Defiantly, Vala wiped her eyes dry with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath to calm herself and walked out the door, turning the opposite direction Adria and… that traitor had left. She was getting out of here. Now.

As she hurried away, Vala saw a group of soldiers marching her way. She scooted out of their direction, frowning at them as they passed. Her frown deepened when she saw who the soldiers were escorting. It was the team.

She stared at them as they went by, making eye contact with Cameron and Teal'c. It seemed General O'Neill and Colonel Carter were too busy arguing about something. Vala watched them leave, Cam and Teal'c looking back at her. Only one thought filled her mind.

What in the galaxy are they doing here?

XxXxX

"Orici," the head guard said, dropping to a knee and bowing his head. Adria turned from a door, closing it behind her. Her eyes swiftly observed the team and she turned back to open the door.

"Kill them," she ordered dismissively.

"Hey, hey, whoa!" Jack called, raising his hands defensively.

"Couldn't we talk about this first?" Cameron suggested. Adria glared at him with narrowed eyes. "No we cannot. Kill them," she repeated with more force.

"No!" a yell echoed throughout the hall. Adria whirled around to see her mother standing between the soldiers and the team. Vala held Adria's gaze with desperate eyes.

"Please," she begged. "I've already lost Daniel."

"What?" Cameron hissed, the entire team shooting Vala questioning stares. Vala ignored them, gazing into her daughter's eyes pleadingly. For a moment, Adria looked slightly uncomfortable.

"You know I cannot leave them to roam free," she said awkwardly. Vala nodded dismissively.

"Yes, I don't care, just don't hurt them…or kill them."

Adria nodded. "Take them to a cell," she commanded. The soldiers did so, leaving Vala gazing at her daughter gratefully.

"Thank you," she whispered once the sounds of Adria's men were gone. Adria gave her a short nod and turned away, opening the door in front of her and stepping in. Vala watched the still door for a brief moment before running away to catch up with the team. They needed to know about Daniel.

XxXxX

"Hey," Vala said breathlessly, jogging up to the cell door.

"Mind explaining what happened to Jackson?" Cameron asked, walking up to her. Vala winced.

"I should start from the beginning."

"A very good place to start," Teal'c observed. Jack pointed at him.

"Sound of Music," the general guessed. Teal'c smiled and gave him an affirmative nod. Vala frowned.

"Haven't seen that one," she said.

"Julie Andrews stars," Teal'c informed her. Vala smiled in recognition.

"She the one in Mary Poppins?"

Teal'c nodded. Vala's grin widened. "I like her."

"Can we get back to the point?" Cameron asked, glaring at Vala and Teal'c.

"My apologies, Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c said, bowing his head. Vala continued smiling at him for a moment before turning serious. All attention on her, Vala dove into the tale. Afterwards, Sam stood up unhappily.

"I don't believe it," she declared.

"I saw him come in and drag her by the waist out of the room. With my own two eyes!"

Sam shook her head. "You said Adria was obviously upset," she pointed out. "Why would she let him drag her out the room?"

Vala shrugged. "Because she was putting on a show?"

"For whom?" Teal'c asked, standing up. "You or Dr. Jackson?"

Vala shook her head. "Doesn't matter. The point is Daniel's lost. Once I get you guys outta here, we're going. Leaving him here."

Abruptly, Jack stood up. Sam winced, knowing what he was going to say. Silently she defended Vala: it wasn't really her fault. She had never really known the general.

"No," he said forcefully. "No one gets left behind."

Vala glanced at him, annoyed. "He's not one of us anymore, General. Believe me, I wish we had a choice."

A stoic look on his face, Jack stalked towards the cell door, staring at Vala hard. Sam was impressed Vala wasn't backing down. Obviously she didn't know Jack as well as Sam had thought she did.

"We always have a choice," he growled. "And I'm not leaving Daniel. No matter the cost."

Vala and Jack held stony gazes until Cameron finally spoke up.

"Um…okay," he said awkwardly. "We've gotta get outta here first. Let's figure that out before we move on, 'kay?"

After a moment, Jack and Vala turned to Cameron and nodded.

"See ya later," Vala muttered and walked away.

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