A/N: So I know I haven't written in ages but I'm not going to waste space coming up with excuses. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Eight- Transformed
I was silent. Tom slowly rose to his feet and said something meaningless. I could barely hear him; all I thought was everything he must be going through. I watched him as he left and I finally came to focus.
"Tom?" I questioned, racing after him. He halted and turned to look at me. Tears were stained on his cheeks.
"Jude, not now." He said quietly.
"I trust you." I said softly.
At first I wasn't sure he heard me but when he looked at me, I was positive he did. "You shouldn't." His voice was strained.
I placed my hand in his and squeezed it gently. "But I do." I said quietly
He leaned his forehead against mine. "Please don't do this to me." He said softly.
I didn't say anything at first. "Don't do what?" I asked him.
He pulled away and studied me. "Come on, it's late." He said and let go of my hand.
"Tommy." I insisted.
He froze. "Tommy?" He turned and looked at me.
I looked at him, confused. "I um…" I trailed off. "It fits you." I said softly.
He looked away and he let out a shaky sigh.
"I um… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" He cut me off.
"No it just brings back memories." He said meeting my eyes. "My mom use to call me that." He turned and walked away.
I knew not to push him. I quietly followed and watched him as he sat on a stray stump. I went over to him and smiled weakly.
"I'll be inside." I said timidly.
He didn't look at me. "I won't be in for awhile." He said distractedly.
I nodded and left. I opened the door and sat down on the bed. I was so tired. Everything became a blur and I fell asleep.
"Miss Harrison how old are you?" The man in the suit asked me.
"I'm seven." I answered timidly. I tugged nervously on the end of my skirt.
"What can you tell me about your father?" He asked.
"He's nice." I said weakly.
"Would you say your father is dependable?" He asked me.
I looked over at my mom, who gave me an encouraging smile. "Um... yes?" I almost questioned.
He studied me and I looked away. "Miss Harrison, how close were you to you're father?"
I didn't answer, I was too busy crying.
I woke up and saw it was still night time. Tommy was asleep on the couch. I went over to him and saw how deep the wrinkles on his forehead were. I touched them softly causing him to stir. His eyes opened and focused of me.
I backed away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to."
"Jude it is fine." He promised me. He sat up and I sat down by him and looked at him thoughtfully.
"What?" He asked me uncomfortably.
I shook my head. "Nothing." I said softly and looked away.
Tommy touched my hand causing me to look at him. "You cry in your sleep." He said gently.
I unconsciously touched my face and it was wet. I laughed softly. "Yeah I guess I do."
He studied me for a moment and sighed. "I'm sorry Jude."
I looked over at him. "Don't be." I said quietly.
He looked out the window, into the endless darkness. "Her name was Mackenzie." He said softly.
"Who?" I asked curiously, studying the sadness in his eyes.
"My mom." He said quietly. "She was the only one who called me Tommy." He looked over at me. "Well until now."
I looked away and fretfully played with a strand of hair. "What was she like?" I asked him.
He smiled and I saw tears begin to form. "She was a total mom." He said, I noticed a lump forming in his throat. "You know a good cook, nice, loves you no matter what…" He trailed off and looked into the darkness once again.
I did not say anything; I just sat by him, playing with my hands. It was something I always did when I was nervous. I did not notice Tommy had been watching me until his hand went over my hands causing them to stop. I looked up at him and his eyes were focused on mine.
I looked at him and felt tears enter my eyes, it was involuntary; I felt so weak around him. He looked startled as tears slowly fell down my cheek. I turned away to hide my tears but Tommy stopped me.
"No," He said quietly. "Let me." He wiped away each tear, refusing to meet my eyes. He was thinking about what happened two nights ago, or I guess what did not happen two nights ago.
He pulled his hands away and I felt myself look down at my hands, which were moving nervously again.
"Why do you do that?" He asked me, staring at my hands also.
"I do it when I'm nervous." I said quietly.
He looked at me. "Do I make you nervous?" He questioned; his voice quiet.
"Yes." I breathed.
He was searching for my eyes but I did not give it to him, I focused on my hands and watched as they became more frantic. He saw this too and I felt him edge closer to me.
My pulse quickened and I felt tears come down my face. Tommy's breath stopped when he saw this. He wiped away the tears and held my face in his hands.
"I don't mean to make you cry." He said looking in my eyes. I wasn't able to escape his stare.
"I'm just tired." I said helplessly.
He didn't say anything at first. "Is that really it?" He asked me.
I pulled away from him and looked out the window, the sun was beginning to rise, and rays of gold, red, orange, and surprisingly purple were filling the room.
"I can't fake it around you." I said softly.
He leaned closer to me, I guess to hear me better. "I don't understand." He said watching me.
I continued to look out the window, at the beautiful colors. "For nine years," I said quietly. "I was able to hide every emotion I had and mask them with false happiness, when I'm around you I can't hide anymore." I finally looked at him, his dark eyes, the ones I considered dangerous and harsh, were completely transformed. They were dark yes but full of wisdom and most of all they were safe. "I cannot lie to you, you're eyes won't let me."
My hands were nervously moving and he put his hands over mine to calm them.
"Thank you." He said softly.
I looked at him. "Why?"
"For not lying to me." He said looking in my eyes causing my hand to move nervously under his. He noticed this and started caressing my hands.
"Your welcome." My voice came out shaky. "I want to say thank you also."
"Why?" He asked me.
"Do you remember the first day this all happened and I got all cut up?" I asked him.
He winced. "Yeah I remember."
"Thank you for being so kind to me." I said meeting his eyes.
"I did not want to hurt you." He said looking at me.
"You did not even like me." I said looking at him.
"I didn't know you."
I didn't say anything and broke his gaze. I looked out the window and saw that the trees were fully lit. It must be around seven. His hands continued to caress mine, making it harder for me to ignore his stare.
"Jude." He said finally, forcing me to look at him.
"Yes." I said weakly.
"Can I kiss you?" He said looking at me, his eyes searching mine.
It came as a shock to me. He didn't make any advances towards me, he wanted my answer. I watched his breathing become irregular he wanted to kiss me so badly but he wanted me to want it. At first I didn't know what to say but then it became obvious.
"Can I kiss you back?" I asked him.
I watched as his face transformed to a smile of genunine happiness. He filled in the space between us and the tension that had become so thick exploded when our lips touched. He no longer made me nervous but the exact opposite. He made me calm.
