So the other night, I was home alone when the phone rang.

It was Star Trek.

Her voice was shaky; she'd clearly been crying for a while. The conversation was awkward: me trying to veil my contempt with politeness, her trying to keep it together. She wanted to get together and talk over some coffee. I was hesitant, I said it was already getting late and I had to work the next day. But she was passively insistent, so I consented. Grabbing my coat, I headed out the door and down the street.

"You're looking well," I said after we'd settled down at our table, completely ignoring her red, teary eyes. She was, honestly, looking better otherwise. As I regarded her, a pregnant silence ensued. I fingered my teacup absentmindedly, clinking the porcelain cup against the dish. After a time she broke eye contact, and the silence.

"Let me just be frank," she abruptly put forth, "I made a lot of mistakes... bad choices."

I felt a lump in my throat; there was very little to say. "Yeah," I croaked.

"...And it couldn't have been easy for you," she continued, "I know that I hurt you. But I want to make things right with you."

"You still friends with Braga?" I blurted out, more venomously than I'd intended.

"No," she shook her head sincerely, "I haven't talked with Brannon or Rick in a long time."

"Good."

"I've got new friends now. Ones more in tune with who I really am. I've had a lot of time to think. I've realized that I was never really in with that whole 'Go-America', 'Coalition of the Willing' crowd. I know now, that's not who I am... and... I'm hoping that you'll give me another chance."

It was as if a vice had gripped my heart. I struggled to speak, "God... Star Trek, I don't know..."

"Please," she strained, "I want things to be the way that they were between us."

Then she grasped my hand, and as I looked into her eyes I knew that I couldn't say no.

"Well," I struggled, "it's been four years. Things can never be the same as the way they were..."

She bit her lip and choked back tears, before I hastily continued, "BUT, maybe things can still be good, even if they're different."

Her tears burst forth, but accompanied by a smile. She got up and rounded the table to embrace me.

"Shhh... it's okay Star Trek. Deep down, I'll always love you."