Jude felt his legs ache as the night air settled in around him. He had an episode earlier with max and he was hoping to fix it. He knew he'd be at Sadie's gig, and it was Tuesday…so he got up, showered, and dressed in some clothes that didn't smell like yesterday's hangover.

He heard the voices of lovers as he walked the remaining blocks to the café. Some were fighting about bits and pieces of things between them while others were laughing and enjoying the company. He laughed. Lucy and him were like that once. Before the tides turned and she found happiness in something else. And before he became addicted to the drink.

Jude pushed on while thinking about their last day. The day he left.

"Just because I have a little fun doesn't mean you can tear me down!" Lucy shouted. "And you, you aren't any better than me. All you do is drink, and you think I don't notice when you wake up at 3 in the morning to have a few shots? I'm not stupid Jude!"

"I never said you were stupid love-"

"Don't give me that?"

"Give you what?"

"That sappy romantic crap."

Jude looked at her startled. "I've always called you that, what's the matter with you?"

Lucy threw her hands in the air and screamed. "Why can't you just open your eyes Jude? I'm not the one with the problem?

"Have you been at Prudence's with John?"

"What? Why does that matter?"

"Lucy, you're not making much sense, why don't you sit down-"

"Oh go do a shot Jude, you'll feel better!"

And that's just what he did, he stomped into the kitchen and she stomped into their room. Jude sat at the table for hours, drinking her and there, sketching here and there, and humming to himself. He calmed down and crept into their room. She was laying on her side and breathing deep. He laid down next to her and twisted to fit her shape.

She moved a little but never turned over.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"No…don't say anything, we'll get through this lo-I mean Lucy."

Lucy fought back tears.

Jude rolled his fingers down her back and hummed to her. She rolled over and Jude let out a deep breath.

"Lucy…you're, you're bleeding!"

Lucy felt the dried blood under her nose and rolled back over.

"Let me get you a towel…this is serious, I think you should-"

"Think I should what Jude? Should I go take a shot like you? I can smell the whiskey on your breath still!"

Jude rolled onto his back and sighed. "What do you want from me Lucy? What do you want me to do?"

"JUST LEAVE. Leave me alone. Everyone just leave me at peace. I'm fine."

"But I-"

"PLEASE!"

Jude got up and grabbed his bag and draped it on his shoulder. He stuffed a pair of pants and some shirts in it and walked towards the door.

"Fine then…I'll leave, leave you at your peace."

Lucy's tears streamed down her face, and Jude walked out into the Manhattan air."

Jude stopped thinking about their final day when he arrived at the café. He walked inside and saw a familiar looking blonde haired boy at the bar. He walked up behind his and punched him lightly in the back.

"HEY MAN WHAT THE-" Max stopped when he saw Jude, standing there, looking clean, and actually smiling.

"Jude!"

Max jumped into his arms and hugged him.

"You look good!"

Jude laughed. "Look mate, I'm sorry about before, I wanted to apologize and I knew you'd be here."

Max grinned. "Of course I'd be here…and I'm sorry, too. I never gave you the benefit of the doubt. The situation is shaky."

Jude nodded and Max handed him a beer.

Jude shrugged but then took it. Max wondered if that was the best thing to do, give an alcoholic alcohol, but he saw Jude smile, and that was enough cause for celebration.

Jude looked around the room and saw a few people from the old gang. He saw prudence, dancing and he laughed. It was when he noticed John, talking to Lucy that his smile faded. He looked at max who looked just as stunned.

"Are they…a thing?"

"I hope not." Max took a swig of his beer. "She was over there today, came home all fucked up out of her mind, nose bleeding, she hit me."

Jude looked at her sad face. She wasn't even looking at John when he spoke to her.

"Let's go sit down." max added.

"With them?' Jude asked pointing at the group of them, including John and Lucy.

"Yes." Max replied calmly.

Jude followed max to the booth. Luckily no on noticed him since they were all watching Sadie. He fixated his gaze on the back of Lucy's head. She looked so fragile and thin, John kept whispering stuff to her and Jude clenched his fists each time. He noticed Sadie when she noticed him and she shot his a little smile. That's when Lucy turned around.

She looked at max and saw Jude, situated behind her, looking gorgeous. She couldn't even make words escape her lips. She couldn't even smile at him. And he could only stare back into her cold eyes. She opened her mouth slightly, as if she were about to speak, when John turned around.

"Well Jude Feeney, I thought you died?"

"Was that rumor going around, mate?" Jude asked taking a swig of his beer.

"Sure was. Said you became a hermit, drank yourself to death." He laughed.

"I hear that doesn't kill ya mate, the powder is the one that'll do you in, especially young pretty girls who've got so much to live for."

Lucy eyed Jude. Her face was not mean and she was still silent, but it looked as though she had something to say.

"is that so? Cause I heard the only thing that kills young girls is when they boyfriend walks out on them?" John hissed.

Lucy stood up. "You'll have to excuse me, I'll be right back." Lucy walked towards the bathroom and Jude stood up to follow her.

"Hey man," John yelled. "You leave her alone."

"I should be saying that to you. You're a junkie, turning her into one!"

Jude walked towards the bathrooms. He heard Max yelling for him behind him and he could hear Prudence yelling at John. He was almost to the doors when he heard John's booming voice from behind him. He felt John pulling him outside.

"Lucy!" Jude screamed as he was being pulled from the café.

John shoved him out onto the sidewalk where the regulars all stood, shocked.

"You stay the hell away from my girl." John hissed.

"She's not your girl." Jude said between breaths.

John pushed him again and Jude managed to take a swing at his face. John stood back and wiped his lip. Max and Prudence weren't far from the doors and they were yelling at the two boys. John rushed at Jude and pushed him into the street, Jude fell backwards over his heel and his head hit the pavement. He wasn't out cold, he could hear people talking. He felt pounding in his side, and looked up to see John kicking him.

"Stay the hell away…you're nothing, and she doesn't deserve you!" John screamed between kicks.

Lucy could hear the shouting from the bathroom. She heard Prudence and Max, and she heard Jude yell her name. She walked out and caught the last glimpse of Max running out the entrance. She called for him but no one answered, she ran to the door.

John finished kicking him and Jude felt his body go lifeless. He rolled over on his side only to see headlights and hear the sound of brakes. That's when he blacked out. He didn't even remember hearing Lucy scream.

Lucy stood between Max's arms, attempting to run for Jude who lay lifeless in the street, and bleeding. She screamed and sobbed and John stood in shock. He looked at Jude then at Lucy and walked towards Lucy. She began kicking and flailing her arms at him, and Max was having a hard time holding her. John stared into her eyes and smiled. "I did it for us. And I'll be back for you sweet." He smiled and then tore down the street. A few regulars chased after him.

Prudence leaned down over Jude's body and sobbed. He was breathing but barely. She shook as her hands lifted his head and she could feel the blood on them.

"Somebody call someone!" She shouted.

Max couldn't move. Everything was silent and Lucy was collapsed in his arms, sobbing. He sank to the sidewalk with her while she screamed out Jude's name. No one spoke, no one moved. Jude coughed and Prudence shushed him. The only sound anyone heard was the nearby sirens heading towards the café.