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When they had entered the theater, they were met by the Mayor and his wife, and led to one of the most exclusive boxes available.

As soon as the ballet started Casey felt the tension return. It was too similar to the mission she had been on, brought too many unpleasant memories to the surface. She held tightly to Daniel’s hand, forced a smile whenever the Mayor turned to speak to her.

He watched her, knew something was bothering her. ‘Babe, are you all right?’

She looked at him, shook her head slightly. ‘This is too close for comfort. It…it’s bringing up all of…that…again.’

He raised her fingers to his lips. ‘Do you want to leave? We can tell them you’re not feeling well, or I’m not feeling well, or something.’

‘No, we should stay, it wouldn’t look good if we left. This is as much a diplomatic trip as a vacation,’ she replied.

Jack glanced over at them, could tell they were "talking" to one another. Whatever it was, it didn’t look good. Casey looked pale. He leaned over to Daniel. "What’s wrong?"

"Ba’al."

Jack looked at Casey, then to the stage. Well, wasn’t that just peachy! "Take her back to the room, Daniel. We’ll make excuses for you," he whispered.

Daniel shook his head. "I already suggested that, she said no."

The mayor turned to the two men. "Is there a problem?" he asked quietly.

Jack looked at Daniel, who shook his head. The two men sat silently, although Daniel continued to steal glances at his wife, who was looking paler by the minute. When the last act began, the similarities between the mission and the story were still too eerily familiar, although in the end of the ballet, the woman killed the man, her enemy, then wept for him, her lover.

When the Mayor suggested a nightcap, Daniel shook his head. "Thank you for your most gracious invitation, but my Wife and I are both rather tired. If you’ll excuse us, we’re going back the hotel."

Duncan watched them leave, having accepted for himself and Tessa. Jack and Sam had agreed to stay as well. "What’s wrong?" The Highlander asked quietly as they followed the thin Mayor into a local club.

"Ba’al," Jack said simply. Duncan cringed, and Sam closed her eyes for a moment.

A  A  A  A  A  A

She carefully removed her makeup, then took her brush back out into the room. Daniel sat behind her on the bed and unbraided her hair, then brushed it until it glistened.

"Are you okay, babe?"

"I will be." She turned to face him, raised her face for the kiss he offered. Her arms wrapped around his neck.

He shifted them until they were lying on the bed. He kissed her shoulders, pushed the strap of her teddy down her arm. He continued to kiss her, moving the material out of his way. "Let’s get this off, shall we?" he asked with a smile.

She smiled at him, lifted her body so he could pull the lingerie from her. It hit the floor, his boxers landed on top of it. He reached to turn off the lamp. "No!" she said her voice tinged with panic. "Please, leave it on…"

He looked down into her eyes. "Okay babe. I want to make love to you, want to watch your beautiful face while I love you."

Her eyes glistened. "I want to watch your face while we make love, too," she whispered. 

Daniel knew that she needed to see his face as they made love, so that she could see that it was him and not Ba’al who was touching her, loving her.

They made love gently, tenderly…watching one another as their pleasure overtook them.

He opened his eyes. The lamp was still on. When she had begged him to leave it on, he knew that the nightmare would haunt her tonight. What had awakened him? He heard a soft cry beside him. He pulled her close, felt her body go stiff. Damn! He should have remembered! "It’s okay, Angel, it’s me. Come here, babe," he said, pulling her to lie on top of him. He had held her this way while she slept after leaving the Goa’uld’s ship. Once he had her head on his shoulder, his arms around her tightly, she settled down, began sleeping peacefully again. He hoped that this would be the only night that she would suffer. His hand moved gently up and down her back. He couldn’t help but smile. He went to sleep this way so often that he could feel his own body beginning to relax again. Her weight was a sweet burden, he loved feeling her breathing, her skin warm against his. He closed his eyes, let sleep claim him once again.

A  A  A  A  A  A

They stepped through the gate, their arms full of packages. Kyle met them, a smile on his face. "You look great, boss," he said to Duncan.

"I feel great too," Duncan replied. He looked at the other techs in the room and grinned. "Is this supposed to mean that I’ve been a bear lately?"

"We weren’t going to say anything," Becca said, her eyes twinkling, "but yeah, you’ve been a bear lately."

"Well, we’re all much more relaxed now," Tessa smiled.

Daniel glanced down at Casey. After the first episode, she had slept quietly. She had been like herself at breakfast, playful…fun…loving. He hoped that the nightmare would not return again.

"No offense, but I want to get home and see my baby," Casey said, already heading for the door.

"Me, too," Sam said, following her.

"I will see all four of you here bright and early in the morning," Duncan said.

"No can do, Mac," Casey called over her shoulder. "I have two days to get ready for Thanksgiving. A meal for which your big feet will be under my table."

"You are such a brat!" he told her.

"Yeah, but you love me," she said.

He couldn’t reply, she was already gone. He grinned. "Daniel, I expect you here."

Daniel grinned. "I’ll be here. Otherwise I have to help her."

Duncan laughed. "Glad to offer you sanctuary."

With a laugh and a wave, Daniel followed after his wife.

A  A  A  A  A  A

She sighed as he pulled out of the parking lot. "I had a great time," she said softly

"Yeah, I know. The cards are still smoking," he teased.

She slapped at his arm. "I wasn’t the only one spending money," she replied. She had seen three bags with wrapped gifts in them. Darn him for having them wrapped before leaving the store! "You know what’s so great about coming home from this trip?"

"What, babe?"

"No missions. We don’t have to go out on a mission right away. I mean, we’ll get to stay relaxed!"

He smiled. "That is great."

"Daniel?"

"What?"

"Thank you for the trip."

"You’re welcome, babe."

"Love you."

"Love you too, Angel."

"What did you get me for Christmas?"

"I’m not telling you."

"I’ll tell you what I bought for you."

"I don’t want to know."

"You’re annoying."

"Yep."

"But I love you."

"Good. I love you."

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