In my life there's been heartache and pain,
I don't know if I can face it again!
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far,
To change this lonely life!

I wanna know what love is!
I want you to show me,
I wanna feel what love is!
I know you can show me...

Foreigner: - I Want To Know What Love Is

The long ride from the airport to the hotel was as spectacularly uneventful as the flight itself.

Jonathon didn't say much to anyone unless he had to. The only time he really spoke was to snipe at the driver once or twice about the state of the traffic on the roads; something that was clearly not the poor man's fault. As she always did, Juliet O'Hara-Connor sat next to her husband silently with her hands folded in her lap, saying nothing and instead choosing to take in the sights of the Strip. She wished she had the courage to defend the poor cab driver but she knew it was much easier to avoid the resulting argument and just let Jonathon get on with it. She distracted herself by taking in the sites of a place she'd only heard about but never been.

The Strip itself was far more dazzling than the rest of the city and she was secretly glad that the mid-afternoon traffic was holding them up. This way, she got to take in as much as she could before she was stuck in the hotel alone.

They were staying in this fabulous city for two long weeks and as much as she was enjoying the ride, she knew she wouldn't be too excited for long. Two whole weeks of business meetings and conferences, stuffy suits and boring lectures that ended at all the disturbing hours of the night and day, taking up time and parts of her life she would never get back. How she despised these kinds of trips. She glanced at Jonathon for a moment. He didn't seem impressed at all by the city. He'd probably seen much grander and been to many other places in his travels.

The one's he never took her on, she thought bitterly.

You see, it wasn't her job that brought them to the aptly named 'Entertainment Capital of the World'. It was Jonathon's. He was the young hot-shot of the banking world, respected by his peers and co-workers and loved by everyone. Only just turning twenty-nine and already at the top of his game. Juliet was only twenty four and she was already feeling the loneliness of her loveless marriage creeping in on her. It suffocated her from every angle at home, in that big empty house where she would spend endless hours just looking for something to amuse herself with. It was rare that she ever found something besides a good book or the television. She'd separated herself too much from her peers at the country clubs, finding that they weren't keen on inviting 'new money' into their social circle.

Like she'd want to be friends with snobs like them anyway. Although... it might be nice to have someone to talk to now and again. Someone who might actually talk back instead of just rolling their eyes.

She sighed softly, her wavy blond hair falling in a curtain across her face as she strained her neck to get as much of the scenery in as possible. She wanted to get out there and explore but she knew she would be too intimidated to go out on her own. Jonathon was always telling her that she wasn't good at meeting new people and who was she to disbelieve him? She'd never had the opportunity. No... She would find a nice spot at the hotel bar and stay there for the next fortnight until her husband decided it was time to show her off.

She knew deep down that she was only in Vegas for one thing and one thing only.

Jonathon wanted to show her off to his friends in the business, brag about how he'd bagged his superior's daughter. Oh yes, her father owned the firm that Jonathon worked at. They were far too alike for Juliet's comfort; and oh how she hated her father. But it gave her some satisfaction to know that without her father, Jonathon would never have made it as far as he had. He would still be the slime on the other men's shoes if she hadn't stupidly agreed to marry him. She had been young and foolish, it was her only excuse. He had been charming and suave.

So yes, the only reason Jonathon needed her in Las Vegas at all was to show her off at the conference that was being held on the third night. A load of rich men in monkey suits milling around and talking about things a 'little woman' like her wouldn't understand. Her father's words, not hers. Yet another reason for her to resent him. She didn't know how, in the Twenty First Century, such viewpoints could still be upheld by so called intelligent men. But that was another train of thought altogether.

Right now she was riding the same thought wave she always was. Why didn't she just leave him? With an irritated sigh she glared at her reflection in the glass, memories and thoughts bombarding her all at once and fighting for the centre of her attention.

She remembered one of those many 'business vacations' that had taken place on Long Island the year before. He'd taken her along on that one, like some kind of pet he'd suddenly taken pity on. It hadn't made much difference though. She'd been pushed to one side as usual, forgotten until the very last night when he'd remembered her and had taken her out to dinner. She didn't know whether to be grateful for getting out of the hotel or outraged that his way of an apology was to stare at their waitress all night. Safe to say she went with outrage and ignored him for the rest of the night. He'd barely noticed her lack of replies to his conversation.

He may as well just have painted a face on a balloon and talked to that instead.

The sun blazed overhead as tourists and locals walked up and down the bleached paving stones on the sidewalk, and she squinted up at the baby blue sky. White fluffy clouds lined the air, but they quickly vanished as another famous sight came into view and blocked the sky from sight. Juliet gaped as they drove past Caesar's Palace, the fountains at the front just as magnificent during the day as they would be illuminated at night. She imagined that it would be just as extravagant inside as it was outside. After all, The Strip was home to some of the biggest hotels in the world. They should be over the top for the amount someone would pay for a room in one. Oh how she longed to go there; to laugh with friends around the card tables and pick numbers at the roulette wheel with someone who adored her. Someone who would make her feel special if she won and even if she lost.

Glancing at the surly faced man sitting next to her, she once again quickly pushed the thought from her head. Dreaming of silly things like that only served to depress her even more when she came back to reality.

The hotel they pulled up in front of was a pretty one. It was certainly not as fancy or as breath taking as Caesar's Palace but it had a certain kind of charm about it. Wide, white pillars decorated with carvings and flowers cascading down them, stood proudly at the front, with a short walk under a large red canopy to the wide glass doors that were emblazoned with the hotel name. The doorman who saw them pull up in the cab immediately rushed to take their bags from them while Jonathon paid the disgruntled driver, not bothering to tip after what he deemed 'such a lousy ride' there.

The man glared at the back of her husband's head as he walked away and Juliet bit back a smile.

As soon as his back was turned, Juliet made sure to give the man an extra ten dollars as way of an apology. He seemed surprised, obviously thinking her a snob like her husband. He quickly changed his tune though, giving her a gentle smile. He had kind, elderly eyes and a dashing white moustache which Juliet found adorable. "I'm sorry about my husband. It's been a long trip," she said apologetically. He shrugged it off.

"Think nothing of it ma'am; I've had far worse than him before. You seem like a nice kid, so I'll give you some advice," he had a twang in his accent that she loved and she leaned forward when he beckoned her with his finger, speaking softly so Jonathon wouldn't hear. "The next time he opens that fat mouth of his, some of the kind folk around here might be obliged to shove a boot into it. Tell him to avoid the rougher joints if he wants to keep all of his teeth. We're not all as tolerant as I am around here," he chuckled.

Juliet let herself giggle at her husband's expense. "I'll keep it in mind."

With a friendly wave, the cab pulled away from the curb and Juliet waved back for a moment before following Jonathon inside. She hoped everyone was as nice as the cab driver here. Although she might withhold the information about the 'rougher joints' from Jonathon just for now. Maybe he'd get himself into trouble and they'd have some kind of adventure. Seeing him standing at the front desk in the same suit he always wore, she highly doubted the word 'adventure' was even in his vocabulary.

She kept in mind though, that Jonathon hadn't always been this way. There had been a time when they'd first met, what seemed like a hundred years ago, when he'd been a kind, caring man. She tried to hold on to the old Jonathon, tell herself that he was in there somewhere under this new man he'd become. Deep down she knew she was lying to herself. The old version of him would never have ignored her so much. He would never have shouted at her when he was irritated or called her the horrible names he sometimes did when he lost patience. He would never, ever in a million years have even considered cheating on her, let alone actually doing it.

Yet here they were, two years into a woeful, crumbling wreck of a marriage and Juliet was barely hanging on by a thread.

She longed uselessly for some heartfelt attention, a scrap of genuine affection from the man who was supposed to love her. For something that wasn't put on as a show for his friends or for her family. That was the only time he ever felt like the old Jonathan. When they were at a gathering with her family and he would complement her or shower her with attention. It didn't last though.

It never lasted.

She always knew though, that as soon as they were alone again in that house they were supposed to call a home, that he would be back to his old pig-ignorant self, ordering her about and snapping at her if she dared to ask a simple question. She tried to avoid him as much as possible at home. He'd slowly turned into an unlovable, unreachable, uncaring monster. He repelled her; repulsed her at every turn and yet she remained loyal only to him. She didn't want to be the one who tore a marriage apart in such early years, just to see that look of disappointment in her father's eyes; judging her- blaming her for all the things that had gone wrong.

It would never be his fault. No, Jonathon was the apple of her father's eye. The 'son he'd never had'. Her brothers had not been pleased when they heard about that little statement. Her mother had left him long ago and for that, Juliet was thankful. Those few times in the past few years when she'd visited her mother alone at her house in Malibu had been the happiest she'd ever felt. Her mother was such a strong, kind woman; begging Juliet many times to leave Jonathon is she was so unhappy, to come and live with her.

But Juliet was too scared of what might happen. Of what people would say. Look at that disgrace, only twenty four and already divorced. Jonathon had a way with words. It would all be her fault. She never listened, she wasn't loving enough, and she picked fights. It would always be her fault. So she stayed. What else could she do?

Biting her lip roughly, she muttered a soft thank you when the doorman held the door open for her to step through. She'd been so occupied with her thoughts that Jonathon was already checking in without her. The foyer of the hotel was massive, bigger than she'd imagined it would be and bigger than it looked from the outside. High ceilings and beautifully crafted marble figures only made her wish she was here with someone who would enjoy them with her. The lady at the desk gave them both a friendly grin when Juliet approached and she handed them two card keys for their room and pointed them in the right direction.

Jonathon grunted his thanks insincerely and turned quickly away to march towards the stairs. Juliet almost had to run to keep up with his massive strides. They must have climbed three or four flights of stairs because Jonathon insisted that the elevator was for lazy people. For once she didn't mind, taking in every corridor and room as they climbed. Eventually they found the right place, testing to make sure that both key cards worked before taking their luggage from the cart that a younger man had arrived with. Juliet once again tipped him when Jonathon wasn't looking and the boy nodded his thanks, running off and lugging the trolley behind him.

She loved the room immediately, running for the balcony doors to fling them open and step out into the warm air. Jonathon did a little work for once in his life and threw the cases inside the bedroom, before walking outside behind her. "Nice view at least," he grumbled and Juliet fought the urge to roll her eyes. My God, he found something he liked.

She should keep an eye out for the marching band and the fireworks.

"So what do you want to do tonight? How about drinks at the bar and then a movie?" she asked brightly, taking a long shot in the dark. She already knew what his answer was going to be before he said it. She wasn't in the least bit surprised when he didn't disappoint her.

"Can't. The boys are meeting me downstairs in twenty minutes. We're going to be late back, so I wouldn't wait up. You can occupy yourself, right honey? This place has a great pool and a fabulous entertainment facility outside by the bar. Go and make some friends okay? You don't need to hang around me for the next fortnight Julie. I can't hold your hand for everything," he rolled his eyes and she fought the urge to scream at him. It would only end up with tears for her anyway.

Of course he was going to a bar with his friends. Why did she think anything would be different this time? With an inward sigh, she slapped on a smile and turned to him. "Of course, I'm sure I'll manage. You go and have fun." He let himself grin at her when she said what he wanted to hear.

"That's my girl!"

With that parting, stinging shot, the door slammed behind him. Juliet didn't even let her lip wobble until she heard him way down below, leaving the hotel with a rowdy group of men. Their laughter drifted up easily through the afternoon air. The apparent business men he was here to meet with. Drink, smoke and pick up women with more like. She knew what this vacation was for. In fact, she'd be surprised if he didn't come back smelling of sex and beer. Hopefully he wouldn't get any STD's this time though. The last one had been a hellish nightmare of listening to him whine for two weeks while the antibiotics worked and he tried to pawn some story about the company's bathroom on her.

Yeah, he caught it from a toilet seat. She would believe him as soon as the sky turned green and the grass turned blue. Gathering herself, she turned to explore the hotel room a little more. It was pretty enough to live alone in for two weeks, she mused. Nice big flat screen on the wall as you came in through the door, with a comfortable looking two seat couch and armchair. There was a coffee table and plenty of magazines strewn around, probably left there by previous guests.

The bedroom was illuminated by stylish lamps on either side of the bed, resting on top of quaint little nightstands. There were two big dressers against the wall, opposite a large bay window that showed her another great view of the city. The double bed... she snorted. She would be spending her time on the couch, thank you very much. She slept in the guest room at home anyway, so it wouldn't be very much different than that. Pulling her suitcase up onto the bed, she rummaged through it for something to change into. She may as well look nice if she was going to be spending the rest of the night by the bar. Maybe the entertainment would be good fun. She'd read in the brochure that they had a big Blue's Night every Wednesday and today happened to be Wednesday.

She could enjoy that at least. With a reserved sigh, Juliet got changed quickly and headed out to find somewhere to sit for the next two weeks.

She hit the restaurant first, just like she always did on vacations. She loved to sample the food in different places, often dreaming of faraway places like France which was famous for its beautiful cuisine.

Travelling long distances made her almost ravenous and the waiter who brought her the food was lovely to her, giving her a few tips on the best places to visit while she was in the city. Juliet let him talk, knowing that she'd probably not even bother, but it was nice to hear about them while she could. Caesar's Palace came up again during the conversation and he felt a twinge of longing. It had looked so amazing and so inviting... So alive! The sun was still shining merrily in the sky at seven o'clock, because after all it was summer time. The night was just beginning though for the young people. The band didn't start until eight, so she enjoyed her food until then. She picked whatever she wanted on the menu. It wasn't like money was an issue. She could probably buy the hotel if she wanted, so she didn't think stretching to a bottle of champagne was going to put much of a dent in her holiday money.

If there was one thing that Juliet loved to do more than anything though, it was people watch. She loved making up stories in her head about where all of these interesting people were going, where they'd been and how they ended up in Las Vegas. There were plenty of interesting people to mull over in Vegas she mused. Although the hotel was mainly filled with families, there were one or two loners like herself and a few couples who were clearly on Honeymoon.

Juliet stared wistfully at them the longest.

They all looked so deeply in love, like their significant other was the only person in the Universe who was important. The only other person in the room at that moment. She didn't begrudge them a thing, even though she longed for it herself. In fact she wished them every happiness that a good relationship could bring, hoping that they didn't end up like her and Jonathon. The way the couples stared into each other's eyes though, she had every confidence they wouldn't. What must it be like to be loved like that? To be so deeply entranced by another person that everything else fades away?

She wanted to know what real love was. She wanted someone who would show her, take her in his arms and make everything better. He would be her friend, not just her lover. He would be her confidant and her companion. He would push her to do things she wouldn't normally do and console her when things didn't go to plan. Encourage her, love her, and be there for her.

She realized that her eyes were burning with unshed tears as she longed for something that would never come.

She tore her eyes away from the couples after that and went back to her food.

She made a mental note to herself to send her compliments to the chef when she was done eating. If nothing else it would distract her from the sudden dull ache that was clamping down inside her chest, right around her heart. She'd eaten at some of the top restaurants in her town, but none of them had ever served her mushroom ravioli like this. She savoured every mouthful, knowing she'd probably order it several times before she left to go home. Thinking about home brought another bout of metaphorical chest pain. The ache in her heart was so deep that in overwhelmed her for a moment and she had to stop eating.

Setting down her fork, she held her head in her hands and bit back a sob. How could one person be so crushingly lonely with so many people around? She felt so mentally exhausted, so beaten down by two years of being alone.

She was completely and utterly unaware of the inquisitive pair of hazel green eyes that watched her from far across the room, head cocked to one side and an unreadable expression on their face.

Juliet eventually shook herself out of her misery, going back to her food and not even bothering to look up. If she did she knew her eyes would land on the young couples again and she wouldn't be able to stop herself from sobbing, let alone be able to finish her meal. The comings and goings of the people around her just served as background noise now to her thoughts. She didn't much feel like people watching anymore. She called to her waiter for the bill and quickly paid, even forgetting about her compliments for the chef in the midst of her mental anguish. She just wanted to get the bar and listen to some Blues without thinking about the sorry state of her life.

She made it to said bar without incident. It was situated outside; on a huge patio compete with tables and chairs, with a stage for the performers at the other end. She hopped up onto a bar stool. It was quiet for the time being as she was one of the first people there and she probably would be early like this all week.

The bartender, a short spunky looking woman with insane hair took her order. Juliet immediately loved her hair style and told her so. The woman beamed at her brightly and gave her the first drink on the house, which cheered Juliet up a little. See? She could make friends with people easily when she made the effort. The girl rushed off again, giving her a wave. She was getting everything ready for the night's festivities and Juliet watched for a while, hoping that the band would play some of her favourite songs.

She was gazing up at the sky again, searching for something unknown when someone cleared their throat behind her.

She jumped and almost spilled her drink. A man's voice instantly began a string of rushed apologies. "Oh crap! Sorry," he rushed to pick up some napkins from the bar, just in case anything had splashed over her dress when she'd jumped. Juliet finally looked up as she took the napkins, her own blue eyes finding deep, twinkling hazel-green ones. "I didn't mean to scare you, sorry." It took her a few seconds of gawping before she shook herself and finally found her voice.

"No! No, think nothing of it. I was distracted... It's not your fault."

When he didn't move or say anything else, Juliet began to become concerned. "Did you um, did you need something?" she asked, confused as to why he'd even cleared his throat in the first place. He looked adorably bewildered for a second, before seemingly remembering why he'd approached her at all. He jumped to life again after a seconds pause, climbing onto the bar stool next to her and running a hand nervously though his thick messy hair.

"I was just wondering, hoping really, if I could maybe buy you a drink," he shrugged, his face going red when she looked surprised. A guy asking to buy her a drink? Now that hadn't happened in... Well, ever. Not even in her college days had a guy offered to buy her a drink. She was hesitant at first but he looked so sweetly nervous and fidgety that Juliet couldn't seem to help the little smile that tugged at her lips. He was clearly a little nervous about approaching her. But as she fingered her wedding ring, it suddenly seemed to weigh a thousand pounds. With a bolt of realization, her heart and stomach seemed to clench uneasily. She was a married woman and as much as she seemed to hate that fact, she wasn't going to be that kind of wife.

Even if Jonathon had no problem being that kind of husband. She scowled inwardly at the thought of what he might be doing that very moment, before remembering the sweet guy sitting next to her with a hopeful expression on his face.

"Look, it was really sweet of you to ask, but I don't think I should. I'm kind of married..." she added miserably, flashing her ring. She fully expected the last few words she uttered and a quick glance at her ring to send the man running in the opposite direction faster than the speed of light. When she looked up again, she was genuinely surprised to see that he was still sitting on the stool, looking at her both expectantly and like she was a little bit mad. He chuckled a bit at her look of unabashed confusion.

Had she been out of the game that long? Or were married women still fair game in a bar?

"Don't worry; I'm not here for that. I kind of guessed you were married when I saw that ring. You just looked a little bit upset is all. So, I figured since I'm here all alone and you're here all alone that I'd be a gentleman and offer to buy you a drink," he smiled genuinely and the pure fact that he wasn't trying to hit on her made her relax almost instantly. She got a good look at his face for the first time, noting that he looked genuinely like he was telling the truth but then again, he could just be a really good liar... He seemed to sense her trepidation. "Look I swear, I'm not trying to hit on you or pick you up. You just looked like you could use someone to talk to."

She was a little taken aback. Why couldn't Jonathon ever see that when she looked like she was going to cry, or possibly jump out of a window? A stranger could see when she was in need and her husband couldn't? God, what did that say about the sorry state of their relationship? With a heavy sigh, she composed herself and gave her kind saviour a weak smile. Being rescued from loneliness wasn't so bad, she thought. Especially when your rescuer was a handsome guy with a gorgeous smile.

The thought of having someone to talk to, even if it was just for tonight made her answer as clear as day.

"You know what? I think I will take that drink actually." He beamed at her, his smile wide and inviting, almost like a child at Christmas. Juliet found it infectious and couldn't stop herself from smiling back. He flagged down a bartender and ordered himself a beer. Juliet ordered one as well and he looked both pleased and surprised at her choice. She gave a brief explanation. "I'm not the wine type. I much prefer a nice cold beer," she explained and he nodded his agreement, passing her the cold bottle when it arrived and paying the man with an extra-large tip for his trouble. Juliet was secretly pleased that there were men out there who still tipped their waiters. "Thank you for this. I didn't think I looked so miserable that people would end up noticing and taking pity on me," she joked softly, but he could see that she was serious.

"Well if I'm honest, you didn't really look miserable. I just kind of guessed. I'm pretty good at guessing stuff if you will..." he admitted sheepishly. "You were people watching in the restaurant and you kind of got a bit misty eyed when you saw the honeymooning couple over there," he nodded at the pair across the bar, who were still very much engrossed in each other. Juliet's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"So you were watching me in the restaurant?" He winced a little, hoping she wouldn't pick up on that, before shrugging.

"Listen, I'm not going to beat around the bush because that isn't my style. You're a beautiful woman and I'm a guy. You caught my attention and I just figured the rest out from watching you for a while. If it helps, I like to people watch too. I make up little stories about the people in my head. It passes the time I guess."

"I do that too," Juliet put him at ease when she admitted it and he relaxed visibly. She was silently trying to figure him out. He'd really worked all of that information out just from looking at her for a while? That was very impressive. Jonathon had known her for three years and he probably couldn't even tell her the colour of her eyes. She was a little bit in awe to be honest and she told him so.

"That's really impressive actually. You're a very observant person if you don't mind me saying." He shrugged off the compliment, his cheeks tinged red again and she let out a giggle. "So, do you have a name? Or should I just call you Captain Observation for the rest of the night?" she asked, suddenly very curious to find out more about her new drinking companion. Jonathon, for once, had been spot on. She had made a new friend tonight by the looks of it.

Although he probably assumed she would be making friends with another woman instead of a charmingly boyish and very funny man. After all, in his view, women should only be friends with other women. Well screw that, she thought boldly.

"As much as I would love to have an awesome superhero name like that, sadly I was only dubbed as 'Shawn' when I was born. My parents were very unimaginative people," he took a sip of his beer, letting out a noise of pleasure as he swallowed the refreshing liquid. Juliet gave a little laugh at his joke. She personally thought Shawn was a great name. She'd had a friend named Shawn when she was a child. He'd always been nice to her and she'd always associated the name with friendly outgoing people. This Shawn was certainly cementing the stereotype she'd built in her head.

"I think 'Shawn' is a lot more fitting for a child than 'Captain Observation' is," she teased, now far more relaxed than she had been.

"That may be true, but personally I believe it stopped my young ascent to stardom. I could have aspired to great things with a name like Captain Observation! But, who am I to grumble? I could legally change my name if I wanted to, so I guess the option is always there. Besides, I've grown accustomed to Shawn now," Juliet nodded her head in agreement and he laughed loudly. "So, can I get a name to work with? Because I think calling you 'pretty blond lady' all night would make you a little uncomfortable and me a little weird." Juliet took a swig of her beer, enjoying the easy conversation that seemed to flow from him. He certainly made her feel at ease and she had no qualms at all about telling him her name.

"Juliet."

"Well it's very nice to meet you Juliet," he said sincerely, clinking his beer bottle with hers. She glanced at him, his eyes seeming to shine with joy and a beautiful untainted childishness that just radiated off of him. So when she replied, she really meant it.

"It's nice to meet you too Shawn."

She really couldn't have been more grateful for his kindness.

A/N: It has begun! The curse of the AU fics. I warned you all that when I started writing Alternate Universe stuff I wouldn't be able to stop. So this is a new multi-chapter fic from me. I haven't forgotten about NAPOS, so don't worry about that. And yes, this fic is rated M for a reason, because I can't NOT write smut and this will have some indeed.

If you want to know where this came from, just look at the lyrics at the top of the page. I've been listening to that song for this entire chapter and dear God, if I don't love it. I hope I got across just how heart crushingly lonely Juliet is in her marriage in this chapter. I've pulled a lot of it from what I saw of my mum when my father passed away. I've never seen loneliness like it and I think personal experience helps with writing. If anyone is interested, she's a lot better now with her new partner =3

In no way do I condone adultery, but the way I'm writing him, Jonathon deserves nothing less. Let's face it; he's going to be a first class prick. Please feel free to tell me how much you hate him in the comments. Hell, I don't like him and I created the dude.

Not sure how many chapters this will be yet, so bear with me. Hopefully it'll be received well and you'll all like where it's going. It's 100% Shules because I would never write anything else!

Reviews are like knowing what love is! *screeches into microphone* I want to know what love is! I want you to show me! *windows shatter*