Paul sighed and glanced moodily around the tables. He hated the Logies with a passion. Good News Week never won anything, and he hated public events.
Paul watched Andrew Denton laugh and joke around with Elle McPherson, and wished very strongly he was at home, painting.
Julie, sitting next to him, laughed suddenly. Paul glanced at her suspiciously.
"What?" he asked, the paranoid section of his brain kicking in. Julie gave him a sly grin.
"I was just thinking that Andrew Denton is your height - and look how much taller Elle is than him," she said, pointing up at the two. "I imagined you standing next to her." She chuckled again at the image. Paul quickly glanced up on stage. Andrew Denton had just brought out a box to stand on, to make himself taller than Elle. The audience laughed, but after what Julie had just said, Paul realised just how short he was. He scowled. He was very aware of his height, and hated people reminding him - except Mikey, who teased him about everything from his singing to his gender.
Julie, taking one look at his face, immediately regretted what she had said. She tried to apoligise, but Paul just dismissed her with a wave of his hand.
Shit, Julie thought. She had stuffed up again. Paul had been on edge all night - although he had broken up with Jo a few months ago, his lack of date for this event had reopened the wounds, and made him even moodier than usual.
Julie quickly excused herself and headed for the ladies room, desperately trying to think of a way to salvage the situation.
There were quite a few women inside, most of whom Julie knew in some way or another. As soon as she entered, Julie was greeted by various actresses and escorts. Those who knew her, liked her, and always made an effort to talk to her.
Julie returned the polite comments and inquires into her health, as she made her way over to the mirror. Julie frowned - she could hardly move in here! Thinking quickly, she said casually, "I hear that there's a modeling scout among the audience, and he's looking for a few actresses to feature in his next shoot." She breathed a sigh of relief as every single woman rushed out the door.
"That's better," she muttered to herself. Now back to the business with Paul. How was she going to�Julie stopped, her train of thoughts interrupted. She turned around, and listened carefully. Someone was crying. Julie headed for the stall where the quiet sobbing was coming from and silently pushed open the door. Sitting on the closed bowel, a girl sat with her face buried in her hands.
Julie's motherly instincts quickly took over.
"What's wrong, dear?" she asked gently, as she knelt in front of the girl. The girl looked up, startled. She hadn't realised anyone had noticed her.
"It's�it's stupid," she forced a laugh, and tried to wipe away her tears. Julie shook her head.
"It can't be too stupid if it makes you cry," she said quietly, then gently grasped the girl's hand and led her over to the sink.
Pulling a tissue from her pocket, Julie began to wipe the girl's tears. The girl flinched when Julie reached out to her, but relaxed slightly when she saw what Julie was going to do. Julie frowned slightly. It was almost like the girl expected her to hit her!
Julie brushed the girl's hair away from her face, and the girl flinched again, but more violently this time. Carefully, Julie pulled back the hair to reveal a massive bruise on the side of the girl's face, which previously had been covered.
Julie swore loudly.
"It's not too bad," the girl hastened to reassure her. "I�I slipped. Um�in the bathroom," she stopped when she saw Julie's dubious expression. She looked away.
Julie sighed. "If you don't want to say anything, I can't make you." The girl looked at her in surprise. "I just hope you know what you're doing." With that, she turned and began to leave the room, hoping that the girl would call her back.
"Wait!" the girl cried just as Julie was opening the door. Julie stopped and turned. The girl hesitated. "I�I don't want to go back to him," she mumbled. She looked up hopefully, suddenly afraid that the kind woman who had tried to help her would suddenly turn on her.
"Of course you don't honey," Julie said with a smile, returning to the girl's side. She gave her a big hug, being careful not to bump her face.
"Do you have a place to go? Somewhere to stay, where he won't find you?" she asked quietly, watching the girl's reaction.
The girl shook her head silently. Julie made a quick decision. "All right, you can come to my place," she said briskly, already planning everything out in her head. "I can let you stay until you find a better place and," a thought suddenly occurred to her. "He's not here with you tonight, is he?" she asked. The girl shook her head violently.
"I'm here by myself," she clarified. Julie nodded. This was good - no one would miss her for a while at least.
"What's your name dear?" she asked. The girl smiled.
"My name's Vivian," she replied shyly. "Nice to meet you Vivian," Julie said, holding out her hand. "I'm Julie." The girl hesitantly shook Julie's hand, and gazed into her eyes. For some unknown reason she found herself trusting this stranger, and believed she could actually help her.
"Alright, here's what's going to happen�" Julie began and the two started talking about their plans.

Paul glanced at his watch. Julie sure was taking her time. Although they had already presented the award, and the category for which they had been nominated had passed, Paul had found himself staying - if nothing else, than to say goodbye to Julie. But now, typical, she was taking ages, preventing him from leaving.
Suddenly Julie appeared by their table, grabbed her purse, turned around and left. Paul stared after her. She was leaving! He scowled. Of all the nerve! He had waited for her, even though he was mad at her, and then she had had just come and left without a word!
Paul scrambled to his feet and quickly chased after Julie's fleeing back. He finally caught up to her in the parking lot, just as she was about to climb in a cab.
"Julie!" he cried, but she turned and silenced him with a glare. THAT put him off. Julie never glared. "I'll explain everything tomorrow," she said abruptly. Paul had just enough time to see that there was another girl in the cab with Julie before they both pulled away, leaving him standing dumbfounded in the parking lot.

Paul went back inside, shaking his head. He would never understand women - never ever. As he turned the corner to go back to his seat to collect his jacket, Paul bumped into someone. Looking up, Paul suddenly wished he had left when he had wanted to.
"Hi, Paul!" Daryl Summers said, holding out his hand. Paul shook it reluctantly, trying not to let his obvious distaste for Daryl show on his face.
"Hi, Daryl," he said politely. "Congratulations on the award," he added, feeling he should say something. "Hey, thanks!" Daryl exclaimed. "You know, I was so surprised! I thought, Daryl my man - your time has passed. You are not going to win this award. And then the announcer said it, and I'm like no way!" Paul looked around frantically for a way to escape the rambling show host.
Spotting Mikey not far away, Paul turned to Daryl. "I'm sorry mate, I gotta go - been nice talking to you!" and with that, he quickly ran away.
Paul shuddered as he heard Daryl pick another unfortunate soul to ramble on to, and trotted over to talk to Mikey.
"Hey mate," Mikey greeted him with a friendly smile, his arm around his wife Laura, who smiled at Paul as well.
"Hi Mikey," Paul said and greeted Laura. "Hey, do you know why Julie left in such a hurry?" he asked, turning his attention back to Mikey. Mikey frowned.
"I didn't notice mate, sorry," he said. "When did she leave?"
Paul sighed. "About 5 minutes ago," he replied. "She just grabbed her purse and left." Laura suddenly laughed. Mikey and Paul both turned to stare at her. Blushing, she said, "I just remembered - Julie told every single lady in the toilets that there was a talent scout in the audience looking for fresh material." Grinning, she waved her hand over the crowd, where Mikey and Paul now saw several women passing from table to table trying to make conversation with people they obviously didn't know.
"Maybe she didn't want to get told off," she added with a shrug. Paul considered it then shook his head. He explained what had happened in the car park.
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see," Mikey said, although his expression said the opposite.

Julie opened the door to her appartment and stepped inside, beckoning for Vivian to follow. She then set about making Vivian at much at home as she knew how.
Vivian watched as Julie got out the spare bed and set it up for her, while at the same time preparing some tea in the kitchen and finding some clothes that would fit her.
"It's alright Julie," she said as Julie began to set out a bunch of toiletries for her to use in the bathroom. "I'm grateful you're even letting me stay here, let alone make me feel like I'm in a hotel."
Julie smiled and came over to give her a hug.
"Honey, don't ever let anyone make you feel like you don't deserve any attention or decent hospitality," she said seriously. Vivian hesitated and nodded.
"Now you go and have a shower, while I finish setting up in here," Julie said, not realising how protective she sounded. Vivian smiled and headed towards the bathroom.
Closing the door behind her, the smile quickly dropped from her face. She knew Julie was a nice lady, and she was grateful for her help, but what would she do when she found out the truth?
Vivian stared at her reflection. Two frightened eyes stared back. Slowly, she let her dress fall to the floor. Her eyes trailed over the battlefield of scars that littered her body, the black and purple bruises that stared back at her, all too timely reminders of her past. Vivian closed her eyes tightly. Julie must never know - she would never forgive.

Paul paced his dressing room restlessly. He glanced at his watch - it was nearly time for the show to start, but Julie still hadn't arrived.
Paul sighed and flopped down on his tiny couch, and rested his head in his hands. Julie had been acting so strange ever since the Logies. She had been distant, and thoughtful, but refused to tell anyone what was wrong. And now she's late, Paul thought uneasily. Julie was never late. Despite his best efforts, Paul was beginning to worry. Julie had always been the one to keep his feet on the ground, to remind him that there was still goodness in human society. He didn't know what he'd do if she changed.
Paul listened absently to Ted's angry attacks on the crew members outside. Suddenly his head jerked up as he heard Julie's unmistakeable voice. "I'm sorry Ted - I forgot what time it started." There was a stunned silence for a minute.
"You FORGOT?!" Paul winced at Ted's incredulous voice. "How could you forget? You never forget!" Ted raved.
"Maybe my memory isn't what it used to be," Julie said simply. Paul scrambled to his feet and headed for the door as he heard the sound of her heels leaving. By the time he had burst out of his room however, Julie was no where to be seen.
He sighed. He'd have to talk to her after the show - he knew Ted would want to start filming as soon as possible. Paul braced himself and went to warm up the audience.
Paul quickly forgot about Julie as he heckled the audience - paying people out demanded all of your attention if you were going to be any good at it.
"And now ladies and gentlemen - that obviously doesn't include you, you freak," he declared, pointing at someone at random in the front row, "Please make him welcome, Mr Mikey Robins!"
The crowd cheered as Mikey came sauntering onstage. "How are ya going Mikey?" Paul asked, launching into the planned skit.
Mikey put on a sad face. "Not too well little fella," he said, exaggerating his mood.
Paul frowned slightly, looking in confusion at the audience. "And why would that be Mikey?" he asked.
Mikey sniffed and pretended to wipe away a tear.
"Awww�what's the matter with little Mikey?" Paul teased. Mikey launched into a tragic tale of his love life, and Paul played along, but his attention was elsewhere.
Julie wasn't sitting in the audience, ready to announce the band. Paul glanced discreetly sideways at Ted, who looked as though he was going to explode. Paul could see he was going to have to cover for Julie. He briefly wondered where she was.
Mikey finished telling his story, and the audience burst into hysterics. Mikey grinned and held up his hand to help introduce Julie, but Paul stopped him with a slight shake of the head. Mikey hesitated, but Paul announced the band anyway.
The audience murmured quietly. Where was Julie? Good question, Paul thought angrily to himself as he strode off stage. He was going to confront her about this once and for all.

Julie rushed into the studios, bracing herself from Ted's onslaught. She was late and she knew it, but Ted was still going to yell at her anyway.
Sure enough as soon as she was inside, he exploded in her face.
"I'm sorry Ted - I forgot what time it started," she told him, although she had known exactly when it started. Ted began ranting and raving, demanding to know how she could forget.
"Maybe my memory isn't what it used to be," she told him, knowing that he wouldn't expect that sort of answer from her. She was right - Ted just stared at her, dumbstruck. Before he could think of something to say, she headed off to her dressing room.
Once inside she plonked down on the couch, and buried her head in her hands. She had spent the entire week since the Logies trying to get to know Vivian, but her best efforts had proved fruitless. Vivian simply refused to talk about her past, always changing the subject or just not talking at all.
But that wasn't what worried Julie the most. Vivian was hurt, or sick. Julie could see it in the careful way she moved, and the hesitant way she spoke. She insisted nothing was wrong, but Julie knew she was lying. Unfortunately, unless Vivian confided in her, Julie had no way of helping her.
Julie scrambled to her feet and began pacing the room. It was so frustrating not being of any use! Suddenly she grew frightened, as she realised she had left Vivian at home, all alone. She hadn't left her alone in the appartment ever since the Logies. Even though she had called her at least three times since she had left, Julie dashed off to find a phone, imagining the worst.
Finally locating a pay-phone in the lobby, Julie slipped in a few coins and waited anxiously as the phone started to ring. Her worry increased with every dial.
A terrible sense of forbidding welled up in Julie's throat, as still no one answered the phone.

Dimly Vivian heard a phone ringing, but she made no move to answer it. She sat huddled in the corner of the bathroom floor, naked. The coldness of the tiles was making her shiver, but she didn't do anything to warm herself up.
Her blank eyes were focused on the opposite wall, but her mind was far from her body. She was back in her past, reliving it over and over. Tears flowed openly down her face, and her breathing was ragged. A heavy banging on the door finally broke her out of her terrified trance, and she looked around, confused. The banging on the door continued. Vivian slowly climbed to her feet, glancing in the mirror as she did so. But instead of her own reflection she saw something else. Something far more terrifying. Vivian screamed, and fell to the floor again, hiding her head in her hands.

Julie dropped the phone after the tenth ring, and ran to her dressing room. Grabbing her purse from where she had left it, she dashed out into the parking let to her car, convinced that Vivian was in trouble. She totally forgot about the show, her mind focused on getting home to Vivian.

Paul jerked back from the door, surprised by the scream. That wasn't Julie's voice! He had came charging over to her house when he couldn't find her in the studios, and had found the bathroom door locked. He had thought Julie was doing drugs or something equally as stupid.
He redoubled his efforts to get into the bathroom, lowering his shoulder and charging at the door. At first he just bounced off it, but he was determined and finally with a final groan, the door gave in. Paul fell to the floor with the door with a thud. It took him a moment to recover, as he climbed unsteadily to his feet. It was then he saw the naked girl huddled in the corner. Her body was covered in bruises and scars, and she made no move to indicate she had even heard him. She continued to sob quietly.
Paul fought against the shock that threatened to overwhelm him, and moved to her side. Now that he was closer he could see the full extent of the damage done to her body.
"My god," he gasped. He could barely believe that she could have survived whatever she had gone through that would have left her body nothing more than a beaten shell. He opened his mouth to try and offer some comfort, but no words came out. There was nothing he could say that would make this better. That could possibly make her feel better.
Just then Julie burst into the bathroom.
"Vivian!" she cried, rushing over to the girl. At first she totally ignored Paul, inspecting the girl's body with morbid determination. The look on her face said that she had suspected something like this. Paul was livid. If Julie had known something, she should have told him! He could've helped. But when Julie turned to face him, he saw in her eyes that she hadn't known about this. She was just as shocked as he was - she just hid it better.
"Go and call an ambulance Paul," Julie said quietly, pulling her jacket from around her shoulders and wrapping the girl in it. Paul hesitated, not wanting to leave either of them.
"Go!" she ordered, her voice carrying a note of authority that he had never heard from her before. He jumped to his feet and raced to the phone.
Fifteen minutes later an ambulance arrived. The paramedics' faces were grim as they loaded the now unconscious Vivian into the truck. Julie scrambled in after her, and they took off towards the hospital, leaving Paul standing lost and alone in Julie's empty apartment.

Julie sat beside Vivian in the small hospital room, holding her hand, her mind still reeling from what the doctors had told her. The injuries had been there for so long, it was next to impossible to treat them. There was nothing to be done for her. They said she only had a fifty per cent chance of pulling through. Julie fought to hold back the tears that threatened to flow. Even as they had told her of Vivian's chance of survival, she could tell they were lying. They were amazed that she had even made it this far.
Julie closed her eyes and rested her head lightly on the side of the hard bed. She heard someone enter the room, but she didn't move.
"How is she?" Paul's quiet voice startled her from her depression. Julie sniffed, and sat up.
"Not good," she said, her voice catching in her throat. Paul put a comforting arm around her shoulders.
"I'm sorry," was all he said.
"It's not fair!" Julie cried suddenly, jumping up and startling Paul. "It's just not fair! She seemed such a nice girl. Why didn't she tell me?" A tear slipped down her cheek. "Why didn't she trust me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned and buried her head in Paul's shoulder, weeping.
Paul shook his head. "I guess we'll never know," he said quietly, hugging Julie.
After a while, Paul pulled back slightly to look at Julie's face. "Are you going to come with me to try and explain to Ted why we left him stranded in the middle of a taping, or do you want to stay here?"
Julie made a face.
"I think I'll stay."
Paul sighed and nodded. "The things I do for you," he teased. Giving Julie one last quick hug, he turned and left.
Julie sat down next to Vivian's bed again, picking up her hand and rubbing it.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she whispered.

Julie spent a good part of the next three days by Vivian's hospital bed. One of the doctors told her she was being foolish, but she just ignored him. Although a small part of her mind informed her that Vivian was going to die, Julie refused to give up hope.
On the eve of the third day (that has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?) Julie awoke to an empty room. She had asked one of the nurses to set up a bed for her, which they had grudgingly done, and Julie had been sleeping not far from Vivian's side.
At first it didn't register in her mind that the room was empty. Her half-asleep mind told her that Vivian was in the bathroom, but as her brain began to function she realised the problem. Leaping to her feet, Julie dashed out the door.
"Where's the girl from that room gone?" she demanded, grabbing hold of the nearest doctor and pointing at the room she had just come out of. The doctor looked at her as though she was mad.
"She's still in there of course," he told her, trying to pry her fingers from his jacket.
"No she's not!" Julie cried impatiently. She was getting really worried now.
"What? Are you sure?" the doctor asked her. Julie couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"I think I'd know if there was someone lying in a bed or not," she snapped. Just then Paul came around the corner, a Styrofoam cup of coffee in his hands. Upon seeing her, he smiled, and handed her the cup.
"Paul!" Julie cried, absently talking the cup. "Thank god you're here!"
Paul frowned at her worried expression.
"Why?" he asked, apprehension flooding into his face. "What's wrong?"
"Vivian's missing!" Julie told him, staring accusingly at the doctor beside her.
"I'm sure she's not missing," the doctor informed her. "She's probably just been shifted to a different room, that's all."
Julie appreciated his effort to reassure her, but she was still worried. She followed the doctor down to the front desk, Paul trailing behind.
The doctor tried to keep a calm face when the secretary informed him that no patients had been moved in the last 24 hours, but failed dismally. As he ranted and raved at the poor girl behind the desk, Julie sat down heavily in one of the waiting room chairs. Paul sat next to her, trying to offer some comfort.
"Do you know where she might be?" he asked gently.
"I�" Julie began, but stopped. Paul waited patiently.

FLASH Julie was in the garden, enjoying the sun on her face and the smell of the flowers. She heard Vivian approach from behind, but didn't turn around.
"Aren't they beautiful?" she asked, gesturing at the bed of flowers spread out before them. She turned to face Vivian, and was surprised to see tears of joy in her eyes.
Vivian noticed Julie's slightly alarmed expression at her tears and laughed.
"When I was little, my mother used to take me out to pick flowers," she explained, her eyes shining. "We went to this great big meadow, where there were always blossoms, no matter what time of year it was." FLASH

Julie remembered the moment well because it was the first time she had seen Vivian truly happy since she had met her.
"I know where she might be," she whispered to Paul, scrambling to her feet and dashing towards the carpark.

Julie was nothing but a bundle of nerves as she drove, and Paul was anxious that she wasn't in any condition to drive, but seeing as he couldn't exactly take over he endured it without complaint. Julie pulled up outside her house and without a word leapt out of the car and ran inside. Paul scrambled after her. No sooner had Paul followed her inside, than Julie pushed past him as she ran outside again. Baffled, Paul quickly jumped in the car so he wasn't left behind.
"Where are we going?" he asked after a few minutes. Julie didn't answer, instead waving vaguely at a magazine she had chucked in the back seat. Curiously, Paul picked it up. On the front cover there was a picture of a garden so large it could be a baseball field. It was totally filled with all sorts of flowers.
"We're going here?" he asked, slightly confused. Julie nodded, not taking her eyes off the road. Paul wanted to ask why, but decided not to. It probably wasn't any of his business.

Julie pulled up in front of what could only be described as a mansion. Paul whistled in appreciation. It would cost a fortune to run a place that big. Julie barely registered the size of the house - she only saw it as an obstacle to get through to the garden, where she thought Vivian was. It would hard to convince the owners to let them into the garden, but Julie was sure that was where she was, so she was determined not to be disheartened.
Climbing out of the car, Julie straightened her jacket to make herself a little more presentable, then approached the front door, Paul trailing uncertainly behind.
After ringing the doorbell several times, Julie tried knocking. No answer. Just as she was about to go around the side and peer into one of the many windows, the door opened. A rather old, pompous looking man in a suit answered.
"May I help you madam?" he asked, looking down his nose at Julie. Julie, looking flustered, went to answer but Paul interrupted her.
"Will you inform the owners of this house that Paul McDermott and Julie McCrossin wish to address them in person," he told the man, his tone commanding and equally as snobbish as his. The man, who was obviously a butler, looked taken aback and suddenly seemed uncertain.
"This way please," he said finally, leading them into the house. He left them in what looked to be a trophy room, and scuttled off.
Julie looked at Paul.
"How did you know he'd let us in if you talked to him like that?" she asked. An evil grin tugged at the corners of Paul's mouth.
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me," he said mysteriously. Then he shrugged. "When I toured with the Dougs, we got talked down to a lot. I discovered that if you let people talk down to you, you get no where. But if you talk down to people as though you're someone important, people believe you are. They treat you with respect."
"Oh," was all Julie could think to say.
Just then the butler returned.
"May I present the lady of the house - Mistress�" the woman who had followed him in cut him off.
"Don't bother with fancy introductions Geoffrey," she said, her voice carrying a slight English accent. "I'm sure they won't care how many titles I have." She offered her hand to Paul, and then to Julie.
"Hello. My name's Mary. What brings you to my home?"
Paul glanced at Julie, looking for an explanation.
"I have reason to believe that a friend of ours is�" Julie hesitated, knowing this would sound strange. "In your garden."
Mary frowned.
"I'm afraid that is highly unlikely," she replied. "We have very high security, and I would be notified of a breach immediately."
"I don't doubt that your security is of the finest quality," Julie said firmly, trying to remain polite, "but I think that�" She was interrupted as a small boy of about seven cam running into the room.
"Mummy!" he cried, as he spotted Mary. She knelt down so she was the same height as her son.
"What is it angel?" she asked, giving him a hug. Noticing that she had company, the boy was suddenly shy.
"There's a strange lady in the garden," he mumbled, burying his face in his mother's shoulder. Mary shot a glance at Julie, who was on her feet in an instant, and heading out the door the small boy had come in, Paul close behind.