This chapter is rated M for sexual content.

Chapter 29: Tension

After having her casts wrapped up in plastic bags, Julia nestled into the bath with a contented sigh, her casted leg and arm hanging over the side of the tub. She was in heaven, feeling the hot water on her skin.

"Oh, this feels good," she moaned softly.

Benoit chortled, sitting down beside her as she scrubbed down her shoulders and back with a loofah. "I bet so," he commented.

Julia leaned her head back just a tad and closed her eyes. "I really like what you're doing," she mumbled.

"Good. I was hopin' you would." Julia felt the loofah move to the front of her shoulders then down to her chest. She gasped a little when she felt him scrub a nipple. "Sorry."

"No need to be sorry, Detective " she purred.

Benoit chuckled deeply as he went over the other breast, making Julia bite her lip. He went down to her sides, careful to avoid her broken ribs, and then to her stomach. When he got to her inner thighs, she groaned, wishing he would just touch her.

"Somethin' wrong?" he asked, sounding a little more innocent than Julia suspected he was.

"You can touch me if you want, you know," she cooed.

Benoit chuckled with his mouth shut. "I can, can I?"

"Yes."

Julia opened her eyes to look at him. His own had gone dark. Perfect. He looked at her while he let go of the loofah and brushed his fingertips along her folds. She bit her lip again and sighed in pleasure. Then he hit her sweet spot and she gasped.

"Oh, did I hit a nerve?" he asked huskily.

"Yes," she breathed. "A very good one."

Benoit continued playing with her spot and Julia spread her legs a little further. He inserted one finger into her hole and she gasped again, still looking into his eyes.

"When you are all healed up," he said, pulling his hand out to grab the loofah, "we will continue this little sexual escapade."

Ugh. "You are such a tease!" Julia growled, leaning her head back and rolling her eyes.

He started scrubbing her legs. "All good things to those who wait," he whispered before kissing her cheek.

He finished scrubbing her up then helped her out of the tub and dried her off before encircling her into a bathrobe.

"Where'd you get the bathrobe?" she asked curiously.

"I bought it for you. I figured it'd be less complicated to put on after baths," he replied nonchalantly.

"Oh. Well, thank you," she said, looking down at the light blue fabric.

"You're welcome. Now, let's go see about your hair."

Benoit helped her into the kitchen and set up a chair in front of the sink. Julia sat down in it and Benoit leaned her head back, rinsing her hair carefully with the sprayer. He started humming a tune as he lathered shampoo in her hair and Julia shut her eyes, feeling quite relaxed. It was almost like she could fall asleep like this...and she almost did when Benoit announced he was done. Julia looked up at him, just now noticing the bags under his eyes.

"He must be tired," she thought.

"You look like you could use a little snooze," he said before taking a towel to dry her hair off.

"I could say the same about you," she said with a frown. "Did you not get a lot of sleep at the hospital?"

"...No, the beds were very uncomfortable, but I'm fine," he said with a weak smile. "Don't you worry about me, chickapen."

As Benoit started brushing her hair, she lifted her head to see him. "Take a nap with me?"

He grinned down at her. "Whatever your heart desires, my dear."

Once her hair was all brushed, Julia felt like a new woman. Benoit helped her into the bedroom and out of her robe so she could change into a t-shirt and sweatpants. As she was about to do that, however, she noticed Benoit staring at her lustfully and it made Julia giggle.

"See anything you like?" she asked him.

"A whole lot and then some," he replied with hooded eyes.

"We could just sleep naked."

"Too temptin'," he remarked quickly.

"Too tempting for what?" she asked with a playful grin.

He pulled her close and kissed her softly. "Too temptin' for havin' relations," he responded, his fingertips dragging up and down her spine.

It gave her goosebumps.

"Why resist the temptation?"

"Because the doctor ordered no strenuous activities until your ribs heal," he replied, kissing the side of her neck.

"That's a whole month, though," Julia whined.

"I know."

Julia smiled at him and nipped his lower lip, eliciting a growl from Benoit. "We could do other things."

"Like what?" he asked with his brows arched up.

Julia looked down at the front of his pants, looked back up at him with a sultry look and grasped the front of him. "Let me please you."

Benoit's eyes fluttered for a brief moment before he shook his head with a grunt. "Chickapen, I...mmm..."

Julia got him to shut up when she began stroking the outside of his pants. "I want to pleasure you, Benoit. Please let me," she begged.

Benoit grunted and arched his head up. "You really are makin' this hard for me, Julia."

She smirked. "I can tell," she said, squeezing his erection gently.

Benoit grunted again then grabbed her hand to stop her, looking at her with a chastising expression. "Miss Drysdale, you stop that."

Julia pouted at him seductively. "But Benoit..."

Benoit huffed and shook his head. "Julia, I know this is goin' to be difficult for the both of us, but..." he reached over to the bed and grabbed her black t-shirt, "we cannot do anythin' that will cause a strain on you."

Julia rolled her eyes and snatched the t-shirt from his hands. Now she was extremely flustered. Pissed off, even. She hastily put on the t-shirt then turned around to grab her panties. When Benoit tried to help her, she smacked his hand away.

"I can do it myself," Julia said, sitting on the bed and pulling her panties up.

She winced from bending over at the waist. "Are you mad at me?"

"Yes!" she growled, still struggling to get her panties on.

"Why? Because I am lookin' out for your well bein'?"

"Because I'm sexually frustrated and you make me that way!" she shouted, finally managing to get her underwear on. Julia reached for the sweatpants but then decided against it. "Ah fuck it!"

She tossed them to the floor and went to get into bed when she felt arms envelope her and a kiss on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, chickapen. I only want what is best for your health," he drawled into her ear.

Julia knew that she was just acting like a baby but she couldn't help it. She only wanted something to go right for a change, but she just couldn't seem to catch a break at all. Not to mention she had an incredibly hot boyfriend that she hadn't even slept with yet. It was killing her not being able to have sex with the man she was deeply in love with.

She took his arms off and got into the bed. "I'm going to sleep," she growled, rolling onto her good side and curling up into a slight ball.

As soon as she did that, though, she grimaced from the pain in her side. Julia felt the bed sink down and a hand on her shoulder.

"Julia, darlin', please don't be mad."

"I can't help it right now," she sighed heavily.

Julia felt Benoit sink in next to her, draping an arm around her and kissing her shoulder. "What can I do?"

"What I want, you won't do," she muttered bitterly.

A hand trailed down her stomach. "Julia," he whispered. "I love you. I want you to get better."

She huffed, still feeling mad but being slightly appeased. "I know, but...fuck, I hate Emily."

"I know," Benoit said, kissing her neck. "I am not fond of her, either."

Julia shut her eyes, feeling tired again. "I don't want to be mad, but I just..." she turned on her back to look at him, "I just want you so god damn bad."

"And I, you," he said, caressing her face. "But for now, let's get some shut eye, okay?"

Julia frowned but nodded, rolling back onto her side. Benoit pulled the covers up and snuggled against her. Julia fell asleep within five minutes.

When Julia woke up, she was in pain and she groaned from it. Benoit was not in bed with her but she could smell something wonderful coming from the kitchen. She sat up and groaned again, her head and ribs really hurting. Julia looked at the nightstand and saw her medicine and a glass of water as well as her crutches. She grabbed her medicine bottle, opened it and took out a vicodin. She closed the bottle, popped the pill in her mouth and took a long drink of water. As she set it down on the nightstand, along with the pill bottle, Julia looked out the window. It was dark out. How long had she slept?

Once the pain had dulled to a small ache, Julia grabbed her sweatpants and put them on, then she grabbed the crutches and settled them under her arm pits, using them to walk along the floor. She exited the bedroom and went into the kitchen to see Benoit cooking something. The sound of rubber scraping metal filled the room along with a sizzling of hamburger. He looked at her with a smile.

"Ah, you're up. I'm making hamburgers," he said. "Do you like hamburgers?"

Julia nodded. "I love hamburgers."

"Good. What do you like on them? Ketchup? Mustard?"

"Both," she replied.

"Alright. They're almost done so go into the living room and make yourself comfortable."

Julia hobbled into the living room and grabbed the remote before settling herself into the recliner. She turned on the tv to the news and reclined the seat back.

"...other news, North Korea conducted its second successful test this week geared toward-"

Julia changed the station to another news channel.

"...a declaration of emergency Friday for the Loiusiana city after phishing attempts-"

Julia once again changed the channel, seeing a picture of her brother.

"...Ransom Drysdale, grandson to deceased mystery writer Harlan Thrombey, will be in court Tuesday morning to begin the murder trial of Fran Settler, Harlan Thrombey's housekeeper, and the attempted murder of Marta Cabrera, the caretaker who inherited Harlan Thrombey's fortune, house and publishing company."

Julia sighed and rubbed her face. "Good grief," she said before turning the channel again.

She kept channel surfing, not finding anything particularly interesting to watch. Finally she shut the tv off and set the remote down just as Benoit brought in a plate of fries, a hamburger and a glass of iced tea. He set the plate and glass down on the table next to the recliner and frowned at her.

"Couldn't find anythin' good to watch?" he asked.

"No," she pouted.

"Then maybe we'll put in a movie," he said, hovering above her and kissing her lips. "Anythin' tickle your fancy at the moment?"

"Hmm," she hummed, kissing him back. "I'm kinda in a "Gone With The Wind" mood."

"Then "Gone With The Wind" it shall be," he said before standing up straight.

"Wait, didn't it burn along with my other things in the car?" she asked.

"I have my own copy," he replied, looking around in his movie shelf.

"Oh shit. My gun burned in the car, too. Dammit! And "Jumping Jack Flash"!"

Benoit chuckled. "I am certain we can replace the things you lost, Julia," he said, grabbing the movie from the shelf and walking to his DVD player.. "But you, my dear, cannot be replaced."

Julia smiled at him. "You're so sweet."

"I mean it, Julia. When I found out you were in that accident, I..." he paused, lowering his head before looking at her over his shoulder. "I thought I had lost you all over again."

Julia frowned at him. "Aww, donut..." she said before motioning for him to come over. "I'd come over but I'm, you know..."

Benoit smiled at her before popping in the movie, then he walked to her and leaned over her. Julia grinned up at him and cupped his face with one hand.

"I love you. And you won't lose me again. Okay?"

"I love you too," he said, kissing her palm. "So very, very much."

Julia yanked him down by his shirt collar and put her mouth on his. Benoit grabbed her face and pushed her mouth apart with his tongue. Their tongues wiggled around a bit as they kissed and Julia groaned into his mouth.

"Oh Benoit," she murmurred.

"Chickapen," he uttered.

Benoit pulled her up from the chair and hooked his arms around her. Julia wrapped her arms around him and started kissing his neck and jaw. He was turning her on again and while a part of her knew it had to stop at some point, another part of her didn't care. She just wanted to be caught up in the moment.

"Ugh, why are you doin' this to me?" he asked with a growl in his throat.

"I'm not doing anything," Julia giggled. "I'm only kissing you."

Benoit groaned against her lips and put one hand in her hair while the other cupped her ass. "You make me so aroused."

"Do I detect the bad boy coming out?"

"Yes," Benoit moaned, pulling on her hair and biting her neck.

"Oh Benoit, you animal," she laughed. "We should stop before I get mad about us not going any further, though."

Benoit nodded, still biting her neck. "Mmhmm."

"Benoit."

"Mmm?" he answered, licking her throat.

"Do I need to sick the shower on you again?"

Benoit chuckled and pulled back after a few moments. "No."

Julia gave him a peck before settling back down into the chair. "Okay, now go get your food, you bad boy," she said with a sultry tone.

Benoit sighed, scratching the back of his neck. "I apologize," he said, looking bashful.

"It's fine," she said. "Just go get your food."

He went to the kitchen and came back out to the living room with a plate full of food and a glass with ice tea. He settled on the couch, grabbed the remote and pressed play. The opening credits started to play as Julia and Benoit began eating their dinner.

"God, I love this movie," Julia said with a mouthful of food.

Benoit looked at her with a bright smile. "Me too."

Julia took another bite of her hamburger just as Vivien Leigh came into view on the screen.

"Fiddle-dee-dee... war, war, war. This war talk's spoiling all the fun at every part of this spring. I get so bored, I could scream."

Julia and Benoit kept chowing down into their food and drinks and by the time they finished, the BBQ scene at Twelve Oaks was just coming on. There were horse drawn carriages pulling up to the extravagant plantation house and Julia grinned. She took a drink of her iced tea and smacked her lips.

"Julia, would you like to join me on the couch?" Benoit asked, looking at her with a smile. "You look like you could use some snugglin'."

With a nod, Julia attempted to get up but she winced. "Ah!"

Benoit sat up straight. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just moved wrong, is all," she groaned. "Fucking ribs."

Benoit got up and helped her get to the couch, then he went and grabbed a blanket from the bedroom and came back with it, wrapping up his girlfriend in it.

"Oh India, here are the O'Hara girls. We must greet them."

"I can't stand that Scarlet. Have you seen the way she throws herself at Ashley?"

"Now, now, that's your brother's business. You must remember your duties as hostess."

The two got settled in together comfortably and Benoit draped an arm around Julia.

"Did you want some dessert, chickapen?" he asked.

"No thank you, I'm stuffed," she replied.

"Too stuffed for salted caramel ice cream?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Ooooooh," she said, looking at him with wide eyes and a big smile. "Yes, please."

Benoit got up and walked to the kitchen. After a few minutes, he came back out with a bowl of ice cream and a bright smile. Julia grabbed the bowl greedily and spooned a mouthful of ice cream. As she took a bite, her eyes rolled into the back of her head.

"Oh God," she said. "Sooooo good. How'd you know I like this?"

Benoit sat down with a grin and a sigh. "Your mother told me it's your comfort food."

Julia was sitting up in her bedroom, sulking about Alice. It had been a almost a week since Alice's death and everyone at school knew about it as well as Julia's involvement. What was worse, Kelly refused to speak to Julia nor accept her apology.

This week totally sucked.

There was a knock on Julia's door and she sighed.

"Come in," Julia said glumly.

The door opened to reveal her mother. "Hey, kiddo. How are you doing?"

Julia frowned at her. "How do you think I'm doing, Mother?" she asked dryly.

Linda furrowed her brow and walked in before sitting next to Julia on the bed. She held out a pint of salted caramel ice cream and a spoon.

"I got you your favorite," her mother said.

"Thank you, but I don't think ice cream is going to help me feel better," Julia said sadly.

Linda wrapped an arm around her daughter and sighed. "That bad of a day at school, huh?"

Julia scoffed bitterly. "A bad week, is more like it. People look at me different now, like I'm a criminal or something. And Kelly...she won't even speak to me."

"You're not a criminal. And Kelly will come around."

"Well, I sure do feel like one, and I don't think she will. Her and her parents hate me."

"Julia, it was Alice's decision to jump off that roof. You didn't push her off."

Julia turned to face her mother. "But I practically goaded her into it by bullying her, Mom. I made her feel more of a freak than she already felt and told her she was a waste of oxygen."

"You know now that she had...mental problems," Linda stated.

"Yeah but I was the straw that broke the camel's back," Julia said. "I'm just a no good bully who basically took a life."

Linda sighed and stood up. "Well, I'm not sure what else I can tell you, sweetheart." She put the ice cream and spoon on the night stand and frowned. "I'll just leave this here in case you change your mind."

When her mom left the room, Julia eyed the ice cream for a few minutes before giving in and opening it.

Over the next week, Benoit and Julia spent a good portion of their time buying Christmas presents for family members, Marta, and each other. Benoit also managed to buy a Christmas tree and bring it home. Julia insisted on helping him decorate it, but he only had twinkling lights and generic ornaments. She was surprised to find that Benoit did not own personal ornaments.

"How do you not have personal ornaments for your tree?" Julia asked as she held the lights up for him to put on the tree.

"I never felt the need to purchase any," Benoit replied, wrapping the lights around the branches.

"Well you need some. It'll give the tree more...personality."

Benoit laughed. "Personality, huh? Well I will strive to remember that in the future."

Benoit wrapped up the last bit if lights and Julia started grabbing ornaments of stars and red and green bulbs to put on the tree. Benoit did the same, and soon the tree was all decorated. They both took a step back to admire their work.

"Well, I'd say that's a pretty good looking tree," Julia commented.

"I concur," Benoit said.

"Now all we need is the topper and some real ornaments from the Hallmark store."

Benoit looked at her. "We could go get some now."

Julia eyed him. "Really?"

"Yeah."

Julia shrugged. "It'll be slim pickins, but okay."

Benoit helped Julia into her winter jacket and her boot, then he handed her crutches as she put on her winter hat and one glove. Benoit dressed accordingly for the winter weather and they both headed out. Julia shivered a little from the cold weather. Once at the car, he, of course, opened her car door and helped her in, then jogged to the other side and got in.

As they made their way to the store, a light snow began to fall. Christmas music played on the radio and Julia listened to Benoit sing along to "I'll Be Home For Christmas".

"Why don't you sing with me, chickapen?" Benoit asked during the middle of the song.

"Because..." she said bashfully. "I'm horrible at it."

"You cannot be that horrible at it," he mused.

"I'm tone deaf."

"Oh. Well, sing anyway."

"No."

"Oh come on," he urged playfully.

Julia huffed. "No. You might fall out of love with me if you hear me sing," she joked.

"I most certainly will not," he laughed loudly.

Julia eyeballed him. "You lie like a dog."

Benoit guffawed happily. "You make me laugh," he said with a shake of his head. "But I will get you to sing for me one day."

"Yeah right," Julia giggled.

They arrived at their destination and parked. Once the car was off, Benoit went to the passenger side and opened Julia's door. She got out, settled with her crutches, and they both went inside the Hallmark store.

As Julia had predicted, the ornaments were practically picked clean. They found a Santa in his sled so they got that one. Then Julia noticed an ornament of Clark Griswold holding a chainsaw and she insisted on getting that one too. Benoit saw a Rhett Butler one and picked that off the shelf. Then Julia saw a whole section of Disney ornaments and she picked out a Mrs. Potts ornament to buy because "why not?" was her reasoning.

They also found a star topper for the tree, then they brought the ornaments and topper up to the register, bought them, then made their merry way back to the car. Benoit got Julia in before going to his side of the car. He put the bag of Christmas items in the car, got in the driver's seat, started the car, and pulled out of the parking lot.

As they were driving along, Benoit looked at Julia. "I'm really glad we did this, chickapen."

Julia stared out the window with a slight frown. She was happy they did this, and she was happy to spend time with him, but there was one thing they couldn't do to make her extremely happy.

They could not engage in sexual intercourse.

This thought infuriated Julia and she was trying to be patient about it, but it was just so hard. She hated that she was wounded, that she had broken bones that would prevent her from engaging in sexual activities. It killed her.

"Julia? Are you alright?"

Julia looked over at Benoit and gave him a soft smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine."

Benoit didn't look very convinced. "Are you sure?"

Julia sighed and looked out the window again. "I'm just thinking about stuff, that's all, and I don't want to get into it."

"Why not?"

"Because it'll just lead to a fight."

Julia heard Benoit sigh and felt his hand on her leg. "Julia, it's only been about three weeks since your accident. You only have three more to go."

"But my ribs are feeling so much better these days. I can stretch and twist with very little discomfort."

"Yes but can your ribs bear weight?"

"...Isn't there a position we can do that won't make me have to bear weight?"

Julia was met with silence and she looked at him. Benoit was in deep thought. "Well, yes, but..."

"But what, Benoit?"

"I don't want to end up hurtin' you."

"Well, you just have to be gentle."

Benoit smirked at her before looking back at the road. "With all the sexual tension we have at this point, what makes you think I would be capable of bein' gentle?"

Julia's jaw dropped. "Oh shit," she thought.