Chapter 2. A Morning Stroll
Vala woke up around 5 the next morning, slipped on her robe and then padded quietly down to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee. After she put on her canvas sneakers she poured herself a mug and opened the patio door and went out onto the back cedar deck. It was very peaceful out and the sky was the dark blue color it gets right before dawn. You could see stars everywhere and there was a cool breeze. The dry Colorado air felt good and held a scent of pine from the trees behind the house. Pike's Peak was seen towering over the region and the pre-dawn sky was just starting to lighten the summit where there was still some snow that hadn't melted off. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
She found an Adirondack chair with a cat curled up on it. Jasper was a Calico that had adopted Daniel soon after he'd moved there. She was a good mouser and a great companion. She never came inside so he didn't have to worry about taking care of her when he was gone off world. Vala settled into the chair with the cat on her lap and slowly sipped her coffee. She sighed with contentment and the peacefulness of the place. This was something she treasured. She rarely had quite time to herself and had learned to take advantage of it whenever it made itself available.
'Okay, so what's going on with Daniel?' she wondered. 'First, he acts like he hates me. Then he flirts with me, although I don't trust what happened in the infirmary when we almost kissed. He was drugged so maybe that's all it was. But, I've noticed a few times at work where he was watching me when he thought I didn't know. Last night, he kissed my cheek. He didn't kiss Sam's cheek so does that mean anything? Is this normal, this confusion over a man? I wish my mother was around to ask. If she hadn't died...' It was still hard for her, after all the years. Then she realized how silly she was. 'I've been all over the galaxy. I've survived unmentionable horror, and here I sit, wanting my mother.'
About 20 minutes later, the door slid open quietly and Daniel stepped out, dressed in his pajamas and a light blue robe and loafers. The light from the hood fan gave off just enough illumination to see that he held up the coffee pot and gave her an inquisitive look. She nodded and held out her mug while he poured and then watched as he went back inside, turned off the light, and then returned. He held out an afghan and placed it over her legs. Then he sat in the chair next to hers and took a sip of his coffee. She noticed that his hair was a bit messy and he was wearing a pair of his old eye glasses but he looked handsome just the same.
"I came down to make some coffee and look what I find? Some nice lady already did it.' He smiled at her but noticed she wasn't smiling back.
As they sat in the dark, he reached over and linked his pinkie finger with hers and said, "Are you okay, Vala?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?" She was glad for the dark to hide in.
"I just wondered. You usually smile when I try to joke around? No smiles this morning?"
Vala didn't say anything. She seemed to be in her own little world and he wasn't sure what to do.
"Hey, what's wrong?" He was concerned that she'd been hurt by something or someone and was worried about her.
"Nothing, really. I was just wondering how things would be different if my mother was around to ask questions. It's silly."
Daniel didn't say anything at first. He knew exactly how she felt. "It's not silly. Believe me, I know."
Vala's hand few to her mouth and she was so upset with herself because she had awakened memories for Daniel that must have been painful. "Oh, I'm sorry. Here I am, sitting here feeling sorry for myself, and you've been through this. I'm sorry to remind you of it."
"No, it's alright. So, do you want to talk about what happened to your mom?" His face grew serious as he watched her reaction to his question.
Vala's took a deep breath and then looked at their linked fingers. "Well, mother was sick for a long time. She grew ill after having a miscarriage. One of many, actually. She died and soon after, father met my stepmother Adria. She was a widow and had 4 children of her own. They seemed to have a lot in common and before I knew it, they were married. Adria and I didn't get along and it didn't take long before my father was beating me. He blamed me for all the fighting between me and my stepbrother and stepsisters. I can still remember the smell of alcohol on his breath."
Daniel sat sideways on his chair, put his mug down on the table and took her hand. "I'm sorry." He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Really."
He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb and then said, "I have an idea... Want to take a walk?" Daniel hoped she'd say 'yes' and had an eager look in his eyes.
That made Vala laugh and she said, "Okay, where?"
"There's a path that leads back into the trees. Sometimes, on mornings like this, I walk to a clearing back there and usually there's a few mule deer around. Sometimes a small herd of elk."
"I don't know what mule deer and elk are but it sounds lovely."
He smiled as he took her cup from her and set it down. Then he took her hand and helped her out of her chair and led her down the steps and across the lawn.
"I'm glad to see you have shoes on or I would have had you go in and get a pair. Prickly Pear cacti are everywhere out here."
"You'll have to show me what it looks like." Vala smiled as she held his hand and they walked.
It was still quite dark out as they neared the trees, and he said, "We have to be quiet. Deer and Elk have excellent hearing and we'll chase them off before we get close if we make any noise."
They slipped quietly into the trees and followed the well-worn path through the woods. When they came near the clearing, Daniel stopped and pulled her behind some pine trees. He stood behind her and pointed over her shoulder, across the opening in the trees to show her half a dozen does and 4 fawns. The grazing mule deer were flapping their ears back and forth and wagging their tails. The fawns were hopping around and not one of them noticed the two humans watching them. Suddenly, a loud squealing noise was blasting through the air and Vala jumped in surprise. She looked up at Daniel and he smiled and put his finger over her lips, motioning for her to stay quiet. Then he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, leaned her against him and whispered quietly in here ear, "Look over to the left." A group of four elk walked majestically into the clearing. She placed both hands on his as they watched the bull lift his head up and 'bugle' again and Vala was sure she'd never seen anything so beautiful in her whole life. The elk's antlers touched his back as he bugled one more time. They stayed on the far side of the clearing and started to graze. After a few minutes, Daniel took her hand and motioned for her to follow him and they started back the way they came.
As they got to the edge of his back yard, she said, "Daniel, that was fantastic! I've never seen anything like that! Thank you for showing them to me."
He just smiled and put his arm around her as they walked back towards the house. The lights were still out so it looked like everyone else was still sleeping. They went around the side to the front and he held her hand as they walked down the road. The nearest house was a few miles east and he lived at the end of a dead end dirt road so there wasn't any traffic. It was peaceful and they watched the stars grow dim as the sun started to crest the horizon to their right. The elevation made for a view to the east that seemed to go on and on forever. The sun was just peaking over the edge of the earth and shooting the few clouds that were up there with deep reds and golds with a little purple thrown in for good measure.
She had her left arm wrapped around his waist and seemed comfortable. 'This is very strange,' she thought. 'It's like we've both changed over night. I never would have imagined walking down the road with my arm around him, before. Now, it feels right.'
About a mile down the road he looked down at her and said, "Ready to turn back?"
"No. Do we have to?" She rested her head on his chest and held on. His skin above the V-neck T-shirt was warm and he smelled so good. He had his own scent that reminded her of the desert. Like juniper, maybe.
He laughed, "No, not if you don't want to. We can go on a little further, if you like."
"I like."
They didn't move. He rested his head on top of hers and they were content to just stand there with their arms around each other and watch the sun come up. Then they turned and walked farther down the road. After about another half mile, they decided to turn back toward the house. Looking up, they noticed a eagle flying high overhead.
She sighed and said, "I don't know how you can stand to leave this place every day and go into Cheyenne Mountain. It's just wonderful out here!"
"This makes it all worth it. I can hardly wait to come home, now. I'm even thinking of buying the property that's just north of here. It would be another adjoining 20 acres, but that way I wouldn't have to worry about anyone building a subdivision back there. When I lived in town, it was never like this. It was all noise and traffic and too much city. Occasionally, one of the Air Force jets coming out of Peterson flies over but it's mostly quiet here. It's my own little piece of heaven. I love the view of the mountains. Look how far they go to both the north and south. They march on as far as the eye can see."
"If those are the mountains, what is this area we're at?"
"Foothills. I guess back east they would say these foothills are mountains. They have mountains but not like these."
Then he thought about who he was holding in his arms and thought 'I can't believe that I'm standing here holding Vala like this. I must be dreaming.' He looked down at her and watched her as she looked up at the eagle flying. The breeze was gently lifting her hair around her face and her smile was just a wonder to behold.
She looked up and saw him watching her and smiled back. He leaned in and kissed her lightly and then stopped to gage her reaction. She had a very serious look in her eyes but then she smiled and placed her hand on his jaw line and they met in a warm kiss. It wasn't extremely passionate, but it was good and they both had butterflies the whole time.
"Daniel, that was nice but I'm confused."
"Yeah, well... so am I. I didn't plan that ahead of time. Are you okay with it?"
She didn't say anything at first and that got him worried.
"I'm okay with it but I think we need to talk. You seem different and I'm not sure why."
"I'm not sure why, either. I guess maybe it's the setting or something, but I can't seem to help seeing you in a different way."
"I'm scared, Daniel. I don't trust myself and I loved that kiss, but I don't know where it might lead.
"It doesn't have to lead anywhere that you're not comfortable with." He brushed his thumb across her cheek. "We don't have to rush or do anything. I shouldn't have done it, I guess." He looked away as if he was upset with himself.
She noticed his discomfort and said, "No, no. It was very nice. But, I don't want to rush." She didn't want to hurt him, but she really was unsure of herself. She'd kissed him on the 'Prometheus' and even though they were fighting at the time, she remembered how turned on she'd gotten. And, she'd imagined him initiating a kiss with her, but now that it had happened, her world felt off it's axis.
"Okay. Let's just take it really slow. If I do anything that scares you, I want you to tell me. Okay?"
"Okay."
He smiled and then turned, took her hand and they started back. They got almost back to the house when she let out a cry and grabbed her foot. "Oh, Daniel. I think I stepped on something."
He looked down at her foot and said, "Yup, you did. It's a cactus. Not a prickly pear but something with larger spines. I don't recognize it. Here, sit on this boulder and I'll pull the spines out." He reached down and checked the bottom of her shoe and found that the spines had gone right through the canvas next to the heel. He kicked the remains of the plant off the side of the road and said, "I'm going to have to take your shoe off and it might hurt."
"Go ahead." Vala gritted her teeth as he knelt down, untied the shoe and started to pull it off. When he removed it, he noticed that a few of the spines were in deep.
"I think we'll have to do this back at the house. I'll get the tweezers out and take a better look at it there." Daniel said. "Can you walk if you lean on me and hop?"
"I'll try." And, she did but she didn't get far before she had to stop.
"Okay, let's try this my way," Daniel said as he scooped her up in his arms and walked that last 30 yds. to the steps leading up to the back deck. He sat her down in her chair and went inside to get the things he needed to take care of her injury. In a few moments, he had a pan of very warm water for her to put her foot in, some tweezers, drawing salve and bandages. He set her foot in the water and then held her hand. "Are you okay?"
"Daniel, it's not the end of the world. I'll be fine. And I did think it was quite romantic of you to carry me back. In fact, the whole walk was very romantic, until I stepped on that cactus."
Daniel had to agree. "I know. It was nice, wasn't it?"
"Daniel, I'm seeing a different side of you again. You're always so big and brave and self assured. Last night, you were really funny. Some of the things you said made me laugh so hard. And this morning, you're very romantic. I'm about to wonder 'Who are you and what did you do with my Daniel?'
Daniel laughed. "I'm right here, Vala. I'm not going anywhere." He smiled at her and she smiled back.
'Oh yes,' she thought, 'I could definitely grow to get used to him like this. I just wish I could be sure.'
He helped get the spines out of her foot and then applied the salve and the bandages. Then he covered her with the afghan and went and got them both some fresh coffee and her some Tylenol.
That's how the others found them when they got out of bed and came down to the kitchen. Jack noticed them on the deck first and said to Sam, "They look like an old married couple."
Sam knew how Vala felt about Daniel. They had talked for a little bit the night of the party before turning off the lights in their room. Vala sat on her twin bed and opened up her heart. Sam knew that she was being cautious but had finally decided to trust Sam with how she felt about him. Sam just smiled. She wasn't about to tell Jack or anyone else what Vala had told her. And, she was glad to see that Daniel had finally let his guard down and was sitting out on the deck holding Vala's hand and chatting quietly. They looked good together. If she could, she would do whatever it took to make sure that nothing endangered this new budding romance. Vala and Daniel deserved some happiness after what they'd both gone through in their lives. 'It's about time,' she thought.
0 0 0
Jack slid open the patio door and let Sam go ahead of him while Teal'c followed. They each had their coffee and Teal'c brought the pot out with him to refill Daniel and Vala's mugs.
Sam noticed that Vala's foot was bandaged and asked what happened.
"I stepped on a cactus. Daniel fixed it so it's alright." She looked towards the door. "Isn't Cameron up yet?"
Jack said, "I haven't heard him. I guess he's sleeping in. What time did you two get up?"
Daniel looked at Vala and said, "She was already up when I came down a little after 5."
"I got out of bed and came down to make coffee. I guess my internal clock woke me up."
"Did Danny get you hooked on that stuff? You two work in the same office so now you're an addict, too?"
Vala just smiled and said, "I never had coffee until I came to your planet, Sir. I like it."
"Drop the 'sir,' stuff. We're on vacation here, okay?" Jack smiled.
"Right!" Vala smiled and asked Daniel, "So, what's on the agenda today?"
"Whatever you want. I didn't make plans. There's a stable not to far from here if anyone wants to go horse back riding and I can look up the phone number for you if you want to see about it. There's fishing and hiking, although I think you might not want to do that today, Vala."
"You're probably right. I think I'll just hang around the house today."
"Well, I know what I'm going to do," Jack said.
"Let me guess," Sam said, "Does it have anything to do with fishing lures?"
"See, that's what I like about you, Carter. You're quick!" Jack grinned and then turned and headed towards his room.
Sam said, "Anyone want to go horse back riding with me? Teal'c?"
"I have never ridden an equine but I believe I would like to try."
"Good, It's just going on 0800 so I'll wait a little bit and then I'll call. Daniel, what are you going to do?"
"I'm not sure, yet. Maybe go swimming. Vala, did you bring a swim suit?"
"Yes, Daniel but I don't know how to swim."
"Then it's time you learn. And, it won't hurt your foot."
Cam walked out onto the deck with a glass of orange juice and looked around at everyone. "Am I the last one up?" He had showered, shaved and was dressed in blue jeans and a black golf shirt and looked very rested.
"Yeah, Lazy Bones. We're just trying to decide what we want to do." Sam explained what the plans were and Cam decided to join Jack at the lake. He went back upstairs and soon he and Jack were headed down the road in a golf cart with all their fishing gear, a thermos full of coffee, mugs, and some granola bars for breakfast.
Teal'c and Sam went into the kitchen and made toast and scrambled eggs for breakfast. The four of them sat out on the deck at a table with an umbrella opened above them. After cleaning up in the kitchen, Sam went into the lounge to call the stable and then came back out a few minutes later and told Teal'c they had a date at the ranch and they left.
"Vala, get your suit on and meet me at the pool. Can you walk?"
She stood up and noticed that her foot felt fine. "Yes, I can." She smiled and they both headed for their rooms.
Before long they were both poolside. Daniel, dressed in black swim trunks, walked over to the deep end and dove in. Vala was still standing on the other end by the steps leading down into the water. She had a one piece red suit that fit her perfectly and Daniel thought she looked fantastic. He swam underwater to her end and came up right in front of her.
"Are you afraid? You don't have to be. I'll make sure nothing bad happens."
"I'm not afraid, Daniel. I'm just cautious." Actually, the sight of a tanned, 6 foot tall, handsome, well built Daniel standing in front of her, dripping wet, with barely anything on, almost took her breath away.
"That's good. Nothing wrong with being cautious. Now, come on, get in. It's not cold." Daniel held out his hand towards her and she took it and stepped in.
"It is too, cold!" She really thought it was a bit chilly.
"Get in and you'll get used to it. I promise."
She stepped down until she was at the same level as him, which was mid thigh deep. He slowly led her along the wall out to the deeper water until she was in up to her shoulders as she hung onto the wall. She was very nervous but she trusted him and didn't panic.
"Okay, how does it feel?" Daniel didn't want to frighten her and he did want her to have fun.
"Actually, this isn't so bad. The water is warm, like you said."
"Okay, the first thing I'm going to teach you is how to blow bubbles."
"I know how to blow bubbles, Daniel."
"Trust me, okay? This is a little different."
They took their time and soon she could hold her breath and go underwater without panicking.
By lunch time, he'd taught her the basics but by then she was tired. He told her they could stop and they got out. He led her over to the whirlpool and turned the timer and they got in and relaxed. The jets felt good and the water temperature was hot but not uncomfortably so.
"You did good, Vala. I know it was a bit frightening, but I'm proud of the way you weren't daunted by it."
"Thanks. It was fun. You're a good teacher."
He just smiled and after about 20 minutes of light conversation, they got out and Vala sat in a chair and dried off but Daniel jumped back into the pool. He swam back and forth a few times and then climbed out. After he dried off, he walked her back to her room and said he'd meet her in the kitchen for lunch, when she was ready to come down.
She was exhausted. Learning how to swim was a tiring process and even though she'd had fun, she was glad to quit. She hadn't had the heart to tell Daniel that she wanted to stop. He was having so much fun and he was so patient with her. She took a shower, dried her hair and then got dressed in white slacks and a blue and white striped short sleeved shirt. She laid back on the bed and was thinking about how nice it was there when she dozed off.
Meanwhile, Daniel had gotten showered and dressed in his blue jeans and a white T-shirt and was down in the kitchen putting together some lunch. He noticed that it was taking Vala a while to come down and he started to get worried. He left the fixings for the sandwiches on the counter and headed up the stairs. After gently knocking on her door and not receiving an answer, he carefully opened it and peeked inside. There was Vala, sound asleep on top of her bedspread. 'She must be really tired,' he thought. 'She never let on, though. I must have pushed her too hard.' He felt bad about that and wondered why she hadn't said anything. He quietly closed the door and went back down to the kitchen and started making a pot of homemade soup.
Sam and Teal'c returned about an hour later and Jack and Cam drove up in their golf cart and they were busy telling him about their morning. Sam noticed that Vala was missing but Daniel reassured her that Vala was fine and she was just taking a nap.
Jack said, "What'd you do, Daniel? Wear the poor girl out?" Daniel blushed and didn't know what to say but he heard Vala say, "No, he didn't wear me out, Jack. We had a wonderful time and now I know how to swim. A little."
Daniel looked up when he heard Vala and smiled at her when she was done talking. 'She had a good time? That's great!'
"Anyone hungry? I made some chicken soup and there's stuff to make sandwiches."
They got the table set and all talked almost non stop about their adventures. Jack claimed he caught a huge fish and he was holding his hands far apart but Cam came up behind his chair and used his thumb and index finger to show them that it was a really tiny fish. Everyone started laughing and when Daniel looked around at all his friends, he was glad that they'd come.
They decided to watch a movie that afternoon that Daniel had rented. Jack asked him which one it was and Daniel said, "Serenity."
"Not a scifi flick! You know I don't like scifi."
"Jack, stop complaining. If you're a good boy, we'll watch 'The Simpson's' tonight," Sam said. "Besides, I've seen the movie and it's pretty good."
"Okay, okay. I'll behave and let you watch your movie. But, you owe me one, Daniel."
They got quiet and settled in to watch the film. When the movie ended, they noticed that Daniel had fallen asleep on the couch he was on with a sleeping Vala snuggled close to his side.
Sam whispered to Jack, "Should we wake them?"
"Nah, they were up really early after a late night. They must both be tired after the swim lesson. Let's just leave them alone. Let's go over to the lounge and play some pool. They'll get up in a bit and then we can all go out for dinner later. My treat."
They quietly left the room and left the lovebirds alone.