Kashoku's relationship with Daniel seemed to finally be going back uphill again. When they were at the SGC at the same time, Kashoku had begun spending the time back in Daniel's office whenever she was able to and with it caused Kage to spend more time with SG-11. Everything seemed to be back on track, and Kashoku finally found herself able to sleep soundly again because of it.
They both had somehow managed to get off early and Kashoku had convinced Daniel to go out and run some errands while she helped do chores at the apartment. Pulling a recipe book from the counter she began flipping through the pages for the one she was fairly confident she could muster up without burning the place down. It was a simple pasta and salad, but she hoped that Daniel would appreciate the effort none-the-less. Setting the water on the stove to boil she headed for their shared room to begin on her next project.
Opening the closest and shuffling through a few of the items had her cringing with embarrassment. She had kind of taken over the entire place. With a longing sigh she began pulling out all the items that were hers and placing them neatly on the bed. She had a lot to do before Daniel got home and not a lot of time to do it in. Thinking about easily she would get distracted she headed back to the kitchen and set a timer for herself before diving into the work.
When Daniel called out his arrival Kashoku had just managed to finish her project and begin setting the table. Daniel walked in with several bags in toe and wide eyes. "Wow, you made dinner! It smells great!" Dropping the bags onto the counter he leaned in for a kiss.
"Thank you," Kashoku beamed. "I just hope it tastes as good as it smells. And look!" She waved her hands out towards the stove, "I managed not to burn anything!"
"I'm proud of you," Daniel admitted proudly. "No one would ever know you came from a different planet."
"Wouldn't go quite that far, but we're working on it." Kashoku reached up into the cabinet to pull down to cups. "It's almost ready. Why don't you go freshen up? I'll pour us some wine."
"Sounds absolutely perfect," Daniel sighed happily as he began shrugging out of his jacket and headed for their shared bedroom.
Kashoku grabbed the corkscrew from the drawer and began making work of the wine bottle. She knew this was one of his favorites, and she was fairly certain he had mentioned something about it going well with this type of food on their planet. She wasn't really sure how certain alcohols went better with different types of food, but it was just another item on the long list of things she had to learn. Just as she was about to grab the glasses to take to the table she was spun around and brought into a forceful kiss. "Unf!" She cried out in surprise, but it was quickly silenced. The kiss was long and deep, leaving Kashoku seeing stars before Daniel pulled away. "Wow," she breathed. "Not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?"
"You cleaned up everything," Daniel stated as if it were obvious. "It's exactly the way I wanted everything."
Kashoku felt herself blush as she tucked a strand behind her ear. "Well…see? I'm trying. I just didn't understand at first."
"You are making me feel like I've been an asshole because if I had just spoken more clearly-,"
Kashoku cut him off, "Don't, Daniel. What's done is done, and we've gotten past it, and things are ok. Let's just keep it that way, neh?" She picked up a wine glass and handed it to him while she kept the other. "Kanpai!"
"Final Round, FIGHT."
The sound of buttons being jammed filled Kage's living quarters. Bentley was propped up on a bunch of pillows next to Kage on the bed as they battled away on the screen in front of them. Rafe was settled in the chair off to the side with his feet propped up on the coffee table.
"Sonya WINS."
"God, dammit!" Bentley threw down his control in anger.
Kage chuckled wildly with a smug smile as she crossed her arms in satisfaction. "How is it that you are so terrible at fighting even in a video game?"
"This isn't fair, man! You can't beat me at my own game!" Bentley whined.
Rafe laughed, "She did. Way more than once. She KO'd your ass."
"This game is fun. We should play again," Kage grinned as she picked up your controller again to choose her character.
"I'm not playing anymore," Bentley shoved the controller at Rafe who took it with a pleased look.
"Humility looks awful on you," he laughed as he began scrolling through his own character selection.
"Hate to break up the party, boys," Ramirez's voice barged in as the door swung open, "But it's time to gear up. Mira from Gwarrin contacted us not too long ago. Says the Jaffa have been regrouping and they need more help. They specifically requested us – mainly Kage."
"Finally, something I'm good at," Bentley spoke hopefully.
Kage gave a snort. "Down, Down, Right, Square doesn't quite have the same effect in real life, Bentley."
"Fuck you!" Bentley growled as he brushed past Ramirez.
"Oh, someone got their dick smashed," Ramirez hummed playfully. "Come on, you can have a re-match of the re-match when we get back."
SG-11 suited up quickly and made it through the gate to Gwarrin. Like before, Mira was there to greet them, although there were a lot more armed forces around than before.
"I apologize, but we must ask for your assistance once more."There was camp of Jaffa that we were previously unaware of until we were informed by one of the prisoners," Mira explained. They had technology that kept them off our radar. We've been able to penetrate through, and know their exact location, but I worry about what we will face when we get there. Kage turned the tide during the last battle, and I wanted her here again in case her services were once again needed."
"We're happy to provide any kind of assistance you need," Connors assured her. "Put us where you need us, and we'll handle business."
Mira nodded. "It is a ways to travel. We have much quicker means of travel, but we are trying to maintain the element of surprise."
Connors nodded in understanding, "It's no problem. We don't mind the trek."
If Kage had known it was really as long as it was, she would have vocally disagreed with Connors big time. They had been walking for almost two hours now with no sign of-Connors held up his hand signaling them all to freeze. Kage smiled to herself. Finally. He waved for them to crouch down behind cover.
Two O'Clock, Connors mouthed. He received several of nods in response as weapons were drawn to the ready. Kage watched as he began using the signals to move the people in the direction he wanted to flank the spotted troops. He looked to Kage and gave her a nod. She knew what it meant. She was to lead the attack. Silently changing to Thief she began moving with haste towards the spotted Jaffa. She didn't know how long she'd have before they took notice, but she would take out as many as she could before it happened.
With one swell swoop of her dagger she slit the throat of the first Jaffa and quickly rammed the other through the chest before he could cry out. The two bodies fell to the forest floor and she quickly moved on to the next group.
"JAFFA! KREE!"
"Go time!" Kage shouted before grinning and charging full force. The fire-fight began raging on around her as she fought, taking them out one-by-one. It was easy to see the Jaffa were outnumbered and they quickly had the Jaffa falling back in retreat. Kage wasn't going to let them leave here alive. She began running after them, grabbing hold of one of them by the armored collar and pulling him back before stabbing him in the chest.
"Kage!" Connors shouted at her. "Stay here!"
"They are retreating! We need to stop them before they bring in reinforcements!" Kage argued.
"I said stay here," he barked angrily. "That's an order, Kage!"
Kage gave a dismissive snort before changing into her Black Mage robes and running after them, picking them off with fire spells as they went. She had no idea how far she had gone tracking them down, but the Jaffa fell effortlessly beneath her magic. There was just one more unaccounted for.
"Kage!"
She turned to see Rafe running up after her. Kage rolled her eyes. "I've got this."
"It doesn't matter," he breathed, coming to a stop to catch his breath. "The Colonel gave you an order, and you didn't follow it. He gives them for a reason, Kage."
Kage crossed her arms in irritation. "Why? I took care of it, didn't I? Now I got all of them." She gave one of the corpses a fierce kick to make her point.
Rafe couldn't help the upward twitch of his lips. "True, but what if it wasn't all of them? They could have been falling back to another group – a trap. You've got to listen, Kage."
"Well it wasn't a fucking-," Kage was halted by the sounds of shots fired, and Rafe's eyes widening as he suddenly fell to his knees clutching his abdomen. "RAFE!" Jaffa surrounded them, their staff weapons firing off in rapid succession. Dodging the shots she grabbed hold of Rafe's vest and dragged him in behind a large tree.
"Bitch, I told you," Rafe coughed, trying to make it sound like a joke as he coughed up blood through a smile.
"Shit, hold on!" Kage breathed, quickly trying to assess the situation. There were a lot more of them, and this time she didn't have the element of surprise or the benefit of more soldiers. Closing her eyes she began focusing her magic through her veins, preparing for an ultimate attack. The sky began to darken and there was a clap of booming thunder. Opening her eyes she focuses all her energy at the Jaffa, "THUNDAGA!" The sky lit up with a blinding light as lightning struck the Jaffa around them. Bodies fell as the light subsided and the sky returned to its normal state. Kage gasped, bracing against the tree as she felt a wave of weakness overcome her.
"Kage!"
Kage opened her eyes and saw her team running for her. "Rafe, he's been hit!"
"Shit!" Ramirez knelt beside Rafe and placed her hand on top of his on the wound. "Don't you dare fucking die on me, sir."
"Wouldn't dream of it, babe," Rafe smiled weakly.
Connors grabbed hold of Kage and lifted her to her feet before slamming her into the tree. "This is why you fucking follow orders!" He shouted angrily, his eyes full of fury. "Heal him!"
"I-I can't," Kage responded, her eyes darting down to her fallen comrade.
"What the hell do you mean, you can't?" Connors growled, digging his arm into her chest.
Kage winced in pain. "I don't do white magic. I can't heal."
"Stupid girl!" Connors let her fall to the ground. "We are hours away from the Stargate and any kind of help! If he dies, it is on you!"
Kage had no response as her team leader ran off asking for Mira. Bentley and Ramirez were glaring at her. "I…I'm sorry."
"Sorry don't cut it, idiota! Putting yourself at risk is one thing, but now Rafe is hanging on!" Ramirez hissed.
Kage flinched at Ramirez's words. As she looked at Rafe's paling face she felt true guilt for the first time in her life towards someone other than Kashoku.
It had been almost three whole weeks in which Kashoku hadn't had to call upon one of her team mates for a ride. The drive that morning was wet and gloomy as far as the weather went, but there was a pleasant chatter between the two as they drove towards the base of the mountain.
"I've got a briefing as soon as we get there," Daniel chimed in. "You can wait in my lab if you want, but I don't really know how long it'll take."
Kashoku shook her head, "No, it's fine. I'm sure I have a few things I could work on in my own office. You should be done by lunch time, right? We could meet up then."
"Yeah, of course," Daniel smiled. "12:30 sound ok? I'll swing by your office."
"Works for me," Kashoku grinned happily. "Let me know if you get caught up. I don't think we have anything going on today really. I'm going to check up on Janet and see how their journey with White Mage is going."
"I'm sure she'd appreciate," Daniel agreed.
They parted ways at the locker rooms as usual and Kashoku headed for the infirmary. It had been fairly quiet there the last week with no major casualties coming through the gate. "Long time no see!"
Janet looked up from her clipboard and smiled, "And it's a good thing, too. I prefer it when I start to forget faces around here. What are you doing here so early?"
Kashoku took a seat on one of the stools by the cart Janet was working by and shrugged. "I was thinking about how we hadn't talked about your magic progress in a while. I just wanted to make sure it was still going well."
"So far so good," the doctor responded gleefully as she flipped the page and began scribbling a few more notes. "A few of us have hit what seems like a plateau, but you did warn that would happen with the higher level magic."
Kashoku gave a firm nod, "It will probably be like that for a while, but keep with it! It'll be worth it."
"Are you kidding? It already has been with all the lives I know we've saved because of Spira's magic. Kind of makes me feel like dishing all that money out for med school was a waste," she jested as she put down her clip board and began firing up the various monitors around the clinic. "So, how are things on your end of the world? Things still going well with SG-15?"
"They are a handful," Kashoku chuckled as she watched Janet work, "but I can definitely call them family. Kage seems to be getting along well with her team. I'm happy. It makes me feel a little more at ease when I'm away from her."
"Well, I haven't had to set any broken bones because of her, so I'll say things are going fairly well. So, what about Daniel?" Janet cast a questioning glance in Kashoku's direction.
The tone Janet had used caused Kashoku to roll her eyes. "What is it with people here thinking they know everything?"
"Because the SGC is like a small town. Everyone knows everything," Janet explained. "Well?" She even made it a point to stop working and wait for an answer.
Kashoku shook her head, but with a smile. "Fine, actually. Better than ever. I'll admit things were rocky for a while, but things have been really good the past few weeks."
"Good," Janet nodded, satisfied. "Well, I hate to kick you out, but we have a team coming back early I need to prepare for."
Kashoku hopped off the stool, "Sure thing. Let me know if you guys need any help!" The office was quiet as far as her teammates went, as some sort of yearly reports were due that all three men were diligently working on. It was nice to see that when they needed to be serious, they could be. It left Kashoku to read more of the book Daniel had given her on Japan's history. She couldn't help but let her eyes wander to the clock every so often in anticipation of her lunch date with Daniel. Unable to contain herself when the clock finally struck noon she opened up the messaging system between members at the SGC and began typing away: We still on for 1230? There was no immediate response, but Kashoku figured Daniel had stepped away or wasn't paying attention to his computer at the time, but as 1225 started to approach she grew nervous.
"Thank GOD," Wells groaned as he stretched up and out of his chair. "Finished with these god-awful things."
"Major Ellis dismissed us for the day as soon as we were done. Lunch?" Carr asked as he too began stretching around in his area.
"Fuck yeah, I'm starving," Wells responded. "Rodd, you in?"
"Sure," he nodded.
"Kash?"
Kashoku looked at the clock. 1228. "I have plans already, but I'm good, thanks," she smiled, hiding the nervousness with a stroke of her hand through her hair. "Have fun."
"Well, you've got at least ten minutes to change your mind," He grinned as popped his back with a few twists before all three headed for the door.
Kashoku watched with a heavy sigh, hoping Daniel would suddenly take their place. But the minutes continued to tick on and there was no response from him on the messenger and no sign of him showing up in the office. There was a brief moment of excitement as she heard someone enter, but it was squashed in disappointment when she realized it was just Carr.
"Phone. Kind of need that," he explained as he walked over to his desk.
Kashoku looked once more at the clock. 12:55. "Hey, Robbie?"
Carr stopped a few feet from the door on his way out, "Sup?"
Kashoku turned in her chair and bit at her lip, contemplating her next string of words. "Um. Is the offer for lunch still on the table?"
His brow furrowed in confusion. "Thought you had a date already?"
Kashoku shrugged, doing her best to play it off, "Rescheduled. No big deal. I won't take long changing."
"Yeah, no problem, we'll wait," Carr assured her.
Kashoku placed her bookmark and closed the cover. "Thanks! I'll meet you in the parking lot!" On her way down she thought better of it, but decided to take a stop by Daniel's office – just in case. Hopeful, she opened the door and stuck her head in. Daniel wasn't there. Closing her eyes with heavy disappointment she closed the door and walked off.
True to their promise, all three men were waiting just outside security for her. "Sorry," she apologized as she quickly made for them. "Had to make a quick stop before coming up here. So, where to?"
"Salsa Brava?" Carr suggested. "I'm craving some indigestion right now something fierce."
"Oh!" Kashoku's eyes lit up. "That's the place with the really good margaritas, the watermelon ones, right? We aren't on duty anymore, so-o-o-o."
"Salsa Brava it is," Wells grinned and opened the passenger side door for Kashoku as they approached his vehicle.
The quaint Mexican restraint wasn't far into the edge of the city coming down off the mountain, so they had frequented it. It was buzzing with a busy lunch crowd, but they still managed to be seated immediately upon their arrival. It was here Kashoku learned of Rodd's fondness of spicy foods to the point his entire face turned a far brighter red than his hair could ever be.
"God, damn, woman," Carr interjected their conversation as he checked his phone again. "She is blowing me up over here. As soon as I told her I had the afternoon off it's been one thing after another."
"So go hang out with her," Wells suggested with an apparent tone.
Rodd took another huge chunk of salsa with his chip. "Do you not want to hang out with her?"
"Not when she wants me to go with her to get a pedicure!" He cried defensively. "She seriously tries to tell me it's ok for guys to get them and that it would make my feet look nicer. No self-respecting man gets a pedicure!"
"What's a pedicure?" Kashoku frowned as she took another sip of her margarita through her straw.
Carr contorted his face into one of disgust. "Blegh, it's a wallet sucking rite of passage for women. You should ask Michelle to take you out for one someday."
"Hmm," Kashoku agreed, curious about what it could possibly be. Suddenly she felt her back pocket begin to vibrate. Setting her drink down she reached around and pulled out her phone. It was Daniel. For a moment she contemplated ignoring it, but she figured she might as well hear his excuse. Maybe it was understandable. She hoped it was. "Moshi Moshi?" However this conversation was going to go, it was not going to be where her teammates could understand it.
"Where are you?" Daniel asked irritably.
Kashoku twitched in surprise at his tone. "At lunch."
"Where? I came looking for you and couldn't find you anywhere."
Seriously? Kashoku couldn't believe he was trying to put this on her. It was almost two hours past when they had agreed to meet already. "Well,Daniel, as 1230 came and went, and you were nowhere to be found, I decided to take up a better offer that was extended to me."
"Why didn't you come looking for me?"
"Yatta!" Kashoku responded angrily, her ability to keep this under wraps quickly failing as her teammates began staring at her in concern.
"Oh…wait, when?" Daniel asked.
Sure, now he started acting apologetic. "I messaged you around noon to confirm, and then I waited almost thirty minutes past 1230 before I came to your office and you weren't there, Daniel! Why weren't you there?"
There was a huge sigh on the other side of the line. "I…lost track of time."
"You forgot," Kashoku corrected.
"I got caught up working on some stuff with Sam."
"Understandable, Daniel, but I thought I made it clear to let me know if you got caught up! I was a phone call away. How hard would that have been?"
"You're right…I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you tonight?"
Kashoku could feel her anger diminishing as she let her body relax out of the tension, but she wasn't quite sure if she was going to let him go that easily. "Maybe. I don't know. But unlike some people, I'll give you a definitive answer. Ja." Hanging up her phone she waited for the bombardment of questions.
"So…," Carr began slowly, but then no nothing else came out of it from anyone before he pulled his own phone back out. "You know, I should call Michelle and tell her you'd love a girls' day out. I can drop you off wherever."
"Actually, getting away from all this testosterone sounds fantastic," she agreed, "No offense."
"I feel the same way most of the time," Rodd commented under his breath.
"Hey, baby," Carr cooed over the phone, "The guys and I kind of already have plans, but Kashoku would love for you to take her out on the town. She just informed me she has no idea what a pedicure is….Uh-huh, I KNOW, right?...Yeah, the one over by Wellington Boulevard? Ok, we can be there in about twenty minutes. Love you!"
"Well, there you go," Wells smiled, "Relax with a spa day." He turned back towards Carr, "So are we going to go do something?"
"Hell yeah, let's go shoot some shit. Rodd needs some practice anyway," Carr grinned.
"You will be nice to him," Kashoku demanded before downing the rest of her drink.
"I was being serious, I'm going to help him, I swear," Carr defended himself.
Rodd gave a sigh. "That is yet to be seen."
"Meet you boys at Dragonman's," Carr said as he pulled out his wallet to pay his bill. Kashoku followed him to his car and they took off. "Don't let Michelle spend all your money. Give her the opportunity and she will," he warned.
Kashoku giggled, "I'll just blame you and make you pay for it all if it comes to that."
Rafe hadn't been the only casualty, and Mira had called in their medical forces that came in means much quicker than foot. They were lucky. The medics were able to stop the bleeding long enough to get Rafe to the Stargate.
Hammond was less than pleased to see one of his people injured. "What the hell happened?" He barked at Connors as Rafe was taken away to the infirmary.
Kage clenched her jaw in anticipation for Connors to start blaming her.
Connors did indeed pay her a glance, but with a deep breath he explained, "Ambush. Thought we had them, but they had another party waiting in the rear for us. The Gwarrins had medics that were able to patch him up until we got him here safely, sir."
Hammond seemed satisfied with the answer. "I want everyone to the infirmary to make sure you are all alright. I want the full report on my desk before end of business."
Connors nodded, "Yes, sir."
Kage swallowed in shock. He hadn't told on her, but she imagined this was far from over as she made to walk away with the others and he grabbed hold of her arm painfully, stopping her in her tracks.
"My office. Right. The Fuck. Now," he growled.
Kage nodded and began following the man on his heels and in silence to his office. When he slammed the door behind her all hell broke loose. He had her backed into a corner quick, and never before had Kage felt so beneath someone.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, girl?" He barked angrily, his face centimeters from hers. "When I give you a fucking order you follow it. You may be used to giving everyone in Spira the finger, but that won't fly with me. This is Earth, and here you are a lowly piece of scum who only does what she is told." He paused, looking intently upon Kage's face. He might have been waiting for her to offer a response, but she gave none. "I should be marching right up to General Hammond's office and telling him every little detail of what happened. Do you honestly think you'd just be sent back to Spira if he knew you were the reason Rafe almost died? You are wrong. Your ass would spend the rest of its immortal life in the deepest, darkest hole in the SGC to rot."
Kage swallowed, "He wouldn't."
"Shall we test that theory?!" Connor asked. He sucked in a heavy breath before taking a step back. Kage did not move. "Too many people die here every year, Kage, and I will never have one of those casualties be from my team because of defiance, do you understand me? DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"
"Yes!" Kage hissed.
"This isn't Spira. We don't have white magic and fucking unicorns. Kashoku will not be there to fix all your fuck ups, so you better not have any." Arms crossed he added, "This was your one. Anymore, and I will personally escort you to your eternal damnation, you hear me?"
He waited for no answer before slamming the door and leaving Kage in the darkened office.
Michelle was grinning as she scurried up and engulfed Kashoku in a hug. "Hey! I'm so excited we get to hang out outside of the bar! I couldn't believe it when Robbie told me you've never had a pedicure before." The woman took her hand and began dragging her into the salon. "We need to get two pedicures," she smiled to the receptionist before dragging Kashoku over to a wall with hundreds of bottles filled with color. "Pick out a color!"
"What for?" Kashoku asked, overwhelmed by all the choices.
"Your toes!" Michelle exclaimed as she began searching through the various options.
That's when Kashoku took notice of the few women that were there, their feet soaking in water while the women used the color on their toenails. "Oh!" Now she understood. Going through the rows she finally picked a bright pink polish with glitter in it. Michelle had picked out a dark red and was pulling her towards the chairs. It didn't take long after dipping her feet into the warm water that Kashoku understood why Michelle loved this so much. "This feels amazing," she remarked as her feet were massaged.
"I know, right?" Michelle agreed as she took a sip of her wine. "I bet Robbie would totally enjoy this if he would just come in here, but he feels it would wound his pride too much. Believe it or not, tons of guys come in here!"
"Well, I understand why he wouldn't," Kashoku said as she allowed herself to sink deeper into the massage chair.
"Speaking of men," Michelle sat up straight with a grin, "How are things with yours? Having lots of amazing sex?"
"Actually," Kashoku frowned, "We haven't had sex in well…a while."
"What!?" Michelle shrieked.
"I've never really thought about it until now, but now that I think about it, I realize that we just don't have sex. We're either too busy fighting or trying so hard to make up with each other."
"Uh, make-up sex?" Michelle offered.
Kashoku shrugged, "I dunno, I guess Daniel is just not interested in it. Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure," Michelle nodded.
"You and Robbie have been married a while, right?"
"Almost five years," she nodded.
"Every time I try and ask relationship advice from people they are always predisposed to a biased opinion. Daniel and I have been up and down a lot lately. Our fights are always stupid and seem to last forever, but when we are happy things are great. I mean…I love it when things are great between us. It reminds me why I came so far to be with him, but when things are bad…"
"You wonder if it's worth it?" Michelle finished. "Well, I don't know Daniel personally, and I don't know much about your relationship. What I do know is that a little fighting is completely normal, but if you guys are fighting as often as it sounds like, you need to address the issue. Have you talked with him about it?"
Kashoku shook her head. "We've talked about it once or twice, but not really."
"Well, then you need to start with that. You've been dating long enough to know whether or not this is going to work long-term, you just have to see if you can answer yourself honestly. But enough of this, it's depressing! We're supposed to be pampering ourselves today!" She grinned as she took another sip of her wine. "What should we do next?"
Kashoku gave an unknowing shrug. "I don't really know."
"Oh!" Her eyes lit up. "We should totally do a complete makeover. I mean, with all your traditional up bringing you've probably never really had a transformation. Now that you are branching out into the real world, you should have a new look to show for it!"
Kashoku was intrigued, but had no idea what a makeover entailed. "So, what exactly do we do?"
"Your hair! We should totally get your hair done! My stylist is usually pretty booked, but I totally bet I can call in a favor, hold on." Michelle was quickly reaching for her phone and putting it up to her ear.
Kashoku wondered what exactly Michelle planned to do to her hair. She couldn't ever remember having anything different than what it currently was, but she was curious. There were so many different fashions on Earth that there were endless possibilities. What she ended up with, however, was not what she had expected.
"Come in," Hammond's voice called from behind his office door.
Connors entered, standing at parade rest behind the general's desk. "Sir."
Hammond motioned for him to take a seat. "I hear Major Rafe is doing just fine."
Connors sat and gave a nod. "Yes, sir. Spoke with him a few moments ago. He was being discharged."
"So what's on your mind, son?" He asked with folded hands.
Connors rubbed absently at his chin. "I want clearance for Kage."
Hammond looked away with a soft huff. "Colonel, a few good mission reports isn't enough to get her off-base access."
"I'm not asking for full clearance, sir. I just need a restricted pass. She would always be under full surveillance of the team," he assured.
Hammond straightened out of curiosity. "Why the sudden request?"
"It's no secret that my team is full of hot-heads, sir. We are the delinquents, and sometimes my delinquents tend to stray a little. My methods for team-bonding are somewhat unconventional, but they work," Connors explained.
"And these unconventional methods require off-base access," Hammond continued on for him. Connors simply nodded in response. With an unsure sigh he responded, "I make no promises on what the Pentagon will agree to given her track record."
"I understand, sir," Connors nodded and rose out of his chair.
"I'll let you know when I know, then." Connors turned to leave, but Hammond stopped him. "And Colonel…Is there something that happened on this last mission I should know about?"
Connors lifted his chin. "Nothing that isn't already in the mission report, sir."
Hammond narrowed his eyes in doubt, but nodded. "Dismissed."
Kashoku couldn't stop looking at herself in the mirror. She wasn't even sure she was looking at herself anymore. She had expected a cut, a different style, but this. Instead of cutting her hair they added fake strands to it, giving it fullness and length, and they had changed the color of her hair. That kind of thing was not heard of on Spira. Instead of the honey brown her hair used to be, it was a light blonde. She looked nothing like herself.
"Look at you!" Michelle beamed. "New, hair, new outfit! You look so young and fresh! Daniel won't be able to resist you, now!"
Kashoku had to admit that it did make her feel younger and fresh, and the royal blue of her romper really made everything pop with the shade of her hair. She wasn't even sure if it was possible, but her eyes looked wider than ever. "It's so different! It's going to take a while to get used to it but…" She turned and smiled, "I think I like it!"
"I have the night off, so we should totally get the guys and hang out at McCabe's to celebrate the new you! Invite Daniel!" She suggested.
Kashoku wondered what Daniel would think of her new look. "I don't know. Everyttime I do invite him out he never comes."
Michelle gave a shrug as she crossed her legs on the bench of the dressing room. "Never hurts to try. Today may be the day, right?"
Kashoku supposed it would be a peace offering if she invited him out after their fight from earlier. Running her hand through her long blonde locks she smiled with a nod. "Ok! I'll call and let him know."
"Great!" Michelle grinned. "I'll let the boys know, but first we need a new outfit for me!"
"But of course," Kashoku agreed. Carr had been absolutely right about his wife, but this was the most fun Kashoku had had in a very long time. Hanging out with her team was fun, but there was something to be said for being around another woman. Michelle tried on several combinations before finally settling on one and both women wearing their new outfits out. The sun was almost beneath the horizon when they pulled in to McCabe's. Kashoku hadn't heard back from Daniel, to her disappointment, but she wasn't going to let it ruin her night.
The pub was already buzzing with people, many of whom Kashoku recognized from around the SGC. It really was like their little hangout. Scanning the bar she spotted Wells, Carr, Bentley, and Ramirez around a pool table. Kashoku bumped Michelle's shoulder to get her attention, "There they are!"
"Great! I'll go get us some drinks and meet you over there," Michelle gave her arm a squeeze before heading for the bar.
Kashoku's heart was thumping wildly in anticipation. Would they like it? Or would they think it looked awful? Hands clasped behind her back she approached the table as Wells bent down to take a shot. "Hey guys!"
Wells botched the shot completely. Carr began choking on the beer he had been drinking, Bentley flashed a grin a mile wide before beginning a series of cat-calls, and Ramirez cocked in interested hip with a smirk.
"Well, well, puta!" Ramirez purred. "Look at you, all blonde and fierce."
"And here I thought you couldn't get anymore damn sexy, MHMMM!" Bentley licked his lips before receiving a pool stick to the gut from Ramirez. "Ouch!"
Carr finished with his coughing fit, pounding his fist to his chest a few more times for good measure before putting in his thoughts. "Wow. Michelle went to town on you."
Kashoku laughed, pleased that they all seemed to like it. "She certainly holds nothing back. A new look for the new me!" Her eyes flashed to Wells who hadn't said anything yet. He was in the process of lighting a new cigarette, his cheeks flushed red. She wondered if it was because he had been drinking, or something else. "Well? What do you think?"
He took a long drag of his cigarette before puffing out the smoke in three rings and smiling. "I think you make anything look beautiful."
Kashoku lowered her eyes bashfully before Michelle approached with two drinks and two shot glasses. "Shots?"
"We have catching up to do," she mentioned plainly, nodding towards all the empty glasses.
"Damn, girl, you make that hair work," a smooth voice spoke from across the table.
"There you are!" Ramirez spoke with a huff towards the newcomer, Rafe. "I've been having to play with this asshole since you decided to be late."
"Hey! We almost won…every time," Bentley grinned.
Ramirez rolled her eyes, "You mean every time you sunk the eight-ball in? Yeah. Ok."
"You said we were solids!" He argued back jokingly, purposely trying to irritate her.
Kashoku laughed as she picked up her shot and she and Michelle clunked glasses before downing the liquor. It was fire going down – whatever it was – but she managed not to cringe too much. "Do you play?"
"Me?" Michelle gave an offended snort. "Of course I play."
Not only did Michelle play, but she was almost as good as Wells who was the best player among them. She and Carr had almost beaten her and Wells – not like Kashoku really contributed any. Wells carried them with ease. With another game done Kashoku noticed several of them out of drinks. "I'll go get another round!" She placed her stick against one of the columns and began heading towards the bar. Not paying much attention to where she was going she collided with a large body. "Oh, I'm so-Teal'c!"
Teal'c was beaming down at her with an amused smile. "Kashoku Yoshiko…you have done something with your hair. And when we are off-base, I am known as Murray."
"Murray?" Kashoku laughed. "Well, ok, then. And it might be a little different. Daniel! You came!" Her heart fluttered in excitement at seeing him there, but it quickly slowed back down at his expression. "You don't like it?"
Daniel coughed and shook his head, "Ah-no-no, it's not that. It's just it's really different. I'll just have to get used to it, is all."
Kashoku tried to smile, but there was a clear disappointment in her face. Thankfully, Sam saved the day as she approached with a huge grin.
"Kash! Welcome to the blonde club!" She handed Teal'c and Daniel a beer, O'Neill hot on her heels.
"Thanks!" Kashoku grinned, her spirits bubbling once again.
Even Colonel O'Neill had something nice to say about it after a sip of his beer. "Can never have enough blondes, I always say."
"We're all playing pool, if you want to join," Kashoku offered.
"Oh, I haven't played in a while, that sounds great," Sam agreed.
"Don't let her or Daniel fool you," O'Neill warned, "They are sharks, I tell you. Sharks!"
"Well, Brandon and I have beaten everyone so far, so let's see them give it their best shot," she winked towards Daniel who only cleared his throat.
"You play?" He asked.
"Not well," she giggled. "Brandon kind of does everything. I'm pretty sure he just let's me have a turn so he can have a smoke break. I'm getting better, though. I'm going to get some more drinks and I'll be right over so we can play!" She beamed. Daniel, though, stayed behind.
He had his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "So…why did you do it?"
Kashoku got a foreboding sense of doom with his words. "I thought it would be fun. Changing hair color isn't really something we do on Spira, so when Michelle suggested it, I did it. Besides, I am trying to fit in here, so what better way than this?" The bartender approached her and she placed her order with a smile.
"You aren't fitting in, Kashoku, you are completely immersing yourself in Earth culture," he frowned disapprovingly.
Kashoku turned her body so that she was facing him, hand on her hip. "Why does that bother you? I thought that was the whole point, Daniel."
"You're completely throwing away your Spira culture!" He explained with tense shoulders behind wild hand movements.
"What?" Kashoku questioned in disgust. "How dare you accuse me of throwing away my heritage! I will always be Spiran, but I am not like Teal'c. I will not be limit myself to the confines of the SGC just to keep my authenticity intact!" The bartender returned with her drinks and she thanked him with a bright smile before shooting a glare back at Daniel. "We aren't fighting. I don't want to fight, Daniel."
"I don't either," he agreed, "but I just don't understand."
"Neither do I! Why are you so upset because I changed the color of my hair?"
"It has nothing to do with your hair, Kashoku, it's about the fact you are making all these life-altering decisions lately without me," he argued back.
Kashoku looked like she had been slapped. "Since when do I have to have your permission to do anything?"
"No! I-," Daniel rubbed his hand across his face. "I'm so bad at this. That's – that's not what I mean, either." Taking in a deep breath he re-collected his thoughts, trying to figure out how to put them together in the right manner. "We were supposed to do all of this together. I was supposed to show you Earth and all its wonders."
Kashoku's shoulders slumped and her gaze fell to the floor. "So that's what it's about. You're upset I'm seeing the world without you."
"Yes," Daniel breathed, finally able to get his point across.
Kashoku felt genuinely guilty, remembering their talks on Spira about it. All the things Daniel promised to take her to go see and do. None of it had happened, and there was never any talk of it now that she was here. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Daniel, I am, but I can't wait around for you forever."
"Do you mean that just for cultural experiences, or relationships, too?"
Kashoku's eyes darted up at him in surprise at the question. Her jaw clenched in irritation at the accusation as she gathered the drinks in her hands, shots in between her fingers. "There's a game to be played." She set the drinks down at the table. She could tell from all the looks they all suspected something, but she tried to put on her best smile to make it think their conversation was of a positive nature. Unfortunately, they hadn't been too discrete at a distance.
"You know," Michelle began as she approached the table. "I always find that the best way for a guy to realize how good he has it, is to make him think he might lose it."
"I would never cheat on Daniel," Kashoku said, shooting down her friend's suggestion.
"I didn't say that," she said defensively. "I'm just saying…guys love blondes. And you know what they say: Blondes have more fun."
Kashoku didn't know they said that, but she wasn't going to bring that up. She didn't want to hurt Daniel, despite their dispute. But…maybe she should remind him how easy it would be to lose her. Flipping her hair over her shoulder she grabbed two shot glasses and strutted over to Wells with a smile, handing him one of the glasses. "To victory."
Wells gave a smug smile, his hand holding the shot snaking around her arm so that they were linked together before taking the shot simultaneously. "To victory."
"You can break," Kashoku smiled towards Daniel, who glared at her behind his glasses.
"We play winner!" Rafe called in quickly before anyone else could take claim.
"Why? So you can lose again?" Kashoku teased as Daniel racked the balls.
"Baby, we ain't gonna lose this time," Rafe promised. "Wells can't carry you forever!"
Wells gave a playful snort. "You wanna put drinks on that, sir?"
"Wells, I know your strategy," Rafe admitted. "You use this pretty little thing as distraction, and I'll admit it works pretty damn well."
"I don't know what you mean," Kashoku hummed as she bent over the pool table, positioning her stick at the cue ball and giving her hips a shake.
"I do!" Bentley raised a hand and then turned towards Ramirez. "Baby, why don't you ever do that for me, huh? I'd do it for you!"
"Go ahead. It'll be easier to ram the stick up your ass that way," Ramirez responded, drawing an eruption of laughter from her peers.
"Oh the EO violations I could report from this," O'Neill hummed.
Sam smiled and gave a nod, "I would say so, sir." Teal'c stood beside her, grinning at the banter between teammates.
"I won't tell if you won't, sir," Carr grinned.
"With the way you all act, you'd think you were enlisted and not officers," he rebutted playfully, having no real intentions of telling on anyone.
"Because some of us were!" Bentley grinned as he held his drink up in cheers.
Daniel was not amused by any part of the conversation, eyes locking with Kashoku before she shot. She didn't make it, but she left very little choice for Sam in the way of play-making.
The game went on, the two teams fairly even. O'Neill had been right in saying Sam and Daniel made a good team. Kashoku had not played much in the way of offense, but had done a good job defensively. It was her shot and her options were well…there wasn't really any. She looked at the table thoughtfully before leaning down and lining up in front of a ball, but she began questioning it. A warm body pressed up against her and adjusted her pole.
"You'll have to shoot it like that to make this shot," Wells told her.
Kashoku pressed back slightly, contemplating it, but realizing it was not a shot she could do. "What about behind my back?"
Wells nodded as he pulled his cigarette from his mouth. "You'll get the easiest angle that way, but it's harder to control the stick."
Kashoku hopped up onto the table and readjusted her stick.
"Hey! One foot on the ground at all times!" O'Neill called out.
"We all agreed she could be the exception," Carr explained. "Otherwise, it would be a little unfair."
Kashoku stuck her tongue out playfully as she crossed her legs and rolled her shoulders back to get her lower back out of the way of the stick. She knew that the position was suggestive, and she looked up at Daniel and then smirked at Wells before sinking the ball with her shot.
"Nice shot!" Sam praised.
Daniel looked like he was holding his tongue as he sucked in a deep breath and looked away from Kashoku. She swallowed, realizing that maybe she was overdoing it. Hoping off the table she began evaluating her next move, her body stiff and straight as she prepared for the next shot. She missed, not to her surprise.
Suddenly, Kashoku wasn't having fun anymore.
It had almost been impossible to catch Rafe alone away from the rest of the team, but two days after the incident, Kage was able to catch him in the gym on his own. He was lifting weights as she hesitantly approached him. "Hey."
He looked over and smiled as he continued to pump out the reps. "Hey, yourself."
Kage placed her hands in her back pockets. "I'm…I'm sorry."
Rafe stopped. Putting down the weights he picked up his towel and wiped at his forehead. "We've all been there."
Kage scoffed. "You've almost gotten someone killed?"
"Sure," Rafe answered with a shrug. "We all have. Why do you think Colonel Connors thought you'd fit right in?"
Kage's eyes narrowed in uncertainly. "So what, Connors thinks he can just tame everyone?"
Rafe laughed, "The Colonel ain't tamed nobody. He just knows how to re-direct. We've all disobeyed direct orders, but we pay the price. You've just got decide if you are willing to pay it." Taking a swing of his water he stood. "You look like you could vent a little. Why don't you take it out on me?"
"So…we're good?" Kage asked cautiously.
Rafe grinned, "Yeah, we good. And don't worry about Bentley and Ramirez. They'll be over it by tomorrow. Come on, I ain't gonna hold out on you this time."
Daniel watched as O'Neill stretched his arms up towards the blue sky of Tullin, breathing in the crisp morning air. They had yet to approach any civilization, but they were walking along a trail that held human footprints. The grass was bright green, and although there were plenty of trees around, they weren't in the middle of a forest which was refreshing.
"Remind me to have one less beer next time," O'Neill muttered as he cracked his neck.
"I attempted to tell you to stop while you were ahead more than once, O'Neill," Teal'c mentioned casually.
"Yeah, yeah," O'Neill scoffed.
Sam laughed. "It was fun last night, sir."
"For some," O'Neill agreed, casting a glance towards Daniel who was seemingly ignoring the conversation. "Daniel?"
"Hm?"
"Not that it's any of my business…,"
Daniel sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "Then why are you asking?"
"Daniel, I expected the two of you to be all over each other last night to the point of making me physically nauseous, and instead you both completely ignore each other. So shoot me if I'm a little more than curious," O'Neill explained.
"Everything between you two ok?" Sam questioned hesitantly.
"As much as I appreciate your concern, it really is none of your business," Daniel shot back.
"Do you want some advice?" O'Neill asked as he casually walked along.
With an irritated sigh Daniel removed his glasses to begin cleaning them. "No, but you're going to give it anyway."
O'Neill grinned before turning serious. "Daniel, I'll be the first to admit that I didn't really approve of the two of you in the beginning, but I think we'll all agree that the two of you had a…connection," he accompanied the word with air quotes. "And I think in some parallel universe that I'm sure Carter could give you coordinates to, the two of you are hitting it off nicely.
"But?"
"But, I think we all expected Kashoku's presence at the SGC would be a lot like Teal'c, and it's not."
Teal'c gave an agreeing incline of his head. "Indeed, Kashoku Yoshiko has shown a high interested in assimilating with your culture, and has succeeded in doing so."
"So what are you trying to say, Jack?" Daniel asked as he put his glasses back on.
"I'm saying that you are a 35-year-old guy who is ready to settle down in his life when he's not gallivanting across the galaxy, and she's someone who has the appearance of a 21-year-old. And what do 21-year-olds like to do, Daniel? They like to drink, and party, and have no attachments," he said. Daniel gave no verbal response, but the slump in his shoulders told it all. "Look, I'm not saying it won't work itself out, but just think about it." He placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder.
Daniel gave a nod. "Yeah."
He couldn't stop thinking about it.