Chapter Seven

Four months ago

"I couldn't pay you to take me out before and now just look," Vala beamed. She lightly slapped Daniel's arm. "And you bought me flowers!"

"I bought you flowers two weeks ago," Daniel pointed out without looking up from his menu. "Not to mention those red roses on Valentine's Day."

"From what I've seen on Earth television, it's an expected rite of passage," Vala declared. "And pretty girls always deserve flowers from their pretty boyfriends."

Daniel smirked, which made Vala's grin grow even wider. She enjoyed making him laugh. It was so much more fulfilling than unfounded screaming matches. After only a month of officially 'dating', she had practically moved into Daniel's apartment. They spent their downtime together and their constant 'togetherness' had only improved their working conditions.

Now, they only argued about translations once every three hours and it was glorious. Vala took a look around the wonderful restaurant she had picked for her birthday. It was just the type she had been longing to attend since their first failed date. She had been shopping with Sam before the Hammond had shipped back out and bought several new dresses; one of which she was wearing tonight.

The waiter came by and took their order and Daniel hadn't even protested when she had ordered another cocktail. They ate their dinner amongst animated chatter and laughter and even an occasional squeeze of the hand or leg. One of Vala's favourite things about the Tau'ri was their tradition of birthdays, and she had seen to it that the whole base had been aware that this time, her birthday was really not a joke. There had been streamers and cake and when Daniel had told her that, even on top of that, he was taking her out somewhere where she had to dress up. The excitement had nearly made her sick. She really had no idea why Daniel despised birthdays so much.

She stared at the dessert menu intently, wondering whether a chocolate lava cake was conducive to the activities she had planned for the rest of the evening. "So listen, I just wanted to say thank you for supporting me on this trip to Atlantis," Daniel started. "I know you weren't so happy last time."

"You're going to be on the same planet," Vala pointed out, still skimming the menu. "And you can call me on the telephone every night. And you promised not to get abducted this time. And that Dr. Pill man said on the television that women shouldn't try and control their men-folk. He's obviously never visited Kelmar—matriarchal society where men roam the streets naked. I enjoyed my birthday that year too."

"Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate it. And I'm hoping the gift I got for you will tide you over until I get back, then we can enjoy it."

Vala put the menu down and Daniel slid and envelope across the table. She hurriedly opened it and her jaw nearly dropped.

"Part of the deal of going to Atlantis was time off—for both of us," Daniel explained as her eyes scanned the paper. "It's a bit complicated to buy tickets when we haven't planned the details but what you're looking at is a proposed itinerary for a round-the-world trip. I know I promised you and the closest we've come to a holiday is a quick jaunt to a Tok'ra extraction ceremony. Earth is actually very beautiful and-"

Daniel was interrupted with a face full of hair and a firm kiss to his lips. "You're really going to take me? To Paris? To Sydney? To Disneyworld and that Harry Potter place?"

She moved back across the table and picked up the itinerary. "As long as you don't mind coming with me to Egypt," he promised. "We can work it out when I get back and talk to Landry about when we can go."

Vala felt tears in her eyes. "I've been to other galaxies and I've never been so excited! I don't even know what to say...except, is it strange to start packing early and will I need a bathing suit?"

Daniel reached across the table and grabbed her hand. "You can start with 'thank you' and you're welcome."

"Thank you, Daniel," Vala beamed. "And I love you."

"I love you too."

It was music to her ears.

"Just get into the car, Vala," Cameron coaxed. "You look fine. Please. I promise, she's going to be fine for one night on the base. Even the General said he's going to check in on her. You left her Star Wars."

"What if I come back and she thinks I've left her documentaries? Next thing I know, she's carting me around the galaxy looking for that Solo character, thinking he might make an excellent piracy companion."

"I'm sure that's not going to happen." He gestured to his car and finally she acquiesced. He had never known it to be difficult to get Vala off the base before, especially when it involved the promise of dinner at a fancy restaurant. He had turned up to her nearly-empty quarters with a heavy heart and shoved a dress she hadn't bothered to pack at her. Adria had wished them well on their 'date', and the scene was far more domestic that was intended.

The Mal Dorans were scheduled to leave in two days and Landry had thoughtfully postponed SG-1's next mission to accommodate. He had refused to accept Vala's resignation, instead approving extended leave without pay. He had also been privy to a spectacular battle of wits when Dr Lam had caught wind of Vala's plan, which had ended with a a list of Allied worlds that had sufficient healthcare and an open-door policy on returning back to the SGC to give birth, which Vala had accepted graciously.

Vala's bump had become slightly more pronounced in her ill-fitting dress she wore and Cameron tried to push the negative thoughts he had about Jackson, Vala's decision and the stupid IOA out of his mind. Tonight was about saying goodbye to his friend. The restaurant was only twenty minutes drive and he was pretty damn sure the princess was going to enjoy the surprise he had waiting for her. He only wished he'd been able to get to Jackson.

"How you feeling, anyway? You're not going to be sick in my car, are you?"

"Not more than usual, with your terrible driving," she said, yawning. "Although I suppose I won't be seeing a car for a while, so I should try and enjoy it. And I haven't had to steal a ship in a long while either. I hope I haven't become rusted."

"Rusty," Cameron corrected. "And please don't steal any cargo ships and cause another intergalactic incident."

Vala grinned at him. "Well, I can't promise anything!"

"You can promise to take it easy and make sure you go and visit doctors when you need to. Or better yet, check in with Dr Lam every week."

"I carried Adria in a town where I had to go to the toilet in a hole and was nearly starved to death. I'll be fine, Cameron," Vala snapped. "And yes, I'll be checking in as much as I can. Teal'c is already meeting me when we visit Ishta in a month. And as much as the Tok'ra rub me up the wrong way, Intef is expecting us and I'm sure they'll have plenty to say on good pregnancy habits."

Cameron desperately wanted to ask what her plans were should Jackson descend his stupid ass before the baby arrived, if he even knew his son existed. However, he kept his mouth shut like his Grandma taught him and pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. Vala stared at the sign for a moment and Cameron checked to see if she had noticed the familiar cars on the other side of the parking lot. She said nothing, only unbuckled her seatbelt and opened his passenger door forcefully.

Ever the gentleman, Cameron was at her door in an instant and helped her to her feet. "I feel like ribs," Vala announced. "And pudding. If there's no pudding here, Colonel Mitchell, I'm going to lose my-"

"They have pudding," he assured her. It struck him that as he helped her mount the curb that this was the job Jackson was supposed to do. He promised himself that tonight would be devoid of any mention of him or how stupid he found both the IOA and Vala's plan. Tonight was about having fun and, as much as it was killing him, to say goodbye to a teammate and a friend.

Cameron gave his name at the front and the host directed them to follow him to the section at the back. Vala was quiet until they rounded the corner.

"Surprise!"

The look on Vala's face was one of absolute delight and Cameron knew his plan had been a success. It had been easy enough to rope Dr Lam, General O'Neill, Major Lorne and Teal'c to come along, but coordinating Cassandra Frasier and Samantha Carter was a feat in of itself.

"I meant what I said about the General—he is with Adria now. He wanted to make it, but this was the next best thing."

Vala didn't respond, only sprint as fast as a pregnant woman could, to Sam. "I didn't think the Hammond was close?"

"We're a good bunch of liars when we need to be," O'Neill added, holding up a beer. "Though, from what I'm told, not nearly as good as you."

"I know we had made plans for you to visit the Hammond in a few month's time, but I couldn't miss it," Sam explained. There was a lot more that probably could've been said, but Sam only gave her friend another squeeze and offered Vala a seat at the head of the table. Vala beamed as Cassandra produced a party had and placed it squarely on her head.

"Tonight, we are celebrating," Teal'c said as Cameron took his seat next to him. "Vala Mal Doran, you extremely courageous and it is our honour to be your co-workers and your friends. I am aware that some very important people are missing from this table, but we will honour them by supporting your choices. You will be missed."

"I'll drink to that," Cameron chorused. "Princess, it's been one hell of a ride. And you are going to make one hell of a mom."

It took a moment for Vala to compose herself. She adjusted her hat and looked around the table at her friends. She wanted to cry—for Adria, who was still hiding under the mountain, not allowed to join her at her own going-away party, and for Daniel, who should have been here next to her, as she felt butterflies in her stomach where her son lay protected.

But, it was Vala's party and she hated emotional goodbyes. "Cheers," she enthused, holding up her own glass of water to the centre of the table. "To good friends, excellent memories and the fact none of you have ever heard the story about when I was thrown in jail because I accidentally flashed the Head Priest on Tarnos!"

Everyone clinked their glasses together and as the waiter came by to begin taking their orders, a chill was in the air.