Series: Idioms - A series of stand-alone stories based off random idioms.
A/N: All definitions can be found in From the Horse's Mouth by John Ayto.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination.
Idiom: conspicuous by your absence: obviously not present or in a place where you should be.
Conspicuous Absence
Daniel felt strange, restless. He had a ton of work to do but couldn't seem to concentrate on any of it. Something was off and he couldn't put his finger on what. It was finally quiet at the SGC. No one was trying to destroy them, the klaxons were quiet, not even Walter's voice booming over the speakers about an "unscheduled off-world activation" could be heard. It was finally calm after all those years of fighting and Daniel could actually catch up on his translations without a thousand interruptions. So why the hell was he finding it so difficult to concentrate?
Throwing down his pen in frustration, he rubbed a hand over his face and reached for his coffee. He nearly spit it out when the cold, bitter liquid hit his tongue. How long had he been sitting here doing nothing? It was too damn quiet! That's what the problem was. But since when did the silence affect him so? He had his answer a few moments later as his door opened and closed in a rush.
"Hello, darling." Vala said with her ever-present mega-watt smile, setting down one of the two mugs of steaming coffee she was carrying. "Sorry I'm late. Got held up with Bill. He shocked himself again. When will that man ever learn..."
Daniel listened as Vala rambled on and on, a placid smiling creeping over his face. Picking up his new mug, he sighed as the first scent of perfectly brewed coffee penetrated his senses. Vala continued to talk as she settled on a stool and picked up a magazine to read. He knew he should tell her to get to work but didn't bother. He was already feeling calmed by her presence and didn't want to upset the balance she created. Nothing ever seemed right when she wasn't around. Grabbing his pen, Daniel only half listened to what she was actually saying, more in tune with the husky tone of her voice than the words. He could finally get to work now that the quiet was gone.
The End