Pride
One minute she was there, and the next she was gone.
Daniel stopped mid-sentence and watched as Vala's chair gave out from under her, and she fell crashing to the floor in a surprised yelp in the middle of the briefing.
There was a moment of stunned silence before Mitchell broke out in hysterical laughter. Daniel couldn't help but follow, and Sam soon joined. Teal's even cracked a smile as Vala pushed the broken chair off her back, giving them all a huffy look.
General Landry leaned over to look at her sitting on the floor. "You okay, Vala?" He asked with a soft chuckle.
"Oh," Vala pouted. "Glad you guys can get a wonderful laugh at MY expense. I could be hurt," She sent a death glare towards Daniel. He attempted to cease his laughter, but failed miserably. "And you would still be laughing."
Daniel licked his lips slowly and turned away from her. He took a deep breath to calm himself and placed the remote for the projector down on the table. Turning back around, he made his way over to her, placing a hand to his mouth to try and prevent the returning laughter from escaping. It was hard when she looked so adorably funny sitting on the floor with her pigtails all askew, arms crossed and lips pushed out in a definite pout.
He knelt down in front of her, and tried to make his face serious. The closest he got was an amused smiled. "We're sorry..." Daniel ignored Mitchell's 'not really' comment and gently cupped her cheek. "Are you okay?" He asked, and another bubble of laughter came out unintentionally with the words. It set everyone else off laughing again
Vala glared at him. "Oh, that sounded sincere."
"I'm sorry, Vala." Daniel laughed gently. "But it was funny, and you don't sound like you're hurt."
Vala looked into his blue eyes, bright with laughter and love for her. She sighed, a small smile coming to her lips. "I guess it was kinda funny."
"Hell yeah it was funny!" Mitchell laughed, and Vala stuck her tongue out at him. She looked at Sam, who grinned brightly at her, then at Teal'c, who inclined his head with a small smile. Her eyes found their way back to Daniel, who was still laughing quietly.
He brought his hand on her face to the side of her head, and pulled her in close. Daniel kissed her temple softly. She sighed with amusement.
"My pride may be damaged forever." She laughed good-naturedly.
Daniel smiled against her, then turned her head so he could take her mouth in a loving kiss. Vala accepted it greatly, and Daniel helped pull her to her feet, their lips never separating. They pulled apart as someone cleared their throat. They turned their gaze to General Landry.
"Pride aside, it's clear your lips work fine." He reprimanded with a smile. Daniel's eyes snapped to Sam for a moment as she swallowed back a laugh at the remark, then back to the General. "Now that we've had a good laugh, and you've kissed and made up - Dr. Jackson, could we please get back to the briefing."
"But where am I supposed to sit?" Vala asked curiously as Teal'c and Mitchell moved her former chair against the wall to be picked up after the briefing.
Before Landry could say anything, Daniel pulled Vala over to the table he had been perched on before. He took a seat on the edge, and patted his leg. Vala sat down on it, and he wrapped his arm around her waist to help her balance. She, in turn, wrapped both arms around his neck.
Daniel kissed her cheek. "Better?" He grinned. Vala nodded enthusiastically.
"Dr. Jackson?" The General questioned patiently, and Daniel turned his head to look at him with a 'what?' look of innocence on his face. The general sighed in defeat, and indicated to the projector with his hand. "Continue please."
Daniel nodded, and turned off the lights with the remote. He winked at Vala, she smiled, and they got back down to business.
A/N: Just a curious question: How many of you ladies have a problem keeping it in your seat when Michael (usually as Daniel) walks into a scene? My beta and myself seem to have a problem in that regard, and even if he's not involved, the chairs are against us and kick us out of them. This chapter was inspired by my beta's most recent mishap with a chair (at least the most recent that i know of...)
So the bunnies dedicate this to you, Tara!
