This is such a lovely piece - the way you've structured it allows it to unfold for us the way it does in Desmond's mind, which is something I love: it's intense and sensitive at the same time. You've done such a good job of handling their conversations too, all the painful, unspeakable things they have to find a way to communicate to each other. I think your choice to handle the contents of those conversations elliptically was a good one - we know what Desmond has to say, and it's better to let that reminder fill in the blanks for us, rather than going overboard. The quiet way Desmond has here of relating to Sayid is also wonderful.

And your version of Penny is the most patient person in the universe. She waited five days?!? ;)

Excellent work. As always.