Budapest. A beautiful city. A romantic city. Elizabeth didn't want to think of the last part, remembering the last time she was in Budapest. She smiled at the thought of it. It felt like a lifetime ago. When the opportunity came up to show the staff how to use the new computer system with the new visas, she jumped at it. She taught the last class today. The new system started at midnight, as a New Year begins.

"Damn it. I can't see a bloody thing with this mask on," a voice said, stumbling up behind her. Elizabeth laughed as she watched her friend, Renee, try to walk with the mask on. "Whose bloody idea was this?"

"The Ambassador's wife." Elizabeth answered, "She thought it would be a different way to celebrate the New Year."

"When can we take these things off?" her friend asked, not liking the answer.

"Not until midnight. You only have an half hour to go." she yelled after her friend, who was stumbling away, muttering something about 'bloody American ideas.'

Donovan watched her from across the room. She was laughing and talking with a woman from the British Embassy. He knew it was her, even though the mask covered her face, he knew. In five years, she seemed to fill out, he thought. Very nice. Her hair was longer, down to her shoulders. He watched her walk around, making small talk. He started to follow behind her when she walked past him. He inhaled her perfume. Still the same brand, he noted.

Elizabeth was trying to make her way through the crowds. She wanted to find a phone so she could call and wish her brother a Happy New Year. She thought she was making progress through the crowds when she felt an arm slip around her waist. Shocked, she turned to see what was going on. She was staring into the loveliest brown eyes. The mask covered most of her partner's face. "What do you think you're doing?" she asked.

"Dancing." he replied, moving her deep into the dance floor.

Déjà vu washed over Elizabeth. This seemed all too familiar. But she knew it wasn't. Enjoy the dance, she told herself. Start enjoying things. She followed her partner around the dance floor. She felt comfortable in his arms. She hasn't felt like that in years. Wishing the dance wouldn't end, it did. Elizabeth looked in his eyes. Something was familiar, she thought. He looked like he was about to say something when his phone rang.
Trying to ignore the ringing on his phone, Donovan pulled her away from the crowd.

"I think you should answer that. It could be important." she replied.


"Excuse me for just a moment." he replied walking towards the hall. Donovan wanted to kill someone right now. This better be real important, he thought to himself.

"Donovan." he growled into the phone.

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

"So, did you find her yet?" the voice asked on the phone.

"Cody?" Donovan asked in disbelief.

"Did you find her yet?" Cody repeated, trying not to laugh.

"Yes. Why are you calling? It better be…." he started to say, hearing his team laugh, "How did you know?"

"I'm sorry Donovan. They got it out of me. We just want to wish you a Happy New Year since you're about six hours ahead of us. And good luck." Monica said trying to explain.

"I'll deal with you later." Donovan swore into the phone, hearing Cody and Jake laugh.

'Jake, I'm going to kill you.' he heard Monica yell as he hung up his phone. Turning back to Elizabeth, he noticed she was gone. Five minutes to midnight and she was not to be found. Looking around, he saw her walk out onto the balcony.

Not wanting to be inside when the New Year came, she went out onto the balcony.
She needed to get some fresh air. The sense of déjà vu was almost too much for her to handle. She wrapped arms around herself as she took in the sights. The sights haven't changed that much, she thought. She was quickly brought back to reality when she felt a jacket over her shoulders. She turned and saw her mysterious dance partner. "Thank you." she murmured.

"Why did you come outside?" he asked, "The party can't be that bad. I'm not that bad."

"I needed some air. I didn't feel like being inside when the New Year came." she explained.



10

9

8

7

6

5

Donovan walked over to her and held her close. He looked into her eyes, remembering what they shared.

4

The good times.

3

The bad times.

2

How much they loved each other.

1

He bent down and kissed her gently on the lips. Elizabeth was shocked; she couldn't believe the nerve this man had to kiss her. She couldn't believe that she was enjoying it.
"Happy New Year, Elizabeth." he whispered pulling of his mask.

She couldn't believe her eyes. "Frank?" she asked. Pulling off her mask, she studied his face. The eyes. She could never forget his eyes. So powerful. He looked the same except for the goatee. It made him look dangerous. It was five years since she last saw him. She had so many things to say, she didn't know where to begin. She knew where to begin. She started by punching him in the face.