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."
"Come on Daniel, let's go sit down and talk." Motioned Carolyn and Sam.
Teal'c and Mitchell were in the living room and saw Daniel being led by the girls to the kitchen. They joined them. Sam grabbed Daniel a cup of coffee and Carolyn sat down with a notebook.
"Tell me what exactly happened. What did Vala say or you said?" Asked Carolyn.
Daniel looked at his cup of coffee and starred aimlessly. They all waited to hear what Daniel had to say.
"I………I let her get to me. But…………but she had every right to be angry with me."
Sam interrupted. "What do you mean Daniel?"
"I didn't realize that people were listening to me in the base corridors when I would tell Vala that I didn't take her seriously, or any other snide remark I would make. I………I thought they were harmless. But Vala told me she had heard people say she was a thief or couldn't be trusted, because people trust me. I………I didn't mean anything by it. I didn't think people listened to that kind of stuff."
"God Jackson. How could you be that naive? Daniel and rest turned their attention to Mitchell. "Even I have heard those kind of remarks, because I've heard you berate Vala in the hallway. People hang on your every word Jackson, because you are a renowned archeologist and a member of SG1. People look up to us to set an example, and when they see us say something to one of our teammates, its like law around base."
Daniel was surprised at Mitchell's anger, but he knew he deserved it.
"Look Daniel. We've all known that Vala has had to work hard to be on the team, and even with your recommendation, she had to gain our trust." Said Sam.
"This is true Daniel Jackson. I too had to gain the trust of SGC and personnel on base. However, my plight was not as difficult as Vala's. No one had ever said false notions to my face without repercussions." Stated Teal'c.
"Look Jackson, what I'm trying to say, myself included, that we all came with credentials, before Vala came. We didn't know Vala and we learned to trust her, see how she affected everyone around us. She's quite popular, not just with the male population at base, but the females also. I've never heard her say a unkind word about anyone that includes you. You two may have argued back and forth with each other, but Vala has never publicly humiliated you. You; I can't say you've done the same for Vala."
Daniel was flabbergasted. He never realized that everyone else knew how he dealt with Vala. He now wanted to make up all those moments that he caused her pain, publicly or privately. Daniel hung his head; he felt ashamed, like a flood of dark water was covering him and Vala was going under with him.
"Carolyn? What do I do? She knows what can get to me and I just reacted. She thinks that I married her out of pity and I'm beginning to think I did. I mean, I didn't even ask her about becoming a citizen or whether she wanted to stay married to me."
Carolyn was watching Daniel self evaluate himself. She knew that Vala would eventually vent more at Daniel than the others. But she wanted him to play this out.
"What else did she say?"
"She said that I compared her to Sha're, that I didn't know her. I know a few things about Vala and I have accepted who she is. I want to know her, but how do I do that if she pushes me away."
"Have you ever talked to her Daniel?" Pressed Carolyn. "I mean really sat down and talked to her like a human being and not be judgmental about her past or present?"
"I……….I thought I had." Daniel theorized.
"You need to get to know her Daniel. Forget her past; forget what she's been thru recently. Begin again. Ask her how she feels; what does she want out of life. More importantly listen to her Daniel. Make her see that she is important to you and why. Don't make it all about you. She knows enough about you, now find out what she wants."
"Daniel I think I speak for everyone here." Stated Sam. "She's given us something special. She's given herself to save us countless times, and she's always given us a part of herself all the time. She does that freely without wanting anything from us. We accept her, because she accepts us, the way we are. She never asks anything in return and she doesn't care how smart, how strong or what medals we have. She just accepts us as we are, and loves us anyway. You need to make her feel that you accept her, no matter what."
Daniel understood now more than ever that Vala was trying to prove herself to him all along. He never saw Vala argue with his friends, just him.
"I don't want to lose her guys. I finally realize how much I had loved her from the very beginning. I just didn't realize it until she was in danger. I know it's shallow, but I……..I was afraid of losing her on that planet. I want to make her happy for the rest of her life and I………I need to know how to do that."
"Ask her Daniel. Don't tell her; ask her." Stated Carolyn.
Daniel had renewed strength. His friends and Carolyn had helped him more than they knew. With everyone's reassurance, he headed back to confront Vala. This time, he would listen.
A/N: Yeah, I know it's short, and I promised this would be the last session, but I'm a little tired, so next one will be in a day. So enjoy. Feedback and reviews are welcomed.