• Barb
• Carrie - the short response
• Carrie
• Imskysmom
• Kelly
• Lady Anne
• Sabrina

The basic premise is to take a phrase, Stargate SG-1, for example and use each letter as the start of consecutive paragraphs. This should be a complete story, wrapped up by the last letter of the word/phrase. 

*example* 

"Sam!" Daniel called, "Can you come over here, please?" 

"Totally!" 

etc... etc...

End of example

I figured we should start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. The words to use: 

C
H 
I 
L 
D 
R 
E 
N 
O 
F 
T 
 H 
E 
G 
O 
D 
S 

It might be kind of long, so if you'd rather, I think: 

C 
O 
T 
G 

would also be acceptable. Good luck writing a four paragraph story, though! ;)

~~~

"Can it really be ten years since we met? Abydos was really that long ago?"

"Hardly feels like ten years, Jack. It feels more like I’ve known you for…I dunno, twenty."

"Is that sarcasm I detect, Daniel? I thought that was my department."

"Likely after ten years of friendship, some of your bad traits have rubbed off on me, Jack. Just as I’m sure some of my better traits have rubbed off on you."

"Doubtful, Daniel. I’m the same guy I was ten years ago. I just have a few more gray hairs now, is all."

"Really? You’re kidding yourself if you think that, Jack: I’ve seen you mellow. Over the years, you’ve changed from a hardened, trigger-happy soldier who distrusts all things scientific into a…well, okay, you’re still a hardened, trigger-happy soldier who distrusts all things scientific, but there are definitely chinks in the armor. There’s a bit of a softie in you, Jack. Somewhere or other."

"Evidently you need new glasses if that’s what you see. I’m still me, Daniel. Same old grunt I’ve always been."

"Not with the stars on your shoulders, you’re not. In fact, I think I saw the memo: it’s ‘General Grunt’ now, isn’t it?"

"On the other hand, you, Doctor Jackson, are a far cry from the bumbling nerd I met ten years ago. You’ve still got the passion and all the intellect, and God knows you haven’t lost any of that curiosity or pig-headed stubbornness that make me want to strangle you most of the time, but you’ve…evolved. Ascended and descended, too, but somewhere in there, you’ve toughened up a bit."

"Fair enough assessment, but I’ve had to grow. Given what we’ve dealt with in ten years, there’s no way I could’ve survived if I hadn’t. What’s more, if I hadn’t learned to defend myself, you’d have torn me a new ass years ago."

"That woulda been, let’s see…nine years ago, I woulda done that. Yep."

"Have we made any difference, though, Jack? Have our efforts really amounted to anything? Yeah, so the Jaffa are free now, the Goa’uld are gone, but now there are the Ori to contend with. I have to wonder if it’s been worth it."

"Every minute of it, Daniel, every minute. If we’d never crossed paths, I might not be here to talk about it now. Wouldn’ta met the President all those times. I sure wouldn’t have gotten my own parking space at the Pentagon. Now that’s a pretty sweet deal."

"Guess you’re right, Jack. If Catherine hadn’t recruited me, I’d likely never have gotten out of academia – until they threw me out, that is. I wouldn’t have seen all the incredible things I’ve seen. I wouldn’t have gotten my proof. I certainly never would’ve met Sha’re…. That in itself is worth it, I suppose."

"Of course it’s worth it, Daniel! We’ve saved the Earth – what? eight, nine? – times now, by Teal’c’s count. And there’s them, don’t forget: there’s the people. T and Carter and Hammond and Walter and Siler and Fraser and now Mitchell. How’s he workin’ out, by the way?"

"Dead set on making his mark, now that we’re…how’d he put it? Now that the band’s back together. I think he’ll be okay. I think we’ll be okay with him."

"Sweet. You guys keep savin’ the universe, Daniel. I’ll have your six back here on Earth. But before you do, my Guinness is empty. I think the next round is on you, isn’t it?"

Carrie - the Short Response

Corn oysters. His mother used to make these horrible creamed corn concoctions that were so starchy he remembered thinking they were sticking to the lining of his esophagus and stomach as he choked them down. For some strange reason, he was craving those monstrosities now. Craving them, and fixated by them. Jack tried to recall if there was anything besides the nasty creamed corn in them. An egg or two, maybe, to really give them cohesion. His stomach growled, and he sighed. The point was moot. Even something as unpalatable (yet so alluring his mouth watered) as a corn oyster was not an option.

Of all the places to be stuck without sustenance, this had to be the worst. SG1 had gone on countless missions where rations were tight, but at least on other planets there were natural resources to glean nourishment from. This hellhole was barren of anything useful, and Jack had to include his companions in that assessment. He glared at Daniel, who seemed quite comfortable. Teal'c was intrigued; Jack could tell by the slight tilt of the guy's head. Carter looked downright chipper. Fraiser had a smug smile on her face and she didn't disguise the occasional sideways glances at him. He nudged Daniel, feeling a sudden urge to gain some type of support.

"This sucks," he whispered as he leaned close to Daniel's ear. His stomach growled again. Jack rubbed it, as if that could really stop it from making noise. Corn oysters actually complemented a good number of things, all of which now danced through his head. Roast beef, pork chops, Swiss steak. "You didn't happen to bring any snacks, did you?"

"Get over it, Jack," Daniel whispered back, annoyed. He shifted away from Jack's intrusive elbow. "You got yourself, and the rest of us, by the way, into this. You lost the bet fair and square and Janet made the rules. First The Nutcracker Ballet, *then* dinner."

The End

That Old Time Religion
by Carrie

Chances were their situation would be the same even if they had done things differently. Jack knew this but didn't want to mention it, for fear of encouraging Carter to babble on about how wrong he was and that each choice they had made had led them down this path. He glanced at Daniel, knowing he, too, would refute Jack's assessment with some tripe about the meaning of life or whatever. The meaning of life as SG-1 knew it, right at this moment, was devising a means to save their own lives. They couldn't do that if they were busy bickering about causality, and he that wasn't interested in proving his theory anyway.

He just figured that Whoseewhatsee had it in for them the moment he had laid eyes on them. Something about the guy had set Jack's radar pinging right away, so he had that in common with the chieftain. That really wasn't something he wanted to share, actually. No one else had given any indication of unease, for whatever that was worth. Jack was still trying to get a feel for this rag-tag team of his. He'd like to think he had made it clear everyone should be open and honest, and they usually were. Ironic that it was he himself who had not shared what would have been, in hindsight, a pertinent gut reaction. Honestly, though, he hadn't known how to address the issue. For all he knew, the reason for his discomfort was more for the surprising fact that the whole tribe was as-the-day-they-were-born buck nekkid. That sort of thing was distracting.

It was neither here nor there, he reminded himself. Water under the bridge. Blaming himself was as boring as blaming anyone else, and here he was wasting time on causality even though he hadn't wanted to. Amazing conversational partner, that conscience. Jack shook his head and dismissed the useless thoughts. He looked at Carter, who was staring at him impatiently. He sighed, wondering why this was his job. Then he saw Teal'c doing the same for Daniel and decided he shouldn't gripe.

Lacing his fingers together, Jack formed a manmade stepstool for his 2IC and leaned down. He didn't know if watching the goings-on outside would help much, but he figured it couldn't hurt. Besides, while Carter and Daniel played balancing act on his and Teal'c's shoulders, they were also going to see if there was any way to dislodge the sturdy, if crude, slats on the windows. He hoped something big and ceremonial was behind the drumbeats and chanting. He didn't even care if that something was ultimately for SG1's demise, so long as the whole village was focused on that instead of the prison hut.

Daring escapes required a lot of concentration. Okay, so there wasn't going to be a whole lot of daring in climbing out a window, and only one of them had to do that anyway. What did require a lot of attention, though, was making sure his own balance remained as steady as Carter's. She wasn't heavy at first, but the longer he carried her, the less that mattered.

"Report, Carter," Jack said, just barely holding back a grunt. That would not go over well at all. He looked up as if to meet her gaze, but only gained an eyeful of her backside. "Tell me good news."

"Everyone is dancing around a big bonfire." Carter shifted, the outer edges of her foot really digging into his acromion. He hissed and she shifted again. Wishing she would stop imitating the primitives and tell him rather than show him what was going on. "There's a, uh, well, it looks like a cauldron rigged up above it. I think I see a platform with steps leading up to it."

"No way." They were NOT going to be turned into stew. He shook his head, and Carter teetered. He heard a scratching noise from above, and dirt skittered down the wall. "How do the windows look?"

"Oh, we might be able to break through the slats...eventually," Daniel said. Jack *could* see Daniel, and he glared. Eventually was not a word he wanted to hear. It sounded too much like 'wasn't going to happen in time' to him. "Teal'c might have better luck. I don't know that Sam and I will have enough balance to put forth the necessary strength."

For crying out loud. Jack knew what that meant. He and Daniel were going to be the base of a small Teal'c pyramid. He nodded once and directed Daniel to climb down from Teal'c's shoulders. He so did not look forward to this - it had been his intention to never have a 200-some pound Jaffa on his back. Given the choice between getting on his hands and knees in the hopes of getting out of being the main course and...not...Jack chose to assume the position, which Daniel mirrored. They exchanged grimaces.

Teal'c clambered onto their backs. Pleasantly surprised when it wasn't an unbearable load, Jack changed his grimace to a sort-of smile. He'd have to remember to congratulate Teal'c on his prowess, and ask for a lesson. It was never too late for an old dog to learn new tricks, contrary to that particular clich's message. Daniel was correct. Within two minutes, Teal'c was done and off their backs. Jack back stood up slowly. Teal'c had Carter on his shoulders before he'd even finished the move. Whether Jack knew how to read his people yet or not, he had to admire that they moved like a well-oiled machine. He watched Carter heft herself up and out of the window.

The chanting outside continued. That was one long-ass ceremonial song, he thought, it might just rival a full Catholic mass. They had even done the whole kneel, stand up, then kneel again thing. This time, though, he wasn't ready to fall asleep. He was, in fact, more alert than ever. Any change in the cadence of the crowd could signify trouble. Eyes on the door, Jack rotated the shoulder Carter had really dug into. Truth be told, the discomfort he felt was probably as much to do with tension as anything. He was more than ready to blow this Popsicle stand. On cue, the door eased open slowly and Carter poked her face in.

Edging to the door and out of it, he, Daniel and Teal'c joined Carter. He would feel so much better if they had the chance to reclaim their weaponry, but they would have to make do with skulking off into the night. Thank goodness Whoseewhatsee didn't grab the GDOs from them; they could deal with being weaponless but the GDOs were vital. Jack didn't let himself be distracted by nekkid arses this time, and neither did the rest of his team.

"Go," he hissed. They moved silently, even Daniel. The tree line was about fifty meters from the village. If they could make that, then Jack believed they would be in the clear. When, not if. He could not let his team be boiled like bagels. It seemed to him that the chanting had changed, and then the drumbeats stopped. He turned his head to look back at the fire and the throng of people around it.

Of course *that* was a mistake. He lost his path, running into Daniel slightly...who lost his path and tripped with a rustle and thud. So much for their good luck. A shout sounded out, then another and another. They'd been discovered, and the only thing to do now was run like mad for the Stargate. Jack leaned down, helping Daniel up with a yank under the guy's armpit. He was glad there wasn't a great distance to travel. They had enough of a lead - and shoes on their feet - which should be an advantage. The very thought of nekkid things swinging this way and that as the natives ran at them was enough to make his pace match Teal'c's, and that was saying something. Daniel, whoo, that boy could run and so could Carter. All in all, he crazily spared the time to think, this was a pretty damn fine team. They made it to the 'gate in a few short minutes, but Jack swore he heard the whoosh of spears and arrows flying by him. Shish-kebabing was not a better option than boiling, thank you very much.

Daniel darted for the DHD, hands flying to press the glyphs. Jack created his own chant of 'don't misdial, don't misdial' as he turned his back to Daniel, keeping and eye on the forest for any signs of their pursuers. Carter and Teal'c did the same, forming a protective semi-circle around the DHD. The trees and underbrush was starting to move in a manner so not caused by wind, he gritted his teeth and hoped this wouldn't come down to hand-to-spear combat. That match up usually didn't end well. He heard the slap of a palm on the DHD's center button, and the welcome sound of the Stargate engaging. A spear stabbed into the dirt right at his feet. He scuttled back a step, waiting for Daniel to confirm the IDC code had been accepted. All he needed was a rapid movement of feet and unintelligible shout to get moving. SG1 raced forward, almost more as one entity than four individuals. Jack launched himself through the event horizon, not really caring how he came out on the other side as long as he didn't have a hole poked in him. Or in any of his team members.

"Shut it down! Close the iris," Jack yelled as he rolled down the ramp. Three bodies toppled right along with him. They all skidded to a stop, in sync with the Stargate cutting off. Jack stared up at the ceiling for a second, before turning to check out the rest of SG1. Fine...they all were winded and already coming down off the adrenaline rush, but they were fine. Thank goodness. He was already rather fond of them. They scrambled to their feet. Jack smiled at them. "So, you guys feel up for a cookout?"

by Imskysmom

"Could you take any longer?" snapped Jack finally in exasperation after being what he considered exceptionally patient. Over the ancient lichened wall, a pair of bright blue bespectacled eyes popped up to glare at him indignantly.

"Only two hours, Jack! That was all you gave me! It hasn't even been forty-five minutes!

Turning his back to Daniel with a groan, He slid down the wall, easing his aching knees and feeling, half-way down, the old stones giving way under the pressure and toppling over, Daniel squawking imprecations as he sprang out of the way.

Getting up slowly, Jack turned to face a furious archaeologist and trying unsuccessfully not to grin, asked, "So can we go now?"

We All Fall Down
by Kelly

Children. Why did it always have to be the children who paid the price for their parents' stupidity? They had no say in their fate, no way to side step the inevitable backlash of actions they were unable to control. And in the end, the children always suffered.

"How did this happen?" Jack asked, his voice, though tightly controlled, shaking with his suppressed rage at the situation. "Did none of you notice that your kids were getting sick?"

"I -" The Chieftain's voice rough, strained, but Jack could feel no pity for him at the moment, opening his mouth to cut him off brutally.

"Let him finish, Jack," Daniel said softly, cutting off the tirade before it could begin.

"Daniel is right, Sir," Carter added, placing one restraining hand on her CO's shoulder. "They had no way of knowing what was happening. None of us did!"

"Riiiiggghhht," Jack sighed, running a hand through his silvering hair, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them once more, taking in the village once more, weighing the options.

"Enough, O'Neill," Teal'c said quietly, adding his own strong voice to the mix. "We are here now to help. There is no point in belaboring what might have been done. All we can do now is add our knowledge to that of their healer's and provide a cure."

Ne'sam, the village healer, approached the group wearily, dark circles under her eyes testament to her battle against the sickness, locking gazes with Jack for several moments.

"Of all the people that could have come to us," she whispered, here eyes calming the troubled Colonel's soul, "I am happy that it was you who found us."

For a long moment silence hung between the, everyone else forgotten as two scarred souls recognized each other.

"Then let's get this cure, and fix those kids up," Jack whispered.

Hours passed, the combined efforts of SG-1 and Doctor Fraiser's crew adding new insight to the healer's limited arsenal. Progress, slow but steady, was being made.

Even Jack, who had limited medical knowledge, was able to add a few crucial points, and when he was not helping with the cure, he was with the children, holding them, talking to them, being with them as their parents could not.

God knew he could appreciate the pain that the village people were going through. No parent should ever outlive their child. And if he had any say in the matter, none of them would. This time, at least.

"Ohhhhh," a slight moan, the child in his arms stirring. Foggy eyes met his, and for a moment, he was reminded of another time and place, of another child held in his arms. "Daddy?"

Daddy. Yes, this child would once more call for his father, and be held by his mother. Jack was sure of that, even as his grip tightened. His family, all that he had left in this world, would make certain.

Some Days
by Lady Anne

Coffee? His nose actually twitched as it detected the heady scent of coffee.

He was certain that it was the rich aroma of his favorite beverage that was teasing at him, filling up his senses, urging him to open his eyes and greet the day.

It was impossible, he knew that. There'd been a flash flood yesterday that had swept away most of their supplies. It would have swept Daniel away if it hadn't been for quick action on the part of his team. He quickly pushed away the memory of the rushing water and tumbling along helplessly, certain that he was going to a watery grave.

Lying still, trying not to move, he could still smell the coffee. Its aroma was unmistakable. There was nothing else on-world or off that smelled like it. Maybe he'd only dreamed the terrible storm and resulting flashflood. Maybe he really was safe at home and it was his own coffee maker timed to automatically start and brew coffee so it would be fresh and ready when he woke up.

Daniel opened his eyes finally, and discovered that, yes, he was indeed in a makeshift tent on PY-whatever. Every bone and muscle ached, screaming as he moved trying to find a comfortable position. He had a blanket pulled over him, which made him wonder where it came from. There had been no blanket when he'd finally been able to drop off to sleep the night before.

Realizing that it was futile to try and pretend that he was still asleep, Daniel sat and the world dipped around him.

"Easy there," Jack said. He rushed from his place next to the fire to help Daniel sit, fussing with the blanket and tucking it around him.

Needing the help more than he was willing to admit, Daniel smiled at his friend gratefully. He glanced around looking for Sam and Teal'c who were nowhere in sight. He frowned as he smelled the coffee again and then he saw the small pot on the fire.

"Obviously you're holding out on me, Jack," he said. "You had emergency supplies of coffee tucked away somewhere?" He regarded his friend with an upturned brow. It was the only thing he could move that didn't hurt.

"Faith, you have to have faith, Danny, me boy," Jack said with a smile. He picked up a small cup and filling it with the steaming beverage, handed it to Daniel. Daniel wrapped his hands around the warm cup and inhaled deeply before taking a drink. "Sam went scouting and found a few of our supplies," he told Daniel with a smile.

"That's great," Daniel said between sips. "Any chance there were any painkillers in what she found?" He tried to keep his tone casual, he didn't want his friends to know just how much he hurt.

"How bad is it?" Jack asked with a frown.

Easing himself to lean against the rocks at his back, Daniel shook his head, "I'm okay, I can travel whenever we're ready," he assured Jack with a smile. He smiled at his friend, "Nothing that a couple of Tylenol and a night in a real bed won't cure. I really am alright, Jack."

Gauging the truth of his words with an upturned brow, Jack surveyed him up and down, trying to read the extent of his injuries. Daniel attempted to sit up straighter.

"Of course you are," Jack replied doubtfully. "We're going to be heading back to the Stargate as soon as Carter and Teal'c get back. They just wanted to find us the easiest route possible. You should rest while you can."

Daniel sighed, closing his eyes. Home, dry clothes, warm bed, it sounded fine. He could hardly wait. The thought of how close he'd come to losing his life the night before came rushing back. But then he remembered his team members working together to rescue him. Teal'c anchoring the rope from dry ground. Jack and Sam wading into the rushing water to grab him from the rocks just as he had lost all strength and was ready to let go. So...

Sitting with Jack beside a fire with a warm cup of coffee in his hands. Some days you couldn't ask for more.

by Sabrina

"Cowabunga!" shouted the blur as it whizzed past Daniel's office door. Daniel's head jerked up. He could have sworn he had just seen someone skateboarding past his door. Surely not, though. After all, who would be crazy enough to go skateboarding around the halls of the SGC? Who would be foolish enough to pull such a dangerous not to mention stupid stunt and risk getting caught by General Hammond and put on report? Who would totally go against all rules of common sense and . . . and . . . Daniel's head dropped into his hands just as he heard . . .

"Hey, Daniel" the blur otherwise known as Colonel Jack O'Neill skateboarded back to Daniel's office, breaking to a stop. "How'd ya like my little", Jack waved his hands back and forth, palms down like a surfer trying to keep his balance, "display?" "Pretty nifty, huh?"

"I can honestly say that I am totally speechless, Jack." Daniel said, all the while thinking, **Nifty? Does anybody say nifty anymore? I'm a linguist; I should know this** He shook his head, calling himself away from his mental detour. "Jack, are you crazy!" He put out his hand as Jack started to open his mouth. "Wait, look at who I'm talking to. Of course, you're crazy. Let me rephrase that. Jack, what were you thinking!" Knowing this also was entirely too abstract, Daniel once again held up his hand. Jack's mouth obediently closed. "Jack, do you have any idea . . ., Is there a good reason . . ., How could you possibly . . ." Realizing there was really nothing he could say or ask that wasn't already basically answered just by Jack's total 'Jackness', Daniel finally just closed his eyes and waved his hand in Jack's direction in the universal 'your turn' gesture.

Looking entirely too smug for Daniel's own good, Jack smirked possibly his most obnoxious smirk in his entire repertoire of smirks. This clued Daniel in immediately that whatever explanation was about to be forthcoming would be logical only to someone who could understand and follow Jack's mindset - in other words, the average 3-year-old. Not that Daniel thought Jack was unintelligent or stupid or anything. Give the man a military mission to plan, and he could put together what needed to be done faster than Sam could put together a Naquada bomb. Put him in front of a Playstation and he regressed to the emotional equivalent of an 8-year-old.

"Daniel, Daniel, Daniel." Jack shook his head in feigned dismay. "It's called letting your inner child come out to play." Jack glanced up suspiciously as what could only be called a disbelieving snort issued from Daniel's direction. "What?" he asked.

Raising his eyebrows innocently, Daniel responded "What, what?"

Eyes narrowed, Jack shook his finger threateningly at Daniel. "Don't you what, what me. Now, do you want to hear what my plan is or not?"

"Never let it be said that I would turn down the chance to listen to a Jack O'Neill plan," Daniel deadpanned. "I mean, we all know how spectacularly successful they've been in the past. Why, just the other day, I was passing a couple of airmen and one of them was saying, 'ya know, that last plan Colonel O'Neill had - you know, the one involving the goat, Teal'c's primta, and . . . ."

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Jack interrupted loudly. "Would you just shut up and listen?" He waited a moment, then nodded his head emphatically. "Right. Thank you. Now, my plan. Do you see all this grey hair?" Without giving Daniel a chance to respond, he continued, "Now, the way I see it, that means I'm growing old. How do you stop yourself from growing old? Why, by acting young, of course! You can see where I'm going with this, can't you, Daniel?" Jack waggled his eyebrows and again plowed through whatever Daniel was going to say. Although judging from the expression on Daniel's face, he wasn't going to so much say anything as he was going to be checking Jack for a fever just any minute now. "See, I figure by doing stuff like this say half an hour each day, I could just turn back the ol' clock a good year or so every couple of weeks. Yep, couple of months and you won't recognize me, Danny-boy," Jack said as he rocked back on his heels, well pleased with himself. "All that brown hair will be coming back just any day now. Yep." Talking more to himself now than to Daniel, he huffed, "Can't let myself get too young looking, though. Nope, can't have that." Jack readied himself to take off down the hall, balancing himself once more on the skateboard.

"'Firmary," Daniel mumbled to himself. "I've got to get him to the infirmary." He racked his brain, trying to think of anything Jack might have touched on the last planet they were on but came up empty. Cautiously he edged towards Jack. "It's okay, Jack, we'll go see Janet and everything will be just fine." He reached out but just as he was about to make contact, Jack grinned madly at him and shot off down the hall.

"Toodle-oo," he yelled back, and a moment later, he vanished from sight, leaving Daniel gaping incredulously after him.

"Hello, DanielJackson." Teal'c greeted him as he skipped down the hall using what could only be the longest jump rope ever made. His bald head gleamed with sweat, indicating he had been doing this for quite some time. He jumped in place in front of Daniel. "I have been doing this for approximately 2 hours now." He kept jumping in place, turning as he did so that he was in profile to Daniel. "Does not my facial structure look pleasingly firm and delectably appealing?" He raised his chin slightly to present Daniel with a better view and Daniel could only stand there, mouth opening and closing as he struggled for something, anything, to say. He blinked his eyes rapidly in disbelief as Teal'c was then passed by Sam, who had been roller skating her way after him. "Hi, Daniel. Did Colonel O'Neill tell you about his plan? Isn't it wonderful? We're all going to be looking 10 years younger before you know it!" She looked up as Teal'c resumed his jump roping and skipped past her. "Oops, gotta go." Her 'Byyyyyyeeeee, Daniiiieeel' overlapped with Teal'c's 'Good-bye, Daniel Jackson', and their voices faded into the distance.

"Everyone's gone crazy!" That was the only explanation Daniel could come up with. Somehow, everyone but him must have been infected by something on the last planet they had gated to. He had to go see...

"General Hammond!" Daniel's eyes popped out of his head at the sight of the esteemed, some might say regal, leader of the SGC chuckling maniacally as he killed whatever enemy was he currently engaging on Jack's Gameboy. "Dr. Jackson - hello!" General Hammond answered. "You should try this, son. Why, I'm having more fun than I've had in ages. And I could swear I look years younger already. Jack sure came up with a winner this time!" He strolled away, but Daniel could hear the dings and bells and whistles of the game long after he lost sight of Hammond.

"Oh, no!" Daniel moaned. "It's spreading. I've got to find Janet, now!" He wavered between going in the direction General Hammond and the rest had gone or going immediately to the infirmary to get Janet when he heard thumps coming from behind him and he knew, he just knew! he wasn't going to like what he was about to see. Sure enough, a moment later Janet came cart wheeling down the hall, hair flying every which way as she turned - well, feet over head. Daniel was getting nauseous just watching her. She paused long enough to wave then followed after General Hammond. By this time, Daniel was about to have a nervous breakdown and he cautiously crept after the others, unsure what he would find if and when he caught up with them. He wasn't sure now what he should do, although jumping into his car and locking himself in his apartment held definite appeal. He swallowed hard and came to a stop in front of the cafeteria where they had all seemed to disappear to and where he now heard sounds of people milling around. He frowned, then poked just his head through where he saw Jack, Sam, Teal'c, Janet, and General Hammond standing in a group talking.

"Daniel, glad you're here!" Jack exclaimed. He moved forward and pulled Daniel all the way into the room. The others looked toward Daniel as well. All were grinning broadly and Daniel stopped short, ready to run should they try anything. "We have something to tell you." Jack said as he looked around and as one, everyone drew in a deep breath and shouted, "April Fool!"

Stunned, Daniel almost collapsed from relief that this wasn't really an alien invasion, infection, or worse - that it really was something Jack thought of and the others believed was a good idea. His relief abruptly morphed into disbelief as he took in the grinning faces of the jackasses - er - friends surrounding him. An April Fool's Day joke - it had all been some elaborate set-up and he fell for it! While he had no question about who the instigator was, he wasn't about to forget that they all were in on it. He allowed a smile to creep over his face as he slowly clapped his hands. "Congratulations, guys. You really got me good." He paused as Jack shouted "Yeah" and began doing his happy dance - which actually looked more like he was badly in need of a bathroom. Of course, Daniel would certainly never be the one to tell him that; at least, not until he could do so when he felt he could get the best return possible for insult offered. The other collaborators began slapping each other on the back and looking entirely too pleased with themselves. The smiles faded, the laughter died, the happy dance quickly deflated when Daniel turned to leave, saying "Of course, everyone knows that he who laughs last, laughs best; revenge is a dish best served cold; and - well, you guys just fill in your own clich. I'm sure it will be more than appropriate." And with an evil glint in his eyes and his own laughter wafting back, Daniel walked away, confident that his friends would be on their toes around him for the foreseeable future. And that was just the way he liked it.