Planet P39-790
June 4, 2005

Daniel sighed, looking over at Jack and Sam, "Just a simple mission. In and out, no time at all. Wasn't that what you guys said? I should have stayed at home like Teal'c did."

Jack turned to him, "Well, we had no idea that this would happen, now did we? Besides, the Huliatians said that we were free to leave tomorrow morning. They have informed us that they know we are not a threat, and only need to clear up a few more things. At least they are actually going to let us go," he said.

Daniel put is head in his hands, "I know, it's just we've been here a week. I expected to be here a day, two at the most," he said, becoming lost in his thoughts.

"Daniel, why are you making such a big deal about this?" Sam asked.

Daniel looked at her, "Huh? Oh, it's nothing," he said, glancing at his watch.

"Well, it's obviously not nothing, so why don't you spill. We do have the whole night," Jack said, looking at him, "Why do you keep looking at your watch, we're not going anywhere."

"I was supposed to take Alex out tonight," Daniel said, pulling something out of his pants pocket.

"Well, Daniel, I'm sure she'll understand. I think that she probably expects stuff like this," Sam said, reassuringly.

Daniel nodded, "I know, but tonight was special," he said, handing the object from his pocket to Sam.

Jack leaned over to get a better look, and he and Sam stared openmouthed at the object in Sam's palm. They both looked back up at Daniel.

Daniel nodded, "I was going to propose tonight. I made the reservations a month ago," he said, leaning his head against the wall behind him.

"Damn, I'm sorry Daniel," Jack said.

"It's not your fault, Jack," Daniel said, "it's just that I had everything planned, and my plans have gone down the drain. Now I have to come up with something else."

"It's a beautiful ring, Daniel," Sam said, as she handed it back to him.

"Thank you, Sam," Daniel said, accepting back the ring. He stood up and made his way to one of the cots in the room. "I'm going to try and get some sleep. Wake me when we can get out of here."

Jack and Sam exchanged a look as they watched Daniel walk away. Jack leaned closer to Sam, "Ok, Carter," he whispered, "we have officially screwed up this time."

"It was at your insistence that we came here, Sir," Sam replied.

"Because you said it would be beneficial to defeating the Goa'uld."

Sam sighed, "I know, Sir," she said, "what are we going to do?"

"I don't know, Carter, but this really sucks," he said, standing up and holding out a hand to help her up.

Sam took Jack's hand and allowed him to help her up, "I know, Sir," she said, looking at Daniel, "let's get some sleep. We'll get out of here in the morning. Maybe we can come up with something then."

They were awakened the next morning by Ulin, the leader of the Huliatian people, "You are free to go back to your planet now," he said, startling Jack, Sam, and Daniel awake.

"Ah, good," Jack said, standing up and running a hand through his hair, "I trust we will get our stuff back."

"Of course," Ulin said, "as long as you promise never to return to our planet."

"Yeah, yeah," Jack said, as he, Sam, and Daniel followed Ulin's people to the Stargate. Once they arrived there, Jack turned to Sam, "dial her up."

Sam dialed home while Jack typed in his IDC code, "Well," Jack said, "we won't be seeing you. Your loss."

Daniel chuckled as he walked through the gate. Jack just couldn't resist terrorizing others. He appeared on the other side and paused on the ramp, waiting for Jack and Sam, who followed through a few moments later. General Hammond was waiting, "We debrief in an hour,' he said, "and then you can tell me why a two day mission took a week."

Daniel, Jack, and Sam nodded, and made their way to the infirmary to let Janet poke and prod them. Daniel sat on the infirmary bed as Janet checked him over, part of his mind wondering why Alexia hadn't come to find him, yet. After Janet was finished checking him over, he made his way to his office, hoping that Alexia was there. She wasn't there, but there was a note on his desk:

"Daniel,

I had hoped that you would be back before now, but given that that is not the case, then I hope you are back before I return. I have to make an emergency trip to Germany. It shouldn't take too long, and I hope to be back by Wednesday. Sorry I couldn't be here to welcome you back. I really wanted to stay, but this couldn't be avoided. Call me when you get in. I miss you, and God, I hope you're alright. I've been worried. I love you.

Love,

Alex"

Daniel sighed, "Well, that's just great," he muttered to himself as he made his way to the briefing room to debrief with General Hammond.

A few hours later, he entered his apartment with a sack of groceries. After putting the groceries away, he picked up the phone and dialed Alexia's cell phone number hoping that she wouldn't mind him waking her up. If he remembered correctly it was about four or five in the morning in Germany, but he really wanted to hear her voice, and he knew that she was probably worried about him.

Alexia's ringing phone woke her up. Glancing at the alarm clock, she noticed that it said 4:37, and wondered who would be waking her up. "Damn, I just fell asleep," she muttered to herself as she answered the phone, "Hello," she said, sleepily.

Daniel couldn't help but grin. It astounded him how much things had changed in such a short time. Just a simple thing like hearing her voice made him smile, "Hey, you," he said.

Alexia woke up fully as she recognized the voice on the other end, "Daniel," she said, her relief apparent in her voice, "Thank God you're safe. I was so worried. What happened?"

"Mission just took a little longer than we expected. We're all fine, no one got injured. We were just unwelcome, that's all. They had to make sure we weren't a future threat. How are you? Why the sudden trip to Germany?" he asked, lying down on the couch.

"I'm fine, just relieved that you're safe. Germany is negotiating with Finland about some land and they offered information on the Stargate in return. The president is trying to decide if they should let the Germans make the deal. I'm just here as an interpreter and to offer information about the Stargate program. It's just routine, I should be back on Wednesday," she said, "I'm sorry I wasn't there to welcome you back."

"That's ok, it's not your fault you had to go to Germany. I just wish that the mission hadn't taken so long. I was really looking forward to our dinner on Saturday," Daniel said, then paused, "I miss you, Alex," he whispered, rubbing his eyes trying to get rid of his frustrations.

Alexia smiled, "I miss you, too, Daniel," she said. She could tell that something was wrong, "What's wrong, Daniel, you seem a little depressed."

Daniel sighed, he should have known that she would see right through him. She could read him very easily, "Oh, it's nothing, just wishing you were here."

"Me, too," Alexia whispered, stifling a yawn.

Daniel could hear how tired she was, "I'm going to let you go, Alex. Try and get some more sleep. I'm sorry I woke you up," he said.

"I'm glad you woke me, Daniel. I wanted to hear your voice. I wasn't getting much sleep anyway since I was worried about you. I'll see you in a few days," she said.

"I love you, Alex," Daniel said, not really wanting to let her go, but wanting to let her get some sleep.

"I love you, too, Daniel," Alexia said, "Bye."

"Bye," Daniel said and hung up the phone. Wednesday couldn't come quick enough. Over the next few days, Daniel kept as busy as possible, trying to come up with a new plan to propose to her. On Wednesday morning, he was just about to call and make reservations for Friday when General Hammond sent word that he wanted to see him. Daniel made his way down to the briefing room.

Daniel sat down at the table next to Teal'c. Sam and Jack sat across from them. They all looked as confused as he felt. General Hammond walked in and sat down at the head of the table, "Ok, people. SG-11 has found another temple pertaining to the device. They need help translating it. Dr. Jackson, you and Major Carter will report to planet PX-647 immediately to assist in the translation. Colonel O'Neill, you and Teal'c are to report to the alpha site to assist in the War Games they are having there. Dr. Jackson, Major Carter, you will report to the gate room an hour. Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c, you leave in three hours," General Hammond said, "Dismissed."

Daniel sighed and stood up, making his way to his office. He was collecting his notes about the device taken on previous occasions when he heard someone open the door. Turning around, he saw Alexia standing in his doorway. Grinning, he walked over to her and hugged her tightly, "It's so good to finally be able to hold you. I've missed you," he said.

Alexia wrapped her arms around his neck, "I've missed you, too. So, what do you say we go get some lunch."

Daniel sighed, his plans were once again going to have to be put on hold, "I can't. I leave in half an hour. Another temple has been found pertaining to the device. Me and Sam are going to help translate it. I should be back tomorrow, though," he said, rubbing his eyes. He felt a headache coming on.

"Oh, well, then, when you come back, maybe. I leave on Friday for China. The emperor wants to have a visit. Something about Russia and the Chinese army. I'll be gone a week, maybe more," she said.

"Damn," Daniel muttered, trying to propose was turning out to be harder than he had ever imagined.

"What is it, Daniel," Alexia asked.

"Nothing, Alex. I was just hoping to spend time with you," he said, looking at his watch, "and now I have to go."

"It'll be ok, Daniel," Alexia said, "We'll get to spend some time together soon, I promise. Have fun, and good luck." She kissed his cheek.

Daniel cupped her face with his hands and brought his lips to hers, kissing her deeply. They broke apart a few minutes later, "God, you don't know how much I've missed you," he said.

"I think that I do," she said, giving him a quick kiss, "now go and save the world. I'll see you when you get back. I love you."

"Not as much as I love you," he whispered, as he walked out the door.

By the time Daniel returned to Stargate Command, Alexia had already left for China. Daniel spent the next week waiting for her to return, determined that nothing would stop him from proposing this time. Damn, he'd been trying for nearly two weeks. This really had to stop. He didn't know how much longer he could wait before he went crazy. Therefore, when General Hammond called SG-1 in for a briefing the day before Alexia was supposed to return from China, Daniel was already trying to come up with ways to get out of whatever he said.

Daniel sat at the briefing table, watching as Teal'c came in a sat beside him.

Jack walked with Sam down to the briefing room, "So, you talk to Alex yet," he asked.

"Yeah, she didn't mention anything. I don't think that he's had time to even mention going out the way their schedules have been working lately. And now with this briefing, chances are we're being sent on a new mission, and that will just make him wait longer," Sam replied.

Jack nodded, "Ok, so what are we going to do?"

"See what General Hammond wants us to do and then try and convince him to let another SG team handle it. This has got to be driving Daniel crazy, and since it is kinda our fault, I feel that we owe it to him," she replied.

Jack nodded as they walked in the briefing room and sat down across from Teal'c and Daniel, the latter of which was looking very put out. General Hammond walked in and sat between Daniel and Sam, "Ok, people, we received a transmission early this morning from Bra'tac. Teal'c, he is requesting your assistance. If you choose to go, you will leave immediately. As for the rest of you, we need to send someone to Washington to brief the President on the newest temple about the defense device. "Dr. Jackson," he began, turning to Daniel, but was interrupted by Sam.

"I'll do it, Sir," Sam said, hoping to get Daniel out of this, "I have some friends in D.C. still, Sir, and they've been begging me to visit. I know everything that we found anyway, so I am able to brief the President."

General Hammond looked confused for a moment, "Very well, Major," he said, you leave in two hours. You will return tomorrow night. Dismissed."

"Yes, Sir," Sam replied.

"General, I am prepared to assist Bra'tac. I will go and prepare for my departure," Teal'c said, standing up.

Jack and Daniel stood up also and made their way to the door. Daniel waited for Sam to come out behind him, "Thank you, Sam," he whispered as they walked down the hallway.

"You're welcome, Daniel," she answered, "so when are you going to propose?"

"Saturday night. I don't care if I have to kidnap her to do it. Hey, why don't you and Jack join us? Teal'c will probably still be gone, but that's no reason for you guys not to come. It'll be fun."

"Are you sure that you would want us to be there," Jack asked, walking beside Sam.

"Of course. I would really like it if we could all be there, but I really don't want to put this off any longer. My timing hasn't been that great lately, and I'm very nervous."

"You'll do fine," Jack said as he and Sam split off from Daniel.

Jack waited until Daniel was out of earshot before turning to Sam, "Do you think he'll screw it up?"

Sam laughed, "No, I think he's ready. To be honest, Sir, I'm a little jealous," she said, and noticing the surprised look in his eyes, added, "I mean, don't you want what they have?" she asked.

Jack looked into her eyes, "Yes, Carter, I do. Who knows, maybe one day, we'll both get what we want.

Sam nodded, avoiding his eyes, "I hope so, Sir."