Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate :)

Author's Note: Please forgive any out-of-characterness. I found in the midst of writing all of this, that the plot was very difficult to keep in character. But I have a problem with quitting on stories because it's hard to do. So at least I"m trying right? I love your reviews, guys! So please keep it up!

Also, there are some songs I suggest listening to while you read this...They inspired me to write :) "Best I Ever Had" by State of Shock, "The Mess I've Made," by Parachute, and "Come In With the Rain," and "Other Side of the Door" both by Taylor Swift...While I love the Taylor songs, I think the first two fit the fanfiction the best, so please do listen to them! :) 3 love you all!

Chapter Four, Not So Sweet,

There were some phrases that Vala had heard often in her time on Earth, before she had left the SGC, they were these; "Home sweet home," or "There is no place like home."

Earth seemed to have an emphasis on home, didn't they? Vala found this ironic.

But in this moment she hated those phrases, for the way she'd been forced to return 'home' was pleasant.

The first thing she had been aware of when her consciousness returned to her was the steady beeping of a heart monitor. She knew as soon as she heard that noise where she was and she wasn't exactly happy about it.

The second thing she was aware of was the painfully bright lights in the room, but perhaps she was only sensitive to it because of just waking after hours of darkness and slumber.

The third, though admittedly less unpleasant, despite the circumstance, was a hand holding her's tightly. And it didn't take long for her to realize it was Daniel who held her hand in both of his.

When she tried to sit up, she felt a pain go through her, so she laid her head back on her pillow. "Well, you've certainly got me stuck here now, haven't you Daniel." She said, after she'd found the strength to speak.

He hadn't said anything right away, even though he'd known she was awake. "At least now you have to hear me out." He said, with a soft smile.

It was frustrating to her how his smile could still make her melt, no matter how small of one it was."Well then," Vala sighed, "Since I'm not going anywhere, say all that you want to now and get it over with."

Daniel was relieved she was actually going to let him, she could have just ignored him, but he was glad she didn't. He pulled his chair closer to hers, "Vala...I never...Not in a million years, I never would have made the deal with Sorras if I wasn't 100% sure I could get you back unharmed."

Vala opened her mouth to object but he stopped her.

"Just hear me out! I wouldn't have done it...Of course I cared more about you then that tablet. Of course I did! And I wanted to...I wanted to die when you left, Vala. Every day I rehearsed what I wanted to say to you if I saw you again, and now that your here I'm finding it so hard...But I...I want you to know, that I have always cared about you. No one blames you for what your life has been like for the past three years, Vala. And even if some do, it's nothing you couldn't work through. You've proved yourself once and you can do it again. But Vala, I would give anything for you to stay here. I would do anything if you'd just forgive me." Daniel had gotten to the end of his speech, and now he awaited an answer.

Vala was silent for a long time, "I forgive you, Daniel." She said softly.

He looked at her in surprise. "Really?" He asked, gratefully.

"Of course, darling." Her voice was still soft and she said after a pause, "I think I should rest, if that's alright?"

Daniel nodded and agreed to leave. He was just happy she'd said she would forgive him. Though it almost seemed too good to be true.

Daniel had missed something very important however. Vala had agreed to forgive him, but she hadn't agreed to stay. Daniel was blissfully ignorant to this, however, and walked happily out of the infirmary.

He passed Alice on his way, and he stopped in front of her, and raised his eyebrows. "What are you doing?" He asked, suspiciously. He had a very good opinion of Doctor Griffith, but he knew she didn't think well of Vala, and he was feeling very protective of Vala at the moment.

"I only want to talk to your friend." She said, folding her arms.

"She needs rest, Alice."

"I'll make it quick, then." She said, trying to get past Daniel.

He stepped in front of her when she stepped to the side. "She doesn't need this right now." He said, firmly.

"Daniel, she doesn't deserve you defending her!" Alice argued,

"I don't care what she deserves. You need to leave her alone now, Alice--" Daniel was interrupted by Mitchell.

"I'll make sure she doesn't misbehave, Jackson."

"Vala needs rest."

"I won't be long." Alice said, sounding angry as she pushed past Daniel.

Mitchell shrugged, "Bad mood, today." He followed Alice to make sure she wouldn't yell at their old friend.

Daniel looked frustrated, but decided to back off, and he headed back to his office.

Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Mitchell and Alice came into the room, and Vala looked uncomfortable and surprised. "How very kind of you to drop by, unfortunately, I was getting ready to take a little rest so..."

"We'll be quick, then." Alice said, obviously not happy.

"Alice," Mitchell said, in a warning voice.

"I just wanted to tell you, I think you're friends are giving you much, much more then you deserve. Stealing from helpless families? What's wrong with you, anyway?"

"That's enough, Doc." Mitchell said, taking a firm hold of her arm. "If you're gonna yell, we're gonna leave."

"Off of me, Cameron!" Alice pulled her arm away, she only really called him 'Colonel Mitchell' when they were on missions. A formality. But they were close friends, and she didn't feel the need to be formal in this case.

"I said that's enough, Griffith!" Mitchell said, reverting to her last name to get her attention. "Now I'm telling you, to leave!"

Alice stood stunned. Cameron had never actually raised his voice at her in anger, and he had never called her 'Griffith' -At least not for a couple of years- and he had never spoken to her like her commander, instead of her friend. Her eyes clouded sadly as she nodded and stepped past Cameron, but was stopped by Vala saying,

"Actually, Mitchell, I appreciate the defense, but I would like to speak to Doctor Griffith, if you don't mind, in private." Vala said, glancing at Mitchell.

Cameron looked hesitant, but turned to go, deciding it was the best course of action.

As soon as Mitchell was gone, Alice said softly, "I apologize for my rude behavior."

"No, don't apologize. You were right. I don't deserve their friendship...And I know you want me to leave, so don't worry, I was already planning on it. But maybe, for a moment, stop your hating me and realize that they --Or at least one of them-- are friends of mine, I know, at least, Daniel wants me to stay. And my leaving is going to make him very unhappy...I'm not taking credit for being worth this at all. But because of how great he is, he'll be sad to see me go. So consider him when you're a little too happy after I'm gone. And don't worry, I won't be stealing from any of those little families again, whether you choose to believe it or not."

Alice gave her a cool look, but nodded cordially and left the room.

It was a few hours later, and Daniel was sitting alone in his office, trying to concentrate on the ancient text he was translating, but his mind was totally elsewhere.

He was so lost in his thoughts that when an airmen knocked on the door he jumped slightly. "Oh, yes, what do you need?" Daniel asked, curiously.

"I was supposed to deliver this note, Doctor Jackson, Miss Mal Doran was dismissed from the infirmary ten minutes ago, the worst of her injuries was a broken arm."

"Thanks." Daniel eagerly took the note, but couldn't help be worried at the news Vala had been allowed to leave the infirmary. He didn't think she would leave though, at least not yet.

He looked down at the note and his heart sunk, it read: ...

Daniel, darling,

I have forgiven you, as I promised, but I have apologies to make, as well, for my behavior...But, I am terrible at apologies. So you'll forgive me, and know that I mean to say I'm sorry, but simply cannot find the right words.
Your kind General has agreed to allow my removal from the SGC, and I'll be on my way once more. But what happened with Sorras's tablet is not worth everything I have made it, and I will stop the stealing again, Daniel, this is one thing you can count on.
I can't say how sorry I am for giving up the best thing that ever happened to me. But we can't rewind time, can we?
Forgive me for leaving, I'm not running, I'm facing the truth. The truth that no one, with what I've done, has any reason to allow me to stay.
Your faith in me through the years has been much more then I deserve, darling, so thank you. I wish I was brave enough to tell you everything you mean to me, but I'm not.

Farewell, Daniel, give the others my love, though I hardly think they want it from me anymore,
Vala

Daniel stuffed the note into his pocket and broke into a run down the halls of the SGC. Time seemed to stop as he ran, hoping to catch Vala before she left.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Daniel was in the gateroom. But it was just as the gate was shutting down.

He stared blankly at the gate in front of him, the meaning of everything seemed to fade away in that moment, and he felt lost.

Author's Note: How much do you all hate me right now? Well, if there's any consolation in me saying so, you should know that there is still a chapter or two left of this fanfiction, and I'm a sucker for good endings Review, please!