Disclaimer: I own nothing of this wonderful franchise, I'm just playing with the characters.

Giraffe

Daniel's head dropped with a sigh as he took in the mutinous face of Vala Mal Doran. How could she still be angry? It had been over an hour for crissakes! Nevertheless, she was. And from the looks of it, so was the rest of his team. He sighed again as he made his way over to the bench they sat on. Who's brilliant idea had it been to bring Vala to the zoo, anyway?

"Nice going, Jackson." Mitchell said as he walked over to him. "All I wanted was a simple team outing and you had to go and ruin it."

"How was I supposed to know?" he asked, affronted. Mitchell just sent him a glare that told him he was completely clueless and walked away. Teal'c stood next and, with a barely discernible shake of his head, followed Mitchell. Sam said something in Vala's ear before making her way to him. She at least didn't seem quite so pissed.

"I've calmed her down for now but you had better do some fast talking. She's really angry and I can't say I blame her."

With a light squeeze of his arm, Sam went to join the others, leaving him alone with Vala. He sat next to her on the bench, placing the bag he held at his feet. If she noticed, she didn't say a word. In fact, she scooted further away and he sighed once more.

"Listen, Vala, I'm sorry. I had no idea you would react that way."

"It was the reptile house, Daniel." she responded in a cutting tone. "What part of my past made you think taking me in there would be a good idea?"

"I don't know. You just...I've never actually seen you afraid of anything before. Not like this, at least. I didn't think."

"That much is obvious."

"How was I supposed to know you had a snake phobia? You never talk about your time as Qetesh. Hell, you never talk about your past, period. Cut me a little slack here."

"Me cut you slack?! Daniel, there were dozens of snakes in there..." She visibly shuddered as her voice trailed off and Daniel scooted closer, placing an arm around her shoulders. It took a moment but she finally relaxed and let her head rest on his chest. "Every time I blink, all I see is snakes. If I keep my eyes closed too long, they turn into Qetesh. I don't think I'll sleep for a month."

"I know and I really am sorry." he told her, squeezing her shoulders before pulling back a little. "I got you something that might help, though."

"Do you really think I'll forgive you because you bought me some silly trinket?" Her voice was disbelieving but her eyes held a curiosity that gave Daniel hope.

"No, but I saw how much you liked the giraffes..." he trailed off as he pulled a stuffed animal from the bag and held it out to her. "I just thought you might like this."

Vala's look of confusion was so adorable, he couldn't help chuckling before explaining its purpose.

"Some Earth children sleep with stuffed animals to keep the nightmares away. For years after my parents died, I wouldn't go to sleep without the stuffed camel my mother gave me when I was a baby. I just thought you might like something similar."

"You-You bought this for me?" She still looked confused but a happy smile was starting to spread across her face.

"Uh, yeah." He blushed a little, suddenly feeling nervous. "I can take it back if you don't want it, though."

"No!" Vala snatched the toy from him and held it to her chest. "I haven't completely forgiven you but this helps. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Daniel said with a bemused smile.

"Come on, Daniel." Vala said as she pulled him up from the bench and dragged him along. "Let's get as far away from this reptile house as possible. I'm starving."

Daniel went along, not that he had much choice, and continued to grin. He didn't think he'd ever fully understand this woman but he was surprisingly okay with that.

The End