Is it considered lucky when you get a personal invite to a cabin from the base commander? Cam says no. Of course he is also the one sitting out on the porch not having fun. Well, actually I am not doing much either, just finally able to crack open a book that does not have medical terms in it. Bliss.

But I had my doubts when I saw Landry come knocking at my door while I was on Earth. I invited him in, apologized for the lack of furniture and asked if I could help him on a Saturday, on my day off and away from the base. He lit up and said he would be delighted if I could make a little 'get to know you' gathering out in the woods. I should have heard 'in the woods' and turned screaming about how Cam had gotten us lost in woods when we were small and he tried to pretend we were Hansel and Gretel, which was fine until I remembered they almost died. For a 5 year old that can be traumatic.

But I said yes, packed my bags and hopped a ride with Cam. Sam, Teal'c and Vala were supposed to be on their way. Daniel was in England doing more research. I swear someday he will make billions off all that research when the Program is revealed to the public. Need something on Ancient interactions? Call Daniel. Need the translation of "pie" in Mayan? Daniel's your man. He is priceless. Or as Cam said, "He's like a fat kid in a candy store."

Wrong move, bro. Landry was a big kid growing up. Open mouth, insert foot. Repeat.

So we had a lovely sleep over. Landry in one room, Cam in another, me sleeping … wait I managed to not sleep. I was having hunting and "I wanna be a police officer" flashbacks. I found Cam and Landry pointing guns at each other. My weapon of choice? My snub nose 9mm, don't leave home (or Earth) without it. I was quicker to put mine away than Cam. Repeat above exercise.

Cam had the brilliant idea of leaving since Sam was not going to come, and Vala was suppose to drive with her, I wish to be a fly in that car, all because Teal'c was still with SG-3 on a mission. Granted if I heard scary things above the rain at night and my team was not showing up after I insulted (not intentionally) my commander and pointed a gun at him at 2a.m. I would want to go home too. Landry, with a smug look, said the roads were washed out. So what does Cam drag me into? Running around the woods. "Work off the beer." Ya more like run away from the commander.

"So have any leads yet?"

"What am I a detective?"

"Funny. No any leads on what the boss wants for his party?"

"Well seeing that the last time I asked his daughter what he liked to do, she kind of got this blank expression on her face, the covert way is out."

Cam shook his head and tried to take the lead. I quickly kept pace with him. Track in high school, in the Air Force and running away from big scary monsters tends to keep one in shape. It could be an exercise video. "Why don't you ask?"

"Why don't you? He is not my commander."

"I just pointed a gun at the man last night!"

"And I hope the safety was on!"

"Bay you are getting funnier every time I see you."

"And you seem to get more retarded."

"I love ya too," Cam chuckled. He slowed down when we saw several hunters up ahead. "Oh look company."

"Hmm not my kind. Thanks though."

Turned out that there was a rally going on to help find an animal that had viciously attacked one of the hunters. Two guys tried to stop me from going to see the body, but after whipping out my Air Force credentials and my Med badge, they shrugged and backed away. It was an interesting sight to see, and soon the hunters were off after the beast that tore up their friend once more.

Landry even came on the search, but it soon became evident that something not natural was happening. The way the bodies turned up, the lacerations, it wasn't like a normal bear or animal. Besides, animals didn't tear into three people in a few hours of each other.

So phones out, powers out, hunters running around like mad men with… guns, we three sane people go back to our cabin and try to get some kind of help and find Sheriff Stokes trying to calm us down.

"Everything is fine, folks, no need to call the troops," he said, smiling at Landry.

"I am a General with the Air Force. I am closing this park down in the name of national security," Landry said, not smiling.

"Look, do what you want, there is nothing out there other than a bear. We will put it down, and everything will be fine," the sheriff said, ready to get back into his truck. Next thing I knew, a black furry … thing jumped out of the brush and swatted the sheriff, dragging him away. None of us had enough time to shoot our guns, but we sure did have them trained on the creature.

"Everything is fine, folks. No need to call the troops," I said, holstering my gun. "I have full battery in my cell," I added, handing it to Landry
- - -

Cam had found an agent operative in the woods when I was checking on the carnage, and had found that he was using a Sodan cloaking device. Now that was just plain unfair.

Sam had found the same thing when some of the teams had been attacked, further delaying them from joining in the pow-wow up at the cabin. Dr. Redon, a new doctor I haven't met, apparently performed an autopsy on one of these furry creatures and had found a worm – I am really disgusted that all these creatures are worms or something crawling – and had taken over the animal. 'Alien Animals Attack!' out on DVD coming next month!

Airdrop brought in Sam, Teal'c, Vala and SG-4 into the woods, setting up a command tent. Landry, I think, is secretly delighted; finally he has SG-1, minus Daniel, all together. So once more, we swap intelligence and we set off into the woods.

"I hate camping," Vala said as we went deeper into the trees. "It is just so… dirty. No amenities."

"The cabin has a fluffy day bed," I supplied.

"I hate bonding," she said after a moment.

"You are trying to get out of staying with Landry for a few days, aren’t you?"

"Is it that obvious?"

I shook my head and checked in with Teal'c. He said he was fine and hadn't heard anything. Too bad.

"We have a location," Sam's voice said, coming from the radio. Finally, all the teams came back together, circling an empty grove, and stepping into the clearing. There was nothing to be seen, but soon there was rustling and as we all trained our flashlights and guns into the woods, each of us began to see some movement.

"I hate dark and scary places," Vala said. I looked at her for a moment. "I really hate dark and furry animals."

"Just shut up and shoot," Cam said, backing into me. And so the shooting commenced. It was beautiful. SG-1, plus Vala, the General and myself, standing back-to-back, P-90s and shotguns all firing into the woods as the black creature bounded toward us. I would say it looked like a horror movie scene, but then it would have needed more blood. As it was, the beast was put down.

"Well, that was a bonding experience," Cam said.

"You know what's strange?" Vala asked after a moment. "I have never known a lone creature to behave so aggressively toward a large group. Mind you, I've never encountered a radioactive mutant before.”

Cam seemed to think about that, and then grabbed my arm, as if that was the answer. "Sir, get down!"

I looked to where Landry was standing and think I did a 'get over here, something's behind you!' gesture, which of course he did not understand.

"Very funny, Mitchell. This is not—"

"No, sir, get down!" Cam tried again. Finally he tackles Landry, full on tackle, while we all fire at the second creature.

"Well, that explains that! Odd behavior for one creature, but not for two," Vala said, lowering her weapon.

"Feel better?" Cam asked, wiping off the dirt from his pants.

Vala tossed her hair out of the way, "Uh huh!"

"Sassy."

"She's your friend," I said, passing him.
- - -

We ended up spending the rest of the week with Landry, who looked very pleased. Cam seemed to be back to his not so goofy self, Vala seemed to actually enjoy looking at the trees and nature, and Teal'c and Sam were talking about how the Jaffa nation could be helpful or hinder our progress to defeat the Ori.

In the end, we played poker for our last day up at the cabin. I think Vala was really enjoying it once she realized if she won, she got to keep what ever was in the middle of the table. Her face would light up when she won, and gleefully pull all the chips toward her. I was the one who kept Landry updated on the hands. Finally convinced he could make a halfway turn at poker, he waited for the last hand to be played.

It came down to Teal'c and Sam, everyone else folding. They looked like they would kill each other if they were not good friends.

"A true warrior knows when to fold them," Teal'c said at last. Cam groaned.

"Really? You mean I won? I was totally bluffing!" Sam said, scooping all the chips toward her.

"A true warrior knows when to hold them," Cam said, cradling his head in his hands. "She just took you to town, buddy."

"Well this made the game more interesting," Landry said, pushing from the wall. "Deal me in."
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