As she sat in the window seat of the plane that had reached its cruising altitude, she remembered what she had told Conrad in the scrub room. This had indeed been the final chapter of the whole Red Rock Medical mess. The page had been turned, there was no looking back, only toward the future. The chapter would never be reopened.

Or so she thought.

As she rode in the cab from the airport to the hospital, she took an extra strength Tylenol. A sledgehammer was banging in her head from the booze, most probably also induced by a hint of guilt.

She wasn't entirely sure that she would have slept with Barrett if she hadn't had that much to drink. She wasn't the kind of person to cheat when in a relationship. Yet, it was almost as if she had needed to do that to put out the rage, the pain she had felt since the surgery. He had been some sort of remedy even if she hadn't wanted him to be. In the end it could have been a means to an end.

She entered the hospital and headed directly for her office where she changed into a set of extra clothes she kept there. She knew that seeing Conrad was inevitable and yet there was a small part of her that wanted to wait. There were so many things she couldn't tell him: the conversation with the FBI, the truth about Cain and obviously last night's events. One truth she wasn't allowed to tell him, the other she couldn't.

Gathering up her courage, she exited her office and headed to the floor where Conrad was most probable to be on. But she decided first to make a pitstop and see Sylvia.

She tapped gently on the open door of Sylvia's room. Sylvia looked up from her tablet and smiled.

"Doctor Adams!"

Even though she was all smiles, Sylvia looked like she had before the prom. The grey tone of skin, the dark rings around her eyes and pale chapped lips.

Julia entered and sat on the side of the bed.

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired."

Julia nodded. "Well, that's what you would expect after your prom night."

"I don't know how I can ever thank you for organizing everything."

Julia put her hand over Sylvia's.

"You don't need to. I'm happy you had a chance at having a night when you could feel like a regular teenager. The only way you can thank me is by telling me you filled up on memories and danced the night away."

"I did. It was magical, and Doctor Hawkins even danced one song with me."

Julia smiled. "Well, there you go, a perfect night in the making."

"I'm just sorry you couldn't make it. Jessica told me what happened."

"It's OK, I was there with you in thought and technically it was your prom, not ours."

Sylvia nodded.

"Alright, I'm going to let you rest up. I want to see the pictures when you have them."

"Promise," said Sylvia as Julia stood from the bed and headed back out in the hallway.

Standing nearby with his hands casually prompted on his sides was Conrad with a smile.

She smiled back upon seeing him.

"How did you know I was here?"

He cocked his head toward the direction of the nurse's station where Jessica waved.

Julia waved back and smiled.

"I'd let you go thank her, but I kind of want some time alone with you," said Conrad smiling as he reached for her hand and pulled her down the hallway to one of the empty on call rooms.

Julia turned her head back toward Jessica. 'Thank you. I'm sorry', she mouthed to her.

Jessica laughed as Julia and Conrad disappeared from out of sight.

When they were finally behind closed doors, Conrad took her in his arms and kissed her.

"I missed you," he said.

"I missed you too. I cursed air-control for most of the ride from the airport to the hotel."

"I bet. I'm just happy they fixed the problem and you got to come home. Things like that can sometimes span over a couple of days."

She thought about that and wondered what would have happened if it had been the case. Would Barrett have left the morning after, or would he have managed to insinuate himself into her bed, and her, for a few days without her feeling or wanting the need to kick him out?

"Are you OK?" asked Conrad, seeing she was lost in her thoughts.

She snapped out and smiled at him. "Yeah, I was just thinking about that. I would have most definitely rented a car and drove down."

"Did you manage to get closure when you were with the FBI?"

"Yes. Although I think the reality of it really sank in late last night."

"Well, the most important thing is that it's finally over and we will never need to hear about Red Rock Medical, Kim or Cain ever again."

Julia nodded. "Definitely a relief. You won't hear me complaining."

He took her in his arms again and they kissed.

"I've got to head back down to the ER," he said as he pulled back. "I'll see you later at home?"

"Yes. I'm going to let Kit know I'm back in case she needs me on the surgical team."

Conrad nodded then walked out of the room, leaving Julia on her own.

Kit waved Julia in as she finished her phone call. When she was done, she stood and walked around her desk to meet Julia.

"Some adventure you must have had."

"Tell, me about it. I came back as soon as I could."

"Of course, you did. How did things go?"

"In all honesty I have no idea why we couldn't have done that over the phone, but I guess it's all classified and they need to be careful."

"I understand but it is the FBI, not sure they like using the phone."

"I guess. Anyway, just wanted to let you know I'm here and if you need me on the surgical schedule."

Kit looked at Julia.

"Are you sure you don't want to take the rest of the day off?"

"Oh no. They already took me one day away from patients and one day is enough. Whatever you need me for, I'm yours."

Kit laughed. "Well, be careful what you say, I might just take you up on that."

She returned to her desk and looked at the schedule.

"How about you join Randolph on a colectomy? Then you can tend to any incoming traumas."

"Of course. I'll go find Randolph."

"Surgery is in two hours; let's you get up to speed with the patient."

"Got it. Thanks Kit."

As Julia headed toward the office door, Kit called out to her.

"Julia?"

"Yes?"

Kit looked at her. "Are you sure everything is alright?"

Julia smiled. "Of course. Like I said it was a long 24 hours. But thanks for worrying."

Kit tilted her head to the side. "You know you can talk to me about anything."

"I know, but in all honesty, there is nothing to say."

"Ok then. I'll see you later."

Julia nodded and headed to the surgical floor to find Randolph.