Hi Everyone. Sorry it took me a little longer to get this new chapter up. I am going away for a few days so the next chapter may be a little delayed to but I will do my best. Keep the comments coming. I am really enjoying hearing what all of you have to say. Now, on to the new chapter.

Chapter Six

Jude woke up realizing she was still in her car. Her hand was still wrapped around her cell phone and she rubbed her ear remembering how long she and Tommy had been on the phone. She had finally hung up when he had begun snoring into the phone. She must have fallen asleep pretty soon after that because she hadn't even made it inside the house. Tommy had been so supportive listening to her relay the blackmail scheme, he had let her rant about how stupid she had been that night three months ago, and he even listened to her yell at him for ruining her life. Once she had gotten all of that out of her system he began to talk. He promised her that everything was going to be okay. He was going to be there for her no matter where he was. He apologized for leaving her alone with no explanation and he finally apologized for not being able to tell her where he was now. They had argued and cried together. They talked about the first time they met, the kiss they shared on her sixteenth birthday and everything that had been happening between them before he had disappeared. They worked on her song a little more and they were silent for a while just enjoying having each other close, even if it was through the phone lines. Jude had watched the sun rise as she listened to Tommy talk about his two sisters and his mother. When he started to nod off she had begged him to stay awake for her, to stay with her but he slowly began to drift in and out of conversation and she knew she had lost him when he began to snore. Now that she was awake she felt better than she had in months. Tommy was back, maybe not physically but knowing he was only a phone call away was so refreshing. She made her way out of the car and into the kitchen to make some breakfast. She took a shower and had just crawled into bed when her cell rang. She looked at the ID and was surprised to see Darius's number on the screen.

"Darius?" She said with a yawn.

"Jude I know I told you to take some time to sort out this blackmail mess, but we got another phone call this morning. I need you to come into the studio as soon as possible.

"Okay, give me twenty minutes." She said as she sat up and reached for her bag. She was ready for this, at least she hoped she was.

Darius had left her sitting in his desk chair with the blackmailer's phone number in front of her. H had instructed her to tell the blackmailer she was not afraid of the pictures getting press. If he still insisted on receiving money for the photographs she was to tell him everything that had happened causing her to loose control that night. Darius and Liam were hoping that the "scum bag" as they liked to refer to him would relate to Jude's story or at least feel sorry for her and hopefully stop demanding money. Jude was not so sure she would be able to tell an almost complete stranger about Tommy and the hurt she was feeling that night but if it was going to keep the photos from going to the press she knew she had no other choice. She closed her eyes and imagined Tommy sitting on the couch across from Darius's desk offering her his cocky smile and some encouragement. When she finally opened her eyes she dialed the number quickly and held her breath.

"Hello"

"Hello, this is Jude Harrison I was told to call this number regarding some photographs that I received."

"Ahhh, Jude it's good to talk to you again. I assume you are calling to set up a place to drop off the money I requested?"

"Those photos don't scare me. Send them to the press, see what I care." She said as she looked down at her shaking hands.

"I'm not going to buy that. I want my money. If you don't want to talk about money then we don't need to continue this phone call."

"Actually I was hoping to tell you a story" Jude said as she launched into describing everything that had happened before she had accepted the drink he had offered her in the bar.

Jude had stayed on the phone with the blackmailer for more than twenty minutes. He had listened to her entire story, saying very little. When she had finished he had told her it was a lovely story but it didn't change anything. He requested even more money and then hung up. After Darius and Liam listened to the tape of the phone call they agreed that she did everything she could have done.

"I am not going to give up Jude, but you may want to start considering what you will do if these photographs get out." Darius had told her as he was escorting her to the door. She had driven to the practice space and fallen asleep on the couch hoping that no one would come to disturb her. She awoke to her cell phone. I am spending way to much of my life on the phone she thought to herself as she reached for her cell. The ID showed Tommy's number and her mood instantly brightened. She explained to him everything that had happened with the blackmailer and his new request for more money.

"Jude if all this doesn't work out what are you going to do? You won't be able to stay in Toronto."

"I know, but I don't have anywhere else to go. I guess I will just have to disappear." She paused hoping that that would not be necessary.

"I, I need to check a few things out, but I think I might be able to help if you ever do need to disappear." Jude's mouth hung open. Was he suggesting what she thought he was. She wanted to hold onto that hope so she didn't press the matter.

"Tommy you are so great I don't know…." He cut her off.

"Call back Jude" She sighed as the phone went dead.