Reminders

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! The next chapter is up. Enjoy

"You're coming next Saturday, right?" Julie asked over the telephone.

"I hope so" Elizabeth sighed into the speaker. She fumbled for her calendar.

"What do you mean 'I hope so'? I haven't seen you for over a month now. You'll definitely come back next Saturday. End of discussion" came the complaint.

"Right, next Saturday"

"You're working too much"

"I know" Elizabeth sighed tiredly. She loaded herself with extra work whenever she could.

"You made a mistake" Julie then said and Elizabeth buried her face in her hands.

"No, I didn't" she mumbled against the palms of her hands.

"What?"

"I didn't make a mistake, Julie. Stop telling me that"

"You did" came the answer and Elizabeth could swear that her friend had just shrugged. They were having this conversation at least twice a week and Elizabeth had hoped that Julie would finally forget about it.

"It was the right thing to do" Elizabeth said automatically, just like she did every time.

"No, it wasn't. He misses you" Julie said and Elizabeth's head snapped up. It was the first time that Julie ever mentioned him. "I bumped into him this morning. He misses you terribly, but he's just too stubborn to do anything about it. He respects your decision although it makes him, or better the both of you, unhappy. He said he wouldn't force himself on anyone" Elizabeth felt tears burning in her eyes.

"He's married" she said quietly, not able to hide her desperation about this fact. She had to convince herself every day that she had done the right thing, that she would get over him eventually, but it wasn't easy without her friends and alone in another city.

"Talk to him, Elizabeth" Julie said insistently.

"It wouldn't change anything"

"You don't know that. If you would have seen him this morning, you wouldn't give a damn anymore. You remember this sparkle in his eyes?"

"Yes" Elizabeth said and images of his mesmerizing green eyes hit her.

"It's gone" Julie explained. "Married or not, he wants you. Talk to him, let him explain everything, that's all I'm asking"

"No" Elizabeth said firmly.

"Elizabeth..."

"No, I'm fine. I did the right thing and I won't change my mind" she said determined, but her heart screamed 'betrayal' and 'liar' at her own words. There was silence at the other end of the telephone and Elizabeth had time to compose herself. "Thank you for your concern, Julie, but I'm ok" she said after a while, having fought back her feelings once more. It was easier that way. Sometimes feeling just hurt too much.

"Ok" Julie said in resignation. "Tell me your flight dates when you have them. I'll pick you up from the airport"

"I will. See you next Saturday" Elizabeth said.

"Next Saturday. Take care. Bye" and before Elizabeth had the chance to say goodbye herself, Julie had already hung up. Elizabeth pushed a button on the telephone to silence the dead line.

Elizabeth stood up from her chair and went to the window of her new office. It was already dark outside and she could see the lights of New York. It had been a month now since she had left Washington and had gone back to work for the UN. She hugged her arms tightly around herself.

She missed having breakfast with Julie in the morning and she missed Mia and Josh and Mr. Robbins. It had been nice to work with them. She didn't complain about her current colleagues, but the others had been special.

Elizabeth had handed in her resignation on the morning of her departure and Mr. Robbins had been quite taken aback by her sudden wish to leave them. He had tried to convince her to stay, but she had refused. She then had hurried to say goodbye to Mia and Josh, careful not to run into John or his wife. After that Julie had taken her to the airport. A knock on her door startled her out of her thoughts.

"Come in" she said, not looking away from the window. Michael Henderson's form appeared in the dark glass.

"You're working late" he said and stayed in the doorway, leaning slightly on the doorknob with his right hand.

"So are you. I just wanted to unpack the rest of my things" she said and turned around to gesture at two boxes in a far corner of her office. He nodded.

"I see. I just wanted to make sure you remember the Roberts Ball on Thursday. I'll be out of town for a few days and I know perfectly well that you hate these parties, but unfortunately you'll have to go this time" Elizabeth groaned at his words.

"Don't you have anyone else to go there?" she asked.

"No. I'm afraid the annual Atlantis Corporation Charity Ball is on your 'to do' list. You'll just have to shake some hands and wrap them around your little finger" he winked at her and Elizabeth sighed.

"You owe me one for that"

"I'll think about something" he said. "Don't stay too long tonight. Your boxes can wait another day. You look tired" he then said and Elizabeth gave him a wry smile.

"Just one box" she promised and he smiled.

"Ok. Goodnight"

"Goodnight" she said and he closed the door again. Elizabeth took one last glance out of the window and moved over to the corner to unpack the carton.