Vala opened the portal to Manu the same way she had opened the portal to Baku'te. She was relieved they didn't have to solve another puzzle. She desperately wanted to just find the gate and get back to the SGC and as far away from Daniel as possible. The portal was in actual ruins this time, and it was almost dark. There was a chill in the air. Vala knew it would likely get very cold when night fell, but there was no sign of the stargate. Shifu was still in Daniel's arms, but he was beginning to fuss.

"I think he's hungry," Daniel said with a frown. "I didn't expect him to be this small. He needs a bottle. If we can't find the gate or a village soon, we are going to have a problem."

Vala sighed. As soon as Shifu had begun whimpering, she'd realized the others had already thought of the need to feed Shifu. Apparently, they were not much different from the Ori in their willingness to make changes to her body without her consent. "I don't think it will be a problem. I will just have to nurse him."

"Wait, are you, I mean, can you?"

"They must have done something to me. Now, let's take a break and I'll feed him."

"This is amazing. They must have been prepared for us to have a long walk to the gate or maybe they wanted to make sure you bonded with Shifu," Daniel rambled as he handed her the baby. "I guess we should camp here tonight. I'll start setting up camp."

Vala nodded then looked at Shifu. He was a beautiful baby. She only wished things were different and she really could raise him, but after today, she knew she'd have to leave Earth. Daniel should have been chosen. He would do just fine with the boy. Now that Daniel knew, she couldn't imagine having to look at him day after day. This was an impossible situation. Shifu, however, found nothing impossible about this whole nursing thing. Soon he was fed and sleeping soundly on a pallet beside her without a care in the world.

Once the tent was set up and a campfire was lit, Daniel prepared their meals. "You are really good with him," Daniel said with a smile.

"Daniel, they were wrong to give him to me. He's your family. I won't take him from you."

"I'm not worried. Actually, this is good. They were right. I can't do this, well, not alone. He needs both of us. He deserves a family, a mother and a father. We can give him that."

"No, we can't. This will never work. I can't play family with you, Daniel. You've seen what I've done, what I'm capable of, so you have to know I have no business raising a child."

"You're right. I have seen what you're capable of and I'm not referring to today. Vala, you are brave and loving and passionate. You'll be a wonderful mom. I've seen you with Katie. I know you want a baby. Well, you have one. We have one. This is a gift. Shifu is our second chance. We've fought hard and sacrificed so much so other people could raise their families in peace. The universe has finally decided it's our turn to have a family."

"I'm a space pirate who killed the man she loved and sent her own daughter to her end! I am not fit to be anyone's mother. I can't have this," Vala said gesturing at the sleeping baby. "Don't you think Shar'e's son deserves better?"

Daniel moved so that he was facing her. He was so close she could feel his breath. She was terrified he was about to kiss her and she knew she was to weak to resist the comfort of his arms. She also knew he would regret it the moment it happened, and she didn't think she could bear his rejection today. But, he didn't kiss her. Instead, he put his hand on her cheek and turned her face up to his own. "Shifu deserves to be loved and nurtured, and you are the most loving and nurturing woman I have ever met. You told me not to kiss you again. You said a lot of things that night. I thought you were trying to tell me you were in love with someone else, and it was killing me. Now, I know you were the one who didn't understand. It's my fault. I didn't know how I felt about you until I thought I'd lost you. A part of me will always love Shar'e, but I'm in love with you."

"Is this about Shifu?" Vala asked, insecurity on her face, "because-"

"This is about us. I love you Vala Mal Doran. I love it when you touch my things. I love it when you tease me mercilessly. I love your innuendo, your smile, your enthusiasm. I love you." Vala couldn't handle it anymore. She closed the last few inches between their lips and kissed him. When they finally broke for air, Daniel had a goofy smile on his face. "I hope that kiss means you love me, too."

Vala nodded, "I love you so much it hurts. I want us, Daniel. I want to raise Shifu with you. Are you completely sure you want to be with a space pirate?"

"I want you, Vala. And, I want you to keep being you. You've stolen my heart."

The next morning, they started walking. They realized they were near a village. It was obviously big on agriculture, because there were fields everywhere. It was about harvest time, but they didnt run across any farmers. That seemed a bit odd. Many of the fields were ripe, while others were only partially harvested. They opted to stay clear of the village. Thinking the gate was likely just outside the village, they made a large circle.

It was still a bit chilly and the clouds overhead concerned Vala. She really didn't want to be caught in a rainstorm with the baby, their baby. It still seemed surreal that this little one was now hers to raise. She wasn't about to let him catch a cold in her first days of actually parenting him. Vala laughed a bit at her sudden overprotective streak. Her father certainly hadn't been worried about things like colds when she was small. He was more concerned about how to most effectively use her to con his next mark. Vala was determined to protect Shifu from such craziness. He would have a nice, boring childhood if she had any say in the matter. She already loved the sweet little boy more than she ever thought possible.

Vala was content to carry Shifu, who was babbling happily. Her heart felt lighter than it had felt in years. Daniel walked right beside them and talked almost nonstop about his plans for them. He intended to petition for her and Shifu to be able to live off base with him. She was still a bit in shock at the turn her life had just taken, but she wasn't afraid. He loved her. He knew who she was and he loved her anyway.

It was just before noon when they saw the gate in the distance. They sped up their pace a bit, both anxious to get started with their new life. Daniel dialed Earth, but the gate did not come to life. He tried again and again before Vala handed Shifu over and opened the DHD. "The crystal is missing," she said with a frown.

"Well, that's not good," Daniel sighed. "No one knows where we are, Vala. They can't help us. If we can't find that crystal-"

"We aren't going anywhere," Vala finished.