Julia turned her chin up and set it against him, her blue gaze meeting his hazel one.
"If I thought you loved her," she said quietly, the truth of what she was saying in her eyes "It would hurt but... I'd want you to be happy. "But," Julia said before he could interject anything "I know." She was aware of Rachel drawing closer and hugged Derek in case he hadn't seen her, the gesture also a silent question to him in case he wanted to draw apart. Not that she wanted it, but Derek had always had a need to be the strong one in mixed company, the Precept. Derek returned her hug, his voice soft and slightly hoarse. "I don't," he reitterated. "I never did." It was at this point he caught a glimpse of Rachel. "Did you need something," he asked the blond, still keeping his arms tightly around Julia.
