Cam looked toward the door and saw Daniel standing there. He was still in his civilian clothes and looked really tired. "OK this may not be good" he thought to himself. Then again it might be for the best. These two needed to talk. "Jackson, you're back. Thought you were coming in tomorrow," he tried to sound as nonchalant as possible.

"I took a late flight last night ... just got in." Daniel said flatly. His voice sounded as tired as he looked. As he talked, he didn't look at Cam but kept his gaze fixed on Vala, who had remained uncharacteristically quiet. Not wanting to meet his gaze, she quickly walked back to her bed and stared down at the suitcase. Daniel let out a small sigh, took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

Cam decided that it was time for him to get the hell out of there."Well, I guess I should get back to the infirmary. I imagine the ever so charming Dr. Lam has the cavalry out looking for me."

"AWOL?" Daniel asked flatly.

And is if on cue, an announcement came over the intercom system, "Colonel Mitchell, please return to the infirmary immediately! I repeat return to the infirmary immediately."

"Well I guess it's time to face the music," Cam looked over at Vala, hoping she caught the drift of his last statement. "I imagine I will be greeted with needles ... very large needles."

Daniel briefly looked over at Cam and replied, "Well good luck with that."

"Yeah, well come by later and tell me about what happened in DC, that's if my jailer hasn't revoked my visitor privileges." Cam started toward the door but as he got part way he changed his mind, turned around and went over to Vala. He gave her a hug and whispered into her ear "Just be honest Vala." At that moment two very large MP's came into the room. "Ah.. my escort. Well, see you later... maybe." At that Cam gave Vala another hug, Daniel a flippant salute of his hand and hobbled out of the room with the burly guards close at his heels.

After Cam left, there was an eerie silence in the room. Finally, Daniel slowly went up to Vala and put his hand on her shoulder. He could feel her stiffen slightly, but he did not take his hand away.

"Vala, please talk to me," he said in gentle, pleading voice.

She stood silently for a while, then turned around and put a concerned look on her face. She gave his shoulders a soothing rub and touched his face. "Daniel you look exhausted, you must have had a long flight, maybe you...

"Vala", Daniel interrupted her before she could get off subject. '"We need to talk about you, not me."

"Well forgive a girl for being concerned about the welfare..."

"Vala!" He took her by the arms and gently pushed her to sit down on the bed. "Will you please tell me why you decided you had to leave without telling me?"

"I was going to let you know." She quickly got up and rummaged through some of her stuff and produced an envelop, which she showed him. "See I wrote you a lovely heartfelt letter. It explains everything. I thought that since you were a person who appreciates the written word that you would find this appropriate. And well I didn't think you would be back until tomorrow evening and since I will be going tomorrow morning ... last minute decisions you know ...and.."

"Vala," Daniel sighed as he hung his head down and ran his fingers through his hair. "I know you had this planned before I left"

"What? No, Daniel ..."

"Vala, please don't lie to me. Sam told me on the flight back here."

"Sam! She came back with you?" This bit of news surprised her; something was going on. " I thought she was on leave for a week? I heard she was hoping to spend time with ..."

Daniel quickly cut her off. He could kick himself for mentioning Sam. "She had a change of plans ... can we please stay on subject here."

"But Daniel, I understood she was really looking forward to this time off..."

"Vala, please, let's get back to the original topic." He motioned her to sit down on the bed again. He pushed her half-packed suitcase over and sat beside her. "Vala, you knew at least three or four days ago that you were leaving. I was still here. You have already made plans to go with SG15 to PX2 456 tomorrow and from there you are going to meet up with some traders who are going to take you to Tomin." Daniel paused to give Vala the opportunity to talk, but she said nothing. She just sat there with her eyes closed. "I believe you Vala, I mean I'm sorry, but I overheard what you told Mitchell about being scared to tell me. But I do believe that you love Tomin and that its not a con."

Vala looked up a bit surprised, "Do you really? I mean, what I told Cameron is true. I really do love Tomin."

Daniel reached over and took her hands in his. "I know Vala, I have seen the way you have been with him since he "saw the light", so to speak. You were always there for him reassuring and comforting him. I could see the love in your eyes. I bet you felt that way about him even before he knew the truth about the Ori. You were always talking about him ... how you wished you could make him see what the Ori really were. You were so passionate about it."

"I know, I guess it took him going away at the end that made me realize how I really felt."

Daniel then surprised Vala with what he said next, "I guess I should apologize to you."

"Apologize to me? Daniel I don't understand?"

He got up and started pacing around the room. His hands moved around in constant motion as he explained, "I must not be very good friend. I mean I'm sorry that you thought you couldn't come to me and tell me how you felt about Tomin. I guess I have been unapproachable lately. This ark business has really been on my mind too much lately. I know it's all I ever seemed to talk about. I know I'm stubborn & pig-headed about things..."

He stopped talking as Vala began muttering, "Obstinate, tenacious, pertinacious..."

Daniel was slightly taken aback "Vala, I'm impressed ... I mean "pertinacious"?

"Well, I guess being around you I've learned some new words. I think you used that word once to describe me and I looked it up."

"Vala, you never cease to amaze me." Daniel gave her one of his glorious smiles.

"Well, anyway, you have it all wrong Daniel, you are a good friend, probably the best friend have ever had. Its well ... you know how I use to come on to you?"

"Come on to me? No, Vala, not you." Daniel said sarcastically.

Vala lightly slapped him on the chest, "Please Daniel, I'm trying to be serious here."

He put up his hands and apologized, "I'm sorry, please continue."

Vala moved away from him and she was the one that was pacing around the room, "well as I was saying I use to flirt quite a bit with you ... and other men ... um ... well mostly you ... but I mean I did flirt with other guys too. I even tried with Muscles, but that was hopeless ... and there was Cameron, but I think he has a thing for Dr. Lam ... I mean have you seen the way they look at each other...

"Vala!"

"But Daniel. seriously have you really studied them when they are in the same room..."

"Vala, you're getting of track."

"Oh sorry ... where was I?"

"Flirting."

"Oh yes ... anyway I thought that you wouldn't think that I was capable of having a meaningful relationship, what with my past behavior, so I guess in my mind I thought it would be best that I just leave as quietly as possible, you know without any fanfare and all."

"Vala, the whole SGC knows your leaving and as for the quiet part I believe there is going to be a good-bye party in the commissary later tonight."

"A party ... for me?" Vala's eyes lit up in delight.

"Please Vala, you know there is a party."

"Well maybe I heard rumors. You should see the outfit I picked out to wear!" Daniel just shook his head and rolled his eyes. There were somethings about Vala that would never change.

Suddenly Vala became serious again. "Daniel?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Are you going to miss me?" she came up to him and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Yes Vala I will miss you." her pulled her into a warm hug and sweetly kissed her cheek. "Life around here will be very different if not quiet."

She gave him a swat on his arm, "Daniel, please, every time I try to be serious you make smart little remarks"

"Sorry" he said. "look, serious" And with that he put a somber look on his face.

"Will you come to the gate tomorrow and say goodbye? I'm glad you know that I'm going and I feel a bit silly about not telling you before ... it would mean a great deal to me if you would be there when I leave."

"I'll come."

Vala squealed and leaped on him, nearly knocking him off his feet. "Are you going to come to the party too?"

"Wild horses couldn't keep me away." he said as he untangled himself from her.

"Wild horses?" she looked at him bewildered.

"Nothing will stop me from coming."

"Oh..good" One thing she was not going to miss were these strange earth sayings. "Well, I'll see you then, if not sooner."

" Yes, I will see you then, but for now I'm going to my office to have a nap; I didn't get much sleep on the plane." He turned and headed for the door.

"Oh, Daniel I just about forgot, what about Sam?"

Damn, he didn't want to go there. "Vala just let it be."

"Daniel?"

"Its personal Vala, please just let it be. If she wants to tell you she will. "

"She told you."

"And I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone." He looked intently at her. "Vala promise me you will leave it be."

"I promise I won't ask her," Vala said, without any protest. As she pushed him out of the room, Daniel got the feeling that she was not going to let it go. "Now shoo..go get some rest. I have to do some more packing and a party to get ready for."

When he left the room, she quickly shut the door and smiled to herself. "Well Daniel, I promise I won't ask Sam, but that doesn't mean I won't find out." She said to herself as dived back into her packing.