Author's Note: Ok, like last time, a lot of this conversation actually happened, so I disclaim that. I make note of when I deviate. This is Daniel's thougts after beachhead.

Daniel lay sleeping in the Prometheus infirmary. It wasn't a restful sleep; he tossed and turned, Vala's words running through his head. She had told him that it was worth it, but Daniel wasn't so sure. He merely wanted her back with him. Cameron's voice woke him a few hours later.

"Hey Jackson," Cameron said.

Daniel forced his eyes open, trying to pull himself from his dreams. They weren't good dreams. "Sorry," he whispered hoarsely. "Keep falling asleep."

Cameron grinned, "Well, it's better than the alternative."

Sam squeezed Daniel's hand, "You're lucky the bracelet's effect was wearing off," she said softly.

Daniel averted his eyes. He didn't feel that he was that lucky, "Yeah," he said, his voice dead, "lucky me." He knew Sam had picked up on his sarcasm, but she didn't comment on it.

Teal'c smiled at Daniel, "Vala Malduran will be mourned," he said softly to cheer Daniel up a bit.

Daniel leaned back into the pillows and turned away from them slightly. Vala would at least be happy to know that everyone else respected her now, but that really wasn't helping him now.

Sam felt she needed to give him some kind good news, "I've been going over the telemetry from the last few seconds before the formation of the singularity. A matter stream left the cargo ship just before it exploded."

Daniel looked at Sam with interest.

Sam noticed this change and continued, "There's at least a slight chance she was pulled into the singularity."

Hope swelled in Daniel's chest, but he tried not to let it show. "So, you're saying that she could be alive, somewhere in the Ori home galaxy?" He didn't want to get his hopes up too high, but he was excited at the possibility that she might be alive. At least there was still some hope. Hope that he might find her.

Sam nodded, seeing the hope in his eyes, "It's possible."

Daniel smiled slightly, "Well...we wanted to send them a message," he said softly and leaning back into the pillows. He heard Cameron comment, but couldn't focus. Within minutes, he was back asleep.

(this is where my creation takes over) The next time Daniel awoke, Sam was the only one in the room with him. She was sitting at his bedside reading, "Sorry I drifted off earlier," he said.

Sam smiled, "Not a big deal, Daniel," she responded.

Daniel nodded and leaned back into the pillows. He turned away from Sam, not wanting her to see the seriousness in his eyes, "Do you really think there's a chance that she's alive?" he asked, quietly.

Sam allowed herself a small smile since he wasn't looking at her. Sometime in the past few months she had been at Area 51, it seemed that Daniel had fallen in love, and fallen hard, "Yes, Daniel, I really do."

Daniel turned toward Sam, hope now evident in his eyes, "Thank you, Sam," he whispered.

Sam nodded, "Can I ask you something?" she asked tentatively. She wasn't sure how he'd react to her prying.

Daniel sighed. He was pretty sure this was going to be a question that he really didn't want to answer, but he knew that if he didn't answer it would only make things worse, "Sure."

Sam smiled sheepishly, "Sorry for prying, but I was just wondering what she was trying to prove to you."

Daniel hung his head. He had successfully not thought about that for a few hours and now Sam had to bring it up again, "A couple of weeks ago, Vala and I had a serious conversation," he began slowly, noticing that Sam was hanging onto his every word, "At least a serious one that you can have with Vala. We were discussing trust. She asked if I trusted her," he paused for a moment to check his emotions, though he knew that Sam could probably see right through him, "with my heart."

Sam was surprised but didn't show it. From everything she had heard about Vala, she would never have dreamed this. She merely patted Daniel's hand, inviting him to continue.

Daniel looked into her eyes, seeing how surprised she was, and why shouldn't she be. After all, all he'd ever talked with her about was how much he wanted to get rid of Vala. He decided now was the time to set things straight, "I really wanted to believer her Sam, I really wanted to say yes. But the fact is that I didn't believe her. I told her that I wished I could. She said that she understood," again he paused, his voice had begun to shake, "and then she said that one day she would prove to me that I could..." he trailed off and stared at his hands. He spoke more slowly, "I never let myself think she was serious. I knew that I was falling for her, but I really never dreamed that she was being serious, as much as I wanted her to be."

Sam looked at her hands. She felt sorry for him. He looked so lost, "Well, you certainly surprised me. I never would have dreamed that you would fall for someone like Vala. Especially as much as you complained about her," she trailed off seeing the smile on his face. She smiled uncomfortably, "What?"

"Just thinking about how much you used to complain about Jack when you guys first starting working together," he said, grinning, "Arm wrestling, huh?" he said.

"He told you about that," she asked, blushing, "Oh, what am I thinking, of course he did." She looked at him.

Daniel's smile disappeared as the gravity of the situation sank in, "I just hope I don't have to wait 8 years," he said slowly, then looked at her, "Was is worth it, Sam?" he asked, "Was it worth the wait?"

Sam couldn't help the grin that spread over her face, "Yes, Daniel, it was worth it."

Daniel nodded, "I'm not afraid to wait," he said, "I just really don't want to."

"Don't lose faith, Daniel. One day, we will find her. And from what you've told me, she'll probably have no problem finding you again. She did the first and the second time, didn't she," she reassured him.

Daniel allowed himself a small smile, "Thank you, Sam," he whispered, the fatigue from the bracelets coming up again. He hoped this fatigue stopped soon, it was really getting annoying.

Sam could see how tired he was, "Get some rest, Daniel," she said.

Daniel nodded and closed his eyes, his thoughts again turning to Vala.