"So, what do you think of Anna?"

Having come into the mess hall Vala sat across from Cameron, watching him while he ate a bowl of red jello, reading a mission report at the same time. Waiting only a fraction of a second she carried on, "Dr Shaw, I mean."

Cameron paused just for a moment in his eating, giving Vala a quick glance, before he carried on reading, choosing not to reply to her question, waiting instead to see where she was headed with this, wondering if perhaps his interest in the Doc had been noticed by the other team members. He had enjoyed the time he had spent with the Doc yesterday, chatting in Daniel's office, then grabbing a coffee together in the mess hall where they had continued talking.

"She's quite nice, don't you think?" asked Vala.

"Umm, yeah, I mean ... yes she seems very nice," replied Cameron, pretending to be caught up in his reading.

"And attractive? Not that I'm any expert on that preferring men myself, but if I was into women I would think she was attractive."

Cameron stopped reading, the image of Dr Shaw suddenly in his mind. The way her ponytail twitched as she walked as if charged with electricity, the scattering of faint freckles cross her nose and cheeks, that sexy behind... Cameron gave himself a mental shake bringing himself back to the present, realizing that Vala was looking at him intently, a smug smile on her face.

"I haven't really thought about it, but sure I guess she's attractive. Hell, I'm a man, I think most women are attractive one way or another."

"Mmm... Of course." Vala sat there for a moment, trying not laugh as she watched Cameron bend his head back down, focusing his attention once again on the mission report.

~*~*~*~

The following day...

"I see Teal'c is showing you some Jaffa fighting moves." Cameron said as he stood to watch, having just walked into the exercise room to see Teal'c give the Doc some lessons while Vala sat on the floor, watching on.

"Indeed. Dr Shaw expressed in interest in learning more about the Jaffa. I thought that showing her some of our fighting skills would help her to understand better."

Anna leaned on her Sodan training stick. "Yes, I always find the getting my ass kicked helps me to understand better."

"You have already shown some improvement. I believe with practice, you may yet gain the sufficient skills and knowledge."

Teal'c had gone easy on her, knowing that as a civilian she probably had not had much, if any, combat experience. Still she had paid attention to what he had shown her and was quick to learn.

"Come on Muscles, she almost had you there a couple of times," Vala said

"Even getting close to T here in training is pretty good Doc. You're full of surprises."

"You are wishing to train, Colonel Mitchell? I believe that Dr Shaw and I have finished for the day," asked Teal'c

"No, Teal'c, that's ok."

"Then, I will take my leave," said Teal'c, giving a nod to them all and walking out the room.

"Well, I've got to get ready for my date. I'm going to a basketball game with Captain Jeffries. Got to make sure that I'm my gorgeous self when he comes to get me."

"Vala's going on a date?" Cameron said watching Vala walk out of the room.

"You seem surprised," said Anna putting away the fighting stick.

"I.. just.. well, I don't think Vala's ever gone on a date. At least not that I know of. Not on this planet, anyway."

"Oh, but didn't Vala go with you to some kind of reunion," Anna said with a smile

Cameron looked at Anna in surprise. "THAT was not a date. Vala and me? No-way! I like Vala, but as a girlfriend, you've got to be kidding me. Anyway you know this already, remember our little interview... oh right, you're..."

"Teasing you," interrupted Anna, "Maybe just a little. Sorry. And yes, Vala is going on a date. I think she asked him, though I have a feeling she was just flirting with him, and he said yes. She's just as surprised as you are."

"I just hope he knows what he's getting into."

Well, well, well, Vala going on a date. And not with Daniel. Cameron wondered what that was all about. Still none of his business. He had other things on his mind, like the Doc standing right here.

"I was just about to grab a bite to eat. Would you like to join me? I heard a rumor that they've got roast beef sandwiches on the menu," Cameron said, giving her a smile.

"Well, I...," Anna said looking down at her workout attire, "...need to take a quick shower. But, if you don't mind waiting. Sure. I like a roast beef sandwich as much as the next man."

"I can wait. How about I see you in the mess hall? I'll get us a table and two roast beef sandwiches."

"Okay. It's a... date," said Anna giving Cameron a wink and a smile as she said this, walking out.

Cameron smiled back, letting her know that he realized she was still teasing about Vala and their so-called date. Once she was out of earshot. "Doc, you have no idea how wrong you are," said Cameron quietly, with a smile.

Yep, it was a date and a real one at that, even if the Doc wasn't aware of it. Not the most romantic of dates, but it was a start.

~*~*~*~

Cameron was sitting at a table waiting for Anna when she walked in. Wow! he thought. It was the first time he had seen her with her hair down. It was red all right, pale red to be sure, a mixture of red and gold flowing past her shoulders to the small of her back. As usual she was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. This one was red with a picture of Animal from the Muppet's on it. The t-shirt made him smile but then that wasn't the only thing. Man, she really was gorgeous.

"So... Red, the rumor was true," said Cameron pointing to the plate opposite him.

"Red? I haven't been called that before."

"Sorry I can go back and call you Doc if you like."

"Well, I like that too. But it's okay, you can call me Red. Even Anna, if you want," Anna said picking up the sandwich.

"And you can call me Cameron. Or Cam, if you like."

Just then one of the Stargate personnel walked in and seeing Dr Shaw went up.

"Dr Shaw, Dr Hutchinson is looking for you. He's in his office."

"Oh, okay, I better go and see him. Sorry Colonel, I mean Cam, looks like I'll have to eat and run," said Anna getting up and taking the sandwich.

Dammit, while did Dr Hutchinson have to see her right now, he thought. Still maybe...

"How about we meet up after going to P4T-765 tomorrow for a session in the gym? I might be able to show you some moves that Teal'c doesn't know."

"Okay."

~*~*~*~

"You know Teal'c was right. You're not to bad," said Cameron, ducking out of the way.

"You know you can be honest, and tell me that I suck. Though I should warn you I"m pretty good at hair pulling."

Cameron moved in closer and quickly ducked again, this time Anna lunged a lot harder and ended up giving him a whack.

"Better, Doc," said Cameron, rubbing his shoulder.

Anna reached out to touch Cam's shoulder. She was fairly sure he wasn't hurt, but still she couldn't help but be concerned. And the truth was she wanted to touch Cameron. She liked him and found him very attractive.

Cameron looked into her eyes as Anna leaned forward, reaching out to him with one hand, placing it on his shoulder.

The kiss that followed took him by surprise. He felt her breath first, and then her lips, soft and warm and gentle. She moved her lips over his very slowly, tentatively, before the kiss changed. One minute the kiss was gentle, the next her arms had moved around him and she was passionately kissing him. And he was kissing her back, one hand slipping around her waist to pull her closer.

God she felt so good, he thought as desire and want went through him, his surprise fading fast as he lost himself in the moment enjoying the feel and taste of the woman in his arms. With his arms around her, the kiss intensified as he used his own body as leverage, causing her to lift from the ground, standing on her toes.. The result of which made her to lean more into him, molding her body to his. Hips, stomachs, chests pressing to each other, as they kissed. It lasted for a minute or two and then...

Anna pulled away, her face flushed, her voice breathless. "Oh God... I..." She looked at Cameron in surprise and ran out of the room.

Cameron stood there, stunned by the kiss and Anna's sudden disappearance. As the shock and surprise worn off he went after her, but there was no sigh of her in the corridor. Damn it why had she run off like that. That kiss was, well pretty amazing really. He had to find her and talk to her.

~*~*~*~

Cameron had looked for Anna, but when he hadn't found her, he decided to take a shower. After that kiss he kind of needed it and maybe giving Anna a little bit of time might help. He couldn't remember the last time someone had kissed him like that. The kiss had been filled with want and need, and from both sides, he thought, smiling to himself as he walked out of the locker room. Showered and dressed he went looking for her and found her in Daniel's office. Walking in he noticed that she had changed and was back in jeans and t-shirt.

"Doc."

"Cam," said Anna looking up from her work.

She had a feeling he might come looking for her. She just wasn't sure if he was upset or not. He had certainly responded to her kiss, but still she wasn't 100 percent sure if he was interested or not. What the hell, what was the worse that could happen. Coming out from the desk Anna stood in front of Cameron and took a deep breath

"Look, don't say anything just yet. I need to say this first. I know that I probably should apologize about kissing you, but the truth is I wanted to. And I'm glad I did, it was nice, in fact it was pretty great."

"Yes, it was," said Cameron smiling at her. Okay he'll hear her out, so far it was sounding pretty good.

"Oh...," Anna paused for a second, flustered by his comment, "Well, you see I like you, I like you a lot and I think maybe you like me to. I shouldn't of run off like that but it just took me by surprise. I don't usually act quite so impulsively. Anyway I was wondering if you'd like to go out... on a date... with me. Don't feel that you have to, you can say no, I'll understand. Maybe we could have dinner... " Anna rushed through the last part, then stopped, waiting, unsure of what to say or do next.

Cameron smiled and walked over to her. God, she looked cute and as sexy as hell. It had taken a lot of guts to say all that. Still smiling he reached out with his hand, cupping her cheek, kissing her gently on the forehead and then the lips, before he pulled away, looking into her eyes as he smiled at her.

"I like you a lot too. And yes, dinner sounds great."

Anna smiled back at him.

"Okay. I mean that's great. How about tonight? I'll organize everything just meet me here at say 7?"

"Okay, Doc. Whatever you say. 7 it is."

~*~*~*~