"Now--now, remember," Daniel cautioned as the car door clunked shut, "Stick to the cover story. And that's it--anything else they ask, you say it's classified."

"Daniel, I know," Vala sighed, her boots clicking rapidly on the pavement as they crossed the parking lot. "You've only reminded me three times already."

"Sorry," he murmured sincerely. "It's just--well, y'know Landry wasn't too keen on this idea."

Vala paused, turning back to face him. The fact was that no one at the SGC, including the rest of their team, had liked the idea of her returning here, even if they were only staying long enough to reassure her friends and grab a quick meal. Daniel had argued that for her to disappear without any explanation would only add fuel to the various conspiracy theories floating around and that he and Vala together could reinforce the official cover story that had been issued to explain the events following her abduction.

She smiled at the memory, genuinely touched that he was willing, once again, to be her advocate. He'd shrugged off her thanks--blushing slightly, which in itself was gratifying--but Vala still wished that he'd let her do something for him in return.

"I know what to do," she promised, turning again to open the door. "Now, come on, I want you to meet everyone."

The diner was still buzzing with the noise of its lunch crowd when they walked in. Daniel had insisted that the drive would have been too long to accommodate a dinner date--non-date, she corrected herself with a slight smirk--so he'd agreed to go with her on Saturday instead. Having his undivided attention during weekend downtime was a rarity for her, and she wasn't sure which pleased her more--a Saturday with Daniel or the chance to see Sal and the rest of her friends again.

The murmur of voices quieted at the sight of her, and she felt suddenly self conscious. Daniel's hand slid reassuringly onto her arm, but a moment later a familiar voice called from the kitchen, "Hey, Val! You're back!"

Her sudden nervousness dissipated as Sal's smiling face appeared, and she squeezed her way through the crowded restaurant as he came out to her. She quickly found herself enveloped by a crowd of customers, and Sal's meaty arms wound around her, threatening to crush her ribs as he plucked her off the ground.

It was several minutes before she could work her way back to Daniel, who was still standing where she'd left him, a satisfied little smile on his lips. Reaching eagerly for his hand, she pulled him back to Sal, who was beaming almost as brightly as she was.

"So, is this your husband or something, Val?" he asked when introductions were complete.

"Well," Vala grinned widely, tilting her head toward Daniel. "Maybe someday!"

"Or not…" Daniel forced a grin of his own, and tilted his head toward hers so that the two almost touched. Finally remembering to unlace their fingers, he cleared his throat and told Sal, "She's…still a little confused."

"I am not, darling," Vala shook her head firmly. "I clearly remember that we very recently had our first date!"

"It wasn't a date," he replied automatically.

"Now, Daniel, don't be so shy," urged Vala with a wink at Sal. "It was a very romantic restaurant, we were both quite dressed up…there was even candlelight involved!"

"Sounds like a date to me," grinned Sal, clapping Daniel jovially on the arm. "You kids order whatever you like--it's on the house."

"Oh!" Vala exclaimed in surprise, leaning over to kiss his cheek before he headed back to the kitchen. "Thanks!"

"Sure, Val, anytime," he nodded.

"It wasn't a date," Daniel muttered as he led her over to a table.

"Yes it was," she replied, waiting expectantly for him to pull out the chair.

He automatically walked around to do so, replying as he did so, "No, it wasn't."

"Even Sal says it was a date!" Vala retorted, sitting down.

"Friends and co-workers out to dinner," reiterated Daniel, striding back to the other side of the table.

Vala smiled knowingly and picked up her menu. Daniel slid into his chair, waiting with tense shoulders for her to continue the argument. She calmly perused the lunch options as if she hadn't spent weeks serving them to others, and he frowned, finally clearing his throat.

"Something wrong, darling?" she asked innocently, putting it aside.

"Aren't you--aren't you gonna…you know," he asked with an agitated wave.

"What?" frowned Vala.

"Aren't you gonna keep insisting it was a date?" he asked.

She grinned in response and returned her attention to the menu. Daniel narrowed his eyes and glared for several seconds, then finally picked up his own. He looked down the list for a while, contemplating, and then said without looking up.

"Stop grinning."

"I'm not grinning," Vala replied.

"You're grinning," he said firmly.

"You're not even looking at me," she pointed out.

"I don't have to be looking at you," he said as he made up his mind and laid the menu back on the table. Vala set hers down as well, quickly wiping the smile off her face, but he caught a hint of it and jabbed a finger at her victoriously. "Ah-ha! See? See? You're grinning!" he shouted.