June 28
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Cate Blanchett is in the fanfic. I'm not sure how good of friends she and Julianna are, but I am using her because she's really the only person outside of the ER actresses that I know of that is Jules friend. I've seen her in a few places with Julianna, plus Paradise Road, so I hope I'm not mistaken. Obviously, all this is not true. I actually got this idea from something that happened in real life - Julia Roberts and Benjamin Bratt broke up. This sort of has to do with that.
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Julianna wrapped her arms around George's neck, kissing him gently.
"Hey." She murmured. He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist loosely.
"Hi there." He chuckled and brushed his lips against hers.
"How was work?" Julianna asked him. George had just gotten back from New York after shooting scenes from his up-coming movie.
"Good. Exhausting." He smiled.
"How's Julia?" Julianna asked, raising an eyebrow. His eyebrows shot up and he pulled his head back a few inches.
"What?"
"I was just curious."
"She's good..." George trailed off. "I haven't seen her for a couple weeks though." The look on his face was one of pure confusion.
"So, you haven't heard the news? I wouldn't think she would be good." Julianna said. A slightly worried look passed over George's face.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Oh...Benjamin and Julia broke up." George's mouth dropped open a bit.
"What? Why?"
"Apparently Ben was annoyed at how, and I quote, 'chummy' you and Julia were." George pulled out of Julianna's embrace.
"Are you kidding me?"
"That's what I read. And besides that, he was upset because she wouldn't marry him, or something." Julianna stared at George, watching his reaction.
"Well, he's a jerk for that." Julianna raised one eyebrow and folded her arms over her breasts.
"I guess." Julianna said. George looked up and stared at her in disbelief.
"You don't believe that, do you?"
"Believe what?" Julianna asked, staring back.
"About Julia and me?" She shrugged.
"Should I?" George's mouth dropped open before he spun on his heel, throwing his hands up in the air. "I can't say that I don't know exactly how Benjamin feels."
"What?" George spun back to her. Julianna dropped her hands to her sides and held them out a bit.
"Well, you and Julia are pretty 'chummy'. If Ben believes it, why shouldn't I? And besides, I know how he feels about being upset that she won't submit herself to him. I love you, I've told you many times. Each time, I never get a reply. At least not of the words I want to hear. She wouldn't marry him and you won't love me." Julianna said. George simply stared at Julianna in disbelief and shock.
"I can't believe...."
"Believe what? That I could be jealous? Maybe that's selfish of me. But I've got to wonder, don't I, when I tell you I love you and don't get a reply and I read in papers that you and a co-worker are real cozy. Such as dancing in public, if you want to call it dancing."
"You believe the papers?"
"Are you denying that you didn't dance with her?" George shook his head a bit.
"No, but.."
"Exactly. If you danced with her and I found out from the papers, that means you weren't truthful. Or at least didn't tell me the details. Warn me that I might see papers accusing you and Julia of a secret love affair."
"And you believe that?"
"I'm asking you if I should."
"I can't believe this."
"What can't you believe? I'm entitled to human feelings. Including jealousy. What would you do if you found out I was hanging out with Andy Garcia all the time? Being described as chummy. Dancing, no grinding, with him in public. Just what would you feel, would you think? Especially if you loved me and I hadn't told you that I loved you, if I even loved you? How would you feel?" Her temper was rising now. She was allowed her feelings.
"That's not the case, is it?" George asked. She let out an exasperated sigh.
"No, it's not. But that's the way I see it. Maybe I shouldn't believe everything I read, but most of the time something happens to put those rumors into the tabloids and newspapers."
"Well, I'm glad to know where you stand." George turned, heading into the kitchen.
"Where are you going?" Julianna asked, following him.
"Julianna, you've made your feelings clear. You don't have to kick me out, I'll go. Don't worry about my stuff, I'll get it later." He snatched up his coat and keys and pulled the door open. She watched him, her heart sinking into her stomach with a sick feeling of dread.
"Dammit." She thought and walked back to the living room. She sat on the couch and bowed her head, letting the tears come.
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He was just angry, Julianna thought. That's why she hadn't heard from him in over three days. It was okay, he would be back, she reassured herself, even knowing deep in her heart that he wasn't going to come back. At least not for her.
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"I can't believe you're going to be a mommy." Julianna said walking down a sidewalk in New York City with Cate Blanchett. Since George had not returned to her house, Julianna had left California for a couple of days in New York. She would visit her dad and her sister, Alex and her family. But today she had called up her old friend to keep her company.
"I know. I can hardly believe it either." Cate said, smiling happily. A little pang hit Julianna's heart, but she mentally pushed it away.
"I have to buy you something!" Julianna said.
"I've still got six and a half months left!" Cate said.
"I don't care. I'm in a mood." Julianna said, pushing her red sunglasses further up on her face. Cate laughed.
"Alright. And while we are at it, you buy yourself something that'll make you happy." Cate said. Julianna felt that tiny knife in her heart twist. She smiled weakly at her friend.
"I suppose I could." She said. Cate smiled and threw an arm around Julianna's shoulders.
"Everything'll be just fine, Jules."
"I hope you're right." Julianna said. "I just wish.." She shook her head and smiled slightly. "There's no use wishing." She murmured, more to herself then to Cate. Cate let her arm slide from around Julianna's neck but she squeezed Julianna's hand slightly.
"He'll come around." Cate reassured hopefully, wishing she could have a short talk with George.
"I don't know, Cate. I mean, I really pissed him off. No, I really didn't think he did anything with Julia, I was just..uneasy. I trust him, I do, I was just...scared that maybe I was wrong and he did love her instead of me."
"That's ridiculous, Jules."
"Maybe so." Julianna said.
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"Julia, I'm really sorry." George said. He was standing in Julia's home in Los Angeles. She smiled meekly and shook her head.
"It wasn't your fault, George. Really. We had our other problems." Julia said. George sighed and sat beside her on the couch.
"Julianna and I broke up, too."
"What?" Julia said sharply, angling her head towards his.
"We got into a fight. She didn't trust me...I guess some of that was my fault..I mean." He stopped and sighed, pushing a hand through his hair. "She told me a couple weeks ago that she loved me. She's said it a lot since, but I've never told her I love her back, so she was upset about that, too."
"Do you?"
"Do I what?" George asked, focusing back on her.
"Love her?" Julia asked. George shrugged.
"I don't know." He murmured.
"What don't you know? I think you do know, you're just afraid to admit your feelings for her." Julia said. George stood and began to pace.
"I just can't say the words to her, if I don't know what I feel. God, she's....amazing. But, do I love her? I don't know. I don't have enough experience with true love. I thought I loved Talia, but obviously that didn't work out. I don't want to make those mistakes again."
"And you think you'll make them with Julianna?"
"I don't know!" He exclaimed and plopped down beside her.
"Do you love her?" Julia asked. George turned and stared at her, wondering if she had heard anything he said. Then he sighed.
"Yes. I think so." He whispered. She nodded.
"Then you'll figure out what to do." He smiled weakly.
"I'm sorry that I caused friction between you and Ben." She smiled slightly and looked at the floor.
"You didn't. Not really. I think that was just an excuse for our problems." She said. He sighed.
"Well, I'm sorry anyway." George said and they smiled slightly at each other.
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Later that afternoon, Julianna and Cate were sitting in Julianna's flat, drinking lemonade and talking.
"We could go see a movie." Julianna suggested, as they were trying to figure out what else to do.
"Like what?" Cate asked in reply.
"I don't know. What's on?" Julianna asked. Cate laughed.
"I really have no idea. For actresses, it's pretty bad that we don't know what's going on in the industry." Cate said. Julianna laughed and stood.
"I'll get the New York Times and check." Julianna said and stood up. She headed into the kitchen and came back out, almost immediately, with a newspaper in hand. She sat back on the couch and curled her legs as she opened up the newspaper. As she rifled through it she froze and stared at a headline she saw.
"Did you find the times?" Cate asked, watching her. Julianna didn't move. Cate stared at her, immediately noticing Julianna had paled. "What's wrong?" Julianna's arms sank to her side, taking the newspaper with her. She stared at it, her eyes filling with tears. Cate jumped up from the chair and moved to Julianna's side. She read the headline.
George Clooney and Julianna Margulies separate after only two months
"Oh, Jules." Cate took the paper and folded it back up. She threw it carelessly aside and pulled her friend into her arms. Julianna let a tiny sob escape before she turned to her friends shoulder and let herself lean.
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Julianna was back in New York and had been for a few days. It had been nearly two weeks since she had heard from George and she was beginning to accept what was and what couldn't be. The phone rang but her heart didn't leap as it had days ago, when she had hoped it was George.
"Hello?" She asked, turning the phone on as she leaned back on the couch.
"Hello Julianna." Julianna's brows drew together.
"Hello." She said, a bit hesitant. She didn't quite recognize the voice.
"This is Julia Roberts."
"Oh." Julianna paused.
"Yeah, oh." Julia tried to keep things light. "I know that you probably don't really want to hear from me at this point, but I felt there was something we needed to discuss." Julia said.
"Alright." Julianna said, a bit wary. She wasn't all that sure that she did want to hear from Julia.
"I talked to George a few days ago." Julianna stiffened. "He explained to me that the two of you broke up." The shell around Julianna's heart cracked a bit, letting the hurt seep in slowly.
"Yes." Julianna said, her voice a little cool. Dammit, she cursed silently.
"I just want you to know that nothing happened between George and I. Honestly. George is one of the top actors in Hollywood and you know that anything the press can squeeze out of the simplest things can extend well beyond the truth. George and I are friends. We are not lovers. Yes, we had fun together. Yes, we danced. But there was..is nothing going on between us. There never has been. And I wanted to tell you because he does care for you."
"Then he should tell me himself." Julianna said, her voice wanting to tremble.
"Of all people, I would hope you know him well enough to see that that's not one of his better qualities. Communication, I mean."
"I know." Julianna said softly.
"I'm glad. You know you really should talk to him." Julianna closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh.
"Maybe I will."
"I'm sorry to bother you. I just felt I needed to have my say. I hope you do what's right for the two of you, Julianna. Good bye." Julia hung up before Julianna could reply. Julianna hung the phone up and settled back on the couch, thinking about their talk.
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"Hello?" George asked into his phone. He was sitting at home, alone, drinking beer and watching a basketball game on television.
"George?"
"Yes?" He asked.
"This is Cate Blanchett, a friend of Julianna's."
"Of course. How're you doing, Cate?" George asked, although his heart had constricted at Julianna's name.
"I'm fine, thanks."
"Oh, I hear congratulations are in order for you." George said. Cate softened a bit.
"Yes. Thank you. I was calling about Julianna." George's heart dropped.
"Is something wrong? Is she okay?" George asked, sitting foreward in the chair.
"No, everything is fine." Cate replied. George sat back, somewhat embarassed.
"Oh..Right."
"Look, George, maybe you don't want to hear this, but I figured you should know. Julianna's one of my closest friends and has been for a few years now. She came to New York the other day and we visited awhile. She's upset." Cate said bluntly.
"Alright." George replied a bit cautiously.
"About you." Cate said.
"I figured that much." George said.
"She told me everything that happened."
"Did she?" George asked, wondering why a sudden wave of guilt had washed over him.
"Yes. George, she loves you. I know, maybe you're not ready to accept that. But I think you should rethink your decision."
"What decision?"
"Breaking up with her. George, she opened up the New York Times and saw a headline that said 'George Clooney and Julianna Margulies separate after only two months'. She cried."
"Dammit." He swore softly. "She cried?" He asked.
"Yes. Right there on my shoulder." George sat foreward, mentally kicking himself. He knew Julianna didn't indulge in crying very often, especially in front of other people. "You should talk to her. Even if you don't love her, you should at least talk to her. Rationally. According to her, the last time you talked, you fought."
"Yeah." George ran a hand over his stubble.
"So talk to her calmly. Tell her how you feel, or felt. Or whatever. She needs something."
"Thanks for calling me, Cate." He could tell she smiled at his comment.
"No problem, George. Just helping a friend."
"I'll see what I can do. Good bye."
"Bye George." They hung up. George sighed and pushed a hand through his hair. He stood slowly, looking around the room. Maybe she was home now, he thought and made his way to his keys which were laying on the counter in the kitchen. He opened the door quickly and nearly ran into Julianna who had a hand lifted, ready to knock. They stood, frozen, as they stared at each other.
"Hi." He finally managed.
"You were just leaving.." Julianna said, a bit shy.
"I was coming to see you." He said. She raised her eyebrows slightly, innocently.
"You were?" She asked. He nodded.
"Yeah. But here you are. Come on in." George said, holding the door open for her and stepping aside. She came in, her head bent in shyness.
"Julia called me." Julianna murmured.
"What?" George asked, staring at her.
"Yeah. She called and said that I should talk to you....And I....I've been wanting to. So I decided to come." She said.
"Cate called me."
"She did?" Julianna asked, her eyes coming up to meet his.
"Yeah. She told me you cried." George said and nearly bit his tongue off as he wished he hadn't let that slip. Julianna's head immediately bowed again and she nodded slightly, her hands clasped.
"Mm, yeah, I guess I did." Julianna said.
"I'm sorry." George said. Julianna looked up at him and shook her head.
"No, it's okay. I was just...a little shocked when I saw the newspaper."
"No, I meant about everything." He paused. "I'm sorry about everything. I shouldn't have ran out the way I did." He pushed a hand through his hair.
"It's okay, really. It was my fault."
"No, it was mine." George said and they looked at each other, grinning slightly. "Well, I guess we both blame ourselves."
"Yeah." She murmured. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you." She paused. "I really didn't believe that you did anything with Julia. I was just...scared, maybe, a little, that you cared more for her than for me." He surprised both of them when he took her chin in his hand.
"That's not true." He said and they stared in each other's eyes. "I care for you, Julianna. More than I care for anyone." He paused. "More than I've ever cared for anyone." He sighed and let go of her face. "It scares me how much I feel for you. I just didn't know what to do with myself." Julianna's heart trembled in her chest. He brushed a thumb across her cheekbone gently. "I didn't mean to hurt you or make you cry." He smiled a little. "I really hate when you cry." Her cheeks pinked a bit. "It's so much more effective then a lot of women's tears because you rarely do it." She smiled a little.
"I cry more than you know." She said. Her heart tripped over itself when he pressed a kiss to her brow.
"I love you." He murmured and watched as she froze, in shock. Suddenly tears filled her eyes and she managed out a strangled giggle.
"Oh, George.." He took her face in both his hands. "I'm not crying, really." She laughed as a tear spilled out. "Okay, so I am. Happy tears." She said and lifted her hands to his wrists.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Me too." She replied and they smiled before touching their lips together gently. "I love you, George." His own heart stumbled in his chest and he brought her closer.
"I'm glad. 'Cause I'd be lost without you." He murmured and pressed their lips together, in a kiss so tender she had to hold him for strength.
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