Thanks everyone for the reviews, much appreciated! I'm glad that you guys were all guessing at who it could be during the first ch...kind of what I was going for. I hope you like how I'm going to take this story...sort of have it mapped out in head right now...but any suggestions you may have I'd definitely take into consideration. Enjoy!

(Joanne's POV)

I stood up and watched as Mark quickly made his way over to me; shock covering his face. He looked the same. His scarf was still tightly thrown around his neck, his glasses still hiding his pretty baby blues, and that camera attached to his hand. As he got closer to me, a smile appeared on his face, his eyes filled with enthusiasm.

"Oh my gosh, Joanne," he screamed in excitement as he threw his arms around me, squeezing me tightly to his body. "How have you been?" he asked as he pulled away from me. He just stood there, staring at me, this cheesy grin covering his face.

"I'm good Mark, how are you?" I politely, calmly replied.

"Good. What are you doing here?" he still looked excited to see me, but now I could see the suspicion and all the questions arising in his eyes.

"I'm here on business….until Tuesday." I was trying to remain calm, but inside I wanted to throw my arms around him and tell him how much I've missed him, how much I've missed talking to him, how much I've missed having him as my friend.

"Well we have to get together," he stopped, looking down at his watch, "but right now Joanne I really have to run. Just came to pick up some dinner." He stopped again, staring into my eyes, like he was trying to read what was going on in my mind. "But how about dinner tomorrow night?"

"I'd love to Mark," it came out before I could really stop myself. But why not have dinner with Mark; what could it hurt.

"Great," he said again pulling me into a hug. "Well I have to get the pizza and head home. But I'll see you tomorrow. How about we meet at 59th and Broadway, there's this great new little place there," he paused waiting on me to respond, I just nodded, "say about seven?"

"Sounds great Mark," I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.

Then the blond haired filmmaker kissed me goodbye, grabbed his food, and rushed out the door. I sat back down to my dinner, thinking about Mark…and the rest of my friends here in New York. Mark didn't mention bringing along any of them; wonder if he still talks to any of them, wonder if they are still alive. I pushed the thought out of my head; I didn't want to think about it. But I would love if they would come with him…well maybe everyone except for Maureen.

(Joanne's POV)

The next evening I quickly made my way to where I was meeting Mark for dinner. I was getting anxious as I walked through the crowded streets; I knew he had so many questions for me and I had a million of my own for him as well. But still, I was excited to just sit down and talk to Mark again.

I turned the corner, to see Mark standing by the doorway waiting on me. Our eyes met and a huge smile came over both of our faces.

"Joanne!" he screamed as he rushed over to me; again hugging me close against him. "Let's go in, it's cold," he quickly added as he took hold of my hand leading me inside the small restaurant.

We sat down, staring at each other, I don't think either of us really sure where to begin.

"So Mark," I had finally got the nerve to talk, "what's going on with you?"

"Well," he started, "a lot has happened since you left Joanne," I could see the disappointment on his face. Mark called the most often when I had left New York. For about the first week or two it was a common occurrence for me to return to my apartment to find about two or three messages from Mark.

"Yeah," my eyes immediately looking down at the table, "I could imagine."

"But," his voice sounding chipper now, trying to keep the mood light, "I did get married." He smiled that big cheesy grin of his, holding his hand up so I could see the ring around his finger.

"Mark that's great, congratulations," I was happy for him, glad he finally found someone. "Do I know her?" I asked cautiously. I guess part of me was worried he'd tell me that Maureen had went back to him after I left and that they had gotten married.

"No," I took a sigh of relief, "her name is Cara. We met at a coffee shop down in the East Village. She's a writer, she's wonderful," he was absolutely beaming, "and she's pregnant."

"What?" I looked at him in astonishment, "congratulations Mark. Is this the first?"

"Yeah," the proud soon to be father beamed. "She's actually due in a little over a month. We're having a boy."

"Aww, Mark I'm so excited for you. So any names picked out yet?"

"Roger Mark Cohen," his voice now becoming a little shaky.

"I bet Roger loves that," I laughed.

"Well," his eyes now staring at the table, his finger running across the rim of his glass, "Roger actually," he paused, taking a deep breath, my heart was pounding I knew what he was going to tell me, I didn't want to hear it. His eyes then left the table, looking directly into my own, "he died Joanne. He died about a year ago." Instantly my hand was covering my mouth; my eyes tearing up.

"Oh Mark, I'm sorry," that's all I could say; and even that didn't come out too clear.

"Thanks," he cleared his throat continuing, "I would have called Joanne…"

I stopped him, before he could continue. "No don't apologize to me Mark. I don't deserve it." He sat there, just staring at me, he didn't respond. "So," my stomach in knots now, knowing that I was potentially going to hear more bad news, "how is everyone else?"

Just as I expected Mark's face saddened even more. "Well….Mimi died about a year after you left. She and Roger were still together, he didn't leave her side." I couldn't stop the tears from falling; I was mourning their deaths and hating myself. I had left and not even attempted to keep in contact with any of them. Now their gone and I don't have the chance to tell them how much I loved them. "And then Collins…" Mark's voice was getting shaky, "he died only about five months after Mimi." Mark took in a deep breath, trying to hold back his tears; no matter what I was trying to do in attempt to holdmine back, it wasn't working.

"Mark….I'm so sorry….I should have….been here….something…..called….anything," I could barely speak the pain was getting to be too much. But what had I expected; to come back here and all of them be in perfect health, it's been five years. Mark reached across the table taking hold of my hand.

"Joanne, it's ok," he stared deep into my eyes, trying to convince me what he was telling me was the truth; I knew better though.

I reached up wiping some tears away, clearing my throat as I continued, "so how is she?"

Mark knew exactly who I was talking about; I could tell from the half smile that came over his face. "She's just out there being Maureen," we both chuckled, "she just finished an off-Broadway show though. She was great; Cara and I went and watched it a few times."

"That's great," I forced myself to smile. I wanted to ask if there was someone else; I'm not sure why it mattered for I had a girlfriend, so why couldn't she. I guess the question was written all over my face because Mark answered it without me even having to ask.

"No Joanne, she's not dating anyone," he smirked as he took a drink of his tea. "Honestly she really hasn't had a steady relationship since you left. She's dated a few people, but nothing serious." He stopped himself there, debating whether he should continue, "Joanne, I'm not sure she ever got over you leaving." Him saying this came as a complete shock to me. I had never figured that Maureen would ever have a problem getting over someone.

I didn't really know what to say to that, I just muttered an "oh" and took a drink of my tea, trying to avoid eye contact with Mark.

"So what have you been up to?" thankfully he took the hint that I didn't want to discuss Maureen any further at the moment.

"Well, I'm still working at the same law firm; everything is going great. I have an apartment not far from the office that I actually share with my girlfriend Kristin," he stopped mid-bite looking up at me.

"Girlfriend huh?" I don't why this surprised him so much.

"Yeah, she's great Mark. I really love her. We've been dating three years now." I smiled thinking about Kristin at home; and about her soon being back in my arms. "She's actually coming here tomorrow; I'd love for you to meet her Mark."

"Yeah," he was a little hesitant, "that would be great. I'll bring Cara along; I think you would really like her Joanne." He paused, playing with his food; I could tell searching for how to ask his next question.

"What is it Mark?"

"Well," he stuttered, "I talked to Maureen last night. I told her you were back in town," his eyes quickly met mine again; "she'd love to see you again Joanne."

"Mark I have Kristin now; I don't need Maureen coming back into my life screwing this up for me."

"I just think she wants to see you, I really do," he was almost begging me now.

"Well bring her along then." I shrugged. "But Mark," I cautiously added, "please tell her beforehand that my girlfriend is coming too."

"I will, I promise," he said as he stuffed another bite of chicken into his mouth.

"So looks like we have another date then again tomorrow night Mr. Cohen," I smirked.

"Looks like it," he smiled back at me. "You just want to hit up a coffee shop this time. Let you and….Kristin, right?" I nodded as he continued, "have dinner alone and then we'll meet up afterwards."

"That sounds great Mark."

Mark and I enjoyed each others company for about the next hour just sitting and talking about everything that has been happening with us and reminiscing about the past. It was nice to be back in New York, sitting here with Mark, talking like I'd never really left. I was excited to meet his wife, to see what she was like. And I was excited for him to meet Kristin as well. What I wasn't excited about was seeing Maureen again.

Ok, so please don't hate me too bad that I made everyone except Mark, Maureen, and Joanne dead in this fic. I'm not really planning on this being that long of a fic and honestly just didn't want to deal with all the other characters. And yes I could have just had all of them move out of the city as well...but having them die I think plays better into the fic, especially considering Joanne...does that make sense? Anyway...hope you liked it. And please review! Thanks for reading!