a/n: So this chapter is short, but I like it :) And it's a quick update for you guys.

"Man, what are you thinking?" The person behind Kwest nearly shouted.

Kwest stepped aside angrily and a very frazzled, red, clench-fisted Tommy stepped in. Suddenly Jude felt the tense air fill up her lungs.

Tommy folded his arms and shut the studio door. Jude plopped back down into her seat and stared at the two, wondering slightly if chaos would suddenly break loose.

"What do you mean, 'what am I thinking'? You of all people should know." Kwest had been riled up. About what, Jude was not quite sure.

"What are you talking about? You went and exploited Jude in front of cameras. You could at least hook up somewhere private." Tommy was practically spitting rage. Jude could tell that Kwest was holding something in and fighting with himself about it. Tommy, on the other hand, was ready to knock Kwest out. She didn't understand how best friends could suddenly be so angry without anything really happening.

"You are such a god damn hypocrite!"

"I thought you of all people would respect Jude enough to not let her get shit-face drunk and let everyone see. At least you! She deserves better then that." Shock overwhelmed Jude from the compliment and concurrent insult.

"We were just having a good time, Jude is a normal person too. And don't you dare go insulting me, because the last time I checked you were whipping Jude around like she didn't deserve shit because you couldn't decide between her and her sister. So don't even act like I did something wrong."

"You don't know what you're talking about, Kwest. I never did anything to Jude but try and protect her. She can't have horny, middle-aged men grab-assing her in the place she works!"

She was too numbed to protest. A) Tommy had hurt her many many times. B) Tommy grab-assed her more than Kwest did. C) She didn't need protection any more. Apparently the age had sunk through everyone's head, but not her maturity.

"That is exactly what you do and you know it. Only, you're worse! You go for her every time some one else has her and then when you have the chance you dump her flat on her face. Admit it!"

Tommy grinded his teeth and looked ready to pounce. He didn't know what to say to Kwest, because he was right. He didn't want to punch him, though; that could lead to much worse consequences.

He took an alternative by grabbing the nearest glass item and throwing it viciously near Kwest. It shattered on the wall and he flew out of the room, slamming the door behind them.

Jude sat and stared at the door for a long time. She didn't notice Kwest starting to pick up the pieces of glass on the floor, but she knew that right now was right for confrontation.

"Hey," Jude stood up and opened the door. She stopped in the doorway and waited for Kwest to look up. "Thanks." He nodded and she walked away.

Where would Tommy go to cool off after a fight? Jude pondered this for a few minutes before coming up with an obvious answer.

"The alleyway…" She whispered as she approached the egress to her spoken destination.

Sure enough, Tommy was standing out in the alleyway leaned up against a railing with a cigarette in-between his index and middle fingers. Jude watched as he took a puff and leaned down farther into the bar.

"What was that all about?" She finally asked after a minute of watching him.

Tommy looked startled for a moment. He flicked the cigarette to the ground and looked at Jude with torn eyes.

"Just looking out for you…" Tommy muttered as he crushed the stogie under his shoe.

Jude snorted involuntarily. Please, Quincy. You weren't looking out for me when you moved away. You weren't looking out for me when you didn't call. You weren't looking out for me when you told me about Joanne. You knew I would be upset. Her mind was practically screaming, but she refrained herself. The last thing she wanted was more arguments. Besides, she wanted to gradually show Tommy what he did. He'll be guiltier that way.

Jude smirked to herself, then continued to inquire Tommy. "Looking out for me about what, exactly?"

He shrugged, trying to convey a careless yet caring attitude. "Just from the media, Jude. I honestly never thought that Kwest…"

"Would like me?" She asked impulsively.

"Yeah- I mean, no. Not that it's just," He sighed, "I never thought he'd do something like. Well."

Jude had caught Tommy. She knew what he meant, and she felt rather irritated by it. He never thought that Kwest would go for me, especially since I was so young. He's such a-

"I missed you a lot in the states." Tommy reached back into his pocket and pulled out another cigarette.

She ignored his comment. It was most likely a ploy to stray the conversation away from the fight. Jude leaned into the railing like Tommy and watched him smoking moments before breaking the silence. "I thought you quit?"

He shook his head. "Only when I'm calm." He smiled at his own joke and Jude followed suite.

Awkward silence overwhelmed the two. Jude stood and took in the nostalgic scent of Tommy's smoke. Tommy let himself calm down.

Screw guilt, he should feel it anyways. She looked at his face and searched for a dominating emotion. "You knew I needed you."

Tommy coughed roughly and Jude's blunt comment. "What?" He acted dumb, but he knew.

"You know what. When you left for California. I was completely alone, Tommy. I didn't have my parents, I didn't have my friends, I didn't have Sadie, but I had you. And then you left. What was I supposed to do?" She gave all her air in her blurt of emotion and stood straight, gasping for breath.

Tommy stared at her for a long time. "I don't know," was all he could manage.

Jude shook her head in repulsion and looked away, but her head was brought back to look at Tommy witha gentle hand.

"I couldn't be here. Sadie and I were over, and I was so tempted." Tommy shook his head as if at his own self-disgust. His hand returned to the railing and his gaze returned to the nothingness ahead of them "I needed to get away from here more than you needed me, and the offer was right there staring me in the face. I had to take it, Jude."

She wasn't satisfied. It was completely selfish, completely wrong. She didn't care if he was tempted with anything; it was no excuse to kick her when she was down.

After Tommy realized Jude wasn't going to reply he pushed the conversation himself. "All I'm asking for is a fresh start. You don't have to forgive me."

Jude considered this for a while. Soon enough she decided. "No, Tommy. I'm not going to forget everything again just because you ask me. It happened; I don't know why you can't deal with it like everyone else. People have baggage, even you."

"I'm not asking you to forget it either."

"Then what do you want from me, Tommy!" Jude threw her hands up and backed away. "You come back after leaving me for two years and expect everything to be ok? You didn't call me once, not once! It's like no matter what you do, I'm supposed to still lo-like you. But I can't keep hoping you'll do something for me, not just for yourself. What do you want?" She stumbled a few times but brought her high-woman composure back up quickly.

"I want you to realize that I care about you! I'm not as perfect as you expect me to be."

"I don't expect anything from you anymore." Her tone was completely frozen.

"I've changed, Jude." He called as she walked away.

Jude turned around and went completely blank. "Prove it."

"I can't."

She sighed. "Just be my producer, Tommy." Jude walked away without looking back, but flinched slightly when she heard the faint voice of Tommy speaking to himself.

"I can't yet."

a/n: I almost wanted to completely re-write this completely different just because it's so obvious, but I can't help it. I really liked it so I hope it wasn't too predictable for ya'll.

As for a lost chapter:

Maybe :) If I feel like it.