Eleanor

Three hours later I had a warm dutch apple cake in my hands as I was standing in front of the large brownstone apartment building downtown. I was 10 minutes late, on purpose of course. Actually I was 20 minutes early, but I sat in my car around the corner where I found parking and waited, not wanting to seem desperate. It felt like an hour alone was dedicated to just making sure I had the perfect not so casual, casual look so I didn't come across as too easy to catch, but I clearly was still at my personal best. After a long debate in front of the mirror I had decided on a pair of jeans and a too casual for the office but clearly still putting effort into my appearance shirt. I still stood there fidgeting with the button of my cardigan working up the courage just to plunge right in and ring the buzzer of his door.

My previously curled work hair had gone frizzy in the shower, so I brushed it out and clipped half of it back up. I knew the lipstick was more than casual for just putting boxes in my car and dinner with a friend, but it drew attention to my mouth, and that was always good right? Plus the boxes had to be a cover, it couldn't have just been a friendly coworker invitation to do work things outside of work. Not with the smile and the eyes he gave me. But I was terrible at reading people, what if this whole time he really was just being nice, he really was just a work friend? It was now or never, and I stood there arguing with myself as my hand betrayed me and pushed the buzzer.

"Come on in! Third floor!" I heard back as the front door clicked.

Third floor. That's nice. A pretty view of the city. He'll probably see the fireworks for the Fourth of July soon in the park across the road. I knew I was trying to keep my mind busy. Take breaths, you're overreacting, it's just two friends. You're an idiot for shaving. I got to a glossy black shaker door and knocked twice, gripping the apple cake to the point of warping the throw away tin. I took one more deep breath and attempted a coquettish smile when the door opened.

"Eleanor Owens."

"Teal'c?" I couldn't help but hide the confusion in my voice.

"Yes." He raised a brow and I felt that pit in my stomach go from butterflies to rocks tumbling around. The idiocy of my inner voice thinking this would be more. He did in fact, quite literally, want help moving manuscripts.

"I made apple cake."

"I acquired beer."

"Let her in Teal'c," I heard Sam shout and he nodded as I followed him in.

"I made apple cake." I repeated like an idiot. "Should I put it in the kitchen or?" I slipped my shoes off and nudged them by the door.

"Oh! Yes! Thank you, um let me give you a quick tour." Daniel popped out from behind a brick wall and it was the first time I had truly seen him out of uniform. Simple jeans and a navy t-shirt. That was it, the sight of him, and the lump in my throat bobbed. He guided me through the worn brick hallway into the open kitchen and living space. His home smelled like bergamot and old leather books, carvings and tapestries were artfully arranged on every space of wall plaster that could possibly be covered. The floors were weathered and aged with rugs flung every which way in no specific arrangement. There was an entire wall of towering bookshelves that collected tomes in stacks and piles all packed in together as tightly as possible housing stories in dozens of languages I'd never begin to understand. Large multi square paneled windows framed the back wall leading out to a small patio, and cast the watercolor splashes of light from the sunset onto the tall beamed ceilings. In the center of the living space he had a brown leather sofa and two different sitting chairs where Sam was lounging and poking at a carton of take-away dumplings.

"You have a very uniquely you apartment," I blurted out and he cracked a grin in return.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's essentially a much nicer version of your office." I laughed, feeling surprised at how truly surprised I even was.

"I wouldn't go as far as to say a nicer version." Our eyes met and it felt so comfortably easy, like it was just the two of us. But, it wasn't, and I turned and saw Teal'c holding out a pre-piled plate and pair of chopsticks for me. I thanked him and took a seat on the far corner of the couch, tucking my feet under me and poking around the plate while my thoughts flowed internally.

He thought enough of you to invite you to his home, with his friends, to help him with a work project. Albeit he asked because you run the program he needs help with, but nonetheless he could have just brought the boxes to you himself. He trusts you enough to be here. And, gave you his private phone number. Although thanks to the roster we all have it, but he made a point to give it to you. Also, you made a big enough apple cake that you do not look like an idiot. Like you expected this many people to be here, so that's also a positive.

"Do you three do this frequently? Get together outside of work?"

"Every so often," Sam shrugged. "Usually it's just a good reason to get Teal'c out of the basements of the SGC. I feel like he's a prisoner cooped up there."

"I do not mind, it's quiet." Teal'c replied stoically

There was a quick knock and Daniel jumped up, "that'll be Jack." He cast a quick unreadable look to Sam and went to the door.

"How are you liking it so far?" Sam put her food down on the large metal coffee table and grabbed a bottle taking a small swig.

"Work is keeping me busy, there are quite a few challenges, but I enjoy it. Easily one of the most enjoyable work environments I've had, aside from the occasional workplace accidents and uh unexpected visitors." I winced and she let out a knowing chuckle. "And the city here is nice, with lots of food options. I didn't have that in Nevada without driving to Vegas, so I doubly appreciate that. I didn't love Las Vegas as much as many of my former colleagues."

Jack walked in and I felt the awkward glare across the room like a scarlet letter branded on my back. He breathed in as if he was going to say something but opted to leave. Teal'c started a line of questioning based on a movie he had recently watched and I went back to quietly digging around my plate, thanking the peking duck for keeping my mouth busy so I could just add the occasional head nod and shrug. By the time Daniel and Jack returned to our conversation, my meal was nearly finished.

Daniel set a glass of water down in front of me and I thanked him quietly, he returned the thanks with a quick shoulder touch as he passed. Jack took up sitting in the solitary chair across from Teal'c on the couch, and Daniel pulled a woven ottoman out for himself. I just observed the four, in their own world outside of work talking about movies and television shows that they enjoyed. I was like a fly on the wall, a fly that Jack O'Neill seemed to want to personally smash flat and I didn't understand why. Every so often I would feel a quick glance coming from Daniel, my eyes meeting his in a short secluded moment between us both. I took those moments to just appreciate him in this environment, in his home among his friends, laughing at misheard jokes or mockingly rolling his eyes at a playful jab. He looked so at ease. It was a stark contrast to the scholarly soldier that he often had to portray, but the humor in his face, the casualness in his demeanor, this was the Daniel that I caught quick conversations with at lunch or shared morning and afternoon coffee chats alongside. It made my heart ache with disappointment in myself for assuming that I was anything more than a workplace friend, but I also knew that if this was the Daniel that I could have, I'd selfishly take every moment with him I could and compromise my feelings entirely on my own.

"Do you fish Eleanor?" Jack turned including me for the first time since he entered the apartment and my eyes widened for a second before responding.

"Only for compliments."

Sam stifled her laugh with another drink from the bottle in front of her and Daniel met my eyes in amusement.

"I heard you have a wilderness background of sorts, I just thought fishing may be part of that."

"I can't say I've even ever picked up a rod, and my wilderness background is just light camping trips, fieldwork in travel yurts, and the occasional hike here and there."

"What was your fieldwork like?" He took a slow drink maintaining a predatory stare.

"Pretty standard for an undergrad I guess. I'm sure Daniel has much more interesting stories than I do." I shrugged, not wanting to delve deeply into the traumas of former positions.

"You were a photographer though?"

"Um, not professionally. I just would take pictures to document moments or of items we found."

"I saw the pictures behind your desk."

"Jack," Daniel's voice grew stern, like there was a tension between them both and it was growing thinner with each question.

"There isn't a whole lot to do in the New Mexican desert, so I, like every other student, lugged their camera around and played Ansal Adams in my time off. I sold my camera shortly after if you're looking for headshots." I tried to lighten the air jokingly.

"No," his body shifted, "there happen to be leaked photographs of images from test planes in Area-51 hangers made of old confiscated gou'ld ship parts. Thankfully, most members of the media just assume they're normal new test planes and think nothing of it. But, you have friends there right?"

"I wasn't allowed in the hangar bay, if that's what you're insinuating." I could feel the bite in my own tone at the suggestion.

"We would never suggest that," Sam cut Jack off before he began speaking again, looking over at him plead in her expression. "Isn't that right?"

"Yeah," he took another exaggerated drink. Sam quickly changed the topic and I made my way to the kitchen.

I began tossing empty bottles into recycling and boxing up the food to place in the fridge when Daniel followed back. "You don't have to do any of this. I can clean up later."

"It's not a big deal, I needed to stretch my legs." The truth was I felt like I was being interrogated and it was demeaning. I had gone above and beyond my position requirements, and I was being treated with hostility.

Daniel took my busied hands in his and my breath hitched. "I'm sorry about Jack, he's had a lot on his plate recently. Someone has been leaking information to the press and he's suspicious of everyone."

I just stared down at his cupped hands around mine, then back up to his face. "Why did you invite me tonight?" I blurted out wanting to kick myself as soon as I did.

"I have to take time to separate my work self with my everyday self, and I don't do it often enough. I do have boxes I need you to help me with but I wanted you to get to know all facets of me."

"Thank you," I said in more of a breath than a voice.

"You however," he turned and took the packed food and opened his fridge finding a place for them to reside, "seem to be sincerely you all the time."

"Honestly it's just because I'm not that interesting." I leaned against the counter and tried to play off my insecurities as self deprecating humor.

"That's the first lie you've said all night," he teased. I felt that familiar flutter that I would curse later when I relived this moment alone.

"Could you grab me another beer while you're in there?!" I heard Jack call out.

"I should probably head home," I noted checking the time on his oven clock.

"You're not staying for dessert?" For a moment I thought there was a hint of suggestion, and I swallowed it down, locking it away with my wild imagination.

"It's all yours," I reflexively pursed my lips tightly together to keep from saying more, and walked out for a quick goodbye to the others.

After, he helped me carry the two extra boxes out to my car and loaded them in while I slid into the driver's seat. He closed the trunk and leaned into my window, the warm air fogging his glasses as pulled them down the tip of his nose.

"Thanks for tonight, your house is very you, like a cozy sexy museum." My face flushed and a cheeky grin spread across his as he stood up and his hands slid into his pockets.

"Cozy and sexy?"

"Oh stop," I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure lots of women are charmed by the exposed brick and Roman pottery."

"I think you have the wrong impression of me."

"Good night Daniel," I smiled softly and he returned the look as he started back down the street toward his apartment. I pulled out and exhaled a deep breath I'd felt as if I'd been holding since I had parked the car. "So, I think that probably clears things up." I muttered to myself as I drove back to my house. "That's okay. I can be a friend. I, I like being a friend. I probably need that more anyway."