The debrief had went well. Daniel really expected Sam to tell him to let it go and focus on the mission at hand. Head kept talking about the implications of his finding, completely ignoring her calling his name. When he finally finished, he looked at her and said, "If you say no, I'm just going to walk. He's family, Sam. This is my chance to have a family. I owe this to Shifu. I owe it to me."
"Daniel, we're friends. Did you really think I would tell you no? I know how hard it was on you. I was there when you searched for him and I was also there when Shifu knocked you unconscious and when he turned into light and activated the gate. I can't guarantee you can bring Shifu here-"
"Sam-"
"Daniel, listen to me. I can't guarantee you can bring Daniel here unless he is confirmed safe. That's just the way it has to be, so make sure you do all the research and give me the proof I'll need to show my superiors. Now, what do you need?"
"Thank you, Sam. I need to go to Baku'te as soon as possible. Maybe there's a clue that could help me figure out the rest. I also need to look through the star charts and see if I can identify the planet in Anubis's territory that might be Manu. I guess I should do that first. I need coffee. It's going to be a long night."
"Why don't you start tomorrow, Daniel. You really need to sleep. You have to take care of yourself," Sam urged.
"Sam, you know you wouldn't be able to rest. I've seen you pull a lot of all-nighters."
"Point made, but, I mean it, either get some rest or I won't approve the mission."
Daniel reluctantly agreed. He decided to crash in his quarters on base, so he could get an early start. It didn't take him as long as he expected to go to sleep. His dream was different that night. It started the same. He was tossing Shifu up in the air, Shar'e was watching. She was even laughing at them then it changed. Instead of disappearing into thin air, she spoke. "it's time. You must help Shifu now. He does not belong with the others, Dan'yel. Go through the portal. Go to Baku. Time is short. He will not be allowed to survive." As soon as she said the words, the others took her away. Daniel even recognized some of the ascended as people he'd known, people he'd been forced to forget when he returned. But, he couldn't speak. In his dream, he just kept tossing Shifu into the air and catching him.
Daniel woke in a cold sweat. Now, he understood why Shifu was contacting him. He was no longer welcome with the others, but why? What happened after Oma left to battle Apophis? And, why did Shar'e say portal? She called the stargate a chapa'i. He looked at the clock on his phone. It was almost 4:30 in the morning. He decided he'd had enough sleep and headed straight to his office. If time was short, if Shifu was really in danger, he needed to move quickly.
Pulling the star charts, Daniel realized that Baku'te really was on the edge of Hathor territory and there were 3 possible planets nearby that were once ruled by Anubis. Baku'te and 2 of the other planets had stargates. The one without a gate was actually in between Baku'te and one of the others, so Daniel decided to save it for last. Since the Lucian Alliance had gained most of Anubis's territory, Daniel knew he could run into trouble. This mission would definitely need to be covert. It was time to talk to Sam again.
Sam, Jack, and their new shadow, Vala, were in Sam's office when he arrived. Vala, of course, was cooing at Katie trying to coax the one year old into saying her name. Daniel felt an odd sensation when Vala didn't acknowledge his presence right away. It's not that he was jealous, it's just that Vala seemed very unVala-like lately. She hadn't hit on him since that small remark on the planet. Even sharing a tent, she stayed all business. This was how he wanted her to behave, right? So, why did it irritate him even more than her constant flirting. Daniel shook his head. He definitely needed to get more rest if he was upset that Vala was actually behaving herself.
"So, I'm guessing you found something?" Jack asked raising his eyebrows.
"I've found 3 possible options for Manu, and I had another dream. I'm absolutely positive Shifu is in danger. The longer he stays with the others, the less likely he'll be there when I find the device." Looking at Sam, "I can't wait, Sam. I need to go to Baku'te today."
Jack spoke before Sam had time, "Daniel, a dream really isn't the kind of proof Sam was looking for here. Sometimes a dream is just a dream."
"Jack, I can't explain it any better, but I have to go now. I know he's trying to contact me. I can't just keep twiddling my thumbs. I promise, I will make sure everything is safe before I do anything, but I have to do this. I'm the only family he has left."
"I understand, Daniel, but I can't send SG1. Carolyn went into labor in the night. Cam is with her, and Teal'c just left to handle a treaty with the free Jaffa," Sam replied.
"I should go alone. It's better that way. I can be more inconspicuous."
"No, I'll go with you," Jack said with a sigh.
"You're supposed to meet with Landry and the IOA tomorrow about the setting up the timeframe for announcing the stargate to the world, Jack," Sam replied.
"I'll go," Vala offered. "I'm the best option you have, Daniel. I know the area, and I've been on my own out there. I know how to blend in," when the others stared at her, she added. "I do know how to blend in when it's absolutely necessary. Plus, I can help with translations and the naquada in my blood might be necessary for the device, you never know. Let me help you find your stepson."
"Vala," Daniel began, "this isn't your problem."
"Daniel, you were there for me when my daughter was the orici. If there had been a way to save her, would you have done it?"
"Of, course."
"Well, there wasn't, but there might be a way to save Shifu. Let me help you." Vala turned her attention to Sam, "I won't let him bring Shifu back if he's a danger. If I could go against my own daughter to protect this galaxy then you know I will stop Shifu if he's a threat. You'll have the proof you need to get your government to let Daniel play daddy. Let me go with him, Sam."
Daniel wanted to protest again, but Sam smiled. "You have a go as long as Vala goes with you. But, Daniel, you leave tomorrow. Rest, please. You don't know exactly what you're getting yourself into and I'd feel better if I knew you weren't exhausted when you started."
Daniel left Sam's office, and Vala followed him. "Daniel, I know I'm not your first choice, but I will help you find your stepson. I meant what I said in there. If there's a way to completely remove the goa'uld memories and let him be a real boy then we'll find it."
"Thank you, Vala, and it's not that I don't want you to go, it's just it could get dangerous."
"Are you worried about me, Daniel?"
"Of course. I didn't really want to risk any of you. I mean, I'd be worried about Jack, Teal'c, or Cam, too. This is my quest. I don't want to endanger my friends."
"And, we're friends aren't we, Daniel?"
"Yes, of course. You are my friend, Vala."
"Well, you're my friend, too. And, I'd rather be watching your back. I know you love Shar'e very much, and you love her child. I want you to have the happiness of raising him. Since Katie came along, I've often wondered what it would have been like if Adria had just been a normal little girl. I never thought I'd have the chance to have a family of my own after Quetesh. I was so different, what I became, well, space pirates probably make terrible parents."
"You'd make a good mother," Daniel said with feeling. He'd thought it many times over the last few months. She was softer now. Katie seemed to have that affect on everyone, but with Vala, it was a sharp contrast to the woman he met years ago. Unfortunately, the new softer Vala usually didn't have much time for him. Now, he'd have her to himself and he kind of thought maybe it was a shame she'd changed so much. He missed the old Vala. Maybe, he'd get to see her old spark while they were away. "For, the record, if someone is going with me, I'm glad it's you."
