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White Lace and Promises

Casey hesitated as the four women approached the bridal shop. She looked up at the sign. 'Wedding Bells Bridal Boutique' was written in large pink script. "Oh, my god," she breathed. "This can't really be happening!"

"What?" Sam asked, concern in her voice.

Green eyes locked with sapphire blue ones. "I'm getting married!" she whispered.

Janet laughed, put her arm around Casey's slender waist and hugged her. "Yep. Which is why we're here. We have strict orders from Daniel that you are not allowed to see the price tags on the dresses, and you have to pick the one you really, really want."

She shook her head. True to his word, Daniel had helped her to procure a loan. However, she'd only managed to qualify for seventy-five hundred dollars. He insisted that he'd pay for the entire reception, leaving her more than enough to 'splurge' on the dress of her dreams. "He's going to go broke if he keeps spending money like he has been!"

"Casey, Daniel hasn't spent more than what he needs to live on for five years. He's having the time of his life spoiling you. He's been alone...and lonely...for so long, that he's like a kid in a candy store, finally able to have exactly what he wants. Taking care of you is the single most important thing in his life. Don't take that away from him," Sam said gently.

It hadn't occurred to her that he might feel that way. She nodded. Looked at the sign again. Felt that funny quiver in her stomach. "I'm getting married!" she whispered again.

Cassie laughed. "Not if you don't get in there and buy a dress. Unless you plan on walking down the aisle in the nude!"

"Cassandra!" Janet said, her voice holding a warning tone.

Casey giggled. "She has a point. Okay, let's go. Ms. Adams said that this lady has the list of dresses I picked out, and that they'll be available for me to try on."

"Then let's start getting them tried on!" Janet said.

A   A   A   A   A   A

"I hate wearing monkey suits," Jack groused as the tailor hovered near the men. Each of them were standing in front of full length mirrors, dressed in the style of tuxedo that Daniel and Casey had chosen during their afternoon planning session.

"It's what Casey wants," Daniel said. For him, it was that simple. If Casey wanted it, then that was the way it was going to be.

Jack grinned. "She has you knocked for a loop, Danny-boy."

Daniel grinned. "One hell of a great loop," he replied.

The older man tugged on the sleeve of the jacket, the toyed with the button covers. "Are you happy, Daniel?"

The young archaeologist turned to look at his friend. "I didn't think it was possible to be this happy," he said quietly.

"Good. I can see in your eyes that you love her. I can see in her eyes that she loves you. So you don't have any doubts, any worries?"

"No doubts. Worries…I think that just goes along with being in a relationship. I worry about her eating enough. Getting enough sleep. That she's happy," Daniel replied softly.

"That's love, Danny," Jack replied, his voice equally as soft. Brown eyes began to twinkle. "Then I guess the best thing for you to do is to marry her."

"Not a bad idea," Daniel grinned.

A   A   A   A   A   A

Casey stared at the mirror. After trying on two rather plain gowns, and two with embroidery around the bodice, she was finally in the dress that had caught her eye when Beverly Adams had first opened the book of photographs. The lacy, beaded wedding gown was beautiful, and looked stunning on her slender figure. Sam and Janet had gasped when she'd emerged from the dressing room; Cassie's eyes had gone wide.

"Oh, Casey, that's the dress," Janet said softly.

"It's so beautiful," Casey sighed. "Do you think Daniel will like it?"

Sam giggled. "You could walk down the aisle in a flour sack and he'd like it! But that will take his breath away!"

"We'll take it in a bit here and here," Ellen Wilson said, tugging the dress closer to Casey's body.

"Killer!" Cassie said approvingly.

Casey studied the dress, and knew she was lost. "I'll take it," she said softly, eliciting squeals of approval from her friends. The seamstress followed Casey into the dressing room and carefully took her measurements, guaranteed that the dress would be ready by the eighteenth of the month.

While Janet and Sam were being fitted for the black sheath gowns that they'd be wearing, Casey showed Cassie the dress she'd picked out for the teenager to wear.

"Oh, wow, it's…wow!" Cassie said.

"You'll look beautiful in it. Try it on," Casey smiled encouragingly.

When the young woman came out, twisting back and forth to catch sight of the back of the gown, Janet and Sam stood with tears in their eyes.

"She looks so grown up in that," Janet moaned.

"She looks great," Sam said approvingly.

"Can we buy it, Mom?" Cassie asked hopefully.

Janet smiled. "I think so. Casey is right, that will be a great dress to wear to your first prom in the spring."

A bright smile on her face, Cassie turned back to the mirror.

An hour later, with shoes and strapless bras in hand, the four women decided that it was time for lunch.

"Mom, don't forget I have to be back in Silver Springs by four," Cassie said as the women settled at the table. She looked at Sam, tried not to giggle. She'd be spending the night with her best friend Amy tonight. Because her mother and Sam, with Jack and Teal'c's help, of course, were throwing a surprise wedding shower for Daniel and Casey.

"Oh, that's right," Janet replied. She refused to look at her daughter or best friends. "I have an idea," she said.

Sam bit the inside of her lip. "And that idea would be?"

"Let's head back home, get all dressed up, and go out, just the three of us."

"That sounds great," Sam agreed.

Casey pulled her lip between her teeth. "I should talk to Daniel first," she said softly.

Janet handed the young woman her cell phone. "Then do it."

Ten minutes later the plans were confirmed. Casey was going out with her friends.

A   A   A   A   A   A

"Ya know, standing here in this tux makes me realize I just don't dress up often enough," Jack said, in what he hoped was a casual manner.

Daniel stared at the man. "You hate dressing up!"

"Yeah, well, usually anyway. Mostly these monkey suits. What do you say we put on regular suits, and go see how much it impresses the girls at Deezers?"

"I believe that the dancers would be most impressed," Teal'c said.

"I dunno," Daniel started to object. "I just don't think that I want to go there. I mean, Casey has enough problems with self-esteem without thinking that I prefer those strippers to her. And if I go, that's exactly what she's going to think."

Jack frowned. "We don't have to tell her. And you don't have to tip the girls, or get a lap dance. Just go with us," he said. "If you're there, we'll have a better chance of catching their attention."

"Indeed," Teal'c agreed.

He hesitated. He'd just talked to Casey. She was going out with Janet and Sam. And Jack was right, he didn't have to tip the dancers. Or get a lap dance. Which wouldn't be anywhere as good as what he'd received from Casey, anyway. He shivered as images of that night flooded his brain. He was thankful that the tailor had finished measuring him as his cock began to stir.

"Come on, don't be such a pain," Jack cajoled.

"Okay. But I'm not tipping them."

Jack bit back his grin. Nope, Space Monkey, you won't be. Because there won't be strippers where we're going.

It didn't take much for Jack to convince Daniel to just pick up his suit and shower and change at his house. Teal'c was doing the same. It kept the couple from seeing each other, and possibly figuring out that something was up. He grabbed the gift that he'd purchased, handed it to Teal'c, who hid it, and his own gift, in the backseat of Jack's truck. Jack watched the young man knotting his tie. He was still getting used to seeing Daniel with a smile on his face every day. Even now, the light in his eyes bespoke of his happiness. "Get a move on, Danny," he said.

A   A   A   A   A   A

Sam and Janet had grabbed their clothes, and were showering and getting ready to go out at Casey's. They'd searched through her wardrobe, and found her little black dress. It was short, form fitting, and sexy. The fact that there was absolutely no back to it had made the two women tease their young friend.

"Are you hungry?" Janet asked, her eyes dancing.

"I could go for something to eat," Sam agreed. She couldn't hide her smile.

Casey frowned. She'd been sensing all afternoon that something was up. "Okay, what's going on? You two have been acting weird all day. What are you up to?"

Janet frowned. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she sniffed.

"Uh huh," Casey replied, not at all convinced.

"Just relax, Casey, and go along for the ride," Sam said.

She studied her friends for a moment. Didn't believe that they'd lead her into a situation where something could happen that would cause problems between her and Daniel. She took a deep breath. "Okay. I'm relaxed," she replied.

A   A   A   A   A   A

O'Malley's had a banquet room, and it was there that Janet and Sam led Casey, not more than five minutes after Jack and Teal'c had led Daniel to the same place. The two groups met in the hall just outside of the double doors.

"We've been had," Daniel grinned.

"I think so," Casey agreed. "You look fantastic."

"You look beautiful," he replied.

"Yeah, we all look great," Jack said. "Come on."

When the doors opened, at least sixty people yelled out "SURPRISE!" - including General Hammond. A banner near the ceiling in the middle of the room read 'Congratulations, Daniel and Casey'. A buffet table was set up on one side of the room, and was laden with the best appetizers and hors d'oeuvres O'Malley's had to offer. A bar was set up in the corner, and a table laden with gifts sat in between.

Casey lifted both hands to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. "This is what you were up to?"

Sam giggled. "Yep. Surprised?"

She could only nod.

Daniel grinned and put his arm around her waist, propelled her farther into the room. He didn't need for her to tell him that surprise parties had not been a part of her life. "Thanks," he murmured to his friends.

"Any time, Daniel," Jack replied softly.

Music began to thump from the jukebox, thanks to Teal'c, and the party officially began. Daniel pulled Casey to the dance floor, and the two demonstrated some of the Dirty Dancing that she'd taught him, to the hoots and cheers of their friends. Eventually Casey had danced with every man in the room, Jack twice; and she and Teal'c had done the twist. She hadn't been aware that the Jaffa knew how to dance!

After two hours of absolute revelry, the jukebox was silenced, and two chairs were placed in the center of the dance floor. The crowd of people gathered around, and the opening of the presents commenced.

Casey was overwhelmed by the idea that not only had her friends arranged a party for them, but that the people invited had shown up, with gifts no less!

"Having a good time, Angel?" Daniel asked, leaning over to whisper in her ear.

"Oh, yes!" she replied.

He smiled. Her eyes were shining so brightly, her smile lit the room. He put his arm around her, hugged her to his side.

Gifts ranged from the useful to the unexpected to extravagant to silly. Casey's favorites were the crystal and sterling silver picture frames. Towels and sheets seemed to be a popular gift, they received several sets of each. Daniel was a bit surprised at Jack's gift, a crystal cube that had been carved with a laser. The result was an image in what appeared to be 3-D - an angel, complete with wings and halo, her hand reaching down toward a man who was looking up at her.

"It's perfect," Daniel said softly. "Where did you find it?"

The older man shrugged, pleased that the gift had been so well received. "A guy over in the mall does them. You can order whatever you want in them," was the casual reply.

Teal'c' gift had been just as unexpected. It was a framed photograph, a montage of the two of them, using photographs taken the day the team had gone sledding together. Casey had hugged the large man's neck tightly, declaring it perfect. It was the first photograph she had of her and Daniel together.

There were two boxes left, both appeared to be sweater boxes. Janet was grinning from ear to ear. "These are from Sam and me."

Daniel raised an eyebrow, carefully took the package that the petite woman handed him. The look on her face alerted him to the fact that the two women were up to something.

"Read the cards out loud," Sam instructed.

Casey opened the small, square card carefully. "To Casey, for Daniel, from Sam and Janet."

Daniel read his. "To Daniel, for Casey, from Sam and Janet." He looked up at the two women. "It's not safe to open these, is it?"

Sam giggled. "Not really."

"You don't have to open that here," he whispered in Casey's ear.

"Why not?" she asked, a bit confused.

"Because I have the feeling that these might be a bit…embarrassing," he explained.

She frowned slightly. She'd been to half a dozen bridal and wedding showers. Understanding dawned. "We don't have to if you don't want to, but I have the feeling that it'll be more fun to watch their faces when we do open them."

Daniel chuckled. "You're vindictive," he declared.

"Nope. Just having a good time with good friends."

He could hear the unspoken 'and I've never had that before'. "Okay, let's do it. You first."

Casey winked at him, and tore the wrapping paper from a plain, white box. She lifted off the lid, folded back the tissue paper, and gasped. "Oh, my god!"

"What?" Jack asked, trying to get a better look at what was in the box.

Nestled on top of the red tissue paper was a sheer white teddy, with white satin bows. It had slits in the cups that would expose her nipples when she was wearing it, and was crotch-less, with a tiny bow that held the two lace sides together. Casey glanced at Daniel's face. He was blushing slightly, but the look of lust in his eyes let her know that he was trying to visualize her wearing it.

"Come on, let us see," a voice called out.

Hesitantly, her cheeks blazing, she lifted the sexy little garment from the box. Then turned it and held it against her slender frame. Laughter filled the room.

"Okay, let's start a pool here and now," Major Ferretti called out. "I say he doesn't leave it on her longer than five minutes!"

"I'll take a piece of that," Jack grinned. "I say three."

"I believe Daniel Jackson will allow Casey Webster to wear that garment for fifteen minutes," Teal'c said calmly. Raucous laughter followed the announcement.

His fingers were shaking slightly as he opened the box on his lap. Folded back the tissue paper. Barely suppressed a moan. He lifted out a pair of dark blue silk boxers. And a pair of fur-lined handcuffs. Whoops and laughter filled the room again.

Casey was overcome by a fit of giggles, took the cuffs and promptly put them on his wrists. Which started more hoots and laughter. She searched the box, found the key, and released him.

"I think they go this way," Daniel said, grinning at her. He cuffed her hands. Put the key in his pocket.

"I don't even want to know," Janet said, shaking her head.

"Yes, you do," Sam countered, her grin wide and wicked.

It was near midnight when the party broke up. With ample help, all of the gifts were loaded into Jack's truck. Daniel rode home with him and Teal'c, Casey rode with Sam and Janet. When they arrived at the tall brick apartment building, it didn't take the six friends long to have the stack of boxes on the dining room table. Casey hugged each of her friends as they left, thanking them again and again for the wonderful surprise.

She closed the door, leaned back against it. Daniel was watching her, his hands in his pockets. "I bought it," she said softly.

He smiled. "I know. Janet said you're going to knock my socks off when I see you in it."

"I'm so happy it frightens me."

She'd confessed that same fear before. He held out his hand. Smiled when she nearly ran across the room and into his arms. "It's okay to be happy, Casey."

"I hope so," she whispered.

"So when are you going to wear that little white number for me?"

She giggled. "Sometime on our honeymoon."

"Oh, cruel. Very cruel."

"I have a blue teddy I could wear tonight," she said softly. She could feel the response in his body. "Get the bed ready, I'll be right there."

If Jack had bet on the blue teddy, he would have won.

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