Teal'c easily caught up to Vala in the corridor, matching his strides with hers, looking straight ahead as they walked. "Where are we headed?"
"I'm taking a walk." Vala increased her pace, hoping that Teal'c would get the hint that she wanted some time on her own.
Without pausing Teal'c quickly adjusted his stride to match hers again and carried on walking beside her. "Then I will accompany you."
For several seconds neither said anything, as they walked through the ships corridors. Though Teal'c enjoyed silence he felt it was necessary to say something, there had been too much silence on the matter for too long and it was time to confront the truth. "You are concerned about Daniel Jackson's welfare."
Not halting in her steps Vala replied, surprising herself that she managed to keep her voice calm, "We're all concerned about him and Anna."
"Indeed. But your feelings for Daniel Jackson are stronger than one of friendship. I believe that you care for him deeply."
Vala's first instinct was to deny this, but she knew that Teal'c would see right through her. A man of few words, Teal'c saw everything, was aware of all that went around him. Though it often didn't show on his face, he felt strongly about things and had an innate ability to sense other people's emotions. This Vala knew just as she knew that Teal'c would not leave her until he had an honest answer.
Realizing that there was no point in denying the truth any longer she gave a sigh before she spoke, "That might be true, but he doesn't feel the same way."
Vala stopped at an intersection of two corridors, part of her trying to decide which way to go, part of her trying to pull herself together. Truth was she was scared. Scared of losing Daniel, scared of him not loving her the way she loved him. She had been betrayed and hurt by so many over the years that she had learned to be tough, to make light of things, to be in control. But with Daniel she had felt some of that control slip away.
"I'm such a fool," she said quietly, staring straight ahead, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill out.
"Daniel Jackson is my friend. We have shared much. He can be very wise but in this regard it is he who is the fool, not you." Teal'c moved closer to Vala, putting his hand on her shoulder. "He has strong feelings for you. It is fear that is holding him back from expressing them to you. Though you have suffered much in the past you have not let it overcome you. You embrace life. It takes a great deal of courage and wisdom to do so."
Vala turned to Teal'c. "You think I'm wise?" she said, giving him a quick smile, tears shining in her eyes.
"Indeed."
Suddenly Vala threw her arms around Teal'c giving him a big hug. Teal'c returned the hug, holding Vala gently, giving comfort to his friend.
~*~*~*~
"I believe I have located the Furlings ship."
"You have?" Sam went up to stand next to Thor looking at the image he had brought up on the holographic screen. The image showed the Ancient ship and some of the surrounding space around it, but there was no other ship to be seen.
Sam glanced down at Thor and then back at the screen. "Okay, it's obviously cloaked. How did you manage to find it?"
"Yes do tell," said Jack who had joined them and was now standing on the other side of Thor.
Thor touched the console causing the image to zoom in near the rear of the Ancient ship. "This section of space was giving off some unusual readings." Thor touched the console again bringing up alongside the image a series of readings. "As you can see Colonel Carter the readings at first appear to be normal but when compared over with readings from other sections, there is a distinct pattern."
Sam scanned her eyes over the data. "Sir, Thor's right. There's definitely an abnormality in the readings, the pattern is ..."
"Carter, stop right there. You agree with Thor, that's all I need to know." Jack looked over at Cameron who was standing on the other side of the holographic image, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. "So we've found the Furlings ship. That's good."
Cameron gave Jack a nod as he uncrossed his arms and moved closer to the image. "Can we attack it?" he asked, looking at Thor as he asked this.
"A direct attack on the ship would be in all likelihood be unsuccessful. given the nature of the Furlings defenses so far."
"So that's a no." Cameron was not surprised by this, he had the feeling that this might be the case.
"That would be correct Colonel Mitchell." Thor touched the console again, zooming in further. "But there may be another way. The Furling ship has attached itself to the other ship. This is another reason why it was undetected. It was using the Ancient ship to mask its readings. In essence giving the two ships the appearance of one. They will not be expecting an approach by means of the Ancient ship. Though I am unsure if boarding the Ancient ship is a wise move. Given that we have no defence against their energy weapons, there may be no advantage to be gained by boarding the Ancient ship."
"Actually you might be wrong about that on two accounts."
"I take it you have a plan?" Jack asked Cameron.
"Yep. One, we know where the Furling ship is and we've got a way to approach them which they won't be expecting. Giving us the element of surprise. Two, we do have a defense against their weapons."
Seeing the confusion Jack and Sam's faces he thought he better reveal what had just a few minutes ago occurred to him, he only wished that he had thought of it sooner. "Two words, Kull armour."
~*~*~*~