Author's note: Another of my favorite chapters. Not much added to this one, but I still love it. :)

Chapter 5

The days slipped by uneventfully as they all established an easy routine with each other. Daniel and Vala did find time one night to amicably discuss their thoughts on getting home. Vala mentioned how Celestis might have a stargate and a power source to get them home and Daniel agreed. He then offered the ring platform as their possible means of getting to Celestis. All they had to do now was determine if the city of the gods was on this planet and what the particular code was for sending the rings there.

Until then, they decided to behave as normally as possible and tried to avoid unnecessary attention. They even had an end-of-the-day ritual.

"You know you can sleep in the bed, Daniel," Vala would say while letting out the seams in one of her dresses or munching on an apple. "I won't bite unless you ask."

"I'm comfortable here, thank you," he would reply, not even looking up from Tulia's copy of Origin.

On some nights Vala would ask him if he was learning anything useful. Daniel had explained that Tulia wrote a lot of notes in the margins, but that they didn't seem to make much sense. She'd put away her sewing supplies, throw the dress to the other side of the bed, and ask him to read something. Daniel would then read a passage from Origin and follow up with some of Tulia's notes. Vala would agree that the notes didn't make much sense compared to the passage and then tuck herself in under the quilt.

"Well, goodnight, darling," she would always say with too-sugary sweetness.

"Good night, dear," he would answer, still concentrating on the book.

After three weeks Vala just couldn't take the guilt anymore. That and Kira had caught her doing twice as much laundry as her.

"Daniel, you really need to start sleeping in this bed with me."

"I'm comfortable here, thank you," he replied just as he always did.

"No, you don't understand. Kira's starting to suspect something. Well, she was until I set her straight."

Daniel looked up from his book, his worried expression quickly becoming angry. "What did you say to her?"

Vala suddenly became nervous. "You have to understand, she noticed me washing twice as many sheets as her."

"Vala." Daniel took a deep breath. "What. Did. You. Say?"

"I told her that we sometimes…were vigorous…in bed."

"VALA!"

"Shh, don't shout. For god's sake, Daniel. Besides, it makes sense. If we're getting the sheets all sweaty I have to change them more often and then wash twice as many on linens day. It also explains what Ber's been noticing."

"You've been talking to Ber about us?"

"No, of course not! But Kira told me that Ber has noticed you rubbing your neck and shoulders and stretching your lower back frequently. He thinks it's because you're unaccustomed to the work."

"That's because I am!"

"Yes, but I imagine sleeping on the floor is contributing to the soreness. And my little fib explains that too. Our being…vigorous…would explain your need to stretch out your kinks."

"We hardly make any noise at night. How could we be 'vigorous' in bed without making noise, hmm?"

"Honestly, Daniel. A couple making a little bit of rough love does not necessarily mean they're screamers. As a matter of fact, trying to be as quiet as possible can sometimes result in a sweatier than usual encounter."

A vein was clearly throbbing on Daniel's forehead above his eyes and Vala feared his ensuing outburst would bring the roof down upon them. He really looked like he was about to explode.

"Listen, Daniel, take emotion out of the picture for just one second. I suppose I should have laid out my reasons more logically, but you really have to sleep here in this bed. If for no other reason than to keep you from being so cranky and…"

He slammed his book on the floor. "I'm not cranky."

"…and because I feel guilty about getting us into this mess."

After a long pause his glare softened as he tried to process what she'd said. "Go to sleep," he said quietly.

"Daniel…"

"I'll think about it. Now go to sleep," he said and blew out the candle.

He was leaning over her and kissing her. Sweetly, gently. Full of love and reined in passion. Vala pulled Daniel close by the collar and kissed him back. She bit his lower lip and tugged at it to open his mouth to her. She thrust her tongue inside and dueled artfully with him.

Daniel skimmed his hands over her bare arms as he knelt over her on the bed. Small shivers ran under her skin wherever he touched her. If this was a dream she never wanted to wake up.

Releasing his mouth for a quick breath, Vala felt Daniel trace her jaw and neck with kisses. He found a spot just beneath her earlobe which when kissed caused her insides to melt and a purr to escape her throat. All of a sudden she needed to touch his skin as if it was a necessary requirement for life, as necessary as breathing. She quickly unbuttoned his blue Air Force-issued shirt and wound her hands under his black T-shirt, pulling it off over his head.

He was hot to the touch, perspiration beading up on his skin. He wanted her, she could tell for sure now.

She leaned away from him and smiled seductively. "So, not so repulsive?"

"You could never repulse me, Vala," he whispered as he trailed kisses along the bottom fringe of her pink tank top, tantalizing close to her navel. "Vala, can you reach the lamp to turn it off?"

"Of course, darling." She rolled over and reached…

"Ow, Vala, you hit me."

"What?" She woke up startled. She was lying on her side and it was dark, as it should be because she'd wanted to turn the light off, yet her hand was being shoved from Daniel's face. She focused intently on him. "What are you doing here?"

"You told me I had to sleep in the bed. I didn't realize you punched the people you slept with or I would have reconsidered."

Damn dream. She sighed, gathering her defenses and the quilt around her. "Well, I don't generally. A slap every once in a while if the mood is right."

"Vala—"

"But I'm not really in the mood at the moment." She rolled over and turned her back on Daniel.

"Just watch your elbows, okay? They're pointy."

After a moment she asked softly, "Daniel, why…"

"Just…go to sleep."

She took the cue. This wasn't the time. "Yes, darling." She smiled to herself. But easier said than done, now.

There was possibly no louder sound than the owls or crickets outside their bedroom window. Perhaps his heartbeat or the sound of Vala's breathing was louder, but just barely.

When had his universe tilted on its axis? When had he stopped being the rational one in a crisis and Vala become the voice of reason? Ultimately, that's what had finally motivated him to get into bed with her. He couldn't deny the logic behind her arguments. And it wasn't as if he'd have to ward off her advances. It had been three weeks and she'd really kept her teasing and innuendos to a minimum. This could work. There wasn't any reason why this couldn't work.

The logic got him into the bed, but her small confession was what kept him from falling asleep.

"Are you awake?" Daniel whispered into the night.

"Does prostration last for six hours?" came the quiet reply.

Daniel rolled over on his side to face her. "Well, at least it's only once a week."

Vala rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. "At least…only…is that supposed to be a joke?"

"Not funny, huh?"

She rolled over to face him. "No, not really."

"It's not your fault, you know. Our being stuck here."

"I know." Vala ducked her head from Daniel's gaze. "But I still feel guilty," she rolled her eyes slightly, "every great once in a while."

"I hate to admit it but your plan to destroy the Ori supergate was brilliant. None of us could think of anything else."

Her sarcasm didn't hold up. "Sam would've thought of something and we don't really know if it was destroyed or not," she said dismally.

"Hey, you okay? This really isn't like you." He fought the urge to brush his hand over her cheek.

"I don't know. I'm just feeling rather stuck…and trapped…and helpless." She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't like feeling this way."

"We'll get out of this." Daniel rolled over on his back. "It's not as bad as it could be."

"Maybe," she mumbled, "maybe not."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing."

Daniel turned his head to face her. "It's not your fault." Vala met his gaze and held it. "And believe me, we'll get out of this."

She didn't say anything for a while, just held his gaze as if searching for something, like hope maybe. Finally she nodded. "Thank you, Daniel."

"You're welcome." He turned his head toward the ceiling again and closed his eyes, welcoming a comfortable sleep. "Good night, Vala."

"Good night, Daniel."

Some weeks later a prior came to Ver Isca to lead the village in prostration. He was short and bald and a horrible scar covered his right eye. As the worshippers got up to leave the courtyard, Vala got the sense that the prior was looking for her among the crowd, that he was watching her. She quickly took Daniel's arm as if his proximity would protect her, and they walked toward Seevis's tavern where they usually ate their midday meal.

"Ber, I think I'd like to go home now. I haven't picked the herbs yet for supper tonight."

"I'll come help you, Kira," Vala offered. "I don't feel much like staying in the village today."

"That's quite all right, dear," Kira replied. "You stay here and rest. You look so exhausted with those deep circles under your eyes. Young man, see if you can get your wife to eat something more than bread." She patted Daniel's arm as Ber reached for her other hand and led her on the path back to their cottage.

"That was…peculiar." Vala watched them leave then glanced around for any sign of the prior. "Let's go inside, Daniel. I'm hungry."

Denya saw them arrive and brought over bowls of soup. Vala invited her to sit down with them and cautiously asked about the change in the day's service.

"Apparently the magistrate was told that another village in the area was in need of his services and the prior was sent to fill in the void here." She hesitated before continuing, "He's actually led us before."

"Really? When was that?" Daniel asked.

"Well. Back when…while Tulia was alive."

Vala choked slightly. "Can you tell us what happened?" she asked quietly. "It's just that I don't want to upset Ber and Kira by asking them."

"Well, you probably ought to know, since you're still living with them. Tulia was deemed an unbeliever and…and the prior ordered her cleansing in the altar fires. That was ten years ago; she was only seventeen years old."

Vala felt cold and faint. "Daniel, I…" but she couldn't hold her nausea in. She rushed out the back door into the alley and heaved the contents of her stomach onto the ground.

"Vala, are you all right?" Both Denya and Daniel had followed her out. Denya was holding her hair to the side and rubbing circles over her back as Vala continued to vomit. "Stay here with her, Daniel, I'll get some water."

Once Denya had left, Daniel resumed rubbing Vala's back and whispered to her, "It's okay, you're okay."

"They killed her. I thought she'd been sick or died in an accident. She was just a girl, and they murdered her."

"Shh now, Denya's coming back."

"Here you go, drink this slowly."

Vala sipped the water then passed it back to Denya, but she couldn't bring herself to speak. She just knew she would start accusing the villagers of murder. Fortunately, Daniel seemed to read her inner struggles.

"I should get her home, Denya. Please excuse us."

"Of course. Ask Kira if she has any gingerroot. Just mix some in your tea, Vala, and it should help with the nausea," Denya advised. She helped Vala to stand up straighter and looked her in the eyes. "I'm sorry for upsetting you."

"It's not that," Vala replied carefully with half a smile. "I've been feeling poorly all day. It all crept up on me just now. I'll be fine."

The pretty blonde paused as if considering Vala's words. She said finally, "All right. Take care."

Vala nodded as Daniel wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her out of the alley and up the path to the cottage.

Vala's reaction to Tulia's death seemed severe, but apparently she hadn't expected the tragedy of it. She'd thought it had been an accident or an illness. Walking with her up the path to the cottage, Daniel noticed that her hands were like ice. The only other time he'd felt her like that was when she'd been brought back to life at Ver Eger. He remembered it because he'd expected her to be warm, but in fact her hands and face were cold. At the time he'd reasoned that the experience was causing her system to recover from shock. Most likely the same things were happening now.

Once they were far enough from the village, Vala put sound to her thoughts. "I want to hit something."

"I know." She'd probably go after the prior with his berretta if she thought it would do any good.

"I want to go back. I don't want to be here anymore."

"I know." This place was suffocating them.

Vala wrestled her arm away from him and began pacing back and forth on the path. "If I hadn't tried to be a hero, we wouldn't be here. If I hadn't—"

"Stop. Just stop." Daniel led her over to a large flat rock and sat her down. Crouching in front of her, he met her gaze. He was acutely reminded of their mission to P8X-412 and how she'd expressed her guilt for the illness spreading among the villagers, how she'd equated her arrival with their plague. He had tried to make her see that it wasn't her fault, that the villagers would still have been forced to choose between Origin and the illness, but apparently his words hadn't sunk in.

"Repeat after me: 'It's not my fault.'"

"Daniel."

"Say it."

She turned her head away from him. "It's not my fault."

What would it take to get her to believe that? And why did it matter so much to him that she did? He took her chin and turned her back to face him. "Someday I'll make you say it and mean it."

Then she cried. She cried the tears she couldn't cry in front of Denya or risk giving them away. She covered her face in her hands and Daniel knelt forward and held her close, not knowing what else to say or do.

Her behavior of late was changing. With Ber and Kira she remained happy and vivacious. But around him, when they were alone, she was so much more subdued, depressed even at times. Vala had expressed her guilt on more than one occasion now, and Daniel had no idea how to handle it except to try to convince her that their predicament wasn't her fault. He'd become so accustomed to fending off her sarcastic teasing that he felt more than a little off-balance around this more emotional side of Vala.

After a minute or two, she stopped crying and stood up. She brushed off her dress and made some flippant apology for getting his shirt wet. Daniel simply smiled at her and said he'd add it to the laundry pile that night. Then he took her arm and tucked it in his as they continued back to the house.

"Did you notice that Seevis wasn't in the bar just now?" Vala asked.

"Yeah, now that you mention it, I don't recall seeing him after prostration either."

"I've got a bad feeling about him and this prior. I wonder…I wonder if Seevis is some sort of spy for him. Bullying the villagers, making them feel guilty about how they live their lives, reminding them of their need for prostration. It's as if he's trying to get in the prior's good books."

"It's a thought, I guess. But don't you think you're being a bit paranoid. It's probably just the stuff about Tulia making you suspicious."

"No, I had a bad feeling about the prior before I knew about Tulia. And I've felt the same about Seevis since we met him. Something's just not right."

"I think it's best just to relax. You're still very pale and Kira will want to know what happened."

Vala took a deep breath. "I hate this place."

"I know. Put on a good show and I may even give you a kiss." His eyes smiled at her and in that brief moment she could probably see how much he cared.

She teased him because she simply couldn't resist. "On the mouth?"

"Don't push it."