Something Special

Vala felt her stomach jump at the knock on her door. It was a silly reaction, really. She'd been expecting Cameron, even if he was a tad early, she thought as she looked down at her watch. She rubbed a hand nervously over the dress she'd bought just for this occasion, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles as she stood to open the door.

"Well, someone's an eager little-" Her playful rebuke was cut off when she saw just who stood on the other side. "Samantha, I thought you were already on your way to Washington."

"I will be soon, but I wanted to stop in and make sure you didn't need anything before I go." Samantha told her as she entered the room, stopping short when she seemed to finally notice Vala's attire. "Why are you all dressed up?"

"Cameron is taking me to a concert." Vala tried to put on a cheeky grin but knew it fell short when a blonde eyebrow rose.

"Cam, huh?" Samantha grinned mischievously. "Is there something going on with you two?"

"Going on? What do you mean? Cameron and I are friends, just friends. There's nothing going on. I mean, we're spending a lot of time together but he doesn't see me that way."

"Whoa! Vala, calm down, I was only joking." Samantha eyed her carefully. "But I don't think you are. What's really going on here?"

"I-I-I don't know, to be honest." Vala sighed heavily and sat on the edge of her bed, catching her bottom lip between her teeth. "I mean, I thought we were just friends but...something's changed. I've always thought he was rather attractive but now, whenever I see him, I get kind of jittery."

"Okay," Samantha said slowly, joining her on the bed. "I thought you had a thing for Daniel, though."

"I thought so, too. That's what makes this all the more confusing. When I first came to Earth, I was very interested in Daniel. But the longer I'm here, the more I realise there's little beyond a physical attraction. Oh, don't get me wrong, I like Daniel very much. But it's more as a friend than anything else. It's different with Cameron. I can't really explain it. I mean, there is definitely a physical aspect to it, but that's just a small part of why I enjoy spending time with him. He listens to me, doesn't brush me off like some kind of annoying pest. I've told him things about my past and he's never judged me. Not like...Well, not like others have. This thing with Cameron...I think it may be special."

The two women sat in silence for a time, neither knowing quite how to respond to the confession. After a while, Vala felt Samantha take her hand and she looked up at the blonde.

"Hey, if Cam makes you happy, you should go for it."

"Thank you, Samantha." Vala squeezed her friend's hand before a realisation hit her, making her eyes widen a bit. "He does make me happy."

"This is a good thing, Vala." Samantha chuckled and stood when another knock sounded on her door. "I'm assuming that's him?"

"It should be." Vala's nerves suddenly returned and she ran a hand through her curls. "How do I look?"

"You look great." Samantha smiled, pushing her toward the door.

Vala took a deep breath before swinging it open. She didn't have to fake the delighted smile that lit her face when she saw Cameron.

"Wow, Princess, you look amazing."

"Thank you." Vala blushed a little. "You look rather dashing yourself."

"I try," he laughed before catching sight of Samantha exiting the room behind her. "Hey, Sam, I thought you were gone already."

"I was just leaving." Samantha said but made no move to do so. Rather, she went to stand beside Teal'c and Daniel, both of whom were looking on in curiosity.

"Uh, okay." Cameron sounded bemused but only shrugged. He turned back to her, holding out his arm in an almost comical gesture. "You ready?"

Vala stared at him for a moment, then up at the looks being sent their way by the team. Samantha nodded her encouragement and Vala smiled in appreciation.

"I'm ready," she told Cameron, looking him straight in the eye. He seemed a bit surprised when, instead of looping her arm through his, she chose to take his hand.

"Good," he commented, squeezing her hand and not letting go as he led her out of the mountain. Neither of them even bothered, or remembered, to say goodnight to their friends.

The End