Man Hunt
spacegypsy1
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Chapter Four
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Tapping lightly on her door, Daniel didn't wait for an answer. He let himself in. Only one small lamp leant a dim glow but he could see her on the bed, fully clothed. Sleeping. Tiptoeing to the bed he gingerly lowered himself to sit on the edge.
Vala stirred, blinking awake. She smiled when she saw him sitting there. Her eyes filling with tears.
"Vala, if I told you I loved you, you wouldn't believe me. If I told you I'd dreamed of having children with you, you'd think I made it up to make you feel better. But it's the truth. And yes, I'm scared of leaving a child alone, to grow up like I did. I also know, Vala, that I'm the worst person in the world for you. We're as opposite as they come." He noticed the pillow under her shirt, and smiled, placing a hand atop hers that rested there.
"I know I said it all wrong earlier. Fear and doubt kept me from expressing what...how I wanted to say it. I wanted to tell you that I couldn't bear to lose you. To lose the child...children we could have to someone else. And as scared as I was, I wanted to tell you I love you and that somehow we could work things out. Have a home, kids, dogs, cats, fish if you want."
Wiping at her tears, and voice rough from sleep, she spoke his name, "Daniel."
"And we'd cook and clean and we'd go to movies, and occasionally Karaoke. Take the kids to the park. I'd learn to fish so I could teach them when you're off world." He reached and brushed the tendrils of hair from her face. "And you'd take them shopping, and teach them how to use the internet safely, and how to load a P-90 correctly while I'm off world." His smiled broadened and he patted her hand that still lay on the bump she'd created. "How's it feel?"
"Hmm?" She tried to smile but didn't quite understand what he was talking about.
"The pretend baby bump. How does it feel?"
"Nice."
"Vala. I want my name on the list. And I beg you to reconsider me." Daniel blinked back the tears that threatened. "Please, sweetheart, please forgive me. Please give me one more chance...I promise..."
She'd never thought for one second that Daniel would choose her!
Vala threw his hand off of her pillow bump, and Daniel's soul seemed to rip. He thought she hated him. But before the thought could manifest any further, Vala jackknifed up and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his eyes, his cheeks, his chin, and finally his lips.
He clung to her, his mouth desperate, his kiss rough and bruising.
The knock on the door startled them both and they jumped apart, like two teenagers caught in the act.
Daniel raised his brows, and Vala shook her head emphatically, drawing him back into the kiss, her fingers wrapping around the back of his head.
"ValaMalDoran, it is I, Teal'c."
Lips barely separated. Both Daniel and Vala went cross-eyed trying to look at the other.
"May I speak with you?" Came the deep rumble through the door.
Turning her head slowly, so that Daniel's mouth brushed across her jaw and landed below her ear, Vala answered. "Come back tomorrow, Muscles. I'm busy."
"Are you alright?" The Jaffa seemed insistent.
She moaned as Daniel nibbled her neck and ear. "Very."
"I wish to rescind my earlier response if you so desire."
"What?" Daniel whispered against her throat.
Vala's brows shot up and she pulled back, leaving Daniel frustrated. "Muscles, while I am very, very, appreciative, and flattered, I have already found another donor."
"Very good." There was no denying the Jaffa sounded relieved.
All remained quiet and they assumed Teal'c had left. They came together again, taking up where they left off, kissing, hands wandering, exploring.
They both paused at the same instant. Someone...Teal'c most likely...was knocking on Daniel's door across the hall. They waited, and when the knocking stopped they began stealing little kisses and touches.
"DanielJackson?" Suddenly boomed through Vala's door.
Daniel jumped as if shot, then cleared his throat. "Yep?"
"Are you in there with ValaMalDoran?"
"Yep."
"Did you consent to being ValaMalDoran's sperm donor?"
"Yep."
"Good night, then."
Daniel sat back and stared at Vala, incredulous. "You asked Teal'c to be a sperm donor?"
"Uh, huh. And Mitchell. I was desperate."
"And they both said no, right? I mean when you first asked."
"Yes, they both said no, well, until now."
Daniel held her face, lying his forehead head against hers. He drew a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I hurt you."
The tremble of his voice, the truth of his words, the pain she heard him speak, crushed her. "Darling, I'm sorry I didn't come to you first, that I didn't discuss my plan, ask for your...your...that I didn't tell you what I wanted. I wanted you, but my own fear kept me from asking – I didn't want to be rejected by you, I'd have rather had your friendship."
Startled again, this time by Vala's phone ringing, Daniel and Vala drew back, both sets of eyes rolling.
"Go ahead, answer it." He told her with a touch of concern.
"Hullo? Mitchell? How are...Oh. Sorry. Yes? Oh, well...that's very nice of you. But, well, I've found someone else. Yes. No. Daniel. Mitchell? Are you alright? Good night." When she hung up, Vala's eyes lifted to Daniel's. "Hmm, well, two nos, two yeses. How very disturbing."
Untangling himself from Vala, Daniel stood. "Vala, I think I better go back to my quarters." He swallowed loudly. "Tomorrow we should talk. I...I think we should go to breakfast – off base – and talk." Daniel rummaged around the floor looking for his T-Shirt which he didn't remember actually removing.
"Darling, what are you doing?"
"Looking for my shirt." he walked over and flipped on the over head light.
Vala cringed, covering her face. "Turn it off! Please."
He turned, coming back and sitting on the side of the bed. Gently, Daniel tugged her hands from her face. Her eyes were swollen from crying. "Aw, Vala. I...I made you cry."
She tried to turn her head away knowing she looked a fright. Fingers combing her hair back, he held her still and kissed each of her eyes, then her lips and moved on to her jaw, before forcing himself to stop. "Tomorrow, sweetheart," he whispered.
-o0o0o-
"Vala?" Daniel rapped a knuckle against the door early the next morning.
"I can't go." She called out.
Daniel looked around the empty hallway a moment in confusion. "Why."
"Because."
"Because why?" When she didn't answer, he shook his head and tried again. "Vala?"
"Because I look awful. Can we do lunch?" Her voice was closer and he knew she'd moved to the other side of the door.
Daniel threw his hands up. "I don't look so hot myself, I couldn't sleep."
"You always look hot."
Grinning, he rested his forehead on the barrier between them. "I promise not to look at you. We need to talk."
"Alright, darling, I'm listening."
"Come on, Vala, I'm starving. I couldn't...er...didn't eat much yesterday. And besides, I'm not gonna stand here and talk through the door."
"Give me two hours. I have to put some Chamomile tea bags on my eyes. For the swelling. And then I'll need a shower, and do my hair. Three hours tops!"
"Three hours. Three. Right. Okay. I'll come back." Daniel huffed, and shaking his head, wandered off down the hall.
~TBC