Maybe it’s much too early in the game
Aah, but I thought I’d ask you just the same
What are you doing New Year’s?
New Year’s Eve

"The video store was packed," Lucky sighed, as he moved into the living room. Kicking the door closed behind him. "I guess we’re not the only ones that decided to stay in tonight instead of freezing our butts off in the snow?"

Elizabeth grinned at him from inside the kitchen. "Ah, and here I thought we were the only original and superior beings."

He smirked at her as she continued. "Did you get –

"YES, I got It’s A Wonderful Life…Even though you watched it 3 times on Christmas."

After dipping her finger into the brownie mix and licking it, she folded her arms with a dramatic huff. "I did NOT watch it 3 times. I simply seemed to happen upon it – completely accidentally – while channel surfing."

"And there was just nothing else to choose from on the other channels," Lucky grinned. Knowing that it could have been absolutely true. Even people he knew that had cable never had anything to watch besides endless streams of Christmas cartoons and movies this time of year.

He ambled up behind her as he dumped the videos on their dining room table.

She smiled proudly when he grabbed a hold of her hand, and licked her finger clean, before she got the chance to do it herself. "Mmm…good job Sweetie."

"Oooh…is it the brownie mix or ME that meets your approval?"

Lucky craned around her side to face her, wiggling an eyebrow. "Both."

Another slow smile slid over her face and she slapped his hand away when he reached for the bowl. Ready for him this time. "Flattery won’t get you EVERYWHERE…Besides, you have to save some of that batter for the actual BROWNIES, Iron Gut."

Shrugging, he moved back behind her as if he hadn’t truly been interested in that anyway. His real interest in being as close to her as he possibly could.

He pressed his body against hers. Saying not a word as he let his hands travel up her sides. Her hands faltered as she mixed with one of the wooden spoons Laura had given them as a housewarming gift.

"Lucky," she giggled. Squirming in his arms. "This is the ONE thing I know how to make…don’t mess me up."

"How am I messing you up?" He asked. Donning a serious tone, even as he licked her neck.

"By doing that!" She laughed. Wiggling in his arms.

He wouldn’t let go. "But you’re wrong Elizabeth…There are more things," he paused. Mumbling against her sweet skin. Sweeter than any brownie he’d ever tasted. And damn…she thought HE tasted like chocolate?

"More things hat you know how to make," he continued. "Aside from…brownies."

She shivered at the flick of his slippery tongue. Dropping the spoon against the side of the bowl. The damn brownies would keep…

Her fingers quickly laced themselves between his at her hips, and she asked him breathily what he’d meant by the comment. "What…what else am I good at making?"

Lucky grinned and slowly turned her around to face him. Keeping his hands on her hips as his lips came to hover before hers. When he finally connected with her mouth, he pulled away after only a short moment. "Making…" he paused again, kissing her. "Loooove."

Elizabeth let her head fall back and grinned widely. Her breath hitching when he began to kiss his way from the base of her neck to her jawline. Using his tongue to leave a slick trail from top to bottom.

His hands snaked around her hips and cupped her bottom. Massaging her through the jeans that she wore. Elizabeth groaned aloud.

"And here I thought flattery wouldn’t get me everywhere," Lucky sighed deeply. His voice thick with arousal…just as something else was beginning to be.

"Mmm…I lied," Elizabeth sighed longingly. Easing one leg off the floor as he aided her with his hand clamped around her thigh.

"Lying…right after Christmas?…You’re such a naughty girl…What would Santa think?…Slacking off after getting all your presents?"

His mouth worked its way back down as he bent at the knees. Using his fingers to pop open her top button as his tongue worked it’s way across her collarbone.

"Well…" she sighed. Watching as another portion of her shirt was undone, and he slid lower still. On to the next. "The funny thing is…Santa seems to bring me even better presents when I’m…n- naughty…"

And his mouth, hot against her fly, certainly proved that point. She was about to get a damn good present…right now.

"Yeah…it’s true," Lucky breathed against her. Inhaling her scent before rising to his full height. "And I’m afraid Santa may have forgotten to give you the biggest gift of all."

She hissed through her teeth, when she felt the gift of which he spoke, press against her thigh. "Ah…luck – lucky for you – for S- Santa that I acc…accept gifts l – late…"

He hoisted her roughly up against him by both of her thighs before she had a chance to say another word. And her mouth crashed into his as he carried her quickly out of the kitchen. Her legs wrapped tightly around his waist as they moved towards the hallway.

Once he had her on his bed, he’d show her exactly what she got for being such a naug –

"Damnit!"

Lucky cursed loudly and Elizabeth groaned at the sudden knock on the door. In the heated silence it seemed even louder than any other time someone came to the door. And far more annoying.

He halted only a moment in his actions, before beginning again. Kissing her for all he was worth.

"They’ll go away," he murmured against her mouth. Beginning to walk again.

Elizabeth nodded and clamped her legs even more tightly around his waist. Kissing him back with a sort of exhilarated intensity. Breathless for him in seconds, when unfortunately the knock sounded again.

Lucky let his forehead fall against hers as he panted. "Are you expecting anyone?"

"No," she panted in irritation.

"Who is it?!" He called. The same irritation ringing in his voice.

"It’s Nikolas and Emily!"

Grinning, Elizabeth watched as Lucky rolled his eyes dramatically and groaned. "You gotta be kidding me."

Smiling softly, Elizabeth let her hand drift softly across his cheek. Trying to ease the sudden frown lines away. "Come on…How often do we see them?"

Did she have to be reasonable at a time like this? Jut when his day had turned from the annoyance of endless traffic and lines at the video store – to an afternoon of nothing but sweet adventures in the bedroom?

Where were her priorities?

Glancing back at her, Lucky sighed and slowly lowered one of her legs and then the other to the carpet. Mumbling something about just having seen them at Christmas as he neared the door. Elizabeth laughed aloud.

She stifled it however, when he turned to her with narrowed eyes. She quickly buttoned up her shirt and her lip.

When she was done, he flung the door open wide.

Nikolas came striding in with Emily in tow before either of them even had a chance to say ‘hello.’

"Got any plans for New Years?" Nikolas smiled. Clasping his hands together and rubbing. As if preparing to make some kind of strike. Emily grinned like the cat who was ABOUT to eat the canary.

Lucky tilted his head to the side. Not this again. "Yes we do," he answered quickly. "And it doesn’t include standing around on an auction block like a piece of meat."

Emily rolled her eyes at Lucky’s surly greeting and smiled at Elizabeth. "Happy New Year, Liz."

"Happy New Year," Elizabeth smiled back. She glanced at Lucky and then hesitantly back to their two friends who’d come all the way from Port Charles to get them do to….what exactly?

"So what’re you two…doing down here?"

Nikolas and Emily exchanged knowing glances. "Well we just wanted to see if maybe you guys wanted to do the whole…you know – Time Square thing –

"HELL NO," Lucky answered. Coming to stand next to Elizabeth. "Forget it."

"Excuse me Mr. Party Pooper, but we’re not just asking YOU!" Nikolas spat, glancing back at Elizabeth who was already clearly torn.

Mission accomplished.

‘Party Pooper? Since when did Nikolas use terms like Party Pooper,’ Lucky thought Analyzing the situation. ‘Damn, he was gonna have to do something about that. Nikolas was becoming too Americanized for his own good…For everyone’s own good.’

"She doesn’t wanna go either," Lucky answered quickly. Draping his arm around her shoulders. "Why should we go out there and freeze when we can stay home in a perfectly warm apartment?"

Ok, so the perfectly warm part wasn’t exactly true…but still. It would definitely be warmer than the friggin Arctic Circle outside.

Emily placed her hands on her hips. "Lucky how long are you guys going to live here – in the greatest city in the world – without experiencing what it has to offer? I mean it’s the biggest New Years tradition in the world, and you’re missing out!"

Elizabeth bit her bottom lip. It did sound kinda fun…but then again…OTHER things sounded even more fun…and it would be cold…whereas if she stayed the night here with Lucky, she could pretty much guarantee that she’d be hotter than the city in August.

"Oh please," Lucky sighed, creasing his brow. "Elizabeth and I take advantage of what this city has to offer all the time. We use the subway and eat pizza – good enough?"

"Um…noooooooo," Emily glared. Aiming her sights yet again on Elizabeth. The girl was already waffling – you could see it in her eyes. She hated to play them against each other like this, she really did – but sometimes it was the only way to break up Bert and Ernie Jr.

"Come on Liz…you know you wanna."

Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak and then closed it …and then opened it again. "Lucky’s right. It’s gonna be SO cold out there Emily."

"That’s no problem. We’ll bundle up! In fact that’s why we got here so early. I thought we could go shopping for some really cool jackets…and it’s totally my treat," she added when the flicker she was coming to know really well flashed behind Elizabeth’s eyes.

The ‘I can’t afford it,’ flicker. Poor thing was probably going insane with only 4 jackets in her closet. The girl had a serious fetish and it wasn’t being met. It was Emily’s duty as her best friend to buy her a new jacket. If she didn’t the entire state of New York was in danger of Elizabeth flipping out.

Lucky rolled his eyes once more. So now, aside from needing a social advisor, they needed charity as well? Damn it…

Nikolas locked eyes with his brother. Reading his thoughts. "Listen man, I totally owe you for that work you did on my Jag two weeks ago…I just thought it’d be cool if we could you know…sorta hang out…like old times – it’s been awhile since it’s been just the four of us."

Emily rose one eyebrow and eyed Elizabeth. "That’s right…it’s been a long time since one of those cheesy, All for one, and one for all’s…"

Elizabeth grinned, and Lucky caught the wistful look in her eyes. She wanted to go. But he knew she’d never say it out loud, if she thought he didn’t.

She broke the silence before he was able to speak. "Nah…you know what? Listen you guys – Lucky and I just rented like a TON of movies, and I’m JUST in the middle of making brownies. I mean if you guys wanna hang out here – that’s fine. The more the merrier –

"Oh no," Lucky said shaking his head. One hand reaching back to scratch at it. "I’m not about to share my brownies…No way – no how.

"I say we take these two up on their offer and let them treat us to ‘all that the city has to offer,’ since they’re so hot to do so," he finished. Folding his arms.

Elizabeth turned to him abruptly. "You’re sure?"

"Heck yeah. Free pretzels, free pizza, free chestnuts…I mean I don’t even like chestnuts…but Hell if they’re free bring ‘em on."

Though it wasn’t her custom to react this way in front of people, even close friends - such as Emily and Nikolas - Elizabeth turned to him and kissed him full on the mouth. Lucky responded with a sheepish grin as she pulled away.

"You wanna finish up those brownies for us while I go shopping with Em?" Elizabeth smiled. "We can take some with us…they’re bound to make the cold a little less terrible."

Brushing a few strands of hair away from her forehead, he kissed the skin there. SHE would make the cold less terrible.

"Make sure and get something to cover those ears of yours," he said softly. Brushing his fingertips against her earlobes.

Emily and Nikolas both looked on with a bit of an ache in each of their chests. The couple’s voices seemed only for each other. They barely knew Emily and Nikolas were still in the room. Still breathing.

"Remember what happened the last time," Lucky continued softly, with a grin. "You ended up with a massive ear ache."

Elizabeth grinned back up at him and bit her lip. "Ok…should I get you anything?"

Lucky only shook his head silently and kissed her once more. "Have a good time."

Emily let out a squeal and quickly tugged Elizabeth towards the door before either of them had a chance to back out. Giving Liz just enough time to grab her purse. "We’ll be back in about 2 hours – be ready to go!"

When the door shut behind them, Lucky gave a long-suffering sigh and then glared at his brother.

"Thanks for that," Nikolas grinned. "I think both of them really wanted to go."

Lucky huffed and moved towards the kitchen. If he couldn’t have sex…he could have some chocolate.

"Yeah…I kinda got that…You know, that really wasn’t fair. You knew that by bringing Emily and having her all giddy and practically jumping out of her skin – Elizabeth would want to go…thus, I would agree too."

"Hmm…yeah, I was hoping pretty hard that that’s how things would go."

His little brother simply shook his head as he started to stir the chocolate mixture. When Nikolas went to stick his finger inside the bowl, Lucky slapped it away.

"Get your own."

"Oh come on man…Where the heck is your ‘just after Christmas spirit?’ and what the heck were you gonna do tonight that you couldn’t do any OTHER night of the year?"

Lucky turned to him and raised both eyebrows.

Nikolas rolled his eyes. He didn’t need to say anything more, and he wouldn’t have anyway.

"Like I SAID – what the heck were you gonna do tonight that you couldn’t and don’t DO every other night of the year?…Man, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were becoming…domesticated…a homebody…and adventureless –

"Hey!" Lucky said cutting him off abruptly. That was just crossing the line. The spoon once again clattered to the side of the bowl. "I am NOT adventureless. Elizabeth and I have PLENTY of adventures. They just don’t involve freezing our asses off in subzero conditions…unless of course we’re in our own apartment – under our own blankets – in subzero conditions."

Nikolas laughed. "Ok, so you wanted to be alone with Elizabeth tonight…I get that…Fine…If I had someone to spend every night with, I’d probably become pretty accustomed to it too," he admitted.

Lucky noticed the way his brother’s gaze kinda shifted to the door when he said the words. What the heck was going on there anyway? He and Emily had been spending an awful lot of time together lately.

Of course when he’d brought it up a few weeks prior, Nikolas had simply chalked it up to not having Elizabeth and himself to hang out with on a regular basis anymore. But something told Lucky that it wasn’t about that at all.

Hmm…Emily and Nikolas, huh?…It’d be weird. Something about it seemed vaguely incestuous…but whatever. It was probably something he could get used to…even maybe…LIKE if it meant they wouldn’t burst in his door in the middle of the afternoon, interrupting his sex life.

"Look," Nikolas said after a moment. Gesturing with his arms. "I promise that when

Elizabeth offers us to stay the night after the ball drops, Emily and I will politely decline and be out of your hair for the new year."

Lucky licked his lips. Suddenly feeling a load of fresh guilt. He didn’t mean to be such a grump – really he didn’t. It was just that lately, time alone with Elizabeth had been hard to come by. Between the Christmas rush at work, and the holidays with the family…sheesh.

"Nah man," Lucky said finally. "You guys can stay the night. You can stay in my room…we’ll stay in hers…I mean…I wouldn’t feel right about you guys being on the road anyway with all the crazies out there tonight."

What was this? A little brotherly concern from the Spencer? Nikolas thought silently. He wouldn’t question it verbally if he knew what was good for him though.

"Alright…but first thing in the morning…we’re gone."

Lucky grinned slightly and started mixing again. "First thing."

~~~~~~~

Elizabeth watched Lucky’s tormented reflection in the mirror and giggled at the way his hair stood on end after he pulled the black turtleneck on over his head.

Her giggling ceased however when he turned to face the mirror. The dark color made his eyes sparkle with a near electric shade of blue. Just looking at him was enough to generate enough heat for the entire city.

"Damn…"

"What?" He asked. Walking over to her dresser to borrow a hairbrush. He was about to pull it through his hair, when she reached for it and laid it back down.

"Don’t do that," she grinned. "It looks good."

"It looks like I slept on it," he grinned awkwardly. Going for the brush once more.

"Precisely," she grinned. Removing it from his hand as she licked her lips. "You look good enough to eat right now."

Lucky sighed in dismay. "If I didn’t already know exactly how many HOURS I was gonna have to wait for that statement to come to fruition…I’d actually be pretty flattered."

Elizabeth pretended to pout. "Lucky we could always stay home if you want. I mean I’m sure Emily and Nikolas would still have fun without us. It’s not like I really wanna go. I’d be perfectly happy doing what we originally said we’d –

He shushed her with a quick, yet firm kiss. Leaving his fingers knitted against the nape of her neck as he pulled away. "I believe that you would be. But do you think I could see that look in your eyes when Emily brought it up and just ignore it? I LIVE for that look in your eyes…

"I know you wanna go," he continued. Kissing her once more. "Don’t worry – I’ll be fine. I’ll probably only be miserable for the first hour or so."

Elizabeth smiled softly and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Have I mentioned today, that I love you? That I lust after you? That I long for you with every breath I take?"

"Hmmm…No actually, I don’t think you have."

"Well then I’ve been remiss," Elizabeth smiled seductively before closing the space between them once more. Her tongue swept eagerly against his. Not wasting anytime in raising his temperature. She inched closer to him, pressing her body against his, Lucky groaned.

"Very…very remiss," she moaned against his mouth. "Will you ever forgive me?"

He took a good, long suck on her luscious bottom lip. "Only if you promise to keep me warm like this…out there."

She pulled away just far enough to reach for her red beanie. Pulling it down over her ears as she slipped one gloved hand into his. "I promise…but…

"But what?" He asked. His eyes widening at the mere thought of a ‘but.’

Her laughter was throaty and telling of things to come. Of a very randy Elizabeth to come. Lucky grinned back at the prospect as she spoke. "I only promise you that IF you promise to keep me…burning hot…all night long…once we get home."

Lucky grabbed both sides of her face and kissed her until she gasped for breath…Oh yeah – when they got home, they’d blow the roof off the place.

Assuming he could get Emily and Nikolas drunk enough tonight to make them both pass out.

"I – I’m…I’m guessing that’s a yes," she sighed breathlessly. Her eyes wide with desire when he pulled away. A desire that would have to wait for HOURS…

Damn, why had she agreed to this again? ‘Cause you thought it’d be FUN,’ her brain mocked.

"You guess right," he responded. His voice so thick and so deep it forced her to bite down on her lip to keep from pushing him down on the bed behind him. There was no time for that now. Not the kind of loving she wanted – no, there was no time for that.

In an instant he was grabbing her hand. Yanking her towards the bedroom door. The quicker they left, the quicker they could get back. "Let’s go."

~~~~~~~

Lucky rubbed his gloved hands together and sprinted towards the thermostat on the living room wall. Deeply disturbed by the fact that he couldn’t feel the floor beneath him. Couldn’t feel anything in his feet.

He knew that their pitiful excuse for a heater wouldn’t do much good, but he needed to feel useful anyhow.

Elizabeth’s teeth chattered as she spoke from behind, shutting the door and then rapidly folding her arms against her chest again. "Gosh…I feel bad. Do you think they’ll be ok out there by themselves? They were kinda wasted."

He turned to her before banging on the wall a couple of times to get the heat going. Trying to hide his grin. His mission had been successful in that respect. "What do you feel bad about? They have cab fair and they have a key…If they wanna spend the rest of the night out there, waiting for some damn ball to fall out of the sky, that’s their business…It was too cold."

"Was?" She grimaced.

Catching the way she trembled and her blue lips, Lucky jogged back over to her. Rubbing his hands up and down her arms, through her snow dusted winter jacket. He removed her beanie and ran his hands through her hair a few times. The strands felt like icicles.

"Come on," he whispered. "Let’s get warm huh?…I’ll make some cocoa while you go put on some dryer clothes?"

She groaned at the thought of actually taking off her clothes, even if it was to put something else on. She wished that by ‘dryer’ he’d meant fresh out of a piping hot dryer. Just the thought of having her own washer and dryer and being able to do that, brought a dreamy sort of smile to her face. But she knew he hadn’t meant that. He just meant clothes…out of her closet. Which would also be……cold.

"Ok," she answered finally. "But hurry…the bed’ll be too cold without you."

Lucky watched her jog away and then turned quickly to heat up some cocoa. Cursing under his breath when he retrieved the brownie batter from inside the refrigerator as well. It was so friggin cold his breath caught in his chest.

He quickly pre-heat the oven, and shoved the brownie mixture inside after pouring it into a baking pan. Maybe if they had the oven going too, it’d get warmer in the apartment.

Rubbing his hands together, he breathed hot air between them as he moved out of the kitchen and down the hall. At the sight of the closed door to her bedroom, Lucky politely knocked.

"Just one second," she called through it.

Lucky leaned against the door and rubbed his hands against his own arms now. He heard voices from the television. What the heck was she doing? Watching TV while he waited to get some?

"Come on in."

He grinned slightly as he pushed the door open. Glanced at the television where Dick Clark was commentating on the size of the crowd, and then to where she lay on the bed.

"What were you –

She still wore her Moose scarf……Only her Moose scarf.

Elizabeth ran her fingers back and forth along the length of her scarf. "I just heard Dick Clark say that the best way not to freeze, is to have skin to skin contact. I think that’s the best advice he’s ever given anybody……I thought we could maybe give it a try."

Lucky breathed deeply and licked at his suddenly very dry lips. All the chapstick in the world hadn’t prepared him for this.

"Wow…"

She only grinned at him and shifted her position on the bed. The long piece of fabric lay, flimsily between both breasts.

He felt himself harden instantly. Cold be damned.

"Aren’t…aren’t you cold?" He asked. Swallowing hard. Even when he knew somewhere in the recesses of his mind that his body wasn’t cold anymore…But it was still winter…wasn’t it?

"Do I look cold?"

Swallowing once more, his eyes did a slow sweep of her body. "Certain……certain parts of you do."

Elizabeth grinned satisfactorily. "Well then what are you waiting for? I think we both promised to keep each other warm…and I already kept up my side of the bargain."

And right then she was managing to keep something else UP…very up. She noticed that fact and grinned even wider. Fun, fun, fun!

"We did promise that…didn’t we?" Lucky sighed. Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded slowly.

Quickly he removed his sweater. Tugging it roughly over his head before unbuttoning his shirt, and then pulling a t-shirt off. He was unzipping his pants as he walked towards the bed.

"The water’s on for brownies…and the hot brownies are in the water," he said absently, discarding his pants on the floor before climbing up into the bed next to her. He was pulling back the sheets and pulling her with him even as she laughed at his mix-up.

"I don’t think we’re gonna need either one of them," she giggled happily.

He pushed her scarf out of the way and rapidly descended under the sheets. His hot mouth encircling one cold, tight nipple before she could even speak another word.

Her entire body went up in flames. "Oh…oh God……So…so if the…if the pot starts to whi – whistle…I’ll let you…let you know."

"Let the damn thing whistle," he mumbled rapidly from under the sheets. Using that wicked mouth of his to do more than just talk when he was finished. Lucky felt her hands slide up his back and he came back to her mouth. Sliding his chest along hers. Feeling the moisture he’d put there heat up between them.

When they kissed and she wrapped her legs around his bare waist, he had visions of what they’d begun to do that afternoon. But this time he’d complete what he started. There’d be no interruptions this time.

They’d heat things up…and then they’d reheat them.

Slowly, Lucky unwrapped the gray scarf around Elizabeth’s neck. Pressing his open mouth to every spot revealed, to every inch of flesh he could taste. Elizabeth pushed herself upwards. Grabbing his shoulders and doing the same with her own mouth. Moving from one finely sculpted shoulder to the next. Pausing for long moments against a cool collarbone that turned exquisitely hot under her ministrations.

He hissed through his teeth when her fingernails bit into the tender flesh of his butt, bringing him tighter. Chest to chest, thigh-flanking thigh as Elizabeth grew warmer than she’d dreamed possible tonight.

There would be no blankets fresh out of the dryer…but absolutely nothing compared to this. And she’d pick it over the heater any day of the week.

"Oooh…your ears," Lucky mumbled. Trailing his tongue along the outter rim. "I’m gonna have to keep these warm too," he sighed. Taking one naked lobe into his mouth and sucking. His teeth scraped lightly against the skin and she closed her eyes in silent reverie.

She wrapped her arms and legs so tightly around him that he could barely move. But his mouth was scalding everything it touched. Her neck, her ears, her mouth. Lucky felt her pulse begin to race, and the temperature between them begin to near heat wave status.

He moved slightly against her and felt the feminine moisture that beckoned him towards her center. Urging him on, whispering to him that if he really wanted to get warm…that this…that entering her beautiful inner depths were the only way to truly attain it.

She tugged the sheet up higher over his shoulders and gasped a bit when he shifted against her. The air from the room, circulating between them rather quickly. She moaned, and he reached up to brush her hair away from her eyes.

"Mmm…don’t worry," he mumbled. His hand gripping her thighs as he entered her. "You won’t be cold for long."

He gasped at the sheer heat of her. A glove of fire surrounded his body and then drew it in further. Scalding him. "Aaah…God…"

She sighed with contentment as his hands slid restlessly up her legs. From shin to hip and then back again before he collected himself enough to begin moving within her.

"I’ve never been this…warm in my life," she mumbled absently. Pressing her fingers into his back as he started to rock slowly. Creating what had to be an indecent amount of friction.

"Well…you’re about to get a whole hell of a lot warmer," he whispered against her ear. Licking it.

He already felt the need to intensify his movement, to pick up the pace.

Elizabeth’s brow creased with each sensation and held tighter as the rubbing of their eager bodies mounted. Quick, quick, slow…the movements of their hips were like dancing as they ground together. Wanting nothing more than to stay this warm for as long as possible, but to greet their inevitable end as well.

It was just around the corner and each of them felt it rapidly approach. Almost literally like a train, coming into the station.

"Aaaah…more," Elizabeth whimpered, wondering if they could put on the breaks. Even when she knew that neither of them could hold out much longer. Every muscle in her body was already tensing. Her skin felt slippery with the sweat of each of them.

Lucky licked one salty spot on her neck and grunted against it. "We’ll st – we’ll start again…all…all night…remember?…Careful what you wish for."

She groaned and then whined something unintelligible as the walls of her body contracted around him, eliciting the same kinds of incomprehensible speech from him.

Eliciting the same convulsive action of his body as he stilled and thrust into her once more…and then again. He felt her teeth sink into his moist shoulder as his hips slowed. Only breaking away when he began to sink atop of her. The weight of his tired body becoming too much for his arms to handle.

Lucky felt the smoothness of her inner thigh slide against his hip and he grinned the grin of satisfaction as he lay within her. Knowing that when she did that, when her legs moved…slowly and aimlessly like that – of their own accord – that she was beyond satisfaction as well.

But satisfaction didn’t mean she was done. No, Elizabeth would lay there for a moment and quietly come back to herself as he did…and be ready for another go round before his body was even up for the challenge yet. And he’d have to find other ways to please her.

And there were plenty of other ways. Fun…delicious ways…

‘Oh shit,’ Lucky thought. Suddenly sniffing deeply through his nose.

"The brownies…they’re burning," he grinned. Chuckling into the side of her neck.

"Mmm…so am I," Elizabeth sighed happily, even as Lucky eased himself out of her warm body and off of the bed. He pulled one of the quilts from atop the comforter and wrapped it around his waist. Padding quickly towards the kitchen.

Elizabeth laughed when he called back from the kitchen. "Well…the brownies are definitely hot! Cajun style actually…blackened."

Stretching she sighed once more and propped herself up against a pillow. Pulling the sheets up to her neck as Dick Clark came within seconds of announcing the new-year.

"That’s ok Lucky! Bring the cocoa in here – I want to toast the new-year together!"

She heard his feet pad back down the hall and smiled at him when he climbed back in bed. Snuggling against him after he’d set both of their mugs on the nightstand. The one that he’d bought her in Canada in just as good of shape as it had been on the day he’d given it to her in Kelly’s.

His of course, had his name displayed in green above the picture of a shamrock. When she’d seen it at a pub they’d gone to of the same name, soon after moving to Greenwich, she simply couldn’t resist it. She grinned giddily as he took a drink.

This had been the best year of her life…and the next was already shaping up fabulously.

"What’re you smiling at huh Missy?" Lucky asked. Trying not to grin back. God, she was adorable when she was in purr mode. The state right after they’d made love and she was already feeling the need to have him inside her again.

It was that satisfied with your dinner, but still want dessert kind of look.

"Just you….how cute you are…," she smiled again. Licking her lips, right before she leaned in to kiss his shoulder. "Sitting here naked…in my bed…I think my new years resolution will be to never let you out of this room again."

As her lips descended his chest and she disappeared beneath the sheets, he nodded and closed his eyes. Feeling the first swipe of her tongue against his slowly filling body. A dull ache echoed through his gut…it wouldn’t be long now. Especially if she was about to –

"I c - could…probably deal with that."

"You think?" She mumbled devilishly from her invisible place. The colors of the television blurred as Lucky tried to focus with her mouth teasing him.

"Y – yeah…I think so – so….Oh my God!"

Elizabeth laughed heartily. "I haven’t even really done anything yet Lucky."

"No…no, Elizabeth get up here!" Lucky shouted anxiously.

Rattled, Elizabeth popped up from beneath the covers and followed his wide – eyed gaze towards the television. What she saw made her gasp aloud and cover her mouth with one hand.

There, in the middle of Time Square as the glittering ball neared it’s finish line, Emily and Nikolas…kissed. Not your friendly kiss on the cheek. Not your, it’s midnight I’ll kiss anyone kiss - because it wasn’t even midnight yet…

No, it was an honest to God, on the lips – I want your body now – kind of kiss.

Both Elizabeth and Lucky knew those kinds of kisses well. Considered themselves the kissing experts since they’d done only that for so long…and each of their mouth’s dropped wide open in shock as the camera panned away from their friends.

"Oh…My…God," Elizabeth mouthed slowly. Turning back to Lucky.

He shook his head, as a grin began to emerge. "I knew it…I knew it…"

"What do you mean you knew it?" Elizabeth asked. Still wide-eyed as she glanced from him to the television. Excited in a whole new way now.

"Well, they’re obviously trying to fight it…for whatever reason," Lucky began with a grin. Raising his cocoa to his lips. "But it ain’t working. Especially after a couple of beers I guess, and 20 below weather - it ain’t workin."

Elizabeth shook her head. Unable to believe what he was telling her, and what she’d just seen with her own two eyes.

"Wow…do you think…do you think they’ve done that before? I mean kissed? No…I mean, Emily would have told me."

Lucky reached behind him and grabbed Elizabeth’s mug. Placing it in her hands even as she continued to ramble on about the possibilities. She’d completely miss the stroke of midnight if she kept talking.

"Why did you think something was going on between them?" She asked. Searching Lucky’s eyes. "I mean did Nikolas say something? Have you seen them kiss before? Why didn’t you tell me?"

"Elizabeth…" Lucky began. Watching as the television behind her showed that it was indeed midnight. "Sweetie…it’s midnight. And the only people I want worry about kissing right now are me and you."

With a slow smile she wound the arm that held the mug, around his and then back to her own lips, while he did the same. A move she’d once seen with champagne glasses in some old movie she’d watched with her mother as a little girl – something she’d thought was the most romantic thing in the world…even with hot chocolate.

Even more so with Lucky.

"Happy New Year Lucky," she sighed. Lucky made anything romantic. "And here’s to sharing…so many more."

"To a lifetime of new years together," he added. Taking his sip as she did. When they were finished he removed both of their mugs and sat them down on the nightstand.

Turning back to her in a moment.

Even in the new year, she’s still be the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen…Especially with her hair all…messy…like that.

"Do you think?" She began absently, as he neared her mouth. "Do you think they’ll be too smashed to remember? I mean…should we tell them that we saw or keep it to ourselves? I think we should probably keep it to ourselves until they mention it don’t you? I don’t want to embarrass them…Although they really don’t have anything to be embarrassed about."

"Elizabeth," Lucky whispered. Licking his lips as mere centimeters separated their mouths. "I wanna kiss you again. But I can’t do that if you’re yapping about my brother and Emily kissing."

"Oh yeah," she smiled. Remembering that she still had some kissin’ to do of her own…along with many other things.

When he lay her down beneath him, it was hard to forget. But what about…

"Wow, that would really suck wouldn’t it? Being too completely smashed to even remember who you kissed on New Years?"

"Elizabeth," he interrupted once more with a long sigh. "I’m not smashed…and believe you me, I’m going to remember EXACTLY how I rang in the new-year…and so are you."

When his mouth covered hers again, she knew exactly what memory she wanted to have of them welcoming the new-year together…and they quickly began creating that memory.