Author's Note: I know it's not a holiday (and you'll still get your Columbus day one) but after studying since May, I just passed a professional certification exam I was certain I was going to fail, so I'm celebrating! Enjoy and let me know your thoughts.

Disclaimer: Don't own a thing. Just got an imagination.

o0o

Piece By Piece

"Don't be mad."

"Now, that's not the best way to start a conversation with your wife," Vala Jackson smiled over the MALP's video feed. "What did you do this time, darling? Start another galactic war?" she teased.

But he didn't smile back. "I need you to grab the artifact we found on P6W-881 and send it through the 'gate."

She sat back in the chair as she gaped at him. That particular piece was worth quite a fortune but to Daniel, it was priceless – something about being the key to a lost civilization on Earth. "Why?" she inquired in confusion.

Daniel sighed heavily and refused to look into the camera as he said, "Jacek."

You could have knocked her over with a feather. All it took was one name and she suddenly was furious. "No," she gritted out. "Whatever trouble he's gotten himself into, you are not bailing him out."

"Vala –"

"No, Daniel," she cut him off. "He's a grown man and needs to face the consequences of his actions."

He sighed again and stared at her through the camera. "Vala, c'mon," he said in a low tone. "He's your father. My father-in-law. He's –"

She shoved away from the screen. "Don't!" she shouted, not caring that the whole Control room heard her or saw her pace like a caged animal. "I don't care, and I'm not doing it."

Daniel looked at her grimly. "Then I'll have someone else bring it," he told her, sounding somewhat remorseful but also determined. "I can't in good conscience let him rot here, possibly die, when I can buy his release."

Her hands rested on the desk and she leaned forward. "You don't know what you're doing," she met his eyes through the screen. "This is a mistake, Daniel."

"And so is letting him die!" he burst out. When she flinched, he groaned lightly and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, Vala…I know he's done some shitty things, and while I don't know all the details, I do know that he doesn't deserve to die – not like this."

She hated when he was right. She would always have unresolved issues with her father but no matter how shitty of a father he was, Daniel was right – he didn't deserve to die. Her jaw clenched. "Fine," she gritted out. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

She didn't give him a chance to respond before she stalked off.

o0o

"Told ya."

Daniel resisted the urge to punch his C.O and friend. He knew it wouldn't go over well and she'd hate the idea. He knew she'd push back, but he also knew that he could make her see reason. "It's the right thing to do," he defended himself again.

"I know," Mitchell said quietly, and clapped him on the shoulder. "I just hope potentially blowing up your marriage is worth it."

Yeah, he did too.

He constantly second guessed his decision as he waited for the Stargate to be activated and the artifact to be sent through, but like he told Vala, he couldn't just let Jacek die. The man didn't deserve it, and despite what Vala would say, she'd regret it in the end and the guilt would eat her alive – he refused to let that happen, much less watch.

It didn't take long for the 'gate to activate. He moved away from the steps and waited for the container with the artifact to be sent through, but when his wife walked through, looking pissed, he was taken aback, not to mention worried. "Vala," he greeted dumbly. "What're you doing here? I thought we agreed th–"

"Whatever agreement we had, Daniel," she paused dramatically and she descended the steps, "was nullified when you decided to help Jacek."

Daniel sighed for the hundredth time that day. He was in deep shit. She was being passive aggressive, which was always a sign of how furious she was. "We've been over this – no use in rehashing it." Nothing would be accomplished. "You didn't have to bring it yourself," he said quietly as he reached for the case she carried.

Vala moved the case out of his reach and stood directly in front of him. "Oh, I did because I need to make something very clear to both you and Jacek," she locked eyes with him. "This is a one time thing, Daniel. It will never happen again – not if you value our marriage. Got it?"

He should've predicted she'd react like this. "Is that an ultimatum?" If it was, he didn't like it one bit.

"It's a choice, Daniel," she corrected. "I've never once made you confront all the people who hurt you as a child, and I never would."

He winced and looked away, knowing she was going and just how right she was.

"I know they weren't your real parents but Jacek wasn't any better. We both have scars and they're still there whether you can see them or not." She tilted his chin so she could meet his eyes again. "I'll help Jacek this one time but that's it. He's never been my father and I've made peace with that. Let the past stay in the past, please."

Vala had always been good at hiding her true feelings from others but he long ago found out how to read her and right now, he could see how much pain this situation caused her and that he was hurting her over this – something he swore he'd never do again. "Okay," he whispered. "I'm sorry. I really am."

She smiled sadly at him. "I know you are," she stroked his cheek. "And I know you're just thinking of me and our family…but Jacek has no place in it – he lost that right a long time ago."

A part of him would always want Vala to have her father in her life – he could see she craved it – but he needed to listen to what she was saying and follow her lead. "Never again, I promise." He sealed his oath with a small peck to her lips.

o0o

"Sweetheart!" Jacek exclaimed emphatically despite all the cuts and bruises covering his body. "This is a treat. Daniel didn't tell me you'd be coming to spring me!"

Vala shot him a glare. "Don't call me that," she bit out before turning to the one responsible for keeping him locked up. "Payment for his release," she held out the case.

The man opened the case to reveal two gold cuff bracelets covered in jewels.

"Vala," Daniel said in a warning tone, "that's n–" he shut up when she elbowed him.

She smiled brightly and plucked one from the case. "These were Qetesh's," she showed off the bracelet, bringing attention to the details. "She wore them every time she went into battle. Being a minor Goa'uld, it didn't happen often, but when it did, she always won. They say it was these who brought her victory – that they were touched by some very powerful gods."

Daniel knew about them – he'd seen them in her stash of treasure before. She kept a small pile of things for either sentimental reasons or for 'just in case,' as she liked to say, knowing full well she'd never need them. It used to bother him before finally realizing she needed to have that feeling of control and security. He also knew how valuable they were and what the significance of giving them up was – for Jacek, no less.

And it was all for him – so he didn't have to give up something he valued because she valued him.

He really was an asshole.

The exchange went flawlessly.

o0o

No hiccups, no negotiations, just a simple transaction and they were on their way. Jacek had tried to talk to her once freed but she shushed him with a withering stare. In fact, no one spoke until the Stargate was in sight.

"Let's get one thing straight," she whipped around and crossed her arms defensively. "This was a one time thing. If it happens again, you're on your own – got it?"

Jacek chuckled uneasily. "Sweetheart, you don't mean that," he tried to persuade.

The rest of the team quietly slipped away. "You bet your ass, I do." She stood her ground and showed no other emotion aside from disdain. "This is how it's going to go: you'll come back to Earth to have your injuries looked at while the others look for a suitable planet for you. Once one has been identified, we'll send you there. You are not obligated to stay there but that's where your association with the Tau'ri ends. This is the last bit of help you'll get from Earth. Do you understand?"

Maybe it was her no-nonsense attitude or the clear lack of empathy or any emotion aside from the negative that led him to agree quietly and not fight or bargain as he usually did.

In an odd way, he was proud of her for not losing it on him.

Once back on Earth, Vala walked off in the opposite direction, leaving the rest to escort Jacek to the infirmary. Daniel tried to get her to come with them, citing that she was just off world, but she argued was there for less than an hour and had things to do. He didn't push it.

She didn't want to talk – to him or Jacek – and he had to respect that.

o0o

It didn't take long for him to be cleared by medical. He left Jacek with Mitchell to shower before he went looking for Vala. He hoped she had enough time to be less mad at him and he'd be welcome. It took him a minute to find her since she wasn't in any of the labs, but he eventually did in their quarters.

"Hey…" he paused in the doorway, both confused and surprised.

Vala glanced over to him. "Hello darling," she offered a small smile. "Where's Jacek?"

It took him a moment to shake off his surprise. "Uhh, he's with Mitchell in HR, going over possible planets," he closed the door and moved closer. "Hey, baby girl," he greeted lovingly.

"Da da!" his daughter grinned at him, wiggling in her seat.

Daniel grinned back as he swung her into his arms. "How's my girl?" he pressed a kiss to her head. "This is a surprise. What're you doing here?" he glanced at Vala as he asked.

Vala rose from the bed where she'd been playing with the toddler. "Someone has to get some shots today," she said in an overly cheery tone.

His nose crinkled. "Wait, no. That's next week," he was sure of it.

"Carolyn asked to reschedule it to today," she explained and played with the girl's curls. "You'd already left, and I didn't want to pull you from the mission."

"I would've come back." In a heartbeat, he'd been there.

Vala smiled sweetly at him. "I know," she replied softly. "You're a good father, Daniel, but we would've been fine."

He wasn't pouting. He was a grown ass man – he didn't pout. "I know but I want to be there," he whined. "Lucy's always so cuddly after," he admitted sheepishly.

Vala gapped. "Did you seriously just admit that you enjoy your daughter getting shots so you can snuggle with her?"

His cheeks were not red – he refused to allow it…even if he did feel them heat a little bit. "I would never," he denied. Lucy squirmed in her arms, a sign that she wanted down. "See, ever since she became mobile, she never wants to cuddle with me anymore. Tell me you don't feel the same."

When she bit the inside of her cheek, he knew he hit it on the nail. "Even if I did, I would never admit it."

They shared a laugh and watched their daughter toddle around the room.

"What happened to our agreement that we'd never be off world at the same time?" he asked cautiously.

She snorted, unamused. "Yes, well, that went to hell when you brought Jacek back into our lives."

He winced. Fair point. "You still mad at me?" he inquired.

Vala let out a small sigh. "No," she stepped into his arms. "I know your heart was in the right place."

Daniel pulled her closer. "I was just thinking of you and Lucy," he mumbled. "He's literally the only blood relative she has aside from us. I thought it'd be nice for Lucy to have her grandfather in her life."

She sighed again. "Landry's her grandfather," she argued softly. "Blood doesn't make him a father, let alone a grandfather."

He nodded slowly. "You're right," he admitted. His whole family consisted of people who weren't biologically related aside from his kid. "Once HR walks him through the planets available, we don't have to see him again."

Vala raised herself up on her tip toes and kissed him softly. "I love you."

"I love you too – both of you," They glanced at Lucy as she played with her toys on the floor. "I'm gonna have to come up with a new pet name for you, huh?"

She pulled back from him. "What?" she asked with a scrunched nose. "Why?"

"I realized today that Jacek always calls you 'sweetheart' – that's what I call you."

She chuckled. "You're adorable," she kissed him. "But I love it when you call me that – you've made it something special to me and he'll never take that away."

o0o

"You sure you packed everything?"

Vala resisted the temptation to roll her eyes or worse, hit him. "Yes, Daniel, the diaper bag is fully packed," she sighed. "You know, I have done this before."

His cheeks pinked up slightly. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I just wanna make sure we have everything – she's gonna be cranky afterwards."

She smiled to herself. He was such a good father. She had been convinced she'd be a terrible mother during her pregnancy, but never once questioned whether he'd be a good parent – she just knew he would be the greatest. She had a shitty example of a father and she let it jade her when they started discussing children, but once the test came back positive, she immediately noticed the change in him and how wonderful he was with just her being pregnant. She never doubted him again

With her, it was another story. She'd been afraid she'd be too much like Jacek. Daniel didn't. He always believed she'd be a good mother – had been a good mother to Adria, in spite of the circumstances. Piece by piece, he built up her confidence. He slayed fear after fear that her father, and even her mother to an extent, had left her with. He collected all the broken pieces her parents left her with and made her whole again.

He always said she'd done the same to him, but that was a story for another time.

"Don't forget snuggly," she teased and laughed when he groaned.

"I'm never gonna live that down, huh?"

She giggled. "Nope!" she grinned at him.

"Vala!" a loud voice echoed through the hallways.

She froze and didn't dare turn around.

"Sweetheart!" Jacek tried again.

Her jaw clenched and she took a deep breath. "Take Lucy to Carolyn, and I'll meet you there."

Daniel stared at her in concern as he took Lucy from Vala. "You sure?" he asked. "I can deal with him."

She shook her head. "No. Go."

He didn't hesitate and left her standing there with Jacek approaching.

"Hey, wait!" Jacek called after him but he didn't make it past her. He scowled at her "Why didn't you tell me I was a grandfather?" he scolded.

Vala huffed in disbelief. Crossing her arms, she said, "To be a grandfather, you'd first have to be a father." She looked him up and down. "And you certainly never were."

His scowl didn't lift. "Don't be like that. You're over exaggerating."

"Ha!" burst from her mouth and she stared at him incredulously. "Over exa–" she turned away from him because if she kept looking at his face, she'd punch it. Taking a deep breath, she turned back. "Do you know what I remember most about my childhood?" At his clueless face, she shook her head in disbelief. "I remember your back. Watching you walk away and leaving us like we were nothing."

Jacek scoffed. "That's not true."

"Trust me – I lived it," she argued. "I was a child and all I wanted was for my father to stay. I begged you to stay but I was never important to you – I had nothing you needed so I was worthless."

"That's not true!"

The audacity of this man. "You only contacted me a few years ago because I made something of myself – something you wanted – and you ended up using me anyway," she pinned him with a hard stare. "Why would I allow something like that around my daughter?"

He had the decency to look contrite. "You could at least give me a chance."

Her laugh bordered on hysterical. "And why would I do that? So you could scar her like you did me?" They were starting to gain the attention of everyone around them but she never allowed herself to say these things before and she wouldn't stop now. "You know, I've been through a lot in my life, but the one thing I had the hardest time of getting through was the scars you left me with."

He chuckled uneasily. "A little dramatic, don't you think?"

"Not even close. The way you treated me, mother, Adria…I thought all men were like that," she confessed. "I stayed away from romantic entanglements because I didn't want someone like you in my life. Do you know how long it took Daniel to get through my defenses and show me that not all men are the same?"

Sure, Daniel had his own issues that she had chip away at but he had been the first to try when it came to them.

"Piece by piece, Daniel collected everything you shattered in me and showed me that not all men are the same, that they don't all walk away," her eyes burned with the memories of her childhood and all Daniel had endured to make them them. "He doesn't use me for money, he doesn't walk away when things get hard, he loves me for me – flaws and all. He showed me that a man can be good. He showed that a father should stay and be great."

Vala never thought she'd see the day that she rendered her father speechless.

"So, no. I'm never going to give you the opportunity to scar or jade my daughter. I fell far from the tree, and I will never leave her like the way you left me. She will never have to wonder her worth to anyone because unlike you, I'm going to put her first, and she'll know what she means to us." If anyone ever did make her wonder, she would kick their ass. "She will always know how loved she is, what a father is supposed to be, and what a man should be."

Vala was incredibly lucky to have several wonderful men in her daughter's life who would give her a healthy perception of men and fathers. Lucy had a wonderful grandfather who would do anything for her, uncles who fought over her – and spoiled her a tad too much – and a father who's whole world revolved around her and her mother.

"Jacek, there's nothing for you here," she told him firmly. "You're not my father – you never were. This is goodbye."

For the first time that she could remember, she was the one who walked away, leaving him to watch her as she walked out of his life permanently.

o0o

"I'm really proud of you."

Vala snorted as she climbed into bed later that night and sighed deeply as she sunk into the mattress. "What, for being able to say no to more stories, so she'd actually go to sleep?" As she thought about it, she chuckled. "Gods, she is so your daughter."

Daniel smiled lovingly at her. "I'll give you that. It's so hard to say no to that face." He shifted over and hovered over her form. "I'm proud of how you handled today."

She frowned at him. "What do you mean?"

He brushed some of her hair off to the side. "Not long ago, you'd have lost it on him – on me," he explained. "But today, you were calm, collected, and kept a level head. You handled Jacek so well, and I'm proud of you. You've grown and matured so much in the last few years."

"Pft," she brushed off. "You're making a big deal out of nothing."

She waved her hand but he caught it and brought it to his lips. "But it was," he intertwined their fingers. "You're incredible," he murmured as he stared at his wife.

She smiled softly, lifting a hand to his cheek. "I had some amazing examples," she whispered. "I had someone I wanted to be better for." He got the warm and fuzzies at her declaration. "Besides, I couldn't let Jacek corrupt our children."

It took a second to click. He reared back. "Children?" he held his breath as he waited for her answer.

Vala had a sheepish look. "Surprise?" she gave a small shrug.

Daniel laughed incredulously and couldn't believe he was going to be a dad again. He closed the gap between them and laid one on her while his hands wandered her form and they didn't speak for a while.

There was a time he thought he'd never have this – a wife, children, a family. Having it with Vala Mal Doran once seemed like a crazy thought – she used to be immature, self centered, and wonko – but like he said, she had grown so much since he met her. She still had moments when she was all those things, but her caring, thoughtful, and loving side showed more. Overall, she was still crazy, but he loved every moment of it.

And she was all his.

The End.