DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but Julianna. Everything else belongs to Mark VII and NBC Universal. I mean no copyright infringement.

She spent the next day cleaning and reading medical journals.

She got herself dressed in jeans and a sweater and headed out the door to meet Chet, Marco and Bellingham at the bowling alley.

When she arrived, Chet greeted her with his full smile. She smiled, got her shoes and greeted each man with a hug.
"I was surprised that you were coming tonight," Bellingham answered.
"Well, Chet drives a hard bargain," she said.

She sat down next to Bellingham while Chet got them sodas and Marco set up the game.
"So, you going to tell me about the party," Bob asked her.
"What do you want to know," she asked.
"You didn't kill Johnny. Did you finally move forward," Bob asked.
"That's a weird thing for you to be asking the woman you're supposed to be dating," Julianna said, smiling.

"We're having fun. Admit it, you're comfortable being one of the guys and, while you're beautiful and just the type I want, I'm not a glutton for punishment. You're in love with Gage and you just don't want to admit it," Bob said.
"So why do you hang out with me," she asked.

"Well, you're actually good for my imagine. Having a beautiful woman laughing and smiling with me, does wonders," Bob said, laughing.

"And I'm kinda hoping to make Gage jealous," he added.
Julianna's eyes widened. "I thought you liked Johnny," she said.
"I do, but I also want to get back at him. That little prank he played on B-shift was funny, but I was the one that had to clean up the mess," Bob said.
"I knew there was something in it for you," Julianna said, laughing.

Just as they got up to start their game, Julianna noticed Johnny and Sheila two lanes down from them. She leaned into Bob and asked, "Did you know Johnny would be here?"

"No, but you want to give him a show," he asked, winking.

Julianna bowled her first frame and got a strike. She received hugs from Chet and Marco and a kiss from Bob. They'd kissed before, but that was when they were trying to figure out what they were doing with each other. This kiss was purely for the benefit of the two watching two lanes down.

"That's my girl," Bob said.

Julianna nearly blushed and Chet and Marco looked shocked.

Julianna spied the look on Johnny's face as one of shock, annoyance and jealousy. She smiled in spite of herself.

Johnny couldn't believe what he'd seen. Not only was Julianna hanging out with Chet and Marco, but she was kissing and holding hands with Bellingham. While he was in the room.

Johnny didn't like what he was seeing and couldn't believe Julianna had such little regard for him.

Halfway through the game, Johnny had enough. He told Sheila to wait and he'd be right back. Sheila was getting annoyed at the attention Johnny was paying to Julianna's group and told him to stop.

"Hey, Johnny," Chet said as Johnny came down the steps to their lane.
"Guys. Juli, can I talk to you," he asked.
"We're going to get some more soda," Marco said, pushing Chet up the stairs.
Bob sat behind Julianna on the bench.

"What are you doing," Johnny asked.
"I was having fun with some friends," Julianna said.
"Really? Looks like you and Bellingham should be getting a room," Johnny said.
"Excuse me? Sheila looks like she should be on a go-go stage and not a bowling alley," Julianna countered.

"I happen to think she looks sexy," Johnny said.
"You would," Julianna tossed out at him.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean," he asked.
"Nothing. I don't mean anything. I don't mean anything to you. I don't mean anything to Bob. I don't mean anything to anyone," Julianna yelled.

Roy and Joanne, who were joining Johnny and Sheila a little late, came by as Julianna said it.

"What are you talking about Juli? You mean something to all of us. Including Junior here. You're friends," Roy said.
Julianna, without really thinking, looked at Roy. "You're right. I mean something to him alright. I'm the one-night stand. Or should I say afternoon-stand. I made the big mistake of admitting that I still love him and fell into bed with him only to realize that it was the wrong thing to do. But for the life of me, I can't forget him. As much as I want to forget my past or my present with Johnny, I can't," Julianna said, heading out the door to her car.

Roy looked at his partner. "You slept with her," he asked.
Johnny nodded sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe a little," he said.

"What were you thinking," Roy asked.
"I don't know, Roy. But it's like Jules said. I want to forget her. I want to move passed her, but I can't. I can't forget everything she meant to me. And the woman she is now drives me crazy. I don't know what I was thinking, Roy, except that I love her," Johnny said.

Sheila, having heard Julianna's admission walked out of the alley without another word to Johnny.

Bellingham, who'd been silent during the exchange, stepped in front of Johnny. "That woman is a prize. I'd gladly have her, but there's one flaw in her personality: she's in love with you. No one will ever measure up to you. You were her hero in high school and you're a real-life hero now. Do those that love and care about her a favor: if you love her, go and be with her. If you don't, tell her it's OK to move on. Watching her twist like this and have these adolescent arguments with you is too much for her. It's too much for me to watch," he said, before heading out the door.

Johnny looked at his friends. "Do you all feel the same way," Johnny asked.
Chet spoke up. "Juli's a beautiful and amazing woman. She hangs out with the guys and doesn't complain. She actually thinks you're a decent guy, when you're not fighting. I used to think you were a bright guy, Gage. But giving up on Julianna? Now, I'm not so sure."

Chet and Marco headed out the door, leaving Johnny with Joanne and Roy.

"Don't say it, Pally. Don't say it. I don't know what to do," Johnny said.
Joanne put her arm around her surrogate brother. "You find her and you tell her you love her," Joanne said.
"What if that doesn't work? I've already told her that," Johnny said.
"Well, then you need to prove it," Joanne said.
"And how do I do that," he asked.