Summary: Adria comes to Earth, and she and Vala make awkward attempts at renewing their relationship.
Chapter Three
Adria agreed to all the stipulations the SGC placed upon her coming to Earth. She agreed to the additional ones Daniel tacked on, out of a desire to protect his wife. Then she agreed to the ones Cam threw in for good measure. "I think she really means it," Vala told Sam.
Sam laughed and hugged her. "I hope so. But you let me know if anything goes wrong, okay? You know I'll be straight back here."
"I do know. Thank you, Samantha."
Within a matter of weeks, Adria was settled in an apartment not too far from Daniel and Vala's house. It actually wasn't far from where Jacek had stayed while on Earth; Vala idly wondered if the SGC had some sort of deal in place. An alien placement program of sorts.
Knowing full well she couldn't quite blend in with the society at large yet, Adria took a job as a commissary cook at the SGC. Suddenly Vala's favorites made it into the menu rotation a little more often. "She's sucking up," Vala said, feeling annoyed.
"Let her suck up to me," Cam said. "My favorites don't show up nearly enough."
But for the most part things were going well. Daniel and Vala had Adria over for dinner about once a week. It was awkward, and Adria was still snippy at times, but for the most part it was fine. Adria reciprocated by treating Vala to lunch every other week or so. Much like her stepdaughter, Adria enjoyed trying new restaurants and the various types of cuisine available.
Vala took her stepmother shopping and for a mani-pedi. Adria found the experience strange. She did like the mochaccinos though.
They bonded over complaining about Jacek. Adria mostly tried to avoid any further references to Vala's mother, but Jacek was a safe enough topic.
Finally Vala decided to have something of a dinner party. She'd invite her SGC friends and some of Adria's commissary co-workers, and they'd have a big cookout and plenty of beer. Jack even promised to fly in for it; he'd not met Adria yet. "I can't let you all have all the fun when it comes to threatening her," he said. "I'll try to bring Cassie too. Let Mama A know what she's dealing with."
"I think she has a pretty good idea," Vala said dryly. "Cameron and Muscles glower at her almost constantly."
"Good for them, since Carter isn't there to do it."
Vala laughed. "Adria's right; you all are ridiculous."
"But that's why you love us," Jack said cheerfully.
She ducked her head and grinned, even though she knew Jack couldn't see her. "Yes, it is."
The weather was perfect for a cookout, and Daniel watched the people milling about his backyard feeling mostly content.
The mostly was because he still didn't know what was up with Vala and Adria.
The two women got along well enough for the most part. He could see both of them making a concerted effort. Adria still made comments from time to time that were a bit harsh, but she always apologized. Vala got her back up at any mention of her mother, no matter how benign. But they were feeling their way along fairly well.
What Daniel didn't quite understand was what caused their hesitation with each other. Both of them seemed to be walking on eggshells. Any conversation he was privy to that delved into their history seemed to indicate normal mother-daughter squabbles (Vala wanting more freedom, fewer rules and restrictions; Adria wanting to keep her safe and out of trouble) and normal stepmother-stepdaughter squabbles (resentment on Vala's part that Adria would dare step into her mother's place; resentment on Adria's part that nothing she did was ever good enough).
But Vala had so adamantly refused to discuss Adria for so long-was in fact still refusing to discuss her-that Daniel knew there had to be more to the story. He just didn't know what.
He thought back to the Ori ship, where Vala had first told him of her stepmother. "Witch of a woman," she'd said. And while Adria could certainly be biting and acerbic, Daniel really didn't think that explained Vala's comment. He remembered Adria's words when they'd first met her at the Alpha site. "You know I always struck first and asked questions later." Had she perhaps been overzealous in her disciplinary measures? Engaged in harsh corporal punishment? Could that explain why they were treading so carefully with each other?
He considered a couple of scars Vala had always refused to explain and decided that must be it. He glared briefly in Adria's direction, then sighed and turned his attention back to the grill. The truth was, in a traditional village like Vala had grown up in, Adria probably hadn't known any other way. If Vala could let it go, he should do the same.
Cam wandered over to him. "General O'Neill said to tell you the burgers are undercooked and need more beer."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "He would. And no. It's my house, my rules. He can cook them how he wants at his own house."
"That's pretty much what I told him." He lowered his voice. "How's it going with the mother-in-law?"
Daniel shrugged. "All right, I guess. They're still tense, but no major blowups."
"What do you think of the wicked stepmother? I can't get a good read on her."
"She's…not quite what I expected. She and Vala aren't as antagonistic as I thought they'd be."
"See, that's what I think too. This is the woman whose very mention gets Vala all skittish. She named her evil, hellbent-on-universe-domination daughter after her. But Adria just seems like a thousand other stepparents, trying to balance loving the kid with not overstepping their bounds and doing a lousy job of it sometimes. I don't get it."
"I don't either really. Vala hasn't told me anything. All I can figure is maybe Adria was a harsh disciplinarian."
"Yeah, maybe. I don't know. I'm worried about her, Jackson. You know nothing good comes from Vala being wound this tight."
"I know. I'm hoping this evening will unwind her a bit."
"Not likely. Mama A hasn't left her side."
"Damn. Vala specifically invited the commissary staff so Adria would have people she knew to talk to."
"Just between us, I don't think the other cooks like her much. That mouth of hers causes problems."
Daniel sighed heavily. "Of course it does."
"Okay, look, I'm gonna go grab Adria and try to pull her into a conversation-give Vala a bit of a break," Cam said. "Maybe she can join Walter and Siler's card game."
"Thanks, Mitchell."
Cam waved a dismissive hand and headed off toward Adria, leaving Daniel once again alone with his thoughts.
But not for long.
"Daniel, take a break. I'll man the grill," Jack said.
"Ah, no, that's okay."
"Daniel…"
"Jack."
"C'mon, just for a few minutes. I promise not to burn anything and not to use up all your beer."
"I don't believe either of those things for a second, but fine, go ahead. I should check on Vala anyway."
"Your missus is fine. She's just settled in at the card table. Let her blow off some steam. It'll be good for her. Why don't you just relax? You need it too."
Daniel sighed again. "I'm worried about her, Jack."
"I know. Sam is too, which means I am and Cassie is." He looked over to where Cam stood talking to Adria. "Hank says she's a good worker but that she's not going to win any Miss Congeniality awards."
"Sounds about right."
"Should I finagle some leave time for Sam? I could have her come kidnap Vala for a girls' road trip or something."
"You already fudged it to get her to the Alpha site. I don't want to cause too much trouble."
"What's the point of having power and authority if I can't abuse it for my friends? Vala is important to you, and she's important to Sam, and so even though I don't know her as well as you two do, she's important to me too."
"Thanks, Jack. I'll let you know if it comes to that."
"Do that. I promise Sam'll be off the Hammond and back on Earth to drag Vala away as soon as you say the word." Jack flipped a burger. "Oops, that one's a bit charred. Guess it's mine. Oh, and that one too."
They laughed heartily, and Daniel could feel his spirits lifting a bit.
He was still worried about his wife, but no matter what did or didn't happen with Adria, Vala would be okay. They'd all make sure of it.