"He looks like Jason Robards," Emmett whispered. The man coming toward them was tall and thin, with steel-grey hair and an expensive suit. And a red bowtie.

Julian gave him a dark look. "Jason Robards is dead," he hissed.

"Ease up, Julian." Emmett unconsciously straightened the lapels of his suit before resting his hand lightly on the small of Julian's back. Julian leaned into the touch before stepping forward with the help of his cane.

"Julian," The Jason Robards look-alike said.

"Father." Julian's reply was cool - he had his "going-to-court" game face on. "This is Dr. Emmett Thompson, my partner." Emmett could hear the slight stress on the word "partner."

Julian's father stepped forward, apparently unfazed by Julian's words. "Emerson Lodge," he said, holding out a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Emmett said, "Likewise," and shook Lodge's hand. He stepped back and the moment stretched out uncomfortably. "We should sit," Emmett said. He looked at Julian. "You need to get off that leg."

Julian's father shot him a questioning look, but Julian shook his head discreetly.

Emmett turned to the hostess. "Table for three?" she asked.

Mr. Lodge coughed. "Five, actually," he said. "Mother and Julia will be joining us shortly."

The hostess led them silently to their table, Emmett automatically slowed his strides to match Julian's letting Mr. Lodge get a few steps in front of them. "Julia?" he asked.

"My sister," Julian gritted out. "Who hates me."

"Oh, fuck," Emmett said, and got a tiny flash of Julian's beautiful smile in return.

Emmett could tell that Emerson Lodge was dying to ask about the cane as they were seated and handed menus, but he followed Julian's lead in shutting up about it.

"I hear you're working for Mayer Brown," Mr. Lodge said.

Julian looked coolly at his father. "I am."

Emmett mentally rolled his eyes. This was going to be the best night out ever. He reached across under the table and touched Julian's thigh, just above the brace. He could feel the tension in the muscle.

Mr. Lodge tried again. "Dr. Thompson, do you practice here in DC?"

"He's not that kind of doctor," Julian said.

Emmett squeezed Julian's thigh. "I'm a herpetologist. I specialize in snakes."

Mr. Lodge laughed. "I deal with a lot of snakes myself," he said. "I'm a corporate attorney."

Emmett gave him a weak smile, then squeezed Julian's leg again. "Maybe I should..." he started, but Mr. Lodge turned his head quickly to the left before getting to his feet. Emmett noticed the two women being led to their table and also stood, assisting Julian with a discreet hand under his elbow.

The women were obviously mother and daughter - they had the same dark hair and sharp features, but the younger - Julian's sister - wore her hair in a straight-edged bob; her mother's was twisted up into a complicated knot.

"Oh, Julian," the older woman said. "It's good to see you." She leaned forward as if to kiss or hug him, and Emmett felt Julian tense. His mother backed off.

They did the introduction dance, and Emmett found out that Mrs. Lodge was Elizabeth; he already knew the sister was Julia. Neither twitched at all when Julian again introduced Emmett as his partner.

They sat, and Emmett took a moment to study Julia. She looked a lot like Julian, but appeared to be a few years younger. Her eyes were big and green, and her mouth was set in a straight line as she looked sharply at her brother. Emmett was astounded to see Julian drop his gaze first.

Dinner was excruciating. Julian's mother, father and Emmett carried the conversation while Julian and Julia stared at each other. Julian had clipped answers to any questions directed specifically toward him, but turned to look back at his sister each time.

Finally, it was over. Emmett and Mr. and Mrs. Lodge all declined coffee, and Julian and Julia didn't bother to look away from each other at all. When the check came, Julian grabbed it with the skill of a pickpocket and slid his American Express into the folder, ignoring his father's noise of protest. He stopped his staring contest with his sister long enough to add a sizeable tip to the check, then reached for his cane.

Emmett helped him up, and they moved toward the door of the restaurant, Julian's parents were in the lead, followed by Julia. Emmett and Julian brought up the rear.

"Well, that was hell," Emmett said softly. "You owe me one for making nice with Mommy and Daddy Dearest while you and your sister had a Mexican standoff."

"Later," Julian whispered, but Emmett could feel him relax slightly.

As soon as they reached the door, they found Julia there alone. "Mom and Dad ran off to talk country club politics with Chuck and Dodie Allen," she said. "I'm leaving."

She took a couple of steps toward the door, and Emmett felt Julian's whole body stiffen. "Julia," he said haltingly.

She turned back. "What?" her voice was hard.

"Can I have a momen...can we talk outside?" Emmett had never heard Julian sound quite so unsure, and he'd thought that he knew every sound Julian could make.

Julia nodded, and stepped through the restaurant's swinging doors. Emmett let go of Julian's arm.

"No," Julian said. "Come with me." He turned pleading eyes on Emmett.

Emmett tilted his head to the side, giving Julian a grave look. "I'm with you."

Julian nodded, then stepped toward the door. Julia was waiting outside. Night had fallen, and she was standing at the edge of a pool of light cast by the parking lot lights. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and Emmett recognized the mulish look on her face as one of Julian's.

"How'd you blow out the knee?" It wasn't the sort of greeting Emmett expected, but he could go with it.

"Basketball," Julian said.

Julia barked out a short laugh. "Your one and only rebellion; Father wanted you to golf for Harvard." She turned her head to look at Emmett and at his hand still curled protectively under Julian's elbow. "Okay," she said. "Maybe not your only rebellion. Must screw with their worldview for their straight-laced boy to turn out not so straight."

"I couldn't care less what they think," Julian said.

Julia stared at him for a long moment. "That's new," she said. "How'd that happen?"

"Let's just say that I got some perspective." Julian lightly bumped his shoulder against Emmett's. "Look," he said, meeting his sister's eyes. "I want to apologize to you."

"What?" Emmett and Julia said at the same time.

"I was an ass." Julian said to Julia. "And I hope you can forgive me."

"Wait! Wait!" Emmett said. "She hates you because of you? Not because of her?"

Julia tried to suppress a smile. "Been telling lies, Jules?"

"I didn't lie. Exactly." He was smiling in the shy way that made Emmett really, really hot.

Emmett pointed at Julian. "He just said that you hated him."

Julia's face went soft at that. "Oh, Julian", she said. "I could never hate you. Be mad as hell at you, but never hate you."

Emmett looked from Julian to Julia and back again. "So what was she not hating you for?"

Julian grimaced, and Julia gave him a superior look. "He threw a hissy fit when I said I was going to art school. He said I was 'disgracing the family' by not following the law school tradition. And then he said I was flaky. And he said it really pompously, too!"

Emmett could just see the two of them as teenagers, arguing vehemently in the foyer of some perfectly decorated mansion while their parents looked on in horror.

"I...I..." Julian stammered. He took a deep breath and looked at his sister. "I was wrong, okay Julie? I shouldn't have been such a dick and I'm sorry."

Emmett was impressed that Julian didn't look away; he kept his eyes on his sister's face. Julia stepped one step forward, then another, and then hugged Julian, her arms coming up to wrap his waist. He pulled her close, murmuring into her hair. Julia turned her head to look at Emmett; her eyes bright with unshed tears.

"You must be good for him," she said. "I think this is the first time he's hugged me since he was twelve and I was nine." She made an oof-ing noise when Julian squeezed her tightly.

"We're good for each other," Emmett told her as Julian let her go and she stepped back. Emmett looked between them again. "So why are you so mad at your parents, Jules?"

Julia laughed. "They took my side. Then Julian flounced out of the house and hasn't been back."

"I did not flounce." Julian sounded like a put-upon big brother, which Emmett supposed he was.

"I'm the wronged party here," Julia said lightly. "So I get to say that you flounced."

Emmett heard Julian mutter, "Didn't flounce," under his breath.

Julian leaned a little more heavily than usual against Emmett, signaling the pain and exhaustion he was trying to hide. Emmett smiled gently at Julian, then at Julia.

"I better take him home," Emmett said, wrapping an arm around Julian's waist. "But we'll see you soon."

"Soon?" Julia said, and Julian echoed the word.

"Soon," Emmett said. "You still have to apologize to your parents."

Julia laughed and Julian groaned, but they were both smiling.