Jayne put the finishing touches on Julie's make-up. It wasn't anything too fancy, just enough to make her eyes and lips stand out. Julie looked at herself in the mirror as Jayne dressed behind her.

"I still don't know about this," she said.

"Quit worrying, Julie," Jayne chided gently. "You look beautiful. Connor will be even more head over heels."

Julie shook her head and clucked her tongue. "There's no way in hell Connor is going to fall in love with me, Jayne."

"And why not," Jayne scoffed, slipping on her shoes.

"Uh, hello? Have you seen Connor," Julie began, plopping on the bed again. "He can be sweet and kind and funny, with just enough crudeness to keep it interesting. Not to mention the fact that he's naturally hot, gorgeous when he smiles, and my God his lips are so soft. Even his scars are to die for, especially the ones he got trying to protect me. But fuck, Jayne! He could have any girl he wanted, why on earth would he want me, a shy, ugly baker?"

Jayne dropped the make-up brush she had been holding and walked over to Julie. Without saying a word, she pinched Julie hard on her upper arm under her shirt sleeve.

"Ow!" Julie yelped. "What the hell was that for?"

"Julie, you're impossible," Jayne replied harshly, dragging her off the bed and over to the mirror. "Look at yourself. You're beautiful, inside and out. No one is as sweet-hearted or as caring as you."

"You can't go twenty years," Julie said, looking away from the mirror. "You can't go twenty years of being told you're worthless and ugly and not believe some of it."

Jayne pet Julie's hair gently. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I know it must have been hard. But you can grow out of it. Trust me, you can. And the way Connor looks at you, I know he's willing to help."

Julie gave her a suspicious look as Jayne continued with a smile. "Now, don't cry. It'll ruin your make-up."

Julie laughed and nodded, backing away so Jayne could use the mirror to finish getting ready. She looked down at herself one more time. Red shirt that was little more than a fancy bra with some fabric hanging around it, the black skirt that was the shortest Julie had ever worn, and heels that strapped up her ankles. The only thing that was usual for Julie was the necklace, black satin with its pewter Celtic cross.

Jayne had on the same basic principle, but with more muted colors in shiny pale blue and dark grey. Julie rubbed her hand over her almost bare shoulder. "I still think I should have on a different shirt."

"Nonsense," Jayne waved the idea away. She was about ready to add something when a knock came on the door.

"Come on, lasses," Murphy called from the other side. "We've been waitin' fer ye long enough."

"Alright, just give us one more minute," Jayne replied sweetly. "We want to make sure we look good for you boys."

Murphy mumbled something inaudible as Jayne turned back to the mirror, fluffing her hair. "Do I look okay?"

"Trying to sell yourself too, I see," Julie grinned at her.

Jayne stood straight and gave her a smirk. "Well, I can't let you and Connor have all the fun, now can I? Besides, someone's gotta keep Murphy company."

Julie laughed hard. "Then, you look great. But no idle thoughts of Tony or anything?"

"I am so over that guy," Jayne shook her head. "I mean, he thinks he's so big and bad. I don't know what I saw in him in the first place."

"Did he look good," Julie ventured.

"God, yes," was Jayne's response.

Julie smirked. "Better than Murph?"

The devious look in Jayne's eyes was all the answer Julie needed as she was pulled toward the bedroom door.

---

Murphy was standing, leaning against the back of the couch where Connor still sat. Both men were waiting anxiously for the girls. It was getting a little late, and they didn't want to miss the excitement of the pub. They hadn't been in over a month, since they had decided to hole up at the apartment. Needless to say, they had missed the place with its homey feel and seemingly endless supply of drink.

"Why does it always take women so long," Murphy commented quietly, biting his thumb nail.

"Ah, Jayne's probably prettyin' herself up fer ye, Murph," Connor laughed, nudging his brother a bit. "I think she's got the hots fer ye."

"Ye think," Murphy asked with a grin.

"Come on," Connor chuckled. "A course she's got the hots fer ye. Ye've been makin' 'er blush like a little girl since we met 'er."

Murphy's smile was nothing less than triumphant as he replied "Aye. And Christ, she's a looker, ain't she?"

"She's a mighty fine woman ta look upon, I'll give ye that," Connor answered, raising his hands in surrender when Murphy gave him a slight glare. "But she's all yers. Ye know where me heart lies in the matter."

"Aye," Murphy nodded, reaching over to flick his brother's nose. "And I still think ye're a pussy over it."

Connor was just reaching up to smack him back when Julie's bedroom door opened and the girls stepped out. His heart stopped for a moment as he looked at Julie, then kicked into overdrive. He didn't know if she looked like an angel or a demon, but it was definitely something he had never seen before. She stood there, looking extremely shy and timid, but it didn't detract from the tingle that went through Connor as he looked at her.

"Fuck me," Murphy whispered as he looked Jayne over. So far, he had only seen her in a pair of dress slacks and skinny jeans. Now, she was flashy so much leg Murphy thought it had to be illegal, but he was definitely not complaining. She looked like something out of a fashion magazine as she stood there, seemingly confident in how good she looked. It was everything Murphy could do to keep his excitement to himself.

"You're staring boys," Jayne chided in a singsong voice. "Now, come on. We don't want to be too late for the fun."

She took a few steps toward the door, and Murphy took the momentary lapse in distraction to lean close to Connor and whisper "Yeah, good luck tryin' ta keep yer hands off Julie tonight."

He gave Connor's shoulder a good, sound pat and went to join Jayne by the door, smirking deviously. But Connor hadn't moved an inch, like he was glued in place, still staring at Julie. He realized dumbly that she was watching him too, only her head was turned down demurely, blushing as her eyes peaked through her eyelashes.

"Are you coming, Connor," she asked quietly.

Blinking, he nodded and stood slowly. As he moved toward the door, he slowed to stand next to her. She turned her face up to him, an expectant look in her eyes, and his lips itched to taste her. Instead, he brushed the tips of his fingers down her bare arm, raising gooseflesh on her skin as she flushed. He took her hand in his and gently urged her toward the door with him.

Murphy and Jayne had been watching their little dance from the doorway. Murphy glanced at Jayne's face before snaking his arm around her waist. She smirked up at him as the two others joined them.

A/N: Sorry, only one chapter tonight folks. Sithy needs to get to bed. But hope you enjoyed. And please, don't blame Connor, he was a little stunned by how Julie looked, you know.