~o~

Teal'c sat in Daniel's office early Sunday morning, working with him on translating a tablet written in an obscure and little used Ancient dialect. SG-14 had brought it back on their last mission, and though it wasn't a priority, Daniel had been meaning to get to it for some time. He'd lain awake in bed the night before, staring at the ceiling, his mind going in a thousand different directions until he'd risen in frustration and called Teal'c to tell him he was on his way in to work on the tablet.

Now though, an hour later, they had made precious little progress. Daniel's eyes were constantly drifting with his thoughts. This had not gone unnoticed by Teal'c, who had sat by patiently, waiting for his friend to either focus on the task at hand or turn to him for advice. When it seemed he would do neither, Teal'c decided it was time to act.

"Are you well, Daniel Jackson?"

Daniel, startled from his latest musings, casting a sheepish glance at Teal'c. "I'm fine," he said and turned back to examine the tablet.

"You do not appear to be fine," Teal'c observed.

Daniel looked at his friend and gave a wane smile. "I'm fine, really," he tried to assure him. "I just didn't sleep that great last night, that's all."

Teal'c lifted his eyebrow in question. He could sense that something else was wrong, but unless he pushed, Daniel would reveal very little. "Are you certain that is all that troubles you?"

Daniel's shoulders slumped, and he took off his glasses and rubbed at his eyes before putting them back on. Pushing back a little from the workbench, he sighed and rubbed a hand at the back of his neck. He knew Teal'c wouldn't give up until he'd found out what was bothering him, and right now he didn't have the energy to fight.

Closing his eyes, he dropped his head back and spoke. "I kissed Cassie yesterday."

Teal'c's eyebrow nearly shot off his face as he took in Daniel's words, but he quickly schooled his expression as Daniel raised his head and looked at his friend.

"You kissed Cassandra Frasier. As a man would kiss his mate," Teal'c clarified, though he already knew what the answer would be.

Daniel's courage failed him and he looked away, nodding his head in confirmation. Leaping up as if his stool were on fire, he began to pace back and forth as he spoke. "I mean, I don't know what I was thinking. It's Cassie, right? But she's so grown up now. And beautiful. And smart. But she's Cassie," he began to ramble, and once started, he couldn't stop. "And it's been so long since I've been with anyone. And I'm totally nervous, and scared, and unsure. But it's Cassie, right? And I think if anyone is safe, it's her, but Cassie? She's so much younger than me. And Jack would kill me if he found out. But she's so much fun to be around, and I keep finding myself looking forward to seeing her. But, Cassie. Our Cassie," Daniel finally sputtered to a halt, dropping back onto his stool, now spent.

"You have said that several times, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c admonished wryly, hoping to break Daniel out of his spiral.

Daniel just sat there, dumbfounded. He hadn't planned to say anything to anyone, even Teal'c, who could always be relied upon to be the soul of discretion as well as a good sounding board. But keeping it in had been too hard, and now that he was spent, he was even more unsure than when he'd started.

Teal'c eyed his friend critically. It hadn't escaped his notice that there was some interest in Daniel on Cassie's part. And their interactions obviously gave Daniel some pleasure. He found that he didn't disapprove of his friend seeing her romantically. But he would have to choose his words carefully for them to have an impact on an obviously confused Daniel.

"It has been my observation, Daniel Jackson, that, while you are not alone, you are most assuredly lonely. I do not believe Sha're would have wanted this for you."

Daniel's eyes shot to the other man's, absorbing the truth of his statement. "I guess I have buried myself in my work lately," he said, chagrin coloring his tone at having been caught out.

"Mourning for a loved one is understandable, however the time for mourning is long past," Teal'c reminded him.

"I know. And I think I'm ready, but Cassie?" Daniel begged for clarity.

"Cassandra Frasier is indeed a beautiful and intelligent young woman," he began. "Does that alone not make her worthy of your affection?"

Daniel shook his head. "Maybe where you come from, but here they'd call me a dirty old man."

Teal'c frowned. "You do not appear to require bathing, though I do not know when you last showered."

Daniel laughed at that, relaxing a little. "It's an expression, Teal'c," he explained. "It means that others might look at us and think I have less than honorable intentions towards her because of our age difference."

"I know you well, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c intoned. "If you chose to pursue a relationship with Cassandra Frasier, your intentions would be entirely honorable."

"But you know me," Daniel confirmed. "Those who don't wouldn't be so sure."

"And why do their opinions matter to you?"

It was a good question, and not really his chief objection. It wasn't what others thought about him that mattered. It was whether or not he had a right to ask Cassie to accept an older man. Their life together would be short, and she would likely be a young widow. Those thoughts surprised him because he didn't think his thoughts about her had turned so serious.

Daniel shook his head, bringing himself back to the here and now. "That's not the point."

"Then what is the point, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c fired back, lifting his eyebrow once more in question.

"I guess I'm just afraid that she's too young to know what she wants," Daniel sighed as he tried to explain. "And I don't know if I can go through the pain of losing someone I care that much about again." His chin dropped to his chest, and he sighed. Looking up again, he voiced his original objection. "I'm just so much older than her."

Teal'c raised his eyebrow and contemplated Daniel's words. Choosing to address one thing at a time, he opened his mouth to speak. "Did Cassandra Frasier return your kiss?"

Daniel blushed to the roots of his hair as his gaze unfocused and he remembered their kiss. Did she kiss him back? Hell yes! It had been amazing, but he'd been so caught up in his own actions he'd practically missed hers. Nodding his head, he replied in a quiet whisper. "Yes, she did."

Teal'c gave a ghost of a smile, though Daniel didn't see it since his mind was still far away. He waited patiently as Daniel's thoughts ran their course, and only when his attention was fixed once again on him did he continue.

"It is quite possible that you will not return from a mission one day, Daniel Jackson, just as it is possible that she will not return. One cannot fail to live each day to its fullest when that is the reality of one's life," he explained, calling on the wisdom learned during his time on Oddysey to help his friend.

"Life's too short, huh?" Daniel threw out. They'd talked more than once about all they'd learned aboard the Odyssey. It had become habit to throw those lessons out from time to time, when one of them was being an idiot. Like Daniel, right now.

Teal'c nodded his head in affirmation, a small smile playing at his lips. "Indeed."

Daniel nodded and sighed. "Still doesn't change the fact that I'm old enough to be her father."

"I have often observed that Cassandra Frasier displays a wisdom beyond her years. Perhaps that is part of what attracts you to her," Teal'c offered gently.

"Maybe," Daniel said, letting the thought roll around in his mind. "But this is Cassie we're talking about. Our Cassie. She's part of our family. Can it really work?"

Teal'c gave a soft sigh. Changing the status quo in favor of a situation that would be unfamiliar and uncertain was never easy. Teal'c had never been fearful of acting, because actions were all he had. Fear simply wasn't part of the equation for him. But his friend had a great deal to lose if things changed for the worse.

"Daniel Jackson," Teal'c addressed him, "I believe you would treat Cassandra Frasier with the utmost care and respect. Of this I have no doubt, because you are a man of honor, and because you already care deeply for her. I do not believe your friends, your family, will disapprove once they see the genuineness of your bond."

"Even Jack?" Daniel asked hesitantly. Of all his friends, Jack O'Neill was the one person who could and would snap him like a twig if he hurt or took advantage of Cassie, and he knew it.

Teal'c's eyebrow climbed back up his forehead. "I believe O'Neill would eventually come to understand."

Daniel snorted. "Yeah, after he broke my neck."

"Perhaps," he confirmed. "But that is not your concern. If you have acted honorably where she is concerned, you will have nothing to fear."

"Maybe," Daniel said again, still obviously unsure.

"I have said all I can," Teal'c told him. "Perhaps now is the time you should speak to Cassandra Frasier of what concerns you."

"I guess you're right," Daniel said, still unsure of what he should do. "And thanks."

Teal'c once again bowed his head with a smile. "Indeed."

Both men turned as one back to the tablet. Daniel's thoughts were still muddled, but he was more focused as he and Teal'c worked on the translation. He didn't have any more answers than before they talked, but Teal'c had given him some things to think about. He would wait to do his thinking when he was alone. Firmly putting Cassie in the back of his mind, he set to work.

~o~

Dawn tinted the sky with radiant hues of pink, purple and orange as the sun rose on P6Y-509. Daniel sipped at his tepid coffee, contemplating the sunrise and his own potential new beginning. It was Wednesday, and he hadn't seen or spoken to Cassie since he'd left her house Saturday afternoon. He'd since spent four sleepless nights considering what he wanted to do, and he was no closer to having an answer.

The sun crept higher in the sky as Daniel finished out the last watch of the night in silence. He'd spent Sunday working, mostly successfully, on the translation with Teal'c, and had been able to finish it up on Monday. He'd thought about talking to Cassie, just to let her know he wasn't trying to avoid her, but then General Landry had assigned them to a two day recon mission first thing Tuesday, and there'd been no time. In hindsight, that was a good thing, because he still didn't know what he would say to her if they were to talk.

At the thought of Cassie, his mind conjured up an image of her in her green utilities, hair tied back in a ponytail, face flush with excitement. He felt a frisson of happiness race through him at the thought. He had to admit that he truly did enjoy spending time with her. She was smart, like Sam Carter was smart. The only reason she'd decided to forgo graduate school immediately on graduation was because she was too anxious to get into the SGC and start working. He found that sort of enthusiasm refreshing, not to mention contagious. He'd found himself looking forward to missions lately in a way he hadn't ever done before, and he knew it was because he was beginning to see things from a fresh perspective: her perspective.

But it wasn't only her smarts that he liked, he thought as he took another sip of coffee. She had a warm, bubbly personality that was so inviting. She always had time for other people, and had quickly made friends at the SGC—friends that she would likely have for the rest of her life. He liked that she was so open and honest. And she knew how to have fun, to leave work behind and immerse herself in something totally unrelated. It was a skill he hadn't ever quite mastered. Even on their downtime, SG-1 tended to talk shop. It wasn't the only thing they had in common, but work so consumed their lives that it seemed sometimes that was the only thing they wanted to talk about.

Unbidden, another image of Cassie floated through his mind. This time, she was seated across from him at the dinner table, when they'd gone out to celebrate her first mission. She'd been radiant that evening, the red shirt giving her face a healthy glow and turning her dark blonde hair into a rich gold halo. He thought for a moment how he'd known her for over half her life, and had always thought she was pretty, but seeing her working at the SGC had made him realize she'd grown into a beautiful and amazing woman.

But wasn't he too old for her? True, she was quite mature for her age, always had been. But did that mean they would be able to have a relationship? They had actually had many of the same life experiences, having both lost parents young. He just didn't know, and to own it, he was a little afraid to take the leap and try to find out. What if it didn't work? Where did that leave them? Where did that leave him? Because when it came right down to it, he was still afraid of being hurt again. And he was a little afraid of hurting Cassie, too. What if he wasn't who or what she thought he'd be? He knew living life involved some risks, but was this risk one he could take? Cassie seemed to think so. He still wasn't sure.

"Coffee, Daniel?" came a feminine voice from behind him.

Startled, he turned around and found Vala Mal Doran looking down at him, a smirk on her face. "I made a fresh pot," she waggled the coffee pot and her eyebrows for emphasis.

Daniel frowned good-naturedly. "Some night watchman I turned out to be."

He tossed the dregs of his cold coffee and held his cup out for her to fill. Vala poured the fresh coffee into his cup, then filled her own and sat down next to him on the ground, facing the dawn.

"How does that expression go?" she asked. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Daniel nodded confirmation, then considered how much he really wanted to tell her. Reveal too much and she'd have it all over the SGC by noon. Reveal too little and she wouldn't stop pestering him until he gave it all up.

"Just contemplating some things," he hedged.

"Mmmm, sounds weighty," she said, pursing her lips and nodding solemnly. "Care to elaborate?"

Daniel sipped at his coffee and thought about his dilemma. "I was just thinking about risks versus rewards."

"Oooh, I like risk," Vala said, sitting up a little straighter.

Daniel smirked. "I know."

"But you don't," came her astute observation.

"Not so much," he replied. "I know we usually manage to get out of risky situations with our lives intact, but luck like that isn't gonna hold."

"What's this about, Daniel?"

Daniel shook his head. He was so not going to tell her about Cassie. "I'm just thinking," he said instead.

Vala narrowed her eyes at Daniel. "Alright, let's try this—assuming you're considering some action. What's the reward if you take the risk?"

Daniel looked at her, surprise written all over his face. She hadn't tried to wheedle it out of him, choosing instead to play along. Maybe she had changed some, he mused. Out loud, he said, "A chance at happiness, some personal fulfillment, a potential new beginning."

"And if you don't?"

"Never knowing if I made the decision based on fear," he said in a low voice.

Vala nodded. "You know what they say: nothing ventured, nothing gained," she offered.

He smiled as he looked at her. "Yet another lesson learned aboard Odyssey," he said, nodding in agreement. "Teal'c mentioned something similar on Sunday." It seemed Teal'c wasn't the only one trying to remind him of what was truly important in life.

"Teal'c knows about this?" Vala said, glee written all over her face. "I wonder if I can get it out of him."

So she wasn't playing along, just biding her time figuring he'd have to tell her eventually anyway. Daniel smirked. "You may not ask Teal'c about this. Besides, I doubt he'd tell you anyway."

Vala leaned back, propping herself on one arm, a satisfied smirk on her face. "Oh, I don't know. I have my ways."

"Like the ways you've tried to get him to tell you about what happened on Odyssey?" Daniel shot back. At her frown, Daniel chuckled. She hadn't had any more luck than the rest of them, though that hardly seemed to stop her. "Thanks, Vala," he said instead.

"For what?" she frowned.

"Just thanks," he said, reaching around her shoulders to squeeze her.

Activity behind them told them that the rest of the team was beginning to stir, so by mutual unspoken agreement, they rose and set about getting breakfast ready. They were scheduled to return to the SGC that morning, after one more look around, and suddenly Daniel couldn't wait to get back. He'd learned over the years to heed his friends' advice, because they were usually right. If Teal'c and Vala—though she didn't know it—were encouraging him to take a chance, maybe it was a chance worth taking.

...continued...