Some Things Change, Some Things Remain the Same: Chapter 9
I know I shouldn't be so worried about not getting any comments, since I did say they were unnecessary. However, I kinda want to read comments now...so, well, you know, if you'd like to leave a comment, that'd be nice. *blushes*
TITLE: Some Things Change, Some Things Remain the Same (Chapter 9)
AUTHOR: aeryn_b
RATING: R (some mature suggestive themes, nothing explicit)
WARNING: none
CATEGORY: Alternate Universe, Romance, Adventure, Hurt/Comfort
PAIRINGS: Daniel/Vala
CHARACTERS: Daniel Jackson, Vala Mal Doran
SPOILERS/TIMELINE: "Beachhead" through Season 9 to "Flesh and Blood"
SUMMARY/PREMISE: What happens if both Vala AND Daniel are transported to the Ori galaxy at the end of "Beachhead"? How will they survive and how will they get back?
Chapter 1 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/7859.html
Chapter 2 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/8109.html
Chapter 3 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/8411.html
Chapter 4 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/8464.html
Chapter 5 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/8747.html
Chapter 6 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/9042.html
Chapter 7 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/9319.html
Chapter 8 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/9507.html
Click here to read on FFN
Click here to read on alldanielfic.com
Chapter 9
After that one restless night sleeping at the kitchen table, Daniel went back to sleeping next to Vala in their room. It did make a certain kind of sense, since he had no wish to load her down with more chores. They quickly settled back into their daily routine after that, keeping the house clean and the farm tended.
Ber and Kira had been gone for two weeks now, still visiting with their son's family. They sent notes with messengers at least once a week to keep in touch with Daniel and Vala, and each time the younger couple wrote back assuring them that everything was fine.
One day just after lunch, Vala peeked into the barn while Daniel was working and informed him of her plans. "I'm going to take the eggs into the village, and I think I might stop in and visit Denya while I'm there."
As she turned to go, Daniel called after her, "Hey, wait up. I'll come with you."
"Don't worry, Daniel," she smiled. "I'll be fine. Besides, the animals won't feed themselves." She then waved goodbye to him and left, quick as the breeze.
A few hours later, Vala came home with quite a story to tell. "You know, we were right about Denya being a part of the resistance."
Daniel stared at her, shocked. "What happened?"
"We talked." Vala smiled, and Daniel could plainly tell that she'd figured something out and was bursting to tell him.
They prepared a simple meal and ate as Vala told Daniel about her conversation with Denya. "It took a long time to get her to admit it. She said she was afraid of Seevis and that he'd kill her if he found out."
"So, we're right about Denya, but wrong about Seevis. This still doesn't make any sense." Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. "I still don't understand the part about Ber telling Seevis we were from Ver Alta."
"Well, I couldn't figure it all out today," Vala defended herself. "But we're a lot closer to home now than before."
Daniel shook his head and leaned back in his chair, trying to relax. "Well, it was risky. But you're probably right."
"Oh!" Vala sat up suddenly. "I think the baby moved."
"What? Really?"
"I don't know," she looked down at her abdomen and smoothed her hands over her rounded belly. "It was the strangest feeling."
Daniel watched her, puzzled. "It seems about the right time from what I remember about pregnancy. You're in the middle of your fifth month, about 19 weeks, right?"
"I believe so. Oh, come here. Feel this."
"Um…Vala?" Daniel sat still as Vala reached for his hand to pull him around the table closer to her. "I just don't know… Whoa." She placed his hand on her stomach and pressed her own hand down on top of his so that he could better feel the baby kicking. It was an incredibly strange sensation. So many differing feelings were coursing through him that he couldn't immediately separate just one. Joy and awe at the touch of new life. Sadness and despair at knowing he could've had this experience with a woman he had cherished like no other. Confusion at the warmth he felt inside him while seeing Vala so apparently happy. And, perhaps most surprising, he felt attraction to the childlike delight he saw reflected in her eyes.
"So, you're excited about this now?" he asked, looking into her eyes.
In a show of embarrassment or modesty, Vala removed her hand from Daniel's and let him lift his hand from her abdomen. She shrugged her shoulders and looked away. "Well, being depressed about it wasn't changing things. And I suppose it might not be too terrible to have a little someone around to teach and…love." She sighed and looked down at her hands. "It's hard to explain." Wiping away a tear forming in her eye, she regained some composure. "Though I'd rather not raise a child here, if you catch my meaning."
"Right." Daniel stood up and took their dishes to the sink. They'd made some headway today. Well, she had. He hadn't really done much to get them home beyond studying Tulia's book for clues. Feeling more than a little dejected, he told her, "We should turn in. Prostration tomorrow."
Vala noticed his subtle shift in attitude. "You go on, I'll clean up a bit down here." She made a move to take the plates from him.
"I can take care of it," he said, not letting go of their dishes.
Meeting his eyes, Vala conceded. "We can do it together."
Daniel nodded. "Make some tea, then. Something to help you sleep."
"Okay."
"Hallowed are those who walk the path in unison," the prior prompted.
"Hallowed are the Ori," Daniel replied with the crowd as Vala drifted off and fell asleep against his shoulder. "Vala," he whispered, "Vala."
"Hmm?" She lifted her head, whispering, "Sorry. So tired."
Daniel took her hand and squeezed it for support. "Just another half an hour."
Vala nodded and straightened up more fully. Just another half an hour of the most mind-numbing, sleep-inducing rhetoric.
"Hallowed are the followers of the Ori."
The crowd replied to the pale, scarred prior, "Hallowed are the Ori." Yet before the villagers could disperse, the prior commanded their attention.
"Villagers of Ver Isca, I have an imperative announcement." Everyone stopped chatting and focused once again on the prior. "Evil dwells in the universe and it cannot be allowed to spread like weeds to choke the grain." Many of the villagers began murmuring to each other. Whispers floated on the air.
"Your strength and courage are required. The people reject the teachings of Origin and embrace evil." The prior's tone became harsh. "They are the enemy of the Ori. They would have us stray from the path!" The murmurs and whispers grew louder as the prior continued. "We must construct ships and send armies to combat this evil, these unbelievers that would threaten us and all life everywhere!"
At this the crowd cheered and shouted. "We will heed the will of the Ori."
"We will show the ignorant the path of Origin or they will die embracing evil!"
"Evil must not be allowed to fester anywhere!"
Vala and Daniel looked briefly at each other and backed slowly away from the crowd and into a darkened alley. They kept watch for a few minutes more then made their way back to the cottage.
They didn't dare speak on the way, but once they were back safely, Vala spoke up, "Well, if it wasn't urgent for us to get back before, it is now. Any bright ideas?"
Daniel paced around the cottage, thinking. "If they're building ships…"
"…then we didn't destroy the supergate," Vala finished.
"Or, they built a new one," Daniel amended. "Whatever the case, there's at least one operational." He continued to pace back and forth.
"Maybe…" Vala offered, ever so quietly.
Daniel raised an eyebrow up at her, meeting her spirited gaze. "Does the little space-pirate want to hijack a ship?"
The next morning, Vala answered the knock at the front door and was taken aback slightly at seeing the one-eyed prior on her doorstep. "Hallowed are the followers of the Ori."
Vala swallowed the lump in her throat. "Hallowed are the Ori."
Smiling rather malevolently, the prior inquired, "Your husband has been conscripted for duty and yet he did not join the others after prostration yesterday."
Praying that she'd learned her craft as a liar and con-artist well enough to fool the prior, she replied, "We are tending this farm for the couple who lives here. My husband cannot leave until their return."
"Are you not capable of tending the farm while your husband is doing the work of the Ori? Many of the women of the village are working together to take care of their homes while their husbands are away."
Vala was a breath away from responding when Daniel called from the barn, "Vala."
He walked up the path through the garden and passed by the prior to put a protective arm around Vala. "My wife is with child and I would not risk her health or that of the baby by leaving her alone with such work. I will do my duty to the Ori by protecting my family until Ber and Kira's return when they can care for my wife while I am away."
Vala acknowledged Daniel's claim by raising one hand and circling her belly.
"I see," the prior watched their exchange closely. "Very well. We shall expect you at the construction grounds upon their return."
Daniel nodded stiffly, "I will come. Hallowed are the Ori."
"Hallowed are the Ori," the prior repeated, then left in the opposite direction of the village, following the road to one of the neighboring villages.
From inside the house Daniel and Vala argued the merits of the small seed of a plan forming. In the end, Daniel decided he needed to see the ships for himself and that he would follow the men of the village the next day. Discreetly, he would see if he could discover anything about the Ori's crusaders.
Vala didn't want him to go off by himself; she all but insisted that he take the zat or the berretta with him, but Daniel would have none of it. He assured her that he'd be careful and just spy. Nothing adventurous, nothing heroic, he'd just gather information.
Daniel left shortly before dawn the next day. He crept slowly and quietly behind the men of Ver Isca marching to the shipyards some distance away, situated an equal distance from six other villages. He made his way up a hill and peered down at a sight that sent chills up and down his spine.
He hadn't expected to see much, since the men of Ver Isca had only been recruited a few days ago, but the shipyards were a buzz of activity. It wasn't a lie and it wasn't a threat. The Ori crusaders were building ships that would one day be sent to destroy the people of his galaxy. He saw huge motherships and smaller two-man fighters and literally thousands of men training in combat. Fear, as Daniel had never felt it before, churned in his stomach. This was an enemy too great to defeat. How could they possibly defend themselves let alone strike back with what little they had?
There was little point to staying on the hilltop. The risk of discovery was great, and besides, he'd need to be a lot closer to inspect the ships to see if any were space-worthy yet, if any were capable of getting them home. He crept away from the ledge of the cliff and made his way back to Vala. Somehow he'd have to convince her to let him go with the other men to the shipyards.
To say she didn't like the idea of him going off on his own was an understatement. Without Ber and Kira home, the two of them were able to voice their opinions however they wished, and usually that meant pacing around the house (Daniel), shouting (Daniel and Vala both), or throwing a pillow every once in a while (Vala when Daniel said he wouldn't take a weapon).
She did try to be calm one evening. She tried to explain that she simply had a bad feeling about them being separated. Daniel had tried to reassure her, also as calmly as possible. They really needed to find out more about the Ori crusade and the best way was to have the men lead him right to the ships.
Vala took a deep breath and tried once more to put forth her plan of sneaking back to the shipyards at night. They could gather as much information as they wanted without thousands of pairs of eyes on them. And more importantly, they could watch each other's backs.
Daniel was adamant though. There would likely be guards at night, and if they were caught, it would be much harder to convince those guards that they weren't doing anything suspicious. He refrained from repeating once again that he didn't want to see her get hurt. That statement always sent her off in a flurry of heavy Goa'uld curses.
Three days later the decision was essentially taken from them. The prior arrived at their cottage early one morning with Denya in tow.
"Prior," Vala acknowledged the scarred man. "Hallowed are the Ori."
"Hallowed are those who walk the Path," the prior replied. "The couple who lives here has not yet returned?"
Daniel approached from the stairwell and joined her at the door. "No, prior, they have not."
"I see. Very well, I have brought Denya to assist you, my child, so that your husband can accompany the other men to the shipyards."
Both Vala and Daniel looked quickly to Denya, who seemed to shake her head slightly. Clearly, it would be a bad idea to thwart the prior again. Daniel was the first to reply. "Thank you, prior, for providing help. We did not think to ask Denya as she has duties of her own in the village. But if she is willing to help Vala, how can I refuse?" Daniel bowed in thanks, then squeezed Vala's hand at his side. "The Ori have answered our prayers. You shall not be alone while I serve them."
Vala nodded and returned the pressure of his hand with her own. Then he was gone, following the prior toward a long line of other men from the village, all marching toward the shipyards.
Denya stayed until midafternoon. With most of the men gone, there was very little to do at the tavern, and Vala knew many of the village women ignored the pretty blonde for the most part. And ignored was a polite way of putting it.
Having Denya around was nice. They worked together around the house, but they also took nice long breaks and never felt guilty about it. The other village women would most definitely frown upon their 'idle hands.'
Daniel returned just as the sun was setting. He stumbled through the front door and practically collapsed in his chair at the kitchen table, laying his head down with a thump.
"Daniel? Are you hurt?" Vala came up to him with a cup of water and held a damp cloth to his forehead to wipe away the sweat.
"Just exhausted. I'll be fine." He drank the water then lay back down on the table.
Vala went to the stove and made him a dinner plate. "I've got water warming outside for your bath. Eat this in the meantime. I'll pour the water into the tub and get a few more buckets of hot water started."
"It's okay." He started to push himself up from the table. "I can manage the water for you."
Vala shoved him back in the chair with all her considerable might. "You sit there and eat that and stop worrying about me, or…or…or I may just forget to put the water over the fire and you'll have a cold bath instead." She waited with her eyebrow raised for him to protest, but he simply picked up the fork and took a bite. Finally satisfied, she nodded and left to get his bath ready.
By the time she'd emptied the hot water into the tub and retrieved more water to be heated, Daniel had finished his dinner and emerged from the house.
"How much longer 'til the rest of the water is ready?"
"Five more minutes maybe." Vala got up from the stool she was sitting on and walked toward the kitchen. "I'll clean up the kitchen, you just rest a little longer." She guided him back inside and gently pushed him back in his chair. Then she washed their plates and the other cookware.
"Did you eat already?" Daniel asked.
"About an hour ago. How did it go today?"
"I was put on ship construction, mostly fetching sheet metal and welding. But I didn't keep up with everyone else. I think maybe I'll be put inside tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get to learn more that way."
Vala nodded as she finished the dishes. Then she rubbed her back a little and walked back outside to the bathhouse. Daniel followed her.
"Please let me do this," he said as he reached for the bucket of hot water. "You need to rest too."
"I do this every night for us," Vala protested not giving up the bucket. "It's not a big deal."
"But it's not usually a full bath," Daniel argued back, relinquishing the bucket and grabbing the other two. "Most of the time we just heat one or two buckets for a quick wash."
Vala squinted at his back, utterly confused. Why did he insist on treating her like she couldn't take care of them? "You could use the bath, Daniel. You're sore and sweaty. This will feel good and you'll be able to rest comfortably tonight."
Daniel sighed his I'm-getting-frustrated-with-you sigh. "I'm not saying I don't want the bath, I'm saying I can take care of it so you can sit down and relax for a second or two.
"Oh." She finished pouring the hot water from her own bucket and set it next to the others near Daniel. "I suppose I am kind of beat right now."
"See," he took her by the shoulders and sat her down on the stool next to the tub, "just sit still for a minute." He peeled off his outer jacket then tested the water and winced a little. "It's still a little too hot." He looked over at the fires. "I'll let it cool while I douse those fires."
Vala sat still, an inner debate raging inside her head. Daniel hadn't asked her to leave yet, and whenever they washed up before, he always asked her to leave. No matter how exhausted he was, he never let her stay and help him.
She was still debating with herself about whether or not she should go inside when Daniel finished dousing the fires and was heading back to the tub. When he pulled off his shirt and sat down on a stool to take off his boots, she honestly had no idea what she was supposed to do.
"Do you want me to go inside?" she finally asked.
"Uh, actually…" Daniel started. "I think it might be better if you stayed." He looked up at her and must've noticed her smile because he instantly blushed. "It's just that I'm afraid I'll fall asleep in the tub." He stood up then and unfastened his pants, drawing them down and off, all the while leaving his underwear firmly in place.
As stripteases go it wasn't all that bad, Vala laughed to herself. Daniel eased himself into the bathtub and Vala took the opportunity to gather soap and washcloths for him.
"Well, even though I'm only here to keep you from getting all pruny, I think I'll indulge in a little fantasy of mine."
"Huh?" Daniel opened his eyes and looked at her through his steam-covered glasses.
Vala chuckled at the sight. "Oh relax. Not that kind of fantasy." She splashed a little water in his face. "Just sit up so I can wash your back."
"Oh," Daniel complied and sat up. "I knew that."
"Sure you did," Vala teased as she lathered up a washcloth and drew it across his shoulders and down his back. He bent his head as the warm water eased his muscles. She rubbed the soapy cloth along the back of his neck then, and once more up and down his back. She rinsed the cloth in the water and drew it once more over his neck, shoulders and back, rinsing all the soap from him.
Then, with only a little hesitation, she put her hands on his shoulders and massaged the muscles. He winced slightly, but didn't ask her to stop. She almost thought he was holding his breath at one point as she continued to kneed and rub the knots that had formed in his upper back. She pressed her thumbs on either side of his neck, rolling tired muscles in circles. She gripped his shoulders where they met his neck, finding the sore muscles with her fingers and massaging firmly. She found a knot in his upper back and pressed the knuckles of her right hand into it, eliciting a contented groan from Daniel. She spent a few minutes on that knot until she felt reasonably sure it had loosened up. Finally, she took the washcloth once more and poured warm water on Daniel's head, massaging it too and intending to wash his hair until she felt Daniel grab her wrist.
"Go inside now, please."
"But you asked me to stay. You said you were going to fall asleep." Vala was beginning to feel a little cheated, but this was way more than she ever could've asked for.
"I can finish on my own," Daniel replied, letting go of her wrist and gripping the sides of the tub with both hands. "And I promise not to fall asleep, just please, go inside now," he repeated.
Vala stood up and went inside the house. She knew she'd gone too far with the massage, but at least he'd let her help him. That's all she really could ask of him, that he treat her like an equal.
She went upstairs to get some of his nightclothes, but decided to stay in the kitchen just in case he did fall asleep out in the bathhouse. Not that it seemed very likely, considering his condition. Maybe one day he'd let her help him with that, too, just maybe.
A little while later he came in wrapped in a rough towel. She pointed out his clean clothes on the table then went upstairs, any thought of teasing him far from her mind. This wasn't a good day for teasing.
********
Chapter 10: http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/10219.html
TITLE: Some Things Change, Some Things Remain the Same (Chapter 9)
AUTHOR: aeryn_b
RATING: R (some mature suggestive themes, nothing explicit)
WARNING: none
CATEGORY: Alternate Universe, Romance, Adventure, Hurt/Comfort
PAIRINGS: Daniel/Vala
CHARACTERS: Daniel Jackson, Vala Mal Doran
SPOILERS/TIMELINE: "Beachhead" through Season 9 to "Flesh and Blood"
SUMMARY/PREMISE: What happens if both Vala AND Daniel are transported to the Ori galaxy at the end of "Beachhead"? How will they survive and how will they get back?
Chapter 1 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/7859.html
Chapter 2 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/8109.html
Chapter 3 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/8411.html
Chapter 4 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/8464.html
Chapter 5 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/8747.html
Chapter 6 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/9042.html
Chapter 7 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/9319.html
Chapter 8 http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/9507.html
Click here to read on FFN
Click here to read on alldanielfic.com
Chapter 9
After that one restless night sleeping at the kitchen table, Daniel went back to sleeping next to Vala in their room. It did make a certain kind of sense, since he had no wish to load her down with more chores. They quickly settled back into their daily routine after that, keeping the house clean and the farm tended.
Ber and Kira had been gone for two weeks now, still visiting with their son's family. They sent notes with messengers at least once a week to keep in touch with Daniel and Vala, and each time the younger couple wrote back assuring them that everything was fine.
One day just after lunch, Vala peeked into the barn while Daniel was working and informed him of her plans. "I'm going to take the eggs into the village, and I think I might stop in and visit Denya while I'm there."
As she turned to go, Daniel called after her, "Hey, wait up. I'll come with you."
"Don't worry, Daniel," she smiled. "I'll be fine. Besides, the animals won't feed themselves." She then waved goodbye to him and left, quick as the breeze.
A few hours later, Vala came home with quite a story to tell. "You know, we were right about Denya being a part of the resistance."
Daniel stared at her, shocked. "What happened?"
"We talked." Vala smiled, and Daniel could plainly tell that she'd figured something out and was bursting to tell him.
They prepared a simple meal and ate as Vala told Daniel about her conversation with Denya. "It took a long time to get her to admit it. She said she was afraid of Seevis and that he'd kill her if he found out."
"So, we're right about Denya, but wrong about Seevis. This still doesn't make any sense." Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. "I still don't understand the part about Ber telling Seevis we were from Ver Alta."
"Well, I couldn't figure it all out today," Vala defended herself. "But we're a lot closer to home now than before."
Daniel shook his head and leaned back in his chair, trying to relax. "Well, it was risky. But you're probably right."
"Oh!" Vala sat up suddenly. "I think the baby moved."
"What? Really?"
"I don't know," she looked down at her abdomen and smoothed her hands over her rounded belly. "It was the strangest feeling."
Daniel watched her, puzzled. "It seems about the right time from what I remember about pregnancy. You're in the middle of your fifth month, about 19 weeks, right?"
"I believe so. Oh, come here. Feel this."
"Um…Vala?" Daniel sat still as Vala reached for his hand to pull him around the table closer to her. "I just don't know… Whoa." She placed his hand on her stomach and pressed her own hand down on top of his so that he could better feel the baby kicking. It was an incredibly strange sensation. So many differing feelings were coursing through him that he couldn't immediately separate just one. Joy and awe at the touch of new life. Sadness and despair at knowing he could've had this experience with a woman he had cherished like no other. Confusion at the warmth he felt inside him while seeing Vala so apparently happy. And, perhaps most surprising, he felt attraction to the childlike delight he saw reflected in her eyes.
"So, you're excited about this now?" he asked, looking into her eyes.
In a show of embarrassment or modesty, Vala removed her hand from Daniel's and let him lift his hand from her abdomen. She shrugged her shoulders and looked away. "Well, being depressed about it wasn't changing things. And I suppose it might not be too terrible to have a little someone around to teach and…love." She sighed and looked down at her hands. "It's hard to explain." Wiping away a tear forming in her eye, she regained some composure. "Though I'd rather not raise a child here, if you catch my meaning."
"Right." Daniel stood up and took their dishes to the sink. They'd made some headway today. Well, she had. He hadn't really done much to get them home beyond studying Tulia's book for clues. Feeling more than a little dejected, he told her, "We should turn in. Prostration tomorrow."
Vala noticed his subtle shift in attitude. "You go on, I'll clean up a bit down here." She made a move to take the plates from him.
"I can take care of it," he said, not letting go of their dishes.
Meeting his eyes, Vala conceded. "We can do it together."
Daniel nodded. "Make some tea, then. Something to help you sleep."
"Okay."
"Hallowed are those who walk the path in unison," the prior prompted.
"Hallowed are the Ori," Daniel replied with the crowd as Vala drifted off and fell asleep against his shoulder. "Vala," he whispered, "Vala."
"Hmm?" She lifted her head, whispering, "Sorry. So tired."
Daniel took her hand and squeezed it for support. "Just another half an hour."
Vala nodded and straightened up more fully. Just another half an hour of the most mind-numbing, sleep-inducing rhetoric.
"Hallowed are the followers of the Ori."
The crowd replied to the pale, scarred prior, "Hallowed are the Ori." Yet before the villagers could disperse, the prior commanded their attention.
"Villagers of Ver Isca, I have an imperative announcement." Everyone stopped chatting and focused once again on the prior. "Evil dwells in the universe and it cannot be allowed to spread like weeds to choke the grain." Many of the villagers began murmuring to each other. Whispers floated on the air.
"Your strength and courage are required. The people reject the teachings of Origin and embrace evil." The prior's tone became harsh. "They are the enemy of the Ori. They would have us stray from the path!" The murmurs and whispers grew louder as the prior continued. "We must construct ships and send armies to combat this evil, these unbelievers that would threaten us and all life everywhere!"
At this the crowd cheered and shouted. "We will heed the will of the Ori."
"We will show the ignorant the path of Origin or they will die embracing evil!"
"Evil must not be allowed to fester anywhere!"
Vala and Daniel looked briefly at each other and backed slowly away from the crowd and into a darkened alley. They kept watch for a few minutes more then made their way back to the cottage.
They didn't dare speak on the way, but once they were back safely, Vala spoke up, "Well, if it wasn't urgent for us to get back before, it is now. Any bright ideas?"
Daniel paced around the cottage, thinking. "If they're building ships…"
"…then we didn't destroy the supergate," Vala finished.
"Or, they built a new one," Daniel amended. "Whatever the case, there's at least one operational." He continued to pace back and forth.
"Maybe…" Vala offered, ever so quietly.
Daniel raised an eyebrow up at her, meeting her spirited gaze. "Does the little space-pirate want to hijack a ship?"
The next morning, Vala answered the knock at the front door and was taken aback slightly at seeing the one-eyed prior on her doorstep. "Hallowed are the followers of the Ori."
Vala swallowed the lump in her throat. "Hallowed are the Ori."
Smiling rather malevolently, the prior inquired, "Your husband has been conscripted for duty and yet he did not join the others after prostration yesterday."
Praying that she'd learned her craft as a liar and con-artist well enough to fool the prior, she replied, "We are tending this farm for the couple who lives here. My husband cannot leave until their return."
"Are you not capable of tending the farm while your husband is doing the work of the Ori? Many of the women of the village are working together to take care of their homes while their husbands are away."
Vala was a breath away from responding when Daniel called from the barn, "Vala."
He walked up the path through the garden and passed by the prior to put a protective arm around Vala. "My wife is with child and I would not risk her health or that of the baby by leaving her alone with such work. I will do my duty to the Ori by protecting my family until Ber and Kira's return when they can care for my wife while I am away."
Vala acknowledged Daniel's claim by raising one hand and circling her belly.
"I see," the prior watched their exchange closely. "Very well. We shall expect you at the construction grounds upon their return."
Daniel nodded stiffly, "I will come. Hallowed are the Ori."
"Hallowed are the Ori," the prior repeated, then left in the opposite direction of the village, following the road to one of the neighboring villages.
From inside the house Daniel and Vala argued the merits of the small seed of a plan forming. In the end, Daniel decided he needed to see the ships for himself and that he would follow the men of the village the next day. Discreetly, he would see if he could discover anything about the Ori's crusaders.
Vala didn't want him to go off by himself; she all but insisted that he take the zat or the berretta with him, but Daniel would have none of it. He assured her that he'd be careful and just spy. Nothing adventurous, nothing heroic, he'd just gather information.
Daniel left shortly before dawn the next day. He crept slowly and quietly behind the men of Ver Isca marching to the shipyards some distance away, situated an equal distance from six other villages. He made his way up a hill and peered down at a sight that sent chills up and down his spine.
He hadn't expected to see much, since the men of Ver Isca had only been recruited a few days ago, but the shipyards were a buzz of activity. It wasn't a lie and it wasn't a threat. The Ori crusaders were building ships that would one day be sent to destroy the people of his galaxy. He saw huge motherships and smaller two-man fighters and literally thousands of men training in combat. Fear, as Daniel had never felt it before, churned in his stomach. This was an enemy too great to defeat. How could they possibly defend themselves let alone strike back with what little they had?
There was little point to staying on the hilltop. The risk of discovery was great, and besides, he'd need to be a lot closer to inspect the ships to see if any were space-worthy yet, if any were capable of getting them home. He crept away from the ledge of the cliff and made his way back to Vala. Somehow he'd have to convince her to let him go with the other men to the shipyards.
To say she didn't like the idea of him going off on his own was an understatement. Without Ber and Kira home, the two of them were able to voice their opinions however they wished, and usually that meant pacing around the house (Daniel), shouting (Daniel and Vala both), or throwing a pillow every once in a while (Vala when Daniel said he wouldn't take a weapon).
She did try to be calm one evening. She tried to explain that she simply had a bad feeling about them being separated. Daniel had tried to reassure her, also as calmly as possible. They really needed to find out more about the Ori crusade and the best way was to have the men lead him right to the ships.
Vala took a deep breath and tried once more to put forth her plan of sneaking back to the shipyards at night. They could gather as much information as they wanted without thousands of pairs of eyes on them. And more importantly, they could watch each other's backs.
Daniel was adamant though. There would likely be guards at night, and if they were caught, it would be much harder to convince those guards that they weren't doing anything suspicious. He refrained from repeating once again that he didn't want to see her get hurt. That statement always sent her off in a flurry of heavy Goa'uld curses.
Three days later the decision was essentially taken from them. The prior arrived at their cottage early one morning with Denya in tow.
"Prior," Vala acknowledged the scarred man. "Hallowed are the Ori."
"Hallowed are those who walk the Path," the prior replied. "The couple who lives here has not yet returned?"
Daniel approached from the stairwell and joined her at the door. "No, prior, they have not."
"I see. Very well, I have brought Denya to assist you, my child, so that your husband can accompany the other men to the shipyards."
Both Vala and Daniel looked quickly to Denya, who seemed to shake her head slightly. Clearly, it would be a bad idea to thwart the prior again. Daniel was the first to reply. "Thank you, prior, for providing help. We did not think to ask Denya as she has duties of her own in the village. But if she is willing to help Vala, how can I refuse?" Daniel bowed in thanks, then squeezed Vala's hand at his side. "The Ori have answered our prayers. You shall not be alone while I serve them."
Vala nodded and returned the pressure of his hand with her own. Then he was gone, following the prior toward a long line of other men from the village, all marching toward the shipyards.
Denya stayed until midafternoon. With most of the men gone, there was very little to do at the tavern, and Vala knew many of the village women ignored the pretty blonde for the most part. And ignored was a polite way of putting it.
Having Denya around was nice. They worked together around the house, but they also took nice long breaks and never felt guilty about it. The other village women would most definitely frown upon their 'idle hands.'
Daniel returned just as the sun was setting. He stumbled through the front door and practically collapsed in his chair at the kitchen table, laying his head down with a thump.
"Daniel? Are you hurt?" Vala came up to him with a cup of water and held a damp cloth to his forehead to wipe away the sweat.
"Just exhausted. I'll be fine." He drank the water then lay back down on the table.
Vala went to the stove and made him a dinner plate. "I've got water warming outside for your bath. Eat this in the meantime. I'll pour the water into the tub and get a few more buckets of hot water started."
"It's okay." He started to push himself up from the table. "I can manage the water for you."
Vala shoved him back in the chair with all her considerable might. "You sit there and eat that and stop worrying about me, or…or…or I may just forget to put the water over the fire and you'll have a cold bath instead." She waited with her eyebrow raised for him to protest, but he simply picked up the fork and took a bite. Finally satisfied, she nodded and left to get his bath ready.
By the time she'd emptied the hot water into the tub and retrieved more water to be heated, Daniel had finished his dinner and emerged from the house.
"How much longer 'til the rest of the water is ready?"
"Five more minutes maybe." Vala got up from the stool she was sitting on and walked toward the kitchen. "I'll clean up the kitchen, you just rest a little longer." She guided him back inside and gently pushed him back in his chair. Then she washed their plates and the other cookware.
"Did you eat already?" Daniel asked.
"About an hour ago. How did it go today?"
"I was put on ship construction, mostly fetching sheet metal and welding. But I didn't keep up with everyone else. I think maybe I'll be put inside tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get to learn more that way."
Vala nodded as she finished the dishes. Then she rubbed her back a little and walked back outside to the bathhouse. Daniel followed her.
"Please let me do this," he said as he reached for the bucket of hot water. "You need to rest too."
"I do this every night for us," Vala protested not giving up the bucket. "It's not a big deal."
"But it's not usually a full bath," Daniel argued back, relinquishing the bucket and grabbing the other two. "Most of the time we just heat one or two buckets for a quick wash."
Vala squinted at his back, utterly confused. Why did he insist on treating her like she couldn't take care of them? "You could use the bath, Daniel. You're sore and sweaty. This will feel good and you'll be able to rest comfortably tonight."
Daniel sighed his I'm-getting-frustrated-with-you sigh. "I'm not saying I don't want the bath, I'm saying I can take care of it so you can sit down and relax for a second or two.
"Oh." She finished pouring the hot water from her own bucket and set it next to the others near Daniel. "I suppose I am kind of beat right now."
"See," he took her by the shoulders and sat her down on the stool next to the tub, "just sit still for a minute." He peeled off his outer jacket then tested the water and winced a little. "It's still a little too hot." He looked over at the fires. "I'll let it cool while I douse those fires."
Vala sat still, an inner debate raging inside her head. Daniel hadn't asked her to leave yet, and whenever they washed up before, he always asked her to leave. No matter how exhausted he was, he never let her stay and help him.
She was still debating with herself about whether or not she should go inside when Daniel finished dousing the fires and was heading back to the tub. When he pulled off his shirt and sat down on a stool to take off his boots, she honestly had no idea what she was supposed to do.
"Do you want me to go inside?" she finally asked.
"Uh, actually…" Daniel started. "I think it might be better if you stayed." He looked up at her and must've noticed her smile because he instantly blushed. "It's just that I'm afraid I'll fall asleep in the tub." He stood up then and unfastened his pants, drawing them down and off, all the while leaving his underwear firmly in place.
As stripteases go it wasn't all that bad, Vala laughed to herself. Daniel eased himself into the bathtub and Vala took the opportunity to gather soap and washcloths for him.
"Well, even though I'm only here to keep you from getting all pruny, I think I'll indulge in a little fantasy of mine."
"Huh?" Daniel opened his eyes and looked at her through his steam-covered glasses.
Vala chuckled at the sight. "Oh relax. Not that kind of fantasy." She splashed a little water in his face. "Just sit up so I can wash your back."
"Oh," Daniel complied and sat up. "I knew that."
"Sure you did," Vala teased as she lathered up a washcloth and drew it across his shoulders and down his back. He bent his head as the warm water eased his muscles. She rubbed the soapy cloth along the back of his neck then, and once more up and down his back. She rinsed the cloth in the water and drew it once more over his neck, shoulders and back, rinsing all the soap from him.
Then, with only a little hesitation, she put her hands on his shoulders and massaged the muscles. He winced slightly, but didn't ask her to stop. She almost thought he was holding his breath at one point as she continued to kneed and rub the knots that had formed in his upper back. She pressed her thumbs on either side of his neck, rolling tired muscles in circles. She gripped his shoulders where they met his neck, finding the sore muscles with her fingers and massaging firmly. She found a knot in his upper back and pressed the knuckles of her right hand into it, eliciting a contented groan from Daniel. She spent a few minutes on that knot until she felt reasonably sure it had loosened up. Finally, she took the washcloth once more and poured warm water on Daniel's head, massaging it too and intending to wash his hair until she felt Daniel grab her wrist.
"Go inside now, please."
"But you asked me to stay. You said you were going to fall asleep." Vala was beginning to feel a little cheated, but this was way more than she ever could've asked for.
"I can finish on my own," Daniel replied, letting go of her wrist and gripping the sides of the tub with both hands. "And I promise not to fall asleep, just please, go inside now," he repeated.
Vala stood up and went inside the house. She knew she'd gone too far with the massage, but at least he'd let her help him. That's all she really could ask of him, that he treat her like an equal.
She went upstairs to get some of his nightclothes, but decided to stay in the kitchen just in case he did fall asleep out in the bathhouse. Not that it seemed very likely, considering his condition. Maybe one day he'd let her help him with that, too, just maybe.
A little while later he came in wrapped in a rough towel. She pointed out his clean clothes on the table then went upstairs, any thought of teasing him far from her mind. This wasn't a good day for teasing.
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Chapter 10: http://aeryn-b.livejournal.com/10219.html