Daniel, now tired, walked into his office with a sigh and before he could even think, he found himself slammed against a nearby wall, the door shutting quickly. He paused in surprise on realising that it was Teal'c who held him in a painful grip, and he asked, fighting against the Jaffa's grip in vain,

"Teal'c?"

Teal'c said forcefully yet quietly so as not to alert anyone else who might get the wrong idea and finally give in to a long held desire to shoot him perhaps, "DanielJackson, you must hear this."

Daniel hung his head in defeat as he replied softly, "No, I don't... it's ok. I'll be ok about it. I just have to work through..."

Teal'c shook him by the shoulders as a way of interrupting the Archaeologist, and said earnestly, or as earnestly as Teal'c could manage without denting his reputation, "Know this, DanielJackson... Samantha and myself are not sim'kas nor shall we ever be."

Daniel frowned in confusion, stopping his struggles as he looked at the Jaffa quizzically, and Teal'c continued, "The lies are simply lies. Samantha sought my counsel after a series of dreams."

Daniel still looked confused. "I believe there is a reason why you were angry when you previously believed that lie, and for this, I am saddened." He let go of Daniel. "I have never forgiven myself for my part in Sha're and Skaara's selection by Apophis, and I never will. I understand why you are angry and know this, I do not wish to couple with Samantha. I respect her as a friend and fellow warrior."

Daniel closed his eyes, the words finally sinking in and he hung his head again, saying softly, his now open eyes eventually rising to meet his friend's, "Teal'c..." he gently squeezed the Jaffa's arm. "I forgave you a long time ago. It was never your fault... you were following orders. I know, having known you for so long, that had it been your choice, you would never have done it. "

"That still does not excuse..."

"I'm sorry. I should never have snapped at you earlier. It's just that..."

Teal'c smiled slightly. "There is nothing to explain, DanielJackson. It is perfectly clear."

Daniel frowned. "It is?"

"Indeed. It would be wise for you to locate Samantha and divulge to her your feelings. This may help her greatly."

Now worried, Daniel asked, "Is she ok?"

"I will not divulge the nature of her troubles. Samantha will inform you if she sees fit. Now you must go."

Daniel hesitated and Teal'c said , a little more forcefully, "Go."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Shortly after Daniel had left, Teal'c emerged from the Archaeologist's office and almost ran into Vala, who grabbed the Jaffa's shoulders, partly in an attempt to steady herself and partly in order to remember why she needed to talk to him. He stopped and she said in a hushed voice, leading him to the doorway of Daniel's office,

"Muscles... I need to ask you something."

He led her into the office and she continued, making awkward hand gestures for a long moment, "Um... right... Well..." she grimaced a little. "Something's troubling Samantha. I think she might like Daniel but she won't say anything... and I think..." she smiled on remembering something that she had worked out earlier, "... Daniel likes her back... I mean, like like as opposed to just like. And when I say back, I mean as form of reciprocal affection and not her actual back... although..."

Teal'c smiled briefly. "I believe I have surpassed you in this, ValaMalDoran. DanielJackson is on his way now to inform Samantha of his feelings for her, feelings which I have no doubt that she shares."

Vala smiled, feeling sad, and Teal'c continued, his smile fading as he placed a hand on her shoulder as a gesture of comfort, "Do not ask me about what I am about to say." He paused. "Had DanielJackson and yourself become an item, it would not have functioned as a normal romantic relationship. DanielJackson will always favour Samantha but he will often forgo his own happiness for that of someone he cares about. You would not have been happy overall as you would surmise this."

Vala's eyes widened in shock on realising just what Teal'c had meant, and he left. She ran after him, saying excitedly, "Teal'c! You can't leave it at that! I have to know more." To the bemusement and admittedly amusement of passing personnel, she asked, "What was the sex like?"