Author's Note: The longest chapter in record time! (For me, anyway!) Suliet might be a little out of character, but it's AU so we're just going to go with it. Big thanks to zeusfluff and wordsthinker for their reviews!

Disclaimer: Lost is not mine.

Please, please read and review!

Code Silver

Chapter 11

The rest of the week flew by for James and Juliet. Both were swamped at work. Miami Memorial Hospital's psychiatric unit was full. Between the man who thought he was a wizard and the woman who had a bad habit of punching other patients James' days were pretty full and Juliet was forced to take on extra patients while one of the other doctors was out sick. They managed to have lunch together only one other day, but their nightly phone conversations were still going strong.

"How was your day?" Juliet asked Thursday night as she collapsed onto her bed after a day full of stubborn pregnant women, fussy babies, and a rambunctious nephew.

"Remember how I told you about the wizard?" James sat on his couch, a beer in one hand and the phone in the other.

Juliet nodded, though she knew he couldn't see her. "Yes."

James took a swig from his bottle and replied gruffly. "Today he decided he needed to pluck a strand of hair from each patient up there in order to complete the spell he's been working on."

Juliet tried to suppress a laugh. It didn't work. "He what?" She choked out.

James chuckled. "The guy's been trying to write a spell or something to cleanse them all of their demons...or whatever." He paused for another drink. "He managed to get some hair from a couple people. They didn't seem to mind. Then that one girl punched him in the nose for getting too close." He paused. "It was a great day." He finished dryly.

"See why I didn't go into psychiatry?"

"Definitely." James downed the rest of his beer.

"Are we still on for tomorrow night?" She asked, changing the subject.

"Of course!" James straightened up and smiled just thinking about the weekend ahead of him. Tomorrow night he would go to Juliet and Rachel's for a home cooked meal made by the sisters where he'd meet Rachel and Julian. And as long as Juliet found someone to take her on-call shift she'd go back to his place with him afterwards and they'd spend the weekend together. "Did you get your shift covered?" He asked, praying the answer was 'yes'.

"Kelly owed me one." She said. "She took the whole weekend."

"I can't wait."

Rachel was in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. Juliet was helping Julian set the table. All three looked up at the sound. "He's here!" Rachel sing-songed to Juliet with a smile.

Juliet smiled and started for the door with Julian close behind.

James stood outside holding a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers. He looked down at his polo shirt and nice jeans and hoped he dressed appropriately. He wasn't exactly nervous, but he wanted Rachel to like him.

The door opened and there was Juliet. Her hair was somewhere between curly and straight and she had half of it pinned behind her head. "Hi." She said with a big smile.

James smiled back and looked down to see blue eyes peeking from behind Juliet's legs. "You must be Julian." He said to the boy. Julian nodded and stepped out from behind his aunt. "I've heard a lot about you." James continued. "It's nice to finally meet ya." James wasn't entirely sure how to act around kids or what to say to them, but by the smile still on Juliet's face he figured he was doing alright.

She stepped aside to let him in the door. He handed her the wine. "Thought I oughta contribute somethin'." He said with a shrug.

"It's great." She said.

He could see her eyeing the flowers. "These are for you and Rachel."

She took them and knelt down to Julian's height. "Got a big job for you, Buddy. Think you can do it?" He nodded fiercely. "Take these to Mommy and help her put them in some water?"

Julian smiled and took the flowers, holding them carefully as he went back to the kitchen.

Juliet set the wine down on a nearby table. "Trying to impress my sister?" She asked with a smirk while stepping towards James.

"Figured it couldn't hurt." He set his car keys and cell phone down on the table next to the wine before grinning and wrapping his arms around her. "I've missed you." He said quietly into her hair with her body pressed against his.

She pulled back enough to look at him. "I've missed you too." She replied before pressing her lips to his.

Juliet pulled away after a moment and smiled, taking his hand. James smiled back and followed her through the house and into the kitchen.

They found Rachel helping Julian put the flowers in a vase and then on the table. James studied the elder sister while he had the chance. She had short blonde hair and shared the same nose as Juliet. Rachel was slightly shorter and her face was a little more round, but James could definitely see the family resemblance.

Rachel sent Julian off to wash his hands before dinner and then looked towards Juliet and James. He tried to stand up a little straighter. He smiled and Juliet introduced him.

"This is James." She told her sister with a smile, her hand still in his.

Rachel was more than a little surprised at the sight in front of her. She had never known Juliet to go for the scruffy, long haired look on a guy, but after Edmund she figured maybe a step away from the norm was exactly what her little sister needed. James reached out a hand and Rachel shook it.

"Nice to meet ya." He said. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Likewise." Rachel replied. She smiled sweetly and tilted her head in Juliet's direction. "Hurt her and I'll kill you." She said conversationally, smile still in place.

"Rach!" Juliet's eyes were wide. She had figured her big sister would do something to intimidate James, but she hadn't counted on something so...direct.

James laughed. "It's ok, Blondie." He said to Juliet.

Rachel's eyebrows went up at the nickname.

"I ain't gonna hurt her." James spoke to Rachel this time. "Never." He added seriously, looking at Juliet.

Rachel couldn't decide if she was more surprised by James' looks, his use of the word 'ain't', or Juliet allowing him to call her 'Blondie'.

Julian suddenly flew back into the kitchen. "Eat now?" He asked.

They all sat down and Julian ate happily while the adults talked through the meal. Rachel learned more about James; how he ended up in Miami and what his job at the hospital was like. James learned some interesting stories about Juliet's childhood.

They were clearing off the table afterwards when Rachel kept eyeing Juliet. The younger sister knew it was code for 'I want to talk to you. Alone.' James was still at the table letting Julian entertain him with his stories of preschool. The boy was generally shy around new faces, but he'd taken to James quickly. Juliet walked the last few dishes over to the sink before turning to her nephew.

"Hey, Julian." She said. His head shot up as he looked at her. "Did you know James was a cop?" She smirked.

Julian's face lit up and he smiled widely. He shook his head. "No." He replied.

"Well he was."

Julian looked to James who nodded. "Sure was." He smiled, but wondered what he'd just gotten into.

The boy took James' hand and started pulling him in the direction of the hallway. "Come on!" He nearly yelled, dragging his new friend towards his bedroom.

James looked to Juliet for help. She smiled. "You'll be fine." She said, knowing he wouldn't have to do anything but listen as Julian showed him his collection of toy police cars and play sets. The boy was fascinated by the sirens, badges, and the excitement of always catching the bad guy.

Rachel laughed as the two headed down the hall. "He's gonna kill you." She said.

Juliet chuckled. "He'll be alright." She said. "Julian seems to really like him."

Rachel stopped her dishwashing. "I do, too." She said.

Juliet looked at her and smiled. "Really?"

Rachel dried her hands and continued. "Yeah, he's a little rough around the edges, but he seems like a great guy." She smiled. "I'm happy for you, Jules." She wrapped her sister in a hug. "I just wanted to tell you I approve." She said after pulling away. "Now go get that wine so we can finish up here and you two can start your weekend." She waggled her eyebrows and Juliet smacked her shoulder on her way out of the room.

Rachel finished the dishes quickly. She really did like James. He was different and nothing like she'd expected, but she could tell he cared for her sister. She'd seen the way he looked at her across the table and hadn't missed the way Juliet looked back. They were expressions she'd never seen on Edmund's face and any doubts she'd had about Juliet moving too quickly were beginning to fade away.

Juliet headed into the living room to get the bottle of wine they'd left on the table. She could hear Julian babbling down the hall and could picture James sitting on the bed listening intently, nodding enthusiastically when needed. She smiled.

The wine was there next to James' phone and keys. She picked up the bottle and felt of it. Not cold anymore, but still cool enough to drink. Flashing from James' phone caught her eye. The screen lit up. He was getting a phone call. She went to pick up up the phone when she noticed the caller ID. Cassidy's name lit up in big white letters across the screen. She watched it ring, hand still hovering near the phone. After a few seconds that felt like forever it stopped. The call went to voicemail and the screen lit up again. 2 MISSED CALLS. It said. Only Cassidy's name shown underneath.

How could I be so stupid? She thought. Was he married? Was she just his girl on the side when this Cassidy person was busy?

Juliet's heart sank. She'd believed every word James had said. That he was single. That she was beautiful. That he'd never hurt her.

Ed was right. She wasn't good enough. She never would be.

Her eyes watered, but she refused to let any tears fall. She couldn't do this. Not here. Not now. Not after Rachel had given James her seal of approval and Julian was captivated by him. She gripped the wine bottle tighter. She was supposed to spend the weekend with him. She took a breath. She'd leave with him tonight, confront him when they were alone, and take a cab back home. She'd tell Rachel he'd been called into work.

Juliet swallowed the lump in her throat and went back to the kitchen.

She and James arrived at the same time. "He had me read him a book and didn't make it halfway through." He told Rachel.

She laughed and looked at the clock. "It's close enough to bedtime. He's had a big day. Why don't you guys just take the wine to go?" She smiled. "I'll get him to bed and watch whatever I want on TV for once." She elbowed Juliet who faked a laugh and a smile.

"Ok." James said. "If you're sure?"

Rachel nodded. "Go. Have fun." She hugged her sister. "I'll see you later."

Rachel headed down the hall while Juliet followed James to the car. He smiled and opened the passenger door for her before getting in on the other side. He paused before starting the car and eyed her curiously. "You ok?" He asked.

Juliet nodded. "Great." She managed a small smile.

James held her hand and they drove to his apartment in what he thought was companionable silence. "I got some movies for us." He said at one point. She just smiled and said "ok". Maybe she's nervous. He thought. He gave her hand a squeeze and smiled back.

Juliet let him hold her hand. It was rough and soft and fit perfectly around her own, but suddenly it wasn't a comfort anymore. Her overnight bag sat on the floor board by her feet. She was tempted to laugh at it. Won't be needing that ever again. She thought.

They made it to the apartment and James carried her bag up for her, still confused by her demeanor. He set it down inside and ran a hand through his hair. "So, uh, movies are on the coffee table if you wanna pick one." He wanted to kiss her, to hold her, to touch her. It'd been so long, but with the way she was acting he didn't think any of those things would be welcomed. "I'll open the wine." He said and went to the kitchen.

Juliet took a deep breath. She didn't know how to do this. She didn't want to do this. She wanted to run out the door and never look back, but she knew that would likely only make things worse. She went over to the coffee table and looked at the movies. What was he going to try to fool her with this time? She found two copies of Carrie the original one from the 70's and the newer version. Underneath those were Casablanca and Truly Madly Deeply. They'd had a short conversation about movies once and he'd remembered her favorite. And he'd gotten the two based off of her favorite book. He was good, so good. Maybe she couldn't blame herself for falling for it.

She held the DVDs in her hands and hugged them to her as the first tear fell. It was followed by more silent tears and she found she couldn't stop them. She could hear him coming back now and she set the movies down. She stood and wiped furiously at her eyes before turning around to face him.

James stopped in his tracks, bottle of wine in one hand, two empty glasses in the other. "Juliet?" He asked, voice full of concern, worry, and confusion.

Juliet choked out a sob. More tears came.

He put everything down on the kitchen table and went to her, flabbergasted when she pulled away as he tried to touch her. "Juliet, what's wrong?" He asked.

"I can't believe I believed everything." She said after composing herself. "I should've known better." She shook her head at her own stupidity.

"What are you talking about?" James was more than confused now.

"You're just like Edmund." She said. The tears stopped. The sadness inside fighting with the anger to see which emotion would come out on top.

"What?" James asked, his voice growing louder. He couldn't have heard her right.

"How many other girlfriends do you have?" Juliet asked, her face becoming neutral, an icy stare forming.

"Just you." James said. "At least I thought so. What happened? Where is this coming from?!"

"Who's Cassidy?" She asked calmly.

"Cassidy? How do you know about Cassidy?"

"She's called at least twice tonight. I saw it when I was getting the wine off the table by your phone. You said you don't have any family left." Juliet sighed. "I'm not stupid, James."

"Cassidy is nothing." James put special emphasis on the last word. "We broke up months ago. I wouldn't have moved across the country if I still felt anything for her." He was desperate for her to believe him. He wasn't Edmund. He wasn't trying to trick her or use her. "She keeps calling even though I don't answer! I don't want anything to do with her!"

Juliet just looked at him. She wanted to believe him, but she just couldn't let herself do it. "I should go." She said and turned towards the door, head facing down, looking at the carpet.

"Jules, wait!" James said and reached for her. She turned at his touch and watched as he pulled his cell phone out of his jeans pocket and dropped it onto the floor. "I've been meaning to get my number changed for weeks so she'll leave me alone." He placed one booted foot on top of the phone and followed with all his weight. Plastic and glass cracked underneath. "I don't want her." He said desperately. "I want you."

Juliet could see something in his eyes. Could she have been wrong?

"Please let me explain." He asked.

She looked at him silently for a moment. "Ok." She said and followed his lead, sitting next to him on the couch.

James talked. Juliet listened. He told her about the on again, off again relationship he and Cassidy had shared. He told her how they'd never really been good for each other, how their relationship was never based on anything meaningful, how she'd cheated on him with his partner, and how he'd moved across the country so he could start over with his best friend by his side and Cassidy firmly in his past. He told her how he'd thought he'd loved Cassidy, but now he knew he never did. He'd never felt anything for Cassidy like he did for the woman in front of him.

The pieces fit together in Juliet's mind. She'd never heard so much emotion from James. When he finished he brought his hand up to her face and used his thumb to clear away the last remnants of her tears. "Please believe me." He said. "I just want you."

Juliet felt stupid again. But this time for an entirely different reason. "I'm sorry." She said. "I overreacted."

"No." He pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her. "Edmund made you think you're not good enough." He told her. "But you are. You're better than good enough. You're the best there is." He whispered into her hair.

She choked out a laugh. "I don't know about that part." She said.

James laughed with her. "I do." He pulled away and looked into her eyes. "I told Rachel I'd never hurt ya." He said. "I meant it."

Juliet closed the distance between them again, wrapping her arms around him and losing her hands in his hair. "I'm sorry." She said again quietly.

"It's ok. I should have told you sooner."

They talked for a while longer, more about Edmund and Cassidy. Then James put a movie in, her favorite, and they curled up together on the couch. All week their plans for this night had revolved around much more intimate activities, but now, after such a long week and emotionally draining last hour they found all the needed was the closeness and comfort of each other. They fell asleep in each others arms before the end of the movie.