TITLE: "Dinner & Dessert"

AUTHOR: Me! Oh, uh, Verb

RATING: T, I would think. More towards the end, really. I'm no good at this rating thing, but if you're 13 or have the maturity of one, I think you can handle it.

CATEGORY: Humor, Daniel/Other, unapologetic snark.

SUMMARY: What's a little dinner and dessert among friends?

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable Stargate SG-1 characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment only and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. This story and other publicly unrecognized events or characters therein are copyrighted to the author and may not be used or reproduced in entirety or in parts without express permission of the author.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Round 4 everybody! Another story for me, different since so far I've always written established characters in the Stargate universe. Thought I'd give this a try. Much thanks to Dessert Blossom-by-the-Sea for a much needed double round of beta'ing as well as encouragement. Please read and enjoy!

Chapter 10 - Tickets Plural?

" . . . and we ended up spending the entire night watching horror movies."

Abbie burst into the living room door, Daniel a second behind her, ready to use all of her required military self defense training to restrain Mark and prevent a reenactment of any battle of any kind by any means necessary. She was therefore surprised to see all six of her guests sitting nicely in various poses on and around her living room furniture. "Ok, I thought-"

"Yeah, about that," Mark wiggled around where he sat on the floor in front of the couch. "Wilma didn't want you two to be left in the kitchen all by yourself."

"And what did you mean by that, exactly?" Abbie managed to make her way into the living room and sat down on the couch behind Mark and motioned for Daniel to sit beside her.

"Oh, I just didn't want you guys to get bored in there without us to keep you company." Wilma tried but didn't quite pull off the innocent claim.

Paige shot her a smile from where she sat on the loveseat on the opposite side of the room with Paul. "Are you sure? Because I think your exact words were 'We're missing all of the hot and steamy stuff going on in the kitchen!' ".

Abbie's face flushed all the way to the roots of her hair. She tried to come up with a somewhat witty response, but her embarrassment rendered her unable to think. Daniel saved her the trouble.

"Don't worry, Wilma, the only thing steamy in that kitchen was the kettle." Daniel explained. "For now." He turned his gaze to Abbie in time to see the shy smile that spread over her face at his comment, inordinately pleased that he had been the one to cause it.

Elisha laughed at the exchange. "Finally, someone with a mind as dirty as Wilma's."

Daniel shrugged. "Well, I am an archeologist. Dirty is what I do."

Abbie had to laugh. She wasn't fooled by the innocent look that appeared on his face –she knew him too well for that. "Ok, moving on. I think we interrupted the conversation at hand when we walked in the room – something about horror movies?"

"That was me," Jason raised a hand and pointed at himself, almost dropping his dessert in the process. "We were talking about the movies Elisha and I rented last weekend. We got every horror movie we could think of – Psycho, The Shining, The Exorcist, a few Alfred Hitchcock movies, Scream, Sleepless in Seattle-"

"Wait, Sleepless in Seattle?" Abbie asked. "That's not a horror movie."

"Oh, I know, but that was the first time I'd seen it, and it scared the bejeebers out of me," Jason admitted.

Everyone but Wilma burst out into laughter. "Oh, really you guys, it's not that funny."

"Oh, but it is!" Paige had to pause and catch her breath. "Because we all know how much you love those mushy romantic comedies."

Daniel raised an eyebrow, a little surprised. "Oh really?"

"Yes, I distinctly remember spending a good portion of our university days being dragged to sappy chick flicks when Jason-" Abbie shot the man a dangerous look "-wouldn't go with Wilma."

Jason held up his hands in a placating gesture. "And I've been making it up to you ever since."

Abbie gave a small smile as Jason's comment launched half a dozen lively conversations among the group, sparking an argument about the real reason she had needed to buy another TV. She eventually sank back into the cushions of the couch and was pleasantly surprised to feel Daniel's arm curl around her shoulders. She looked up into his eyes and returned the grin that was spread across his face. He pulled her gently towards him, welcoming the warmth of her body as she settled against his side.

"So," Daniel whispered. "Are we having fun yet?"

Abbie reached up and ran her fingers over the side of his jaw. "I am."

"Good." Daniel gently pulled her hand away from his face. "Me too." He clasped her hand in his, and then became distracted when Paul called a question out to him and focused for the moment on answering. He didn't realize that he was gently gliding his thumb in small circles across the top of Abbie's hand as he did so.

The simple gesture was not missed by the others occupying the room. In fact, Paige was surprised the normally observant Abbie hadn't noticed the looks the three married couples had been shooting each other all night. She chalked it up to the fact that Abbie's focus was locked on a certain archeologist.

Paul, noticing that his wife's gaze had lingered on the couple currently occupying the couch, leaned over and whispered, "Think they need another round of 'alone time'?"

Paige gave him a small smile. "You read my mind. You've got to stop doing that."

Paul smirked. "I'll try." He stood up and stretched. "But no promises." He turned around and offered his hand. She shot him a 'Be good' look, then used his help to leverage herself off the loveseat.

"Paige, Paul? You guys on your way home?" Abbie asked, effectively halting the conversations that had been taking place.

"Yeah, I think it's about time to get going." Paul answered. "We've got a long drive ahead of us, and our car's at Mark and Elisha's place." Once he made sure his wife was steady on her feet, he crossed the room and tipped both Jason and Wilma off of their stools in one swift motion.

"Hey!" Wilma's indignant cry as she hit the floor caused the room to erupt in what could only legitimately be called a giggle fit. "Is that how you treat a lady?"

"Nope. But I figured it would be unfair to Jason."

Abbie laughed and held up her hand. "Ok, I think we've crossed a line."

Elisha grinned and pulled herself up from the foot of the couch. "Oh no, I'm pretty sure we crossed that line a long time ago." She stretched out her back as Jason, Wilma and Mark made their way off the floor. "But Paul's right – we'd all better get going. We've got to drop Mr. and Mrs. Hollywood over there at the airport bright and early tomorrow morning."

"Let's get your coats." Abbie reluctantly removed her hand from Daniel's and slid off the couch. "Anyone want brownie to take home?"

"Yes." All six answered simultaneously.

Abbie gave them an amused grin. "Ok then. Daniel, would you mind helping out with getting everyone their jackets?"

"Only if I get to take some brownies home with me." Daniel returned her smile.

"Sure." She reached out and gently squeezed his arm before turning around and walking into the hallway.

Daniel watched her until she disappeared into the kitchen. When he turned around to help locate everyone's jackets, he found himself on the receiving end of stares from six sets of eyes. He immediately felt his face start to flush under the intense scrutiny of Abbie's closest friends. "So, um . . ." His normal ability to negotiate the safety of his life under pressure failed him.

"Don't worry about it, Daniel." Paul made his way to the front hall closet and pulled it open, sorting through the coats and handing them to their owners. "Something tells me whatever you two decide, it's been a long time coming."

Elisha shrugged on her jacket. "Especially if the goofy grin permanently plastered on both of your faces is anything to go by."

Daniel cleared his throat and attempted to speak. "I know how important all of you are to Abbie, and it means a lot to me that you are ok with us starting a . . ." his voice trailed off as he searched for an appropriate word.

" A torrid, red hot love affair?" Wilma suggested.

"I was going to say 'relationship'." Daniel smiled and helped Paige into her coat. "But I will keep that other . . . thing . . . in mind."

"Just treat her well, Daniel." Paige said. "She's a great person – there's no one like her out there."

Daniel gave a solemn nod of his head. "I will."

"That's good. She's very special to all of us. So just be forewarned that I know a great many people in my line of work, some of whom owe me favours." Jason fixed him with a pointed look. "Don't make me use one of them."

Mark scoffed at the fleeting look of panic that had appeared on Daniel face and punched Jason in the arm. "Don't let Jason's tough guy act scare you, Daniel. Be much more afraid of Paige – she's the one with military connections."

Paige gave him a knowing smile. "Oh, Daniel and I have an understanding." She gave his arm a little squeeze. "He knows the most out of all of us what's at stake."

No kidding Daniel thought. His talk with Paige at dinner had certainly set the wheels in motion, helping him to focus his emotion. He knew that he and Abbie were a long way from an official relationship, but he was determined to make it happen.

"Ok, here's brownies for everyone." Abbie walked back into the front hall and gave each of the women a container. "Hopefully that will be enough for all of you to share."

Mark pulled the container out of Elisha's hands. "For safekeeping," He said at the dirty look she gave him. "Have to make sure this actually makes it back home without any bite marks."

Jason jingled the keys at the group. "We ready?"

"You're driving, Jason?" Abbie asked as she moved closer to Daniel, slipping her hand into his. Her stomach did a little flip flop as his hand tightened around hers and gave a little squeeze.

"I figure I'd better if we actually want to make it to Mark and Elisha's house at a decent time. Mark drives like my seventy-year-old grandmother."

Paul made a face. "Yeah, well, at least nobody would have slapped a seventy-year-old grandmother upside her head."

Paige patted her husband's arm and gave him an indulgent smile. "That's right, dear. Think positive."

Abbie shook her head. "I'm going to miss you guys."

"Aw, we'll miss you too, Nash!" Paul grabbed her and pulled her into a bear hug. The group exchanged hugs and handshakes, with promises to get together the next month. Abbie then turned towards the door and unlocked it, holding it open for the lively bunch to make their way out to the van.

Wilma was the last one to leave through the door. A second after stepping outside, she turned around and threw an arm over Abbie's shoulder. "So, next month is at our place. I'll send you the tickets in two weeks or so."

A confused look crossed Abbie's face. "Tickets plural?"

Wilma gave her a sly grin. "Well, I figured, one for you, one for Dr. McDirty over there."

Abbie laughed and pulled Wilma into another hug. "You're horrible."

"Probably. But I expect details."

"I doubt there'll be any, but if there are, you'll be getting the edited version."

"Oh, trust me," Wilma said as the hug ended. "There will be details."

Abbie just shook her head as Wilma called out a final good bye to Daniel. She waved as the van pulled out of her driveway, then shut the door. She hesitated with her hand on the lock, a little nervous and unsure what she should do now that she and Daniel were alone.

xxxxxxx

For those about to review, I salute you.

(One more chapter 'till the kissage, people!)

xxxxxxx