A/N: Alright guys, I've decided to do this just because for me, the end of an era is approaching haha. This next chapter is the last of Iris, not including the epilogue of course. I hope the ending of this story didn't seem rushed, but I just thought it was time to wrap things up with my reality of Jude and Tommy. I'm pretty sure I tied everything in so that all questions would be answered. I'm really hoping that this is a good ending, suitable for this fanfic.

I'm really going to miss writing this story, mainly because I had it going for so long and now it's time to say goodbye to this portrayal of our beloved characters. I don't want to say too much, just that I'm so proud of this series, it really helped me shape up my writing skills and develop my own sort of style in writing.

You guys as fans and readers have been awesome. I feel especially blessed to have readers like you all, constantly encouraging me to write more even though there were times when it almost seemed like this was on hiatus (I THOUGHT ABOUT WRITING IN THIS EVERYDAY! I PROMISE!). But to all of you loyal reviewers and readers (even if you didn't review, thanks for reading at least!), I really wouldn't have made this fanfic as long as it is without motivation from you guys.

So thanks to you all! And I really do hope you enjoy the last chapter, I wrote it during class, not bothering to take notes or anything because I was so inspired and jazzed to write it, so please reply with your comments and feel free to say what you want, I'm open to anything.

Once again, thank you all so much for reading. You have no idea just how much your reviews really touch a writer's heart.

Love ya all!
FreakEmoWriter17 aka Amanda


"This is Kristine Edanes with channel 10 news. We are at El Capitan Theater where a fairytale like movie of two passionate musicians was to premiere. But it took a turn for the worse when two psychopaths took hostage Tom Quincy, Jude Harrison, Jessica Harrison, and Tanner Hudson."

"The night was one to be filled with celebration. But with only minutes until the night was to begin, it was ended when tragedy struck and four of the stars were held hostage. The Harrison-Quincy's and Tanner Hudson were held against their will inside the women's bathroom with two weapon wielding criminals. Two shots had been fired, and there has been three reported injuries,"

Jess sat in the back of an ambulance, an IV attached to her hand to help calm her nerves. She was given an ice pack and had her stomach wrapped up from the bruised rib. Tanner sat next to her, his arm in a sling and an IV also attached to his arm. His other arm was wrapped around Jess's shoulder, rubbing her shoulder in comforting circles. Every now and then, Jess's shoulders would shake from all the emotion and shock that was still settling in.

Tommy was with another ambulance filling out some papers as he dabbed at the edges of his eyes and rubbed his forehead. Several press tried to get him to talk but he instead pushed the cameras away and stalked away to some place more private. Jess watched all this, and yet all she saw was the blood, the violence, the terror in her mother's eyes, the frozen blood in her veins circulating. All she could hear was the shouting, the criminal's laughter, and the final gun shot that put everything in mute and slow motion.

Only minutes later, Jess realized she was in the hospital, being handed a cup of coffee by Tanner. Jess looked over at her father, his eyes were blood shot and he continued to rub his forehead. Jess stood up for only a moment, and walked over to the glass window that was separating her from the room before her. The room that contained her sleeping mother, her shoulder patched up with all signs of recovery from the massive amount of sedatives that were shot into her system and the injury in her shoulder. Tommy walked up to his daughter and placed a hand on her shoulder and planted an innocent kiss on top of her forehead.

"The doctor said she's just tired now. She can wake up whenever. Her shoulder is fine, they were able to fix up all the damage that was done," Tommy said in his most rest assured voice.

Jess stayed quiet for a moment, watching her mother sleep peacefully. She watched as she continued to watch her mother's instinctive breathing; inhaling slowly...exhaling slowly.

"Dad?" Jess whispered. Tears were stinging her eyes at the memory of Ethan even thinking of taking her mother away.

"Yes?"

"Hug me," Tommy embraced his daughter, giving her a tight hug as she broke down in his arms. "Shh, it's ok. We're ok. Mom's alright. We'll get through this,"

"He almost killed her. Oh God, there was blood everywhere!" Jess exclaimed, the salty liquid spilling from her eyes like water spraying from a garden hose.

"Jessica. He didn't. Baby, don't think about the what if's. Just keep thinking in the now, your mother's alive, she's just tired. I'm ok, Tanner's ok, and you're ok-"

Before Tommy could finish, Sadie and Nate and Victoria and Stuart burst through the hospital doors. Sadie and Victoria in tears, they both ran up to Tommy.

"Where is my daughter!" Vic yelled in hysterics.

"Vicky, she's ok. She's alive. She's sleeping in there right now," Tommy said showing her the window where she could see Jude.

Sadie took a seat and wiped her eyes. She couldn't believe what was happening. They were only ten minutes into the movie when one of the concession stand workers ran into the theater shouting about gun shots. Everyone at first then believed he had been pulling a prank. And just before the security was to escort him out, Rebecca spoke.

"Guys, Jude, Tommy, Jess, and Tanner are missing," she announced with a hint of fear evident in her voice.

And the rest was a blur, security guards started to search every where, 911 calls were being made, the SWAT team entered and the police and security started to escort everyone outside.

"Sades? Where's Derek?" Sadie finally snapped out of her memories of hours before when she heard Tommy's voice.

"Uhhm, he's uhm. Sarah's, Sarah's watching him at home," Sadie said wiping her eyes.

"Tom, what happened in there?" Stuart asked.

"That guy, that attacked Jude so long ago, thought it would be a good idea to strike again," Tommy said having trouble getting the words out of his mouth.

"That was nearly twenty years ago. No one even knew what he looked like," Astonishment oozed from Nate's voice like a viscous fluid.

"He made it clear who he was," Jess said joining the group.

"Did he get arrested or anything?" Stuart asked.

"He's dead," Tanner mumbled quietly. It was a miracle that anyone heard him with how quiet his voice was.

"What?" Stuart was flabbergast.

"Ethan flipped at the last minute. Lost his mind and shot him," Tommy stated.

Everyone was in silence. Sadie, Nate, Stuart, and Vic all in too much of a comatose like state to say a thing at all. Tommy Jess and Tanner had nothing left to say. Everything hadn't fully settled in yet. All they could see was what happened only hours before. And all they could hear was the yelling, the chilling dialogue, and the gun shot.

The next morning, Jamie brought them all a clean set of clothes and sat with them for a bit. They couldn't speak. Just pure silence filled the area they occupied in the waiting room.

"I need some fresh air," Tanner said getting up and walking outside.

"I should go make sure he's okay. I'll be back Dad," Jess said kissing her father on the cheek and excusing herself.

Jess found Tanner outside sitting on the ground against the wall. She took a seat next to him, stealing glances at him, trying to see if she could see what he was thinking.

"Tanner, what's going on?"

"Nothing. Just needed some fresh air."

"Tanner. It's just me. Just me and you out here, you can let your guard down."

Tanner took a glance at Jess, seeing her emotions in her eyes. He saw confusion, the instability, and fear left over from the night before haunting her eyes. But as he took a longer glance, he saw her strength behind it all. He saw his Jess starting to slowly come out and be herself. He saw her passion and the fire she always had lit inside of her.

"I've felt a lot of things in the first 21 years of my life so far. And believe me, you should know that a lot of people wouldn't ever dream of living through the things I've lived through. But last night, when that gun was aimed at me, your dad, your mom, I had never felt anything like it. When that...that...thing did that to Jude, and I saw the emotions flash in her eyes, I felt my insides churn..." Tanner paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "...I felt my insides churn in the sickening way that no one should ever have to feel. And when he shot him. I just, I had to get out of there."

'It's okay to be scared, Tanner. Even my dad was terrified. It doesn't make you any less of a person,"

"Heh, I should be telling you these things, asking you how you are. You were there when it all started, I just came in during halftime,"

"I was surprised I was still standing. I thought I would've fainted some time while I was in there," Jess said, Tanner looked into her eyes and then began to see all the horror and fright that has plagued her since the night before. "But when he told me to turn around, and the gun was only centimeters from my forehead, I hadn't ever felt so small. When he started to hit my mom, I was so scared. If I could, I would've been doing the same thing my dad was. Pummeling that guy into the tile, but that gun was at my head, and it was only me against them two,"

Jude started to wake up and saw the sun shining brightly through the window. She blinked a few times as she started to remember last night. Jude remembered everything, from when she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up like needles to when he started to hit her. And then she remembered the gun shot. It pierced through the walls, the sound seemed like it was amplified because of the acoustics of the bathroom. And she remembered that the one person who made it his personal vendetta to ruin her life, had finally met his demise. Tommy interrupted Jude's thoughts as Jude saw him enter the room and take a seat next to her.

"You feeling okay?" Tommy took Jude's hand into his.

"My shoulder and legs hurt," Jude answered quietly.

"You got hit pretty bad last night," Tommy's voice was low and shaky, unlike any of the ways Jude had heard his voice before.

"Baby? You okay?" Jude asked, her hand tightening around Tommy's.

"Just seeing you like that. Seeing you forced into being helpless, I just wish it was me instead of you. He almost took my life away by nearly taking yours," Tommy's tears started to slowly fall, one by one.

Jude slowly sat up in her bed and planted an innocent, chaste kiss on his forehead and then leaned her forehead against his. "It's ok, Quincy. I'm here. I'm always here," Jude said placing another kiss on his cheek. "It takes more than a few sedatives, freaky dialogue and physical bruises to make me go away. No one can take me away from you, Quincy. I love you and Jess and Derek way too much to allow any of that to happen.

Tommy just simply nodded and Jude embraced him despite the pain in her shoulder. A few moments later, the doctor walked in with a clip board in hand. He was still studying the contents of the papers, flipping them back and forth, ultimately placing them in the holder at the end of Jude's bed.

"Good Morning Mister and Mrs. Quincy. The results from all your tests are back and for the most part everything looks good. You are expected to feel very lethargic and sluggish for about three to seven days due to the sedatives in your blood syste,"

"And my shoulder?"

"A lot of damage was done, especially when the knife was removed, but you will be expected to make a full recovery in six months. Until then, you're going to be wrapped up,"

"When do you think my shoulder will be healed enough to play guitar again?"

"I'd recommend you didn't, but if you are going to, wait at least two months and play only in brief periods of time," the doctor suggested. "I will give you a prescription of pain killers for your shoulder, and then you can go home,"

The doctor exited the room, and silence fell among the two. Despite all the uncomfortable silence, they both kept their hands tangled together.

"So, what happens now?" Jude asked.

"I honestly don't know. We could try and get back into the swing of things-"

"I think we're going to be okay," Jude looked at Tommy, and he saw her fiery passion in those gray blue eyes that had him hooked from day one. Tommy tightened his hold on Jude's hand and gave it a kiss.

"And it's because, he's really gone, now. He can't hurt us anymore," Jude said with tears of joy streaming down her face. "It's over,"

The criminal was identified as John Greenwich. As a child, he was known to have unhealthy obsessions and random acts of violence. As a young teen up until he was 18 he had gone through 12 different schools, getting expelled from each and every one of them for his violent behavior. At 16 he was finally sent to an all boy's correctional facility, where a year after staying there, he had seen the face of the vibrant red head he had 'fallen in love' with. And from there and on, his story was history.

Ethan was convicted with first degree murder and sentenced to be incarcerated for 35 years. He spent most of his time in his cell writing down his thoughts. That was, until one day he had received notice that he had a visitor. He walked into the room, it was surrounded by more security guards than usual, and then he saw the face of the person he thought he would never see again.

"Jess?"

She only nodded and he took a seat across from her.

"I just, I wanted to see how you were doing,"

"I've been better. Why are you here?"

"I'm not too sure. I heard that you're going to be here for a while, just thought I'd see if there was anything left of the Ethan I had known when I was younger,"

"I was always myself when I was around you, that was until I started to get warped in the head,"

"I have only one question. And then I should be going,"

"What is it?"

"I shouldn't be asking, but, why did you shoot him instead of my mom?"

Ethan looked around a bit, his eyes becoming edgy and his movements anxious. "Because I have a dad. Not a good one, but he didn't corrupt me. And Jude's the closest thing I'll ever have to a mom. She's the one thing you love more than anything on this earth, I couldn't hurt her at all,"

Jess nodded. She got up from her seat and then looked back at Ethan.

"Take care Ethan," Jess said and she walked away, leaving him there to sit alone, in the middle of an all gray and colorless room.

Two weeks later, it was the day of the Oscars. Despite the failed first attempt at a premiere show, the movie was still released and nominated for four Oscars. Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Music, and Best Movie. Rebecca was sitting with everyone, eagerly awaiting for the results to be named.

"And the winner is..."

Everyone was holding hands, hoping to have their first win of the night.

"Rebecca Earnest as Jude Harrison in Iris!"

Rebecca walked up the steps and graciously accepted the award. When she reached the podium, she wasn't sure exactly what she should say.

"I really really wasn't expecting to win. No, honestly I wasn't. I know everyone says that, but you can officially count me as one of the few who means it. Before the 'get off the stage' violins kick in, I wanna thank my family for supporting me in my career. Jude and Tommy for helping me prep for this role. The ENTIRE cast and crew of Iris, you guys are amazing and have made bonds as strong as real family. Just, thanks to everyone. Thank you!" And she walked off the stage with the presenter in front of her.

The next award was what would hopefully be Tanner's. He and Jess held onto each other's hands tightly, hearing the nominees.

"And the Oscar goes to..."

Their hands tightened, butterflies fluttered in their stomahs.

"Tanner Hudson as Tom Quincy in Iris!" Tanner and Jess both jumped into each other's arms in a tight embrace. Before Tanner knew what was happening Jess was gesturing him to go on stage and accept the award.

"First, I wanna say thanks to everyone. To the cast and crew of Iris, the Harrison-Quincy family, my parents, Jess, I love you. This award, you all made it possible. It's as much mine as it is yours. This is for all of us! Thanks!" and Tanner followed the presenter off the stage and behind the curtain.

"Psst! Jess!" Jude whispered.

Jess looked at her mother with a slightly nervous expression.

"Your award is coming up. Don't worry, I know you're going to win,"

"Mom, this is the Oscars, how do you know I'm going to win?"

"Mother's intuition, don't mess with it,"

Jess just smiled and replied back "You and Dad's performance is right before the final award, you two stoked or what?"

"Yep, practicing for a week, we're singing a cover ironically,"

The night proceeded, and Jess had in fact won her award. There was only ten minutes left until Jude and Tommy would walk on stage together and perform for the first time together on stage. For Jude it was the first time in 18 years she would be performing, and for Tommy the first time in 15.

"Nervous?" Tommy asked, holding on to Jude's hand.

"Are you going to be on stage with me?" Jude asked, knowing the answer, but it was their little tradition now.

"Always,"

"Then I'll be fine,"

The curtain rose, and Jess was already sitting on the steps with the acoustic guitar ready to be played. Tommy and Jude made their way over to their planned spots. Tommy at the piano and Jude on a stool in the middle of the stage. A water bottle was at the side of her stool. Jude took it and drank one sip from it before speaking into the microphone.

"This one's a cover of a classic song. I'm sure you'll recognize it,"

Jess started to play the easily recognizable melody on the guitar and the crowd erupted with cheers.

"And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me some how
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
and I don't want to go home right now," Tommy sang as he stood up from his initial seat, looking straight at Jude. Behind them were clips of both Tommy and Jude and some clips from the movie.

"And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life...
But sooner or later it's over
I just don't wanna miss you tonight," Jude sang to Tommy now standing up from where she was.

"And I don't want to the world to see me
Cuz I don't think they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am," the two sang together, their hands entwined and facing the crowd.

"And you can't fight the tears that comin'
Or the moments of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies..." Tommy and Jude were slowly starting to magnetize together, becoming closer and closer.

"Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive," The two sang as loud as their voices would allow, both pulling the microphones away from their mouths in fear of being too loud.

"And I don't want the world to see me
Cuz I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am,"

And Jess continued to play the repeated guitar part, Tommy and Jude joining hands and starting to slow dance. But as the song started to quicken, the curtain arose from another part of the stage and SME started to play along with Jess, adding more force to the solo. Tommy and Jude danced the choreography they had memorized for this. And even though Jude was a horrible dancer, there was something about slow dancing and couples dancing that Jude just knew how to do like it was instinct. Maybe it was just because she was dancing with the man she trusted everything with. The two had their eyes locked. Blue meeting Blue, fully pouring their love for each other out just with one stare. And as the solo broke down and was now back to Jess's acoustic guitar, the two gave a small blissful kiss causing the room to erupt into cheers and whistles, and just as they pulled away, SME jumped back in and the two started to sing the chorus all over again.

"And I don't want the world to see me
Cuz I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am," the two alternated the choruses, and for the last repeating line, they sang it together, watching as the crowd erupted with applause and shouts for more. As Jess's acoustic guitar started to fade out, so did Jude back to her stool, and Tommy back to his seat by the piano, and when the curtain had been drawn, the music could be heard no more.


REMEMBER TO READ AND REVIEW LMAO!

PS: there's an epilogue haha.