Disclaimer: Stargate: SG1 isn't my creation; I'm only playing here and the only things I own are any original characters that came from my own mind.

Title: Overture in Slow Motion

Summary: overture - noun

1) an opening or initiating move toward negotiation, a new relationship

slow motion – adjective

2) moving or proceeding at a slow rate

Spoilers: Not really spoilers...assumes the reader is familiar with the events of SGA S5 episode "The Lost Tribe"

Pairings: Daniel/Vala, probably some referrral to J/S

Rating: "K" at the moment...could become "M" in the future

Genre: Drama/Angst/Romance

A/N: This is really short and the only reason I'm actually posting it is to apply a real title.

And I'm afraid this''ll probably be the last you get from me for awhile...I've got fragments of the next chapter done and I've got fragments for the next chapter of "Best" done too, plus my school work is starting to heat up, so I just don't know what'll be completed first or when.

But in the meantime, enjoy...and I love to hear from you.

2 weeks later, late night communication between the 'Hammond' and the SGC

"I'm not sure I can do this Samantha."

Sam smiled reassuringly at her friend's image on her computer monitor.

"It'll be fine, Vala. And besides" she tilted an eyebrow and shrugged, "you kinda don't have a choice in the matter; you're the only one of us that can be spared from regular duty for awhile."

Vala sighed, fiddling with a something she'd picked up off the desktop. "Yes I know, and it's not that I object to being taken off active duty to stay with him, but you know how we get when we're been in close quarters for an extended period of time. I don't want our tendency to get into disagreements hindering his recovery."

Sam raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I doubt that disagreements with you Vala are actually going to hinder his recovery. If anything they're more likely to make him feel like he's getting back to normal if you're not treating him with the kid gloves everyone else has been for the past few weeks. That being said though you should probably know what not to do. So first of all, don't hover. It's the one thing I've learned that Daniel HATES the most when he's recovering from something. BUT that also means you're going to have to be almost telepathic to know when to help because you know how good he is at admitting when he does need it. Second, be tough. Don't let him get away with stuff. I can guarantee there'll come a day when he'll be feeling so much like himself again that he'll push his limits. And the next day you'll be the one having to deal with him being cranky and pissy because he's sore and tired. Don't put up with that. If you think he's pushing himself, you get in his face and tell him so. And third, DO NOT let him charm you into letting him have his way."

Vala interrupted with a choked burble of amusement. "Charm Sam? I'm sorry Samantha but charming is not a word I normally associate with Daniel."

Sam's mouth twisted into a smirk. "Oh don't kid yourself Vala. You've barely ever seen him out of his pre-occupied, focused on saving the galaxy mode. When he wants to he can be quite charming. If he's trying to get his way he won't hesitate to flash his dimples and bat those big blue eyes. So be wary…if anyone is going to be affected by his smile, it'll be you."

"Hey!" Vala huffed with a frown, "what's that supposed to mean?"

Sam shrugged, "Just that you're more likely to be susceptible to his charm than any of the rest of us."

Vala scowled. "Oh and why is that?"

"Vala," Sam voice became gently scolding, "you're in love with him."

Vala's scowl vanished, her gaze dropped to whatever she was still fiddling with and she shrugged.

"Vala," Sam said softly, "you need to tell him. Maybe this is the time, while you've got his undivided attention to have that long, HONEST talk you should've had ages ago."

Vala's head came up again and she looked at Sam in puzzlement.

"Why would I do that Sam? He doesn't want that from me."

Sam sighed. "You sure about that?"

"Yes of course I am. He's always made that abundantly clear. Telling him would make things so awkward between us Sam. It might even ruin the friendship that we've actually been able to establish," she shook her head, "I'm not willing to take that chance. His friendship means more to me than anything else."

Sam let out another long sigh, then suddenly tilted her head to one side.

"Look, I've gotta go" she said over the background sound of an announcement over the Hammond's PA, "I've been called to the bridge. When I'm back in two weeks I'll round up the others and we'll descend on you guys for an evening…and I'll also see if I can't spell you off for a coupla of days to give the two of you a break from each other."

Vala smiled with a nod. "Okay, that'd be great…look forward to seeing you then. Good luck Samantha."

Sam returned the smile. "Thanks and good luck to you too…and think about what I said wouldja?"

The brilliant but fake smile Vala gave her didn't fool her for a second. She didn't figure she'd arrive home to find that Vala's relationship with Daniel had changed one iota.