Chapter 8

A/N: Finally an update I know..but b/t work and the holidays I got behind. Hope you enjoy this chappy

Hugs

"Vala, let me ask you something."

She sighed, "Go ahead."

"Did I piss off someone recently, some higher power? Is the universe out to get me?"

Vala smirked and then looked back toward the source of his disdain. "You know, you very well may have. I think between the Ori and the Ancients you've single handedly pissed off more false gods than any other human in the history of the world."

Daniel shook his head. "You know when you put it that way..."

"I meant that as a compliment by the way," she winked.

He smiled and pushed a stray piece of her long black hair away from her eyes. "I know."

They both took a deep breath and stared upward. This was the way out all right. The only thing between them and fresh air was about two hundred steep, narrow steps. Normally this wouldn't pose a problem. But then again a broken leg wasn't normal. He was tired, hurting, and had already pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion. Daniel honestly didn't think he could make it, not without help. Vala would try of course, but she was just as tired and he didn't want to fall and drag her down with him. Her getting hurt, because of him, was unacceptable.

"You're going to have to go on without me, you know that right?"

She turned her head towards him and her eyes were on fire. "Absolutely not!"

"Vala just list-"

"I said no! If you think I'm going to just leave you be-"

Daniel grabbed her tense shoulders and pulled her in for a chaste, but forceful kiss. "I need you to just hear me out...please."

She chewed her bottom lip and gave a quick nod.

"But first, I need to sit down."

Any trace of anger left her face. "Of course."

She plopped down next to him, her warm body pressed against his side. It felt nice, because he was suddenly feeling very cold and very sick. He ignored it and hoped she wouldn't notice.

"I know this isn't what you want to hear and I don't like it any more than you do. But this is the only way. I'm tired, weak, and I have a broken leg Vala. There is no way you can carry me up those stairs alone. You get the hell out of here and find the others. Then all of you can come back for me and we can get off this deathtrap together. "

He could see her trying to formulate an argument against his logic. And he also knew she was coming up blank. He was right, it was as simple as that. But he also knew, if she were telling him to leave her behind, he'd be just as unhappy about it as Vala was...actually he'd probably be worse. Stubborn was a word most people would use to describe him.

Vala swallowed and looked away from him.

"Vala. You should get going," he whispered.

When she turned back towards him she didn't bother to try and hide her tears. "Daniel."

He leaned in and kissed each of her moist eyelids. She buried her face in his chest for a few seconds before pulling away. Her game face was back on before she finished standing up. She swiped at her cheeks quickly, grabbed most of the supplies, including the bag containing the data pads. She pulled out several bars, and the bottle of Tylenol, and gave it to him. As well of what was left of the water after she took one last drink from the canteen.

"I'll leave you the torch. I've got my flashlight." She stated in a tone that said "don't argue with me on this one." He didn't.

Vala did one last supply check and then turned to stare at him. "I'll be back for you."

"I know."

She took a deep breath and headed towards the stairs. Her body language was screaming frustration and fear.

"Vala," he called out right before she took the first step.

She stopped and looked back at him.

"If it isn't too much trouble could you bring back a cup of coffee. I'm going through some serious caffeine withdrawal here."

Then she smiled and he saw some of the tension melt from her face. "Sure, you want cream or sugar?"

He laughed. "Now if this relationship is going to work, you have to know me better than that."

"I do. Black it is darling."

"That's what I thought."

Then she blew him a kiss and started heading upwards. Daniel sighed and settled in for the long wait. It was going to take her awhile to get up those steps. He watched her for a bit, but soon all he could make out was the faint beam of light reflecting off the tunnels walls. Then he began to feel drowsy. Between his fatigue, injuries, and the firelight his eyes were feeling heavier by the second.

Sleep really wasn't advisable, but it was beckoning. He managed to wake himself up a bit by forcing down another ration bar. But finally fever, exhaustion, and injuries took their toll. He took one last glance towards the stairs, but he could see no sign of Vala. Maybe she'd reached the top.

His last thought before he succumbed to the siren called sleep, was that at least she was safe. Then there was nothing.

XXX

"Daniel."

A voice, familiar and comforting invaded his slumber. It was far away and small at first, but it was persistent and he was drawn to it. The angel was repeating his name over and over again, he knew he needed to answer.

Waking up from a coma may have been easier. It was like trying to swim out of quicksand... but he did it. The moment he opened his eyes he regretted it. There had been no pain or nausea where he had been. A part of him wanted to float away again, but then he saw her. His raven haired beauty hovering inches from his face.

"Thank god. I thought...don't ever scare me like that again."

"Sorry," he mumbled.

She smiled. "You're forgiven...this time."

"He's burning a fever," another voice that came from his right startled him momentarily. That's when he noticed Sam sitting next to him as well.

"We need to get him back to the base. He needs medical attention."

That was Mitchell.

"You found them," Daniel said. "I knew you would."

Vala touched his face, her hands felt like ice. That's when he knew he was in trouble. Sam's words sunk in...fever...burning. Oh yeah he felt like death.

"We're going to get you back home Daniel. You're going to be fine." That was Sam again, but she was starting to sound far away again.

He managed a nod.

Now Sam was inspecting his broken leg, and she didn't look happy. She turned to Mitchell. "There's infection starting. We have to leave now. The rest of the data pads will have to wait."

"She's right." Vala said, more to him than anyone else. Her fingers ran through his hair. "She's right," she repeated again with more emotion nagging at her words. "You are more important at the moment. We have over half of them with us, we can always come back. I know how important knowledge is to you Daniel, but what good is it if you aren't there to see it. Besides you still owe me that shower."

He nodded and found her hand. He wasn't in the mood to argue, and she was right. It was his turn to do the right, but hard thing.

He nodded in and out as they jury-rigged a stretcher. Daniel was vaguely aware of being placed onto it; he couldn't stop from crying out when his leg accidentally bumped against something hard.

"I am sorry Daniel Jackson." Teal'c placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No problem. I think it's good it still hurts anyway," he grimaced.

"Actually, you're right." Sam blurted "It's when it stops hurting you need to worry."

"I'll try to keep that in mind," he said through gritted teeth.

"Sorry Daniel."

He smiled at her. "Nothing to be sorry for Sam. I'm just glad to see all you guys, now can we leave please?"

Laughter from all of his friends momentarily lit up the dark room. "Almost there Jackson," Mitchell squeezed his arm.

They began moving, Teal'c held up the front of the stretcher, Mitchell the back. Sam took point, while Vala kept a firm, yet gentle grip on his left hand.

As they moved it began to get brighter and brighter in the long, narrow tunnel. They were so close to the top he could actually feel a breeze, the air didn't taste so stale anymore and he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the cool air. He felt better almost immediately. Not great, but more alive.

"Almost there Daniel." Vala squeezed his hand tighter.

"Good."

"I bet I know what you're thinking about," her voice had taken on that teasing tone that he had grown to adore.

"Enlighten me."

She leaned down close and whispered. "Showers."

He laughed. It felt good and hurt at the same time. Daniel noticed the curious glances he was getting from the rest of his team. He didn't even care.

Mitchell was smiling down at him as they reached the top. Daniel wanted to get up out of the stretcher and kiss the dirt...but he thought about his aching leg and decided it just wouldn't be worth it.

"Home free now Jackson."

"We'll see," he muttered.

They made good time, there was still quite a bit of daylight left and they were closing in on the gate. The flat landscape made carrying him an easier task.

Sam had been glancing over the data while they walked. The only threat to them seemed to be the creatures swimming in the dirt beneath them as far as they could tell. As long as the quakes stayed under control they'd be back home in no time.

Then Daniel felt the first tremor. It was slight, but it was there. Everyone stopped and looked around at the same moment. The only sound was the wind blowing.

They waited for the next quake...and waited. Nothing.

"Let's get the hell off this planet." Mitchell's voice mirrored Daniel's thoughts.

They slowly and carefully started headed forward again.

"I can see the gate." Teal'c stated.

"Ummm I don't want to spoil everyone's good mood...but did anyone else feel that?" Vala asked while she began to caress his sweaty hand with hers.

Daniel closed his eyes and opened up his senses. At first nothing again...then he felt it...or maybe heard it, it was hard to tell. "I feel it," he blurted.

"We need to move now, "Vala bellowed. "It's coming from over there she pointed to the east. "Those things are heading straight for us."

Apparently she'd filled the rest of the team in on what he'd discovered because they knew exactly what she meant. For the first time in over an hour Vala let go of his hand. Then they were running towards the gate. Daniel managed to lift his once again aching head and peered off into the horizon. What he saw awakened the butterflies in his stomach once again...but not in a good way. He wouldn't have believed if not for the fact that he was seeing it for himself.

The ground was literally undulating. The once hard, seemingly immovable earth seemed to be made of water. Daniel gaped as he saw several trees topple over. It reminded of him a recent game of dominos he'd played with Vala, the effect was devastating. No wonder the people of this world had vanished. No one could survive for long on a planet where the planet itself was out to get you. Wave after wave of dirt, one bigger than the next was ripping across the surface. And it was heading straight for them.

feedback is as always loved so if you have a moment a comment is loved :)