Disclaimer: I do not own Mage: The ascension

Karin held her coffee in both hands and stood staring out the glass double doors of the café. She had just arrived back in Vancouver. It was a cold night and she had no idea where she was going after she finished her coffee.

On her way to the café she had seen a man laying against a wall, frozen to death. Nobody noticed. She had felt relief for the man. He had ended his miserable existence.

Now he could be born into a better life, if such a thing was possible. She had said a prayer for him, crossed herself and moved on. She longed for such a release. Yet she was strong and healthy and she knew that it would be better for the world if she lived on.

There was a familiar face in the window. At first she had thought it was just in her head. It was Cole, pair of bright blue eyes, head full of brown, curly hair and a small pink smile. His eyes brightened when he say her.

Karin stepped out of the way of the door and the man walked into the café.

They hugged and her eyes filled with tears for a moment.

"Cole."

He stood in front of her, seemingly stunned, for a few minutes.

"You're back? I thought that you were dead."

Karin took a long, deep breath and gestured towards a table.

"Sit with me."

They made their way towards a table and sat, not taking their eyes off of each other.

"So, let me guess, you do something brilliant with computers and other such technomanc…olgy for a living and are exceptionally well paid."

Cole chuckled, taking off his glasses and cleaning them.

"Sure. What are you up to these days?"

"I just got back into town."

Cole sighed and inclined his head.

"So, are you married?"

Karin frowned.

"No. Um, I haven't dated since…um, I haven't ever dated. I can barely maintain a friendship, never mind a relationship. You know me."

Cole shook his head.

"I never have. You spend five years doing everything that you can to show up Silvia and when you finally win my heart you leave town."

There was a moment of awkward silence. Cole's cheeks turned pink.

"I'm not a very good person Cole."

He smiled sadly.

"Are you and Silvia still together?"

"We broke up the night that you left. Where are you staying?"

Karin shrugged.

"No where yet. I was going to get a hostel room and stay there. I'm going to be looking for work soon."

"I missed you. How long will you be in town for?"

Karin took a deep breath.

"Until the end of the world."