z:: here is another chapter. I'm sorry if it seems like it is going slow. it probably will be for another chapter or so. gotta get the basics down...

Disclaimer:: does it look like i own digimon? no. so i'm thinking...no i don't own them...

Three Years Later

"Ishida, will you hurry it up? Take these out to table five." Snapped Jean, as she brushed past the already busy Matt Ishida. "For someone your age, you shouldn't be a slacker."

Matt blushed and said, "I'm sorry, Jean. I forgot how busy we get on Friday nights. It's been awhile since I've worked this shift. You know this."

And without waiting for a reply, he grabbed the plates of food and walked away, going through the double doors. Jean sighed and knew that he was right; the young man was always busy and didn't work many night shifts here at the restaurant. She brushed a strand of black hair behind her ears and started to feel guilty.

"Jean, don't worry about it," Xander told her as he hurried past. "Matt, uh, got fired from his other job . . .so I think he's down."

Jean looked at Xander, who gave her a smile. His green eyes twinkled and suggested that there was something going on between him and Matt.

"Why'd he get fired?" Jean asked, as she grabbed some extra menus and started to walk to the hostess stand.

"Because I was always late," came the reply but it came from Matt. He gave Xander a look, who merely shrugged. "Xan, I thought I could trust you on that!"

"Someone would've asked sooner or later, Matthew!" Teased Xander and before Matt could even reply was out the door, serving the customers.

"There something going on between you two or what?" Jean asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Or what. I don't know. Something." Matt answered honestly. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Jean, I'm just. . .stressing. I did lose my other job and that was something that I needed--I'm so behind on bills and rent. . ."

Matt trailed off. Jean patted his arm. "Don't worry, sweetie, I'll try to give you more hours until you find another job, okay?" She assured him.

"Thanks."

"Matt, you've got table nine," Xander said, as he came back into the kitchen. "Or so that is your area. Um, it is kinda a big group--can ya handle it?"

Matt groaned. "I'll try, but if I fuck up, don't fire me. I am a little rusty on this job. I didn't expect to go part-time to full-time so quickly." He replied and was out before Jean or Xander could say anything.

"Poor kid." Jean muttered. "I hope he figures something out and fast, I do like him. He is a good worker. He doesn't deserve this much stress."

"Yeah. . .I think. . .it'll be harder for him tomorrow." Xander said softly. "Tomorrow's the three-year anniversary of his father's accident."

"Oh. Wow." Jean muttered again and shook her head, wishing there was a way that she could help the young blonde.

-----

Matt made his way to table nine, making sure he had everything he needed. Yet as soon as he neared table nine, he grew pale. It was a large group but that wasn't the problem. The problem was he knew the people.

And hadn't spoken to them in about a year.

Sighing, he plastered a smile on his face and greeted them. "Hello, I'm Matt, I'll be your waiter tonight--" He started to say but then a wild hair brunette interrupted him.

"Matt!" Tai exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "We didn't know you worked here!"

Matt smile faltered, realizing how much he had missed his friends. He glanced around the table to not only see Tai, but Sora, Mimi, Izzy, Joe, Kari and his brother, Tk, were all there. He bit his lip and shrugged a shoulder.

"I. . .know. I'm sorry." He said, quietly. "I've just been so. . .busy lately."

Tk nodded. "It would help if you returned my phone calls. Mom is getting worried." He told his brother. "Plus. . .we've not spoken for about three months now."

Matt grimaced. "I'm sorry, Tk, but between two jobs and classes, I don't have much time to do anything." He said and pulled out his pad. "Look, I'm sorry, really, I just. . ."

"Ishida, take their drinks, already!" said a nearby waiter. "You've other tables. No time to chitchat."

Tai glared and was about to say something but Matt shook his head. "Tai, please don't say anything. He's right, I do need to do my job. I got fired at the other one and I can't afford to lose this job as well." He paused. "So, what can I get you guys to drink?"

Sora smiled. "We'll be easy on you, Matt." She told him and after that everyone told him their drinks and he nodded.

"Be right back, guys." He told them and hurried away. He made his way to the bar, handed them the drink list and sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Friends of yours, Ishida?" Jean asked, coming up. "They looked excited to see you."

"Huh?" Matt replied.

"Table nine."

"Oh. Yeah. Friends. I can't believe they're still talking to me. I've been busy so much lately and I've not seen nor spoken to them for almost a year." Matt replied, wearily. He grabbed a tray and the drinks, trying to balance them.

"You want to get off a little early?"

Matt looked at her in surprise. "You never let anyone off early, Jean." He told her, as he made his way back to his friends.

"Well, you're different, Ishida." Jean replied, as she followed him. "How about this? I know you, you don't want to leave early because you'll lose hours--"

She glanced at him and he nodded. "So, I'll let you off early and those hours you've missed will not be missed. I'll just give you them." She told him.

"What?" Matt cried, almost dropping the tray of drinks. "You're kidding me? You'll let me see my friends and get paid for it?"

Jean grinned. "You need a break, Ishida." She took the tray from him and walked away. "Now go. . .get changed out of your work clothes and have dinner with them."

Matt stared at her and decided not to argue. He nodded and rushed back into the kitchen and then into the employee room. He quickly changed and then grabbed his work stuff, stuffing it in a backpack. Then sighing slowly and calmly, he smiled a little. Jean could be very understanding at times.

----

"Matt! Aren't you working?" Mimi exclaimed, as the young blonde sat down next to a very surprised Tai.

"I let him have the evening off." Jean told them. "I'm Jean. I'm his boss--and friend. I also know that you all haven't seen nor talked to his young man for almost a year. So, I told him to take it off to spend it with you."

"Thank you," Tk said simply. He grinned. "You've an awesome boss."

Matt blushed. "Yeah, she can be." He said.

"Pish posh, Ishida. Now, what are you getting?" Jean asked and flipped her book open. "All ready to order?"

"Of course." Joe said and gave his order.

After Jean got all of the orders, she smiled. "Good. It shall be out as soon as possible." She told them and then headed to another table.

"So, Matt, are you okay? You do look rather worn down." Tai asked, giving his blonde friend a once-over. "You're far too skinny. Are you eating right?"

"Yes, mother, I am!" Matt rolled his eyes, and laughed a little. "I'm just behind on a lot of things, alright? I can't help but stress at times."

"You know, mom and I could help you out." Tk offered. "You can always come and move in with us, save rent money that way."

Matt so wanted to move in but yet he'd feel like he'd be burdening them or something. So against his better judgment, he declined the offer. "Thanks, Tk, but I'll be okay. Really." He told him, lying.

"The offer still stands, bro," Tk said simply.

"Okay, what's new with everyone? I don't know what the hell is going on, so you all better tell me!" Matt demanded.

Kari smiled. "If you paid any attention about how old we all were, you should know that Tk and I are graduating this year." She replied. "You should come, after all, Tk is your brother."

"Oh yeah. I forgot about that." Tk rolled his eyes. "Kari's making a big deal out of it. Something about being free or being an adult ---"

Tk stopped, noticing the look on his brother's face. Matt had gotten slightly pale but was trying to hide it by ducking his head and behind his lengthy blonde hair. Tk sighed and reached forward to touch his brother.

"Matt, I'm sorry. . .I forgot." Tk said softly.

"It. . .it's okay. It'll be three years tomorrow." Came the reply. "Wait, why are you guys graduating a little later than we did?"

"Because we started later." Kari answered. "So. . .graduation is in two weeks." She grimaced. "I may like school, but it just isn't fair that the last three classes got to graduate around this time and we get to do it later."

"Ah."

"You'll come, right, Matt?" Mimi asked. "I mean, you didn't come to Izzy's and mine."

"I'm sorry, okay?" Matt whispered. "I didn't mean too."

"Okay, guys, shut up." Tai said. "He feels bad and so what if he missed it? We've not spoken to him for a year and all you guys can do is bring him down? No. I won't allow it. He is our friend. Let's not make him guilty, shall we?"

Mimi exchanged glances with Tk, who sighed and nodded. Kari bit her lip. Sora, Joe and Izzy all stared at Tai as if he had lost his mind.

"We're sorry, Matt," Tk offered. "I guess, we took it hard as well. We didn't mean to make you feel guilty."

Matt nodded. "Look, it is okay. I just. . .I'll go to your graduation. It's not everyday I see my brother graduate." He said slowly.

"Good. I would've beaten you up or something!" Tk teased.

Matt grinned and rolled his eyes. "In your dreams, Tk, in your dreams. Cuz, don't you remember, I'm da man!" He shot back.

"Nah, I am!" Tai replied and ducked when Matt tried to hit him. "Oh yeah. There is other news." He draped an arm around Sora's shoulder. "Sora and I are engaged."

Matt froze, not wanting to believe it. "Y-you're what?" He managed to say.

"Engaged." Sora said happily and held out her left hand. "Tai got me this beautiful diamond a few weeks ago when he proposed. We're going to get married in the next year or so. Just not right away."

"Oh. Congrats." Matt managed to say and then locked eyes with Kari, then Tk. The two of them knew how he felt about Tai. Yet they also knew that Matt and Tai had a small fling together--but nothing more, nothing less.

Yet that fling made Matt realize how much he loved Tai and it hurt him to not be with him. One of the many reasons why he avoided the brunette. And between Tk and Kari, they had figured it out and confronted Matt--who did confess everything and anything that was needed to know.

"Yeah, it's totally exciting!" Mimi squealed. "We already picked out the dresses and the color scheme---"

Matt stopped listening. All he could think was, Tai and Sora? Engaged? Getting married? But--but--no. No. NO!

"You okay, Matt?" Izzy asked, noticing his lack of enthusiasm.

"I think I'm just tired. I'm okay, really." Matt answered and ignored Tk and Kari's looks. "I'll be right back, I gotta use the rest room."

And with out waiting for a reply, got up and hurried away.

"I wonder what is wrong with him?" Tai asked, puzzled. "He's been acting strange."

"No more so than the usual, eh?" Sora replied.

"Excuse me, I need to use the rest room as well," Kari said and quickly left.

She found the restrooms and sighed quietly when she found Matt, leaning against the wall, eyes shut and a conflicted look on his face. She stood next to him and took his hand in hers, squeezing it a little. He opened his eyes, and looked at her, his azure eyes full of pain and betrayal.

"Oh, Matt," She whispered. "I'm sorry. Tk and I have been trying to locate you so you could know. I didn't want you to find out like this."

"I thought. . .just maybe that I meant something to him," Matt replied back.

"You do, but. . .he doesn't know how you feel. Maybe you should've told him. Fling or no fling, you should've been honest with him." Kari said gently. "You know, he has missed you. You two were the best's friends."

"Yeah. . .I know. But after the accident. . .then the fling. . .which I'm not sure was out of frustrations for our lack of love lives or just something to help ease the pain." Matt said quietly. "Probably both. Maybe that's why I didn't say anything. . .to him on how I feel, ya know? Maybe to him sleeping together and having sex was just something to ease my pain. His frustrations."

"It's too late now, Matt, we both know that." Kari said, brushing her fingertips across his cheeks. "Because if he does--did-- whichever-- love you, that would put him in a horrible spot. And we both know this." She paused. "I just wish you'd said something when you had the chance to, Matt. I would love to have you as my brother-in-law. . .but. . .now I've Sora instead."

"I take it you don't like Sora as much anymore, eh?" Matt smiled a little.

Kari laughed bitterly. She leaned against the wall, and took his hand in hers yet again. "No, I think she purposely took Tai away from you. I . . .I think there was a time when he did love you the way you love him now. But--you didn't say anything. Sora noticed and waited and then asked him out. He said yes of course." A pause and a sigh escaped her lips. "Ever since then, the two have been inseparable."

"I blew it." Matt groaned and squeezed his eyes shut. " I guess I was too busy hurting to really care or to do anything."

"I know, hun, I know. . ."Kari said gently. "C'mon, let's get back to the table before they suspect something. We'll exchange numbers and talk some more later, alright?"

Matt nodded. "Okay, I'd like that. Maybe you and Tk can fill me up on everyone else's lives." He told her as they made their way to the table. "Say, you and Tk going out still? Or what?"

Kari laughed and looked at him. "No, we're not going out, Matt. We broke up last year. We found out that we don't fit well together. That and Tk had a crush on someone else who also happened to like him back." She explained. She held up a hand, stopping Matt's protests. "It was for the best, Matt. We weren't meant to be. Now, I'll let Tk tell you who he is going out with--"

"I'm thinking its a guy at the way you're handling it--" Matt replied, slowly.

"Yeah. It is weird going out with someone who's decided he is into boys." She explained. "He told me that he had been confused for awhile and being with me just helped him realize it."

"Ouch."

"Yeah. But I'm over it. We'll talk more on this, later, okay?" She said, when she realized that the were within hearing distance of their friends. She grinned and said, "Look, who I found on my way out!"

Matt grinned as well and once the two locked eyes again, he gave her a nod. They definitely were going to talk but much later on. "Well, I kinda lost my way and she just bumps into me. . ."He teased.

Kari swatted his arm. "You can't get lost here, Ishida, you work here, remember?" She giggled. "Oh. . .look our food is here. I knew going to the bathroom would work!"

Matt and the others laughed and dug into their food, keeping the conversation jumping around.

Yet deep down inside, Matt wanted to be alone for the moment. Sure, he missed his friends, yet they weren't the people he knew. Not anymore. They all had changed and he had missed the changes because he was too busy with his own life. He bit the inside of his cheek and wished it was back in the old days where they still had innocence and lack of pain.

He then felt someone squeezing his hand from under the table. He glanced up and saw that Kari was sitting next to him and knew it was her. They locked eyes and realized that she did understand him.

She offered a smile and he slowly smiled back, realizing that she was the only that hadn't changed. She was still the same Kari he knew three years ago. And that , that was a blessing for him for he needed to know someone that hadn't changed.

"So, we're off to a date," Tai said, as they dug out the change for a tip. "Sor and I were going to go see something scary. . ." He grinned wickedly and Sora laughed. "So she could scream and grab me."

"Sounds fun. I'm going to meet up with Davis and watch a movie at his place," Tk told them and Matt stared. Tk noticed and laughed. "Yeah, Davis and I are going out. For a year now." He told his brother.

"You and Davis? Wow, I seriously did not see that one coming!" Matt managed to say.

"Neither did anyone else. They thought that Kari and I were meant to be, but. . .I love Davis very much." Tk explained. He smiled at Kari. "But luckily I have a friend who understood it and wasn't too hurt by it."

"Love is a tricky thing, Tk." Kari replied simply. "I understood."

Mimi glanced at Joe. "Joe and I were going to go to a poem reading. Anyone want to join us?"

"I can't. I have to go to my uncle's and fix his computer," Izzy explained as he stood up. "But it is on the way. . .I know what you're talking about. . .So, I'll walk with you guys, okay?"

"Okay. That's cool. What about you, Kari? Matt?" Mimi glanced at the two of them.

"I'm beat. . .I'm going to go home and sleep," Matt said quickly.

"I've got homework to finish. Just because I graduate in two weeks doesn't mean I can slack," Kari answered and glanced at Matt quickly to give him a wink that no one noticed. "But I'll walk with you, Matt, just some of the way."

"Hmm, fine by me." Matt stood up as well. He smiled at his friends. "It was good to see you all again. Thanks for. . .dinner. And for convincing my boss I needed some time off to hang with you."

"We didn't do anything though," Tai pointed out.

"By being here, yeah, you did. Well, I'll see ya guys around." Matt waved his goodbyes as they exited the restaurant.

He stood silently, watching them go in different directions. He bit his lip, realizing how lonely he really was. Just then an arm snaked through his and linked it. He glanced over to see Kari smiling at him.

"C'mon, Matt, let's walk you home, shall we?" She smiled and her eyes shined brightly. "It'll give us some more time to talk things out and what you've missed."

Matt smiled. "Sounds good to me, Kari." He replied and the two started to walk.

A/N: as much as i love to have this a matt and tai thing...i can't. most of my stories are cliched and what not. so i'm trying not to do that. but i do have a feeling that matt and kari may end up together in some form....and usually i don't like that pairing too much.

as for davis and tk....i think they're cute that way. and tai and sora....don't like that coupling much either. but whatever. it seems to fit for this.

please review....Flames will be fed to my monkeys.