Christmas ended with a bang. And not a literal one. The gunfire that day cracked louder than the fireworks she watched flash in the sky with a kaleidoscope of colors. Her first thought after hearing the sounds cut through the Christmas carols was that he was the owner of a record boutique there's no way he could win a gun fight. But that thought only held firm in her mind for a couple of seconds then it fleeted with the word he confessed moments before tracking down the known killer. He wasn't the charismatic, optimistic adventurous dealing of musical delights. He was a FBI agent and more than capable of holding his own. Nonetheless she fought against the older man that invited them to the party attempts to get her to safety.

As police cars and an ambulance sped into the circular driveway, she held her hopes high. She prayed that the backup swarming the house was not needed because Quinton had the premises secure. But when the paramedics rolled the stretcher out the mansion those hopes careen to the paved ground like a ball of snow. She rushed to the stretcher yearning to clung his hand but a paramedic discouraged her action, beckoned an officer hold her back while they performed their duty. A duty at the moment that consisted of trying to stop the blood from pouring out of Quinton's upper torso. Tears streamed down her face as she watched the paramedics load the man, she was falling for even though confliction swarmed her mind into the ambulance and speed off in the cold night.

The case had been closed. The elf was dead and the next day she was flown back to Houston with limited knowledge of Quinton's prognosis. The only information she was given was from the Marshall that drove her to the airport; he was in the ICU but stable. That was six days ago.

"Let's go." Kiara's cousin Zelda declared standing up as more fireworks went off.

"What?!?"" Kiara's play-cousin Jaiden inquired after swallowing the sparkling beverage. "The show's still going on."

"The New Year is here." Zelda affirmed tugging on the blanket that they splayed out across that patch of grass in Hermann Park. "But if we don't leave before all these people we'll be on 45 until the afternoon."

Jaiden nodded knowing she was right. Houston traffic was a nightmare on a regular Tuesday, it was defiantly be a gridlock today even if it was a few minutes past midnight. "Anyways, them black eyed peas are gone. You want a pizza?" He asked standing to his feet.

"The only thing opened this time of night is Taco Bell and Jack in the Box." Zelda answered they folded the blanket.

"I could destroy a Sourdough Jack, right now." Kiara finally added as put the half empty champagne bottle in the picnic basket. "Pita chips and hummus ain't doing it."

"You right." Zelda added. "Jai you're not doing the basket again."

"Don't threaten be with a good thing." He chuckled then tilted his head at something behind them. "Who's that coming this way?"

Kiara and Zelda both turned around but their reactions weren't identical. While the latter frowned at the approaching figure, elation overtook Kiara.

"You know him?" Jaiden asked.

"Kind of." Kiara responded shocked that he still showed up. He asked her what she'd do if the assailant was caught before the New Year and he vowed to take her once it all was over but that was when they were Elsa and Nick hiding out in Colorado. "I'll meet ya'll at the car."

"You not walking alone this time of night." Zelda quipped.

"I have pepper spray." Kiara added.

"We don't give a damn." Jaiden express pulling the basket from her clutch. "His ass better walk you."

Kiara nodded then headed towards Quinton as the cousins glanced at the pair nearing each other before heading to the parking lot.

"How are you?" Kiara asked studying the bulky slung Quinton's left arm rested in.

"Alive. Thankfully." He surmised the ordeal he went through that was comprised of two surgeries and a blood transfusion.

Even though the crowd of boisterous families, couples, and friends gathered around them as fireworks popped the silence that swelled between them was loud and consoling at the same time. Until Kiara broke the quiet with one question.

"Is Quinton your actual name or was that a lie too?" The way his face twisted at her words answered her question before he even moved to open his mouth. She shook her head at herself for still feeling the strong emotions of adoration and care for something she didn't truly know. "Why are you here?"

"You know why?" He took a small step towards her and was comforted in the fact that she didn't step back. "I'm here because you're here. I know I lied to you about who I am and what I do or why I showed up in your life but the conversations we had, goals and likes we shared...those were all truth. The chemistry." He gestured between them. "That's all real." He kept going albeit she slightly shook her head. "I want you. I care about you. I was honest about that and maybe I should've step away from the case once I knew I was feeling more for you and your safety than closing the case but I couldn't. And if I have to spend all three hundred and sixty-five days trying to convince you of that I will. So, please let me earn your forgiveness, your trust...your love."

She wiped away the tear that rolled down her cheek. "It won't be easy."

"Good." He replied. "I love a challenge." He held out his hand for her to shake.

She glanced at his hand then back to him, "You were protecting me."

To him it sounded like a question so he answered it. "I'd take another bullet for you if it meant you were safe."

"Quinton—" She started.

"Amir." He corrected. "My name's Amir Brooks."

"I like it."

"I glad you approve."

They both smile and Kiara continued pushing is hand out the way. "Amir, I think you earned that second kiss."

Amir didn't care that the stitches in his chest burned with pain as he slightly lowered to meet her lips or that his pain meds were wearing off. This was where he wanted to be; kissing her under the glow of the fireworks and he vowed to himself this time a couple a years from now they'd be the Brooks playing spades by the fireplace. Even if she defeated him every time, he be a contented man.