A/N: I know! I managed a post! I'm excited! Earlier than expected (wwwaaaayyy earlier! Go me!) Anyway, I was going to post pone this chapter, but I had planned on staying up until 1:00 am (for the fifth day in the row) working on my internet class assignments (managed to finish about 11:30) so I thought I'd post once again since I am so hyped up on sugar to keep myself awake. :D I'm glad you all liked the last few chapters. Those of you who are confused as to what Tommy's intention was for Jude's B-Day, well, the intention ishinted majorlyhere. You'll see what I mean. And it'll confirm alot of your guys's intuitive guesses. Good going!

I know this post is rather...short, but I promise chapter 12 is slightly longer. We're almost done with this fic and then I'll be working on the third part of this series (sadly, I still have no title, I really need to get moving on one...so if anyone has an idea for a title, it'd be much appreciated.)! So, I hope you all enjoy this post, and I'm currently working on getting chapter 12 ready for posting, between my homework for school (have I mentioned I hate professors? honestly! So much readings and homework, it's enough to make a students head spin like the girl from the exorcist!)

Anywho! I think my A/N is longer than the story itself, so I'll 'shut up' now and let you all read! Enjoy the chapter, and kudos if you actually read this...seriously, I'll give you props in the next author note if you actually read this! I would have gave up way before now! Kudos and much applause!

Chapter 11

Tommy stood in the studio, his hand reached up to rub his cheek. She didn't hit him too hard, just enough to sting and possibly make the area red. His mind replayed the incident, and he couldn't figure it out. He thought she'd be happy he remembered. Tommy hung his head and he realized his tragic mistake. Of course she was happy; she was mad that he kept another secret from her. He groaned in frustration, realizing he made the same mistake as always with her. He sighed and hung his head for a moment. He'd have to talk to her later, right now, it would be too dangerous to do so. He left the studio and as he went to walk back into the party, Kwest looked at Tommy apprehensively.

"Well…"

"She smacked me." Tommy said, sounding defeated.

"What! It wasn't supposed to go that way! What did you do! What did you say to piss her off!" Kwest demanded, glaring at his best friend.

"I didn't do anything! I told her"

"How did you tell her?" Kwest asked, and Tommy gaped at his friend.

"She smacked me, and I guess she had reason to, and you…" Tommy shook his hands and threw his hands up in the air. "Of course I can't do anything right! Not when it comes to her. You should know that by now, I should know that by now!" Tommy said, looking defeated.

"OK, tell me what happened." A female voice stated. Tommy and Kwest turned to see Sadie and Simon standing in the doorway. Sadie turned to Simon, an apologetic look on her face. "Honey, do you mind?" Simon kissed her and walked away from the conspirators. "OK Quincy, what exactly did you tell my sister." Tommy sighed and replayed the moment in the Studio. Sadie nodded and hmmed in all the right places. "I see what's going on…OK boys, leave this to me." Sadie said, looking cocky and walked away from the guys. Sadie stopped and turned back. "Uh…where would she go?" Tommy and Kwest looked at one another and shrugged. Sadie let out an exasperated sigh.

"You guys are hopeless." She stated, and left Tommy and Kwest alone while she went in hunt for her sister.

Tommy and Kwest split up, Tommy to a lone table, Kwest going back to Monica. Tommy surveyed all the happy couples dancing to SME's music, and having a great time. Jude and I should be out there, he thought, feeling miserable. Tommy's mind replayed all the small moments when he tried to tell Jude. All the moments were when they were alone in the studio, but when he worked up the nerve to tell her, she was pulled away by EJ and Georgia, or someone would pull him away to help on the beats for another artist. He found a few moments he could have told her, but really, the whole week had been devoted to get ready for Jude's birthday. He wanted to make this one special, one she'd remember forever and it would cancel out all the bad birthdays of the past.

His hand went into his suit pocket, and pulled out a small velvet box. He rotated it between his fingers, thinking of what he was going to ask her in that studio before her hand connected with his jaw. He shook his head and pocketed the box, he'd have to save it for a later date, if there would ever be one. A time when they were happily together again, if such a time ever arose. Tommy sighed, feeling defeat wash over him. Kat and Jamie saw Tommy sitting alone and came over to him.

"Where's Jude?" Kat asked, glancing around.
"I don't know." Tommy said, not wanting to deal with Jude's best friends at the moment. It was bad enough her sister knew how badly he screwed up, he didn't need Jamie Andrews throwing it in his face as well. He stood up and began to make his exit when a small hand touched his arm. Tommy turned and saw Kat staring sympathetically at him.

"She loves you, you know." Kat said, smiling reassuringly at the older man and winking. Jamie stared at Kat, his eyes questioning. Tommy didn't know how to acknowledge Kat's words, but hearing her best friend say she loved him, it lifted a weight from his shoulders he didn't know he had. Tommy just nodded to her and continued to make his way through the crowd, determined he would make them work.