"Wait a minute, what about us?" Jack suddenly asked once the 'gate closed. Sam gave him a sideways look. Jack gestured at the bunch of them.

"Daniel gets to go off and fight in the war and what are we supposed to do? Just sit around on our butts waiting to hear the outcome? I don't really like that plan."

"The Ori are probably still sending Priors out," Sam pointed out. "We should focus on them."

"I won't allow it," Landry said immediately.

"With all due respect, sir. We don't have any way to fight. They're ascended beings! We can't do any damage," Cameron pointed out. Landry glared at him.

"Merlin's weapon," Jack suggested.

"We have yet to find that," Teal'c argued.

"All right, I want you, SG-1," Landry started, "to focus on Merlin's weapon. I'll send other teams to work with the Priors."

"Sounds like a plan," Cameron agreed. "Now I was just about to take my shower and then get some sleep, so if you would excuse me…" he said, leaving the room.

"That's a good idea," Jack approved and followed the colonel, the rest of the company close behind.

XxXxX

Later that day Daniel found himself in the place he least wanted to be: back at Adria's fortress, now a horrid battleground. Most of the fighting was still being done in Adria's throne room and that's where Oma left Daniel to find Adria. Find her he did, in very little time. She approached him, a sneer across her face. In her eyes, Daniel saw confusion and he smiled.

"Do you like it?" he asked, indicating his new look. "Prior of the Others suits me better, wouldn't you agree?"

Adria only showed mild surprise at his declaration and then smiled.

"I suppose they sent you to kill me?"

Daniel shrugged. "And the Doci."

Adria's smile grew. "I shall kill you first, you do know that, correct?"

"Are you so sure?" Daniel asked immediately. Adria's smile faded slightly as she examined Daniel.

"What did my mother have to say to this?"

Daniel didn't hesitate. "She knows it's necessary."

Adria sneered. "Then she should understand when you come back as ashes."

Daniel stared calmly into her transparent hazel eyes. Adria paced closer to him.

"You know I'll just ascend."

Daniel smiled. "And so will I."

Adria scowled darkly as she raised her hands offensively. "Do you really wish to put that to the test?"

Daniel's smile grew. "Shall we?"

And their battle began.

XxXxX

Late that night, Vala found she couldn't sleep. Adria could be dead at this point! Same with Daniel… Frustrated, she turned over onto her other side. She heard a knock at the door and sighed.

"Come in," she called. In came Danielle. Surprised, Vala stared at her.

"Hi," Danielle said in an almost shy manner.

"How old are you?" Vala asked suddenly. Danielle stared at Vala for a moment, taken off guard, before answering.

"Fifteen," she said, pushing her brown hair out of her equally brown eyes. Vala smiled.

"Fifteen," she repeated. "I remember being fifteen. Ah, puberty."

Danielle smiled, relaxing. "It's horrible, isn't it?"

Vala only smiled. "So I take it you couldn't sleep, either?"

Danielle shrugged. "It's just I remember how it is to lose family. I'm sorry about Adria."

Vala tensed and patted the spot on the bed besides her. "Sit down."

Danielle sat.

"How old were you when the Ori killed your village?" Vala asked, curious.

"I'm from this galaxy," Danielle said. "It wasn't too long ago. Maybe a month or two ago?"

Vala sat back, surprised. "Wow. So the wound's still fresh."

Danielle shrugged. "Kinda. But I'm getting used to it. I don't like to think about it all that much."

Vala nodded. "I can see that."

"But it's not just Adria you're worried about, is it?" Danielle asked suddenly. Vala looked at her, surprised and confused.

"You're worried about Daniel too, aren't you?"

Vala stared at Danielle for a moment, trying to figure out how to answer the servant girl. Danielle smiled.

"It's all right. You don't have to answer. You like him don't you? And I don't mean like as in a friend, I mean more."

Vala continued staring, the words unable to form in her throat. Danielle smiled again.

"That's a good enough answer," she said. Vala blinked blankly. Danielle's smile grew ever so slightly. "You know. To tell the truth, I wouldn't be surprised…well. Never mind."

"What?" Vala demanded immediately. Danielle grinned jestingly before adopting an innocent expression.

"Nothing."

Vala glared at her. "It was not nothing, now tell me!"

Danielle smiled at her. "I wouldn't want to get your hopes up."

Vala narrowed one eye and cocked her head, her mouth open in a question. Danielle stood up, still smiling.

"I should get some sleep."

Vala glared at her. Danielle grinned. "Good night."

A/N: I love reviewers and live for constructive criticism!