Disclaimer: I don't own SGU or anything pertaining to SGU.

The room was eerily quiet after the cacophony of noise that only a moment before had been nearly deafening. Colonel Young stood at the podium and surveyed the crowd. So many people in attendance, yet he couldn't help but think of those who didn't make it to see this day.

"Well, I see I have everyone's attention," the Colonel intoned dryly. "Glad to know I haven't lost my touch." The crowd chuckled in response. "I know that we have a lot of celebrating to do tonight so I'll keep this brief, but there are a few things I need to say."

"First, I'd like to thank everyone for coming. I know that everyone is still settling back in and that it's tough to take time away right now. I especially want to thank all our friends and family. I know I speak for everyone when I say that it means the world to have you here with us this evening."

"A lot of people made a lot of sacrifices so that we could be here. I'd like to recognize everyone for their efforts but that would go on for days. It is my understanding that a more formal ceremony is being arranged to honor all the individuals who worked to bring us home. More information will be forwarded once it is known." Young paused to clear his throat.

The room was crowded. Everyone who had returned from the Destiny was in attendance as well as a number of friends and family members. They were also joined by a number of others who had worked with the crew of the Destiny from Earth. Everyone was in high spirits. It was, after all, a celebration. Everyone was eager to get their lives back on track but all had agreed to attend the party. They were somewhat sick of each other having spent the past several years with only each other for company but in those years they had grown accustomed to each other and most now considered the others an extended family. It was only natural that they would want to see each other one more time before parting ways, and that they would want to introduce each other to their friends and families on Earth. All save one listened to Colonel Young's speech with rapt attention.

Doctor Dale Volker sat alone at a small table toward the left rear of the room staring morosely at the drink in his hand. He was never much of a drinker and quite honestly had no idea what he was imbibing; he only knew that whatever it was tasted almost as awful as the stuff produced by Brody's still. He took that as a sign that it had a high enough alcohol content to help him achieve the level of inebriation he was seeking and continued to drink.

From the time he had arrived on the Destiny Dale, like everyone else on board save Rush, had dreamt of the day he would make it home. He'd spent countless hours daydreaming about what he would do first if and when he made it back to Earth. A real shower and a haircut. A change of clothes. A decent meal. A drive in a car, a crossword puzzle, a trip to the grocery store. He realized for the first time how much he had really taken for granted in his life and the small things mattered a lot more than he ever would have guessed. Of course as time went on one daydream started to stand out above all the rest. Dale took another drink. Whatever was in the glass it clearly wasn't doing its job if his mind was still going there.

He turned his attention back to the podium just in time to see Eli take Colonel Young's place.

"Hello everyone. As Colonel Young mentioned I've put together a video montage with the assistance of Captain Marshall. The clips have obviously been edited for security reasons. Also, uh, while most of the clips are pretty PG there is some stuff that some people might find objectionable so, uh, view at your own risk!"

Dale looked up as Colonel Young took a seat in the chair opposite him. "Is this seat taken?"

"Not really in the mood for company," he mumbled in response.

"Well, looks like you're in the wrong place at the wrong time then," Young replied as he looked at the crowd. "This is supposed to be a party. What the hell are you doing sitting in the corner alone drinking…" Young motioned at the glass, "whatever the hell that is? What is that, anyway?"

"I have no idea."

"Then how…?"

"Took it from some guy over there," Dale gestured toward the bar, shrugging.

Young leaned back in his seat and examined the scientist. He looked tired, pale, and thin, but so did most of the crew. He had thought the younger man would be overjoyed to finally make it home but Volker just looked…defeated. "What's going on, Dale?" he asked.

Up on the stage Eli wrapped up his speech, "Our hope is that the video will serve as a reminder to those who were there of where we started and how far we have truly come. And we also wanted to provide those of you who were here with a glimpse of what our lives were like while we were gone. Enjoy!"

On the screen the video began to play. Clips of life aboard the Destiny, little snippets of their day to day routines. Dale stared at the screen stony faced, refusing to look the Colonel in the eye. At least the video would be a good excuse to put off the conversation a while longer. A shot of the crew doing sit ups during PT. Camile, sketching. Ron and Matt eating. Each clip a memory, some bad, some good, and some that were at this moment downright painful.