"Where are we off to now, wise old Oz?" Chloe asked Brady as they got back in his jeep. "How good are you at balancing?" he asked her. She looked at him curiosly "What?" she asked "why?" Brady smiled, he was having a good time at this game "Because the next thing we are going to do requires great balance."

"I'm okay, I guess" Chloe hedged, uncertain of what he had in store for her. "you don't sound very sure about that Chloe Lane" he responded. "It would help if I knew what you had in mind" she pointed out. Brady nodded "Yes, it would, but then it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?"

Chloe had no answer for that, at least not one that would refute his claim. She recognized the area as being Salem Place because of the shops, now her curiosity was even more piqued. "Come on Cinderella" Brady put the jeep in park and brought her out of her thoughts "Time is sneaking up on you."

Brady walked around to her door and let her out, taking her hand he walked with her towards the sounds of children's laughter and excited screeching. "Ice Skating" Chloe exclaimed "I haven't skated in a long time Brady." Brady chuckled at her expression, "Don't worry if you fall I'll catch you." He assured her.

Something in his eyes and the way he spoke made her feel as though he meant that on a different level "don't read anything into it, Chloe" she mumbled "he's just a friend."

"What?" Brady looked at her. "Oh nothing, I was just thinking a little too loud." She answered.

Brady heard most of what she said, but decided to let it go, by the end of the night, he intended to make sure Chloe knew he was looking for more than a best friend. "Come on twinkle toes, let's get to skating." He called reaching for her hand. Nervously, Chloe took his hand and stepped onto the ice.

"Not afraid are you?" Brady challenged. Chloe squared her shoulders, "Of course not, are you?" Brady sensed some fear in her, but never let on "Nope, not a doubt." As they stepped away from the rail, Chloe's confidence flailed at the exact same time she did. Brady tried to catch her, but she grabbed onto his arm and pulled him down too. "Its really hard to catch you when you have a death grip on me." He remarked with a silly grin on his face.

Just then a couple of kids skated by, and laughed at them. "Want me to put the hurt on the kid for you?" Brady asked teasingly. Chloe tried to apologize but all she could do was laugh. "What is so funny?" Brady asked indignant. "Watching you fall" Chloe admitted before being overcome with laughter again. "Oh ya think that was funny, huh?" Brady responded "So you did that on purpose, right?" he asked. "No," Chloe protested, but to Brady it sounded phony, "Uh-huh?" he grunted "Sure, I believe you."

"Come on, get up and no more tricks." He commanded helping her to her feet. While Chloe was learning the fine art of balancing your body on one thin blade, Brady plotted payback for her little stunt. After a successful turn around the rink, he let go of her hand and gave her a slight push "Brady" she called out as his actions caught her by surprise. With an easy move, he caught her in his arms "I told you I'd catch you if you fell" he spoke softly in her ear. Chloe shivered at the feel of him being so close. "Cold?" Brady inquired. Not trusting herself to speak just yet, Chloe nodded. "Come on I get us some hot chocolate." Brady led her to the exit of the rink and she gladly stepped off, giving him a well deserved shove afterwards "You scared me, you creep."

Brady landed in a snowdrift, laughing as he pulled her in beside him "Paybacks are hell, aren't they Chloe" he just chuckled. With a small grin, Chloe nodded her head "But at least you caught me.' She agreed. "I always will" he promised soberly, his face mere inches from hers.

Both Chloe and Brady sensed the change in the moods and the intimate nature of their position, and for just a second, it was as if time stood still waiting for what was supposed to. "Hey" Chloe sat up, "You promised me hot chocolate."

Brady watched Chloe from the counter while he waited for their hot chocolate. He felt so close to her right now. He fought the urge to kiss her as they sat there on the snow bank.

Sensing her fear, he wisely backed off, but one day she wouldn't be so fearful. "Damn you Phillip" he cursed his Uncle and Chloe's former boyfriend "You did this."

"Brady?" Chloe called to get his attention. Brady turned to look at her "What?" he answered. "When did you plan this?" she asked. "This, as in this night or this as in this part?" he asked. "This whole night?" she clarified. Brady took a deep breath "I planned this today, while I was sitting at home dreading spending another New Years Eve with Dick Clark" he said.

Chloe smiled at that "How did you know I'd come?" she asked. "I didn't" he admitted "I just took a chance that you would."

"Your parents didn't invite you anywhere?" she questioned. "sure they did, but I had soooooo much fun at the last party I went to with them, I just had to turn them down."

Before Chloe could respond that, a woman selling roses and photos came to their table "Would you like to buy a flower for the lady?" she inquired "How about a picture?"

Brady thought for a moment "Yes, to both." He turned to Chloe "I think we'll take a pink rose, in fact we'll take a dozen and a picture too."

"Brady" Chloe was shocked. "What?" he asked "you don't like pink roses?" Chloe smiled "No, I love pink roses, but they cost.." He interrupted her "Its New Years Eve, take them" he said putting the roses in her hand. "Thank you" she smiled at him "They're beautiful."

They posed for a picture and another given to them by the woman, "Keep him honey" she whispered to Chloe, "They don't make em like him anymore."

Brady looked at his watch "Oh come on were going to be late." Brady prompted her. "Wait" Chloe stopped him "we need to put these in the box."

"One of them and the picture, the rest are for you." Brady conceded "We can drop them off on the way."