The Return: An Intern's Life At The Peacock Network.

Chapter 1: A Reunion To Remember (Or To Be Surprised About)

New York City. Center of all things technology, sights and sounds, and dreams to be discovered and possibly rediscovered. It's how she saw herself these days. Being a New England girl, Anne always had dreams of living in New York and finding her place within those skyscrapers. And for six years, she had the opportunity. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond her control had caused her to change direction. As a result, she packed her bags, rescinded her rent and drove back to Connecticut. She told herself she'd be back to continue what she started, that everything would be the same if she were to return...little did she know how wrong she was.

Driving through the highway as she made her way further into the city, Anne felt the anticipation of returning to the network, returning to the people she knew and worked with before she up and left without a word. From the skyscrapers to the billboards, everything about New York hand't changed; in fact, it was all much bigger than she had seen it before. As soon as she arrived at the hotel she was setup in until her apartment was ready for move in, Anne felt like that intern again, except she was ready this time around. Pulling into the parking lot, Anne stepped out of her car and what felt like a few seconds had received a phone call from a producer at MSNBC.

As soon as she picked up, the familiar voice of producer Jesse Rodriguez heard loud and clear through her iPhone, the two talked back and fourth about what to expect when she was to return, from the schedule to the rosters and events on the horizon. As soon as she and Jesse exchanged a few jokes and cracks at one another, the call had ended, giving Anne the focus she needed to get her suitcases and a few boxes into the building. As she opened her trunk, another car pulled up next to her Mini Cooper, cut it's engines and sat there in silence as a familiar face opened her window. The voice, velvety soft yet mature, had hit her ears first, followed by the stinging of her heart-strings. The woman stepped out of the car to find Anne standing in place like a statue, paralyzed in her own shock. Anne couldn't believe what she was seeing: Mika Brzezinski at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

After a few moments of eye contact, Anne closed her mouth and gulped, then re-opened her mouth to utter a few solitary words. "I...uh, wow, this is..." As soon as Mika bit her lip, it became apparent that she had to clear the air, to explain a few things. "Unexpected? I completely agree. Wha...What are you doing here? At the Crowne Plaza Hotel?" Looking into her eyes, Anne knew there was a lot of questions aside from the two Mika had just asked, and she wanted so badly to explain everything, but as she looked at her phone, she saw the time was ticking away. But then again, she couldn't not say anything. "I heard a rumor that New York was a good place to move in the year 2017 if you're planning to start a new identity." A brief chuckle escaped Anne, followed by a tilt of her head to the side as she exhaled and raised her head. "No, I came back to town to renew my contract for the internship program. Granted I'm the oldest intern in the city but I couldn't stay away." Mika smiled and licked her lips, seeing as this was a reunion she hadn't anticipated. "Wow, this..this is good news to hear" Anne could tell that she was feeling something other than surprise. From the way she looked, to the way her hands were wound together. "Is there something you're not telling me? Something you feel like you can't say?" Mika's breath hitched at the question. It was now or never, but she just couldn't bring herself to say anything. But just as Mika went to open her mouth to speak again, cell-phones began to ring. "It's the office. Looks like we have work to do" Anne nodded as she exhaled. "I don't start until tomorrow but I'd be delighted to come in anyway to get a read on what I should expect" Mika nodded as she gave a small smile. "Sounds like a good idea to me." Mika extended her arms for a welcome home hug. As Anne stood there, she slowly opened her own arms leaned into Mika's body and wrapped her arms around for a hug.

As soon as she turned to gather more of her stuff for her suite, Mika, as well, had turned around to go back to her car. Suddenly changing her mind, Mika decided to walk back to Anne's car. "Maybe I could give you a ride over there, unless you need some time to get everything you have..." Anne interjected softly. "Actually, yeah I did need a little bit of time to get what I have into the suite but unless you're busy or need to leave right away, maybe you could lend me a hand." Mika wasn't one to turn someone down and she wasn't about to start now. "Sure, I'd love to help" Grabbing a bag, Mika followed Anne into the building, which was followed by the concierge wheeling the bags to the room. As the three arrived, Anne paid for the service and smiled, thanking him profusely.