Your are Kalash; One's soul and you have kept it without wanting. I am forever your friend, brother and protector. You will never have to fear dying alone, or 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."

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, and now bonded him with Vala.

Several hours had passed and Teal'c had watched Vala finally fall asleep. He carried her sleeping form into bed and covered her and continued to keep a watchful eye well into the morning. He gathered up the empty tray of leftover food and finally left once he was satisfied Vala was peacefully sleeping. Everyone was already up early and having breakfast, while Teal'c strode silently into the kitchen and laid down the half eaten tray of food. Daniel was immediately first to question Teal'c. He was a little angry that Vala was screaming while with Teal'c, but he choked down his pride and remembered these session where to help Vala, not him.

"Teal'c is she alright?"

Teal'c poured himself a cup of juice and sat down at the table with his teammates and Dr. Lam.

"Your wife is now sleeping peacefully Daniel Jackson. I regret that I may have scarred you. I was only attempting to help Vala with her anger."

Daniel only nodded and accepted Teal'c's apology. He sighed and slunk his shoulders in relief. Sam and Mitchell both noticed Daniel's slight agitation and nervousness. Dr. Lam had observed all the members of SG1. She realized that this was a unique set of people. They were sacrificing not only their own personal time to help a friend, but willing to open themselves up to emotional attacks in doing so.

"Teal'c how else did she respond after she released her anger?" Stated Carolyn.

All eyes were on Teal'c. Teal'c took a sip of juice as hey thought carefully how to respond. To him it was a personal bonding moment with Vala and he only wanted to reveal what was best for her.

"Vala Mol Doran is a strong spirit. She is capable of giving a generous amount of herself without harming anyone in the process. I am a better Jaffa for knowing her and I shall be as a brother to her for all eternity."

Mitchell, Sam, Daniel and even Dr. Lam understood how close Teal'c had become to Vala and how deeply he felt about her. Daniel had to smile at Teal'c's answer. It was almost the same exact one he gave Jack, when Jack couldn't speak because of the Ancients download scrambling his speech.

"Carolyn? Do you think I can take her some breakfast? She's only eaten half her food." Asked Daniel.

"How long has she been asleep Teal'c?" Stated Carolyn. She didn't want the session too soon, if Vala had no rest.

"She has been asleep for several hours. I believe she will be hungry after waking."

"I think it will be alright Daniel. But do not force her to open up to you so soon. Everything in good consciousness will come."

Daniel realized the wisdom in Carolyn's words. He wanted to see Vala, his new wife.

Daniel quietly entered Vala's room. He placed her tray of food next to her bed and watched the trace of her body outlined in the blankets. Vala was still asleep, but facing outwardly from the wall. Daniel thought she looked so serene and innocent. But he knew Vala was not innocent to pain and suffering. He quietly pulled up a chair, not to close to Vala's bed, but enough to see her breathe evenly.

God, look at her. She's been thru hell and she's still here, with me. I don't know if I even deserve her. I've been such an ass to her.

Daniel stayed silent just watching her sleep soundly. To him it's probably was the only restful sleep he's ever seen her take amidst all the torture and pain.

She's made such an affect on everyone. She's worked hard to be accepted, regardless of my input. All I've ever did to her is berate her for everything she said or did. All because of my own fears.

Vala moved slightly in bed and Daniel practically held his breathe. She settled back into her position and continued sleeping.

She's so beautiful. So beautiful. She thinks she's not worth anything anymore. Before this happened, she was the most confident person I ever met, besides Sam. I could I ever hold a candle to her?

Daniel sat back in his chair, contemplating all the things he wanted to do for Vala. He thought maybe he should have asked Vala about being a citizen of earth, or pre arranging a marriage certificate without her consent. He thought maybe she didn't want to be married to him.

Have I already over stepped my boundaries? I……..I should of asked her first. I never asked her anything; I always told her. Why couldn't I just ask her anything? Why couldn't I just sit down and talk to her?"

Daniel was shaken from his thoughts and two pair of grey blue eyes watched him. Saying nothing Vala starred into his face.

"Vala; you're awake. Do……do you need anything?"

Vala said nothing. She continued to stare at Daniel.

Daniel wanted to say so much to Vala, and he thought springing the marriage certificate and citizenship on her would be to presumptuous.

"I……..I wish you would say something Vala. We've barely had time to ourselves, since we've been married."

Daniel was trying to lighten the mood.

"Don't worry Daniel. I won't hold you to this marriage. You only did it out of pity. You don't have to worry, I won't protest." It came out bitter sounding to Daniel and he hated that she thought he didn't love her.

"I didn't marry you out of pity Vala. I…….I did it because I care about you. I love you."

Vala smirked and gave a half laugh. "Please Daniel; when did you start caring about me? This is all my fault remember. I can't always be trusted. That's what you tell me all the time. You're so Noble and trustworthy Daniel. No one would ever think ill of you. The Great Dr. Daniel Jackson married poor Vala out of pity. She was going to die, so I did the Noble thing. I married her to make a honest women of her. She must appreciate all the things Dr. Jackson has done for her. She's on SG1 because of Dr. Jackson. She must have slept with him to get where she is. Isn't that what they say Daniel? Dr. Jackson is always saying she's a tease, you can't take her seriously. Why do you listen to Vala? She's not staying anyway. Let's just placate her until she gets what she wants and then we can leave her. Isn't that what you always said Daniel?"

Daniel could see the well hidden mask of Vala's pain. He had caused it, before any of Vala's torture started. He was just as responsible for what people thought of her around the base. His cavalier statements had induced mistrust and now he knew why she thought she was worthless. It finally dawned on him, that there was no deeper pain than allowing others to think of her as he did.

Vala vehemently spoke again. "What's the matter Daniel? No good response to Vala's silly babbling? What possible reason would you have to care about little ole me, huh?

"Stop it Vala." Daniel tried not to sound angry. "You're lashing out at me doesn't keep me from loving you. I do love you. I care what happens to you and no words will stop me from doing that."

Vala turned over towards the wall and covered herself up. "Go away Daniel. You've seen me at my worst. Just leave me to my memories and your faces. Let me be."

Daniel was trying to search for words to say to convince Vala she was better than he could ever be. His voice seem to be stuck in his throat, and he starred at Vala's covered form.

No, no I won't let her go this easily. She means everything to me, everything.

"I……I hated you when you left me. You left me alone Vala after Beachhead and then you turn up pregnant and married to some Ori worshipper. You came into my life fighting and then leave without a word. You gave me no chance to say goodbye, or even tell you how much I felt about you. What was I suppose to do Vala?"

Without even turning her head to look at Daniel. "Huh, I left you. How pathetic Daniel. Even now you blame me for your unhappiness. It seems there is no pleasing you. Just go away Daniel. Find some other reason to justify your pain in life."

Daniel realized that what he said, had come out the wrong way. He was the one saddened by her loss.

"I……I didn't mean that I blamed you for my………..my loss."

"Your loss Daniel. I'm sure I can never replace your wife Sha're. I'm sure she was more deserving of you. Me being a thief and damaged goods and all. Who would want to spend their life with me? I'm sure you've made extensive studies comparing my shortcomings to her perfection. I bet she was the model wife for you. I'm sure her dying probably put a real kink in your life."

"Vala, it's not like that. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I made your life at base a living hell. I didn't know what I said to you would be taken seriously. I didn't know people would think those things about you and say it out loud to you or behind your back. You deserve better than me. You deserve to have a life without all this pain and suffering. I've made your life less than it was. But I've changed Vala. I want to show you that I've changed. I want to show you how much I love you and how much I appreciate what you've done for me."

"Yes Daniel, people believe in you. They respect you and hang on your every word. When you said those things about me in public, everyone assumed you knew who or what I was like. Do you know how that made me feel Daniel? I was the butt of everyone's cruel jokes and offset comments. I've had things said about me before Daniel by those I didn't know or would never see again. That was kinder than what you did."

God, I really hurt her. No wonder she resents me.

"Vala, I don't deserve you, I know that now. You have had no choice at what happened to you. You were taken as a host before you even had time to enjoy your life. You were subjugated to untold horrors, forced to kill in your own body and watch. You were beaten by your own people, forced to survive on your own and steal to feed yourself or die. Then used by the Ori as an incubator to spawn their own weapon of destruction. Now this happens to you. Forced to keep us all alive, while you took the tortures of a madman, for whatever reason, we'll never know. But Vala, I'm the one that's lucky. You make me feel alive. You don't take crap from me and you keep going. For all that's happened to you. I could never live up to your expectations on what I should be."

"Well thank you for measuring my expectations. I feel so much better now." Vala still felt angry at Daniel's attempt to soften her up. She wanted to be angry at Daniel for seeing her physically attacked. She only vaguely remembered speaking to Daniel and now had a chance to think about what happened to her.

"Why are you fighting me Vala? Daniel was becoming agitated at the attacks. "I'm sorry. What else can I say? I don't think you are worthless; no one does. We care a great deal about you Vala and I wanted to marry you, because I wanted to become the better person. I wanted to change and make you happy for once. How can I prove that to you if you don't want me in your life. I want you in my life Vala. Nothing else matters to me anymore, but you."

Vala said nothing and was quite for a long time. Daniel sat waiting for her to say something, anything that would give him a semblance of hope for their relationship.

"Go away Daniel. You've done enough for me. I can now look forward to a happy life." Vala was being sarcastic and she wanted Daniel to hurt as much as she did.

Daniel was about to lose it, and decided to just leave her alone. He slammed the door and turned and leaned his head against the door. He had allowed Vala to get to him and he was beside himself that he had not helped her at all.

Sam and Carolyn saw Daniel leaning against the door. They approached him, worried that he looked defeated.

"Daniel, what happened? Asked Sam concerned.

He looked at Sam with tears in his eyes. "I'm losing her Sam; I'm losing her."

TBC