fic: on the first day (2/2) [sg1, pg]
Title: On the First Day (2/2)
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Rating: PG
Length: ~6.4 k, ~12k total (edits are a bitch)
Spoilers/Warnings: mentions of dark past and less than nice planets
Disclaimer: if only Daniel and Vala were mine! They would have made out a lot more in that case.
A/N: Done for the dv_exchange for scifi_tv_addict. Sort of a mix of all the prompts given: Angst (with a happy ending!/Holiday-themed/Post-Continuum, D/V finally get together/Anything romantic-y.
A/N2: Um, I played a little with Vala's past in section (day) five, because havocthecat mentioned some things about her mental canon for Vala's past and it fit so much with my old (pre Jossed and Jaceked) mental canon for her that I said FUCK IT. Going back to my "roots".
Summary: The twelve days of Christmas are generally typifying by two people giving and receiving certain gifts to each other. Sometimes not even on purpose. (now unlocked bc the dv_exchange went public.)
part one ( comm link to part one)
"Then she turns into a swan!" Vala exclaimed, filling in Teal'c on how far she was on the animated movie list that he had bestowed upon her last month. They were still on their day off, or was it they're second day off? Days and time didn't quite function so easily on the mountain, especially when you were part of an off-world team, and even more so when you were part of SG-1 and you could leave in the morning to one planet and come back two days later, having only spent one day on said planet. Intergalactic time zones, never something easy to live with. Officially they were off for 24 hours, but their day off began at 2000 yesterday.
In the end, it didn't really matter, she figured. She was getting through Teal'c's lists on important cultural media he felt she should be aware off.
She was in the middle of sharing her feelings on The Swan Princess when Daniel walked into the conference room. Briefly she wondered if there were any meetings in the room today. She didn't think so. She and Teal'c were very careful not to use it when meetings were scheduled and they got tired of hanging out in the work out area or the mess. Sometimes they ventured to Sam's lab, but Sam had laid out some very specific rules on the usage of her lab when she was on The Hammond.
"Good morning, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c greeted.
"Morning. Are you two talking about that movie we watched?" Daniel wondered by way of greeting, as he sat across from her, a stack of papers and coffee mug in hand.
Vala shook her head, switching her grip on her nail polish brush. She was so lucky that Teal'c didn't prescribe to the Tau'ri's idea of gender and let her paint his nails when she felt particularly bored. The deep purple would have looked too harsh against her skin, but suited him nicely.
"No, a different one. It's about a princess that turns into a swan."
"Ah, Swan Lake." Daniel said with a dismissive tone of knowledge in his voice. Vala wondered on how appealing his Professor Voice was as she liked to call it was.
Too bad he was wrong.
"No, it's The Swan Princess. It's about a princess taken hostage and turned into a swan by an evil magician. She only turns back into a human during full moons and one night a prince finds her and falls in love, helps her break the spell and they live happily ever after." Vala explained, finishing with Teal'c nails with a flourish.
Daniel looked over the table at her, his eyes narrowing in confusion. "Yeah, no. That's Swan Lake. Maybe you're watching a bastardised animated version to appeal to kids, but it's Swan Lake. A ballet composed by Tchaikovsky in 1875 originally presented in the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow as The Lake of Swans and since been preformed around the world. It's fashioned after several Russian folktales that they combined and reformed to the tale we know now. "
Vala processed this new information, sharing an amused smile with Teal'c who inclined his head towards Daniel in agreement.
"Daniel Jackson is right, Vala Mal Doran. The film is indeed based on this ballet, but I am not as familiar with it as Daniel Jackson seems to be." Daniel flushed slightly at the words, and adorably so in Vala’s opinion.
Vala in turned stared at Teal'c, contemplating, then shrugged. "Oh, well then. Where can we watch it? Can we order it from Amazon? I'm very interesting in seeing it as a ballet, and this seems to be just perfect for my first one. I've heard some about it. That's a type of dancing done primarily the point of your feet on a stage and that there seems to very little to no talking, unlike your operas, but I've never seen it for myself. Wait, I've seen it on some television films but I don't think they're doing real ballet."
Furrowing his brow as he did whenever he was in deep thought, Daniel sat back in his chair. "I'm sure you could find it online, but nothing beats watching it live. The theatre in town is putting it on for their winter play. If you really want to watch it I'll get us some tickets."
"Oh yes, that sounds lovely! Let's make it a team night! Maybe when Sam comes back unless that's too late." Vala clapped her hands at the idea of a night off base. She only missed the look that flashed across Daniel's face for a millisecond because she was already up, heading down to the infirmary planning to invite Carolyn along. The look might have been called disappointment, but he would never admit to it.
---
You can get cabin fever stuck on an underground base for long. The lack of sun and fresh air can get to a person. Thankfully there were almost daily trips to planets to make up for it. Fresh alien air and sometimes two suns made up for a lot. Meeting and exchanging knowledge with other civilizations was always gratifying. Daniel loved it. Then there were moments like these.
"You know Mitchell, sometimes I don't know how you get us into these situations," he grumbled from his stool, sweat beading down the back of his neck.
In the stall next to him Mitchell only laugh, "Oh come on Jackson, nothing like an honest days work to make you feel good about yourself."
To his left he could swear he heard Teal'c eyebrow raise in defiance and across the way Vala just sighed.
"I don't know you this can make anyone feel good about themselves. It's disgusting and fairly unsanitary to be sure. Not to mention I just did my nails yesterday."
Daniel huffed in agreement, expect about that part about the nails.
Mitchell answered all three of them with a commanding tone he rarely used. (His style of leadership always more quietly comfortable with trusting each of them to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. Sometimes Daniel forgot what was hiding behind that easy going southern tone of voice. It reminded of Janet at times.)
"You know what I'm hearing from three of the capable people I know in the galaxy: bitch bitch bitch." He spoke over the partition that separated him and Daniel and he could see the shadow of his hand pointing at Vala as he gestured, "Now I know this wasn't the plan for the day, but this family needed our help and we're able to give it and if you three could just finish milking you space cows because we have eight of these ladies to get through to day before their harvest festival."
Teal'c spoke up first -- Vala locked eyes with Daniel and mouthed "suck up" resulting him in stifling a snicker -- apologizing, "As you say, Colonel Mitchell."
"Thanks, big guy." Mitchell's voice was calmer and unless Daniel was wrong a little uncomfortable, "Jackson, Vala?"
Daniel pushed his glasses up his nose with his wrist, "You're right, Mitchell. We agreed to help with their harvest festival tonight."
"Well, if Daniel and Muscles are going to be so spinele--"
"Vala." Both Mitchell and Daniel intoned.
"Oh fine, yes, I'll keep helping, but all three of you owe me a dance at the festival tonight." She agreed and like that they all went back to milking the cows.
At one point Daniel could have sworn he heard Vala humming a soft, sleepy, tune under her breath. He looked over to her and noticed her milking the six cow with surprisingly practiced ease and he had a feeling he had just learnt something about her he was never supposed to know.
---
The suns of the planet long ago had set over it's mountainous horizon and only the smallest hint of blue and violet remained in the sky. The village's harvest festival was well under way, a large bonfire lit in the middle of the large field where the festival was being held. The sounds of the village circled the fire, the sounds of the homemade instruments, male and female voices speaking, some singing along, there was even the odd sound of animals that all added to a light and carefree atmosphere that clearly the village was proud off. In the midst of this SG-1 stood around, welcomed.
They felt some pride concerning the festivities as well. They had worked hard all day, milking Denus', a farmer and the provider of most of the food of the festival, cows. Teal'c and Cameron had helped collect extra firewood for the fire and Vala had been adopted by Denus' spouse and children into the family. The little girl taken with Vala's accent and hair ties.
By now all younger children were asleep, except the straggling few who were blinking sleepily by their mothers, and the songs had grown softer during the night. Vala sipped the ale she had been handed a few minutes ago by Cameron and watched the few couples dancing on the makeshift dance floor craved out by the dancers themselves in front of the fire. Nine by her last count two minutes ago.
Well, it was about to be ten. She was owed a dance.
"So, Daniel, where's that dance you promised me earlier today?"
"Technically it was yesterday, this planet's day ended about two hours ago." Daniel said, looking out to the crowd.
"In that case you're extremely behind on your promise to a dance." She downed her drink, passed the empty container to Cameron, who like a gentleman had joined her in group dance earlier. He was lighter on his feet than she assumed he'd be in regulation military shoes and most of his gear. Teal'c had spun around a total of two times a few songs later. More than she had expected from her usually stoic friend. She would owe him a Star Wars marathon this weekend.
Pulling Daniel towards the dancers she rolled her eyes at Daniel as he tried to explain away their agreement.
"Actually, we never agreed to dance with you, Vala. If I remember correctly it was more of an order," he said, but Vala caught the teasing tone in his voice.
"Verbal agreement, as binding as any contract, or so I hear." She grinned widely, turning to him, offering her hand.
He took it, "You have to stop listening to Jack."
Not even her best innocent look could have convinced Daniel that she didn't know what he was talking about, at least not her best faux-innocent face. Her best innocent face would have Daniel believing she didn't even know who Jack was. For probably about twenty-seconds. The man had, after all, become quite apt at reading her over the years. So she just winked and they danced quietly for minutes until Daniel brought something to her attention.
"You're humming," he told her, in what could almost be called a whispered tone. It was instinct that had her kept her moving as nothing had happened while her heart felt like frozen ice. Before she could answer him he said something else.
"It's the second time you've done it today." He pulled back a little, searching her eyes.
It was instinct that her avoiding his, "Oh, really. I didn't notice."
"Yes, I noticed that."
"Daniel," she looked at him briefly before blinking and schooling her face. "Must be the festivities getting to me. It's so rare we get to go to parties, a girl can't help but soak up the atmosphere."
He frowned at her explanation and followed it with a quirk of his lips, telling her he didn't buy it for a second. Telling her that he caught the look, "Must be it."
Sometimes she really did feel Daniel was the most perfect and flawed man she knew. The dance was winding down and for a second he pulled her closer before he spun her out.
"Must be," she agreed.
---
Ever since they had gotten back on base this morning and finished their very short debrief on the planet they had been avoiding each other. It was almost standard practice after one or either of them peeled back a layer of the emotional armor that they both proudly wore. Vala was unsurprisingly good at this. If there was a nook or cranny to hide in or a way to play around with the holes in the security system then Vala would find it. Last year Landry has shut down all non essential projects for a week and let Vala have free run at the base to point out any glaring gaps in their security. It had been an interesting week to be sure.
That's why Daniel wasn't able to find her the first two hours he went looking for her. He needed help with some memo that Jack needed him to write on the first years of the program, with an emphasis on the System Lords -- the ten main ones they had encountered, that Daniel strongly suspected Jack didn't want to write himself. It wasn't a bad idea though, to polish up some of the earlier papers and information the had on the System Lords for future study. One day, when the Stargate Program finally became open to the public, this information would be essential to the history of Earth's place in the intergalactic sense. It was an important piece of paper and he wanted it to be accurate.
Looking for Vala was an essential part of this because she could contribute information on the host experience that no one base could. Even Sam’s experience as a host couldn’t compare to Vala’s. This was true, but it also wasn't the real reason he was looking for her. She was, much to his continued bafflement, the best research assistant he had. She knew his system -- sometimes better than he did -- and they'd worked together often enough that they had an easy rapport in the office. There were days he still remembered the first days she had been on based, perched on his worktop, legs swinging offering innuendo at every turn. Not that she still didn't do that, but those days were much rarer and often done purposely to get him to take her off base.
When he finally located her she was helping Carolyn in the infirmary helping inoculate the remaining refugees from the latest planet SG-7 had visited from their version of small pox. He waited for her to be done and they backed to his office in silence where after explaining their job for the afternoon they worked in silence.
It was a strangely comfortable silence that was didn't feel as awkward as Daniel had feared it would have. Vala read his notes in Goa'uld better than he did and unlike him still had a fluency in the language that he envied. She worked through those old notes and found texts with a speed that even his oldest assistants (that he never used) could match.
They were half way done through the first draft of the memo when Vala spoke up. It wasn't the first time they had spoken since they had begun working, mostly exchanging short sentences on the notes as well as a few questions that Vala had about a mission or other, but it was the first time the question directed at Daniel wasn't as impersonal as he would have preferred.
"Daniel, is there any about Amunet that you would prefer not be in the memo?" She asked, cautiously.
He paused his work and looked over at her. She was sitting stiffly in her chair and there was no hint of mischief in her eyes--something that always worried him. Vala at her most serious was Vala at her most dangerous. For herself, for those around her, himself, and worst of all for his feelings towards her. He was at his most vulnerable to her in moments like this and he suspected, vise versa. It was probably why they tended to shy away from them. Neither of them were good with vulnerability.
"No, everything in there should be up to date. I tried to keep that one as informed as possible. Just summarize it, please. Like the rest" He swallowed thickly, the familiar sense of grief coiling in his chest. It had become less sharp over the years but never fully dissapeared.
Vala nodded and went back to work. For about three minutes when she said something else that had an other familiar but completely difference feeling growing in his chest.
"I met Amunet once."
His head snapped up her, questioning and confused. And jealous? Honestly, he didn't know. All he knew for sure is that he had always wondered but never asked. Vala's past as Qetesh was turbulent enough territory to navigate and one she never spoke freely about. Even then every word she spoke was carefully planned. Before he could ask anything she plowed through, like she always did, and he was glad. He hadn't even sure of what to say.
"Not when she was your--" she paused, something rare for her, "I met her years before, a few years after Qetesh took me on as a vessel. The host was beautiful, but that’s no surprising. Vanity was always one of the Goa'uld's strongest traits. Apophis at the time was trying to form an alliance with Qetesh to helping him take over one of Ra's planets. It was called Abydos. Maybe I--Qetesh should have taken the deal. She always did plan to kill him afterwards, but then Baal came along with a better deal. Couldn’t say no to that one and Apophis always did annoy her."
Daniel couldn’t think of what to say. He didn’t there was much to say at all and reached over to lay a hand over hers. It wasn't exactly what he would have liked to hear, but it was the truth. It counted for something. With Vala, it counted at lot.
His fingers tightened around her hand. Vala looked at him and there it was in her face. A look so open that it had his heart constricting and warm ache spreading across his body. It was a feeling he recognized too painfully. It made want to do stupid things like reach across and press his lips against hers. From the way way her face soften he knew that he own face wasn’t as schooled as he wished.
He didn’t--couldn’t. As vital as the moment felt it wasn’t what he or Vala needed at the moment.
"I'm glad she didn't.” He said after a few seconds, “We would have killed you and then who would I have to help when Jack gives sends me busy work from Washington."
She smirked and the heaviness in the air dissipated by a fraction, "Oh, darling, we would have decimated you." Her fingers turned under his hand and for a second she curled her fingers around his wrist before letting go and pulling away. "And I like our first meeting too much to ever replace it."
"I'd like to forget the little moment with the fire extinguisher for the rest of my life."
"You only say that because I beat you."
He shook his head, smirking back at her, "Let's not get into that, but just remember who woke up in locked room afterwards."
“I still maintain you peak!”
---
Since the night before Vala was subtly avoiding Daniel. These last two day had more than enough close calls for either them and it had her off balance. She was well aware that they shared a bond, even from their first meeting, and it only had strengthened over their years together, but they normally averaged a significant moment every two or three weeks. Lately they had been happening more and more regularly and she wasn’t sure how comfortable she was with these turn of events.
Her feelings for Daniel were complicated and she liked them that way. Complications made it easier to keep herself distanced. Easier not to get attached (even though she was already more attached to the man and the members of SG-1 than she had ever planned or was completely comfortable being.) and be conscripted into their little group. She had learned long ago that planting roots in a place, letting them grow deep into the ground, only made it harder and more painful when they got ripped from under you.
She had never planned to have such roots. She never wanted them again.
It was Daniel’s fault, she decided, that she could feel her want for them. Daniel and Cameron and Teal’c and Sam, even Jack. All of them who gave her more and more complications than she needed in her life.
Feeling annoyance at these thoughts that had been circling around in her head for the better part of the day she slouched on her bed and with an angry jab of her finger pressed the play button on the extra DVD player that Cameron had brought her from his apartment. (Teal’c already had one and he thought Vala might have wanted one of her own. Making her quarters a little more homey, he had said. Like the brother she didn’t like to remember she once had.)
She made herself comfortable and began nibbling on the pastries that Carolyn had given her that morning. (Leftovers from a holiday dinner with her mother.) The sounds from the television distracted her from her thoughts for a good while until she heard a knock on her door.
Vala considered not responding, but... god, she hated the want she felt. The pull these people had on her. Sneaky blighters. (Teal’c had said this particular season for the Tau’ri was all about appreciating and spending time with friends and family. Apparently she miscalculated the power of winter solstice had on Tau’ri’s planet and on her.)
“Yes?” she answered the knock, but didn’t move from her spot on the bed.
“It’s me.”
Daniel.
It was the second time in just as many weeks that he had knocked on her door on their day off. She should turn him away and put them back on even ground instead on this increasingly rocky one.
“Come in, but I’ll warn you I’m not what you would call decent.”
She always did have fondness for rocky terrain.
The door opened slowly and Daniel’s head poked in. God, he did look scrumptious. His hair was little messy meaning he had been working and running his hand through his hair--must be a particularly tiring document--and his eyes were bright. The picture was complete by the annoyed purse of his lips.
Ah! Someone must have demanded he take a break. Probably Cameron. Actually Teal’c. Daniel would have ignored Cameron.
He shuffled by the door for a second as it closed, “I’ve been kicked out of my office.” He leaned against the closed door with sigh.
“Oh?”
“The security team is upgrading the system for the new year and they have to run wires or something through the room. Mitchell was already pushing me out for some basketball game with Teal’c and Major Lorne, who’s visiting, but then Lorne and Mitchell got called away by the General.”
“Anything wrong?” She sat up, worried. Altantis had been running on by tooth, nails, and grit ever since Dr. Weir had “died”. SG-1 had gone more than a few times since to the city and there was no doubt the city felt different. She didn’t like it as much, the air felt different. The jokes of how sentient Atlantis was never felt more serious since Dr. Weir’s “death”.
“Just the regular stuff.” He shrugged.
Vala still felt tense but Daniel didn’t seem to put out by the news so she forced herself to relax. She leaned back on her bed and raised an eyebrow at him.
“So you thought you’d come see what I was up too?”
Now he smiled, a small distracted one, “Yeah and Teal’c ditched me for his Harry Potter books.”
“I see!” She pouted theatrically, “I’m last choice.”
He rolled his eyes and walked towards her, sitting on the edge of her bed. It wasn’t that long ago (days really) that he would have needed a direct invitation to sit near her in such a casual almost intimate fashion Vala took note of. It made her feel... complicated.
“What are you doing?” He nodded towards the TV. There was an overwhelming feel to crawl across the bed and see if she fit in his lap as snugly as she had on the Prometheus but she tapered it. See, complicated. Too complicated.
Yet, she didn’t want to kick him out. Settling against her pillow, she stretched out her legs so her toes brushed against his BDUs.
“Watching Charmed. Cassandra gave me the box set for the holidays, saying it kept her in good company for many long winter breaks while you lot travelled the galaxy. It's very entertaining, actually, and I enjoy the sisters quite a bit. I think Prue is my favorite and there’s something about Piper that reminds of Samantha. Very stable core. Feel like joining me?”
"How long have you been at this?" He peered over at the screen as he sat on the same side of the bed he had occupied the other morning. This time it took him a few seconds to get comfortable. Vala noticed it did it almost unconsciously.
“Almost half the day.” She replied taking a bite of her pastry, “It's our day off. Why do you Tau'ri have so many days off around this time of year?
Daniel grabbed the remote from her and pressed played, since she had stopped it when he had entered the room. “It's the winter holidays.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that, Daniel, but Christmas was eleven days ago today. We missed it because we were off world and Cameron said we could have second one, a proper one, when Sam came back.” She adjusted her pillow, tossing him the extra one.
“Many people celebrate the holidays differently and not just Christmas, you know that.” He said, his tone a little dismissive, already paying attention the screen.
“Yes, yes, I’ve noticed. Doesn’t mean the base needs to get boring. Not to mention us having the next week off while Cameron visits his family. Did you know that he's banned me from coming along! The gall! Something about keeping up his cover in place but really I think it's because he knows his mum likes me better. Lovely woman; makes fabulous pie.”
He laughed, "If it makes you feel better I'll take you for pie. In fact we’ll get Landry to sign you out for the week. You can hole up in my guest room and we could even go watch Sawn Lake."
Surprised, she turned to him. She hadn’t expected this. Not even with all the hints about hating being suck on base that she normally threw out there to annoy Landry. “Really? I though we were going to wait to make a team night.”
Daniel just shrugged, “Sorry to burst your bubble but I don't think Teal'c and Mitchell are as big ballet buffs as they would have you think. Plus this way you don't have to stay on base all next week. I know you hate it when we don't have enough missions off world.”
She lifted a shoulder in dismissal, "It gets boring."
"I can imagine. So, what do you say?"
Her grin was all teeth, "Oh and ice skating. Can we go? It seems to be a traditional winter activity and one I have not had the pleasure of experiencing for myself."
"Sure we can go. There's a few sports involving it that I'm sure you'll enjoy." He leaned back against her headboard and she fought hard not think too much on how much she liked it.
“Daniel”, she turned, pressing her lips against his cheek, "Thank you, Daniel." It was a close as she could let herself get to him right now.
He smiled warmly back at her, "No problem. You deserve a real your week off too."
---
The next day Daniel walked into the mess after his meeting with Landry and immediately smiled. Even over the chatter of at least one fourth of the base he still could hear the unmistakable cadence of Vala’s voice. It was something that he had begun noticing about himself lately. This ability (or was it habit?) to pick out her presence in any room almost instinctively. How they had adopted the habit to always sit or stand next to each other, whether in a meeting or in casual setting. Even now as he headed over to the table that was currently occupied by Vala, Mitchell and Teal’c he could see the empty seat next to Vala. Mitchell and Teal’c sitting opposite her, as they usually did, lately just left that seat open. For him. Daniel tried not think about that anymore than he had too as he headed over.
“Hey there, Jackson,” Mitchell greeted as Daniel sat down.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Mitchell grinned, “Nothing much, trying to get Vala here to share her lunch. She got the last of the chicken wings.”
Daniel looked down to Vala’s tray and right there was a stack of drumsticks -- at least a dozen -- that were slowly being devoured by the woman in question.
“They look good.” Daniel offered as he took a sip of his coffee.
Mouth full, Vala sucked on a forefinger, “They are. Do you want some?”
“Hey!” Came from Mitchell, his frown firmly in place.
Vala swallowed presented him with a cheeky grin. Daniel shared an amused glance with Teal’c who continued eating his piece of cake in peace.
“Daniel hasn’t eat all day and you, dear Cameron, just finished eating you body weight in the turkey Sgt. Mack put out for lunch today.”
“Yeah, but you got the chicken wings. They’re so much better.” Mitchell pouted even more as Vala smacked his hand away.
“Your loss, Cameron. Maybe next time you’ll be quicker to lunch.”
“You came in after us!” Mitchell retorted.
Vala shrugged, picking up and waving one of the desired drumsticks in the air, “Well then maybe you should look into becoming better friends with the lunch staff.”
As Mitchell sputtered his disapproval Daniel reached over and grabbed the chicken wing out of Vala’s hand and took a bite. Vala was right he hadn’t eaten in while. And they were the best.
“Daniel!”
He only smiled, finished chewing, and smiled at the two pairs of eyes staring at him, one is betrayal, the other in amusement. “You’re right, Vala, they are good,” he said as Vala laughed brightly pushing the plate between them.
“Oh that’s cold, Jackson. Just cold.” Mitchell stood, still pouting and released a dramatic sigh. “Well if that’s how it’s going to be, I’m just going to head to the gym and get on working that turkey--which was also pretty awesome by the way you two--off. You joining me, big guy?”
Teal’c finished his last forkful of cake and looked between Daniel and Vala, a small twitch of his lips the only hint Daniel had as to the fact that he didn’t really care to go to the gym, but would so they could eat alone. Part of Daniel knew he could give and equally subtle hint to tell Teal’c it wasn’t necessary but he didn’t. Eating alone with Vala wasn’t something he avoided anymore.
As the other two stood and said their goodbyes Daniel turned to Vala, “You know if you really don’t want to share, I could get some lunch of my own. Sgt. Mack likes me too. I helped him pick out a gift for his partner last spring--history teacher.” He shared with Vala who for some reason was smiling at him.
“No need for that. The food was for you anyway. I already had lunch with Carolyn about an hour ago. Goading Cameron just proves to be too amusing to pass up and they were the last of the chicken wings,” she winked and leaned forward, pushing the plate of food towards Daniel, “Of course I’m always up for sharing.” Her eyes were practically twinkling as she said the words, her chin resting on her upturned arm.
Daniel felt the tone of her voice cause a reaction in his body. The shiver down his spine, the awareness of her body heat at his right side, the tightening in his stomach. It wasn’t an altogether unfamiliar feeling (in reaction to Vala especially) or an unpleasant one but one he instinct normally had him ignoring or rebuffing. Instinct, it seemed, had taken the day off.
He eyed the plate and placed it exactly between them. “I’ll share.” He looked up and met her eyes.
Vala sensed the change -- she normally did notice everything that went on around her -- he could tell the second she did. Even though they weren’t touching everything changed in the small corner of space they occupied. He could feel her body tensing as she looked at him. Looked in a way they avoided to look. Her eyes swept across his face and her posture changed. A change Daniel not many would notice as she didn’t move but everything about her now seemed charged. He wondered if he’s was doing something similar from the way she was looking at him.
There was a fractional leaning of her closer to him and the line of her mouth tensed before finally, after what seemed one of the longest second of his life, softening. Smiling.
Not one of her normal smiles either, but one he didn’t think he had ever witnessed before. (In that second it also became his favorite.)
“You know me, Daniel, I’ll never say no to free food.”
“The food’s already free, Vala.”
She leaned into his space even more, her hair brushing at his shoulder, “Yes, but I was thinking less of these and more of proper meal.” She paused, never fully turning to him but her eyes never left his, “Unless the offer to share was a single one time only occurrence offer specific to this moment.”
Daniel didn’t smile even though he wanted too. Her words while seemingly innocuous were anything but. They were a both a conformation and a way out. She was giving him either. They could take either and be fine with the result, Daniel understood this too well. Neither were weak people and the answer wouldn’t change them fundamentally. Yet he wanted to smile. He wanted to smile because he already knew. He had known the answer from the second she asked the question and truthfully he had known for a while.
“Vala,” he turned towards her, ignoring any idea of personal space. She sat straighter and he felt their legs knock together. He really wanted to smile. “Vala, it wasn’t. It wasn’t an offer specific to this moment.”
And now he did as he watched her face. The change from cool poker player caution to quick understanding to what Daniel could describe as maybe the most sexually charged looked of joy he’d ever seen on a person. Under the table he felt her twine their legs together while their upper bodies didn’t touch save the material of their clothes.
“Isn’t that wonderful news,” Vala said, reaching over and picking up a drumstick. He could the sharp jut of her knee poking at his inner thigh.
Daniel swallowed, but matched her smile, “Famous last words.” Then he witnessed just how much of her arsenal Vala had hidden away from as she ate that piece of chicken a way that he was sure illegal in most civilized parts of the galaxy.
Shifting in his seating, he gave into the impulse to touch her and in absentminded move he pushed a strand of hair away from her face, making sure that his fingers brushed the skin of her neck a little longer than needed. The way her head turned and her eyes narrowed filled him with smug pride. Then she licked her lips.
Thank god Landry had cleared her off-base for the upcoming week off*.
Then Daniel remembered the reason he came into the mess in first place, “Oh, right! I also wanted to ask you about helping me with the translation from PHX-081 that SG-12 brought back and some memo about the Ancient writing the Destiny has been sending back via the stones.”
Vala quirked an eyebrow and laughed, “That, Daniel, is what we call ruining the moment,” she shook her head and patted his arm, “but I guess I can let it go today as it’s only your first day properly flirting. We’ll work on it.”
Narrowing his eyes he glowered at her, narrowing them further when she patted his cheek. Standing up, he then leaned over casually enough and brought his lips to her ear, “Now, Vala, we both know I don’t need any work in that department.” Glancing around, for once, Daniel was glad that the base had become used to his and Vala’s tendency to dismiss personal space because not one person in the mess looked over to them at this moment. Handy, he thought, skimming the shell of Vala’s ear with his lip and a little teeth.
Immediately afterwards he straightened and headed out. Only Vala’s voice followed him, a little too loud and just this side of shocked.
“I think I’m really going to enjoy these turn of events, darling!”
Daniel turned at the door and waved back her, amused. “I’m sure!” She was still sitting in her chair and pulling the plate of chicken closer to her. He wasn’t surprised that in the end she managed to keep the food to herself.
fin.
*easter egg: They had a lot of sex that week off. A lot. Like possibly impossible amounts of sex. That’s another story though.