*Trisha*

"You really don't know how to drive?" Evan glances at me when I hop into the passenger seat of one of Nate's SUV's.

"Can we not get into this, Scofield? Yes. I know how to drive." I pull down the visor and check my make-up before we run errands.

"Ok, ma'am. So, drive." Evan begins to get out of the driver's seat, but I grab his arm.

"One, stop ma'am-ing me. Two," I let go of the bodyguard's arm and stare ahead. We're still in Nate's parking garage. There's nothing to even stare at but cement walls and vehicles. "I can't bring myself to since the accident." I say as fast as I can, and Evan's eyes widen.  He scratches his beard and stares at me now.

"Seriously? That was months ago."

"Well aware. And don't even try to... Paul has...Nate has... I'm just not ready."

Evan doesn't push the topic.

"I understand." He nods. "Where to first?"

"I need to go to my apartment and grab my mail."

"Oh." He starts up the car. "I thought you lived with Mr. Hollan."

"I do. Sorta. It's temporary. Listen I don't want to get into it, just drive."

"Yes ma'am." he smirks and pulls out.

I swear he does it on purpose.

****

Once we get to my apartment, I have to explain a little more. This is so fucking awkward. 

"So, um. Before I go in... can you just check out the place for me?"

"Huh??"

"Do your bodyguard shit and make sure no one broke in, my god!" I cross my arms and tap my foot. Evan goes into the house, and it takes a good minute or two before he comes out. 

"All clear. Though, is your bedroom always a mess?" He snorts. Evan has seen my bedroom at Nate's. I'm not the tidiest of people.

"Whatever. I won't be long."

"Soo...Were you EXPECTING a burglar??" He holds the door open for me and then locks it behind us just like Paul would.

"No, just an abusive ex-boyfriend." 

********

*James*

Julia shows me around the Avalon a little. We take Maggie with us so she can get a little walk in.  Then we head outside to the garden.

"I asked Jeremy if the back garden was considered part of the facility since it's still on the premises behind the gate and he said yes, you can go out to the garden without your ankle bracelet thing. It's just when you actually leave the Avalon." Julia sits on the grass, and I join her while my stupid dog chases her own talk. She's not the brightest pup sometimes.

"See? Not so bad. Better than jail, right?" Julia gives me a little nudge and then we lay on the grass and face each other just like we would at Griffith Park.

"I have everything I need." I tuck her hair behind her ear. Well, as best as I can at least.

"Have you talked to Trisha lately?"

"No. I probably should. She doesn't like coming here."

"I gathered that much." Julia tilts her head to the sun and closes her eyes. "She'll come around. You're her boyfriend. She'll have to if she wants to see you."

Trisha is not the person I'm thinking about right now. It probably isn't going to work between us if I can't leave the Avalon and she refuses to come here.

So, I kiss Julia. I kiss her and she kisses me back...... at first.

"James..."

"Julia."

"I'm with Nate. You know this."

"You don't have to be. You know this." I smirk. "Julia, remember the time I asked you for one month. Just one month to be with me and only me? I never got my one month with you." I stroke her cheek. "Maybe this is a God thing. Maybe this needed to happen so I could get my one month with you. Because you would never give it to me, He had to force it."

Julia sits up and furrows her brows.

 "Is that what this is?"  She snaps and pushes my hand away. I should be used to her mood swings but I'm not and it throws me for a loop. "Did you choose your house arrest here just to fucking prove yourself to me? To get your fucking 30 days, James?"

"What? No! Julia. No."

That guy Mike comes outside to smoke a cigarette, but Julia doesn't give him the time of day and continues the conversation.

"Cuz that's what it sounds like to me, now. You don't want to be here at all. You just wanted to win me over like I'm some goddamn prize!" She stands up. Oh my God, she's not seriously mad, is she? I was just talking.

"Oh boy." Mike turns around to go back inside, now hearing the conversation escalate.

"No, you stay. I'll go." Julia walks past Mike but pushes him in the chest on the way, goes inside and slams the door.

She left me.

She left me out here. 

She left me out here and I can't even grab the dog's leash. Or turn a doorknob. That's not like Julia. Not at all. Panic sets in as I stare at Maggie laying in the grass.

"You want help, buddy?" Mike puts out his cigarette. Julia must have told him some of my issues because he immediately whistles, and Maggie runs over to us. He picks up her leash and puts it in my hand for me.

"Thanks." I say, thoroughly embarrassed.

"She's a firecracker that one. Good luck." Mike snorts right as Julia storms back outside, stomps over to us and grabs my hand. I smirk and look back at him.

"UGH! I can't even fucking storm away. I can't leave you here by yourself. God, you make me so mad!!" 

"Bye you fucking hot mess." I hear Mike yell from outside as Julia drags me inside and slams the door. I start laughing. I can't help it. She really IS a firecracker sometimes. You just never know what will set her off.

"Are you fucking laughing??!!" She glares up at me.

"A little babe. Just a little. God, I love you."

"You're lucky you're disabled, and I have a heart, or I'd leave your sorry ass out there." She drags me to her apartment and once inside, takes care of the dog for me. Paul is in the kitchen reading his newspaper. 

"He's all fucking yours." She rips the paper right out of Paul's hands and throw it on the ground harshly before going to her room and slamming the door like a child.

"Welcome to your new home for the next 6 months." Paul grumbles and picks the newspaper up off the floor.

"Damn." I inhale sharply. "Is this the detox or the new med or?"

"Julia. It's just.... Julia."

********