Laina slipped the dress over her head, reveling in the soft material. Who knew that a formal dress could be so comfortable! She called her mother in to zip it up.

"Oh, you look gorgeous! How are you going to do your hair? Do you want me to do it in an up-do, where you can hide a knife in it?" Laina almost laughed at her mother's proposition. It was so… not normal.

"Um, sure." An extra knife would be useful. She sat in the chair at the vanity, giving her mother the comb and hairspray. Her mother was a hair genius. Laina always said that if she wasn't a spy she should be a hairdresser.

"I wonder if there will be any gentlemen your age at this party…" Her mom's words were spoken innocently, but Laina rolled her eyes anyway.

"I doubt it Mom. How many 16 year olds do you know that are spies?" Her mom bit her lip. "Exactly! Nice try though."

"Well, some of the other couples might bring their children! You never know dear."

Laina sighed, "Thanks Mom. Now I really have to worry about what I look like!" Her mother laughed,

"You should have been worrying about it before! You will be up in front of everyone to receive your medal!"

"Don't remind me." Laina grimaced. She had saved the world, yet again, and now she and her parents were in a private jet, complete with fully-equipped dressing room, on their way to D.C. to go to the celebration Gala. At which she would receive her medal of honor. Just great.

Her mother finished, spraying hairspray on with a flourish

"Voila! Do you like it, sweetie?" Laina glanced in the mirror. As usual, her mother had taken her bland brown hair and made it gorgeous. She had swept it up into an almost, but not quite, beehive that had a thin knife hidden in its masses. She had taken a few extra bits and sculpted them into ringlets that lay against Laina's forehead splendidly.

"Oh, it's magnificent! Thanks Mom!" She stood up and hugged her mother.

"Anytime dear. Now you are ready for whoever comes!" She grinned mischievously.

"Whatever!"

The pilot's voice came over the loudspeaker,

"Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for landing!"

"Here we go!" Laina's mom made her way into the cabin, with Laina close behind and they sat next to Laina's father to fasten their seatbelts. The descent was an easy one, but Laina was still glad when her feet touched the land. She couldn't wait to get this Gala over with and go back home.

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

Laina smiled and shook the fifty-thousandth hand. There was no way she was going to remember all these people! She had barely had time to move anywhere or do anything; everyone kept coming up to congratulate her. And, despite her mother's words she had seen no-one even close to her age, male or female. She was getting a bit restless when her mom came over with a cup of punch.

"This is for you." She handed over the cup and Laina took it gratefully. "Thought you might be getting thirsty. How's it going?"

"All right. But I was getting thirsty, thanks. By the way, I hope you don't expect me to remember all these people… 'cause there is no way that is happening…" Her mother laughed,

"No, I don't expect that. I don't think I even remember all these people, and I have met them before! Don't worry about it!"

"Ok, good! Hey, how long do I have before I have to go up there?" She nodded toward the stage.

"Oh, about 5 minutes. That was the other reason I came to see you." Her mother glanced out into the crowd and frowned. "I have to go honey. You have about 5 minutes and then the President will call you up."

"Ok. Um, bye!" She watched her mother go, confused. Why did she have to go so fast? Had something scared her? Laina followed where her mother had been looking to see what she had seen. There was no-one there! Suddenly, a man who had been talking to someone turned around, so he was facing her. Laina gasped. It couldn't be!

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

"Thanks, man! You know that wasn't me… it was all Smithers and his confounded gadgets!"

"Have they let you carry a weapon yet?"

"Naw, they are still in debate about that one! It's all Mr. Blunt… he is quite against it! Everyone else is for it, but Mr. Blunt holds the veto card!"

"Too bad… well, I gotta run! Nice seeing you again! Next time come back sooner!"

"Will do. It was nice seeing you again too!" The young man turned around and saw something which about stopped his heart. It was her! She looked positively ravishing in a floor length black, off-the-shoulder gown, with swirly turquoise embroidery and black strappy heels. Her hair was up and curls framed her pretty face. He noticed that she had spotted him and bit his lip. What was he going to say? He was so happy to see her, yet…

An old man walked up to her and shook her hand. She spoke to him, smiling, and the young man heard her laughter from where he was standing. She continued to talk to the old man, but every five seconds she would glance up at the younger one. The young man finally decided to go say hello, at least. He heard her say goodbye to the old man, and then she began moving toward him as well. They met, cliché-fully, in the middle of the room.

"Alex." The name escaped from her lips as a whisper.

"Laina… fancy seeing you here." Alex smiled nervously

"Yes. Of course you wouldn't expect to see me at a Gala held in my honor. That would be quite surprising." She laughed, also nervous

"Well, I'm on a mission. I had no idea what this Gala was for."

"Oh, naturally." She bit her lip, uncertain what to say next. "Um, how've you been?"

"Good."

"Oh… good."

"Laina, it's been a year" He reached for her hand and she let him take it, "I've missed you."

She looked nervously into his brown eyes. He looked so serious and sad.

"I've –" She was cut off by the President speaking her name from the stage.

"I have to go. Stay here?"

"All right." He let go of her hand and she stared at his face for two seconds before turning and walking calmly onto stage.