The days had paced slow and easy, without any interruption from anyone. Vala and Cam continued their lovemaking and revealed more of their life with each other. Vala enjoyed the attention Cam was giving her, and it felt as if the burdens of the past had washed away, for a little while. But Vala didn't want to dwell on the past anymore, other than trying to make amends to one that had been wronged by Quetesh. Both felt they were in their own little world, watching the sun set thru their bedroom for the past days, and just enjoying the moments of intimacy, laughter and stimulating conversation.
Cam couldn't believe how open Vala had become. It was like opening a closed door to her life and her memories flooded back with abandon. Some of those memories were terrifying at most, and Cam was there to catch her when she fell. But other times were of amusing escapades of dodging imbeciles who thought they could outwit Vala at every turn, and proved they were not match for her ingenuity.
But Cam was even more presently surprised at how attentive Vala was about his family and how his life emulated his fathers. He talked about family, his parents and friends. How so much of his life was about duty and honor and not knowing that there was something missing in his life, and how Vala was now at the center of it. As they mellowed out the day with sitting in a hot bath, illuminated by scented candles and glasses of wine. Cam and Vala felt comfortable relaxing lazily enjoying the buzz the wine gave them.
"Cam I want to do something and I know you won't agree. But I feel I need to do this for my sake as well as for SGC."
"What's that?" Cam could see how serious Vala was, and almost didn't want to know.
"I need to go back to see Tirren and make amends."
Cam was shocked and upset that Vala wanted to go back to the planet and the man that almost killed her.
"No Vala……I'm not going to let that happen. The planet has been closed off to any SG teams and I'm not going to let that situation repeat itself."
Cam was being concerned and she understood his apprehension to her request. "Just hear me out Cam. I told you about Quetesh wiping out his whole family, but she didn't."
"What?.......but I thought you saw her kill them all?"
"She did, but took his daughter to a sarcophagus and made her a hand slave. She wanted to use that against him as a last sort of sick revenge. I thought I would never see Tirren again, and I need to tell him that. I know where Quetesh left the remnants of her slaves. I….I need to give him some kind of hope that he's not alone in this world. I want to return that same hope you have given me."
"But Vala it could be dangerous. How do you know if Tirren will even believe you or if you even find his daughter, alive? And that's saying if and very if about General Landry even sanctioning a trip to PX 357."
Turning to look directly at Cam. "I have to try Cam. I could never live with myself if I knew somehow we could help him heal his pain." Vala sat up on Cam's lap, while hanging her head down. She looked up into his deep blue eyes. "I…I need to do this Cam. You've helped me heal the ache and pain in my heart and I want to return the favor if I can."
Cam could see that Vala was determined to help Tirren, even if he refused her help, she needed a closure in redeeming herself. It's one of the qualities that Cam loved about Vala. Her compassion for others at the cost of her own self preservation.
"Alright; let me try and convince General Landry how much you want to do this."
Vala smiled and kissed Cam deeply as the water overflowed from her movements to gain a better hold on Cam. They both sank into the water, with lips and arms meshed together.
SGC HEADQUARTERS
Henry and Martha were flown to Area 51 with Jack and Sam. Henry and his wife were both amazed at how much the secure facility had changed from their time in the 1940's. Sam enjoyed speaking to Martha about quantum physics, astro physics, the leap of gate addresses or anything that deals with the found stargate to present. It was like Sam was going back in time to the first discovery of what the stargate could actually do as far as light year leaps into other galaxies and planets. Martha enjoyed Sam's company and the fact that she was a women ahead of her time in alien technology. Henry and Jack hit it right off. Talking about fishing, the quality of beer and his disdain for authority and leaving the technical side of their jobs to scientist. Even though Henry helped set up certain procedural factions on handling alien technology. His wife Martha and Catherine were the key in keeping the Stargate program alive. Henry informed Jack he felt disillusioned about using the alien technology for good. He believed once the military was involved it was all down hill. That he found that Woosley's grandfathers and bureaucratic diplomats who wanted global power over their enemies by using such technology would utterly destroy themselves in the end.
Jack however convinced Henry that with special safe guards for the military's use of technology and a President that allowed the sharing of the technology, that it help defeat the Goua'ld and other enemies that threatened the earth and other peaceful galaxies and civilizations. Henry was fascinated, but Martha was truly wondrous at all the advances in medicine and technology. Once they returned to SGC headquarters they were given a tour and full clearance to all new technology. They were even given patches as honorary members of SG1 and were welcomed and protected under full Air force protocol.
To their present surprise the next day, Vala and Cam showed up for a morning meal in the mess hall. Teal'c was still on Chulak and Daniel was in his lab, catching up on documenting artifact that had been sent to him for catalogue and translation. Martha and Henry hugged Vala as and happy so to her looking better. Jack and Sam were equally surprised to see them both show up unabashed at being together.
"Well Cam, you certainly look radiant. I bet Princess had something to do with that." Sam hit Jack under the table as Vala smiled back.
"Jealous?" Cam retorted back.
Sam couldn't hold back her snicker, along with Martha and Henry.
"Nope." Jack responded in the same manner.
Vala sat in between Martha and Henry, with Cam on the other side of Martha. Cam kissed Martha on the cheek for a welcome and thank you.
"Hey Cam, that's my girl you're kissing there." Henry playfully spoke.
"Oh, shut up old man. He's just being charming and looks like he was taking care of Vala. You look wonderful sweetie." Looking towards Vala.
"Yeah Vala you really do. I guess Cam took my advice." Sam smirked.
Cam blushed a little, while he looked towards Vala smiling. "Well that' s my cue to go get some breakfast. What do you want Vala?"
"A little bit of everything darling. You know I'm a light eater." Smiled Vala.
That comment got a snicker from Sam and Jack. Martha and Henry were amused at Vala selection of everything.
Cam smiled, while placing a hand on Vala's shoulder. "Ok Princess, a little bit of everything just like you like it." With that, Cam was off to get breakfast.
Henry smiled at Vala's radiant look. "Vala I think Cam has been taking care of you and it looks good on ya. I'm so happy Martha and I get to see you're doing better."
"Thank you Henry; you and Martha saved my life. I don't think I ever had the chance to properly thank you." Hugging Henry and Martha both again.
"Now sweetie there's no need for that. Henry and I would have taken care of you no matter what the circumstances. We…….we hope you don't mind if we think of you as a daughter? We don't want to intrude upon your own parents. We just thought…….
"Martha you and Henry have been the parents I've lost." Vala wouldn't go into detail about her mother and father. "I would be honored to be your daughter, if…if that's alright?"
Martha and Henry couldn't be happier that Vala accepted their request. "You don't know how happy that makes Henry and I Vala. Thank you for making and old man and women very happy."
"Happy about what?" Cam sat down with two large plates. The largest one he sat before Vala.
Vala beamed "I'm adopted."
"Oh really. So Jack and Sam are finally getting rid of you." Cam laughed.
Vala whispered in Martha's ear. Martha in turn punched Cam in the shoulder.
"Owww, maaannn."
"Now want she meant Cam is that Henry and I have adopted Vala as our daughter and she accepted." Stated Martha.
"Good, I love more in laws." Cam laughed, while everyone at the table wondered what Cam meant.
As Vala was about to respond, Daniel walked in for breakfast. He noticed that Sam and Jack were sitting with the Browns, and now Cam and especially Vala. He thought he would turn around, but Jack motioned him over. Cam however wasn't pleased and decided to catch Jackson alone. The Browns were indifferent. They hadn't spoke to Daniel at all since the incident in the conference room. Vala however got up from her seat and approached Daniel.
Everyone at the table held their breathe. Cam however kept a careful watch on Vala. He knew she could handle herself, but he wanted her to know he was there.
Daniel saw Vala approach and wasn't quite sure what to expect. Vala approached smiling and without warning balled up her fist and gave Daniel a right hook.
Daniel went down for the count and everyone and everything in the mess hall stopped to a standstill; including SG1's table. Henry beamed proudly, while Martha covered her mouth in shock. Jack and Sam just waited, knowing Daniel deserved it.
Cam just smiled. "That's my girl."
Vala stooped to Daniel's level on the ground, while Daniel was holding his jaw. He looked up while Vala watched him grimace in pain.
"I'm only going to say this once Daniel so please don't interrupt. I don't have to prove anything to you or anyone anymore. I didn't run to get attention, I ran so I could save everyone from me. I was so worried that someone may use me and my past to hurt you and the rest. But you know what; I don't have to do that anymore. I've proven myself again and again many times over, and if I remember, I've saved your hide a couple of times and never asked anything in return other than your attention or friendship. I appreciate everything you've done for me Daniel, but I don't owe you anything, ever. I'm tired of everyone trying to make me or use me for something I'm not and even thought I might have misled you a little Daniel, I've never tried to hurt you on purpose in any way. So if you have anything to say about it, then now's the time to say something, or just…..just…….
"I'm sorry Vala." Daniel said meekly.
"Wha……what?" Vala was a little shocked at Daniel's apology. She didn't really know what to expect from Daniel.
"I'm sorry for what I said." Picking himself off the ground. "I'm sorry that I said those things and everything in between. I had no right to think otherwise of you running away. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Wellll……I suppose so." Vala smiled and embraced Daniel. Daniel was always amazed at how forgiving Vala had always been after so much had happened to her.
They pulled apart, while Vala gave him her biggest grin. "Well come over and meet my new parents." Vala pulled at him, while the mess hall returned to getting their breakfast.
Jack chimed in at the table. "Look everyone; the kids have made up."
TBC