Daniel matched the glare with a level look, but faltered at seeing the first sign of her control slipping., and before he knew it, took a step towards her. Maybe he didn't know her. He could get to know her. Despite how much trouble she was, when it came down to admitting anything to himself, he'd like to. He'd like to learn more about her. Even if she hadn't come from his universe, there was something fascinating about her personally that had Daniel want to keep digging.

But not like this. Underneath all her confidence and bluster earlier was a mass of self-loathing, and maybe she'd gotten in his way, put him in one of her scams, but he didn't think she deserved this. She wasn't as bad as she made herself sound. Vala had a choice too. It wasn't like she was forced to do any of those things. If she knew she was capable of lying and using people, and just as importantly, knew it wasn't the right thing to do, it was a first step. And if she was conscious of the tendency, even the possibility, she could choose whether to do it or not. She wasn't as hopeless a case as she thought she was. If she was this broken, then letting her wander alone, inhibitions down, was the worst thing anyone could let her do at the moment. If she wanted to yell at him the entire night, compare him to the future-him more, fine. He could sit there for it. But she was staying here the night where he could keep an eye on her.

Daniel licked his lips. Then he took another cautious step closer. "You didn't let me take the blame on the last shore leave. You had the chance to."