A/N: Happy New Year! This is super short, I had a barely there idea and gave myself 20 min to write and this was the result.


Mike distractedly stared off into the distance and absentmindedly clinked his beer bottle against Charlie's. He barely paid attention when she kissed his cheek and wished him Happy New Year.

He wasn't paying attention the fireworks illuminating the night sky. He also wasn't paying attention to Johnny's New Year's Resolution that had something to do with not getting tied down in 2016, unless she's a freak.

As always, Paige had his full attention. She had wandered off from the group about ten minutes before midnight. He had almost gotten up to follow her then, but he was trying to respect that Paige wanted space. Or at the very least, respect that she thought she did.

Mike set down his beer bottle and wandered over the cooler and grabbed two beers, but instead of returning the rest of the group, he walked the short distance to where Paige was leaning against a large rock, staring out into the ocean.

Mike wordlessly handed a beer to Paige as a peace offering. Maybe she wouldn't chase him off if he came bearing gifts. She offered him a small smile and clinked her bottle against his, but kept silent. Mike took a long drink of his beer, taking advantage of the silence to watch Paige. He swore she got more and more beautiful everyday. Her hair was getting longer again, and it was twisted up in some elaborate design of braids. It looked incredible, but he just wanted to take it down and run his fingers through her hair. But, if wishing Paige Happy New Year wasn't allowed, he had a feeling that wasn't allowed either.

"I didn't mean to ruin your night," Paige quietly said, breaking the silence between them.

Mike shook his head, "You didn't."

"You're out here with me, instead of with everyone else." Paige took a sip of her beer and traced her fingers along the edge of the label.

He wanted to tell her that he was exactly where he wanted to be.

Almost exactly where he wanted to be.

He wanted to be closer to her.

So close he could smell her perfume.

Feel her skin pressed against his.

Stare into her eyes.

Instead he shrugged, "I like watching the water."

With her.

He liked watching the water with her. It reminded him of that first summer where they would spend all night on the beach just watching the water and talking. This summer, there had barely been time for that. Their lives had gotten consumed by work too quickly and they fell apart before they began.

"Mike, I just - I just want to..." Paige's voice trailed off and she closed her eyes. "Never mind." She pushed herself off the rock and started heading back to the group.

Mike grabbed her hand and stared up at her, patiently waiting for an explanation he wasn't sure would ever come. He didn't know if New Year's wishes were a thing, but if they were, he wanted to know what she was about to tell him. Just once. Paige kept her feelings a carefully guarded secret, but every time they got a little closer she pulled back and he wanted to know why. Mike rubbed his thumb along her wrist and tugged her closer to him.

Paige closed her eyes, but hadn't tried to move away from him. Mike released her hand from his and rubbed his hands along her sides and Paige sighed as she let Mike maneuver her so she was standing between his legs.

Mike cupped her face in his hand and lightly brushed his lips over hers. He teased her with several short kisses until he felt Paige relax completely in his arms. "Just want to what?" Mike murmured against her lips.

"Start over."

THE END