It was now nightfall and pretty much everyone was deep in thought. Sam and Mitchell had bedded down for the night as well as Carolyn. Daniel couldn't really sleep, but took a nap. Carolyn had informed him, if he was too tired, it would not help Vala's cause. She would know and attack his resolve. Teal'c had starred at Vala's door all night. It was hard to tell what he was thinking and he never let on that he would visit Vala on his own terms into the night.

Teal'c had searched Daniel's house and found what he was looking for. With trained stealth he entered Vala's room. He could see even in the dark that Vala was covered up and facing the wall. He placed two large candles around the room and one center before he sat down to meditate. Vala felt a presence in the room and she could see her shadow dancing on the wall from low lit candlelight. Sleepily she turned to see Teal'c sitting in meditation. She continued to lie in bed, watching, waiting, and knowing that Teal'c would not be moved. Teal'c continued to meditate, but was aware that Vala was now watching him. For the first half hour nothing was said. Both were warriors of patience and silence and neither would give into each other's stubbornness.

"Are you in pain Vala Mol Doran?" Teal'c did not even open his eyes when asking.

"You of all people Teal'c should know how I feel." Vala spoke with little emotion.

"And the same about me Vala. Do you not think I do not know what is behind your anger?"

"Because you have known me as Quetesh and you know what happened to me, I deserved it."

"Are you Quetesh now?"

"You have all seen what I have already known. I killed millions during Quetesh's reign. Not thousands as everyone believes, but millions. I'm swimming in blood that I can never wash off. Now everyone knows what I've done, who I am, how I've lived and why. How can you sit there and be so calm when I've spilled more blood than you?"

Teal'c stilled himself before he answered. He finally opened his eyes and unblinkingly answered Vala.

"Do not pretend that you don't know who I was Vala Mol Doran. I was first prime to Apophis, God of Darkness. As First Prime, my loyalty included killing for his own desires in his name. I relished in killing for him. It was my duty and I pleasured in it. There was no distinction in killing men, women, and children. I have killed thousands Cal Mah. They have lived and died in my dreams over a million times and nothing we say or do can ever erase what we have done Cal Mah."

"We are murders Teal'c. You and I both know it and the Tau'ri are fooling themselves to ever trust us with their lives. How can they love us, trust us, be around us?" We are what they fight against the most."

Vala closed the covers up to her more, trying to ward off the chill she felt under Teal'c scrutiny. Not satisfied that she should even be alive.

"I know you better than anyone could ever know Vala Mol Doran. I have witnessed and served you as Quetesh."

Vala eyes raised and she fell silent.

"I remember when Apophis sent me to acquire Naquadah from one of your mines. He admired your ruthlessness and cunning in supplying him when ever he needed it for his forces. I remember when I arrived you welcomed me and I was witness to your persuasion of motivation. You ordered the murders of thousands in the mine that had tried to rebel against you, and then all of their families. You even invited me to fire at the first victims. There were no more rebellions and Apophis was pleased at your natural abilities for violence and control. You even rewarded my men, by allowing them to rape the women in your service so that they may be touched by the elite of Apophis."

Vala's eyes grew wide with recognition, and she became angry at the realization Teal'c had witness Quetesh's crimes while she was host. She leaped from the bed and tried to attack Teal'c. He caught her arms and held her tight. Vala was lashing out at Teal'c and he knew she needed to vent her anger and fear at something or someone. He held onto her tight as she screamed, cried, kicked and tried to hurt him with all of her strength.

Daniel was startled awake from screams as well as the rest of his household. Daniel immediately recognized the screams as Vala's and ran towards her room. Daniel started pounding on the door and they noticed that Teal'c was missing.

"TEAL'C?... TEAL'C? LET US IN. WHAT'S HAPPENING? WHAT'S WRONG WITH VALA?... TEAL'C."

"YOU MUST LEAVE US BE DANIEL JACKSON. SHE IS IN NO DANGER. I SWEAR AS A JAFFA, I WILL NOT HARM HER OR LET HER BE HARMED. THIS IS MY OATH."

"Daniel, wait." Said Carolyn. "I know you're worried, but I believe Teal'c is letting Vala vent her anger at him and herself. You can't interfere right now. This is a second stage for her. She needs to do this and Teal'c is strong enough for this."

"But……but Vala……….

"Daniel let Teal'c do this his way." Said Sam. "I know the anger she's built up inside her. Trust us on this."

"She's in good hands Jackson. Teal'c is not going to harm her." Interjected Mitchell.

Daniel felt helpless and defeated. He knew enough about the physiological part of the mind and its ability to sometimes shut down and not cope. His own experience at holding in anger was similar to Vala's.

"Ok Carolyn." He sighed. "I'll let Teal'c help her; but I don't have to like it though."

They all led Daniel away and waited for Teal'c to emerge.

Vala felt herself being spent of energy. Teal'c held on like a bulldog, waiting for her body to tire out and give her an outlet for her fears. She finally slumped into his strong and protective arms and he cradled her as before.

"Why Teal'c? Why does this happen to me?" Vala was sobbing into his shirt. "I never wanted this to happen. I don't want to remember. I don't want any of this."

Teal'c held her tight, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, but trust him.

"Vala Mol Doran; when I was younger, I had a friend such as you, a female named She'la. We were both the children of First Primes and where destined to be friends for life, she was like a sister to me, and had hoped that perhaps one day to be my mate. However one day she disappeared and my father would not mention what happened to her. As I grew older I thought about her often, but becoming a warrior did not allow for such emotions to cloud my mind. Then as time passed I found out what happened to her. Her father was forced to keep the bloodline sacred. He was ordered to mate with his own daughter, by Cronus's decree."

Vala held onto Teal'c this time. He starred at the walls as if looking at scenery in time.

"I could not show any anger or remorse for her lost innocence. I was a Jaffa warrior, the son of a First Prime. It was considered weak to show such emotions for such atrocities. She had a female child by her own father and once the child was born, She'la was sacrificed as proof of her father's loyalty to his God. The child had disappeared soon after and I never questioned her father if the child lived or died. I had lost my childhood friend and could not protect her. I remember one thing Cal Mah. When I last saw her, she sang the song of friendship, the song of a lullaby that has forever been burned into my memory that she existed."

Vala had listened intently to Teal'c and his sorrow at loosing a friend. She held his hand a little tighter.

"That is why Cal Mah that I care so much to what happens to you. I have lost so many of my friends, but she was the first. You remind me so much of her Cal Mah. A child of heart, and strength of spirit. You did not allow Quetesh to take what was yours to keep. You did not allow torture to weaken you or destroy you. All that has been done to you is far more important at a greater truth. We suffer to grow stronger. We suffer to take hold of life and make it precious to all that we hold dear. What happened to you Cal Mah happened and you are still alive, you are still here and you have beaten those who would cause harm to those you love. Your are Kalash; One's soul and you have kept it without wanting. I am your eternal friend, brother and protector. You will never have to fear dying alone, or fear not being avenged. I am your most humble servant. You can take comfort that I will keep your spirit in my keep as long as you live. Come back to us Cal Mah, live to fight, live to love, live to find out, what will one day be your destiny."

Vala's eyes had misted over that Teal'c was now her brother in heart and spirit. As she clung to him for strength; Teal'c began to sing the song of friendship. He sung the long ago lullaby that bonded him so long ago to a lost friend, and now bonds him forever to Vala.

TBC