A/N: Inspired by the prompt "fool" or "foolish" from the Gate Women community at Live Journal. Of course, that prompt was given in April, and it's now September, so I wasn't very prompt about following the prompt. Sorry.

As always, thank you, thank you, thank you to the fabulous AerynB. *squishes her* Any remaining errors are all me.

Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG-1 or its characters, and I make no profit.

Foolish Hopes

If there was one thing Vala Mal Doran hated, it was feeling like a fool. She had always gone out of her way to avoid it. She had contingency plans for almost every situation, so she was never left looking stupid. No one could con her, because she never trusted anyone anyway. It had worked for years.

But then she met up with the Tau'ri. And one Daniel Jackson had convinced her to let her guard down. It had been terrifying, but she'd thought it just might be worth it. She believed him.

So basically, she deserved to be sitting here feeling utterly stupid. She had no one to blame but herself. That didn't mean she had to like it.

She'd managed to con an SF into bringing her to this hole-in-the-wall bar, and she was doing her damnedest to get herself good and drunk. She was going to take this one night to wallow and feel sorry for herself. Tomorrow she'd pick herself up and move on just as she'd always done. She'd strengthen her defenses so that she couldn't make this same stupid mistake again, and life would go on.

That was the plan anyway. Leave it to a stubborn, aggravating archaeologist to ruin it.

He plopped onto the stool next to her. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he hissed.

Resolutely she kept her eyes focused straight ahead, refusing to look at him. "I believe it's called getting smashed, darling. Care to join me?"

Daniel rolled his eyes. "No. And I'm not going to let you do it either."

That did cause her to turn and fix him with an angry glare. "You are not my keeper, Daniel. And you do not get a say in my decisions. So just mind your own business and go back to the base. I'll be fine."

"Vala, part of my job is to keep you out of trouble. I think leaving you here to get drunk and then get home on your own definitely qualifies as trouble."

It was her turn to roll her eyes. "I'm not alone. Jeffrey is right over there." She gestured vaguely behind her.

"Ye-eah. Jeff's actually the one who called me. Said the way you were knocking back shots was making him nervous."

"Traitor," she grumbled under her breath. She gave her hair a toss. "Well, regardless, I'm an official member of SG-1 now. I'm not on probation anymore, so I don't need you catting my every step."

"It's dogging, Vala. And I'd still be held partially responsible if you cause problems here tonight."

"That's ridiculous. That wouldn't be the case if it were Teal'c sitting here, and I'm just as official as he is. And anyway, I'm not planning on causing trouble. As soon as I'm done getting drunk, I'll have Jeffrey drive me back."

Daniel sighed. "So I guess that begs the question-why are you trying to get drunk?"

Vala sniffed. "I don't see how that's any of your business, frankly."

"Because I'm your friend, Vala. C'mon, talk to me. What's going on?"

Vala stared at her shot glass. "I don't care to discuss it. Just leave me alone, Daniel."

"Nothing doing." Daniel crossed his arms defiantly. "I'm going to send the good Lt. Whitson home. Then I'm gonna sit right here."

"Oh, goody," Vala muttered.

If Daniel were honest with himself—and he rarely was where Vala was concerned—he half hoped that if she planned to get drunk anyway, she'd get drunk enough to tell him just what was going on with her.

But Vala resolutely ignored him. She did speak to him briefly when she ran out of money, hoping he'd buy her a few more drinks. But when he refused, she went back to pretending he didn't exist and proceeded to con nearly every single male in the room into buying her booze. Even the bartender wasn't immune, sliding her a couple of drinks on the house.

Daniel rested his head in his hands briefly. He had no idea how much Vala had imbibed before he arrived, but it had to have been a lot since it had worried Jeff. And he'd lost track of what she'd consumed since he'd gotten here. She wasn't causing any trouble yet—she actually grew more and more subdued as she drank, rather than rowdier—but he was starting to panic. When was she going to stop?

And what the hell was wrong with her in the first place?

That was what was really bothering him. He'd seen Vala lose her daughter. He'd seen her be conned by her father. He'd seen her recover from kidnapping and amnesia. He'd seen her captured and beaten and in situations where they'd been sure they would never make it out alive. But not one of those things had caused her to sit in a bar trying to get drunk. What on earth could possibly have happened to bring this on?

Vala, who'd been over at the karaoke machine, came back and plopped on the stool beside him. "All right, you can take me back now," she said abruptly.

Daniel looked at her for a moment. "Vala, please tell me what's going on here. Maybe I could help."

Vala rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure. Don't worry, Daniel, you're off the hook. I'll be out of your hair soon enough."

"Now what's that supposed to mean?" Daniel demanded.

Scowling, she stood up and headed toward the door. "Nothing. Let's go."

With a heavy sigh, Daniel followed her out of the bar. Vala didn't speak to him the entire drive. And once they arrived, she stalked back inside the mountain without a word.

Tomorrow, Daniel decided. Tomorrow he'd find out what was wrong with her.

Vala had no intention of letting Daniel see her the next day. Actually, she had no intention of seeing him again at all. She planned to leave the SGC and the planet Earth entirely behind her and never look back.

But the universe conspired against her and changed her plans, and she couldn't bring herself to feel the least bit sorry about it.

It started with Teal'c showing up at her quarters, requesting "the honor of her company" at breakfast. She thought one last meal with her teammate sounded like just the thing and agreeably followed him to the commissary. While there, Bill Lee approached. He wanted her insight on a gadget that SG-12 had brought back from P2X-942. Vala couldn't find it within herself to say no and found herself spending most of the day in the scientist's office. Bill even offered to buy her dinner.

It was sitting in the greasy spoon he took her to that Vala had a revelation. She had worked damn hard to be accepted by the SGC and more specifically SG-1. She liked what she was doing, she was good at it, and she contributed something of value. Why should she let Daniel take all that from her? She was giving him more power than he deserved.

No, she wouldn't slink off like she had something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. She'd stay. She'd continue to be an asset to SG-1. She'd find some other job to do on base when they weren't off-world, just as she'd done today—something that kept her away from Daniel. That would be just as effective for rebuilding her armor, she decided.

Vala entered General Landry's office first thing the next day. "I'd like new duties on base when SG-1 isn't off-world," she stated without preamble.

The general's eyebrows shot up. "Oh?" he inquired, accustomed to Vala's out-of-the-blue announcements.

"Yes," she affirmed. "I think I would be better suited somewhere else. Daniel doesn't really need my help anyway."

Landry rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Truth be told, she was right. Dr. Jackson had never really needed her help; the arrangement had been more of a way to keep the former pirate out of trouble. But she'd proven herself a long time ago, and she really could be more useful elsewhere.

"All right," he answered finally. "I think we can arrange something. I know Dr. Lee enjoys working with you, and he's reported that you're very helpful. A few others in various departments have also expressed interest in bringing you on board. We may have you float for a while until we find the best permanent fit."

"That sounds good," Vala said. "I like floating."

Landry eyed her suspiciously but continued, "For today, just work with Dr. Lee. I'll give you more detailed assignments sometime in the next few days."

Vala beamed. "Perfect! Thank you, General." She hesitated, then added meekly, "I assume you'll let Daniel know?"

At this, Landry rolled his eyes. "Yes, Ms. Mal Doran, I'll inform Dr. Jackson of the change." He grumbled under his breath, "Just what I needed today."

Vala ignored the last part. "Thank you, General. I'll get started right now." She dashed off before he could respond.

"Now I wonder what that was about," Landry muttered to himself. He decided he had enough on his plate without worrying about whatever bee was currently in Vala's bonnet. Her various schemes usually worked themselves out on their own anyway. When they didn't—well, that's what Dr. Jackson was for.

So Landry fired off a quick email letting Dr. Jackson know of the change and set to work tackling the rest of the crises sitting on his desk demanding attention. He'd barely made a dent when an irate archaeologist burst through his door.

"Sir, what's this about Vala being reassigned?" Daniel demanded.

Landry rolled his eyes. "It's just what it says, Dr. Jackson. Ms. Mal Doran has been assigned to other tasks when SG-1 is not off-world. She and I agreed to the change this morning."

"Whose idea was it? Yours or hers?" Daniel asked suspiciously.

"I fail to see where that's any of your concern," Landry answered coolly. He liked Dr. Jackson well enough, but he didn't like his orders being questioned.

Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. "It was hers, wasn't it? Dammit! I knew I should have pushed harder the other night!"

Landry's eyebrows rose. "Pardon me? What exactly are you talking about?"

Daniel sighed. "A couple of nights ago, Vala was all upset about something. She ended up in some bar, drinking the whole place under the table. An SF called me, and I sat with her, but I couldn't get her to tell me just what was going on with her. I figured I'd try again in a couple of days. But she's been avoiding me, and now she's asking to work somewhere else?" He shook his head. "Something's up with her, General. She's got me worried."

"Hasn't she always been capable of drinking an entire bar under the table?" the general pointed out.

"Well, yes, but this was different. She was deliberately trying to get drunk, and there was a reason for it. She admitted that much; I just never could get her to tell me what the reason was."

Landry looked thoughtful for a moment then shook his head. "Look, Dr. Jackson, I appreciate your concern. But the fact is, Vala is a grown woman. If she wants to drink when she's off-duty and keep her private business private, she's allowed to do so. As long as it doesn't affect her work, it's really none of our business. Her troubles usually sort themselves out anyway. I'm sure she'll be fine."

"Well, I'm not sure," Daniel huffed. "I think she's hurting, and alone, and she won't let me in. And now she's run off to some other job so that I won't have an opportunity to press her about it. Doesn't that tell you how serious it must be?"

"Not really," Landry said. "Frankly, it sounds a bit egotistical of you to assume Vala wanted a new assignment solely because of you. Perhaps she had reasons of her own, Dr. Jackson."

"Yeah, okay, maybe. But, General, I'm still worried about her."

"Fine. But you're worried on a personal level. That has nothing to do with me, or with her job, or with your job. Deal with it on your own time."

Daniel sighed. "Yes, General," he muttered, turning to leave.

Landry shook his head as the archaeologist walked away. Honestly, those two. He'd probably have less trouble with both of them if they just left the land of denial where they'd been living for years and did something about their feelings for each other. Every single person on the base could see it but them.

But Landry made a point not to interfere in the private lives of those under his command. As long as Dr. Jackson and Vala continued to perform their duties in a professional manner, he wouldn't intervene in their personal lives.

Even if it would probably be in their best interest to do so.

Vala managed to avoid Daniel successfully for four days. But Day 5 brought a meeting about SG-1's upcoming off-world mission, and there was no way to avoid him there.

Still, she made sure she didn't arrive in the briefing room until the last possible moment, plopping into a chair just before General Landry was ready to begin. Unfortunately, her oh-so-considerate team had left her normal spot next to Daniel vacant. Thanks, guys, she thought irritably as she dropped into the seat.

The mission was supposedly very low-risk, so the meeting was short. Vala darted from the room as soon as the general said, "Dismissed." Soon she'd be able to banter with Daniel just like always. Right now though, she needed just a bit more time—the walls he'd smashed through over the years weren't quite rebuilt yet.

She'd get there. She would. She had to believe that. Because right now, she felt like an idiot, scampering all over the base to avoid him. Ironic, since it was that hated feeling of foolishness which started this whole thing. It was all such a confusing, stupid mess.

No matter. She lifted her chin proudly and sent the SF she met in the hallway a dazzling smile. Nothing like a little harmless flirting to rebuild that armor. Someone obviously found her attractive, even if one oblivious archaeologist did not. She stopped to chat for a few minutes and discovered that the young lieutenant had a delightfully wicked sense of humor. Oh, yeah, she could work with that.

So naturally, that's still where she was, laughing so hard that tears streamed down her face, when Daniel found her. His expression was irritated; she guessed he didn't like her bolting from the meeting like that.

Vala could tell the exact moment he spotted the SF. Daniel's eyes narrowed, and his mouth tightened. He glared, no longer just irritated but full-on furious. She felt her own hackles rise. He didn't own her. He had no say about what she did, where she went, to whom she spoke.

"Having a good time?" he asked in a deceptively sweet tone. The lieutenant didn't know him and didn't catch the falseness. But Vala recognized that saccharine-laced voice. She stiffened further.

"Oh, absolutely, darling," she ground out, her own tone icy. "But don't let us keep you. Wouldn't want to make you blush."

"I think I've been around you long enough that nothing you do or say can shock me anymore," Daniel retorted.

"Hardly." Vala dropped her voice seductively and deliberately stepped into his personal space, determined that he would leave her alone. "Let's head to your quarters, and I'll prove just how very full of surprises I can be." Her mouth was mere centimeters from his, her breath hot on his lips.

Daniel rolled his eyes and stepped back. "You know, I wanted to check on you, see if you were okay. I can see now that you are, so I'll just leave you to it, huh? Have fun." He stomped off.

Vala snorted. He was so easy to deceive sometimes. Usually he saw far more than she would like—saw things she wished she had never felt. She couldn't lie to him effectively about those things.

But she could always divert his attention with a little outrageous sexual advance. He'd just get angry, and it clouded his reason. He never realized just how right his assessment that she hid behind it had been. She could still fool him with it—every single time.

It was ridiculous, really, how he knew her so well and yet not at all.

Daniel stormed into his office, slammed the door, and immediately slammed his fist down on the desk. He was such an idiot. A damned fool, that's what he was. Why did he let her get away with the same stupid tricks, over and over again?

He knew. He knew that she hid behind her sexual advances. He knew that the more outrageous her flirting and come-ons, the more she had to hide. She didn't use sex as a weapon so much as a shield.

And he'd let her get away with it—again. He swore viciously.

It was just that she always made him so damn angry, so carelessly offering everything he desperately wanted. But he wanted the real Vala, not the facade, so every time she threw those meaningless offers for casual sex up in his face, he saw red.

But that anger meant that she got away with it, time and again. He needed to figure out something else—some way to control his reactions so he could learn just what was going on with her. What was making her throw her sexuality in his face and get drunk in seedy bars and ask for reassignment so she didn't have to see him? What could possibly be that bad?

He wracked his brain, trying to think back over the last few weeks, trying to think if there had been any clues. Had she said anything that might provide a hint as to the problem? Had anything happened?

But he could think of nothing. Everything had been normal-normal banter, normal bicker, normal push and pull. Everything had been business as usual until the night he found her in the bar.

Daniel took a deep breath. They had a mission off-world tomorrow. Mitchell usually paired him with Vala. She couldn't work around Mitchell as easily as she could Landry. She'd be stuck with him.

He'd make her talk. He would.

He had to.

TBC