DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but Julianna. Everything else belongs to Mark VII and NBC Universal.
Joanne watched Julianna. Roy had told her about the past Julianna and Johnny shared and Joanne thought Julianna was the perfect woman for Johnny. She thought there was something in the way she reacted to Johnny and Sheila's embrace. Joanne filed it away, waiting to talk to Roy about it when they were alone. Joanne also doubted the story about Julianna having a headache. If she read the signals right, Julianna and Johnny had relived their high school days. She smiled to herself. Thinking that brought back memories of her and Roy when they were first dating.
Johnny felt uncomfortable. He hated that Sheila had shown up at the party. He had hoped to speak with Julianna about their time together. As much as she wanted them to move passed it, Johnny wasn't going to. He wanted to be with Julianna. But first, he had to convince her of that.
Sheila told Johnny she wanted to leave. Johnny didn't want to, but he didn't want to make Sheila mad or make Julianna uncomfortable.
"Guys, hate to leave a great party, but we're going to head out. Sheila's got an early shift tomorrow. I'll see you guys at the next shift," Johnny said.
"Johnny, let me get your bag," Julianna said, getting out of the swing and heading inside the house. He turned to Sheila, "Why don't you head out and I'll meet you at my apartment," he said.
Sheila nodded, kissed him and headed out the door.
Julianna came down the stairs with his duffel. "Here. I'll see you at the hospital," she said, heading for the back door.
"Jules, wait. Are you OK? I meant what I said. I love you and I want to be with you," Johnny said.
"I know and I love you, but it won't work," she said.
Johnny, placed his palm on her cheek. He took a risk and kissed her. She pulled away.
"Goodbye, Johnny. It's time to move on," Julianna said, heading back to join the party.
Johnny sighed and went out the front door. He knew he'd be smiling because of what happened between him and Julianna. It was as great as their first time had been. Johnny put his Rover in gear and headed for his apartment. He loved her. He loved everything about her, but maybe she was right. Maybe it was time to move on and maybe that girl he was supposed to move on with was Sheila.
Julianna sat back down between Marco and Chet.
"So, Juli, you want to fill out our foursome in bowling tomorrow," Chet asked.
"Who am I playing with," she asked.
"Me, Marco and Bellingham. Our fourth is sick, so he can't make it," Chet said.
"That sounds like fun," Julianna said.
"Great. Meet at the alley at 6," Chet said.
"Sure," Julianna said.
They mingled together for another hour before everyone starting packing up to head home.
"You want me to pick you up, Juli," Marco asked.
"Nah, that's OK, Marco. I'll drive. I'll see you two tomorrow," Julianna said.
Mike walked Barbara to the car and Joanne caught Julianna's attention.
She pulled her into the den and closed the door.
"What, Jo," Julianna asked.
"So, you want to tell me what really happened when you had your 'headache'," Joanne said.
"I had a headache. Johnny came into the room to change and found me. The paramedic in him couldn't leave me alone. That simple," Julianna said.
"Juli, I was a single girl once. And I did the exact same things with Roy. We sneaked away a few times before we got married. So tell me, did you, finally, get that frustration out," Joanne asked.
Julianna was shocked. She couldn't believe Joanne had known what happened between her and Johnny.
"No one else knows, do they," Julianna asked, deciding not to deny what Joanne knew.
"Nope. Men are oblivious. The only way Roy's going to know is if I or Johnny tell him and I'm not going to. I just wanted to say, don't give up on you and Johnny. I know it seems hopeless, but you love him. I can see that. Be patient," Joanne said.
"That's the motto when dealing with Johnny Gage, isn't it. 'Be patient'," Julianna said. She sighed, "It's pointless, Jo. That's in the past and we can't be together. The feelings we have are just residual from the last eight years."
Joanne and Julianna shared a hug before she headed off with her husband.
Julianna went into the kitchen and started cleaning. Mike came inside, startling Julianna. "Hey, I thought you'd go home with Barbara," she said, putting the dishes in the sink to soak.
"She's working tonight. I'll see her later," Mike said, helping his sister with the dishes.
Mike and Juli went about their house, clearing the dishes. Mike took the trash out and Julianna went back upstairs to shower, again, and change.
She came back downstairs to find Mike sitting at the dining room table.
"Juju, sit for a minute," he said.
Julianna sat down with him and found a cup of cocoa placed in front of her.
"What did I do," she asked, smiling at her brother and drinking the cocoa.
"What about you and Johnny," Mike asked.
"What about Johnny? We're working on our rela...friendship," Julianna said.
Mike looked at his sister. He reached out and touched her hand. "I'm not an idiot. As much as I'd like to pretend you're an angel, you informed me years ago in that hospital room, that neither of us are. I just want you to be happy. Seeing you fight with Johnny doesn't make me happy and I know it doesn't make you happy. Just promise me you'll do what makes you happy, but that you'll be careful," Mike said.
"I promise, Mikey," Julianna said.
She finished her cocoa and went upstairs.