Epilogue:

2161

San Francisco

Jonathan Archer looked around, still surprised by how familiar his surroundings were. Despite all he had seen, it was hard to believe that he had been here before, that this was actually happening just as he had seen.

The coliseum was packed, just as it had been seven years ago when Daniels had shown him this event. Representatives from each of the four planets signing the charter filled the seats, in addition to the officials on the dais. There was a special feeling in the air, as if everyone present knew exactly how historical this day was.

The signatories and their aides and companions knew more than anyone else. They had been through the sticky points in designing an agreement between four so very different worlds. The four of them, Admiral Forrest, Shran, Soval, and the Tellerite representative were all poised with pen in hand, ready to sign the charter of the United Federation of Planets.

All the speeches had been given earlier in the day, and Jon was eager to get off the dais and back to his life on his starship. For four years now he'd split his attentions between his true love, and his calling. There was no doubt that he was the one with the experience and contacts necessary to put the Federation into place, but he couldn't deny that he would enjoy the feeling of hull plating beneath his feet again once this was all over.

The actual signing of the document took only a few moments. There were a few brief moments of humor when the nib fell off the antique fountain pen and rolled to the edge of the first step, but once it was in place again, it was simply a few strokes of ink before it was done.

The Federation was a reality. Seven years ago, he'd told Daniels that history would just have to survive without him; now he understood why the other man had been so desperate for him to survive. Living with these people, working with them, it had shown him how much more they could accomplish as a unit than they could together. He'd put his life's blood into this project, and it was immensely satisfying to see it finally come to fruition.

When the pen was set down after the final signature and the audience burst into loud applause, Jon smiled and waved at the crowd with his colleagues. He glanced around, taking in some familiar faces, and then one jumped out at him that he hadn't expected to see.

Nudging his wife in the side as they walked off the platform, he whispered, "Daniels is here."

"That is not wholly unexpected," she told him, following his gaze upward to catch sight of the man who had so thoroughly changed their lives. "He was after all most interested in this moment. It only makes sense that he would have come to watch it again."

"Should we go say hello?" he asked, already weaving through the crowd, letting her follow him.

"It's good to see you again Captain," Daniels said when they reached him. "It's been a while."

"Seven years," Jon acknowledged. "I have to say, I didn't really think you'd manage to leave us alone… I was sure you'd be back to meddle again… Ow!" he muttered, shooting his wife a glare.

"I apologize for my husband Mr. Daniels," T'Pol said smoothly. "He may be a high ranking diplomat, but sometimes he does forget his manners. It is good to see you here," she told him.

"Well, you already know how glad I am that you're here," Daniels said, alluding to the many instances he had attempted to "fix" the timeline so this would still happen. "As for how long it's been since we've seen each other… after my last visit, I was banned from adjusting things in your time."

"Ah… so that's why," Jon said mildly, not wanting another elbow in his stomach. "Well, if you'll excuse us, there are people I need to talk to. For the record Daniels, I'm glad I was able to see you here today," he said, his voice meaningful.

"I'm glad as well Captain," Daniels agreed, shaking the hand he was offered.

From his seat high in the balcony, Daniels watched with pleasure as they mingled with their colleagues. This was one time in history he never got tired of coming back to, and it was especially satisfying this time, since he knew more than anyone how much had happened to get these people to this point.

In the years since the Xindi attack on Earth, the humans had grown more interested in interstellar politics, even beginning to initiate treaties and agreements. Their seeking out of new life had been for the benefit of other cultures, not just their own. They were ready for this step, just as they had been every other time he'd watched.

And the most vivid sign of that was this couple that had stood on the dais with Admiral Forrest and Ambassador Soval. Jonathan and T'Pol Archer had taken their rightful places of honor as the ones instrumental in bringing this about. The relationship they had forged in turmoil and fought for through the struggles had become the model for how a government should work between different peoples: Compromise, understanding, and good communication were the keys.

An interspecies marriage was not easy, and they'd had their share of difficulties, ranging from the prejudice of others, to simple lack of communication and cultural differences. No other couple was in the position to give advice to a burgeoning interstellar government as much as they were, and he was glad to see the other diplomats sitting up and taking notice, actually realizing that the experience Archer brought to the table was much more hands on than most of what they had.

Yes, despite his continued reputation as a screw-up, Daniels felt like he'd done at least one thing right. He had created in Archer the seed of a vision that would grow into something great. Fate had just happened to water it with a love that was even greater.

AN: And that's it! I'm sorry it took me so long to get the epilogue up, I thought I had it ready and then I couldn't find it… had to go digging around on my computer for it. Thanks for your patience, and for your loyal reading.