A/N: OK, I know. I'm a slacker, but I think this chapter will be worth it. It's LONG and...well, yeah. You'll see. :D I hope you guys enjoy! I had a blast writing it. So much stuff, so little time to write.

Chapter 24

"Are you ok?" Jude asked me as we left the hospital from my first round of the Amytal treatments.

"Yeah…just…got a headache." I answered, blinking a couple times to try and clear my head. "I'll be fine."

"Maybe I shouldn't go back to work…"

"Why?"

"What if you"

"Jude?" She looked at me with worried eyes. "I think I'll be ok by myself. I am an adult ya know." Jude bit her lip and didn't look convinced as we continued out to the car.

"How about we see how you're feeling when we get home?" She asked as she hit the remote lock for the car doors and opened her door. I sighed and got into the car, closing the door behind me with a slight slam. I settled into the seat and leaned my head back and closed my eyes, trying to will the headache that was only getting worst by the seconds away.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Jude asked me, her voice not concealing her worry. I rolled my eyes beneath closed eyelids and turned my head to look at her, her eyes as worried as her voice.

"I'll be ok." I answered.

"So, no." Jude retorted with a sigh. "What's wrong?"

"Headache. Dr. Franchi said it's normal, remember?" Jude frowned in response and reached over and felt my forehead.

"At least you don't have a fever." She muttered.

"Jude?" She removed her hand and looked at me. "I'm…what, 33?"

"32."

"Whatever. I'm old enough to know if I'm sick or not."

"Yes, I know that, but are you going to put aside your pride and say something when you're not ok?"

"I don't want you to worry about me." I told her. "I'll be fine. We already agreed" Jude sighed.

"I can't help but worry about you."

"I'll be ok. I'm not going anywhere." I told her and gave her a small smile. "I was too stubborn to die the first time, what makes you think it'll happen again?" Jude gave me a small smile and shook her head.

"OK, I'll stop hovering and treating you like you're 3."

"Thank you."

"Maybe like you're 10?"

"Whatever makes you happy."

Jude beamed and turned the key in the ignition. I sighed and closed my eyes and turned my head away from her. My head was pounding like the walls at a heavy metal concert. I could feel the car move as Jude began to navigate towards our house. I took a deep breath and hoped I wouldn't end up getting sick.

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"Jude!" Stuart yelled, not two seconds after we walked in the door. I winced at the volume but Jude, thankfully, did not notice it.

"Yeah, Dad?" She asked, stepping into the living room and pausing to stare. I sighed and followed her and tried to suppress the urge to jump up and down cheering. Littering the floor of the living room, were Stuart's suitcases. I managed to keep a grin of satisfaction off my face as Jude looked disappointedly around. "You're leaving?"

"Work called, we were in the middle of this huge audit and it was looking pretty routine, and well, they found something that is reminiscent of fraud and I need to get back there." Stuart said, sounding harried and apologetic all at the same time. He was supposed to be this hot shot Auditor in New York or whatever. Who cares, if it gets him away from me, I'm happy.

"Oh." Jude said, sounding slightly disappointed.

"I'm sorry, honey, I would stay and visit longer, but"

"No, it's fine. I understand. You're needed at work."

Stuart smiled in relief and I reached up and massaged my throbbing temples. In my momentary happiness, I almost forgot about my pounding head. It almost seemed like it was getting worst. I took a deep breath and looked at Jude.

"I'm going to go and lay down for a bit." I told her and she frowned, her eyes looking critically at me. "Stuart, it was nice meeting you…again." I managed to say, relatively politely, and brushed past him, heading towards the stairs.

"Tom?" I stopped and suppressed a groan. "Can I talk to you a minute, before I leave?"

I sighed and closed my eyes, willing the drummer that was banging on my skull to go a way. I reopened them and no such luck.

"Dad, can't you wait and"

"It's fine, Jude." I said, turning around and eyeing Stuart suspiciously. "Let's talk," and then I can pass out and sleep off this headache. I added silently.

Stuart smiled and Jude watched us uncertaintly.

"I'll be in the family room." She said, leaving us alone. I shifted my weight nervously, remembering the last conversation I had alone with the man, and shoved my hands into my pockets, hoping I could keep myself from losing it. Stuart watched Jude go and then turned towards me with a sigh. Here we go…

"Look, Tom"

"If this is gonna be some lame apology or another bash, can we skip it?" I asked tiredly.

"Will you hear me out?" Stuart asked and I sighed. I should just say no and forget the whole damn thing and go on with my life. But for some reason, I stayed and Stuart took that as a yes. "I don't know if you're playing my daughter and the rest of us for fools," He stated, his voice stern and for a split second, I swear his head turned this fire-y yellowish color and horns sprouted on top of his head. I blinked and the image stayed. I closed my eyes and shook my head and, when I reopened them, they were gone and Stuart was looking normal again. "…but I can see you still make my Baby Girl happy."

"Stuart, I care about your daughter. I couldn't imagine that I'd ever want to do something like that to her."

"I would hope not."

I clenched my jaw and bit down on my lip to keep a snide remark to myself. Silence stretched between us for a long moment. We both watched the other like predator eyeing a prey.

"Take care of my girl." I resisted the urge to say she was my girl and just nodded.

"I don't think Jude would let me take care of her." I joked and Stuart's eyes narrowed in response. "Yes, sir." I amended, suddenly knowing how the teenager felt when he took daddy's little girl out on her first date. Stuart held out his hand to me and I accepted the shake. I'd probably have to disinfect my hand later.

"See you later, Tom."

Not if I can help it. I thought and wondered for a moment if Stuart's words were a threat or a promise.

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"Bri! Don't climb on top of the counters!" I yelled as I grabbed the ringing phone, watching my daughter out of the corner of my eye change her mind about climbing on the counter and going back to her crayons on the floor.

"Hello?"

"Jude!" Sadie's high pitched voice squealed out. I winced at the sound.

"Hey, Sades, I'm kinda busy-"

"KWEST PROPOSED!" She yelled, and I found myself grinning in spite of her hysterical yell.

"Finally!"

"I know!" She squealed out and I could hear the beaming smile in her voice.

"Oh, Sades, I'd love to hear details, but"

"I understand. I just…had to tell you!"

"I'll call you later tonight, when I get Bri down." I turned my head and watched as Bri carefully selected her next crayon color and brought the tip to the paper, coloring vigorously and with the concentration only a five-year-old could muster. She was usually a good kid and very well behaved, but like most five-year-olds, she had her moments.

"Byez!" sadie said happily and we both disconnected the phone. I sighed and glanced up at the clock. Dad had left about 8 hours ago and Tommy had been out cold since. I ended up making dinner for me and Bri and leaving the left overs in the fridge if he woke up.

"Hey, Bri?" Briana looked up from her crayons and paper, her crystal blue eyes sparkling. "Can I color too?" I asked her, walking to stand next to her and kneeling down to her level. Bri watched me for a moment, a deep frown on her face as if she was thinking about letting me color with her. Bri nodded after a long pause and smiled. I smiled back and Bri found me a picture from her coloring book and handed it to me. I smiled at it. It was of a girl with a guitar. "You can color that one, Mommy." She told me and I smiled at her and looked down at the crayons, hmm-ing loudly as I scoped out my crayon victim.

"Mommy?"

"Yeah sweety?" I asked, snatching a good guitar brown and started coloring the guitar.

"Is Daddy sick?" She asked me, her voice serious and sad all the same time. I stopped coloring and looked up at Bri, surprised by her question and the sadness in her eyes when she asked it.

"He's just tired, sweety." I told her, reaching over and ruffling her brown hair. Her father's hair.

"Oh." Briana said, her eyes frowning.

"Hey, Daddy's fine." I told her, in a voice so certain, I almost believed it.

Briana looked uncertain for a long moment, as if considering my words before nodding and going back to coloring a cat purple. I watched her for awhile, wondering how she managed to be so observant for a five-year-old. She never ceased to amaze me.

A sharp knock on the door jarred me from my thoughts. I looked over at Bri, who remained unfazed by the door. I told her to stay where she was and she just nodded and continued to color the cat in. I got up and hurried over to the door. I didn't bother to see who it was before opening it, Officer Jacques Dubane standing on the porch. I blinked, momentarily surprised.

"How can I help you, Officer Dubane?"

"I'm sorry for stopping by so late, but I was in the area and"

"It's fine." I said, shaking my head and getting over my surprise. "How can I help you?" I asked. The man sighed and pulled a manila file folder from behind his back and handed it to me. I took the folder, staring at it in confusion and then back up at the officer. He gestured for me to open it and I did, my confusion turning to shock.

"Did you know about this previously, Mrs. Quincy?" He asked me and I glanced at the date before shaking my head. Six months before the accident. My heart had stopped, my throat was tight and I didn't know if I could say anything. I could barely breath. Why didn't Tommy tell me? "I'll take it as a no."

"No…I…I didn't" I felt tears sting my eyes as I shut the folder. Tommy had filed a police report with Toronto Police Department about a stalker roughly 6 months before the accident took place. A few weeks before the accident, a restraining order was issued to a woman named Jessica Blaine, fitting the description of Jessica White. The woman who had, essentially, kidnapped my husband.

"Is your husband in? I'd like to ask him some questions about this"

"It's really not a good time." I stated with a shaky voice. Dubane nodded. "Here's your file." I held it out for him and Dubane shook his head.

"Keep it. Show it to Mr. Quincy. It's a copy anyway. Maybe it'll jog something for him." I nodded and he turned and walked down the stops. He paused at the bottom and turned around to look at me once more. "Mrs. Quincy, I am continuing the investigation to see if this woman is actually Jessica White. If it turns out to be the case…I will have to arrest her."

I nodded and the officer tipped his hat before turning around and heading for his squad car. I turned and went back into the house and shut the door, my eyes on the file in my hands.

"Whatcha lookin at?" I glanced up and saw Tommy coming down the stairs, a questioning look in his eyes, looking more normal than he was earlier today. His skin lacked the paleness that had set in and his eyes were clear and focused.

"Hey, you're feeling better." I stated and he nodded. Despite the disheveled hair, he looked good.

"Mmm." He answered and looked at the file in my hands and then back at me. I wordlessly handed it to him and he took it from me, our fingers brushing and sending a tingle up my fingers. Tommy looked at me quizzically I couldn't do this right now. I didn't think I could handle discussing it. I glanced at the clock and left the room, needing to get Bri to bed and letting Tommy read the contents.

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I watched Jude as she left, my eyes narrowed in a frown. She rounded the corner and was out of sight and I looked back down at the file in my hands, staring at it for a long moment. I sighed and walked over to the couch and sat down, slipping it open and reading the information a bit before feeling more confused than I had in days.

Apparently, I had reported to the police a stalker chick. She made calls almost daily, wanting to talk to me at G Major and talking about how we were friend and even more some days. How she loved me and I loved her. I never knew who she was, she didn't ever give me a name but I wanted it on record that it was happening. Eventually, I told the receptionist to not forward the calls.

I flipped a couple pages, scanning and noting the progress of the crazy girl. She even came by G Major, asking for me. The staff wouldn't let her in, thinking she was some fan coming to get an autograph or something. When she couldn't contact me through G Major, she waited for me to get off work. Hung out at the coffee shop across the street, everywhere and anywhere, she was there. Trying to get me to remember that I loved her, that we were a family.

"Daddy!" I looked up from the file just in time to see Briana before she launched herself at me, her arms automatically wrapping around me. I let out an oomph of surprise and hugged her back. Briana pulled back a little, settling herself in my lap, her eyes looking at me in such a way, I had to resist the urge to squirm. Under the gaze of a five-year-old. Yes, I am officially pathetic.

"Yes, Bri?"

"Are you feeling better, Daddy?" She asked me and I nodded.

"Yeah, Bri. I'm feeling a lot better." Briana nodded.

"Good, cuz Mommy was worried." She told me and I glanced over at Jude who was blushing slightly. I gave Jude a smile and then turned my attention back to Bri.

"Mommy worries a lot, hu?" I asked and Bri nodded vigorously and I grinned. I reached up and stroked Bri's hair. "Ya know what, Angel?" As I said the words, I got a flashback, a memory.

"Here, you take her!" Jude said, handing the screaming infant over to me.

"What do you want me to do?!" I asked as I took little Briana Lynn into my arms.

"She always stops crying for you." Jude stated and I situated Bri in my arms and she stopped crying. Her tear filled blue eyes looking up at me and she burped, then giggled. I couldn't help but smile. "See, what did I tell you?" Jude asked, smiling at us. I didn't look up at her, but continued to look into the eyes of my 3 month old daughter. Not even a year old and I knew I was whipped for the rest of my life. "Daddy's Little Angel."

"Daddy?" Bri's voice came and I shook my head and looked back at her.

"Bri, Honey, it's bed time." Jude's voice came and Briana looked at me, waiting for me to continue saying what I was gonna say. I leaned in and kissed her cheek and Briana smiled.

"Mommy just cares about us. That's why she worries so much." I told her and Briana nodded. She wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.

"Daddy, don't let anything bad take you away again." She told me and I swear I felt my heart break at her words. I couldn't even say anything to that. How could you? Briana kissed my cheek and hopped off my lap, leaving me speechless. "Night Daddy!" She called as she walked up the stairs, followed by Jude. I turned my head, still trying to get my brain to work, Bri's words echoing through my brain.

I glanced back over at the file and sighed. If this were really true, and Jessica Blaine is Jessica White…I shook my head. What kind of sick person would do that? I wondered, and picked up the file to finish the last couple pages. The whole drama ended when I apparently got the name of the girl from an in person meeting and promptly slapped her with a restraining order. A month later, I was in a car accident that resulted in total memory loss. Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows for sure. I sighed and looked up to see Jude coming down the stairs, Bri must have been out like a light tonight, carrying a laundry basket.

"Want help with that?" I asked, setting the file aside and getting up. The washer and dryer were downstairs in the basement.

"Nope. I'm good." Jude said, her voice tense as she struggled with the basket full of clothes.

"Are you"

Jude just glared at me as she rounded the corner to the basement door. I held up my hands in surrender and went back to the couch, glancing back through the file to see if I missed anything through my skim. A minute or two later, Jude back into the living room, looking more calm than she had before.

"Are you ok?" I asked her, wondering what caused her sudden change in mood.

"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" She asked, her voice sounding strangely tense as she sat down across from me.

"You've been…acting weird. Since this came." Jude's eyes narrowed.

"Let's not talk about it." She muttered. I sighed and slapped the file folder down on the coffee table between us.

"I think you need to."

"What's it going to accomplish?" She asked, tears stinging her eyes. "you don't even remember filing those reports, so what's the point in yelling about it?"

"Jude, I"

"Tommy, if you know what's good for you, drop it." Her voice was full of anger as she said the words and I knew I should do as she requested and drop the subject. But I didn't want to. I didn't want it to loom over us like a dark cloud.

"Jude, I"

She leapt up from the couch, faster than my eyes could track, and started pacing angrily across the living room.

"What do you want me to say, Tommy, hu? You want me to talk about how hurt and angry I am that you hid this from me nearly 4 years ago? That I'm wondering what the hell else you were hiding from me? That I knew we had problems but I didn't think my own husband would keep something like this from me!" Jude's eyes started to water and a stray tear escaped her eyes. She reached up and brushed it away angrily, not breaking a step. "How the hell am I suppose to know that the chick, this Jessica, wasn't a one night stand gone wrong? Or, heaven forbid, an affair that got out of hand?" She stopped and stared at me. "How the hell am I suppose to know if my husband was fucking cheating on me?!" Tears were now falling from her face and I was speechless during her rant. At one point, my jaw had dropped slightly, never guessing she would feel this way. She sniffed. "you were always at work and…" She shook her head and buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking as she quietly sobbed. I stared at her, not knowing what to do. If I should do anything, or if she'd accept anything I tried.

Not knowing what to say, I got up, and slowly approached her. Jude didn't move, just continued to hold her head in her hands and cry. I felt my heart break as a soft sob escaped her throat.

"Hey," I said softly, and reached out and touched her arm. Jude unburied her face and threw her arms around me and sobbed into my shoulder. I wrapped my arms instinctly around her, rocking us softly back and forth, my hands running calming strokes through her hair and down her back, murmuring whatever came to mind to help her feel better. Jude's sobs finally quieted down and she stood, shaking slightly, her grip on me tight as if she was afraid I was going to disappear if she let go of me.

"Jude?" I said softly and she sniffled in response. "I could never imagine in a million years cheating on you." I told her, and she looked up at me and into my eyes, her blue eyes red, puffy, and filled with tears and sadness, but so much hope as well. "I can't guarantee it, but Jude…I couldn't imagine ever hurting you like that." Jude untangled one hand from around me and reached up and stroked my cheek softly with the tips of her fingers.

"I wish that you remembered." Jude whispered, her hand sliding through my hair and running over the scar I knew covered my scalp, hidden by my thick dark hair.

"Me too."

Jude smiled sadly at me and I continued to look into her eyes. She was so beautiful even with her cheeks tear stained and eyes blood shot. When she was upset and crying, it felt like my world was crashing around me. I felt her pain probably as well as if it had been my own. Before I was even conscious of it, she kissed me…or was it I kissed her…either way, her soft, velvety lips were on mine and I felt my eyes close instantly. My arm around her waist pulled her closer. I deepened the kiss, putting everything into it and Jude responded, her hands locked around my neck, pulling my head down closer to her and I didn't mind at all. This, I thought, is perfect.

After a long moment, Jude and I both pulled back. Jude's eyes grew wide in panick and I reached up and caressed her cheek. She looked down at the floor, away from my eyes and I felt my heart sink.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have"

"Jude?"

"Yeah?" I moved my hand and lifted her chin so her eyes were looking into mine.

"Don't be sorry." I whispered and leaned down and kissed her hard on the mouth.