Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination.

A/N: This has been heavily edited since I originally posted it.

Too Late

When Vala heard the knock on her door, she knew exactly who it was and thought seriously about not answering. But she also knew if she didn't, he'd simply get an SF to open it for him. Sighing heavily, she put down the shirt she'd been folding and went to the door. As expected, there was an awkward-looking Daniel standing on the other side, a nervous smile on his lips.

"What is it, Daniel? I'm in the middle of something important." Vala watched in morbid satisfaction as his smile slipped a little. Good, she thought. Let him get a taste of his own medicine.

"I-I was wondering if you wanted to help me with the new Goa'uld translation that SG-5 brought back."

"As much fun as that sounds, I'll have to pass. As I've already told you, I am busy at the moment." But when she went to close the door, his hand shot out to hold it open.

"What are you doing?" he asked with more than a hint of suspicion.

"That's none of your business. Now, it you'll excuse me..." She trailed off as she attempted to close the door again but his hand held feast. How was a nerdy archaeologist so strong, anyway?

"Not until you tell me what's going on."

"Nothing is going on." Vala rolled her eyes before amending her statement. "Nothing that concerns you, at least."

"Come on, Vala. I haven't seen you in over a week, except in passing. Tell me what's wrong." His voice took on the pleading note Vala knew all too well and had to fight the urge to respond to it.

"I've already told you, it's not your concern so just leave me alone!" She nearly yelled the last bit, proof that his persistence was wearing on her already frayed nerves. Fleetingly, she wondered if this was how he felt whenever she refused to leave him alone. Well, she thought, he wasn't going to have to worry about that much longer. This time when she tried to close her door, he pushed it all the way open.

"What exactly are you hiding in here?" he asked, stepping angrily into the room only to stop short when he noticed the stacks of neatly folded clothing and large bag sitting on her bed. "What the hell is going on?"

"I would think that was obvious, even to someone as clueless as yourself, Daniel." She answered sardonically. "I am packing."

"I can see that, but why?"

"I'm leaving."

He stood speechless for a few moments, shock evident on his face and for a split second, Vala thought she'd seen fear in his eyes. But it was gone so quickly she chalked it up to wishful thinking. There was no room in her life for false hope, anyway. Instead, she moved past him and continued to pack. Her actions seemed to finally break through his shocked state because he quickly grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him.

"What do you mean, you're leaving?"

"Just what I said. I'm leaving the SGC, leaving Earth." She tried to turn away but he held her too tightly.

"You can't just leave."

"Of course I can, darling." she patted his cheek patronisingly. "I've already told General Landry of my plans."

"You talked to Landry about this? When?"

"A week ago. He said he was sorry to see me go but that I am free to leave whenever I want."

"A week ago! When were you planning to tell me?"

"Will you stop repeating everything I say? I was planning to write you a letter tonight and leave it with Walter." This time when she turned away, he let her go.

"A letter? You weren't even going to tell me to my face?"

"I honestly didn't think you'd care."

"What do you mean, you didn't think I'd care. Why would you think that?"

"Daniel," she sighed, not able to look up from her packing. "I know you don't like me."

"What? Of course I like you!"

"No, you don't. You like who you think I am, but I'm tired of pretending to be something I'm not. I'm tired of everyone trying to change me. I'm selfish and uncaring. Just a liar, a thief and a con artist and I'm going back to a life where I can be myself. A life where no one expects me to be more than I am."

"But that's not who you are, not deep down, and we both know it."

"Perhaps you're right, but how can I be certain? How do I know I've not become this person only to please you?" she asked, turning to face him and cutting him off before he could argue. "No, Daniel, please don't. I'm leaving tomorrow whether you like it or not and I would like you to go now so I can finish packing."

"I'm not going anywhere until we figure this out."

"Don't you see, Daniel? I've already figured it all out. I need to find out exactly who I am and I can't do that with you and everyone else on this damn planet telling who I should be."

"So you're just going to run away again." Daniel said it so scathingly that Vala flinched. "What about the life you've made here? What about the team? What about me?"

Vala looked into the mesmerising depths of his blue eyes and knew what he was intimating. She could see it in his eyes, but it wasn't enough any more. She had to figure out who she was and the only way to do that was to leave. To be on her own with no interference of any kind.

"It's too late, Daniel." She placed a hand to his cheek, and her eyes pleaded with him to understand. "I'm leaving at 0800 tomorrow. I'd like you to be there to see me off, but I'll understand if you're not."

Before she could remove her hand, he placed his larger one over it and smiled ruefully. "There's nothing I can say to change your mind, is there?"

Vala just smiled sadly and shook her head. He continued to stare at her for a few moments before leaning in to kiss her forehead. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For making you think I was trying to change you. I thought I was helping you reach your full potential. I didn't realise I was pushing you away."

"Daniel-" she started but was cut off when he placed a finger over her lips.

"You are so much more than you realise. You're selfless and caring, beautiful inside and out. But if leaving is what you need to do to find all of that out for yourself, I won't stand in your way. Just remember, I'm always here if you need me. You can come back any time and I'll be waiting. I-I love you."

Vala nearly cried at the softly spoken declaration, almost capitulated to this man and the shared feelings. Instead, she held firm, knowing she had to do this for both of them. She did allow Daniel to pull her into a tight hug, though, holding on for a few moments before forcing herself to let go.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then?" she asked in a watery voice as she turned away, unable to watch him go.

"Yes." he told her, then he was gone.

Vala felt a tear run down her cheek as she heard the door close softly behind her, resisting the urge to run after him, grab hold and never let go.

()()()()

Daniel stood with his hands in his pockets as he watched Vala say her goodbyes to the rest of the team.

"Cameron," she said in a playful voice. "Thank you for your mother's apple pie recipe. I don't know if I'll ever be able to use it, but it's nice to have."

"Any time, Princess." He pulled her into a quick hug and smiled sheepishly when she kissed his cheek. Vala only grinned and moved on.

"Samantha," she hugged the other woman. "You are the best girlfriend I've ever had. I'll miss you so much."

"I'll miss you, too." They pulled back and smiled. "But you have the IDC, so don't be a stranger."

Vala smiled, knowing they were both aware she'd likely never use it but turned to Teal'c without another word.

"Well, Muscles, I guess this is goodbye." She held out her arm and Teal'c took it in the classic Jaffa handshake.

"We shall meet again, Vala Mal Doran. Of this, I am certain." Vala merely bowed her head and walked over to Daniel.

"Darling," she said and touched her fingers to his jaw, much as she had the first time they said goodbye. Only this time, it wasn't craftiness he saw in her grey depths, but sorrow. "I'm sorry I couldn't be what you wanted."

Before she could say anything more, he pulled her into a fierce embrace and whispered in her ear. "You are exactly what I want. I meant what I said last night. I love you and I will be waiting right here for you to come home. No matter how long it takes."

"I love you, too, my Daniel." He could hear the tears in her voice and hugged her tighter. He wasn't sure how long they held each other before he felt her pull back but he instantly felt the loss as if she were already lightyears away. And perhaps she was, in spirit. She kissed his cheek then looked up into the control room with a grin and salute to General Landry. With a final nod to her former teammates, she turned and walked up the ramp to the Stargate, never looking back as she entered the event horizon. Daniel stood in the gateroom long after the connection was broken, hoping that Teal'c was right. That they would meet again. And when they did, there was no way he was letting her walk away a second time.

The End