"So, Aunt CJ me and Lynds are looking for a 2-bedroom apartment to rent here in California. Have you heard anything?" Hogan asked over dinner.

"No but I will keep my ear to the ground." CJ responded smiling at the prospect of having the house back to just her, Danny and Kat. CJ had asked Margaret to look after Kat until they could find a Nanny or a proper babysitter but that needed to happen soon.

"Say, Mrs Gregg…" Lyndsey started.

"Please call me CJ."

"Right. Then CJ do you want me to take a whirl and looking after Kat. I have some practice. I used to look after Bella full time when Mom was on a case." Lyndsey offered. CJ and Danny locked eyes each silently pondering.

"Ok." CJ and Danny replied in sync.

"Just do a trial week with Margaret or one of us here but if you do well and find a local apartment I don't see why not. We'll pay you of course same rate as the old sitter, you can still come to the ball with Hogan and us though." CJ offered.

"Thank you so much CJ." Lyndsey said smiling and locking eyes with Hogan who had walked over to embrace her Aunt then Danny and finally Lyndsey herself.

"Thanks Aunt CJ." Hogan said sitting back down and returning to her meal.

"Hogan, why do you think of this one?" CJ called from one of the dress racks she was looking at. As Hogan and Lyndsey appeared over CJ's left shoulder, CJ pulled out a silky lilac one shoulder Donna Karen gown.

"Oh my god is gorgeous." Hogan said taking the dress of her aunt and indicating that Lyndsey and CJ should follow her to the fitting rooms to see the end result. Hogan looked stunning in the elegant flowing floor length gown. It looked as though it was made for her. Lyndsey, however, had no such luck. Eventually CJ had an idea.

"Hey Lynds, I have an idea." CJ said after about half an hour of searching.

"Let's hear it." Lyndsey said surprisingly upbeat for the endless searching.

"You're about my height, right?" CJ asked looking Lyndsey up and down.

"I'm about 2 inches shorter but nothing a good pair of heels won't fix. Why?" Lyndsey asked.

"I've got some ballgowns back home that might fit." CJ offered.

5 dresses later, Lyndsey re-emerged from the screen, in the corner of CJ's room, behind which she had been changing. The dress Lyndsey had on was CJ's grey Donna Karen which was a dress CJ had once worn to Fords Theatre.

"It's perfect!" Lyndsey exclaimed twirling with perfect poses making sure to be careful of the dress. Hogan laughed was the Cheshire Cat grin on Lyndsey's face.

"Excellent!" CJ smiled. "You know how to dance right?" CJ asked. Both Lyndsey and Hogan began to laugh.

"I was a professional dancer for 5 years still am actually." Sophie smiled. "My mother hated it. It's one of the reasons I left. I came here it's close to LA. That's were my dance career can progress most and it's where my dance partner lives." Lyndsey said smiling.

"Well good luck!" CJ exclaimed.

It was the night of the charity ball and everyone was getting ready to go out. Hogan, Lyndsey, Donna, Kate, Abbey, Carol and CJ were getting dressed into their ball gowns. As the ball wasn't to finish before 1 o'clock everyone was staying with CJ and Danny. Kat had gone off to one of Danny's sisters. Josh and Donna were checked into a close hotel as was Sam. Josh, Sam, Toby, Danny and Jed were all chatting in the lounge in their tuxedos, neither Danny, Josh or Jed's ties were done they were all waiting for their respective partners. Toby was spending the night with Danny and CJ as was Jed. Upstairs Hogan and Lyndsey were talking in the room they were sharing for the night and CJ, Carol, Abbey, Kate and Donna were laughing in CJ's room. As Donna was dressed when she arrived, she didn't stay long instead opting to go and chat with the guys. Kate was the only one of them left in the room not sat in their day clothes. Kate had her baby blue Vera Wang on and was fixing her matching blue neckless. A sharp tap on the door made CJ look at the time.

"Shit! Look at the time! Come in!" CJ called beginning to rush round the room. Danny pushed open the door.

"Hurry up Claudia we need to leave in half and hour!" Danny said leaving the room. CJ, Carol and Abbey dashed to their dresses that were hanging up in corners of the room. Kate dashed to go and guard just outside the door to make sure no one would walk in. On the other side of the door Abbey had disappeared behind the screen with her dress, Carol had dashed to the bathroom to change and CJ had just started changing in the corner.

"Shit!" CJ called.

"What?" Abbey called from behind the screen.

"My zips stuck!" CJ answered.

"Hold on. 2 secs." Abbey said as CJ heard Abbey's zip slide up her dress. Abbey emerged from behind the screen and came over to where CJ was stood. CJ held her dress up at the front while Abbey played with her zip trying to get it to move. After a few minutes of trying with no luck Carol eventually appeared from the bathroom and saw what was happening in the corner and walked over to help. Within minutes Carol had managed to work the zip free and up the back of the dress.

"Kate!" Abbey called after the zip was up. "It's ok!" Kate appeared round the door and started laughing.

"What's so funny?" CJ asked.

"What has happened with you and Toby?" Kate asked dissolving into laughter in an armchair.

"Why what did he say?" CJ asked sitting down and fastening her dark blue heels as Kate composed herself.

"Well, he came up to see what was taking you so long and he asked to come in. I told him he couldn't cause you were changing, I didn't mention Carol or Abbey, and he insisted to go in that you wouldn't mind. His exact words were 'it wouldn't be the first time I seen you naked'. So, what did I miss? What's the history?" Kate asked as she saw a blush creep up CJ's cheeks and Carol suppress a snort of laughter.

"Well, we kind of dated for a few years way back when." CJ said a blush covering her cheeks as Carol dissolved into laughter while Abbey and Kate gasped. "You can more ask questions later we only have 15 minutes till we need to be down." CJ stood and clipped her neckless in place.

With 5 minutes to spare CJ, Carol, Abbey and Kate descended the stairs. Lyndsey and Hogan were in the kitchen, Lyndsey was helping Hogan learn some dance steps for the ball. Jed was watching the instruction with keen eyes to check how it was going, Jed couldn't help but admire the quick graceful steps of the taller of the girls as she led Hogan around the room.

"Give me a try." Jed said stepping forward and extending his hand to Lyndsey.

"Ok." Lyndsey said accepting his outstretched hand with a smile. Jed put Lyndsey into hold and Hogan moved out of the way towards the door of the kitchen and backing into Abbey who was smiling while watching her husband twirl round the room with the 20-year-old.

"She sure can dance, can't she? She even makes my husband look like he can." Abbey whispered. "I can't manage that most times." Hogan barely stifled a laugh before whispering back.

"Lynd's a professional dancer she could make a broom look good." Hogan said looking up into Abbey's hazel confused eyes before seeing a flash of dark blue just over Abbey's shoulder.

"Aunt CJ!" Hogan exclaimed beaming. "Will I do?" She asked giving a twirl. Lyndsey and Jed had stopped dancing with the entrance of CJ. Jed walked over and kissed his wife on the lips quickly before taking her arm in his and walking her to the living room. Lyndsey followed Jed and Abbey quickly squeezing Hogans hand on the way through. CJ and Hogan started to walk when CJ stopped Hogan.

"Wait a sec you're almost perfect." CJ said with a coy smile leading Hogan to the living room and opening a draw that held a little box. CJ opens the box and gently tipped out the contents. About 8 gleaming pearls lay in the palm of CJ's hand.

"They were my mothers." CJ said starting to twist the pearls into Hogan's lilac ribbon which was on top of a beautiful up do. Hogan admired herself in the mirror before turning back to her aunt.

"Oh, Aunt CJ there beautiful thank you." Hogan said throwing her arms round her aunt's waist. CJ held Hogan close before Danny coughed and made her aware of the time. CJ walked over to Danny, kissed him passionately on the lips then leaning in to tie his tie.

"I love you, Danny. You know that right?" CJ said looking deep into his eyes.

"I know. I love you too." Danny said sliding his hand round CJ's waist and walked with her out the door. Hogan followed with Lyndsey next to her. Then Donna and Josh, Sam and Toby. Carol and Kate followed finally by Jed and Abbey who turned to lock the door behind her.

Jed watched from a corner, trying to hide himself from interaction, but also looking to see his surrogate family, his old admiration, dancing, laughing and chatting. Abbey was dancing and laughing with Sam. Toby was sitting a few seats down from Jed his eyes fixed on CJ who appeared to have melted into Danny's arms. Kate was stood to his right flirting with some donators next to Carol who was now being led to dance by a handsome brunette. Josh and Donna too were chatting and flirting while watching the dancing. As the song finished CJ and Danny walked over to where Jed sat followed by Abbey and Sam. Hogan and Lyndsey who had been dancing with some men for about a half hour, came over to join them too.

"You looked wonderful out their Abbey." Jed remarked. "I shall have to have another go with you soon." Abbey and CJ were both rescued to fits of laughter at that comment as they both saw the going in his eyes. "But first Lyndsey then Hogan would you do the honour and dance the next two dances with me?"

"Yes of course, sir." Both Hogan and Lyndsey answered.

"Then, shall we?" Jed asked standing up and offering his hand to Lyndsey who took a hold of it and she then began to dance with Jed out of earshot of the group.

"She is a very good dancer, you know!" Abbey exclaimed seeing the grace at which young Lyndsey moved.

"She should be. She is a pro." CJ smiled feeling immense pride for her niece's friend.

"An actual pro dancer!?" Abbey's face dropped, "I thought Hogan was joking. Wait a minute Leo mentioned her!" CJ let that comment sit in the air for a while and decided better to say nothing. Thankfully Toby chose that moment to interrupt.

"Care to dance?" Toby asked extending his hand to CJ.

"Abbey, I'll tell you and Kate the full story later." CJ said before turning back to Toby, "I'd love too." CJ took his hand and he led her over to dance. As they spun CJ's right leg slipped in and out of the slit in the side of her dress. Toby glanced down at the dark blue high heels CJ wore.

"Why do you insist on wearing those 4 inch heels?" Toby asked grumbling while looking up at CJ, "It's not like you need the hight!" CJ looked indignantly at him.

"I like heels, Tobias. What's so wrong with that? They are strong and sexy and I'll be damned if I don't look fantastic in them." CJ joked. Toby looked into her eyes that lit up as she laughed.

"I mean they make your legs look drop dead gorgeous." Toby joked back in a half whisper.

"Yeah, well. Eat your heart out baby." CJ said making sure to produce as much leg out the side of the spilt as possible before dragging her foot back inside her dress.

10 years ago

"Why do you insist on wearing those 4 inch heals? It's not exactly like you need the height!" Toby grumbled shutting their hotel room door behind him.

"I like heals Tobias what's so wrong with that? They are strong and sexy and I'll be damned if I don't look fantastic in them." CJ joked. Toby looked into her eyes that lit up as she laughed.

"I mean they make your legs look drop dead gorgeous." Toby joked back in a half whisper leaning forward to gently brush his lips against her.

"I know. Eat your heart out baby!" CJ gasped pulling away and sitting down on the bed she took her shoes off. Toby sat down next to her and put his hands behind her neck and pulled her in for another kiss. CJ wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned in towards him. Toby started to plant kisses down her neck and pulled at the zip down the side of her dress. CJ slinked up and let her strapless red dress pool around her feet. Soon Toby was stood dressed just in his boxers. His arms wrapped back around CJ kissing her. Toby quickly started work on her strapless bra trying to unclip it, Toby always struggled with CJ's bras. Taking pity on him CJ reached behind herself and brushed her fingers against his, pushing them away before undoing her bra clasp in one swift movement. The bra tumbled down landing on top of her dress on the floor. After shedding what was left of the clothes keeping their skin apart CJ grabbed Toby's wrist pulling him down on top of her on the bed, giggling as Toby started kissing her neck again and this time going further down to kiss from her sweet lips to her stomach planting a trail of kisses.

"Well, I'll be sure to let them know." Carol's voice called from the corridor.

"Shit!" CJ whispered as Toby jumped up grabbing his clothes and running into the bathroom. CJ hastily pulled her dress on zipped up before Carol opened the door.

"Hey CJ." Carol defeatedly said sitting down on the other bed.

"Hey Carol." CJ said sitting back down on her bed. "I thought you said not to expect you back tonight?" CJ said looking at the closed bathroom door.

"Turns out the guy who was flirting with me and leading me on all night was very much married." Carol slurred some of her words.

"Are you drunk?" CJ asked.

"Maybe, just a little." Carol slurred. Just then Toby emerged from the bathroom and wordlessly exited the room, locking eyes with CJ as he left. He knew she needed to look after Carol tonight. CJ watched the door close behind him knowing his was heading back to the room he was sharing with Josh. CJ saw Carol attempting to stand and take a step forward before toppling back down onto her bed.

"Come on honey let's get you to bed." CJ said standing up and helping Carol to stand. "Do you mind?" CJ asked gesturing to the zip of Carol's dress.

"I'm beyond caring besides I'm sure we have much more to come." Carol said leaning on CJ as her dress was unzipped and her arms pulled out from the spaghetti straps. CJ pulled the pyjama top over Carols head and while Carol was doing up the drawstring bottoms CJ lovingly flicked the hair out of the back to the top and pulled the covers back, helping Carol down, then pulling the covers over her. Carol lay with her eyes open watching CJ walk back and forth across the room outing her pyjamas on and locking the door before sitting on the edge of Carol bed.

"Go to sleep honey. You'll pay for it in the morning." CJ whispered stoking Carol's forehead and gently kissing it.

"Thank you, Claudia." Carol muttered as CJ got off the bed and her eyes drooped till the world faded to black. CJ straightened out the covers on her bed before pulling the covers up around her chest all the while thinking of Toby.

Present day

As the song finished Toby lead CJ back over to Danny kissing her cheek as Danny laced his arm through his wife's. CJ reached out to grab another glass of champagne and almost tripped.

"Steady on there." Danny laughed helping keep CJ vertical as she dissolved into laughter.

"I'm fine." CJ said seeing Abbey beginning to approach she threw herself towards her. Both CJ and Abbey dissolved yet again into laughter. Carol and Kate appeared at the left and right sides of them looking confused.

"Are you drunk?" Danny asked taking hold of his wife pushing to get CJ and Abbey sat down.

"Abbey isn't too badly drunk, she'll sleep through her hangover easily but CJ, it turns out, has been working her way through two bottles of wine and is going to have a hell of a hangover tomorrow." Danny told Jed, Lyndsey, Hogan, Sam, Josh, Donna and Toby as they all had crowded round as soon as they realised something was up. The surrounding group soon dissolved into laughter and they all saw the time knowing the cars would start to be leaving.

"Common no one will notice us leaving 10 minutes early." Sam said looking at CJ and glancing at Abbey "they're no good to man or beast in this state." He whispered.

"Yeah let's go." Danny and Jed said collectively. Toby and Danny helped CJ to the car while Kate and Carol helped Abbey. Josh and Donna got into the third car while everyone else packed themselves into the two remaining cars.

When the cars eventually pulled up to CJ and Danny's house everyone breathed a sigh of relief as they had been putting up with 15 minutes of CJ and Abbey looking at each other and laughing looking away then repeating the process. After the cars pulled to a stop Hogan, Lyndsey, Jed and Kate all climbed out of their car before Kate and Carol went to help Abbey get out of the other car. After Abbey was out Danny helped CJ out followed by Sam and Toby. Once the girls had Abbey upstairs and in bed everyone else said goodnight and went to bed. Danny lifted CJ up into a cradle in his arms, and behind Lyndsey and in front of Hogan, Danny walked up the stairs as CJ was slipping in and out of consciousness.

"CJ please just stay awake a bit longer." Danny whispered gently to his wife who was basically sleeping. Danny didn't like undressing her while she was like this, and though he hated to admit it was difficult to manage just with him so he went and got Carol.

"My, my. Look what two bottles of wine will do to you!" Carol exclaimed seeing CJ propped up in one of the chairs eyes fluttering shut. "Right come on honey let's get you changed and in bed." Carol said walking over to help CJ up. "Help or stop watching. It's stressing me out." Carol looked at Danny who guilty looked from side to side before saying,

"I'll get some water. Want anything?" Seeing Carol's face Danny took that as a no and left.

"Right CJ. Let's do this." Carol said unzipping the back of the dress and pulling it down Carol pulled her pyjama top over CJ and pulled off her tights before doing the drawstring bottoms. Carol helped CJ over to the bed and Danny peaked around the door.

"You're going to feel like crap tomorrow you know that right." Carol whispered.

"Yeah. Listen thanks so much." CJ smiled pulling the sheets further up. Carol brushed CJ's hair away from her forehead and kissed it gently.

"This reminds me of the campaign, I was thinking about it when I was dancing with Toby. I did exactly this with you in the campaign." CJ reached Carol's hand and held it in her own.

"Well it's time for me to repay the favour." Carol smiled lovingly down at CJ who was barely conscious.

"You said, 'I'm sure we have much more to come' well I think the same. Night Carol." CJ said falling asleep.

"Night Claudia." Carol whispered.

"Thanks Carol." Danny said as he stepped into the room. "Night Carol."

"Goodnight Danny." Carol said as she slipped out of the room. Danny pulled his drawstring pyjama on crawled into bed beside CJ and fell asleep.