*James*

Jeremy is pissed at Julia but I don't get it. She's blown off a ton of meetings in the past. This one was personal or something. I don't like that.

"Where is she?" Jeremy looks around the apartment.

"Julia?" I ask. Nate and I are watching TV on the couch. Julia is in her room taking a nap. 

"Yes. Julia." He takes it upon himself to walk to her bedroom. Yeah. No. I bolt up and am right behind him.

"What the hell? She's sleeping." I catch up to him quick. He stands in the doorway and sees Julia fast asleep in her bed. His shoulders fall down and he inhales sharply before turning around. He walks back to the living room knowing I'm about two seconds from decking the guy for even going NEAR her bedroom while she is sleeping.

"I know she's detoxing so I'm not going to wake her but Julia missed an extremely important meeting today with the new doctor."

"I'm sure he can reschedule." I sit back down on the couch and begin petting Maggie.

"You don't understand." Jeremy begins right as his pager goes off. "I don't have time for this. Tell her she needs to make the next session. It is mandatory." He huffs and leaves the apartment in a rush.

If this new doctor is going to help Julia she's gotta cooperate. She's not. She's giving up.

*****

*Trisha*

I have no choice but to go to the Avalon today. Both Paul and Evan have their yearly training for work today. It's an all-day event that is mandatory for them to renew their training license. 

"I can stay here by myself, Nate. Not like Dave knows where you live. And besides, aside from a few desperate texts from him I haven't seen him." I grab the TV remote but Nate snatches it out of my hand and turns off the television.

"Don't care, Trish. Everyone is going. You should come anyway. Be a part of this. James is your friend."

"But Julia is still detoxing. You know I don't feel like dealing with that hot mess."

"Yeah well I'm marrying that hot mess so you need to get over it."

"Here we go again." I laugh. He really thinks marrying her is going to work. Poor Poor Nate. She fucking LIVES at the Avalon!

"We don't have time for this. Let's go, Banks." Nate grabs my arm gently and yanks me to my feet. 

"Fine." I huff.

Once at Julia's "apartment" Casey heads outside to play with the dog. Nate and I plop down on the couch and wait for the parole officer. James looks really nervous. I feel so bad for him. He doesn't deserve to deal with any of this. And in the back of my head I keep thinking about  me and Paul.  I think I made the right decision. The way Julia is hugging James right now to console him... He's so in love with that girl. We wouldn't have worked out.

"You guys really didn't have to take the time out of your day to be here for this." James never wants people to go out of their way for him.

"We wanted to. I need to go over medical stuff with the officer anyway so she can draw up the forms for you to hand to the front desk when you have doctor appointments." Jonah states from the kitchen table.

I tense up when I hear the knock on my front door. Jonah is the one to answer it and in comes Three of James's sisters. I don't know any of them very well. James never really invited me over to his moms much, so I don't have any kind of relationship with them. Not like Julia does. So, I'm not surprised when one of them goes straight to Julia and gives her a hug.

 Kendall, the youngest Gallo girl, heads straight to her big brother. Ashley walks in, and her eyes wander around the apartment in disapproval. Nate spends a lot of money for Julia and James to live here and it IS a very nice apartment. Hell, nicer than mine. So she can cut the shit if she's looking to find something wrong with it.

Ashley manages to give me a tiny smile before heading to James.

"This place is really nice!" Gwen exclaims and waves her arm around the room cheerfully.

"James, you really want to live at the Avalon? This apartment is nice and all but it's still a damn mental institution."

My thoughts exactly but it's the way the lady said it. With this huge chip on her shoulder and quite the attitude. Not the time for this. Nate combs his hand through his brown hair and glances over at Julia who looks offended.

"And....your point, Ash?" James squints his eyes at his sister.

Gwen also gives her sister a look. "So what? You know it's OK to treat your mental health if you have any issues just like your physical health if you have any issues."

"So what? Let's just hash this out right now, shall we? This place... it's a toxic environment. SHE'S a toxic person." Ashley points to me but looks at her brother.

Oh my God She said that out loud. Nate works hard for this. Not only that, but he also helps those girls out financially on top of it. He doesn't have to do jack shit!  can't believe she just said that.

"Ashley." James says sternly but Gwen cuts him off.

"You need to grow up Ash, you know that?" Gwen looks disgusted with Ashley now.

"Well... I mean, she's not wrong here." Kendall chimes in. "Sorry, Jule. You're great and all, but you've got some issues."

Yeah, I've had enough.

"Julia does a lot for James, you know. I think what you both meant to say was 'Thank you'."  I glare at both of the girls who don't approve of this.

"Jamie, we can take care of you. You can live in your own house. We were doing fine taking turns. You don't have to live..." Ashley looks around. "Here."

"James made this decision." I continue. "He's a grown man. Let him live his own life and you worry about your own lives. James chose to be here and Nate works hard to afford this place. And if I'm not mistaken, Nate helps you all out in many ways as well. Least you could do is be grateful for this place. It's not cheap. And stop talking to fucking Susan Hardy, how 'bout that?"

I had to say it. They need a little reminder and maybe a little gratefulness.

The knock on the door halts the confrontation and the silence between everyone is thick and uncomfortable.

*****

*James*

I get through my first meeting with the parole officer. It pretty much went as I thought it would except for the fact I was not granted to visit my mother's house or my own. I kind of pictured that would be the case but now worry about mom a little more. She's not going to understand. When she has a bad day with her dementia, she sometimes just wants me. And she is very specific with what she wants before she is happy. She wants me to sit on the couch with her, watch the same damn show my father always watched- Cheers- and won't calm down until everything is just so. That is not going to work for six months now. I'm here. She will have to come here. It's not going to be the same and my sisters are going to have their work cut out for them. Because of me. Because it's my fault. Because I ran a fucking red light.

Once the lady leaves, I address the elephant in the room. My sisters.

"If y-you two aren't supportive of my decision to live here you can leave right now." I stammer a little. I brush past the brats and sit on the couch next to Trisha and Nate again just as Casey comes in with the dog. They both sense the tension and Casey looks at Jonah. He shakes his head to let her know he will fill her in later. Maggie, however, bypasses everyone and heads right to Julia to sit at her feet. She can sense Julia is upset though Julia is handling things well. She hasn't said one thing or exploded. She's trying so hard and I know how frustrating it must feel for her.

Ashley looks at Kendall who raises her brows. They both start putting their jackets on and grabbing their purses.

You've got to be fucking kidding me.  GROW UP!

"Seriously?" Gwen huffs as Ashley opens the door. Gwen looks back at me and then at our sisters. "I'm fine with your decision, just so you know." She stands up. "These two bitches are my ride home though. Sorry, Jamie." She rushes over and leans down to give me a kiss goodbye as the girls leave. "I'll come visit soon...without those two. Love you. Bye everyone. Again, sorry."

"Love you." I say back but roll my eyes at my immature sisters. 

Gwen rushes out and I look over at Julia. She says nothing but tears now stain her cheeks.

"C'mon Maggie. Let's go play."  Trisha isn't good with emotional stuff, especially when it is Julia so she heads outside with Maggie. Casey follows her because she knows if she sees Julia cry she will too. She is the opposite of Trisha. Casey is very emotional and cares almost too much. She's a lot like Julia in so many ways.

"I'm not toxic." Julia chokes out.

"Julia you are far from toxic." Jonah leaves the kitchen table and takes Trisha's spot on the couch. "Toxic people are controlling, manipulative and talk down to others to make themselves feel better."

"Babe, don't listen to those two. They don't know what they're talking about. They're just bent out of shape I didn't choose to stay at my mom's or at my place. They'll get over it." I make light of my dramatic sisters.

 "Ignore them, love." Nate sits on the arm of her chair and pulls her in.

"I've never felt so... humiliated...for having something wrong with me." Julia breaks us down again. Mainly because Julia would never say anything bad about anyone. She tries so hard to please everyone around her and would NEVER make someone feel bad on purpose. It was like that was Ashley's main goal when she walked in here. Kendall just went along with it. I will have to talk to both of them about their behavior later.

*******

*Trisha*

Nate goes with Julia to meet with her new therapist and Casey takes over caring for James. After she helps him with his PT, I decide maybe now is the best time to have a private chat with him before Paul and Evan come back.

"Hey, can we talk...privately?" I ask and James nods. Casey gets the hint and joins Jonah who is outside with the dog. That dog is getting a ton of attention today! 

I plop down next to James but feel a little nervous. Because I really do like him. A lot. I don't want to lose his friendship, and things have felt very strained lately.

"I'm sorry. I wanted things to work out with you." I begin and rest the side of my head on his shoulder. James is so sweet sometimes. He rests his head on mine and lets out a little sigh.

"I know. Me too." He gets it. "It's not right to be with each other when I can't commit to you fully and you deserve someone who can."

"Still friends though, right? I really enjoy hanging out with you James."

"Of course!" He laughs like that was a dumb question. I had forgotten James is friends with all his exes. "We can be whatever you want. Friends. Friends with Benefits..."

I smirk and raise my head, forcing him to raise his and look at me. 

"You're something you know that?" I tease.

"Hey, just throwing it out there. You know I'm good."

"Don't flatter yourself too much, hotstuff." I snort. But God, James IS good. He's REALLY good. Right as I say that Paul and Evan walk into the apartment. Paul as a key and the alarm code, for obvious reasons. He lives here. While I say that in my head, I think of how I just questioned Nate earlier on how he was going to make his relationship with Julia work when she lives at the fucking Avalon and here I am doing the same thing. 

I also didn't quite have time to get around to telling James about Paul, did I?

"Hey," Paul smiles at me and gives James a little nod.

"Where is everyone?" Evan asks.

"Nurses are both outside and Nate is at a session with Julia." James answers and then looks up at Paul. But it's the way he looks at him that throws me off, right before he says what he says. "She's all yours."  James smiles at the bodyguard and stands, giving up his seat. He extends his hand towards the empty spot on the couch for Paul to take his place.

That little sneak. He fucking KNEW about Paul already! How?! We JUST got back together! He must have sensed it somehow. Either way, Paul chuckles and sits down next to me putting his arm around my shoulder.

"Whoa, wait. Seriously dude??" Evan's eyes bug out of his head. "I was supposed to be next in line. I've been waiting!! You had your shot Rossi!" He is joking and I can't help but laugh at the comedian.

"Sorry sexy." I snuggle under Paul's arm. "Hey, can we not advertise this to Nate though? Not right now with all this shit going on. I want to be the one to tell him... another time."

Everyone nods in agreement. I know Nate wanted me to be with James. He's mentioned it a few times.  I want to tell him in private, not have someone like Evan blurt it out or something. I'm happy to see both Evan and James nod and head outside with everyone else. I let out a breath and look over at Paul.

"Looks like you talked to James and everything is fine." Paul says. 

"Yep." I looks around the room. Right. Paul doesn't really have a room of his own, does he? I stand up and pull Paul up with me. 

 "Now bring me to your bathroom and make out with me."

****

A little while later, Casey begins making dinner for everyone. For the first time in a while it feels like the village is back. Even if it IS at the Avalon. James seems fine with me and Paul, Casey and Jonah don't give two shits, Evan will get over himself so all is well with the world.

"You're really back with Rossi, huh?" Evan asks while I throw the ball to Maggie outside. "How long were you guys together before?"

"Not that long. I didn't give him a chance. I was.... preoccupied." How else do I put it. I was preoccupied with Nate.

"Well, I'm happy for you. And very happy for Paul." He gives me a slight nod of approval. "But I'm still going to wait in line for my turn." He flirts and I roll my eyes as he follows me back inside. We see Nate walking into Julia's room with her in his arms. Jesus, it looks like she fucking cried herself to sleep. What the hell happened now?

There's some guy introducing himself to everyone. I don't know who the hell he is but MY GOD. That's all I have to say about that. Nate says nothing as he tiredly returns to the living room.

"This place is really nice." Trevor says just like Gwen did.

"So isn't that suit, who the hell are you, hotstuff?" 

"Hi. Trevor. I'm the new hire."

Who hired him because I didn't and I'm usually the one to hire the hot ones. Even Friggen Casey has eyes on him.

"And I suddenly have a mental illness. Do you have any availability?" I joke, gaining an eyeroll from both Paul and James.

"Me too." Casey jokes and plops down next to Jonah at the kitchen table. "Kidding, obviously." She pecks him on the cheek and he rolls his eyes again.

"You are funny." Trevor says. "Do you ALL live here??"

"God no." I blurt out without thinking and James gives me a little look. Right. I sigh. "James and Julia do. Paul is her bodyguard."

"Bodyguard. Wow. Ok." The man looks a bit baffled, and we ALL catch on. He doesn't know, does he?? "Well, Mr. Hollan. I actually did not realize you had company. I was hoping to talk to you. In private. About Julia's mental status."

"Whatever you say you can say in front of these fools." Nate says. "Seriously Mate. The only one we may shock with our stories is my other bodyguard, Evan Scofield and that's just because he's new. But he knows all about Julia."

"Two bodyguards. Should I be concerned with the current security guards in this facility?"

Everyone looks to Nate to answer, knowing legally we cannot discuss the reasoning behind our own security.

"Listen, Trevor is it?" Nate walks to the kitchen table and pulls out a chair to sit in. "We can't legally get into why we require multiple bodyguards right now. What's important is Julia's healthcare. Everyone in this room is aware so you can talk freely. Ask anything. Maybe we will be able to answer some of your questions, maybe we won't. But like you said earlier, none of this is going to work without open communication. You're not going to get that from Julia, though."

"Can I ask why not?"

Again, everyone looks to Nate.

"You really don't know, do you?"

"I'm sorry?" Trevor is still standing in the middle of the living room wondering what the hell is going on. 

Shit. He needs to know. I grab my laptop out of my bag and load it up at the kitchen table. Then I google search Julia. Article after article pops up about the rape, the dropped charges, the well...everything.  The doctor walks towards me and reads over my shoulder. 

I see James inhale sharply, needing to leave the room. He heads to the bedroom to be with sleeping Julia. Trevor's face drop as he loosens his expensive tie. He clears his throat and rubs the back of his neck, then reaches over me to scroll down further.

"I think...um. Maybe I shouldn't be reading this."

"It's public information, Mr. Tremont. It's been on the news and everything." Jonah explains from the living room. "All you have to do is search her name and it comes up."

"Yeah, but.." He stands up straight now and turns to Nate. "Listen, I just started here. I JUST moved to L.A. I don't know anyone here at the Avalon. Not the doctors or nurses or any of the patients."

"If you want to treat Julia...if you want to get in her head and know what's going on in there, this is the information you need to be aware of, sir. If you want to help Julia in any way you need to know what you are up against." Jonah walks over and closes the laptop. Trevor has seen enough.

"One of those articles said twice." He mutters.

"It did say that." Nate nods. The room falls silent.

"I should probably go." Trevor clams up. "Listen, tell Julia I'd like to schedule another session with her this week."

Trevor couldn't get out of here fast enough.

"Think I did something wrong by showing him that stuff?" I now ask nervously. I certainly don't want any trouble with the law and the guy should know what he is getting himself into if he chooses to take Julia on as his patient.

"No. Like Jonah said. It's public information. Anyone can go online and search it up." Nate assures me.

*******

*James*

After everyone leaves Paul and I order take out for dinner. What I like about Paul is he thinks of Julia. He orders her favorite meal, hot wings, for when she wakes up. We both order some greasy burgers and eat outside on the patio. Maggie is loving this unseasonably warmer weather and has spent the majority of the day running around in this little backyard. It reminds me of mine at my own house. It's not big, but it's cute and plenty of room for the dog to run. She's happy here. Comfortable. As am I.

"So you and Trish." I boldly start as Paul unwraps my burger for me and puts it in my hand. Once I have a good grip he lets go and begins eating. I like how I don't have to say anything. Paul just knows. Unlike my sisters.

Paul nods and takes a bite of his own burger, purposely not looking at me.

"You know it's fine with me, right Paul? It really is. Me and Trisha were never going to work out." I say and Paul looks up at me. I take a bite of my own burger and shrug.

"Why didn't it?"

I shrug again. I don't want to say because she's in love with Nate.  That will just cause trouble. Paul knows she's in love with him. 

"We just agreed being friends is better. She needs more than I can give her. You can take care of her. I can't."

"What you meant to say is because she's in love with Hollan and you are still hung up on Moretti." Paul smirks.

"That too." I laugh. That too... My thoughts trail off...

The next thing I know I'm laying on the grass in Julia's arms.

"Hey sweetie." Julia has her arms wrapped around me as I look around, now realizing what happened.

I had another seizure.

"I'll help you get changed." Julia helps me to my feet and walks me to her room. I say nothing. I don't even know what to say. I really thought after the trial was over my seizures wouldn't be as frequent.

Julia takes a shower with me and I drop my head to her shoulder.

"You're ok. Paul caught you. He knew just what to do." She whispers in my ear while holding me. I nod, grateful for my village of people taking care of me. Julia helps me in the shower, then helps me get dressed and throws my soiled clothes in a bag.

"Thank you." I say softly. Julia turns and puts both hands on the sides of my face, forcing me to look at her.

"I love you, you know that? I will always take care of you. You don't have to thank me every time." She pecks me on the lips and I drop my head to her shoulder again. Julia holds me in her arms for as long as I need to. She takes care of me. I wish I could be the one to take care of her. But I can't. Not anymore. Not like this. And that fucking hurts. It's why she's not with me and with Nate, isn't it? She's always had a thing for Hollan but this just makes it that much easier for her to choose him over me. Who would want to be with me? Look at me!

******

*Trisha*

I pace back and forth Nate's bedroom listening to him explain everything to me over the phone. Right now, Nate needs his best friend. He's venting and he called me.

"Katherine Cohen? So you think that new guy told her I showed him the articles??" I raise my eyebrows, now nervous that what I done was illegal.

"No. I put the wench in her place. I told her how not one person said a thing. We didn't have to. The doctor knows how to fucking read and search the web. I think maybe he confronted Donovan to see what he was dealing with here. If it was true. But he knew it was true. We could all see it in his face."

"Yeah.." I sigh. "I can't believe she accused Julia though. Doesn't she know Julia is a live wire right now and in the middle of detox?! She must have flipped her lid!!!!"

"Jeremy is a patient of hers. She's trying to protect her patient. Julia did well holding it in. Actually, all Paul had to do was say her name and look at her and she just knew. They have some weird connection like that."

Right. I knew this already. God, Paulie if you go fucking falling in love with her I WILL throw myself off the balcony. Ugh. Can't I have ONE guy all to myself for a change? Just ONE?!

"Just.... be careful Nate. Katherine Cohen is a force to be reckoned with. Last thing we need is for her to kick out Julia AND Cara from her facility."

"It's not her facility. It's Jeremy's."

I stop pacing. What did he just say?

"I told you that, right? His grandfather?" Nate says on the other end.

If he did, I don't remember it. There's a lot that has gone in within the last month. The line goes silent for a moment while I process this. Jeremy Donovan owns the Avalon? Is that what he's saying? Jeremy, the one who raped Julia two times, threatened her by fucking around with her medical charts then becomes her doctor again, and gives her a Goddamn luxury apartment within his facility- without raising Nate's tuition? Red flag after red flag here. How does Nate not see this?? Jeremy Donovan has ALL the control over Julia's life now. Every single fucking aspect her life. 

I don't get into it with Nate right now. He's stressed out enough as it is and sleeping over there. That's a face-to-face conversation to be had.

*****

*James*

After that Cohen lady leaves, I pull a chair next to Julia and sit down.

"Babe, you're shaking." 

"You did good, Moretti." Paul mumbles.

"Thanks, Paulie." Julia begins to eat with no issues. "So, is anyone going to fill me in or....."

"Yeah, doll. That doctor came down here with me when you cried yourself to sleep. He genuinely wants to help you."

"Oh yeah? So did Jeremy." She bites.

"But no one actually said anything. Trisha just googled your name and the guy did his own research, reading the articles."

There's another knock on the door.

"Oh God, now what?" Julia is done with visitors. Paul opens the Avalon door. It's Jeremy, wheeling in a cot. Ok. That's odd.

"Um...I just saw Katherine Cohen storm out of here-" Jeremy pushes the bed up against the wall and walks over.

"Yeah. Apparently news travels fast? Listen, I had no part in what these goons did. I was asleep. I've done nothing wrong. What did Trevor even say to you?"

"He said he wanted to do some research on you to get to know you more. He googled your name. What do you mean what these goons did?"

"Nevermind. I'm trying to eat here, see?" Julia raises a messy chicken wing and I have to laugh. I love it when she gives this dope an anttitude.

"Ok. Good job. Well, the bed is all yours James. I also put some extra toiletries in a bag for you."

Wait. What??

"Huh?" I look to Julia.

"Nate's spending the night." She answers. Right. I'm such an idiot. I say nothing because there's nothing to say but feel embarrassed. Why didn't she tell me this early?

"Dr. Tremont has made another appointment for you. Tomorrow morning. You can miss session and eat breakfast here." Jeremy doesn't care about the love triangle drama.

"Wait, he still wants to see me? Why? If you can't help me he sure as hell can't!"

"I never said I couldn't help you, Julia. It's just always good to have another brain to pick. Bounce ideas off him. Let him get to know you. Maybe between the two of us we can come up with a concrete plan that will work for you long term."

"Yeah, I highly doubt that one. He wanted to take me off ALL my medications."

"He did??" Both Paul and I say simultaneously.

"Don't worry, that's not happening." Jeremy assures us. "Anyways... is there anything else you need from me tonight?"

"Yeah, there's more dirty clothes." Nate says. "James had a seizure not long ago."

"Oh." The doctor's shoulders fall. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"I'm fine."  I don't need the jerk's pity.

"Maybe you need to up your vitamin D supplement."

"I'm... huh? I'm not taking a vitamin D supplement." I look over at the doctor now.

"Your doctor doesn't have you on supplements? Vitamin D... magnesium... B6. B12. Folic Acid?"

"James just takes his men's multivitamins every day." Julia answers for me.

"Oh. Well, every doctor is different. I don't want to step on anyone's toes-"

"What about these vitamins?" She asks.

"Well. Some doctors rely purely on prescription medications, which is fine. But studies have shown that certain nutrients may reduce seizure frequency. A low carb diet can also help. But Vitamins D, B6, Magnesium, B12, Folic Acid, omega-3 fatty acids and thiamine can improve cognitive function in patients. You may have a little vitamin deficiency, James. An easy fix."

"I know Dr. Giovanni is an amazing doctor. But he is an older man and does rely on prescription meds." I comment. Not once has he told me to take extra vitamins. But he's very old school.

"Again, I don't want to step on anyone's toes here." Jeremy raises his hands up a little. "But you ARE considered an Avalon patient. If you'd like, I can do some bloodwork to make sure your numbers are good and prescribe you these vitamins. We have them right here at the Avalon pharmacy and can be part of your daily regime."

I hate the bastard is helping me but I nod. Maybe this will lessen my seizures. I'll try pretty much anything at this point. Even if it's that asshole's advice.

******

*Trisha*

[Where the hell are you??]

I pace the studio room while Evan yawns obnoxiously. "Maybe he didn't know you'd book something so early."

"I had no choice. Richard wants him in the studio as much as possible. The rest of the band has to put in the work so Nate does too."

[In bed getting ready to fuck my girlfriend. Where are you? Wanna join?]

"UGH! He's such an asshole!!"

[Call Ren and get your ass to the studio, playboy. You have a session booked for 9am]

"God I can't stand him sometimes."

It only takes fifteen minutes for Nate show up so he makes it to his session on time. I watch him and the band from the studio window like a proud mom while Evan breathes down my neck.

"You really don't have to be my shadow here." I say while watching Nate and the band practice together.

"It's what he pays me to do. Sorry, I do." He crosses his arms and raises his eyebrows at me then looks past me to Nate. "Does he always grab his chest like that?"

I didn't notice it but Nate must have felt one of those shooting pains he describes to me. "It has something to do with his arrythmia." I watch Nate sit down on the stool and take a sip of water. No one in the studio seems to notice. I say no more about it but will ask Nate in private later. Instead, I enjoy watching him perform and interact with the band, doing what he loves. He looks so happy right now. He's in his element.

When the session is over we head back to Nate's private studio to work. I load up my laptop and go over the Events Calendar while paying his bills at the same time.

"You look tired, playboy. Fun night at the Moretti compound?"

"Get your head out of the gutter, it's not what you think. Julia was up with a nightmare."

"Good grief." I roll my eyes. My phone lights up with a message and Nate of course, sees it.

"Noah the Firefighter huh? You're not gonna answer?" 

I flip my phone over so he can't see the display. Nosy S.O.B. I still talk to Noah sometimes, but things have fizzled.  Between the time change from there to here we rare connect so everything is through texts and responses are usually a good six or seven hours later.

"Mind your business. I'm taking a break." I'm not telling Nate about Paul yet.

"So you're take a break from men? Into women now, hmmm?" He smirks and Evan looks up at me now, wondering if I'm going to mention Paul.

"I'm into my work. Now shut up and let me pay your bills." I wave him off and he goes back to strumming his guitar aimlessly.

"That Trevor Tremont guy's loaded isn't he?" I change the subject.

"I thought you just said you were taking a break?" 

"I am. But that suit he wore yesterday? Easily a million dollars. You own one just like it." I answer.

"Yeah, I noticed that."

"How does a fucking doctor get that kind of cash?" I ask and there's a bit of an awkward silence like Nate's wheels are turning up there in that vacant head of his.

"Jeremy hired Trevor Tremont. A doctor from the east coast, where Jeremy is from. A doctor with money." 

"Yeah, so?" I shrug.

"Do you think Jeremy knows Trevor? Think he is part of the Jeremy Donovan cult?"

"The what??"

"Nevermind." Nate laughs. "Do you think Donovan is weeding out the old doctors and filling the Avalon with people he knows?"

I feel my heart begin to pick up in pace.

"Friends of his...Trish. Rich friends. People he trusts. The kind of people that would cover a rape conviction if need be."

Oh shit. Would Jeremy be that conniving? Fill the place with people he knows so he can do what he wants when he wants? If that's the case, we need to get Julia AND Cara out of that facility fast.

******