AN) Hey there Stargate Fans...I now present to you seasons nine and ten only slightly altered. Each chapter will be snippets from the episodes only changed a little bit to have a bit more interest to them- not that they needed it- but this is my story and I hope that you all enjoy where it takes us. Lasting Bondsof course is a Daniel/Vala story that explores their relationship and how it would have changed had Vala been serious that moment in Daniel's quarter during 'The Ties that Bind' and now, on with the show.

Lasting Bonds

"Are you messing with me?"

Vala whirled to face him. "How can you think that?" she asked, the tears still glistening in her eyes. "I mean I know that I am not the most trusting person in the world but do you really think--?" she paused and shook her head turning away. "If that's what you really think Daniel then I…"

Even though he was only looking at her back, Daniel could tell that Vala was trying her best not to let sobs wrack her body- but she was failing. To tell the truth, Daniel was quite stunned. He had thought that he had pegged Vala right. He had thought that she was a woman who lied, cheated and stole her way into the beds of others in order to compensate for her need to not form lasting emotional bonds. Clearly he was wrong, because a woman who was so cold would not be breaking down before him now. And while there was a tiny part of him who doubted her emotional reaction, there was another much larger part of him which wanted to give Vala the benefit of a doubt.

"Hey now," he whispered as he placed his hands on her back, feeling the sobs. "I'm sorry."

Vala shook her head and shrugged his hand off her back. "Leave me alone Daniel. I don't want your sympathy and I certainly don't need it," and then before Daniel could say anything she opened the door and left, leaving Daniel all alone in his temporary quarters on the base.

Brilliant Jackson, he thought to himself as he followed her out into the hallway, noting with a certain distain as she slammed the door to her room behind her. Next time maybe you should watch what you're saying to her.

IOI

That night, as Daniel tried to sleep he thought about the first time he had met Vala. What was especially nagging at him was the moment that he had zatted her. They had just won against some goa'uld gliders and alkesh with the help of the crew of the Prometheus and they were awaiting the return of General Hammond and the rest.

"What're you gonna do with me?" she asked, her voice soft and vulnerable for the first time since the whole adventure had started.

Daniel sighed and closed his eyes. "I'm not sure,"

Vala let her shoulders droop as she looked to her left, looking carefully at the man beside her. "Look Daniel," she began in a quiet voice. "Whatever happens, I just want you to know-"

Daniel had zatted her then; at the time he had had enough of the bullshit that she had been spouting and he wasn't prepared to hear anymore. But now, as he lay on his bed trying to get to sleep he was curious. I am going to have to ask her about that one of these days, he thought as he finally began to drift off to sleep. I want to know what she wanted me to know.

IOI

Two days later Daniel found himself walking beside Vala in handcuffs. It was all a part of their plan to get the cargo ship to get the coil to get the necklace to get the information to severe the connection between them. "This is a good plan," Vala stated with her usual smirk on her face. "Very inspired."

Daniel sighed. "Yes. We have you to thank for that. Nothing motivates like complete and utter desperation."

"You say that now," Vala said, "But you will miss me when I am gone."

"No," Daniel countered. "I'm pretty sure I won't." But even as they walked, bantering back and forth there was a part of Daniel that felt that he would miss her. She was annoying to be sure, but it had been so long since he met a person who challenged his patience so thoroughly. And it was quite refreshing. In fact although he would never admit it to anyone, there was a part of him, a very small part that wished they didn't complete their mission. Though he would never admit it to anyone, let alone himself- he didn't want Vala to go. Not yet.

IOI

As it turned out, they didn't have a choice. "That's it?" asked General Landry. "You went through all that for nothing?"

Daniel nodded. "Pretty much."

Landry sighed. "I can't wait till Senator Fisher hears about this one."

"Yeah," replied Daniel. "Have you heard any news?"

Daniel listened with half and ear as Landry explained about his conversation with the president. It seemed to him that things were going wrong on several fronts. They weren't any where closer to severing the link between himself and Vala, problems were brewing internally for the SGC and they still didn't know what they were going to do to combat the Ori. Overall- things were looking quite grim.