A while later they pulled into what must've been a parking lot and all three doors opened. When Daniel refused to get out before knowing where they were he was dragged out of the van with enough force that he'd stumbled into the car parked next to them. "Great." he sighed as he got up to his feet. "Owww damnit! Now we're at, wherever we are, and I'm obviously out of the van. Can somebody please take off this thing?" It was obvious to everybody this whole Daniel-napping thing made their archaeologist a bit cranky. "Alright Dr. Crankypants have it your way." Jack chuckled and undid the blindfold for him. "Now I know you haven't been here for about three or four years but we all though you learning how to skate would take your mind off of work. Daniel's eyes popped wide open once he comprehended both what Jack was saying and the huge flashing neon sign that made up the logo of the ice rink, "Vertigo" in huge flashing blue letters. He was dumbstruck for a moment before he managed to sputter out "Ice skating?! Do you even know what...remember what a total klutz I was the last time we went? My bruises had bruises for a week Jack!" Daniel panicked and almost had let it slip that he actually could skate and damnit he'd been avoiding the place ever since Ben had surprised him months ago. Hell just today he'd decided he was going back after work to just relax and to let off some steam. But having company, other than possibly Vala, hadn't been part of the plan!
"Now now Danny-boy don't panic. I'm sure Vala will volunteer to teach you how.", Jack gently teased. "She knows how to skate?" he turned away from Jack to watch the woman hovering around the back of the van to get her skates. "Oh yeah, she got bored watching you bury yourself in work and Carter volunteered to teach her to, she's been going a couple times a week for the past month or so. And from what I've heard Carter say she's getting good." Daniel zoned out for a moment hoping that this didn't end up like the last time he went skating. "You know I think I might be able to stay up on my feet this time, if I stay close enough to the wall and the railing...the place does have railing doesn't it Jack? I don't remember." Daniel almost stumbled over the words, catching himself before Jack could get suspicious. Jack assured him that yes the place did have railings for beginners like him. When the group entered the building, the ones that had skates (Vala, Sam, Jack and Teal'c) went directly to the ice while the others stood in line to rent some. He looked over the counter to see who was renting them out tonight. Thankfully it wasn't anyone he recognized. "Hey guys? I think I had too much coffee before the trip over here. I'm going to use the rest room and then get my...some skates. I'll see you out there.", Lou just nodded. "Sure, just don't be tryin' to make a run for it." "We know where you live and work." Cam and Lou both grinned after him.
A few moments later, he stepped out of the men's room and straight to the skate-rental counter where Mr. Parker now stood. Daniel looked around to make sure none of his friends were in the lobby before making his way there. "Well hello, Doctor Jackson. It's been too long since we last seen you here. Me and Tabby were afraid that something had happened to you." Daniel smiled at his friend, honestly sorry he had worried him. "I know, I'm sorry Mr. Parker I haven't been around lately. But my work has been threatening to bury me alive for the past few months. I haven't even had time to pick up my skates since I forgot them here last time." The kindly older man (Who reminded him quite a bit of George) just patted his hand. "Don't worry about it son, we've kept them safe for you while you were away. I even had them sharpened, cleaned and put new laces in them for you." The man bent down under the counter to retrieve Daniel's skates. "Thank you Mr. Parker I really appreciate it. I noticed last time I was here, that my laces were getting kind of ratty and I was honestly going to ask about getting them sharpened before Ben..." Mr. Parker only just waved his hand in dismissal after he laid his skates on the counter, they now had laces the same shade of electric blue as the flashing sign outside.
"Think nothing of it son, and please call me Nathan." Daniel nodded and gave him a sincere smile, "Alright but if only if you call me Daniel." Nathan grinned back. "Deal. You know Daniel...the kids who come here have given you a nickname." Nathan informed him with a glint of mischievousness in his eyes. "They say they heard that hulk of a fella call you that while they went past you two and so they adopted it. But personally I think that it doesn't just stand for your ability to out-skate them, but your ability to match wits with anyone and then cut them down to size if they need to be. But either way it fits you as well as skintight as any glove." Daniel blinked, "So they call me..." "Blades? Hell yeah!" Nathan chuckled, at the combination of surprise and amusement that graced Daniel's face. "You know before the other night, it had been years since I heard that nickname..." Daniel looked down as he remembered one of the last few times he'd been called that before that accident so long ago. Nathan just patted him on the hand again, "Go on and meet up with your friends, son. I'm sure they must be wondering where you got to." Daniel nodded slightly and then he turned away and headed to the ice.