September 3-4, 01
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"Loving Every Minute"
Sung by: Mark Wills
Written By: Tom Shapiro, Monty Criswell & Michael White
I was never really breathing
My heart was never really beating
Till you held me in your arms
And every love that didn't last
Every second of my past
Simply disappeared into the dark
Chorus:
And with that first kiss
I felt my life beginning
And the clock just froze
And the world stopped spinning
And now the magic of that moment
Is never ending
You made time stand still
And I'm loving every minute
It's a need that never changes
A passion that is ageless
It consumes me like it did when it was new
You have led me to a place
Where every day's the same
I'm always falling more in love with you
Repeat Chorus Twice
And I'm Loving Every Minute
Loving you, baby
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Rated NC-17 for slight sexual situations. If they make you uncomfortable you probably should not read this fic.
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George flipped a page of the bundle of papers in his hands and continued reading down the list of names of people in the pilot episode. George had tried out for the part of Dr. Douglas Ross a couple weeks ago and hadn't been surprised when he got the call that he made the cut. They hadn't even saw any other candidates for the part, he had gotten it right away. George had no idea if this show would make it but he had wanted to give it a try. He had fun doing some series' on television and had decided to give it another go. And considering Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton were involved, he had high hopes for this one.
As George's eyes scanned the list, he would call out a name every few moments, wondering who someone was. He would introduce himself to that person once they stepped forward and claimed their name. George read down the list again and stopped when he came upon the name Julianna Margulies. She was to be playing a nurse that attempted suicide. And, apparently had dated his character sometime in the past, according to the script he had read last night and that morning.
"Who's Julianna Margulies?" He called out, looking around at the crowd. He saw as a woman with a head full of dark curls turned around. When she faced him, he stopped.
It felt as if all the air had been knocked out of his lungs. He couldn't breath. Her beauty was astounding. She was beautiful, but not in that average, all-American way. She was exotic, he thought. Like she belonged in a castle.
Julianna paused when she saw the man that had called her name and her pulse picked up speed slightly. She had seen him before, but not in person. Always on film. He was so much more handsome in real life than on screen. He could use a hair cut, but tossing that aside, he was as gorgeous as they came.
Julianna smiled first and stepped toward him, holding out a friendly hand.
"I'm Julianna Margulies." She said. He slowly took her hand, finally getting his mind gathered back together.
"I'm George Clooney." He said. She smiled.
"Yeah, I know." She said and ticked her head to the side. "I've seen you on television." She said. He grinned then and released her hand.
"It's nice to meet you." He said, instantly liking her personality. His mind began to whirl as he wondered if she was seeing anyone. He was definitely interested.
"You too." She said, gazing at him. He was amazing. That voice just sent chills up and down her spine. Even when he was on television, she had felt as though warmth was spreading through her every time she heard his voice. Then her mind registered back to the real world and she remembered the boyfriend that had kissed her goodbye that morning and wished her luck. She looked down, looking at the script and cast list in her own hand. She glanced back up at him and smiled before turning and looking down at the script, as if she was engrossed by it.
He cocked his head to the side and studied her for a brief moment before he looked down at his list and began leafing through the script, searching for scenes he had with her.
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"Hey, Julianna!" George called, following her out to the parking lot. She looked back at him and smiled.
"Hey George." She said. He grinned.
"You did a good job today." He said. She smiled again.
"Thanks. So did you." He ticked his head to the side.
"So, where are you going?" He asked. She laughed slightly.
"Home, to sleep. I'm exhausted." She said. He nodded.
"Yeah, me too." He paused. "Hopefully it's not this way for the rest of the time we are filming the pilot." He said. She shrugged.
"Don't get your hopes up." She grinned. He chuckled.
"Yeah." He nodded as they came to a stop beside her car. She ticked her head to the side.
"Well, I better get home. My boyfriend is waiting to hear all about my day." She said. His insides froze. Her boyfriend. Damn. He forced a smile. Julianna noticed the slight strain in his smile and wondered about it.
"Yeah, well, I should get going too. See you tomorrow." He said. She nodded and unlocked her car.
"Bye George." He nodded and turned, heading towards his jeep and cursed silently. So much for being interested, he thought.
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Over the next few days, George and Julianna became fast friends on the set, really meshing in personalities and interests. They were sitting on a spare gurney, drinking their morning coffee.
"Hey George." Anthony Edwards nodded at him as they walked by. George smiled in greeting and watched Anthony pass. Then he turned back to Julianna who was looking down at the coffee in her mug, her hands surrounding it.
"Hey, what's wrong?" George asked, immediately noticing her somewhat defeated slouch.
"Nothing." She looked up at him and forced a smile. "Nothing's wrong."
"C'mon. I've known you for what, four days? And I can already tell when something's bothering you. What is it?" He asked. She sighed.
"Well, did you notice how Anthony said hi to you, but ignored me completely?" She asked. George nodded.
"Yeah, I kinda caught that." He replied.
"Yeah, well, all of them ignore me. Everyone that is an extra or just has a small part, like me, talks to me. But all the regulars, except you, ignore me. I don't think they even know my name." She sighed again. He paused, not sure how to reassure her.
"They just don't know you, Jules." He had already gotten into the habit of using her nickname. "For some reason the two of us became friends fast. You and them just haven't yet. Give it some time." He smiled. She shrugged and took a sip of her coffee.
"The pilot episode only lasts so many days, George. They aren't going to need me to film for that much longer." He wrapped a friendly arm around her shoulder and gave her a small squeeze.
"Don't worry about it, then." He smiled. "Or get to know them. It's your choice." She looked up at him and nodded.
"I know." She said.
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"Hey, that was great!" George exclaimed, smiling widely at Julianna. She laughed.
"I didn't do much except lay on a gurney." She said. He chuckled.
"You make a good corpse." He said.
"Well, thanks!" She laughed. He chuckled.
"You know what I meant." He said. She nodded, still laughing slightly.
"I know. It just didn't sound good." She said. He smiled.
"So, what're you doing tonight?" He asked.
"Going home. Again." She smirked. He chuckled.
"Well, you wanna get a cup of coffee or something? I'm not very tired and I don't feel like going home to spend the night with my TV." He said. She laughed.
"Sure, except I might pass on the coffee part. I don't need anything to keep me from getting sleep. I'll just have to call Ron, tell him I won't be home right after work." George's enthusiasm lowered slightly but he smiled.
"Yeah, you probably should. Don't need a worried boyfriend on your hands." She grinned and rolled her eyes.
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George laughed as he walked Julianna out to her car in the parking lot of Magnolia's, a small restaurant where they had went after work. She grinned at him.
"That's a good one, Jules." He said. She shrugged.
"My sister's have dirty minds." She said. He chuckled.
"So, you're telling me they came up with that one?"
"Well, they told me that one. I don't know who came up with it, really." She said. He grinned. She slipped her key into her car door and unlocked it. Then she opened the door, leaned against it, but didn't get into her car.
"Thanks for the drink. It was nice to just..get out." She said. He smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, I had a good time." He said. She chuckled.
"It sounds like we went on our first date." She commented. He chuckled softly but gazed into her eyes, studying the way the light from the streetlight washed over her skin, seemingly warming her. Her heart shifted into high gear and caught in her chest. Why was he looking at her like that? Like he could eat her up in one big bite? She meant to say something, to tell him good bye, but the words stuck in her throat and she couldn't say a word. Couldn't seem to gather enough intelligence to form any words.
George, not knowing what he was doing, knowing in his mind that she was going to go home to Ron, lifted a hand and brushed his fingers over her cheek. Her eyes burned into his and he saw some fear and a lot of anticipation. But the fear was a good fear. Like she was scared of what her body was putting her through. He slid slightly closer to her, his body now against her car door. That being the only thing separating their bodies.
"George.." She finally managed to murmur. She had wanted it to come out like a protest but it sounded more like a plea. Her body froze in place when he leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. Then, suddenly, without thought, she was responding.
Her lips warmed under his and yielded, opening to his mouth. Her eyes slid closed. His hand cupped her cheek and he wished the door wasn't between them. But soon enough all thoughts had left him and he was focused solely on her mouth, on that warmth.
She moaned slightly and pushed closer to him, her fingers still gripping the top of the door. He held her face in between his hands and brushed his thumb under her eye. Suddenly, her entire being froze. Mind and body. Then she was pushing away from him, amazed at how she had gotten lost in just his mouth. That single kiss was the sexiest thing she had ever experienced.
"Oh.." He muttered. "Jules, I'm...really sorry." He said, his voice expressing his guilt. "I didn't...That shouldn't have happened." He said.
"I..You're right, it shouldn't have." She said but met his gaze again. And all she wanted was to feel his arms around her and his lips on hers again. She looked away. "I better get home." She said. He nodded.
"Yeah, yeah. It's getting late." She nodded and slid into her car.
"Goodnight." She said before shutting her door and starting the car. He backed away a foot or so and she took off. He watched her drive the little red car out of the parking lot before he shook his head and gathered his thoughts.
"Oh fuck." He muttered and pressed his lips together slightly as he hoped she wouldn't tell Ron. He really didn't need an angry boyfriend on top of that gut-wrenching kiss. George finally realized he was standing in the middle of a parking lot, so he headed toward his jeep.
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All the next day, George and Julianna avoided each other for the most part, glad that they didn't have any scenes together, considering Julianna was now in a coma and didn't even have to be in the same room as him.
But the day after that, George was becoming annoyed with the two of them. They were acting like idiots, not adults. He sighed and made his way over to Julianna who was making herself a cup of coffee.
"Hey." He said, coming up beside her. He saw the subtle stiffening of her shoulders before she answered him.
"Hi." She said. He smiled slightly at her and began to pour himself a mug.
"I know we've been...avoiding each other." He said. She didn't reply. "But I figure this is getting ridiculous. We're acting like teenagers." He paused. "I hope we can get past what happened the other night and continue being friends." He said. She glanced at him and smiled slightly.
"Okay." She said. He grinned at her.
"Good, because I don't want this to go on for the rest of the time that we are filming." She straightened and took a sip of coffee before talking.
"Agreed." She said. He chuckled and stirred his coffee.
"Great, it's settled then." She grinned.
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"Okay, George, what is it?" Producer John Wells asked. George had called a small meeting with the writers, directors, and producers of ER.
"I think we should keep Julianna on the show." He said. John raised his eyebrows. "She did a wonderful job as Carol and technically it isn't official that Carol is dead." George said. "She could come back." He said. John Wells looked at Michael Crichton.
"The audience did respond well to Carol." Michael said. John Wells nodded.
"Yes, they did." He shrugged.
"Well, then, why not?" Michael asked. George grinned.
"Really?!" He asked, the enthusiasm showing clearly on his face. Michael nodded and looked at John.
"Is that okay with you?" He asked. John smiled and nodded.
"Sure it is." He turned to the writers. "Alright with all of you?" He asked.
"It could make a great storyline." One of them replied. The others nodded. John grinned and turned back to George.
"It's settled then. Why don't you give Ms. Margulies a call?"
"Alright." George grinned widely.
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"Hello?" Julianna asked, picking up the phone in her living room.
"Hey Jules." Julianna immediately recognized the voice.
"Oh, hey George. What's up?" She asked.
"I just have a question. What are you planning on doing next?" He asked.
"You mean acting?" She asked. He nodded and replied.
"Yeah."
"Well," She sighed, "There's this shitty script I got the other day that calls for me to cut my hair, dye it red, and straighten it." She said.
"Oh God, don't do it." He said. She laughed.
"Why?" She asked.
"Because we want you back." He said. Julianna's heart stopped briefly.
"What?" She asked slowly.
"The producers and I discussed it and we want you back on the show."
"On ER?" She asked. He chuckled.
"No, on the Brady Bunch. Yes, on ER." He said. She squealed.
"Really?!" She asked. He chuckled.
"Really!" He replied. She stopped.
"But Carol's dead."
"Technically, she's not. They never said she was, officially." George said. "Besides, it's television. You can come back from the dead if the producers and writers wish you to." He said. She laughed.
"I'm really allowed back?" She asked. He chuckled.
"As a regular. If you wish to take us up on the offer."
"Are you crazy? Of course I do!" She replied. He chuckled.
"Good." She laughed.
"Wow. I go from being a nobody, to being a regular on a television show." She said. He chuckled.
"Get used to it, sweetheart. Anyway, I gotta go. I'm meeting my parents for dinner."
"Aww, how sweet." She laughed. "Alright. I'll see ya soon, then, 'kay?" She asked.
"Yup. See ya."
"Bye." She replied and hung up the phone, her eyes sparkling and her mouth set in a wide grin.
"What's going on?" Ron asked, coming into the living room. She laughed and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Guess what?" She asked.
"What?" He asked, chuckling slightly.
"George just called me and told me I'm invited back to ER to be a regular!"
"Seriously? Wow!" He hugged her. "That's great." She laughed and kissed him.
"I'm so happy."
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On her first day as a regular, Julianna walked onto the set, carrying her purse. She stopped when she saw George and Anthony playing basketball. Somewhere in the middle of playing George's shirt had been discarded. Her eyes followed him and she watched as he sank a basket.
"Nice shot." Julianna commented, loud enough for him to hear. He turned to her and grinned as Anthony grabbed the rebounding ball.
"Thanks." He reached up and scratched a spot on his chest, immediately drawing her eyes down. She watched as he slid his hand down his glistening chest and patted his stomach twice before letting his hand drop. Lucky for her, she was far enough away that he couldn't tell where her eyes were. And they were focused on his sweaty, muscular chest. She shivered involuntarily.
"Hey, congratulations on the job." Anthony said, bringing Julianna out of her small side trip. She smiled.
"Thanks Anthony." She said and felt her heart warm. Maybe they would start to accept her now. She glanced back at George, but had to avert her eyes, knowing she shouldn't stare at him or he probably would notice if he hadn't already. Suddenly George pivoted and grabbed the ball from Anthony's hands and did a lay-up, making the shot with ease.
"Ha ha!" George shouted.
"Hey, that's not fair!" Anthony ran after George, snatching the ball. Julianna grinned and turned to the studio, walking toward it.
Never before had seeing a man's naked chest made her so aroused. Was that a sign? She wondered.
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"Hey!" George announced, coming up behind Julianna as she was getting ready to leave. She smiled.
"Hi." She replied.
"I have a surprise." He said.
"For me?" She asked, raising her eyebrows in suspicion. He grinned.
"Yeah, for you."
"What?" She asked. He chuckled.
"It wouldn't be a surprise then, would it?" He asked. She rolled her eyes and couldn't help but grin slightly. He moved around her and slid his hands over her eyes. She giggled.
"Alright, here we go. You got everything you need to go home?" He asked. She nodded.
"Uh-huh." She replied.
"Good. Let's go." He led her outside the studio and into the parking lot. Then he began to walk her around, twirling her in circles, leading her in all different directions until she was laughing with dizziness. He chuckled and finally stopped her as she reached back, holding onto his sides as she swayed a bit on her feet.
"Good Lord, I feel drunk." She said. He laughed.
"Open your eyes." He said. She nodded, confirming she had. He dropped his hands and watched her face as she studied the small trailer.
"What's this?" She asked. He held up a set of keys that he had dug out of his pocket and her eyes lit up. "It's mine?" She exclaimed. He chuckled.
"All yours." He replied. A smile spread across her face like wildfire in the forest and she grabbed the keys and dashed around him and up the few steps to the door of her trailer. She quickly unlocked it and went inside, George on her heels. She reached across the wall and flipped on the light and smiled in delight.
"It's great!" She exclaimed. The trailer was extremely small, consisting of a small room with a couch and a chair on one side and a small counter with a sink and tiny stove, supposedly a kitchen. There was cabinets above the countertop and Julianna ran her hands over them, lovingly. Then she saw a door on one wall and walked over to it, opening it to find a small bathroom complete with a sink, toilet, and shower all cramped into one space.
"Wow." She murmured, walking into the bathroom and turning a circle in the tiny space provided. George watched her and chuckled, amused by her delight. She turned and faced him and smiled. "I love it." She said and came out of the small bathroom. He grinned.
"It's not a five star hotel, but it'll do. Mine's the exact same." He said. She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed.
"Thank you!" She exclaimed. He chuckled.
"I'm not the one who got it for you." He said.
"I know." She grinned. "But you surprised me with it, didn't you?" She asked as she pulled away from him. He chuckled and nodded.
"I guess so." He said. She pressed her lips to his in her excitement, completely forgetting that he could blow her mind away with that simple act of lips to lips. Suddenly the kiss turned from excited to intense in the matter of a few seconds. Her arms stayed firmly wrapped around his neck and his slid down to surround her waist and pull her close. She sighed, opening her mouth to him. She squirmed against him slightly when she felt his arousal pressed against her lower abdomen.
As she squirmed, he knew they shouldn't be doing this. After a few more seconds of bliss, he pulled himself away and held her at arms length. He licked his lips and shook his head.
"We really cannot do this." He said. She watched him, gazing into his eyes and nodded her head in agreement.
"We shouldn't." She repeated. He nodded and suddenly they were together once more, lips fused to each others.
"Oh," Julianna murmured through the kiss and pulled him down on the couch. He pushed her back and came down on top of her. He placed his hands on either side of her face for a few moments before gathering the courage to let his hands travel elsewhere. He slid his hand down her side and she shifted, sighed, and let her head roll back so his lips could assault her neck.
One of his hands crept upward, over her shirt, crawling up her belly before he touched the underside of her breast with his fingers. She arched toward his hand and he moved it until he was cupping her. His thumb rubbed gently across the sensitive point of her nipple and she groaned.
As she did, her mind cleared just slightly and one single word popped into her brain.
Ron.
Immediately she froze and her body became unresponsive to his. He, immediately noticing the stiffening of her body, let his hands fall to the couch beside her and he pushed himself up and looked down at her. She was breathing quickly, her chest rising faster than normal with each breath. He studied her swollen, red lips and the messy, sexiness of her hair. Then he sighed, shifted on her, and stood up.
"Sorry, guess things got a little out of hand." He said. She sighed deeply and sat up, running both of her hands through her hair at the same time.
"This has got to stop." She said. His chuckle was genuine.
"No kidding." He said. She stood and began pacing.
"I can't just...Cheat on Ron, despite the fact that I've been acting like a little whore." She said. George grabbed her elbow and held her still.
"No, you're not a whore. It's just...healthy attraction. Apparently we can't stop it." He said and dropped her elbow. She managed a smile and stood still.
"But George this seriously cannot keep happening." She said. He nodded seriously.
"I know." He said and paused. "I promise to keep my hands...and lips...off of you if you promise not to look so Goddamned sexy all the time." He said. She laughed.
"Sure, I'll just get out of bed in the morning and come to work looking like hell." She said. He grinned, thinking she would look amazing getting out of bed the morning. All rumpled and sleepy and sexy. Inwardly, he groaned.
"Alright, alright. I promise to keep my hands and lips off of you if you promise the same." He said.
"Deal." She replied. He chuckled and rubbed his hands over the back of his neck, remembering that just moments ago his hands had been filled with her.
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Julianna and George were standing outside, taking a break during work. George had a cup of coffee in his hand and was sipping from it now and then as they stood there talking. Julianna walked over to the basketball that had been discarded earlier and she walked to the hoop. She shot it and missed, making George grin. He watched her shoot a few.
"Do you want some help there, sister?" He asked. She looked at him and made a face. He chuckled. "It's not a problem. You just need someone with skills to help you." He said.
"Whatever." She said and threw the ball at his chest. He caught it and ticked his head to the side.
"Someone's getting cocky." He teased. She rolled her eyes.
"Give it your best shot." She said. He laughed and began to dribble. She came up to him and tried to block him but he maneuvered around her quickly and made a lay-up. She sighed in frustration and took the ball from him and began to dribble. He grinned and bent down and quickly snatched the ball from her.
"Hey, that was my turn!" She announced loudly. He laughed.
"I stole it from you, sweetheart." He said and shot it once more, swishing it easily. She put her hands on her hips and gave him a grumpy look. He chuckled and came by her, dribbling the ball with his left hand. He reached up with his right hand and tapped her bottom lip. "Someone's pouting." He said.
"Ah! I'm not!" She exclaimed and turned, jumping onto him. He laughed as she jumped onto his back and clawed her way around for the ball.
"I don't think that's gonna...work!" He said, laughing as he held the ball straight out. She squeezed his elbows, trying to get them to bend. He chuckled as she wrapped her legs around his waist so she wouldn't fall and she reached for the ball, almost toppling the two of them over. Finally she jumped off, huffing a bit, her hands back on her hips. He turned and looked at her, laughing. It was amazing how sexy she could look without even trying, he thought.
"You know, we should just do the deed and get it over with." He joked and watched with slight surprise as her jaw dropped and hurt set into her eyes.
"I can't believe you just said that. If I was to have sex with you, it would be more than sex." She said and turned, walking away from him. He ran the few steps to her and grabbed her waist, dropping the basketball. He turned her around to face him.
"Hey, that's not what I meant." He said. "I was joking, Jules. I didn't mean that." He tried his most winning smile. "I'm sorry." He murmured, giving her a puppy dog look. She sighed and cocked her head to the side.
"Fine." She said and turned, making a dash for the ball. He watched in shock as she dribbled it a few feet to the basket and shot a shaky one right into the hoop. Had she really been mad at him or was it a ploy to get the ball? He wondered. Then he chuckled as she turned and jumped up and down.
"I made one! I made one!" She exclaimed. Well, if she had been mad at him, she wasn't anymore. And isn't that what counted?
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Later that afternoon, Julianna lay sprawled out on her couch in the apartment she shared with Ron. She was staring at the ceiling and rocking her foot back and forth to the song that was currently on the radio as she thought of George and Ron.
She knew she had to end it with Ron. She was slowly falling in love with George. She had thought she had been in love with Ron, but what she had felt for Ron was only a fraction of what she already felt for George. And she had only known him about a month or so. It was amazing how quickly you could fall for someone after first meeting them.
That first sight of George had been breathtaking. She wouldn't call it love at first sight because that wasn't what it had been. It had been lust at first sight. A delicious punch in the gut. Then friendship and now, she thought, love. She grinned and bit her lip, remembering what he tasted like, how it had felt for that short amount of time he had been on top of her on the couch in her trailer. That couch was her new favorite place to sit, she thought and chuckled under her breath at herself. Love was making her crazy, she thought and giggled again.
Suddenly she heard a key in the door of her apartment and she sat up and waited until Ron entered the apartment.
"Hello." He said. She smiled.
"Hi." She said nervously, thinking about the bags she had already packed and that were now sitting beside the couch. She waited until she saw his eyes look down at them.
"What's this?" He asked. She stood up and walked around the couch before leaning against it. She glanced at the suitcases and then looked back up at him, meeting his gaze.
"I'm moving out." She said.
"What?!" To say the least, he was shocked. She sighed and started the speech she really didn't want to make.
"I don't think we should be together anymore." She said.
"What? Why?" He asked.
"Ron, you're a wonderful man. I love you..But only as a really great friend now. I don't think I can stay with you if I'm not serious about us. You deserve better and I just want to do what will make me happy for once." She said.
"And what's that?" He asked. She sighed.
"I think I'm falling in love with someone else." She murmured and bit her lip, waiting for his reaction. He sighed and his shoulders dropped.
"Really?" He asked quietly. She nodded. "Who?" He asked.
"Ron.." She trailed off. He smiled.
"I'm not planning on beating his ass or anything. I'd just like to know who has been on your mind for the past month." He said.
"What?" She asked.
"You've been distracted. I've been with you for three years and I know you well enough to know that someone or something else has been on your mind this past month. At first I thought it was ER and maybe it was, but it's something more. Someone, I'm assuming." He said. She smiled softly.
"It's George." She said. He nodded.
"Ah, yeah. When I met him that night, I thought he was making eyes at you." Ron said. Her own eyes lit up a bit.
"Really?" She asked. He chuckled.
"Yeah." Ron came to her and placed a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks for understanding and not being mad." She said. He nodded.
"I guess we have been drifting apart lately. It's actually kind of weird to say that I think of you more as a sister than I do a girlfriend." He said. She chuckled and reached up and hugged him.
"I'm glad I didn't break your heart. I would have been really sad." She said. He chuckled and squeezed her gently before releasing her.
"Friends?" He asked.
"Always." She said and smiled. He grinned.
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Later that afternoon Julianna ran from her car to George's front door. She rang the doorbell and quickly hopped from one foot to the other. It was slightly chilly outside and she had forgotten her coat in the hurry to get to George's house.
Within a few seconds he opened the door.
"Jules, c'mon in." He said. She grinned at him and came into the house.
"Thanks, I was freezing." She said. He chuckled.
"What're you doing here?" He asked.
"I don't have a place to live." She replied.
"What?" He asked, his jaw dropping. She giggled and twirled in a circle.
"I broke up with Ron and I let him keep the apartment. I'm going to go looking for a new one tomorrow but I don't have anywhere to stay tonight." She said.
"Really? You broke up with him?" He asked. She nodded. "What did he say?" George asked. She laughed.
"Don't worry. He's not pissed so he won't come beat the hell outta ya." She said. George grinned.
"I'm relieved. He's probably stronger than I am." George said.
"He used to box." Julianna said.
"Of course he did." George said. Julianna grinned.
"I was wondering if I could crash here tonight." She said and met his gaze. He nodded.
"Yeah, of course." He said. She smiled.
"Thanks." She replied. He grinned wickedly.
"In my bed or a spare?" He asked. She smirked at him.
"I think we need to discuss this." She said. He chuckled.
"Do we now?" He asked and walked toward her. He slid his arms around her waist, but she backed away, holding up her hands.
"No, you don't. You're not allowed to touch me until I say what I need to say." She said. He chuckled.
"Oh really?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.
"George." She warned but her lips moved into a grin. He came after her once more and she backed up. "George!" She yelled and turned and dashed around the couch. He chased her, laughing the entire time. She squealed as he caught her and dragged her back to the couch and fell on top of her on it. Then he was kissing her and her mind was blank.
Finally some of the haze cleared and she pushed him away slightly, her hands on his shoulder.
"Wait." She ordered and held him away as she tried to regulate her breathing. He chuckled.
"Yes, ma'am." He replied. She smirked and took one long, deep breath.
"Okay." She said.
"Alright." He replied. She grinned.
"Shutup and let me speak."
"Yes, ma'am." He said once more but this time saluted her. She slapped his hand lightly and he chuckled but settled down on top of her to listen.
"Do you think maybe you could get up?" She asked.
"Can you breath?" He asked.
"Yes." She replied.
"Then no." He said. She groaned.
"Fine." She said and he chuckled again, propping himself up on his elbows so that he wasn't smooshing her entirely.
"Go." He said.
"Okay." She paused. "I'm attracted to you and vice versa." She started.
"No kidding." He replied. She rolled her eyes and he chucked softly.
"And we both want the obvious to happen."
"No KIDDING!" He exclaimed loudly. She laughed and he grinned, watching her eyes lit up with the laughter.
"Alright then. There has to be some ground rules laid down." She said.
"Okay." He said, becoming serious, eager to hear what she had to say. She gazed into his eyes and nearly forgot what she was going to say as she became lost in them.
"What I said the other day when we were playing basketball is true. If I had sex with you it would be more than sex. I'm not willing to be a quick fuck and that's it. If that's it, I'll leave and get a hotel tonight."
"That's not it." He said immediately. She nodded.
"Okay then. If I have sex with you it's not going to be some quick fling or whatever. We're not going to have an affair. If we have sex we're having a real relationship. If you don't want a real relationship, let me know and I'll go." She said and began to continue but he slid a hand up and placed a finger on her lips.
"I think I'm in love with you." He said and moved his fingers to the side, letting her have room to talk if she wanted. She was silent, staring at him for what felt like forever and his heart began to pound nervously. He hadn't really meant to tell her that just yet, but it had slipped. If she rejected him now he wasn't sure what he would do. "I know we haven't known each other long. But I'm attracted to you. And you've become my best friend within the space of a month. That's all I've ever wanted in a woman. Someone who knows me physically, mentally, emotionally, in every way. And you do, already. Well," He grinned, "Except maybe for the physical part, but we can change that. Fast." He said. She laughed as tears sprung to her eyes.
"Oh, George." She said.
"Don't get all teary on me." He said and rubbed his thumb below her eye. One tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
"Oh, dammit, everything's blurry and I want to see you." She said. He chuckled softly and pressed his lips to hers gently.
"I don't expect to say you that you love me because you may not. But I'm not looking for an affair. Or a quick fuck. I'm done looking because I found you." He said.
"Oh." She murmured. He smiled and pressed his lips to her cheek, moving them over her face. She threaded her fingers through the hair on the base of his neck. "George." She murmured. He lifted his head a bit and looked down at her as tears slowly trickled out the corner of her eye. "I love you, too." She whispered. He smiled widely.
"You love me or you're in love with me? I've recently found out there's a big difference." He said. She let out a shaky laugh and sighed.
"I'm in love with you." She murmured. "All the way." He kissed her with an excited passion.
"Wow. This is..amazing." He said. She laughed slightly and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers.
"George, make love to me. Here, on the couch. Now." She said.
"Yes, ma'am." He murmured and made her laugh slightly before he pressed his lips to hers and let himself go, completely, for the first time in his entire life.
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