A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long but I had some family problems, my grandfather passed away. I was in a very angsty mood for some time so I stayed away from this story. Everytime I sat down to write I did terrible things to poor Vala, so I wrote Red instead and worked out all of my dark plot bunnies. I hope you all can forgive the delay. And I'm going to warn you there may be another long delay until chapter five because my Mom will be having surgery in a week. So please bear with me... As always, Thanks to my wonderful Beta, Khentkawes

Rating: Pg-13(Mitchell likes to swear)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my love for the characters...Chapter title comes from the song Non-Believer by La Rocca

Spoilers: None really, though some from seasons six finale and season eight.

Summary: The team heads out on a trip. Daniel has a revealing conversation with Charlie. And what is going on with Carolyn?

Chapter Four

Brother, You're Not Alone

"So explain to me again why we are going camping when Vala could give birth at any moment?" Jack asked Mitchell as they finished loading the last of their bags into Mitchell's brand new SUV.

"Because it's the perfect time for a little team bonding." Mitchell answered, shoving in the last duffle bag.

"Nice try, Mitchell. Now give me the truth."

"Really, sir, been hankerin' for a little team bonding, some real Kumbaya time." Mitchell answered.

"Damnit Mitchell, you are not taking Vala anywhere until I know the whole truth. Now spill." Jack growled.

"Fine, we have an Ori spy on the loose at the SGC, and said spy seems to be real interested in Vala and the kid. Plus Woolsey is on the way and is under the impression that Vala would be so much safer in a cell at Area-51." Mitchell explained quickly, before closing the trunk on the SUV.

"Mitchell, say what?"

"We have a spy at the SGC, sir." Mitchell answered, trying not to look at Jack like he was an idiot.

"Yeah, I caught that part, but why are they after Vala and the baby?"

"Don't know. The messages were all pretty vague but it seems that Adria wanted to play happy family with her mom and half brother. You know, be the Ori's model family or something," Mitchell answered. He did a quick scan of the area, and seeing that they were still alone he continued on. "They know when the baby is due to be born, when Vala is at the base, everything. We're not sure if this means Adria is back or not but either way it's not good."

"Yeah I'd say that's not too good. Here's my one question why, in the name of all that is holy, was I not told about this sooner? I have been taking her to the base twice a week for the last several months with no idea that there was a spy wanting to abduct her." Jack growled, not liking being left out of the loop. Especially when it came to Vala, she was like family now, the annoying little sister he had never had.

"Sorry, sir, we wanted to tell you but figured you already had enough to worry about with Vala and the baby." Mitchell responded.

Any further reply on Jack's part was cut off, by Vala's call from inside Sam's house for someone to come and help her up from the 'quicksand deathtrap of a couch.' Her calls were followed by muted giggling coming from either Sam or Teal'c. Jack figured it was the former. Teal'c just wasn't the giggling type. He could hear Vala calling out what sounded like Goa'uld expletives at whoever was giggling at her.

"I'm sorry Vala you just look so cute." Jack heard Sam state in between giggles, completely unfazed by Vala's swearing.

Jack and Mitchell headed into the house, finding Sam nearly on the floor from giggles while Vala attempted and failed to pull herself from in between Sam's couch cushions. Sam was right, it was funny.

"I swear to every Tau'ri god that if you laugh, I will break you Jonathan Christopher O'Neill. Now get over here and help me." Vala stated calmly, clueing Jack in to the fact that she was in one of her hostile mood swings. They were a new faze of her pregnancy, just a few days old really, but he had learned quickly that it was not wise to mess with her when she got like this. He was at her side in an instant, helping the very pregnant alien from the couch.

"Damn sir, she's got you whipped." Mitchell laughed, but began to quiet as Vala stomped toward him with an angry look on her face.

"Shut-up Cameron Mitchell," Vala ordered before cuffing him over the head. Without another word Vala turned and headed toward the kitchen. "Hey look pie!" She exclaimed a moment later her normal happy tone back. "Jack, do you want some pie?"

"Maybe later." Jack answered, shaking his head in wonder at how quickly her moods shifted these days. One moment she would be crying, then issuing death threats, then laughing and then crying again. It made life interesting to say the least.

"I believe ValaMalDuran is experiencing one of pregnancy's mood swings." Teal'c stated from where he stood near the entrance to the living room.

"Yep…and how do you know about pregnancy mood swings T?" Mitchell asked as he continued to rub his head as if he were severely injured.

"I learned about them while reading What To Expect When You're Expecting," Teal'c responded, ignoring the shocked look that Mitchell gave him.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"I'm back!" Charlie Kowalski called out, interrupting Daniel from his investigation of the catacombs that Sha're had shown him the first time he had come to Abydos. The writings were different than he remembered and the stories changed from what he recalled, but of course it had been nearly 7 years since he had visited Abydos, well apparently he had visited while ascended but he had no real memories of that time, so he must be remembering wrong. It's not like the painting could have changed.

He wished Sha're would have come down here with him but she had refused, saying she was tired, though, Daniel knew the real reason was that she was still angry with him. They had had another fight the night before. He had been thoughtless and told a story about Vala's first trip to the grocery store; Sha're's reaction had been instantaneous and terrible. She threw a bowl at his head.

"Hey Charlie." Daniel greeted, turning away from his study of the hieroglyphs to give the man his full attention.

"Sorry, I've been gone so long but you know how it is… things to do, people to see."

Daniel shot the former Airforce Officer a strange look, Charlie had only been gone two hours, five tops. Before Daniel could make a comment about Charlie's time skills, the other man had moved on to a new subject.

"My god man, do you ever stop with the studying? Really you gotta learn to unwind, did you learn nothing about relaxation from Jack and Vala?"

Daniel rolled his eyes at Charlie, but fought a smile, the man's teasing reminded him of Jack, Vala, and even Mitchell. It was like a little piece of his old world here with him. Charlie was a comfort.

"I relax perfectly well, thank you very much." Daniel argued back, not because he disagreed but because the friendly banter was fun.

"Yeah, okay whatever you say…I wish Skaara was here, now there was a fun kid. At least if he were here I'd have someone to get in trouble with." Kowalski mused, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Daniel nodded in agreement. Skaara was fun to be around. He had always been so full of life and laughter. So much so that Daniel had always credited him with putting the first major cracks in the walls that surrounded Jack so securely after his son's death.

"Hell, I wish Catherine was here. Even she knows how to unwind better than you do." Charlie teased, flicking at some of the loose stones with the toe of his shoe.

Daniel looked over at his friend strangely. "You mean Catherine knew how to unwind…I didn't realize you and Catherine were close."

"Yeah, well you don't know everything Daniel. Some things are beyond even your comprehension."

"Right of course," Daniel nodded, as he began picking up his notebook and pen. "It's almost time for dinner, would you like to join Sha're and myself?"

"Sorry, I'm gonna have to take a rain check. I have other plans tonight, but I'll see you tomorrow morning." Charlie replied, before turning and heading out of the cave.

"Other plans?" Daniel wondered aloud, something was very odd about that man.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

General Landry let out a calming breath and began counting back from twenty, a trick he had long ago learned helped calm his anger. He had spent the entire day listening to people complain, the scientists were whining about the split up of the budget, the military teams were whining about either lack of missions or an over abundance of them and now he was expecting a visit from Mr. Woolsey any minute. Why had he let Jack talk him into this job?

Any further thoughts or relaxation techniques were cut off by a knock at the door. The General let out another sigh before calling out to the door, "Come in."

"We need to talk," Carolyn Lam stated firmly the moment she entered the room.

"What can I do for you Dr. Lam?" Landry asked nicely, still trying to get on his daughter's good side after nearly two years of working together.

"You can explain why Col. Mitchell stopped by my office yesterday evening, to tell me that Vala would be missing her next two appointments with me."

"SG-1 was given some down time. I believe Col. Mitchell wanted to take the team along with General O'Neill and Vala on a long weekend." Hank answered, deciding not to fill his daughter in on the extenuating circumstances surrounding the vacation.

"Vala," Carolyn began, barely keeping her anger in check, "should not be traveling, especially this close to her due date. Her pregnancy is very high risk. Anything could go wrong."

"She's not due to deliver for another three weeks." Landry answered back casually.

"During her last appointment I noticed that she was already a centimeter dilated. In my opinion this baby is not going to wait for his due date." Carolyn explained slowly, wanting nothing more than to throttle someone.

"Well, if anything out of the ordinary begins to happen I'm sure Vala will tell the team, and they will of course take her to a doctor." Hank stated with confidence.

"Fine," The doctor huffed, in the same manner she had as a child, hands on her hips. "But if anything happens to Vala or the baby, it will not be my fault. I will not be punished for other people's stupidity. And someone will be held responsible." Without anything further Carolyn stormed out, leaving a confused and shocked General in her wake.

"What the hell?" Landry questioned as he stared out the open door.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

"ValaMalDuran, are you uncomfortable?" Teal'c asked Vala, after she changed her sitting position for the seventh time in two minutes. Vala was sandwiched in the backseat between the Jaffa and Jack, who was currently fast asleep.

"I have to pee." Vala whispered, not wanting to disturb Jack. He had been so tired lately, mostly because of his constant care and worry for her. He wouldn't rest until he was one hundred percent sure that she was comfortable and content. Jack was the best thing in her life, aside from the child currently residing in her womb.

"Col.Mitchell, ValaMalDuran needs to use the restroom." Teal'c stated, knowing that Vala would sit and wait uncomfortably until the next break if he did not speak up on her behalf.

Vala turned and whispered a thank you to her friend, who simply nodded his head. Vala could see Cam rolling his eyes at her from the rearview mirror, she really felt like smacking him again but knew that it would do no good. Mitchell cared about her, Vala knew that to be fact, but he was easily annoyed so Vala decided to let him off the hook. For now.

They traveled another twenty miles before finally finding a clean rest stop for Vala. Jack was still sleeping peacefully and the team decided to let him remain that way. Vala and Sam headed to the ladies room while Teal'c and Mitchell stretched their legs.

Vala was washing her hands when she was struck by a sharp stabbing pain in her lower back, gripping the bathroom counter Vala waited for the pain to subside. This pain had been happening off and on for the past few days, at an increasing frequency.

Hearing the lock on Sam's stall door, Vala quickly straightened her posture, not wanting her friend to worry. That was all everyone ever seemed to do with her anymore. She had been looking forward to this weekend since Cam had called two days ago. She had not been out much since Daniel's abandonment, too depressed and too lost. Now, however, she was beginning to find her way out of the black hole Daniel had left her in. And a weekend with her friends was just what she needed.

"Vala, you okay?" Sam asked the second she saw her friend.

"Yep…little no name is just kicking up a storm." Vala covered effortlessly, a skill it seemed she had been born with.

"You really need to pick a name." Sam said as she washed and dried her hands, "He'll be here before you know it."

Vala nodded in agreement, taking one last look in the mirror before following Sam out of the bathroom, ignoring the continuing pain.

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