Julie realized Tim had stopped kissing her. When she opened her eyes and turned to see what he was looking at she was appalled to see their faces on the enormous screen overlooking the field. She had to laugh, it was just so hysterical to her. Blushing mightily she buried her head in Tim's chest. Looking around she saw several players looking at them with open jaws, one of which was Matt. She felt a small pang remembering the previous year, but she quickly forgot about Matt's feelings when she saw the look on her dad's face. Shock would have been an understatement.

"Come on," Julie said looking up at Tim, "we have to go over."

She clutched his hand tightly in hers and started walked over to where her family was standing. She could hear people talking about them as they passed, but she didn't care. She had decided already that she was going to take control of this situation. She loved Tim and was going to stand her ground.

"Dad."

Julie could see her dad was trying to process everything. His elation at winning another championship was quickly doused by seeing his daughter kiss the troubled fullback with a racy history. Before he could formulate a response an official came up to him regarding the trophy presentation.

"We are going to talk about this. Do not leave this field." Eric Taylor ordered.

He kissed her mother quickly and then grabbed Tim by the arm dragging him off.

"I'll be back, Jules." Tim called over his shoulder.

Julie watched them head to the center of the field. She felt her mom wrap her arm around her shoulder and lean her head against hers.

"Oh, Julie."

"I had to, Mom."

"I know you did, sweetie. I'm proud of you."

Julie quickly turned to look at her mother. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"I am, honey. You're becoming a fine young woman and as hard as your growing up is on me and your dad, I can't deny the changes I've seen in you."

The Taylor women watched as their patriarch stood before the crowd and received another championship trophy. His speech was eloquent and brought them to tears. Julie was stunned even further when it was announced that Tim was named the game's MVP. He went up on the podium and accepted the award humbly. He looked straight at her when thanking everyone and turned to shake Coach's hand. Julie held her breath. In her mind she envisioned her dad decking Tim right there in front of God and everybody, but instead, to her dismay, he grabbed Tim's hand and brought him in for a quick hug.

"Oh my God, did you see that, Mom?"

All Tami could do was nod, but she knew this wasn't the miracle Julie had hoped for. That was a coach being proud of his player's achievement. Tami could only hope some of that feeling stayed with her husband when he thought about that player being with his daughter.

After about fifteen minutes Eric and Tim made their way over to where they had left them.

"Come with me right now." Eric said in his best 'I'm the boss' voice.

The group made its way back to the locker room with Eric shaking hands along the way and accepting congratulations from well wishers. He made a quick speech to the team and then Julie heard him tell Mac to get the guys cleaned up and back to the hotel for the dinner the boosters had set up for everyone.

"What about Riggins?" Mac asked.

"Don't you worry about him." Eric replied.

He led them to an office and once they were all inside, shut the door. Julie watched him pace back and forth for a minute. She looked at her mom and Tim and they both knew to just let him be, but she couldn't take it anymore.

"Dad." She started.

He held up a hand to silence her. She rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Don't do that, Julie." He shot back, "Don't pretend like this is no big deal. You just kissed my fullback in front of the entire state of Texas."

"Coach..." Tim tried to break in.

"Uh-uh. No, not you, not yet." Eric barked, pointing a finger in Tim's direction. "You sit. I'll get to you in a minute."

"Eric," Tami spoke up, "just calm down, you're scaring the baby." She started soothing a startled Gracie.

"Calm, down? Why am I the only one who needs to calm down? Why aren't you a little more worked up about this yourself, Tami?" Eric said quietly through clenched teeth.

"Look, I wanted to tell you, but with the game..."

"You knew? You knew about this and didn't tell me? And what exactly is 'this'?" Eric said spinning to face Julie.

"Dad, it just happened."

"What about that night in your room? If I find out that you two..."

"NO!" Both Tim and Julie said in unison.

"Dad, look. That night happened just like I told you. It was my fault and Tim was just trying to help me, but after...after he stopped living with us, we became...closer. I don't know how to explain it. We just started liking each other."

"Sir, it's true. Julie is a great girl." Tim said.

"Oh, you don't need to tell me she's a great girl, Tim, I know she's a great girl. I also happen to know she's not the kind of girl you are used to being with so forgive me if I'm a little concerned about this situation."

"Honey," Tami interjected, bouncing a still fussy Gracie on her hip, "this happened right in front of us. If you calm down for just a minute and think about the last few months you'll understand what I'm saying. They can't help feeling what they feel."

Julie looked at her mom with tears in her eyes, she couldn't believe how she was sticking up for her and Tim.

"Daddy," Julie said with a catch in her voice, "we didn't break any rules. I've followed all of them and haven't complained once. I just want you to let us have a chance."

Eric was rubbing his hands through his hair as he continued to pace. He looked at the group, with nostrils flaring and tightly pursed lips he turned and left the room.

"Mom?" Julie inquired.

"Hang on, sweetie. You two just sit tight and don't be stupid." She said with a knowing look as she left to follow her husband.

Tim and Julie were alone. She immediately flew to his arms and hugged him.

"Oh, Tim. I'm so, so sorry."

"Sorry?" He laughed. "What do you have to be sorry for? This is the greatest day of my life."

"Really?"

"Jules, we just won another championship and the best girl in the world is wearing my jersey for everyone to see. What's not to be happy about?"

She laughed and shook her head. "Well, this." She said waiving her arm around the office.

"We knew it was going to happen, we couldn't avoid it, but Julie Taylor," Tim said taking her face in his hands, "even if I live to 100, I'll never forget how amazing it was to kiss you on that field." And with that he bent down to kiss her softly on the lips.

Her parents walked into the room a few minutes later to find them sitting on the couch holding hands. Julie knew what was said next would be a turning point in her and Tim's relationship. They stood up and she held her breath.

"This is how it's going to be," her dad began, "Julie, you are still grounded. You can continue to tutor Tim at the house during the week. Tim, if you want to see Julie outside of that you will do it at our house on Saturday evening. That's the deal."

Julie was beginning to formulate a complaint when she heard Tim speak.

"That's fine, sir."

"What about tonight?" Julie asked.

"Tonight?" Her father questioned.

"You said I could go to the dance." Julie knew she was pushing it, but she had to try. Before her dad could respond her mom interjected.

"Eric," Tami soothed, "let them enjoy this moment to celebrate. Tim, you played a wonderful game. You should be so proud of your efforts."

Julie was impressed with her mom bringing that up. She saw something in her dad shift.

"Fine. You can attend the dance, but you will be in the room by 11:00. Not one second later." Turning to Tim he added, "I've got eyes everywhere, just remember that. Don't disappoint me."

"I won't, Coach."

Julie saw her dad check his watch. She felt bad that he had to deal with this today, but she'd did what was in her heart. She couldn't apologize for that.

"Go shower up, Tim." Eric ordered.

Julie turned to Tim before he left, "I'll see you in little bit." She stood on her tip toes and kissed him. She heard her father clear his throat and she couldn't help but smile. It was time for him to get used to this, she was dating (even if it was going to be with them) Tim Riggins.

Tim left the room and the Taylor family was alone. Julie faced her parents.

"Thank you." She said softly and ran to her dad. Throwing her arms around him for a hug she added, "Congratulations, Daddy."

Tami joined the hug and the tension in the room broke.

"You really want this, Julie?" Her dad asked kindly.

"I do, Dad. I really do."

"Honey, Tim Riggins?"

"He's changed, Dad. He has. You've seen the changes he's made."

"It's just..."

"I know, Dad, but I'll be fine. Really."

Julie saw her father looking at her and she could see only love in his eyes. She knew this could have gone horribly wrong and was surprised that it had gone as well as it had.

"Alright, well...we need to get. I'll see you ladies at the dinner, OK?"

They said their goodbyes and headed for the parking lot. Julie could feel the eyes of everyone on her as they made their way to the car. She tried to think of how many people had seen the kiss. She laughed to herself when she thought maybe Tim's second ESPN clip would be that.

Standing in front of the mirror Julie looked at her reflection. She had curled her long blond hair so it fell in ringlets around her shoulders. Her dress was a form fitting LBD that tied around her neck and gave her tons of cleavage. She slipped on strappy heels, applied perfume to her pulse points and added a final coat of lip gloss. Inspecting herself one last time she opened the bathroom door and walked out to show her mom.

"Oh, Julie. You look beautiful, honey." Tami said with a small tear in her eye.

They made their way down to the ballroom where the dinner was being held and Julie could again feel everyone looking at her. She was starting to get a little paranoid, but then she saw Tim standing in the hallway talking to some of the guys. Smash tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to look at her. She saw him stop mid sentence and take her in. She knew she was blushing as she felt the flush wash over her skin. He was looking at her like he wanted to devour her and she didn't mind in the least. He walked up to them and said hello to her mom. Tami told them to enjoy themselves and left them taking Gracie Belle to find Coach Taylor.

"You look amazing, Jules."

"Thanks, you look pretty nice yourself." She said, smoothing her hand across his suit coat. "Is that a new tie?" She teased.

"Maybe. You like it?" He teased back.

"I do," she ran her fingers down it and purred into his ear, "it's very...silky."

Tim let out a groan, "You're killing me, you know that?"

She giggled and took his hand. He directed her to a little alcove and pressed her up against the wall. As he buried his face in her neck and delivered soft little kisses behind her ear. She arched her body and drove her pelvis into his and felt exactly how much she was killing him. She let out a moan of desire and moved her hands around him and rested them on the small of his back, enjoying the way his lips brushed her shoulder. They heard voices coming down the hall behind them and quickly straighted themselves up. Julie looked up into Tim's green eyes and hoped he could tell just how much she loved him. She knew it wasn't time to say it yet, but she couldn't help feeling it all the same. He broke the silence.

"Jules...I," he started a little nervously, "I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure..."

"I want to do this right, make it official. Will you, you know, be my girl?"

She let out a small, soft laugh at his nervousness. She found it so sweet that Tim Riggins wanted to have a label for them when it was obvious from his history he shied away from anything like that. Locking eyes with him she softly replied.

"I've never wanted anything more."

AN: One more chapter after this, kids. Continued thanks to those who have reviewed.