Chapter Two -- Getting the Cold Shoulder

Sadie stepped into G Major with only one thing on her mind -- to get Tom to escape the studio for his break and have lunch with her. Some commitment would really boost her mood. Even if it was just one day.

Plus, she had been dying to finally show him his gift from Paris. Ooh la la!

Glancing around, she spotted Jude heading toward a conference room, guitar and notebook in hand. "Jude!" Her younger sister spun around and shot daggers at Sadie, before heading back toward the room. "Jude!"

Sadie rushed over to her sister, grabbing a hold of Jude's upper arm. Twisting her sister around to face her, Sadie scrunched her eyebrows together. "Hey, where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"Don't bother me, Sadie." Jude turned back to the conference room and slid open the door. "I really don't want to deal with you right now."

"Jude, just tell me where Tom is, okay?" Jude let out a snort and turned around enough to smirk at Sadie.

"And why would I know?" The youngest Harrison scowled and slammed the door in her sister's face. Startled, Sadie scoffed at the shut door and moved back toward the lobby to G Major.

A voice from behind shocked her, "Sadie?" Twirling around, she found herself face-to-face with EJ.

"Hi. EJ, right?" she asked, smiling politely. "We met at Jude's party?"

"Yeah," EJ nodded respectfully. "Are you here to see Jude?"

"Actually, I was looking for Tom. Did you know where I could find him?"

"Tommy, eh?" EJ grinned. "He's in Studio 1 with Kwest and Mason. Careful, he's working." Before Sadie could even hear EJ's final warning, she was down the hall and at the door of Studio 1.

Knocking gently, she opened the door a sliver. Mason was on the other side of the glass, strumming away at his guitar. Kwest had one ear up to a pair of headphones and was nodding away to the music. Tom was leaning forward on the board, head rocking in time.

Kwest glanced up and saw Sadie standing in the doorway. Raising his eyebrows, he nudged Tom in the side. "What?" he snapped, glaring at Kwest. His friend motioned toward the door. Turning, Tom smiled at the sight of his girlfriend.

"Hey, you." Standing, he hugged Sadie tightly.

"Why aren't you in the studio with Jude today? I thought--" Kwest's eyes widened and he grimaced, motioning her to stop. Tom just sighed and collapsed in the nearest chair.

"I just thought I'd surprise my favorite producer." Sadie grinned. "And maybe borrow him for a bit?"

"Surprise," Kwest mumbled under his breath with a smirk.

Tom frowned, standing again, "Well, I can't talk long. Mason's got a lot of work ahead of him. And I gotta be in studio with him all day."

"Can I steal you for your break? Maybe lunch?" Sadie asked as sweetly as she could.

"I don't even know if I'm taking one today, Sade. I told you, I gotta work with Mason." Tom's voice was starting to thin.

Sadie leaned in close. "But I want to give you your present from Paris, Thomas," she murmured, laying on the French accent real thick.

Grinning, Tom shook his head. "I can't. Sorry, Sadie. Rain check?"

"Sure... I just wanted to spend a little time together." She pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.

Tom's voice changed to a hushed whisper, "Sadie, we went over this. I'm trying to make this work. But I can't be with you all the time. You need to understand that." Seeing her face scrunch up, he added, "Sadie, I really want to make this work. I promise."

"Okay," she mumbled, not quite convinced.

"Really," Tom looked into her eyes, "I might have a little extra time Saturday? If you want to get together then?"

"Okay," she said, forcing a smile to come to her face. "See you then." Tom reached out and grazed her back lightly as she walked out. Once she had left, he crumpled into the chair again, laying his head in his lap.

"You okay, man?" Kwest asked, obvious concern in his voice.

"I don't know."

As soon as Jude saw Sadie disappear around the corner, she reached up to knock on the door of Studio 1. Noticing the door was slightly ajar, she peered in carefully. Kwest nodded at her and nudged Tom in the arm.

Sitting up, Tom mumbled, "Sadie, I told you. We---Jude!" He stood, half-grinning at her. "What'cha doing here, girl?"

"Tommy, can I talk to you for a sec...alone?" Tom glanced back at Kwest and nodded, ushering her out the door, hand on her back.

"What is it, Jude?" he asked apprehensively. "Is everything okay?"

Jude pulled him into an empty studio, pacing slowly. "Did you mean it? What you said...about wanting to work in the studio again with me? And feeling like part of you was missing when we weren't working together?" She moved next to him.

Tom sighed and looked to the floor. "Jude..."

"Tommy, are we just gonna keep doing this?" she asked, gazing deep in his eyes.

"Jude..." His voice was a mere whisper.

Grabbing the back of his head, Jude stood on her tiptoes and planted her lips firmly on Tom's. Alarmed, he jumped back, creasing his forehead and looking at her in shock. "Jude!"

Jude groaned and collapsed against the wall, sobbing. Standing over her convulsing body, Tom sighed. "Jude, we can't do this! You're sixteen."

"Almost seventeen," she choked out, sniffling.

"Jude..."

She looked up into his eyes, "Do you like me, Tommy?" He remained silent, glancing up at the ceiling. "Well...?"

"Jude..."

"Stop saying that, Tommy! Just answer me." She groaned, "Why do I do this? I let myself keep falling for you. But you just keep letting me fall. Why? Am I not worth it?"

"Jude, don't tell me you believe that," Tom ran his hands through his hair, frustrated. "Do you think it's any easier for me? Huh? That the coolest girl I know is sixteen!"

"But at least you have Sadie. I have no one," she complained, forcing herself to stand up again.

"You have Jamie," he reminded her, taking a step back from her. Jude let out a laugh that sounded more like a sob.

"Not anymore, I don't."

Not knowing what else to say, Tom muttered, "Do you think it's easy being with Sadie?"

"You like her, Tommy. More than me, remember?" Jude said angrily.

"That's not true." Jude's head shot up and the two of them looked at each other, not knowing what to say next.

"What?" Jude finally asked.

Tom groaned and looked to the floor, "Jude, please don't make me do this."

"Tom," Jude said quietly, "do you love me?"

"Jude..."

The redhead put a finger under Tom's chin and forced him to look at her, "Do you?" He sighed deeply. "Well?"

Before he could stop himself, Tom had pushed Jude back up against the wall and placed a hand on each side of her face. Leaning into her, he captured her lips hungrily under his own and kissed her passionately.

A/N: Chapter two is all yours. Well, review please and I'll try to get the next chapter up tonight. I'm leaving this weekend, so I'll try to get chapters 3&4 up before I leave.

Love always,

Jude Quincy