"So I double checked the work just to make sure, but you're definitely pregnant."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"You're pregnant."
"And by pregnant you mean…."
"Um…" Carolyn paused, clearly confused by the other woman's question. "You're going to have a baby."
"Right," Vala said, taking a moment to ponder over Dr. Lam's statement. "Are you sure? I mean two tests, how accurate can that really be?"
"Pretty accurate," Carolyn said matter-of-factly.
"Can't you try it again, I mean, do another test?"
Carolyn was taken aback, and honestly a little testy. She had performed the test twice just so that she could avoid these types of questions. "I can, but honestly, you'll get the same results."
"This is impossible," Vala said, concern and fear written all over her face.
"Impossible…do you mean like…um…before?"
"What? Oh, no…I mean, it is possible, it's just… well… a bit unplanned."
"Oh, I see." There was an awkward silence, one that lasted longer than both women were comfortable with. Carolyn was a little curious as to who the father of Vala's baby was, but she wasn't one to pry. Besides, she took the fact that Vala wasn't being her usually chatty self to mean that she wasn't comfortable discussing the subject with anyone just yet, let alone with a woman she barely knew. Deciding to break the silence, she spoke up.
"You know, you're going to have to inform General Landry of this as soon as possible."
"Right," Vala said, nodding her head in seeming understanding. "Why is that exactly?"
"Health issues. Pregnancy risks need to be addressed. If you're going to remain on active duty with the SGC we're going to have to keep a close eye on you throughout the pregnancy."
"Can't we just pretend I'm not… you know…. pregnant. I mean, what's the harm in letting everyone think I've just let myself go for a few months?"
Barely managing to stifle a laugh, Carolyn addressed the clearly shaken woman before her, "Vala, this is serious."
"Don't I know it."
"But it's your decision. Whatever you decide, just tell him when you're ready."
"So, never then?" Unfortunately, Carolyn couldn't tell whether or not Vala was kidding.
"Right. Well, thanks for the news, Dr. Lam."
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you what you wanted to hear. Be safe…. and if you need to talk to someone you know where to find me."
------
Pregnant. Okay. It wasn't so bad. It's not like she hadn't been through this before. If she could carry the spawn of a bunch of ascended beings on a power trip, this one should be no problem. At least she knew who the father was this time. Yeah, it was going to be okay.
-----
Pulling her head out of the toilet, she realized how completely screwed she was. For the past week all she could do was relive the night that had led to this little "miracle." Each memory, each moment held a mixture of emotions that she couldn't adequately explain.
"Vala, are you in here?" she heard Sam call from the doorway, snapping her back to reality.
The only response Sam got in return was a bang against the stall door and an audible groan.
"Are you okay? Do you need me to get Dr. Lam?"
"No," she said more passionately than the response required, immediately tipping Sam off that something was wrong. She walked over to the stall Vala was currently occupying and leaned against it.
"Vala, if there's something wrong we need to have you checked out."
"I'm fine, Sam, really. Besides, I've already had a visit with the good doctor."
Sam couldn't help but pick up the bitterness in the other woman's voice. "What did she say?" When Vala didn't respond, Sam began to get nervous. "Vala, you know you can tell me anything. I know that when it comes to some of the more personal things, you usually talk to Daniel but…"
"It was talking to Daniel that got me into this trouble in the first place," Vala mumbled to herself.
"So, what has Daniel done this time?"
"Hopefully nothing that a few stiff drinks won't fix."
Sam had no idea what she was talking about, but when she was about to ask how Daniel could possibly be responsible for her illness a thought suddenly popped into her head. "Oh my God, you're pregnant, aren't you?! " She was still in a state of shock when a second thought occurred to her, "Wait, you had sex with Daniel?!!"
Vala finally opened the door to face a shocked Sam. "Say it a little louder, I don't think Walter heard you in the control room!"
Her tone now more hushed, Sam asked, "How did this happen?"
"Which one, the pregnancy or the sex? Because I'm pretty sure that one was the direct result of the other."
"The sex. Last time we talked about Daniel you said there was nothing going on there."
"Yes, well clearly I was wrong. And technically, there is nothing going on. It happened once, over a month ago. "
"Why only once?"
"Are you implying that I wasn't good enough for a repeat performance, or that he wasn't?"
"Neither, I just know Daniel. He doesn't have one-night stands."
"Well…. we both decided it was best not to pursue anything. That it was the best way to maintain our friendship. I mean, Daniel and I would never have worked out, we're completely opposite and wrong for each other…"
Ignoring Vala's poor assessment of her relationship with Daniel, Sam looked at the woman in front of her with concern. "So this was a mutual decision?"
"Yeah, of course. I'm fine with it." Vala looked down at her hands, a sudden wave of regret she couldn't explain washing over her.
"Vala…" the other woman said, clearly seeing the pain Vala was desperately trying to conceal.
"I'm fine, Sam. Really," she said with a reassuring smile that wouldn't fool anyone, least of all Sam.
"What are you going to do?"
Vala turned away from her teammate and walked over to the bathroom mirror. She stared at her reflection for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. She had never seriously considered her options before, always assuming that she would keep the baby. How could she not? She had risked her life to bring Adria into the world, even when she'd suspected the Ori's hand in her conception. How then could she kill the child growing inside of her now? Daniel's child? It was innocent, not the will of some divine being but the result of a night between two consenting adults. No, there was no other choice for her to make.
"I guess I'm going to be a mother…again. I haven't really figured out what I'm going to do with it. After all, I didn't really have to raise Adria, she just kind of grew up on her own…literally."
Sam walked up to where Vala was leaning against the sink and put a reassuring hand on hers. "Well, if you need someone to help you through this, you know I'm here, right?"
Vala nodded her head and smiled gratefully at her teammate. "Thank you. Of course, if you really want to help you could tell Daniel the good news."
"Sorry, you're on your own with that one."
"I thought as much," Vala said forlornly. She wasn't looking forward to telling anyone about this, least of all Daniel. Not that she thought he wouldn't support her and the baby, just that he probably wouldn't be any more thrilled about the news than she was. Besides, she hated confrontations. Maybe she'd just send him an e-mail or text message about it. The problem being that once he'd read it, he'd walk the 20 feet down the hall to her door and confront her about it anyway. Either way, they were going to have to talk. If only there was something that would soften Daniel up before their eventual conversation…
She locked arms with Sam as they made their way towards the bathroom door, an idea already forming in her head. "So, Sam, what kind of alcoholic beverage does Daniel prefer?" Vala asked curiously.
Sam quickly saw where she was going. "Getting him drunk won't solve the problem, Vala."
"I know it won't, but it might just take the edge off…and if I'm lucky, he'll pass out and I won't have to talk to him about it until his hang-over wears off!"
Sam just gave her a look, indicating her bemused disapproval.
"You're right, bad idea." What was she thinking? Getting Daniel drunk wouldn't solve any of her problems, it certainly wouldn't take back that night. No, she would just go up to him and say, "Daniel, I'm pregnant," and then take it from there. What's the worst that could happen?
She paused a moment, imagining Daniel's reaction.
"So, does Daniel prefer red or white wine?"
