Category: Romance/some angst
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Season Three, Past and Present, 100 days.
Daniel takes a vacation; this is alternative idea I had for him to meet Antonia, so I expanded it into a full story.
Although the daylight never reached the lower levels of Cheyenne Mountain and there was always a permanent roster of airmen on duty, there was a difference between day and night. The corridors were quieter and most of the offices were dark. Tonight the light was still on in Doctor Jackson's office.
Daniel closed the file he was reading and reached for the next one. The pile was getting smaller but he still had a lot of information to plough through. He had hoped to delegate some of the work to Robert but he was off world with SG6 for a few days. He checked his watch it was nearly 10 o'clock; he was supposed to be up and ready for the briefing at 0700; no time to go home tonight then. Although he probably spent more time on the base than in his apartment. Everyone he called family was here at the mountain.
Deciding to work for another hour before going to his quarters, he swigged down the last of his coffee, then got up to refresh the cup. Damm, the jug was empty; he would have to go to the canteen for more.
As he walked down the corridor Daniel wished he had someone to go home to. He had come to terms with Sha're's death and was ready to love again. However, the first person he had reached out to was a mass murderer. He shuddered inwardly as he thought of the night he had spent with Ke'ra, before he discovered her true identity. He considered his options; if he did meet someone how could he ever explain what he did for a living. At heart, he was still a romantic, although his experiences over the last few years had toughened his idealist nature. Next year, he would be 35; the majority of his contemporaries were married with two or three kids by now. All he had were some often-neglected fish.
Trying to help, Sam had set up a blind date with one of the NORAD officers, which had been a complete disaster from start to finish. Her babysitter had cancelled and they had spend the evening with a very grumpy eight year old, who didn't take kindly to his mum sharing her attention with Daniel. When they did finally get the kid to bed, he found that he had nothing in common with her.
He had been feeling even more alone lately as Jack was missing, stranded on Edora. Daniel refused to believe he was dead, surely he would have taken refuge in the caves they had found. Sam was working all the hours possible to create a particle accelerator to break through the Naquadah that covered the Stargate. Daniel and Teal'c were being assigned to whichever SG teams needed them. They would be with Colonel Makepeace on the next mission. So far, General Hammond had agreed to his request not to reform SG-1 with new personnel, but he knew that was only short-term.
Perhaps he should take that leave he was owed, take a trip to Egypt or Mexico. He should check his contacts he might be able to work on a dig somewhere. Or he could just be a tourist for a change visit all those places that he never had the money for before. His bank balance was extremely healthy, as he didn't have many expenses; he still spent his wages with the conservatism of someone who had lived on grants for years.
He found Sam in the canteen eating chocolate ice cream.
"Hey Daniel I didn't know you were still here." She greeted him.
"Yeah, been preparing for the mission with Makepeace tomorrow."
He noticed she looked tired, there were dark circles under her eyes and chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce was one of her favourite comfort foods. Grabbing the coffee and his own comfort food, cookies, he sat down opposite her.
"You OK?" he asked.
She nodded but her eyes said no.
"Chocolate eh?" he asked hoping to draw her out, take his mind off his own troubles.
"Oh yes, it's definitely a chocolate day." She smiled at her friend. "I thought I'd cracked it today, we ran three simulations and then I realised my calculations were all 12% off, so tomorrow I've got to start from scratch."
"When was the last time you went home?"
"When was the last time you went home?" She repeated back to him.
"Fair enough."
"So where are you off to tomorrow?" She asked.
He told her they were re-visiting a world that SG-1 had found last year, Atlanta. The King had recently died and Daniel was going to negotiate a new treaty with his heir. It was a pretty standard mission but the research was necessary because of all the customs and the extended royal family. He didn't want to cause a diplomatic incident. Sam reminded him of when Jack has spoken to the younger sister of the family before the elder and Daniel had spent a long time smoothing that over. He still would prefer to have him on the mission though.
"I miss him." Daniel admitted.
"Yeah, I guess I do too" Sam agreed.
Daniel covered her hand with his, "Why don't you get some sleep."
"I could say the same to you."
He sighed, "I have to get back to work."
"Yeah right."
"I guess we're both as stubborn as each other." He got up with his coffee; "I'll see you in the morning."
" Goodnight, oh Daniel go easy on the coffee."
"Yes mum." He called over his shoulder as he headed back to his office.
***********
"Incoming Traveller." The technician announced, "remote code received, SG-3 returning."
Colonel Makepeace, SG-3, Teal'c and Daniel returned through the Stargate. The armed airmen lowered their weapons. The team members looked a sorry bunch they were all soaking wet, Daniel was covered in some sort of mud that had a very unpleasant odour. They had arrived on Atlanta just as the rainy season began. The Stargate was only a mile from the city but the driving rain had soaked right through them. Daniel unable to see when his glasses misted up had tripped over a tree root and fell face down in a large muddy puddle. Although he suspected from the smell, that he had also found some cow dung or something. Makepeace and Edwards had been sniggering ever since. Even Teal'c was struggling to keep his usual poker face. At least the negotiations had been successful.
Daniel squelched off to the locker room his right boot was full of water, leaving a trail of wet footprints in his wake. Soon a very smelly pile of clothing was in the laundry and he was enjoying the warmth of the shower. He shampooed his hair twice to get rid of the smell. Dressing in his blue fatigues, he started to feel human again. It could have been worse, he imagined Jack would have made a sarcastic quip, but at least he would have helped him up, rather than laughing at him as he fished around for his glasses in the mire.
As he rinsed the muck off his glasses and polished then with a tissue, he came to a decision; he would take that vacation, somewhere hot, dry and sunny. LA perhaps, although knowing his luck he would arrive in time for an earthquake or a forest fire.
After the debriefing, he checked in on Sam. Over two months had passed since the return from Edora and she was starting to get somewhere. She reckoned she could start testing the equipment in another week or so.
"I hear you had an argument with a puddle." She said.
"Oh great, news travels fast." He replied sulkily.
"Hey someone's touchy."
"Sorry, " He knew Sam was only teasing. " I think I will take that vacation the General keeps offering me."
"Good idea, where will you go?"
"Somewhere dry."
She stood up and headed for the door. "I know I've got an idea, come on." She grabbed his arm urging him to follow her.
She led him down the corridor to Robert Rothman's office, where there was a globe on the desk.
"Close your eyes" Sam said.
Daniel looked at her questioningly.
She spun the globe, "Close your eyes, point at the globe and then wherever your finger lands is where you take your vacation."
"Oh I don't know." He chewed his bottom lip.
"Come on you'll never decide otherwise and I want you to promise that you will go." She urged.
He spun the globe idly, thinking over the idea, "Why not, Okay Sam I promise."
As Sam rotated the globe, he closed his eyes and pointed. Cautiously he opened his eyes again; his finger had landed on one of smaller countries of the world, the United Kingdom, specifically England. Only two cities were marked London and the one his finger had landed on York.
"Jorvik" He said. Then seeing Sam's puzzled expression he explained, "The ancient Viking name for York."
At the dawn of the new millennium, he was going visit a city that was at its most powerful at the start of the last one.
***********
The archaeological team was working in a back street of York; the local students were helping by sorting through boxes of finds.
Doctor Antonia Richards was five foot down a trench studying the Viking level; here near the river the damp soil had preserved some of the timbers. Unfortunately, time was running out today was the last day of the dig. Using her trowel, she carefully uncovered an area.
She was used to tourists stopping by the dig she usually answered their queries quickly and politely before excusing herself. Hopefully, like now she would be deep in a trench when the most persistent Americans were around. She could hear her colleague Adrian talking to one now. However, from what she could overhear this one sounded different, he was asking some very pertinent questions. He either was a very knowledgeable amateur or worked in the field.
"Why don't you come and meet Doctor Richards, she's head of the team", she heard Adrian suggest.
He and the American stranger jumped down into the trench beside her.
"Antonia this is Doctor Daniel Jackson from Colorado."
She took off a glove and held out her hand, "Hello,"
The tall dark blond American shook her hand confidently. She found herself looking up into a pair of dazzling blue eyes. Suddenly she was very conscious of how grubby she was. She was wearing cut down denim shorts and her legs were covered in mud. Strands of her of brown hair were working loose from their clips and she was certain the deodorant and perfume she had applied that morning had worn off after a day's digging in the warm sunshine.
Compared to her Daniel was clean and crisp in a white shirt and loose pants.
"Hi I'm Daniel, I can see you're busy but I was just passing and I was wondering if you could tell me…." He spotted something." Wow are those actual Viking timbers?"
For the next few minutes, he fired questions at her; soon he was down on his hands and knees in the trench helping her uncover the finds. He explained to her that he was on holiday in England and as his cover story told her, he was a member of the faculty at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
For the next few hours, he worked side by side in the trench with her oblivious to the dirt gathering on his clothes. It had been a long time since he had done some real archaeology. Antonia didn't mind the extra help, as this was her last day, the local archaeological trust would take over at the end of the day. Their volunteers would carry on funds permitting. At five o'clock they began to pack away, Antonia thanked the students who had helped out and checked that all the boxes of finds were loaded into the van that was going back to the museum.
She hadn't seen their American visitor for a while and assumed he had left now they were finished, but he was waiting outside the entrance to the site. She followed Adrian through the gate; he closed it behind her and locked the padlock.
Antonia felt the usual frustration that the end of a dig gave her, when she knew there was more to discover, but the funds were just not available.
"I was wondering if you both would like to have dinner with me? I would be interested in hearing more about the dig." Daniel asked.
Adrian shook his head, "Sorry mate, but my wife's waiting, but I'm sure Toni's free."
All she wanted to do was have a shower, eat and sleep but there was something about the man that intrigued her, oh why not. "OK I'll need to freshen up," she smiled, that was lame. She checked her watch, "How about I meet you at the Minster at 7.30."
"Sounds good, I'll see you later." Daniel replied. He shook hands with Adrian and then headed off to his hotel.
"I'm sure I've heard his name before" Adrian pondered as he watched him leave, "Anyway I'm off now, have fun."
She hugged him; "If you can get to London you're welcome to stay at my place, and I'll let you know if that dig in the Orkneys ever comes off. Give my regards to Jane."
"Thanks Toni." He kissed her cheek then headed for his car. Waving to her as he drove off.
*********
Daniel was already waiting for her as she approached the Minster; he was staring up at the gothic Cathedral, totally absorbed.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking, unsure whether she should interrupt or wait until he noticed her. She touched his arm, "Daniel."
He spun round confusion in his eyes, he had been miles away, "Oh hi I was just," he spread his arms wide," This place is magnificent, I must come back tomorrow to look inside."
Antonia pointed up to the stained glass Rose window, "That part is restored it was struck by lightning in 1984."
"Really?" He squinted upwards.
Antonia admired his enthusiasm but it had been a long time since lunch. Just as she was trying to think of a polite way to mention it, he turned back to face her.
"I'm sorry you must be starving, where would you like to go?"
Antonia was so hungry she would quite happily eat in a fast food burger bar, but instead she suggested." There's a pub near the river" It was still warm and they could eat outside.
"Sounds great."
They walked through the narrow traffic free streets, still busy with visitors, many of the gift and souvenir shops still doing a good trade. Daniel felt very relaxed in her company as they chatted about the dig and the history of York.
When they reached the pub, they found a seat that overlooked the River Ouse. Antonia ordered a lasagne and a pint of dry cider, Daniel choose the same.
"So do you enjoy teaching?" she asked while they waited for the waiter to bring their dinner over.
He was thrown for a moment, of course he had told her the cover story, he remembered back to his days at Columbia, "It can be frustrating, but it's only part time I get to do a lot of research."
"What are you working on at the moment?"
Daniel didn't want to get in deeper with the lies; he tried to think of something truthful to say to her. " I been doing a lot research into Heliopolis."
"The religious centre of ancient Egypt."
No, Daniel thought, a planet on the other side of the galaxy but he nodded. He had to find a way to turn the conversation around to her. The food arrived giving him a chance to gather his thoughts.
"Adrian said you are based in London."
"That's right I work for the Museum of London."
"So why York?"
"I'm on Holiday, " to counter his questioning look she explained. " Adrian and I try to get together every summer to do some real archaeology, we both have a tendency to get desk bound."
Daniel nodded in agreement.
Antonia continued, "He's staying at Bridlington with his wife and kids in a caravan, so they get the seaside and we get to work on an interesting project."
"Have you known him long?"
"Years, we were at Oxford together."
He questioned her further about her work, about the proposed dig in the Orkneys, anything to keep her away from asking her own questions. He found it absorbing and the evening flew by.
He was finding her fascinating too, he watched her as she explained a point. Using her hands to draw in the air, she described the Samian ware pottery she had found in Colchester. Her eyes were lit with enthusiasm for her subject, brown no almost green in colour. Her long brown hair, which she had pinned back during the dig was now hanging loose and was being ruffled by the evening breeze. Her earrings captivated him, as they moved against her neck, he wondered what it would be like to kiss her there, running his fingers through her hair.
Oh for crying out loud Daniel! He told himself even if she was interested in him; he could not even contemplate a relationship with her, as he could never be truly honest about his work. Anyway she could be married or already in a relationship, but he hadn't noticed a wedding ring. There was nothing wrong with two people who shared a common interest spending time together, that was all it was, he tried to convince himself.
By now, they were on their third cup of coffee and the temperature had begun to drop. Antonia shivered and slipped on her jacket then tried to suppress a yawn.
"Sorry," she apologised, "It's been a long day."
Daniel was a little tired himself but his body clock was still half on Colorado time, part of him felt guilty for keeping her up and the other didn't want her to leave.
"When do you return to London?" He asked.
"I was planning to go back tomorrow morning, I just need to pack."
His heart sank, he had hoped to stay in York for a few days there were many places to visit, but London would be interesting too.
"I was hoping you might be able to visit the Minster with me."
She though for a moment weighing up her options she didn't have to rush away and she was enjoying spending time with him. "Well, I suppose I could get a later train." She suggested.
"Please." He said softly.
She met his eyes that one word had sent a shiver down her spine, must just be the evening chill, she decided. In spite of this, she knew she could not refuse him.
"OK, I'll meet you there in the morning, 9 o'clock?"
"Great, " He felt like jumping up and punching the air, but instead he just beamed at her.
He walked her back to where she was staying and then returned to his own hotel.
***********
The next morning as Antonia was dressing the telephone rang; it was Adrian.
"Hi Toni, how did it go with the Yank?" he asked.
"OK, you checking up on me?" she was a little defensive.
"No course not, it's just, you know I said his name seemed familiar, well last night I remembered why. He's the Egyptologist chap that Mike told us about."
"Oh my, " she exclaimed, "the hieroglyphics expert, of course. Mike went to that conference in Los Angeles where they all walked out. Daniel was that speaker."
"That's him, I read his articles a few years back."
" Yes I remember I did too. Well our conversation will be interesting later."
"You seeing him again?"
"Yeah he's interesting, even more so now." She felt she needed to justify her reasons.
"Well let me know how you get on, I'll be back home by the weekend, I'll email you. Better go, we're taking the kids to Pickering to see the Steam trains today.
"Have fun." She hung up.
She supposed Daniel hadn't mentioned his theories because of the controversy they caused and it was usually better not to rock the boat, that's probably why he had returned to teaching and not published anything recently. Although he was a much more confident self-assured man than the stumbling geek Mike had told them about. As she went down to breakfast, she was excited at the thought of meeting him later. Was it just his theories she was interested in or was the thought of looking into those breathtaking blue eyes once more?
***********
She arrived first at the meeting place; Daniel ran up a few moments later holding a guidebook.
"Sorry I'm late, " He apologised " I stopped in the bookstore and there was just so much to choose from."
She smiled, understanding she had the same problem herself with libraries and bookstores, always too much to read, never enough time. She read all the time, yet she always had piles of unread books and journals in her apartment.
They spent the morning exploring, at times Daniel resembled a small child, jumping up and down with excitement, at others quiet and reflective as he studied the evidence of the past all around them.
Over lunch, he asked her the question he had been thinking about since they parted the night before.
"I hope you don't think I'm being too forward or anything. You mentioned you had a few days before you had to go back to work. Well, the thing is I was wondering; could I travel to London with you later? I, er I thought perhaps you could continue to be my tour guide. My plans are quite flexible and I've made a provisional reservation at a hotel. I wouldn't mind visiting the British Museum, again, you know the Rosetta Stone has always fascinated me."
He felt he was rambling, Jack would have interrupted him with a raised finger by now but she was still listening politely. He was half-unsure of his motives he just knew that he wanted to spend time with her, but the nagging doubt kept resurfacing. Hey, he could have a holiday romance, a little fun, but somehow he knew Antonia would be more than that to him. The decision was hers now.
Remembering the drunken Newcastle supporters that she had shared the carriage with on the way up from London, she knew his company would be much more enjoyable.
"OK," she said "It'll give you a chance to tell me your theories about the Pyramids."
So she had heard of his work, he humoured her, "How long is the journey?"
"About two hours." She answered, unsure how that was relevant.
He smiled. "Oh, That'll be barely enough time to scratch the surface."
She smiled back; he was teasing her. "I thought so, you still believe you are right?"
"Oh I know I'm right." He said resolutely, it didn't matter anymore whether she or anyone else believed him, he knew the truth and no one could take that away from him. Maybe one day he could prove it to the academic community without revealing the existence of the Stargate.
"I'm pleased you said that, I admire you for standing by your principles. That takes courage, it's a lot easier to be conventional."
She was right, if he'd toed the line, he wouldn't have lost his research grant, "So would you call yourself conventional?"
"Oh yes, I'd be very poor otherwise. I did get into an argument with a colleague a few years about the dating of some artefacts we found. Fortunately I was proved right."
"Viking?"
"No Roman."
He listened amused as she told the story.
They arranged to meet later at the station to board the train to London.
************
As the powerful electric train pulled out of York Station, Daniel ordered a coffee from the steward and Antonia choose a hot chocolate. He was a little surprised by that; he had already noticed that she had the same love of coffee as him. However, when he tasted the mud coloured substance he understood. He swore in ancient Egyptian, the stuff was vile.
"That's an interesting expletive." Antonia smiled, maybe she should have warned him; British Rail coffee was infamous.
"Eh it's Ancient Egyptian, my wife used to say it."
That was new information, he was married, so why did that matter? She had only known him for five minutes. Anyway, he lived thousands of miles away it wasn't even worth going down that imaginary road. She was just spending time with a fellow academic, who just happened to be the most desirable man she'd met in forever. His wife used to say it.
"Is your wife an Egyptologist too?" she asked.
"No, she is, was from Egyptian descent, she.." he paused shifting through his mind for the right way to express his words without giving away any information about the Stargate. "She died three years ago." Part of him realised that she had been dead to him from the moment Ammonet took over her body.
"I'm sorry, I guess whatever I say next will be inadequate, I bet you hate it when people say they know how you feel."
"Yes, " He stared out of the window at the passing fields for a moment, thinking about the woman opposite him. That was all he had been doing since he climbed into that trench yesterday. Wanting to trust her with his thoughts, they already shared so much in common. "It gets easier as the time goes on but it's the loneliness that the hardest to cope with."
"Actually, that I can relate to."
"There's no one special in you life then?"
"No, not any more." She replied looking away, suddenly finding her fingernails fascinating.
He felt for her but the answer made his heart soar. There was no one else in the picture if he wanted to be with her. If, yes, he did want to be with her. Oh Daniel you fool, why are you siting on this train? You should have just walked away when you had the chance but it was too late now, he was falling for the beautiful creature that was sitting opposite him.
He could feel the heat rising in his face as he began to blush, thinking of an excuse to calm him down, he said. "I think I'll search out the buffet car and find something more palatable to drink." He left before she had a chance to reply.
He returned a while later with some colas and something, which had advertised itself as a sandwich, although the plastic cheese peeking out from the insipid white bread barely qualified. He even wished he had a few SGC rations with him. The chicken like, macaroni and cheese would be preferable right now. He offered one to Antonia.
She shook her head. "So Doctor Jackson, tell me about the pyramids."
Daniel began to explain his theories, delivering the lecture he had been unable to finish four years ago. She listened patiently and watched as he scribbled hieroglyphics is his notebook. She had to admit he did have a few good points. Every question she asked, he had an answer for, a plausible explanation for his ideas.
She only ever had a passing interest in Egypt, but he made the subject so interesting. He was quite interesting himself, she found herself distracted by the curl of hair at his neck, wondering if he ever let it grow just a little longer. She recalled the way he had easily lifted her heavy suitcase on to the train, he obviously kept in shape, and a very fine shape too. Oh Girl you are in trouble, she told herself. Daniel was just another fellow archaeologist like her dear friend Adrian, so why was she longing to touch him.
Before long the train was drawing into the suburbs of London on its approach to King's Cross.
Daniel wanted to spend the evening with her, but she insisted on going home. She needed to distance herself for a while, sort her feelings out. She made an excuse about unpacking and laundry and arranged to meet him the next morning.
***********
They spent the morning in the British Museum, Antonia using her contacts so they could see some of the stored exhibits. Daniel discovered that she was really respected in her field something she had modestly kept quiet about.
Afterwards they walked to Covent Garden for lunch. Antonia was stopped on the way by a couple of German tourists asking for directions. Daniel translated for them and chatted with them for a few minutes. She was impressed with his command of the language; she barely managed to speak French.
"You're very fluent." She told him.
"Thank you."
"Do you speak many languages."
"Um, twenty or so, I think at the last count", he smiled. "There was this one time when my Russian really got us into trouble."
"Really?"
He hesitated; he couldn't tell her the story after all. Oh yes that was when I did a bit of time travelling, exactly the reason why he should not be involved with her. "Eh, it doesn't matter, you had to be there really."
She noticed his guarded expression and wondered what he was hiding from her. By the time they had manoeuvred around the crowd watching a gyroscope, he had distracted her with a question about one of the artefacts they had seen earlier.
They sat outside the restaurant in the sunshine watching the street entertainers.
"Where else would you like to go?" she asked him
"It's your city, you suggest somewhere."
She thought for a moment, "I know," she paused smiling, "It has nothing to do with archaeology."
She took him to the National Gallery, leading him through the maze of rooms to the impressionists.
"Wow," Said Daniel as gazed at the large Seurat, the bathers.
"I know it's marvellous, I know nothing about art but sometimes I just wonder in here and look at the paintings."
"I'll have to read up on it."
She smiled, "Oh Daniel, that's just what I say and then there's a new article about geophysics or something and I forget, so I just enjoy the beauty of the pictures."
"OK looking is good."
"Come on we still haven't seen the horse." She headed off to another room.
Intrigued Daniel followed her
***********
They had dinner in Chinatown.
Daniel was so relaxed in her company now that he nearly forgot that most of his life was top secret.
Referring to the chicken they were eating he began, "this tastes like something we use have on aby.." Oh Hell! He had to be more careful.
"Sorry?"
"Er, it just reminds of a meal my friend Jack and I shared once." Yeah, OK that's the truth.
"Have you been friends long?"
" A few years."
"Is he an archaeologist, would I have heard of him?"
Daniel nearly laughed out loud, "Oh no, he's an Airforce Colonel." Seeing her baffled expression he explained, "He's not too keen on scientists, but he was there for me when my wife died."
She could see the hurt in his eyes, she wanted to take him in her arms and comfort him, make the pain go away. She reached across the table and squeezed his hand.
At the touch of her hand, Daniel felt a new pain, a sweet agony as he realised that he had fallen in love with Antonia. She was what he had been searching for, yet he knew it could never be, unless he left the SGC. He should leave her right now before things went any further between them, but he couldn't tear himself away from her magnetic eyes.
They continued talking until late, he told her about his life with Sha're, she told him about her past relationships.
Reluctantly saying goodnight at the station; there was an instant then when their eyes met, when he thought of kissing her, but as he hesitated the moment passed.
***********
Ignoring the queues formed at the entrance to the Tower of London, Antonia took Daniel round to the riverside entrance and showed her pass to the guard. A large tourist group was heading for the central White Tower so she led Daniel back past Traitor's Gate and up into the Medieval Palace.
After exploring the rooms, which had been reconstructed in the style of Edward I, they emerged onto to the walls.
Stopping to admire the view of the river, Daniel pointed to the warship moored opposite, "What's that." he asked."
"That's the Belfast, " she replied.
"Why it is there?"
Antonia realised she had absolutely no idea, "It's a museum." She said unconvincingly.
"You don't know!" He exclaimed, a little too forcefully, that was the first time she had been caught out by his questions. She was blushing and he felt uncomfortable that he had embarrassed her.
He touched her arm, "it's OK" he laughed, "I guess that's too recent for you, now if was the Mary Rose."
"Or the Mayflower," she joined in with the joke, already thinking of way to get back at him. "There's a story about London Bridge that's always amused me."
"That's Tower Bridge," he said, waving his arm towards the large ornate Victorian gothic drawbridge.
"Oh yes, you know that, but during the seventies London Bridge was rebuilt. The old bridge was dismantled at the same time and sold to America, it's now in Arizona."
Daniel nodded; he had seen the pictures.
"Well, "Antonia continued her eyes shining with mirth, "The rumour, urban legend whatever you want to call it, is that your fellow countrymen thought they were buying," she pointed for effect, "Tower Bridge."
"No!"
"Maybe not, but I like the story."
He was a little irritated at her anti-Americanism but actually, if true, it was funny and he enjoyed the way her face lit up as she laughed.
They descended back to ground level and then down the steps into the remains of Henry III's Watergate, which led back under the medieval palace. It was cool and peaceful down there, in the midst of one of the busiest cities in the world.
Daniel watched Antonia as she stood next to him reading the display boards, the watery shadows playing across her face. As they were alone in the 13th century guardroom, he decided to do what he had been longing for all day, he leaned over and kissed her. She withdrew slightly as his lips brushed hers a momentary hesitation, more surprise than rejection. Then her lips responded to his. The sound of approaching footsteps and voices made them break apart, but he kept hold of her hand as they climbed the steps back into the open air.
They continued their exploration of the ancient building. They climbed the many steps up to the White Tower hand in hand. As they sat together watching the introductory video, Antonia was very conscious of his leg touching hers. While queuing to see the Crown jewels Daniel pulled her close and kissed her again, indifferent to the onlookers.
The conversation was the same; Antonia telling him the story of the Queen for nine days, Lady Jane Grey, but now there was an occasional touch, a smile, or a glance that expressed the new closeness between them.
***********
Later Daniel asked, "Where would you like to have dinner?"
"Why don't we go back to my place? I'll cook," She suggested.
He nodded; her eyes were offering more than food.
She lived in the City of London on the Barbican estate it was close to work and surprisingly quiet in the heart of the city. Practically deserted at weekends when the offices were silent.
They stopped at a small supermarket so she could get some groceries and a bottle of wine. Daniel carried the bags as she unlocked her front door.
Once inside he placed the bags on the table and pulled her into his arms. His mouth covered hers, one hand in her hair, the other pressing her close to him. He felt her fingers in his hair and the weight of her breasts against his chest. He considered pushing her on to the couch and taking her right there. However, he had more respect for her than that. He wanted the first time to be special, wanted to make love to her slowly savouring every moment, wanted to give her pleasure as well as take his own. Reluctantly he drew away from her, aware of another sensation, his rumbling stomach.
She somehow sensed his thoughts; "I should start the dinner."
"Yes," he agreed, but just one more kiss he thought as he returned his lips to hers.
Several minutes and kisses later she slipped out of his arms and picking up the shopping went into the kitchen.
He followed her wanting to stay close. "Can I help" he asked.
"No, thank you I can manage, why don't you go and sit down there's a new archaeology journal on the coffee table."
"Can I use your phone to contact my hotel?" he wanted to check if there were any messages.
"Yes of course."
Sam had left several messages for him to contact the SGC urgently. He found Antonia chopping vegetables.
"Everything all right?" she asked.
"No, I need to phone the states, do you mind?"
She shook her head, actually, she did mind, it wasn't the cost of the call that worried her she sensed something was taking him away from her.
Daniel dialled the SGC and asked Sam to call him back on Antonia's number.
In the kitchen as Antonia concentrated on her cooking, she heard him ask for "Major Carter."
A few minutes later Sam rang him back.
"Hey Daniel, you’re a hard man to track down."
"Sorry Sam I've been sightseeing."
"We've had a breakthrough with the particle accelerator." she explained what she and the technicians had been working on over the last week. They reckoned the buried gate on Edora was horizontal. Teal'c had volunteered to go through the gate and attempt to dig his way to the surface. "I thought you would want to know."
"Yes, " he looked across to Antonia; he had to go back, whatever he felt for her he had to be with his friends. Especially as Teal'c was going to risk his life for Jack. "Can you wait until I get back?"
"I thought you would say that, I booked you on tomorrow morning's Concorde, and a airforce plane will meet you as soon as you arrive."
"Thanks Sam, " One last night with Antonia then.
Even over the distance that separated them, Sam sensed something was troubling her friend. "You OK Daniel? " She asked
"Yeah fine," he answered a little too quickly. "I'll see you tomorrow."
He hung up before she had a chance to reply.
Antonia was stirring a colourful assortment of chicken, vegetables and noodles. She had swept her hair back from her face into a ponytail; Daniel wanted to kiss her exposed neck.
"I have to leave, " he told her.
Confused hazel eyes met his, "Now?"
"In the morning."
"Why?"
"I, I just have to. I'm sorry I can't explain, but it's very important."
She turned off the cooker; "Then you should go now."
She had wanted him to stay, to spend the night to follow through the promise of those marvellous kisses but then it would be even harder to say goodbye. She knew this would happen, knew he had to go back to America, knew there was no future in the relationship.
"Toni please." He reached out to touch her, but she moved away, crossing her arms defensively across her chest.
"How long have you worked for the military?"
"A few years, " he paused, "how did you work it out?"
"Well you mentioned your friend was a Colonel in the airforce and then, Major Carter, " she was moving towards the living room, "I bet if I check up there's no Doctor Jackson at the University of Colorado."
He followed her, "at least let me stay for dinner." He was clutching at straws now.
She had reached the front door, "I'm not hungry anymore." Her hand was on the latch, "Goodbye Daniel."
"I'm sorry I wish I could tell you."
"But you won't." she reached up and gently touched his cheek feeling the beginning of a five o'clock shadow, her eyes silently appealing to him to tell her the truth.
"I can't." he covered her hand with his own, lifting her fingers away from his skin.
"Then there's nothing more to say, Goodbye Daniel."
He kissed her quickly and firmly, keeping his body distant. "Goodbye sweet Toni." He whispered and with a last lingering look, he left.
She slammed the door and leaned against it, silent tears falling down her cheek.
***********
Daniel walked a block before he realised; he didn't recognise where he was. Checking the skyline he saw St. Paul's was nearby. He changed direction, he recalled there was a subway station named after the Cathedral. Then the rain started not gentle drizzle but a torrential summer cloudburst; he was soaked through before he found shelter in a doorway; so much for a dry vacation.
In his confusion, he had ended up near Antonia's apartment again. He shook the raindrops from his glasses and polished them. A few steps and he could be back with her, would she take pity on his bedraggled state? He understood why she had thrown him out; he had lied to her, what kind of relationship could he have based on deception? A week ago, he was wishing to meet someone to ease his loneliness and now he was twice as miserable. Smiling eyes, silky hair and soft lips haunted him. Ignoring both the rain and his tears, he continued on to the Underground station.
***********
Teal'c successfully rescued Jack from Edora, and within a short time the gate was restored and Sam and Daniel travelled through to bring him home.
Jack had been a little reluctant to leave after three months he had just begun to get used to the idea of living there permanently. He didn't say anything then but Daniel sensed something had happened between him and Laira.
He got the full story later as he and Jack sat in his apartment.
"So do you think you'll go back to her?" Daniel asked.
Jack studied his bottle for moment, "I don't know, I care about her but I'm not in love with her."
"But you still.."
"Come on Danny, don't tell me you wouldn't do the same."
"I don't think I would."
"Oh please, " Jack was about to remind him of Ke'ra but thought better of it; something else was troubling his friend.
Daniel took another slug of beer; he was actually drinking them tonight instead of nursing the one bottle, which alone was unusual.
Jack tried a shot in dark, "Carter tells me you took a little vacation to England."
"Yes."
"I was stationed there for a while but never saw much outside the base, we were on route to the Gulf. But I bet you found plenty of old places to visit."
"Yes." Another one word non committal answer
"Wanna tell me about it?" There was definitely something chewing him up.
"No!"
"Right that's just fine, you can wallow in your own misery, but I'm going home to watch the hockey." He stood up to leave.
Daniel called him back, "Jack wait I'm sorry."
Jack returned to his seat.
Daniel told him all about Antonia then.
Jack listened to his story, remembering how Daniel had run up to the monks on Chulak, still the same dashing in headlong without thinking through the repercussions. Once again, his heart had ruled his head.
"Why did you follow her to London?" Jack asked the most obvious question.
"Oh God, Jack I don't know." He had taken off his glasses and was rubbing the corner of his eyes.
Jack sighed, he had no solutions for his friend, he just hoped time and distance would eventually ease his pain.
***********
A few weeks later Daniel was chasing up Robert on a translation.
"How's it going? " he asked as he entered Robert's office with yet another cup of coffee.
Robert was working on some runes that SG-6 had found. He poured over the digital photos. "OK, I remembered this article by a British Archaeologist who had done a lot of research into the different derivations of the Nordic language and that helped, Doctor Richards' theory is…"
Daniel nearly choked on his coffee, "Antonia Richards?"
"Yeah, I think so, " he checked something then rummaged in a drawer. " Yes, here we are." He handed Daniel a printout. It was a complete CV, listing all her qualifications, the articles she had published and the most important digs she had worked on.
"What's this?" Daniel asked.
"Oh a while back, the General asked me to check out some people who might be useful as civilian specialists, we always have plenty of work for them." He handed Daniel the folder, which contained half a dozen similar lists.
"And?"
Robert blinked confused, "Oh I don't know, I guess, well it's a matter of security, they don't tell me anything."
Clutching the folder Daniel raced to General Hammond's Office.
"Doctor Jackson how can I help you." He asked the agitated young man.
"Sir, Robert's just told me you are planning to hire some more specialists."
"It's always a consideration, why is there someone you'd like to recommend."
Daniel showed him the page of Antonia's details.
"Ah yes Doctor Richards, very impressive but not an American Citizen."
"I think she would be ideal, I.." He hesitated. He hadn't actually thought this through, just grasped on the idea of seeing her again. Actually, General I have fallen in love with this woman and if she comes to work for the SGC, we can be together. Oh yeah that'll go down well.
"Doctor Jackson?"
"General I met her, In London, she's very talented." He was blushing now wondering how to dig himself out of this hole.
Hammond had remembered something while Daniel was struggling for words, he checked his computer, "yes, I thought so, Doctor Richards was approached by the SGC, she turned us down."
"What?"
"Here we are, about six months ago."
Daniel wanted to laugh at the irony. "So she passed all the security checks and stuff."
"Apparently so."
"I'd like to speak to her again."
"OK if you think you can change her mind, but I don't have to remind you that you can't tell her anything about the Stargate."
"Yes sir."
***********
Antonia's tiny office was even more crowded today as she worked on the mock up display boards for the new exhibition. Stepping back to check the layout from a distance, she knocked a pile of papers from her desk. Swearing under her breath, she got down on her hands and knees to pick them up. Scrabbling around on the floor she realised she was not alone anymore; as her eyes travelled up to see who owned the feet, she nearly dropped the papers again.
"Daniel!"
He offered his hand to help her up. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
"What are you doing here?" She managed to gasp, she'd spent the last few weeks trying to forget him; erase the memory of those glorious summer days. Now here he was filling her office making her skin tingle with his closeness.
"I've come to offer you a job."
"Excuse me?"
"The same job you turned down six months ago."
She had to think for a moment she had been offered a few jobs, in the last year, then she knew, "Translation work for your government?"
"Yes."
"And that's what you do?"
"Well kinda."
She absently dropped the papers on the desk. "So there are no phones in Colorado then?"
"I couldn't do this on the phone." He reached out and stroked her cheek.
"Daniel please don’t." she backed away from him.
"Look can we go for a coffee or something, I'll try to explain."
"OK."
***********
Antonia woke early; the sun was just rising. Climbing out of bed she went over to the window and looked out on the familiar view. She had made her decision, now she would have to live with it, whatever the consequences. Making a choice between, her predicable, safe conventional job, or the unknown challenges in America, was the hardest thing she ever had to do.
A pair of arms encircled her waist, brushing against her breasts, lips on her neck. "Hey, I was getting lonely."
She turned to face him, "Sorry, I was just saying goodbye."
She looked up into Daniel's eyes and all her doubts vanished, he still held some secrets from her. However, it didn't matter anymore.
All around the room were boxes filled with her life. Like the old London Bridge she was being packed up and transported to America.
"Come back to bed." He urged.
"I can't, we've got a 'plane to catch."
Reluctantly he agreed, in a few hours they would be in Colorado and then it would be his turn to be the tour guide.
He cupped her face in his hand; "I love you."
She smiled up at him her eyes reciprocating that love; "I love you too."
Daniel was going to buy Sam a giant tub of chocolate ice cream when he got home. If it hadn't been her insistence that he took his vacation he never would have meet the amazing, beautiful, woman who had finally eased the aching loneliness in his heart.
©Katana 2000