Hero

I'll Never Forget

Beginning of the End

Today was her wedding day. The day she had been dreaming about since four years earlier when she chose Tommy over Jamie. It was the hardest decision she had ever made, but the best one in her life.

So then why was this happening now? They were in love, they are in love.

Tommy slowly moved towards the figure several feet before him. He knew where to find her, he didn't even have to ask when she left. He just knew. But that's how they are, always sensing each others slightest mood change.

That's why when she spoke he wasn't surprised she knew he was there.

"How did you know where to find me?" He voice was soft in contrast to the bitter wind slapping against their faces.

He stood beside her staring out at the water. The waves breaking against the docks fit the mood; just like the ominous gray sky and harsh winds.

Still lost in the waves churning before them he spoke, refusing to look at her. "I always know where you are. I always know how you feel. Just like you always know…" He turned and looked at her finally. "But that's just us, Jude, always a part of one another."

He took in how truly beautiful she was. Her golden hair swept up half way and the rest falling around her face in curls. The veil she had been wearing earlier had long been lost in her flight from the church, but she still wore her dress. He remembered her modeling that dress for him only three weeks ago. She was grinning ear to ear as she twisted and turned. It took weeks for them to finish the thing, with all the embroidery and corset settings. The dress was completely white and had a corset stomacher; loose material covered her chest before slipping over her shoulders. The same material on top made her skirt and train. It moved with her and flowed outwards at the bottoms. Almost as if it was a part of her body. Suddenly he felt a pang at what he was losing.

"We'll always be a part of each other Quincy." Jude said quietly staring right back at him.

She loved how he looked all dressed in a black tux. He lost the tie and wore the buttons undone around his neck, the vest and coat lay open as well. He looked dis-shelved but never had he looked so handsome. She was losing the best part of herself, they both were. And they knew it.

Jude turned away and looked back at the lake. Tommy sighed and did the same.

"Remember the first time we came here together?" Tommy looked over to see a smile playing on her lips before answering.

"Yeah, you almost lost a perfect song to some amazingly bad lyrics."

Jude looked at him smiling, but trying to seem offended.

"Good thing I was there to save the day though," He grinned faintly. "Saved your career before it ever got started."

She laughed lightly and smacked him on the arm playfully. "Keep telling yourself that Quincy."

They shared a smile before looking away again. Silence cloaked over them, uncomfortably they didn't want to break it. Say what needed to be said. Once they did it would be over for good. Even if it was a mutual decision, they were scared of the end of their story. To finally say goodbye.

"What happens now?"

It was Jude that finally spoke, her voice as distant as the look in her eyes. Tommy bowed his head. Trying to take a calming breath before turning towards her. He grabbed her hand, forcing her to face him.

Jude looked to the ground as he twisted her around. The grip on her hands forced her to meet his gaze. When she did he saw the tears looming at the corners of her beautiful eyes. The eyes he had stared into thousands of times but never stopped feeling the sudden rush it gave him. To see such amazingly bright eyes, that laughed at the world shinning with unshed tears; it made his heart break even more.

Tommy reached his hands up to sweep the stray hairs flying around her face back, just as one tear slipped past her eye. She closed them tightly willing herself not to cry. His touch was too much. His gentle, soft touch; enough to make any woman swoon. Knowing he was once hers, but she was losing him now.

He watched her face brokenly. Holding back his own rush of tears, and swallowing a sob he pulled her defeated body to him. Wrapping his arms around her tightly. All he wanted to do was block out all the bad and hold her forever. But he knew he couldn't do that. This was goodbye.

They clung to each other, long moments passing as they stood stock still. Fighting every breath as a sob attached itself to it. Tears ran down pale cheeks from tightly closed lids. Neither had the strength to move away.

After several minutes, Tommy was the first to make a move. He kept her close against his body, wanting to savor these moments for a lifetime of moments without her.

He brushed her hair from her eyes as he kissed her gently in the forehead. When he met her eyes again he spoke.

"There's something I have to tell you."

He saw the worry etch itself into her face, and ran a thumb across the lines. Smiling slightly, he realized he was going to miss that look.

"What is it Tommy?"

Closing his eyes, he leaned his forehead against hers sighing. In a barely audible whisper he spoke again.

"I'm leaving. For good."

Jude pulled away looking into his eyes desperately. "What do you mean? Where are you going?"

When he didn't respond, her voice escalated to a higher pitch. "Tommy?"

Unable to watch her face twist in agony he turned away, but Jude wasn't letting him go that easy. She grabbed his arm forcing him to look at her this time.

"Where are you going?" The last word was said on a sob.

Breaking finally Tommy wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. With his eyes closed tightly he whispered into her ear.

"I can't tell you that."

Jude tried to struggle from his grip, but he held her fast. Her sobs filling her slight frame as he tried to control his own.

"I can't, Jude. I wish I could…" He berried his face into her hair. "But I can't. Please… please, just don't ask."

"Tommy."

It was all she could get through her closed throat. She gripped him just as tightly afraid to let him go.

"I know, baby…" A sob finally escaped his throat as he held her tighter. "Oh God, I know."

"I love you, Tommy." Jude whispered hopelessly. "I love you so much it hurts."

"I love you too..." He kissed her neck. "Don't forget that, Jude. Don't ever forget this."

"Never."

That one word meant everything between them as they held each other fearfully. Sobbing into each others body. Knowing that it would end, and when it did they would end too.

A long while later the finally let go.

"Ready to go home?" Tommy asked wiping Jude's tearstained face.

She was so weak from the emotional outcry, she could only nod. He grabbed her hand and led her to his car. On the back window read the words 'Just Married' and Jude let one last tear slip down her cheek before slipping into the front seat.

The ride home was silent as they both stared straight a head. Neither noticed the scenery change or the children running by.

Once they pulled into the driveway of their house, the one Tommy surprised Jude with as a wedding present. Tommy unlocked the door, placing his keys on the table inside the door. Jude walked straight for the stairs, Tommy not too far behind. They reached the master suit and she headed through the bathroom and into the closet, stripping out of her dress. She could hear Tommy undressing in the bedroom as she hung the dress on the hanger staring at it.

Sighing Jude, turned away and walked into the bedroom. She watched Tommy slip his shirt on before moving to the dresser and pulling on a pair of sweats. When she finished she turned to see Tommy walking out of the bathroom with a duffel bag.

"So you're leaving today?"

Tommy looked at her and she could see the tears hovering in his eyes, "I have to."

She nodded. It was all she could do. Asking him would result in no answers, so why try? She sat on the large four-poster bed, his duffel bag resting beside her as she watched him move back and forth stuffing things into the bag.

"The house is yours." He said quietly still moving around. "I put it into your name, so you can do what you want with it. Same with the cars. Except the Viper, I'm taking it with me."

He stopped and looked at her waiting for a response. Jude nodded and looked away. He understood and gave a nod before turning towards the bathroom.

Jude looked at the bag beside her, everything finally hitting her. He was leaving. For good, forever… and on their wedding day.

The tears that sprang to her eyes were forced back as she got up and moved to the door and down the stairs. She wondered into the kitchen, not being able to watch him walk out of her life. Numbly she pored herself a glass of water, but put it back on the counter only a few moments later. Not being able to drink anything.

Jude moved into the living room, she could hear him moving around up stairs. She made her way to the fireplace where pictures littered the mantel. Just like the rest of the house. Their whole relationship was cataloged through the house in pictures. There was one picture that stood out from the rest. It was the same picture Tommy kept on his side of the bed and the one he took where ever he went.

Jude grabbed the frame, walking to the couch. Sitting there she stared into the two smiling faces. It was four years ago, when she chose Tommy over Jamie. They were in Thailand, or more importantly, in the hotel. It was early morning and Jude had woken up and thought Tommy looked so cute she took a ton of pictures. Only he woke up to one of them and ended up playfully biting her neck as she went to take a picture of them. The picture in the frame held that moment, her laughing as he smiled and bit her neck. The pure happiness radiating from it was the reason they loved this picture. A time she would do anything to go back to.

Jude set the frame on the coffee table then laid down staring at the picture. After a few moments she slipped into a world they would always be together. Happy ever after.

Minutes later, Tommy came down the stairs with his duffel looking for Jude. He found her curled into a ball with the picture staring at her. He smiled sadly, tears coming into his eyes. He wanted to say goodbye but he didn't have the heart t wake her. She needed sleep.

He set his bag down before grabbing the blanket on a chair and draping it over her. He then reached for the frame and disappeared into the study before placing the frame back where she put it. Sitting beside her, he brushed the hair from her face and leaned down to kiss her forehead, he kissed the tear stains on her cheek; and them kissed her lips while closing his eyes tightly. A tear escaped through his efforts and he pulled back.

Rubbing her cheek gently, he whispered into the still room.

"I love you Jude Harrison. Don't forget about me."

With that he grabbed his bag and headed out the door. No looking back. He knew if he did he wouldn't be able to leave. And he had to leave. His whole world was ripped apart and the biggest part of it he was walking from. Nothing could hurt worse than that.

When Jude awoke the house was eerily quiet and dark. He was gone, and she felt it. Sitting up she glanced at the frame and reached for it. In the moon light she read the words scribbled on the glass.

'I love you, forever. Never forget.'