Hey everyone! Sorry about the very long delay. I got a job and everything got really busy. I guess I have to admit that about three quarters of this chapter was ready long before now. I just finished it up last night and did some editing this morning. I'm not as happy as I think I could have been but I think its mostly cause it took me so long. I'm pretty sure I edited out the most obvious mistakes but I might have missed some.

Sorry again for the wait! Thank you to all who decided to stick by me and I hope I did not disappoint! Since I'm getting a couple days off this week I'll try and update again soon.

Chapter 10

"Sanctuary"

After rapping on the door lightly Vala tightened the scarf around her neck and waited. She straightened as she heard foot steps rushing to the door. Suddenly the door swung open and Talin was looking back at her.

"Vala" he gasped as she greeted him with a small smile.

"Darnell is with Daniel right now," she said slowly then looked at the ground. "I wanted to check on Emil."

"Oh of course! Come in! Come in!" he rushed Vala inside and closed the door behind her. Running his hand through his hair he groaned, "he hasn't waken up yet. I keep closing my eyes and I keep thinking he's not going to be there when I open them." Sitting down on the coach he grasped Valas hand tightly. "This is how Emil's parents died. My beautiful daughter and her husband…she fell in and he jumped in after her."

"Talin," she whispered and knelt down so she could embrace him. "Emil is going to be fine." Lifting his chin up she smiled, "he's going to be fine. He wont leave you."

Tightening his grasp on her hand he smiled weakly, "thank you." Getting up he pushed his hair back and darted his gaze around the room. This was when Vala really let herself get a look at him. His eyes were blood shot and dark circles hung beneath his eyes. The air of confidence he brought with him where ever he went was replaced by sparks of worry and desperation.

"Lets go see Emil," she said smiling and walked down the hall into his room. Stopping she bit her lip and looked at the small boy. Emil still looked as if he was facing death. "Hey, Emil. Its me Vala." Stepping away from Talin at the door she made her way to edge of Emil's bed and sat down. "Daniel told me to say hello for him. He really hopes you'll get well soon. We all do."

Talin leaned against the door frame and smiled. Watching Vala with Emil reminded him so much of his daughter and at times when they were together he could trick himself that it was her. Though every sane part of him knew it wasn't his daughter. Maybe it was the way that she handled Emil, like a real mother. Vala and his daughter looked nothing alike but when Vala was with Emil they could pass for the same person.

"Talin," Vala said as she looked up at him; her eyes wide and filled with worry. "Come sit with us." Nodding he made his way to the bed and sat on the other side of him.

"Hello, Emil" he whispered as he leaned down and kissed his forehead. "When you see Daniel tell him thank you. Thank you for everything." Brushing his hand over Emil's forehead he looked up at Vala and smiled lightly.

Nodding she swallowed and looked back down at the boy, "he's a pretty special boy isn't he?"

"Exceedingly." Smiling he grasped Valas hand. "You would make a wonderful mother. Ever since I saw you with Emil I kept thinking you were similar to my daughter. I think I just wanted you to be but now I know why I thought so. Its they way you are with him. So full of love."

"Talin," she tried to but in.

"It's all right if you don't want to be a mother. Its just…"

"That's not what I was going to say. Just thank you," she smiled, "I really want to be a mother."

"-pa" a slight sound came from the boys lips. Talin instantly looked at Emil to be greeted by his bright eyes. "I'm thirsty" his voice was ragged but he was alive.

"Emil" he laughed as he pulled the boy into a tight hug. "Oh Emil."

Throwing her coat carelessly on the chair she ran down the hall way to her room where Daniel stayed. Opening the door she giggled as she saw Daniel sitting up; the blanket had slipped down and now laid at his waist. Darnell sat across from him with his legs crossed and a chess board in between them.

"Emil woke up," she said suddenly without bothering to greet them first. "Both Emil and Talin say thank you Daniel."

Smiling he reached his hand out beckoning Vala to come to him. As soon as she stepped close enough he pulled her onto the bed next to him. "I don't need any thanks. I'm just glad he's all right." Nuzzling his nose against hers he made her giggle.

"And I am happy both of you are all right," leaning forward she kissed him gently. "I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you." Biting her bottom lip she looked down at her hands and began fiddling with the skirt of her dress.

"Ehem," Darnell coughed, "I'm sure right now you could care less but I am sort of still here."

"You're right," Vala laughed, "I could care less." Throwing her arms around Daniel she kissed him hard on the lips. "We should probably smooth honey on those lips, darling. No offense but kissing you when half the skin is peeling off isn't very appealing."

"Oh really?" he grinned as he raised his brow.

"Oh most definitely. Until we have that little thing fixed I think I will not allow myself to kiss you."

"Right," he whispered as he leaned forward and captured her lips with his. Running his tongue over her lips he leaned back a little and rested his hand on her cheek. "Still un appealing?"

Her mouth was open and her eyes were clouded, "not really." Pulling him closer she kissed him again and smiled. "I'm so glad you're alive."

"I'm so glad I'm alive too," he whispered as he rand his hands up and down her stomach. His fingers playing a little dance over he body. "So glad I'm alive," he spoke into her ear, "so I can spend every remaining minute of my life with you." Bearing his head into her hair he groaned loudly, "oh god I love you."

"I love you," she spoke slowly as if she was going to cry. "Never leave me like that again! Okay?" Her voice cracked as she kissed his cheek as he pulled her closer to him.

"Never oh god, never" he kissed her nose. The moment was disrupted when they heard the door open. "Darnell?"

Smiling he looked back at the young couple, "I have some work to do. Try and let Daniel get some rest, okay Vala?" As Vala nodded he stepped out of the room and closed the door.

"I guess we're all alone now," Vala whispered and leaned forward and kissed him again causing him to groan.

"Oh god you're so cruel," he moaned as he kissed her harder. Deepening the kiss he took control of their mouths. Running his hands up and down her arms he coaxed her farther into abandon.

"Daniel!" she gasped as he started nipping down her neck; sucking gently at her pulse point. He pulled himself forward causing her to bend back her head giving him better access.

"So beautiful," he whispered as he kissed along her cleavage line. "I love you," he kept repeating in between each kiss. "I promise I'm never going to leave you, never."

"And I wont leave you," kissing him tenderly she ran her hands through his hair pulling lightly at the roots.

"You better not," he moaned as his right hand slid up her body and cupped one of her breasts in his palm. Throwing her head back she moaned as he ran his finger over her nipple.

"Vala!" Ma called from down the hall.

"Oh shit," Vala hissed and pulled herself off the bed. "I'll be right there!" A deep blush covered her face as she paced back and forth. "How do I look?"

"Honestly?" he grinned proudly, "ravished."

"Oh well that's not going to help!" Grabbing a pillow she through it at him almost knocking over the chess set. "That's it! We were playing chess."

"Well I was playing something close to chess."

"Daniel!" she hissed, "I don't have time your innuendos! We shouldn't have even been doing that."

Grabbing her hand as she went by he looked up at her and smiled, "I love you."

"I love you too," she laughed and kissed him.

"Vala!"

"You better get going," he said as he nuzzled his nose against hers.

"Yeah," she said, "try and be good while I'm gone." Turning away she rushed out of the room all the while trying to flatten her hair and fix her dress. Grinning he leaned back down on the bed and smiled up at the ceiling.

"There you are!" Anna yelled as she saw Vala make her way into view. "I was beginning to think you had run off." Her gaze looked over Valas exterior and smiled at her very apparent condition. "How is Daniel?"

"Much better, actually. I was just about to get him some warm honey for his lips."

"I see." Going quiet for a moment she walked over to the couch. "Come sit, please."

Sitting down next to her she smiled warmly, "what is it Ma?"

"Alan will be picking up Daniel later on today," she stated and grasped Valas hand. "It would appear we both agree after what happened last night with the two of you it would be improper for you both to stay under the same roof."

"But," Vala began, "we didn't do anything!"

"I didn't say you did," she laughed, "I'm also sure you would be smart enough not to do it. Alan just thinks it will be more convenient if he goes back to his house."

"Oh right," laughing nervously she pushed her hair back.

"You love him very much, don't you?" Anna asked as she lifted up Valas chin to look into her eyes. "I thought so." Getting up she smiled, "I brought some of Daniel's clothes over from Alan's house. They are over on the kitchen table. I'm going to market to pick up food for dinner tonight."

"Ma," Vala called before she stepped through the door. "Thank you, for looking out for me."

Smiling she stepped out of the house into the snow.

"Its definitely good to be back in clothes," Daniel said cheerfully as he walked into the kitchen catching Valas eye. "Though I didn't mind so much being without when you were there." He grinned when he saw the inner fire burning in her eyes and how she licked her lips.

"I told you to get dressed not walk around!" she snapped, "you still need your rest!" Running around the counters she grabbed Daniel and pushed him into a chair.

"Aw, you're so cute when your bossy."

"I'll show you cute Daniel Jackson!" she hissed as she went back into the kitchen and grabbed a plate of eggs and bacon and a cup of tea. Placing them on the table with a loud click she put her hands on her hip. "Now eat up."

"Aren't you going to eat something?"

"I'm not really that hungry," she explained as she went off and grabbed the warm honey off the stove. Going back to him she left the pot on the table and spooned out a little of the honey. "Here."

"Feeding me now, Vala?" he waggled his eyebrows then covered the spoon with his mouth licking off the honey.

"Do you want kids?" she asked suddenly as she dropped the spoon back into the pot.

"Where did this come from?" his eyes went wide with shock.

"I just want to know. Do you?"

"With you? Yes," he leaned in and kissed her allowing her to taste the sweet honey. "Only with you."

Daniel walked out of Alan's place and closed the door quietly and began the short trek to Valas home. The winter was still bitter cold and he could feel it to his bones, even more so than the others because he still had a chill thanks to the river. He breathed out and watched his breath come out in a white cloud then wrapped the scarf tighter around his neck. All he knew is that he had to see Vala, he'd been missing her for the last couple days. Alan and Ma seemed to be doing their hardest to keep them from being alone together. The snow crunched underneath his feet as he walked into the deep snow around Vala's house. Knocking lightly on the back door he silently hoped Ma wouldn't answer. In a couple minutes he'd finally been rewarded he heard someone moving around the halls and heading to the door. With a click of the lock the door swung open and for a moment he forgot to breath.

"Vala," he whispered as he saw her as if for the first time. Her cheeks with just a bit flushed from how warm it was inside and her hair was tangled but still managed to lay sexily over her small shoulders. What really caught him was the simple white night gown that flowed over her small frame.

"Daniel," Vala gasped and he watched her chest lift as she breathed. "What are you doing here? Its freezing cold out and you're still sick!" Suddenly he couldn't stand it any longer, he didn't know what it was that finally set him off but it did. It could have been how her pink lips moved as she scolded him or that damn night gown but he really didn't care. He lunged forward and pressed his cold lips against her warm ones. With a moan she wrapped her arms around him and opened her mouth up to him. Lifting his hands up to her face he held her head at an angle so he could deepen the kiss.

"Oh Vala," he whispered as he left her lips for only a moment, "I've missed you. Oh god I've missed you." Being in her arms like this made him feel like he was in heaven she brought warmth to him while all he had was coldness. She was his sanctuary, his best friend, and his love. "I love you."

"You need to come inside," she finally said as her mind cleared for a second, "its too cold out here." Pulling him the rest of the way inside she clicked the door closed as his body stayed pressed up against hers. "Daniel" her voice came out hoarse as he nibbled at her ear load and flicked his tongue out gently causing her to shiver. She hissed as his freezing hands ran down her warm arms causing prickles that she deemed the most erotic pain.

"Oh I would definitely love to come inside," he purred against her ear causing her to grin wickedly at his very apparent innuendo.

"I'm sure you would," she laughed lightly and kissed the side of his mouth, "we should get this wet coat off you." Plucking at his buttons she began to pull it off his shoulders.

"I love how you think," he murmured, "it makes you even more irresistible." His coat fell to the floor and her hands sought his bare skin and practically moaned at the feel of it. Slipping both of his hands into her hair he backed her up against the door pinning her there as he deepened the kiss. Her right leg lifted and wrapped around him as if to anchor him to her. Taking one had from her hair he slid it down her neck and over her chest to grasp her right breast through the thin fabric of her gown.

"Vala!" they heard Anna call from her own bedroom, "you should go back to bed! You need your rest!"

"Yes, Ma!" she yelled trying her best to sound normal.

"Are you okay?" she yelled back, "your voice sounds a little hoarse."

"Oh no, I'm fine! I just need a little water."

"Oh all right, good night" she said back and closed the door. Vala released a sigh of relief that she hadn't come out to investigate.

"You should go home," she whispered to Daniel and kissed him as she tried very hard to ignore that his hand was still on her breast. She shivered as his gaze met hers, his eyes burned with desire almost making him look dangerous.

"I already am home," his eyes trailed over her body as if he was a starving man and she was his last meal.

"I love you," she muttered and kissed him while she slid her leg off of him then backed off. "Please go, Daniel. I need my sleep and so do you."

"Come and see me tomorrow," he said as he grabbed her hand and held onto it tightly.

"I will, I will! I promise. You just have to go before Ma decides to actually leave her room to investigate why I'm not in bed."

"Good," pecking her on the lips he put his coat on and opened the door only to be stopped by Vala.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" she pouted and he couldn't help but grin.

"You'll hear it tomorrow if you come and see me." Turning around he bounded off around the house and out of sight. Giggling she closed the door and held her hands against her chest.

As the sun finally began to rise Vala was already awake in the kitchen humming a eerily familiar tune but she had no idea where she had heard it from. Grabbing the last two pieces of bread she placed the roast beef inside of it. Wrapping it she placed it in a basket with the other food.

"Some one is up early this morning," Anna laughed as she walked into the kitchen.

"Oh sorry! I hope I didn't wake you. I just thought I should get the food ready so I can go out sooner."

"Oh yes, you're going out to see Daniel today. You must have been missing him terribly, I mean you haven't seen him in a couple days." Anna noticed the slight blush that crept up on Vala's face but decided to ignore it.

"Indeed I have," she smiled then turned to face her. "How do I look?" Her hair was done up in a fancy bun and she wore a light blue dress that Anna was sure she had chosen to complement Daniel's eyes.

"Absolutely lovely," she cooed and came forward to brush a piece of hair out of her face. "Absolutely lovely, he will know not what to say."

"Good morning, Daniel" Vala said as she closed the door to his bedroom behind her causing him to smile. "I thought you could try some solid food today." She shivered as she felt his blue eyes watch her as she walked across the room to his bed and set the basket down onto his bed.

"I love you," he said with a grin as he got off the bed and grabbed her by the waist. Leaning forward he kissed her with tenderness that even shocked her. They jumped apart as they heard the door open to reveal Darnell grinning like a fool.

"Nice to see you up and around Daniel," he chuckled, "and Vala taking good care of you."

"It is good to see you too," Daniel smiled and wrapped his arm around Vala's waist protectively. "I will be back to work in a couple days."

Laughing he shook his head, "take your time Daniel. The hero; what was it again Vala? Oh right, the hero Mr. Fine back side."

Blushing Daniel looked at Vala as she gave him an innocent smile. "The ladies in the village are quiet smitten with you. They are giving you title after title."

":Apparently you are really making a name for yourself," Daniel stated as he walked over to the basket and took out a sandwich. "Oh good, roast beef." Taking a bite into the sandwich he continued, "you've went from Mr. Fine Back Side to a hero."

"I'm not a hero," Daniel interjected and looked at Vala lovingly, "I hope you are also smitten with me."

"Oh I am, darling" she leaned her head against his shoulder. "You are my sanctuary."

To Be Continued...

So how was it? I look forward to your reviews! I hope you all liked their 'love scene.' I wanted it to be tender and needful, not tacky and graphic. So what do you think?

Love you all!

Shinki