Chapter 7: Subtlety
Tommy and Jude were recording in Studio B. It had been a quiet and rather uneventful day. They hadn't talked much that morning but it wasn't laced with moodiness or awkwardness as in some previous days. They'd simply reached a point where they were comfortable with the silence and not feeling the constant need to fill it with pointless words.
Tommy had sliced up some apples for Jude – apples being the only food she could get away with eating in the mornings and even then, only on good days. He'd made Toast for himself and the two sat at the kitchen table eating in silence.
Jude had scribbled notes on a notepad and Tommy had glanced over with curiosity once or twice. Though she'd noticed, Jude hadn't offered to fill him in. He'd eventually assumed she was preparing a song and he'd hear it at work that afternoon.
Jude had made some decisions the night before. The first had been that school wasn't working. She didn't want to be a high school drop out, however, especially for the reasons of a teen pregnancy. Instead she'd decided to hire a tutor and complete the remainder of her senior year by Correspondence. If she crammed she could finish a few months before the baby was born but it would mean a lot of extra work.
She'd become so self conscious at school and had withdrawn from the other students. She knew the cruelty, gossip and looks she would receive when her pregnancy became public and had simply decided to bypass the entire process.
Jude took her headphones off, midway through a song and sat down on a stool.
"You ok, girl?" Tommy asked as he placed a tentative finger on the microphone button. He tried to keep his actions borderline impassive as he was aware of Kwest seated next to him and observing anything that went on between Tommy and Jude with the same curious amusement that he normally did.
Kwest's observation levels had only increased since the tabloid images of Jude and Tommy at the park came out. It frustrated him to no end that Tommy refused to talk about anything involving their relationship.
"I'm fine," Jude placed a hand on her forehead; her eyes closed tightly, "I think I'm just coming down with a cold or something." She shrugged but the effort was obviously straining as she stopped moving mid-shrug and stayed very still, hoping the waves of nausea that were overtaking her would dissipate.
"Are you sure?"
She suddenly leapt to her feet and raced for the studio door, a hand to her mouth.
Tommy was about to follow suit as he leapt to his feet, nearly knocking over his chair in the process.
"Hold it, Man," Kwest's hand shot out and grabbed Tommy's shoulder. He pushed Tommy back down into his chair, "I don't think you want to do that." He motioned out the window and Tommy for the first time noticed the trap he'd almost walked into.
Darius had been standing at the door of his office, signing for a package that had just been delivered. As Jude had raced from the room he'd watched curiously. At that moment he glanced into the studio and his eyes met Tommy's. Tommy shrugged in response to the question those eyes wordlessly asked.
Having noticed her sister's hasty race through the building, Sadie left her spot at the reception desk and raced toward the bathroom's where Jude had disappeared a moment earlier. It was amusing to watch; she tried to act natural as if nothing out of the ordinary was going on – her walk was a mix between a run and what she hoped was a casual gate. Every few seconds she would speed up, then as if she had to remind herself to do it she would slow down again, tossing casual smiles at passerby's and waving at Darius as she passed him.
"I may not know what's going on but Darius has been watching you like a hawk since the whole thing with Jude," Kwest was speaking and Tommy had to force himself to focus on the words his friend was saying, "and I know that is a mess you don't want to get yourself into." Kwest motioned vaguely in the direction Jude and Sadie had gone and to the spot where Darius stood, an angry frown still on his face.
'You have no idea' Tommy actually found himself smiling as the thought flittered through his mind, 'Just how 'in' that mess I already am'
---
"Jude, Honey?" Sadie tapped lightly on the door of the bathroom Jude had entered. It swung open at her touch. Jude obviously hadn't had the time to close it properly.
Jude was leaning over the toilet, on arm lying across the seat and holding her up, "My body hates me," She murmured.
Sadie gently closed the door behind her then clicked the lock into place. She walked over to her little sister and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She couldn't think of anything to say so she just stood there in silence.
A moment later Jude's body began to shake as she threw up a second time. Sadie held her hair back from her face, and stroked her back.
"My life is ridiculous," Jude murmured when she had stopped heaving. She pulled away from the toilet seat, knowing the nausea had passed and wouldn't return again that day.
"I hear Saltine crackers are good for morning sickness," Sadie offered, "And they say you should drink a lot of water."
Jude shook her head, a slight smile playing on her lips. "You are just full of the most random facts. You know that?" She flushed the toilet then walked over to the sink, splashed her face with cold water then dried it with a towel.
"I looked it up on the Internet last night," Sadie explained, "I printed out a few things about pregnancy that I thought you might find helpful. I've got them in my bag."
Jude turned to face her, a tear running down her newly dried face. "Oh Sades," She walked over and hugged her.
Surprised, Sadie patted Jude's shoulder uncomfortably before fully returning the hug and wrapping her arms around her baby sister in a tight squeeze, "It's going to be ok, you know," She whispered, "You're going to be ok."
---
Jude left G-Major early that day. After returning from the bathroom she'd tried her best to put down a new track but her heart wasn't in it. Tommy eventually gave her the afternoon off.
He was leaving himself a few hours later when Kwest caught up with him in the lobby, "Hey, you want to go out tonight?"
"I don't know, man. I don't really feel like it," Tommy responded, his mind on Jude.
Kwest raised an eyebrow, "You don't feel like going to club? Tom Quincy would rather spend the night at home?" He shook his head, "You've been acting really strange lately. You haven't been out in weeks."
Tommy shrugged, "Maybe I'm growing out of it."
Kwest laughed, "Sure, like that's going to happen."
Though Tommy resented the laughter he didn't let it show. His mind flittered back to his and Jude's conversation when she'd encouraged him to go out with his friends. She'd been right about them getting suspicious.
"Whatever, I'll come," He finally declared, "I'll meet you at Tric' in an hour?" He wanted to shower and change his clothes first, as well as having a quick dinner beforehand. Checking that Jude was ok was also high on his list.
Sadie waved him over to her desk. She glanced at Kwest's departing form and when she was sure he was out of earshot she handed Tommy a large folder, "Jude forgot this. It's some things I printed out from the net last night for her about…" She paused, glancing around her, "You know."
He nodded, accepting the envelope, "Thanks Sadie."
Dusk was falling as he walked out of G-Major and located his Viper in the parking lot. The evening air was chilly and he was grateful for the additional warmth of his leather jacket. He tossed the envelope onto the passenger seat and climbed inside.
---
Jude was in her room when Tommy arrived back at the apartment. He could hear her singing softly, occasionally stopping and adjusting the key she was singing on or altering a chord she was strumming on her guitar. Knowing her writing process and how moody she could get when interrupted, he decided to get ready and check in on her before leaving.
He showered then wrapping the towel around his waist he shaved in front of the mirror. Staring into the condensation stained glass he examined his reflection, wondering if it were just his imagination or if his appearance had changed. He seemed more relaxed somehow, almost happier.
He left the bathroom, pausing to close the door quietly so as not to disturb Jude. It was at that moment that he realized the sound of her singing had stopped. He turned away from the bathroom to come face to face with Jude who was returning from the kitchen with a glass of water. She blushed when she saw him standing there in his towel.
"Oh, you're back from G-Major," She observed, looking anywhere but at him.
He couldn't suppress the smirk that had fixed itself on his face at her obvious embarrassment, "I am," he nodded. "How are you feeling?"
She nodded and coughed nervously, "Fine, I'm fine." Her eyes were fixed on the floor.
He wanted badly to call her on her embarrassment, to offer some teasing remark or flirtation; something that would have her blushing even more but he didn't dare. He was constantly walking on eggshells around Jude, trying not to do something that would cause her to recede into her shell.
"Well, I should probably go finish getting ready," He spoke into the awkward silence that had settled over them.
She glanced up finally, her eyes meeting his momentarily, "Oh? You're going out?"
He nodded, "I'm meeting Kwest at a club."
She nodded, her gaze returning to her feet, "Oh, that's nice."
He felt guilty then, seeing her disappointment at his departure. It surprised him and he wondered what it was he was doing wrong. When he was home she avoided him like the plague but yet here she was disappointed when he decided to spend a night with his friends; something she'd encouraged him to do. For a split second the idea of inviting her flittered through his mind but then all the negative outcomes of such an event would most likely dictate her answer and he decided not to.
"Have fun," She finally supplied.
"Thanks," He started walking toward his room and she slowly crossed the hallway to her door. "The new song sounds great by the way." He called over his shoulder.
She paused, her expression clouded, "Thanks."
---
For the life of him Tommy couldn't work out why Kwest was glaring at him. "What?" He mouthed over the pounding music that was drifting in from the dance floor as the two enjoyed the comfortable settings of the VIP area.
"You haven't listened to a word I've said all night!" Kwest responded, frustration lacing his normally placate voice.
Tommy shrugged, "Sorry. I guess I'm distracted." He glanced around him. The club was full of dancing bodies and blinding strobe lights. Normally the adrenaline would be pumping, the alcohol numbing his thoughts and he'd be completely into the clubbing scene. Tonight his heart wasn't in it. The beer tasted sour, the music was giving him a headache and for reasons he couldn't understand – his heart was heavy.
"No, you need distracting," Kwest corrected. He glanced about him then waved to someone over Tommy's shoulder. Tommy turned to see an attractive young blonde a few years younger then he, moving toward them through the crowd, "Sylvia," Kwest called, "Come meet Tommy!" Turning his gaze back to Tommy, Kwest smiled, "You'll like her."
"Kwest, wait," Tommy tried to deter his friends matchmaking attempts, "I'm really not-"
He was too late. At that same moment Sylvia joined them at the table.
"Hi," She smiled brightly at Tommy. Her eyes meeting his momentarily before her gaze roamed over his entire body then returned to his face. She smiled brightly.
"Sylvia this is Tommy, Tommy this is Sylvia," Kwest performed the obligatory introduction, "Now if you guys could excuse me, they're playing my song," He winked at Tommy before departing out onto the dance floor.
Completely ignoring the chair left free by Kwest, Sylvia opted to sit next to Tommy on the small arm chair he was occupying. She practically had to sit on his lap to stay seated. He felt himself stiffen as she leaned up against him provocatively, the opposite of the reaction he'd normally have in such a situation. "So," She smiled, raising an eyebrow then allowed her voice to trail off as she leaned closer.
---
Sylvia's lips were attacking Tommy's ferociously as she slowly inched closer and closer to him, something that hadn't seemed possible to achieve a moment earlier. He wasn't offering encouragement but at the same time he wasn't pushing her away.
Here was a gorgeous woman who was obviously into him and he couldn't decide why he wasn't into the situation or why he shouldn't go with it. Perhaps a little distraction of the female kind would distract from the confusing feelings that had been overtaking him recently.
Sylvia's arm snaked around his neck as she slid over till she was sitting on his lap.
Returning to retrieve his coat, Kwest snickered as he eyed Tommy. "I'm heading home," He raised an eyebrow, "Have fun."
Tommy managed to disentangle himself from Sylvia's lips for just a second. He tried to shoot a 'Don't leave me' look in his friend's direction but it was either not noticed or disregarded. Tommy glared at his Kwest's departing form then jumped as Sylvia's lips began tracing a path down his neck.
"Um, I really should be getting home too," He said quickly, sliding out from beneath her.
She frowned as she watched him put on his jacket, "But we were just starting to get to know one another."
"Yeah, I'm just a little tired. It was a long day, you know?" He started making his way through the crowds and noticed a moment later that she was following him, "It was nice to meet you" He called, hoping she would get the hint and leave.
She rushed forward, catching his arm and latching on, "We should share a cab," She suggested.
"Oh, well-"
"Please?" She looked at him pleadingly, her eyes like large saucers.
He finally nodded in agreement. Ten minutes later they pulled up in front of his apartment and he tried to quickly climb out of the taxi and close the door but Sylvia was too quick for him. Almost magically she appeared at his side when a second earlier she'd been on the other side of the car.
"I'll walk you to your door!" She offered as she took a hold of his arm again. She turned to the taxi driver and quickly paid him.
"Shouldn't you ask him to wait?" Tommy asked. Truth was he knew the game she was playing and had encountered it with many other women. Though it had been years since his boy band days he still had droves of women hurling themselves at him. It was unusual for him to find the fact so annoying.
Sylvia just smiled in response.
---
Jude had just stepped out of the shower when she noticed a lot of commotion coming from the apartment door. She wrapped her bath towel around her body a little tighter and ran a hand towel through her hair as she made her way to the door. If it was Tommy, he seemed to be having difficulty unlocking the door.
"Tommy?" She called, "Is that you?"
"Yeah," Came the oddly strangled response and she could have sworn she heard feminine giggling, "I-" There was a long pause, "I can't seem to get to my keys."
She frowned as she unlocked the door and swung it open. Tommy was barely managing to stay standing as a woman leaned against him, her lips firmly attached to his neck and her hands running over his chest. Tommy appeared to be trying to push her away but Jude wasn't entirely sure if that was his goal or in fact the opposite. She glanced away in embarrassment.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you had company."
Noticing the presence of a female voice for the first time, the girl glanced over at Jude. An instant scowl settling on her otherwise gorgeous features, "Who are you?" She asked.
"Um," Jude flipped through her mental dictionary of lies, wondering which answer was supposed to be given in such a situation, "I'm his… sister," She smiled though she really wanted to match the girl's scowl.
The girl frowned in a manner that showed she didn't quite believe the story but didn't overly care about the truth. She turned back to Tommy and grabbed his hands, "Come on. I want to see your room," She smiled suggestively as she walked backwards into the apartment, pulling him with her.
Jude quickly sidestepped to avoid being backed into then closed the door behind them.
Tommy glanced at Jude, a remorseful expression marring his features, "Jude I-"
Jude put up a hand up to stop him, "I'm still working on my song so don't mind me, you two have fun or… whatever," She glanced away.
Tommy's expression was crestfallen as he glanced at Jude one last time before the girl pretty much forced him into his bedroom and closed the door behind them.
Jude balled her hands into fists, crushing the towel in her hands as she glared at Tommy's bedroom door. She couldn't decide why it was that she was so annoyed by the recent turn of events but she was.
Slowly she made her way to her room, casting one last mournful glance at Tommy's bedroom door before closing her own.
Teasers for Chapter 8: Comfort
He rolled his eyes and shrugged off his leather jacket, "The last thing we need is you getting sick," He explained as he stepped over and wrapped it around her shoulders, his hands pausing on her shoulders for just a split second longer then necessary.
---
Tossing aside reason and the warning voices in his head he walked over and in one swift motion scooped her up into his arms. Her body tense as her head flew up. Wild and tearstained eyes met his momentarily before she began to desperately try to push him away.
