The sun was shining above her, the air warm and gave a hint of the spring that promised to be just around the corner. Casey hummed softly as she planted a new row of prim roses in front of the rose bushes that were just starting to bud out for the season. After all they'd endured through the winter months, the coming of spring had brought the hope of better days ahead. While she knew that as long as SG-1 was going off world, there was always a chance of disaster, her spirits were high, and so far there had been no poking or uneasy feelings to mar the day.

Daniel watched from the deck, silently observing his Wife as she gently planted each bunch of flowers in the fresh dug earth. He'd been so afraid that seeing the dark side of him...the man who lurked just beneath the surface...would terrify her; or worse yet, send her running in the opposite direction in order to avoid being near him - near a man who could hate so deeply, who could be so violent. Granted, neither the hate nor the violence was ever aimed at anyone, or anything, that wasn't well deserving of those feelings. He was far more comfortable with seeking out peaceful solutions, far more interested in making friends than counting enemies. But the potential was there. He knew it. And now, so did she. When they'd returned home, after getting a few hours of much needed sleep, she'd made love to him so tenderly, so thoroughly, that he'd slept for another three hours. That love had wrapped around him, around his heart. Was the gauntlet past which the darkness that lay curled deep in his soul could never move. As long as he had his Destiny at his side, he was safe from the angry, bitter man he could so easily become.

"Daniel?"

He started. Realized that she was sitting back on her heels, looking up at him. "Hmm?"

"Are you all right?"

He smiled. "I'm fine. Just taking in the view."

Her smile matched his. Usually, when she was working in her flower beds, he was either mowing, or washing the Jeep. "Last time that happened, you wound up very uncomfortable."

And he'd had to wait until they were alone on a bizarre planet to ease the ache she'd created in him. The next day, she'd been captured by Ba'al for the first time. He pushed that bitter memory away. "Yep."

"You take a lot of unnecessary risks, you know that don't you?"

"How so?"

"You're standing there, 'taking in the view' as you call it, probably thinking all sorts of very...inappropriate...thoughts-"

"Inappropriate?"

"Well, if anyone were to come back here right now, and look at you, they'd have a pretty good idea what you're thinking!"

He snorted. If they knew that, they'd lock him up for sure. Because tying down his Wife, teasing her with a feather until she was squirming and begging, and then making love to her until she screamed wasn't legal. He'd make a bet with Ferretti on that! "Don't have a clue what you're talking about," he replied.

Casey brushed her hands off, then pulled the gloves off and tossed them to the ground. "I'll just bet you don't." She gathered the trowel, the garden fork, and the now empty containers. Tossed them and the gloves into the cardboard flat that was sitting beside her, and rose to her feet.

She ducked her head and smiled when she felt him close behind. The last time this had happened...they'd almost made love in the Jeep. Almost. She took a moment to poke around in her mind. Nope. Nothing there. She dared to reach out. Heard nothing but the hum of the planet around her. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing different. No warnings anywhere. She tossed the empty plastic containers into the recycle crate. The box went into the tub with the rest of the cardboard. The tools and her gloves went onto the bench.

As if they had a mind of their own, his hands reached for her, moved slowly from her shoulders...down her arms...to her hips. He pressed his body against hers, pulled her back against his chest. He lowered his head, his lips moving straight for that spot behind her ear that always made her shiver.

"Daniel!"

"What?" His voice was muffled as he continued to plant kisses along the nape of her neck, nudging her hair out of the way with his face.

"You're going to work yourself up into a frightful state of uncomfortable-ness."

He chuckled against her skin. "Too late," he murmured. Gasped when her hand slid back between them, began to caress him through his jeans. "That's not helping."

"Sorry. Just offering a hand."

"I need more than just a hand, Angel."

She turned around in his arms. Wrapped hers around his neck. "Wanna fool around?"

"Rather get seriously down and dirty," he replied. His hands moved up, found the bottom of her sweater and slipped inside. He cupped her breasts, the lace and satin of her bra tickling his palms.

"Mmm...sounds interesting." She pressed against him, felt the hard length of his arousal.

"Let's do it in the Jeep."

"Bed's more comfortable."

"True."

"But you can't make it that far, right?"

"Nope."

"Nope I'm not right, or nope you can't make it to the bed?"

"You're such a smartass." He slipped his arms around her waist, his fingers still caressing her skin; began to tug gently, walking backwards until he felt the hood of the Jeep behind him.

"Is there a particular reason you want to make love in the Jeep, in the garage?"

"Yeah...we can sit up, rather than having to hide."

She looked up at him. Began to giggle. "You really led a deprived teenhood, didn't you?"

"You have no idea. Totally deprived."

"Poor Daniel."

He nuzzled her cheek. "I know. Poor, poor me. Wha'cha gonna do about it?"

"I suppose," she sighed dramatically, "I should attempt to repair whatever damage has been done to your psyche by being so deprived."

"It's not my psyche that needs attention," he grinned.

"Well, I believe in holistic healing...mind, heart, body, and soul. Have to have your mind and heart in alignment with your chi, and in peace, before your body can be healed."

"My heart and soul are just fine, trust me. The only thing in need right now is my body."

"How can you be so certain? That your heart and soul are fine, I mean."

He let his hands slide down, cupping her shapely derriere. "Because you're here with me. You love me. I can feel that love wrap around me like the warmth of your embrace. Can't you feel it?"

"Feel what?"

He reached for her hand...placed it beneath his, over his heart. "That pounding in my chest. That's my heart, beating my love for you."

She sighed. "You have the heart and soul of a poet."

He smiled, his hands returning to her fanny. "So you've said before."

When she pressed against him again, his soft gasp, and the way his hips pushed against her automatically, brought a smile to her face. "I told you that you'd make yourself uncomfortable."

He pulled his hands from her sexy ass, took her hand, led her around to the side of the vehicle, opened the back passenger door of the Jeep with the other. Settled into the seat. "C'mere."

She waited until he'd slid over far enough for her to crawl in beside him, closed the door behind her. Reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Poor Daniel. You never made out in your girlfriend's driveway, where the chances of getting caught could get you into serious trouble?"

"Nope."

"I never did either."

"You are a smartass. That's not what I meant."

"Good. Had me worried there for a minute."

"Why?"

"Well, if you're into women, I don't have the right equipment."

Her hand slipped between his legs. Moved slowly up his thigh until she was gently rubbing the hard bulge that pressed against his jeans. "Not into women. Trust me, your equipment is perfect."

"Yeah? I'm damned fond of yours, you know."

"My equipment?"

"Mmmhmm." He closed his eyes as she increased the pressure of her hand. "Beautiful...you're absolutely beautiful. I love your eyes. Have I ever told you that before?" He shifted, one leg curled on the seat beside him, his back against the door.

She scooted closer, draped one leg over his, smiled up at him. "A time or two."

"As green as emeralds...just a precious. Windows to your amazing soul." He reached out and cupped her cheek, his thumb barely moving over her full lower lip. "Then there's your mouth; such full, luscious lips. I could drink from them, savor your kisses, forever. And what you can do with that mouth, those lips," he slipped his thumb between her lips, his sharp intake of breath the result of the gentle sucking she'd begun, "and that amazing tongue of yours-"

"Such as?" she asked.

"You can have me hard as a rock and panting for you with just a flick of that tongue."

"In the right spots of course," she teased. Then captured his thumb again, the tip of her tongue moving lightly over the pad.

"Of course," he replied, his voice breathless and slightly strained. When there was no indication that she'd be turning loose of his digit any time soon, he raised his other hand, trailed the back of his fingers over her cheek, then ran his fingertips over the column of her neck. "Regal. Like a queen...no...a goddess. Your throat always makes me think of royalty."

She let him pull his thumb from her mouth. "It doesn't remind you of a giraffe?"

"Never! Much too elegant for that." His fingers trembled as he unbuttoned her sweater. Smiled when her hands went to the placket of his shirt, mimicked his moves button for button. With a deft twist, her bra was unhooked, and his beauties exposed. He heaved a sigh. "There have never in creation been such perfect breasts."

"I'm not so certain about that."

"I am."

"Seen a lot of boobs, have you?"

He grinned. "I've seen a pair or two."

Her back arched instinctively into his caress as his hands cupped her, began to tenderly massage her breasts. "I'm glad you like mine."

"Don't like 'em. Love 'em. My beauties," he sighed again. Leaned forward and captured a hard, pink nipple between his lips. Suckled gently, pleased to hear the gasp of her surprise...and pleasure, as he did so.

"I so love how you do that," she whispered.

His response was to pull a bit more of her delectable flesh into his mouth, suckle just a bit harder, his fingers teasing its twin.

"Do you have any idea the trouble we could get into if my Dad opened the door right now, and saw us like this?" she asked in a soft whisper.

"Relax, no one will see us," he responded, barely pulling his mouth away from her skin far enough to talk. He wrapped one arm around her waist, shifted so that he was sitting in the seat, facing forward, tugged until she was straddling his lap. His mouth went back to her breasts, her hands went into his hair.

"You know, if we lay down, we can do the sixty-nine thing," she said breathlessly, arching more as his mouth moved to her other breast.

"Soon," he murmured.

The need to touch him sent her hands down his shoulders, over his chest, her fingers tugging and teasing his already hard nipples, barely running her fingertips over them, then massaging with more pressure.

She paused the sweet torment long enough to caress his sides, run those soft fingers around the waistband of his jeans...which were becoming increasingly more uncomfortable, he noted. He shifted slightly. Then grinned at her. "Wanna get naked?"

She burst into giggles. "I heard girls talk about that line in the restroom," she admitted.

Curiosity won out. He pulled away from her, looked up into laughing eyes. "Did they?"

"Get naked when their boyfriends asked."

"I know Shelby Winters did. She wound up pregnant in our junior year."

She shook her head, her grin matching hers. "Depo shots."

"Good. We're protected. So, wanna get naked?"

She wiggled out of her sweater and bra, reached for the snap of her jeans. Her eyes went wide when his hands caught hers, placed them on the waistband of his jeans. His fingers moved over her skin, then pulled at the snap and worked the zipper down. She followed suit, having to use both hands to get the zip past his swollen flesh. Grinning at one another, she struggled out of her jeans and underwear, the clothes falling to the floor beside her sweater and bra. He tugged his shirt off, tossed it toward the front seat, shoved his jeans and boxers down, tugged them off, pushing his sneakers off as well.

Guiding her, he helped her lay back on the seat. It was cramped as hell, and he was loving every moment of their 'game'.

"Turn around," she whispered.

If he'd known a girl like Casey in high school, he'd have never studied, he thought amusedly. No...it would have had to have been Casey for him to be so utterly bewitched. Only she could pull his attention away from whatever artifact or tablet that had caught his eye. It wasn't easy, but he managed to rotate his body. His knees were just above her shoulders, his legs bent and resting against the door, his feet pressing against the glass of the window. Her hands pulled at his hips..."Sweet Jesus!"

She ran her tongue around the swollen tip of his throbbing shaft, one hand wrapping around it and stroking gently. She'd startled him, he hadn't been expecting her caresses so soon, so suddenly. Slowly, she took as much of him as she could, the woman in her doing a happy dance at his low moan of approval.

The sweet scent of her arousal greeted him as he lowered his head, ready...eager for that first taste of the sweet nectar she provided for him. He couldn't help but moan happily as he began to feast on the succulent flesh between her slender thighs, his tongue moving over puffy nether lips again and again.

She thought about the few dates she'd had. Most of the boys were all over her, trying to get their hands inside her blouse, under her bra, down her pants. She'd always felt as if she'd suddenly been locked inside a car with an octopus, trying to keep those wayward hands where she could see them. There had been whispers about her. Cruel names tossed at her by the boys in her classes...and by her senior year, none of them bothered her. She'd never even been tempted to do any heavy petting, let alone 'get naked' with the boys she'd dated. Not even Mark White had been able to 'melt the Ice Princess'. Daniel had kissed her once, and her only thought had been having him...letting him take her...needing him in the most carnal sense. Only his touch could set her very soul on fire, burning as brightly, as hotly, as her body.

As always happened with her, their 'game' had excited him, adding to his already aroused state so that he was near the point of no return in just a matter of minutes. That her hips were moving up and down with each pass of his tongue let him know that she wasn't unaffected by their role playing. Her soft moans each time the tip of his tongue flicked over that swollen little pearl at the top of her folds only increased his desire to please her. And made it more difficult to maintain control over his body, the vibrations of those sounds against the taut skin of his cock sending tremors through his body.

She was close...her body was vibrating with need...the fire in her belly had settled firmly in that secret place between her thighs. Lights were beginning to flash, colors were appearing when she closed her eyes, concentrating on giving him the most pleasure she possibly could. She tilted her head back, took just a bit more of that magnificent symbol of manhood, greedy for him, taking her own pleasure from the feel of him in her hand, the taste of his skin, the slightly salty flavor of the viscous fluid that leaked from the tip so copiously.

Come on, babe, turn loose, he thought...just a bit desperately. He wasn't going to be able to hold back, and he wasn't about to fall before she did. He concentrated his attention on her swollen nub, teasing it with the tip of his tongue. Felt her breasts begin to heave against the skin of his belly. He slid two fingers into her hot well, began to stroke hard and deep. Felt more than heard that sweet whimper that always heralded her climax.

Oh, that's the spot...her hips jerked, and with a final moan of delight, she took flight, soaring to the stars, her body shivering and jerking. His low moan accompanied the flood of his precious white love, the warmth flowing down her throat as she enthusiastically took all that he gave her.

He took just long enough to make certain none of her sweet honey remained on her skin, then, gently pushed her legs aside, so that he could drop into the seat. "Wow."

"I agree," she said, snuggling next to him, her arm around his waist, her head on his shoulder.

He shifted, put his arm around her slender frame. Kissed the top of her head. "That was fun."

"Yes, it was," she replied.

"Give me a minute, then you can take a little ride."

Casey began to giggle. "And that totally ruins the illusion."

"What? How?"

"I don't think many high school boys could do it more than once."

"Au contraire, mon cherie. High school boys could probably do it all day."

"Horny little bastards, huh?"

Daniel chuckled. "Yep. All of those raging hormones."

"Well, in that case...Before my Dad catches us," she said, with a seductive smile. She straddled his hips once again. Pressed her lips against his, waiting for him to work the combination that left her shivering with need.

He ran his tongue over her lips, barely touching her, then with a bit more pressure. The tip of his tongue toyed with her lower lip, teasing her, begging entrance to her mouth. She gasped against him, and he dove inside; stroking her, touching her, tasting her. Felt the tremors that moved through her body, the result of his attention.

Breath of life. His kisses were the breath of life to her. It was impossible for her to make it through the day without turning to him numerous times, needing to feel the thrill that raced through her each and every time they kissed. He never rushed her. Always let her take what she needed from him.

His entire body responded when her tongue darted past his and into his mouth, touching him shyly at first, until she was certain that he was enjoying her attention. Then her movements became bold...she demanded from him...took what she needed. And gave back so much more.

She could feel the stirring of the anaconda against her belly. Need...sudden and intense...filled her entire being. She rose up, reached between them and guided him into that aching center of need. Sighed into his mouth as he filled her so completely.

Oh, god, what a feeling! Hot and tight and so wet...heaven...home. Sheathed in her body, melded into that entity that was uniquely them, his heart fluttered with happiness, sighed to be locked in her warm embrace. Safe from all of the darkness that lurked in the deep recess of his mind and soul.

Nothing else existed...he was the entire universe. All that she knew was him. All that she wanted was him. In his arms, she was safe. In his arms, none of her dark fears could touch her. None of the scars on her soul mattered. In his arms, she was whole. She moaned softly when his hands went to her breasts, cupping them so gently it brought tears to her eyes. His thumbs moved back and forth over nipples that hardened at his touch.

She was using those inner muscles to grip him, massage him...drive him out of his mind. The subtle movements of her hips only added to the pleasure that skittered up and down his spine, and settled in his belly. "Just like that," he moaned softly, his eyes closed. He let his head fall back, gave in to the sensations of pure bliss.

Slowly, she began to move up and down, the roof of the Jeep preventing her from being able to rise up far. But it was enough. She knew that he was reaching the point of no return, when his hands slid to her back, then down to her ass.

Kneading those soft, firm globes as she rode him, he thrust up into her, meeting her slender hips each time she moved down. She was trying to increase her pace. "Easy, Angel."

"No time," she moaned softly.

He couldn't help but grin. She was about to lose control, and he was going to enjoy every moment of the ride. His eyes rolled back into his head when she began to bounce on his lap, her fingers tugging at his nipples. The little sounds of pleasure she was making added to his own gratification.

"Nngg...Daniel!"

Their bodies were in complete control, hips grinding...hands caressing. His lips went to her throat, she moaned again, let her head fall back, her hair brushing against his knees. When her thighs began to quiver, he held her tighter, thrust up harder.

"Oh, goddess!"

That beautiful whimper filled her throat...became the song of love that never failed to send his heart soaring right along beside her. "Give it to me, Case," he panted.

Her body was shivering, her well convulsing...lights flashed...colors whirled...she leapt off the cliff and dove into the warm waves of pure, sweet pleasure with a cry of rapture.

His moan of completion echoed around them, he buried his face between her breasts, his arms around her, holding her tightly as he joined her in their celestial dance of ecstasy.

She leaned her forehead against his, both of them breathing heavily as they slowly came back to earth. "Love you," she whispered.

He smiled. "Love you, too, Angel."

The sound of a vehicle in the driveway had them scrambling for their clothes. "Told you we'd get caught," she said softly.

"Hello?"

Casey's green eyes went wide. Then she burst into giggles. Wondered briefly if Janet was with her father, or if he was alone. She was still buttoning her sweater, her jeans barely over her hips when Gary stuck his head through the open door of the garage.

He wouldn't have seen them, if not for a flash of blonde hair. He bit back his chuckle. The thought of having interrupted them brought mixed feelings...sadistic glee, just on principal...because, married or not, she was his little girl!...a bit of embarrassment, just for the fact of catching them in a private moment...and a smidgen of remorse. After all, he'd never taken it well when he and Cookie had been disturbed at the 'wrong' moment. In deference to his daughter's feelings, he called out. "Anybody home?"

Casey glanced over her shoulder. If her dad hadn't seen them, she'd eat her boonie. She heard the back door slam. He knew exactly where they were...and he was giving them time to get out of the Jeep and into the house.

Daniel's thoughts mirrored his Wife's...Gary had seen them, and knew exactly what was going on. Wouldn't be difficult to discern when they walked into the house...the scent of their love clung to their skin.

The couple slipped into the house, found Gary leaning against the island, hands in his pockets. "Hi, Dad," Casey greeted him, kissing his cheek when she was close enough.

"Hi, baby. I was leaving Janet's place, thought I'd drop by."

"Leaving? You still haven't moved in with her?" Casey teased.

Gary frowned. He couldn't explain to himself the reason he hesitated to make his relationship with Janet more 'permanent'. Which meant he couldn't explain it to Janet...although she didn't seem as upset by the fact that he'd been able to avoid even discussing the situation for weeks...as he figured she would be...or should be. Certainly couldn't explain to his daughter the reason he slept in his own bed most nights of the week.

"It was a joke, Dad," Casey said softly, noting the frown.

"I know, honey."

"Apparently a bad one."

"Nah. Guess I just haven't-" He broke off, turned to stare out of the double French doors.

She put her hand on his arm. "None of my business. You don't have to explain anything about your love life to me."

He gave her a crooked smile...and a tight hug.

"I was just working in the yard..."

Gary ducked his head, fought to hide his grin.

Daniel's lips twitched. Yep, Gary had seen them.

"Make yourself at home, I'm going to take a quick shower," Casey finished, having noted her father's reaction as well.

"I should probably clean up, too," Daniel mumbled.

"Take your time. I should have called first," Gary replied. His grin broke free. "I'll just check on the news. See if the world is still out there same as it was yesterday."

Casey was taken in that instant back to the twisted reality where Kinsey had managed to upturn the entire planet in a matter of days. "That's a good idea. So we can stop any stupid moves by politicians before it's too late."

Her comment let him know immediately what she was thinking about. "Let's go, Angel," Daniel said softly.

After a quick shower, Casey had ordered pizzas, a movie was selected, and the three spent a quiet and enjoyable evening together.

"I'll be going to Kansas City for a couple of days...there's some business I have to tend to personally. Or so Charley informs me."

"You are the owner of the firm, Dad. I'd think your presence would be required occasionally."

"I suppose so."

"Is something wrong, Dad? Something between you and Janet?"

Gary shook his head. "Everything's fine. I guess I'm just tired."

That wasn't the truth. Oh, he wasn't deliberately lying to her, Casey realized. She doubted that her father knew what was wrong. She could still see 'white' around the couple when they were together. But she didn't see auras. Not usually. A familiar face, a cheeky smile and long red hair flashed through her thoughts. She really needed to see what Annika was up to. Maybe her alternate universe friend's psychic abilities could help her figure out what was going on. And she wouldn't even contemplate the fact that she had a friend...no, friends, she thought, thinking of 'that' Jack, Daniel, Teal'c, and Sam as well...in a completely different reality. One where all was right...one where the good guys were continuing the battle against the Goa'uld and all the other bad guys who existed there.

"I'm going to call it a night. Thanks for the pizza and movie," Gary said, pulling himself to his feet.

"You're welcome. If you ever need to talk, I'm here," Casey replied.

He grinned. "Thanks, honey."

Daniel and Casey walked to the door with Gary, stood on the porch and watched until the tail lights of the black Cadillac disappeared around the corner.

"Something's not right," Casey murmured.

"It's their problem, Case, not ours," Daniel said softly.

"I know. But he's my father, she's my best friend."

"I know. Let's get some sleep, Angel. We have a mission briefing tomorrow."

"Yes, we do. And hopefully, there won't be a Quantum Mirror in the same solar system."

Arm in arm, they went back inside. Snuggled together in bed...made love quietly, sweetly, and fell asleep in one another's arms.