Chapter 6

The George Hammond

A few hours later, once Daniel felt he was sufficiently cooled off, he found himself back on the Hammond, staring at the door leading to Sam's office. Knocking once, he didn't bother to wait for a response before letting himself in.

"Sam, I need to talk to you."

"I figured you might." the blonde replied, rising from her desk and motioning for him to join her on the sofa.

"Why didn't you tell me, Sam?" he asked in a confused voice as he sat down heavily.

"I couldn't. I'd made a promise, one that I regretted immediately, but I couldn't go back on my word. You know Vala has a hard time trusting people and if I went behind her back, she'd hate me. I wasn't going to risk my friendship with her, not even for you."

"I understand. I'm not really angry at you, I guess. It just came as a shock to learn that I'm gonna be a father."

"I'll bet." Sam chuckled before sobering and turning a thoughtful expression on him. "How do you feel about that?"

"I can still hardly believe it." Daniel shook his head in awe. "I mean, I've always thought about having kids but after Sha're died, I figured that dream was over. I didn't even want to think about putting myself out there. Just the idea of being hurt that way again..."

"You couldn't risk having your heart broken again because this time you might not be able to put it back together." Sam concluded, placing a hand over his and sending him an understanding smile. "So what changed?"

"Vala." Daniel let out a dumbfounded laugh. "From the moment she crashed into my life, everything has been turned upside down. She made me feel again and I was terrified of that. I told myself that we were completely opposite and wrong for each other but she somehow sneaked past all of my defences. I love her, Sam, and I can't picture my life without her in it."

"I'm happy for you, Daniel. You both deserve some happiness for a change."

"Thanks, Sam." Daniel smiled ruefully at his surrogate sister. "But how do I get her to realise that she is the key to my happiness and that I can be hers?"

"You could just tell her."

"But will she believe me?" he asked with a shake of his head. "You said it yourself, Vala doesn't trust easily. I screwed up so badly, what if she thinks I'm only saying it because she's pregnant? I can't lose her, Sam."

"You have to make her believe you." Sam replied forcefully.

"How the hell am I supposed to do that when she won't even talk to me?"

"You know Vala better than anyone else, you'll figure it out. But you'd better do something fast. You can't let this chance slip by because you may not get another."

"You're right." he sighed, knowing she spoke from experience. "Any more advice?"

"Just this; no matter how she portrays herself, Vala is fragile when it comes to matters of the heart. She's been shattered as badly as the rest of us, perhaps even more than we know. She doesn't like to be seen as vulnerable but she needs you."

"I need her, too. I just have to convince her of that."

"It'll work out, I believe in you." Sam squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"I hope so." he responded with a sad smile before it blossomed into something more. "Hey, Sam?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm gonna be a dad."

Sam laughed and they hugged before Daniel left to find Vala. He was more determined than ever to make sure she remained in his life forever. She was his best chance at happiness and he was going to make certain she knew that.

()()()()

Atlantis

After leaving the infirmary, Vala had decided to take a stroll about Atlantis. There hadn't been much time for exploration the last time she was here and this might be her only chance. It really was beautiful and she understood more than ever why Daniel would choose this place over Earth...over her. Shaking the absurd thought from her mind, Vala stopped in front of a very familiar set of doors. Stepping out onto the balcony, she smiled at the coincidence. It was it serendipity? This was the same balcony she'd shared with Daniel after their little encounter with Morgan Le Fay. That seemed a lifetime ago and perhaps it was. The Ori had been defeated, Adria was...gone, they'd all moved onto different paths.

Vala had just been getting used to the idea of never seeing Daniel again when she discovered the little gift he'd left her. Then they were summoned to Atlantis, a coincidence she attributed to Samantha, and everything seemed turned upside down. Now Daniel knew about the baby and she didn't know what to do. She would love nothing more than to have him in her life but she didn't want him out of some foolish sense of duty. She wouldn't do that to either of them, nor would she put her child in the position of never knowing for certain that they were wanted and loved. Above all else, Vala had to protect tis precious life growing inside her, even if that included her father.

She was going to have to talk to Daniel eventually, she knew that. But that didn't mean she had to do it right this minute...or even for a few more days. Yes, she was avoiding the issue but she honestly wasn't ready to have that conversation. She wasn't prepared to have Daniel walk out of her life for good. The need to run was so strong that she'd actually turned to do just that when the balcony doors opened. Her eyes widened as Daniel stopped over the threshold, a cautious smile on his face.

"Vala."

"Daniel." she said, hating that her voice sounded breathless. In defence, she crossed her arms over her belly. Just because he was aware of her condition, that didn't mean she wanted him to see.

"I think it's time we talked, don't you?" He edged slowly closer, as though not to spook her.

Too late, she thought.

"It's not necessary, really." she told him, taking a few steps back only to hit the railing. So much for an escape. "You have no responsibility here so don't worry you pretty little head over it."

"No responsibility?" he asked incredulously, stopping his approach as his brows furrowed. "Of course I have a responsibility. You're carrying my child, Vala. But-"

"And who says it's yours?" She glared and forced herself to look him straight in the eye.

"Whose is it, then?" he challenged.

"Mine, that's all that matters. Look, I've studied a lot about your planet's culture and I don't see why you're making such a big deal out of this. All of the magazines and television shows-"

"We're not talking about magazines and television, Vala. This is real life, our life."

"Really, Daniel, you should be thrilled. Now you won't be saddled with me forever. I can go back to my life, you to yours, and we'll both life...happy ever after." Vala could see he was studying her, looking for any cracks in her defence, and she did her best to resist him. She couldn't allow her weakness to ruin his life. But Daniel had always been able to see beyond her façade and now was no exception. His eyes bore into hers, searching for the truth, and she eventually had to look away. She leant over the railing, staring off into dark, empty space and half-hoping he'd just leave her alone with her wounded heart. Of course he didn't. Rather, he took up a position beside her, mirroring their posture from all those years ago when they'd felt so defeated. What was that Tau'ri saying? The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. She'd never understood it until this moment.

"Is that really what you believe?" he began in a soft voice. "That I only want you in my life because you're pregnant?"

"Daniel, I'm not a fool. I know you only slept with me because you were drunk." Vala said, refusing to look at him. She really did not want to see the truth highlighted on his handsome face. "I knew going in that you didn't feel anything for me beyond friendship and some lust, but I was selfish. I couldn't walk away knowing I may never see you again without...without having experienced...never mind, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that we got it out of our systems and we can move on without regret."

"And what if I didn't?"

"Didn't what, Daniel?" she asked in a dejected tone. Why was he dragging this out?

"What if I didn't get you out of my system?" he asked, grabbing hold of her shoulders and turning her to face him. "What if I don't want to get you out of my system? What if I can't move on without you?"

"Daniel..." Vala's eyes grew wide as she took in what he was saying. Much as she fought the re-awakening of her mangled heart, she couldn't deny the truth she saw in his eyes. For the first time in her life, Vala Mal Doran was utterly speechless.

"Vala, I know I screwed up. I should have told you exactly how I felt before we slept together but I was afraid the words would scare you away. I tried to show you with actions instead." He cupped her face in his hands and smiled down at her. "It was stupid, I know, but I couldn't face the possibility of losing you. The irony that you left because of my cowardice is not lost on me."

"If you were so afraid of losing me, why didn't you ask me to come to Atlantis with you? Why were you leaving me?" she asked, removing his hands from her face but not relinquishing her hold on them.

"I took it for granted that we would just come here together. I know I should have asked, but I couldn't face the rejection. Then Sam offered you a job on the Hammond and I told myself it was your way of letting me know you didn't want to be with me."

"That's just stupid, Daniel Jackson." Vala replied heatedly.

"You think I don't know that? I realise I allowed my own insecurities to get the better of me and I'm sorry, but I want another chance. I don't want to let fear rule me anymore. I want you in my life and I want the baby, our baby. Please, Vala, tell me it's not too late. Tell me you want this, too."

"My Daniel." Vala placed a hand on his cheek and smiled as tears pricked the back of her eyes. "It's not too late and I do want this. It's all I've ever wanted. I am so sorry for not telling you about the baby, but I couldn't bear the idea of us being nothing more than some obligation to you. I've witnessed first-hand what a loveless marriage does to all of the people involved and I didn't want that for our child."

"It won't be loveless." Daniel assured her with a huge grin, kissing the palm of her hand and moving it to rest over his heart. "I love you, Vala Mal Doran. I have loved you for so long, I can't remember a time when I didn't. And I already love our child because it is an extension of our love."

"I love you, too, my Daniel." Vala slid her arms around his neck as his snaked around her waist. "Are you absolutely certain this is what you want? I don't want you to wake up one day and regret this decision."

"Never gonna happen. You're stuck with me, you both are."

'I think we can live with that." Vala grinned.

Daniel matched her smile then leant in to cover her mouth with his. It was a gentle touch, as though he were handing over complete control to her. That concession was the final element needed to break down the last of her walls and she pulled him closer, fusing their lips together. She poured all she had into the kiss and felt him do the same. If she'd held anymore doubts, this removed them entirely. They pulled apart after a few moments, both wearing goofy grins, neither able to speak. Vala dropped her arms from his shoulders to weave around his torso and snuggled into his warmth with a contented sigh. Daniel rested his chin on her head and they stood looking out at the vast space before them. No longer did it look bleak and empty. Now it was filled with possibility and hope.

Unbeknownst to the happy couple, their reunion had an audience.

"It's about time." Sheppard shook his head and looked at his companions.

Sam smiled while the two young doctors nodded in consensus.

"Do you think they'll make us the god-parents?" Cassie asked thoughtfully.

"They'd better, after all the trouble we went though to get them back together." Sam commented.

"Hell, I expect them to name the kid after us." John put in.

"I guess I'll be signing over my patient to you." Cass smirked at Jennifer.

"I'm not sure how I feel about that." the other doctor sighed.

"Vala's not so bad, especially when she had Daniel to pick on."

"She's right." Sam supplied. "Daniel keeps her grounded and Vala ensures that he actually gets out of his books once in a while to live life. They're perfect for each other."

"I just hope pieces of Atlantis don't start "mysteriously" disappearing." John grumbled.

The women only laughed and shook their heads, none able to defend the former thief with any degree of certainty.

"I'll tell you one thing, your lives are about to become a lot more interesting." Sam said and, once again, no one could argue.