LIBERTINES AND LIBERATION – The IOA – CHAPTER 31
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. My beta is an actual fish. Thanks E, for the beta assist. This story will have multiple chapters.
I was surprised to see that when I posted the last chapter some people felt they had been waiting awhile for it to be posted. In fact, it was one of my shortest turn arounds -- only four days. I like to think the previous chapters left everyone wanting more so the wait seemed longer. If I'm wrong let me know. This chapter has taken quite awhile. I finally decided to break it up and post the first part because it is ready, and the rest I'm still working on. So hopefully another installment will follow shortly.
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.
Waking Up
In that state between sleep and waking, a place that she usually found cold and filled with dread, Vala felt like she was surrounded in warmth, an intense pleasure of feeling cared for, secure and safe. There was a press of warmth on her face – soft, moist and rhythmically moving warmth that gently swayed the hair near her forehead. There was heavy weighty warmth falling across her waist; and flat warmth pressed under her camisole onto the bare skin of her stomach. Warmth snuggled up to the backs of her legs, and higher, a hard length of warmth pressed into the small of her back and rear. Vala sleepily wiggled back into this sea of comfort and felt the warmth on her stomach press into her a little stronger as the hard, lengthy warmth at the small of her back twitched.
Vala's eyes sprang open as she woke to realize the source of all the warm comfort pressing around her – it was Daniel. They were asleep on her bed; he'd brought her here last night after she'd seen the images on Qetesh's tablet. Daniel had fallen asleep holding her.
Vala gave herself a few moments to memorize every inch of the warmth and weight of him. She really just wanted to lay there with Daniel for as long as she could, but she knew it would be unkind to mortify him that way.
So Vala moved slightly intending to extract herself from the bed. But her movement caused Daniel to slide his hand further under her camisole in an effort to pull her closer; the warmth of his fingertips now met her breast while his arm had moved to guard her stomach.
"Ah," Vala moaned involuntarily from the surprise and sensations Daniel had unknowingly caused. She couldn't resist laying still for another minute enjoying the feel of Daniel before she once again attempted to leave his embrace, because she knew Daniel would be mortified to wake up like that in her presence.
Finally free of the bed, she allowed herself just a moment to look at Daniel's sleeping form. Then she stealthily turned and went into her bathroom, leaving Daniel to wake up in privacy and peace.
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THE IOA
At the request of Richard Woolsey, all of SG-1 sat in the briefing room to attend his meeting with General Landry. SG-1's relationship with Woolsey was tense at the best of times, but since he had recently advocated that Daniel be killed the relationship had turned downright icy. The fact that Daniel had been changed into an Ori Prior at the time did not mitigate Woolsey's offense.
"So to sum up, the IOA has done a reassessment of the Stargate program now that the Orici has been neutralized. Based on that analysis, the IOA's funding is shifting away from exploration in favor of bolstering Earth defenses against off world threats, including the remaining Ori threat," Woolsey explained.
"Historically, off world exploration has resulted in tactical advantages that contributed, if not turned the tide, in our fights with the Goa'uld and the Replicators, for example," Daniel told Woolsey in an exasperated voice. "Surely the IOA can see that?"
"What the IOA sees, is that this program's exploration arm has caused as much harm as it has benefit." Woolsey looked pointedly at Daniel, "In fact, Dr. Jackson your pursuits have been particularly harmful. Perhaps the IOA should consider supervision of your research."
"Oh, that's not fair!" Vala scowled at Woolsey.
Daniel put a hand on Vala's shoulder, "Vala," he cautioned.
"The IOA feels we should deal with the threats you have already created. We can reevaluate the matter again at a later date," Woolsey continued waving off Daniel Jackson's further comments with a gesture of his hand.
"So what exactly does that mean for the SGC?" General Landry asked.
"It means that we are redirecting 50 of the SGC budget into amassing ships and weapons to meet the Ori threat," Woolsey explained. "It means General Landry that you will need to reallocate Stargate resources to compensate for this budget shift."
"Does it mean that the IOA will be 50 less of a pain in our asses?" Cam Mitchell whispered to his team.
"I don't even see how that's going to be workable. Which countries will be commanding these ships," Daniel asked.
"The countries making up the IOA have ironed out an agreement on such matters. The cuts will go into effect with the next budget cycle." Woolsey stood up signaling an end to any debate.
"May I have a word Ms. Mal Doran?" Woolsey touched Vala's shoulder.
Vala had been making a "gag me" face at Cam when Woolsey turned to her with the question. She quickly glanced at Daniel who frowned at Woolsey.
"Sure," Vala said.
Daniel had started to speak when Cam also spoke, "I'm Vala's CO and I'd like to hear what you have to say to her."
"And I'm her Department head and supervisor," Daniel said. "I'd like to hear what you have to say as well."
"Well, I'm only authorized to speak to Ms. Mal Doran, but I suppose if she has no objections to you hearing what I have to say."
"I'm fine with Daniel and Cameron sitting in." Vala said still looking at Daniel who had turned to her with his sternest "behave yourself" expression.
She gave him a subtle eye roll, as they all followed Woolsey into a small office assigned to his use when he visited the SGC.
"What can I do for you Richard," Vala said simply. It wasn't lost on anyone that Vala had stripped Woolsey of some of his authority by using his first name. Cam inwardly smirked.
"Ms. Mal Doran, the IOA would like you to know that it is reevaluating your continued participation in the Stargate program," Woolsey stated in his officious manner.
"You don't have the authority to do that," Daniel said folding his arms over his chest.
"I don't think that's any of the IOA's concern. Maybe we should call General Landry," Cam said calmly.
"Colonel Mitchell, if you will just hear me out. The IOA was asked to review Ms. Mal Doran's request to be given off base privileges. I believe you submitted that request Colonel Mitchell. When her file was reviewed, the IOA came to believe she might be better utilized . . . elsewhere." Woolsey tried to explain the IOA position, but he had a look that held a bit of regret.
"That isn't up to the IOA!" Daniel said adamantly gesturing with his hands.
Vala had sat silent trying to hide her rising panic at the thought of her termination from the SGC. Daniel can fix this; Vala calmed herself with the thought.
"So Richard, how would the IOA like to utilize me, assuming I agreed to do it of course," Vala smiled widely at Woolsey.
"The IOA feels your talents would be better utilized in covert off world operations," Woolsey said simply. "The IOA has several projects in mind, which would preclude your participation in the SGC."
"Oh, I can just imagine the kind of 'operations' the IOA has in mind," Daniel sneered.
"It would have perks Ms. Mal Doran, including citizenship," Woolsey told her.
"Vala is already eligible for some of those perks," Mitchell pointed out.
"I think you'll find any extension of privileges to Ms. Mal Doran is subject to IOA approval," Woolsey said in a matter of fact tone.
"Well Mr. Woolsey, while your offer sounds tempting," Vala smiled more widely and let the word slowly roll off her tongue. "I'm afraid that I am quite happy as a member of SG-1."
"Ms. Mal Doran, I'll convey that to the IOA, but let me warn you, the IOA will probably press the issue," Woolsey told her.
"I'll just bet!" Daniel and Cam said at the same time.
"I'll be in touch," Woolsey said leaving the little room.
Vala began pacing as he left. She looked at Daniel, "I don't like the sound of that. I thought I'd already proven myself and earned this position!"
"Vala you know you've earned your place here, no matter what Woolsey and the IOA say," Daniel assured her.
"I don't like it either. It sounds like Woolsey wants our Princess to be the full time IOA off world Sydney Bristow. And he practically told us to prepare for IOA hardball to make it happen," Cam fumed.
Daniel watched Vala, concerned with her pallor.
Vala let out a jagged but soft breath. The thought of not having a place at SGC was terrifying; she felt like Woolsey had knocked the wind out of her lungs and the underpinnings out of her life. She couldn't bring herself to think about not having a legitimate reason to be here with Daniel.
Vala nodded and plastered a big smile on her face, "So guys how do we get me out of this mess?"
Vala's smile did not reach her eyes, and Daniel knew it. He knew the SGC was important to Vala; it was the only home she had. Resisting the urge to put his arm around her, Daniel approached Vala and bumped his shoulder to hers, reassuringly. "Well first we'll go talk to General Landry. And then, we may want to talk to Jack."
"Jack." Cam shook his head and smiled.
"Jack." Vala smiled, "Brilliant."
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Midnight Chunky Monkey
Vala sat in the half lit commissary playing with her bowl of melting Chunky Monkey ice cream. This ranked in her top twenty worst days, and she couldn't even enjoy her midnight snack. She was stuck in a loop of replaying the day in her head. If the IOA decided to boot her out of the SGC, she realized with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that she wouldn't even be allowed to stay on Earth.
She, Daniel and Cam had gone to Landry, and he'd been surprised and unhappy that Woolsey made an end run around his authority to poach one of his personnel. He'd acknowledged the validity of Daniel's arguments in favor of Vala remaining at the SGC – especially about the advantages of keeping American control over her resources and talents. But in the end, Landry had not seemed inclined to intervene on Vala's behalf. He'd said only two words to justify his inaction: "budget cuts."
Landry's words had shaken Vala. Her home among the Tau'ri at the SGC – a home she thought she'd earned -- was hers at the whim of the IOA. She felt betrayed and poked angrily at the melted ice cream in her bowl. Why had Daniel allowed her to think she had a real home when he really he had no authority, no right to give her that assurance? Why had she ignored every lesson life had ever taught her and trusted these Tau'ri? She'd allowed herself to be a virtual prisoner, cooped up underground at the SGC for over a year – she'd allowed it to prove herself worthy. And for what? Just another life lesson that nothing good lasted and that she'd always end up alone.
But she wanted to stay here with her teammates; and they all seemed to want her to stay, even Daniel judging from his reaction. Well at least he wanted her there some of the time. But the truth of the matter was, and Vala had to acknowledge it, that Daniel constantly ran hot and cold with her until some crisis such as the present one threatened her.
Vala had to consider all of her options. Whether she agreed to work for the IOA, or left the SGC to avoid it, she'd be returning to a nomadic, solitary life – Daniel would have little part in a life like that. She didn't trust the IOA or Woolsey. She suspected that if an operation went bad, she could not count on the IOA. But going back out on her own meant going back to her old life as a thief, or as Daniel called her, a space pirate. She couldn't stand the thought of leaving in disappointment and willingly going back to that.
Were there any other options, any middle ground? Maybe she could work something out through Jack. Why was the IOA so interested in her all of sudden? Vala needed to assess what she had that Daniel's government, which meant Jack, might be interested in. Maybe she could run a few special projects for them and keep her SGC position? But now that she knew the precarious nature of her position at the SGC, she'd be a fool to rely on it without a more definite commitment. She'd need a permanent right to stay.
And if she couldn't work anything out with Jack, then she'd need to leave the SGC before Woolsey and his IOA crowd got the bright idea to lock her up in Area 51 and force her to do their bidding. She'd have no choice in the matter unless she wanted to risk her freedom.
Daniel stood in the commissary doorway watching Vala. Unaware of him and alone in the space, Vala had raised none of her deflective armor. So Daniel felt the waves of anger, tension and fear coming off her, and something else too, a survivor's energy and determination to hope and keep fighting.
Lost in her thoughts, Vala hadn't noticed Daniel enter the commissary. She jumped in surprise when she felt him sit down next to her.
"Hello darling," Vala said distractedly.
"Hey, I didn't mean to startle you," Daniel said a bit nervously as he tried to take stock of Vala's mood, "I thought you'd come find me."
"I meant to," Vala lied as she dropped her eyes from his obvious examination.
Daniel couldn't believe the IOA was so short sighted about Vala. She'd contributed so much, and could contribute so much more. And he was kicking himself for not anticipating the need to protect her more fully. He hadn't even thought about safeguards to protect her from something like this.
Taking Vala's chin and turning her face up to look him in the eyes, Daniel said contritely, "Vala, I'm sorry I let you down. I should have protected you."
Vala's anger towards Daniel began to ebb with his words. "Daniel, you've done the best you could. I know that." But she still held back the one question she wanted to ask him: why he had let her think she had a home here.
"Vala I know you were blindsided today. You must feel like I should have told you this was a possibility. Truth is, I'm as surprised by this as you are," Daniel said with anger at himself evident in his voice.
Vala saw the anger, fear and concern in Daniel's eyes, and the rest of her own anger and hurt towards him flew drained away.
Vala put her hand on the side of his face and ran her fingers down his jaw – it seemed one of them was always touching the other's face she mused. She liked how the stubble from his five o clock shadow felt against her hand. She wanted to replace her fingers with her lips. Who knew how many more chances she would have to be close to him? So she leaned toward him, put her arms around him and nuzzled his face with her cheek enjoying the hum of excitement she felt in the pit of her stomach from his closeness.
Daniel jumped at the feel of Vala's cheek against his face. She'd just crossed a line. All of the touching he had allowed with her was done in response to an emotional crisis of some kind. Well, this was a crisis too, Daniel thought as he relaxed a bit.
Vala felt Daniel tense momentarily before he put his arms around her and pulled her closer, beginning a pleasant, comforting rocking sensation.
"Daniel, I appreciate everything you've down for me. This isn't your fault," Vala told him soothingly.
Vala held Daniel a little tighter for a moment enjoying his embrace. Then she kissed him lightly on the lips. Daniel's eyes went wide in surprise.
Vala felt his reaction, pulled back and released him with an almost imperceptible nod of her head.
"I'm not a wounded little girl; this is my problem to solve Daniel. I'll work it out one way or the other," Vala said as she pulled out her signature fake smile and a wink.
What just happened, Daniel asked himself. How did they shift from such intimacy to Vala's flirty, fake armor? Daniel didn't seem to have a clue that the change in Vala had anything to do with his own responses.
"Vala . . . I . . .," Daniel stammered. He wanted to tell her that he would help; he wanted to ask her why she'd put the armor back on.
"Oh, no matter darling. Can you arrange a trip to Washington for me to see Jack or should I ask Cameron to make the arrangements?" Vala said as she stood up.
"I'm going to come with you to see Jack," Daniel managed.
Vala shrugged.
"Everything will work out Daniel. After all, you couldn't get along without me in your lab, and I don't think you've been good enough that the ascended will free you of me – given their stance on not interfering on the lower planes and all." Vala told him and grinned. "Goodnight Daniel."
Daniel watched Vala walk away. He'd fought for people and causes before. His opinion rarely swayed the IOA, and his success record with the Washington brass was better, but not by much. And in the end when decisions that he'd fought were made anyway, he'd let go of people. But he knew he couldn't do that with Vala. Why was Vala different? Because it's Vala and he'd come to like her and respect her even. She was quirky, beautiful, irritating to the bone, and he felt more alive when she was there.
Daniel stood up and started pacing the darkened commissary. I'm not losing Vala! I'm not letting the IOA send her out to work alone. That's not happening! And that's when he knew, whatever the cost, he was keeping Vala at the SGC. He didn't know exactly what that meant, he didn't know exactly why he couldn't let her leave, but he knew that much.
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Planning to Plan
"Jackson, have you seen the Princess," Cameron asked Daniel.
"Not today," Daniel replied coming to the realization that Vala had yet to show up in his office today.
"Well, we're scheduled to meet with Jack tomorrow. Don't you think the three of us should sit down and talk about a strategy for dealing with this IOA mess," Cameron asked.
"Yeah, that's not a bad idea," Daniel told him. "Let me see if I can track Vala down."
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Vala was sitting in Sam's office working on her lap top.
"So Sam," Vala began.
"Hmmm?" Sam said.
"What can you tell me about dealing with your Jack," Vala asked.
Sam blushed momentarily at the characterization of Jack as hers. Vala had filled Sam in on the IOA threats and her impending visit to Washington with Cameron and Daniel.
"Jack appreciates an honest, no nonsense approach. He's not your typical Washington bureaucrat." Sam said with a little smile. She was going to try and surprise Jack tomorrow if she could break away from the SGC.
"I'll keep that in mind." Vala added excitedly, "When will you be ready to go to the mall?"
"Hey, there you are," Daniel stuck his head in the door and directed the comment to Vala.
"Yes, here I am darling," Vala gave him a quick wink and then went back to typing.
Daniel sighed, "Look I arranged a meeting with Jack for tomorrow at 1300. We're hopping a flight at 0600."
"Yes, I know, Cam sent me an email about it," Vala told Daniel without looking up from her laptop screen.
"Cam wants to discuss a strategy for tomorrow. And, I think that's a good idea," Daniel told her.
"Can we talk on the flight? I'm leaving to go shopping with Samantha soon, and then, I need to pack. And right now, I'm working on my own proposal for tomorrow," Vala explained to Daniel continuing to type into her laptop pausing only briefly to raise a questioning eyebrow at him.
Daniel put his hands in his pockets and asked suspiciously, "Oh, you're working on a proposal; what exactly?"
"Darling, it's just some ideas I wanted to remember; we'll discuss it tomorrow." Vala hadn't even looked up from her laptop this time.
Daniel furrowed his eyebrows at her, but he was amused too. She was imitating one of the techniques he used when he wanted to get rid of her.
"Let's discuss it now," he insisted.
"Darling, don't be difficult; there's really no need," Vala said as she closed her laptop. She stood up and patted Daniel's face, "I'll see you at 0600 tomorrow morning." Then Vala turned to Sam, "Meet you in twenty minutes?"
Vala started to pass by Daniel on her way out of Sam's lab, but Daniel caught her arm.
"Sam, she's going to be an hour or so late for shopping," Daniel said.
Vala scowled at Daniel as he held onto her arm and led her away.
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Daniel deposited Vala on his lab couch before reaching for the phone to summon Cameron.
Vala sat pouting with her arms folded over her chest listening to Daniel side of his call to Cameron.
"Cam, I found her; we're in my lab. Okay, see you in a few minutes," Daniel said and hung up the telephone before moving to sit by Vala on the couch.
"Vala, I think it's better if you let me handle the meeting with Jack," Daniel told her.
Vala was staring at Daniel not quite believing she had heard him correctly. The IOA was trying to take her position away. They were trying to make her do their bidding. It wasn't about Daniel, she thought furiously, but she remained calm and said simply, "Why?"
"Because I know Jack better than you do; because the last time you were in Washington you questioned a senator's physical endowment; because I'm from Earth and you're not; should I go on," Daniel asked.
"What do you plan to say," Vala asked him with curiosity.
"Well, I'll say pretty much the same thing I said when I secured your position with the SGC," Daniel explained.
"Don't you think everyone has already considered all that stuff," Vala asked him.
"Apparently they need to be reminded," he told her.
"Well, what if it's not enough; after all Adria's gone and that was the best reason to keep me around here," Vala pointed out. "Daniel, I'm not convinced your government is going to have the same opinion of my value that you do."
Daniel ran a hand through his hair thinking about Vala's words.
Vala was looking carefully at Daniel's face as she spoke. She could see that her words had hit a nerve with Daniel, and Vala suspected that the same thought had crossed his mind as well.
"There's a reason that the IOA waited to make this move until Adria was eliminated," Vala told Daniel. "What do you plan to say if your government isn't willing to ruffle IOA feathers just to keep me at the SGC? I mean, the IOA has raised the stakes here, SGC funding, my freedom, my safety, the IOA relationship with your government, even your autonomy over your work Daniel. Woolsey seemed to put all that in play if you ask me."
"Vala, we met with Woolsey yesterday. I haven't figured out what to say yet, but I'm not without influence." Daniel reassured her.
"Daniel, I don't think this will be as simple as you making another pitch and demanding that the SGC retain me simply because you want it."
Daniel scowled at her, "I know that!"
"Oh, good, well, I'm working on an idea that your government might be interested in. I think you call it dangling a carrot."
Daniel let out another sigh and asked, "What carrot? What are you going to talk to Jack about?"
"I'm going to tell him why I think the IOA wants me in the first place. I'm going to tell him what I might be able to offer your government." Vala nodded to Daniel proudly.
"Yes . . . and," Daniel urged her on impatiently.
"Well I thought I would tell your government about some connections to mining concerns that might be able to supply Earth with naquedah," Vala told him.
"We already have naquedah mining contracts, Princess," Cameron told her as he was walking in. He took a position leaning on Daniel's lab table.
Daniel stifled the urge to tell him to be careful of the priceless Ancient tablets that rested within a foot of his elbows.
"Vala, we have a treaty with the Unas," Daniel added, nodding to Cam.
"The Goa'uld's first hosts? That's a bit creepy," Vala told him.
"No, not really," Daniel said.
"Oh, well you can never have too many naquedah interests, but I guess I'll have to think of something else to offer in case you're right," Vala said shaking her head, but still smiling widely.
"Like what," Daniel asked.
"Well I'm still planning that part darling, but it doesn't matter. I'll think of something," Vala told him as she smiled again trying to lighten the suddenly somber mood. They were all thinking that they really didn't have much to bargain with.
"Why doesn't it matter," Daniel asked not liking her tone.
"Because my options are work for the IOA; leave or make another deal with your government, Daniel. It doesn't really matter what the deal is when you consider the alternatives. It's the best plan," Vala patted Daniel's hand.
"That's not much of a plan Vala," Daniel told her.
"So what's your plan darling? You're going to tell them how wonderful I am, of course," Vala smirked; at least her plan was a bit better than that.
"Yes, I'm going to tell them why you're still an asset we want to keep in spite of the fact that you're a pain in the ass," Daniel told her smugly.
"Well, that's not much of a plan either," Vala said as she folded her arms around herself seemingly needing some reassurance that she wasn't getting from the conversation.
"Yeah Jackson, Vala's right. At least she's dangling a new carrot in front of them," Cam said.
"Vala shouldn't have to come up with a new carrot to stay at the SGC! She's earned her position here several times over; SG-1 wants her here as part of the team; and I want her here as part of my department and that should be enough," Daniel said forcefully.
"Look I agree with everything you've said Jackson. You've earned the right to dictate a few terms, but that right probably doesn't mean squat to the IOA under these circumstances. I don't like it either Jackson. I'm going to do everything that I can to prevent the IOA getting their hooks into the Princess, but Vala's right. A new carrot, hell a few new carrots, might be the best way to do that. They certainly couldn't hurt," Cameron told him.
Daniel said nothing for a moment, but he pursed his lips, folded his arms and glared at Cameron.
"What about a new stick," Daniel said quietly not looking at anyone.
Vala turned from Daniel to Cameron looking confused. "A stick, what do you mean?"
"Yeah Jackson, what kind of a stick," Cameron asked him folding his arms and trying to keep his face calm.
I'm not letting the IOA take Vala," Daniel told Cameron with a dark, determined look in his eyes.
"So what is your stick, Jackson," Cam asked. He needed to make Jackson see reality.
"I don't know yet," Daniel said in a frustrated tone. He was stalling; he had some thoughts on a stick, but he didn't want to talk about it.
"Jackson there's only one stick I know of that you can wield, and I can't see the IOA or Jack taking you seriously given what you've said over the last couple of years about Vala."
Vala had been quietly watching the two men's verbal sparring match, but she couldn't hold back any longer, "What's his stick, Cam," Vala asked holding up her hand so they would notice that she was still in the room.
Cameron looked directly at Daniel. "He can threaten to leave the program unless they keep you," Cameron told her. "He can marry you, get ya pregnant and take you off to some college town to be a professor. But it won't work, Jackson."
Vala's eyes widened, "Daniel?"
Daniel reddened in anger and embarrassment, "No one's talking about getting married!"
"Daniel's right Cameron, we can make babies without getting married," Vala grinned at him.
Daniel's red deepened, but he continued with a frustrated growl, "No one's talking about babies! If I made a threat to leave the SGC and take Vala with me, that's not how I would go about it. I'd ask Teal'c if the Jaffa Council would allow us to work with them. And Mitchell, I think that's quite a credible threat considering I've already managed to work with Vala for two years."
"So we go work with the Jaffa? Is that your stick Daniel," Vala asked. "I think I'd rather make babies."
"I don't know what I meant! I'm still considering the options," Daniel stammered somewhat flustered by this scrutiny.
"Even if that was your plan Jackson, they probably wouldn't let you take her unless you married her and knocked her up anyway, maybe not even then." Cameron smirked at him. Then his tone turned serious, "Jackson, it's not going to be that easy to bounce Vala out of here if the IOA digs its heels in. They can arrest her for stealing the Prometheus; or, they can just decide to lock her up in the IOA equivalent of Area 51 just because she's an alien. Then they could make sure the only way she ever got released was to agree to their terms. At least now they're offering her some incentives. You might just be making this worse for her. Unless you're willing to go against orders, maybe even break the law to leave Earth with her? But I doubt that either of you would be able to come back."
Daniel sighed deeply and rubbed at the bridge of his nose not daring to look at Vala.
"Daniel, have you given any thought about what kind of position you'd be putting Teal'c and the Jaffa in if you made a request for sanctuary. It might strain their relationship with the SGC and our government if the IOA decides to put us in the middle, which they certainly would. We're still in a fight with the Ori; still trying to help the Jaffa form governments; there's the Lucian Alliance, not to mention straggling Goa'ulds. It's bad timing for creating a rift between allies." Cameron quietly pointed out to Daniel.
"I'm not hanging Vala out to dry to protect relationships with a government that won't honor its commitments to people," Daniel said quietly folding his arms and looking down.
Vala now understood that any stick Daniel could use would not only clobber his government and the SGC, but would also strike a blow at many things Daniel held dear like his work and a place with his SGC family.
"Alright then, Daniel I'll give you and Cameron an opportunity to knock Jack's socks off with testimonial's to my value," Vala smiled. "But after that, I want to talk to Jack, before we go anywhere near any sticks. Do you understand me, Daniel," Vala asked in a serious, commanding tone she'd never used with him before.
"Vala a threat may be the only thing we have," Daniel told her.
"Darling, as much as I might enjoy making babies with you, I don't want you threatening to get me pregnant or threatening anything else. If you threaten and they don't give you what you want, you'll either have to make good," Vala told him raising an eyebrow and smirking to lighten the mood now that she'd laid down her edict. "Or, you'll lose credibility, and I don't want to be responsible for either of those consequences for you, understand," Vala told him with a grin that was backed by determined, serious eyes.
Vala patted Daniel's hand before she rose from the couch. "I have some more planning to do; I'll see you both in the morning."
Daniel watched Vala leave. He wasn't sure why she'd refused to allow him to fight for her with the only real weapon he had available. She'd seemed genuinely concerned for him. He was frustrated by his inability to protect her. And if the discussions with Jack didn't yield results, he was going to fight any way he could – no matter what she had to say about it.