A/N: Ok so I've been living abroad for the past six months and have finally had the time to write now that I'm home. So here's a little bit for you guys and I promise more SOON!

Chapter 6: Near to You

You and I have something different
& I'm enjoying it cautiously
I'm battle scarred, I am working oh so hard
to get back to who I used to be

Swinging her car into Tim's driveway, Julie takes a minute to compose herself before heading towards the front door. It had been the day from hell, dealing with High School students still on a high after the first big game was stressful enough, doing it with a hangover was near impossible. Catching a glimpse of herself in the rearview mirror, she sighs, pulling out her bun and running her finger through her hair.

Standing at his front door Julie could smell the barbeque and hear the din of the radio so after her third knock she follows the path around the back of the house. He's singing along to Dierks Bentley standing in front of the barbeque and she can't help but smile at the sight. When their eyes meet across the yard Julie can feel the stress drain out of her.

"Get over here Taylor." His arms are open and she laughs into his t-shirt as he pulls her close, "Rough day?"

She pulls away a little and presses her mouth against his, losing herself in the moment instead of answering his question. He laughs into her kiss and she's all too aware that she is setting the mood of the evening.

"So, what's cooking good looking?" She asks, grabbing a bottle of water on the table and peering over his shoulder at the grill.

"I know you're one of those rabbit girls so I figured I'd grill up some vegetables and throw them over some pasta – nothing fancy." It hits her all of sudden that this Tim Riggins is a very different individual than the one she knew in high school. Seventeen year old Tim Riggins would have never noticed that little Julie Taylor was a vegetarian, or that she had a bad day just by the look on her face.

Sitting down at the little white plastic table she smiles up at him, "Sounds good to me Chef Riggins."

It's a comfortable night and the conversation comes easy between the two of them, and all of the sudden dating is just that simple.

"and Lyla has got this look on her face like she would rather be anywhere but Mexico with us losers, and Jay keeps rambling about shark marrow. It was a disaster of epic proportions."

The chorus of Lay Lady Lay is kicking into gear and she shivers as Tim's voice trails off and Dylan's picks up. They sit there for a little and Julie likes the way the silence falls undemanding between them and when he stands and picks up a couple of plates she follows with their glasses.

His place is just a little cluttered, news papers and play books are scattered on the table along with a couple empty coffee cups and an ashtray. She likes that he didn't bother to straighten up, likes that he's confident enough in himself to not bother with any of the normal pretenses.

"Want a tour? I'll clean these later." His voice and the clanging of dishes break her out of her reverie. He's looking at her like he wants to eat her alive and it's been too long since she's felt a body entwined with her own so she sends him what she hopes is a lustful look and grabs a handful of his t-shirt, pulling him against her.

His mouth gives to hers and the kiss suddenly becomes hungrier as he pushes her back against the refrigerator. His hands are tracing a path from her face to her hips, lingering near her breasts. They break apart for just a minute and her heart beat is a loud echo as blood rushes from her head.

"Bedroom," It comes out as a whisper and Julie's almost embarrassed by how needy she sounds. But he doesn't answer her just grabs her by the hand and leads her down the hall. They are losing clothes and he chuckles huskily when her head bangs against a picture frame as he places a kiss on her collarbone.

They both laugh when their jeans get stuck around their ankles near the doorway and they stumble into each other, falling against the end of his bed in a naked pile of limbs. When they find themselves finally situated under the sheets the ease of the moment is gone and the only thing Julie is left with is desire.

She wakes up to the ringing of a foreign alarm clock and Tim's hand pulling her tight against his warm body as he mumbles unintelligible curse words into her hair.

"What time is it?" her voice is gravelly, and the sun is low in the sky.

"A little before six." She shifts in his arms and end up on his chest, looking up at his face. Sometimes when she looks at him it's a little hard to breathe, and it isn't any different when he's all tangled up in her and sunlight.

It's a nice way to wake up and Julie snuggles further into him and thinks that it's just a tiny bit terrifying that she could get used to this.