AN: We own nothing ... hope your liking it please review... also I put a graphic for the story on my profile... thanks Meg and Fluer!


Julie picked up the pills and climbed into bed with Jax.


"You should really take these Jax." She dangled the bottle in front of him.


"Gotta stay alert, baby."


"Just a half-one then so you can sleep." She pressed her lips into the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply. She kissed along his good shoulder.


"Jules, I'm tired baby."


"Yeah... Yeah, sorry I just I guess its one of those things when you go through a traumatic experience you want to have some life-affirming sex. Do you think she's right about us? Not lasting?"


"Tara's just jealous babe…She's never been around when I was with someone else before…so just don't pay any attention to it." He turned his face to kiss her. "Now, about this life affirming-sex thing…I've changed my mind… The lower half works fine." He pulled her until she was straddling him. She leaned down, kissing him. until they were interrupted by another knock at the door.

"Motherfucking people are a buzz kill." Julie swore against his lips.


Jax chuckled. "Definitely been hanging out with me to long." She grumbled as she crawled off him to answer the door.

She swung the door open and there stood Tim.


"Oh your coat, I'm sorry I forgot." She walked over and picked it up off the couch. When she handed it to him, he pulled her into him and hugged her.


"You did good tonight Jules."

She smelled the sweet tang of whiskey on his breath and could see that he was slightly drunk. "No, I didn't I acted like a baby about it," she mumbled into his shoulder awkwardly.


"It's hard when bad things happen to people we love…why you think it took me so long to see Jay?" She hugged him back for reasons she wasn't really sure of. Inhaling deeply again, she was struck by the mixing of Tim and Jax's scent that lingered on her shirt.


"You guys scared me…I kept thinking the stupidest things like I couldn't remember the last thing I said to you…or if I'd told Jax…anyway…" She leaned back to look at his head. "You sure you ok?"


"Fine Jules, The last thing you said to me before… was that I owed you half the pool sharking money… Jax knows you love him…Just like I know you love me…" he wobbled. "Just a tad drunk and a lil sleepy no big baby…"


"Why don't you sleep on the couch I'll feel better? Safer?"


"Sure Jules, No problem."

Jax had listened to their conversation and tilted his head, he was able to see them standing at the door, holding each other. He tried to be mad about it, but that was the thing with Julie, he just couldn't be angry with her.

In a weird way, he was nearly envious of her, that she could still maintain a decent relationship with her ex-boyfriend and have conversations with him that didn't leave one of them wanting to kill the other. He and Tara....hell, fast-forward twenty years and she would still probably look at him with that jaundiced eye and fling veiled barbs at him with no provocation.

Jax could hear Julie gathering spare pillows and blankets from the linen closet. She settled Tim on the couch patiently, her tone light and easy. Jax smiled to himself. Such a little mother hen. He had nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.

Julie came into the bedroom and closed the door firmly behind her. She hesitated momentarily, biting her lip and looking at him apologetically.

"I get it, Jules. I do," he said, his voice low and soft. She gave him a relieved smile as she walked over and climbed into bed. She put her head on his good shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her.

She pressed a kiss into his neck, her warm breath making him shiver. Then she laid her head back down.

"Nu-huh. You're not getting away that easy," he teased. He dropped his arm and nudged her so she rolled onto her back. He lifted himself onto his good arm and leaned forward, trailing soft kisses over her upper arm and neck, pretty much anywhere he could find exposed skin.

"Jax," she whispered, fidgeting. "I think our new houseguest means a raincheck on the life-affirming sex."

He grinned and lightly covered her lips with his finger tips. "I know you can be good and I'll make sure you're quiet," he whispered, his voice a low growl as Julie's wide, gleaming eyes let him know he'd just hit a button she didn't even know she had.


Afterwards, Julie had drifted off to sleep without even realizing it, the events of the night having taken their toll. She awoke only when Jax's arm flung out and his hand landed with a smack on to her hip.

She'd gotten him to take the medication through much cajoling and he was still dead to the world asleep. Moving his arm gingerly ,she crept from the bedroom. After using the bathroom, she stood staring at Tim's sleeping form, one foot and arm hanging off the couch, his face hidden in the arm cushion.

Smiling, she thought back to simpler times.

"He really is like the hardest person to sleep with Ty…"

"I know…I remember… it's like sleeping with a spider monkey or something… try putting him on the couch. Less space equals less movement."

"He doesn't have a couch."

"So, make him buy one…"

"Jules, its ugly…" It was white with a red and green plaid print. "It's like a pissed off roll of Christmas wrapping paper attacked it … it's not rough and tumble…it's not me…"

"It's cheap, Tim. It's you."

"I'm never ever moving this couch again… here lets break it in…."He laid down, pulling her down on top of him. "Comfy…and you fit nice too."

"Aw, you're so cute…"

"Do I sense some sarcasm Taylor?"

"You remember the last time… we laid like this?"

"Riggins Rigs…" He flipped her beneath him causing a fit of giggles.

She lifted his han,d laying it back on the couch. He squeezed her hand as his eyes crept open. "Morning."

"Morning, Tim. Feel ok?"

"Could use some breakfast…"

"Omelets…" and then his phone rang. Julie wasn't sure if that ringing had saved her or destroyed the moment."

"On my way," Tim muttered then hung up.

Jax woke to the smell of breakfast. He stumbled out of the bedroom with a seriously disgruntled look.

"Where's your sling? Tara said you had to use it and as much as I dislike her, I trust her medical opinion…I'll help you put it on … made you a veggie omelets I don't cook flesh, Morning Jax… love you…"

"You're to damn perky you know that? I love you too."

"How ya feel? That bottle says eat first then take the medicine…I took some old fabric I had for an old art project and padded your holster for you… so it doesn't break down your stitches…"

"Julie, you're doing your word wall thing…what's wrong?" He cut into his omlette.

"Huh?" Julie was lost.

"Mmm, good… you do this thing where you build this wall of words around you when you're nervous or upset, so what's up?"

"It's just I'm a lil shook up still and I know you're probably mad at me for letting Tim stay last night but he was drunk and all wobbly and I didn't want him riding home."

"Well, your wrong Pix I'm not mad at you for anything… and I really am sorry we scared you… you handled it real well though I was proud…"

"I cried…"

Jax shrugged. "So did my mom when my dad got shot when I was six…this life takes some getting used too but you're doin' fine Jules."

"Well I've never nursed anyone back to health unless you count pumping Tim full of Dayquil a few months ago and force feeding Matty chicken noodle soup when he had the flu sophomore year …so his grandma wouldn't kill him for eating her snack wells in his sickened delirium… so just kinda bare with me."

"You really are kinda weird Pixie…"

"Take that back or I won't join you in the bath…"

"Consider it firmly taken back."


Jax emerged from the bathroom towel drying his hair. "Jules, I think I should get injured more often if it means I get you to be my personal back washer."

"Hm, cute I believe I'll pass." She kissed him then hurried off to dress. "I'll help you in just a second babe." she hollered to him

"I can dress myself woman!"

"No, you'll pop a stitch or something."

Julie helped him dress but looked a little peaked when having to touch his gun.

She helped him into his cut, then drove him to work at his insistence. He kissed her goodbye, but she didn't leave.

She knew Gemma well enough now to know that since Jax would be physically useless to the club or the shop for awhile yet, she would send him home to recuperate. She got to eighty five bottles of beer on wall before he stomped out looking like Oscar the Grouch in leather.

"I tried to tell you, baby."

"Yeah whatever," grumbled Jax as they got into Julie's car.

"Ok that's how we're playing it huh? Back to your place. We can watch a movie before my classes, if you want…what time do I need to pick up Abel…"

"I didn't ask…. Yeah sure a movie fine ,whatever…"

"Can you tell me how many times you're going to go from pissed off to a drugged up little Mary sunshine today, because this is gonna wear thin really fast, Jackson."

"I don't like not being able to do my job…or ride my bike…my girlfriend has to dress me for Christ sake…"

"I get that, I do… I get that your arm is all itchy and you hurt and you hate being dependent on others… but don't be a baby about," said Julie as she eased the car into reverse and then started to drive toward the exit of the lot.

"Yeah ok we wouldn't even be here if you hadn't asked me to play Lyla's savior!" said Jax, smacking a hand against the dashboard in frustration. Julie slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt stop.

Every single person in the Teller lot watched as Julie opened the car door, got out and gave it a satisfying slam before stalking off. Tim muttering to Juice "Wow, that's bad."

Tim walked over to the car, leaning down he spoke to Jax through the open window. "Word of advice go after her…I didn't and ended up the loser so…"

----------

Julie realized her mistake the second she'd slammed the car door. This was Jax's territory. Where the hell was she going to go? Was she going to walk to Lodi? She should've made him get out of the car.

With a sigh, she went into the club, where the first thing she heard was Tig saying "Maybe giving him a bell would help…"

"Do you ever shut up?" Julie asked as she shot him a dirty look. She sunk into the nearest couch and leaned her head back so she could stare dumbly at the ceiling.

Gemma sat down next to Julie on the couch.

"Everything ok Miss Pixie?"

"Your son is being an as,s but other than that I'm fine. How are you?"

"Fine…I'll keep Abel awhile longer don't take his shit Darlin'."

Jax entered and it seemed like both Tig and Gemma suddenly realized they had somewhere else they needed to be immediately. He sat down next to Julie, unsure whether or not he should touch her, he just started talking.

"Listen Pixie…"

"Don't you think I already feel guilty enough Jax you and Tim got hurt all because I tried to help someone? I don't need you pointing out its my fault even if its true…"

"I'm sorry Julie I didn't mean any of that. You just got in my line of fire babe…I'm glad you came to me about Lyla. You did the right thing, despite its consequences. Tim and I knew what we were doing when we went there you are in no way at fault."

"Okay."

"Just okay?"

"Apology accepted… you're forgiven…"

"Then would you please look at me and not your feet?"

She looked at him. "I don't like to fight…"

"Aw but you're good at it…" he teased.

"I caused a scene."

"Oh well, not the first in the Teller-Morrow lot and I'm sure it won't be the last. Lets go watch that movie."


Halfway through "The Notebook," someone knocked on the door. Julie opened it to find Tim standing there, holding a bag of burgers.

"Brought you some lunch dude… because Jules doesn't cook flesh… aw shit she notebooked you, dude."

"Not that bad of a movie actually…the Allie chick is hot… come in." Tim sat in the floor at Julie's feet.

"You have chair-hatred don't you, dude?" she teased. Picking up her bowl of pasta salad.

"Is that your Mom's pasta salad?"

"Made it myself here try…" she fed him a bite. "Seems off to me like I forgot something."

"Parmesan… you forgot the parm…"

"You're like Rainman but with food…"

"Aw I feel loved."

"You know it…Tyra called wants to know if you're coming home for the birth of the newest little Riggy…"

"I suppose I need to be there. Jay's supposed to be going home around the same time, so that's double reason to go. You should go too."

Jax's phone rang and he had to go into the bedroom to answer it, so he didn't get to hear Julie's response to that. He wasn't sure how he felt about it.

"Teller," he said into the phone.

"I hear you got sliced and diced and I also I heard your fucking a tween too. Not sure which I find more disturbing," Opie said by way of greeting.

"Her name's Julie and she's not a tween she's twenty."

"Uh huh… why? I thought you and Tara were good… you got Tara playin' doc and the little girl playing nurse?"

"Fuck you dude. Luck with Tara ran out…"

"So, what you're fucking a teenager to get even?"

"Did my mom sic you on me or something?"

"No, Chibs told me you're crazy about a blonde idealist teenager. That's not good, dude. Young ones make shitty old ladies, you know that…"

"Chibs needs to talk less. When you comin' Home, Ope?"

Opie was silent.

"Huh thought so. Be safe bro, looks like I might be going to Texas for a bit." Jax hung up and walked back into the living room.

"A man didn't write this shit we don't think like this." Tim protested.

"Sure you do. I remember my birthday."

"You're special…another bite?"

"Here just take it I'm done anyway."

Jax knew it was simple harmless interaction, but he still felt like an outsider. All he kept thinking was that Julie didn't eat after him. God he really was starting to lose it over this girl.