Disclaimer: I own Gemma.

Vala had been amazed when Ska'ara agreed to sit in on the social event of five women. She was gaining more and more respect for him.

Gemma took one look at him and motioned Vala out the door.

"I knew you were up to no good." She snarled.

"You're going back in there," Vala said sternly. "I learned to sew for you."

"That was to get me to the party. There was nothing in that deal about this."

"You're here now. You wouldn't want to insult Shar'ae now, would you?"

"But I can't face him."

"Janet's in there as well. Do you think that's easy for me?"

"No. But you're doing what you've always done – bribe and do whatever necessary to get whatever you want, Vala. I should've known this was coming."

"Gemma, you have to trust me here. You need to get away from Garadon."

"Define trust for me."

"Define relationship."

The silence was tense.

"Alright, fine. But we're doing this for Shar'ae."

The two of them walked in, shoulder to arm, clearly slightly agitated.

Shar'ae smiled at them. Leda and Janet looked slightly confused but politely hid it. Vala quickly nabbed the seat next to Shar'ae, which sat Gemma directly across from Ska'ara.

"Well, since we're all here now, let's go around and tell everyone what we've been up to. Ska'ara, it has been long since I have seen you. How have you been?" Shar'ae asked. Gemma wanted to hit her.

"I have been well. I have been playing games with the other Abydonian boys. We play a game O'Neill taught me. I believe he called it soccer."

"That sounds like fun. Perhaps we can come watch you sometime. Leda?"

"I've discovered the view screens. This is a comfort to me, I can see my husband and make sure he is doing well."

"I am glad to hear it. Janet?"

"I've been practicing my sparring lately. It's always good to keep in shape."

Vala wasn't sure if this was directed or her or not, but she was glad she couldn't touch people yet. She would've socked Janet back to Earth.

"I've also been watching SG-1 and my daughter. They were close to me for a long time."

"I'm glad to hear you are still watching them. Gemma?"

"I've been teaching Vala to sew." The response came out bitter, but no one seemed to notice. They were all staring at the two of them.

"You're learning to sew?" Janet asked incredulously.

"Yes. Gemma and I made an agreement, and I stuck to it."

"Well, good for you," Leda congratulated her.

"Why is this such a big deal?" Ska'ara asked.

"Vala has trouble sitting still," Janet explained. "For someone to get her to just sit there long enough to sew anything is quite a feat."

"I understand," Ska'ara affirmed.

The evening continued as such. Vala and Gemma were both becoming very bored.

Vala had been hoping Ska'ara would be a bit more forward, but he was really taking his time in the matter.

Gemma was getting more and more nervous. Vala had committed the biggest betrayal she could have, and now she just wanted to get out of here.

This Ska'ara character…he was interesting. He had been a Gou'ald host, just as Vala had. A race called the Tollan had taken his symbiote out.

He was also different than every other man she'd ever met. All the men on Olendon were domineering patriarchs.

Ska'ara seemed to enjoy the company of the women and didn't seem bothered by being the only male in the room.

Finally, Vala decided it was time to leave.

"This has been great, Shar'ae, but Gemma and I should really be going now. We're working on a tunic for someone."

"I'm sure it will turn out well," Ska'ara said politely.

"Thank you Ska'ara," Vala replied. "I hope we get the chance to see you again soon."

She hid the smile on her face from Gemma, who pulled her out the door.

"Gemma, Darling, that exit wasn't very polite."

"Define polite."

"What you usually do. Mother used to be so proud of you, what happened today?"

"You happened, that's what."

"Now, that's not very nice."

"But Vala, every time I found some way to enjoy myself when we were still alive, you somehow managed to ruin it. Do you know how many possible friends I had who I never saw again after they met you? Do you know just what Mother and Father put up with from you? Do you have any idea of the damage you caused?"

"Gemma, I just wanted – "

"What I wanted to forget! I worked so hard to make myself a normal girl! And every time I made any bit of progress in that goal, you stole something or screwed someone else! No more! I'm done, Vala Mal Doran, enough is enough!"

She stopped to take a breath.

"I'm through with you. I should just ascend right now, it would make my life easier because I would never have to see you again! Because you want to know why? Because you will never ascend. Because you're a slut. Spell it out. S. L. U. T. And I will put up with no more. I don't want to talk to you or have anything to do with you."

She turned and raced down the hallway. At the corner, she stopped and looked at the stunned Vala.

"Define love for me, Vala." And then she ran around the corner.

"Gemma, wait." Vala called out. But when Vala turned the corner that her sister had moments before rounded, there was no one there.

She had chosen not to be found by Vala.

Vala walked back to her quarters slowly. Out of everyone she had ever known, all the men she had ever screwed, Gemma had been the person she cared most about. She cared more about Gemma than even Daniel. And now by trying to help her, she had lost her for the second time.

And it had been her fault both times.

Fate was clearly not on her side.

When she finally did reach her quarters after what felt like years later, the first thing she noticed was the nearly finished tunic on the stone bed. It really wasn't that bad for a first try. There was just a bit more hemming to be done along the outside.

Vala knew that she shouldn't give it to Garadon, but she also knew that Gemma was less likely to accept her back again if she didn't.

One thought was running through her head that was bothering her a bit more than all the others, though.

Gemma had used the word 'ascend' in a sentence while she was yelling at Vala. Vala knew that Daniel had become an ancient for a year and she wondered if that's what Gemma meant.

She needed to ask someone about this.

Anna was out of the question. After bringing Vala around that first time, she had been reluctant to talk to her.

Leda wasn't a good idea, Vala had brought her here.

Ska'ara would probably side with Gemma, meaning Shar'ae would as well.

She wanted to reincarnate Garadon and kill him again after she gave him his tunic.

Steve was slightly creepy.

There was one person left.

And Vala knew that if she wanted to be friends with her sister again, she would need to make peace with Janet Frasier.