A new chapter to an old forgotten story… I am going to try to keep this one alive. Comments are very welcome. Thanks for reading I hope you like where the story is going… Now on to the next chapter

Chapter 13

Jude took a long shower complete with scolding hot water. Whenever she was in a new environment her body craved heat and it was no different here. She assumed Tommy had woken the girls up because she could hear Lola singing a good morning song at the top of her lungs and Lyla screaming about something. It was going to take her a little while to get used to living in a house with little kids. The girls had slept through the night, but Tommy had warned her this was a rare occurrence. Jude understood how much pain and terror the girls must be feeling after seeing their mother murdered. She was just thankful they had someone like Tommy to take care of them now. As Jude dressed she found her mind wandering to Tommy. How good he looked, how much older he seemed because of the kids, how attractive he still looked… Her daydreaming was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Jude? It's Agent Bell. I have your schedule for the day and we have a lot to get done today." Jude opened the door to find Jessie in street cloths. She must have looked surprised because Jessie jumped into an explanation before Jude had time to ask what was going on.

"We need to dye your hair this morning. Do you have a color in mind?" Before Jude could reply they heard someone coming up the stairs. Both women smiled when they saw it was Tommy.

"I was thinking brunette" He said producing a box of chocolate brown hair dye in his hand. "Not that you don't make a beautiful blond." He said with a wink.

"It's in the code book that all persons in the WPP must change their appearance in someway." Jessie inserted. Jude noticed the agent's entire relaxed demeanor had changed as soon as Tommy had walked up the stairs.

"Jessie I was thinking I would try my hand at being a beautician this morning. Will you let me help you dye Jude's hair?" Jessie sighed and shifted on her feet a little.

"Okay, but if you get in my way you are done. Understand?" Tommy laughed a little and patted Jessie on the back as he passed by her to get to Jude.

"Jude, we also need to come up with your alias this morning." Jessie said with a little sigh.

"Okay" Jude giggled as she attempted to fight off Tommy as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

"I'll be downstairs in the kitchen when you are ready. Tom, don't distract her too much today we still have a lot to take care of with her." Jessie said as she turned and headed down the stairs. Tommy set Jude down and instantly leaned into her and kissed her slowly. Jude could feel her knees begin to shake a little as Tommy continued to push them both deeper. She pulled away a little and rested her head on his shoulder. Any warmth she had been lacking earlier in the morning was now replaced with what she could only describe as buckets of heat.

"You are going to be the most beautiful brunette." He said toying with a few strands of her hair. She rested her forehead against his and enjoyed watching his eyes swim with emotion. She knew she was going to have to tell him about Dean sooner or later but currently later seemed like a much better idea. Tommy pulled her in for another kiss when they heard a terrible shrieking from downstairs.

"Lyla is okay sweetheart" Tommy shouted as he pushed away from Jude and bounded down the stairs in a run. Jude followed close behind him not sure what was happening. Agent Bell sat on the couch with Lyla wrapped in her arms rocking her and cooing to the child. A dozen other agents had entered the room from various locations and every one of them looked ready to pounce on anything or anyone that looked out of place. Lola was sitting at Jessie's feet with her arms strongly wrapped around the agent's leg.

"What happened?" Tommy asked as he reached for the crying baby. Jessie reached down to smooth Lola's hair but the child quickly detached herself from Jessie's leg and ran to Tommy. Jude stood near the bottom of the stairs overwhelmed by everything that was happening. She waited for someone to answer Tommy's question but no one said anything. Tommy stooped down to Lola's level as the child wrapped her arms around Tommy and the baby and sobbed into his shoulder. Tommy murmured to the children in his arms until they both quieted down. He managed to scoop Lola up in his arms without loosing his grip on the baby and slowly walked toward the nursery continuing to whisper and coo to his nieces. Jessie stepped next to Jude and rubbed her head.

"I will never get used to that." Jessie said quietly. "They will be absolutely fine, playing and laughing and suddenly something will set one of them off. The doctors are describing it as post traumatic stress disorder. I can't imagine what they witnessed, watching their mother…." Her voice trailed off and the two of them stood silent for awhile. "We have been dealing with these girls for months and the only one that can comfort them is Tom. He knows just what to say to them and just what to do. Those girls may have never met their uncle before but they know in their hearts he will die for them if that is what it takes. He is an amazing person Jude." Jude knew Jessie had more to say but she was cut short when Tommy slipped out of the nursery. They watched as he leaned in to whisper to the agent standing outside the nursery door. After a quiet conversation the agent slipped into the kitchen. Tommy was oblivious of Jude and Jessie's gaze as he leaned up against the nearest wall and ran a shaking hand through his hair. He suddenly looked so much older than he had just a few hours ago Jude noticed. The agent returned with a sippy cup and a full bottle and Tommy patted him on the back and slipped back into the nursery. Jessie's cell phone began to ring and she stepped outside to take the call leaving Jude alone in the living room.

A few hours later Jude was wrapped up in Tommy's arms in his bed. He had requested a few hours alone with her and after the morning they had experienced none of the agents dared to deny him anything he requested. Even Jessie had stayed quiet as Tommy pulled Jude out of the oversized chair she had curled herself into and lead her into his bedroom closing the door behind them. It was her turn to be the strong one as her reached for her and sobbed into her hair. They hadn't said a word to each other Jude simply held him until it seemed he couldn't cry anymore. When they finally laid down they snuggled into each other exhausted and simply slept.