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They returned to the SGC, and Jack took her to the infirmary himself, telling her that she could just call Daniel and have him meet her there. He squeezed her shoulder amiably, nodded at Janet, and walked out, hands in his pockets.

"So, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Janet asked, a wide smile on her face.

"It's about that protein stuff. It makes me nauseous," Casey told her.

"Probably because of the smell and taste," Janet replied, a wicked little smile on her face. "I know it's bad, but you need the calories, and the supplements. Does the nausea fade after awhile?"

"After a couple of hours," Casey admitted.

Janet frowned. "You should get used to it after a few days, and the nausea shouldn't be so bad, if it occurs at all. I'll tell you what. Keep taking it this week. If you're still nauseous a couple hours after drinking it next week, we'll see if we can't find something else that will help."

"I could just quit drinking that nasty stuff, then I won't be nauseous at all," Casey said, smiling angelically at the doctor.

"Nice try. Have you had lunch?"

"No. I'm supposed to call Daniel."

Janet nodded, picked up the phone. She spoke briefly with the young archaeologist, then hung up. "He's on his way. So how do you like Silver Springs so far?"

"It's beautiful. You should see Daniel's apartment! It's like it's right out of a designer's catalogue or something!" Casey said, not stopping to think that more than likely, as one of his friends, Janet had seen his home. "He took me to Grant Park on Saturday; I'd never been sledding, it was so much fun!"

Janet couldn't help but smile at the excitement in the young blonde's eyes, and in her smile. "I'm glad to hear that. Listen, Friday night Sam and I are going to have a girl's night out. Interested?"

She pulled her lip between her teeth. "I'd love to go, but I don't know what Daniel would say about it."

Janet took Casey's slender hand between her own small ones. "Casey, you're still an individual. With all the rights and responsibilities that go with that. You're a grown woman. I can understand taking Daniel's feelings into consideration, but never, ever think that he's going to behave like some tyrant, believing himself your Lord and Master. That's not Daniel. He's a kind, gentle, sweet man. My guess is whatever makes you happy, is going to make him happy. Within reason of course," she said, her brown eyes twinkling.

She looked down at the floor. "I've never…I've never had anyone in my life who loved me, except for Grandma Rose. I guess I'm still new at this relationship thing. I'm not always sure what I'm supposed to do, or not to…all I know is that I love him so much it hurts," Casey confided softly.

Janet felt her heart lurch in sympathy. "Oh, honey! Let me tell you something, Daniel isn't the only one around here who thinks you're pretty special!"

Casey blushed. "I'm not really. Daniel…oh, Janet, you should hear him describe me! He makes me sound…pretty! And he really sees me that way!"

Janet had already heard from Sam about Casey's insecurities, what she saw when she looked in the mirror. As Daniel had said, someone had taken this woman's self-esteem, her self-confidence, and left it in little tiny pieces. She smiled. "I happen to know for a fact that he's pretty crazy about you. You know, until you came into his life, I never knew he had dimples!"

She giggled. "Darned sexy, aren't they?"

"I'll say!" Janet agreed. "I don't think I have ever seen those blue eyes so full of happiness. I've seen him excited about a discovery, or figuring out a translation that has had every one stumped, I've seen him proud of helping people, but I have never seen happiness, not like I saw when he walked in here with you on Friday."

"Hey, Janet!" a familiar voice called. "I heard there was an incredibly beautiful blonde in here looking for a lunch date. Thought I'd show up and take my chances."

Janet winked at Casey. The young blonde stood and stepped into the arms that opened for her.

"Hey, babe," he whispered, hugging her tightly, his heart pounding as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and clung to him.

"Hey, yourself." He always smelled so good…she felt so safe in his arms.

"Janet, did she ask about that protein stuff?"

"Yes she did. We've discussed it. She can fill you in on it. I have paperwork to finish. Let me know about Friday night, Case."

"I will," Casey promised.

Daniel frowned. "What about Friday?"

"Sam and Janet are having a girl's night out, and Janet invited me," she said shyly.

He smiled, and led her toward the elevator. "Hopefully your credit card will be here by then."

"My what?"

"I ordered a card for you on the account. You'll need your own card, Angel. You can have your own account, one in your name if you want. But anything that you buy for the house goes on the American Express. Anything that's a necessity goes on the American Express," he said carefully.

When they'd stepped onto the lift, she wound her arms around his neck, pressed her face against him. "What did I ever do to deserve you?" she whispered.

"I think you have that backwards, Angel. What did I do to deserve you?" He couldn't help but grin. If she held him any tighter she was liable to pop right out through his back!

"I love you."

"Love you, too." He reached up to pull her arms from around his neck, his hands sliding down to hers, moved away from her, gently, keeping her hands locked in his. "What did Janet say about that protein stuff?"

"To keep drinking it everyday, and if it's still making me nauseous next week she'll try something else," she replied.

"Okay. Hungry?"

"A bit," she admitted.

"That's a shame. We have to eat in the cafeteria today," he grinned.

Casey giggled. "So, are you getting those translations finished?"

"One down, five to go," he told her with a grin.

"You probably would have had more finished if you'd worked on Thursday and Friday."

"Maybe. Wouldn't have had as much fun."

"Daniel, did I thank you for taking me sledding? And for everything you bought me?"

"At least a dozen times, Angel," he said softly.

"Guess I'll have to think of something special to do for you. Maybe this weekend." The elevator doors opened, and she stepped out. "Did I ever tell you that I know how to do exotic dances? I can do a bit of stripping too."

His mouth went dry, and for one second he thought every drop of blood in his body was headed for one place. "You what?"

She laughed at the look on his face. "Kells and I had a tape that taught exotic dancing. It's an excellent form of exercise. It talks a bit about stripping, too. I just might have to work up a routine, sit you down, strip for you. If you're a very good boy, you might even get a lap dance."

That did it! No blood anywhere now. It was all in his cock! He shivered as he imagined that slender body moving the way he'd seen the girls at the clubs doing. Then he wondered just exactly which supply closet would be the safest for taking her to, and dealing with the problem that raged in his nether regions.

"Are you going to stand on the elevator all day?" When she saw the front of his pants tented, she wanted to die. She'd made him...uncomfortable! She'd only meant to tease him - she should know better than to say those sort of things. And at work no less! What must he think of her? If he hadn't thought she was a slut before, he certainly would now!

He stepped out, tried to rein in his thoughts and his raging body. When he looked over at her, he bit back a moan. Her cheeks were pale, tears stood in her eyes.

"I am so sorry!" she whispered. "I…I wasn't thinking! That was so...rude...so...so slutty!"

Daniel pulled her into an embrace. "No, it wasn't. Honey, you were only teasing. It's okay. I'll admit, the thought of you stripping for me turns me on like you wouldn't believe!"

She smiled against his shoulder, although she was still totally mortified by what she'd said...and the results of her teasing comments. "I promise, from now on, I won't talk like that. It's not...proper; not...ladylike."

He wanted to roll his eyes. Barely controlled the urge to do so. "Casey, we were having fun. You were teasing me. It's not your fault that you're so damned beautiful that just thinking about your body turns me on! Well, maybe it is your fault. You know how to use that body to drive me out of my mind. That's a good thing," he whispered in her ear. "Ready to go eat?"

The look of love in his beautiful blue eyes did more to reassure her than his words, although they were certainly a balm to her worried - and embarrassed - heart. She could sense that he wasn't upset...not at all. In fact, it almost felt as if he were...amused. He was so different from anyone she'd ever known before…so…so incredibly wonderful. "Are you?"

"Smartass."

She smiled. "You love it and you know it."

"Oh, yeah, I do!"

Several conversations came to an abrupt halt when Daniel led Casey into the cafeteria. When they'd been there on Friday most of the personnel had already been told to stay home due to the storm. The room was full at that moment, and every man watched as she walked beside him, one hand holding his tightly, the other wrapped around his arm as if she were afraid he was going to get away from her.

Daniel tried damned hard not to strut through the room, chest thrust forward. It was nearly impossible, especially when she refused to let go of him. Having her carry the two mugs of coffee allowed him to take a tray and fill it with their lunch.

There was room at one end of a long table where they could sit, but only one chair. Four men jumped to their feet to offer their chair to her. She smiled, and chose the chair from a young man with glasses, one who was being teased by his companions. He grinned broadly, drank the last of his coffee standing up, and left the cafeteria whistling.

He could only shake his head and grin. Yep, Daniel thought gleefully, look all you want. She's mine! That her eyes saw only him made his head spin slightly as he took a sip of coffee. "Have you seen the 'gate room yet?"

Casey shook her head. "Not yet. I take it that's where the Stargate is?"

"Yep. It's incredible, Angel. There are thirty-nine glyphs on it. I had no idea that they could be pronounced until Jack had the repository of the Ancients downloaded into his head. Because of what he did we learned about the Ancients, and the Asgard. It almost killed him; had it not been for the Asgard, he'd have died...anyway, I've been able to learn to read and speak Ancient. Did you study any of the ancient languages in your classes?"

"One of my classes dealt with the cultural aspects of some of the writings, the symbolism, things of that sort," she replied.

He studied her as he ate his sandwich. Jack had already called him, told him that Casey was not only eager to learn, she seemed to learn quickly. The sooner she could read two of the most common alien languages, the sooner she could help him with translations. "I'm going to teach you to read and speak Goa'uld. And Ancient. And Latin. If you can read Latin, you can translate a dozen different languages. Same for speaking it. Latin is the basis for most of the languages in Europe today."

"I know a bit of Latin," she admitted. "Kelley was studying it. She was planning to go into medicine. Then her father died, and her mother wouldn't pay for her tuition. She dropped out of Western a few months after I did."

He nodded his understanding.

"Is it okay if I get more coffee?" she asked shyly, nodding toward the urn that sat on a table that was pushed against the wall nearby.

"How many cups have you had today?"

She sighed. "If I have another one, it will be three."

"Then yeah, it's okay. Just as long as you don't have anymore for the rest of the day," Daniel replied, giving her a smile.

"Tyrant," she mumbled.

Daniel grinned. "Yep."

She couldn't help but smile, his love wrapping around her again, making her feel safe and warm, then stood and made her way to the coffee.

One of the SG teams walked into the cafeteria at that moment. Every one of the team members noticed the blonde immediately. One of the men headed straight toward her. "It's about time somebody improved the surroundings around here," he said, grinning broadly.

Casey turned around.

"Helloooo, gorgeous!" the man whistled. "Welcome to the SGC! My name is Mark White, and I'm at your beck and call. Whatever you want, you got it!"

She forced a smile. "That's very kind," she said softly.

Daniel was on his feet.

"I mean whatever you want, sweet thing," Mark said, his voice dropping low, seductive.

"I'm sure that Doctor Jackson will be pleased to know that you're making his fiancée feel welcome," another voice said gruffly.

Casey glanced over at the man Daniel had introduced her to on the bus. She couldn't remember his name, but she smiled gratefully at him.

By now Daniel was at her side, anger flashing in his eyes.

Mark White just happened to be one of the men who had been in on the blanket party. For years he'd watched Dr. Jackson, a civilian who thought he was so damned smart with his multiple degrees. A civilian who was taking up a coveted spot on SG-1. A civilian who should have been locked away with his tablets and scrolls and artifacts, translating what was needed, not out causing more trouble on every mission he went on! He'd learned one important thing that night - Dr. Daniel Jackson was more than capable of defending himself. He raised both hands to shoulder height. "No offense, Doctor," he said. He glanced at Casey again. Damn, what a waste! "If you ever decide you want a real man, sweet thing, I'm always available," he said, the comment out before he had time to think about it.

She glanced up at the man she loved, stepped closer to his side. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Daniel glanced down at her. "Casey, you have no reason to apologize. Sergeant White, however, does."

The man looked into furious blue eyes. Had the feeling that any physical response now would be twice as bad as it had been in that warehouse. "I apologize," he mumbled.

"I didn't quite catch that, did you, Doc?" Major Ferretti said loudly.

"Not quite, no," Daniel replied calmly. He continued to stare at the sergeant. He knew exactly who the man was. And understood that now White knew that he knew.

"I said I apologize," White repeated, his cheeks turning ruddy red with embarrassment. He glared at Daniel, then at the beautiful blonde beside him. One day, he thought, they're both going to pay for this! He still owed the geek for knocking him down those stairs!

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