They had gotten close over the last couple of months…too close. Both had dated several people. V had finally decided that is was time to move on from him. She needed to find her own happiness and Jasper Jacks wasn't it. She dated a few eligible bachelors around PC, the longest relationship lasting with Scott Lowry, a police officer at the PCPD, whom V met while she was on the force. He was one of the sweetest men V had met since coming to Port Charles. They were going out a week, when V introduced him to Jax and that didn't go well, to say the least. Jax bombarded the poor guy with a thousand questions from everything from his upbringing to his intentions toward V. V was embarrassed and Scott looked like a young boy being grilled by his date's father. Jax continued to interfere with their relationship, until Scott finally confronted V, asking if she and Jax were involved or was involved at a time. V denied it profusely, but the look in her eyes when she was around him made him skeptical. Finally they "broke up", much to Jax's happiness. V didn't speak to him for a week after seeing the badly hidden grin on his face when she told him. After she began talking to him again, they would occasionally go out, several times running into Scott. He and V were still friends, but Jax was irritated by his presence. He convinced himself that it was because he wanted what was best for V, and Scott wasn't it.

Jax started dating a model. Typical, V thought upon meeting her. Vivianne was slim and blonde, with these pursed lips that made her look like a gold fish. She had an attitude from her first meeting with V. For some reason, she couldn't comprehend why Jax was best friends with someone like V. She was far too beneath him, she thought. Jax saw the looks she gave V every time V came over. One day when V interrupted an intimate moment between the two, Vivianne scolded Jax after V left…saying he had to make a choice. Jax knew she didn't like V, but this was ridiculous. He told her that in no way, shape or form would he ever choose anyone over V, including her. She was hurt, but recovered nicely when the next playboy came knocking at her door.

Jax and V were alone again. They spent a lot of time together. Going to dinner, movies, and walks on the docks. She also accompanied Jax on several of his business trips. He said he needed a "secretary", even though V was still working with Ned at L&B. He'd fail to inform her of early morning meetings, greeting her in bed instead with a rose and breakfast when he returned. . His excuse…she looked so peaceful sleeping. His excuse for not informing her of evening meeting was she looked too tired, from what…sleeping in apparently. They would go sightseeing in between Jax's meetings. Everyone who met them thought they were lovers. They would say nothing, Jax grinning at V's embarrassment. You'd think she'd get used to it after a while, he thought. In Paris, they discovered a small park full of white, pink, and red roses. V smelled it as they were walking back to their hotel. They entered the park with no one in sight. Despite a nagging feeling that this was probably illegal, V couldn't help herself. It reminded her of her mother's garden. She walked in slowly and stood in the middle of the small park, surrounded by roses. Jax stood back, admiring her beauty and smile. Her smile, more beautiful than any sight he'd had ever seen. V spun around, totally taken in by her surroundings when a group of butterflies came fluttering around her out of nowhere. Jax quickly took out his camera and took a picture of her dancing with the butterflies until they fluttered away. He never showed her the picture, afraid she'd ask for it. He would never be able to refuse her. He kept the picture, framed it and put it next to his bed at home. If he ever was upset about a meeting, life or with her, he'd look at it, remember, and a wave of happiness would envelop him.

Their last night in Paris, he found the window to their hotel room open. V's adjoining smaller room had no window. The choice of rooms turned into a huge argument, like everything between them did. V insisted on taking the smaller one and after about a half-hour of arguing, Jax finally gave up, taking the larger one. He grabbed his robe, quietly walking to the window, stepping out onto the balcony where he saw V standing in her nightgown. She didn't hear him come up behind her until he put the robe on her shoulders. He told her, she'd catch a cold out there, to please come back inside, but she insisted on standing out there, wanting to see the Eiffel Tower one more time before leaving. They stood together, looking and talking about their time in Paris. In a moment of overwhelming happiness, V thanked him, grabbing his face and kissing him fully on the lips, which surprised both she and Jax. She backed away from him, an apology on her tongue, when Jax walked to her, gently grabbed her face and kissed her. She hesitated a moment, then brought her arms around his shoulder, opening her mouth fully to him. They kissed each other passionately, Jax moving his hands down to small of her back, wanting to be as close to her as possible, his arousal very much evident. V couldn't believe this was happening. The one thing she had thought about since she could remember was finally happening. His lips and hands were driving her crazy, but V, the ever-practical one, pulled away, resting her forehead on his, out of breath. They didn't speak for a few seconds, trying to think clearly, his arms still wrapped around her waist. When V was about to say something when Jax interrupted her. "I want you," he whispered. He looked up at her and she saw the same desire she felt for him in his eyes, but she refused to give in to her desire. "I can't," she whispered back to him, disengaging herself from him, kissing him on the cheek, before walking back into the room. They talked, V trying to convince herself and him that this was just some fluke, that they were both taken in by being in Paris and the sight of the Eiffel Tower. He accepted her explanation, knowing it was more than that, but not wanting to push her.

That night as she slept, he crept into her room, trying to be as quiet as possible. He walked over to her, adjusting her blanket. He kneeled down next to her bed, watching her sleep, remembering how her lips felt against his. He slowly brought his hand to her cheek, caressing it slightly as V moved involuntarily. He watched her face for a long time. After removing his hand from her cheek, he slowly brought his face to her ear. "Can I keep you," he whispered into her ear, a part of him hoping she'd hear him. He kissed her lightly on the cheek, getting up and walking back to his room. They never spoke of the kiss again…

V squirmed under the intensity of his gaze, oblivious to what it was doing to him. He moaned slightly.

"I'm sorry," she said trying to look into any direction, but his eyes, but wherever she turned he'd move his face so that they were eye to eye.

V tried to get off of him, stopped by his firm hands on her back.

"Could you let me go, please?"

"What, not soft enough for you?"

"No, actually you're quite hard." V closed her eyes. [No I didn't just say that!] V blushed, as Jax watched her amused. "You're the only woman I know who still blushes," he said bringing one of his hands up to her cheek. V watched his lips as he watched hers. He wanted to kiss her and she wanted to kiss him. His hands drifted from her cheek to her neck as he eased her face down.

"Well, we're a dying breed," she said, smiling, removing his hands from her neck. She got off of him, offering him a hand.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"

"No," he smiled, getting up. He lifted the tree. "So do I get to keep my tree?"

"Sure." She didn't want to argue with him, afraid of where THAT argument would lead.

"So you're still going to help me decorate," Jax asked trying to alleviate the awkwardness.

"Of course," V said rubbing her collarbone. First I have to use the restroom, so if you'll excuse me." She walked away going taking the long route to avoid Jax. Jax watched her leave and V could feel his eyes on her. She picked up her pace, entering and closing the door quickly.

Jax smiled to himself, adjusting the tree as V had it before. She was the only one who'd do this for him, he thought. V came down the stairs quickly.

"So, what do you say, we get started?"

"Okay."

They both stood at opposite ends of the tree again, staring at each other, until V broke the stare, walking to the bag of decorations, grabbing some Christmas lights.