Like MindsTITLE: Like MindsAUTHOR: Brian'na Jackson, e-mail: imwithfox@hotmail.com, website: Sam/Daniel-Colored Glasses RATED: PG CATEGORY: Sam/Daniel Friendship & UST SPOILERS: None SUMMARY: Sam & Daniel bond over caffiene. DISCLAIMER: For entertainment purposes only. I am making no money from this fanfiction (in fact, with all the time I've spent on this, I'm actually losing money). Nothing related to SG-1 belongs to me (except all those Danny clones I have in my mind). 2:09 am Sleepily, Sam stumbled down the base hall. She was in a desperate situation...the commissary was closed for cleaning and her own personal stash of teabags had run out. Turning the corner, she bumped headfirst into someone carrying a stack of papers. "Ouch! Sorry.." she apologized, grabbing her head. Looking up, wondering who else was crazy enough to be up at this hour, she found Daniel...also clutching his forehead. "Sorry Sam.." he muttered sheepishly. Clearly, from the guilty look on his face, he thought it was all his fault. As much trouble as she was having keeping her eyes open, Sam knew the blame was mostly hers; but she also knew that it was typical of Daniel to be humble. Blinking slowly, Sam and Daniel both noticed the papers scattered in the hallway at the same time. Bending down quickly to pick up the nearest sheet, Sam nearly avoided causing another bruise, as Daniel also bent down for the paper. Giggling, Sam drew back and let Daniel reclaim his papers. Tired as she was, her giggles grew more uncontrollable until she let out a snort. Turning from his cleanup, Daniel raised his eyebrows at her and elicited a chuckle. Unfortunately, they were still standing and giggling when an airman happened across the hall. Coughing to regain her composure, Sam nodded to the airman. Giggling was fine in front of Daniel, but it wouldn't do to have the rest of the base know about her other, not-so-professional side. "Major. Dr. Jackson," the airman said. After acknowledging the Major with a nod, he strolled out of sight. "Don't worry, I don't think he heard you snort." Daniel looked at Sam with a sly smile. "I guess you'll find out soon enough, if you have a new nickname around the base by morning." Giggling again, Sam playfully punched his shoulder. Rather than the mock-pain she expected Daniel to display, he winced...and hurriedly masked it with a smile. "Ohhh Daniel I'm sorry..." Sam cringed, mentally slapping her forehead. Apparently, she'd just hit Daniel on the same spot where he'd incurred injury two missions ago...when he'd stumbled onto some magnificent cave artwork and ended up on the bad side of a stalactite. Good job, Sam. As if the man doesn't spend enough time in the infirmary, you've managed to cause him pain twice in the last five minutes. "Oh, it's nothing compared to the headache I gave us a minute ago." Daniel said, dismissing the pain. Taking her cue from Daniel, Sam changed the subject. It took an internal struggle not to "mother" him...but Daniel had confided in her how embarrassed he was at his frequent visits to sick bay. So for now she'd avoid reminding him...but one of these days he would finally believe her when she told him that his frequent injuries didn't mean he was a weaker soldier....merely that his empathy for others and thirst for knowledge seemed to override his self-preservation instinct. That lack of self-concern was one of the most loveable, and one most frustrating, qualities about Daniel. "Working late?" she asked, nodding at the stack of papers now neatly stacked in his arms. Daniel nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, actually I was translating some text from the slabs we found on P8X-291." He paused, looking up to see if she remembered the discovery. Nodding, Sam smiled to herself, thinking that it would be hard to forget Daniel's enthusiasm over the stone shards. The planet they'd been found on had been deserted for some time, but by all accounts, had been a very important world to the Goa'ulds at one time. "Anyway, this third slab is in poor shape, but it seems to detail a festival dedicated to the goddess Bastet. Unlike the festivals in previous years, though, the goddess actually showed up for this one. The writings say Bastet 'appeared to the worthy and spread good deeds.'" Speaking intently, Daniel's face lit up and his blue eyes shone. "The story is that she even healed the most desperately ill, those who had been through trepanning but were not expected to survive. The appearance of gods is not uncommon, but the specifics of this account are...which leads me to think it might be referring to an actual event these people were present for.. and maybe even the existance of a Goa'uld who was loved and not feared." Realizing he'd launched into professor mode, Daniel stopped himself, flashing another sheepish grin. "Anyway, that's what I was working on when I ran out of coffee...but the comissary's closed while--" "--They're cleaning it." Sam finished. "Yeah, I was running a few tests on the chemical properties of naquadah when I ran out of Lipton's." "Ah." Daniel eyed her sympathetically. "So we're both scouring the halls at -" he paused to check his watch "2:15 a.m. looking for a caffeine fix. So now what?" "Maybe we can ask the watchmen?" Sam said, indicating the way she had been heading. "Ahh...they don't have any. I've already asked." Daniel assured her. "Actually, it was kind of amusing, the guy on duty five levels up gave me a lecture on the health hazards of caffeine." Sam grinned. "Guess he's new here, huh? Or else he'd know that Daniel Jackson giving up coffee would be like the Colonel giving up sarcasm." "Maybe I can get him to give Jack a lecture on what sarcasm does to the kidneys." Daniel snickered. "Well, whether my kidneys like it or not, I have got to get some caffeine," Sam said decisively, realizing she was blinking slowly from fatigue. She chewed on her lip. "Y'know, there's a convenience store about 5 miles from here. I say we go for it." Daniel just stared at her. "Ahh, Sam, I'm desperate too, but don'tcha think a 2 o'clock run to the gas station is a little overboard?" Sam laughed, remembering the last time it was 'that time of the month' and she had left the base in a quest for dark chocolate. "Nah, c'mon everyone needs to sneak out sometime." The thought of a spontaneous cruise down the mountain gave her a burst of energy, overriding her body's weariness. Sam's eyes sparkled, and Daniel gave up trying to protest. "Okay, okay, lemme get my jacket and I'll meet you at the parking level." "Alrighty." She replied, walking back in the direction of her quarters. Turning back to Daniel once more, she added mischievously, "Oh, let's take my vehicle." After donning her black pleather jacket, Sam took the elevator up to the garage. Daniel was already there when the doors opened. Over his black T-shirt and government-issue cargo pants, he wore a thin cream jacket. Pushing his glasses higher on the bridge of his nose, he waited for her to lead the way. Sam walked past three rows before stopping in front of -- "Um, I thought you drove a Blazer." Daniel furrowed his brow. "I do..this is my *other* vehicle. Isn't she a beauty?" Sam gazed longingly at her vintage Harley. Seeing Daniel's reaction - torn between protesting the choice of vehicle, and supporting her interests - Sam shook her head. "It might storm tonight though, we'd better take the Blazer." She indicated a parking spot nearby. Buckling up, she turned the key in the ignition just as Daniel climbed in the passenger side. The radio screamed, and Daniel jumped involuntarily. "Uh, oops." Sam stammered, hurriedly turning off the classic rock station. As they pulled up to the sign-out gate, the guardsman recognized Sam. "Anything wrong, Major Carter? I don't usually see you around this time of night." As he leaned nearer the car window, he noticed Daniel sitting beside her. In spite of herself, Sam blushed - just a little. "Only a minor emergency, Lieutenant...can't find any caffeine on base." Sam said amiably, handing back the clipboard. As they drove through the gate and down the winding road into the night, their view of the mountains was lit only by the headlights and a multitude of twinkling stars overhead. At this moment, Sam could almost believe that her and Daniel were the only ones on the mountain. Sneaking a glance at Daniel, she saw that he too was engrossed in the surroundings. "Y'know, it's funny," Daniel began, meeting Sam's glance. "I can't even remember the last time I saw the night sky from Earth." Dividing her attention between the road and Daniel, Sam remarked, "It does seem ironic that we've explored planets throughout the Gate system expanding the limits of the known universe; but when we come back home we live and work under a rock....28 levels of rock, actually." "Ooh, here it is." Sam said, spotting the convenience store. The Quik Trip's overhead lights shone in the windshield, and Sam could see Daniel's baby blues widen as he turned to her with relief. "Coffee!" He sighed, which Sam decided was a challenge to see who could make it indoors first. She scrambled out of the Blazer, but Daniel beat her to the building's door. After filling a cup with cappuccino for an instant caffeine fix, Sam grabbed a box of teabags and met Daniel at the counter. He was carrying a can of Maxwell House and a styrofoam cup of steaming coffee. Noticing the candy displayed underneath the counter, Sam had a sudden attack of the munchies. "How 'bout some chocolate, Daniel?" Before she'd finished the question, he'd snatched up Reeses cups, Snickers, and Hershey bars. Dumping them onto the counter, he studied their stash. "Think that will cover it?" Sam had to laugh at his seriousness. She added a package of Rolos to the bunch and replied, "That should get us through the night at least." "Right. How much do I owe you?" Daniel asked the clerk, paying for everything and ignoring the bills Sam offered. "Thanks," he said, when the young woman behind the counter gave him his change. "Thank you," she said, gazing at Daniel meaningfully. Sam glanced at Daniel, but he seemed oblivious to the attractive woman's flirtatious tone. "Come back soon, handsome," the clerk added. Well, that at least Daniel understood. Glancing sideways at Sam, he blushed crimson. Sam couldn't help but feel amused at his discomfort. He really doesn't get out often, she thought to herself, taking in Daniel's appearance, if he's not used to women finding him attractive. Gathering their caffeine and junk food, they stepped outside just as a wolf howled in the distance. Sam drew in her breath with delight. As the sound faded away, Daniel sat down on the curb to drink his coffee. Following suit, Sam plopped down beside him and sipped her cappuccino. Drawing her knees to her chin, Sam glanced up at the night sky before speaking. "So tell me Daniel...how often do you actually make it to bed by 2 am?" "Oh, about half the time." Daniel replied nonchalantly. Catching her amazement, he added "Depends on the day, of course. But there's just so many languages to brush up on, so many cultures that we never dreamed existed until now." "All the work you do," Sam said, shaking her head, "all the discoveries you've made, and you'll never get credit for any of it." She stopped, thinking of Daniel pulling all those late nights, trying to find time for his research in-between missions. "What about you, Sam? You're making breakthroughs in astrophysics every time we step through the Gate." Daniel insisted. "The world won't know about that either - Not in our lifetime anyway." "Yeah," Sam assented, "but I can still tell people that I'm an astrophysicist doing research for the Air Force. How do you tell them you're translating alien languages?" "Oh, it's not so bad," Daniel shrugged. "At least this way, no one will write a book about me and distort the facts, like they do with Schliemann and Howard Carter." Watching Daniel as he spoke, Sam decided it would take an epic longer than War and Peace to explore the depths of Daniel's persona. "I don't mind that no one knows my name...but it would be nice to be remembered by my colleagues as something other than an object of ridicule." Daniel admitted. "Daniel," Sam protested. "I'm don't think your colleagues - " "Believe me, Sam, you wouldn't argue the point if you'd been in that lecture hall the day Catherine asked me to join the Stargate program,” Daniel told her. “They made a mad dash for the door in the middle of my lecture. Everyone probably thinks the reason I’m not publishing is because I was excommunicated from the archaeological community.” Sam stared at the concrete and said nothing for a moment. "Well, Daniel," Sam offered. "I know I'm no archaeologist, but I will always have the greatest respect for you and your work." Daniel looked at her intensely for a moment. "Thank you, Sam. That means a lot." Sam was taken aback by the strength of Daniel's reaction. Had he really not known how respectfully she thought of him? Thinking back to all the times he'd referred to her as a brilliant scientist, both in her presence and when speaking to others, like Narim; Sam was ashamed at her comparative lack of praise for her best friend. Daniel was brilliant - she had realized that on the first day they met, and she had implied it every day as she turned to him for input - but how many times had she actually told him so? "I meant it," she said emphatically. 
They sat that way, looking into each other's eyes; until Sam felt it was imperative she look away, but didn't quite know why. "Anyway," Sam began with a smile, "the only other consolation I have to offer is a candy bar." She grabbed the Hersheys out of the sack and handed one to Daniel. Daniel took it, grinning. "That'll do." Devouring the candy bars, they climbed back in Sam's vehicle and headed to the base. *** As they exited the base elevator, Daniel said to Sam, "When you have a minute, Sam, I'd like your input on some of the phrases on these P8X-291 tablets. There's some star charts on the largest one, which I haven't been able to figure out how they were significant to the inhabitants, but maybe with your help..." he trailed off. "How about now?" Sam responded. "Are you sure?" "Yeah, why not. The naquadah will still be there in the morning." Sam said. "Besides, without the cappuccino you bought me, I wouldn't be awake right now. I owe you something for that." She grinned and followed Daniel to his office. An hour later, Daniel was still explaining the translations he'd accomplished so far, responding with delight to Sam's enthusiastic queries regarding the way of life on P8X-291. Sam opened her mouth to ask about the significance of the culture's language containing Goa'uld phrases, but ended up yawning instead. Daniel said with a start, "I'm sorry, Sam. I didn't mean to keep you here so long."  "Oh, it's ok, Daniel." Sam reassured him, smiling. "I've enjoyed picking your brains." "Same here." Daniel replied, stacking away his notes so Sam wouldn't feel obligated to stay any longer. "Thanks for sticking around with me." "Any time. I guess I'll see you in..." Sam paused, glancing at her watch. "...Four hours for the briefing." Daniel grinned. "I guess so." As Sam walked to the doorway, she turned back to Daniel as he stood with his hands jammed in his pockets. "Night, Daniel." "Goodnight, Sam." Daniel gave her one of those smiles that reflected in his eyes. As Sam walked off, the image of Daniel firmly in mind, she thought to herself that she may have to make these late-nights with him a regular occurrence. But not too regular, she corrected herself, yawning fiercely. THE END
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