PREVIOUSLY:

The night was perfect for Vala, and Cam had made her favorite dish of spicy meatballs and spaghetti at his apartment. Ever since Vala came back from their haphazard visit with Cam's parents in Kansas, she felt a closeness with him from then on. They had small talk on the way back to SGC in Cam's rental car and Cam found Vala to be very intelligent and more vulnerable than she let on. Cam had realized that his parents are friendly people to almost anyone. But his mother had felt a kindred spirit within Vala and made her a cherry pie to take on the road. Cam thought his mother's kindness to Vala was heartfelt.

Cam's father was also taken by Vala also. While she was there for the short period he would often play a game of chess, well into the night. He had taught her one game and the strategic benefits of knowing your enemies from playing. Little did he know Vala was well aware of strategic maneuvers. Cam would sneak downstairs to check on his father and quietly watch from the steps their quaint conversations and Vala's obvious charm towards his dad.

Back at SGC Cam had asked Vala out for a game of putt putt golf, when he found out Vala was left on base one day. Teal'c was off visiting his son Ryac, Sam was visiting the General in Washington and Daniel, well, he was translating some old artifacts that were back logged from some museum.

He found her smile always infectious and enjoyed her enthusiasm for new found information on Tauri culture fascinating. To Cam she was a pure delight and she could hold her own on conversations that would reflect from politics of the galaxy to anything in general. But she had a fond fascination about music boxes. Something Cam found quite intriguing and somehow he had thought there may be something in Vala's past that warranted her love for the small enchanted music boxes.

His first gift to her was a small sewing machine with a little red crank on the side. When she first opened the gift, she tilted her head with confusion as to why Cam wanted her to sew on such a miniature sewing machine.

"Cam this is really adorable, but I don't think I'm the right size to operate such a Tauri contraption. I have seen these in historical magazines."

"It's not what you think Princess. Turn the small crank on the side." Cam watched with obvious delight at what Vala's reaction would be. As Vala turned the crank and small musical song played on the machine as the pedals on the sewing machine moved to the beautiful small melody.

Vala squealed with delight. Her face was heaven to him. "Oh, Cam, it's so clever. Where ever did you find such a beautiful music box? What's the song it's playing? Does it actually sew? Does……

"Slow down their Princess. I don't know the name of the song. It's an antique from the 1800's and I thought it would make you happy."

Vala hugged Cam at the small and perfect gift and kissed him on the cheek, none to shyly. "It's wonderful Cam and so small and cute. I didn't think you were listening when I went on, and on about those wonderful music boxes."

"I listen to everything you say Princess. Why would you think I wouldn't?"

"Well…….it's just nice to think someone listens to me once in a while. I sometimes get the feeling I'm just…….you know just around for missions. I mean I get…….

Cam felt Vala was hurting or holding back her true feeling. He cupped her cheek and looked into her grey green eyes.

God's she's beautiful. Cam looked deep into her eyes, beyond the beauty that they illuminated.

"Lonely?" Cam asked with a whisper.

Vala nodded yes, trying her hardest not to let slip her vulnerability.

Cam just pulled her into a hug and let her hold onto him. He felt he needed to protect her from something. He just didn't know what, but he felt comfortable just knowing he was there for her, regardless.

Vala pulled back slightly, wiping her nose on her sleeve. "Thanks Cam for…..for everything."

He could tell Vala didn't want to elaborate other than just for the moment. It made him feel more for Vala than just a brotherly concern. He wanted to be closer to Vala, but he would take it slow and maybe, just maybe he would impress upon her, how much he wanted to be in her life.

TBC