A/N: Ugh, not having 'net at home sucks. I couldn't get to the library or anything yesterday because BF and I are getting ready to leave for home for Christmas and I didn't have time to go out yesterday. I had to do laundry and stuff. I hate laundry.

Anyway, a couple things. This story is almost finished! After this there are only three chapters left. Secondly, there is a song that goes with this chapter. If you are able, I would very much like for you to listen to it if you don't know it. Here's the youtube link: http:/www DOT youtube DOT com/watch?v=Ad7ejBn3KSQ (when they go to dance, put it on)

This song is very meaningful to me since it's unoffically mine and BFs song. It's the first song we danced to and it's just so amazing. So listen, if you can.

For those who were wondering, the Doctor Who ref was the Sonic Screwdriver drink. And now, without further blah blah, here's the chapter. I don't own Wizards of Waverly Place.

Chapter Seven:

"What am I going to wear?" Alex complained to Harper. They were in Harper's studio office and Alex was pacing and trying to figure out what she was going to wear to Justin's Christmas party that evening.

"Relax, Alex," Harper laughed at her friend. "You're acting like this is a date"

"Hah, you're right. I'm putting way too much work into going out with Justin," Alex said. "I've known him for years. I don't need to over-think this. It should be natural."

"Right," Harper nodded. "No wait. No! That's not right."

"So anyway, thanks for the pep talk," Alex said. "I've got to go though, I have an appointment to get my hair done. See you tonight!" She waved at Harper who stood there dumbfounded, uncertain of what exactly just happened.

Alex headed out the door of DeLuca Designs and found a cab. In a few minutes she was at Saxon's, a trendy boutique.

"This is perfect!" Alex held up the dress and smiled. Justin would look so good with her on his arm tonight! He was sure to get the Director's job.

She paid for the dress and headed to her hair appointment. When she was finished, she took the cab with all her packages to her apartment to get ready. Two hours later she was prepped, coiffed, pushed up, tucked in, zipped, straightened and all ready to go.

The ride took a bit of extra time with all the holiday traffic and she barely made it to the Firestone Plaza. The hotel would be putting on the party once again.

"Take your coat, miss?" Alex handed her coat off to the coat check girl and walked into the grand ballroom where the party was already in full swing. It was extravagently decorated with a twelve foot Christmas tree, fairy lights strung across the room, a strobe light over the dance floor flashing between red, blue, green and yellow, a bar along one wall, and a DJ in the front spinning a mix of holiday and pop music.

"So I see you found a dress," Harper came up with Zeke on her arm. Zeke looked great in a black suit and grey turtleneck. Harper was dressed in a floor-length gown of yellow silk. It reminded Alex of the "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days" dress. She looked great and Alex told her so.

"So do you," Zeke chimed in. "Justin will never know what hit him!"

"Zeke!" Harper lightly smacked his arm.

"Oh sorry. I forgot that you're only his fake fiance."

"No, that's not right either," Harper chided. "Justin is Alex's brother?"

"Eh, and?" Zeke shrugged. "My dad married his first cousin."

"That's not the same and wow, that explains a lot," Harper shook her head.

"You made it," Justin's voice barely penetrated the loud music but Alex whirled around.

He seemed to freeze for a moment, taking her in. She felt self conscious and hugged her arms to herself.

"Do I look OK?" she asked.

"You look..." he swallowed. "Yeah, you look good." Alex was wearing a short, empire waisted silver dress that clung to her curves and flared out to her knees. The dress was strapless with a sweetheart neckline and was absolutely terrible for the winter weather but Alex knew she looked good in it so she couldn't resist. She even wore a pair of bronze strappy sandals with tiny gems lining each strap. Alex blushed as Justin stared, inexplicably, at her for several more seconds before shaking his head and taking her hand.

"I have a table for us," he said. He led her away from the door and towards the tables lining the far wall. "I hope you don't mind that I got you a gin and tonic. I know its your favorite."

"Oh, thanks," Alex's hand felt clammy from where Justin's hand touched and she was grateful for a cold drink to hold. They sat at the table for a while until Harper coerced them into dancing to a few songs. Zeke danced with Alex and Harper danced with Justin at first but then Zeke begged Harper to switch so he could dance with his wife.

Justin and Alex shimmied to the face-paced club song that was on. Alex was grateful that nothing bad had happened yet. There hadn't been any weird or wacky situations to try to escape from.

Just as she was thinking that, a slow song came on and Justin grabbed her and held her close. Alex's heart raced from their contact. All she could feel was his hard body against hers. She could smell the spicy, warm scent of his cologne and she wanted to melt into him.

You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close together
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive

A life goes by
Romantic dreams will stop
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now forever I know
All that I wanted to hold you
So close

So close to reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this was not pretend
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come
So far we are so close

How could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
We're so close
To reaching that famous happy end
And almost believing this was not pretend
Let's go on dreaming for we know we are
So close
So close
And still so far

They danced close, Justin sweeping her around in a slow waltz. He twirled her out and back to him and it was amazing. She wanted to keep dancing forever.

The song made Alex's heart both soar and break at the same time. She felt her eyes tearing up and didn't know why.

"Hey, what's going on?" Justin lifted her chin to meet her eyes with his. "You're crying."

"It's nothing," Alex said. She wiped her eyes furiously and smiled weakly. "Really. It's just that I was thinking about...Max and how grown up he is now. Yeah, that,"

"So are you," Justin murmured. Alex wasn't sure what that meant so she opened her mouth to ask but was cut off.

"Mistletoe!" Mr. Dawson's deep voice called out. They broke apart, looking around. Mr. Dawson stood in front of them a few feet, near the DJ and pointing above their heads. They both looked up to see a sprig of mistletoe hanging from a long length of ribbon from the ceiling, just above their heads.

"Go on Russo, give your girl a kiss!" he grinned and Alex looked at her brother. He looked weird, nervous and strained.

"You don't have to," Alex said. "You can just kiss me on the cheek." Justin shrugged.

"It's no big deal," he said. "Just a quick peck." Alex closed her eyes and waited for the discomfort that would inevitably ensue.

Instead she felt the warm pressure of Justin's lips against hers, melding against her mouth. The strange tingling Alex had been feeling around Justin lately increased into a hardcore buzz deep within her body, making her feel flush. Unconsciously she began kissing him back, tasting the minty flavor of his toothpaste with the tip of her tongue when it brushed his lips

Her hands moved up to the sides of his face, caressing the rough texture of his stubble against his smooth skin. She forgot he was Justin and she was Alex in that moment, focused on the way he felt against her and the moment would have lasted forever if not for the clapping noise that distracted her and made her break away in a daze.

"Congrats Russo,' Mr. Dawson said. "You've got a passion that will last you a lifetime, I can tell."

Justin looked at Alex who felt like her world was spinning around her. She caught sight of Harper and Zeke staring at them with identical disbelieving expressions and suddenly realized what had happened.

"Oh god," she mumbled. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok," Justin shook his head. "You've had a few drinks and Mr. Dawson was expecting a show, let's face it."

"Right," Alex nodded but she knew inside that wasn't what happened. Uneasily, they walked back to their table and Justin left to talk to a coworker.

Leaving Alex to face Harper and Zeke alone.

"Dude that was..." Zeke began. Harper flashed him a Look and he clammed up.

"It was kind of odd," Harper said. "What happened?"

"Nothing," Alex said. Harper quirked one eyebrow. "Just leave it alone." Her friend complied but she knew Harper wanted desperately to dissect the situation just like always.

The party turned a bit stale for Alex after their strange moment. She waited for him to return and asked to leave.

Justin seemed taken aback by her request but helped her retrieve her coat and headed out the door with her, to wait for a cab with her.

"Are you okay?" he asked finally, as they waited in the cold, dark December night.

"Fine. I just need to get home. I've had a lot to drink, as you so kindly pointed out," she said with a bit of edge to her tone.

"What time is your party tomorrow?" Justin ignored her sarcasm.

"Eight. We're having it at the office. Nothing as fancy as yours."

"I'll see you there," Justin was trying to keep his temper in check but Alex was pushing at his buttons.

"Goodnight," Alex climbed into the cab and gave him a final glance before shutting the door. She had to get over whatever was going on with her. Not to mention Harper would be calling her later to probably further berate her. She couldn't deal with this anymore.

Maybe it was time to call it quits, she thought.

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