So I'm still having computer dramas but I've managed to scrape this together for you guys.

Since I first mentioned it my laptop has essentially been shoved away in my closet collecting dust and sulking until my friend could take a look at it. We dropped it off as his place today and hopefully he can fix it or at least diagnose the problem.

All of this chapter (save the first scene which was written months back) was handwritten in my trusty little notebook which might have a negative effect on its quality. I tend to abbreviate when I write things by hand since it's so slow and I usually grip the pen too tight and my hand cramps. Not to mention that I write too fast and have a difficult time reading my own writing when it comes to writing it up...

I have been writing a lot and probably have a couple of chapter's worth of scenes ready. However they're all random and the story isn't quite up to them yet. I have four scenes that are all in a row so when we reach those a new chapter should appear instantly. hehe.

Now I'll stop babbling and actually let you read the chapter.

Please comment! I've been in real review withdrawl these last couple of weeks!

Chapter 25: Confrontation

Justin leaned against the soundboard in Studio B as Jude paced the room slowly. He smiled as he glanced about him, "I hear these things are soundproof. You're not planning on murdering me are you?"

Jude's head snapped around as she glared at him, "What are you doing here Justin? With everything that's going on… are you here to cause trouble?"

He shook his head, "I'm here to see you. I'm not happy with the way things ended."

She shrugged, "I'm fine with it. Can't we just leave it at that?"

He pushed away from the soundboard and moved toward her but she shrunk away, turning her back to him as she crossed to the other side of the room. "I don't get why you're so mad at me?"

She turned to gaze at him witheringly, "You've got to be kidding me."

The doubt in his eyes showed the lies behind his words and she hated him for it. "You're scum you know that?" She threw a hand up as she spoke. "You took advantage of an intoxicated girl at a party. Did you know that's actually classified as rape in some places? You knew I wouldn't have consented if I'd been sober. Heck, I remember saying no even when I was drunk but you didn't listen did you? You just kept pushing until you manipulated me into doing what you wanted. What kind of person does that?"

He opened his mouth to speak but she raised a hand to silence him. "Did it have anything to do with who I was? Was it some ridiculous teenage boy bet to see if you could sleep with the famous chick? Did you go and brag about it to your friends afterwards?"

He spoke up quickly, "It wasn't like that. I-"

She cut him off again, "And what's more; you're such a coward that you just slipped away in the night. You didn't stick around to face the consequences; you didn't even leave a note. I woke up alone to the terrifying reality that something happened, something I couldn't even bear to think about and you just returned to your little reality completely unaffected. I couldn't even remember what happened. I couldn't even remember your face. Do you know how terrifying that was?"

His expression was pained and he raised his hand in a pleading motion, mouthing the words, 'I'm sorry.'

"And then you got a second chance; you saw me and you could have stepped up and admitted what happened but you didn't. You took advantage of another situation and lied to me. You really are a coward." She paused, a hand still raised to silence him as she inhaled slowly, attempting to calm herself. She began to pace slowly again but her anger wasn't dissipating, only growing.

"I hate this!" She motioned at him wildly, "I hate the fact that you get to walk away unscathed with little more then the slight nagging of your conscience on occasion while I have to live with the consequences every day for the rest of my life. You went on with your life and one day I realized there was no way I could ever do that again. When I found out I was pregnant I was completely and utterly alone. I had to tell my parents and what was I supposed to say… I never knew his name and I can't even remember his face?"

Justin's eyes widened as she spoke and too late Jude realized what she'd let slip in her barrage of angry words. "So it's mine?"

She sighed and stopped her pacing, lowering her face into her hands momentarily before looking back at him, "It is. I never slept with Tommy. You're the biological father but don't be expecting any father of the year awards."

"Jude, I'm so sorry."

"I had to lie to everyone. You know that? You left me with no other option. I couldn't bear to tell them the truth that I couldn't remember anything. I couldn't bear to be that pathetic girl who lets something like that happen to her, so I lied to my family and I lied to my friends. My parents kicked me out of the house and I nearly lost my job. Tommy put his own life and career on the line to support me when you weren't anywhere to be found."

"I would have helped you if I'd known," Justin argued.

"But I couldn't find you to tell you could I!" Jude yelled. Her voice broke and her hand flew to her mouth to stifle the sob that broke loose. She swore loudly as she spun around and began to pace again.

"I'm sorry," Justin said quietly. "I know you won't believe me and I know it's the most pathetic cop out in light of what happened but I am sorry. I didn't realize. I never understood the consequences. I would have done things differently. I wouldn't have done what I did."

Jude stopped to gaze at him, "But here we are. So what are you going to do now?"

He gulped, glancing about him wildly, suddenly feeling trapped in the small room. "I have to get out of here," he muttered before tugging the door open and disappearing through the crowded G-Major lobby.

---

"You okay?" Tommy strode over to Jude quickly as she slowly walked out of the studio, the palm of one hand pressed to her forehead as if to warn away the migraine she could feel coming on.

She glanced over at the front door Justin had departed through some ten or so minutes earlier and shrugged helplessly. "I'm really not sure about much of anything right now."

He put a hand on her shoulder and led her over to a sofa in a secluded part of the room. "What happened?"

She folded her hands in her lap as she sunk down onto the soft surface. Scratching at her chipped pink nail polish she shrugged her shoulders dejectedly before slowly raising her eyes to meet his. "I told him, Tommy. I didn't mean to it just came out before I realized but…" she shook her head as tears pooled in her eyes, "He knows everything. He knows the truth."

He watched her as she sat shivering on the sofa next to him, muttering numerous apologies that left him to wonder; was she truly more concerned about the possible damage her actions would do to him or to her?

He wondered what would happen between them if the truth did come out. Most likely she'd end up moving out and their relationship would return to the miserable state it had been. Darius would probably fire him simply on the ground's that he'd lied and Jude… would she be better of?

Even if Justin did the best possible thing he could do in the situation – taking responsibility, sharing the burden, offering financial support – he was still the stranger who'd taken advantage of her. Would he leave after three weeks of dirty diapers and being woken up by the baby crying in the night?

And what of Justin and Jude's relationship? Would they end up in some circumstance driven relationship that resulted in a loveless marriage and years of fighting and 'staying together for the kids'. Would he end up hurting her again? What if… what if Jude fell for him? What if the rest of Tommy and Jude's working relationship consisted of him watching from the mixing room, through that impenetrable glass wall as she and Justin played the perfectly happy couple?

Of course he was fine with that. If it was the best thing for Jude then why would he care? He wanted Jude to be happy…

The whole train of thought was silly anyway. It was all based on Justin stepping up and being a decent human being, two things Tommy highly doubted the guy was capable of.

So why'd he dislike him so much? What was he basing his assumptions on, other than, of course, Justin's dark history with Jude and Tommy's gut feeling that had him balancing between overprotective big brother and jealous boyfriend when it came to Jude.

"Contemplating the Universe there?" Jude had calmed down somewhat in the ten or so minutes that had passed in silence and now had her head tilted to the side as she gazed at him, a small smile playing on her lips.

He groaned and rubbed his forehead with his index and middle finger in an attempt to ease the tension. He shrugged, "My head hurts," he conceded jokingly.

She patted him on the back, "That's what happens when you over do it after too little exercise. Your mind just isn't used to thinking very hard." Her eyes were dancing teasingly.

"Well, you bounce back quickly," he remarked in mock irritation. "Seconds ago you were being so nice and concerned about me and now this!"

Her eyes softened at the reminder, a flash of guilt dancing in their depths as her hand returned to his shoulder, slowly running down his arm apologetically. "Sorry, couldn't resist."

He stood to his feet and grabbed her hands, attempting to pull her protesting body to her feet. She wasn't so willing to leave the soft comfort of the sofa and refused to assist in anyway. When he finally succeeded she flew forward, crashing into him with a sheepish grin.

He smiled and pulled her into an impulsive hug. His arms wrapped around her small frame, his hands rubbing her back reassuringly as he closed his eyes momentarily and inhaled slowly.

When he finally pulled away he took her hand in his, swinging it loosely between them as he motioned to the door, "Come on. Let's eat out tonight."

---

Giggling, Jude sidestepped a huge puddle and gave Tommy a playful push toward it as they walked home from the restaurant that night. The push wasn't enough that he ruined his expensive shoes in the puddle but enough to earn an amused glare as he wrapped his arm around her neck, pulling her toward him and messing up her hair with his free hand.

"Okay," she was breathless from laughing as she held her hands up in surrender. "Uncle."

"And what else?" he continued giving her a noogie as he steered her toward the next big puddle on the footpath. He grinned at her frustrated squeals as she attempted to push away from him and avoid the puddle. Offering a last minute reprieve, he scooped her up off the ground just as they reached the puddle then safely deposited her on the other side. He resumed his hair messing.

"And what?"

"You forgot about the best part of the surrender – the bit where you go into great detail regarding just how great Tommy Quincy is."

"Because his parachute pants are just so shiny?" she quirked an eyebrow teasingly.

Ignoring her embarrassing boy band day's dig, he continued unperturbed, "Because he's just so handsome-"

"And modest," she interrupted as she slapped her hand against his back in an attempt to free herself.

He continued as if she hadn't spoken. "and charming," he ignored her disbelieving snort, 'and talented and hey, the ladies just adore him."

Catching him off guard, she suddenly squirmed free of his grasp and raced ahead of him on the footpath. The night was chilly and her cheeks where flushed. He could see their breath wafting about them in the clear night air which hung heavy with moisture following the brief shower that had taken place during their meal.

"Since he's so full of himself why does he need my exaltations?" she asked.

She wrapped one hand around a light post as she spun around it, grinning at him over her shoulder as she sidestepped and shook her hips slightly; to music only she could hear.

"I just bought you dinner," he grabbed her hand and spun her into him, "The least you could do is stroke my ego."

She giggled as he spun her out. The stars twinkled brightly above her head and in that brief moment life was perfect. Justin, the baby, none of it mattered. "If your ego gets any bigger it'll cause the city to implode."

He spun her around him until she squealed at him to stop. "I'll be sick all over you if you keep that up."

He slowed his actions and she staggered a little, putting a hand to her head in an attempt to stop the spinning.

"You still haven't said it," he flashed her a charming smile.

She placed a hand over her heart and pretended to swoon. Changing the pitch of her voice to sound like one of Boyz Attack's many tween fans. "Why 'lil Tommy Q is just the perfectest guy that ever, ever, ever was. I'm going to buy all his CDs, tape every one of his TV appearances, put his poster on my bedroom wall and learn the dance moves from his music videos so we can dance them together at our wedding."

He put an arm around her shoulder as they continued walking home, "Hey, close enough."

"Hey Tommy?" She said a few moments later as they both sidestepped a large puddle.

"Yeah?"

"Just between you and me and if you tell anyone I'll deny it – you are pretty great." She leaned up and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek before tugging on his hand. "Come on, race you to the next corner."

---

Jude sighed as she crossed her right leg over her left in an attempt to get comfortable on the harsh plastic hospital waiting room chairs. It was a couple of days since she'd spoken to Justin during which time she'd heard nothing from him, no text message, no phone call, email, nothing. It had been a few weeks since Tommy booked the ultrasound for her and at five months and a week into her pregnancy she'd finally plucked up the courage to go and see her baby for the first time.

Not achieving her goal of comfort she switched legs, folding her left over her right, only to be unhappy with that result too. Mirroring Tommy's posture as he peacefully sat next to her she sat normally in the chair then gradually slouched down until her head was level with the back of the chair.

Eyeing her, Tommy leaned back on his armrest and grinned, "You're just so seventeen sometimes, you know that?"

"What?" She sat up quickly straightening her jacket and primly resting the palm of her hands on her knees. Already she could feel her palms perspiring with nerves and she gingerly wiped them on the denim of her jeans, hoping Tommy wouldn't notice.

"Still hate hospitals?" Tommy asked.

She shook her head slowly as if to emphasize her disdain. "More than ever."

"And we both know you're not good at the whole 'waiting' thing."

She made a face, "Watch it Quincy."

He leaned toward her slightly, amused interest on his features, "Or what?"

She opened her mouth to answer just as a nurse walked into the room and motioned for her to join her. Slowly Jude turned back to Tommy. She eyed him nervously before tentatively answering, "Or I won't let you come with me."

His eyes widened in surprise, "You want me to come with you."

She glanced down at her hands sharply, "Not if you don't want to. I just thought, well…"

The truth was she hadn't known what she'd thought. When she'd first accepted Tommy's offer of help she'd planned every step of the pregnancy on her own with him in the background as a mere superficial father figure for the sake of the press only. But now she was here and nervous and didn't want to go alone. Going without Tommy almost seemed wrong. Somewhere along the line she'd almost embraced their lie as the truth. Almost...

"Hey," He took her hand in his as he stood to his feet and helped pull her up, "I'd love to come. I would have offered but I thought you wouldn't want me to."

She smiled, "Thanks."

---

Jude felt uncomfortable lying back in the reclining ultrasound chair. It somehow resembled a dentist chair, far too much for her liking. She and Tommy were waiting for the doctor to arrive and in the meantime she compromised by perching on the very edge of her chair. She gazed around her at the diplomas on the wall and scary medical equipment. Her eyebrows drew together in a frown as she eyed the sonogram machine.

Glancing up from the notebook he'd been scribbling in, Tommy smiled, "I don't think it's going to melt or dematerialize no matter how much you glare at it. Looks don't kill hospital equipment."

She groaned and ran a hand through her hair, fluffing it up then patting it down again. "That's probably a good thing. I'm sure my insurance doesn't cover melted machinery. Besides, knowing my luck Sylar would probably turn up and eat my brain if I actually achieved it."

He looked at her if she'd suddenly grown horns and declared the moon was made of cheese. She chuckled, "That's right, you don't watch that show."

He scribbled a few more sentences in his notebook, song lyrics most likely then casually asked, "So what is it that has you so agitated?"

She glanced down at her stomach then back at him in answer. He shook his head, "No, it's not the baby."

Rolling her eyes she slid back in the chair, trying to recline as required and finding herself feeling much like a patient in a psychiatrist's office. "Justin," she spoke the one word, knowing it spoke volumes and was a sentence in itself.

He tucked his notebook in his pocket and looked at her expectantly.

"It's just… it's crazy but I actually feel bad. Like, he should be here and I'm taking that away from him by not telling him about it or inviting him."

He shook his head, "You're right. That is crazy. He walked out on you the other day. He hasn't called or anything. Even if he had I don't think that gives him the right to be here. You're the one suffering for and putting effort into this pregnancy. He hasn't done a thing."

She turned to gaze out the small window to the city down below. The sun had shifted to its afternoon setting and already she could sense the coming arrival of dusk. A pigeon flew across the sky, temporarily blocking out the sun that had been bathing her. Even when it returned she still couldn't suppress a shiver.

Closing her eyes and thinking aloud she remarked, "You're more of a father to this kid right now then Justin's ever been."

She didn't open her eyes to observe Tommy's reaction but odds were she would have been surprised. He didn't cringe or look terrified as most guys his age might at the mention of fatherhood; instead he smiled softly, a faraway expression in his eyes.

Teasers for Chapter 26: Gilmpse

Jude was the first to notice the figure slouching at the door to Tommy's apartment when the two of them stepped out of the elevator. She glanced over at Tommy in time to see his shoulders stiffen and expression darken as he saw him.

She neither sped or slowed her walk, so determined to be unaffected by him, though the true fact was the opposite.

"Justin," she remarked in a monotonous tone.