This is a short chapter, but there's more on the way quickly (hopefully), as my inspiration suddenly returned to me today while I should have been studying Socrates.

For the people of CBO. For Meagan and Zoe (again) because they're such faithful readers! :-)

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"Vala?" Daniel called, knocking on her door. "Vala, they're leaving soon!"

She wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffed, shaking her sadness away. For the moment, at least. She plastered a big smile across her face and opened the door.

"Hi!" she exclaimed.

"Hi..." Daniel replied, wary of her cheery tone.

She hopped out past him, unwilling to answer to him. She trotted down the hall. He had to jog to catch up to her. He thought he saw the remnants of tear stains on her cheek, but he said nothing.

They entered the gateroom. Johnny and Emmy already had their backpacks on. They all wished they were leaving a little later so there was time for a last meal together. Anything. But they were bringing much-needed supplies to their soon-to-be co-workers, so they had to leave early.

They'd spent as much of the previous day together as possible. They'd only barely finished their breakfast when Vala insisted she take them shopping for supplies. Of course, they didn't really need anything that wouldn't be supplied by the SGC, but she talked both of them into allowing her (Daniel) to buy them soft, puffy teddy bears and some pajamas. However, it had also somehow resulted in Daniel unwillingly buying her a sapphire necklace and a black pair of heels with a crystal bow on the back. He'd also come within an inch of allowing her to get the tiny kitten she'd been eying, but stopped himself before he gave in.

They went for a late lunch after the shopping expedition and chatted for awhile before Johnny and Emmy stood and announced they needed to pack. Of course, Vala had offered to help, but they turned her down.

Now here they stood together, for what they all knew would likely be the last time.

Vala rocked awkwardly back and forth on her heels. She could hear Walter announcing each chevron as the gate entered a dialing sequence.

It seemed so soon. She'd just gotten to a place where she finally felt comfortable around them, finally felt that maybe she wasn't a complete screw-up, and now they were leaving. She'd only gotten to be a mother for a few days... Inwardly, she kicked herself for not facing her fears sooner.

It wasn't as though Daniel wasn't sad to see Johnny and Emmy leaving. It wasn't that at all. It was just that he understood better that they weren't meant to be there. He'd been through it before. Still, part of him wanted to drag them by the ears back to their quarters and lock them in.

Johnny and Emmy too shared similar feelings, but they knew if they didn't go soon, their parents would never go back to the timeline they were supposed to be in. They would continue in this almost paradoxical one, caring for fully-grown children who had yet to be born. They were the outsiders and since they had no logical way of going to their own time - since they really didn't fit in anywhere - they could at least go as far away as possible and hope they hadn't screwed everything up entirely.

"Chevron 5 encoded," Walter boomed.

Emmy looked toward the gate and sighed.

"We'll miss you," she said.

Vala nodded, refraining from using that as an excuse to keep them there at the base. Deep down, she understood too, not that she would ever like it.

"We'll miss you too," Daniel replied for both of them.

"Take care of yourselves," Vala forced herself to say, a tight smile keeping the frown away. "Stay out of trouble. Don't do anything I wouldn't do," she winked.

They all chuckled.

"Will do," Emmy answered.

"Don't get yourselves captured by any armies while we're gone," Johnny joked.

"Chevron 7 is locked!"

"Guess that's our signal," Emmy said, turning to face the gate.

"Indeed," Johnny agreed. They stood in an awkward silence for a moment. Johnny pulled his mother into a hug and Emmy did the same to Daniel. Then they switched, clutching each other tightly for longer than normal. Finally, they all released each other and the kids headed toward the gate. Daniel pulled Vala under his arm, partially to comfort her and partially to comfort himself; to remind himself that he still had someone, after so many others had gone.

They waved and stepped through the wormhole before they could change their minds. Soon, the event horizon disappeared and Daniel and Vala were left alone in the room.

For a moment, she allowed herself to remain in his arms, buried in his chest, breathing in his scent. But it wasn't long before she broke free, taking off down the hall. He'd barely noticed she'd disappeard from his grasp before realizing she was no longer even in sight. He sighed, debating whether or not to go after her. It didn't take him much time to decide, considering he knew he would eventually do it anyway. He broke out in a run, headed toward her quarters.

He knew her and because of this, he knew she more than upset; she was heartbroken. He also knew that she wouldn't want him to see her that way. He didn't care about the last part. She'd hid her emotions too long, and he hated the thought of her suffering in silence, especially since he was suffering too, despite his calm features.

He pulled a keycard from his pocket, thankful he'd thought to get it from General Landry. He swiped it in front of the door, allowing himself entrance.

Vala looked up. "Daniel?" she gasped, immediately turning away to wipe the tears from her eyes. "How'd you get in here?" she exclaimed.

"I've known you for two years... You should know by now you're not the only one with tricks up their sleeve." He took a seat beside her. "You don't have to hide," he said, "just talk to me."

"Go away."

"No."

"You're in my quarters! I don't want you here, so go!"

"No."

"Can't a girl get some privacy?"

"Vala? Really? How many times have you shown up uninvited to my quarters?"

"This is different Daniel!"

"Why? Because I'm not trying to seduce you? Because instead I'm trying to help you?"

"I don't need help! I'm fine on my own."

He shook his head. "I'm not saying you're incapable of taking care of yourself. I'm trying to show you that you don't have to! You stopped physically running but emotionally you never let anyone in. I'm here, I'm offering to listen, but you push me away."

"I don't want to talk! I never asked you to come here. Stop thinking you know what's best for me!"

He shook his head. "You don't mean that," he said. "I know you, Vala. You've been lying to me since we met! I thought we were finally making some progress here, but evidently I was wrong."

She snorted in response.

"Well you know what? I'm done! I'm so sick of these stupid games you play! If you want to shut yourself off from the world and bounce around like a little girl in pigtails, pretending like nothing's wrong, then be my guest. I won't try to stop you anymore."

He sighed and left the room. Left her there alone, crying harder now than she had before. She wanted to chase after him, curl up in his arms and tell him everything. But instead she stayed staring at the wall, sobbing like an infant.

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Ooh a cliffhanger! xD Don't worry, next chapter is already in progress. Hope you enjoyed! Reviews are love! ;-)