Author's Notes: This part takes place after "The Powers that Be". Vala is a little OOC, but I wanted them to have a serious conversation, so get over it.

Daniel leaned against the counter and watched Vala on his couch. Though the TV was on, she didn't seem to be paying attention as she usually did. The previous day's events seemed to have shaken her and he'd been trying to get her to talk about it all afternoon to no avail. She'd just avoided his questions and made some standard comment he'd come to expect from her. He picked up another glass of wine and walked over to her, holding it out to her. She accepted it with a grin, "Trying to get me drunk, are we?" she quipped.

Daniel sighed, "stop that," he whispered. He could see the pain behind her eyes.

Vala's smile faded and she fell silent. That was what made her her. She didn't know how to be any other way.

Daniel sat down next to her, "you don't have to hide from me," he whispered.

Vala tucked her feet underneath her, sipping the wine he'd given her, "We lost them, didn't we?" she whispered.

Daniel sighed and stared at his hands, "I'm afraid so," he answered.

Vala nodded, still staring blankly at the TV. She was silent for a while and when she finally did speak, Daniel had to strain to hear her, "I was proud of myself yesterday, you know." She paused.

Daniel stayed silent. He wanted to tell her that he was also proud of her, but was too keen to keep her talking to interrupt.

Vala turned to him, "I really thought that I was helping them. I actually thought that I was doing something worthwhile. But I was wrong. Nothing I did made a difference. They're still going to worship the Ori." She turned back to face the TV and a small smile came over her face, "They won't like those Ori as much when they get to the prostrating part."

Daniel grinned in spite of himself. Even when she was upset and hurting, she could still say something so off the wall to make him smile. However, he didn't focus on that. "Vala," he began, turning her chin to look her in the eye, "what you did today was one of the most unselfish things that I have ever seen anyone do. Those people wanted to kill you, almost did kill you, and yet, you still did everything you could to save them. That seems to be pretty worthwhile to me."

Vala stood up and began pacing, shaking her head, "But it didn't make a difference," she yelled, frustrated, "they're still sprouting that 'Hallowed are the Ori' crap." She seemed disgusted with herself, "I failed."

Daniel walked to her, "No, you didn't fail. And you did make a difference. Maybe not to those people, but you still made a difference. Mitchell, Teal'c, Lam. They look at you differently now, Vala. You have their respect if not their confidence. You might not have made a difference in the lives you wanted to, but you sure changed their perspective of you."

She took a step closer to him, "You keep saying them. What about you Daniel? Do you see me differently? Or am I the same girl who beat you up a year ago and tried to steal your ship?" She tried not to think about how important his answer was.

Daniel knew he was going out on a limb here. Chances were she was not being serious, but on the off-chance she was, he didn't want to blow it, "Of course I do, Vala," he answered, "I was so proud of you yesterday. You showed that you cared. You put someone else before you. It gives me hope."

Vala grinned, "Hope, huh? Hope for what?" she asked cheekily.

Daniel groaned, "Can't you just be serious for once?" he asked, exasperated. He turned his back to her and walked toward the kitchen.

Vala crossed her arms over her chest and regarded him, "Daniel, do you trust me?" she asked. She would show him serious.

Daniel poured himself more wine, his back still to her, "It depends. I mean, do I trust you with a secret? No. Anything of value? No. Do I trust you with my life?" He paused, recorking the bottle, "well we're getting there..."

Vala cut him off, going to the heart of the matter, "What about your heart, Daniel?" she asked.

Daniel froze, his hand suspended in midair where he was replacing the bottle, wondering if he'd heard her correctly. He put the wine back on the counter and slowly turned to face her, "Are you serious?" he asked. He had to know before he answered.

Vala shrugged, looking at the ground, "You know, Daniel, you're not the only one I could have found to translate that tablet. I wanted to see you," she looked at him and grinned, "besides, you're so much fun to annoy. So, do you?"

Daniel decided to turn the tables on her, "Do you trust me, Vala?"

Vala smiled, "avoiding the question, not a good sign. However, I will answer. Yes."

"Yes?"

Vala took a step closer to him, "Yes, Daniel, I trust you. Inexplicably and in everyway. I know you'd never knowingly hurt me and would do anything you could to protect me." She took another step, now right in front of him, "Now, Daniel, do you trust me with your heart?"

Daniel took a deep breath and closed his eyes, "I so want to," he whispered.

Vala grinned, happy, but a little angry at herself. Happy because he obviously cared about her, and angry because she had made him leery of trusting her. "What if I told you you could?" she whispered wrapping her arms around his neck.

Daniel's arms went automatically around her waist and he hugged her tightly. He wanted believe her, oh how he wanted to believe her, to trust her, but had his doubts. She had lied and mislead him before. He drew back from her and looked her in the eye, "I wish I could, Vala," he said, hoping he wasn't going to push her away. He had to be honest.

Vala frowned, "I understand," she whispered, and she really did. That only made her more angry with herself, "I know I've lied, cheated, and stolen from you in the past." She paused and kissed his lips lightly. "One day I promise I'll prove it to you." She let him go and walked toward the bedroom she was sleeping in. She paused as she reached the doorway and turned back to him, "Thank you, Daniel, for making me feel better."

Daniel nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He knew that if he did, he would lose all self-control and he really didn't want to get his heart broken again.