AN: Without further ado... Part 2.

-oOo- Kiss Me: A Christmas Romance Part 2 -oOo-

Chase, for his part, was shocked in every sense of the word. He'd done a double-take when his gaze had fallen over skin like snow and eyes like rubies. Surely not… Was there a chance that Jack Spicer was a girl?

Apparently, the answer to that question was yes.

When she turned to look at him, her emotions were written all over her face. Surprise, disbelief, wariness, but above all… Admiration. So expressive, like she always had been. Yes, this was definitely Jack Spicer. And Chase was shaken to the core.

For a moment, they just stared at each other. The monks stood behind Jack, seemingly waiting with baited breath. Somehow, someway, Chase managed to keep it together. He held out his hand to her.

"Chase Young," He re-introduced himself, smirking lightly, "Pleased to meet you."

Jack's eyes lit up in recognition of their first meeting and she grinned.

"Chase Young?" She asked, barely able to keep the mirth out of her voice as she shook his hand, "As in Chase Young, the greatest super-evil genius of all time Chase Young?"

"I do have a certain reputation."

Delighted, Jack laughed. Chase released her hand reluctantly but smiled all the same.

"It is good to see you again."

"Likewise."

"We'll leave you two to catch up." Kimiko chirped, urging the other three monks away quickly. Jack rolled her eyes.

"They're still losers." She intoned to Chase who inclined his head in agreement.

"Indeed."

"Sooo… What've you been up to, C.Y.? Any ridiculously cool evil schemes?"

"Not lately, if I am to be completely honest."

"Since when were you completely honest?" Jack snorted, headed over to the concession table. Chase followed her, helping himself to another drink. She poured herself something electric green in color. "This party is kinda boring, isn't it?"

"It was," Chase said quietly but Jack caught it nonetheless. She flushed deeply, taking a deep sip of her drink. "Spicer, there something I must discuss with you."

"Chase, if this conversation is going where I think it's going, then I need more alcohol in my system," Jack confessed, frowning at her cup, "And it'll take at least twenty of these, give or take a few…"

"I don't see why you need to be drunk-!"

"Not drunk," She corrected him, "Just tipsy. You make me nervous."

"Very well," Chase sighed, "Admittedly, I could also do with some sort of liquid courage… Aha." From under the concession table, he fished out a large bottle of something. Vodka, it seemed. "Would it trouble you if we shared?"

"Not all all," She said with a smirk, "Best not drink it here, though."

"Agreed. Follow me."

"Hold your horses, Chase, I ain't done yet." Searching the supplies under the table herself, she pulled out another bottle. Cracking open the lid, she emptied all the contents into the two punch bowls, giving each a cursory stir. Chase watched, highly amused and slightly impressed as she stashed the now empty bottle back under the table. "There. That should make things more interesting. Now we can go."

-oOo-

"What is this stuff? It tastes great."

"According to the label, Smirnoff Marshmallow."

"Ohhh, it's vodka. Almost wish we had something to mix it with. But glasses."

"Mm. Glasses would make this situation far more precarious."

Chase and Jack were on one of the roofs a fair distance away from the party. They could still see the lights and hear the music but compared to the party itself, it was blissfully quiet. Jack passed the bottle back to Chase, who took another sip.

"Your turn, Chase."

"Very well… What did you study in college?"

"I've got a Masters in Robotics."

Chase shot her a strange look, frowning.

"You mean to tell me you earned a Masters Degree in four years?"

"Seven, actually," She elaborated with a shrug, taking the bottle back, "I was working on my Bachelors online when I was still doing Showdowns and shit," she took a swig then blushed at the flabbergasted look on Chase's face, "Genius, remember?"

Chase barked out a laugh.

"Well, now I believe it."

With the alcohol relaxing both of them (they had half a bottle left), Jack found Chase far more amiable than she remembered. He was more relaxed, the conversation flowing between them seamlessly as they asked questions. She couldn't help ogling at the man beside her. His legs were out in front of him, bent at the knees, his arms crossed over them. She'd never seen him with his hair back before. It made his cheekbones sharper, more aristocratic. Hell, this was the first time she'd ever seen him without his armor on. That alone was making her head spin, never mind the vodka in her system.

"Chase," She finally found the guts to ask after yet another swig, "What is it you wanted to discuss with me? Like, why are you even talking to me? I mean, tonight. And… In general… I guess."

Chase didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned his eyes skyward. The expanse above them was a canopy of inky blue-black dotted with thousands of tiny pinpricks of light. Something streaked across it. A shooting star. He made a silent wish. Because at this point, it was now or never.

"You have grown," He spoke softly, choosing his words delicately, "You are not the child you once were. That being said, I must admit that I have missed you in your absence. Your quirks and ridiculously loud way of doing things."

"Awww, you missed me?"

"Quite a lot, yes."

"So you actually do have a heart. I was beginning to wonder about that…"

"Spicer, I…" He paused, trying to find the proper words, "I owe you an apology."

"For…?"

"For calling you names. For pushing you off cliffs and throwing you to dinosaurs. For constantly tearing you down."

"For being an asshole?"

"Basically," Chase winced as she snickered, "Jack, I'm sorry."

Jack stopped laughing, clearing her throat. Up until this point, Chase had never used her first name except in disappointment. Now they were on a roof, drinking vodka from the same bottle, and he was looking at her with a quiet intensity she'd never seen before. She looked away, unsure if her face was warm from the alcohol or from being scrutinized.

"It's okay," She said quietly, taking another sip from the bottle, "I was young and stupid, kind of a dumbass, really."

"And yet, it does not excuse my behavior."

Jack shrugged, not trusting herself to talk. Chase had moved closer. In fact, he was so close, his side was almost pressed to hers.

"What do you want, Chase?" She finally sighed.

"You."

When she swiveled her head to look at him in disbelief, her breath caught in her chest. Chase's face was close. Really close. Mere inches away, really. His slitted eyes were gleaming and oh-so-dangerously beautiful.

"Chase, I-!"

"Yes?"

"U-um… I, um…" She couldn't move. Frozen. Pinned by the heat in his gaze.

"Would you like to know why?" Chase's voice was low and yet, she heard every single word, "Why, for so many years, I treated you the way I did?" She felt herself nod. "Because loving you outright would've painted a target on your back. Pushing you away meant you would survive. Then I would not have to watch you die."

Everything Jack had come to believe was crumbling down around her, her heartbeat a steady drum in her ears. She searched Chase's eyes for the joke, the punchline, the lie… And found none. He was serious. His hand brushed over hers, leaving something in her lap. She broke away from his gaze in curiosity and looked down. There, lying seemingly innocently in her lap, was a small bundle of dark waxy leaves and white berries. Mistletoe, she realized with a jolt.

"With your permission, I'd much like to kiss you."

Jack looked back up at him sharply, her fingers curling around the mistletoe. He was even closer now, so close she could see the intricate shades in his eyes. Not just gold, but honey and amber, the last glowing embers of a fire.

"Not before I kiss you."

Chase blinked in surprise as Jack grabbed a fistful of his shirt. Tugging him to her, she closed the final breath of space between them.

When Jack's lips pressed to his, static ripped through Chase's body and he groaned softly. He kissed back enthusiastically, borderline green as he claimed what he'd desired for so long. He needed her closer, far closer than he could get her even with his hands tightening on her hips.

Jack looped her arms around his neck. Faintly, she thought that Chase's hair was just as silky soft as she always imagined it'd be. She raked her fingers through it indulgently, dislodging it from the ponytail.

Gradually, the kiss slowed the broke, both of them panting for breath. Chase pressed his forehead against hers.

"Wow." She breathed.

"Mmhm."

"Wow…"

Chase laughed softly.

"You know, we should probably rejoin the party soon. I'm sure Tohomiko is wondering where we've gone."

-oOo-

The party had descended into drunken chaos. Thanks to Jack spiking the punch, most of the guests were dancing (quite badly) to the music which was now blasting. To Chase's delight, Wuya had gotten drunk enough to pass out on top of a table, whiskers and a nose scribbled on her face in black sharpie. He pulled out his phone, snapping a couple of pictures for future blackmail material.

"First lesson of being evil, Jack," Chase informed her with a dark chuckle, "Make sure to have information on everyone."

"Oh, jeez, that's priceless." Jack was gasping, wiping tears from her eyes. Kimiko stumbled over, so far gone she almost couldn't stand. She threw her arm around Jack's shoulders.

"Jaaack," She slurred, "I looked for youuu."

"Sorry, Kimi, I was busy," She said with a sidelong look at Chase, "You're absolutely sloshed."

"Yesssh, I feel good. Need to find Rai. His face needs kisses." Before Jack could say anything else, she wobbled away. Jack shook her head.

"What a mess."

"Well done, Spicer. Truly, I've never seen such chaos."

"HA!" They both turned in surprise to see Omi standing there, arm held over their heads. He was holding another sprig of mistletoe, looking triumphant, "Now you must kiss! Because that is a Christmas law!"

"Omi, are you drunk?"

"I would never!" Omi gasped, appalled, "I only drink hot water and tea!"

"Spoken like a true Chinese person." Jack pouted, disappointed that she hadn't managed to corrupt the youngest monk.

"It seems I owe you another kiss, Spicer."

Omi cocked his head in confusion. Another? Then his jaw dropped as Chase dipped Jack (who squeaked in surprise), kissing her thoroughly before setting her upright again. Face bright red, she smacked his arm as he grinned.

"Chase, you ass!"

"B-but, you-! I am MOST CONFUSED!"

"Be sure to tell Tohomiko we enjoyed her party," Chase told Omi, "She's a bit too drunk at the moment to hear it from us."

"Your place or mine?"

"Mine. I have new silk sheets that need breaking in."

And then Chase and Jack left the party together, arm in arm. Omi watched them leave, absolutely baffled, mistletoe still aloft. Eventually, he shrugged, choosing not to question it. Christmas, it seemed, was a time for the most strange of miracles.

-oOo-

It was well past midnight. Jack stood on the balcony of Chase's room, clad in her sweater and a pair of drawstring sleep pants she'd stolen from him. She leaned against the ledge, her breath visible in the night air.

"You're going to get sick if you stay out there too long."

She turned to smile at Chase, who lingered in the doorway. His hair was down again, delightfully ruffled, his sweatpants slung low on his hips. Shirtless.

"I'll be fine. It's not too cold," She assured him with a grin, "You look good well-fucked."

"You're one to talk," He snorted, pushing his hair back with a smirk as he stepped out onto the balcony, "Have you checked a mirror?"

"No?" He brushed his hand over the back of her neck, pushing her hair to the side. Bending down, he pressed his lips to the skin there and she shivered. "I'd love to see you like this more often."

"I'll check my schedule. Try to pencil you in."

"Ha, ha."

Chase leaned against the ledge with her, more content than he'd been in a long time. Jack was here with him, wearing his clothes and freely pressing flirtatious kisses to his jawline. He could feel her giggles vibrating on his skin. Then she stopped.

"Look."

Chase opened his eyes, not realizing he'd closed them. Jack's face was turned upwards, those red eyes wide with awe. He looked up. Small, white particles were drifting down, landing on his skin in soft, cold stings. The first snow of the season. He looked back to Jack to see she'd closed her eyes. The snowflakes stuck to her skin, vanishing on the white canvas. They stuck to her dark lashes as well and he swore he could see the icy designs in detail.

Leaning down, he kissed her cold lips. She hummed softly.

"Merry Christmas, Jack."

"I love you, too, Chase."

-oOo-

AN: Merry Christmas, y'all :) Hope you enjoyed it.

-P3ac3fulFor3st