RECOVERY

In the observation room above the operating theatre, Daniel held Vala close while the doctors tried to save Jacek. They weren't actually watching the procedure. It was too much blood for either one's taste, and both had seen enough in the past few days. When Mitchell walked in a half hour later, Daniel's head was slumped back and Vala was sleeping in his lap. He tsked at the poor scene. They were absolutely exhausted.

He looked down at the operation. Grabbing the mic, he spoke to the medical team below. "How's it going, Dr. Lam?"

She looked up. "It's going to be a while. His injuries are extensive," she said in a clipped tone. It was clear she couldn't be bothered. The doctors and nurses continued to work.

Mitchell understood and turned around. The sitting position Daniel was in couldn't be comfortable, so he shook his shoulder. "Jackson." He stirred. "Get some rest. I'll take care of the Princess."

Still groggy from sleep, he said, "No, we stay together," echoing Vala's orders earlier on the Alkesh.

"Fine, whatever. But you shouldn't stay here. It could be hours before they're done. Come on." He patted him on the shoulder and Daniel winced. "You sure you're okay?"

"The doctors can see me later." Mitchell carefully lifted Vala into his arms, not bothering to wake her. Daniel stood up and followed them out. They didn't go far. Mitchell laid Vala down in one of the infirmary beds, certain she'd want to be close when news of her father arrived. Daniel laid a hand on Mitchell's shoulder in thanks.

Cameron cocked an eyebrow. He watched as Daniel scooted in on the bed beside Vala and put an arm around her. He didn't even care where they were or who saw. Puzzled, Mitchell pulled the curtain closed and left them in peace.

000

"He's as comfortable as we can make him in his condition. When he wakes up, we'll reassess."

Vala pulled Dr. Lam into a hug. "Thank you, Carolyn." Dr. Lam took one whiff of Vala and pulled away.

"Hit the showers. Please."

"Yes, ma'am." Vala approached Jacek's bed and laid a hand on his. He looked like a mummy, all wrapped up. Tubes were attached in every possible place. But he was alive. She smiled faintly and left the room to do as the doctor ordered.

The warm water seemed to melt away the tension in her entire body. She had finished washing up minutes ago, staying only to relax under the gentle pressure of the shower. Vala leaned her forehead onto her arm and against the stall. She sighed, trying to relax herself. It was difficult to believe Daniel when he said the hard part was over. She had been so wound up from the guilt and the worry. Only now did she allow herself to believe that things were alright again.

When she returned to her father's bedside, a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her. She relished the embrace and leaned her head against Daniel's cheek. Vala closed her eyes. They stood there quietly for a long moment. Though Vala seemed to be completely relaxed, her mind was now whirling. She had gone through a lot more turmoil in the past few days than she had in the past few years. Not since Adria's demise had she felt this vulnerable and broken.

Her recent foray into her previous life was unwelcome and costly. Vala had worked hard to create barriers within her mind, walls to keep out the bad memories while she focused on making better ones. She could feel them slowly falling over like a brick wall, piece by piece. Being attacked by not one, but two, men with terrifying intentions had kick-started it all. Things hadn't been this bad in a long time.

She turned around to bury her face into Daniel's chest. She didn't cry or shiver. She simply stood. His arms tightened around her. No words were said. Vala willed herself to build new barricades, more blockades against her traumas. Her mind was such a complicated mess that probably no one could understand. This would take time.

Daniel stroked her hair as he held her. It was soft and still damp as he ran his fingers through it. "Take your time," he whispered to her, as if knowing exactly what was going on in her head. The scraping of a chair across the floor brought her back to reality. Daniel sat down and pulled Vala into his lap. They didn't say a word, but continued to look after Jacek in his tortured sleep.

They stayed that way for a while before Carolyn showed up. She didn't react to the scene of Vala sitting peacefully in Daniel's lap, with his arms tucked around her waist. "Go rest."

"I want to stay here," Vala replied quietly. She never took her eyes off Jacek. The constant beeps of monitors continued on in the background.

Carolyn put her hands on her hips. She gave Daniel a look of warning. "Come on," he said finally. "She's right." He patted her leg. Vala sighed as she got up. She leaned over Jacek one more time, as if trying to memorize his face before she left.

"I swear we will call you the moment he wakes up." Carolyn swung around the pair and gently pushed them off. "Now go," she commanded. And with that she shooed them out of the infirmary.

Arm around Vala's shoulders, Daniel walked her back to her quarters. The time they had spent together in such dire circumstances made him appreciate the few moments they could have in peace. She didn't question him when he settled into bed beside her. It simply felt right. Necessary. She couldn't be alone at this awful hour.

Before drifting into sleep, he gave her a proper kiss. Vala smiled. "Daniel spit."

"Vala juice," he muttered.

000

They woke up the next morning of their own accord. No alarms were blaring. No one had called them in the middle of the night because of Jacek. So they rested comfortably, not ready to face the new day.

"Daniel?"

"Hmm," he said into her hair, eyes still closed.

"Don't I owe you something?" It took him a minute to remember what she was talking about: payback for making him kiss an ugly alien.

"Oh. I was joking."

She got up on her elbows to look down on him in the faint light. "But I do owe you. You helped me when no one else would."

"Don't worry about it." She smacked him abruptly on the arm. "Ow!" His hand went up to rub the spot she hit. "You really are abusive, you know." He scowled at her.

"Shall I kiss it better?"

He paused. Her words were familiar. Eyes closed again, he smiled. "Sure." And she did. Vala's kisses moved up along his arm to his neck. Daniel was enjoying this entirely too much. But he didn't care. Before long, her mouth had connected with his. The kiss transformed from light to passionate to arousing in mere seconds.

She turned him over to give him proper payback for all he had done. Her hands burrowed their way up his shirt, feeling his muscled torso carefully and slowly. They were warm and relaxing, making Daniel shiver with delight at the touch of a woman after so many years. He smiled gently with his eyes closed.

Soon she was pulling off his shirt and using the opportunity to kiss his chest. Her hair tickled his sides, so he ran his hands through it again. He pulled her face to his for another searing kiss. With her body pressed up against him, Vala could feel his need. His fingers ghosted along her sides and found their way to the hem of her shirt. He relieved her of her camisole and began kissing her neck, hands roaming down to places they had never explored.

His touch was soothing and slow. He rolled her over on the bed so he could be on top and do a proper exploration of her curves. He kissed her lips lightly as he massaged every piece of skin he could get his fingers on. She sighed, relaxing into his care. Her shorts and panties disappeared next. Daniel ran his hands down the length of her legs, the warmth giving Vala goosebumps.

She helped him with his pants and boxers, leaving them both naked and pressed up against each other. They continued to kiss passionately, greedily memorizing every inch of skin they touched. They untangled themselves from the blankets and Vala rolled on top of him. Without a second thought, she eased herself onto Daniel, both groaning with the pleasure they had been denied for so long.

His hands grabbed her breasts when she started to rock back and forth slowly. He sucked in a breath, wondering why he hadn't done this sooner. Had it really been so long since he'd been with a woman? He concentrated on what Vala was doing to him. There was no regret here like he feared. He could see himself enjoying her touch for the rest of his life. No amount of co-worker bullshit would stop him now.

Daniel grabbed her hips and flipped them over. She squealed in surprise. Looking up into his face, Vala could see the need in his eyes. He kissed her chastely, then pushed into her deep. She sucked in her own breath at the pleasurable surprise. He did it again, and again, causing her to moan. Vala lost herself in the sensation.

He stilled for a moment to catch his breath. Vala spread his knees and bucked into him. She took control from her position and began to return the favor. He groaned, holding on to her breasts as he let Vala lead him into oblivion. "God."

She let out a healthy moan as she joined him. The only sound that followed was that of hard, ragged breaths and contented sighs. Daniel released himself from her hold and collapsed next to her. She smiled as she turned her head, body unable to move. He stroked her flat stomach as they slowed their breaths.

"Daniel?"

"Hmm."

"Stay with me."

"Always."

000

Jacek was awake, but still confined to bed. He sat up talking with General Gordon, Vala, Daniel, and Mitchell.

"So this slave network is quite extensive, am I getting this right?" the General said. He was a tall man, hair so white he could have been a ghost. His structured features spoke of a chiseled soldier; his eyes gave away the years of combat and horrors past. Though he hadn't been privy to the secrets of the world beyond Earth for long, he understood that bad things happened everywhere, including among the stars.

"Extremely," Jacek replied. "They've acquired thousands and thousands of slaves in the span of a few years."

"Sir, this could potentially become a monster if we don't nip it in the bud right now."

"You may be right, Colonel. Take a team and pay a visit to that space station. See what you can learn." Mitchell nodded and left to go make his plans. Turning back to Jacek, "We need to discuss your plans for when you recover."

Daniel and Vala shared a look.

"Plans?"

"Yes, where do you intend to go or be once the doctor discharges you from the infirmary?"

Jacek looked down. "I understand that I overstayed my welcome the last time. I'll find my way."

"Jacek," Vala started.

"General Gordon, please report to the control room. General Gordon."

"We'll finish this discussion later. Excuse me." Thus, the unfamiliar general left them alone.

Daniel and Vala moved in closer. "Where will you go?" Vala asked.

"Don't know." He put on a brave face and a smile. "Don't you worry about me, kiddo. I'll be out of your hair soon as I can break out of here."

Vala placed a hand on his. "I never said I wanted you to leave."

"Me gaining asylum on Earth won't happen again."

Daniel scratched his freshly-shaved chin. "There might be someplace you can go. It's a little ways off, but the people there are decent." He gave Jacek a pointed look. "As long as you don't try to scam them."

Jacek held up his hands in surrender. "I make no guarantees, my friend. But after all this, I actually think I'll try." Daniel shook his head.

000

At first, everyone was worried that Jacek would threaten Earth's relations with the people of Taldia, but the fears turned out to be unnecessary. Even Daniel was surprised, and he was the one who suggested all this. The arrangements they made for Jacek seemed to serve both him and the village well.

He entertained the children with G-rated versions of his travels, and they showered him with attention. That kept him from getting too bored and wandering off. He showed the adults how to make their technology more efficient, and they provided him with food and shelter. That kept him from hunting for more raw deals to fund his survival. It was an easy enough life.

Daniel chose not to return to Taldia on a long-term basis, much to the disappointment of his young assistant. He tempered the boy's disappointment with a promise to visit regularly and employ him as an assistant again. He even offered him a new yo-yo as a bribe. Vala grinned at that.

Mitchell had returned soon after with new intel on the Gelvian slave traders. Their network was impressive, a large obstacle that needed taking down. More investigation would be required to see just how interconnected the traders were to other big operations happening around the galaxy. He welcomed the excitement and invited Daniel and Vala to rejoin him on SG-1.

For now, though, the galaxy could wait. The duo assured Mitchell that they would help. They just needed a vacation first. "Another one?" Cameron complained, looking pointedly at Daniel. He merely smirked in response, leaving with an arm around Vala's waist. They would be back in time for the next adventure.

A/N: That's all for Daniel and Vala for now. Cross your fingers for another adventure someday! Thanks for reading this far. I hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to let me know what you think by dropping a review.