How Many Ways Can I Say I Love You

Spacegypsy1

Number Fifteen: Unexpected Circumstances - The Disappearing Archeologist and the Pirate Princess

"Uh Oh Mitchell, are you in trouble now. As long as you have been around you haven't figured out that one does not lose SGC's favorite archeologist? And a 'twofer' at that! Dr. J and the pirate princess… YOU managed to lose them both."

"Reynolds while I appreciate your attempt at humor…just shut up!" Mitchell leaned his back against a tree and his head whipped out intermittently, weapon ready, checking for their pursuers.

Colonel Reynolds' grinning face was peering over a boulder. Cam signaled his next move and dashed to another rock behind the colonel. They hop scotched their way to the Stargate where Reynolds team waited. Once behind the DHD, and the protection of three additional airmen, Mitchell squeezed his eyes shut for a second. "No one left behind doesn't exactly apply when the particular no one consciously activates something that whisks him away, along with his wacky companion." Damn it Jackson! You two are becoming a real pain in the ass.

When the Gate kawooshed Mitchell raised his P'90 and while oscillating the spray of bullets he yelled, "Go. Go!" As soon as everyone –sans the disappearing archeologist and the pirate princess- moved through the Stargate, Mitchell took the last train out of Dodge right behind them.

"Close the iris!" The iris snapped shut like a prison cell door.

"Where's Dr. Jackson and Vala?" Came the dreaded question from Landry not five seconds later.

"Jackson pushed a button, Sir." Mitchell was looking up into the control booth.

"Vala grabbed his vest, Sir." Reynolds looked up too.

"There was a bright flash…" Mitchell began.

"…And then they were gone." Reynolds finished.

"Gone where!?" Landry's tone of disbelief and frustration caused Reynolds to send an 'I told you so' look Mitchell's way.

Landry's figure disappeared from the control room, and both Mitchell and Reynolds waited at the foot of the ramp. The minute General Landry came through the door they started up again.

"Jackson said somethin' about an incredible find of unequaled proportions then he said he'd be right back." Mitchell stood at attention.

"But he wasn't, Sir. We waited for over six hours." Reynolds unclipped his weapon and handed it to the waiting SF.

"And then we couldn't wait. The natives got restless." Mitchell handed his weapon over as Landry stood scowling at him.

Colonel Reynolds shoulders slumped, "It seems Dr. Jackson desecrated sacred ground just by standing on it with Vala."

"Yeah, the locals have a strict rule of no mixed genders allowed on sacred ground unless they are married."

Carolyn Lam appeared beside her father. "I'm waiting." She said impatiently.

"Hold your horses. Go on." Landry looked at Carolyn then back to Mitchell.

"That's about it Sir, we figured we'd regroup, get some back up and…"

A brilliant light filled the Gateroom then a burst of energy waved through the room and suddenly Daniel and Vala were in the middle of the inactive Stargate.

"Hi, guys." Daniel held Vala's hand and pulled her along behind him down the ramp. She was grinning. "Found a really cool new toy, we got married, calmed the natives, got permission to study said toy… oh yeah, and Vala obtained the rights to a very large and untapped naquadah mine. For SGC, of course."

"New toy?" Landry said.

"Naquadah mine?" Reynolds asked.

"Married!" Cam and Carolyn exclaimed together.

"Infirmary, now." General Landry ordered.

Not one word was spoken the entire slow walk to the infirmary. Carolyn smiled. Mitchell frowned. Reynolds blinked. Landry scowled and smiled. Vala was deliriously happy, evidenced by the mega width of mouth and the teeth exposed by her grin. Daniel's expression required a room full of ancient and modern text to describe – joy.

Standing beside Daniel who sat on the infirmary bed, General Landry, hands on his hips repeated, "Married?"

Reynolds looked at Daniel and asked, incredulous, "To HER?"

"Yep, great huh?"

Followed by Mitchell's point blank question to Vala, "To HIM?"

Vala nodded enthusiastically.

"So, Jackson, why?" Mitchell removed the thermometer the nurse had just stuck in his mouth.

"You get locked into a dark room with the woman you've been denying you're in love with for over a year, in a situation that could best be described as intimate, on a planet with technology that makes the Asgard, Nox and Tollan look like amateurs, who's people have some strict moral codes – not to mention uncanny abilities to read a person's true feelings – and see what happens to you. FYI, Mitchell, do not go there with Dr. Lam."

Landry turned to Mitchell with a questioning glower. Mitchell blushed and turned away.

"Don't go where with Dr. Lam?" Dr. Lam asked returning.

"No where!" Mitchell, Daniel and Reynolds said in unison.

"Where's Sam?" Daniel asked the General. "She's got to see this thing." Daniel dug a small gold cylinder out of his vest and handed it to Landry.

"On her way back from Area 51." Landry studied the object.

"Oh, Sir, don't push the little blue button. Where's Teal'c?" Daniel asked next as General Landry passed the device to Mitchell, then on second thought snatched it back and put it in his shirt pocket.

"Teal'c's on his way back from Chulak." The General answered distracted and still glaring at Mitchell.

"O'Neill is still in Washington; in case you were gonna ask." Mitchell offered turning aside to Daniel, uncomfortable with the General's scrutiny. "Married huh?"

"Yep."

"Why's she so quiet. I've never seen her so quiet. What's wrong with her?" Reynolds was watching Vala.

Mitchell added, "Yeah, but she's beamin' like a lighthouse on ZPM overload."

Daniel pulled Vala close, his arm wrapping around her waist. "That she is." Daniel leaned and whispered, "I love you," in her ear. She whispered, "I love you, too," back.

"Married huh?" It seemed to be all Mitchell could come up with.

"Who's married?" Sam asked coming into the room.

"Me." Both Daniel and Vala said together.

"Married to whom?" Teal'c followed Sam through the door.

"Me." The couple said again, in unison.

"Holy Hannah!" Sam stared at them in awe.

Teal'c raised a brow. "I believe I will be one of Mitchell's monkey's uncles."