A/N: OK, fluff is so hard to write when I'm in drama mod with Low and Black Sunday. Seriously, the transition is so completely the other direction that I'm afraid this chapter has turned to uber-cheesy. But that's ok, it's Jommy after all, right? Great, now I just spoiled the chapter. Anyway, consider this a Happy New Year present from yours truly. I hope to get a Black Sunday update as well, for those on the edge of their seats waiting to see what's going to happen with Tom/Jason. And I must say, I am mad at ff.n. I miss seeing the review alerts! Review alerts make me happy! Though I am stalking the story pages, what can I say, I'm a review whore. Anyway, be on the lookout for a BS update. If it doesn't happen within the next…hour, then it won't be up til 2007! Have a happy new year and I hope you like the fluffy chapter!

Chapter 32

I felt like I was floating. Like I was high up in the clouds and nothing could bring me down. It's like…complete and utter bliss. And then I heard…something; A voice. I wanted to hear it, to make it out, but I couldn't. It was like I was suddenly deaf. I looked around me to see who was talking, but I was blind and unable to see who was talking; only darkness and no longer floating in the clouds. I could feel myself panic, but I couldn't scream. I couldn't reach for the person talking to me. As much as I was panicked and frustrated, the voice comforted me. It made me calm down and brought me back to earth. It grounded me and touched my soul.

"…I knew I could get through it because…because I had you. It…it made the pain less. And when you collapsed at the house…I was scared. I can't loose you girl. I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm sorry I've been an ass when it comes to us, but Jude…"

Tommy? I was completely awake now, but I kept my eyes close. I didn't want him to stop. I tried hard not to cry at his voice. He sounded so broken, so, lost. I wanted to take him in my arms and tell him everything would be ok. But my arms felt like lead and I was still an invalid.

"I'm scared. I'm scared of what I feel for you and how easily I can hurt you or…" His voice shook with emotion, "whatever it is I do. I'm new to this feeling Girl, and I didn't know until all this happened that I…"

He broke off, overcome with emotion. I tried to grab his hand, but my fingers wouldn't work still. Please Tommy, finish your thought. I mentally pleaded with him, trying to get my body to work to let try and coax his words out of him.

"I love you."

The words rang through my head and I wanted to cry. He loves me. I wanted to take him in my arms and kiss him for all he was worth, but I couldn't work through my haze to figure out how to get my body to function once again.

I felt weight on the bed next to me and a soft choking sound of Tommy crying. I had never seen him cry; never heard him cry. Not even after his mom died. It broke my heart to nearly witness his break down and I fought to get my eyes opened.

I blinked against the harsh light and moved my fingers slightly, glad they seemed to be working again. The power of love, I thought as I lifted my hand enough to touch the top of his head and brush through his silky dark hair. I felt him stiffen beneath my touch and his head lifted to look up at me and I tried to smile at him but my muscles weren't completely agreeing with me. I moved my hand and brushed the stray tears from his eyes and he looked away from me, like he was ashamed he let me see him cry.

I tried to say something, anything, but my vocal cords wouldn't work yet and nothing came out but a barely audible squeak. I moved my hand down his cheek and flattened my hand against his cheek, slightly rough from a couple days growth of beard, and turned his face to look at me. His eyes were still tear filled and blood shot, and his gaze was enough to win me a thousand times over.

"I love you too," I managed to say and he smiled at me in response.

We stared into each other's eyes a long moment, not saying anything, just reveling in our love. We finally admitted it. I was scared and happy all at the same time. I was afraid he was going to try and deny it, to pretend we didn't say anything.

I watched him as he turned his face slightly and kissed the palm of my hand. I closed my eyes and sighed contentedly. He reached up and captured my hand in his and interlocked our fingers.

"What now?" I asked him, afraid of his answer but needing it all the same.

"I don't know." He told me, and I had to look away before I drowned in his gaze. "All I know is that I can't pretend like I don't have romantic feelings towards you anymore," He said, sounding drained. "I can't…won't do it." He admitted and I looked into his eyes, filled with renewed determination, and I knew he meant what he said.

"Me either," He smiled at me and leaned down and kissed my cheek, his lips lingering longer than necessary and leaving me wanting more.

"What happens when we-" I was cut off by a rough cough and Tommy waited patiently for me to recover. "when we go back home?" I managed to croak out as he poured me a glass of water from the bedside table. He handed me the plastic cup, my hands shaking slightly from the excursion, and he kept a hand outstretched to help me if I needed it. I took a long drink and handed the cup back to him and he set it back on the night stand.

"We'll figure it out." He told me, caressing my hand. Not quite answering my question, but answering it enough to tell me things were going to change between us.

Hopefully, for the better.

I felt my eyes grow heavy and I blinked a couple times to fight the sudden drowsiness that came over me. Tommy must have noticed the change because his eyes softened.

"You shouldn't fight it," He told me, "you need to rest."

"I'm afraid this is going to be a dream." I told him and he looked away for a moment and then back at me.

"If it is, I don't want to wake up either."

I felt a smile form on my lips and I closed my eyes. Feeling more content than I ever thought possible in a hospital bed. I felt Tommy's hand slip out of mine and my eyes flew open to look at him.

"Stay." I told him, reaching out for him and grabbing the sleeve of his long-sleeved sweatshirt that someone must have brought him.

"I don't think that's in hospital policy," He said with a laugh and a smile. I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop my own smile as well.

"You know what I mean," I said, stifling a yawn.

"Jude,"

"Please?" I asked, giving him my best puppy eyes.

"OK, but at least let me tell Sadie-"

"Sadie's fine," I told him firmly and pulled his arm and he swayed slightly from the sudden movement, "I, on the other hand, am in need of you."

Tommy shook his head slightly and I scooted over on the small bed to make room for him. He glanced over at the door and toed off his shoes before joining me on the bed. I smiled and curled up next to him, laying my head on his chest as his arm wrapped around me and held me close, his fingers playing lazily with the ends of my hair. I sighed in contentment and closed my eyes. Instantly I drifted off to sleep, safe and warm in my love's arms.