Next chapter is here. It may be my only update this week because I am almost caught up with what I have already written and typed. If I post once a week I won't get behind and you won't have to wait until the next chapter is finally finished. As usual I own nothing.

Chapter 23

Nothing could make Tommy quit smiling. This was the life he wanted. Waking up every morning to Jude. He wished they didn't have to go to the studio, but Darius was getting back and they had to get the few samples they were able to get to him. He hoped Darius would give them the go ahead. Work was really the last thing on his mind because he kept replaying the previous night's events in his mind. He always heard people say sex was so much more when you were truly in love, and now he knew that to be true.

He was pouring their coffee when Jude walked in. "You looked refreshed." He commented handing her a mug.

"I was thinking you were going to join me." She said taking a sip of her coffee.

"Yeah. If I had, we'd be back in bed and never make it to the studio today." He said cupping the side of her neck. He bent down and met her lips in a kiss.

The kiss was short because they both knew what could happen if it wasn't. Jude smiled brightly. "You better go get ready."

They worked most of the day mixing the song she recorded at the church. Every few minutes they would glance up at each other. G Major was the last place either of them wanted to be.

"D should be in soon. So, I'm going to go put this on his desk." Tommy said pushing away from the soundboard.

"Okay, I'm going to find Sadie."

"Did I hear my name?" Sadie asked walking in on cue.

Tommy kissed her quickly and left the room.

"So you spent two nights in a row at Tommy's. You want to tell me something?"

Jude shrugged. "We spent a week a part."

"And I guess you got a chance to finish what was started before Tommy went to Montreal."

Jude couldn't hold it in any longer. A huge smile spread across her face. "Maybe."

Tommy walked into Darius' office and a picture of Maya caught his eye. It made him think about when he was in Montana.

When he got to Montana, he finally learned what Darius needed him to do. "Alright, D, I'm her. What is going on?" Tommy called him as soon as he stepped off the plane.

"Write this address down. I've arranged for a rental for you."

"Stop with the cryptic shit. What the hell am I doing here?"

"I need you to take care of Maya. Kim's been drinking again. I need to convince her to get into rehab and turn custody of My over to me."

"And how do I play into this?"

"Kim has always had a soft spot for you. If you're the one taking care of Maya, then she is more likely to do the right thing."

Tommy couldn't really say he was wrong. Darius' ex-wife was reason Darius didn't kill him when he married Portia. He knew how Darius was about his business, and knew this was something he wanted dealt with discretion. That meant not telling Jude what was really going on.

He got to the house and double-checked the address, before walking to the door and knocking. "Mr. Quincy, please come in. Mr. Mills called to let me know to expect you. Miss Kim is upstairs." The maid said letting him in the house.

Tommy walked in the house. He could tell right off that Darius had bought this house. He saw a little girl about three or four. She was crying calling for her mommy.

"Quincy, what the hell are you doing here?" He heard a voice behind him when he was walking toward Maya.

"Kim." He said turning around.

"Long time no see, Tom. You can turn around, and leave. Go tell that no good ex-husband of mine I'm not going in to rehab. And I got custody in the divorce."

"How are you any good for Maya if you are drinking all the time? Kim take it from someone who has been in her shoes. You've got to get help. Do you want to do something you'll regret one day?" Tommy finally understood why Darius really sent him. He knew about Tommy's childhood.

"I would never hurt my little girl."

"Come on Kim. When you're drunk you don't know what you could do."

"Who's gonna take care of her? Huh? Darius can't just take her to Canada with out being awarded custody."

"That's what I'm here for. I'll stay here until Darius can take over custody. But Kim it is important you get sober."

Just then his cell phone rang. He looked down and saw Jude's picture. She'd been calling non-stop since he left her.

"Don't let me stop you from answering that." She said sarcastically.

Tommy ignores the call and Kim. He turned to look at Maya. She looked scared and sad. He knew that feeling all to well. He squatted down to her level. "Hi Maya, my name is Tommy."

"Hi." She said between her sniffles.

"Why don't you go play while I talk to your mom."

"Okay."

Tommy got back up and turned to Kim. She was pouring a drink. "See that right there is why I'm here. Kim, you need help. She doesn't need to see you like this."

"You know I always liked you. When you married Portia, I stood up for you. Darius wanted to kill you. Now you're going to come into my home and tell me what I'm going to do?"

"I believe Darius still pays the bills around here."

"Why don't you just go back to your little girlfriend in Toronto. And I will stay here taking care of my daughter."

"I don't know what you are talking about. I'm staying here until you do what is best for her."

"Please, everyone can see through your little story of just being friends with Jude Harrison. I knew you always liked them young."

"Jude has nothing to do with this. Look I grew up with an alcoholic mother. It will only hurt Maya in the long run. Kim, you know if you don't go willingly, Darius will just have to make you go. Do you want it to get ugly?"

"She's my baby, Tom. What's gonna happen to her?"

"Like I said, I will stay here with her until she can cross the border. Then Darius will take care of her. You get sober, I'm sure D will let you see her."

"Call him, tell him I will go." She said putting her drink down.

It had been two weeks since Kim went into rehab, and Tommy was still in Montana. Maya seemed to warm up to him pretty quick. It made him even think about having kids one day. Jude still called everyday, and he still ignored her calls. When he needed to hear her voice, he'd listen to her messages.

"So, D, you know when I can come home yet?"

"They are still checking everything. I have the best lawyers on the case. Everything should go through soon enough."

"How are my artists?" It was the only way he could ask about Jude with out coming right out with it.

"The ones still working an material are working with Kwest. The other one is hysterical. Look T, thank you for keeping this quiet. I don't want this to get out."

"No problem, D."

That afternoon when Maya was taking a nap, he decided to call Jude. If she was as bad as Darius said, he needed to ease her mind. He couldn't handle her thinking he ran out on her.

"Tommy?" She answered.

"Hey Girl."

"Where are you? What's going on? Are you okay?" Her questions were all jumbled together.

"Jude, slow down. I can't exactly tell you where I am. I'm taking care of some business. And I'm fine. I just miss you." He hoped she wouldn't be too mad.

"I don't understand. One minute we are supposed to go out than you bolt, and say you don't know when you'll be back."

"I know something came up. I'm sorry I haven't called you back before now. What I'm taking care of is taking all my time."

"Do you know when you'll be home?"

"Not yet." He heard Maya crying from her room. "I gotta go, but I'll call you as soon as I can. I love you, and I promise I'll be home and I'll make it up to you."

"Okay. I love you."

He was lucky he didn't loose her then. They made it through, and still going strong. He was getting excited about her birthday. One week and everything he'd been planning would be put into motion.

When he walked back into Studio A, Sadie was walking out. She had a sly smile on her face. He couldn't help but just shake his head. Girls always talked too much.

"So, I was thinking we could maybe get pizza and stay in tonight." He said wrapping his arms around Jude.

"Can't. Sadie wants to have a girls night out."

"Didn't you see her enough while I was gone?" He playfully pouted.

"No, she still had her boyfriend in town remember? We're just going to dinner and movie. I can come over afterwards."

"I'll be waiting." He said holding her closer to him.

There you go. I always hated how season two ended, and I really think the writers had no clue what they were going to do for season 3. I decide to divulge deeper into why Tommy was sent to Montana. Hope you enjoyed. Please review.