Summary: Tommy Quincy hates Jamie Andrews with a passion. But why? Takes place after "Date With the Night."

Disclaimer: All chapter titles are songs by Fall Out Boy. Also I don't own anything related to "Instant Star" except for a couple of Jude-centric fantasies.

Author's Note: There's only four chapters left and they're all leading up to Jude picking someone. Also, I've got the sequel pretty much mapped out and it will be loosely based around the Hunter storyline with my own twists thrown in.

88

Tommy sat in the back of the church watching the wedding before him. A feeling of helplessness enveloped him and he realized that in just two months he'd be standing at the front of the church, watching Jude and Jamie marry each other. He sighed deeply and stood, slipping out of the building as easily as he had slid in. After word had reached them that Sadie had killed Liam, apparently stabbing him in the heart, relief had flooded the hospital room. Until Liam's headquarters were found and there was no sign of the babies.

Things had been tense but just three hours later, they'd been found. It appeared that everyone, for the most part, got a happy ending. Except for him. He was going to have to watch the women he loved marry the wrong guy. And no matter what he thought about it, he knew he wouldn't do anything to stop it.

88

Jamie sat and watched as Jude rocked their children to sleep. They were all home, safe and sound, but something was different and Jamie knew what it was. Tommy Quincy had professed his love for Jude and although Jude would never admit it, Jamie knew that no matter how much Jude loved him, she'd always love Tommy more. He could hold her heart but Tommy owned it.

He shifted in seat somewhat painfully, his leg once again reminding him of the events of the past year. Jude caught his eye for a moment and smiled at him but already it wasn't the smile it had been before Tommy's confession. There was still an undeniable love and bond between them and Jamie had no doubt that if Tommy were gone, she'd be his.

And then all at once it hit him. There was only one solution to the entire thing. Jude would never love him like she had when Tommy was still an unreachable goal but because she did love him and they were parents she would stay. And Tommy wouldn't try anything for the same reason. But now...he knew what had to do.

He waited until Jude had put the kids to bed before approaching her. "It's over between us," he stated, hoping to get it over with quickly.

"What?" Jude asked, clearly confused.

"It's over," Jamie repeated. The look on Jude's face when his words sunk in nearly broke his will but Jamie steeled himself. He knew what he had to do. "I was just using you, Jude. To get over Patsy." He hoped she'd forget that he was still technically with Patsy when they'd gotten together. "When you got pregnant I did the right thing; I stayed. Even though I've wanted to leave for awhile." He willed himself to stay strong despite Jude's tears. "Now with Patsy gone...it's just too hard."

"You bastard," Jude snapped. "Why? Why did you make me love you? And what about our kids?"

"I still want to be a part of their lives," he said. "Just...not with you."

Jude pushed him roughly and fled downstairs. Taking a deep breath, Jamie followed. As he passed the living room he saw Jude crying in her father's arms. Neither one of them seemed to notice him. He slipped out of his house unnoticed, not expecting Jude to be there when he returned.

88

Tommy took another swig of beer, not bothering to get off his bed when he heard Kwest come in. "Bring me a beer," he called out to his friend as a greeting. He heard his fridge open and then footsteps come down the hall. But it wasn't Kwest who came walking in.

"I broke up with her," Jamie said as he handed Tommy the beer.

"What?" Anger and hope flushed through Tommy. "You broke up with Jude? What the fuck were you thinking?"

Jamie gave him an incredulous look. "We both know what I was thinking." He sat on the edge of the bed. "I love Jude more than anything but she'd be happier with you."

Tommy looked at the man before him, an interesting feeling that he'd never associated with Jamie hitting him. Sympathy. "Once things cool down I'll tell Jude the truth," Jamie continued. "But for right now...I just want Jude to be happy." Without another word Jamie left.

What else was there to say?