A/N: I used to be able to write 10k in a day and now the planets need to be aligned at the same time someone makes a sacrifice on the correct day of the equinox to be able to write a chapter. A short one, apologies!

Chapter Ten

Vala woke with a sense of peace, something that had been in short supply since she discovered her second pregnancy. She wasn't sure if she wanted to open her eyes yet. She knew Daniel had at least moved away from her and the bed but before she opened her eyes, there was at least a chance that he hadn't disappeared again. It wasn't that she didn't trust him implicitly, but an ascended Daniel Jackson was proving to be as slippery as Jacek in Vegas.

She thought about Vegas and really wished that she and Daniel had taken their around-the-world trip before Atlantis. If Cameron was right, Vegas was no place for an infant or Daniel's credit card that used to burn a hole in her pocket. She wondered whether her Tau'ri belongings were still tucked away in Cameron's quarters on base and hoped he hadn't misplaced anything. Nothing compared to Victoria's Secret and she would be damned if she wasn't going to spend at least a month's salary on some new lingerie for her post-baby body upon her next visit to Earth.

"I know you're awake. I can see you trying to peek," Daniel said, an almost misplaced humour in his voice. "I'm still here. As promised."

Vala groaned and shifted in the bed, moving to accommodate her growing stomach. "Well you can't fault a girl for being suspicious. After all—" her eyes shot open accusingly, "you did up and leave only a few months ago."

Daniel had no response to that. She knew he was full of more apologies but they didn't make their way up his throat and out of his mouth. It was probably for the best. The quick slap she delivered to him earlier was only briefly satisfying.

"How are you feeling?"

She thought about lying to him. Besides, the truth would probably make him feel guiltier and a part of her would feel very pleased about that.

"I'm tired and I'm sore," she complained, sitting up further on the bed. "I miss my bed on base. And I forgot to pack my face cream." Her face brightened. "You have that whole…ghost act going on! Maybe you could just pop back and…"

"Vala…"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, alright, wishful thinking. Help me up. Your son is kicking me in the ribcage. I can't wait until he's here. I am going to encourage him to kick you instead."

Daniel complied with her request. Vala noticed how his hand lingered for a moment and then avoided her stomach altogether.

"Thanks," she said gratefully, moving her neck around to stretch out.

"How-"

"I was gone while you were asleep," Daniel confessed, avoiding her eyes. "Not for long, but I—"

"Straight into then? Fine," Vala snapped. "One, you are a complete and utter mikta! You could have appeared to me, I don't know, about-fifty kajillion times! So excuse me if I don't appreciate the two seconds' worth of honesty!"

Daniel didn't respond so Vala took it as an invitation to continue her well-earned tirade. "TWO! How the hell did you manage to descend Adria? And seriously, some warning would have been helpful. While I am very grateful for a chance to be with my daughter, your timing could have been better! THREE—how long until you are back? FOUR—how can you even touch me? I thought there were rules against that? Whatever, doesn't matter. FIVE—if you are not back in time for Santa Julius' birth, Qetesh will seem sane in comparison…"

"You're right. Mikta is probably an understatement. Two, it's a really long and complicated story that will have to wait for another time, three—" Vala was bright eyed but quiet, urging Daniel to continue, "I don't know. Four, the rules are changing up there, hence the whole point of this stupid intervention from me and five, Vala, I am going to do everything I can—"

She sighed loudly and dramatically.

"-to be there. Although I'm not really sure here is such a good idea."

Vala waved him off. "I'm still welcome back on Earth. Open infirmary policy. Still better than on an Ori ship."

The pair of them stood in a silence for a good thirty seconds. Fighting had always been their way of expressing themselves, ever since their first meeting on the Prometheus. It had been their way of flirting, of showing affection whilst trying to keep their hearts detached. Entering into a serious relationship had just changed their style of arguing—it became more light-hearted banter, or more emotional. The silence was unbecoming of them. Vala wasn't sure what to make of it.

"I am sorry I screwed this up."

"Well, I am sort of glad it wasn't me this time. Because I know you were expecting it to be me. For me to say something stupid or do something even stupider, insult the wrong person…"

And the realisation made Vala pause and light up with glee. Daniel raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"And it was you!" she said excitedly. "It wasn't even me!"

"And that is good news because…?" Daniel was confused.

"Isn't it obvious," Vala beamed. "For once, you did something stupid and unforgivable! Not that I don't plan on forgiving you—if you aren't lying to me about coming back, that is. I could use this for weeks. No, no, no—months even. Months, Daniel! That's flowers every month! Backrubs whenever! Babysitting duties when I want to visit the mall with Samantha!"

But before Daniel could comment on Vala's almost infectious enthusiasm, a loud pounding at the door interrupted their moment. "Vala! Please! I need help!"

Vala frowned. "That's Intef."

Daniel flung the door open. Intef almost fell in, panic radiating from him in waves. "You are here! Please. Adria…"

He finally noticed Daniel's presence. "Oh, Dr. Jackson. Vala. Please follow. It is Adria! I don't know what to do."

o0o

Vala had moved as fast as she could, Daniel matching her stride as Intef ran ahead. The man was in hysterics and as they finally reached the communal interior gardens, Vala felt her heart nearly leap out of her chest.

Daniel pushed past Intef and Vala tried to block out Adria's screams. "Get away from me!" she shrieked to Intef as he tried to take her hand. She had curled up in the corner against the furthest wall of the garden. Her legs were wrapped around her legs and she rocked back and forth, her body shaking.

"He's going to take me. He's going to take me," she moaned, leaning in to her bent legs.

"Who is going to take you?" Intef questioned, moving closer again. Adria's head snapped up.

"Get away from me!" she screeched again. "You did it before. You pulled him out and he crawled in. You let him inside!" Adria began moaning again, clawing at the base of her neck.

"Adria, please," Intef begged, reaching for her again. This time, Daniel stepped in, putting a hand on Intef's shoulder.

"Intef, you need to listen to me very carefully. I want you to go let An'komara know that Adria is in here. You need to go now. And hurry."

Vala frowned as she bent down as far as possible to her daughter, gently trying to pull her hands away from her neck. Her nails had already caused deep gashes, the surface of her skin already a dark shade of red from the contact.

Intef nodded and took off, in search of what Vala knew to be one of the Tok'ra medical staff. "He did this. He did this," Adria cried and Vala exerted more pressure on her daughter's hands.

"Adria, sweetheart, you need to calm down," Vala tried, making eye contact with Daniel, begging him silently to tell her what to do.

Adria became quiet and her hands stilled under her mother's touch. She looked up at Vala through watery eyes. "I tried to strangle you," she whispered and Vala's stomach dropped. "And he tried to kill me."

"Adria, you have to be more specific. Did Intef do something to do?" Daniel asked kindly.

Vala, with some degree of difficulty, joined her daughter on the floor, pulling her close. "Not Intef. Ba'al." At the sound of his name, Adria erupted into hysterical sobs again. Vala met Daniel's eyes.

"Daniel," Vala croaked, afraid of her own onset of emotion, "Adria tried to…just before her ascension. She's remembering."