Chapter Two
Although Daniel had run over a thousands reasons and excuses in his mind to not keep the spur of the moment date that he had set up, he still found himself sitting across the table from the raven haired woman. The restaurant had a nice dark atmosphere giving each table a sense of privacy. However he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
Daniel had completely forgotten what he had ordered, at this point he was so flustered that wasn't even sure what kind of food they served here. He knew he should be thinking of something to say, but his mind was completely frozen. She was beautiful, but he couldn't seem to find the courage to actually tell her so.
Tanya didn't look at ease with their situation either. She was currently filling the uncomfortable silence by pretending to admire the art on the dimly lit walls. Eventually she weld her eyes shut and turned to face Daniel before opening them again. Caught in a moment of eye contact they stared at one another until Tanya's expression melted into a shy smile.
"This is silly," Tanya admitted "I feel like I'm fifteen again."
"I don't feel much older. I honestly have no idea what to say. It's been an embarrassingly long time since I've done the 'date' thing."
"Same here. Working at the SGC does not make things any easier."
"Not many of us 'civilian' types around there to chose from?"
"No, not really." Tanya flushed. "Plus the job tends to take over your life."
"I never really thought about that, I guess I just assumed that SG-1 were the only ones that failed to have lives of their own. Teal'c never leaves the Base other than on missions, Jack only leaves when the Stanley Cup Finals are playing, I'm not even sure Sam goes home anymore now that we have the Reck'nis."
"Well behind the scenes most of us don't go anywhere either, and even if we do it is almost impossible to build a trusting relationship when you can't even tell someone where you go all day."
"Speaking of which, what do you do at the SGC?"
"I'm a Botany Bioengineer."
"Really? Should I be calling you Doctor?"
"Technically, yes." Tanya chuckled. "When any SG team brings back plant life samples I have to try and categorize it and see if I can find a good use for it."
"Any luck?"
"Sadly not really. I'm starting to think that a plant is a plant."
"Um…okay."
"By that I mean the genetic code of an off world pine tree is amazingly similar to that of one found in Canada."
"Kinda looks like Canada out there too."
"I'm just surprised there isn't more biodiversity." Tanya sighed. "And more than a little disappointed."
"What about that plant that tried to over grow the SGC?"
"I was so excited, unfortunately General O'Neil ordered it all destroyed…even the frozen samples I had."
"Jack can be a little…over cautious at times."
"That's not what I've heard." Tanya replied with a sly grin.
"Suddenly I don't think I'm at liberty to discuss your Superior Officer's past actions."
Tanya laughed, a delicate musical sound. With the ice finally broken they both found themselves able to relax. When silence settled over them once again it no longer held the uncomfortable edge to it. Daniel was so distracted by Tanya's smile that he barely noticed dinner being set on the table.
Picking up a fork Daniel looked down at the pasta based dish that had been placed in front of him. Furrowing his brow Daniel poked at the meal with the utensil to reveal a small round piece of white meat. He stared at the pasta, not sure what to do next.
"Not hungry?"
"Um…" Daniel blushed "it's not that, it's just…I guess I lost all ability to read, possibly even think at the beginning of this evening."
"What makes you say that?"
"I am allergic to shellfish."
"How allergic?"
"Violently. One of these scallop and we'd be spending the rest of the night in the ER. I might even end up dead."
"Again." Tanya chuckled.
"I'm getting rather famous for that, aren't I?"
"How many other people do you know with more lives than a cat?"
"Good point."
Lifting up her plate of harmless chicken primavera Tanya swapped it for the deadly seafood dish. Daniel thanked her and they continued the meal with idle chatter. By the time they had finished a few glasses of after dinner wine they were comfortable enough to be swapping stories.
"One time, I honestly thought General O'Neil was going to kill me." Tanya giggled.
"He really is more bark than bite."
"Perhaps you don't recall how steamed he was when the Base's water supply was overtaken by a hybridized alien algae."
"So that was your fault?" Daniel smiled. "Why was Jack so mad? I only heard about the incident second hand, but I don't recall it being harmful."
"You weren't in the locker room shower when it happened."
"And I take it Jack was."
"His skin was green for three days."
"I don't remember that!"
"SG-1 was off world at the time and anyone who did know the General's 'condition' was put on threat of Treason if they told you guys. So my life is now in your hands."
"My lips are sealed."
Tanya laughed and pushed away her wine glass before the waiter could refill it. As much fun as the evening had turned out to be they both had to be back on Base early in the morning. Worse yet Daniel had a mission off world as well. Suddenly realizing how late it was Daniel paid for the meal so that they could leave.
Although Tanya had picked the restaurant Daniel had driven them so they both walked out to his car. Despite having regained his mobility Daniel had never bothered to remove the modification that had been made to his car. Now instead of the usual break and gas pedal all of the controls were on the steering wheel itself.
Once in the car Tanya watched in fascination as Daniel pulled a necklace out from his shirt that had a small metal medallion on it. He gripped it by the edges and swiped it over his chest. Daniel adjusted his balance as his legs lost their sensation.
"How does that work?"
"It's an electromagnet that is activated by squeezing the sides, the magnet turns a switch that's just under my skin. I had it threaded up to my chest to make it easier to turn on and off. Although Dr. Brightman has tweaked it lately so that it doesn't turn all the way off."
"Why?"
"There are more downsides to paraplegia than just an inability to walk, with the low setting I can avoid them without as much risk in wearing out the crystal-nerve connection."
"I hope I haven't caused any harm by making you walk tonight."
"Not at all, I need to stretch out at least once a day anyway to keep from losing muscle tone and preventing deep vein thrombosis."
Using the hand controls Daniel drove Tanya back to her house. Stopping the car he passed the magnet over his chest again so that he could walk her to her door. She opened the door, but didn't step inside. After a few moments of indecision she turned around.
"Would you like to come inside?"
"I…I would love to, but I really can't tonight."
"I suppose the fact that I ate those evil scallops going to save us from the awkwardness of a 'good night' kiss."
"I'm afraid so, unless you're interested in hanging out in the ER."
"Tempting, but I guess I'll pass." Tanya mocked. "I had a wonderful time, even if I don't know what possessed you to do this."
"I believe this whole night began because I rudely trapped you in an elevator." Daniel replied. "Have I managed to prove myself a gentleman yet?"
"I don't know," Tanya smiled mischievously "I might need a little more convincing."
"I was hoping you'd say that."