Author's Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.

This is very AU and may be a bit confusing at first but this is just the setup and the actual explanation and then story will happen in later parts. (When I get round to writing them.)

To Mara Jade, Jedi: I promise Teal'c will make an appearance but it will be a few chapters in.


Sha're squinted in the sunlight as she stepped out of the jeep at the dig site. She glanced over her shoulder to where the rest of her party were standing. All of them were students and much younger than herself, the guys had spent most of their time checking out the girls who in turn had giggled most of the way there giving Sha're part of the headache she had.

"Okay guys," the man who had brought them shouted, "Follow me, we'll get you assigned to your tents and then I'll tell you what you'll be doing."

Sha're followed on feeling at home here, it was so like Abydos. Thinking back to her home planet she sighed, her mother would be buried there. Sha're wrenched her mind away from that thought not wanting to wallow in her misery, she'd left to get away from all that.

"Sha're," their guide said to her, "You'll be sharing a tent with one of the actual archaeologists. Since you're not a student and I'm sure they're bugging you quite a bit already."

"Thank you," she nodded before following him.

x

Daniel walked through the campsite to use the phone needing to talk to Robert about a few things concerning the dig. The new students were grating on his nerves and it occurred to him once again that he might not be cut out to lead these things. As he entered the communications tent he saw an unknown woman was already there talking quietly over the phone. She had to have arrived with the recent batch of students but didn't look like one of them. Daniel found himself studying her. She had tightly curled long jet black hair that was swept back revealing her flawless golden skin, fine features and though from the angle he was standing at he couldn't quite see her eyes he could see they were framed by long dark lashes.

As she finished speaking on the phone Daniel was shocked to see her start to cry.

"Are you alright?" Daniel let her know he was there.

She jerked round to him shocked to find she wasn't alone, her large brown eyes were overflowing with tears, "I…"

Daniel frowned hearing the mating call aka giggles of the students and placed his arm around her shoulders moving her out of the tent and away from them. His own tent was closest so he took her inside and sat her down.

"Here," Daniel handed her some water, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "Thank you," she finally found her voice.

"No problem," Daniel smiled at her, "I thought you'd rather not have the kids getting on your case."

"No," she sighed, "I am sorry, who are you?"

He grinned, "Dr Daniel Jackson."

"You are in charge of the dig," she recognised the name immediately.

He nodded, "And you are?"

"Sha're Littlefield," she replied quietly, taking a few deep breaths trying to make sure she didn't start crying again.

Daniel looked amused, "That's an unusual combination."

Sha're gave a half-laugh, "It is."

"Do you mind me asking what was wrong?" Daniel looked concerned for her.

"My mother," Sha're said very quietly, "She…she died a few days ago."

"I'm sorry," Daniel sympathised.

"I…I couldn't stay were I was," Sha're explained, "It is exceedingly hard to explain but I had to leave. I was calling my family to let them know I was safe, it was just a hard thing to do."

"I didn't think you'd want to be around the students while you were upset," Daniel said to her, "The rumour mill around here is awful."

"Are you not concerned having me in here?" Sha're asked him.

Daniel grinned, "Not at all," he handed her a piece of paper, "S. Littlefield, you're my new assistant."

Sha're smiled back at him, "Why? I am not exactly…"

"You're not a student," he explained, "You're also apparently very qualified even without degrees."

"I am," Sha're shrugged before she tried to stifle a yawn, "I should probably go."

"Do you want me to walk you back to your tent?" Daniel asked.

"No, I'll be fine," she started to leave and turned back to him, "Thank you Dr Jackson."

He grimaced at being called by his title, "It's Daniel."

"Dan'iel," Sha're gave him one more smile before she left.

Daniel watched her walk across the camp unable to move his eyes from her retreating form; work was looking up.


Sha're was beginning to enjoy her work. Although it was not as exciting as the SGC and all the things she worked on back then she found that she was happy. Daniel was the most amazing part of this place.

He was incredibly intelligent, his mind seemed to spark constantly with brilliant ideas seeing things no one else could yet despite being in charge he was sweet and kind. Sha're found that she was falling for him more every day.

As his assistant it wasn't uncommon for them to spend most of the day together and then eat together. They usually had dinner in his tent where they could continue working without disruption though most nights by the time they'd finished eating they were telling each other about their own lives.

"How are you doing?" Daniel appeared beside her as she worked.

Sha're couldn't stop the smile that covered her face at Daniel standing there, "I've almost finished."

"Good," he grinned, "Are you hungry? Cause I've made an attempt at actually cooking."

"That sounds ominous," Sha're laughed, "But I'll take my chances."

x

"So?" Daniel asked as she finished eating.

"I'm not writhing around in agony," Sha're smiled at him teasingly, "It was delicious Dan'iel."

His smile in return was slightly shy, "I don't get the chance to cook very often."

"Well you can cook for me whenever you want," Sha're told him a slight blush colouring her cheeks.

"There's an offer I can't refuse," Daniel replied smiling brightly.

Sha're stood up suddenly, "I should go; it's getting late."

"Of course," Daniel shrugged, "We both have to be up early."

Sha're leaned up to kiss his cheek but Daniel turned and kissed her properly. Sha're although slightly shocked at first wrapped her arms around him holding onto him tightly.

When they parted Sha're smiled softly, "Goodnight Dan'iel," she whispered before leaving.


Daniel slid his arms around Sha're's waist pulling her closer feeling the heat of her body through the cotton blouse she wore as they lay on his bed kissing after dinner. Over the past few months they'd ate together every night and grew even closer.

"Dan'iel," Sha're murmured, "It's getting late, I should go."

"Do you have to?" he gave her a mock pout.

Sha're laughed as she kissed him once more, "I'll see you in the morning."

"Before you go," Daniel said, "I wanted to talk to you."

"About?"

"I have to go to Vegas in a few days to talk to Robert about some things for the dig," he reminded her, "I was hoping you'd come with me."

"Are you sure I should come with you?" Sha're asked unsure how it would be perceived.

"Sha're everyone knows we're seeing each other," Daniel reminded her, "Besides you're my assistant and you keep me on schedule. I need you."

"Then I'll come," Sha're gave him one more quick kiss before she straightened her clothes and headed back to her own tent.

Daniel smiled to himself as she left, he wished that she would stay the night with him but he understood why she didn't. He did have an ulterior motive for inviting her to go with him, ever since he'd heard Robert wanted to meet him in Vegas where Robert was now teaching Daniel knew what to do. Closing his eyes to sleep Sha're drifted into his mind and he fell asleep dreaming about the woman he was in love with.


"Do you need me?" Sha're asked Daniel as they finished their meeting.

"Always," he teased.

"I mean for anything else this afternoon," she frowned at him.

"No," Daniel smiled, "That's all the meetings for today."

Sha're smiled back before stretching, "Then I'm going to have a long bubble bath."

"You know I won't be able to focus on what I'm talking to Robert about now, don't you?" Daniel teased.

Sha're gave him a quick kiss, "Come and get me for dinner."

"Sha're," Daniel called after her.

"Yes?" she turned back finding herself wrapped in his arms as Daniel kissed her intensely.

"Just that," he grinned, "See you later."

x

Daniel stood looking at the rings in front of him.

"I can't believe you're doing this," Robert told him, "I mean you met her less than six months ago. You've been a couple for less than two."

"I feel like I've known her forever," Daniel replied, "Robert, this just feels like the right thing to do. I love her and I don't want to lose her."

"Well, I hope she says yes," Robert shrugged, "Have you chosen a ring yet?"

"Yeah," Daniel nodded, he pointed out the small, modest gold ring with a tear shaped diamond in its centre.

"Nice," Robert whistled.

"It is," Daniel murmured before panic covered his face, "What if she says no?"

Robert shrugged, "You'll have to live with it."

x

Daniel couldn't stop pacing waiting until it was time to go collect Sha're for dinner. He planned to ask her after dessert but wasn't sure if he could wait that long. When Sha're opened the door to him Daniel felt his mouth go dry seeing her in a long figure hugging red dress with her hair straightened hanging loosely around her shoulders.

"You look absolutely beautiful," he finally managed to say.

Sha're smiled taking the arm he offered her. As they walked to the restaurant Sha're worried how quiet he was being, something that rarely happened to Daniel.

Daniel wasn't sure how he made it through the meal but finally it was over and they sat together finishing their wine.

"Sha're," Daniel said gaining her attention, "I know I said I wanted you here to work but that wasn't entirely true. I know we've only been together a very short time but I have fallen deeply in love with you."

"I love you too," Sha're told him.

"Good," he breathed, "That's really, really good. Okay," Daniel took a deep breath, "I have never been as happy as I am when I'm around you and I want to make sure that you'll always be there."

"Dan'iel?" Sha're looked confused but was even more shocked when he went down on one knee in front of her.

"I have thought a lot about this," Daniel produced the small box revealing the ring to her, "Will you marry me?"

Sha're stared at him for a few moments unable to find the words she was looking for finally she nodded mutely.

"You will?" Daniel asked amazed.

"Yes Dan'iel," she breathed, "I'll marry you."

Daniel pulled her into a tight embrace kissing her several times before releasing her long enough to slip the ring onto her finger.

"Dan'iel," Sha're murmured as he held her close, "When shall we marry?"

"If I thought you'd agree to it I'd say now," Daniel told her.

"Alright," she smiled.

"What?"

"Why wait," Sha're shrugged enjoying the look of amazement on his face, "Let's get married tonight."

"Are you serious?" he asked.

"Of course I am," Sha're smiled at his stunned look; "We could end up waiting for a long time if we don't take the chance now. I fell in love with you the day we met when you were so considerate for my feelings and I don't want to lose the chance."

Daniel held her tightly, "I never imagined I'd meet anyone like you but now I have you're not getting away from me."

"Then we should go," Sha're told him, "Let's go get married."

x

Daniel smiled as he woke up to find his new wife fast asleep in his arms. They'd got married and then booked into the honeymoon suite of the hotel where they had spent most of the night making love.

Sha're shifted in her sleep curling into him, "Dan'iel," she breathed in her slumber.

Daniel gently stroked her back as he watched her, "I love you."

"Love you," she sighed her body melting against his.

"Stop pretending to sleep," Daniel laughed.

Sha're opened her eyes and smiled, "And risk having to move?"

"I love you," Daniel whispered kissing her again.

Sha're pulled him closer to her, "And I'm never letting you go."


The moonlight was the only illumination as they lay together in their tent, a week had passed since they married and although quite a few people on the dig were shocked everyone seemed exceedingly happy for them.

"Why did you take over the dig when you hate doing things like this?" Sha're asked.

"Honestly, for the money," Daniel replied.

Sha're turned in his arms to look into his eyes, "Money?"

"Yeah," Daniel told her," I have these theories that I know are going to be unpopular when I present them, my articles already proved that, so I thought it would be a good idea to get some money together for when I get kicked out of academia."

"They can't be that…" she paused as she tried to think of a way to put it.

"They are," Daniel grinned, "But I know I'm right."

"How much longer will you wait?" Sha're asked.

"A little longer now," he smiled, "Since I bought a few trinkets."

Sha're smiled stretching out her hand to admire her rings, "These trinkets?"

Daniel laughed entwining his fingers with hers, "That would be them."

"But we also have my savings," Sha're reminded him.

"Sha're I can't…"

She cut him off with a kiss, "What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine. We are married Dan'iel and that means we share everything."

"Even the rotten fruit they'll throw at me?"

Sha're laughed, "We can make wine."

"What did I do to deserve you?" Daniel asked tracing a finger along her cheek.

Sha're slid her arms around his neck sliding onto him, "I know one thing you do extremely well that I enjoy."

Daniel laughed as she kissed him before she rested in his arms again.

"Tell me your theories," Sha're told him.

As he spoke horror and amazement filled her, he had worked it all out.

"Well?" Daniel asked when he'd finished.

"We may need more money," she managed to say teasingly before she kissed him again, "Go to sleep Dan'iel."

x

Sha're sat cross-legged on the bed in their tent going over papers for this dig. They'd moved to a new site last month and Daniel was running ragged trying to get things sorted the way he liked. They'd been married for almost six months now and she still felt as blissful as she had the day they'd wed. She grimaced as the nausea that had plagued her all day resurfaced. Putting down her work she pulled on her hat and walked towards the supply tent to get some more crackers, they were the only things that seemed to help. She hadn't told Daniel she was feeling unwell, he was run off his feet and adding that to his worries was something she didn't want to do.

"Sha're," he came running over to her bouncing like a puppy, "You have to see this."

"What is it?" Sha're was intrigued at his enthusiasm.

"It might be proof," Daniel told her.

Sha're winced slightly. When Daniel had explained his theories she'd had to bite her tongue to stop herself revealing the existence of the SGC and the fact he was right, now if he had found proof she may have to let the others know about it and she didn't want to take anything away from her husband. Daniel didn't notice her grimace as he grabbed her hand pulling her along with him. He took her deep into the site and showed her the room he'd found.

"Isn't this incredible?" he asked delight filling his eyes.

"Yes," Sha're agreed softly, frowning as she looked upon a ring platform and several hand devices, "Incredible."

As he explored some more Sha're felt a chill run down her spine, she'd have to let them know about this which meant they'd find her too.

"Damn," she muttered.