Authors note: I've struggled with this one a bit. The chapters have been getting longer because its getting more complicated, but this one took on a life of its own. I was going to make it a one shot but then I would have to think of something else to add for this part. Also that one-shot would probably end up being a story because I couldn't leave it how it was. Which is why this one has taken so long!

Gotta admit this isn't my favourite chapter, and may get edited in future.

But here it goes!

Chapter 13 – Too far

It wasn't too bad living with the hippies, they were laid back but knew how to party.

They would throw parties for pretty much any reason, some where birthdays or anniversaries, Halloween or promotions. Some where themed and some barbecues or on the beach.

He always arrived with Juliet, but they would separate and mingle, then leave together.

The problem started with the dress. Not that there was anything wrong with the dress, just that it was on Juliet. The other guys just couldn't keep their eyes, He had to keep them away from her, after all he had her back didn't he?

It was a formal themed evening and he felt stupid in a suit. Where the hell did the hippies find all these suits from anyway?

The single women were fussing around him, making small talk and trying to keep his attention. He just couldn't keep his eyes off Juliet. The black dress was not revealing, but she looked so womanly in it.

He finally snapped when he saw one of the geeks from one of the stations grab her ass, pushing past the woman flirting with him and miles who was trying to flirt with her, he got to her side in seconds.

He asked her the only thing he could to get her away, she looked surprised but relieved when he whisked her onto the dance floor.

They twirled around the dance floor, laughing at the drunken Dharma folk and Miles attempts to get laid. It felt natural, and she smelt so good. He had to keep his mind in check as that dress felt so good against his hand on the small of her back, she would notice if he did let his mind wander.

He kept his arm around her when they returned to stand with Jin and Miles. Just so everyone would keep their paws off her while they carried on drinking, Miles included.

He realised he was drunk as the party wound down, and he felt like he was almost holding Juliet up. Jin and Miles looked trashed too.

He announced he was taking his wife home to bed for a good seeing to and set off home. He kept his arm around her, she now had is jacket on, and they made slow progress back to their house.

Reaching the porch stairs, he released her to open the door. She stumbled up the stairs and he quickly grabbed her before she hit the floor, pulling her to his chest.

The feeling of her against his chest and her smell were too much for him and he did the only thing he could think of – kiss her.

The kiss quickly progressed as soon as she kissed him back and he spun her to press her up against the door, his hands moving from her arms to her sides and hers around his neck. He couldn't get close enough to her, pressing her harder into the wall. He definitely didn't want this to end, but this wasn't any woman. This was his best friend. So he pulled away to seek approval.

He saw something flash across her face before her mask appeared.

'This has gone to far now'

Then she disappeared inside . . . .

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

She wasn't too sure about the dress when getting ready for the party. But after a few drinks she felt comfortable in it.

The parties were enjoyable. Although some people did tend to get quite drunk, Miles included, and try to get laid.

The dress was attracting a fair few admirers and with Amy in a similar dress they weren't short of people to bring them drinks. James was off flirting with anything with a skirt the other side of the room so she decided to enjoy a bit of the male attention. She wasn't actually with James after all.

She kept her eye on James to keep and eye out if he needed help to get rid of a cling-on. She did still have his back. He did have a lot of women batting their lashes around him while he was in that suit, he did look good in it to say the least.

It started to get uncomfortable when one of the scientists got a bit too handsey with her. She was just about to tell him where he could go when James appeared to ask her to dance.

He never asked her to dance, or danced really. But at that point she just wanted to get away from the creep.

It was fun dancing, they laughed about the people around them. Getting drunk and trying to get lucky. Miles was bouncing from one woman to the other trying to find one that was interested.

It was enjoyable, having his big strong arms around her, he smelt so good. She couldn't help but admire his large frame and hard chest. She tried her hardest to not let her mind wander, but he must be good to get people to give up their life savings.

They returned to Jin and Miles and watched the rest of the party in full swing. He kept his arm around her protectively, and she leant into his side enjoying the affection.

She realised she was drunk when people started to leave, she was tired and could feel that she wasn't going to walk straight.

She was glad when he announced they were going home, she really needed to sleep. Her eyes felt heavy and she was cold. She was touched when he put his jacket around her. He didn't have to look after her, he could be off having a good time with any one of the women around the barracks.

They crossed the grass in the moonlight and she admitted she had had a really nice time with him. He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head which caused butterflies in her stomach. Which was of course due to the alcohol.

When they approached the porch steps he released her, she felt cold and watched him start up the steps. Too busy watching James she stumbled up the steps, and closed her eyes ready for the impact.

Strong warm hands grabbed her arms and she bumped into a hard chest. When she opened her eyes she was inches from his face, she could feel his breath on her.

So she did something she wouldn't normally do, not think, just act. She kissed him.

This kiss progressed fast and she pressed herself against him. The mix of alcohol and James was euphoric, she didn't think just enjoyed.

When he pressed her against the wall she started to realise where it was headed and started to war with herself. It was a bad idea. They were friends. She would get hurt.

He pulled away and it gave her a chance to think, it would end badly. It had already gone too far.

So she slipped inside the house.

A while later when she was in bed he came to her bed room door and called for her softly.

When she replied he sighed.

'Sorry I went too far'

He returned to his room, they could put it down to loneliness and alcohol in the morning. . . .