AN: I admit, I'm completely stunned and amazed by all your feedback. I can't believe how many of you love this fanfic. I really didn't know where to take it after this chapter, but I hope you like what I've come up with.

Disclaimer: I don't own Jude, Tommy, Instant Star, or anything related to the show. Not that I wouldn't love to own Tim Rozon. I'm so glad he's single now. I mean, I know I'm supposed to be sad and all for him because he broke up with his fiancée, but I just have to say, "YAY!" I also don't own what happens in this chapter, as it's shown up several times and in several forms in other fanfics. OK, I'll stop rambling now. Enjoy!

Chapter 23:

I awoke, and grimaced as pain shot through every part of my body. What just happened to me? Where was I? I looked around, and all I saw was white. Was I dead? I heard indistinct voices, but had no idea where they were coming from. I listened closely, and heard pieces of conversation.

Person's voice (sobbing): Kwest, will he ever wake up?

Kwest (answering): Shh, it'll be alright. The doctors said he was in a coma, but because of his age and health, he'll be fine. You'll see.

Person's voice (wavering): "But what if he isn't? This is all my fault. If we hadn't argued, and I hadn't run out into the street, this never would have happened. He wouldn't be in critical condition, and he could die. All because of Sadie."

Kwest (soothingly): "You know it's got nothing to do with Sadie or you and Tommy's argument. Things happen, and though we don't know why, we just have to deal with them as they come. If I know Tommy, he'll come back to us, and he'll be just like he was before. You'll see."

Doctor's voice (fading slightly): "Kwest, Jude, you can come in now. Tommy's awake."

The doctor came back in, followed by Kwest and Jude. Both were shocked to see me conscious, and Jude looked extremely pale. Kwest just looked stunned.

Kwest (recovering first): "Hey Tommy, welcome back."

I looked at him blankly. "Kwest, man, what happened?" My voice came out all scratchy and hoarse.

"You were hit by a car. The cops said she was drunk, and she lost control." Kwest paused, looking at Jude as he spoke. Jude was looking down at the ground, unable to speak.

"Jude, what is it? What's wrong?" I looked at her closely to see what she was thinking, but Jude ran out of the room, tears falling down her face.

"Kwest, what's with Jude?" I was confused.

"Man, you don't remember?" Kwest was shocked.

"Remember what?" I asked, curious.

"You saved Jude from being hit. The car was coming right at her, and you pushed her out of the way just in time." Kwest explained, waiting for my reaction.

"Oh," was all I could say. Then I said, "This must be really upsetting for her, then, since she could have been the one in here instead of me."

Kwest shook his head in response. "No, man, you don't get it. Jude blames herself for you getting injured. She thinks it's all her fault, that because of her, you're injured, and not just physically."

"What do you mean by that?" I was puzzled.

Kwest smiled grimly, "The doctors said you'd have mild memory loss." Noting my confused expression, he added, "You and Jude had an argument right before you saved her. It was about Sadie, like it always is. Jude's always loved you, and when she thought you were with Sadie, she bolted. Right out into the parking lot, and as always, you went after her to explain. When you saw the car coming, you threw yourself right into its path, and you pushed her out of the way so she wouldn't get hurt."

"Kwest, man, you know I'd do anything for her. Do you think I could talk to her now?" I asked, hoping she was up for talking.

"I don't know, man. She seemed pretty upset ever since then, and she hasn't said a word to anyone, but I'll go and see." Kwest got up and left me to process everything he just told me.

A few minutes later, Jude walked in, alone. She looked scared, almost as if talking to me would hurt me even more. I decided to ease her discomfort.

"Hey girl," I said, patting the place right next to me. Jude took a hint and sat down close to me. "Don't look so sad." I teased. "You can't get rid of me that easily." I laughed a little, hoping to break the tension.

Jude broke down. I hated seeing her like this, but every movement I made hurt like hell. "Babe, it's OK, it's not your fault," I assured her.

Jude shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut, as if the sight of me lying in a hospital bed covered in bandages would eventually go away. "Yes, it is, Tommy. It's all my fault," she cried. She threw her arms around me and held me tight. I ignored the pain, and hugged her back. "Jude, it'll be OK. Don't blame yourself for something you had no control over." Jude just cried even harder, and I couldn't take it anymore. "Jude, please, don't cry, OK? You know I can't bear the sight of you crying." I was beginning to get a little bleary-eyed myself now.

Jude noticed this, and pulled back hesitantly. She sniffled, and said, "Tommy, I'm so sorry for arguing with you. If I'd believed you in the first place, you wouldn't have come after me, and you wouldn't have gotten hit."

I gazed deeply into her clear blue eyes, and admitted truthfully, "It's not important now. Coming this close to death has given me a new perspective on things. Forget about everything that's happened to us so far. Let's just focus on the present. You and me. Here. Alone. With no Kwest to bug us." I smiled at her, and reached for her hand. Jude slowly smiled back, but I could tell she was still worried about what was going to happen.

Kwest came back in, and noticed what had happened right away. "It's a good thing I got back so quickly. Leaving you two alone in a room with a bed? You never know what'll happen next." Kwest laughed and ducked as Jude tried to grab him.

The three of us spent the next few hours talking and laughing, until the doctor came back in. "Sorry, but visiting hours are over. You can come back in the morning if you'd like." Kwest and Jude mumbled under their breaths, but rose to leave, promising they'd be back first thing tomorrow morning. I was finally left alone to my own thoughts, as the lights went off in my room.

Meanwhile, Sadie was on the phone at the Harrison house. She was talking to a friend about the latest fashions when she got an unexpected call.

"Mom, someone's on the phone. And they want to talk to you." Sadie waited until her mom picked up, then she hung up, too preoccupied with her own life to wonder what the call was about. A few minutes later, her mom came in.

"Sadie, if you want to call your friend back, the phone's all yours. Just try and keep it short, OK?" Mrs. Harrison smiled.

"OK, thanks, Mom." Sadie smiled, happy that her mom didn't know what was going on.

When her mom left her alone, Sadie picked up the phone once again. She dialed a few numbers, then waited until the person on the other end picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me," Sadie replied. "Did you do it?"

"Yeah, I did. Poor Tommy, he'll never know who hit him," the other person replied, with no remorse whatsoever.

"And poor Jude. She'll be distracted for awhile, since someone tried to run her over, and her upcoming album will be toast. So we'll both get what we've always wanted." Sadie grinnedas she hung up.

AN: What's next for Jude and Tommy? I honestly don't know yet, but if you can give me some of your ideas, then the faster you'll find out. Thanks for all the reviews! You guys ROCK!