A/N: Yeah I know I said I wouldn't go back to this story but I just had to write something fun for a change. So much for retirement! I don't know what I was thinking with the whole retirement thing. That's right I was having a really bad couple of weeks work wise, a bad couple of months for that matter and was feeling sorry for myself. I'm over it. All is good now. I hope you enjoy reading this. It's a bit crazy.

Chapter 6. New Year's Eve

Juliet had a problem. Now that she was seven months pregnant none of her clothes fitted her and to make matters worse she seemed to have popped out over night. Now she was suddenly huge. She couldn't go around living in the one pair of tracksuit pants and James' t-shirts. She had visited the clothing store but Mavis had just given her a blank look when she asked for maternity clothes. Of course she'd had momentarily forgotten it was the stinking 70's and maternity clothes just weren't a happening thing unlike the many glamorous maternity clothes that graced the shops back in her day before she'd left it, back in 2001.

She consulted Amy.

Amy had given what maternity clothes she had to Juliet after telling her that she lived mostly in overalls, loose fitting dresses and you merely just brought bigger sized clothes. Juliet came to one conclusion after going through the dresses and overalls Amy had given her - she was just going to look frumpy for the next couple of months and there wasn't a lot she could do about it.

James had found the dresses highly amusing.

"What is this?" he had asked pulling out the dress, "you could house a whole family under this dress."

She had given him a furious look, but he went on unperturbed.

"You into tent dresses now Blondie?"

She told him he could pitch a tent outside and live in it. That shut him up for about a day but he couldn't hide the amusement in his eyes.

"Aww but you look so cute," he'd said, "especially in those dungarees."

She had stared daggers at him.

He'd laughed, wrapped his arms around her, kissed the top of her head and it was impossible to stay mad at him. Especially when he rubbed her aching feet at the end of the day and gave the best back and neck massages making her sigh in bliss.

He was sweet when he wasn't teasing her. Sometimes she had to shake herself in disbelief that she was actually married and went by the name Mrs LaFleur. Jim's missus, that's what Miles now called her and she used to get angry with him but she'd since given up. It was better not to give Miles the satisfaction of seeing that it bothered her. She would put on her cool mask which she had found harder to do pregnant and blamed all the crazy hormones. She snapped a lot easier. Found herself crying over the most stupidest things. As for her high tolerance that had slipped, dramatically. And the bump, that got in the way of everything. Even a simple task like tying up shoe laces was becoming increasingly difficult.

She was just glad to be working at the hospital now because she couldn't see herself fitting underneath the Kombi vans to fix them. The work in the hospital was much easier and no grease to contend with. There were currently six women pregnant on the island and at various stages. Tracey was just about to give birth. Two of the women were in their first trimesters then there was her and lastly Laura. The one James had gone out with briefly before her, the one that had called her an old hag and the one woman on this island that truly got under her skin. The one woman who also unfortunately happened to be her patient and was due today for a six month check up.

Fuck.

Her mood wasn't the best and having to suffer through Laura's barbs wasn't something she was looking forward to. Hopefully she might be nice for a change.

No such luck.

Laura was as always her bitchy self and was in fine form this afternoon. When Juliet went out to the waiting room to greet her, the first thing Laura remarked was, "Wow look at you."

Her eyes came to rest on Juliet's belly. "Are you sure you're not having twins?" she continued, running a hand over her barely there bump and they were only a month apart.

Juliet gritted her teeth.

"I'm pretty sure I'm not having twins," she replied and forced a smile.

Juliet led her along to the maternity room.

"You must be nine months pregnant now," Laura chattered, so lightly, so breezily.

Juliet didn't bothering answering.

"I hope I don't end up that big," she continued as if that would be a fate worse than death.

Juliet clenched her jaw and proceeded to take Laura's blood pressure, pumping up the cuff far tighter than needed to be making Laura wince.

"It's not all that bad," she replied nonchalantly, "comes in handy at times, like a coffee table to rest things on."

Laura didn't seem to get it. Juliet wrote down Laura's blood pressure on her chart and bit down on her lip. The sooner this was over the better. She rushed through the various tests, quicker than normal, finally getting Laura to give a pee sample, the last test.

"What are you and Jim planning tonight for New Year's Eve?" Laura asked as Juliet watched the urine stick for an outcome.

"We're just having a quiet night, I'm not much in the mood for a party," she replied, pushing a strand of her out of her eyes, feeling hot and sticky. She was lucky if she could stay awake past ten at night.

What was wrong with this stick? Why was it taking so long?

"Rob and I are going to the party," Laura continued.

Even better reason for her not to go, Juliet thought mutedly.

"I got a new dress, luckily I still fit into it," Laura smirked.

Juliet felt like smacking her out and kept her eyes fixed on the urine sample. Finally a result.

She turned to Laura and forced another smile.

"Looks like it's all going good for you and the baby," she said, with relief.

Now she could get rid of the bitch.

"You're free to go."

Laura stood up, brushed her jeans with her hands as if there were imaginary crumbs there, or maybe she just wanted to show off her slim legs.

Juliet opened the door for her and Laura casually strolled out.

"So how's Jim?" she asked.

"Great."

"I saw him yesterday," she continued, "and I couldn't believe how much he's let himself go since being with you, looks like marriage isn't so good for the waist line," she sniggered, "and to think he had this hot physique once, so much for ..."

Juliet's hand reached out on its own accord and smacked Laura across the face. It was the last straw.

Laura brought a hand up to her cheeks her eyes widening with shock.

"How dare you," she gasped and before Juliet has a chance to see it coming Laura's fist connected with her cheek bone. It hurt, a lot and then Juliet punched back. It felt so good to release all the pent up frustration. Here they were two pregnant ladies fighting and the rational part of her brain is telling her to back up, this was stupid but her emotions were already way out of control.

"Ladies! Ladies!" Derek admonished pulling them off each other.

He looked horrified and shocked that she, Juliet, was capable of this.

Juliet swallowed and Laura started crying.

"I'm telling Horace about this," she sniffed, giving Juliet an angry glance.

"It's alright Laura, I'm sure all of this is just a misunderstanding right?" Derek demanded as he turned to look at Juliet.

She averted her gaze and just shrugged. She wasn't going to apologise.

"Juliet?" he insisted.

"I have nothing to say," she muttered and stalked away, locking herself in her office.

Five minutes have passed and she has started to calm down. She shut her eyes and inwardly groaned. What was she thinking? How could she over-react like that?

Derek knocked on the door, she didn't answer, the door opened and he poked his head around.

"Juliet?"

Juliet rubbed her forehead with her hand, which is kind of shaking.

"What was all that about?" he continued, stepping into her office.

She glanced up at him.

"Just putting the bitch in her place."

He gave her an exasperated look. She sees the disappointment there too.

"You are a professional," he stated.

"I'm also human."

Screw this. She got up off the chair, her head is aching. She just wants to go home, curl up in bed and forget this day ever happened.

"What if she goes to Horace and complains? What if you lose your job?"

She shrugged. "I don't care."

She averted her gaze from his and despite her words she does care. "I'm going home."

She left the office and a speechless Derek behind her.

An hour later she is sitting at the table crying, cursing the pregnancy hormones. One minute she was angry, the next a blithering mess. James came home to find her like this.

"What's wrong?" he asks, looking concerned.

She looks up at him through the tears and hastily swipes at them.

"I-I got in a fight."

He blinks, shakes his head.

"No way."

He walks over to her, slowly, looking unsure.

"You're seven months pregnant how could you get in a fight?" he continues, scratching his head. "You're joshing me right?"

She stands up to face him, pointing to her right eye. He puts a hand under her chin, his eyes searching her face and she sees the worry there.

"Son of a bitch," he mutters, "how the hell did you get in a fight and with who?"

His eyes are questioning, demanding.

She swallows. "Laura."

He frowns.

"Your ex," she emphasises.

His face reddens slightly, "oh her."

"Yeah her."

He rubs a thumb over her sore cheek.

"Looks like ya gonna end up with a black eye."

Great just what she didn't need, now everyone was going to ask questions.

"Why'd ya get in a fight with her?"

"I just had enough of the insults and it just happened, I slapped her across the face."

James grins. "Ya too feisty Blondie."

But she knows he likes this about her.

"She punched me back and then it just happened."

A serious look crosses his face, his eyes meeting with hers, she sees the concern there.

"So why are you crying?" he asks, his voice soft and tender.

"I-I don't know," she sniffs, "I'm just a mess."

She half laughs, hiccups, more tears.

"Come here," he begins, sitting down and pulling her on to his lap, enfolding her in his arms.

"It's alright," he murmurs soothingly, "you're my mess, I don't mind."

She melts into his arms.

"What kind of mother am I going to make?" she asks burrowing her face in his shoulder, wanting reassurance.

"The best kind," he says stroking her hair, "I know you Jules."

Whatever he does it works and she feels comforted. He draws back to look at her, a slight frown crossing his forehead. She smooths out the lines on his face with her fingers. She loves him more than ever.

"Just promise me no more fights," he murmurs tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm probably not going to have a job after today," she states, "Laura is going to tell Horace."

"I'll talk to Horace, you won't lose ya job."

He had a lot more weight of power than Laura.

Later that day Juliet peered at her reflection in the mirror. She definitely had a very noticeable black eye and tried to conceal it with makeup which wasn't really working. She sighed in frustration. It just wasn't like her to lose her temper so easily. Gossip spread fast in a small community like this. By the end of the night everyone would know about the fight and Laura's version of it. Juliet closed her eyes.

Just great.

She couldn't undo what was now done. At least she could hide away in the house for tonight. She would have to face Miles and Jin but that was okay, they were like family and Miles was bound to make some remark. She knew how to handle Miles.

Miles grabbed the pizza and made his way to James and Juliet's house. He pushed the door open.

"I'm here," he called out putting the pizza boxes on the table and heading for the kitchen.

Horace had built a pizza oven and every Friday night it was a special occasion in Dharmaville. Miles favourite night of the week. He yanked the fridge door open and grabbed a can of beer. That's one thing he could rely on Jim to do, stock up on the beer. Juliet walked into the kitchen.

"Hey Juliet," he says glancing her way.

Poor girl, she looks really pregnant now. Miles was glad it wasn't him, glad he wasn't a woman. If he were he'd never have a kid. He was sure that if it was left to men to have the babies the general population would diminishes at a rapid rate.

"Hi Miles," she smiled in that sweet way and then he noticed her eye.

"Hey I heard about the fight."

She looks startled. "How?"

"Barbara told me."

She's still looking put out.

"Don't sweat it Jules, you know how gossip travels."

She mumbled something incoherent under her breath and switched the kettle on.

"Barbara was really happy about it, said it was about time someone thumped her, she hates Laura as much as you," he continued.

"Is she coming tonight?"

"Nah, maybe later, she wants to party for a while."

Barbara was a party girl, sometimes he liked it and sometimes he didn't and found himself wishing she was a bit more settled like Juliet.

"Where's Jim?" he asked moving over to the table and opening one of the pizza boxes.

He was starving.

"He was in the shower last I checked," Juliet replied pouring herself a coffee.

Miles sat down and grabbed a slice of pizza. Life was currently very good. His relationship with Barbara to date had been happy and they'd so far lasted two months, almost a mile stone for him.

"You started on the pizza already," James said in passing.

"Yeah thought I should make a start before you got here and ate it all," he returned.

James went up to Juliet and placed his hands on her waist before rubbing her arms, looking at her lovingly.

"You feeling better?"

She nodded.

He gave her a lingering kiss on the lips.

Miles rolled his eyes. These two were pathetic.

"It's not your honeymoon anymore," he said over his shoulder.

They break apart and Juliet joins him at the table with her cup of coffee.

"So Juliet," he begins leaning forward, "what's your new year resolution? To be unpregnant."

"That's a start."

"Look on the bright side the belly comes in handy as a second table almost."

And she was doing just that, resting her cup on her belly. She blushed and set the cup on the table. James took a seat opposite her and reached for a slice of pizza. Miles glanced at him.

"And you get to lose your belly soon whereas Jim's stuck with his."

Miles takes a swig of beer, a mischievous look crossing his face.

Juliet hides a smile.

"So I guess your new year's resolution is to lose 20 pounds hey Jim," he smirked.

"Ha, ha," James returned dryly, "and I guess yours is to convince Horace to get in a batch of Ashley Martin's latest hair loss treatment."

Juliet rolls her eyes. What was it with these two? Miles always managed to find a way to take the piss out of James and James has recently discovered a way to get back at him. Miles just leans back in his chair and looks at Jim lazily.

"Seriously man have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately."

Now Miles was getting meaner. He was touchy about the whole hair loss thing.

"And that shirt you're wearing is straining against the size of your girth."

James looks down at his shirt and Miles smiles. James glares at him.

"I don't care," he says before taking a swig of beer, a defiant look in his eyes.

He says that but Juliet knows he won't wear that shirt again. She liked the shirt, it brought out the colour of his eyes. Drat Miles.

"He's just having you on James, the shirt looks good on you," she says.

"It's about time you took of those rose coloured glasses," Miles remarked.

Now she glares at him, her tolerance still low. He gives her a sheepish look.

The hours pass by. They were getting drunker and it wasn't even midnight yet. Juliet was ready for bed. She wasn't going to last till midnight. They had been playing polka but she had already lost all of her chocolate and declared herself out of the game. Miles, Jin and James were still going at it but it wasn't looking good for either Jin or James. Miles had a nice pile happening, chocolate, six bottles of James' merlot.

Jin threw his cards down.

"That's it I'm out," he said, folding his arms.

"Me too, I ain't got nothing left to bet with and ya got my good bottle of Scotch," James muttered, looking unhappy.

"C'mon I'm sure you can find something else," Miles insisted.

James narrowed his eyes. "Why so you can score it for yourself."

"You won't be able to get any chocolate, there is none left in all of Dharmaville and the next sub's not due in for another month, you going to deprive your pregnant wife here?"

"I'll survive," Juliet said, wanting to end this stupid polka game.

"I'm sure you can find something," Miles insisted.

"You got it all Enos."

Miles looks him over for a moment, his face suddenly brightening.

"I got an idea."

Why did Juliet get the feeling she wasn't going to like this?

James frowned. "What?"

"If you win you get back everything, chocolate, your red wine and scotch, but if you lose you have to get a mullet."

James laughed. "Ya knob head it ain't even in fashion till the 80's."

Miles smiled, "Exactly."

James poured a generous amount of bourbon in his glass. Juliet bit her lip to stop herself saying anything. She didn't want to nag him but at this rate he was going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow.

"Paul McCartney has a mullet," she said instead, thoughtfully.

James seemed to like this thought.

"Alright then the bet is on," James agreed turning to Miles, "shuffle the cards."

Juliet shook her head.

"Uh James," she begins tugging on his shirt sleeve, "you sure about this, you haven't exactly had good luck tonight, maybe you should think this through first."

"It'll be alright Blondie," he reassured, "I can win the chocolate back for yer."

She raised an eyebrow.

"For me or you?"

"Well I wouldn't mind getting my liquor back and it's just hair, it'll grow back."

"Alright just say I didn't warn you."

"There's one condition," Miles piped up as he shuffled the cards, giving James a sly look, "you've got to leave it like that for six months."

Jin shook his head. "Don't do it James."

James ignored him. "Alright then."

Miles smiled, "and on your 40th you have to wear flared pants."

"I ain't having a 40th," James snorted.

Miles gave an incredulous look.

"You have to have a 40th," he stated.

"Why?" James frowned.

"Because it's to celebrate the beginning of being middle aged," Miles smirked. "Glad you and not me."

Juliet starts yawning. "I've got to go to bed."

"Ya can't hold out?"

She shook her head. "I'm beat."

He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Don't worry I'll get the chocolate back."

She already knows Miles will win and James will have to get a mullet. She also knows that when he's half drunk there was no talking him out of anything. He looks sort of sexy in this happy half sloshed state.

"Happy new year babe," she murmured.

Juliet wakes up when he crawls into bed a few hours later.

"Did you get the chocolate back?" she asks sleepily and is greeted with silence.

She takes that as a no.

"So not only did you give away all of our chocolate, your red wine and precious bottle of scotch you also have to cut your hair into a mullet and leave it that way for the next six months," she stated, slightly amused. When would James ever learn not to bet with Miles?

"Bloody Miles," he muttered into the pillow.

A/N: This is what happens when you write holed up in a warm sweaty car for 10 hours with nagging children and staring out the window at miles of endless treeless red earth. Lol. But it was fun and I was bored.

Please review if you like.

Suggestions always welcomed too.