Hi folks! As some of you know (and I apologise for plugging again) I have a new story out. I wanted to announce in both Nerd and Black Widow to get through to everyone who may have enjoyed these. It is called Transitions. It's a prequel to Nerd set during TV show time but there is more of a description in the story. As a little gift and as way of an apology for the shameless plug, here is a little New Year one shot set just after Black Widow. I hope you enjoy and hope to see some of you over at the new story! Thanks to all of you who have already read, reviewed and/or followed!

Happy New Year!

"I think I may give up carbs for my new year's resolution." Mariana began, picking up a loaf of bread as Lena widened her eyes. They were fishing through a pile of groceries.

"Then you can give up being cooked for." Stef replied through a laugh

"I'd give up on the idea altogether. I'm not gonna watch you waste away." Lena replied throwing her an apple.

"Why don't you give up the tribal face art instead?" Stef suggested as Mariana threw her a look.

"Wow - 2 years and Mom's still not over it. Good going Mariana! Maybe this year we should get tattoos and try set a new record for disapproval." Kasey teased as she chucked a packet of party poppers at Evan. He caught them with a smile.

"I have a few new year's resolution ideas for you." Stef taunted her back as Kasey beamed a mischievous grin.

"What are you giving or taking up, Mrs F?" Evan added, taking one of the small plastic cases out and playing with it in his fingers.

"What could I possibly improve?" she replied, smugly. "Don't set that off." she added. He ignored the comment, the previous question having set the wheels turning in his mind.

"Well if you want ideas for things you could always stop -" Kasey covered his mouth before he could finish.

"Rhetorical question, sweetheart." she whispered. "Can you at least try and make it into the next year with me?"

Stef flicked an eyebrow up at them both with a smile as Evan looked down bashfully.

"So how are we gonna bring the new year in?" Lena asked, moving Stef out of the way to get access to the fridge. Kasey exchanged a look with Mariana.

"Well there are a few parties - we kinda thought we'd go hang at one of them for a bit." Kasey put forward, her voice trailing as Stef and Lena exchanged a look of their own.

"Oh did you? Who's party exactly?" Lena asked leaning forward onto the table.

Kasey cleared her throat. "Oh just one of our classmates. Peter something..."

"Croft I think." Mariana added quietly mumbled.

"Right. Yep. No one exciting." Kasey added, hiding her face in one of the cupboards.

"Peter "Sparky" Croft?" Stef laughed. "Riiiiight, like we're letting you anywhere near that party."

"I'm disappointed in you Mom." Kasey replied, shocked, and closing the cupboard door. "One tiny mishap with a firework and you're labelling him for life."

Lena laughed in disbelief. "He launched a firework from his crotch and set a fence on fire!"

At that point the party popper Evan had in his hand fired off accidentally causing them all to jump. Stef pulled the streamer from her hair, and too the packet away from his reach.

"Case in point - every house has a big shot who thinks it's their duty to light up the new year. You're not going."

"Was worth a shot." Mariana sighed.

"I guess it'll be another year of monopoly and cider." Kasey groaned.

"We'll make it fun!" Stef assured, squeezing Kasey's arm. "It's always fun to beat you all."

"Maybe we can jazz it up a little." Evan smiled.

"Exactly. Evan will be here this year - it can be his job to make it fun." Stef assured her, tossing the packet of party poppers to Lena.

He got a glint in his eye as Stef winked at him. He suddenly felt empowered. Had Stef just given him a task?

"OK, OK - you win. I give up." Kasey conceded throwing the last of her money at Stef.

"And with the last peasant standing hammered down, it looks like I'm monopoly Queen for another year!" Stef gloated counting her cash.

"You guys barely even put up a fight."

"Why even bother? Evan had the right idea disappearing near the beginning." Brandon grumbled.

"That's a good point - I forgot about him...what's he up to?" Lena inquired, gathering up the cards

Jesus' head snapped up.

"Nothin'." he blurted out, a little too obviously, but before he could be interrogated Evan re-emerged. A beaming smile punctuated his face.

"Who won?" he asked.

"Is that even a question?" Stef replied, smugly.

"What have you been up to?" Lena asked.

"Just stuff. Hey, you guys fancy going outside? We can count the New Year in out there." he asked, trying to be suggestive.

"Not really." Callie shrugged.

"I think that's a great idea." Jesus jumped up. "Let's go enjoy the last of the year's air."

"The last of the year's air?" Mariana laughed. "What are you on?"

"I agree - the stars are amazing - and quick, we only have a couple of minutes!" Evan bid them towards him as a few of the family reluctantly began to move.

"I'll go!" Jude hopped up running over to them.

"Come on...we may as well see what we're supposed to be surprised about." Kasey grumbled, long having picked up the signs that there was more to this.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Stef whispered to Lena as she cuddled around her arm with a shrug.

The family went out into the garden, ready for the countdown.

"OK...nobody move!" Evan ordered before wandering over to a nearby bush.

"What?" Lena responded, slightly confused.

"Just...there's only a few seconds...ten...nine..." he fobbed them off, bending down.

"Eight!" Jude joined in, hanging on to Callie's arm.

"Seven...six..." the kids continued obliviously as Stef noticed Evan pick something up.

"What are you doing over...oh no...!" Stef paused mid sentence as it suddenly became clear.

"two...one..."

The family jumped back as about 30 fireworks all shot off into the air at once, the anticipated sequence completely eradicated.

"Shit!" Evan exclaimed as they fizzled and buzzed, lighting up the sky with a terrific explosion. Others could be seen in the distance but none as numerous all at once than those in his failed display.

"Was that supposed to happen?" Kasey yelled from covered ears as the last of them disappeared.

"Evan! Do you have a death wish?" Stef exclaimed.

"What? I thought you wanted me to...?" he asked confused as she clipped his arm.

"Why in the world would I want you to try and burn the house down?" she shot back crossing her arms.

"You said every house needs a big shot to try and do a display and that this year I'd help make things special. I thought you were speaking in code..." he shrugged.

Stef launched forward as Lena grabbed her arm. "OK, OK...nobody got hurt - let's keep it that way."

"That was so cool!" Jude bounced slightly on his heels as Stef glared at Evan who stepped back.

"I don't get it...you said the fuses were meant to light at different times...that was like the full lot all done in 10 seconds!" Jesus complained taking the box out of Evan's hands.

"I've had ex-boyfriends like that." Kasey snarked as the girls began to giggle and Stef was able to release her frustration on Kasey's left arm.

One delayed firework shot up as the family cowered back.

"Well, at least we saw the year out with a bang." Callie laughed before the family finally exchanged their New Year wishes, various other firework displays lighting up all around.

Happy New Year!