Suggested Rating: PG

Category: Daniel/Janet developing relationship, with team friendship

Setting: somewhere around season 4

Synopsis: Janet finds herself on an unexpected journey of the heart.

Author’s Comments: Written for the Dan/Jan Ficathon 2008 (see prompt below). Nike, I tried to get in everything you wanted, but you’ll have to decide for yourself if this fic measures up to the request of “some humor” or not. Many thanks to Sonia, my trusted editor.

DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 is the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. Indiana Jones is the property of Paramount and Lucasfilm. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment only and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognized characters and places, and this story, are creations of the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Dan/Jan Ficathon 2008

Fic written for: Nike

Challenge prompt: The quote "I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then" (from Alice in Wonderland); some humor; a kiss of some sort; the word 'discombobulate’.

BLAME IT ON THE FEDORA

- by Michelle Lunsford (February 2008)

I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.

I’m not certain why this line from a childhood story keeps coming to mind tonight. Maybe because I have fond memories of Dad reading it aloud when I was young. No matter what had happened – a rainy day, a scratch when I fell, or my brother snitching the last of the chocolate chip cookies - hearing about Alice and her adventures always seemed to make things right.

Things seem far from right at the moment, however. If someone had told me this morning that tonight I’d be lying awake entertaining inappropriate thoughts about a co-worker and patient, I’d have dismissed the idea as ludicrous.

So maybe I’m developing a new understanding of dear Alice’s plight. Unlike her, unfortunately, I doubt I’m going to run into any hookah-smoking Caterpillars to provide me with answers.

Rolling over, I grab one of the extra pillows and tuck it beneath my chin as I curl into a fetal position. The scene from breakfast replays in my head for what must be the hundredth time.

Sam and I had been in the mess when the rest of SG-1 joined us. The guys were engaged in some topic of no relevance or interest to us so we ignored their conversation.

That is until I overheard the colonel suddenly blurt, “Wait a minute! You’ve never seen the Indiana Jones films either?”

“Jack, you make it sound as if it’s some kind of crime,” Daniel’s reply, coming from where he sat at the far end of the table, seemed a little confounded.

I glanced across the table at Sam. One of the advantages of having a close friend who knows you so well is that you develop this sort of telepathy. So when Sam’s eyes locked with mine, I knew she understood what was going through my mind.

See, Sam knows that I’m a huge Indiana Jones fan. The summer it was released I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark at an old drive-in theater on the outskirts of town. Watching that movie beneath the stars, I fell in love with the adventure presented with its mix of history and fantasy. Of course, as I was just a few weeks shy of my fifteenth birthday at the time, I’m sure my hormones played a role in my appreciation of the film as well. Despite having reached my young adult years by the time The Last Crusade hit theaters, I’d never entirely outgrown my adolescent crush on the character.

What Sam also knew is that some part of me still hadn’t outgrown it.

By silent consent, Sam and I pretended not to notice the conversation even as we began to shamelessly eavesdrop.

“Teal’c, I can understand,” O’Neill was saying. “I mean, sure, he’s learned a lot about Earth culture in the past four years, but even he can’t have gotten ‘round to seeing every great movie just yet. But you—” From the corner of my eye I could see the colonel point accusingly at his younger friend. “I’d have thought someone in your line of work would be familiar with a classic like Raiders.”

Sam caught my eye and arched one eyebrow, as if to say, Well, he does have a point. I inclined my head in agreement.

“Daniel Jackson,” Teal’c’s deep baritone joined the discussion, “I confess to being equally surprised by your having not seen these films. The description I read on the Internet Movie Database website indicated that they are centered on the character of Doctor Jones, renowned archaeologist and university professor. Would not such a fictional representation be of interest to you?”

Daniel snorted contemptuously. “I may not have seen the films, but I remember seeing the previews and hearing about them. And while running around with a whip to fight Nazis may make for good entertainment, it’s not exactly my idea of good archaeology.”

Maybe not, I thought, smirking to myself, but Indiana certainly does know how to use that whip.

“Yeah sure, Daniel, go all high and mighty on us.” O’Neill’s tone was playful. “You’re just jealous because you know you wouldn’t look as good as Harrison Ford does in one of those fedoras.”

Sam barely managed to stifle her snicker as Teal’c continued, “However, the point remains that I have not yet had opportunity to view these films. And as Daniel Jackson has not viewed them either, I suggest we organize a team movie night at our earliest convenience.”

“T, that’s a great idea!”

“Thank you, O’Neill. And I believe we are scheduled for downtime this weekend. Perhaps Saturday would suffice as a potential date?”

“Yeah, yeah,” the colonel sat up straighter and leaned across the table, “we could even start around noon and do a marathon of all three films.”

“Um, excuse me,” Daniel interrupted. “Who said anything about me wanting to see these films?”

“Oh for crying out loud, Daniel,” O’Neill exclaimed. “Don’t be such a party pooper. No one says you have to like them. Heck, we’ll even let you mock the archaeology bits while we watch.”

“You know,” Sam began, cutting me a sly look, “I’m pretty sure Janet has them on DVD.”

“Really?” I wasn’t sure if the colonel was more surprised or impressed by this revelation. “Whaddya say, Doc? Can we crash at your place?” He held his arms open and smiled. “I’ll bring the pizza and beer.”

“Well, uh…” I stammered, blinking as I felt all eyes on me. “That, um, should be all right.” I swallowed, striving for a sense of nonchalance that I did not feel. “In fact, I suspect the only problem will be Cassie’s disappointment. She’s going to a friend’s birthday slumber party for the weekend, so she’ll miss out on the fun.”

“Oh, I imagine she’ll be having plenty of fun on her own to miss anything happening with us,” the colonel assured with a knowing wink.

With plans seemingly finalized, conversation segued down a different path, but the remainder of breakfast passed in a blur for me. It wasn’t until I felt Sam poking my arm that I realized our table companions had departed.

“Hey, you okay?” Sam queried.

“What? Yeah, I’m just…” How in the world could I explain this?

Apparently misreading my discomfort, her expression turned apologetic. “Listen, I’m sorry about that. I didn’t mean to offer an invite on your behalf.”

“No, it’s okay. I don’t mind.” I managed a smile. “My mind just took a detour for a bit. Really. It’s okay.”

She eyed me for a moment, then shrugged. “As long as you’re sure. Listen, I’ve got to get to work. See you later.”

“Yeah,” I replied automatically, but my thoughts were already returning to that little detour.

See, when Colonel O’Neill made his oh-so-casual quip about how Daniel would look in a fedora, my imagination – without any consent from me, mind you – thought it would be interesting to take that, along with other elements from our breakfast discussion, and my lingering teenage swooning over a fictional character, and throw it all together. The result was a remarkably vivid mental image of Daniel dressed as Indiana Jones. My imagination was so amused with this that it felt entitled to take things to the next level. Thus I’d spent the remainder of breakfast with various scenes from the films replaying through my mind, except with ‘Indiana Jackson’ in the lead role.

I scrunched the pillow a little tighter to my chest and huffed aloud to my empty bedroom, “If only the craziness had stopped there.”

But those images lingered throughout the day. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t shake them. Sure, when things got really busy in the infirmary, such nonsense retreated to the background. After the emergencies were over and things quieted down, the imaginings trotted happily out again for me to enjoy.

And that’s the problem. I did enjoy them. Entirely too much.

I really don’t want to analyze what that might mean.

I’ve obviously been working too hard, I silently reason instead. In which case, a little time hanging around the house with my friends this weekend will be a good thing. Yes, that’s it – I just need a little rest and relaxation. And now that I think about it, Alice discovered all her adventures in Wonderland were nothing more than a dream when she woke. With any luck, I’ll feel much better – and have put all this absurdity out of my mind – after a good night’s rest.

^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ * ^ *

House cleaned – check. Kitchen stocked with popcorn, snacks, and sodas – check. DVDs out and ready to go – check. With all the items on my list completed, there’s nothing left to do but wait for my guests to arrive. I glance at the clock and note that Sam – always early – should be here any moment. As if on cue, I hear a car pull in the drive. Heading for the door I pause a moment at the hall mirror to make certain I didn’t pick up any smudges while completing the last minute house tidying.

The front door opens and Sam peers around it. “Knock, knock.”

“Hey, Sam, come on in.”

She offers a smile and comments on how nice everything looks as we step through to the kitchen. After dropping her purse on the table she nonchalantly asks, “Is that a new top you’re wearing?”

“No, just one I haven’t worn in a while.” I take note of my attire, not for the first time today. The jeans are a little faded but they fit perfectly. And the top, made of a dark clingy fabric, isn’t too tight or revealing but definitely nothing like the civvies I normally wear to work. Suddenly plagued by second thoughts I meet my friend’s gaze and appeal, “Do you think I should change?”

“Are you kidding? You look great.” Her eyes narrow slightly as she adds, “You did want to look nice today, right?”

“I don’t know,” I groan, slumping into the nearest chair. “Why did this have to become so complicated?”

By this I mean, of course, what has resulted from those chance imaginings about Daniel earlier in the week.

When I woke that next day I went through my morning routine, the drive to work, and even the first couple hours of my shift without a thought about him. Then, when taking some reports to General Hammond, I happened to pass Daniel at the elevator and everything came rushing back with renewed fervor.

The remainder of the week hadn’t gone any better. Mental diversion was bleeding over into real life as I found myself looking at Daniel in a different light, considering our relationship in ways I never had before. After a couple of days it was affecting me enough that Sam noticed. When she called me after work to press the issue I confessed the entire embarrassing ordeal.

Another advantage of having a close friend who knows you so well is she doesn’t laugh or mock when faced with such startling admissions. She listens, tries to understand, then offers support.

“Emotions typically are complicated,” Sam says, drawing me back to our conversation, “but that’s also part of what makes them so wonderful. I think they’re supposed to get us mixed up a little.”

I scowl at her across the table but can’t fault my friend for the reply. Not when I know the truth of it hits so close to home.

“But maybe after today things will seem less complicated,” she continues. “That is, if you’re still intending to…?”

I know she’s referring to my plan – if such cockamamie scheming can be considered a plan – to assess if there’s potential for any reciprocation in this situation. Because I really hope there is. Maybe I’ve been imagining the entire thing and these new feelings are just some passing fancy. I know it’s not the best thing to be considering given our work situation and that such assumptions might ruin a perfectly good friendship. But still, if there’s a chance…

“I’m still intending to,” I confess. “And so in answer to your earlier question, I did want to look nice today.”

Sam smiles. “Well, you succeeded. And the hair is an especially nice touch.”

“I haven’t gone overboard?” I ask, reaching to self-consciously tuck a section of bangs behind one ear. I usually put it up, whether I’m on duty or not, but today I’m wearing it loose. I even worked the ends with an iron this morning, so there are soft curls at my shoulder.

“Not at all,” she assures, and opens her mouth to add something else but gets cut off by the sound of the doorbell.

“Must be the guys,” I say, wishing this flurry of butterflies hadn’t suddenly taken residence in my stomach.

Sam stands and arches her eyebrows in playful encouragement. “Let the fun begin.”

Focusing on my duties as hostess allows me to shove my nervousness down a notch. In fact, by helping O’Neill carry the pizza inside – necessary because he’s determined not to give up the large paper sack he’s also carrying – I only catch a glimpse of Daniel as he slips in after Teal’c. The kitchen is filled with the commotion of lunch preparation and before I know it everyone has fixed a plate, grabbed a drink, and made their way to the den.

Make that everyone except Daniel, who is retrieving a bottled water from the fridge.

Well, I’m going to have to speak to him sooner or later. Aloud I say, “Would you mind getting me one of those?”

“Sure.” He places the water on the table but I notice he isn’t moving toward the den. And in the lingering silence I can feel his eyes on me.

Taking a quick, steadying breath I look up and ask, “Need something else?”

“No…” This time there is no doubt about his eyes and I fight not to squirm beneath that studious gaze. Finally he declares, “Something about you looks different.”

“It does?” I’m quite proud of myself for keeping a steady tone. Especially since my heart is pounding so fast now that he can probably hear it all the way across the room.

“Have you done something to your hair?”

I can’t help the tiny smile any more than I can fight the blush that’s rising to my cheeks. “I, uh, I usually wear it up while at work.”

“Ah.” After a couple more seconds he offers a hint of a smile as well. “Well, it looks really nice.”

My word of thanks comes out as more of a squeak, but I manage to grab my water and get out the door without making a total fool of myself. In the den I see Sam getting the DVD set up in the player. Teal’c has opted to sit on the floor, as usual, and the colonel has claimed my favorite recliner. There’s plenty of room for all three of us on the sofa, but now my mind is abuzz with how to sit beside Daniel without making it appear obvious.

Stop acting like you’re in junior high, I scold myself and take the left corner of the sofa. After all, if part of this whole experiment is to determine Daniel’s response, isn’t it better to let him pick the seat?

Before he can, however, O’Neill jumps up, nearly upturning his plate of pizza in the process, and announces, “Hey Daniel, I’ve got something for you.” He steps over Teal’c and crosses the room to retrieve that large paper sack I’d noticed earlier. He grins and waggles his eyebrows at his friend. “Oh, you are gonna love this.”

“I somehow doubt that,” Daniel replies, but his tone reveals a hint of amused curiosity.

The colonel has his hand in the bag, playing the moment for all its worth by not removing whatever is inside until he’s standing right in front of Daniel. And I almost choke on my pizza when he finally pulls out a hat and plops it securely on Daniel’s head.

“I figured you needed your own fedora if you’re going to properly mock during our movie viewing today.”

“Of course you did.” No trace of amusement this time, Daniel places his bottled water on the end table in order to reach up to take off the hat.

“Ah, ah, ah,” O’Neill halts him with a friendly tug on the arm. “It’s a gift. You wouldn’t want to hurt my feelings by not wearing it.”

As the friends engage in this tete-a-tete, and I manage to catch my breath, I actually notice the hat isn’t the only shared similarity with Doctor Jones’ attire. No doubt by coincidence, Daniel is wearing a pair of dark khakis and a natural colored button up shirt, the cuffs of the sleeves rolled to just below his elbow. He’s even sporting a pair of well-worn ankle boots.

Oh, he really does look a lot like Indiana when he’s dressed that way.

“You know, Sir,” Sam comments as she steps up to them, a thoughtful expression on her face, “I have to say – and no disrespect intended – you were wrong when you made the comparison at breakfast the other day.”

“Excuse me?”

Smiling as she slips by the pair to sit at the other end of the sofa, Sam replies, “He does look just as good as Harrison Ford wearing that fedora.”

“Thank you, Sam.” Daniel, seemingly satisfied that this redeems the entire situation, retrieves his drink and settles into the only remaining empty seat.

Meanwhile I’m struggling to appear as if everything is normal, focusing my attention on my pizza. As the movie viewing gets underway I’m able to calm down considerably. Daniel does begin to critique the archaeological aspects of the story, but every now and then he finds something they handled fairly well, or something about which he can expound, and by the time we’re half-way through Raiders I’m pretty sure he’s enjoying it.

At the end we take a break for restrooms and drink refills. Teal’c insists on making popcorn and for a moment it’s only me and Daniel in the room. I ask if he would like anything from the kitchen and he seems a little preoccupied when he replies in the negative. I decide to take a chance.

“Something on your mind?”

“Hmm?” He glances over, as if he might have forgotten I was sitting there. “No, not really. I mean… I was, um, just thinking about the movie.”

Oh? This could prove to be interesting. I shift so I can see him a little better. “What about it?”

“I can see why these films did so well, why they were so popular. Well, besides the obvious box office appeal of the adventure and things blowing up, of course.”

The comment earns him an amused smirk. “Of course.”

“But it strikes me that this Indiana Jones… he’s a very appealing hero.”

“That shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering everything you two have in common.” The words are out of my mouth before I realize it.

“Really?” The mild surprise I hear in his voice is enough to encourage me to meet his gaze. But I didn’t expect the flash of guarded interest I see in his eyes. “And what would you say we share in common?”

“Well… archaeology – with all the skills and knowledge necessary for the job – is the most obvious. You’ve both worked at a university and have traveled to exotic places. But I think there are character traits as well, such as determination, charm, intelligence, and loyalty.” Fortunately I manage to stop myself before verbalizing the other two big items on my list: good looks and an appealing physique.

Chuckling under his breath Daniel comments, “You certainly know how to boost a guy’s ego.”

I can feel the color creeping up my cheeks but I don’t look away.

“Still, Doctor Jones and I don’t have everything in common.” Reaching up he takes off the fedora and drops it on the coffee table in front of him. “Despite Jack’s attempt to help us dress alike.”

True, there are differences. But who’s going to quibble over blue eyes verses hazel when both are capable of making me weak in the knees?

“It also strikes me,” he continues with a slight smile as he turns his gaze to me, “that you’re a pretty big fan of this film.”

That observation succeeds in making me fidget. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Let’s see,” he begins ticking items off on his fingers, “you offered all kinds of trivia about the movie while we watched, you kept tensing up before all the big dramatic moments, and I overheard you quoting along with the dialog on several occasions.”

I shrug sheepishly. “What can I say? I fell in love with the film as a teen and never quite got it out of my system.”

The others return before the conversation can stray toward more uncomfortable revelations. As viewing of the second movie commences, I reflect on the past few minutes. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but the description innocent flirtation does seem applicable.

We all take a turn at mocking during The Temple of Doom and finish off the last of the pizza and popcorn. Later, as we head into The Last Crusade, the atmosphere becomes more subdued. Teal’c remains attentive to the story playing out on the screen but O’Neill has started to doze. Daniel and I are still passing random commentary back and forth about the film, but since we converse in softer tones now we’ve moved nearer one another. He’s even slouched a little farther into the cushions so we can be more at eye level. It makes for a delightfully intimate setting and I’m very grateful to Sam, who is doing a fair job of politely ignoring us from her end of the sofa. I know I’m being less cautious now as well. Some of my comments are positively flirtatious, especially when we traded quips about Indiana and his father having sexual encounters with the same female. But Daniel doesn’t seem to mind. And unless I’m imagining things, he even seems to be playing along.

Once the movie ends we make quick work of the clean up and everyone begins their farewells. I don’t know if it’s coincidence or by design – it certainly isn’t by any deliberate maneuvering on my part – but Daniel ends up being the last to leave. We’re lingering at the door, sharing a few final comments about the afternoon’s activities, and I’m striving not to show how disappointed I am to see him go.

There’s a momentary lull in the conversation. Daniel, still carrying the hat Jack had gifted him, begins to absently pass it between his hands. “So… got any big plans for the rest of the evening?”

In my present mood the question catches me a little off guard but I try not to read anything into it. “Not really. There’s some reading I could catch up on, maybe make a sandwich later if I get hungry.” After all the enjoyment of today it sounds rather depressing and I attempt to make light of it by joking, “I’m afraid things aren’t all that exciting around the Fraiser abode, especially when Cassie’s not around.”

He smiles and nods. “I know the feeling. Things are pretty quiet at my place too. Then again, it makes for a nice change of pace, given the work we do.”

“Right.”

Silence falls between us for the second time but Daniel makes no move to leave. “So,” he begins again, and reaches up to unnecessarily adjust his spectacles, “I, um, I don’t want to sound presumptuous, especially in light of your hospitality today, but given the circumstance I just sort of wondered if maybe… that is to say, if you might…” he huffs and gives a slight shake of his head. “Never mind. I should go. Thanks again for having us over today. It’s been great.” He fixes the hat firmly in place before turning to go and I’m confronted once more with the realization that he strongly resembles my favorite fictional hero.

But a fictional hero is a far cry from a living, breathing man who – unless I’m missing something – appears to have just conveyed interest in spending time with me.

My heart is racing wildly and he makes it all the way down the front steps before I’m able to think clearly enough to call him back. “Wait!”

He pauses and glances over his shoulder, meeting my eyes in unspoken question.

“Were you…” I swallow and manage another breath. “Were you implying that you didn’t want to leave?”

He opens his mouth but after a few seconds shuts it again. Still, I thought I saw a flicker of something in his expression that confirmed my assessment.

I opt to take the risk.

“It’s okay. In fact, I’d appreciate the company.”

He turns and takes a couple of steps toward the house, yet his words remain cautious. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”

Drumming up my courage I step farther out on the porch and amend, “Actually, Daniel, I’d appreciate your company.”

Advancing up the final few steps, he halts barely an arm’s length away. “I thought it was just me.” His eyes search my face. “I mean… I didn’t want to make assumptions.”

I move a step closer. “About what?”

“Well… this certainly isn’t the first time we’ve done something like this—” he gestures toward the inside of the house, “hanging out with the rest of the team, I mean. And it’s always fun, but something about today… something was different.”

Cocking my head I offer a curious smile. “Different how?”

He takes a deep breath. “At first I thought it was simply the way you looked. You know, the hair, the outfit. You look really nice. Not that you don’t always look nice, of course, but today…” he clears his throat. “Anyway. Maybe my taking notice of your appearance colored my view for the rest of the day but—we’ve always been good friends, enjoyed each other’s company—something about being with you today seemed particularly…” He begins to rub at his forehead. “I feel like I’m not making any sense. I can’t seem to formulate…” Glancing away for a moment, his sigh is frustrated. But then he moves, closing the distance between us. And when he looks down at me his eyes are full of sincerity. “I’m afraid the whole thing has gotten me rather discombobulated.”

My own reply comes out a little shaky. “So, is that a bad thing?”

“Not necessarily,” he confesses softly. “But I suppose that depends, at least in part, on how you’re going to react.”

Right. Only, now that the opportunity is being made available, am I too much of a coward to take it? Basking in the warmth of his gaze I can’t help but sense the trust and assurance he’s offering. And I’m aware he’s taken a risk too. He’s picked up on what I was hoping to communicate today, but he doesn’t know for certain how I feel. For that matter, I still don’t know for certain how I feel. But, if he’s willing to take the chance, then shouldn’t I?

I wish some clever response would come to mind. Then again, maybe there’s something more appropriate than words for this circumstance.

Stretching on tip-toes I place a light kiss to his lips. Even this chaste connection is better than anything I’d contemplated in my fantasies this past week and if I’m not careful I’ll lose myself in all this delicious warmth. With reluctance I pull back, my eyes searching his for a response.

They open slowly and the first thing I notice is surprise. This expression softens into one of such intense tenderness that it makes my legs go wobbly. Without thinking I rest my hands against his chest to steady myself. His mouth curls into a smile and I feel his hand settle at my waist.

“Perhaps I’m not the only one who’s been discombobulated?” he whispers with a hint of teasing, and he’s so close I can feel the heat of his breath against my face.

I incline my head in acquiescence but it’s still a couple of seconds before I can speak. “Although I’ve been dealing with it for the better part of the past week, rather than just today.”

His eyebrows rise and I’d swear that smile is transforming into a smirk. “Guess I’ll have to make up for lost time then,” he challenges.

Now it’s my turn to be caught unawares as Daniel repositions the fedora farther back on his head, leans down, and kisses me in a manner that is anything but chaste. Yet before I’m completely overwhelmed, some part of my rational self observes what an unexpected and bewildering trip this has been. My Alice in Wonderland analogy comes fleetingly to mind. Except this time I know exactly who I am and what’s happening to me. No wisdom from helpful Caterpillars required, thank you very much.

~ THE END ~

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