"Easy on the steps, Jo," Melanie said, holding onto the six year old's hand. "Daddy will kill me if you get hurt."

It was New Years Eve, and another round of snow came through Seattle the day before, dropping two inches in less than eight hours. Luckily, the snowplows came through an hour after the snow stopped, clearing the streets and dropping a salt mix down. The Yorktown ended up closing around five, instead of seven, giving everyone a chance to cook and change their clothes.

"Hurry Aunt Mellie!" Joanna squealed. "Nyota made cupcakes!"

Melanie giggled as she knocked on the front door to the restaurant. "I know she did," she said, fixing Joanna's hair band. "She told me last night that she was making a whole bunch of stuff for you to eat."

A few seconds later, the door opened and Jim stood before them. "Ah, the lovely McCoy ladies have arrived!" he grinned. "Please, come in!"

Joanna ran inside, turning around to wait for Melanie as Jim closed the door. "Could I please take your coats?" he asked, taking on a French accent. "Ah, merci!" he bowed his head, as Melanie shrugged off her jacket.

"You are so cute," Melanie said, squeeze his cheeks. "Happy New Year."

Jim grinned, "Happy New Year to you," he kissed her cheek. He then turned to Joanna and squatted down, "And Happy New Year to you as well, Princess."

Joanna ran forward and hugged him around the neck, kissing his cheek. "Happy New Year!" she squealed.

Standing up, Jim took Mealnie's coat and hung it on the coat rack. "Everyone's in the back putting the final touches on everything. Hikaru and Scotty are fighting over the bathroom, since Pavel is taking forever to change his clothes," he informed her, as Melanie took Joanna's coat off.

"Where's my lovely grump of a brother?" she asked, handing the pink coat over.

Jim sighed, "Last I saw, he was helping Phil hook the television up since it stopped working," he shrugged. "Something about the cable, I don't know."

Joanna tugged on Melanie's skirt, "Aunt Mellie, I'm hungry."

"I know you are," she said, patting the top of her head. "Let's go see what everyone made."

"Actually, "Jim stopped her. "I'll take Jo to the kitchen to get some food. I made the meanest piggies in a blanket for a special someone," he grinned at Joanna.

"Yay! I love those!" Joanna said, jumping up and down. "Can I go?" she asked, looking at Melanie.

Melanie nodded, "Go on," she said with a smile. "Just don't get your dress dirty!"

Jim took Joanna's hand and started towards the kitchen, "You wait right there Miss Mellie," he said, laying the southern accent on thick. "A mighty fine gentlemen wants to see you."

He then tipped an imaginary hat and led Joanna through the restaurant to the kitchen. "Ohh! Is it Hugh Jackman?" she yelled after him.

"Hugh Jackman?"

Melanie yelped as two arms circled around her waist, "Not to sound too full of myself," Chris started. "But I think I'm a hell of a lot better looking than Hugh Jackman."

She giggled, "Hmmm, but can you sing?" she asked, turning around to face him. "Because if you can, I may lose my panties quicker."

Chris snorted, "Happy New Year to you too," he said.

"Happy New Year," she grinned, before kissing him. "You smell like cinnamon and something sweet."

"Jim was experimenting and somehow managed to make an entire container of cinnamon explode all over our uniforms," he shook his head. "Your brother almost killed him."

Melanie rolled her eyes, "That sounds like Len," she shook her head. "Always having a stroke."

Chris chuckled, as he took in what she was wearing. "Well," his eyes raked up and down her body. "Don't you look nice."

The dress she ended up picking out, much to Nyota's encouragement, was short and tight. A dark burgundy silk that covered her toned body, hugging in all the right places, which would definitely find it's way on Chris's bedroom floor later that night. The top contained a lace overlay, turning into long sleeves, giving the dress a classy edge.

"Well," she wrapped her arms over his shoulders, "I thought this would look nice on both me and your bedroom floor."

"If you keep that up," he whispered, gripping her hips tightly. "I won't be able to control myself."

Melanie grinned, "Well, I guess you better control yourself," she nipped at his lips. "Christopher."

She then pulled away, taking a few steps backwards, before turning around and walking towards the kitchen, her hips swaying seductively.

…

By eight, everyone was slightly buzzed from the open bar. Gaila shared every detail of her trip to Scotland with Scotty, looking happier than ever as she spoke of her boyfriend. Melanie finally met Spock, who she liked immediately. It was obvious that Nyota had spoke highly of her friends, and it was apparent when Spock asked for her thoughts on the April issue of the National Geographic that contained never before seen pictures of the Titanic.

"How can you even have a conversation with him?" Jim asked, as Melanie went to the food counter. "He's like.. boring!"

Melanie plucked a tortilla chip from the bowl, "Spock is not boring," she said, dipping the chip into the salsa bowl. "He's very intelligent and Nyota really likes him."

Jim rolled his eyes, "Ugh, he eats that organic shit. Nyota was making tofu and organic treats for him earlier."

Melanie snickered, "You sound so jealous right now," she elbowed him. "All because Nyota is moony eyed over a guy."

"Says the woman who keeps shooting Chris the "meet me in the ladies room in five minutes" look," he snorted into his drink. "Don't play dumb, Mellie. I know that look. I invented that look."

She blushed, "Oh, you are so.. well I never!" she huffed, before storming away.

Making her way towards the hallway, she quickly brushed past Chris. "Meet me in the ladies room," she said quickly. "Five minutes."

She then looked back at him as she pushed the bathroom door opened, nodding once, before disappearing inside.

From across the dining room, Jim watched as Chris slowly made his way down that same hallway, before disappearing into the ladies room, shaking his head and smirking as he sipped his drink.

…

"Where the hell did my sister go?" Leonard asked, as he came out of the kitchen with another platter of food. "I feel like she's been MIA all night."

Jim sputtered, nearly choking on his drink. "What?" he asked, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand,

"My sister?" Leonard frowned. "Did she leave?"

Jim shook his head quickly, "I think she went to get something from her car," he lied. "Do you need help in there?" he asked.

"Would you mind?" Leonard asked. "Sulu put all these damn trays in the oven and waltzed out to party with Janice."

Jim set his drink down and hopped off the stool, following Leonard into the kitchen. "What the hell did he make anyway?"

Leonard grabbed the potholders off the counter, "All this healthy shit," he grunted. "Baked zucchini and spinach soufflés, something with asparagus and I don't even want to know what this is."

Moving the empty trays into a pile, Leonard placed the finished product down and sighed. "I thought we would make easy food," he moved back to the oven. "Finger food that kids eat; mozzarella sticks, potato skins.. those hot dog things that Joanna gobbled up."

Jim snickered, "Hikaru likes to experiment here," he shrugged. "The way he makes spinach, makes the entire apartment reek for days."

Leonard shook his head, "What the hell am I gonna do with all this shit?" he looked at the food before him. "Is this even good?"

He picked up a weird pastry type hors d'oeuvre, and took a bite. "You know what," he chewed. "It ain't that bad."

"Oh god, not you too!" Jim groaned, as Leonard collected a smaller tray from the end of the counter. "How can you eat that healthy shit? You of all people, Mr. "I like my steak rare!""

Leonard shrugged as he set the food onto the platter, "It's not that bad," he insisted. "Try one and you'll thank me for it."

Jim gave him a skeptical look, "Let's just put this shit outside," he huffed. "The ball is going to drop soon and I want to see who's going to hookup with who."

…..

Melanie and Chris scurried out of the ladies room thirty minutes later, keeping their eyes peeled for Leonard. Once the coast was clear, they stepped back out into the dining room and casually fell back into place among the others.

"Why is your boss staring at me?" Melanie whispered, as they went to the bar. "It's kinda creeping me out."

Chris looked at her, before turning his attention back to Phil. As Melanie said, he was looking at her with lust in his eyes.

"Just ignore him," he said, shooting Phil a warning look. "You're with me and that's all that matters."

Melanie turned back to him, "My knight in shining armor," she cooed, as he fixed her a drink. "I may knee him in the balls if he comes near me though," she warned.

Chris handed her the drink, "Not if I get to him first."

"Ball is gonna drop in ten minutes!" Jim yelled, as he turned the volume up on the television. "Scotty, give me a hand over here!"

Scotty excused himself from Gaila's side, moving to the bar to help Jim with the champagne and glasses. Leonard sat Joanna down on a stool, handing her a glass of a non-alcoholic Shirley temple.

"Where did you run off too?" he asked, looking at Melanie. "I was lookin' all over for you"

Melanie glanced at Chris, as Leonard kept his eye on Joanna. "Ran out to my car," she shrugged. "Thought I left my phone in there."

Leonard nodded, "Did you eat?" he asked, as Joanna handed him the glass. "Make sure you eat something if you're drinking, Mel."

She smiled, "I am," she insisted. "You know me and food. If you're going to put it out, I'm gonna eat it."

He snorted, "Don't I know it," he sighed. "You look beautiful, Mel."

Blushing, Melanie looked down at her shoes, as Leonard came over to her. "Really," he kissed her forehead. "You're making all of us look like bums. Even Jim is seething in jealousy."

Chris snorted, as he leaned against the counter. "And Jim worked so hard on his hair after we closed," he sighed, shaking his head.

Melanie laughed as Jim and Scotty moved around the room, handing out glasses of champagne. "Five minutes everyone!" Jim shouted.

Accepting their glasses, Melanie and Chris moved around to face the television that hung from the wall behind the bar. It was a cold night in New York City, as thousands crowded together in Times Square to celebrate new beginnings. Luckily, the snowstorm that hit Seattle wasn't due to hit the eastern seaboard until the end of the week. Once everyone had a drink- a refill for Joanna- everyone stood together as Ryan Seacrest began the countdown. Leonard had Joanna perched against his hip, holding onto her cup instead of his champagne.

"Five, four, three, two, one! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Hugs and kisses went around the room, as two thousand thirteen rolled in, on the east coast. While it was only nine in Seattle, everyone had agreed that they would celebrate with New York on their time, before celebrating again when the clock hit twelve Seattle time. Leonard gave Melanie a big kiss on the cheek, while Joanna did the same.

"Happy New Year!" Leonard said, hugging her tightly with one arm.

She smiled at him, her heart hurting, as she hugged him again. "I love you."

"Love you too, Sis."

Melanie moved around the room, hugging Gaila and Nyota, while the boys gave her a kiss on the cheek. She successfully managed to avoid Phil; his eyes followed her around the room, as she made he way back to Chris.

"Let's get this party started!" Sulu shouted, popping open another bottle of champagne.

….

Midnight came and went, as the employees and special guests partied inside the Yorktown Tavern. As midnight came and went, Leonard decided it was time to take Joanna home, since they had a busy day with finishing up her book report. Nyota and Melanie saw them off, making sure they had enough cupcakes and cookies for Joanna.

Once they went back inside, Gaila managed to snatch Melanie's phone, and started taking pictures of everyone.

"My camera is full," Gaila said, when Melanie asked why she couldn't use her own phone. "I have to upload everything to my computer."

Along with Chris, Gaila and Scotty joined them outback. While Gaila and Scotty smoked, Chris and Melanie huddled together against the brick wall, wrapped up in their coats.

"Smile you two!" Gaila said, snapping a quick photo of them. "Aww, you two are so cute!" she cooed.

Melanie rolled her eyes, giggling as Gaila continued snapping photos. "I'm anticipating for boob shots later," she whispered to Chris. "She does this all the time."

"Perfect blackmail material," he grinned, wrapping his arm around her. "Happy New Year, Mel."

She leaned into him, "Happy, Happy, New Year," she grinned, before kissing him.

Gaila took the opportunity to snap a photo of them kissing and one after, as they gazed lovingly into each other's eyes. "You know," she took a quick puff from her cigarette. "You two would make the most cutest babies."

Melanie and Chris blushed and looked away from each other, while Gaila giggled. She then disappeared inside to take more photos, Scotty following close behind.

"Wanna leave soon?" Chris asked, pressing her gently against the wall.

She nodded, "Very soon?" she asked. "I'm getting tired of being social with everyone and it's cold."

Chris nodded, "Let's go get your phone from Gaila and then we can wrap up some food to take home," he opened the back door. "Because I don't plan on cooking tomorrow on my day off."

…..