My apologies everyone. Our internet got hacked and I lost everything saved on my old computer as well as everything on my portable hard-drive. It took several weeks to get the money together to get a new computer and another few weeks to come to terms with losing my music, novel, and several fanfics…. Including the original final chapter to this one. I thought I'd give you what I have since you have all be so kind and patient with the wait.
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Daniel groaned a bit and rolled over. The sun was in his eyes, making it very hard to sleep in. He burrowed deeper under the blankets and sought out the warmth of the body next to him. She smelled sweet and flowery, he breathed in her scent as he snuggled up behind her, hugging her to him. With his arm around her, she shimmied back a bit- her hips fitting neatly up against his. He mumbled fondly and started to slip deeper into slumber. He was just about to start snoring when his bed-mate started coughing. Instinctually, he loosened his grip and when she continued to cough he let go entirely, sitting up with her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, looking around the room regaining his bearings.
"I'm sorry," Vala answered, once she regained her voice.
Vala answered?
Vala?
Vala.
Vala!
As if stung, Daniel sprang out of bed, tangling up in blankets in his haste, falling to the floor, springing back to his feet and staring at her in horror. Vala.
He had slept with Vala.
Together.
In his bed.
At the same time.
She smiled appreciatively at him and he looked down at his bare chest.
In his boxers.
He had slept with Vala. Together. In his bed. At the same time. In his boxers.
"I am so sorry," he stammered. "I don't remember doing it. I… I'm so sorry, Vala."
He remembered moving the TV and VCR into his bedroom for her the night before. Going to the library and renting a few movies and making her popcorn. He had watched one movie with her- some romance that culminated with a kiss in the rain that had her sobbing into the pillows and him rolling his eyes. But he had been fully clothed and on top of the covers. How had he ended up naked?
"Really, Daniel, you are too precious," she teased him, stretching and tossing her hair with a yawn. Why did men always make these things so complicated?
After the movie, Daniel had gone into the living room to do some reading. He distinctly remembered reading last night. He had gotten wrapped up in a paper Nick had written about the writing styles and record keeping of the Maya. He had read until about two in the morning before going to bed… on the couch. Yes, he had gone to sleep on the couch just as he had been doing since Vala arrived.
"There's no need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong." She got up and went into the restroom, closing the door behind her.
Daniel stood rooted to the spot staring after her. He must have woken up at some point, and on autopilot changed out of his clothes and got into bed without thinking. It was the only explanation. It was an accident. It was innocent.
It was embarrassing.
"Not that I mind, darling, but are you going to stand there all day?" Vala asked, coming back into the room.
He stared at her. "I'm sorry," he said again.
She rolled her eyes and sat down on the bed, pulling the blankets over her lap. "I have to admit, I rather liked it. You're very warm."
Daniel didn't know what to do. One time, off-world on a very cold planet he and Sam had woken up to find themselves spooning in the tent while Jack and Teal'c took the watch. Sam had had the decency to be as embarrassed as he was. They mumbled apologies, insisted it had been necessary, and never spoke of it again. That was how situations like this were supposed to work. Vala just saw it as another opportunity to toy with him.
And of course, he played right into her hands.
He snapped out of his self-conscious stupor and grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt out of his dresser as he fled the room.
"I'm going to make coffee," he mumbled by way of lame excuse.
"Can you make me some more of your mother's tea?" she called after him.
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Final chapter coming soon!