"Alliances of Sorts"

Ch. 5

(Int. SGC, Mess Hall)

Shalimar, Brennan, Jesse, Emma, Daniel and I sat around the table easting breakfast. The four members of Mutant X enjoyed plates of eggs, bacon, toast, and cups of coffee. Daniel had his usual waffle and fourth cup of coffee. I had my usual bowel of Fruit Loops, wheat toast and finishing up my third cup of coffee.

I sipped some of my coffee when Emma said:

"From what I could tell by the way you acted around Adam that he and you have some history,"

"Yeah, you wanna tell us what that was about?" Brennan asked.

"You certainly weren't yourself back there," Daniel said.

I drained the last of my coffee, gently set it down in front of me, sighed, and said:

"Well, Gabriel Ashlock was patient number 0. I was patient number 1," I paused, leaned back against the back of the chair, and rested my hands on my lap. I then continued. "My mother died of cancer when I was 4 years old. My father took me to Adam because he was afraid that I would carry on the disease."

"Adam must have started to research ways to cure diseases after Ashlock," Jesse said.

I nodded.

"Anyways, several months later my powers began to show. My father became so angry about taking me to Adam that he got himself drunk every night. The more he'd drink, the more he'd become angry. And the angrier he became the more he'd drink. My father started beating me up every night when I was 6. Until finally he just couldn't take the pain anymore and put a bullet to the head, right in front of me."

I felt a tear coming down my face. I wiped away quickly so none of them could see. But, Daniel noticed. Underneath the table he took my hand and stroked it gently with his thumb.

"I had better go home and get some sleep," I said abruptly.

Daniel reluctantly released my hand. I stood up.

"Um, I think I'll come with you," Daniel said, getting up.

Emma, Shalimar, Jesse, and Brennan looked at us suspiciously.

"Nicole and I live in the same apartment building," he looked at me for some support.

"Yeah. And didn't you mention something about getting some more books from your apartment, too?" I asked.

"Yes, exactly," I turned to Daniel. "Shall we go?"

"I think that's a good idea," Daniel nodded.

"Bye," we said together and left toward the elevator.

(SGC, Elevator)

I felt a powerful impression from Daniel: Love.

I smiled in satisfied way. Daniel gave a laugh.

"What?" he said.

"I know how you feel about me. I feel it every time we're together. And I feel it too," I paused. "In fact, what I'm about to do right now is long over due."

I pulled his face closer to mine until both our lips touched one another. Daniel didn't push me away. He pulled me closer and wrapped his arms around me. I did the same. We kissed until the elevator door opened.

"Hello," I heard Jack say.

Daniel and I pulled apart. Colonel O' Neill stepped into the elevator with us.

"Hi," we said together.

Jack was eyeing the two of us.

"I think I should go now," I said. "I'll see you guys in 1400 hours."

I orbed out of the SGC base and landed on top of my bed in my apartment. I closed my eyes and smiled widely. Remembering the sensation it felt to finally kiss Daniel. Several minutes later I fell asleep after repeating that moment in my head, still ginning.