Chapter 11: Tommy's return to G-Major

I sighed, typical Sadie. Tommy got up to open the door and I waited for the whirlwind that is my sister to hit.

"Sadie" Tommy said as Sadie walked into the room, "What a pleasand and unexpected surprise," the sarcasm was definitely present in his voice.

Sadie turned to face him, her hands on her hips and her expression one of fury, "How dare you Tommy? How dare you go and do what you did to Jude then come back here like this and mess with her head? What right do you have? Do you have any idea how much you hurt her these last couple of months? Do you have any idea of the things you've pushed her to do?"

I stood up quickly, "Sadie, lets, uh, lets not go there ok?"

Sadie shook her head, "No Jude. He should know"

"Look! Sadie, I can explain ok-" Tommy tried to interrupt.

"No! She's been depressed this entire summer. She's practically an alcoholic now she's been drinking so much-" I could tell she was only just getting started.

Tommy glanced at me in surprise but I looked away.

"Her music has turned to crap, sorry Jude but it's true, and look at her! Morticia much? I mean, the hair- ugh! She's got a great guy in her life but she doesn't even know it because she's still so obsessed with some creep who doesn't even give a damn about her!"

"Sadie!" I yelled.

"That is not true!" Tommy said firmly.

"I just want my sister back" Sadie said quietly.

"You done?" Tommy asked.

She crossed her arms across her chest, "I guess"

I walked over and grabbed Sadie by the arm then led her to the bedroom where Cassie was happily seated in front of the tv, 'Per favor!' she cried happily, repeating Dora's instruction to use the Spanish word for please - Per Favor.

"Look" I said, motioning to Cassie, "Does she look familiar?"

Sadie's eyes widened, "That's not... is it?" Her eyes widened even more, "So that's what Kwest was talking about..."

I pushed Sadie back into the living room then closed the door to the bedroom behind us, "Her adopted parents died." I shrugged and felt the tears beginning to well in my eyes as the sheer massive reality of the situation came flooding back to me.

"Oh, Jude" Sadie hugged me, "What are you going to do?"

Over her shoulder I could see Tommy standing by the window, he glanced over at me obviously wondering the answer to the same question.

"I have no idea" I replied, my arms around Sadie and my eyes on Tommy. These were the two people in this world who truly loved and cared about me.

---

After Sadie's sudden apearance I soon found myself feeling tired, young and scared. I made some lame excuse about having a headache and asked Sadie to drive me home.

I turned to Tommy, "Uh, thanks for... everything" I said, the words seemed so pointless and small, there was still so much that needed to be said "We'll talk later?"

He nodded.

"No disappearing again?" I asked tentatively.

He smiled and shook his head.

"Come on Jude" Sadie called from the doorway. She wasn't as furious at Tommy as she'd been when she arrived but she still wasn't any friendlier to him.

I took a few steps backward, my eyes still on Tommy, his eyes followed me to the door. "Bye Tommy" I said quietly.

Now I was curled up in my bed, hiding under the covers like some child hiding from monsters. If only life were that simple...

---

Guy was concerned about Jude. He hadn't seen her since the video shoot two days ago; since then she hadn't shown up at the studio and wasn't answering her phone or returning any of his messages.

No one else seemed overly concerned with Jude's absence, things were tense at G-Major but otherwise life continued as normal.

He was sitting on the sofa in the lobby, trusty spiral notebook in hand, mulling over the lyrics for his latest song. The lobby, always the center of the G-Major nervous system, was alive with activity. Darius was at the door of his office arguing with some delivery guy, Sadie was at her desk smiling coyishly at Kwest who was chatting with Tommy at the door to Studio 2. Portia and Liam where discussing the photographer for Guy's album shoot in the corner.

Guy glanced up from his notebook when the front door opened and frowned curiously when the commotion in the room came to a standstill. A guy, who looked to be in his mid twenties, was standing there looking rather uncomfortable and nervous, he had short black hair and wasn't overly tall but obviously had what it took to command the entire rooms attention as everyone was still rendered speechless.

"Tommy" Sadie said cooly, "Haven't seen you around here recently."

From where he was standing Kwest started to move toward Darius, his hands up as if to ward him off. His peacekeeping attempts where too late however, as Darius had recovered his voice and mobility and was angrily stalking toward Tommy (Wait? Was this Jude's Tommy?) who looked more then a little intimidated.

"D! Man, nice to see you again" Tommy said timidly.

"In my office now!" Darius said angrily before going there himself and slamming the door.

The room was once again silent and Tommy looked around him angrily, "What's everyone staring at? Get back to work!"