Returned

Disclaimer: All characters recognized are not my property.

UNAUTHORISED GATE ACTIVATION!

This managed to jerk Daniel out of his reverie in the world of three thousand years ago enough to run towards the gate room. He reached the observation room just as the gate activated and threw the wall behind it into a brilliant blue shade.

All was still for a moment then Walter noticed, "Sir, this is originating from an unknown galaxy."

"Is it an attack?" General Landry inquired.

"I'm not detecting anything out of the ordinary," Walter replied looking anxious.

"Open the gate," Landry finally said. The Iris spun open as the SF's and personnel watched attentively. Then a body flew through the event horizon and hit the metal ramp tumbling to a stop and lying motionless.

The figure pulled herself to her knees and everyone saw it was Vala Mal Doran. They also saw the deep gash across her stomach that was pouring blood. Her eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed against the grating.

Daniel was halfway to the ramp by the time General Landry yelled for a med team to the gate room STAT. He knelt beside her and checked her neck for a pulse and found one although it was very weak. He pressed a palm to her stomach to try and slow the bleeding but crimson blood continued to pour through his fingers.

The med team arrived and pulled her away from him leaving him standing alone on the steel ramp, his hands soaked in her blood.

6 hours later

"How are they?" inquired General Landry as he walked into Dr. Lam's tiny cubicle she called an office. She stood and faced him.

"Well she got out of surgery two hours ago and he hasn't moved since," she said as an answer to his question, sounding tired.

"What are Mal Doran's chances?" he asked softly, staring as Daniel Jackson brushed a lock of raven hair away from Vala's unconscious face, oblivious to the rest of the world.

"She'll make it but it will take sometime." Dr. Lam continued, "She had more internal damage from that gash than was immediately apparent, a minor concussion, and a few of her ribs were cracked. If you want my opinion I'd say she was beaten." She sighed. "What a mess."

"Let me know when she comes to," said the general as he turned to leave.

"Will do sir," said Lam as she turned back to her work.

"Oh and get some sleep. That's an order." He called over his shoulder.

"Yes sir." Dr. Lam said and turned to leave.

Sg1

Daniel still couldn't believe she was here. He couldn't stop staring at her pale face, peaceful even though it was slightly creased by pain. She was alive. He had never let on how much he missed her, never shared the dreams that always plagued his sleep or all the times he would swear he heard her voice but turned to find he was alone.

A soft moan cut through the silence of the infirmary. Vala stirred and opened her blue-gray eyes and blinked then noticed him. He had never seen her gaze look so open. Whoever said eyes were windows to the soul couldn't have been more correct.

"Daniel?" she whispered, "Is this real?"

Daniel didn't think he could answer so he wrapped his arms around her, careful not to disturb the bandages on her stomach, and buried his lips against her hair. She took a shuddering breath and clung to him just like she had after she'd died for the first time. He felt her take another shaky breath and realized it hurt her to breath. He knew he'd kill whoever had done this to her and enjoy it.

Daniel felt her shudder and leaned back to look in her eyes. She had them shut but silent tears ran down her face and he wiped them away with his fingers. Vala opened her eyes and they were full of so much emotion he forgot to breath. Neither noticed Dr. Lam come up behind them as he bent to kiss her.

Sg1

Sam, Cameron, and Teal'c stood in the doorway of the infirmary watching the two people they had all come to call friends finally content in each other's arms.

"You know Jackson thought none of us knew about how he felt," Cameron stated without moving his gaze from he odd pair.

"Of course he did Cam. That's just who he is," replied Sam watching her surrogate brother and smiling for a reason unknown to Cameron.

Teal'c most wisely said, "I believe it would be unwise to stay as Daniel Jackson would be most displeased to know we were here."

"I think you're right Teal'c," Cameron agreed and the trio of friends turned and left the other two to the solitude that they didn't realize they didn't have.

Sg1

"General?"

"Yes Carolyn?"

"She's awake but theirs no rush. It'll probably take a good 10 minutes for them to realize they're in public and come up for air." The General laughed, not really surprised.

"Alright, I'll take my time." He cut the connection and shook his head. "Jackson what have you gotten yourself into this time?"