A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I made a minor change to the summary, just to let readers know that this is a Sam/Jack story (if they haven't read enough to know already ;) Also, just so you guys know, there's a link in my profile to see pictures of what Tara looks like if you want to check them out!

Chapter 10

The SG-1 team waited apprehensively as Vala stepped into place and the rings fell around her, and she disappeared. They had no idea how the Ori ship would react to seeing a woman who so openly despised them, and was doing everything in her power to stop them. She was also caught up in this mess in more ways than she would like.

Vala had been just a somewhat annoying person when SG-1 had first met her, but now she was the wife of the General of the Ori ship they had just beamed her onto, and the mother of the Ori-daughter. She had asked for neither of these titles, but there was nothing she could do about changing them, in fact, right now she was trying to use them to her advantage. She might be the only outside link that could change Tomin's mind. If only he'd listen.

Vala found herself surrounded by Ori as soon as she appeared on the ship. They pointed their staffs toward her, and she put her arms up to show that she meant no physical harm.

"Vala, is that you?" Tomin's voice preceded him, and he broke through the circle of guards.

"Tomin! I'm glad to see you! So, what's up? Want to sit and have some coffee or something?" She asked.

"Vala, you shouldn't be here. Why did you come?" His voice was stern, but the love between them still came through in his eyes.

"Come on Tomin, I'm serious. Let's talk." She pleaded.

The man sighed, and tore his gaze from her. "Leave us." He ordered the others, and the two found themselves alone.

"Now, what do you want?" He asked. She moved toward him and gave him a hug, but it was not returned. "Vala, you know this can never work between us. Unless we come to see eye to eye."

"Well I can put on heels, and then we'll be a little closer in height." She told him. He stared blankly at her. "Oh…you mean that kind of 'eye to eye'…Right, well, that's exactly what I've come to talk to you about. You're making a big mistake by heading toward earth. The people there, they think differently others. They already have theology, they'll be fine without the Ori." She told him.

"The Ori are the only true way. They are the path to enlightenment. Without the Ori, these people that you speak of are hopeless." Tomin argued.

Vala sighed, how would she ever get through to this man? In all matters except the Ori, Tomin was humble and let her have her way. He was gentle and kind, and why on earth did he have to be caught up in this? Why did any of them have to be caught up in this?

-----

Sam was only half awake when she entered her office on Monday morning. Vala had requested to be left on the mother ship for awhile, and SG-1 had agreed to leave and return later. She sat down at her desk and started shuffling through the papers, but a note on top caught her eye.

Sam,

I have some things to do. I'll be back as soon as I can.

-Jack

She stared at the stick note for a few minutes, wondering what it meant. He'd be back as soon as he could? What did that mean? She shrugged it off and put the note in her purse so that no one could come in and ask about it. Their relationship was still under wraps. Sam sighed again as she thought about how secretive everything had to be between them. If only things could be more normal.

-----

Tara and Daniel tried to fill the somewhat awkward silence in the car on the way to Teal'c house. They talked about Sawyer, and New York, and school. Tara felt that they had a connection, but they knew too little about each other.

"You look a little tense. A little stressed out, maybe?" Tara suggested.

Daniel smiled and turned to look at her briefly before putting his attention back on the road. It was nice to have someone notice things about him, and he appreciated the sincerity in her voice.

"It's just some stuff that's been going on at work lately." He explained vaguely. He couldn't exactly tell her that a huge ship that was capable of space travel and full of people who wanted to take over the universe were headed toward earth.

"Top secret, again. Hmm?" She asked.

"Yeah. Sorry."

"No, I'm getting used to it. Between you and Sawyer, that is."

"I'm glad it doesn't both you." Daniel told her.

"Actually, I think it's kind of cool, you know; Mission Impossible, Jason Bourne, Daniel Jackson…hot guys with secrets." She laughed and he squeezed her hand. She hadn't expected it, and it sent butterflies to her stomach. She felt like a school girl on her first date again for a moment. It made her realize how much more mature things really were from her high school days, mature and complicated…

Teal'c's house held as little furniture as he needed, and was decorated here and there with Christmas decorations. By the time Daniel and Tara had arrived, Sam, Cam, and a few people Tara didn't know were already there. Mugs of hot chocolate were set out on the counter, and music was playing in the background.

The evening was cozy and by the end of it, Tara felt like she had gotten to know Daniel and his co-workers a lot better. They were all really nice and welcoming, and she enjoyed being around them. She definitely wouldn't mind spending more evenings like this one.