Jude quietly crept into the studio, spotting Tommy in deep thought, staring blankly at the wall. She stood in the doorway and leaned against the frame. A second later, she broke the silence and softly joked, "Did that wall do something to you?"

Tommy flashed around to Jude, spinning in his chair slightly. He didn't realize anyone was there, let alone Jude. "I was just thinking," he explained, shifting his weight in his seat.

Taking a few more steps into the studio, Jude got closer to Tommy. She took a seat in one of the chairs near him and could tell that he was acting strangely. "About what?" she questioned, always wondering what was on that mind of his.

Continuing to stare blankly, it was like Tommy was in a trance. His mind was completely distant and he couldn't shake it even if he tried. All his thoughts were with the music, and not in such a good way. All he could do was grip his guitar in his lap, hoping that something would wake him up, and quick.

"Are you okay?" Jude asked, a little disturbed by his silence. She understood those times that he didn't want to talk, or let her know all the dirty details, but this time he just seemed lost. She had never seen him like this, and it worried her.

Swallowing hard, Tommy finally found his words. Still staring at the wall, he stated, "I just jumped into this benefit deal." He shook his head and blinked his eyes, finally able to think without terror in his heart. He relaxed his hands shortly after and propped his guitar upright against the counter next to him. "I haven't performed since… Well, since—"

"Boyz Attack?" Jude said, trying to help him finish his haunting though.

Tommy nodded with his eyes focused down at the ground. "Yeah," he finally was able to agree with words. "And that was all fluff and synchronized dance moves."

Jude was glad that they had finally gotten somewhere in this conversation, even if it wasn't a positive place. She was just happy he was able to get out some of feelings. "Don't forget the white suits," she joked, trying to make light of the situation. When she glanced over at Tommy, she could tell that he didn't find any humor in that statement. "Okay, I'm not helping," she stated, knowing that she shouldn't have said what she did.

"Not really," Tommy agreed. He didn't mean to sound unappreciative to Jude, but she really wasn't making him feel any better. He elaborated, "I know the concert's going to be low key, I just don't want people to recognize me as Lil' Tommy Q." With a huff, Tommy rose from his seat and started away from Jude. He stared off into the recording booth, thinking about all the talent that came in and out, and all he could ever amount to was a musical fad.

Watching him stand and walk away, Jude felt guilty for her last comment. She honestly meant well, but she felt horrible that she couldn't make him feel any better. "So don't let them," she stated, trying to prove that she really was there to support him. She thought about all the lessons Tommy had taught her about the business, and she hoped that she could repay the knowledge anyway she knew how. "Show them you're different now," she stated as if the task was easy.

Not being able to look her in the eye, Tommy questioned, "Am I?" He shook his head in disappointment, still staring off into the booth. "Even you called me Lil' Tommy Q when we first met."

Jude mentally kicked herself once more. It was so long ago that she made that mistake, but she was still paying for it. It was like lately, she couldn't do anything right on her own. "I don't anymore," she remarked, wanting that to make a difference.

"Anymore," Tommy hissed, emphasizing the word. He finally turned around to face Jude, but with a bitter expression on his face. "One slot in one small-town benefit show, Jude," he bit at her. "Whose mind is going to change with that?"

Realizing that there was nothing she could say or do, Jude didn't want to make the matter worse. All she had been doing since she started talking to him was making it worse. "I don't know," she admitted. She hated not having answers, but it was the only truth she could offer him.

Feeling bad for snapping at her like that, Tommy turned away once more. He threw his hands into the air with much frustration. "I just—" he started, not knowing what words he wanted to blurt out. "I can't do it," he concluded after much silent deliberation.

Even though she couldn't exactly make him feel happy about the benefit, or even a tiny bit better, Jude didn't want that to be his ending. "Come on, Tommy!" she exclaimed. If there was one lesson she always kept close to home, it was to never give up.

All Tommy could do was shake his head. He didn't really care what Jude had to say about his efforts at this point. And even though he knew he was setting a bad example for her, he just couldn't put himself through this performance. For once, he just wanted to hide from the music. He didn't want to let anyone, especially himself, suffer by musical means.

Jude just wouldn't put up with his silence or stubborn attitude. She was never one to argue with or disobey him, but she wouldn't let the two of them miss out on this great opportunity. She didn't want him to have those regrets that he would look back on. "Peyton's counting on us and it's for a good cause!" she stated, hoping that it would change his mind.

"She doesn't need me, Jude," Tommy stated with ease. He remembered the way she so boldly walked out on him, twice in one day. And he knew that the girl was strong beyond all means, even if she didn't see it. Peyton wasn't the one that would need Tommy's support. "As long as she has you, she'll be fine."

Jude started to shake her head, breaking the eye contact that Tommy initiated. She didn't want to admit it, but she couldn't imagine herself going out on her own so soon. "Going to North Carolina by myself?" Jude finally questioned aloud. "I don't think so."

Tommy swallowed hard. He took a deep breath, knowing that this was Jude's first real performance out of her comfort zone. "I'll be there," he stated, hoping that it would get Jude to perform for Peyton's benefit. "Just not on stage." He took another deep breath, thinking about the situation. It was going to be hard to explain why he could be there, just not be on there.

Taking a few steps back, Tommy didn't wait for a response from Jude. He knew that if he needed to, a few more minutes of persuasion would get her to go perform. He knew that he could get a song or two out of Jude, he just didn't believe in himself that much. Tommy reached the door and turned back to Jude, only to state, "I'm gonna go talk to Georgia."