Together
By: JnnLuvsU
Disclaimer: They are not mine.

She was burning. They were killing her, and he was powerless to stop it. He struggled against the people holding him, yelled for them to stop. She was screaming his name, wanted him to help her. He tried, but failed. They didn't listen. She was still screaming. The fire went out. He broke free of his captors, his heart pounding, and walked toward her charred body. Sallis' body was unrecognizable, but as he leaned down he saw familiar features. He saw Vala's face.

Daniel Jackson shot up in bed, gasping for breath. He could still feel the pounding heart as he had on that day, knew what it felt like to nearly be burned to death. He had pleaded with them that day, and even though it had been Sallis' body that burned, in his nightmares, he always saw Vala. He was becoming way too attached to her. He got out of bed and made his way to the kitchen. This had to stop, he was never going to get any sleep if he kept having nightmares. He leaned against the bar and sipped the water he had gotten. Damn it, he was still shaking. Sighing, he placed his head in his hands.

Vala Malduran heard movement in the other room and wondered why Daniel was up. Very quietly, she got out of the bed and opened the door. She could see him in the kitchen, his head in his hands. She stepped out of the room that she was staying in and walked toward him.

Daniel heard footsteps and looked up to see her coming toward him. He was amazed. She looked beautiful in the leather she always wore, but not many people looked as good as she in some old shirts and boxers of his, "Couldn't sleep," he said, answering the unsaid question in her eyes.

Vala nodded, she herself had been having trouble sleeping, "Is this what you deal with everyday?" she asked, uncharacteristically quiet.

"You mean, being transmitted into someone else's body, watching my friends being burned alive and then nearly being burned alive myself? No, that's reserved for special occasions," he answered, noticing her shudder at the mention of fire.

Vala noticed the pain behind his eyes, and decided to change the subject, "So, why can't you sleep?" she asked, taking a seat on the couch in the living room next to the kitchen.

Daniel stared at his hands, "It's finally catching up with me," he said, "and I keep having this recurring nightmare. What are you doing up?"

Vala curled up in a ball, "I can still feel it," she whispered, hurriedly wiping her eyes.

Daniel went and sat next to her on the couch, "I'm sorry," he said, rubbing her back, "so sorry."

Vala nodded and sat up, "So what is your nightmare about?"

Daniel looked at her, "I just keep reliving the scene in my head. Only in my dreams I'm not watching Sallis' body burn, I'm watching yours," he whispered, "and that just makes it ten times worse."

Vala leaned into him, "I keep reliving it in my dreams, too," she said, "only you're not there, so no one's trying to save me."

Daniel wrapped his arm around her and held her close, "you sure you're ok," he asked, touching her cheek.

"Will the nightmares stop?" she asked.

"Eventually," he answered, hugging her tightly, "until then, we'll get through them together, ok."

Vala nodded. Daniel laid down on the couch pulling her with him. He placed a pillow under their heads and wrapped his arm protectively around her waist, "Try and go back to sleep," he said.

She turned to look at him, gave him a smile and a kiss on the cheek, then closed her eyes. Daniel smiled softly and then closed his own eyes.

THE END.

Should I continue? I know Vala was way out of character, but what happened to her would shake up anyone, so I don't think her reaction is that out of character. Review and tell me if I should continue!