Disclaimer: Own Stargate? Nope, can't say that I do.

Better This Way

Standing at the edge of the clearing, Vala studied her teammates. They had no idea what was about to happen and she wasn't going to let on. It wasn't that she wanted to do this, she only knew it had to be this way. Everyone would be better off. These people trusted her. Her! She was a thief and a con artist but for some reason beyond her comprehension they believed in her. It wasn't something she was used to nor was she entirely comfortable with it. She'd always been the girl other people were wary of, the one no one ever completely understood. And she'd done well in the persona. But now she had people who trusted her with their lives and the burden was becoming too much. What if she messed up and someone ended up injured...or worse? It wouldn't be the first time she hadn't been able to protect the people she cared about. No, she wouldn't be able to live with herself if something dreadful happened. She'd never wanted this, any of it. She'd always been alone, flitting from one con to the next, never caring what people thought of her. It had never mattered before and now it mattered too much. She knew she would eventually let them down, she always did. At least this way it would be on her terms.

"Hey, Princess." Cam broke into her thoughts. "Teal'c and I are gonna run a perimeter check while Carter and Daniel check out those ruins." He pointed out a cluster of buildings atop a nearby hill. "You got the 'gate?"

"Sure, Cameron. I can handle the Stargate." she told him with a sad smile. He gave her an odd look but nodded and walked off with Teal'c. Vala watched as her team dispersed, waiting until they were all too far away to stop her, then stepped up to the DHD. With one final glance over her shoulder, she started dialling. She heard someone yell out her name but she didn't stop. She had to keep going, for their sakes as much as her own. When the last chevron locked and the wormhole engaged, she ran up the ramp and out of their lives without looking back. Yes, it would be better this way. She just had to find a way to make herself believe that.

The End