**Trigger Warning

Harry opened the door to the radio station and put his hand protectively on Julie's back as they walked in. They were late. The last ones to arrive. The show was set to start in like 2 minutes.

Amanda walked up to them. "So I'm guessing you took my advice and had some fun, since you're like super late, and had the whole management team freaked out Harry wasn't going to make it."

"It wasn't my fault." Julie said.

"Oh, it was entirely her fault." Harry kissed her lips and then her forehead. "I still don't want to let go." He kissed her one more time and then walked into the room to sit at the microphones with the guys.

Julie looked around and shook her head. "Damn him. There are too many people around."

Amanda laughed. "I think Harry's given up caring who knows you're together at this point. He looks extremely happy."

Julie took a deep breath. "Dammit."

The interview was going smoothly. They talked about the ending of the current tour, the new album, and the new tour. Towards the end of the interview the radio host said. "I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't go into the latest trends on social media with you guys. Niall, you got the internet a buzz with your Instagram post a few weeks ago. Niall's Mystery Girl seems to have taken on a mind of its own. Care to weigh in on it?"

Niall laughed and blushed a little. "Yeah it wasn't meant to cause any mystery. It's my girl. Her name's Amanda. Wasn't going to see her for a while so I posted that it was hard to say goodbye. Never even thought about how that would go down."

Wow, Amanda thought. Niall just told probably millions of people about them. It was such a crazy feeling. A rush and also quite scary. It should prove interesting going forward.

"So are any of you guys single right now?" The host asked. Harry slowly raised his hand. "Ah so you're the only one Harry. Care to comment."

"Well, my girlfriend told me I should answer that way." He laughed. "I joke, I joke. She didn't actually tell me to say it like that." He couldn't see Julie but he could only imagine her reaction. He couldn't stop chuckling.

Julie did a face palm and shook her head. "Idiot."

Amanda laughed. "What did you expect him to keep it a secret forever?"

"So, you're not single?" The host pressed him.

"I'm currently not looking." Harry said but didn't elaborate.

The host pressed a little harder. "Not looking because you already found someone or for some other reason?"

"Currently happy with the state of my affairs." He said.

"Well thanks for making that clear as mud." The host said. "Well that's all the time we have for today. A big thanks to One Direction for their time. I'm sure all you lucky people with tickets to tonight's sold out show will not be disappointed."

Julie shook her head. "I am officially dating an idiot."

Amanda laughed again. "It was cute."

The time between the interview and the show was taken up by meet and greets, sound checks and small additional interviews done quickly throughout the stadium. The girls didn't go to sound check this time, as it was open to fans with special tickets. After Harry's interview earlier on the radio Julie didn't want anything to do with that. She encouraged Amanda to go, but she was content just hanging with her backstage talking to Lou and Lottie. When the show started, the girls went behind the stage to watch from the side. Amanda laughed quite hard when the boys brought the song "She's Not Afraid" out of the vault. Even though they all knew why she was afraid, the song was completely meant for JJ. She knew the reference to love was going to play around in JJ's mind and probably cause her to be a bit uncomfortable. She knew the guys though, and they were making it out to be a tongue and cheek joke. And she had to admit she thought it was hilarious.

Julie shook her head and crossed her arms. "Everyone thinks they're a comedian. Freaking idiots."

Amanda put her arm around Julie's shoulders. "Idiots who adore you." She laughed at the look Julie gave her and they enjoyed the rest of the show as all the fans did.

Later that night everyone went to a very private VIP section of a club in Vegas. The tour had finally ended, and it was time to have one last party before leaving this tour behind, taking some time off to promote the album, and get ready for the stadium tour the beginning of next year. The VIP section had its own dance floor and raised platform for people to sit, drink and mingle. Everyone was having a lot of fun together. Time seemed to be flying by.

Amanda and Julie were on their way back from the bathroom. Amanda was already halfway up the stairs. Before Julie could start up the stairs, however, she heard her name. She stopped dead in her tracks. It couldn't be. She was hearing things. There is no way that could be him. She slowly turned around and standing face to face with her was Johnny, her ex-boyfriend. What was he doing there? How the hell did he find her? How did he get in the club? She couldn't even say a word. Her mind was swimming in all kinds of memories and thoughts. She looked up the stairs to see Amanda's back turn the corner at the top of the stairs. She was alone. She did not want this to be a scene that played out in the middle of the club. She went towards the back door knowing that Johnny would follow.

After they got out of the door, into the back alley, Julie turned to look at him slowly. She was terrified, but was trying to keep it under control. "What are you doing here? How did you...." She asked him with a trembling voice.

"Your picture is all over the internet walking into a hotel in Vegas with your new friend. Apparently, the one you were with is dating a boy band member. Not hard to figure out where they're going to be. Now let's go. It's time to stop the crap and go home." He took a step towards her.

She took a step back. "That's not my home anymore. You shouldn't be here. It's been 2 years."

"Yeah, 2 years since you just disappeared while I was gone. I've been looking for you ever since. Let's go." He said.

Amanda turned to say something to Julie and she wasn't there. She looked around. Where was she? Just a minute ago she was right behind her. She walked to the stairs. She couldn't see her. Where the hell was she? She walked to the bottom of the stairs to talk to the bouncer standing there. She was told that he saw her walk out the back door with someone. What the hell? She turned and looked up at Niall and Harry. She should tell them but something told her not too. She went towards the back door.

Zayn was walking back towards the stairs when he saw Amanda going to the back door. He thought it was quite strange. He saw Harry and Niall still at the top of the stairs, and was now more than curious. He told a member of security to let Harry and Niall know, and walked towards the back door also.

"I'm not going with you. I've moved on. You know we weren't good together anyway. Johnny, it's been over. It was over long before I left. Could you please just go." Julie stumbled through. This was hard for her. She was scared and she really didn't want to do this confrontation.

"Moved on? Please, don't tell me you think you have a chance with anyone else." He looked at her. "You think you have a chance with one of those boy band members, don't you? Please. I've told you there's no one else who would put up with your crap. You should be grateful I came for you." He grabbed her wrist. "Now let's go. Live in reality instead of those stupid, unrealistic dreams you always had."

"Johnny, I just want to live my own life. Please, just go back home and let go."

"For 2 years I looked for you. You made me look bad by just leaving. You know damn well it was all your fault, but since you walked out on me, everyone blamed me. You will come back and fix it. You will tell everyone what a selfish bitch you were for walking away. You will have a lot of making up to do. Better just start now." Johnny said to her angrily.

Before Julie even knew what was going on, Amanda rushed up to them. "Let her go!" She tried to take his hand off Julie's wrist.

"Back off. She's coming home where she belongs. She's done living this lie now." Johnny said, pushing Amanda back.

Amanda slapped him. Square in the face. As hard as she could. You could hear the connection. She knew who he was immediately. She heard the things he was saying and she knew. "She's not going anywhere with you! She has a better life now! She has people who actually love her! And a man who treats her like she should be treated!"

Johnny let go of Julie's wrist and raised his hand at Amanda. "That little bitch won't get another man. She's weak and she's not good at anything."

"No!" Julie rushed forward and tried to stop him. He connected with her instead. He then pushed her backwards so she fell to the ground. He raised his hand to Amanda again. "No!" Julie screamed again.

Amanda stood her ground. There was no way she was going to let him get away with that again. "She has a great man! One who chose her!"

Julie started to get off the ground to go back to help Amanda, when she saw Zayn rushing out the back door. She grabbed his arm. "Zayn! Don't! Please!"

When Johnny saw Zayn, he immediately turned his attention away from Amanda and towards Zayn. "Is this the supposed guy that wants her? Please. Is this one of those crappy boy band members?"

Zayn tried to pull away from Julie's grip. "You need to get the hell out of here! Leave her the fuck alone!"

"Zayn, please don't." Julie begged. It wasn't working. Zayn was hot. He was so angry she wasn't even sure he was hearing her.

A security member who followed Zayn out, stepped in front of him to keep him from Johnny. Zayn tried to fight around the security member to go after him.

Julie walked up to Amanda. "Amanda, please, come on. Let's go." She pulled on Amanda's arm.

"No!" Amanda wouldn't budge. "He's not going to scare me away. Damn bastard is a coward!"

"Whatever." Johnny said. He took the opportunity to grab Julie's wrist again. "I don't believe for a second that anyone wants her for anything. Enough being a slutty groupie. So they bring you along because they know you'll give it up on a moment's notice? Enough. Let's go."

"Let her go!" Julie turned her head towards the door when she heard Harry's voice. She watched him and Niall coming out the door, with Louis and Liam right behind them. She put her free hand on Harry's chest when he rushed up to them. "Please." Is all she could get out. Johnny pulled her away quickly and she stumbled and fell.

Liam stepped in front of Harry as he went towards Johnny. He used all his strength to stop Harry from getting to him. It wouldn't be good for Harry to actually do what he was thinking.

Louis went to Julie and knelt down beside her to check on her.

Amanda stepped up to Johnny again and slapped him harder than before. She didn't know she had that much strength.

Niall went up and grabbed Amanda around the waist to carry her away.

"Niall put me down! I'm not scared of the bastard. He comes here talking about shit he doesn't know!"

"Let me go Liam!" Harry exclaimed still trying to fight around him.

"Come on Harry it isn't worth it. Let security get rid of him." Liam said.

"Look at all this. Over some good for nothing whore. She must've gotten better in bed if she has all this. Which one is she banging? All of you?" Johnny asked walking towards Julie and Louis.

Louis helped her up off the ground and stood in front of her. "Back off now, if you know what's good for you."

Julie grabbed Louis' arm and pulled him back a few steps. "Please Louis."

He protectively put his arm in front of her stomach. "He's never laying a hand on you again." He stepped towards him.

"Fucking let me go Liam!" Harry screamed at him. He finally broke free from Liam and rushed towards Julie, Louis, and Johnny.

Julie stepped in front of him and put her hands on his chest. "Please Harry, please don't." She tried to push him backwards. She had to use one arm to grab Louis' arm as well though.

Liam got to them and again tried to help stop Harry.

Niall put Amanda down on her feet. "Babe, please don't."

"Niall!!! How can you just stand there? Did you not see what he did! He hit her and pushed her to the ground! You better just let me go!" She tried to push past him.

"Let security handle it Amanda. Please, I don't want to see you or anyone hurt." He said holding her in place.

"No!!!! I will take care of it!" She was wild with anger. She couldn't believe what was going on.

Johnny walked up towards Harry. "So this must be the one. She's got pretty boy pussy whipped?" He stared at Harry but he was addressing Julie. "How you could think for a minute, you're worth anything to him other than another bitch to fuck is beyond me. Remember I've had you. I know better. Why are you fooling yourself?" He looked at Liam. "Let pretty boy go. Let's see what he's got."

Julie looked at Johnny. "You're right. So just go. I'm not worth fighting over then. So just go." She was done. Defeated. She couldn't get away from this no matter where she was. "Why bother fighting for me at all?"

"I'm taking you home. You're lucky I still pity you enough to take you back after all this trouble. Let's get out of here." He said grabbing her again.

Harry watched Julie turn her head and give up. Like she was expecting to get hit and was just going to take it. He lost it. He pushed past Liam like he wasn't even standing there and grabbed Johnny by the shirt with both hands on his chest. "Get your fucking hands off my girlfriend you bastard! She's not going anywhere with you, ever!" He pushed him backwards and made a fist.

"Girlfriend? Please don't pretend she's worth that title. Especially to you." Johnny said also making a fist.

Julie couldn't take anymore. She collapsed into Louis. He grabbed her before she fell. "It's ok. It's going to be ok. We aren't going to let him hurt you anymore. Ever."

"Harry, please? Stop. Please?" Julie begged.

Liam wanted nothing more than to let Harry beat the crap out of the ass, but he couldn't watch the way it was affecting Julie, and he knew if Harry would just notice he wouldn't either. "Harry look at JJ." He said standing in front of him again. "Look at her. Please? It's not worth it. Not how it's going to affect her."

Niall looked at Amanda. "Listen to what Liam is saying Amanda. Look at JJ. Look at what this is doing to her."

Amanda looked over at Julie. Crap. She couldn't even stand by herself anymore. Louis had his arms wrapped around her holding her up. She rushed to her. "I'm sorry, JJ I am. The last thing I meant to do was hurt you." She helped Louis keep her on her feet. "Don't hide though. You have all of us behind you. Don't let him get to you. Don't believe a word that's coming out of that lying bastards mouth."

Johnny just laughed. "Wow, look at all the concern. Just what I thought all talk." He went towards Julie again. "You need to be put back in your place."

At that point Zayn finally broke free from the security guard and he went to grab Johnny.

"Stop! Please!" Julie screamed falling to her knees. "Just stop!"

The full security team finally got out the door. Two went to stop Zayn and another two to help Liam with Harry. The others went to Johnny.

"Yeah she must be a much better screw. Look at all this. For some worthless whore." Johnny said as he was escorted away.

Louis helped Julie up off the ground again. She wouldn't look at anyone. "JJ don't, please don't go back to believing his lies. Remember who you really are. Look at me please." He lifted her chin but she wouldn't lift her eyes. "Please look at me, love."

Julie pulled away from Louis' hand. She was done. She stepped back from the scene. Harry was still angry and still wanting to go after Johnny. Zayn was still yelling at him. Louis stepped forward to help try and calm Zayn, as Liam was still talking to Harry to no avail. Niall was trying to calm Amanda. It was complete chaos. Julie was still wondering why he came for her. It had to be his ego. He was angry she left him. He always thought he was too good for her anyway. He always thought he was doing her a favor being with her. She couldn't stay put any longer. There was no stopping the flight instinct now. When everyone's attention was elsewhere, she slipped into the back door quietly. She slipped through the crowd and out the front door. She had no clue where she was going to go but she had to move. She looked over to see them putting Johnny into the back of a police car. Wonderful. She should have known everything was too good to be true. She walked in the opposite direction; into the crowd of people hoping to blend in, and disappear at least for the time being.

Liam tried again. "Harry look at JJ. Look at what this is doing to her. I know the last thing you want to do is hurt her." He kept repeating it. "Harry look at her."

Harry finally stopped trying to go towards where they had taken Johnny. He turned to look at Julie. He didn't see her. He looked around. "Where is she?" He panicked. "Where the hell did she go? Louis where is she?"

Louis turned around. "She was just standing right there. She was two feet from me." He looked around the alleyway.

Amanda heard what everyone was saying and looked around too. "Fuck!"

No one saw her leave. Everyone was so caught up in the scene and the chaos. No one saw her disappear.

"Fuck!" Harry said punching the door.

Amanda ran inside the club. Niall followed closely behind. She asked everyone if they had seen her. After questioning what seemed like 100 people the consensus was she left out the front door 10 minutes earlier. How could she let it get to her so much she forgot to protect the only person that mattered in this whole thing. She looked at Niall helpless. "Niall...." She started to cry.

"Yeah I know. I know exactly what you're thinking. We will find her." He said hugging her. "We have too." He closed his eyes as tears started to fall from his eyes.

Security ushered everyone to the cars. The party was over. No one was in the mood to party anymore. Harry protested he wanted to be out looking for Julie. He needed to be. Amanda was on his side but no one was budging. Security had sent people out looking for her, but the guys were not going to be allowed to be wandering Vegas on their own. Not after that scene. They were to go back to the hotel and wait for word. Everyone went with Harry to his room. They were all hopeful Julie would be there. She wasn't, and no one was really surprised but they waited with him. In silence. No one knew what to say. It was a scene no one was expecting. They would check in with security often, but so far nothing.

Authors Note:

**This chapter was extremely emotional and hard to write. The characters become so real. I hope it moved you the way it moved me. Remember it's NEVER ok for someone to put their hands on you. Strength is inside you! And with those around you! I hope you're enjoying reading the story as much as I am creating it.**

*if you are enjoying the story please vote/comment/share. I would love to be able to respond.

*the story is complete fan fiction