Spoiler Warnings: A whole slew for seasons 9 & 10.

Five Times Daniel Told Vala to Trust Him

P8X-412

Vala glared through the bars of her cell at Daniel. What had made her trust this man? She barely knew him, yet found herself believing in him. It made no sense, but one look into those beautiful blue eyes made her want to trust him with her life. A more intelligent woman would have run in the opposite direction upon discovering this weakness. But not her. No, she just had to believe him when he told her everything would be fine. Fool! And even knowing all of this, she realised she would likely do it again. What did that say about her? Well, she was stuck now until Cameron and Teal'c came back with news. Oh, that did not make her feel any better. Maybe she could escape? Eyeing the bars that held her prisoner then looking at her own body, she figured it was worth a shot. No more being foolish, she was going to get herself out of this mess.

Warehouse

"Now it's time to come home."

Home? Where was that? And why did she feel as though this strange man was it? He'd been holding a gun on her not two minutes ago. At least, she thought it was a gun. It looked like something out of The X-Files. She could see in his eyes that he was begging her to trust him. Would it be foolish to do so? She wanted to and that frightened her because she had a feeling she trusted few people in her life. Suddenly a sharp pain filled her head and she closed her eyes, hoping it would go away. Images flashed through her mind. A group of people sitting at a long table. A man, this man smiling at her in an elevator. She knew this man, trusted this man.

"Daniel," she whispered in relief and lowered her gun. When he pulled her into a hug, she held on tightly, taking in the comfort he offered. She trusted this man, her Daniel. Her home.

San Graal

Slamming her door closed, Vala crawled to the top of her bed, holding a pillow to her chest. She wouldn't cry, wouldn't give Daniel the satisfaction. Not that he was here to see her breakdown. She allowed her anger to take over as she thought about the last time she saw him. He'd filled his head with Merlin's knowledge even knowing the cost. Why the hell had he done something so stupid? He'd told her he could handle it and not to worry. Not to worry?! Of course, she'd been worried. She'd known it would all go wrong, but still she'd trusted him. Even when he was fighting Adria and Cameron dragged her through the 'gate. he told her he'd be right behind her and she'd believed him. She'd trusted him. Stupid, stupid, stupid! She should have known better. Her anger started to dissipate as sorrow took hold once more. A single tear fell down her face and she curled up into a ball. Tomorrow she would pick herself up and continue helping her team in their search for him, but tonight she just wanted to be alone with her despair.

Prior

Vala absently rubbed the back of her neck as she walked down the corridor of the Odyssey. What she'd told Daniel just now was true, she did believe him...mostly. But there was that tiny, nagging doubt in the back of her head. She, more than anyone, knew how persuasive Adria could be. What if Daniel had been turned? No! She couldn't believe that. Daniel had trusted her when, quite frankly, he'd had no reason to. Now it was time to return the favour. She had to put her faith in Daniel. If only she was as trusting as him...

Marriage

Vala walked slowly down the aisle, the nerves in her stomach making her want to run in the opposite direction. What if this was a mistake? It wouldn't be the first time she jumped into a marriage that should never have happened. But those other times she'd only been worried about herself. Now she had Daniel's well-being to think of. If this failed, if she failed, she would be ruining both of their lives. She knew without a doubt that they wouldn't be able to go back to just friends if everything fell apart; it would be too difficult. Even as she came to stand beside Daniel, doubts filled her. She looked into his eyes and saw gentle understanding there as he took hold of her hands.

"Trust me?" he whispered.

Vala couldn't help the smile that lit her face at his words. They were so simple but, to her, they were everything. Those two words broke through every doubt she'd been struggling with, leaving her with a certainty she'd never felt before. This was worth it, they were worth it. A tear fell down her cheek as she nodded and answered in her own whisper.

"I do."

The End