A/N The real author's note is at the end of this chapter. Variety being the spice of life and all. To whoever suggested it, I haven't seen Robin Hood: Men in tights. I did however buy it on dvd the other day so I will watch it before the end of this fic!

Chapter 16

The afternoon passed quickly in certain parts of the camp, and slowly in other parts. As SG1 very well know; time is relative.

For the large circle of men, Teal'c and Jack included, time passed quickly as they planned the rebellion for the next day. Jack would have liked Sam and Daniel to partake in the planning, but Teal'c assured him they could organise it without their help, so he left them alone.

In the two separate areas of the camp where Daniel and Sam avoided each other, time passed very slowly. Both had some thinking to do.

X x x x x

Sam sat out of view behind a tree, picking at the dirt around the roots. Stupid Daniel and his stupid reasoning. God I wish Janet was here to talk to. Why am I so angry with him? She dug ferociously at a small root poking through the soil. And did I really consider using the 'L' word? To Daniel? She sighed and dusted the soil back into the hole. He's probably right. As usual. It's this planet. Jabbing her finger carefully, she squashed a couple of insects making their way casually across the floor. Except… Except it's not. She stopped playing with her surroundings and concentrated on her thoughts. Had she not always liked Daniel? Thinking back to her first mission through the gate, she had to admit that the answer was a yes. Do I love him though? Love is a powerful word.

X x x x x

Daniel sat next to the pool of water he had sat near with Sam a couple of hours earlier. So Sam liked him too. That made his own feelings slightly harder to ignore. But it's this planet. We can't act on them. Even if I was stood inches away from her and could have kissed her. A nagging thought popped into his head. But that's not the first time you've thought about kissing her is it? Daniel flicked a stone into the water, irritated. I can't believe Sam would jeopodise our friendship like that. He raised a finger to flick another stone into the water, and paused, repeating his last thought. She must really like me. Daniel winced as he remembered her words. Well, up till that point.

"Oi, Spacemonkey."

Daniel looked up as Jack sat down on the ground next to him.

"Got bored of the talks. T has everything under control anyway." He looked at Daniel suspiciously. "I can't help but notice you are not with Carter."

"No, I'm not." Daniel eyes and fingers returned to playing with a stone.

"And that you're a bit grouchy. Again."

"Probably." Daniel looked up from his stone. "I may have done something stupid."

"Well admitting it is a good start." Jack smiled, inspired by his own brilliance. "And this was with Sam?"

"Uh huh."

"Well I'm sure it's nothing that a good conversation wouldn't sort out."

"I told her that her feelings were brought on because of the circumstances."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Well, on the up side, she did have feelings."

Daniel through the stone into the water. "Yes, at least she did have feelings prior to my dismissing them as meaningless."

Jack stood up and looked down at Daniel. "I can't believe I'm giving you relationship advice again Daniel. I hope you don't get into a habit with this. I say, go and talk to her. You'll have to at some point anyway; you sleep in a hut together."

"What?"

"Those tree houses. The merry men expect it. You're lovers remember."

"Great."

"Talk. To. Her." Jack walked off, proud at his ability to dish out advice.

Darkness descended quickly on the clearing now the sun was setting, and the air cooled, until Daniel really couldn't sit by himself any more, lest he draw unnecessary attention. Will pulled him into the circle around the large fire and everyone ate and talked. He noticed Sam a little way off with Teal'c, but she carefully avoided his eyes and after a while he stopped trying to make contact.

X x x x x

Two hours into the meal and Sam finally decided it wouldn't be rude to leave the company of the men around her. She leant over to speak quietly to Teal'c.

"Teal'c, I'm turning in."

"Indeed Major Carter. I believe your hut is that one." He pointed to a tree house in a large oak nearby.
"Thanks."
She stood up and disappeared into the shadows out of the fire's reach. Climbing up the ladder into the room, she was pleased to note it was warm inside – the air was definitely frosty this evening. The bed of hay and woollen blankets looked strangely inviting and she settled onto it delicately. Her bruises from the Sheriff's men were aching a lot this evening, but she thought the cold had something to do with that. Her wrist wasn't too bad though. She'd been careful not to use it during the meal, and had been rewarded. She lay back on the bed and sighed.

Daniel saw Sam sneak away from the fire and made his own excuses, following her to 'their' tree house.

"Sam?"

Sam opened one eye and looked at Daniel silhouetted in the doorway.

"What?"

He climbed in the hut and sat down on the bed next to her. Sam closed her eye again. They could hear the men below, and looking out the doorway, Daniel could see the orange light of the fire reflecting on the trees.

"I've been thinking again."

"Great." She said flatly. "I'm quite tired, could it wait?"

"Not really. Anyway, this is my house too." He looked at her but she kept her eyes shut so he carried on.

"I'm not that easily persuaded in and out of feelings Sam, you of all people should know that."

"Except with Hathor. And the Destroyer or Worlds. And probably more."

Ouch. Do not remind her of Narim and Martouf. "Sam, I'm not going to draw up a list of each of our indiscretions over the years. I just wanted to say, I don't really think I've adopted my feelings." He glanced at her again but there was still no movement. She just isn't getting it. He leaned over and carefully placed his lips on her own, relishing the contact and aware it might be his last action.

Sam's eyes flew open in surprise and Daniel pulled away and smiled innocently at her. "You weren't listening."

"Well you deserved it."

Daniel nodded, very aware that he was still leaning over Sam, one hand on either side of the bed.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I was being an idiot."

"I agree. Kiss me again?" She smiled at him and he gently lowered himself to kiss her again. Their mouths met and they kissed slowly, tasting each other for the first time, savouring each new sensation.

A/N Have realised that I am a pathological liar. Half a fic ago (chapter 8), I promised you a ship. Hope this didn't let you down.

Also, to Summer Knight, I so didn't know that! Well its too late now, we shall have to pretend he wasn't (unless Jack has something he'd like to tell us…)

Last but not least – I'm moving to uni landin aweek and packing and clearing out my room is taking up a lot of my free time at the moment. If I'm slow updating I haven't forgotten you, its just cursed reality creeping in!