A/N: Okay thanks to those of you who've been reviewing this! I wanted to get at least this post out today, seeing as how I'll be leaving for New York tomorrow morning and won't be back until Friday night. So enjoy, read, and review!

Chapter Fourteen

The next day all Jude could think about was her performance that would be taking place later on that evening. On top of that Jeff had also asked her to be on set when they start the eliminations. He wanted to make sure she was ready to go on right after Tom announced who was going home. Jude was praying it was Sadie, but after last night's events she realized there was no chance in hell she was going home anytime soon.

Sadie knocked on her door and Jude let her in, thinking that she was going to get yelled at once again for crashing the pool party yesterday. After Jude and Haley's little incident, Sadie had quite vividly explained to Jude how she felt; but that's only putting it nicely. Jude was sure she lost some hearing afterward. What didn't make sense to Jude is why she was yelling when she got to make-out with him. Sadie has never made any sense in her whole life…Jude thought watching her sister saunter into the room.

However to Jude's dismay, Sadie's attitude had transformed into one of excitement. Light was generating off of her face as she flashed her pearly whites at her sister. Jude mentally rolled her eyes at her. This can only mean one thing…Quincy.

"Well, you seem to be happier this morning," Jude pointed out without emotion.

"Well, it seems as though you're little 'attempt' at earning attention didn't work," she stated smugly. Jude folded her arms across her chest.

"What do you mean 'attempt'? I don't want Quincy."

"I never said you wanted him, but whatever you were pulling didn't work."

"Oh and why is that?" she asked with an edge of curiosity.

"Because Tommy just told me he wants me," she said proudly. Jude choked out a laugh in amusement.

"Yeah, you and half of the world," she replied.

"No I mean, he said he wants me to be his girlfriend. I know he still has to date those other girls, but he doesn't care. He says we can date secretly behind scenes, and no one will notice because we're supposed to be like that for the show. So needless to say, by the end of this show I'll be walking away with fiancé," she said smiling like a little kid. Clearly she was gloating. "Aren't you happy for me?" she asked when Jude didn't give a reaction.

"Of course! This has been your dream, I'm glad it's finally happening for you," Jude said before blowing out a huge sigh and leaning against the door frame. Sadie just smiled and left the room as eagerly as she came.

Needing to let out some frustration, went over to her bed, took a pillow and screamed loudly into it. Damn you Tommy Quincy! Just when I thought I had you where I wanted you, you had to pull something like this! Oh you think you're so good at this? Just wait until you see what I have in store for you…But getting back at him wasn't going to take away the hurt that was forming in the pit of her stomach. It was just a way to take her mind off of it. Not wanting to think about this anymore she grabbed her journal and left her room in search of the studio.

Quincy was downstairs fixing himself a sandwich, happy about he handled the situation. Fight fire with fire…or in this case, sister with sister. He knew that as soon as he asked Sadie to be his girlfriend she would run and brag to Jude. About time she gets a taste of her own medicine. He thought while Jeff walked into the kitchen.

"Hey! Just the man I was looking for…" Jeff stated eagerly.

"Hey man. Did you need to talk to me about something?"

"Not really, just have to let you know about today's events. Since today's the first elimination night we won't be filming anything but the ceremony at 7:30," he started.

"Sounds good to me," Tommy replied nodding his head.

"Oh! And in celebration of the first elimination I've asked for Jude Harrison to sing following the ceremony," he said watching Tommy's reaction carefully.

Tommy jerked his head up hearing Jude's name but quickly recovered and replied nonchalantly, "That's cool." Jeff smiled coolly before replying.

"Yeah I thought it would be good publicity for us, and her."

"Yeah it would be. Her new album rocks," he agreed trying not to sound as if he actually cared.

"Yeah that's for sure. So I told all of the girls to be in the ballroom tonight at 7, including Jude. Then at 7:30 you announce who's going home, and then Jude performs one of her songs."

"Well it all sounds good. So I'm just going to go down to the studio for a little bit. I'll see you tonight ok?" he said stealthily, wanting to get away from Jeff as quickly as possible. Jeff didn't miss a beat.

"Ok Tom, oh be there at 6:30 tonight!" he said noticing Tommy's hurry to get out of the kitchen. Yup, there's definitely something going on there. He thought smugly while turning to the refrigerator to make him self a sandwich.

Tommy made his escape to the studio so he could finish his song, but found that he wasn't the only one who had the same idea.

"Jude what are you doing?" he asked half annoyed. Jude turned around in her chair to face him, unsurprised.

"What does it look like I'm doing? Actually I should be the one asking you that," she replied irritated.

"I haven't done anything wrong!" Jude laughed stiffly.

"Why did you ask Sadie out? Just out of curiosity. Was it just to get back at me, huh?" she asked, standing up to face him. Tommy didn't back down.

"I like Sadie, Jude. And at least she isn't afraid to show her true feelings! Unlike some people I know," he said turning to the soundboard to adjust a few things.

"You are such an ass! You claim that you like me, but then go after my sister just to piss me off!" This got a smile out of Tommy.

"Oh so it does piss you off?" he asked turning towards her.

"Why wouldn't it?" she asked angrily.

"Oh, I don't know…maybe because you and I quote, 'don't want to be with me'?"

"You know what? I was just doing that to protect you, but now I can clearly see that you're not even worth it!" she spat back, temper rising.

"Protect me from what? I can take care of myself Jude!" he yelled. Frustrated, Jude turned away from him and kept her head down, trying not to look at him. The continuous aching feeling was coming back to her with a vengeance. Jude looked up to Tommy and saw all of the anger in his eyes, which didn't help the feeling go away at all.

"It doesn't matter…but just tell me one thing. Why Sadie?" she asked in a hurt tone. Tommy looked away in deep thought. Finally he sighed in defeat, glancing at Jude.

"I don't know what to say. It was a mistake. Will you please just give me a chance?" he pleaded, looking straight into her eyes. Be strong, Jude. Be strong. She thought while her heart was screaming at her in disagreement.

"What do you think?" she said with an attitude.

"Honestly, I don't know why you're making this harder than it has to be," he said walking up to her.

"What do you want me to do? Admit that I like you? Then yes, I like you. Ok?!" she yelled frustrated. She put a hand to her head and sat down on the black leather couch. Tommy sat down next to her and took one of her hands, both forgetting about Sadie.

"Then why are you pushing me away?" he asked in a calm tone. Jude turned to look him straight in the eye. Why does he always do this? Make me hate him yet want to run back to him every damn time. But he has a point…why am I pushing him away? Think…I know there's a good answer somewhere…His stare was clogging her brain, not being able to come up with one of the many answers that she used to have to that question.

"I don't know," she said looking away from him. "All I know is that you've been screwing up my plans ever since I got here," she added in a soft tone never taking her eyes off of him. They just stared at each other for what seemed to be an eternity.

"Ever want to say screw the plan and go with impulse?"

"All the time," she replied barely audible. He then leaned in closing the space between them. Jude wanted to say she was surprised, but a part of her truthfully knew that eventually one of them would've given in. This time it just happened to be both of them.

What started out as a slow kiss soon turned into a heated passionate one. Neither wanted to pull away, however Tommy did. It's Time to show her what she's been doing to me. Even if it kills me…He thought while turning away from her.

"I'm sorry Jude, we can't do this. I'm with Sadie now," he said trying to sound convincing. It was hard when he had to hide a smile at Jude's face.

He stood up and left the room without another word. Jude's face was one of shock and disbelief. She got up and kicked the couch in anger. WHAT?! Is he joking? He would rather have Sadie than me? The idiot. I'm sick and tired of these stupid games. I can't let him just get away with doing that. This…is war. Jude thought while turning back to her guitar, putting the finishing touches on the song she was going to sing tonight.

Jeff sat back in his office, satisfied with the scene that had just played out before him. Quincy's already doing the dirty work for me, dating the sister to get Jude mad. Nice touch, but let's see if we can kick this up a notch or two…Jeff thought while rewinding the security tape and pressing play to watch it again.