Encounters
Disclaimers: the characters don't belong to me; I'm just borrowing to make them do what I want for a little bit.
Chapter 2
AN: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, maybe asking for them actually works:) who knew! Anyway, here's the second chapter. Though I don't know how many chapters I can write about them meeting Pete; I was thinking maybe a few chapters about meeting some others, like Kerry or Sara or someone. Let know what you guys think and who would you like me to use. I'm going back to writing in past tense, present tense is not my favorite, I really don't know why last chapter came out like that. Ok, that's it for author's note. Here's the story:
"Damn," Daniel muttered as he fumbled with his mobile to answer it. "Hello," he said into the hands-off head set Sam had convinced him to buy saying he was a menace when he drove and talked.
"Danny," Jack's cheery voice could be heard over the earphone, "how are you? What you've been up to? But more importantly, where are you? We're all waiting for you." The first few questions were said with Jack's customary sarcasm, the last with the kind of patience that only comes from having been in the same position many, many times before.
Daniel grimaced and looked at his watch, "I'm not late yet, Jack," Though he knew he was very close to being just that.
"No, not yet, Danny boy, but you're cutting awfully close. The movie starts in less than fifteen minutes. Just where are you anyway? You better not still be in your lab."
"No, I'm not in my lab anymore, Jack. Geez, what do you think I am? I'm just a few blocks from the theater actually. Now, can I hang to concentrate on my driving? I'll see you guys in a few minutes." Daniel was so not in the mood for a lecture.
"Ok, we'll see you in a few. And drive carefully, space monkey." And with a laugh, Jack hung up.
"Yeah, yeah," Daniel said with a faint frown; Jack knew Daniel didn't particularly like being called 'space monkey' and yet he still did it. Well, that was precisely why Jack did it; Jack liked nothing better than to yank Daniel's chain. Though to be fair, Daniel did enjoy doing the same to Jack – that was just the relationship they had. They loved to annoy each other, very much like the brothers they consider themselves to be. Daniel smiled as he thought of the man he'd known for over ten years, the man who turned his life upside down and had saved it more than once. He marveled at how despite everything they've been though - deaths, ascensions, possessions, promotions and re-assignments – their relationship was still basically the same. Through good and bad, Jack's always been there and Daniel knew he'd always be there.But things were not the same as they once were; they've changing for the past couple of years. And the news that Sam had a couple of weeks ago meant that more change was on the horizon; of course this change they've all been looking forward to for years. 'It's about time,' he muttered as the big red letters of the theater came into view.
As soon as he saw the distinct letters he gave a sigh of relief and turned his head to check the clock once again, 'Yes, still not late.' He would have never heard the end of it if he had been. All day long, his friends and teammates had been coming to his lab to remind him that they were all meeting tonight for a movie and then dinner. 'You'd think I have the memory of a five year old' he grumbled to himself, conveniently forgetting that he's known for missed appointments, late arrivals and canceled engagements all because he'd get caught up in some discovery or other. And since he'd been holed up in his office for the last three days working on an artifact SG-7 brought back last week, his friends' concern was completely reasonable -not that he'd ever see it that way.
"I'm not an infant," he continued grumbling to himself as he turned into the theater's parking lot, "I'm a responsible adult; there was no need to come into my office every half hour to make sure I haven't forgotten the plan." Of course if they hadn't, he would have forgotten – but that was beside the point, he wasn't in the mood for rational thinking after all. They've each gone to see him at least six times that day; at first he thought it was nice, but by the third visit he was ready to kick their six. The only reason he hadn't, besides the fact that he was pretty sure he couldn't, was that it would have taken him away from the artifact he was trying to decipher – and he really wanted to find out what it was. So he'd made assenting noises and shooed them on their way.
They haven't believed he was paying attention, however, and kept coming back every half hour like clockwork (he knew because he'd timed them) until they left the mountain for the day. Even then, they'd stopped by, one by one, to ask if he was sure he didn't want to come with them. And when he assured them that he was quite capable of getting there by himself, they'd once again reminded him of the time the movie started. That time he'd gotten rid of them by swearing that he was leaving on time, that nothing would make him late. They hadn't look like they believe him that time eihter but they could do nothing about it, so they left Andit wasn't only his teammates that had been on his case all day. Jack had also called him about 10 times that day.And if it hadn't been for his last call forty minutes ago, Daniel would have missed tonight's outing.
He had been ready to leave, really he had, but just as he was putting his stuff away he happened to glance at the symbols one last time. Maybe it was because he was already thinking about the coming evening or maybe it was because he was looking at the whole picture instead of one by one, who knows, but all of the sudden he got it; he finally got the last piece he needed to make sense of the artifact. And of course, then he couldn't leave before he started the translation. Soon he was so engrossed that every thought of the movie had gone out of his head. If Jack hadn't call at that precise moment, Daniel would never have made the movie. He was going to barely made it as it was, but he was going to make it.
He supposed he could understand Jack and Sam, tonight was a big deal for them. But Teal'c and Cameron were acting like mother hens too; you'd think it was their celebration. He sighed internally as he finally found a parking space and conceded that tonight was important to all of them. It wasn't often they got to celebrate good things together after all. And as much as he loved his job, he would have hated to miss tonight's celebration. This was something they have all been waiting for for years; heck, even Cameron's gotten into the festivities and he's only been part of the SG1 for about twelve months now. So, he supposed he could forgive them their treating him like an infant.
But as much as they would all enjoy tonight, it really was Sam and Jack's night. He smiled as he got out of his car and thought of his friends and how happy they were. It was nice to finally see them happy and not just content or making do with life. The changes in both of them were incredible. Sam was always smiling nowadays and almost nothing got her upset and if she did get upset all it usually took to calm her was to ask how Jack was doing, then she would get this really sappy smile, start grinning like a school girl and off she went recounting everything Jack had been up to. It was really very amusing to watch; Sam as a besotted girl was something none of them had ever thought to see. And it was even worse if Jack was around, the goofy grin would not leave her lips and she would not be much good for any kind of intellectual or work related conversation. In fact, the times Jack was in town were the only times in the nine years since he'd known her that Sam has willingly left the mountain on time and even early. Not only that, but in the twelve months that they've been together Sam had actually taken all of her leave and downtime away from the base and has spent quite a bit of it over in DC, which meant that she had been unavailable to solve all of the SGC's emergencies quite a few times.
And though Daniel hadn't seen Jack as much as he's seen Sam since they've gotten together, the few times Daniel had seen him he had seen the differences right away. Jack was no longer as moody or as grouchy. Oh, he still was the same Jack as always, sarcastic, ready with a quip and more than happy to annoy anyone; but he no longer had such a short fuse and best of all, in Daniel's opinion, the shadows that have haunted his eyes and his soul for as long as Daniel have known him were no longer there. Daniel had no doubt that Jack still had some of his ghosts, the man had seen and done too much in his life to ever truly get rid of them, but they now were much more manageable and didn't seem to be following his every step. His whole relaxed, casual attitude was no longer so much an act but much more real; he's even stopped pretending to be as dumb as rock and has participated in some very interesting discussion with Daniel about subjects that he would previously have done his best to appeared ignorant of. They seemed to have done a reversal of roles, the more Sam relaxed and stopped talking about work and intellectual things, the more Jack talked about things he would have never admitted to knowing before – it was quite an interesting phenomenon and Daniel was quite fascinated by it. Though not enough to spend more than a few hours with the two of them, they were still in the new phase of the relationship and could be very lovey-dovey, which got very sickening after a while.
He was so caught up in thinking about the differences their relationship had brought to each of his friend's lives that he failed to notice the person in front of him until he literally walked into him. "I'm sorry, I wasn't really looking where I . . ." Daniel trailed off as he saw just who he had bumped into. "Hey, Pete, long time no see. How are you?"
"Dr. Jackson," Pete's tone conveyed his surprise at running into Daniel, "I'm fine and you?"
"Oh, you know, same all, same all. Can't really complain. What have you been up to?"
"Oh, about the same too. I'm getting transfer back to Denver in a couple of days, actually."
"Really? Why? You don't like Colorado Springs anymore?" Daniel joked before he remember that the only reason Pete had moved here was because of Sam and without her he no longer had a reason to stay. Now that he thought about it, Daniel was surprised the other man had stayed as long as he had.
"No, I like it just fine. It's just that there really is nothing for me here." It had taken him a while after seeing Sam and Jack together, but about two weeks after he'd gone to his superiors and ask for a transfer back. Requesting a transfer back less than a year after his transfer here didn't look all that good and he'd really debated with himself if he wanted to look foolish in front of his superiors. But at the end it had come down to him not wanting to run into Sam and Jack in the future because he was sure they were going to be together for a long time and he really did not want to one day run into a happy family that could have been his.
"Well," Daniel began, not sure of what to say, "I'm sure you'll be fine. I mean you have family in Denver, don't you?" Daniel asked for lack of anything better to say.
"Yes, most of my family lives in Denver; I'll be nice to be close to them again," Pete answered with a faint smile. It will be nice to be close to family and long-time friends again. His stay in Colorado Springs had been so short and unstable that he hadn't made many close friends and he missed the comradely and support close friends and family give you.
As Pete was talking, Daniel was discreetly looking around to see if he saw the guys and Sam; he didn't think it would be a great idea for them to see each other. But it seemed fate had other ideas because, just as Daniel was hoping that maybe they've gone into the theater to wait for him, he hears Cameron call his name, "Hey, Daniel over here."
Daniel looked around and found the group just a few feet from him and Pete. They had been blocked by a group of teenagers that had chosen that moment to move away, leaving a clear path between the two groups. Cameron and Teal'c were facing Daniel while Jack was facing them, with his back towards Daniel; it was clear from his position that he was holding someone close in front of him.
"Hey, Danny boy you made it . . ." Jack said smiling as he turned around to see Daniel. His voice and smile trailed off and he stiffened as he saw who was standing beside Daniel. Sam, who was in his arms (her favorite place in the world to be), felt him stiffen before she saw the reason; but as they finish the turn, she saw Pete also and blanched in surprise. It was weird, she had broken up with him about a year ago and somehow she felt as if he'd caught her cheating – might it be because all the time you were with him you were wishing you were right here in Jack's arms? Her conscience asked, making Sam reflect that consciences could be a pain in the six.
Cameron, who had seen Jack and then Sam go stiff at the sight of the man standing next to Daniel and didn't understand the problem, had a very confused look on his face. Teal'c, who had seen Pete with Daniel a split second before Cameron had called out but had been too late to stop him, stood there with an eyebrow raised and his usual stoic face ready to interfere if things were to go out of hand. Daniel, who had felt Pete stiffen as soon as Jack's voice was heard and had seen him wince when Sam came into view, stood there with the face of someone who was seeing a train careen out of control and could think of nothing to do to avert disaster. He also felt guilty because if he had been looking where he was going he might not have bumped into Pete and this wouldn't be happening and because he knew he should do something but had no idea what that something should be.
Hence they all stood there frozen staring at each other, Sam and Jack stared at Pete, Pete, Teal'c and Daniel stared at Sam and Jack and Cameron stared at everyone mystified as to what was going on. The silence became so stifling that he felt the need to say something to alleviate it but there was something in everyone's faces, especially Jack's, that told him this was not the time for a joke. So, he took a mental step back and let those who knew what was going on handle the situation.
Predictably, it was Sam who broke the silence, her sense of duty would permit nothing less. After all, it had been her ill-fated attempt to get a life (and forget about Jack) that had led to that mess. Daniel's sense of guilt was nothing compared to Sam's.
"Pete," she was proud of how calm her voice sounded, only someone who knew her extremely well, like Jack, could detect the faint tremor underneath it – fortunately for her, Pete had never gotten to know her that well. "How are you?"
"Sam," Pete said, he tried not to let any bitterness show through on his voice, after all it wasn't her fault she hadn't loved him. "I'm fine and you? You look great." Despite his efforts that 'great' came out sounding very sarcastic, because after all it had been her fault – it had been her who agreed to marry him when she loved someone else.
Jack stiffened at Pete's snide tone, as did Cameron and Teal'c. Cameron narrowed his eyes at Pete, thinking 'who's this to talk to Sam like that?' Teal'c subtly moved closer to Jack to be able stop him from doing something foolish should he make the attempt. Fortunately, all it took was Sam's hand on his arm and Jack calmed down – well as calm as he would ever get with Sam's ex-fiancée in the vicinity. Daniel, for his part, had merely winced at Pete's voice knowing how Jack would react.
"Thank you, I am great. Everything is going really . . ." and she waved her hand around as she looked for the proper adjective to describe how things were going in her life, and finding nothing she really liked, settled for "great." She smiled sheepishly at using such an overused word that really didn't describe anything as she brought her hand back down and across her body to put on top of Jack's, which was holding her other hand. She was so flustered that she hadn't realized that waving her hand all around like she had made her new ring sparkled and called everyone's attention to it.
Everyone else, including Pete, had seen it. Daniel merely winced again and turned to see how Pete would react. Teal'c raised his other eyebrow and turned to Pete to see how he would react and Cameron was still clueless at what all the winces and underlying tension were all about. Jack, standing to the other side of Sam, had been the only person besides Sam to miss seeing the ring flashing about. He had however noted that Pete's eyes had narrowed and that he really was not paying attention to what Sam was saying.
Pete had narrowed his eyes and followed Sam's hand from the moment he noticed the shining new ring. He had known what it was from that moment but it hadn't really sunk in until he'd seen her hand settled on top of Jack's. At that moment, reality had come crashing down over him and he realized once again that Sam had never been his; she had certainly never had that glow while she was engaged to him. And as much as he tried, he again couldn't prevent the betrayal and bitterness he felt from coming through, "I guess you finally found what, or should I say who, you were looking for. I guess I should say congratulations and hope you're both very happy. But you'll forgive me if I don't." And with that Pete turned to walk away but Sam calling him stopped him and he turned back.
Sam had been stricken at how bitter Pete's face had turned all of a sudden and his words had taken her further aback. It wasn't until she followed his eyes when he said 'what' that she realized she had been flashing her ring. She had honestly not realized what she had been doing (the fact was that in the two weeks since Jack had given her the ring, she had been so excited that she had taken any and every opportunity to flashed it around and see it sparkle in the light, it had gotten to be a habit and she had done it unconsciously). When Pete had said 'who' her stricken eyes had automatically lifted to Jack to see that his face had stiffen at the tone in Pete's voice. In that moment she wished that Pete was anywhere but there, but when he turned to leave she'd known she couldn't leave things like that. She'd honestly cared for him and they've had great times together, it wasn't fair to either of them to let things end so badly.
"Pete," Sam began, taking a step towards him but not really knowing what to say. "Wait, we should talk." She'd almost say let me explain, but really she no longer owed him any explanations.
"Talk? Sam there's nothing to talk about; we've said all there was to say. What could we possibly say now? That you never really loved me? Wait," he added when he saw that she was about to protest, "Ok, that you never loved as much as you should have? Or as much as I loved you? I know that. That it had been Jack all alone? I know that too. That you've never meant to hurt me?" he sighed and passed his fingers through his hair, "yeah, I know that too, just as I know that you never cheated on me. Don't worry Sam, I know you well enough to know that nothing had been going on between you two while we were together – the regulations and all that. And I'm also pretty sure that that was the only reason we were together and you accepted my proposal, because you couldn't be with him. Because Sam, while I know that nothing actually happened between you two, I also know that you were never really mine, that emotionally you were always his. And while you never meant to hurt me, you did. You did, Sam; you should have never accepted my proposal while you loved someone else – there was never going to be a happy ending and you should have never let me believe otherwise. So, yes I'm angry and hurt and feel betrayed. But I think I'm entitled to all those emotions, don't you?" But he didn't wait for her answered and kept on going, "so, please, just let me go. I guess deep down I am happy that you are happy but I really don't want to be around you, so if you'll excuse me." And with that he turned and walked away, only hesitating at Sam's whispered "I'm really sorry, Pete." He paused and without turning around said "I know but that doesn't really change anything." And then because he'd really loved her, he was able to sincerely say, "I really hope you'll be happy. Goodbye, Sam."
The silence that he left in his wake was deafening. Then with a cry Sam rushed to Jack's arms. She felt horrible; she had hurt Pete so bad when she'd never meant to, that had been the last thing she had wanted to do. But she had and there was nothing she could say or do to change that because Pete was right – it had always been Jack.
Jack, for his part, hugged Sam tightly and started making shushing sounds. He wanted to make her feel better, to say that it wasn't her fault but he couldn't because, whether he liked it or not, it had been her fault. She had become engaged to one man while loving another one. She had led one man to believe that she would spend the rest of her life with him when she hadn't been sure that was what she wanted and nothing Jack could say or do that would change that. The only thing he could do was hold her and let her know he was there for her but not doing was not something Jack did well; he was a man of action and not being able to help the woman he loved went against everything he was. But that was only part of the reason why Jack was feeling so frustrated; the other part was that he wanted to go and beat the crap out of Shanahan for making Sam feel bad. But he couldn't, not only because that would upset Sam even more, but also because –much to his own amazement and disbelieve- Jack found that part of him admired Pete. The man had been hurt and he had said so, simply and plainly – no hysterics, no violence, nothing but the simple truth (Ok, a bit of anger but even Jack had to admit he was entitled to be angry). That took guts, Jack was sure that had he been in Pete's shoes he wouldn't have reacted as well; he'd have either totally shut down or blown up, neither one was an attractive option. So, he was frustrated and a bit confused, not a good combination for Jack.
Cameron was no longer mystified; Pete's tirade had cleared that up but now he was uncomfortable. Cameron had known that Sam had been engaged before, but he hadn't known any of the details. Sam was a very private person and did not usually talk about things of a personal nature and he could only image how she must feel at having had something so personal been aired in so public a way.
Daniel and Teal'c were likewise aware of the discomfort Sam must have been feeling at having had that confrontation in public. But they also knew that she would be hurting at the thought of having hurt someone she'd cared for. Daniel sympathized, knowing how and why she felt as she did. Teal'c, on the other hand, knew how she felt but couldn't understand why she would feel that way. She may have hurt Pete by breaking the engagement but she would have hurt him more by marrying him while loving someone else. Teal'c understood the Tau'ri tendency to feel guilt over things they had no control but he still didn't understand, even after twelve years of living among them.
Daniel also saw how the events had affected Jack and thought that maybe calling it a night would be a good idea. He knew that neither Teal'c nor Cameron would suggest such a thing; Teal'c because that just wasn't how the Jaffa thought and Cameron because as much a part of SG1 as he was, he just wasn't comfortable telling a superior officer what to do – so, it was up to him. He cleared his throat and said, "Jack? Maybe we should postpone this?"
Jack lifted his head from where he was talking quietly to Sam and looked at Daniel. He knew where Daniel was coming from and maybe under other circumstances he would have agreed, but he wouldn't be in town long enough to re-schedule and he wanted (and needed) to celebrate that he finally had what he most wanted with his family. "No, Daniel. I," and looking back at Sam he corrected himself, "we appreciate the thought but we'd rather just go on with it."
Daniel looked at Sam and she nodded and managed a small smile, "Jack is right, Daniel. We've planned tonight two weeks ago and we were all looking forward to it. We are not sure when Jack would be back in town and we both want to celebrate our engagement with you guys."
"Sam, are you sure? I mean, you don't look as if you feel up to it." Daniel insisted.
"I'm sure, Daniel and I'm fine." At his skeptical look she added, "Ok, it was a bit of a shock to see Pete here and it was uncomfortable talking to him. And yes, knowing I hurt him bothers me; but canceling tonight won't change that. I'll just have to deal with those feelings but I won't let that ruin tonight. Daniel, tonight is very important to both Jack and I; we're both very happy to finally be engaged and we want to celebrate that with our family. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
Daniel looked deeply into her eyes for a while and he seemed to find what he was looking for because he smiled and said, "Ok, if you're sure."
"Yes, I am . . ."
And whatever else she was going to say was interrupted by a voice loudly calling, "Daniel, you finally made it. I was sure your artifact was going to keep you away."
Daniel turned towards the voice and as glad as he was to see her, he was also glad that she had not being there a few moments before. As fond as he was of Vala, she was not known for her discretion. "Yes, Vala, here I am." And with a smile he bent down and kissed her hello. "I told you I'd make it. Did you really doubt it?" He asked.
"Well, it's not that I doubted you, exactly. But I know how you get when you have a new rock to examine." She answered with a smile and a wink to Jack when she said 'rock'.
Jack winked and smiled back. He had not spend much time with Vala but Sam had told him all about her and he had to say that while she wasn't what Jack thought was Daniel's type, she seemed to very good for him.
Daniel reacted predictably to the reference to his precious artifacts as rocks, "It's not a rock, Vala; it's a priceless artifact." At the playful smirk on Vala's face, he stopped and with a sigh he said, "very funny. You've only seen Jack, what, a couple of times and you're already sounding like him." He turned to Sam and complained, "Sam, you're fiancé is a bad influence on my girlfriend." Daniel had noticed that Vala's antics seemed to have calmed Sam and Jack down some, so he played along and tried to include them; he also noticed that at the word 'fiancé', Sam's face again took on that glow that she'd had for the past two weeks.
With a smirk, Sam responded, "I don'tknow Daniel. As you've said they've only seen each other twice. I don't see how he could have had much of an impact already. I think that's just how Vala is."
"No, Sam" Daniel insisted, "I'm sure it has to be Jack's influence. Maybe they haven't seen each other much, but I know you have been telling her stories about him every time you see her."
Jack couldn't let that passed and interrupted Daniel to ask Sam, "You've been telling stories about me?" Seeing Sam's sheepish smile and nod, he smirked and said, "Couldn't keep your mind off me, uh?" And then with a soft smile, he leaned in to give her a soft kiss and said, "Me either. If you ask anyone in DC they'll tell you that I have them bored to tears with stories about my beautiful, smart as a whip fiancée." Jack still got a thrill every time he said 'fiancée' but he was sure the thrill would be even better when he finally got to say 'wife'.
Daniel grunted at their romantic display (hadn't he say they were so lovey-dovey that they could get sickening?) and went back to his complaining, "besides, I know Jack. He's so bad a couple of exposures are enough to corrupt anyone. I mean, look at you" he gestured to Sam, "it took less than a week and you were already following his example. And now, you're just like him in the field. Isn't that right, Teal'c?" He asked turning to see his teammate, who had up to that point been silently watching the interaction and thinking how amusing the Tau'ri were.
With a head inclined, Teal'c agreed with Daniel, "Indeed. Colonel Carter has learned much from O'Neill and is very much like him when it comes to our work."
"Yeah, stubborn, dictatorial, sarcastic and with a really warped sense of humor." Daniel was exaggerating but not by much; it really was true that Sam had copied much of their former CO's habits. Of course, given how good Jack was, she couldn't have done better; but the point right now was teasing both of them, so no way was Daniel admitting that.
Jack, however, was very pleased at what he was hearing and with a look of pride he turned to Sam and asked, "Is that true, baby? Are you following in my footsteps?"
With a shrug anda slight blush, Sam replied, "I guess so; you know me, only learned form the best. And you are the best."
Jack couldn't have prevented the look of pride and gloating for anything in the world, to have the smartest woman in the universe (in his decidedly unbiased opinion) tell him he was the best was an incredible compliment.
Cameron had also watched the discussion with amusement and decided to now was the time to add in his two cents, "Well, sir, I didn't served with you so I have no first hand knowledge, but if the stories that still circulate aroundthe SGC and the way Carter leads us is any indication, I'd have to agree with her and say you are the best."
Now it was Daniel thatcouldn't let that one passed, and with a disgusted face (that wasn't totally faked) he turned to Cameron and said, "You don't have to kiss ass, you know. He might be your superior officer but he's not your CO and anyway we're out of uniform so all this deference is unnecessary."
"I'm not kissing his ass, Daniel, and I'm not showingmuch deference – just respect for a superior officer. And he may not be my CO, but he could still make my life miserable if he chose to." Cameron answered Daniel, while Jack looked on with a smug look on his face – he loved upsetting Daniel, though he wouldn't have liked it so much if he had known that most of what Daniel was saying was to distract him and Sam.
"Indeed, Daniel Jackson, Colonel Mitchell was just showing the proper respect for a clearly superior warrior." The way Teal'c worded that made clear that, at least in his view, Jack was not only a superior officer but a better one as well. It was a sentiment that Jack accepted with a bow of his head and which Cameron did not really like but couldn't object to because it was the true.
Seeing the annoyed look on Daniel's face, Vala couldn't resist throwing in her own barb, "He must be a hell of a warrior to have been able to keep Daniel in one piece all these years – and a great teacher to teach Sam to do the same."
Daniel's response was automatic and completely real, "Hey!" For someone usually so articulate, andin so many different languages, Daniel could have a remarkably limited vocabulary on occasion.
Seeing Vala's twinkling eyes and Daniel's disgruntled face, Jack couldn't help but laughed out loud and tried one more dig at his best friend, "Daniel, I don't know whether I should be flattered or disturbed."
That really confused the archeologist, if his "Huh," was any indication.
"You seemed to have fallen for someone with a sense of humor identical to my own."
Everyone, including Teal'c, burst out laughing at that.
It took a few moments for Daniel to get it and when he did he let out his usual exasperated, "Jaaack!"
"Sorry, space monkey, couldn't resist." Jack said, shrugging and putting his hands up in a 'what could I do' gesture. "But you have to admit, she does have a similar sense of humor as me – and no, I haven't taught her anything, yet." He added with a wicked smile.
"Whatever," Daniel said, shaking his head, "could we go into the theater now? The movie should have started by now." He asked, gesturing with his hands towards the theater and starting to move.
"Yeah, space monkey, lead the way." Jack said slapping Daniel's shoulder as this one came closer. He then hugged Sam to his side and sharing a smile, they both moved to enter the theater.
Daniel felt Vala gripping his hand and returned the gesture, giving her a slight smile. And as they followed Jack and Sam to the theater, Daniel reflected that he really shouldn't get into battles of wit with Jack; the man was a master at them and it was incredibly hard to get the best of him, but that made them all the more satisfying to him. But today's little round had been more to cheer him up than to win one over him. That'll come later, for now Daniel was satisfied that his friends seemed to have shaken the rotten mood the encounter with Pete had put them in. Jack and Sam had been right; canceling wouldn't have done anything but denied them all the chance to be together and celebrate their happiness – as the family they were.
AN2: This went on longer that I had intented, but I hope you guys like it as much as the last one. Please, Please, let me know either way.Two last things, I added Vala at the last minute because after having seen three episodes of the new season and having seen Daniel's and Vala's chemistry, I gotta tell you guys, I love it. I wasn't sure at first, because I loved John and Eryn and having both Ben and Claudia on the same show and not together - I wasn't sure I was going to like it. But I do. Now, I'm thinking how I can get her into my SG1 in Atlantis fic. If you have any ideas, let me know. And lastly, if you guys think I made it seemed like Sam was the CO of SG1 instead of Cameron, you're right. I did. it just seemed fair to me, and I don't think Cameron would mind too much - and if he does, sorry, this is, after all, my fic. Ok, that's it, please let me know what you think.
