A/N: I don't own Instant Star. I don't own Home To Me by Josh Kelley. Reviews are always welcome.

Episode 21 – Reinventing the wheel to run myself over

Part 1

(A few months later) It became a running joke for people in the hospital who passed by his room to ask Tommy what bone he didn't break. Tommy meanwhile was just so grateful to be alive that he seemed to take it all with a smile. And he had a big reason to smile he thought to himself surveying the blonde figure asleep in a chair next to his hospital bed with her legs tucked to her chest and a blanket hung loosely around her. As soon as his condition had improved he was flown to a hospital in Toronto which he had now been calling home. Today was a big day for Tommy; he was finally getting the casts off his legs. His dislocated shoulder and broken ribs were the first to heal. Jude shifted in her chair and Tommy immediately closed his eyes and feigned sleep. She stretched out her arms above her head and yawned. She walked over to Tommy and put her hand on his chest above his heart to feel his heart beat as if to check to make sure that he was really alive in front of her and it wasn't just a dream. She kissed his forehead and headed out the door for her ritual morning coffee and said 'hi' to the nurse on her way out.

Part 2

"You don't have to pretend with me Tom Quincy, I know you're awake" said the nurse chuckling to herself. Tommy opened his eyes and smiled sheepishly. "Now eat your breakfast, you've got a big day ahead of you" she said as she slid the tray in front of him.

Part 3

Tommy stared down at his pale legs. "We're gonna concentrate on strengthening your legs to regain the muscle you had" said the physical therapist. "You're going to re-learn how to walk, so we're gonna take it real slow" he said. "Don't worry I'm not expecting to run in the marathon or anything" Tommy drawled. "You're funny, good. You're gonna need that humor to keep you going when you wanna scream and tear your hair out from frustration" he said. "Truth is a lot harder to swallow then hand holding," the physical therapist said. "You learn real quick what your body can and can't do," he continued. Tommy looked at him with a surprised and bemused expression on his face as if to say bring it on. Jude saw the exchange from the doorway she was leaning against and muttered the word 'men.' "Who is this" said the physical therapist. "This is Jude, she's my uhhhh…." Tommy trailed. "Jude Harrison," she said shaking his hand. Tommy couldn't help noticing the physical therapist checking her out and felt the urge to get up and punch him. Jude saw the look on Tommy's face and smiled to herself.

Part 4

Tommy was exhausted by the time he returned to his room as well as angry and frustrated and Jude seemed to be the only target around. It seemed to happen a lot lately. "Tommy it's only been a couple of weeks of physical therapy you can't expect to be running circles around me do you?" I said. Tommy was moodily staring at his legs at their betrayal. "Jude I don't want you coming to see me anymore" Tommy said in a low voice. "Tommy what are you talking about?" Jude said. "I. DON'T. WANT. YOU. TO. SEE. ME. LIKE. THIS." he yelled angrily as the nurse helped him out of the wheelchair and into his bed. "Like what?" Jude said. The nurse quickly exited the room and closed the door gently behind her. "Like this!" he said gesturing to his surroundings. "I can't take care of myself. I can't shower on my own or go to the bathroom on my own" he said with disgust. "You're cooped up in the hospital all day; I know you haven't been working on your music or been to the studio in months. I don't want to be a burden on you anymore; I appreciate more than you know that you've stuck by me since the accident, but I don't want your pity" he said his words hit me like a blow. I was so shocked I didn't know how to react, so until my anger got the better of me. "I didn't realize I needed an invitation to your pity party" I spat as I gathered my things and slammed the door behind me.

Part 5

"Where's your pretty girlfriend," said the nurse to Tommy as she carried in his breakfast. "She's not my girlfriend; she's not my anything…" Tommy said staring sullenly out the window. "And she's not coming back," he said. "I'm sure you'll make up after the fight you had yesterday," the nurse said. "How did you know we had a fight" Tommy said. "Son, your room isn't soundproof," she said with a laugh as she took last night's dinner tray with her as she left. Tommy hoped what the nurse said was true, but Jude didn't return the next day or the one after that.

Part 6

At Georgia's insistence, Jude hopped on a plane to continue the rest of her tour. She hoped that the break would give Jude a chance to reevaluate everything that had gone on over the last yeah and a half with Tommy. Georgia had contacted the hospital to inform him, but it seemed he had checked himself out. She was just about to ask Kwest if he had heard from him when the man himself entered her office.

Part 7

"Hey Tom," she said. "How are things?" she said. "Couldn't be better," he said sarcastically. "Sorry, Georgia" Tommy said berating himself. "So Jude's finishing the tour," Tommy stated matter of factly. "If your mad, blame me I insisted she go," Georgia said. "You confuse the hell out her you know that?" she said. Tommy rolled the words around his mind. When Tommy didn't answer she continued. "So what are your plans? I distinctly remember someone signing away his half of the record studio. We're currently looking for producers" she said. "You're old office is still empty by the way," she said. "And Tommy I expect you to be on your feet by the time Jude returns," she said.

Part 8

(a month later) Kwest drove Tommy to physical therapy everyday. "Let's go old man," Kwest said jokingly handing Tommy his walker. "Ha ha Kwest," he said. "Just pick me up in two hours, would ya," he said. "Sure thing, old man River" said Kwest. Tommy sarcastically waved to him and slowly made his way to the automatic doors.

Part 9

Jude kept replaying their last conversation in her head over and over. E.J. heard Jude crying softly and didn't say anything. She knew the last thing she needed was someone to bring up Tommy. E.J. debated whether to share the news Georgia had told her earlier that Tommy was working as a producer at the studio and progress reports from Kwest about how his physical therapy was going. E.J. looked over at the clock. It was late and they both desperately needed sleep. E.J. glanced at Jude who was a mess. Mascara was running down her cheeks and her eyes were puffy. She desperately wanted to tell her, but then thought better of it. Jude had been in a fragile state ever since they went back on the road. She didn't know how she would handle the news. Plus she didn't know where Tommy and Jude were in terms of their relationship. Were they together, friends, not speaking? Everything was unresolved and had been for a long time now. E.J. looked over again and saw that Jude had finally fallen asleep and looked over at the clock and groaned. She had three hours left to sleep before having to get up and get on the bus to head to the next city and do the whole thing over again.

Part 10

It was Jude's last show on the tour. She was in New York City and it felt like she had come full circle. Her show was being broadcasted live on CTV. It was her last song of the night. She sat on her stool and took a drink from her bottle of water. "Thank you guys you've been a really great audience. This is my last song of the night and I'd like to dedicate it to someone special" I said. "I just want to say that just because I'm not beside you doesn't mean that I haven't been thinking about you. You've been foremost in my thoughts, always." I said. I closed my eyes and started strumming on my guitar.

(These lyrics are "Home To Me" By Josh Kelley from his album "For the Ride Home")

Isn't it funny how the roads just pass us by
Isn't it crazy how we never get it right
Time is wasted on money and money wasted on lust.
Treat her like a lady and she'll never get enough

chorus
Cause' its you that I'm runnin to baby
Its you that I'm feelin for lately and
Its like a pain that never goes away
And it always starts today

Cause you are home to me, Cause you are home to me
Cause you are home to me, Cause you are home to me

Isn't it perfect how the memories feel the same
Isn't it amazing how the song remains unchanged
Time is wasted on money and money wasted on lust
Treat her like a lady and She'll never get enough

Cause' its you that I'm runnin to baby
Its you that I'm feelin for lately and
Its like a pain that never goes away
And it always starts today

Cause you are home to me, Cause you are home to me
Cause you are home to me, Cause you are home to me

Part 11

(Meanwhile in an apartment in Toronto) Tommy got up off the couch as the phone rang. "Hey man did you catch Jude's concert, tonight?" said Kwest. "No, man I'm not ready to see her," said Tommy. "Tommy let me explain something to you, alright. She's on the TV; she's not actually in the same room with you, man. There's no actual direct contact. No interaction, at all!" said Kwest exasperated over the phone. "What's the big deal, man" said Tommy. "What's the big deal! Nothing, man. Forget I mentioned it. Bye" said Kwest annoyed. Tommy put down the phone and walked back to the couch. He laid down and continued to stare at the ceiling. Tommy wasn't ready to face Jude even if she was a thousand miles away.

Part 12

Jude had butterflies in her stomach as she got off the private jet. When she was on solid ground again she scanned her surroundings and saw a familiar figure leaning against a blue viper. They made eye contact and he ran towards her. When they came together he embraced her and showered her with kisses. "I love you, Jude." "Jude, wake up we just landed," said E.J. "Just a dream" I said disappointed. When Jude and E.J. got off the plane there was no blue viper and no Tommy. She got home to an empty house. Nothing had changed.

Part 13

When Jude got to the studio the next day she was immediately rushed into the conference room. Georgia was sitting at the head with E.J., Kwest, and Tommy filling in the rest of the seats. Jude glanced at Tommy before sitting down. "Jude I took the liberty of giving Tommy his old producing job, back. If that's okay with you, you're still the boss" said Georgia. "What? No that's fine with me" I said staring at my fingers. "Glad you're back, Jude. Well that's it everyone," Georgia said getting up and leaving the conference room. I was left along with Tommy. "Jude thanks for the job" he said before getting up to leave. "That's all you have to say. Thanks for the job" I said in disbelief. "What do you want me to say, Jude? I'm really glad you left me at the hospital. Say welcome back and give you a hug?" he said sarcastically. I was close to tears when Kwest came in. "Jude don't listen to Tommy, he doesn't know what he's talking about" said Kwest. "Kwest man what are you going on about?" Tommy said. "Jude, Tommy and I need to talk for a second," Kwest said before hauling Tommy out of his chair and dragging him into his office where he had a TV set up with his TiVo hooked up to it. "Tommy, shut up, sit down, and watch.

Part 14

Tommy waited impatiently as Kwest did a search and pressed play. He saw Jude sitting on a stool and had just taken a sip of water.

"Thank you guys you've been a really great audience. This is my last song of the night and I'd like to dedicate it to someone special" I said. "I just want to say that just because I'm not beside you doesn't mean that I haven't been thinking about you. You've been foremost in my thoughts, always." I said. I closed my eyes and started strumming on my guitar.

(These lyrics are "Home To Me" By Josh Kelley from his album "For the Ride Home")

Isn't it funny how the roads just pass us by
Isn't it crazy how we never get it right
Time is wasted on money and money wasted on lust.
Treat her like a lady and she'll never get enough

chorus
Cause' its you that I'm runnin to baby
Its you that I'm feelin for lately and
Its like a pain that never goes away
And it always starts today

Cause you are home to me, Cause you are home to me
Cause you are home to me, Cause you are home to me

Isn't it perfect how the memories feel the same
Isn't it amazing how the song remains unchanged
Time is wasted on money and money wasted on lust
Treat her like a lady and She'll never get enough

Cause' its you that I'm runnin to baby
Its you that I'm feelin for lately and
Its like a pain that never goes away
And it always starts today

Cause you are home to me, Cause you are home to me
Cause you are home to me, Cause you are home to me

Tommy sat there in stunned silence. "I'm such an idiot," he said. "Idiot, that's a little too kind, wouldn't you say," said Kwest. Tommy sat there shaking his head. "What are you waiting for, man. Go after her!" said Kwest. "What am I going to…" he said. "It doesn't matter," said Kwest. "Just go find her," he said.

Part 15

Jude was still sitting in the conference room feeling utterly confused. Tommy came in and pulled up next to her and took her hands his. "Jude, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I hadn't seen your show" he said. "I'm sorry," he said as a few of Jude's tears sploshed down on his hands. He didn't know what else to say, so he held her as his shirt became soaked with her tears.

Part 16

Both Tommy and Jude were so emotionally and physically drained that they both fell asleep lost in each other's embrace. Georgia, peeked inside the conference room and wasn't sure whether to laugh or to cry. She put a blanket over the two of them and put a 'do not disturb' sign on the door.