A/N: I do not own Ben and Jerry's icecream…hhhm, I wish I did though…could you imagine, eating all the ben and jerry's you want…yeah, that'd be the life…

Anywho, glad you guys liked the last chapter. I was going to update sooner, but I had some…personal, issues I had to work out. Those of you who are on the DLS, you guys know all about it…at least, if you read Stealing Innocence, but I don't want to get into it again. Let's just say it was something that was effecting my writing and I just couldn't think outside of a mild depressed state. I'm ok now…I think, and I hope you guys like the chapter!

Chapter 11

The next day

Tommy and Kwest sat in the studio, working on some backtracks for Shattered's newest single. Tommy had noticed a difference in Kwest's attitude over the last day or so and he couldn't figure out what it was. He almost seemed nervous in his presence and he wanted to press his friend for further information, but Kwest wasn't in a talkative mood. Tommy figured if it was important enough, his Kwest would tell him in due time.

"So…did you see her last night?" Kwest asked, looking apprehensive. Tommy studied Kwest a long moment, searching his brain on who he was suppose to see.

"See who?" Tommy asked after a moments thought, confusion evident on his face. Kwest looked slightly panicked and Tommy didn't fail to notice the hesitation he took before he answered. Tommy sighed heavily. "Michelle?" He asked, and Kwest nodded.

"Yeah, I thought she'd be there"

"She was working graveyard at the hospital last night."

"Oh." Kwest said, letting out a breathe he didn't know he'd been holding. Damn it Jude! If you don't tell him soon, he's going to get ticked.

"I thought you didn't like Michelle." Tommy said, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"I don't hate her, I just think she's too nice." Kwest said, busying himself with the soundboard again. Tommy watched his friend a moment, a frown on his face. Kwest glanced over at Tommy. "What?" He asked, pretending like nothing was wrong.

"Something's…up." Tommy said, looking like he was trying to go from point a to point c by skipping over point b.

"Nothing's up." Kwest insisted, looking away from Tommy's prying eyes.

"You're hiding something." Tommy accused, trying to catch Kwest's gaze again but the sound-tech wouldn't meet his best friend's eyes.

"You're being paranoid." Kwest insisted. Tommy let out a heavy sigh and shrugged.

"If you say so." He stated, not looking convinced and slipped his headphones on his head, effectively ending the discussion with Kwest. Kwest watched his friend for a moment, wondering how long he was going to be able to keep Jude a secret.

Jude sat on Kat and Jamie's sofa, eating Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby icecream out of the carton with a large spoon.

"Uh-ho. Ben and Jerry's is out." Kat stated, sitting down next to Jude. "Come on, talk to Dr. Katarina."

Jude shook her head and shoved another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.

"Sorry for leaving last night." Jude muttered between a mouthful of ice cream goodness.

"We tried to find you, but that place as so packed"

"It's ok. I just wanted to get away." Jude said, poking the spoon in the carton of ice cream.

"Want to talk about it?" Kat asked, her eyes sympathetic.

"I'd rather drown in Ben and Jerry's." Jude stated, taking another bite.

"Unfortunately, that's only a temporary fix honey." Kat said and added "And you're going to get fat and then you'll be miserable and fat." Kat pointed out.

"I don't care." Jude said, taking a bigger bite as if to prove her point. Kat smiled at her friend and said nothing. Jude kept shoving ice cream into her mouth and after a couple more bites, the young woman began to pour her heart out to Kat.

"It's just…I knew coming back that Tommy still loved me. I thought…I don't know, we'd just fall back into our relationship and everything would be ok. I had every intention of talking to him last night…I even had rehearsed what I was going to say." Jude said, pouting.

"So, what changed?"

"His songs...they were so…so…" Jude looked like she was at a loss for words.

"Beautiful?" Kat asked, trying to help her friend.

"Beautifully depressing. God Kat, I really hurt him." Jude said, staring into the Ben and Jerry's carton as if she were contemplating another bite.

"Honey, you know it's no excuse"

"I know Kat, I know, it's just….I never considered he'd be that broken up by me leaving." She said, looking up at Kat, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"I don't know if this is the right time to tell you this, but you know how Jamie has been working at G Major?" Jude nodded and Kat wrapped an arm around Jude's shoulders and pulled her close in a gesture of comfort. "Tommy and Jamie kind of…bonded after you left." Jude glanced up at Kat, a look of surprise on her face. "I know, unlikely pair, but you know what probably made Tommy swallow his pride and befriend Jamie?"

"Me?" She asked, a couple tears falling down her face.

"Honey, the man constantly asked about you. If we heard from you, how you were doing…honey, he cared so much about how you were doing. He just wanted you to be happy."

"I wasn't happy Kat, I was miserable." Jude said, more tears falling down her face. Jude picked up her spoon and went to shove another spoonful into her mouth when Kat stopped her.

"I know sweetie, but it got better didn't it? The pain lessened slightly and with each day, it hurt less." Jude nodded slightly.

"It still hurts, though." Jude stated, shaking her head. "I really messed up Kat, I shouldn't have run."

"It's going to work out. You'll see." Kat said, stroking Jude's hair in comfort.

"How do you know?"

"Because, you're perfect for each other." Kat said, smiling at Jude. Jude smiled slightly, and looked back at the Ben and Jerry's. "You going to talk to him?"

"Can I finish my icecream first?" Jude asked and Kat laughed in response.