If you've been waiting for a chapter that will really delve into the psyches of out two protagonists, then you will love this. It will be a trip. I have to admit that this is my favorite chapter thus far and, to be honest, I got a buzz just writing it. I hope it gives you the same. Haha...

Thanks again for all the comments. :)

Chapter 8 / Simpatico

The trip home began early. The sun hadn't begun to rise, but they knew they'd better leave before it got too late into the morning. The drive would be hell on them both.

Jude chewed on her fingernails nervously. She never wanted to go home, at least not as it was, but reluctantly agreed nevertheless. She could have waited at least another day before returning and having to suffer a thousand rounds of 21 Questions. Her mom, Sadie, Georgia, EJ, and everyone else who knew of her disappearance would want to know where she went; why she went; why she never told anyone; who she went with. If the mini-vacation had unchained her from any stress, it would come back ten-fold.

How will I explain this? Mom is furious and will grill me until she's hoarse. I doubt Dad even cares. Sadie will begin with the accusations, screaming from every rooftop that I was with Tommy. Sure, I was, but no one has to know that. She sighed internally at the thought. There I go. I'm turning into Tommy. I want everyone to know but... I know, I know. I can't tell anyone. Not yet anyway. But I know Sadie. She will screw this up. My mom will believe her. She will screw this up even more. Hopefully, Dad is too busy screwing Yvette to screw me over. Maybe he'll even be on my side and tell them not to worry, to not think such things. He probably won't, though. He probably won't be there at all. Dammit...

She pulled her finger from mouth, and looked over too Tommy. His hair blew wildly in the crisp air to spite whatever he used to get it to stay in place. His eyes were riveted to the road ahead of them. He barely blinked. She turned from him and faced the scenery passing them in a watercolor blur. A small chill ran the length of her spine. God it's cold! She pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees.

How am I going to handle having Tommy brought up? Yes, Jude, you lie. 'No, nothing is going on. No, he wasn't with me. No, my sister and Tommy didn't break up over me. Yes, I know I'm 17 and he's 23. Yes. Yes. No. No.' Georgia would die if she found out. EJ would tell every publicist from Toronto to Victoria that the famous BoyzAttack! headliner and G Major's top artist was an item. Kwest... who knew what he'd say? Probably give his cheeky smile and ask if it was "good". But they'd never know. I won't tell them a damn thing. I won't until I know it will be ok.

Jude bowed her head to her lap, blowing warm air into the hollow space.

I never knew how much I needed him. Sure, we make a great team professionally and sure, even if we clash, our personalities compliment one another but... God, it goes so much farther than that. I need him like I need to breathe. If he wasn't in my life, I don't know what I'd do. I would've gone crazier by now. Or whatever else.

How will we be after this? How will I be able to take working with him and not stealing a kiss or say what's on my mind about us? Will my music suffer? Will we suffer? I know I will. What am I saying? How I wish I could tell everyone. I wish I could tell everyone that me and Tommy... are finally... something. But I can't. I know it and he does too but... It will be so hard to keep a straight face in the studio with him. But I have to.

I won't tell anyone, not even Jaime or Kat. And when this finally does get out, to hell with everyone. They can all bite me. I mean... I'll feel bad for Sadie only because... I just will, but my mom? I dare her to try to say anything. I dare anyone to say anything.

Jude was already tired even though they'd only been driving a little over an hour. Her mind was racing 60 words-a-second. It made even the simple task of seeing a chore. She closed her eyes, praying sleep would take hold of her for the rest of their journey.

Tommy drove white knuckled, his insides turning every way but straight. He knew things were complicated, but he was Tom Quincy. He would prevail over everything just as he always did. He mentally corrected himself. Jude and I will prevail. The thought of her made him weak. He'd finally quit fighting and for once, things felt more right then they ever had. This was one decision he'd made that was and forever would be right.

The pavement seemed to stretch infinitely. There were no other cars on the road, and it made it hard for his mind to settle.

Right, Quincy. What to tell Georgia. I guess that depends on what Kwest told her. I'll have to talk to him. I know I'll be briefed on the situation for days, asked if I talked to Jude while she was away. Then I'll have to explain why I was gone. I'll lie. I'm good at it, I know that. Dammit, man. Is that even safe to say? Whatever, though. I will only say as much as I have to and will let the rest fall on what's already been and will be said.

Tommy switched driving styles, steering with his left hand while draping his arm over the back of Jude's seat. He stole a glance at her. She sat wound up tightly in the seat, quiet and unmoving. He wondered what she thought, wanted to compare the stories they'd tell.

It's going to be hell when we get back in the studio. I'm a professional man, though. I can take it. But Jude... I know her. She'll be ok in the beginning but... God I hate having to do this to her. He groaned at the thought. Will she be able to cope knowing that we can't just do whatever when everyone is around? Will she break? Man, why are you even thinking like this? She'll be ok. You'll make it up to her. Smooth out this situation first then you two can be "comfortable".

He ran his hands thru his hair, noticing how the moon had disappeared and the horizon was turning a brilliant swash of currants and golds. It was those early mornings that made him think of Jude the way he does. It woke him up to the fact that she was the only one who set him on fire and that he'd never be so lucky to find another girl even remotely like her. It reminded him of the same early mornings in Italy with Sadie and how they never quite measured up to the magnificence he knew when he woke up, knowing he'd go into the studio and make history with Jude.

I have to be with her. I have to have her. I want her as mine and only mine and I never want to let go. I don't want anyone but her. Tom, do you hear yourself? I do, and I mean every word. I want her. I've never wanted anyone as much as I do her. I've never felt alive as much as I do when she's sitting next to me, guitar in hand, and she looks at me and smiles. When she's happy, I'm ecstatic. When she's upset, I die. Sure, it's wrong. I'm not stupid and I know that wanting a seventeen year old could quite possibly be grounds for commitment, but if I gave a damn, it would probably make things different but I don't anymore.

I know I can't tell anyone. Well, except for Kwest. I know he'll keep quiet. Georgia will have my head. Her parents will have my head. Sadie will make it a slower, more painful death. I'll play it cool like I always do when they mention us, but for now, it's going to be kept under lock and key. I can't let them destroy this.

Tommy wished he could turn around and head back in the direction they'd come, but knew it would only screw things up. It was their judgment day and be damned the consequences.