Rigel (n) : awesomesaucery

Title: "An Importune Moment"
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Disclaimer: I don’t own any of these characters, nor do I intend to profit from them.
Pairing: Daniel/Vala
Category: Episode Tag for “Origin”, Humor
Rating: PG-13
Wordcount: 1518
A/N: for ladybirdness who requested Daniel/Vala with the prompt: ‘I've got tingles all over. And don't flatter yourself. I'm pretty sure it's not you.’




It hadn’t been too hard to elude the not-so-subtle guard set to detailing her every move. In fact it was almost pathetically simple in the end. She had merely engaged the strapping young man in conversation; let her hand rest just so on his arm — thumb pressing delicately on the rather well formed bicep hidden beneath the most unsightly patterned fabric she had ever come across in all her days – and, then with rather affected aplomb: she had let her eyes roll back into her head and promptly sank gracefully into a faint.

From there it was a somewhat given conclusion. Not even ten minutes. Frankly, even Daniel had put up more of an effort.

The rather labyrinthine layout of the SGC was thus far hindering her efforts to reach said paragon of tenacity and fortitude. Endless corridors of drab gray walls were not at all conducive for recalling where one had already been, and the many, many doors she had poked her head through had either been shrouded in darkness, or apparently storage facilities for sundries that had not seen the light of day for several years at least, judging by the patina of dust decorating the surfaces.

Mind you, she had taken note of a few interesting items and earmarked them for further investigation. One device in particular looked very similar to a favoured toy of Qetesh – there were definitely fond memories of that experience; her body had ached in the most gratifying way for days afterward.

Eventually, she successfully retraced her steps; finding Daniel safely ensconced in his lab, just where she had thought he would be.

She watched him for a moment from the doorway; surrounded by a litter of papers and books that were stacked into precarious towers. The light from the desk lamp cast long shadows that crept over the overstuffed bookshelves, and glinted off a magnifying apparatus set over a clay artifact behind him, the refracted spectrum wavering slightly on its surface.

She stepped carefully over the threshold and positioned herself to appear at her best advantage. “So, this is where you’ve been hiding away. I’d never have taken you for an ascetic, Daniel.”

“I’m sorry?”

“One who is inclined to a frugal monk-like existence.”

“I know what the word means.” He looked vaguely irritated at the insinuation that he might not have. “What exactly are you doing here?”

“Why, I’ve sought out the pleasure of your scintillating company of course,” she said, injecting her voice with a measured note of innuendo.

He quirked an eyebrow at her, not rising to the bait.

She took a step forward, and ran a suggestive finger down the spine of a book that was jutting out from its place on the shelf. “I’m bored, Daniel. There isn’t a single thing of interest in that mouldy chamber they’ve put me in.”

“Speaking of which,” he broke in, as booted footsteps clattered down the corridor.

“My apologies, sir. She —”

“I’m sure she did,” he sighed, holding up his hand to prevent the erstwhile guard from continuing. “You can leave her in my custody.”

“Yes, do run along now,” she pushed him none-too-gently back through the doorway, and then closed the door with a satisfying click.

“Honestly, the quality of lackeys these days is slipping,” she whirled about and regarded Daniel with a predatory air. “Now, where were we?”

“We, weren’t anywhere.” He pushed his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose. “In fact we, were about to return you to your room.”

“Now why didn’t you say so,” she clapped her hands together gleefully, advancing even further. “I’m so glad I changed my underwear now.”

“That’s not what I meant, and I so didn’t need to know that thank you very much.”

“But Daniel, there’s lace.”

“Or that.”

“Pink lace.”

He rounded the desk and put a hand to the small of her back, guiding her back towards the entry to the lab.

“I knew that would bring you round,” she smirked a little, “oh, you’re not going to suddenly become all prudish are you?” she queried, guessing his lack of amorous intentions.

“I’m working, Vala.”

“And I can help you. Trust me; I’m very good at helping.” He gave her a look that spoke volumes. “Or at least, I’m very good at stealing, which when it comes down to it, is pretty much the same thing.”

“I’m not quite following that logic.”

“And that’s the genius of it.” She deftly twisted herself out from beneath his hand, and stalked her way back to the desk. “Now this I can help you with.” She held up a leather bound book triumphantly.

“You can read Marcomannic runes?”

“Why, yes. I believe this line here says ‘apply yourself to more pleasurable things and you will receive, er — pleasure.’ Or maybe it’s eternal hellfire,” she turned the book upside down, “so hard to tell, really.”

He gently removed the book from her grasp. “Actually it’s referring to a record of a land sale transaction from about 9A.D. but then again you could be right on the whole hellfire and damnation thing.”

“Commerce is the root of all evil, which is why stealing makes so much more sense.”

“There’s that connection again.”

“I told you I would help you, and see; now you’ve learned something.”

“Indeed.”

“You know Teal’c does that so much better, with you it looks more like you’re trying to dislodge something that is very uncomfortable.”

He tucked the book under his arm and pushed his glasses upwards again, a frown forming.

“Don’t be such a stick-in-the mud,” she admonished him. “We can talk about the very fine, and very attractive pink lace again if you like.”

“I’ll pass on that.” He sank back into his chair.

She stalked him carefully; perching herself on his desk, and placing her crossed booted heels directly between his legs. “Pity.”

He regarded her warily, the lines of his body tense and expectant.

“You look as though you think I’m about to devour you.” She tapped one foot delicately against his calf.

“And you aren’t?”

“Was that an invitation?”

“Hardly.”

“And here, I worked myself into the right frame of mind to seduce you. Don’t tell me it’s all been for nothing.” A snort. At least it sounded similar to a snort; it could have been a non-committal grunt. She leapt upon this first indication of his inevitable surrender. “You can’t lead a girl on and not follow through on it, Daniel; it’s just not done.” At his sputtering denial she continued: “All that calf-eyed staring and mooning over my mere presence, it’s enough to make me blush.”

“I do not stare at you.” He denied hotly.

“Really now?” she leaned forward. “I’d say you did a pretty fair imitation of it then.”

Was that a faint stain of pink lingering high on his cheeks? Although the effect was a trifle marred by the glower he was currently trying to muster. “Well, you do insist on wearing — on wearing that —” he waved a hand at her fetching ensemble.

“It is rather eye catching isn’t it?”

“I’m sure it aspires the dizzying heights of Goa’uld fashion sense.” She was pretty sure she heard him mutter something about ‘Anise’ in there too, but she chose to ignore this brief mention of a sartorial rival.

‘Why, thank you.” She preened.

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

“I’ll take it as one though. Why, I’ve got tingles all over; but don’t flatter yourself —”

“I’ve heard that one before. You’ll have to find someone else to scratch that particular itch.”

She smiled at him, and leaned forward. “I’ll tell you what, you admit you want me and I’ll leave you alone.”

“I’m not that stupid, Vala.”

She placed a hand on his knee and squeezed it.

“See that?” he pointed toward the camera mounted high on the wall, “they’re watching right now, and I’m pretty sure I can argue self-defence.”

“Never say we have an audience! Why Daniel, you are full of surprises.” She leaned forward, pressing her palms into his shoulders.

He licked his lips, a slight nervous habit — but made no real attempt to move.

She stroked his cheek, trailing her fingers against the rasp of the scruffy beard that he still hadn’t shaved away, and then bent her head to claim his lips in a kiss.

She kissed him softly, coaxing him into participation; imparting a sense of yielding and pliancy. He made an incoherent sound, and drew her closer, his arm firm across her back.

Vala narrowed her eyes and drew back. “As I said, it’s a pity you’re not up for a bit of fun.” She was enjoying his bewildered imitation of a fish, and just to torment him a little more she made sure to run her hands across sensitised flesh. “A real pity.” She gave him a coquettish imitation of a regretful sigh, and walked to the door; a very deliberate sway to her hips.

Daniel was still sitting in his chair, trying to work out exactly what had happened to him ten minutes later.