Here's a continuation to One Year and Counting. I decided to separate this from the rest of the story that way in case you dislike it you'll be able to ignore it. However, if you do like it then you'll have a little bit more to enjoy. Thanks for all the reviews. It's so great to hear what you all think. I hope you enjoy!

Taylor Carter sat opposite of Harold Finch so that they could talk face to face. Finch had been a little surprised when Taylor asked to seem him. He was even more thrown off when the teen came unaccompanied by either John or his mother. There was a new confidence in the young man today. Finch could tell from the way his shoulders sat and how he stared directly into his eyes. The kid meant business.

"What can I do for you young Carter?"

Taylor tried not to smile. He always found the man with the glasses-Finch-to be an interesting person. After the issue with his mom the man had taken to calling him young Carter. Although he didn't mind the nickname Taylor couldn't help feeling like he was a young padawan from Star Wars who was consulting Master Yoda. "Thanks for coming Mr. Finch. I don't want to waste your time so I'll get to it. I know you really care about my mom and John. Right?"

"Indeed you are correct."

"Then I know you see that John and my mom clearly have a thing for each other."

Harold blinked trying to handle this situation with delicacy. He was not comfortable talking about this, but nonetheless was determined to find out what the teen was getting at, so he gave an awkward nod.

"They've both been through a lot in the past year." Taylor leaned his elbows on the table leaning closer to Finch. "More than anything I want to see my mom happy now. I think both she and John need some down time, where they can be alone. Take a moment and figure things out. I'm not a kid anymore I'm getting the hang of how these things work. I want to help them out. I just need your help."

Finch listened patiently. Taylor pulled out an object from his pocket and laid it on the table. When Finch looked down to examine it he realized it was a flyer.

"The Crystal Ball is coming up. On December fifteenth. It's the biggest event during this season. A place where all the ritzy people go. Not a single mom who's a cop. You understand? I want her and John to go. I want my mom to get all dressed up and let herself be treated like a Cinderella for at least one night. And, I know this sounds corny, but I want John to be her prince. She's all starry eyed when he's around anyway, I figured this way I could hand her John on a silver platter."

Finch grunted back a laugh. He was always impressed with this kid. Jocelyn Carter were surely blessed to have a son who loved her as much as he did.

"I need a little help pulling this off. Financially. I hate to ask you, but… I have money in my savings account. Enough for my mom to get a really nice dress, or to at least cover one of the tickets. But I want her to have a ticket and the nice dress. If you could cover the rest of the expenses I promise I'll pay you back-"

"Don't worry Taylor. You're right I want to help them. They won't have many moments like this. I handle both tickets and everything else. What you have, give to your mom for a new dress. And don't worry about paying me back. There won't be a need."

Taylor's shoulders slumped with relief while he broke into a smile. "Thanks. I don't know how I can repay you."

"Trust me. It'll be my pleasure."

…..

"One ticket. To the Crystal Ball?!" Joss exclaimed holding the ticket while staring at her son in awe. "Taylor! How in the world did you even manage to get your hand on something like this?"

Taylor held a finger over his lips. "Shhh. It's a secret." She smiled at him shaking her head. "Forget about the ticket Mom. You have to go shopping."

"Shopping?"

"Uh-huh. John's going to be here at six to pick you up."

"What? Hold up! John?"

"Yes. He's your date. Now this is the card you're supposed to use to pay for whatever you buy." Your limit is listed on the paper I gave you.

Joss planted her feet solidly on the floor. "Uh, excuse you, but I am not using all this money on an outfit."

Never one to cross him mother today Taylor Carter was going to make an exception. "Excuse you, but you most certainly will and we're not debating this." To prove his point he didn't give her another second to interrupt him. "Now while you're gone you have to stay with Shaw. It was the only way I was able to get John away from you. I promised that Ms. Shaw would stay with you no matter what."

"Okay okay. But listen to me. Did you and John plan this?"
"Nope. We punked him too. So please Mom go. I can't have you looking like this when he comes."

Joss leaned back her eyes scanning the length of her son. Her son had put his foot down and she didn't want to cross the young man standing before. "Okay. I'm going."

I'll be following with updates soon