Part 2
"Daniel?" Sam recovered first, "I thought you were spending the night finishing off those translations for SG-6?"
"Yeeeeah, that was the plan," Daniel dragged his eyes off of Vala for the first time and glanced at Sam. Even after 10 years it still threw him to see her out of BDUs and looking all girly, "but things changed. What are you doing here? I thought by now you'd be in some karaoke bar dancing on the tables."
"Well, darling," Vala finally found her voice, "we wanted somewhere quiet and I remembered someone recommended this place to me."
"Me. I recommended it."
"Really?" Vala forged innocence. "You know it might have been Siler."
"Rrrright,"Daniel glared at her and she shrugged still trying to go for the innocent look. It wasn't working.
"Here you go girls," Trudy approached their table.
Daniel's eyes widened as he took in the flamboyant cocktail that was placed in front of Vala; really, he should have expected nothing less. He found himself distracted, watching her openly delighted look and the squeal of excitement that made his stomach do a little flip-flop.
"It's passion-fruit," Vala smiled hoping he'd get the reference. He did. She pushed the decorated glass towards him, "try some?"
"I-"
"Daniel sweetie," the waitress interrupted, "I think Debbie's ready for you."
"Debbie?" Vala questioned, her playful mood switching instantly. Her eyes turned to daggers aimed directly for Daniel. "Who is Debbie?"
Her death-glare made him swallow.
"My daughter," the waitress supplied before Daniel recovered. "Daniel's filling in for Ted tonight."
"Uh, who's Ted?" Sam asked as Daniel and Vala continued to stare at each other.
"My son-in-law, Debbie's husband." Smiled the waitress. "He usually accompanies Debbie when she sings but he's at home sick. Luckily, Daniel was able to fill in on short notice; he's a God send." She added before moving off to another table.
"I'm still confused," Vala stated, "what are you actually doing?"
She could have sworn Daniel blushed slightly, which was adorable.
"Just uh…" Daniel put his hands out in front of him and wiggled his fingers.
Vala blinked before looking over at Sam.
"Is this some sort of weird Tauri hand gesture I don't know?"
"Um-"
"Piano," Daniel rolled his eyes. "I'm helping out by playing the piano."
"That was you? Just then?"
Daniel nodded.
"You were very good darling," Vala praised.
"Uh, thanks," he scratched his head in confusion. "Anyhoo, I'd better uh…" he made a gesture behind him, paused a moment before shaking his head and walking back towards the stage.
Vala watched as his scrumptious bottom wove its way through the small crowd, before it disappeared. She turned an excited look at Sam, wiggling her eyebrows, "can we go and watch?"
"Sure," Sam smiled indulgently, although her feet weren't too pleased at leaving the comfort of the chair. Clutching their drinks they made their way to the back of the bar to join the small crowd. Luckily, the group of patrons seemed to favor being close to the singer, meaning that there was some space around the side of the piano. Delighted, Vala grabbed Sam's hand and pulled her into the gap.
"Daniel!" She called, waving excitedly like a proud parent at a Kindergarten nativity play.
He glanced over and blinked in surprise at them being so close. He couldn't help giving Vala a little wave back, a smile tugging at his lips, which he tried to control. His eyes involuntarily swept over her body taking in the figure hugging dress which hugged all the right places. She was gorgeous.
Feeling like he was being watched, his eyes snapped to Sam to find she was smiling knowingly at him. Busted. Swallowing and trying not to think of the grief his older sister would give him tomorrow, it took him a few moments to realize that Debbie was ready to start. Mentally shaking himself out of his thoughts he forced himself to concentrate on playing the opening bars to a Sinatra classic.
As the song began Vala was captivated watching Daniel play. She admired his graceful stanch, the way his fingers glided over the keys and the way his face crinkled occasionally in concentration. He was a pleasure to watch.
She could hear Samantha humming along to the tune beside her and pulled her attention away from Daniel long enough to look at her friend.
"Isn't he good?" Vala beamed proudly.
"Very," Sam agreed.
Vala let a huge smile break out as she looked back to Daniel. She'd never heard him play the piano before and was surprised by his talent. Whilst she didn't know much about Earth music or instruments she was enjoying what she was hearing. She wondered if she would ever be able to convince the man to do a private concert for her.
The song ended and the round of applause broke her out of her musings. She watched as 'Debbie' took a couple of steps over to Daniel, placing her hand on his shoulder as she bent down and said something in his ear. Oh what Vala would do to trade places with her right now. To be close enough to smell his aftershave, feel that muscled shoulder under her hand and to be the one whispering to him.
She watched as Daniel smiled and nodded, whilst Debbie moved away. He expertly flipped through a battered music book and a moment later his talented fingers were creating music again. It was an upbeat song and she heard Sam give out a little cheer with the rest of the group gathered. It took Vala a little longer but she recognized the song.
"I know this one!" She squealed ecstatically. It was something about a dolly that worked 9-5. She grabbed Sam's wine glass and placed the drinks on top of Daniel's piano; he didn't seem to notice. With her hands free she started dancing, thrilled when Sam joined her.
Daniel turned his head to the sound of Vala's laughter and swallowed at the sight of her dancing. She looked radiant, her laughter rich and her hips moving in ways that he tried to keep his treacherous mind thinking about; dreaming about.
Was it getting hotter in here? He desperately wished he could loosen his collar. Of their own accord his eyes went back to Vala, her hips still doing that thing and- the sound of a duff note ripped his attention back to the keys. He blushed hoping no one had really noticed. A quick glance showed his friends were still dancing so he let out a small sigh of relief.
He played a couple more songs and kept stealing glimpses at the raven beauty. She still had a ton of energy but Sam seemed to be flagging. Daniel watched as Sam pulled over a nearby bar stool and took a seat as Vala danced around her; he couldn't help but chuckle at the sight.
It got to another break and Vala rushed over to Daniel.
"You played marvelously, dear," she praised. Giving him a small kiss on the cheek, "now excuse me."
He watched her with a smile, resisting the urge to touch his cheek where his skin still burned from her kiss, as she headed presumably to the ladies' room.
"Boy, are you screwed."
Daniel's head whipped round to see a disturbingly close Sam; she was trying not to laugh. Crap.
"Huh?"
"Oh give it up," Sam teased, "you've got it bad."
"No comment."
"Which means you aren't denying it," Sam pointed out annoyingly smug. She smiled, bumping against his shoulder, "say, if I were to head home now, can I trust you to escort our newest team member home?"
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"I'm tired and a girl needs her beauty sleep," she persisted.
He continued to glare at her.
"What?" Sam failed at the innocent look almost as badly as Vala did.
"I know what you're doing," he warned, "it won't work."
"I am doing nothing besides being a good friend," Sam reached over and patted his cheek, "you'll thank me tomorrow."
"Oh, I really won't."
"Won't what?" Vala asked, coming to stand beside her friends. "Guys?" She questioned curiously as they continued to stare at one another.
"Vala," Sam broke the eye contact to look at her alien friend. "I'm going to head off now."
"Sam." Daniel warned.
"Oh Samantha, of course. Sorry I forgot how tired you were. Let me go pay for our drinks," she tried to hide her disappointment.
"No, that's ok," she insisted, "you can stay longer. Daniel's agreed to drive you back. Assuming you're happy to stay?"
The expected blinding smile was enough of an answer.
"Oh I'd love to! Thank you Daniel!" She squealed, throwing her arms around him and planting another kiss on his cheek.
Sam bit back a grin and Daniel tried to narrow his eyes further, which was hard to do with Vala pressed against him like she was.
"Well, in that case I need another drink," Vala declared pushing herself from Daniel. "So let me at least walk you out. Darling, can I get you anything?"
"Just a coffee, thanks."
"Well, I'll see you later Daniel," Sam smiled reaching forward to give him a quick hug.
"I hate you," Daniel whispered to her before saying louder for Vala's benefit, "night Sam."
Sam gave him a last wink before linking arms with the waiting Vala and the two headed off towards the bar. Daniel watched them go, hands in pockets, his eyes involuntarily dropping to the sway of Vala's hips. He was in big trouble.
His focus shifted as Debbie came back onto the stage. With a heavy sigh he settled back down onto the piano bench and forced his mind back to the task at hand.
TBC…
