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They were now all alone in Daniel's apartment.

After ice skating yesterday, Daniel knew it was only a matter before one of them would be making a move on the other. Her sudden, earnest declaration that she would be there for him had struck him to the core. It was clear that she was feeling much the same way he was. Was he still nervous in the same way she'd remained nervous on the ice? Sure. But he was gaining some confidence, and he was ready to start moving forward.

With that, he'd invited her to spend the night before Christmas at his apartment. Her eyes had widened in surprise, and he quickly backtracked to make it clear that this wasn't what it sounded like. Really, it wasn't! He wasn't suggesting they sleep together or anything - he just didn't think she ought to spend her Christmas Eve virtually alone on base. He'd give her his bedroom for the night and sleep out on the couch. Then, he'd have one less stop to make in the morning. Perfectly logical decision.

That clear, she had accepted his invitation. After finishing work, somewhat earlier than usual, he walked up to Vala's quarters to pick her up - and then remembered the mistletoe. This time, he didn't think he'd mind being underneath it with Vala... He glanced up at the top of the doorframe when she opened the door, only to find it bare. He then looked back at her face. It bore an amused expression.

"Looking for something?" she'd asked with a bit of a smirk.

He raised an eyebrow in return. "I seem to recall some discussion about... mistletoe."

Her eyes just twinkled with mischief. "I took it down. General Landry was somewhat unnerved."

I'll bet he was. Daniel thought, smothering a grin before grabbing Vala's bag as she picked up the presents she'd purchased.

They'd gone to his house quickly, but weren't alone at first - Cam and Teal'c came over at Daniel's request for the evening. They ate pizza (I'm really looking forward to an actual meal tomorrow) and then all sat playing card games around his little kitchen table. Vala won big at poker, to no one's surprise, but Teal'c smoked them all at Blackjack. Vala was soon requesting that they switch back to poker.

Instead, Cam suggested they watch another Christmas movie. This time, it was Home Alone. Vala cackled over the elaborate traps the accidentally abandoned boy set. Daniel could swear she was taking notes for future mischief. Teal'c, on the other hand, asked if someone like this boy could be recruited for future military maneuvers. Daniel hoped not.

When the movie was over, Teal'c suggested that he and Colonel Mitchell leave. He was going to stay in Cam's guest bedroom for the night. Daniel hoped he didn't seem too eager when he agreed with Teal'c that they would "need rest for the morning." Cam readily agreed, and they all said good night.

Daniel closed his front door after watching the two men get into Cam's truck. Finally, he thought, ready to hash things out with Vala. He turned around.

She wasn't there.

Remembering the last time she had disappeared right under his nose, he quickly jumped from nervousness to panic. Where did she go? He skimmed the room before making his way towards his bedroom. "Vala?" he called as he entered the bedroom.

He stopped short. Oh my gosh. She was lazily stretched out on the bed - his bed. She was actually still decently attired (which both surprised and slightly disappointed him), but there was something about seeing her so comfortable there. In his bed. With no plans to leave until morning.

Vala looked up at him and smiled.

A sudden heat rose in him again. Her smile was anything but innocent. It was mischievous, somewhat seductive, and somehow - a bit nervous? She was up to something. That made him nervous again, but after the last few days, he needed something like this to happen. He couldn't keep dancing around the tension anymore. It's time.

Then, she glanced up, and smirked. "You seem to have a little something on your door, Daniel."

He looked up in turn.

Ah.

There's the mistletoe.

As he had definitely not put it there himself... she brought it!

And he was squarely beneath it.

He could turn and run in fear. But then, where on Earth would he run to? It was a small apartment, she would still need a ride, and in the end, all roads led to her. This was the final step towards the inevitable.

And so, Daniel looked straight at Vala, raising an eyebrow as his lips curved upwards. "Isn't there a rule about this stuff?" Jack would have been proud of his delivery.

But he was very, very glad that neither Jack nor anyone else was there as Vala slowly stood and walked up to him with a soft sway to her hips. "Oh, there is," she said, not seductively as he'd expected, but so very sweetly. "And as much I normally enjoy breaking rules, I think we'd best follow this one."

He ran his right hand through her long, silky hair, and then her lips were on him. Mouths quickly opened, and he pulled her to him in a tight embrace. He drank her in, enjoying the taste of mint and coffee and something indefinably her.

He didn't pull back until he needed a breath of air. They both gasped, clutching each other close as they sucked in much needed air.

"Even better than on Prometheus," he said when he'd finally caught his breath.

She smiled fully, her eyes lighter than they'd been in a while. "Well, this time I'm not going to knock you out." Then, she grinned devilishly, and he loved to see it. "Not the same way as last time, anyway."

He laughed and placed his hands on her lower back, pulling her into him more. "I don't know," he mused teasingly. "You really think you can actually knock me out any other way?"

Her eyebrows rose as she responded to the challenge. "Oh, Daniel. You have absolutely no idea."