Chapter 18
The Ghost of You and Me

Tommy had decided to record his long awaited solo album. He finally had the right inspiration, and the timing was finally right. Tommy gave Kwest, who was producing him, the signal to start recording. Tommy strummed his acoustic guitar for a few seconds before singing, soft and slow.

What am I supposed to do with all these blues
haunting me everywhere
No matter what I do
watching the candle flicker out
in the evening glow
I can't let go, when will the night be over

The pace became a bit faster as Tommy played into the chorus

I didn't mean to fall in love with you
And baby there's a name for what you put me through
It isn't love it's robbery
I'm sleeping with the ghost of you and me

The guitar became quieter and slower as did his voice

Seen a lot of broken hearts go sailing by
Phantom ships, lost at sea
Well one of them is mine
Raising my glass I sing a toast to the midnight sky
I wonder why the stars don't seem to guide me
(chorus repeated)

The tempo picked up and Tommy put all of his power into the bridge

The ghost of you and me
When will it set me free
I hear the voices call
Following footsteps down the hall
Trying to save what's left of my heart and soul

His voice went back to its original softness

Watching the candle flicker out in the evening glow
I can't let go
When will this night be over
(chorus to fade out)

As he ended the song a frantic Shay darted into the room. With his head down and eyes closed he raised his hand and put up one finger while panting. Kwest and Tommy had the same bewildered look on their faces. When Shay finally caught his breath he began to speak

"It's Jude." Shay said still wheezing, "She's unconscious. She was sitting in her room all catatonic like she's been then wham-o passed-out-ville."

"What!"

"She's in the hospital, come on let's go." At this Tommy slammed his fists down on the table and let out a frustrated scream.

"DAMN IT! I thought she was doing better! It's been three months, three fucking months without incident! GOD DAMN IT!" Tommy smashed his fists against the door making the wood cave in. "Damn good-for-nothing doctors, don't know what the hell they're talking about!"

"Tommy, chill!"

"CHILL! YOU WANT ME TO CHILL! WELL THAT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN MY FIANCE IS IN THE FUCKING HOSPITAL AFTER BEING CATATONIC FOR SIX MONTHS! AND YOU WANT ME TO CHILL!"

"Ok, point taken. How about calm down now, flip out later. We, no you NEED to go see Jude."

"Yea ok whatever. Let's just go." The trio headed out and hopped into Kwest's H2. They made it to the hospital in record timing. When they got to Jude's room, she was still asleep. Dr. Lennon came into the room, looked at the three, looked at Jude then back at the trio and just sighed. "Doc, what the hell is wrong with her now?"

"I… I don't know anymore, the medical reason is exhaustion. She hasn't been sleeping apparently. But I think it's more than that, call it a will to die. I just don't get it, Vikki said she was fine."

"Vikki? As in Victoria? As in Victoria Harrison? Jude's mother?"

"Yeah."

"Well she wouldn't know, she hasn't been by to visit her. And how do you know?"

"Oh, Vikki and I are dating now."

"Oh, well that's wonderful. Her mother's shacking up with her doctor while she's catatonic in a filthy mental hospital."

"We are not 'shacking up', and I do not appreciate you talking to me like that young sir."

"Oh well, pardon me for being a bit ticked, you two are living it up while my fiancé, the love of my life, is miserable."

"Just leave, all of you LEAVE!"

"But Tommy!" Kwest and Shay finally squeaked out

"NO! LEAVE! ALL OF YOU!" Everyone left, Tommy was alone with the exception of a very passed out Jude. He took a seat and grabbed a hold of Jude's hands. "Jude…" He croaked out, he started to cry and pour his heart out, "Don't leave me, please. These last few months without you have been the hardest months of my life. You are my life; I cannot live without my life. You're breaking my heart. Just, don't leave me. I miss you. If you die, you'll take me with you. I can't stand this anymore. Don't go where I can't follow, please." Tommy broke down. Soon his pleas were muffled with the sounds of his sobs. He wrapped his arms around Jude and buried his head into her stomach, pleading her to stay with him. After a few hours he felt a hand on his back, he turned around but nobody was there. He felt it again, tapping his back. The cold hand lingered there for a few minutes before a coughing sound then a faint 'Tommy' was heard. He turned back to Jude's bed. At the sight of her he started to cry again, she was awake. And for the first time in six months had said something. Tommy ran up to Jude and squeezed her.

"Tommy," Jude choked out. "I can't breathe."

"I'm sorry," he said backing up. "I've missed you so much"

"I… I know. And I'm sorry. I heard what you said. I, I never meant to make it hard for you. I just, I don't know. I didn't want to deal with everything anymore. I'm so sorry for being that incredibly selfish."

"Just don't do it ever again."

"Ok I promise, I'll never leave you again." They shared a passionate embrace when Kwest, Shay, Dr. Lennon, Victoria, Kat and Jamie walked in.

"OK Mr. Quincy, you're a miracle worker." Dr. Lennon commented

"Nope, he just knows how to say the right thing." Jude said still in Tommy's embrace. Everyone but Tommy stared at her in shock. Shay was the first one to jump back to reality. He shook his head in disbelief then ran to Jude, grabbed her from Tommy and trapped her in a vice-grip of a hug. Soon everybody else followed, including Dr. Lennon, and enveloped Jude in a huge group-hug. "OK guys, not that I don't love this but I can't breathe." Everyone let go and hovered around her bed. "So, Doc, when can I get out of here?"

"I, um, I… this has never happened under my care before. I ummm guess you can go as soon as the psychiatrists and I check you out. Make sure you've had a full recovery. So everyone can you clear the room." Dr. Lennon did his check up and cleared her. Now it was time for the shrinks. She would be interviewed by three of them and then they would confer with one another and make a decision. One by one the ominous looking men and one woman in suits came and evaluated her. When the last one left she turned to Jude and told her that they would be back in an hour with her results.