Daniel stared at the screen, unable to register a coherent thought as he stared into Vala's face. She smiled sweetly, her eyes dancing "What's the matter, darling? Cat got your tongue?" In her short time with the Tauri, she had already begun to pick up countless idioms, which she delighted in using. As Vala spoke, Sam grinned and shared a knowing look with a smiling Teal'c.
Cam clapped Daniel on the back again, grinning at him. Daniel's power of speech slowly returned as he sputtered out, "How…how did you…"
Vala grinned into the camera, answering, "Escape the destroyed cargo ship and land here?" She chuckled, "Did anyone ever tell you you're cute when you're confused, Daniel? I particularly like the way your eyebrows furrow like that." She made a motion with her fingers at the last comment, almost as if she was pointing at him through the camera. At this he blinked, looking around and started to sputter again but she cut him off, "It was a long journey and I'll be glad to tell you how it happened. Actually, there is much I need to tell all of you." She paused for a moment and then continued, "First, however, I'd like to take the good General up on his offer of opening the iris for me. It's rather chilly on this planet, and I've been here in this summer dress for far too long."
With that she stepped back from the camera, standing up from what was apparently a crouching position in front of the MALP. As she stepped back, Daniel could see now that she was in a dress akin to the one she wore when they were in the bodies of Harrid and Sallis in the Ori galaxy. As she stepped back she continued to smile warmly at the camera, though after a moment's study, it became obvious that her dress was torn here and there, looking very worn, stained, and damaged. In spite of her maintaining her so typically chipper attitude, Daniel began to realize that her journey from the failed Ori beachhead to this strange reunion might have been a quite dangerous and harrowing affair.
"Open the iris," General Landry said to Walter, who wordlessly applied his hand to the glowing control panel. At that, the iris slid open, the familiar metallic scraping sound echoing throughout the vast chamber before them and piercing the glass of the bunker.
At that instant a light on Parker's wrist-bound GDO lit up a bright blue, appearing as a strong dot on the monitor. The light barely registered in Daniel's mind, as he simply continued to stare into Vala's eyes through the monitor. He had never even heard the general's voice, nor the sound of the iris. The whole time, he stared at Vala's image on the monitor, and it almost seemed like she was staring right back at him.
Colonel Parker glanced at the light and turned to Vala, "It's safe to go through, ma'am." She finally broke her stare into the MALP camera to look at him and smiled, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek. "Thanks much, Colonel. I appreciate all the help you boys gave me." She smiled at the rest of SG-9, and then glanced back once again into the camera. "I'll see you in just a moment, Daniel," she said quietly, and again he felt as though she was looking right at him. With that, she hefted a bag off of the ground, put its strap over her shoulder and disappeared from view.
As she disappeared from the monitor, Daniel blinked, as though awakening from a dream. After barely a moment's pause, he suddenly dashed towards and down the stairs, rounding his way out into the hall and towards the Gateroom. As he left, Cam's hand that had been on Daniel's shoulder fell to his side. He turned and grinned sideways at Sam and Teal'c. "Think he missed her?" he asked with a wink, turning to follow behind. Sam and Teal'c shared another look and smiled at each other again, then followed after the two.
Daniel hurried through the door to the Gateroom at just the moment Vala's form broke through the plane of the event horizon. She drew in a deep breath as she finished stepping into the room, a brief shudder visibly running through her. She hugged herself a bit and rubbed her arms, soaking in the warmer temperatures. Daniel slowly walked up to the base of the ramp to the gate as he watched her, and the rest of SG-1 appeared in the doorway to the Gateroom.
Vala let her arms drop to her sides as she took a few steps forward away from the gate and looked around. It was plain to see that she'd been through a lot. The dress she wore was indeed a lot like the one from when she inhabited Sallis, but of a lighter and thinner fabric, more suited for hot climates than the planet she just left. The frock was torn all over the place, marred with countless stains of dirt and other unidentifiable marks. There seemed to be some dried blood in a few places. Over her shoulder she carried the bag that she'd picked up moments ago, a plain, shapeless thing made of tan canvas that looked almost full.
The woman herself looked as worse for wear as her garment. Her hair was askew and disheveled, and her face stained with dirt, dried sweat, and dried blood. Nonetheless, she still held herself with a certain pride and dignity. Her eyes shone in spite of her condition, though rings about them spoke of how tired she must be.
"Right then," she started, her gaze scanning the room but quickly landing upon the archaeologist as he stopped at the base of the ramp. She smiled from ear to ear, "There's my Daniel," she said warmly. Her eyes found his quickly, and she started to walk towards him. After a moment's hesitation, he started up the ramp towards her. They met about mid-way, and she stopped just a couple of feet away from him. They never stopped looking into each other's eyes the whole way, Vala still smiling that enigmatical, enticing smile while Daniel simply looked lost and confused.
He paused, hesitant and unsure of what to say. He thought he was confused before, but that was nothing compared to how he felt now. He tried to say something several times, only to fail. He was at a total loss. A lump rose up in his chest, and suddenly out of nowhere felt compelled to say, "Vala, I'm so sorry that I…"
Vala's expression quickly doured and she shook her head, interrupted him. "Oh, not a bit of that, don't you dare." With that, she immediately walked up to him, wrapping her arms around him. To his surprise, Daniel caught her up in an embrace, holding her tightly. He felt her shivering against him. It was from the cold of PX8-317, he told himself.
In his arms, Vala sighed and allowed herself to relax for the first time in many months. Burying her face into his chest, she simply and quietly held onto him for all she was worth. Daniel found himself strongly reminded of the time when he held her after the Prior had brought her back to life after she died that horrible, fiery death. Memories of those moments they shared in each others' arms flooded over him, the past mingling with the present. She was now as she had been then, completely vulnerable and looking to him for strength and support. It was a rare occasion made even more precious by the fact that she was so independent and aloof the rest of the time.
He tightened his arms about her, and she snuggled in closer. He rested his cheek upon the top of her head, her hair brushing against him. Breathing in deeply, he found her fragrance filling his nostrils as he closed his eyes. All tension and frustration from dealing with her in the past were momentarily forgotten as they shared this intimate moment. Both seemed to forget that they were surrounded by the rest of SG-1, about a dozen SFs, and as many Air Force technicians in the control room.
"I missed you, Vala," he whispered to her, his lips touching the top of her head as he realized his one hand was rubbing her back. Buried in his arms, Vala smiled widely, nestling herself in closer. Though she said nothing, Daniel readily noticed how she squeezed him all the more tightly.
Several moments passed by, turning into minutes. Sam, Teal'c and Cameron started to share awkward glances as the SFs about the room tried to find other things to look at. Sam glanced up at Landry, who was looking unsure of what to do. Clearly, he didn't want to interrupt this very private moment, but the longer they waited for the two to separate, the less likely it seemed that they would do so on their own. He glanced back down at Sam with a pleading look, but she could only shrug and look back with an uncertain expression. Landry looked at his watch, waited a few more moments, and finally leaned towards a microphone. "Dr. Jackson…" his voice boomed throughout the Gateroom, but the pair did not move.
"Dr. Jackson," he repeated, a little more forcefully this time. Sighing, Daniel slowly began to release Vala. She didn't start letting go right away, but within a moment, she did the same and the pair stepped apart. She looked up into his eyes and smiled, her own eyes looking redder than when she had arrived. Daniel returned the smile, clearing his throat as she noticed that his eyes were perhaps a touch red as well. He found that as they parted, their hands had found each other and their fingers entwined. He squeezed her hand and she squeezed back.
Landry's voice boomed out for a third time, though not as loud. "Dr. Jackson, would you please escort Vala to the infirmary, see that she gets a full check-out, and then bring her to the briefing room." Reluctantly breaking her gaze and turning from her, Daniel looked up at Landry in the control room and nodded. He turned back to Vala and smiled, turning to lead her away from the gate. Vala came up to his side, her hand still holding his. The two slowly walked down the ramp together, towards the rest of SG-1 and the door.
As Daniel walked with Vala, he suddenly felt very self-conscious at the array of eyes about him that had watched the tender reunion. He glanced over at Vala who was grinning like a cat that ate the canary. She clearly wasn't at all bothered by the fact that they had just shared that moment with the entire SGC staff in the immediate area. She glanced over at him and grinned all the more at the sight of his expression and slightly flushed cheeks. Winking at him, she said loud enough for all to hear, "You know, that was a wonderful welcome darling, but not quite as…warm…as the one you gave me on the Prometheus when we first met…"
Daniel's jaw nearly fell open at the innuendo-laced mischaracterization of their first meeting. He managed to catch himself, but not before Vala read his reaction. Her eyes danced as she saw she still had the ability to torment him so, and her hand squeezed his tightly as they came up to the rest of SG-1. Daniel opened his mouth to say something, but Sam jumped in. "It's great to see you're alive and well, Vala. We all feared the worst. I know Daniel in particular was worried."
Daniel shot Sam a glare but cut it short as Vala turned to gaze up at him. He turned to meet her gaze and smiled widely, though it looked forced. Vala gave a sparkling smile and asked, "Did he, now?"
Teal'c nodded in agreement, smiling. "Indeed, your return is a most unexpected occasion that is to be celebrated. We should all go forth this evening and dine at the Garden of Olives."
There was a brief pause and Cameron quickly added with a smile, "Yeah, what they said. It's great to have you back Vala."
Vala smiled for a moment and looked at the three of them, then back to Daniel. She seemed truly taken aback by this. She breathed in deeply, savoring the moment as she looked back at the team, and squeezed Daniel's hand. She seemed, for once in her life, lost for words. "I...well," she paused, collecting herself and cleared her throat. "Thank you, all of you. It really means a lot to hear this, it," she paused, then chuckled and said in a joking tone, "…it almost feels like I have a home here."
At her words, Sam shot Daniel a quick look to cue him, but saw that the archaeologist was looking at Vala and had already started to speak. "You do have a home here, Vala," he said simply, smiling down at her. She glanced back up at him yet again and paused, swallowing hard. His eyes met hers, and he smiled, much more sincerely this time. He felt a little sense of triumph that he had managed to put her off balance for once, instead of the other way around. More importantly, he and the rest had done this through sincere words and sentiment rather than with flip and crass remarks. He looked into Vala's eyes and thought he could finally see through the armor. As he stared, he knew he saw in her gaze the genuine appreciation and affection for their words. He squeezed her hand tightly, and winked at her.
Vala continued to look back at him for a moment, holding his hand tightly until she bowed her head, clearing her throat for a moment. Looking back up at the other three, she smiled faintly as she struggled to keep back the tide of emotion that was apparently welling within. She simply and quietly said, "Thank you."
After a few moments of silence, Daniel said quietly, "Well, I need to get you to the infirmary, Vala." He smiled at the others and silently mouthing the word, "thanks". They all beamed at him, moving aside for him to lead Vala out, who had suddenly found need to look at the floor again.
As they walked into the hallway, several moments of silence passed before Vala lifted her head and turned to look at him, asking, "Did you really miss me, Daniel?"
He smiled, then turned to look at her, and nodded. "Yes I did." He glanced away for a moment, remembering the torment and guilt he suffered after her disappearance, coupled with the emptiness. When he looked back at her, he smiled even more as he studied her intently, savoring the nearness.
Vala watched him look at her for a few moments before grinning at him, "You're going to make me blush if you keep staring at me like that."
Daniel chuckled, raising an eyebrow at her. "What, you blush? Why, just because a guy is looking at you? I don't think so," he replied, looked at her incredulously. He grinned, feeling like he was gaining momentum in keeping her off balance.
Vala smiled sweetly at him. "Not just any guy, Daniel. You."
Suddenly Daniel felt the momentum disappear in heartbeat and swing back on him as yet again she managed to turn him upside-down and inside-out. Vala continued to smile as she read his reaction. Daniel opened his mouth to say something, but was only able to sputter a few times. At that instant, they ran into Dr. Lam. "Ah, there you two are." She looked at Vala, continuing, "I was just on my way back to the infirmary when I heard you were back and in need of a check-up." She pulled a pen out of her pocket and readied her clip-board. "Let's go, I can start the interview portion on our way."
The red rays of the setting sun danced across the canyon that spread below the sacred mountain on Dakara. The whole valley bustled with Jaffa going here and there, cargo ships and death gliders whizzing this way and that. Since the Ancient ruins had become the seat of government for the new Jaffa nation, such activity was a constant, day and night. Inside the halls of the government building, Bra'tac walked slowly along side of a man dressed in a dark blue suit. The two talked together, their voices soft, barely rising above the whispering swish of Bra'tac's robes about his ankles.
"So tell me again why again does your Congress have two houses in it, Thomas of Connecticut?" Bra'tac asked the man. Thomas Schlesinger was one of a four-person contingent whom had come to help the Jaffa build their democratic government. One of the top constitutional lawyers in the United States, he had been hand-picked by President Hayes in response to Bra'tac's request for assistance. Since the Jaffa referendum for the formation of a democratic state, Bra'tac had been elected head of the small, interim government charged with building a more permanent government. The body ran the affairs of the nation in the meanwhile, but as soon as their work was done, the body that Bra'tac lead would be dissolved and the new government would be elected.
Readily recognizing that his people needed help in this matter, the wise old Jaffa quickly looked to the Tauri for help. While many in the council grumbled at this, he was able to quell them. He pointed out that the people of Earth had been governing themselves with democratic states for centuries, while the Jaffa were now faced with the prospect of self-government for the first time after several millennia of servitude under the Goa'uld. The fact that the entire Jaffa nation had nearly fallen under the sway of the Ori so quickly after winning their freedom made the argument relatively easy.
As such, Bra'tac spent many hours with Thomas and the other members of the contingent, talking with them individually and together. These sessions were in addition to the long days the Earth team spent with the temporary Jaffa government, discussing and debating possible forms for their constitution.
Nodding at Bra'tac's question, Thomas started to answer when suddenly a young Jaffa ran down the hall towards them, shouting "Master Bra'tac, Master Bra'tac." The two men stopped and turned, the older Jaffa starring daggers at the impudent younger.
"Mind yourself, Katel, this is a place of thought and quiet discussion, not a Nak'tesh," he said, using the Jaffa term for tavern.
The younger stopped on his heels before them and bowed reverently, gasping out more quietly, "A thousand apologies, Master Bra'tac, but I have important news."
The elder nodded, answering in a frustrated tone, "Yes, yes, we all have important news to share in this place, but you should learn to pay these halls the same reverence you once paid the temples of our former false gods. For your new religion now should only be that of government, as that will be our only salvation while we are here in this lifetime." Since the events of the last year, Bra'tac had become a firebrand for the new ways that he and Teal'c were trying to bring to their people. He recognized very well that after millennia of slavery and of worshipping false gods that his people needed to find a new focus, and quickly too. He was determined that they would not lose this window of opportunity, and so he pushed everyone about him to embrace democracy and its principals.
The younger Jaffa nodded once more, answering in quiet tones, "Yes, Master, I will remember that and honor it." He looked back up and started to speak, but then paused as he glanced at Thomas.
Looking over to Thomas, Bra'tac snorted and grinned at the earthman. "If you would excuse us for a moment, I must hear what this young one has to say." Thomas smiled and nodded, stepping away to let the two talk. He watched the two share a few minutes of quick and tense discussion, and grew concerned as he saw Bra'tac's expression pale. The elder nodded, paused, and then uttered a few things to Katel. He tapped the younger on the shoulder at his final words, and then Katel nodded and shot back down the hall from whence he came.
Bra'tac paused for a moment, staring at the floor and then wandered back over to Thomas, looking lost in thought. "Trouble, I take it?" Thomas gently enquired.
Bra'tac looked up at Thomas and nodded, his brows knotted together in a concerned expression. Though they had only known each other a few weeks, Bra'tac had grown to trust him, particularly since General Hammond had personally vouched for him. "Yes," he began, still somewhat lost in his thoughts. "It seems one of our Gao'uld hatcheries has been sabotaged. We've lost entire crops at a stroke."
Thomas blinked, "Gao'uld…hatcheries?" He asked, stunned.
The elder Jaffa's expression hardened slightly as he grinned, "Yes. In spite of your people helping us to develop the means to manufacture our own Tritonin and the batches you so kindly send us in aid, I fear that does not yet produce enough for even one twentieth of our population throughout the galaxy. Our people will be dependent upon symbiotes for many years to come. Since our former gods are not likely to simply give us their young as they once did, we have been forced to find...other means of simply staying alive."
Thomas nodded slowly at this, digesting the news. "Of course…I suppose it makes sense, when I think about it." His head was still reeling from the entire experience. He had learned of the Stargate Program two weeks ago, and only twenty minutes before President Hayes "asked" him to perform this mission. His head was still constantly replaying the President's slowly annunciated words of, "never going to happen" that were given in response to Thomas asking "what if I don't accept?". After having spoken with General Hammond, from whom he learned of Dr. Weir and a few others, Thomas had begun to realize that he wasn't the first to be dragooned by Hayes in this way. He surmised he probably wouldn't be the last.
Snapping out of his drifting thoughts, Thomas asked the next logical questions, "Do you know who did it? Can we help you on this matter?"
Bra'tac shook his head, "Who did it is still a mystery. The saboteur did it with guile and cunning enough that no one knew anything was amiss until the damage was done. All our efforts to find the culprit thus far have come to naught, apparently." He sighed, "This is not a good sign, if we have an enemy who can strike at us so easily and who wishes us so much harm. Rest assured that we will deal with the matter, though I would not object if you communicated this news to Hammond of Texas. We would welcome any help your people would wish to give to us."
His brow furrowed and he then shook his head, clearing his mind. "Come, you and I should not dwell on these matters." He paused and then added with a grin "They can destroy all of our hatcheries, but if you and I cannot build the new Jaffa government, they might as well not even bother." Bra'tac laughed heartily at the last, and Thomas just nodded as the two started walking again. Inwardly, the human wondered if he'd ever understand the dark sense of humor that all Jaffa seemed to share.