December 31st, 1871

Arthur knew it was his moment. He was going to kiss her. If she didn't slap him or yell at him for being inappropriate maybe it could be more than just a New Year's kiss. Arthur felt that there was a connection between them. While she held herself with a sense of modesty and was always acted like an appropriate lady and nothing more than a friend, every now and then Arthur swore she wanted it to be more than that. Whether it was a look in her eye or the way she would say something… Whenever he saw it, within a couple seconds the feeling would be gone… But tonight was his chance to find out for sure.

Of all the nights, this was perfect. There was a great excuse and the party was at the boarding house for Christ's sake. She had greeted him warmly when he had arrived. Ashley and Ruth had gotten to the house at the same time he did so they all walked in together. It might have been his imagination, but she seemed to greet him more warmly than others when they arrived…

Throughout the night he had kept his eye on her. The shy girl that had arrived in Juniper Springs had blossomed into a social butterfly, seemingly overnight. She knew everyone, talked with her friends, students, parents, even people that Arthur didn't know. Even now, he watched her from across the party, laughing and swaying back and forth to the music. Apparently she doesn't know quite what Eames used to make the cider tonight. Maybe that's why she is being so friendly. Arthur thought thinking of how even he was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol.

Roy shouted for everyone to quiet down and said they had less than a minute until the clock struck 12:00. Good thing someone is paying attention, Arthur thought looking at his watch. He would have completely missed it. Everyone started to count down the seconds until midnight and Arthur started to make his way towards Ariadne. His hands were clammy and he could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest. With 10 seconds to go he caught her eye. She smiled and Arthur thought, Oh God, I can't do this!

Before his nerves could get the better of his he took a deep breath and another step. Someone Arthur didn't recognize had called Ariadne's attention away. Who are all these people? Arthur thought. He made his way towards her as if everything was in slow motion and when he was only several paces from where she stood he heard someone call his name.

In his tunnel vision, single minded determination, he barely heard it.

3… People were shouting now.

He turned and saw Ruth standing next to him.

2… The little kids who were still awake were jumping up and down now, laughing and cheering.

"Happy New Year, Arthur." She said with a shy smile.

1… "Happy New Year!" People yelled and cheered.

Before Arthur could really react, Ruth placed her hand on his arm and kissed his cheek. It was a simple kiss, and when she pulled away he could tell she was blushing. "Happy New Year" He muttered still staring at her, but in his mind all he could think about what that this was not how it was supposed to happen. That shy smile had turned into a large grin and her hand still on his arm. Ashley and Roy came out of nowhere as well and Ashley grabbed Ruth and hugged her, shouting Happy New Years. Arthur took the distraction to turn and look Ariadne's way.

She was gone.

"Happy New Year's Abigail" Eames muttered as he stared at her. He had far too much to drink that night, of that Abigail was certain. She could tell from the glazed look in his eyes that he was drunk. There was more than a drunken haze in his eyes though, and Abigail wasn't sure she wanted to read too much into what else she felt when he looked at her this way.

He was standing about two inches closer to her than was appropriate and his hands hadn't left her body since she had come over to talk with him, some twenty minutes before. Not that they were making a scene… Mainly because Abigail was making sure they didn't make a scene. When he had pulled her in for a hug she had tactfully maneuvered out of it quickly. When he started rubbing her arm, she placed her hand over his to stop him, and then moved it off her arm. How did he get this intoxicated?! Abigail wondered lightly, thinking that she had never seen him like this. Even with her best efforts, she found his hand covering hers on the counter. His thumb was gently caressing the soft skin just above her knuckles, she wasn't even sure if he realized he was doing it.

The worst, or possibly the best part of it all was that Abigail loved it. She found him even more charming than usual. He had a goofy smile on his face all night and everything was humorous. Rather than the usual banter that went on between the two of them, she found their conversation to be light and fun. They spoke of everything she could imagine, but he wasn't teasing her or mocking her and she didn't retaliate like usual. She felt carefree and happy with him. Is this how a real relationship was supposed to work? Not that they were in one… But would this be what it was like?

With Trenton everything had been about maintaining proper decorum and fitting into the roles that society had for them. She remembered going to parties with him, similar New Year's Eve events, and spending the whole night gossiping with the high society ladies, dancing with the appropriate partners, maneuvering themselves next to certain men of importance so that Trenton could be introduced. Abigail remembered always feeling grateful when the evening was over.

With Eames, it was about being true to who she was. And she loved it. They didn't have to put anyone down to make themselves feel better or more important. Eames never compared her to anyone else. Even in a positive way, he would only compliment her. There was a big difference in saying how beautiful she was and telling her how much prettier she was than the other women in the room. That was something Trenton had always done… Beauty by comparison isn't really all that special, Abigail thought, not for the first time.

Maybe that was why she was having such a wonderful time tonight. She had finally let her guard down with Eames and he was proving to be even more wonderful than she imagined. So why did the look in his eyes cause her to panic? This blasted New Year's Kiss would ruin everything. She didn't want anything to change; things were developing so perfectly. She finally was getting to know him as a person, as a friend. Abigail didn't want to lose him. What if the more he got to know her, the less he liked? What if he left her and she got her heart broken all over again? As he leaned in she found herself backing away.

He noticed her actions and it seemed to shake him from the spell he was under. Eames pulled his head back and looked at their hands on the counter. He brought hers up to his lips and kissed it. "Happy New Year Eames." She said with a forced smile. He most certainly had noticed the change in her demeanor but hopefully he wouldn't think too much into it.

You are a fool Abigail, she thought to herself. The magic of the last hour seemed to break with the passing of the New Year. There was now awkwardness between them that she knew she caused. All for what? Abigail didn't even know why she responded the way she did… Foolish pride and fear probably. She had spent the last eight years determined to be a strong, independent woman… Could she even change if she wanted to?

What a night! What a fun and exciting time! Ariadne thought as she swayed to the music. New Years at the orphanage was never an exciting event. Mistress Laurette didn't believe in such celebrations. Also, most of the kids were too young to stay awake past midnight. Last year, Ariadne and several of the older children and secretly stayed awake in her room and tried to make a celebration out of it.

This was SO much better though. David White and Matthew James had brought a violin and guitar with them and sat in the corner of the parlor playing happy, jolly tunes. Probably half of the town had showed up for the New Year's Party. Roy and Eames had moved the furniture around in the parlor and the kitchen that afternoon so there was room to stand. Several of the kids and even some adults were dancing in the corner. Matthew James's wife was swaying along to her husband's music with their baby on her hip.

It was perfect. Even though Dom and Mal had left with Jimmy and Phillipa around 10:00pm, Ariadne was talking and making friends! New friends! Abigail and Arthur were both there and seemed to be enjoying themselves too. Speaking of Arthur… Ariadne had caught his eye just moments before. He looks so nervous… Why? She vaguely wondered. Just as Roy started the count down, she saw him start to walk towards her. Is he coming over here… For the end of the countdown… Oh my God, for the New Year's Kiss? Her heart started to pound and she felt twitter pated. She wondered momentarily if Eames had put some type of alcohol in the cider… It was so delicious… But she felt far too flushed and the room had started to spin slightly.

One of the boarders that had stayed through Christmas smiled and said hello as he walked by and Ariadne's eyes left Arthurs momentarily.

3… People were shouting and counting down with excited anticipation.

When she looked back she watched as Ruth Ellis walked up to Arthur.

2… What? No! He was coming over to see me! Ariadne thought frantically. Wasn't he?

She watched Arthur smile at her and they exchanged pleasantries

1… Ariadne's eyes didn't leave the couple as she heard everyone around her yelling "Happy New Year!"

Ruth put her hand upon his arm and kissed him. She kissed him. Ariadne felt like someone had stolen the air out of her lungs… Of course. How could I never see it before… The four of them… Maybe he and Ruth aren't a couple but it's clear there is something going on… They arrived together didn't they? Ariadne thought as she looked around desperately.

She spied Regina in the doorway to the kitchen talking with someone. Ariadne hurried over and hugged her, joining in with everyone singing. Ariadne was grateful for the distraction.

'Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind…' The guitar and violin joined in the sweet, somber melody.

Ariadne loved this song. It was wonderful, full of happiness and reminisces of days gone by. What an easy tune to sing and forget that reality had just come crashing down on her.

It didn't matter what she tried to convince herself, she had feelings for Arthur… How could she not? But to see him with Ruth was harsh. Reality was harsh sometimes though. Maybe that was a good lesson to learn, not even a minute into 1872… Accept the things you cannot change. Arthur and Ruth had been friends for years and their two best friends were dating. It seemed the most natural thing in the world for them to develop feelings for each other. Ariadne wondered if tonight had been the first night or if there had been something going on before…

'We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld… Land… Syne.' Ariadne smiled as they finished singing the song. She touched Regina's arm and leaned to speak with her.

"I think I've had too much of Eames's punch. I'm going to go lie down. This was a wonderful party though Regina!" Ariadne said over the loudness of the crowd.

"Oh that little twat! I knew he put liquor in that cider…" Regina said, looking around, no doubt to scold him. Ariadne saw him and Abigail standing in the kitchen talking. Good luck, Eames, she thought as she turned to go upstairs. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Arthur and Roy by the fireplace and hurried up the steps before either of them could yell out for her.

It wasn't until she had closed her bedroom door that her eyes welled up with tears. She wasn't crying because she felt lonely. She wasn't crying because Arthur hadn't kissed her. It was that she knew her feelings wouldn't change. But it didn't matter. There was nothing she could do to change their situation. Or at least, nothing she was willing to do. Fight for him? Not likely, he didn't even know she cared for him. And who was she to come into town and break up this perfect match? She was just his friend… And that's how it had to stay.

And that's why she was crying, because that's all she would ever be.

Dun dun duuuunnnn! So Ruth was really the only one that had a good New Years, wheres that going to lead?