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Dr. Lam has released Teal'c from the infirmary early that day, but he refused to leave V ala's side until she too, was released. Once Dr. Lam checked out Vala thoroughly, she too was off to the mess hall with her fiancée'. Teal'c had helped Vala gather her tray and both sat down with Sam, and Col Mitchell. Sam and Mitchell couldn't help staring at the new couple and how attentive Teal'c was towards Vala. Vala was busy stirring Teal'c's coffee, which he loved with lots of sugar, and Teal' c was busy salt and peppering V ala's eggs, which she loved lots of pepper. Matter of fact, most of the personnel in the mess had literally slowed down, not because of the 4 members of SG 1 sitting together, but the extra attention Teal' c was paying Vala as well as a kiss on the back of her hand, as she caressed his face. You could hear people falling 'down from clashing into one another, coffee was pouring from the spouts nonstop, gasp and some actual shrieks of joy were heard in a distance. The gasp actually came from Sam. Teal' c and Vala looked around finally, and noticed that there was not the normal bustling of personnel after their breakfast. One stem look around from Teal'c and the mess hall resumed its normal activity. Vala smiled to herself, knowing how commanding Teal' c could be and looked back at her teammates.
"Hello, Sam, what's wrong?" Asked Vala, cocking her head slightly.
"Nothing, nothing. It's just unusual for Teal'c to be...ah, so, ah, near you."
"People just don't know muscles very well, that's all. Plus, don't couple's usually show affection when they're in love?"
"Yes, well, I think they do. I well, it's nice, that's all."
"Thank you Col Carter. I do not want to waste time in conveying my affections for Vala."
Mitchell was still processing what he was seeing with his team. Vala, he thought, was always after Jackson or least seemingly in his office all the time. This was still a surprise to him and certainly when Jackson returned or if he could be found, this might be an interesting situation.
"Col Carter, is there anything new on finding Daniel Jackson?" Said Teal' c.
"Huh, Uh, no, not yet. Until the Ori are out of the planets orbit, I can't really access the gate to see where it may have stopped mid dialing. I'm still working on it."
"Do you think maybe the Ori might have beamed him up, if Daniel was left behind Sam?"
"If that was the case Vala, then we should have heard something from them by now. No, I have a theory that Daniel may have fazed into another gate address. We just don't know which one: Our computers are able to track every address, dialed in or out, but since the lightning struck the gate when it was dialed in, there's no trace of the address."
Mitchell interrupted. "Well, I need to report to Gen Landry. Until we find Jackson, most of our time is going to be spent on base and re locating some of the inhabitants of the planet. Teal' c, Vala, you two can help with that. Sam and I will work on the problem of finding Jackson."
"Col Mitchell, I think I could use Vala's help. Can you and Teal' c see to the inhabitants?" Sam wanted to get Vala alone and discuss her now, engagement to Teal' c.
"I do not see a problem with that, do you muscles?" Stated Vala.
"It is time well spent. I believe you would be most productive in assisting Col Carter, my Cal Mah."
"Did you hear that Sam. I'm his Cal Mah. You sweet talker you. Come on Sam, we have work to do." As Vala pulled Sam from the mess hall, she kissed Teal'c on the cheek and they left.
Mitchell shook his head at the affectionate kiss "Well Teal' c, I guess it's just you and me. Meet you in one hour after I debrief Gen Landry."
"Indeed."
As Vala and Sam headed towards her lab, Sam couldn't help notice how much happier Vala seemed to be, there was a new bounce in her step that she missed when Vala first arrived on base and became a member of SG 1. There was twinkle in her eyes' that had been sadly missed, well at least by her. Sam shut the door and sat down at her laptop and started to type, when Vala made a whoosh sound sitting down on her couch. She noticed Vala playing with her ceremonial arm band that Teal' c had given her and she was absolutely glowing.
"Ok, Vala, give. What's up with you and Teal'c?"
"Hmm, oh, muscles. He's just wonderful. I'm surprised no one has grabbed him up, since now."
"Oh, come on Vala. There's more to this than just Teal'c being; wonderful."
"Now Sam, a girl doesn't kiss and tell, or something like that."
"Aw, come on Vala. I'm your best friend, I hope." Sam was using her pouty face to get Vala to confess. She really was V ala's best friend. "Now spill."
"Well, Sam, you promise to keep this between you and me, right?' Vala was dying to tell Sam, anyway.
"Right." Sam said smiling,
"Well, I know Daniel is your friend and I think of him now as a friend. But, for the longest time, I thought Daniel was all I wanted, that he wanted me also or at least in time. Believe me Sam, you don't know what it feels like to be in love with the ideal of being in love and not have it returned or sure if it ever will be returned."
You have no ideal Vala, You have no idea.
"Go on, I'm listening." Sam prompted.
"I felt so alone, and not just physical you know I wanted... I wanted a life here on earth and have friends, which I do have. I mean real friends I can count on. But I felt empty around Daniel most times. I don't know how many nights I stayed awake, wondering if I did or said anything wrong to Daniel. It seems I couldn't do or say anything right around Daniel and .it hurt Sam. He would never say to me if I was doing anything wrong, or he would push me away with words or physically. I don't mean in a mean way, but, he didn't seem at all interested, well at least in me.
"Yeah, he can be stubborn sometimes. I didn't know you felt that way about him, well not wanting to be in love with Daniel."
"I thought, that he was just being stubborn too, so I'm not one to be turned down, but hey a girl has to know if she still has it, or least have a chance at a relationship and Daniel seemed to fit the bill."
"Uh, huh.'
"Well, when the wall came down and almost crushed Daniel, I……… I thought maybe he would be thankful for saving his life, or something. I don't know what 1 thought, but I care for Daniel and I didn't want to see him hurt in any way."
"Yeah?"
"But I heard that Teal'c had carried me all the way to the infirmary and he even stayed with me while I was out. I was surprised and thought maybe Daniel was the one, but when I found out he didn't, well, I……..I started thinking something else was going on. Maybe he really didn't see me in an attractive kind of way."
"Uh, huh."
"Well, everyone came to see me and Daniel eventually came to see me. He asked how I was doing and that he was glad that I wasn't seriously hurt."
"Uh, huh."
Vala paused as if remembering what transpired in the infirmary. "Then he left and didn't even say Thank you. Not that I was expecting anything grandeur,' but something, I don't know what; hope maybe."
"Uh, Huh."
"And, then he left. He just. . . . . . .left." Sam could see Vala was holding back watery tears. She smiled back at Sam and continued.
"But, I finally noticed that Teal'c was sitting there the whole time, everyone came by to see me, including Daniel. He hadn't moved the whole time I was in the infirmary. Dr. Lam had told me he even slept there to make sure that someone was there when I woke up."
"Uh, huh."
"I couldn't understand why, but something dawned on me. Teal'c looked angry once Daniel left. I don't remember him giving that look to Col Mitchell or Gen Landry, when you came to visit either, only Daniel."
"So, what did that mean?"
"Well, not much, well at least to me, but I knew something was bothering him. Little did I know it was about me. He came to my room when I was released and even escorted me inside. Muscles had never done that before."
"Go on." Sam was anxious to hear more. To her it sounded romantic and disturbing that Daniel never mentioned a thank you to Vala.
"He had my favorite meal waiting for me, Salmon and garlic potatoes."
"I didn't know that you ……………..never mind; go ahead."
"Well, he was so gentle in speaking to me, instead of at me. I was a refreshing change from Daniel. Anyway, he knelt down on one knee and took my hand in his. So strong and gentle at the same time. Oh, Sam he was so different than what we see on missions or when he's saving the universe. He was so, so, Teal'c and then not. You know what I mean?"
"No, but do tell."
"Well, he was angry and at Daniel for all the things he would say to me, that were, not nice. But Teal'c is always a friend and never berated him, just pointed out what he could give me, that maybe Daniel wasn't ready for."
"Which was?"
"Love Sam, Unconditional love. He confessed his undying love and how much he wanted to support me in anything I do, and how he admired my beauty, of course."
"Of course."
"But, it was more Sam. He told me how much he trusts me and how I was ……….was dying inside. He noticed that Sam. I don't think anyone knew how much I was being eaten alive by so many changes, by so many choices I never had before. I thought maybe, Daniel would show me how to live among you, to be one of you. I wanted so badly to be accepted by everyone. I thought they did, until...
"Until what Vala?" Sam was beginning to see her friend in a whole new light. She had never asked Vala how she felt at no longer being on the run, or surviving on her own. Matter of fact, she realized that Vala had been host to Quetesh and Vala never once mentioned what she went through.
"Until Daniel mentioned that I would never fit in, if I continued my, as he called it, my questionable ways."
"I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it Vala. Daniel just has so many walls up, and he's afraid of being hurt."
"I'm not saying he said it on purpose Sam. I just wanted him to at least show me that I was trying to change and be a valued member of the team. I thought, I proved that over and over so many times."
"Well. what was different with Teal'c?"
He only wants to love me and I accept that I could be loved and love back. No changes to whom I am, no conditions or changes to the way I act. I mean, I have been around the galaxy a few times. I certainly know how to behave around important people and all. But, I didn't have someone looking over their shoulders, afraid of what I might say or do. Daniel always scrutinized me for being me. I never did that to him, and certainly he never did it to any of you, while in my presence. But Teal' c; he never judged me. He accepted and loved who I am and always will. I feel protected and loved around him and I know I love him too. I just never thought I could love someone so much and feel free. It's wonderful Sam. I... I can't describe it."
"I think you're describing it pretty well."
"No, I'm not really." Vala smiling. "I just Teal' c was so tender and sweet. He just knew what was wrong with me all this time. He knew I wanted children one day, a family, and friends. He just knew……. he just knew."
"I always knew Teal' c was a deep guy. I just, well, I guess we didn't know how much he cared for you, that's all."
"Humph, big surprise to me too. But Sam; I truly do love him and I know I would protect him with my life. He is the keeper of my soul and I know he would never hurt me. I can see it in his eyes when he looks at me. No one has ever looked at me that way since……… well, never mind."
Sam could see sadness in Vala's eyes. Maybe an old boyfriend. Sam thought maybe Vala would tell her one day.
"Well, when's the big day or ceremony for you two?"
"Well, we haven't gotten that far yet. But, there will be lots of shopping." Vala smiled her famous grin.
Sam walked over to the couch and hugged her friend. "Well, it's a date whenever that happens. I'm there for you if you two need anything."
"Well, there is one thing I need."
"Just ask."
"Could you be my honor maid?"
"You mean your maid of honor. It would be my pleasure. Ok, let's see if we can find Daniel first, ok?"
Both women were misty from their conversation. With that last bit out of the way. Both women went to work on finding Daniel.
A/N: I had to re create this one from scratch. My posting went on the blink, so luckily I made a hard copy. Feedback and reviews are welcomed.
