It's been 3 weeks since Tommy's sudden departure and Jude is still heartbroken, but she is back to working at G-major records. She has been working on the preparations of a scheduled performance at some fancy banquet hall that Darius had signed her up for.

Jude has stayed busy and tried not to think about Quincy, but he's always there in the back of her mind. The same place he'd always been since they day she'd met him. Jude struggled to believe that he was never coming back, because that is what he pretty much told her. He wasn't coming back. Then there was that little part of her brain that nagged at her, *No Jude, he didn't say that, he said that he didn't know if he was coming back* which kept her from fully surrendering.

Jude had to believe he was never coming back, because it hurt too much waiting for his return, a phone call or any sort of contact at all. The anticipation was murder, so she accepted that he was for whatever reason; now living somewhere else.

Asking around didn't get Jude anywhere. Everyone who knew anything told her that it was none of her business. Finally she gave in and took Darius' advice. Kwest was her new producer. She put her nose to the grindstone and put what was left of her heart into work. It was good advice, and she learned that even without Quincy, she could make good music.

Jude pulled up to her house and turned off the mustang. It had been a really late work session at G major tonight. She was excited about burying herself under her blankets and having a full night's sleep. It was something she hadn't really had much of lately. Darius was working her hard, making sure she was ready for her performance at the banquet.

Jude closed her bedroom door before plopping on the bed with a tired sigh. Jude smiled as she laid her head on the pillow, thinking this had to be the most wonderful and satisfying feeling ever. The clock hadn't moved even ten minutes before she was out cold.

The slumber lasted a mere five minutes before Jude was startled out of her slumber by an annoying ringing. She answered the phone without opening her eyes,
"What?"

"…..Jude?"

Jude mumbles, her speech somewhat muffled by the pillow, "Hmmneah? Who is this?"

"Jude, it's Tommy. Didn't take you long to forget me" His tone was that familiar raspy amusement.

She bolts up, suddenly awake from the shock of the moment, "Tommy?! Where are you? Are you back?"

Jude deflates with the words she didn't want to hear, "No, Jude. I'm still out of town."

She breathes an exasperated sigh, "Are you serious, Tommy? I've been trying to call you for weeks. You ran off and left me in the middle of the street. It seemed like it was some life or death situation and all you have to tell me is that you're 'Out of town'? What the hell, Tommy?! You've gotta give me something more than that."

"Jude," his tone warning while he tries to speak calmly, "Look, I'm sorry for leaving you like that. I'll admit it, it was a total dick move on my part. I had an emergency family situation. I honestly didn't know if I was coming back at the time."

Jude winces while pinching the bridge of her nose, somehow not all that happy with his explanation, "Are you coming home?"

Tommy sighs quietly, almost in hesitation, "Soon."

Jude shuts her eyes to hold back the tears, "Tommy, that's not very reassuring."

Tommy was silent for a moment before speaking, almost unsure as what to say, "If I wasn't coming back, I wouldn't have called you."

Jude chokes back an angry sob, "Wow. Well, thanks I guess."

Tommy sighs in mild frustration, "Look, I'm sorry Jude. But I just want you to know that it's great to hear your voice."

Jude smirks, not finding his words to be the least bit soothing, "I guess I'll see you when I see you. Good night." She doesn't wait for a response before ending the call and turning off the phone.

She lay in the dark, her mind spinning about what had just happened, *I can't believe him. Wouldn't have called if he wasn't coming back? So, I guess I should be happy that he may have been ok with never talking to me again. What the hell is wrong with him? Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm the crazy one who saw things in him that weren't really there.* Thoughts of frustration and excitement continued to bubble until she fell asleep, not waking for another six hours.

Feeling refreshed for the first time in weeks, Jude had to get ready for work. Today was her performance at the banquet hall. At about 11:00am, she was out the door and ready to start the mustang. Looking down at her phone, she remembered the call. She looked through the numbers just to reassure herself that it really did happen and wasn't just some wishful dream. It wouldn't be the first one she's had in the past few weeks.

Sitting in the idling mustang, Jude's thumb hovered over the button on her phone before deciding it would be better not to try and call him. Last night's conversation didn't go so well and he never seemed to answer her calls these days, anyway. Jude tossed the phone back in her bag and put her head back where it was supposed to be, preparing for tonight's performance.

Jude walked through the G Major lobby and was immediately whisked away to the dressing room by Portia. She quickly glances over her shoulder at Jude before turning her attention back to the clothing rack, "Jude, we need to hurry up and get your dresses together." I have a million and one things to do and no time to do them. She practically throws the dresses at Jude and zips off to fetch the shoes.

Darius calls up the stairs, "Jude, you getting everything all squared up? I'm gonna need you to make sure those dresses look immaculate, you hear?"

Jude pauses, baffled at his comment, "Ok, D – but since when do you care so much about the wardrobe department? Shouldn't you be more worried about my performance?"

Darius cracks a wide smile, "It's all one in the same."

Jude squints in amused wonderment, "Right. So, D?" she quickly jogs downstairs before he has a chance to get away, "Do you know if Tommy's coming back anytime soon?"

Darius casually pats her on the shoulder and walks away, "Don't worry about that, Jude. Just concentrate on what you have to do tonight. You can worry about the background noise later."

Jude takes a deep breath and scowls while watching Darius walk away, "Am I being lied to, or does he even know?" She figured the former, since D was never one to share more than he felt necessary.

Jude decided on a nice, lightly sequined dress that fit her perfectly.

Portia smiles with a joyful expression, "Oh honey, you're gonna shine like nobodies business. This dress is perfect. Here, these earrings will go perfect with it.

Jude admires herself in the mirror, but notices the major strain on Portia's face, "Portia, is everything ok? You seem extra stressed out."

Portia only attempts a halfhearted smile, "Just got a whole lot going on in my life at the moment. It'll settle down in a while. No worries."

Jude circles in front of the mirror one last time, "Well, that's good to hear. Thank you. All of this looks great." She barely gets a response before Portia is off tending to something else.

Jude heads into Studio 1 and spots Kwest tweaking some last minute mixing on the laptop. A light tap on the shoulder causes him to turn in his chair and smile up at her. "Hey Jude, looks like you're all ready to go. Something you need?"

Jude smiles warmly and sits in the other chair, "Yeah, actually. Kwest, has Tommy called you recently?"

Kwest looks at her with a flat expression, "Jude we've had this conversation many times. I kinda hurts that you don't think I'm doing a good enough job with your album. I spend a lot of time working hard for your sound."

Jude's smile falls and she blushes, "Oh, no. That's not it at all, Kwest. You are doing a great job and I love how dedicated you are."

Kwest nods, but there's no smile, nor amusement on his face, "If it's not about work, that means it's about something else. Jude, I've told you before that I try and mind my own business, but you need to understand that Tommy is different. There's a lot more to him than you see in the studio. He's a lot darker and way more complicated than you think. As his best friend, I really don't think he's the kind of guy someone like you should be seeking out."

Jude pauses for a moment, surprised and somewhat angered by his works, "Ok. Thanks anyway. See you at the banquet hall." She walks out of the room without another look back.

Kwest sighs, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He'd never been comfortable poking his nose in other people's lives. "Damn it, Tommy."