To the comfort of their friends, Daniel and Vala had decided to stay married and Vala even confessing to loving Daniel decided to stay on base for awhile to get a sense of herself without being pressured from Daniel. On advise from Dr. Lam; Vala continued her talks with Sam, Teal'c and Mitchell for personal reasons and the bond between them remained intact and even closer. They found that Vala had gained back some of her bounce and confidence, but they had noticed something different about her, but couldn't quite place what.

Daniel and Vala had mended some fences between them, but started taking it slow in their relationship. Daniel had started out with dating Vala first, then asking her over for quite dinners and long talks. Daniel actually listened to Vala and her ideals, her dreams, her family or lack there of. He even found out she had a brother once, but refused to tell him what happened to him. He realized it was painful for her to talk about most of her family, but he never pushed the subject. He himself started opening up about his own life, even the sorrowful ones of losing his parents and Shar'e. As time went on; Vala moved into Daniel's house and he even put her on the deed, and made her beneficiary to everything he owned. Vala had thought this was the nicest thing Daniel ever did for her. Vala figured she had nothing to give Daniel, but Daniel disagreed, she had given him more that he thought possible.

As time went on, Daniel and Vala consummated their love and marriage and after 3 years they were able to conceive a child. Daniel thought Vala was the most beautiful woman he ever seen while pregnant. It was Vala's eight month into pregnancy and Daniel had placed himself on leave to watch over Vala for awhile. This was their first child and even though Vala felt no ill effects or morning sickness, she was tired quite often. But Daniel made sure she had need for nothing and waited on her hand and foot. Cam claimed he was house whipped, but Daniel couldn't care less.

SGC had pretty much remained the same, except for a few changes. Mitchell and Dr. Lam had started dating. Sam and Jack had started their own serious relationship and each spent time between Washington D.C. and Colorado. Teal'c had his own relationship off world, but kept it secret, except to Vala. With Adria out of the picture, the Ori did not have the same power they once did. There were no major threats to earth and the other galaxies and missions were relatively peaceful and quite, except for uproars from Ori controlled planets and rebellion that surged throughout these planets without an Orici to back the Priors. The Priors were cast out and their powers were diminished. They fled to unknown parts of the galaxy and unheard from again. Vala and Daniel were on their way to the mess hall to meet with the rest of SG1 when Vala collapsed in serious pain. Vala was rushed to the infirmary and Carolyn met them their. Vala was in labor and in serious trouble when Carolyn decided to do an emergency C section on her. Daniel was beside himself with worry. Sam, Teal'c and Mitchell tried to comfort him and assured him that Vala was in good hands with Carolyn. As Carolyn feverishly worked to save the baby and Vala. A new presence was about to emerge into the galaxy without warning.

Daniel was waiting outside when Carolyn motioned him in to see Vala and now his new born baby girl.

"Carolyn, how are they? Asked Daniel. "Is Vala going to be alright? What happened?"

"Vala is under heavy sedation. She was bleeding internally and I had to deliver the baby by C Section. Your new daughter is 6lbs and 2 oz. and she is doing well. I don't know what happened to Vala and I'm running more tests. But the next 24 hours will be important to her recovery."

"Can I stay with them Carolyn? I don't want to leave Vala alone."

"Sure, I don't see any problem." Carolyn could see the rest of SG1 peering in the door. "And any one else, but visits are going to be limited until she recovers."

Carolyn had no ideal what limited was going to be. Daniel held his daughter for the first time as he bent down to kiss Vala on the forehead. Vala looked pale to him, but peaceful. His memories came back to him, on how Vala was tortured a few years back and it still terrified him to the core, that he would lose Vala one day and never achieve the happiness he craved.

While he held this tiny life in his hands, he sat down and reflected on how his joy of this new life was somewhat diminished by Vala not seeing her daughter being born and not sharing in this special miracle.

"Daniel? Can we come in? Asked Sam.

"Yeah, all of you; come in and take a look at our newest member of SGC."

Sam was the first to hold the baby. "Daniel she's beautiful. She looks like the both of you." Sam could see the joy and the sadness in Daniels eyes. Sam and the rest gathered around Vala's bed.

"How's our Princess and the baby doing Daniel?" Asked Cam.

"Caroline said that she did a C Section because Vala was bleeding internally. I………We have to wait for 24 hours to see some improvement." Daniel was trying to hide his concern slightly.

"Oh Daniel, she has lots of hair and long eye lashes." The baby cooed slightly, still wrapped in a pink blanket. "Vala will be such a proud mother and happy." Stated Sam.

Teal'c chimed in. "Vala will recover Daniel Jackson. I can feel it." Stated Teal'c. Teal'c had placed a hand on Vala's forehead. He had become very close to Vala and stayed true to his word that Vala was like a sister to him.

"We are here for you Daniel." Said Cam. "Whatever you need."

Sam handed the baby back to Daniel. "Thanks guys, I……..I'm going to need all the help we can get." Daniel continued to look at his amazing daughter with Vala's obviously blue gray eyes, and back to Vala. His worry was etched on his face; his tears threatening to break free.

Carolyn finally came in to check on Vala's vitals and the baby.

"Ok, I'm going to break up this visit for now. The baby needs to be fed Daniel, and I want to give Vala a chance to recover."

"We'll be back Daniel." Stated Sam. "We'll be close by." Sam kissed Daniel on the cheek and the rest slipped out of the room worried also about Vala.

As everyone moved out of the room to leave Daniel to watch over Vala; Teal'c returned soon after.

"Daniel Jackson, I will return for first watch. I want to stay with Vala also if this is alright with you."

Daniel was touched by Teal'c big brother attitude to protect and watch over Vala. Daniel began to understand that there was a unique bond between him and Vala.

"Thanks Teal'c. Just let me have a few moments alone, ok."

"Understood."

Daniel watched Teal'c leave and pulled his chair close up to Vala's bed, grasped her hand in his and kissed it gently and whispered softly to her.

"We have a beautiful baby daughter Vala. She has your eyes and beautiful hair sweetheart. I can't wait for you to see her." Sniff, sniff. Daniel wiped his face with tears filling his eyes and streaming down his face.

"I want you to wake up Vala. I love you and want you to see how much she needs you. You are going to be a wonderful mother. You are already a wonderful wife and an even better friend. We have such a beautiful family now. I want you to name our beautiful baby and watch you hold her in your arms. I know you'll be alright; you just have to be alright. We've waited so long for this and I can't raise her without you. Please love; come back to us, come back to me. I love you so much."

Daniel rested his head on the bed and he heard the slow beeps from the monitor measure only a small fraction of Vala's heart. He held her hand, willing her to wake up and join in the joy of having a tiny life with his wife.

A battle was raging in the galaxy that the Ancients had not foreseen. An angry, unholy Red Flame, was streaking across the outer realms of the galaxy, light years away, but on a steady course to the Milky Way. This Red Flame was bent on destruction throughout the galaxy and had taken on a new personification of evil incarnate: Rage, unadulterated Rage.

TBC