A/N: OK, life has been insane, but I've got chapter 1 typed up! The next one is a longy, and I don't know when I'll get the time to finish typing. Running Back is still a no go. I haven't been able to get ANYTHING accomplished on that fic. I'm trying, I am, but I'm on a block. Every time I pick up the pen/pencil (I've been writing in a notebook on campus lately) I get so far (the opening) and then I get stuck or I hate it. I know what I need to do, I just gatta get it worded right.

Anyway, I'm sorry for the delay in this chapter. I hope it's not going to be frequent and all the time, but I can't promise. School is hectic, life is hectic, and I seem to not have enough hours in my day. I wish I could skip the next few chapters to both fics and get to the "good stuff" but I can't for obvious reasons. Hang on with me, I'm trying, I really am.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll try to get my fingers a walking. I'm posting this during a study break, and after this, I'm scrounging up some food and hitting the books again.

Enjoy the chapter! Comments are always appreciated

Black Sunday:
Chapter 1

"T!" I heard Darius yell. I looked up at my boss from across the room. "I need you at the meeting tonight." He informed me, stopping at the edge of my desk and looking sternly at me.

"D, I told you, I have to be home tonight." I stressed. I knew work was slowly becoming a rift between Jude and me and tonight I couldn't afford for that to happen. I promised her a night of just us. Sadie and Kwest were going to watch Briana for us. It has been months since we've done anything together and I'd be damned if Darius Mills was going to ruin it.

"Tom, I need you on this."

"Darius, I've had this put in for weeks." I stressed.

"When do you need to be home."

"Latest? By seven."

"Meeting starts at five. You'll be home by seven." Darius guaranteed.

"D, I don't"

"My word not good for you T?"

"No, it's just"

"Good. I'll see you in the boardroom at five." Darius informed me as he left my office while I stared helplessly after him.

I sighed and groaned as I reached for my cell. I was not looking forward to this call.

"Hello?" Jude answered, sounding happier than I've heard her sound in awhile.

"Hey Honey." I greeted and I could feel her smile on the other end of the phone.

"Are you getting off early?" She asked, sounding excited and I winced. "I wasn't expecting you to call for at least another hour."

"Erm…about that…" I started and I could feel her disapproval emanating on the other end of the phone.

"No." She said, her voice forceful.

"Jude, I know, but Darius won't let me leave early." I said, apologetic. She sighed heavily and said nothing. "You know I'd rather be there with you than…"

"So you say." She said, sounding disappointed in me.

"Jude," I pleaded, not wanting her to be mad at me.

"Whatever Tommy." She said and there was a silence between us. "He okayed this weeks ago."

"I know." I told her and I could feel her suspicion. "Look, he says I'll be done by seven. He guaranteed it. We can still do what we had planned."

"Tom, it's not the point."

"I know."

"Do you?" She asked and I didn't answer her, I didn't want to fight over the phone. Hell, I didn't want to fight in person. I hated it when we fight. When we fought.

"I love you."

"I know." She told me but she didn't return the sentiment and I felt oddly hurt by it.

"I'll call you when the meeting's over and I'll rush out of here." I promised.

"OK." She told me, sounding defeated.

"Jude, I'm"

"It's fine. OK? I'll see you later." She told me, not sounding fine at all, and hung up. I sighed as I disconnected my cell and tossed it on my desk. I leaned forward and put my head in my hands, wondering how the hell I got myself into this mess in the first place.