Jaal looked down at Ryder that was sleeping next to him, her soft hair against his neck and small hand in his. It never seized to amaze him that she had chosen him. Everyday he thanked the universe for bringing her to his side. To think that things could have gone so much different if she had not accepted him on her ship, or if he had not asked to join them.

Jaal had not been sure of what he expected to accomplish by joining the pathfinder's team. One thing was for sure and that was that these feelings that had emerged had been completely unplanned and unforeseen.
He had witnessed things that could almost only be described as miracles and learned more about himself, the Milky Way aliens and his own people.
Before he had joined Ryder's team had he felt lost, without a purpose and not sure of what he himself wanted.
There were expiations on him, but he never felt like he would be able to live up to them. Perhaps he had joined the human pathfinder to try to prove himself.
Being with Ryder and her team had opened many doors for him. More people listened to him, took his advices and sought out his help. He had finally become someone.
People were proud of him, what he had managed to do and over what he was doing. Sure, some did not agree with his view and shunned him for mixing with aliens.
But that did not stop him from feeling that he had finally found his place and purpose.
Without understanding when, how or why had he been drawn to Ryder. Together they had discovered so many things. Her curiosity was like a young child's, vast and seemingly never ending. She acted with both heart and mind and made sure to always hear both sides of the story before passing judgment. With time had he developed an undying trust for Ryder and she had show again and again that he had hers.
Yes, he felt like he finally had found a place where he belonged. That was why it had scared him when he had realized that his feelings for her were deeper than just friendship.
The fear had vanished and been replaced by pure joy. His heart that had been drumming half in panic and half in excitement had started to sing when she told him she felt the same for him.
To think that there always had been someone for him out there. To think that someone who had crossed dark space, travelled for 600 years and was completely alien made him feel so complete.
His previous heartbreak and sadness over it paled in comparison to the feeling of love and happiness he experienced from being with her.

His thoughts were interrupted by Ryder who shifted position in her sleep. Her lips were now pressed against his neck; her breath warmed and caressed his embraced her and breathed in the scent of her.

This was where he belonged and he was complete.