A/N:

Not dead, just in college. Even before that, though, I've had hell with this chapter. Throughout the summer I kept trying to write it, then I kept getting stuck, and then I'd walk away and promise to come back and finish it later.

I never finished it. I just found it way to hard to continue for whatever reason. So here is what I have for you. Just some closure on the last story arc. The next chapter will be up this weekend and will be starting from a point a little later on in Alec and Lyndel's relationship.

So, without further ado, a horribly written, way-too-short, filler chapter intended solely for the purpose of proper sub-plot finalization.


"The New York shut-down continues into the night as the city that never sleeps has been silenced by one of the worst snow storms this nation has seen in years. Public transit is down, businesses are scheduled to be closed well into the week and night life has come to a standstill-"

Lyndel muted the television as Alec walked back into the living room, cell phone in hand.

The young man sighed dejectedly and collapsed onto the sofa. In her twenty-one years Lyndel had learned not to push people, especially when they're stressed. And judging by the way his hands were running over his face and through his hair, it was safe to assume the young CEO wasn't exactly in the mood for a game of 20 questions. So she kept quiet and trusted that if he wanted to talk he would.

A light from the coffee table grabbed her attention and she reached for her phone as Alec began to talk.

"How," He asked with a sigh, "Are we supposed to stay on schedule if I have to keep canceling work?"

"It's only been two days," Lyndel replied as she read the message on her phone, "How far behind can everything be?"

"Parker," Alec replied incredulously, "The magazine is due to be published next Wednesday. Every day this week had a different photo shot scheduled, all of which are now behind. With that, I highly doubt any of the columnists have finished their sections, must less emailed them to their respective editors. And if they did, chances are the editors aren't making it a point to regularly check their inboxes. And that's just the magazine. Demetri and Heidi were supposed to be on a plane tomorrow to tour Europe with buyers from our competitors; competitors that are stationed in cities that aren't shut down at least one week through the winter season."

"At least we don't have wild fires?" She offered jokingly before flashing him the new email that was pulled up on her phone, "And at least you know HR has their game face on."

His blue eyes glanced at the screen and he smirked.

"Leah Clearwater." He said fondly, "We nabbed her from one of the other fashion houses a few months back. One hell of worker, that woman."

"Yeah," Lyndel smiled as she put her phone back on the table, "Bree says that she was the one who dug up all the dirt that got Biers fired. As far as I'm concerned, she's a keeper."

Alec smiled in return before glancing out the window, the snowy world bright and shimmering as a new layer of white coated the streets and rooftops. A light sense of dread overcame Lyndel as she took in the scene with him. He hadn't let her go home all day, constantly noting that the weather was a point of concern for him (not without reason, of course. It had been deemed this year's 'Snowmagedon' by the Chief Meteorologist on the evening news, after all). There was no way he was going to let her walk home in nasty weather at night.

"I don't have any pajamas." She said abruptly, her desperate and hurried thoughts overcoming her as her socially awkward mind started listing excuses to brave the storm and go home.

"You're wearing pajamas." Alec pointed out with a smirk as he rose from the couch and walked down the hall and into the master bedroom.

"That I've been wearing for…23 hours and 45 minutes." She replied, her voice echoing through the pent house apartment. "I need to shower and change and charge my phone and-"

A pair of flying sweatpants stopped her mid-rant. She caught them with ease and looked up at Alec- now returned from his bedroom- in question.

"Pajamas." He said simply, tossing her a cotton t-shirt. "And I do have a working shower, Parker."

"These are men's pants."

"Just like what you're wearing."

She offered her own plaid pjs a quick glance. Anyone with an eye for clothes could tell that she had wander into the wrong gender section at the pajama store.

She looked back up, catching his eyes in hard stare; daring him to make some sarcastic, snide comment as her father, brother, cousin, grandmother and so many others had. "I have long legs."

He smirked suggestively. "I've noticed."

"Women's sweats are too short."

"My aunt has proportions you'd only see on the runway at Fashion Week." He told her with a condescending smile before gently pulling her from the couch and sending her down the hall, "I know all about your tall-woman struggles. Now, the bathroom is off the bedroom and we have the same phone, so the charger won't be a problem. Go shower and I'll change the sheets on the bed for you-"

"No you won't." She interrupted, turning back around to look at him, "If I'm staying here, then I'm staying on the couch."

"Why?"

She shrugged. "I've never thought it was right to kick someone out their own bed."

"Well, I've never thought it was right to put one's own comfort before a guest's." He retorted easily, resting his blue eyes on her hazel ones in a silent battle of wills.

Lyndel stood strong (an attempt to mask the way her heart started pounding at the thought of confrontation) and responded in a smooth, even voice, "It seems we've reached an impasse, then."

Alec smirked and approached her, closing in until he was but inches from her. Though she knew there was no sincere threat, her hands went cold and her heart started beating even louder. God, she was such a baby when it came butting heads.

"Then it seems to me," Alec started in low voice, "there's only one reasonable solution."

Her eyes narrowed in annoyance and distaste, knowing full well what he was suggesting and that the only reason he was doing it was to mess with her and her "take it slow" mentality. But still, it had been a long, awkward day and she was tired.

"Fine." She muttered through clenched teeth. "But you better keep your hands to yourself."