New York, New York -- Audrey + Peter

[audrey_reardon]

Every December 31st, New York City was THE place to be. The lights, the confetti, the people, the kissing, the chill in the air, and the excitement permeated across the world. And Peter arranged so that he and Audrey could be a part of it

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[peter_its3am]

Audrey was beautiful when she laughed. Peter found himself watching her as often as the actors on stage - perhaps even more. Her profile, catching glimmers of the dim theater light, was entrancing, and it was very difficult to avoid being caught staring.

Outside, everything seemed to sparkle in the icy air. Peter took his time leading the way to Times Square. He knew they'd be stuck in the back of the crowd anyway, so there really was no point in hurrying.

He offered his elbow for Audrey to hold.

[audrey_reardon]

The chilled air hit them as they stepped outside, causing Audrey to cling tighter and cuddle closer into him. People whizzed past them, cheering and yelling in revelry, stirring Audrey a bit.

There was even one guy across the street shouting that the end was nigh and the apocalypse was upon them. Audrey paid his words no mind, but stared at him, as if trying to look through him to find out what made him tick. Feeling the cold air stinging her eyes, springing up protective tears, she realized she had skipped a few blinks. She blinked, then looked away.

"So...what now?" Thinking they'd just return to the hotel room.

[peter_its3am]

He checked his watch, which was somewhat difficult with Audrey hanging on that particular arm, but he wouldn't have let go of her for anything in the world. It was eleven o'clock. "Well, you're in New York on New Years Eve. I mean, where do you think I'm taking you?"

He kissed the top of her head. "Now, I can't promise you Dick Clark's autograph, but it'll be worth it. I go every year, usually with my college buddies. We might run into one of them."

He smiled at her. "But this is much better."

[audrey_reardon]

Audrey looked up towards him, eyes widened slightly, "T-Times Square? You mean now?" Her teeth chattered both out of the freezing cold and nerves.

...all those people??

[peter_its3am]

"Of course now..." Gradually - but still within the span of five seconds, if that was possible - Peter came to a stop.

"Wait, unless you don't want to. I mean... I just thought you would... want to. We don't have to." Breath. Peter looked around. "It's really safe, if you're worried about... terrorists or something. I mean... is that it? I can understand that."

[audrey_reardon]

Audrey turned and faced him, "No. No. Not really. I--It's just..." Audrey exhaled a breath of clouds, "...so many people." She licked her chapping lips, "Sorry. I'm just not quite used to it...yet. I want to be. I need to be."

Audrey inhaled deeply through her nose, and looked up at Peter squarely with a sight hint of a smirk, "In fact, I'm going to make it my resolution. Let's go." Audrey wrapped her arm around his again and started off in a confident stride.

...Then stopped. She chuckled sheepishly, "Actually, you lead the way. You know it."

[peter_its3am]

"That's the spirit!" And he started them off, although at a noticeably slower pace. They were still a good distance from the hubbub. It was the quietest moment he'd ever spent on New Years Eve.

He held his breath for a while, thinking. His mind drifted to Audrey and everything she'd been dealing. He still wasn't sure how to make it better. All he could do was hold on to her, make sure she didn't start taking steps backward, so to say. Peter tightened his hold on her arm. "How is everything tonight?" he asked, hoping she's understand that he was genuinely concerned for her constant peace of mind. Honestly, if she gave him a 9 out of 10, he would think it too low. And immediately set to correct it.

[audrey_reardon]

Audrey's sick of hearing questions resembling anything like that. Even though only two people really ask it, they're the people she sees the most on a regular basis: Peter and her therapist. However, the other half of her knows they're also the very people who care about her and know her the most.

She managed to keep from having much of a negative reaction. The celebratory air helped to push it down and internalize it. "It's great so far." She gently pecked his jaw, "Thank you."

[peter_its3am]

Well, it wasn't a negative answer. She obviously didn't want to talk about it, which was totally understandable. He just wanted to make sure she knew, well, that he loved her. Just saying it wasn't enough for him, sometimes. He had to show it.

The lights of Times Square were suddenly visible in the distance. The sounds - cheering, music - were even more discernible. Peter grinned. "Just hold my hand and you'll be fine." In fact, just hold my hand for the sake of holding my hand.

[audrey_reardon]

As soon as he told her, Audrey entwined her fingers in between his, safely securing them. She still stayed huddled up close to him, more because she felt safe with him and less because it was too crowded for personal space.

Shiny, silver rectangles of confetti flew everywhere all around them. Her eyes darted to the countdown clock, seeing there were only ten more minutes in 2005, a defining year for Audrey. Perhaps for Peter also. What might 2006 bring?

Audrey leaned to his ear, having to shout to beat the crowds, "Won't be long now!"

[peter_its3am]

Peter turned to reply and was quite surprised when Audrey's face was not the only one he saw. There was that of man beside her, not more than a foot behind. It was immediately recognizable.

"Oh my GOSH!" Peter exclaimed. "Jason!"

College buddy. Roommate for a year. And slightly drunk, Peter realized, as he was suddenly lifted off the ground.

"Pete, you didn't tell me you were coming up!" He turned around and waved someone else through the shadows. Chuck.

"I wasn't sure I was-- CHUCK!"

"PETE!"

And there was a good deal of jumping and pounding and shouting. And then some more. Peter grabbed hold of Audrey's arm before she was trampled. Jason and Chuck were a good deal larger than he was.

"Guys, this is Audrey. She works at Princeton--"

Jason stuck out his hand, just as Peter had expected. "Well, I can see why you didn't call us now!"

Boys...

[audrey_reardon]

Audrey damn near jumped out of her skin each time someone new came over. Not just new, but fairly sizable males. At least they were Peter-approved, so Audrey could rest easier.

Audrey accepted Jason's hand and shook it, giving a sheepish, shy, "Hi, " to both Jason and Chuck as she still clung to Peter so they wouldn't get separated by the increasingly excited crowd. She didn't know what she'd do if she lost Peter, physically or otherwise.

Nine minutes and counting...

[peter_its3am]

Peter found it difficult to maintain equal focus on his friends and Audrey. Of course, it was great running into them, but this was Audrey's special night: her first time to New York in years and, more importantly, their first time together.

"So, how long have you been dating?" Chuck asked.

Peter wasn't completely sure how to answer. "Oh, uh," he coughed, "A while now."

"Pete's the best guy in the world," Jason nearly slurred, even though he didn't seem that drunk. "Seriously."

"Do you two still hang out a lot?" Peter asked.

"Yeah," Chuck replied. "Greg, too. Remember Greg? He's getting married. They didn't send out invitations yet, though, so don't worry or anything."

"Of course I remember Greg. Sid's little brother. He's getting married? Tell him I said congratulations."

He glanced nervously at Audrey, who was obviously had no idea what was going on. "Eh, who are you guys with? I don't want you to get separated."

[audrey_reardon]

Audrey nodded in agreement to Jason, "Oh, I know." Otherwise there'd be no way in hell she'd be associated with him, let alone quite involved with him.

Even though their dating hasn't gone into the physical realm or dicussing their future yet, she still felt heavily emotionally involved. They had at least gotten as far as saying 'I love you' and meaning it every time.

Then something caught Audrey's interest. One of Peter's friends was getting married soon. Her thoughts flashed to what her's and Peter's future might be like. Marriage? She didn't know. She hoped someday, but wasn't quite sure if she'd be ready currently. She'd much rather be a better person first, although she sure as hell was making progress.

On the other hand, being engaged doesn't mean getting married the next day. There's still much to dicuss between them anyhow.

7 minutes...

[peter_its3am]

Jason looked off into the confused distance. "Ehhhhh... yeah. You're probably right..."

"We can take a hint," Chuck chuckled, and Peter sort of blushed. He felt bad, but, looking over at Audrey, he didn't feel that bad.

"I'll visit in a few weeks," Peter said. "I promise." And he meant it.

"You'd better," Chuck replied, directing Jason back into the crowd with a hand on his shoulder.

Peter waved and watched them disappear. He wrapped his arm around Audrey and pulled her in front of him. "Great guys. Really," he laughed. "You should meet them some other time."

11:55...

[audrey_reardon]

Audrey smiled a little, settling contently in his arms. "I have no doubt that they are," since they know YOU... "And I wouldn't mind if I did."

Audrey rested her head on Peter's shoulders, pressing herself gently against him. The crowd soon dwindled into mere background noise. The moment became theirs and only theirs. Audrey reveled in the moments when nothing else mattered but being in Peter's arms.

11:57...