Chapter 19: Number Seventeen: Reflections.

Hands pressed to the sink, Daniel stared at his reflection. Who was this person staring back at him? Having been home for three days was a luxury that he couldn't quite seem to enjoy. There was a pile of Archeological Journals that he'd not been able to get through. His kitchen looked like Jack's. Full of empty take out orders half finished and left scattered around his counters.

Dressed in jeans and shirtless he tried to finish shaving. Foam covered his face – appropriately making him look rabid. Not one peep out of her in three days. Not one. Shaking his head, he scrapped the razor up his neck and didn't even flinch at the cut to the bottom of his chin. Rinsing his face he ignored the crazy guy in the mirror and meander, face wet and bleeding to his living room. Someone had set a bomb of books and papers off and scattered the debris everywhere.

Get a grip! He told himself stacking the papers neatly on the coffee table. He only had two more days off. He picked up the mission report that was due yesterday but he couldn't concentrate and tossed it back on the couch where he found it. In the center of the room he stood unsure of what to do next.

At last, his love had come along….and he didn't have a clue as how to proceed. Wandering to the bookcase he studied the array of pictures. Skaara with Jack and Kowalski. Sam, Teal'c, Jack and himself. His parents, Nick…Sha're and Sam. Mitchell and Vala. Vala. Vala and Sam. Teal'c. Teal'c and Ry'ac. Vala, himself, Teal'c, Sam and Mitchell in the Gateroom. Jack. Jack and himself. His life in pictures. He picked up the picture of Vala, pigtailed and grinning like a fool. His fool.

Why wasn't she pestering him? Why hadn't he called her? Still holding the picture in one hand, he picked up the one of Sha're and Sam. He blinked and Sha're seemed to smile knowingly. They were so different. At opposite ends of the spectrum. One serene and full of wonder. The other so vibrant and full of life.

When the phone rang, his heart wobbled like a fifteen year old and he picked it up immediately. "Hello?"

"Hey."

Daniel hid his disappointment. "Hey, Sam."

"We're going to O'Malley's, wondered if you might want to join us? Mitchell actually asked Carolyn on a date, thought you wouldn't want to miss that."

"A date with the team?"

"Yeah, sort of. Me and Teal'c are going and hopefully you."

And Vala? He wondered without verbalizing it. "Ah, yeah, sure, sounds good."

"We'll be there around eight."

"Okay." He waited a full three seconds. "Vala's not going?"

"I don't know. We asked her. But she's… well, she's been moping around and said she just doesn't feel like it. Why don't you give her a call?"

"Oh, well, if she doesn't…."

"Daniel, call her." Sam's tone was soft and perceptive.

"Okay. You're right. I'll call her. I'll see you there. Bye."

"Call her." She said once more before hanging up.

……

"It's 2130. I thought Jackson was gonna show up?" Cam set a round of beers and one Margarita on the table.

Sam looked up, disappointment evident. "So did I. He said he'd call Vala and met us here. I don't understand them."

"They may never come around. I think there's just too much bad history for the both of them. Sad. She's so perfect for him." Carolyn smiled up at Cam.

"Yeah, and he's just right for her. Too bad they don't see it." Cam settled beside Carolyn.

Teal'c looked off across the distance, unseeing, reflecting on his memories from their time on the Odyssey. "ValaMalDoran and DanielJackson, do indeed seem well suited."

"Well, nothing we can do." Sam sighed, disenchanted.

"Maybe you should call him?" Carolyn asked.

"Yeah, Sam, call him." Cam insisted.

……

There was no answer. The phone rang and rang. Not even voice mail. He'd have to go to the Mountain. Daniel tossed his cell phone on the couch and headed for the bedroom, shirtless and barefoot, still. Halfway down the hall he heard the knocking. Opening the door he found her standing there, hands on her hips, eyes glaring. She barged right in.

"You didn't even call me."

"Yes I did."

"When?"

"Just now."

"Daniel, it's been three days. Three days!" She went straight for his belt and he went straight for her mouth. "I love you." She mumbled against his lips.

"I love you, too." He managed to say between kisses. "We're supposed to be at O'Malley's"

"O'Malley's be damned!"

He grabbed her hands, gently pushing her back. "It's a team thing. It's important to Mitchell."

She snaked her arms out of his hands. "Mitchell be damned." She was laughing playfully and unbuttoning his pants.

"Stop that. Let me get dressed."

"I'm trying to undress you."

"I know. Go. Sit down and wait. We won't stay long. I promise." He kissed her, backing away all the while.

"You kiss me like maniac, then tell me you love me too and in the next breath you say we're going to O'Malley's!" Vala was yelling down the hall. "You're nuts… a…a banana cake!"

"Fruitcake." He yelled back.

"Exactly."

"We have to go…see, the phones ringing. They're relentless. Especially Sam. Get the phone."

"Hello, Samantha." Vala said in exasperation.

"Vala?"

"We're on our way. But we won't be staying long. Don't tell Daniel I mentioned that part either."

"So everything is going okay between you two?"

"Hmmm, well, I'll give you all the details when we get there."

……

O'Malley's was a mad house. Struggling through the crowd, Vala tugged Daniel along behind her towards their favorite SGC table.

"Hi guys." Daniel pulled out the one remaining chair for Vala.

"I will assist you in finding another chair, DanielJackson." Teal'c rose.

"Oh, posh! Sit down Muscles. I'll just sit in Daniel's lap." She shoved Daniel into the chair and sat sideways across his lap. She clapped her hands, "Okay, I'll have a strawberry-kiwi frozen drinky and Daniel will have a … a water. He's driving." She grinned, eyebrows waggling suggestively. "So. Carolyn. A date? And with Mitchell. This is so exciting. Daniel and I have a date, too. Later this evening. We won't be staying long. How about you two? Hanging around or not?"

Daniel's eyes closed slowly, he sighed and dropped his head. He had a hand on her back, tempted to pinch her. Sam was laughing out right. Carolyn let out a small gasp and Mitchell a mumbled, 'damn." Teal'c remained silent.

Daniel rose, standing Vala away. "I'll get the drinks."

"Oh, good. I'll go with you." She skipped behind him.

Mitchell turned nervously towards Carolyn, who he found smiling, dark eyes twinkling. "Well, Cam, hanging around or not?"

"They just got here. We'll give 'em time to finish their drinks."

The foursome waited. And waited. And waited.

……

With bodies entwined, lips hungry and urgent, sheets tangled, and whispered words of love Daniel and Vala ignored the ringing phone.