DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING, SO YOU CAN'T SUE ME.

9:53 PM. September 10th, 2001. New York

Alisa Masters stared at her cell phone. More particularly, her caller ID. Finally her big brother, Vlad decided to contact her again. What brought this on or how he even got her number, she didn't know, but she'd be damned if she was going to let this opportunity slip by. Hurriedly, she flipped the cell open and pressed it to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Alisa?" the smooth tenor of her brother greeted her.

Oh God, it was him! Her fluffy white cat, Viktoria, sensed her distress and leapt onto her lap.

"Vlad? Is that really you?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly, betraying her nervousness.

"Yes, Alisa, it is me. Am I interrupting something? If so, I could call back later."

Oh no you don't! I'm not losing you again! She thought.

"No, you're not interrupting anything. I'm just surprised to hear from you. It's not like you've contacted me for more than fifteen years. Did you know I live in New York now? I actually work at the World Trade Center!"

"Oh, that's fantastic! I'm actually in New York as well, on a business trip no less. Anyway, I noticed your name on the list of employees and thought I'd give you a call," he said casually. "I was actually wondering if you would like go somewhere and 'catch-up'."

Alisa's mouth began to lift into the shape of a smile, Viktoria, purring atop her thighs.

"That sounds great, Vlad! I get off work at about five-thirty and there's a café around the corner, if you'd like to meet there."

"Alright, how does six o'clock sound?"

"Sounds good," she said enthusiastically, "see you then!"

Alisa heard the soft click followed by a dial tone, and slowly lowered her cellular device from her ear.

"Did you hear that, Viktoria?" Alisa asked the lanky feline, scratching under her chin. "I'm gonna see my brother tomorrow!" Viktoria purred and cuddled closer to her stomach.

10:28 AM. September 11, 2001

Vlad Masters stared at the television in his hotel suite, mouth agape and tears brimming at the corners of his stormy blue eyes, threatening to spill over. There was no chance now. None whatsoever of his sister surviving. Her office was in the upper levels of the North Tower.

Today was supposed to be the day that he told her everything. Why he'd broken contact those fifteen years ago. Why he wanted to make amends after all these years.

Now, he would never get that chance.

His only sister was gone, and there was nothing he could do about it.

I'm sorry! I'msorryimsorryimsorry! I really didn't mean to do this, it just sorta… flowed out of me. Gah, I don't know how to describe it. It just… happened.

Great, now I feel like an ass. (ノಠ_ಠ)ノ┻━┻