Chapter 5

There seemed to be an unending supply of red liquid poring from the gaping wound on Tim's chin. She stood transfixed as he attempted to catch the blood before it stained her mother's carpet. There was so much that he was instantly unsuccessful and the whole time he was apologised for creating a mess. Her parents, having heard Tim holler, rushed out of their bedroom looking mussed but concerned.

"What happened?" Coach was not happy if the scowl in her direction was any indication. The clenched jaw and thicker accent were absolute signs that she was going to catch some hell later. While he may be her dad, this was his star fullback.

"I don't know. I was moving past him and I accidentally clocked him with my head," her mother stood in the background with a look of absolute disbelief on her face. Julie could almost hear her thoughts and stated 'No Mom, it was innocent. I didn't see him and was shocked and we collided."

Coach's eyes were moving from Tim to Julie to his wife confused by what wasn't being discussed. Tim decided to step into the fold, his voice muffled by his hand and the towel Tami had given him.

"Seriously Mrs Taylor I just surprised her, honest," The attention back on him drew all their eyes to the yellow towel that was rapidly becoming red.

"Son, we have to get you some medical attention," Coach lead Tim out the door to his car. Julie and Tami were left standing in the hallway staring after them.

"Julie, get some clothes on for goodness sake" Tami told her daughter.

Julie had forgotten that she was clad in only a towel the entire escapade. She hurriedly moved to her bedroom, closed the door and flopped onto her bed. She released a big sigh and wondered how her life seemed to get more and more complicated with every day. She had temporarily given up on the Tim fascination. Okay she was lying, she'd just put the stalkeresque plan on the backburner. When she was ignoring him she had seemingly received more attention from him, bizarre. Now she just needed to see that he was okay. Please don't have let me scar him permanently, not that beautiful face. With a final huff she arose from the bed and looked to the closet for something to wear. Looking at her reflection she realised that some of Tim's blood had splattered over the towel and she felt horrible all over again.

Tim was late to school that day. Having Coach vouch for him smoothed over what a month previous would have seen him receive detention. He had a couple of stitches on his chin to show for his morning. Rumours ran rampant over the school. How had Tim Riggins gotten those stitches? Stories were interesting to say the least. He had been caught in the bed of a married women and the husband had given him a nice upper cut. He had been so drunk that he had fallen off his chair and hit his head on the table. The entire Laribee football team had surrounded him and that was the only injury he had - but you should see the team. Of course all these stories were substantiated by actual witnesses. The leading theory was that the Coach had caught Julie and Tim making out on the couch and the Coach had gone ballistic and started throwing punches. Anyone with half a brain would know that had that occurred Tim would have more injuries that a simple cut to his chin. Mystery abounded, people whispered in the halls and Julie just tried to keep a very low profile.

Julie was supposed to get a ride home from Tim that afternoon after school. She waited by his truck and anticipated the awkwardness that would definitely occur. She leant on the passenger door, moving her ankles in and out, staring at the asphalt.

"So apparently we've been breaking in the couch," a deep voice that she instantly recognised came from the left. She looked up. There stood Tim in his slouch pose throwing a disarming grin in her direction. The stitches on his chin breaking up the perfection of his face. Her insides moved when he smiled at her. She immediately dropped her books. Julie quickly got down on her knees to pick them up, glad for a distraction. A huge bronze hand swept in and grabbed her books in one swoop.

She quickly got to her feet to get the books from Tim. He was looked at her intently, his eyes on her face, he gave her a crooked smile. She decided she would have to be the one to break the silence.

"So you've heard the rumours too?" she looked at him nervously.

"My favourite is the one about me selling my liver on the black market. They removed it from my chin." They both pulled quizzical faces "I don't know what is more ridiculous – that a liver can be removed from the chin or that my liver would be worth anything to anyone." They both laughed. It really wasn't that funny but it broke the tension.

"Look Tim," she started and he stopped chuckling "I am really sorry about this morning. I didn't mean to. I just spazzed out and well... hopefully it won't make a scar. I just cannot believe I did that." she looked at him trying to convey her regret on her face.

"No sweat Jules. Haven't you heard? Chicks dig scars," he teased and she groaned at the reminder that she may have scarred Tim Riggins for life. He chuckled heartily at the expression on her face and swung an arm around her shoulders in a kind-of side hug. He ruffled her hair and said

"Now get your ass into the truck". She started at his wording, hurriedly scooting her way into the shotgun position, staring at him as he also seated himself in the truck. He chuckled again, amusing himself with her shock. They pulled out of the student parking lot and made their way towards her house. They rode in comfortable silence. It was more enjoyable without her attempts to touch him and his attempts not to be touched. It had to be better for his back not being pressed right up against the driver's door that was for sure. It occurred to her that she had never seen Tim so relaxed and jovial in her presence before.

"Tim, why are you being so nice to me?" she asked real quiet. It was almost inaudible.

"Well I figure if you can do this accidentally" he said pointing to his chin "who knows what you might do if you are truly pissed off at me". He looked at her, that cocky smile on his face. She decided to play along.

"Well next time I'll leave your pretty boy face alone," she threatened saucily. Who knew that flirting could be this fun? Or was it flirting? Maybe he was just humouring her. She grew quiet again. Her unpredictability of response caused Tim to swerve the truck to the side of the road. They sat there listening to the rumble of the engine, neither saying anything. Julie stared at her hands, her books on her lap. She fidgeted with the frayed edge of her bracelet, doing anything to not look him in the eye.

"Look Jules, the chin thing is not a problem. I been more hurt during practise than your small bump," he offered. She looked up at him and accepted this with a small nod. She remained silent. "Um truthfully I am used to having done something to warrant a girl trying to bodily harm me."

At this Julie frowned. She didn't want to hear about other girls and whatever he'd done with them. He noted her frown.

"If you are worried about the rumours, don't. Tomorrow there'll be a new one. I even heard something about Tyra and Landry, I mean ..." he didn't know how to finish that sentence.

"It's not that. I'm used to being stared at. Coach's daughter. QB1's ex. It comes with the territory. Matt's got a new girl too so I was already on the gossip radar. I just feel horrible that because of me, people are gossiping about you". She finished up by shrugging. She didn't know what he was expecting of her. Clearly Tim hadn't been expecting what Julie had said. His face quickly changed from consoling to utter amazement. Almost as if the idea that anyone could be worried about his reputation was beyond his conception. His eyes crinkled as he tried to ruminate what she had told him. He directed the truck back onto the road.

They quickly pulled up outside of her, and now his, home. They sat there, side by side. There had been a shift in their relationship. Neither of them could identify when or where it had occurred but it had. Tim and Julie jumped out of the truck and walked up the path entering the house. There was no one home. Julie in the lead, walked up to the kitchen table dropped her books and delved into her homework. She gave the appearance that she was completely involved in it but truthfully she was listening for Tim's movements. He stood in the doorway, considering what to do next. Weighing his options. He took a step towards the table, paused and then sat down next to her. For the next hour they sat in companionable silence while they did their homework. He had been trying harder with his school work since living with the Taylor's. In fact it was part of Coach's deal when he allowed Tim to move in. Julie made the most of the opportunity to breathe in his scent and catch unsuspecting glances at his face.

An hour later a cacophony of noise arose from the front door. Coach and Tami were home with groceries. Tami yelling out

"Julie can you get your sister out of the car seat and Tim could you help us out with the bags?" They quickly went out to the car and got their respective tasks done. As they got to the door simultaneously, Tim bowed partially and said

"After you mademoiselle". It sounded ridiculous, Tim attempting to speak French. Julie couldn't help but get the giggles.

"Why thank you monsieur" she curtseyed with Gracie still in her arms. They entered the kitchen, deposited their loads and got on with their work. Unlike previous times when Tim would refuse to acknowledge her existence, this time he asked her questions, made jokes and nudged her from time to time. Julie was more confused than ever. Was this his second attempt at acting like a real big brother or was this something else?

Author's Note – Thanks for all the alerts, favourites and reviews. This is my first fanfic and all the lovely responses have been extremely positive and great for my confidence. I will endeavour to post regularly.