A/N: Okay, this chapter truly is short and probably my worst chapter yet, because I have HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE writers block...so I basically forced this chapter out. It probably sucks...really bad. Really bad. hahaah...i'm sorry you guys...realllllly sorry. I beg your forgiveness

Chapter 16-

Tommy followed Jude and Stuart to the car, but Stuart pulled Jude into the passengers seat and sat himself in the drivers seat. Tommy banged his fist on the passenger window.

"Stuart! Stop!" Tommy pleaded. Stuart just glared at Tommy and began backing up the car. Tommy flinched back so he wouldn't get run over.
"Dad! Be careful!" Jude yelled "You're gonna hit Tommy"
"Hush!"
Stuart drove off with Jude and Tommy stood in the parking lot as if his whole world was just shattered. He got into his own car and drove away furiously. He was speeding, and he didn't care if he got caught. He found his way to his house and stormed through the front door. He threw his keys on the counter and picked up the phone, dialing Jude's number. She didn't answer. He called again. Same result. He gave up and went to his room, turning on the TV. He wasn't actually watching it, but it helped him relieve boredom.

Jude walked into her fathers house silently. He ordered her to sit on the couch so she did. He sat across from her, fidgeting with his fingers trying to find the words to say. Jude didn't need this. She was an adult, she didn't need to be lectured.

"Jude. You can't be serious?" Stuart began

"Serious about what dad? Tommy? Uh, yeah, I am"
"Don't smart mouth me, young lady! I'm still your father regardless of your age and I---"
"And YOU lost me when I moved out 3 years ago!" Jude had no control over her words anymore "You didn't want me and Tommy together from the beginning. I chose him, dad. I didn't choose you and mom"

"Jude, that was different. We figured you two would break up"
"So you think I'm just that naive? Right? I would move in with a guy I was gonna break up with in a matter of weeks?"
"Possibly"
"I can NOT believe I am hearing this from my own father! How could you!"
"Jude he isn't good for you! He cheated on Sadie and broke her heart. He's probably got a new girl for every night of the week"
"Um, first of all, he didn't cheat on Sadie, that was a misunderstand. Secondly, He's with ME every night of the week"
"Well he's gotta get...you know...from somewhere!" Stuart said. Jude couldn't believe he thought she was that innocent.

"Dad. Look at me" Jude tried to calm down. He looked into her eyes. "How old am I?"
"Jude you're still my daughter"
"I'm not your baby. I'm your daughter. I'm your grown up daughter. Why did you let Sadie go so fast? Why can't you let go of me?"
Stuart had nothing left to say to this, and he surrendered. His hands were trembling and he placed his face in his hands, crying lightly. He wiped the tears away and looked at Jude.

"Go" He said. Jude was confused.
"What?"
"Go to him then. I'll support you..."
"Thank you dad" Jude kissed her father on his forehead and called Tommy. In a matter of minutes he was at Stuarts front door to pick up Jude. Stuart shook Tommy's hand.

"You...have alot to prove" Stuart said
"Will do" Tommy smiled and wrapped an arm around Jude's shoulder. He led her out to his car and drove her home. To their home.

Jude stumbled into the doorway laughing. She had told Tommy the whole story, and they both couldn't believe how she stood up to her dad like that. She wasn't used to her father being the bad guy...but in the end he was also a good guy. He just didn't see yet. Jude's arms found Tommy's waist and she pulled him close to her. He took her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. She lifted her face so their lips could meet. He pulled away.

"I'm glad..." He said "That everything's okay..for now"
"Yeah?"
"But theres one thing that I need to tell you"
"Huh?"

"I...ran into Derek..."

"WHAT!" Jude backed away from Tommy and let herself fall over the couch. All of her worst fears, her dreams, everything was coming back. She could only imagine how it must be for Tommy.

"He didn't see me..."
"How could he not see you!"
"He was walking down the street. He only had on shorts and a shirt. No shoes or anything"
"That bum!"
"But I don't know what he wants" Tommy explained "Because he looked so...deep in thought"
"He was probably hiding from the cops"
"He wasn't alert at all."
"I donno Tommy...but why didn't you call the police?"
"And what? He'll break from prison again. Let him be on the prowl for now. If he wants me...here I am"
"Tommy stop it. You're being..."
"I'm tired of fear, and I'm tired of the memories."
"You got shot" Tommy winced when she said this.

"And I survived." Tommy replied

"You could have died"
"Derek won't do anything to me..." Tommy took Jude's hand in his own. "I promise"
"Somehow...that isn't enough." Jude picked up the phone and handed it to Tommy.

"What are you doing?"
"Call the police, report that you saw him"
"Jude, they wouldn't be able to find him now. It's too late"
"They'll raise the security. Tommy, -please"

"Fine"

Tommy picked up the phone and dialed the number for the police station. He told them what he saw, and they took immediate action. Police cars raided the streets for hours. This isn't exactly what Tommy wanted...but he dealt with it.

The next day, the police cars were slowly fading away one by one. Tommy said he was going out to buy some things they needed for the house. Jude said she'd stay at the house. Darius wasn't happy about her early arrival from tour, and demanded they get back to work as soon as possible. She stayed home to write songs.

Tommy left, and Jude was home alone now. She sat on her bed, writing away. She wrote lyrics for about 4 songs, and was now working on the music to one of them that especially meant something to her.

"You created a barrier

and let me in

I was forced out

I can never win

I thought you were everything

to them you were nothing...

to them you were nothing...

I can't look back

at what I chose

and smile

I can't turn back

and see the things

I did

you'll just have

to prove me right again

because I've lost everything

that meant to me"

She was content with the lyrics and strummed at her guitar. The song was so emotional to her that she was playing the guitar way too hard. One of her strings plucked off. Man! She scolded herself. She walked into the closet and pulled out the necessary string. She always cut her finger when she did this. She carefully took out the wire and wrapped it around the pieces of the guitar it belonged. She tightened it, and cut it off the reel. She was happy that she didn't cut herself. With that, she resumed writing her song.

Tommy walked out of the grocery store carrying 3 heavy bags. They were, however, small enough to put in the front seat of the car. He walked up to the car and unlocked it. As he was leaning down to open the door, he felt pressure on the back of his head. He lifted slowly.

"Not a word" Somebody said behind him. Tommy obeyed. He suddenly realized that what was pressing on his neck was the barrel of a gun. He also recognized the voice as Derek.

"Take me back to your house" Derek ordered. Tommy gulped.
"No"

"Now! I don't want you! I want the Harrison! It's time to settle the score."
"Shoot me then" Tommy closed his eyes and waited for the blow. No way was he going to let anything to happen to Jude. He heard the creaking of the trigger and his hands began shaking. Suddenly, Derek took the gun away from Tommy's head and concealed it in his shirt. Tommy turn around to face him. He noticed that Derek stopped because more people were beginning to exit the grocery store, which would cause a bigger scene than wanted.
"Tell anybody about this meeting and I really will blow your brains out" Derek laughed and spit on the ground before Tommy's feet. He then walked away and Tommy put the grocerys in his car and drove home. He walked in the doorway silent and in shock. He could have died. He was finally beginning to understand why Jude was so worried about him. He put the groceries down where he stood and fell to the floor, cupping his face in his hands. Jude heard a crash in the living room so she ceased her songwriting and walked out in the living room. She knelt down to his level and placed a hand on him, he was shaking, and his face was pale.
"Tommy...Tommy what happened!"
"I..." Tommy couldn't find the words. He just scooped Jude up and placed his hand behind her head, taking in her scent. He was so happy that he didn't let her go. That he didn't give in. He was so afraid. She held him for a moment, feeling his tense body beneath her. She rubbed his back softly

"What happened?" She tried again

"We need to call the police and get you under 24 hour security" was all Tommy could say. He took Judes hand and helped her off the floor. She knew what he meant. She was going to have to stay in a shelter for a while until Derek was caught. She guessed that Derek had found Tommy finally. She stood up, beginning to object.
"Tommy I don't wanna go to a shelter!"
"It's safer there Jude. You're not going to die! You're not going to!" Tommy banged his fist on the counter and tried the police for the 3rd time. They weren't picking up for some reason. Finally, they answered. He ordered the security and explained the situation. They immediately obeyed and drove up to the house. They walked in, sat Jude down, and explained to her where she was going to stay and what it was like there.

"What about Tommy?" She asked

"I don't care about me right now, we need to care about you"
"Tommy! You're being incredibly stupid!"
"Well then, my stupidity will save your life"

One of the officers led Jude to the police car and helped her in the back seat. He slammed the door shut and Jude glared at Tommy in a "help-me" look. He looked away because he didn't want to feel so bad about making her go. He knew it was best for her. She just had to understand that.

A/N I danced for the last chapter and all the reviews it got. But I probably wont dance for this one. I'm serious...it just plain sucks