"Abby..." He began sweetly, "I'd have to say you're one of, if not the, nicest most generous people I have ever met..." Abby rolled her eyes, although secretly she had tingles up and down her spine.

"What do you want Carter?" She asked, laughing.

"What makes you think I want something?" He asked, pretending to be hurt. She raised her eyebrows sceptically.

"Well considering your obvious attempts to sweet talk me..." She smirked. This, her banter with Carter, she had missed.

She was glad to have it again. The past few weeks had been great. After their talk on the roof they had worked on getting their friendship back. Only now she was beginning to realise just how much she had missed it. Sure there had been a few alkward moments and sure they didn't talk about their relationship but things had pretty much gone back to the way they had before.

"Okay, okay!" Carter held his hands up in surrender. "I need a favour."

"What?"

"I need a date!" He said simply. He noticed the confused look on her face and explained, "My Gamma is hosting another benefit and I remembered how much fun we had at the last one..." He trailed off hopefully.

"And you want me to come to this one?" She finished. She sighed, looking fed up. Carter's face fell and she grinned,

"I'm joking Carter! I'd love to come" He smiled widely,

"Great!" She was glad she had made him smile. It lit up his eyes.

"When is it?"

"Erm... Tonight" he said slowly.

"Tonight?!" She said, her voice rising an octave. "Why didn't you mention it sooner?"

"I didn't want to give you time to back out!" He grinned and began walking away.

"Carter... I wanna back out..." He cut her off, yelling over his shoulder,

"Pick you up at seven!" Then he was gone. She mumbled,

"Dammit Carter!" She walked off in the opposite direction, a smile playing on her lips, pleased at the thought of a date with Carter.

*********************

At 6:50pm, Carter stood in front of Abby's door. He was trying to build up the courage to knock. He had thought it had been hard aking her out but actually taking her out was much harder. He had said he asked her out at the last minute so she wouldn't back out. This was only partly true. In truth he was scared she'd say no.

He took a few deep breaths and found his hand had made contact with the door. He heard her running about as she breathlessly shouted,

"Just a minute!" Through the door. He chuckled slightly but stopped suddenly as she opened the door. She looked...amazing. He took in her longsatin dress and the way the thin straps clung to her shoulders. He noticed the contrast of the ivory material against Abby's tanned skin, and how it accentuated her figure. He noticed her hair had been clipped back in a french roll and that a few curls were left hanging, framing her face.

He realised he was staring when Abby shifted uncomfortably and self-consciously crossed her arms. He looked up and noticed she was blushing.

"You...you look...wow...you look amazing!" He stuttered. Abby's blush deepened. She smiled,

"So do you. I can never resist a man in a tux." She attempted to break the tension. They both laughed.

"Come on Miss Lockhart. Your carriage awaits." She gladly accepted his arm. As they touched Carter felt shivers down his spine. Feelings he was desparately trying to forget, rushing to the surface. This was going to be a long night.