A/N: This chapter... I need to say, I'm not that happy with it. I think I've messed up the characters' personalities a little, hopefully not too much. Overall, I think it kinda sucks, but it was a necessary plot addition. I blame Furry Little Bugger for any mistakes, as the little fuzzball was distracting me from sleep with his god-awful yowling last night, hence my relatively mushy brain today. (And for those who haven't realised, yes, FLB is my cat).

Anyway, on with the chapter! And please bear with me, it should pick up pace in the next chapter or two.

Amy sighed as she stared into her open wardrobe, clothes strewn over every surface in her room. It was already 7:00, and she still had to pick out her clothes and do her hair and makeup.

This is why I don't go out more often…

Natara had stated "wear something nice" in her text, yet if they were going to a club of Blaise's choice, then her choice of clothes would have to be altered drastically.

Amy leant forward into her wardrobe, pulling out more and more clothes until finally settling on a dress she liked.

Wow, haven't worn this in a while. Forgot I even had it, I swear my wardrobe leads to Narnia sometimes.

-8:00-

Where the hell are they? With Blaise's driving, there's no way they're running late.

"Hey Amy! Get your butt over here!"

Amy started as she heard Blaise's yell, turning towards the sound. She grinned as she saw her two friends, Blaise waving madly. She walked over to the blonde's car, sliding into the backseat.

"You clean up nice, Amy. That dress is sooo cute!"

Amy self-consciously smoothed the hem of the short dress over her thighs as she accepted the compliment, and passed her own judgement on Blaise's pretty, but daringly short, red dress and matching heels. Natara was dressed more practically, in a knee length black skirt dressed up with quarter heels, a gold top and makeup. The agent had her own style that mixed professional, almost business-like skirts and dresses, with sexier tops and shoes. Honestly, it would've looked awful on Amy or Blaise, but suited Natara's personality and looks perfectly.

Natara twisted around in the passenger seat as Blaise pulled out of the driveway. She noticed Amy's obvious discomfort in the unfamiliar clothes. The dress was short, blue and lacy, with a full skirt in the gothic Lolita style. It was cold out, so she'd accessorised with sheer tights and a black jacket. A lace collar, in the same shade as the dress, completed the look.

"So Amy, really going all out tonight, huh?"

Amy looked up at Natara, returning her smile.

"Yeah, thought I might as well… I mean, it's a once-a-year event, and I don't go out much, so…"

The data analyst trailed off, memories from last year's date filling her mind.

OK, so waterproof mascara was the right way to go.

She blinked away a hint of wetness in her eyes, in time to see Natara looking at her with a hint of concern in her dark eyes. Wordlessly, Natara tiltled her head and watched Amy.

Are you OK?

Amy nodded, making an effort to perk up a little – she didn't want to ruin the night.

Yeah.

"So, Blaise, what's up with you and Jeremy?"

Amy giggled at Blaise's blushing protests to Natara's question, as the girls returned their attention to teasing Blaise mercilessly.

-Later-

Amy and Natara reclined in a couch at a secluded corner table, sipping drinks.

"Oh god, is Blaise dancing on a table!?"

Natara leaned over Amy to get a better look at the main room of the club.

Blaise was indeed on a table, dancing closely with a pair of younger men.

Natara sighed, relaxing back into her seat.

"Well, might as well let her have her fun… Although really, those guys are about half our age!"

Amy smirked, resisting the temptation to remind the older brunette that that's never stopped Blaise from her hook-ups before.

"Actually, that dark haired one is kinda hot. OMG he looks just like Keiichiro from Tokyo Mew Mew! And the blonde looks like Howl! Damn he's cute…"

"OK, Amy, sweetie… I have no idea what you just said."

-11:55-

Blaise threw herself on the seat next to Natara, slipping off her heels. She'd been dancing all night, while the other two preferred to stay in their corner, singing along to their favourite songs. A little while ago, Amy had pleaded exhaustion and left the two to their own devices, promising to call Natara the next day.

"Hey, isn't that Mal?"

Blaise nudged Natara, pointing to the door of the club. Natara's eyes widened, and she subconsciously glanced at the screen displaying the countdown.

"Hey, what are you waiting for? Go get him!" Blaise pushed Natara out of her seat as "Hero" started playing over the speakers. Natara hesitated, before quickly making up her up her mind, rushing over to Mal before she could panic and miss her chance.

Natara sighed happily as she leaned into Mal, the detective pulling her closer as they danced. The song finally came to end. The screens playing video of the live band turned black, then displayed large, flashing text displaying 1:00.

The numbers slowly started ticking down, until they reached 00:10, at which point everyone in the club stopped, yelling out the countdown along with the screen.

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

"Happy New Year!"

Mal leaned down, pressing his lips against Natara's. He pulled away after a second, his gaze flicking to Natara's eyes to read her expression, only for Natara to pull him back down into another kiss. They broke apart, and Mal hugged Natara close.

"Happy New Year Mal"

"Happy New Year Natara"

-11:00-

Amy flopped onto her couch, simultaneously kicking off her shoes and flicking on the TV, turning to the only channel she knew that didn't care what day it was. The bright, upbeat opening theme to Tokyo Mew Mew filled the silence of her apartment. God, she loved Anime Nights on the Cartoon Network.

A short while later, the data analyst was sprawled on the floor, fancy dress and jewellery forgone in favour of pyjamas and a full carton of ice-cream. Well, it was New Year's after all. She had watched TV all evening, and was probably in serious danger of cavities from the sugary cuteness of Tokyo Mew Mew, which was wearing a bit thin after only two episodes. Instead, she'd opted for re-reading her collection of FAKE, her current favourite shōnen-ai manga. Delighting over the cuteness of the character's unrequited love, she almost missed the doorbell.

"Who the hell is here this late? On New Year's Eve, no less…"

A/N: aaand, done with another chapter! Hope you liked it more than I did. Anyway, to clear things up for the non-manga/anime fans, FAKE is a manga series about two (male) cops, and their eventual romance. It's just something I think Amy would read, because it's so damn adorable. The only problem I have with my theory is that the violence and murders may remind her of things she'd rather forget, from her work and from Ken. Anyway, here I am obsessing over a minor detail instead if the damn plot, just like usual. Until next time, best wishes to my lovely readers, and please review!