LIBERTINES AND LIBERATION
CHAPTER 41 The Pie Eater
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. I recently saw Ark of Truth. I've tried to keep my story canon as to events through Season 10. If it happened in the series, I've tried to respect that and work within the framework of the canon. Now that Ark of Truth is out, I have not decided whether my story will treat the events depicted in Ark of Truth as canon or go for an AU approach. Maybe it doesn't matter. Stay tuned as the story unfolds.
Summary: Vala and Daniel centered storyline adventure (hopefully); relationship (okay yes); angst (yup); comfort; etc.
Rating: R to NC-17 in some parts, with some language and sexually graphic material.
Author's Note: This is my first Stargate fiction. Thanks E, for the beta assist. This story will have multiple chapters.
Author's Note: I understand that is currently sans special symbols such as the sun symbol that I use to denote scene changes. I've modified my scene change notations for this chapter. I hope FF gives us back are special symbols soon!
Author's Note: I'm sorry for the long gap between chapters. I had a bad case of writer's block, or at least writer's malaise. I wanted this chapter to be right. I couldn't publish it until I was really happy with it. I hope you're happy with it too. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Please review: Yes, I know I said I would never beg for reviews, but please is just civility not begging. However in words inspired by Jacek Mal Doran, "Little Pepito needs your reviews to have the will to write." Little Pepito telethon to follow.
Mea Culpa: Mea culpa for the lengthy delay. I offer this synopsis for those who might need a little refresher. So previously in the 1's and 0's that make up Libertines and Liberation:
Off world with Vala, Jack suffered critical injuries and nearly bled to death after a savage knife attack on Nerutas, the planet where they discovered that the rogue Tok'ra, Las Pul'gas, had three hatcheries for genetically altered Goa'uld larva. Vala manages to keep Jack alive with the healing device, but she is unable to completely heal him before the device malfunctions. Vala has been unable to repair the healing device and is now suffering serious side effects from pushing the device passed reasonable limits in order to save Jack's life.
Vala struggled to use her new ship, dubbed the Son of a Jack (nicknamed Sonny), infirmary and systems to keep Jack alive and blow up Las Pul'gas' Nerutas hatcheries. After purchasing the ship in Katana, Vala and Jack have been saved from disaster several times by unexplained activations of Sonny's systems. Jack's injuries have left Vala with little time and energy to investigate the mysterious activations of the systems.
Recent events have complicated the team's efforts to protect Vala and the SGC from the latest IOA budgetary cuts, which threaten the Stargate program and Vala's place at the SGC. Will Vala's deal with the US Government be successful in thwarting the IOA? Vala must make good on her promise to deliver a working Stargate and a stockpile of Lucian Alliance weapon's grade naquedah to the US Government. Will Vala be able to deliver on her promises? Will the IOA apply new international pressure on the US Government to deliver Vala into IOA custody when their SGC budget cuts fail?
The death of Netan, the leader of the Lucian Alliance, has left a power vacuum that has led to bloodshed between warring factions. Las Pul'gas, the mysterious rogue Tok'ra, has ties to Lucian Alliance lieutenants and kassa production. Kassa, the highly addictive, genetically altered, sweet corn is causing mass addiction and wrecking havoc on countless planets where it is smuggled in by the Alliance. Vala and Jack have learned that Las Pul'gas has been conducting further genetic manipulations of kassa. Las Pul'gas has also been involved in several serious threats to SG-1 and the people they love including the kidnapping of Samantha Carter in Danter City and the supply of tainted tretonin to the Hak'tyl, Ishta's people.
The United States Department of Home World Security, under the command of Jack O' Neill is seeking to control the outcome of the Lucian Alliance power struggles by helping a Tau'ri friendly faction gain control of the Alliance. Jack and Vala have recommended that the Tau'ri assist the pirate operation controlled by Aton Re Van gain control of the Alliance.
Now that Vala and Jack are in cloaked orbit around the Alpha site, they have been reunited with SG-1. The team was surprised to find both Jack and Vala contending with severe injuries from their impromptu trip to Nerutas. Now Cameron Mitchell and Teal'c have set out to inform the SGC and the Jaffa of the new threats Las Pul'gas' genetically altered Goa'uld larva may pose. Meanwhile, the rest of the team remains on the new ship trying to help Vala and Jack.
Against this background of interwoven intrigues and mysteries, Daniel and Vala have a budding secret relationship. Daniel continues to struggle with his own fears, dysfunctional past, the knowledge of Vala's past crimes and her continued association with Aton Re Van. At the same time, he is determined to investigate the mysteries surrounding Vala's past. Why was she part of Qetesh's lengthy search involving raven haired little girls? Was Qetesh's search finally narrowed to Vala when she took her as host? Why can't Vala remember much of her childhood? Why does the charm bracelet handed down to her from her mother a bracelet that Daniel believes to be a valuable antiquity depict the Earth Snake Goddess of Crete? Why does Vala spring into a fighting stance in her fitful, restless sleep?
I hope this summary helps you get back into the story. It doesn't cover everything, but then again what fun would that be. And now Chapter 41. Enjoy!
xx Scene Change
The First Aftermath
"Do you feel anything solid," an exhausted Vala asked Cameron Mitchell as she struggled to her feet and tried to apply pressure to her bloody nose at the same time.
"Give me a minute, Princess," Cameron warned as he studied the floating and unconscious form of Dr. Daniel Jackson. Daniel looked the picture of relaxation sprawled over an invisible hump and seemingly floating in midair outside the galley on Vala's new ship, Sonny.
"Was it really necessary to zat Daniel too," Vala scolded Cam.
"I couldn't get a clear shot," Cam explained feeling guilty that Jackson had been collateral damage to the electric blackness of the zat blast he had fired.
Cameron knelt by Daniel and felt the eerie airspace underneath him. He made sure his zat' n'ktel was still aimed at the space under Daniel.
"Well," Vala prompted impatiently.
"Yeah," Cam answered. "There's definitely something here. It's a warm body."
"Is it human," Vala asked.
"Well, it's a little hard to tell when you can't see the body," Cameron chided a little exasperated.
"Can you feel any sort of cloaking device," Vala pressed him as she wiped the blood off her hands to check Daniel's pulse.
"No, I can't find any device," Cam told her. As he pulled at the invisible body, a loud thud resounded in the hallway as if someone's head had hit the floor hard.
"Don't hurt him!" Vala put a hand on Cam.
"I'm not hurting him or it or whatever it is. You're bleeding like a stuck pig, Vala. If Claude Raines over there bumps his head, well I'm not going to be too torn up about it," Cam told her.
"Cam that wasn't his, its, the Invisible Man's fault," Vala countered.
xx Scene Change
That's A Lot of Coincidences
(Two Days Ago)
"Look I told you guys, there were some strange things happening on the ship," Jack said taking another bite of the blue Jell-O that Cam had mixed up from the package he had snagged at the SGC when he went to update General Landry on Vala's covert arrival in orbit above the Alpha site.
"Yes sir, but I didn't realize the strange things were this strange." Sam looked at Jack who was sitting across the galley table enjoying his own serving of Jell-O. He looked tired and pale. She'd have to insist he return to Sonny's infirmary right after he finished dessert.
"Hey guys," Daniel said walking into the galley. "What's so strange," Daniel asked as he grabbed a blue Jell-O.
"Sam thinks there's someone else on board the ship," Vala explained.
"Why," Daniel asked with a furrowed brow.
"Well remember earlier today I told you that I couldn't repair the healing device without a new power source and that I was going to get a message to Teal'c to bring back a naquedah power source from a staff weapon if he couldn't find another healing device that Ishta or Bra'tac could spare?"
"Yeah," Daniel said taking a bite of Jell-O. "Couldn't you get through to Teal'c?"
"Well that's just it," Sam looked at him. I got caught up in working on the infirmary monitors and by the time I got to the bridge to send the message, there was already a message from Teal'c waiting for me saying that he would bring the power source as requested. Our systems show the message going out to Teal'c about a half an hour after I spoke to you about it. I know you didn't do it because you were still in the infirmary with the rest of us."
"Yeah, that's strange alright," Daniel said.
"I thought it was just me," Cam said. "Earlier today when I was reviewing the weapons systems – and by the way Princess you sure can pick them; this ship has bells and whistles that Area 51 is going to have a field day with."
"Hey, let's keep Area 51's mitts off this ship," Jack scowled. "Information tends to get into the wrong hands when that place gets involved."
"Anyhoo," Daniel gave Cam a get to the point look.
"Anyhow Jackson, l thought I heard someone breathing behind me, but no one was there. I was so sure someone was there; the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up," Cam said.
"Vala and Jack already scanned the ship and there are no other life signs on board right," Daniel confirmed.
"Check," Vala confirmed nodding her head slightly.
"And you've run diagnostics on the scanners to make sure no one has tampered with them," Sam asked.
"Yup," Jack confirmed, "Barbarella ran tons of diagnostics and as far as we can tell, nothing's been monkeyed with."
"On the other hand, Jack keeps accusing me of stealing his food," Vala gave him a sly look.
"And you didn't," Daniel asked.
"No, may your little Ascended buddies strike me dead Daniel, I did not eat Jack's silly pie," Vala looked him straight in the eye. She still looked pale from the recurrent nose bleeds that she was experiencing – according to Sam, a side effect of overtaxing the healing device when she used it on Jack.
Cameron finished his Jell-O and asked, "How many other incidents have you had?"
"Maybe about three or four?" Jack looked at Vala for confirmation.
"Hey, don't look at me, you're the only one noticing missing food," Vala looked at him with a bit of annoyance.
"When we were in that cell in the basement of the fish shop, we got ringed up to the ship. We haven't figured out how that happened," Jack added in defense of his testimony that pie was indeed missing.
"And we got some weird help configuring the scanners when we were trying to target the hatcheries on Nerutas," Vala admitted. "And it seems like we might have had some help with your little medical emergency," Vala said biting her lower lip.
"Well we know that the Tok'ra have a radioactive isotope someone could use to evade ship scanners for a couple of days," Daniel noted.
"Yes Daniel, but we've run the scans for over ten days now," Vala told him.
"Some entities don't show up on the scanners," Sam added.
"Maybe it's a Furling," Vala said.
"Oh yeah," Cam rolled his eyes. "Because we just can't get rid of the Furlings – they're everywhere."
"Well Cameron, you weren't in the infirmary this afternoon when Daniel figured out that some of the original medical equipment is Furling designed," Vala told him smugly.
Cameron looked from Vala to Daniel for confirmation, "Really Jackson?"
"Well according to the manual I found with the red diagnostic monitors, the design is Freeling in origin," Daniel explained.
"But I recognized the interface as one similar to the Furling technology we found on the Paradise planet," Sam added.
"Ah, the mission where General O' Neill and Harry Maybourne got transported to a moon and nearly killed each other when they ate some wacky weed," Cameron said. "I read the file."
"Yes, yes," Jack groaned. "Don't remind me."
"Cameron at this point we all know you've read all the files; it really isn't necessary to keep reminding us," Vala groused.
"Oh well Princess I like to keep it straight in my own mind," Cameron grinned.
"Anyway, the point is that the Freelings and the Furlings may be one in the same," Daniel said ignoring the latest tangent.
"Look there's plenty of things that go bump in the night that might be on board this ship," Jack told them.
"Under the letter R, we have Replicators," Cam said.
"Look if we had a Replicator on board, we'd know it," Jack said definitively.
"Or Retu," Cameron added.
"A for Adria, P for Prior and O for Ori," Vala added.
"Yeah, I think we'd know if it were any of those. They're not exactly known for hanging back very long," Daniel said.
"Maybe the ship is eating Jack's pie," Vala suggested.
Daniel rolled his eyes at her.
"Well people, I think we all need to be on our toes until we figure this out," Cameron said.
"Alright, let's take a look at cloaking and AI applications first," Sam stated. "I'll look at the main frame logs. Does anyone know if the former owners of this ship kept any logs that are still on board? They might have encountered the same phenomenon."
"Anything relevant to the ship should still be in the computer. I'll help you look," Vala offered.
"Vala you need to take it easy," Daniel warned. "You and Jack should both still be in the infirmary."
"Daniel," Jack scowled.
"Jack!"
"Actually, I think they should both head to the infirmary," Sam said softly.
"I'll take it easy, Daniel," Vala negotiated. "Look unless I'm actually bleeding, what's the point of being in the infirmary? Besides, I've been functioning for days like this."
"How about we send Jack back to the infirmary," Vala began.
"Hey," Jack complained.
"I'll help Sam for an hour or so, and then get some rest in my quarters." Vala finished with a bright smile.
"While you folks are working that out, I'm going to set up some surveillance in the galley and bake a pie," Cameron smiled. "If this ship eats pie, I want to see that."
"Well we don't have all the ingredients for a Wendy pie," Vala told him sadly.
"Not to worry, my grandma taught me to improvise," Cam smiled. "If we can't catch this ship with my mother's pie, nothing will work."
Vala smiled at that, "Just remember everybody that whatever we find, we've been injured and passed out; we've spent hours off the ship and so far, it has done nothing but help us."
"It ate my dessert," Jack groused.
"We'll keep that in mind, Princess," Cam told her.
xx Scene Change
The Wrath of Ishta
(Still Two Days Ago)
It had been some time since the Chappa' ai had been activated by a foe of the Hak'tyl women. Ishta still insisted that the great ring be guarded and watched. Ishta often reminded all the Hak'tyl that attack was always a possibility.
At twenty years of age, Asta took her guard duty seriously. To fail Ishta by allowing harm to befall their people would be a disgrace. Disgrace was something that Asta meticulously guarded against. Her sister Nesa had brought shame and disgrace upon their family at the hands of Las Pul'gas. Asta could never make up for Nesa's part in exposing the Hak'tyl to tainted tretonin, but she could try.
So as the Chappa' ai sprang to life, ejecting an unstable energy vortex with a watery like tornado and kawoosh, Asta gripped her staff weapon more tightly.
As the event horizon formed, she waited to see whether friend or foe would emerge from the great circle. Feet and arms and weapon were all visible before the face of Teal'c appeared to claim these appendages.
Asta let out the breath she did not know she was holding and bowed to the great warrior.
"Tek ma tay," Asta greeted.
"Tek ma tek," Teal'c replied. "Master Bra'tac is currently with Ishta is he not?"
Asta nodded to the man responsible for freeing all Jaffa.
Teal'c gave a slight bow and headed in the direction of Ishta's home. Ishta had recently moved into a stone structure on a hilltop that afforded a view of the Chappa' ai and the several other strategic spots, which could be used by ships as landing sites. In addition to Ishta's residence, the structure served as a command center of sorts. As such, Teal'c assumed that Ishta had already been informed of his arrival.
Teal'c's assumption was confirmed when Ishta greeted him at the front door.
"Teal'c, it is good to see you," Ishta said with a strong, restrained voice.
"Ishta, are you well," Teal'c replied leaning down to kiss her passionately and embrace her.
"I am well," Ishta answered a bit breathless after Teal'c's kiss.
"Master Bra'tac is within?"
Ishta nodded still touching Teal'c's well muscled chest.
Teal'c kissed Ishta's forehead and moved into the house to find Bra'tac.
"Teal'c Kree! All this time away from me; you kiss me once and dismiss me?" Ishta grabbed her staff weapon and landed a blow in Teal'c's symbiote sack."
Teal'c stumbled back a little, grabbing the end of the staff weapon just as Ishta was trying to raise it again.
"Ishta, kor nak Kree!" Bra'tac shouted from the balcony beyond the room. "Have not the two of you heard O'Neill's story of the dog and the dancing monkeys?"
"Bra'tac, Tek ma tay," Teal'c said before turning his attention back to Ishta. "I have indeed heard O'Neill's story of the dog and the dancing monkeys. It is a story about getting along is it not."
Ishta stood glaring at Teal'c, "go'tak!"
Bra'tac looked at Teal'c, "No news of you has tried the patience of some."
"Indeed," Teal'c said also trying not to look too amused at this outburst on Ishta's part. "Master Bra'tac, I have troubling news to share with you and Ishta, but perhaps we may discuss it in the hour before dinner?"
"Of course old friend," Bra'tac smiled wryly. "May you fight like warriors --just not with each other." Bra'tac nodded and left the house.
"Indeed," Teal'c said as he grabbed Ishta's hand and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"I am not! I will not . . ." Ishta scowled.
"I shall attempt to remedy that," Teal'c said in a sultry voice with a raised eyebrow as he leaned in towards Ishta.
xx Scene Change
Troubling News
(Later that night with Bra'tac, Ishta and Teal'c)
"Do you think the tainted Tretonin was somehow related to the need for compliant Jaffa to incubate these altered primtahs," Ishta asked with her arms folded across her breasts.
"I do not know," Teal'c said.
"Would not Las Pul'gas understand that Jaffa who use tretonin can no longer incubate primtah," Ishta asked.
"Perhaps he desired a test to see whether the effects of the tretonin could be reversed," Bra'tac suggested.
"And he saw the Hak'tyl as women and children and not warriors capable of defending themselves," Ishta sneered.
"Las Pul'gas did not make an attempt on undrugged Hak'tyl; perhaps he had more fear of you as warriors than you credit," Bra'tac told her.
"According to O' Neill, Tarsoot indicated that the altered primtahs were fatal to their hosts. Las Pul'gas would be in constant need of new Jaffa if this is so," Teal'c said. "Perhaps he sought compliant Hak'tyl as a means to a continuing supply of new Jaffa."
"You suggest that he intends to use the Hak'tyl as breeding stock? What could Las Pul'gas want with these new altered Goa'ulds?" Ishta spoke as she walked towards the window.
"I do not know," Teal'c replied.
"Have the Tau'ri questioned the Tok'ra regarding Las Pul'gas," Bra'tac asked.
"General Landry does not yet wish to consult the Tok'ra further until we have more information. There is no way of knowing who of the Tok'ra is involved," Teal'c said. "For now, we must gather information from our Jaffa brothers and sisters."
"I shall inform what remains of the Jaffa High Council that Las Pul'gas' genetically altered primtah may pose a threat to Jaffa and humans alike. We will all need to be vigilant," Bra'tac said with a concerned look in his eye. "The tensions are already high between the Tok'ra and Jaffa. Many will suspect widespread duplicity of the Tok'ra in Las Pul'gas' actions."
"Indeed," Teal'c agreed.
xx Scene Change
Pie Game
(Yesterday)
Cameron took a succulent smelling apple pie from the galley oven. He'd had to improvise a bit with dried fruit and a liquid sweetener, but he was hopeful the pie would be edible if not delicious.
"Smells good," Sam said coming into the galley.
"Wendy's recipe – give or take anyway," Cam smiled. "So how's the communications with SG1 coming?"
"I've set up a separate means of communicating with General Landry through subspace with separate protocols. We'll be able to communicate directly with General Landry and bypass regular SGC channels. If we can't fix the healing device, I wanted them ready to go in case we need to request assistance from Dr. Lam," Sam explained.
"Yeah, I don't like Vala's color," Cam worried out loud. "We're going to have a battle on our hands to get her to agree to call Dr. Lam."
"I know," Sam said letting out a gush of air. "And this is her ship. I mean, she's the captain. So for now, the communications array was the best we can do until we either mutiny or she agrees to send for Dr. Lam."
"Jackson's well past the point of mutiny," Cam observed. "So don't tell him that communications system is functional until you're ready for the fight he and Vala will have over contacting Dr. Lam."
"I know that too," Sam smiled.
"In the meantime, you can help me with Operation Pie Spy," Cam smiled and held up the pie.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to deprive Teal'c," Sam told him as she waved a hasty goodbye.
"Laugh if you want, Sam," Cam called after her. While the pie was cooling, Cameron set up security cameras, including infrared cameras, to record in the galley. If anything came in to eat his pie, he would know about it.
xx Scene Change
Damn Tok'ra
(Yesterday)
Teal'c was taking a bite of the pie Cameron had made. It had an oddly sweet grainy texture, not the best pie he'd ever eaten Teal'c thought. He looked around the table at his extended SG1 family and saw by the expressions on their collective pie eating faces that he was not alone in his opinion that Cameron's pie improvisations were not entirely successful.
"So Cameron, I thought the idea was to make a dessert to tempt the pie eating ship to take the risk and steal a slice of pie," Vala teased as she placed her fork back on the plate and noisily swallowed Cam's pie.
Daniel suppressed a grin at Vala's comment as he took a drink of coffee to wash the sick pie taste out of his mouth.
"Cameron, I don't think we should mention this effort to Wendy; it would break her heart," Vala continued as she saw Sam join Daniel in suppressing a grin.
"Oh, it's not that bad," Sam tried to sooth, but Cameron noticed that she had not picked up her fork to take a second bite.
"No it's not too bad," Jack said as he took his third bite.
"Well here's the real question Jack," Vala eyed him incredulous at the man's ability to choke down disgusting desserts. "Is Cameron's pie tastier than the one you made?"
Jack looked at her for a minute as he assessed the question, "Yes, well he had real butter and dried apples. I'd say this tastes better than mine did."
"Thank you sir, but you don't have to be polite." Cam shook his head. "I've put the entire legacy of my Grandma's pies to shame with this one."
"No, no, Colonel, I think it tastes alright," Jack said. "I mean it's not the greatest pie, but it beats no pie, and it definitely beats my pie."
"Well Cameron, I can attest that Jack's pie was one of the most disgusting things I have ever eaten. Let me tell you, there have been times in my life when food has been none too plentiful," Vala looked confused at the sudden furrowing of brow at this news.
"Vala are you saying that you went hungry, because . . . ." Daniel began.
"Well darling you know my metabolism with all that naquedah coursing through me, it's not like I lived through a famine," Vala said lightly. "Anyway, my point is that, I'm not sure even then I could have choked down Jack's pie. So according to Jack your pie is better than his, and the ship ate that. I think it will be fine bait."
"Well thank you very much Princess. You know I really do make a decent pie given the right ingredients," Cameron said for the third time with an embarrassed laugh.
"We know," everybody said in unison.
Jack looked at Teal'c, choosing to change the subject from his questionable baking talents, "So T, what does Bra'tac think about these Frankensnakes that Las Pul'gas has been growing on Nerutas?"
"He is very concerned O' Neill," Teal'c told him with a stoic, emotionless look on his face.
"Does he think it might be connected to what Las Pul'gas tried to pull on Ishta's people by lacing their tretonin," Daniel asked him.
"He thought the two matters were likely connected Daniel Jackson," Teal'c confirmed.
"Did he agree with General Landry that we should wait to contact the Tok'ra High Council," Sam asked him.
"Yes Colonel Carter, Master Bra'tac felt that the Tok'ra may not have been forthcoming with all the information they have concerning Las Pul'gas," Teal'c responded.
"Well here we go again with the damn Tok'ra's secrets getting other people killed," Jack fumed.
"We don't know enough about the Tok'ra's current chain of command to trust them with this information," Cameron said.
"Well we've certainly seen the Tok'ra's ranks infiltrated with spies and non-Tok'ra Goa'uld in the past," Daniel added.
"Yes, yes, and they've never quite been willing to share their information, have they," Jack pointed out the obvious.
"Does not the SGC take a similar position with the foreign members of the IOA," Teal'c raised an eyebrow.
"That's different," Jack defended.
Teal'c raised his eyebrow again.
"How so," Vala took the bait.
"We've proven ourselves, and the IOA hasn't," Jack defended.
"Yes, yes, we've proven ourselves with covert secret government agencies out to steal alien technology – an organization co-opted and infiltrated by Goa'uld," Daniel goaded.
"What's your point," Jack asked.
"My point is that our behavior has in a lot of ways mirrored that of the Tok'ra," Daniel stated.
"That's crap Daniel," Jack scowled.
"Is it? Seems to me that we're no better than the Tok'ra," Daniel countered.
"Well, I think I'm going to go work on retrofitting one of those naquedah power sources into the healing device," Sam said as she got up from the table hoping to end the burgeoning loud discussion.
"I'll give you a hand," Vala added as she rose from the table.
"Yeah, I think I'll show Teal'c my security camera set up," Cameron said.
Jack and Daniel sat in the otherwise empty galley scowling at each other.
"Wow Daniel, you still know how to clear a room," Jack told him with a smirk.
xx Scene Change
The Wrath of Vala
(Very Late Yesterday)
"Daniel this isn't necessary," Vala whined as he escorted her back to her cabin to get some rest.
"You've been working on the healing device with Sam for hours," Daniel argued.
"And it's still not working," Vala pointed out.
"Well replacing the power source didn't work and Sam said every thing else she tried hasn't helped either. She's out of ideas," Daniel countered.
"All the more reason to keep working on it," Vala pushed her point.
"All the more reason to get some rest. You're exhausted." And then Daniel delivered this winning counterpoint with a soft boyish smile and punched the button to her cabin door, "Humor me?"
Vala nodded and began to enter her cabin only to stop again when she saw that Daniel did not intend to come with her. "You're not coming in?"
"No."
"Why not," Vala asked him with a confused look.
"Because I want you to actually get some sleep," Daniel said.
"But, I'll sleep better if you're here," Vala smiled enticingly.
"I doubt that; besides, I don't want people to get suspicious that something is going on with us." Daniel stood impatiently ushering her further into the room. He was hoping to get some more time with the translation he was working on.
"But something is going on with us; isn't it," Vala asked in a small voice.
"Daniel gave her a warm smile and subtly ran a fingertip over her palm. "Oh, something is definitely going on between us, Vala; you're driving me crazy."
Vala turned her head to one side and studied him before quietly saying, "That's not what I meant; Daniel it's been weeks. Why are we still hiding our relationship? Are you ashamed to be with me?"
"No, of course not, but there are rules – we work together remember."
"And those rules are somehow going to magically change if we are a secret," Vala asked.
"No, but . . . look . . . I just need some time to process what all this means," Daniel stammered.
"Daniel, if you're not sure about this, about us I mean, then tell me now. Tell me now, please," Vala swallowed hard.
"Vala, I never said I wasn't sure," Daniel looked at her with an expression that said he wasn't prepared to discuss the matter. An expression that made Vala feel insecure and a little desperate.
"You know what Daniel, take all the time you need alright," Vala said as she squared her shoulders and walked into her cabin.
"Thank you Vala, thank you for being patient."
"You're welcome," Vala said with sarcasm that went completely over Daniel's head. She smiled in spite of the sickly revulsion she felt over the embarrassing neediness she had just revealed. As the revulsion turned to steel in her spine, she added, "Daniel; I don't want to get in the way of your processing all this, so why don't you just sleep in your own cabin tonight."
"I'll try to come back, later," Daniel said not quite registering the import of Vala's words.
Vala gave him a slight smile. "That's alright Daniel; I think you should use this trip to process." With that Vala pressed the control that shut the cabin door.
What the hell just happened, Daniel thought.
xx Scene Change
Wrath Aftermath
(Later that Night/Early Today)
Vala awoke alone to a sticky face. Daniel really didn't come back; that go'tak! Vala thought as her hurt feelings and anger fumed out of her like steam. Her hand reached for the stickiness on her face. "Just great, another nose bleed," Vala said as she got up and stumbled into a bookshelf knocking it over as blood continued to stream from her nose.
"Vala!" Daniel said as the wall between their cabins slid back and he saw her sprawled on the floor tangled with the bookshelf. He moved forward and began to take her arm.
Vala, angry and embarrassed, shook him off. "I didn't mean to wake you," she said with a chill in her voice.
"You didn't wake me; I mean I wasn't asleep," Daniel stammered a bit.
"Oh, why not," Vala asked coolly as she tried to hold her head up and aim for the bathroom.
Daniel walked past her to grab a towel from the bathroom.
As Daniel tried to hold it to Vala's nose, she grabbed it from him without a thank you.
"Vala, let me," Daniel complained.
"Oh, that's alright – you were saying," Vala said coldly.
"Well I was trying to decide whether you really wanted to sleep by yourself, or if I'd missed some female signal that meant I was really supposed to join you in your bed after all," Daniel looked at her with a mixture of concern, amusement and annoyance. "And based on my cold reception, I take it I was supposed to come back and try again."
"No; I would have only welcomed an Alpha male who knew his own mind about what he wants," Vala said as she started to feel dizzy.
"Vala can we talk about his later? You need to get to the infirmary," Daniel was annoyed by her comments but started to pick her up anyway.
Not today, Vala thought as her emotions seethed. "Honestly Daniel, you're not even dressed. If you're so worried about us remaining your dirty little secret then you'd better let me go alone. It won't take a rocket scientist, which is exactly what Sam is by the way, to figure out what's going on if you keep carrying me into the infirmary every morning."
"But," Daniel looked at her as she held her hands out to back him off leaving a bloody handprint on his arm.
She moved away grabbing clothes from the back of her door. "Don't you have processing to do? I don't NEED you; I can make it on my own," Vala said without looking at him as she pressed the button to open up her door leaving Daniel completely baffled for the second time tonight.
xx Scene Change
Pie Bait
(Very Early Today)
After two hours in the vents, Cameron had nearly fallen asleep, his body was feeling the impacts of the crammed space and his bladder was becoming a problem. He thought he'd need to pack this in before too long. If Teal'c hadn't agreed to monitor the security feeds, Cameron probably would have already packed it in.
Just as he was about to contact Teal'c to call it a night, Cameron watched the doors to the galley open apparently without assistance. If the refrigerator door hadn't opened, Cameron would not have thought anyone was inside the galley. Then a piece of Cameron's pie floated out and onto the counter. A fork near the sink began to float up and come toward the pie. Cameron watched as the fork cut into the pie and a morsel floated in the air towards an unseen mouth.
"Colonel Mitchell, this is your scheduled check in," Teal'c spoke into his earpiece.
Cameron maintained radio silence. He wanted to give the person a chance to finish the snack. It was fascinating to watch the bites of pie disappearing.
"Colonel Mitchell?" Teal'c's voice sounded over the radio again.
The fork stopped midway and fell back onto the plate, then the galley doors opened and the pie floated out.
"Teal'c, I think our stowaway heard you; something spooked him. He stopped mid-bite and left," Cameron whispered. "Can you look at the monitors and see what doors open now?"
"I will alert you when a door opens, Colonel Mitchell. Vala Mal Doran is in the galley hallway; she appears to be suffering from another nosebleed."
Cameron heard a great ruckus and the sound of Vala's voice out in the hallway followed by a loud crash.
"Colonel Mitchell," Teal'c called. "Vala Mal Doran appears to have crashed into our stowaway."
xx Scene Change
Invisible Force
Blood streamed from Vala's nose as she stormed out of her quarters and towards the galley for ice.
"If Daniel needs to process, he can bloody well stop telling me what to do," Vala muttered to herself feeling equal parts of frustration and regret over the whole mess with Daniel. All this angst left only a sliver of Vala's attention for her immediate condition, and there was nothing left to spare for paying attention to her surroundings.
Had she been herself, she might have noticed the strange disturbance of molecules in the hallway. Had she not been bleeding, she might have noticed the piece of pie floating down quickly towards the floor. Instead, Vala walked a wobbly path through the hall and plowed straight into an invisible obstruction that knocked her down. Limbs entangled with invisible limbs as both beings struggled to right themselves.
Vala's wits sprang back about her. She turned swiftly and straddled the invisible writhing entity feeling lean muscle mass and soft hair which she could not see. Blood streamed from her nose freely with no pressure applied and adrenaline rushing through her body.
Just then Daniel walked around the corner to witness Vala's scene of apparent macabre pantomime. It might have been funny if Vala's face and clothes were not covered in her blood.
"Vala! What the hell!" Daniel rushed forward as Vala continued to struggle with strong invisible hands.
Vala wasn't sure she could fight her invisible counterpart much longer. She was dazed from a body slam. Still bleeding, she let go for only a moment to wipe her blood slicked hands. Almost as quickly she recovered and reached for the invisible foe. Then Daniel was by her side helping her subdue her opponent.
Just then Cameron ran up and pulled Vala back as he raised his zat' n'ktel. He zatted Daniel and the invisible lump that Daniel struggled to subdue. Daniel fell forward seemingly slumped over an invisible, and suddenly still, mound.
xx Scene Change
Teal'c appeared in the hallway, "Colonel Mitchell, I have alerted the others that you have captured our stowaway."
"Well I'd say Vala and Daniel captured the stowaway," Cameron answered. "I'm going to lock up the invisible man. As soon as Sam sorts out this lot in the infirmary, we'll see if she can disconnect whatever cloaking device this guy is using."
xx Scene Change
You Got Zatted
Daniel came slowly back to consciousness. His tongue felt thick and fuzzy; his head ached. He slowly opened his eyes to find that he was in the infirmary on a bed. It all came rushing back; the fight with Vala, the struggle in the hallway and then the shocking slip into darkness. He sat up quickly looking around and saw Vala on the bed next to him.
She looked pale and tired, and her nose was still bleeding, though the bleeding had slowed. Vala opened her eyes and looked over at him.
"Vala, are you alright," Daniel asked tentatively wondering if she would still be pissed from their earlier fight.
"Yes, I'm fine Daniel," Vala said reaching out a hand to him.
"Daniel how are you feeling," Sam asked as she rolled an infirmary monitor up to Vala's bed.
"Oh, I'll live, how's she doing," Daniel asked nudging his chin towards Vala.
"Well, we haven't managed to stop the bleeding this time," Sam told him with a look of concern on her face. "I think it was all that extra adrenaline in the hallway."
"Yeah, was that our stowaway," Daniel asked.
"Yup," Jack chimed in from the doorway. "Daniel."
"Jack," Daniel looked at him.
"Mitchell's still trying to figure out Mr. Invisible's cloaking device," Jack told them.
"Well as soon as we've stopped Vala's bleeding, I'll take a look," Sam said. "Vala, I've figured something out about these infirmary beds. "May I?" Sam began readjusting the monitors and punching buttons.
"Remain still," Sam instructed as a yellow light began scanning Vala's head. Once the yellow light disappeared, the monitor read, "Diagnosis Incomplete: Elevated blood pressure. Deep cranial bleed due to unknown trauma. Low blood clotting factors. Recommended Treatment: Packet 8, 9 and 10. Further Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol Zed recommended."
"Jack can you find Packets 8, 9 and 10 please," Sam instructed.
"I normally just give her the blood builders," Jack commented.
"Well we've tried two of those and they're not working. This monitor is giving us additional recommendations. I say we try it." Sam looked at Vala for permission.
Vala nodded.
"Daniel have you run across anything explaining Treatment Protocol Zed," Sam asked.
"No, not yet, but if you hand me the texts we found with the monitors, I'll see if I can find it," Daniel told them.
xx Scene Change
Captured!
Two floors down in the makeshift brig, the invisible lump had just become less lump like. Now awake and tethered to a pipe, the lump felt a strange surge of panic rising within. What an odd sensation he mused.
The lump was surprised to find that these Tau'ri were capable of such a capture. After all, he'd been so careful and only given in to the temptation of sweets a few times. The man called Joaquin now called Jack seemed to be a decent and kind sort, as did all his companions. But he didn't really know what their agenda was, and he could not get caught. He needed time to observe them further before he could consider exposing himself or changing his plans.
But, nothing was readily available in the room to facilitate escape.
He'd have to find a way out of this cell. So he tested the integrity of the pipe, which he was secured to by handcuffs. A little wiggle to the pipe gave him hope.
xx Scene Change
The Other Patch Up
Vala opened her eyes to find that Sam and Jack were gone. Now only Daniel remained resting on the bed next to hers in the infirmary.
"Sam and Jack go to help Cam," Vala asked in a raspy, dry voice.
Daniel sat up and moved toward her bed handing her a glass of water. "Yeah."
Vala smiled, "Thanks for jumping in back there."
Daniel nodded and combed his fingers through his hair, "Yeah, for a minute there I thought you'd gone insane."
"Was that in the hallway or when I bit your head off earlier this morning in my room," Vala said sheepishly.
Daniel ran a finger along her cheek, "Well I was a bit confused about that."
"Are you still confused," Vala swallowed hard and looked up at Daniel.
"We need to talk about what brought all that on," he told her and watched as her brow furrowed. "But not right now. Right now you need to rest." Daniel leaned over and kissed her softly.
"Daniel," Vala began with a troubled sigh. "I thought we were past you being ashamed to be with me."
"I was never," Daniel began but paused when he saw Vala raise an upset eyebrow into an incredulous look.
"I mean I'm not ashamed of," he paused again as the eyebrow arched higher and her look became more agitated.
"Sh, sh, sh, Vala; I love you very much," Daniel whispered and stroked her hair. "That's not going to change."
Vala swallowed again as if she were choking back emotion, "I love you too, but I don't want to feel . . . I don't want to be with you if you're not . . . I mean look at what Jack and Sam went through all those years hiding their . . . I don't think I can do this like this."
"Vala, you shouldn't feel like that. You can; we can. I just need some more time. It won't be forever," Daniel told her firmly, scooping her into an embrace and kissing her.
"Um, I don't mean to interrupt," Jack said entering the infirmary a bit unsure of what to do in light of what he had just witnessed. "Just checking on our girl."
Daniel tensed and let Vala go, "She's fine; she's just a little tired and banged up, right?"
Vala sighed and closed her eyes; this was some progress she supposed, "Right darling."
Jack raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
xx Scene Change
The Great Escape?
Tugging and kicking had loosened the pipe the invisible lump was still tethered to. If he could get some leverage, he might be able to pull it free. If he only had some leverage. If only . . .
He scrambled up away, contorted his body and placed his foot on the wall and pulled at the pipe with all his might. Nothing happened. He reconfigured his body and tried again. Pushing, tugging and pulling. Then it happened, a loud pop and the pipe pulled free causing the handcuffs to skidder down the pipe to the break which would set him free.
The popping sound had attracted the people in the hall. The invisible lump had time only to quickly jimmy the vent cover hoping they would think he escaped through it. He quickly scrambled into the corner as he heard a loud thud and the door to the cell flew open. He hoped his cloaking device would conceal him until he could get out of the room. It had to work.
Until then, he was trapped in the little room. He shrank back willing himself to remain still and bide his time.
xx Scene Change
Our Invisible Friend
"I had him handcuffed right here," Cameron said kneeling by the broken pipe as Teal'c inspected it.
"Great strength would be required to escape by severing this pipe," Teal'c said.
"Yeah, it seems our invisible friend may have been pulling some punches with our Princess," Cameron commented as Vala and Daniel entered the room.
"Well it certainly didn't feel that way to me," Daniel said.
"Me neither," Vala seconded. "Well he reminds me of me, escaped from his cell as quick as can be."
"No I don't think so," Daniel disagreed. "I don't think our lump could fit through that vent. Nice try though." Daniel looked around the room.
"So you think he's still in the room," Jack said making sure he blocked the door fully.
"Well now that I look at it, I think Daniel is right," Vala said. "But he could have gone through the door."
The invisible man hunched in the corner took a silent breath as he prepared himself for a fight. These people were smart, experienced and were proving difficult to evade.
"No, these doors are rigged to alarms when opened from the inside unless you have the proper access code," Sam told them as she joined Jack in the doorway. "I'm going back to the sensor array; I'll have something for you in a few minutes that will detect our friend." Sam left with a confident air that was all bluff. She was hours away from configuring a sensor, if she could do it at all, but the invisible man could just sweat a little.
"You know Jack, I get the feeling our invisible friend really doesn't want to hurt us. I mean if he wanted to do that, he could have easily murdered us in our sleep," Vala said formulating a plan.
"I suppose, but then why is he sneaking around," Jack questioned.
"Well he doesn't know us for one; he's outnumbered for another," Vala summarized.
The invisible man nodded his head in agreement.
"Yes, and Mitchell did zat him," Daniel pointed out.
"That too," Vala agreed.
The invisible man nodded again.
"Everybody put your weapons down," Vala implored with an emphatic look.
"I don't think so Princess," Cameron told her, while Teal'c merely raised an eyebrow.
"Why don't you tell him to turn off the invisibility doodad," Jack said petulantly.
"Alright my invisible friend, we're going to have to build some trust here," Vala said with her signature smile. I am Vala, Vala Mal Doran, and these are my friends and teammates, Jack, Daniel Teal'c and Cameron. And the lovely blond woman who just left is Samantha."
The invisible man looked at each person as the introduction was made.
"I'm going to give my weapon to Cameron," Vala spun around and handed her zat' n'ktel to a blond man. Everyone who wants to stay can give up their weapon; Cameron is going to go out in the hall with them."
Daniel immediately gave up his weapon. After a few moments thought, Teal'c also gave up his weapon. Jack took a bit longer, but in the end he rolled his eyes and handed the weapon to Cameron.
"For the record, this is not the best idea you've ever had Princess," Cameron told her as he left with the weapons. He immediately headed for the monitors to watch over his friends in the room.
"Duly noted Cameron," Vala smiled as Cam left.
Everyone stood silent for a moment as the door closed behind Cameron. Then Vala said, "If I'm right, you're the person who helped us get off Nerutas."
The invisible man hesitated; they had given up their weapons which was a sign of good faith. It seemed to be only a matter of time until they had sensors up that could detect him. And, even without sensors, he could no longer hide on the ship under the circumstances, and he did not want to leave the ship. He had little choice but to engage them and finally said, "Yes."
"Thank you," Vala smiled. "Your timing was impeccable, and I'd like to know how you did that."
"Yeah, I'd like to know some things too," Jack said, "Like how you got on our ship?"
The invisible lump did not respond.
"One thing at a time Jack," Vala patted his shoulder as she went towards the sound of the disembodied voice. Just as Daniel grabbed her arm to hold her back from advancing further, there was the sound of something sliding along the wall as if it had retreated a bit.
"Vala be careful; for once please respect the boundaries of personal space," Daniel whispered.
"I apologize," Vala said nodding towards the part of the room where the invisible man had spoken. "I guess I got a little excited." Vala sat on the floor cross legged. Daniel remained standing behind her poised to pull her back up if necessary.
"I don't get the feeling there's any danger here Daniel," Vala soothed and then smiled broadly. "In fact, I think you must have also helped me recalibrate the sensors to detect and target the larval Goa'uld on Nerutas." After several moments, Vala added, "Didn't you?"
The disembodied voice said, "Yes."
"Quite the little professor aren't ya," Jack chimed in.
"Jack!"
"Vala!"
"Oh, never mind Jack, he's a bit grumpy since he got hurt. Hey, did you help me when I first got Jack on the ship after he was hurt. Did you help us get him back to the ship in the first place?" Vala said excitedly.
The disembodied voice said, "Yes to both."
Daniel liked the deep honeyed disembodied voice with its alien lilt.
"Jack, you owe your life to our friend," Vala said quietly.
"I guess that remains to be seen," Jack told her.
"Well Jack, you were pretty out of it. Let me just tell you there's no way I could have kept you alive without that help. Thank you very much, sir. He's a bit of a grump, but we're all quite fond of him," Vala said.
Turning back to the alien voice Vala asked, "And you like my cooking?"
"Yes," the voice responded.
"You liked my cooking too didn't ya," Jack added hoping the alien would begin to communicate with others in the room.
"I liked the sweetened foods – most unusual," the voice said.
"Well, there's much better sweetened foods than what you've had so far," Vala smiled at the invisible man.
"Oh," the voice said with interest.
"Yes, and we can talk about that a little later," Daniel said. "Right now I think we'd like to know why you're here."
Silence rang out in the room. After a few minutes, Vala said, "Please we do need to know something about you."
"I am sorry I did not do more when your friend was damaged; you suffered damage in the efforts to heal him and were not entirely successful," the disembodied voice noted.
"We will both heal," Vala said.
"Vala Mal Doran, you will require further repair in order to heal," the disembodied voice told her. "May I help you with that?"
"We would greatly appreciate that," Daniel chimed in. "But before we can allow you to help Vala, you must turn your cloaking device off and tell us who exactly you are."
There was no response.
"You can call me, Vala. Won't you even tell us your name? You've been watching us; you know we mean you no harm."
The invisible man ran a hand through his hair. Though no one saw the motion, a rustle of sound registered in the room. Then he said, "I would hope you do not mean me harm, but Cameron Mitchell is in the hallway with weapons. You and Jack O' Neill have both lied about your identities. I am confused as to your intentions."
"We are of the Tau'ri," Daniel began. "Have you heard of the Tau'ri?"
"Yes I have heard the tales of the Tau'ri helping free worlds from the oppression of the Goa'uld, the Replicators and now the Ori," the invisible man said.
"That's right," Jack said. "And the people on this ship are some of the Tau'ri that did all that stuff."
"Why do you conceal your identities," the disembodied voice asked.
"The Tau'ri are peaceful explorers, but we have encountered others in the galaxy that are not so peaceful. Sometimes we have to protect ourselves and others from those who seek to do harm. Sometimes in order to help people, in order to fight evil, we have to disguise our identities," Daniel explained.
"I sense that you Dr. Jackson do not completely understand or remember that identity," the voice stated. "Your memories have been lost on occasion?"
"Yes, that's true," Daniel said with a raised eyebrow.
"And Vala your memory has also been lost and tampered with on occasion?"
"Yes that's right," Vala affirmed.
"How did you know," Daniel asked.
"I can sense completeness and incompleteness to a life," the invisible voice said.
"I'm not sure what that means," Daniel confessed.
"I cannot explain it any better; it is merely an acute ability for observation in my opinion," the voice answered.
"Please, what can I call you," Vala urged. "You've eaten my sweets, you know a lot about me, so surely you can tell me a name."
There was silence.
"Look, we don't mean you any harm! Talk to us," Daniel implored.
"Talk to us, or we'll just keep searching for ya. And eventually you'll either be found or starve. Come on, uncloak, we'll go have something to eat and talk. Don't ya think that talking is better," Jack urged.
"Yes," the voice answered. "I suppose I can see your reasoning. But Vala Mal Doran and Teal'c are not of the Tau'ri so that is another lie you have told me today."
"Teal'c and I are both living with the Tau'ri. I have lived on many worlds and belonged to none of them," Vala responded. "I can assure you that for some time I have thought of myself as of the Tau'ri." Vala looked at Daniel and gave him a smile that warmed his heart.
Daniel put his hand on her shoulder. "It's true. I can assure you that she has adopted us and we have adopted her. She is most definitely of the Tau'ri."
"I was not aware that such an adoption and reclamation could change what you were," the disembodied voice said. "And Teal'c is it the same for you?"
"I am Jaffa of Chulak, but I fight with the Tau'ri to free my people from oppression. They have proven themselves loyal allies, and I have pledged my loyalty to their world."
"Vala Mal Doran, where are you origins," the disembodied voice tested.
Vala's eyes glazed and she began to rock slightly, she struggled out, "I . . . I . . . I . . . ."
"It's a long story," Daniel said kneeling down near her and whispering in her ear. "Not a story that will be shared under these circumstances."
"Is she alright," the disembodied voice asked.
Daniel pulled her to her feet and placed his arms around her, "Vala, are you alright?"
"I . . . I'm fine," Vala said shaking her head a bit confused. "I just zoned out a moment, I'm sorry. Look, my friends are right; we can't let you roam our ship without more information. But if you uncloak and we get to know each other, maybe we can work something out."
After a few more moments of tense silence, a flash of light appeared in the room and the formerly invisible man stood in the corner.
AN: Bra'tac's line about loving and fighting like warriors was from his wedding blessing to Ry'ac and Kar'yn.
AN: Jack references a story he hears from an old man about a dog and some dancing monkeys in the episode called Homecoming. Before that it was referenced in an episode called Fallen. He never says exactly what the story is, so don't ask! By the way, I got the complete SG-1 box set for Christmas, I finally finished rewatching all ten seasons right before I watched Ark of Truth. So obscure references to show canon abound!
AN: I pursued the pie eating AI ship concept when some of the people who reviewed my story made comments speculating about the possibility. So I suppose it was a red herring. On the other hand, I had a lot of fun with it and hope you did too. When you brilliant reviewers began quickly speculating about the possibility of a stowaway, I thought it might be fun to use it throw everyone off that path by exploring the pie eating ship. Also, I found it refreshing to have a cloaking device that actually worked without any reconfigured scanner picking up some strange residual readings (and how many times has Sam managed some reconfiguration like that).
AN: Claude Raines played the title role in the 1933 film, The Invisible Man.
AN: Cloaking devices are silly! Have you ever thought about the practicalities of cloaking devices? In The Invisible Man (including the questionable remake of the same movie that starred Chevy Chase), the invisibility was internal and required the protagonist to remove his clothes. I believe Jessica Alba faced the same problem in The Fantastic Four. But many of the cloaking devices used in Stargate are clothing optional, or in other words, your clothes get hidden too. So my beta and I had a discussion about the pie floating down the hall, the fact that Daniel and Vala are both visible in their struggles with the cloaked mystery man and that the pie he had eaten was not visible. My theory was that the cloaking field takes a minute or so to generate the field for the new matter, ergo the mystery man's clothes, part of the original field no problem. But things that join the field after the device is turned on take longer. Beta Boy thought it was an all or nothing proposition. You're either in or out of the field, but the pie the mystery man ate was internalized and thus went into the field while the uneaten pie, Vala and Daniel were out of the field. What do you guys think?
AN: Cloaking devices are silly part 2: So I gave the above Author's Note on cloaking devices to my beta and it resulted in yet more cloaking device discussions.
"What about the handcuff that Cameron used to tether the mystery man to the pipe in the makeshift brig," Beta Boy asked.
"Well my way, the handcuff eventually becomes cloaked, but your way it would always remain uncloaked," I pointed out.
"Not necessarily," he tells me.
"Ah," I say.
"Well what about the pipe that the mystery man is tethered to," Beta Boy grills me with the typical devil's advocate glee that men love to use with their significant others at times like these. "It was in contact with the mystery man, wouldn't it disappear too?"
"Maybe; maybe not," I respond. "It would depend on the strength of the cloaking device now wouldn't it? The connection between the mystery man and the pipe might be too distant for the cloaking field. So maybe part of it disappears eventually, but not necessarily," I answer with a little laugh and a smile.
"Did it disappear all at once or inch by inch," he grills on.
"For purposes of this chapter, I don't need to get into that much detail on the technical specifications of this cloaking device," I say or would have if I had a time travel device. I think what I really said was, "I don't know! And, you're just assuming the mystery man was leaning against the pipe anyway."
"What about the floor," Beta Boy goes for the char in his grilling of me. "The mystery man was definitely sitting on the floor so that would eventually go invisible too."
"Maybe not," I respond. "That might have been too much material for the device to process."
"Maybe the mystery man is using a Furling Smart Cloak that he can use to make decisions case by case as to what gets cloaked," Beta Boy smart arses to me.
"What about the pie floating down the hall," I point out the flaw in his logic.
"Ah," he shakes his head at the problem. "Maybe he was too distracted to remember to cloak the pie?"
"That's dumb," I say. "Maybe it is only a Furling Smarter Cloak and doesn't know everything."
Then we laughed and made comments about the Wormhole Extreme vignette where the female actress asks why she doesn't fall through the floor when she's in the alternate dimension and able to pass through matter.
In the end, I can only say, cloaking devices are silly, but not that silly.