Oh wow. I'm a horrible updater! I am so sorry! I guess this is what happens when you have too many fanfictions, plus school, and friends to keep happy. Oh dear. I am so, so, sorry. I promise, I will try to be better with getting this updated in a more timely fashion.

In other news, as you will see, I do have an update, but once again… I'm not happy with it. With certain parts of it, I'm almost somewhat satisfied with it, but still, I don't know. I know what I don't really like about it and it's the flashback for this chapter. I'm really trying to get this story to gain momentum, but it just seems like it's taking forever and for that I apologize.

I want to say in general, thank you to all who read. However, if you've read and have yet to comment, please do so. Feedback is appreciated and it really does help me get out of the occasional writing slums I get myself into. Suggestions are always welcome! Also, if you have any ideas about the over-all story, or any theories, feel free to send me a message!

Anyway… on with the individual thank-you's!

Love2burn4tim- I'm glad you find the situation humorous. It's certainly fun to write, so that's a plus for me. More about their relationship will be revealed with each flashback… perhaps with more fights as well. So just sit back and enjoy the ride! Thanks for the comment and I hope you enjoy the update!

Chocolateelephantz- Well thank you! I'm glad you think that this is good and hope that it will stay that way. Lol. As for the Jude picking cleaning over Tommy… It's not so much that she was picking the actual cleaning over him, it was that she was choosing to stay in the room and decided she might as well be productive while she was at it. Plus, it was an excuse to avoid him. And it's always more fun when Tommy gets the upper hand. Duh! ;) Now for the whole Patsy situation and being nicknamed Cupcake, eventually that will get explained. LOL. I just thought it would be amusing to see Patsy have a nickname like that. And yes, Tommy certainly got a challenge. He honestly doesn't know what he's in for. As for the flashbacks, I'm going to attempt to write in a flashback for each chapter and see how it goes. Thanks for the lovely compliments and I hope you enjoy the new update!

Funnechick- I'm glad you enjoyed the flashbacks and I most certainly did pick up with the bedroom scene. Hope you enjoy it and thanks for taking the time to review!

Alexzrules- Yes, Tommy certainly did get what he wanted. And not to worry. Nathan will be back in the picture soon enough and you'll probably wish he wasn't. Haha. And I never really mentioned what Jude was playing. Tommy was just being difficult because Jude was being obnoxious. He did like the band that was playing, but he wasn't about to let that stop him from laying into her. Lol. Thanks for the review and I hope you enjoy the newest chapter!

Letitrain810- Glad you like the music part. I did have fun writing that. And the challenge part was more on Tommy's end. Jude was genuinely trying to stay un-interested. But we all know how that worked out, eh? Hehe. Eventually, all will be revealed about what went wrong. Thanks for the feedback and I hope you like the update!

Ihearttq- I'm glad you like it! Thanks for commenting:D

Addicted2IS- Yup. They met a club—thanks to Patsy. Lol. And the music thing… yeah, I'd do that too because I've got attitude like that. Haha. At least I did when I was teenager. I was a little much to take, so I thought I'd implement that into my writing. Glad you enjoyed it and I hope you like the new chapter.

Driver picks the music- Actually I kind of have to disagree about the television and too much drama. I think there are quite a few shows out there that tend to overdo it. CoughDegrassiCough. Lol. I'm happy you liked that chapter and hope you enjoy the next one as well:D

Bubblebuttsbabe- Eh, most people I know don't mind them, that's for sure. I'm particularly fond of them myself, actually. :D And yes, I've done that too. It really pissed my parents off, too. LOL. I don't know how I got out of being grounded with that one, but some how, I managed. I'm glad you liked the fight. I really enjoy writing fights for Tommy and Jude. It's a lot of fun, so I'm pleased to hear that it resembles them! Thanks! I also like impulsive Jude. I wanted to bring back the fierce, take-no-prisoners Jude from season 1. I loved that Jude :D I'm glad you like the flashback and enjoyed the Patsy scene. I love Patsy myself and was highly disappointed when they killed her off on the show. So disappointing. And I liked that line too. I was rather partial to it when I wrote it. One of the few lines of mine that I like. Haha. Thanks for the review and here's the update! Enjoy :D

Chapter 6

"You've Just Declared War"

Tommy tried to hold back a smirk as he watched Jude scurry away from him. She's not very bright, he thought sarcastically to himself. She had backed right into the wall and she was on the side of the room that was opposite of the door. All he had to do was take a few more steps and he would have her cornered.

"Go away, Tommy," she squeaked as he took those few steps he needed.

He could tell he was making her uncomfortable. He knew that her body would still react to his touch if he would try it. How did he know? Well, the electricity in the room became almost unbearable as he rested his left hand on the wall just above her shoulder. He also noticed that her breathing became significantly heavier and while he normally would have grinned at the sight, he couldn't. Mostly he couldn't because, in reality, the situation made him nervous himself.

This was new territory for him. Usually after he dated girls, the break-up was final. He almost never had residual feelings.

Jude Harrison would be the second girl, and last if he had anything to say about it, that he had failed to make the spark go away.

"You really should think before you speak, girl. Especially if you can't handle the consequences."

"I don't have any idea what you're talking about," she declared stubbornly. Tommy had to stop his eyes from rolling at her stubbornness. He knew she knew what he was talking about.

He watched in amusement as her eyes fluttered around the room, obviously looking for an escape. Tommy chuckled at the sight, "You have nowhere to go, Harrison," he replied confidently.

Little did he know, his confident remark was about to be shot to hell.

He noticed her eyes roam to his right and that's when he saw the walk-in closet. She wouldn't. Would she?

Before he could even blink, she slipped away and ran straight for the closet, closing it before he even made a move away from the wall. He'd underestimated her. Something he mistakenly made a habit of doing. He really should have learned his lesson by now when it came to her. "Seriously Jude? You'd rather stay in the closet?"

"Yep," she replied stubbornly.

Suddenly a devious thought occurred to Tommy as he realized his golden opportunity. "Okay," he tried to be as nonchalant as he could, but he failed to hide the hint of mischievousness in his voice.

"Tommy… what are you doing?" her tone was very accusatory, which only amused him that much more.

"I'm leaving. That is what you want, right?" he really was having a hard time not laughing, but somehow managing to not make it blatantly obvious that he was chuckling.

He quietly snuck over to the chair that was sitting in the corner of the room and securely placed it under the handle of the door, making sure that Jude wouldn't be able to get out of the closet.

Obviously she didn't hear the door handle jiggling as the chair was being placed under it because she went on with the conversation as though he hadn't just pulled the wool over her. "Of course it is!"

"Have it your way then. Have fun unpacking." He started walking out of the room and heard Jude trying to get out of the closet. The door handle was being moved back and forth and he could venture to guess that it was that moment that she probably realized he locked her in there, she began pounding mercilessly on the door.

"Easy on the door. I really don't want to have to get it replaced," he remarked sarcastically, unable to hold back the grin forming on his lips.

"Damn you Quincy! Open the door!"

"I'm sorry, what was that?" He couldn't contain his laughter any longer. He knew this was adding fuel to the fire, but he honestly didn't care. This was too much fun to pass up.

"You ass! You heard me, now open the fucking door!"

"Language, girl. That's really not very nice."

He chuckled when he heard her mutter words that would make any mother weep. She was still the same. Stubborn, foul-mouthed, and bull-headed.

"You kiss your mother with that mouth, Harrison?"

It was at that point that Kwest came barreling in the room, confusion clouding his features. "What the hell is going on in here?"

Tommy feigned a look of innocence. "Just me complying with Jude's wishes. I was just getting ready to leave, actually."

"Don't you dare, Quincy!"

He laughed as he walked back over to the closet door and leaned against his shoulder. "Now I'm confused, girl. Didn't you just say less than a minute ago that you'd rather stay in the closet than be out here in this nice, spacious room?"

He put his ear to the door, trying to listen to any kind of reaction. He could have been mistaken, but he could have sworn he heard her growl.

"Dude, maybe you should let her out?"

Tommy arched an eyebrow at Kwest. "You wanna go open that door?"

Just as he finished asking the question, there was a loud bang on the door, causing the two men to jump from the unexpected noise. Kwest eyed the door warily and started making his way back towards the main door. "I think I'll pass."

"Smart choice," Tommy chuckled.

He looked over at Kwest and saw that he looked almost disappointed. "What's up?"

"She was supposed to make me some food, man. I'm hungry!"

Tommy rolled his eyes and started laughing when Jude started shouting at them again to open the door. He shook his head and gave Kwest a pat on the back as he led him out of the room. "Come on, dude. Let's go order a pizza." A thought occurred to him and he realized that she was probably starved, so he decided to mess with her head a little. "I'm thinking some nice, juicy pepperoni… maybe some mushrooms… green peppers."

He smirked as Jude shouted, "You HATE that combination, you dick!" He crinkled his nose in disgust because he did, in fact, hate that combo. He just knew it was her favorite, so he decided to dangle it in front of her.

Kwest raised his eyebrows in amusement, "Has she always been that colorful?"

"Always a handful," he confirmed.

They began walking towards the door and paused when they heard Jude laughing. It sent chills down his spine; he didn't like the sound of that… "Quincy. You just declared war," she laughed through the door.

"I'm real scared, Harrison." He shoved Kwest out the door and swiftly shut the door behind them, but not before hearing Jude utter one last threat to the both of them.

He looked over at Kwest, who actually looked scared. "Maybe we should go let her out," Kwest replied timidly.

Tommy grinned and patted Kwest on the back, "Relax dude. You're forgetting that whatever she dishes out, she'll get back twice as bad. You and I are the prank masters—the girl's got nothing on us."

Kwest laughed, "I suppose you're right. So how 'bout that pizza?"

He nodded and led the way downstairs. "Pizza."

Jude was seething in the closet. Okay… maybe she had set herself up for this when she locked herself in the closet, but she really wasn't expecting him to trap her in here.

When she was listening to Kwest and Tommy mumbling through the door, she had come to a decision.

She was going to make their lives hell.

Now, she didn't have anything against Kwest, but he was an accomplice to Tommy's little game that he had just played, whether he realized it or not. So now, he was fair game.

As she thought about all the various ways she could make their lives hell, a brilliant thought occurred to her.

She knew Tommy prided himself on being the master of cranks and pranks, but he had no idea what she was capable of, mainly because she had never engaged in any of the pranks he set up while they had been together. It had amused her, sure, but she found it even funnier that he had no idea how much of a devious mind she truly had. She knew that it would come to her advantage at some point… and this was it.

The fact that she was living in the same apartment with him was going to make her job a whole hell of a lot easier… and harder. She would certainly have to be cautious around him, that was for sure. But she already was, so that wouldn't be a problem.

What would be a problem though was Tommy in general. He played dirty and would do anything to come out as the victor.

So, whatever she gave out, she knew she had to be prepared to get it back twice as bad.

On the plus side, she knew his tactics, so she had an advantage. Tommy didn't even know that she had tactics. Add another point in her favor.

She would always have an advantage because she knew that he underestimated her.

And she was counting on that.

"Prepare yourself Tom Quincy. You're going to wish you never met me… just like I already do with you."

Jude had to hold back a laugh at the look on his face when she turned him down. He looked positively stunned.

However, the laughter that was threatening to come life quickly died down at the sight of the grin that was playing on his lips. It gave her an uneasy feeling.

He leaned against the bar, propping his elbow up on the counter-top. "Now I'm not sure I like that option…" he trailed off and tilted his head to the side. "Actually, on second thought, how about we forget the drink for now. I have a better idea." His eyes held a hint of mischievousness, which intrigued her.

Jude raised an eyebrow, disgustingly interested in what he had to say. It was those damn eyes… his eyes were her weakness. Damn him. There was something about those sparkling blue orbs that pulled her further to him, as much as she wanted to resist it. She tried not to let it show that she was being affected by his magnetism, but she could guess that she was failing miserably.

He smirked, and she inwardly groaned. Jude figured he had taken notice in her sudden change in demeanor. He pushed off from the bar and came around behind her, shocking her when he tucked her loose hair behind her ears. His touch was electric and she felt it in every inch of her veins. "I want you to dance with me," he said it so slowly and so sensually as he whispered in her ear, that it sent shivers down her spine… and she found herself having a hard time saying 'no' to that request.

"My name's Tom, by the way."

She felt herself being pulled from her barstool, not that she was putting up much of a fight. Not at all. Before she knew what was happening, she saw that he had snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her backside even closer to him. He leaned in further to her and she could practically feel his lips on her ear. "Give in… you know want to."

She had almost done it.

She had almost caved.

And she was so glad that she didn't.

"You really are arrogant, aren't you?"

He dropped his hands from her waist and had come back around to her right side and was now facing her, once again. She noticed him smirk again. "No," he replied smugly.

Fighting the urge to laugh, she raised an eyebrow and folded her arms across her chest. "Really? What would you call it then?"

"I'm not arrogant. I'm just… confident."

She rolled her eyes, unable to keep from doing so. He would call it confidence. "The way I see it, you're arrogant."

Tom laughed. "And the way I see it, you're a snob."

Jude's eyes widened at his bluntness. "Excuse me?"

He nodded and moved closer to her. "You're a snob."

"And you know this how, based on what?"

"You're not even giving me a chance. You think you have me all figured out and it's clear that you've already decided that I'm scum of the earth. That's a snob. Not to mention, that's a person who's highly judgmental. You don't even know me."

Jude laughed. Maybe she didn't know him, but she knew his type. And his type was dangerous. "Okay, so you weren't just flirting shamelessly with that redhead over there a few minutes ago?"

He crinkled his nose in confusion. She begrudgingly noted that he looked pretty adorable with his face all scrunched up like that. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"I'm trying to prove a point to you."

"Which would be…?"

Jude sighed, "I'm saying that while I may not know you, I know your type."

"My 'type'?" he looked like he was slowly growing irritated with her. Which was a good thing for her. Maybe he would give up eventually. "And what exactly is 'my type'?" he mused.

"Your type is the type of guy that gets everything he wants. You're probably used to having women fawn all over you, am I right?"

He frowned, "That's actually not true."

"Right. And I don't judge people." She knew she was judgmental. But she couldn't help it. She had to be. She had been burned far too many times to not be.

"I—"

The redhead he was with earlier cut him off abruptly, interrupting their conversation. She didn't look happy. "Tom, I thought we were going to go dance together..." she replied seductively, indicating that they would be doing more than 'dancing'.

Jude smiled, waiting for him to accept the woman's invitation. That was a girl who was willing to throw herself at this man's feet… that woman was easy. Even she could see it.

"Lindsay—"

The woman scowled, but was clearly not put off. "It's Sarah."

Tommy rolled his eyes and Jude was trying really hard not to laugh. He was just proving her point. And he knew it.

Tommy groaned.

This woman was not making his life easy.

Couldn't she see he wasn't interested in her, that he was busy?

"I'm sorry Sarah, but I'm kind of pre-occupied at the moment."

He watched as the redhead he was currently trying to woo quirked another eyebrow at him. She was really starting to annoy him and he was beginning to wonder if it was worth it. He didn't even know her name for crying out loud.

"Oh no, Tom. Don't turn down the lady's offer on my account. Besides, I already turned you down, remember?"

Tommy gritted his teeth in frustration, questioning his sanity when he decided he had wanted a challenge. Seriously, what had he been thinking?

As he was about to respond, Sarah inched closer to him and tried pull him out to the dance floor. He saw her lust-filled eyes and that was what caused him to remember why he wanted a challenge. It was too easy.

He briefly began to wonder if this beauty sitting next to him was the jealous type, but didn't want to chance it.

He didn't want to prove her instincts about him right.

So he regretfully turned Sarah down, noting the look of disgust in her eyes. She was about to walk away when she turned and whispered something in the other girl's ear.

He wished he knew her name.

It was driving him insane that he knew nothing about her.

As he watched Sarah turn around to walk away again, he noted the look of panic in his mystery girl's eyes.

"What's wrong?" he asked, genuinely concerned as to what Sarah said to her.

"Nothing."

Tommy grunted and instantly knew that Sarah had gotten to her.

"What'd she say?" he continued to pry.

"Nothing," she repeated stubbornly.

His eyes grew wide as he saw she was getting ready to leave. He got up to follow her.

"Wait. Where are you going?"

She paused and peered over her shoulder. "Is that really any of your business?"

"At least tell me your name."

She cocked her head to the side, as if pondering the idea.

In the end, she shook her head and turned back around. He felt disappointment creep through his veins as she walked away from him.

This sucked. He knew nothing about her, so his only hope was running into her again by chance. And he hated leaving things that he wanted up for chance.

He hated not being in control of his own life. He hated playing things by ear. It's not that he wasn't spontaneous; because he was… he just didn't like the whole Serendipity concept. He despised the idea of fate.

He sighed and turned towards the bartender, reclaiming his seat, and asked for a drink.

When the man placed his drink in front of him, Tommy decided to take a chance. "You don't happen to know who that redheaded woman was that was sitting here a minute ago is, do you?"

The man shook his head, "Sorry."

"Damn."

He turned to his drink and began to swirl the amber liquid in a circular motion. As he was about ready to take a drink, he felt an arm drape itself around his shoulder.

"How's it going, man?"

Tommy glared at his intruder. Vincent.

"Why did you drag me here tonight, Vincent?"

He tried not to laugh as he saw him wince. "Hated first name usage. Un-cool, dude."

Tommy grumbled and Spiederman laughed. "What's up your butt?"

"Nothing."

"Right and I'm Queen Latifah."

"What kind of comparison is that, dilhole?"

Spied rolled his eyes. "Seriously, dude. What's got your panties in a bunch?"

"I told you already, Vincent. I did not want to go out tonight and you drag me here?"

"Oh come on. I saw you earlier! You were chatting it up with some really fine looking redheads. Looked like you were about to get lucky, too."

"I wish. You couldn't be further from the truth."

Spiederman's eyes widened. "You mean you got turned down? By both of them?"

Tommy laughed. "Oh no. Not both. Sarah probably would have done me right here at the bar."

Spiederman chuckled. "So what's the problem?"

He felt his face scrunch up in shame at his question. "The one I was after turned me down. Flat out. She wouldn't even tell me her name."

Spiederman was in full-on hysterics by this point and Tommy wanted nothing more than to punch him in the face. "Ha ha, laugh it up."

"I'm sorry. It's just that it's not every day that Tom Quincy gets turned down by a chick."

"You're telling me. God, I can't even remember the last time that happened."

"You must be losing your touch, old man."

Tommy growled and playfully engaged Spiederman in a headlock after stepping down from his chair. Vincent was still laughing as Tommy kept in the lock. "I am not an old man Vincent. You better take that back."

"I don't know, dude. I mean you said it yourself—you didn't even want to go out tonight. Since when does Tom Quincy not want to go out and party?"

"Can it, Vincent. Take it back or I'm going to tell Nikki about that time—"

"Okay, you're not an old man! I take it back!"

Tommy grinned and finally released him from the headlock. He knew Spiederman's weakness.

His sister.

As much as it disgusted Tommy to think about it, he could still use it to his advantage when he needed to.

Like he had right then.

"Right. As fun as this night has been for my ego, I think I'm going to call it a night. I'll see ya later, Vin."

"See ya dude."

Tommy had made it to the door and was getting ready to walk out when he heard a seductive whisper assault his ears. He also noted the same familiar scent from the woman at the bar earlier. He knew it was her before she even spoke. To be more accurate, his body sensed it was her. "My name's Jude. Old man," she added playfully.

Before he could turn around and make sure it was her, she was gone.

Tommy grinned.

She had seen his little battle with Vincent, which meant that she had been watching him.

And that could only mean one thing.

She was interested.

And he was winning…