LIBERTINES AND LIBERATION

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any Stargate characters, ideas or themes. As a matter of fact, Stargate can have my ideas if they want them (wouldn't that be great). All standard applicable disclaimers apply to this piece. I have tried to source any materials quoted in furtherance of this story.

Spoilers: Probably some for Season 10 and beyond

Summary: Vala and Daniel centered storyline adventure (hopefully); relationship (okay yes); angst (yup); comfort; etc.

Rating: R to NC-17 in some parts.

Author's Note: This is my first Stargate fiction. I have no betas – not even a beta fish – not even sure what a beta is in fact.

This story will have multiple chapters.

I took inspiration from Milena D's Misappropriation of Lives and a short story called Believe by Random. I really wish those two authors would write more on those two story lines.

I hope for a few comments.

Cold Coffee

Daniel had been staring at the same page in Qetesh's journal without seeing it for the last twenty minutes. He winced as he took a drink of cold, bitter, burned tasting coffee that he had scrounged from the end of the afternoon pot in the commissary. The cold coffee was a visceral reminder of what was distracting him today. Vala had usually been parked in his lab several hours by this time of day.

He'd gotten used to Vala and hot, fresh coffee both sitting on top of his desk in the afternoon. He hadn't seen Vala all day. No one had turned on his stereo today. No one had asked him any questions about a topic he hadn't thought about on his own in a million years. No body had visited his lab today who left the intoxicating scent of coconut shampoo and joie d' vivre lingering in the air. Where is she, Daniel stewed in agitation, it's almost dinnertime. He was annoyed at her and at himself; there were several questions that he wanted to ask Vala about Qetesh. She was holding up his research! He thought with agitation, knowing just as quickly that his research wasn't the real reason he wanted to see her.

He couldn't blame her for avoiding him. He'd been a complete asshole at Cameron's birthday last night, and he knew it. He'd insulted her with that crack about Jacek and he'd practically called her a whore. The thought of his words to Vala made him cringe inwardly. What was I thinking?

He didn't really know what had come over him. He'd walked in expecting to find his little SG-1 family sitting at a table, maybe one of two of them up on the karaoke stage. He hadn't expected to walk in and see Jack O' Neal. He hadn't expected to walk in and see Jack grinning up at Vala singing and dancing on top of the bar with an adoring audience full of cowboys. He wasn't prepared for what he saw in the eyes of those men; most of them would have no problem taking her home, stripping off that tight t-shirt and jeans and finding out just how much Qetesh had taught her about being a sex goddess.

He wasn't prepared for all the attention to turn towards him as Vala turned the full force of her seductive little song and dance to focus on him. He wasn't prepared for the wave of lust he'd felt for her to hit him like a Mack truck when she turned her eyes on him -- hit him in public, hit him with Jack O' Neal observing him like a specimen slide under a microscope. His gut wrenched at the thought.

Daniel had expected his teammates to keep Vala in line. He hadn't expected to see Sam and General Landry's daughter – General Landry's DAUGHTER – sitting on the bar as Vala's bookend backup singers. Was his quiet, reserved friend Sam being corrupted by Vala?

And he was responsible for Vala! Landry had reminded him of that fact more than once, and she couldn't even behave in public. Worst of all, there was Jack, looking like he could read his mind, calling Vala "his girl" and then leaving Daniel to handle getting Vala down off the bar after he'd let her drink an entire bottle of Jack Daniels. It still annoyed him. And no one else seemed to feel Vala's behavior was out of line.

But he'd immediately felt bad about the Jacek comment, even before Teal'c had called him on it. So why hadn't he been nicer to Vala? Why hadn't he gone to dance with her when she'd asked him? Part of him had wanted to make peace then and there; but he watched himself spiral downward getting more irritated.

He'd wanted to make things right again when he went to check on Vala; instead he'd found Vala talking to those cowboys by the ladies room. The ladies room! His words had gotten out of hand quickly after that. Vala had been the reasonable one, giving him the benefit of the doubt and telling him she knew he wasn't cruel. Her words had knocked all the irritation out of him, and he'd wanted to make peace, but she wouldn't let him! He'd tried to apologize, but typical Vala wanted none of it. She'd just denied there was a problem and run. She was such an emotional mess.

He'd planned to try again on the drive back to the SGC, but she'd decided to stay with Sam for the night. He'd ended up giving Teal'c a rather silent ride back to SGC while Jack and Sam had left with Vala. Vala hadn't even bothered to say goodnight to him, she'd just waved to him from the back window of Jack's rental car, grinning wildly.

Sam had told him today that Vala left her house about an hour later – left in a cab -- and come back to the mountain on her own. Vala had told Sam that she'd forgotten an early morning training session with Teal'c. She wouldn't even let Jack bring her back.

It disturbed Daniel that all this crap with Vala was interfering with his relationship with Sam – one of his oldest friends. Sam looked pissed at him over the Jacek comment. He'd explained to Sam that he tried to apologize to Vala, but Sam said it shouldn't have happened in the first place. Sam hadn't said anything to him about his later words with Vala, but probably only because Vala hadn't had a chance to get Sam alone. Daniel thought with agitation. And then Sam had said something that completely surprised him.

"Jack said he'll talk to Landry about transferring Vala off SG-1 if you're this stressed over having her as your responsibility. He said he'd be happy to take responsibility for her." Sam said quietly.

"Wh . . . what?" Daniel stuttered, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"All you have to do is say the word," said Sam, looking at him seriously, "Personally, I'd really miss her."

"Vala's fine where she is. I'm fine. Everything is working fine." Daniel said emphatically a bit confused by his strong reaction, "Last night was just an, an off night."

"Daniel." Jack said entering the lab "Couldn't help overhearing. So you're happy with having the main responsibility for Vala?"

"Well, I think it's the most practical arrangement." Daniel said.

"Look I can talk to Hank." Jack said smirking slightly, "If you'd rather not have her on SG-1, I can work something out for her somewhere else."

"Jack, just leave it alone. It's fine." Daniel said gritting his teeth and rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Jack shrugged as he said, "Carter you ready?"

Sam and Jack left Daniel's office and headed towards the elevator. "That was mean Jack." Sam smirked.

"What?" Jack grinned.

Daniel's conversation with Jack and Sam had jarred him into action. He wanted to see Vala. But she was nowhere to be found. Since she'd returned from the Ori galaxy, with few exceptions, Daniel could always find Vala around the SGC whenever he wanted to see her. It felt strange not to be able to find her when he wanted to.

He'd headed for his quarters instead of back to his lab. There tacked to his door was a note from Vala telling him that Teal'c had invited her, and General Landry had granted permission, for a three day visit to Ishta.

Three days! The thought of not apologizing and clearing the air with Vala for three days was maddening. He knew he had hurt Vala last night. He suspected that going off world was her way of retreating to lick her wounds. How could he ever rely on her not to cut and run when things got tough? And Teal'c had helped her retreat. When had the two of them gotten so close he wondered?

Well they could both use a break, and he'd have nothing but peace and quiet so he'd be able to plow through a lot of work in the next three days – he was looking forward to it.

Vala had also taped a computer disk to Daniel's door; it was the completed results of the last assignment he had given her. This disk had surprised him, because he'd expected the assignment to take her a couple of weeks – it had only been a few days. And, she usually waited until they could go over the work together before she turned a project in. She had always liked to go over the results with him – they'd both enjoyed it.

As Daniel slid his access card for his quarters, he saw Teal'c walk down the hall.

"Teal'c, when did you get back?" Daniel called.

"I have only arrived back to retrieve an item for Ishta."

"Where's Vala?"

"Vala Mal Doran remains with Ishta." Teal'c stated simply.

"I didn't know you were taking Vala to visit Ishta." Daniel stated.

"I had not planned on visiting Ishta, but I received a message this morning during a training session with Vala Mal Doran. I requested that Vala Mal Doran accompany me." Teal'c stated, "Excuse me Daniel Jackson, I must make haste." Teal'c started to walk away, but Daniel stopped him.

"Is Vala alright Teal'c?" Daniel asked a bit sheepishly.

"Do you have any reason to believe that Vala Mal Doran has been injured Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked unsympathetically.

"No." Daniel lied.

"Then why do ask such a question?" Teal'c asked before starting to walk down the hall when Daniel made no further response.