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Randy picked up John, and they went to the gym. "Dude, so what's going on? Give me details." John said as he began running on the treadmill. "Are you working on getting back together or what?"

Randy started up on the treadmill also, "I would love to be back together with her, but for right now I'm just working on being a good friend. She has this psycho ex after her, and I wouldn't be surprised if he wants her dead. The problem is that because she's been abused before, it doesn't phase her the way it should, and the law enforcement system has really failed her as far as restraining orders go. It's not totally the laws fault, it's just he doesn't listen, and if he gets served, he finds her and beats her into submission. So I'm trying to protect her."

John looked at Randy, "I don't want this to sound as harsh as it's about to sound, but I have to ask. She was verbally, physically and sexually abused as a child right?"

Randy nodded, "Yeah."

"And now as an adult she's been verbally, physically and sexually abused right?"

Randy nodded again, "Yeah. Where are you going with this?"

"Isn't she damaged by now? I mean, she seems nice and all, but tell me this hasn't fucked with her mind. I don't want you to be in love with someone she used to be. Just to have you find out the hard way that she's nothing like who she was. You've always been honest with me, you like women. You like women who like to go out and have fun. Does she know how to go and have fun? Does she even like to be sexual? Is this really someone you can find yourself settling down with? This is a woman who needs to sleep with a light on. Tell me there's nothing wrong." John said cautiously but truthfully. He wasn't trying to be an asshole, but he really wanted Randy to think about what he was doing.

Randy stopped the treadmill and looked at him, "John, I've always looked at you like a brother, and therefore I'm just going to tell you like it is, and then I don't want you to bring up anything negative about her unless it doesn't have to do with the abuse. Her and I have been through hell and back together, TOGETHER through most of it. Yes, I've been there for her to lean on as her father has done things to her that NO man should ever do to a child. Yes she's had some problems that have haunted her, but for the most part she's a very balanced person. Her grandma was very big on getting her any help she felt she needed. Most kids who are abused the way she was have major problems with post traumatic stress disorder or depression and she hasn't. Now you're right, I don't know the person that she has become, for all I know she's become the poster child for one of those conditions, but I know her best friend, and I would like to think that I know her well enough. From what I've seen, she seems like the same ol' Jules, but to be honest, I don't know. That's what I want to change. Yes I love who she used to be, yes I may not love who she's become, but I will never know until I try. Yes, I know she sleeps with a nightlight and yes I'll be honest, it used to drive me nuts. She knew I hated it when she left the light on, but it made her feel better and I got used to it. As far as her sexuality goes, I'm not going to tell you all the details, but for the most part yes she can be very sexual and other nights it doesn't work out. But, I know that and I understand that. I want to give her and us that chance. The chance to be what we should have been had I not fucked up years ago."

John stopped the treadmill and patted Randy on the back, "Well, it sounds like you truly love her and that it's not about anything superficial. I'm really proud of you. It takes a strong man to handle someone who has a background like hers, and I wish you the best."

Randy smiled and laughed, "Thanks. I didn't mean to get on the soapbox, but trust me, I've heard it all over the years we were together so I tend to get set off easily."

John laughed, "No worries man. Now let's get some lifting done."

And the two continued their workout.

Meanwhile, Juliana spent some alone time with her grandma's casket. She finally felt like she had the closure she needed. She sat down and did the last minute paperwork with the funeral director and met with the priest conducting the service. It was almost time for people to start arriving and Juliana was getting nervous. She went and checked on the front display, it was a photo board with a scrapbook and her grandma's favorite flowers around it. She made sure that everything was just right as people began to arrive.

Half the people arriving knew who she was right away but she had no clue who they were. Then when she was talking with her grandma's best friend she saw Randy walk in with Elaine, Bob and John. She smiled a little to let him know she seen him and made her way over to them. "Thanks for coming." Elaine and Bob each gave her a hug. "We wouldn't miss this. We're going to miss her."

Juliana nodded. She looked over at Randy, "Hi. How was the gym?"

"It was good. How did everything go this morning?"

She smiled, "No traces of him, so I'm pretty sure he's still sleeping or forgot that he threatened me." She turned to John and smiled, "You didn't have to come with him you know. It's not like this is going to be the party of a century."

John laughed, "Well, any friend of Randy's is a friend of mine." And he gave her a hug. "I'm sorry for your loss. But I do have to say you 've got yourself a good guy here."

Juliana turned red, "Thanks." She turned back to Randy, "What time is your guys's flight?"

"12:45am. That way we can get there in time for all of the pre-show stuff. We have a couple appearances and lots of meetings before the show. But, mom said that you can stay the night there if you want. She doesn't mind." Randy started to suggest but Juliana shook her head.

"No, Randy I have a house. I have a bed, I can stay there. I'm fully capable of locking the door and having my cordless right there with me." Juliana replied.

"Ok Jules, let me give you this option." Randy said taking her hand.

Juliana looked at him with her eyes wide. "What?" She had no idea what he was up to.

"Come with me to Wrestlemania and Raw. We can fly home on Tuesday, but I promise you that you'll have a great time and it'll give him time to cool off." Randy started to suggest but Juliana was shaking her head.

"Randy, I can't just jet off with you. I have a job." She started to say but Randy interrupted.

"Call in."

"Randy, I have other obligations." She started to say when Randy interrupted.

"Like what?"

She sighed and looked at him, "I'm sorry, but I do have a life. Saturday nights I perform at a theater, and Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights I perform at a café and at a bar."

"You perform what? What did you take up?" Randy asked.

She sighed and looked at her watch, "I'm Janet in the "Rocky Horror Picture Show and Shock Treatment at the theater Saturday nights at 11pm and Sunday thru Tuesday nights I perform music with a cover band and I play guitar and piano. Sometimes back-up and sometimes lead vocals."

"What? When did you start all of that?" Randy asked surprised. "I didn't know you liked to be in front of crowds."

Juliana smiled, "Well, some things have changed in the last few years. Music is a big part of my life, and the movies are my fun. I've never really fit in well, and there I fit right in. Although I am one of the oldest people there, but that's ok. Too bad you guys can't make it, it's a blast! But I can't just take off without planning for it first. I'm sorry Randy, I would love to be there for you on your big night, but I can't."

Randy nodded, "It's ok. I just worry about you. I just want to make sure that you're safe." And he gave her another hug.

"I have to go greet some more people, I have to sit in the front pew, you're welcome to join me." Juliana said as she walked off.

John laughed, "Some things have changed over the last few years." He mocked to Randy,

"Apparently. Now curiosity has struck." Randy said to John as he walked over to the photo board. He browsed through the board and the scrapbook that Juliana had made.

John laughed, "Dude, you guys have known each other since way back when. Look how little you were."

Randy laughed, "Yeah we have." His tone became more serious, "I'm going to miss her. Nana was awesome."

John patted him on his back, "Yeah, I bet she was. But at least she's in a better place."

Randy turned to the last page of the scrapbook and found a crumpled-looking, folded up piece of paper stuffed between the cover and the last page. Randy opened it up, and gasped as he read it.

John turned to look at him, "What's up?"

He handed the paper to John, "I can't let her out of my sight."

John looked down and his eyes opened wide as he read it, "Your precious Nana got in the way, you're next." He looked at Randy, "Dude, does she know about this?"

Randy shrugged, "I don't know. I don't think so. But she didn't die because of anything external, she had a heart attack. But I've gotta talk to Jules."

John grabbed his arm, "I don't think here is the place to do it. Besides, this isn't for you to solve, it's time to involve the police."

Randy looked at John, "If Jules just set all of this up this morning, then the letter wouldn't have been in there for others to find, he has to be here somewhere. I'm gonna find that son of a bitch and make him sorry that he ever messed with her."

John grabbed his arm, "Dude, you're going to wind up dead. Talk to her and go to the police. If he did it, then who's to say he won't do it again? Don't get all tangled up in this."

"Yeah, listen to your little friend. You fuck with me and you'll wind up as dead as Nana." Steve growled as he hid.

Juliana was walking by with a couple coats to hang up when Randy grabbed her arm, "Jules, we have to talk."

"Randy, the service starts in 5 minutes, it's going to have to wait." Juliana replied as she was hanging up the coats.

"Jules, this is really important. I think Steve's here." Randy replied.

Juliana's eyes opened wide and she started looking around, "Where? Why do you think that?"

Randy handed her the note, "I found this in the scrapbook."

She opened it up and read it and turned white as a sheet. "Oh my god."

"Do you think he's capable of doing something like that?" Randy asked holding her hand.

Juliana nodded, "Yeah, but Nana died of a heart attack. So it doesn't make sense."

"Did you have an autopsy done?" Randy asked.

Juliana shook her head, "No, she didn't believe in them. Once Steve and I were over there, and we were talking about funerals and she brought up how when she dies, she didn't want an autopsy and she what she did and didn't want. So I honored her wishes."

"So we don't know for sure." Randy said as Jules shook her head.

She grabbed Randy's hand tightly, "Ok, maybe I'll start taking this whole thing seriously."

He put his arm protectively around her, "Don't you worry. I'll protect you."

"Randy, we've got to get in there, but we'll talk about this on the way to the cemetery." Jules said quietly. They walked into the chapel and took their seats in the front pew.

Once the ceremony was under way, Steve slipped in and sat in the back pew watching the two of them. When Jules leaned her head on Randy's chest to cry, Steve began to shake. How dare she turn to another man. Once the ceremony turned to allowing people to come up and say a few words about her, Steve slipped out the back. He headed off to the cemetery to hide out.

After the ceremony was complete, they had a small luncheon there and headed off to the cemetery for the burial. It was there that Juliana found closure and turned to Randy to cry on. He held her close and rubbed her back and even had a few tears of his own.

Steve watched them and grew more and more angry. He could feel his rage build inside of him.

As the burial came to a close and people began to leave. Juliana still stood there just holding Randy. "I didn't think it would be this hard." She said between her tears. "I thought I came to terms with it this morning."

Randy rubbed her back, "It's never going to be easy. No matter how you prepare."

She nodded and sniffled.

Elaine and Bob walked over to Randy and John. "We're going to take off, are you boys going to ride home with us or Julie?" Bob asked.

Randy looked at John, "If you don't mind, I'd rather ride home with Jules."

John shrugged, "I don't mind. But our stuff is in your dad's car."

"We're going to grab our stuff, do you think you'll be ok?" Randy asked.

Juliana nodded not giving any thought about the letter. "Yeah, I'll be ok. I'm just going to go over by the casket and say goodbye again."

Randy and John walked off towards the car with Bob and Elaine.

Steve waited until they were out of sight and quietly walked up behind her. He placed one hand over her mouth and crouched down behind her pulling her into his body. "Listen you little bitch and you listen good. You haven't seen the last of me, not now, not ever. You are mine, ALL MINE." He hissed in her ear.

Juliana tried to struggle away, but he clamped down on her even harder.

John turned to Randy, "Dude, do you really think she was safe back there all alone with that psycho on the loose."

Randy's eyes opened wide, "Holy shit I can't believe I forgot." He turned around and started running back to where he left Juliana.

Steve was dragging Juliana towards the river that ran through the woods behind the cemetery. "It's time for you to redeem yourself for your sins. I'm going to bathe you in holy water." He snarled as he fought against her fighting against him.

She tried kicking at him, she tried grabbing at his hair. She kicked him as hard as she could in the shin and he stumbled. He raised his fist and struck her hard at the base of her neck between her shoulder blades. "You want to play rough, we'll play it rough." He growled angrily.

Juliana cried out but with him having her mouth covered it was so muffled. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes, she was so scared, but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing it.

Randy got back to the coffin and Juliana was no where to be found. "Shit." He said kicking the ground. He went up to a group of elderly people that were talking by a tree. "Excuse me, but did any of you see where Juliana went?"

One lady looked up, "The poor thing was so upset. A nice fellow walked her off that way." She said pointing towards the woods.

"Thanks ma'am." Randy said and he ran off towards the woods.

John followed behind him and called the police while he ran. Thank God he paid attention to the name of the cemetery because he had no clue where he was otherwise.

Randy could hear some rustling so he followed the sounds. He slowed down as the rustling got louder. He could hear him yelling at her, but he didn't hear her responding.

Randy walked slowly and seen that the guy who he assumed was Steve was running off into the forest screaming "I told you so bitch, I told you so."

Randy ran down and began to chase him when he realized he didn't have Juliana. He stopped and turned around and couldn't see her anywhere. Randy started to panic, he began to call her name. She could be anywhere.

John and 2 police officers arrived at the area. John called out to Randy, "What happened?"

Randy shook his head, "He took off and I can't find her."

One of the cops asked, "Did you check the water?"

Randy shook his head and began to wade in while the officers called for back up and a search and rescue crew.

As Randy waded around, he tripped over something. He bent down and felt around and felt something. He stood up, "I think I've got her." And he went under water to retrieve it.

John was farther down the river and headed to where Randy was to help. Together they lifted her body carefully out of the river. The cops began cpr on Juliana. One cop looked at John, "We have paramedics about a minute away, can you run out to where we came in the woods and meet them so they know where to go?"

John nodded and ran off. Randy knelt down by Juliana and began to pray that she would be all right. She had multiple cuts and bruises developing and Randy was beside himself. He never should have left her side.

They heard John coming through with the paramedics. The cop looked up, "She has a pulse, but she's not breathing."

The paramedics did a quick exam and began rescue breathing. As Randy prayed harder and mentally beat himself up, she began to cough and sputter and soon her eyes flickered open. She looked around with a panicked look.

Randy grabbed her hand and squeezed it, "Jules, I'm here.

"What happened?" She asked breathlessly.

The paramedics continued the exam while Randy explained what happened. They loaded her onto the stretcher. One looked at Randy, "we can fit one person to ride with."

Randy looked at John, "Do you mind driving her car and following?"

John shook his head, "Nope, I don't mind."

Randy looked at Jules, "Do you know where your keys are?"

"They're in my purse." She said weakly. "I dropped it in the woods so you would know where he took me."

John shook his head, "I'll find it, don't worry."

The police offered to help him look for it and they split up to help.

"Let's go." The paramedics said. Randy walked alongside the stretcher holding her hand. Juliana held it back tightly. One of the paramedics looked over at Randy, "Did they find the guy?"

Randy shook his head, "No, once I realized he didn't have her anymore, I quit chasing him to find her."

They walked in silence to the ambulance where they loaded her in and Randy climbed inside. Just as they were shutting the doors, Randy seen John walking with the cops and her purse to her car. He leaned down by Juliana's ear, "He found your purse."

Juliana smiled weakly, "Good, it would suck if that was lost too."

Randy smiled. She still had her sense of humor. He squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead. And the ambulance took off towards the hospital.

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Please read and review!! What will happen next? Psycho Steve is still out there lurking around. Please continue to read and review and give me your feedback, I appreciate it!!!