"So this ought to be a cakewalk," Jack said, adjusting his gear as he walked into the gateroom with Sam.

"It's about time, sir," Sam said, grinning at him.

"Yes, Major - it is about time." He gave a quick smile to Daniel and Teal'c. "So, you guys looking forward to going back to Anesta?"

"I am," Teal'c said, in a lazy, relaxed tone.

"Absolutely," Daniel said, "It feels good knowing that what we're facing on the other side of the wormhole doesn't want to shoot us, eat us, or make us a host."

"One mission or two ever so often where we're following up on good folk who like us and want to share is good for us. But," Jack said, holding up a finger, "Not too many. Don't want you all going soft on me."

"SG-1, are you ready?" General Hammond said over the loud speaker. Jack gave him a wave.

"I'm pretty sure I should be classifying this as leave time, but let's call it a mission anyway," General Hammond said, with a smile. "You have a go."

"What do you say we eat at the nice little restaurant down on the pier - the one with all the swinging tables that hung out over..." Jack said to his team as he stepped through the gate.

"...the water," he said, as he came through on the other side, and jerked in surprise as lights flashed around him. He reached for his gun before realizing the lights were...flashes. As in cameras.

Photographers, jostling one another for the right angle, surrounded him and his team. They pushed up onto the ramp, causing Jack to take a step back.

"Whoa," Sam said, looking around her, managing a smile for several photographers who seemed bent on getting a shot of her.

"Not our usual reception," Daniel said, glancing over at Jack.

Suddenly, the crowd parted as two men, dressed in the universally common dark suit of the bureaucracy, pushed forward. "Colonel O'Neill," the first man took Jack's hand and pumped it several times. "Good to see you again."

"Administrator Tevis," he said, "Didn't realize you'd have a welcoming party here for us."

"I'm sorry about all this," he said, as he and his aide pushed photographers aside to allow the team a passage through. "But when word got out about your return on the 'net, we just couldn't refuse to allow the press in here."

"Ah," Jack said, "Listen, can we go somewhere..."

"Right away, Colonel," he said, leading the team out of the melee and into a side corridor, where guards blocked the press from proceeding any further.

"I guess the planet's taking the idea of having visitors through the Stargate pretty well," Daniel said as they walked into a small conference room.

"Well, it was getting a lot of press during Anesta's first missions, but once you dialed in, well - I have to say it's been a non-stop news item since. And SG-6 did a few interviews while they were here studying in the lab," Tevis said, motioning for them to take a seat.

"Did they now?" Jack said, with an annoyed glance at the others. Colonel Brink, that glory hound, Jack thought. He was probably lapping all this up, since he wasn't able to strut his intergalactic adventures on Earth.

"But the media's still taken by the original team that came through - SG-1. Our press secretary has had to field questions for weeks about when you'd return," Tevis said.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Jack said, "If we'd realized our fans demanded it, we'd have been back much sooner." That's a joke, guys, he thought, looking around at the grim faces of his team.

"I hope this isn't making you all uncomfortable. Truly you have captured the imaginations of our people, and it's been a great boon for the Stargate program in general. People are really starting to take notice."

"We can see that," Daniel said.

"So - what's our agenda for this visit?" Jack said, getting down to business. "Major Carter and Dr. Jackson are at your disposal for any research you'd like help with. Teal'c and I can be available for any..."

"Actually, Colonel - we were hoping that you could do, well - publicity for the program while you're here. SG-6 has been great in helping us with projects and I'm sure your team would be as well, but...our press secretary would really like for you to help her out with some spots on TransVision, maybe a few PlanetNet chats, you know..." He continued as he saw their expressions. "I know you were just joking earlier, Colonel, but truth is - you do have fans. And they want to see you."

"Well - that's not exactly why we came back, Administrator," Jack said.

"I think your General sent you back to aid our Stargate program, as we have been trying to aid yours. Well," he said, "this is the aid we'd like to ask of you."

Jack looked around at his team. "Okay - we'll do it."

Jack walked down a corridor of Anesta's Stargate headquarters, whistling. He'd been knocking around all morning, waiting to hear something from Administrator Tevis, and when he finally had gotten word, it was just a note that he and his team had been pawned off on the program's press secretary. He'd sent Teal'c on ahead and was in search of Daniel and Sam, who'd managed to find something productive to do, he was sure. He made a mental note: teach those two to goof off. Smart as both of them were, they'd never managed to get that concept down.

He paused for a second as he passed Anesta's gateroom. It was in the center of the complex, and the gate itself had been situated at the bottom of an amphitheater. He remembered how shocked the Anestans had been when the SGC's MALP came through their gate that first time. Almost as if they hadn't realized that just maybe their new toy could be used by someone else out there in the universe.

Today's a full day, he thought, noticing the number of people in the gateroom. He smiled as he realized that most of the crowd were children. Ah, field trips, he thought. I remember those.

A team came in and immediately the room fell silent. The team paused to talk briefly with the students, and Jack listened in to their questions. Do you get wet when you go through the gate? Why does it take seven symbols to get to another planet? Is everyone in the universe like us?

No - I know but Carter explains it better - and yes and no, he answered silently to their questions. He thought, not for the first time, how it would be if this were Earth. If school kids watched gate activations instead of shuttle launches. Anesta was roughly at the same technological level as Earth - a little ahead in some areas, a little behind in others. Their Stargate program was newer than Earth's, but they were doing a great job so far. And, their gate was no secret. Hell, it had investors, Jack thought. Traded on whatever they called their version of NASDAQ.

The whole idea had unnerved Jack on their first visit, but he was getting used to it now. Seemed to be working for them. Maybe someday it'll be our turn, he thought.

The gate whooshed into being, to the delighted squeals of the children. Cool, huh? he said to them silently. We think so too, by the way. Even if we don't show it. He stepped away from the railing to go back to his search for Daniel and Sam.

Jack walked into the lab, where Daniel and Sam were hunched over a computer. "I knew I'd find you guys working...."

"We're not," Sam said, smiling at him. "Just surfing the 'net."

"Oh?" he said, walking in. "And what may I ask is so intriguing?"

"You are," she said, pulling back so that he could see the screen.

"The Jack O'Neill Tribute Site?" Jack read the screen.

"Last search we did, you had over 100 individual sites," Daniel said.

"Get out of here," Jack said, sitting down and scrolling through the site. "Wow - I'm pretty popular," he said. "There's even a 'Jack O'Neill Net-Ring', whatever that is."

"We're all pretty popular," Sam said, "There are sites all over PlanetNet about SG-1. We even read where they're thinking about doing a movie based on us."

"A movie? Sweet," Jack said, still scrolling through the site. "Looks like SG-6 turned my whole personnel file over to these people," he said, getting up so that Sam could return to the PC.

"Yeah, they were quite thorough," Sam said, looking over at Daniel.

"So how about you guys? Any sites out there I should check out on you?"

"There's nothing out there you don't already know about us," Daniel said. "Although there are quite a few rumors you might find interesting."

"So how many sites do you guys have? Come on, I know you checked out your own sites," Jack said with a grin.

"I'm holding my own - actually, Daniel has the most sites," Sam said.

"Daniel?" Jack asked.

"Yes - apparently he's struck a chord with the fans," Sam said. "He's got more sites than all the rest of us put together."

"Daniel?" Jack asked again.

"You don't have to sound so stunned, Jack," Daniel said, with a hurt look.

"Sorry, it's just....how do you feel about that?" Jack said.

"It's kind of...unnerving, actually," Daniel said, after a moment. He changed the subject. "So is there anything that they want us to do while we're here?" he asked Jack. "Because I'm going stir-crazy just sitting around."

"Glad you said that, Daniel. I was just on my way to pick the two of you up. We have a meeting with the press secretary. Teal'c's already gone up to meet her," Jack said, standing up.

"Press secretary? Sounds important," Sam said, getting up to follow him.

"We're stars, Major," Jack said dryly, "Gotta make some appearances, meet our public."

"Hi everyone! I'm Stargate Headquarters' press secretary, Marla Topkor. Glad to finally meet all of you in person!" she said, making her way around to shake all their hands. "So - are you ready for your "mission"?" she joked, handing them all notebooks.

"We're at your disposal," Jack said, in his finest diplomatic voice.

"Good! You'll see I have schedules for all of you in your notebook. We have some events that we'd like you to appear at - a few charity events, some press conferences, a couple of appearances to advertise the program's promotional merchandise, an interview with Bareena Windom...."

"Promotional merchandise?" Daniel asked.

"Oh - you mean you didn't see all the promotional merchandise? The action figures, trading cards, licensed outerwear...."

Jack held up his hand. "Hold it - what merchandise?"

"We sent it all back with Colonel Brink and his team - maybe he just forgot to give it to you," she said. "I'll send for more so that each of you can have a set of your own."

Jack grimaced and looked over at Daniel. "Want to take a guess where all that stuff is right now?"

"I'd rather not," Daniel said.

"God, I hope General Hammond doesn't hear about this," Sam said.

"What are 'action figures'?" Teal'c asked.

"It's all very tasteful," Marla said.

"I'm sure it is," Sam replied, leafing through her notebook.

"And you'll get a portion of all the royalties, of course. It should be quite a nice sum, when the holiday sales are figured in," Marla continued.

"Royalties?" Jack said, his ears perking up.

Daniel frowned. "I don't think any of us intended to profit from our visit here," he said. "Can you just donate our royalties to a charity here on Anesta?" he said, ignoring Jack's look.

Marla reached out and grabbed his hand. "That is so sweet! Is there anything in particular...."

"Something for children - orphans," he said.

She nodded, making a note. "This will look so good on our press releases. Thank you!" she said.

"You're welcome," Daniel said, turning his attention back to his own notebook.

"Yeah, don't mention it," Jack said. "So - when do we start our appearances?"

"We actually don't have any appearances for the rest of you for today, except for Daniel," she said. "He's booked tonight at a dinner."

Jack stood, clapping Daniel on the shoulder. "Go get 'em, sport. We'll be at the beach, thinking about you."

"Thanks," Daniel said, giving them all a sour look as they left him with Marla. "So," he said, "this dinner is for what, exactly?"

"Just a 'meet and greet' event for investors in the program," Marla said. "Oh - and your escort for the night can't wait to meet you. I'm sure you two will have a nice time - she's the current Miss North Shore," Marla said with a wink.

"Oh?" Daniel said, looking at the schedule with more interest.

The next evening, the team sat at a restaurant along the city's shore, enjoying the sunset as a gentle sea breeze cooled the beach.

"Today was...weird," Daniel spoke, breaking the silence. "All those press interviews."

"Tomorrow's going to be worse," Jack said, remembering the list of appearances they all had on their schedules. "And who the hell is Bareena Windom?"

"She's the most popular interviewer on their version of TV," Sam said, sipping her drink.

"She has a large audience, O'Neill - if people do not know of us now, they will after our interview," Teal'c said.

"Great," Jack said, contemplating his drink.

Suddenly, a group of girls came up to their table. One eased forward shyly. "Can I have your autograph?" she said, handing a piece of paper and a pen to Daniel with a shaking hand.

He took them gently. "Sure - what's your name?"

"Uh...Liana," she managed, and he wrote out the autograph.

"So, Liana - are you interested in archaeology?" he said, handing the autograph back to her.

"I am now," she said, clutching it close to her chest as she stared at him, wide-eyed. The other three girls with her pushed their own papers to Daniel.

"Anybody want my autograph?" Jack said jokingly to them, as Sam grinned.

Even Teal'c had to smile as the small group left. "It seems archaeology is quite popular here," he said.

"You think?" Jack said, glancing over at Daniel, who looked embarrassed.

"You know, I used to wonder what it would be like if Earth had actually gone public with the Stargate program. Now I guess we know," Sam said.

"And they think the people of Earth can't handle the truth - the people of Anesta could. Think we ought to petition the Air Force to go public?" Jack said. "I'd sort of like my own licensed outerwear."

"And action figures?" Daniel said, cocking one eyebrow.

"I do not understand the concept of these 'action figures'," Teal'c said.

"Well - it's sort of like having your very own little version of us....well, kind of like..." Jack started.

"An icon?" Teal'c ventured.

"Icon is probably too strong of a word," Daniel said. "Collectible is more accurate."

"The concept still seems odd to me," Teal'c replied.

"Well, you're not alone in that," Daniel said.

"You know, mine is cuter than yours," Jack said to Daniel.  "My action figure," he added quickly, as a passing waitress gave him an odd look.

"Mine is bigger, O'Neill," Teal'c said.

Jack turned to Sam. "And yours is quite...flattering," he said, ducking as Sam threw a napkin at him.

SG-1 stood uncomfortably outside Anesta's largest TransVision studio, waiting for their interviews with Bareena Windom, interviewer of stars and now, off-worlders.  They'd been told no less than ten times since arriving how lucky they were to be here.

"These are for you," Bareena Windom's aide handed SG-1 the show's schedule and notes about the interview, "and I see you've all been to makeup, good. Ms. Windom will talk to you one at a time, and we'll edit the interviews later for our show. Oh - here," the aide said, handing all of them a few tissues from a nearby box.

"What are we supposed to do with these?" Jack said, holding them up.

"In case you need them - she makes everyone cry," she said, stepping into the studio and motioning to Jack.

Jack gave a long-suffering look to his team. "What I wouldn't give right now for a whole mess of serpent guards - big, nasty ones..." he said, as the aide pulled him into the studio.

"This is Bareena Windom, here in the studio with Colonel Jack O'Neill of Earth's SG-1. Colonel, thank you for being on the show today. It's great to have you here," she said.

"Thanks," he said, giving the camera a small smile.

She didn't skip a beat before launching into questions. "Colonel O'Neill, we've all been held spellbound by the tales of adventure we're hearing about SG-1. But I know not all of those missions could have been easy. Have you ever met up with a situation that tested you, put your integrity, your values, on the line?"

Jack sighed, running a hand through his hair. "How much time do you have?"

"Dr. Jackson, we know that the SG program for you has been bittersweet. You lost your wife to another race, the Goa'uld, who came through the Stargate on the planet where you were living."

Daniel squirmed uncomfortably. "Yes."

"That must have been incredibly difficult for you," she said.

"It was."

"Would you like to talk about it?" she said, laying a hand on his arm.

Daniel glanced at the camera. "In front of 50 million viewers, no."

"Major, what is it like being the only woman on SG-1?"

"It's great - the team is like my family," she said. "I'm just one of the guys to them."

"Are you ever uncomfortable?"

Sam grinned. "Only when there's no trees available close by camp when nature calls." She paused a second. "It's okay to say that on TV, right?"

Bareena handed Teal'c a tissue. "Take your time, Teal'c. We understand," she says, patting his hand as he dabbed at his eye.

Go to Part 2