Chapter Eight

They bought a house. One all three of them liked. Fortunately for them, the seller was desperate to sell and wanted a quick close so they were moving into their new homes fifteen days after Kenan's arrival on Earth and it couldn't have come soon enough. As much as she loved her son, sharing a room with Kenan and trying to keep him entertained on the base and not get in the way of others' jobs had proven to be quite the task for Vala. Daniel had helped as much as he could but he was already behind on several translations and cataloging items and an energetic five year old could only take so much of it in one day. Moving day couldn't come fast enough.

"How the hell do you have so much stuff?" Daniel grumbled as he set down another box of hers in the middle of their new living room.

"Excuse me?" Vala responded incredulously, "You're one to talk. Have you seen your previous guest room? It was more of a storage room! And now all of your priceless artifacts will be taking up most of the room in the basement," she remarked sarcastically

"Ha ha," Daniel mocked with a roll of his eyes. "The point I was trying to make was, how do you have this much stuff? Where did you store it all at the SGC?"

"I have my ways."

"I'm sure you do," he smiled at her and blocked the pillow she threw at him.

It was moving day and all of SG-1, plus Jack and Carolyn Lam, were all at the new Jackson/Mal Doran house, unpacking boxes upon boxes – most of them being Daniel's 'priceless artifacts.' Everyone was spread out throughout the house in teams of two, except for Jack. He had snagged Kenan the moment he got here and took him outside to play, avoiding any type of work. Sam had teamed up with Teal'c instead.

Remembering that Jack had Kenan, Daniel's head snapped to the window facing the backyard. All seemed well and like they were having a good time, so Daniel relaxed a bit. It wasn't like he didn't trust Jack to keep Kenan safe, he just didn't trust Jack not to corrupt the innocent boy.

Daniel focused back on Vala. "So, where am I putting your stuff? The guest room or…" he trailed off, not wanting to be presumptuous.

Vala set the items back into the box she had just pulled them from and stood, smirking. "Why, Daniel Jackson," she teased, "are you trying to subtly hint at something? Perhaps us sharing a bedroom?"

In reality, both of them had assumed they'd be sharing a room but never actually had the discussion yet and neither one of them was quite brave enough to bring it up until now. Aside from a few make out sessions, they hadn't gotten around to doing…that. With Vala and Kenan sharing a room, that hadn't really been an option and Vala hadn't felt comfortable with leaving Kenan at night to sneak away. She was afraid he'd wake up to find her gone and he would panic. Besides, Daniel wasn't one to mix work and pleasure and most likely would never consent to doing that on base. No other opportunities had presented itself.

"I didn't want to make assumptions…" he trailed off again., his cheeks pinking up a bit.

Vala walked the few steps so she was in front of him. Putting her arms around his neck, she leaned in close, and he reciprocated. "Unless you have any objections, I'd like my things in our room please," she told him softly, stressing the word 'our.'

"No objections here," he responded and closed the small distance between them and kissed her softly. As it normally did, the kiss heated up and the world around them disappeared.

"Whoa! Hey, no one wants to see that!" Mitchel complained as he and Carolyn walked in, effectively breaking the two up and earned himself a glare from both. He ignored them and went for the mountain of boxes in the living room. "This the last of the stuff?"

Vala still in his arms, Daniel focused on Mitchel. "Yeah, it should be."

Cam grabbed a random box, labeled as Vala's clothes. "Princess, which bedroom is this going in?"

"Master," Vala replied, breaking out of Daniel's arms and got back to unpacking her abandoned box.

"But Jackson's stuff is in there," Mitchel pointed out.

"So?" Vala and Daniel said together.

"But…" Mitchel began but abruptly shut up when Carolyn smacked him in the arm and grabbed another box labeled as Vala's.

"Come on, I'll explain it to you," Carolyn promised, mirth in her voice.

Once they left, both Vala and Daniel let out a small laugh. "He can be so dense sometimes," Vala commented.

"He's in denial."

And Cam was indeed. The poor Colonel tried to pretend everything was normal and that would be the way it stayed. He didn't want to think of the fact that things on SG-1 would change, was already changing. Teal'c wouldn't stay with Earth forever; the free Jaffa needed his help establishing a functioning government. And Vala, well the chances of her wanting to remain on the SGC's flagship team, the one most likely to get into trouble, were slim given that she was just reunited with her son. Yes, the man was in denial.

The rest of the day was spent in similar manner – the unpacking of several boxes, furniture building, furniture moving, and more. By the time dinner rolled around, most of the house was in order, all the main and important stuff having been unpacked. Normally on a day like this, they would get takeout but Vala and Daniel were trying to limit Kenan's processed food intake. He had never had such food and too much too soon was bound to bring trouble, so during their stay at the SGC, one of the commissary workers, Alice, had prepared special meals for Kenan that were more of the homecooked variety and made with mostly organic ingredients. Vala was a favorite of Alice's and the woman had been happy to help. So tonight, being their first night in their new home, Vala and Daniel made a homecooked meal for everyone. While they were tired from their day, both knew it was best for Kenan. They would slowly enter foods such as pizza, Chinese – all their favorites, but not at once.

House done, Kenan in bed, SG-1, past and present, and Dr. Lam made a team night of it. It would be a while until all of them would be together like this again. Sam was leaving in a few days for her new Atlantis command. Vala dreaded having to say goodbye to her best female friend. Though her and Carolyn were starting to get closer, mainly due to the fact that she and Cam had started dating on the down low (they were so cute to think they were being sneaky), Carolyn wasn't Sam and while she loved her friendship with the good doctor, she would never be. Sam was her first, true female friend and Vala was going to miss her greatly.

One by one, everyone slowly left, Jack and Sam being the last two. Sam gave a hug to each of her friends and confirmed tomorrow with Daniel. Sam was doing some one-on-one time with each of her friends before she left. She didn't have a lot of time before she had to leave but she had been determined to carve out a few hours for everyone.

Once everyone was gone, Daniel and Vala snugged up on the couch together, the TV providing background noise. "What do you and Sam have planned for tomorrow?" Vala asked not long after they had left.

"I'm not sure," he replied, a little somberly. He too would miss the woman who was a sister to him. "Probably get coffee, go to a museum or somewhere to talk, I guess."

"Sounds like fun," Vala fibbed. There was silence for a few minutes before she broke it again. "It won't be the same without her."

"No, it won't," he agreed.

"I'm going to miss her," Vala confessed, though it wasn't really a secret. "I can't even imagine how hard this will be on Jack. How will he bare it?"

"They'll make it work," Daniel assured, "After everything they've been through to get to where they're at now, this will be nothing. Plus, they've been making the long-distance thing work with him D.C."

"Daniel, she'll be in an entirely different galaxy! At least here, they both were in the same country."

"Like I said, after waiting eight years to be happy together, they can handle anything. Yes, it'll be hard, but they got this."

"Never leave me like that," she begged quietly in a rare moment of vulnerability. Though those moments seemed to be happening more and more now, no longer making them rare.

"Never," he vowed and kissed her head. "Can I ask you something?"

"You don't need my permission, Daniel," she told him, humor in her voice, "Just ask."

"You're not going to like it and possibly not respond."

"What is it?" she asked, slightly concerned. "Ask me."

"Kenan's father," he began warily, "tell me about him?"

Daniel didn't think she'd tell him; she had been silent for too long and was about to apologize when she started speaking. "He was a bounty hunter, a bloody good one I hate to admit. Ba'al had hired him twice to capture me, since he and his Jaffa couldn't seem to do it. The first time he caught me, I was easily able to seduce him and made my escape while he slept. A month later, I found out I was pregnant. I was terrified and had no idea what to do. The hunter, well he was out for blood since Ba'al didn't take my escape well and took his anger out on the Hunter. That's why I could never reveal who he was or Kenan's existence. When I first came to Earth, you accused me of using sex as a weapon, well you were right, I did and I don't regret it. It gave me Kenan."

"I was wrong to say that. It was cruel and uncalled for," he interrupted, pulling her tighter to him.

"Water in the tunnel."

"Water under the bridge," he corrected automatically.

"Whatever," she muttered with an eye roll. "The second time, the hunter, he paid someone to hire me for a job that would've paid a great deal. I was stupid and greedy, not in the way you think, Daniel. I hated leaving Kenan so much and just wanted to be with him longer. Anyways, it was a trap and I was captured. After he delivered me to Ba'al, he came to see me sometime afterwards and I somehow was able to seduce him again. I hated every second of it. I had hoped I wouldn't have to do...the necessary bits and knock him unconscious, but no opportunity presented itself until after he, he...finished."

"You don't have to go on," Daniel mumbled, hating himself for making her relive it and for his damn curiosity. "How'd Ba'al find out about Elvana?"

"The hunter told him when he delivered me and Ba'al wanted to punish me. Even if I didn't have family or friends on the planet, he knew how the deaths of those people would affect me. A Jaffa escorted me to my cell and I was able to convince him to warn Junia and Gaius. I had no idea if he was truly of the Free Jaffa but what did I have to lose? The hunter came shortly after that and well the, as you say, is history. I knocked him unconscious and was able to steal a cargo ship."

"I imagine Ba'al wasn't too happy with him."

"No," she agreed quietly, "it's one of the reasons I fear him finding out about Kenan, knowing what he'll do to me and my son if he was ever to find us, especially what he must've endured at Ba'al's hands not only once but twice."

"He won't, he'll never find out about Kenan. I'll make sure of that," he promised, "What's the bounty hunter's name? I might need to know it one day."

Vala hesitated before replying, "Issachar Tron."

"Issachar Tron," he repeated, "Wait, wasn't he just -"

"-appointed third in command of the Lucien Alliance? Yes, he was," she interrupted and finished for him.

"Shit." It was rumored that he had earned his place within the ranks by killing his way up.

"Indeed."

"He won't ever be able to touch you or Kenan. He'd have to go through Earth first and we very well know for how powerful we are. I mean, we defeated the Goa'uld, the Replicators, and now the Ori," Daniel pointed out, "He'd be a fool to try and he'd lose. You're safe, you're both safe."

"I know," she murmured, "I've always felt safe with you. For the first time in a long time, I feel at home with you, I feel safe, and I love you, Daniel Jackson."

"I love you, Vala Mal Doran," he expressed earnestly and positioned her head so he could kiss her.

He had lied to her. Daniel wasn't proud of it, but it had been a necessary evil. Vala was way to good at figuring out things, highly intuitive, and he hadn't wanted to risk it. To be fair, he and Sam did do most of what he said they would; they'd gotten coffee and went somewhere to talk about stuff, Daniel had just left out the part where he took Sam with him ring shopping…so not exactly a lie, right? Daniel had wanted Sam's opinion when it came to the ring. She had questioned him once they got to the jewelry shop if this was a good idea. Not that she had any objections to her friends marrying, she was expecting it as some point, but was concerned that it was too soon. She didn't want Daniel to rush anything. They had only just begun dating and already moved in together, not to mention Kenan. The little dude had been her top concern, not wanting to throw more change at the young child.

"Believe it or not, Kenan is very okay with this," Daniel told her and recounted a few of his conversations he'd had with Kenan, making Sam smile. "If I've learned anything from my time at the SGC, it's that life is too short. I only got a year with Sha're before she was taken from me and I never got a chance with Janet due to my fear and indecision. I'll be damned if I let that happen again."

Sam was silent for a minute. "I always suspected," she said softly, referring to the possibility of Janet and him, "but neither of you ever said anything to me."

"Janet and I never talked about either," he admitted, "We danced around it until it was too late. I'm not gonna let that happen again."

Sam gave him a small and sad smile. "I understand," she told him, "and don't get me wrong, I love you and Vala. I just want you guys make it and rushing into things can cause problems, not to mention throwing Kenan into the mix. But if you're sure, that's all the assurance I need."

"I do appreciate the concern."

"I know, it's why I voice them," she retorted lightly and tapped the glass in front of her. "This is the one. She'll love it," she stated confidently.

Daniel glanced at the one she was referring to and smiled. "That's the one I was leaning towards as well."

"It's perfect for her and if you were thinking the same, it must be."

Daniel told the associate his choice. "Must be," he said to Sam.

As Daniel watched the associate go through the motions of a purchase, Sam took a moment to study the man who was a brother to her. The change in him was dramatic and she couldn't think of a time where he seemed happier, more at peace, than he did now. She felt a small smile take over her face. "I'm really happy for you, Daniel," she told him softly. "I'm really glad you found Vala, someone to love and love you back. I'm really glad you're happy again. genuinely happy, and not just content."

"I am too."

The two gave each other a side hug before collecting the ring and carrying on with their day.

Author's Note: So this story was originally intended to be a long one-shot but I just kept writing and it ended up about 10 chapters long. I never intended to go into Kenan's father other than mentioning him and briefly explaining. I will not be doing a whole thing where he suddenly reappears and/or kidnaps Kenan or Vala - that's way to cliche for me. Don't get me wrong, I like cliches but I feel like that would be expected and I try not to do the expected for the most part.

I am sorry if that disappoints anyone and I hope you'll continue to read anyways and that you like it.

Let me know your thoughts and if I can improve anywhere!