A/N: I live! God, I am so extremely sorry for the long wait, guys. Real life's been kicking my butt lately, and I'll be honest that this fic was not the highest on my priority list. For those that don't know, however, let me say this:

I have no intention of abandoning any fic that I am writing. Some will just take longer than others to update. So without further ado...Chapter 5!

Chapter 5

Travel Times

It took an inordinate amount of cajoling, called in favors and Mist manipulation, but a week after the group Percy and Annabeth learned was called SG-1 sat down in their living room, they found themselves standing in front of dialing Stargate.

Percy couldn't help looking at the thing and being reminded of a novelty puzzle ring. The damned giant thing –Stargate, he reminded himself—actually had a second giant ring covered in runes inside of it that pivoted around inside. The way it moved put him in mind of when he'd seen one of the Hephaestus girls idly spinning the interior part of an elaborate puzzle ring back and forth while in deep thought. The hypnotizing monotony of it, as well as the not-very-interesting drone of Col. Carter led his ADHD mind to wandering.

A Hephaestus child, devoid of fashion sense as they usually were – he was one to talk, at least according to 95% of the Aphrodite Cabin as well as the goddess, herself – would never be caught wearing a ring that looked like this, not with those decidedly-Egyptian symbols on them. Relations between the House of Life and the two Demigod camps had gotten better over the years, but were nowhere near friendly. Only those that had been in direct involvement with both apocalypses seemed able to more than tolerate anyone from the other pantheon. There was a great deal more intermingling between the Greek and Roman camps, but a palpable tension could be felt in the air when groups of the two met. Several, especially those whose heritage was more likely to attract monsters, Greek demigods had done as Percy and Annabeth had and gone to the only University that could present even a semblance of safety. As such, the University in New Rome had a regular, if small, population of Greeks attending. The resulting atmosphere was much akin to a recently desegregated school near the end of the Civil Rights era. It wouldn't've been so bad if the Lares didn't take every opportunity they could to stare and glare at the attending Greeks, occasionally hissing, "Graecus!" at them, not allowing the Roman residents to forget the foreigners among them.

A massive whoosh of what looked like a maelstrom of water shooting out at them broke him from his mental ramblings. The sound and the apparent appearance of his favorite element – which felt all kinds of wrong to his senses – made his inborn battle reflexes kick in, causing him jump and grip the bronze pen that was Riptide in his pocket. It was experience and those selfsame reflexes that allowed him to catch himself before continuing the motion and having to explain the sudden appearance of something long in his hand. The Mist ensured that the mortals wouldn't see the sword, after all, but he wouldn't know what they would see until they told him, and it was all too much of a hassle when their lives weren't actually on the line.

He felt a little better when he noticed that Annabeth had stiffened a small amount next to him, as well. Mitchell was smirking openly at him and Daniel's eyes were raised in concern mixed with mild amusement. A slight raising of one eyebrow was all the reaction from the stoic Murray, whom he'd learned was really named Teal'c. Carter merely plowed on as if nothing had happened.

"This is the event horizon of the wormhole we'll be traveling through. The water is merely an illusion –"

Yeah, figured that one out on my own, thanks. You can't fool a child of Poseidon with fake water.

"—created by hologram. Simply walk through the event horizon and you will come out the other side. Fair warning, it can feel a little chilly if you're not used to it." She smiled gently and nodded to Mitchell and Teal'c, who nonchalantly strolled up to the 'Gate and walked through, probably to make certain the gate was secured on the other side. Percy noticed her glance behind him to the control room for a confirmation, which she apparently received. "Dr. Jackson—Percy—would you like to go next?"

Annabeth and Percy glanced at each other, carrying on rapid silent type of conversation that can only occur between people who've been through Tartarus, the Underworld and the Apocalypse together. Turning as one back to the Colonel, they replied in unison, "We'll go together."

Another small smile followed their declaration and Carter nodded invitingly towards the Stargate. They squared their shoulders and walked towards the rippling surface, unconsciously adopting the same posture they did when entering the Forum at Camp Jupiter when representing Camp Half-Blood.

Once he passed through the surface, Percy experienced what he could only describe as a whooshing, squishing sensation accompanied by a very distinct stab of bone-deep terror at the thought of in any way passing through Zeus' domain without permission. Although if what Rachel had told him of the prophecy she'd received was true, not even the Lord of the Sky would risk going against it.

After what felt like only a few seconds, Percy found himself in a new, but not wholly unfamiliar area. True to Carter's warning, some of the edges of his clothing had a fine, rapidly-melting, dusting of frost, to which he spared little attention. He was busy trying to figure out why this Alien world looked so gods-damned familiar.

A slight squelch heralded the arrival of Col. Carter and Daniel—Percy found it easier to go the informal route than try to keep the various Doctors Jackson straight in conversation. He still surprised himself, sometimes, when he remembered that he had an actual right to the title.

"So, whadya think?" asked the irrepressible Mitchell, sweeping his hand to their surroundings like he was personally presenting them with a prize.

"I wasn't expecting it to feel so…" Percy trailed off, unsure of the correct word to use to express his unease.

"—Terrestrial." Annabeth supplied, reading him like a book as always, smiling at his assenting nod. "I mean, I know you told us that these worlds were Earth-like, but it's still hard to believe we're not still on Earth."

Carter gave the pair an odd look. "Um…yes. It takes a little getting used to…what did you think about your first experience of 'Gate travel?"

"Definitely not the most uncomfortable form of travel I've experienced." Said Percy with a smirk, thinking of his experience with Nico's shadow-travel and the Egyptian modes of transport he'd had the unfortunate opportunity to experience. He suppressed a shudder at the memory of Carter—damn another common name issue—and his all-rivers-are-the-same spell. "At least with this I don't feel like I'm going to puke my guts out at any moment."

The three humans looked slightly puzzled at this statement, but Teal'c's eyebrows rose slightly in understanding. "Is that the reason for your resistance to flying to Stargate Command, Perseus Jackson?"

Percy winced a little at the use of his given name. "Percy, please, and well…yeah, that's part of it." He hedged. After all, he didn't actually get airsick, per se, but fear of being shot out of the sky did tie his stomach in knots.

"So!" Annabeth changed the subject with only half-feigned enthusiasm. "Let's get this show on the road. I believe you had a set of ruins to show us?"

Had he mentioned before how much he loved his wife?

A/N: I'm gonna be honest, I had up until the word "familiar" written months ago, but since it was under 1k words, I didn't want to post it as a complete chapter...especially without any followup ready. Next chapter will bring the Gua'uld in, or at least that's the plan.

Review Responses!

Novanto: Hope you enjoy what I do with them =D.

Whovian521: aww, you were reading my mind.

Foalen: I hope I continue to live up to your expectations.

Ithanny: Sorry it took you this long to get an update =/. I have no intentions to be incorporating other mythologies into this story. I've got my plate full with Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and well...Stargate versions of 'em. Bringing in the Norse with the Asgard...is a bit out of the scope of this story. And yes, I know exactly who Hel is.

And to the Guest along with the rest of you who're wondering how I'm going to merge the two/three mythos's with the Stargate "gods"...mwahahaha That is the ONE part of this story and 'verse I actually have completely hashed out and I guarantee it will be gloriously nerdy!

That's all for now,

Tzapporah signing off!