Paul had not slept after his revelation from the early hours. Around 05:00 when Rihanna had drifted off to sleep again, he had carefully untangled himself from her arms and moved out of the bed. He'd grabbed his robe and after depositing a soft kiss on her forehead, wandered downstairs to make himself a strong coffee.

He gathered together a few more things they would need for the journey. Rihanna had done most of the packing the evening before and the bags were placed by the back door. He unlocked the door and padded out to the garage. He unlocked the door and looked in at his other car. This one wasn't registered to him. It was registered to an alias and the Pentagon had no idea he had it. He had of course placed himself on the insurance and early yesterday evening placed Rihanna on there too. Granted if they really wanted to trace them it wouldn't be that hard, but they were unaware of the back exit to Paul's house and were only watching from the front. His work car was sat in the driveway and would remain there for sometime.

He looked at the sports car and smiled. Placing his coffee down on the side, he retrieved all the bags from the door and packed them into the car. He placed Rihanna's purse in the passenger seat along with her laptop. Depending on the weather, they may be able to have the top down during their drive. Paul smiled on that thought; he loved to drive with the top down, wind blowing through his hair and the thought of having Rihanna in the car with him made the thought even more pleasing. He picked up his coffee and drank the warming liquid.

"So you're hiding out here?" Her voice was soft and teasing.

He turned and his breath caught in his throat on looking at her. She had just belted the very large t-shirt. She had collected herself some coffee and was stood barefoot in the doorway looking at him. "Yes. I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd pack the car."

"And what a nice car it is." She placed her coffee down and ran her hands over the bonnet. "Soft top – you secret poser!"

Paul laughed at her. "Yes well… there are still a few things you don't know about me."

Rihanna turned to face him and he noted the serious tone her voice had taken. "There is still a lot we don't know about each other."

"We have a long drive ahead and a month of living in each other's pockets. I'm sure we will find out soon enough. Are you still ok with this?"

"You mean after last night?"

"Yes well… I didn't plan that. It kind of just happened. I wanted to be honest with you."

"And I appreciate that. Paul no matter what happens, I will see this through. We will get your name cleared. I'm in this for the long haul."

Paul smiled and led her back into the house. "In 'what' for the long haul exactly?"

Rihanna slapped him playfully. "Don't push it. You're cute but I can still resist you!"

"I doubt that…" Paul tickled her and then chased her up the stairs, laughing as she screamed.

-

"Any luck?" Daniel sat down next to Sam and placed her tea on the table.

She shook her head. "No. I've sent an email to her web based account. It's untraceable seeing as I'm using my anonymous account also, I guess we just have to sit back and wait for a reply."

"Do you believe the rumours?"

"Difficult to say." Sam sat back and looked at Daniel. "I don't believe he has done anything wrong if that's what you mean. As for the frat charges… Major Davis is a very good looking guy and I'm sure he's not short of female attention. It's just; I know how dedicated to his work he really is. I can't see him jeopardising his career for anything."

"You think Paul is good looking?" Daniel arched his eyebrow.

"Well sure, you'd have to be blind not to notice Daniel. I mean I could mention a few others…"

"Oh really? So who have you got your eyes on Sam?"

"I'm not saying I've got my eyes on anyone Daniel…"

"Ok so who else do you categorise as good looking?"

Sam sighed and looked at him. "Well there's you of course…"

"Me?"

"Yes you Daniel. And don't tell me you're oblivious to that fact because I know that you aren't. I've seen the way you bat your eyelids at the nurse's to get your own way."

Daniel blushed. "I do not. Well… ok, I do. But that's only when I need to gain access to the infirmary to sit with one of the team."

Sam laughed. "Yeah ok…"

Daniel sighed softly. "I concede your point. But just this once. I will never admit to that again! Sam, can I ask you a question?"

Sam reached forward and picked up her mug of tea. "Sure."

Daniel ran his hand through his hair and considered not asking her. It had been bugging him for a long time, her apparent affections towards Jack, the feelings he had towards her that he really shouldn't… he needed to know one way or another if there was ever a chance for them. "Would you ever give up your place on SG1 to be with someone you otherwise couldn't?"

Sam drew in a sharp breath and looked at him. "Daniel how many times do I have to tell you? I am not in love with the Colonel?"

"I'm not talking about Jack, Sam. I'm talking in general."

"I think I would. I mean I considered leaving the SGC to live with the Tok'ra when I realised how I felt about Martouf."

Daniel frowned. "You did?"

"Yes, albeit too late of a realisation on my part. When Martouf died and I thought about the chance I'd had with him, the chance I wouldn't take because I was too stubborn to admit how I felt, too stupid to realise that I needed more in my life, I made a decision that should I ever feel that way about someone again then I wouldn't question it. So yes – the answer to your question is I would. In a heartbeat."

Daniel nodded. So there it was. Not an admission of love for him – not that he had expected that. But it was an indication that should the time arise, should she need to make a choice. Then she would. "Have you ever come close?"

Sam placed her mug back down on the table and looked at him. "Why do you ask?"

Daniel closed his eyes. He thought about lying but he knew she'd see straight through that. He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Because I've often wondered if our friendship would develop further and I was just curious as to whether you would let anything stand in your way."

Sam smiled. "The frat rules wouldn't apply Daniel, you're a civilian. They'd allow us to stay on the same team."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. So she'd thought about it.

"I've just received a reply from Rihanna."

"Read it out."

"Sam, we are currently on the road and will be for a few days. All correspondence should be kept web based under our alias to avoid detection. Paul has asked if you can look into the treason charges for him, as we are diverting our attention to the people who we believe to be undermining the President. Don't worry about Kinsey; we'll take care of him. Paul also extends his apologies that things have happened this way although he believes, as I'm sure do you, that Kinsey would have found another way. I will assist Paul in any way possible from this end. We just need assurance that you and the rest of the team will do all you can that end. Rihanna. PS: tell Hammond that the e-file marked 'sanctuary' is for his eyes only."

Daniel nodded. "At least they are ok. Has she left a contact number?"

"Not exactly. But in the signature there is a cell phone number I don't recognise."

"Playing safe."

"So it would seem."

"Jack is on his way up to Peterson to have a snoop around over there. He thinks that some of the guys may know something as our new SGC liaison made a very quick trip here considering."

Sam nodded. "I know. Usually trying to log a flight plan with those imbeciles takes at least a week. Well for the moment it looks like all we can do is wait to hear from Colonel O'Neill."

Daniel leant forward slightly. "Sam, do you remember Kinsey's last visit and his insistence that he book his own accommodation?"

"Yeah. I believe I still have the records of that visit somewhere."

"Maybe we should go take a look? We'd need…"

"…the pool vehicle is parked in the garage…"

"…too risky…"

"…oh you know not what you do!"

Sam jumped up and ran to get her keys and left quickly through the front door. Daniel wrapped himself up in his coat and left her apartment, slamming the door and ensuring it was locked. He waited on the sidewalk for Sam to appear and shook his head slightly. He trusted this woman with his life off-world, why was he so nervous? He heard her before he saw her and stepped back from the curb slightly as she stopped infront of him and handed him her spare helmet. "Women and bikes." He muttered before climbing on board and clinging to her for dear life as they sped off.

-