A/N: Progress has been slow on this story, I've only managed to squeak out another chapter, but I will prevail. Read and Reviews are my candy. Thanks guys, you've all really been wonderful :)

It was two in the morning and they were still at it. Did they have battery packs that they kept switching out? When ever they would take a small break, Jude would finally be able to drift off to sleep, and without fail, every time her eyelids would flutter closed the headboard would start up again, ramming against the wall. She surely didn't want to imagine the two naked country bumpkins going at it. But at the same time, she was somewhat amazed that no accents came out during sex.

Giving up on the idea of sleep, she pushed off the covers and stood up from her bed, raking her fingers through her hair before leaving her room. The hallway was dark except for the moonlight pouring through large open windows that lit her way as she pad footed down the hall. An erie glow cast shadows across the wide corridor and Jude crept with extreme caution. Paranoia overcame her as she reached Tommy's room with her hand on the doorknob, she looked both ways, straining to see if by some odd chance anyone- particularly Grand-mère or Aubrey were hiding out just waiting for Jude to "mess up". With no one in sight, she slowly twisted the handle and pushed the door open just enough for her to stick her head through.

Tommy was sound asleep and sprawled out across the bed. She would have to break him of this habit for a second time once they were back in Toronto again. Not having the heart to wake him just to keep her company she carefully closed the door again and continued down the hall. Finally reaching the staircase, she crept down trying to not make any noise along the way. She managed to do it with only one instance of the wood giving way and groaning under her weight. On the ground floor she wandered in the dark, her hands out before her as she made her way to the kitchen. As she neared, she noticed a dim glow from within and hoped that it was just a light that the staff had forgotten to turn off. She soundlessly crept towards the entrance until she promptly stubbed her toe against the framing of the entrance. Cursing in a fierce whisper, Jude brought attention to herself and a body which had been sitting at the table turned around and noticed Jude peeking around the corner. Henry motioned for her to join him once her hopping around on her good foot had subsided. She limped her way over to him, noticing a spread of milk and cookies on the table.

"Couldn't sleep?" Jude took a seat opposite of him, just as she had earlier in the day.

"I normally wake up around this time. Come down here and sneak in a midnight snack. Anna doesn't let me have cookies or whole milk. Something about high cholesterol and doctor's orders. Is your foot okay? It sounded like it hurt." He genuinely sounded concerned for her as he asked.

"I'll be fine, but I might just have to tell on you with the milk and cookies. I'd like to keep you around a little longer, and I'm sure Tommy would appreciate it too." Jude replied, teasingly.

Henry just smirked and pushed the plate towards her so it was equidistant between the two parties.

"Okay, fair enough." Jude grabbed a cookie and took a bite of the soft baked good.

"So sweetheart, why are you up?"

"Oh you know, couldn't sleep. I had hoped a warm glass of milk would help, but who am I to turn down cookies? And speaking of which…these are delicious. I can't imagine having a personal chef. Tommy and I would probably be a lot healthier though. The studio has been killing us lately." She shook her head and let out a heaving sigh.

Henry got up from the table and walked over to the cupboard retrieving a glass and filling it with milk for Jude. "You love it though, right?"

"Oh gosh yes. I can't imagine doing anything else. Or with anyone else." A smile crept across her features thinking about Tommy. She really couldn't imagine music with anyone else at this point. He had always been there for her, he inspired her, he pushed her, and he helped her grow as a musician more than she could ever have hoped for.

"He really loves you, sweetheart. You should have seen him earlier before we went out. You can't get him to stop talking about you." Henry nodded sagely before returning with the milk for Jude. He returned and put the glass in front of her and she thanked him before replying, "really?"

"Really." He nodded and smiled at her.

"Well then it's a shame that his mother doesn't like me. Henry, did I do something wrong? I just feel like I showed up and that was more than enough proof for her."

"Jude sweetheart, I'm just an old man who goes fishing on the weekends. I like hockey like any good Canadian, and I've lived a full life. And in my 72 years, I've successfully managed to avoid the gossip and drama Anna has gotten mixed in with. You're a doll from all that Tom has told me and I've seen, but I can't get involved in this now. I had to work hard to avoid everything."

Her head nodded in acceptance though it brought her no closer to any answers for the questions she had. "It's just that…I asked Tommy earlier today, after dinner and he wouldn't give me an answer. Told me that if I still had questions when we left then he would answer them. I don't want to play snoop. I feel like if I wanted to have my privacy respected, I should do that for others."

Henry just nodded wordlessly, "If you can hold true to that, you'll be fine, but the rest of them," Henry leaned in as if he was about to divulge all the secrets of the Quincy family, "they're vicious. Take my word for it sweetheart, don't get tangled up with them."

Jude laughed a little too loud before clasping her hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. This family, malicious? Who would have thought.

Once Jude's giggles subsided she only shook her head at her pending Grandfather-in-law and his eyes twinkled with vitality and humor.

"Them? Nooo. I don't believe it. Oh, and by the way, thank you for today. Aside fromn nearly dying, I really had fun."

"Oh the horse was barely trotting."

"Um yeah, if you consider galloping a light trot."

"Quite the one for dramatics?"

"I could have been tossed from the horse, that's all I'm saying." Jude shrugged and suppressed the grin on her face. No wonder Tommy loved his grandparents. "You know, I see why Tommy loves you and Anna so much."

"Eh, it's nothing."

"No really," Jude reached out for one of Henry's hands on the table, "Despite Aubrey, I'm really glad that I got to meet you and Anna. I don't quite…understand her yet, but you two are good people. You must have done a great job raising Tommy's dad because Tommy is wonderful."

Henry just shrugged off her compliment. "Henry, can I ask you something?"

"Anything Sweetheart, but I can't always promise an answer."

"Fair enough. How did Tommy's dad die?" Her eyes were pleading as she looked at Henry, begging him for an answer.

"Cancer."

Jude's face fell, "Henry, I'm really sorry…"her voice trailed off and she looked down at the table, focusing on the grain of the wood as it swirled about in it's own pattern.

"Nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart."

"Can I ask you something else…why does most of the family disprove of his involvement with music?"

"Because-" He stopped himself short, almost telling her, "I think that's something Tom should tell you. Not really my place."

"Yeah…" Jude was now restless with her half answers and she looked around the kitchen only for her eye to catch the glowing green digital readout from the oven. It was three already and before she knew it, she'd have to be up again.

"Well Henry, I should get back to bed so I can be somewhat rested for whatever everyone has in store for me." Jude stood up and brought her glass to the sink before returning to the table and giving Henry a goodnight kiss on the cheek, "Night Grand-père."

"Night sweetheart."