So I wanted this out sooner than I got it out, but hey I'm still updating within the same month at least. It's a two parter, so I'm gonna try and get the next one out soon. I also have an idea for a one-shot that's been buggin' me so when I wake up tomorrow (since I stayed up till 3:30 to get this out for you guys) I'll write that up real quick and get to 607. The one-shot's gonna be based around what I think's gonna happen in the episode 'My Hometown' for the new season. It's real cute Jude/Tom stuff, so I hope you'll check it out, and also I have a little five parter story I might get out this week called 'What Hurts The Most?' but don't worry, as always this is my main focus. It's so close to done, I ain't lettin' another project get in the way.
For this chapter, I believe you guys will like. There's a scene in here I wrote a year ago. I re-wrote it a little, but it's still weird actually getting to this point in the story. Alright anyway, enough rambling, here's the chapter!
606 Westbound Sign Part One
"Westbound Sign" is a song by Green Day.
"Long, Long Way To Go" is a song recorded by Jude and Speed; originally by Def Leppard,I did not write it.
"Please Remember" is a song written by Jude; originally by LeAnn Rhimes,I did not write it.
606
Westbound Sign Part One
Alexz Voice Over
The past three weeks have got to be the craziest weeks of my life. Not only did I almost kill my producer, get thrown in jail, lose my boyfriend, perform a Lion King cover song, become an aunt, well sort of, I'm put in a position to get an entire new life.
From the outside of the recording booth, Darius, Georgia and EJ watched through the glass as Jude and Tommy played their guitars. Not only paying attention to the music, Georgia also kept an eye the glances they would share, or the times they would laugh. It was like watching a soap. One minute they would get in a little brawl over the music, and the next they'd be laughing hysterically at something the other said.
"I'm surprised Darius." EJ commented. "Never thought you'd keep that girl under control."
Looking over to her, "Read the papers lately?" he asked as his attention went back to the couple in the booth, "That girl holds her own leash."
"Either her or Tommy." Georgia commented, getting both EJ and Darius' attention. "Am I right, Darius?"
However, Darius only stared at her for a brief moment, before looking back in the booth.
I have in my possession the actual Get Out Of Jail Free card. I can leave all my problems behind in a split decision.
"Jude, try switchin' the lyrics around a little." Tommy instructed.
Problem is… Not everything's a problem.
"What do you mean?" she asked, putting her guitar playing to a pause.
"Like… How 'bout we go, 'Sometimes the times just slip away, and you're left with just today, and no more memories.'"
Smiling, "I like it. Write it down." She said, as Tommy searched for a pen.
Darius shrugged, "They dated." He stated nonchalantly. "But I'm sure you knew that."
"Maybe we could've kept up with times if we weren't bought out." EJ threw at him. "And to answer your question─"
"We didn't know." Georgia finished, eyeing Darius. Her focus returning to the two in the booth, she pried even more. "When did they get together?"
Exhaling, he ran a hand over his head, jumping back in time. "I think they got together the first time a little before her eighteenth."
EJ squealed, "Oh, you go girl!" Looking to Georgia, "I always had high hopes for her. After wrapping Shay around her finger and…" catching the warning glares from Darius and Georgia, she quieted down, "Never mind…"
"You said first time?"
Sighing, not liking spilling out Jude and Tom's personal lives, Darius kept his eyes from Georgia as he answered. "Broke up a little before she was goin' off on tour. Don't ask me why, I don't know. Then about a year later while she was with some other guy, she dumped him for Quincy. I didn't let that one last long though. Told 'em they didn't work the first time and to cool it."
Seeing the sparks between the two, Georgia knew there was a but to his story. "And they didn't cool it." Looking back to Darius, "Did they?"
Maybe Tommy's right. If I'd never heard from Georgia, I wouldn't be thinking about California. But Georgia could be right too. All the exposure for my music, exposure I'll never get staying here… Weigh my options.
"Maybe we could work a piano into it, too. Whaddya think?" she asked, as Tommy wrote down some more lyrics.
Nodding as he set the pen down, "I can talk to D and see if he'll let me sit in on piano. If he won't I'm sure Speiderman will."
"Okay, what gives?" Leaning over her guitar she caught his eyes, "How come you're so supportive over me playing this show?"
"What are you talking about?" he asked, hitting a few chords.
"Ever since Georgia showed up, you've been all quiet and moody."
He smiled, "Have not. And besides, I'm being supportive 'cause even though you're not going you should still show this Mike guy how much you rock."
Or be like Tommy and just automatically stick with staying.
"Right. Even though I'm not going." She repeated.
"Right." He replied, playing the previous melody he was earlier.
But I gotta admit. It is kinda cute. In an over-protective big brother type way, nothing more. There's nooo, strings attached on this ship.
"Darius?" Georgia tried again, hearing him instantly sigh.
His focus broke from Jude and Tommy and turned to Georgia. "No. They didn't cool it. Behind my back they dated until the pressure of keeping it a secret made Jude crack. They ended things on good terms and… There you have it. She's had a boyfriend since and he's had a girlfriend."
"But they're both single now?" EJ asked, as Darius only nodded.
Catching both off guard, Georgia reached for the intercom, grabbing Jude and Tommy's attention. "Guys?" she said, as both their heads looked up to her. "Why don't you come inside? You've had enough for today."
"Enough?" Jude asked as she set her guitar to the side.
Tommy shrugged his shoulders. "She's no Darius, I'll tell ya that much."
"Doesn't seem like the same Georgia either." Jude replied, "We haven't even been in here an hour."
"Oh well." He told her while opening the door, "Don't question it."
"Whatever you say." She whispered back, walking in before him and instantly feeling his hand rest on the small of her back, guiding her in. Joining the group however, she felt his hand slip away, but kept his position beside her. "So, G… Let me have it."
Georgia smiled. "What can I say? You still got it kiddo."
"I still got it?"
Tommy couldn't help but let a chuckle slip, "Where'd you think it went, Girl?"
"He's right." Georgia commented, "Still have the same passion as you did when you were fifteen. Now you're going on twenty one." Nudging EJ, "And to think? EJ was gonna vote for Eden."
"Was. But my vote went for you in the final." EJ quickly spit out, but Jude didn't care, only let out a laugh.
"It's okay EJ. So long as I'm not where Eden is now, anything is fine."
Not helping but to ask, "And where is she now?"
"EJ!" Georgia quipped.
"What? Jude's the one putting her business on the table; I'm just fillin' my plate."
Through laughter Jude filled in the blanks. "Eden, according to my best friend, is a homebody, with my ex. No music, except for a crying one year old at two in the morning."
"So much for your pop star, 'ey EJ?" Tommy teased.
"Well it's good to see you're not out having kids without being settled down first." Georgia replied.
With the worst possible timing, the door to the studio opened up and in came Jamie, holding a crying Michelle. "Jude? Jude, you have to help me. She won't stop crying." He pleaded in a panic filled voice.
Exhibit A in my life in Toronto. Best friend becomes a single parent with only a 'Dummies for Daddy's' handbook. Who does he turn to?
"Me?" she asked, looking back over to Georgia who held a shocked look on her face, "This… She's not mine." Jude clarified as Tommy snorted. "Shut up," she told him with a smack up his arm.
"Jude!" Jamie pleaded, while gently rocking Michelle.
"Uh…" she reached out for Michelle and took her in her own arms, "Georgia, do you…"
Shaking her head, "Go ahead. I'll give you a call later."
Although helping Jamie with Michelle, or Kaiden with Speed, or my problems with Tommy, it's just what makes home, well, home.
"Thanks." She told her while following Jamie out the studio. "What do you expect me to do?" she asked while walking out.
Opening Credits
"Jamie, what do you want me to do?" Jude asked as Michelle continued to cry. Gently shaking her as she held her by her shoulder. "I haven't held a baby in… Gees, I think it was when my Aunt Gloria visited back in grade six."
Running his hands through his hair, Jamie shook his head, "I don't know. I've tried everything. She's not hungry; she doesn't have a dirty diaper."
"Maybe she wants her Mom?"
"But her Mom won't talk to me." He replied, continuing to pace. "I can't do this!"
The crying got a little more hysterical, and Jude found herself pacing too. "Alright, alright." She complained, taking Michelle from her shoulder and began to cradle her. Stopping her own pacing, she looked down at the baby in her arms and gently rocked her. "Shh, shh." She soothed, "Hush little baby, don't say a word."
The crying continued as Jude hummed out the nursery rhyme. Jamie looked over to her, as her voice began to sing to the child. "Momma's gonna buy you a mocking bird," her voice turned vocal as the crying died down to little tears besides screaming wails. "If that mocking bird don't sing, Momma's gonna buy you a diamond ring. And if that diamond ring, don't shine, Momma's gonna…" but words left her as she couldn't think of the next lyric.
Jamie looked at her in horror, for fear Michelle would start crying again, but Jude surprised him. Looking down at her, she saw just how much the crying had subsided. "Shh," she cooed. "Uhmm, uh," stuttering, the next lyric would still not come to her.
"If that diamond ring don't shine…" she sang again, noticing Michelle getting antsy again.
"Momma's gonna think of a different rhyme," came a voice Jude would have never expected.
Looking over her shoulder, she saw Tommy, standing there with a smile on his face. Continuing "And if that different rhyme, doesn't flow,"
"Daddy's gonna have to say I told ya so." He smirked, seeing Michelle drift to sleep.
"Well, well, well."
"Oh, God." Tommy sighed, Kaiden's voice registering in his head. Turning around, he watched her make her way into G-Major, a wide smile on her face, and sarcastic comment at the tip of her tongue.
"My, oh my, oh my."
"Kaiden." Jude quietly warned.
Not wanting Michelle to wake up, Jamie hurried to Kaiden, taking her by the arm and directing her toward the studios, and away from Jude. "You wake Michelle up, so help me."
She chuckled, letting Jamie lead her out of the room. "This is the lack of sleep talking right?"
Tommy rolled his eyes before looking back over to Jude, and he couldn't help but smile at her. "Thank God she didn't have a camera."
Looking up from Michelle, she nodded. "That's all I would need right now. Jude Harrison, mother at twenty."
"Press would have a field day."
"Well, they haven't really bothered Patsy at all about it. She is the mother, surprisingly."
Shaking his head, Tommy took a seat on the couch. "Poor kid. What's Patsy's deal?"
"My deal," announced Patsy, making her grand entrance into the lobby, "is being a baby's Mama wasn't put in my deck of cards. Now have either you two seen Jamie?"
Shocked, Jude gaped at Patsy a moment before answering. "You're talking to him again?"
"Nope. Finishing things." And with those words, Patsy left the lobby in search of Jamie, leaving Jude and Tommy to exchange looks of shock.
The door to Studio A opened as Jamie and Kaiden came through, to see Speed before them. "There's your guy."
"Why thank-you, Jamie." Kaiden replied, while making her way across the room to Speed, letting Jamie shut the door and leave them alone. "Whatcha, in studio today for?" she asked while sitting in the chair beside him.
Putting his guitar playing to a stop, he held the acoustic in his lap before answering. "Jude's tryin' to get this song wrapped up by tonight."
"Isn't the show tomorrow though?"
"Last minute, all the time." He replied. "You should know how G-Major works by now."
"Should."
"So, ma' lady. To what do I owe this visit?"
She shrugged, "Bored. Thought you would be the guy to un-bore me."
"Aren't I always?" He replied. "Well, you have till Tommy and Jude hunt me down. Like I said, the show's on Thursday and today's Wednesday."
"Yeah, but Tommy and Jude are too busy playing house right now to come work on the song."
"House?" he questioned, unsure as to what she meant.
Nodding her head, she looked over her shoulder to see if she could spot the two in the lobby, but only saw Patsy and Jamie. "Hold on." She told him while rolling closer to the window, Speed on her tail, just as curious.
"I don't want to be a mother, Jamie. What part of that do you not understand?" she asked tiredly.
"I understand it." He replied, the anger evident in his tone. "But that doesn't change things. We do things we don't want to everyday, it's just life. People do it all the time. You don't give up—you can't just abandon your baby!"
"You will make a great father." She explained, taking his shoulders in her hands, capturing his focus. "You have a good job in the city, and can support this kid and give her a good life."
"With you! Patsy—"
Shaking her head, she cut him off again, "Jamie, this is hard for me too, now dammit, just listen to me alright?!"
Looking around, he spotted the on lookers, pretending to be doing their jobs, but really listening to their personal lives and he couldn't help but not care. His life was falling apart, and the world should know.
Taking a deep breath, she kept her hold on his shoulders while collecting her thoughts to form words of what to say to him. "You and me were never supposed to go this far. Hell, I'm surprised a baby was all it took to break this off."
"Pats…"
"Let me finish." She said, cutting him off and watching him fight back tears. "We hit our roadblock. We… I'm making music here, about to go on tour at the end of the week, and you have a job in New York. You're excited about this baby; I'm ready to leave her on a door step… It just… It's too hard. Patsy Sewer… I'm not cut out for this long term stuff. It's not me."
"It can be." He told her, his voice a quiet, almost pleading tone, not knowing another way to say how to make her stay.
Shaking her head, she let go of his shoulders and let the distance between them increase. "It can't." she told him, turning away and looking for the exit.
(Before I say good-bye, to all I ever knew. To you.)
The sound of two hands clapping together broke Jude's thoughts as she looked over her shoulder to see Georgia standing in the doorway. "Hey, Georgia. What's up?"
"Just checkin' up on ya kid." She replied, taking a seat in Tommy's chair at the soundboard.
"The song will be finished, don't worry. It's like… me and Tommy… If it's not done at the last second it's just not… us? I don't know."
"I have faith in ya, Jude. Don't worry."
She couldn't help but let a small laugh slip through. "I'd hope you of all people would. If it weren't for you… None of this would be happening."
"Exactly why I'm comin' back for ya. Jude… You stood out, stood out showing me something that I've never seen before, and now… The whole world sees it. And down in L.A…. Boy are we gonna take what makes you special and multiply it by ten."
She gave her a smile, but it wasn't one of reassurance on Georgia's behalf. "It's just all so hard. With everything going on right now, and how I'm accustomed to G-Major it's just… it's not easy."
"That's why we're taking baby steps." Receiving a curious look from Jude, Georgia went on, "You write a single, play it for Mike, you do great, we go out for dinner to celebrate. Easy right?"
She shrugged, "But you're leaving out the pack your bags, hop on a plane, say good bye to the place I've grown up in. I just… I don't want to give you any hope I'll say yes if Mike wants to sign me. It's a lot to give up that I'm not sure I want to right now. So… until I know what I want, I'd rather not be pressured by anyone."
Nodding in understanding, Georgia left it at that. She wasn't going to get on Jude's bad side at a time like this. "I completely understand. It is a lot to take in and I know you have a lot to think about."
"Thank you." Jude replied, watching as Georgia stood up.
"You really have grown up since I last saw you." She told her, and all Jude could do was smile. "Write me a kick ass new single, girl. Get ready to rock Mike right out of his seat."
"See ya later, Georgia."
Hours passed and G-Major couldn't help but feel claustrophobic to everyone. With only hours until the concert the next night, Darius and Georgia were both on ends, but Jude and Tommy continued to take their time.
"You held my hand and then you slipped away. And I may never see your face again. So tell me how, to fill, the emptiness inside. Without love… What is life?"
He cut the music, Jude instantly sighing into the mic as a response. "What now?"
"Do you even want to be here?" he asked, getting a curious look back. "You're heads… Not here."
"Great choice of words Quincy." She replied, but he didn't give her a response, only kept his eyes on her waiting to know what was wrong. "I want to be here. I just… I don't want to say good bye."
Before she knew it, Tommy was out of his seat and making his way in the sound booth to join her. "Then don't."
She eyed him curiously while taking the sheet of lyrics and flashing them in his face. "Hello?? Were you there when we wrote the song, or was it just me?"
He chuckled, "I was there."
"Well, then you of all people should know." She explained, "I mean… this is all happening so fast, and I blame you!"
"Me?" he questioned as she continued to vent.
"Yes you. If we'd of started this a month ago when Georgia first threw this out then we wouldn't be under the pressure of last minute stuff."
Letting a smile come forth, he took a seat beside her, "But that's what makes it us." Watching her own smile come forth he saw her become less nerved, "Now c'mon. Loosen up. We can change the lyrics. They don't have to be about saying good bye."
"Good." She replied, "'Cause I got a long, long way to go before I say good bye to this place."
Nodding his head, he couldn't help but feel all giddy that she wanted to stay, but only showed her a smile instead of his excitement. "We'll use that. C'mon. Grab your guitar. We'll re-write the chorus."
(You held my hand and then you slipped away.)
Hours of goofing around, of re-writing, and just being Tommy and Jude took place before the Speiderman boys filed in. Jude showed Speed what her and Tommy had been working with lyric wise for he was to cut in on background vocals near the end.
(And I may never see your face again.)
Soon the band, like always, got together, and it was as if someone sprinkled pixie dust on them for the music came together like magic to their ears. Speed carefully played the acoustic, as Jude sang, both Wally and Kyle sitting back ready to play, but waiting for their cue.
(So tell me how, to fill, the emptiness inside.)
Singing the song wasn't just about the possibility of her leaving. No, that wasn't all it's inspirations. For it had a great deal to do with it, her surroundings helped too.
(Without love…)
Jamie, her best friend since she could remember, was losing love. It killed her to watch his pain, but he wouldn't let her help him. He was an adult and wanted to take care of things himself. Another realization at the point in life she was at. She wasn't a little kid anymore, and really, there was nothing she could do to bring Patsy back to Jamie.
(What is life?)
Kyle and Wally came into the song, smoothly transitioning their parts as the melody slightly picked up for the chorus.
"And every time I turn around." Jude hummed out, her singing starting to increase in volume, "And you're no where to be found, I know."
Letting the music pick up, the band put the song together, Jude leading the way with her voice. Looking to Tommy, about to sing his lyrics, she gave him a smile. "I got a long, long wa—y to go. Before I say good bye, to you. Oh! I got a long, long wa—y to go! Before I can say good-bye, to all I ever knew."
Speed led a small guitar solo, quieting the tempo down back to it's original beat. "To you." Jude sung out, coming close to finishing the chorus. "To you."
(From memory, there is no hiding place.)
Never remembering being so nervous in his life, Jamie stood outside Patsy's door, feeling overly-awkward having to knock. The door flew open, for Patsy had no clue he was planning on stopping by, but when she saw him, she didn't start yelling. Instead she opened the door and allowed him to come inside.
(Turn on the TV and I see you there.)
"So it's really over?" he asked, sitting across the table from her.
"You're not fighting me anymore?"
He shrugged, "No point really? You're not gonna let me win, what's the purpose?"
(In every crowd there's always someone with your face.)
"You know I'm doing what's best—Jamie I'm not cut out for this."
"Okay, okay, I get it. You don't need to keep telling me.
(In every crowd there's always someone with your face.)
Seconds turned to minutes, as the couple just sat there in silence. Neither knowing what to say, but both knowing what they had had for all those years was gone.
"So here we are." Patsy stated, breaking the quiet, "This is it."
Looking up at her through tired eyes, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was over. Since Michelle was born, he hadn't got to kiss her, hug her, even touch Patsy and it killed him, because the girl he was in love with… He would never get to do that again. "This is it?" he choked out.
(Everywhere. Trying not to care.)
Tommy watched as the single was put together. He'd watched these four for four years—Jude for five, and they've grown so much he couldn't believe it.
"Then every time I turn around," Jude sang, breaking Tommy from his thoughts, "And you're nowhere to be found, I know! I've got a long, long way to go, before I can say good-bye, to you. Oh, I got a long, long wa—y to go, before I can say good-bye, to all I ever knew."
The music again picked up, reaching the hook, and it was almost breath taking at how perfect it all came out. "To you, I wish you everything. And all the best that life can bring. I only hope you think of me sometimes. Oh…"
Standing at Patsy's door, Jamie gave her one last look over his shoulder. Nodding his good-bye he wanted to break down right then and there.
(And, even though I feel the pain,)
Feeling for him, Patsy reached out to give him one last hug, trying to make it as simple as it could be to let go. "Good-bye Jamie."
(I know that I will love again.)
"The time will come, oh, and I'll move on!" singing with her heart, Jude kept the pace up as the end of the song neared. "I got a long, long way to go, before I can say good-bye, to you. Oh! I got a long, long way to go,"
Finally coming in on background vocals, Speed sung out, "Got a long way to go."
"Before I can say goodbye,"
"Before I say goodbye."
"To all I ever knew,"
"To all I ever knew." He carried out, totally feeling the music like Jude was.
"I got a long—"
"I got a long, long way to go."
"—long way to go, before I can say—"
"Before I say,"
"—goodbye, to you."
His head now bopping as the song came close to an end, "Say goodbye, say goodbye."
Swaying to the music she hymned out, "Oh, I got a long, long way to go, before I can say goodbye, to all I ever knew, to you." And as she finished, Tommy faded the music out, and looked to the clock, reading the time as four in the morning. Shaking his head of the sleep, he hit the intercom button and announced to the group it was a wrap.
"Alright guys. I think we got it."
"Whoo!" Kyle exclaimed, so happy to be finished.
"Finally man," Wally added in. "Thought I was gonna die in here."
"I was about to." Speed replied through a yawn. "You sure it's done Quincy?"
"You guys will be fine tomorrow night."
"You mean tonight." Jude said, cutting him off.
Smiling back to her, he corrected himself, "Tonight."
"But what about the single?" Wally asked. "Darius said we're sellin' them at the club tonight."
Tommy nodded in confirmation. "It's getting sold, and Mike wants a copy. I'm gonna mix it up right now before I head out, but you guys go get your sleep. You're gonna need it."
"Thank-you!" Speed exclaimed, so happy to throw 'sleep' in his vocabulary now.
The SME boys didn't hesitate to gather their belongings and hurry to the door, anxious for their much deserved sleep, yet on the other hand, Jude wasn't in such a hurry. Joining Tommy in the recording booth, she watched as the SME boys headed out the door, Speed stopping, wondering what was taking her so long.
"You comin' Dude?"
Tommy looked up to her, wondering what she was doing still sitting there, but Jude only shook her head to Speed before taking the chair closest to her and sitting down. "I'm gonna stick around. See how the final copy turns out."
"Jude it's four in the morning, don't you want to get some sleep?" Tommy asked, but she continued to shake her head.
"I'm fine. C'mon, I'll help ya out." She replied, before looking up and seeing Speed still standing there. "Speed it's fine."
Looking over his shoulder, Tommy gave Speed a nod, "I'll get her home."
"Alright Dude." He said while leaving the doorway and hurrying to catch up with Wally and Kyle. "See ya tonight, Jude!" he yelled from down the hall.
Jude let out a breath she was holding in while leaning back in her seat, "So…" she began, staring up at the ceiling, "Think Mike will like?" she asked with a chuckle.
He looked over to her and grinned, "Your comedy at four in the morning isn't so great I see."
She feigned hurt while smacking his arm, "My comedy isn't bad!"
"Ow!" he exclaimed, holding his hand over where she had hit him, "No need to be violent."
"I'll have you laughing all through the night." She told him. "Like that one time, when we stayed up all night just to talk."
He smiled, recalling the exact night, "Yeah, you had the day off at the studio and you slept in till like four. Came home and you were just waking up. Kept me up all night."
"I wasn't tired!" she defended. "Shoulda called in sick to stay home with me."
Chuckling, "Yeah, that wouldn't of been obvious. We were supposed to be a secret, remember?" he asked, gently shoving her chair. "I come home to you just getting out of bed, wearing my clothes, and complaining that you wasted a day of your life for sleep."
"Hey, it could've been a good day, you never know!"
"Yeah, well… I had fun." He said sincerely, while giving her a smile that made her pulse race. "That was the first night I'd ever stayed up doing nothing but talking and laughing with someone. It was nice." And then the atmosphere around them became awkward.
"Yeah." She replied. "It was."
He nodded his head, before looking back to the soundboard, trying to think of a way to change the subject but nothing came to mind.
"So, the song." She cut in.
"Yeah. The song. Lets… The song needs to be mixed." He told her before hitting play to get to work on the song.
First Commercial
With the mixing of the single finally finished, Jude and Tommy wrapped things up at the studio and like the SME boys, didn't hesitate to hurry home. The ride was quiet, both too tired to really strike up conversation, but it was a comfortable silence in the air, well, until Jude decided to break it.
"This place..." she began, "What's it like?"
Tommy took his eyes off the road to look at her in shock, "You've never performed there before?" he asked while watching the road again.
"Honestly..." she paused, "I've never heard of the place until Georgia and Darius said that's where I'm performing."
Tommy instantly merged over to the farthest right lane and got off the freeway at the next exit.
"Uh, Tommy...? May I remind you it's almost five in the morning and my apartment isn't for another few exits? Where are we going?"
"Shipwrecks Saloon."
She paused, "Okay, did you not hear the five in the morning part?"
He pulled out of his pocket a key chain with about five keys on it. "I'm working there tomor—tonight, ya know."
All she really wanted to do was go home and go to sleep, but she had to admit, seeing the place before-hand would be pretty cool. "Are you even allowed in there?"
He shrugged while turning down the street, "Probably not, but it's a night club. No one's gonna be there till around four or five in the afternoon anyway."
A comfortable silence fell upon them again and a few minutes later they pulled into the parking lot at the Shipwrecks Saloon.
"Wow..." Jude said in awe as she got out of the Viper.
The front of the building looked like the front of an old pirate ship as Tommy went up and unlocked the door, holding it open for Jude. The whole inside was so fancy. There was a sign in front of them that read 'First Class — ', which pointed toward a real nice dining area, and ' — Third Class' which pointed toward a regular looking bar, still themed to make it look like a ship.
"This is amazing."
Tommy smiled, "Yeah, the guy who bought the place was totally into the whole Titanic thing," he told her while leading her farther into the club, "All these tables and the china is just like the stuff on the real ship."
"Wow..." She was speechless.
"You haven't even seen the best part." Tommy wasn't even sure if she was listening to him anymore as he watched her observe the tables and decorations, feeling like she was on the movie set.
"This is amazing..." she repeated.
"Check out the stage." he said softly from behind her as he flicked the switch and the stage lit up.
Jude's jaw dropped as her eyes fell onto the stage. There in front of her was a small replica of the Titanic. Half of it at least. It looked like the real thing as she stood on the starboard side.
"You're going to play right there." he whispered as he pointed to the ship.
She saw the mic set up on the deck of the ship outside the Captain's Nook, "How... This is just like the real thing..."
"Yeah." he replied, "Pretty amazing huh?"
She nodded in response as she watched him make his way to the stage and open the little white gate that surrounded the perimeter of the ship. "Can we go up there?" she asked, unsure as she watched Tommy step up on stage. He nodded as Jude quickly made her way over there.
"This feels so real." she told him as she walked across the deck of the ship, "This looks just like the one from the movie."
He couldn't help but laugh at her. So easily amused... "The guy tried his best to get it like the real deal." Tommy watched her, like she was in her own little world as she ran her hand up the railing toward the front of the ship. He walked over by the side of the Captain's Nook and flipped a switch that turned on the vents from the ground.
Jude looked down to the vents, feeling the nice cool breeze on her face as she looked over to Tommy with only a questioning look on her face.
"Why not get the whole effect?" he asked while making his way over toward her.
She only smiled in response as she stood at the front of the ship, "Are these railings stable?"
"What do you mean?" he asked while sitting down on a nearby bench.
"Okay," she sighed, "don't laugh."
He chuckled in response, "Okay."
"No... Never mind. It's stupid."
"What?" he asked, smiling at her, "Just ask."
She hesitated, "Alright, well... I wanted to stand on the railing... you know, like... How they did in the movie." He gave a small laugh. "Hey you said you wouldn't laugh!"
"Sorry. I think it's... cute."
"Uh huh… Sure."
"I do." he responded quickly. "Go ahead, but you know it's not going to be anything like in the movie."
"Yeah, but how many people can actually say they stood on the front of the Titanic like Jack and Rose did?"
"They'll say where was your Jack?"
"Then you be my Jack." Instantly, Tommy put a 'no way' look on his face and shook his head. "Oh, come on Tommy. Just to say we did it."
He laughed, "I haven't seen the movie since I was with Sadie, but wasn't the scene right after that the car scene?"
Jude rolled her eyes, "No that's when he drew her wearing only that necklace."
"Well if we're gonna do this, should do it right." he said jokingly as he stood up.
"Keep your pants on Quincy." she said quickly.
"If you say so." he replied while taking a seat in the bench again.
"You're not going to do this with me?!"
He shook his head again, "And ruin all your fun? Nah..."
She only rolled her eyes and turned back toward the front of the ship, "Your loss."
Tommy watched her step up onto the railing, gripping onto a rope to keep her balance. She held her left arm straight out to her side and closed her eyes as she felt the air from the vents blow on her.
So, she didn't feel like she was flying, in fact, she didn't even see the thrill in it. She was scared to let go of the rope to stretch out her arm in case she fell over the front, which was a good ten feet down, and all in all, there was just no thrill. Right as she was about to get down, however, she felt Tommy's hand on her waist and his other on the hand gripping the rope. She looked over her shoulder, but he only shushed her as he got on the railing himself and slowly un-pried her fingers from the rope, stretching her arms out, giving her wings.
"Better?" he whispered into her ear, as he entwined their fingers.
Jude slightly nodded her head as she closed her eyes again, but this time, it did feel like she was flying.
"Come Josephine, my flying machine," he softly sang into her ear.
Jude joined in on the next line, both softly singing in unison, "Up, she goes... Up, she goes..."
She looked over her shoulder and smiled at Tommy. Her arms slowly un-stretched as they made their way to her waist, his hands resting over hers. Completely losing himself in her eyes, Tommy could only stare at her. His eyes carefully looked over her eyes, her cheeks, her lips—everything, and before he knew it, Tommy couldn't help but lean down and kiss Jude long and soft.
A soft moan came from her, so lost in the moment, at how perfect it was. All those months, all the waiting, wanting, needing, and now… Now it was just her and him. As his lips slowly pulled away from hers, their eyes opened and a small smile began to grow on Jude's face, thinking nothing other than paradise.
Tommy, too, had a smile come to his face, regretting not doing this when she had gotten back from tour. Before he knew it, Jude turned her head again and kissed him. Oh, how she missed this, and as Tommy opened her mouth with his own, deepening the kiss, she knew without a doubt where her heart was.
They felt kinda cheesy making out on the front of a boat. A fake boat. A Titanic replica boat. But none of that mattered to them at that moment in time. He was in the moment. A moment that signaled to him that they were back, or as close to back as they were gonna get at that time.
Suddenly they heard a jingling sound and something drop to the floor causing them to quickly break away from each other.
"What was that?" Jude asked while trying to stabilize her breathing.
Tommy, caught his breath too, as he kept his hold on her. "I don't know." And then there was silence for a few seconds until they heard the drop again. "God, it's probably the janitor." he said as he checked his watch, "Come on." Keeping his hands on Jude's waist, he stepped down and brought her with him. "Here," he said to Jude while whipping his keys' out and searching for a key. Once found, he handed it to Jude, "Go unlock the Captain's nook. I have to hit the lights."
"Tommy—" she began as he hopped off the stage and hurried for the lights and fan switch. He wasn't going to mess up Jude's big chance like that whether he knew she wasn't going either way or not.
Figuring it best to do as he instructed, Jude shoved the key in the keyhole and quickly unlocked the Captain's Nook, seeing that the inside was a sound studio; where Tommy was going to work that night. Watching him through the glass windows as he hurried up through the darkness, she couldn't help but think at how much he must still care about her. She knew damn well he didn't want her to go yet, he still wasn't going to let her chance be ruined by the two of them getting caught.
As he began to climb up onto the stage the door to the back of the club opened up. Jude's head flew towards the little man in the back of the room, dragging a trash can behind him and bopping his head to his walkman.
"He can't hear you." Jude whispered as Tommy continued to silently climb onto the stage. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the old man wasn't paying any attention to him as he quickly jetted toward the open door.
"That was close." He told her, as she shut the door behind him.
Jude let out a light laugh while leaning against the wall and sliding down to the floor. "I feel so bad, ya know?"
He chuckled in response, "Bad?"
"Sneaking around in a nightclub. Hiding from janitors. I feel so rebellious."
"That's the lack of sleep talking, I'm hoping." He replied, sliding down beside her.
Jude checked her watch, "Wow, it's almost six."
Tommy checked his watch as well, "Quarter till." he responded as Jude let out a yawn. "Tired much?"
She nodded, "What do you expect? I've been up for almost twenty four hours."
"And I haven't?" he asked as a yawn escaped.
"See! You're tired too." she told him as she closed her eyes.
"Yawns are contagious."
"That's a myth."
"No. It was scientifically proven."
She chuckled, "Yeah and you know all about that."
"You'd be surprised at the true wonders I know." He replied, causing Jude to only laugh aloud to him. "What? You learn a lot in seven grades."
"True wonders." She mocked, her laughing quieting down. When he didn't respond, only yawn once more, she felt the urge for sleep quickly creep up on her. "There wouldn't happen to be any pillows around here would there?"
"We're not allowed to sleep back in here. Highly doubt you'd find a pillow." He replied, watching as her eyes closed.
Sleep came quick, but Tommy came quicker, for she felt his arm come around her shoulder, and guide her head down to his lap. "What are you─?"
"Shh…" he said while letting her head rest upon his lap. "Get some sleep."
A small nod was her response before her eyes shut tight, and the thought at how incredibly perfect this night had gone flashed through her mind, being her bedtime story before she hit dream land. However, one other thought came into play. How she had to make this night up to Tommy. He'd made everything about it perfect for her, and now she knew she had to return the favor and show him just how much he meant to her.
The apartment door closed behind her as Jude quickly removed her jacket and made her way down toward Kaiden's room, pulling out her cell on the way. "Kaiden!" she called, before her knuckles knocked on the door. "Kaiden, wake up." Continuing her way down the hall to her own bedroom, she heard Kaiden groan and her shoe hit the wall, but didn't pay attention to it. She was on a mission.
With her cell at her ear, she waited impatiently for the ringing to stop as she searched her closet for her keyboard.
"Hello?" she heard on the other line.
"Mason!" she replied in a complete opposite tone he had answered in. "Hey, I don't mean to call this early, but I need your help."
A groan came through the phone receiver, but he stayed on the line, unlike any other person who would've probably hung up by now. "What do you need?"
"To compose a new song… By six-forty five tonight." She added in quietly.
"Alright…" a yawn came forth, as Jude sighed in relief he would help. "What'd you have in mind?"
"Mind explaining why you're dragging me to the rehearsal space at nine in the morning? Weren't you up till like four anyway?" Kaiden asked as she and Jude approached the door to apartment 620.
"How'd you know?" Jude asked while opening the door.
"Speed was brave enough to call me that early to say he finished the song." She informed her. "I mean, how stupid can he be? I told him to give me a call when the song was done thinking we could hang out or something and his dumbass calls at four o clock in the freaking morning."
Holding in a laugh, Jude opened the door to find Mason and the SME boys tiredly setting up their instruments. "Hey guys," she greeted, only getting cold looks in return.
"Dude…" Speed started, before plopping down on the couch. "Why on Earth do you need to record anything for tonight? We were up till dawn doing the last song."
Walking in, she ignored him before heading to the piano and setting her bags down. With all eyes on her, she took a deep breath before over looking the group to explain exactly what she was planning to do.
"Long, long way to go isn't going to cut it tonight." She began, the SME boys instantly groaning.
"Why not?" Wally asked, pulling his bass from its case. "That song was perfect for the situation you're in."
"Leaving…" Kyle pointed out, "Not saying good bye…"
Deciding to voice her own opinion, "Yeah, Jude, what's the deal?" Kaiden asked.
"I have different… Inspirations." She explained, quickly looking away from the group and digging into her back pack to avoid confused glares.
However, it didn't take long for them to point out the different inspiration. Well, it didn't take Speed long. Rolling his eyes, he set his hands behind his head before revealing to the group what—or better yet, who—this new inspiration was. "Quincy."
Sighs or irritation spread through the room, but Jude ignored them, knowing she had to get this done. "Guys… Who or what the song's about isn't the concern. You're supposed to be my friends. Help me out here."
"Ah, don't go usin' the friend card." Kaiden told her while walking to the piano. "We'll help, but just… Jude… Next time…"
Looking back to her, she waited for Kaiden to finish what she had to say. "Yeah?"
"Just sleep with the guy." Kyle finished for her, taking his own seat at the throne or his drum set. "Helps any problems. Trust me."
"Or find some new friends." Kaiden added with a smile before placing her fingers on the keys and warming up for what she had to believe was a long session of song writing.
(I've got a long, long way, to go. Before I say good-bye, to you. Oh.)
The single played through the Studio A speakers, as Tommy listened intently to make sure it was nothing but perfect.
(I've got a long, long way, to go. Before I say good-bye, to all I ever knew.)
The door to the studio opened, breaking Tommy's concentration, but it was a break he was happy to see. Taken back, surprised to see him there, stood Jude, hand still on the handle and mouth still agape. "Hey." He softly greeted, making her knees go weak.
"Hi." She squeaked back. "I was just coming to get my acoustic."
His head nodded toward the back of the room and Jude didn't hesitate to find it, feeling completely awkward after that morning. Tommy himself felt awkward too, but tried to be easy about the situation. There was no regret, no freaking out, and he was actually happy. Looking over his shoulder he watched her pick the case up from the ground, and swing it over her shoulder, a smile playing across his lips.
"What?" she asked, wondering why he was smiling. "Do I have something on my face?"
Tommy chuckled, keeping his eyes on her. "No. You're just… Nothing."
Smiling along with him, she walked back across the room, having an idea of what he wanted to say, however the awkward atmosphere was still intact as they stood there unsure of the words to say to the other.
"Well, I better be goin'. Sadie's ready to dress me up for tonight." She told him with an eye roll. Tommy chuckled, nodding his head agreeing. "So, you're gonna be there, right?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
She shrugged, "I'm… I'm just makin' sure. This is one of the most important show I'll put on in my life. Need ya there, Quincy."
His face softened as his hand held her arm. "I'm gonna be there."
With a racing heart, and breathing becoming easy, Jude felt herself getting lost in his eyes just like she had that morning at the club. "Oh─okay," she stuttered out. "Good." And with that she started her way to the door. "See ya tonight, Tommy."
He nodded, "See ya, Girl."
The door to the studio shut, his last image of her waving him a good bye flashing through his head, and the feel of being the biggest idiot ever going through his mind. Why'd he have to act so nervous? So the last time he had seen her was after sneaking out of the club after doing some pretty intense making out, but still. It wasn't like they had never kissed before, but it was their first step toward being together again.
"It's funny." Came Georgia's voice, interrupting his thoughts.
Tommy turned around, the microphone cords slipping from his grip as he turned to see Georgia standing in the door way at the other end of the studio, barely visible from the lack of lighting. "Where'd you come from?"
"I thought for a while there Jude was actually thinking on taking up my offer." She continued, leaving the door frame and stepping into the light toward him. "Then you two started working on her new single and… Now I hear her just putting on the show tonight to be putting it on."
"You really think she was gonna leave in the first place? C'mon Georgia. I know you're not that naive."
She let out a laugh. "Wow, Tom. I could tell you were avoiding me since I've been here, but never thought our first actual heart to heart would be this─"
"Honest?"
She eyed him for a moment before replying, "I was gonna say, informative, but lets go with honest." Taking a seat in his chair, she kept eye contact with him. "So, seems since you two are so close now, maybe you can tell me how to help her realize I can help career?"
"Maybe by letting her do her own thing."
Another laugh, "She will. In Los Angeles."
"Yeah." He sarcastically laughed back while turning to finish cleaning the studio.
"I need to find what will reel her in. Find what's keeping her wanting to stay in Toronto so I can change that."
Getting a little angry, he turned to look at her, "Why is signing her so important? There's a ton of great artists out there."
"She's the best Tom. She was originally mine."
"And now she's Darius'. You've said it yourself. She's still in the G-Major company, so what's the difference if she's in Toronto or L.A.?"
Rolling her eyes, "I've said this too. There's more to offer her there. She can grow to an even bigger success in L.A. around the Hollywood scene. She could perform at the Bowl, Vegas isn't far─"
"Georgia," he cut in, "There's these amazing crafts now-a-days called airplanes. Buy her a damn ticket!" Angrily, and fed up with her, he turned his back to her again, hurrying to clean up so he could leave. "I don't know what would keep Jude to stay or leave. Ask her. I'm not her secretary."
Georgia nodded her head, but decided to keep prying, "Would she stay for you?" and Tommy didn't move a muscle. Seconds never seemed to go by so slow, for they slowly turned to minutes before Georgia let a small laugh slip through her lips. Walking toward Tommy, she gave him her departing words, "Same ol' Tommy. Why not think what's best for Jude, instead of what's best for you."
His head picked up, but Georgia only kept walking until she left through the same door Jude had, leaving Tommy alone to cope with what Georgia had to say.
Second Commercial
Backstage at the Shipwrecks Saloon things were crazy. People on cell phones and radios walking around, keeping the show in line, wardrobe was all over the place, acts getting their make up done, last minute touch ups. Equipment managers carried amplifiers or other sound equipment back and forth, but the chaos wasn't found just back stage. For Jude may have had her own dressing room, the Speiderman boys were crammed in just one.
"So, the song." Mason announced, also being crammed in the room along with Kaiden, for the two last minute add ins were to never have been involved in the original piece. "About Tommy?"
"When isn't it about Tommy?" Wally asked back.
Sitting up from previously laying on the couch, Kaiden cut into the conversation. "Give her a break. If she takes the L.A. gig, do you know how often she'll see him anymore?"
"You really think she's gonna do it? Dude, she hates going on tour for a few months away from Quincy. Los Angeles move would be permanent. Girl ain't leavin'."
"Wouldn't be so sure Speed," Kaiden replied, "Georgia had her pretty hooked the other day. Kept talkin' to me and Sadie about all the things she'd be getting to do."
"Again," he threw back, "Tom's in Toronto."
A knock from the door came interrupting their little feud. "SME, you guys are on in two."
"C'mon guys." Came Kyle's voice as he left his seat. "We know the songs about Tommy, we know she might go to Hollywood, we know we have to take this performance seriously." Approaching the door, he looked back to them one last time, "Lets just go out and do our best alright. For Jude."
"For Jude." Mason agreed.
Nodding her head, "Yeah. Lets go."
Speed and Wally also stood up from their seats, nodding their heads agreeing with Kyle's words as they made their way out the door.
Across the hallway, Jude's dressing room door opened, revealing a very stunning Jude stepping out of her room.
"Whooo, Instant Star!" Speed cheered with a smirk.
"Oh, thank God you didn't get me in one of those." Kaiden commented, over looking Jude's dress.
"I figured you'd rather look out of place."
"Aw, Jude." Kaiden told her while throwing her arms around Jude in a hug, "After all these years you do know me!"
"Okay, don't mess up my hair Kaiden!" Jude replied as Kaiden let out a chuckle before getting ready to head for the stage. "She mess up my hair?" The Speiderman boys only shared a laugh at her before straightening their tuxes to get ready and head for the stage as well. "Guys I'm serious."
"Jude, you look great." Mason told her as he set a hand on her shoulder, "Calm down."
Nodding her head, she agreed with him before letting her eyes wander around the backstage area. "Hold on." She said, continuing to look around. "Where…" Leaving her spot, she peaked from the corner of the curtains out at the crowd, scanning over the tables at the many parties of people watching the act before her.
"What?" Kaiden asked, wondering what Jude was looking about for.
She turned back toward everyone, the SME boys staring at her curiously, Mason searching for God knows what, trying to spot what Jude had been looking for, and Kaiden waiting for Jude to just explain what was up.
Nerves rushing through her body, she over looked the five before her. "Have you guys seen Tommy?" Jude asked, but everyone only exchanged looks, instead of giving answers. "Speed?"
"What?"
"You guys has… He's here." Still exchanging looks, no one knew what to say. They'd already covered the song was about Tommy. Now if he hadn't shown up… "Will you guys stop looking at each other and look at me." She said firmly.
"Jude…" Kaiden started, unsure what to say. "I'm sure he's here."
"Have you seen him?" And again, no one looked to her, but to each other, knowing it was bad news that Tommy was no where to be seen at this point. "Dammit, stop looking at each other every time I ask a question!" she told them in a higher tone, trying to keep herself from yelling. "Where's Tommy?!"
"We don't know, Dude!" Speed finally spit out.
Her breathing started to pick up as her hand covered her forehead. "Oh God," she sighed, looking for a chair to sit down at.
"Jude," Mason took her arm to keep her from falling down, "Jude, he's here. Tommy will be here."
Out on stage, the act wrapped up their set, giving the crowd their thank yous and taking their bows. Noticing this, "Dude, they're about to call you on stage." Speed told her, trying to snap her out of it.
"And now I'm very proud and honored to be able to introduce our next act of the evening. Jude Harrison, and the Speiderman Mind Explosion, with her new, unreleased hit single, Long, Long Way To Go!"
"Where is Tommy?" she quietly asked to no one unparticular.
Taking her hand, Kaiden started to lead her toward the stage, "C'mon Jude."
Her head shook left to right, trying to stand her ground, "No, no I can't. I can't go out there. I… Kaiden I can't."
"Jude," she sighed, sympathetically.
However, Jude continued to shake her head, as she felt her body grow weak. "I can't."
To Be Continued
607 Westbound Sign Part 2
Green Day
It's the most important performance of Jude's career,
Jude continued to shake her head, as she felt her body grow weak. "I can't."
And Tommy's still no where to be seen.
"Where is Tommy?" she quietly asked to no one unparticular.
But can the night still go as planned?
Taking the mic, "I'm actually singing a different song."
"It's called, Please Remember." she broke eye contact and looked throughout the rest of the crowd, seeing Darius panicking, most likely because she 'wasn't going to plan.'
Will the after party help clear her mind and loosen her up
"I'll down four shots before you swallow your first." He challenged.
With a devious smile, Jude signaled for the bartender then turned back to seal the deal. "You're on."
Or will she lead herself to a drunken mess with consequences she could never imagine?
"This…" Jude paused, unsure how to word what she was about to say, "This is between you and me. We… we can't be a we."
Either way, the performance was just the smallest part of the night.
"I'd be surprised if you didn't want to celebrate." Shane smiled while sitting next to her. "You were really great tonight Jude."
