Definitely Not In
By: aeryn_b
CATEGORY: UST
SEASON/SPOILERS: Season 9 set post “Beachhead” and uses elements from “Crusade”
WARNINGS: None
AUTHOR’S WEBSITE:
http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/
PART 1
Trees. Crap. Pine
trees by the look of ’em, but trees nonetheless. Guess we’re not on the Prometheus. Maybe, maybe we’re on a planet in the same
system. Maybe.
Daniel crouched down to look at Vala who was lying
unconscious on the ring platform, a ring platform that looked remarkably
similar to the ring platform in Ver Eger. He glanced over his shoulder and saw
that they were on a hill above a village, a village that looked remarkably
similar to the
Vala would not wake up no matter how much Daniel prodded her. They would have to get out of sight quickly if they really were in an Ori village again. Daniel noticed the zat gun that Vala had brought on board the cargo ship, so he tucked it into the back of his pants and picked Vala up, juggling her a bit in his arms.
A few feet away from the platform he heard a noise from the hillside. It sounded as if someone was scrambling up the hill. Daniel hesitated a moment then decided to hide rather than try to explain the situation to whoever approached.
The man appeared soon after Daniel had hidden himself and Vala behind a few trees. The villager was of average height with shaggy brown hair and a pack slung over his shoulder. He also walked with a distinct limp. The man looked over at the ring platform and seemed surprised that it was empty. He then glanced out into the forest and, apparently seeing nothing out of the ordinary, left the way he came, limping down the path to the village.
Daniel let out a sigh of relief. Now what to do. He’d need to find water and shelter before nightfall. They had two weapons, the zat and his gun, and their radios if they ever became separated. Daniel had a lighter in his pocket, a swiss army knife, and two energy bars. He felt around in Vala’s pockets and found a 6 oz. water bottle and three energy bars. They’d be alright for food for about a day, maybe a day and a half. There wasn’t much searching he could do while carrying Vala, so he tried once more to rouse her, yet she would not awaken. Looking once more around the forest for anyone else, he picked Vala up and started walking in a direction away from the village.
After thirty or forty paces Daniel found a fallen tree trunk that offered a good hiding place for his charge. He set her down against the trunk, took off his jacket, and laid her head gently on top of it on the ground. The sun was still high in the sky, so there was little chance that he would get cold while he went searching for a stream or spring and shelter. He also decided to leave the zat close to her in case she woke up and needed to defend herself. Then Daniel picked a direction and started walking. He told himself he would only be gone five or ten minutes before coming back, and he concentrated on walking in a straight line away from Vala so he could find his way back.
“There must be some
sort of energy linkage between them. Like a chain,” Sam explained.
“Exactly, so we…”
But Mitchell interrupted her, “So we need a big ol’ set of bolt-cutters.”
“The cloaked cargo ship…” Teal’c figured it out before the rest of them, well everyone
except Vala.
“Vala,” Daniel called to her but she’d already left the bridge.
“So that’s what Gerak
meant,” but Daniel hadn’t heard him, he was rushing down the hall to catch up
with Vala. She had maybe a thirty-second head start on him. It was obvious to
Daniel that she was heading for the ring platform to board the cloaked cargo
ship that Gerak had left to monitor the situation.
When he made it to the ring room, Vala was entering commands into the computer
and the technician was lying unconscious on the floor.
“Vala, what are you doing?”
“What?” Vala looked up at Daniel, shocked to see him. “Just stand back, Daniel,
I’ll be back in a minute.” Then she pressed a final key and hopped into the
center of the rings, and Daniel followed a split second behind her. “Daniel!”
“How did you get that weapon?” Daniel questioned her as they materialized
aboard the cargo ship. “And why did you shoot the tech?”
“Shut up, Daniel!”
Vala knew that the pilot would be alerted
to their presence by the rings’ activation, if not by their shouting. She stood
off to the side in front of Daniel waiting for the
“Move him into the
rings and send him back to the Prometheus. Hopefully we’ll make it…”
“Jackson, you there?”
Mitchell called through the radio.
“Yeah, Vala and I are on board the cloaked cargo ship.”
“You’re going to replace the last link, aren’t you?” Sam said.
“That’s what I’m trying,” Vala replied.
“Vala, when that singularity forms, there will be a powerful shock wave. The
cargo ship won’t survive,” Sam tried to explain.
“I’m counting on it. We’ll ring back before it hits, and you can all thank me
immensely,” Vala kidded.
Daniel came up behind her chair. “Alright, I sent him to the Prometheus. Are we there yet?” Suddenly they were
jolted as if someone had just slammed on the brakes.
“Yes, we’re there.”
Flashes of electric
current sparked between the consoles and the bulkheads. They both stared out
into space and were shocked to see the planet actually shrinking before their
eyes. Knowing it would happen was one thing, but seeing it happen was entirely
too frightening. They scrambled to the back of the ship, Daniel beating them to
the control panel.
“Get onto the platform!” he shouted.
“No, together. You’re not making any sacrifices today.”
“Of course not, now let’s go.”
Daniel pushed her into the center of the rings as power surges sparked all over
the ship. The last thing he remembered was looking into Vala’s smoky blue eyes
as they were engulfed in a bright light.
He’d gone over those last minutes as he walked in one direction away from Vala and then trekked back. He checked on her to make sure she was still unconscious but alright, then set his watch to walk ten minutes in the opposite direction, replaying the events that had brought them here once more.
She’d brilliantly discovered a way to destroy the Ori supergate, if it really had been destroyed. He decided to remain optimistic about that, even though it meant they’d have to find some other way back to their own galaxy without the use of a supergate.
Escape wasn’t his main concern at the moment. Water and shelter were. But questions still plagued him. The most nagging was why had he arrived conscious when Vala hadn’t?
Having found nothing on his present course, Daniel turned completely around and started back toward Vala. When he came up close he saw that she was still sleeping soundly, so he gathered her, the zat gun and his jacket once more into his arms and headed off away from the village. He found another good hiding spot for Vala and started searching again, walking ten minutes in one direction, then backtracking and heading ten minutes in the other.
At the end of his second search, he came upon a spring near the mouth of a cave. He bent down to the pool beneath the spring and tasted the water. It was cool and clear.
Water. Check.
Taking a closer look at the cave he noticed that it was dry, and even if he didn’t see the adventure in exploring it, they could probably sleep here and stay safe. They probably wouldn’t draw much attention either if they lit a fire here in the cave instead of out in the forest.
Okay, shelter. Check.
Looking around for any landmarks and at least noting the faint path he’d taken to get here, he retraced his steps to Vala. Unfortunately, she was still out cold. Daniel sat next to her and rested. Taking out an energy bar he munched absently and thought about what their next course of action should be.
Having finished dinner he bent to pick up his charge and
trudge through the forest to their makeshift shelter. She hadn’t stirred at all
since they’d arrived on this planet and Daniel fought an uneasy panic building inside
him. Had something happened to her in the beam? Had one of the power surges hit
her? How could he even begin to help her if he didn’t know what was wrong?
Survival was one thing, but survival with an unconscious burden was another.
Not that he would abandon her. It was her quick thinking that had saved the
day. What would she have done if she’d been stuck here alone? Best not think
about that now. They were here together and they’d find a way out of this mess.
The light was slowly fading as he stepped into the mouth of the cavern. He set Vala down and placed the zat gun near her once more as he moved out to search for firewood and kindling.
* * * *
Vala awoke gasping for breath, clutching her throat as she remembered the nightmare of being burned alive in the Ori galaxy, her most recent terrifying memory in a life full of them. She sat up fully and took in her surroundings. A fire that was dwindling out lit up a small cavern and the beginnings of a forest outside. Alright, could be worse. She looked down at herself and noticed the clothes she was wearing were those of the people of Earth and the SGC, and then everything seemed to come flooding back in an instant. The prior, the planet, the nuclear bomb, the supergate forming…the cloaked cargo ship, Daniel…
“Daniel?” she asked of the cave, looking around for anything that resembled him. She noticed a Daniel-shaped bundle against the cave wall and crawled over to it. “Hey, wake up!” she said, shaking his arm.
“Wh-What?” he jerked his head up, brought out his gun with one hand, and
grabbed Vala’s wrist with the other.
“It’s just me, Daniel. You were asleep and I was worried. Where are we?” she
glanced around the cave.
“Finally, you’re awake!” Daniel replaced his sidearm, took his glasses off, and rubbed his eyes.
“What do you mean? How long have we been here?”
He replaced his glasses on his nose and answered, “About a day and a half, I think, and you’ve been unconscious the whole time.”
“What?!?” Vala sat back and stared blankly at the campfire burning itself out. Her inner survivalist emerged, “Step one: weapons, water and shelter, depending on weather and enemies.”
“The zat you…” Daniel inclined his head, “borrowed…and my 9-mil, there’s a spring around the side of the cave, and oh, the cave,” he gestured to their surroundings.
Vala gave him a sideways glance, “You’ve done this before?”
“Not really a babe in the woods over here,” he deadpanned.
“Alright. Step two: food.”
“Three power bars left, and I figure we could zat a squirrel or a rabbit or something and cook it over the fire, but I’d rather skip to step 3…”
“Determine what we have to trade or barter for what we need. If nothing can be traded away, prepare to steal what we need.”
“My step 3 is usually to find friendly help that will provide what we need, but it doesn’t matter, the end result is the same.”
“The thing is, what is our immediate need?”
“To blend in with the villagers, and by the way, it’s a village so similar to Ver Eger, I’d be surprised if it isn’t the same.”
“Damn,” Vala barely whispered as Daniel stretched his arms high above his head and yawned. “Hey, have you been awake this whole time?” she asked. “You look exhausted. And where’s your jacket?”
He pointed behind her. “Your pillow.”
She shook out the jacket and brought it over to Daniel. “I was unconscious, I didn’t need a pillow.”
“You would’ve gotten dirt in your hair or bugs or something, and then you would’ve complained about the dirt or the bugs.”
“I could’ve handled it, Daniel,” she shot back. He probably had been awake this whole time; he was certainly cranky.
“Well, I didn’t want to be bothered by your complaining, so just drop it, alright?”
“Fine!” she stood up dramatically then fought a slight wave of nausea at her sudden movement. Regaining her composure, she patted Daniel on the top of his head. “You just rest your pretty little head here and I’ll go out and find some more wood for this fire.”
“No!” he shouted, a bit too quickly. “It’s dark, you could get lost, and I’m about ready to fall asleep again.”
“Go ahead and sleep, Daniel,” she soothed, “everything will be all right.” She looked out into the forest, her eyes adjusting to the dim starlight. “I’ll only go out to the edge of the forest. This fire is going out and we’ll get cold…”
“No, it’s not worth it for you to get lost or hurt or something. Just, I don’t know, sit next to me or something to stay warm. Here, I might still have your silly scarf,” he rooted around in his pockets for the item and handed it back to her. “Besides, I think it’s only a few hours ’til dawn anyway.”
“Daniel,” she crouched in front of him, accepted her scarf, and looked him straight in the eyes, “as much as I’d love to sit here and cuddle with you, we need to build up this fire a little. I’ve got my radio, and you have yours too, it appears. I’ll take the zat and I’ll be gone 5 minutes, 10 tops.”
Daniel returned her stare and Vala tried to figure out why he was being so reluctant to let her leave. He broke the gaze and shook his head. “You’ve been asleep for 36 hours. I don’t know what happened to you in the beam, why you arrived unconscious and I didn’t. Look, there might be something wrong and I want you to stay close.”
“I feel fine, Daniel, you’re worrying too much. I realize something may have happened to me, but you’ve gotta relax. Here,” she set her watch alarm for five minutes, “set your watch, I’ll be back, okay?”
Vala stood up then and there was nothing Daniel could do short of pulling her forcibly back and curling his arms around her. That was peculiar. He’d been so short with her on the Prometheus, this behavior was some turn-around. Well, she knew from experience that survival situations played on one’s nerves. He was probably just feeling the effects of the strain and sleep-deprivation.
She only had the five minutes she’d promised him, so she walked a few steps out of the cave to find the firewood she’d wanted to get. She fought the dizziness swirling in her head for a moment then dug around in her pocket for an energy bar, thinking she was just hungry. But once she’d finished it, she realized that hadn’t been the only problem. She came upon the spring Daniel had mentioned and took a few sips of water, and while the coolness helped a little, the dizziness and faint nausea remained. What if Daniel was right and something had happened to her in the beam? She fought panic then and groped around for firewood. She’d stay strong because weaknesses like these were no help when you were trying to survive.
Once Vala had gathered a few pieces of firewood she headed back to the cave just as hers and Daniel’s watch alarms went off. She placed the wood on the fire and light and warmth slowly returned to the cave. Winking at Daniel, she assured him that he could sleep while she kept watch for the rest of the night. She sat on the ground, warming her hands over the fire and looking out into the forest.
* * * *
PART 2
“Hey, are you all right?”
Vala had just stopped and was sitting on a rock for the second time today. When Daniel had woken up a few hours after dawn they’d decided on a plan to venture close to the village to see if they met anyone helpful along the way. Vala had maintained that it might be easier to steal what they needed, but Daniel had urged her to reconsider his plan and follow his lead. They’d started walking in the general direction of the village, always careful of being discovered.
“I’m okay, just more tired than I’d like to admit.” She bent her head low and simply asked for a moment to catch her breath.
Daniel sat next to her and rubbed circles over her back. He was worried for her, mostly because he had no idea how to help, and this useless feeling kept building up in the pit of his stomach.
Taking a few deep breaths, Vala sat up straight. “Do you smell that? I think there’s a fire burning nearby.”
She stood up slowly and strode away from their chosen path, apparently following her nose toward a small cottage. As cottages go, it wasn’t much on the outside; two stories, a thatched roof, flower boxes in the windows and a garden in front and around the sunny side of the house. A well-worn path led in the direction of the village and a small, elderly woman in familiar peasant garb was exiting the house and proceeding to weed the garden.
Daniel and Vala hung back at the edge of the forest surrounding the property to quietly observe the scene. It wouldn’t do to frighten the woman who might be able to help them. Just as Daniel was deciding on how to approach the kind-looking woman, he heard a man’s voice calling from a barn-like building that Daniel hadn’t noticed, it being half-hidden behind the house and among the trees.
“Kira! It appears we have visitors!”
He was a man of medium build and height and about the same age as the woman. Apparently he’d noticed them right away and he waved to the woman to join him as the elderly couple walked toward Daniel and Vala.
“I am Ber and this is my wife, Kira, and,” he continued cautiously, “you two look to be lost.”
“Uh, yes. I’m Daniel and this is Vala, and we are somewhat lost.” Both Daniel and Vala smiled shyly, hoping to make good impressions with this couple.
“Where are you headed, Daniel? We can point you in the right direction if you like.”
“Ber, can you not see how tired and hungry they look,” the woman looked pointedly in her husband’s eyes before turning back to the younger couple. “The least we can do is offer you a meal.”
“We couldn’t impose on you,” Daniel stepped in, thinking if they seemed grateful for any help and looked pathetic enough, Kira might win Ber over for them. “Directions would be fine. We can find our way beyond that.”
“But, Daniel…” Vala began softly whining and he squeezed her hand to try silencing her.
Ber eyed Daniel more warily. First contact was so tricky and as much as they needed help, they couldn’t afford to offend these people and risk another barbeque. “Look, we didn’t mean to disturb you, we’ll try to find the village. I believe it’s nearby,” he nodded in the direction of the path he assumed would lead them to the village.
“No you don’t, young man. You two look as though you’ve been
traveling for hours with nothing to eat and I for
“My wife has a soft heart. I suppose you think you were lucky to come upon us, do you?” Ber’s eyes bore into Daniel’s and it didn’t take glasses to read the caution in the older man’s stance. “Your clothing is foreign to me and I am not one to trust as easily as Kira, but I believe we can spare one meal.”
“We truly do not wish to intrude. These are traveling clothes and we did become lost. The meal would be much appreciated, then we’ll be on our way.”
Ber nodded slowly and the two men followed the women into the house. They all sat around the kitchen table while Kira busied herself ladling stew into bowls. The house looked so similar to Harrid and Sallis’s house in Ver Eger that Daniel felt an even greater sense of déjà vu. Hopefully their stint in this galaxy wouldn’t end like the last one almost had.
“Oh, Kira, this is wonderful!” Vala exclaimed over the stew. “I don’t know how we can thank you.”
“Well, dear,” Kira patted Vala’s cheek, “you can explain to me how you came to be lost in the woods, wandering around in strange clothing without food or water. Why aren’t you at home with your family, dear?”
“It’s noth…” Daniel began but Vala interrupted him.
“Well, I’ll tell you. We’re traveling, you see, and since Daniel here did not want me to be mistaken for a woman, we dressed like this for protection. I’ve even had my hair covered with this scarf until recently. Anyway, we were robbed of all our possessions quite a ways from here, so we’ve been wandering until I smelled the delightful aroma of your fire.”
“Thank the Ori you were unhurt,” Ber said evenly.
“Yes,” Daniel replied softly meeting the other man’s eyes, “thank the Ori.”
“And your family, miss?” Ber prodded.
“We…” Daniel tried again but Vala was quicker.
“Daniel is my family,” she smiled genuinely, “we’re married, almost six months now.”
Daniel had to force the smile he gave to Vala because he was a breath away from throttling her.
“Seems a bit strange to be out traveling with a new bride?” Ber responded to their shared glance over Kira’s obvious cooing.
Daniel shrugged as nonchalantly as possible. “Work was scarce in our village and we decided to try our luck elsewhere. But Vala, dear,” he tried to feign sweetness, “we’ve taken up too much of their time. We should make our way to the village.”
“Nonsense, young man,” Kira spoke. “Nightfall approaches and I will not have you out there wandering another day when there is plenty of room here at this house. We’ll help you get you on your feet and see you settled.”
Ber simply watched the two strangers in his kitchen and his eyes dared the younger couple to give him a reason to throw them out of his house.
Again Vala spoke up, intent on smoothing things over. “Kira, I sincerely appreciate the meal, but I believe my husband is right. We can’t impose on you a minute longer, as much as I love your home and hospitality.” She stood up then, walked around the table to Ber, and extended her hand to his. “There is no way we can repay you now, but please take our heartfelt thanks.” She bent to kiss the older man on the forehead and then moved off to the door as Daniel followed, observing the silent exchange of glances between a true husband and wife.
Ber nodded almost imperceptibly. “Wait, child. You’ve worked your charm and earned yourself a night.” He smiled for a brief moment as Vala turned from the door. “And if you and your husband can help around the house and farm, you may earn a week or more. But let’s see if we can make you more comfortable for now.” Kira was clearly beaming at her husband. She rushed up to Vala and gushed over her as a child would over a new toy.
Daniel watched the scene and answered the man still seated at the table. “I’d be happy to help in any way I can, sir. Thank you, for everything.”
“Save your thanks,” Ber waved him off. “Let’s see if you’re at all handy with a tool.” Then Ber guided him out the door. “Follow me, son.”
* * * *
Thank the Ori Ber didn’t ask any more questions about him or Vala. Daniel was in such a terrible, conflicting mood now, he had no idea what he might say. Ber simply showed Daniel around the small farm. The animals were similar to those found on Earth and Daniel marveled again on the similarities of life among the stars. They had a cow for milk, chickens for eggs, and a few pigs. Ber explained that the fence around the sty needed repairing, so handing over a few tools, they set to work.
Married. He’d kill her. Something quick. Something painful. Well, not really. Why did he let her get to him like this? They were out here trying to survive, in another galaxy for crying out loud, and she was playing games. He concentrated on the task at hand, if for no other reason than to appear grateful to the man giving them shelter for the night. Shelter that should have included a nice soft bed.
Daniel was exhausted; but now, thanks to Vala, he’d have to sleep on the floor, because, since they were married—he was so going to kill her, Kira no doubt would put them up in a single spare room, with just one bed, that he absolutely was not going to share with Vala. Married. He’d kill her.
* * * *
Vala looked over her shoulder as Daniel and Ber left the house. Well, that went better than expected. Daniel was probably going to kill her for suggesting that they were married, but really it was the only logical choice. She’d just have to make him see that.
But Kira was leading her to a spare room and opening a trunk full of dresses, most of them blue and all of them functional.
“Here you are, dear, I’m sure you’ll be much more comfortable in one of these than that dirty old outfit.”
“Oh yes, Kira, these are lovely. They even look to be my size, although we may have to let down the hem a little.”
Kira beamed up at Vala, “We can take care of that in no time, child. Pick out a few you like and we’ll work on them together.”
“Oh, I couldn’t take all your clothes. Just one or two should get me by.”
“But these aren’t mine, dear.” Vala noticed a tear threaten to surface in the elder woman’s eye. “They were my daughter’s.”
“Kira?”
“It’s nothing. She passed, many years ago. I suppose,” she looked over at Vala and smiled, “I’ve missed having a daughter around the house.” She sniffed back her tears. “I’ll try not become too overprotective of you, dear. You have your own life to lead, I would just like to help if I can.”
Vala felt her heart break a small bit and reached out to hug Kira fiercely. “You be as overprotective as you wish, Kira. I miss my own mother terribly sometimes. I won’t presume to replace your daughter, but I’d appreciate whatever help you can give me…and Daniel,” she laughed through the unbidden tears forming in her own eyes. If Daniel had been there, he might have accused her of laying it on rather thick, but he never seemed to understand how closely her words came to the truth.
Kira hugged Vala tightly, cementing their bond. But there were chores to be done—weeding and laundry, cooking dinner and hemming dresses—so the two women separated with teary-eyed smiles, rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
* * * *
Once dinner was over and Daniel and Vala were shown to their room, Daniel quietly shut the door, and using all his willpower he refrained from shouting at Vala at the top of his lungs.
“Married?! Are you mad?”
“Of course not. And if you’d stop to think about it, it’s the most logical story.”
“Wha-I…” he began pacing around the small room. “Logical, are you kidding? Wait, what are you doing?”
“I’m taking this dress off, what does it look like I’m doing?”
Daniel turned around and sighed heavily.
“Oh, relax, there’s a shift underneath. I’m perfectly decent.”
“There’s nothing logical about us pretending to be married.”
“Well, what would you have suggested? Kira had asked about my family.”
“You could have said we were siblings or cousins or something,” he spoke to the wall.
“You can turn around now, Daniel,” Vala sighed. “And that wouldn’t have worked. You and I speak differently, Ber would have picked up on that lie in an instant.”
“Well, what’s wrong with ‘just friends’ then, or ‘just travelers.’”
“Are you serious? Do you realize where we are, Daniel? The followers of Origin have some pretty strict rules and I doubt they would look kindly on a couple of ‘travelers’ lost in the woods alone.” Vala made air quotes as she spoke and put extra emphasis on the word ‘alone.’ “This way, by masquerading as a newly married couple, we can spend time together without arousing suspicion and without the need for a constant chaperone. I’d be prepared to wager that Kira would have volunteered immediately for the role.”
Daniel slumped down on the bed, defeated. “This is a nightmare. This is an absolute nightmare.”
“Yes, well, I’ve survived worse, and I imagine you have too. We’ll get through this, you’ll just have to pretend to like me,” Vala flashed him a brilliant smile.
Daniel stood up and shook his head, then grabbed a few pillows and an extra blanket from the bed.
“What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?”
“It looks like you’re making up a bed in the corner of the room.”
“How observant of you.”
“Daniel, I don’t think that’s wise.”
“Oh no no no, now this is where I draw the line. I am not sleeping in the same bed with you. Period.”
“And what if Ber or Kira come knocking on the door, walk in and see you on the floor, hmm?”
“They won’t.”
And as if on cue, there was a knock on the door.
“What the…!” Daniel muttered as he kicked the pillows and linens behind the bed. He went to open the door and Kira stood in the hallway, peering inside.
“Hello, Daniel, Vala. I just wanted to make sure you two had everything you needed before I turned in for the night. I even brought an extra quilt, I think this room gets a bit drafty.”
“Oh, there’s no need, Kira,” Vala sidled up to Daniel and put an arm around his waist, “we like to sleep close when it’s cold.”
“Oh, you children,” Kira grinned. “Well, I’ll still leave this with you, just in case.”
“Thank you, Kira,” Daniel accepted the blanket, perhaps a bit too hastily.
“Good night, Kira!” Vala added cheerily.
“Good night, dears, sleep well.”
Daniel closed the door on her smiling face. He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is a nightmare.” He picked up the pillows and sheets and laid them out as before, then made himself comfortable on the floor, well as comfortable as he could while sleeping on a hard floor.
“Daniel.”
“Nuh uh! Go to sleep! I’ve had enough today.”
PART 3
She was kissing him. Vala was sitting there, straddling him, dragging him up by the shirt, and kissing him, and Daniel could think of no good reason not to kiss her back. Her breath was hot and he tasted the salty hint of sweat on her upper lip. He moved his hands from where they rested on her thighs up to her waist and felt her shiver beneath his fingers. In half a second he’d push her away and call her a fruitcake and she’d knock him out with a head-butt, but in this moment he relished the feel of her.
Yet he wasn’t pushing her away. He was deepening the kiss, trying to taste all of her at once. Suddenly, Daniel was aware that he wasn’t in control of his body. He wasn’t recalling a memory, he was dreaming. He was dreaming the one nightmare that had plagued him for nearly a year. And if that wasn’t bad enough, he couldn’t wake up.
His body was tense and relaxed all at the same time. He could feel himself hardening beneath Vala as she wiggled in his lap. Trailing kisses down her neck, he wrapped his arms around her and eased the zat-absorbing, super-soldier undergarment from her shoulders.
Daniel forced his lips from her skin and looked up at Vala. The form-fitting, super-soldier suit was replaced with the leather bustier outfit complete with buckled collar. Yet his fingers went to work on the straps as if it was the most normal thing in the world. He exposed her neck once more and nibbled at a sensitive spot below her earlobe, eliciting a wonderful purr from her throat. Daniel hated that he enjoyed the dream, he hated admitting to himself that he enjoyed the dream.
He lifted his head once more from her perfect neck and felt soft cotton beneath his hands where there had once been leather. Vala knelt in front of him, a single tear streaming down her cheek and he recalled her appearance (or rather Sallis, whom he was always able to envision as Vala) when she’d been brought back to life after being burned alive. He kissed her hard then, and he honestly didn’t know if he was in control now or not. Daniel tried not to remember how scared he’d been for her, or how relieved he’d felt when softness replaced her crisp and charred form. He kissed her as if it was the only way to drive the fear away, as if his life depended on it.
When he broke the kiss for air, Vala was sitting in his lap, smiling seductively at him in a matching pink tank top and panties. She stroked his cheek and eyed his mouth. Fisting her hands in his collar she kissed him senseless, driving him wild. He was going insane with his body’s need of her. He entwined his hands with hers and whispered her name between kisses. Vala answered him, equally entranced, equally breathless.
“Daniel. Daniel!”
“What…”
“Are you all right? You called my name.”
Vala knelt less than a foot away, her hand covering his. He focused and sat up, instinctively clutching the quilt over his waist.
“I’m fine, just a dream…a nightmare, really,” Daniel added quickly. “I can’t remember all of it, but I think it was another Ori witch hunt.”
Vala shivered, “Ooh, yes, that is a nightmare. But you’re okay, now. We’re both all right, that won’t happen this time.”
He nodded, “Right.” Dipping his head, he tried to avoid her gaze, “You’re right, of course.”
She patted his hand and replied, “Of course I am.” Then she stood up and walked back to the bed.
“Vala…” Don’t say it. Just. Don’t. Say it. “It’s a good idea to pretend to be married.” Why was he admitting this? “It was quick thinking on your part and I should have realized that. I’m sorry.” Daniel glanced up at her, catching her surprised look. He tried to recall if he’d ever apologized to her and found that he couldn’t.
But she recovered quickly, “Don’t worry about it, Daniel. Oh, what’s the saying? ‘River under the bridge.’”
Daniel smirked in the dark and laid back down on the pillow. “It’s ‘water’—‘water under the bridge.’”
“Oh, well, whatever. Just forget about it and go back to sleep.”
“Yes, dear,” Daniel mumbled under his breath. Maybe it wouldn’t be a complete nightmare.
* * * *
He’d seen the rooster yesterday when he was working on the sty’s fence, so really, Daniel should’ve been prepared for its crow at dawn. Unfortunately he’d only just found a comfortable position in which to sleep about two hours before, so the animal would have to be shot. Immediately.
“Could we kill it and make it look like it died of natural causes?” Vala said groggily from the bed—the nice, soft bed with warm sheets and blankets. Although she did make a certain kind of sense.
“I doubt it.”
“We could zat it. It would look like the offensive animal just keeled over and died.”
“Vala,” Daniel sighed, “you have no right to complain, since you got to sleep in the bed.”
“Sorry,” she said flatly, probably not meaning it at all.
“Let’s just make the best of it.” Daniel stood up and stretched, then gathered up the pillows and blankets to arrange them once more on the bed. Vala whined a bit more about the sun in her eyes but finally got up and helped too.
Just before dinner the night before, Kira had offered Daniel some of her son’s old clothes. They were almost a perfect fit, if a bit short in the legs, but the pants could easily be tucked into his boots. At least they smelled and appeared clean, which was more than he could say for his own clothes after three days roughing it. He’d washed up after working on the fence with Ber and he’d honestly felt a lot better once he was clean and well-fed. It was just too bad that with every smile from Vala he remembered that he had to pretend to love her—to like her—well, at least to not hate her. And then the sleeping arrangements, and the dream.
Daniel sat on the edge of the bed and laced up his boots as he tried to prepare for whatever might happen today. Vala was getting dressed on the other side of the room near the dresser. He gathered up his SGC uniform and noticed his nine-mil hidden in the folds of his jacket.
Both Daniel and Vala had agreed to conceal all of the equipment that would have tipped off anyone as to the fact that they were aliens on this planet. They’d put the radios in their pockets and hidden their watches under the cuffs of their jackets. Daniel had tucked his gun in the back of his pants under his jacket and he guessed that Vala had put the zat in her pocket, since Kira probably would have felt it when her arm was around Vala’s waist.
Now he wondered where would be a good place to hide their weapons since it was fairly obvious they wouldn’t be necessary. While Vala continued to brush her hair and braid it, Daniel lifted the mattress and stifled a laugh when he saw Vala’s zat exactly where he’d thought to hide his gun. He tried very hard not to think of the common phrase that great minds think alike, but he failed miserably.
“We need to get a few things straight, Daniel,” Vala’s voice broke through his musings. “We probably should have thought of these things beforehand, but it doesn’t matter now.” She’d turned around and focused on Daniel. “What did we do in our other village? Were you a farmhand? You wear glasses, so were you a learned man, a village historian, perhaps? A schoolteacher, maybe? Did you spend hours upon hours reading the wisdom of the Ori? If so, you’d better be prepared with evidence of that knowledge.”
“I…um…” Did he and SG-1 ever have to come up with cover stories this elaborate? Now that he thought about it, no, they hadn’t had to because they usually weren’t trying to hide from the enemy out in plain sight. And in any case, there were usually enough villagers willing to resist the Goa’uld and help the distinguished members of the Tau’ri. This was definitely a unique situation for Daniel, and he was beginning to believe that it wasn’t so for Vala.
“I suppose if I’d arrived alone,” Vala continued, “I could’ve faked memory loss or something to get out of knowing much about my past, but we really couldn’t have gone that route this time. I mean, who would believe joint memory loss? Anyway, we’ve decided that we’re married,” Daniel conveniently overlooked the idea that they’d come up with this story together, “so we need to come up with a consistent backstory. I imagine you will spend most of your days with Ber, while I’m with Kira. We cannot be giving them mixed stories.”
“Agreed. I think I could pass as a schoolteacher, maybe an apprentice schoolteacher, who also found work as a farmhand. Maybe that’s why we had to leave to find work, because the previous schoolteacher came back or something.”
“Good start. Let’s say he was ill, and you had to take over for a few months.”
“And you?” Daniel stood up then, walking over to the dresser to wash his face from the bowl of cool water.
“I don’t want to pretend to have any more knowledge of Origin than the bare essentials, especially after what happened last time. No special tea prayers or ceremonies. I think we lived in my parents’ house until moving on. I helped my mother with daily chores, that sort of thing. I think I can hold my own with Kira. They had a daughter who died, I can’t tell how long ago, but I think Kira may see me as a kind of surrogate daughter. Anyway, that’s what I’ll play to.”
“This isn’t a game, Vala.” He looked over at her, inwardly bristling over the word ‘play.’
“Don’t you think I realize that, Daniel? You seem to need a lot of pointers in this area of survival, and I might as well teach you.”
Vala took a step closer to him, placed her hands on his shoulders, raised herself up on her tiptoes, and kissed him, not quite on the mouth, but not far enough away to be considered on the cheek.
“How do you feel, Daniel? Are you faint or dizzy? Do you feel like you might drop dead right where you’re standing?”
Daniel stood there perplexed by her actions and frowned at her sarcasm-laced words. Glaring at her, he shook his head in response to her ridiculous question.
“Good,” she said as she took a step back and smiled sweetly, ignoring his frustrated expression, which was quickly becoming habitual. “Then let me remind you once again that we are supposed to be happily married. And if I’m not mistaken, happily married couples often do that sort of thing, as well as hold hands once in a while, or at the very least smile at one another. Do you think you can manage those things? We’ve just confirmed that kissing will not kill you.”
“Vala…”
She cut him off, “Daniel, I’m talking about survival here. I do not want to be caught in a lie, I really do not.”
“I suppose I can manage the smiles and holding your hand,” he began reluctantly, yet continued more forcefully as he squinted at her, “but don’t expect more than that.”
Vala let out an exaggerated sigh, “I’ll take what I can get, then.”
A moment later there was a knock on the door and Vala moved first to open it. Ber stood in the threshhold inviting them down to breakfast and reminding them that they would leave for prostration in the village soon afterward. Daniel felt the weight of the older man’s gaze. Ber seemed to be continuously looking for some sign that he and Vala weren’t on the level. Daniel quickly thanked Ber for the reminder and asked if they had an extra copy of the Book of Origin, as he put a hand on the small of Vala’s back and led them from their room.
“Your copy was undoubtedly stolen with your other belongings,” Ber replied.
“Yes, indeed.” Daniel believed that Vala was letting him take the lead because she made no move to offer a story on this point. “We’ve felt somewhat lost without the wisdom of the Ori to guide us.”
“We may have an older copy of Tulia’s that you may use.”
“Tulia?” Vala asked. “Was that your daughter?”
“Yes. Kira told you, did she not?”
Vala nodded, “She only mentioned that she’d died years ago. I didn’t wish to upset Kira by asking further.”
“Kira’s grief is deep sometimes, but she seems to have found some happiness with you, child.” He stopped on the stair landing and Daniel noticed a smile creep onto Ber’s face only to be swept away the next instant. “I would warn you against hurting my wife, though.”
Vala looked directly into Ber’s eyes, she was all sincerity. “I would not wish to cause you or Kira any harm. You should believe that.”
Ber spent several moments regarding Vala, then looked at Daniel once more. “We shall have to see.”
“Will you three be joining me for breakfast, or not?”
Vala unlocked gazes with Ber and practically skipped down the stairs to the kitchen. “Why did you not wake me, Kira? I would have gladly helped.”
“Dear child, you are my guest.” The two women grasped hands and hugged. Then Kira continued with a smile, “And I usually do not make a habit of intruding on newlyweds in bed.”
Daniel really tried not to blush at Kira’s comment or at Vala’s knowing smile, but he still felt unbidden warmth in his cheeks. At least they were covered by three days of beard growth. Married. For survival. They ought to teach this sort of thing in survival class at the SGC.
* * * *
Vala felt anxious walking arm in arm with Kira on the path to the village. They all were going to prostration, a six-hour event she had not wished to endure ever again. The event had been so entwined with her twice-traumatic burning alive that she’d pushed the memory deep into her subconscious. She summoned those memories now, replaying in her mind the words she’d heard months ago.
She and Daniel had been able to fake their responses in Ver Eger by folding their hands over their lips and simply moving their mouths when everyone else did. But Vala suspected they would be stuck here for quite some time and concentrated all of her mental energy on remembering some of the key phrases from her last time in this galaxy.
“Here we are, dears,” said Kira. “Welcome to Ver Isca.”
Daniel had been right, this village was the spitting image of Ver Eger. Staggering slightly next to Kira, Vala swallowed the lump in her throat, then plastered a sweet smile on her face, ready to meet the challenge before her.
“We shall introduce you to some of the villagers after prostration,” Ber suggested. “It appears we have arrived too late to begin introductions now.”
Both Daniel and Vala nodded and let Ber and Kira lead them to the courtyard. They all knelt, Ber and Kira flanking Daniel and Vala. She settled between Kira and Daniel and felt some of her anxiety melt away, as if the two of them would shield her from the other villagers’ prying eyes. She was sure that Kira would forgive any mistaken mumbling on Vala’s part and Daniel’s presence always gave her a sense of peace, she just didn’t like to dwell or rely on it most of the time.
Vala kept her hands folded close to her mouth and focused on the words of the service. Most religions she’d encountered over the years employed ritual worship such as this. The trick was to learn the catch phrases and use them appropriately. Fortunately for Daniel he could read the book of Origin and follow along with some of the parables that were being told. Vala instead tried to memorize what was being said and to discover a pattern of prompts and responses between the magistrate and the people. About two and half hours in, she thought she had a few of the key phrases well in hand.
“Hallowed are the Ori,” Vala intoned with the rest of the crowd as they all stood up and departed from the courtyard with hand clasps, hugs and nods. Ber and Kira led Daniel and Vala around to meet a few villagers, introducing them and relating some of the tale as to why the two strangers were living with them. Both Ber and Kira glossed over the highway-robbery and simply stated that Daniel and Vala were newly married and came to Ver Isca looking to start a new life. Kira usually jumped in at this point and exclaimed that it was her idea to help get them on their feet, and so naturally, that’s why they were living in their cottage.
Of all the villagers she met, Vala was most grateful not to meet the village magistrate. Simply thinking the word ‘magistrate’ caused terrible memories to come flooding back to her. She shuddered involuntarily as she watched the man who’d led them in prostration mount a mule-like animal and trot out of town. Vala wondered where he was going.
Daniel however asked her question aloud as they all strolled
toward a tavern for the
“He attends to three villages in the area,” Ber replied. “He spends two or three days with each, then moves on.”
“Kira, it is good to see you looking well.”
Vala looked around for the source of the voice. It was a man, pushing himself off the wall of the tavern he’d been leaning against. He looked to be Ber’s height, yet broader in the shoulders. He was probably near Ber’s age too, but his distinguishing feature had to be his hairless head, and the obvious fake smile he gave to each one of them.
“Seevis,” Ber nodded coolly.
“Ber, it is good to see you at prostration. You have been absent the past two weeks.”
“Seevis,” Kira piped up, “you know very well that I’ve been ill for those two weeks. Ber would not leave my side.”
“He knows, Kira, as do the Ori, Seevis. They know my faith is unwavering. I have read from the Book of Origin and reflected on the wisdom of the Ori in my home.”
“Yes,” Seevis replied, “but the magistrate is better able to lead us on the Path to Enlightment, Ber, if we but open our hearts and follow him.”
Kira broke the tension, “Very true, Seevis. Thank you for the reminder. Let me introduce Daniel and Vala. They are newly married and wish to start a new life here together in Ver Isca. Naturally, as the Book of Origin instructs, Ber and I have opened our house and hearts to them, as they are in need.”
“How very respectable of you, Kira.” Seevis waved over a pretty blonde girl. “Daniel, Vala, this is Denya, she serves my customers here at the tavern. I imagine you are all here for a meal.”
“Yes, Seevis, thank you,” Kira took the younger woman’s hand and enfolded her in a warm hug. “How are you, child? Are you well?”
“Very well, Kira, thank the Ori,” Denya smiled, easily.
The four of them left Ber and Seevis talking at the tavern entrance. Vala wasn’t entirely certain, but she thought she’d overheard Ber tell Seevis they were from Ver Alta. But the din of the bar and the distance between her and Ber grew as she, Daniel and Kira were led to a table inside.
Kira chatted aimlessly about some of the family connections between the villagers; who was married to whom, who was whose son or daughter. Denya colored the connections with whispered gossip to which Kira would frown. Denya would then shrug her shoulders and say she’d heard it from someone else. Vala instinctively liked Denya, just as she instinctively liked Kira and even Ber. Their personalities matched their actions and mannerisms. She could easily read their emotions.
Seevis on the other hand, she labeled a mystery. He had bullied Ber earlier, seemingly unprovoked. She couldn’t help but wonder what sort of history lay between the two men. Her instincts told her she could trust Ber, and because of that and his reaction to Seevis, her instincts told her to be wary of the tough-looking barman. Vala took great pride in her instincts.
Their meal complete and the day much more than half over, the four made their way back to the cottage, Kira on Ber’s arm and Vala on Daniel’s. She resisted the urge to lay her head on his shoulder. She was tired, weary and exhausted. She told herself it was six hours of prostration and another hour of being paraded around the village. But she’d been tired for days now. She ignored it and repeated to herself that it was just the long prostration. Kneeling for so long would tire anyone out. And she refused to look weak in front of Daniel.
Because of prostration the workday was shortened, yet there were still daily chores. Daniel and Ber immediately headed off to the barn to continue repairs and Vala and Kira went into the house to start dinner preparations and sort out clothes that needed mending. Suffice it to say, both Vala and Daniel were exhausted when they left the dinner table that night. Daniel’s failure to protest when Vala undressed was further evidence that he was too tired even for exaggerated banter.
“You can sleep in the bed if you want, Daniel. I’m really much too tired to try anything.”
Even that small innuendo didn’t perk him up. “Maybe another time, Vala. Go to sleep.”
PART 4
The days slipped by uneventfully as they all established an easy routine with each other. There weren’t many chances for Daniel and Vala to be alone to talk but when they did neither of them asked the other if they had any ideas for getting home. In situations like these they both knew that if and when an opportunity presented itself, they’d spot it and take advantage. Until then, they behaved as normally as possible and tried to avoid unnecessary attention. They even had an end-of-the-day ritual.
“You know you can sleep in the bed, Daniel,” Vala would say while letting out the seams in one of her dresses or munching on an apple. “I won’t bite unless you ask.”
“I’m comfortable here, thank you,” he’d reply, not even looking up from Tulia’s copy of Origin.
On some nights Vala would ask him if he was learning anything useful. Daniel had explained that Tulia wrote a lot of notes in the margins, but that they didn’t seem to make much sense. She’d put away her sewing supplies, throw the dress to the other side of the bed, and ask him to read something. Daniel would then read a passage from Origin and follow up with some of Tulia’s notes. Vala would agree that the notes didn’t make much sense compared to the passage and then tuck herself in under the quilt.
“Well, goodnight, darling,” she would always say with too-sugary sweetness.
“Good night, dear,” he would answer, still concentrating on the book.
* * *
*
After three weeks Vala just couldn’t take the guilt anymore. That and Kira had caught her doing twice as much laundry as her.
“Daniel, you really need to start sleeping in this bed with me.”
“I’m comfortable here, thank you,” he replied just as he always did.
“No, you don’t understand. Kira’s starting to suspect something. Well, she was until I set her straight.”
Daniel looked up from his book, his worried expression quickly becoming angry. “What did you say to her?”
Vala suddenly became nervous. “You have to understand, she noticed me washing twice as many sheets as her.”
“Vala.” Daniel took a deep breath. “What. Did. You. Say?”
“I told her that we sometimes…were vigorous…in bed.”
“VALA!”
“Shh, don’t shout. Besides, it makes sense. If we’re getting the sheets all sweaty I have to change them more often and then wash twice as many on linens day. It also explains what Ber’s been noticing.”
“You’ve been talking to Ber about us?!”
“No, of course not! But Kira told me that Ber has noticed you rubbing your neck and shoulders and stretching your lower back frequently. He thinks it’s because you’re unaccustomed to the work.”
“Because that’s why!”
“Yes, but I imagine sleeping on the floor is contributing to the soreness. And my little fib explains that too. Our being…vigorous…would explain your need to stretch out your kinks.”
A vein was clearly throbbing on Daniel’s forehead above his eyes and Vala feared his ensuing outburst would bring the roof down upon them. He really looked like he was about to explode.
“Listen, Daniel, take emotion out of the picture for one second. I suppose I should have laid out my reasons more logically, but you really have to sleep here in this bed. If for no other reason than to keep you from being so cranky and…”
He slammed his book on the floor, “I’m not cranky.”
“…and because I feel guilty about getting us into this mess.”
After a long pause his glare softened as he tried to process what she’d said. “Go to sleep,” he said quietly.
“Daniel…”
“I’ll think about it. Now go to sleep,” he said and blew out the candle.
* * * *
He was leaning over her and kissing her. Sweetly, gently. Full of love and reigned in passion. Vala pulled Daniel close by the collar and kissed him back. She bit his lower lip and tugged at it to open his mouth to her. She thrust her tongue inside and dueled artfully with his.
Daniel skimmed his hands over her bare arms as he knelt over her on the bed. Small shivers ran under her skin wherever he touched her. If this was a dream she never wanted to wake up.
Releasing his mouth for a quick breath, Vala felt Daniel lace her jaw and neck with kisses. He found a spot just beneath her earlobe which when kissed caused her insides to melt and a purr to escape her throat. All of a sudden, she needed to touch his skin as if it was a necessary requirement for life. She quickly unbuttoned his blue Air Force issued shirt and wound her hands under his black T-shirt.
He was hot to the touch, perspiration beading up on his skin. He wanted her, she could tell for sure now.
She leaned away from him and smiled seductively, “So, not so repulsive?”
“You could never repulse me, Vala,” he whispered as he trailed kisses along the fringe of her pink tank top. “Vala, can you reach the lamp to turn it off?”
“Of course, darling,” she rolled over and reached…
“Ow, Vala, you hit me.”
“What…” she woke up startled. She was laying on her side and it was dark, as it should be because she’d wanted to turn the light off, yet her hand was being shoved from Daniel’s face. She focused intently on him, “What are you doing here?”
“You told me I had to sleep in the bed. I didn’t realize you punched the people you slept with or I would have reconsidered.”
Damn dream. She sighed, gathering her defenses and the quilt around her, “Well, I don’t generally. A slap every once in a while if the mood is right.”
“Vala…”
“But I’m not really in the mood tonight,” she rolled over and turned her back on Daniel.
“Just watch your elbows, okay? They’re pointy.”
After a moment she asked softly, “Daniel, why…?”
“Just…go to sleep.”
She took the cue. This wasn’t the time. “Yes, darling,” she smiled to herself. But easier said than done, now.
* * * *
There was possibly no louder sound than the owls or crickets outside their bedroom window. Perhaps his heartbeat or the sound of Vala’s breathing was louder, but just barely.
When had his universe tilted on its axis? When had he stopped being the rational one in a crisis and Vala become the voice of reason? Ultimately, that’s what had finally motivated him to get into bed with her. He couldn’t deny the logic behind her arguments. And it wasn’t as if he’d have to ward off her advances. It had been three weeks and she’d really kept her teasing and innuendos to a minimum. This could work. There wasn’t any reason why this couldn’t work.
The logic got him into the bed, but her small confession was what kept him from falling asleep.
“Are you awake?” Daniel whispered into the night.
“Does prostration last for six hours?” came the quiet reply.
Daniel rolled over on his side to face her. “Well, at least it’s only once a week.”
Vala rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. “At least…only…is that supposed to be a joke?”
“Not funny, huh?”
She rolled over to face him, “No, not really.”
“It’s not your fault, you know. Our being stuck here.”
“I know.” Vala ducked her head from Daniel’s gaze. “But I still feel guilty,” she rolled her eyes slightly, “every great once in a while.”
“I hate to admit it but your plan to destroy the Ori supergate was brilliant. None of us could think of anything else.”
Her sarcasm didn’t hold up. “Sam would’ve thought of something and we don’t really know if it was destroyed or not,” she said dismally.
“Hey, you okay. This really isn’t like you.” He fought the urge to brush his hand over her cheek.
“I don’t know. I’m just feeling rather stuck…and trapped…and helpless.” She shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t like feeling this way.”
“We’ll get out of this.” Daniel rolled over on his back. “It’s not as bad as it could be.”
“Maybe,” she mumbled, “maybe not.”
“Hmm?”
“Nothing.”
Daniel turned his head to face her, “It’s not your fault.” Vala met his gaze and held it. “And believe me, we’ll get out of this.”
She didn’t say anything for a while, just held his gaze as if searching for something, like hope maybe. Finally, she nodded, “Thank you, Daniel.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned his head to face the ceiling again and closed his eyes, welcoming a comfortable sleep. “Good night, Vala.”
“Good night, Daniel.”
* * * *
Some weeks later a prior came to Ver Isca to lead the
village in prostration. He was short and bald and a horrible scar covered his
right eye. As the worshippers got up to leave the courtyard, Vala got the sense
that the prior was looking for her among the crowd, that he was watching her.
She quickly took Daniel’s arm as if his proximity would protect her, and they
walked toward Seevis’s tavern where they usually ate their
“Ber, I think I’d like to go home now. I haven’t picked the herbs yet for supper tonight.”
“I’ll come help you, Kira,” Vala offered. “I don’t feel much like staying in the village today.”
“That’s quite alright, dear,” Kira replied. “You stay here and rest. You look so exhausted with those deep circles under your eyes. Young man, see if you can get your wife to eat something more than bread.” She patted Daniel’s arm as Ber reached for her other hand and led her on the path back to their cottage.
“That was…peculiar.” Vala watched them leave then glanced around for any sign of the prior. “Let’s go inside, Daniel. I’m hungry.”
Denya saw them arrive and brought over bowls of soup. Vala invited her to sit down with them and cautiously asked about the change in the day’s service.
“Apparently, the magistrate was told that another village in the area was in need of his services and the prior was sent to fill in the void here.” She hesitated before continuing, “He’s actually led us before.”
“Really. When was that?” Daniel asked.
“Well. Back when…while Tulia was alive.”
Vala choked slightly. “Can you tell us what happened?” she asked quietly. “It’s just that I don’t want to upset Ber and Kira.”
“Well, you probably ought to know, since you’re still living with them. Tulia was deemed an unbeliever and…the prior ordered her cleansing in the altar fires. That was ten years ago; she was only seventeen years old.”
Vala felt cold and faint. “Daniel, I…” but she couldn’t hold her nausea in. She rushed out the back door into the alley and heaved the contents of her stomach onto the ground.
“Vala, are you alright?” Both Denya and Daniel had followed her out. Denya was holding her hair to the side and rubbing circles over her back as Vala continued to vomit. “Stay here with her, Daniel, I’ll get some water.”
Once Denya had left, Daniel resumed rubbing Vala’s back and whispered to her, “It’s okay, you’re okay.”
“They killed her. I thought she’d been sick or died in an accident. She was just a girl, and they murdered her.”
“Shh now, Denya’s coming back.”
“Here you go, drink this slowly.”
Vala sipped the water then passed it back to Denya, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak. She just knew she would start accusing the villagers of murder. Fortunately, Daniel seemed to read her inner struggles.
“I should get her home, Denya. Please excuse us.”
“Of course. Ask Kira if she has any gingerroot. Just mix some in your tea, Vala, and it should help with the nausea,” Denya advised. She helped Vala to stand up straighter and looked her in the eyes. “I’m sorry for upsetting you.”
“It’s not that,” Vala replied carefully with half a smile. “I’ve been feeling poorly all day. It all crept up on me just now. I’ll be fine.”
The pretty blonde paused as if considering Vala’s words. She said finally, “Alright. Take care.”
Vala nodded as Daniel wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her out of the alley and up the path to the cottage.
* * * *
Vala’s reaction to Tulia’s death seemed severe, but apparently she hadn’t expected the tragedy of it. She’d thought it had been an accident or an illness. Walking with her up the path to the cottage, Daniel noticed that her hands were like ice. The only other time he’d felt her like that was when she’d been brought back to life at Ver Eger. He remembered it because he’d expected her to be warm, but in fact her hands and face were cold. At the time he’d reasoned that the experience was causing her system to recover from shock. Most likely the same things were happening now.
Once they were far enough from the village, Vala put sound to her thoughts. “I want to hit something.”
“I know.” She’d probably go after the prior with his nine-mil if she thought it would do any good.
“I want to go back. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“I know.” This place was suffocating them.
Vala wrestled her arm away from him and began pacing back and forth on the path. “If I hadn’t tried to be a hero, we wouldn’t be here. If I hadn’t…”
“Stop. Just stop.” Daniel led her over to a large flat rock and sat her down. Crouching in front of her, he met her gaze. He was acutely reminded of their mission to P8X-412 and how she’d expressed her guilt for the illness spreading among the villagers, how she’d equated her arrival with their plague. He had tried to make her see that it wasn’t her fault, that the villagers would still have been forced to choose between Origin and the illness, but apparently his words hadn’t sunk in.
“Repeat after me. ‘It’s not my fault.’”
“Daniel.”
“Say it.”
She turned her head away from him. “It’s not my fault.”
What would it take to get her to believe that? And why did it matter so much to him that she did? He took her chin and turned her back to face him. “Someday I’ll make you say it and mean it.”
Then she cried. She cried the tears she couldn’t cry in front of Denya or risk giving them away. She covered her face in her hands and Daniel knelt forward and held her close, not knowing what else to say or do.
Her behavior of late was changing. With Ber and Kira she remained happy and vivacious. But around him, when they were alone, she was so much more subdued, depressed even at times. Vala had expressed her guilt on more than one occasion now, and Daniel had no idea how to handle it except to try to convince her that their predicament wasn’t her fault. He’d become so accustomed to fending off her sarcastic teasing that he felt more than a little off-balance around this emotional side of Vala.
After a minute or two, she stopped crying and stood up. She brushed off her dress and made some flippant apology for getting his shirt wet. Daniel simply smiled at her and said he’d add it to the laundry pile tonight. Then he took her arm and tucked it in his as they continued back to the house.
“Did you notice that Seevis wasn’t in the bar just now?” Vala asked.
“Yeah, now that you mention it, I don’t recall seeing him after prostration.”
“I’ve got a bad feeling about him and this prior. I wonder…I wonder if Seevis is some sort of spy for him. Bullying the villagers, making them feel guilty about how they live their lives, reminding them of their need for prostration. It’s as if he’s trying to get in the prior’s good books.”
“It’s a thought, I guess. But don’t you think you’re being a bit paranoid. It’s probably just the stuff about Tulia making you suspicious.”
“No, I had a bad feeling about the prior before I knew about Tulia. And I’ve felt the same about Seevis since we met him. Something’s just not right.”
“I think it’s best just to relax. You’re still very pale and Kira will want to know what happened.”
Vala took a deep breath. “I hate this place.”
“I know. Put on a good show and I may even give you a kiss.” His eyes smiled at her and in that brief moment she could see how much he cared.
She teased him because she simply couldn’t resist, “On the mouth?”
“Don’t push it.”
** The End **
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