A/N: I'm taking a short break from my other story (It's called Closer to Fine. Read it if you haven't!!) and I've started this small piece. It will probably become a rather large piece. REVIEW and let me know if you enjoy it and think I should keep going. If you want someone to picture for Michael, I modeled him after a Stephen Fry like character. I think he talks like him and acts like him. So picture Stephen Fry as a church chaplain and you'll be good to go. I'm not sure about Elizabeth. My original girl characters always seem to resemble myself.


My name is Elizabeth and I've spent the last thirty-five years of my life waiting. I don't know what I'm waiting for, but I know I'm waiting. Many girls spend the better part of their lives waiting for prince charming or some other rich character to come busting out of the background at them. I don't think I'm waiting for that sort of person, really. I wouldn't mind having a man around but I've spent so many years alone that I wouldn't mind staying alone either.

I work as a chaplain and I've been assigned to many different places since I started. I've been to Africa and Asia as well as working in England, where I live now. But this new job was going to be the most exciting one yet. I was going back to America to stay with my sister and work in the same hospital with her. Apparently, it was a place in New Jersey. A college and a nice one at that. One of the "Ivy League" schools, as she calls them. I haven't been back in America since I graduated from Seminary. My sister, Lisa, had come to visit me in Europe a couple of times but mostly we just talked on the phone.

As I packed my bags I racked my brain to make sure I didn't forget anything. Most of my things would be sent over later but I wanted to make sure I didn't forget my toothbrush or my laptop. My plane left in four hours and I wasn't nearly ready to go.

A sharp knock on my door startled me and I yelped, "Come in!"

"Getting more non-conventional by the minute, I see. It's usually acceptable for a simple spoken answer. No need to yell. I'm not deaf yet." Michael Andrews, a close friend and colleague of mine, entered my room and shut the door softly behind him, "Almost ready for the long flight back to the colonies?"

"I don't think it's been called the colonies for some time now Michael. Maybe you should be more conventional yourself." I chuckled and zipped up my suitcase, "I'm almost ready. My flight leaves soon enough. Are you going to drive me to the airport?"

"Well of course I am! No use leaving you to walk; you'll never get there in time! America needs you Lizzie!" He grabbed one of my two giant suitcases and heaved it off the bed, "Good gracious! What are you taking with you? Rocks?"

I rolled my eyes and pulled the other huge bag off the bed, "Oh come on, Michael. Be a man!"

"Last time I checked, I was a man! That doesn't mean I should have to carry this gargantuan thing!" He pulled up the handle and rolled it behind him out of the door to the flat and towards his car, "Seriously, what did you pack?"

"Just clothes, honestly! You'd think you were a prisoner of war during Korea." I rolled my suitcase after him and he heaved it into the back of the car after the first.

"Well thank goodness I wasn't. If they had to carry suitcases like those around all day, I don't think I would have lasted five minutes!" He laughed his booming laugh and turned towards me, "I'm going to miss your sense of humor Liz. Do you really have to go?"

I nodded and looked at the ground, "It's been a long time since I've seen my sister. I need to go and help her out. I promise I'll come back if America turns out to be no good."

He smirked down at me, "Well then I won't rent out your flat. America always turns out to be no good."

I scoffed at him and got in the car, "We'll see about that, Mr. Andrews."

He got in the drivers side and started the car. As he pulled away from the curb, a light rain started to fall.

"I think England is crying for it's loss." Michael switched on the windshield wipers and turned up the heat. The car got cozy and the faint voice of the BBC newscaster in the background lulled me into a comfortable sleep.

I awoke to the shaking of my shoulder and the sound of Michael's frantic, "Wake up Lizzie! You'll miss your plane!"

"What? What time is it?" I rubbed my eyes and glanced around. I was sure I had a funny mark on my forehead from where I'd been resting it on the window glass.

"It's time to go, Liz. Your plane is leaving soon. Come on girl. I'll help you in." He jumped out of the car and ran to the back to get my bags. I pulled myself out of the passengers side and made my way for the luggage.

"Didn't get much sleep last night, eh?" He pulled both bags out of the trunk with very little effort, it seemed. Before I could blink I was holding the handle to one and he was pulling me after him.

"I was too excited to sleep." I muttered and followed like an obedient duckling. I rubbed my eyes one last time and looked around. This was the last time I was to see Heathrow Airport for a while. I thought I'd better get my last look around in before I boarded the plane.

Before I knew what was happening, Michael had gotten my bags checked and was standing with me at the check in point, "I can't go any father with you, Lizzie. This is it."

He pulled me into his giant embrace and I wanted nothing more than to tell him to take me back to the flat. I'd go to America another day.

"You'd better go get checked in." I started to tear up and he noticed before I did, "Oh, none of that girl. You'll be fine. It isn't like you've never been to America before."

"I'm not worried about that! I'm going to miss you guys. You especially, Mike." I hugged him again and he chuckled into my dark brown hair.

"I'll miss you too. I expect lots of pictures in my email and phone calls once a week." He pulled me back and looked into my eyes, "You're going to do great, I'm sure. I have faith in you. The good Lord will watch out for you and bring you home safely."

I started to cry and he quickly turned me around and pushed me towards the metal detector, "Hurry, go! Before you make a bad decision."

I did as I was told and walked through the plastic arch and emerged on the other side, no worse for wear. I turned and looked back at him. He waved and then motioned for me to keep going. I grabbed my carry-on bag and walked away from my best friend and the man I thought I was in love with.