A/N: I don't own Instant Star. Reviews are always welcome.

Episode 24 - Meaning

Part 1

Jackson and Jake were sad when Jude told them she was moving out permanently and moving back into her house, but Jackson understood. Jude didn't want to see Portia, end of story. She had just finished carrying the rest of her stuff inside the house when she saw Kwest's car pull up to the driveway.

Part 2

"Hi, Jude. I didn't think I'd be seeing you here" said Tommy. "Finally wore out your welcome, I see" I said to Kwest who was quietly trying to put Tommy's stuff back in his trunk. Kwest noisily dropped Tommy's stuff back in the trunk and gave me a hug. "How've you been?" he asked before glancing over at Tommy. I knew the question would be asked eventually, I just didn't think Tommy would be there to witness it. Kwest saved me from answering, "Sorry. Dumb question" he said. And then I did something that not only surprised the two of them, but myself as well. "Tommy, you can stay. There's enough room for the both of us," I said.

Part 3

"You want me to stay?" Tommy said incredulously. "I didn't say I want you to stay. I said you can stay; there's a difference" I said. Both of them were standing like statues, so to emphasize my point I walked over the car and started lugging Tommy's stuff into the house.

Part 4

Kwest, Tommy, and Jude were sitting in the living room when Kwest jumped off the couch and insisted he had to be going. "You remember Tommy about the thing I told you that I had to do later. Well now it's later" he said nervously glancing at his watch. Jude smiled. She walked Kwest to his car and gave him a hug. "Try not to kill each other," said Kwest as he let go of Jude.

Part 5

Jude was absentmindedly telling Tommy where the extra pillows and what not when Tommy reminded her that he used to live there once upon a time. "Sorry" I said. "Good night" I said. Tommy continued to watch the stairs long after Jude had gone up to their bedroom and shut the door. He sighed and made his way to the guest bedroom.

Part 6

Jude tossed and turned in bed for the next few hours before she threw the covers off and made her way downstairs. She made her way to the kitchen and turned on the light. Jude saw Tommy with the refrigerator door open drinking milk straight from the container. He started blinking his eyes rapidly trying to get them to adjust to the light and was spluttering milk onto the floor. I casually threw the dish rag at him and hopped onto the island and let my feet dangle. "Couldn't sleep" he asked after using his arm as a substitute napkin. I just gave him a duh look. I forgot that Tommy slept with not much on. Tommy watched Jude stare at him unbeknownst to her. "See anything you like" he said with a smirk. I ignored his comment and started making a pot of coffee. His eyes were burning a hole into my back. "I could ask you the same thing" I said. "That's my t-shirt by the way" he said as I felt him come up right behind me. I was trapped.

Part 7

He put his hands on my shoulders and slid them down to my waist. His touch still made me shiver. I turned around. Tommy saw this as a signal and he began to lean in for a kiss when I put my hand out to his chest and lightly pushed him away from me.

Part 8

"Tommy this isn't why I let you stay" I said. "Then why did you" he said hurt. "I didn't want you living on the streets" I said sarcastically. "So what we're just going to be roommates?" he said. I could see the pain in his eyes. "I don't know Tommy. I don't know what we are" I said. I could feel the tears and fought them off. "Are we friends?" he asked in a strained voice. "Tommy we both know we were never friends" I said as the silence crept up. "Let's sleep on it" I said. The two of us walked out of the kitchen before we separated at the stairs. I don't think either of us slept much that night.

Part 9

I walked into the kitchen looking like hell. Tommy had dark circles under his eyes and his eyes were bloodshot. I sat down as he slid a plate towards me. Tommy had made a feast. There were omelets, French toast, pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, juice, and of course coffee. "I appreciate you letting me stay, Jude" Tommy said before joining me at the table. "This is your house, too" I said as I started sipping my coffee. It was perfect. "When did you do this?" I asked. "I couldn't really sleep" he said as he dug into an omelet.

Part 10

Tommy and I could hardly push ourselves from the table we were so stuffed. "I have an idea," I said as I grabbed his hand. "Come on hop in" I said as I made room for him. It took him 3 tries to get in with the first with me ending up on the ground. Tommy spread the blanket over the two of us. He nervously inched his way away from me. "Tommy if you move any further away you're going to knock the two of us off this thing" I said. "We're just sleeping" I said with a yawn. "Besides you look like you could use it more than me" I said with a mischievous look. Tommy rolled his eyes as I expected and he carefully inched his way back towards me. Once he settled on a spot I could feel him relax. We spent the rest of the afternoon taking a nap on the hammock.

Part 11

Tommy was deeply asleep and had his arm draped protectively around me. He looked too peaceful for me to wake him up and ask him to remove it, so I didn't. I could feel his breath on my neck and felt the warmth from his body. I could feel my eyes getting heavy and soon our breathing was in unison and we were both fast asleep.

Part 12

When Jude woke up Tommy was gone. She gingerly got out of the hammock and stretched. When she got back to the house she saw Tommy's stuff by the door. "Tommy?" I said loudly and looking around. "Jude…I'm" Tommy said. "Leaving?" I finished. "Jude I can't…I just…it's too hard to be with you and not be with you" he said. "I'm confused…" he said. "This morning you pushed me away…and then this afternoon we slept together...you know what I mean" He said in frustration. "Tommy, we were just sleeping it was completely innocent" I said. "How can you say that" he said. "Because it's true" I said. "Jude you know how I feel about you…it has never changed" he said. "If you even feel an ounce of what I feel…" he said as he was interrupted by the beeping of the taxi outside. "if you don't…I won't bother you, again" he said as his heart was breaking. I could feel the finality in his words. The taxi beeped several more times. I stood frozen. "Jude…" he said. I saw the anguish in his eyes as he turned around and went swiftly to the door. His hand was on the doorknob…

Part 13

The door was open a few inches when I put my hand over his hand and shut the door. We heard the taxi beep a few more times before it drove off and we were alone. I turned him around. I stood on my tip toes and kissed him first on the forehead, then on both eyelids, before finding his mouth. He circled his arms around me and pulled me towards him.

Part 14

We lay entwined on the bed. "Jude I'm sorry…" he said as he pulled my face towards him and looked deep in my eyes. "You always hand out apologies so often…" I said teasingly. "Jude I mean it…" he said in a more serious tone. "For everything I put you through…" he said. "I love you so much it hurts…" he said as he held me closer to him. "Can you ever begin to forgive me…" he asked. "Do you even have to ask…" I said as I pulled him into a kiss. "I forgive you…" I whispered in his ear before kissing him on the forehead.