It had been several hours since Sam had berated Daniel. He had disappeared somewhere and Sam could care less. It's not that she still didn't care for Daniel. She could never hate him; she just didn't like him right at this moment. Vala was her main priority, and looking after her needs was more important. Vala had come into their lives, as a free spirit, a smiling, annoying, intelligent and capable woman. She had fought alongside them to rid themselves of the Ori threat and Adria. She had protected them, laughed with them, eaten with them, and had become one of their family. Their little club, that was only exclusive to those that had fought, bled, been broken and put back together again. She was a breath of fresh air to sometimes a thankless job, with no one to sing their praises, of saving the earth for countless and innumerous times. She brought the moral of the base to an all time high. Everyone knew, or about her, she made the mountain, a happier place to work and fight for. There wasn't a day gone by that everyone looked forward to seeing Vala come down the corridors, or enter the mess hall, the gym, or having those birthday and anniversary party's all wrong, but no one cared, but she did, and they had fun laughing at Vala's antics for wanting a party every week.

Sam had found another friend she could confide in, someone to listen than respond to her emotions on a familiar level. Vala was a consonant listener; she had allowed Sam to open her heart, mind and soul with taking great care to keep it safe. Vala had known her inside and out, a bit scary that for the few years that she got to know her, Sam was her best friend. Vala even admitted it to her without shame, that her whole life was nothing but an empty existence. She had no common goal, but only to survive another day, another place, another time. She even admitted as host for Quetesh, she longed to die, but thought she went thru this torture to one day be of some help to someone, someday. She thought she would be able to sympathize with others in their pain and suffering; that she would be this noble soul looking out for others, when she herself could not help herself to escape the horrors that Quetesh thrust upon her without her own will.

Sam watched Vala as she slept, resting her body for the oncoming death that would not stop or be stopped. She had as asked Jack to help find Vala's father Jacek, the Asgard and even the Nox. But it would be several hours, if not days before any of them could arrive or even found. Vala did not have the luxury of that time.

Jack had watched Sam and Vala, what seemed like hours and Mitchell and Teal'c were both saddened that Vala may not make it to the next day. Even after Daniel had left, they refused to go after him, or move from their vigil over Vala. She meant a great deal to them all, in her own special way, and seeing Vala's special light go out, was disheartening to them all.

Vala was beginning to stir, and Sam propped up from her chair, and moved close to the water, knowing Vala would probably need something for her throat.

Vala's eye lids felt heavy and she could feel the painful strain of trying to move around. She opened her eyes, trying to focus on the blurry image coming slowly into focus. She knew that her speaking would be slow, but not too difficult.

"Sa….Sam?"

"Yeah hon, I'm here. Have some water." Vala drank slowly, clearing her throat at the same time."

Speaking weakly. "I………..I had a dream."

Sam was trying to hold back her tears, just below the surface. Jack, Mitchell and Teal'c dare not move, but give the two women some semblance of privacy.

"What was it?" Asked Sam, knowing Vala should be saving her strength.

"I……….I saw a clear calm lake…………..and mountain of blue. The clouds were so white, I could almost touch them. I was surrounded by people, but I couldn't see their faces, but I knew I was cared for. I could see a bird rise from the mist on the lake and travel towards the sky. I watched the bird as long as I could and something or someone was holding me up. I reached for the clouds and they encircled me. I was above the ground, floating away. I could feel a great joy forming in my soul. I wanted to stay in the clouds."

"That sounds beautiful Vala. Just beautiful." Sam's eyes had silent tears rolling down her cheeks. She wiped them away, while Vala looked as if she was in a trance.

Vala started coughing a little and Sam gave her another sip of water. Mitchell stood up, wanting to help in some way, knowing that Sam was doing all she could. Teal'c also stood up, walking closer to Sam, wanting Vala to know that he was also there, while Jack was standing also on the other side of Vala's bed.

"Ja……….Jack you're here?"

"Yes Vala, I couldn't let Sam get you all to herself." Jack smiled back.

"Is………is Sam clear of all………..all charges?"

"There won't be any charges against Sam. I promise you that Vala and I'm going to make sure there are none against you. No one can touch you while I'm still here; I'm a General you know. I can do a lot." Vala smiled weakly at Jack obvious attempt to cheer her up.

"Ca……. Cam, muscles, you're all here?"

"Yes Vala, we are all here." Said Teal'c. All of them knew that one member was not there, but would rather lie than let Vala know the trouble Daniel had caused.

"Hey Princess, is there anything we can get you? You name it, it's done." Said Mitchell.

Vala coughed a little more, and Sam kept giving her water. Vala was trying to catch her breath and Sam wanted to put the oxygen mask on her, but Vala refused.

"Please………….please don't let them dig me up Jack, please Sam. Don't…………..don't let them experiment on………….on me." Jack could see the fear in Vala's eyes.

"No one is going to dig you up Vala, I promise. Sam's not going to let that happen either."

"None of us are going to let that ever happen Princess. Woosley is going to have a fight on his hands." Stated Mitchell.

"Indeed."

Vala felt relief and then looked around, hoping to see Daniel. But she knew that she spurned him intentionally so he would find someone else to love. All of them looked at each other, knowing Vala was searching for their lost member.

"I………..I want to go back to the cabin Sam. I………I don't want to be here. Please Sam, they'll cover me with a sheet and put me in the morgue. I want to go back to the cabin."

Jack looked at Sam, but understood now where Sam had hidden Vala, from her shouting match at Daniel. Sam was not going to let Vala's last wish go unanswered. She looked at Jack and her friends and they all had one thought. To take Vala away from Woosley, the solid white walls and give her one last look at life around her.

"Cam, I need……………. Before Jack could finish.

"I'm on it. I'll have a transport ready in a few minutes." Mitchell ran out to make arrangement to get Vala up to Jack's cabin ASAP.

"I will make arrangement for a comfortable bed and other notices." Said Teal'c. He bowed his head to Vala and left.

Sam looked at Jack, and thanked him silently without saying a word.

"Jack…………..don't wait. She loves you more than anything in this world. You two belong together. I made a mistake. I……….I should have told Daniel. I should have told him, why."

"I know Vala, I know." Daniel had walked in without anyone noticing. Sam gave him a look to make sure he didn't upset Vala.

Daniel knelt by Vala's side. Jack also gave him a look that said volumes, if he pulled anything.

"I spoke to the President about Woosley. Everything is fine and he understood. Woosley has been called back to Washington. There will be no arrest or taking Vala. His men are already leaving with him. We…….Woosley and I had a little chat. The President was not pleased at what he was going to do. Vala is no threat and he relayed this to you Jack. He said, use whatever you need and whatever time you need. He said that Col Carter is to use whatever discretion deemed necessary for one of their most trusted members."

Daniel smiled at Sam, and she hugged him with tears in her eyes. "I'm…………I'm sorry Sam."

Sam stopped him. She pointed her head at Vala. He understood. He knelt down to Vala and held her hand.

"I………I know why you did it Vala. Why you said those things to me. I…………….I have to grow up sometimes." Looking towards Sam and then back to Vala. Sam smiled in the background.

"You're family and my friend. You're important to me and all of us here at base. We stick together in good times and in bad. You have meant the world to me, and I…………..I am a better person for knowing you. You opened my heart to possibilities I would never have the chance to have, and you never gave up on me. You showed me how much you cared; that you would send me away to have another life without you. But my life is here with you and no matter what happens. We are with you till the time comes, when one day we'll be back together again. I know we will all be together one day, and I know you'll be watching over us, all of us."

Jack put his hand on Daniel's shoulder. For the first time in a long time. Jack was proud to call Daniel his friend.

Dr. Lam came in to check on Vala's vitals. She looked at Sam and could see Vala was becoming weaker each hour. Jack pulled Carolyn to the side.

"Dr. Lam, Carolyn. Vala wants to leave here and go to my cabin for the last time. I know you may not approve, but it's what she wants. I'm not going to let her be disappointed. Woosley has been taken care of and is going back to Washington. Please Carolyn; let us take her where she wants to go."

Dr. Lam looked at Vala and sighed. She knew Vala didn't have much time and she had already made up her mind as soon as Jack asked.

"I'll have an oxygen tank sent with you. You can take a medical copter. It's equipped with medical supplies and, well equipment you might need. I'll make the arrangements. I think Col Mitchell has already commandeered one anyway."

As Carolyn walked back to Vala's bedside, she slowly unhooked Vala from the monitors herself. Sam looked at Jack and nodded and Daniel could see that Vala was slowing slipping back into sleep. Daniel stood up to get out of the way and Sam whispered into Vala's ear.

"Where going Vala. You're going to the lake and we'll all be there. You're not alone anymore. We love you and we're not going to leave you."

Even though Vala's eyelids were trying hard to stay open. She smiled to herself, knowing what Sam's words meant.

Teal'c and Mitchell entered and saw Daniel was in the room. "It's ok guys. He's one of us again." Said Jack. "He did good. I'll explain later. Where taking Vala up to my cabin and you're all invited."

"I'm finished here. She can leave when you're ready." Said Carolyn.

Teal'c walked over and the rest parted like the proverbial sea. He tucked the covers under Vala and gently picked her up into his arms. Sam finished tucking the rest of the blankets around Vala, and carried the portable oxygen unit behind Teal'c. Jack, Mitchell and Daniel followed Teal'c. As Teal'c exited the infirmary and SG1 walked into the corridor, they were met with personnel and SF's all lined against the wall.

"ATTENTION." Commanded Gen Landry.

All the personnel stood at attention and saluted Vala as they passed thru the hall, all the way to the outside entrance. Sam could barely contain her tears. They were doing this, in honor of one of their own. They were doing this for Vala. Sam knew that Teal'c or Mitchell had to have arraigned a formal farewell. General Landry fell in step behind SG1 and their fallen member.

"I'm going with you, not butts." Said Landry. Sam couldn't contain herself. She hugged the General with tears in her eyes. He didn't care if it was against regulations; he cared about his team, his family as well.

Strong arms secured Vala into the pallet on board the helicopter. Sam sat close to Vala and held her head, wiping her brow of sweat that had suddenly appeared. They all sat in silence at the copter laid in a course for Jack's cabin. When they landed it was not too far from the lake and once again, Teal'c took his position and carried Vala off where the sun was a few hours before it was setting. The Helicopter had been ordered to return, when called for and the crew understood how SG1 wanted their privacy. The snow was already melting from the coming spring and the fish in the lake were coming to the surface to feed. Mitchell had run ahead to pull out several chairs and pulled a love seat out so Teal'c could sit and hold Vala in comfort. The chairs were all placed next to Vala and Sam switched places with Teal'c. They all sat near the fire pit and Mitchell and Jack had started a fire to keep Vala warm more than themselves.

Vala had stirred and she adjusted her eyes to the daylight. She was breathing a little bit shallower, but Sam had a bottle of water ready from Jacks house, so she could drink, just in case she started having a coughing fit. When Vala was finally able to open her eyes, she saw the lake first and the reflection of the sun against the horizon.

"Sa……Sam; the lake, the lake." Vala realized.

"Yes hon, it's the lake and the mountains too." Sam sniffed, trying not to cry, but she was happy for Vala to finally see her wish, and sad that it would be her last. She couldn't think outside of doing anything but to make Vala as comfortable as possible. All of them, including Daniel, wanted everything perfect for Vala, knowing any minute or hour; this would be her last time with them.

"Thank ………….you Sam. All…………all of you. My……………family. So clear……………so clear."

Vala's voice was becoming weaker and slower. Sam just pulled her tighter to keep Vala warm. She brushed Vala's hair out of her face so she could see the entire lake and the beautiful view. She kept tucking her blanket around her, as to keep the warmth in. The pit fire was illuminating against the coming sunset. The men made sure they had enough firewood to keep them going all night if they had to. They all settled in for the coming evening, not sure if they should move inside for Vala's sake and against the cold night air. When night finally came, they carried Vala inside and set the couches and the chairs near Jacks large window with the view to the lake. Again, the fireplace was lit, they settled near Vala as Sam held her, not wanting to let her friend go. They all slept around Sam and Vala and when morning came; Vala had opened her eyes to see the morning mist settle upon the lake. She saw a lone bird, glide across the water and skim it. The bird circled the lake again and floated up into the sky.

As Vala saw the bird fly into the mist, Sam opened her eyes to see Vala watching the early morning sunlight cascade across the lake. She moved to try and sit up and make Vala more comfortable and Vala slowly turned her head to see Sam's face.

"I'm……………..floating Sam. I'm……………float……………. Vala Exhaled her final breathe.

"VALA?...VALA?...

Sam was shaking Vala, she tried in vain to wake her.

Everyone stirred from Sam's grief in her voice. They could see Sam was crying, shaking Vala, trying to get her to respond. But they knew otherwise.

"Vala?...Noooooooooooo, come on hon; please wake up. Please Vala………………….please."

Sam was hugging Vala, she knew in her heart she was gone, but didn't want to let go.

Jack was holding onto Sam. "Sam………………Sam…………she's…………she's gone."

Sam said nothing, she couldn't. She had lost another friend, and it was becoming an old habit. Jack had motioned for everyone to leave the room. He knew Sam wanted to say her final goodbyes to Vala and he too felt the loss of a friend.

"I'll be right outside Sam. Take your time." Said Jack. Sam continued to cry for Vala, she only slightly acknowledged his presence.

Sam didn't know how much time had passed, but she knew that she had something she had to do. Something pressing that Vala wanted. Something more to accomplish for her, for her friend. She raised her head, knowing she was still holding onto Vala, knowing that there was one more thing she could do.

"I promise Vala. I won't let them touch you. I won't."

As they stood in the cemetery, a white casket was lowered into the ground, with a blanket of roses as a covering. The casket was laid to rest, as Sam promised, next to her father Jacob and mother. Sam's family didn't question why, since she told them it was a friend of hers that died from cancer too. There were several people of importance that attended, but the main group were personnel from SGC, a representative from the President, Dr. Lam, Gen Landry and especially Sam, Jack, Teal'c, Mitchell and a solemn looking Daniel. Gen Landry gave the eulogy, due to Sam not being able to form the words to describe her friend without becoming emotional. When the burial was over, SG1 immediately boarded a private helicopter and landed at Jack's cabin. Known only to SG1, General Landry and the President; up the hill from Jack's cabin, they walked towards a lone large Colorado Blue Spruce Tree. Under the tree there was a small engravement, left to Sam from Vala. It was in her belongings, in a small treasure box under her bed at base. It would be a private joke, but it was her final resting place, secret to them so no one would know where Vala was truly buried. They all stood, watching Sam, place flowers at the base of the tree that overlooked the lake, watchful to the inhabitants that would come there for peace, and for serenity. It was to be SG1's private note from Vala. Sam smiled as she stood up and remembered her friend as they walked back to the cabin, to reminisce about the stories that Vala would tell and laugh and smile about how she first came into their lives. How she fought alongside them, against the Ori and perhaps tell their grandchildren one day, about a space pirate that stole their hearts and changed their lives forever. The engravement simply read: THIS END UP.

A/N: Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing. I've been under the weather and finally had to finish up. Thanks to Acer-Sigma, SG1 Reader, Spacegypsy1, Silvermoonlight, childofspacegypsy1, Oldlibrn, emommer, getpink, Barbie2, Facing Reality, Devilish Me, Alfagirl, and SJDM12. You guys stuck it out with me and I hope I haven't dissapointed ya. New story coming soon and old one's on the way.