*******DREAM SEQUENCE*******
Julianna is standing next to George beside a street. He is smiling at her. He has her hands in his. She throws her head back and laughs at something he says. He pulls her back a little ways, stepping onto the street. Julianna sees a little red car coming. She screams at George, trying to pull him back onto the sidewalk. But it's too late. He gets hit by the car. The car pulls away and keeps going. Julianna falls to George's side. Before she even feels for a pulse, she knows he is dead. In her dream she is sobbing uncontrollably.
*******END DREAM SEQUENCE*******
Julianna wakes with a start. She sits up and wipes her face frantically.
"Oh God. George!" She says. She jumps up and runs out of her trailer. Just as she is about ready to burst through the entrance of the hospital set, she hears her name.
"Julianna!" George calls out. She almost faints in relief. She turns to him as he walks to her. "Got an imaginary tiger after you?" He asks.
"What?" She asks, giving him a completely confused look. He chuckles.
"You were in an awfully big hurry." George says.
"Well I was looking for.." Julianna starts, then stops. He gives her a puzzled grin.
"For who?" He asks.
"Oh..no one. So what's up?" Julianna asks, as they walk into the set.
"Nothing much. Are you sure your okay?" He asks. She smiles and touches his arm gently.
"Yeah. I am." She replies. He chuckles.
"Alright then." He says.
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Julianna is talking to Laura and laughing about something. Her head is thrown back and laughter erupts from deep in her throat. George is leaning against the wall a little ways down, watching her with a small smile upon his face. Tony walks up and sees him watching her.
"Hey George."
"Oh hey Tony." George says, looking up and smiling.
"What's up?" Tony asks.
"Oh nothing much. Just waiting for them to call me in to do my scene." George says. Tony nods as he stands in his company. George glances over at Julianna.
"Why don't you talk to her?" Tony asks. George looks up, puzzled.
"Talk to who about what?" George asks. Tony gives him a look.
"Do you really need me to tell you?" Tony asks. George continues with his confused look.
"Yes?" George says.
"Julianna." Tony says, slightly annoyed.
"What do I need to talk to her about?" George asks. Tony shakes his head in exasperation.
"It's obvious that you feel something for her." Tony says.
"She's my best friend, of course I have feelings for her." George says. Tony just looks at him. He sighs.
"I know you feel something more than that. George, I've worked with you for 3 years, I know you pretty well. I know how you used to act towards her. That's changed." Tony says. George shakes his head.
"I don't know what your talking about." George says. Tony rolls his eyes.
"Just keep telling yourself that George." Tony replies.
"George and Julianna to Exam One please." Someone says over the intercom.
"Gotta go." George says. He waits for Julianna to catch up with him then they walk to Exam One together. Tony shakes his head and walks away.
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"Hey Julianna." Tony says, coming up beside her. She smiles at him.
"Hey Tony." She replies. He smiles.
"You busy tonight?" He asks.
"Not unless you call watching TV busy, no." Julianna says. He chuckles.
"Well then, come on over to my house." Tony says. Julianna raises her eyebrows.
"Why?" She asks.
"I'm just having some of you come over to hang out. Since we get off a little early today." Tony says. She smiles.
"Sure, then. I'll come." She says. He smiles.
"Great." He says.
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George and Julianna are sitting on the couch, playing with Bailey. A pregnant Jeanine, Laura and Noah are sitting around with them laughing. Maria and Tony are in the kitchen, getting refills.
"What's up with them?" Maria whispers to Tony.
"Who? George and Julianna?" He asks. She nods.
"Yeah, they've been..different..ever since Ron got arrested." Maria says. Tony nods.
"I know what you mean. I know that they became closer over it, but..I think there's something more then that. George is definitely infatuated, even though I tried to get him to admit it, and he won't." Tony says. She nods.
"I'll get something out of Julianna." She says, confidently. He chuckles.
"I hope you have better luck then I did." Tony says as they head back to the living room.
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Maria is standing beside Julianna, as they watch Tony and George play with Bailey. George is trying to get him to throw a ball, but it's not working. He throws the ball and it hits George's head. George pretends to faint causing Bailey to giggle. Julianna grins and laughs a little. George catches her smile and smiles back at her, before turning back to Bailey. Maria smiles, deciding to say something.
"So Julianna...anything I should know?" Maria asks. Julianna gives her a confused look.
"Uh..I don't think so." Julianna says. Maria just raises her eyebrows.
"Come on Julianna....I know you've got a crush." Maria teases lightly. It's Julianna's turn to raise her eyebrows.
"On..who?" She asks, even though she knows every well who she has had her eye on these past few weeks.
"Come on girl. You know who I am talking about." Maria says, raising her eyebrows and tilting her head in George's direction. Julianna quickly looks away. "Oh! See..See I knew you do." Maria says, gleefully. Julianna looks up.
"I do not." She hisses. Maria giggles.
"Can't deny it now girl, I saw the way you looked away and blushed!" She says excitedly.
"So what if I do? What are you so happy about?" Julianna asks, with a small smile on her lips.
"I think you should ask him out." Maria says. Julianna's mouth drops open.
"Uh uh. No way." Julianna says.
"Why not?" Maria asks.
"He only thinks of me as his buddy. His best friend. One of the guys." Julianna says.
"Huh! Yea right!" Maria says. Julianna just shakes her head. "I happen to have reason to believe he has 'feelings' for you too." Maria says. Julianna looks up quickly.
"What reason?" Julianna asks.
"Tony talked to George. George denied it, but Tony can tell." Maria says.
"See..he denied it!" Julianna says.
"Oh but Tony and him have been friends for 3 years...Tony knows these sorts of things, just like I knew with you and we haven't even been friends that long." Maria says. Julianna sighs.
"He denied it. I have no reason to believe he has feelings for me, if he denies it." Julianna says. Maria sighs.
"Ask him out." She says.
"I'll think about it." Julianna says. Maria rolls her eyes.
"Sure you will." She grumbles.
"I will." Julianna says, knowing she'll think about it, but never do it.
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Later that night, Maria makes sure to be the last one left, so she can talk to Tony. Jeanine is putting Bailey in bed and Tony and Maria are standing in the foyer.
"So did you get any information?" Tony asks.
"Yes. As a matter of fact I did. She admitted it. I told her that you could tell George had feelings for her but he denied it. So now she won't believe it because he denied it." Maria says. Tony shakes his head, already thinking of a way to get him to admit it.
"I'll just have to get him to admit it." Tony says. Maria nods her agreement.
"Alright, you keep trying to get something out of him, and I'll try and get her to ask him out." Maria says, pulling her coat on. He chuckles.
"I feel like I'm in high school trying to set my best friend up." She smiles.
"I know. Well I better be going. See ya Tony." She says.
"Bye." She leaves.
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"Hey George. Come to my trailer with me." Tony says.
"Why?" George asks.
"I want to have a little heart to heart with you." Tony says. George sighs and follows him to his trailer.
"What about?" George asks after they go inside.
"Have a seat." Tony says. George sighs and sits down on a chair across from Tony who has sat on the couch.
"What?" George asks.
"Admit it!" Tony says. George sighs.
"Tony...can't you just give it up." George asks.
"Look...I know you don't believe me but Julianna likes you." Tony says. George sighs.
"How would you know?" He asks.
"Oh maybe...I heard from a friend of hers.." Tony says. George pounces.
"Who?" He asks.
"Curious, aren't we? A little too curious for best friends, don't ya think?" Tony asks. George rolls his eyes.
"Who told you?" George asks. Tony shrugs.
"Why do you care? I'm not going to tell you until you admit to it." Tony says. George groans.
"Your annoying, you know that?" He asks. Tony smiles.
"Admit it." Tony persists. George sighs.
"So what if I do?" He asks. Tony smiles triumphantly.
"Maria and I have been trying to get you two together. She got Julianna to admit that she's got a crush on you last night at my house. So I know for sure that Julianna likes you. Ask her out!" Tony says excitedly. George shrugs.
"Just because she likes me, does not mean she wants to go out with me." George says. Tony sighs.
"What the hell is your problem? Normally you would jump at the chance to ask out a beautiful woman, especially if she likes you." He asks. George sighs.
"Maybe it's because ever since my ex-wife I have never wanted to commit to anyone, until Julianna." George says quietly. George looks up at Tony who is just sort of sitting there, shocked. "She is...she is like perfect. I've never felt this way about anyone Tony. Not even my ex-wife. I'm scared of these feelings. I think....I think I'm in love with her." George says. Tony just sits there. "Would you say something?" George asks, exasperated.
"I don't know what to say. I mean..I never thought.." Tony says. George smiles.
"Yeah. Neither did I." He says, standing. Tony stands.
"George, you really should ask her out. From the way Maria was talking, Julianna likes you a lot." Tony says. George smiles.
"Maybe I will. I'm just scared of these feelings." George says. Tony nods.
"I know how you feel pal. I felt the same way with Jeanine. Don't let her get away from you. You'd regret it." Tony says. George nods.
"Thanks Tony." He says, smiling and then walks out.
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"Maria!" Tony says, running down a hall to catch up with her. She turns around.
"Tony, what's the hurry?" She asks grinning. He pulls her aside, breathing slightly heavy.
"George...I got him to admit he is infatuated with Julianna." Tony says. Maria nods.
"That's great. I have to go find Julianna to tell her!" Maria says. Tony pulls her arm.
"Wait. You'll never believe what else he said." Tony says.
"What?" Maria asks, curiously.
"He says..he's never felt this way about anyone, not even his ex-wife. He thinks he's in love with her, but he's scared to ask her out, because he's scared of the feelings." Tony says.
"Holy shit." Maria murmurs. Tony chuckles.
"I know. I wasn't expecting it either. But you really shouldn't tell Julianna that. George needs to tell her that himself." Tony says. Maria nods.
"Yeah. But I have to go find her and tell her that he likes her, so she can get on with it!" Maria says. Tony nods.
"Yeah. Go find her." He says.
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"Hey Julianna." Maria says, coming into her trailer. Julianna smiles.
"Hey." She says.
"I've got good news." Maria says.
"What?" Julianna asks.
"George admitted that he likes you. A lot!" Maria says. Julianna grins.
"You're lying." She says.
"No. I'm not. Tony JUST talked to him like a few minutes ago and he admitted it!" Maria exclaims.
"Oh God. What should I do?" She asks, becoming excited.
"Ask him out! He told Tony he is afraid of rejection so he is scared to ask you out." Maria says.
"George...afraid of rejection?" Julianna scoffs. Maria nods.
"Just ask him out. For me! Please!" Maria says.
"For you, why?" Julianna asks.
"I don't know, it just sounded good." Maria grins. Julianna giggles.
"Okay okay. I'll ask him to come over after work." Julianna says. Maria giggles gleefully.
"This is so much fun!" She says. Julianna giggles with her.
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Julianna is coming out of her trailer, followed by Maria. Then George walks out of his. Maria whispers into Julianna's ear.
"Ask him now." She says quietly and giggles, then walks swiftly off. George gives Julianna a puzzled look. She smiles.
"She's strange. Don't mind her." Julianna says. George chuckles, coming up beside her.
"That's okay." He says. They walk in silence for a few seconds.
"George.."
"Julianna.." They say at the same time.
"You first." She says.
"No, go ahead." He says. She smiles nervously, taking a deep breath.
"Do you want to come over tonight? I could cook us some dinner and we could watch a movie or something." Julianna suggests. He smiles widely.
"Sure, I'd like that." He says. She sighs, relieved.
"Great." She replies. He chuckles.
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"So?" Maria asks, coming towards Julianna as soon as George walks away. Julianna watches as Tony walks to George, talks briefly, then Tony laughs and slaps George on the back. Julianna smiles.
"Well...I asked him over tonight for dinner and a movie and he accepted." Julianna says. Maria squeals, causing George and Tony to look back. Julianna blushes and looks away. Tony laughs and George blushes slightly with a smile on his face.
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"So..does spagetti sound alright for dinner?" Julianna asks. George nods.
"That sounds great." He says. She smiles.
"Just wait right here. I'll go make it. You can watch TV." Julianna says. He smiles and sits down on the couch. A few seconds later she brings him a beer. He takes it.
"Thanks Jules." He says. She smiles and heads back to the kitchen. He waits a few minutes before he gets bored. He decides to go keep her company. When he walks into the kitchen, Julianna has the radio on and is singing along softly to a country song. She has her back to him and is swishing her hips slightly to the music. He watches her with a look of love on his face.
"So you say your love's about to end
You say you can't take no more,
She's out the door,
And Your looking for the friend
Who am I to tell you why,
But I'm just curious,
Were you furious?
Or did you swallow your pride,
Look her in the eye,
And tell her that you love her"
Julianna sings along. George listens to the music, realizing how similar it is to their situation. He speaks up from the doorway.
"I didn't know you listened to country music." He says. She gasps and turns around, blushing slightly.
"God, George, you scared me." She says. He chuckles.
"So when did you start listening to country?" George asks.
"I always have. I listen to other stuff too, that's probably why you never heard me listen to it." She says. He smiles.
"That's a nice song." He says. She smiles.
"Yeah. It's my favorite country song." She says, turning back to the food. He smiles as she hums along.
"Who sings it?" He asks after a few seconds.
"Lonestar." She says. He nods even though she can't see him. He grabs her arm, turning her towards him. She turns around and he smiles at her.
"Julianna." He says. He let's his hand fall to hers, taking her hand into his.
"Hmm?" She asks, her heart beating faster and her stomach churning nervously. She swears he can hear her heart pounding. He brings his free hand up to her face, cupping her cheek into his hand.
"What is all this about?" George asks. She lets out a nervous laugh.
"I guess dinner and a movie." She says, trying to lighten the mood. He smiles but only briefly.
"No..I mean..everything else. The meaning behind this dinner and movie." He says.
"I...I don't know....I guess..I hoped it was sort of like a date." She says quietly. He smiles at her shyness.
"I hope it is too." He says. She smiles and he smiles back. He leans in towards her. She closes her eyes and opens her mouth slightly, leaning into him. He has to hold back his smile. He opens his mouth a little ways and presses his lips to hers gently at first. She slips her hand out of his and puts her hands on his hips. He brings his other hand up to the other side of her face, cupping her face in the palm of his hands. They sort of shuffle their feet closer as their lips press together harder. She sighs contentedly and he tries not to smile happily as he deepens their kiss. When they finally pull away she leans her forehead against his and slowly opens her eyes. He is smiling and when she sees this she smiles shyly.
"That was.." She says at loss for words.
"Wow." He murmurs. She smiles.
"Yeah. Wow." She whispers. He chuckles and pulls away from her as the song ends. She smiles shyly then turns back to the food as he watches and keeps her company, helping her when he can.
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They sit down at the table to their dinner. He takes his fork, swirling it through his spagetti and raising it to his mouth. She takes a bread stick, buttering it, and taking a bite. They eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before he lets his curiosity get the best of him.
"Jules?" He asks.
"Hmm?" She replies, taking a sip of her drink.
"Where...where is this relationship headed?" He asks. She gives him a surprised look, setting her glass down. She looks down at her food, then back up to him.
"I guess..I had hoped that it would be like any relationship..of two people. Taking things step by step..." Her voice trails off as she looks down again, not knowing how to explain. He reaches his hand out and squeezes hers, telling her that he understands. She looks up. He smiles.
"Good. Great." He says. She smiles and he leans in for a kiss. Their lips are millimeters apart and her eyes are almost closed. He stops. "Can I kiss you?" He asks, teasing her. She nods, anticipating the moment.
"Please." She murmurs. He grins and leans further in, their lips meeting with a spark.
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"Let me help you do dishes." George says.
"No, that's okay. I'm just going to rinse them off. I'll wash them later." Julianna replies.
"You're sure?" He asks. She nods, taking their plates to the sink. He helps her rinse them. They dry their hands and he takes her hand into his and she smiles. She walks into the living room, leading him.
"So..do you want to watch the movie I rented?" Julianna asks.
"Sure, what did you get?" He replies.
"One Fine Day." She says, raising her eyebrows.
"You did not." He says. She just smiles and puts a tape into the machine. She sits beside him on the couch and leans into him. George wraps his arms around her waist and she snuggles against him as they begin watching the movie.
About a half hour into the movie, she is finding herself getting very sleepy. She looks up at him and he looks back down at her. She smiles and moves around, laying herself down and pulling him with her. She leans her back against his chest, and he keeps his arms around her waist as they lay in each other's arms, watching the movie and slowly falling to sleep. Just before her eyes are about to close he whispers.
"This is nice."
"Mmm..yeah. It is." She says, closing her eyes. Soon they drift off to sleep.
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