A/N This is set just after Stargate Continuum, Kinda based on Daniel's own statement "As far as we know"

I will be using excerpts from series 10 and also from the film Continuum. Only one from each but I find them both significant for this story and what I hope will follow to be an interesting series for you all.

In my work, O'Neill retired after SGC, so he and Sam could actually have a relationship without the rules/law , whatever, getting in the way.

Also, Hammond returned as General after Jack's short stint because I like him and another of my favourites remained; Doctor Janet Fraiser.

I'm new to this site and just starting out. Enjoy.

(-)

Chapter 1

The boys were back in the SGC locker room after witnessing Ba'al's extraction, getting ready for Jack to actually pay for a meal.

"I was just thinking, what if he wasn't the last one?" Daniel asked, leaning against one of the lockers.

"He was the last one," Mitchell replies, finishing of his tying his shoes as Teal'c just watches with a raised eyebrow.

"As far as we know." Daniel again replies, his face looking concerned. What if there was more out there? Would they be in for another ambush? After the losses faced during the war with the Ori, could they really survive more? And Vala...No. Best not.

"Yeah, as far as we know, but you can't obsess about this stuff." Mitchell replied, standing and shrugging his jacket on.

Daniel shrugged and moved away from the locker, his thoughts finally back on a more believable heading. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"I know I am," Mitchell smirked as he gently closed his locker door and turned to Teal'c with a nod of his head and moved to leave. "Come on, let's go. When was the last time O'Neill bought lunch?"

"Indeed." Was all the reply they needed as they left the locker room together.

(-)

The restaurant was quiet, but not too empty. There was a calm murmur of conversation from the other dinners, outweighed by the laughter coming form the table of six hidden in the back end of the establishment.

"A little out of your league here Jack." Daniel snickered, "Retirement treating you well I see." chuckles erupted from the table once again, main courses finished with and a steady flow of alcohol between them.

"Of course," Jack replies with a snicker of his own and a hand resting over Sam's. "what more could a guy possibly want. Other than books and dead languages of course."

The table erupted in laughter once more, Daniel choking a little on his bear. Vala patted his back with a grin of her own. He tried to ignore the warmth her hand left behind as it lingered for a second too long.

The evening continued much the same, laughter, jokes and stories of the good old days, until it was time to leave. Sam, Jack and Mitchell headed home whereas Vala, Teal'c and Daniel headed back to base. Daniel's excuse of logging his research fell on death ears.

(-)

The next morning found the team in the briefing room, Daniel resting his head against the table with a groan, the other's snickering gently at the tired man.

"Daniel!" General Hammond said sharply, forcing the sleeping archaeologist's head to snap up with such force that Vala had to lean back a little more. She was always leaning in close to him, not that she was gently prodding his neck at the time mind.

"What'd I do?" Daniel asked with a groan, and stretched loudly. "Sorry sir, didn't catch much sleep last night. Cataloguing the ..."

"Yes Daniel, I'm sure that was interesting, but I have asked you here for another reason." Hammond took his seat and folded his arms against the table. "Now, I want to congratulate you all for your part in the capture of Ba'al, and Vala, for helping the host through those difficult weeks.."

"Of course, it was my pleasure." Vala replied with a smirk.

"I'm sure it was," Daniel muttered, glaring at the ceiling.

"As it is." He interrupted. "The IOA have agreed Sam's mission request to venture out to the unexplored addresses O'Neill had left behind. Get packing team, you ship out in just under two hours."

With that the Hammond left and everyone but Daniel departed, his gaze still on the ceiling, but a soft smile on his face. He gave it a few seconds before he departed the meeting room and headed towards his office. A new planet to explore, a civilisation to view, new artefacts to be found. He couldn't wait!

Vala cornered him just as he was rummaging through the organised mess that was his office.

"Excited?" She grinned, jumping on the balls of her feet as she walked into the room, and then pulled herself onto the desk facing Daniel, legs crossed and dangling. Daniel sighed, and rubbed at his eyes behind his glasses and stepped back. He did not have the time, nor the patience for her sexual teasing again. Didn't she know what she was doing to him!? He wasn't just some pawn in her own game because she was bored. He understood what she was doing. It just hurt.

"Maybe a bit," he answered, and went back to his rummaging, packing the basic books. Not that he would need them, but you never know.

"Same here. I wonder what riches await us." She leaned back a little and swung her legs.

"No." Daniel glared soft and pulled the back pack over his shoulder as he headed for the exit, Vala following quickly.

"Well you know, an award for saving the galaxy and all that." She grinned and rushed past him as he shook his head. That woman would be the death of him.

He shook his head and made his way to his quarters as he changed into his mission gear. That woman, since the day they met, had been invading his thoughts. Ever more so frequently. But he couldn't trust her emotionally, he couldn't handle it. The pain of losing his wife was bad enough, he wouldn't be able to handle just casual relations, it would kill him. All of this flirtatious attitude she has towards him was just enough to ensure his own walls stayed in place. He knew it was a defence mechanism and he was the easy target so he took it as it was. Light teasing, nothing meaningful. No matter how much he wished it was.

He sighed and made his way to the gate room in time for their exit. He smiled at Teal'c and Mitchell, rolling his eyes as Vala ran in behind him and lightly tapped his arse. They watched as the MALP entered through the Gate first, then Hammond did his job and initiated first contact, with Sam by his side. Daniel watched them for a second, smiling softly at the excitement and wonder in Sam's face. He watched as Sam spoke with Hammond, Hammond replying with a grin and Daniel chuckled to himself as Sam's childlike enthusiasm escaped her and she ran down into the gate room.

Once they had the thumbs up from Sam, Mitchell shrugged his shoulders, ensuring everything was secure as he turned to his team, "Ready?" he asked, they all nodded and made their way to the next adventure on P3X-754.