LIBERTINES AND LIBERATION – LETTING THE ELEPHANT OUT OF THE BAG – CHAPTER 18
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.
There's more to follow, probably tomorrow.
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.
Letting the Elephant Out of the Bag
Daniel had found Sam sitting in the Odyssey's mess hall with Teal'c and Cam. They sat at a table by a large window; it was all too familiar to Teal'c, except that the view out the window was the bluish slip stream of the Odyssey hyperdrive in action.
"Hey guys." Daniel said, sitting down and taking a drink of the fresh cup of coffee in his hand.
"Daniel Jackson, how is Vala Mal Doran?" Teal'c asked.
"Well, she's healed all her injuries; mine too for that matter." Daniel ran his hand over his jaw. His voice indicated he wasn't sure that his words were entirely accurate concerning either of them given the type of trauma involved here.
His team seemed to understand both his words and tone.
Thinking about the extensive injuries he had seen on Vala, Daniel asked, "Has the SGC indicated what is to be done with Emeteo?"
"That sick bastard is getting locked up in Area 51; I'm personally losing the key to the cell." Cam said with venom in his voice not usually found there.
"We should have left him on the ship; let Re Van kill him." Daniel said plainly and with force.
Sam, Teal'c and Cam all looked at one another; they'd all thought it too at some point, but none of them had said it.
"Speaking of Re Van, has Vala filled you in on her connection with that guy?" Cam changed the subject.
"It's been a rough twenty four hours Cam; I thought I'd wait before putting a bunch of questions to her." Daniel said giving Cam a look that said he'd better not be planning to ask her anything either. "I think we know the basics, anyway, she knew this guy in her early days as a thief. He seems to have started her out – taught her to pick locks." Daniel said getting annoyed thinking about Aton Re Van.
"Well she's going to have to write a mission report and fill all that stuff in Jackson." Cam said.
"No Cam, she's not writing a mission report! If she writes one without being asked fine, otherwise we're leaving her alone." Daniel said with a stern and serious look on his face. Then he added in order to soften the force of his words, "Sam and I will be able to write a pretty complete report without Vala if we need to."
"I agree with Daniel." Sam said looking at Cam.
"Hello all," Vala said with a big smile on her face. Her team jumped not having seen her approach.
How are you feeling?" They all asked.
"Fine," Vala said, "though I can't say this is the most stylish outfit." She looked down at her too large BDU pants and shirt.
"You'll survive," Daniel said.
Vala sat next to Daniel; she had a tray with two plates of breakfast and some coffee. She sat a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon in front of Daniel without looking at him. As he looked up, she handed him a fork and gave him her "eat something" eyebrow. He took the fork and plunged it into the eggs. Taking a bite, he grimaced. Vala took a bite of her own eggs and then reached for the salt. She handed the salt to Daniel when she was done. He salted and tasted his eggs, nodded and continued to eat.
The whole team had fallen silent just watching Vala and Daniel eat.
"Okay, the bagged elephant must get out of the room," Vala said.
"Huh?" Cam said confused.
"She means let's talk about the elephant in the room," Daniel said with a little smile, and then to Vala, "The other one is 'let the cat out of the bag.'"
"Ahh," Vala said with a bit of confusion on her face, "What's to be done with Emeteo?"
"Cell at Area 51," Cam replied.
Vala nodded, and then added, "That business yesterday, it happened; nobody is to blame as far as I am concerned; and, I want to move on. Can we all do that?"
The team shook their head yes.
"Good!" Vala gave them all a big smile.
But then Daniel surprised himself, especially after his edict to Cam, by turning to Vala and saying in a low voice that only she could hear, "But we'll have to talk about some of it eventually Vala, you understand that right?"
At the dark look that Vala gave Daniel, he added, "We'll talk when you're ready, alright."
"Of course, darling," Vala smiled.
"Now when are we getting off this ship?" Vala said. Ever since they had learned about being stuck in a time dilation field on the Odyssey, none of them liked this ship much.
"We should be at our alternate gate site in about twenty minutes." Cam said.