"That's another $50!" Sam taunted her opponent. She and Tosh were handily taking a bar-full of people's money at the pool table.

"What?" exclaimed a red-nosed pub denizen. "That's your 15th win!"

"My grandma always says, 'Never bet against lady luck,'" supplied Toshiko's latest victim. He was tall with a crew cut and prominent brow; Sam thought he looked like a pilot.

"Luck has nothing do to with it, we're awesome by analysis," replied Tosh, polishing off her brandy.

Someone handed Sam a shot of what looked to be tequila. She deftly downed it in one go. She looked around the room, "Who's next?"

Across the bar, Teal'c was having a very awkward date. The girl he was talking to had long, wavy ebony hair that reached her curvy butt and bright, gorgeous violet eyes that were absolutely gorgeous. Teal'c was instantly taken with her, and that was why he felt so awkward. He felt so awkward because he was intimidated.

Earlier that night, she had introduced herself. Her name was Lilena. That wasn't her real name, though, she had just picked it for herself many, many years ago when she had run away from the abusive badgers that had raised her. Sometimes she went by Fyre-Brynger, and sometimes she went by Lady The Third, but she liked Teal'c, so she told him to call her Lilena. For some reason that he couldn't explain, he told her to call him Teal'c, which was his real name, but he didn't usually use it on Earth except with really, really special people, because he was a Jaffa and they weren't supposed to know that.

"Be honest, Teal'c," she giggled poetically. "What do you think of me?"

The Jaffa remained, like, totally unmoved. "You are indeed very attractive, Lilena."

She giggled modestly. "Oh, you're just saying that," she said modestly.

"Indeed."

Lilena giggled and took another swig of alcohol. Teal'c probably found her high alcohol tolerance almost as attractive as her perfect body. The bodice of her dress was a rich forest green that reminded everyone of dappled sunlight falling through a thick canopy onto grass that really shouldn't be growing thick and healthy on a forest floor, but somehow was; it was a corset-style bodice (that in no way implied she had casual intercourse with strangers, for all who gazed upon her perfect visage knew she was too pure for such shenanigans) with ribbing and the top was lined with lace that perfectly highlighted her perfect breasts. Her long, thin legs were covered in the gorgeously flouncy skit of her dress - even Teal'c knew it was the type that would be really fun to twirl in. The top was the same green as the bodice, but it slowly turned into a deep turquoise at the bottom. The skirt was nearly floor-length in the back, but was significantly shorter in the front (almost to her knees) in order to show off her spectacular brown high-heeled boots which were inordinately comfortable and made of the softest, butteriest leather. Her gorgeous, perfect choker - made of the same leather as her boots - had a stone rose carved from a thunder egg hanging from the center and it perfectly complemented her long, thin, elegant neck. Also, even though she said she wasn't wearing any perfume (and Teal'c believed her, because he knew her so well that he trusted her) she smelled good. Her piercing, haunting, captivating blue eyes stared straight into his soul.

Nervous because she was so wonderful, Teal'c glanced over to his friends at the pool table, hoping for some advice. But they were otherwise occupied. He sighed mentally. "Provide me with information about your life," he suggested, sipping his ginger ale.

"Well," Lilena began. "As you know, I was raised by abusive badgers. But first, I was created by my people, the Shbraklanreavarishkaba, to be their savior. I'm a celebrity there, and everyone loves me. But when my parents died, my mean uncle made me go away to Earth, because he wanted my evil cousin, Kreshba, to be the savior. But she can't do it. So now I have to find my way home so I can save my people. All I need is a knight in shining armor to help me."

She sighed, looking at Teal'c with her wide green eyes.

"If only my magical wonderful superpowers were stronger!" Lilena complained beautifully. "Then I could save them faster!"

"What sort of abilities do you possess?" Teal'c asked.

Lilena smiled at him. "I can bring fyre, which is why they call me the Fyre-Brynger. And I can talk to animals. And I can make it windy. And I can do things with my mind. Oh, and I have perfect hair. All the time."

"I see."

"But I can't figure out how to use them. I need a teacher. But now all I have are my dog, Midnight, my stallion, Lightning, my hawk, Primrose, and also my kitten Mr. Mittens. Oh, and my dragon, Pyro. I can't talk to him, though, unless I turn into a dragon. When I do that, you have to call me Zephyr.

Teal'c raised one eyebrow. "That is indeed quite intriguing, Lilena. May I ask what enables you to accomplish this?"

Lilena shrugged. "Oh, magic. Hey, do you want to hear me sing?"

Back at the Hub, Daniel had been left alone with the incorrigible Captain Jack Harkness. Being drunk, Daniel didn't think it especially odd when Jack sat a little closer than usually acceptable; nor did the Captain's arm around his shoulders raise any red flags. Actually, Daniel was pretty oblivious to the whole thing (which Jack assumed meant he didn't mind, 'cause really, who minds Jack?).

Still pretty drunk, Daniel's squeak of surprise at being pulled into Jack's lap was followed by some more giggling.

"Exactly how drunk are you?" Jack looked Daniel over, thoughts of conquest momentarily put on hold. His hands, however, began to wander.

Daniel's thoughtful pout and reply of "I only had two or three..." were followed up with some blushing because Jack was being Jack.

He looked adorable when he blushed, the Captain mused, all embarrassed and geeky and... adorable. The look on his face put an end to any hesitation on Jack's part. With a glint in his eye that made Daniel blush even stronger, the immortal leaned closer, contemplating the younger man before him.

Daniel's pale blue eyes widened at Jack's proximity. His lips parted slightly as if he was going to say something, but no words came out.

Now this was just too much. Before another thought could cross his mind (and, to be fair, that wasn't where most of the thoughts were heading anyways,) Jack closed the gap between them, pressing their lips together.

The sudden contact sent a jolt of surprise (and maybe something else) through the younger man's body. Daniel had barely managed to figure out, through the haze of alcohol, what was touching his face and why, when he felt Jack's large, strong hand on the back of his head, pulling him close.

Over the past few years, Daniel had seen a lot of different things. But he certainly wasn't used to this.

Although, he mused, it might not be too bad to get used to. Jack was warm and strong against him, and the way his lips were working was strangely pleasant. The beers in his system quashing any doubts, Daniel opened his mouth slightly in response to the kiss, and rested his hand against Jack's knee.

The Captain groaned into the archaeologist.

With a yelp, Daniel was dragged back to reality and became suddenly much more sober. He jerked backwards, tumbling off the couch and away from the other man he had just been kissing.

"Something wrong?" Jack asked. His voice was equal parts concern and suggestiveness. Daniel grimaced.

"No, I just," he muttered, "I sorta... I have to leave!"

Without another word, he jumped to his feet and scrambled backwards, through the cog door and out of the Hub.

He took a wide berth around Jack, who watched him go, still too stunned to move.