The next morning, Julian got up early to get ready for work. With bluetooth in his ear and coffee cup in his hand, he went over his agenda for the day with Lauren and read his morning emails. Thirty minutes later he was ready to leave but not before checking on Joanna. He sat down next to her on the bed and briefly watched as she slept. She looked so peaceful and beautiful he really didn't want to wake her. He ran his hand down her left side and leaned over to kiss her and like a princess in a fairytale, her eyes opened to stare back at her prince charming.
"Morning." she said groggily.
He smiled back at her. "Good morning. Sorry I woke you but I wanted to tell you that I was leaving. Do you need anything before I go?"
She reached up and put her hand on his cheek and gave a slight, sleepy smile. "Did you make coffee?"
He smiles and nods yes and she smiles back.
"That's all I need to know. Now go to work and don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
He leans in for a kiss and she feels the inside of his coat pockets. "Thanks for taking this in for me. Let me know how it goes cause I'm sure your dad will have plenty to say."
"I know but I'm prepared." Julian says as he stands and straightens his jacket.
They say their I love yous as he walks out of the bedroom door. He puts on his overcoat and slings the strap of his briefcase over his shoulder and heads for the elevator. Joanna on the other hand slips back down into the warmth of the comforter to enjoy a few more minutes of sleep. She's expecting a call from Will sometime today which may require a trip to the FBI office but she's eager to get it all over with.
The only other issue left to deal with after that will be Robert's reaction to her resignation letter that Julian is handing in today. She's hoping that his suspicions about her will somewhat diminish once he doesn't have to see her everyday and question her every move. She was never really fond of being at his beck and call but things really went down hill when she failed the polygraph test. To this day she still believes that it was no coincidence she was attacked on her way to the bank with the large sum of cash he gave her. She thinks he set her up to be robbed and beat up or worse killed because he no longer trusted her and that would have been the perfect cover. She never told Julian exactly what happened or that she thinks Robert had a hand in it because she doesn't want to make things worse between father and son and thus jeopardize the case any further.
On the way to his office, he stopped by Human Resources and dropped off Joanna's resignation letter. He instructed the clerk to send it to Robert Bowers with his daily mail that way he didn't have to deal with the questions so early in the morning.
Lauren greeted him at his office door with papers to sign and updates that occurred since their conversation an hour earlier and then Edward came strolling in a few minutes later.
"Well nice to have you back brother. How's Joanna?"
"She's doing better." Julian said cheerfully as he put his signature on the last document and Lauren excused herself.
"Good to hear. What about the other problem?"
"Oh stand by because that's probably going to get worse by noon."
"Worse how?"
"You'll see."
"Careful. Don't push the old man too far."
They both laughed as Edward exited the office. Julian sat down and went over the paperwork and things Lauren gave him a few minutes earlier and as the morning hours passed, he intensely went over the latest research results for a few drugs they had in the pipeline. And as he read the reports on his computer screen he felt his door open rather swiftly.
Robert came in with a sheet of paper clinched in his hand and waived it above his head as he spoke.
"Julian, what is? So in addition to suddenly becoming ill she's now quitting her job?"
"Hi dad. How are you?" Julian responded dryly.
"Julian cut the bullshit. I agreed to hire her because you asked me to and because I needed a new assistant. Now after all I have done for her she ups and leaves like this? This is unacceptable. Now I have to find yet another assistant on short notice."
"First of all, I thought you would be ecstatic that she's leaving. All you've done is suspected her of some evil plan or using me for money. Now you don't have to worry about that. And yes I did ask you to hire her but I was also trying to save your ass in the process."
"Save me from what?!"
Julian fixed his eyes on his father. "You think I don't know that you were screwing your last assistant? I figured it was only a matter of time before you dumped her anyway so I gave you a way out. And now that I think about it, maybe that's your problem with Joanna – you can't use or take advantage of her so you became suspicious of her instead. Do you really think she enjoys working with someone that treats her the way you have lately? You've know her since she was born and she lived with us for eight years so if she wanted to sabotage you or this family in any way, she could have done it without working here. She quit. Get over it dad! Go find another assistant who's willing to put up with you and everything else that comes with the job. Now if you don't mind, I'm busy and you need to leave."
Julian glared at his father. He's been so content over the years to just stay out of his father's way and do his own thing that he rarely defied or stood up to him until now. Now he has something of his own to fight for and it felt good.
Robert stood almost speechless looking at Julian as if he no longer knew who he was. Of his three children, Julian was always the most submissive and always avoided fighting with him unlike Edward and Vivian. He looked down at Julian and smiled cunningly. He knew where this new found defiance was coming from and it's time to put a stop to it. He has too many things planned for Julian and this new found enlightenment is not apart of it.
"Son, never lose your head over a woman. They'll bring you down every chance they get." Robert said as he dropped the resignation letter on Julian's desk and walked.
Julian shook his head as he watched his father walk out the door.
Robert stormed back to his office and barked at the temp to cancel his appointments for the next few hours and have the driver meet him downstairs. He then called Rayburn about the errand he sent him on earlier.
"Did you find put anything?"
"Yeah boss I got everything you need. Do you want me to come to the office?"
"No meet me in the parking garage instead. Fifteen minutes."
"Will do."
He hung up the phone and spun around in his chair. He gazed out the window overlooking Manhattan and reflected on how distant he is becoming with his sons especially Julian. Edward has not been the same since the Kimberly Yeager incident and their relationship is beyond repair. But Julian is different. Julian is more like him but he's changing and not in the way that Robert needs him to and it's time to reel him in.
Robert meets up with Rayburn in the parking lot as planned. Rayburn hands him a file and he opens it and reads the contents.
"Finally some truth."
"Do you want me to handle this one." Rayburn asked as Robert contemplates his next move.
"No. I'll take care of this personally. See you back the house later."
Robert got into his car and instructed the driver where to take him.
Joanna heard her phone ringing but she couldn't find it. She followed the sound of the rings to couch and dug down to find it buried next to the arm rest. By the time she got to it was too late but Will's name flashed on the screen as the missed call. She immediately call him back and they arranged to meet at the FBI office in an hour. She went to the bedroom and got dressed and as she was in the closet picking out shoes, she heard the elevator door open. She wasn't expecting Julian home so early.
She stopped at the bedroom door to put on her shoes and called out Julian's name.
"Julian?"
She walked down the hall towards the elevator and as she approached, a tall daunting figure walked towards her causing her to back up.
She looked him in the eyes stunned as to why he was there.
"Robert. Hi. Is Julian with you?" She asked confused by his unexpected visit.
He stepped passed her and walked towards the living room as he spoke.
'No my dear, Julian is still at the office. I'm actually here to see you." he said as he curiously looked around the room.
"Wow, I haven't been here in a long time. I take it you like living here instead of the mansion?"
"They're both nice but Julian prefers it here and I love the city." Joanna cautiously responded.
Robert turns around and takes note of her attire. "I'm sorry. Were you going out somewhere?"
"Ah yeah I was about to step out but did you want to talk about my resignation?"
"I guess you could say that. You know timing is everything and when things don't go your way you get the sense that you need to change the game. You know, speed things up a little to achieve your goal."
"I'm not sure what you mean Robert. I know leaving my position so suddenly puts you in a bind and I apologize for that but I think I'm too stressed out right now to handle multitasking. I'll be in for another two weeks though."
"There's no need for that. I already have temp in place and I'll get someone permanent in no time. Besides, you need to rest after such a traumatic event."
Joanna tried not to react to Robert's assertion and maintained her composure. How could he know what she was really in the hospital for. Unless Julian told him, but she doubts that.
"It wasn't that traumatic but it definitely sidelined me for a couple of days."
Roberts steps closer to her with a fixed gaze.
"Really? I would think most women find miscarriages to be traumatic especially if it was their first child."
Joanna quickly searched for a response.
"What? What are you talking about?"
Robert pulls out the stolen chart copy from the hospital from his coat pocket.
"I'm talking about you having emergency surgery last Sunday for an ectopic pregnancy. This was your plan all along. Using Vivian's death as an excuse to come back here after all of these years and trick my son into marrying you. You could have come back to New York at any time after you turned eighteen so why now? Did you think the party boy Julian Bowers was an easy target?"
Joanna was appalled. "I cared about Vivian. She was my best friend. I didn't come back here because I thought I wouldn't be able to face her. I broke her trust by telling you when she tried to run away. Things were never the same between us after that and I see things just got worse after I left. And as far as Julian goes, I love him so I have no reason to trick him as you say because he loves me too. And I'm not sure how you got a hold of my private healthcare information but I sure as hell didn't give you permission to see it and that constitutes a crime if I'm not mistaken. And furthermore, it's none of your damn business what I was in the hospital for so I don't know why you felt the need to come here with this."
Joanna tried not to sound like a cop versed in the law as Robert stood towering over her but she stood her ground and mentally calculated the distance between her, him and her gun that was hidden in the closet. She would not hesitate to use it if he tried to get physical with her.
"That's where you're wrong. Julian and anything that affects him is my business and like any good parent, I'll do what I have to do to protect my family. Love him or not you are a threat to Julian and I want you gone."
"I am no threat to any one and especially not to Julian. Obviously your problem with me goes deeper than that."
"You're right because I don't trust you. And I'm glad you quit. It saves me the trouble of firing you. But I'm here to make you an offer. If you agree to leave New York and leave my son alone, I'm prepared to write you a check for a million dollars right now. That's enough money to take care of your mother in that facility and do whatever else you want. Hell I'll even give it you in cash if you want I just want you out of my son's life. Today."
Joanna chuckled to herself and looked up at Robert.
"What's the matter Robert? Is it that hard to control the sober version of Julian? I would imagine that it's easier when he was high, drinking and partying all of the time and he would call you whenever he was in trouble so you can fix it. Well like you said it's all about timing right? I came back into his life in the nick of time and who knows where he would be now if I didn't. You can't buy me Robert. I'm not for sale and like it or not I'm here to stay. I will always be grateful to you for helping me and my mom after my father died but I will not apologize for falling in love with your son. So out of respect for you, I won't tell him what occurred here today but I suggest you leave right now before I change my mind." Joanna said as she stood 5'4" in the shadow of his 6'2" frame.
But Robert was intrigued by her stance. Something about her was different now than when she first arrived. At the funeral she seemed vulnerable, lost and unsure about her future and she was never this confident at work either. Now eight months later she is matching wills with him without flinching.
"So you're willing to take me on? Do you know who I am? I suggest you take the money and leave New York. You may regret if you don't."
Robert turned and headed for the elevator and Joanna pivoted around in place and spoke as he walked away.
"What is that? A threat?"
"No my dear, it's advice." he said as the elevator doors closed.
Joanna let out a sigh of relief as the elevator carried down. She wasn't afraid of him just more determined than ever to put him in jail.
She arrived at the FBI office just in time for her meeting with Will, his boss and Haverstock via teleconference. She went to his office but he was on the phone and motioned her to come in and close the door. She sat while he finished up his phone and took a look around admiring the décor.
"Sorry about that. I'm working another case a little smaller than this one."
"That's okay. I like what you've done with the office. It beats just having a desk in the middle of the room like in our old days huh?"
"Yeah that's what happens when you move up."
They both laughed a little but then Will took a serious tone.
"So listen the meeting actually starts in ½ an hour but I asked you here earlier because I wanted to talk to you alone."
"Okay. What's up?"
"Well after I dropped you off last night, I got to thinking. Why are you so eager to drop the case now? I mean reason you gave me are valid but why now? And then it occurred to me. Julian found out about you – didn't he?"
For the second time today, Joanna was caught off guard. But as with her previous run-in, she's not backing down.
"Yes, but it's not what you think. He found out that I'm a cop and yes he knows the investigation is still ongoing but he doesn't know the details."
"So I was right. And what was the real reason for you being hospitalized? Did he get violent with you when he found out?"
Joanna was incensed. Will always insinuates that Julian is violent because he lashed out at the paparazzi in the past.
"What is your problem? I thought we talked about this last night? Julian did not and would do anything to harm me. And furthermore, I took you down more than once in tactical training so what makes you think Julian would be able to walk after attacking me?"
Will was out of line and he knew it.
"Alright. Calm down. I take it back but you do understand that Julian knowing about you puts this case in jeopardy right."
"Why do you think I want out Will? I'm compromised but he doesn't know the details of the case just the fact that I'm involved and that's it. He doesn't know Robert is the main suspect and he's not going to blow my cover."
"How can you be sure?" said Will in an uncertain tone.
"Has Edward told Robert that he helped you with the case? The Bowers brothers know their father all too well so they would never tell him something like that. Trust me Will I know what I'm doing and besides me leaving allows Robert to put his guard down which is what we need to finally arrest him for Vivian's murder. We still have a chance so let's do it."
Will got up and walked to the window. It's hard for him to give up control or easily roll with plans outside of his own. For five years he trusted Joanna with his life as her partner on the streets and she did the same so it shouldn't be so hard to trust her now. He raised his hand above his head and rested it on the window. He rested his other hand on his side.
Without turning around he said, "If we do this, how long do you think it will take to solve this case?"
"It's hard to say but with the right asset in place who can gain his trust, it won't take long."
Will finally agreed and they presented their plan to the chief and Haverstock. Together they worked out the details and narrowed down a list of available female agents to take Joanna's place as Robert's assistant. When they were done, Haverstock asked to speak with Joanna alone.
"Joanna it's obvious that your relationship with Julian is the real reason why you want out of this case but keep this mind. Julian is Robert's favorite and if you continue to come between them, he'll do whatever he can to get you out of the picture. So in addition to the case, maybe you should drop out of that relationship as well." Haverstock said in a fatherly tone.
"Don't worry about me. I can handle Robert. Let's keep the focus on the case and I'll make sure my relationship with Julian has no bearing on it."
"Very well but remember this. When Robert goes down, someone will have to take over the company and that may result in a battle between Edward and Julian. And war has a way of changing a man."
"I'll keep that in mind." They ended the call and Joanna went back to Will's office.
"So when are you leaving for San Fran?"
"Next Friday."
"And Julian is okay with all of this?"
"Not really but he understands."
"So how long will you be gone?"
"I'm not sure yet. He leaves for Thailand in three weeks and he'll be gone for two so I may come back when he does. It's just hard to say right now. But I'll always be available for you. You know that right?"
"I know. I'm just gonna miss yelling at you in the park when we have our meetings."
Joanna laughed. "Yeah I figured you were enjoying that."
They both laughed and Will offered to walk her to the elevator. "So I'll call you when the new agent is chosen and you can come by and brief her and we'll set this thing in motion LoCasto or is it Padgett; I get confused."
"It's Padgett Moreno."
"Whatever. I'll call you." Will gave her hug and she boarded the elevator.
On the way down she felt the last bit of weight come off of her as she freed herself from the chains of deception that had bound her for the last few months. She felt good about their plan and looked forward to the day when Robert is arrested and there is finally justice for Vivian.
The days went by quickly and Tuesday after their meeting, the agent was chosen. Angela would now take Joanna's place at Bowers and she had everything she needed to secure the job. She was tall with hazel eyes, blonde hair and smart but submissive. There was no way Robert would pass on her during the interview and Joanna made sure she was familiar with the programs used in the office and Robert's likes and dislikes. She was a sure thing.
Julian took Thursday off to spend with Joanna. He helped her pack but made sure she left enough clothes that she had no choice but to come back for including her favorite shirt.
"You do know I have clothes at my house right?" Joanna asked sarcastically.
"Yeah but your favorite shirt stays here."
She rolled her eyes and continued packing. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He kissed her on her neck and she raised her head backwards leaned back into him.
He whispered in her ear, "I wish we could make love right now. It's killing me that we haven't been able to."
She turned around and put her arms around his neck. "I feel the same way but four to six weeks is what the doctor said Dr. Bowers. It will be worth the wait."
They both tried to control themselves as they kissed but Joanna had to break it as she felt him getting friskier.
"Behave." She said as she smiled and pushed him on the bed. He rolled over and heavily sighed into the comforter.
"This is absolute torture. Maybe you leaving is a good thing because I don't know how much more of this I can take."
"You'll be okay baby. I'll make it up to you, I promise." She said as she laughed and walked out of the room.
They spent the rest of the day enjoying each other and making future plans for her return. As the hours flew by Joanna started to regret her decision to leave but she knows she has to and it was too late change the plan anyway.
Julian was putting his best foot forward but he was dying inside because he didn't want her to leave. His only solace was knowing that she was definitely coming back this time. He tried to make room in his schedule to spend a few days in California with her but his upcoming trip and various company events that required his presence stood in the way.
In morning, he chose not to go to the airport with her because he didn't want to see her leave and she agreed. Their final embrace was bittersweet and they held on to each other for as long as they could.
"I love you. Come back to me or I will come get you."
"I love you too."
Joanna entered the elevator and Julian watched her until the doors closed.