Body Guard

Julie:
I bit my lip when he disappeared through the doorway and sniffled, determined to look fine. "Yeah, I do," I said. "Lets start with where Cody is going," I said. I was talking a big game about getting fired. I didnt actually want him in trouble.

"To a meeting, with myself eventually and your father. I heard the man was quite pissed off after a phone call he got. The meeting was going to happen regardless, we have to debrief him on what happened, as well as a few other variables that were going to effect his job. Now....I feel he has to deal with a new reality first." I had never been known to talk much. Words were a powerful tool, and too often created cluttered air when the direct approach was more prudent and less wasteful.

Cody:

I sighed as I walked. I wanted to turn around and go talk to Jules, to apologize again, but now was not the time. I had made a mistake, and there was no getting around it. What faced me in the room I only had the walk to prepare myself for, and even with all my training I grimaced and hesitated before opening the door to the conference room.

Julie:
I frowned and crossed my arms. "What new reality?" I asked. "He cant actually be in trouble," I said. "Ordering him to lie to me isnt fair." I said, getting angry. 

Mr. Devlin:
I sat at the head of the conference room table, waiting for the debriefing. I knew my head of security would be with Julie until we could figure out who would be watching her during this meeting and I had a few choice words for Cody. When he opened the door, I stood. "Your father will be in shortly. For now, we should discuss why you felt it necessary to disobey a direct order."

(( Whoops I thought my guy was Devin xD No it's Hale. My bad! ))

Mr Hale:

"There will be changes coming up. And we were going to explain the changes and his new responsiblities but he might not have that chance now." Folding my arms I tucked my chin for a moment. "I know what my son did and why, but we have rules for a reason Jules."

Cody:

I released a slow breath and set my gaze on Mr. Devlin's face. I settled into a position of parade rest, hands clasped behind my back with feet shoulder width apart. "I felt she needed to know. I know Jules, she'd keep asking until eventually she found out."

Julie:
"Is it part of your job description to be as unspecific as possible?" I asked, frustrated. "What new responsibilities are you talking about?" I threw my hands up in frustration.

Mr. Devlin:
"You think I dont know Julies?" I asked him, calmly. "She didnt react very well to the news that someone was killed guarding her, did she?" i asked even though i knew the answer.

Mr Hale:

I sighed softly. I understood my son's difficulties now, but that didn't make it any better. "It is my job to keep you safe and happy. No answer I give you will help you stay either."

Cody:

Turning my gaze away I focused straight ahead. "No sir. She did not." I should have shut up, I knew that somewhere in my head but between the alcohol and my own frustrations I kept going. "I also know that she would have reacted worse when she found out later and we'd been doing nothing but lieing right to her face about Ryan."

Julie:
I shook my head. "Mr. Hale, i know you have to protect me, but keeping me in the dark about everything isnt helping," i said, trying to reason with him.

Mr. Devlin:
"Your job is not to worry about her getting upset ot angry with you. Your job is to do as youre told. And you were very specifically told to say nothing about Ryan," I said.

Mr Hale:

"Then would you like to know what we found?" I asked her softly, eyes half lidded. This was a test of sorts. Curiosity was fine, but so was prudence and knowing ones own limit.

Cody:

"I have no explanation for my actions....sir." I bit off the words, fighting the anger that boiled just below the surface.

Julie:
I narrowed my eyes at his tome of voice. "Yes," i said, straightening my shoulder.

Mr. Devlin:
I sighed and shook my head. I liked Cody. He grew up with my daughter and i had a fondness for him like i might have for a son. "How was she when you left?" I asked, softly.

Mr Hale:

"Ryan was killed.  They dragged him into the hallways behind the shops, slit his throat.  We have been hearing chatter about attempts on your fathers life, something about a deal he had going on in Paris.  Making enemies as only power can.  This is reality Julie."  I searched her face, "Understand our job is to protect your father, your mother, your family, and yes you.  That puts us in danger, and we walk into that danger not just because it's our job."  Moving over I set a hand on her shoulder.  "We do it because we care about you.  In both my case and my sons case your family might as well be our own.  We are trained not to get so attached, but I know how my heart is and I know how my sons heart is.  We care and we want to keep you safe."

Cody:

I almost choked on the bitter laugh.  "How do you think.  Crying, threw up the four glasses of wine she'd downed, angry, talked about firing me.  Her carefully built world dropped around her ears, and now the smoke and mirrors no longer hide that her world are starting to fail.  She is not taking it well."

Julie:
I frowned at his description of how Ryan was killed and almost felt like running to the bathroom again to throw up. I held it together and but by the end of his speech, i was cying again. "I care about you guys too. Thats why i cant stand the thought of anything happening to him," I said. I sniffled and looked down. "I threatened to fire him. I know i dont have the authority but i cant oretend the thought of him not being in danger was worth it for a second."

Mr. Devlin:
I sighed and took a seat and rested my elbows in the table. "She doesnt fully understand whats going on. And I know she needs to start, but i cant ruin her like that," i confessed. I looked up at him and smiled sadly. "She threatened to fire you?"

Mr Hale:

"Perhaps sometime I'll let you watch his training sessions. Or perhaps his teacher will. Cody is capable, and strong. More than that, he cares for you too and that's why he does it and why he puts himself in danger." I smiled faintly at her, "And I can tell you are for him strongly too."

Cody:

"Multiple times, after she finished throwing up. Had to tell her you technically hold my contract and that you haven't signed me over to her yet." My eyes narrowed thoughtfully and I relaxed slightly. "Though I worry about one of the clauses....I can only imagine what she'd come up with for me to do when she learns the contract states that I'm supposed to obey any ord-." Cutting myself off I grimaced.

Julie:
I bit my lip and suddenly found the floor very interesting. It was like he knew my feelings for Cody were sometimes more than friendly. "I can go fron screaming at him, and then I talk to you and start to feel bad about it," I confessed. I sighed and rubbed at my eyes. "If its worth anything to you and dad, i dont want him in trouble." I said. I looked at the door and shifted uncomfortably. "How long is this guy gonna be here? No offense but the last time I had anyone but Cody, it didnt end well..."

Mr. Devin:
I smiled softly. "I think she'd go more easy on you than you think," I told him. I looked at my watch. "The rest of this conversation needs your fathers presence, so take a seat while I make a few phone calls."

Mr Hale:

"He'll be here just while we debrief Cody and explain some things. At least that was the plan originally, we'll see how your father feels. But Justin is capable, he is also a student from Cody and I's teacher. Just don't ask to play poker with him, the man is banned from Vegas for a reason." Bowing my head to her I smiled faintly, "I'll send Cody back with whatever hide he has left. I do hope you won't abuse him too much tonight."

Cody:

Settling slowly in a chair I sighed softly, leaning back until I could stare at the ceiling. Rubbing at my face I missed the buzz. What I wouldn't give for a drink now, especially after all of this.

Julie:
I smiled softly back and shook my head. "I wouldnt dream of it," I said. I ran my fingers through my hair and then stepped forward to hug him. "Thank you. I dont say it enough but I am actually really grateful for you guys, even if I dont always show it," I said.

Mr Hale:

I hugged her tightly, "It's our pleasure to serve Julie, but also a pleasure just to know you and watch you grow." Releasing her with a gentle rub of her back I started towards the door where I paused in the doorway. "Maybe you should give Cody a hard time. He did break an order and you'll save me the hassle of punishing him. Also you have a few packages that I'll make Cody bring. Some from the mail, others you got at the mall today."

Julie:
I smiled and gave him a mock salute. "It would be my pleasure to be on the discipline team," I joked. I gave him a small wave as left and knew I wouldn't have very long until my interim body guard showed up again. I took a deep breath and sat on the couch. I pulled a blanket to my chest and sat up, knowing I probably wouldnt sleep until Cody got back.

Cody:

I dozed out of it in the chair, the entire ordeal today taking the energy out of my sails far too quickly now that I had nothing to do but wait. I snapped awake the second my father came in, rising out of my seat to greet him. With two hands he made me sit back down and held me there. "So, I'm assuming you had your talk with him Devlin?"

Mr Devlin:
I put down my phone when Hale walked in the room and stood up. "I did. I was waiting for you before we went any further. Who did you leave with Julie?" I asked, before anything else. I glanced at Cody, taking note of his fathers hands on him. I had gone easy on him.

“Trains, he can handle her and anything that could happen. Hired him right out of special forces.” My father tapped a single finger on my shoulder, the only indication he gave of what emotions sat under the surface.

Mr. Devlin:
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Alright. Debrief him on Ryan and everything else we discussed. I'll be fine with whatever punishment you deem necessary for his actions." I looked at Cody with a hard stare. "And if my orders go ignored again, you will be fired. You look after my valuable treasure and I wont have disobedience." I told him.

"I will sir, does that also mean you are going to accept Prince Benjamin's interest?" I frowned up at my father for a moment. Their was only one Prince Benjamin I knew of. A hearthrob of people all over the world, the very single English Prince. I returned my gaze however to Jule's father. "Yes sir..."

((wait, do you wanna tell me what the interest is, or should I just agree and see?))

(( I was thinking she could have a suitor! Someone wanting to marry her for the rich and powerful family connection though also because Jules is attractive. Could also be sold as good publicity for the family and election. ))

((okay, thats what I thought, i just didnt want to go in the wrong direction!))

Mr. Devlin:
"I'll accept it and we can see what happens," I said, giving Cody a hard stare. I sighed as I heard my phone go off. "Are you alright with the rest or it, or would you prefer I stay?" I asked Hale. 

Julie:
I stayed on the couch for a long time, even when the replacement body guard made himself a statue at the doorway. Mr. Hale must have told him I was a flight risk, which I suppose was fair but I didnt like it. I was anxious for Cody to get back.