A/N: As you've probably gathered since I've never written one before, I'm not a great fan of sequels since they often don't live up to the original. That said, so many of you have asked for one for 'Seven Days of Christmas' that I decided to give it a go. I hope you won't be too disappointed.

Disclaimer: The characters, with the exception of those not in the original line-up, don't belong to me they remain the property of Paxson Entertainment and Pebblehut. I'm just having a bit of fun with them.

Key: Signing in bold. F-I-N-G-E-R S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G

o-xxx-o

New Year's Revelations

A short sequel to 'Seven Days of Christmas'

o-xxx-o

New Year's Eve (Saturday) Pt.1:

Jack stared at the tickets on his coffee table wondering yet again, if he'd done the right thing. The whole sharing Christmas idea had worked out well in the end and no one in the office had even suspected but that had been mostly behind closed doors. This however, was an entirely different proposition and he was having second and even third thoughts about going through with it.

On the other hand, they had cost him a small fortune and he'd already asked her to spend New Year with him, he couldn't let her down now. And besides, it wasn't as though they were having a clandestine affair or anything they were just two friends sharing a night out. Picking up his cell, he started to call her then stopped, unsure if Lucy would still be home he decided to text instead.

o-xxx-o

In the girls' apartment, the woman in question was packing a few last minute things into her bag. "You're sure you don't want me to stay? I can if you like, I'm sure Anita won't mind."

Sue crossed her eyes but remained silent.

"Okay, maybe she would but…"

"Luce, you've been promising to spend time with her ever since she moved to DC. Go and enjoy yourself. I'll see you Monday evening."

Levi barked to show he agreed.

"Okay Boy I get the message, I'm going, and in case I don't get the chance to call, Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year"

"Happy New Year"

After she'd gone, Sue flopped down onto the couch and breathed a sigh of relief. She loved Lucy dearly but sometimes felt like strangling her and she was sure that the feeling was probably mutual. She was just getting up to go to the kitchen when Levi pawed her and walked to her Blackberry which was lying on the coffee table.

"Phone call..?" She picked it up to check. "Oh, text message…"

Pick you up at 7:15, formal dress. No Levi, sorry.

Sue bent down to give him a scratch. "Sorry Boy, looks like you're not invited this time."

The dog whined and rested his head on the table sulkily while she sat down and dialled Charlie's number.

"Charlie, its Sue, is there any chance you could look after Levi for me tonight?"

"Hot date..?"

"No," her cheeks started to burn even though he couldn't see her. "A night out with a friend..."

"Sure, I can take him but I'll need you to pick him up first thing. I have my annual New Year's Day Bowling League tomorrow afternoon and I'm still their best player."

She smiled. "No problem. I'll collect him on my way to church in the morning."

"Want me to come and get him?"

"If you don't mind..?"

"It'll be my pleasure… See you in a bit."

"I'll have him ready and Charlie, thank you."

"You're very welcome. Does this mean I've earned myself another meatloaf dinner?" He asked hopefully.

o-xxx-o

Promptly at 7:15, Jack arrived at the apartment and automatically reached for the bell before shaking his head. Since Levi probably wasn't there it would be pointless, so instead, he texted to let her know he was outside. He was thinking about sending a second message when the door opened and she caught him trying to loosen both the collar of his dress-shirt and his bow tie at the same time. Hand frozen in mid-air, he opened his mouth to speak then closed it, taking a breath before trying again. "You look… wonderful."

She'd chosen to wear the dress she'd bought for the Ice Gala with David since it had barely had an outing and had left her hair down the way he liked it. "Thank you. You're looking pretty spiffy, yourself."

"Spiffy?"

"A word my Mom always uses and hopefully I never will again." She cringed. "Sorry, it means you look…" Her eyes flashed mischievously. "Nice."

"I guess I deserved that. Are you ready?"

"Just about…" Walking back inside, she collected her purse and a woollen wrap. "Now I'm ready."

"I'm sorry about Levi. Where is he by the way?"

"He's staying with Charlie for the night."

"He didn't mind?"

"Who… Levi?"

"No…" He glared at her. "Charlie."

She laughed. "I think he was glad of the company."

"Oh, okay." He opened the passenger door and waited for her to get settled before returning to the driver's seat.

"Are you sure this is alright?"

"What?"

"Us… going out together?"

"I'm sure. Just two friends enjoying New Year's Eve, remember."

"Yes, but…"

"Look Sue… No one said anything when Bobby took Tara to the Mojo Gogo concert, did they?"

"The 'what' concert..?"

He tried to finger-spell while keeping contact with the steering wheel but gave up. "Never mind… The point is, if I was going with Bobby or even Tara no one would care so why should it be different for us?"

"Because it always is…" She sighed.

"Only where Lucy's concerned and she's gone away for the weekend, so as long as there's no mistletoe around…" He grinned when she blushed. "O-kay?"

O-K

"Good."

They drove towards the river and Jack pulled into a private lot, leading her the short distance to a jetty where a group of similarly dressed people were standing around, chatting and laughing in front of a beautifully lit and festively decorated cruise boat.

"Oh my Gosh," she covered her mouth with her hand in shocked surprise. "Jack, you didn't…"

He fidgeted nervously, not sure how to take her reaction. "Well, I figured we'd seen the sights just about every other way… I thought it might be nice to see them from the river. Is there a problem?" He panicked. "You don't get sick on boats?"

"No… but the tickets must have cost you a fortune."

"Then we'd better make sure we have a good time. Same conditions as before… Once we step onto the gangplank, no F.B.I; no work; no worrying about the rules..."

D-E-A-L

o-xxx-o

A/N: Part two later today, I hope! :-D

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