Had to make a slight revision to this chapter so I'm re-uploading it.

Chapter 2

Vala's POV

I am sitting in Samantha's kitchen, alone, staring into my still full mug of coffee. I don't even really like the stuff, so why am I drinking it? Too much time spent around Daniel, I suppose. That thought leads me to others, particularly why I am at Samantha's in the first place. After talking to General Landry, he gave me two weeks of leave and I've been permitted to spend it off base. He hadn't questioned why I needed the time off and I hadn't volunteered the information. He'd seemed unsure when I requested he not disclose my location but he'd agreed, if a bit reluctantly. Afterwards, Samantha and I had gone straight to my quarters, packed and sneaked carefully out of the mountain. Luckily the boys hadn't been around.

Last night I'd filled Samantha in on exactly what was said during my row with Daniel, cried a bit and got very little sleep. I'm just glad she was there because I don't know what I would have done without her. Unfortunately, Samantha had to go into the SGC this morning to check on one of her experiments, leaving me alone with my thoughts, which is never a good thing. I keep replaying the fight in my head and I now realise that I could have handled it better. But I'd been so hurt when he accused me of not knowing who the father is. Does he really still see me that way? I've changed a lot in my time on Earth, more than I'd thought possible, and it is mostly due to him. Doesn't he see how much I care for him? Granted I've never actually told him how I feel, but I thought it was obvious. Maybe he does see it but doesn't want to acknowledge it. After yesterday, I am quite certain that he doesn't love me and likely never will. I have to move on, but how am I to do that when I am carrying his child? A few years ago I would simply have picked up and gated to the nearest planet but that isn't even an option this time. I've put down roots here and I really don't want to leave. And I promised Daniel I would not take his child, our child, away from him. I can't put him through that, no matter how much his continued presence in my life may hurt. It wasn't very long ago that he shared with me how his parents died when he was a boy and that he'd been raised in foster care. Having lost my own mother at an early age, and with my father only a transient part of my childhood, I know how it is to feel like you've been abandoned by those who are meant to care for you. But I also know that I cannot settle for a one-sided relationship. Not ever again. Not even for Daniel.

()()()()

Daniel's POV

"Hey Sam, wait up!" I call out as I spy the astrophysicist speed-walking down the corridor. She stops but almost seems reluctant to do so.

"Hey, Daniel." she says, turning to face me. Does she sound nervous or is that just me?

"Uh, hi. I was wondering, have you seen Vala today? I was just at her quarters and she's not there."

"I haven't seen her in...a while. I can't say where she is, but I'm sure she'll turn up."

Yup, she's nervous, all right. But why? Is she hiding something? I decide to feel her out. "You're sure? We had a fight yesterday and I really have to talk to her. It's very important." I make sure to stress that last part. This is important. My whole future depends on finding Vala.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure. Listen, I'm busy right now but I'll let you know...what I can. Bye!"

Before I can say another word, she is off in a hurry and I can only stare in wonder. What is she hiding? Does she know where Vala is? I know the two women are very close. In fact, I'm aware there are things Vala has shared with Sam that she hasn't even told me. A fact that irks a little, I must say. But would Sam really keep this from me knowing just how important it is? Obviously I'm not going to get any answers from her now so I decide to go to my office for a while. As Sam said, Vala will likely turn up soon. She always does. She's hidden away before after one of our fights. She probably just needs time to herself for a bit. Yeah, that's it. Only this time it feels different. I really messed up yesterday, asking if the baby is mine. I hadn't actually meant that when I asked that question but my insecurities had gotten the better of me and it had just slipped out. That seems to happen a lot when it comes to Vala. Just the thought of her with another man gives me the most horrible feeling. I was elated when she'd said I was the only man she's been with since Tomin, thinking that maybe she feels the same way about me as I do her. It had hurt when she said I was the easiest available guy around. I truly had believed that we were on to something these last few months, that maybe it isn't all a game for her. I'd been disappointed when, after our one night together two months ago, she'd pretended it had never happened but I'd gone along, hoping she only needed some time to get used to the idea. I admit I'd been a little scared to face up to my own feelings, too. But now she is carrying my child and there is no way I'm going to lose either of them. I just have to prove to her that I care, that our marriage will not be one of convenience for me. But first I have to find her.

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