A/N: I'm kind of on a high right now. And it's not from Starbucks. I think I'm still reeling from seeing a really really awesome guy in concert (named William Tell :D) on Sunday and he was just effing amazing (as always). :D
Anyway, I've been up for a while just trying to make sense of this chapter and I'm sort of there which is why you're getting a post.
This chapter (and the next cause they are together) is for the Jommy faithful. Thank you for your patience. I really appreciate it and I hope you like this chapter as much as I have in the process of writing it!
Um, I don't know if you'll be happy about this, but…I had to make this "Birthday" thing a multiple chapter thing. LOL. :D
I didn't want this to be an uber long chapter and just throw it all together, so I found (what I thought was) an appropriate spot to stop. And then just made another chapter out of the rest of it. I didn't want to do this at first, but then I read it all together and I knew it had to be more than one. Sorry! (Note: I think this may turn into 3 chapters…sorry!?)
But at least your chapter is ready and here:D (It's flippin' 5 in the morning and I haven't slept, but I have work in 6 hours. Oh vey! And that's where Starbucks will come in…again. Which means your next update might be really soon. :D)
TA DA! I bring you "THE BIRTHDAY!" :D (Part 1)
Thanks to Carlz02 for your input and thoughts about the preview(s). :D I REALLY appreciate it!
THANKS:
chocolateelephantz: LOL. Yeah, I know. Jude is Jude. Thanks so much! I'm glad there is more too! I'm posting now!
charley07: It's so understandable. I feel ya. LOL. I love that! Yeah, Angie. She'll be back. Ohh, read it! The last chapter was somewhat reminiscent of Teach Me (remember when Mr. Mann visits Nine at her work:D However, Tom and Jude's meeting wasn't as nice as Mr. Mann and Nine's were.)
InStrFan: I could totally see your point. In a way it was, but when I first had written it, it was only conversation and from just that I thought it was filler. But then once I added everything else, it obviously came to mean so much more. You can't, given the situation, but at the same time, she doesn't work well with kids her own age (if you didn't know) and that makes Tom even more sacred and special, so her acting like that doesn't help her. At all. And Tom's just trying to guard himself. He's not doing a very good job, but he's trying. It won't. Promise. It will, but he's going to try to get on her (good) side. Um, maybe. :D Exactly! Thank you and I loved your review!
Carlz02: the next preview like I said should be this week. I'm still working on the rest of this chapter! AND it's 3 (now 5 as I finish) in the morning! I know. But with the bad comes the good? Or is it the other way around? I forget. LOL. It's late. ;D Here's more!
scrubslover: Thanks! I know it seems that way, but Tom didn't know she was looking for it. I don't know if I've explained it well or not, but Tom doesn't know about Jude's fascination with music. He won't. Not for a couple chapters. Which is the whole reason, why I didn't have Jude write a song as her "one page." :D He'll find out, believe me. He just thought since he was there, he'd try. But he had to think on his feet. :D Here's the next chapter!
miss massacre: LOL! He won't. I don't think he can bring himself to do it. Maybe once he has some clarity…maybe. But not of his own accord. :D You'll see his plan in this chapter! AHAHA! It's understandable. I'm posting now!
Pip'235: Thank you! You'll see it here. I'm updating now. He won't "teach her" anything really…yet. :D
McDreamylvr: YAY! Yes, I will. You're patience has been rewarded. Promise. :D
101ISFAN: Just a third. I'm trying…believe me. :D Thanks!
Princess of the Rogues: Um, nothing is funny about Portia. I'll stop. I don't want to ruin anything. :D Tom's mind is very complicated. I'm updating now! (When I read your "Your oh so faithful reader," I laughed…makes me think I'm a cult leader or something. :D)
JommyIS4ever: AHAHA! I don't even know the answer to that one. It just comes to me. :D They probably are! Thank you! I'm sorry! But like I've said, it had to happen. Now you'll see them work to get back to their special place. Here's more.
raylo94: She pisses you off?! LOL. Nope. Cause Jude's a KID. :D I'm posting now!
bbybty9: Thank you! I don't even think Jude knows what she's done. He won't do anything stupid (at least not intentionally). I am posting now! Better as in more Jommy?! Well, I hope this chapter is "better."
love4jommy: Thanks! It will work out. I'm posting now!
Disclaimer: Um, nothing really. I don't own anything. I don't own Lip Venom or Fender. Yep, I think that's it. ;D Or Dirty Dancing. :D
p.s. I've been trying to upload this damn chapter for hours! But fanficnet is being a dumbass. :D And now I'm off of work and able to post...So here it is!
A/N: at the bottom (It's another preview!) :D
R&R or R&L please.
THANKS MUCHO!!
"Teach Me"
He made it out to his Viper, placing the album on his passenger seat before slamming his hands down on his steering wheel. He had been close and he had seen the same Jude he had fallen in love with, even if she only appeared for a split second.
"Good. Maybe you'll do your job and Teach Me something."
That was his Jude.
And it was in that moment that Tom Quincy found in the corner of his broken and torn heart, a plan. A plan that would make Jude his. His one and only.
Every day. Forever.
Don't Stand So Close To Me
Chapter 11
"The Birthday" (part 1)
Weeks had gone by and Jude had not been in the most thanksgiving mood. Good thing it was now December.
It was her birthday to be exact.
It had been five weeks since Jude and Tom talked at her work and that feeling she had about making a big mistake turned out to be right.
She knew each day was going to be harder than the last. He hardly looked at her. She hardly looked at him. They never spoke to each other, unless they absolutely had to. Despite all that, the killer was that she had to watch him laugh and flirt with that brunette from the Teacher's lounge.
She knew she had made the ultimate decision for the both of them, but she didn't think he'd suddenly forget she was around. There was the deeply buried hope that maybe – just maybe – he'd try and win her back, somehow, some way. But she was just naïve.
Each time she saw them together, her heart sank more and more into the pit of her stomach and she had begun to regret a lot of things. Ever getting started with him in the first place. Being so upfront with her feelings. Thinking she was going to be the only one. Ever.
But it was her birthday and she was not going to let him ruin that. It was her day.
-+-+-+-+-+-
Little did she know that all the times she thought he wasn't looking or thinking about her, he was. Always. He had never stopped.
His plan had been building itself up since the moment his Viper left Toto's parking lot. And it had come to this. This day. He was not about to turn back now.
He glanced at his watch and grinned wickedly. It felt good to be back in the game again. Now he had to convince her otherwise.
-+-+-+-+-+-
She twirled in front of the floor-length mirror, smiling widely, as the bottom of her dress floated around her like water cascading over her bare legs. She slipped her feet into her silver heels and stood up straight to make a final decision.
Yep, it was like her sister had said.
She was hot.
She flipped her slightly curled hair back in a way that would make Karma proud. She grabbed her Lip Venom off her dresser and applied one last layer to her lips before placing the tube between her breasts. Women used them to stash money, why not lip gloss?
She batted her eyes and pouted once before smiling at the sight in front of her.
Tonight was going to be fun.
She grabbed her purse and walked to her bedroom door. She grabbed the door knob and turned it, opening the door and walking through the threshold before closing it behind her and walking down stairs to the living room where everyone was waiting for her.
Let the party begin.
-+-+-+-+-+-
His legs anxiously shook as he sat on his leather couch, every few seconds his eyes darting between his watch and the large clock next to his flat screen plasma television. The television displayed ESPN, but he wasn't paying attention to anything the commentators said. His beer sat on a coaster on top of his coffee table, waiting to be touched, its temperature turning lukewarm.
It had only been an hour and he was getting restless. He knew she wasn't going to be home for another three hours. He listened to his students talk, after all.
He checked his watch again. Two minutes had passed.
It was going to be a long night.
-+-+-+-+-+-
The cake was made to look like a Fender Stratocaster. A red one. Like the color her hair had once been. The host carefully slid the elevated piece of pastry towards as she smiled happily. She was another year older.
Each string was lit in the middle where a candle stood. Not exactly her age, but she understood nonetheless.
"Happy Birthday to you!" the small crowd around her sang loudly.
"Happy Birthday to you!"
"Happy Birthday, dear Jude!" her parents and her sister, Sadie, shouted, while the always exuberant Spiederman sang, "Happy Birthday, dear Red!" and her best friends and band mates declared "Happy Birthday, dear Harrison!"
"Happy Birthday to you!" the crowd finished loudly and off-key.
She laughed slightly, shaking her head as the crowd smiled back.
The night had flown by and she was already being serenading by her family and friends. Albeit badly, but it was the thought that counts, right?
She closed her eyes as her guests looked intently at her, putting all the strength she could muster into her one wish.
And although she was not superstitious, the mere thought of her wish made her rethink it altogether.
It was him.
Her wish was him.
All of him.
She inhaled deeply, opened her mouth and blew.
The crowd around her cheered and clapped loudly as she opened her eyes, smiling widely.
"I want the first slice!" Spiederman yelled.
The host looked expectantly at Jude as she nodded. "Give it to him," she said, chuckling as she saw Spied rub his hands together as if the cake was filet mignon. Although for Spied it probably would be pizza, but the thought was there.
Jude took a piece of cake from her sister who was sitting next to her, talking animatedly with Kat about a new sale at one of their favorite stores.
Jude looked around her at all the people who decided to spend her birthday with her and grinned.
She was lucky to have such a great support system, but there was a nagging ache in the pit of her stomach that made her feel as if something was missing.
She had friends and family.
A great dress.
Lots of presents.
Dinner and dancing.
And then it hit her as she looked across the table to another part of the room.
A couple sat in a secluded booth, laughing and flirting, holding hands, and feeding each other.
All the nauseatingly romantic stuff that she thought she'd like to have one day.
With him.
He was missing.
And it was all her fault.
-+-+-+-+-+-
He saw two cars pull up to the driveway and a crowd of people exit them. He watched as each person went to a central location near the door to say goodbye.
A rush of glee passed over him as he realized time was inching closer to the moment he had been waiting for.
Then he saw them walk away and leave, a few of them into their own cars, a pair to the house in front of him, and everyone else entered the house a few doors down.
He stayed put, however, not wanting to make a scene until the right time.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw the golden basket and blue blanket on the floor, waiting for what was to come.
What he had been planning for the past month.
-+-+-+-+-+-
She placed the oak hanger with her peacoat on it into the coat closet next to the front door as her sister spoke from the stairs in front of her.
"I think I'm gonna head up to bed. I have quite the drive tomorrow," Sadie remarked, glancing at her parents who stood side by side in the entrance to the kitchen.
"Yeah, two hours, poor baby," Jude muttered, turning as she closed the closest door. Sadie turned and smirked, gazing at her baby sister.
"Shut up. I'm gonna let that go since it's your birthday," Sadie stated.
"Oh, thank you," Jude replied, smiling.
Sadie smiled back. "Good night, Jude. Happy Birthday."
"Thanks, Sades. Night," Jude responded as her older sister walked up the stairs to her childhood bedroom, the same one she used to sleep in before she left for college two years ago.
"We're gonna head up too, Sweetie," Victoria replied as she walked towards the staircase, her husband following behind her.
"Okay, I'm gonna watch some t.v." Jude replied as she walked past them towards the couch. "I think I had too much cake."
"Alright, don't stay up too late," her father, Stuart, reminded her.
"I won't." Jude shook her head as she watched her parents walk up the steps to their bedroom. "And guys?" she called, her parents stopping suddenly and turning towards their daughter.
"Yeah?" they responded simultaneously.
"Thanks so much! Tonight was so awesome!" Jude remarked as she leaned against the back of the living room couch.
"You're welcome, Jude," her mother responded as her father said, "It was our pleasure."
Jude smiled widely, turning around. She walked to the other side of the couch and flopped down upon it as her parents walked up the rest of the steps to their room.
A few minutes passed and she heard the doors to various rooms in the house close. She wasn't tired at all, so she turned on the t.v. like she had planned.
She flipped through all of the channels and found nothing she was really into, so she settled on a movie that was in her top 5: Dirty Dancing.
It was close to the end dance sequence when she started to watch and she thankfully had not missed her favorite part.
She slid off her heels and tucked her feet underneath her as she watched a leather jacket clad Patrick Swayze walk up to the Houseman's table.
"No one puts Baby in the corner," Jude recited with Patrick as she laughed giddily. She had no idea how many times she had seen the movie, but each time it was the same. She got so excited when Johnny Castle walked up to Baby's table and, in front of her parents, fought for his girl.
That's the kind of love she wanted.
Someone who would fight for her.
-+-+-+-+-+-
He watched as the last light shut off upstairs before exiting his car. He opened the door and got out of his seat, then gently closed the door.
He leaned against his car for a second, listening for anything that would give away his presence.
Nothing.
Nothing but the beat of his heart.
He inhaled deeply, trying to calm his nerves. He tentatively walked towards sidewalk as he made his way to the house a few doors down, waiting for someone to jump out and scare him.
He sighed in relief as he made it to the front door. Especially since it was very dark outside and the moon was not shining very brightly for him.
He leaned against the wall next to the door as he caught sight of lights bouncing in the living room through the window. Then laughter.
His breath caught in his throat.
He had not been expecting this.
He exhaled and walked towards the window. He leaned slightly towards it, trying to get a better glance at who was getting in the way of his plan.
Then he heard the laughter again.
He smiled devilishly.
It was her.
His girl.
Sitting on the couch laughing at whatever nonsense was on the television screen.
This made his plan all the more easier.
But then he stopped.
He couldn't knock on the door. She wouldn't answer once she knew it was him. And what if he woke up someone else?
Any hope of something forming again would be drastically diminished.
Especially once they knew who he was.
Her teacher.
Yeah, scratch that idea.
Then he thought about the window.
But he couldn't knock either.
He might scare her.
So he looked around for something. Anything to help him.
He looked down and saw them.
Pebbles.
-+-+-+-+-+-
Jennifer Grey had just finished her lift when Jude heard something.
She looked around her, thinking it might have been someone's left out phone.
But nothing.
Then she heard it again.
Tink!
It wasn't a phone.
She put the t.v. on mute and stayed silent, listening for the sound again.
Tink!
She couldn't put her finger on it, but it sounded so familiar.
Tink!
She glanced to her right and saw a dim shadow move.
She froze in her seat, her breath in her throat, and then she heard it again.
Tink!
And then it hit her.
It was Jamie.
That's why the sound was familiar.
He threw pebbles at her bedroom window too.
But why was he at her house so late? Why hadn't he called her first?
She took the t.v. off mute and got up off the sofa.
She walked over to the front door and looked through the peep hole.
It was too dark to know for sure that it was Jamie, but she didn't think anything of it since he was the only one who threw things at her windows.
Unless you count that time in the sixth grade when Spied threw a baseball at Wally, trying to get Kyle out at first and ended up taking out her window. They never could throw, so Jude knew it wasn't them.
She saw brunette hair and reassured herself that that was enough.
She hesitantly unlocked the dead bolt and then the bottom lock. She breathed in deeply, grabbing the cold brass knob in her hand as she turned it.
She pulled back the door slightly and leaned behind it, glancing at her unexpected guest.
He turned around slowly which only frightened Jude more because she instantly realized it wasn't Jamie at her doorstep.
He smiled wickedly at her appearance. She was still gorgeous, even after three hours of dancing and an hour of being cramped between three boys in the backseat of her parents' car.
Her throat started to close on her and she found it hard to breath.
He was beautiful. Exactly as she imagined him to be.
-+-+-+-+-+-
He had waited with baited breath in front of the wooden door. He continued to throw pebbles, but got no response.
Then he heard silence, so he continued.
A few more throws got him sound and it was then that he knew she was coming.
He stood with his back to the front door, waiting to reveal himself to her.
He heard two locks on the door being unlocked and then the door being pulled away from the threshold.
He tentatively turned around and as soon as he saw her head peer around the door, he stopped and smiled.
She, however, didn't.
-+-+-+-+-+-
Her breathing returned once she remembered who it was standing in front of her.
It was him.
Tom Quincy.
Her teacher.
Standing on her doorstep, smiling at her, waiting for her.
She subconsciously opened the door all the way, even though her brain was telling her not to, that he was still with that other woman.
He didn't enter, but continued to stand on the doorstep.
"Happy Birthday, Jude."
She scoffed loudly, her hackles coming back in full force. "You didn't come all the way over here to tell me Happy Birthday. What do you want?"
"You."
She gulped. But then remembered his words were not new. They had been said before, albeit in a different fashion, but it was still the same.
"So I thought," she remarked, rolling her eyes roughly. She had had a great birthday and she didn't want – need – Tom Quincy ruining it.
Tom stared at her, his eyes boring into hers, needing her to understand. He cocked his head to the side slightly as he continued to stand in front of her. "Jude, please," he pleaded, his voice soft.
"Please what?" she impatiently asked, waiting for an answer. An answer that would make sense. Something that would explain his presence.
"Please. Come with me," he responded, internally praying to whatever higher being existed that for once, he would have a chance at something more. Something better. Something that was everlasting.
She glanced at him, thinking about his words. About the past three months that she had spent in his presence. Nothing had ever been the same. And for that she was grateful. But in the back of her mind, he was asking her for more. Just as she had asked him, just as she had hoped he would. But what if this "more" was fleeting like the rest of their relationship. She couldn't deal with that anymore.
"Come with you?" she asked reluctantly, her body leaning against her front door.
He nodded urgently as if he needed her now. At that very second. "Yes, come with me," he replied fervently. His eyes bore into hers once more and Jude shivered, a gust of cold wind blowing past her. It was then that she realized that from the moment she opened her front door and saw Tom standing on her doorstop, she hadn't noticed the frigid air that seeped past her. It was if Tom had guarded her from it. If he could keep her from freezing to death, then certainly he would be able to keep her heart intact.
She looked away suddenly, staring out into the dark street. "I-I-" she started, looking up at Tom. He slightly smiled as he gazed at her, waiting for a response. Something that let him know he could make things right. "Hold on."
She shut the door slightly, leaving it open a crack, and he heard her rummaging behind it.
He stood in front of the door, waiting. He didn't know what to expect. Was she reaching around the door to retrieve the baseball bat that sat patiently waiting to be used against intruding strangers who didn't take hints very well? Was she picking up her shoe to throw at him? The possibilities were endless and it was that thought that frightened Tom Quincy as he stood there waiting, in what he hoped wasn't harm's way.
She tore her peacoat from the hanger in the closet next to the door and then walked over to the couch where her heels were. She slipped them on again, slightly groaning at the discomfort, but she didn't have a choice.
She wasn't about to walk all the way up stairs for different shoes when there was the chance that she'd wake up someone.
She shut the t.v. off and tried to put her peacoat on as she walked to the front door, but couldn't.
Much like Tom on their first day of class. My, how things had changed.
She pulled out her house key from her coat pocket as she stepped out of the house.
Tom stepped back to let her close and lock the door, however he couldn't help but lightly laugh at the fact that she had her right arm through one sleeve of her jacket which was raised in the air to keep it from dragging on the floor and her left arm was trying to lock the door.
As she faced her front door and heard his laughter sound, she glared at the lock. So she was having trouble getting her jacket on? So what?
He heard the door lock and instinctively picked up the rest of the jacket that was hanging off Jude's arm. He was a gentleman, after all. She reached back to pull the jacket away from him so she could independently put the rest of it on, but he wouldn't let go.
He pulled the jacket away from her body and fixed it so that all she had to do was slip her other arm through the jacket sleeve and she'd be wearing her jacket fully.
But she protested and tried to shrug him off, grabbing behind her for the rest of her jacket.
She hadn't once needed his help and she wasn't about to start now.
He held the jacket a few inches away from her, almost tauntingly. He leaned towards her slightly and she sensed his movement. She turned her head and he saw the profile of her face as the moon finally shined bright enough for him to see. She looked at him from the corner of her eye as he opened his mouth, his breath floating against her skin.
"Let me," he whispered huskily.
She shivered slightly at his words. In her mind, there was always a double meaning when he spoke. Her jaw clenched as she turned her head forward again. She sighed once she realized he wasn't going to give up. He stood up straight as he smiled at her giving in.
Her shoulders slumped slightly and she reached her left arm behind her to let him slip her sleeve on.
He slipped the sleeve on her arm and then pulled the jacket up and laid the collar around her neck, letting his hands rest on her shoulders.
She waited for him to release her, but he never did.
He held them there for a couple seconds before he let them slide.
He rubbed her shoulders a few times, up and down, up and down, until he felt her tense.
Then he stopped.
He removed his hands and turned to walk away.
She noticed he wasn't standing behind her because she couldn't feel the cold air press against her legs. She turned around and saw him walking away.
It was then that her heart sank.
She had pushed him one too many times.
-+-+-+-+-+-
He pushed his hands into his pockets waiting for her to join in step with him. But she never did.
Walking towards his car, he turned around and faced her.
He pointed at her then turned his arm so that the back of his hand faced her and curled his index finger a few times, motioning to her. He began to walk backwards, still staring at her, motioning for her to follow him.
She watched him from her doorstep as he made his way to his car backwards. She waited for him to trip over something, but he never did. Instead he gracefully made his way to his car and abruptly stopped once his backside hit the driver side.
She stifled a laugh as she saw him hit his car and turn around abruptly to make sure he hadn't damaged it.
She conceded and began to walk towards his Viper as she placed her hands in the pockets of her coat.
He leaned against his car after making it without falling and watched her walk across the street towards him.
He smiled widely as she sauntered towards the passenger side and then remembered to be gentleman. He briskly walked over to her side of the car and opened the door, motioning for her to get in.
She put one leg in and sat down making sure her dress was fine in the process before pulling her other leg in.
She hissed as the cold leather touched her bare legs. She hadn't expected it to be that cold.
He leisurely walked to the other side and opened the driver's door, jumping in the car and closing the door tightly.
He put his key into the ignition and the car roared to life. He put the heater on seeing Jude rub her legs for warmth.
Jude stretched her legs slightly so that the heat from the vents hit her legs.
Tom put the Viper into drive and pulled away from the curb. He glanced to his right as he saw Jude from the corner of his eye turn towards her house.
She watched her house get smaller and smaller as they drove down the street until they turned the corner and she could no longer see it.
She turned her focus back to the front of the car and nervously played with her hands in her lap. The silence in the car was not welcomed by Jude. She instinctively reached out and put her left hand on the radio.
Within seconds, another hand enveloped hers. She turned to the source and he shook his head as he used his other hand to drive.
She glanced at him expectantly, his hand still on hers. Not that she objected his touch.
"This is my car. Which means my radio."
Jude scoffed loudly, moving her left hand a little. But he grasped it tighter.
It was then that she realized he wasn't joking. Not at all.
She tried to pull her hand away, trying to retract her mistake, but he didn't let go.
Instead, he pulled her hand towards him or rather his face. They hit a stop sign and he took the time to gaze into her eyes as he chastely kiss the back of her hand, making her blush lightly, before pulling her hand fully into his, intertwining their fingers together.
He laid their hands on her left leg, letting it rest in her lap, somewhat.
All Jude could do was stare, her breath caught in her throat.
At her hand.
At his hand.
Together.
But what did it mean?
She knew what she wanted it to mean. Was this his indirect way of telling her he wanted more? Again? Were they officially back together? Even after the things she had said, the things she had done? What was he telling her? She didn't want get her hopes up. She still hadn't made up her mind as to whether or not coming with Tom was such a good idea.
What if her parents or Sadie woke up and realized she was gone? Would they call the police, Jamie, Kat, or Spied? Probably not.
She'd have to lie when they called her cell phone. Something she was almost used to when it came to Tom Quincy.
Her teacher.
It was then that a thought struck Jude. She was in his car. In her teacher's car.
And oddly enough, she felt comforted by that thought. Even happy about it.
Shaking her head of the numerous thoughts that were plaguing in her mind, she took the silent ride as an opportunity to check out Tom's Viper.
Leather interior.
Two seater.
Small backseat. With a basket and blanket occupying it. Jude smiled widely as more thoughts entered her mind about the two items that sat behind her.
But there was nothing else. Nothing that screamed Tom Quincy.
Except the smell.
The new car smell had been replaced by him. But Jude couldn't put her finger on the exact ingredients.
But she knew it was him.
Him.
Tom glanced out of the corner of his eye, noticing Jude's movement. He didn't see what she was looking around for, but could tell that whatever it was was troubling her slightly.
He hoped that once they reached their final destination, he would be able to squash any and all of her worries.
-+-+-+-+-+-
Minutes had turned into a half an hour, then an hour.
Jude's head laid on her shoulder slightly as she gazed out the passenger window. Lights and images ran together to form long stretches of nothingness. She could feel her eyes battling sleep, her lids feeling heavier by the second. She closed her eyes, slightly reminding herself that she was only resting her eyes. And resting whatever else she might need for the night come.
As time passed, so had the distance between the pair and Jude's house.
Tom looked over to his right as they hit their final intersection.
He saw her head hang and knew instantly that she was asleep. At least she doesn't snore, he thought, slightly chuckling to himself.
His fingers formed a tighter bond to Jude's hand as they turned into a parking lot. Tom found the perfect parking space and gently pulled into it. The Viper idled for a second as Tom used his left hand to put the car in park. His right hand was occupied obviously.
He killed the engine and sat in the car with one hand still intertwined with Jude's. He looked out in front of him and slightly shivered.
It wasn't the first time he had been there. And he knew it wasn't going to be the last, but for Jude, he was going to make it have a new meaning. Something that wasn't plagued with misery and sadness.
He had had enough of that in his life and he didn't need to infiltrate someone else's life with it as well.
Tom ran his left hand through his mussed hair and let out a sigh with inadvertently turned into a yawn. He hadn't realized how tired he was. He had been so thrilled for time to pass so that he'd be able to put his plan into motion and now he had.
And he was yawning and Jude was asleep.
That was not what he had in mind for this plan.
Way to go, Quincy, he thought as he looked over at Jude's sleeping form.
He reluctantly pried his hand from Jude's, who although asleep, had a pretty firm grip on his hand. After flexing his fingers for a few seconds, he decided it was time to wake up Jude.
He had already started his plan and he wasn't about to back out now just because she was asleep. He just hoped when she awoke she wouldn't be bitter.
Brushing a piece of hair from her face, he whispered, "Jude."
Nothing.
He whispered once more.
Nothing but her peaceful breathing.
He yawned again and decided to be more forceful. He gently pushed Jude and her head fell farther down, off her shoulder.
He pulled her closer to him, thinking the movement would wake her, but she didn't. It was as if she was dead to the world.
"Jude," he called, shaking her again.
Finally she moaned slightly.
"Go away," she muttered, pushing Tom's hand away from shoulder.
"Jude, get up."
"No."
Tom pushed her again and she pushed back. "Jude-"
Her head popped up suddenly and she glared at him, her eyes still full of sleep. "What the fuck do you want?"
Tom looked at Jude incredulously. Obviously he had underestimated her need – love – for sleep. "I was trying to wake you up."
"And what part of no, didn't you understand?" she snapped, sitting straight up. Jude positioned herself against the passenger door, staring at Tom.
He furrowed his brows. He was tired too, but he wasn't about to snap at her and he didn't have the patience to deal with her bitchiness.
"Remind me never to try and wake you up again. You're a bitch when you're tired, you know that?" he said, staring back at her.
So much for not snapping at her.
Jude smirked slightly. She was tired and she knew it really wasn't Tom's fault, but all she cared about was sleep. "So I've been told. Who says you'll ever get the opportunity to wake me up again?" she muttered.
Tom shook his head, realizing he had opened a can of worms. One that he couldn't find the lid to at that moment. "Whatever," he said as he opened his door, slamming it shut hard.
Jude jumped at the door slamming and shivered as the cold air found its way into the once warm Viper. She sighed heavily, massaging her temple in hopes that her sleep-deprived self would wake up and she would act like a normal person for once.
Jude let out a long breath, trying to grasp at whatever strength was hidden in the pockets of her peacoat. She clenched her jaw has she saw Tom's shadow off a few feet away.
She really didn't want to get out of the Viper. She had the certain feeling that the warmth she felt at that current moment would completely dissipate once she got out of the car and walked towards him.
Reluctantly, she put her hand on the passenger door handle and pulled it. The door swung open and even more frigid air flew into the Viper.
"Fuck!" she cried, getting out of the car. She pulled her coat closer to her body as her legs became frozen pegs.
Slowly she made her way towards Tom who stood against a rail, overlooking something wide and open.
Her heels made scratching noises against the concrete as she finally stood behind him. He slightly turned his head and glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
She waited for him. For whatever he was about to do. For whatever he was about to say.
She had done as he had asked and come with him.
Now he had to put the rest of his plan in motion.
Because they were finally at their end destination.
A/N: Preview:
Chapter 12
"The Birthday" (part 2)
He sighed heavily, the weight of his plan resting on his shoulders.
"I used to come here when I was younger. It makes for some peaceful thinking," he said lowly, looking at the water, opening what would eventually become his confession.
-+-+-+-+-+-
"It could mean that I love you," he offered, hopeful on the outside, yet groaning internally. He knew what he was doing though.
-+-+-+-+-+-
Although Jude wanted to comment on his statement, she knew they were just words and other words that he had uttered carried much more weight that moment. "How much more?"
-+-+-+-+-+-
Jude nodded again. This time it wasn't because she didn't have a response, it was because she didn't think he'd be appreciative of her thoughts, so nodding was her safest bet.
-+-+-+-+-+-
Jude pulled away suddenly, gazing into Tom's sorrowful eyes. He didn't repeat himself. There was no need to. Jude had heard him perfectly clear though she wished she hadn't.
-+-+-+-+-+-
She pulled Tom closer to her, her grip on him surprisingly strong. Seconds passed before Jude could feel him let go. His body shook slightly and even in the silence of the night, she knew he was crying.
-+-+-+-+-+-
"Happy 18th, Girl."
Jude smiled widely as she held back a chuckle, not having the heart to let Tom in on his little mistake. He smiled back in a similar fashion before Jude erupted in laughter. Tom eyed Jude suspiciously, wondering what was so emphatically funny. Jude took a deep breath and shook her head roughly as she gazed at Tom. She cleared her throat and breathed deeply again.