I'm planning to follow the general storyline of Seasons 4 & 5 (Clare, Pauline's book, Kelsey discovering the truth, Edward LL Moore scandal, etc.), but I'm going to play around with the timeline and I welcome any ideas and prompts. I'd love to write some shorter one shots in between chapters of this story. Reviews and comments welcomed!

Chapter 1

Charles

"I like you."

The words spilled out of Charles' mouth before he could even think. He couldn't help himself. In this moment, with the music and the lights and Liza in his arms, he just knew he had to put his feelings out there. This beautiful woman standing in front of him seemed just too good to be true. Smiling and laughing and listening to his stories about his youth. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this happy.

She didn't say anything for a moment, and Charles' heart sank. He glanced down at the floor as they swayed to the melodic notes of "Take My Breath Away". He closed his eyes for a moment, and in that moment, she leaned in and kissed him, her hands sliding their way up to his arms, tugging on his shirt to pull him closer.

Liza

"I like you."

Did he really just say what I think he said?", Liza thought, as she swayed on the spot in the club, her mind going a mile a minute. She searched his eyes, oh those gorgeous blue eyes that looked like they could bore a hold right though her, and before she knew what she was doing, she leaned up and kissed him. Oh, how she had wanted to do this for months, ever since he tracked her down at the Paramus Mall. And if she was completely honest with herself, she had wanted to kiss him long before that.

She leaned back slightly, even as her arms came up to rest on his upper arms. She felt tight muscles through the fabric of his shirt, and her fingers tugged lightly at the fabric. She felt the hand that had been resting on her hip as they danced pull her closer to him, as the other came up and wrapped around her neck.

They parted for a moment, looking into each other's eyes. Everything that she was feeling in that moment, everything she was experiencing made her feel a little heady, almost faint. The blue lights of the club cast a glow over everything, and Liza thought that they made Charles's eyes look even bluer. The way that Charles was ever so gently pulling her flush against him as they continued to sway to the music. She felt his hand, warm and soft, on her neck, and leaned in to kiss him again.

The world around them dissipated as they embraced, and they lost themselves in each other for another minute or so. Moments later the song came to an end and they were jostled apart by the crowd. Charles reached out to catch Liza as a woman pushed past her and Liza tripped in her heels. She giggled and he smiled at her. Could she be any more beautiful?

Charles leaned in close to Liza, huskily whispering in her ear "Do you want to get out of here?". He wanted nothing more than to be alone with her right now, but he also knew that he needed her to know he wasn't going to pressure her into anything she didn't want to do. That nagging voice in the back of his head was still reminding him that she was still 26, still an employee at his company.

Liza tossed her chestnut locks over her shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "More than anything". Charles felt his pulse racing as he saw her eyes darken ever so slightly. He took her hand in his, and oh, did they fit so well together, and led her out of the club, onto the still bustling street. They paused to look at each other for the briefest moment, and then began to walk hand in hand back to their hotel.