Disclaimer: I own NOTHING. Queen owns 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love.'

Love of My Life

This thing called love I just can't handle it / This thing called love I must get round to it / I ain't ready / Crazy little thing called love

March 2005

It had been three weeks since Dean had seen Julie Gaffney for the first time in ages. After he and Theresa left the bar he could not stop thinking about her. Julie had definitely grown up last five years.

Who was he kidding, she looked amazing.

He stared at the business card in his hand before picking up the cordless phone. He looked at the clock: 6:00. She would be home by now, or at least on her way there. He hated to call her while she was working.

"Julie Gaffney speaking." It felt so good to hear her voice again. That was one thing that hadn't changed about Julie.

"Hey Jules, it's Portman."

"Hey Dean, what's going on?" Her voice sounded much happier when she realized it wasn't a business call. He loved that she never called him 'Portman,' everyone called him that. In a corny way, calling him 'Dean' somehow made him feel closer to her. Of course, Theresa mocked him for days, calling him 'Dean.' He was annoyed, feeling like she had ruined or cheapened it.

"Not much, are you busy?"

"Not at the moment. What's on your mind?"

"I was thinking, do you have plans for Friday night?" He bit his lip, hoping that she couldn't hear the loud pound of his heart over the phone.

"Nothing that can't be rescheduled for an old friend. What did you have in mind?"

"Dinner and a movie, my treat?"

"Sounds good."

Julie changed her outfit for the tenth time after looking in the mirror.

"Ughhh! Why is this so hard? It's just dinner and a movie with Dean." She said to herself. Looking at the clock she realized she was already running ten minutes late. After work she was heading over to the Olive Garden to meet Dean for dinner and then it was off to his house to watch a movie.

Why was so nervous? And why did she care what he thought of her outfit?

She finally opted for dark, bootcut dress pants and a white blouse. She figured she could ditch the matching jacket after work. She slipped on her stilettos and ran out the door.

Present

Dean led Julie onto the dance floor which was already occupied by many other couples. A few of their old team-mates caught sight of the pair and stopped to watch them.

"Well this is a treat, I've never seen you dance before." Julie said as he took her in his arms. It would be a lie to say that this was the first time she had been there. Dean's arms had offered solace to her a few times prior to this evening.

"Is it so surprising that I've got moves?" He said raising his brow.

"Oh, you've got moves eh?"

"Sweetie, I've got moves you've never seen before." He said smoothly.

"Oh yeah? Let's see 'em."

"I don't wanna scare the guests. Connie's parents dished out alot of dough for this gig." He said looking around.

"Yeah they did. And everything looks beautiful." Julie added. "Everything is perfect. Except, when I get married, I wouldn't choose a Queen song."

"Oh really, and what would you chose? Personally, I like Marvin Gaye's 'Let's Get It On.'" Dean said smiling devilishly at her.

"You would. But I adore Led Zeppelin's 'Thank You.' That is of course, if my husband could handle that"

I think I'm in love. "Alright, a girl after my own heart! Well, if I was marrying you, I wouldn't have a problem with that." He regretted saying that the minute it came out of his mouth.

Julie didn't seem to care. "Well, if I don't land a man by the time I'm thirty-five, we should just do it. We're good friends, and we can agree on the good wedding song."

Before Dean could say anything 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' started blaring through the speakers and Dwayne lost it.

"YEEHAW!" He got out his lasso and started swinging it above his head. Many of the guests cleared the dance floor as the drunken cowboy stormed in, fearing they would be rounded up and hog-tied.

"Will someone please take Howdy Dudey's rope away?" Yelled Russ.

"If the DJ plays 'Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy' I'll kill him!" Connie said to Guy.

Dean watched she pulled into the parking lot. She jumped out of her car in record timing and rushed over to the driver's side of his truck. "Sorry sorry sorry! I know, I'm late! It was the day from hell at work."

He couldn't help but laugh. "Don't sweat it, babe. There's no rush." He figured he waited four weeks to see her, he could wait fifteen minutes. "You look nice." He opened the door and got out.

"Thanks, so do you." He opted for khaki pants and a white button down shirt. "So work was busy?"

"It was horrible. I could really use this tonight."

"Well then, shall we?" He said opening the door and motioning for her to lead the way.

"Thank you."

"Saw you out there with Jules." Fulton interrupted my thoughts. "Did you tell her?"

I shook my head, "the mood wasn't exactly romantic." We were getting there and then Dwayne's outburst kinda ruined the moment.

"Dude, look it's not hard. Especially at weddings, they make chicks feel all romantic and shit."

"This is Julie. She's not some random girl I picked up at a bar and slept with. Besides you, she's my bestfriend and I don't ruin that. I'm afraid that if I make a move tonight I will walk outta here without my bestfriend."

"Take a chance before some other guy does. You decide dude." He said before walking away. Fulton was always right, that's what annoyed me. I looked over and that Richard guy was engrossed in whatever Julie was saying to him.

"So after graduation I started working at the Law Firm for my dad, now I'm determined to go to lawschool." Julie said while they waited for their dinner.

"I can't say I'm surprised, you were always really 'together.'" Dean said playing with the fork in front of him.

"You mean I'm a control freak. It's ok, I've accepted it." She said shrugging.

"Better than being a clueless shifter like me." He offered.

"Clueless? It sounds like you found your calling. Being a personal trainer and becoming a therapist sounds perfect." She said looking into his eyes. "Dean, I'm really proud of you," She placed a hand over his.

He smiled, "Are you trying to hit on me, Catwoman?"

"Trust me, you'll know when I'm doing that. And the last guy who called me 'Catwoman' was my ex."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, in bed because he had a habit of saying his ex-girlfriend's name."

"Sorry." The waiter came with their food. After he left Dean added, "Don't worry Jules, if we ever sleep together I'll remember your name."

Julie couldn't help but laugh. "Gee, thanks."

"So, are you seeing anyone now?" He said trying to make conversation.

"Sort of. I mean, nothing official, but I've hung out with this one guy from the office. He seems nice."

"What's the problem?" Dean said sensing she was holding back.

"I wonder if the 'no fraternizing with any co-workers' policy was onto something. I just don't want it to interfere with my job." She said taking a sip of her martini.

He nodded, "understandable." Many co-workers and clients had hit on him at the gym.

"So, how are things with you and Theresa?"

"Good, I can't complain. I mean, we have our problems but doesn't every relationship?"

Julie nodded. "How long have you two been together?"

"Six months."

"She seems sweet." Dean loved Julie for saying that. He knew she was lying; Theresa had been rude at the bar, but since Dean cared about her Julie did her best to try to get along.

They took their separate cars to Dean's apartment. On the way there Julie reflected on how he had changed. Sure he had matured, but he was still a big flirt and she loved that they could share in a little harmless banter.

It was also nice to be able to talk openly about their relationships without either party getting jealous or trying to make each other jealous.

"I guess this is growing up." She said to herself quietly.

Once they arrived Dean ushered her into the building and up to his apartment door.

It was your typical bachelor pad; one small couch, gigantic big-screen TV, and a bar-counter in the corner.

"I have to check on something, make yourself at home." He said shutting the door behind them. He disappeared and Julie took the opportunity to wander around the room. He had displayed all his trophies in a cabinet, which was (not surprisingly) against the wall next to the bar. The stereosystem was next to the television and the surround speakers were in different corners of the room.

Dean came back carrying two wine glasses and a few DVD's. "I wasn't sure what you wanted to watch and I thought you would prefer wine to anything hard seeing as how we had drinks at the restaurant." He grabbed a bottle of Merlot from the bar and brought it to the loveseat with him. "I use it for cooking." He said when she eyed the bottle.

Julie wasn't interested in any of the slasher-type/horror movies that he picked out and suggested they just turn on the television or maybe talk some more.

They talked about news, the weather, and what the rest of the ducks were up to. Dean even offered to get her a discount at the gym so that they could workout together. Julie offered to setup Fulton with one of her single co-workers. They had so much to talk about that neither realized how late is was getting.

Now Dean's thoughts were getting sidetracked; he wondered if her lips were as soft as they looked and how long it would take to get her out of that lace bra he could see through her blouse. Normally, he'd take a girl over to the case of hockey trophies if he wanted to sleep with her. He'd tell her the story of victory behind each of them to impress her, but this was Julie. He couldn't do that and even if he tried she wouldn't be impressed, she already knew he was a great hockey player.

What am I thinking? This is Jules, she has absolutely no interest in me. She's just an old friend who's lonely in a new city and I shouldn't take advantage of that.

However, he was unaware that Julie was hoping he would unbutton his shirt even more so that she might get a peak at his stomach. Even when they were kids, Dean was ripped. Now that he was a man, she was dying for another look.

Who am I kidding? This is Dean Portman. Even if he was slightly interested in me, I'd have competition all over since every breathing woman over 12 checks him out.

Dean picked up the bottle of remaining wine, "So you up for more?"

"It's been a long day," She said nodding. Dean filled her cup to the brim and Julie took a long, big sip.

"Easy, we don't wanna get you drunk." He said laughing.

"Yeah, then you'd be able to have your way with me." She said sipping it slowly.

"Babe, I wouldn't have to get you drunk to have my way with you." He said pouring his own glass.

"Is that so?"

"No woman can resist me. It's a curse really." He said shrugging.

Now this was the Dean she knew ten years ago: cocky and confident.

"I doubt it."

Dean stood up and started to unbutton his shirt, similar to a striptease he had done many years ago. Before she knew it, his chiseled chest was exposed. Julie almost choked on her wine.

She grabbed his arm to stop him, "Okay! I get it! You're a sexy beast, you don't have to take your clothes off." She was laughing and secretly hoping he wouldn't button up his shirt.

"And don't you forget it." He declared.

"God, you're such a ham." She said rolling her eyes

"You love it, Jules." He said nudging her.

"I was wrong, you haven't changed a bit." She said shaking her head. She was secretly thrilled that she got her wish. "Except...you cook?"

"Yeah, I dabble." She still looked a bit shocked. "What? Take out gets old fast. Maybe I can cook for you sometime."

"That'd be nice, seeing as how the only thing I can make is toast."

He seemed nice and was hanging on my every word. It was just too good to be true. Richard seemed caring, sensitive, good-looking and athletic.

I don't even know what I'm saying to him. My eyes are looking past him at Fulton and Portman's table. Fulton's trying to whisper something but it's just too loud in the ballroom.

One of Connie's pretty bridesmaids has found her way over their table. It's obvious she's interested in Dean judging by the way she sauntered over next to him. It's nothing new, women are attracted to him very often. I mean who could blame them?

I think she asked him to dance, but he's shaking his head, saying 'thanks' but 'no thanks.' It wouldn't have bothered me, I know I have no claim on him. However, it's nice to see that he has no interest in her.

Does he know how much I love him? Could he possibly comprehend how much his friendship had meant to me these last few months? His eyes look up and meet mine. Did he read my thoughts? No, he just smiles and looks away. I'm a little disappointed, if he knew then maybe neither of us would have to say it. I know he's attracted to me, and it goes beyond the typical little flirtations he normally uses on females.

I've caught him staring at me out of the corner of my eye on more than one occasion. Last Christmas we came dangerously close to kissing me, but he was dating Stacey and at the time Kevin and I started to get serious.

But I don't know if his feelings go beyond attraction. Does he care for me? Yes, I know that. He constantly says that besides Fulton, I'm his bestfriend. But is he in love with me? I have no idea.

And I'm not about to put my heart out there on the line, it's been trampled too many times.

Next chapter will have more present events, Bombay will appear, and the rest of the ducks will go out to celebrate after Connie & Guy leave.