Like A Blond

by

Alyson Grant

"Wow that was a wee bit harsh, don't you think?"

"Not even remotely."

"Aw Jude you almost made the poor man cry."

"Well, he was getting on my nerves! 'Now back in September you were famously cut off on stage by Darius at his annual red and black party. Any…comment there,' " she mocked. "Please! He was there!"

"He was asking for the fans," he said reasonably.

"Arragh!" she threw up her hands, laid down her head, and let out a little scream. "It happened months ago so what does it even matter now? And it was a stupid Crimson party. He couldn't even get the name right. Stupid man. Everybody is just so stupid."

Jamie smiled but asked seriously, "What's with you today?"

"Nothing."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"One word answers all I'm gonna get?"

She lifted her head catching sight of herself in the mirror and turned around to face him. She grinned. "Maybe," she teased.

They waited in the wings and watched as the commercial break chaos continued.

The stage hands set up for the performance and the coordinator barked out orders with an EJ-esque efficiency that made Jude miss the ebony haired woman. She tried to shake off her sudden sadness and nestled closer in Jamie's arms as she leaned against him with her back against his chest and closed her eyes for a few seconds.

She focused on the steady rhythm of his heartbeat but the sound of all the voices in their vicinity intruded.

He tightened his hold around her waist and whispered, "Do you want to me to get you some water or something?"

She shook her head and then said, "No thanks." She glanced over at the guard that stood nearby and rolled her eyes. "I just kind of want to get this over with, go home, and sleep for days."

"Okay people when Jude comes out we want energy. Movement people. You're not Madonna but don't be a stone statue either and if you really can't dance don't try to fake it. This is live people. Don't embarrass yourselves. This re-runs at seven tomorrow. That's A.M not P.M."

She continued, "Do not try to grab her. Do not try to touch her. Do not ask for an autograph." She pushed back her retro cat eye glasses that she was wearing strictly for that days fashion statement and said, "That will come after the show is finished. Possibly. If there's time," she quickly amended.

Jamie and Jude looked at each other and laughed as they stood and watched the scene unfold.

She walked back and forth with a clipboard in hand, "I said this before the show started but let me say it once more for those of you with foggy memories. Anyone tries to go on stage without her permission will be escorted off the premises. That is not an idle threat people. Don't test me."

"Wow," Jude whispered in hushed tone. "She almost makes me feel important."

"You are."

"You're corny," she said with affection.

The woman's long auburn pony-tail with strategically placed blond highlights swung as she spun around and gestured franticly toward the windows. She spoke into a slim black headset, "Matthew we need someone over here pronto."

To the crowd in nearly the same breath she called out briskly, "Okay group A start moving toward the center. Group C will follow suit. Group B stay right where you are."

In the center of all the chaos S.M.E was setting up and playing a few notes on the circular platform stage.

Jude glanced back and said, "Okay I gotta go. Wish me luck?"

Jamie gave her a quick hug and pulled her closer, "You know you don't need it."

She touched his cheek and kissed him lightly, "You're sweet. You know I'm surprised I haven't been asked about you yet. That goon must be slipping."

"I keep a low profile," Jamie grinned.

"You're on radar. Don't worry," she murmured. "I need another one of those."

He obliged.

As he kissed her gently his fingers slid through the silk texture of her hair.

His lips felt soft as they explored hers. When their lips parted she grinned and said, "Okay now I'm good."

He smiled back without saying a word which made her feel a little nervous as she looked back into his amber brown eyes.

As she walked back into the studio with Jamie by her side the buzz grew louder as her presence was noticed.

The excitement was poignant and filled the air completely.

She had to stop once as her hair was fussed with. "It's fine," she said, "Really. I mean- I checked."

When Jamie laughed at her bold faced lie she elbowed him in the ribs and said, "Don't mind him."

When a statuesque woman with short and edgy ebony and plum hued hair stepped toward her with a makeup kit she pointed toward her face and said, "That's all right. Thanks, but I'm good."

As she walked further into the room the screams grew louder and the escalating volume was due and directed towards her.

She smiled and signed autographs and frowned at the stations security who'd started stepping toward her and the fans.

She wasn't going to let anyone get thrown out or have them treat her like she breakable.

She made her way towards the stage.

There was only a short amount of time left to the commercial break.

She was ready.