The Discovery

by sg1cat

AU storyline that starts after The Scourge in S9. Vala returns from the Ori galaxy, she and Daniel try to come to terms with their feelings for one another while SG1 and the Jaffa face a strange new threat together. Please review!

13. Chapter 13

General Landry slowly climbed the spiral stairs into the briefing room, each step an effort that seemed outside of his reach. Somehow he managed to reach the top of the stairs, however. As he did, he saw Bra'tac standing by the window overlooking the Gateroom. The Jaffa turned as he heard Landry climbing the stairs. "It appears that things will grow more difficult for you and I before they grow easier," he said with a grin. "I suspect that with SG-1 returning as they have with Hak'tan along with them, there is no good news from the Kevlin Hatchery."

The General nodded as he made his way to the briefing room table, taking a seat with a tired sigh. "That's a fair guess, Master Bra'tac," he said wearily. Looking back over to the Jaffa, he added, "We'll find out shortly." Bra'tac nodded to him and moved to seat himself at the opposite end of the table. The members of SG-1, 4, and 9 were all climbing the stairs behind Landry, entering into the room one after the other. Daniel was the first one to crest the stairs behind Landry.

Back in the Gateroom, while the rest of the SG teams had milled about and chatted idly, he had found a spot off in the corner to think about everything. He was feeling simply miserable now with the silent treatment Vala was giving him. It seemed the longer it lasted, the worst he felt. It was strange, really. Months ago while they were still bonded, he would have given anything to be blessed with such silence. Then, in the months following her disappearance while they thought she was lost, he found the solitude empty whereas before he she had become such a part of his life, he would have relished such time to himself. But with her back and treating him with such silence made him feel the worst of all.

Now, climbing the stairs as he considered all of this, he found his way to the second chair down from Landry and took a seat. Behind him, unnoticed, Vala climbed the stairs and watched him with a worried expression. Had he not been so self-absorbed, he might have noticed her back in the Gateroom, watching him with a concerned brow and a sorrowful eye. She had walked over and was about to say something to him, but then Landry summoned them all upstairs and Daniel walked off without even realizing that she'd approached him.

Vala followed immediately behind Daniel and took a seat next to him, on the side further away from Landry. The other members of the three SG teams were quickly filing into the room at this point and taking seats around the table. As Vala seated herself next to him, Daniel glanced over at her and blinked in surprise. She smiled gently at him and opened her mouth to say something when suddenly Balinksy called excitedly across the table, "Dr. Jackson, you are going to be SO impressed with what's in those ruins!"

Daniel glanced over at Balinksy with an irritation while Vala turned to look at him with an absolutely hostile stare. The red-haired archaeologist looked stunned and perhaps even frightened at the reactions he received, sinking back into his chair and slouching down, avoiding the piercing stares he was getting from the two. Sighing, Vala turned back to Daniel and opened her mouth yet again, only to be interrupted this time by Landry.

"Alright people, let's get started." Almost everyone had found a seat at the table, except for a few SG team members that needed to stand because there weren't enough chairs. The General continued, "We've got a lot to get through, and it's exceedingly late. I know we're all very tired, and we'd all like nothing more than to go home and get to bed." Muttering under his breath, he added, "I know I certainly would." Many at the table grinned to themselves at his words.

Looking around the table briefly, he momentarily considered who should go first. Looking over to Colonel Parker, he said, "Colonel, why don't you go ahead and tell us what you found out on PX8-317?" It seemed to the General the most sensible sequence. He suspected that their story would be shorter than that of SG-1. Moreover, it would allow him to excuse SG-4 and SG-9, allowing SG-1 and Bra'tac to speak freely.

Parker nodded, answering, "Yes sir." Clearing his throat, he started to tell their tale. "As we informed the Beta site we were going to do, we ringed down into the Ancient ruins to check them out. The place was completely dark and started in a hallway that only went in one direction. After a little bit of walking, we found a room filled that had several levels filled with computer consoles. We spread out to search the place and Becker found a ZPM that had been unplugged from the main power unit."

Landry, SG-1, and Bra'tac all sat up at his words, looking to one another in surprise at the mention of a ZPM. "Where is the unit now, Colonel?" Landry asked, continuing further, "Did you bring it back with you?"

Parker shook his head. "No sir, we didn't."

Before he could continue Landry interrupted, asking intently, "Well why didn't you, son?"

Clearing his throat, Parker answered, "Because we plugged it in, sir." The members of SG-1 all looked to one another with further surprise and shock at this.

Landry tilted his head as he looked at Parker. "You are aware, Colonel, that Camulus had once booby-trapped a ZPM so that when used, it would have exploded with enough force to destroy a planet."

Parker swallowed as he nodded and answered, "Yes sir."

Sitting back in his chair, Landry answered with an edge in his voice, "Then you'd better explain yourself, Colonel."

Nodding again, Parker quickly started speaking, "Yes, sir." Clearing his throat again, he said, "We were going to just take the ZPM with us, but when we stopped and considered that we were in a place built by the Ancients, it seemed like we should learn as much about it as we could. We knew the risks were huge, but we felt that the potential gains were worth those risks."

Landry raised a hand at this to stop him. "So you all willingly and knowingly took those risks?" He looked to each member of SG-9 as he asked the question. Each member of the team nodded in turn.

"Yes sir," Captain Becker answered. "Colonel Parker told us about Camulus, but we all figured it was worth it." He paused, and then continued, "We doubted that that ZPM had been messed with. I mean, the entire place had clearly been undisturbed for a long time. The dust was so thick that it was like walking through newly fallen snow."

Landry nodded at the Captain's words, considering him and the rest silently for a few moments. Turning back to Parker, he said, "Continue."

"Thank you sir," the Colonel said. "Once we plugged it in, the place came to life. The lights turned on, the computers activated, and everything started to hum. Balinksy started to work on one of the computer consoles to try and figure out what exactly we were dealing with."

At that point, Balinsky interrupted Colonel Parker, blurting out, "It's an Ancient Repository of Knowledge!" Everyone exchanged looked at him incredulously.

"Jason," Daniel began with a patient voice, "Repositories of Knowledge are consoles that grab a person's head and download the knowledge directly into their brain through their eyes using light patterns." He shared a look with Sam as he spoke, then glanced back at the other archaeologist, "They aren't computer terminals like we're used to."

Grinning, Balinsky answered him, "This one is!" Daniel sat back at this, looking at Jason in disbelief. "Dr. Jackson, this library that we found pre-dates the repositories you guys found on those other planets. It's so old that it's a more classical computer system like what we're used to! I was able to spend hours perusing through it and finding information in an easily readable format!" Parker glared at him at this, and Balinsky paused before amending himself, "Well, easy if you can read Ancient anyway."

Parker glanced over at Colonel Mitchell and said simply, "You have no idea how bored the rest of us were…" Mitchell chuckled while Daniel and Balinsky both glanced at Parker with irritated stares. Vala and Sam both shared amused glances, while Teal'c simply raised an eyebrow as he watched the lot of them.

Pulling his gaze away from the Colonel, Daniel looked thoughtfully at the red-haired archaeologist across the table. "If you've found a repository of Ancient knowledge that we can access, the ramifications are simply staggering," he said as he started to get an excited look in his eyes while he considered the possibilities.

"Finally he's interested," Jason said in an exasperated tone, sitting back in his chair. Looking at Daniel with an irritated glance, he said, "I've been trying to tell you!"

Glaring at Balinsky in return, Daniel answered impatiently, "Sorry, I've been a little distracted tonight."

At this, Landry asked, "So what kept you boys from checking in?"

Colonel Parker spoke up again at this. "We had difficulty operating the rings from within the facility, sir. As soon as we powered everything back up, the computer over-rode local control of the platform." Glancing over at the archaeologist next to him, he grinned, "It took him a while, but Balinsky finally figured it out." The other shared in his grin, chuckling good-naturedly. Parker then looked back at the General "Once he did, we ringed out and ran into SG-4." At this he nodded at the team commander, who nodded in return.

"So I assume the facility is currently running and relatively safe right now?" Landry asked further with an interested tone.

The Colonel nodded at this. "Yes sir, but I'd recommend we send out a research team straight away, and post several units to stand constant guard at the site."

Landry nodded. "That sounds like sage advice, Colonel. You and your team are dismissed, as is SG-4," he said, looking around the table. "Go home and get some shut eye. Report back to the base by thirteen hundred hours and give me full written reports on this by fourteen hundred hours. On your way out tonight, tell Walter I want him to scrub the missions for tomorrow that SG-16 and SG-18 were slated for. Instead, I want them to report to that planet and set up some defensive measures. After you've provided me your report, you'll all be going back there as well to continue your investigation."

Balinsky looked like he was ready to jump up for joy at the General's words. Colonel Parker glanced over at the red-haired archaeologist and smirked, shaking his head. He then looked back to Landry and answered, "Yes sir". At this, the team members of SG-9 that were seated stood. They and the members of SG-4 saluted the General and then made their way down the stairs back to the level below.

After the last of the other SG teams departed, Landry looked around the table at SG-1 and Bra'tak. "This discovery could be very well timed, what with the new threats we're facing," he said thoughtfully. The others nodded as they looked from one to another.

Daniel had been fidgety in his seat since Landry gave his orders to SG-9. Clearing his throat, he said, "You know, General, I'd be glad to help out SG-9 with their research." Everyone else shared knowing looks as he spoke, though Daniel continued obliviously. "I'm sure that there's far more to investigate than one person could handle, I'd have no problem helping Jason out."

General Landry grinned at this as he answered, "Your concern for Balinsky's workload is noted, but we'll have to see. I still need to hear what you people have to say, but I suspect I'll need you to stay with SG-1 and continue to help our Jaffa allies in dealing with this new threat."

Daniel pursed his lips, nodding slightly as he sat back in his chair. Next to him, Vala grinned slightly as she reached over and touched his arm. He looked over at her as she said, "There, there, darling. I'm sure there will be other chances for you to go out and play." The archaeologist furrowed his brow at this, glaring at her as she smiled sweetly at him, winking.

"Now then," Landry began, waiting for everyone to give him their attention again. Once they did, he continued, "Let's hear what you people have been up to. I'm sure Master Bra'tac is quite anxious to hear what you have to say. We were all rather worried, since about four hours after you left Dakara for Kevlin prime, we were no longer able to get a lock on the Stargate there."

The five exchanged glances at this. As they did, Vala was the first to speak, saying, "Seems like we were right, then."

Landry glanced at her at this, asking, "Beg pardon?"

Vala looked over to the General at this, explaining, "While we out there, we learned of a second Ha'tak that seemed to be in position above the first planet. We supposed that it was there to destroy the Jaffa base. Since the Stargate on the first Ha'tak was covered when we found it, and you couldn't get a lock, then they probably bombarded the planet until they caused the base to cave in, burying that Stargate."

Landry blinked in confusion at all of this. "This is going to be one interesting story, I think," he said in a slightly bewildered voice.

"Yes sir," Mitchell said, jumping in. "It'd probably help if we took you through it from the top."

For the next fourty minutes, the team went on to tell Landry and Bra'tac what they had found and experienced in great detail. They spared no detail, explaining of the missing Goa'uld at the hatchery, the strange green splatters on the walls, and the two Ha'tak that had seen to the ultimate destruction of all Jaffa bases in the system. They also told of accessing the computer on the first Ha'tak and finding the Stargate it carried. Most of all, they explained what Vala had learned in the computer about the nature of their new foe. They detailed how the crew of those two motherships were all Goa'uld and that they were so remarkably different from any others encountered to date. Bra'tac was very disturbed to hear of the fate of his people at the facility, but even more so to when he learned of the nature of their new foe.

"That explains a great deal," Bra'tac said absentmindedly after Vala confirmed what she'd read about the entire crew being Goa'uld. Everyone turned at his words, looking at him with confusion and curiosity as he stared off into space, his mind elsewhere. The Jaffa suddenly looked back at them all as he realized they were waiting for him.

He continued, glancing at the members of SG-1 at this as he spoke, "I came here not in anticipation of your return, but rather because I bring yet more news of our new foe. We have suffered another attack. This one was not as severe as the ones upon Dakara or the hatchery. They attacked a small settlement on the fringes of our territory. What was significant, however, was the way in which they dealt with our people." He paused for a moment and then said, "They killed all of the settlers to a Jaffa by removing their symbiotes."

A disquieted air settled over the table at this. All looked troubled as the trend was becoming very clear. "It would seem the Goa'uld are once more a force and a threat in this galaxy," Teal'c said flatly, intentionally stating the obvious conclusion they all had arrived at but none had yet spoken. Looking over at Landry, he continued, "They are clearly a great threat to our people and to yours. For every Jaffa they steal a symbiote from, they will also take a human for a host."

Nodding, the General answered, "Naturally Teal'c and Bra'tac, we would consider them a serious threat to be dealt with, even if they did not pose such a direct threat to humans in this galaxy." Looking from one to the other, he added, "The simple fact that they are targeting your people is enough for us to consider dealing with them a priority."

Bra'tac and Teal'c both nodded solemnly at this. "It is most appreciated, General Landry," Bra'tac replied. "We are ever thankful for the assistance of the Tauri." Landry met Bra'tac's gaze and nodded in response.

"Teal'c is right though," Mitchell said. "Not only are these new Goa'uld we're facing considerably large in number, but they're quickly becoming very aggressive in their efforts to grow their numbers even more. It's very likely that they're attacking the human settlements scattered throughout the galaxy to harvest hosts from there."

Vala spoke up at this, looking thoughtful, "I'd be surprised if they were violating the Protected Planets treaty, though. The System Lords and their cronies were always very wary of provoking the wrath of the Asgard."

Daniel answered her, shaking his head, "They may not be violating the treaty. Now that the old Goa'uld dynasties have fallen, there are a lot more free human settlements out there that were never covered under the Protected Planets treaty. They were still enslaved when the treaty was signed." Pausing, he looked around the table and asked, "For that matter, is there still even a treaty? With the System Lords all gone, who could the Asgard go to enforce a with?" Shrugging, he added, "Besides, the Asgard haven't been in a position to enforce the treaty for quite a while, and these Goa'uld don't seem to be part of the old establishment."

Vala nodded pensively at this, looking thoughtful. Sam spoke up at this, "So why are they taking new symbiotes from the Jaffa?" Everyone looked at her, confused. Looking around the table, she explained her point, "Like you said, Vala, these aren't like any Goa'uld we've ever dealt with. More than likely, they're an off-shoot like the To'kra, they're not part of the dynasties of the System Lords and those lesser Goa'uld that served them. The symbiotes that the Jaffa carry would all be offspring of those Goa'uld and carry their genetic memories. They'd be part of the same god-posing culture that has dominated this galaxy for so many millennia. I don't see them being predisposed to join an organized, hierarchical society like what we found."

"Good point, Sam," Mitchell replied. Looking around the table, he asked, "So where'd these Goa'uld come from?"

Sam shrugged, saying, "I have no idea. I'd say the most important thing to do right now is learn all that we can about them." Everyone at the table looked to her as she spoke. "With all of that data we brought back in the crystals, I would think have a good chance at learning a great deal about them, maybe even get an answer to that question." At her words, she looked over to Daniel and Vala.

The pair looked back at one another thoughtfully for a moment. Both slowly began to nod. "Yes," Vala started to say, turning back to Carter, "I believe we might have some answers after we've analyzed what we brought back." She paused and then added, "But I can't guarantee anything, we didn't get what you'd call the 'motherload', unless that's what the encrypted data turns out to be." Shrugging, she added, "if we can even get access to it, that is."

Sam nodded eagerly at this, replying, "Yeah, about that. I was thinking about how you and I might attack breaking the encryption." She leaned forward as she stared speaking more quickly and enthusiastically, "there's been a lot of breakthroughs in quantum computing lately, and while the technology isn't quite mature yet, I think we might be able to take advantage of some of its principles in how we tackle this…"

General Landry cut her off, sharing a pained look with the rest of SG-1, though Carter was oblivious to it. "So Colonel, you think there's a decent chance we might be able to get access to the encrypted data you captured?"

Sam blinked at this, trying to process the General's question as her mind snapped out of its train of thought. "Uhm…" she hesitated before answering, "Yeah, it's not certain by any means, but I think we might have a shot at it."

The General nodded, "Good. Going through all that data is your top priority, people." He turned to Daniel, adding pointedly, "That includes you too, Dr. Jackson." Sighing, the archaeologist nodded at his words, not bothering to hide the look of disappointment. Vala grinned at the sight of him, her eyes shining as she considered him thoughtfully. Daniel failed to notice this, however.

"Is there anything else?" Landry asked Mitchell.

The Colonel nodded, 'Yes sir. Before we left, we planted all of our C-4 on the Stargate on the Ha'tak." Checking his watch, he added, "It should have gone off a good ten minutes ago, so that mother ship is likely nothing but debris by now. I suggest we dial the address to confirm. If we can't get a lock, then it's likely that all went as planned, since the other Ha'tak seems to have buried the Stargate inside of Kevlin Prime."

Landry nodded, answering, "That's excellent news, Colonel. Very good on your team's part to hit them hard when you had the chance. I want you to have Walter try and dial that gate on your way out, let's see if it worked or not."

"Yes sir," Mitchell answered, nodding in reply.

Landry stood at this and everyone else at the table stood with him. "Now, unless there's any other major points that we need to cover tonight, I'm going to get some shut-eye. I suggest you all do the same." Turning to Teal'c, he said, "would you please see to our guests?" The large Jaffa nodded, smiling slightly.

Bra'tac spoke up, "I thank you for the offer, General Landry, but I fear I must return to Dakara. I should not stay away any longer than I must." He glanced to Hak'tan, and then back to Landry, adding, "Of course, I should like to take Hak'tan with me, as he doubtlessly has much to tell me."

Landry nodded, answering, "Of course." Turning back to Teal'c, he asked, "Would you please see them home?" Again, Teal'c nodded and everyone started to step away from the table at this. Vala turned to Daniel and reached out to touch his arm, opening her mouth to say something but was cut off by Landry before she could get a word out.

Oblivious to Vala's intent to talk to the archaeologist, the General had turned to Jackson and said, "Dr. Jackson, if you'll come with me into my office, there's a matter I need to briefly discuss with you before we call it a night." As he spoke, Teal'c wandered over to speak with Bra'tac and Hak'tan quietly and the three started to descend the stairs together. Mitchell followed behind, though he looked completely disengaged from what was going on around him.

Blinking in surprise at the General's words, Daniel nodded and answered, "Uh, sure…" With that, Landry left the table and Jackson followed behind, disappearing into the office and closing the door behind them.

Vala dropped her arm to her side as Daniel walked off, watching him go with a disappointed expression. She glanced over across the table to see Sam lingering and watching her with a sympathetic gaze. Sighing, the raven-haired woman said, "That's twice now that I've tried to talk with him since we got back and have struck out..."

Sam grinned as Vala found yet another opportunity to sneak in an Earth idiom. She then answered, "I think it's just a question of bad timing. I'm sure once you two get the chance to talk it over that everything will be fine." She smiled warmly at Vala, adding, "Daniel's really a great guy. I think you'll make a lot of progress with him by making a point of talking and opening up with him. He'll always listen, he's very patient and caring for people."

Vala smiled in return, nodding. "Yes, I'm finally starting to figure all that out. Unfortunately, sharing with people really hasn't been my strong suit." She frowned and paused before adding, "It's been really difficult for me since I got back. I find that when I try and open up to him, I'm almost too scared to do so."

Sam answered, "Well, if there's anyone you should feel safe with, it's Daniel. I mean, I know you two had a rather rough start, but I think he's starting to figure things out too."

The other woman smiled at this. Walking around the table, Vala leaned up against it as she glanced over to Landry's office. Inside, she could see Daniel's back to the window. The two were talking, but she couldn't get a good enough view to even read their body language. Looking back to Sam, she considered her thoughtfully for a moment, pausing before she asked nervously, "Do you think there's any chance he's…interested?"

Sam smiled, considering Vala briefly before saying, "Me, I think there's a very good chance, actually." Vala's expression lightened at her words and she looked somewhat hopeful at this while waiting for Sam to continue. "Watching the two of you together, watching the way you affect him and having seen him while you were gone…" she smiled knowingly as she remembered, "I haven't seen any other woman affect him the way you do. I have to believe he's falling for you, Vala."

The other woman smiled serenely at this, answering quietly, "Thanks a lot, Sam. It really helps to hear you say that."

Sam nodded, stepping away from the table. "You bet. We'll have lots more time to talk tomorrow, trying to break that crypto is going to be lots of hours locked up in my lab. So get a good night's rest." As she walked by Vala on her way to the stairs, she paused, touching the other woman on the arm. "Just make sure you talk to him, okay? I guarantee you that it's the best way to get through to him. He's a man of words, so you've gotta speak his language."

Vala snickered, asking, "So you think I should talk with him about us in Goa'uld?" Sam chortled at this and Vala added with a big smile, "Maybe I could pick up some Ancient. That could be a real turn on for him." Carter grinned from ear to ear as she laughed. Vala met the other woman's gaze warmly as she added very seriously, "Again, Sam, I can't thank you enough. You've done a lot to put my mind at ease."

Carter nodded at this, answering, "Anytime. Good night, Vala."

Nodding back, Vala replied as Sam walked off to the stairs, "Good night." She watched her new found friend leave, smiling warmly. Sighing, she then turned back to look into Landry's office. Idly, she wondered what her Daniel could be talking with the General about, though she was really more worried about facing him when he left. Determined to see that through, she drew in a deep breath as she started to wait patiently for him to emerge.

---

Baal was silent as he and Charlotte rode in his limousine through the brightly lit New York streets. He had not said a word since they left the lobby of his building. While she was tempted to ask him the same questions as she had been in the elevator, she knew better than to do so now. He'd warned her long ago about talking in the wrong place, and a car was definitely the wrong place, considering how closely the Government was watching them.

After about a half hour of driving, the limousine finally pulled up in front of Ristorante San Pietro, an Italian restaurant on Fifth Avenue. As the car came to a stop, a valet opened the door and Charlotte got ready to step out of the car. As she did, however, Baal said simply, "No."

Turning to look at him in surprise, Charlotte said, "but I thought…"

Shaking his head, Baal moved to the door, answering, "You will not be joining me. Take the car and get whatever you want to eat, but I expect you to be here when the driver picks me up." The woman wordlessly sat back in her seat, watching with a surprised expression as he exited. The valet closed the door behind Baal and the limousine pulled off as the Goa'uld entered the building. The yellow cab that had been following parked itself on the other side of the street. A couple of men exited the back seat, making thei way across the busy road to the other side.

Inside of the restaurant, Baal gave his coat at the check and made his way to the maître d'. After a brief exchange of words, the man took him to a small table where an elderly man sat. The man was partly bald, and had no color left in his grey hair. He was slightly overweight and had a hard look about him. A partially drained glass of wine sat at the table before him, and he was considering the menu with an irritated eye.

Looking up as Baal and the maître d' approached, he snarled, "You're late."

The Goa'uld smiled charmingly at him as he sat on the opposite side of the table. "I know. The traffic in your city is simply dreadful." As Baal seated himself, the maître d' left, only to be replaced by the sommelier.

The man asked, "Can I get you something while you make your selection, sir?" directing the question to Baal.

Looking up at the man, he asked, "I believe you carry a bottle of Chteau Haut Brion Pessac-Lognan from 1982?"

Nodding, the sommelier answered with a smile, "Certainly, sir. Shall I start you with a glass?" Baal nodded wordlessly and the man disappeared.

The elderly man across the table sneered, "You've expensive tastes, sir."

Grinning, the Goa'uld picked up the menu and opened it, looking over it quietly. "Yes, well, I've learned it's important to enjoy one's self while one can. Changes in fortune can be sudden and unexpected."

The other snorted a laugh at this, taking a sip from his glass. As he put it back on the table, he asked bluntly, "So I assume you have the merchandise ready?"

Baal lifted his gaze at this, glancing over the edge of the menu at the man. "You don't waste any time, do you?"

Snorting again, the man said, "Time is money. Seeing as you're going to be getting a considerable amount of the later from me, I think I'll be frugal with the former, thank you very much."

Chuckling, Baal looked back at the menu as he answered nonchalantly, "If you must be such a spendthrift with both your time and your money, then perhaps this purchase is a bit out of your reach."

Sitting back in his chair, the man replied, "That's not your concern. I'm ready to meet your price, that's all you need to know. What I want to know is, have you got it?"

Closing the menu, Baal smiled. "I wouldn't be here, if I didn't." At that moment, the sommelier returned with a glass and the bottle of wine. Showing the bottle's label to Baal, he waited for the nod and then poured a glass for him. Looking up at the man, Baal said, "I would like you to please send the rest of the bottle to the table across the room next to the clock, the one with the two gentlemen in blue suits." The sommelier glanced across the room at this until he saw the table and then nodded. He looked back to Baal, who added with a smile, "Send it with my compliments."

The sommelier nodded again and left, but was quickly replaced by the waiter. "Are you gentlemen ready to order?" he asked politely.

The elder man answered, "Yes, I'll take the pan-seared rack of veal." With that, he handed the menu to the waiter.

Baal replied, "The bay scallop and shrimp pomodoro will do nicely, thank you." The waiter left quickly as soon as he received the menu back from Baal.

As the waiter left, the elderly man looked across the room at the table where Baal had sent the wine. "Friends of yours, or employees?" he asked suspiciously.

Looking back to the man across the table, the Goa'uld chuckled, answering cryptically, "Neither." He then said, "You needn't worry about the readiness of your purchase, I received news of it this morning. All is in order."

The man nodded at this. "Good. Payment will be made as soon as the terms we agreed upon are met."

Baal sat back at this, "So we have a deal?"

The elderly man smiled, "we have a deal."

Baal smiled in return, nodding quietly in satisfaction. All was going as he'd planned.

---

Daniel walked through the door from Landry's office into the briefing room, closing it behind him as he did. At the same time, the large glass window grew dark as the light flicked off inside. Through the window, the only remaining light came from the other door, where the General could be seen leaving. As he closed it behind him the window went completely black.

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Daniel walked through the room, his gaze cast to the floor as he quickly became lost in his thoughts. He had made it halfway between the door and the stairs going down before she called out to him, "So what's going on, Daniel?"

Jumping at the sound of Vala's voice, he turned towards where he heard her, looking over with a surprised look. She sat on the edge of the conference table, watching him intently with an impish smile as she kicked her legs back and forth. Since he'd last seen her she'd opened a few buttons on her shirt, revealing a considerable amount of cleavage and the top of the sports-bra she wore underneath. He looked at her silently for a few moments, blinking as he recovered from the initial surprise. He smiled in return as he started to wander slowly towards her. "I thought you weren't speaking with me," He replied, his voice somewhere between playful and guarded.

Vala chuckled at this, breaking away from his gaze and looking at the floor. "Come now, darling. You didn't really think that would last very long, did you?" She lifted her eyes back up at him, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Shrugging, he said abashedly, "I dunno, I guess…" he paused, then finished, "I guess I didn't know what to expect."

Glancing back to the floor, Vala cleared her throat. After another moment's pause, she said quietly, "When Cam yelled at us and you didn't say anything back at him, it felt like you were abandoning me." After a moment of silence, she added, "it seemed like everything that we've shared since I returned didn't mean a thing to you…that nothing's changed between us."

Daniel's expression grew sorrowful at this. He quickly closed the gap between them, walking over to stand before her. "Vala, no…" he protested softly, cupping her chin in his hand, lifting her gaze to meet his. "You couldn't be more wrong." She said nothing, but looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. It pained him to look into her eyes. There he saw a swirling mixture of hurt, sadness, and the seething anger deep below that had caused her to lash out at him back on the mother ship. He was mildly encouraged as she didn't pull away from his touch, but could feel the tension and the frustration boiling within her.

Looking into her eyes, he said softly, "Everything we've shared since you've come back has meant the world to me." He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before adding, "It's meant a lot more to me than anything else has in a long time." Vala smiled slightly at this, the look in her eyes beginning to soften as he continued "I still simply cannot believe that you're back, that you're here with me now." Daniel smiled at her, moving his hand to gently stroke her cheek, "With all that you've done and said, and with all that you've shared with me, I've finally started to understand how special you are."

Vala looked at him with a wry smile, raising an eyebrow as the look in her eyes turned somewhat cynical. "Laying it on a bit thick, aren't you?" she asked dryly, though he could hear a faint trace of teasing in her voice.

Daniel's hand paused, but continued to touch the side of her face lightly. He asked softly, "I don't know. Am I?" Looking into her eyes, he smiled gently at her. Her smirk grew as she broke away from his gaze, looking down.

After a moment, she sighed and closed her eyes, whispering, "I suppose not." Leaning into his hand slightly, she rubbed her face against his touch. He began to stoke her cheek again as she did, smiling as she hummed quietly. Daniel's heart raced in his chest as he watched her. Impulsively, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. He heard her breathe in deeply, sensing her surprise as he kissed her hesitantly. After a moment's hesitation, she responded in kind, reaching up to touch his face as she pressed her lips back against his. They lingered together, tenderly caressing one another in a kiss that was more intimate in their hearts than in the flesh.

After a while, he reluctantly pulled away and opened his eyes to look at her. Vala drew in a deep breath and smiled slightly, opening her eyes to look back into his gaze. Whispering, he said, "I'm sorry I didn't stand up for you before. I should have. I wish I did." Sighing, he continued, "I can't give you a good reason why I didn't. Maybe I was worried about what the others think. Maybe I'm still nervous about what's going on between us. Maybe I'm still trying to understand it."

He paused as he looked deeply into her deep blue eyes, pursing his lips as his cheeks flushed in shame while he thought about how he had left her feeling by his inaction. Drawing in a deep breath, he said, "Just please don't think it means that I don't care for you, because I do." Vala looked at him intently as he added, "All it means is that I was an unthinking idiot who didn't stop to consider how what happened made you feel." Swallowing, he said quietly, "I'm sorry, Vala."

Vala stared at him intently in silence as he finished speaking, her eyes looking deeply into his. Sighing, she then wrapped her arms about his neck, pulling her to him. She smiled as she felt him his arms come about her waist, squeezing her tightly. As he buried his face in her neck, she whispered softly into his ear, "It's alright, Daniel." She kissed his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Squeezing him back just as tightly, she nuzzled against the crook of his neck. After a few moments, she then added, "I probably blew it out of proportion. Looking back, it wasn't really that big of a deal." She grinned before adding, "We all know Mitchell is just too uptight for his own good anyway."

Daniel snickered at this, pulling back to look into Vala's eyes. She smiled warmly at him, moving a hand to gently caress his cheek. "That's better," she said as she saw the smile on his face. She leaned in to kiss him one more time, lingering sensuously as he responded tenderly in kind.

Pulling away, she looked at him again. "Now enough of that talk. We have more important things to discuss." She grinned as he furrowed his brow in confused curiosity at her words. "Like for example, what we're having for dinner and where you and I are going to sleep tonight."

Her amusement grew with the shocked expression that came over his face at her words. "Uhm," was all he could get out before she interrupted him, continuing to talk.

"And no arguments this time, either," she said with a partly playful, yet serious voice. She played with his collar as she spoke, focusing on it as her fingers brushed against his neck and shoulders. "Since my return I've grown quite accustomed to falling asleep in your arms." She looked him dead in the eyes at this, her finger tracing along the line of his jaw. "I just don't think I can get a wink of sleep any other way now." She grinned at the look on his face as she added with a sensuous voice, "of course, since we'll be alone tonight…" As her voice trailed off suggestively and she stared into his eyes with a heated, sultry look. She was very satisfied by the mix of excitement and discomfort that she saw in his face.

For a few moments, Daniel could only sputter as he tried to come up with his reply. Swallowing, he said, "Vala, I don't know if I'm ready for…for that yet."

Raising an eyebrow at him, she asked softly, "You said we should have done it a long time ago." Pausing, she added, "You even reassured me later that you'd meant it…"

Clearing his throat, he nodded. He felt incredibly trapped now, and searched desperately for a way out. Impulsively, he answered with a nervous voice, "I did mean it, I did…but…just because we should have before now doesn't mean that I'm ready yet."

Vala had a hard time suppressing a grin as she furrowed her eyebrows at his words. "Okay, would you like to explain that one to me?" Daniel could tell she was having the time of her life toying with him like this. He could see it in her eyes. Although it would have annoyed and angered him once upon a time, he was rather surprised to find it didn't now. All he felt was nervous and worried…and perhaps something else? All that he was sure of was that he didn't want to hurt her and that he definitely wasn't ready to take that step yet. Wait a minute, yet? Suddenly he felt even more confused, tumbling down the rabbit hole into a world of mixed emotions he'd never experienced before.

As he wrestled with himself in silence, Vala continued to watch him like a hawk, her gaze probing deeply into his eyes. Her smile blossomed as she watched him. Her fingers still idly toyed with his collar and his shirt and he suddenly became aware of her legs on either side of him. Standing before her at the edge of the table where she sat, he hadn't even thought about how she'd positioned them before now. Suddenly she wrapped her legs about him, pulling him against her. He cleared his throat as she smiled all the more, her hands going from playing with his collar to gripping it firmly. She pulled him to her, pressing her lips firmly against his as she started to fumble with one button on his shirt, managing to slip it open. She kissed him more passionately as she did, her hands moving to caress his bare skin, now that his shirt was a little more open.

Daniel returned her kiss in a daze as a heady feeling starting to overtake him, threatening to bury his reason. Her fingers seemed to be everywhere, caressing and touching his neck, his shoulders under his shirt, and his face. Her lips were intoxicating, driving him deeper into the euphoria that he felt from her touch. His own hands had were now absentmindedly rubbing her hips and her sides even as she snuggled up even closer to him, pressing her body against his as she tightened her legs about his waist. Vala smiled within as she felt his reaction to her nearness. He could only moan as he their tongues danced intimately, tenderly entwining as their kiss grew in intensity. He wrapped his arms about her and squeezed her to him, even as she wrapped her legs more tightly, neither of them able to get close enough to the other.

All of a sudden, he became very aware of where this was going as his conscious mind snapped back into control. He broke the kiss, breathing heavily. He didn't dare open his eyes, knowing that if he were to look into the dark gaze of her deep blues, he'd lose control again. Clearing his throat, he said weakly, "Okay, we can spend the night together, but you have to promise to behave." As he spoke, Daniel tried to pull back. He wasn't able to liberate himself from the hold her legs had about his waist, but he was able to sufficiently disengage himself from the warm and dangerously inviting feeling of the rest of her body against his. He felt his reason regaining dominance in his mind while the passionate and uncontrolled side receded, though it still lurked in the corner, waiting to take control again.

He opened his eyes, although he was almost afraid of her reaction. As he looked at her, he found she was opening her eyes and regarding him with a dangerous, frustrated look. He thought beneath it all he saw a hint of bemusement, but it disappeared as quickly as it revealed itself. Raising an eyebrow, she said with an edgy voice that was still ragged from the heat of their kiss, "Behave?"

Clearing his throat again, and suddenly feeling very silly and embarrassed, he nodded ever so slightly. "Yes," he said weakly, "behave. As in, don't do anything I'm not ready for yet." He swallowed at this, realizing immediately how ridiculous he sounded. Nonetheless, he couldn't see any other way to keep her happy without going somewhere he wasn't ready to go yet.

Her lips twisted into a wry, sardonic grin. "So how am I to know what you're ready for and what you're not ready for, darling?" She was clearly frustrated, but he thought he saw the underlying amusement again. "Shall we make a list and you can tell me what's okay and what's not?"

Sighing, Daniel now looked at her with an irritated glance. Her grin turned into an amused smirk and her eyes flashed with delight at his reaction. "No," he said simply, at a loss for what else to say.

Huffing, Vala settled her arms about his neck. Playing with the hair on the back of his head, she watched him silently for a time. She then said wearily, "This is the only way I'm getting into your bed tonight, isn't it?"

Pausing for a moment as he looked away in thought, Daniel considered her question. He then looked back at her and nodded, "Pretty much."

Vala watched him intently, hoping to see some crack in his resolve that would allow her to change the terms. At this point, however, Daniel had found his ground to stand on and merely looked back at her with a slight grin of his own. With a touch of further irritation, she realized that he was enjoying this, making her settle instead of giving her what she wanted. She had no doubt that he was being truthful about not being ready, but it irritated her that he was enjoying tormenting her now. She hated it when people beat her at her own games.

With a defeated sigh, Vala finally said, "Fine. I promise to behave and not to do anything you're not ready for…" She then added with a mutter, "…whatever that means." Daniel's grin curled just a little more. The raven-haired woman glared back at him at this, then adding pointedly, "But I'm not going to hesitate to take advantage if you're unable to control yourself." His grin faded even as hers grew and she continued, "If you can't say no to temptation, I'm certainly not going to." She stared deeply into his eyes at this, her gaze hot and smoldering as she made her point even more painfully clear by tracing her fingernails over the skin on the back of his neck.

Daniel sucked in his breath at this and closed his eyes, shuddering at her touch. She continued for a few moments and then stopped. He drew in a deep breath, unable to open his eyes for a few moments. Clearing his throat, he then opened his eyes again, only to stare into her triumphant gaze. He furrowed his eyebrows slightly at this, answering simply, "Fine." Her smile blossomed at this, and deep down Daniel wondered if he'd be able to control himself.

"Fine," she replied, smiling wickedly at him as she unwrapped her legs about his waist, rubbing them against him as she did.

Drawing in another deep breath, he stepped away from her, taking her hand in his as he did. "Come on," he said, "Let's go to the mess and grab a bite before we go to bed."

Vala smirked at this, jumping off the table. "Alright, but I rather doubt they have what I want to eat on their menu." Her eyes flicked over him as she spoke, and Daniel's jaw hung open in shock at this. He didn't know why he was surprised at this point, but somehow she always managed to add that extra twist that left him at a loss.

Sighing, he grinned back at her. "Come on," he said, walking away from the table and gently tugging her along with him. She hesitated for only a moment, but then followed behind, smiling from ear to ear as she squeezed his hand.

---

Sam and Cameron walked together from the elevator through the base parking garage. The two had run into each other as they left their respective locker rooms, nearly bumping into each other as they approached the door to the elevator from opposite sides. During the trip up to the surface, they'd realized they were parked remarkably close together today.

"That was one hell of an off-world trip," Cam commented, fumbling with his keys as they walked through the vast and largely empty concrete structure.

Carter replied as she pulled hers out of her purse, "You're telling me. It's been a long time since we've caught it so bad." Sighing, she added, "I had been so sure we were finally done with the Goa'uld."

"Things are starting to look a little grim, aren't they?" the other Colonel answered, glancing over to her. "I mean, between these new clowns and the Ori…"

Glancing back at him, she smirked and shook her head. "Maybe a little, but things still aren't as bad as they were from the outset. You have to understand what it was like, when we just started out. We had no alien technology and worse yet, no friends out there. All we had was the list of gate addresses that the Goa'uld already knew about, a hutzpah that was only matched by our ignorance, and a budget that could choke a horse."

Cam chuckled at this, sharing a grin with Sam. "Yeah, well, those days are sure gone. It seems like even with the international funding, Landry constantly has to make tough choices."

Nodding, she said, "Yeah. It was never this bad, even that last year when Jack was in charge." Sam blinked as she suddenly realized that she'd called him by his given name rather than by his rank. She avoided looking at Cam, wondering if he'd noticed it, while also wondering how he could have missed it. How could she have made such a blunder, she chided herself? But she knew why, it was the same reason she was so anxious to get home. Their timing back to Earth had actually been perfect for her, given the drive time from Denver airport to her house.

The two walked in silence for a few steps after this, Sam feeling certain that Mitchell had picked upon her slip with each passing second of silence. Finally, Cam cleared his throat and broke the silence, "So I've been thinking about what you said…" Sam glanced nervously over to him at this. He continued, "I kinda decided that I'm going to cut Daniel and Vala some slack."

Carter sighed inwardly at this, even as she smiled at him, nodding. "That's good to hear, Cam. I think you'll be glad for it in the long run."

The other Colonel glanced back at her, shrugging, "Yeah, well, you're probably right about what'd happen if I pushed too hard. I really didn't have any designs on forcing her out; I just wanted to see people focusing. It's way too dangerous out there for people to be distracted."

Sam smirked at this, "I think you'll find they'll be just fine. Don't forget, Daniel's been doing this for ten years, and Vala can obviously take care of herself." She paused at this as they reached her bike. Cam hesitated too for a moment, turning to face her.

"I'm sure it'll turn out that you're right," he smiled at her. "I'll try and relax a bit, I guess I'm still a little nervous out there. I never expected to end up leading SG-1."

Sam smiled back, nodding. "You're doing fine," she assured him. "Just relax and let things flow naturally. Between Teal'c, Daniel, and I, we've got this all down pat." She chuckled, "We'll indoctrinate you greenhorns yet."

Mitchell snorted with a grin at this. "Right," he answered with a good natured tone. Turning to walk over to his truck, he said, "Well, you have a good night, Sam. I'll see you tomorrow. Get a good night's rest, come in when you're ready."

Getting onto her bike, she called back, "G'night!" With that, she donned her helmet and kick started her bike while Mitchell climbed into the cab of his truck. Sam's headlight flicked on and she rode her bike away, even as Cam pulled out of his parking space, leaving as well.

---

Daniel and Vala didn't talk as they walked from the briefing room to the cafeteria. For his part, Daniel was trying to cool down from the heady experience she'd given him in the conference room. She had made him painfully aware of what a slippery slope he was treading on. It scared him, but at the same time he found it maybe just a little exciting too. Reluctantly he admitted to himself that he was actually looking forward to the rest of the night. While he desperately hoped that he could keep saying no to what she was ultimately after, he admitted to himself that the thought of sleeping with her in his arms was more than just a little enticing.

Vala, meanwhile, was simply tired and at a loss for anything to say. She kept grumbling to herself about how Daniel had managed to get the better of her, this time. After they had made up, she had become convinced that she could seduce him now, but for some reason he managed to keep saying no to her. Consoling herself, she did consider with a smile how much closer they had gotten since she returned. That was a pure delight. As she thought about it, she realized it was far more than she had been hoping for. Before she had returned to the SGC two days ago, she had never dreamed that things would go so well between her and Daniel, the speed bumps along the way notwithstanding.

Glancing over to him as they walked, she smiled fondly as she considered all that they'd shared, and what more they'd share yet tonight. Her smile turned into a wicked grin as she reminded herself that the struggle wasn't over yet, either. The night was still young, and she had yet to play her best cards. After all, once they ate and retired to bed, they'd be on her turf. She'd have the advantage, if only she could find the right way to allure him.

They passed through the double-doors to the commissary and found the room empty and quiet. Since the base was a 24x7 facility, the mess was open around the clock. Between midnight and six, only pre-prepared food was available because there was only a skeleton crew on during the graveyard shift. Indeed, the hallways between the briefing room and the mess had been completely empty. The clock on the wall read one-thirty hours.

"Wow," Daniel said quietly as he led Vala over to the wall with the food, "I forgot how empty this place is at this time of night."

Vala looked over at him incredulously, "You've been up and around this late before?"

Daniel glanced back over to her with a grin as they reached the food area. Chuckling, he nodded, "Yeah, sometimes I'd just stay up late working and get hungry," her looked over the rather pitiful food selection as he spoke, his smile fading, "sometimes we'd get back from a mission really late and want a bite to eat before we headed out." He grimaced as he considered the selection of frozen foods, dry goods, and cold wrapped sandwiches that looked limp and soggy. "Okay, either their night time selection has gotten worse, or I've forgotten how bad it was." He sighed as he searched in vein for something.

"The frozen pizzas were okay as I recall," Vala said with a hopeful look as she glanced over the selection.

"Hmm," Daniel answered quietly, looking with her. "Yeah, maybe that's the way to go. Since they've put in the convection oven the pizzas aren't bad."

Looking over at him, she asked, "When'd they do that?"

Grinning at her as he picked his pizza, he answered, "About two months ago. It makes a huge difference." Wincing, he added, "Microwaved pizzas are just nasty." Nodding, Vala picked hers. Removing them from the packaging, they placed their meals in the oven and set the timer. After grabbing a couple of sodas, they seated themselves opposite one another at the smallest table nearest to the oven as they waited.

They sat quietly for a while, the silence growing awkward, at least for Daniel. He couldn't stop thinking about what was to follow after they ate, and he found himself feeling more and more nervous the longer he considered it. Suddenly it occurred to him that they wouldn't just be curling up together fully dressed, like last time. It was then he suddenly remembered that she slept naked. She had made sure to tell him of it many times while they were bonded in a series of attempts to either annoy or seduce him, depending on when she told him and her mood. Sighing, he realized he'd probably have to argue with her into wearing some kind of sleep wear to bed.

The strange thing was that he found there was an exciting edge to his apprehension.

Vala watched him with a sublime smirk, easily able to read the growing unease on his face. Taking a pull from her drink now and again, she kept silent and let him squirm for a while. The possibilities that lay ahead for the rest of the evening danced through her mind, she was barely able to contain her excitement. Suddenly she spoke up, "So, Daniel," she paused and grinned, exultantly watching him jump at the sound of her voice. Oh yes, tonight was going to be fun.

The anxious archaeologist looked over at her with a forced smile, asking in return, "Yes?" he asked, the nervousness creeping into his voice.

Smiling at him suggestively, she said in a seductive voice, "I have to ask you something…" Her eyes smoldered as she caught and held his gaze.

Daniel cleared his throat at this, looking more uncomfortable than before. "Go ahead…" he answered weakly, swallowing as he waited for her to follow through.

Suddenly dropping the seductress act, Vala asked very matter-of-factly, "So what was it that Landry wanted to talk to you about after the briefing?" She took another swig from her soda before continuing, "you never did answer me when I asked before." To hear her speak now, one would never have guessed that she had just been acting so wantonly before. She watched with satisfaction as Daniel's jaw hung open at the sudden change.

Snapping his jaw shut as he saw the laughter in her eyes, Daniel peered across the table at her. He had difficulty suppressing the wry grin that crept in at the corners of his mouth, and was only partly successful. Vala smiled as she watched him, looking into his eyes as he regarded her thoughtfully. He sighed, looking back at her quietly for a moment before answering, "Nothing you need to worry about, really." He shrugged and added, "Something had arrived for me that the General wanted to tell me about."

Vala tilted her head curiously. "Oh? What'd you get Daniel?"

Taking a sip of his soda, he answered nonchalantly, "I haven't opened the package yet."

Raising an eyebrow at him, she continued, "Why not? For that matter, where is it?"

The archaeologist chuckled at this. "My, you're an inquisitive one tonight." He smiled as he looked at her, saying further, "Can't I have a little privacy perhaps?"

She shook her head, watching him with dark eyes. "Nope, I'm afraid not, Daniel. Now that I'm back, you've got to share everything with me." She grinned mirthfully at him, but there was a certain quality to her voice that made him feel like she was also partly serious, too.

Daniel rolled his eyes at this, sighing as he continued to regard her silently. "Well?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at him. Suddenly a bell dinged.

Glancing behind him at the oven, he looked back at her. "Dinner's ready," he grinned, getting up and walking over to get their pizzas.

Vala glared at him as he walked away, but then smirked, "Saved by the bell, you're thinking?" As he took hold of the two plates, he glanced over at her. "Don't think you can get away that easy, darling. I'll find out what's going on, don't you worry."

Daniel walked back over with their food, sitting back down in his seat as he put her plate in front of her. "Would you just eat your dinner, Vala?" he said to her as he might have in the old days, but the glee in his eyes told her he was teasing. She gave him a smirk which he returned, and the two started eating.

As they ate their meal in silence, Vala paused to consider Sam's words again. She realized quickly that she'd gotten caught up in her old habits of tormenting Daniel. While it was fun, she thought that maybe she should try and talk to Daniel on a more serious note. She sighed as she considered this, the same feelings of fear and apprehension starting to knot up in her stomach. It was funny, she thought. After everything that she'd been through in her life, there was very little in this world actually caused her to be scared. Trying to open up to someone, however, even Daniel…especially Daniel…well that was at the top of her short list.

As Vala considered all this, staring off into space while she ate, Daniel watched her silently. He wondered what she was thinking, and found himself worried that perhaps he'd made a mistake by telling her no. He didn't want to push her away now, but he also felt far too nervous to take that one big step that she was clearly so eager and ready to take.

Determined to try and open up more, Vala turned to look at him. She was surprised to find him staring at her. She smiled sweetly at him, happily watching him smile back in pleasant surprise. To her own surprise, she found the knots in her stomach relaxing. Taking in a deep breath, she said, "I can't believe how fast the last day has gone by," pausing before she added, "or everything that's happened. It all seems like such a blur."

Daniel nodded as he finished a bite of his food. He smiled warmly at her, nodding slightly. "Yeah, I know what you mean." He took a swing of his soda. He looked like he might have said something, but instead he just watched Vala with a secretive smile, his eyes full of her.

The raven haired woman furrowed her brow as she saw the way he looked at her. She asked hesitantly, "what?"

Smiling all the more, Daniel answered, "I just still can't believe you're back," he said happily, unable to take his eyes off of her.

At this, Vala returned the smile sweetly, answering, "Now now, Daniel…if you keep that up you're going to make me blush again." While her words sounded coy and innocent, her eyes watched him with the same wanton gaze from before. Daniel chuckled at this, glancing down for just a moment, but then looked back up at her again. They looked at each other for a few minutes before Vala then took a turn to look down.

Drawing up her courage, she said, "You know, everything that I've told you since I got back," she paused and then looked back up at him, "I've never shared that with anyone before..." Daniel met her gaze as she spoke, smiling gently at her. She took in a deep breath and added, "I'm really glad I did."

Daniel smiled from ear to ear at her words. Reaching over to touch her hand upon the table with his, he replied, "I'm glad you did too, Vala." He caressed the back of her hand for a moment before she turned her hand over, taking a hold of his. As she did, he added, "It really means a lot to me that you chose me to share it with." She squeezed his hand at his words, smiling warmly at him.

Keeping her eyes locked on his, she stood and walked around the table, seating herself in his lap. He looked up at her, his gaze exploring her deep blue eyes as she held his hand tightly. Her other hand reached up to caress his face as she smiled warmly at him. Swallowing hard, she said, "After the Goa'uld on the planet attacked me, when I felt more afraid than I had in over fifteen years, you were there…holding me in your arms, holding me together." Daniel squeezed her hand at this as he looked emotionally back up into her eyes. She stared back at him, her fingers upon his cheek stroking him tenderly as she continued, "It was then that I realized that I could tell you anything, that I could share anything with you."

She watched him intently as she spoke, the knots in her stomach tight and twisting up further. Her whole body trembled as she looked at him nervously. Clenching her jaw as she grew silent, she waited anxiously for him to respond. Daniel's eyes never left hers as the silence settled upon them for a few moments, his mind absorbing what she just told him. Squeezing her hand again, he reached up and caressed her cheek, even as her hand fell from his to rest lightly upon his shoulder.

When he spoke his voice was soft and tender. "Vala, the past day and a half since you've come back have been unbelievable. I never even imagined that you were alive, that you would return someday. When you did, all I could feel was relief and happiness. In spite of how rough things were between us before, none of that mattered to me anymore." She smiled slightly as he spoke, and he kept going. "Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined everything that's passed between us, or how it's made me feel. It's all happening so fast, I feel like I can barely catch my breath and keep up."

Vala's expression grew concerned at this, but he smiled beatifically and stroked her cheek tenderly, pulling her just a little closer to him as he did. "But I don't want you to worry about that, it's okay," she smiled slightly as he explained, "everything that we've shared, everything that's happened, it's all made me incredibly happy." Her smile grew at this, and he added more quietly, "I'm glad you feel the way you do about being able to open up to me, I want you to feel that way." Drawing in a deep breath, he finished, "I just need you to be patient with me, and understand that I can't move as fast as you can. It's going to take me some time to catch up…but I know now that I will get there. It's just a question of when."

The raven haired beauty sitting in his lap stared into his eyes as he spoke, listening intently to every word. When he finished, she drew in a deep breath as she considered his words carefully. As she did, Daniel's hand left her face and he wrapped that arm about her waist, hugging her to him. Nodding, she answered softly, "I can be patient, Daniel." She smirked kindly at him, adding, "I've been waiting for this long, haven't I?" He blinked at her words, looking surprised and confused. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "What, didn't you realize? I've been after you since I first laid eyes on you on the Prometheus."

Daniel's jaw dropped at this, and she continued with a grin, "Why did you think I came back with that silly tablet? For the treasure?" His jaw started working but no sound came out. She spoke before he could manage to, anticipating what he was going to say, "Of course I had an interest in it, but I could have found loot anywhere in the galaxy these days." Chuckling, she added, "With the System Lords liquidating, a girl like me had her pick of shiny things." Daniel looked at her incredulously. "You have no idea how hard I had to search to find something that was here on Earth for me to chase after."

The stunned archaeologist stared at her wordlessly for some time as he slowly absorbed what she had just told him. She waited quietly, gently stroking his cheek as she watched him adoringly. Quietly, she whispered, "You really are so very cute when you're confused, darling," her smile bewitching him as she spoke. Finally, Daniel smiled back, his face slowly blooming into an expression of happiness.

He opened his mouth to say something but was at a loss. Finally, he said in amazement, "I had no idea…"

She chuckled, tilting her head slightly, "Well, I don't know how I could have been any more obvious, darling. You really had me frustrated for some time. I figured you simply weren't interested."

Suddenly looking a little guilty, "I thought…" clearing his throat, he looked away, his cheeks flushing in shame. "Well, you know what I thought."

Vala watched him quietly for a time. She sighed, nodding, her expression growing dark. "Yes, I know what you thought, Daniel." Her hand moved from his shoulder to touch his cheek again, gently turning his head back to look at her. Looking into his eyes, she said quietly, "and I won't pretend your words didn't hurt." Daniel looked up at her with deeply sorrowful eyes, the guilt thick in his gaze. She stroked his cheek gently, then saying, "but you apologized very sincerely for all of that, and so much has happened since then…" she paused, smiling slightly. The remorse on Daniel's face eased slightly, though he still had that haunted look in his eyes. Her fingers upon his cheek caressed him lovingly, and her gaze softened. She leaned in closer, whispering, "I want to put the past behind us, Daniel. I want us to think about tomorrow, not yesterday." Staring deeply into his eyes, she said, "both of us. No more guilt, my darling."

Daniel drew in a deep breath at this, his gaze lost in her deep blue eyes. The clouds parted upon his expression, and she could feel him relaxing. "Okay," he whispered, looking at her in wonderment. She smiled all the more, a smile he finally began to return. She let go of his hand and reached up to cup his face, leaning in to kiss him passionately. He wrapped his now free hand tightly about her waist, pulling her tightly to him, his lips eagerly meeting hers. They kissed for some time, tenderly and sweetly caressing one another as they lost themselves in the moment.

Finally, Vala broke away, pulling back to look into his eyes again. "Shall we go to bed, Daniel?" she asked in a quiet whisper. Smiling, Daniel nodded at her.

They stood to go, taking their now empty trays to the trash on their way out. "Oh, one more thing," Vala said as Daniel took her tray from her and disposed of it in the can.

"What's that?" Daniel started to ask, only to cut himself short as Vala goosed him. He turned to look at her incredulously, finding her looking back at him with her classic smile.

"Just because I promised to be patient doesn't mean I'm not going to constantly test the boundaries," she warned him, winking. "Don't think I'm going to change one bit in that regard, my dear Daniel."

He regarded her wryly as she spoke, his grin blooming slowly. "I think at this point, I might be disappointed at anything less." She smiled from ear to ear at his words. He put his hands in his pockets and stuck out his elbow, which she gladly put her arm around. "Let's go," he said with a smile.

---

In the Italian Restaurant in New York, two gentlemen sat across the table from one another. As they pronounced their deal, Baal smiled across the table at the elderly man. At this, the Goa'uld picked up his glass, "So now let me offer a toast our new partnership."

The other man leaned forward at this, saying, "Partnership? What are you talking about?" He glared venomously across the table, "this is a simple one-time transaction. I've no interest in any kind of long-term relationship with you."

Chuckling, Baal swirled his wine glass as he regarded the elderly man with an amused but dangerous gaze. "It matters little what you've an interest in. You're now in over your head, and you need me."

The elderly man started looking very angry at this, "What on Earth are you talking about?"

Smiling at the man across the table, he said, "Those gentlemen whom I sent the bottle of wine to? They work for the NID. They are here because that organization is constantly trying to keep tabs on me, on what I do, and on whom I do business with." Chuckling, he added, "In fact, they've probably bugged the table and are listening to our entire conversation."

The man across the table stared wildly at Baal. He started to get up, saying, "I knew what you were offering was too good to be true, our deal is off…"

"It's too late for that," Baal said calmly, causing the man to pause. "They know you've been involved with me. If you walk out now and have nothing more to do with me, they'll descend upon you and your corporation and tear it apart, looking for anything that can help them." Chuckling, he added, "but if you throw in with me, you can avoid all that."

The man slowly sat back down, asking quietly, "How?" After a moment's pause, he added, "it would seem to me that won't matter. They'll be all over me whether or not I stick around and join up with you." Sneering, he added, "It's probably only a matter of time before they bust you."

Grinning, Baal answered, "Not really, no. There's a layer of complexity here you do not yet understand." Swirling his wine again, he stared at the dark liquid as he explained, "you see, I am not a simple businessman who simply stumbled into some off-world technology that I'm selling to you." Grinning at the man across the table, he said in the voice of the Goa'uld, "I am so much more than that." As he spoke, his eyes flashed.

Across the table, the elderly man went white as a sheet. He looked around behind him, thinking someone else had seen and was reacting. The rest of the restaurant carried on without notice, however. Looking back at Baal, he stared at him with a shocked and frightened gaze. He sputtered, "You…you're…," but was unable to say any more.

"Yes, I see you know what I am." He said in a normal voice again. "I suspected you would; since you were part of that little conspiracy your people call 'The Trust'." What little color was left in the man's face drained away at that. Baal chuckled at this, adding flippantly, "such a silly name, that, so melodramatic and so inaccurate too." He shrugged idly as he looked back into his wine glass as he continued to toy with it.

"How…how did you know…" was all the man could manage.

Looking back at the man, Baal answered calmly, "Well you see, it was I who sent in Goa'uld agents to take control of the Trust. So, I know pretty much all there was to know about your little group." Grinning, he added, "Of course, you were too clever to be taken with the rest, which has turned out to be an asset for me, really."

The elderly man sat back in his chair, sweat pouring down his brow as he watched Baal with a stunned, terrified gaze. "Oh, don't worry," Baal answered. "I'm not going to implant you. You're so much more valuable to me as you are." The man furrowed his brow at this. Continuing, Baal explained, "You see, not only now does the NID know you've had dealings with me and know something of me, but they also know that you were a member of the Trust. As such, they're going to want to talk to you anyway. However," he said with a smile, "all is not lost."

The man furrowed his brow as he listened, waiting for Baal to continue. "You asked why it would make a difference if you joined me or not. Well, I should think you see that now. Since I am what I am, they are not going to go after me directly. They fear the possibility of the general populace learning of my existence, and of everything else relating to me and that stone ring you also know so much of." Chuckling, he glanced around the room at all of the people, musing, "wouldn't that ruin their day, if such news were to become general knowledge, hmm?" Grinning over at the table by the clock, Baal raised his glass and smiled widely. The two men seated there were watching, looking decidedly unamused.

Looking back at the man across from him, Baal said, "So you see, I can protect you from them. Not only do they leave me and my associates alone, but I also have means of avoiding them that are decidedly not at your disposal. If you accept, you will leave here with me and come under my protection." Pausing, he watched the elderly man for a moment. "So?"

The man sat quietly for a time, considering all that he'd heard. Clearing his throat, he answered, "Well it doesn't seem like I have any choice." Baal smiled at this, and the man asked, "But why me? What do you want with me?"

Smiling still, Baal answered, "Come now, we can't let them know everything, now can we?" Chuckling, he said flippantly, "They need to have something to do to keep them busy." The man across the table swallowed at this, nodding numbly.

Just then, the waiter arrived with their dishes, setting the plates down before them. After he left, Baal raised his glass again, saying simply, "To our partnership." The other man swallowed hard at this, but then raised his wine glass to meet Baal's. The Goa'uld smiled from ear to ear at this, sipping his wine triumphantly.

---

Daniel and Vala left the mess hall and made their way through the base, wandering through the mazes of corridors. After just a little while, Vala felt completely lost. It had been so long since she'd been to the SGC that she'd forgotten all the little markers that she'd used to find her way through all of these halls. They all looked the same to her. Besides that, since they had been bonded for at that time, she'd come to mostly rely on Daniel to lead her where they were going.

As they walked down a particular hallway, however, Vala looked about with a furrowed brow. "Wait a minute," she said quietly as she suddenly started to recognize where they were. This hallway was familiar, because she'd walked through it so many times. As they turned the corner, she knew for certain. Frowning, she looked up at Daniel and asked with an accusing tone, "You're taking me back to where my old room was, aren't you?" Even as she asked the question, they reached the short hallway that had the two rooms they stayed in while bonded. Daniel glanced back down at her as she glared at him while they walked up to the door of her old room. She reminded him bitterly, "You said we'd spend the night together, Daniel."

Daniel paused before answering, "So I did." He wasn't able to keep from grinning as he they reached her door. "And so we are."

Her hard expression lightened slightly as he said it. She looked at him with a considering glance. "So you want to sleep in my bed, rather than take me to yours?" her lips twisted into a wry grin as she asked the question, her eyes alight as she looked up at him.

Chuckling, Daniel answered her, "No, we'll go back to my place. However, I wanted you to pick up some thing to wear tonight."

Suddenly Vala blinked in surprise as something suddenly occurred to her. "Wait a minute." She glanced at the door, then back to him. "Do you mean to tell me this is still my room, after all these months?"

Smiling, the archaeologist nodded at her. "That's right. We haven't touched a thing." After a brief pause, he added, "In fact, no one has gone inside since you disappeared."

Vala furrowed her brow at this, looking thoughtful. She wasn't expecting this, that's for certain. She had figured her room had been reclaimed by the SGC and her possessions packed up in storage, probably inspected for stolen goods at the same time. She was relieved to find out nothing had been touched.

As she looked at him thoughtfully, Daniel continued to smile silently at her. He then reached over and swiped his access card, opening her door. "Well, you should go ahead and get your things. The longer we stand out here, the longer it is until we can finally get some sleep."

Vala blinked a few times as she snapped out of her reverie at his words. Looking up at him, she said, "It's not a worry, darling. I've already got on what I'll wear to bed with you." She smiled sweetly at him as she added, "I'm ready to go right now."

Daniel furrowed his brow as he considered her answer. It sounded plausible, he thought. He could still see the sports bra she wore under her shirt, and he presumed she was wearing some sort of other undergarment, though admittedly with her that might not be a safe assumption. Still, something in his gut made him hesitate. Maybe it was the look he saw deep in her eyes. Whatever it was, something didn't sit right with him. Then it clicked.

"Your birthday suit is not enough," he said dryly, watching her smile evaporate with satisfaction. "You need to wear some sort of clothing." Vala frowned as he spoke, even as his lips curled into a grin. She glared at him with an irritated expression as he blatantly displayed his satisfaction at figuring out her little ploy. He looked at her defiantly, waiting for her to argue. As she stared at him, he added, "You're either coming with some clothes or you're sleeping alone tonight."

Vala paused one last moment and then huffed, answering bitterly, "Fine." With that she spun on her heel and stormed into her room, slamming the door behind her. Standing in the hallway alone, Daniel blinked at the door with a stunned expression. He found himself unsure whether she was coming back out or not. He had a sinking feeling that she had chosen to sleep alone, after all. Sighing, he frowned as he felt disappointment washing over him, suddenly and desperately lamenting his last words to her. As he continued to look at the closed door, he found himself seriously considering knocking and asking Vala to give him a second chance. How was it she kept turning things around on him all the time?

Then Daniel nearly jumped out of his skin as the door flew back open and Vala appeared. Over her shoulder she carried a small overnight bag. It was the same one that he'd bought for her to take on their jaunt to D.C. back when they were bonded. As she left her room and reentered the hallway, she closed her door with another slam.

The raven-haired beauty glared at him as he stared at her blankly. "Well, I've got the clothes I'm going to wear into your bed," she said disdainfully, her voice bitter. "Are you going to take me to your place, or are you just going to stand there all night?"

He blinked a few times in response, putting his thoughts aside. Daniel then grinned at her. "Okay, this way." With that, he spun on his heel, and walked down the short length of corridor to the door opposite hers. He pulled his access badge out of his pocket and swiped it. The door buzzed and he pushed it open, looking back at her.

Vala blinked at him incredulously, glaring all the more. "You said you were taking me to your place," she said with an accusatory look.

Daniel glanced into the room, reached over and flicked on the light. He then looked back at her. "Uhm," he started, "This is my place."

She furrowed her eyebrows at this, regarding him skeptically. Walking slowly over to him, she said, "Back when we were bonded, you told me you'd have stayed here even if we weren't linked because you'd given up your apartment in preparing to go to Atlantis." Daniel thought about her words for a moment and then nodded wordlessly. Vala looked more confused as she added, "You had also said that as soon as we weren't joined, you'd get another apartment off base again."

Daniel shrugged as she came to stand before him. "Well, the last few months were really busy, and I never got any time to go out looking." She looked at him incredulously. Clearing his throat, he added, "I mean, you have no idea how hard it is to find a place in this area." Looking back at the door to her room, she considered how everything inside was indeed exactly as she'd left it. She then looked back and peered past him, through the door into his room. Sure enough, he was still living here. If anything, he'd settled in even more. There were a few more pictures out and it looked like he'd unpacked a few more things from boxes.

She then looked up at Daniel and smiled from ear to ear. He cleared his throat as he saw her thoughts in her eyes. He added weakly, "Besides, this way I'm close to my lab, it lets me sleep in a lot…" She raised her eyebrow as he continued his increasingly weak attempts to try and justify himself. Daniel's protestations collapsed into mere sputters under her gaze and he grew completely silent as she reached up and stroked his cheek gently.

"Shush now," she grinned. "You don't need to try and hide the truth from me, I've figured it out." Daniel cleared his throat again, staring back into her eyes, completely lost for words. Vala then wrapped her arms about his neck and pulled him down to press her lips against his. Daniel blushed as she kissed him passionately. He hesitated at first, feeling very awkward and embarrassed that she'd managed to divine the real reason he hadn't let anything change either of their rooms. For all these months, he had truly believed the arguments he'd just given her, arguments he'd repeated time and again to himself and anyone who asked. As he started to relax a little and kiss back just as passionately, he suddenly realized that everyone else, including Vala, understood why he had done it, all before he had figured it out for himself.

The two stood in the doorway to his room, kissing lovingly together, Daniel wrapping his arms about her and holding her close. Vala smiled against his lips, kissing him all the more as she pressed herself against him. After some time, she finally pulled away and looked deeply into his eyes. Stroking his cheek, she smiled at him, "You are so very sweet, my darling Daniel."

Daniel cleared his throat, smiling weakly at her. He was still having trouble finding any words. Lacking anything else to say, he simply asked her quietly, "How about we go to bed now?" He still couldn't believe it as the words left his lips, though he found joy in the way Vala's smile blossomed as he spoke.

She drew in a deep breath as she answered, just as quietly, "I'd love to, darling." She stared at him one last moment and then slipped past him into his room. He followed and closed the door behind them.

Watching as she walked across the room and found a chair to put her bag on, Daniel considered how still and silent the room seemed. They really were alone together, and were now about to do this. Although they'd been alone together since the briefing room, suddenly the silence reminded him of the reality of their situation and what was just minutes away. He was more nervous now than ever, but as before, he couldn't deny the excitement he felt as well.

Vala put down her bag and opened it up, pulling out some sort of pale pink undergarments, by the look of them. She placed them on the night stand by the bed and turned around to look at Daniel. She smiled at him as she started to unbutton her shirt the rest of the way, sliding it off her shoulders, leaving only her sports bra. Daniel started sputtering as he realized her intentions. Making his way to his dresser, he reached into a drawer and grabbed the PJ bottoms he typically wore to bed. "I'll go change in the bathroom and let you get changed out here," he muttered hurriedly, rushing over to the door.

"Oh come on, Daniel," Vala said with a weary voice. He paused and turned to look at her, though he instantly regretted it…at least part of him did. She had unbuckled her pants and was sliding them down her legs, revealing a matching pair of black panties. Chuckling, she continued with a wicked smile, "it's not like you haven't seen everything here before." She raised an eyebrow at him as he considered her point. Daniel hesitated and that was all the opportunity she needed. Before he could react, she had stripped herself of her remaining clothes, leaving herself bare before his eyes.

Daniel could only stare at her beauty in silence with wide eyes as he clutched his sleepwear tightly in his hand. It was true, he had seen her before, but she had been unconscious then. Moreover, at the time she had been nothing more to him than a pirate that had attacked him and his fellows on the Prometheus and stolen their ship. Now, she was a woman he cared deeply for and he found it difficult to deny the effect of seeing her naked before him.

Vala smiled from ear to ear as she saw the effect she was having on him. "You know, Daniel," she began. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she continued, "there's no reason we can't just go to bed like this…" As she spoke, she stared up at him hotly, looking deeply into his eyes while slowly moving her hand over the surface of his bed. He stared back at her, speechless for a moment.

He then closed his eyes and cleared his throat, shaking his head. "Vala, please put on what you brought to wear." He refused to open his eyes again, and could only listen to the still silence that had settled over the room. In his mind's eye, he imagined her glaring bitterly at him, willing him to open his eyes. He kept waiting, however, and then finally heard her huff and mutter to herself.

"You can open your eyes, Daniel," she said wearily. Drawing in a deep breath, he did so, although he felt like it was a gamble. When he saw her, he wasn't sure what was worse, if he would have seen her naked again, or seeing her now with the pink lingerie she now wore. He certainly couldn't call it underwear, it was too silky and frilly. No, it was definitely lingerie. It was very similar to the pink outfit she'd tried to seduce him with while they were bonded, except that this was a lighter, silkier material and there was considerably less of it. Her entire midriff was bare, and a considerable amount of cleavage was revealed. The panties she wore were almost non-existent, showing an incredible amount of skin while still hiding the right things.

He sucked in his breath as he looked at her, unable to stop staring. Finally he glanced up at her face to find her smiling wickedly at him. "Of course, you could have the fun of stripping it all off me again, darling…" she said seductively, stretching languidly.

Clearing his throat, Daniel turned again to go into the bathroom. "I'm going to get changed now," he said weakly.

"Hold it right there," she said. He froze in his tracks. Slowly he turned back yet again, afraid of what she was going to say. She smirked as she pulled back the sheet of his bed and climbed in, lying out at full length in a position that best displayed herself. "It's not really fair that you've gotten to see me naked, twice I might add, while I've yet to have the pleasure…"

Daniel gritted his teeth. In the back of his mind when she'd asked him to stay while she changed he had heard a little voice warning him of this possibility. Sighing, he realized that yet again she'd backed him into a corner. With no other option, he started to get undressed where he stood. As he did, he saw her smile blossom, her eyes watching him with a hungry gaze. Her eyes savored everything as he removed each piece of clothing. She smiled from ear to ear as the last came off, but she sighed sorrowfully as he quickly pulled on his PJ bottoms.

"A pity," she remarked, her eyes looking him over again. "But, perhaps someday I can do more than just look…" she smiled at him, her eyes playful even as she asked the question with a hint of worry.

Daniel smirked back at her, climbing into the other side of the bed. "Let's just take it one step at a time, shall we?"

She sighed at this, looking over at him. After a moment, she answered, "That's not a very encouraging answer, Daniel." Pausing, she added, "I thought you said it was just a question of when."

He pursed his lips, regarding her sorrowfully. "I know, I'm sorry," he replied, removing his glasses and placing them on his nightstand. Turning back to her he looked into her eyes. Feeling awkward now, he explained further, "I really am sorry. I know you're eager to, but I'm just not ready yet."

Vala sighed as she watched him. They both sat in the bed together, a good two feet apart. She watched him intently and then said, "Well, that's something I guess."

Daniel furrowed his brow, looking very confused. "Uhm," he started, "What's something?"

She grinned at him, "You're apologizing for saying no to me." Comprehension bloomed on Daniel's face as she said further, "the last time I tried to convince you to have sex with me you were rather blunt and even angry in your refusal."

Clearing his throat at this, Daniel suddenly found himself blushing. "Yeah, well," not sure what else to do, he said, "I'm sorry for that too, Vala…" he drew in his breath to say more, but before he knew what happened, she'd closed the distance between them and had pressed her finger to his lips, silencing him.

"Shush," she said quietly, looking deeply into his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm the one who said let's stop worrying about the past, I shouldn't have brought it up. You've already apologized for everything before, there's no need to keep doing it over and over." Daniel smiled as he stared back into her eyes, kissing her finger lightly. Vala smiled back, moving her hand to caress his cheek, before then sliding it down over his neck and shoulder to finally rub her hand upon his bare chest.

Daniel sighed happily as he felt the warmth of her body pressed against his as they sat together under the sheets, and suddenly found himself wriggling even closer to her still. Vala smiled at this, leaning in close to him, pressing more of her body against him. "Still not too late to change your mind, darling," she said quietly with a gentle voice, looking deeply into his eyes, "All you have to do is say the word…".

"I know," he said softly. "I wish I was ready, I really do." Sighing, he said, "It's just that things are moving too fast for me, I need to slow down and catch my breath."

Vala nodded at this, breaking eye contact with him to look down. She said quietly in a strained whisper, "Would you rather I go sleep in my room tonight?"

Furrowing his eyebrows at this, Daniel quickly answered in a whisper, "No!" He cupped her chin in his hand, lifting her head slightly. She glanced up to him at this, looking into his eyes. "You're here because I want you to be here."

Pursing her lips slightly, Vala sighed, "I'm here because I twisted your arm."

Daniel smirked a little at this, looking into her eyes with a warm, but amused gaze. "True, it was your idea," he answered, gently stroking her cheek with the thumb of his hand that still cupped her chin. "But I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't want to."

Looking intently into his eyes, Vala asked quietly, "so you want me to be here with you now?"

Daniel nodded, answering just as quietly, "very much so." She smiled at this, and he reached up with his other hand to cup her face. He then gently pulled her to him, kissing her sweetly, tenderly. Vala moaned softly as their lips met, and she eagerly kissed him back, lovingly pressing her lips against his. Her hand upon his chest rubbed his flesh, and he sighed happily into the kiss.

Reaching behind him, he fumbled about until he found the lamp and switched it off. He then wrapped his arm about her waist, pulling her even closer to him, sliding down from his sitting position to lay flat in the bed with her. Vala deepened their kiss as she snuggled in against him, her lips lazily caressing his as their tongues entwined. Vala pulled her leg up over him, stopping just below his waist, pressing it against him. Daniel moaned huskily breaking the kiss slightly to mutter against her lips, "Vala…"

Smiling, she whispered softly between kisses, "Come now, darling," her lips caressed his again before she continued, "I'm not doing anything I didn't do earlier tonight…" with that, she squeezed her leg against him again, kissing him passionately once more. With a quickening breath, he kissed back just as eagerly, wrapping his arms about her tightly, squeezing her to him. She then started to slowly shift, trying to move atop of him, but he held her in place with his embrace.

"No," he whispered firmly and then brushed his lips against hers again.

Vala sighed, pausing before she kissed him again. Sliding her hand over his chest, she lingered, tantalizing and teasing him with her lips and tongue as she pressed her leg against him again. After some time, she finally broke the kiss and rubbed her nose against his. Whispering to him, she asked, "Well…?"

"Still no," Daniel replied with a smile in his voice, then sliding his hands over her back as he kissed her fondly before pulling away again to rub his nose against hers.

Vala huffed at this, laying her head down next to his upon the pillow. She couldn't see him in the darkness, but she imagined his smile at her reaction. The vision of it in her mind's eye irritated her as much as it made her smile in turn. "Sorry," she heard him whisper.

Reaching up, she found his cheek and began stroking him lovingly. "It's alright, Daniel," she answered softly. "I'll just content myself with what I've already got." With that, she slid her leg down just a bit, allowing Daniel to breathe a little easier. She continued to rub her hand over his chest, smiling at him in the darkness. Leaning in, she kissed him lightly, teasing him with her lips. They continued to kiss for some time, and after a while, she could feel him growing drowsy, his lips becoming sluggish in response. "Good night, my Daniel," she whispered into the kiss.

"G'night…," he muttered sleepily, drifting of to sleep. Even as he succumbed to slumber, he still held her tightly in his arms. Vala smiled sweetly as she felt the security of his embrace, starting to feel a bit drowsy herself. She closed her eyes, resting her head upon the pillow next to his. Soon her breathing grew steady and slow, matching rhythm with his.

---

She couldn't sleep. In spite of being very warm and cozy, something was bothering her. She had almost fallen asleep several times, but she could only dance at the edges of slumber before the doubts and worries would plague her mind again. Extreme fatigue punished her for not sleeping, but it wasn't enough. Her mind wouldn't let her rest. How long had she been lying here, trying to enter into that world of dreams, only to be denied again and again?

Vala cracked her eyes open, peering at the LCD display of the clock on Daniel's nightstand. Through bleary eyes, she read the time to be 4:30 am. Moaning softly, she started to figure out the world around her through a hazy mind. She realized that she was lying on her side and Daniel was cuddled up behind her, his arm draped over her waist. His head rested against hers, she could feel the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck. Feeling his nearness made her smile sleepily, and she scooted back into him, snuggling against him. She found satisfaction as his arm instinctively tightened about her ever so slightly in response.

As gratifying as that was, it also emphasized the very doubts and worries that had been nagging at her. It made her lament the fact he was still denying her what she wanted most, in spite of all of her best efforts to seduce him. She was positively frustrated and completely bewildered. For some time now, she had wanted him. The longer she knew him, the more taken she was with him, and in turn the more she needed to have him. While she had lusted after men before, this was decidedly different. While she deeply desired him in that way, there was also decidedly more here than just lust. A lot more, and that scared her to death sometimes.

She was so caught up in the pursuit of him that she was willing to make choices and sacrifices that she had promised herself never to do for anyone. She found herself willing to put up with a great many things that Daniel said or did, just to continue being with him. Had any other man put the demands on her that he did, she'd have moved on long ago. But something was different with Daniel. The more he tried to resist, the more she had the deep-seated need to keep after him.

The difference in how he had affected her in comparison to other men was the starkest while she was in the Ori galaxy. In the long months that she had been without him, she had often found herself waking up in the middle of the night, aching with desire to see him, to touch him. There were many times that she had slipped into a depression at not having him around. She had missed seeing him, missed talking with him, missed just being around him. What was most confusing to her about it was that she felt that way in spite of how he had always treated her so dismissively before she disappeared.

Now that they were reunited, she found the differences in the way he treated her refreshing. It gave her hope, but the fact that he was still rebuffing her advances also left her very confused. She wanted him so much, and she'd swear that he wanted her too, but every time she tried to seek after him he refused her. It was almost more than she could bear. To have him so close, to be here in bed with him and still be denied what she longed for was infuriating.

It made her wonder even more about how he really felt for her. She was still convinced that the only reason she was here with him now was because she had pushed and persuaded him, with no small amount of effort. In spite of his words, she couldn't see how he could feel the way he said and yet refuse her again and again. Maybe all he was feeling was guilt for how she had almost lost her life because of the way he'd treated her. Maybe he didn't really care for her at all and after a few weeks, he'd grow distant again, once more becoming impatient with her every word and action. Maybe she was just opening herself up for him to hurt her.

Suddenly she realized she was fighting back tears. Here again, he was affecting her in a way no other man had in a lifetime. It angered and scared her that she was so vulnerable with him and yet, she couldn't consider being without him. The frustration tore at her as she lay silently with him, fighting to keep control of her emotions. Suddenly and loudly she drew in a ragged breath that was half a sob as she found herself losing the battle, closing her eyes tightly as she felt the tears trickle down her face.

Vala sucked in her breath in surprise as she felt Daniel's arm tighten firmly about her waist, pulling her closer. She blinked as she unexpectedly heard him mumble in a very sleepy voice, "What's wrong, Vala?" As tired as he sounded, she also heard deep concern in his voice. She felt him stir behind her, and realized that he was trying to wake up. She was shocked and speechless. He had seemed so deep in sleep, she would never have fathomed that she'd have woken him up. "What's the matter?" he asked further, sounding a bit more awake this time, the concern in his voice even more pronounced.

Suddenly her doubts collapsed as she now felt the bond between them, tighter and stronger by far than the one left by the bracelets. She closed her eyes tightly as the tears continued to roll down her face, but she smiled serenely now, brimming over with happiness. The warmth she felt from his body against hers and the strength of his arm wrapped tightly about her waist was comforting, but it was nothing compared to the feeling she got from seeing how he cared for her.

Reaching behind her, she found his face and gently stroked his scruffy cheek. Whispering tenderly, she answered, "Nothing's wrong, darling. I'm fine, go back to sleep."

She could feel the smile upon his lips as he nuzzled into her hand, kissing it lightly. She sighed happily as she felt him snuggle up closer at her touch. "You sure you're okay?" he persisted through a yawn that came from the bottom of his toes. Vala sighed happily, twisting around in his arms to find his lips with hers, kissing him deeply and sweetly while caressing his cheek. Daniel moaned softly in surprise and responded in kind, though he was sluggish, so much still asleep as he still was. She kissed him for some time, cherishing the intimacy. She felt incredibly relieved inside to feel his lips caressing hers just as eagerly, though he was clearly fighting off a deep sleep at the same time.

She broke the kiss and whispered against his lips, "I'm fine, my sweet." Continuing to caress his scruffy cheek, she repeated herself, "Go back to sleep, we'll talk in the morning." She kissed him again, and smiled as he sighed happily against her lips.

"Kay," he murmured, already sounding drowsier. "Wake me if you need me…" he mumbled, his voice trailing of as he fell back into a deep sleep, his arm still wrapped tightly and securely about her waist. Within seconds he was snoring, his forehead resting against her head. She once again felt the warmth of his breath on her neck. For a few moments, she simply laid with him, listening to the slow, steady rhythm of his breathing.

As she listened, Vala smiled from ear to ear, the tears continuing to flow down her face. She turned back onto her side, snuggling back against him, covering his arm with hers. Again, she felt him instinctively tighten his grip, pulling her body tightly against his, and this time she felt him press his lips against her hair. She sighed happily from the tips of her toes, quickly falling asleep in his arms as her doubts melted away like snow in the spring thaw.