Daniel was in the briefing room with the rest of his team, and General Hammond, briefing from their last mission, when the klaxons went off signaling off world activation. No one was supposed to be returning, so the group headed to the control room. The IDC code said it was SG-2, which meant something had gone wrong. The team came through, with Talis helping a limping Feretti down the ramp. The group was laughing, saying what a lovely couple Starling and Feretti made, and Talis was asking Feretti if he wanted her to carry him over her shoulder. Daniel looked at them all having a great time. He hadn't seen Talis in over a week, since that night.
"Major, can I ask what happened?" The general asked.
The group sobered up, and Feretti saluted the general, "I fell into a shallow hole sir, twisted up my ankle."
"Don't forget the rash Feretti?" Talis reminded him, trying not to laugh.
Feretti looked at her out the corner of his eyes, "Couldn't possibly, I seem to be developing a rash sir, it's spreading up my leg."
"Get to the infirmary, all of you." the general ordered with a sigh. "We'd better order a lock down until we know if the rash is contagious or not. With the luck we have when it comes to contagions, just not a good idea to mess around.
Daniel went to find Talis, to let her know she was free to leave. He hadn't been able to find her anywhere, when one of the MP's told him they thought she was up on 5th in the junior officers quarters. When he got up there, he heard laughter coming from a room with the door ajar, he walked in to find Talis sitting at a table, with about six lieutenants. She was wearing one of the first outfits he had ever seen her in, the leather pants and white tank top. She was leaning back with two of the chairs legs off the floor, her legs were crossed on the table, she had a cigar in her mouth, and cards in her hands. Daniel's eyes widened as he realized that there were clothes in the middle of the table, and that all of the men were in varying states of undress. "Are you playing strip poker?" he asked in shock.
"Sure are, you wanna play?" she asked him with a grin.
"No, I'm pretty sure something like this is against regulations."
"Nah," she waved that off, "why would it be, we aren't having sex, and really, since I'm not military, even that wouldn't be against the rules."
Daniel saw more than one set of eyes light up at this. "Um, I was just supposed to tell you that you're free to go home."
She sat up, "Feretti ok?"
"Turns out, he was just having an allergic reaction to some plant from that planet." Daniel said backing towards the door.
Talis stood up stretching, "Well, sorry boys, have to go home now." The men made sounds of disappointment. "Well, really guys, my daughters at home. Plus I think you guys need some practice before we play again."
"I take it you were doing well?" Daniel asked she neared him at the door.
"Didn't lose a hand." she said smugly.
They walked out to their cars, and Daniel looked at her, "You know, half those boys are in love with you?"
"Nah," she said considering, "Maybe in lust with me, but what does that hurt. Dreams aren't a bad thing."
Daniel stepped closer to her, "No, I guess not," he leaned in and put his lips to her ear, "and I can speak from experience, all of my naughty dreams have you in them." he whispered to her, then turned and walked to his car.
Talis watched him drive off, he had certainly surprised her. She had pretty much accepted that all they would have is an occasional sexual relationship, but she had thought she would always be the instigator. It looked like Dr. Jackson was working up to something.
Things had been moving quickly for Ben and Shannon, thanks to Talis and SG-1. Ben had been accepted into the Air Force, he would be leaving for boot camp in two weeks with Archie, Shannon would stay with Talis until he got back, then they would move into base housing. Shannon's pregnancy was progressing nicely, and the best part was that Talis had arranged for them to get married in her backyard on the upcoming weekend. She treated them the way she treated her brother.
Ben was still ashamed of how they met, but as she told them time and again, if he hadn't pulled the knife that one time, they wouldn't be where they were now. She had even arranged for them to go to Denver for a few days for a honeymoon. All of SG-1 was there for their marriage, as well as Cassie and Archie. Talis made sure that Shannon looked lovely in a long ivory dressed. It had an empire waist, so her pregnancy didn't show, and she wore a garland of roses in her long chestnut hair. Ben was speechless, when he saw her, he himself dressed in a suit that Jack and Daniel had taken him to get. He looked at the new people in his life, and decided they must be his guardian angels.
The day after the wedding, Daniel was at home drinking his cowardice away. When his doorbell rang, he went and answered the door. It was Jack so he let him in.
Jack looked at Daniel, "What are we doing Daniel?"
"I'm drinking, I don't know what you're doing."
"Well, the girls are having a girl's night at Talis' place, Teal'c's off world with Rey'c, so I thought you and me could hang out. Drinking at home's depressing though, let's go to the bar."
Daniel let Jack drag him to a bar. It wasn't as nice as O'Malley's, but that probably wasn't such a bad thing. They started with tequila shots. Several later, they were both buzzing.
"So, Danny boy, tell Uncle Jack what the problem is, and why a good guy like yourself was drowning his troubles away all alone at home."
Daniel thought about it for a minute, and decided to share, "It's Talis. She's incredible. Sexy, smart, beautiful, funny, brave, sexy."
"Ya said sexy." Jack reminded him.
"Yeah, I know, it was worth mentioning twice. The things she does. Wow. She's so," Daniel paused trying to think of a good word, "Aggressive."
"Gotta love a girl like that," Jack said thinking back to when Sam had the Broca virus.
"Oh yeah, it can be a real turn on, but it's like all she wants is sex. I feel like the woman. Here I am wanting a relationship, to see where we could go, besides just to bed. How do I get that point across?"
"Have another shot?" Jack said, and motioned to the bartender. "I know what you mean. Look at me and Carter."
"You and Sam have a relationship?"
"No, but that's the point, all these regulations. Damn regulations." Jack scowled, "She's so beautiful, ya know, and smart. I keep thinking what in the world could she see in an old guy like me, but then she looks at me and her eyes light up, and I just want to kiss her, but regulations."
"Damn regulations!" Daniel sympathized.
"Come on," Jack said pulling Daniel off his bar stool.
"Where we going?" Daniel slurred.
"We're going to see those women!"
Talis and Sam had spent part of the evening shopping, and had returned to put Zoë to bed and to unpack some of the new purchases that had been delivered. Talis had been buying everything from books, furniture she had to assemble, to china, and cookware.
"I've never put down roots." She told Sam, as they worked in the kitchen, "I never realized how much stuff you really need."
"Well, I'm not sure how much you'll really need the pasta maker." Sam teased her.
"I admit, I'm becoming addicted to gadgets." There was a soft knocking on the door, so the women went to see who it was. They opened the door to admit a very drunk Jack and Daniel.
Daniel put his finger on his lips and made the quiet noise, "Be quiet," he told Jack in a loud whisper, "the baby's probably sleeping."
Talis and Sam looked at each other, and helped the men to the couch. Jack sprang up right away, grabbed Sam by the hand and pulled her back towards the guest bedroom. "We have to talk Carter." he slurred. Sam looked at Talis, shrugged and went with him.
Daniel lifted his arm into the air, and whispered loudly again, "Damn regulations."
"What am I going to do with you Dr. Jackson?" Talis said looking down at him.
Surprising her, he reached out, grabbed her hand and pulled her on top of him. He traced his finger across her lips, "So pretty." he whispered, he reached up and pulled her head down to his, pulling her into a soft kiss. It was so different from all of their previous kisses, which had been hard and passionate. While this one had passion, it was filled with promises for something more. Something Talis had never had, and didn't know what to do with.
Jack woke up, and blinked at the light coming through the window. He looked down and found his 2IC cuddled up against him in bed. They were both naked, and in Talis' guest bedroom. Then he remembered everything. 'I can't believe she's in bed with me, instead of plotting to kill me.' He told himself and winced as his head began to pound. He hoped Daniel was suffering just as much, he thought then grinned, because besides the headache, he wasn't suffering too much. In fact, Sam moved in her sleep, he was feeling pretty good right now. He started kissing her, and as she woke up wet and willing, he showed her how much he really enjoyed waking up next to her.
Daniel woke up and found him staring into a big pair of green eyes that were at the edge of the bed.
Zoë looked at him and grinned, "Da!" she screamed happily saying as much of his name as she could manage. She had pulled herself up on her chubby little legs, and was bouncing, trying to entice him to pick her up, "Da!" she demanded, and lifted her arms.
Daniel grabbed her before she could fall, and swung her up onto the bed, she giggled and cuddled into him. Talis stopped in the doorway, looking at her daughter cuddling with the gorgeous, and half naked doctor. She realized with a start that she was jealous of the easy way that Zoë curled up with him. Her daughter fit in the crook of his arm, and was slapping her hands on his bare chest.
She saw her mother and squealed, yelling "Mamamamamamamama," at the top of her year old lungs. Daniel turned to look at her, his hair tousled, and his eyes not fully awake yet. 'Damn he's sexy,' she thought, as she started walking over to the bed to get her daughter. She leaned over to pick Zoë up, and inhaled his scent. Daniel grabbed her arm and pulled her onto the bed with him and her daughter. She ended up laying on her side, with his arm around her, and her head on his chest. Zoë mimicked her on the other side, giving her mother a saucy grin. Daniel held her against him and wouldn't let go. She relaxed into him, realizing it felt really nice. As he felt her relax, he gentled his hold.
"What am I going to do with the two of you?" she whispered.
"I guess you'll have to keep us" he told her quietly and kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him, and he could see the uncertainty and fear in her eyes. He kissed her softly, and pulled the two of them closer to him.
SG-1 had been gone for three days. They were supposed to have been back the day before, but when checking out the scanner on the MALP, there was no sign of them. Hammond had decided to send SG-2 and 5, in after them for a search and rescue. SG-5 would hold the gate, just in case, while SG-2 found. Talis was confident they would find them and bring them back. She figured that they had just gotten stuck and needed a helping hand. She knew that Zoë was in capable hands being watched over by Archie, Shannon, Ben, and Cassie, and she was raring to go.
As soon as they got through the gate, SG-5 took up position around the gate. Sg-2 spread out to find the missing team. It wasn't long before they figured out what had happened to them, when they were surrounded by a group of women brandishing knives and spears, wearing animal skins.
The women knocked the men out with darts, but didn't show any type of aggression towards Talis. They escorted her to an encampment, pulling the unconscious men behind them. There she saw the three men of SG-1 in a low cage, which forced them to crouch or sit down. They put the men from SG-2 in with them.
Sam was out cold on a blanket over to the side. It looked like she had a head wound, but they had cleaned it, and put some type of medicine on it. The women led Talis over to a small platform. On the platform was a throne, and a beautiful woman, only slightly older than Talis, sat upon it.
"I am Genosha, leader of these warriors." the woman told Talis.
"Talis Starling." she returned.
"Why do you come here Talis Starling?"
"Actually, the reasons are in your cage, and on that mat over there. I came to get my people and go home. What happened to Sam?"
"Your people intruded on our place of worship.We were able to capture the slaves, but the woman was hit by falling rubble. We have been aiding her in her healing."
"Now, see, I'm always getting on them for that kind of stuff." Talis said shaking her finger at the men in the cage. "So what, you want some sort of apology or atonement?"
"It is illegal for men to be without a mark of their owner." Genosha said with a gleam in her eye.
"I just hate marking up my men you know? They're much better all smooth." Talis did not like the look in the other woman's eyes. "How about I get them out your hair?"
"Do they all belong to you?" she asked slyly.
'I have to tread carefully here.' "Actually, two of them belong to Samantha, she's the blonde on the mat. The rest are mine. Most servants, but not the one in glasses, he is used for recreational purposes."
"Mother!!" exclaimed a girl, who looked to be about Cassie's age, "That is the one I want!"
"Ooooh, sorry no can do. Already taken, if you catch my drift."
"You speak strangely," Genosha frowned, "Would we be able to make a trade with you, seeing as they aren't marked?" she snapped her fingers, and several very virile, gorgeous young men walked up, collars around their necks.
Talis looked the men over carefully, then walked over to view the men in the cage. She heard Jack whisper to Daniel that it looked like he'd be staying behind this trip, and couldn't help but smile, then she got an idea. She winked at the men, then turned around to face Genosha and her daughter. "I'll tell you what, I'm not able to trade any of these men, however, I would be willing to mark them in front of you, to show that I understand where you're coming from. That way this mistake will never happen again."
Genosha nodded her head, "Put the brands in the fires!" she yelled.
Talis heard the men start muttering about brands, "Actually, I have a special brand I like to use."
She went over to the men in the cage, and handed them a tube, when she heard a commotion behind her. She turned to find Genosha's daughter stalking towards her. The girl was slightly shorter than Talis, but very muscular.
"Stop," she ordered the men, who were still looking at Talis in disbelief. "I challenge you." she spit at Talis, and pointed to Daniel, who looked like a deer caught in headlights. "I want that man."
"Sarail!" Genosha said angrily.
"It is too late mother," The girl said petulantly, "I have challenged her. She either fights, or gives me the man."
Talis looked at the girl and sighed, "Ok, what does a challenge involve, before I give you an answer?" she almost laughed as she heard Daniel's gasp.
The girl looked smug, sure of herself, "Until one of us yields, or cannot answer. No weapons, hand to hand combat."
"So no death?" she asked.
"That is barbaric." Sarail sniffed.
"Right, barbaric." 'obviously these people need to get a clue.' Talis shrugged, "Yeah ok."
The women of the camp cleared a circle. The men in the cage were taken out and tied together, all except for Daniel, who was kept separate in case Sarail won. Daniel was not happy about the situation at all.
The two women circled each other, and Sarail bull rushed Talis knocking her to the ground. She grabbed Talis' head and tried to smack it into the ground. Talis punched the girl in the stomach, and flipped her off. The girl picked herself up and charged Talis again, who stepped aside, grabbing the younger girl's arm as she ran past and using her velocity to spin her away. Again the girl fell to the ground. The girl got to her feet, furious now, and ran at Talis with both fists swinging. Talis felt her get a solid hit upside her face, and stars exploded behind her right eye. She pushed the girl from her, grappling her and getting her into a headlock. Slowly she started to apply pressure, and the girl slipped to the ground unconscious. Talis stood up, breathing heavy, and wiping the blood from the side of her mouth. She faced Genosha with her hands on her hips, trying to catch her breath.
"Mark them, and you are free to go." The woman said waving her hand towards the men.
Talis applied the color stay lipstick to all of them, had Teal'c pick up Sam, who was in the process of waking up from a drug induced sleep, and grabbing the rope, began to lead them back to the gate. The Amazon women followed them to the gate and watched them go through it. The men walked into the gate room, and were on the receiving end of a bunch of snickering.
General Hammond stared at O'Neill, and the rest of the men, who were all wearing some type of reddish brown lipstick, with Talis leading them by a rope. He snorted once, and turned to leave before he ended up laughing.
"Very funny, Starling," Jack said sarcastically.
Talis quirked an eyebrow at him, "Better than firebrands, or being some Amazon chickies slave, sir." she said and walked away from the men.
Feretti walked up to Jack and Daniel, all the men wiping the lipstick off, and staring at the woman's rear as she sashayed off, "I know I'm a married man, but that is some woman!" the other two just nodded.
Having been given the next few days off, Talis decided to spend the day at home cleaning and spending time with Zoë. Arch and Ben, had headed off to boot camp the day before, and Shannon had enrolled in some summer community college courses with Cassie, the two having become the best of friends. It was the beginning of June and beautiful outside.
Talis had opened the windows so a breeze could drift through, bringing the smell of flowers from her gardens outside. She and Sam had planted a lot when she had first moved in, but she thanked Shannon for how well they were doing. She surprised herself how domestic she was becoming. She loved spending time in her home, with her extended family. It was a long way from where she had been the year before.
She and Zoë were rolling a bright red ball on the ground between them when the doorbell rang. She was surprised to see SG-1 at her door. She knew that Jack and Sam were seeing each other secretly now, but figured they would off spending down time alone. She opened the door to let them in. They were all carrying something.
"Hey." Sam said brightly, "We figured you might want some company, since all the kiddies have abandoned you. Were we right?"
She smiled warmly at them, "You're always welcome here." She told them.
Sam walked past her and headed to the kitchen, Teal'c followed.
Jack stopped to tell her how he had noticed a built in grill in her backyard the last time he was there, then moved past her to head to the sliding door, which led to the yard.
Daniel stopped just inside the door, gave Zoë a kiss, which made her giggle, then proceeded to give Talis the softest kiss yet. "Hi." he smiled and walked past her. Talis touched her lips, smiled and shut the door.
They had a pleasant afternoon, drinking beer, Teal'c had taken over the hammock she had recently purchased,and set in a corner of her yard, he and Zoë were napping. Jack and Daniel talked and grilled, which left Talis and Sam to fix side dishes and chat.
Sam looked at the boys, and then looked back at Talis, "You know, Daniel has a huge thing for you, and I have a feeling you feel the same."
"No, Daniel is attracted to me physically. There's a difference." Talis said stirring the potato salad.
Sam blinked at her, "Are you blind?"
"Sam, I saw his type, remember?" Talis said looking up, "Ms. Naomi."
"Maybe in the past Daniel dated girls like that, but not in several months, Talis."
"Sam, it doesn't matter how I feel, ok? I couldn't begin to fit into Daniel's life, ok? My background, I was a criminal, Daniel's a good person, my lack of education, he's a damn genius, I drink whiskey or beer, he drinks wine, the fact that I have a daughter ... Who wants a ready made family? We have nothing in common, besides physical attraction. Just sex." Talis sighed, "I have to go check my laundry." Sam watched her friend walk away and turned to take the potato salad outside. Daniel was in the doorway, having heard everything. Sam shrugged and walked past him to the yard.
When Talis walked into the living room, after composing herself, it was to find Daniel looking at her bookshelf. "You've got some really good books here." he told her quietly, then pulled a book off her shelf, "I've read all of his, but I haven't read this one yet, is it any good?"
"Yeah, actually I just finished that one. I've found myself reading quite a bit since I came here."
Daniel put the book back and walked over to her, he brushed a strand of her hair away from her face. "How would you feel about taking Zoë to the zoo tomorrow?" he asked.
"Daniel, I'm sure you have better things to do.." she began, only to be cut off when he said, "No actually I don't, I would really like to go to the zoo with you and Zoë." She nodded her assent and they headed to the yard where the others were.
As it was getting dark, Teal'c made his excuses and headed home. Sam and Jack begged off shortly after that, leaving Daniel and Talis alone. After putting Zoë to bed, they sat together on the couch for a while.
"I'd better go," Daniel said running his hand down her arm where she was leaning against him.
"You can stay." she invited.
Daniel turned her to face him, "Talis, I don't want this to be just sex between us. I want to see what else there is. But I need to know you feel the same. I heard what you said to Sam earlier, None of that stuff matters. What matters to me is the person you are. I've said it before you are smart, brave, sexy, fun, and I adore Zoë, so don't use her as an excuse." he rested his forehead to hers. "Such a tough girl." he whispered and kissed the tears that were falling off of her cheeks.
She took his hand and led him to her bedroom. They undressed each other slowly, barely parting their lips from each other. 'Such tenderness,' she thought, crying silently at the new feelings. Never before had anyone shown her tenderness.
Sex had always been pleasurable, but this was something different. It felt wonderful, so wonderful it almost hurt. He laid her on the bed gently, running his hands lightly over her body. He kissed down her, kissing her breasts and tugging at them, going lower, kissing her center, licking slowly, softly, she cried out. He ran his hands under her buttocks to caress her silken skin, running down over her pelvis, moving upward, dipping his tongue in her navel, he worked his way back up to her face, kissing away her tears, and meeting her mouth again. Nothing fast or furious, he slipped inside her and started moving, in and out, ever so gently.
She gasped at the feelings he was pulling from her. He entered her deeply, again and again, she climaxed and rode the waves as he continued pushing into her slowly. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and held him tightly to her. He held her face in his hands and kissed her mouth, tasting her, caressing. She was surprised to feel herself reaching that peak again. Daniel just kept entering her, the sensations building between them, until finally they both came, Talis for the second time.
As their heartbeats slowed, Daniel looked into her eyes. "It's not just sex between us Talis. Admit it?"
"It's not just sex." she whispered to him, a look of wonder in her eyes. He pulled her in against him. "Thank you," she said as she snuggled into him.
"No, thank you, this is the way we should be. Whether it's fast or slow, we should end up right where we are, at the end of it."
"Major, can I ask what happened?" The general asked.
The group sobered up, and Feretti saluted the general, "I fell into a shallow hole sir, twisted up my ankle."
"Don't forget the rash Feretti?" Talis reminded him, trying not to laugh.
Feretti looked at her out the corner of his eyes, "Couldn't possibly, I seem to be developing a rash sir, it's spreading up my leg."
"Get to the infirmary, all of you." the general ordered with a sigh. "We'd better order a lock down until we know if the rash is contagious or not. With the luck we have when it comes to contagions, just not a good idea to mess around.
Daniel went to find Talis, to let her know she was free to leave. He hadn't been able to find her anywhere, when one of the MP's told him they thought she was up on 5th in the junior officers quarters. When he got up there, he heard laughter coming from a room with the door ajar, he walked in to find Talis sitting at a table, with about six lieutenants. She was wearing one of the first outfits he had ever seen her in, the leather pants and white tank top. She was leaning back with two of the chairs legs off the floor, her legs were crossed on the table, she had a cigar in her mouth, and cards in her hands. Daniel's eyes widened as he realized that there were clothes in the middle of the table, and that all of the men were in varying states of undress. "Are you playing strip poker?" he asked in shock.
"Sure are, you wanna play?" she asked him with a grin.
"No, I'm pretty sure something like this is against regulations."
"Nah," she waved that off, "why would it be, we aren't having sex, and really, since I'm not military, even that wouldn't be against the rules."
Daniel saw more than one set of eyes light up at this. "Um, I was just supposed to tell you that you're free to go home."
She sat up, "Feretti ok?"
"Turns out, he was just having an allergic reaction to some plant from that planet." Daniel said backing towards the door.
Talis stood up stretching, "Well, sorry boys, have to go home now." The men made sounds of disappointment. "Well, really guys, my daughters at home. Plus I think you guys need some practice before we play again."
"I take it you were doing well?" Daniel asked she neared him at the door.
"Didn't lose a hand." she said smugly.
They walked out to their cars, and Daniel looked at her, "You know, half those boys are in love with you?"
"Nah," she said considering, "Maybe in lust with me, but what does that hurt. Dreams aren't a bad thing."
Daniel stepped closer to her, "No, I guess not," he leaned in and put his lips to her ear, "and I can speak from experience, all of my naughty dreams have you in them." he whispered to her, then turned and walked to his car.
Talis watched him drive off, he had certainly surprised her. She had pretty much accepted that all they would have is an occasional sexual relationship, but she had thought she would always be the instigator. It looked like Dr. Jackson was working up to something.
Things had been moving quickly for Ben and Shannon, thanks to Talis and SG-1. Ben had been accepted into the Air Force, he would be leaving for boot camp in two weeks with Archie, Shannon would stay with Talis until he got back, then they would move into base housing. Shannon's pregnancy was progressing nicely, and the best part was that Talis had arranged for them to get married in her backyard on the upcoming weekend. She treated them the way she treated her brother.
Ben was still ashamed of how they met, but as she told them time and again, if he hadn't pulled the knife that one time, they wouldn't be where they were now. She had even arranged for them to go to Denver for a few days for a honeymoon. All of SG-1 was there for their marriage, as well as Cassie and Archie. Talis made sure that Shannon looked lovely in a long ivory dressed. It had an empire waist, so her pregnancy didn't show, and she wore a garland of roses in her long chestnut hair. Ben was speechless, when he saw her, he himself dressed in a suit that Jack and Daniel had taken him to get. He looked at the new people in his life, and decided they must be his guardian angels.
The day after the wedding, Daniel was at home drinking his cowardice away. When his doorbell rang, he went and answered the door. It was Jack so he let him in.
Jack looked at Daniel, "What are we doing Daniel?"
"I'm drinking, I don't know what you're doing."
"Well, the girls are having a girl's night at Talis' place, Teal'c's off world with Rey'c, so I thought you and me could hang out. Drinking at home's depressing though, let's go to the bar."
Daniel let Jack drag him to a bar. It wasn't as nice as O'Malley's, but that probably wasn't such a bad thing. They started with tequila shots. Several later, they were both buzzing.
"So, Danny boy, tell Uncle Jack what the problem is, and why a good guy like yourself was drowning his troubles away all alone at home."
Daniel thought about it for a minute, and decided to share, "It's Talis. She's incredible. Sexy, smart, beautiful, funny, brave, sexy."
"Ya said sexy." Jack reminded him.
"Yeah, I know, it was worth mentioning twice. The things she does. Wow. She's so," Daniel paused trying to think of a good word, "Aggressive."
"Gotta love a girl like that," Jack said thinking back to when Sam had the Broca virus.
"Oh yeah, it can be a real turn on, but it's like all she wants is sex. I feel like the woman. Here I am wanting a relationship, to see where we could go, besides just to bed. How do I get that point across?"
"Have another shot?" Jack said, and motioned to the bartender. "I know what you mean. Look at me and Carter."
"You and Sam have a relationship?"
"No, but that's the point, all these regulations. Damn regulations." Jack scowled, "She's so beautiful, ya know, and smart. I keep thinking what in the world could she see in an old guy like me, but then she looks at me and her eyes light up, and I just want to kiss her, but regulations."
"Damn regulations!" Daniel sympathized.
"Come on," Jack said pulling Daniel off his bar stool.
"Where we going?" Daniel slurred.
"We're going to see those women!"
Talis and Sam had spent part of the evening shopping, and had returned to put Zoë to bed and to unpack some of the new purchases that had been delivered. Talis had been buying everything from books, furniture she had to assemble, to china, and cookware.
"I've never put down roots." She told Sam, as they worked in the kitchen, "I never realized how much stuff you really need."
"Well, I'm not sure how much you'll really need the pasta maker." Sam teased her.
"I admit, I'm becoming addicted to gadgets." There was a soft knocking on the door, so the women went to see who it was. They opened the door to admit a very drunk Jack and Daniel.
Daniel put his finger on his lips and made the quiet noise, "Be quiet," he told Jack in a loud whisper, "the baby's probably sleeping."
Talis and Sam looked at each other, and helped the men to the couch. Jack sprang up right away, grabbed Sam by the hand and pulled her back towards the guest bedroom. "We have to talk Carter." he slurred. Sam looked at Talis, shrugged and went with him.
Daniel lifted his arm into the air, and whispered loudly again, "Damn regulations."
"What am I going to do with you Dr. Jackson?" Talis said looking down at him.
Surprising her, he reached out, grabbed her hand and pulled her on top of him. He traced his finger across her lips, "So pretty." he whispered, he reached up and pulled her head down to his, pulling her into a soft kiss. It was so different from all of their previous kisses, which had been hard and passionate. While this one had passion, it was filled with promises for something more. Something Talis had never had, and didn't know what to do with.
Jack woke up, and blinked at the light coming through the window. He looked down and found his 2IC cuddled up against him in bed. They were both naked, and in Talis' guest bedroom. Then he remembered everything. 'I can't believe she's in bed with me, instead of plotting to kill me.' He told himself and winced as his head began to pound. He hoped Daniel was suffering just as much, he thought then grinned, because besides the headache, he wasn't suffering too much. In fact, Sam moved in her sleep, he was feeling pretty good right now. He started kissing her, and as she woke up wet and willing, he showed her how much he really enjoyed waking up next to her.
Daniel woke up and found him staring into a big pair of green eyes that were at the edge of the bed.
Zoë looked at him and grinned, "Da!" she screamed happily saying as much of his name as she could manage. She had pulled herself up on her chubby little legs, and was bouncing, trying to entice him to pick her up, "Da!" she demanded, and lifted her arms.
Daniel grabbed her before she could fall, and swung her up onto the bed, she giggled and cuddled into him. Talis stopped in the doorway, looking at her daughter cuddling with the gorgeous, and half naked doctor. She realized with a start that she was jealous of the easy way that Zoë curled up with him. Her daughter fit in the crook of his arm, and was slapping her hands on his bare chest.
She saw her mother and squealed, yelling "Mamamamamamamama," at the top of her year old lungs. Daniel turned to look at her, his hair tousled, and his eyes not fully awake yet. 'Damn he's sexy,' she thought, as she started walking over to the bed to get her daughter. She leaned over to pick Zoë up, and inhaled his scent. Daniel grabbed her arm and pulled her onto the bed with him and her daughter. She ended up laying on her side, with his arm around her, and her head on his chest. Zoë mimicked her on the other side, giving her mother a saucy grin. Daniel held her against him and wouldn't let go. She relaxed into him, realizing it felt really nice. As he felt her relax, he gentled his hold.
"What am I going to do with the two of you?" she whispered.
"I guess you'll have to keep us" he told her quietly and kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him, and he could see the uncertainty and fear in her eyes. He kissed her softly, and pulled the two of them closer to him.
SG-1 had been gone for three days. They were supposed to have been back the day before, but when checking out the scanner on the MALP, there was no sign of them. Hammond had decided to send SG-2 and 5, in after them for a search and rescue. SG-5 would hold the gate, just in case, while SG-2 found. Talis was confident they would find them and bring them back. She figured that they had just gotten stuck and needed a helping hand. She knew that Zoë was in capable hands being watched over by Archie, Shannon, Ben, and Cassie, and she was raring to go.
As soon as they got through the gate, SG-5 took up position around the gate. Sg-2 spread out to find the missing team. It wasn't long before they figured out what had happened to them, when they were surrounded by a group of women brandishing knives and spears, wearing animal skins.
The women knocked the men out with darts, but didn't show any type of aggression towards Talis. They escorted her to an encampment, pulling the unconscious men behind them. There she saw the three men of SG-1 in a low cage, which forced them to crouch or sit down. They put the men from SG-2 in with them.
Sam was out cold on a blanket over to the side. It looked like she had a head wound, but they had cleaned it, and put some type of medicine on it. The women led Talis over to a small platform. On the platform was a throne, and a beautiful woman, only slightly older than Talis, sat upon it.
"I am Genosha, leader of these warriors." the woman told Talis.
"Talis Starling." she returned.
"Why do you come here Talis Starling?"
"Actually, the reasons are in your cage, and on that mat over there. I came to get my people and go home. What happened to Sam?"
"Your people intruded on our place of worship.We were able to capture the slaves, but the woman was hit by falling rubble. We have been aiding her in her healing."
"Now, see, I'm always getting on them for that kind of stuff." Talis said shaking her finger at the men in the cage. "So what, you want some sort of apology or atonement?"
"It is illegal for men to be without a mark of their owner." Genosha said with a gleam in her eye.
"I just hate marking up my men you know? They're much better all smooth." Talis did not like the look in the other woman's eyes. "How about I get them out your hair?"
"Do they all belong to you?" she asked slyly.
'I have to tread carefully here.' "Actually, two of them belong to Samantha, she's the blonde on the mat. The rest are mine. Most servants, but not the one in glasses, he is used for recreational purposes."
"Mother!!" exclaimed a girl, who looked to be about Cassie's age, "That is the one I want!"
"Ooooh, sorry no can do. Already taken, if you catch my drift."
"You speak strangely," Genosha frowned, "Would we be able to make a trade with you, seeing as they aren't marked?" she snapped her fingers, and several very virile, gorgeous young men walked up, collars around their necks.
Talis looked the men over carefully, then walked over to view the men in the cage. She heard Jack whisper to Daniel that it looked like he'd be staying behind this trip, and couldn't help but smile, then she got an idea. She winked at the men, then turned around to face Genosha and her daughter. "I'll tell you what, I'm not able to trade any of these men, however, I would be willing to mark them in front of you, to show that I understand where you're coming from. That way this mistake will never happen again."
Genosha nodded her head, "Put the brands in the fires!" she yelled.
Talis heard the men start muttering about brands, "Actually, I have a special brand I like to use."
She went over to the men in the cage, and handed them a tube, when she heard a commotion behind her. She turned to find Genosha's daughter stalking towards her. The girl was slightly shorter than Talis, but very muscular.
"Stop," she ordered the men, who were still looking at Talis in disbelief. "I challenge you." she spit at Talis, and pointed to Daniel, who looked like a deer caught in headlights. "I want that man."
"Sarail!" Genosha said angrily.
"It is too late mother," The girl said petulantly, "I have challenged her. She either fights, or gives me the man."
Talis looked at the girl and sighed, "Ok, what does a challenge involve, before I give you an answer?" she almost laughed as she heard Daniel's gasp.
The girl looked smug, sure of herself, "Until one of us yields, or cannot answer. No weapons, hand to hand combat."
"So no death?" she asked.
"That is barbaric." Sarail sniffed.
"Right, barbaric." 'obviously these people need to get a clue.' Talis shrugged, "Yeah ok."
The women of the camp cleared a circle. The men in the cage were taken out and tied together, all except for Daniel, who was kept separate in case Sarail won. Daniel was not happy about the situation at all.
The two women circled each other, and Sarail bull rushed Talis knocking her to the ground. She grabbed Talis' head and tried to smack it into the ground. Talis punched the girl in the stomach, and flipped her off. The girl picked herself up and charged Talis again, who stepped aside, grabbing the younger girl's arm as she ran past and using her velocity to spin her away. Again the girl fell to the ground. The girl got to her feet, furious now, and ran at Talis with both fists swinging. Talis felt her get a solid hit upside her face, and stars exploded behind her right eye. She pushed the girl from her, grappling her and getting her into a headlock. Slowly she started to apply pressure, and the girl slipped to the ground unconscious. Talis stood up, breathing heavy, and wiping the blood from the side of her mouth. She faced Genosha with her hands on her hips, trying to catch her breath.
"Mark them, and you are free to go." The woman said waving her hand towards the men.
Talis applied the color stay lipstick to all of them, had Teal'c pick up Sam, who was in the process of waking up from a drug induced sleep, and grabbing the rope, began to lead them back to the gate. The Amazon women followed them to the gate and watched them go through it. The men walked into the gate room, and were on the receiving end of a bunch of snickering.
General Hammond stared at O'Neill, and the rest of the men, who were all wearing some type of reddish brown lipstick, with Talis leading them by a rope. He snorted once, and turned to leave before he ended up laughing.
"Very funny, Starling," Jack said sarcastically.
Talis quirked an eyebrow at him, "Better than firebrands, or being some Amazon chickies slave, sir." she said and walked away from the men.
Feretti walked up to Jack and Daniel, all the men wiping the lipstick off, and staring at the woman's rear as she sashayed off, "I know I'm a married man, but that is some woman!" the other two just nodded.
Having been given the next few days off, Talis decided to spend the day at home cleaning and spending time with Zoë. Arch and Ben, had headed off to boot camp the day before, and Shannon had enrolled in some summer community college courses with Cassie, the two having become the best of friends. It was the beginning of June and beautiful outside.
Talis had opened the windows so a breeze could drift through, bringing the smell of flowers from her gardens outside. She and Sam had planted a lot when she had first moved in, but she thanked Shannon for how well they were doing. She surprised herself how domestic she was becoming. She loved spending time in her home, with her extended family. It was a long way from where she had been the year before.
She and Zoë were rolling a bright red ball on the ground between them when the doorbell rang. She was surprised to see SG-1 at her door. She knew that Jack and Sam were seeing each other secretly now, but figured they would off spending down time alone. She opened the door to let them in. They were all carrying something.
"Hey." Sam said brightly, "We figured you might want some company, since all the kiddies have abandoned you. Were we right?"
She smiled warmly at them, "You're always welcome here." She told them.
Sam walked past her and headed to the kitchen, Teal'c followed.
Jack stopped to tell her how he had noticed a built in grill in her backyard the last time he was there, then moved past her to head to the sliding door, which led to the yard.
Daniel stopped just inside the door, gave Zoë a kiss, which made her giggle, then proceeded to give Talis the softest kiss yet. "Hi." he smiled and walked past her. Talis touched her lips, smiled and shut the door.
They had a pleasant afternoon, drinking beer, Teal'c had taken over the hammock she had recently purchased,and set in a corner of her yard, he and Zoë were napping. Jack and Daniel talked and grilled, which left Talis and Sam to fix side dishes and chat.
Sam looked at the boys, and then looked back at Talis, "You know, Daniel has a huge thing for you, and I have a feeling you feel the same."
"No, Daniel is attracted to me physically. There's a difference." Talis said stirring the potato salad.
Sam blinked at her, "Are you blind?"
"Sam, I saw his type, remember?" Talis said looking up, "Ms. Naomi."
"Maybe in the past Daniel dated girls like that, but not in several months, Talis."
"Sam, it doesn't matter how I feel, ok? I couldn't begin to fit into Daniel's life, ok? My background, I was a criminal, Daniel's a good person, my lack of education, he's a damn genius, I drink whiskey or beer, he drinks wine, the fact that I have a daughter ... Who wants a ready made family? We have nothing in common, besides physical attraction. Just sex." Talis sighed, "I have to go check my laundry." Sam watched her friend walk away and turned to take the potato salad outside. Daniel was in the doorway, having heard everything. Sam shrugged and walked past him to the yard.
When Talis walked into the living room, after composing herself, it was to find Daniel looking at her bookshelf. "You've got some really good books here." he told her quietly, then pulled a book off her shelf, "I've read all of his, but I haven't read this one yet, is it any good?"
"Yeah, actually I just finished that one. I've found myself reading quite a bit since I came here."
Daniel put the book back and walked over to her, he brushed a strand of her hair away from her face. "How would you feel about taking Zoë to the zoo tomorrow?" he asked.
"Daniel, I'm sure you have better things to do.." she began, only to be cut off when he said, "No actually I don't, I would really like to go to the zoo with you and Zoë." She nodded her assent and they headed to the yard where the others were.
As it was getting dark, Teal'c made his excuses and headed home. Sam and Jack begged off shortly after that, leaving Daniel and Talis alone. After putting Zoë to bed, they sat together on the couch for a while.
"I'd better go," Daniel said running his hand down her arm where she was leaning against him.
"You can stay." she invited.
Daniel turned her to face him, "Talis, I don't want this to be just sex between us. I want to see what else there is. But I need to know you feel the same. I heard what you said to Sam earlier, None of that stuff matters. What matters to me is the person you are. I've said it before you are smart, brave, sexy, fun, and I adore Zoë, so don't use her as an excuse." he rested his forehead to hers. "Such a tough girl." he whispered and kissed the tears that were falling off of her cheeks.
She took his hand and led him to her bedroom. They undressed each other slowly, barely parting their lips from each other. 'Such tenderness,' she thought, crying silently at the new feelings. Never before had anyone shown her tenderness.
Sex had always been pleasurable, but this was something different. It felt wonderful, so wonderful it almost hurt. He laid her on the bed gently, running his hands lightly over her body. He kissed down her, kissing her breasts and tugging at them, going lower, kissing her center, licking slowly, softly, she cried out. He ran his hands under her buttocks to caress her silken skin, running down over her pelvis, moving upward, dipping his tongue in her navel, he worked his way back up to her face, kissing away her tears, and meeting her mouth again. Nothing fast or furious, he slipped inside her and started moving, in and out, ever so gently.
She gasped at the feelings he was pulling from her. He entered her deeply, again and again, she climaxed and rode the waves as he continued pushing into her slowly. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and held him tightly to her. He held her face in his hands and kissed her mouth, tasting her, caressing. She was surprised to feel herself reaching that peak again. Daniel just kept entering her, the sensations building between them, until finally they both came, Talis for the second time.
As their heartbeats slowed, Daniel looked into her eyes. "It's not just sex between us Talis. Admit it?"
"It's not just sex." she whispered to him, a look of wonder in her eyes. He pulled her in against him. "Thank you," she said as she snuggled into him.
"No, thank you, this is the way we should be. Whether it's fast or slow, we should end up right where we are, at the end of it."