Act 4
Daniel woke with a start. For a moment he was disorientated until he remembered he was in a cell with Brice, his team, and Vala. She was curled up in the corner asleep. The military types had largely left her alone.
Daniel allowed himself the indulgence of watching her. She looked so vulnerable, beautiful, and innocent in her sleep. He knew the feel of her soft skin and silky hair and even after everything that had happened, his hands longed to rediscover her. But then the ache in his chest from the hole that she left behind reminded Daniel not to go there. It wasn't worth setting himself up all over again.
Daniel wished there was some explanation. That Vala had been taken against her will or something else that prevented her from contacting him all this time, if only as a courtesy to let him know she was OK. Granted, recently she was perhaps prevented from contact by the men that made her singing in that lounge, but surely when she first left there must have been opportunity.
If there was only a decent explanation, then maybe one day he could learn to forgive and trust her again. Maybe they could get back some of what they'd lost, the laughter, the fun, the happiness they had found together… No. Daniel cut off the direction his own thoughts were headed. She made her choice.
Vala woke up suddenly. It seemed as if her world had rocked. She met Daniel's eyes and for a second, Vala's heart stopped. She longed for him in a way that was almost painful. Especially knowing that she ruined her one chance with him. She'd hurt him and he would never forgive her.
Daniel was the honorable sort, not the type she usually came across, those that could so easily be manipulated and played over and over. Yet he had no idea that he was the one, the only one, that she never wanted to play, and never meant to hurt. She would give anything to go back and never make the mistake in the first place.
Vala knew that Daniel didn't understood what he meant to her back on Earth, and now he would never know. Here, light years away from the place they first came together, they were stuck in a cell together but had never been further apart. Seeing the hurt in Daniel's eyes in that moment, Vala knew that she couldn't forgive herself either.
Suddenly, everything rocked and shook again, and Vala was shaken from her thoughts. She realized that the whole cell was moving, perhaps the entire building.
"Ben?" Daniel turned his head to the officer, "What was that?" He asked because Brice was the one on duty these last three hours while everyone else had slept.
Brice provided, "Well, Councilor, I believe we are not on land, but rather on a ship which took off about an hour ago." They had been blindfolded upon their arrival, so there was no way to know for sure. "Either there's a mechanical malfunction of some sort, or we're under attack."
"Great," Daniel groaned, "can my day get any better?"
The lights went out. Vala's voice could be heard in the dark, "Is that the answer you were looking for?"
Along with the lights being out, they discovered that the electronic lock on the cell was disabled too. Brice led the team down the halls, whispering his commands since they couldn't rely on seeing hand signals.
Half an hour later, the displaced group had come across a window and could see the other ship nearby. The Plaz Danu had launched an attack. It was only seeking to do damage and not destroy, as its people were on board the enemy ship. On the other hand, the enemy ship wasn't holding back.
Around the corner, Daniel and the group found a ring platform and were briefly elated. If they could ring over, the Plaz Danu could stop the attack and escape with the former prisoners. But they discovered that the rings weren't working for some reason. Vala set to work at the control panel.
"Hurry, Vala," Daniel nagged.
"I'm going as fast as I can. But none of this makes any sense. They should be working on backup power."
Just then the rings activated and everyone jumped aside. Teal'c and several Jaffa appeared.
"Daniel Jackson, Vala Mal Doran," Teal'c greeted each. Before Daniel could respond there was another voice heard rounding the corner.
"Doctor Jackson?" Colonel Sheppard called out.
"We're here," Daniel spun to find a team from the Atlantis expedition. "But what are you doing here?"
"Rescuing you. Hurry, we've got a cloaked Jumper docked on board. The Apollo is ready nearby."
Daniel turned to Teal'c. "A double rescue? Really necessary?"
"O'Neill informed me of your situation. And of his wager with Colonel Carter."
Daniel felt like rolling his eyes. "And what does he win when I tell him you got here first?"
"I thought it wise not to inquire."
Daniel glanced at his friend as they made their way through the corridors. He decided Teal'c was most likely right. He probably didn't want to know the details what Sam now owed her husband. "Maybe you're right, Teal'c. Best not to ask."
Once the operation was executed, the Apollo, Plaz Danu, and Tel'tak escaped into hyperspace on a course to Atlantis. The Plaz Danu had suffered great damage providing the distraction of battle while the others had stayed cloaked to mount the rescue. The peacekeeping ship would need to be repaired before making the much longer journey to the Council's home planet. Atlantis was a close stop where those who needed it could receive medical attention, and everyone could rest and recover from the ordeal.
"Sam," Vala bounded into the commander's office just off of the Gate room, and gave Sam a theatric hug.
"It's good to see you too, Vala. I'm glad that you're all right."
"Me? I'm always all right. How about you? The fancy commander of a base– good job on that."
Sam ducked her head at the compliment, "Thanks."
Vala sat down across from Sam. More like plopped, and then promptly put her feet up on the desk. Sam chose to ignore that.
Vala chatted on, "But married life over long distance must be tough."
"It is."
"I mean, how do you keep the spark going? Especially when you don't get a chance to see each other, what, but every few months? And besides that, the only time quality time spent together is over communications."
Sam smiled her 'I'm being patient with you' smile.
Vala seemed oblivious and prattled on, "I mean, there are ways to please a man that way. I could give you a few tips on–"
"No, no that's OK," Sam cut her off, not wanting to hear any of Vala's ideas on that particular subject. "I think we're fine."
"Suit yourself."
Sam counted Vala as a friend. Also, Sam wasn't normally the type to be vindictive nor did she get involved in other people's private lives. But she'd seen how hurt Daniel was after Vala left, so she just couldn't help herself. Sam replied, "Not like you're really the one to be giving advice on making a relationship last."
Vala dropped her feet and sat up, a little surprised. The comment stung. "True."
"You hurt him. Badly."
Vala nodded her head slowly; not needing an explanation of the 'him' that Sam was referring to. "I'm aware of that fact. I'm not proud of what I did," Vala said. She pulled herself together and stood up. "I had my reasons, Sam. Not everyone has a fairy tale ending such as you."
Daniel spoke to his colleagues at the UA Council, filling them in on the illegal activities that included smuggling. He informed them, "I have a woman with us that is willing to testify against them."
"Well done, Councilor Jackson."
"It could be a couple of weeks before the Plaz Danu is ready but I'm sure Atlantis won't mind hosting the crew during that time."
"Keep us informed." The communication ended.
Daniel sighed, one down and one more to go. Sam had kept the SGC apprised of what happened, but he still wanted to personally speak with those back home. He instructed Chuck to dial Earth.
"Daniel," Jack's voice could be heard a split second before his face appeared on the monitor. "Carter tells me everyone is safe."
"Yeah, other than a few bumps and scrapes, we're fine. The Plaz Danu will take a little while to repair, but not bad."
"That's good news."
"Listen, Jack, I just wanted to say thanks."
"Doctor Jackson," Landry appeared at Jack's side. "Just because you're assigned elsewhere doesn't mean the same rules don't apply. We don't leave our people behind."
Daniel smiled. "Still, thank you." He adjusted his glasses and changed the subject. "I wanted to inform you that our crew will need to stay on Atlantis while the Plaz Danu is repaired. I hope that's OK."
"I'll put a formal request in front of the IOA, but I'm sure it will be fine," Landry said.
"Daniel," Jack added, "I'm glad you're OK."
Daniel smiled as the communication ended. They didn't always agree with each other, but when it came down to it he could always count on Jack O'Neill. The man was an ass at times, but his heart was bigger than his ass. Daniel chuckled at his own silly analogy, as he went to find Sam.
Colonel Carter was sitting in the commissary, so engrossed in a report that she had all out abandoned her meal.
Daniel spotted her from across the room. Of course, it was kind of hard not to notice when it's someone as beautiful as Samantha Carter. But it also occurred to Daniel that Sam had changed in subtle ways since taking command of Atlantis. She was more mature, more introspective and thoughtful. Instead of her tendency to say what she thought right off the top of her head and launch into a detailed lecture on it, as she had in the old days.
Sam was also more distant now. Being in command meant that she wasn't a member of a team, as she had been for so many years. She was now set apart. Team meant a lot to Sam, and Daniel knew that was likely the part of it that Sam was struggling with most since coming here.
"Hey," Daniel said as he approached.
Sam looked up, startled. "Daniel, I didn't hear you coming."
He smiled because no matter how much she changed, there were some things about Sam that would always remain. Like her ability to be so focused on something that she could loose all awareness of what was going on around her.
He asked, "Can I join you?"
"Of course."
Daniel sat, and took a bite of his sandwich. "So, how've you been?" he began.
"Good. I'm glad we were able to help you guys out."
"Yeah, thanks for that." Daniel met her eyes. "But I was asking in a non-work related way."
"Oh," said Sam, though she really shouldn't have been surprised. It was Daniel's thing to check in with his friends every once in a while and have "a talk." It could be because the friend was going through something and Daniel wanted them to know he was supporting them. But often it was for no reason at all, just Daniel being Daniel. She reassured him, "Everything is good, really good."
"Yeah? How are you and Jack?"
Sam grinned wide. "You sure you want to know? I thought we… 'grossed you out,' I believe was the phrase you used."
"Am I ever going to be forgiven for that?" He grouched. "I had to find out by walking in on you two..." He made a gesture instead of using words, it caused Sam to fight back a smile. "What did you expect? I don't want to have to see it, but I do want to know that both of you are happy."
Sam would never stop enjoying teasing Daniel about it. But she let him off the hook and said simply, "We're great."
"This distance thing is OK?"
"It's not ideal, but we're handling it."
"Jack misses you."
"I know," she said. "But he wants me here doing this job almost as much as he wants me back home with him, and that's a tough internal struggle for Jack. I have some leave coming up and we're going to the cabin, that should help."
"I don't care if Jack begs, I'm not coming with this time," Daniel said flatly and she laughed. It was the location of the previously discussed "incident."
Sam asked, "How about you, how's everything going?"
"Love the new job. Fascinating, fun, only the occasional capture and held prisoner stuff. So, you know… good." Daniel's typical mocking sense of humor made Sam smile.
"Love life?" she inquired.
Daniel rolled his eyes. "Sam," he complained.
"What? I'm not allowed to even ask now? I get married and suddenly I can't be privy to the singles dating scene?"
"It's not that…" Daniel trailed off. He pushed the plate away with his half-eaten sandwich on it.
"Vala," Sam supplied the unsaid.
He sighed. "That's part of it."
"It must be tough seeing her again."
"More than you know."
"Have you talked to her?" Sam asked.
"She tried and I shut her out. Stupid, I know."
"I don't know what you want. But if you want to get over this, you have to find some kind of closure. Talking to her might help. And if you want her back… also need to talk."
Daniel paused for a moment, then said, "You're becoming one of those smug married types, you know, giving advice that's both annoying and right."
In response, Sam fixed her best smug expression on her face, just to tease him back.
Daniel groaned. "Oh God, you're starting to look like Jack too."
(AN: a modest shameless plug fits perfectly right about here. I have a few "people come visit Carter on Atlantis" stories and they are called: Oasis, Still Waters, Steadfast, and Undisclosed. Ugh, the self-promotion has left me feeling so dirty…)