Disclaimer: I own nothing but my imagination.

Spoiler Warning: Very minor reference to S8 Ep12 Prometheus Unbound

Moving On

Daniel made his way through the mist, wondering just where he was and how he'd gotten there. His first thought was that he was dead again but he couldn't quite reconcile that with the feeling he got in this place. It was as if her were at peace without the finality he usually experienced. And by now he was a bit of an expert on such things. No, this was different. He felt as if he were searching for something...or someone. Someone who would give him the answers he sought and lift his burdens. Burdens he'd carried around for so long, they felt like a part of him now.

As soon as he had the thought, the mist parted and a figure stepped through. He stood in shock as he recognised the person standing in front of him.

"Sh-Sha're?" he finally found his voice after a moment of stupefaction. This couldn't be. She was...He was unable to finish that thought, even after all these years. He made to move toward her but felt something holding him in place.

"Yes, my Daniel, it is I." Her soft, melodic voice wrapped around him like a warm summer breeze.

"Where are we?" he asked.

"That is unimportant, Daniel. All that matters is that I need to speak to you, to aid you in your future path."

"Wh-What are you talking about?" Maybe he was dead after all.

"No, Daniel, you are not dead." Sha're laughed. "I brought you here."

"How? Why?"

Sha're ignored the first question and focussed on the second. "You have been mourning my loss for far too long and it is time for you to move on. It is time for you to be happy again."

"But how can I? I still love you." he practically pleaded with her.

"And I, you, Daniel. But I am gone and there is another for you."

"No. There is no one else. You were it."

She smiled again, sadly this time, and shook her head. "There is one you will love with a fierceness you were never able to give me." Before he could argue, she held up a hand, silencing him, and continued. "I know you love me, Daniel, but I was not your true love. Our life together was only a step in your life's path. All that you have experienced has been to lead you to this one. She will show you the way to true happiness."

In spite of himself, Daniel felt a small bit of hope bubble inside him. Could he really still have a chance at finding the happiness that had always been just out of reach?

"How will I know her?" he asked curiously.

"Oh, you will know her." Sha're smiled enigmatically. "You will fight her, you will deny her, you will push her away, but you will know her. She will be independent, intelligent, loyal, and caring. But she has also experienced such pain that even you cannot fully grasp the magnitude of it all. You will heal each other, even if you are not aware of it at the time. The road will not be easy, for either of you. You will face many challenges. She will take time and patience. But if you keep your heart open, she will eventually find her way to you, and you to her."

"I don't think I can do that." he told her honestly.

"You will." she assured. "When the time is right, you will."

She started to drift away, but Daniel had one final question for her. "When will I meet her?"

"Soon, my Daniel, very soon." With that, she disappeared and he felt himself being pulled back to consciousness. Daniel opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. Was it real or a dream? Had he really just spoken to Sha're? Whether it had been real or not, he felt lighter, freer. As if the burdens of the last few years had truly been lifted. With a rather jaunty step, Daniel got out of bed. The hope he'd felt in the dream became even more pronounced as he realised he aboard the Prometheus and bound for Atlantis. He felt a sense of expectation as he dressed and knew that he was ready for wherever his path would take him.

The End