Hey guys! So we are at the second to last chapter and I have loved writing this Ji Hoo story. In fact, now I can only see him end up with Lucy! Anyway, this chapter kinds of finishes some things and the next chapter will be their epilogue.

And don't worry, Miss In Ha will be making a final appearance during it and is a significant part of their story wrap-up. So, anyway I hope you all have enjoyed Ji Hoo's happily ever after and don't forget to tell me what you all think!

As the loud beeping eoched throughout the room, Ji Hoo was half-tempted to throw his alarm clock out the window. It was barely daylight and he felt like he had just crawled into bed.

Lucy moaned and threw the covers over her head. "Make it stop."

"Sorry," he muttered, blearily trying to find noisy device and with a grumble managed to finally turn it off. He sighed in relief and wrapped himself back around her. "It's too early for it to be morning."

"Mmph," Lucy agreed before sitting straight up in a panic. "What time is it?"

"Six." Ji Hoo and his eyes widened as she ripped away from him frantically. "Damn it. I'm going to be late."

"Late for what?" He rubbed his head with yawn, watched her dart around the bedroom in bewildered amusement. "Honey, what are you doing?"

"I have to get to school." She pushed her hair back with cry. "I have an eight clock class to teach."

"Nuh-uh," Ji Hoo shook his head. "You're exhausted. You need a day to rest."

"I can't." Lucy hopped away to grab her purse, seeming to forget she was not dressed. "I canceled last time because of my ankle. I can't skip today too." She gave him a quick kiss. "See you later."

"Lucy," he cried in a mixture of horror and laughter, jumping up to grab her around the waist so she couldn't dart out the door. "As much as I appreciate this view, you are not leaving without clothes. Not unless you want me to kill all your students."

"What—" She looked down and seeing only her thin tank top and underwear that Ji Hoo had left on her last night, she slapped a hand over her eyes. "Oh lord, I'm tired."

"Mmm," Ji Hoo buried his face into the back of her hair. "Me too."

She took a couple of deep breaths to center herself. "Good morning by the way."

He gave a muffled laugh. "Good morning."

"Okay," Lucy sighed. "Clothes first. Then work."

"No." Ji Hoo leaned over her shoulder with a smile. "Kiss first. Then clothes."

Lucy grinned and gave him a soft kiss, lingering slightly. He turned her to face him, his hands resting low on her back as he deepened it. She gave a low moan before ripping away, his laugh almost making her lose her resolve.

"No, you're not allowed to distract me. I have to go to work."

"Not today." Ji Hoo said seriously. "Your ankle is swelling again."

Lucy looked down and sure enough, her ankle was puffy and now that she had stopped moving like a maniac, she could feel sharp pains radiating through her. "Oh, okay ow."

"You did to much yesterday," he said quietly. "You need to ice and rest it today."

"But—"

"You will end up missing more classes in the long run if you seriously injure yourself by standing for too long."

She groaned and tried to put her weight down but it made her wince. "Damn it. That really hurts."

Ji Hoo pressed his lips to her temple. "You can't work."

Lucy fought with herself but realizing he was right; she gave a reluctant nod. "The university is not going to be happy with me though. I am only the assistant teacher filling in for this English class and canceling class twice in one week…"

"It will be fine." Ji Hoo assured her. "I promise. They will understand. Especially once you tell them it was doctors orders for you to rest."

He decided not to mention the fact he would also be calling the university to threaten them if they so much said a word about this to her. There were benefits after all to being Yoon Ji Hoo. Not to mention an F4 member, and best friends to one of the most powerful men in the country.

"Okay." Lucy sighed , hugging him. "I will stay here and study then. I am behind in my own classes anyway."

"Good." Ji Hoo rubbed her back. "I am supposed to work at the clinic this morning. My grandfather is working this afternoon so we can have dinner with Yi Jeong and the others before he leaves again."

"Okay." Lucy nodded and he scanned her. "We won't go though if you aren't feeling—"

"No." She shook her head quickly. "My head feels fine so I think the concussion is getting better. If I stay off my foot and ice it all day, I should be fine by tonight. So," she clapped her hands and waved him away. "Go to the hospital. I am going to study until my eyes glaze over."

He didn't move though but simply took her mouth in another long slow kiss. She sank into him happily, murmuring his name. Finally he leaned back and she smiled flirtatiously. "I like waking up with you."

"Mmm," Ji Hoo agreed. "But don't think smiling at me like that is going to work. You're still not allowed to teach today."

Officially caught, she gave up trying to work around him and sank in defeat. "All-right," Lucy pouted but gave him a tiny smile. "I will be good."

"No, you won't."

"No, probably not. But I won't push it today. I promise."

"Thank you." Ji Hoo poked her ribs with a smirk. "Otherwise I was going call Woo Bin and have him guard you."

"Nmm," Lucy stuck her tongue out childishly, making him grin. "That won't be necessary Now, I'll tell you what…" She lifted her foot with a wince. "Bandage me up and I will go make the waffles I promised you earlier."

He grabbed his bag and nodded for her sit on the edge of the bed. Bending down, he wrapped her ankle and she wiggled her toes mockingly at the lack of constriction. "Woo Bin is right… You're terrible at this."

"Very funny." Ji Hoo said dryly and pushed her down, boxing her in with his arms. "Despite what Woo Bin thinks, I find blood flow is slightly important for the continued usage of limbs."

Lucy grinned cheekily. "I think I need a second opinion... Maybe I should see another doctor."

"Don't even think about it," he growled but she caught the twinkle in his eyes as he lowered to kiss her possessively. "Mine."

"Yours," Lucy agreed with nod, his lips still resting lightly on hers. Enjoying the morning snuggle as his hands coasted over her body tenderly. Not necessarily trying to seduce but simply because he liked touching her. She gave a low giggle, slapping his back. "You're going to be late."

"My clinic. My rules." Ji Hoo told her as he pressed down on her. "It will open when I say."

Lucy rolled her eyes at his cockiness. "Well ownership aside, you probably still should get going."

He groaned and with one last kiss, she wiggled out from underneath him. "I will start the waffles."

"Fine."

He watched her walk slowly out of the bedroom, throwing on his sweatshirt again, her bare legs on display and he almost forget his need to go into work. Telling himself the night out with his friends was now going to be a short one, he hurriedly got dressed for the day.

As she mixed the batter, she caught herself humming one of her mothers favorite lullabies. The one she used to sing whenever she or her brothers were sick as children.

"Your voice is beautiful," Ji Hoo spoke suddenly from behind her and Lucy jumped, shooting him an embarrassed smile over her shoulder.

"Not really. Not compared to my mom's. My birth mother, I mean."

Ji Hoo leaned over the counter with a curious expression. "She was a good singer?"

She nodded. "My birth father said he fell in love with her voice long before he saw her face. They met at some jazz bar where she was performing. It was dark and smoky so he couldn't see the woman on the stage but he knew from the moment she began to perform; she was the one for him."

He smiled but he still wasn't overly comfortable with the idea of her birth parents. He didn't like knowing they had been too selfish to take care of their daughter or thinking about could have happened if her adoptive family had not stepped in when they saw a little girl in trouble.

"Do you think about them? About why they couldn't bring themselves to take better care of you?" He asked quietly, not sure if this topic was a sensitive one for her but thankfully she didn't seem bothered. She only appeared thoughtful over the question.

"Sometimes. Especially when I was younger but now as adult, I understand it better."

"Understand?"

She nodded and turned to pour her mixture. "I was a surprise. They were traveling road band at that time. My father can play almost any instrument he picks up. And well...They just don't have the kind of personalities to spend their days chained to a desk or an alarm clock. It was crushing their souls trying to be normal." Lucy shrugged. "They did the best they could but honestly it was better for everyone once I was settled into my new family."

Ji Hoo watched her for any signs that she had any resentment but there was only peace and he felt a rush of relief that she had not been damaged by her early years. She began humming again and he took her hand. "Come here."

"What?"

"Come here." He repeated and pulled her into his arms. Her curious expression fading into a soft smile as he began leading her into a slow dance. She moved easily with him and he figured she must have also inherited some dancing skills.

Recognizing the song she had been humming earlier, he started singing and she looked up in surprise. "And you were talking about my voice…. Where did you learn to sing so well?"

"I love music." Ji Hoo told her with a chuckle. "I also play the violin and guitar. When I was younger, I rarely talked but would just express myself through my playing. It's why my friends used to call me the silent musical."

She laughed and he carefully twirled her, being mindful of her ankle. She tucked her head into his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her in closer and they swayed gently for what seemed like hours, neither wanting it to end.

And Lucy had to physically clench her jaw shut in order to keep herself from telling him how much she loved him. A low burning in the back of her throat as the words ate away at her.

She had not been raised to fear love and she hated the feeling of it now. She wanted to tell him so desperately but she was not convinced he was ready yet. If he was able to trust her or himself enough to allow himself to accept her love for him. So she held the words inside and simply clung to him.

"I don't want to leave you," Ji Hoo muttered in her ear and she closed her eyes to hide the shine of tears before moving away, trying covering her anxiety with a confident smile.

"Don't worry. Ten minutes of watching me study and you will be begging to go to work…. I need to have absolute quiet and I get engrossed in my subject. Then I want to tell the nearest person every single, amazing detail I've just discovered."

"I wouldn't mind." Ji Hoo told her honestly and Lucy shot him a skeptical stare. "Lee Soo Jung wears headphones and has trained herself to nod every five minutes because of how boring I am… My poor students are forced to listen to me but she couldn't stand it."

He took the plate she handed him and kissed her temple. "I want to hear you drone on about history."

"You say that now." Lucy laughed knowingly. "But in a few months, you will probably be regretting that statement."

They both automatically stilled and she saw his shoulders tighten with tension but he simply gave her a tight smile in response. "I doubt it."

"Ji Hoo—"

"This looks great." He quickly spoke over her and moved to the table. "Thanks."

Lucy opened her mouth but not knowing what to say to make it better, she only snapped it shut again. The elephant in the room over her going back to San Francisco in a few months now sitting heavily over them.

Despite telling him last night that she wanted to stay, Ji Hoo was obviously still worried about the idea of her leaving and deep down Lucy knew he was struggling with fear over their relationship only being temporary.

However, right now he seemed determined to ignore it and she decided not to push him. Her visa was not up for another three months anyway. They would figure things out eventually but it didn't need to be this morning. So, swallowing against the lump in the throat, she simply sat down and ate breakfast with him.

She managed to steer the conversation over to So In Ha and Ji Hoo relaxed as he told her about his beloved goddaughter. By the time he left, he seemed normal again and gave her a lingering kiss goodbye, making her not as nervous about letting him leave with whatever was going on in his head.

Except as the day went on, Lucy found it hard to focus on her studies. The house was quiet, the sun peeking through the open windows casting light over the art on the walls, which would normally relax her but doubt and worries kept popping in her head instead. She felt depressed over the words lodged in her soul. She wanted to love Ji Hoo openly. She wanted to tell him so much it was a physical ache.

But also… Lucy let out a shaky sigh. She wanted him to love her too. To love her so much that he stopped remembering the woman who broke his heart. To love her so completely that he felt grateful for his past not working out.

And it was killing her to think that maybe he didn't. She knew he cared for her. So much that he was terrified of losing her when her student visa was finished but that wasn't the same as him loving her. A stray tear rolling unexpectedly down her face.

"I love him so much it hurts, Mama." She whispered, wishing for her mother. Her infinite support and wisdom while she held her as she cried. "I wish you were here to tell me what to do."

There came a loud knock on the door making her jump. Hurriedly wiping her cheeks, she hobbled to the front, surprised to see Geum Jan Di and Chu Ga Eul grinning at her.

"Hi."

"Hello, Lucy." Jan Di said brightly. "May we come in?"

"Oh," Lucy shook her head with a flustered laugh. "Of course. Sorry. I've been studying and my brain seems to have melted slightly."

"Well," Ga Eul laughed. "It's a good thing we have come to kidnap you then."

"Kidnap me?"

"Mm-hmm," Jan Di laughed. "So In Ha has been claimed by her F4 godfathers and they have insisted we do whatever we want for the day."

Ga Eul nodded. "Park Myeon Gi is on her way over to meet us for lunch and we want you to come."

Lucy sighed. "I would love too but I really should work on my papers and," she dipped her head to her ankle. "Ji Hoo will kill me if I don't rest this."

"Oh." Jan Di switched to doctor mode and threw her coat on the entry way table. "Let me see." She knelt and seeing the bruising, she took Lucy's arm. "Here come sit down."

Lucy let her help her back to the sofa and rising it onto her leg, Jan Di touched gently along the bone. "Poor thing." She murmured. "This probably hurts terribly."

She nodded but didn't speak, her earlier thoughts still swirling around her. Noticing Chu Ga Eul titled her head in concern. "Lucy… are you all right?"

Lucy burst into tears. Deep, gasping tears that horrified her. She slapped her hands over her face and bent over into a fetal position. She felt someone come sit beside her and strong arms wrapping around her in only a way that a mother could. She turned her head into Ga Eul and simply cried, the woman tightening her hold protectively.

"Shh. It's all right."

"I love him." Lucy wailed. "I lo-lov…"

"I know," Ga Eul murmured. "Believe me. I know these kinds of tears well." She leaned back and cupped her tear-stained swollen face with a smile. "I know what it's like to love a man and being terrified he won't ever let you in."

"So Yi Jeong," Lucy gasped and Ga Eul nodded. "He was so damaged that he didn't believe he deserved me. So, for years he pushed me away. Wouldn't let himself love me out of fear he would hurt me."

"How did you get through it?" Lucy pleaded and the woman smiled, tears filling her own eyes. "By proving him wrong. I didn't let him push me away when he needed me the most. I told him over and over again what a good man he was until he finally believed me. And then when I needed him the most… He came after me. He protected me." Ga Eul held up her hand where a large diamond ring rested on her finger. "Yi Jeong now loves me more than I could ever imagine. He would move heaven and earth for me."

This made fresh tears of pain roll down her face but Ga Eul shook her head. "Love him, Lucy. Keep loving him because he loves you too."

"I don't think he does though…" Lucy sniffled and wiped her tears. "I think he could but the woman before me… she haunts him."

Ga Eul turned to Jan Di who shuffled awkwardly. "Tell her, Jan Di."

"Ga Eul—"

"Now." The mother barked and Lucy felt her stomach sink. Turning to the reddening woman, she whispered. "Tell me what?"

Jan Di closed her eyes before sitting down across from her with a sigh. She clasped her hands together and pursed her lips before raising her head to meet her eye. "It was me."

Lucy stared at her, her mouth going dry. "What?"

"Lucy," Jan Di said firmly. "Let me make one thing clear. Ji Hoo and I were never together. We've never touched or loved each other."

"I don't understand," she whispered and tried to take her hand back but Ga Eul held on firmly. "No, Lucy. Listen to her."

"I was seventeen." Jan Di explained softly. "I was sent to Shinhwa on a scholarship. I was a commoner and automatically hated. Ji Hoo was…" She trailed off in memory. "He was the only one… Well, he saved me.

"Oh god."

Jan Di ran a hand through her hair. "I thought he was magical. And those feelings were so mixed up, Lucy." She smiled sadly. "Because I also met Gu Jun Pyo at the same time. He was like lightening to my thunder. We battled each other so fiercely that it about killed us."

"And everyone around them in the process." Ga Eul added quietly and Jan Di sighed. "Ji Hoo was also struggling with his love for a woman named Min Seo Hyun. She took him in and cared for him when his parents died and he couldn't figure out if he loved her like a woman or a sister."

Lucy closed her eyes and Ga Eul squeezed her fingers assuredly. "She moved to Paris during this time and he decided to go after her. So he left and I let him go." Jan Di continued on in a rush. "While he was gone, Jun Pyo and I—" She lifted her head and sent her a teary smile. "Well, I finally realized I didn't hate him… Not even a little bit."

"Then Ji Hoo came back for you," Lucy whispered knowingly and Jan Di closed her eyes in remberance. "It shook me. I still viewed him as my hero but my heart was with—"

"Jun Pyo."

Jan Di took a long time to answer before nodding. "Seo Hyun was now engaged to someone else as well. Then Jun Pyo and I realized thunder couldn't exist without lightening." Tears filled her eyes as she stared pleadingly at Lucy. "It killed me to hurt Ji Hoo, Lucy. I loved him but he wasn't the one I couldn't live without. So I had to…"

"I understand." Lucy broke in quietly. And she did understand. She loved her family. Her friends back home and even her birth parents. But she could live without them. She could stay in Korea and be all right. But she couldn't live without Ji Hoo. She couldn't go home to San Francisco and not be with him.

"I really do." Lucy told Jan Di. "But Ji Hoo still—"

"Lucy," Jan Di leaned forward earnestly. "Please listen to me. Ji Hoo didn't love me. Not really. We both clung to each other when we needed someone the most. Those feelings got mixed up and twisted but in the end we both realized the truth. We were best friends but that's all we were ever meant to be. He knew I belonged to Jun Pyo. That I had always belonged to him.

"His fear is not because he still wants Jan Di," Ga Eul broke in gently. "Or Min Seo Hyun. It's about being left."

"Left?"

Ga Eul nodded. "His parents died when he was barely three. Then his grandfather disappeared out of grief. He grew up alone."

Lucy closed her eyes, her heart breaking for the little boy who had no family next door to take him in.

"Except for the F4." Jan Di continued. "Gu Jun Pyo especially made sure he was safe the best he could. Woo Bin and Yi Jeong too."

"No wonder they are so close." Lucy said with new understanding. The two women smiled im agreement.

"They are inseparable. They need each other in a ways that we will probably never fully understand."

Lucy absorbed all this new information. And while a part of her wanted to hate Jan Di for hurting Ji Hoo or resent the fact she was still in his life, she couldn't. It was obvious Jan Di and Jun Pyo loved each other. Their marriage was strong and she had never noticed any resentment or lingering looks from Ji Hoo over his former love. Instinctively knowing deep within her that whatever happened between the three of them no longer existed.

"So what do I do?" Lucy finally asked. "How do I convince him to trust me?"

"Be there in the morning." A new voice broke in and Lucy looked up with a start, seeing the woman who was Woo Bin's love. Her face tight with determination. "When you've been left over and over again, it tears your soul." Myeon Gi said with a painful growl. "I've never trusted anyone to stay… Until Woo Bin."

"How did he—"

"He stayed." Myeon Gi told her sharply. "No matter what happened or how many times I expected him to run, he kept proving me wrong. So if you love Ji Hoo, then you need to stay. Stay no matter what."

Lucy swallowed at the harsh tone in her voice before standing up to face her. "Did you run from Woo Bin because you didn't love him?"

"No." Myeon Gi said without blinking. "I ran because I loved him. If he hurt me, it would be ten times worse than anyone before him. So, I ran."

Lucy met her gaze, her green eyes now blazing furiously. "I am not going anywhere, Park Myeon Gi. I love him."

"Good." She snapped but her lips twitched slightly. "But don't tell us. Tell Yoon Ji Hoo. Tell him and go after him. Go after him until he believes you."

"He's keeping himself apart from you because he loves you, Lucy." Ga Eul stood up and wrapped her arms comfortingly around her. "He loves you so much that he is terrified what will happen to him when you leave."

"It's different with you, Lucy. It's different because he loves you and he didn't with me. Not like that." Jan Di said softly. "He let both Seo Hyun and me go with little fuss in the end. We weren't the ones he couldn't live without. You are and he doesn't know what to do. How to handle loving you when you might go home."

"I'm not going too," Lucy finally decided and picked up her phone shakily. "Not this time."

The three woman exchanged glances as they watched Lucy make her phone call and after she finished and the realization over what she had just done settled over them, they all froze in stunned silence.

"Is it too early to drink?" Lucy finally asked in a daze and Ga Eul shook her head. "I will buy."

They waited for a second before finally bursting into hysterical laughter. Jan Di moved to hug her tightly and Lucy returned the pressure with a gasping laugh. "Oh my god. What did I just do?"

"Something amazing." Jan Di confirmed with a watery chuckle. "Now come on. Let's go celebrate."

Lucy nodded but grabbed Park Myeon Gi's hand first. "Thank you, Park Myeon Gi."

The tiny woman smiled and patted her hand. "Don't thank me. You would have made this decision sooner or later."

"Yes but I would have tortured myself and Ji Hoo in the process." Lucy said quietly. "I was saved by my family. I don't know the kind of pain you and Ji Hoo have been through. It would kill me if I were to ever were to hurt him like that again."

Myeon Gi titled her head, remembering Woo Bin own vows to her and how much their love for each other had finally healed the wounds from her father. In rare show of affection, Myeon Gi pressed her palm to Lucy's cheek. "You won't."

Lucy smiled and blinked back another round of tears. "Okay…" She took a deep breath before shaking her arms to relieve the tension. "Enough of this. Jan Di, fix up my ankle so I can walk and then let's go eat a mountain of chocolate or something."

The girls laughed and Ga Eul swirled her keys. "We don't have meet the boys at the club until eight. I say we quit being frugal and have ourselves a proper girls day.

The cheered and as they walked out, Lucy felt a rush of gratitude. Looking up into the sky, she smiled and blew a kiss to the sun. Something her father had taught her. That no matter what happens in life, the sun will always rise. Even on gray days, it would be behind the clouds.

So when she left for Korea, he told her to blow him a kiss every day. Then when the sun rose on his side of the world and shone on his cheek, he would feel it. This was the kind of affection she had been saved by and was now determined to give Ji Hoo.

"Are you okay?" Ga Eul asked and Lucy nodded. "Yes. Finally. And when Ji Hoo gets home tonight… I am going to tell him.

"Good." She beamed and interlaced their arms. "Now come on. Let's go have fun."

Ji Hoo smiled at his grandpa as he hung up his hat. "How are you feeling?"

"Yah," Seok Young waved his hand. "I will outlive you all."

"No doubt you will," Ji Hoo chuckled and stood up from the desk, giving his grandpa a long scan. His color had returned after almost two weeks of pure rest and he looked like he had even put some weight back on.

"I want you retire."

Seok Young smiled at the quiet command from his grandson. "Someday."

"Grandfather—"

"Yah! Don't go taking away my stethoscope and burying me just yet. Now it's time for you to go anyway." Seok Young nudged his body to the door. "Go see your friends. Don't worry about a cantankerous old man like me."

Ji Hoo sighed but gave him a smile. "Promise me you will at least think about it."

Seok Young looked at him with a knowing smile. "I will make you a deal… Once you get married and start giving me great-grandchildren to visit daily, I will retire with a smile on my face. But until then, I am going to take care of my patients. Now shoo."

Ji Hoo rolled his eyes but nodded. "All right, I will see you tomorrow." He paused at the doorway before hesitantly turning back around. "I've met someone."

Seok Young lifted his eyes over the rim of his glasses. "Someone?"

"A woman."

His grandfather leaned back in his chair with a bemused smile. "She must be special if you are telling me about her."

Ji Hoo nodded slowly. "Her name is Lucy. She is studying here in Korea from the States."

"Ahh," Seok Young interlaced his hands over his stomach. "She is American then."

"Yes and Korean." Ji Hoo smiled. "It's a long story."

"I would like to hear it."

At his simple statement, Ji Hoo relaxed and moved to sit down across from his grandfather. He told him everything. About how she was adopted, how they met, and finally about asking her to stay with him for the rest of her time in Korea.

"She sounds like a sweet soul." Seok Young studied his grandson, pleased to see the light in his eyes which had been dimmed for far too long. "May I meet her?"

Ji Hoo nodded. "I would like that."

"Me too." Seok Young smiled over at him. "I will come over soon and officially introduce myself."

Ji Hoo looked at him worriedly. "You don't mind her staying with me then?"

"Does she make you happy?"

Ji Hoo smiled. "Yes."

"Then that's good enough for me." Seok Young said seriously and his grandson exhaled in relief. He rose to hug him. "Thank you."

"Ehh," His grandfather pushed him away with a growl. "Don't thank me. Now go see your friends and let me get to work."

Ji Hoo grinned. "Yes, sir."

Lucy took in the private room above the club with a sense of awe. It was opulent with large sofa's, thick pillows, and a private entrance. Woo Bin's personal staff quietly coming in to discreetly take their orders. She had never really like clubs before. Finding them too loud and crowded but this was on a whole new level.

Lucy adjusted the hem of her dress that Ga Eul and Jan Di had talked her into on their shopping trip with a pleased smile. The black showed off her blonde hair which had been styled so her curls flowed down her back in waves.

"You look pretty tonight, Lucy." Woo Bin complimented her as he handed her drink.

"Thank you." Lucy told him with a laugh. "Myeon Gi actually picked out the dress though."

His eyes light up and turned to his girlfriend with a cocked eyebrow who was sipping her water on the couch and she rolled her eyes at him. "What?"

"Nothing. But how come girls can tell each other what to wear but when I do it, you tell me I have no taste."

"That's because the only clothes you like for me to wear outside the house is a parka." Myeon Gi said dryly and he grinned. "Fair point."

Woo Bin leaned down to kiss her and mumbled something against her lips which made her smile. "You're such a pabo."

He chuckled and moved away to greet Yi Jeong who was just now walking in. "Hey bro. What kept you?"

Yi Jeong winced as he leaned down to greet his wife. "When In Ha got back from the zoo, she passed out on me. She woke up when I moved and cried terribly when she realized I was leaving."

"Poor thing." Ga Eul muttered worriedly. "She is all messed up from traveling and the time change."

"Yeah." Yi Jeong looked horrible. "She was almost hysterical and it took me forever to get her calm. She finally fell back asleep and Jun Pyo is practically camping out on the floor next to her but—"

"We won't stay long," Ga Eul assured him quietly, interlacing their fingers. "All right?"

He nodded and pressed his lips to her temple. "Okay."

Lucy smiled at the concerned father but when a loud familiar voice suddenly floated overhead, her stomach clenched in fear.

Woo Bin immediately went to look over the balcony, always on alert for any trouble in the clubs that might require his assistance. When the yelling increased, Lucy ran over to see who it was and her eyes widened in horror. "No!"

"Lucy," Woo Bin began but she already taken off, whatever pain from her ankle forgotten as she rushed frantically down the stairs. Yi Jeong quickly stood in concern, tucking Ga Eul protectively behind him. "What is it?"

"I don't know." Woo Bin muttered. "But I don't think it's good."

His gaze sharpening as he saw Lucy running over and putting her body in front of the young woman who immediately clung to her. The man who had been yelling jerked backwards and sneered darkly at Lucy who was snapping at him to back off.

"Come on," Woo Bin jerked his head. "I don't like this."

"Yi Jeong," Ga Eul said sharply as she and Myeon Gi leaned over the rail. "He's got her pinned."

Her husband immediately bolted down the stairs with Woo Bin hot on his heels.

Lucy could feel Soo Jun clinging to her and she moved further into her so he couldn't see her. "For the last time Gang Bon Hwa, back off."

"Or what?" He roared drunkenly. "What will you do? Yell at me in English."

"Bon Hwa, please." Soo Jun pleaded tearfully. "You're drunk."

"I am not drunk." He pressed his body closer and Lucy forced herself not to whimper in fear at the feel of his hand touching her skin. "Get off me."

"You know," he slurred angrily. "This is your fault. If you had let me—"

Lucy discreetly tried to free her legs enough to bring her knee up into him without exposing Soo Jun. Somehow sensing the movement, he clamped down on her leg to the point where pain made her involuntarily hiss.

"You bitch." Bon Hwa growled, seizing her face and leaning in like he was going to force a kiss on her but before he could make contact, he was ripped away. His body flying backwards and flipping over a table causing people to scatter in alarm.

Lucy gasped as Ji Hoo was suddenly standing in front of her. Anger radiating off him so violently that it was a physical mist.

"Shit," Yi Jeong growled and picked up speed, pushing people out of the way. "Woo Bin!"

"I've got him." Woo Bin yelled as he jumped over a table. "You get the girls."

Lucy kept herself front of Soo Jung, her eyes never leaving Ji Hoo who was moving towards Gang Bon Hwa. Woo Bin flew past her and using his speed tackled him to the ground. With an angry roar, Ji Hoo managed to push himself up despite Woo Bin's significant weight advantage.

Woo Bin cursed as he struggled to keep him down, his lips moving furiously against his ear but from the look on Ji Hoo's face, nothing was penetrating.

So Yi Jeong stepped in front of her, his back shielding both her and Soo Jung. His eyes never leaving Bon Hwa who was still stupidly yelling obscenities at her.

"Are you all right?"

Lucy nodded and he gestured for her to go, turning his body with her to keep her out of view until they were free. Lucy grabbed her cousins hand and bolted them both back upstairs where Ga Eul and Myeon Gi were waiting fearfully.

"Soo Jung," Lucy yelled they minute they were safe, cupping her sobbing face. "Are you all right? Did he—"

"Lucy," Soo Jung wailed and fell in her arms. "Shh," Lucy whispered, rubbing her back, keeping a fearful eye on the floor where Ji Hoo was currently being restrained. "It's okay."

"Enough, Ji Hoo." Woo Bin hissed as he fought with his friend. "Listen to me."

"Let go of me." Ji Hoo growled furiously as he moved to flip him, and Woo Bin only barely managed to block his attack. Yi Jeong rushed to help him but even with the both of them, they were losing against the rising fury in him. Ji Hoo had just managed to push them off long enough to take a step forward when he found himself being seized from behind

"Stop it, Ji Hoo." Jun Pyo growled as he held onto him. "Now."

"Get off me." He snapped, throwing a glare to where Gang Bon Hwa lay drunkenly. "I'm going to break every bone in his body."

"No, you're not." Jun Pyo snarled low. "You are going to stop."

"Not until I—"

"Yoon Ji Hoo," Jun Pyo barked at him. "Enough."

Breathing harshly, Ji Hoo glared at him but had at least stopped struggling momentarily. "He tried to hurt her, Jun Pyo."

Jun Pyo tightened his grip. "I will handle him. But you are going calm down."

At the quiet command, Ji Hoo slowly stopped fighting. Seeing him coming back to his senses, Woo Bin hurriedly grabbed his arm. "Come with me."

The doctor growled in protest but Woo Bin didn't let up and twisted his arm tightly around his back. "Now, Yoon Ji Hoo."

With a few forceful pushes, he was able to get him off the floor where Yi Jeong finally let himself take a deep breath, looking over at Jun Pyo in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Ga Eul called me." Jun Pyo said darkly. "I was already on my way since Jan Di wanted to spend some alone time with In Ha before you leave on Monday. I was only a block away when Ga Eul reached me."

Yi Jeong felt a rush of gratitude to his wife who knew the dynamics of F4 better than anyone. She knew Woo Bin and Yi Jeong were not capable alone of stopping Ji Hoo this time. They needed their leader who had absolute authority over the group. Only he would be strong enough to issue the command to halt Ji Hoo's murderous intentions.

Not that he could blame him, Yi Jeong reflected as he strode carefully to the drunken heap on the floor. He remembered a certain moment years ago when a man had tried to raise his hand to Ga Eul. The image of someone touching your woman… Scaring and threatening her is something that will make even the noblest man commit murder.

"Well now," Yi Jeong said coldly as he sank to his haunches and stared at the trembling figure who seemed to finally understand the danger he was in. Especially as Woo Bin's man flanked him on both sides with steady expressions. "Let's talk, Gang Bon Hwa."

Ji Hoo pushed his way to the balcony, his expression fierce and wild. Lucy jumped up at the sight of him and flew into his arms. He picked her up and practically slammed her into the wall, his body pinning her against him. "Are you all right?"

She nodded with a cry. Her heart beating too hard to answer.

He pressed himself further into her, his brown eyes dilated with anger and fear. "Answer me, Lucy. Did he hurt you?"

"No." She cried shakily. "You got to me in time."

This didn't seem to relieve him. He cursed darkly and buried his face into the side of her throat. "Damn it."

"I'm sorry." Lucy whispered. "But he was trying to hurt Soo- "

"We will talk about that later," Ji Hoo growled. "Right now...I can't…" He kissed her roughly, his hands clenching into fists around her hair. "Damn it, Lucy."

"I'm okay." She breathed in his ear. "I promise."

His breath was hard and fast but she could slowly feel his muscles unclench. Eventually he leaned back and slowly lowered her to the ground. He turned to face Soo Jung who was openly sobbing. "What happened?"

Her cousin shook her head, not able to speak and Lucy moved to her side. "Soo Jung?"

"He was drunk," Soo Jung cried. "I told him we needed to go. He didn't want to leave so I told him I was going to take a cab. He grabbed me and just started yelling at me about leaving without his permission. That's when I tried to sneak his keys out of his pocket. He caught me and threw me against the bar. He started to…" She stopped as fresh tears rolled heavily. "Lucy ran in front me and took it instead."

Ji Hoo's head snapped over in alarm but she shook her head. "No." Lucy assured him quietly. "He stopped once he saw it was me standing in front of her."

"I'm so sorry, Lucy." Soo Jung wailed. "You tried to tell me but all I could see was—"

"Hush." Lucy wrapped herself around her cousin. "This wasn't your fault."

Her cousin only continued to sob and Lucy held her tightly at the sound of her distress. She looked up at Ji Hoo. "I should take her home."

"Take her to my house."

"No." Soo Jung lifted her head and wiped her tears angrily. "I'm fine."

Lucy shushed her before coming to stand in front of Ji Hoo, lowering her voice to speak privately. "She is too upset to be alone. I am going to stay with her tonight."

Ji Hoo began to protest but she rose on her toes to kiss him. "Please Ji Hoo. I need to talk to her. Get her to understand some things. She will be too uncomfortable at our house."

Only her use of the words of our house made him soften enough to nod. "But I want you to call me if you—"

"I will." Lucy interrupted knowingly and kissed him deeper this time. "I will see you tomorrow."

"Okay." He stroked her back before releasing her so she could lead her cousin out. Yi Jeong walked in as they left and Lucy whispered something to him. Yi Jeong squeezed her arm in reply and moved to sit next to him with a groan.

"Good lord. We are getting too old this."

Ji Hoo nodded and sank into the cushion. Yi Jeong sat silently for awhile before rolling his head to look at him. "Are you all right?"

He shook his head. "Not really."

"I figured not." Yi Jeong sighed. "It took me weeks before I stopped seeing Kang Ha Joon raising his fist to Ga Eul. To stop listening at night for him creeping around her door."

Ji Hoo rubbed his eyes. "Do you still think about him?"

"Sometimes." Yi Jeong admitted darkly. "Whenever Ga Eul is having a rough night or In Ha gets scared by something, I remember him trying to hurt them."

"Does Ga Eul?"

"Not like she use too." He assured him. "And that was after years of torture, Ji Hoo. Tonight won't affect Lucy. And she won't let it affect Lee Soo Jung either."

Ji Hoo nodded. "I know. But it doesn't make me feel any better right now."

He agreed with a sigh as they both sat quietly, lost in their thoughts of the past. Finally Ji Hoo turned to look at his friend, feeling the need for his advice. "I don't want to lose her."

Yi Jeong slowly opened his eyes and stared at him blankly, his expression revealing how dumb he found Ji Hoo's concern over this particular issue to be. "Why are you so convinced you are going too?

"Her whole family is San Francisco." Ji Hoo told him worriedly. "She is so close to them. And even though she keeps saying we will figure it out—"

"Ji Hoo," Yi Jeong rolled his eyes. "We don't exactly live in the Joseon era. Even if Lucy has to go home after her visa is up or needs to see her family, it doesn't mean you have to break up. We have these little things called phones." He held up his cellphone and waved it sarcastically. "And computers which allow you to see and call someone whenever you want. So would you stop acting stupid."

Ji Hoo blinked at him. "What?"

"Make it work." Yi Jeong said sharply. "If you want Lucy, then fucking be with her. Find a way. Don't act like you have no choices here."

Woo Bin leaned against the door with a crooked smile watching Ji Hoo hang his head at his own stupidity. "There it is. I was wondering when you would wake up."

"I didn't even think about…" Ji Hoo groaned. "Damn it.

"Yeah," Yi Jeong rolled his eyes again. "You know, for being the smart one, you have acted really stupid. How many times did you almost ruin this for yourself simply because you couldn't see past the fucking airport?"

"Lucy knows I want her to stay."

"Did you ever tell her why though?"

"What?"

"Did you tell her the reason you didn't want her to leave is because you loved her?" Yi Jeong said slowly and Ji Hoo opened his mouth but no words came out. His heart beating furiously in chest as the knowledge of being in love with Lucy washed over him. He thought he had felt this before with Seo Hyun and Jan Di but now he knew that was just tiny flicker of light.

This was a burning, pulsating, blinding thing. And he realized, Yi Jeong was right. He had let Seo Hyun and Jan Di go because it was easy in the long run. Letting Lucy go was not even in his realm of possibilities. They would figure out their living arrangements but it wouldn't be over simply because she left. He wouldn't let them be.

"Shit," Ji Hoo groaned into his hands. "Shit. Shit. Shit."

"Yay." Woo Bin said happily. "He finally got it. Took him awhile but better late than never."

"I have been so stupid." Ji Hoo moaned. "It's just...Lucy took me by surprise. And then I was in love with her so fast and so deeply, I couldn't even recognize it."

"Now who does that remind you of?" Jun Pyo said dryly from the corner and grinned as Woo Bin quickly looked over to Yi Jeong and raised his hand. "Ooh, ooh I know. Pick me."

"Yeah, yeah." Yi Jeong gave his three fingered wave. "It was me."

"Yay, I win." Woo Bin cheered. "Someone buy me a drink."

Jun Pyo laughed as Yi Jeong flipped him off good-naturedly. "At least I married my girl. And buy your own drink. It's your club."

"Boo."

"Come on," Ji Hoo stood up. "I will buy us all drinks. My way of saying sorry for being royally stupid these past few weeks."

"Works for me." Woo Bin shrugged. "Ga Eul is taking Myeon Gi home for me. And since I don't have more than one drink anymore, I want it to be a good one... Especially if Jo Hoo is paying."

Jun Pyo rolled his eyes and picked up a pillow to throw at his head. Woo Bin caught it easily and pointed sternly at him. "No drinking and pillow-fighting the owner. Club Rules."

Exchanging glances with Jun Pyo, Yi Jeong and Ji Hoo picked up their pillows and in honor of a lifetime of friendship, they simultaneously began to whack him.

"Yah!' Woo Bin yelled and covered his head. "See if I let you guys use my employee parking anymore!"

Lucy opened the door early the next morning feeling exhausted. She had been up all night comforting and talking Lee Soo Jung. It had been a hard conversation but she was confident her cousin was going to be all right. Now, she only wanted to see Ji Hoo.

Moving to the bedroom, she was surprised to see him waiting for her. He looked tired but determined.

"Hey."

"Hi." He whispered and reached for her. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." Lucy sank into him. "So is Lee Soo Jung. Finally."

"Good." He muttered and pressed a kiss to her lips. "I need to tell you something."

"Me too." She took a deep breath but Ji Hoo shook his head. "No. Let me say this before I waste any more time."

She frowned but he hurried on before she could stop him. "I love you."

Her eyes widened and Ji Hoo felt sick that she looked so surprise. He tightened his grip on her waist to the point where he would probably leave bruises but he was too tense to let up. "I love you and I will go with you San Francisco."

"Ji Hoo—"

"I can live there with you and fly home to see my friends." He rushed on. "Grandpa is doing better and Jan Di can help him out at the clinic. I will visit regularly and maybe we can have In Ha stay with us during the summer or something."

Lucy felt herself tingle all the way down to her toes. "You can't give up your life for me."

"I'm not." Ji Hoo said quietly and tugged her between his legs. "But I will be if I let myself lose you."

She took his face firmly. "No, Ji Hoo."

"Lucy, I know I've been horribly stupid during this whole thing." Ji Hoo rushed in a panic. "Please just let fix—"

She bent down and took his mouth in a long kiss. He groaned and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Lucy lifted her mouth just enough to whisper against him. "I love you too. I have from the moment you ran into me."

Before she could do more than blink, Ji Hoo had lifted her and tumbled them onto the bed. "Say it again."

"I love you." Lucy whispered as tears rolled down her face. "I love you so much it hurts."

"Lucy," He groaned and feeling him shaking, she leaned up to assure the best way she could. She kissed him until his skin blazed hotly under her fingers. He roughly stripped off her clothes and without another word, he pushed inside her. His body moving almost involuntarily and Lucy rose to meet him.

"I can't go slow," Ji Hoo cursed low. "Lucy-"

"It's all right," Lucy tucked her face into his neck, "Please."

Not able to wait any longer, he increased his speed. His hands gripping the headboard above her for leverage as his body moved forcefully within her. Lucy wrapped her legs around his waist and took him until he finally let go with a low shout. Ji Hoo buried his face into her chest, his body shaking so violently that it sprung her own climax and Lucy let out a surprised cry as she suddenly quaked hard beneath him.

He clung to her tightly for such a long time afterwards that she briefly wondered if he had fallen asleep. "I love you." Ji Hoo finally whispered against her skin and she smiled. "I love you too."

He slowly rolled of her and tucked her into his side, his lips brushing over her shoulder. "Now, what did you want to tell me?"

"This," Lucy whispered. "I couldn't keep it in anymore. It was killing me not being able to tell you how much I loved you."

He nuzzled her neck and whispered love and promises to her until she was shaking all over again. "Also, I'm not going home."

Ji Hoo lifted his head with a frown. "What do you mean?"

"I was offered a job three months ago at the University to start teaching after I get my degree in June." Lucy told him with smile. "I initially turned it down because I didn't think I had a reason to stay." She brushed back his damp hair. "Now, I do. So I called Professor Choi yesterday and accepted. I will start in the fall."

Ji Hoo's mouth fell open. "Lucy, you don't have—"

"Yes, I do." She said smoothly. "This is your home. Your friends are too important and I would never ask you to live away from In Ha. That would be like killing you which would kill me. We're staying."

He moved a curl out her face tenderly. "What about your family?"

"I will go home and see them when I can." Lucy shrugged. "My parents have been wanting to visit Korea more often but couldn't really afford it. But maybe together we can—"

"They can visit whenever they want," Ji Hoo interrupted firmly. "I will buy them a private plane if they want."

"My mother would love it." Lucy giggled. "But I don't think we need to go that far."

Ji Hoo made a mental note to have a pilot at their door by tomorrow with their own plane sitting at the airport but figured he could come back to that.

"Are you sure?"

"Ji Hoo," Lucy sat up and straddled his lap, his hands encircling her automatically. "I have never been more positive in my life. I love Korea. I love your friends who have accepted me without question. But more importantly, I love you. I don't want to live without you." She smiled down at him. "And I love teaching. This is the perfect job for me. I wanted to take it when it was first offered but I didn't see how I could stay here with only Lee Soo Jung. Then I met you and now I can't imagine living anywhere else."

Ji Hoo scanned her but seeing that was sincere, his shoulders sank in relief. He held her tightly with a grateful sigh. "You're not leaving."

"No." Lucy rubbed the back of his head and smiled as he took her mouth in a long glide. She shifted slightly and he moved his hands sensually over her body until she was squirming for a whole new reason.

"Do you have any complaints about that?" Lucy finally managed to wheeze out.

He took her hips and slowly sank her back down on him, her gasp filling his ear and he grinned wickedly at the sound. "What do you think?"