Please be gentle. :D English is not my mother tongue and that's the first time I attempt to write fanfiction. Sooo…

The events take place after the series finale.

Anyways, I think these two deserve another shot.

Two and a half years later…

Cameron sat in front of her computer in the trailer. She just finished some coding for the new update for Phoenix. The company was doing well these days and things weren't as intense as in the beginning. Hers and Donna's company slowly became only hers. Donna was more involved at first but soon found out she can't juggle between two jobs and taking care of the girls. Her position at Symphonic Ventures had cost her too much and she couldn't leave it. And honestly her name and power in the VC firm presented her with more options and opportunities in the business field. So she chose to spend more time there, which was fair. Also she and Trip seemed quite close these days. Cam had to admit that despite Trip's annoying nature the guy was smart and charming. It seemed like his smile finally warmed Donna's heart. The poor guy chased her like a love sick puppy and after a year she accepted to go on a date with him. Now they were dating but not something serious yet. Cam smiled remembering how Donna loved to complain about him before, how he was trying to sabotage her, turned out he was trying to team up with her.

Friends, Cam and Donna were just friends, not partners. Not anymore. And that was good, healthy for both of them. It started out this way but only so they can close that page of their life and not wonder "What if". Donna still helped and came for brainstorming sessions, expressed opinion but nothing major. They both stayed out of their way but at the same time were there for each other in hard moments and in sharing excitement and happiness. It showed Cam that she was able to sustain a meaningful relationship without mixing work and personal life. Something she tried but didn't know how to do before. Now instead of a working partner she had something better – a best friend, and didn't have to worry that her professional decisions will stain their bond. She felt lighter. Cleaner.

It was getting dark outside. One more Saturday spent in work. Nothing new. At this point Cameron's social life was again becoming nonexistent. If it weren't for Donna's business parties the only people she met were her six coders at work, Donna and the girls and occasionally Bos. He and Diane traveled a lot in the past two years, one long honeymoon they said. She was so happy for him, he deserved this.

Catherine shut down the computer and walked out of the trailer heading towards her house. Yes, her new home. She build it. At first she wasn't even sure if she should keep the land, not after all her memories there with Joe, their plans, her hopes. Finally she decided she won't run anymore and try to make things work, after all she bought the land with the intent to build something permanent for her. God knows she lived long without a place to truly call a home. And here was perfect – beautiful, quiet, peaceful. She kept the trailer though, her new home office, that silver tube was her safe happy bubble.

Joe… Joe didn't call or write, or email, or anything really. The only person with whom he kept contact was Haley. At first Cam wanted to ask her about him, how was he, what was he doing, did he find someone new, but then decided against it. If he wanted her to know these things he would have told her, he would have reached out. But he didn't. The first few months her heart would jump with hope every time the phone rang, as time passed that hope slowly died because he was never at the other end of the line. And her emails were all left unanswered. She asked him if he was angry, what was wrong, how was he doing. Nothing. Radio silence. A taste of her own medicine she supposed.

Honestly it pissed her off. Yes, they separated because they wanted different things at the time, but for him to just up and leave…

She missed him.

Joe once told her he would like to know her in his life and now he just cut their connection, cut her off completely. It hurt. The night they broke up she never thought she'd be losing not only a lover but a good friend. And like she said to Donna she didn't have many of those.

Now she buried herself in work trying not to think how lonely her life had become. She met with Donna and the girls regularly and they spent all holidays together but after some time she started to feel like an intruder. She saw their connection and unconditional love towards each other and it felt like she was forcing herself in their home.

At first she thought she wanted her carrier, that that was what was going to make her happy and fulfilled. She was married before and it had felt like a trap, never felt right, she always had to make compromises with herself, with her goals. A rash decision when she was young. Then jumped into another relationship too quickly, feeling lost and seeking protection and forgiveness. Can somebody give their all in a relationship if they are still fighting their inner demons and don't feel complete as a person? Cam first had to find out who she was, to do things for herself and stop putting her interests aside. During the last two years she had a chance to do that and it felt great, yes, but she wanted more.

She wanted what Donna had. Someone to come back to. Someone to wait for her and kiss her when she opened the front door. Full house. Family. Husband. Kids… What Joe wanted before. The exact reason why he left her. She was a fool. Stupid fool still holding on to memories. Fresh starts were always hard for her.

She opened the fridge - nothing. She guessed cereal for dinner wasn't going to be so bad. She filled her bowl and sat in front of the TV. Some stupid game show.

She had to wrap her present for Haley soon. Tomorrow was her big 18th birthday. She was turning into a smart young woman. Time flies so quickly. When Cam asked her what she wanted, Haley actually gave her a list of books about coding. And Cam bought them, every single one. It warmed her heart because that was something they both shared, love for code. She often sought Cam's help with her projects or came with a question about some functions. Her progress amazed Cameron and honestly made her feel proud.

The gathering would be small. At least that's what Donna told her. Haley didn't want something big. Okay. Even better for Cam. At least she won't be surrounded with a bunch of teenagers and won't have to make fake chit-chat. It would be more intimate, just them and Bos and Diane. Family of choice. Trip? Probably not, the girls weren't completely okay with him yet.

Cameron put her bowl and spoon in the dishwasher and went for a bath. A nice long hot bath. She loved a good bath. She took a lot of baths in Japan…

Another Saturday scratched on the calendar.

The evening was cold. Cam guessed they'll be celebrating inside. No pool tonight. She knocked on the door. Donna opened hurriedly, stepped outside and pulled her to the side. Her big eyes full of concern. Something was wrong.

"He is here."

The whole world stopped for a second, her heart went in her throat.

Joe was here.

Anger. Annoyance. Happiness. Sadness. Relief. Love.

Emotions, so many emotions.

And Donna knew. She understood.

Donna cared and decided to prepare her for what was behind that door…

The front door slowly opened. And there he was. Joe Macmillan. He looked different, calmer. Content. The harsh lines around his eyes were gone and despite the years he looked younger.

When he saw Cam his whole face lit up and the truest smile appeared on his face. The smile that he saved only for her.

All was forgiven, all was forgotten.

Past, present and future collided.

"Hello, Cam."

Her mouth was dry.

"Hello, Joe."

Tears in her eyes.

He seemed happy to see her.

Maybe… just maybe… this time…

Hope.