A/N: This is set a few months after Season 10 Ends. Spoilers for Momento Mori and Unending. Some fun DV. Enjoy!
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Story: The Ultimate Prize
Ch. 1: Wild Goose Chase
Summary: Vala sends Daniel on a romantic hunt to find the ultimate prize. He realizes that his prize was right next to him the whole time.
Vala had been left behind. She was due for another physical and restricted to the base while the rest of SG1 went off-world. Two weeks alone was a lot of time to get into trouble. Daniel could only hope that she wouldn't do anything insane while he was away.
The familiar alarm sounded as the gate activated. She rushed into the gate room holding a small piece of paper. Mitchell and Teal'c entered first, followed by Sam and Daniel. Vala gave a quick nod to each of them, and handed the paper to Daniel. Winking at him, she said, "Don't open it until Dr. Lam has finished checking you." And with that, she skipped out of the gate room, a little too much bounce in her step in Daniel's paranoid opinion.
He did as he was told, though, curious to see what scheme she had cooked up this time. Still sitting on one of the infirmary beds, he pulled the folded paper out of his pocket. Inside, little hearts had been drawn around the edge like a border. Daniel smiled at the child-like decorations drawn by the space pirate. In the center, the text was written in neat handwriting. "Dearest Daniel, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to hunt for clues that will lead you to your ultimate prize. Begin by searching in this room for the glass that may hold the secrets of life."
He sighed in half-annoyance. There were plenty of ancient artifacts just begging to be translated. But something about Vala's little note intrigued him. Daniel did love puzzles, word puzzles especially. He decided to indulge her, if only for the moment. He thought more about the note's last line and began casually glancing around the room. Carolyn happened to be walking by with something clutched in her hand. She stepped over to a microscope and placed the glass slide in position to study a tissue sample. "Too easy," he said to himself.
He walked up beside her and found a box of empty slides next to the microscope. "You need something, Dr. Jackson?" Carolyn asked without looking up.
Daniel didn't bother to answer. He spied another slip of paper hidden underneath the slides. Dr. Lam chased him out after he made a mess of her supplies. Outside the infirmary, he opened up the next clue. "Success, dearest Daniel! Next you must hunt for the keys to all life's survival."
"Hmmm." Daniel didn't have the foggiest idea what she meant. His stomach grumbled. Looking down at it, he realized he hadn't eaten anything since before they had arrived on base. The proverbial lightbulb went on above his head. "The keys to life's survival. Food," he thought aloud. Only Vala, with her bottomless stomach, would make such a connection. He made his way toward the commissary.
It was buzzing with people, but no space pirate in sight. He fell in line for some early evening munchies. A cafeteria worker slapped his hand away before he could pick up a bowl of macaroni and cheese. The rather large woman wearing a dirty hairnet looked down at him sternly. "You gon' spoil your appetite, child."
Daniel stared at her blankly for a moment, then quipped, "That was my intention." She forcefully took away his empty tray and replaced it with a small slip of paper. She grumbled something about this not being in her job description as she walked away. "Huh," he grunted as he studied the paper.
"Fear not, for your appetite for adventure will soon be fulfilled!" Daniel shook his head in amusement. "Search for the place where all secrets are revealed to the guardians of life." It took him a minute to realize she meant the Briefing Room. Once there, he found another nondescript piece of paper resting on the table. "Find the clues to the past, present, and future." 'My office,' he thought. All of the artifacts and books there held countless histories and translations useful for today and tomorrow. Another note was on his desk. "Seek the old man with knowledge of a future already past but never written in stone."
"Teal'c," Daniel decided. She must have been referring to the 50 year experience on the Odyssey that no one but Teal'c remembered. He found his way to his quarters and knocked on the door. Inside, he heard some movement. "This is silly," he said to himself. "Why am I even on this wild goose chase anyway?" The door swung open to reveal a normally expressionless Jaffa with a rather large smile on his face.
"DanielJackson." He motioned for him to come in. Candles were lit all over the room, signaling the Jaffa's preparation for Kelnorim.
"Oh, sorry, Teal'c. I didn't mean to disturb you."
His friend held up a hand. "There is no need to worry. I have been expecting you. Your quest is near its end." Daniel's eyebrows went up and his brow furrowed in confusion.
"You're in on this?"
Teal'c didn't answer. He opened the closet door and pulled out a charcoal grey suit. "Put this on."
"What?"
"Put this on, DanielJackson," he said with a more commanding voice. His tone told Daniel to do as he was told, or else.
The confused archaeologist stepped behind a screen and changed. The suit fit him surprisingly well, altough he never remembered owning anything so nice. His other suits didn't seem to compare. "Where did you get this from?" Teal'c held up another hand to silence him.
"You will find the final clue in your vest pocket." It didn't take long for Daniel to pull out another note. Teal'c kicked him out of the room before he could read it.
"Your prize awaits you at the top of a mountain," it said simply.
"What are you up to, Vala Mal Doran?" Daniel asked as he headed for an elevator. He was a little more than intrigued by now. When the ride ended, the doors slid open to reveal a most stunning sight. A small smile crept across his face.
"Hello, darling," a sultry voice greeted him. Vala stood there in a fitting black halter dress, with a neckline so low it left little to the imagination. She held out a hand to him, leading him away from the elevator. "Congratulations on completing your quest."
"I take it you're my prize," he said with a chuckle.
"My, Dr. Jackson, you are a genius." She smiled flirtatiously at him.
It just felt right to take her hand and pull it gently to his mouth for a small kiss. When he did so, she grinned with delight. She took his hand and began leading him through the parking lot toward the exit. "Is there some special occasion that I didn't know about?"
She stopped right in her tracks, with Daniel almost bumping into her. He could be so dense. "You promised me another date to make up for the last one that was so rudely interrupted." Daniel was about to argue about that night not being a real date, but then thought against it. "Since you've been too busy - or too lazy - to plan it, I took it upon myself to use my free time wisely." She tugged on his hand again, bringing them to within view of the outside world. "Ah, there it is."
Daniel's mouth hung open. A limo was parked near the entrance. Its driver was leaning against the car, reading a newspaper. As soon as he saw them, the driver jumped up to greet them and help them into the limosuine. Inside, Daniel looked around in amazement. "Vala, where did you get the money for this? Or this?" He gestured down to his stylish suit. "Or do I not want to know?" he asked suspiciously.
She scoffed at him. "Darling, what do you think of me? I do get a regular paycheck, too, you know."
"Oh."
"Besides, you're paying for dinner."
"Dinner? What dinner?"
"At the Chatteau Blanc, of course."
"The Chatteau... What?! That's the most expensive restaurant in town!" The driver raised an eyebrow through his rearview mirror. Vala pressed a button to close the divider between him and the rest of the car.
"Is it? Well, then that's even better." She laughed inwardly as he squirmed in his own skin at the thought of all the money he would have to pay. Vala secretly knew that it was the most expensive restaurant. That's why she picked it.
"Better? Better! How is it better?" he demanded.
"Doesn't hurt to start out with the best of the best, darling. This is our first 'real' date, you know. When you take me on another one, it will be less expensive." Daniel marveled at her logic. She really wasn't kidding.
The limo stopped and the driver stepped out to open the door for them. Bright lights invaded the car, inviting them out into the fresh air. The night was warm, but comfortable. Once out, Vala tipped the driver and sent him on his way. She and Daniel made their way into the very fancy restaurant.
The host at the door called Vala by name. "Ah, madamoiselle, so this is the fellow you have been raving about, eh?" he asked in a fake French accent. Vala simply smiled in response and let the host lead them to their table. "I reserved this one especially for you, Ms. Mal Doran. By the window and in a private corner, just as you requested. I hope it is to your liking."
"Yes, it is. Thank you, Jacque." The host pushed in Vala's chair for her as Daniel sat down. Another server came to greet them and serve them wine.
Daniel stared at his dinner date. He didn't know whether to thank her or to hurt her for this. While she had very romantically brought him to a beautiful restaurant, he was also responsible for footing the bill. As if she read his mind, she responded, "Oh, Daniel, don't worry. I was just kidding in the car. You don't have to pay. I've already taken care of that."
He made an inward sigh of relief. "So does this mean you're paying everytime we go out?" he tried to joke. "Er, uh, not that we're going out again, mind you. I mean, we could, but I don't know how often it would be, you know because..." he babbled. Vala giggled. "What? What's so funny?"
"Nothing, it's just that you're so cute when you get flustered." She leaned her elbows on the table and let her chin rest on her folded hands. Vala looked at him endearingly.
Daniel sighed, outwardly, this time. It had been a long time since he'd been out with a beautiful woman in this way. In fact, he couldn't even remember his last date, not counting the non-date he and Vala were supposed to have before she was kidnapped. They ordered dinner and it was served promptly. A violinist even appeared to play briefly for them. For Daniel, it felt as if the restaurant only existed for them.
A full belly and a bottle of wine later, he more than appreciated the vixen-turned-lady across from him. She had gone to such lengths to plan this night for them. It had all been so romantic. Would she have done this for anyone else? Something in her eyes told him "no." If he had asked, Vala would have told him that her every waking thought was spent on him while he was away. Instead, Daniel excused himself and disappeared for a few moments. She assumed he was in the washroom.
Like a gentlemen should, he returned to help her out of her seat. Kissing her hand again, he smiled. Vala lost herself in his ocean blue eyes. Outside, a taxi was waiting to take them back to what Vala assumed was the SGC. While the taxi was no limo, she didn't mind. She knew her dream date with the dashing Dr. Jackson was now over.
He let her head rest on his shoulder as they drove. She was hardly paying attention to the road until the taxi stopped. When she looked up, they didn't find themselves at the mouth to a very large cave. Rather, they were in the driveway of some apartment building. A look of surprise crossed her face. She had never seen this place before. Daniel helped her up and into the building.
"Daniel, where are we?" He simply smiled cryptically as he led her down a hall to a door. He fished into his pockets and pulled out a key. Her eyes went wide.
"I've been watching enough of your television to know that you..." she poked him with her finger, "have just taken me home." A knowing look crossed Daniel's face. All too quickly, he opened the door, pulled her inside and pushed her against the door as he closed it. His mouth trapped hers instantly. Vala melted in his arms.
Minutes later, Daniel came up for air. He leaned his forehead against hers as he caught his breath. She kept her eyes closed, as if afraid that she would wake up from this wonderful dream.
"Vala," he whispered between breaths, "no one has ever done this for me before." She nodded silently. He allowed a comfortable silence to pass between them before continuing. "I could never be sure of what your intentions were... before tonight." She opened her eyes to look at him. His hand crept up the side of her face and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "But now I know... you're not messing with me anymore." She smiled in response and kissed him hungrily.
Mouths still lip-locked, he led her toward his bedroom, all the while stripping her of her clothes while she did the same for him. He had no idea her skin would feel so good against his. He smoothed his hands over her back and shoulders as he gently kissed her neck. Vala wrapped her right hand around his neck while the other explored his chest and abs.
He laid her down on the bed and began what would be a very long night. It was slow and passionate. This was hardly the night that Daniel would expect from this former sex goddess, but it was satisfying nonetheless. Daniel made her feel like a queen. She didn't need a snake in her head to get this kind of sensual treatment from him. Qetesh's former slaves could never compare.
Hours passed before either of them was completely finished. Vala nestled her head into the side of his chest. Their legs tangled beneath a thin sheet. She sighed in satisfaction as she drifted into sleep.
"Vala?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I ask you something?" Daniel whispered.
"Hmm."
"If you really did like me all this time, why did you have to exasperate me so much?"
He felt her mouth form a smile against his chest. "Like I said," she said sleepily, "you're just too cute when you're flustered." Her arm shifted. "Besides," she continued, "having that little bit of control is what kept you interested."
"Huh." He said no more. 'Control, huh? Well two can play that game.' A small plan began to play out in his mind. Now that he knew how much she really wanted him, the tables would turn. If a little Vala was going to rub off on him, it would definitely be this.
000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
TBC... Next time: It's Daniel's turn to have a little fun... at Vala's expense.