A.N. This fic is based on a song called 'there was a maid in her father's garden'. It's just an idea I had I'm not sure if I'll go anywhere with it.

Rose was stood at the drinks table, studying her Bacardi and coke thoughtfully. She adjusted the Dracula cape around her shoulders and then sighed. Was there any point in her being here? Every other poor soul who'd been invited to Vanessa's fancy dress party at least had the support of being in a couple, someone to share this painful experience with, she had to be the only single in the room. She downed the rest of her drink and wondered what excuse she could make to escape early.

"Want a refill?"

She didn't recognise the voice but it was male, she looked up but it wasn't much help as the stranger was wearing a Guy Fawkes mask.

"Thank you," Rose said, and handed the man her glass and watched him fill it.

"Don't fancy a dance do you?" the stranger asked.

... Maybe this party might pick up... maybe she... Rose internally shook herself - dancing was all she wanted to do and she didn't want to start thinking otherwise.

"Hey, sure," she shrugged and wandered out onto the dance floor. A slow track was playing and she felt uncomfortable as the masked man slipped an arm around her waist and held her.

"So where's your boyfriend?" the stranger asked, looking around.

"Not here," Rose said, quickly.

"Oh? Where is he? I hope he had a good reason for leaving someone like you on your own."

Rose felt slightly irritated, was he trying to chat her up?

"He's away... working," Rose replied, the excuse she always used. There was a pause in conversation and they danced silently.

"How long is he away for? Do you get lonely?" the stranger asked.

"No." she snapped.

"When did he go?"

"It's none of your business!"

"A long time then?"

Rose glared at him and then looked at the floor and her thoughts turned to the very boyfriend she was talking about for a few seconds, "Five years, three months and three weeks," she murmured to herself, too low for the stranger to hear above the music.

"Really? That's a heck of a long time." the masked man said, his voice sounding amused. Rose's head snapped up, she was amazed he'd heard. She found it unnerving that she couldn't see his face and wished he'd take the mask off. As if he'd read her thoughts he reached up and pulled the bottom of the mask up slightly and to her horror he leant in to kiss her. She was so shocked it wasn't until his lips met hers that she reacted, she pushed him away quickly, disgusted.

"Who the hell do you think you are!" she hissed, furiously.

"That's a fine welcome back," the masked man said quietly and completely removed his mask and wig. Rose saw his face and thought her legs were going to buckle.

"Kurda!" she whispered.

Blue eyes studied her fondly and he wrapped his arms around her as she leapt at him and hugged him tightly, feeling like she never wanted to let him go.

"You're back!" Rose practically sobbed into his shoulder.