A/N: Hey! I'm back! Sorry I haven't posted in... damn! Over 2 months. Well, I guess now you know I haven't abandoned this story...yet. I am thinking about taking a break from writing, though. I had to update this first. It's one of my favorite fics, so maybe after I finish... Ok, you guys have waited long enough. On with the story!

Disclaimer: Come on! You should know what this says! Why are you even reading it?

Chapter 9: Train In Vain

Jude leapt out of bed and threw her arms around Tommy. "That's great! We have to go see her!" Tommy returned her embrace weakly.

"Yeah. We do." She pulled away from the hug and looked into his eyes, noticing that something was wrong.

"What's wrong? Everything's gonna be ok now." He looked up at her. He stroked the side of her cheek with his hand.

"I love you, Jude. And I really, really need to talk to you. But...not now. Come on. My dear little sister has some explaining to do." Jude laughed and got off the bed to go get ready. She changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt while Tommy took a shower and got dressed as well. They met at the door a few minutes later and headed out of the hotel. They arrived at the hospital and Jude took Tommy's hand anxiously as they headed into Alexa's room. She turned the knob and opened the door to reveal Alex sitting in the bed, staring out the window.

"Go ahead," She said, obviously aware that they were behind her. "Yell at me. Ask me what I was thinking. Say whatever you want but I don't care anymore." Jude bit her lip and looked up at Tommy, who was staring at Alex with daggers in his eyes. She went up to her.

"Well, did it hurt?" She asked as she took a seat in a chair next to her and Alex turned to face her.

"No. Not really." Her eyes were cloudy and distant. "Not anymore." Jude laughed lightly, attempting to lighten the mood.

"You know, you must've really scared Tommy. It's the first time I've ever really seen him apply logic." Alex managed a weak laugh that was soon turned into a geniune one when she saw the expression on Tommy's face. Both girls laughed at Tommy's reaction, one of them knowing that everything had changed. There would be no more self-induced trips to the hospital. She was done with that chapter in her life. Jude had helped her out of it. She knew she had done the same for her. Tommy rolled his eyes and went to join them, putting a hand on Jude's shoulder. He smiled sweetly at her.

"Hey, I'll be right back, ok? I'm gonna go get a cup of coffee. Long night last night," He explained. She nodded and he walked out without saying another word. Jude turned back to see Alex grinning at her.

"What?"

"He really loves you." She smiled.

"Yeah. I know. I--I think I love him too."

"Don't let him go. You've been through way too much to do that. Just remember, if you really love him, he'll be worth it. No matter how stupid he is." Jude laughed at her last comment and nodded.

"Amen to that." Jude and Tommy spent the rest of the day at the hospital talking and laughing. Tommy was trying to get over his nervousness. He had been planning to ask Jude something important, and after today's events, he was sure that this was the time. They entered their room that night and Jude immediately fell down on the bed, letting out a long breath. "Man, that was a long day." Tommy grinned. Show time, he thought. He went over to her and pulled her to her feet, taking her hands in his.

"Day's not quite over yet. Come on." He led her out onto the balcony and sat her down, standing in front of her. He smiled.

"Tommy, what are you doing?" He put his hand under her chin, making her look up at him.

"Jude, I love you. More than anything in the world. I know you're only 16 but now...it doesn't matter to me as much." He paused, pulling something out of his pocket and kneeling down in front of her. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Jude, will you take this ring?" He opened the box and showed a beautiful ring. He took it out of the box and held it up to her. She looked at it with tears in her eyes, threatening to flow down her cheeks. "I know you're too young to be officially married, but you can wear this ring on a chain around you neck and I promise you the minute you turn 18 we'll be married. Please Jude, tell me you'll be my bride." He held the ring in his outstreched hand and Jude simply stared at it, tears flowing down her cheeks.

A/N: There. I hope that makes up for the long time it took for me to update. Sorry, for the cliffhanger I left, but I couldn't help it. Don't worry, you'll get Jude's answer in the next chapter, but only if you R&R!