Monkey Love

[maevebran]

Title: Monkey Love
Author:Maeve Bran
Summarry: Daniel and Buffy settle in.
Notes:This set after Morepheus 10.2. Also written for the Ninja Daniel challenge that Michael Shanks has issued at several conventions.
Disclaimer: I own niether Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Stargate SG1 serries. I am just having some unprofitable fun.
Raiting: FR 13
Word Count: 621




Daniel woke to a sight that was becoming more and more familiar- a blonde head cushioned on his shoulder. and not only was it familiar but it felt right. The only difference today was the ring on the hand placed on his chest beside the blonde head. On the ring finger, next to the cabochon ruby and white gold engagement ring he had given Buffy just over a month before, was a white gold wedding band. He smiled as he felt the weight of a matching ring on his own finger. It would take some getting used to but he was proud to wear the evidence of the claim Buffy had on him.

Daniel gently brushed hair off her face with his free hand. Buffy must have been really tired he thought because she did not wake, just snuggle deeper into his embrace. That was fine with him because he had some thinking to do. Last night Buffy had said she loved him. Daniel knew she deserved to hear the words back but he just wasn't sure he could say them- yet. He enjoyed her company both in and out of bed. It felt good to have someone who understood the unknown fight against evil and the high price that was sometimes paid. He even enjoyed her mind. Buffy was smarter than she let on. She admitted that the reason she didn't do more research was that there were others that could do it better and faster not because she couldn't do it.

Daniel knew that the thing holding him back from telling her "I love you" wasn't Buffy or his feelings for her but his lingering guilt about Sha're. It wasn't fair to his current wife to let the feelings left from his first wife stand in the way. He knew he shouldn't still feel guilty seven years after Sha're's death but he did. He wasn't heating on her by loving Buffy but every time he thought to tell Buffy of his feelings he would see Sha're in his mind's eye and feel guilty. Buffy had managed to resolve her feelings now it was Daniel's turn. He knew he would never feel the same about Buffy as he did about Sha're but they were different women and didn't need to be loved the same way.

Buffy stirred then and looked up into his eyes. Before she had a chance to say anything, Daniel leaned down and kissed her.

"Good morning, Mrs. Jackson," he said softly as he pulled back.

"I think I could get used to waking up like that for the rest of my life," Buffy smiled as she sat up.

"Did you mean what you said last night?" Daniel inquired.

"I did," Buffy began, “But I don't expect to hear those words back any time soon."

She had her back to him, apparently trying to be brave. Daniel got out of bed and crouched down in front of her. When she wouldn't meet his eyes he gently took her chin in his hand and redirected her gaze.

"Buffy Anne Summers Jackson, I love you," Daniel said her full name to emphasize his sincerity.

"You do?" Buffy asked as if afraid to hope it was true.

"I do. Not as much or it the same way as Sha're, but it is a start." Daniel explained.

Buffy smiled and launched herself into his arms and kissed his face. "I understand completely but it is nice to hear those words."

Daniel maneuvered her to laying down on the bed and stretched out beside her. He leaned over so he was looking her straight in the eyes, “I love you." He kissed her and proceeded to prove the validity of his words.