"Vala, I'm home!" Daniel called, throwing his jacket in the front closet. Frowning when he got no reply, he wandered into the kitchen to see Vala bent over the sink, washing the dishes. Daniel walked closer tentatively: Vala only did the dishes when she was furious.

"You okay?" he asked unnecessarily. Vala whirled around, soapy suds splattering into the archeologist's face.

"No," she fumed.

"What's wrong?" Daniel asked gently, placing comforting hands on her arms. She thrust a pointed finger at the door.

"Your son—" she bit.

"He's your son too, Vala," Daniel interrupted. She shook her head wildly.

"No, no, he's not, he's my grandson and he's perfectly well aware of that!" she yelled. "You know what he said to me today? I was telling him to clean up his room, which he is very well capable of, because it's an absolute mess and you know what he said to me? He looked me straight in the eye and said 'I don't have to. You're not my mother.'" Vala finished, glaring at Daniel, her nostrils flaring with her uneven breath. Daniel gently reached out to brush her cheek.

"Vala—"

She swatted his hand away, stepping back. "No. Daniel, I can't do this any longer. I can't live with that child anymore!"

"Vala—"

"No, Daniel. Decide. It's either me or Ettan," Vala told him, her voice stone cold.

"Vala, you know I can't do that…" Daniel pleaded desperately. Vala's expression didn't soften.

"That's your problem," she bit. "I'm going to bed." On that note, she pushed past the linguist, storming off to their bedroom. Daniel stared blankly at the kitchen doorway where she had left from, confused.

She'll get over it. She always does, he thought, walking over to Ettan's room.

Yes… a sinister, pessimistic voice in his head countered, but she's never been thisupset.

Daniel decided to ignore that voice, pushing Ettan's bedroom door open to say good night.

"Adria!" he exclaimed. The Orici stood in front of Ettan's bed, blocking Daniel's view. As she turned to stare at him, expressionless, Daniel craned his neck to find his son.

"Daddy!" Ettan greeted cheerily, oblivious to the tension between the adults.

"What are you doing?" Daniel asked angrily, trying to hide his fear.

"You've had him for long enough," Adria replied.

"You had him twice as long!" Daniel argued. Adria stared at him coldly before turning her attention to Ettan.

"Do you wish to come home with me, Ettan?" she asked, honey dripping from her voice. Ettan nodded enthusiastically. Adria turned to give Daniel a triumphant smirk as their son scrambled into her arms.

"Step aside," she ordered when Daniel quickly moved into her way. Daniel simply glared at her. Adria sighed.

"I do not wish to hurt you in front of our child," she told him exasperatedly. Daniel didn't budge. With a roll of her eyes, Adria waved a hand at the archeologist and he was pushed against the wall, unable to stop the Orici as she sauntered out of the room. Desperately, Daniel fought her telekinesis and received a sharp jolt to the heart as Ettan waved good-bye.

As soon as Adria's power let go of him, Daniel sprinted after her, flinging the front door open. He froze, not knowing which direction Adria would've taken, the fact it was too late settling inside him. With an angry yell, Daniel slammed the door shut and leaned against it heavily.

Well, Vala, he thought bitterly.You happy?

Fighting back enraged tears, Daniel sighed and walked down the hall to his room…only to see the door shut and most likely locked, a pillow and blanket waiting for him on the floor. Vala was more upset than he had thought. Ignoring his heart as it sunk to his stomach, Daniel picked up the pillow and blanket wearily and made his way to the couch, throwing himself sloppily on top.

He was in for a sleepless night and he knew it.

XxXxX

Daniel had given up on getting any sleep and was currently fixing himself a cup of coffee. As he sipped on the steaming beverage, he got out a piece of paper and a pen to compose a note to Vala. He wasn't going to be home when she awoke.

Vala-

I'm going with Jack to Atlantis. I don't know when I'll be back. Might be a couple days or a couple weeks.

You don't need to worry about Ettan. Adria came and took him last night.

Love You Always.

-Daniel

After signing off, Daniel sighed, downed the last of his coffee and grabbed his jacket, locking the door behind him.

XxXxX

"Hey, Danny boy!" Jack exclaimed cheerily. "You came!"

Daniel gave him an affirming glance before throwing his civilian clothes off and stepping into his BDUs.

"So how'd you talk Vala into keeping care of Ettan?" Jack asked curiously. Daniel froze for a moment before zipping his fly and giving Jack the worst "how-dare-you" glare he was capable of. Jack's expression was one of who'd been shot as he raised his hands defensively.

"Sorry," he muttered.

XxXxX

"Good luck," Landry called over the com as the kawoosh billowed out. "And…have fun."

Jack grinned at him, saluting. "Will do, Hank." He turned to pat Daniel on the back. "Off to Daniel Disneyland."

A/N: I love reviewers and live for constructive criticism!