"Jack. I…"
"You're well I presume?"
"I'm.."
"Out for a morning walk, perhaps?"
"Jack, hrm," Daniel tried to make his voice sound as normal as possible, "what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same." As he said that, Jack gazed at the woman Daniel was struggling not to keep in his arms, which was more or less futile and made even less possible as Vala came to rest her head on his shoulder. She sighed and raised one of her hands and started to play with a button on his shirt.
"I think that should be obvious. I'm here to, you know, Stargate things"
"Things?"
"Yes. Things! And you?"
Daniel didn't really know how he would explain this, every explanation he could possibly think of sounded lame. "This is not what it looks like!"
"I see," Jack didn't really sound convinced, "what is it?"
"An accident" Vala answered, "I claim complete responsibility.." Daniel looked down on her. Did he hear correct? Was she actually admitting to the mess she got him stuck in, literally speaking? The she continued…"of being an innocent victim in Daniel's evil scam to compromise me"
"You poor man?" There was a smile lurking behind Jacks eyes that was hard to miss. Daniel cursed inwardly.
"VALA!"
"This is not his first attempt you should know."
"Daniel?" Jack looked at him inquiringly.
It was then that Daniel realised that Jack had not seen the reason as to why they were standing so close. He had not seen either his or Vala's harnesses. Oh Lord, he thinks I am standing in a dark hallway fondling my co-worker!!!
"She hooked us up." He turned as much as he could without falling over, her, again and pointed to harnesses and the hook that joined them.
"Why?" Jack appeared confused. Well, he's not the only one.
"Don't ask me, ask her!"
"Well," Vala began, " I was trying these on, and, well, things didn't go as planned…"
"I can see that."
Vala started to get restless. She almost whined.
"Daniel. Your office!"
"You in a hurry?"
"Well, we need to…"
"Continue?"
"Well, yes, we should perhaps go to my office.."
"Excellent idea Danny boy. You two do that and, hrm, enjoy?"
"Jack, we're not…"
"…in the air force…so you can do whatever. Lucky you!" then he added with his more serious General voice, "just perhaps not in the hallway. There are cameras you know!"
"Seriously, Jack, there is nothing going on, eh, between us, here."
"I'm not blind. Weren't you on a date a while back?"
"It was not A DATE! I don't know how many times I'm going to have to say this; it was a dinner between two friends and co-workers. It was my way of expressing my appreciation…"
Vala interjected, "for my superbly, well rounded a…" Before she could continue, Daniel interrupted, "…for her good work. Nothing else!"
Jack did his best Teal'c impression and raised one eyebrow without giving a verbal reply, as if to say 'indeed?'
"Daniel, do try not to get too excited. It is affecting our balance." He steadied himself, and her, against the wall. "He's somewhat apprehensive talking about it, so we don't." Smilingly she raised a finger over her mouth as to indicate it was a secret not spoken about. Then she winked.
"I see." Jack returned her smile. "Carry on children." With that, he left them standing in the hallway, still embracing, still hooked-up.
"Could we go now?" Vala poked one finger at the base of his throat. Daniel took a deep breath. "Why do these things keep happening to me?"
"You're a trouble magnet?"
"The only trouble I seem to attract is YOU!"
"And what an attractive couple we'd make."
"We're not a couple! We work together. We have never been on a date! I only got up early this morning so that I wouldn't have to see you!"
"Daniel, you're getting excited again and I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep my balance. That is, if you're not planning to fall over me again. It could be arranged." She did a suggestive movement with her hips and the only thing he could do to stop her was to steady them. She felt his hands take a firm grip on her hips.
"Oh!" She nuzzled closer and gave him a brief kiss where his pulse was beating, faster, and faster.
"Don't. Do that again and I'll..."
"You'll what?"
"I'll…"
"Beat me up? Already done that darling and I beat you down. Tie me up? Well, you've tried that, to no use I might add. Although you've never used my pink handcuffs...Perhaps you're thinking of leaving me on a deserted planet without a Stargate? I did manage to get back from a distant galaxy far, far away, so have no doubt I'll find you, one way or the other to take my revenge. And what a sweet revenge it would be. And don't even think about letting the next bounty hunter that comes knocking gift wrap me for the Lucian alliance. They won't be half as happy to see me as you are right now."
"Maybe I'll take you up on your offer just to shut you up." Daniel glared at her.
Vala laughed. "Sorry darling, but that is one thing that won't shut me up. But, just for clarification...is that a threat or a promise?"
He sighed. It was useless. She was relentless and no matter what he did or what he said, she would just do whatever it was she wanted, at least in regards to him. He couldn't help but feel trapped, figuratively and, especially at this particular moment, literally. However, the worst of it was that he wasn't sure if filled him with dread or anticipation. "Let's go."