Title: Of All the People
Author: SaRa
Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Me no own, me no own!
Author's note: I couldn't decide what relationship to write about, so I took a shot at three of them. Forgive me for any errors with the tense; I tried very hard to get it right. This is the J/C ending.



Of all the people and all the places, it figured I'd run into him at my favorite cafe.

It's a little place; you wouldn't find it unless you were truly looking for it. The Shooting Star is tucked away on the corner of a deserted street and hidden amongst trees just outside of my hometown. I can count on my fingers the number of people who frequent this place.

I was sitting at my usual spot, looking out the window when he walked in. He must be equipped with sensors because he was able to zero in on my instantly.

When he walked up to me and looked into my eyes with his, nothing else existed. It was just the three of us: me, my aching heart, and him.

I had never expected our relationship to last as long as it did. He gave up on any chance of us shortly before Voyager had gotten home. I'd still loved him and wanted to act on my feelings, but it had been too late. Both of us have moved on, but I'll always have feelings for him.

He sat down across from me and asked how I'd been, said it was good to see me again, and commented on how "great" I looked.

I smiled and said that I was fine and I was up for a promotion to admiral.

He thought it was great and then made me promise not to turn into a typical 'Fleet admiral.

In response, I made some dumb joke about promotions and politics. We laughed as if it was the funniest thing either of us had ever heard.

That was when he reached across the table and took my hand like he hadn't done in many years.

Again, my heart ached.

Chakotay walked in at that second and I released Mark's hand quickly, feeling guilty.

I stood and walked over to Chakotay, quickly kissing him hello. Then, being the fool that I am, I dragged him over to meet my ex.

"Chakotay, this is Mark Johnson. Mark, Chakotay."

Mark's growled "hello" warned Chakotay to take care of me, while Chakotay's "nice to meet you" said he'd sooner kill Mark than be civil towards him. Too bad men don't understand women as well as we understand them.

When it finally dawned on me that my two closest friends were going to be bitter enemies, I lied, claiming to have a headache. Chakotay and I left, and he plotted Mark's demise out loud as we walked home.

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