The days followed, one after another, each day much like the day before. Daniel continued to trap small animals, gather food and take care of their basic needs. AJ gradually was able to contribute to some of the less physical work. Daniel rigged up a shower using several rabbit skins he'd sewn together as a hanging water bag that you could tip when you pulled on a fishing line and pour water on yourself. When the water hung in the hot sun all day, they were able to have hot showers.

Daniel kept track of the length of the days and noticed that the days were becoming shorter and the nights longer. They decided that summer was coming to an end and soon they'd be able to work during the daylight.

Daniel taught AJ how to play Mancala with stones and holes dug in the ground. He found enough different colored stones for them to play checkers and they had each begun to carve their own chess pieces so they could play that. Daniel found some berries and used some of the juice to stain a wooden checker board and one set of the chess pieces. AJ began to draw a set of playing cards using the pages from her journal as a surprise for Daniel.

After about a month, AJ was almost back to normal physically and she decided that she needed to get back into good physical shape. They had talked about walking out of their oasis to try and find the stargate and she needed to renew her physical strength again.

"DJ, have you ever done any martial arts training?"

"Just basic self defense. Jack and Teal'c and I like to box or play basketball."

"Can I teach you? I've got a third level black belt in Tang Soo Do and I'd like to start practicing again." AJ stripped to her spots bra and boxer briefs (she wore those over regulation panties because the women on the other SG teams told her it was a better way to stay modest around all the men they worked with off world).

"Sure, anything to help a friend. But are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I'll start slow. I won't kick your butt too much, Dr. Jackson." AJ grinned at him and started stretching.

Daniel stood back and watched her slow graceful movements. He had tried not to notice that she was a beautiful woman, but having her half undressed and stretching was a painful reminder that she was a woman and he was a man - who hadn't dated a woman since Sha're. Jackson, she's a colleague and when we get back to SGC, she'll forget all about you.

"OK, just follow me and I'll teach you the first form."

She began the stylized combat forms and Daniel followed. He'd done enough other physical training that he caught on quickly. They began training several hours daily in addition to their regular chores.

After a couple of weeks, she started to teach him the sparring moves, which brought them into close physical contact. Each of them was very aware of the nearness of the other and tried to remain as distant as possible during the rest of the day.

Seven weeks at the oasis

Late one afternoon, Daniel went down to the oasis to set a couple of traps. He'd been successful in catching one or two animals a day and they dried the meat left from what they couldn't eat fresh. He hoped to have a large amount for the time when they were ready to start looking for the stargate. They'd also quit eating the MREs so they could carry that for food. AJ had been making water bags from the skins so they'd be able to carry as much water as possible with them. You never knew in the desert where you might find water again.

When he'd finished, he walked slowly back to the hut. He both dreaded and yearned to see AJ. They'd been together alone for almost two months now and he thought he might be falling in love with her. But then, she was the only other person around. And that scared him. What if it wasn't really love, but just convenience?

Daniel entered the hut without looking at AJ. He pulled his journal out from under his sleeping bag and sat in the fading light to write. This time instead of writing about what was happening, he wrote about what he was feeling.

Seven weeks. Almost two months. It seems as if we've been alone together forever and sometimes it seems just a blink of an eye. I don't want to get involved with her as long as we're alone. I don't want to find out it was only a case of limited accessibility. What if when we get back we find out we have nothing in common? Out here, she's all I have to keep me sane. God, if I were alone, I'd be out of my mind by now. She makes me laugh. No one, not even Sha're, has ever done that before. She seems to know when I need to be alone and doesn't try to get me to talk to her. Sha're would try to get me to open up to her – of course she would start kissing me, running her hands over me - oh, god, I miss her - and that always worked to get me out of my quiet moods. AJ has never touched me unless there is a reason. Maybe she's just not interested. I never asked her if there's someone waiting for her and she's never said. I'll just keep our relationship on a friendship level and after we get home, then I'll see what happens.

While Daniel was writing in his journal, AJ took her's out and began writing.

I wonder if DJ is so shy he won't make the first move or if he's really not interested. I do believe I've come to love this man the past few months. He is such an incredible person. Thoughtful, both in the sense that he mulls things over constantly, and that he seems to think of what I need or want before he takes care of his needs and wants. I can picture this man in my life forever. A little house, a couple of kids. A porch swing where we can sit, holding hands, and wave to the neighbors as they walk by. Heck, who am I kidding? I want the life my parents have had and I want it with DJ. I still don't know anything about his private life. He said his parents were archeologists; I wonder if they still are. He also said his wife died. I seem to remember reading somewhere that most happily married people who lose a spouse marry again within a few years. Maybe he has a girl already. That's it! He's got a girl and here I am trying to seduce him. OK, from now on, I back completely off. No touching or longing looks. Yeah, right! When we get back home, I'm fighting for him.