A/N: There's a story behind the reason I called Vala's toy giraffe Harold. When I was in primary school, every year we went to this place set up by Queensland Education where they'd teach the kids different things about biology and stuff. The first few years there was this puppet called Healthy Harold and by the time I was in year 7 it was a mechanical one. So this puppet thing was a giraffe and when I watched the audio commentary and deleted scenes for 'The Quest' I had to name the giraffe Harold.

A/N 2: I'm so sorry there's been such a wait for this chapter. I'll try and be quick with the others to come.


Chapter 3: The Hidden Memory

"Come on Daniel," Vala pouted and whined at him, "I'm bored; can't we go do something fun?" She jumped up onto his desk and leaned in towards him, running a finger across his jaw-line.

Daniel sighed and looked at her, despairingly. "Vala, I already told you that for the first two weeks that we're here I have to work. Go and find Teyla or that Ronon guy. Annoy them for a while."

"Humph," she hopped down off the desk and crossed her arms, "Fine, I'll just explore this fantastical city without you and not share any of the treasure that I find." With that she turned on her heel and stormed out of Daniel's lab, knowing he probably didn't even register that she'd left.

Vala wandered aimlessly through the halls of Atlantis, trying to keep herself amused. She unknowingly found herself in the Control Room outside Sam's office debating whether or not she should go in and see what her best friend- next to Daniel that is- was up to.


Sam saw her through the clear panels and motioned her in. Lately, Sam had worried over the uncharacteristic behaviour of Vala and was starting to get worried.

"What brings you by, Vala?" Sam asked her friend.

Vala sighed for the nth time that day, "I'm bored, Daniel's busy with his dusty old books and I don't know anyone well enough to get them to do anything with me."

"That's never stopped you before, why the sudden change? I'm worried about you."

"I know, I mean lately all I can think about is having a baby and it frustrates me because I know I can't. I can't seem to move past it."

Sam thought for a moment, "Why don't we just spend the day together, I don't have much going on at the moment. We could do a little exploring, maybe get a few of us girls and have a poker night. Whaddaya say?" she said with a grin.

Vala's eyes lit up, "Can we have beer and jello?"

"Sure, but only if the jello's blue."

Vala's wide grin matched that of Sam's, "I think I can manage."

"Come on," Sam gestured for Vala to follow her as they made their way to the door of the office.


Daniel stepped into the Holoroom of Atlantis, smiling faintly as he remembered the first time he was there. Morgan le Fay had helped him once, he wondered if she would be around to do so again. This time, however, he wanted personal help, not help to save the universe.

He heaved a sigh as he made his way onto the platform to activate the holographic teaching program.

"Hello," the hologram greeted, "You may enter your query verbally or by entering it on the consol before you.

"Déjà vu, I'll speak, thank you," Daniel replied.

"Of course, but note for future sessions manual input is required for most system interaction."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," Daniel muttered and paused momentarily before starting to converse with the teaching aide. "Um, Morgan I don't know of that's you or it really is a hologram this time, but I kind of need your help. This is a personal matter and it has nothing to do with the fate of the world or anything."

Daniel stared at Morgan for a good minute, after which he started again, "Fine, I'm obviously gonna have to tell you what's going on before you speak to me," he let out the breath he had been holding. "My girlfriend can't have children because of what the Ori and in particular, Adria did to her. We don't know what it is but she doesn't want her first born to be her only child. I know there is something here in Atlantis that can help her but I don't know where to find it. So if you can, please just point me in the right direction."

Another good minute after his mini-rant, Daniel gave up, Morgan wasn't playing the so-called game, so he turned around and stepped off the platform and headed towards the door.

"Daniel Jackson," a voice called. He spun around back towards the holo-podium and looked at Morgan.

"All shall be revealed, you have the knowledge and the memories, you just need to find them," she continued.

"How?"

Before he could get a reply, Morgan vanished into thin air.

"Talk about a cliché," Daniel mumbled to himself as he walked out of the Holoroom in search of Vala.


"I fold," Sam said, throwing her cards into the centre of the table.

"Me too," Jennifer Keller murmured as she followed suit. Only Teyla and Vala were left.

Vala looked sideways at Teyla who was sitting opposite her, she picked up a few of her chips and slid them into the middle, where the pot was, "I call and raise twenty," she said confidently.

Teyla smiled and said as she threw in some chips, "I see that and raise you ten."

A wicked gleam entered Vala's eyes as she rubbed her hands together, "I'll see that." Once again, more chips entered the pot.

"Ok show us what you guys have!" Jen exclaimed excitedly.

Teyla showed a diamond flush, king high. A series of nods and words of encouragement went around the table.

"Vala?" Sam gestured for her to show her hand. Slowly, Vala placed her 5 card draw facing the rest of the girls. It was a full house. A grin passed over her face as she drew in her winning chips.

"Beaten by aliens at our own game. How does that happen, Colonel?" Jennifer asked hanging her head in mock shame.

"Who knows? Another round ladies?" Sam asked.

"No, not for me, I am feeling quite tired so I will head off to my quarters," replied Teyla as she rose from her seat, "It has been a rather enjoyable night for me though, I look forward to doing such a thing again."

A series of 'goodnights' were wished as Teyla left the room. Sam looked at Jennifer and Vala as if she were asking them again.

Jen was the next to answer, "I actually have the early shift tomorrow so I better pack off to bed myself, thanks anyway. I had fun."

Only Sam and Vala were in the rec room when Vala spoke up, "As much as I would love to stay and play Samantha, I really must be getting back to Daniel. I haven't seen him all day - after I got annoyed with him, so I should check and see if he still has his head stuck in a book."

Sam nodded, "Sure."

Vala noticed the sad face Sam had, "I know you miss him, but you'll be home before you know it."

"Yeah, I know," she whispered as Vala gave her a one armed hug before she walked out of the room.

TBC - The next chapter starts off two nights after this one.


AN: Thanks for sticking with this guys I know I'm a little slow in updating but things are crazy at the moment with work and family health and stuff like that. I have good news though… I'm going to be a 'sort of aunty'…it's like a close friend with aunty rights…it's sooooo cool!!!!