So sorry for the delay... here is the conclusion!

His smile is wide and pleased. "Dakota!" He leaps up, only barely noticing that one of his legs isn't holding him as well as it usually does. He limps around his desk to greet me.

I stare. I can't help it. He's really here. Alive. Not an incorporeal being. Daniel is saying something about it being good to see me up and about but I'm not listening. He's here. With hair shorter than the doctor/vet who had been so deeply in love with Dr O'Neill. The same but different. This one is mine. My Daniel. Here.

"Dakota?" Daniel's forehead furrows attractively between his thick eyebrows as he realises I'm just standing there staring – not saying anything. "Are you okay? Maybe you better sit down."

In the back of my mind I find it somewhat amusing – and typical – that this man who can barely walk straight himself is now dragging a chair out from behind the desk for me. As he is straightening back up I find myself flinging my arms around him. I'm not sure if he's startled by this but only a flicker of a moment passes by before his arms wrap around me in return.

"Hello." He says into my hair.

"Hi." I respond. I could stay here forever. And I have a feeling he might even let me. Well, until the world needed saving next or something fascinating needed translating. However, I'm the one that pulls away. I avoid his eyes and busy myself moving his chair back behind his desk. I manoeuvre him into it before grabbing the stool behind his lab-style table and bringing it nearer to where he's sitting. Now we're both ensconced in a protected corner of his office. Choose my own field of battle and all that.

He's quiet, watching me. Waiting patiently, politely. I think he realises that I'm not interested in general catching up. Talking about physio and what's been happening and all that.

"I didn't like it when you were... not here." I realise my hands are resting on his knees as I lean forward towards him but I am too intent on getting at least some of this across to even think about changing position.

He opens his mouth – likely to be about to make light of his time in South America instead of acknowledging that I'm referring to his longer absence – but he reconsiders and instead says. "I didn't like it when you were... asleep."

"So we won't do that again. Okay?"

"Deal."

I have no clue what to do or say next. I have an urge to sit on his lap – that's what I want most I think. To be close to him and wrap my arms around him again. I realise just in time that he probably wouldn't exactly appreciate that since he has a bullet wound in his thigh.

The various attack plans submitted by my team mates are whirling in my head while Daniel considers me quietly. He still seems to not want to interrupt whatever it is that I intend to say or do. Whatever that is – I wouldn't mind knowing myself. The silence stretches as we stare at each other – he doesn't seem bothered but I can't get my thoughts straight. It's very likely that I'm starting to panic slightly.

Standing abruptly, I open my mouth to say a quick goodbye and make a strategic retreat before I can humiliate myself. His brow furrows slightly as I plop back down on the stool again. Unfinished business. House must be in order. I can hear the alt version saying I should tell my Daniel when I get back. I had technically told him already – how hard could it be to say it again? Except that this is the real one and I am not halfway dead.

"Dakota?" His hand touches my arm.

I blink back tears. I remember what it was like when he was gone. "Apparently it is important that things not be left unsaid." I tell him.

"A good policy in our line of work." He agrees.

"There is something I have to tell you. Something you should know. Something I didn't tell you... before..."

"You can tell me anything, Dakota. You know that."

So it seems that I'm going with cards on the table. Not the smartest of plays but I don't care anymore. He should know. I remember the other Harper's widow. She knew. It's important to know. I think my 'enemy' has won and he doesn't even know he's in a war.

I take one of his hands in both of mine and I stare at it. I remember his hands from when I was still asleep and I remember the alternate Daniel's hands caring for me when I was dying. I remember all the caring shoulder pats and playful shoves from when we were friends before he died.

Without looking up at him, I shake my head as I try to make my voice work. "Daniel... the thing is... I've kinda been in love with you for quite a while now."

"What?" His voice is so quiet. Shocked even.

"Probably should have told you a while back but yeah... I was scared." I shrug and manage something almost like a laugh. "And then you were gone and it was... not good. The other you – in the alt reality – said I should tell you so here I am. Telling you. 'Cause people should know when they're loved, you know?" God, I'm rambling. Someone shoot me now.

"I don't know what to say..."

I can't bring myself to meet his eyes for more than a second. "Yeah, well... you don't have to say anything. Not the point, you know. You just should know. Had to be said. I don't expect anything – we're friends and all and that's cool. I just had to tell you." I'm dying here. Seriously dying. What a freaking idiot! Can I have my out-of-phase or time travel experience now please? Or maybe an Asgard will just happen along and decide to beam me away from here out of pity? Where is that 'unscheduled off world activation' announcement right when you need it? Come on, Walter! Help me out here!

"Dakota..."

I think I hear pity in his voice. Maybe... I don't know... I'm kinda freaking out. I think I have a foolish grin on my face as I fumble my way to my feet. "Anyhoo..." Did I just say anyhoo? Oh, my god. "I'll catch you later. Hope your leg feels better soon."

I almost make it to the door when he catches my hand. I consider flipping him over my shoulder for a second but I doubt I have the strength. He turns me towards him. His eyes seem a darker blue than usual. His fingers are on my face. I'm paralysed – at the mercy of my 'enemy'. Next thing I know, the man has totally stolen Oz's warplan. Sneaky bastard! Somehow I'm not complaining because he's kissing me and I'm so kissing him back.

Eventually he pulls away and he's smiling. "I've missed you, Dakota."

I find myself smiling back and all of a sudden everything that was wrong with the world is back in place. The world that had felt so wrong for those six months, three weeks and two days, the time spent in that completely screwed up alternate reality – all of it doesn't matter any more. It can't touch me. All is good with my place in my SG5 family more secure than ever, Daniel kissing me again and I'm home. Daniel is here – and mine so it seems! – so now finally... I'm truly home.

- Fin -