Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination.

Comfort

When Cameron entered the commissary looking for a late-night snack, he hadn't thought he'd find anyone else here. He certainly wasn't counting on finding Vala sitting all alone staring into a cold cup of coffee, looking utterly lost and depressed. It had to be Jackson again. No one else could upset his Princess this way. One of these days he was going to wring the good doctor's neck but for tonight he would simply comfort Vala.

He made his way to the table and sat next to her, not saying a word. After a few minutes, she lay her head on his shoulder and he placed an arm around her, placing a soft kiss to her hair. Neither spoke, neither had to. He didn't ask what Jackson did this time and she offered no explanations. She didn't cry. She was too strong for that, he knew. They sat like this for over an hour before she finally lifted her head and graced him with one of her beautiful smiles. Not a mega-watt one, but a much softer, more genuine curve of the lips. The kind he loved most.

"Thank you." she whispered and kissed his cheek.

"Any time, Princess." he told her as she walked away.

Five minutes later, Cam still sat in the commissary, staring at the doorway where he'd watched her disappear, his midnight snack completely forgotten. What he'd said was true, he would always be there for her. Not many people got to see the softer side of Vala and Cam felt privileged to be one of the few. He was happy that she trusted him with her secrets, her vulnerability.

Sighing, he stood. Maybe one day she would trust him with her heart, as well.

The End