Truth & Lies
Briar Elwood
A/N: Again, I warned you. And it's staying this way for a while, I'm sorry. Trust me, I don't like it. Well, I mean, I'm having fun with the majority of the stuff I'm doing, but I do wish I could spend a little more time with Stargate.
38: Talk
"Vala! Vala, wait up!"
Vala turned expectantly to see Sam rushing up to her. "Kinda busy, Sam."
"Going to talk to Tomin?" Sam asked, falling into step with her. Vala nodded, continuing on her way.
"Yeah. Think he'll open up more to me than…Merek."
Sam smiled grimly. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Can I join you?"
Vala gave her a sideways look. "Sure, I guess." The women walked through the door to the interrogation room, walking to the side of the table opposite Tomin. He looked up, a warm but strained smile directed at his wife.
"Vala."
She returned the smile. "Tomin. Look, I need to know why…exactly, you changed your mind. I trust you, Tomin, I do. Believe me, I'm having enough issues to do with trust right now. But you said you don't believe the Ori to be all that they profess to be. Why?"
Tomin sighed and glanced up briefly at the mirrored window. Vala followed his eyes and sighed.
"No one's there. It's just me 'n' Sam."
He nodded. "All right. Um. Well, then…after…after I last saw you, I started to realize that all the Priors twisted the verses of the Book of Origin. This disturbed me greatly, but I dared not speak out against them personally, in fear of what happened the last time. But eventually I did build up the courage to express my concern to the Orici."
Sam raised her eyebrows. "And how'd that work out?"
Tomin shook his head. "Not well. She told me that times change and that the Priors were doing good. I pointed out that they were doing the exact opposite of what the Book of Origin preaches and…she simply gave me a very sad smile and walked away. The next day I was released of my position as an Ori warrior.
"I figured that if the Priors and the Orici were going against the Book of Origin, and I know the Orici was appointed by the Ori themselves…something must be wrong with the Ori themselves. I decided…to take a chance on you."
"If you weren't an Ori warrior anymore, how'd you find out they're planning to attack?" Sam asked, gaining a displeased look from Vala.
"I knew beforehand," Tomin replied. "I…I didn't think to warn you until after I was released." He turned his gaze back to Vala, now a pleading gleam in his eyes. "They'll be here any day now, Vala. What are your people planning to do?"
"They're not my people," Vala muttered. "And right now…well, SG-1 is going to Celestis, as I think you now, and I'm not sure if the US government is re-enforcing their defenses in Antarctica or not."
"I would like to fight for this planet," Tomin told her solemnly. "For you."
Vala smiled weakly, the strain from before gone. "Thanks, Tomin. But you don't—"
"No, you don't understand," he interrupted. "I still love you, Vala. I always will. And I want to prove that to you."
"You don't have to risk your life to prove that you love me!" Vala exclaimed stubbornly. Tomin shook his head, closing his eyes.
"I know that. But I want to."
"Tomin…"
Tomin stayed silent, eyes hard and as stubborn as Vala could be. She wilted, dropping her head in defeat. Sam watched this exchange with interest and surprise…Vala was actually going to bend to someone's will!
"We'll talk with General Landry but it'll probably end up being somewhere close to General O'Neill's decision," Sam assured him. "I think they'll welcome your help, though, Tomin."
Tomin nodded shortly, eyes still fixed on Vala. Sam paused before reaching out to touch Vala's shoulder and motion for them to leave. Vala followed her without protest and Sam stood outside, waiting until the door shut completely, leaving Tomin alone again.
"I'm worried about you, Vala."
Vala snorted. "Why? Because you don't know if everything I'm saying is the truth? You don't know if I'm planning to run off and betray the SGC and tell all its secrets? You don't know what's going on in my head?"
Sam sighed. "No, Vala. I'm worried because Tomin seems to be more important to you right now than…anything. Anyone. Even yourself."
Vala's eyes shot up to Sam, surprised. Then suddenly they narrowed. "Did Daniel send you?"
Sam rolled her eyes. "That doesn't matter."
"Oh, I disagree!"
Sam sighed again. "Fine. No, he didn't. I offered to talk to you. He's worried, too, Vala. And scared. And he feels terrible. He wants to talk to you, but you're not letting him. And he's terrified of losing you. To Tomin, for example. The two of you need to talk. And listen."
Vala pursed her lips, annoyed. "Thanks for that, Sam. I'll…be sure to keep that in mind."
Sam watched her stomp away in despair, wondering if that last comment had been sarcastic or not.
A/N: Hey, it's longer! Who loves you?
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