Well folks here is chapter 3. A little bit of angst here and more focus on Daniel. Thanks to those who have reviewed, it's very kind of you to take the time. Hope you enjoy.

The evening at the hotel started with an early dinner in the luxurious dining room that had been reserved for the SGC group. It looked like it would be more suitable for a banquet with the President himself but that didn't make the SGC people act any differently to how they would in the commissary. The dinner ended with a fantastic dessert with the choice of apple pie or chocolate cake. Jack was only disappointed that he couldn't fit both into his already full stomach.

After a break to let the food go down, the O'Neills and a few other families took the opportunity to visit the hotel pool, which consisted of a bathing area suitable for children, as well as a larger pool for any adults who wished more exercise. Jake, in particular, was a fan of the pool, especially when it meant that he could soak both his father and sister in one go. It was unusual for Jake to be the naughty one but in the water he was often far more trouble than his sister.

After spluttering for the tenth time Jack decided it was time to end the pool fun for the night. He quickly dried himself and the kids then, with their towels around their shoulders, they made their way to their room. SG-1 all had rooms together at the end of the same corridor. Teal'c and Cam had their own rooms, and Daniel and Vala were sharing a double. Jack and Sam had been given a small suite so the kids could share one room whilst Jack and Sam could have the other with a small separate seating area for entertaining.

After the kids had been put to bed - Grace having taken longer than normal given the excitement she felt about the Parade - Daniel came around to talk to his closest friends. He'd been planning for months to ask Vala to marry him. He'd prepared his proposal with Jack's help, planned the location with Sam's help, and the meal with Teal'c's sage advice from the cookery channel. However, to everyone's great surprise, two weeks ago Vala had turned him down. Daniel had been distraught ever since and Sam had urged him to talk to Vala about her reasons. Seeing them arrive and sit together today, Sam had assumed that he'd finally plucked up the courage to talk to her. Sam had also assumed – rightly - that he was here to discuss what Vala had said.

"I found out what was wrong," he started once they'd all gotten themselves sitting down with a drink.

"Oh?" Sam responded. She had a good idea but wanted to let Daniel tell the story.

"She... uh... she wants to have kids but can't," he said quietly. "Whatever the Ori did with Adria screwed her up," he spat out vengefully.

Sam and Jack looked at each other, digesting the news silently. Jack gave an imperceptible nod to indicate that Sam was the best person to take point on this particular mission.

"Did she get Carolyn to check?" Sam asked quietly.

"Yeah…" Daniel turned from them, as if ashamed. "Only that's not the only problem." Daniel began to blush and then abruptly stood and moved over to the window.

Sam and Jack looked at each other and had one of their silent discussions, in which she passed the baton to him.

Jack took a deep breath and made ready to enter the battle. "What's wrong, Danny?" He could tell his friend was hurting and getting really embarrassed.

Daniel was still staring out of the window. He cleared his throat. "Did you ever wonder why Sha're didn't have kids?" he asked, and looked over his shoulder at his friends. "I mean, you saw us, Jack. We were all over each other. The whole year we were completely man and wife... you know... and still no kids."

"Yeah, I'd wondered, Daniel," Jack answered, although he was struggling to find his voice.

Daniel had returned to looking out the window, as if talking without having to look at his friends made it easier. "Turns out we can't do surrogacy or anything 'cause I can't have kids, either."

The pain in Daniel's voice forced Sam off the couch and across to the window. "Oh, Daniel, I'm so sorry. It must be horrible being around the kids when this is going on in your life." Sam gave him a hug, unable to do anything else. Daniel looked at Sam with such a heartbroken look that Sam felt her own heart breaking.

"She doesn't want to marry me if we can't have kids. I've tried telling her it doesn't matter... but it really does." He broke down and started sobbing on Sam's shoulder. Sam tried to soothe him but knew it wasn't working.

Daniel continued to unburden himself. "I watch you with the kids and I want that so much it hurts. "I don't want it to affect our friendship... and you know how much I love you guys and Grace and the boys... but sometimes I just can't bear to be near them... and that hurts, too."

"Oh, Daniel, I understand, we both do. You don't have to be near them if you don't want to."

"I don't know how to help her, Sam. She'd be a great mom. Okay, she'd be a little out there but I could calm that down, I know I could. It would be incredible." Daniel spoke over Sam's shoulder as she tried to calm him down, gently rubbing his back as she did for the kids when they were hurting.

"Is there no hope at all? No IVF or anything?" Jack asked.

Sam and Daniel broke apart and made their way back to the sofas as Daniel answered. "Carolyn wants us to come and have an in-depth talk but she didn't sound overly hopeful and it would be difficult to fill out adoption forms given Vala's origins and history."

Sam looked again at Jack, wondering if she should share what Carolyn had told them only last week. His nod gave her the courage to speak. "I've been told the same thing," she began, causing Daniel to focus on his friend. "You know how difficult a time I had with Dan. Well, Carolyn says it looks unlikely that I could fall pregnant again. It's okay because we have the other three but I do understand a little bit."

Daniel managed a small smile. He knew Sam would understand because before Grace had come along Sam had been unsure whether she'd be able to have children.

"Daniel, there has to be something we can do. After all we've experienced we'll find a way," Jack said, and then shrugged his shoulders. "Together we can do anything. We're SG-1, don't forget!" Jack tried to lighten the mood by striking a Superman pose.

"I think this might be beyond even your superpowers, Jack." Daniel smiled briefly at the pose Jack had struck.

Daniel stood up, having had enough of the emotional discussion. "Anyway, that's why she said no and why she's been really down. Um... I wanted to say that we'll come tomorrow, but I don't think she wants to march," Daniel said, voicing the other issue he wanted to discuss with Jack.

Jack stood to show Daniel out. "No problem, Daniel. You can do what you want. Maybe watch from The Mall or stay here if that's what Vala wants."

Daniel breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Jack. That's just what I wanted to hear. I'll see you both tomorrow."

Jack walked Daniel to the door and bid him goodnight. He walked back to stand in front of Sam. "I don't care what he says, Sam, we've encountered too much to not try something. That's got to be your next secret project, okay?" he mock ordered his wife.

"Yes, Sir!" she said, standing and taking his hand. "We're very lucky, aren't we?" she said as she moved into his waiting arms.

"Yes, we are." He nuzzled her hair and then guided her into their bedroom.

AN: Next its the 4th of July. Ah summer would be lovely about now, don't you think?