A/N: Vala and the team meet Adria at the Alpha Site. Obligatory "You hurt her, I hurt you." Still just getting started-plot to come soon.

Chapter Two

Vala found herself quite literally surrounded by her teammates after she walked through the gate to the Alpha site. Cameron led the way, Sam and Daniel flanked her, and Muscles brought up the rear. She forced herself not to chew her fingernail. She could do this. She wasn't a little girl anymore, and she'd survived far worse things than Adria.

Daniel squeezed her hand. "We've got you," he whispered. "No matter what."

She nodded jerkily. Her belief in that statement was the only thing keeping her upright and moving forward at the moment.

And then they were at the Alpha site, being greeted by SG-8. "Ms. Mal Doran. Welcome. If you'll come this way, Ms. Sol Radak is expecting you," Major Tinsor said

Vala closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. She clung to Daniel's hand and followed the major.

"Vala. It's good to see you."

Seeing Adria in person was rather surreal. Her voice had deepened, become gruffer. Her face was lined. Her hair was thin, wispy, and gray. She looked frail, beaten-certainly not the powerful force from Vala's childhood.

Vala forced herself to speak. "Adria. It's been…a long time."

"Very," Adria said. "I do believe the years have been kinder to you than they have to me. You look well."

"Thank you. I am well. It took me a while to get here, but I'm good now. Happy. Settled."

"I am truly glad to hear it, although I never doubted that you inherited your father's ability to always land on your feet."

"I rather think making the best of a bad situation is a skill I learned from my mother."

"Oh, yes, the perfect Nalini, paragon of virtue." Adria's tone was mocking.

Vala stiffened. "Don't you dare say anything about my mother."

Adria held up a hand. "All right, all right, I'm sorry. I see it's still a sore subject, even after all these years."

There was an awkward pause, neither of them sure what to say. Finally Adria spoke. "Would you like to introduce me to your companions?"

"Oh, sure." Vala chewed her finger briefly, then pulled Daniel forward. "Adria Sol Radak, meet Daniel Jackson. And Samantha Carter and Cameron Mitchell. And Teal'c."

Adria nodded at them each in turn. "I don't promise to remember all the names, but I'll do my best." Her gaze met Vala's. "Needed me to know I was outnumbered, eh?"

"I suppose." Vala's voice was small.

Daniel frowned. "Look, I don't know you, but-"

"Relax," Adria said. "I'm not here to start any drama or stir up old hostilities. I realize I'm coming across a bit harsh for someone who wants to make amends, and I'm sorry." She looked at Vala again. "You know I always struck first and asked questions later."

"Yes." Vala's voice had gone still smaller.

"I can't break old habits instantly, but I would like to start over, if possible. Try to repair things between us. See if we can manage a better relationship this time around."

The beginnings of a smile lit Vala's face. "Well, I'm sure the fact that I'm not a moody teenager will help some."

Adria returned the smle. "Indeed!"

That made all of SG-1 chuckle, except for Teal'c, who merely raised an eyebrow.

"Anyway," Adria continued, "I just thought…since we both have no family…"

"I have family," Vala said.

"Surely you don't still count Jacek as family, stupid girl. I certainly don't."

"No, I haven't counted Jacek for quite some time." Vala waved a vague hand to the four people flanking her. "But I do count them. They're my family."

"Friends are not the same thing as family, Vala."

"I know that. Walter and Siler and Bill and Carolyn and Reynolds are my friends. John and Rodney and Ronan are my friends. Erin and Jen and Holly and Lauren are my friends. Jeffrey and Jason and Dustin and Alex and Heather are my friends. Even grumpy old Mr. Porter, who lives down the street from my house, is my friend. These people here are my family."

"She's right." Cameron spoke up. "We are. And we're a mite protective of our girl."

"I noticed," Adria said dryly.

"So fair warning " Cam continued, as if he hadn't been interrupted, "that we will not take kindly to you doing anything to hurt her. And just so you know, my parents are her family too. And my mama can kick your ass from here to next Sunday…if there's anything left once we're done with you."

"And my husband is her family," Sam said. "Trust me when I say you do not want to be on his bad side. He'll be far more creative than simple ass-kicking. Our goddaughter is also her family, and frankly, I wouldn't mess with her either."

"General Landry is her family," Teal'c added. "I would not recommend evoking his ire…or my own."

"I don't have any people to add," Daniel said. "But Vala is my wife. She is my family and my home, and I am hers. And if it comes down to it, I will zat you three times without blinking."

"Great Ra, you all are ridiculous," Adria said. "I didn't come here with plans of hurting her. And frankly, Vala has always been quite capable of taking care of herself, so I don't know what you think your threats are going to accomplish anyway. But as I said, I have found myself alone. Jacek doesn't even bother to pretend to be a husband anymore. I thought perhaps Vala was in the same state, and that perhaps we could comfort and care for each other."

"I'm not in the same state, as you can see," Vala said. She stayed silent for a long moment, then drew a deep breath. "But I'm still willing to try if you are."

"I am more than willing. I would be grateful for the chance."

"All right then," Daniel said. "Before we go any further, we need to go over some ground rules…"