July 28th-August 1st, 01
+---<o>---+
Alexandra, Julianna's sister, is in this fic and she has a rather large part. Now, I know barely anything about Alexandra, so almost everything in this story is made up. I don't know if she is married or has a boyfriend. I don't know if she has any children. All I know is she has acted a bit and she's supposed to be a singer or a dancer, I can't remember which. I think a dancer, but don't take my word for it.
I don't know what type of car Julianna has, so just ignore that. A friend of mine says she has a red '92 Saab, but it doesn't really matter, for the fic.
I don't know where either of Julianna's sisters live. So I'm pretending they live in California somewhere. It's a fanFIC, isn't it? :) Julianna's other sister Rachel, is in this story but she doesn't have a very big part. I know even less about her then I do about Alexandra, so it's all made up too! Sorry!
Julianna's not dating Ron in this story. In this story he was never really in existence.
+---<o>---+
Julianna stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. She shivered against the chilly air outside of the warm shower and began to wipe herself off. She tucked the towel so it was secure and wouldn't fall off and reached for another towel for her hair. She dried her hair as best she could with the towel before throwing it on the counter.
Julianna made her way into her bedroom and quickly changed into her bra and underwear, throwing her pajama top back on before going back into the bathroom. She brushed her teeth quickly before she got her straightening utensils and products out of a drawer, along with her hairdryer and went to work on her hair.
When she was finished her hair was straight and sleek and rained over her shoulders. She flipped it back and began to put her make-up on. A little powder, some blush, eye shadow and liner, mascara, lip liner and a subtle color of lipstick were applied. She leaned back and studied herself in the mirror before nodding in approval.
Julianna went back into her bedroom to get dressed. Minutes later she headed downstairs wearing dark blue jeans, a black belt, a long-sleeved button-up white shirt with open, flowing holes for her hands and black leather boots with an inch of heels in the back. She made her way into the kitchen and grabbed the black purse she had left on the table before heading down the hall toward the garage. She stopped and opened a closet door and took out a wheat-colored leather jacket that went down to her thighs and put it on.
Then she headed out into the garage and slid behind the wheel of her car and took off.
<o>
Julianna parked her car and slid out, pushing her sunglasses farther up on her nose and slinging her purse over her shoulder. She quickly placed her keys in her purse and walked into the little antique shop where she and her sisters had planned to meet. She quickly spotted her older sisters, Alexandra and Rachel, talking and looking over some of the lamps the store had in stock.
She put on a smile as she walked over to them.
"Hey girls." Julianna said. Her sisters turned and smiled widely.
"Hi!" Alex exclaimed.
"Hey Jules." Rachel replied. Julianna grinned.
"Look at you, you're getting so big!" Julianna exclaimed. Rachel laughed and touched her seven month pregnant stomach.
"Thanks!" She grinned, glowing. Julianna hugged her quickly, then hugged Alex.
"So...What's the occasion, Al?" Julianna asked Alex.
"Oh...Well," Alex smiled widely, "I have a hot date tonight!" She said.
"Oooh." Julianna and Rachel said in unison and laughed.
"Who's the lucky guy?" Julianna asked. Alex grinned widely.
"And this is the part you'll never believe." She said.
"Why? Who is he?" Rachel asked.
"Oh...Nobody important, just George Clooney." Julianna's heart stopped. George? George Clooney? Her George Clooney? She stood, staring at her sister in shock. Rachel covered her mouth with a hand, muffling a squeal. Finally Julianna's heart continued working.
"The George Clooney?" Julianna said.
"The one and only!" Alex grinned. Julianna grinned widely, faking.
"That's great, Al! So, how'd that happen?" Julianna asked.
"Well.....We've met before, obviously. But the other night I was on a date at this restaurant and I was so bored! I was just sitting there, listening to the guy talk about his cats when George walked up to the table. He smiled at Craig, my date, and asked me if I would dance with him. So, of course I said yes, because well, he's George and he rescued me from Mr. Boring. So, we danced and he told me that he'd help me get out of there." Alex grinned. "So, when the song was over I went back to my seat then a few minutes later I told Craig I needed to powder my nose. So, I went and met George outside the restrooms and he drove me home....And..He asked me out!" Alex finished.
"That's great, sis!" Rachel replied. Julianna nodded.
"So, do you need a new outfit or something?"
"That's the idea!" Alex said and the three of them laughed.
<o>
That afternoon, Julianna pushed her way into her house, hanging her jacket up in the closet. She walked into the kitchen and threw her purse onto the table and slid her shoes off and wiggled her toes briefly. She walked to the coffee maker and started it. Finally she pulled out a chair and sat, resting her aching legs and feet.
Then she dropped her head into her arms and wondered what the fuck was wrong with her. Alex was at home, waiting for George to come pick her up for their date and she was sitting there, confused at why she was feeling jealous and annoyed.
She liked George, she loved George. As her best friend, nothing more. So then why was she feeling...like she was? She cared for George in the way a friend cares for another. But if that was all, she should not be feeling like this, should she?
No, she shouldn't. It didn't bother her so much when he dated women she didn't know because she knew they really meant nothing to him. But when the woman was her sister, she didn't know what to think. She wasn't sure if she was just upset because her sister was going out with George and he might hurt her, or if she was upset because her sister was dating George and she wished she herself was dating him.
Julianna moaned aloud and banged her head against her arms briefly, wrestling with her emotions.
+---<o>---+
The next afternoon, Julianna was eating a lone dinner in the living room, watching an old movie on TV when a knock sounded on her door. She sighed, shifted and placed her plate on the coffee table beside her drink. She rose to her feet and made her way to the door, shifting the sweater she wore so it slid higher onto her shoulder.
She peeked out the window beside the door and her stomach clenched when she saw George standing, his hands in his pockets. She backed up, took a deep breath, and then opened the door, a smile wide and ready for George.
"Hey!" She exclaimed. He smiled in return.
"Hey Jules." She stepped aside, letting him into the house. He kicked his shoes off and itched his cheek.
"What's going on?" She asked, heading back to the living room and sitting on the couch. She picked up her plate and placed it in her lap.
"Nothing much." George replied as he sat beside her. "I see you're eating your dinner." He said. She nodded as she took a bite of the chicken on her plate.
"Good eye, detective." She smirked at him. "So, what're you doing here?" She asked. He shrugged.
"Spending time with my good ol' buddy Jules." He said. She laughed and wondered why her heart ached just a bit at his words. She still hadn't figured anything out since the night before. Still hadn't sorted her feelings and emotions out.
"Well, join the party. Vanessa Redgrave and I are enjoying each other's company." Julianna said, motioning towards the television and smiling as she swallowed another bite. He chuckled and glanced at the screen.
"So, uh, have you talked to Alex lately?" George asked, glancing at Julianna before looking back at the screen. If it had been under any other circumstance, Julianna would have thought he was talking about Alex Kingston. But now she knew differently. So she forced a smile for him.
"She invited Rach and I out yesterday to go shopping for that killer red dress she wore for you last night." Julianna said and had the pleasure of seeing a rare blush creep onto George's cheeks. He nodded.
"Yes, it was very effective." He murmured and listened to Julianna's laugh and thought he heard a slight strain around the edges.
"So," Julianna wiggled her eyebrows, "what else happened last night?" She asked, grinning. He chuckled slightly and glanced at her.
"We shared a very civilized kiss at her door." He said and Julianna raised her eyebrows.
"A civilized kiss? Is there such a thing?" Julianna asked. He looked at her and smiled.
"If there is, we shared one." He replied. She tilted her head and nodded a bit.
"And..."
"And I went home and went to bed." He finished. Julianna sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically.
"C'mon, George, I want details!" She said and smiled at him.
"Don't sisters dish out the gossip and date 'news'?" George asked. She laughed.
"I suppose so." She lifted an eyebrow at him and placed her plate on the coffee table before curling her legs up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. "So, are you seeing her again?" She asked, her voice somewhat quiet. George nodded.
"Yeah, we made plans for another date." He said, staring at Vanessa Redgrave on the screen. Julianna nodded.
"Where are you going to go this time?" She asked. He shrugged.
"Actually we're going on a motorcycle ride. She wanted to try it out." He said. Julianna raised her eyebrows.
"Alex wanted to ride on a motorcycle?" She asked and had to smile at the thought. George cleared his throat and nodded.
"Apparently." George responded.
"So..I know you've met Alex before, but what did you think of her as a date?" Julianna asked. George chuckled slightly and bent his head before scratching the back of his neck.
"Well, she's a beautiful woman. Attractive and funny. She likes to talk which was good because we had a lot of the same interests." George said.
"Uh huh. What else?" Julianna asked. He laughed.
"She's nice, Jules, what else do you want me to say?" George asked.
"Are you going to sleep with her?" Julianna asked. George laughed and turned to look at her.
"Baby sister looking out for older sister?" George asked. She shrugged.
"Something like that." Julianna replied, smiling as she rested her chin on her knees.
"If it leads to that, then yes, I suppose we will sleep together." Suddenly Julianna shuddered a bit.
"I guess I really didn't want to know that. I don't need images." She said. He laughed.
"Well, nosy, that's what you get." George said. She rolled her eyes and wished her heavy heart would settle.
+---<o>---+
"My sister is dating George." Julianna said.
"George? As in George Clooney?" The blonde asked. Julianna nodded.
"Yup. That George."
"Which sister? Alex, right? If you tell me it's Rachel.."
"No, no, Rachel's married, remember?"
"Well, yeah, I remember." The woman grinned. Julianna rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, Alex is dating him. They've been on two dates before and are going on another, according to Alex." Julianna said.
"And this bothers you?"
"I don't know, Mel, I can't figure it out." Julianna told her friend, Melissa. Melissa was an old friend from high school. She was about an inch shorter than Julianna with a thick mop of blonde hair and gray eyes.
"Can't figure what out?" Mel asked her.
"It's...Well, before if someone would have told me that they would be dating, I don't think it would have bothered me at all. But now, every time it gets mentioned or I even think about it, I get a funny feeling in my stomach." She paused and rubbed her hands over her face. "I really don't know what the hell it is. Jealousy? I'm not sure but I don't know why I'd be jealous of Alex. I never wanted to be dating George before, or anything along those lines." She sighed. "But now that this has happened I feel...almost betrayed. Or something." She shook her head and looked up at her friend.
"Well....." Mel started slowly, "to me it sounds like you have feelings for George that go beyond what you thought was there, originally, and now you're not sure you like the idea of George and your sister dating because you're not sure if you want George for yourself." A pained look came over Julianna's face.
"Mel!" She wailed. "That doesn't help me at all. I'm so confused."
"Why?"
"Because I don't know why their dating makes me jealous when before I felt nothing, or thought I felt nothing for George and....ughhh!" Mel smiled.
"Maybe you should talk to your sister. Or George."
"Oh, yeah right. 'Alex, we need to talk. I want George, you can't have him.'" Julianna mimicked herself. Mel smiled.
"Well then, talk to George."
"What? 'George, I don't want you to date my sister because I think I want you for myself.' Yeah, I can see that happening, too!" Julianna exclaimed. Mel laughed slightly and reached out, touching Julianna's hand.
"Girl, you know I have absolutely no luck with men. And no experience for your situation. So, since my advice clearly sucks, I don't know what to tell you except wait it out. See what happens, where your feelings lead you when they are more clear." Julianna said and quickly squeezed Mel's hand before releasing it.
"Thanks for trying." She smiled. Mel nodded and sat back in her seat.
"I'm a good sounding board. I may not be a good advice giver, but I'm a good listener. Remember that."
+---<o>---+
A few days later there was a charity event for children when aids which George, Alexandra, and Julianna all attended. Cameras were flashing at the sight of George and his new girlfriend.
Finally Julianna and Alexandra had became paired off when an old friend of George's had come over to talk. Julianna was carrying on a conversation with Alex but she was listening to George's conversation with one ear and listening to her sister with the other. Alex was in awe over all the celebrities there. She had acted in small roles, but she had never been to such an event before. Julianna was bored but she pretended to be interested in what her sister said.
"What's wrong?" She heard George ask his friend. She glanced over and saw the man, Greg Fisher, rub a hand over his forehead.
"Carrie's sick." He said, speaking of his eleven-year-old daughter.
"What's wrong with her?" George asked.
"She has a rare bone disease." He said. Julianna strained to hear George's murmur but couldn't quite make it out. "No, George, we don't.."
"Greg, you know you can pay me back. If you need the money, just say the word." Julianna's heart warmed with something she wasn't quite sure of.
"George.." Greg sighed. "I don't need much, just.."
"Say no more. Give me a call tonight and I'll write you a check and have it to you tomorrow." Greg bowed his head.
"Thank you." George grinned and squeezed Greg's shoulder quickly.
"You're welcome, buddy." George glanced over and caught Julianna's gaze. They stared for a brief moment before looking away. Julianna turned to find her sister gaping at Harrison Ford. Julianna rolled her eyes and hooked an arm through her sisters. She'd have to deal with her feelings for George later.
<o>
Later that night, after the charity, Julianna sat in her bedroom on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone. She was debating on whether to call George, but she didn't want to interrupt anything between Alex and him. She sighed and flopped back on the bed, her hair spread around her like a dark halo.
She sat for a few minutes, arguing with herself before sitting up, taking the phone into her left hand and quickly dialing George's number. She brought the phone to her ear and listened to the ringing. On the second ring, George picked up.
"Hello?" He asked.
"Hey George."
"Oh, hey Jules."
"Whatcha doing?" She asked.
"I just got off the phone with Greg." He said. She smiled.
"That was a great thing you did for him tonight." She said. He nodded a bit.
"Yeah, well, he needed the money. Plus, I've met Carrie. She's a sweet kid." He said. Julianna nodded.
"I probably shouldn't have been listening, it was a private conversation, but Alex was driving me nuts. She was oohing and aahing over everybody in the damn place." Julianna said. George chuckled.
"You gotta remember, Jules, you're the big time celebrity in your family." He said. She snorted.
"Yeah..Right." He laughed. "So, is Alex there anyway?" Julianna risked asking.
"No, I took her home. I told her I needed some time for myself tonight. Which is the truth because I wanted to help Greg out and everything." George said.
"You're an amazing guy, George."
"Yeah, well, I was just doing what anyone would have done."
"No, George, not everyone. You care about people." Julianna said.
"Well, somebody has to, right?" He chuckled, a bit uncomfortable with her comments.
"Anyway, it was nice of you. I just wanted to tell you that."
"Thanks." He murmured.
"I better head off to bed, it's pretty late."
"Yeah, okay. I'll see you sometime, Jules."
"Bye George."
"Goodnight." He replied and she hung up the phone. She sighed and got up, changing into her pajamas before sliding under the covers in her bed. She curled up, burrowing under the comforter and letting out a soft moan of appreciation.
Her last thought before falling asleep was that she had finally fallen over the edge and into love with George.
+---<o>---+
Alexandra bounded up to George and wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him playfully and smiled. He smiled in return but was suddenly hit with a wave of realization that she wrapped her arms around his neck in the exact same way Julianna did when they were acting on ER.
He sighed inwardly. He had been thinking about Julianna a lot lately. Mostly since he had spotted Alexandra in that restaurant that night weeks ago, thinking she looked so much like Julianna. Alexandra kissed him again and smiled suggestively.
The difference between Alexandra's kisses and Julianna's, George thought, was that Julianna set fireworks shooting straight down to his toes. Don't get him wrong, Alex could kiss, but her kisses were as good as any other woman's...except her own sister's. Dammit, George thought.
George wrapped his arms around Alexandra's waist.
"Do you have any free time?" He asked. She laughed and whispered in his ear.
"Lots of it." She said and he lead her to the bedroom, hoping to drowned Julianna out, using her own sister. And he felt dirty for it.
+---<o>---+
Julianna ran down the corridor of the hospital, bursting into the waiting room. She spotted Alexandra, George, her mother, her father, her niece, and her step-father all sitting around.
"Any news?" She asked, stopping in front of them.
"Not yet." Her father replied. She smiled at him.
"Hi Daddy." She said and bent over him, kissing his cheek and hugging him. He hugged her in reply.
"How's my baby girl?" He asked. She laughed.
"Dad, I thought Megs was your baby girl." She said, motioning to Rachel's first child who was sleeping on Francesca's, Julianna's mother, lap.
"Well, she's my baby grandgirl." He said. Julianna laughed and kissed him once more. Then she kissed her step-father on the cheek and hugged him quickly.
"Hey Mac." She said. He smiled.
"Whatcha been up to lately?"
"Nothing much!" She raised her eyebrows. "Working." She said. He nodded.
"Aren't we all?" He asked. She grinned and moved to her mother. She bent and kissed Megan on the head and the child stirred. Julianna kissed her mother quickly.
"Hi Mama." She whispered. Francesca smiled.
"Aunt Jules." Megan whispered. She reached sleepily for her aunt. Julianna grinned and reached down, picking the three-year-old up.
"How's Meggers?" Julianna whispered.
"Seepy." Megan replied and snuggled her head into Julianna's shoulder. Julianna smiled and nuzzled her niece gently before she turned to Alex and George and smiled at them.
"Hey guys." She said, taking a seat beside George who was sitting on the end of the small line of them.
"Where were you?" George asked quietly. She rolled her eyes.
"Out with Mel. I had to take her shopping for some hot date she had." She grinned. "I didn't have my cell phone on because Mel was like having a crisis and I didn't really expect anyone to try and get ahold of me." She said. He nodded.
"Alex said that Rach is a little early."
"Yeah, the baby wasn't due for another week. So, has anything happened since you got here?" Julianna asked. George shook his head.
"No. She's been in labor for eight hours and Alex and I got her about two hours ago."
"You've waited this long?" Julianna asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Yeah. All of us." He said. Julianna laughed softly and shifted a sleeping Megan on her lap.
"She looks like you." George murmured, looking at Megan. Julianna grinned.
"Considering Rach, Alex, and I look alike, who can blame her?" Julianna asked. Alex leaned forward.
"What're you two whispering about?" She asked.
"You." Julianna teased.
"Yeah, well, I did hear my name." Alex grinned. George chuckled slightly and Julianna told her sister what they had been discussing.
<o>
Two hours later, Bradley, Rachel's husband came walking out into the waiting room. Everyone jumped up, including Julianna who still held a sleeping Megan.
Bradley grinned broadly as everyone began to talk at once. He laughed and held up his hands.
"Hold up. One at a time!" He exclaimed and grinned. "Baby boy Maines was born weighing seven pounds eleven ounces and has ten fingers and ten toes."
"A boy!" They all exclaimed and he grinned proudly. Megan lifted her head and blinked sleepily, looking at her daddy.
"Da?" She asked. He smiled.
"You have a baby brother." He said.
"A boy?" She asked. He nodded.
"Yup."
"What's his name?" She asked.
"Kyle Robert. I need to get back to check on Mommy. You be good for everyone, okay?" He asked. She nodded and rubbed her eye.
"Yeah." She replied sleepily. He kissed her quickly before heading off down the hall. Julianna pulled Megan away a bit.
"Did you hear that?" Julianna asked her. Megan smiled happily but with sleepiness.
"I have a brudder named Kyle." She said. Julianna laughed and kissed her nose.
"Yes, you do."
"I wanna see 'im." Megan said.
"You can see him later, Megs. Right now he has to get all cleaned up and nice and warm. I'm sure you can go see him soon." Megan linked her arms around Julianna's neck and pressed her face into Julianna's cheek.
"'Kay." She replied, too sleepy to argue. Julianna smiled and met George's gaze. He smiled and quickly looked back at Alex who had seen the small exchange between her sister and her boyfriend.
"Well, I wonder when we can see him." Alex asked.
"We'll probably have to see him in the nursery." Francesca said. Alex nodded.
"Like with Megan." She said. Francesca nodded.
"Now if I could just get my other girls to give me some grandchildren."
"Mom!" Julianna and Alexandra moaned, leaving everyone else chuckling.
<o>
Later that night, George lay in bed, wide awake. Alexandra was lying beside him, curled up and breathing deeply and evenly in her sleep. He sighed and turned his head, looking at her for a moment before he slid out from under the covers and grabbed his robe. He put it on and heading downstairs.
He went into the kitchen, getting himself a glass of water before walking to the window and looking out, pondering.
Tonight as he had stood at the hospital, watching Julianna with the niece she so obviously adored and who adored her back, he had realized she had completely swept him away. He was head-over-heels in love with her and her sister was upstairs in his bed.
He bent his head, looking down into his glass, watching the ice bob up and down in the water. How the hell had he managed to get himself into this mess? He didn't want to hurt Alexandra because he liked her, she was a wonderful woman. And because she was the sister of the woman he loved.
And what the hell was that? He wasn't supposed to fall in love with anyone. He'd learned that he wasn't cut out for love or marriage. But suddenly he found himself wanting all and everything with Julianna. If only he knew how she felt. He took another sip of his glass and turned back to the outside night.
+---<o>---+
George drove his jeep into Julianna's driveway, taking note of Rachel's little red car. He thought about leaving but then he shrugged and parked his car. He could hang out with Julianna and see Rachel again. After all she was the other sister of the two women that were causing him some major stress.
George knocked on the door but no one answered it. He tried the handle and found it was unlocked. He stuck his head in and called out.
"Julianna? Jules, are you home?" He called out.
"George, is that you?" He heard her reply.
"Yeah." He yelled back.
"C'mon in!" She called. George made his way inside, taking off his shoes and jacket. He made his way into the living room and found no one. He heard noise coming from upstairs so he traveled up the steps and turned into the den. He found Julianna holding Kyle who was gazing up at Megan who was sitting beside Julianna. Rachel was lying on the bed, packing up Kyle's baby bag.
"Hey George." Julianna said. He smiled.
"Well, hey everyone." George said, tucking his hands in his pockets.
"Hi George." Rachel said.
"Is Alex with you?" Julianna asked.
"Nope. I uh, she went out with Veronica."
"Ah. What're you doing here?" She asked, smiling up at him.
"Just coming to check up on you." He raised his eyebrows. She rolled her eyes and looked at Rachel who just smiled. Rachel saw the puppy dog eyes George gave Julianna when he looked at her, without realizing it. And Rachel knew her youngest sister enough to know she was hung up on George. And Rachel knew all of it spelled trouble with a capital T.
"I think I'm alright." Julianna said and he chuckled, looking down at the baby who was beginning to fuss.
"Well, look at that little squirt. He's grown an bunch since he was born last week." George said. Julianna smiled and lifted Kyle, cooing softly at him.
"What's the matter, baby?" She shifted him onto her shoulder and patted his back. George fell in love once more. Megan bounced impatiently and looked at George. He grinned at her and she giggled, scooting around so she was behind Julianna on the couch. George looked away and began whistling. Megan giggled some more.
"Aunt Jules." She whispered.
"What?" Julianna whispered in reply, smiling at George.
"He's coming.." She shrieked as George swooped and scooped her into his arms. Julianna patted Kyle's back when he rolled his head to the side to look up at George.
"At least he's not fussing now." Julianna said to her sister. Rachel nodded and sighed, lifting the bag over her shoulder.
"He seems to like you, just as Meg did." Rachel smiled. "You can babysit anytime." She said. Julianna laughed and strapped Kyle into his carrier and covered him with a blanket.
"Sure. You know I will." She smiled. Rachel grinned and looked at her daughter as George put her down. Megan held onto his hand.
"I'm staying wif George." She announced.
"Oh, are you?" Rachel asked, sending George an amused look. He shrugged and smiled. "Well, Kyle's coming home with me. So, it's either George or Kyle." Rachel said. Megan considered this, looking at her baby brother. Then she looked up at George and crooked a finger at home, motioning him to come down to her level. He smiled and crouched down. Julianna watched as Megan whispered into his ear and she felt her heart flip with love for him.
"Okay." George whispered. Megan smiled.
"I'm coming with you, Mommy." She said. Rachel laughed.
"Alright then." They made their way out of the room and downstairs. Julianna and George said their goodbyes before Julianna turned to George, shutting the door behind her.
"What did Meg say?" He chuckled.
"That she loved me but Kyle was her 'brudder' and she would come stay with me some other time." Julianna laughed.
"You're good with her." She said. He chuckled.
"Practice with Ada's kids." He said. "You're good with both of them. You're a natural with Kyle." He said. She walked into the kitchen, George on her heels.
"Coffee?" She asked. He nodded. She talked as she turned it on. "Well, I had a lot of practice with Megan. Rachel experienced some post-partem depression and so I was left to babysit a lot because she went to therapy with Brad." Julianna said. George nodded.
"Is she okay this time?" George asked. Julianna nodded.
"She seems to be. But last time it didn't start for awhile. But I think that she'll be okay this time, last time she was a little depressed because they said she may never have another child and...I don't know, I guess things were just piling up for her. Anyway, so, I think she cleared a lot of stuff up in her therapy last time." George nodded.
"Well, I hope things are okay for her this time then." He said. Julianna nodded and smiled.
"So, what're you really here for?" She asked. He shrugged.
"Alex was out. I was bored. I thought I'd see if you were home. You don't have anything to do, do you? 'Cause I can go." He said. She smiled again and shook her head.
"No. I'm free for the afternoon." She said. He nodded and gazed into her eyes. The gaze became slightly intense and they looked away from each other for a moment. Then they turned back to each other, met each other's gaze once more and stepped forward, bringing their mouths together.
The shock of it all seeped into Julianna's system, but she didn't refuse him. He took her face into his hands, holding her close. She let her hands creep to his waist and she simply let them stay there, holding lightly.
Just the touch of her lips sent his system into overdrive. No one else made him feel that way. No one ever, except her. Why should he refuse this?
Alexandra, they both thought at the exact moment and pulled away quickly. They stared at each other for a few breathless moments before Julianna lifted a hand to her forehead as she did when she was nervous or confused.
"George.."
"I'm sorry." He said.
"I..Me too." She looked back up at him. "Alex..We can't do this, George."
"I know, I know." He sighed. She backed up a few feet.
"Are you going to tell her about this?" Julianna asked.
"Are you?" George asked. She swallowed.
"Do you think we should?" She asked.
"Umm.." They looked at each other, coming to a silent conclusion that they would both keep quiet about it.
"I won't tell her." Julianna said.
"Me neither."
"Okay." Julianna let out a shaky sigh. "So, uh, we'll just forget this happened, right?" Never, George thought.
"Uh huh." He replied.
"Okay." She said again. "Alright." His lips curved a bit in the corners, as he realized he had thrown her off balance.
"Well, then, I better head home." George said. Julianna met his gaze and held it for a few brief seconds.
"Yeah, that'd be best." She murmured, staring into his eyes. He stepped forward and reached out his hand.
"Jules.." She backed up and shook her head.
"George..No."
"Right. I'll go." He said and turned, walking out. When he left she took a seat quickly, afraid her legs would give out. Then she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. They had just kissed. She and George had just kissed...each other. They weren't acting. Suddenly she smiled. He wanted her, just as she wanted him. She could tell from the way he had kissed her, looked at her, and reached for her one last time before he left. Then her smile drooped as she realized he was still with Alex, would stay with Alex. And they had betrayed her sister.
"Fuck." She muttered.
<o>
"Hey Jules."
"Hey Mel."
"What's up?" Mel asked her. Julianna cradled the phone and examined the nails on her right hand.
"I kissed George."
"What!? When? Details!" Julianna couldn't help but grin.
"About two hours ago he came over. Rach was here but she left soon after that and so we were just talking in the kitchen about the kids and then we kissed. Like that."
"And how was it?" Mel asked slyly. Julianna couldn't help but laugh a bit.
"Well, it was amazing until we both realized I wasn't Alexandra." Melissa sighed heavily.
"So, then what?"
"We apologized, can you believe that? Anyway, we both agreed not to tell Alex and then he left."
"That's it? No hanky panky?" Mel asked. Julianna laughed.
"No. I wish, but no."
"You wish? Ooh, girl, you're in trouble!" Mel said. Julianna ticked her head to the side and nodded.
"Yeah, well. He's with Alex and he's going to stay with her, by the look of things. So I'm not really in trouble."
"You can't have him because your own sister wants him. That's trouble waiting to happen."
"Hopefully George'll keep his mouth shut." Julianna said.
"He will. He said he would. He wouldn't back out on his word. Not to you." Mel said.
"I hope he doesn't. But thanks for listening, I just needed to tell someone. I needed to tell you about the kiss." Julianna said.
"How is he at it?" Mel asked. Julianna laughed.
"Remember I told you that already during ER."
"Yeah, but this time it was for real!" Mel stressed the word.
"Well," Julianna sighed, "It was great and because I knew it was real, it was better than ER." She paused. "Mel, I think I'm in love with him." Julianna said quietly.
"Oh, Jules. It's great that you're in love with him. The timing's just off."
"Way off." Julianna muttered. "Nobody has ever made me feel the way he does when I'm in his arms, no matter how brief the moment." She sighed. "And it's bad fucking timing!"
"Yeah, well, life's a bitch."
"No kidding." She sighed again. "And I'm sitting here talking like he wants me the same way I want him. I'm in love with him, but you know George. He doesn't commit to women. He has sex with them, dates them, but doesn't commit to them. At least not for long. And most of all, he doesn't fall in love with them."
"Maybe not, but maybe that's because he's never had the chance with you." Julianna couldn't help but smile slightly.
"Mel, you're a romantic."
"Yes, so? It could happen. Romance is not all fiction." She insisted.
"Yeah, well, George and romance do not go in the same sentence."
"Unless Julianna is in the same sentence." Mel said. Julianna laughed and shook her head.
+---<o>---+
For the next two days, all George could think about was Julianna. The feel of her lips on his, the press of her body against his. The easy way she had given her lips to him. He sighed gruffly and ran a hand over his face.
He hadn't told Alexandra about the kiss, but he felt guilty every time she kissed him, knowing he had betrayed her. With her own sister.
Knowing he could cause some major friction between the two women, left him somewhat nervous. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt either of them, especially Julianna. He cared about her, too much for comfort. He liked Alexandra, he did. She was a wonderful woman, one of his better girlfriends. But it wasn't the best thing for a relationship when he wanted his girlfriend's sister.
He dropped his hands to his side and looked down, studying a piece of fuzz on the carpet. He didn't want to hurt Alexandra but he wanted Julianna like he had never wanted another woman before. He could only hope she felt the same way. Because he didn't want to hurt Alexandra, just to be hurt by Julianna.
But he couldn't get over the way she had felt in his arms, against him, in the kitchen that afternoon. He'd had her that way before, during ER, but knowing it was acting had made it fake. Good, but fake. The kiss in her kitchen hadn't been fake. It was real and very, very alluring.
God, what was he doing? He rubbed his hands over his face. He was falling in love with her, is what he was doing and he knew it. So, instead of trying to fight it, he decided to figure out how he felt about it.
He was in love with Julianna, alright. She was his best friend. The only woman he'd ever gotten that close to. Not even Talia, his ex-wife, had known him like Julianna did. So he trusted her. So, he'd established that he wanted her and loved her. But how long did he want her? Was he really serious about her?
Thinking about marrying her didn't scare him. Neither did growing old with her. But what about children? She wanted them, he knew. They were close friends and she had confided that information to him. She wanted a child, two, but at least one. Did he want children? He didn't know. He liked kids, other people's kids. But could he take care of a dependent little human? He'd never had anyone depend on him completely before. He wasn't sure how he would react to it. It also meant a commitment. For life. So did marriage, but if it was necessary, he could get out of it. You couldn't divorce your kids.
If he got married to Julianna, he knew he wouldn't want to divorce her, not ever, but if it came to that, he could. Children were forever.
He paused and shook his head, walking into the kitchen. What would Julianna think if she knew he was considering all of this? What would Alex think? He took a beer out of the fridge and popped it open, taking a drink. It didn't satisfy him, so he placed it on the counter and began to pace the floor.
He wanted Julianna, dear God he wanted her. Would she have him? If she wouldn't, he wasn't sure how he could face that type of rejection from her. How was he going to tell Alex all of this. Surely she would want to know why he was breaking up with her. He couldn't lie to her, she was important to him. Maybe not as important as Julianna, but important. He cared for her and didn't want to lie or hurt her. So he would have to do it soon and just take his chance with Julianna.
<o>
Julianna pushed her way through the market, picking up a piece of fruit and examining it. She considered it before getting a small plastic bag and filling it with four pieces of the fruit. She looked down at her cart, satisfied before pushing her way through the checkout. As she was waiting in line, she examined the tabloids, looking to see who the victims of today's rumors were. As her eyes skimmed she saw one with a picture of her sister and George at the charity event. Her eyes widened as she saw her picture beside theirs and read the heading.
George Clooney cheating on girlfriend with sister, Julianna Margulies? Page 13.
Julianna snatched one up and flipped quickly through it until she came to page 13. She quickly scanned the article then muttered a curse under her breath. The article basically said she and George had kissed after the charity event and he was cheating on Alex behind her back. Pissed, Julianna gripped the magazine until it was her turn in line. Then she slammed it onto the pulley belt and began shoving her stuff onto the belt, getting a look of surprise from the cashier.
<o>
When she got home, she raced through putting her groceries away and was about to head back out the door when it burst open.
"Bitch!" Alex said fiercely. Julianna stopped and placed a hand on her forehead.
"Dammit, I had hoped you hadn't seen it yet."
"Seen what? This?" Alexandra shoved the tabloid under Julianna's nose.
"Yes, that. Alex, it's..."
"Shut up! Shut up, God dammit! He's my boyfriend! Can't I.."
"It's not true!" Julianna said, raising her eyebrows and staring at her sister. Alexandra tilted her head.
"Oh, really? Then why has George been avoiding me these past two or three days? He's as guilty as they come!" Alexandra said.
"No, don't say that about him! Listen to me, dammit!" Julianna said. Alex stood back, watching her sister with angry eyes.
"What that article says is not true. Nothing happened that night and I've never slept with him." Julianna stated fiercely.
"But?" Alex raised her eyebrows. Julianna sighed and stepped back.
"I did kiss him. But not that night." Julianna said.
"When?" Alex asked coldly.
"Three days ago. Alex, it didn't mean anything. He cares about you. It was an accident and we regret it."
"I had the right to know!" Alex exclaimed.
George slammed on the brakes as drove in front of Julianna's garage. The tires squealed a bit and he cursed loudly when he saw Alex's car parked carelessly outside of the house. He hurried through the open garage and into the kitchen door, immediately hearing their voices.
"Alex? Jules?"
"You bastard!" Alex said quietly under her voice.
"Alex, look.." She slapped him quickly, the sound of flesh against flesh smacking loudly. She stopped, shocked at her actions as she and Julianna simply stared at him.
"I guess I deserved that.." He trailed off, looking at her. She immediately hardened.
"I don't tolerate cheaters. Not even if it was just one little kiss. She's my sister!" Alexandra said, her voice rising in volume and heat. Julianna winced at the word sister. George glanced at Julianna before looking back at Alex.
"I'm sorry, Alex."
"Don't sorry me, George." She sighed, looked quickly at the ceiling before she nodded. "I hope you to will be happy together." She said angrily and turned, storming out of the house. Neither of them attempted to follow her. George raised his hand to his face and gingerly touched his face.
"Are you okay?" Julianna murmured, moving to him and pulling his hand away. He nodded.
"Yeah, I'll live." He said.
"She left finger marks." Julianna said, examining his face.
"Yeah, well, she was pretty pissed." George tried to grin but instead he sighed and met Julianna's eyes. "So, you told her then?"
"I told her that everything wasn't true that she had read but I told her about the kitchen." He nodded.
"I'd hate to imagine what she would have done to me if I'd slept with you." George said.
"Castrated you." Julianna said and grinned when he winced. "She's got my attitude. Rachel's the nice one." Julianna said. He managed to chuckle.
"Too bad she's married." He joked. Julianna grinned and dropped her hands.
"Sorry it had to come to that." She said. He touched it gently before letting his own hand drop.
"I've dealt with worse." He said. She nodded and turned away, folding her hands together in front of her. He sighed a little and dropped his head to look at the floor. "She was right." He said and lifted his head to watch Julianna turn back to him.
"About what?" She asked quietly.
"That I'm a bastard. She had every right to slap me." Julianna glanced down before looking back at him. He stepped closer to her.
"I wasn't unfaithful to her physically, but emotionally I was." Julianna lifted a brow in confusion. "I care about Alex. She's a great woman. But I wanted her sister." He said. Julianna's mouth dropped open in surprise. He swallowed and hoped she didn't realize how hard it was for him to say this. "You've been my friend, one of my closest friends, for a long time. I'm not sure when I started wanting more, but I do." He hesitated and looked down at the ground between them before looking up at her, into her eyes. "I want to come home to you at night. I want to wake up with you in the morning. And I want everything in between."
"George, I.."
"Wait." He lifted a hand to cut her off. She stopped and listened intently, her heart beating quickly. "If you don't want the same, then just tell me and I'll go. You don't have to explain to me or...or give me reasons. I'd rather not know them, as I'd like to keep some pride. But I don't want you to answer for any reason other than the fact the you want the same. I don't want you to say yes out of guilt." He took a step back, giving her space. "So.." He watched her hard, studying her and his heart skipped when her smile came, wide and beautiful.
"I want to come home to you at night. I want to wake up with you in the morning. I want everything in between and I want you." She said. He grinned then and stepped forward, scooping her into his arms and pressing his mouth to hers, with surprising tenderness. She laughed with giddiness and wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders, holding tight.
"How long?" He asked when the pulled away.
"When you started dating Alex, I was confused. I wasn't sure what I was feeling. But then I realized that.." She stopped and rephrased the answer in her mind, not wanting to scare him off this early. "That I was jealous because I wanted you." He grinned. "How long?" She asked him.
"Well, I started dating Alex...And I realized I did it because she reminded me of you and subconsciously I thought you were off limits to me because we were friends. So, I'm not sure how long, but I realized then that I really wanted you, not a surrogate you." She smiled and wrapped her arms tighter and placed her cheek against the cheek Alex hadn't slapped. She closed her eyes and felt like weeping in relief.
George held on just as tightly, breathing in the scent of her, relieved. Finally after what seemed like hours, George pulled her away. He brushed a piece of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. She smiled warmly and somewhat sleepily. He pressed a kiss to those enticing lips and she swayed against him.
"Make love to me, George." She whispered. He smiled and lead her out of the room, keeping his lips on hers.
+---<o>---+
"It's been a week, do you think I should call her?" Julianna asked. They were lying on the couch, absently watching an old movie on television but mostly talking. He brushed a stray piece of hair from her face.
"She might be pretty pissed off. She doesn't know about us. Nobody does yet, but you need to decide if you'll call her and apologize or you'll wait until she cools off and calls you, if she does." Julianna sighed and laid her cheek on his chest, contemplating.
"I wish we didn't have to hurt her to get here." Julianna murmured. George rubbed a hand over her back.
"I wish the same, but it's happened."
"I'll call her tomorrow." She said. He tilted her face up with a finger under his chin.
"You're amazing, Jules." He said. She smiled and let him kiss her. She splayed her fingers over his chest and let out a soft sigh of contentment. When she pulled away, she snuggled against him and turned back to the movie. He wrapped his arms comfortably around her waist and rested his head against hers, sinking into the love he had for her.
<o>
"Hello?"
"Hey Alex." Julianna said softly into the phone. There was a short pause.
"Hi Jules." Julianna closed her eyes briefly before opening them and looking at George. He reached out and took her hand into his.
"We need to talk..Or, I..need to tell you things." Julianna said.
"Alright." Alex said agreeably.
"The day in the kitchen when I kissed George..It was an impulse. I didn't do it to hurt you. We didn't." She corrected. "But I won't lie to you. I wanted to do it. I wanted George even though you had him. But I didn't want him because you had him, I just...Well...Anyways." George lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, smiling at her. Normally she would grin in return but she was concentration on the conversation.
"Jules, look, it's not that big of a deal."
"Alex, I'm seeing George." Their was a pause then a silence on the other end. Julianna eventually sighed. "I'm sorry, it's just..."
"I think I always knew." Julianna stopped. Alex paused. "From the very first, I think I knew what he really wanted was you. I don't think he knew it yet, but it was there in my mind, subconsciously digging at me. And I'm not blind, I knew you wanted him. It was a bit hard to swallow knowing I was competing with my baby sister." Julianna managed a weak smile. George kissed her hand again, in support. "And then knowing she won." She sighed. "I hope George doesn't regret me..."
"He doesn't." Julianna replied quickly and smiled when George quirked an eyebrow. "He cares about you, Alex." She said seriously then.
"But not quite like he cares about you, right?" Alex cleared her throat. "But getting past that, he's great in bed, isn't it?" She asked. Julianna laughed then, knowing things would be okay again.
"Yes, he's great in bed." Julianna said, watching George. He raised his eyebrows quickly and smiled.
"He's right there, isn't he?" Alex asked. Julianna giggled.
"Yes, he's here."
"Don't let that go to his head." Alex joked.
"I won't. Alex." She paused. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Jules. Well I've gotta go, I've got an appointment."
"Okay, I'll see you later, okay?"
"Sure thing. Bye."
"Bye Alex." Julianna hung up the phone and grinned at George. He slid his hands up her thighs.
"So, she thinks I'm good in bed, does she?" He asked. She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"She may have mentioned it." Julianna said. He chuckled and pressed his lips against hers.
"What names do you like?" George asked.
"What?"
"What's a place you really want to visit?"
"George, what're you talking about?" She asked.
"Well, Julianna Margulies, I'm going to marry you." He said. She gasped. "And I want to know where you want to go on the honeymoon and what you want to name our children." Her eyes filled with tears.
"George, I.."
"I love you." He said and smiled as her tears spilled. Suddenly she flung her arms around his neck and laughed and cried at the same time.
"I love you, too." She said and lifted her mouth to his. He lifted her then, intending to show her.
+---<o>---+