Chapter 22 - She

Jude sat there writing all alone. The phone rang. Jude ran to the receptionist's desk and found a phone. She quickly reached for the receiver and answered.

Jude: "Hello?"

Jordan: "Hey, it's Jordan."

Jude: "Jordan. How is Muriel?"

Jordan sighed: "She's the same. They're running some test right now, sorry to have left you alone."

Jude smiled: "Don't worry about it. I'm not really alone. You have a new guest."

Jordan: "Really? That's strange, 2 guests in 2 days."

Jude: "I guess you're in luck." she laughed. He chuckled back softly.

Jordan: "Listen, you think you can handle the hotel for tonight? I don't want to leave Muriel."

Jude: "Of course, don't worry about anything."

Jordan: "Thanks for doing this."

Jude: "No prob."

Just as Jude hung up the phone, Martin walked downstairs. He waved to her and made his way towards the door. "Jude, you're going to regret doing this." she said to herself but ran after the man. He stopped when he saw her approaching him.

Jude: "Where are you going?"

Martin: "To town, I didn't know I needed permission." he joked.

Jude blushed a little: "I'm sorry, I was just wondering if you'd be able to drive me to the nearest hospital. I noticed you had a car."

Martin: "Oh sure, are you alright?"

Jude: "Yeah, I'm fine. One of my friends isn't."

Martin: "Oh Ok. Well than let's go. I think I saw a sign a few miles back."

Jude hesitated for a minute but than grabbed her notebook and the keys of the hotel that had been on the desk and followed him out to his car. The beginning of the drive was innocent enough. The radio played and they drove in silence until Martin lowered the radio's volume and shot her a quick look.

Martin: "So, how long have you been staying at the hotel?"

Jude didn't look at him, instead she continued to gaze outside her window: "Just a couple of days." she said.

Martin: "Where are you off to? I take it you're just passing by."

Jude: "Uh, I am going to see my family." she lied.

Martin: "Really? Where are they?"

Jude turned to face him. It was weird the way he was so interested in her "They're in California."

Martin smirked. Before he had the chance to ask another question Jude interrupted.

Jude: "What about you?"

Martin: "What about me?"

Jude: "Where are you going? You're just passing, right?"

Martin: "Yes, of course. I am looking for someone."

Jude flinched. Her heart skipped a beat. "Who is this man?" she asked herself.

Jude: "Yeah? Who are you looking for? And why would you think they're out here?"

Martin smiled: "Just someone who is lost. I never said I thought she was out here. Like I said I'm just passing through."

"Good safe." Jude thought. He was smart. Smart enough to even outsmart her.

Jude smiled: "So it's a she?"

Martin: "What's a she?"

Jude: "The person you're looking for." she asked interested.

Martin: "Why do you think it's a she?"

Jude: "Because you said SHE is lost." she answered with a smirk.

Martin: "Beautiful and smart. Impressive." he chuckled a little. Jude didn't respond.

Martin: "What's that?"

Jude: "What's what?"

Martin: "The notebook. I saw you write in it. A journal?"

Jude looked down on her lap where her notebook was sitting: "Oh no, just things I like to write down."

Martin: "Things? Quotes? Lyrics?"

Jude turned to face him one more time. Who was he?

Jude: "No, I don't know how to write. I'm not that talented." she lied.

Martin: "I beg to differ." he said.

Just as Jude turned her head to the window again they entered a road with lights. At the end was a some-what odd looking but large building. Her first instinct told her she was in danger. Where had this strange man brought her? But than she saw the sign "Brooksville Hospital" she read.

Martin: "Do you want me to go in with you?"

Jude: "No, but thanks for the ride." she said. He stopped the car in front of the entrance and Jude stepped out.

Martin: "See you later……..Jade" Jude heard how he emphasized her name but she was just glad to be out of that car. She flashed him a fake smile and stepped through the doors. Jude walked over to the nurse at the reception and asked for Muriel. The older woman send her down a corridor. At the end was one room. Jude knocked and entered.

Jordan sat by Muriel's side. She was obviously asleep. He looked up at her in confusion and than smiled gently.

Jordan: "What are you doing here?"

Jude stepped inside the room and softly closed the door behind herself: "I came to see how Muriel is doing."

Jordan: "Not so good." he sighed. Jude frowned and took a chair by him.

Jordan: "How did you get here?"

Jude: "Long story. Is she going to be Ok?" she feared the answer.

Jordan: "I don't know." he got up off his seat and walked over to the window. He looked out into the distance. Jude's eyes followed him. "The doctor said that she might not make it through the night." he said in a whisper just enough for Jude to hear.

Jude looked at Muriel, who was sound asleep, the monitor was beeping. She got up off her chair and followed Jordan. He didn't turn around. He stopped behind him and took one of his hands in his. He finally turned his head to face her, then his entire body, holding on to her hand. Jude smiled at him sweetly.

Jude: "Everything will work out." she said looking right at him. He smiled at her optimism and pulled her in for a hug. They held onto each other. Jordan desperately needed hope, he needed a friend even more. Jude offered just that. Her smile gave him hope and her hug comforted him in more ways he ever thought anyone could.

Jude held onto him. She felt his hard abs under his light shirt. It felt good to be held by someone again, even if it wasn't the one she wanted more than anything. She had been on her own for 5 days now. So many times had she been tempted to pick up the phone or just go back home but she never did. She was a coward. But just this time, this coward would figure things out first before acting on impulse.

They're hug was soon broken up by a long and loud beep. They released each other quickly and both ran to Muriel's bed side. A few nurses and a doctor stormed inside the room pushing Jude outside. The door closed in her face. She walked over to the waiting room. All alone, cold although it was still summer. Memories of Shay overwhelmed her. Was this how he was when Darius had been in the hospital fighting for his life? All alone? No one there to comfort him. Jude's mind raced to millions of little events that had happened in the past few months. Almost 20 minutes later Jordan steped outside the room.

Back In Canada

The hot water ran down his masculine body. The steam filled the already warm, summer air and escaped through the tiny window in the wall. His hands were against the wall the water dropping down on his back. His mind raced to Jude and than to Kwest and his words.

Ten minutes later Tommy was dressed and ready to go. He grabbed his car keys and walked to his Viper. Another 20 minutes later he stopped at the Harrison residence. Part of him wanted to just turn around and drive away, too many things reminded him of the pretty red-head. His heart hurt. The other part wanted to make things right. His conscious got the best of him and he rang the door bell. A few seconds later Victoria opened the door.

Victoria: "Tommy?" she asked somewhat surprised.

Tommy coughed: "Hi, can I come in?"

Victoria: "Tommy, I don't think-"

Tommy: "I just wanted to apologize." he interrupted before she answered.

Victoria looked down at him and stepped aside making enough room for him to walk by. He did as instructed and followed her to the living room where Nick had been reading the sports section of the newspaper. As soon as he saw Tommy he threw the paper down on the table and rose to his feet. Anger filled his eyes. Victoria rushed over to him to calm him down.

Nick: "What is he doing here?" he asked

Tommy: "I came to apologize."

Victoria: "I want to hear what he has to say." she said.

Nick: "I don't." he shot back.

Victoria: "Look, Jude loved him. The least we can do is hear him out." she said. Tommy flinched at Jude's name being mentioned. It hurt when Victoria said Jude had loved him. She motioned for Tommy to sit down. Nick and Victoria sat across from him.

Tommy: "I know I messed things up. I am so sorry for showing up drunk the way I did. I had no right-"

Nick: "DAMN right you had NO right." Victoria placed her hand over his stopping him from talking.

Tommy looked down and than again up at them: "I'm sorry you were the last to know about the baby. I didn't know until a day or two before myself. Jude never told me."

Victoria's eyes were drowning in sorrow. She missed her daughter.

Tommy: "You can hate me. I don't blame you. I just wanted to tell you that I really did love your daughter. I always will. Jude was the best thing that's ever happened to me." he finally let out. Victoria got up and walked over to him. He stood up not knowing what her reaction would be. She hugged him and cried on his shoulder. Nick stood up and nodded in forgiveness.

Nick: "I appreciate you coming over here like this." the two men shook hands.

Victoria: "Tommy, Jude made a lot of mistakes of her own but we never loved her any less. I know Jude loved you with her whole heart. She would have been proud of you right now. You're always welcome in our home and in our family." Tommy smiled as one tear left his eye. He said his goodbyes and left.

He knew Victoria was right. Jude DID love him and she WOULD have been proud of him. He was finally growing up. Why wasn't she here to share this with him?