A/N: I'm so happy you guys seemed to like the last chapter, I was really worried if you would since so much happened. I had been thinking about how odd it was that Mrs. Harrison was removed from all of the action even though she was in the house the whole time, so she made her entrance in that scene to get caught up. This next chapter is much calmer, kind of a breather for all of us, but I promise, there's still more excitement to come! Thanks again for all of your amazing feedback--your comments keep me totally inspired! Enjoy :-)

Mrs. Harrison dragged Jude out of the living room and pushed her into a chair at the kitchen table. She looked at her daughter, who had a stunned expression on her face from the news that Jamie had revealed. She let out a deep sigh and sat down in another chair.

"Jude," she began, "Are you alright?"

Jude silently nodded, staring at the table in a semi-catatonic state.

"I realize that whole situation must've been hard for you. Jamie dating Kat, your sister and Ryan, and your father…I suppose a lot has happened over the last 48 hours." There was still no reaction from Jude, so she continued. "Jude, I'm here for you if you want to talk."

"Thanks," Jude muttered, blinking and snapping out of her stupor.

"I have to tell you," her mother admitted, "I'm still troubled by the secret that came out about you." Jude looked at her mother blankly, so her mom added, "About Tommy."

"What about it, Mom? I already told you it's over."

"You did, but I still have some concerns. Jude, I know you and Tommy are, well, close. But if he tried anything or made you do something you didn't want--"

"It wasn't like that," Jude cut in, racking her brain to think of an explanation that would assuage her mom's concerns and avoid her potential suggestion to separate them as artist-producer.

"It was my fault actually," Jude continued, piecing together a solid explanation. "I kissed him. He had nothing to do with it. In fact, he was the one who stopped it."

Her mom furrowed her brow in thought. She clearly was contemplating whether or not this explanation was feasible.

"So this was your doing?" her mom asked with a bit of surprise.

"Yeah, it was all me. I'm stupid, I know, but something possessed me to do it so I did. He cut it off but Ryan and Kristen saw it all happen. It was really embarrassing," she explained, putting her hands over her eyes to look like she was recalling a painful memory.

"So he didn't pressure you or anything?"

"No, Mom, I kissed him! He had nothing to do with it!"

Mrs. Harrison relaxed in her chair, empathizing with her daughter's angst.

"I'm sorry, I just assumed…forget it, it doesn't really matter. Jude, if it's too uncomfortable for you to go back to the studio with him—"

"No, Mom, we're fine. We talked about it and I already apologized. He's fine with it and so am I, so it's done," Jude said, not letting her mom finish. "Can we not talk about this anymore? I'm kind of trying to forget it ever happened."

"Sure, honey," her mom agreed.

"Do you mind if I go upstairs? I'd like to be alone for awhile," she said, getting up.

"Sure," her mom replied, also rising and giving Jude a hug. "I love you, honey. No matter what you do."

"Thanks, Mom. I love you too," Jude said, relaxing in her mother's arms.

Jude took off up the stairs and went into her room, ignoring Ryan who was still parked outside Sadie's door. She closed her door and collapsed on her bed. The afternoon's events were swirling around in her mind. She sighed with relief, having successfully justified her and Tommy's "one-time" kiss. But her sister…she felt so bad for what had happened with Sadie. She knew that making Ryan tell her was the right decision but it hurt her to know that her sister was in pain. And then there were Jamie and Kat. How could they have not told her?

After staring at the ceiling for what felt like hours, she heard a knock at the door. She didn't feel like talking so she didn't say anything. But she heard the doorknob turn regardless and then saw Jamie's head peek through the opening.

"Hey…got a sec?"

Still looking up, Jude angrily muttered, "If you must."

Jamie walked in and closed the door.

"Jude, I'm really sorry. I meant to tell you earlier, I really did, but there was just never a good time."

"Never a good time? Jamie, you could've told me while I was going to the bathroom. Even that would've been better."

Jamie sighed. "I know, you're right. In hindsight, it wasn't the smartest decision to tell you in front of everyone, but I just felt like I needed to get it out. I'm really sorry."

She sat up silently as he continued. "We never wanted to hurt you. Can you forgive me? I'm a huge idiot. And not worthy of your friendship."

She sighed, knowing his plea was sincere. "So you and Kat? Second time around?"

"Yeah. Kat says that the whole 'third time's a charm' thing doesn't apply to this situation and that we can only go for two, so I promise this is the last time we'll be having this conversation."

Jude thought for a moment, then said, "What can I say, Jamie? I'm really upset about how I found out. But for you and Kat, I think it's great."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I actually agree with Kat. Second time might be the charm. I want you both to be happy, I just wish you had a little more faith in me."

"I know, you're right. Any other secrets I tell you, I promise, will not come out in a room full of strangers."

"They better not. If you do this again, I'm going to announce to whoever's around how long you sucked your thumb. Thirteen is not normal," she said, with a small smile.

Jamie looked horrified and shushed her. But then he looked at her smile and grinned back. "Thanks, Harrison."

"So," she started, changing topics. "Anything interesting happen after I left? Anyone come out of the closet or anything?"

Jamie laughed and said, "No, everybody basically separated. It's so quiet down there, it's scary. Except for when Drew got annoyed at Tommy for taking his peanut butter sandwich. It was like our 2nd grade cafeteria…minus the hair nets."

"Seriously?" Jude asked, to which Jamie nodded. "Wow, Drew's got to relax."

"In his defense, he just found out that the girl he likes is getting it on with someone else."

"Not getting it on," Jude clarified. "We kissed, no big deal."

"Right," Jamie said sarcastically. "Jude, you forget that we all witnessed your make out session during Truth or Dare. I hardly believe that another kiss was 'no big deal.' You're like an open book and not a very good liar."

"That's funny considering I created this whole story for my mom and she actually believed it." Jude replied, noting Jamie's confusion. "You don't want to know."

"Okay, then. Anyway, I'm not the biggest Tommy Q fan but he actually kept his cool."

"Really?" Jude asked with surprise.

"Yeah, it was shocking. He just shrugged and walked away, even when Drew continued to yell at him. Is he on meds?"

Jude chuckled, "I don't think so. Face it, Jamie, our little Tommy Q is growing up."

"Now that's scary," Jamie said with a laugh.

That's it for now. I know, not too much happened, but don't worry, we're just gearing up for their last night together!