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Chapter 2

***I do not own anything here, all characters belong to MGM, I just play with them now and again.*****

Vala was still standing in the middle of her room staring at the door five minutes after Daniel left. Had Daniel just kissed her? Without her kissing him first, one of them being injured, or lost? Vala stared at the door a moment longer and then shook her head. If she lived another 100 years she would never, ever figure out Daniel Jackson.

After a restless night, Vala awoke grumpy and feeling out of control. Since the Tok'ra had removed Qetesh from her body, Vala had made sure she was in control of every aspect of her life. She needed control at any price, even using her body from time to time to control others. Since joining the SGC, Vala had still felt in control. Scientists like Bill Lee appreciated her knowledge, the military personnel were always good for a casual laugh or discussion of battle tactics, and the cooking staff was always showing her what would be a great snack. It was only Daniel that she still felt out of control around. His blue eyes seemed to pierce her very soul and she always felt he could see through her every defense and she wasn't sure he liked what he saw. It made her more outrageous than usual. She wasn't really the sexual flirt that she became around Daniel. She just didn't want him to look too closely at her for fear he might not like what he saw.

"now Vala get a grip" Vala faced herself in the mirror. "that kiss was… it was….. well I am not sure what it was, but Daniel didn't mean anything by it I am sure!." Smiling at mirror, Vala adjusted her soft blue sweater and turned for the door. "now if I can just figure out what he is up to!" Vala tugged her door open.

"who are you talking to Vala?" Daniel was standing in her doorway, hands braced on either side of the door. He glanced into the room. "no one huh?" His mischievous grin left her speechless. Daniel leaned towards her and gently kissed her on the lips. "Good morning Vala, how did you sleep?" Daniel straightened and leaned against the doorjamb.

Vala slowly closed her door and moved to stand in front of Daniel. He seemed so smug this morning! Time to show Dr. Jackson who was in charge.

"Hello darling" Vala moved until their bodies were almost touching and she could feel his breath in her hair. "did you sleep well? My night could have been better….if you were there." She slid a hand up his chest and pressed one finger to his chin. Vala waited for Daniel's usual brush off.

Daniel looked into Vala's eyes and realized she was trying to regain the upper hand. He realized that if they were going to have a relationship, it would only happen once she stopped using defense mechanisms. Time to upset the balance again. He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her against him. He breathed in the scent of her hair and nuzzled her cheek on his way to finding her lips again. This time the kiss was anything but brief and casual. He indulged himself in enjoying the feel of her body against his and the fire that her lips were igniting on his. Both of Daniel's arms wrapped around Vala and she found herself hanging on to him for support. Damn that archaeologist could kiss! Vala found herself lost in his kiss.

Time seemed to stand still for Daniel as he found himself devouring her mouth. He had never felt this way with a woman before, as if he HAD to have her and only her. He had loved Sha're with all of his idealistic heart. She had shown him the first real love and family he had found since his parents deaths. Had the Goa'uld not taken her, he would have happily remained with her for the rest of his days. But Sha're was a far cry from Vala, each woman had their own strengths and each appealed to him in a different way. While he loved Sha're, he had never felt she was his equal intellectually. Whereas he had days where he wasn't sure that he was Vala's equal in any way; she always kept him guessing.

"WOAH!!! What is going on here! " Cam's bellow caused Vala to jump, but instead of completely releasing Vala, Daniel left one arm around her as he turned to Cam.

"Just saying good morning, Cam" Daniel couldn't tell who was more surprised by his jaunty reply, Vala or Cam. "Did you need us for anything?" Still holding on to Vala, Daniel turned and headed towards the mess hall.

Cam followed the couple with narrowed eyes, he and Jackson were going to have to have a "talk". He had "the band back together" and the "extra back-up singer" and he LIKED it that way. When he thought of those frustrating weeks before he convinced Jackson, Sam, and Teal'c to return to SG1, well- he was not going to let a little romance screw it up! He and Jackson were going to have that talk and soon!

Vala silently walked beside Daniel trying to figure out what was happening. She enjoyed being close to Daniel, but was unsure just what he was up to. How did he get the upper hand this time? And did he really mean what he was doing? Was he simply trying to scare her off? If he didn't mean it, how would she survive the broken heart?

Daniel was enjoying the silence from both Cam and Vala. He was sure he could hear her thinking as she was walking beside him. He knew that Cam was dying to have a "talk" with him about how this was going to affect the "team dynamics". Daniel also noticed the looks from the other personnel they passed. Yes he was often with Vala, but he usually didn't have one arm holding her to him rather possessively. Daniel decided he didn't care how everyone else was reacting, the fact that Vala was quietly going along with him was key. He had taken back control, for now.

***A/N*** thanks for the reviews… this will be it for a couple of weeks (if the bunny lets me do my coursework! :P) so enjoy! R&R please.