CHAPTER ELEVEN
Cam studied the camp of the raiding party. The sky was just starting to lighten, and many of the men were already up, far more than he'd anticipated. He suspected that the reason was that the raiders intended to break camp, most likely to travel to their destination. If everything went as planned, they would never set foot anywhere near that destination.
"All right," Cam said in a low voice. "Let's go wake the rest of those guys up."
Everyone rose to their feet and stepped out of the cover of the trees. They were spotted almost immediately, and a warning shout was given. Those who had still been asleep awoke and sprang to their feet. Several men grabbed swords. The SG teams responded by aiming their weapons at the armed men.
"Ah ah ah," Cam said. "I'd advise you to put those down."
"Who are you?" one man asked with a note of challenge.
"We're visitors to your planet, and, as it just so happens, we're also in trade negotiations with the town that you fellows are likely intending to raid. So, you see, we really can't let you carry out your plans. So, how about if you make it easy on everyone and go back to wherever you came from."
The raiders all looked at each other . . . then laughed. The one who had spoken before did so again.
"Our numbers are nearly three times that of yours. How do you intend to stop us?"
Cam glanced at the leader of SG-5. "Harper? Give them a little demonstration."
Harper stepped forward, picked a target, and opened up on it with his P-90. The trunk of the young tree was pulverized by the hail of bullets. The raiders weren't looking quite so confident after that.
Cam spoke up again. "Now, as you can see, we could bring down every one of you before you made it across half the distance between us. So, I say again. Lower your weapons."
Yet again, the raiders looked at each other, many clearly uncertain what to do.
"Do it," the spokesman finally commanded. The other men followed his order.
Once every sword was on the ground, the SG teams approached the raiders. They stopped around four yards away, far enough away that they'd have plenty enough time to shoot anyone who suddenly made a dive for their weapon.
"All right," Cam said. "Now we can talk. The people in the town to the west of here have said that you are raiding them during every harvest, and you're not very nice about it. Now that we're working on being trading partners with them, we can't allow that to continue, not now, not ever again. So, you can consider that town to be off limits. However, since we figure that you guys probably have mouths to feed, we might be able to work out another arrangement. Among the things on the bargaining table of the negotiations is stuff that should dramatically increase the town's crop yield. Since, baring circumstances like drought and flooding, they'll have an excess of food, they might be willing to give you guys some of the surplus in exchange for you never again taking anything from them by force. You'll still get the food you need, and no one else will get hurt."
The man who was apparently the leader of the raiders frowned severely as some of his men muttered.
"We do not take handouts like old beggars in the street," he declared proudly.
"So, you think it's more noble to steal food from women and children than to accept charity?" Vala asked.
"Vala," Cam hissed.
The raiding party leader's frown had deepened into a scowl. "Do not dare to criticize our ways, woman."
Cam quickly spoke. "Okay, let's just calm down. There is a lot that we don't know about you, including why you choose to steal crops farmed by others instead of growing your own. If it's a matter of not knowing how, we could help you with that. If you live in an area that doesn't have good soil, we might be able to help with that as well." He held up his hand when the frowning man opened his mouth to talk. "And don't say that's a handout. It's in our best interest to see that our trading partners remain healthy and happy, and if that means making it possible for you guys to grow your own food, that's what we'll do. You could consider it sort of a trade. We enable you to grow your own crops, and, in exchange, you leave our trading partners alone."
The man was still frowning, but not quite so deeply. "The land where we live will not sustain most crops. At one time it was lush and fertile, but the rains grew less each year, and most of the water sources dried up."
"So, why don't you move?" Vala asked.
"It is our ancestral home. To leave would be unthinkable."
Cam knew that there were some drought-tolerant crops that might survive in that kind of climate, but would it be enough to feed the people? Then there was the matter of livestock, something else that the raiders took from the town. It was unlikely that enough grass grew there to sustain both their horses and a small herd of cattle, although chickens and goats would be a possibility, which were things that even the townspeople didn't have. And pigs could be fed pretty much anything that was remotely edible.
Unfortunately, giving the raiders pigs, chickens and goats would probably feel like charity to them, even if it was in "trade" for them leaving the town alone.
One of the horses nickered loudly, drawing Cam's gaze in that direction. That's when an idea came to him.
"What's your name?" he asked the leader of the raiders.
"Marnan."
Cam jerked his head toward the horses. "Those are some fine-looking horses you have there, Marnan."
The man stared at him narrowly. "Do you have knowledge of horses?"
"Some. I was born and raised on a farm. I learned how to ride when I was six. We had a broodmare, and, when I was a kid, I watched almost every one of her foals being born. I'm guessing that you breed those horses yourself."
Marnan lifted his head proudly. "We have been breeding horses for hundreds of years. They are the finest and strongest in the land."
Cam nodded. "I'm sure you know that the townspeople have no horses. Ones like those draft animals you have there would really come in handy."
Marnan's frown was back. "What are you proposing?"
"How about a trade, horses for crops and livestock? You give the townspeople some horses, and, in exchange, they will give you their surplus crops, and we will provide you with livestock that you can breed and raise for food."
Marnan exchanged looks with his men, some of whom whispered things to him. He then turned back to Cam.
"Your proposition is intriguing, but what of the present? There would be no surplus crops. Our women, children, and old ones are waiting for the food we were going to get from the town's fields. There are other towns and villages that we also raid, but they are in other directions, and we would lose many days."
Cam was a little surprised by the last part of the man's statement, but he realized that he shouldn't have been. Any crops that were stolen would eventually run out or rot, so the raiders would have to have a constant source of food. Perhaps this deal would help more than one township.
"We'll provide you with the crops you need for now," the pilot replied, hoping that he'd be able to make good on that promise.
Again, Marnan stared at him closely. "The land from which you come must be very bountiful for you to so easily give away crops and livestock."
"Yes, it is pretty bountiful. It's also very big, lots and lots of farms. Getting all the crops and animals you need won't be a problem." 'I hope,' he added silently.
The leader of the raiders was silent for quite a while. He then stepped forward a pace. "I agree to your terms of trade. To seal the bargain, I will give you two of these horses." He motioned toward one of the other men, who ran off to fetch two of the large animals. He then gave Cam a penetrating stare. "But know this. If you fail to keep your end of the bargain, we will burn the town you protect to the ground."
"I understand."
The two horses were brought up to the SG teams. A member of SG-5 and one from SG-20 immediately stepped forward and took the lead ropes, leading Cam to believe that they had at least some experience with horses.
Realizing that he had to have some idea on how much food they would need to provide, Cameron asked Marnan what their total numbers were. The man reacted with suspicion, probably thinking that the information could be used to plan an attack against them.
"Look. I have to have some idea on how much food you need," Cam told him.
The leader of the raiders paused for a while longer, then gave Cameron the info he needed.
"It might take two or three days to get everything," the pilot said. "How would you feel about meeting us in four days in the small clearing that's just east of town?"
"That will be acceptable."
The three SG teams didn't relax until they were back in the forest. They had been walking for around ten minutes when Teal'c spoke.
"I am uncertain how General Landry will respond to your agreement with the raiders."
"Yeah, me too. But I couldn't give Marnan a bunch of ifs and maybes. Giving the raiders some food and livestock now will benefit us. It'll keep them away from the town while we're working on the trade agreement."
"And what's going to happen if the town decides that it doesn't want to trade crops for horses?" Vala asked.
"Then they'll just have to deal with the raids. It's pretty obvious that threats alone aren't going to keep those raiders away. If the townspeople aren't willing to work out a trade, then there's nothing we can do about it. If we can increase their crop yield, they'll have the extra food. Why let it go to waste when they can trade it for something that's going to be a big help to them? Frankly, the only problem I see is what's going to happen if a crop fails because of disease or bad weather. I guess that's something that the townspeople and the raiders will have to work out between them."
Sam was the first to awaken. As the fog of sleep cleared, she became aware of a weight on her chest. She opened her eyes to the sight of Daniel's head lying there. His left arm was wrapped snugly around her waist, just like a little boy hugging a teddy bear in his sleep. But the feelings that suffused Sam were most definitely not maternal. Half of her wanted to stay right where she was, and the other half wanted to wake Daniel up and make slow, sweet love with him. Since the latter was out of the question, she chose the former. Feeling very peaceful and content, she began running her fingers through his hair, a soft smile coming to her lips. Though they had not made love, this "morning after" was among the best that she could ever remember, which was strange considering that all she was doing was lying there while Daniel used her as a body pillow.
Sam tried to analyze why this felt so good and came to the conclusion that it was because it felt right. It didn't feel awkward or uncomfortable at all. Why not? Technically, this was their first time sleeping together, though not in the way that most people used that term. Would it be different if they had made love last night?
Perhaps two or three minutes had passed when Daniel stirred. His eyes blinked open. He was more than a little surprised to find himself in the position he was in, though it certainly was a nice position in which to wake up.
Worried about Sam's reaction, Daniel lifted his head and looked at her.
"Um . . . good morning," he said. "Sorry about using you as my pillow."
Sam smiled at him. "I'm not sorry."
Hearing that, Daniel smiled back at her. Then he lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was long, slow and deep, a sensual exploration of each other's mouths.
"You have no idea how sorry I am that we are on a mission," Daniel murmured after the kiss ended.
"Oh, yes, I do, because I feel the same way."
Daniel smiled again. "So, I guess the unexpected sleeping arrangements turned out not to be a bad thing after all. I think that's the best night's sleep I've had in months."
"Me too, which is really weird. I usually don't sleep well when I share a bed, probably because I'm so used to sleeping alone."
Daniel's gaze intensified. "Well, I have every intention of making it so that our nights of sleeping alone will be far outnumbered by our nights of not sleeping alone."
"Mmm. I'm all for that."
Their lips came together in another kiss, which soon grew in passion. They put a halt to it before it got out of hand.
After getting dressed, they went to get some breakfast at one of the town's two public eating places. On the way, Cam's voice came over the radio.
"How did things go?" Daniel asked the pilot.
"Well, for now, I'll just say that you're not the only ones who had to do a bit of trade negotiations. If the townspeople and Landry are both in agreement with what we worked out, then the raids are at an end. I'll explain everything when we get back. We should be there before evening."
Very curious about what the agreement was that Cam worked out, Daniel and Sam resumed their journey.
The couple was around halfway through their meal when Nitiren came walking in. He paused upon seeing them, then came over to their table.
"Is all well this morning?" he asked, the slightest hints of uncertainty in his voice.
Daniel and Sam exchanged a glance.
"Yes, everything is fine, Nitiren," Daniel assured him. He knew that what the man was really asking was if the new sleeping arrangements were all right.
The Chief Councillor visibly relaxed. "Will your companions be returning today?"
"Yes, hopefully before it gets dark. They contacted us and said that they were able to work out a deal with the raiders, but it's something that your people will have to approve of as well."
"We will look forward to their return, then. As soon as they arrive, please have someone contact me, no matter how late in the day."
"We'll do that. When would you like to resume our talks?"
"In five time units, if that is good for you."
Daniel nodded. "That will be fine." A Hevavin time unit was roughly equivalent to ten minutes.
After finishing their meal, Sam and Daniel decided to take a short stroll through town. After a while, they came to an area that was similar to a playground, though it had nothing like the playground equipment that one on Earth would have. Instead, it had piles of small boulders for children to climb and scamper across, tree trunks turned into balance beams, and a little manmade pond for wading.
The couple stopped and watched the children at play. They'd been there for around five minutes when Daniel softly spoke.
"Sha're and I talked about having kids. Actually, that's not exactly true. On Abydos, it was pretty much a given that all married couples would produce children," there was a long pause, "or at least attempt to."
Sam detected something in his voice and looked at him closely. "What's wrong?"
"We tried, but Sha're never got pregnant," Daniel's gaze dropped to the ground, "not with me."
Sam took his hand. "I'm sorry, Daniel. I have to believe that, if she hadn't been taken, you and she would eventually have had a child together." Now, it was she who paused. "Do you want that? Have kids, I mean."
"Yeah, I do. There was a time when I wasn't sure if I'd ever want to have kids. Though I did have some great foster parents, I also knew what it was like to have ones who believed that their parental duties began and ended with making sure I was fed, clothed, went to the doctor as required, and did all my chores and homework. After finishing college, I was very focused on my career, and I didn't want to be an absentee father, always off working or at some dig somewhere." A tender smile curved his lips. "Everything changed when I married Sha're and stayed on Abydos." The smile disappeared. "I've lost her now, but I would still like to have children someday, although, at my age, 'someday' can't be put off for too much longer. I'd sort of like to see them at least graduate from high school before I reach retirement age." He looked at her. "What about you? Have you always wanted kids?"
"Well, when I was younger, I wanted tons of them. Like many little girls, I dreamed of having lots of babies. Unlike most girls, however, I wanted to have all those babies while juggling a career as an astronaut. It never occurred to me that doing both would be rather tough. After I joined the Air Force, my focus turned more fully on that, although I still dreamed of having kids someday. As for now . . . yes, I still want kids even though I know that it would mean making some big adjustments in my life."
Daniel gazed at her closely. "I know that you wanted to adopt Cassie."
That surprised Sam. "How did you know? I never said a word to anyone."
"I think it was the way that you looked at her when Janet adopted her. I saw this look of longing in your eyes."
"Oh. Well, you're right, I did, but I knew that I'd have to leave SG-1 if I adopted her."
"Because of being gone on missions so much?"
Sam nodded. "Yes, there was that, but there was also the fact that being on an SG team is very dangerous. Cassie had already lost one set of parents. I didn't want her to lose another mo—"
Sam abruptly broke off, and her gaze fell away. Daniel instantly knew what she was thinking. Cassie ended up losing another mother anyway.
He drew Sam into a hug. Like her, he still missed Janet to this day. He had to wonder what the doctor would think of his and Sam's change in relationship.
As if she'd read his mind, Sam said, "She'd be happy about us. Janet knew that I had feelings for Jack, but we never talked about it, mainly because of the regulations issue. She'd be happy to know that I got over the thing with him and found what I have with you."
Daniel nodded. "And she'd be happy that I moved on from Sha're."
Putting away sad thoughts, the couple resumed their walk, aiming toward the meeting hall. They arrived just a few minutes before the trade talks were scheduled to resume.
A lot of progress was made in the negotiations that morning, both Daniel and Sam suspecting that it was due to the news about the possible agreement with the raiders. During the lunch break, Daniel decided to go for a walk by himself. He came to a marketplace, where all sorts of merchants were hawking their wares. As he walked down the street, he glanced at the merchandise, but it wasn't until he reached one particular stand that he came to a complete stop. His eyes fell upon something hanging from a hook, and he knew that, somehow, someway, he had to have it. The Hedavin used trade as their primary form of commerce, though they also had currency. The problem was that he had none of that currency nor anything he could use for trade that didn't belong to the U.S. Government. Even so, he approached the merchant and started talking to him, feeling the man out on what it would take to buy the thing.
Daniel was still thinking about it on the walk back to the meeting hall. He met Sam there, and the two resumed their talks with the councillors. The sun was low in the sky by the time they called a halt for the day.
Back at the cottages, Daniel and Sam sat down at the table.
"I was really hoping that we'd get everything all worked out today," Daniel said. Though they were very close to an agreement, they weren't quite there yet.
"Yeah, me too." Sam met his eyes. "It's a good thing that we'll probably have to return to the SGC today so that we can talk to Landry. We wouldn't be able to stay in the same cottage again tonight, not with Cam and the others being back."
It was an hour later when SG-5, 20 and the three members of SG-1 arrived in town. The horses got a whole lot of stares as they led the animals through the streets. They got stares from yet two more people when the group arrived at the cottages.
Daniel, whose eyebrows had gone up a notch at the sight of the horses, said, "I'm guessing that you've got quite a story to tell."
"Indeed," Teal'c replied.
Cam told Daniel and Sam about the agreement he worked out with the raiders.
"Um, what's going to happen if Landry doesn't go for it?" the archeologist asked.
"Then we'll have a big problem," the pilot replied. He revealed the threat that Marnan made.
"All right. The first thing we need to do is find out if Nitiren and the others are interested in trading crops and livestock for horses."
At first, the councillors were less than enthusiastic, but when both Daniel and Cam began pointing out how useful the horses could be, they started changing their minds.
"Now, since we'd be the ones supplying the food and livestock this time around," Cameron said, "We think it's only fair that you consider that to be part of our trade agreement with you."
Nitiren nodded. "Yes, it is only fair to do so." He looked about at his fellow councillors. "Please give us a moment to discuss this in private."
SG-1 left the meeting hall and joined the other two SG teams outside. SG-5 had contacted the SGC to let them know that the meeting with the raiders went well, though they did not go into any details.
SG-1 was called back into the meeting hall twenty minutes later.
"We accept the agreement with the raiders," Nitiren announced. "We have also agreed that because you are so generously providing the food and animals for the raiders this time, our trade agreement with you is now complete. We require no more negotiations."
"That's great news," Daniel responded. "We do need to talk with our leaders about the food and livestock to make sure that they don't have a problem with it. If they also agree, we'll be back in three days with all the stuff for the raiders."
The two horses were handed over to the Hedavi, Cam giving them quick instructions on what to feed them and how to care for them. The three SG teams then went through the gate.
After taking care of the post-mission exams and cleaning up, the five members of SG-1 met the general in the briefing room.
"Okay, so let me get this straight," Landry said after being told about the deal with the raiders. "You expect us to bring a bunch of crops and farm animals onto this base and cart them through the gate?"
"Yes, sir," Cam replied. "But, hey, look at it this way. It couldn't possibly be as bad as it must have been when the Hak'tyl had all their horses here."
Daniel recalled the smell and all the piles of poop that had to be scooped up. "Um, yeah, I'd say that's a fair assessment."
Landry thought about it for a bit. "All right. I'll call my superiors in the morning."
"Sir, we're going to need an answer very soon," Sam said. "We have to have those crops and animals in the hands of the raiders in three days."
"I'll press for a quick answer, Colonel. There is one thing, though. It might take a while, but, sooner or later, the people in that town aren't going to want any more horses from the raiders, especially if nature takes its course and the ones they get start breeding. What happens then?"
"I suppose they'll have to cross that bridge when they come to it," Cam replied.
"I should hope that, by then, the two groups will be on friendlier terms," Daniel said. "This does bring up something that I was thinking about earlier, though. The problem the raiders have is a lack of water. Now, here on Earth, some people who live in climates with little rainfall use systems that collect and store whatever precipitation they do get, then use it as needed. Rain barrels are used by a great many people all over the world to irrigate their yards and gardens."
Landry frowned slightly. "You're suggesting that we help them build something like that?"
"Well, maybe not actually help them build it, but we could teach them how. Even with their present technology, they could build something that might give them enough water to irrigate a small field of crops during part of the year. But there's something else they could do as well. The townspeople get their water via an aqueduct. Now, I don't know how far away the raiders live from a river or larger body of water, but I'm betting that it isn't too far for some kind of aqueduct system to span. The townspeople already know how to build aqueducts, which means that they could teach the raiders."
Sam smiled. "And if the raiders could get water to irrigate crops of their own, they would no longer have to rely on getting food from others."
Daniel nodded. "Exactly. It might be possible to completely put an end to the problem for everyone."
"Then I'd say that you have some more talking to do with both the raiders and the townspeople," Landry said. "As soon as I get an answer from my superiors on the crops and livestock, I'll let you know. All of you go on home and get a good night's sleep."
The teammates decided to eat an early dinner in the commissary before going home.
"So, what are we going to do if the brass won't go for it?" Sam asked.
"Well, I suppose that we could give the raiders back their horses," Cam replied, "which should prevent them from burning the town to the ground. But it isn't going to stop them from raiding the place, and if they come while we're there, we'll have no choice but to either defend the town or hightail back through the gate."
"I'm not going to just leave and let those townspeople get hurt," Daniel declared firmly.
"I, too, would be unwilling to do so," Teal'c stated.
Sam nodded. "I think we're all in agreement on that. The problem is that we might get orders to pull out if the raiders do attack."
"That would kill the trade agreement," Daniel said. "There's no way that the Hedavi would have anything more to do with us if we just abandoned them."
"I'm sure that Landry's figured that out," Cam said. "It seems to me that the higher-ups would be pretty stupid to throw everything away on this. After all, it's just some crops and livestock. We could get everything from the local farms and supermarkets."
An hour later, Daniel was walking through the door of his apartment. After hanging up his jacket, he went over to a display cabinet and stared at the contents for a couple of minutes before opening the glass door and removing one of the items. He thought about where it came from and its significance to him. He knew that it was worth way more than the item for which he was thinking of trading it, but it was unlikely that the merchant would care about how old it was or the history behind it. He would only care about how much he could sell it for.
Making his decision, Daniel carefully wrapped the item and placed it in a box, which he put in the coat closet.
He was heading for the kitchen when a knock on the door made him turn around. He opened the door to find Sam there. She was staring at him wide-eyed, the color in her cheeks heightened. Looking in her eyes, there was no need to ask her why she was there.
Silently, Sam stepped inside the apartment, and Daniel shut the door. And then they were in each other's arms, lips locked in a fiery kiss. Sam immediately began attacking the buttons of Daniel's shirt, desperate to get it and the rest of his clothes off him. He grabbed her top and yanked it upward. It was on the floor a few seconds later, followed by his shirt. Their pants joined the other clothing seconds later.
Click here to go to version with milder sexual content
Sam impatiently unfastened her bra and tore it off. At the sight of her naked breasts Daniel drew in a sharp breath, his pupils dilating. He lifted her up and pressed her against the wall beside the door, her legs going around his waist. And then his lips were on her throat, and his hands were on her breasts, kneading and stroking. But it wasn't enough. They needed more, the reins holding in their passion having been immolated in the fire that was consuming them. Daniel pushed Sam further up the wall, and his mouth fell upon her breasts, his lips soon going to one of the nipples. As he pulled it into the heat of his mouth, Sam arched against him, her breath coming in sharp, rapid pants. She was going crazy with desire, wild and out of control.
In the same state of mind, Daniel had barely enough presence of mind to utter one important word. "Protection."
"Don't need it," Sam replied. She knew that they were both disease-free, and, as required for all women on SG teams, she was on birth control.
With that issue out of the way, Sam pushed the waistband of Daniel's boxers down, freeing his erection. It pressed hot and hard against the crotch of her panties, making her shudder with need.
"Oh, God, Daniel. I need. . . ." Her voice trailed off in a moan as he rocked his pelvis against hers, his arousal brushing across bare skin. She pushed his boxers down farther, and they descended to the floor. He kicked them aside, and, between the two of them, they managed to get Sam's panties off.
Daniel groaned at the feeling of Sam's nakedness against him. He was aching to be inside her. But it shouldn't be like this, not their first time.
"We should. . . . Bed," he gasped, struggling to get the words out.
"Yes," Sam whispered breathlessly.
Daniel stepped away from the wall and carried Sam into the bedroom. He laid her on the bed, settling upon her. In that moment, their eyes met, and the impact of what they were about to do hit them. After ten years of friendship, ten years of sharing triumph and loss, joy and sorrow, they were about to cross a line that, all those years ago, they would never have imagined crossing.
Daniel swept his fingers across Sam's cheek, all his love for her shining in his eyes. And then, with a long sigh, he slowly entered her. Sam's eyes slid shut, her entire body suffused with ecstasy from the sensation of Daniel's hardness penetrating deep inside her.
Slowly, Daniel slid in and out of Sam, awash in the glorious feeling, in the emotions that were filling him so full that he felt like he'd burst. He put his whole heart and soul into every move, every touch, wanting Sam to feel his love for her in their lovemaking. And she did. It touched something deep inside her, and everything he gave to her she gave back in full measure.
Gradually, Daniel's pace increased, his thrusts going ever deeper, until they were rocking together with fiery passion, soft cries and gasps rising from their throats. Daniel hooked his arm under one of her legs, pulling it up higher, and sank even deeper into her. Sam let out a cry that was almost a scream. Seconds later, she was coming in an earthshattering climax that had her whole body shuddering. As she tightened around him, Daniel came with a shout, releasing deep inside her.
The ecstasy blazed through their bodies for an eternal moment, then slowly faded, leaving behind a feeling that almost had tears coming to Daniel's eyes. For all these years, he had imagined what it would be like to make love to Sam, but imagination had fallen far short of reality.
Daniel wasn't the only one high on a feeling of euphoria. More than once in her life, Sam had experienced what she would call great sex, but never before had it felt so fantastic and so utterly perfect.
Daniel began pressing kisses to her forehead, her eyes, her cheeks. He then lifted his head. He gazed into Sam's eyes and saw them shining with wonder and happiness. The sight made his own joy climb even higher. He pressed his lips to hers.
"I love you, Sam," he murmured. "I love you so much. I can't even describe how incredible that felt, how good this feels."
Sam brushed a hand across his cheek. "It felt incredible for me, too, Daniel."
A smile began to form on Daniel's face. "It did?"
"God, yes," Sam confirmed, her voice ringing with intensity.
With a laugh of joy, Daniel pulled Sam into another kiss.
"Stay with me tonight," he said.
"I'm not planning on going anywhere."
Daniel lifted off of Sam, and the two of them got under the covers, returning to each other's arms. After a while, Daniel let out a soft chuckle.
Sam tilted her head up to look at him. "What?"
"It turns out that I was right about not making it to the fourth date."
Sam grinned. "Yeah, but it's my fault that we didn't."
"Hey, I'm not complaining. Besides, I have doubts that I'd have been able to hold off until after the whole thing with the Hedavi was finished."
"Ah, so if I hadn't come over here tonight, you would have been coming over to my place tomorrow night?"
Daniel returned her grin. "Yep."
"Good to know." Sam laid her head back down on his chest. Oh, how she wished that tomorrow wasn't a work day so that the two of them could spend the whole day in bed.
Sam analyzed that thought and what she was feeling at that moment. In the past, she had always felt at least a little bit of uncertainty, awkwardness and trepidation after making love with a man for the first time, wondering what her lover was thinking, wondering what would happen next, sometimes even questioning if it should have happened. But, this time, she felt none of those things. What she did feel was absolute contentment and an exquisite sensation of fulfillment. She couldn't imagine any lovemaking ever feeling better than what she had just experienced with Daniel.
"I don't want to go to sleep," Daniel softly admitted, pulling her from her thoughts.
"Why not?"
"Because this feel so good."
Sam lifted her head to meet his eyes, wondering if he was harboring some small doubt that this would happen again.
"Yes, it does," she agreed. "But you know what?"
"What?"
"I bet it'll feel just as good the next time."
Those words made a big smile come to Daniel's face, lighting up his eyes. He brought his lips to hers in a long, deep kiss. He then settled his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes as Sam returned her head to its place on his chest. After just a few minutes, she heard Daniel's breathing deepen as he slipped into sleep. With a smile on her lips, Sam closed her eyes and followed him into slumber.
Daniel gazed into empty air, the happiest smile he'd had in many long years on his lips. Since arriving at the SGC, all he could think about was what happened last night . . . and this morning. He had awakened to the wonderful sensation of Sam in his arms, her naked body pressed firmly against his. She woke up just a couple of minutes later, and what followed was the most explosively passionate lovemaking of his life. They sent each other into the stratosphere and beyond. After coming back down to Earth and lying in recovery for a while, they reluctantly got out of bed. However, the joys of the morning didn't end there, for they showered together and proceeded to explore each other's bodies with intimate thoroughness.
Daniel couldn't believe how happy he felt. Not even with Sha're had he felt this way. He wanted to share his happiness with someone, but, of course, that would mean having to tell the person that he and Sam made love, and he wasn't about to do that.
"You and Samantha had sex."
The statement made Daniel's head snap around. There standing in his doorway was Vala, a smirk on her lips.
"Don't bother denying it," she said. "It was written all over your face . . . as was the fact that it was really great sex."
Feeling more than a little mortified, Daniel turned away from her and pretended to get to work.
Vala came in the room and sat in a chair. "So, how great was it?"
"I'm not talking about this, Vala."
"Okay, then I'll just have to ask Samantha."
Daniel focused a hot glare upon her. "Don't you dare! Besides, she wouldn't tell you either."
Vala knew he was probably right about that. "Come on, Daniel. You have to tell me something. After all, I've been rooting for you all this time."
That shocked Daniel. "You have?"
"Yes. All right, so I admit that I wasn't very happy about it in the beginning since I wanted you for myself, but after I got over that, I was really hoping that things would work out for you with Samantha."
Daniel was still shocked. He was also very touched.
"Um . . . thank you. That means a lot."
Vala gave him a pleading look. "So . . . please? I'm not asking for any details. Okay, so I'd love to get details, but I'll settle for anything."
Daniel was silent for a long moment. "It was. . . ." He shook his head. "I can't even think of an adequate word to describe how it made me feel, better than any dream I ever had about being with her."
Vala smiled, genuinely happy for him. "I'm glad. It's very nice to see you so happy."
"Thank you." Daniel's gaze sharpened. "Speaking of relationships, did you follow my advice about Mitchell?"
"In . . . a way."
Daniel frowned. "What does that mean?"
"You told me to leave him alone if the only reason I was going after him was because I couldn't have you. I determined that wasn't the only reason. Now, I'm absolutely certain of it."
As Daniel stared at her narrowly, he made a sudden revelation. "Oh my God. You and Mitchell slept together, didn't you."
A gigantic grin spread across the dark-haired woman's face. "Oh, yes. And it was fantastic. You want details?"
"No! In fact, this conversation is at an end. I don't want to hear one more word about it."
Daniel pointedly turned back to his computer. After a brief hesitation, Vala got up and left. As soon as she was gone, Daniel's gaze went to the doorway. So, Vala and Mitchell had sex. He had to wonder when it happened. He also had to wonder why. Judging by what Vala said, she had decided that she truly wanted the man, but did this mean that Mitchell felt the same way? Apparently so since, if he didn't, he surely wouldn't have allowed it to happen. Regardless, Daniel had no intention of asking about it. It was none of his business.
Unbeknownst to Daniel, there was someone else who, at that very moment, was on their way to talk to Cameron Mitchell about that very thing.
