Breaking points- A William/Julia FF

[akarana]

Great minds think alike I hope this satisfies both your frustration and theirs.. although in a different way

Please not the strong M-rating for this chapter. No minors!

I asked, you answered, I deliver the dirtiness. Hope you like it.

Chapter 22

"We have to be quiet. Hopefully Dawson is already asleep," Julia whispered as she ushered William inside and closed the door behind her. William looked unsure how to proceed and Julia feared that he would think again about staying the night. "Hurry," she said and gave him a light shove in direction of the stairs.

"Ow," he complained, because she had hit the spot where one of his bruises sat that he had acquired during the last case. Jumping off a driving carriage hadn't been a good idea.

"I'm sorry," she giggled and stumbled up the stairs behind him, taking his hand in hers. They made it halfway up the stairs and then froze when they heard a door open on the first floor. Half laughing, half worried they exchanged a look and didn't really know what to do. It was Julia's mischievous streak that decided for them in the end.

"Run!" she stage whispered to William and they bolted up the stairs, suddenly not minding the noise anymore, and jogged into her room, where they slammed the door behind them and locked it, before erupting in laughter.

"We better never become spies or burglars," William laughed, leaning with his back against the closed bedroom door.

"I like you better as my boyfriend than my partner in crime," Julia replied, threw her coat on a chair and then wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his.

"Can't I be both?" he asked flirtily and pecked her lips. Julia didn't answer his question, because she didn't even hear it. She was captivated by his eyes and couldn't help but getting lost in them.

"You have the most extraordinary eyes," she whispered, lost in her own thoughts. "Dark and warm and surrounded by lashes any woman would die for."

"Oh please don't," he chuckled. "I like you much better alive and I wouldn't change a thing about your eyes," he complimented her. The wine they had consumed loosened his tongue and he was bolder than he would be in a sober state. Julia appreciated his new openness, because in a slightly drunk state he was able to tell her the things she longed to hear when he was sober. William wasn't one for compliments or romantic speeches and she knew that. That didn't mean that she liked to hear some sweet talk from time to time. It was partly the reason why she enjoyed it so much when they came intimately together; there was this moment when they were stripped bare emotionally and physically and then she was able to see William as he was, without restraint or masks or his worries for propriety.

She kissed him then, longing to get to this place with him once more. The kiss was just as passionate as the one earlier had been and they didn't even break it when Dawson knocked on the door. When William wanted to say something, Julia just placed her hand over his mouth, pulled him away from the door and in direction of her bed and then sealed his lips with hers. It was then that the roles changed and William became the aggressor. As usual he undid her hair first. Her clothes were gone so fast afterwards that she wondered if he had ripped them off of her. She found herself naked beside the bed while William was still wearing his jacket and the rest of his clothes. He was so passionate and intense in his kisses that she sank against him and gave away the rest of her control and self-control. She registered somewhere in the back of her mind that Dawson asked if everything was alright and replied, her voice husky and shaky, that everything was alright and she should go to bed.

"I missed you so much while I was gone," the alcohol induced admission continued. "You have no idea how much."

"I missed you all the time. So much my heart was aching and only hearing your voice could soothe the pain," she replied, closed her eyes and let him guide her down onto the bed. She felt his hot breath against her neck, his tongue gliding over her skin and his lips kissing along her collarbone.

"I'm addicted to you. It takes all of my self-control not to pull you in my arms and kiss you every time you're around. All I want to do is drag you into the coat closet and push your dress up. I wanted to feel your skin and feel your legs around me. What did you do to me, Julia?" he asked her against her ear and she let out a throaty moan when he nibbled on her earlobe next.

"I love you, that's all," she whispered and tilted her head to the side, offering him her neck.

"I have never met a woman like you. You fascinate me," William added after he had worshipped her long and slender neck with his lips. Then he kissed her again, his mouth twisted on hers, taking the kiss deeper and muddling her senses. His tongue stroked alongside hers and a whimper escaped her. His mouth moved down, trailing kisses over her chin and down the side of her neck. Julia squeezed her eyes shut as he found a sweet spot on her neck once again and sucked. She enjoyed the sensations as her fingers flexed against his chest.

"Open your eyes," he whispered, his breath warm on her skin.

When she did as he asked, she was rewarded with a heart-stopping grin. He pressed his lips to hers and didn't look away from her eyes. He kissed her again, never shifting his gaze. Julia felt her body warm from the top of her head to the tips of her toes at the look in his eyes. It was hungry, full of lust and he looked like he would eat her alive- and she couldn't wait.

His next kiss was hard, his tongue sliding over her lips before delving inside. Julia let him in with a tiny moan, her jaw going slack as arousal shot through her. William sucked her bottom lip between his teeth and gave her gentle nibbles there. He greedily plundered her mouth as his hands made themselves familiar with her body, checking for changes occurring during the last two weeks. Out of breath he broke the kiss and she could hear his breath coming harsh through his lips and his hands were tense where they rested against her hips. His eyes were shadowed but she could see enough of him to see the muscles in his throat work as he swallowed.

"Julia," he said, his voice thick with arousal as he tried to hold onto the last strands of self-control. She needed to stop him, needed to calm them both down before he would do something he would regret. Damn, he thought, why did I drink that wine?
She stopped his reluctance with a kiss and when she drew back, he couldn't speak again. She was giving him permission to do with her body what he liked and he was so touched by the trust she showed him and the faith she had in him that he suddenly knew he could keep his word; for her and for himself. He kissed her again and this time he was ruthless, demanding and she gave in to it. He thrust his tongue into her mouth as his hands moved on her sides. Just as his fingers made hot contact with her bare skin, he pushed into her with his hips and she felt his arousal against her body.

Oh yes!Julia only mouthed the words but William must have known what she was feeling because he moved like that again, and again, until they were both thrusting and pushing, he painfully aware that he was still fully clothed. Julia's hands clutched the shirt at his shoulders and she began to bunch the fabric in her fingers, clawing at it, trying to get it out of the way without remembering that there were buttons to undo. He licked her lips and teased her before sealing their lips together again. His body kept moving against hers and she arched under him, reveling in the weight of his body rubbing all over hers. His hand moved over, his palm flattening on her ribs and he slid it up until he cupped her breast.

Julia broke away from the kiss with a small cry, twisting her body to meet his bold caress and William clamped his lips to the soft skin just below her ear. She heard the rasp of his rapid breath and knew his chest was heaving with her own. God, she wanted his touch.
She turned her head back, her lips seeking his and he kissed her, long and deep. She groaned into his mouth, moving towards his hand, wanting to feel more when he caressed the hardened peaks of her breasts. His hips thrust hard between hers and she tilted her pelvis in response.

Once more they had to break their passionate lip lock because of a lack of oxygen. He took her in, his eyes flicked back and forth over her face before resting on her lips, which she knew must look pink and swollen from his kisses.

"You look…" he trailed off, at a loss for words.

"I'm a mess," she muttered, for the moment somewhat embarrassed, even though she knew there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

"Stunning," he finished his sentence, ignoring her comment. He could feel the warmth rising from her body in waves, through his clothes and meeting his skin. "Breathtaking," he added and was rewarded with a wide smile that did what he had just talked about: take his breath away.

"You're still fully clothed, William. Please, do change that. My mind is so clouded I am not able to do it myself," she told him in her usual blunt way. He stole another kiss, then moved off the bed and removed his jacket, shirt, pants, shoes and socks. He only left on his underwear, not trusting himself enough to take it off. Julia awaited him impatiently and with open arms.

He pushed himself onto his hands and knees and Julia gazed up at him, both her hands on his hips now. He raked her naked body with his eyes and she swallowed at the lust burning anew in his gaze. One of his hands slid down her side and around to her stomach. She caught her breath as he pressed his thumb into her belly button. It tickled, but gave her the most astonishing sensations that culminated right between her legs. William then shifted to her side and ran his palm along her stomach, below her belly button. On the second pass, he slipped his further down her body and she felt the warmth of his touch deep inside. He continued to run his hand back and forth over her belly, teasing her with his fingers. Then he leaned over her, capturing one erect nipple in his mouth as he slid his hand down to cup her where she felt his touch the most. A silent cry escaped her open lips as he separated her moist folds and stroked her. Her body jumped under his touch and her pulse began to race. The blood pounded in her ears and he stroked her again. His breath was hot as he moved to her other breast, his body pressing into her side and his arm flexing as he pushed further between her legs. One finger teased her opening and she moaned. His mouth disappeared from her breast and she felt his breath tickling her ribs before moving lower. She knew what was coming and her body reacted instinctively, her hips coming up off the bed and towards his mouth.

William lifted her leg and planted a kiss to the inside of her left ankle. She raised her head to watch him as he repeated the caress on her right leg. He moved between her legs as he kissed higher up on her calf. He inched up her body, leaving hot, moist kisses on the skin of her legs, his fingers caressing the backs of her knees and lifting goose-bumps over every inch of her body. His breath was higher between her legs in the next moment and she bit down hard on her lower lip to keep from making any embarrassing noises. His hands were gentle and she concentrated on breathing as his fingers brushed through her damp curls. Then he parted her lips and dragged one finger through the moisture there. Julia knew she couldn't stand this pleasurable torture much longer and was relieved when he lowered himself then, her thighs relaxing on either side of him and she felt his hot breath a moment, before his tongue slid up inside of her.

She gasped and bucked up off the bed. His hands clamped down on her hips, holding her in place and she worked her fingers around her bedspread, clutching frantically at it. The tingle she had become familiar with during their other encounters started in her toes and rushed through her body in the next second. She trembled as he shifted, moving his hands to hold her open to his lips and tongue. He rubbed his thumb over that one spot, then again, then a third time as he dragged his tongue through her wetness.

"Oh William," she moaned loudly and arched off the bed, the tingling spreading.

She moved one hand up to slide her fingers through his dark hair, unaware of what she was doing. Her eyes may have been open but she couldn't be sure if the stars she was seeing were real or imagined. All the while, his lips and tongue and fingers didn't stop moving. He stroked and teased her, delved inside and lapped at her. She gasped and moaned, wondering if the noises in the room were all coming from her. She didn't care at that moment who could hear her and what they could tell others about it.

Then William slid his tongue inside her as he pressed his fingers down on just the right spot and Julia felt her body explode. She cried out, her fingers tightening on his head and her thighs tensing around him. He held her, unrelenting in his exploration, pleasuring her while she sailed through her orgasm. He didn't even let her come down before moving his mouth and sliding two fingers inside of her.

"Will," she moaned his name and threw her arms wide on either side of her, gathering the bedspread in her hands again. "Oh God, Will, please!" she begged, without knowing exactly if she wanted him to continue or to stop.

At last he released her, pulling her thighs together and kneeling beside her. She stared up at him, breathing hard and smiled when he ran the back of his hand down her cheek. Her eyes slid down his body and she held out her arms, wrapping them around him when he lay down with her. She rested against him for a few minutes until she was able to control her body again. Then she sat up and pulled his shirt over his head in one swift move and threw it carelessly aside. She splayed her hands out on his naked chest, sliding her palms over the firm muscles and groaning inwardly when he flexed for her involuntarily. Julia moved her hands lower, dragging her fingers over his nipples and across his firm abs. He groaned when she cupped him through his underwear and his hands closed around her upper arms. Smiling innocently, Julia looked into his face, gratified to see the tension in his jaw. She squeezed him, delighting in the heavy warmth against her palm.

"Julia, please," he ground out from behind clenched teeth.

She scoffed at him and gave him another light squeeze. He grabbed her wrist and tugged her hand out of his pants. "You got to tease me," she whined playfully.

"I know," he agreed and rolled so she could push underwear off, along with his socks. Now it was her turn to look at him and when her eyes settled on his hard length, her hands followed and wrapped around him. She kissed him while her hands stroked him, faster when he started to move his hips along. He groaned into her mouth and she looked down, saw a drop of liquid pooling at the tip of his impressive length. Not thinking twice about it she kneeled beside him, then brought her mouth down and licked the drop off.

"Ju…" he groaned and couldn't even get her whole name out anymore. Red hot pleasure and the wish not to embarrass them both made it impossible for him to speak coherently. While he tried to avoid it, she wanted him to find relief and wrapped her lips around him, sucking him into her mouth. When she teased him with her tongue around the tip he twitched on the bed, alerting her to the fact how sensitive that spot was. She mapped out all the points that brought him the most pleasure while she licked, kissed and sucked him. She felt his length twitch and harden even more and knew he would lose control soon. She quickened the pace, but beside a groan that sounded like she was torturing him, nothing happened. She stopped and looked up at his face. He was gripping the sheets and grinding his teeth, while he tried not to surrender.

"William, love, let go. It's alright," she said soothingly and brought her mouth back down. He didn't stand a chance, couldn't even warn her. When he felt her hot, wet mouth around him he exploded, reached his breaking point and spilled himself into her mouth. He shuddered and groaned, ashamed by how good it felt and was aware at the same time that a simple apology wouldn't nearly be enough. Would Julia ever be able to forgive him? He had never meant to treat her like a cheap doxy… it had just been too delicious.

William kept his eyes shut when he felt her mouth moving away from him. He needed to be able to think before he could find the words to apologize. Then however he felt her placing wet kisses on his stomach, spreading the wetness on his skin. She quickly lay down beside him, her arms wrapping around him as she snuggled into him like nothing had happened.

He opened his eyes and was surprised when she smiled tenderly at him, no sign of anger or disgust.

"I love you, William," she told him, like it would destroy all of his doubts, and in a way it did. He really needed to believe her more in the future. She had told him after all, that they would and could do whatever gave them both pleasure and what they both liked. He smiled back at her and wrapped her in tight hug.

"I love you, too, Julia. You're my everything," he told her and although it was more than true, they both giggled, knowing the alcohol was speaking once more.

TBC

[camilla]

Thank you Akarana for the new chapter!it's great and i love hot chapters!
However i continue to' think that it's very realistic this situation for W and J!

[lilmon]

I like dirty William and dirty Julia!
Well done, akarana!

[akarana]

Originally I had mapped this chapter out in a totally different way (and we will get on this path for our all good- in the end). But after what I read so far about tonights episode (haven't seen it yet) I changed the plan and adjusted it here and there so you will have a happy ending in this chapter... and also for the finale somehow. Those who saw the episode will be able to point out the lines refering to the finale.

I hope you like it!

Chapter 23

Julia brushed her hair at her vanity table and had already decided that she would braid it that day. In the mirror she saw William, lying still asleep in her bed. He looked like a little boy, hugging her pillow to him while his hair was sticking up and his mouth slightly open. The covers had come down to his waist during the night and she could see his muscular back. Seeing his skin in the dim light of the room, because she had yet to open the blinds, made her remember the intimacies they had shared. There was no feeling in the world like waking up wrapped in his embrace while his naked skin rested against hers. Sure, with her experience she sometimes wished for more, wished she could finally become one with him. Then again, she was humbled that he put so much effort in waiting until she would be his wife. She was important enough for him to wait, because he wanted it to be special for both of them. It was a touching gesture and she hoped she would have enough self-control as not to beg him to just take her one night. She felt so wanton whenever he was around, the vivid daydreams she sometimes had, especially when he was close and they had to be professional, weren't helping. He sighed contently in his sleep and she was relieved to know now that he wasn't snoring. She kept watching him sleep and forgot to brush her hair, the combing coming to a halt. She put the comb down and walked over to the bed when she couldn't keep herself from doing so any longer. Lovingly she caressed his cheek and tousled his hair, giggled when he stirred and grunted annoyed.

"William, you have to wake up," she told him quietly so she wouldn't startle him. He only grunted again and buried his head deeper in the pillow. "William, you will be late for work," she tried it again, but his reaction was the same as before. When she had an idea she started to smile, hoping it would work. "Dead body" she suddenly called out loud and from one second to the other William bolted up in bed and was wide awake.

"Dead body… step aside, Toronto constabulary… Where?" he called out and then trailed off and made Julia erupt in laughter. She had hoped it would awaken him with a start, but she hadn't expected his hilarious reaction. While Julia was bend over with laughter William registered that she had played a trick on him and narrowed his eyes at her.

"Wicked woman," he shook his head and pulled her back into bed with him a second later, making her squeal and laugh at the same time.

"Let me go, I just brushed my hair," she complained but made no move to actually get away from him.

"Your curls are gone," he observed as she had managed to throw him off track by mentioning her hair.

„It still doesn't change the fact that you need to get up any get ready for work," Julia tried to sound strict, but when he kissed her softly, she couldn't help but kiss back.

„Good morning to you, too," he grinned when he pulled back and she managed to untangle from him.

„There are still some of your clothes in the guest room so you won't have to go to the station in the things you wore last night," Julia pointed out and started combing her hair anew.

„That's a relief. I'm sure I can convince Mrs. Kitchen that I spent the night at the station if I show up in work clothes and not in this fancy tuxedo," he yawned and finally set his feet on the ground, realizing that he was stark naked. „Huh," he made and wrinkled his forehead, trying to remember why he hadn't put anything on.

„Personally I prefer you like this... undressed," Julia teased him when she saw his confused look.

„I don't think Brackenreid would appreciate me showing up at work like this. Not to speak of the public indecency charges I would have to face," he replied and got up but only to put on his underwear as fast as he could.

„We would be even then, William. Maybe I should take you swimming," she laughed, referring to her arrest in her youth. She started to braid her hair while he was putting on his shirt and his socks.

„You think it's safe to walk to the guestroom dressed like this? I don't want to embarrass Dawson if I happen to run into her," he wondered.

„Don't worry, she should be downstairs in the kitchen. And she should get used to it. Once we're married she might run into you in other states of undressed," Julia shrugged off his concern. She expected him to say something, but he just stood there staring at her. Sensing that something wasn't quite right, she turned around to face him and lifted her eyebrows questioningly.

„Uhm, Julia, I know we haven't spoken about this aspect of our marriage yet, but I don't know if I will be able to afford Dawson. The salary as a detective isn't that much and I don't have any family money," he pointed out and while it was the truth and he knew it was nothing to be ashamed of, he was still uncomfortable.

„William, it's not only my father who has money. My mother came from money as well and when she died she left her entire fortune to Ruby and to me. We're both very well off and you don't have to worry about a thing," she pointed out, but his look only got gloomier. „I know you want to provide for me and our possible family and I appreciate it. However the money is there, if you like it or not and I won't throw it into the fire just so you can feel manlier."

„It will be just another reason for your father not to approve of me. I can't even provide for the style of living you're used to," he sighed heavily. Sometimes he wondered with which right he ever got the idea in his head that he could be a suitable husband for Julia. She came from a totall,y different social background and their upbringing and religious believes couldn't be more different.

„Detective, stop worrying. I can see the wheels turning in your head and I doubt those are good thoughts you are thinking," Julia smiled and took his hands into hers, bringing him out of his head. „My father won't approve no matter what you do. Ot let's say at this point he doesn't really care anymore whom I marry, just as long as I am getting married and don't utterly embarrass him any longer by being a single woman living alone, Don't even try and talk yourself down because of money. You're the man I love and you're the only one who makes me happy. That's all that counts," she said insistently and cupped his cheek with her hand so he looked at her. She held his gaze until it softened and she knew he believed her.

„You make me very happy," he replied touched and softly kissed her lips. „And now I really have to hurry or Brackenreid will put me into questioning if I get in late," he added when he pulled back and hurried out of the room so he could finally get dressed.

~*~

Around noon that day William was waiting for Julia to stop by and pick him up for their lunch date. They had agreed that they would spend their break together, simply because they could and wanted to have this time together to talk about their days. When a knock echoed through the room he smiled, happy that she was finally there. It had been only six hours since he had arrived at the station, but he was still happy to see her again.

"Come in," he called out and ducked behind his desk to pick up the lunch box Dawson had prepared for him in the morning. He hadn't looked inside yet, but he knew that it would be much better than whatever terrible thing Mrs. Kitchen usually sent him to work with. "Just a moment, I can't seem to find the…" he trailed off when he looked up and saw that it wasn't Julia who had entered his small office. "Enid," he said surprised.

"Hello William," she greeted him. "I am sorry to just barge in here after all this time and it seems you have other plans…" she started hurriedly to explain herself and stumbled over her words.

"It's quite alright, Enid. I'm happy to see you again. What brings you here?" he asked her friendly and was worried by how upset she seemed.

"It's just that…I got married again a little bit over a year ago and so far Jordan has been a good husband and an exceptional father for Alvin," she started and fought with the tears. "However this morning he came home drunk, after he was gone all night and then he locked himself into the study, where Alvin was working on his project for school, and he just won't open the door and Alvin is crying and I… I didn't know who to turn to for help," she told her story and at last a few tears dripped from her eyes onto her cheeks.

"Enid, you need to calm down," he told her and walked over to her. "First you need to tell me everything you know about what might have happened and then I will go with you and talk to him. If necessary we will break the door down," he tried to calm her and handed her a handkerchief.

"I don't want him arrested, William. I just want to know what happened and I want Alvin to be save," she sobbed anyway and buried her face in his chest a second later.

"Shh, Enid, it will be alright," he patted her awkwardly on the back and hoped she would just stop crying. He wasn't very good with crying woman- most of the time they just freaked him out.

"William, I am sorry I'm late, but…" Julia came in at that moment and went silent when she saw him holding Enid Jones in his arms. In his mind Murdoch rolled his eyes. Perfect moment, fate. Thanks for that!

"Enid… Ms Jones, I mean, former Ms. Jones, just came by because she needs my professional help," he tried to explain while Enid stepped back from him and dabbed her eyes with the white cloth. She was hiccupping too badly to respond to his unasked question of her new last name.

"I see," Julia painted a smile on her face that looked more like grimacing.

"I am terribly sorry, but we have to postpone our meeting for lunch," he apologized and stepped closer to Julia so they could at least pretend to have a private conversation.

"That's quite alright. I will see you later then," she nodded bravely, that horrible smile still firmly in place.

"You absolutely will, doctor," William offered her a real smile to ease her obvious discomfort.

"See you later, detective," Julia replied, turned on her heel and left. William watched her go and had the bad feeling at the pit of his stomach that the lovely coroner didn't like Enid being around at all.

~*~

Julia knew she was being silly, but she just couldn't help but being jealous. Seeing William with Enid Jones again had made her blood boil and she couldn't seem to calm down. Rationally she knew it was nothing, she knew he had only been comforting her, and from what William had said Enid was even married again. Also she had no reason to doubt William's commitment to her. However jealousy reigned over her head and her heart and she was sad and angry and frustrated. During the autopsy that day she had constantly muttered and cursed, even with a lot of curse words she wouldn't normally use. If someone had heard her they would have probably thought some low life was performing the task.

At home she had tried to read, but the picture of William holding Enid had popped into her head and so she had thrown the book against the wall at one point and had cried a bit, without really knowing why.

When William had stopped by and they had dinner together she had barely spoken, even though he had told her what had happened and how they had solved the problem. She just felt sulky and weepy and when he had realized that her mood hadn't improved he had gone quiet as well.

Still, he had made a point out of staying the night, even though she hadn't invited him to stay. The mean streak that seemed to run havoc inside of her that day, wanted to tell him that he wasn't welcome, but the more sensible part of her knew that it wasn't true and would also hurt him very much.

So they had gone to bed without a kiss or even a loving word and it had taken Julia forever to fall asleep, while William witnessed her tossing and turning as he lay awake.

Her behavior was really puzzling and he had no idea what her problem was. This was so out of character for her, especially because no matter what he said it seemed to upset her even more. It was like she wanted to be angry with him.

He rolled over onto his other side when he heard her mutter in her sleep. Looking at her, he saw that she looked restless and worried in her sleep. He just watched her and didn't act, until she seemed to get more and more upset and in no time seemed to be in the middle of a terrible nightmare that had her tossing and turning and whimpering in her sleep.

"Julia… Julia, wake up," he said gently and placed a hand on her arm. It woke her up, but also made her jerk back from him. She jumped so far back, that she nearly fell off the bed. "What is wrong?" he asked and didn't attempt to touch her again.

"Oh, it's you," she said with a relieved sigh when she finally realized where she was and was able to shake off her dream.

"Is that a good or a bad thing?" he asked warily, not sure yet if he could trust her tone.

"The best thing," she told him and moved right into him, wrapping her arms around his middle and burying her head in his neck.

"Bad dream?" he wanted to know, relieved that she was seeking physical contact again.

"Yes," she nodded and spoke into his neck. "I dreamed that I was still engaged to Darcy and told you I loved you, but you didn't do anything and I married him and you went to jail for helping a murderer to escape." Her words came out hurried and she tightened her hold on him.

"I might miss some facts, but that doesn't make any sense," he smiled and shook his head. "None at all."

"Please tell me, you would have stopped me from marrying a man I didn't love, if I told you before that I loved you," she requested and the fear was still in her eyes.

"Of course, darling," he nodded and kissed her forehead, touched by how much the thought of not marrying him and marrying another seemed to upset her. She stayed in his arms and slowly relaxed. Her breaths got more even and deeper and he was almost sure she was asleep again, when she suddenly flinched and groaned in pain.

"What?" he asked her and felt like it was the day of big mysteries since he didn't seem to be able to keep up with her.

"I just got the answer why my emotions are so crazy today," she told him through clenched teeth and slowly untangled from him.

"What is it?" he asked clueless-ly.

"Monthly women troubles," she told him and got out of bed to take care of the problem. William looked after her and blushed when he understood what she meant. His embarrassment made place for gentle caring however, when she came back to bed, dressed in another nightgown and bend over in pain.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked her.

"Hold me," she requested and he gladly did that, secretly liking it that for once he could be the one to look after her.

TBC

[camilla]

Ok Akarana,start to' write for Murdoch mysteries!you know much more what the fans want from the show!love this chapter and love your fanfic.it make me dream about the show and a different ending..

[petruck]

I very much enjoyed that, It's beautifully written, and makes me wish for more. Also makes me wish you were writing for the series!! ;D

As for Murdoch's experience... ahh well.

The way his nimble fingers found Anna's corset ties back in England show's he is definitely very well versed in female underclothing, he had no problem with Julia's question about protection, and not forgetting his friendship with a brothel madam, makes me think the man is not a virgin.
As for how far things went with Julia, now there I don't think they went very much further than the bottle of Absinthe lead them, mostly I think because he respected her and wanted to marry her. And because he's living in a boarding house which does not allow woman visitors, and I can't see him sneaking out of her house in the wee hours.

But that's just the impression I got, I could be wrong.

[kaybee]

Actually, I had the impression from their initial scenes in Shades of Grey, that they had had another picnic (as suggested in The Green Muse) and had consummated their relationship at least that once. I also think that there were probably occasions during Season 3, when they were together for the whole season.

[akarana]

Sorry, that it has taken me so long to update. Busy times in RL, so the fiction has to wait every now and then. I'm still not over what happened in the seasons finale and most likely I'll never be ok with it. Still, I started reading the books and so far I'm lovong them. I used some stuff I read for this chapter so those who read the books might know some expressions or facts from the books. Just small stuff though, no storylines.

What happens in this chapter and in the coming was planned for a long time, long before the finale, so don't worry too much.

Chapter 24

„Detective, it has been forever. Much work to do?" Mrs. Kitchen chirped when he accidentally bumped into her in the hallway of the house. Indeed they hadn't seen each other over the last week, since William had stayed at Julia's place all the time and had tended to her beck and call while she was lying in bed, rolled up in pain. It had gotten better over the week, but all in all it had taken eight days until she had been herself again.

"Yes, doctor Ogden wasn't feeling too well and I felt bad leaving her all alone when she was looking after me when I had been stabbed," he tried to explain his absence.

"Of course," she replied and her tone made it clear that she doubted his story, but decency prevented her from saying more. As long as they didn't do anything forbidden in her house she couldn't really say anything. "I hope she is feeling better," she added.

"Yes, she is. We are planning to ride our bicycles over to the lake," he informed her.

"It's beautiful there this time of year, really romantic," Mrs. Kitchen agreed with a smile that spoke of happy memories. "I read that they opened a small café at the east side of the lake. The cake is said to be delicious."

"We will make sure to try that out if the others agree," he replied. When Julia had told him that Ruby wanted to meet them he had nothing against it, because he knew that Ruby would be the last person to judge them. When Ruby had invited George Crabtree however William's enthusiasm about the trip to the lake had quickly decreased.

"Oh, you won't go alone then?" Mrs. Kitchen asked surprised and seemed relieved at the same time.

"No, Dr. Ogden's sister and a colleague of mine will accompany us," he clarified. "And I am sorry but I really have to go now, the others should be here any moment," he excused himself then.

"Oh I am sorry, my dear boy, I didn't mean to keep you," his landlady smiled, obviously pleased by the turn the conversation had taken. It seemed that for now he had redeemed himself in her eyes.

Murdoch turned to his bike, which he had parked in the hallway so it wouldn't get stolen. He checked the pressure of the tires and found that he had to pump air in. Quickly he rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt so they wouldn't get stained by the oil, then turned his bike upside down. It was hot and he started sweating while he used the old pump to refill the tires.

While he worked hr thought of Julia and the afternoon they would spend together with her sister and George. He didn't mind Ruby one bit, she was discreet and even more modern than Julia when it came to certain things, but George would be a problem. He didn't want his private life known all over the station. He knew there were rumors already and he wished he and Julia could just announce their engagement, but he still had to be presented to her father and Julia hadn't made any arrangements for that yet.

Julia had promised him a new outfit for today and he wondered if it was anything like the pretty blue and white blouse she had worn last weeks with her dark blue skirt. Blue and green looked just fabulous on her and of course she knew that.

He put the cap back on the opening of the tire and placed the pump in the closet where it belonged, then turned his bike again. He stopped to roll down and re-button his sleeves, took his hat and then rolled his bike out to the porch. He returned shortly to the house to wash his hands and then went back outside.

„Good afternoon detective," William was greeted by George Crabtree when he stepped outside the house and carried his bike down the steps.

„Good afternoon everyone," William greeted back and smiled before he looked up at the three people waiting for him once he had managed the steps and had put his bike on the ground.

„Mister Murdoch," Ruby greeted him strangely formally and he noted that she wore some kind of strange outfit, which didn't surprise him that much.

„Hello William," Julia smiled happily upon seeing him and didn't even mind the familiar addressing in front of her sister and the constable. William's smile however vanished when he saw what she was wearing. Like her sister she was dressed in a blouse, obviously without a corset underneath, grey knickerbockers and leggings. He knew they were supposed to be bicycling outfits, but seeing Julia in one of these truly shocked him. Of course, she looked beautiful and he didn't mind any other woman being dressed like that, but when it came to Julia it was different. She wore knickerbockers and leggings, for heaven's sake and her ankles and legs were visible for every other person, including the male part of the population. Even Crabtree had now a very clear picture of her anatomy. William's mood darkened while he stared at her and he had to bite his tongue to keep from commenting on the outfit.

„Shall we go?" Ruby broke the awkward silence while William stared at Julia and Julia stared right back at him, wondering what was wrong with him.

„Yes, that's a great idea," Murdoch agreed instantly, knowing that otherwise he would ruin their trip.

While they cycled to the park Ruby and George were driving beside each other first, but when William found himself unable to talk to Julia, because an unknown kind of anger swallowed his words, he caught up to them and ended up conversing with George, while Julia and her sister followed them, having their own conversation in hushed whispers and speculations.

When they reached the lake the weather had got a lot warmer and William wished for a second that he and Julia had come here alone so they could go swimming- with or without clothing. Seeing her in her outfit however brought him out of his fantasy and he knew that he would never had allowed her to ride her bike around town dressed like this, if they were alone. That would have resulted in a huge fight and therefore made it impossible that they would ever have reached the lake.

„William, are you quite alright? You're awfully quiet," Julia asked him while she helped Ruby to spread out one of the blankets on the ground.

„Yes, you barely said two words since you stepped out of the house," Ruby supported her sister.

„Just enjoying the scenery," he lied and apologized in his mind for the white lie. He couldn't even explain it to himself why Julia's outfit caused such a strong reaction within him. It wasn't arousal, tenderness, intrigue or any other emotion he was used to when he saw her. It made him angry and furious and made him want to yell at her to go home and change before anyone could see her like this.

„My mother gave me this cake for today. She might not be a good cook, but she's an excellent baker," Crabtree said and opened the basket he had brought along to the lake.

„Oh Georgie, that is splendid. But why don't we go for a swim first?" Ruby asked him and to William's greatest shock started taking off her clothes.

„Uh... uhm...al... alright," George stuttered but seemed to get over his embarrassment a bit too fast for Williams liking. Julia had sat down on the blanket in the meantime and watched the two taking off their clothes until they were both left only in their bathing suits, Ruby's consisting of a black dress with bloomers underneath, just like fashion wanted it these days. Her own touch consisted of leaving the bathing cap off and diving into the lake with a jump. She knew how to swim, even if that was most uncommon. George followed her cautiously and looked a bit more out of his element.

„Do you want to go for a swim too?" Julia asked William once they were alone.

„No, thank you," he replied stiffly but at least sat down on the blanket beside her.

„Are you sure you're alright?" she asked him again and William took another deep breath to stay calm.

„Yes," he just said through clenched teeth.

„Then why do I get the feeling that you're angry with me?" she asked him bluntly and William knew that he couldn't hold back any longer.

„What the Hades are you wearing, Julia?" it burst out of him.

„It's called Responsible dress for cycling for women. Quite fashionable these days," she informed him but her words were already spoken a bit sharper than usual.

„Your legs and ankles are on display for everyone to see," he fumed and pointed with one hand to her leggings covered skin.

„Are you seriously accusing me of being dressed improperly?" she asked him, her voice becoming dangerously high- pitched. "Don't be ridiculous, William!"

„You are!" he exclaimed.

„You are out of your mind!" she replied loudly. „Then take care that you stay properly dressed and sweat to death while I will join my sister and George," she knew how to get to him.

„You will not!" he ordered in a very out of character like way while Julia took her clothes off.

„Then arrest me for indecency or leave me alone!" she full out yelled at him and marched off into the lake, dressed in a similar bathing dress as her sister, just in a dark green color that suited her skin color and hair. William felt arousal shoot through him when he saw her like this, but when it mixed with his anger it only made him want to punch someone- or something- maybe even himself.

"Jules. Everything alright?" Ruby asked her sister concerned when she saw the dark and determined look with which Julia swam towards her.

"William seems to have lost his mind," she spat and dove under water one time, maybe it would help her cooling off.

"Maybe the heat doesn't agree with him?" Ruby speculated, while George listened intently to the sisters talk while he tried to keep his head over water.

"The heat isn't his problem, my dress is," Julia snorted.

"The new cycling outfit or your bathing suit?" Ruby wanted clarification.

"Both it seems. He doesn't like it that my ankles are visible," Julia fumed and glared over her shoulder in the direction where William was still sitting on the blanket.

"Oh Jules," Rube laughed out loud, "You should be flattered not angry."

"Flattered because he wants to dictate me what to wear?" Julia asked her sister incredulously.

"No, because he is jealous and over protective of you. It's cute," Ruby giggled and splashed some water into Julia's face.

"It's not! It's infuriating and barbaric," Julia disagreed and splashed some water back at her sister. Ruby just shrieked, then reached over and dunked her sister under water for a second. Julia of course, wouldn't let it stand like that and took her revenge. In a matter of a few seconds the sisters were engaged in a water fight and used poor George Crabtree as a shield, not aware of his struggle to keep himself above the water.

"Ladies…. Please… I… I can't…" he tried to warn them but his voice got lost in the shrieks and laughter of the two females. He felt himself losing his fight with gravity and a second later he sunk down like a rock, swallowing water on his way down. He struggled and tried to swim up again, but suddenly he wasn't sure anymore in which direction the precious oxygen was. The he felt something pulling him in one direction and decided to give in to the force.

Julia and Rube had taken a second or two to understand that Crabtree wasn't just fooling around but really going under. Then they dived down and pulled him up. He came back up, coughing and spitting out water.

"Oh my poor Georgie," Ruby cooed and tapped him on the back, while both Julia and her kept him over water.

"Let's get him back outside. I think he should take some swimming lessons before he goes back to the deep end of the lake," Julia grinned and winked at her sister.

"I'll be happy to provide them," Ruby replied sassily and with a grin of her own and then they swam back ashore and took the coughing constable with them.

"What happened? Is he alright?" William asked and ran to the lake to help them when he saw them coming out of the water with George leaning heavily on the two Ogden sisters.

"He nearly drowned. Because you had to stay properly dressed we had to save him," Julia provoked William, leaving out the part where she and Ruby were partly responsible for George's misery. William only glared at her and then took over George and led him to the blanket. He handed him a towel and then sat back down. Ruby wrung out her hair and then wrapped herself in another large towel while Julia stood next to them and seemed to contemplate what to do.

"I think I'm going back in, I need to exercise. I'm feeling restless," she finally told her sister and marched back to the lake. William watched her the whole time, annoyed for one part, the other worried that something could happen to her as well.

"You know, William, I think your marriage will be somewhat… explosive and never boring, considering your thick-headedness and Julia's temper," Ruby teased him with a giggle and George erupted in another coughing fit upon hearing her words. William didn't reply though, he just watched Julia swimming around in the lake and sulked in silence.

TBC

[lilmon]

When William is kissing Anna in S03Ep01, he has a memory-picture of Julia where Julia is staring at him without too many clothes like she is straddling William, do you remember? So I think, if this is a real memory, he had intimate connection with Julia. What do you think?
lilmon
By the way, akarana, thank you for the continuation.

[akarana]

I also always wondered just how much experience went into these "dreams". Also when he was with Enid (or not yet) and was feverish, he dreamed of waking up with Julia and that seemed very real as well. I honestly don't know, but that gives me the opportunity to make of it what I want
And Julia has quite vivid daydreams as well as we learned

[akarana]

Longest chapter so far. I had this in my head ever since I started writing the story.

Chapter 25

Two days later in the early morning William was sitting in his office, staring blankly at the case files in front of him and sulked. He and Julia still hadn't made up and therefore he had used his 'free time' to sit in his office and throw himself into work.

Julia and he had never had a fight like this before. Sure, they had argued before and one or the other had been angry, but it hadn't been as obvious because they had never spent as much time together. Now he had to lie alone in his own bed and knowing that he couldn't sleep anyway he decided to stay in his office.

Julia hadn't talked to him since she had gone swimming. He had tried later that night on the ride back to talk to her, but other than snide remarks, he hadn't got anything out of her. Problem was, he was still thinking that he was right, her dress had been too revealing and he didn't care that fashion columns in newspapers said differently.

Ruby had teased him merciless that night and had pointed out that she was wearing knickerbockers that were even shorter than the ones Julia wore. However he wasn't interested in what Ruby wore, but in what her sister was wearing and doing.

He missed her, two days without really talking to her, not to speak of holding her or kissing her, was simply too long. William had hoped that he would catch a case and would see her so she had to talk to him at least for the job, but the cases he was working on had no dead bodies and so the time without the pretty coroner dragged on.

"Murdoch, what are doing here already? Spent another night here?" Brackenreid's voice startled him and he looked from the papers and tiredly rubbed his eyes.

"Yes, Sir. I felt like I was mere moments away from finding out how they got into the houses, but it seems the moments took all night and I am still not closer to solving the case," Murdoch sighed and stretched his arms over his head.

"You still haven't talked to Dr. Ogden? You should really apologize and if it's only for peace sake. Can't tell ya how often I did that with the Missus," the inspector droned on.

"We have no body, Inspector," William tried to play dumb, but he had the feeling that Brackenreid knew what he was talking about.

"I'm not talking about a dead body, but about the bloody knickerbockers. Crabtree told me you two got into a fight over it. You better get over it, my old mucker, or you will be fighting with her for the rest of your days. She's a cheeky one, you always knew that and also a tad too modern if you ask me," his superior shrugged and offered more of his unasked for advice.

"Ah yes, I will talk to her, once I find out who is behind these robberies," he said and hoped to change the topic back from his private life to work.

"Tell me when you've got something," the inspector nodded and finally left his office. William let out a breath and relaxed in his chair. Why couldn't George for once keep his mouth shut? Why did he have to share his private life with Brackenreid of all people? He knew that the two sometimes talked about him and Julia, after all they had been the first ones to admit to his face that they knew and observed the mounting tension and feelings between him and her. Brackenreid had given him advice before, always unasked for, of course, and George had made no secret about it that he thought William and Julia belonged together.

"Detective?" George interrupted his thought once more. Speaking of the devil, William remarked in his head.

"What is it George?" William asked in a rude tone and the young constable looked taken aback, because he couldn't know that William had just learned about him gossiping with Brackenreid.

"There has been another burglary. This time at a pig farm just outside the city," he reported.

"How far outside? Will we have to take the horses or will the bikes do?" he asked him and got up, straightened his shirt and put his jacket back on.

"I think the bikes should do," Crabtree decided and followed William out of his office.

~*~

"I'm acting detective Murdoch, this is constable Crabtree," William introduced themselves to the famer who had been robbed the night before.

"Ya really have to see what these bastards did," the man started ranting agrily. "They didn't only take the money, but they also stole my chicks and tried to steal the piglets. Two dropped dead from shock and another one is injured. Will have to put the poor thing down before it's two months old. Little bugger is screaming in pain," the farmer reported but didn't look sympathetic. He seemed to be sorrier for the money loss the killing of the animal would cause him.

"Can you show us everywhere they were?" Murdoch asked, knowing he needed to see the crime scene.

"'Course," the man nodded and led them first into the small shed where he kept the chicken. Most of them were sitting apathetically in the house, just two walked around outside and picked at the sparse grass.

"They must have had an ax," George stated when they saw the door of the shed. The wood was splintered and it looked like the burglars had walked right through.

"Did you hear anything?" Murdoch turned to the farmer.

"No, I didn't hear nothing," the man shook his head. "I was out late and had a little bit too much, if you know what I mean," he admitted and Murdoch only nodded. He really couldn't understand why men who had barely enough money to put food on the table for their families went out every night and spend their money on drinks that had them too wasted to function properly in the morning. Some of them even got into a foul mood and started laying on their wives and children.

"Can you show us the sty?" he asked him then.

"Sure, right this way," the farmer nodded and with every step they took the stench got worse. When they reached the other small shed they found three pigs and several piglets in the wooden shed and the stench was so bad it made it robbed them of their breaths for a moment. Still they had to walk in to take a look at the damage and in the middle of the room lay a small piglet, screaming so badly that William got goose bumps. It was like one could hear the pain in the voice of the animal. Another bigger pig was standing beside it, gnawing at its tail and it's ears were bloody and halfway gnawed off already. Shocked William stared at the scene and forgot the crime scene and the evidence over it.

"He's the weakling now and nature isn't too kind to them," George offered while William still stared. Then however he started moving again and pushed the other pig away from the injured one with his foot.

"Shoo, shoo," he said as he pushed it aside.

"Didn't have the time yet to whack him one. I will have to chop it up right after in this heat or the meat will go bad," the farmer shrugged.

"Isn't there anything that can be done? It looks like its foot is broken," William turned to the farmer while he kept the pigs away from the injured one with his feet.

"Was the weakest one anyway and these bloody bastards must have stepped on its leg. No sense in spending money on it," the famer remained practical and unfeeling.

"How much will you make if you kill it today?" William asked him.

"Not much if anything at all. Not much meat on it," the man replied.

"I'll give you twenty five cents for it," William decided after he had checked how much change he still had in his pockets. It wasn't much, but more than nothing.

"Sir, you're going to buy a pig?" George asked disbelievingly.

"Can't let the poor thing be eaten alive here," William replied with a nod. "Do you have a piece of cloth I can wrap it up in so I won't get my shirt all bloody?" he asked the farmer. Mrs. Kitchen would wash Saturday at the earliest and it was only Tuesday. He couldn't walk around with a bloody shirt that smelled like pig for the rest of the week.

"Sure, here," the famer said and handed him an old and dirty blanket that hang on a wall. He looked at William like he had lost his mind. The detective didn't let that stop him though and he leaned down and gently wrapped the piglet in the blanket, then lifted it up in his arms. At first the poor thing squeaked louder than before, then however it stopped and just looked up at him.

"George can you process the crime scene and take note of everything important? I will go over to Dr. Tasch's house it's just round the corner and see if he's willing to treat a patient that isn't human," William informed the constable.

"Of course. See you later at the station," George nodded and watched the detective leave with the piglet under his arm.

~*~

It turned out to be quite the struggle to carry the piglet under one arm, while he was holding his bike with the other hand. Luckily the animal stayed still and didn't struggle too much against his grip. People on the streets were looking funny at him but he didn't care. He just couldn't see the poor thing suffering and not do anything. Standing by while it was partially eaten alive by the other pigs wasn't an option either.

While he had cycled to the farm earlier he had passed the house of Dr. Tasch and had remembered the last time when he had been by and the doctor had told him that he was conducting abortions, but had refused to elaborate on the nature of Julia's visit. Back then he had been really sure that the two of them had been lovers at one point and that Julia had warned him and talked to him about the case.

Now he knew that that hadn't been correct at all, but still he felt a bit angry at the doctor. He knew he should be grateful to him for saving Julia's life and he should have a more positive attitude towards him, considering that he was about to ask him for an unusual favor- but he just couldn't.

The fact that he was giving abortions and thereby killing innocent lives, he just couldn't get over it. It was a sin and it was forbidden by the law, so in his books it was still wrong.

The small doubts in his mind about this matter and the view of the church and the law added to his anger. It was as if the more he doubted the law, the more convinced he tried to be that it was correct.

However he couldn't stop his own thoughts from registering in his mind. Now that he knew intimacy and passion and he knew just how hard it was to stop he had a new understanding how unwed women could get into this situation. The prostitutes who had introduced him to sexual relations back when he had still worked at the wood camp as a young man, what about them? What if he had go one of her the family way? Or what about Eliza? They had been lucky back then when all control had left them. What would she have done, what would they have done back then? They wouldn't have had the money to marry, at least not in a way that would have made it obvious why they would have married so hastily.

Julia couldn't have a child, not anymore after what she had been through, so there was no risk now. If they ever got carried away there wouldn't be any consequences for them. Young, healthy women usually weren't that lucky when it came to pre-marital relations. Most of them were naïve and uneducated on the subject of sexual intercourse. The young men used it to their advantage and promised them heaven and earth, only to run as soon as they had what they wanted. And then of course, there was the problem of them women who had been forced. He had encountered more than one maid or young woman who had been forced by her employer or some other man with more power and had found herself with child afterwards. These women were ruined for all times and no decent man would marry them. If there was no child however, there was no proof of their sin. One life destroyed for one life saved.

William was glad when he finally found himself in front of the large house Dr. Tasch was working and living in. e slowly lowered his bike to the ground and tried not to loosen his grip on the piglet which started to struggle now that it sensed some change in his movements. He saw the door to the house open and the thankful feelings for Tasch, he had talked himself into, vanished instantly.

William felt like he was stuck in a time vacuum. He had been in this situation before, only this time the scene in front of him was even more intimate than the last time.

Isaac and Julia were talking on the porch while they walked outside, but instead of a hand squeeze Julia hugged the other doctor and held on to him. He didn't seem to mind and William felt the bile rise in his throat. He wasn't even allowed to hold her hand in public and here these two were embracing outside in broad daylight for the whole world to see. Julia had her head on Dr. Tasch's shoulder, while he had his arms wrapped around her shoulders and held her tightly. William could see that he was whispering in her ear, but he couldn't make out her reaction because she was facing away from him.

He didn't realize that he had been tightening the hold on the injured animal until it gave a heart wrenching little squeak of pain and he was reminded why he had come. He purposefully walked towards the house, where the two were still standing wrapped in the intimate embrace.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," he said after he had cleared his voice loudly. To his greatest shock Julia and Isaac didn't jump apart or seemed embarrassed. They just looked surprised to see him and not the slightest bit guilty. He set his jaw and straightened his shoulders, intent that he wouldn't let them see how angry he was.

"William, what are you doing here?" Julia asked him friendlier than she had last talked to him. He however was so upset he didn't consciously realize how good it was to hear her voice again. She still had a hand placed on Tasch's shoulder and William's eyes stared at it as if they wanted to burn a hole in his arm.

"I'm here to see Dr. Tasch," he pointed out the obvious and then turned away from Julia and faced the other doctor. "I know you're not a veterinarian, but could you take a look at the poor creature?" he asked him and reminded himself that he should stay civil because he wanted something from the doctor, not the other way around.

"Uhm , of course. What is wrong with it?" Isaac said after he had exchanged a sideward glance with Julia.

"It seems to have broken its foot and the others started gnawing at his ears and tail. The owner would have just let it lie there, but I couldn't stand the cries of pain. They made me nauseous," William admitted.

"Oh, poor thing," Julia gushed and came forward to pet the pigs head.

"Please come inside and I'll take a look. Julia would you mind helping me?" Isaac asked.

"Of course not, not at all!" she shook her head and looked lovingly at William who still carried the piglet in his arms When their eyes met he looked away and avoided her eyes. Out of the corned of his eyes he could see that Julia's small, loving smile changed to a painful expression like he had slapped her and then to as neutral as possible.

Quietly they followed Dr. Tasch into the building and William was glad when he could finally put down the piglet. It might be small, but it was still heavy if you carried it around for a while.

He put it on the examining table and held onto it when it tried to jump off and run away. "Oh stay here, stupid thing or you will break your other legs as well," he said annoyed. By now he was angry at everyone in the room, even the injured piglet.

"Isaac, do you have some linen cloths here so I can clean the wounds?" Julia turned to her colleague.

"Look in the cabinet over there," he replied while he tried to get a hold of the injured leg. Julia opened the drawers of the cabinet and found the cloths she was looking for. She wet them with water and applied something reddish before she started to dab at the wounds. Immediately the pig started the scream in pain and panic and struggled even more.

"William, could you hold it a bit tighter," she requested when it tried to bite her.

"I'm trying. It's not as easy as it might look," he replied sharply and slightly out of breath from the struggle with the animal.

"The leg is definitely broken. I guess all I can do is wrap it tightly and hope that it won't gnaw the bandage off," Dr. Tasch concluded and left the room to get the necessary things so he could splint the leg.

"What will you do with the pig, William? Where will you keep it"? Julia asked him softly once they were alone. She was still cleaning the wounds at the pig's ears and didn't look at him.

"I don't know, I didn't really think about it," he admitted. "I might have to bring it back," he shrugged and kept his eyes fixed on the animal.

"If you would built a shed and put a fence around it you could keep it in my backyard if you want. I doubt Mrs. Kitchen would approve of it sleeping in your bed," she offered with a small smile and looked expectantly at him.

"I guess I could do that.. I don't know," he retreated back to sulking.

"Look, William, in my opinion you have no reason to be cross with me. I should be the angry and hurt one, because of the way you treated me on Sunday," she was sick of the awkward mood between them and was once more the one who spoke out loud what was going on.

"And that's why you sought shelter in the arms of Dr. Tasch?" he accused her and startled the pig by raising his voice.

"I won't even grant this with an answer. You have obviously lost your mind," she told him and he just wanted to apologize when he saw the hurt in her eyes, but just then Dr. Tasch came back.

"So, let's see if this works," he thought out loud and obviously decided to ignore the tension in the room. Quietly he bandaged the piglet's leg and Julia looked after the other wounds. They exchanged some medical gibberish from time to time that Murdoch couldn't understand. He stood idly by, holding the pig and turned and twisted the thoughts and ideas in his head. He desperately wanted to make peace with Julia, but at the same time he was still convinced that he had every right to be upset. First she showed up in an indecent dress and then he found her embracing another man. Just thinking about the scene on the porch made his blood boil again.

"All done," Isaac finally announced and they were all glad it was over. The pigs ears and tail were somewhat orange now by whatever Julia had applied and the left front leg was stinted.

"How much do I owe you?" William asked him and hoped that he still had enough money with him to pay for the treatment.

"Nothing," Dr. Tasch replied. "I couldn't possibly charge the future husband of my best friend." William did a double take. Had he really just said what he thought he had said?

"You told him?" wide eyed he turned to Julia. Her own father didn't even know yet, but she visited Isaac Tasch to tell him?

"You know that Isaac is a very dear friend of mine," Julia shrugged and petted the piglet's head.

"I hope this will turn out successfully and the wounds won't get infected," Tasch broke the awkward silence that spread once more.

"I will keep an eye on it Isaac. Thank you… for everything," Julia said and William had the impression that there was more going on than he knew about.

"Take care Julia and don't be a stranger," the doctor smiled at her and the two of them hugged briefly yet again before William wrapped the piglet back in the cloth and carried it outside with Julia following him.

"You want to take me up on my offer now or not?" she asked him impatiently once the door had closed behind them. The gentleness that had been present when she had said goodbye to Dr. Tasch was gone now.

"I don't think I have another choice," he admitted helplessly, knowing that bringing the piglet back to the farm would be its death sentence.

"Then see you at home," she said and then walked to the street where she called for a carriage and was gone before he had arrived at his bike, the piglet once more tugged under his left arm.

TBC

[jbork1979]

Great chapter, akarana. It's been a while since I've visited the site. I'm still getting over the season 4 finale. Your writing makes it easier to cope with the current ending. Keep up the good work!

[camilla]

Thank you Akarana for your chapters..I love them like all the fanfic!I hope in season 5 we can have an happy ending for our couple or however I hope to see Julia again.
Hope you continue writing because it's the only positive thing now,after that ending

[akarana]

Took me a while to write this chapter, but by the sparse reviews I guess you are all still as shell shocked at the finale as I am. I seem to get over it now, so hopefully the chapters will come more frequently again.

Strong M-rating for the chapter!

Chapter 26

William had taken the piglet back to the station with him and had brought it to the stables. He had a report to work on and he also needed the information George had gathered. The piglet would have to wait for a while until he could bring it over to Julia. Especially because there were no stables at her place and he would have to build a shed or small stable first.

The day dragged on and so did the night and before he knew it, it was Saturday morning and he was still in his office working. He had only left twice to bring the pig some food and water. His eyes were burning with exhaustion, his head pounding and his back aching, but it was still better than going home alone and being confronted with an empty room and an even emptier bed.

He turned the argument over in his head once more and each time he came up with more things he could have said or should have said, different ways to react altogether and finally he searched for points where Julia had been wrong, so he could defend himself when it came to the final argument on the matter.

"Murdoch, you spent another night here? If you go on like this I will have to charge you with rent," Brackenreid intruded on his brooding time once more. He hadn't heard him coming in this time.

"I finally caught up to all my paper work," he offered as an explanation.

"And what is this crap I hear about you bringing a piglet to the stables?" Brackenreid went on and held up a hand when Murdoch started to open his mouth for a explanation. "I don't care, Murdoch, just get that thing out of there as soon as possible," he ordered. "And the same goes for you. Go home. I don't want to see you here again before Monday, except if there's a new body popping up," he finished and left, knowing there was nothing to add to that. With a heavy sigh Murdoch stood up and rubbed his temples, wondering when he had drank or eaten the last time. "Might as well start now," he said to himself, thinking about the shed he still had to build.

~*~

By the time he arrived at Julia's house with the necessary wood it was shortly before noon. He had taken the time to clean himself up, change his clothes, shave, eat and drink something and finally buy the wood he needed. He rang the bell and only had to wait a few seconds before Dawson opened the door.

"Detective," she greeted him and he lifted his hat in greeting.

"Hello Dawson. I am here to build the shed in the garden," he informed her, knowing that it was none of her business. But if he was lucky Julia wasn't even home and he could do this quickly and quietly and then hopefully find some sleep.

"Dr. Ogden told me about it. Could you please bring the wood around back so you don't have to carry it through the house," Dawson requested and William nodded. If Julia was home, so he would be able to avoid her and another round of their fight for a while longer. He picked up the wood he had deposited beside the front door and walked down the street and into a narrow alley so he could reach the garden from the side by the fields. Dawson was already waiting for him and opened the small wooden gate so he could pass through without putting the wood down again.

"You don't happen to have any tools here, Dawson?" he asked her, knowing that if they hadn't he would have to walk back home and get his own tools.

"We do, Detective. I will get them for you. Would you like something to drink as well?" she asked him.

"That would be very appreciated," he gave Dawson a small smile.

~*~

It was getting dark when he was finally done and even though he had been working at Julia's house, well, technically her garden, he hadn't seen her at all. At first he had been relieved, but then he had caught himself looking over his shoulder more and more, wondering why she wasn't coming out to see him. Surely Dawson had told her that he was there. Or had she been out all day? However from the small conversation he had had with Dawson while taking a break in the afternoon he had gathered that Julia was at home alright.

So he gathered his tools, controlled the sturdiness of the shed again and took the empty glass Dawson had brought him inside. There was no one in the kitchen so he simply put it in the sink and walked back into the hallway. He was walking to the front door when he heard a door open behind him.

"You're coming without saying hello and now you're leaving without saying goodbye," he heard Julia's voice behind him and turned around. That single comment had been enough to make his blood boil again. She surely knew how to push his buttons.

"I can't seem to remember that I saw you out in the garden, telling me that you were home," he argued back.

"Where would I be on Saturday off of work?" she asked him loudly, now mad as well.

"Maybe visiting your friend Dr. Tasch or parading more revealing knickerbockers around town," he yelled back and loudly put his tools down on a small sideboard that stood in the hallway.

"You don't need to yell in the hallway so that my staff can hear anything. Lower your voice," she hissed loudly and stepped back from the door to her study, signalizing him to enter. Reluctantly he did and she closed the door behind him.

"So, now I am in here and now what? You want to yell back?" William provoked her.

"You are such an idiot, William," she shrieked and her knuckles turned white as she held onto the desk in front of her.

"For what exactly, please enlighten me! For not liking you running around town half naked or for not liking you embracing other men?"

"For being a narrow minded, stubborn, infuriating… chauvinist," she kept insulting him.

"Oh, if you think it modern maybe I should go and embrace other women," he said hotly and was just quick enough to duck when she threw a book at him a second later. It crashed loudly into the door and then there was silence for a moment.

"I can't believe you just said that," Julia broke the silence, her voice choked up with tears. "No matter what I do I can't do anything right with you these days," she stated sadly. "I'm starting to think this is all just an excuse because you changed your mind and wish no longer to marry me." She sounded heartbroken now, but William wasn't in a mood to soothe her. He was too angry still.

"You are delusional, Julia. I don't care one bit if all the other women start wearing knickerbockers or suits, but I surely mind if my fiancée is riding her bike all around town and all men can see her legs and ankles. It's not right!" he said loudly, picked up the book and threw it back on her desk. "I never considered myself a jealous or possessive man, but just the thought that other men could see parts of your body they aren't supposed to see makes me want to kill them all," he admitted, still in a furious rant. "And then this Dr. Tasch. First he saves your life and then he's your confidant in everything. And the level of your physical comfort with each other is a bit too high for my taste," he finished, by now standing a few feet away from her.

"Are you accusing me of having an affair with Isaac?" she asked incredulously.

"No, but I am wondering if something happened before," he spat out.

"Yes, William he has seen me naked. Many times," she taunted him.

"I knew it!" he yelled and held out one accusing finger to her face.

"He is my gynecologist, if you need it spelled out for you," she yelled back.

"For what would you need one?"

"I don't feel like telling you."

"But you feel like telling him about our engagement! Maybe you should marry him, then if you trust him so much more than me," he continued their screaming match.

"You bastard! How can you say something like that? After everything we shared!" she finally lost her battle against the tears and started to slap him. She hit his arms and his chest and he took a second to understand what was going on and grab her arms. She tried to fight him and get free, but he tightened his grasp on her wrists and held them. They were so close to one another now that they shared the same airspace. The closest they had been to each other in a long while. First their eyes met and then they both pounced at the same moment. Her lips were on his and his tongue in her mouth only seconds later. The kiss was a battle for control that none of the two could win. William pushed her back against the desk and swept everything off of it before he lifted her up and onto it.

"Crazy," Murdoch muttered, breathing hard, his lips still against hers.

"I am not!" she argued back and shoved at his shoulder, but then pulled him close again.

"Not you. How much I missed you," he clarified and sealed her lips again, so she wouldn't continue their fight. There was no time for it now, there was only need. He could feel his erection pressing painfully against his pants and groaned when Julia spread her legs and pulled him into her. It wasn't close enough, not at all. He needed more of her, more of her skin and of it#s feel underneath his hands. More of her taste and more of those moans. Quickly he unbuttoned her blouse and pulled down the undershirt she wore, not minding that the buttons flew everywhere under his impatient tugs. He ripped his lips from hers and attacked her chest, sucking as much flesh in his mouth as he could. Julia didn't even attempt to undress his upper body, but went right to his trousers. She opened them and pushed them down and when her hand wrapped around his rigid shaft he gasped against her breast. There was no romance this time, just red hot passion and lust as she pumped him and spread his precum over his shaft. When he couldn't stand it anymore he pushed her skirts up to her waist and got rid of her undergarments the same way he had got access to her breasts.

He stroked her with his fingers, plunged them inside fast and hard when he felt how wet she was from the few minutes of pleasure.

"Oh William, yes!" she moaned and closed her eyes and her head fell back. She pulled him closer to her and her eyes flew open and bore into his when he tip of his shaft touched her opening for the first time.

William stared into her eyes and gritted his teeth, fighting the devil on his shoulders that told him to just push into her and finally make her his. He knew that Julia wouldn't stop him, the decision was all his. Feeling her hot and wet against him was the pleasurable thing he had ever felt and even the relations he had had with women before paled in comparison. And that's what stopped him. This was Julia, his fianceé, and he wanted their first time together to be special and romantic and their wedding night. Not some angry romp on the desk in her study.

So when he pushed forward he thrust upwards as well so he was rubbing his erection against her . His tip caressed her clit on every stroke and the wetness from her made it easy to glide back and forth. Julia was still staring into his eyes unseeingly. He flicked his gaze down, to her exposed breasts with the faint red marks and love bites on them to the missing buttons on her chemise and her pushed up skirts. Her lips were red and swollen and still she was pushing her hips in the same rhythm as he did, enjoying this as much as he did. Lust was still pulsing behind his eyes, but when he kissed her this time he made a point of making it softer and with more gentleness and love. He loved her, so much so that it reduced him to a jealous, archaic idiot that picked fights with her because he got possessive, and still she shared the same fiery passion as he did, because she was just as crazy in love with him as he was with her.

It didn't take long for the kiss to turn passionate again and the rhythm of their movements quickened. It had simply been too long since they had been together intimately and the fight seemed to heighten their passion for each other even more.

"William," she gasped into his mouth suddenly and her body started shaking while she clung to him. Seeing her come undone caused him to climax as well and he erupted, spilling his seed all over her pubic hair and stomach, soiling her skirts and blouse as well.

"William," she sighed again and slumped against him, hugging him to her in a tight grip, like she was afraid he would just get up and leave.

"I love you, Julia," he told her and held her tight. "I'm sorry for being such an idiot," he apologized, but she sealed his lips with hers before he could go on.

"Let's talk later. We really need to talk… also about this," she told him and drew him into another kiss.

"It seems that our encounters get more passionate each time. I don't know how much longer I can restrain myself from really making love to you," he admitted, a bit ashamed of his lack of self- control.

"We will go and see my father tomorrow and announce our engagement. I really want to become your wife soon, because I don't know how much longer I can wait, either," she told him and he kissed her for telling him that she was just as desperate as he was.

"I ruined your blouse and destroyed your shirt and bloomers," he stated when he pulled back a bit after they broke the kiss.

"I don't care, but maybe we should get cleaned up," Julia said and he was surprised when she giggled.

"What's so funny?" he asked her, and a smile came onto his face when she kept laughing.

"Us," she laughed. "First we argue and then we rip each other's clothes off."

"A rather pleasurable end to a fight," he laughed with her.

"Absolutely," she nodded and kissed him again.

TBC

Don't worry, they will talk. I guess they just needed to unwind first.

[camilla]

my prefered chapters :-P
I think you,Akarana understand better than the writers what fans want to see in the show..of course we can't see nothing too hot in tv,but something romantic,yes!
I continue to hope to see something in the 5th season,I'm very curious to see what writers will do with this couple..