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The Way I See It You Have Two Options

Jude laid in bed early the next morning, unable to fall asleep after something awoke her. She rolled over and felt Lara snuggle up to her. Jude pet her head, while trying to fall asleep. After being unsuccessful for what felt like forever, she decided to get up. Sleepily making her way to the kitchen, Jude went for the coffee. She pulled out the canister and popped off the lid and discovered that she was officially out.

"Damn it." She grumbled and threw the empty container in the garbage.

Jude started getting ready to meet with Darius. Mentally she went over what she would say as she pulled on her clothes and tugged a brush through her hair. When she was done she drove to G-Major, the main thought in her head being there had better be coffee.

She walked into G-Major and headed straight for hospitality. Jude weaved her way through the mad house that was the lobby, everyone leaving her to her thoughts until an intern approached her.

"Hey Jude, two things. Where are the Tone Master cables and this needs your signature."

Jude took the clipboard from the guy's hands, glanced it over, then signed it.

"Try looking for the cable in the back supply closet. If it's for Studio C, tell them if another one goes 'missing' or 'breaks'," Jude said using air quotes, "I will make them bring their own and Darius will be notified."

The intern nodded and walked off. He was approached by another intern, who'd been there a few months longer.

"Wow, you're brave."

"Why?"

"That look, Jude's don't even think about talking to me until I have my coffee, look. You're lucky you got out alive." He said in a serious tone as both men watched Jude go from hospitality to her office.

"You better make nice with her. I heard she has a meeting with Darius. She has a lot of pull with him." The intern known as AJ said as he walked away.

Jude came out of her office and was headed towards Darius's when she bumped into the intern from earlier.

"Hey, did you find what you needed?" She asked him.

"Yeah, thanks." He stopped her when she turned to leave, "Sorry about bugging you before, I know you just got here and…"

Jude laughed, "They still telling that lie? That's great."

As she walked away she pointed at him, "Thank you, I needed that."

"Anytime." He responded, very confused. He watched her walk into Darius's office without even knocking. "Wow, she must be really brave."

"Did you know that, 'Don't talk to Jude before she's caffeinated' thing is still going around?" Jude said, still laughing, "That's funny."

"Who started that in the first place?" Darius asked.

"Speed, I think, no wait, Wally. Definitely Wally."

Darius turned serious, "What is it you needed to discuss?"

Jude told him about the offer she got from Chad.

"Not gonna happen." He said shortly.

"Well, then the way I see it you have two options." Jude started, "One, I do this one album and come back or two, I go and do the album and don't. My contract ended with the completion of Tom's album, so I am here by choice."

Darius was silent. Jude continued, "I don't want to lose this job D and you have done so much for me. You helped me when everything in life went wrong. You know where my loyalties lie...and you know how much you'd miss me if you lost me."

Jude saw a small smile tug at the corners of his mouth at the latter and as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.

"So, what you're telling me is if I say no, you will leave and do it anyway, but if I say yes, you will do it and come back."

"Yes."

"What am I supposed to do, be short a producer?"

"You've already hired a replacement for Kwest and I know you have a list of people looking for work, even if it's temporary."

He leaned back in his chair, taking in what she told him. After a few minutes, he replied, "Okay."

Jude smiled, "Thank you."

"When do you start?"

"Beginning of next week." Darius nodded and walked with her to the door. She smiled and turned to him once she was on the other side of the doorway, "Told you you'd miss me."

"What can I say, you grew on me." He turned to walk away. Jude stopped him and gave him a hug. He returned the gesture and they parted ways.