Sam had crawled into the tent she shared with Vala leaving the rest of the team sitting around the campfire. Grabbing the bag of chocolate covered pretzels out of her pack she headed back to the group. She'd shoved the bag into her pack while Vala put her hairdryer in her pack. Daniel's perfunctory, but still animated, objections to Vala covered Sam's packing of her own non-regulation gear, or in this case treat. It was their last night on the planet; they'd finished the naquadah trade negotiations with the locals that afternoon. But their new trading partners wanted SG-1 to take part in a traditional celebration and farewell meal that would take place the next morning. Daniel described it as a sort of Sunday brunch at which point Mitchell and Vala began comparing their brunch wish lists both of them starting with Mimosas. They'd been eating nothing but MREs for over a week.

"Chocolate chip pancakes!"

"I see your pancakes and raise you my mother's biscuits and gravy"

"Is that a kind of pie? I love your mother's pies. Daniel, are there brunch pies?"

"Vala Mal Duran I think they are called quiche and are not real pies."

"T, have you eaten these kee shahs? What's inside of them?"

"Eggs and cheese. Meats are sometimes added. There are many types…"

"Hold it right there big guy. Real men don't eat quiche!"

Sam looked over at her team sitting around the campfire. Occasionally a quiet laugh or a giggle would carry through the darkness. Still inside the tent Sam stopped to watch her friends as she sat crossed legged at the unzipped door of the tent. Sam smiled thinking that she probably looked like a meditating mini Teal'c.

Mitchell was sprawled out on his sleeping lying on his side with his head propped up by his arm so he could see everyone's face as they spoke. Teal'c sat on the other side of the fire Indian style with his legs crossed at the ankles mirroring Sam. Vala sat on a large rock next to Teal'c. He'd rolled it over to the fire for her to use. Daniel was on the other side of Teal'c sitting on a large tree branch Daniel'd pulled out of the woods. Sam had laid a small tarp on the ground in front of Vala and been sitting there leaning back against Vala's rock when she decided to fetch the pretzels.

Everyone looked relaxed and comfortable with each other. Sam knew that as soon as she returned to the circle she'd feel the same comfort. They had always felt like a close family but since their return from the Odyssey, about three months ago, the group had changed. Sam attributed it to Teal'c. No one talked about it but everyone felt the subtle changes in the dynamic of their small part of the SGC family. Sam, Mitchell, Vala, Daniel and Landry abided by an unspoken agreement not to openly discuss how Teal'c's relationship with each one of them had deepened.

None of the rest of the team had experienced their "lives" on the ship but for Teal'c it had been the actual last fifty years of his life. After two weeks Vala had stopped pressing Teal'c to divulge what had happened during those years. Years that hadn't really happened to them. Sam knew any changes in their lives now were not a result of memories that didn't exist. The changes in their relationships were a result of Teal'c's behavior; he was simply continuing ongoing relationships. The members of the team were picking up on his feelings. He expected SG-1 to continue to act like his lifelong friends. They had followed his lead, whether consciously or not. After fifty years Teal'c knew all of them so well, he knew their histories, what they feared and what gave them joy. Landry had become closer to SG-1. Teal'c welcomed him to their family and it soon felt completely natural to everyone. Teal'c had gotten him to talk about his daughter and his deep regret that they were estranged; he'd invited Dr. Lam to join them for a meal in the Commissary from time to time. It had been easier for Dr. Lam and Landry to start to talk as part of a group instead of General to Doctor or father to daughter

Sam could hear Vala asking Mitchell what else "real men" didn't eat or do. As he explained, Vala compared Daniel, item by item, questioning if he was or wasn't a "real man" and making suggestions as to how she could rectify the situation. The two of them were like a stand-up comedy routine. As she started to laugh Sam noticed that Daniel was laughing too. That had started now that Teal'c laughed at Vala's jokes and teasing. The first few times Daniel gave Teal'c a questioning stare. Then it was as if Teal'c's reaction freed Daniel so he was able to really listen to what she was saying rather than react to what he assumed were inappropriate sexual innuendos and personal attacks. This led to Daniel laughing at most of Vala's comments and saucy questions. This, in turn, resulted in an increase in jokes and a decrease in provocative vulgarities. Another result was what Jack called the "Mitchell and Vala Show". They seemed to feed off each other and helped lighten the mood when most needed.

Sam felt drawn to the group regretting that she was missing the fun but unwilling to give up the warm feeling she felt sitting quietly observing her family. Soon one of them would notice her absence and she'd rejoin her team bringing with her the chocolate offering she'd hidden in her pack. Vala would complain that now she'd have to share, insisting that the right thing to have done would have been for Sam to save them for later consumption in the tent where there would be a lot less competition for what she declared was her "favorite".

Daniel frowned at Vala. "I thought the chocolate covered cherries I gave you last week were your 'favorite'?" Putting air quotes around the word favorite.

"What about Mom's butterscotch brownies?"

"Vala Mal Duran does this mean you were dissembling when you expressed your admiration for the Jaffe legume cakes that I brought to you from Chulak?"

"That one I have to confess was a bold-faced lie. I'm sorry Teal'c."

"Actually, Vala that restores my confidence in your usually most discriminating taste. I myself find them tolerable at best. Even those baked by my mother."

They all laughed at Teal'c's attempt to keep a straight face. Sam noted that not only had Teal'c made a joke but he'd called Vala just Vala. More and more frequently he slipped and called each of them by their first names. A few weeks ago he'd called the General Hank.

In front of the campfire and now back in the fold Sam continued to think about Teal'c and the changes he'd brought about. She knew he would never try to manipulate the present in order to recreate life on the Odyssey, but it would be difficult for him to keep constant watch on what he said or did. When he made reference to an event in Mitchell's childhood did he know about it from before or after? The same thing when he spoke to Sam about a book she'd read in college that had had an impact on her life, or any number of similar things. So far he'd been able to self-censor any references to actual events on the Odyssey. But separating shared thoughts and feelings resulting from their long friendships from what they'd felt before the Odyssey was too difficult. She'd been feeling guilty that they benefitted from his memories while he gained nothing. But lately she'd been watching Teal'c very closely and felt that their new, to them, relationship and emotional involvement made him happy. Teal'c didn't want to recreate life on the Odyssey. He was content with once again developing their close ties.

Sam had made what she considered intelligent guesses about the potential life outcomes of some of her friends. In particular Daniel and Vala. They still argued but now they also joked with each other. Vala had started to help Daniel with his work and it was a successful pairing. She was a quick study and often took a creative approach to a problem, an approach that often helped Daniel solve a problem or provided insight into the workings of a culture or a difficult translation. They had progressed beyond teacher and student and depending on the project Daniel was as likely to function as Vala's assistant as the other way round. Mitchell began to say "The student has surpassed the master. Well done, Grasshopper" whenever he saw Vala giving Daniel orders in the field or in what was now "their" lab. Trying to be subtle Sam would watch Teal'c as he watched the two of them, Teal'c might look as if he might smile but he never did. Until the day when he caught Daniel looking at Vala with could only be described as deep affection. Sam was watching closely and saw Teal'c smile.

Before attempting to sound out Daniel, Sam wanted to discover if Vala loved Daniel and, if so, how much she loved Daniel. Sam'd observed Vala's heartfelt glances at Daniel when she thought no one was watching. Teal'c seemed to ignore Vala's behavior as if it was normal; Daniel's reactions were what appeared to intrigue him.

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Late one night, the two women were alone in the locker room. They'd returned in the middle of the night to an eerily quiet and almost empty SGC. Unaware, as they often were, that in the 'real world' it was a holiday and the Mountain was running with a skeleton crew.

"Vala. What's up with you and Daniel?"

"Whatcha mean Sam?" Bent over at the waist brushing her long dark hair towards the floor Vala looked up at Sam.

"You seem to be spending a lot of time together."

"Just work Sam. You know Daniel, all work all the time. It never ends" She gave Sam a nervous smile.

"Just wondering, sometimes it seems like it's a lot more than just work."

"We're friends, Sam. Really good friends."

"Sometimes it seems like it's more than friends."

Vala muttered under her breath barely loud enough for Sam to hear. "I should be so lucky!" Standing up Vala pulled a pink hair scrunchy off her wrist and gathered her hair in a loose ponytail. Looking at Sam she gave her a wide Cheshire cat grin.

Sam put her hands on Vala's shoulders and pushed her gently down on the bench. "I'm serious Vala. Do you love Daniel?"

"Well, it depends on what day it is."

Sam had a sinking feeling in her stomach. This could be very bad if she was right about how Daniel felt. He didn't deserve to have his heart broken again, she wasn't sure if he would be able to recover again.

"Depends on what day? What the hell does that mean?"

"I think you earthlings have a saying. I lovehim twice as muchasyesterdaybut only half asmuchas tomorrow. Which is really bad. Sometimes I think it was easier when we didn't get along so well. I could lie in bed and cry when he ignored me or was mean to me or misjudged me. But now I get to cry because he likes me but he doesn't love me." She looked Sam directly in her eyes. "Pretty pathetic, huh?"

Sam forced herself to look sympathetic while inside she was thrilled at how miserable Vala felt. It boded well for Daniel. "I don't know. I've seen worse."

"Sam, do you think I should try to 'move on'? It's not like I have anything to offer Daniel."

"Don't say that. You have a lot to offer him, or any man for that matter."

Vala smiled and put her hand against Sam's cheek. "That's so sweet. I appreciate what you're doing, but it's not necessary. I'm a pragmatic type of girl and self-delusion is not one of my many faults."

"Vala look at how much you help him with his work."

"I could be replaced by any of the other archeologists in SGC. There are dozens of young, bright, pretty little things with PhDs and high moral character who would kill to take my place. And it wouldn't take long before Daniel would have trouble remembering me."

"I don't think you're being fair to Daniel or yourself."

"How do you say it? We'll just have to agree to disagree." Vala jumped up and took Sam by the hand pulling her towards the door.

"Come on Sam. We need food and the guys aren't going to wait for us."

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It was a Tuesday morning around 9:30. Teal'c, Sam and General Landry were sitting at 'their' table in the Commissary. On the days that SG-1 weren't off-world they appeared to have established a standing appointment for a sort of group coffee break. Without any formal arrangement the team, plus Landry and recently Dr. Lam, found themselves meeting in the Commissary most mornings.

Dr. Lam walked in with Daniel they got their coffee, came over and joined the rest of SG-1. A minute later Mitchell showed up. Sam noticed there was something wrong with Daniel; he was fidgeting and kept looking over at the empty chair next to Teal'c. Then Mitchell provided an explanation.

"Jackson, where's Vala? I always thought she had to drag you here, don't tell me that the dragging was the other way round."

Sam watched Daniel lie; she'd seen him do it many times off world, a necessary skill when negotiating.

With a fake confused look Daniel answered Mitchell. "Oh, isn't she here yet? I hadn't noticed. I think she's working with SG-13 on a Goa'uld translation."

Unable to contain herself Sam asked. "Isn't SG-13 the team with that gorgeous Dr. Ridge?"

"The one they call McYummy?"

Carolyn Lam almost choked and Mitchell looked horrified.

"Teal'c! When did you start watching Grey's Anatomy?"

"I am quite interested in medicine and enjoy all of the shows dealing with forensic science and other medical themes."

"Yeah, I get CSI. But Grey's Anatomy?"

"I find it vastly entertaining and relaxing."

"Carolyn, explain to him how unrealistic it is, how it's an insult to everyone in the medical professions, how it gives doctors and hospitals a bad name." When she didn't respond but simply stared at him he pleaded. "Come on, Doc. Don't you have any concern for your good name?"

Landry looked back and forth between Mitchell and his daughter as if waiting for a train wreck to happen.

Carolyn had a look on her face as if Mitchell was clinically insane. "Geesh Cam, chill. It's a frelling television show, one that happens to have a lot of really sexy actors playing doctors. How authentic do you want it to be? Boring doesn't get ratings." Shaking her head she picked up her cup and took a sip. Putting it down she continued to berate Cam.

"Does Teal'c bitch about how realistic Yoda is as an alien? And how about "Top Gun"? You flyboys don't seem to care about authenticity when Maverick sleeps with his instructor. Who is played by Kelly McGillis, a typical flight instructor if I ever saw one."

Mitchell was still in shock, Landry and Sam were laughing and Teal'c had a large grin on his face. Carolyn picked up her cup again and with a self satisfied smirk started to drink her coffee.

Daniel was smiling at Mitchell's discomfort and what he thought might be an attempt by Sam to make him jealous of Doctor Ridge and Vala. He'd often caught Sam staring at Vala and then at him when the project they worked on required them to be in close proximity. Daniel knew that if he was the jealous type, some of the attention paid to her by other men in SGC might bother him. But he certainly wouldn't be jealous of Ridge. Vala had told him all about McYummy and all about the guy's wife, a librarian at the public library. As a faithful library patron Vala had become friends with Lily before she knew she was married. And in Vala's words to, of all people, "a science geek obsessed with all things old and moldy". It had worked out well for both women. Lily had someone with high enough clearance with which to discuss her husband's work and Vala had a friend who didn't work at SGC. At Vala's urging Lily had started to call her husband McYummy the nickname he'd been given at work. He always wore his wedding ring, their wedding photo was his screen saver, and according to his team he never shut up about her. It was an exaggeration but they enjoyed teasing him as much as they envied him.

"I suppose I could check and she what she's doing if you want."

Mitchell was laughing at himself and Dr. Lam along with Sam and Landry. He barely looked at Daniel and simply waved towards the door. "Sure. She's probably hungry. Find her and drag her back here."

Daniel stood in the door to Dr. Ridge's lab watching Vala as she leaned over an onion skin rubbing of the tablet she and Ridge were working on; she was poking at one of the lines of text with her little finger. The rest of her digits were wrapped around a cookie. Ridge said something and they both laughed. Daniel looked intently at Vala trying to figure out exactly what he was feeling. He wasn't jealous but he did have a very strong feeling that there was something wrong with what he was seeing. Then it came to him. It should be him working with her, he didn't think she was interested in Ridge as a man, what scared him was the idea that she'd be interested in him as a colleague. It occurred to Daniel that he really wasn't normal. What kind of 'real' man would get bent out of shape because a woman might find another man more intellectually challenging. He definitely had to spend some time figuring out just how he felt about the woman.

A laughing Vala looked up and saw Daniel. Quickly looking at her watch she said. "Did they send you after me? I didn't realize how late it was. Just a second." She crammed the rest of the cookie into her mouth and headed towards the door waving good bye. Vala took Daniel's arm and they headed to the Commissary.

"Darling, any excitement with the coffee this morning?"

"Mitchell discovered that Teal'c watches Grey's Anatomy and he completely freaked. Then to make matters worse Carolyn defended the show."

"It's a good thing those two didn't end up together. Her sense of humor is a little too dry for Cam. People think she's sarcastic and uptight when she's only being ironic. I'm glad we've gotten to know her better. Carolyn can really be a lot of fun, but she's like you, she's got to be pushed a little."

"I don't know about irony and fun but I'm enjoying seeing her and her father starting to communicate. There's still a lot of anger but now there's some forgiveness too."

Vala nodded in agreement forcing herself to not think about her father. Minutes later they were at the table, Daniel drinking coffee and Vala starting on the pile of four donuts in front of her.

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