Author's Notes: Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.

Enjoy.

Pip let out a long low growl, which was about as terrifying as a powder puff, when we walked through the door into the reception area.

"Knock it off, Pip," Daniel gently tapped the pup's nose making him change tack and begin to whine so Daniel would pet him.

"Suck up," I muttered as I led my two charges towards the receptionist who smiled at me, "Hi, Tara."

"Colonel," the young woman greeted me with a grin, "Just grab a seat, Dr Herbert won't be long," she stopped when she saw the now ten year old Daniel standing there and not his five year old version, "Where's the squirt?"

"Danny's folks came home so he headed back to LA," I told her, "This is Nicky. He's helping me look after Pip."

Daniel smiled sweetly at her and was handed a chocolate bar by her with a wink. I caught his shoulder and moved them both to a seat.

Pip quickly snuggled against Daniel still mewling because he definitely remembered his last visit here. I reached out and gently scratched the puppy's head.

"It's okay," I soothed Pip, "It won't be that bad this time."

The soft growl started again and I chuckled, it was like candyfloss trying to be intimidating.

x

"Colonel," Dr Herbert greeted me as Daniel and I took Pip into the examination room, "And..."

"I'm Nicholas," Daniel introduced himself with a grin, "I'm staying with Jack while my Mom has a baby and my Dad is overseas."

Herbert nodded before patting the table. I took Pip from Daniel and placed him on the table petting him when he began to whine again.

"Nicholas, why don't you sit with Pip to keep him settled," Herbert told my kid who sat on the seat beside the table and gently stroked his puppy who calmed almost instantly. "Okay, we're going to just do some checks on Pip to make sure he is healthy," Herbert explained, "There will be no shots today."

I nodded, "He'll be glad about that and so will I."

Herbert chuckled at my wry reply before he moved to the puppy and started to measure him, a treat was brought out when the vet had finished the checks. Pip barked and caught it when Herbert tossed it to him.

Another test done I realised when Herbert quickly noted the reaction time.

"Nicholas, can you put Pip on the scales?" Herbert asked, knowing the puppy wouldn't like being picked up by him.

Daniel stroked his pet as he rested him on the scales before ordering him to stay. As always Pip obeyed the command and waited until Herbert nodded Daniel could take him off again. While Daniel sat keeping Pip amused Herbert moved me to one side.

"How is he?" I asked.

As much as I complained about Pip he was our dog and I knew I would hate anything to happen to him.

Herbert hesitated for a moment before answering, "He's completely healthy. However..." he paused making me frown, "There are a few concerns I have about his development."

"What kind of concerns?" I asked worriedly.

Herbert let out a sigh, "Considering his age Pip is twice the size he should be and a great deal more intelligent than any puppy I've ever seen at his age."

I paused not sure how to answer that.

Considering my kid had doubled in age in a few minutes and was a genius his dog doing the same thing seemed to be quite normal for my life nowadays. I'll admit I had some suspicions that he understood a little more than your normal dog.

I shrugged and slipped into 'Dumb Colonel' mode, "Don't know what to tell you, Doc. I've never owned a dog before. I thought we were just lucky he was easy to train."

I sat on the bench at the park watching Daniel and Pip play with the ball musing over our visit to the vet. Herbert's confirmation that Pip was not a normal dog only reinforced my own concerns.

The problem was I didn't know what to do with this information.

It wasn't like Pip was a danger to Daniel, he went on the defensive the moment anyone went near my kid. I briefly wondered if I should speak to Hammond about this then decided instantly I knew better. Firstly Hammond would kill me, not to mention the other members of SG1 along with Doc Frasier, would do to me.

"Hey," I called Daniel over, "I need to pick some stuff up at the base. We'll do that then we can get lunch. Okay?"

He shrugged, a little surprised since it was a Saturday, but motioned Pip over to him. The puppy bounced across the grass still wanting to play but obediently followed Daniel into the truck.

x

"Huh."

I frowned at Sam who was leaning back in her chair musing thoughtfully after my account of our visit to the vet. Janet, Teal'c and Hammond were all looking just as bemused as they listened to me.

Daniel and Pip were with Ferretti, who had been offworld during the recent upgrading of my kid, catching up so I didn't have to have this conversation in front of him or the dog.

"Anybody have any other thoughts?" I asked.

"Could you just be being a little paranoid?" Janet asked.

I shrugged, it was a reasonable question, "Possibly but think about Pip. Really think about how well trained he is for a puppy of his age."

"Not to mention how Daniel Jackson speaks as though Pip's barks make sense to him," Teal'c added.

I nodded, "Exactly."

"So what are you thinking?" Sam asked.

I shrugged, "Honestly, I've no idea."

"Let's stop and think about this," Janet said, as always the voice of reason, "You got Pip from one of your neighbours, right?"

I nodded, "Mrs Sanderson. She's lived there for longer than I have."

"And Daniel chose Pip?"

The memory made me chuckle slightly, "He saw the smallest offspring that was pushed out of the way by the siblings. Daniel instantly gravitated towards him."

"When Daniel was upgraded to ten," Sam spoke up after several minutes of silence, "You spent a good bit of time with Pip on Thor's ship."

"He said he had never seen a dog other than in their files," I told her before grimacing, "Son of a bitch."

"Colonel?" Hammond spoke for the first time since I'd explained everything.

Annoyance filled me, "He had one of those stone things they use. General?"

Hammond nodded and I jumped up heading to his office where he kept the communication stone Thor gave us for emergencies.

I grabbed it, activated the signal and waited.

x

Five minutes were all we needed to wait before light filled the room and Thor appeared.

"Greetings, O'Neill," he stated softly, "What is your emergency?"

I decided not to beat around the bush and asked bluntly, "What did you do to Pip?"

To his credit Thor actually looked embarrassed, "Nothing that harmed him."

"Not an answer," I noted folding my arms.

The grey alien paused before nodding slightly, "I wanted to ensure that Daniel Jackson was protected."

"So?"

"I have been observing you and Daniel Jackson since his accident to ensure he was well," Thor explained, "When you brought home the puppy I was fascinated. The creature was very weak and without my interference would not have survived his first night."

"So you fixed it so that he survived and became both bigger than he should be as well as much smarter," I stated.

Thor nodded before he added, "During the process to return Daniel Jackson to his ten year old self I also created a stronger imprint. Pip is connected to him and will always protect him."

I looked round the table and saw everyone taking in this declaration.

"So, I'm assuming he'll grow the same as Daniel does?" Sam asked.

Thor nodded, "But not too much, I only wanted to ensure he was strong. I may have overdone in my efforts to help."

"So, Pip is not a danger to Daniel?" Janet took over.

Thor shook his head, "As you have seen yourself the bond between them is strong and Pip shall always protect Daniel Jackson."

x

"Have you finished?" Daniel asked when I walked into my office where Ferretti was currently on the floor with Pip licking his face.

I nodded before asking, "Do I want to know?"

Daniel shook his head smiling amused as Ferretti started pretending he was being attacked by a beast.

"Are you ready to head home?" I asked, "Or do you need some more time to take out Ferretti."

Daniel rolled his eyes, "Pip, get off him. We're going home."

The puppy instantly did as he was told and moved to Daniel's side barking enthusiastically.

"I'll see you soon, Daniel," Ferretti grinned bouncing to his feet he nodded at me, "Colonel."

I nodded back at Ferretti before he left. Crouching down I looked at Pip and smiled scratching his head for a moment.

"Let's go."