"Dammit Jude, what's going on with you?" Tommy whispered to himself.
Jude put her things away and walked into the control room. "So what do you think?"
"I think something's going on, and you're not telling anyone."
"God Tommy, can't you let this go?"
"No I can't Jude! You show up late for work, then you have bruises all over you. Something's not right!"
"What are you insinuating huh?"
"I think you know," Tommy said quietly.
"What? That my husband beats me? Because that's not true!" she screamed.
"Ya know what Jude, I'm sick of fighting with you about this. I'm talking to Darius."
"There's nothing to talk to him about Tommy!"
"Jude, why don't you calm down," Kwest interrupted.
"Stay out of this Kwest. Tommy, ever since I married Jamie, you've been trying to find something to break us up, but ya know what? You screwed up Tommy! You ruined us and now there will never be an us, and that is not my fault!"she yelled as she stormed out of the studio.
"I uh guess she told you."
"Shut up Kwest. You heard her song. 'I nearly died. I came to rip you up?' Come on, you cannot tell me that somethings not going on."
"I talked to Sadie last night and she said Jude hasn't said anything and Tommy, maybe it's none of your business right now."
"What?"
"I'm not trying to piss you off man, I'm just saying, she kind of has a point about her and Jamie being married, I mean she's not yours anymore."
"Whatever."
"You still love her!"
"What gave you your first clue captain obvious?"
"Tommy, you two have been over since she was 19."
"Don't you think I know that Kwest? I shouldn't feel this way, but I do. And now, she comes in, looking like someone beat the crap out of her, and I'm not supposed to care, and I'm not supposed to worry?"
"I never said that."
"She kind of did."
"Okay, let's just for one second, imagine that Jamie does hit her. Do you really think she wants to tell anyone? That her picture perfect marriage is crap?"
Tommy sighed and plopped himself in a chair. "I can't stop caring Kwest, no matter what."
"Then be her friend, not her former lover, just her friend."
Jude went home to find Jamie was still at work. She quickly changed into a pair of sweats and a tanktop and went for a run. Music blared in her ears as she ran around the park, not stopping for anyone. She slowed down when she saw two adults with thier little baby. The parents looked so happy, laughing as the little girl tried to take her first steps, but fell. She wanted that. She wanted a family, but Jamie never did. Jamie was too caught up in his work to want anything anymore, even her.
While she was watching the family her cell phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hey."
"Tommy..."
"Look, I'm sorry okay? I should have never said some of the things I did."
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have blown up at you. Things are just kind of crazy lately."
"Don't worry about it. Think you can come into the studio tomorrow morning?"
"Yeah."
"Later Jude."
"Bye," she said softly.
She had barely ended the call when her phone rang again.
"Hello."
"Who were you talking to Jude?"
"Nobody Jamie."
"Your phone was busy."
"Tommy called."
"Oh? I think you should come home."
"I...I'll be there in a few minutes."
She closed her phone and began to run back to their apartment. She paused for a moment before opening the door.
"Where the hell have you been?" Jamie demanded.
"I was just running in the park Jamie. It's not a big deal."
"You should be at home!"
"Jamie, stop it."
He grabbed her wrist and held tightly. "Don't ever tell me what to do Jude."
"Let go!"
He threw her against the wall and smiled. "How I ever got stuck with you, I'll never know," he said as he walked out the door.
Tears streamed down Jude's face as she hit the wall with her fist. How did she ever get into a relationship with Jamie? He used to be the sweet boy next door, until they had gotten married and Liam got him a high ranking job at MTV. He had never been the same. It wasn't so bad when he was in Toronto for a period of weeks, but everytime he came back from the states, she knew he would do something to her.
The next morning Jude woke up and gingerly touched her side and her wrist. "Great," she muttered to herself. "More things for Tommy to worry about."
"Nice to see you on time Jude," Darius Mills said.
"Nice to see you too Darius," she said as she kept walking towards Studio A.
"Hey girl. Ready to work?"
"Yeah I guess."
"Portia wanted to talk to you for a minute about your wardrobe for that gig tomorrow night," Kwest said.
"Shit, I forgot about that."
"You better get going before Portia comes looking for you. Remember, she's the female version of Darius," Tommy joked.
"You married that female version buddy," Jude laughed as she walked off in search of Portia.
"Hey sweetie. I have your wardrobe ready, we just need to get you fitted."
"Great," Jude said, in an upbeat tone, until she saw what the outfit was. A fitted, short, black tanktop with a short denim skirt.
"Here, why don't you go change."
"Yeah, I'll go do that," Jude said as she walked into the changing room and slipped on the clothes. The bruises on her arms and side were clearly visible as she looked in the mirror. She took a deep breath and walked out.
"That looks...whoa Jude, what happened?" Portia said.
"Nothing happened."
"Just stay here, I'll be right back."
Jude groaned as Portia came back with Tommy and Kwest in tow. "Thanks Portia."
Tommy walked up to her and took her wrist in his hand. She flinched and pulled back."Jude, you can't deny this."
"Would everyone just leave me alone? I'm fine okay? Jamie and I got into a little fight, no big deal."
"No big deal? Jude, a little fight, is a screaming match, not hitting each other."
"Whatever," she said as she walked back to the dressing room to put her other clothes back on.
"Jude, can I talk to you in the alley please?" Tommy asked.
"Fine."
They had barely made their way out to the alley when Tommy began to speak. "Jude, we all know somethings going on, why won't you just tell us?"
"Because I'm supposed to be happy Tommy! I'm supposed to have this great marriage and I don't and I hate admitting it!"
"Jude..."
"My life sucks Tommy, is that what you wanted to hear? Every night I go home and Jamie hits me, okay? Happy now?" she said as she started to stalk away.
Tommy reached and grabbed her hand. "Why don't you leave?"
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I don't know!" she yelled, tears steadily falling down her face.
Tommy gently pulled her into a hug, and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry Jude."
As they were caught up in their embrace, they didn't notice the paparrazi flashbulbs capturing every moment.