Chapter 4

Vala's POV

Last year I begged Teal'c to teach me how to drive one of Earth's automobiles. Thanks to his lessons and some record-fabricating by one General Jack O'Neill, I was able to get my driver's license. Why I need it to operate such a primitive vehicle is beyond me. These Tau'ri have some strange ways but I went along with it. If I want to become a part of this planet's society, I have to assimilate as much as possible. And that is why I am sitting behind the wheel of Samantha's car, making my way to the nearest movie theatre. Some days ago Teal'c told me of a Star Wars marathon. He introduced me to the series shortly after I came back from the Ori Galaxy and I've been intrigued by it ever since. The rest of the team doesn't understand our fascination with the films, not even Cameron. And Daniel, well he barely even knows what they are about. Damn, now I'm thinking about Daniel again. This whole trip was supposed to be a way for me to get him off of my mind.

The team left on their mission two days ago and without the distraction afforded me by Samantha's presence I have too much time on my hands. I hope Daniel isn't getting into trouble without me there to protect him. I've never known a man who could find trouble like him, not even my father. I don't think I can handle it if something happens to him, especially now. Contrary to what I told him during our fight, I don't think I can raise this child on my own. And our baby deserves both parents in her life. I know I have to talk to him when he gets back but I'm glad I still have a few days before that can happen. Samantha seems to believe he cares about me but I need to hear it from him before I agree to marry him. No matter what, I will not marry a man who doesn't love me.

Pushing away such thoughts, I pull into the theatre's parking lot and go inside the building, more than willing to lose myself in some mindless entertainment for a few hours.

I am only halfway through Episode 2 when my mobile phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out I recognise the number for the SGC and I go numb. There is only one reason they'd be calling me during my time off and I really don't want to hear it, but I get up and leave the theatre anyway. Once in the hallway I answer it, feeling the butterflies in my stomach go crazy.

"Hello?"

"Vala, it's Sam. There's been an accident and you have to get to the SGC as soon as possible."

"I'll be right there." I say as I end the call and make my way to the parking lot. I can hear the worry in Samantha's voice and it makes my stomach tighten again. Daniel had better be all right. I'll never forgive myself if he isn't.

()()()()

Vala's POV

The first sounds that reach my ears when I enter the infirmary is Cameron arguing with Carolyn.

"Colonel Mitchell, you have a broken arm and a mild concussion. I'd like to keep you here for a few more hours for observation."

"C'mon, Doc, it's not like I haven't had a concussion before." he says pleadingly.

"Exactly. With each new concussion you become more susceptible to severe brain trauma. Now, sit down and let me do my job."

Cameron does as requested but not without grumbling to himself about Nazi doctors. I try to smile at his antics but my face just will not cooperate. As I walk through the doorway, I spy Samantha sitting in a chair close to the bed holding Daniel. He's not moving and has a bandage wrapped around his head. My feet carry me to his bedside without any conscious thought on my part and I place a hand on his head, pushing away a stray lock of hair.

"Vala." Samantha says and stands to envelop me in a hug. "I'm so glad you came."

"What happened?" I ask as I pull back.

"We were in a temple on P38-2X5 when an earthquake hit. Debris started falling and Daniel was hit in the head by a large stone. We were trapped for a few hours before someone was able to rescue us and he was in and out of consciousness the whole time."

"Is he going to be okay?" I direct this question toward Carolyn and take the seat vacated by Samantha.

"It's too early to tell but I see no sign of severe brain trauma. I have him in a medically induced coma right now so we won't know the extent of the damage until I bring him out of it tomorrow."

I nod and place his hand in mine. You had better come out of this, Daniel Jackson, I think to myself. If you don't, I'll hurt you.

"Now that I've finished patching up the rest of your team, would you like me to check you over?" Carolyn asks. "This stress is not good for the baby."

I freeze when she says those words and wonder how Cameron and Teal'c will react. I don't have long to wait, though.

"Baby?" Cameron shouts. "What baby?"

"Are you with child, Vala Mal Doran?" Teal'c asks from his vigil by the door.

"I'm sorry, Vala" Carolyn says apologetically. "I'd just assumed you told them."

"It's all right, you didn't know." Turning to my team, I have to take a deep breath before confessing. "Yes, I'm pregnant. And it's Daniel's."

"Well, damn." Cameron says.

"Congratulations, Vala Mal Doran." Teal'c comes over to hug me and I can feel the tears starting in my eyes.

"Wait a minute." Cam says suddenly. "Is that why you took leave and didn't want anyone to know where you were?"

I don't say a word and Mitchell and Teal'c exchange a knowing glance.

"Was Daniel Jackson not happy about becoming a father?"

I can see an angry gleam in the Jaffa's eyes and my first instinct is to protect my Daniel. "It wasn't that. We had an argument over what to do, that's all."

"So, I don't have to hurt him?" Cam asked, only half-jokingly. "Because hitting an unconscious man just seems wrong."

Finally I let out a small laugh. "No, we'll work it out."

"All right, but you let me know if the big guy and I have to knock some sense into our dear doctor."

"I will, and thank you." I smile then go back to brushing at Daniel's stray locks. We will work this out, I tell myself. We have to. If not for our sakes, for that of our child.

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