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The day wasn't going exactly as Daniel had planned. The trip to the library had lasted two hours; Casey and Nicholas had found a storybook and settled down to read it together. Which gave Daniel and Emily plenty of time to find 'big books'. The trips to the library during Casey's absence had been short, tense affairs. Emily had shown no interest in looking for books at all. She would barely respond even when Daniel asked direct questions of her. If she couldn't nod yes or shake her head no, she merely looked at him, her blue eyes filled with anger and more hurt than any child should have to deal with. Today she seemed determined to make up for all of that. She had held tightly to his hand, something he had missed terribly, he realized; she hadn't wanted him touching her while her mother was gone. Now she was pulling him from one shelf to the another with childish zeal. Hugged his neck tightly when he agreed to a 'big book' about a Princess named Fishtail.

When they were ready to check out, Pat Tingsdel had located the books that Casey had requested, books that would help them explain making love to their very precocious daughter. Casey had smiled encouragingly at him as she slipped the books into the canvas bag.

The trip to the grocery store proved to be…interesting. Being Saturday a lot of folks were doing their weekly shopping. The majority of them had been to the memorial service, and now insisted on welcoming Casey home. And Casey, being the incredible woman that she was, spoke with each of them, accepting their good wishes with the grace that was typical of her. What should have taken no more than thirty minutes took almost an hour and a half. It was all Daniel could do to keep smiling. He wanted to get this stuff home and put away, and get on with their routine. So that he could finally, at long last, be alone with his wife. It had been seven weeks since he had last been alone with her. He wasn't asking for too much, he was sure that he wasn’t! Just time alone with his Wife!

Instead of having their late lunch at Dairy Queen or Tyrone's Burger Barn, Casey had suggested a picnic in the park near the house. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and fruit went into a basket. And she had called the 'family', as well as friends, to join them. Now the group was noisily enjoying a game of football.

Daniel sighed. He took his position, grinned when she shrugged to make her tank top drop down just a bit. Yep, he was enjoying the view of those tantalizing breasts beneath that sexy lace bra. But it wasn't going to do her any good. Not this time!

The ball was snapped, and he lunged for her, taking her down before she had a chance to move.

"That was so not fair," she complained, pushing against him until he rolled to his back. He refused to let go of her.

"And flashing me is?" he asked, one eyebrow raised.

"Doc, let my running back up," Tony demanded, a wide grin on his face.

"Give me one good reason to," Daniel challenged, a grin on his own face.

"Ten yard penalty if you don't."

Casey giggled and pulled away, but not before planting a kiss on his unsuspecting lips. "Try that again and see what it gets you!"

Once again the scrimmage lines were set up. Casey grinned at her husband. As soon as the ball was passed to Tony, who served as the quarterback for SG-6's team, she feinted to her left, then managed to dive past him on the right, shoving him to the ground as she did. She was halfway across the 'field of play', her eyes on Tony, when two strong, familiar arms brought her down.

"Oh, so not fair!" she screamed, laughing hard as they rolled on the grass.

He pinned her body beneath his, felt the reaction to her from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. "What you're doing to me isn't fair, Angel," he replied softly, just before he lowered his head and nuzzled her neck.

"And what would that be?" she asked just as softly. She wrapped her arms around him, held tightly to him.

"Driving me crazy. Making me wait to have you alone," he replied. He kissed her neck, tasted the salt of her sweat.

Her eyes darkened with concern. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I…I guess I wasn't thinking… it's just that it-"

He cut off her apology with a kiss. "Shh…it's okay, Angel," he said when he pulled his lips from hers.

"Why don't we get the kids over to Mom and Dad's. I think they can finish the game without us," she said.

"You're sure?"

She nodded.

"Love you, Case."

"Love you, too, Daniel."

"Okay you two, break it up!" Duncan called. He was playing with SG-1, keeping the line-up the same for both teams; SG-1 had Teal'c, Jack, Sam, Daniel and Duncan; SG-6 had Major Parker, Trenton, Tony, Texas and Casey. Anita Parker had been there for awhile, cheering from the sidelines, but had left in order to take daughter Kerry to the mall to join her friends for a movie.

Daniel rose to his feet, reached down and helped Casey to hers. He glanced over to where Carly and Tessa were keeping the kids entertained. It appeared that Carly was telling them a story, and they were all intent on what she was saying. He grinned. Even if Casey was willing to leave, chances were Emily would object at this point. A glance at his watch told him that it wasn't quite four-thirty. Okay, another thirty minutes. He could wait that long.

Casey watched his face, glanced toward the kids when he did. "So, how long are you going to give them?"

He chuckled. "I guess I can hold out another half an hour."

The two opposing teams moved to the center of the grassy area that was serving as their field. Instead of lining up, however, they all dropped down, sitting or laying close to each other.

"Sure is good to have you back, Case," Jack said. He shifted slightly, put his head in Sam's lap.

"I hear that," Tony said.

"Thanks, guys. It's good to be back," the young Immortal replied.

"Good to have you back, too, big guy," Jack said, looking over at Teal'c.

"It is indeed pleasant to be here," the Jaffa said.

Tessa, Carly, and the kids joined the group. Everyone noticed…but no one mentioned…the fact that both Daniel and Carly seemed to need the constant reassurance that their respective spouses were really safe and with them. Carly's hand never left Teal'c's arm. Daniel was laying with his head in Casey's lap, his hand wrapped around her wrist as her hand moved gently over his tee shirt clad chest.

"Tess tells me that the Triad might have had something to do with all of this," Duncan said softly.

Casey nodded. "I think so. I only have dreams…feelings really, to go by. But I think they 'helped' get us out of…well, wherever it was where we were buried."

"I have also had dreams," Teal'c told the group.

She looked hard at the large man. "A feeling of moving…up? Being told that we were going to 'sleep' for awhile?"

Teal'c nodded. "Yes. A feeling of…peace. I was never…concerned."

She nodded again. "Yes! Exactly like that!"

"Seems that being The Chosen has some hidden perks," Jack said, grinning.

"Guess so," Daniel agreed. "After all that we've been through, all that Casey has gone through, we deserve them!"

"That's for sure," Sam said. "Since you've become The Chosen, you and Casey have gone through more…crap…than any two people should ever have to deal with. And neither of you had such idyllic childhood's, either!"

"That's a fact!" Duncan exclaimed.

"You know what, gang? I'm hungry," Case announced. Her way of changing the very touchy subject of her less than stellar childhood. Duncan reached over and rubbed her shoulder with one large hand. He knew exactly what she was doing. Daniel knew as well, and raised her hand to his lips, held her fingers there for several long seconds.

"We're all a bit…ripe…to go in anywhere," Texas said, reminding them of their strenuous workout in the heat of the afternoon.

"We could call in an order to Tyrone's, pick it up and eat it here," Carly suggested.

The idea was overwhelmingly approved, and everyone began debating what they were going to have. Tony and Trenton had already agreed to go pick up what was going to be a very large order of food.

Casey glanced at Daniel. 'We don't have to stay.'

'They need to be with you too, Angel. I understand that. We'll have all night.' The smile that she flashed made him weak in the knees. And glad that he had acquiesced. It seemed that she needed time with their family and friends as well. And it was true, they would have all night.

'You're an amazing man, My Heart.'

A slight blush colored his cheeks. 'Not really.'

'Yes, Daniel, you are. You've waited so patiently, are still waiting for time alone. Something that I know you need as well as want. Not many men would be so understanding.'

"Would you two quit that!" Jack complained. He didn't even bother to hide his grin. That the Space Monkey was happy again, had his wife to do that telepathy thing with, was a miracle that he would personally be eternally grateful for. He had seen Daniel furious with grief when they had believed that Nergal had beheaded Casey. He had watched the younger man fall apart this time, so bereft as to be completely lost. And had felt utterly helpless to do anything to ease the deep pain that was constantly in those cerulean blue eyes.

"Just doing it to bug you, boss," Casey retorted calmly. Laughter surrounded them. She looked over at the playground equipment where three little girls and two little boys were playing, laughing and shouting with delight. "This is what it's all about," she sighed happily.

"Yep," Evan Parker agreed. "This is why we get up every morning."

A  A  A  A  A  A

Burgers and fries, chili dogs and onion rings, tacos and nachos, cokes and iced tea and chocolate shakes were picked up, handed out and eaten. The simple fare was made better by the fact that they were all hungry, and the company in which the meal was shared. Conversation flowed; the sounds of laughter filled the air. Several other neighbors joined the group, until by six thirty there were nearly forty people in the small park. The gathering took on a festival air, and it was with reluctance that Casey pulled Emily and Nicholas from their friends.

"Daniel has been so sweet all afternoon, but I know he has plans for tonight, so we need to get going," she explained quietly to Sam and Tessa.

"He needs time alone with you," Sam said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, and I need time alone with him," Casey replied. She looked over at her Husband, watched him talking to Tony, Teal'c and Duncan. "The look in his eyes when he's thinking about the past six weeks…goddess, it tears me up!"

"Casey, do not take on guilt that you need not carry," Tessa warned. "You have nothing to feel guilty about. Nothing that happened was your fault. It was not anyone's fault," She added, glancing at Sam. "It was a terrible thing that happened. But it is all over. As you say, mon ami, let it go."

She hugged both of her friends tightly. "I'll try. Say goodbye to everyone for me, will you? I need to get that man home before he explodes!"

The women laughed, and waved as she led the kids toward the entrance of the park, where Daniel was now waiting for them, hands shoved into his pockets.

"What do you say we take a quick shower before we take the kids to your folk's?" he suggested casually as they walked toward the gray house they called home. He had Nicholas in his arms, the tot was nearly asleep.

She looked over at him. She had no idea what he had planned. But she wasn't about to interfere with those plans! "Sounds like a good idea," she agreed.

He smiled, put his arm around her shoulders. "Yeah, it is."

A  A  A  A  A  A

Thirty minutes later, her hair still damp, she finished packing the overnight bags. "I'm ready to go," she announced.

"You take the kids, Angel. I have a couple of things I want to get done," he told her.

Her heart skipped a beat. Anticipation began to thrum through her veins, igniting the Fire that always burned just below the surface. "Okay. It shouldn't take long."

Daniel kissed the tip of her nose. "I hope not. I think I've reached the end of my endurance," he told her.

"Twenty minutes, tops," she said.

He hugged and kissed his children, helped her get them into the jeep, and watched her leave. His heart was already hammering against his ribs as he contemplated the night before them. All night, his mind told him. All night.

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