Summary – Since you made it till here, I believe you already know all you need to know. :) Have fun.

Sandra – Hmm, co ti povedat…PRECITAJ SI TO LASKAVO ESTE RAZ CELE, KDE SI TO NEPAMATAS:))))

Dawnie – Thanx for the nice reviews. And don't feel bad for not reviewing earlier, we all have our lives with many obligations and little free time. That's why we read fiction, don't we? ;)

Leenie – I love you, girl! You are my saviour!:)

ALL others –Thanx to all who read and reviewed. I was so happy to find so many great and sweet reviews, many of them being thoughful and expressing your opinions on my story. You have it a bit of thought and I am very grateful for that. THANX! As usual - RER – read – enjoy – review. Cos I LOOOOVE FEEDBACK! But yiou already know, don't you? ;)

Reviews – This is the place where to thank you all who reviewed, so:

Killerbees, Barbie2, Sokorra Lewis, Sandra, Shinki, Hazmot, Dawnie, Purple Pebble, Abydonian, Briar Elwood, Angelfire East 24, Emili, Leenie, Slinky-and-the-BloodyWandsSciFOXcraven, livestar, Padfoot-001QuasiOustermg Sheppard, Jena, kp and TubaPrincess

THANK YOU ALL! I LOVE YOU GUYS! For all of you, here is the new chapter!

Where the truth lies

by- liz parker

Chapter 5 – Pendant and Dog Tags

Sam found her exactly where she had told them she would be, the gym. Yet she was not punching the sand bag. In fact, Vala wasn't exercising at all. She was sitting on a mat in the far corner of the room. Her back was pressed against the wall and her arms were hugging her bent legs, allowing her head to rest comfortably at the top. The gym was empty, with all the lights switched off. Vala's eyes were gazing into the dark, looking at nothing in particular. When Sam entered, she didn't even acknowledge her presence.

"Kind of dark here, don't you think?"

"I like it dark." Replied Vala in an emotionless voice.

"May I?" Asked Sam, stepping closer to her, pointing at the mat as if asking for permission to sit down.

"Be my guest." Replied Vala, still without looking at Sam.

"I came to tell you that you may return to your quarters if you want." Said Sam carefully.

"That went quickly. Do you have some special personnel skilled at rummaging through other people's stuff?"

"Actually…" Began Sam, "…we didn't search your room. The General changed his mind."

"How come?" Asked Vala in a surprised but still reserved voice.

"You were right about what you said. If it were Teal'c, Mitchell, Daniel or me, the General wouldn't believe a word. You deserve the same treatment as the rest of us. You are a member of SGC now: you proved you deserved this position. That means not only having the same duties as us, but also sharing the same level of trust. The General decided to believe you. If you say you didn't steal the mace, he believes you really didn't."

Vala didn't respond, but a sign of comfort was visible on her face. Then she turned to Sam.

"What about you?"

"What about me?" Asked Sam in confusion.

"You said the General changed his mind. What about you?"

"I didn't." Said Sam. Vala gave a small bitter laugh.

"I see. Well, thanks for your honesty."

"I didn't change my mind, because I always believed you didn't steal the mace." Stated Sam simply. Vala gave her a surprised look.

"You don't believe I stole the mace?"

"I never have."

"Why?" Asked Vala in suspicion. She still couldn't tell if the Colonel was mocking her or being serious.

"I pride myself in being a scientist you know, and therefore purely rational, I see no probable cause, why you would throw away all you have been working so hard for in a glimpse of a second because of some small golden object." Said Sam sincerely.

Vala knew there was more to Sam's explanation. It was something that can't be expressed in words. She could sense a genuine trust in her. She gave Sam a small smile.

"Thank you."

Sam returned the smile. "You're welcome." Then she though for a second, before asking a question that was on her mind since the debriefing.

"May I ask you something, Vala?"

"You know you can. Yet I don't guarantee you an answer." However, she gave Sam an encouraging smile.

"What did you lose on the planet? The thing you have been looking for?"

Sam could sense Vala's discomfort at the question. She looked as if struggling with herself whether to tell Sam the truth, or not. Finally, with a heavy sigh she gave in. She slipped her hand under her black shirt, pulling out a tiny round golden pendant on a chain from underneath it. She stretched out her hand towards Sam, so she could have a better look. Sam took it carefully, bringing in near her face so she could study the engraving. She could tell the writing was in ancient, yet she couldn't decipher the meaning. Vala saw Sam's struggle with the alien letters and decided to help her out.

"It reads: "From T. to V." I got it from Tomin. He gave it to me a few days after I told him I was pregnant." Vala said in a quiet voice.

"I know it's silly I am still carrying it around. I always knew my time with him would be just temporary. Nevertheless, at that time, I loved him…in a way. He was the first person I met who didn't judge me. I know that I may not see him again. And even if so, things aren't the same anymore. But I don't want to forget the time we shared. It taught me a lot. It also reminds me what we are fighting for." Vala gave a sad smile, and then continued.

"When we went to the feast, I suddenly realized it was missing from my neck. I must have lost it somewhere, but I didn't know where. Since the treasure chamber was the last place I had been in, I pretended to have a headache in order to go searching for it. I looked all around the mace's pedestal and also searched the entire chamber. I searched every inch but I still couldn't find it. By the way, the mace was still in its place at that time. That's when Daniel found me. He asked me what I was doing and I…I simply couldn't tell him. I don't know why, I just…didn't want him to know. Maybe because there's a part of me I don't want him to know about. Yet." She sighed again, before continuing once more.

"So I followed him outside, angry and disappointed that I may have lost the pendant forever. However, on our way outside, another thought occurred to me. The treasure chamber was not the only place we had been inside that day."

"The rest rooms!" Interrupted Sam.

"Exactly. So I told Daniel not to wait for me and ran straight towards them, where I finally found this…" She pointed at the pendant, "…lying on the floor. I grabbed it and ran outside. I didn't even pass the treasure chamber. The mace must have been stolen at that precise moment."

"You should have told us Vala. It would have made things easier for you."

"No. Sam, this is the last personal thing I posses. And I definitely don't want half the SGC to know. It's sorta a weakness of mine. And it's none of their business. Besides, they wouldn't have understood. I mean…my relationship with Tomin is over, but still, we've spent a nice time together, time I don't want to forget." She said in a gloomy voice.

"Maybe they would understand. Vala, everybody at this base has family or friends out there he cares for. It's not a weakness."

Vala didn't reply, but she didn't seem convinced. Sam sighed.

"Ok. Now I am going to tell you something, but you've gotta promise me you won't tell anybody else."

Vala's head shot up, and her eyes sparkled.

"A secret? I am all ears."

Sam too slipped her hand underneath her shirt, pulling out her dog tags and holding them in front of Vala's face. Along with the tags, there was also a small diamond ring attached to the chain. Vala took it carefully from Sam's hands.

"Is this what I think it is?" She asked in a shocked voice. Sam said nothing, but gave her a mischievous smile and a small nod.

"It's from General O'Neill, isn't it?" Asked Vala. Now, it was Sam's turn to be surprised.

"How do you…?"

"Oh, c'mon! I may be an alien but I'm definitely not an idiot." Laughed Vala.

"You should see that dreamy look on your face every time the guys mention him."

Sam blushed. "Do you think the guys know as well?" She asked.

Vala laughed louder.

"You kidding? They are men. Of course they don't suspect a thing! Maybe except of Teal'c. I think Teal'c knows."

"Really?! Teal'c?!" Asked Sam astounded.

"Yeah. I mean, he didn't say it or anything, but I have the feeling he really knows. You know, it's funny. Teal'c and I - aliens - beat Cam and Daniel on this one." Vala gave her a wide grin. Sam concentrated her look again on the dog tags.

"May I ask you another question?" Asked Sam carefully.

"Go ahead."

"Well…in the debriefing room, you mentioned…that you and Daniel…"

"…kissed?" Finished Vala for Sam.

"Yes."

"It's true. But it was of no importance. He pinned me down, so I didn't have any other option of getting free besides distracting him." Said Vala in a careless tone, yet Sam could see there may be more to it and that it may not be of such small importance as Vala tried to pretend.

"I would never have imagined he would be the one to believe it was true. The theft I mean." Said Vala with a sad smile.

"You know, he didn't, at first. He defended you in front of the council. But then they brought Tabuti, claimed they had evidence, the councilors were saying the treaty was off…"

"I always imagined that if something like this would have happened, he would be the only one to defend me. To trust me. I see I was absolutely wrong about that. It's you sitting here with me, not him." She said in a quiet voice.

"Vala, I think Daniel will see reason soon. Now, he is just upset about the outcome. Just give him some time." Suggested Sam carefully.

"No. He's had his chance. He could have trusted me, instead, he chose otherwise." Replied Vala angrily.

"Vala…" Tried Sam again, but Vala cut her off.

"No Sam. Please, no more talk about Daniel, alright? This is something between me and him."

There was a short silence.

"I think I should go." Said Vala, "I need to see the doc to clear me for the mission tomorrow."

She jumped to her feet and made her way towards the door of the gym. At the threshold, however, she stopped and turned back to Sam.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything."

Then, she added. "Oh, and don't worry. Your secret will not leave this room."

With that, she left the room.

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Daniel was sitting at the desk in his lab, staring into his computer, trying to decipher some old writings SG12 has found a few weeks ago on a deserted planet. Yet, the only thing he could think about was the debriefing. He was furious about what Vala did. She had humiliated him in front of the whole room. He certainly wasn't angry about that stupid kiss. He knew exactly that she didn't mean it, didn't he? He sighed. Anyway, she had no right jump at him like that. She got them into great trouble, and not just because of the theft, but because of her whole attitude. When would she finally stop acting on her own? She was still as reckless as she had been on the day he met her. Yet now, it was HIM to be blamed for her actions.

"May I enter, Daniel Jackson?" Asked a deep voice at the door. Daniel jumped and quickly looked around.

"Oh, hello Teal'c. You startled me. Of course, come in." He tried to sound casual, but he was not in the mood to see or talk to anybody.

"What brings you here? Can I somehow help you?" He asked the tall Jaffa, trying to indicate that we wanted to keep his visit professional and get over with it as quickly as possible. However, Teal'c didn't seem to catch the hint.

"You seemed angry when you left the briefing room. I came by to ascertain your wellbeing."

"I am fine." Said Daniel unconvincingly.

"I also came to inform you, that general Landry ordered not to search the quarters of Vala Mal Doran."

"What changed his mind?" Asked Daniel in surprise, for a brief second hoping that the General gained some proof Vala was not guilty.

"Vala Mal Doran's words seem to be of a great importance to him. He believes that she was right when she indicated she was not getting the same treatment as the rest of us." Daniel sighed, his hopes suddenly gone.

"That's the point. She always wants to get special treatment." Said Daniel sarcastically.

"Are you still angry at her?" Asked Teal'c.

"Of course I am Teal'c! Look at the mess she got us into!" Howled Daniel.

"Is it so because of the mace, or the intimate contact you two have shared?"

Daniel's ears turned red.

"There is NO intimate contact we shared Teal'c! She just tricked me and used it to her advantage." He said sighing again.

"Certainly nothing new." He added quietly.

"I see." Said the Jaffa, yet his tone was clearly dubious.

"Right. Ok, look Teal'c…." Said Daniel irritably, thinking of what to say to the Jaffa. Then he changed his mind about it, since he didn't exactly knew what to tell him. Damn, he didn't understand it himself.

"See, I gotta see doc Flansbury with these." He grabbed some papers with ancient writings from the table.

"I promised her to return them quickly. I hope you don't mind leaving you here alone." With that, he hastily ran out of his office without waiting for an answer, leaving a pensive Teal'c behind.

"Indeed."

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"Enter!" Shouted a strong voice from behind the door, so Mitchell opened it and stepped into the General's office.

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Have a seat, Colonel." The General pointed at the chair in front of his desk, waiting for Cam to sit down before he started to talk again.

"I wanted to know, if you think it's a good idea to let SG1 go to the scheduled mission tomorrow."

"Sir, why do you think it to be a bad idea?"

"Well, under the circumstances, I believe doctor Jackson and miss Mal Doran aren't getting on very well. Don't you think it could be problem? Quarrels on your team?"

"Sir, with all due respect, I don't think so. I've seen Daniel and Vala fighting on many occasions. It's almost a ritual to them. Besides, we are going to an uninhabited planet with no serious danger. I personally believe it could be a good opportunity for the two of them to return to their normal terms again. You know, work and everything…"

"So you believe you can handle them? Or better said – her? We both know she is a bit unpredictable and that the only person she really listens to is Doctor Jackson."

"I believe we are going to be fine, sir."

"Alright then. You have a go. Dismissed."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

With that, Mitchell got up and left the General's office.

TBC

AN – Ok, this one is a connecting one, not much happens, but I wanted to show the bad spirits before the actual mission to the ice planet. And yes, next chapter will finally deal with the event of the prologue. I also wanted to show that Vala and Sam, as the two females on the team, can not only be friends in good times (the snowball fight), but also in bad times.

Review pls, Love feedback. Hope to see you soon. Take care all, especially those ones who start their new semester at college or uni.