June 18th, 2005
1800 hours

Alexia was just putting the finishing touches on her makeup when she heard someone knocking on the door. Putting her earrings in as she walked, she made her way to the front door. Daniel stood impatiently on the other side of the door, and was awed by her appearance when she opened it. "Hey, you," he greeted, handing her the red rose he carried in his hand, "you're so beautiful." He brushed her cheek with his lips.

Alexia blushed, "Thank you, Daniel. You ready?"

Daniel nodded, "Yep, let's go," he said, leading her to the car. He was getting more nervous by the minute, and hoped that everything went the way he hoped it would. He just hoped that she said yes, "Jack and Sam are going to meet us there. Teal'c said that he hoped we had fun when I talked to him today." He opened the door for her.

Alexia nodded, "Yeah, that sounds like Teal'c," she said, sliding into the car. They drove to the restaurant in silence. Once they arrived, Daniel opened Alexia's car door and led her into the restaurant. They were just sitting down at the table when Jack and Sam came in. "Hey, guys," Alexia greeted, "how are you?"

Jack pulled out Sam's chair for her, and then sat beside her, "Fine, Alex," Jack replied.

"So, Sam," Alexia said, "how was your trip to D.C.?"

Sam smiled, "It was good, actually. I got to visit with my friends. I don't see them that often, and it was good to catch up. How was China?"

"China's a beautiful country, even if the emperor's thoughts are a little old-fashioned. I enjoyed myself very much," Alexia replied.

"In China?" Jack asked in disbelief. "All I remember from that country is that the food will kill you."

Sam turned to him, "You've been to China?"

Jack looked at the floor, "Yeah, it was where Sara always wanted to go, so a couple of years before Charlie died, I took her and Charlie. She loved it, Charlie was to young to remember most of it, and I hated it."

"It's probably a woman thing," Daniel said, "I don't remember enjoying it that much either."

"Well, I just can't believe that you've all been to China," Sam said as the waiter came to take their order.

They gave their orders and the waiter left. Daniel turned to Sam, "So, what did the President think about the latest information about the object that we found?"

"Well, to be honest, I don't think he really understood half of what I said. The only thing he said to me the whole time I was briefing him and his council was 'hurry up and find it, why don't you'. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing," Sam said.

Jack grinned, "See, that's why they don't send me on those kinds of missions. I would have laughed. Not to mention, he really wouldn't have understood what I was saying."

They talked more of the device throughout dinner, and when their food arrived, everyone began eating. After they finished eating, Daniel stood up, "Alex," he said, holding out his hand and hoping his voice wasn't shaking, "dance with me."

Alexia placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her onto the dance floor. Jack and Sam exchanged a smile as they walked away. Jack stood up, "Carter, how about we go and eavesdrop. I want to know if he screws up."

Sam looked at Jack, confused, "Sir?"

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Carter, come and dance with me. I want to hear what he says," Jack said, trying to convince himself that was the only reason he was asking this.

Sam smiled, "Ok," she said, standing up and following him onto the dance floor.

Alexia placed her head on Daniel's shoulder and allowed herself to relax and simply enjoy being in his arms. Noticing Jack and Sam following them onto the dance floor, she looked up at Daniel, "that's interesting," she said.

Daniel followed her gaze, and smiled, "yeah, that is interesting," he said, pulling her closer, noticing that his hands had begun to shake.

Alexia noticed it too, "Daniel," she whispered, "what's wrong? You're shaking."

"I'm just a little nervous," Daniel admitted.

"Nervous, what for?" she asked.

Daniel lifted her chin to look into her eyes, "Alex, I want you know that I love you more than anything. You mean the world to me. When you came to the SGC, never in a million years would I have thought we would end up like this." He grinned, "But you surprised me, Alexia Miller, you got under my skin. You showed me things that I never would have known to look for. I never knew there was something missing from my life until you came along. And now I can't imagine life without you," he said, pulling something from his pocket, "This belonged to my mother," he showed her the ring, "Will you marry me?"

Alexia was shocked, and felt tears come to her eyes. She looked at the ring, "Oh, Daniel," she whispered. Was she ready for this? She loved him, she didn't doubt that, but marriage? She looked into his eyes, and in them saw everything she needed, and her doubts disappeared, "Yes," she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Daniel slipped the ring onto her finger and wiped her tears away with his thumbs, "I love you, Alex," he said, bringing his lips to hers. He was so happy and didn't know if he would ever be able to stop smiling.

Alexia pulled back a few moments later, "And I love you, Daniel," she said as he led her back to the table.

Sam followed Daniel and Alexia with her eyes before turning back to Jack, "Well, sir, I guess he didn't screw it up that bad. I mean, it's obvious that she said yes."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, let's go and congratulate them." He led her back to the table, where both Alexia and Daniel were grinning. He saw the ring on Alexia's finger and smiled, "Congratulations, guys," he said, pulling Sam's chair out for her and then sitting down.

"I'm so happy for you two," Sam added as she sat down.

Alexia looked from Daniel to Jack and Sam, "Thank you, guys," she said, turning to Daniel, "How many people knew about this?" she asked.

"Just Jack and Sam. Oh, and Teal'c," Daniel said, grinning at her, lacing her fingers with his.

"Oh, ok," Alexia said.

"So, when's the big day?" Jack asked.

"Jack, I just proposed. We haven't set a date yet," Daniel said, laughing.

"Well, I just thought I'd ask," Jack said, shrugging.

"Trust me, when we set the day, you guys will be the first to know," Alexia smiled.

Jack nodded, and they talked a little longer before Jack looked at his watch, "Well, it's getting late. We'd better head out. Carter, you ready?" He asked, standing up.

Daniel glanced at his watch, "Yeah, you're right," he said, also standing up.

Alex and Sam stood up also, "Well, Sam, I'll call you tomorrow. We have a wedding to plan," Alex smiled, taking Daniel's hand, intertwining their fingers.

The split up at the door, Jack and Sam heading for Jack's truck, and Alexia and Daniel for Daniel's car. Daniel wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him, "I love you, Alex," he whispered.

Alexia snuggled into his side, "I love you, too, Daniel," she whispered back. They made the trip back to Alexia's apartment in silence. Once they arrived, Daniel walked her to the door, and unlocked the door. Following her in, he locked the door behind him, before taking her into his arms and kissing her deeply.

Alexia wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling him closer to her. Daniel ran his hands up and down her back, trying to keep his thoughts from how much he wanted her. He wasn't going to rush her, and forced himself to break the kiss, "Alex, we should probably stop," he whispered, breathing heavily.

"No," she whispered back, reaching up and kissing him again, her hands taking off his suit jacket. His tie quickly followed. Alexia was not about to let him stop, she wanted him, and she knew that he wanted her. Her hands moved to the buttons on his shirt, deftly unbuttoning them one by one.

Daniel pulled back, "Alex," he whispered, only to be cut off by another kiss. As much as he wanted to give in, he had to make sure she was ready. This was something he really didn't want her to regret. He tried again, "Alexia, listen to me," he said.

Alexia stopped, her fingers on the last button of his shirt. With confusion in her eyes, she looked into his. Why did he want her to stop? "Daniel, what's wrong? Don't you want me?"

Daniel kissed her fiercely, "God, yes, Alex, more than you could ever imagine," he said firmly, before his tone softened, "I just need to know that you're ok with this. I don't want to rush you, or make you feel obligated," he finished.

Alexia couldn't help but smile. He was always willing to put her needs first, and she loved him for it. Unbuttoning the last button on his shirt, she slid it off his shoulders. Placing her arms around his neck, she moved his hand to the zipper on the back of her dress, "I'm ready, Daniel. You're not rushing me, I promise. I want you to make love to me tonight. Now," she said, kissing him.

Daniel allowed himself to give in and pulled the zipper down and slipped the dress off her shoulders. He took a moment to take in the sight before him before picking her up and carrying her into the bedroom.