> Julia turned to him and spoke, her voice tight with repressed hurt. And
her
> gaze was focused on his shoulder. If she looked at him now she wouldn't
be
> able to hold back the tears.
>
> "You have a damn odd way of showing it." she said, her voice becoming
shaky
> before she turned back around and went up the stairs "I was ready to face
> them...... because I thought this was my home. Obviously, I was
mistaken."
>
> "And Cross can't compare to this." she added, more to herself than Derek
as
> she continued up to the second floor.
>
> Sloan stepped out of Derek's office just then and inadvertently stepped in
> front of Julia.
>
> "Get out of my way."
>
> "Julia -"
>
> Her gaze ripped into his "Get out of my way or I'll show you just how much
> hell I'm able to raise."
>
> Sloan looked at Derek and then back at her "It's not his fault, Julia."
>
> "I have a ferry to catch now get the HELL out of my way!" Julia's voice
rose
> an octave and she was getting ready to push him out of her way if need be.
>
Sloan suceeded in slowing Julia down enough for Derek to catch up and grab
hold of her. "This IS your home, you're not leaving it," he told her.
He turned her to face him, holding her arms firmly. "The council won't be
staying here, but Cross might insist. You're not leaving here, I won't
allow it."
