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The rain was still falling steadily when Jude's sobs finally faded away. She didn't move, neither of them did. It was like some mystic bond would be broken if they let go of each other and all the anger would come flooding back. Jude finally lifted her head and met Tommy's eyes with a timid look. His lips shook as he pressed them to her forehead, but Jude wasn't sure if this was from emotion or the fact they were both soaked through and freezing. Tommy was at last the first to speak.

"We need to head back," he whispered. Jude shook her head slowly. "Jude, you're freezing."

"I don't wanna see him...I don't want him to die..." she whimpered.

"He's not going to die," Tommy said a little too firmly. "But all you're doing right now is making Kyle and Wally sit there and wonder if two of their friends are gonna make it out of this alright. And at this point they're probably more worried about you." Jude didn't answer. If she wasn't so warm in his arms she would've probably left him alone on the alley floor by now.

"I don't care if you still hate me," Tommy pressed. "Your band, your friends need you right now." She still didn't answer, and she had stopped looking at him. But as Tommy slowly rose to his feet she rose with him, and they headed back to the hospital in silence.

xXx

"Jude!" Kyle exclaimed as her and Tommy found themselves in the hospital waiting room. Wally looked equally relieved and ran up to hug her, but stopped when he caught sight of her hand.

"Jude what did you..." he trailed off, seeing the deep wounds and dried blood running down her arm. Jude let out a choked laugh.

"That? Oh nothing I just punched the shit out of a brick wall." Kyle and Wally's faces blanked in union and Kyle hurried to grab the magazine nearest him.

"Why?" Wally asked dumbly.

"Be glad it was a wall, and not your face dude," Kyle muttered, avoiding eye contact with Jude.

"Scared Bateman?" she laughed. Kyle nodded.

"You're a tough chick."

"Why thank you," Jude said in a thick voice, batting her eyelashes overdramatically. As the three of them laughed there was the loud sound of throat clearing behind them.

"Glad to see you all in better spirits!" The familiar doctor said cheerily, at which they all immediately sobered up.

"No no, it's fine," he said quickly, noticing their change in demeanor. "I don't think you're friend wants you guys depressed over him, he'll want a little laughter around this place."

"How would you know?" Wally asked sharply. A broad grin crossed the doctors face.

"He told me."

Never have four expressions changed that quickly. Even Tommy's eyes gleamed a brighter blue at this revalation.

"He's awake?" Jude asked.

"And he keeps asking for chocolate covered pizza..." the doctor added in an almost confused voice. Jude and they guys laughed.

"Can we see him?" Kyle asked.

"Right this way."

The doctor led the way out of the waiting room with Kyle and Wally hot on his tail. Jude started to follow, but then hesitated and turned back to Tommy. He shook his head, signaling he wasn't planning to follow. Jude nodded in understanding before hurrying down the hall after the band.

"...now this doesn't mean there isn't still a possibility that damage has been done," the doctor was saying when she caught up. "Just because he didn't fall into a coma doesn't mean the brain hasn't suffered harmful effects. I want the three of you to keep a close eye on him. No more drinking..."

"Don't even worry about that," Jude said firmly.

"...and if he starts to feel off in any way I suggest he sees a doctor. But unless more symptoms show, I'd say for now you have your friend back."

They reached Speed's room and the three of them rushed in, all bombarding him with greetings, reprimands, and a back-breaking hug on Jude's part. When he finally got them to back off a little fresh tears were already filling Jude's eyes.

"Don't do that," Speed said gently. "I'm fine."

"Man they had us thinking you were gonna die, you can't blame her for being a little emotional," Kyle cut in. "After all she is a girl."

He ducked just in time to miss the pillow Jude hurled at his head.

"Guys do you think I could talk to Jude alone for a minute?" Speed asked, looking down at his hands. Kyle and Wally exchanged a knowing look and both patted Speed on the shoulder. Kyle gave Jude a soft, brotherly punch on the arm before walking out.

"So..." Jude said when Speed didn't speak immediately. He looked up at her with a serious expression on his face.

"Don't be mad at Tommy." Now Jude looked away. "Jude seriously, it wasn't his fault. ...Ok maybe it was his fault a little but I probably would've punched me to. I shouldn't have kissed you."

"Hey, it was a good kiss," Jude said with a small forced smile.

"Yea," Speed agreed. "But it wasn't right. You were upset and I was smashed and I'm kinda glad Tommy was there to knock me out or things might've gotten completely out of hand."

"Speed you know I love you," Jude whispered.

"Never the way you love him...and I'm ok with that. He really is a good guy, and I know he'll take care of you."

"You make it sound like I'm marrying him."

"I could see it happening."

"Speed he lied to me!" Jude yelled, standing up from the edge of Speed's bed where she had been seated. Speed winced.

"Jude, head," he said holding his hand to his temple in pain. Jude bit her lip and sat back down.

"Sorry..." she said quietly. "He didn't tell me he could have a daughter. I mean even once we got together. Didn't he realize how much this could turn my life, our life upside down? I can't just forgive him."

"Oh like you don't have your secrets?" Speed challenged. "Like you filled him in on every detail of your past relationships? He didn't think you were ready to know obviously, and from his point of view I can see why."

"Your actually agreeing with him?" Jude asked in shock. Speed shrugged.

"I don't wanna see you give up everything over this."

"You amaze me when your sober."

"Get used to being amazed then," Speed said with a small smile, looking down at his hands. "They said I might not be so lucky."

"Good to have you back." She wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug. Speed smiled and closed his arms around her in return just as they heard a throat clearing in the doorway.

"Stop hogging him Jude!" Kyle's voice sounded. Jude laughed and let go of Speed.

"All yours...I'll be back later."

"Where are you going?" Speed asked as she rose to her feet.

"You just make sure tough guy here doesn't start tearing up again," she said nodding towards Kyle who glared at her in response. She flashed him a smile and hurried out of the room.

xXx

Tommy was still sitting in the waiting room when Jude returned. Her heart raced as she drew a deep breath and made her way over to him. He glanced up at her but didn't speak.

"He's alright," Jude said quietly. "Kyle and Wally are talking to him now...God I was so sure something horrible was going to happen."

"He was really lucky," Tommy said. Jude nodded.

"This has been one crazy tour huh?" Tommy smiled in agreement. "Tommy...I don't regret anything that happened. But if I can't trust you..."

"So where does that leave us now?" Tommy asked.

"You lied and I kissed Speed...does that make us even or hopeless?" When Tommy didn't answer Jude sighed and pressed on.

"Our last stop is in Montreal tommorow," Jude said quietly. "You can come with, or you can take a cab back to Toronto tonight. It's up to you."

"You're giving me an ultimatum?"

"It's not an ultimatum Tommy it's a choice. Do you want to be with me or not?"

Tommy looked down at his hands. "I can't get the image of you two out of my head."

"I was upset."

"So everytime you get upset you can go off with whoever you want?" Tommy asked sharply. "Like you said, it's all about trust...and right now I think we might be better off just spending some time apart."

"So this is it?" Jude asked, her voice choked. She didn't expect Tommy to give up this easy.

"I'll be waiting when you get home and we can just say what happens on tour stays on tour."

"I'm not ok with that," Jude whispered.

"Well then, we'll just have to figure that out then. I should get going, there'll be traffic soon. Tell Speed I'm glad he's ok."

And just like that he was gone, leaving Jude alone in the waiting room. They had been pulled too tight and finally snapped under pressure. Jude was too tired to cry or even think. She sat there, shell shocked. It couldn't really be over.