A/N: Okay I'm officially back! Here's the next chapter, I know it's not a lot, but I'm in the middle of unpacking and all that good stuff...but when I get all settled again I'll post more on here and start posting Fatal Temptation for you guys. Enjoy! Oh, I do NOT own the song "There's Us" from Instant Star.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jude was backstage getting ready to perform her last song. She had just perfected it that afternoon, and was very nervous with Tommy there to hear it. It wasn't something she had anticipated upon planning to perform this song. You can do this Jude, you can do this. He should probably hear it anyway. She thought walking back onstage to talk to the band.

"Hey, I'm going to do one last song. But it's going to be just me, so you guys are done for the night," she said turning around with her guitar to sit on the stool on center stage.

She felt distant and numb, like she was sitting back and watching her self but not actually controlling anything. She grabbed the microphone and spoke into it. "Thank you guys for coming out tonight! I just have one last song that I actually just finished writing today. Hope you all enjoy it," she spoke before taking a deep breath. Her fan's cheers were muted, heard by everyone except Jude. Finally ready to start she strummed her guitar and sang her goodbyes.

There's me
Looking down at my shoes
The one smiling like the sun
That's you
What were you thinking
What was the song inside your head
There's us
Going on about a band
Working out how we play our hand
I lay there dreaming
Later all alone in my bed

If I was stupid
Maybe careless
So were you

Jude looked up in the audience searching for Tommy's face. At last she found it as she continued…

Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough
There's us

Tommy's expression was one of hurt, love and longing. They both knew that their time together was coming to an end, an end of which they had never agreed to. As much as it hurt, Jude needed closure. And if singing this song was it, then so be it.

Freeze-frame
I'm not about to cry
It's too late for us to change
Why try
I've got a camera
Tucked away inside my heart

If I'm a loser
Or just unlucky
So are you

Jude repeated the chorus trying to avoid Tommy's gaze. She needed him to hear this, but it was just too much for her to bear to feel his gaze let alone see it.

Somewhere between then and now
I look away when you said we'll never change
And if you think what might have been
You'll lose today and we've got songs to play

Not everything is supposed to come true
Some words are best unsaid
Some love is not really love at all
I'll keep everything I shared with you
And that's enough
There's us

She finished off the last chorus looking down at her feet. She was breathing in and out heavily, catching her breath. Somehow she felt relieved, as if someone who was suffocating her had granted her mercy. Jude's gaze was torn from the floor, finally being able to hear her audience as they chanted for an encore. It was the best feeling in the world, knowing that you gave happiness to so many people at once. Even though she would normally love to do encores, tonight was different. Tonight was a night of memories. It was a night of joy. It was a night of anger and sorrow. It was a night of farewell. It was a night to remember. Next week I will be on the show, and I have to keep as much distance as possible. Not only for Tommy, but for me. I can't, and won't, hurt him like that. It's just not right. She thought cursing Jeff once again in her mind.

Tommy was confused beyond belief. He just stared at Jude singing her song to him on stage. She wanted to let him go. After all that they had been through over the past few weeks. It's really over. He told himself walking out of the crowd, trying to find a quiet place where he could collect his thoughts.

"Is this payback?" he said to no one looking up at the ceiling. "Is this some punishment for how I've treated girls over the years?" he asked once again to no one.

Finally it hit him, I don't even deserve her. I would probably just break her heart and then really be screwed. At least this time I have a fighting chance. Well not right now I don't. Now she wants to let me go and I have to respect that. He thought walking over to sit on the couch, with his head in hands. But I can't give up…I can back off for a while, but I can't give up on her…

All of a sudden someone came bursting in the door, slamming it behind them and leaning against it for support. She didn't even notice that she wasn't alone as her eyes were closed. She slid down the door to the floor, letting one tear escape down her cheek. As soon as it fell she wiped it away and stood up, finally realizing she wasn't alone. Tommy stood up from his spot not really knowing what to say.

"Um, sorry I didn't know that this was your dressing room. I was just…uh, on my way out," he said pointing to the door not looking her in the face. Tommy started walking away but was stopped by a hand on his arm.

"Wait, Tommy," she spoke softly, turning him around to meet her. All Tommy could do was look into her soft blue eyes, not saying a word. There were no words left for him to say. All he could do was listen. "I'm sorry it has to be this way. We couldn't have worked out, at least not the way we were meant to. If it wasn't now, it would be later. And later would've been a lot more painful, trust me," she spoke softly never breaking eye contact, "Just promise me, that no matter what happens throughout the show, you will remember me and know that what we had was real. That through all of the complications it was worth it, and that no matter what the future has in store for us, be happy."

Tommy looked at her with such warmth and love and respect that Jude could barely breathe. He touched a hand to her cheek. Jude immediately closed her eyes and leaned her face into his hand. He leaned closer before speaking barely above a whisper.

"I promise, to all of the above," he replied never looking away, "I could never forget you." He wanted so badly to just hold her and kiss her, but knew that he couldn't do that. He had to respect her, and she needed to let him go. Jude gave him a pleading look, knowing exactly what he wanted to do. She just wouldn't be able to handle saying goodbye if he did that. So instead he kissed her on the forehead before stepping back. Jude gave him a thankful look of relief. Reluctantly he walked to the door, but turned back to her.

"Goodbye Jude," he spoke in a voice full of hope before walking out of the dressing room door and entering the club once again.