Author's Note: I decided I was in the mood to write another one-shot for Julexis. Yeah, I know. I didn't like that last line they gave Julian in this scene on the show, so I ditched it.

"Well, you're a lot more than that to me," Julian said as he smiled at Alexis.

"Oh! And these are for you," Julian pulled a bouquet of Gardenias from behind his back to give to Alexis.

Alexis automatically reached out to take the bouquet from him, even though she looked stunned. She seems to be at a loss for words for a moment. Julian basked in the pleasure of having thrown Alexis off balance again, even if it was brief. It was nice to know he could still reach behind that huge brick wall she kept putting up between them, even if only for a moment.

"Wow. They're beautiful." Alexis brought the bouquet to her face and drew in the scent of the flowers as her eyes closed in pleasure. She opened her eyes and looked up at Julian.

"How did you know that Gardenias were my favourite flower?" Alexis asked him.

"Well, you're not going to believe this, but I seem to remember that night in Hanover you smelled like Gardenias." Julian smiled as he told her what he remembered. The pleasure and the slight blush that came across her face enchanted him. Then, she looked away from him.

"I thought I smelled like stale beer," Alexis muttered in embarrassment.

"Would you stop? You were beautiful. You still are." Julian smiled again, realizing he had finally found a way to reach Alexis. He was enjoying the slightly flattered, slightly off-balance Alexis in front of him. She reminded him of that young girl he'd met all those years ago.

Unfortunately, it didn't last long enough for Julian's liking.

Alexis frowned and he could feel her withdraw from him right away. The warm feeling he had been basking in was suddenly cold and unwelcome.

"Julian, I…" Alexis started to make her excuses and push him away.

"Whoa. We're not there already are we? The part where you kick me out?" Julian asked her.

Alexis hesitated for just a moment. "Yeah, well, I have to deal with Molly."

They talked briefly about Molly, and then she became more serious about sending him packing.

"Thank you for the flowers," Alexis stated in a tone that indicated she was no longer vulnerable or charmed.

Julian decided to let her set the tone for the moment. He could push her a little further next time they met.

"You're welcome. Well, I'll let you get back to your parenthood." Julian headed for the door and had it partway open before he turned back to Alexis.

"Alexis, one day you're going to run out of reasons to throw me out, or you'll just ignore them altogether. Because this, us…" Julian left the thought dangling for Alexis to ponder as he walked out the door and shut it behind him.

He walked away from the front door of the Lakehouse with a bounce in his step.

JAJAJAJAJA

Alexis watched him walk away through the window with a smile on her face.

She had to admit, Julian could be damned charming when he wanted to be.

Heaven help her, if she wasn't careful, she'd end up falling for him.