Part 3

Vala and Sam headed towards the bar and caught Trudy's eye.

"Same again ladies?" she asked the pair with a smile.

"I'm afraid not," Sam yawned, "I've got to head off now but I was hoping to settle my tab. Vala here is going to continue the night with Daniel."

"Ooh Daniel?" The waitress gossiped, leaning forward with interest, "are you two a couple? He's never mentioned having a girlfriend but the boy's always been a quiet one."

"You've known him for a while?" Sam asked intrigued.

"Heavens yes- since he was a scrawny teenager. He's certainly got some muscles now, mind you."

"How do you know him?" Vala couldn't wait to hear all about Daniel as a 'scrawny' teenager. She wondered whether he had ever tested those teenage boundaries and gotten into trouble, or had he always played by the rules?

"I was one of his foster parents. He was with us for a couple of years before he headed off to college. Went early- did you know that? Such a clever boy that one. We stayed in touch over the years but it's only been since we moved here and opened this place that we've managed to meet up regularly."

"Wow," Sam smiled, whilst Vala tried to pretend to understand what a foster parent was.

"He really hasn't changed much mind," Trudy continued, "always had his head buried in a book, desperate to learn all he could about the world and its secrets."

"Ooh can you tell us any teenage Daniel stories?" Vala asked eagerly.

"Well, has he told you about the time he convinced the neighbors' kids to dig up their up their backyard because he was so sure it was an old burial site …"

Daniel kept looking up every time the music allowed, looking for the elusive Vala. She'd been gone a while and he was starting to wonder if she had changed her mind and left with Sam. He hoped not. He was relieved when he finally spotted her weaving her way through the crowd. Their eyes met and she offered him blinding smile which he couldn't help but return.

She reclaimed her earlier spot just off to the side of the piano; with a drink in each hand she watched Daniel, waiting for the song to finish. He was gorgeous – especially in that suit. She could never resist a dressed–up Daniel, although in fairness she found it hard to resist him most of the time.

Her mind went back to their 'maybe' date a few weeks ago. She remembered how he'd looked as he'd picked her up from her room. The little moment they'd shared when she'd opened the door and their eyes had taken each other in; it had been so intimate, so intense. Frozen, she'd felt him lean forward and she'd held her breath believing he was caught in the same spell; that he'd close that gap and she'd get to feel those lips on hers. But a passing airman had broken the moment and he'd stepped away, the mood broken. Was Samantha right? Was he falling for her as heavily as she had for him?

She was brought back to the present by the sound of clapping. Realizing the song had finished she dashed over and offered him his drink. As he reached for the mug his fingers brushed hers and she felt a spark where their skin touched. Her eyes shot up and met his; they were so intense she swallowed, letting go of the glass and looking away.

"T-thanks," Daniel broke the sudden silence, "I was, uh, wondering where you'd gotten to."

"Oh," heart pounding she forced herself to remain calm, "I was learning all your childhood secrets from Trudy."

"Crap."

"She's a lovely lady- had lots to tell."

Daniel groaned at Vala's chuckle, before stepping away. He shook his head as he settled back down on the bench, leafing to the next page; automatically he started to play the next song. If it wasn't bad enough that Sam was playing matchmaker he was in even more trouble if Trudy got involved.

He glanced up and was pleased to find Vala watching him. He offered her a shy smile before his eyes were forced back to the music in front of him. A few moments later he was able to look up again and was thrilled to find she was still watching him.

At every chance he got his eyes darted up and every time she was looking back at him, their eyes meeting for a brief moment of heat before he had to look back at the music. It was exciting. Now Sam had gone it had turned almost dangerous. They were alone. Out of the mountain and alone.

His feelings regarding Vala were so complex. She'd gone from annoying the hell out of him to becoming a good friend that he cared for deeply. He'd fought feeling anything more than friendship for her, especially as even that had sounded far-fetched at the beginning but it was getting harder to fight; she was getting harder to fight. He was falling hard and fast for her and he couldn't deny it much longer.

Did he even want to fight it anymore? She was an amazing woman. She challenged him, looked out for him and had proved to be a loyal caring friend. On top of that she was gorgeous and for some reason she seemed to find him attractive too. Surely he'd be crazy to not want to be in a relationship with her?

He looked up again, craving the connection only to blink in surprise. Her eyes weren't on him- they were on the man standing next to her. The man coming onto her, openly checking her out. Daniel was unprepared for the jealously and disappointment that flooded through him. His fingers were having trouble finding the right keys as he fought to stay in control. He was aware of Debbie looking over at him concerned as he tried to regain his focus. It was hard. He desperately wanted to jump up from the piano, push the man away and claim Vala as his, although he doubt she'd appreciate the gesture. Besides, she was certainly more than capable of taking care of herself and making her own decisions.

Ensuring his fingers were in the right places he looked up and his breath caught in his throat, she was shaking her head; she was rejecting the stranger. He saw her gesture at Daniel, to which the man nodded and gracefully turned away. She'd turned the man down, for him.

Hope flared inside him and he met her eyes again, delighted to find them on him once again, a smile on her face. She winked and he couldn't help but let out a little laugh; she was incredible. He willed the song to end, needing to say something, anything to her. To thank her, to reassure her and himself that this wasn't in their heads. He had decided he was ready for the next step and hoped she was too.

The song finally finished and Daniel shot out from the piano and headed straight for Vala. He reached and took her hands in his, gazing at her for a moment. It wasn't an official break, he didn't have time for any confessions of love but he wanted to do something.

"Come sit with me?" he asked, his head gesturing towards the piano.

"I'd love to," Vala beamed, grateful for any chance to get closer to Daniel.

Looking one last time into her eyes and giving her hands a quick squeeze, he tugged her towards the bench. He was aware of the amused look Debbie was shooting in his direction but he ignored her as they settled next to one another. If Vala was here, then no one could try and dance with her. Content he gave her hand one last squeeze before reluctantly starting the next song.

Vala was thrilled that Daniel had reacted the way he had. Samantha must have been right, he must like her. The piano stool wasn't the longest so she was wedged fairly close to the man and she loved it.

"Hey," Daniel whispered, making her shiver, "can you turn the page for me in a minute?"

"Sure," Vala agreed, "just say when." She had no idea how Daniel was reading those little black squiggles- they certainly weren't a language that she understood.

"Now."

Vala leant forward, grasping the page with her right hand. As she turned it inadvertently moved her breasts right into Daniel eye-line. He bit back a groan, willing himself not to get distracted as her cleavage practically pressed against him.

"T-thanks," he stuttered, hoping he wasn't blushing.

"Anytime darling," she whispered, her breath hot against his ear.

He endured this torture for a couple more songs until Debbie finally announced the end. He barely heard the applause, his attention focused solely on the woman next to him. Her heat, the smell of her perfume- everything that was slowly driving him insane. He didn't know much longer he could resist her.

"You were great Daniel," came a voice over his shoulder.

"Huh?" Daniel blinked looking up at the singer that had come over to them.

Debbie just laughed turning to Vala, "hi, I'm Debbie."

"Vala," she greeted with a smile, "you're an amazing singer."

"Aw thank you," Debbie grinned, "it wouldn't have sounded anywhere near as good without your Daniel here. Thanks again little DJ." She patted his cheek affectingly, laughing at his scowl as she walked away.

"Little DJ?"

"Don't even go there," he warned. She chuckled in response, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as silence settled between the two of them.

"Uh," Daniel was first to break the silence. "I, uh, usually hang around and play a bit of background music while people finish off their drinks…"

"Sounds wonderful," Vala smiled, making the mistake of looking up into his eyes.

They were intense, just as they'd been all evening, just as they'd been weeks ago when he'd collected her for their dinner. She was locked in his gaze and watched as he slowly he leant forward. For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her but instead he gently caressed her cheek. He fingers burning her skin.

"Have I told you, you look beautiful tonight?" he murmured softly.

Vala blink back tears, she couldn't ever remember anyone saying that to her so earnestly. She ducked her head for a moment, embarrassed but delighted at his statement, "thank you." Looking up she met his eyes again and he offered her an endearing smile.

"I uh I really should start playing something before Trudy comes to investigate," Daniel announced, leaning back slightly.

Vala let out a ghost of a chuckle, feeling the moment disappear and gestured that he should go ahead. Smiling, he took the hint and pulled his attention from her and grabbed the music book. He flicked through it and found the song he wanted. Swallowing, he started to play, the music quietly surrounding them.

She didn't know the song but it sounded beautiful; beautiful – he'd called her beautiful. Her. He thought she was beautiful. After almost 2 years of want and hope, this was finally happening. She couldn't believe it.

The song finished and she leaned closer to him, placing a hand on his thigh for balance. "Marvelous, darling," she praised in his ear before placing a quick kiss on his cheek. He turned to face her, a hint of a blush coloring his face.

He started the next song and it took her just a moment to recognize it; 'Killing Me Softly'. It was one Samantha had introduced to her one night and Vala had fallen in love with it. Listening to the soft haunted voice on the CD again and again, it now had a special meaning to her. Closing her eyes she let the soft music wash over her and without thinking she opened her mouth and softly joined in.

Daniel jerked slightly in surprised at her whispered voice. His eyes darted to her to confirm she was in fact singing. He strained is ears so he could hear her better; entranced by her soft voice. He'd never heard her sing before and in this moment it was simply amazing.

It came to the chorus, and with only a moment's doubt he gently cleared his throat and quietly joined her. She opened her eyes in surprised and looked over at him. With a shared shy smile they softly sang together. It was just the two of them and the piano, creating this miraculous spell they were captured in.

As the song came to an end they stared at each other for just a moment. She saw him lean forward again and this time there was no doubt in her mind to what he intended. She closed her eyes in anticipation. She felt him close the gap and moments later his lips were crashing onto hers. It was a passionate first kiss, one that held a longing and a promise of much more to come. She let out a little groan, which he echoed, a hand coming up, threading through her hair to hold her in place a moment longer.

The kiss finished and they pulled back. She opened her eyes and she found him watching her, that intensity still there. Desire shone through, masked only slightly by the anticipation he felt.

"That was-" he couldn't finish, for the first time in a long time, he was completely lost for words.

Vala pressed forward, desperate for his taste once more. He happily obliged, kissing her again. Tongues and lips clashed, they couldn't get enough of each other. The need for air forced them to eventually pull away.

"That was incredible," Vala exclaimed.

"You're incredible," Daniel corrected with a shy smile, his fingers coming up to stroke her cheek, "sorry it's taken me so long to tell you that."

"Thank you," Vala murmured. "You know you're pretty incredible yourself, right?"

Daniel swallowed glancing down for a moment before letting his eyes take in the emptying bar, "you know I'm probably not needed here anymore."

Vala followed his gaze, surprised at how quiet the place had become. She'd been too caught up with Daniel to even realize.

"So," Vala braved, "what now?"

"Um…"

"Um?" Vala questioned suddenly amused, "that's not very impressive for a man with a Doctor-act in Languages."

"It's a doctorate," Daniel amended, "and, uh, well it's pretty much useless when I'm around you anyhow." A cute smile tugged at his lips.

"So…"

"So…," Daniel stood up and taking both her hands he pulled her up, "we should get out of here."

Stood so close together, Vala couldn't help but place a hand at the back of his neck and gently press, bringing his lips back to hers. She felt his arm wrap around her waist as he brought their bodies close together. He was such a fantastic kisser.

As the kiss ended, Vala kept her arms around his neck, her body pressed against him as they caught their breath. Pulling back only slightly she let a painted finger nail trail down the buttons of his shirt. Her fingers then smoothed down the black tie until she reached the end of it. "You know, I wish we could get you wearing a suit at the mountain. Replace those grotty BDUs."

"I don't know," he chuckled, his arms still firmly around her waist, "I don't think they'd be the most practical for saving the world however, I could be tempted to wear it out to dinner, say tomorrow night?"

"Dinner?" Vala questioned, her fingers releasing his tie in favor of caressing the stubble on his cheek, "I was thinking more like breakfast, tomorrow morning."

Daniel let out a groan, she was going to drive him crazy. Hell, she did drive him crazy. Leaning down he captured her lips in another kiss. His arms tightening around her waist to press her as close as he could. He couldn't get enough of her.

That was until a wet tea towel hit the back of his head, jerking him away.

"Seriously, get a room." Debbie laughed, walking the piano, "otherwise we're going to close up around you."

Daniel looked sheepishly around the bar to realize that all the patrons had pretty much left. Opps.

"A room? Which room?" Vala asked confused.

"Uh," Daniel cleared his throat. "It's uh a friendly way of saying what we're doing should be continued somewhere more private."

"Ooh, my thoughts exactly." Vala grinned, grabbing one his hands. She used the other hand to wave good bye to Trudy and Debbie. Hoping she'd see them again soon.

Blushing furiously, Daniel shouted 'good bye' over his shoulder, ignoring the amused looks he was getting. He let Vala pull him across the bar towards the exit and into the crisp night air.

TBC...

AN : Sorry it took so long to update! I kept having to rewrite this chapter. The good news is the final chapter is pretty much finished so I'll either post that tonight or tomorrow.