The following afternoon Karen was rushing around the apartment trying on different outfits, she had had Rosario fetch a lot more of her clothes, she had even been out that morning and brought new things but she couldn't decide upon anything she was too nervous.

"Rosie, what about this?" she asked walking in wearing a red dress.

"I don't know, it's a bit dressy, where you going?"

"I don't know, hang on I'll ring jack." She picked up her phone and dialled the number.

"Hey its me, I was just wondering where we're going tonight I can't decide what to wear."

On the other end of the phone Jack smiled, he wanted to take Karen out and show her a side of New York she'd never seen. "Well, it's a surprise, it won't be what your use to, I'm taking a risk with this so please give it a try, so I'd wear something comfortable, casual and nothing precious, oh and Kare wrap up warm its freezing out there, it is December."

Karen hung up looking horrified, "I don't do casual, what is that anyway?" she asked looking scared.

"I'd say it's what red wears."

"Noooo! I can't wear anything that Grace would, come on Rosie we'll have to go shopping again." With that she ran off to change and raced out the door.

At 6.30 that evening Karen walked out of Grace's room dressed in tight cord trousers in a deep plum colour, low cut and flared at the bottom. She also wore a white high-necked cashmere jumper, a white coat that came down to her knees and a purple scarf. Her hair hung lose around her face and her make up as always was immaculate. "Well, how do I look, casual?" she asked in hope giving her friends a twirl.

"Wow Karen, you look great, different, I don't think I've ever seen you wear something like that but it works, Grace you should take note."

"Hey, I have style, Karen you look great why your bothering is another question but you look nice."

Karen smiled and trotted off to grab her matching purple bag and gloves.

"Grace. She's so happy, and she's wearing something other than a red or black suit, be a little more supportive." Will rolled his eyes at his friend who could be so stubborn about this sort of thing.

"I said she looked good, I can't help thinking this is wrong Jack doesn't deserve another chance."

"Well she thinks he does so get over it." Will snapped moving to sit away from his friend.

At 7 Jack walked in dressed in deep brown jean like trousers and a beige jumper, not forgetting a thick coat, scarf and gloves. New York at this time of year could drop well below freezing. When he saw Karen his mouth fell open in shock, she looked amazing, she always did but this was different, the trousers hugged her legs and hips and the colours blended so well together.

"Will this be ok?" she asked nervously.

"Yeh, wow you look amazing."

"Thank you."

Grace rolled her eyes and headed into her room "ignore her, you two have fun." Will said as the two walked out of the door.

Christmas wasn't far off and New York was lit up in festive colours, it was Karen's favourite time of year secretly she loved Christmas, the snow, the lights, the whole atmosphere of the city changed at this time of year.

"So where we off to?" she asked eagerly.

"Well, I thought we could go to central park and watch the Christmas show, they sing carols and Christmas songs, then we could go grab something to eat." He said this nervously knowing that Karen could hate the whole idea but was surprised when she simply said "ok" and hooked her arm through his for added warmth.

Christmas songs bellowed out from the small stage, people were singing along, kids were running about, sales vendors were selling hot corn and chestnuts, mulled wine and the usual American goodies. "Here drink this your freezing." Jack said handing her a steaming cup of mulled wine.

"Thank you, you know I never knew they did this in central park at Christmas." She replied taking a sip of the warm liquid.

"Yeh every year, my mum use to bring me when I was little." They finished their drinks and as the choir finished their last song they made their move out of the crowd. "Hey come on." Jack shouted excitedly pulling Karen alongside him.

"Jack what are you… no!" she laughed seeing what Jack had in mind.

"Come on, I won't let you fall." He pouted; Karen rolled her eyes and let herself be led to the ice rink. "This is the first and last time you will ever see Karen Walker on ice." She warned as she tied her stakes on and cautiously stepped onto the ice. Jack who was racing around like an expert circled Karen who did not look happy.

"Hey, dancing queen, if you knock me over I'll kill you." She threatened. She grabbed hold of the side as she felt herself slip.

"Oh come on you wimp" he raced over to her only to fall flat on his back.

Karen screamed in laugher her body doubling over at the site, "Oh, my that was hilarious." She laughed.

"Oh thanks for the concern" Jack laughed back dragging himself up and making his way over to her, "now come with me." He took her hand and led her into the centre of the ice, both unsteady and trying to keep their balance. "If you go, don't take me with you." She muttered causing Jack to smile. They skated around together talking and laughing. "Hey, it's snowing." Jack pointed out catching a snowflake in his hands.

"So it is." Karen smiled as a wet flake tickled her nose, "looks like a white Christmas this year." Jack pulled Karen into his arms and looked down into her face. "At least we won't ever forget this." He whispered looking deep into her eyes. He lent in and was about to kiss her when he lost his footing and fell again bringing Karen down with him. They both laughed hard as Jack got back to his feet.

"Jack I can't get up." Karen laughed, she was right she couldn't, he tried to pull her up but it just made him fall. Karen had tears streaming down her face at the sight. "Stop laughing" Jack shouted laughing himself, he started to drag her across the ice to the side so she could pull her self up on the side. She wiped her trousers down which now felt extremely damp and headed off the ice to put her shoes back on. "That was so funny." Karen squeaked still laughing, "I'm in pain." She added.

Jack grabbed her hand "come on lets go eat." As they walked through the streets of New York the snow started to fall thick and fast and both started to feel the cold. "Come on this is it." Jack said opening the door to a 50's style diner. Karen had never been inside one before and was taken aback by the bright lights and rock and roll music. "What do you fancy, I'm starving this place do great burgers." Jack said eagerly looking through the menu.

"What do you think I should have, I've never been in a place like this, its weird."? Karen said looking around at the black and white pictures and the huge jukebox in the corner.

"Oh we can go somewhere else if you like." Jack replied looking up at her.

"No its ok Jackie, I've done two new things tonight why not make it three, so what should I have, you order for me."

A middle-aged waitress came over to them and jack order two cheeseburgers and two hot chocolates with cream and marshmallows.

"Ummm this is so nice." Karen said tucking into her burger, "I can tell this is no good for you."

Jack laughed "tell me about it, if I could eat this daily I'd be in heaven." He smiled watching Karen dip her fries into the tomato ketchup, she looked so happy.

"What?" she asked catching his stare?

"Nothing you just look happy."

"I am." She replied, pushing her plate away and gasped at the sheer size of the hot chocolate that was put down in front of her. "Oh my god, I can't drink all that."

"Trust me when you've tried it you will." Jack laughed at her expression as she lifted the steaming mug to her lips and drank leaving a cream moustache on her top lip. "Your right, I'm going to have to send Rosario over here to learn how to do this." Jack leaned over and whipped the cream off her lip causing her to giggle. She got up and headed to the jukebox putting a quarter in and flicking through the choices. All the songs were rock and roll so she decided on the Elvis song 'can't help falling in love with you.'

"Good choice" Jack said as she returned.

"I know" she replied taking another slip of her chocolate.

It was just after midnight when the two headed back, the snow had settled quite quickly and was falling slowly but in thick heavy flakes. As they reached there apartment block Jack pulled them to a stop.

"Thank you for tonight" he said as he leant down and kissed her softly on the lips.

"I had a great time." She replied shivering from the cold.

"Come on let's get inside, your shivering." He pushed her through the door, nodded at the doorman and took the lift up to the 9th floor.

They stood outside there apartments in an awarkward silence, not knowing what to do.

"What you doing tomorrow, I thought we could go see a movie or something." Jack managed to stutter out like a teenage boy asking a girl to a dance for the first time.

"Yeh I'd like that." Karen replied without looking up.

"Well goodnight and thank you, I can't remember the last time I had such a laugh." Karen muttered backing towards her door.

"Me neither, goodnight." He moved forward and brushed his lips against hers, she responded immediately, moving her arms around his neck and pulling him close. She allowed him access to her mouth as there tongues became entwined. The kiss quickly become passionate, with the action of there mouths, the feel of his body pressed up against hers and his hand rubbing her back she couldn't help but let out a soft moan. They broke the kiss when they needed air amazed at how effected they were by just that small action. "I should go," she whispered.

"Yes." He agreed as he pulled her to meet his lips again. Knowing where this was going they both pulled apart.

"I've got to stop now or I won't be able to." Jack muttered breathlessly.

"Agreed" she managed to get out between breaths.

"Goodnight" she said as she opened the door.

"Yeh, night." He smiled as she disappeared from view.