A/N Unashamedly waffy ending. Got to have a proposal after all!

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Chapter Seven

Pameena was delighted to see Vala and Daniel on their doorstep and even more delighted when they said they could stay the night if the offer to visit was still open. They'd hardly finished the question before Pameena was dragging them both inside and offering them dinner.

Now, as she stood in the kitchen listening to Vala and Mykah catching up on people they both knew, she thought how happy Vala sounded and was glad. Vala had been unhappy for such a long time: even with Pameena's help, she had only been able to get on with her life in some small way. Qetesh had hung over her like a dense fog, clinging to her thoughts and actions. Her trip to Qatana had obviously exercised some demons for her and possibly the companion she had chosen to take with her had helped.

Pameena had seen the way Daniel's eyes followed Vala around the room. It was obvious that he loved her, cared for her deeply. As if drawn to the kitchen by her thoughts, Daniel came in through the door and smiled at Pameena. If she'd not been married and twenty years younger, Pameena would have fallen for that smile. She could see why Vala had. Not just his smile but the kindness that was mirrored in his eyes.

"I thought I'd give you a hand clearing up," Daniel offered. "Those two are chatting nineteen to the dozen and I can't get a word in edgeways!"

Pameena laughed. "They've always talked like that. She's the daughter we never had."

Daniel grabbed a cloth and started wiping dishes dry. While he worked, he said, "I wanted to thank you for looking after Vala. Not many people would have been so kind."

Pameena shrugged. "I suppose we were able to see past her outer shell…we wanted to give her the chance to be a whole person again."

"Well, I'm glad you did and I'm glad I've had the chance to meet you and Mykah too – it helps me better understand her past…helps me to give her the future she deserves."

Pameena regarded Daniel with growing affection. "You love her."

"Yes, I do…it's that obvious?"

Pameena laughed. "A blind woman could see it, Daniel...I'm glad you came to visit us: Mykah and I will rest easier knowing that she's loved by a good man."

Daniel flushed at the compliment. "Well, I promise I'll do my best to make her happy."

"You already do." The words were whispered from behind him as Vala came into the room and wrapped her arms around his middle. She rested her chin on his shoulder.

Daniel put down the dish he was drying and gave her a quick kiss before hugging her.

"You weren't supposed to be listening!"

"Well, I'm glad I was."

Vala let him go and went to give Pameena a hug. "Should I help you make up the spare bedroom now? We can leave Daniel drying up: he's quite well-trained really."

Daniel snorted. "Better than you are! How many objects have you broken in my office since you came to work with me?"

"I haven't kept count," Vala said as she stuck her tongue out at him, "and it would be quite ungentlemanly if you have!"

Daniel rolled his eyes and made a face at her in return.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

They'd been walking hand in hand through the woods that skirted the eastern side of the town for some time when Daniel asked, "Are we headed anywhere in particular?"

"Sort of," Vala said. "I want to take you to a place I used to visit when I lived here. It's about a mile further on."

Daniel lifted her hand and kissed it gently. "Anywhere you want to take me is fine with me," he murmured.

Vala pulled him into a hug and said affectionately, "Sometimes you are just so soggy, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel laughed. "I think you mean soppy and I can't help it, you're doing strange things to me and my brain."

"Just your brain?" Vala said suggestively as she moved her body up against his.

Daniel breathed heavily and gently pulled away from her. "You're doing things to every little part of me and you know it…but I thought you had some place to show me."

Vala reluctantly let him go but took his hand again and pulled him along after her. "I do…it's this way."

The ground started to steadily rise as they made their way through the thinning trees and eventually came out at the top of a hill that overlooked a lake. Vala led him along a narrow trail that ran along the edge of the hillside until they reached a point where the path split into two with one trail leading down towards the lake. Vala took this path and they made their way silently down to the water. Vala wandered along the shore edge until they came to a group of grey boulders and stones that made a convenient place to stop and sit and stare at the water. Carefully, Vala climbed up and sat down: she rested her chin on a hand that was supported by an elbow leaning on her knee.

Daniel scrambled up the rocks and sat down beside her. He looked out at the water and allowed the sense of peace to wash over him. He turned to glance at Vala who was lost in silent contemplation. "Penny for your thoughts?"

She turned serious, dark eyes towards him and he felt as if he was falling into her eyes. After a moment, a soft smile crept onto her lips and was reflected in her eyes. "I used to come here when I was feeling completely lost…or scared…or lonely…I've just realised that I don't feel any of things any more…I feel at peace…about my past and my future."

Daniel leaned over and kissed her, whispering, "I'm glad."

Vala shifted so that she was sat right next to him, as close as she could be, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Thank you, Daniel…for letting me confront my past demons…for helping me put them behind me…thank you for spending time with my friends."

Daniel squeezed her shoulders. "I'd do anything for you," he said.

"I know," she said. "As utterly amazing as that thought is…I know it's true."

Daniel cleared his throat. "Would you do something for me?"

Vala turned to look at him. "If I can."

"Would you marry me? Be my wife, be my family. Let me take care of you for as long as I live."

Vala swallowed down emotions that were totally new and almost overwhelming to her and whispered, "I'd like that more than anything…But are you sure? Are you sure that I'm good enough for you?"

"I've never been surer of anything in my life…You complete me, Vala, like no-one else ever could. Please say yes."

"Yes, Daniel. Definitely yes."