Body Guard

Julie:
Once it became clear that he was falling asleep and not, in fact, hitting on me, I smirked and shook my head. I grabbed the remote and lowered the volume a little bit. "Note to self: Medication makes Cody a lightweight..." I mumbled, mostly amused and only a little hurt.

I didn't see a point in moving him and I watched the rest of the movie in silence, not hearing or seeing any part of it. When the credits started rolling, I sighed and rested my cheek on top of his head, getting sleepy myself.

I sighed softly in my sleep, feeling comfortable in the position. "Jules..." I murmured her name softly while my hand squeezed hers. The position wasn't the most comfortable, but I felt rather content all things considered. Safe even.

(( You ever have the idea for the reply in your head, but the words just...don't come as you want them too? That was this post. ))

((I feel you. Happens all the time))

Julie:
My eyes shot open at the sound of my name and I glanced down at him. His eyes were still closed and by all accounts, he looked fast asleep. "Cody?" I whispered, on the off chance he was just sleep talking. If he was, the possibilities of why he said my name would probably keep me up for hours. "Are you awake?" I realized I should probably wake him up soon to get him off the couch. I was sure it was a bad idea for his back to spend the night on the couch instead of his bed.

"Mmm?" Her whisper stirred me enough that my eyes fluttered open to focus up at her for a moment. "I fell asleep...I think I was having a nice dream." Rubbing my eyes with my free hand I took a moment to sit up before looking at her the movie first then her blearily. "Are you okay? Did you have a bad dream again?"

Julie:

I smiled at his sleepy expression. "No, I didn't have a bad dream," I told him. I looked down at our hands, wondering when he would notice and pull away from me. "I just figured sleeping on the couch wouldn't be great for your back," I said. "I might have given you alcohol and forgot to feed you, but I'm not that terrible of a nurse," I joked.

“No you are a good nurse. You kept me company and spoil me and washed me even though it was weird and awkward.” I stopped the babble and blinked. “It’s why I like you. You are really nice and sweet and pretty.”

My eyes stared to droop a little and I shook myself to wake up more. “But I’m gonna listen to my good nurse and go to bed. But if you have a bad dream you can stay with me. I don’t mind if it helps.” I have her hand a squeeze and then released it to reach for my wheelchair.

Julie:
I smiled again and watched him get up. It had been a while since I slipped into his bed because of bad dreams, but it was sweet of him to bring it up while he was half asleep. And I tried not to dissect his 'pretty' comment too much.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," I told him.

"Get yourself in bed and I'll be right in with your last dose of medication for the night. Then you can sleep all you want," I told him, getting up from the warm couch cushions.

"'kay." I called over my shoulder before wheeling towards my room. I paused in the doorway to look back at her then wheeled into my room. A soft smile curved my lips and remained even after I climbed into bed and got under the covers.

Julie:
I shook a few of the pills out into my hands and grabbed another water bottle from the fridge before making my way back to his room. He was already in bed and under the covers. "What are you smiling about?" I asked with a smile of my own, holding my hands out for him to take the medicine.

“Tomorrow will be fun. Never been dancing before or a party without working.” I sat up slightly and grabbed the pills. I tried dry swallowing them but they refused to go down. Taking the water bottle helped quickly wash them the rest of the way down.

Julie:
I smiled but it quickly turned into a grimace. "We'll, I'm glad one of us will be having fun," I said. I looked down at him and my face softened again into a soft smile. "I feel better that you're going with me, though," I said, honestly.

“You will have fun. I got a surprise.” I nodded and settled back down. My eyes began to drift shut and I released a contented sigh. “I will keep you safe and show you it’s okay.” I cracked open and eye and made shooing motions, “Go get some sleep for tomorrow.”

Julie:
I laughed and backed away with my hands up. "Okay, goodnight," I said, sparing him one last glance before I left his room and closed the door behind me. I straightened up the couch a bit before heading to my own room and climbing into bed.

I fell asleep somewhat restlessly, my mind on the events on tomorrow.

A steady ring roused me from my sleep. With a groan I peered around and then reached for the alarm clock. Slapping it didn’t solve the problem and finally when I picked it up and looked at the time my confusion deepened. “It’s only six in the morning...”

Setting down the clock I sat up, groaning again only to find the ringing was gone. “I swear Jules if this is one of your pranks...oh I’m going to get so even...”. I started to settle back into bed and just barely managed to get my eyes closed when the ringing started again.

I glared bayfully at the ceiling for a moment then sat up and searched for the source of the damned sound. I found it eventually. On the floor was my phone. I didn’t bother checking who was calling just jabbed the answer button and raised it to my ear.

“What is it?” I began only to pause and rub my face. “Good morning sir. Yes. I can come down and take a look at it. Give me a few minutes and I’ll. Be on my way.” Hanging up I sighed and rolled to the edge of the bed. Never a dull moment...

Julie:
I was woken up way earlier than I intended by the sound of a distant phone ringing, but as soon as I remembered what today was, i sighed and knew there was no way going back to sleep was an option.

I pulled the covers off and yawned as I stepped out of my bed and onto the cool floors. I went out into the living room and opened the fridge more out of habit than anything else. It was much too early to eat.

Assuming that Cody was now awake since someone thought it was appropriate to call him, I knocked lightly on his door. “Hey, tell me why you have such an obnoxious ring tone,” i complained through the door.

I pettered about my room, leaving my wheelchair behind as I dressed. It hurt, pins and needles all through my legs and I felt tired by the time I was done and sitting in my wheelchair finally. Wheeling to the door I opened it up and smiled up at her. "Sorry about that...guess it woke you up too. And I made it annoying because it's easier to find if I misplace it like I have lately. I got so used to carrying it everywhere and I'd try setting it down and wheeling away. Then I made a different kind of bad habit."

Julie:
I moved out of the way to let him pass and yawned again. “Well who was calling at 6 am?” I asked, plopping down on the couch. I looked up and noticed with confusion that he was already dressed. “Are you going somewhere?” I asked, frowning.

"Your dad. He wanted me to take a look at the security details for the ball. He wants to make sure everything is perfect. Shouldn't take too long I think. Depends on how in depth the information he hands over is." I shrugged. "Either way I'll be back to change for the party tonight."

Julie:
If I started thinking about security, there was no way my anxiety would hold off long enough for the party tonight and that wasn’t something that was an option. I felt my frown deepen a lottle at the thought that he had to work at all today. What happens if something comes up and he cant go?

I nodded anyway and sighed. “Okay. I still have a few hours yet before I have to get ready and the car is going to be here at 5 to get us,” i said.

"So we have like twelve hours total. It'll be fine I'm sure." I smiled at her. "Don't forget to eat something, I'll be back in a while." I waved at her then moved out of her wing.

It took me a good bit just to arrive at her father's conference room, and I frowned at the piles of documents, maps, and other bits of intel. This wasn't going to be as easy as I'd hoped. But for the sake of Jules it was a worthwhile task.

Julie:
I spent a lot of time worrying on the couch under the guise of watching TV. As the hours on the clock moved, my worry grew. First, about even going, and second about what was taking Cody so long. Since I would need at least a few hours to shower and do hair and makeup, i decided to just get started.

I hopped in the shower and washed my hair, taking my time to let the warm water relax me. After that, i worked on drying it straight and then curling it in big waves, trying my best to keep to the old hollywood theme. I kept my eye makuo simple but tried a bold red lip, like something Marilyn Monroe might wear. I hoped I could also channel her confidence.

With so many in attendance, it wasn't hard to imagine the amount of detail and work that would need to be put into the single evening. Children, teens, even adults would be attending. All of wealth, means, or power. It was a tempting target for many.

The plans were solid, whoever had been in charge of it all even built ways that personal guards could be added to the detail. The host's security in main control, back ups, even prepping paramedics in case the need arose...which depending on the party and alcohol was a good idea regardless. As I reviewed it I made a few notes and when Jules's father returned I laid out my thoughts.

"Hm. Will you check those spots you mentioned? I'll have someone take you."

"Well. I'll be there anyway sir. Jules invited me as her plus one."

"Did she now?" His brow arched. "Fine. You'll check anyway. Keep her safe." With a dismissive wave he left the room.

Rolling my eyes I moved back to the apartment. It was a long trip back and I knew I had lots to do and now a small amount of time to do it in.

Julie:
I was just finishing blotting my lips with a tissue to take some of the extra color off, when I heard the door open again. I looked at the clock and frowned. There wasn't much time for him to get ready, but guys were easy, just throw on a suit and go.

I took one last look in the mirror and then stood up to retrieve my dress from the closet. It was the final step before actually leaving and I hesitated. With a deep breath, I slipped my clothes off and slid the dress on. After putting on a pair of simple heels, I was ready to go.

I stepped out of my room. "Cody?" I called. "You're gonna be ready soon, right?" I asked.

I heard her puttering about in her room, deciding to try getting ready as quickly as possible. I had a bit of time but not as long as I wanted. "Uh, well it might take me a little bit still. Listen, your dad also wanted me to do something while I'm there. Go without me, I'll meet you there and surprise you. You got this Jules, I know you do. Checked out the security myself it's perfectly safe."

Julie:
"Wait what?" I yelled, feeling first a surge of disappointment and then an even bigger surge of panic. The only reason I could find the courage to go, was because he would be right next to me. "You're not supposed to be working!" my voice was nearing a whine.

If he was working, he wouldn't be my guest. I knew how he was at events when he was working. It wasn't what I wanted when I asked him to go with me. I wanted him to actually hang out with me. If he wasn't in that wheelchair, maybe I would have even wanted to dance with him. But this? He shouldn't have agreed to go if he knew he wasn't going to actually be able to go.

I felt half panicked, half angry tears blur my vision and I had a half a second to wonder if he said he would go just so that I would go, even though he never had any intention of being with me for the night.

I shook my head and bit my lip hard to stop the tears from ruining my makeup. "Fine, I'll go without you," I said, finally. "I'm sure the car will be here soon, so I'm going down now," I said, still through his closed door. I didn't say goodbye or anything else for fear that the tears in my voice would be obvious.

I grabbed my purse off the table and left, knowing that Greg would be with me...that would have to be enough.