"Please tell me, that's not what you're taking."
Daniel stood in the doorway of Vala's room, surveying the luggage that was collected in a pile for him to put in his car, ready for the trip to Cameron's and Anna's place.
Vala looked up from the bag she was packing on her bed, knowing full well what Daniel was getting at. "Yes Darling. Why, is something wrong?"
Daniel paused, looking first at Vala and then back down to the pile of bags. "It's a lot of luggage."
"Daniel, are you trying to tell me in your own sweet way that there's a problem?"
"You do know that we're only going for a few days."
Flashing him a quick smile as she bent down to carrying on packing the bag in front of her, she replied, "Of course I do."
"Can I ask why you need...," Daniel paused quickly counting each bag, making sure not to forget the bag that she was currently packing, "6 bags?"
Vala went over to the pile of luggage and began to point to each piece. "Well... let's see. Boots, shoes, jeans, skirts, tops, scarves, jumpers, socks, presents," she said flashing Daniel another smile, this one bigger than before, "I think that's it. Oh and this has the essentials," giving the bag on the bed a pat.
Daniel had always known that most women generally took too much stuff with them on holiday, but he had the feeling that Vala would definitely out do them in this regard. He also wondered what the 'essentials' were, considering she had listed just about everything she could possible need or own. He was probably going to regret asking this but he had to know, "The essentials. And they are...?"
Stopping what she was doing, Vala began to recite what she had packed, occasionally pulling out an item. "Hairdryer, curling iron, rollers, makeup, hot water bottle, chocolate, pajamas,... oh and these are for nighttime activities," she said dangling a silky short black nightie and a pair of padded handcuffs from one hand, a naughty smile on her face.
"Vala. The others are going to be there. I don't think it's appropriate for us to do ... whatever nighttime activities you have planned."
Looking slightly disappointed Vala dropped the items on the bed, before she gave Daniel a teasing look, enjoying the fact that she could sometimes make him squirm. "Worried that you'll make too much noise? Are you a screamer, Daniel?"
Daniel moved over to Vala, picking up the nightie and looking at her. "It's not me I'm worried about. I'm not the one who'll be screaming." Giving her a look that left her in no doubt what he wanted to do to her. For the first time since he had met her, Vala blushed, a faint hint of scarlet moving up her neck and face. Leaning down he gave her a quick kiss, barely brushing his lips against hers, before he dropped the nightie back into the bag, giving her a none too gentle slap on the behind. "Now hurry up and finish packing, we need to get going. The others will wonder where we are."
Daniel turned, picking up one of the bags, glancing over to the padded handcuffs on the bed. Obviously thinking something through, he went over to them, slipping them in his jacket pocket, giving Vala a devilish smile of his own, heading out of the room.
Vala stood there for a moment watching him, deciding that she liked this side of Daniel. Who knew he was this good at flirting, she thought. Bending back down, a big smile on her face, she carried on putting the last few items in the bag. The smile getting bigger and bigger as she thought of how much fun this Christmas was going to be.
*S***S*
Daniel leaned over to turn the car heater up.
Even though he had lived in Colorado for more than 11 years he still felt the cold. It was no wonder he had become an Egyptian archaeologist. The sun, sand, and heat seemed to run through his blood. He was definitely a man of the desert. Not that it didn't get cold in the desert, but it was a different kind of cold. Not this biting cold that chilled you to the bone. Glancing at the temperature gauge he saw that it read -4 outside and that was during the day, he dreaded to think how cold it would get overnight.
Glancing over to Vala, who was in the seat next to him, he saw that she was busy reading a book. Probably some trashy novel, he thought. For an alien woman she really was a very Earth like woman. She loved shopping and clothes, especially lingerie. Would freely admit that life wasn't worth living without her makeup, hairdryer and other beauty paraphernalia. Had a fondness for chocolate. Okay, more than just a fondness. It was one of life 'essentials', if her bag of 'essentials' was any indicator. Enjoyed reading magazines and trashy novels, the trashy the better. On the surface she definitely gave the appearance of being an Earth woman, a rather girly, feminine Earth woman. Daniel wondered though, how many of those women could take care of herself the way Vala could. She could shoot pretty much any weapon with perfect accuracy. She could fight like a pro-wrestler, and was not above using some pretty dirty tactics if she had to. And she had pretty much gotten herself out of every tight situation she had ever gotten into. She really was an amazing woman.
In this last couple of months he had come to realize how much he had overlooked her unique talents. Their encounter with the Furlings and the entity had opened his eyes to a lot of things, especially his relationship with Vala, more importantly how he had treated her. When the entity had shown him parts of his life, he had been shocked and ashamed at the way he had sometimes treated Vala, and all because deep down he had been attracted to her, but out of fear he had pushed her away, trying to keep her at arm's length.
That though was now behind them. In these last few months they had learned more about each other, including some of the painful things in their pasts. And though they knew that they might clash, even fight from time to time, it didn't mean that they didn't love each other. Their differences weren't a problem, it was in despite of their differences them, or perhaps because of them, that their relationship worked and in the end that was all that mattered.
Suddenly realizing how quiet Vala was, his curiosity was aroused. It must be a good book, he thought and wondered what it was she was reading so intently. Reaching out with his right hand, he gently turned the cover of the book so that he could see the front. "The traditions of Christmas," he read aloud.
Vala looked up. "It's fascinating. Did you know that if you stand underneath mistletoe someone is meant to kiss you? Now that's an Earth custom I approve of."
"Kissing under mistletoe? Can't say I know that tradition." Daniel turned back to concentrate on driving while he said this, keeping his face blank.
"Mm..." Somehow Vala didn't quite believe him. Still she had a piece of mistletoe in her essentials bag, Mitchell had given it to her telling her to bring it with her to the house and not to tell Daniel that she had it. At the time she had wondered what it was about, but now it made sense.
"Anyway, why are you reading a book about Christmas? You've had Christmas before." Daniel decided it was best to change the subject. There was time for mistletoe later.
"Not really. Last year you were off studying yet another artifact in that place where the people speak funny."
"New York?"
"I don't think so. It was really cold. I do remember you complaining how cold it had been when you came back."
"Ah... yes, Russia. And they don't speak funny; they just speak a different language."
"Well you were there and the others were all off doing other things. So I went off on my own. Well, not exactly. General Landry insisted that I take a bodyguard. Still it was fun. Lots of sun, swimming and good looking men wearing practically nothing. I mean..."
"Vala..."
"Sorry. Anyway it was fun, but not a proper Christmas. And the years before we were busy fighting with the Ori. Which who we know weren't exactly into celebrating things in a fun way. So this is my first real Earth Christmas. I thought it would be a good idea to familiarize myself with what's involved. And so far I'm liking what I see."
"Well, you certainly seemed to have fun shopping for presents. Although I wasn't aware that buying gifts for oneself was part of the Christmas tradition."
In answer Vala poked out her tongue and went back to reading her book.
Smiling, Daniel leaned over to put the radio on, the sound of Christmas music quietly filling the car. Hearing the song Daniel went to change the station just as Vala spoke, "Don't change it, I love this song. Although I'm not sure what a reindeer is." With that Vala began to sing along with song. After a minute Daniel joined in with her trying not to think how silly they must sound singing along to Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. The things he would do for love, he just hoped that Jack never heard about this, otherwise he would never live it down.
*S***S*