Chapter 5. Success!

Daniel went back to work the next day after convincing Doctor Lam that he wouldn't over do it. He had a lot to catch up on and didn't like the thought of getting too far behind.

Vala was sitting at her desk working quietly when he came in. He wanted to talk to her and apologize for the kiss, but he could tell that now wasn't the right time. Others came in and out of the office all morning with questions about one thing or another concerning artifacts or translations and he didn't even notice the time flying by. Before he knew it, it was time for lunch.

"Vala, I'm gonna go get something to eat. Do you want to come along?" He hadn't talked to her about anything expect work related subjects all morning, and maybe now he could broach the subject that they had been stepping around all morning.

"No, I'm getting close to figuring this text out and I don't want to lose my place."

"I'll bring you something back then." Daniel left and headed for the elevators.

Upon reaching the commissary, he filled his tray and headed over to a table where Sam, Teal'c and Cam were eating.

"Hey, guys."

"Hello, Daniel Jackson. Are you well?"

"Yes, Teal'c. I'm fine. Thank you. How is everyone?"

"I am fine, as well." Teal'c gave him a nod and then returned to his meal.

"I'm good, Daniel. It's nice to see you back to work."

"Ditto," said Cam as he took a bite from his sandwich.

Sam smiled and then asked, "Have you heard the latest news on the show?"

"No, I've been out of the loop for a few days. What's going on?"

"There is a rumor that the producers are reconsidering. There's been such an influx of mail and phone calls that they said they might decide to do another year. Of course, it's just rumor, but that's the best news we've had in a long time."

"That's great! I'll bet Jack's happy about it," Cam said.

"I haven't talked to him since he went back to D.C.," Sam said. "He said he had a lot of meetings at the Pentagon this week but I left a message on his voice mail and he'll probably get back to me when he can."

"Tell him I said, 'hello,' when you talk to him," Daniel said.

"Is Vala Mal Doran not working today, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c had noticed that Daniel had come in alone.

"She's back at the office. She said she was afraid she'd lose her concentration if she took a break for lunch. I'm going to take something back to her."

"She's been a lot of help, hasn't she?" Sam knew how much Daniel was swamped by his work and it was nice to see that he wasn't as stressed out as he had been before Vala joined the team. He actually made it home a few nights a week, now.

"Yes, she's really helped lift the work load. I hadn't really given a lot of thought to having someone else right there in my office, helping with the translations. It's amazing how much she knows. She's picked up a lot of knowledge in all the years of traveling around."

"I'm glad. Hey, I think the plans are still on for the Christmas Party to be held in the same room as the Halloween party was. Are you three planning on going?"

"I'm not sure. Catherine invited me to visit for a few days and I haven't decided if I want to go."

"If you do, tell her I said, 'hello'."

"I will be in attendance, Colonel Carter," Teal'c said.

"So will I," Cam added

"Good. Well, I've gotta get back to my lab. It was nice to see you guys."

The two men finished their lunches and then went on their ways. Daniel stopped first and picked up some lunch for Vala and headed for the elevator.

'Maybe a few days away from here would be a good idea. I wonder if Catherine would be able to give me some advice on how I should handle my relationship with Vala? Well, it's not really a relationship, yet, but it could be.'

He took the tray back up to his office and noticed that Vala was sitting on the couch, leaning back and she seemed to be asleep. But, when he set the tray down on her desk, she opened her eyes and sat up straighter.

"I'm back with some lunch. Hungry?" He sat down next to her and looked at her with inquiring eyes?

"Yes, thanks." She went to get up but Daniel took her hand and asked her to wait.

"Vala, I owe you an apology. I was way out of line the other day in the infirmary."

"No, Daniel. I'm the one who should apologize. I should have been here in the office, working. You didn't need me hanging around." She went to stand up and he took her hand.

"Wait. Please. I was glad to have you there to keep me company. But, I shouldn't have been flirting with you like that. Neither one of us need to complicate things."

"Daniel, listen. When I first met you, we were enemies. I didn't trust you and you didn't trust me. We didn't really know each other at all. When I came back and tricked you with the marriage bracelets, I learned that you weren't someone to trifle with. It took a while, I know, and I still flirt a lot, but I also found that I respect what you do here and that we don't have time to goof off. The Ori are out there and we know there are at least 3 ships in this galaxy trying to cause trouble. Now, that I work with you and I'm part of SG-1, I have to get serious and help as much as I can. I decided a while back to behave myself, as much as possible, and quit making passes at you."

"You're right, this is very serious. But, I started it in the infirmary, and I'm sorry. I know that it must have been confusing and I didn't mean to do it."

"Well, you were on some pretty heavy duty pain killers so I can attribute it to that. Let's just forget about it and move on. Okay?"

"Okay. Are we alright?"

"Yes, Daniel. We're alright. Now, what did you bring me for lunch? I'm starving!"

She hadn't been quite truthful about her feelings but she didn't want him to know how thrilled she'd been when he wanted to kiss her. It was wonderful but she knew that he'd been dosed up with some pretty strong stuff and wasn't really thinking straight. She just couldn't trust it.

0 0 0

Daniel went to Catherine's for a few days but was back in time for the Christmas party. He'd decided not to bring up the subject of Vala and instead enjoyed a nice few days with her and Ernest.

The SGC personnel had picked names for the Secret Santa gifts and he'd ended up with Sam's name. He knew she'd really like some of the special coffee that he'd found when he'd been to Bolivia for a seminar, so he had some shipped to his house and had it wrapped up in a pretty package. She was thrilled and said she'd keep it in her lab so that they could enjoy it together.

Harriman had picked Daniel's name and bought him season 17 of 'The Simpson's.'

"It just came out on DVD a few weeks ago and I figured you didn't have it yet."

"You're right, Walter. Thanks." Daniel was tickled that Harriman had been so thoughtful. 'I'll have to have Vala over and we'll watch it together. I know I've missed a lot of the episodes because we've been off world so much.' Then he remembered his earlier conversation with Vala from before and wondered if that was a good idea. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

Vala had never been to a Christmas party before so she'd asked Sam to explain it to her. Sam told her about the secular aspects of the holiday regarding the presents and decorating and such. The religious aspect became a more serious conversation and led to the topic of faith and different customs that different religious groups had. Sam explained that the two aspects didn't have as much to do with each other as they used to. "Lots of people celebrate Christmas and they aren't Christians. It's just a fun day for them and a time to get together with family. You'd be better off asking Daniel about the religious stuff. He's studied some of that in college with his anthropology classes and he's been to a lot of countries and knows a lot more about it than I do."

Vala thought about it and decided that it could wait. For now, she'd just have fun at the party and leave the rest for another time.

On the day of the party, She was surprised to find that someone had picked her name for the Secret Santa project. She'd declined to pick a name because she was new and didn't really understand what it was all about.

When she opened the gift, however, she was left speechless. Inside the box was a beautiful dark blue scarf that had silver snow flakes for a pattern. She'd never had something this soft and pretty before. It almost brought her to tears. But, there wasn't a card with the gift so she had no idea who to thank. She looked around the room but couldn't tell if it had been anyone she knew.

Sam came up and sat down next to her and said, "Vala, that's beautiful! Who gave it to you?"

"I don't have any idea, Sam. There wasn't a card attached."

"So your Secret Santa really is a secret! Oh my, you have a secret admirer."

Vala was upset by this. 'Why would someone want to do something for me? Great. Just what I need to complicate my life!' With that, Vala excused herself and left the room.

Sam was surprised at her reaction. 'What is going on?' She stood up and watched Vala walk out and decided right then that she and Vala needed to have a heart-to-heart talk. And soon.

Daniel watched as Vala opened her gift and was pleased that she'd liked the scarf he'd picked out. But, then saw her crestfallen look when Sam talked to her and then he felt awful when he saw her leave, obviously upset. He asked Sam what happened but she was confused by the whole thing and couldn't offer an explanation to why Vala seemed hurt.

'I shouldn't have done it. I'd better go find her and see if I can explain. I knew she hadn't picked a name and hadn't put her name in, so I only did it so she wouldn't feel left out when everyone else was opening their gifts. I wonder where she went?'

But, when Daniel went looking for her, she wasn't at any of the usual places. Eventually, he gave up and went back to the party, but he felt terrible and soon excused himself and went home.

'I'll talk to her tomorrow when I go in for work,' he thought as he settled down for the night. But, his dreams were disturbing and he had nightmares of the Ori attacking earth and the SGC not being able to stop them.

Vala had gone outside to sit in the quiet for a while. Her parka kept her warm as she sat gazing at the stars. She wondered if she'd made the right choice by joining the SGC. She almost missed her freedom and was confused by her feelings. She'd grown attached to the people here on earth and wasn't used to that. When she went back inside, the party had ended, so she went to her room and tried to sleep but her mind was busy with thoughts of her life and Daniel and she didn't get much rest.

0 0 0

Jack returned Sam's call the next morning and they discussed the show. Sam checked the website while she was talking with him and said, "Well, the latest information is that the producers say it's a definite 'yes,' for another season. It worked! All the petitions and letters and beer cans convinced them!"

"We'll have to have a party!" Jack liked parties and any excuse would do.

"You know, Jack, people might think all we do is throw parties around here," Sam said.

"I don't care what anyone thinks, you know that, Carter. And, if we have cake, it's even better. Let me know if you need help setting it up."

"Will do. Bye."

"Bye."

0 0 0

Things went on as usual. SG-1 went on missions and Daniel kept up his record of getting hurt on a regular basis, but most of the time it was just sprains, cuts and bruises. He didn't require any more overnight stays in the infirmary but he was ordered to stay home a few times to rest.

He and Vala had reformed a good working relationship and he eventually did have her over to watch season 17 of the show. They laughed together a lot, and though she secretly wished for more, she was grateful for what she had with him.

He was satisfied to let things go as they were. He was comfortable with their friendship and decided to leave it at that for the time being. He'd wait and see if anything developed further but he wasn't going to push it.

In May, the SGC decided to throw a 'Simpson's' party on the night of the last new episode for season 18. They brought in a large TV so that everyone could see and had donuts and drinks for everyone. One corner of the room was decorated to look like 'Moe's' bar and some dressed up as their favorite characters.

Jack was there and having a wonderful time. This new season talk had done a lot to cheer him up. When the show started, the crowd settle down and grew quiet, only getting noisy when they were all laughing about something Homer said or what Bart did. Afterwards, Jack had everyone get a glass of their favorite drink (soda or punch) and he proposed a toast.

"To perseverance and all around nagging." Everyone laughed and agreed that it was in large part to all the petitions, letters and empty beer cans that caused the show's producers to take another look at the situation and agree to another year. It had been hard work and a lot of frustration but they were all satisfied.

The news media had run with it, reporting on all the parties that had been set up across the country. One woman said, "We had planned the parties to celebrate the show and watch the series finale, but when they decided to sign on for another year, we thought we would have the party to celebrate that. It was great and I can hardly wait for next season."

Daniel had SG-1 over to his house after the party and they chatted for a while about all that had happened.

"I have to thank you for helping out with that campaign," Jack said. "You can't imagine how happy I was to hear from Sam that they'd signed on for another year." He looked at Sam and smiled.

"Yeah, well, you were such a grump about it that we just had to do something!" Daniel winked at Sam and laughed as Jack threw a couch pillow at him.

"Indeed, you were most unpleasant, O'Neill. I was contemplating using a zat on you if you didn't cease."

"Oh yeah, it's pick on the General time! You guys just wait until it's 'Wormhole X-treme' they cancel. Then we'll see how you do. I know for a fact that Teal'c has all the DVD's of that show.

"Really, Teal'c? I never knew you were a fan!" Daniel took another sip of his beer and then pointed the bottle at Sam and said, "When the movie comes out, what you say we all go see it together."

"I thought they canceled the plans for a movie."

"You're drunk, Daniel." Sam giggled. "When's the last time you went to a movie?"

Daniel stopped to think about it. "I think it was the second 'Tomb Raider' one.

"Daniel! That was what, four years ago? You're kidding?" Sam looked shocked. "You haven't been to a movie in four years?"

"Hey, Danny, got a thing for Angelina Jolie, huh?" Jack took a swig of his beer and smiled, knowingly.

Daniel didn't say anything, he just grinned and took another sip of his beer and blushed a deep red.

"OH MY! He's got a crush!" Sam started laughing and Daniel blushed even more, if that was possible.

"Who is 'Angelina Jolie?" Vala wanted to know, especially when she saw Daniel's reaction.

"I'll explain some other time, Vala." Daniel then noticed Teal'c stand up and walk over to the shelf that held his DVD collection. He was taking a sip of beer and his face went a bit white when he heard Teal'c say, "O'Neill, I believe that Daniel Jackson has both 'Tomb Raider' movies in his possession." Teal'c scanned the shelf and then pulled them both out. "Indeed, he has. I believe you are correct. It appears he does have a crush on the lead actress."

Daniel choked up on his beer so bad it came out his nose. He was sneezing and coughing and had tears in his eyes from laughing so much. Vala got him a paper napkin from the stack on the coffee table and they all laughed uproariously.

"Okay, kids. I think we need to call it a night. No driving tonight. Sam, you and Vala take the guest room at the end of the hall. Teal'c, you get the other guest room. Cam and I'll bunk out here in the living room on the couches. I'm gonna help Daniel to his room. It's obvious he's too drunk to make it by himself." They all looked at him as he was wiping the beer off his lap."

"I am not too drunk to make it to my room!" Daniel stood up and swayed a bit and he started forward with great determination but started to fall over as he tried to make his way around the Lay-Z-Boy. Jack and Cam grabbed him and headed off down the hall.

So, another season of 'The Simpson's' was scheduled and things went back to normal. They still fought the Ori, Daniel still got hurt occasionally, but the show went on.

It just showed what determination could do. With enough will power, anything can change.

The End