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Daniel opened his eyes, groaned, and promptly closed them again. He hoped that his Quickening would soon dull the throbbing in his head. He had no clue how he had made home, or into bed. He scratched his stomach. In bed naked. Had he made love to Casey? Nah, if he had, he'd certainly remember it! Making love with her wasn't just sex, it was an experience of love.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," said the object of his thoughts, flashing the smile that always made his heart thump and his knees weak. She was carrying a tray, and it looked like it had breakfast on it.

"'Morning, babe," he replied. He watched her set the tray on the dresser. Then she was beside him, helping him sit up, plumping pillows behind him. It had been a long time since she'd brought him breakfast in bed. "What's all this for?"

"Mom picked up the kids a little bit ago. We'll meet them for a late lunch at Curly's."

"Uh huh. What's all this for?"

She smiled. "Because, my darling, sweet, sexy hunk of an archaeologist, I wanted to. Because …because I love you, Daniel, and I just need to make sure you know that."

Shit! Had she had a nightmare last night, one of the bad ones…and he was too drunk…passed out and unable to help her? "Babe, I know you love me. You don't have to serve me breakfast in bed to prove it."

She sat down on the bed beside him. "It's just a way of showing you my love," she said softly.

He cupped her cheek with his hand. "Love the way you show me your love, Angel," he replied just as softly. He grinned at her. "So, do I get waffles?"

She giggled. "Of course. And sausage links, just the way you like them. And pineapple juice, that's because I like it."

"Blueberry syrup?"

"Yep."

"Cool."

She brought the tray over, let him hold it while she got settled on the bed beside him. He put it over his legs, let her cuddle against his side. She took a bite of the sausage that he offered. "So did you have a good time last night?"

"I guess so." He ate the rest of the link, cut one of the waffles and took a bite.

It was difficult not to laugh out loud. "Jack and Teal'c brought you home."

"That's good." He offered her a bite of waffle, licked the syrup off her lip before she could.

"Do you remember anything about last night?"

He frowned. "A couple of women sent drinks over, but I sent them back. We talked about how lucky we are." He could remember other facets of the conversation, things that he wasn't about to reveal to Casey. "We just talked about…stuff."

She gave into the giggles. "I'm sure you did. You were totally wasted, Daniel. I had a hard time trying to get you to the bathroom when you told me you had to pee. Then I had to hold you up so you wouldn't fall off of the toilet. Then you got sick."

His frown deepened. "Sorry, Angel." He sipped gratefully from the large mug of coffee.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm not complaining…much. You were sweet and funny…and totally wrecked!"

"I seem to remember a couple of times when you were 'totally wrecked'."

"Yeah, and you were right there for me," she said with a smile.

He kissed the tip of her sweet, very not weird nose. "Yes, I was."

She peeled the orange she had put on the tray, pulled it into sections, popped one into her mouth. "So what else did you talk about…besides…stuff?"

"Teal'c asked Carly to marry him."

"Really? What did she say?"

"That she wants time to think about it."

She nodded. "I knew she had something on her mind. She's been too distracted lately when I go into the studio to dance. I hope she'll say yes. Those two are so good together."

"Yeah, they are. He really loves her, that's for sure."

"I know she loves him. I get the feeling sometimes that her feelings surprise her."

"Duncan has known her for a long time. He says she's always been a 'free spirit'." Daniel offered her another bite of waffle.

"Yeah, I picked that up. She's known a lot of men, had a lot of men in her life, a few in her bed, but she's never…settled down…with one. I get the feeling she's been with Teal'c longer than she's ever been with any man."

The plate was empty now. He drank the rest of the coffee. "Well, whatever happens is up to them. Let's take a shower, then is there anything you had planned until we meet your folks for lunch?"

"No, why?"

"Good. You still have to teach me that way to communicate without talking."

She giggled. "Oh, it could be a long lesson, it might last for…" she glanced at the clock, "it could last as long as three hours."

"Oh, I hope so, Angel," he said, just before his lips closed over hers.

She was breathless when she pulled away. "Hang onto that tray," she whispered. He held it while she climbed off the bed. "I'll take care of this, you go warm up the water."

"Hurry, Angel. I need you," he replied softly.

"I'll be right there."

A few minutes later she was in his arms, holding him, kissing him, the warm water flowing over their bodies. He smiled to himself. They were about to make more wonderful memories…which would bother him at the most inconvenient of times. They made love slowly, gently, thoroughly.

"Love you, Angel," he whispered against the soft skin of her neck as they stood holding one another in the sweet afterglow of their lovemaking.

"Love you, Sweetheart," she whispered in reply.

He knew that tomorrow they had to return to the battle against Nergal. Today they would enjoy one another, and then they would spend time in the sunshine with their children. Today, they would have peace.

THE END

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