"Mary, it's only for a year and it's the opportunity of a lifetime." Matt explained.

Mary couldn't believe what she was hearing, "So, where does that leave us?"

He took her hands in his, "Well, we'll write and call. I'll be back before you know it. I can't turn this job down."

Mary looked down, "Ah well, I guess this good-bye then." She could hardly hold back her tears.

He lifted her chin so their eyes met, "It's not good-bye, just au revoir." He kissed her long and deep

"You're breaking my heart, you know? She said as she pulled back

Matt smiled, "I love…" he started

"Don't' say it. Please don't say it." She pleaded

"Why not? It's true, I love you." He insisted

"Damn…you had to say it. How can you stand there and tell me you're leaving for a year and then tell me you love me? How is that supposed to …." She trailed off

"How is that supposed to what?" He asked

"Keep me from missing you?" She finished

Matt sighed heavily, "You think I'm not going to miss you? I just told you I love you."

"And I love you, Matt. Why do you think this is so hard?" She admitted

"It's hard for me too." He assured her

"Then don't go. It's that simple, just don't go." She said

"Mary, I have too. Look, I've still got a few days before I leave and I don't want to spend it arguing with you."

"Oh, I don't either." She looked at him with her brown eyes moist from tears.

"We've got the whole night; let's not waste any more of it." He suggested.

"No, let's not." She agreed

TWO MONTHS LATER

Mary walked into the newsroom and hoped Lou Grant wouldn't notice she was late. She had felt awful all morning and could hardly get out of bed.

"Morning Mary." Murray greeted her cheerfully

"Hi Murray, has Mr. Grant been looking for me?" She asked sitting at her desk.

"No, he's been upstairs. The latest ratings came in and he's been in the station manager's office."

"Wonderful, that always puts him in a bad mood. But at least he won't know I was late." Mary said getting up to get a cup of coffee

Murray noticed she seemed out of sorts, "Hey Mare, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I just felt lousy when I got up this morning. I hope I'm not coming down with the flu." She said rubbing her neck and sitting back down at her desk

"Well don't tell Ted you're sick. He'll try to have you quarantined. Remember the flu outbreak last year? He tried to stay home to avoid getting it and Lou let him take a few vacation days, well he ended up getting sick." Murray joked.

Mary started to take a drink of coffee but the smell made her nauseous, "Oh god, that smells terrible."

"Really?" Murray said taking her cup and smelling it, "Smells like coffee to me."

"It does and it's making me sick." She got up and ran out of the room.

"Hi Mare, bye Mare," Ted said as he passed her coming through the door, "What's the matter with Mary?" he asked Murray

"Oh nothing Ted, she just saw a replay of your newscast last night and had to go straight to the bathroom." Murray quipped

"Ah, well as long as it isn't anything serious." Ted remarked