You're going to hate this: The cliff-hanger still stands. Giving the responses I've been given, I'm not sure if I really want to head down the path I was going to take (I'll get to that drama still) but... hmmm... so many choices when it comes to The Woman. We'll see, though.

This chapter, short. Having a lot of difficulty. HELP! What do you really want to see? Where do you think I'm going? What conclusions have you drawn? What's good? What's bad?

I want to thank everyone for the lovely comments (esp. from music88 and starryeyed68). It keeps me going.

OH YEAH – Verse & Point should have a new chapter tomorrow. I've been playing Matchbox 20 so... yeah. Haha.

Chapter 14 / Shades of Resolve

Kwest knew who he'd seen; there was no mistaking it. It bothered him. He wasn't a man of anxiety or pacing, always the calm one, but today marked a day for firsts. He went from corner to corner, console to sitting to tapping his foot against the wall. This is seriously bad business. I've gotta get them outta here... He knew he had to act fast; Jude and Tommy would need to leave. There wasn't a need for more drama and stress after all Tommy spilled to him.

Some part of him felt bad for them. He wanted to be supportive, but he knew bad things would come from them being together. The age gap aside, people would jump to conclusions. Publicity would be bad, very bad, no matter how hard EJ tried to push it towards a good light. Jude's parents would flip. On top of it all, who knew what would become of the two people he called family? They hurt only themselves and if push came to shove, would they make it through or destroy each other? He knew they loved each other; it was clearly evident to everyone who saw them together regardless of the context, but would love be enough to pull them out of the even rougher patches? No one could answer that. No one tried.

Things were getting too twisted too fast and it agitated him. He felt guilty that he wasn't backing them up 100, but how could he? He didn't think it was right for them to be together – not now anyway. He respected their choices and would help them if they needed it, but as far as him being all-systems-go for their coupling, he'd be the first to explain the many cons to their pros.

Kwest pushed himself off the wall, settling on one of his many plans to get the two away. I help them run but damn them for doing it. I am no good... He knew they were in "Island A", the title of Studio A given by Jude when she told him how she runs away to the rarely used studio to get away from Tommy. They talked a lot. She said it was because she knew he would tell her the truth about things even if they weren't in her favor.

He left Studio B, making his way towards her island. He eyed Georgia's office apprehensively, her and the woman now engaged in what seemed to be heavy discussion. Even as far away as he was, he could still see the concern on Georgia's face. Shit.

He busted through the wooden door of Studio A, startling Tommy and Jude.

"Man, what the hell?" Tommy stared at Kwest, his arm draped around Jude's shoulders. Jude had her leg over Tommy's, her body contouring his side.

"Sorry about that, yo." Kwest scratched the back of his neck, looking around the room. "Georgia just wanted me to ask you if you two were going to finish that song today."

"You bust in for that?"

"I said I sorry, ok?" Kwest was trying not to get annoyed but Tommy's tone was getting to him. "Wasn't trying to kill you two's moment."

"It's cool, Kwest." Jude spoke lazily, killing the possible confrontation between the two men. "Yeah, we're going to finish it today... maybe."

"Well, she said if you wanted, you could take off the rest of the day." He could see the quizzical looks Tommy and Jude were giving him. "Don't ask me, man. Something about inspiration or whatever. I'm just the messenger."

Jude's eyes sparkled at the suggestion, slightly tugging on Tommy's jacket, smiling wickedly.

"Georgia always knows." She stood, straightening her clothes and brushing back her hair. "Come on, Tommy. I need to be mused." Kwest laughed at her innuendo.

"Yeah, Quincy. Muse her."

"Shut up!" Jude mock-glared at her friend, blushing slightly. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Sure, yeah, ok." Tommy chuckled and pulled himself off of the floor with Jude's guitar, the trio leaving the room empty. They chattered mindlessly about this and that, Kwest ushering them towards the exit. Jude caught notice of Georgia's office and her company.

"I wonder who she's talking to." She motioned in the general location, Tommy not really caring and Kwest half-choking.

"Probably another wanna-be. A lot of them of have been coming through lately."

Tommy reached the exit first, opening the door to the outside world.

"Maybe. I don't really care." He held out his hand for Jude. "Let's go... muse." He winked, grinning.

"Yeah... y'all go muse."

"Kwest, I swear to god..." She smacked his arm before following Tommy out. "You're so bad."

Kwest smiled, raising his eyebrows.

"I know."