New Year

"Are you coming to the New Year's Eve party tonight, baby girl? The one at the Sheriff's department?" Wynonna stuck her head into the bathroom where Waverly was brushing her long brown hair. Waverly looked up at her sister who was leaning casually against the doorframe.

"Am I even invited?"

"Of course you are. Dolls and I are, and you work with us. Plus you're my sister and Nicole's best friend or whatever."

"I wouldn't say we're best friends, just regular friends," Waverly mumbled, letting her hair fall forward in hopes to disguise her blushing face. Wynonna stepped in the tiled room and put a hand on her sister's shoulder.

"You're coming, okay?" Waverly's eyes met hers in the mirror. She could tell from the look on her big sister's face that she's not getting a say in the matter. "And wear something cute."

"Fine. But you'll have to help me, because I'm pretty sure you and I have different definitions of cute." Waverly continued to brush through her hair as Wynonna backed out of the room, a pleased grin on her face.

"I will later. Right now I'm going to see Doc."

"See or ?" Waverly snarked jokingly. Wynonna gave her a half genuine scowl before disappearing.

"I'll be back in a few hours!" Wynonna's voice echoed up from the staircase moments before the front door opened and shut.

Waverly felt herself buzz with nerves and excitement. A New Year's party. With Nicole. Maybe this could be her chance to finally kiss the girl she's been pining after. Except how would she possibly get her alone at midnight? Or, alternatively, deal with Wynonna and everyone else finding out. Waverly worried about it all day.

Just as promised, Wynonna returned that afternoon, a few hours after she'd left. She looked ever so pleased when she waltzed through the front door at 3:08.

"Have fun with Doc?" Waverly teased as Wynonna joined her at the dining table.

"Yep. It was like 3% Netflix and 97% chill."

"Gross." She pretended to gag which earned her a slap from her sister. "Can you pick up out my outfit now for tonight?"

"Fine. I'll call you up once I've got the perfect look to get you a midnight kiss from Nedley."

"Stop it, Wynonna!"

Waverly sat in the kitchen in silence while her sister went upstairs to her bedroom. She let her mind drift back to Nicole and wondered what the redheaded sheriff's deputy would wear to the event. She was just trying to imagine how Nicole's lips would feel against her own when Wynonna called out for her. Waverly got up and made for the stairs.

"Here you go," Wynonna announced as Waverly entered the bedroom, gesturing to an outfit laid out on the neatly made bed. "The perfect party outfit that would guarantee you a midnight kiss if there was actually someone there worthy of you."

"Wynonna, it's the middle of winter. I'm gonna freeze to death in that."

The older brunette had chosen a short, black skirt and a lacy, black top that only reached Waverly's midriff and was very see-through. Waverly also noticed her knee high boots had been extracted from the depths of her closet and placed at the foot of the bed.

"I'll make sure Nedley keeps the heat up. Trust me, this is what you wanna be wearing while you watch me kiss Dolls."

"Weren't you just out fucking Doc?" Waverly said with a roll of her eyes. Wynonna frowned, but tried not to show how much she cared about her sister's opinion.

"I'm a free woman. Don't be jealous just because you don't have any men."

"I don't want any men."

"Right, you're a strong independent woman who doesn't need a man blah blah blah."

"That's not- whatever." She paused for a minute and watched Wynonna's eyes study her face.

"You okay, baby girl? there someone you want to kiss tonight?"

"Maybe. It doesn't matter. Umm what time does the party start?" She steered the conversation to keep Wynonna from discovering her big secret. Not that Wynonna had picked up on any other obvious clue Waverly had dropped.

"Not until 9pm. I was thinking we could do dinner and then help each other with hair and makeup."

"Alright. I'm gonna go get some air for a bit," Waverly fished a coat from her closet and boots. Wynonna grabbed her arm when she tried to leave.

"Waves, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine. I'll see you soon."

***

The Earp sisters entered the police station just after 9 o'clock. They tossed their coats on the rack by the door and enjoyed the warmth from the heater.

The lights were dimmed and music pumped loudly from a shitty stereo system on a table. Through a window they could see the on-shift officers in the main area of the station. The party was being held in the offices usually occupied by BBD, much to Dolls' dismay.

The room was filled with familiar and unfamiliar faces, all standing around and chatting. Wynonna was quick to ditch Waverly for her boss.

Waverly stood by the door, feeling suddenly insecure about the amount of skin she had on show. But then she spotted her across the room and all of time stopped, every thought leaving her mind.

Nicole waved with a big smile as her brown eyes met Waverly's hazel eyes. She crossed the room in a few long strides and looked Waverly up and down.

"Wow, you look- "

"Slutty?"

"Stunning," Nicole corrected. Waverly felt the rush of heat to her face. Nicole's hand casually stroked her cheek before she pulled her into a hug. "You're so cute, Waverly," she whispered. Waverly could feel herself blushing again as she pulled back.

"Thanks. You look gorgeous. Purple really suits you," Waverly said, rubbing a bit of the material of Nicole's floor length dress between her fingers. She glanced around the room to see if anyone was paying attention to them. Her hand dropped and she took a slight step back when she noticed her sister look their way.

"You don't think the dress is a bit much? I thought it was kinda formal for this party but I've been waiting for an opportunity to wear it for like a year."

"It's perfect," Waverly assured her. "Trust me."

"Oh, I do."

They continued to chat for a while, moving only to get drinks and snacks.

"Hey, Haught Stuff," Wynonna interrupted, "Are you ready for your kiss with Nedley?" Nicole laughed, about to answer but Waverly cut in first.

"If you're so obsessed with Nedley getting a midnight kiss, Wynonna, how about you kiss him?" She snapped, her forehead creased.