Thanksgiving passed almost too soon, and at long last, it was now the second week of December. The previous holiday had been almost disappointing for Rose, as he had been called away unexpectedly for a business trip over the holiday, leaving her to dine alone, but thankfully, this was a one time occurrence, as the business was thriving more than ever and doing better than ever, and there would be ample family time for employees over the coming holidays.

Time seemed to pass so slowly sometimes in first-class, but at others it seemed to race.

On this blustery, cold Friday afternoon, she could hardly contain her excitement at how beautiful the outdoor grounds looked covered in glittering white snow. In fact, it had been snowing almost nonstop every week, and there was more than enough snow to sled, or even do something as childish yet so very enjoyable as have a snowball fight, or simply even play in the snow as she had always loved to do when she was younger, though it had always angered her mother when she would ruin her clothes. And, the pond was frozen over for ice-skating, as he had promised her they could do. She was more than eager, of course, to do any and all of it! Winter had always been her favorite season, and finally, there were wonderfully fun things to do outdoors! It was mind-numbingly boring being trapped inside all day, reading or even assisting Charlotte with work, though she always was politely and unsuccessfully trying to get Rose to stop helping. Personally, she didn't know how her mother and other first-class women and girls her age could stand it. But then again, she never had been like them anyway…

Thinking again of when he would finally arrive home, she couldn't help grinning. Oh, she knew it would be cold, but the cold be damned, nothing was going to keep her inside today! She had been cooped up inside for far too long…she just hoped Cal would say yes after working all day…though she thought she might be able to charm him…Perhaps, for once, all of those horrid finishing school courses and lessons on how to charm and catch a 'proper man' would come in handy…Glancing again at the clock as she raced through her book, she impatiently wished she could move time along…

Finally, he was home. Rose raced downstairs at a most unladylike pace, knowing full well her mother would have been horrified, and met him as he was setting his briefcase on the floor, brushing the snow off his coat.

To her shock, and pleasant surprise…he wasn't wearing hair gel. Odd…

"Cal! Oh thank goodness, I thought I was going to die of boredom today. Please, please, please can we go outside later and just take a walk or something? Or even just play in the snow or something? I know it's probably foolish, and stupid, and I know it'll be cold and dark soon, but I've been dying to get out for weeks now and you did promise me, as I recall, that we could do all of those things…"

Cal good-naturedly rolled his eyes, smiling a little. "True, I did…but can't it wait until tomorrow, darling? I'm a little tired and it is horribly cold out there."

Rose batted her eyes, making sure her voice belied every ounce of excitement within her…as well as a little faux disappointment.

"Oh, please? I was really looking forward to it all day." She clasped her hands together, making her eyes as imploring as possible. Truly, her teachers would have been proud.

Still smiling, Cal was almost transfixed by her as he stared at her…

God, if only she knew how adorable she looked staring at him like that…he could already feel himself caving. He would do anything for her…anything at all…even if she only looked at him like that just this once in his life…She looked like an angel…

Clearing his throat, still grinning, he looked at the ground, rolling his eyes again in faux mockery. "Fine. After dinner, alright?"

Rose clapped her hands, her former excitement and happiness flooding her, as well as a little victory. But still, unable to help herself, she launched herself at him, kissing his warm cheek.

He smiled a little and then cleared his throat, trying to hide how much he had enjoyed that one simple touch from her, and how he had already felt himself responding.

Laughing a little, as she moved away from him, she said, "Goodness, what ever is wrong with you? You went to work with no hair gel, and you said yes to me just like that? Did you wake up a new man today?"

He smirked a little. "As I recall, a certain annoying red-haired young woman told me she much preferred when I didn't wear it."

Rose rolled her eyes a little, too happy, and, quite truthfully, if she had to admit, too unbothered by the insult, for once, to respond in kind.

Clapping her hands, laughing, she said, as she waited impatiently by the door, "Goodness, what's taking so long?"

She was wearing a warm long maroon wool skirt, complete with matching jacket. Black boots completed the outfit, though she knew she would be wearing ice skates in favor of them for most of their outing. She had managed to get her old ice skates from her mother some weeks back, and was more than happy with them. They still fit perfectly. She pulled on her black gloves and adjusted the maroon scarf around her neck so it was a little tighter.

Her hair she had done in a half-up, half down style, and she knew the clasp she had put in her hair would hold against the bitter winter winds.

"I'm coming, woman," he said, though she knew by his tone he was only joking. Finally, he was walking downstairs, and he was wearing a thick black turtleneck, long black pants, and thick black boots, carrying his ice skates in his hands.

Securing his coat around him and putting on his gloves, he said, "I'll carry one lantern and you can carry the other."

Rose took one, the servants having gotten them ready while they were eating, and giggled a little, still marveling they were going to be ice skating in pitch black. Her mother would never, ever have let her do this!

"I'm so excited! I know you can't be, but…"

Cal scoffed a little, opening the door. "Yes I am! I actually have not skated in a long time. I actually preferred ice hockey to rowing in college, though both were fun."

Rose listened with interest. It wasn't often he talked about his college days. And what was more, she still could not believe that she was getting Cal…Cal Hockley…to ice skate with her in pitch black on a cold winter's night. She also couldn't believe her luck…but her father had always said life was full of surprises, growing up.

Going out the back door towards the pond, she shivered. Yes, it was cold, but the icy blasts were also oddly invigorating. She much preferred the rawness of outdoors to the stuffiness of a gala, or all the cloying ghastly perfumes and aftershaves all mixed together associated with large parties. Breathing in deep, feeling her face grow a little number with every step she took, she still smiled. Outdoors, anywhere, she could be free.

Skipping a little, she said, "I do believe I'll be the better skater."

Holding her lantern up to see better, she clearly saw him smirk and scoff. "Not likely, darling. I wasn't captain of the ice hockey team for two years, and the only freshman to be chosen on the varsity team for no good reason."

Rolling her eyes, suddenly feeling playful, impulsive, she tapped him and then began running towards the pond. "I'll bet that you can't beat me there!"

Even with the skates and the lantern somewhat slowing her down, she was almost there…almost…In triumph, she threw her skates down, depositing the lantern down as well…She could always go back and pick them up later…

But then, of course, he quickly overtook her, and she could hear his laughs to mirror her own.

Coming up behind her, somewhat throwing, albeit gently, his skates down, as well as the lantern, to her surprise, he was soon ahead of her, and then in front of her. He picked her up and swung her around.

The surprise was quickly replaced by the sensation that she was flying…he was so warm, and oddly, the continual contrast of the frigid winds against her and his warmth was nice…freeing. He was laughing, and she could hardly contain her own laugher soon as well.

"Cal, goodness! Whatever has gotten into you?"

She could feel his heart beating, strong and steady, against his chest, and oddly, again, the sensation was quite enjoyable…Though he kept spinning her, she suspected to amuse her, as well as himself, the euphoria she felt far outweighed the dizziness that was quickly overtaking her…

Though it was dark of course, she was close enough that she could at least somewhat see his face…goodness, he was so handsome when he actually smiled, simply let himself be…a person, a real person, and not a first-class robot…

Feeling herself start to sober somewhat as she thought about it, finally, he set her down. The world was spinning, and somewhat breathless, she stumbled a little trying to find her footing.

Smiling a little, still a little unnerved, she said, "Well…no need to ask who won that one."

He laughed a little.

"Shall we?" he asked. She nodded.

Soon enough, both had their skates on. Rose couldn't help smiling as she glided over the ice…she had missed this. She could not even remember the last time she had done this…

The lanterns were close enough to the pond's edge, and large enough, that they actually offered quite adequate lighting…at least as well as could be expected.

Cal, it was clear, was quite the expert…smiling as he went past her, he said, "Have you fallen yet, DeWitt Bukater?"

Rolling her eyes, she said, "No, thank you very much."

Pausing to watch him more, she could not deny she was impressed. He was better than her…

Competitiveness building, she said, "Care to race again?"

He came towards her and as soon as he was close enough to her, it was clear he was smiling a little. "But of course, though I'll give you a head start."

Groaning a little, she responded, "Fine! And when I win you can go to sleep tonight knowing I beat you, and you let me."

He scoffed. "Not likely, darling."

Rose began skating over the entire pond, going as fast as she knew how. The pond really was a glorious place to skate…it was near big enough to be an entire ice rink on its own…

But then, yet again, he was behind her, skating even more quickly than she had anticipated he could, and laughing in triumph.

Groaning in frustration as he overtook her yet again, she stopped and threw up her hands. "Fine, you won this time at least. But next time, hopefully in daylight, I do declare a rematch."

Soon he was skating towards her again, and then right in front of her. "I'll still win, darling. Better give up while you're ahead."

Rose snorted a little in disgust. "You are so arrogant!" But she couldn't help smiling just a little.

He grinned, and began skating away from her again. "It's not being arrogant when it's the truth! And besides, you're one to talk!"

Rolling her eyes, she began skating in the opposite direction. All was well and good, until, upon reaching the edge and beginning to skate back in the opposite direction she had just come from, she slipped, falling.

He had been rather conveniently coming towards her at that very moment, concentrating on reaching the opposite edge, and there was no time for him to stop, as she had fallen in his path.

He fell as well, and soon he was on top of her, pinning her.

Truthfully, Rose wasn't injured, though it was a little sore where she had landed….and, now, wet and cold…but none of that seemed to matter now.

He was warm and everything seemed to disappear at this very moment. She was glad it was dark. His face was so close to hers, and all she could process was how inappropriate their situation was…though strangely, she felt no desire to get up, cold and hard though the ice beneath her was.

As she thought, even the cold seemed to disappear for a few moments. She had never known that Cal could be like this…so playful and fun and…human. Goodness…if he had ever shown her this side of himself when they had been engaged…why…she never would have even thought of leaving…

Yet then she sobered. No. Being with Jack had been one of the best decisions she had ever made in her life, ever. She would never regret it. Ever. Yet she could not deny that on this cold, gray, undulating winter's night, Jack was not with her, and never would be again. Though the thought caused her sorrow, she also could not deny that being with Cal was…pleasant. Made her content. Forgetful…almost…almost happy…

Clearing his throat, he got up, the moment, spell, broken, and helped her to her feet. "I'm sorry, Rose. There was no room to stop. Are you hurt?"

Shaking her head a little, she answered, at first faintly, then finding her voice. "Oh, no. I'm not."

The silence still pulsing between them, she said, cocking her head to the side and asking rather coquettishly, willing herself to forget what had just transpired, "Care for another race, Hockley?"

Laughing softly again as they finally walked back to the mansion, Rose said, "I can't wait to do that again."

Cal laughed a little too. "As can't I, though damn it's cold!"

Rose nodded in agreement, shivering. As they finally reached the back of the mansion, she sighed a little in relief, more than ready to be back in a warm environment. Skating had been more than enjoyable, and they had done so for a good hour and a half. That was enough for tonight, at least.

Cal winced a little as he opened the door. "I cannot wait to get these pants off; it's so uncomfortable when they're soaked through."

Rose burst out laughing at just how predictable he was. True, her skirt was soaked too from when she had sat down in the snow to remove her skates as he had, but it wasn't too bothersome.

Unable to help herself, not even thinking, she stepped forward and lightly smacked his bottom. But she regretted her decision when he simply looked at her. She could feel herself lightly blushing.

"Did you really just do that?" he finally said, smirking. "Goodness, what am I going to do with you?"

It was still rather early, so, after the both of them had changed into warm, dry clothes, they were sitting by the fireplace in a cozy little room, simply talking. Rose held her mug of hot cocoa in her hands, grateful for the warmth.

Leaning against the side of the fireplace, having opted to sit on the floor, Rose sighed. Cal was also sitting on the floor, his back against the couch.

Rose smiled a little. "Thank you again. That was wonderful. I can't wait to do other things outside soon."

Cal smiled a little as well. "I know it's far away but personally, I cannot wait for summer. That will be enjoyable too."

Rose nodded in agreement. Then he asked, "Darling, how would you feel about traveling this summer? Going to Europe? Maybe for a month? Specifically Germany?"

She was stunned. She had never in her life been to Germany, though of course she had been to other parts of Europe. It seemed fascinating…She would simply love to go!

"Are you…are you serious? That…that would be simply wonderful! I've never been there before."

He smiled. "Excellent. I always loved going there in college with friends over breaks."

Rose was more than excited at the prospect awaiting them, though still a little fascinated at hearing him open up, again, about his past.

"What ever brought that up?"

Cal shrugged, grinning a little. "I don't know…just thinking about summer made me think of it."

Rose nodded. Then, curiosity piquing her, she asked, "Can you speak German?"

He smirked, nodding. "Yes. I can speak German, French, and Italian."

She nodded. She had known he could speak the latter two, as she herself could, but she had not known he could also speak German. She found herself growing a little envious…

Sitting up, leaning towards him, she said, "Can you say something in German? And could you maybe…teach me?"

He smiled a little. "Yes, I could teach you," he said, all but ignoring her request to say something.

Rose said, "Please Cal? Just say something!"

Rolling his eyes good-naturedly, he said, "You won't understand a word of it."

"Well I don't really care. Say something."

Finally, he spoke, smiling as he finished.

Rose eyed him suspiciously, unsure if what he had said was a compliment or an insult.

Cal laughed a little. Truthfully, he had simply said that she was very beautiful, but she didn't know that…This could be quite enjoyable…

"On second thought, this will be quite amusing. I can say the most wonderful compliments to you, or the filthiest ones, or the most horrible of insults, and you will never know what I'm really saying."

Rose narrowed her eyes a little. "True, but once I learn, that will be the end of that."

He laughed again a little and she finally smirked a little, averting her eyes.

The fire crackled throughout the room, and then she couldn't help laughing a little when he said what he did next.

"God I always did love it there… some of the most beautiful women in the world live there."

Wrinkling her nose, she said, "Oh goodness…you must have been quite the charmer."

He winked.

Finally, the silence lapsing once more, she looked at him. His black vest was in stark contrast to the orange of the roaring flames, and she wondered how to excuse herself to go to bed finally. They had stayed up talking for far longer than even she had realized, and she had not minded a minute of it…

Awkwardly standing up, depositing her mug on the table, she said, "Well…good night, Cal."

Strangely, he stood up too. "Good night, Rose."

Their eyes locked, and Rose broke away first, beginning to walk out.

Watching her back retreat, something inside of him finally snapped. "Rose, wait!"

She turned, and then, all of a sudden, he was kissing her.

His kiss was not unpleasant, nor was it anything like she had ever thought it would be in the past. His lips were warm, yielding, and the kiss itself was surprisingly gentle…He tasted different, and it was nothing like what kissing Jack had been like… yet the sensation was no less enjoyable…

Kissing her was the greatest sensation he had ever felt in his life...far better than any of his fantasies or dreams about her…It was heaven, and he could feel himself responding to her…god he needed her, right now…He wondered how he had even survived this long without this pure ecstasy…

Finally, after what seemed years, her eyes fluttered open as he pulled away…When had she ever closed her eyes?

Staring at him in shock, she could not move or speak.

Clearing his throat a little, Cal leaned in, putting one hand on her face. He considered it a good sign that she had not pulled back yet, or even left the room running.

"I…I'm sorry, but I just couldn't help myself any longer," he said softly.

"I…do you want to?" he asked, his meaning clear. "I…I…you can say no, Rose. Whatever you may think of me, I…I know I am a monster, but I'm not that kind of man. I would never force you."

Even as he spoke, he hoped, on the very slim chance that she might say yes, that she would not be using him as a replacement for him… He wanted confirmation that she would know that it was he, Cal, making love to her, and not him…

Rose still stared at him, her mind and body still in shock. She considered his question. Her head was still spinning, and God only knew why, but she…she wanted to go further with him…she wanted to know what it would be like…

Woodenly, she wordlessly nodded, still unable to speak.

Dull elation, and then euphoria filling him, Cal kissed her again, and then, upon pulling back, whispered hoarsely, "Who am I, Rose?"

Staring into his eyes, she said, just as quietly, "Cal. Cal Hockley."

It was all he needed to hear. Relief filling him, he quickly kissed her again, this time rougher, before picking her up and carrying her upstairs to his bedroom.