Teal'c had used several of their SF men to guard Sam's house and returned to the Cheyenne Mountain to report to Col Mitchell his findings. He kept to himself that he was worried about Col Carter and Vala because of their sudden disappearance and the reported blood from the towels that Woosley's people had found. But even stranger was the fact that his friend Daniel Jackson seemed indifferent towards Vala. He didn't take much stake in base gossip, and preferred to keep silent concerning his friend's private lives. But he didn't believe that there was any kidnapping. He would converse with Mitchell first of his finding and then possibly voice his concerns.
Teal'c had found Mitchell in Gen Landry's office. "Col Mitchell and Gen Landry. I have some interesting concerns about Col Carter and Vala Mol Doran's disappearance."
"Go ahead Teal'c." Said Mitchell.
"There is no sign of any struggle in the house. Col Carter and Vala Mol Doran would have defended themselves, if there were any intruders. There were also blood stains on the blankets in Col Carter's room. If I remember correctly, Vala Mol Doran was resting in the very same room. Col Carter's closet had missing clothes from hangers and half empty drawers of personal apparel. There were personal feminine items missing, that I am aware are used daily for hygiene."
"Interesting deductions Teal'c. But why would Col Carter and Vala leave without a word? I can understand Vala fleeing, but why would Col Carter leave also and not contact us?" Stated Landry.
"I do not know Gen Landry. I do know that Col Carter would not leave without contacting us, unless there was something important she and Vala Mol Doran had to accomplish."
"What do you mean Teal'c?
"Col Mitchell, I am most concerned of the blood that I found on the blankets at Col Carter's home and the blood that was found on the towels. Someone was injured, yet I found no bandages or discarded medical items in the wastebaskets. There was a glass of water by the bed, that was half empty and I gave the glass to Dr. Lam on my return. I believe that Col Carter may be helping Vala Mol Doran is some way."
"But why would Sam not contact us Teal'c? She knows what trouble she would be in, by going with Vala. She wouldn't endanger her career and reputation. Plus it's strange that Sam didn't trust us, before she left."
"As I said Col Mitchell. I believe Col Carter may be helping Vala Mol Doran and the mystery of the blood can only be answered by Dr. Lam."
"Speaking of; I'm going to contact her and where is Dr. Jackson?"
"I sent him to the lab, Sir. I told him to wait on the results and report back here." Said Mitchell.
Outside the corridor. Woosley has cornered Daniel and proceeds to ask him some questions about his rather personal altercations with Vala.
"Dr. Jackson, I believe you had some words with Vala Mol Doran. From personnel I questioned; you seem to be a spurned lover."
Daniel's exterior face was unreadable, but Woosley suspected that Jackson could be helpful in capturing Vala or any statement he made could be used against Vala.
Daniel responded anyway. "I don't know what you're talking about Woosley. Vala had her own agenda around here. She seems to have everyone fooled that's all."
"Well you were instrumental in making her and SG1 member. Did she disappoint you Dr. Jackson?" Woosley was watching for a reaction from Daniel.
"I'd say Vala was a big disappointment in several ways. She knows what she's doing in any situation."
"So you're telling me, she can't be trusted and now Col Carter may be at her mercy or forced to go with her."
"I'm concerned about Sam, because she's a true friend. Whatever has happened to Sam has to be something Vala was mixed up in. Sam thinks Vala is a friend, but looks are deceiving. You should know all about that Woosley."
"It's my job to know about deception Dr. Jackson. I will adhere to Gen Landry's investigation, but I have my concerns for the security of this base and its personnel running around with dangerous information that any one can sell to the highest bidder."
"Well then you're better off pursuing Vala Mol Doran. She's really good at selling something, and information is just one of them."
"I see." Woosley was pensive, but he realized that Daniel was practically accusing Vala of treason.
"If you excuse me Mr. Woosley, I have work to do." Daniel left to return to the lab as Mitchell and Teal'c rounded the corner, seeing Daniel walk away from Woosley.
Mitchell watched intently as Woosley also turned to walk down the opposite corridor. He had a small smirk on his face before he noticed Teal'c and himself.
Now I wonder what Woosley is doing, talking to my people? Jackson, you better not be giving him anything to hurt us with.
Mitchell and Teal'c took Daniel aside before speaking with Dr. Lam.
"Jackson, what did Woosley want?"
"I don't know. He stopped me in the corridor. I didn't say anything that he hasn't already known."
"Yeah, well he seemed a little too comfortable walking away from you."
"You know, I can be somewhere else. Sam is missing and seems no one cares about her."
Teal'c and Mitchell were disturbed at the cynicism in Daniel voice and the disregard for Vala. Mitchell stood right up in Daniel's face, starring him down to make a point.
"Look Jackson; no one speaks to Woosley until our investigation is complete. I don't know what's gotten under your skin, but we have two missing member of our team and we will do everything in our power to find them. If you got a problem with finding them, then I suggest you go back to your lab and wait until we finish with this investigation."
"I might just do that." Daniel said with disdain in his voice.
"Daniel Jackson; you don't seem to be concerned with Vala Mol Doran. She may have been injured and Col Carter may be helping in some way."
Daniel remembered what Dr. Lam had said about the blood being Vala's.
Mitchell interrupted. "Plus, did Dr. Lam say anything about whose blood is on the towel?"
"Why don't you go ask her? She's the Doctor. I'll be in my lab if something turns up on Sam." Daniel moved past both Mitchell and Teal'c without any regard to Mitchell's questions.
Mitchell started to go after Daniel, but Teal'c stopped him. "Col Mitchell, I believe Daniel Jackson is concerned, but we have more important matters to be concerned with."
Mitchell shook his head in disbelief of Daniel's attitude. "I hear ya. But something's definitely put a bug up his ass."
JACK'S CABIN
Sam was on the phone to her Specialist friend and Doctors, most of the morning after checking on Vala. Vala was asleep, which seemed to be quite a bit, but Sam figured if Vala needed anything, she would be close.
"Are you sure George?"
"Yeah Sam, I'm sorry. This is something totally foreign and unbelievably strained, whatever it is. The sample's that you dropped of yesterday seemed to be multiplying and not stopping. Who ever your friend is, they're going to deteriorate slowly with this disease. I just wish I knew what it was. Is there anything else you can tell me where this strain came from?"
"No George; not without giving away some information you don't want to know. Please destroy what sample that you have George. I can't tell you why, only that I ask you to trust me. But thanks anyway."
"Ok Sam; anybody else I would be suspicious, but you've helped me get grants when nobody else could. I hope your friend finds a cure."
"I do to George and thanks for everything."
Sam hung up the phone. She had received the same answer and couldn't answer any of her Specialist friend's questions. Sam knew she was pressing for time. If she tried to contact Dr. Lam, then the IOA may tract her call to the cabin and Vala would be instantly detained at Area 51 and studied and locked up for the rest of her natural life. Sam vowed to never let that happen to her friend. She had to try and find something to help Vala, regardless what it would cost her.
Sam had made breakfast and wanted Vala to keep her strength up and speak with her. She walked into the bedroom and Vala was sitting up in bed. She was coughing slightly, but nothing that hindered her breathing too much. Sam felt helpless and seeing Vala give in, just made her angry than sympathetic. But this was her friend and she only wanted to help, regardless of the situation.
"Hey."
"Hey Sam. You shouldn't have done this Sam. This will ruin your career and reputation." Vala felt weak, but she wanted to talk than lay down all day.
"It was my decision and I'm not turning back. You know how I am when I set my mind to something. I know what I'm doing and that's, that."
Vala shook her head at the determination of her friend. She knew Sam was just concerned, but she didn't want to die, knowing Sam would face the consequences alone.
"Sam, you can't save me. I…….I know my fate. I know I can't talk my way out of this. I tried to convince myself that I wasn't dying. That I was just sick for a little while. Then I remembered how sick my mother was. I remember those nights she spent alone, and keeping us in the dark about what was wrong with her. My……..my father never realized or was around long enough to see her ill. He thought everything was fine and my mother never let on that she was dying. I watched her slowly become pale and disorient almost everyday. She kept…………she kept telling me, everything will be alright. They weren't. When she…………when she finally passed, no one was with her." Sam could see the pain in Vala's eyes, but she was trying to hide it.
"She refused to be a burden to anyone and made arrangements for my brother and I to stay with this witch of a woman."
"Adria?"
"Yes."
Vala took a bite of food, as if trying to compose herself, and give herself some time to repress her memories of her mother. Sam was remembering her own memories of her father, as he faced death with dignity and a quietness, that she understood being his final moments with her where the most important in his life and hers. She remembered stroking his head, and him smiling back at her, to weak to speak. Jack was there and she thinks her father was pleased that someone was there for her, when he passed. Sam remembers Jack staying and crying, but she couldn't recall anything other memory, than her father's final breathe.
For some reason, Vala had mentioned her father one night, while she was visiting Sam's house. Something triggered a raw emotion of guilt and shame and Sam welled up and started sobbing uncontrollably. Vala was there to console her and stayed with her all night. She remembered waking up with a blanket over her and Vala slept on the floor, in a sleeping bag, that she found. Sam appreciated the sentiment and Vala never asked why Sam broke down and cried into the night. Sam never forgot Vala's silent vigil over her and the next morning, the two sat outside on her back patio, just sitting quietly and sipping cocoa. No words ever needed said; just Vala's company was enough.
"Vala?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm not going to promise you that I will give up trying to find a cure for you. But, I'm also not going to let anyone take you away and be alone. We are more than teammates and friends Vala. We are family and I'll fight to the death to save my family and there's no going back."
Vala smiled at the way Sam could really get angry, when someone messes with her friends and family. Vala really only had a family for a short while and now this new family of SG1 was something she cherished. She never took her time with her brother for granted after her mother died, and after the horror of losing her brother and mother, she pushed that part of caring deep down into her subconscious, where Quetesh could never flesh out. Quetesh was more interested in conquering men with sex and domination of the Naquadah mines. When Vala was finally free and rejected by her own people, she chose to survive without anyone to care about, but herself. She felt she could never be used again to harm another living person, unless they garnered her wrath. But even then, family was unfamiliar to her as a place to call home. SG1 had given her that home and Daniel would be the one person that she cared enough about to abandon him. She didn't want to see him hurt and feeling guilty about his own pain of constantly losing someone he loved. She had made her decision, once she found out that she was gravely ill and decided to die alone, away from the pity she would receive, even if she did want their company.
"And I can't promise you Sam, that I'll let you take the fall for helping me. But I will promise one thing though."
"Yeah."
"I promise, I won't stop you."
Both women smiled at each other, and continued their breakfast in silence, looking at the snow capped mountains in the background, thru the windows and the wispy clouds surrounding them. To Vala, it was one of the most beautiful sights she never expected.
TBC