Author's Note - I've decided to continue this story, and although it may take some time for me to finish it, I thought I'd post Chapter 2 now.

Hope you enjoy.

Jack O'Neill stepped out of Cheyenne Mountain for the first time in three days and took a deep breath of the clean crisp air. It had been a long few months, setting up the base but it felt like finally they were there.

Hammond was up to speed on everything, Jack had sorted out the first few teams who would be going through the Gate, Carter had her science teams up and Jackson had his translation team ready to go.

"Sorry," Sha're said as she appeared at his side, "I was finishing work Dan'iel asked me to pick up while he is off."

Jack nodded, "No problem. Let's get out of here and let Sara remember what we look like."

She gave him a smile and they headed to his jeep. While he drove, Sha're sat staring out the window and he was sure he had an idea what she was thinking about.

From the moment Daniel Jackson had joined them, Sha're had brought his name up in just about every conversation they had. Sara had threatened him with sleeping in the garden if he dared say anything to the younger woman. If Sha're had a small crush then it was a good thing, considering what had happened to her in the past nine months. Jackson seemed like a nice guy, technically older than her but considering a year on Sha're's planet was longer than Earth's it equalled out. He wasn't sure if Jackson had any interest in her, only because he hadn't seen them in a room together, but did know that he'd insisted on learning how to speak Abydonian as well as Goa'uld.

Outside of that, Jackson was good at his job. Despite being young, he knew his own mind and Jack had already witnessed him putting older scientists in their place when they tried to take over meetings.

The one thing that Jack discovered accidentally was that the other man had been living at the base since he'd joined them, he had thrown himself into setting things up as well as going over everything they already had, not taking any time to find a place to live.

When Jack mentioned this to her, Catherine arranged an apartment for him, then Jack banished him from the base for three days to move in and sort it the way he liked. It also got the younger man to spend some time in the fresh air.

Reaching the house, Jack swung the jeep into the driveway. They had a few days off themselves before he started leading his team, SG1, off-world.

x

Daniel looked around his new apartment Catherine had found for him. It was a very nice place. Quite big, with a balcony off the living room and kitchen. It did only have one bedroom, but it wasn't like he expected guests.

He'd been sent out of the base for the next three days to get settled in, and because someone felt he was working too hard. In reality, Daniel was enjoying himself because this was the work he'd wanted to do when he was a child, when his parents had been alive it was his dream to work by their side.

Being an agent who had to change his identity constantly as he moved around was not something he had ever expected and sometimes he wanted to just be him.

With so little belongings, Daniel was moved in within the first few hours. Since he was being himself then he was able to display the photograph of his parents that he normally kept hidden in a safety deposit box along with their diaries and wedding rings. Now he had to find something to keep himself occupied for the next few days before he was allowed back to work.

As he was about to make himself something to drink, his phone buzzed.

You have time off, the message read, report to provide update.

Sighing in annoyance, Daniel grabbed his wallet and keys before heading down to his car. He checked the address on his phone before pulling out the parking space, annoyed that he wasn't getting at least a day of peace, but he knew he had no choice.

Reaching the address he'd been given, he parked the car, and another message appeared giving him further instructions.

Why did everything have to be so complicated?

After a ten-minute walk, Daniel found an office building and walked in. The receptionist looked at him expectantly.

"I have an appointment with Mr Smith," Daniel stated.

"Name?"

Forcing himself not to roll his eyes, Daniel replied, "Mark Jones."

She looked at the screen and nodded before handing him a pass, "Take the elevator on the left and go to floor ten. Conference room, Applewood."

Daniel took the pass and followed the instructions, finding the conference room and took a seat waiting. After a minute the door opened, and Smith walked in.

"Report."

"There's not much," Daniel told him, "I've been working on setting up the department as per the job I was hired for."

Smith grimaced, "So, you've not ingratiated yourself in with the people you are there to 'befriend'?"

"I've barely met Carter, we work in different areas, O'Neill is rarely outside his office or the General's other than to eat and doesn't like scientists," Daniel explained.

Smith mused for a few seconds before asking, "Which of the women have you decided is best for a seduction play?"

"Sha're," he replied shortly.

Smith frowned, "Who?"

"The one you called Cheri, her name is pronounced Sha're," Daniel explained, "She's been assigned to me as my aide, so we have plenty of time together."

Smith motioned him to continue, "And?"

"And nothing has happened yet," Daniel told him.

"Really?" Smith looked confused, "You normally don't take this much time. I remember on one mission it took you less than thirty-five minutes to charm one of your marks."

"Sha're is not only young, but inexperienced. She's also from a culture where her father would arrange her marriage," Daniel explained, "She's not going to just fall into bed with me, no matter how charming I am."

"Then your plan is?"

"You told me I'll be there for months, likely years," Daniel stated, "She's not the bored wife of a diplomat who can be easily swayed by someone simply paying attention to her. This works better slowly."

Smith grimaced before nodding, "Fine. Next, you need to get on one of the off-world teams."

"What?"

Smith stared at him.

Daniel sighed, "I was sent in as an academic, I would have acted differently if I'd known you wanted that."

"Work it out," Smith told him, "Dismissed."

As Smith left the room, Daniel groaned. Now he had to think of some way to get himself onto an SG team.

That was not going to be easy, especially as O'Neill hated scientists.

"Can I help you, Dr Jackson?"

Jack leaned back in his chair looking at the head of the archaeology department standing in the doorway to his office.

"I…" Jackson said hesitantly, bouncing slightly nervously before straightening himself and stating, "I've been thinking that the off-world teams should include someone not only able to speak, but also learn other languages that may be encountered, and who can determine the cultural significance of any ruins or artefacts found."

Jack frowned, "Yeah, not my main priority."

"It should be," Jackson stated stubbornly, "You can't just start running around pointing guns at people, because you don't understand them. I know the customs of multiple cultures who likely will have been transplanted from Earth, I also speak over twenty languages which will soon include two more since I'm learning Abydonian and Goa'uld."

Grimacing, Jack knew he had no choice, "Fine, I will speak to General Hammond about this. But you will need to be fit enough to keep up with us and learn how to protect yourself as well as your team."

Jackson gave a slight amused smile, "When I was at school, in order to pass the class, I ran track. I still do. Plus, I had to be able to use a gun on dig sites for protection."

"Good to know," Jack replied.

Jackson nodded and left the room again. Jack grimaced, he did not want a civilian on his team, but knew if he didn't speak to Hammond about it, Jackson would. He'd learned through Sha're's almost constant chatter about the guy, that he was tenacious and would not let this go.

x

Daniel let out a slow breath once he left O'Neill's office, he was annoyed that Smith hadn't given him this information at the beginning of the assignment. This was not the straightforward job he expected. He had no real way of getting in with Carter, their specialities were far too different for it to be easy to start talking to her while O'Neill was too military and didn't care about Daniel's work.

But if he was put on SG1 then he would be able to work his way into their lives as a colleague they had to spend time with.

Reaching his office, Daniel smiled to himself to see Sha're sitting in her small section studying one of his books.

He was stunned by how beautiful she was and wished that he didn't have to get close to her because he was ordered to. She was someone who he wanted to get to know better for himself. A feeling he'd never had before around any woman he'd known.

But he also knew he had no choice. He knew that Smith would have sent more than just him into the SGC who would report back if he didn't follow orders.

"Dan'iel," Sha're said, seeing him standing there, "How did it go?"

He shrugged, "I'm not sure, but I think O'Neill will talk to General Hammond."

"Of course he will," she smiled.

Grabbing some coffee from the fresh pot that Sha're must have made between him going to see O'Neill and returning, Daniel settled down to do some work.

He hated how much he loved working here because not only was he spying on people he was working close with, but he would have to leave at some point.

It was almost two hours later that Daniel became aware of someone else entering his office.

"Colonel," Daniel said when he saw the man standing there, "What can I do for you?"

"I spoke with Hammond," O'Neill said, "And he agrees with you."

Unbidden the smile touched his lips, "He does?"

"Don't be smug," O'Neill stated, "Especially since you've been assigned to SG1, so it means I expect you to be able to keep up with the rest of us."

Daniel grimaced.

"Be nice, Jack," Sha're spoke up from her desk.

Daniel watched as the older man turned and gave her an innocent shrug. It was the first interaction he'd seen between them and the clear affection for Sha're that O'Neill held was intriguing.

"I'm just here to let Dr Jackson know that our mission has been postponed until Friday so I can be sure he is not only fit enough to keep up with us, but is also prepped with all weapons," Jack grinned at Daniel, "Oh nine hundred tomorrow morning in the gym."

"I'll be there," Daniel told him.

O'Neill left the office and Sha're moved to him, "I told you they would agree."

"You were right," Daniel smiled at her.

She touched his hand, "And do not worry, I will speak to Sara tonight to ensure he is not too hard on you."

Daniel smiled, gently touching her cheek, "I don't think I'll need that, but thank you."

x

Jack stood just outside Jackson's office watching the small interplay between him and Sha're. He knew Sha're had a crush on Jackson, but from the few moments he'd witnessed it seemed that Jackson was taken with her. Knowing the culture Sha're came from, this was something that was probably outside her experience and Jack had promised to look after her when her family had died, so he would get Sara to talk to her. Make sure she wasn't being pressured into something she wasn't ready for.

Not that he didn't trust Jackson, from what he'd seen the guy didn't seem the type who would do that to her, but Jack had always been overprotective of his people and Sha're was now his family.

He was looking forward to seeing what Jackson could do and kept thinking of having Teal'c put him through his paces, it would be fun for him to watch anyway.

Daniel sighed in relief to be back in the SGC.

It had been a hard day traipsing around in the mud, trying to find where the signal they'd detected was coming from only to find a downed ship that was almost completely destroyed giving off a dying signal. Carter had found some things that she felt might be useful, but it had been a total waste of time from a cultural point of view.

However, for Daniel it had been useful for him to get to know the other members of his 'team' and start on getting them to trust him. Carter was easy, they had different specialities, but he found someone who he could bounce ideas off of and who he could work through theories with. Despite being military, she was quite an open person, who Daniel found was happy to talk with him about anything.

O'Neill was a little harder, but using the knowledge about his son and the fact Daniel himself was an orphan helped soften the man's attitude towards him. He ensured he added a few mannerisms whenever he talked to the older man that would remind him of his lost son, which would subconsciously bond him to Daniel.

Teal'c was the hardest to get to know. The former First Prime of Apophis was very closed off, and getting anything out him was like trying to get blood out of a stone. Daniel was still musing how to ingratiate himself in with the Jaffa and had an idea hearing about the meditation that Teal'c did each night but just had to get it firm in his mind first.

"Welcome home, SG1," Hammond stated, "How did things go?"

"It was wet, muddy and a complete waste of time," Jack stated before conceding, "Well, Carter picked up a few toys but other than that nothing that would help us fighting the Gould."

"Dr Jackson?" Hammond asked.

Daniel grimaced, "As much as I hate to agree, Colonel O'Neill is right. There was nothing of any cultural significance there."

"Report to the infirmary," Hammond told them.

Since the age of fourteen, Daniel had been trained to survive on little sleep, but there were days after missions when he felt utterly exhausted. And he'd only been on the team for a month so far.

"Welcome home, SG1," Dr Fraiser said as they trudged into the room, "Grab a bed."

As they all took a seat, Daniel could see the staff were running about and there seemed to be a quarantine set up.

"What's happening?" he asked the nurse who passed them their scrubs.

She glanced over at the section before replying, "SG3 came back from their last mission and have developed some kind of illness. We've set up a quarantine, no need to worry just now."

"It's the 'just now' that worries me," O'Neill noted.

They each closed the curtain to change into their scrubs, and Daniel sat wondering what was happening.

x

Daniel chewed on the end of his pen as he studied the statue in front of him, suddenly aware that Sha're was in the office as well. He could hear her shifting around which confused him because she was normally as focussed as he was when working. Daniel looked round surprised to find her standing right in front of him.

"Are you alright?" Daniel asked, seeing she seemed to be perspiring slightly and breathing heavily, "Sha're?"

He was stunned as her lips were suddenly on his and she climbed into his lap. Catching her so she didn't fall off him, Daniel tried to end the kiss without hurting her, except he was trapped between her and the desk. He felt Sha're's hand slide under his t-shirt and knew he had no choice, otherwise something would happen that once she was in her right mind would embarrass her.

Daniel shoved himself forward, standing and managed to pull away from her. Pushing Sha're off him, he grimaced when she dropped to the floor then let out a growl and he could see her face was changing. She charged at him suddenly, grabbing him and Daniel let out an oomph as he landed on the ground with her on top of him. Feeling her lips on his neck, Daniel rolled them. He stood and caught her hand, pulling her up, throwing her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift before starting to the infirmary.

x

Jack grimaced as he watched Carter squirming on the bed, wincing at the scratches on his neck from her. That was going to be an interesting conversation with his wife.

"Medic," Jackson's voice came as he appeared with Sha're slung over his shoulder who was struggling to get away.

"What happened?" Jack demanded, helping him move her to a bed and seeing she was infected with whatever this was as well.

Jackson grimaced, "She attacked me, from what I can tell she was trying to mate with me."

Jack frowned.

"I didn't do anything," Jackson assured him before asking, "What happened to you?"

"Carter," Jack explained, getting a nod as Fraiser appeared, "Doc?"

She shook her head, "I don't know. I am working on it but right now I only have theories."

Daniel looked at where Sha're was struggling against the restraints they'd put on her, "What can we do to help?"

"I need to check everyone's blood," she told them, "You're going to give a sample."

"And?" Jack asked.

She sighed, "Stay out of the way."

They nodded before Daniel caught the doctor's arm, "Can I sit with Sha're?"

Fraiser nodded, "Of course. Just be careful."

Jack smiled slightly as he watched the younger man sit at Sha're's side, concern on his face while Jack headed to talk to Hammond.

"How you feeling?"

Daniel looked up to see O'Neill standing at the foot of the infirmary bed he was forced to stay in, "Still a slight headache and a little bruised, but I'm okay. How is everyone else doing?"

"Trying to get their heads round what happened, while Carter is avoiding me," he shrugged, "I'm about to head home for the first time in a week to tell my wife what happened, with a large bunch of flowers."

"How does that work?" Daniel asked before clarifying, "How much does she know about what we do here?"

O'Neill gave a slight smirk, "The basics, but she knows enough. Since I had Sha're staying with me when we got back together, I had to explain that. She has been given clearance so we can let her know what's going on. It was one of the things I insisted on when I took the job."

"Must be nice," Daniel sighed, "Having someone to share the chaos we see with."

The older man nodded.

"What about you?" O'Neill asked, "You managed to make some friends outside the base since you got here?"

"I don't exactly spend much time outside the base," Daniel shrugged, "If I'm not on missions, or training, I have a lot of work to do."

A frown developed on the other man's face, "Look, I like that you're invested but the last thing I need is you burning out. When did you last have a day off?"

Daniel grimaced; he liked being in the base because there was less chance that someone in the agency was watching him. He knew there were other agents in the base, but considering how much he had to work at the job he'd been hired to do, it was doubtful they could watch him without drawing attention to themselves.

"You've been talking to Fraiser," Daniel finally said.

Shrugging O'Neill admitted, "She's worried you're overworking and will burn yourself out."

"This is how I always work," Daniel replied, knowing it wasn't the best answer he could give.

"The deal is," Jack told him, "That you will have the next week off. Go fishing or something. From now on when SG1 is stood down, then you leave the base. I will be checking on you and I will recruit Sha're to spy for me."

Daniel chuckled softly, before he sighed. Not what he wanted but it meant the colonel did care that Daniel was healthy.

It was a start."

"Okay," Daniel said, "Once the doctor releases me, then I will take a week off."

x

Entering his office so he could set things up for his week off, Daniel frowned when Sha're jumped at his presence.

"I didn't think you would be here," she whispered, eyes down and he could see the blush on her cheeks.

Daniel stayed back from her and replied, "I'm just sending a few things to Dr Ellis to pick up in my absence." He paused before asking, "Are you okay?"

She glanced up at him, "I feel fine. I…" she hesitated before taking a deep breath and rushing through, "I am so sorry about what happened."

"Hey," Daniel moved to her and gently touched her chin so she would look up him, "That was not your fault. The disease tapped into primal urges," he gave her a smile, "I'm actually really flattered you chose me as your mate."

Her blush deepened.

"And…" he lowered his voice and gave her a smile, "It was a nice kiss."

She bit her lip, "I am glad you are not angry."

"Why would I be angry that a smart, beautiful woman kissed me?" Daniel stepped back and changed the subject, "Look, I'm being forced to take some time off, so I've decided to explore the city a bit, and I know you moved here not that long ago either. Would you like to join me one day?"

"I would like that," Sha're said.

Daniel beamed, loving she said yes and hating that he was doing this on orders.