AN: OMG! I'm absolutely stunned! You guys are the best for giving me double-digit reviews! I was expecting maybe 5 reviews if I was lucky, but 12? I was so not expecting that! But I'm really, really, reallyhappy right now. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! OK, now that I've stopped jumping up and down screaming at the top of my lungs in pure, unadulterated happiness, and having everyone in my house rush into my room to shush me and give me lectures on how not to disturb them,on to the special ANS:
Rachel: You rock! Thanks for your compliment!
cecapo3610: I hope you like the direction I've decided to go in, even though I'm expecting everyone to chew me out for what I'm about to do. So please don't sue me, I can't afford all the legal fees :o)!
Petra: Awesome suggestions as always. I had thought about exploring the idea where Kwest loses his memory, but that wouldn't be very realistic. Then again, I don't think what I'm about to write is that realistic either, but I want to see what you think of it.
biminigirl15, I think you're right. Let me know if what I wrote is what you had in mind.
tommysmy21: You're too kind. And about Kwest's last name, that's kinda what I figured (that it was never mentioned), but I wanted to make sure. So thanks for letting me know.
qc rocker gal 13: Just out of curiosity, are you a Juderman fan? Or just a Speed fan? I'm asking, because Speed says "DUDE!" a lot.
hotpinkx: Thank you for your kind words. Is there anything you'd like to see happen?
alexzfan01: I'm really happy that you like my fanfic. Thanks for reading and reviewing it!
Criminal Insanity: I have to admit, I was like "Huh?" when I read your review. Then I remembered how I'd written that Speed still slept with his blankie, and that he didn't want anyone to know about it. I guess it's because of my super-short attention span, which is interesting because I can spend hours just trying to come up with something for you all to read :o)! lol
Ally, your wish is my command. Although I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't like it, since I'm going to see how far I can stretch the characters.
Shannon, thanks for the idea. I was originally going to have Kwest lose his memory temporarily, but then I decided to do something else (since I thought that Kwest losing his memory after having heart trouble isn't a common occurrence – at least I don't think it is). Plus what I'm about to do, I don't think anyone's ever tried, so maybe it'll work, but maybe it won't. Let me know what you think, OK?
xtaintedxlovex16, I also wish I could find a crate full of gems and priceless jewels. But I'm as broke as Jude will be if Darius decides to drop her from his label because of the pictures and her getting drunk, not to mention Sadie going on a wild shopping spree and spending most of Jude's money, plus Jude's house getting sold and her having to stay in the apartment. I can't wait for Season 3 to find out how it all unfolds (which I'm sure everyone else is dying to find out too!). And thanks for your comments.
OK, maybe I'll stop these if a lot of people review, since it's taking up a lot of space on here that I want to save for fanfic space. Should I keep this section, or should I leave it out? I'm equally split, so you decide. Feel free to email me, or post a reply, or whatever. I love to talk, I mean, email, so I'll be waiting to hear from you, one way or another. So here's my latest chapter. Enjoy!
Previously:
We walked in to Kwest's hospital room, and saw Sadie sitting there, her face expressionless.
"Sadie, is everything OK?" I said.
"Fine," Sadie said. She didn't seem fine to me.
"Are you sure?" I asked again.
"Yeah, don't worry about me. Kwest's going to be OK, don't worry," Sadie tried to reassure me that everything would turn out for the better, but I wasn't sure who needed reassurance more, me or her.
"I'll leave you 3 alone," Sadie said, getting up and walking to the door.
"Kwest, man, are you awake?" Tommy said softly, after Sadie had left.
No response.
"Kwest, it's us," I said, shaking him gently.
Kwest's eyes fluttered open. It took him a moment for his eyes to focus, then his gaze settled on ours.
"Tommy, Jude, where am I?" Kwest said, obviously disoriented.
Chapter 20: Smoke and Mirrors
"Kwest, you're in a hospital," I said, as Kwest looked horrified. I walked over to where they kept his information, and began to read aloud as Tommy came over and looked over my shoulder.
Dizzy spells…faint heart…needs complete bedrest and silence.
There was more, but I didn't know what all those medical terms meant, much less how to pronounce them.
"So, does it say how long I'll be in here for?" Kwest said, obviously uncomfortable in such a sterile environment.
Tommy quickly scanned the notes, then shook his head. "Maybe I can pull some strings," he said. I knew he was going to flash his Quincy smile on the nurses, and maybe they'd release Kwest earlier than scheduled. He left the room, as Kwest closed his eyes and sank back onto his bed. I let him rest in silence, as I could see there were dark circles under his eyes.
Minutes later, Tommy came barging back in, and announced, "Kwest, man, we're so outta here!"
Kwest opened his eyes again, and I wasn't sure if he'd fallen asleep, or if he was just resting like I thought he was.
"You mean, I can go?" For the first time in days, Kwest looked hopeful.
"Yup," Tommy said, and smiled as Kwest threw back his covers and tried to sit up. I saw his eyes glaze over as a wave of dizziness hit him again, and I grabbed his arm to steady him as Tommy did the same with the other one.
"Come on, Kwest, let's get out of here," I said, taking Kwest's arm and draping it around my shoulder.
"Um, guys, maybe it's not such a good idea for me to go home right now," Kwest interjected.
"What do you mean? I'm sure Sadie's missed you like crazy. Going back home is just what you need," I babbled on, not noticing the almost imperceptible shaking of Kwest's head at Tommy.
"Uh, Jude, maybe Kwest's right. All those guys and Kwest under one roof? Maybe it's better if he stayed at a hotel or something."
"Tommy, come on. Once Kwest gets back home, it'll be as if he'd never left. Right, Kwest?" I turned and looked at Kwest pointedly.
"Jude, what I need right now is some peace and quiet. Don't worry, I'll be as good as new in no time," Kwest said, although there was something in the way he said it that alerted me to the possibility that something was wrong.
I shrugged nonchalantly at him, and said, "OK, but if there's anything you need…"
"I'll let you know," Kwest finished. "T, do you think you and Jude could give me a ride to the nearest hotel?"
"No problem, man," Tommy said. The three of us walked out of there, and made sure Kwest was settled into a hotel room. Tommy promised to bring some stuff over for him later. Then Tommy and I went back to Kwest's and Sadie's place.
It wasn't until later that day that I got the chance to talk to Sadie alone in the kitchen.
"Sadie, you got a minute?" I said, hoping she could fill me in on what happened.
"Yeah, what's up?" Sadie said, looking up from the pile of dishes she was soaking.
"What's going on with you and Kwest?" I asked innocently.
Sadie's lip quivered, and it wasn't long before she broke down.
"Kwest…and I…fought…Liam…Portia…divorce…" Sadie bawled, and I couldn't tell what she was saying anymore.
"What? You and Kwest are getting a divorce?" One of my worst fears had yet to be confirmed.
"Jude, we were there in the hospital bed," Sadie sniffled, "and out of the blue, Kwest says that he needs some time to be away. From this," she spread out her hands, indicating the house, "from me…" She broke down into a fresh wave of sobs, and I sat there, awkwardly patting her shoulder, trying my best to comfort her.
"Sades, what happened? I thought you and Kwest were going to live happily ever after," I said, still trying to piece everything together.
"I don't know. All I know is that Georgia brought Portia in to help with wardrobe and stuff, and she's been spending more and more time with Kwest. And Liam, Georgia's new assistant, since E.J. is way overworked and snaps at everyone who has clashing outfits on, has been trying to get my attention. He's been asking me out, and even though I've told him there's no way in hell that I'd ever go out with him, he can't take no for an answer. Then a few days ago, I found Kwest and Portia alone together in the supply closet, and Kwest's shirt was rumpled, but he insisted that nothing happened. Then I find out that Liam's been sending me roses, and chocolate, and expensive wine, and at first I tried sending it back, only to have him come up to me and try to get me to divorce Kwest and be with him," Sadie wailed. "And on top of all that, Kwest and I are drifting further and further apart. Every time I bring up Portia, he gets more and more upset, saying that he's told me for the zillionth time that there's nothing going on, but that I should be more worried about turning Liam down once and for all. He also said there's something goin around that says we're on the rocks, and that a divorce is imminent. What is he talking about? Why haven't I heard anything about it? Are there rumors that Liam and I are an item? If there are, I want to know who started it, and ram my foot up the person's ass. Jude, what am I going to do? Has Kwest been cheating on me all this time? Is our marriage a joke? I don't know what to do," Sadie wept as if the world were ending for her, and my heart went out to her, as I knew exactly what it felt like to feel as though you found out that the person you loved one day may not love you back the next.
"Sades, I'm sure Kwest has an explanation for these. And don't worry about Liam. Maybe Tommy can do something about it," I said, rubbing her back to calm her down. I glanced at Tommy, and he jumped right in.
"Yeah, he does, and I will," Tommy said adamantly. "If Liam tries anything withyou, I'll make sure he's fired on the spot. As for Portia and Kwest, I can explain. When Portia and I were married, I acted impulsively. I took her for granted, and she went running off to Kwest. Pretty soon, she was spilling her feelings to Kwest, and Kwest took it all in. Then one day, I found Kwest and Portia together kissing, and it was the last straw. Portia and I split, and my friendship with Kwest went downhill fast. Kwest never contacted Portia again, at least not to the best of my knowledge, even though Portia tried repeatedly to talk to him. Since then, we've been able to rebuild our friendship back up again, but it took a long time for me to trust Kwest completely. Now I know for sure that Kwest wouldn't make the same mistake twice. And especially not one as important as this is. You're his world, Sadie. I can't begin to tell you how many times Kwest has told me how lucky he is to have you in his life, how much you mean to him, and how he'd always regret not asking you out sooner."
"So do you think Kwest has a good reason for having these pictures lying around?" I asked Tommy.
"Absolutely, although I can't imagine why he hasn't destroyed them before now."
"I know why," someone said from the doorway.
AN: Who said that? And what'd you think? I know it's on the short side, and definitely not my best work, but this was hard for me to write. So is it good? Is it bad? Love it? Hate it? Let me know by reviewing. So please review. And let me know if you want any more Sadie/Kwest drama. Thanks for reading!