Chapter 7

2 July

Vala sat in her office, her very own office, at Area 51 trying to concentrate on the report in front of her. Since she was considered by the Tau'ri to be an "expert" on Goa'uld technology, it was her job to go over the reports of the scientists to determine whether or not their findings were accurate. She was fluent in many different dialects of Goa'uld, some that even the personnel here weren't aware of, and that helped in deciphering the devices. It was pretty much what she'd been doing before taking the job, but now there was more paperwork. She was also well-schooled in many other cultures from across the galaxy so if a device came in that wasn't Goa'uld, it was usually brought to her.

Paperwork aside, she was actually enjoying her work. It was almost exactly as she'd imagined it to be. Tom was helping her to settle in. Finding her lodgings, setting up her office, introducing her around to personnel she hadn't met before. He was a good friend. And if he happened to notice her sombre mood, he never said a word, for which she was eternally grateful. She'd befriended some of the scientists and a few of the military personnel as well. They'd even sought her out for her knowledge of alien weaponry. All in all, she was fitting in quite well, just as she'd hoped. She'd finally found a place where she was truly needed and wanted. She should be ecstatic, so why wasn't she? Why did she feel that something vital was missing? Oh, she knew the answers to those questions but refused to even think his name. She'd always been able to leave the past behind and move on. She was a survivor. She'd had to be. So why was she finding it so impossible to move on this time? More importantly, why did she not want to move on? Unfortunately she knew the answers to those questions, as well. She'd never been in love before. Not like this. Oh, she'd loved Adon, her fiancé from before Qetesh. But she'd only been a naïve sixteen-year-old girl and knew nothing about real love. What she'd felt for him was nothing compared to her feelings for Daniel. Damn, she missed him. Why did he have to go and make things so complicated? Why couldn't he have just enjoyed what they'd had? And why was she wishing she could have given him that?

"Having fun?" came a voice from the door.

"Oh, scads." Vala murmured before the voice registered. She looked up, startled, then squealed and flew across the room to wrap her visitor in a tight embrace. "Samantha! What are you doing here? When did you land? Come, sit, tell me everything." She heard Sam laugh as she pulled her into the office. They sat on the sofa Vala had insisted upon having.

"Let's see." Sam started with a grin. "I'm here to evaluate some things for the moon-base and to see you, not necessarily in that order. And I landed about ten minutes ago."

"Landed? Why didn't you just beam in?"

"Jack's a bit paranoid. He refuses to allow my molecules to disassemble and reassemble. He thinks it'll harm the twins."

"Rubbish." Vala said with a wave of her hand. "My mother travelled through the 'gate countless times when she was pregnant with me and just look how I turned out."

"Oh, please don't let Jack hear you say that. He's anxious enough."

"What a thing to say to your best friend." Vala put on her most affronted tone but Sam merely rolled her eyes and laughed. Vala joined in. She'd missed Samantha, missed having a close girl friend to talk to. Oh, they'd spoken on the phone nearly every day since she'd left, but that had mostly consisted of Sam trying to convince her to come home. That she and Daniel could work it out of they only talked. She'd tried to tell Sam that this was something that couldn't be fixed but she hadn't succeeded. She wondered if it had something to do with the fact that she hadn't even been able to completely convince herself. Pushing away such thoughts, she decided to focus on something happier. "So, how are the twins?"

"Wonderful. I felt them move a little the other day. I can't tell you how amazing that was. And I'm having an ultrasound next week to see if we can determine the genders. I can't wait."

"That's fantastic!" Vala said sincerely. She remembered the first time she'd felt Adria move. It had been amazing and scary at the same time. She was happy for Sam and Jack. They deserved this chance. "So, you said you came to see me. I'm flattered. Any special reason for the visit?"

"Actually, there is. I want you to come home." Vala opened her mouth to protest but Sam quickly continued. "Jack and I are having a fourth of July barbecue and we want you to be there. Everyone misses you."

"Samantha, you know it's not an option right now. I can't bear to see Daniel yet. It's too soon." In fact, she didn't think she'd ever be ready to see him. It hurt too much to even think about it.

"Daniel won't be there." Sam told her and Vala eyed her suspiciously. "He took off to Jack's cabin the day after you left. No one's been in contact with him since."

Vala stared into Samantha's eyes, trying to see if she was lying. All she saw, though, was raw honesty and concern. "You're certain Daniel won't be there?"

"Positive." Sam answered emphatically.

"Well..." Vala hedged. It had been less than two weeks but she'd missed the team. "Okay. I'll go back with you. Let me just clear it with Tom."

"I already did." Sam said with a sheepish grin.

Vala laughed, not at all insulted by the interference. It simply felt too good having Samantha around and, for the first time in nearly two weeks, she was actually looking forward to something.

()()()()

Daniel sat on the sofa, holding a warm beer and staring at the fireplace wondering why the hell he'd opened the drink. For the first few days, he'd gotten himself nice and drunk but soon realised that it wasn't helping. Nothing could make him forget that his world had crashed and burnt nine days ago. He'd tried blaming Vala but even that hadn't consoled him for long. He knew he'd screwed up, allowing her the opportunity to walk out of his life without a fight. Now there was nothing he could do about it. He knew he was wallowing in self-pity but, dammit, he had the right. He'd get back to normal life eventually but not quite yet. Just a few more days.

He jumped when he heard the phone ring. Why hadn't he disconnected that thing? No one had tried to contact him since he left Colorado, all realising he needed some time alone. Maybe this was a wrong number but he had a sinking feeling it wasn't. With a big sigh, he picked up the receiver.

"Jack."

"Daniel."

"What do you want?"

"I want you to stop wallowing up there and get your ass back to Colorado Springs."

"I can't, Jack. It's...I just can't."

"Danny, she's coming home."

Daniel's heart stopped for a second. He didn't have to ask who Jack was referring to. There was only one person who mattered right now and they both knew it.

"Why?" Daniel asked, remembering how angry Vala had been. "Did she say she wanted to see me?"

"Not...exactly. Sam told her you were in Minnesota and that you wouldn't be here."

"So she has no idea you're calling me. You two are setting her up?"

"Not...exactly." Jack said again. "Sam told her the truth. She doesn't even know I'm calling you."

"So you're going behind your wife's back."

"Yeah, that's about it." Jack said without apology. "Listen, you two need to work this out. You've both been moping for too long and I'm tired of it."

"I'm sure Vala hasn't been moping." he said with a touch of bitterness.

"Danny, do you know what that girl was doing when Sam found her at Area 51? She was working. The woman is so upset, she was actually doing paperwork. Willingly! You have to save her from herself. Save her from turning into you."

"Jack, if she doesn't want to see me, I'm not going to force her. The reason she left is because I pushed her. I won't do it again."

"If you won't do it for yourself, think of the children."

"What children?"

"Mine. The twins have been giving Sam nothing but trouble since you left. They want Uncle Danny and Auntie Vala back together."

Daniel almost laughed. Only Jack would use his unborn children against him. "I don't know, Jack."

"Daniel, she needs you."

And with those three words, Daniel's fate was sealed. He was going home.

I live on coffee and reviews.