Follow up to the previous chapter 'Give.'

Receive

Vala pulled the near-empty bottle from Daniel's pliable fingers as it slipped from his grasp. She placed it at her side, out of his reach.

"Wasn't fin'shed." Daniel mumbled against her shoulder, feebly trying to reach across her body to find the bottle. Vala caught his hand in hers slowly. She brought it to her lips and kissed the back of it softly.

"You've had enough." She soothed, brushing her other hand through his hair, still soaking with sweat. He nodded against her, and snuggled in deeper. His injured leg was resting atop hers and he lifted it experimentally.

Daniel buried his face into the fabric of her shirt, and snorted. "Don't hurt no more."

Vala laughed quietly. "I'm not surprised." Inside she was relieved to hear it. Daniel had struggled to help her find somewhere safe. He was nearly blind with pain, and exhausted from the fever that had set in by the time they'd found shelter. With no medicine at hand, Vala figured the best way to flush the infection out was with the stuff in the bottle. The only problem was it made him careless, so she had been extra watchful, keeping both of his guns by her side just incase.

Daniel moved to rest his head just below her chin, and Vala kissed the top of it tenderly. She felt the tiny shivers still wracking his body and gently wrapped the blanket tighter around him. Despite saying he couldn't feel it, Daniel whimpered slightly as the material brushed his wound. Vala placed her hand on the side of his head comfortingly. She hated seeing him so vulnerable, and was thankful for the storms raging just outside the cave they were camped in. It would keep their pursurers away, and give Daniel enough time to heal.

"So lucky." He mumbled lovingly. "My one perfect thing..."

Vala couldn't resist asking. "What's that?" When she got no response, her hand rubbed along his arm. "Still with me?"

Daniel tried to shift deeper into her. "Always." She could tell by his voice he was fading fast.

"Daniel..."

"Hmm?" He replied sleepily.

"What's your one perfect thing?" Vala rested her cheek in his hair. She felt him laugh tiredly.

"You." Daniel sighed, drifting off to sleep on the word.

Vala smiled, feeling tears come to her eyes. She finally released his hand, grabbing for the bottle. She put the opening to her lip, and drained the contents. The warmth down the back of her throat complimented the feeling in her chest. She was far from the best he could have. She knew that, and Daniel did too.

But best wasn't perfect. She wouldn't trade perfect for anything.

A/N: Gotta LVOE 'em! Bunnies sure do, and they LVOE reviews too!