Being Found - Chapter 9: On the Road to Oz
Title: Being Found
Author: Milena D.
Rating: T+ for now
Genre: Romance/Action/Adventure, etc. Daniel/Vala all the way ;)
SPOILERS: Up to Prometheus Unbound which is the 12th episode of Season 8, I believe. And although I’m not using any parts of Seasons 9 or 10 yet, I am taking the creative liberty of bringing the team together to include Daniel, Teal’c, Sam, Cameron, Dr. Lam and General Landry. Jack will be making an appearance too! ^_~
Summary: What if Daniel and Vala had been reunited soon after Prometheus Unbound, before any of Season 9?
Author’s Note #1: The votes are in and the final count was 13 for canon-esque AU and 8 for complete AU with any elements of the show. Thank you so much to everyone who voted!!!
Author’s Note #2: Thank you so much to all voters and reviewers!! Thanks to you, I am now at 100 reviews!!! I danced several different versions of a happy dance for many many hours! ^_^
Author’s Note #3 (for gioia_gg): I did my research into Season 8 episodes! I actually sat down and watched every episode from Prometheus Unbound to the season finale and holy crap!! Those were some freaking good episodes!! Unfortunately, I thought about it for a couple of days and I just can’t comfortably fit them into the timeline in this series. Sorry! I might think about creating a separate series for them, or you could!! I’d love to read them if you do! So for anyone interested, when this fic reaches canon-esqueness, it’ll be starting with the early episodes of Season 9 and then skipping to Season 10 after Beachhead!
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything pertaining to the show Stargate SG-1, just my plot.
Chapters 1 - 8
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Chapter 9: On the Road to Oz
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Cameron was using every bit of his military training to keep from fidgeting. He’d been personally invited to none other than Brigadier General Jack O’Neill’s cottage for the better part of the week. Well, Sam had actually invited him, which he found slightly odd, but she said General O’Neill had invited all of SG-1 and that definitely included him.
The General was driving the first shift of the fifteen hour trip from Colorado to Minnesota with Sam in the front passenger seat. Cameron himself was sitting in the back seats with Teal’c, watching X3: The Last Stand on the van’s fold-down screens. Daniel wasn’t watching, he was reading some book in the row of seats in front of him with an arm resting awkwardly on Vala waist.
Dr. Lam had insisted on having Vala use the healing device on her gunshot wound before they left. She hadn’t had the chance to fully heal it though before fatigue overwhelmed her and they had had to stop. Dr. Lam had seen Vala to the van and had entrusted the device into Daniel’s possession, knowing he wouldn’t let Vala overtax herself on their trip. Their new friend had tried valiantly to stay conscious but before they’d even gotten off the mountain she’d slipped from her position against Daniel’s shoulder to rest comfortably on his lap and there she drifted off to sleep. Daniel had sat there frozen for a few minutes, glancing around, not knowing what to do. Cameron had noticed the General looking back with the mirror and smirking and apparently the good doctor did too since he seemed to find a new resolve and confidently lowered his arm to rest on her. He then picked up his book and kept reading.
Cameron returned to the movie to see beads of the lake floating around Scott and fleetingly wondered how this trip ever came to be.
-- Yesterday --
“This is absolutely preposterous! I won’t allow it!” Richard Woolsey shouted across the table to General O’Neill who was getting a little more than irritated by the civilian.
They’d been in the briefing room for almost an hour now, arguing over a decision that was already made.
“Listen Woolsey, this is simple, you have no say in this. I don’t even know why you’re at this meeting, it’s between myself and Dr. Lam there.” Jack said, motioning to the quiet doctor on the man’s left.
“No say in this? She’s my prisoner!” Woolsey shot back infuriated. “Not only was she under arrest since her stay here began but she has escaped twice and wounded several personnel! And you want to take her out for a week of luxury in Minnesota? Absolutely not!”
Jack rolled his eyes at the reddening man.
“I’d hardly say it was luxurious, there’s only one bathroom for four rooms.” he retorted and continued before Woolsey imploded. “Bottom line Woolsey, she’s not your prisoner. The President, that’s your President too, has issued her a full pardon in exchange for her services in jazzing up the base. And I would very much appreciate it if you could get that through your head because your little pep-talks and security measures are what keep getting her freaked out and consequently hurt.”
Jack let him simmer with those words and fought back a grin when he noticed the little doctor glaring daggers at the man. Woolsey looked disturbed to say the least, and it was understandable, his every authority was being subverted, but that wasn’t Jack’s problem.
“So for the last time, let’s get this clear in all of our heads, shall we?” Jack continued, glancing around the table “Number 1: she is not your prisoner. Number 2: she is now in the employ of the United States Air Force, she’s our personnel and you will treat her as such. Number 3: we are going to Minnesota without escorts, without guards and without you.” Dr. Lam coughed and Jack finished with a beguiling smile “…as long as the kind-hearted doctor will clear her.”
Woolsey shook his head repeatedly and sank back into his chair in defeat.
“What about the security meetings? You’re supposed to oversee the modifications!” he cried out, desperate to gain some leverage. Jack’s eyebrows rose with incredulity.
“You’re going over papers, Woolsey, you don’t need me here to hold your hand. Type me up a nice little report and I’ll look it over when I get back. It’s a big manual, I’m sure you policy-types will have a blast and we’ll be back before you even know it.” Jack enthused and General Landry spoke up for the first time in ages.
“Besides, with Siler’s request for time to do more extensive testing on the base’s systems, the gate will be inoperative for at least another couple of weeks and I think my people deserve a break.” he told Woolsey pointedly and the man had the decency to look contrite.
“Of course, General. SG-1 and the General here deserve all the rest and relaxation that can be granted to them but the prisoner-” he started but was cut off by a stern Jack O’Neill.
“Woolsey.” he warned and the IOA representative backed down.
“Fine, obviously I can’t make you see reason. I’d just like to remind you what happened the last time we let an alien roam free on Earth. I believe he was involved in a murder investigation?” Woolsey asked knowingly and the others glared at him.
“Oh please, we’re taking her to a private cabin in the remote lake-lands of Minnesota, not dropping her off in Time Square. Everything will be fine, Woolsey.” Jack said with a roll of his eyes.
“For all our sakes, General, I hope so.” he replied before getting up and leaving the room.
Silence reigned for a few peaceful moments before Jack cut through it.
“Well that was ominous.” he said and earned a chuckle from Hank before his daughter turned to him with her piercing stare.
“I’m glad that was resolved but I’m not convinced Vala should be going anywhere right now.” she informed General O’Neill “Need I remind you both that she was shot just under a week ago? She was shot before she had the time to heal from her other wounds and though we’ve been making progress with the healing device, each session leaves her incredibly exhausted. She needs sleep.” she said sternly.
“And where better to get a good night’s rest than in the peaceful woods of Minnesota?” Jack endorsed “It’s a completely relaxing environment, she’ll have five people looking after her and it’s not like she’s in critical condition anymore right? She’s only got the heart monitor for you to check while she’s using the Goa’uld thing. Otherwise she’s fine, isn’t she?”
Carolyn tried to resist but she had to admit that it did sound like a good environment for Vala to relax and heal properly.
“And how are you planning on getting there? I don’t want her flying.” she warned him but he waved her off.
“Nah, her papers are still getting prepared, we’d have to drive up.” he said and her brows furrowed.
“It must take hours to get there!” she exclaimed and Jack winced.
“Only fifteen…”
At her unimpressed stare he continued. “She’ll sleep the whole way, we’ll have plenty of room in the van, it’ll be fine.”
She didn’t look convinced so he went in for the kill. He leaned across the table slightly and looked around for any listeners.
“And besides, I’m pretty sure having Woolsey and his buddies from the IOA so close is making her pretty nervous. Isn’t chronic stress bad for her recovery?” he asked innocently and she glared at him.
“Are you trying to manipulate me, General?” she accused him and he raised his hands to his chest in a classic ‘who me?’ gesture. Carolyn sighed.
“That aside, you’re right. I think this trip would be good for her convalescence. But she is to remain in bed, you understand? No camping, no hiking, no rowing, no canoeing, no fishing!” she informed him sternly and he flashed a grin at her.
“Not a problem, I can promise you she won’t be taxing herself on reeling in any fish.” he said as he jumped up from his chair and bounded away to tell everyone the good news.
-- Today --
Daniel took in a deep breath and released it, trying to clear his mind of everything work-related. They’d all agreed that relaxation was the purpose of this trip so they wouldn’t pressure themselves to get to the cabin as quickly as possible. Instead, they would split the trip into an eight hour stretch today, and a seven hour one tomorrow, spending the night in a motel along the way.
It was now two hours into Sam’s shift and she was pulling off the interstate for supper. The sun was low on the horizon and the neon lights of the diner acted like a beacon to their growling stomachs. They really needed to pack some snacks for tomorrow’s drive.
Daniel looked down at the woman still slumbering on his lap and wondered how to wake her. Had the others not been present, he might have run his thumb over her cheek to ease her softly into consciousness. But the guys were there, and Jack especially had been watching him like a hawk. His friend had yet to rib him much about Vala so Daniel could only assume that he was stocking up on material to unleash at a critical time later on.
He put his book on the floor and ran his hand over Vala’s arm.
“Vala, time to wake up.” he said softly. Her face crinkled but she didn’t seem particularly inclined to do as he had asked.
“Vala, come on, wake up.” he repeated, shaking her arm a bit. She moaned in protest of being bothered and snuggled deeper into his lap, shifting much closer to parts unmentionable.
“Okay, playtime’s over now. Vala, get up.” he said as he lifted her from his lap into a sitting position. He could have sworn he heard some snickering behind him but didn’t bother to look.
“What?” Vala mumbled sleepily, running a hand through her messy hair.
“It’s time to get up, you’ve been sleeping for six hours now.” Daniel told her as she yawned loudly and stretched “And besides, it’s time for supper.”
At this she perked up.
“You’re taking me to dinner?” she smiled joyfully and he frowned thoughtfully.
“No, well I mean, we’re going to dinner, all of us, not just…us.” he said some of her glow faded. “Although, I suppose, technically, since I’ll be paying for it…” he trailed off and she nodded enthusiastically.
“Oh, that definitely counts, Dannyboy. You two are halfway to Vegas already.” came the unwelcome voice of Jack from the front as Sam put the van into park and turned off the engine. Daniel glared at the back of Jack’s head, Vala obviously didn’t understand the reference but she smiled wide anyway.
“Well what are we waiting for? Where can I get changed?” she asked looking around for her bag. Sam had been sent out with a Air Force covered master card and had returned with bags of pants, shirts, sweatshirts and all other necessities Vala would need, at least for this week. Vala had chosen a pair of jeans and a white hoodie sweatshirt for the ride and Daniel had nearly tripped over his jaw when he’d seen her. There was something about these clothes that made her look so innocent…okay, maybe innocent wasn’t the right word but he didn’t see the space pirate who’d attacked him anymore, or the wounded victim they’d saved, he just saw Vala, the woman, and she was astounding.
“Vala, this isn’t a five-star restaurant.” he said, pointing out the window to show her the dining establishment they would be attending as the others filed out of the van “It’s just a local diner, you’re dressed fine.”
“Just fine, darling?” she asked suggestively, sidling back up to him. He blocked for a moment but luckily, Cam came to his rescue.
“I don’t mean to interrupt anything here, but we’re kinda stuck ‘till you guys get out.” he said motioning to the door and the fold-down seat he and Teal’c had to climb over.
“Oh don’t worry Cameron” she said moving back and out the sliding door “it’s nothing we can’t continue later.” She winked at Daniel who remained in his seat while the two other men got out and he pretended not to see it. “Besides, I’m positively famished! Come on, Daniel, let’s go!” she urged him, holding out her hand expectantly as the others walked up to the diner. He had the fleeting urge to rebuckle his seatbelt and close the door but he shuffled himself across the row of seats, locked the vehicle from the inside and stepped out of the van, sliding the heavy door closed.
He didn’t take her hand but he didn’t stop her when she bounced up to him, flashed him a grin and linked her arm with his. If his arm bent slightly to accommodate her intentions, there was no point in actively unbending it…besides, she was still wounded, she might need quick support if she fell or something…
Why are you creating a list of excuses?
His mind was mocking him…but as Daniel and Vala stepped into the bright lights of the diner, he knew why. Four pairs of curious eyes turned quickly at the sound of the door from their position at the waiting line. Simultaneously, those four pairs of eyes glanced at one another and turned back around with a smirk.
Damnit
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Dinner had gone smoothly. Vala had been so curious about the place, the people, and of course the food. She’d asked question after question until she’d been hit with the realization that Daniel had let her sleep for the first six hours of her first Tau’ri trip.
“Vala, Dr. Lam released you from her custody with our sworn reassurance that you would get all the sleep you needed.” Daniel had defended himself.
“Daniel, the entire point of this little trip was so that I could experience your world!” she exclaimed and corrected herself when Sam’s wide eyes darted around to see if anyone had heard. “…so that I could see your country. And so far I’ve seen the interior of the van and the back of my lids.” she said crossly, stabbing her potato.
“Look, you need rest, especially after that last session. Besides, you looked really comfortable, I didn’t want to disturb you.” he said gently and she found it hard to hold on to her anger when his clear blue eyes were staring at her with such care.
“Oh? Was it not your comfort, DanielJackson, which prevented you from waking her.” Teal’c intoned deeply with laughing eyes.
Cameron choked on his fries and Sam quickly lifted her glass to her lips to hide their upturned shape but Jack and Vala grinned openly at the rosy hue staining Daniel’s neck.
“I like the way you think, muscles.” Vala said, tapping Teal’c’s bicep. “Daniel, darling, you could have just told me you felt that way.” she said with fondness, placing her hands around his arm “We can be close without me being asleep, you know. Trust me, it’s even more fun that way.” she winked at him and Cameron lost all control over his laughter. Sam was still holding the glass to her lips but her shoulders were shaking and Jack looked stern as he pointed his beer bottle towards them.
“Now Spacemonkey, restrain yourself, we don’t want this to become another place we aren’t allowed to come back to. Besides, we’ll be at the motel in a couple of hours.” he said before breaking into a grin and taking a swig of the beer. Daniel glared at him and removed his arm from between Vala’s hands though the sulking effect was somewhat watered down by his now crimson complexion.
“You’re all hilarious.” he told them sarcastically and watched apprehensively as Vala leaned over the table to hold Jack’s attention.
“Spacemonkey? What does that mean?” Vala asked Jack inquisitively and Daniel took a very, very long swig from his own beer. This trip was such a bad idea.
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Jack had insisted on picking up the tab, something about the cushy desk job having its perks, he even pulled rank when Cameron went for it. They’d filed back into the van with Sam at the wheel and Vala had managed to stay awake for the two hour trip to the motel. There wasn’t much to see from the interstate but Daniel suspected the sight of the sky was enough for her for now. She hadn’t snuggled into him like he’d expected she’d try but she didn’t sit very far from him either. He didn’t know yet if that pleased him or not.
They finally arrived at the motel and despite a few very non-subtle comments from Vala and the rest of the team, Daniel had insisted on separate rooms. So they got three rooms, one for the girls, two for the boys, and had said their somewhat reluctant goodnights.
“So Samantha, what shall we do?” Vala asked, gleefully bouncing on her bed.
“Do?” the Col. asked from the bathroom where she was getting changed.
“Yes, do. I’m full of energy and I don’t know your world, what shall we do?” she asked again, getting up to explore the intricacies of this alien room.
“Actually Vala, I’m kind of tired. I was thinking I’d just go to bed.” came the apologetic voice of her new friend and Vala pouted though Sam couldn’t see it.
“I suppose you’re right. We are supposed to get up early tomorrow and all and you have been driving for quite some time.” Vala said reluctantly as Sam appeared in the doorway for the bathroom.
“Sorry Vala. Things will be much more fun once we get to the cabin, I promise.” Sam said as she crossed the room to open their bags. “Here, I got you these pajamas too, I hope they fit right.”
“I’m sure they will.” Vala said hesitantly before she slowly reached for them. She stared at them for a moment too long and Sam got the feeling she was missing something.
“Vala, are you okay?” she asked with concern.
“What?” Dark eyes stared at her in confusion before the light came back and she skipped away to the bathroom to change “Absolutely, I’m perfect.” she said with a grin before closing the door. Sam smiled back but couldn’t let go of the niggling feeling that she really wasn’t, she seemed so anxious.
Sam shook her head and walked to the other bed to fold back the sheets. She set the alarm for 0800 and then sat on the edge of her bed, waiting for the alien woman to return. Vala exited the bathroom with the same cheer she’d entered it and flopped down on her bed, keeping the weight off of her half-healed shoulder.
“Well, good night Sam.” she said, lifting her arm to turn off her lamp.
“Wait.” Sam’s soft voice stopped her and Vala looked at the blonde woman with questioning eyes.
“I just-you seem anxious about something?” she said intuitively and was sad to discover, with the guilty widening of Vala’s eyes, that her assumptions were spot on. “I’m not going to ask you to tell me what it is but I wanted you to know that if you need to talk about something, I’ll listen. You know, if you can’t or don’t want to tell Daniel or Dr. Lam, you can tell me.”
The sincerity and concern in Sam’s eyes made Vala’s stomach clench with emotions of friendship she hadn’t felt in a very long time and she didn’t dare speak until she was sure her voice would be steady.
“Thank you.” she finally said and her friend nodded with a smile and got into bed.
“Good night, Vala.” Sam said, turning off her lamp.
“Good night.” Vala echoed and turned off her own before turning on her left side and staring at the wall with amazement before darkness claimed her again.
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Sam’s eyes burst open with apprehension and she stayed still and quiet, listening for whatever had awoken her. She held her breath but she couldn’t hear anything, she turned her head to the side and the clock told her it was only 0105, she’d only been asleep a couple of hours. She stayed alert, knowing she wouldn’t wake up for no reason and slowly lifted herself up on her elbows to see over the night table and check on Vala. The woman was in her bed, sleeping soundly. Then, Vala twitched roughly. From the light from the streetlamps, Sam could see the outlines of Vala’s face. She looked petrified, she jerked again but didn’t make a sound. Her mouth was open but nothing was coming out.
Sam jumped out of bed and over the two that separated their beds to wake her friend.
“Vala!” she said grabbing her shoulders “Vala, wake up!” she shook her a bit but the woman remained in the throes of her nightmare.
Sam thought she should probably get Daniel but a fist to her face made that thought fly out of her head. She fell hard to the floor and held a hand to her face, hoping it wouldn’t bruise. She looked up to see Vala sitting ramrod straight in the bed, clutching the sheets for dear life. Her eyes were unfocused and she was staring at the wall as if it would attack her. Sam lifted herself off the floor gingerly and cautiously approached her.
“Vala?” she murmured softly and watched as the terrified woman blinked slowly.
What was going on? Vala had been on Plitis, the guard had been on top of her but she hadn’t been able to fight him off this time. There was no knife on his belt when she reached for it and he’d been tearing at her shirt. She couldn’t see him anymore but she could still feel the hard floor of the prison on her back. She still heard his harsh breathing in her ears and there was a weight on her lungs making it hard to breathe. She was so cold. The harsh pants of the man filtered out and she heard her name being called. She turned her head to find the sound and saw Sam peering at her from the side of the bed.
“Sam.” she whispered and then shook her head as she became fully aware of her surroundings. “What’s going on? Is it time to leave already?” she asked, looking out the window to see the darkness of night.
“No, Vala, you were having a pretty bad nightmare.” Sam said with concern as she sat down on the edge of Vala’s bed and reached sideways to turn on the lamp. Light filled the room and they both squinted against it. “Do you want to talk about it?”
A dark shadow crossed Vala’s dark eyes but she smiled wide and shook her head.
“I don’t even remember what it was about.” She was lying and they both knew it.
“Okay.” Sam said and backed up to sit on her bed. Vala looked longingly at the door for a moment before returning her gaze to the sheets.
“Do you-” Sam started before Vala cut her off.
“Sam, do you still have the keys to the van?” Vala asked, quickly getting out of her bed and finding her shoes.
“Um, yeah, I didn’t give them to Teal’c yet. Why? You want to go somewhere?” Sam asked, getting up to get the keys from her purse. Vala pulled on a bathrobe and reached for the keys in Sam’s hand.
“No, no, I just forgot something in the van, I’ll be right back.” she promised as she shot out the door.
Sam refrained from going to the window to make sure Vala wasn’t actually trying to escape, that wouldn’t do anyone any good. Instead she took a quick look in the mirror near the entrance, thankfully there was no mark on her face. Before she had time to even return to her bed, she heard the van door shut and Vala was back inside the room holding a sweatshirt.
“You were cold?” Sam asked and Vala nodded with a small smile before shucking her bathrobe and donning the large sweatshirt.
“You know I got you some, right?” she asked with a grin.
“Oh, did you? I hadn’t noticed.” Vala replied innocently and took off her shoes to return to bed.
“Yeah, and they’d actually fit you better. Not that Daniel will mind you borrowing his for the night.” Sam said knowingly and Vala’s eyes shifted to hers nervously. Sam gave her a reassuring smile.
“Good night, Vala.” Sam said when Vala slowly got back into bed, the large dark blue sweatshirt practically billowing around her.
“Good night.” Sam saw Vala turn off her lamp and heard her settle back into bed. Her lips quirked in the darkness and she let herself drift back into unconsciousness.
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Written and edited in two days, I hope you liked it! Please review! ^_^ And a HUGE thanks to Maikeru333 for betaing!! I'm so happy to have a beta again!! ^_^
Next - Chapter 10: Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion