Teal'c and Vala returned to their palace room, after leaving Daniel. Teal'c seeing Vala was still weak, helped her to undress and tucked her in the bed. He followed suit and positioned himself close to Vala's back, rubbing it to calm her down. She eased back into Teal'c's touch, knowing he would hold her, protect her from what was bothering her.
"Thank you Teal'c, you always know something's bothering me. I- I shouldn't have been so angry after all this time."
"It is Daniel Jackson, that's bothering you?"
"Yes."
"Is his presence disturbing you?"
"Yes. I – I thought after all these years would soften my resentment of him. I – I just didn't expect him to be here, with us. I love you Teal'c, nothing will ever change that. But, I remember such bad memories of him."
"It is a risk sending him back. Surely you knew this. Is that why you attempted to dial the gate?"
"Yes, I knew the risk; but I also knew that I didn't want him here."
"He upsets you. I know how Daniel Jackson can be sometimes oblivious to his surroundings. I'm sure he did not mean to hurt you."
"He never meant to hurt any of you. Me, he always seemed oblivious to. I was nothing to him but an annoyance, a joke that had nothing to offer his precious team but amusement. He didn't even think I was even intelligent enough to contribute anything, just my skills of thievery."
"He misunderstood you Vala. He could not see what his heart was protecting."
"Well, see or not. I could see, and feel at the same time. He hurt me in more ways than I can count. You made me realize that what I was looking for was there all the time. You."
"I merely expanded on my feelings for you. I had always been in love with you, from the first time you arrived."
"Lucky for me, huh, muscles."
"You have not called me that for several years."
"See, memories. Daniel has a way of bringing those out."
"Then remember this; my Cal Mah. I love you for all time. I do not wish to see you hurt in such a way. But you must not attempt to send him home, until I feel it is safe and you heal. I do not want to lose you, not even for Daniel Jackson."
"I promise my Jaffa; but what do I receive in return for my promise? Said Vala, teasingly.
"This, my love." Teal'c kissed Vala's shoulders and continued to kiss her down to the middle of her back. Vala loved the way Teal'c set her skin on fire. Vala arched into him, and turned her head to allow him to kiss her. She reached back with her arm and pulled him closer. Vala turned her body to allow Teal'c access to her body and mind. Vala caressed Teal'c and he in turn, held her tighter, warming her to his touch. As they pulled apart after a long languish kiss, Vala looked deep into Teal'c eyes, conveying all the love she felt for him and he returned the same feelings. Teal'c pinned Vala gently to the bed, remembering she was still recovering, and began kissing and caressing Vala all over again, making her feel protected and loved. Teal'c continued as he made love to Vala as if for the first time, to his wife.
Daniel walked around the city listening and watching the Eloshin people and children. The city seemed like the past of Egypt and the future all rolled into one. Daniel noticed something else. There were no old people, other than Teal'c and Vala or what he could call mature adults. He noticed this, when the healer was attending Vala. The people seemed almost mythic. On some of the walls, he noticed inscriptions of a tall dark leader, with a golden halo, and a woman mentioned of dark raven hair, with the abilities of sovereignty and kindness. Daniel wondered if this was some prophetic message. As he walked thru the city some of the people bowed as if mimicking Teal'c. Several people mentioned Daniel was the friend of Vala and Teal'c. They hugged and shook hands with Daniel for being their friend and blessed him for knowing such honorable beings. Daniel smiled, not used to the attention and listened as everyone he met mentioned how Teal'c and Vala had saved them from destruction and extinction. What he found out was, that the people had their own personal defenses, such as disappearing or as Daniel saw it, blending into their surroundings, seeming invisible to the naked eye. But they mentioned to Daniel about their illness and how Vala helped take care of them and help heal them, built a alternate source of power or force field to protect them in case of any attacks for other hostile enemies. Teal'c fended off what was deemed the Ori and they hid Vala and Teal'c in deep caves to protect them. He understood that Teal'c and Vala helped rebuild their cities and helped them form a govern body to assure that all were equally represented when situations came up that no one knew to solve. For 15 years, he found that Vala and Teal'c lived amongst these strange and simple people and questioned why they still stayed. He deducted that much of these people, had to be descendents of people the Gou'ald had transported here and left them, either forgotten, or scared off by their abilities of invisibility.
I didn't even know Vala could build a force field. I knew she worked with Sam a lot, but I didn't know she had the knowledge to even complete one. These people seem to have the highest respect for them and Vala they seem to revere her as if a goddess. Maybe that's why they won't leave. Why leave if you're treated like a ……God.
Vala woke up, safely tucked into Teal'c's arms and nuzzled behind her back after their intense love making. Teal'c had once again confirmed his love for her and Vala felt renewed in her love and in life. Daniel no longer posed a personal threat, but Vala vowed that Teal'c was her world, as well as the Eloshins, and nothing mattered except them in her life. For the last 15 years of her life, Teal'c was more than her husband. He was her confidant, lover, supporter, protector and above all, her friend. She couldn't even imagine her life without him and yet, she felt saddened by the one gift she couldn't give him, knowing all the gifts he had given her, by saving her spirit, her life. Vala gently detangled herself from Teal'c's embrace, careful not to disturb him. She dressed quietly and left the room to take a walk through the quiet city. It was dark now and the air was cool, but not to breezy. A couple of sentries bowed to Vala as she walked through the streets, enjoying the three beautiful moons illuminating the city. When she rounded the corner, she saw a lone figure standing against the walls surrounding the city. We she walked closer, she noticed not one of the Eloshins, but Daniel.
Vala, more relaxed in speaking with Daniel, approached him. "How are you enjoying the moons of Elosha, Daniel?"
Daniel didn't even turn around to speak to Vala, which perplexed Vala. "They are beautiful, I'm sure the Eloshin's, enjoy beauty and Goddesses."
Vala was confused by Daniel's conversation. "There are no Goddesses here Daniel, only people that are kind and good. They have shown Teal'c and I, nothing but kindness. Our lives here have meaning. It's definitely a haven for us and a life that we could never have hoped for."
"I bet it is. I mean, people bowing to you, waiting on you hand and foot. I don't know why this Teal'c can't see through your façade of being a God like figure to these people, but obviously, even in this reality, you're still just a thief and liar."
"Vala stepped back, reeling from Daniels accusations. At first Vala turned to walk away, but she had been through enough of Daniel's false accusations in her long ago reality, and decided to confront him.
Vala stepped forward and stood stoic against Daniel. "Always the same, never changing. That seems to be your motto Daniel. Even the Daniel from my reality was as short minded as you. The more things change, the more they stay the same. That's what you taught me Daniel. But some things do change Daniel, lucky for me. I found what I was looking for and I wasn't even looking, except to you. I held you up on this high moral pedestal, that you knew what was best for me, that you knew a lot of things. You, the good Dr. Jackson could never be wrong, could never be fallible, could never see me as someone with feelings, or could think past ever stealing something to stuff my pockets, or financial gain. I was just a joke to you and your kind. How dare you think that's the only reason, I and Teal'c have stayed on this planet. There are reasons that you would never be interested in, or even care. Did you ever think the lives of these Eloshins are worth more than you getting home? Did you ever think it might be dangerous to them, Teal'c or even me? Of course not; you can only think about yourself and what I'm doing to keep us here. You're selfish Daniel. I couldn't see it, until Teal'c treated me as an equal, a partner, someone who could love me for who I was, not who I should be, or how I should act around their friends or when visiting other cultures and planets. I'm worth something Dr. Daniel Jackson; I'm loved and cared for, even though I can take care of myself. But Teal'c loves me without changing me, and I wanted to change for him, so I could be a better person and forget my past. But, no, you Dr. Jackson couldn't see past my mistakes. Always so self righteous, always evaluating me like some damn artifact. Go back to your reality Daniel. Go back and cause someone else the pain of knowing you. I hope you'll be happy at making people feel miserable because you are."
Vala turned thru the streets, angry and frustrated at being accused of staying for her own selfish needs to be worshipped. She was so angry, she didn't see Teal'c hiding in the shadows, listening to her berate Daniel. As he watched his wife return to their home, he swiftly approached Daniel, grabbed him by his collar and threw him against the wall.
"I told you Daniel Jackson, there would be consequences for upsetting my wife. Do you think so little of her, of my Vala that you insult her?"
"Come on Teal'c. Even you can't be so blind to see Vala is practically worshipped here. Wake up, you're living in a dream state of what you think is love. Vala can…………
Teal'c pushed Daniel hard against the wall, and glared with contempt in Daniel's eyes. "IF VALA ATTEMPTS TO LEAVE THRU THE GATE, SHE WILL DIE. SHE WILL DIE DANIEL JACKSON, AND I WILL NOT LET HER RISK HER LIFE TO SAVE YOURS OR MINE."
Daniel stopped talking immediately, a fell silent, listening to what Teal'c just revealed. Teal'c was extremely angry that Daniel had accused Vala of using these people to worship her.
"I….I don't understand. What do you mean she will die? You have the crystal, you can go home anytime. Why would the Eloshins be affected."
"You are not listening Daniel Jackson." Teal'c was still angry, becoming more so, as Daniel continued to ask questions. "When the Ori chased us through the Stargate, they looked for us and when we were not found, this Adria from our reality would not give up so easily. When Vala was pregnant with Adria, she was also affected physically. She could no longer bear her own children. She could not become what she wanted the most, and that was a loving mother. She accepted this and hid this secret for a long time. But I found out. But that was not the worst, of what Adria could do. She made sure, that if we were on the planet, she made sure Vala could never leave this planet, ever. Adria knew what the Ori did to Vala's body, and she made the gate a beacon to deter Vala from ever leaving. If she even comes within a few meters, her body starts to shut down. That's why she was ill. She wanted to make sure, you returned home at the risk of her own life. We have never used the crystals since we found out. Once activated, the gate affects her health. I almost lost her once, when she tried to send me back through the gate, to give me a chance at life with my own friends. But I will not leave her. I love her and would rather die, than leave her alone. She is my Cal Mah, my life. This is something Daniel Jackson, you could never understand. She is more that you allowed her to be, she is more than what you see physically. She has a heart of a warrior, and the grace of true spirit. She has helped these people, without asking for anything in return or anything from me."
"I……….I didn't know Teal'c. Oh, My God, what I said to her. I…….I'm so sorry Teal'c."
"Do you know what would happen, if the Ori tracked this address to this planet? Adria would know that it was activated and come after Vala and this time she would not stop until she found her and killed her. Adria would also kill these people for protecting us, just out of spite. That's why Daniel Jackson, she and I protect these people. This is why we have stayed, and we have no regrets for doing so."
Teal'c realeased Daniel and he slid down the wall, taking in what Vala was sacrificing. He just starred at Teal'c, hoping for forgiveness or a chance to apologize to Vala.
"You dishonor me Daniel Jackson and especially Vala. In our reality, she never did anything to you, except try and love you. I could never bear to see her hurt by your insecurities. You are a selfish man Daniel Jackson. I would consider you my friend, but that is gone. You have hurt my wife for the last time. I will send for your things a place you in a nearby home. Until Vala is well, we will attempt to somehow send you back to your reality and never bother us again. This is our home and our life and the children that you see gives Vala much joy even though they are not children at all. In the morning I will speak to the council. There is much for us to discuss about sending you thru the gate. You are allowed to stay in my home for one more night. After such time, you are no longer welcomed."
Teal'c turned and ran to his home, to see Vala. He knew now, why his wife was so angry, and now he must comfort Vala once again. Daniel stayed sitting on the cold ground against the wall. He realized he had made a terrible assumption, and a terrible mistake. He had insulted Vala and Teal'c about staying and now he was no longer welcomed and practically stranded on this planet because of what was done to Vala. He had never really even given Vala a chance to explain their predicament, yet all he could see was her faults, her past. He never thought to see thru Vala's forced pregnancy that there was the pain of never having children, or being a mother. Daniel put his head down, his hands holding onto his sobbing form. He realized that he had caused more pain mentally to Vala then the Ori possible could to her body. He felt for the first time, in a long time, his own shame.
A/N: Whew, this was a doosy. More to come. Reviews and feedback are welcomed.
