How Many Ways Can I Say I Love You – Series

Spacegypsy1

Number Eight: Left Behind

The blue pool of the active Stargate reflected back on the four SG-1 members. Mitchell and Sam moved up the ramp as Teal'c and Daniel prepared to follow. Vala's shout from the control room stopped them. "Wait! I'm sure I can go!"

Daniel's head dropped and Mitchell turned with an unhappy expression. "Vala, I've already said it eight-hundred and eighty-nine times. We all have to do an annual. We do it when it's scheduled. We all have to be poked and prodded and examined and tested for three days. No exceptions." Mitchell turned without another word and went through the 'Gate with Sam right beside him. Teal'c realizing Daniel was not moving stopped just short of the shimmering pool and looked back over his shoulder. Daniel was looking up into the control room. Vala pouted and waved down to Daniel who nodded and moved forward to join Teal'c.

……

"Jackson we should've been outta here an hour ago. What the hell is wrong with you? We've got three more drab and unexciting holes in rocks to explore, so hurry up!" Cam yelled from the entrance of the cave.

Standing with a light trained on the wall of symbols, Teal'c watched Daniel, "Perhaps it is Vala Mal Doran's absence that has you distracted."

Daniel nearly dropped the journal in his hand, "Are you kidding me!? Three days without Vala pestering me? This is a dream come true."

One raised eyebrow was Teal'c's only answer as Mitchell and Sam exchanged knowing grins.

Sam strolled into the cave, "Daniel, you've gotten used to having her around and even you have to admit she is a valuable addition to the team. And she seems to really excel as an assistant."

"She is NOT my assistant!"

"I wasn't insinuating that, she's been a great help to me. Personally, I like having her around, she's smart and funny. I miss her when she wonders off to pester you. Daniel, she only does it because she gets such a kick out of your responses." Sam walked off. "Daniel, just go back to what you were doing and hurry it up." She said, eyes twinkling at Mitchell, who grinned.

With a huff he went back to scribbling in his journal.

"Jackson, did you get enough coffee this mornin'? 'Cause I can make you some more. You seem to be a bit irritable and I for one think this party needs to break up and move next door." Mitchell laughed, leaving Daniel to his work and wandering off with Sam to scout the other caves.

……

Vala was spinning around in Carolyn's chair behind the desk where the doctor sat, perched on the edge, arms folded across her chest. "I feel weak. Bloodless. I can't take anymore bloodletting. Aren't you through?" Vala would push herself into a spin again every time she rolled around forward, "Can't I go join the team? Couldn't you fill a jar with the rest of my blood and run your tests to you're heart's content? I don't want my body invaded. Let's skip that part."

Carolyn placed a hand on the top of the chair interrupting its cycle. "If you wouldn't disappear for hours at a time we could get this over with. Here," for the third time the doctor tried to hand Vala a gown, "put this on and meet me in the exam room."

Vala pouted. "I don't like this part. It's very strange. I mean surely you could check it out with one of your machines, like that kitten machine."

"Cat Scan."

"Yes."

"Vala, this is required. We have to do it."

"Ugh!" She shivered with dread, "I don't get it. I don't like it."

"None of us do."

"You've already squashed my breasts to pancakes…. Oh! pancakes. I'm really hungry. Can we do this after breakfast?"

"It's 1300 hours, you just ate lunch."

Vala sighed deeply and put her elbows on the desk, rested her chin in her hands and sighed again. "I'm crazy in love with Daniel."

"Yes, I know. As does everyone else in the mountain." Carolyn tried to hand her the gown. Vala ignored her efforts.

"Except Daniel. He thinks I'm just a fruitcake without feelings. What I'm I going to do? He'll never love me back. I'll be a spinster… that's the right word isn't it? Growing old without hooking up with anybody?" Who'd want anybody but Daniel anyway? He's so adorable. And sexy. And…."

"Vala!"

"Alright. Well. Fine. Let's get it over with." She snatched the gown from Carolyn's fingers.

……

Walter walked down the empty hallway towards Dr. Jackson's office. He'd just been relieved and it was 1600 hours, but he had something important to do before he went home. At the door to Daniel's office he knocked on the frame.

Surprised to see the airman Vala immediately stood up. "What is it Walter? Did they call in? Has something happened? Did Daniel say hello to me? What's wrong, something's wrong. Is it Daniel?"

"They called in. They're coming a day early. In about an hour."

"What happened?"

"Ah, seems Dr. Jackson fell in a cav…."

She was out the door running towards the control room.

"Vala! He's fine. Oh boy! Now I'm in trouble. I wasn't authorized to tell you! General Landry will skin me alive!" Walter yelled at her retreating back.

She stopped and turned, "Oh."

"An hour, at least. A sprained ankle, nothing serious. Maybe you could just wander to the Gateroom in about forty-five minutes."

Vala threw her arms around his waist and kissed his cheek. "Thanks Walter."

"Anytime."

……

Loitering outside of the Gateroom Vala paced. It'd been an hour. Did something happen? Where were they?

She heard the first metallic click a second before the lights and alarm sounded, followed by the words that sent a thrill through her. "Incoming traveler." Her nose nearly touched the closed door as she waited for it to open. As it slid aside, she was grateful for her slim build and scooted sideways through the door the instant it was feasible.

He came through first, limping, the blue bandana tied around his head, dust covering his uniform. She ran up the ramp, threw herself against him, locked her arms around his neck and kissed him. He reeled from the impact, but Teal'c grabbed his shoulders a moment to steady him.

Mitchell grinned at Sam, "I think she missed him, too."

Daniel tried to pull her arms from his neck unsuccessfully. She tightened the grip and kissed him harder, open mouthed with teeth and tongue, igniting passion and he gave in and kissed her back. No denying he'd missed her. No denying her mouth on his felt right. His arms went around her back and he lifted her from the floor, taking over the kiss.

Landry's voice came over the intercom. "Dr. Jackson, Miss Mal Doran, I'd like to see you in my office. Now."

Daniel disengaged the kiss and Vala looked up into his eyes, "Oops. I think I got you in trouble. Fraternizing in the Gateroom! But I missed you."

"Missed you too," he murmured, dazed.

Mitchell, shaking his head and grinning, patted Daniel on the shoulder. "It was bound to come out sooner or later. Bad choice of times, though. I'll support you two as much as I can. Thankfully you're not military. Go on. Get it over with."

Sam squeezed Daniel's arm. "Don't worry. There's really not much he can do, but yell." She said following Mitchell from the Gateroom. Teal'c bowed his head without a word and left them behind.

He'd never planned this. He just reacted. But Mitchell was right. They weren't Military and no one had specifically outlawed civilian 'fraternization' and fraternization was definitely in his future. Like a staff blast to his heart, Daniel was struck by the thought that he was falling in love with Vala. God help him. Vala loved to tease him, but that was a far as her feelings went. She would break his heart, but it didn't seem to matter anymore. He would live. He'd done it before. With his arm around her waist they headed off in a slow walk towards Landry's office. Trying to clear his thoughts, he asked. "So, how'd the tests go?"

Vala's heart was beating fast. She so wanted him to love her. She wanted to tell him how she truly felt about him. Instead she said, "I'm in perfect health. Which I tried to tell them. How was the mission?"

"Slow going. Lots of stuff. You know, ancient text, another Morgan le Fey hologram, some Goa'uld technology, a nice cache of weapons. A hint of Merlin technology."

"Nothing unusual?" Vala grinned up at Daniel.

"Nope, that's about it." Daniel stopped in front of Landry's office window and took a deep breath. What could he say to the General that would make any sense? "I don't know what we're going to tell the General."

"Well…I will tell him the truth. I'm in love with you… really, really, really in love with you."

"Landry's going to…. What did you say?"

"Dr. Jackson!" Landry called while Daniel stood outside his door dumbfounded. Vala patted Daniel's chest and marched into the office, taking a chair, a wide tooth grin on her happy face.