Angel put on her long, golden-blond wig, checking her makeup one last time. She pulled her pink platforms over her thighs. "Pussy galore" had already made them late.

"Ready yet?" Collins called from the living room.

"Why so impatient, love?" She pranced into the room. He took her hand, twirling her around to see her properly.

"Damn, girl." He pulled her close for a kiss.

"Later, Tom, they're waiting."

He groaned and she laced her fingers with his, pulling him out the door.

By the time they were near time's square, the bohemians could feel the music pulsing and the people were gathering, celebrating, people of all kinds were talking and drinking, dancing and generally having a good time. Angel soaked up the energy. She was the light of the city, shining from Collins' side while they talked and partied. The bohemians passed around bottles of cheap champagne, resisting the temptation to open them before midnight, there was plenty of other booze to be had.

"ANGEL!" She spun around, looking for the voice.

"JAMIE!" Angel broke away from Collins, racing to embrace the taller transsezual.

"JAMIE!" Mimi called, tackling them both. The three girls collapsed in a heap on the ground.

"I guess they know each other." Roger suggested

"No shit" Joanne broke apart from Maureens lips long enough to interject. Mark moved to get a better angle.

The girls slowly untangled themselves from one another. Angel and Mimi pulled Jamie back towards their friends. "Jamie, Mark." Mimi introduced. The blond raised a hand from behind his camera in greeting.

"This is Mark's ex, Maureen." Said Mimi.

"And her girlfriend, Joanne." Angel continued. Jamie offered mark an apologetic smile.

"And this is my boyfriend, Roger."

"And my man, Collins."

Collins grasped her hips in his large, dark hands. Jamie laughed.

"Nice to meet you. It's about time you found someone, Angel." and then to Collins "Take care of her."

"I will" he said, pulling her closer.

"You better." She winked at him.

They talked for awhile and the group grew to like Jamie rather well. "Sweetheart, I have to run, I've got people to meet."

"Have fun."

Angel wished her friend good-bye. When she was gone, Collins asked,

"Where do you know her from?"

"I met her in an alley," she laughed. "She taught me everything I know." Collins smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Here we go!" Maureen called.

The bohemians clustered around a shop window to watch the ball drop.

"10"..."9"..."8"..."7"..."6"..."5"..."4"..."3"..."2"..."1"

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Angel jumped into Collin's arms and he covered her in kisses.

"Happy new year." She whispered.

"How could it not be?"

He let her down and she broke open a champagne bottle, already more than a little tipsy.

The group played around for a while, all of them taking a turn with Mark's camera and talking about everyone's costumes, sharing kisses, and enjoying their first few minutes of 1990. People spilled into the streets, dancing to music blaring from appartment windows and basement clubs the bohemians couldn't afford to get into. Angel pulled her lover close, grinding against him as the music played, reaching a hand up and around his neck, he kissed her behind her ear. Maureen and Joanne were not far behind, and Mimi was giving more than just her man a boner with her dance moves. But it was all for him, she made sure he knew that. Even mark had found a girl to dance with, if only for the moment. Through it all, Angel shone. No disapproving glance or harsh word kept her down, nobody was immune to her.

Our favorite couple staggered home from the loft. Angel leaned her head on Collins' shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her waist. They both leaned on the other for support. They got back to their little apartment, flopping through the door and Collapsing on the couch. They talked and giggled for a while over nothing. Finally they flopped into bed, and Angel barely brought herself to wipe off her makeup and take off her wig before falling into bed. She even left her boots on.

She was already awake when Collins unglued his eyes. "Mornin' babe."

"Hey... How are you feeling?"

"Surprisingly... not hungover."

Angel giggled and kissed him. He wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Somehow, I'm still not used to waking up like this."

She smiled, trailing kisses down his jaw.

"Angel, you've still got your costume on."

"So do you."

"We can fix that."

Collins was quickly losing the lethargic feeling that one wakes up with. He trailed kisses down her body, gently peeling her boots from her legs, massaging her feet gently. She leaned her head back, sighing gently. Her skirt and tights were next to be sacrificed, and then her top. Collins' clothes soon followed. Invigorated by a good night's rest, they made gentle and passionate love to one another, collapsing into bed to bask in the afterglow.

Collins stroked her arm, leaving lingering kisses on her neck as she clung to him.

"Could we just lay here today?" He asked.

"All day?"

"Well, not exactly LAY here all day."

"Collins!" She smacked his chest gently. He chuckled. "Is that how you'd like to start your new year, in bed?"

"Uh... Yeah."

Angel giggled. "Uhh... no." She ran a finger over his chest, causing him to shiver gently. "But we could lay here a LITTLE bit longer." He smiled and bulled her closer to him, nuzzling himself into her neck.

Or, at least they thought they could lay around a bit longer. Mimi came in, still in last night's clothes, with tears streaked down her face. She'd obviously just come from shooting up.

"Angel!"

She sighed, turning her head into Collin's chest. He rubbed her back. "You better go."

"We're in here Meems! Hold on just a second!" Angel clambered out of bed, throwing on sweatpants and a comfy, snug-fitting t-shirt. She rushed over upon seeing her friend in such distress.

"Come here Mimi." Angel wrapped her arms around the smaller girl, and Mimi broke down sobbing. Angel guided her over to the couch, where they curled up and started talking in frantic spanglish.

"He-he... ay dios mio, chica!"

"It's okay Mimi, come here." she embraced her friend even tighter, resting her head atop the other girl's thick curls.

Collins finally dragged himself out of bed. He dressed in comfortable clothes and put on a pot of coffee for the three of them. This could take a while, and he was going to want to make himself scarce for at least a couple of hours.