The commissary was quiet. It was late at night, the fluorescent lights sapping color from the tired skin of the few stray personnel scattered amid the blue tables. Vala leaned back in her chair, legs draped over Teal'c's lap as she picked at a slice of bread. "Muscles," she sighed, "what are we doing?"

He glanced over at her, a smirk playing at his features. "I believe we are awaiting the return of Daniel Jackson and SG-3."

"Why?" she groaned, running her hands through her hair and tilting her head back to glare at the ceiling. She cursed inwardly at the inevitable lateness of Stargate Command's off-world teams.

"It was your suggestion."

"Oh, hush," Vala grumbled. She downed the last of her orange juice, pausing to smile tightly at an airman as he passed by. She and Teal'c were alone. She pursed her lips as a thought sprung to her mind. "It was him, wasn't it?"

Teal'c turned his head to face her, a questioning eyebrow raised.

"Daniel," she said quietly. She looked Teal'c in the eye, but there was a strange vulnerability in her expression. "The one I… you know, hooked up with in that alternate time thingy."

Teal'c said nothing, but allowed himself a small smile as he turned his face away. Neither spoke for several minutes; Teal'c perfectly still and Vala fidgeting with a strand of her hair. Finally Teal'c spoke. "Do you plan to act upon the feelings you possess for him?"

Her gaze remained locked on her hands, clasped on her thighs. "I don't know," she shook her head slightly.

Another silent moment passed before Teal'c removed her legs from his lap and stood up. But as he exited the room, he stopped and turned partway back. "If Daniel Jackson rejects your sentiments," he said with a small smile, "I encourage you to not give up."