***I own nothing of SG1, SGA, or their characters; I just love to play with them from time to time. No money being made, etc….***

***A/N—this is after AoT and before Continuum***

**A/N—A huge thanks to my beta, Becca, she keeps me on track!**

Chapter 12

"What a lovely sight, two mermaids." Crossing his arms and grinning in relief, Daniel was not prepared for Vala's response. A glob of mud impacted the side of his head. "Hey! What was that for?" Looking up, he faced a very irate Vala, with another handful of mud. Ducking her next shot failed and he got mud in his hair. "Stop that! This isn't funny!" Stepping back, he eyed the obviously angry brunette warily. "I don't know why you're angry, I should be the one who is angry here. You walked out on helping me!"

Carole Harris tried to contain her giggles as she began to climb off the rock she had been sitting on. Only Vala's voice stopped her. "Stay Carole, I think I'll need a witness." Carole sat back down to watch the emotional fireworks.

Daniel eyed Vala suspiciously as she marched out of the water. The sapphire blue swimsuit looked fabulous on her, but the look on her face spelled trouble. When doesn't Vala spell trouble, Danny boy? But admit it; she is the kind of trouble you love! That is the point isn't it? I love her. But still, I need to be able to count on her. "You walked out on me today when I needed your input. I thought you wanted to work with me? But nooooo you got bored and left!" Warming to his topic, he put his hands on his hips and moved towards her. "You've been rude to my colleagues all week, you've been sulking because I've been busy, and now YOU are mad at ME? Give me a break!"

"Oh you!" Vala seemed to be at a loss for words and flung another handful of mud straight at his face. "You've been pushing me away for the past eight days, but allowing Dr. Borden to climb all over you, showering her with smiles and me with frowns! If this is your idea of a relationship then I want out!" Narrowing her eyes as Daniel scraped the mud from his face, she circled him slowly. "You make all the rules, decide it's wrong to even touch me and then get mad because I'm upset about it? I have feelings Daniel and I don't like seeing some lak'ta hanging onto you!"

"Oh, this is ironic, you of all people calling Dr. Borden a lak'ta! She is a very nice woman…" Daniel found himself falling backwards into the pool of water. "What in hell was that for?" He gained his footing and stood in the thigh deep water. "What are you, six years old? You don't get your way and you throw a temper tantrum?"

Mumbling Goa'uld under her breath, Vala returned to the water and reached for another handful of mud. "What do you mean by that comment? Me, of all people? I've done many things but I've never gone after a man that was involved with another woman! That is the lowest of the low…" Vala began cursing very colorfully in Goa'uld as she continued to pelt Daniel with mud.

Watching from her perch on the rock, Carole could see it was time to leave. Vala and Daniel weren't going to do any real damage to each other. Gathering her belongings, Lt. Harris made her way down the path chuckling at the yells and splashes she could hear.

Daniel finally grabbed Vala's arms to stop the mud bath he was receiving. "Damn it Vala, would you stop! This is why I didn't want us to get involved. You are simply too unpredictable and impulsive." Panting, he stood in the water and realized she had never looked more beautiful to him.

"Me? Me! What about you, Dr.-I-move-so-slow-a-fret'ta-could-pass-me? You claim you care about me, but have no trouble shoving me away and treating me like mil'sa!" Vala knew she was slipping in to Goa'uld again, but was too hurt and angry to care. She had tried so hard to get Daniel to see that he needs her as much as she needs him, that her frustration was overwhelming her. With a final push, she broke free and shoved Daniel into the water again.

Suddenly all of the words Vala had been saying seemed to reach his brain and Daniel realized she was as jealous as he had been. Straightening up, he faced the hot-blooded alien and gave her a sheepish smile. "I guess I've been taking this professional attitude too far, haven't I? I'm really sorry, I didn't think you would get jealous of Dr. Borden, there's no reason to; you're the only woman for me."

Vala stopped dead in her tracks, she never could stay mad at Daniel when he admitted he was wrong and then grinned at her. Looking away from him, she tried to retain her feelings of hurt and anger, she didn't want Daniel to continue to treat her badly and then charm his way out of it. Their relationship must have a more solid footing. But he looks so cute! If he puts his hands in his pockets I am lost…… Mentally shushing the voice in her head, Vala stomped towards the beach dropping two handfuls of mud back into the water. Turning to the archeologist, she fixed him with a steely glare. "I just think the so-called rules need to be clear, to both of us. AND we both need to agree on them. I feel as if you are making all of the decisions, I didn't mind at first, but now I see the need for my input!" Stopping to rinse the mud off her hands, she then picked up her towel from the sand. Wrapping it around herself, she watched him exit the water through narrowed eyes. As Daniel came to stand before her, she started to smash her lips together, biting at the side of her mouth to keep from laughing. He was soaked, from head to toe, had streaks of mud still on his face, and a piece of a weed stuck in his hair.

"Oh, you think a wet Daniel is funny do you?" Smiling with relief at her comical expression he advanced on her, sweeping her into his arms. Ignoring her squeals, he turned back to the water. "How about another swim, Vala?" He held her threateningly over the water while she clung to him. His blue eyes turned serious as he gazed at her, "I'm sorry sweetheart; I've been an ass." Carrying her back to where the picnic basket was waiting Daniel slowly lowered her feet to the sand, seeing how her eyes darkened as she slid along his body. Brushing the wet tendrils from her face, he slid his palm along her cheek. She turned her head and gently nipped at his thumb then kissed his palm. Groaning, he lowered his lips to hers.

Wrapping her arms around Daniel, Vala leaned into his kiss, reveling in the way his arms held her tight. She had been missing this for the past week; there was a need in her to feel Daniel close. All of her anger dropped away and she felt the tension leave his body as well. This is what they both had been craving, where the roots of their frustration and anger had come from. Lips meshing and hands roaming, they sank to the sand.

"Hello there, Jackson!" Cam tried to keep the relief out of his voice. So this is what had been bugging the lovebirds, sexual frustration! Hell, he could so relate. The group behind him had spread out and was staring at the couple necking in the sand. He thought he heard a muffled curse and turned to see one of the female archeologists stomping away.

Daniel and Vala reluctantly broke apart, Daniel blushing like mad and Vala with a triumphant grin. "Hello Cam, you brought the rest of the camp up to swim I see. " Vala gave him a bold wink. Leaning into Daniel, she appeared more relaxed than she had been in a week. His hand was sliding up and down her back, causing her to quiver.

"Are you cold? We should get you back to the camp, cara mia." Daniel dropped a kiss on her hair and smiled at Cam. "Great job your guys did with the pool here Mitchell. Have fun!" Seizing the picnic basket and leading Vala away, he decided that an evening alone in their tent was called for.