Because I Love You

When Daniel walked into his office he found Vala typing away at his computer, so intent on the screen she didn't even notice him when he came to stand beside her.

"Vala?"

She flinched, surprised and slapped her hand, palm flat over something beside the computer.

"What's that?"

"What?"

"Whatever you're hiding under your hand."

"Nothing."

"Ah, I beg to differ. You're hiding something."

"No. Not a thing." She skimmed her hand backwards across the desk, palmed the object and managed to slide it into her jacket pocket. "I thought you were going with Sam to Peterson." Vala, looking as guilty as the proverbial fox in the hen house, blinked up at him.

Daniel tried to stare her down, but Vala won out in the end. He found it increasingly difficult to stare into those steel gray eyes for too long. His gaze flicked back to the screen just as Vala hit the red X and shut down the page. "eBay?" He commented with a patronizing tone.

"Ah, just checking on some bids. You know, tiaras, bustiers, shoes and such."

Hands on his hips and the seemingly ever present scowl directed at her, Daniel appeared to be trying to read her mind. Vala squirmed under his scrutiny. "Vala?"

She jumped up with a culpable grin. Rubbing her palms together she moved to walk around him. "Well. Have fun with Sam. I really should get back to work. Mitchell has me reviewing some of those old mission reports. Great stuff there. Good job." Before she could escape, Daniel took a hold of her arm.

"Vala? What are you up to?"

"Nothing, Daniel. Really." She tried that innocent face on him and his scowl deepened. God, it had so many layers she was beginning to suspect he practiced in the mirror.

With a deep sigh he let her go. "Leave. Now, please."

With one last big grin and both eyebrows raised she nodded and dashed out.

Daniel turned to the computer, shook his head and left, locking the door as he went.

……

Sam pulled into the Starbucks on their way back. "So, what is it you want today?"

"Coffee." Daniel laughed. "My treat." He pulled out his wallet and immediately upon opening it noticed the empty slot. "Son of a ...that... agh!"

"What!?" Sam's head whipped around.

"How the hell did she get my credit card again? I just got a new one three days ago, frequent flyer miles and all and it's gone." He pulled out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to Sam shaking his head in exasperation.

Sam paid and retrieved their order. Handing Daniel his coffee, she laughed. "Remember that little monkey in Indiana Jones? The one that kept stealing things. I think of Vala every time I see it." She pulled out onto the highway.

"You've seen it more than once?"

"Are you kidding, it's one of Jack's favorites. He's marked out the Indiana Jones on every one of the DVD's and written Dr. Jackson over Indiana Jones. Dr. Jackson and the Temple of Doom! It's so…." She took a quick glance at Daniel and found him frowning. "Oops. I guess you didn't know that."

"No." Daniel went back to staring at the empty slot in his wallet.

Missing the grin that was creeping across his face, Sam sped up, anxious to get back to SGC.

……

After Sam and Daniel passed the checkpoint, the airman picked up his phone and dialed. "Miss Mal Doran?"

"Yes, Conrad?" She dripped sweetness into the receiver.

The man on the other end was blushing. "Ah, the two you were inquiring about just checked in."

"Thank you, you are a prince. I'll bake you some cookies."

Conrad swallowed loudly. "Yes, ma'am. Would those be Earth cookies?"

"Not a chance. Toodles." Vala rushed back to the computer, finished the order, tossed the credit card across the space between the computer desk and his work desk, shut the computer down, and biting her lip looked around to be sure she left no clues, then she turned the lights off - exited the room, double check to be sure the door was locked and sauntered down the hall.

She made the corner turn just in time as the elevator swished open and Sam and Daniel exited. Flattening herself against a wall around the corner she waited until they made their way down the other hall, and then sprinted away. Halfway down the hall she came to a halt, bit her lip, eyes widening in horror. The lights had been on when she broke into Daniel's office. Would he notice? Of course he would, he had that kind of faultless memory…damn him anyway. Too late now. Nothing she could do about it. She headed toward the Gateroom, Muscles would be returning soon and she'd missed him.

Daniel, coffee balanced in one hand, dug into his pocket for his keys and unlocked his door. It was dark in his office and he remained standing in the doorway for a moment, confused. He flipped the light switch and studied the room carefully. Placing the coffee on his desk he wandered around exploring. Nothing seemed to be out of place. Maybe he turned the light off? Sitting at his desk he reached for the coffee and spotted the credit card peeking out from some papers. Had he forgotten that too? Again, he looked around. She was so entrenched in his head that he was losing his ability to think straight. He felt unexpectedly guilty. And inexplicably happy.

……

"ValaMalDoran." Teal'c said in greeting.

She admired his handsomeness in the Jaffa robes. "Muscles. I've missed you. One day you have to introduce me to your lady friend, Ishta." Vala hooked her arm around his and walked him out of the Gateroom.

Teal'c smiled down at her. "She too is anxious to make your acquaintance."

"I need your help."

"With DanielJackson?"

"Of course. I just need you to remind him of something."

"I see. Let's us discuss this in the commissary. I am hungry."

"You waited to eat here? How odd."

"Indeed."

……

She'd done it! Excitement cursed through her as she inspected the tickets and brochure. He would absolutely love this. It was the best anniversary gift anyone had ever gotten. And how appropriate for the anniversary of their meeting. Retracing Prometheus – Greek mythology – an archeological working 7 day tour of Greece centering on Prometheus.

The trip, for two, had cost over $8000.00 and she had only needed $500.00 more to complete the deal. A tinge of guilt for lifting his credit card put a momentary damper on her excitement, but she would pay him back.

Teal'c had informed her that Daniel had remembered on his own. Daniel remembered, she sighed at the thought. He had invited her to dinner, a rather dressy affair and she would give him the tickets then. Everything was perfect! Vala primped, admiring her new slinky dress- she'd had to borrow the money for it from Sam because all her resources had been depleted. When he met her at his office, she'd nearly fainted – he looked deliciously divine and utterly blue eyed and sexy Daniel.

The restaurant was romantically lit with candles. The food had been exceptional. The desert the best she'd eaten on any world. The champagne chilled and delicious. He was smiling so much tonight she felt dizzy.

At last the moment arrived. Vala removed the envelope with the tickets and brochure from her purse, smiled nervously and happily slid it across the table.

He was grinning. "What's this?"

"A little present, darling."

He opened the envelope expecting a card. "Holy cow, Vala! What the hell were you thinking!? This had to cost a fortune."

Her head jerked back and a look of shock at his reproach covered her sad face.

"Take it back, get your money back. You can't afford it!" He shoved the envelope across the table obviously angry.

Mouth open, Vala stared, momentarily unable to make any words come out. Blinking back the traitorous tears, she stood, leaving the envelope. "I see. I'll take a cab back. I'm so sorry I disappointed you. Yet again."

"Wait! Vala?" Daniel picked up the envelope and feeling suddenly stupid and callous he looked around for the waiter. He needed to catch her but he need to pay the bill first.

He never got the chance to give her the small box in his pocket. "Just shoot me now." He told the waiter who delivered the check.

"Messed it up, huh?" The waiter stood, arms akimbo and frowning.

"You could say that."

"I just did, sir."

Daniel handed him the credit card and check. "Yeah, right."

"Can't fix it?"

Shrugging, Daniel shook his head. "I need to get out of here in a hurry."

"Sure. Hey," he handed the credit card back to Daniel, "This ones on me. Go." The waiter hurried off.

……

He'd lied to the security officer, telling her he thought Vala was sick to get her to unlock Vala's door.

"Why did you do it?" Standing hands in pockets he waited. She was on her stomach, across her bed, still dressed and obviously crying. His heart twisted in his chest.

"Because I love you. I wanted to give you something special, meaningful. Something we could share. It's our meeting anniversary. You know, the Prometheus. I thought you'd like this. I was wrong, as usual. It won't happen again, Daniel. I can promise you that." Vala reached her hand out behind her. "Here, here's the $500.00 I lifted from your credit card to pay the balance. Take Teal'c, I borrowed the money from him. He's quite interested in the excursion."

"On my honeymoon?" He spoke softly sitting on the bed beside her.

"Excuse me?" She turned to her back and sat up, the cash still in her hand.

"I don't think it would be a good idea to go on a honeymoon with Teal'c, he's not my type. I'm sort of attracted to the super soldier type, the long dark haired female version."

His hand went to rest against her cheek, his thumb wiping at the tears. "As typical of me, Vala, I was a complete ass. It's my nature I guess. I promise I'll work on that if you'll have me."

"Have you? Have you in what way?"

"Anyway you want me. I love you." He kissed her sweetly, lightly brushing her mouth. "You didn't give me a chance… well, I screwed up the chance to give you my gift." He dug the box out of his pocket, handing it to her. "I've been thinking about this a long time. A really long time, and finally thought I didn't need to fight this anymore. There was a solution to my feelings for you. And I just figured it was time to make it…official."

"Official?" Vala nervously opened the box expecting to find a ring inside. She was disappointed. There was a folded piece of paper at the bottom.

"It's a copy of a marriage proposal-an engagement contract sort of - I found on my very first dig in Greece. I was young and romantic at the time. Something that didn't last long. But it struck me as beautiful and I copied it. I've had it for years."

"Daniel?"

"Yes?"

"I can't read it." She smiled brightly and his heart melted.

"Basically it says I love you with my heart and soul. You are everything I have ever wanted in my life. Friend, family, partner; beautiful, smart, funny, sexy and a gift from all things divine. It's a marriage proposal. A pleading for you to become my wife. My lover. My life. If you can forgive me for tonight?"

Forehead to forehead their eyes searched one another. Then lips met and melded. Soft moans entwined. "Oh yes." She whispered. "Forever." He whispered back.