Two months earlier

"Why is it so easy for you to throw us away?" Jude asked, staring at Tommy through a set of metal bars; Her hand wrapped around one as Tommy stood to approach her. The ice cold feel against Jude's palm was an immediate contradiction to Tommy's warm touch on her face; she shivered.

Tommy bit the inside of his lip lightly, pulling Jude as close as possible and leaned his forehead against the metal. He lingered his hand on her face, his thumb gently ran over her lips once before he pulled it away, "Because I'm not good enough for you."

Jude exhaled a sob and pushed away from the prison bars, "I am so sick of hearing about how awful you think you are!" Tommy nodded his head, staring at the filthy grey brick wall in front of him. He was set in his decision, she needed to leave before she saw how awful he truly was.

"Or how you're not worthy," Jude continued, slowly backing away from him, from the situation. Her instinct to run was pulsing strong now, "When you are. I'll be in the studio."

Jude and Tommy shared a lingering parting glance; both waiting for the other to say something more. But as Jude searched his now unfamiliar eyes, it was clear that he wasn't going to stop her. When Tommy looked away, she looked him over one last time before leaving.

Tommy watched after her until she was out of sight. What the hell did he just do? He questioned himself in a sudden panic, his resolve shaking, "FUCK!"

He shouted, tears coming to his eyes. To him, this was a harsh reminder that everything everyone said about him was true; that he doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself, and all he ever does it hurt the people he loves. And as he mulled over this thought, he rebuilt his resolve. It's good she's gone, He decided.

Instead of going back to the house right away, Jude went to the dock. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was hoping that somehow, Tommy will coming running up to her and wrap her in his arms and apologize. Jude glared at the water sparkling in the early morning sunlight, her arms angrily crossed over her stomach. Her and Tommy were done. Again. You'd think after all the separations and break ups she'd be used to it by now, but here she was fighting the urge to crumble into an emotional mess. Again. The bitter part of her wanted to put a stop to the check for Tommy's bail. If he wants to be an asshole, he can just sit there then. The sympathetic side of her, though, was much stronger.

Jude thought back to the night before, thought about the horrible things him mom said to him...his own mother. She might not be able to recognize this side of Tommy, but she's not completely clueless, she knew that everything his mom said hit home, and deeply hurt him. The thought of Tommy's pain created a pain of her own deep in her heart, but she pushed it away. She has her own pain to worry about, and Tommy doesn't care, so why should she have to waste another second being where she isn't wanted?

Soon enough, Jude was back at Tommy's house, packing her bag. She hadn't brought much, but she took enough to last a while on the off chance that he'd change his mind. That thought mocked her now; she hadn't made it two days.

Tommy's cousin Selena watched as Jude dropped her duffle bag by the door and head for the back room to get her purse. She nudged Ryan and nodded toward it, "Looks like he chased another one off."

Ryan smirked, "I won this one."

Selena took a swig from her beer and a drag from her cigarette in the same breath, "How much did you bet?"

Ryan exhaled smoke from the corner of his mouth, "Twenty."

"Ambitious." Selena commented, pulling a deck of cards in front her

Ryan leaned back in his chair and reached over to pull a beer from the cooler by Selena's feet, "Nah, we all know Tommy won't ever change."

"What are you talking about?" Jude demanded, only having heard the very last of their conversation

Ryan looked up at her, a smile on his face, "Nothing you need to worry about, princess."

Jude scowled at the smug look on Ryan's face, silently wishing she had taken those kick boxing classes with Sadie; nothing would please her more then kicking his ass right now, "Don't call me that."

Ryan lifted his hands, an expression of mock fear coming across his face, "Ooooh." He laughed, "What are you gonna do about it?"

Jude continued to glare as she gathered her stuff, the only thing keeping her calm was the fact that she would soon be out of here. Selena flashed a bitchy smile, "Usually doesn't take this long for the girl to take off." She explained

"What do you mean?"

Selena rolled her eyes, a sigh escaping her lips, "Tommy's been a dick since day one, he sends everyone running eventually."

"Yeah," Ryan agreed, dealing the cards between him and Selena, "And he's a real weepy drunk about it too."

Selena laughed and finished off her beer, "If I have to hear about that Angie again, I'll drive in to a tree myself."

Ryan scoffed, "Take me with you."

Jude didn't say anything. What could be said? She quietly made her way out the door and down the driveway. Was she really just like all the other people in Tommy's life? Was running away the right thing to do? Jude was momentarily distracted by a taxi pulling up in front of her but she ignored it, her thoughts going back to Tommy. This weekend had started and ended being about her; what she felt, wanted, needed, but had she ever stopped to think about Tommy? No. Her face flushed slightly at her own selfishness.

The cab driver hopped out and opened Jude's door for her, but again she ignored him, too lost in her own head. The last thing she wanted was to be another thing in Tommy's life causing him pain, and leaving now would hurt him, whether he wants to admit it or not. What Tommy needed from her was help, not a girlfriend hanging off his arm, parading him around at festivals like everything was fine. Jude's stubbornness set in then, she reached out and shut the cab door, "I'm really sorry," She murmured to the driver and handed him a twenty for his trouble, "I'm not heading out today."

Jude hadn't seen them come in, so she was surprised to see the other school friend Tommy introduced her to yesterday sitting at the round table with Selena and Ryan. Jude ignored the questioning looks coming from them, and silently made her way back to Tommy's room.

Ryan cursed under his breath as he handed Mike the twenty back, "We're betting again."

Jude sighed, dropping her bags on the bed shoved up in the corner. While she waited for Tommy, she considered every outcome of him finding her still here, and prepared herself for that. Then, when Tommy still didn't show up, she thought about their whole relationship, took note of anything she'd done that had been pointed out as immature, and tried for the first time to make a conscious effort to actually be an adult about this. If she wants to be in an adult situation then she had to start acting like one.

By the time Tommy finally made it back to his house the moon was beginning its rise over the water. His feet drug themselves up the porch steps, even though his mind was screaming to do otherwise; like he was being pulled by a magnet. Just as unwillingly, he entered the house, finding it dark and empty.

He tapped his fingers on his mom's door before opening it, more than relieved to find her sleeping. With an audible exhale, he turned for the kitchen to get a beer but glanced back when he noticed a soft glow coming from under his door. His shoulders slumped, not wanting a fight, but expecting one, "Mike, get the fuck out-" He stopped short at the sight of Jude perched on the edge of the bed, a single candle lit on the bedside table, "And you're not Mike." He muttered, his face hardening

Jude offered what little smile she could manage, hurt by his reaction, "Nope." She breathed, "They went home a couple hours ago."

Tommy shut the door behind himself, a scowl hinting at his features. He crossed his arms and leaned against the dresser, "I thought you left."

Jude shrugged lightly, mentally preparing herself, "I'm not going anywhere."

Tommy ran his tongue through his mouth, his eyes fully angry now, "You can't be with me, remember?"

Jude stood slowly, but made no move to approach him, "I'm sorry," She told him, her voice calm, "Sorry for showing up without calling, for interfering with your mom, sorry for acting like a ditzy girlfriend...I just - I had no idea how bad it was."

Tommy's angry eyes met her kind ones. He stared at the girl he loved for a long soundless moment, wanting to go to her, hold her, but he restrained himself, "That all?" He questioned, eyeing her packed bags

Jude shook her head as she stuffed her fingers into her front pockets, "I love you too much to leave." She whispered

Tommy clenched his jaw and looked away from her, "I don't want you here."

Jude swallowed hard, trying to be strong, "I don't believe that."

Tommy unleashed a full on glare, directing it right in Jude's eyes, "Too bad. You need to leave."

Jude took a step forward, as if to show that she wasn't scared of him, "Tommy, I'm not here to get in the way, I'm here to help."

"I don't need your help." Tommy spat at her, but regretted it the second hurt flashed in her eyes; he didn't want that, "You don't want to be in this bullshit." He said, his voice a little warmer now

"Shouldn't that by my decision?"

Tommy shrugged, "Fine. Stay. But you can't stay here."

"Okay," Jude said easily and turned for her bags, "I'm sure Ryan has a spare couch."

Tommy caught Jude by the arm with a grip that almost hurt and moved so he was inches from her face, "Why are you doing this?"

Jude leaned back to put some space between them - this she wasn't expecting. Tommy never grabbed her in anger like this, and he sure as hell never glared at her the way he is now, "You need my help." She forced out from airless lungs

Tommy dropped his hand and fisted it by his side, "Leave!" He demanded, "Nobody wants you here poking around in their business."

"No." Was Jude's simple answer; it wasn't stubborn or arrogant, just an answer, "I won't let you push me away."

Tommy growled under his breath, "I'm already dealing with my mom, I can't waste my time taking care of you too."

Jude caught note of the word waste and cocked an eyebrow at it. That hurt. She brushed it off, trying remain just as calm as she had been when Tommy came in, "You won't have to. I won't be in the way, I'll do whatever you tell me to do no questions...just let me stay." She pleaded

Tommy's heaving chest slowed to a normal breathing pattern as his anger boiled down, "I'm telling you to go. Trust me, Jude. You don't want any part of this."

Jude took the few steps residing between them and hesitantly took a hold of Tommy's hand. He pulled it away, "Tommy if you truly want me to leave, tell me."

Tommy avoided her eyes as he spoke, "Leave."

"No," Jude said, reaching up to touch his face, "Tell me, not the wall."

Tommy looked down at her, and as he stared into her eyes, he couldn't find the words. He couldn't look at the loving look in her eyes and find the heart to make it go away. The last six weeks have been nothing but pure hatred coming from every angle, every day was a fight or a reminder of who he was. The love for Jude filling him now was like a breath of fresh air. He exhaled a shaky breath, "Don't leave."

Jude nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck, "I'm not going anywhere."

Tommy's arms wound around her, pulling her impossibly close, "I missed you." He whispered in to her hair

Jude pulled back with a smile, but an otherwise serious expression, "If this gets to be too much or if I'm getting in the way, tell me and I'll go." She nodded like she was also making the same agreement

Tommy pulled his fingers through Jude's hair and rested his hand on the back of her neck, "I don't want you to go." He admitted as his eyes turned vulnerable, "But this place is hell."

Jude became affected by the emotion in Tommy's voice, recognizing the pain she's been wanting to protect him from, "Just tell me what you need, and I'll do it."

Without warning, Tommy brought Jude's face to his and hungrily pressed his lips to hers. A familiar spark lit between them then, that same old energy returned with a vengeance, made stronger with the time apart. For the moment, Tommy didn't care if he was being selfish, or that they'll both regret her staying eventually. What he needed now was her.

As the kiss intensified, Tommy began leading them to the bed, "Tommy." Jude mumbled against his lips, her hands pushing lightly against his chest, "Tommy, stop."

Tommy broke the kiss, "What?" He asked breathlessly, but didn't wait for a response before reattaching their lips.

"Mmm," Jude moaned lightly into his mouth. She hadn't really realized just how much she missed this until right now. With her hands on his neck, Jude brought Tommy down with her on the bed, momentarily forgetting what it was she was going to do say. Tommy broke the kiss, moving to trail kisses across her cheek and down her neck. Without Tommy's lips distracting her, Jude's mind cleared slightly, "Tommy," She breathed, bringing his face back up to her, "We can't do this here."

"Why not?"

Jude glanced pointedly at the door, "There's no lock, what if someone walks in?"

Tommy groaned softly and looked over his shoulder at the door. Jude had a point. And they couldn't now anyway, his mom was sure to wake up any minute now, "This sucks." He said, looking down at Jude. The soft candle light danced on her face, emphasizing her beauty. Tommy smiled softly and gently caressed her face, "I missed you so much."

Jude grinned up at him, happy to finally see bits of her Tommy surfacing, "You have no idea."

Tommy opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by a loud crash coming from the living room. He cursed and rushed from the room. It took Jude a second longer, but she was only a few steps behind. No private moments she thought bitterly to herself, and added it to the things she'll just have to live with for now.