"Where are we?" Vala asked as she surveyed the unfamiliar environment.

"Oh no," Daniel sighed. "I know this place. We're in the office of the children's shelter I was taken to after my parents died. What's going on? Why would you bring us here?"

Iseulet looked almost apologetic. "I'm sorry, Daniel. This is your test. We will watch the events then you will share your thoughts."

As soon as she finished speaking a middle-aged woman in a professional outfit entered the office with a young Daniel. She was holding his hand. She gestured to a seat and Daniel sat down. "Daniel, you're a big boy, and I promised I would always tell you the truth, didn't I?"

"Yes, Mrs. Mathews. Did you speak to my grandfather? Is he coming for me soon?"

The lady frowned and put one arm around Daniel's shoulders. "I'm sorry, Daniel. He isn't coming."

Daniel began to cry then quickly wiped the tears away. "Big boys don't cry," he said in a small voice.

"That's not true, Daniel. It's okay to cry." Her words were all the boy needed because he broke into uncontrollable sobbing. The lady just held him as he cried.

"What will happen to me? I, I, I don't like it here."

"I understand, Daniel. This is only temporary. Now that we know you'll be staying awhile, I'm going to look for the best foster family I can find. You are such a smart boy. You just focus on studying hard and trying to be happy. I'll take care of the rest."

"Can I go with you?"

"I wish you could, Daniel, but I'm a social worker. I can't take you home with me, but I'll be looking in on you from time to time. I'll do everything I can to help you."

Little Daniel and the caseworker disappeared, but the Daniel, Vala, and Iseulet were still in the office. "Can you express your feelings?" Iseulet requested.

Vala ached for Daniel. She was horrified he'd been made to relive such a heartbreaking moment, and she was suddenly furious with Iseulet. "How can you even ask him that question? This is a cruel game. Daniel shouldn't need to be tested. You say you know him. Well, if you know him then you know he will be a wonderful father. Don't put him through this!"

"It's okay, Vala. I'll answer. I was devastated. I'd just lost my parents and I was counting on my grandfather to be there for me, but he chose his work over me. It was hard, and Mrs. Mathews was probably the only person I had who really cared what happened to me. She was my caseworker until I aged out of the system. She kept me on track with my education and tried to help me adjust when I'd have to move. She died of a massive stroke my second year of college. I still miss her."

As soon as Daniel finished speaking, the scene changed again. This time, they were on Abydos. Daniel and Shar'e were alone in their room. Vala silently begged whoever was listening not to make her endure watching Daniel in a love scene with his beautiful wife. She was lovely, and Vala could see how much Shar'e adored Daniel. Vala chanced a look at her Daniel and saw him watching the scene intently.

"We are still not with child, Dan'yel. I am sorry."

"It's not your fault, Shar'e. These things take time. It will happen when it happens, and if it doesn't then that's okay," Daniel said kissing his wife on the forehead. "I will consider myself the luckiest man on any planet regardless, because I get to spend my life with you."

Leaning in close to her husband, Shar'e smiled. "Well, as long as you won't leave me then I do not care either. I only want to make you happy, Dan'yel."

"I've never been happier in my life. I love you."

As the faded out of view, Daniel began to speak, "I was telling the truth. I'd never been happier. We had a good life. If I'd just left the gate buried then Shar'e would still be safe. It's all my fault."

Vala wanted to protest, but before she could speak again the scene changed. They were in a cave. Shar'e was screaming. She was about to give birth. Vala knew that pain all to well.

The Daniel at Shar'e's side spoke. "Look at me! I will always love you. You understand? The goa'uld will never be able to take that away from us. Do you understand? Never."

"Oh, Daniel, the pain comes again!"

"I'm here."

"Daniel! Daniel!"

"I'm here and now the baby is here. You have to push." Daniel delivered the baby and he began to cry. "It's a boy! It's a boy, a boy."

Vala watched as Amaunet took control and demanded the child. She didn't dare look at her Daniel this time. She didn't think she would be able to bear the pain he must be feeling at reliving this moment. She thought back to the way he'd tried to help her get her own baby back on the day of her birth, and she wanted to cry. She desperately loved this man.

"I think this one speaks for itself. I loved her. I knew I was losing her. I was upset that she wouldn't be coming back to Earth with me, but I knew Shifu was coming. I," Daniel faltered, "I wished he were my son and that the goa'uld hadn't stolen this from me. If he'd been mine or if I could have gotten her to earth first then I'd have done my best to raise him. I still want to do that. I know he's nearly grown, but he needs to know he's loved. He needs a family and I'm the only family he has left."

Iseulet smiled then the scene changed again. This time, Vala recognized the location all to well. "No, please, no," Vala cried. "This isn't about me. Don't do this. I know I'm not worthy. It's Daniel who will raise him. Please, don't."

"I am sorry. The others are in agreement. We will continue."

They were in a field. Vala was sitting on a blanket. She was so young. Vala didn't remember ever being so young or so happy. Her fiancé Tyren was beside her. They were having a picnic, one of many they'd shared. Vala knew this one immediately though because Tyren was wearing his jacket from the university. This was their last time together before Quetesh.

"One more year, my love," Tyren whispered. "As soon as I've finished my education, I'll return for you and we will see the universe."

"Tyren, I could care less about the universe. I'll just be proud to be your wife. You can teach at the university or we can travel while you do research. If I'm with you, I'll be happy."

"I don't know what I did to deserve you, Vala. But, I will do everything in my power to make you happy. Will you be able to stand your stepmother for just a little longer?"

"Oh, don't worry about me. I can play nice. I'll do whatever I have to do until you have your education. You deserve this chance, Tyren. I'm so proud of you."

"I just hate to leave you. Tell me you love me again."

"I love you more than words could ever express, Tyren. I miss you already." As soon as the words were spoken, the young lovers embraced then faded from sight.

"How did you feel?" Iseulet asked.

"How did I feel? How did I feel when you put my private moment on display? I refuse to answer this question. I am not here to be tested. I'm not the one you need. This is a sick and twisted game. I refuse to play!"

"Vala, please," Daniel softly begged. She couldn't risk his chances. This was so unfair.

"I felt like I had everything I could ever want within my grasp. I felt loved and I loved him. He was so intelligent and so passionate about our future, and I believed we truly would have a good life together. I was young and foolish to believe I could have that kind of happiness."

Daniel took her hand, but she didn't dare look at him. It was so hard. She just needed this to end quickly. The scene faded and suddenly they were aboard one of Quetesh's ships. Two jaffa brought Tyren before the throne. Vala watched in horror. This was the single worst moment of her life and Daniel was going to witness it.

"Kneel before your god," Quetesh said with a malicious smile. Tyren knelt before her. "Ask of me what you desire."

"Please release my love. Find another host and let her go," Tyren whispered.

"You love her. I see that clearly and she loves you very much." Quetesh paused as if she were considering his demands then she placed her hand on his chin and raised his face to her own and kissed him deeply. "The problem we have here is that I like this body. I think it suits me. But, she fights even now to return to you. We can't have that, can we?" As soon as she spoke the words, she stepped back and put her hand out. The hand device activated, Tyren screamed then fell dead at her feet. "Take him away."

Vala closed her eyes. She didn't want to speak, but she really didn't feel she had much choice. "I was powerless. My hands killed my love and I couldn't stop it. He died because he attempted to rescue me. He was brilliant. He could have done anything with his life but his love for me killed him. I killed him."

"Iseulet, please stop. Don't do this to her," Daniel begged.

"I am truly sorry, Daniel. If there was another way-"

"There's always another way," Daniel implored. He took Vala into a hug, "I'm so sorry. This is my fault. You were just trying to help me."

"It isn't your fault. It's their fault. I told them I wasn't worthy. Now, you know."

When the scene changed again, the final battle with Adria played out before them, but Vala didn't bother watching it. She couldn't take much more of this torture. As soon as the people faded away, she spoke softly, "I had no choice. She may have been my child but she was a danger to the galaxy. If I had it to do over again, I would do it the same way. I'm sorry."

The final scene was much more recent. Vala was so surprised when she heard Sam's voice that she had to open her eyes. They were in Sam's office and it was only a few days earlier. Jack was fiddling with something on the desk that Sam was trying to take away. Vala was holding Katie. "I think you're wrong, Vala. He cares about you."

"But, he doesn't care about me the way I care about him. He told me he still dreams of Shar'e, Sam. He's still in love with his wife, and I've been throwing myself at him. I'm a fool!"

"Vala, I'm sure a part of him will always love Shar'e, but I think he's ready to move on and you are just what he needs. He's my best friend. I know I'm right."

At that moment, Daniel burst through the door. "So, I'm guessing you found something?" Jack said finally relinquishing the object Sam had been trying to remove from his hands.

Vala turned to Katie, "say Auntie Vala. Just one Auntie Vala and I'll get you a nice new toy." Again, the office emptied. This time Iseulet didn't wait for Vala's response. Instead, she also disappeared, leaving Vala and Daniel alone.

"So, maybe we should talk," Daniel suggested.

"Not now, Daniel, please. Can we just try to get through this right now? I don't want to talk about it." Vala definitely didn't want to talk about any of it, and as soon as this quest was over she would leave. It had been nice to be part of something for a change, but she would never be able to face Daniel again now that he knew exactly what she was capable of and how she felt about him.