A/N - Hey, everyone! Thanks for all the reviews! Here's the kinda long-awaited chapter!
And thanks to everyone who has read my newest stories..."De mon Coeur au Tien" and (the one-shot) "What Happens in Vegas, Doesn't Stay in Vegas"! I truly appreciate everyone's support!
Enjoy and review!
-JQ-
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Chapter Seven…Make a Joke Out of Me
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Tom grabbed Jude around her middle, pinning her arms at her sides.
"Tommy, let me go! You didn't hear what she said!" Jude argued, struggling to get free.
"I don't care what she said, Jude. Calm. Down." He yanked her back, holding her tight against his body.
"God, Jude! Dramatic much?" Sadie retorted. Kwest wrapped his arms around her gently, wishing he had a clue as to what was going on.
"God, Sadie. Bitchy much?" Jude mocked her sister, ripping free of Tom's grip and lunging for her face.
"Excuse me!" a harsh voice yelled from down the hall. They all froze and turned to see Dr. Sanders standing at the nurses' station, a stern look on her face. "What in heavens is going on here?"
"Doctor, we…I…" Jude muttered, stumbling over her words.
The older woman marched over to them, hands on her hips. "Now, I understand that your mother has died. And I am sorry. But that is no reason to be fighting in my hospital. You two should be loving and consoling each other. Not wrestling in my hallway. Now, I suggest you two go home, call some relatives, and get some sleep."
Without another word, she stomped down the hallway and disappeared around the corner. Tom sighed and stepped over to Jude, resting an arm around her shoulder. Let me take you home, okay?" She nodded and the two of them walked out of the hospital, Jude's small sobs echoing behind them.
Sadie looked at Kwest, a guilty look on her face. "I'm the worst sister in the world. I'm the worst daughter in the world!" she moaned, tears starting their path down her face for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.
"No, Sadie. Your mom just died. You're emotional. So is Jude," Kwest consoled her, rubbing her arm soothingly.
Slowly, she calmed down. "Thanks, Kwest. You're the best."
"Aww, shucks." Sadie laughed softly, drying her eyes on the back of her hand.
"Can you take me home, Kwest?"
He nodded. "Of course."
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Jude and Tom stepped out into the parking lot, heading for his Viper. "I changed my mind," she muttered, sitting in the passenger seat.
"What?"
"Take me to your place. I don't want to go home alone." He nodded and got into his car, starting the engine.
"Okay…" The two of them drove in silence to his apartment, neither of them knowing quite what to say in a time like this.
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Kwest stopped his car in front of Sadie's house. "Here y'go."
"Thanks," she mumbled. "For everything."
"No problem. What are friends for?" He smiled at her, wishing he could take all of her pain away. But he wasn't that naïve. The only thing that could cure this for her was time, and love.
"You're the best. And I mean it. You really helped me today. Thank you." Leaning over, she kissed him gently on the cheek. Before Kwest could register what had happened, Sadie was out of his car and to her front door, slipping inside quietly.
Kwest slumped back against his driver's seat, sighing deeply.
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"Tom?" Jude asked, settling herself on his leather couch.
"Yeah?" He slipped off his coat and threw it on his dining room table, joining her on the couch.
She looked at him, her eyes burning into him. "What did you mean earlier…when you said 'It gets easier. Trust me, I know'? How could you know?"
Tom glanced away, not wanting to meet her gaze. "Jude…I've never told you about my past. You've never asked."
"Well, I'm asking now," she said, face softening. Tom was silent. "Please…"
He looked at her, melting. "When I was little, my mom meant the world to me. She was my best friend. And then, when I was ten, she went shopping. She asked me to come with her, but I wanted to go to a friend's house. On her way home, she got in a car accident. She died in the hospital minutes later. I never even got to say 'goodbye.'
"My father said it was all my fault. He has always blamed me. Said that if I had been with her she wouldn't have been driving so recklessly. And to tell you the truth, I blame myself. My mother was always there for me. And when she needed me the most, I wasn't there for her."
Tom took a deep breath. He could feel the tears forming in his eyes. But he knew Jude deserved to hear the rest of it. She deserved to know that he would be there for her—that he truly did understand. "My father and I had a falling out when I left to be in BoyzAttack. We haven't spoken since. And…I don't know if we ever will."
Tears dripped down his strong face. He rested his hand on her shoulder and looked deep in her eyes. "But I do know one thing. Jude, I will be here for you. I do know what it feels like. And I know that it's gonna take time. And…I'm gonna be here, okay?"
Jude felt the tears streaming from her eyes. "Okay…"
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A/N - Okay, thatwas that! 105 reviews to get the next update! Review with the song "Make a Joke Out of Me" is from, and you'll find something out about Sadie!
And for anyone who cares, the muses smiled on me with this fic. And I have an idea for how to end this. So, thanks to the muses!