Tony saw that she was deep in thought and he knew exactly what she was thinking about. Looking back today, he can't imagine ever having been that person.

"You're right," she admitted, "you have put me through the ringer once or twice."

"You could have yelled at me. Told me how wrong I was - because I was VERY wrong. You could have called out how inappropriate my comments were, what a dick I was being. But not you. In the middle of probably the worst situation I have ever put us in, instead of defending yourself - which you had every right to do in that moment - you took the time to put yourself in my shoes, understand my pain, swallow your pride and walk away for the sake of saving our friendship. Honestly Judy, not only do I not deserve you, but this world doesn't deserve you." He declared.

"I think that's a bit much," she commented with raised eyebrows.

"I know it sounds silly to you, but that's only because you can't see yourself through the eyes of other people." Tony tried to explain.

"I am human Tony, it's just a little patience. Well … I've had to learn to have a lot of it with you." She teased.

"And I love you for that. But honestly Judy, I don't know … some days I wonder if you really are human. You walk around with this angelic aura. You have no idea the influence you have over people just with your calming voice - it's ridiculous."

"Tony…"

"No, Judith really! This is why they ask you to do audiobooks - trust me when I tell you there is truth to this. I could be having the worst day and just the sound of your voice can change that. You show up with your 'Hi Honey' and it all just melts away because it's impossible to be mad around you."

"Well," she said thinking back to her recollection of that afternoon in LA, "that obviously hasn't always been true."

"God, I was such an asshole that day. I have no words. But I will tell ya … after that, I became a better person because of what we went through." He noted.

"You need to stop, I thought I'd have to be dead to hear things like that said about me and you're creeping me out."

Tony smiled at the reference. "Alright, alright. God, I was such a mess that day."

"Noooo." she mocked, thick with sarcasm.

There was a moment of silence as they both dove into their memories of that day.

"Tony?"

"Hmmmm?"

It occurred to Judith at that moment, that they had never really discussed what happened between her leaving his hotel room in LA and then finding him in her apartment in NYC when she got home from work the following day. "What were you thinking? … following me back to New York City. When I left you, you could barely sit up on the bed. You went from that, to getting on a plane a few hours later and flying across the country to apologize?"

"Yeah … probably not one of my finest hours." He admitted and they both laughed but his mood quickly changed. "As soon as you walked outta that room … I knew what an asshole I was and … I don't know … I got so scared Judy … about us … about losing you too … and then I got your text … I just … I had to fix it." Tony paused as he collected his thoughts. "You know what it reminded me of in the moment actually?"

"What?" She asked.

"When you pulled me back into the carousel in Central Park." Judith smiled fondly at the memory. "I just felt like … I had to fix it. Before it got worse and it became too late. You know?"

Judith nodded her head as tears began to well up in the corners of her eyes, "I do know," she whispered. She reached across the cushion between them and squeezed his hand. "Our friendship has survived some crazy days and nights."

"No Kiddin'. But let's be honest. You and I are different when it comes to fixin' things. You - can do it … I can't." He laughed, shaking his head, "I usually just make things worse in the process … What a disaster that was," he added.

XXXXXXX

"I am such an asshole!" He yelled just before kneeling on the bed and punching downward into the mattress. Tony got up and angrily marched towards the window. He attempted to draw the curtains closed, but he was so consumed by his emotions that he ended up tearing one from the rod above. "AHHHHHHHH!" he shouted helplessly as he dropped to his knees on the floor. He just wanted darkness. He didn't want to see anymore, he didn't want to feel anymore and he wanted to cleanse the room of the scent of Judith's perfume which was now a constant reminder of the incremental damage he had just done to his life. He wanted it all to go away and he desperately wanted to numb the pain. "FUUUUUUUCK!" he shouted as his hands rubbed his face and head. Not knowing what else to do with himself, he began to cry again.

He woke up on the floor hours later to the sound of his phone. He had been ignoring it since he checked himself into the room two days ago except to leave Judith a voicemail the night before and then again to speak to her when she called a few hours later. 'Judith' he thought 'How could I do this to her?' He felt numb. His heart was broken and he had been a mess for days but this … was different. As he began to remember the events that took place earlier, fear began to creep up on top of all the other emotions that had, at this point, completely consumed him. The intensity of fear grew as he continued to recall all the things he had said to her. He slowly stood up and walked over to his phone hoping that it was Judith. Praying that it had all been a bad dream and she was letting him know she was on her way over - but he was not so lucky. He looked down at the screen and saw her name. A deep sigh escaped him and he struggled with whether or not to open it. He was terrified of what it might say. What he said was unforgivable and he knew that. He flipped his phone closed again and laid back down on the bed with it clutched to his chest wondering if this would be the end for them. He crossed too many lines. He had no idea how he'd ever be able to make it right again. 'But I can't just give up. I have to at least try to fix this.' He took a deep breath and opened the phone again. He scrolled to her name and pressed the button on the keypad to reveal her message.

8:01PM

I know we are complicated and I know that I am as much responsible for that as you are. But despite it all, there has never been a day that I have not seen you as a blessing in my life. I'm sorry that I was not able to be that for you.

'How could I say those things to her? None of it was even true! I did all that! ME!' How could I turn her away after she dropped EVERYTHING to jump on the next flight to LA to see me? What the fuck is wrong with me? I have to fix this.'

Tony got up and made his way to the bathroom where he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. "Asshole" he whispered to himself. "You better fix this!" he exclaimed before looking away and running the water in the shower…

Tony stepped out of the elevator and walked down the familiar hallway. He stood at the door still questioning his decision to be there, but after a deep breath he knocked on the door. Immediately he heard footsteps and was grateful that she was home. He looked up and waited for the door to open.

XXXXXXX

"Anyway … To answer your question … It was your text message, it broke my heart. I couldn't believe that you would even take any of the blame for what happened. I'm the one that pushed you to go to NYC."

"Yes," Judith interrupted, "but it was me that brought it up in the first place - not that I had any intention of it actually happening in the moment. I'm the one that went into your dressing room that day knowing you were upset and vulnerable. I'm the one that chose to actually get on a plane with you and take the trip. I honestly didn't know at the time that you would have any interest in me in that way. But looking back now, knowing what I know today … Tony, I think that what happened between us was always going to happen. Whether it had been in NYC that weekend or a few weeks, months or years later … I personally believe it was inevitable if I'm being honest."

"You might be right about that." Tony agreed. "Anyway, that was pretty much it. After I saw your text I got scared. Really scared. I didn't want to lose you and I couldn't stand that I had made you feel like you were ever a negative force in my life so in that moment all I cared about was trying to fix it. So I went after you."

XXXXXXX

"Robert!? … hey man …" Tony managed despite the unexpected surprise.

"What are you doing here?" He spat out in response.

"She told you huh?" Tony whispered disappointed - more so in himself for what he did, than in her for telling him about it.

"No. She didn't. But I could tell she was upset when she called on her way to the airport yesterday. So I flew in this morning, I want to make sure she's okay."

"Uh … yeah … I uh. I was a bit of a mess … said some things …"

"Tony …" Robert cut him off before he could explain and Tony was grateful for the interruption. "There are many roles that I play in my wife's life. We are very happy together and love each other very much." Robert paused for a moment before continuing. "But … for reasons that I will probably never understand, the shoulder she chooses to cry on will never be mine. That … will always be yours. I know she thinks that I don't notice or perhaps care when she is upset but the truth is I've tried to be that guy for her and in the end, she will always end up running to you. So, I no longer even try because I know it's futile, and that's okay. I trust her. Completely. And if she needs you to be that person for her in her life then, I'm glad that she has you." Robert was sincere. "Now … I don't know what happened yesterday. I haven't even seen Judy yet and she doesn't know I'm here. But imagine my concern when my wife, who lives 2500 miles away on the other side of the country, is in LA unexpectedly coming to your rescue. Then, leaves abruptly without first coming home because she is too upset to face her own husband in the state that she was in. She told me they needed her back on set but I know my wife Tony … and knowing that it was you that had hurt her well … I couldn't just leave her without a shoulder to cry on could I?"

"Ah … yeah … I was an asshole … she didn't deserve that … well uhmmm … look, I'll just … go." Tony turned around to leave and Robert was about to say something but just as he approached the foyer, Judith walked in the door.

She was looking down into her purse, dropping her keys back into it and was startled when she looked up and saw them. Tony only a couple of feet in front of her and Robert a few feet behind that.

A sadness glazed over her eyes as they met Tony's. "Tony … hi." she said surprised and walked past him to greet her husband.

"Hi Honey," she softly breathed out as she walked towards Robert and threw her arms around his neck. "What are you doing here?" She was so genuinely happy to see him. Judith finally released the grip she had on his neck and kissed his lips. "This is such a nice surprise."

"Hi Babe." Robert wrapped his arms around her waist. "I could tell you were upset on the phone yesterday, I … I wanted to make sure you were okay." Robert knew that as a result of no longer being in the business he didn't understand it at the same level as Tony and Judith and since a lot of her time was spent working it was just natural that she would turn to Tony for advice on things pertaining to her work. Of course they talked through all her important decisions together as a couple but when it came to conflict and brainstorming solutions, Tony was her guy and that just always made sense for them. But conflict between Judith and Tony - this was new and Robert was way out of his element. "I didn't realize Tony was on his way as well. We just kind of bumped into each other here a few minutes ago." He added, awkwardly pointing towards Tony.

"Ah, guys, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come out here unannounced." Tony said.

"You're right." Judith whispered, turning to look at him and immediately Tony swallowed the tension that had built up in his throat.

"Judith I was way outta line with the things I said to you," he admitted.

"Yes. You were." Judith was hurt and she wasn't ready to forgive him.

"I'm really sorry. I'm gonna go." Tony turned and began to make his way to the door.

"Tony?" Judith called after him.

"Yeah."

She walked towards the foyer and stood close to him. "I left because I knew you needed time to process what happened before you'd be able to discuss it with me, or anyone else for that matter. So, I wanted to give you the space and time to do that." Tony nodded. "Now you need to do the same for me, because I'm gonna need some time to process the things you said to me yesterday and … I'm not quite there yet." Robert was beside himself. He had never seen Judith this cold towards Tony and curiosity was building inside him.

Tony gave Judith a weak smile but the sadness in his eyes never wavered. "I understand." He whispered.

"I'll call you tomorrow maybe?" she suggested.

"That would be great." Tony slowly spun on his heel and walked to the door. Before stepping out he once again turned his head back and said, "guys, again … I'm really sorry." He looked at Robert, "You guys have a good visit," he added with a head nod and walked out the door.

XXXXXXX

"I spent that entire night thinking about you explaining it all to Robert. Wondering how you'd be able to make any of it clear without telling him the things I had said to you. Then I wondered if he knew about New York City … Until that day I had never really given it that much thought - Whether or not Robert knew I mean. But I buried all of that baggage for the sake of maintaining the status quo in our lives. NYC was not something I ever thought about. I think I'd trained my brain to forget it all for fear I might say the wrong thing in front of someone one day. Good thing too, because I thought about it a lot that day and ended up showing up at your door twenty-four hours later causing Robert to wonder what the hell I could have possibly said the day before to make you that angry with me."

"Believe it or not, Robert didn't really ask too many questions. As I've told you before, he has always just accepted and trusted our relationship. There's really no reason for him not to." She explained.

"Yeah he actually said that to me that day before you came home. Basically told me I was part of the magic that made you the person you are. He shoulda tried his hand at poetry, maybe he would have finished ten books by now." Tony joked but Judith just rolled her eyes at him. Tony shook his head attempting to suppress his laughter. "I swear to God Judy, if the tables were turned I woulda knocked him out at your doorstep."

Judith laughed. "I know you would have. That's why I married Robert."

Tony's eyes grew wide, "Judith!" he shouted. But he knew she was right. He had grown so much over the years and even he can look back now and understand where she was coming from.

"I'm just teasing … mostly." Now she was the one suppressing her laughter while Tony rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I had been so excited to see him when I was in LA and then when I left without going home first I was so disappointed. I was really happy to see him there that day, it was a nice surprise and unexpected because that was so unlike him. I think we just chose to spend the evening focusing on each other rather than worrying about what had transpired between the two of us. His goal was to make me feel better. I think he knew rehashing our conversation at that moment would not have accomplished that."

XXXXXXX

Robert was shocked. "I have never seen him like this, the guy is a trainwreck!"

"You should have seen him yesterday." Judith replied. "Believe me when I tell you this is an improvement."

"So, is it really true? Tracy left him?" Robert asked.

"Yeah. It's really true." Judith confirmed. "As far as I know they're separated but he really didn't say much else and to be honest, this isn't something I expected so I'm not sure what will come of it." Judith walked back to her husband. "But this is not something we can fix, so how about dinner with your wife?"

Robert wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. "Sounds perfect."

"I can't believe you came! I'm so happy you're here." She was elated.

"Well, when I realized you'd had a fight with Tony and couldn't go to him for support, I figured somebody should step in on his behalf." He mocked.

Judith smacked his shoulder, she was mildly offended. "Don't say that! I come to you for support." She tried to defend herself.

"Sweetheart, you ran to the airport and got on a flight to come back to an empty NYC apartment 2500 miles away instead of coming home to me and I was like … 10 miles away from you at the time." That was not a fact that she could argue.

Judith rolled her eyes with a sigh "I know … I don't know what I was thinking I should have just come home but I was so angry and frustrated I just wanted to be alone. Until I got back here and then I wished I'd gone home to you instead. But honestly I had to be on set this morning so it really was the right thing to do."

Robert kissed her forehead. "What happened anyway?"

"Well, he was an absolute mess when I arrived at the hotel. First of all he left me waiting for what felt like an eternity as I knocked on his door and called his name. But the long and the short of it is that after dropping everything and flying all that way there to be with and support him, he basically asked me what I was doing there and told me to leave. He wouldn't even talk to me. I'm such an idiot for going out there. He just sounded so vulnerable on the phone I … I don't know. I just didn't have the heart to leave him alone like that."

"But then you walked out on him?"

"I knowwwww I thought about that too, all day today … was that wrong of me?" She asked.

"Honestly Babe, you two are so complicated I'm really not in any position to know if what you did was right or wrong because I just don't understand your relationship." Robert laughed. Judith dropped her shoulders and tilted her head to one side. "What? Judy, the guy just seems so high strung all the time and you're so laid back that I just don't understand how you even have the patience for him." Robert had no doubt that his wife's complicated relationship with Tony was a product of that trip to NYC shortly after they first met. He didn't know exactly what happened on that trip and he didn't want to either. What he knew was that Judith came home to him and shortly after they were married. Whatever did or did not happen between them didn't matter. It was a part of their journey. "Do you really want to know what I think?" Judith nodded. "I think that it's only a matter of time before you forgive him. Because, for reasons beyond my understanding, he is part of the ecosystem that makes you the successful, kind, beautiful soul that you are. So instead of dragging this out and possibly making it worse just call him tomorrow and make up. But … tonight you're mine." Her smile lit up her eyes. "I know … I'm the best husband in the world." He added.

"You really are," she whispered before throwing her arms around his neck again and kissing his lips. "I love you."

"Maybe for dinner tonight we can finally go to Tavern on the Green?" he suggested.

"Oh sweetheart, you know I don't like that place."

Twenty-two years had passed since that trip to NYC and still Judith could not bring herself to be with her husband at any of the places she went with Tony. She had asked herself many times why she felt that way and she never could quite put her finger on it. It wasn't guilt - she actually had no regrets about the events that unfolded between herself and Tony that weekend. To her, it was just part of her story and she was quite happy with where it had taken her. But there was just something about it that didn't feel right. Almost as if in doing so she would be betraying not only him, but Tony as well. Perhaps some day she would figure it out and feel differently about the whole thing but for now … this was the way she wanted it.

"I know you keep saying that but I just don't understand why. It's so good!"

"I know but it's always so busy. I'd like to spend tonight with you and only you. No distractions." She added, seductively kissing his cheek.

"That's hard to argue with," Robert whispered.

Judith smiled, "then don't argue." She said as she began to trail butterfly kisses along his jawline and down his neck.

XXXXXXX

"Judith please!" Tony said, starling her out of her reverie.

"What?!" She asked, shocked by his sudden interruption.

"I know that look … can you focus please." Judith laughed so hard she snorted. It really was astounding how well he knew her.

A/N - Once again this sort of got out of hand … I'm posting this piece so I don't keep you waiting too long and I will tackle the makeup portion in the next chapter. Hope you're still enjoying the story - let me know what you think! I've had soooooo many requests to cover Tony's accident and it was actually in this chapter until I had a better idea for it so it will have to wait - but know that it is noted and coming.