"Are you going to sit in the car all day or are you going to grant us the honor of your presence?" a voice asked, laughing.

Donovan turned his head and smiled. He saw Sean leaning against the car. Sean reached into the car and took Donovan's bag.

"Look, now you have to come in the house." Sean said turning, walking up to the house.

Laughing, Donovan got out of the car and followed Sean. "You haven't changed Sean."
Half way up the walk, he stopped and looked around. Remembering the last time he was there. The day he walked out of Elizabeth's life.

"It's been five years Frank." Sean said, interrupting his thoughts. "I don't know if I should hit you or hug you."

"Save the hitting when the kids leave." he responded.

"They never leave. Their mine." Sean laughed, leading him into the house. "I was surprised at your call. I owe Elizabeth a hundred bucks now. I've always said you would be back in a couple days. She said you'd come back when you thought it was right."

"Where is she?" he asked, looking around the house.

"Gone." Sean stated.

"Gone?" Donovan repeated. Was he too late? He thought.

"Before I tell you where she is, I want to know why you're here." Sean said, sitting down on the couch, waiting for an explanation.

"That's between Elizabeth and myself." he responded.

"No."

"No?" Donovan repeated astonished.

"No. Not used to people telling you that word. Get used to it. The day you left her, I understood why you left. I thought after a few days you would be back. Five years Frank! Five years go by and neither one of us has heard from you. You call today out of the blue asking about Elizabeth. Hell of a long time to find out how she's doing. I'm only looking out for my sister." Sean yelled.

"That's the reason I left." Donovan spat out. "I left for her best interest. Because of who I was caused her pain. Caused her to lose our child and almost die. I couldn't do that to her again. I couldn't risk losing her that way."

He was tired. Tired from the trip. Tired of remembering the past and the pain he caused. He sat down on the couch next to Sean and closed his eyes. Sean looked at his friend. He looked like hell, like he hasn't slept in a couple days. He knew the last thing he wanted was to hurt Elizabeth.

"Budapest." he answered.

Donovan looked at him in surprise. "What?"

"Budapest." Sean repeated. "She's in Budapest on a detail. She won't be back until after the New Year. Funny how things happen. She still loves you. For the life of me I don't know why, but she does." Sean replied.

"Budapest." Donovan smiled, remembering their first meeting.

"Hey, I know what that smile is for you know. She told me what you did. Brave man. So, are you going to stay here a few days before you head to Budapest?" Sean asked laughing, showing Donovan to the guest bedroom.


******************************************************************

Chicago Three days later

"So much for a vacation." Alex mumbled walking into the building.

"Is Donovan back from Washington yet?" Jake asked, looking up from the paper.

"How's the wrist?" Monica asked, noticing he still had the brace on.

"Sore." Jake replied sitting down. "Have I missed anything?"

"Yea." Cody stated, "Donovan laughed. He even smiled. It scared me. Alex wouldn't hold me."

"Really." Jake said amused.

"Yes and I can do that often when asked." Donovan said walking up behind them.

"You have to stop sneaking up on people." Alex growled. She hated it when he did that, making a mental note to oil his shiny shoes.

"How did the business trip go?" Monica asked, worried. She couldn't help but wonder how things went. If he decided to tell her, he would.

"Productive." he responded. "I'm to let you know that Washington thinks we have been going a good job. To reward us, they are giving us time off until after the New Year. Report back on the fourth of January."

"Really? An extended vacation." Jake said.

"Report back on the fourth? That's it?" Alex asked in disbelief.

"Another vacation? Pulling more strings?" Monica asked him, smiling.

"Okay, New Year's party at my house." Cody said making a list. "Monica, you bring the music, Alex the food. Jake, well, you can't carry anything. Donovan, you can bring the alcohol."

"Sorry," Donovan said, "I must decline." He picked up his briefcase and started for the door.

"And where are you spending your New Year's?" Alex asked intrigued. Noting that he's been in a pleasant mood since entering the building.

"Yes, any special plans?" Monica asked laughing.

When he reached the door, he turned and looked at them. "Budapest." he answered, smiling.

"See, " Cody said, "he can smile. It scares me."

"Donovan, bring me back a souvenir." Monica yelled after him.

"Okay," Jake said, "What did I miss?" He looked at Alex, then to Monica who had a huge smile on her face. Jake didn't like being left out. He would rather know when bad news is going to hit or not.

"Budapest?" Alex repeated, "What's in Budapest? What are we missing?"

"I have to get around to bugging that man's office." Cody muttered to himself.