed out.

"He's a dog who should be muzzled." Cordelia smirked.

"A pervert who sneaks into the women's locker room." Carter answered. "Not even threatening to skin him alive has stopped him."

"Cordy threatened to neuter him when we first met him, he was trying to flirt with her." Xander told her. "Badly, even I could tell that and my favorite kind of flirting is bicker flirting with Cordy."

"It's her favorite kind too." Ms. Calendar smirked at her. "Whereas, I prefer to tease Rupert while poking fun at how pedantic he can be." They'd arrived at Carter's lab and she led the group in and Xander set the bag of tech toys on her workbench as Zelda popped her head up from under it, she had a smudge of grease on her cheek.

"I think I've finally worked out the kinks, Sam." She said, having been lost in a haze and focused on her work, she hadn't even realized there had been a problem on base. "Oh, Xander, you're here. Are you early? No, you're late." She glanced at the clock. "Adventure?"

"Adventure." He confirmed. "Brought lots of neat new toys for you to play with, but before we get to that, we've been telling Faith about Salem and she's looking forward to meeting him."

"She is?" Zelda said sceptically.

"Well, of course she is." A voice had everyone looking up and seeing the black cat on top of the filing cabinets. "And you're just in time, I could use some help. I've been trying to groom myself and there's this one spot I just can't reach. Think you could help me out, oh foxy lady?" Salem was actually leering at Faith as everyone held their breath to see what she'd do or say in response.

Slowly Faith grinned as she realized they'd kept the fact that Salem was a talking cat from her, just so they could see her reaction. She cocked her hip and put her hand on it. "I must be dreaming because how else could I get so lucky as to finally find the perfect pussy...cat?"

Yeah, now the cat wasn't the only one doing double takes. Let the show begin.