The Reason Chapter Twenty Four, an instant star fanfic

A/N Don't own, don't sue

A/N Don't own, don't sue.

A/N Songs: Blessed, Christina Aguilera; Painter, O-Town; and Thank God I Found You, Mariah Carey, Joe, and 98 Degrees.

This is my longest chapter for the entire fic, with 11 pages in word! This is also the last chapter (not counting the epilogue to follow this) for this fic. But never fear! Soon I should have a new fic posted just after the Epilogue for this one arrives in your inboxes! I truly appreciate every single one of my readers/reviewers and plan to leave a better detailed thank you after the epilogue. I hope you like how and where this ended up, I think I might actually be pleased with how it ended up myself. This for me is quite a feat! I have really enjoyed writing this though and walking through Tommy and Jude and life after the show!

Chapter Twenty-Four

Time is a funny thing, the more fun you're having, the better life is, the faster it seems to move. Every moment with her is like that. Time seems to move so fast whenever they're together, life pushing them forward and never really allowing them to truly savor their time together. As his past is put back where it belongs, behind him, they finally returned to London the morning of the concert. They were intending to tell the whole world they were together, the consequences be damned. After all they were both adults now, who was really going to object? They'd been together for this long, producing each other's music. What could really be wrong with it now?

Life however doesn't seem to like them too much. The charade of being nothing more than dear friends, artist and producer, had been put back in place as unexpected guests had taken over their home. Sure it would only be for the day, but didn't Fate understand how hard even one single day of pretending could be?! On opposite sides of the room they sit, chattering away with the group in the living room. "So you're really performing tonight Tom?" Sadie asks arching a brow as she sits as elegantly as ever on the chair nearest to him, her legs crossed perfectly in a fashion that almost begged men to look her way, a dark skinned hand resting upon her thigh just above her knee.

"Yeah T, why did you wait until now? I would have agreed on the spot, you know that." Darius inquires beside Sadie in that deep commanding voice of his.

"The timing didn't feel right then D. There's something about being here in London, about making music with Jude again that just… It inspired me. Besides, here no one questions our every move. There's no one accusing us of being something we're not, or making demands of us they have no right to make." Tom answers almost glaring in Darius' direction. After all he'd tried so hard to stop him and Jude from working together on more than one occasion.

"It's not right for an artist and their producer to do anything more than make music man, you know that. What happens when the relationship sours? The music suffers, but that's not an issue now. You two have given up trying to go down that disastrous path."

"Yeah, but you never would have believed us Darius. No matter what we said you always assumed you knew something we didn't. That we were together even if we weren't." Jude cuts in, the sound of fire evident in her silken chords, and Tom could see it was killing her as much as it was him to argue this. Arguing something that wasn't even an issue now, lying to the people they love.

"It's all water under or over the bridge guys. So Mr. Squinty, any white suits in sight or any shaking of asses tonight?" Speid interjects into the conversation with a playfully charming grin from where he sits beside Karma, glad to be out of Tommy's physical range right about now. "And you've got rules against models and groupies coming here yea?"

That was the final straw; it was bad enough they weren't telling anyone until the concert, not even those closest to him. But to have to sit here and endure this, he just can't take it. He stands suddenly, not bothering to answer Speid as he walks out the front door heading downstairs to the courtyard to think and blow off steam. It's not like he couldn't tell anyone why he was bothered by the guy's words.

Jude sighs, part of her wants to rip Speid apart, the other wants to run after Tommy and find some way to make things okay. It really doesn't take her long to decide what to do. She excuses herself politely as the others start talking about what's going on back home and she slips out the front door. It's not like she doesn't know where to go to look for him since she knew his keys were still inside. They were a lot alike; they went to the same place to seek refuge.

She makes sure he doesn't hear her coming as she walks up behind him reaching out to take his hand. But the moment her hand touches his he pulls away and turns around to face her, the anger still evident on his chiseled features. "This is killing me Jude! I know it's just until tonight, but listening to him talk to me like that? I know you can't defend me without giving it away, but damn it!" He all but growls the last of his words, slamming his first into the trunk of the tree beside him. He winces as he pulls his hand back to find he'd broken the skin, watching almost fascinated by the blood that wells in the wounds.

At first she says nothing, she grabs his hand at the wrist pulling it towards her and not letting him pull away as she leads him to the fountain. Once they've sat down she pulls the scarf from her hair and dips it into the water washing the blood from his hand. As soon as it's clean she wraps the damp cloth around his hand tying it off for the moment. She looks up at him finally; her voice is so gentle, so defeated this time. It lacks the fire he would usually see in this situation because this time the fire is his to be had. It's like they've switched places, he's the one who wants it to be out in the open, and consequences be damned, while she wants to keep it quiet a little longer as to avoid the reactions of others. "I know it's hard Tommy. You don't think I wanted to tell Speid off for talking to you that way? But just think babe, after tonight, this won't even be an issue. Everyone will know, and then it'll be us against the world, yea?" She reaches up to cup the side of his face with her hand, her own head tilting slightly to the side with a half smile upon her ruby tainted lips.

He sighs deeply, leaning towards her until his forehead rests against hers in such a way his long dark lashes are nearly mingling with hers each time they blink. "Think we can sneak away for 'rehearsal' early then? It's killing me up there unable to kiss you when I want, or touch you without worrying."

She glances down at the watch on his wrist before bringing her gaze back to his pale blue eyes. "I think we can swing that. Meet me in the car in ten minutes, okay?" As he nods she stands to her feet, leaning down she captures his lips with her own in a breathtaking kiss before she runs back towards home, upstairs to where their friends were waiting.

"Hey dude! Where'd you go?" Speid quirks a brow hopping off the arm of the chair he'd been occupying beside his wife.

"I just needed to take my call outside, the studio needs Tom and I earlier than expected for sound check. You guys are welcome to hang here until it's time for the concert, I'll make sure the studio sends a car. But Speid, stop being such an ass to Tommy and try and make an effort okay? Jamie's managed to almost make friends with him. Can't you do the same, for me?" Jude pouts adorably, eyeing Karma for assistance.

"Yea Speidy, what's the point in harassing him so much? It's not like he's breaking her heart every five minutes or something. They've managed to actually make a solid friendship here with each other. Can't you let it go?" Her pout is the one that melts him completely and inwardly both women grin as he melts back down in his seat in defeat.

"Thanks." She eyes Karma a moment longer for a silent additional thank you before grabbing her stuff and heading out the door, leaving her friends and family to themselves for the time being.

Now suspicions are high amongst the group from Toronto, but no one seems to be able to fathom the idea of the infamous pair being back together. Their assumptions instead hit everything but the obvious. Why? That's simple, none of them thought Jude was nearly ready to settle down with him, and besides they still slept in separate rooms!

The concert draws near, the group arriving in a limo while Tommy and Jude were already in their dressing rooms getting ready for the evening, being pampered by the label's make up artists, hair stylists, and wardrobe professionals. While they have it fairly easy with Tommy, putting him in a pair of black slacks, a black dress jacket and a navy blue dress shirt, leaving him to do his own hair of course. Jude was a little more difficult as usual. Her protests could be heard everywhere backstage causing Tom to chuckle in spite of himself.

In a way it was good to hear her protesting as usual, to see her being her usual self amongst all the changes in their lives. His hand lifts and he fingers the ring beneath the collar of his shirt idly after the professionals leave him be to ease the butterflies fluttering like mad, reeking havoc with his insides as he waits for his turn on stage.

He leaves his dressing room and heads for the wings, to watch her perform from backstage or well beside the stage really. His pale blue eyes watching as she enters from the other side of the stage in all her glory. Her lithe form wrapped almost lovingly in an ankle length dress of flowing emerald silk, the bodice of which hugs every subtle curve of her body only to curve into a heart shape across her chest, the straps wrapping up around her neck, tiny heart shaped diamonds hanging delicately from her ears while a matching pendent is suspended from a strand of silver as thin as spider silk from her neck. Her hair is held back only on either side with thing diamond study barrettes allowing her hair to flow down around her in its multicolor splendor.

He can't take his eyes off of her as she steps up to the mic and her scarlet colored lips part as she speaks. "Good evening everyone! Are you guys ready for an amazing night?" She takes a half step back grinning from ear to ear as the crowd in front of her roars to life. As soon as they die down slightly she steps forward again continuing. "Excellent! Well we're doing things a little backwards. Normally a new act would come before my performance, however seeing as how the man sharing the ticket with me tonight is a former performer anyway and we never do things the way everyone else says we should, we decided I would start things off tonight! So, are you guys ready to rock?! First off I'd like to welcome some old friends who have graciously decided to help us out tonight. Say hello to Speiderman's Mind Explosion everyone!" As the crowd roars around her again she dips her head three times to count off before the band behind her, the chords to 'Anyone But You' kicking up as she begins to sing.

He watches as she still thrives off the love and adoration of the crowd, as it fuels her and pushes her to put her best forth in every note, and every chord she plays. He loves how her eyes light up brighter than any of the neon lights bathing her delicate porcelain skin in their radiation filled glow. She looks so elegant tonight though, especially as the lights begin to dim around her, the melodies slowing down behind her as she starts into a newer tune, knowing the person it's for is more than aware of it.

When I think how life used to be
Always walking in my shadows
Then I look
At what you've given me
I feel like dancing on my tiptoes
I must say
Everyday I wake
And realize you're by my side
I know I'm truly

Blessed
For everything you've given me
Blessed
For all the tenderness you show
Do my best
With every breath that's in me
Blessed
To make sure you never go

There are times
That test your faith
Til you think you might surrender
Baby I'm
I'm not ashamed to say
That my hopes were growing slender
You walked by in the nick of time
Looking like an answered prayer
You know I'm truly

Blessed
For everything you've given me
Blessed
For all the tenderness you show
Do my best
With every breath that's in me
Blessed
To make sure you never go

Blessed
With love and understanding
Blessed
When I heart you call my name
Do my best
With faith that's never ending
Blessed
To make sure you feel the same
Deep inside of me
You fill me with your gentle touch
You know I'm truly

Blessed
For everything you've given me
Blessed
For all the tenderness you show
Do my best
With every breath that's in me
Blessed
To make sure you never go
Never, never go

As her voice fades, the music following soon after she bows her head a moment, tilting it slightly so she can steal a glance at Tommy to the left of her before lifting her head to the mic and speaking once more. "You guys are an amazing audience! I'd like to welcome out my very first producer who has once more graciously taken on the task of producing me as I thank him by doing the same for his debut solo album due to hit stores the same day as my newest album. So make sure you get both! I give you…. Tom Quincy!" She claps as she steps back watching as he walks towards her leaning in to kiss her cheek and whisper to her. A slight blush rises into her cheeks as she steps away moving to a stool in the corner of the stage as he steps up to the mic.

"Good evening London! Let's give another hand for the beautiful Jude Harrison ladies and gentlemen!" He claps along with the audience keeping his gaze mostly on her even as he addresses their audience. "It's been so many years since I stood here in the spotlight so bear with me if I'm a little rusty! I'd like to start things off slow tonight with a song that goes out to a very special person in my life, and I'd like to thank Speiderman and his band for backing me tonight!"

If I were a painter, mixing my colors
How could I ever find, the blue of your eyes?
The canvas could never capture the light of your smile
Of your smile
And girl if I were a sculpture, working in marble
I couldn't hope to copy your perfect face
The curve of your body
The feel of your skin
My hands could never ever trace

So I'll try and find a melody
As beautiful as you
Find the words to say
Your eyes are bluer than blue
Fill my voice the emotion I'm feeling for you
And now when the beat is so strong
I'll give my heart in a song
Oh girl

If I were an actor I could be someone
Someone who'd always know the right things to say
But as soon as I'd see you
I'd forget all my lines
And you'd never know
What I feel inside

There's no other way
That I know to say
Baby how much I love you
And if you'll only give me a chance
Oh girl

I will try and find a melody
As beautiful as you
Find the words to say
Your eyes are bluer than blue
Fill my voice the emotion I'm feeling for you
And now when the beat is so strong
I'll give my heart in a song

He winks at her as the song comes to a close and the beats behind him begin to increase as he plays on. She watches him with the same admiration and pride that he had watched her moments before. His deep voice seeping into every inch of her skin as he sings, the beats getting harder and heavier as he goes on, but even still she knew some of the songs were for her as much as the first had been even if her London audience didn't have a clue. She knows those from home are beginning to catch on to the subtle hints given throughout the concert, especially when Speid glances in her direction more than once with that suspicious look of his. The others standing front and center look at the two much the same, especially Sadie and Darius as they watch the pair.

It's an hour of wonderful music filling the air around them, making it almost electrifying before Tommy silences the band for a moment taking the cordless mic from the stand and holding his hand out to Jude as he speaks. She walks towards him even as his deep voice is heard, a cordless mic in her hand even as she takes his with her free one. "As we close this concert I'd like to ask Miss Harrison to join me for one final song. This duet will be on both of our albums upon their debut."

Jude smiles lifting the mic and beginning in her angelic chords, her gaze not leaving Tommy.

I would give up everything
Before I'd separate myself from you
After so much suffering
I finally found the unvarnished truth
I was all by myself for the longest time
So cold inside
And the hurt from the heartache would not subside
I felt like dying
Until you saved my life

Her soft angelic tone and his deeper voice mix together elegantly as the chorus begins.

Thank God I found you
I was lost without you
My every wish and every dream
Somehow became reality
When you brought the sunlight
Completed my whole life
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
Cause baby I'm so thankful
I found you

Naturally her voice fades allowing his to take over for the second verse, but never do they look away.

I would give you everything
There's nothing in this world I wouldn't do
To ensure your happiness
I'll cherish every part of you
Because without you beside me I can't survive
I don't wanna try
If you're keeping me warm each and every night
I'll be all right
Cause I need you in my life

Once more her melodic chords join his, it's as if their voices make love each time they join together vocally for the chorus.

Thank God I found you (I'm thanking you)
I was lost without you (so lost without you)
My every wish and every dream (every dream, every dream)
Somehow became reality
When you brought the sunlight (brought the sunlight)
Completed my whole life
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
Cause baby I'm so thankful
I found you

She starts once more, her voice thick with emotion as her blue eyes shimmer in the glow of the lights, though towards the end of this verse their voices join again and into the chorus.

See I was so desolate
Before you came to me
Looking back I guess it shows
That we were destined to shine
After the rain to appreciate
The gift of what we have
And I'd go through it all over again
To be able to feel this way

Thank God I found you
I was lost without you (lost without you baby)
My every wish and every dream
Somehow became reality
When you brought the sunlight
Completed my whole life (whole life)
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
Sweet baby I'm so thankful
I found you

Thank God I found you
I was lost without you
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
My baby I'm so thankful
I found you
(You.. You...)

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
My baby I'm so thankful I found you

Now the difference between the two versions to be found on the albums in the last two lines is who's voice dominates them, as on his album during this portion of the concert his voice dominates the final words and keeping the mic in hand he finally releases hers looking between her and the audience as he speaks again, directly to Jude. "I truly am so thankful that I agreed to produce you as a favor to Georgia. You were a spitfire child I thought was nothing more than a cliché and would drive me completely insane, and your original opinion of me wasn't much brighter as I recall." He pauses winking at her before continuing. "But the moment we took off to do that first re-write I knew I'd been wrong, and with every day you just continued to blow me away. You become my best and truest friend quickly, knowing me better than anyone ever has. You understood me then and now better than anyone on this earth Girl, to the point you scared me to death especially since you were barely sixteen at the time.

And we had our ups and downs through the years. Lots of tears, angry words, fights, and heartache; but I love you as much now as I did from the very beginning, in some ways more as my love for you grew as you and our relationship did. But your youth caught up with us and you needed to spread your wings, so I sat back and let you and now, here we are again." He takes a deep breath, his eyes brimming with tears as he watches her, almost unaware of the audience in front of them as he kneels down in front of her pulling the ring from beneath his shirt, tugging on the chain gently to release it from his neck. Leaving the ring attached to the chain he holds it out to her as he clears his throat and goes on. "I don't want to hold you back from having your own adventures in the prime of your life; we both know I had my own. But I want to be apart of you, apart of your life, because you are my entire universe Harrison. I bought this the night of your farewell concert in Toronto." Instantly he'd admitted to why he was so late that night. "I'm asking you again Jude Harrison, to spend the rest of your life with me. To be my day, my night, my friend, my love, my everything; for eternity; please, will you marry me Girl?" He takes her hand into his own setting the mic down so he has use of both of his hands as he awaits her answer, his eyes never leaving her beautiful face.

She's blind to the audience about half way through his speech, salt born crystal tears spilling freely down the subtle curve of her porcelain cheeks as her shimmering pools of star born electric blue star down at him in awe at every word he speaks and all the emotions she can read on him. She takes a deep shaking breath, holding it for a moment before releasing it as she fights, trying to find her voice as she feels her hand shaking within his grasp. Finally as she nods she speaks in thick emotion drenched chords. "Yes, God yes Quincy." She melts as she watches him slide the ring onto her proper finger, the chain dangling from her finger then as she drops the mic from her hand with a graceless thud onto the stage, ignoring the fact it rolls away from her as he stands in front of her.

Her arms encircle his neck immediately as his wrap around her waist lifting her from the ground delicately as his lips capture hers in a deep, tender, loving, and grateful kiss. The audience, most of which are in tears themselves and silence during this awe inspiring display, finally erupt in a thunderous applause that is almost deafening, as the curtains finally close around the pair; not that the happy couple is aware of any of this in the least.