Disclaimer: I do not own Instant Star.

"Jude! Jude! Where are you?"

Jude knew she had to get to that voice. If she just followed it, everything would be fine. The problem was, it was too dark to see anything. The trees created a winding maze that she couldn't find her way out of. The thin sliver of moonlight did nothing to improve her vision. Her throat was parched, effectively eliminating the possibility of calling for help.

"Tommy!"

What felt like a scream to her was only a mere rustle, a minor disturbance to the forest surrounding her. Jude fell to her knees with tears streaming down her face. Please God, she silently prayed, let him find me before it's too late! Her plea was the last sound that echoed in her ears before total darkness descended upon her.

Jude awoke to the most heavenly sound known to man: Tommy's voice.

"Jude. Come on, sweetheart. Wake up."

"Tommy?"

"Yeah. I'm here. Don't try to move. The paramedics are on their way."

There was a brief silence, which neither knew how to fill. Then Tommy cleared his throat and spoke. His voice was nothing but a mere whisper. His tone suggested a pain that he felt with every fiber of his being.

"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry. I don't know how I let this happen. I…"

Before he could finish, the loud crackle of leaves mingled with the medics' siren to announce the arrival of help.

Tommy was seated in the waiting room of Saint Luther's Hospital with Sadie and Kwest. Sadie clung tightly to Tommy's hand while Kwest stared into space.

"Jude will be fine, Tommy."

"You don't know that, Sadie!"

He threw his hands up in an exasperated gesture and began pacing the lobby.

"Jude means too much to me! I can't lose her! I can't!"

"She's my sister! You think I want to be here now? You're not the only one who's hurting!"

"Sadie, I didn't mean…"

"Yes you did!"

She got up and left the lobby without a backward glance. Kwest looked up from his daydream and stormed over to Tommy.

"Sadie loves you, Tommy. You don't deserve it, but she does. If you don't start treating her right, I promise you'll regret it."

The look in Kwest's eyes said he was serious. His rigid posture only served to underscore his point.

"You're just angry because she chose me," Tommy fired back with the same unwavering glare.

"You're right. She did chose you over me. That's a decision that haunts me everyday, but you and I both know the only person you could ever love besides yourself is Jude. You need to let Sadie go before you get in too deep."

Before Tommy could respond, a doctor came up to him.

"Mr. Quincy?"

"Yes sir."

"I understand that you're the one who arrived with Miss Harrison."

"Yeah."

"Well you'll be happy to know that she's alright. She has a couple of broken ribs and a bruised collar bone but the rest of the damage is minimal."

"Thank God! Can I see her?"

"You may. Follow me."

Tommy was led down a corridor to room 202. The room served to hold two occupants, but Jude was the only one at the moment.

"Miss Harrison? You have a visitor."

As soon as the doctor announced Tommy's arrival, he scurried out of the room. Tommy went over to the side of the bed. He looked down at Jude's fragile form. Her lips were dry and cracked. She had an assortment of bruises on her arms and legs. Her red hair vibrantly contrasted with the pale white of her skin and hospital gown. He could read the vulnerability in her eyes. He grasped her hand.

"Jude…"

That was all he could manage before a tear escaped and trickled down his cheek.

"Tommy, don't."

Jude lifted her hand and brushed away the droplet.

"You couldn't have known. It's not you're fault."

"But I should have been there. I knew something was off with Spencer the first time I met him…"

"Tommy, stop blaming yourself. Please. I chose to hire him. I misjudged him. He fooled everyone."

"But it's my job to check out the employees before you hire them! I should have been more thorough."

A voice from the doorway made the pair glance up.

"Jude's the one who has had to fight for her life tonight, but you're the one that needs reassurance. That's a little selfish, don't you think, Tommy?"

"Jamie, back off. The last thing I need is to referee an argument between you two."

"Sorry, Jude."

Jamie walked over to her side and lightly brushed a kiss against her hand. He was dressed in black slacks matched with a maroon dress shirt and tie. His hair was somewhat ruffled, but it only added to his charming appearance.

Although Tommy didn't admit it to himself, he was jealous of Jamie at the moment. His grungy jeans and faded Rolling Stones T shirt were no match for Jamie's formal attire. And while Tommy had sharp, classic facial features, Jamie's were soft and inspired people to trust him. Yep. He was definitely jealous. Tommy snapped out of his mental self-appraisal just in time to hear Jude's comment.

"Jamie! I totally forgot! You should get back to the banquet! You're being recognized for the FWA club you helped start!"

"Future Writers of America is not nearly as important as my best friend."

Tommy had had enough. It was time for him to go. As much as he hated to admit it, the first time he'd seen Jude smile, really smile, today was when Jamie entered the room. He seemed to have a calming affect on her.

"Jude, I'm going to talk to the doctor for a minute and then head home. I'll be back tomorrow."

"Okay. Thanks for everything, Tommy."

She reached out and tightly clasped his hand for a second before letting go.

Jamie's thoughts were whirling in his head. How could his Jude have been attacked like this? He knew he had to keep it together for her sake, so on the outside he posed in a casual, relaxed manner, but inside he was being torn apart. Jude almost died. He'd almost lost her.

"Jamie?"

"Yeah?"

"I said thanks for coming. I know how important that banquet was to you."

"I already told you, Jude. You're way more important. Besides, it wasn't really all that fun anyway. My date couldn't stop talking, so in a way you saved me."

"Well I'm glad to know that my being attacked came at such a great time."

Although Jude's tone was sharp, her words lacked conviction, letting Jamie know she was just teasing. He knew that if he lived to be a hundred, he'd never get enough of her. He'd do anything for Jude. The only thing standing in his way was Tommy Quincy.

Jamie knew Jude thought of his as safe. Tommy had that rugged, worn look that suggested danger. Jamie was someone you could depend on. Part of Tommy's cool was that Jamie thought that if he could be a little more like Tommy, Jude could love him.

On the other hand, maybe Jude didn't know how he felt. Suddenly he had to tell her.

"Jude. I'm in love with you."