Author's Note: And so we've reached the end. Thank you all SO much for sticking with me through this thing; to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited, followed, and helped keep me sane through it all. You guys have given me milestones with this story. While not technically my "longest" story, it has the most chapters of anything I currently have posted (or written, for that matter), it's the first thing of significant length that I've completed in several years, barring NaNoWriMo, it is my most reviewed story ever and the first story of mine to break 100 reviews. Compared to some of you, that's not such a great accomplishment; but it's very important to me and I want to thank you all for helping to make it happen. I wouldn't be where I am without wonderful readers like you.

(as a point of interest, the date that Vala chose corresponds with the final scene of Memento Mori; it's the day she got her team badges.)

Zed is for...Zoo

"A zoo? You are kidding, right?"

"I assure you, Daniel Jackson, that I am in no way to attempting to be childish, or humorous."

"Oh, I don't think it's funny," Daniel corrected. "I'm just not sure that you know what you're asking for."

"Vala Mal Doran has informed me that her birthday is approaching. As a gift, I would like your help to organize a team outing to a zoo, as she has requested this on more than one occasion." He raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Have I stated the situation to your understanding?"

Mouth hanging opened, it was a minute before Daniel was able to form coherent words and sentences. "You do know that it's not actually her birthday, right? It's just a date that she picked off the calendar for her papers. We're not obligated to give her gifts for a fake birthday."

"I believe that the chosen date holds special significance to her," Teal'c told him. He was no longer smiling quite so much. "Also, are birthdays not a favored Tau'ri ritual? Vala Mal Doran has not yet experienced this tradition, and you would be remiss in your duties as an upholder of culture and tradition if you did not allow her to participate in this ritual." He paused for a beat, his eyes flickering away thoughtfully. "I am sure, of course, that you are in no way intending to ignore this; rather, your questions are merely to ensure that I correctly understand the significance of these traditions."

Studying his friend's face carefully, Daniel was pretty sure that the Jaffa was teasing him. Mostly sure. He was really hoping so. Failing, he knew, would probably result in punishment in the form of a "friendly" spar.

That was definitely not an option.

"Alright, fine, I'll see what I can do," he sighed.

The smile that spread over Teal'c's face was entirely too satisfied to be innocent; Daniel had been played. "Thank you, Daniel Jackson. I shall inform Colonels Carter and Mitchell of our plans."

Resigning himself to the fact that he had just started the ball rolling for an utter disaster, Daniel waved him off. "Yeah, yeah, go ahead. Let them know...I'll just be here, slamming my head into the wall until I wake up from this nightmare."

"I would not advise this course of action, as it would not enable you to begin the necessary preparations."

"I think you're missing the point – oh wait, I get it. You're teasing me. Haha, very funny. I'm dying of laughter right now, really."

"You appear to be laughing on the inside."

fin.

God bless you all!