A/N: Check out the Tentative Acceptance trailer at Youtube! Just run a search for 'Tentative Acceptance Trailer'

This chapter goes out to our new readers: XoSdaDance, jadedsinger88, hmgirl8192, CrownJules and Melissa and of course FraNNie QuiNcY for making us a wonderful Trailer!

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Chapter 10: Discovered

Tommy glanced over at Jude as they drove home. She had her arm propped up on the open window and was resting her head on her chin as she gazed thoughtfully out the window. Suddenly her expression changed from boredom to excitement, "Oh! Isn't that just the cutest puppy ever?" She motioned to a woman walking her Dalmatian as the car passed them.

Tommy smiled as he changed gear, "So dogs aren't evil?"

She shook her head wordlessly, a small smile playing on her lips.

"So you like them with spots?"

She shrugged, "And dots and freckled locks, Whiskers, lickers and eyes that flicker. A Wagging tales that never fails and of course undying love"

He gaped at her and she burst out laughing, "It's from this children's book I had when I was a kid. I really wanted a dog after reading that book." She turned to the window again.

Tommy indicated and turned left, "Did you ever get one?"

She shook her head, "Mum was worried about the smell and it getting dog fur throughout the house and Dad just thought it would be irritating. That's life I guess."

"Well I had a hamster," Tommy declared with a rueful smile.

Jude gaped at him, "Seriously?"

"What's so surprising about that?"

"I guess you just didn't strike me as the hamster type." She shrugged.

"What type do you think I am?" He asked with a joking but interested smile, "A rat?"

Smiling she shook her head, "No," She said with mock sincerity, "I don't think you're a rat."

He rolled his eyes. "I meant the pet rat type- Oh never mind." He shook his head, smiling despite himself.

Jude thought for a moment, "I guess I think you're the dog type but nothing small, like a Chihuahua or something. Maybe a Labrador or Great Dane?" She shrugged again.

They drove past shops littered with Christmas displays. The holiday was a few weeks away and Tommy wondered if he should celebrate the season for once this year; for Jude. He'd never had a tree and other then the occasional polite gift with his friends; the season had gone unobserved since his fifteenth birthday. His hands tightened on the steering wheel as he drove, blinking once or twice he leaned over and turned on the car radio, blocking out thoughts and memories.

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Tommy strode into G-Major early the next morning, a frown residing on his handsome features.

Jude's morning sickness had returned that morning and after a few days respite it had been worse then ever. She'd spent more then half an hour in the bathroom and gauging her mood he'd given her space.

Eventually he'd called through the door that he was leaving for work, putting her favorite CD on to play before departing in a hope that it would cheer her up.

An Intern smiled flirtatiously at him, twirling her hair between two fingers as she passed him, "Hi Tommy," She said with a giggle.

He merely grunted a response and made a beeline for his office. He had a lot of paperwork to catch up on due to leaving work early many nights that week. He noticed Darius talking to a rep at his own office door and he didn't look too happy. He glanced over at Tommy and his expression grew even colder. A slight shiver ran up his spine as Tommy opened the door to Tommy opened the door to his office. It appeared they were talking about him and that could never be a good thing.

"T, Man" Kwest seemingly leapt out of nowhere, causing Tommy to jump back in fright, "Where you been?"

Tommy glanced around, "I'm not late am I?"

Kwest shook his head, "I mean lately. It's like even when I see you you're not all there." He shook his head, "I don't know what's up with you lately."

Tommy grabbed a pan as he sat down on his swivel chair and turned his computer on. "I've just been busy with stuff," He responded with a nonchalant shrug.

Kwest nodded, his expression softening, "I know, I hate Christmas too."

Tommy shook his head a little too firmly, "It's not that."

An awkward silence settled. Eventually Kwest spoke up as he made his way to the door, "Look, watch out for Darius. He's on a real warpath today." He shook his head, "That guy and his moods…"

Tommy nodded absentmindedly, his eyes his computer screen, "Will do."

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Jude smiled as she leaned back on the sofa, the new cushions flashing color into an otherwise stark room. Tommy's apartment was starting to feel like a home. She realized it was starting to feel like iher/i home. She actually felt comfortable enough to sit there wearing pajamas and furry bear foot slippers. Glancing around mischievously and not seeing Tommy in sight she rested her feet on the coffee table, crossing one leg over the other.

Tommy hated people putting feet on the coffee table.

Her fingers absentmindedly tapped against the base of the pencil she was holding as she sketched out lyrics for a song in her journal.

It was strange; this feeling she was experiencing. It was one she hadn't felt in awhile.

She was happy.

Life wasn't perfect and those questions and doubts were still swirling around in the pit of her stomach but she'd once heard someone define happiness as 'being able to look past the imperfections'.

She nibbled on her bottom lip as she scribbled down the bridge of her song. She didn't notice the buzzing of the doorbell she was so lost in her writing.

"Jude? Can you get that?" Tommy called from his bedroom.

A frown rested on her features as she glanced up and looked about, "Huh?" She called.

A frustrated groan drifted down the corridor and Tommy followed it. He'd just gotten out of the shower and his hair was still wet, his shirt was open and he hastily did up the buttons and glared at her. He motioned for her to remove her feet from the table which she did with an embarrassed grin.

The doorbell rang again.

"All right already! I'm coming" He called as he marched over to the door. He'd ordered a pizza earlier and both he and Jude anticipated the buzzing to belong to the deliver boy.

Though Tommy rarely received visitors at his apartment, the two had set up a routine for guests. Jude would hide quickly after scanning the living room for any items that might betray her presence.

That night, due to the expected pizza, they didn't have their normal guard up and she didn't race and hide before he opened the door.

They were both left to gape in horror as Darius stood glowering in the doorway.

"D." Tommy gasped; he released the doorknob that clattered back into position in the otherwise silent apartment.

"Tom," Darius nodded coolly then glanced over at Jude, "Jude," He nodded again. She noticed he didn't seem surprised to see her and as she glanced down at her pajamas, she realized there was no explaining away this situation. This didn't look like a late night song writing session in any possible way. "Can I come in?" Darius asked.

Stepping back, Tommy silently motioned for Darius to enter.

"A G-Major rep saw the two of you at the Clinic a few weeks ago," Darius explained, "He didn't get around to mentioning it to me today – casually, in passing. I think he thought I knew. Then Liam spotted the two of you… shopping for cushions yesterday," He shook his head and chuckled to himself, "See, I was under the impression that the two of you had cooled your little relationship, at my request," He glared at Tommy, "So I'm wondering why the two of you are still cropping up at every odd non-work location together," He ticked them off on his fingers, "A nice romantic lunch, a medical clinic, a mall, a décor shop and here… in your apartment," He glanced over at Jude again, slowly looking her up and down. He turned to Tommy, an accusing finger pointed at Jude, "Normal attire for-" He paused, "Wait, I haven't gotten your lame excuse for this rendezvous yet"

Tommy opened his mouth to speak, and then paused. He'd planned this conversation out in his mind but Darius looked so formidable and Jude so small and scared as she stood behind him that he found himself wanting to find the exact words. He found himself questioning his recent decisions.

Frowning, Darius continued, "And what's funny is the fact that Jude's parents informed me, when I called them today, that Jude is no longer living under their roof. In fact – she hasn't for a couple of weeks now," He glanced over his shoulder at Jude again, "So where has our little rock star been staying?"

There was a long pause during which time Darius glanced between the two impatiently, "Well?"

Looking him dead in the eye and determined not to show fear or allow Darius to faze him, Tommy calmly said, "Jude is living with me. Her parents kicked her out."

One eyebrow rose as Darius scanned Tommy's face, "Are you two still seeing each other?"

Tommy smirked, "Kind of hard not to see one another when we work together and live in the same house."

"Don't mess with me T. You know what I mean."

"The thing is," Jude spoke up for the first time, "I'm pregnant."

Darius gaped at her disbelievingly, and then glanced from her to Tommy and back. Wordlessly he pointed at Tommy questioningly.

"I'm the father," Tommy nodded.

As Darius swore loudly at the revelation, Jude was struck with guilt at her words. How could she have allowed Tommy to get ensnared in her mess? He was risking everything for her. It wasn't fair.

"I want you to know I'm going to do the right thing," Tommy said quickly, "I'm going to be there for Jude and the baby, both financially and any other way required." He glanced at Jude and their eyes met momentarily, then he glanced back to Darius, "This isn't like what you're thinking. I… care about her - a lot."

Jude glanced at her feet, surprised to find herself wishing the lie was the truth. She wished those words had just been spoken by her babies father – that he really cared and would support her in the months and years ahead. She tried to read Darius' expression. Tommy had sounded pretty convincing.

"I want to speak to Jude alone," Darius finally said.

"I don't think-"

Darius silenced him with a raised hand, "What you think means absolutely nothing to me right now," He spoke through gritted teeth, "Now leave the room before I do something you'll regret."

Tommy glanced at Jude and she nodded her consent. With a resigned sigh Tommy left the room. Darius motioned for Jude to sit down at the table then sat across from her.

"I'm sorry Jude," Darius said gently.

There was surprise in her eyes as she glanced up at him, "What for?" She whispered.

"For treating you like an adult when you weren't one. For putting you in situations that you shouldn't have been expected to handle on your own. For leaving you with Tom," He shook his head sadly, "I should have looked out for you more. Then maybe we wouldn't all be in this mess."

"Did Tom…" He paused, "Take advantage of you in anyway? Did he pressure or force you into anything?"

Jude's eyes widened. She shook her head severely, "No!"

Darius reached across the table, putting a hand over Jude's in a fatherly way, "You can tell me Jude; it's ok. He's an adult, you're a minor. The blame for this situation lies with him."

Jude's mind scrambled for a response. She was playing the part of a person she wasn't, nor could imagine or relate to being. She'd always intended to avoid sexual relations with any man she wasn't in a committed and loving relationship with – marriage even. She would never have slept with her producer; not Tommy. But now she had to convince people of a complicated lie she couldn't even sort out in her own mind.

"It was mutual," She said softly, "He did nothing wrong. We both… got carried away. It was a mistake and I wish I could change it but it's on both our heads," She looked down, a tear spilling down her cheek. How Darius interpreted that tear and the truth behind it were entirely different.

Jude longed to speak the truth; 'The blame is entirely on me. Tommy is a better man then I'd ever thought. He's just trying to help me.' But the consequences and outcome of such a confession she couldn't image or bear to face.

Darius nodded, "So you're going to have the baby?"

Jude nodded, "I'm considering adoption though."

Darius drummed his fingers on the table, "How many people know?"

"Just my parents and Sadie."

He shook his head, running a hand over the bald surface, "This is going to take a hell of a lot of damage control."

She slowly lifted her eyes to meet his, "Are you going to liquidate my contract with G-Major?"

He gazed at her. "I don't know," He answered honestly. "I'll have to meet with our guys and decide how to handle this."

Another tear spilled down her cheek and she shook her head, "I'm so sorry Darius. I never wanted this," She shrugged then quietly admitted, "I'm really scared."

Standing, Darius walked around to her side of the table and pulled her into a comforting strong hug, "I don't know if you know this but my mother was only sixteen when I was born." He brushed a tear from her cheek, "She was a strong woman. Be strong Jude, you'll get through this."

It was some time later when Tommy dared to venture from his room. Darius had left a few minutes earlier and he found Jude sitting motionless at the kitchen table.

"What's going to happen?" He asked.

She shrugged lifelessly, "I don't know."

He placed a hand on her shoulder comfortingly and unlike she would have a month earlier; she didn't shrug it away.

Teasers for Chapter 11: Consequences

A moment later the woman's voice interrupted her thoughts. "When is yours due?"

Jude's eyes shot open. "I'm sorry?"

"Your baby; when is it due?"