A/N: Christmas cheer and magic for everyone! Now, I hope that this chapter doesn't bring anyone down. - Love, Sithy
When Connor pulled up to the hospital Liam, the others were not too far behind. Julie had already pulled herself halfway out of the van, tugging at O'Shea gently to bring him closer. Murphy and Liam came running up and reached for O'Shea. They lifted his unconscious body out as Connor hopped out of the car and reached for Julie. She sidled away from him a little, making his heart sink. But she realized that it was too far to walk on her own and gave in. Connor didn't dare try to lift her off the ground like he wanted to, instead he just supported her as she limped for the emergency room door.
O'Shea was hoisted onto a gurney by a few orderlies and rushed down the hall for medical attention. Julie tried to follow after him, pulling away from Connor, but an orderly stopped her and started lifting her off the ground. With a determined grunt, she fought him, baring her teeth like a wild animal.
"Get away from me," she shouted. "I have to see if he's okay!"
"Julie," Connor called out, pulling her back gently. "Ye're hurt yerself. Let them help ye."
"Get off of me," she screamed, pushing away from Connor.
It was loud enough that half the people in the emergency room looked up at them. Connor was stunned, standing there staring dumbly at her as his chest tightened in sadness. She refused to look at him, just let herself be shuffled away by another orderly. He watched her go before Murphy and Liam grabbed his shoulders and dragged him toward the waiting room.
---
The doctor who had taken care of Jayne was the same one that sutured Julie's wounds. When he saw her, he had put on a surprised smile and asked "Weren't you just here a few hours ago?"
"Been a rough day," she replied with a nod.
"Surprised ye haven't passed out," he added gently, finishing up with the stitches.
Julie gave him a weak smile. "Took a nap this afternoon."
The doctor started to chuckle loudly, making Julie give an actual smile. "My, ye've been with the MacManus boys too long. Can't tell ye how many times they came through here when they were younger, all scraped up and bruised from bein' in fights."
"Any word on O'Shea," she changed the subject, the smile having left her face.
"He's stable," the doctor nodded, scribbling something on her chart. "Be in de-tox fer a while, but other than that, he's fine."
"Good," she sighed, laying back on the bed. The doctor started walking away, but she stopped him by saying "Will you send Bel, Kit, and Jayne in?"
"Not Connor," he asked curiously.
She shook her head. "No not him, and not Murphy because it'll make Connor feel even worse."
He nodded in understanding and went out the door. Julie stared up at the ceiling, throwing her uninjured arm over her eyes. A few moments later, she heard the door open and looked up. The three women walked in, and Julie could see Connor and Murphy trying to peak in around them. Jayne turned and shooed them away before closing the door.
"Are ye alright, Julie," Kit asked concerned as they gathered around the bed.
"I'll be fine," she smiled. "Just a few stitches, a little blood loss. Doc said I can't do too much drinking any time soon, but it's all good."
"Pumped ye full a antibiotics an' pain reliever didn't they," Bel laughed a bit, patting her shoulder gingerly.
When Julie nodded slowly with a smile, all the women chuckled. But her eyes turned to Bel with something less than laughter. "Bel, I hate to ask, but is there anyway I could stay with you for a while?"
"Why," Jayne asked confused.
"Because," Julie replied sadly. "I don't want to go back to the house."
When they gave her questioning stares, she took a deep breath and explained herself. "I left the house this afternoon for a walk, and when I came back I found Jolene on top of Connor in bed."
Jayne's jaw dropped and both Kit and Bel looked more angry than anything else. It was Bel, with her voice full of disbelief, who was the first to speak. "Ye mean ta tell us that Jolene snuck herself inta the house and inta bed with Connor?"
"I'd like to think she snuck," Julie groaned, laying back down on the bed again.
"Of course she did," Kit assured, shaking her head. "No way in Hell would Connor ever go back ta her."
"Connor loves you, Julie," Jayne insisted. "He'd never do a thing like that."
Julie squeezed her eyes closed, trying to hold back the tears as she covered her face with her hands. "I know, I know..."
"Then why d'ye want ta stay with me," Bel asked gently.
"Because every time I look at his face I see her laughing at me," Julie answered, not caring any more and letting herself cry.
Jayne pulled her up and hugged her as Bel petted her hair. "A course ye can stay with me fer a while, Julie. I'd be more than happy ta have ye over 'til ye get this sorted out."
"Thanks, Bel," she smiled weakly, pulling her into a hug as well.
When they pulled away, Julie saw Kit standing there, hands balled into little fists as she stared at the floor angrily. "I'm so sorry, Julie. Jolene is the most horrible person in the world. Christ, she's me own sister an' I can't stand ta say 'er name half the time."
"It's not your fault, Kit," Julie replied gently. "You're not responsible for what she does, and you can't let yourself think you are."
Kit looked up at her sadly, and Julie held her arms out for a hug. Kit obliged, wrapping her arms around her. Julie rubbed a hand over Kit's back soothingly, trying to comfort her. The pain meds had made it very easy for her to move, but it was starting to make her sleepy. Kit pulled away after a moment, wiping at her eyes fiercely.
"We should let ye get some rest," Bel suggested, smoothing some hair from Julie's face as she laid back again.
Julie nodded, her eyes starting to droop. The other three women waited a moment before leaving for the door. They stepped outside, Kit closing the door behind everyone. Connor stood up quickly, eyes scanning each of the women's faces.
"Is she alright," he asked, trying to hide the sadness in his voice.
"She'll be okay," Jayne said, walking over to him and petting the hair on the back of his head. "But she's going to be staying with Bel for a few days."
His eyes turned to Bel as he nodded. "Alright."
"She just needs a little space, Conn," Bel assured, giving him a concerned look.
"I know," he nodded again, sitting down with Jayne beside him.
Murphy picked up Jayne's hand and brought the back of it to his lips, squeezing her fingers gently. She turned to look at his face, leaning her head down to rest it on his shoulder. Swinging an arm around her, he pulled her closer. Kit walked over to Liam, who had been leaning back against the wall. Without a word, he pulled her into his arms and she settled her cheek against his chest.
"Connor," Bel said, putting an arm around his shoulders. "Remember when ye were little an' I used ta babysit ye an' Murph an' all the younger kids?"
"Aye," he nodded slowly, glancing up at her. "Ye told me then Jolene was no good. But stupid Conn didn't listen..."
"That's not what I'm gettin' at," she chided gently. "I'm tryin' ta remind ye that I've known ye fer a long time an' I can tell every time I look at ye that ye're in love with Julie. I know ye'd never do anythin' ta hurt 'er. We all know it, even Julie, but she's hurtin' right now."
He turned his eyes down to the floor, running his fingers through her hair. Bel clucked her tongue and patted the back of his neck.
"Gritty," she smiled, using her old nickname for him from when he used to play by the sea. He looked up at her, smiling just a little. "Ye have me word that I'll take good care a 'er an' see 'er back inta yer arms in no time. Ye just make sure ye scrub yerself with steel wool an' turpentine ta get the Jolene-piss smell off yer skin 'fore I bring 'er back 'round."
"Aye, I planned on it," he chuckled a bit. "Thank ye, Bel."
"Gritty," Jayne asked with a smile.
"That's right," Bel nodded, looking around her to Murphy. "An' Murph was Sticky."
Jayne looked back at him to see that he had covered his eyes with his free hand, letting out an exasperated sigh. Everyone had a good laugh at that.