A few weeks later, One Direction was slated to be at the Billboard Music Awards in Vegas.  It took some convincing, but Harry, Niall, and Amanda had convinced Julie to come along.  Vegas didn't have great memories for any of them, especially Julie, but it was time to move past what had occurred there.  Julie had told them it was only one city in the US, so she could continue to avoid it.  However, the others felt that it would be best for her to go and face it and realize that it didn't have to only be that one horrible time.

They had just gotten into the cars after they landed in Vegas.  It was mid-May, and it was just a couple more weeks before they would be leaving for the rest of the tour.  Harry looked over at Julie.  She was quiet, but he wasn't surprised.  He couldn't imagine that this wasn't her favorite memory.  "Hey, are you doing ok?"  He asked her as they settled back for the ride.

She shrugged and laced her fingers in his as he took her hand.  "I'm, ok.  Can't say it's my favorite place.  Not sure this was the best idea.  But I do want to be with you as much as I can the next couple of weeks."  She leaned her head on his shoulder.

He kissed her head.  "Yeah, time sure is going very quickly, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is.  Something always seems to happen while we're together.  Always seems to make it so that we don't have the time we want or need."  She said cuddling up to him the best she could.

"Yeah, well the three days you were in a coma went slower than any other time I have ever experienced."  He said wrapping his arm around her.  After she got home from the hospital, they had done really well together.  They spent every moment together they could.  Julie was still out on disability from work.  So, he would come home to her from the studio every day.  Or actually every late night, or early morning.  He never thought he was looking for something like that, but he had to admit it was nice.  They went out a few times, but at odd hours and to less crowded places.  She still wasn't ready to accept the fans and paps.  She still worried about the possibility Johnny would not only find her but talk to the press about her.  Harry had to admit he was surprised that he hadn't yet.  Only reason he figured was Johnny didn't want people digging into his past too deeply.

"Yeah, sorry about that.  Next time I will plan my coma at a more convenient time for you."  Julie said looking out the window.

"Why, baby?  Why you gotta be like that?"  He shook his head at her.

"'Cause, it's just me."  She looked out the window as they got closer to the hotel.  "Jesus, Harry, look at all these people."  She sat up and looked out the window more.  "There's a garage underneath, right?"

"I think it's time we stop avoiding the whole thing."  He said to her.

"Well, you think wrong.  And you're insane.  And that's not going to happen."  She looked at him with wide eyes.

He laughed.  "Julie, you have to accept it.  I don't want to hide you forever.  Eventually, we're going to have to go out in public."

"No, we don't.  Why?  You've always been private.  We can be private."  She said exasperated.  She was not ready for him to throw this at her right now.

"Yes, we don't have to put everything out there, but I don't want to have to figure out how to hide you every time we go somewhere.  I love you.  There's no reason why we can't start to show that."  He said taking her hand and making her look at him.  "You and I are different."

"I swear if you start singing, I'm going to slap you."  She looked up at him.  "Harry, that means everything I know is over.  I become the most hated woman in the world.  And I'm hardly exaggerating about that.  Your fans can be extreme."

"Yes, they can.  But they also can be accepting and loving.  Sure, there will be some that don't like it.  But there will be some who will accept you, and accept us.  And be happy that I'm happy."  He ran his thumb over her knuckles.  "Please, baby, just give it a try."

She took a deep breath and looked out the window again.  They were next to pull up to the hotel.  Niall and Amanda were in the car ahead of them.  She watched Amanda get out with Niall.  Guess Niall had had the same discussion with Amanda.  She expected Niall to get out to entertain the crowd while Amanda got taken to another entrance.  So now she felt even more pressure.  She watched Niall and Amanda walk into the hotel through the crowd.

"I know, baby."  He pulled her chin towards him.  "But we got this.  Together."  He could hear it in her voice again.  The fear, the uncertainty, but he knew that he didn't want to hide her anymore.  Not constantly.  It was a first for him, but it was time to stop having to over-plan everything.  He was tired of being separated all the time.

"I will do this, but don't expect me to walk any red carpets or go to any award shows as your date."  She took a deep breath.  She was officially scared.  "Oh, god, I don't want to do this."

Harry waited until the door opened, and then he stepped out.  He heard the cameras and the screams, and he reached his hand in for Julie.  She didn't move at first.  "Come on, baby.  Just keep your head down, and I will get you through.  He took her hand and helped her out.  There was a security member in front of him, so he led her through the crowd by her hand, and there was a security member behind her.  He waved to some of the fans, but he wouldn't stop for pictures or anything with her there.  He heard some rumblings, but he'd been seen with her before.  The more he was seen with her, the more curious the fans and press would get.  He knew that.  He finally got her through the crowd and into the hotel.  "See, that wasn't so bad."

Julie shot Harry a look when he said it wasn't so bad.  "What?  I can only imagine social media right now.  The mumblings already."

"That's why I barely go on."  He kissed her quick.  "You're fine.  You're mine.  I'm going to show you off."  He laughed when she shot him a look again.  "Ok, fine, but you're not hiding away from everything.  We have to have some sort of normalcy and that's not hiding you from everyone."

"Harry's right you know."  Amanda said walking up to them.

"Yeah, of course he is."  Julie looked at her.  "Panda, you couldn't wait for this."

"That's not true.  I just wasn't going to avoid it.  I'm claiming mine."  She said wrapping her arm around Niall's waist.

"You're claiming me?  Really?"  Niall said looking at her.  "Is that what this is?"

"Of course."  Amanda said simply looking at Niall.

"Right, of course."  Niall said shaking his head.  "Ok, let's go get ready."

"Get ready for what?"  Julie asked.

Niall looked at Harry.  "You didn't tell her?"

Harry stood there and stared at Niall.  "No, not yet, thanks.  One thing at a time."  He turned and looked at Julie.  "We're taking you two to a show tonight.  Cirque du Soleil.  We've got it all set up.  I know you'll love it."

"So, you're just deciding to bombard me with all of this?  A walk through the crowd and a public outing.  This whole planning things for me without telling me so that you don't have to worry about me saying no is getting old, Harry."  She crossed her arms.

"Yeah, yeah.  Scold me later.  Let's go.  You will love it.Stop being so damn stubborn."  He said taking her hand.  He told Amanda and Niall they would see them later and took Julie to their room.  "Listen, I just didn't want you to worry the whole time.  I was going to tell you when we got to the room, I promise.  And if you really don't want to go, we don't have to."

She took a deep breath and looked at him.  "No, it's ok.  I wish you'd stop plotting when it comes to me, but I will go with you."  When he sat on the bed, she walked between his legs.  "Harry, it doesn't matter who knows.  I love you, and I'm proud of that, but having so much attention thrown on me just isn't my thing."

"I know it's not, but baby, I honestly don't want to hide you forever.  It's ok when it's not as serious, but I love you, completely.  I don't want to hide that forever."  He said reaching up and cupping her cheek.

"I know.  I'm sorry.  I will try to get used to it."  She kissed his palm and went to her bag to get something to wear.  "Do I have time to shower?"

"Well, it would be faster if we showered together."  He said standing up.

She walked over to him and pushed him back on the bed.  "Oh no, you sprung this whole outing thing on me.  You're no springing anything else on me right now."  She stood on her toes and kissed him.  "You're so lucky I love you. You're so lucky that I don't know what I would do without you right now."

Harry laughed and watched her walk to the bathroom.  "Yeah, luckiest bastard in the world."

A couple of hour later, Harry and Niall were sitting in the hotel's restaurant waiting as usual for their girls.  Amanda had decided they needed to go to the spa and get ready for their first proper date with the boys out in public.  Harry laughed the whole time Amanda was trying to convince Julie of going through that again.  She had to promise her it wouldn't be as intense as in Dubai.  He didn't have a boring girlfriend.  No, no one could accuse him of that.  He stood up with Niall when the girls walked in.  He smiled.  She looked beautiful as always, in a more toned-down way.  Tight white pants with a shoulder less black top.  Black heeled boots.  Her hair left down bouncing over her shoulders.  Light make up.  He loved the fact she didn't wear a lot of make-up all the time.  She didn't need it.  When she walked up to him he took her hand.  "You look beautiful as always."

"Thanks, I'm glad I got to wear pants and not a dress.  Panda listened to me for once."  She said reaching up and kissing him.  "Although these heels are pretty tall.  I don't have to reach up as much to find your lips.  I kind of like that."  She kissed him again and then went and sat down when he pulled out the chair for her.

After Amanda also sat when Niall pulled out the chair for her, she looked at JJ.  "Well, JJ, I figured we got you to walk through a crowd.  We're getting you to eat in a public restaurant, and we're getting you to go out to a proper show, the least I could do is let you look cute in something you were sure to wear."  She laughed when JJ glared at her.  She laughed harder when Julie picked up the roll and then realized where she was.  She knew that JJ wanted to throw it at her, but they were in a pretty fancy restaurant.  "Oh, thank goodness you're trying to use your proper lady manners."

Niall leaned over and kissed Amanda.  "Do you think that maybe you could behave?"

"Not a chance."  Amanda laughed and kissed Niall back.  "This place is quite high class though.  It's beautiful."

Julie put the roll back in the bread basket.  "Proud of your restraint, baby."  Harry said to her as he kissed her forehead.  "I promise I won't make you be proper all night.  When we're alone, we can be as improper as you want."

"Oh, here we go."  Julie smiled at the waiter when he filled her wine glass and then looked back at Harry.  "We aren't going to go there, Harry.  We have to talk about this whole supporting me thing again."

"Well, I'm not going to support that.  Ever.  And you don't seem to be able to resist me anyway."  He said as he handed her a menu.

"Is that a challenge?"  Julie asked looking at him over the menu.

"No!"  He glanced at her.  "I know how strong-willed you are when you set your mind to something.  It is NOT a challenge.  Maybe I should challenge you to put your hands on me."  He laughed.

"Reverse psychology Harry?  Really?"  She smiled and shook her head at him.  You're not that good, my love.  Sorry."  She ordered herself a nice chicken alfredo and handed the menu back, once again smiling at the waiter.

"Will you stop flirting with the waiter?  I mean, I'm sitting right here."  Harry said squeezing her knee.

"Because I smiled at him?  I can't be nice?"  She asked him.

"No," Niall said.  "I can't say that this is usual."  He laughed when JJ picked up her fork and tapped the tips on the table.  "Fork or not, it's still true."

"Niall, what have I told you about this?"  Amanda said.  "Yes, JJ, you're allowed to be nice.  And smile, and be happy.  Now, could you please put the fork down?"

"You guys think you're so funny.  Like, I swear.  You try really hard to be funny.  But I'm going to break it to you now.  Without kid gloves.  You're not that funny."  Julie said picking up her glass and drinking her wine.  She set the glass down.   "I think I'm going to need more of these to get through this night."

"As much as I liked the outcome the last time I saw drunk,Julie,  I think maybe we should save that.  I want you to enjoy the night, but I don't want you to try and jump me during the show."  Harry said laughing into his glass.

"Oh, I hate you."  Julie said.  "I think I need more wine to put up with you."  She looked at Niall and Amanda who were laughing out loud.  "I hate all of you."

"We've waited a long time for you to say that.  It's been way too long."  Niall said to her laughing louder.

"You're going to get us kicked out of the restaurant.  And maybe worse.  Then we can't go to the show."  She glanced around.  Eyes were finding them.  They were off in a corner, so it was harder to see.  Harry did put her in a spot where it was harder to see her around him and Niall, but still it was intimidating.  She could see phones up in the air subtly trying to take pictures of Harry and Niall.

Harry picked up the bottle of wine and poured Julie another glass.  "I think one more will be ok.  And don't worry so much.  Everything is ok.  They can barely see in here because of the lighting and between the wall, Niall and I. they can't really get good pictures of you.  I would never do anything to make you uncomfortable."

"I know. I'm ok."  She looked at him.  "Ok, I'm lying a little.  But I'm ok with it.  I want to be with you, Harry, and this is part of it.  I'll be ok."  She put her hand on his which was on her knee.  She kissed him when he leaned over and then smiled at him.

Conversation and playfulness continued between the four of them during dinner.  They took their time and enjoyed each other's company.  The food was amazing, and the atmosphere was quiet.  Only a couple of people tried to be a little bold with asking for pictures, but the staff was extremely kind to keep them away.  Harry and Niall said they would take a few pictures after dinner if they would let them eat first.  Amanda and Julie went out a different door of the restaurant while Harry and Niall fulfilled their promises of pictures to some fans.  The girls waited by a beautiful waterfall in the lobby for the boys to finish.  Amanda and Julie both smiled when they saw Harry and Niall walking towards them about ten minutes later.

"You guys are amazing."  Amanda said as she kissed Niall.  "You didn't have to do that for your fans, yet you did."

"It's nothing."  Niall said to her kissing her and then her hand.

"I think it's something."  Julie said taking Harry's hand when he offered it.  "Not everyone would do that.  And I appreciate the quiet we had.  And it's only because you do care about your fans and give them what they ultimately want."

"You know that there were still pictures taken while we were eating, right?"  Amanda asked Julie.

"Yeah, I know and I'm trying not to think too much about it, and even though part of me wants to think of them as just disrespectful, I'm trying not to.  I'm trying to think of how it would be to see your favorite musician sitting in the same restaurant as you and how that would feel."  Julie said walking out towards the doors with Harry, Niall, and Amanda.

Niall stopped at the door.  "Are you girls ready for this?  We have to go out to get to the show.  Do you think you can handle it?"

"Yep, let's go.  I'm going to walk out with my head held high proud to be the girl on Niall Horan's arm."  Amanda said.

"Ok, well you can be proud to be the girl on Harry's arm, too."  Julie said taking a deep breath.  "Fuck."  She said.

Harry laughed.  "I have to say.  When you swear, it's completely adorable.  Especially like that."

"Shut up."  Julie said to him.  She took another deep breath.  "Ok, ok, I'm ready.  Let's do this already."  She tightened her grip on Harry's hand.  Oh god, she was scared.  They were going out a side door, but people would know.  And they only had a couple security members with them who were going to try to stay back and let them have a proper date.  Her heart was beating really hard.  She could do this though.  She could.  For Harry.  He seemed to really want it.  But Christ, there were a lot of people out there earlier.  She followed Harry and reached behind her and held Panda's hand, and Panda was holding Niall's so it was like a chain of comfort.  She looked up when she heard people coming up to them.  There were a lot.  More than she expected.

Harry could sense this was getting overwhelming.  He knew.  He pulled her closer to him and shielded her with his arm tightly around her.  Even though they had limited security, they did a good job at keeping everyone at bay.  It was dark out, so the flashes from the crowd were a bit more intense then he'd anticipated.  When they all finally got inside, he made sure they got away from the doors as quickly as possible.  He put his hands on Julie's shoulders and looked down at her.  "Are you ok?"

She nodded.  She was ok.  It was intense, and she knew that her picture was now out there as being with Harry.  Putting tonight together with the airport in London and the few pictures in Tahoe, there was no way this wasn't going to become a thing.  She looked up at him.  "I'm good."  She shook her head and smiled.  "Yeah, life is now going to be even more complicated."  She laughed.  "But at least it's because of a good reason."

Harry, Niall, and Amanda looked at each other when Julie started laughing.  They started laughing with her, but they weren't sure why.  After a few minutes, Amanda addressed Julie.  "So, um what's wrong with you?"

"I don't know.  Guess I just realized that this was it.  This is the moment I became a verified girlfriend of a One Direction member, and I think I may be going insane."  She laughed again and shook her head.  "Crap."  She took Harry's hand when they walked into the show.  It was about to start, and, of course, they had the best seats in the house.  The show was incredible.  More than she could have ever asked for in her first Vegas show.  The acrobatics, dance routines, and sheer flying those performers did were amazing.

Niall grabbed Amanda's hand and Julie's.  "Did you guys have a good time?"  He smiled when both girls laid their head on his shoulders.  "I love having two beautiful girls on my arms.  You don't mind do you, Hazz?"  He laughed at the look Harry gave him.  "Oh, you do?"

"Oh, we are not starting this again, Niall."  Harry said taking Julie's other hand.  Security had just informed them they were waiting for a couple of other members to come.  Their whereabouts spread quickly. and there were more people there then they anticipated.  They just had to go with it.

Niall and Amanda walked out first, and Julie followed Harry.  She let go of his hand when things became too overwhelming.  The crowd was crazy.  She fell back a little with a security member hoping that Niall and Harry would take most of the attention. and she could just get back to the hotel.  Harry looked back at her but nodded in understanding.  She fell back a little bit more but could still see Harry making his way through the crowd.  She slowed down and then stopped when she heard her name.  Oh crap, not again.

There's only one chapter left of this story!!!Thank you so much for your amazing support!  Stay tuned for an important announcement after the last chapter and on twitter! You all are amazing!

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*the story is complete fan fiction