*James*

Yesterday was perfect. Well, after the Avalon. Yesterday with Trisha was perfect. Last night, during dinner, when we kissed.... it felt right. Even though we got interrupted by Nate calling to give Trisha an update, that is. It felt right yet...I still think of Julia. How the hell am I ever going to get over someone I saw my forever with? I'm having a really hard time with this. I'm not sure I'm ready to start a new relationship right now. But it's Trisha. Damn it, I'm so confused right now.

Around eight thirty Nate's driver took me home where Ashley and Jennie were waiting for me. I need to have a conversation with my sisters. Might as well start with the two sleeping over tonight.

"You're moving back into Nate's? Why?" Jennie looks offended. She's getting the pull-out couch ready for bed and I really need to get this out before the end of the night.

"I'm not moving in permanently. It's just. Guys you know..." I stall while standing in the doorway.

"No. We really don't." Ashley says.

"It's a lot. I'm a lot.  And that's ok. I'm used to it now. But you guys aren't. I don't expect you to know how to take care of me. That's not your job."

"Are you saying we aren't doing a good job??" Ashley takes offense now and I sigh.

"No! No.. that's not what I'm saying Ash. Not at all. I'm not explaining this very well, am I?"

"Not really...."

"Ok." I inhale. "When I'm at Nate's everyone knows just what to do. I don't have to remind them. I don't even have to say anything. They just know. Because they've been taking care of me for so long. When I'm there I don't feel like I have anything wrong with me. There's FIVE of you trying to take care of me. Five people I have to constantly remind when I can't hold my coffee cup, or a bar of soap. Five of you I have to remind I can't untwist a water bottle or button my shirt.  Every time I remind you all, I remind myself of everything that's wrong with me."

"Jeeze, Jamie. Way to make us feel bad." Jennie furrows her brows at me.

"I just- I don't want you to be my caretaker. I want you to be my sisters. That's all. Not only that, I enjoy being there.  There are two nurses. And-

"And Julia, who you are in love with who doesn't love you back. Who is a complete disaster of a person that brings a ton of stress to you." Jennie speaks for Ashley who nods in agreement. "You're making a huge mistake."

Ok. This is not going as well as I hoped....

******

*Trisha*

My feelings for James are strong and I think he feels the same way. Last night's kiss reminded me of that. Life got in the way a little but maybe we could make something out of this. The only fear I have is ruining the friendship we have right now. Though I don't think that is possible. Not with James.  And last night was perfect.

I went back to Nate's after Ren dropped James off. No way am I staying in my apartment alone. Not with Dave lurking around for all I know.

This morning Nate dragged Jonah with him to the Avalon. They have a meeting with Jeremy to hopefully figure all this shit out with Julia.

"Morning sunshine." I tease Casey who looks like she got no sleep at all. "You good?"

"Mmhmm." She grumbles while sipping her coffee.

"That was the least convincing 'Mmhmm' I've ever heard." I plop down on the couch next to her and steal some of her blanket. "Talk."

"Me and Jonah got into a little.... tiff... before he left. That's all."

Casey and Jonah NEVER fight. Ever. I raise an eyebrow at Mini-Julia, wanting to know more.

"Over what?" I pry.

"Julia." Casey huffs. "How is everyone ok with that doctor still walking around and taking care of patients? I mean... We should have done things differently. Documented everything right from the start. Gone to the police."

"Yeah, but you know he has access to all of her medical files. He pretty much told her if she didn't drop the charges, he would fuck up her life."

"But her life already IS fucked up. So, he said he could change her charts and shit and get her admitted ......but who cares. She's already admitted. I don't see her getting better any time soon. And it's not just her word against his. It's Paul's and Nate's and-

"Nate can't get dragged into this, Casey. In three weeks, he won't even be in the US. And to be honest, he has enough on his plate right now with his own addiction and his heart. He can't go through some legal battle with Donovan... who apparently is from a well-known family of doctors and a good reputation. If only we had more on him. Something. Anything.

We chat for a little while before I hop into the shower and get ready for the day. I don't hear from Nate until later and the update isn't good.

Jeremy is trying to get Julia to stay at the Avalon full time. I pace Nate's room while we talk and I'm sure he is doing the same thing.

"Did they have to sedate her??" I ask.

"No, thank God. I think Donovan was still down near his office. There's no way he would have heard her, and Paul stopped her from running out the door. She ended up crying herself to exhaustion in his arms."

"In Paul's arms??? He let her???" Wow. Ok. I wasn't prepared for that one and you can tell by my reaction.

"Listen, Jonah is insisting I sleep at home tonight. The stress here it a lot and I had a panic attack after the meeting. Paul said he got a good night's sleep so is volunteering to stay with her. Do me a favor and check on Gallo. Today was a lot for him. And I think having his sisters take care of him isn't working out very well. I offered to have him move back in. Between all of us, we know how to take care of James the way he needs. I think he is going to take me up on the offer but if you can reach out to him..."

"Look at you, playboy. Inviting enemies back into your home." I laugh at Nate. He's a softie and he knows it.

"He's not my enemy, ok? He just needs to keep his dick in his pants."

"Did I ever tell you how big his-"

"GOODBYE TRISHA." Nate hangs up on me and I laugh louder. Right as I leave Nate's bedroom James and Maggie come up and James looks a little frustrated. He plops on the couch and holds his head in his hands.

"What's up hotstuff?" I ask. I can hear the shower running in the other bathroom which explains where Casey is which leaves me alone with James. I sit down next to him and lower his hands.

Then....

 I kiss him. Just a soft little peck while we are alone, and his lips tick up into a little grin.

"That was the best part of my day so far."

"So far...... Hmm?" I raise a brow.

"I mean......it could ALWAYS get better." James flirts and my stomach ties into a knot. That usually doesn't happen easily with me, so it throws me for a loop.

"You don't look happy today? What's going on?" I ask seriously now.

"I have a headache, and my sisters aren't helping matters." James seems to get headaches often since his brain injury. I quickly get up and head to Nate's bathroom to give him some Tylenol and then he spills it. James wants to take Nate up on his offer and move back in and his sisters aren't being very supportive.

"I mean.... Julia isn't even here right now and who knows when she will be discharged." He goes on. I don't dare tell James what Nate told me about Julia staying at the Avalon. That is not my place or my story to tell and it will just make his day worse.

"Hey. Why don't we get Nate's driver to bring us back to your house. We'll pack up whatever you need, and I will help you, ok? Maggie will probably want to run around in the backyard for a bit anyway.

"Yeah, ok." James says even though he just came back from his house.

******

*James*

I don't really have a ton of stuff to pack because I still have clothes in my room at Nate's. But Trisha wants to feel helpful and get my mind off shit, so I let her pack up more stuff. After she zips up my small suitcase she sits next to me on my bed.

"Thanks for helping me." I smile over at Trisha. 

"My pleasure. I think you made the right decision. And you always know you can come back here whenever you like."

"Yeah, that's what Nate said too."

"Even if it's just for a few hours. There's plenty of people who would volunteer to go with you. And don't let your sisters get to you too much. They'll come around." Trisha tucks my hair up away from my forehead and gazes at me.

Then she gently swipes her thumb across my bottom lip before kissing the corner of my mouth. I close my eyes and feel the sensation run straight down my body. Her lips brush against mine and linger, barely touching before I lean in and press my lips on to hers. It's a soft simple peck but my senses feel everything. The way Trisha is gazing at me, the sound of my heart beating in my ears, the smell of her fruity shampoo that fills the air I breathe, the taste of her cherry chapstick, feeling the softness of her lips on mine. 

I cup her face in my hands and tilt my head, touching my lips to hers slowly over and over again, feeling all the blood rush down to my pants. No tongue, just the light feathery pecks before I pull her in a little more. Trisha's hand rests on my thigh and when she parts her lips, I touch my tongue with hers and feel her slide her hand up my thigh slightly before sliding it back down again. 

Our kissing becomes a little more passionate, but we continue to tease each other. Her with her hand slowly inching up my thigh again, and me with pulling my tongue back and resuming the feathery touches of my lips. I slowly slide my tongue in swirl it around hers, making her free hand rest on the back of my neck, her fingers in my hair as she pulls me in needing more.

But I need more too. And she knows it.

Which is why her hand slides up my thigh a little more and I begin to harden. The tingling sensation takes over and I shift a little on the bed, now fully erect. My mouth stops moving and hovers over hers when her fingertips brush lightly over the bulge under the thin fabric of my running pants. She tenderly traces my length over my clothes sending a shiver down my spine. My breath hitches and I twitch involuntarily from the stimulation.

She nuzzles her nose with mine and tugs at my lower lip with her teeth. My breathing is ragged and I'm clutching on to her face as she strokes me over my clothes. I'm straining against my pants.

I surprise Trisha when I back away and lean my forehead on hers. "Wait." I grab her hand. "I really want to take things slow with you." I admit and can tell Trisha has probably NEVER heard that from a man before.

"Oh." Her face contorts and she backs away. "Sorry I-"

"No, don't be. I'm always jumping into things just because it feels good. Then mess shit up. I want things with you to be different. I really like you, Trisha. I want to take my time with you."

Trisha smiles at me, respecting my wishes.

I don't dare tell her as much as I like being with her, my mind is still hooked on Julia. I can't stop picturing Julia right here next to me and I know that is very wrong. So until I can get over her, I want to take this slow. Again, I don't tell Trisha that.

******

*Trisha*

James wants to take things slow. I have to be honest, I've never heard a man say that to me before. Either way, of course we can take it slow. And we do. We end our little make out session and head back to Nate's house.

While I unpack James for him, he sits on his bed, and we chat. Not ten minutes later we hear Nate come home. He rushes in and the first thing he does is kneel down to pet Maggie. He missed the furball, didn't he? He'll never admit it. 

"Well look who's back! Welcome home Maggie. I'm glad you decided to come back, James. You know you can always visit your houser whenever you want, and my door is always open. I don't want you to feel like you are trapped here. But you are always welcome." Nate walks over and pats James's shoulder.

"Thanks. My sisters weren't thrilled, but they will get over it eventually. How is Julia?"

Nate frowns. "Jeremy is not making this easy for her. She didn't get sedated but had a bit of a meltdown when she heard his goal is to make her a full full-time resident."

I stop folding the clothes and look over at Nate in surprise. "He can't force that, though. Can he?"

"He can do whatever the hell he wants."

James's eyes fill with tears and Maggie hops up on to his bed to lay across him. He keeps his eyes lowered and pets his dog, trying to hold in his emotions.  Now I get it. James is still very much in love with Julia. He's taking things slow because of that reason alone.

"Listen, I'm not going to let that happen, ok?" Nate says. "She wants to be the one to take care of you. I'm going to figure this out. She's not living there."

Jonah comes in the room to welcome James back home and sees how distraught he is.

"You told him...."

"Yeah." 

"I'm going to start researching our options tonight. I don't care if it takes me all night. I will find a way to get her out of there." Jonah says. I believe him too. He WOULD be the one to stay up all night on his laptop for her.

"Right now we just have to take it one day at a time. Paul is there with her overnight and I will go there first thing in the morning."

Wait. First thing in the morning?

"Actually...... Richard wanted to have a meeting with you tomorrow morning." I remind Nate.

"Seriously? I JUST got back!"

"Sorry, playboy."

"Try to cancel it, please." He walks out of the room.

I need a vacation.

*****

*James*

I was so tired. Hell....I was so damn tired, but we hadn't heard from Nate or Julia, and it was really weighing on Trisha. So after work I made the dumbest decision of my life. I got behind the wheel even though I was on limited sleep and barely keeping my eyes open.

"James! The light!"

Trisha's voice echoes through the car. It was too late. By the time I saw we went through the intersection, the impact of the crash had happened. The pain was excruciating. the sound of crunch cars piercing. The smell of smoke and the heat of the fire engulfed the rest of my senses.

I recognize the car right as we collide. I lock eyes with Julia right before the SUV spins around and tips. The next thing I know, we are upside down. My head hits hard. Too hard. So hard I know I probably won't survive this.

"OH MY GOD! JAMES!!"

I remember hearing her screaming.

***

I feel Julia pick up my hand.

"James. James, I know you can hear me. Please... you gotta hang on for me. Please, James. I can't lose you! I can't save you. You have to wake up for yourself. I can't do this life without you. You're my best friend. Don't leave me. Please, please, please don't go."

I hear Julia's voice. For God's sakes wake up. I try so hard.

"Remember the first time we bumped into each other outside of the hotel? I was thinking of this earlier. We both went for a run at Griffith Park. It was the first time I ever ventured out on my own here in L.A. You knew I wasn't doing well in the hotel and brought me up breakfast after your shift. Did you mention that particular park because you knew you'd be there? Were you hoping I'd show up at the same time? You were, weren't you? I knew it, you little stinker! I bet you were hoping I'd see your cute little Maggie and fall in love with you both. You know I'm right on the money, aren't I? Well, guess what. Your evil little plan worked. I did fall in love with you both. I fell in love with you, James, and I've never fallen out of it. Whenever I spiral out of control, I think of that specific day at Griffith Park, and we all KNOW I spiral out of control often."

****

Julia is pleading and crying now. "Jonah. Let me stay. I can recover right here. Look. I'm fine. I need to stay here." I cry.

"I'm sorry. You do have to get back upstairs."

"NO! Jonah, you don't understand. I need to stay with him. I'm staying here. I'm staying right here. I'm not leaving you, ok? I'm right here. I'm not leaving you, James."

"Julia... stop. Let go of his hand."

"No. If I let go, he might die. No. I need to keep talking to him. Jonah stop!"

"Jesus Christ, Julia. Let go of his hand!"

"No!"

****

I gasp loudly and sit up in bed. The lamp next to Casey quickly turns on.

"James? Are you ok?"

I forgot Casey said she would sleep on the couch in my room since it's my first night back at Nate's. She jumps up and goes right into nurse mode, checking my vitals. I'm hyperventilating and sweating, and Maggie is already on my bed licking my cheek.

"I....holy shit."

"What is it, James?"

"I... I.. I had a PTSD night terror.. bu-but.." I stutter being overtired. "Di-did... Julia.. in the hospital... She wouldn't let go of my hand. Sh-she was crying and you and Jonah... She was begging to stay. She wouldnt go to her room."

Casey's eyes widen and her jaw drops as she nods. "Oh my god.... yes. Yes, James. That happened. We had to sedate her. She wouldn't let go of your hand and freaked out. She thought if she left you you would die."

Tears overflow down my face. I didn't know if it was just some crazy dream or if it was real. But it was real. Even though I was in a coma. It really happened.

Casey seems at a loss for words right now, shocked that I recall something that happened when everyone thought I was a fricken vegetable.

"I didn't know if it was all in my head or if.... if it really happened. But why would it come to me now? Why would I re-remember it in a dre-eam?" I ask

Casey doesn't know the answer to that. She just shakes her head still a bit stunned.

But I remember it. I remember it now. I hear it. It wasn't all in my head.

It really happened.

*****