Title: New Year’s Kiss

Author: Dontia

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything but the plot.

Spoilers: Bits and pieces from Season 2 but you’d only recognize it if you’ve seen the ep.

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Michael and Tess have a Happy New Year.

Notes: Sequel to "Goodwill on Earth".

Feedback: It keeps me writing and thinking of new stories.

Dedication: To all the people who read and respond to my stories. This wouldn’t be nearly as much fun without you.

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At Connie Garrison’s New Year’s Eve party, Michael grabs a couple glasses of unspiked punch. He rebuttons his coat and takes the drinks to the deserted patio where Tess is waiting.

"Thanks," says Tess, smiling up from a patio lounge chair.

Michael sits on the edge of her chair. "Can we go now?"

"It’s still ten minutes to midnight."

"And?"

"Michael…"

"I don’t wanna be here. If you hadn’t insisted on coming and the Skins weren’t running around, I’d be at home."

"You can’t keep avoiding the others."

"Why not? It works for you."

"I don’t avoid them as much as they avoid me. They’re your friends and they love you."

"Then they should start acting like it."

Tess sighs, knowing Michael’s referring to the incident after Christmas. After Michael left for the Valenti’s to have dinner, Maria, Liz, and Alex showed up at the Evans’ house. They’d planned an evening with the original six.

But Michael leaving threw that off. When they learned from Max’s father that Michael was having dinner with her, Kyle and the sheriff, they were furious. The next day there was a nasty confrontation that Tess feels lucky to have missed. All she knows about it is that Michael stormed off after telling the others they couldn’t control him.

"They’re looking out for you. They don’t like or trust me so they’re tryin’ to keep us apart."

"They should give you a chance instead of arbitrarily writing you off."

"Not gonna happen, but I’m finally okay with it. I have you, Kyle and I are becoming friends, and the sheriff’s nice to me. Don’t let their feelings for me ruin things between you."

"It’s not. Them thinking they can tell me what to do is the problem. I don’t wanna talk about them anymore."

"Okay. Explain somethin’ to me."

"I said I don’t wanna talk about it."

"I want you to explain a couple New Year’s traditions."

"Like what?"

"Why does everyone sing that song? From everyone I asked, no one even knows all the lyrics."

"You sing Auld Lang Syne as a way to remember the past and old friends as you step into the future."

"Then why doesn’t anyone bother to learn to lyrics?"

"The lyrics aren’t as important as the sentiment."

"I guess. My next question is about the kissing. Why does everyone go around trading kisses at midnight?"

"Actually, I’m not sure. I think you kiss the person you’re with as a way of going forward to the future with them."

"Why do you kiss everyone else?"

"Maybe it’s a way of wishing ‘em luck for whatever the future holds for ‘em."

Inside, the crowd begins the countdown. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Tess smiles and cups Michael’s face. "Happy New Year Michael." She leans forward and presses her lips to his. After a moment she pulls back and looks at his blank face uncertainly.

His eyes take on a glow. "Happy New Year Tess." He leans forward and kisses her again. As he deepens the kiss, he wraps his arms around her and pulls her closer.

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Inside the house, Isabel, Kyle, Liz, Max, Alex, and Maria are exchanging hugs and New Year’s kisses in the kitchen.

"Has anyone seen Michael?" asks Maria.

Kyle happens to glance out the window. He groans internally at the sight of Tess and Michael kissing. "I think they left."

Alex follows Kyle’s gaze and sees Michael and Tess as well. He starts to say something but doesn’t when Kyle subtly and urgently shakes his head. "I think I saw ‘em leave too."

"He could’ve said goodbye and Happy New Year," says Maria.

Liz gives Maria a hug. "Don’t let it get you down."

"Liz is right," says Isabel. "Michael’s not a party person, I’m surprised he came at all. Come on."

The girls move toward the dance floor, dragging a reluctant Max with them.

When they’re out of earshot, Alex turns to Kyle. "Why’d you have me lie?"

"Would you rather ruin the party for them? Things are already tense; the sight of Michael and Tess kissing will make it worse. Can you imagine what it’ll be like when everyone’s suspicions about them are confirmed?"

"It’s not like we can keep this from ‘em forever."

Kyle looks out the window again and sees that Tess and Michael haven’t come up for air. "No, but we should let everyone have one more night of relative peace before the war breaks out."

Alex nods in agreement and they rejoin the party.

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THE END