A/N: So, I was cleaning out my documents on my desktop and ran across a one-shot I never posted on ff.n and thought, what they hey? This fic alternates POVs between Tommy and Jude; each break signifies a pov switch. I know I don't have to designate, but I thought it'd make it a bit easier to read.

Please note: this fic is 9 pages in my word doc, size 12, times font. If you intend to read the whole thing in one sitting, please allow the time to do so. It's long, but it's a good fic…at least, I think so.

Dedication/Challenge: This songfic was a challenge proposed by LJMD on the DLS message board. If it wasn't for her and Melissa hounding me to do this, it never would have been done.

Source: I own nothing. Song is I Love You by…Celine Dion…if I remember right.


I Love you

I must be crazy now

My mind reeled as I pulled back from the kiss. He leaned into me, trying to capture my lips once again but I couldn't let him. I couldn't let myself fall all over again and let my heart get broken.

So I left; I walked away from him. I left and went to clear my head. Away from him. Away from everyone.

Maybe I dream too much

Every night, I dream of him. Of what could be, of what I want to be. Sometimes, when we're alone in the studio together, writing songs or recording a new hit, I imagine that he loves me and that soft look in his eyes as he listens intently to me is because he loves me too.

But When I think of you

I long to feel your touch

When I close my eyes, I can imagine what it'd feel like to feel his hands on me; how it feels to be close to him; to kiss him. How perfect it feels when he pulls me in for a hug and his body is pressed against mine. It excites me and calms me all at the same time. I never knew it was possible feel that way about anyone before. His very presence is intoxicating and sometimes, I can barely breathe when we're alone together.

To whisper in your ear

words that are old as time

I love you, Tom Quincy. That's what I long to say, to tell him. To show him.

Words only you would hear

I wanted to tell him. I was desperate to tell him. I've never loved anyone besides him. I'd never told another soul I loved them before; not Jamie, not Shay, not Speed. I want Tom to be my first…my only.

If only you were mine

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I wish I could go back to the very first day I saw you

I watched with a heavy heart as she walked away from me and regret weighed heavily on my mind. I wish I could have realized this was love a long time ago; but I realize it's too late for that and I'll have to live with that regret.

Should've made my move when you looked into my eyes

Those beautiful blue eyes. The way the light always seemed to sparkle and reflect in them. The way I could see every emotion she was feeling…

I was an idiot not to see it before. An even bigger idiot for turning her away at 15…and once again at 16.

Cause by now I know that you'd feel the way that I do

I don't know when I realized it, but I think deep down, I always knew it. We felt the same way about each other. It was love. Not family love or the love you grow out of but that ever-lasting, soul-healing, gut-retching, and painstakingly-wonderful love.

And I'd whisper those words as you'd lie by my side

I love you, please say

I love her. It hit me like a train wreck. I knew I cared for her. But love? I never knew what it was; let alone how it felt like.

You love me too

I need her to say it; I have to hear her say it.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and ran out of Darius' office in search for Jude. My Jude.

These three words

Three little words and they held so much power. Those three words together have made men and women commit suicide, cry, murder, and even live happily every after. A feeling so powerful there is a name for it in every language and each one just got more and more to the point and seemed more beautiful than the last.

They could change our lives forever

I looked around the studio for Jude, but I couldn't find her. I grabbed my keys from my desk and paused, a small smile playing at my lips and I began to write on a scrap piece of paper in case words failed me.

And I promise you

Something I never did before. I didn't promise because then I can't disappoint anyone but myself. And now…now I realized I wasn't just hurting myself anymore. I was hurting her too and that thought alone was enough to kill me.

We will be together

If she takes me. I was ready now and I hoped I wasn't too late as I rushed out to my Viper and sped off.

Till the end of time

So today, I finally find the courage deep inside

I pulled my car up to her house and put the Viper in park. I sat there a moment and took a deep breath. I was going to do it. I was going to tell Jude Harrison I loved her.

Just to walk up to your door

I made it to her doorstep. A place I've been so many times before. I felt my heart racing in my chest and I swore my palms were sweaty and I felt like a teenage going to see his crush for the first time. I never felt so nervous before in my life and I lifted my hand, which felt like lead and was heavier than I ever remembered it being; heavier than I thought possible and knocked awkwardly on the door.

The door opened seconds later and I felt my breath catch in my throat as I gazed at her.

But my body can't move

I froze. My mind seized to function and I just stared at her. My eyes taking in her beauty and her angelic like presence.

"Tommy?" She asked, frowning at me slightly and I still couldn't get my brain to operate.

Just like a thousand times before

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I was surprised to see him standing at my door when I opened it. His blue eyes were softer than usual and…seemingly conflicted. He didn't say anything when I opened the door. He just…stared at me; almost like he was seeing me for the first time and I felt a feeling of unease wash over me.

Then, without a word, he handed me this letter

I took it from him, my eyes questioning. He seemed to have snapped himself out of his funk and he motioned for me to read it. I watched him uncertainly as my fingers unfolded the piece of paper. As I flipped it open, he shifted nervously and I looked into his eyes and gave him a small smile before turning my attention to the paper he had handed me, curiosity filling my veins.

Read I hope this finds its way to your heart- it said

I frowned slightly in confusion at the first line and I glanced into his eyes and I knew what it was about. I felt my heart skip a beat as I lowered my eyes back to it and continued reading his beautiful words, feeling my heart melt at each passing sentence.

I love you,

I thought as my eyes read over his scripted handwriting. My heartstrings tugged and I felt tears stinging my eyes.

Please say, you love me too

I looked up into his eyes, looking to see if the words he wrote were really meant for my eyes only.

These three words

Only three words, yet they meant so much.

Could change our lives forever

As I gazed into his azure eyes, I knew I could loose myself in them. Drowning forever in the depths of his gaze.

And I promise you

His hand reached up and caressed my cheek; his calloused fingers brushing so gently, and so lightly that I barely felt his touch. I closed my eyes, reveling in the sensation as he continued to drive me crazy with his touch.

That we will always be together

His lips brushed against mine, lightly, softly, lovingly; and I felt my knees grow weak and his arm circled around my waist, as if he sensed I needed the support to stay standing and I wrapped my arms around his neck to further stabilize myself.

Till the end of time

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Well, maybe I

My arms tightened my hold as I pulled her closer, reveling in the feel of her against me and of the sweet sensation of her soft lips touching mine.

I need a little love yeah

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And maybe I

As he pulled me closer to him, I deepened the kiss, putting more passion and emotion into it than I have ever done. He responded to me and kissed me back with equal passion and I felt my head grow light and I swore I was floating somewhere off in the distance; A princess and her prince living their fairy tale kiss; not just standing on my door step in the middle of suburbia, kissing my producer.

I need a little care

--------------------------------

And maybe I

maybe you

maybe you

maybe you…

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Oh, you need somebody

I pulled back from her, the need for oxygen becoming over whelming as my lungs burned uncomfortably. She kept her eyes closed for a moment after the kiss and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. I felt myself grinning; I probably looked like an idiot, but I couldn't help it. I just loved her so damn much that it didn't matter.

Just to hold you

Her eyes fluttered open and her eyes gazed questioningly into mine. My hands settled around her waist and I touched my forehead to hers, gazing directly into her confused eyes.

If you do, just reach out

Her arms traveled down from around my neck and steadied around my back, her hold loose, but tight enough I could still feel her hands just below my shoulder blades.

And I'll be there

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I love you

I thought again, gazing into his soft blue eyes, but I couldn't bring myself to say the words.

Please say

I closed my eyes, feeling tears sting my eyes. God, I needed him to say it.

You love me too

Please say

He moved his head and I felt his lips touch my cheek. I felt a tear fall from my eyes and I wasn't sure if it was from the simple action or my own thoughts.

You love me too

I opened my eyes and he caressed my cheek, his thumbs wiping my tears away. His eyes were so soft, a look I had never seen before in anyone else's eyes before; let alone his, and I thought those very eyes would kill me with their loving-ness.

Till the end of time

He kissed my cheek again and whispered in my ear "Don't cry," his voice husky with emotion and it caused me to shiver.

These three words

Those three words neither of us could bring ourselves to say.

They could change our lives forever

Hopefully, for the better.

And I promise you

I felt more tears sting my eyes and I looked away from him. I could feel them falling down my face and I couldn't stop them anymore.

That we will always

His hand went under my chin and forced me to look at him. I sniffed slightly and he kissed me softly once more.

Be together

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I kissed her softly and pulled back. I hated to see her cry. It broke my heart every time and it killed me to know I was usually the reason behind her tears.

Oh I love you

"I love you Jude." I said in a tone I didn't recognize as my own. I finally said it. God help me, I was head over heels in love with this girl and I couldn't fight it anymore.

After I said those words…I never felt so free. So…at peace. I glanced into her eyes, a small smile playing at my lips. I did it. Relief flooded through my veins and I felt like a huge weight had finally been lifted from my shoulders.

Please say you love me too

She was staring at me, a shocked expression on her face and tears falling unchecked down her face.

"I love you," I said again, my voice quieter. "God Jude, I love you so much, it hurts." I confessed.

Please Please

I stared into her eyes, waiting for her answer, her rejection…anything.

Say you love me too

I didn't know what I'd do if she rejected me. Pushed me away and didn't love me as I loved her. She was…is my everything. She's the reason I get up in the morning. She's my reason to keep breathing; to live. She's my world. My everything.

Till the end of time

"Jude, say something," I said, feeling nervous at her lack of a response. Please girl, don't turn me away. I mentally pleaded with her.

My baby

"I love you too Tommy." She said, her voice breaking, tears running down her face, and I never thought she looked more beautiful in my life. I smiled at her and wiped the tears away from her cheeks and kissed her with everything I had. She didn't hesitate in responding and I don't think I ever felt happier in my life.

Together, together forever

Till the end of time

We both pulled back simultaneously, smiling at each other. I brushed some stray hairs from her face and placed them behind her ears and she smiled warmly at me.

"Dance with me." I told her, taking her hands and interlocking our fingers.

"We don't have any music." She stated, looking at me like I was crazy.

"Does it really matter?" I asked her as I twirled her around and pulled her back to me. She giggled at me and wrapped her other arm around me and I began leading us into a slow dance.

"You're crazy."

"You love me."

I love you

"That I do." She said, smiling at me and laying her head on my shoulder. I lay my head down on top of hers, a big smile on my face.

I will be your light

We continued to sway and dance around her porch to our own tune. I found myself beginning to hum an unknown song and she glanced up to me, her eyes shining and I couldn't help but smile back at her.

Shining bright

I twirled her one final time and pulled her back into me and I kissed her cheek once more.

"Tommy?"

"Hm?" I asked.

"What's next for us?" She asked and let my hand go and stepped back away from me. I wanted to pout, but I knew we needed to talk about it sometime. I honestly didn't have the answer to that question; all I knew was that I was sick of watching her date other guys.

"I don't know." I said honestly and she frowned at me and turned around with a scoff. "Jude, I want to be with you." I added hurriedly, placing a hand on her shoulder. I didn't want her to get the wrong idea.

"Do you?"

"More than anything." I responded without a moment's hesitation.

Shining through your eyes

She turned around and smiled slightly at me.

"Me too." She said honestly, her eyes getting glossy with unshed tears. I smiled at her and pulled her into me and hugging her to me. She wrapped her arms around me and we just held each other.

My baby

I kissed her temple and lay my head on top of hers. We'd figure out the details later, but right now...

I pulled back from her and tilted her head up to look at me. Her eyes met mine and I bent down and kissed her once again.

I love you

Fin!