Chapter 14

She was falling. As the ground rushed up to meet her, Jude's eyes flied open. Feeling a person nestled up to her back, Jude freaked. She felt confused and scared. Not wanting to wake up whoever was next to her she slowly slid the arm that was wrapped around her off and got out of bed. It was dark and she couldn't recognize where she was. She felt for a wall and followed it until she felt where it met another one. Jude slumped down and curled into a ball. She slowly started to sob, she cried out of fear and confusion.

Hearing someone weeping was what woke Tommy from his sleep. He felt next to him and realized Jude was gone. He sat up and turned on the lamp that was on the side of his bed. In reaction to the light, Jude turned her head into the corner; her sobs got louder as her breath got shorter.

"Jude?" Tommy slowly approached her, unsure of how to handle the situation. At the mention of her name Jude looked to the figure with blurry eyes. Tommy kneeled down next to her and brought his hand to her cheek. "Jude its Tommy. Come back to me girl."

Tommy watched as Jude slowly connected the dots of who he was and where she was. When it hit her she leaped into his arms and continued to sob.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know where I was. I was just so scared. I'm sorry Tommy." Jude said in between tears.

"Shhh, its ok girl. It's ok, I'm here." Tommy said as he picked her up off the floor and carried her back to the bed. He laid her down and crawled up next to her. He held her close to him as she cried herself back to sleep.

--

The next week was trying for everyone in the apartment. Tommy had told Sadie and Kwest the following morning about Jude's episode. Jude became confused very easily and had experienced a couple of very bad dizzy spells, all of which was expected with her prognosis, however, no one thought it would have been so bad. Tommy's sleep habits had changed as a result. She became confused most at night. Tommy now woke at her slightest movement, ready to calm her down and pull her closer to him if she became confused.

Sadie took her back to the doctors for her scheduled appointment. He adjusted her meds to account for the confusion and dizziness. He said it may take awhile but things should steadily improve.

Jude did start to get better. After another week, the only symptoms reminding her of her mugging were the soft cast on her arm and the confusion she felt after sleep.

Jude got her cast off for good the weekend before finals. Even though the doctor told her she could go back to living on her own, Tommy insisted she stay and asked her to officially move in after break. Jude accepted, but she felt really bad for the sleepless nights she had caused Tommy. She decided to stay at her dorm for finals so he could get some sleep. As it turned out, neither of them slept well without the other. He was too worried about her to sleep, and waking up without Tommy was making her confusion worse.

--

Tommy picked Jude up after her last final. They went back to the apartment and both decided to take a much needed nap before their dinner reservations later that night. About an hour in Jude started to have that nightmare again. She awoke with a start and Tommy held her tighter.

"It's ok. I'm here. Nothing is going to happen to you." Tommy soothingly whispered into her ear.

Jude sat up and held her head in her hands. "I can't do this anymore Tommy. To you or to me. Neither of us is sleeping. I don't feel like me anymore. I can't keep doing this to us."

Tommy sat up next to her. He put his arm around her and held her close. "Jude, the only time I lost sleep was because you weren't next to me. You went through something traumatic. No one blames you for your behavior, the least of me. I love you, I always will, no matter how many times you wake me up in the middle of the night." Jude smiled embarrassingly at that. "You're it for me girl. I hope you know that."

Jude took a moment to take everything he said in. "I love you too." Jude said before leaning in and kissing him.

The kiss grew deep, fast. Without breaking contact from her lips Tommy leaned Jude back onto his bed. Jude pulled at his t-shirt and within a few minutes Tommy was in his boxers and Jude was in her bra and underwear.

"Tommy," Jude sighed out as Tommy placed kisses along her neck and shoulder. He looked up and locked eyes with her. "Tommy don't stop. I trust you and I love—" before Jude could finish Tommy's lips crashed back onto hers. He didn't stop. They made love. It was her first time and he was gentle and completely loving with every action he took. While it wasn't his first time, it might as well have been. Every sensation was new and amazing. They collapsed in a tangled mess of limbs and sheets. He again professed his love for her as she kissed him before they fell asleep.