Daniel woke a couple of hours later to the sound of Annika whimpering on top of him. He brushed her hair from her face to see a frown creasing her features. Trembling she clung desperately to him. She mumbled the word "Anubis" into his chest, and Daniel realized she was dreaming about the half-Ascended Goa’uld.

"Sshh, My Angel." He gently stroked her back. "I won’t let him hurt you." Daniel figured admitting that the Goa’uld existed to a sleeping woman didn’t break his confidentiality agreement. "I won’t ever let him hurt you." Her body relaxed at his words though she kept her arms wrapped around him.

Guilt washed over Daniel and he hoped in her sleeping state Annika didn’t sense it through their bond. I've given her nightmares! Nightmares he may never be able to explain no matter how many times she had them. It seemed that once again his work would affect any chance of romance he had. No! Not again, he swore to himself. He had to figure out a way to be able to tell Annika all about the Stargate and the SGC. If she could put the visions in context, know what they meant, perhaps she wouldn’t have nightmares… What am I thinking? Once she learned that there really were evil aliens hell bent on enslaving and/or destroying Earth she would have more nightmares! It was jumping from the frying pan into the fire; neither solution was acceptable.

He was torn from his inner conflict by a soft vibrating sound coming from his discarded jeans. Gently he lifted Annika off him, careful not to wake her, and left her curled up in the blanket. He pulled out his cell phone from his pocket and tugged the pants on, but didn’t answer the call until he quietly made his way outside where he could talk freely.

"Hi, Sam."

"Hi, took you long enough. I’m not interrupting anything, am I?" He heard the grin in her voice.

"No. Annika’s asleep, I wanted to wait until I was out of earshot before answering." Daniel closed the door behind him.

"Well, you were right," Sam said getting straight down to business. "Those two are NID. From what information we’ve gathered so far they’re newbies. Only joined a few months ago."

Daniel gave a bitter laugh. "Should I feel insulted that they’re sending out new recruits to spy on me?"

"I’m betting they weren’t expecting you to be there. They did set up the meeting to see Annika, who is someone not used to our world," Sam gave a hearty chuckle. "To quote the colonel, I bet they were pissing in their pants to get out of there."

Daniel couldn’t help his own laugh. "Now that you mention it they did leave pretty quickly." He paused then added slyly, "They also didn’t research their subject very well."

"Oh?"

"They obviously had no idea about Annika’s gift."

A brief silence met his ear before Sam spoke. "She told you."

"Yep."

"And?"

"And what?"

"How’d you take the news?" Sam asked, frustrated at his evasive answers.

"Well, I admit I was a bit freaked out." He sensed her disappointment echoing through the phone and quickly hurried on. "You don’t understand, Sam. She’d drawn a picture thinking it would be a good cake design for Jack. She had you, Jack and Teal’c in fatigues including the symbol for Earth patched on your arms. You were playing with the same machine I saw you with today, Jack was fishing, I was dressed like I was on Abydos. She had Thor and Lya eating Jell-O for Christ sakes! I thought she was a god damn spy!"

"So you freaked out because you thought she was a spy, not because she was psychic?" Sam sounded relieved.

"Yes. With all that we’ve seen, her being psychic is actually a relief."

"I told her you would understand," she said smugly. "What convinced you she was telling you the truth?"

"She also drew Oma. It's like a photo."

"Wow. I guess it’s pretty hard to deny when she draws someone only you have seen."

"That’s what I thought," he agreed.

"What precisely does she know?" Sam asked with concern.

Daniel hesitated. "She’s seen fragments. The Stargate, Sha’re, Amaunet, Sarah, Osiris, Anubis, Osiris using the memory device on me, me dying and Ascending. But she has no idea what most of it means. Sam, what do I do?"

"Daniel, you can’t tell her anything," she said warningly.

"But she’s already seen it," he protested.

"Yes, but Annika doesn’t have clearance to be told anything."

"Sam, it’s giving her nightmares."

Sam could hear the pain in her friend’s voice.

"I’m giving her nightmares," he repeated. "How can I not explain things to her? She has a right to know exactly what she is seeing."

Sam was quiet for a few moments before quietly asking, "Do you think she could cope with the truth?"

Daniel’s earlier indecision evaporated. He remembered what she’d said about feeling her friend's death. He considered her visions, not the ones she’d had since meeting him, but the ones from before. They hadn’t discussed them, but he knew it was unrealistic that all of her visions had been warm and fuzzy. How many secrets of others did she already hold? "Yes, I do. And I think I’ve figured a way around the confidentiality agreement."

"You have? That contract’s pretty airtight." Sam sounded doubtful.

"Not if she signs one herself. Part of her gift is that she can see people’s auras," he explained. "Like she can see into their souls and see if they intend any harm. Imagine how useful that ability could be at work. One glance and we’d know who we could trust."

"Are you talking about taking her off-world? Daniel, remember she’s pure civilian, she’s had no training…"

"Even if she stays on the base we'd be assured that there are no NID agents hanging about." He held his breath for Sam’s response.

Eventually Sam conceded, "It would be handy having our own spy detector."

Daniel grinned recalling that earlier those were his exact thoughts.

"But I think we need to bring Jack and Teal’c in on this before suggesting it to General Hammond."

Daniel caught her train of thought. "United front and all that, huh?"

"Right."

"Ah, we might have a slight problem." Daniel didn’t quite know how to phrase his concern. "Jack isn’t the most open minded of people."

"Mmmm," Sam was also considering the mindset of the colonel. "He may need more than a picture of Oma to convince him."

They were both silent as they each tried to come up with a solution.

"Has Annika seen anything that only the colonel would know?" Sam asked hopefully.

"I don’t know. I’ll check with her once she wakes up." He sighed. "This has all gotten very complicated. What ever happened to having a normal relationship?"

Sam could tell that despite his grumbling, Daniel was happier than he’d ever been. She grinned. "In our world what’s normal anymore? Jack and I have been Tok’ra, Teal’c is an alien, you were once an Ascended being, and that’s only for starters. Why not add a psychic to the mix?"

"When you put it that way, Annika’s probably the most normal of us all," Daniel laughed. "Look, I’ll discuss it with Annika and we’ll think of something. Can you bring Teal’c to Jack’s cabin tomorrow? I think we should do this in Jack’s natural habitat. Wouldn’t want to scare him off. Plus it’ll give Annika a chance to read something of Jack’s if he needs further convincing."

"Good thinking. I’ll explain things to Teal’c," Sam agreed. "What time?"

"Say around eleven?" he suggested.

"Planning a late night?"

"Sam, please!" Was his strangled response.

She swore she could feel Daniel’s flush through the phone and she couldn’t contain a giggle. "At least someone’s getting some! I’ll see you in the morning."

Daniel hung up, his cheeks burning but a smile played on his lips. He knew Sam was happy for him. Hell, I'm happy for myself!

When he crept back into Annika’s house he found her dressed and sitting at the kitchen table nursing a coffee mug.

"Hmmm. Embarrassed but happy. Must have been talking to Jack or Sam."

"Not Teal’c?" He poured himself a cup of the steaming brew.

She shook her head. "Nope. Can’t picture him using the phone too often."

Daniel was startled by the observation until he realized that in all the years they’d worked together he could count on one hand the number of times the Jaffa had actually used a telephone. "It was Sam, confirming that the couple were dodgy." He reached across the table and brought her hand up to his lips. "Not that I needed it after this afternoon."

They sat in companionable silence until the question that had been floating in the back of his mind took shape. "Why haven’t you asked me to explain your visions?"

"I figured you wouldn’t be allowed to." She took another sip of coffee. "You did say your work was classified."

"But doesn’t it make it easier on you if you understand exactly what the visions entail?" Daniel was reluctant to mention her nightmare.

Annika nodded. "Yes. Once I have a reasonable explanation they dissipate."

"So you’re willing to keep these visions in your head?" He frowned, not liking the thought of Anubis, Amaunet and Osiris being constantly in her mind, even if they were just images.

She shrugged giving a wry grin. "It’s not like I have any choice."

The matter of fact way she accepted that she would be plagued by her visions made his heart ache. Now he definitely had no doubts about bringing her into the Stargate program, but he was unsure how to broach the subject. Maybe she was happy with the way things were. What if she didn’t want to be involved with the SGC?

Annika sensed his hesitation. "Daniel, just ask me."

He absently rubbed his stomach when he felt her…was that amusement? "Well, how would you like to work at…" Oops, couldn’t say SGC just yet. "…Uh…work where I work?" Oh way to go, Master Linguist! Great command of the English language, he thought sarcastically.

He felt a flutter of excitement through their bond.

"You were serious when you said I could be useful?"

Daniel nodded. "But only if you want to. I don’t want you to feel any pressure because of our relationship."

There was that little flutter again.

"What can you tell me right now about what you do?"

Daniel grimaced. "Technically? Nothing."

"Oookay…Change of tactics. I’ll ask questions and you answer if you can. I take it most of what I’ve seen is related to your work?"

"Yes."

"Who is the woman with the dark hair?"

"Sha’re, she was my wife."

"She underwent a drastic personality change during the time you were married, didn’t she?"

"Yes. But it was through no fault of her own." He hesitated, how could he explain without really explaining anything? "Sha’re was infected by a parasite…you’ve heard of those worms that live in the Amazon river and burrow beneath peoples’ skin?"

She nodded.

"It’s similar to that, only it affects their mental state. They lose control over their actions, have no conscience."

"And the glowing eyes?"

"A kind of side effect. A dead giveaway that they have been infected."

"Your wife didn’t survive."

"No."

"The man in the black robe?"

"Let’s just say he has a different strain of the same infection."

"Through your work you’re trying to stop anyone else from becoming infected?"

"Yes."

"And your work is dangerous because you run the risk of infection yourself?"

"Partly."

"This infection isn’t a medical condition, is it?"

Daniel remained silent.

"The picture I drew, I wasn’t picking up on some past costume party, was I?"

Silence.

"The symbol on Teal’c’s forehead?"

"A kind of tribal mark."

"The other figures I drew, who are they?"

Silence.

Annika started to ask another question about her sketch but Daniel cut her off. "Can I just say that your cake design has a very friendly feel about it?"

She nodded. "Okay, I can accept that. So to recap what I’ve determined is that whatever your job is, you basically are trying to help people."

"Yes."

"And you think my gift can help in some way."

"Yes."

"Then really there’s nothing more I need to know. Yes, I would like to work where you work."

"You’re sure?" Daniel studied her face for any signs of doubt.

She nodded. "Can’t you tell?"

Daniel felt a tug under his heart, reminding him of their connection. "Forgot about that." After a moment of concentration he felt her happiness and determination.

"Ever since I started having visions I’ve searched for the reason why. For the first time I don’t feel like I have to hide what I see. I think this is what I’m supposed to do with my life. "

He didn’t need their bond to hear the truth in her words.

Annika finished off the last of her coffee then moved to sit in Daniel’s lap. As his arms lovingly embraced her she remarked, "I didn’t think getting into a top secret facility would be so…simple."

Daniel shifted uncomfortably. "It’s not. I first just wanted to run the idea by you before taking the next step."

"There must be a lot of red tape to get someone like me into this program."

"Sam and I have come up with a plan that hopefully will bypass most of that." Annika felt embarrassment through their new bond and was intrigued. "Care to share?"

The feeling increased and she almost felt herself blush in response.

"Well…uh…Jack, Sam, Teal’c and I have kind of gained a certain standing with people in high places. We’re owed a few favors." Saving the world a half a dozen times has to count for something, he added silently. "If the four of us make a request for you to be brought in, they can’t really say no."

Annika realized what had caused his embarrassment. Daniel was a modest man and admitting he held sway with top ranking officials made him uneasy.

"Okay, so all we have to do is convince Jack and Teal’c to bring me aboard."

Daniel was relieved she didn’t ask him to elaborate about SG-1’s clout. "Yeah…about that…I don’t think Teal’c will be a problem, but Jack…"

"Jack is a meat and potatoes kind of guy?" she suggested. "Doesn’t go for spiritual hocus pocus?"

"Exactly."

"I take it my sketch won’t be enough."

He shook his head. "I doubt it. You’ll need to tell him something no one else but he could possibly know."

Annika frowned in concentration, trying to recall the kaleidoscope of visions she’d had regarding the team leader. She replayed one particular incident and smiled. "I think I have something."

"What is it?"

"I can’t tell you."

"But…"

"Nope. It’s Jack’s secret, as cute as it is. It’s not my place to reveal it. And I’ll only tell him of it if I can’t convince him any other way." She tilted her head back to look at him. "Please say you understand."

Reluctantly he nodded.

"Thank you." She kissed him tenderly, letting all of her feelings for Daniel fill her mind.

The flood of her emotions engulfed him and Daniel deepened their kiss. Desire ripped through him and just like earlier in the car the need to have her once again consumed his thoughts. He trailed kisses down her neck, feeling her pulse increase beneath his lips, making his way down to the valley between her breasts. One hand traveled beneath her dress and her thighs quivered in anticipation, while the other quickly took care of the front buttons.

"Why do we even bother to get dressed?" she gasped as his mouth suckled her taut nipple.

"How about bathrobes?" he suggested, tongue swirling over her smooth skin. "Easy access."

"Sounds good to me." Her fingers struggled with the buttons on his jeans. The last one popped open giving Annika free range to his rapidly hardening shaft. Her hand wrapped around the hot muscle and she ran it up and down its length feeling it swell even more.

"I can’t get enough of you," Daniel groaned, his breath hot against her. "I’ll never get enough of you." He lifted her up and sat her on the table, letting her dress fall unheeded to the floor. "I want to spend the rest of my life exploring every inch of you."

His words intensified the torrent of emotions already swimming between them.

"Oh, Daniel, I do love you." The words popped out of her mouth and for a moment he froze. Then he gently cupped her face in his hands.

"Say that again," he whispered.

"I love you." This time it was said shyly.

The surge of Daniel’s absolute joy that flooded through her body had her tingling all over.

"I love you too." His mouth descended on hers giving her the most tender yet passionate kiss of her life. "Don’t you ever leave me."

"Not a chance." She lovingly ran her fingers down his cheek. "You’ve got me forever and a day."

"Won’t be long enough," he grinned continuing his delectable exploration.

Their declaration of love intensified the passion still coursing through their veins. When they finally came together the waves of exquisite pleasure left them shaking in each other’s arms.

As their heartbeats slowed Annika gave a low chuckle. "I’ll never be able to look at this table the same way again."

Daniel grinned nuzzling her neck, "I can always buy you a new one."

"Are you kidding? Who wouldn’t want to remember that?"

They spent the rest of the day and night lazing around the house, happily watching TV and playing with the puppies in between bouts of lovemaking.

When Daniel ducked home for a few minutes to grab fresh clothes for the following morning, he marveled at how lucky he was. Since loosing Sha’re he never thought he would love again and now in just a few short days he had found someone he knew he would cherish for the rest of his life. And miracle upon miracle Annika felt the same way. He absently rubbed his belly when he felt a tug of impatience and longing through their bond. Grinning he snatched up his bathrobe from behind the door, flinging it over his shoulder as he hurriedly locked his house back up. Yep, I'm a very lucky man indeed!