-- Chapter 3 --

"I have to talk to you about something important," I said.

Daniel looked worried. Of course, since my extreme nervousness over what I was about to say had completely destroyed the light-hearted mood we'd just shared, I could hardly blame him.

"Okay," he said slowly, his eyes searching mine.

I took a deep breath and licked my lips. Now that I had started, I didn't know where to begin.

"I, um, was sort of...avoiding you for the last..." I sighed. Why was this so hard?

"For the last couple of weeks," Daniel finished for me. There was a deep sadness in his eyes.

I winced. He'd noticed, then. "Yeah." I reached out and placed my hand over his. "I want to try to explain why."

"Okay."

"I'm probably going to suck at it." I gave him a little smile. "Words are your thing. Not mine."

Daniel's hand turned and his fingers wrapped around mine. "I'll keep that in mind."

"The thing is, I— I'm not quite sure how it happened, but I realised that I—" I groaned and rubbed my eyes with one hand, shaking my head. I shivered despite the warmth of the evening air.

I felt Daniel squeeze my other hand. When I looked up, he was leaning forward and staring at me, his eyes filled with concern.

"It's okay, Sam. Just...say it." The shadow of a fleeting smile crossed his lips. "Whatever it is, it can't be that bad." Despite his reassuring words, he swallowed heavily.

Just say it. I could do that. "I love you," I blurted.

Daniel straightened, his eyes wide.

"You make me laugh when I don't even want to smile." I laughed weakly and shrugged. I had gone too far to turn back now. "I'm in love with you."

I stared at him, wondering if he was going to shake his head and tell me he was sorry. I'd never felt more naked or vulnerable in my entire life. I didn't even know what I wanted him to say. I really should have thought this scene out more thoroughly beforehand.

Then, Daniel smiled. It started out small. A lopsided half-grin accompanied by a soft laugh. And then his face broke out into the most spectacular smile I'd ever seen.

"Sam." He took both my hands in his and squeezed them tightly. "I was just about to tell you the same thing."

I blinked, confused. "You were going to tell me that I was in love with you?" How in the world had everyone figured that out before me?

"Uh, no." His eyes danced as he laughed at me. "I was going to tell you that I'm in love with you."

"Oh." I quickly decided that if I'd had a clue what I'd wanted when I started this conversation, I'd have hoped for exactly that response.

I smiled and untangled my fingers from his. Reaching out, I grazed my hand over the angle of his jaw, and then lightly touched my fingertips to his full lips. He smiled under my touch. I leaned in and kissed him tentatively. Experimentally. Then I pulled back to see his reaction.

Daniel's eyes were roaming my face. His hand cupped the back of my neck, and he pulled me into a deeper kiss. His mouth pressed hungrily against mine. As if it had a mind of its own, my tongue prodded his bottom lip. When Daniel's mouth opened, my tongue slid inside, caressing and exploring and tasting.

I'd been wrong. This was the response I'd have hoped for. This and a whole lot more.

I both heard and felt his groan and leaned into him, pushing him back onto the soft, grassy hillside. He uttered a satisfied sigh as I settled on top of him.

Daniel's arms wrapped around me, one hand working its way down my spine from my shoulder blades to my hip. I felt his fingers pull at the back of my shirt, slowly tugging it out of my pants.

I ran my hands through his hair and down his sides. Our tongues playfully duelled with each other. When his fingers touched bare skin at my back, I rocked my body against his, causing him to gasp.

"Oh God, Sam."

I pushed myself up until I was straddling him. His hands slid over my hips and squeezed my thighs as he smiled seductively at me.

The suns had set completely, and the light was fading. I grasped the bottom of his t-shirt and pulled it up, exposing his stomach. He wiggled a bit and lifted his arms, allowing me to tug the shirt over his head. I tossed it aside.

My hands smoothed over his shoulders and across his bare chest. The river murmured softly behind me. I gave Daniel a mischievous smile, grinding a slow circle over the hardness beneath me. He groaned again, and his eyelids fluttered closed, making my smile grow. After one more circle, I stood up.

Daniel's groan turned into a moan of protest. He pushed himself up on his elbows to watch me. I took several steps backwards until I felt the shifting of sand beneath my boots.

Grasping the hem of my shirt with both hands, I slowly peeled it off. I let it dangle from my fingers before dropping it to the sandy beach. Turning to the water, I doubled over to untie my boots, watching Daniel between my legs. I pulled them off with my socks and turned back to him.

He was still lying back in the grass, propped up on his elbows. Behind him, the gas giant this moon was orbiting was rising over the hill. Its deep blue-violet swirls cast a twilight glow over us, highlighting the muscles in Daniel's chest as his breathing quickened.

My belt opened with a click, and a few moments later, I was standing naked on the beach. Daniel's tongue darted out, moistening his lips, and I smiled at him.

"Care to join me?" I asked as I stepped into the water. I waded out until the water reached my shoulder blades. Bending backwards, I dipped my hair into the river and deliberately thrust my chest into the air.

I smoothed the water out of my hair and looked back at the shore. Daniel's eyes were locked on me. He was on his feet, already out of his boots, and stepping out of his BDUs. I stretched out my arms and lifted my feet, floating peacefully near a few of the large, smooth rocks that sheltered this section of the river.

Finally free of his uniform, Daniel gave me a little smile before he broke eye contact to pick my scattered clothing up from the shore. He carried it all farther from the water's edge. I smiled at his thoughtfulness and admired the view.

It should be a crime for standard BDUs to hide so much beauty. The arcs of muscle in his arms. Square shoulders that angled leanly down to his hips. The perfect curve of his buttocks. The sleek lines of strength in his thighs and calves.

Our clothing now safe, Daniel turned and stepped to the water's edge, staring at me. I felt my heart pounding in my chest. My gaze traveled over his broad, muscular chest, across the surprisingly rippled expanse of his stomach, down to... Oh my. He needed to get over here right now. I gave him an inviting smile and raised my legs until my toes emerged from the water.

Daniel strode purposefully toward me. When he reached waist-deep water, he dove under. I laughed and waited for him to come up. A moment later, warm arms wrapped solidly around my waist from behind, pulling me against an equally warm chest.

I gasped in surprise. This was a side to Daniel I had only imagined. I liked it. A lot.

Daniel lowered his mouth to my neck, gently nipping at my skin. One of his hands cupped my right breast while the other stroked slowly down my stomach before expertly teasing its way between my legs. He pulled my body firmly back, grinding against me. My head lolled onto his shoulder, and I moaned my appreciation into the warm night air.

I could feel him behind me, solid and wanting. I wasn't sure how much more of his touch I could passively take. I had to touch him. Had to feel more of him.

As if he could read my mind, he turned me around in his arms. I tangled my fingers in his wet hair as his lips crashed down to mine for another searing kiss.

After a deliciously long moment, he pulled back, panting, his eyes sparkling with desire. "I love you," Daniel whispered.

I smiled and stroked my hand down the side of his face. "I love you, too."

His hands smoothed down my sides to my hips. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"You have no idea how much."

His lips smiled against mine as he lifted me up. He took a few steps forward until I felt the cool smoothness of stone against my back. The arches of my feet slid up his calves, and my legs wrapped around his waist as he pressed into me.

I felt my body adjust, welcoming him. He felt so, so good. "Oh, Daniel," I moaned.

I delved into the depths of his mouth with my tongue, trying to fill him as he was filling me.

His skilled fingers danced over my thighs. I felt him gasp as my wandering hands discovered the delightful dip in the small of his back. He pulled his mouth away from mine and gave me a smouldering look before dropping his head to nibble on my neck.

It wasn't enough. I wanted more.

My hips strained against him, and my hands kneaded the taut muscles in his buttocks, urging him to move. I felt him smile against my neck as his teeth did wonderful things to my skin.

He eased back, and then slowly brought his hips to mine again, somehow reaching even deeper this time. A groan vibrated through our bodies, and I wasn't sure if it was his or mine. Not that it mattered.

Daniel continued with that same maddeningly deliberate pace. I clenched my legs around his waist, desperate for more, trying to get him to move faster.

He uttered a husky, teasing laugh. He clearly wasn't going to be rushed, but he was going to drive me crazy like this. I squeezed my muscles around him, and he gasped my name.

I pulled his face back to mine and kissed him hard, leaving him breathless. His thumbs swept over my breasts, and I felt myself arch into his hands. I sucked his earlobe into my mouth, biting down gently, and was rewarded with a solid thrust of his hips. Clutching hands slid smoothly over wet skin. The water swirled with our combined movements as his pace gradually increased.

"God, Sam," Daniel groaned. "Can't..."

His hand left my breast, reaching down between us. It wasn't necessary. I cried out his name as I crashed over the edge, convulsing in his arms. He soon followed me, shuddering his release even as he worked at prolonging mine. Stars exploded before my eyes as my senses overloaded. Our cries of ecstasy echoed across the river.

Our surroundings slowly came back into focus. Daniel's forehead was resting on my shoulder, aftershocks rolling through our still joined bodies. I brushed my lips over his temple, and he lifted his head. His hands caressed my hips and back as I planted a line of light kisses across his jaw line.

Daniel pressed his mouth against mine, softly and tenderly, in what was quite possibly the best kiss of my life. When he pulled back, he lifted a hand and smoothed his fingers through my wet hair.

I caressed the strong muscles in his arms. "I love you, Daniel," I whispered. God, it felt so good to say that.

"I love you, Sam," he murmured against my neck.

We held each other for a long time. When we finally emerged from the water, we stretched out on the soft grass to dry off. Daniel rolled his head to one side to give me a dreamy smile. He wrapped his arms around me, and I let him pull me on top of him. I sighed happily, completely spent.

"Mmm," he murmured, pressing his lips tenderly against my temple.

I smiled and lifted my head so I could look at him. His deep blue eyes twinkled in the light reflected from the gas giant in the sky. Beneath me, heat radiated from his naked body. The faint coffee flavour of his kisses lingered on my tongue. His fingers drew tantalizing lines up and down my spine.

That was when I realised that this was it. This was the most real thing I'd ever known.

"Penny for your thoughts," Daniel whispered.

"It's silly."

He nuzzled my fingers as they traced across his forehead, around his eyes, and over his nose. "Tell me anyway."

"I was just thinking that this feels like home."

Daniel turned his head, looking at our surroundings.

"No," I said, laughing as I dragged his face back to mine. "I mean this. Being here in your arms. I feel at peace."

His arms tightened around me.

"You know, I can't even pinpoint the moment I fell in love with you."

Daniel just smiled.

"Apparently, I'm pretty slow when it comes to that kind of thing."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Doctor Bedard knew before I did." I rolled my eyes. "For that matter, so did Janet." My forehead thumped to his shoulder. "And Dad," I moaned.

Daniel nudged my temple with his nose. "Took me a while to figure it out too, you know."

I lifted my head, planning to kiss those gorgeous lips again. But my attention was drawn to his left shoulder. I frowned, lightly touching the scar from the bullet wound I'd inflicted on him months ago.

Daniel looked down and released a soft sigh. He took my hand in his and kissed my fingers.

"I never thanked you," I whispered.

A crease appeared between his eyebrows. "For what?

"You never wavered. Not once." I tugged my hand away from his mouth and touched the scar again. "Even after I shot you, you never hesitated to be there for me. To help me. Support me."

"Sam, it wasn't your fault."

"I shot you, Daniel. I could have killed you."

He captured my fingers again and squeezed my hand firmly. "You didn't."

"Still," I said, fighting the burning of tears. "I should have thanked you."

One corner of his mouth quirked up. "Oh, I think you did."

I frowned at him.

"Over there." Daniel thrust his chin toward the river and winked at me. "Against that rock."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You're such a guy."

"I'm glad you noticed."

"I'm trying to be serious here," I said with a mock glare. "Thank you for being strong enough to support me. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Sure you could have."

I smiled fondly, shaking my head at his stubbornness. "You do realise that you're the strongest person I know, right?" My fingers trailed through his hair again. "Not just for supporting me. Always."

I narrowed my eyes at him as I felt tension building in his body. He was misunderstanding what I meant, I was sure. I needed to clarify. "The easy thing to do in the situations we face is to shoot first and ask questions later. You never do that. You reach out, try to communicate. That takes more strength than I can imagine. Your first reaction is always peaceful."

He squeezed his eyes closed as if he was in pain.

"Daniel?"

He sighed. "Not always," he finally whispered.

I caressed his face, silently urging him to open his eyes. When he did, my heart ached at the anguish I saw there.

"What do you mean?"

"I threatened to kill someone in order to get the information we needed to find you." His voice was hoarse.

I studied him, torn between feeling sympathetic to his distress and being oddly touched that he'd go that far for me. "I guess what happened changed all of us."

His eyes squeezed shut again, and he turned his face away. I felt his arms drop away from my back.

Cupping his chin, I pulled his attention back to me. "Hey," I said softly.

Daniel shook his head, apparently refusing to open his eyes.

"I love you, Daniel."

Finally, he looked at me. I smiled at him and lowered my lips to his for a sweet kiss.

"I'm so proud of you," he said when we parted. "I never doubted you'd get through what happened. I just had no idea you'd get so far so quickly. It wasn't my strength that did that; it was yours."

With a sigh, I rolled off of him and onto the soft grass. I stared up at the gas giant, now high in the sky. A deep purple storm swirled in its upper hemisphere.

Daniel turned onto his side, propping himself up on an elbow to look down at me. His hand stroked my hair, waiting silently for me to explain my actions. He never pushed. And it made me love him even more.

"I never told you," I started.

The only time I had ever said what I was about to tell him out loud was in one of my sessions with the therapist assigned to me during my recovery. Daniel had just shared something about himself that he clearly wasn't proud of. It didn't matter to me that he had threatened someone. I probably would have done the same thing if our situations had been reversed.

But I had done something I wasn't proud of too. Something he never would have done.

"I gave up," I whispered. "Stopped fighting. Trying to escape. Protecting myself. Everything."

He reached for my hand and held it firmly in his, while the other continued its soothing strokes through my hair.

"The desperation— I just wanted—" I laughed harshly as I felt hot tears welling in my eyes. "He probably would have just thrown me in a sarcophagus anyway. To continue his fun and games. Hell, maybe he did. It's not like I would have noticed."

The tears spilled out of my eyes and into the grass behind my head. One landed in my ear.

"Shh," Daniel murmured, wrapping himself around me. "It's over now."

I melted into his embrace, once more welcoming the strength that radiated from him in waves. He held me for a long and healing moment. "You're going to be okay," he whispered.

I looked up at him, revelling in the feeling of our tangled limbs and combined body heat. This was me and Daniel. This was real. This was home.

I smiled. "I already am."

To be continued...
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