Monkey Bets

[maevebran]

Title: Monkey Bets

Author: Maeve Bran

Rating: FR18

Summary: Daniel and Buffy have another heart to heart.

Disclaimer: I own neither Stargate SG-1 nor Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I
am just having a little fun with the characters.

Notes: Part of the New Job series. Set just before "Off the Grid" 9.16.
Also written for the Ninja Daniel challenge that Michael Shanks has
issued at several conventions.

Wordcount: 654 words



Daniel lay contented in his bed in his house. Buffy lay naked in his
arms. He could definitely get used to this-- which reminded him of the
conversation he had had with Jack the day before.

"Buffy, do you have plans Friday night?" Daniel asked.

"You know I don't," Buffy answered. "Wait, are you actually asking me
on a date?"

"I guess I am," Daniel replied.

"What brought that on?" Buffy inquired, sounding puzzled.

"I was talking with Jack yesterday," Daniel explained. "He had
apparently been asking Sam about us, and she told him that while we haven't
gone out on any dates or officially announced that we were a couple, we
have been spotted leaving each other's quarters. Apparently the rumor
mill is running rampant."

"I know," Buffy agreed. "I've been confronted by several of the nurses
to see if it is true that we're sleeping together. I told them yes, and
have been treated to a few juvenile displays of jealousy."

"What?!" Daniel exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have dealt
with them."

"Don't worry, Daniel. I dealt with them," Buffy laughed. "After a few
days, they got the message and stopped. What I get is mostly
congratulations these days."

"Congratulations for what?" Daniel asked, intrigued.

"At finally being the one who managed to drag you out of the lab and
into the bedroom. Apparently there have been bets and dares on who could
get you. " Buffy said, teasingly.

"What?"

"Daniel, every unmarried female on the base, Lt. Col. Carter excluded--
although I wouldn't be surprised if she had thought about it at one
time or another-- has been trying to capture your attention since Sha're
died, if not before," Buffy answered. "I'm rather envied, it seems."

"I had no idea," Daniel said, bewildered.

"Daniel, that would be why there were the bets and dares," Buffy said
as she kissed his bare chest.

Daniel was stunned, but suddenly some of the more obvious attempts at
flirting by the ladies on the base made more sense. "So what was the pot
in the base betting pool?"

"Well, besides the $1000, there were a bunch of things like the parking
space next to the General's, a month's worth of my favorite dishes in
the mess hall, and a private room in the infirmary next time I'm
unlucky enough to land there over night. That is just for getting you in my
bed. You should see what is in the pot for the lady that actually
manages to get you to marry her," Buffy nuzzled his neck as she answered.

"Wow. Don't the ladies on base have anything better to do than worry
about my love life?" Daniel asked, dazedly.

"That's the point, you didn't have one," she replied. "You are one of
the most handsome men on the base. And you have been widowed for years.
Each of the ladies wanted a chance to be the one to comfort you. You
were, and are, very attractive to the female of the species." Buffy
breathed the last sentence in his ear just before she licked it.

"That tickles." He laughed as he ran his hands up and down her bare
back.

An hour or so later, Daniel turned on his side and looked at her. Buffy
was asleep, looking all peaceful and content.

He was happy with her. He cared about her, but he was sure now that he
didn't love her. Oh sure, he lusted after her-- and in a way, that was
a gift. He hadn't felt that emotion very often since Sha're. Yes, he
had felt desire for both Kier'a and Vala, but he could trust neither with
his life let alone his heart. Buffy he trusted with his life, but his
heart wasn't actually completely engaged. At least not yet.

He had to talk to Buffy, but not now. Now, he was going to sleep and be
content.

-~-