Summary – Since you made it till here, I believe you already know all you need to know. :) Have fun.

Sandra – This is for you, a little apology and justification for my cowerdly flight on Sunday. Am a hovnos indeed. :) But I really think that you are going to like this one…:)

Dawnie – Thanx for the review, again. :)

ALL others –Thanx to all who read and review, but also thanx to all who simply read my story.

As usual - RER – read – enjoy – review.

Caution – Ok guys. I have a statement to make. I wrote this chapter before realizing I didn't know If it actually snows in Colorado Springs. If yes, God bless it. If not…well, just get used to the idea that in my fanfiction, it simply does. :)

Leenie – There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am for your assistance, help and advice, but I will try anyway. THANK YOU!

Where the truth lies

by- liz parker

Chapter 3 – Boys and girls

"Some more ice-cream?" Asked Vala casually.

"Nope, but I didn't want the previous portion either and you simply ignored me and…"

"Great, will be back in a sec!" With that she jumped up heading towards the cafeteria counter, leaving Daniel speechless about the nonchalance with which she treated all his complaints.

"So…" Started Mitchell after swallowing a rather big amount if his pudding, "We've kind of got a tight schedule for the next few days. Tomorrow we are going to revisit PX-752, I am really looking forward to meeting all those vivacious adolescents again by the way," he pulled a face "And the day after tomorrow we go to PX-431, is that correct?"

"I believe you are wrong Col. Mitchell. PX-752 is the planet we visited only yesterday. Daniel Jackson consulted with the mayor and the councilors and they agreed to establish a permanent team of scientists to explore the planet. Tomorrow, we shall…"

"T'ealc," interrupted him Sam. "I Think Col. Mitchell knows PX-752 very well, he was only making a sarcastic and rather facetious joke about the age of the councilors."

"I see."

Vala came running with two gigantic cups of ice-cream, putting one in front of Daniel, the second in front of herself as she took her seat again. She dug the spoon deep into the ice-cream and helped herself to a portion Daniel didn't believe could fit into her mouth in one piece. As always, she proved him wrong.

"So what were you talking about?"

"Our revisit of PX-752 tomorrow." Replied Sam.

"Aw." Vala frowned. "To be honest, I am not in the mood to go there again." She complained.

"And why would that be?" Asked Daniel sarcastically.

"Well, it's boring, for starters, there are dozens of ancient slow people around and finally, we are going to sign a treaty about scientific and cultural exchange. It's a horror trip, for heavens sake!" Cried Vala.

Daniel pulled a face. "Well, unfortunately for us, you can't choose whether you are going or not so you better get used to the idea."

Vala scowled even more, yet she didn't object any further.

"So, PX-431, that's the ice planet, isn't it?" Began Cam, breaking the silence. "I read Emerson's report. Sounds chilly."

"Yeah, you bet. It's like a desert, but all covered in snow. No vegetation, some huge rocks here and there. And lakes. Dozens of small frozen lakes with some kind of strange thermal quakes." Said Sam with an unconcealed scientific eagerness.

"Here's the thing I don't get." Said Mitchell. "WHY explore a deserted planet like that?"

"Well, we explored Antarctica. Found some very interesting things over there." Pointed out Sam and gave Cam a teasing smile. He smiled himself.

"You got me. Ok, let me rephrase my question. Why US?"

"Oh, that would be my fault, I guess." Interrupted Daniel. "I asked general Landry to send SG1 there."

"Specifically." He added coyly.

"Now why would you do that?" Asked Mitchell incredulously.

"Well," answered Daniel hurriedly, "I believe we may find something there."

"And what makes you think WE can find something there when SG7 couldn't? I mean other than snow, cold, rocks and cold again?"

Daniel felt a strong sense of familiarity. Yep, Cam could sometimes be a pain in the ass, exactly the way Jack had been. He sighed and continued his explanation.

"Well, SG7 only took some samples for testing. And they mentioned that after a short walk, they could see some small rocky areas, probably containing caves, but they didn't have the time to go there since they had to report back."

"And your point is?" Asked Mitchell, pretending he still didn't get what Daniel was saying. Daniel did exactly what Cam expected him to do in response – he became impatient. Cam smiled inwardly. Yep, General O'Neill was right, it was indeed great fun to tease Daniel. He made a mental note to thank the General for the great advice the next time the two of them saw each other.

"My point is, those caves may contain some interesting findings. I mean, maybe, if the planet is, or at least was inhabited at some point, the caves are the best place to look for remainders of a culture."

"I know. Relax Jackson, I get your point. It's just that I am not a big fan of Antarctica-like planets, if you know what I mean." They all knew what he meant. The last time he was over Antarctica, he got shot down by a big alien ship, waiting for hours alone in cold for somebody to come rescue him.

"I wonder…" asked Vala broodingly, picking in her ice-cream, "…if snow feels something like ice-cream…" She was still staring into her cup, completely oblivious of her teammates' astounded faces.

"She is making fun of us." Said Daniel impassively as he noticed the shocked faces of his teammates. He didn't believe her for a second.

"No, it's the truth, Daniel. Well, of course that I've heard about snow before, but never actually came across any. And since my arrival on Earth, I've only seen snow on TV. Mostly last month, during that funny holiday of yours. It's the one where you eat that big chicken you call turkey, decorate ugly plastic imitations of trees with glass balls and lightbulbs, and expect a fat old man in a ridiculous red costume to actually climb down your chimney and give you presents. For FREE! Now how absurd is that? I can't say I really understand some of your customs. Anyway, there was almost always snow involved in those movies. Your people however, seem to rather welcome it. Now that's odd, because from what I have heard, I got the impression that coming across snow was nothing to be happy about. Such encounters didn't end up well on many ocassions. So I didn't bother about frozen water anymore. Better be careful than regretfull. Plus, frozen water can't be of much value."

They all went silent after that little speech of hers, Mitchell the first to find his voice again.

"You trying to make us believe that you've never seen snow before?"

"Why? Should I?" Asked Vala uncocerned.

"After all you have been through? After all those years of visiting all kinds of worlds it's impossible that you've never encountered snow!" Said Sam incredulously.

"Qetesh liked it warm. She always stayed on hot planets if possible." Explained Vala simply. "And as for me, I didn't travel to distant planets much, excepting the cases I wanted to hide something valuable, or hide myself for that matter…" Daniel rolled his eyes, "But other than that, I always stayed on trading planets which are mostly completely industrial, their weather conditions regulated. I was a trader you know; I needed to stay in touch with other traders."

"You mean smugglers and thieves."

"Aw, call them whatever you wish Daniel, but I always made a fair share to support the family."

"You mean yourself."

"Again, you may call it whatever you like…"

"Ok, ok!" Stepped in Mitchell. "We get the picture. So, you're saying you've never actually experienced snow before?"

"I already told you. No! Although now, after I've seen all those happy cheery movies, I must admit that snow appears to be fun sometimes. Anyway, does it make a difference that I never actually touched snow?"

"Well, we are going on a mission with a member of a team that doesn't know the weather conditions at all, what do you think?"

Vala looked panicked. "Does that mean I can't go?!"

"Nah, we'll figure something out. In fact, this is your lucky day! No scratch that last, this is your lucky…season! It's winter you know and we've got snow a hundred meters above us, all over and around this huge mountain. Maybe we could take you outside later in the afternoon. I will ask general Landry for permission to take you to the surface for a couple of hours. It shouldn't be a problem."

Vala's eyes lit up. "Oh, that would be great! I could go to the surface! And if there is snow, we may also have a snowfight, don't we?! Snowfights look like great fun, yay!" Then she looked around.

"Who's on my team?"

Sam could see the joy in the other woman's eyes and she didn't have the heart to spoil her excitement by pointing out how childish snowfights were, so she raised her hand.

"You've got me."

"Great! Boys versus girls then!"

"Well, since you've got Carter…" Said Mitchell. "…And we've got Jackson, two on three looks a pretty good deal for the girls-team to me."

"Yeah, well, thanks for your faith in me, Cam, I really appreciate the support of a colleague. Anyway, no worries about that, I wasn't planning on joining you."

"C'mon Daniel, it was a joke." Said Sam frowning.

"Sam, don't worry, I know." He smiled genuinely. "I just don't have the time. I need to revise the text of the treaty for tomorrow. It could take a few hours."

"Oh. So you're not coming?" Asked Vala disappointed.

"I am sure you are going to be fine, even without my clumsiness." He sent a challenging look towards Cam.

"Who will I beat up then?" Asked Vala let down, yet Daniel could see a mischievous sparkle in her eye.

"Aw don't worry bout that. I am sure Col. Mitchell will sacrifice himself."

"Not without a fight, though." Said Mitchell resolutely. "Ok, I am going to see general Landry now. Meet you at the D6 exit in an hour, so don't be late. Oh, and make sure you dress up properly girls, 'cause we won't show you any mercy."

"You wish!" Shouted Sam after him, as he disappeared through the corridor.

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Daniel couldn't believe he would ever think of something like that, but he had to admit it at last. He was bored. He'd been reading the text of the treaty over and over again and by now, he couldn't distinguish the words from each other anymore. He reached subconsciously for his coffee but found the mug empty. He sighed, got up, grabbing the mug in the process, and headed towards the door with the intention of refilling it with fresh hot coffee. Yet, he stopped at the door and stood there for a moment, thinking about something. Then he turned abruptly as if suddenly changing his mind, grabbed his coat in addition to his cap, gloves and scarf and made it for the nearest exit out.

At the gatehouse, he asked the serving sergeant if he had accidentally seen the members of SG1 passing by some time ago. The sergeant indeed saw them and gave Daniel directions, pointing at a small trodden footpath that lead to a thin forest nearby.

Daniel didn't have to search for his friends too long. After about ten minutes, he could already hear loud cries from somewhere ahead of him. A male voice was cursing and a female voice was obviously having a good laugh at something. About the male voice, he couldn't be sure, but since he knew that Teal'c didn't curse, it could have only been Mitchell. The female voice however, Daniel recognized at once. It belonged to a certain black-haired alien. Unfortunately, Daniel thought, through the past few weeks, he had grown very fond of that laugh. And it's owner as well.

Yet he hushed those thoughts away, as the voices were growing louder. Suddenly, something big and dark grabbed him and pulled him behind a tree. Before he could yell, Mitchell's voice whispered in his ear.

"Jackson? What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were not coming!"

Daniel wanted to reply that he changed his mind, but was instantly hushed by Cam again.

"Be quiet or they'll find us. I certainly am not in the mood for another thrashing." He looked around carefully, but the female voices seemed to recede, so he started to explain quickly.

"Man Daniel, you should have seen them! They are unbelievable!"

"Who?" Asked Daniel confused.

"The girls! They are…everywhere! Sam, she always comes up with an insane idea of how to get us, and Vala, oh man, she is crazy enough to carry those plans out! They beat the crap out of us. Well, ok, just me. I lost Teal'c somewhere along the way. They've separated us on purpose, can you believe that? Anyway, he is far better at hiding than I am, so I guess they didn't get to him." Cam was looking in distress around him in all directions. Then, an idea struck him and he gave Daniel a wicked look.

"I've got an idea."

"Something tells me I'm not gonna like it." Said Daniel dryly.

"The girls don't know you're here, and they know Teal'c and I are separated. They won't come after him, since I am an easier target. Well, I will pose as bait, and while they are distracted with chasing me, you attack them from behind!"

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Both of them? At once?"

"Aw man, c'mon! You owe that to me…help me save my pride, I beg you! I don't care if you get them both or just one, one you can choose freely, but please, let's get at least one of them!"

"I don't know…It won't be fair…"

"Fair? FAIR? Man, those females don't play fair. They don't even know the meaning of that word! This is a war Jackson, so listen to your commander and help me."

"You know I am non-military." Replied Daniel. Cam growled.

"So why did you come then? To have some fresh air?"

Suddenly, there was movement in the trees. Mitchell hushed Daniel again, then motioned to some bushes nearby, signaling that the girls were there. He looked at Daniel, who nodded. Mitchell gave Daniel a final look and with that rushed out of his hiding place. Two quick shadows followed him at once, big snowballs flying after him. Daniel didn't hesitate. He rushed out as well and shortly caught up with one of the figures that was lagging behind the first two. He grabbed her from behind and pulled her down. Vala gave a scared shriek and Daniel, using the moment of surprise, had her pinned down without much effort.

"Hey there. I heard some disturbing rumors that said you were giving a buddy of mine a hard time. Anything to say in your defense?"

She still looked rather breathless, but Daniel saw the recognition in her eyes and she finally found her voice again.

"Oh my God, Daniel! You scared the hell out of me! You weren't supposed to be here!"

"Well, thanks for the nice welcome." He gave her a mischievous grin. He was holding her hands with one of his arms, the other arm started to grab for snow. Vala noticed that and tried to pull out of his grasp, but since her body was firmly pinned down by his legs, Vala realized she didn't have many options left. Before he could realize what was happening, she freed one of her arms and quickly reached behind his neck, pulling him down into a kiss.

Daniel was paralyzed. The only thing he could focus on were her soft warm lips covering his own.

Although they had kissed before, this time, it was different. They were different.

Just as the kiss started to deepen, Vala suddenly slipped underneath him and managed to shift her weigh completely, so now, it was her turn to pin him down. Well, maybe they weren't that different after all.

Her cap somehow slipped off in that process and her long dark hair fell loose all around her, almost reaching Daniels face. A very gentle scent brushed his senses. A very dainty one, but still so heady it drove him crazy. She saw his look and gave him a devilish smile.

"Well, well, Daniel. You just never learn from your mistakes, do you?" She said in a deep voice and looked down at him.

He could do nothing else but stare back. Her smile grew even bigger, yet there was a more serious feel to it. Like an understanding of some kind.

There were quick steps approaching, but Daniel couldn't move an inch so far. He lay still, gazing at Vala, trying to figure out what had just happened. She broke the contact looking up to the place she assumed the sounds were coming from.

"Aw man! I can't believe she's got you. You had an advantage!!!" Shouted a voice from between the trees and suddenly Mitchell, Sam and Teal'c appeared. Vala quickly stood up, releasing Daniel from her captivity.

"YOU were the one supposed to cram her with snow, not otherwise!" Cried Mitchell, who was covered in snow from head to toes.

"We proclaimed a truce, by the way." Mitchell sighed heavily.

"Yeah sure, truce." Replied Sam dismissively. "You gave up, begging me to end your suffering! Right Teal'c?"

"I am afraid I must concur with Col. Carter."

"Ok, ok." Said Mitchell, sounding slightly annoyed. "But you were supposed to be on my team Teal'c. While those two hags chased my ass, you were hiding somewhere nice and dry. As a result of that cowardly behavior of yours, you are officially FIRED off my team!" Continued Mitchell with discontent. It was then that he noticed his friends' odd behavior: each was staring in a different direction.

"Hey guys, you ok?"

"Yeah, we're fine." Vala said, the first to reply.

"Except that Daniel got his ass beaten up again." She said with a small, rather nervous laugh. Daniel got up and slowly started to brush the snow off his clothes. He still looked rather startled.

"Well then, let's go have a cup of a hot chocolate then." Declared Mitchell.

"I would join you most gladly, Col. Mitchell." Agreed T'ealc.

"Yes, but before we can do that, we have to finish something else…" Said Cam with a menacing voice and then he pulled out a big snowball from somewhere in his coat. He took a swing, aiming at Sam, but she saw the ball coming and was able to duck just in time. Vala, who was right behind her, wasn't that lucky. The ball hit her right in the face. Before anyone could react, a loud moan could be heard. Vala cupped her face with both hands, groaning in pain.

All of them rushed to her, trying to pull her hands away to see what had happened. Her eye was red and was starting to swell. The skin above her eye was grazed and slightly bloody. Whatever got accidentally mixed into the snowball must have been sharp and may have hit the eye as well.

With the right side of her face still cupped in her hand, the others quickly led Vala out of the forest and into the mountain complex again. The pain slowly receded, but Vala claimed to have blurred vision. Mitchell was feeling really miserable, apologizing to her for the millionth time.

Dr. Lam performed a careful examination and was glad to state that, although Vala's cornea was considerably irritated, it was not damaged. She cleaned her eye out with a solution and sent her to rest with some eye drops to prevent possible infection.

"I am so sorry it ended up like this." Said Mitchell repentantly to Vala again, who surprisingly didn't look too sad about the whole thing. One could almost say she was cheery.

"Don't worry about that. Doc Lam said my eye's fine. Nevertheless, this incident bears some sad consequences …" She said ruefully.

"And they would be…?" Asked Daniel. Thanks to the unfortunate event that had occurred earlier and all the excitement about Vala's eye condition, Daniel hadn't even noticed how he and Vala had slipped into their old ways of talking again.

"Well, Doc Lam gave me these drops, which I shall take today and tomorrow as well. Unfortunately…" she pulled what she believed to be a sad face, "…they make my vision blurry, so Doc Lam recommended that you go to PX…-'whatever ' without me. How unfortunate is that? I was DYING to see all those familiar ancient faces again…" She said innocently, but they all saw she could barely hide a wide grin.

TBC

AN – Mmm, so whatcha think? To be honest, also this chapter had a life of its own, predominantly because there was not supposed to be any kissing at all:)

Well, tell me whatcha think. Again, far more to come, though maybe in longer lapses of time. Please, be patient you all. Your patience will be rewarded. :)