Hey thank you guys so much for the comments! I was expecting like, 3, not 12. I really, really appreciate it. Special thanks to Cyndi, you pretty much made me cry. Love you girl. I realize I forgot to put this in my last post so here is a little background. This takes place after Should I Stay or Should I Go. I realize that's major backtrack but I started this back in November, so its old. Jamie and Jude are still together as are Tommy and Sadie. And Georgia and EJ still run G-Major. I originally posted this on the-n but the site crossed the line with me and I left. So, here I am, presenting it to the fickle masses. I'll try to post every day, no promises though. Those of you from the-n wondering when ill be posting Because of You, it probably won't be until I get all the way through this one. It wouldn't make much sense to post the sequel before I finish the original now would it? Anyway thanks everyone SOOOO much for the support, keep reading and keep commenting . Your comments keep me going. BTW the hurricane in reference is Hurricane Katrina.

"Where is she going?" Georgia asks Kwest, seeing Jude walk out.

"To talk to Tommy," Kwest replies simply.

"What's going on?" Georgia asks, the motherly concern she always has towards Tommy and Jude etching fine lines across her brow.

"I can't tell you. But I'm pretty sure Jude can handle it."

"She better. We have a lot of work to do for this album."

"Trust me G, this is important."

Satisfied with his answer, Georgia nods and walks out. Kwest leans back in his chair, letting out a deep sigh and mentally willing Tommy to open up.

'c'mon T' Kwest thinks. 'Suck it up and tell her.'

The cool wind whips Jude's face as she walks out of G-Major. Her eyes rest on a figure sitting on a nearby bench, hunched over with his hands clasped tightly in front of him. With a cautious heart Jude walks over, taking a seat beside him. Tommy doesn't look up, and for the first time Jude's eyes rest on the unlit cigarette in his hands. Her head moves back and forth in an almost mournful disapproval, but she doesn't voice that opinion to Tommy.

"I didn't know you smoked," Jude comments, trying to get him to at least acknowledge her presence. A small shrug passes across Tommy's shoulder.

"I did when I was younger," he says, still not looking up to meet her eyes.

"And your starting again?" Jude asks.

"Thinking about it."

The silence sets back in and Jude lets out a heavy sigh, deciding that beating around the bush wont get her anywhere.

"Tommy what happened?" She asks bluntly. "All Sadie told me was you got a call-"

"You shouldn't be asking Sadie about me," Tommy says sharply, cutting her off.

"Well I'm sorry but I'm concerned."

"Don't be, please," he begs her, the wounded puppy dog look he has become so famous for crossing his features as he finally meets her eyes.

"Does Sadie even know?" Jude asks.

Tommy shakes his head. "Only Kwest."

"Do you not trust me?"

"Of course I trust you," Tommy answers quickly. "I just don't want you to feel sorry for me."

"Tommy, please," Jude pleads with him, a wounded look of her own meeting his. Tommy draws a shaky breath, then caves.

"Alright," he begins. "Did I ever tell you about my sister?"

"Sophie? Yea, why?"

"Well she lived in New Orleans," Tommy says, his voice catching. "And when she didn't call, I started to worry about her. But I figured she just couldn't get to a phone…" Tommy is to the point of tears now. Jude rests a supportive hand on his shoulder, knowing the comfort it offers is insufficient to the comfort he needs.

"Is she…is she ok?" Jude asks, though deep in her pit she knows the answer.

Tommy's reply comes out quietly, but not so quiet he can't be heard. "They found her body a few weeks ago."

"Tommy…" Jude begins, at a loss for words.

"See!" Tommy all but yells. "You feel sorry for me."

"Of course I do!" Jude matches his tone. "Tommy you lost your sister"

"A lot of people died in that hurricane. It wasn't just her."

"I know but-"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Jude looks down, sighing with defeat. "Are you ok?" She asks.

"Yea," is the muttered reply. To this Jude shakes her head.

"Then why did you just storm out of the studio?"

"I don't know," Tommy responds, his voice cracking. Jude shakes her head again and gently rests her head on his shoulder, looking up at him.

"I'm not going to talk and I'm not going to feel sorry for you, I promise. Just let me sit here with you."

The only reply is an absent nod from Tommy, who is staring off into space, trying to keep himself under check in light of his confession. Though a lecture on how unhealthy it is to bottle up your feelings rises in her throat, Jude swallows it, knowing its not what he needs and also knowing it would make her a hypocrite, since at this moment she's bottling up as much as he is. She squeezes her eyes shut tightly as she sits holding onto his arm, forcing herself not to cry, forcing herself to stay strong for the broken man beside her. It's a futile battle though, for even if Jude can keep the tears from streaming down her cheeks she can't stop her heart from screaming out in pain for the man she cares about so much. In their close proximity Jude can feel Tommy's muscles tense, and she knows he's still fighting back his own emotion. After a few minutes of silence, just reveling in each others warmth and comfort, Kwest comes out in search of the pair.

"Hey guys," he says quietly, not really wanting to ruin the moment. "Georgia's looking for you."

Tommy nods numbly and Jude releases his arm, allowing him to get up so they can head back into the studio. As they walk that same arm finds its way around her shoulders, keeping her close for the few moments before they have to return to work. Before they part to go their separate ways, he leans down and whispers softly in her ear, "Thank you."

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After work, Jamie picks Jude up. The ride home is in silence, Jude completely absorbed in her own thoughts about the days events. Finally Jamie speaks.

"You ok?" he asks glancing over at her.

"Just had a long day" Jude mumbles, not entirely breaking out of her thoughts.

"Well, I hate to add to your problems…"

Jude looks over at him with pleading eyes. "Then please don't."

"I have to," he sighs. Jude reluctantly nods, prodding him to continue. "We haven't really talked about, "us", since you got back from tour."

"We haven't?"

"No"

"Well we've been like, going out haven't we?"

"We've been hanging out, there's a difference."

Jude sighs. "Jamie I really can't take this tonight."

"It's a simple question Jude, are we together?"

Jude looks out the window, once again submerging herself in thought. A million things race through her mind. Tommy confiding in her, trusting her…Tommy is her best friend. Who happens to be dating her sister. Who happened to have broken her heart twice in the past year. Tommy might be her world, but Jamie would never hurt her.

"Still waiting," Jamie informs her.

Jude nods. "Yea, I guess we are."