Disclaimer: Don't own Stargate SG-1. Wish I did, but I don't.

A/N: Sequel to Too Late

A/N2: This has been heavily edited since I originally posted it.

Never Too Late

Daniel's mind wandered as he followed Mitchell, Sam, and Teal'c through the forest on P38-6X2. It wasn't as though the planet didn't hold many wonders for him to study and there was a naquadah deal to negotiate. The mines were completely untouched, as this planet had never been taken over by any Goa'uld and the people had no need of the mineral. He should be over the moon but all he wanted to do was get back to Earth where he could bury himself in work. Unfortunately his job held little interest for him lately. Hell, life held very little interest for him nowadays. He was bored, plain and simple. It was exactly how he'd felt all those years ago when he was preparing to leave for Atlantis, right before the whole Ori fiasco. Back then he'd believed Atlantis would help him but he'd never had the opportunity to find out. Now Atlantis was back on Earth and he could visit whenever he liked. But even the vast trove of Ancient knowledge wasn't enough to sate his restlessness this time.

He'd never before realised just how boring his work actually was until three years ago. Well, not quite three years. Two years, eleven months, and sixteen days ago, to be exact. That's how long it had been since Vala walked out of his life. In all that time, she'd never once contacted anyone at the SGC. At least, not to his knowledge. She certainly hadn't contacted him. Where was she? Was she all right? Did she ever think of him? He hoped so because he couldn't stop thinking about her. She was the only reason he continued to go through the 'gate. He couldn't let go of the hope that one day they'd end up on the planet she was calling home. That hope was the only thing that kept him sane these days. That, and fantasising about what he'd do if he ever did find her. Most of the daydreams included a lot of yelling, hugging, kissing, and other things that forced him to take a lot of cold showers. But they all ended the same way, his convincing her to return to Earth, return home. Return to him.

It was because he was allowing himself one of these fantasies that he didn't see the trap until it was too late. He stepped down on what appeared to be a harmless patch of grass only to be net with a burning sensation ripping through his chest. An agonised scream tore from his throat and he looked down in dazed confusion to see blood seeping from just below his shoulder. He could only vaguely hear Mitchell's voice cursing him as everything started fading to black. His last coherent thought was of Vala, though. He was thinking that if she were here, this would never have happened. He smiled at the image just as everything went dark.

()()()()

"Dammit, Jackson!" Mitchell yelled as he knelt beside his unconscious teammate and examined the wound. There was a large dart sticking out of his chest just below his right shoulder but there didn't seem to be much blood.

"What happened?" Sam asked, taking up a position on Jackson's other side.

"He was hit with some kind of dart. I don't know why he's unconscious, though."

"A dart?" Sam asked, studying the object in question.

"Perhaps it is laced with a poison which renders the victim unresponsive." Teal'c put in.

"Oh, great." Mitchell lamented. "We should remove it to keep the poison to a minimum."

"Agreed." the Jaffa said as he bent over Daniel, ready to rip the dart out. Cam and Sam both cringed in anticipation but were still unprepared for the scream that emanated from their injured friend before he fell back into oblivion. Cam was glad for the little respite, but it also meant they'd have to carry him.

"How far is the village?" Sam asked as she placed a cloth to Daniel's wound and applied pressure.

"Less than a click." Mitchell answered, standing up. "T, think you can lug him that far?"

"I can." Teal'c said with a nod as he picked up the archaeologist with very little effort.

"All right, guys. Let's go find the wizard to save Jackson's life. Again."

The team was silent as they walked, Daniel remaining unconscious throughout the short trek, but a sigh of relief could be heard from all parties once they reached the small village.

"Druad!" Mitchell called to the village elder whom he spied standing in the town centre.

"Colonel Mitchel." The short, balding man turned toward him with a smile but it faded when he saw Teal'c carrying Daniel. "What has happened?"

"He was shot in the chest with this dart." Sam said, pulling the object from the cloth she'd wrapped it in, careful not to touch it. "I think it may be poisoned."

"Ah yes, a shoako dart." Druad nodded as he studied it sullenly. "They were used by our ancestors as a way of safeguarding the village from enemy attackers. They have not been used in two generations. Unfortunately, from time to time, some poor soul happens to run afoul of one."

"Can you help him?" Cam asked in irritation.

"We cannot as we no longer possess the means to make an antidote. The plant was destroyed by a rival tribe long ago. It is the reason out forefathers had to stop using them. But there is one person who may be able to aide you, a healer of great power. She lives not too far into the forest but I will dispatch someone to bring her here immediately. Bring Dr. Jackson into my house. The less he moves, the better."

Cam led his team into the small, one-room home and Teal'c gently lay Daniel on a bed while Druad sent a young boy to fetch the healer. Mitchell could only hope she got here in time.

()()()()

Vala was putting the finishing touches on a wart removal remedy when she heard an insistent knocking at her door. She set the vial down carefully and went to answer it.

"Kolo." She smiled at the young boy. "What are you doing here? Is someone ill?"

"A traveller who came through the great circle has stepped upon a shoako trap. He is in grave need of your healing powers."

Vala didn't even bother to tell the boy that she had no powers, that it was technology which she used, knowing it would only fall on deaf ears. No matter how many times she'd tried to explain, no one believed her. So she'd eventually given up, letting them believe what they wished so long as they continued to let her heal. Grabbing up her Goa'uld healing device, she followed Kolo through the woods to the village.

When she'd first arrived on Harken, the people here had been suffering from an epidemic. She'd told them she was a healer and that she could help and after much reluctance on their part, they'd finally agreed to let her try. She'd been able to heal all of the sick villagers and eradicate the disease entirely. They'd thought her some sort of sorceress and it had taken a lot of reassurances to convince them otherwise. Eventually they came to trust that she was not evil and bid her take up residence in the village. She'd refused, instead choosing to live in the forest not too far away. She was close enough to be of assistance but far enough removed as not to interfere with their culture in any way. One thing she'd learnt from her time on Earth was to not interfere with other societies more than necessary.

Once a month she travelled to the village for provisions and to educate their local healer in medicine. She'd always had an aptitude for healing and she'd learnt a lot, first in her time as a Goa'uld, then during her travels as a thief, and finally while she'd been living amongst the Tau'ri. No matter what, she'd always taken the time to learn the remedies of each culture she visited. She now knew enough to heal any minor illness and used the healing device for the not so minor ones. This was one of those cases. She'd seen shoako poisoning twice since settling on Harken and she'd been able to cure it both times but only with great effort on her part. She hoped this time would be so different as she and Kolo finally reached the village.

"The man is in Chief Druad's house." the boy told her.

"Thank you, Kolo." she said before walking away. Pushing aside the curtain, she strolled into the house only to stop short at the sight before her. "Samantha?"

The woman in question turned quickly, a shocked look on her face Vala was certain mirrored her own. It seemed to take a few moments before the blonde finally found her voice.

"Vala! Oh, my god. I can't believe you're here." Sam ran across the room and wrapped her in a tight embrace which Vala returned whole-heartedly. "We've missed you so much."

"I've missed you, too." Vala could feel tears in her eyes as she pulled back. "I was told a traveller needed healing."

Vala could see the pained expression on Sam's face and felt her stomach tighten. Looking over at the bed in the corner, her worse fear was realised. "Daniel." The name came out on a choked breath as she rushed to his side.

"Can you heal him?" Sam asked hopefully.

"Yes." she said in a firm voice as she place the healing device over Daniel's chest. There was no way she was going to fail. She couldn't. The device lit up and she could immediately feel it draining all of the poison from his body. It seemed to take forever but soon she could tell the toxin was completely gone. After a few moments, she saw his eyes flutter open and she pulled her hand away, placing it on his cheek and smiling gently down at him.

"Am I dreaming?" he asked weakly, an answering smile gracing his features.

"No, darling, I'm here."

"Good." he responded and, before she knew what he planned, his hand came up behind her head, pulling her down until their lips met. There was a hunger in his kiss that she matched completely. When he finally pulled away, he wore a huge grin. "I've been waiting nearly three years to do that."

"Well, I'm glad you didn't hesitate this time. But now you need to rest." She tried to stand but he grabbed her hand and held on.

"We need to talk."

"We will, darling, but first you do have to rest. The poison is completely gone but your body needs time to recover. Go to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"Promise." It was a demand and she quickly acquiesced.

"I promise, I'm not going anywhere. Now rest."

"Good." he repeated and squeezed her hand, still not letting go. His eyes slowly drifted shut and he soon fell into a deep slumber.

Vala lifted her hand to brush away a stray lock of his hair and smiled down at his peaceful visage. Oh, how she'd missed this man and the things he made her feel. She sat beside him for a few minutes longer, simply staring at him, not looking up when she heard familiar voices entering the house.

"Well, we let Landry know...Holy..."

Vala grinned and turned to see Cameron and Teal'c standing in the doorway, both looking gobsmacked by her presence.

"Hi, boys. Miss me?"

"Indeed, you have been greatly missed, Vala Mal Doran." Teal'c told her with a smile.

"It's good to see you, Princess." Cam agreed and she could hear the affection in his voice. "So, you're the "healer of great power" Druad mentioned?"

"Yes." She held up the Goa'uld device as evidence.

"How's our boy, doin'?"

"He'll be fine." She turned back toward Daniel and rubbed her thumb over his hand to reassure herself. "He just needs to rest."

"Well then, it's lucky you were here."

Vala nodded but didn't look back. Her entire focus as on Daniel. "I assume you've told Landry about this incident?"

"Oh, yeah, almost forgot. He's just waiting for my report on the outcome."

"You can go back and tell him Daniel is okay. I've drained all of the poison and he'll make a full recovery."

"Good to know." Cam stated and she could hear him shifting a little behind her but she still refused to take her eyes off of Daniel. "I'll just go report in. Come on, Teal'c, Sam. Sunshine needs his beauty sleep and he seems to be in good hands."

This time Vala did turn, sending Mitchell a grateful smile. "Thank you, Cameron."

"No problem, Princess. We'll talk later." He turned to go but glanced over his should one last time. "It really is good to see you again."

She nodded then turned back to Daniel. It was good to see her former teammates, her friends, but their presence brought up a lot of questions she wasn't sure she was prepared to answer just yet. Right now, though, she needed to focus all of her energy on Daniel's recovery. There would be time enough to talk later.

()()()()

Daniel awoke feeling groggy but otherwise fine. His memory was a bit foggy, though. He remembered blood and Mitchell cursing him and...and Vala. His eyes shot open and he frantically searched the room. There she was, sitting at a small table, talking to a little girl and wrapping the child's hand in a make-shift bandage. He hadn't been hallucinating, then. It was real. She was real. And she was here.

"Vala." He spoke so quietly he didn't think she heard him but her head swung around sharply and her eyes focussed on him. He could have sworn he saw tears in her eyes before she turned back to the little girl.

"There you are, Trala, all fixed up." Vala patted the bandage on the girl's hand one last time. "Now, no more beating up Kolo, no matter how much he annoys you."

"Okay, Healer Vala." Trala jumped from her seat and hugged Vala quickly before leaving the house.

Vala smiled after the child for a few moments then turned back to Daniel. "How are you feeling, darling?"

"Much better." He sat up in bed and motioned for her to join him. "Come here, I want to make sure you're real."

"I'm real." she told him with a quiet laugh as she sat on the edge of the bed and took his hand in hers. "And I'm right here."

"Good. I was afraid I was dreaming again."

"So, you've dreamt of me, have you? All good, I hope."

"Oh, like you wouldn't believe." He grinned and squeezed her hand. She seemed taken aback by his cheeky answer which only caused his smile to grow wider. "So you're a healer now?"

"Yes, I've decided to use my Goa'uld-given talents for good. The villagers seem to appreciate my efforts."

"They're not the only ones." He smiled and wondered if she was aware her thumb was caressing the top of his hand. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Mostly, I think."

When she didn't elaborate, Daniel sat up straighter and placed a hand to her cheek. He searched her eyes, looking for that one hint that would let him know she was ready to come home. He saw it in the flicker of her eyelashes as she tried to look away and the sad smile that graced her lips when she couldn't quite do it. It gave him the courage to continue.

"You could have visited."

"You know I couldn't." This time when she turned away, she also stood and started pacing. "It would have been too difficult."

"What would have been too difficult?"

"Leaving again. I don't think I would have been able to."

"You could have stayed." He knew he was pushing her but felt it was his only option. He had to convince her to come back. He needed her in his life.

"I wasn't ready."

"What about now?"

She was silent for so long, he almost started to panic. Finally she turned back to him with her sad smiled still in place. "I don't know, Daniel. I left to find myself, to figure out just who I am. I've discovered things I didn't know existed. I've changed. Suppose you don't like who I've become."

Daniel stood and pulled her into his arms, looking her straight in the eye. "You may have grown but the person you are, the person you've always been, is still in here." He placed his hand over her heart and felt it beating rapidly. "You're still the loving, caring, maddening woman I fell in love with all those years ago on the Prometheus." She gasped at his admission and he continued. "You can't change who you are at the core and that's who I love."

"You may be right, Daniel." She placed her hand to his cheek and stroked his upper lip with her thumb. "But I like who I've become. What if I go back to Earth and forget everything I've discovered? I don't want to fall back into the trap of who I thought I was."

"You won't." he assured.

"The last time I was on your planet, I did everything I could to please everyone else, no matter the cost to myself. I don't want that to happen again. I don't think I can go back to Earth."

"What if we don't go back, then?"

"What do you mean?" She had a cautious look in her eyes as if she were afraid to hope.

"I mean, what if I stayed here with you? We can make our life together here just as well as we could on Earth. Or anywhere else, for that matter. Just as long as we're together."

"I can't ask you to do that. I can't ask you to give up your life, your home, for me."

"You're not asking, I'm offering. Besides, there is no life, no home, without you in it. Vala, I love you and I need you with me, no matter where we are. You are my home."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Honey, I'd do anything for you. Please, just say yes."

"I-" She stopped suddenly as if unsure of what to say and Daniel felt his heart jump into his throat. "Daniel, this is a big decision. I love you so much, but I want us to both be certain this is the right thing to do."

"I am certain." he told her adamantly, not willing to lose this argument. "I've been certain ever since I watched you walk through the 'gate two years, eleven months, and sixteen days ago."

"Well then, one more day won't make much of a difference, will it?" She smiled up at him and he could feel himself capitulating to her will.

"One day?"

"Yes, that's all I ask. Just give me one day to think this over."

"Okay, I'll give you tonight." he conceded reluctantly. "One day, then I expect an answer."

"You'll have it." she told him and started to pull away.

He pulled her back and planted an earnest kiss to her lips, putting all of the longing he'd felt these past few years into it. His hand tangled in her silky tresses as he held her tightly to him. He wanted, needed her to know just how much he'd missed her. When he heard the soft whimper in her throat, he pulled back and leant his forehead against hers.

"You fight dirty." she said weakly, taking a deep, necessary breath.

"One day." he reminded her, equally breathless.

She simply nodded and headed for the exit.. He watched her go and couldn't keep a smirk from his face when she turned back with a small smile just before going out the door. Nope, he was definitely not letting her get away from him this time.

()()()()

Vala lay in her bed, not even bothering to try sleeping. Her mind was reeling with the events of the day and the decisions she was going to have to make. Could she go back to Earth with Daniel? Make a life there without losing sight of who she was? He'd called her selfless all those years ago and she hadn't believed him, hadn't trusted his words. Could she trust them now that so much hung in the balance for both of them? Was she selfless enough to give up her life on Harken to be with him? Was it selfish to even consider his offer to stay here? She knew he was sincere when he told her he'd give up everything to be with her; his home, his family, his friends. But as much as she wanted a life with him, she couldn't do that. So, the question remained, was she fearless enough to go back to Earth? She was still asking herself this question as she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep in the wee hours of the morning.

()()()()

Vala was awakened by an incessant banging on her door and she rolled over bed, groaning as the bright, late morning light from the window hit her full force. It had to be nearly noon. Climbing out of bed, she donned her robe and opened the door. Before she could so much as greet her visitor, though, Daniel pushed his way in and took her face in his hands, pressing an urgent kiss to her lips. She couldn't do anything more than wrap her arms around his neck in response and hold on for dear life.

"Gods, I've missed you." he said when he pulled back a fraction, not letting go of her face.

"Darling, you only just saw me yesterday." she replied, trying for a bit of levity.

"That's not what I meant and you know it." He finally stepped back and surveyed her appearance. "Did I wake you?"

"As a matter of fact, you did."

"You're not sick, are you? I know how much the healing device takes out of you." His hand once again found its way to her cheek, caressing the soft skin with a callused thumb.

"No, darling. I just didn't sleep very well last night." she said, slightly distracted by his tender ministrations, only realising what she'd admitted as she watched a huge grin cover his face.

"Funny, last night was the first time in almost three years that I've gotten a good night's rest."

Vala had to turn away from his gentle smile, unable to think when he looked at her that way.

"Have you considered what we talked about yesterday?"

"I have." she said without looking his way.

"Well, are you gonna share with the class?"

Vala smiled as she recognised the silly Earth saying, not realising she'd missed those until this moment. She still didn't face him, though, as she spoke. "Daniel, I'm not sure it'll work."

"You mean coming back to Earth? I already told you-"

"No, Daniel." she interrupted, finally turning to face him. There was panic in his eyes but she tried to ignore it as she continued. "Us. I'm not sure we can make us work."

"What! Of course we can." He grabbed hold of her arms, looking deep into her eyes. "I love you, Vala. I never stopped loving you."

"I know, darling." she said as she felt a tear trickle down her cheek. "And I love you. But what if that's not enough? I don't want to ruin your life any more than I already have."

"Ruin my-Vala, you saved my life."

Vala's brow puckered at the confession but she remained silent, unable to find a suitable response.

"Sweetheart, do you know what I was before you barged into my life all those years ago? I was an angry, bitter man who thought the forces of the universe were out to get me. Everyone I'd ever loved seemed to be taken from me. My parents, my wife, Janet. I grew numb, held everyone at arm's length because I was afraid of getting hurt again. Even my work, the one thing I had left, held little excitement. I'd foolishly believed going to Atlantis would heal me."

"Then I showed up an put an end to that dream." she said morosely.

"Don't you see?" he asked urgently, squeezing her arms tighter. "I was on autopilot until you came into my life. You woke me up. I'd never before felt such passion for anyone and it terrified me. For the first time in too long, I was alive and it was all because of you."

"Daniel, I tried to steal your ship. I beat you up. I nearly got us killed!"

"Yes, and don't think I didn't try to fight my attraction to you. But then you came to Earth and I started seeing a whole other side of you. I saw the compassionate, loving woman you try so hard to hide from every one. I saw your true self. When you disappeared at the beachhead, I realised maybe what I felt was more than simple attraction."

"Then I had to go and give birth to the Orici." She shook her head, still unable to believe all he was telling her.

"We both know that wasn't your fault." he told her firmly. "But when you did return, I could see you'd changed. I could tell that you were really trying so I tried to be patient. Then you were kidnapped by the Trust and it nearly destroyed me, not knowing where you were or even if you were alive. I was beyond relieved when we found you but I was also scared. The thought of losing you again...I didn't think I could handle it so I closed myself off again. I thought that if I didn't acknowledge my feelings, even to myself, they'd simply go away. Boy, was I wrong."

By this time, Vala's tears were falling freely and she did nothing to curtail them as Daniel pulled her into a loving embrace.

"When you told me you were leaving three years ago, I thought I was too late, that I'd waited too long. But I've come to realise that when you love someone, it's never too late. I've just been waiting for you to realise the same thing and come back to me."

"You mean, there hasn't been..." She couldn't make herself finish that thought, let alone voice it.

"No, no one else." He hugged her tighter and rubbed her back soothingly. "There isn't anyone else I want. I love you, Vala, and I want you in my life, no matter where we choose to make it."

Vala pulled back slightly and wiped her tears away as she looked up into Daniel's eyes so full of love. She could feel her own bubbling to the surface and held onto it. "I'm sorry, Daniel."

"For what, sweetheart?"

"For leaving. I'd told myself that I wasn't what you wanted. Even after you told me you loved me the first time, I convinced myself that you could do better. I was scared, too."

"Scared of what?"

"Scared of messing up, of losing you. You were my best friend. I couldn't bear the thought of you hating me."

"I could never hate you. Even when you irritate the hell out of me, I still love you."

"I know, darling." she said on a watery laugh. "I should never have run away."

"I should have told you all of this before letting you run away." He pulled her in for another hug and she felt more than heard his sigh of relief. "We're a pretty pair, aren't we?"

Vala simply laughed at the understatement and tightened her hold.

"So, where do we go from here?" he asked after a while.

"As in..." She rested her chin on his chest and she smiled up at him.

"As in, do we stay here or go back to Earth? Because there is no way in hell I'm letting you out of my life again."

"I wouldn't go even if you asked." she smirked, placing a short kiss to his chin.

"Good. So, which planet?"

"Well, these people have been very good to me but it isn't home. I'll admit, I've missed Earth. The people, the culture. But do you know what I've missed most?"

"What's that?"

"Chocolate."

Daniel laughed outright at her confession and reached into one of his pockets. "Then I guess it's a good thing I always carry one of these with me, just in case."

Vala pulled out of his arms and grabbed for the candy bar, tearing it open. She sighed deeply as the first taste of the decadent treat hit her mouth. "Darling, if I didn't already love you beyond hope, this would certainly do it."

"That's what I was hoping." He grinned at her reaction. "So, does this mean we're going back to Earth?"

"Yes, darling, that's exactly what it me-." She get to finish her sentence before Daniel's mouth came to rest greedily on hers again. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she gave as good as she got but when she felt his hands roaming her body, she forced herself to pull away. "As much as I would love to continue this, Daniel, I don't think my bed is large enough for what you obviously have in mind."

"I don't know." he said as he looked over to study the object in question. "I think we can work something out." He grabbed for her again and started kissing her neck. She let him go on for a few moments before reason hit her and she pushed at his chest. He backed away in obvious reluctance.

"Seriously, darling. I don't know if you've noticed, but there is no lock on my door. Anyone can walk in here. I can just imagine Cameron's reaction to that little scene. Besides, we've waited this long, I think we can wait until we get back to Earth."

"Fine." he said, taking a deep breath and stepping back. "But once we get home, we're going straight back to our apartment to finish this."

Vala grinned at the purposeful gleam in his eyes but it faltered as she had a terrible thought. "Darling, do you think the IOA will allow me to live off-base?"

"Of course. It's customary on Earth for husbands and wives to live together."

"Husbands and...are you saying...does that mean..."

Daniel smiled again and pulled her closer "When I said I want you in my life, I meant forever. What do you say? Will you marry me?"

"Yes, I'll marry you." she said, feeling her tears start anew.

"I love you, Vala." Daniel told her as he leant down to kiss the tears away.

"I love you, too, my Daniel." She turned away from him for a second, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, darling. I was just thinking I may have misjudged. Perhaps that bed isn't too small, after all."

Daniel let out a huge laugh as he started leading her toward the piece of furniture. "Let's find out."

They fell onto the mattress together and Vala's last coherent thought was that this was one time she wouldn't mind being wrong.

The End