Title: Candy Hearts and Flowers
Author:
virkatjolRating: PG
Summary: Vala wants to celebrate V-Day in style.
Disclaimer: Not Mine.
A/N: THis is for
dizzydame, happy Valentine's Day BB!! ILU. Also For
sg1_smooch.
"What do you mean it's just a commercialized holiday invented to sell more things to consumers?"
"I think that pretty much sums it up…" Daniel raises his eyebrow at her feeling like he laid it all out and wondering what part Vala missed.
She gives him a frown and slumps on her stool. Vala goes back to translating for a minute and then huffs. "But it still sounds amazing."
"Vala…" Why was she always like a dog with a bone? She never let things go. "Work?"
It's all over now, she set her pen down and pushes the slab into the center of the desk. "But… it just seems like a fun day. There's love and chocolate and happy couples and chocolate and cards and chocolate and flowers-"
"And chocolate?" Someday he's sure he's going to get brain damage from all the time he spends shaking his head. "Really, Vala, trying to get this done."
She just smiles and pops off her stool. "I"ll leave you too it then, Mr. Grinch."
"No, now that's someone who doesn't like Christmas." She just waves him off as she leaves.
*
Cam's sitting at his computer writing his report when Vala swings around the doorway. "Hey, Princess." Not looking up from the program. "What can I help you with?"
She saunters over and sits in the chair on the other side of his desk. "Why's Daniel so grumpy?"
"Jackson's got things on his mind. If you don't have anything to do with old, dusty things he's not interested." He looks up at her and smiles at the exasperated look on her face. "What's he done now?"
"Oh nothing…" She sighs and taps her finger on her leg.
Cam just waits knowing that she's here to talk and he probably won't have to wait long but pushing her never works. "Alright then."
"I just want to do something for the upcoming holiday…" She pouts at him which turns into a grin as he shakes his head.
"I didn't know that you were into history…" Teasing her, knowing she won't get it.
"History?"
Cam holds in the chuckle somehow. "Yeah, Presidents Day, that's the only upcoming holiday I know of…"
She gives him a look that says she's sure he's nuts. "No, Cameron, Valentine's Day."
"Ohhh… that one…"
"Yes, I think I want to celebrate, but everything I read about it seems to indicate it's one for two people." She leans forward and props her elbows on his desk looking up at him. "I'm only one person."
"Well, you've got enough spit and vinegar for two."
Hasn't got a clue what he's talking about. "I might, but that doesn't get someone to bring me out to dinner with flowers and chocolates."
"That what you want Princess? A dinner with flowers and chocolates?"
She's slowly nodding at him. "It would be a good place to begin."
Cam finishes his report and saves before sitting back in his leather chair and looking at her. "You wanna go get some food with me in a couple days?"
The smile on her face would probably light the room if it wasn't already flooded with fluorescents. Vala nods slowly not quite believing him. "Somewhere fancy?"
"Honey, I'm not sure where I can get us a reservation this late, but I'll do my best."
She jumps up and claps. "Thank you, Cameron." She runs out of the room and then races back. "What time?"
"I'll aim for six, but we'll see what I can do. It's three days away. Not really planning ahead for this thing."
"I'll be ready!" Starts mentally cataloging her closet and decides she needs to convince Sam to take her on a shopping trip.
*
The knock on her door surprises her even though he told her yesterday that he was picking her up at 6:30pm sharp. One glance at her clock says that it's exactly that.
"Just a second, Cameron." She powders her chin one last time and grabs her little jacket that goes with the pink dress she picked out.
When she opens the door he's standing there with a grin on his face, a bouquet of red roses and a heart shaped box of chocolates.
"Happy Valentines Day, Princess." He holds the gifts out to her, waits for her to put them up, water for the roses and the box onto her bed. "Ready for dinner?"
"Yes!" She takes his arm and lets him lead her out to his car.
*
"Where are we eating?" Her stomach grumbles, she hasn't eaten since lunch. "I'm famished."
Cam grins, "I can tell." But that's all he says wanting the rest to be a surprise.
"That's not an answer to my question." Vala bats her eyes at him and pouts hoping to ply it out of him.
"Uh-uh. Not telling, gotta have a little bit of surprise, it's good for you." Cam reaches across and taps her knee, it's soft and warm and he instantly regrets touching her. "I want it to feel like this was my idea, at least a little."
That makes her grin. "Alright, I love surprises."
*
He takes the back way not wanting her to try guessing if they drive down the main strip. It's all planned out, knowing that she's never been to a place like this and wanting to see her excitement.
"Almost there." He grins over at her, appreciating her outfit and realizing he hasn't commented. "You look gorgeous, Vala."
Her face hides in her shoulder and she smiles at him. "Oh this old thing?"
Cam laughs. "Didn't you just buy that?"
"Maybe, but I'm sure I'm not supposed to admit to buying clothes for a date."
"Ah, I see." Cam just grins and doesn't correct her calling it a "date".
He pulls into the parking lot for the Melting Pot and her mouth drops.
"Cameron, isn't this place expensive?"
A shrug of his shoulders and then he exits the car coming around to escort her in. A hand on her elbow the whole way in.
He gives his name and they lead them to a lovely table for two. "Hope this is alright?"
She's so busy looking around in awe that she doesn't hear him at first. "Oh, yes. This is perfect. Exactly like all the things I've seen on the movies." She grins over at him, concentrating on her date instead of the atmosphere.
"We're doing the courses. So I hope your hungry." Cam's already had it set up and the waiter comes by with the bottle of wine.
"Cameron, you know I can out eat everyone at the SGC. So no worries." Vala grins as the wine is poured and the first pot of fondue is set down. "What's in there?"
He stabs a piece of bread and dips it in. "Cheese, honey." He holds his hand under it and offers it to her.
Oh, does it look delicious, she leans foreword and takes the cheese covered bread. "Oh…" She moans as she chews. "So good." No more wasting time, she picks up her own spear and starts in on the fondue herself.
They talk about work, well what they can in public, and complain about rules - well she does. Cam just listens, realizing that most of the time now one really listens to her. Seeing how hard she tries to fit in, despite her natural instincts to run away, She babbles on and he replies, both of them happy, smiling, having fun.
The oil is produced not long after they finish the bread and an assortment of meats are provided. Shrimp, filet mignon, chicken… She tastes them all and he loves how expressive her face is when she finds something she likes.
"Are you enjoying this?"
She gives him a smirk, "Am i not acting like it?"
"Oh, no, you are." Cam shrugs, a little embarrassed that he wanted to hear it.
"Ahhh…" Vala knows men - their insecurities and needs. "I'm having a lovely time, Cameron."
"Good." He wipes his hand on his napkin and sits back, just watching her finish the middle course. "I wouldn't want to disappoint you on your Valentine's Day."
"You don't want anymore?" She gives him a minute to refuse before she stabs the last piece of filet mignon and cooks it up in the oil. Taps it off and brings it to her lips. "This is amazing."
"Just wait until the next course." There's a short time where the table is clear of a fondue pot and they're both content to digest and make small talk. He sips his wine and refills her glass, never wanting her to find the bottom. "You're a lot of fun, Vala."
"Don't sound so surprised." She gives him a look of mischief and then grins.
Cam shakes his head. "Naw, not really surprised, just… I don't know, happy that you're even this way not at work. That you're the same and yet, not."
"If it makes you feel better, you're fun too." Vala raises her glass to toast. "To fun dates, even when you're conned into it."
He clinks it, but keeps the glass raised. "To fun dates, even when I didn't have to be conned." She has the prettiest smile he's seen yet after that and leans forward, just a little, before touching his glass with hers.
They both drink, looking at each other over the rims. "Almost time for dessert."
"I do hope there is chocolate involved." It's like her request was heard because right at that moment a pot of melted chocolate is placed over the flame in front of them. Followed by strawberries, macaroons, marshmallows and pineapple. "Oh, this is like heaven, as you Earthlings say."
"It's as close as we can get, at least. " She goes to pick up a strawberry but he stops her. "Nope, not like that."
His fingers grip the stem and swirl the sweet berry around in the melted thick chocolate. He lets it drip for a moment before repeating his earlier action. Her lips brush his fingers as she bites down, moaning as the sugar meets her tongue. His stomach feels it too while she's eating it.
He's pointing to the side of his mouth and she's confused. His thumb comes over and swipes the smudge of chocolate off her lip. He brings it to his mouth and sucks the decadence off the pad of his thumb. "It is good." She just smiles and nods.
"More?" She's practically giddy as he pulls a piece of pineapple through the liquid chocolate and offers it to her. The sweet cuts the acid and the flavors mingle perfectly. "Oh, goodness, this is amazing…"
It is… He's not sure why he needed to be talked into this. Well, why he waited for her to initiate. Of course there was Jackson, but apparently that's a non issue. "I'll let you feed yourself now."
She gives him a pout and then picks up the marshmallow and gets a generous amount of chocolate on it. Her moans are making him wish he had done some more preparing for this date beforehand.
Cam digs in too, but mostly watches her enjoy. It's been hours by the time they're finished and Cam just hands the waiter his card not even looking at the bill first. He signs it and stands, offering his arm to her.
"Time to head back." Vala frowns. "What? Didn't have a good time?"
"Too great of a time, Cameron. How am I supposed to survive the SGC now?" She's overdramatic and it's making him look at her with a grin and a chuckle.
"Ah, I see. I see." Puts her coat over her shoulders and opens the car door when they arrive. "It's the mark of a successful date when the girl your with is heading back to a life of severe boredom and disappointment."
"Cameron, I do believe you're poking fun at me."
He grabs her hand and squeezes as they approach a stoplight. "Maybe, just a little."
*
She's visibly sad when he gets to her door. "I guess this is it…" He's surprised with how much he doesn't want the night to end either.
She shrugs and leans her forehead against her door. "There's still more."
He's taken back, sure he had everything covered. "There is?" The smile that crosses her face tells him that he's in serious trouble.
She pivots around and closes the small distance between them. "Yeah." Hands smooth down his suit coat on his broad shoulders. "Just one more thing."
The confusion that crosses his face makes her laugh. Cam's starting to look upset so she puts him out of his misery. Her body leans in, hands slide up around his neck and her lips find his. A nice, sweet kiss.
He's frozen for just a second before his hands circle her waist before traveling up her back and pulling her closer. He breaths her in, gentle kisses, nothing too deep. He feels like they're wading in the shallow end of a pool that's about to drop off, though. Cam keeps kissing her back for a minute, maybe two, before stepping back.
"Wow… Vala… I…" At a loss for words.
"Now that's a perfect end to a perfect Valentine's Day." The door clicks as she opens it. "Unless…"
"Unless?" He's not going to let himself think what he thinks she's offering.
"You don't want it to end yet either…"
Heaven help him. There's a split second that he thinks that he should say no, something he gives himself props for later. Cam's following her in and shutting the door unable to resist that grin, that mouth, that body. Unable to resist Vala.
The End