*Trisha*

"I need a raise." Elliot quickly walks down the hall.

"This wasn't Nate's doing, Elliott." I catch up to him. "This was all his mother."

"But he shouldn't have kept this from me, his publicist. I could have been more prepared." The man stops at the entrance as we wait for Evan.

"Where's Nate?" He was supposed to meet us in the front lobby so we could have security escort him out.

"He said he is going to stay with Julia a little while longer. I'm to assist you today, Miss Banks." Evan gives me a slight nod. Of course, Nate is going to stay longer. Ugh.

"Fine, whatever. I'll text Ren to have him pull up."

I get in the SUV with my new shadow, Evan and we head home. But on the way, Evan gets a very discreet phone call. I can't tell who it is or what they are saying with Evan's short yes and no answers. When he hangs up he closes his eyes and pinches tension at the bridge of his nose. The hot lumberjack isn't pleased with that conversation.

"What....." I look over and study his face.

"The Avalon is in lockdown."

"WHAT?!" I shriek. " What the hell are you talking about? We just left the place."

"Nate instructed me to be with you at all times until the lockdown is lifted. Looks like you're stuck with me tonight." He smirks.

"Tonight?!"

***********

*James*

Lockdown!? I'm freaking out internally here but don't want to let Julia aware. She's already overwhelmed. We sit in the rec room watching the news because, well, we in a mental facility. What else is there to do?

Am I even going to be able to walk Maggie? Eventually she's going to need to go outside. I sit next to Julia with my arms crossed and my left knee bounces nervously.

"Sources say Cara Hollan was admitted here due to heroin addiction as well as multiple mental health issues. Just like it is said that Julia Moretti is now a full-time resident for similar issues."

Julia lets out a gasp, catching everyone's attention. Rita told reporters about her being a full-time resident. Something Julia really didn't want people to know.

"She shouldn't be watching this." Jonah looks to Nate.

"How? I never told Rita I was a full-time resident!" Julia bursts into tears and I wrap my arms around her while she looks up at the tv.

"You know what? Fuck this."

All heads swivel to see Jeremy in the doorway shaking his head. Completely out of doctor mode.

"C'mon. Everyone follow me." He demands and our village just kind of looks around at each other, unsure of what Jeremy is doing. "Seriously, let's go."

We all follow behind the doctor. Maggie stays close to my side as we follow Jeremy down the hall. Then down another one.

"Can't you get in trouble for this??" Julia whispers to Jeremy while walking but I hear her.

"I mean, it's already yours. We were just waiting for you to finish detox. We're in a lock down and who knows for how long. You should see it out there. It really is a zoo." He whispers back.

"What is happening?" Nate eyes them both while following along.

"You all need a place to be. You can't be with the general population of Avalon patients. You're all a distraction." Jeremy turns and looks right at Nate while fishing through his keys.

"This is Julia's apartment." He says, standing outside the door. "Technically she needs to finish detox before moving in, but I already stocked it with food, yes, even dog food as I had a feeling James would be visiting you often. Might as well make yourselves at home. There's only one bed but a pull-out couch, two recliners in the living room and I can always wheel in an extra cot if need be."

"Are you sure about this??" Julia gives Jeremy a funny look which makes me uneasy. Like she is hiding something. I can just tell. But now is not the time to bring anything up. We have enough going on.

"Yes. I'm sure." He whispers and Julia lets out a slight sigh of relief as he unlocks the door at the end of the hall. Ok, something is definitely up between the two of them. Did Donovan do something she's not telling me? Did he threaten her in some way? Again, now is not the time so I let it go.

Everyone enters and takes in this massive apartment. It's nice. Modern. REALLY nice. Like Nate's taste in expensive furniture nice. You would never believe we are still in the same building.

"THIS is where she will be living?" Jonah's eyes are wide.

"Holy shit. I didn't even know this place existed." Paul says in surprise. Nate and I both look around and both swallow hard at the same time, sharing the same thought. This is going to be Julia's home. She chose this. She won't be living with Nate. And her forever isn't with me. Her clothes will never be in my dresser drawers. Her toothbrush will never be next to mine.

*****

"Sooo, what do you think?" Julia opens the slider door so Maggie can go outside to the small fenced in back yard. It's just her and I in this apartment right now. Everyone else went to go get breakfast from the cafeteria. Like Julia is gonna eat. She's too wound up.

She follows me around while I scope out the apartment. I walk down the hall and see a small guest bathroom and this really nice bedroom with a big bathroom attached. I peek inside but don't go in.

"This feels like a real apartment. A really nice apartment." I eye Julia as she walks past me and sits on the bed. I then go in and sit beside her on the bed. I put my arm around her, and she settles right into me.

"I can't go on tour with Nate. I won't be ready. Physically or mentally." She begins.

"Trisha wants me to go on tour with her." I swallow hard and feel Julia stiffen up a little. She's still not quite on board with the relationship yet. But what else am I going to do? Sit around and wait for Julia? She made her choice.

"Will you go?"

"I don't know what my options are, babe. I don't want my sisters to take care of me. Been there, done that. It didn't wo-work. It was too stressful for everyone all around. I'm kinda nervous about traveling though. Those headaches. They were bad while flying. And trying to make accommodations for me was hard. Trisha seems to for-forget that."

I look down and notice a tear roll down Julia's face. I don't know if she is sad because I'm going and not staying with her or sad that she's not going with everyone and being left behind.

"What if..."Julia looks down at my lips and my heart begins to race. "What if I asked Jeremy if you could stay here? With me. While they go on tour. I can take care of you, James." She whispers and brushes her lips against mine. Could that even be a possibility? I mean, no. I don't want to live at the Avalon, but I DO want to be with Julia 24/7. I love her. I love everything about her.

So I don't back away when her lips meet mine. Sorry, Trisha. You fuck around with Nate all the time. I'm not going to miss anu opportunity to be with Julia. Because you never know when it will happen next with Julia. She's like riding a rollercoaster. Plenty of ups and down, twists and turns and she leave you breathless and barely hanging on yet screaming for more.

So I buy my ticket and go on the rollercoaster, letting Julia pull me in so I'm on top of her while we make out on her bed. But this is Julia we are talking about. My all or nothing girl. It's never just making out with Julia. She deepens the kiss and then everything happens fast.

Everything as... having a quicky on the bed.

"God, I've missed you." I say against her mouth as she pulls off one half of her pants and underwear. We know time is very limited. Anyone could come back at any time. I fumble pulling myself out but within seconds I'm fully rooted inside of Julia. The moment I'm inside she lets out this loud gasp making us both laugh. God I love her.

"Sorry, it's been a while since I've felt you. We have to be quick." She breathes out and pulls my head down to the crook of her neck.

Everything about this feels right. It always does with it's with Julia. Because there is love and feeling involved not just sex. The emotion behind it makes the sex so good. I'd do anything to spend the rest of my life with her. Anything and everything.

Julia tightens around me as she climaxes, and I thrust into her harder.

"Fuck." I say under my breath and feel her legs quiver. She kisses down my neck and lightly bites my shoulder hitting a second orgasm. That's when I lose all control.

"Oh God," I let go and my own thighs shake slightly from such an intense orgasm. "Why does it always feel so good with you?"

"Not sure." Julia breathes out, knowing exactly what I'm saying. She always does. "Probably because we're not supposed to be doing this with each other."

But we are. We are SO supposed to be together.

******

*Trisha*

Casey is a mess. I sometimes forget her and Jonah are only in their mid-20's with how mature they both are. But right now, hearing that her boyfriend is in lockdown at a fricken psychiatric hospital has her crying like Julia would. God, even when I'm not around Julia I still have to deal with a Julia. A younger Julia with a better head on her shoulders but still a very emotional girl.

"How about I make us some lunch, ok?" I watch her pacing while her eyes are glued to the news. Evan makes himself at home at the kitchen island and plugs his phone in to charge. "Any food allergies Scofield?"

"Tree nuts. I'm allergic to nuts. So, if you want to kill me just do it now." He teases and I find myself laughing a little in the midst of the crazy around us.

"Noted. How about chicken tacos?" I have all the ingredients for that. James loves tacos. James. I wonder how he is doing? He must be on edge. He doesn't like going to the Avalon either and now he's stuck there.

But he's with Julia. So he's probably loving that. I sigh just thinking that because
I would feel the same way if I were with Nate.

Evan nods his head and turns to watch the news while I occupy myself with cooking.

"As you can tell behind me, the crowd is growing by the minute. Nate Hollan fans surround these Avalon gates in hope to see the superstar or his sister." The female reporter says through the tv. "Two have been arrested in attempts to break into the facility resulting in a lockdown for the patients safety. More police entail have arrived as well as Nate Hollan's personal team of bodyguards and security."

"Christ. People are trying to break in to a mental facility. There's a new one for the books." Evan scratches his beard. "I thought you were supposed to break OUT of mental hospitals not in!"

"Yeah well, people are crazy. Pun intended." I say while stir frying some chicken.

"They're not crazy, Trisha. They are people. Just like you and me. People who are getting medical treatment." Casey cocks her head at me. "Nate goes there for is AA. Do you think he's crazy? Don't answer that." She laughs a little. "But Jonah went to a place like that for his detox and AA meetings. Do you think he is crazy??"

"Not at all. He is one of the sanest men I know." I sigh. Casey put me in my place. I deserve it so accept it and move on.

"Sooo, sexypants. What would happen if I just....you know...accidentally dropped a peanut in this pan?" I raise a brow and look at Evan's reaction. Typical bodyguard. No reaction.

"Sexypants hmm? Miss Banks, I didn't know you had it in you. And you'd kill me fairly quickly." Evan's green eyes darken.

"Relax, Trisha calls everyone sexypants. Or hot stuff. Heck, even the dog. She'd walk by a fire hydrant and call it sexypants. Speaking of..." Casey stops pacing. "Whatever happened to that Noah guy? The fireman?"

"I mean, we still talk and facetime. But he's in way out there....and I'm here... Long distance doesn't really cut it for me. And I told him I'm with James."

"You are? With James Gallo?" Evan is in on the tea now. "I thought you were with Paul? That night you slipped up in the restaurant..."

"Yeah. We both agreed we weren't compatible."

We lose Casey to her room after she shakes her head at the news on TV leaving just me and Evan out here.

"Gallo. Huh. Great. There go my chances. I can't compare to that guy. Whatever, just give me the peanut already and put me out of my misery."

Ok, Evan is funny and opened up easier than Paulie ever would. My poor brick house of a guy. I swear it took three years before I even knew what Paul's voice sounded like!

"Chances with me or with James?" I smirk.

"Wouldn't you like to know." He bites back. "And I'm a bodyguard. We don't have a life. Our life is protecting other people. I know James from training under Paul. He's a good man. Shitty father but a good man."

"You know Joe Gallo?" I ask while getting the sour cream and salsa out of the fridge.

"Everyone in L.A. knows him. He's, pardon my French, an asshole."

"You're not wrong there. Here. Chicken tacos. Eat up."

******

*James*

I don't know how I didn't notice it. Not until I sat on the couch next to Julia and held her hand. She's back to wearing that obnoxiously big diamond engagement ring. I swear she wasn't wearing that ring a few days ago. It just reminds me of what I can't have. Even though I just had her. I frown and swipe my thumb over the ring.

"This ends once you marry him." I say almost as a question and lean my head against Julia's.

"Yeah. It probably should have ended a long time ago, huh. Think Trisha will be pissed that we were just together?"

"You don't think she hooks up with Hollan every chance she gets?" I roll my eyes. I'm no idiot. I'm also not one to point fingers since I'm pretty much a male slut. But I'm not married. Never even been engaged.

"I really don't know what you see in Trisha aside from being hot." She crosses her arms and looks up at me with those brown eyes.

"She's actually really nice, and funny and fun to hang around with. But she IS headstrong. We butt heads a lot." I admit.

"You and I never do." Julia smiles. She's correct on that one. We rarely have arguments.

"No, we never do. But you butt heads with Hollan all the time and you're marrying the prick." I blurt out right as Nate comes back.

"Sorry it took so long. We had to find a nurse to take care of Michael." Jeremy walks in with a tray of food and everyone else follows behind.

"Is he ok?? He was sick this morning. No one was there to help him. He was all alone." Julia stands.

"Nurse Brenda is with him now. She's putting an IV in, thanks to Jonah." Jeremy sits her back down and eyes her food. "Eat. You need to eat."

"Yeah, sorry bout that. The nurse in me took over and I may have reamed into the nurse about what her job requirements entail. She's a prize, that one."

"God, I hate nurse Brenda." Julia begins to peel an orange and puts it in my hand for me without a second thought. I smile at her as our fingers graze each other and her cheeks flush. She continues on to not draw attention to that little moment. "You know, people pay a ton of money to be here. Even people like Mike. So, he's on parole, that doesn't make him unworthy of the same treatment as, let's say, Nate. Or any celebrity for that matter."

"I wish I could change that. I'm not Mike's doctor. I deal more with the mental illness side. You just happen to be a mental illness case who has an addiction. I can bring up your concerns to Dr. Cohen, of course. But it will get swept under the rug. We are so short staffed. You have to be highly qualified and go through a ton of media training to work at the Avalon. Not just any nurse can work here. They have to know to keep everything confidential with the number of celebrities that walk through these doors. Hospitals all over California are short staffed. The Avalon is no different."

That's pretty sad. People pay a hefty tuition to be at the Avalon. It's certainly not a state-run facility. You'd think they'd have more people staffed here. People that care.

People like Julia.

****