Roy Houston sighed to himself as he poured another glass of Scotch and sat down in his favourite chair. He glanced at the clock and felt a brief pang of guilt, he had promised young Kathy Hoyt he would be at her Carol concert…but after his latest conversation with his nephew Matt, Roy just couldn't bring himself to go and listen to songs about Joy to The World or We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Matt had been right, Roy missed Will! All those years thinking he was dead, he had raised a glass to the sky and sent his love…now he didn't know where Will was or how to get in touch to wish him a happy Christmas…it somehow felt…lonelier. He quickly downed the contents of his glass and automatically filled it again, pausing as he heard someone knocking on his front door. He toyed with the idea of not opening it, after all it was probably just Carol singers…but the ones round here did it for charity so Roy stood and went to the door, frowning a fraction as he couldn't hear any singing. He started to open the door, but stopped as he saw who it was.

"Uncle Roy" Matt said quietly. "Can you forgive me…I was a…jerk…a big jerk…and I'm so, so sorry. I ah…also need a date for a very important concert…will you join me?"

Roys frown deepened as he stared at his nephew for a few seconds, but suddenly the twinkle came back into his eyes as he realised that the man in front of him wasn't the sullen angry drunk he had left at the penthouse an hour ago…no, this was Matlock Houston, his nephew. With a wink he waved him inside and said, "Just gimme five minutes to get changed, wanna look my best if I'm your date!"

Houston grinned back and glanced at his watch, they had time…just! As he waited for Roy to change he rang Andy back at the office. "How's it going?"

"Your hunch was right boss…couple of calls and all sorted on the 1st item…2nd item is in place and just needs Ms Parsons signature…uh the 3rd item, well I called your secretary as you asked and she was kinda excited so she is on her way in to get things organised!"

"See!" Houston grinned…"told ya to trust me!"

Andy chuckled and said "Sure thing boss man…and when it's something like this I'm more than happy to help"

"Thanks big guy…oh, gotta go, my date is ready"

"Your date…but I thought…"

"My Uncle, Andy, it's my Uncle. Catch ya later!" Houston hung up, still smiling as he had heard Andy laughing

"We ready to go son?" Roy asked as he popped a fresh red rose in his lapel

Houston just nodded and opened the door, noticing that Roy looked impressed that he was in the limo. "Still think I may be over the limit…not safe for me to drive just yet!" Matt explained as his driver opened the door for him. "Besides, I have a couple of favours to ask you, a few things to chat about if that's ok?"

Roy briefly rested his hand on his nephews arm and told him quietly. "Always happy to be of use son"

CJ was humming along to the Christmas song playing on her radio. She hadn't felt much like coming tonight, her argument with Houston had more than unsettled her. She had replayed it several times, each time deciding that her decision to quit there and then was the right thing to do. She couldn't stand to see him like this, hated who he had become, hated how their friendship was shattered…no, she had to get out while she could still say she cared about him, before she ended up hating him. Without realising it CJ was now singing along with the song as she pulled into the halls small car park, it was busy and she was just about to head out and park on the street when she spotted a space. She made her way inside and looked around for Michael and his wife, making her way through the rest of the waiting audience as she saw them. After saying hello she dodged Michaels question on Matts whereabouts, hoping that by the time the concert was over he would either have forgotten or she would have a better story! When Kathy came running over to her she stammered something about Houston needing to work and letting her go early so she could see the concert, she wasn't sure if Kathy believed her or not, but it was the best she could do on short notice! She had just asked the youngster for more information on the charity the concert was for when Matt arrived, Uncle Roy walking next to him

"Sorry I'm late Kathy!" he grinned as he ruffled the girls hair. "Did CJ explain how busy we've been? We tossed a coin to see who got out first as we both waned to be here…I lost, but ya know..work will keep…this won't!"

CJ looked at Roy and raised an eyebrow, shaking her head a fraction as she saw Roy shrug his shoulders in silent answer. She turned back and found Houston was staring straight at her, her heart did a somersault, his eyes…his soft warm brown eyes…the way he was looking at her. "Houston?"

He gave a soft chuckle and blushed a fraction. "Yeah CJ, I know…but…I'm back…and I have learnt my lesson…can you give me a second chance? Please? Don't give up on me CJ…I…I need you!"

Before she could answer Roy coughed politely and held his arm up to usher the Hoyts into the hall, muttering. Take your time you two, we'll see you in there"

Both CJ and Matt nodded back at him, but as Houston turned to face her CJ considered running away. "Don't mess with me Matt" she whispered. "No more games, I can't do this anymore."

Houston reached up and stroked her hair gently away from her face. "No more games CJ, I promise. And I'm sorry I hurt you. I kinda lost my way a little bit for a while…"

"A little?"

He grinned as he stepped nearer to her and locked his hands behind her back. "Ok, a lot" He looked down as he thought about what to say next. "CJ, I didn't love Elizabeth…but I think you already know that don't you?" He looked at her expecting an answer, but saw the look in her eyes and knew he was right. "All this time, lashing out, hurting people...I uh…I thought it was the perfect recipe for a marriage ya know…helpless female needs macho man to love and protect her for the rest of her life…I got to be a hero ya know…and when it didn't work, when it didn't feel right…I convinced myself I was unlovable, that I would never find the woman of my dreams, settle down, have kids…grandkids"

"All cos Elizabeth wasn't the one doesn't mean you won't have that Houston!" CJ said softly, bringing her hands up to rest on his chest

He sighed as he realised how much he had missed even these special moments, but now he needed to be brave…he took a deep breath and managed to say "CJ…" before Michael popped his head out and said "Concert is about to begin guys…c'mon!"

Before he could stop her CJ had broken free of his hold and was heading into the hall. He reached out and grabbed at her arm. "Do you take back your resignation CJ? Will you give me that chance…please?"

She narrowed her eyes as she looked at him, before nodding as she said. "I don't know how, or why…but somehow I know I have got my friend back, the old Houston, the one I l…like so much. So yeah, I take it back…you get one more chance cowboy…just one!"

"That's all I need!" he grinned. "Oh, and tomorrow night…can you come to my house…just for a quiet drink…we'll go to church together?"

Her eyes twinkled as she said. "Throw in some of your home made eggnog after and it's a deal…now c'mon…concert has started!"

Houston had thoroughly enjoyed the concert after all. Especially as he had been sat by CJ and managed to hold her hand several times. Now as they mingled in the foyer he asked her to come with him to chat to the Pratchets. "I know CJ has a bankers draft for you to give the fund a bit of a boost" he told them after shaking their hands, "but I want to assure you that we are both going to do all we can to get the hospital board to agree to trial the treatment…failing that there is a hospital in Seattle that has been doing great work in this area…so maybe Timmy can go there…you just need to know that we are all here to help in anyway we can, here for you as well as Timmy. Ok?" He felt CJs arm snake around his waist and turned to face her, catching his breath as he saw the look in her eyes.

After saying goodnight to the Pratchetts and the Hoyts, Houston and Roy walked CJ to her car, he helped her in and closed the door, leaning in to gently kiss her cheek and whisper, "Until tomorrow?"

"Until tomorrow" she smiled back, before starting the car and heading home.

Houston watched until her car was out of sight, jumping slightly as he felt Roys hand on his shoulder "I sense a bigger change in you than I thought son, and I'm guessing it has a lot to do with a certain dark haired beauty?" When his nephew just turned to grin at him Roy nodded then patted his back as they climbed in to the waiting limo. "Go get her son, and this time…don't let go!"