Title: SGC Confidential

Author: By spacegypsy1

Rating: T
Category: romance/Action/adventure
Season: Post season 10
Featured Character(s): Vala, Sam, Daniel, Jack, Teal'c, Mitchell

Pairings: D/V some S/J

Warnings: Possible unrecognizable reference to Unending/No Spoilers

A/N: Thanks Betas! Mari, Aly and Sam.

Synopsis: Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive, so thinks Dr. Daniel Jackson. Absolute total fluffiness. Vaguely disguised as romance/action adventure, D/V in clandestine relationship. A little S/J admission. Some SG-1 team interaction with a dash of Jack stirred in for spice.

Chapter One: Welcome Home

"I thought you'd never get back!" Vala hugged Daniel, her arms locked all the way around his waist, head on his chest.

Pulling back just slightly, he closed his eyes and took in the scent that was Vala. He had missed her too.

Only three SF's were in the Gateroom. But, still he felt uncomfortable with an audience. It was 0300 and he was exhausted. He chuckled. When had he started thinking in military time?

"What's funny?"

"Nothing. It's late. I'm tired."

"How was Atlantis?"

"Weird as ever. There's so much there - it boggles the mind."

She pulled back, smiling. "What'd you bring?" She eyed the container hanging over his shoulder.

"Not sure, but it looks like it might be a component to something we found about five years ago."

Daniel set her aside; he handed his gear to the waiting SF and with Vala trailing behind left the Gateroom.

In the corridor, Vala took his hand, but he pulled it loose, with a look that clearly said 'don't'.

Vala pouted. "I've gotten a new part-time job."

"What?" His face registered complete surprise.

"I'm now Sam's new lab assistant. She asked me yesterday, and cleared it with General Landry. Now I get to touch all her doohickie and no one yells at me." Her grin was happy and full of wonder.

"Good for you, Sam needs all the help she can get." He paused, watching her 'happy dance' down the corridor, having no idea where she got such energy at three in the morning. "It's late and I need to shower and go to bed."

"Yummm. I'm up for that."

"Vala, be good. I'm too tired to play games."

Again, she pouted. The halls were deserted except for the occasional guard.

Vala followed Daniel all the way to the locker room door, practically skipping in her enthusiasm.

He turned and kissed her on the cheek. "Good night. I'll see you in the morning."

She stood glaring at the closed door. He was getting too difficult to manage! She crossed her arms around her middle and lingered there conjuring up things to annoy him with.

The door opened suddenly, and shirtless Daniel grabbed her wrist and snatched her in the room. The door closed, Vala was shoved against it and he kissed her longingly, making up for lost time. Just as suddenly, he opened the door; lips still attached for a moment in hungry kisses, and shoved her back out the door.

Grinning wickedly, alone in the hall, she heard the door lock, "Humph!" She hugged herself again, satisfied for the moment and wandered off to her quarters. There was nothing patient about Val Mal Doran, but she was learning.

Briefing room- 0900

Daniel was distracted. He kept losing his train of thought while giving his report. He was thinking about his conversation with Sam. Apparently Sam thought Vala was gifted in trend analysis and had caught a few errors in Sam's latest theory. According to Sam, it had saved hours of work. Will wonders never cease?

"Jackson?" Mitchell prompted.

"Oh yeah, sorry." He finished the preliminary report in double time, and found that the table occupants stared in consternation at him. "What? Too confusing?"

"Not at all, just surprised you didn't take an hour to give me a five minute explanation." Mitchell gathered his papers.

"Good work, Dr. Jackson. I'm sure the written report will cover any details Colonel Mitchell missed. Colonel Carter, get with Dr. Jackson about that artifact, and report back to me before any plans for testing its counterpoint at Area 51 are made. Dismissed." General Landry stood and left the conference room.

Sam walked out with Daniel. "You get any sleep?"

"Barely enough." He smiled.

Sam squeezed his arm in sympathy "I've got the device in my lab. Can you meet me there in an hour or so?"

"Yeah, I've got a few things to finish up, and then I'll be down." Sam headed off toward her lab as Daniel made a straight shot for Vala's quarters.

He tapped on her door; she opened it slowly, peering out as if not expecting anyone. He grinned.

Vala shut the door behind him. "What took you so long!?" She jumped into his arms, kissing him like crazy, dragging him across towards the bed.

Daniel got a hold of her hands, pushed her gently away. "Stop that!" He scolded, laughing.

She pulled at his black T-shirt, freeing it from his waist band.

He anchored it back in place. "There are cameras everywhere."

She lip locked him again, "I don't care," came her plea between sizzling kisses, "No one watches them anyway."

"I care, and yes they do." He got her by the hands again. Holding her in place, eyes warm and caring on her face.

Vala pulled free, sat on the bed, a defeated and long frustrated sigh indicating her mood. "I hate this. I'm not good at sneaky, I don't know how to pretend to be something I'm not. I'm not skilled at clandestine meetings and conning unsuspecting friends. I'm useless at hiding information and being sly and devious. It's just not me." She covered her face with her hands and shook her head.

Amazement had him standing open mouthed without a word handy to respond to her ridiculous statement.

His laughter had her looking up at him. He finally spoke. "Not good at sneaky? Don't know how to pretend to be something you're not? Not skilled at clandestine meetings and conning unsuspecting friends; useless at hiding information and being sly and devious? Are you kidding me?"

"No. Why?" Vala studied him in wide eyed innocence.

He shook his head vigorously, letting her words rattle around in his skull. He let it go. An hour of barbs and snide remarks was not on his calendar for today. "We'll go out to dinner tonight, go by my place, and spend some time alone … together. I'll bring you back late." His eyebrows did that 'oh yeah' thing while his enticing grin grew wider.

"I still don't understand the whole sneaking around, 'Daniel and Vala are not having sex' thing." Vala came to him, moved close into his personal space; let her body melt into all his planes and angles.

With great difficulty he backed away. "Because."

"Ah, now I understand." Her dismal expression nearly had him laughing again.

"Because I don't want the team, or anybody else, worrying that our relationship might change our working relationship. People tend to believe that partners don't function as well in a fight, being too preoccupied with each other's safety in deadly situations."

"No one on SG-1 would consider that!"

"No, but others would and it could break down team moral. It's just better this way."

"And that's the only reason, Daniel? You're sure? It isn't that you don't want anyone thinking you've gone around the bend…as you people say..."

He grinned and answered honestly, "Maybe that too." He kissed her on the nose. "See ya' later. I really have a lot of work to do."

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