Friends (And Co-workers)

It didn't surprise Daniel that Jack and Vala got along. After all, their favorite hobby was finding ways new ways to make him blush or stammer. So when Jack had to stay in Colorado Springs for a few weeks due to some hoo-ha from the IOA he wasn't' surprised they begun to hang out. SG-1 was land locked until this thing was over and they had similar temperaments and personalities. They shared the same two spots to hangout in, namely his and Sam's labs. They played video games in Teal'c's room and tried to make him blush twice as fast.

All was normal until the cabin fever set in. A bored Jack was bad, a bored Vala was trouble, a bored Jack and Vala in the same space was disastrous.

The water balloon war was stopped due to Siler having to wear a patch of the rest of the week, Jack teaching Vala to ride a bike with Teal'c's old one was stopped after they crashed into Dr. Lee and the man had to limp for the next two day. Then the prank war started which Landry ended after the glitter bomb in the conference room (Vala) and the red dye in the showers (Jack). After that they had both been scolded and Jack was practically kicked out the mountain for the rest of the day; it was barely 11 am. As he had moved to leave he muttered something about catching the Fair that was in town and Vala perked up. She had wanted to go. Daniel and Landry had begun to protest when Jack cut in and basically told them to relax; she'd be fine and back before midnight. Landry had conceded, but Daniel still had felt nervous. Still, they had gone along with Cam and Teal'c. And that night when a bouncing Vala on a sugar high had come back to the base dragging a happy Teal'c (he had won several prizes) and two exhausted military men, Daniel had almost felt sorry for Jack. But really, he should have known better.

After that the 'Jack and Vala Show' (thank you, Cam) had gotten worse, at least to him. Neither was made to be cooped up for too long and now that they had permission to leave the base they tended to go out, a lot. This did not make Daniel feel any better. "Jack took me… Jack said… did you know Jack…" Vala seemed too happy and having fun but Daniel all of sudden couldn't wait for his best friend to leave the state. His stomach kept clenching all the time and he didn't like it one bit.

And now there she was, dressed in a very beautiful and glittery backless slate top and her leather pants. Daniel had to focus on his jaw, and picking it up off the floor. Where was she going and when did she buy that?

"Hullo darling, where you off too?" She was smiling and perfectly normal.

"Office." Damn, he needed verbs, but that top and exposed skin was making it harder than normal (pun intended). He cleared his throat, "To my office, to finish these translations. And you? You look like you're heading out?"

She bounced and smiled wide. "Yep, Jack's taking me to O'Malley's"

Daniel didn't know what that sudden feeling in his stomach was, but he didn't like it.

"Oh, really? That's nice of him."

"I know, honestly Daniel, I don't know why you complained so much about him, he's fun."

"You would think that." He rolled his eyes.

Vala just gave him a bright grin, kissed his cheek and headed of to meet Jack. Daniel had a stray thought that she better not be giving Jack any kisses. Suddenly impatient, he stalked to his office.

Unfortunately he bypassed it and went straight for Sam's lab.

"Do you know what Jack's doing tonight?"

Sam looked at him confused but answered, "He's taking Vala to O'Malley's. He and Cam told her the story about the armbands and she wanted to go. Why?"

"Why!? Why? You're not bugged by this?'

"By what?"

"This. The 'Jack and Vala Show' like Cam calls it. Don't you find it annoying?'

"No, not really. They are similar people and like to have fun. Relax, Daniel, it's not like they're causing too much trouble, they're just two friends going out to…dinner." Sam trailed off.

Daniel didn't like the grin on his friend's face. "What?!"

Sam smiled big. "You're jealous!"

"What! I am not! I'm not jealous. I …it's just why do they have to be so 'Jack and Vala'..." at Sam's look he huffed. "I am not jealous." And with that he left his crazy friend's lab, not noticing how she picked up the phone on his way out.

He wasn't jealous. He wasn't.

Yes you are, said the voice in his head.

Am not.

Are too.

Am not.

Too.

"Daniel."

"Not."

"What?" Jack gave his friend a look.

"Wha… Oh, umm.. Nothing just talking to myself."

"Okay."

"What's up?'

"Wanna join me and Vala for dinner? I'm taking her to O'Malley's."

"Oh, sure. Let me change."

"We'll meet you topside."

"Okay." With that Daniel left Jack and headed to change, suddenly glad. He wasn't jealous, he wasn't but now he could just make sure that nothing happened, not that he was scared of something happening. Nope, not jealous at all.

He never saw Jack's grin.