Chapter 4
The George Hammond
The next morning, Vala was once again knee-deep in control crystals and diagrams. After a nearly sleepless night, she'd come to the conclusion that working was the only way she'd be able to relax. Cassandra and Samantha were not going to be happy but she didn't particularly care at the moment. She'd spent too much of the previous night thinking and, when she'd finally managed to sleep, dreaming of Daniel. Damn him, she berated them both. Even when he wasn't around, he seized her undivided attention. The dream had been so vivid, so impossibly real. She'd seen herself, Daniel, and their child as a family, happily making a life together in Atlantis. It preyed upon her deepest desires, the ones that had her yearning for a family all her own. One that couldn't be taken away. She'd naively believed she'd gotten over such childish notions long ago, but the moment Daniel Jackson entered her life, she knew she'd only been fooling herself. He made her hope for things she hadn't had since her mother's death, things she'd told herself she didn't need. But she wasn't truly angry about it. Even though she couldn't have them with Daniel, she would be forever grateful to him for re-opening her heart to the possibility. She'd make certain their child was loved and cared for. Vala had always been a survivor and she'd make certain to do so even without Daniel in her life. She had to for the sake of her child.
Vala's thoughts were suddenly de-railed when she heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, she half-expected to find Daniel coming back for round two. She was relieved, and a little disappointed, when Samantha walked into the control room
"Hey, Vala, I need you to do me a huge favour."
"Sure, what is it?" she asked, happy to do anything that would keep her mind off her current situation.
"I need you to go over to Atlantis and explain to Woolsey exactly what supplies we need."
"Why can't you do that?" Vala chewed her lip nervously.
"I have to go over the damage reports and transmit them back to the SGC."
"I could do that." Vala knew she was grasping at twigs but desperation made people do silly things.
"I wish, but since it's my command, the reports have to be done by me. Besides, you know better what we need than I do." Sam smiled tiredly. "I know you don't want to go and I hate to ask, but we really need those crystals. Talking to Woolsey is the only way to get them."
"Woolsey doesn't like me. This could be a disaster, Samantha."
"You'll be fine and Colonel Sheppard will be there to mediate. Just don't make any off-colour remarks about his manhood or accuse him of anything."
"That could be a problem."
"I trust you. Please, Vala, you'd really be doing me a favour. And, before you come up with anymore arguments, Daniel's locked himself away in his office. It's unlikely you'll even see him."
"You're sure?" Vala was still uncertain but when Sam nodded, she gave in. "All right, I'll go. But don't say I didn't warn you."
"Thanks, Vala." The blonde grinned before heading off in the direction of her office.
Vala took a few moments to compose herself before heading to Atlantis. She could do this, she had no choice. It was the only way they were going to repair the ship, which meant it was the only way she'd be able to escape Daniel and all that his presence made her yearn for.
()()()()
Atlantis
Daniel absently tapped out a toneless rhythm on his desk, his entire focus on the computer screen in front of him. On it was an image of the conference room where Vala, Sheppard, and Woolsey were having a meeting. Sam had set up this little viewing party in order for him to know exactly when to "accidentally" run into Vala without the blonde having to lie about his whereabouts. They both knew the former con artist would see through any artifice on their part so honesty was, in this case, the best policy. This was too important to mess up.
Since there wasn't any sound, he was supposed to be watching for John's signal but his eyes rarely wavered from Vala's visage. He'd recognised her beauty from the moment she'd taken off that kull warrior helmet but right now she seemed to have an almost ethereal glow about her. Even so, she looked tired. It was hard to explain, but she seemed to have lost a little of the spark that made her who she was. As he watched her heatedly argue with Woolsey, he could see that she wasn't putting her whole effort into it. He'd been the recipient of that spectacular flare of temper on more than a few occasions and knew when she was holding back. Sometimes he wondered if he purposely made her angry just so he could see that passion ignite in her gorgeous grey eyes.
Daniel's mind wandered to their last night together. That fire had nearly consumed him and, for once, he hadn't fought it. Rather, he'd matched it with his own blaze, hoping she'd understand exactly how he felt without hearing the words. The linguist let out a frustrated groan at his own stupidity. He should have told her exactly what he wanted instead of allowing fear to once again control him. But no more. He was finally ready to move forward with his life and he intended to do that with Vala by his side. Anything else was unacceptable.
With that in mind, Daniel returned his attention to the monitor as he attempted to figure out what he was going to say to convince Vala to give him a shot. He could speak dozens of languages, had brokered peace among numerous warring factions, even translated to save the universe a time or twelve. He was a wordsmith, but anytime he was faced with Vala, he felt like a tongue-tied youth. Even Sam's assurances that Vala cared about him and was just afraid didn't help to stem the worry that his words wouldn't be enough. That he wouldn't be enough. He knew how she felt about commitment, settling down and staying in one place. Not that he cold blame her, not with her history. But he was determined to counter any argument she may have, to prove that he loved her and wanted a life together.
So caught up in his thoughts Daniel nearly missed the wink Sheppard sent his way. It was time for him to grab onto his future and never let go.
()()()()
Vala sighed as she watched Woolsey leave the conference room, rubbing her temples in a futile attempt to stave off the headache she felt coming on. She was just glad that the meeting was over. It had taken nearly three hours, but they'd finally reached an agreement on the supplies needed to repair the Hammond. Thankfully, Colonel Sheppard had been there to mediate, keeping her from doing something foolish...such as punching the weasel-man in the face. Repeatedly. She could have kissed John if she wasn't so bloody tired. As it was, all she wanted to do was get to her quarters on the ship and sleep for days. Right after she delivered the signed (yes, signed!) agreement to Samantha, that is.
Vala sighed again as she stood, immediately regretting the move when the room took a vicious spin. She grabbed hold of the table to regain her balance, closing her eyes for a moment and pulling in a deep breath.
"You okay?" Sheppard's concerned voice reached her.
"Yes, of course." She turned to smile at him, hoping he'd buy her act. He really was a lovely man and, under different circumstances, she'd even consider him lover material. She mentally snorted at the absurd thought. She wasn't exactly at her most seductive right now, nor was she inclined to make the effort. "It's just one of the wonders of pregnancy. As if taking away my bladder control and the ability to sleep through the night wasn't enough, every now and then my world tips on its axis."
"You sure?" he asked, not looking entirely convinced.
"Yes, thank you." Vala smiled again before getting her things and heading for the door, hoping he wouldn't press. She was grateful when he followed her without another word on the subject.
"Well, why don't you go get some rest."
"That's the plan." This was one time when she was being entirely forthright. "Thanks for your help with Mr. Woolsey, Colonel Sheppard. I'm afraid things would not have turned out quite this well had you not been present."
"I aim to please." The man grinned and started backing away. "By the way, call me John. I never did like titles."
Vala only nodded and watched him leave. Yes, she could definitely see herself being attracted to him if she weren't already hopelessly in love with Daniel.
"Vala!"
The former thief froze at the voice, wondering if the man had some kind of psychic ability of which she was unaware. Shaking her head at the ridiculousness of her musings, she turned to face the man who was taking up entirely too much of her thoughts.
"What is it, Daniel?" she asked in resignation, aware that there was no getting out of this encounter. Why did he keep appearing when she was least prepared?
"I-We need to talk." he responded, sounding a little out of breath and using his best lost-puppy expression.
"I can't, I have work to do. Besides, we have nothing to say." Vala could feel herself faltering under his regard but she squared her shoulders and forced herself to walk away. He quickly cut off her escape route by stepping into her path.
"The hell we don't. Vala, we need to talk about what happened between us."
"No, we don't." She tried to keep her voice down as Atlantis personnel passed them by with curious glances. She didn't relish the idea of an entire colony of people in a completely different galaxy knowing of her foolishness. She'd been there before and it wasn't a place she wished to re-visit. "We were drunk and we had sex. It's over, no need to drag it out."
"Is that all it was to you? Just sex?" Daniel's eyes sparked with an anger that had Vala's defences rising.
"Yes." she lied, glaring at him. "Why? What did you think it was? You know what, never mind. I really don't have the time or energy for this nonsense. I just spent three hours arguing with Woolsey, my back aches, my head is pounding. All I want to do is have a lie down."
Vala tried to make a hasty retreat but Daniel caught her arm and studied her closely. His eyes narrowed in suspicion at what she was afraid he was seeing.
"What's wrong? Are you sick?"
"Yes, Daniel, I am sick of you badgering me. Now, let me go." She managed to twist her arm out of his grip and attempted to leave but her world started spinning again. She heard Daniel call out her name, his voice sounding far away. But that couldn't be right; she felt his arms around her as she crumpled to the floor just before all thought fled and darkness descended.
