sg1 fic: five things that happened when vala met cassie (gen)
Title: Five Things That Happened When Vala Met Cassie
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Pairing: gen, Vala, Cassie, a little Sam
Rating: teen
Notes: For prehistoric_sea, in the purimgifts exchange. 990 words.
Summary: There's nothing like a first impression.
1. Meeting
The phone disappears back into Cassie's purse. "Sorry," she says. "One of my friends is spazzing over a paper that's due today. Like, I can't take her to the library and hand her the source texts, you know? I'm in freaking Colorado." She huffs in a disgruntled fashion, looks over at Vala, and says again, "Sorry."
"That's all right. Schooling can be difficult and tiresome. It certainly was the few times they managed to make me go."
Cassie smirks a little, and Vala smiles back nice and wide. They've only just met, she and Cassandra Fraiser, but already Vala thinks they are well on their way to an understanding. Still, best to really turn on the charm. Nothing like a first impression.
"Okay," Cassie says, looking away, "well, so I'll admit, I have no idea what to get Sam. She's so hard to buy for, she always has been. She likes math, and motorcycles, and floral prints! I mean, what do you do with that?"
Together, they survey the vast landscape of the mall spread out before them.
"Oh come on, it'll be easy." Vala tries another grin.
"You're one of those positive thinkers, huh?" Cassie says with what sounds like a hint of accusation.
"Of course," Vala shrugs, "after all, it can't be any harder than defeating the Ori."
2. Accessorising
Cassie doesn't get it.
They've been talking about Sam, mostly. A little about the guys, but Sam is their common ground.
"The hair is new," Cassie mentions. They've stopped at one of those stalls laid out with bracelets and little purses and things, all shiny beads and glitter.
"Yes, even though long hair is so impractical in the field. Apparently. So people keep telling me. I'm just so proud of her."
"She said it was time for a change. But, you know." Cassie pauses, shrugs. "It's still Sam."
"So," Vala says, "what I think you're trying to tell me is, not the sparkly butterflies." She puts down a set of pink barrettes.
"Hey, I would be all over them if we were buying for me." And she was twelve again.
Seriously, Cassie gets that this woman isn't from around here. She's on SG-1, so she must be okay, and Cassie's happy to do the bonding thing, make friends, whatever - it's fine, because it's for Sam. But still, she looks at Vala and she just doesn't quite get it. And is kind of too afraid to ask.
3. The Wienerschnitzel Hot Dog Incident
Which neither of them is ever going to mention to anyone.
"Sorry," Vala says. "Sorry everyone!"
Cassie grabs her by the wrist and tows her away. "Why don't we try sushi, instead?"
4. Talking About It
"You really are very human, aren't you?" Vala says.
Cassie glances sideways at her. "Well, yeah. So are you."
"No, not 'human'. I mean," she points emphatically downwards in what she feels is an explanatory manner, "human."
Cassie shrugs, adjusting the strap of her bag. She seems a little uncomfortable. Vala supposes this girl isn't used to being confronted with her alien-ness very often.
"Well, okay," Cassie says. "I guess I've been here longer. I was little when it happened."
"Right," Vala says. "Right. Well, I've only been here two years. And a bit. Or, well, less if you don't count those months I spent in another galaxy. Which I suppose we shouldn't. Really, I haven't been here long at all."
"So, is it freaking you out, the thought that you'll turn into one of them? Or are you more worried you'll always be the alien in the room," Cassie says, rather bluntly, Vala feels.
And then the strangest thing happens, because Vala finds she doesn't know the answer.
"I mean, me," Cassie continues, "I'm okay with it. But I don't ever really forget, either, that I'm not from around here."
"Well you're very good at hiding it. A real pro."
"Guess I had to be. And I had a lot of help."
She was only little, Vala thinks. Vala knows her story, of course, and Vala knows Nirtii - once knew her personally, actually. Vala knows there was a woman named Janet Fraiser, and she knows the look in the eyes of Sam, Daniel and Teal'c when they speak of her.
"We're lucky, aren't we," Vala says. "That they found us."
"Pretty much."
And that, she thinks, is quite enough of that. "So, what is your favourite thing about being human?"
"TV."
"Oh, good one. I was going to say 'participating in capitalism'."
"Yeah, that's good, too."
"I think I'm going to buy something and then never use it."
Cassie laughs, and together they turn into the nearest store, not even bothering to see what they're selling first.
5. Understanding
The little birthday-party-get-together-type-thing that is apparently taking place at her house today wasn't exactly Sam's idea. Cake in her lab Monday would have been fine with her. But Cassie's here to visit, and Vala had gotten involved, and now the guys are due to arrive soon with beer and food, and there are several... interesting looking packages on her coffee table.
Right next to the presents there is a chess board set up, her first two party guests seated on either side.
"So the domesticated equine - that's the one that moves diagonally?"
Cassie frowns. "Have you been playing with Teal'c?"
Vala shakes her head, looking innocent. Sam, watching from the couch, is about ninety-nine percent sure that Cassie is getting played.
When Vala gets up to see if the guys are here, Cassie turns to look at Sam. "You never taught her?"
"Not me." When it comes to games, Vala is usually already way ahead of the curve. "Okay, Cass, I have to ask, what's with the -?" She gestures vaguely at the side of her head.
"Oh, this?" Cassie twirls the end of a pigtail around her finger. She shrugs. "It's an alien thing."