This small piece comes from a fanfiction writing workshop at Redemption '03. We were told to write the same scene three different ways; first from the viewpoint of one of the people involved, then as viewed by a bystander, then as if told in a diary entry or similar.

I completely failed in the first version to take it from anyone's viewpoint and ended up with a very impersonal scene. I have now expanded and hopefully improved it. The other two versions remain pretty much as I wrote them at the time. Sorry they're short, but we only had five minutes with each.

Standard disclaimers. This is probably set sometime in season four.



Version One

As was usual after a number of hours in CNC, Ivanova was sitting at the bar, drink in hand, trying to unwind. Annoyingly for Susan it wasn't working and hadn't for the last fortnight. The reason, she had reluctantly decided, was that the station was too quiet. Marcus had been away on a mission and as much as she hated to admit it she missed his annoying chatter.
Involuntarily, she kept checking her watch and glancing up to the entrance, her unease growing each time. He had been due back thirty minutes ago, but they had heard nothing since yesterday's scheduled report. An irrational fear it may be, but she knew all too well the kind of trouble that reckless Ranger could get himself into.
After the sixth time check and glance, she looked again and stiffened slightly. The rush of relief at seeing the familiar figure made her a little light headed. Marcus bounded up to her with his usual cheery grin and announced,
"I'm back! Did you miss me Susan?"
She turned back to her drink. To her complete horror she knew she was going to cry. Taking a breath she scolded herself. 'Get a grip Commander! Don't let him get to you.'
"You're late." came her icy reply.
The Ranger settled onto a bar stool and signaled for a drink. "Something came up."
Anger stirred up inside her at his casual response. "Something always comes up with you." Damn the man! She hated how he affected her.
She gave Marcus one of her glares and rushed out of the bar before she completely lost her composure.
Behind her she heard Marcus say to himself, "Same old Susan."