A/N: Thankyou to Jessica, missgwen33 and gizmossidekick for reviewing, I'm pleased that you're enjoying it!

--

Chapter 2

Several months later

Tim Riggins was hanging out with his buddies Jason Street and Herc when he caught sight of a flash of blonde hair out the corner of his eye.

The familiar various shades of blonde had him turning his head for a better look, and a second later his lips twitched in recognition, curving into a smirking smile.

Her head was angled away from him, a pay phone clutched to her ear as she shuffled her feet.

Wondering what she was doing at the bar of all places, he glanced down that the table and took note of the empty bottles of beer. While he and Jason might not have been legal, they still got served. After all, everyone knew the legend of Jason Street, and everyone knew that he, Tim Riggins was the starting fullback for the Dillon Panthers. "I'm gonna get another round in," he said rising from the table and pushing back his chair. "Same again?"

Herc and Jason glanced up at him with a nod, not thinking anything else was out of the ordinary.

Strolling across the bar floor, Tim caught her muttering under her breath, "Come on, come on, pick up the phone."

His eyes narrowed as he heard the edge of panic in her voice. "Jules?"

Julie spun around her eyes widening as she stared at her fathers star fullback.

Yanking the phone out of her hand and slamming it into its place on the wall he pulled her towards him. "What the hell happened?" He growled turning her head to the side and eyeing her bruised bottom lip and the smudged eye makeup. His gaze dropped to her wrists that were a raw red colour and had a smattering of fingerprints spread over them. "Jules?"

Lip trembling Julie tilted her head up to look at him, rubbed at the bridge of her nose, and tried to hold back her tears. She'd been coping until he'd appeared and started demanding answers and looking at her with that glint in his eye. She took a deep breath, "I was out on a date and…and he wouldn't, y'know…stop when I told him too…and then…"

Tim cursed and then he noticed the torn strap of her tank top. "Did he…?" Too angry to continue he broke off abruptly and then started to scan the bar looking for her 'date.'

"Tim no!" Julie cried aware of the glint in his eye. "Please! He's gone, please! I, I just want to go home, please," she whispered.

"Alright, alright," he soothed as he closed his arms around her and took a step forward so that she was tucked against his chest. He held her tightly, assured that she was fine apart from being a bit shook up.

Relief trickled through his body, since his time at the Taylor household he'd gotten to know Julie better and had kept an eye out for her since then.

They stood there for a moment, his head bent down low over hers before being rudely interrupted for being in front of the phone by one of the bars patrons.

There is something in him that would like nothing better to argue with the drunk, to punish him as though he was the bastard that had scared Julie and hurt her, that had dared to treat her as he had. But he catches sight of her tear stained face and the sight of it halts him and puts an end to his vicious thoughts. For the moment at least.

"Let's get you home," he tells her softly, guiding her towards his table. "What happened to your cell phone?" He asked.

"Stupid fucking thing wouldn't work," she cursed.

The sight of her swearing shocks him; he didn't even think she knew language like that. Julie never cursed, not even the occasional 'damn' or 'hell.'

At least not in his hearing before now.

Herc and Jason haven't noticed his return yet and he doesn't announce his presence, instead he pulls his jacket off the back of his chair and wraps it around Julie's shoulders. "Put it on," he tells her quietly. The sight of that ripped top, those fingerprints on her wrists are making him feel sick to his stomach, and he can't look at the signs any longer.

If he has to look at them much longer he'll lose it, and he can't afford to do that right now.

Later. He promises himself. Later.

Hearing his voice, Jason and Herc turn towards them.

"Julie?" Jason says in surprise, and then his eyes take in the smudged makeup and tear tracks on her face. "Is everything ok?" He asks looking between the pair of them.

For once Herc stays silent, not antagonising either of them or flirting with Julie, and Tim is glad. Wheelchair or not, if that had been the case he might just have hit the man and he really didn't want to deal with the fall out that would occur if that was to happen.

"No problem man," Tim replied coolly clearly telling him to keep out of it.

"Its fine," Julie assures him quietly. "Tim'll look after me."

She says it with a confidence in his best friend that he's rarely heard before. In fact, he can't ever remember anyone saying such a thing before - definitely not in the context that she means.

The disbelief must have shown on his face because she smiles slightly at him. "Don't you know? He's like my white knight in shining armour!" She teased him glancing across at Tim when the panther fullback snorted.

"I'll see you later Jay, Herc," he said with a nod stepping closer to Julie as she does the same, his hand fitting against the small of her back as they leave the bar and get into his truck.

She sat next to him in them middle, and once he pulled away and they were cruising along the road she rest her head against his shoulder with a sigh.

It prompted him to slide said arm around her shoulders, tucking her far more tightly against him and then ask for the story of exactly what had happened that evening.

She began slowly, knowing that he deserves an explanation, her voice halting at first before she gained momentum.

She told him how she met the boy at the pool over the summer and bumped into at school fairly often after that. Her Dad liked him enough to let her go out on a date with him, scowl though he might, he hadn't picked up anything wrong with the kid other than the fact that he liked his daughter.

He picked her up and decided they were going to the bar, she explained how she felt awkward and silly for making such a big deal about it, so she'd gone along with it despite her reservations. He was fine at first, she told him. But then he got a little too touchy feely, his arms like an octopuses, everywhere at once. She stumbled over the part where she confessed that he accused her of teasing him. How when she'd shoved him off her he'd gotten angry and waked off, had left, taking the car with him. Had left her in the car park of the bar.

His stomach clenches when she tells him his name. Bobby Thomas.

A picture springs to mind of a mild mannered teenager, a quiet one, not too different from Riley. Not one that had cropped up on his radar before now.

His free hand played with the soft strands of her blonde hair unconsciously, while the other kept a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and he grit his teeth, scared that he would say something to upset her.

Julie fell silent after that and turned on the radio, and slow, lilting, late night country music filled the truck, interspersed by the occasional piece of commentary as the DJ reeled off the name of the track and the artist.

When they hit town Tim removed his arm from around her shoulders so that he could change gear. Her head fell back to it's original place; resting against his shoulder, and his hand curved around the inside of her knee without a second thought of its own, his thumb stroking back and forth over the smooth skin like it had a right too.

Tim knew deep down that he shouldn't be touching her like he is. Knows that her father would hit the roof and kick him off the team. He knows full well what mothers and fathers tell their daughters about the 'Riggins' Boys.'

But Julie is fine with it, and the action calms him as much as her. Chases away that helpless feeling of not being able to do anything to protect her, never mind that he didn't know she needed protection and hadn't been there at the time.

Time seemed suspended between them. The drive to her house seemed to go on forever, yet at the same time passed all too quickly.

Before Tim knew it, he was pulling up outside her house and killing the engine, the radio dying with it.

Julie went to take of his jacket, but Tim shook his head. "Leave it on and it gives back to me another time."

He pulled her into a hug and pressed a kiss to her hair, in a tender gesture that he was unfamiliar with, a desire to comfort her coarsing though his body as he breathed in the scent of coconut that perfumed her hair. "Everything will be fine," he whispered to himself as much as her. Breaking the hug reluctantly, but knowing they'd already put on enough of a show if anyone was watching he checked to see whether or not she wanted him to go in with her.

Smiling tiredly Julie shook her head. "No, don't worry. I'll be fine. My parents might -" she broke off and began again. "My parents will be upset. Dad will just get rude with you and probably say something he'll regret at a later stage. Things will be fine after he's had a chance to calm down."

"Ok," said Tim with a nod. "I'll wait here until you get inside."

The truck door opened with a creek and he got out, holding the door open as Julie followed him.

"Thanks Tim."

Shifting awkwardly at the gratitude in her eyes Tim shrugged. "Yeah, just keep this in mind when I need help with classes," he remarked self consciously, trying to brush his actions off as if they didn't mean anything when they both knew that wasn't the truth.

"Well, thanks anyway," Julie reiterated, spontaneously reaching up and planting a chaste kiss on his cheek before walking away, glancing back once over her shoulder as she reached her front door just before she entered her home.

Climbing back into his truck, Tim touched his cheek, the skin still tingling beneath the pads of his fingers, a warm feeling in the pit of his stomach.

The emotions were quickly banished though by the thought of why he ended up dropping her home.

One thing was for certain, Bobby Thomas was going to get what was coming to him.

--

Coach Taylor been enjoying a quiet night at home alone with his wife, with Gracie fast asleep in her cot when he'd heard the low rumble of a truck outside the house.

He glanced across up at the clock and noted that it was still too early for Julie to return from her date with that Bobby kid.

Settling back down into the coach and tugging Tami against him a little closer he turned his attention back to the television.

When he heard the door open and shut, Eric glanced across at his wife in surprise.

Tami raised at eyebrow back at him in return silently asking how she was supposed to know why Julie was back so early.

Tilting his head over the back of the sofa he called out, "Julie?"

"Yeah it's me." She called back, her voice echoing down the small hallway.

"You're back early," Tami commented.

"It wasn't that great." His daughter responded, her voice sounding oddly distant.

A part of him was please by the response, as much as he wanted his daughter to be happy, he didn't want her dating boys. No matter if they were on his football team or not. He knew what teenage boys thought about and got up too, he'd been one himself at one point.

"Oh?" Said Tami.

"Yeah, we won't be going out again."

Eric was satisfied with her response knowing that another boy wouldn't be going near her in the future again.

But something wasn't sitting right with him. Why was Julie still standing by the front door?

Disengaging his arm from around Tami he stood, "Julie?"

He frowned seeing her standing by the door, a huge letterman jacket draped around her shoulders, the arms of it covering her hands completely except for her fingertips that fiddled with the edge of the sleeves. The rest of the jacket fell to mid thigh, swamping her small frame.

Ducking her head Julie's eyes darted around looking for something to settle on, her fingers picking at the jacket nervously. Her shoulders hunched without her permission, and she was given another whiff of how Tim Riggins smelt. Like newly cut grass, football field line paint and grease from his truck. And fresh air. And danger. And seduction. And a thousand other words that would never be enough to describe him completely.

"Whose jacket is that?" Her father asked his voice a low growl.

Her daughter had on a letterman's jacket. A jacket that belonged to a footballer player. That meant his daughter had been in close proximity to a football player. A football player who had reason for giving his jacket to Julie.

He knew the kinds of things some of the girls were willing to do for a chance to wear one of those jackets.

Taking a deep breath she said, "Tim's. He gave me a ride home." She explained quickly before he father could jump to conclusions.

"Why did he give you a ride home honey?" Tami asked calmly.

Shrugging Julie told them the truth. Sort of. "Bobby was a jerk and Tim rescued me. Again. Then he gave me a ride back." It was becoming a bit of a habit between them, Tim rescuing her when she needed it.

"And you're wearing his jacket because…?" Her father trailed off with an insistent look on his face.

Why was he so hung up over the jacket and not her date?

"He didn't want me to get cold."

Eric blinked. "He didn't want you to get cold?" He clarified wordlessly referring to the warm Texan nights that Dillon had been experiencing which meant that only the lightest of jackets or cardigans was needed.

Julie nodded and swallowed. If her father saw her ripped tank top underneath he would hit the roof. She'd already seen Tim's obsession with it. It was still warm out, and the jacket did make her a little hot, but she was willing to put up with it for the comfort, the security it offered.

"Yeah. I'm going to go to bed." She says in an attempt to escape the inquisition. "Night."

She'd thought she'd gotten away with it when she was just two steps away from her bedroom door.

"Julie, why is your makeup smudged?" Tami asked, also noting the bruised lower lip as well but refraining from mentioning it until she had her daughter alone. She'd get far more out of the girl when her father wasn't standing right there, scowl fixed to his face and murder in his eyes that someone had had the audacity to lay a finger on his baby girl.

"No reason," Julie answered trying to keep her tone light. "I'm just tried and my eyes are feeling itchy. I've been rubbing them most of the evening. No doubt they're red and puffy as well."

Eric didn't have the same restraint as Tami. "What happened to your lip?"

"Accidentally bit it." Julie replied using yet another lie she'd thought up on the ride home. "Night." She said again entering the room and shutting the door behind her.

Taking a deep breath Julie exhaled slowly leaning against the door, thankful that she'd been able to escape her parents at last.

Down the hall she could hear the silent murmurs of her parents talking, after a few tense moments they fell silent.

She'd just started to remove Tim's jacket when there was a quick knock at her door. Before she could say anything her mother entered.

Julie pulled the jacket tight around her body but it was too late, her mom had seen the torn top.

Her mom called for her dad before she could even open her mouth to try and gain control of the situation.

Coach Taylor barrelled through the door, his jaw clenching as he saw the upset look on Tami's face. "What?"

"Julie, take that jacket off. Now." Tami said firmly.

"No. You're only going to overreact. Nothing happened." She told her parents, but her eyes were glued to her mom's face. Her mom was the only one who had any hope of calming her father down.

"Your top is ripped! You've got a bruised lip and smudged eye makeup, which means you've been crying! Don't tell me nothing happened!" Tami shrieked at her daughter.

"Julie, you tell me what happened right now." Her father ordered, his voice hard.

Hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms, Julie tried to downplay the situation. "My date was jerk. He had wandering hands and when I told him to stop he needed a bit of persuasion - hence the ripped top. Nothing happened." She repeated. "I'm fine. I was just about to call you to get me when Tim turned up."

"And he had you put the jacket on to help you lie to us?" Her father shouted waking Gracie.

Her little sister started crying and Tami left the room hurrying to pick up the infant.

"No!" Julie cried back. "He had me put the jacket on because…" Her voice trailed off as she recalled the look in Tim's eyes every time he looked at the ripped top. She had not doubt that if her 'date' had still been around he'd have taken the boy apart. Thankfully he'd calmed down by the time he'd dropped her home. She didn't want him doing anything stupid. She didn't want to confess to her father though that he'd looked like he was about to lose him temper and was spoiling for a fight. "I don't know! Just didn't like looking at my top I guess." She said helplessly shrugging her shoulders.

Eric stared at his daughter as though she was one of his football players, eyes studying her intently to determine whether or not she was lying to him about anything. Whether she was leaving out any little part of the story.

In the background her sisters cries quietened and her mom appeared in the doorway, Gracie in her arms.

"Honestly Dad I'm fine. I'm not going to lie, I was a little shaken up, but nothing too bad happened."

"Nothing happened?" Eric growled incredulously at Julie. "You've come home with a ripped shirt and bruises. Don't tell me nothing happened."

"I kicked him in the groin." Julie said bluntly. "That is why I've got a bruised lip and how my top got torn. It was a little drastic, but he was being an ass. I know what he did wasn't right, but it could have been a lot worse."

Eric nodded and left the room, heading to the counter to grab the car keys so he could stop off and have a few words with Bobby Thomas.

"Dad no! Please!" Julie called after him. "Please! I don't want you doing anything! I just want to forget about it."

"Julie, this needs to be reported and someone needs to have a word with this kid."

"I know." Julie agreed quietly. "But not tonight please. You can haul him into your office on Monday, but tonight I just want to curl up on the sofa with you and Mom and watch TV. Please." She begged.

"Eric." His wife said softly her eyes pleading with him. Their daughter has been through enough tonight she conveys to him wordlessly.

Slamming his hand down on the counter Eric growled. He wanted nothing more than to go out and confront the boy who'd had the audacity to treat his daughter as he had. But his family knew him too well and they were pulling out every trick in the book.

He couldn't go out and assuage his temper while they needed him there with them.

Taking Julie into his arms he kissed the top of her head, holding her tightly to him as if could make everything better. "Go and get changed." He mutters to her softly. "I'll deal with him on Monday." He promises, although he knows the promise he's making is for him and not her.

Already his head is spinning with what he's going to say to the kid, he'll hit the kid with so many suicides and detentions that his grandchildren will still be doing them.

Letting go of Julie, he watches her head back down the hall to her room, agony in his eyes. It could have so easily been so much more…

His thoughts are brought to an end as Tami brushes away the frown on his forehead. "You did the right thing," she assured him quietly.

"I want-" He says sharply and then breaking off abruptly.

"I know." She says, knowing exactly what he wants to do to Bobby Thomas.

All too quickly Monday seems too far away, it means that he'll have to wait the whole of Sunday before confronting the punk.

Lucky for the kid if the time gives him a chance to cool his temper, on the other hand it might be worse for the by that time his anger has a chance to grow, cool and harden to a deadly extreme.

--