Turn the Tables

Jude slowly opened her eyes, blinking to adjust her eyes to the bright light shinning in her face. It took a few moments to realize the light was a reflection off the mirror opposite of her. As her eyes focused she noted the small bunk bed she was laying on and the coarse wool blanket against her bare arms.

She was in a small room, one port hole above her head and a small end table beside her. The door was to the right of her feet against the wall with the dirty mirror that woke her up. The only other furnishing was the small wardrobe on the wall to the right of the door. Not only was the room slightly moving, but the walls were made of metal with pipes zigzagging around them. She may have never been on a ship or boat but Jude knew with out a doubt that's where she was. The only question was, why?

Suddenly images started coming back to her. She remembered an alley, over hearing a group of men talk, running… and finally; Tommy. No, she had to of been mistaken. Tommy was gone; he left over a year ago; on their wedding day. Jude felt her blood begin to boil at the memory. The anger was the only thing that had got her through the months of heartbreak.

She had realized after he left how much she wanted, nay needed to know why he had left. She may have agreed to stop the wedding but he was the insistent one. It was him who first mentioned not going through with it, even though she too was having her doubts. She marked them as cold feet and thought nothing of it, until he spoke. She felt she agreed more for his sake than hers. It was what he wanted. Then he left.

Jude rose into a sitting position knocking her thoughts back on track. The past wouldn't help her now so there was no point in going there. She needed to figure out what was going on and where she was headed.

As she started to rise, she felt something was wrong with the picture. Despite the obvious kidnapping something was missing…

Zoey!

Jude glanced around the dingy room and noticed that there was no place she could be. She bolted for the door to find it locked from the outside. In her worry though, she barely noted it past a road block in her mission. She had to find her, and she'd give anything to do so.

When she realized pulling on the door had no affect, she went to pounding and screaming. Alternating between a closed fist and open hand, she refused to stop. Behaving like a mad woman on a rampage, she screamed louder than ever and hammered the door until her hands went numb. When she finally gave up and she couldn't hear any movement outside the door, she turned away to look at the room in a new desperation.

It was hours later before she heard the thump of boots outside the door. She stood from the bed where she was slumped over; ready to take on what or who ever came through the door.

The jingle of keys was followed by the clicks of locks sliding back. Then the door hand twisted and finally it opened.

Jude felt her breath hitch in her throat at the man that walked in. He was just like the man she remembered. Same tall posture, same slight build; same face. His hair had grown out and was swept back with gel and his face was covered by his 5 o'clock shadow. He wore his leather jacket but had on a black shirt underneath with dark denims. When he raised his eyes to her she stopped breathing all together.

They weren't the same eyes. The Tommy she knew had clear, compassionate eyes. This person's eyes were clouded and bit her like ice. There was a ruthlessness to him that her Tommy never had.

When the door closed again, the loud thud shook Jude from sinking into his eyes. She felt her anger that had disappeared moments before spark back up and flame. She glared at his familiar face ignoring the warning bells in her ears.

"Where is she Tom? I want to know right now."

Jude's voice dripped with venom, and Tommy was reminded of a hissing cat. He didn't move a muscle and if it wasn't for the flicker in his eyes, she would have marked him for being a stone.

"I am guessing you mean the baby?" His voice was soft, a pretense at pleasant with an underlining edge.

Jude's glare became harder. So he wanted to play games did he?

"Yes, I mean the child that was with me. Where is she?"

He didn't respond right away. Instead he looked her over before leaning back casually against the door of the cabin, arms crossed before him.

"She's safe, don't worry."

"Don't worry? Don't worry!" Jude was astonished he could be so calm. Especially when her nerves where wearing so thin, "How do you expect me to be calm when you pop up over a year after the day you took off? Not just any day, but our wedding day. Then you kidnap a little girl, not just any little girl but… Zoey… and me! What the hell is going on Tommy? Why are you back? Why did you leave to begin with?!"

After her rant Jude had to take a calming breath. She closed her eyes a moment to compose herself before she lifted her chin and looked him squarely in the eye.

"I want answers and I want them now."

Tommy stood there listening to her, his expression showing his boredom, but his eyes showed a burning intensity she found hard to stare at. Moments slipped by and he refused to say anything, just watched her.

"Well, are you going to say anything?" She was getting tired of the staring contest.

He continued to stare remaining mute.

"Tommy, dammit, you either speak or let me go! I am not going to stand here all day. I need to go find Sadie, I'm sure she's worried sick by now."

"You won't be leaving the ship, and Sadie will have to deal without you."

"What are you saying?"

He gave her a look before answering. "I'm saying that we are currently headed to America and we're a long ways from Toronto."

"What?!" Jude screamed, "Where are you taking us?! Tommy, I have to go home! Zoey needs to go home! You can't do this!"

"There's no turning back."

His cold disposition was flaring her temper even more and Jude advanced towards him. When she went to launch herself at him, Tommy moved like a panther and easily held her tightly. She continued to squirm as she cursed him up and down.

Tommy had put up with her temper for long enough and the slight rein he had on his was slipping. He shook Jude hard before letting his emotions take over and exploding at her.

"God dammit Jude! Do you think I wanted you here? Hell, I didn't want to see you let alone be stuck with you! Don't you have the good sense not to walk through alleys let alone listen in on conversations that don't involve you?! They wanted to fucking kill you and to save your pretty little backside I risked everything to bring you with me. If you would have stayed in Toronto they would have tracked you down, raped you then murdered you but not before they would have killed that baby you are so intent on protecting, as you watched. Helpless."

Jude fell back as he released her. She watched as he slipped back into his cold mask and was shivering at his explosion. That was definitely not the same Tommy she knew.

He immediately turned on his heel and wretched the door open but before he could close it Jude spoke.

"Tom, I want to see her. I have to know she's alright," he turned to look at her as she swallowed convulsively. "Please…"

Without a response he turned and left.

Jude stared dumbfounded that he had the gull to leave. How dare he! Turn his back and leave, say nothing so easily. That is not the same Tommy; he's cold and unbinding with a rage that was frightening. Is he brutal enough to harm a baby?

She didn't know and that's what scared her the most. He was unpredictable, and Jude wasn't comfortable with being in hands like that. It didn't matter though, because she was stuck there. Whether he or she liked it, they were both stuck. Well, she'd see about that.

She slipped back to the bed, chewing on her anger as the hours slipped past. All she could hear was the sound of engine and waves smashed together. A sound that poked her nerves as every second passed. Slowly she felt her fear of Tommy fade as her worry and resentment took over.

It was a long time before she heard something different, foot steps. But this time they were running past the door. Almost as if they were in a hurry. She sat and stared at the door waiting for it to open, when suddenly it did.

Tommy slipped in and closed it behind him. Once again he leaned back and looked at her.

"What's going on?"

"We have guests coming aboard."

Jude perked up, maybe they could help her. "Really?"

Tommy read her thoughts and caught her before she could think any further. "Don't think about it."

"And what are you going to do?"

He said nothing. She gave a sneaky smile. "Who are these guests anyways?"

Before answering he studied her, trying to gage her mood.

"U.S. Border Patrol."

Her smile grew wider. They looked for anything suspicious coming from Canada; she knew they'd help her.

"If I were you I wouldn't do that."

"What?"

"Continue with that thought."

Jude gave him a lopsided grin, mocking him. "And why not?"

"It won't work."

He had her full attention and she looked at him curiously, "What do you mean?"

He ignored the question. "Let me tell you what you're going to do. You are going to go up top with me, greet the patrol and act as a loving wife would. You and I are on our way to meet a flight to see family, which is slightly true. You will smile, be gracious and treat me like a perfect husband and act as if you don't have a care in the world. Do you understand?"

Jude laughed hard. It was too funny, why in heavens name would she do that?

"You've got to be kidding me. Why in hell would I do any of that?"

"Because if you don't I'll kill your precious Zoey."

That stopped her laughter and the smile disappeared in an instant. She stared at him incredulously. He wouldn't. Not her Tommy… No, never. But this wasn't the same Tommy. The truth hit her hard; this man was in no way the Tommy that left. Before her was a stranger.

"You wouldn't."

He gave her a hard look. "Do you want to test me?"

"I want to see her."

He shook his head. "No, not until after we make it through the patrol."

Jude glared at him, hating him with every fiber of her being. "I hate you."

"I know sweetheart, but that's not the point. Do you accept?"

"Fine."

He nodded his head before grabbing her arm. "Then let's get on with the show shall we?"

Tommy dragged her through the door and down a narrow hall. At the end of the hall they climbed the stairs to the cloudy world outside. She was one what looked to be a ship used for shipping. Big crates covered the deck, looming over her with a tall tower in the middle.

He pulled her towards the side of the ship to the railing as the Patrol grew closer. His hand slipped from her arm to her waist, squeezing her enough to let her know who was in charge.

"Smile sweetheart, loving wife remember?" The words tickled her ear where his breath hit like a caress. She could feel her heart speed up a few notches.

Taking a breath to calm her nerves she turned to face him, his lips only inches away. Gathering every ounce of fury she had responded with a glare.

"You had your chance at a loving wife almost three years ago."

There was a flicker in his eyes, a passing emotion that told her she hit something raw. It didn't last long and before she knew it his face was barely an inch away. His breath heating her lips as he responded stiffly.

"I also remember you marrying Jamie not even a month later. But you, Jude will do better to remember that I have your life, and more importantly Zoey's life in my hands. Do not push me." Jude's eyes had grown large with the first thing he said and she barely processed the rest after. He smiled at her moment of dismay, "Now be a good girl and play the part you're so very good at, we have company."

He lightly brushed his lips across hers before straightening and turning towards the group advancing on them. All Jude could do was stare at him in confusion. How did he know about Jamie? He was gone, wasn't he?

"You're name sir?"

"Thomas James Quincy Detios, and my wife Judith Kay Quincy Detios."

Jude looked over at the man and wondered where he came from. She frowned realizing she was too wrapped up in Tommy to notice the group that had surrounded them.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" She could feel the mans eyes study her.

Tommy gripped her waist harshly, reminding her of her role. Covering the wince she smiled at him and the guard before her.

"Oh yes, I'm great. Fantastic. Not a care in the world! After all I have such a loving husband." She smiled sweetly at Tommy. "And I'm such a loving wife, right sweet cakes?"

Tommy gave her a warning glare before giving her a tight smile. "That's right peaches, you're just so loving."

Jude's smile grew and she looked at the guard again. "I'm just the most luckiest girl in all of the world! I have such a nice fine piece of meat for a husband," reaching her hand around the back of him she cupped Tommy's butt cheeks and squeezed. "With such a nice firm backside."

Tommy's surprise was immediate, he narrowed his eyes at her before biting out, "That's enough sweet pea, the guards don't want to know that information."

"Oh but honey bunches, there's no need to be shy" Jude looked over at the men surrounding them trying to hold back their laughter.

"No really, my dear wife, lets let the men get on with their business." He gripped her waist again this time Jude could feel the bruise forming. She stayed quite and smiled at the men.

"Yes, right, well we'll get on with it." The leader turned to his men and gave orders. He nodded to Tommy and Jude before following his men.

Jude could feel Tommy's body getting tense, the opposite of his face that wore the pleasant smile. He almost looked happy, until you looked in his eyes. She knew the rage in there he was saving for her. It was worth it. That's for messing with her, she gives like she gets.

Five men came sauntering towards them, all wearing grins.

"Well that was one hell of a show Tommy."

The man that spoke was tall and had graying hair. He looked fit and very attractive for someone his age. He wore a gray suit and seemed almost out of place with the rest of the men with him.

Tommy glared at the man, but he just laughed. Turning to Jude he introduced himself.

"Hi, there I'm Danny." Motioning to the right he nodded at another man who was about Tommy's age, broad shoulders and a adorable smile with dancing eyes. "That's Kevin."

He motioned towards the three men behind him. "That one there is Ray," he pointed to a shorter young man that smiled shyly, Jude figured he was the openhearted one of the bunch. "That one is Billy," Billy gave her a devilish grin that matched his spiky hair. He winked at her which Tommy caught at gave him a glare that whipped the smile off his face. "And lastly you've got Malki," the tall black man with a very large upper body nodded to her. She couldn't help buy feel intimidated by him when he suddenly smile showing a gap in his teeth. Right then she realized he was a sweetheart.

Jude smiled at them "Nice to meet you."

Together they all nodded.

"Have you finished? Is it all set?" Tommy asked Danny.

The man shook his head slightly. "No, we've run into a few problems and the informative disappeared. Once we get back we might be able to find something out."

Tommy looked down in thought slowly nodding to what was said. "Alright, well keep me updated."

"Will do boss."

"Miss Harrison." Danny nodded, the rest following before they turned and walked away.

"Who are they?" Jude asked looking up at Tommy.

He didn't look at her but instead stared out to the water. "My men."

She wanted to ask more questions but the look on his face told her he didn't want to answer anymore questions. They stood there silently for what felt like forever until finally the guards okayed the ship and slipped off board. When they were a long distance out, Tommy let go of Jude's waist and turned around.

He made a signal to someone and in seconds another figure Jude didn't recognize started walking towards them. When she realized what was happening she took off at a run towards the person.

"Zoey!"

Smiling widely she felt the worry drain from her and intense relieve flood her system. She snatched the child from the arms of the stranger and held the baby close to her heart. Tears of joy slipped down her eyes as she held the youngster a small distance away and ran her hands over the little arms and legs. Making sure she was in one piece. Satisfied, she held Zoey tight again, breathing in her baby scent.

Tommy slowly made his way across the deck, watching the two curiously.

"Whose is she?"

Jude opened her eyes and looked at him. He could read the traces of fear lighting her eyes and noticed how she held Zoey closer.

"What-what do you mean?"

"You know what I'm asking. How old is she?"

Running her hand over the baby's soft blonde hair, she pressed a kiss on her head.

"She's… one and a half." When she noticed Tommy studying the baby she spoke quickly. "It's not yours…"

He raised his eyebrow at her. Hurriedly she amended his thoughts.

"She's not mine either."

His gaze was making her more and more nervous. "She's… uh… Sadie's."

She could feel his eyes burning her and she looked away.

"The father?"

Jude glanced around. "Who else but Kwest?"

"Right."

"She's a little… big for a year isn't she?"

He raised that damn eyebrow again and it made Jude fluster even more. She nervously glanced at him.

"She's just big for her age."

"Uh-huh," He studied her flushed face for a moment.

Oh shit, he's going to see right through me. I know it. C'mon Jude, get a back bone, don't let him get to you! Stand up to him!

Jude raised her chin and looked Tommy square in the eye. "I know what you're thinking Tom, and she has nothing to do with you."

He didn't respond. Just looked at her before signaling to someone again. Before Jude knew what was happening Zoey was taken from her and whisked away. When she made to go after the person, she found her arm in a steel grip again.

"What are you doing with her?" She asked looking up at Tommy.

"She's being taken care off."

Jude went to follow again but was yanked back again. Frustrated she looked at him again. "You said I could have her! I did your stupid act, now give me that baby!"

"Now, now I told you that I would let you see her. I did that."

"What?!" Jude screamed. "Dammit Tommy give Zoey to me right now! Do you understand me?!"

"Calm down Jude." Tommy spoke softly, his voice laced with a warning.

"No! No, Tommy I will not calm down! Not until you give her to me!" Jude screamed in frustration.

Tommy turned Jude around, taking her arms in a ruthless grip before speaking quietly to her.

"I said calm down Jude. Remember I am in control of what happens to her, so if you want to see her again in good health, you will listen to me. Do you understand?"

The cold look in his eyes stopped her. She could feel his power over her in the dominating grip as her arms throbbed. Swallowing she nodded her head at him.

"Good."

Backing away he released one arm but kept a hold of the other. Still fuming he turned and started back towards the stairs, dragging her in his wake. Jude tried to hold back the moan of pain, but before she stumbled down the stairs one escaped. She expected him to release his hold or loosen it, but he didn't do either. If anything his hold tightened as he led her through the halls.

She fought back tears while silently cursing the day she ever met Thomas James Quincy Detios.

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