Drum roll please. we have made it through to the end of another in-story year. Things are about to start picking up some steam and ho boy. just -looks at notes- yes. beautiful. this one is THICC with content too. normally I try and cut myself off around 5k words for a chapter but with this one, I threw that away and was like "It will be as long as it is". So enjoy my new favorite chapter.

Song Suggestions: All this and Heaven too by Florance and the Machine

Disclaimer: I don't own anything~ CapCom please don't sue


Emma hurried into the apartment building, closing the door behind her before tapping her shoes on the floor to knock the snow off and shaking her head to try to toss off any snow she could. It was getting cold again and early snow had started to fall. Emma went through her usual routine. She took Duke out for a walk, fed him, and made and ate her own dinner before getting something to drink and sitting down on the couch with her laptop.

Maybe I could put on a movie in the background... she thought as she scrolled through emails. "Hmm?"

Your Attendance is Requested: Company Winter Gala

"Oh, huh. That's right," Emma said as she clicked into the email and read it over. December 21st at 7 pm. RSVP required by the 12th. She looked at the calendar to check. It was Monday the 3rd. She scrolled down the email to read more. The invitation includes a plus one. Please include plus one's name in RSVP for seating card.

"Seating cards? Gracious, how fancy is this thing going to be?" Emma whispered and checked the email list. Well, that made some sense, it was senior staff only. If it hadn't been for her recent success and promotion, she probably wouldn't have even been invited. The woman looked over to the kitchen wall with a slight frown and shook her head. It's not like he's home anyway. He's on a mission, she thought as she sipped at her drink as her past words came to mind.

If a special occasion arises, you'll be the person I go to.

Well, if there was ever such an occasion, this is probably it, she thought as she clicked print to get a paper copy of the email to take with her. Once that was in hand, Emma walked across the hall to knock on Bastion's door.

"Emma? What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?" Bastion asked with a gentle smile.

"Hey Bastion, I was wondering what your work schedule was like and if you have room for an appointment?" Emma admitted sheepishly and offered him the paper copy of the email. "I know I should probably wait and call you at work, but figured it was worth a t—"

"Oh, don't even. Of course you can ask me whenever," Bastion said with a nod. "Okay, so where's the dress? I'm going to need some inspiration to come up with a design to match it."

"Right, dress. Um. I was just going to wear one of my office dresses?" Emma replied, which earned her a hard stare from the nail tech. "I only just got the promotion that got me invited, so I want to make sure I look professional."

"You're going to a Gala not a board of investors meeting, a fancy dress is professional. You have something, right?" Bastion asked and frowned as Emma looked away with a wince. He rolled up the email and swatted Emma's shoulder with it. "That's it, I'm declaring a fashion emergency. Go get your coat, and purse. We're going shopping. If you're lucky, the stores aren't already picked clean."

"You're the best," Emma said with a grateful smile, turning around to head back to her apartment to get her coat and purse as she'd been instructed. Shopping was always so much easier with friends, and she trusted Bastion's taste.

"I know, now get going and meet me at the parking garage," Bastion replied as he grabbed his own coat and keys before making a call. Before long, the two were in Emma's car and had made their way to the parking lot of the local mall.

"So how goes the life of Emma Swanson, you said you got a promotion?" Bastion asked curiously as he got out of the car.

"Yeah," Emma said, her proud smile returning. "I got a first-time EP to the top of the rock charts and in the top twenty overall on its first week. So, I was promoted from a junior marketing manager to a senior one. I kind of skipped the middle there," she explained as they walked into the spacious building.

"That's right! I heard that song you played for me before on the radio back in November," Bastion said as if he was just putting the dots together. "That was your doing?"

The woman nodded. "Kind of. I just took care of getting it to the right people and managed the release," she explained, becoming more sheepish. "In all honesty, any praise should really go to the band for making an easy-to-market song."

"That's still quite a feat. Say think you can introduce me to your producer friends?" Bastion requested with a chuckle as he nudged Emma. "Just kidding, I can't sing to save my life," he added as they walked into one of the higher-end stores.

Bastion waved to a young man that Emma vaguely remembered. Where had she seen him befo—

"The haunted fair," Emma said aloud as she remembered, causing Bastion to chuckle.

"Emma, meet my boyfriend, Travis. Travis this is Emma," Bastion introduced with a happy smile.

"It's nice to meet you," Emma said with a wave.

"Nice to meet you as well. This is the one you called about earlier, right?" he asked as he walked over to join them.

"Yep, were you able to find anything?" Bastion asked in return, receiving a nod in response.

"I did a bit of digging around ahead of time. She is definitely on the slender side, so I think I got the right sizes based on your description," Travis confirm before motioning for them to follow him. "Hey, Tracy! I'm tending to a customer. Can you watch the register?" Travis called to the other side of the store.

"Got you!" a woman's voice called back as she hurried over to watch the storefront.

"Okay. Try these on for now and let me know what you think," Travis said, handing her a few dresses to try on. The first was a soft pink and yellow one that she clearly wasn't comfortable in.

"Oh gracious, she looks like a tulip...hmm, no. next," Bastion said, shaking his head.

A very long loose white one came next, which was not any better.

"Lord no. We're trying to show her off. She'll be mistaken for a tablecloth," Bastion declared, rejecting the other dresses as well, though his comments were more based on her expressions when she walked out. The more uncomfortable she looked, the more adamantly he rejected the dress and insisted that it was to be put away. It took a while, but eventually, the three went out to wander the store floor.

"Oh. I like that one," Travis complemented as Emma picked up a dark blue dress.

"Let's go try that one on. I have a good feeling about it," Bastion suggested, walking with Emma back to the changing room.

Once more, she undressed, put on the selected garment and walked out. It was beautiful, sleeveless, with a high neckline and an open back. The fabric held to her form just right, and the silver glitter-like accents gave it a subtle shimmer that looked like freshly fallen snow against the dark blue of the fabric.

Emma smiled as she walked out, and Bastion happily clapped. "That's your dress," he said with a chuckle, and Travis nodded in agreement.

"She looks like a snow queen. Very regal," Travis commented with a smile.

"You know, that makes sense. She ice skates," Bastion replied while Emma checked a mirror. It was a rather nice dress, but maybe it was too showy for her... She wasn't really used to this.

"And you didn't tell me? I would have picked that out much sooner," Travis said with a laugh. "One second, I think I know just the accessories for this one."

"Talk to me. What's on your mind?" Bastion asked as he noticed the shift in her expression.

"It's gorgeous, but... Don't you think it's a bit much?" Emma voiced her concern. "I'm not one of the performers. Shouldn't I be more subtle?"

"Nope. No. Absolutely not," Bastion disagreed as he got up from his seat to walked over to stand next to her. "See, you're thinking about yourself as if you're different from them. You're not," he plainly stated as he gently placed a hand on her upper back to make sure she was standing properly. Slouching would make her feel worse. "You are an extension of them. You do what they can't as part of a team. So, if anything, you need to make sure that you're just as loud as they are. You're not going to hide. You. Are Emma mother-trucking Swanson, and you're going to take the world by storm."

Emma giggled at the pep talk, but her smile returned. "I hadn't thought of it like that before..." she admitted as she looked back at herself with more confidence. She could do this. She had worked hard to be where she was.

"Here we are," Travis said as he returned holding a cluster of thin silver chains attached to an ornate silver choker. "This is a body chain, it's very trendy. You put it over the dress. It will look great with the little bits of silver already worked into the fabric," he explained as he helped Emma put the thin chain accessory on over the dress. "And with a high neckline, you're going to want to have your hair up." He went over a few options for what she could do quickly and easily at home. Emma followed along with the instructions she was given, using the spare hair tie from her wrist to put her hair up in a messy bun. "Perfect," he said with a smile.

"Tell me you're not going to a party looking this pretty by yourself." Bastion chuckled. "You get a plus one, right?"

"I do get a plus one," she replied with a nod. "Did you want to go?" she asked in response, since Bastion had mentioned waiting to be put into contact with a producer before, even if he was joking.

"No, you beautiful, dense woman whom I adore." Bastion sighed while pinching his brow. "Chris. Ask Chris."

Hearing that caused her face to flush again. "I mean, sure I'll ask but..." Her mind wandered slightly to recent events.

'*'*'*'*'

Emma hurried past the trees of the orchard over to Chelsea. "Sorry about the shouting, I got some good news."

"That's great," she said with a smile. "Quick pause on that for a second. What was that?"

"What was what?" Emma asked, confused.

"You, making googly eyes at your neighbor, that's what," Chelsea pointed out with a concerned frown.

"I wasn't," she started but stopped as Chelsea gave her a familiar stare of 'don't even try that.' "It was nothing," Emma corrected as she rubbed at the back of her neck.

"Good, because I was worried that you decided to leave your mind at home for the day. We went over this. He's a walking-talking Red Flag. It's one thing to have secrets, but the guy's an excessive question mark," Chelsea said with a concerned tone as she voiced her disapproval. "I can appreciate that he helped keep you and the girls safe before, but that doesn't mean he's a good person overall. Relationships require communication and that's not going to happen if everything is 'Confidential' and 'Classified'," Chelsea added before her expression softened to one of genuine concern. "I just don't want you to get hurt... Being friends is well and fine enough, but danger is best kept at a distance..."

'*'*'*'*'

As her wandering thoughts returned, she bobbed her head. "I'd ask, but Chel had a point about the fact that he gives off some pretty bad red flags... He's very secretive," Emma reluctantly admitted. She felt like she knew him well enough at this point, but at the same time, did she? "And besides he's away for work, so it's not like I can ask."

Bastion winced at that. Yikes. Sorry Chris, you have an uphill battle here if her friend is already trash-talking you. "Emma, you don't seriously believe that, do you?" Bastion asked with a concerned expression.

"Not really?" she hesitantly said, though it sounded more like a question.

The nail tech gave a quiet sigh. "Okay. For a second, forget what I said. Forget what Chelsea said. Heck, forget what anyone else said. What does Emma want?" Bastion asked to see if that would help.

Emma paused once more to think. What did she want...? Thoughts of earlier came to mind. When she first read the email, her initial instinct was to look at the kitchen wall. "I think"—she nodded—"if I could, I would ask Chris to go with me. Even if I don't completely understand why, being around him makes me feel stronger... more confident? As I've gotten to know him, when I can't do something alone, he's been there. He has secrets, and maybe isn't the greatest with communication, but he's kind and always tries his best."

Bastion smiled and nodded. "Okay. So, let's do this then. Hold off on RSVPing. Just for now. See if he makes it back in time, and if he doesn't then I'll go with you." He gently offered Emma a hand, which she accepted. "Luckily for you, I'm not the jealous type," he added with a chuckle, which caused Emma to chuckle as well. "Okay now go change back to your street clothes, so we can go check out then get you some make-up. You are going to be a showstopper I guarantee it."

Some makeup, a few silver bracelets, and earrings later, the two had their haul for the night. Bastion had been helpful with the whole process as he helped her pick out a lip tint instead of lipstick and explained that it was better because it wouldn't smudge if she got nervous and rubbed her face and that it wouldn't leave marks against any of the glasses she drank from.

'*'*'*'*'

Chris reached into the back of his car to get his bag with a tired sigh. Three weeks of running around the states again in a chopper. He could have sworn he was done with the mini-mission spurts, but HQ had been pretty clear that they wanted Hound squad to stay over in Europe while Wolf followed the server trail that went back to the States until it inevitably jumped back to Europe. It took a while, but they finally found the end of the trail as far as the States went and handed off the next European location to the Hound squad. "Sorry about that, guys," Chris said quietly. They'd probably be working through the holidays because of it. He shook his head as he took out his phone from his bag while walking back to the apartment.

December 11th 8:49 pm

"Sounds about right, they never can let us get home at a decent time," Chris grumbled as he headed into the building, up the stairs, and over to the first door on the right. Knock, knock, knock.

The door opened. "Chris! Hey, you're back. Er, welcome back," Emma said with a chuckle. "Come on in," she said, getting out of the way.

"Hey to you too. You seem surprised," Chris pointed out as he put his bag down by the door and headed over to his usual seat at the kitchen island.

"A bit, yeah. Last year you weren't back until, I think it was the last week of the month," she pointed out.

"I'd be more surprised if anything ended up consistent with my schedule," Chris said with a tired sigh.

"Fair enough," Emma replied as she went to get him a glass of water and set it down in front of him. "How was your trip?"

Hearing the question caused him to smile as well. "It was work."

"I see," Emma answered as she headed to the fridge. "So, a quick meal or a tasty one?"

"How much time do you have?" Chris asked. It was getting late.

"I have time," she said with a shrug. "See, I can do the vague answer thing too."

"Suppose you can. Let's go with tasty," he answered. This was nice.

"Can do," she said as she started up the stove top. Some chili will do nicely. It's cold out, and he seems to like spicy food. It should only take 30 or 40 minutes, so not too long. "Do you like chili plain or over rice?" she asked as she got the beef browning in a pan.

"Plain is fine," he said. "How have you been?"

"I've been well," she replied as she cooked. "Same old, same old, really. Busy at work, trying to keep work at work and rest at home. Oh, the rink is open again, so I've been visiting there every so often," she listed off as she thought over what she'd been up to since they last talked. She eventually got to a point in the cooking where it was just a matter of waiting. "Ah, I almost forgot—" No, I didn't. "I was wondering if I could ask you for a favor since you're back."

"Sure," Chris replied with a nod and a curious expression.

Emma walked away, eventually returning with the printed-out email for the Gala. "I got invited to the corporate holiday party, but I'm nervous about going alone," she explained, which was partially true, but she more so felt like she needed an excuse to ask. "Would you be willing to go with me? I know it's probably not really something you're interested in."

"I'll go," he said with a shrug, surprising Emma.

"Really?"

"Did you want me to say no?" Chris asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Huh? oh! No, no, no. That's not it, I just… I thought you'd be against the idea is all," she admitted.

"It's a favor, right?" Chris asked and Emma nodded. "Then I don't mind. Besides, it's just a few hours."

"I appreciate it, thanks a bunch," she replied.

"Not a problem." Chris tapped the paper on the counter. "Mind if I keep this, so I can put it on my calendar?"

"Go for it." Emma walked back to her laptop and clicked away to send a quick email confirming that she was going and would have a plus one before heading back to check on the chili.

"The place they're hosting the gala at is actually pretty close to my office. Is it okay if we meet there?" she requested.

"Sure, would make it easier to head straight there and avoid traffic," Chris agreed with a nod since that also worked well for him.

Emma smiled as she cooked. She was excited about this now that knew who she'd be going with. The two continued to talk about pretty much everything while the food was prepared and served. Before long, Chris washed up his bowl, put it in the drying rack, and gone back to his bag.

"Thanks for the meal as always," he said as he picked it up. "See you around."

"See you," Emma replied, making sure to lock the door after he left.

Chris walked to his own apartment and took out his phone.

[Chris] This was your doing, wasn't it?

[Bastion] Oh you're home!

[Bastion] As much as I would love to take full credit, I can only take partial. I will accept the 'thank you' in advance for the part I am responsible for though.

'*'*'*'*'

The 21st eventually rolled around and pretty much no one in the office was paying attention to work. Emma chuckled as she noticed this. Even if she wanted to pay attention, she was would have had of trouble typing, since she already had her nails done. Bastion kept them short enough to look natural, but applied enough acrylic to give her a cute ballerina-style nail that was a similar dark blue to her dress at the tip and faded to her natural nude tone, with a few silver details on it. She had to admit they were beautiful, but she was going to have to stop by Bastion's salon to have the acrylic removed come Sunday, or they would drive her insane.

Around 4 pm an email was sent to the senior staff members stating that they were allowed to clock out, so they could go and start preparing for the Gala which would start at 7. Emma smiled at the email and went to her car, heading to the event location and one of the rooms rented ahead of time for visitors to change in. A lot of the women ended up sharing rooms and helping each other get ready. It took a while, but finally, she felt she was as ready as she was going to get.

Meanwhile, Chris had to wait until his usual clock out time. The BSAA didn't really care much for the holidays, and he had more than enough work to finish, but 5 o'clock eventually came around. He used the gym showers to wash up ahead of time, dry off, and change into the suit he'd packed. Bastion was pretty insistent on the vest and tie being dark blue. Not that he really minded, but it was odd. He made his way to the venue and walked inside. The place was decked out in holly, silk, and lights, leading into a large grand room full of neatly decorated tables topped with fine china, silver, and crystal ware. To the far end of the room was a stage set up for various performances. Oh lord, this really was some fancy gathering... maybe Emma was right to be surprised that he agreed to go with her...

"Chris?" The familiar voice caught his attention as he turned to face it, only to end up staring in shock as he found Emma all dolled up.

"There you are, I was wondering how I was going to find you," Emma admitted with a smile before noticing that he was staring. "Is everything okay?"

Thank you, Bastion. "Yeah... Yeah, everything's fine. Just taking in the setting. This place is gorgeous." Dang it all. Compliment her, not the room! he mentally shouted at himself.

"Yeah, the new parent company really went all out," Emma agreed as she looks around. "I wasn't sure what to expect, but it wasn't this. Hopefully it's not too stuffy," she said with a chuckle that caused her jewelry to create a small jingling sound.

"Emma!" rang a chorus of deeper male voices as a group of four scruffy-looking guys walked over. Emma looked over to see them as well.

"Well, if it isn't the kings of punk rock," Emma said, laughing as she walked over, not noticing that Chris, among others, was still staring. "You clean up nicely. One second"—she fixed up the bow tie of one, adjusted the jacket of another, and moved some hair out of the face of another—"there, all spiffy. You're going to do amazing. Now, go have fun."

They nodded and laughed. Each gave her a quick hug and a thank you before going on their way.

"They seem nice," Chris replied with a slight smile as he walked over and gently rested a hand on her lower back, which she barely noticed as it felt familiar.

"They're sweethearts. You'd never guess they were rockers," she agreed with a chuckle that was cut short by a shrill voice.

"Emmy!" cried a blue-eyed blond woman wearing a sheer nude and rhinestone dress who hurried over and clung to Emma.

"Veronica. Hi," Emma said with a forced smile. Oh gosh...

Oh shit, Chris thought. He instantly recognized the woman as the one from the director's office.

"So, when are you going to work on the promo for my next album?" she asked with a smile.

"It would be an honor to work with you," Emma started with a polite smile. "I'm already assigned to work on the full album release for the Kings though."

Veronica frowned at that. "Yeah, an album you already gave the best possible start by knocking mine out of the sky. Come on, you clearly know what you're doing. My team could use some fresh blood."

Hearing that caused Chris to tense up as he continued to stare at her, wondering if he was seeing things. What was she doing here?

The difference is the world knows who I am. If something happens to me. They're going to want answers.

Fuck. This wasn't good...

"That's very kind of you," Emma said while trying to continue to be polite. "But I'm sure your team has this covered. They're all putting in a lot of hard work, and it will show in their success."

Veronica gave a quiet, unimpressed hum as she let go of Emma and noticed Chris. It took her a second, but recognition crossed her face. "Emmy, why haven't you introduced me to your cute friend?"

Emma looked over to find Chris staring at Veronica. It made her heart feel like it was sinking... Veronica was rather pretty...

"R-right um, Veronica, meet Chris. Chris, this is Veronica. She's one of our best pop performers as well as the controlling owner of the label that is acting as our new parent company thanks to the merger back in April."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said with a snakish smile as she held out her hand for Chris to take.

"Pleasure's mine," he replied quietly. This was bad.

"What is it that you do if I may ask?" she said, despite knowing well enough.

"I'm a contractor," he replied shortly.

"Interesting, well, I'll have to look you up some time," she said before giving a short wave. "Have a nice night you two, and don't you worry, Emmy. I'll make sure to talk to the CMO about getting you on my team next. It's a great opportunity for your career, I promise," Veronica added before walking away. "Toodles."

"She's certainly an interesting CEO to work for," Emma admitted quietly.

"Yeah, seems like it," Chris replied while watching to make sure this Veronica person got a good distance away from them and stayed there.

Emma's heart sank further as she noticed Chris watching Veronica leave rather than looking at her when she spoke. Maybe this was a mistake...

"Hey everyone! Are you ready to have a good time?" Veronica asked, having made her way onto the stage. "Make your way to your assigned tables, please. We'll be starting dinner with live performances from some of our best throughout the year as we celebrate another successful year of creating what moves this planet."

This bitch, Chris thought as he gave a quiet sigh. "Do you know where our table is?" he asked Emma quietly.

"Yeah, it's this way," she said, walking away from him to lead the way.

"After our live performers are all wrapped up, we're lucky to be hosting a selection from the local orchestra which will play through the night. We'll be opening up space for dancing in roughly two hours. So please take your time and enjoy your meals." She got applause in response to her speech, then the music cued up. She performed first, and bands from various genres followed. It was far too loud to hear anything else, which made talking a moot option. This wasn't their usual comfortable silence.

All the same, Emma quietly focused on her food and ate her meal. She was overthinking this. She already knew he didn't feel the same way about her. He's doing this because she asked for a favor. It wasn't a date.

Chris caught himself staring at Emma a few times throughout the dinner. It wasn't that she wasn't usually beautiful. This was just, different. Like seeing a garden from a different angle and finding a new appreciation for it. He'd tried to speak only for his voice to be swallowed by the sound of the music. It was frustrating.

Before long, two hours had passed, and much softer orchestral music replaced the cries of guitars and rhythmic thumping of drums. That was much better. As tables were cleared away, Chris and Emma stood up.

"Did you want to dance?" Chris asked curiously, which surprised Emma.

"Oh um, su—" she started to reply when a familiar shrill voice returned.

"Emmy! Emmy, I couldn't find a date. Can I borrow yours for the first dance, please? Just one?" Veronica asked as she grabs onto Chris' arm, causing Emma to look away. He had seemed interested in her before.

Emma, please don't leave me with the witch, Chris thought with a panicked expression that she couldn't see.

"Sure," Emma said with a nod. "I was thinking I might get a drink instead anyway."

Emma no.

"You're just the best," Veronica said as she started leading Chris away while Emma walked in the other direction.

The two danced in silence for some time. She was toying with him, and it pissed him off. Chris spoke through a frown, "What do you want?"

"Did the BSAA really think I wouldn't notice them sending a meathead to crash my party?" she hissed. "I'm pretty sure I explicitly stated that I was to be left alone."

"I'm not here because of that," Chris replied quietly.

"I. Don't. Care," she said with a smile before bopping Chris on the nose with her index finger. "But I think you'll find I'm very forgiving," she said as her smile became more venomous. "Since you're here, why don't you send a message back for me? It would save me the trip," she requests as the song started coming to a close. "Tell them, 'Strike one.' You're not going to like what happens if you get to three."

Chris remained silent until the song ended and Veronica let go of him.

"Well, I'm bored of you now. Goodbye, Chris. If you know what's good for you, I'll never see you again," she said with a smile as she gave him a gentle pat to the chest over his heart and walked away.

Shit... He needed to find Emma. Now. He quickly moved around the large, crowded room but had little luck in locating her. It took him a good 20 minutes, but he eventually found her standing by a wall, holding a half-empty glass. The four bandmates from before were exaggeratedly dancing around her to the music as she laughed into her hand to try and hide her smile.

"You guys are ridiculous, I'm fine. I promise," she said through her laughter. As Chris approached the group, he finally could hear her speaking. "You should be out there and enjoying the party."

Why wasn't she, then? "Hey," Chris said as he walks over to get her attention.

She turned to look at him. "Oh, there you are," she said with a sheepish smile. "I was wondering where you went. I tried going back, but I couldn't find you." I figured you left...

Chris stared for a moment before giving a short laugh. "I was looking for you. You ditched me," he pointed out, which surprised Emma.

She kind of did do that, didn't she? Oh gosh... "I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, I'm just glad you're okay," he admitted, shaking his head. He had been starting to worry that something had happened to her when he couldn't find her. "I don't think you got to answer me before we were interrupted," he pointed out. "Did you want to dance?"

Emma nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Chris offered her a hand and took her back to the more spacious dancing area, since not many seemed to actually be as interested in dancing as they were watching others and trying to decide if they wanted to or not. He held her hand in one while the other rested on her lower back, and she gently placed her free hand on his chest. They did their best to follow along with what everyone else was doing as they stayed to the edge of the dancing area.

This was nice. He is a good friend, Emma thought with a bittersweet smile.

Chris found himself staring once more as she looked away, making it easier for him to notice the hint of sadness in her smile. He knew well enough when she was putting on a front. He shook his head at this before pulling her arm up to try and get her to spin.

"What are you doing?" Emma asked, amused, as she spun a few times before he stopped and stepped forward to hold her again.

"I have no idea," he admitted, smiling back at her, which caused her to laugh.

"I think you stole my line," she said as her laugh quieted to a small chuckle to avoid drawing attention.

"Temporarily borrowed it," Chris replied quietly as they both chuckled. He reached down and picked her up similar to how he had back at the orchard and spun once more, causing Emma to relax and laugh more openly. He put her back on her feet after the single spin and returned his hand to her back. They continued along with the others before giving Emma another quick single grounded spin and pulling her into a hold halfway through so her back was against his chest. Emma smiled, knowing what to do as she broke the hold, finishing the spin with a hand held out to take the one that she knew would be there waiting for her. It was different than what everyone else was doing, but it was their song and dance, their own rhythm that only they knew.

I have feelings for him.

I have feelings for her.

"I didn't know you knew how to dance," Emma said, amused.

"I don't," he admitted with a laugh. "I am completely making this up."

"It's fun," she replied with a grin.

Not now, Chris' subconscious shouted to hold him back. They were still being watched. She was already in enough danger because of him...

The two eventually stopped dancing as their feet quickly grew tired since they weren't used to it. It was a little after 10.

"It's starting to get late," Emma said as she considered that there was still another hour-long ride home.

"A bit, yeah..." he agreed. "Did you want a ride back to the apartment?" Chris offered out of habit.

She had driven here, but she answered, "Sure, that would be great," with a smile. She'd just get an uber back tomorrow and go to the grocery store on the way home. She wanted to spend time with him.

It was probably a good thing that she went with him in the end as it started snowing, and he had an SUV that was better suited for this than her smaller sedan. The two quickly hurried from the parking garage into the apartment building and quietly spoke as they made their way up the stairs. It was past 11 now, and neither wanted to end up earning the wrath of their neighbors by waking them up. Emma opened her mouth to say goodnight but stopped short.

"I know it's late but, do you have a minute?" she requested with a shy smile.

It wasn't coffee, but he could make this work. "Sure," he agreed with a nod. Emma turned to unlock her apartment and left the door open for him to follow her, as Duke sleepily and silently greeted the two, seeing no reason to bark since he knew them both well enough.

Chris closed the door behind them and watched Emma walked to the far end of her living room, over to a neatly decorated tree. He followed part of the way and moved to sit on the couch he'd spent a week sleeping on a few months before.

"Here, it's not much, but…" she said as she took a seat next to him and offers him an oddly wrapped package. "Your schedule is a bit finicky. So, I figured I might as well give this to you early."

He looked it over and cautiously opened the gift to find a few different sized books. "Books?" he asked as he looked them over.

"I noticed your collection shrank after the water damage. I'm not sure which were lost, but I thought maybe a few travel books would be nice?" she explained as he read the back of one. "That one is pretty unique, it's more of a checklist than a book. It lists different places around the world and things to do before leaving."

He smiled at that. She really didn't get what he did at all, but all the same, she tried. "Thanks," he replied and she nodded.

"Right." Oh gosh that's not how you reply to a thank you. Now she was being awkward. "It's late though. So, I won't keep you too much longer." She got up to walk to the door. Damage control, damage control.

No, dang it. Not again. He got up as well and reached out for her arm. It was a simple hold she knew well enough how to get out of, but instead of breaking it and pushing him away, she stayed and looked at him with curiosity. To hell with plans and ground rules. He gently held the side of her face with his free hand as he rested his forehead against her. 90%. He could do this. He wouldn't be able to backpedal from this, but he had to try.

Eyes drifted shut as the gap was closed and hesitant lips brushed. For at least this one moment, red flags, insecurity, past pain, future threats, none of that mattered. It was patient, it was gentle, and understanding as he moved to let go of her arm so they could hold each other close.

I have feelings for him.

I have feelings for her.


Hahaha~ hohoho~ Marry Christmas. We're not done yet, not by a long shot. The plot thickens.

Review Response:

Guest 1995 - Hopefully the chapter lives up to what you were hoping for.

InkScribble - Yeah they did~ honestly I missed writing them. I had to bring them back for at least a little bit lolol you've always been so supportive of the story so i hope you enjoy the chapter. :)