A/N: Phew. I'm glad I got this done. I leave in about 5 hours to go to another dance camp. But you can probably expect a chapter not long after I get back, which is tuesday. Hope you enjoy the chapter. The beginning seems a bit like filler, but it really is necessary information. So R&R, yeah?
DISCLAIMER: Things that I do not own - Instant Star. CTV. The N. A decent pair of flip-flops. Never underestimate the importance of flip-flops.
Chapter 5
After Jude and Tommy made their decision to finally be together, the couple would be hard-pressed to remember many details of the weeks after. It was bliss, really, in many ways. Bliss. It was a foreign idea to a relationship between Tommy and Jude, yet somehow after their first date, they managed to maintain it. Somehow, it just clicked. Whenever they needed to get away, they went to the Chrome Cat. It was a home base of sorts. Like going back to their roots. It became their haven – a place they could go and simply be together without consequence. They could be them. Openly kiss each other and make music on the piano there – which was quickly becoming both of their favorite instruments. And not just, Tommy claimed, because of that time where they made out on top of said piano. Room 520 became their place. When Jude and Tommy were there together, it was like they could conquer anything.
But reality still existed. After many late night conversations, be it in the studio, 520, or on the phone, Tommy and Jude decided to keep their relationship a secret. There was a lot to lose. They knew that if it came down to it, they would give up their careers at G-Major to be together. There were plenty of other labels in the Toronto area that would kill to have Jude signed as an artist. And Tommy could get a job nearly anywhere – with Jude's sophomore album recently going double platinum, he was quickly becoming known as one of the best producers in Canada. But none of those other labels were as good as G-Major. Ever since they started the Instant Star competition, G-Major had especially hit it big and was now the go-to label in Canada. There was a lot of risk involved for Jude and Tommy and both of them were well aware that Darius would never approve of their relationship. Darius never was one of Tom's biggest fans, and there was no way he would be okay with his relationship with a minor, and his artist, no less. Jude and Tommy knew that the news would circle around G-Major eventually – the interns made it their personal mission to spread gossip – but they figured that keeping their relationship just between the two of them (and apparently Sadie, much to Tommy's chagrin) was the smartest choice.
Jude's father was a problem, as well. Jude still lived at home, and while Stuart was often absent, it hardly meant that the couple had free reign. Jude was a minor, a fact that was not lost on Tommy. Jude may be past the age of consent, but it didn't change the fact that Jude was under her father's jurisdiction. The difference in age rarely effected Tommy and Jude, but they knew Stuart would not be on board with their relationship. Mr. Harrison always thought that Tommy was too old for Sadie. And the age gap there had been much smaller. Not to mention the fact that Stuart never liked Tommy to begin with. He was, according the tabloids, a "playboy" and a "man whore." He was just waiting to steal unsuspecting teenage girl's virtues. Just when Stuart was starting to come around on the issue, Tommy and Sadie broke up and he was left to believe that Tom had cheated like the playboy he was known to be. The last thing Jude's father wanted to hear was that Tommy had moved on to the youngest Harrison. Jude and Tommy knew that Stuart Harrison would be a significant obstacle once they decided to take their relationship public.
Then, of course, was the topic of sex. Jude knew Tommy was experienced. He was seven years older than her. But that meant Jude was seven years lacking in experience when it came to the physical side of their relationship. The couple hadn't taken things any farther than the night of their first date. Jude sensed that Tommy was holding back. She was well aware that Tommy had a reputation among the ladies with his past promiscuous sex life. It was hardly performance anxiety keeping them from being together in every sense of the word.
Jude wasn't so sure she was ready to take the next step. Sure, she wanted into Quincy's pants on many levels, but she wasn't positive she was ready to go that far. Tommy may be experienced, but Jude most definitely was not. The farthest she had ever gone was with Tommy, and compared to the man's past, that wasn't far at all.
After a few days consideration, Jude decided to take matters into her own hands one afternoon, as she and Tommy were getting cozy in the Chrome Cat.
"Tommy?" she questioned breathlessly.
"Hmm?" he replied distractedly, trying to reattach his lips to hers.
"Tommy!" she whined, trying to get his attention as she pulled away from him.
He blinked himself out of his Jude-induced haze. "Yeah, girl?"
"Can we talk for a second?" Jude requested.
Tommy answered, "Sure, Harrison. What's up?"
Jude bit her lip and looked down. She became suddenly interested in the hem of her shirt as she played with it between her thumb and forefinger. Anything to keep her from actually having to start the conversation that she knew had to be held.
Tommy grabbed Jude's hand to keep her from thumbing the bottom of her t-shirt – a nervous habit of hers that he had recently noticed. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eye.
"What's wrong?" he inquired.
Jude exhaled deeply. "I was just…wondering about some things."
Tommy silently motioned for her to continue.
"Do you not want to sleep with me?" her tone of voice was higher than normal, and the words were rushed.
Tommy's eyes widened. "Huh?" he said thickly, not knowing where she got such an idea.
Jude hastily tried to explain herself, "Well, it's just that you haven't been trying to take things any farther, and I know that you are way more experienced than me, and I was just wondering if it was because you didn't want to sleep with me."
"Jude…" Tommy's words were soft, almost chastising. "That's not it at all. Is that what you honestly think?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I just…ugh!" she ran a hand through her hair in frustration.
"I haven't been pushing to sleep with you," he began, "because I didn't think you were ready. I know you're a virgin, Jude-"
She crossed her arms and cut him off. "And how would you know such a thing, Quincy?"
"Come on, Harrison. I know you wouldn't give it away to Andrews. You guys were together for the span of two seconds. And Spiederman?" He shook his head. "All of G-Major would have heard about it if you had slept with him."
Jude pursed her lips but broke out into a small smile, knowing Tommy's statement to be true.
She smirked. "And how do you know I didn't cash my V-Card in to Shay Shay?"
Tommy visibly cringed at the thought. "Don't even joke about that, Harrison. I still hate that kid."
Jude laughed – a melodic sound Tommy never got tired of hearing.
"You always were jealous of him," she teased.
"Of that punk?" Tommy scoffed. "Hardly."
Jude gave him a challenging look.
He scowled slightly. "Okay, so maybe I was a little jealous of him." Tommy pulled Jude to him and placed a soft kiss on the side of her neck. "But only because he was allowed to kiss you whenever he wanted."
Jude grinned. "Believe me…you could have kissed me whenever you wanted."
Tommy rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean."
"Yeah," Jude replied quietly, grabbing his hand. She hesitated, "You don't think I'm ready?"
Tommy sighed. "I know you're not ready." He squeezed her hand. "Only because I know you, Harrison. But we've only been together for a few weeks, and you're only seventeen."
"I guess it doesn't look good for G-Majors number one producer to be sleeping with his underage artist, huh?"
"Not so much. But you know it's not because of your age, right? That doesn't matter to me. I'm done carrying how old you are…how old I am. It's not important to me. I just want you, Jude. Doesn't matter what the age."
"So you do…want me?"
Tommy smirked. "Very much so. You have no idea how sexy you are, Harrison. Believe me. I want you. Very badly. But I'm willing to wait. I'm just glad to finally be with you."
The corners of Jude's lips tugged upwards. "Took us long enough, huh?"
Tommy chuckled and planted a firm kiss on her lips. "It was worth the wait."
That's the end of the chapter.
So how do you guys feel now that the series is over? Are you desperately throwing yourselves into reading and writing fanfiction like I am to deny the end of the series? SEASON 5 FANFICS, HERE I COME! You guys feel the same? Just curious. I haven't had the heart to really search around DLS. I've been avoiding the discussion areas of the forum. I'm still in denial, I think.
Haha. Oh, to be an obsessed fan.
