A/N: I had originally decided I was going to post another chapter after this one because it's so short. But it's not done yet, so you're just getting this one. Sorry! I'm trying to finish it right now. Hopefully it'll get done asap.

I should have started the countdown last chapter, but I forgot. 9 more chapters.

THANKS: to you.

Disclaimer: A/N at the bottom. I don't own The Bitter End, Roy Rogers. Song info is posted in the A/N at the bottom.

R&R or R&L please.

THANKS MUCHO!

From "G-Major Pain In My Ass":

"Will Samantha be there?" Kwest didn't answer. "What does she even see in him?"

Kwest gave her a pointed look.

Jude sighed. "Okay, I know what she sees in him. I guess I just wish she didn't."

Don't Stand So Close To Me

Chapter 32

"Lost"

Most of G-Major sat at a private table off to the side of the stage at The Bitter End. Jude sat suffocated between Kwest and Samantha, who seemed permanently attached to Tom's hip or lips. Jude wasn't really sure. She swirled her Roy Rogers with her red cocktail straw and watched as the cherries at the bottom of the glass moved in circles, over and over again in a vicious cycle.

Kwest poked Jude's side and she jumped, causing her straw and some soda droplets to fall onto the tabletop. Without a word, she brushed some hair out of her face and flipped Kwest the bird.

A low laugh sounded and a smile painted Jude's face. All the uneasiness in her body floated away. She was starting to like Kwest.

She picked up her glass, feeling it cool in her hand and closed her eyes. Taking a sip, Jude could feel the grenadine travel slowly down her throat. The syrup seemed thicker than normal and it made it hard to breathe. When Jude opened her eyes, the sensation was gone.

Just like Tom.

He stood at the edge of the stage with his back to the crowd, tuning a guitar.

The sound of the crowd was building. The tension in Jude's shoulders tightened like a coil. She took a deep breath and Tom turned around.

The first few songs sounded the same. At least that's how Jude wanted to remember the night. In one large flash of guitar riffs. They were songs she had never heard. Songs she never knew had been written. Maybe one was about her or Angie, but she wasn't sure. They all sounded like they had come from a Tom she didn't know. Maybe he had changed while he was away. But then, hadn't she?

Samantha's shoulder constantly bumped into Jude's as she sang along, obviously knowing every word.

Then in the middle of his stint, Tom cleared his throat awkwardly. He fidgeted with the microphone, feedback sounding into the small room, and then in a low voice, he said, "I came back just for you."

Even in the dark, Jude could feel his eyes on her, but she didn't dare look back at him. Not when she felt the person on her left staring at her as well. What was he thinking? He had a girlfriend now. Wasn't that enough? Wasn't she enough?

He started out softly, his guitar safely in his hands. Leaning up against the microphone, he started and Jude held her breath.

I can't believe it's over
I watched the whole thing fall
And I never saw the writing that was on the wall
If I'd only knew
The days were slipping past
That the good things never last
That you were crying

Jude's jaw clenched. She felt Kwest shift next to her and she rolled her eyes. He had to have known Tom was performing this. Was this why he asked her to come? So much for acting professional.

Jude stared at her glass, the condensation running down the sides. That was how she felt the longer she sat there. She was breaking. And she had no idea how to stop herself.

Summer turned to winter
And the snow it turned to rain
And the rain turned into tears upon your face
I hardly recognized the girl you are today
And god I hope it's not too late
It's not too late

But it was too late. Didn't he realize that? They had spent a year apart because of him and he came back – with a girlfriend. He had obviously moved on. What was she supposed to do now?

For all his talk about Angie's betrayal, that was the exact position he was putting her in now. But she wasn't going to fall for it.

'Cause you are not alone
I'm always there with you
And we'll get lost together
Till the light comes pouring through
'Cause when you feel like you're done
And the darkness has won
Babe, you're not lost
When your worlds crashing down
And you can't bear the thought
I said, babe, you're not lost

Had he had a plan in his back pocket the whole time? Through every fight? Every silent smile? Was this where they were going to end – no matter the situation? She had wanted to believe that what the two of them had shared was real. But knowing that Samantha sat next to her made everything they had been through seem like some crazy dream.

She watched as his eyes shifted every few seconds. Pain radiated from his voice and washed over her.

She wished they were alone, just the two of them. It would have made everything that much easier. Then maybe she'd be able to have an actual conversation with him.

She shook her head. Who was she kidding? Like their conversations had ever led to peaceful pastures.

Life can show no mercy
It can tear your soul apart
It can make you feel like you've gone crazy
But you're not
Things have seem to changed
There's one thing that's still the same
In my heart you have remained
And we can fly fly fly away

She felt herself starting to sway back and forth. She closed her eyes. His voice became calm. Full of conviction. Soothing. How had she not noticed this side of him before? Had it always been there, covered up by everything else they let get in the way? Or had this come from the year he was gone?

Was this his was of telling her he was finally ready to give her everything she needed?

'Cause you are not alone
And I am there with you
And we'll get lost together
Till the light comes pouring through
'Cause when you feel like you're done
And the darkness has won
Babe, you're not lost
When the worlds crashing down
And you can not bear the cross
I said, baby, you're not lost
I said, baby, you're not lost
I said, baby, you're not lost
I said, baby, you're not lost

The crowd's sudden clapping brought Jude's senses back. She could feel eyes on her and the uneasiness started to creep back into her system. Her body temperature spiked and her stomach swirled. She smacked Kwest on the arm a few times, but when he was too slow on the uptake, Jude scrambled over him and jumped out of the booth.

She pushed her way through the crowd, rushing outside. Someone yelled at profanity at her as she ran past them, but she didn't hear them. She could only hear the beating of her heart and the tears that had started to fall.

A/N: Preview

Don't Stand So Close To Me

Chapter 33

"G-Major Showcase"

Teasers will be posted very very shortly. Check my profile for them. :]

Song info: Michael Buble – "Lost"