Later that night Tommy had persuaded Jude to go to a few clubs before they walked on the beach.

"Glad you came?" he asked as they intertwined hands and walked barefoot on the beach.

"Yeah," she said timidly.

"What's wrong?" Tommy asked, seeing her body language change.

"Nothing's wrong."

"Liar."

"It's nothing."

"Okay," Tommy said, not totally believing her.

"Do you ever think about your Dad?" she asked.

"Jude, I don't think we should talk about this."

She sat down and stuck her feet in the ocean water. "Why not?"

"Because I don't want to.

"Please."

Tommy sighed and sat down beside her. "Yeah, I do, but none of that really matters Jude. He hates me for what happened and that will never change."

"But it wasn't your fault."

"I know, but he thinks it is, and honestly I believe it was my fault too."

"But you can't think like that."

"I know I shouldn't but I do." Tommy paused for a moment before opening his mouth to speak. "What about you, do you ever think about what...what Ryan did?"

Jude looked out into the crystal blue ocean, waves gently crashing against the rocks. "All the time. Sometimes I'll be sleeping, and I'll just wake up and it'll feel like he's there in the room. Then I can't get back to sleep and I end up either walking around or watching tv."

"I"m sorry Jude."

"Tommy it's not your fault. I've come to terms I guess with it. It happened, there's nothing I can do to change it. Sometimes I wish I would have pressed charges because then maybe there wouldn't be this constant fear that he'll come back. I can be at the studio, at the apartment, getting homework from my tutor, I can be doing anything and it'll feel like he's behind me or somewhere watching me."

"I can't even imagine what it's like to be you Jude."

"It's not as hard as everyone thinks. Sure I have a constant fear he'll come back, and sometimes I think it would be so much easier if I still took the pills and cut because maybe it would take some of the pain away, but if I had to go through everything I did at the cabin again, I wouldn't even think of doing either of them again. The pain isn't so bad I guess, because it shows that I can still feel despite everything that's happened."

"Jude, you are the strongest, smartest, prettiest girl I know. Not many girls, let alone guys, could go through what you have, and not be crazy. Everything you've been through has made you...us stronger. And while I can't share everything that's happened with you, I can at least be there for you for most of it," he leaned over and kissed her.

Jude smiled as the kiss ended. "I'm glad you think so highly of me."

"You know I do."

She stood up and grabbed his hand and led him up to the house.

"What are we doing?" Tommy asked.

She pulled him close and placed her lips upon his.

"Jude," Tommy said quietly.

"I want to do this."

"If you truly want to, we can, but if you have any doubts, and second thoughts then we shouldn't. I don't want to rush this Jude."

"We're not rushing anything Tommy. We've known each other for almost three years, and in that three years there's always been the spark of romantic feelings. I trust you."

"Are you sure?"
"Yes."

Tommy reluctantly took her hand and led her to the bed. They laid side by side and he stared into his sparkling green eyes for a few moments before he gently kissed her lips. His skillful tongue slowly parted her lips and pure, raw passion flickered between their bodies. Tommy slowly began to take her shirt off and he felt her muscles tense up. He slowly ran his hands and looked into her young, scared eyes.

"I won't hurt you Jude, I promise, but we don't have to do this."

"I'm fine, just a little nervous I guess."

"Don't be, I'll never hurt you."

Jude nodded and felt Tommy's lips once again crapsh upon hers, his hands wandering on her bare flesh. He gently slipped her tanktop off and soon they were both lying next to each other, skin against skin. Tommy's rouch, but gentle hands explored every inch of her body. He kissed the scars upon her wrists and murmured sweet nothings in her ear.

They spend the rest of the night in bed, tangled in each others arms.

"I love you," Tommy said quietly, brushing a tendril of caramel colored hair away from her face.

Jude smiled and curled closer to Tommy's bare chest.

"I love you too."

Authors Note: Okay, a bit of a longer chapter for you guys. I hope you guys liked it, but this was the first time I've ever writeen a "bedroom" scene lolz, so if it sucks that's why. I tried though. Hope you guy's like it, and please read and review!