I Can't Believe You

I Just Can't Trust You

Vicki sat crying, saying that she was mad at Judd - or something like that. The door opened and Chad walked in.

"I'll leave now," Vicki said, standing and wiping her eyes.

"No," Chad said, standing in front of her. "I wanted to talk to you."

Vicki sniffed and nodded.

"What Judd did," Chad said, placing his hands on her face. "I would never do that.

Vicki stared at him, green eyes wide. She knew she shouldn't be here, shouldn't be doing this, that she should leave. But she stayed.

"Vicki, unlike Judd, I wouldn't go behind your back." Chad looked into her eyes. "I wouldn't hurt you. I'm not like that."

Vicki knew where this was going. She'd seen and heard it all before. Chad would talk trash about Judd and promise to be better, trying to win her over. Then Chad would promise a ton of other things, few of which fell through.

The thing was, she didn't mind. She actually belived him.

Vicki shook her head. What was she thinking? If the situation were reversed, she would want Judd to ignore another girl. So what was she doing?

Judd had his chance, she thought.

Chad was talking. "Listen, Vicki, if he's hurting you - physically, mentally, emotionally, I don't care - he's not good enough for you. I love you, Vicki."

Vicki knew what would happen next. And she wouldn't stop it.

Chad leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Vicki didn't stop him.

"I thought I could trust you, Vicki," Judd said. Vicki pulled away and turned around to face him, her face red and hot. His face was twisted in pain - from the trip or the kiss, she didn't know.

"I didn't hear the car," she blurted. Wow, now she sounded like she did this everytime he was gone.

"Maybe you were too busy making out with Prince Charming," he said. "I'm leaving."

Vicki glared daggers at Chad before running after Judd. "You know, you aren't exactly perfect." She crossed her arms over her chest.

Judd looked back, a line of sweat on his forehead. "Yeah, but that's just it, Vick. I wouldn't ever do that to you." He held up a hand before she could speak. "Nada doesn't count. Why? Because a) I never really dated her to begin with, b) it was extremely difficult, and c) when she kissed me, I didn't let her do it. I actually told her to not and made sure we were nothing more than friends."

"But you broke your promise!" she shouted, tears streaming down her face.

"Yeah, I did, Vicki, and you know why? It's because your friend, whom we got out, was about to be killed. I wanted to help. And you know if the situation were reversed, you'd do exactly what I did. But unlike you, I wouldn't kiss anyone behind your back. How come I'm someone who is not anything to you?"

Vicki started to talk, but Judd beat her to it. "You made me promise, remember? I didn't want to, because I knew I couldn't keep it, but I never dreamed that you would do that with someone I distrusted so much. And did you want know why?"

Vicki nodded and squeaked, "Why?"

"Because he's everything I'm not. It takes work to stay with me, but it's easy to be with him."

"Judd!" she screamed. She was trying so hard not to cry, but the sight of Judd on the verge of tears pushed her over the edge.

"Yeah?" he said, voice breaking. A couple of tears gently fell down his face.

Vicki couldn't believe what she said next. "I think - I think I need to take a break," she said, wiping her eyes.

Judd opened his mouth, but before words could come out, he started coughing up blood.

"Judd? Judd!" Vicki screamed, running to him, crying and praying that he would be okay, that he would forgive her.

He grimaced and Vicki was by his side when he collapsed.

***

"He has broken ribs," Marshall said three days later. "Are you sure you don't want to rest, Vicki?"

Vicki had stayed by Judd's side since she screamed for Marshall and Mark and Judd was put to bed in the main cabin. She had barely eaten, except when Shelley came and talked to her. She blamed herself for not catching his obvious pain. That was silly, of course, because Natalie mentioned he saved her life by taking the impact when they jumped. But Vicki was mad at God for allowing Judd to go through this. After all they'd been through? But she kept on praying.

Judd stirred and croaked, "Water."

Vicki almost kissed him, but it was completely obvious that he desperately needed water. So she got it for him. "You feeling any better?"

Judd nodded, draining the glass. "It still hurts."

"I can get Marshall-"

"No," Judd interrupted firmly. "Not that. What you said earlier."

Vicki opened her mouth, trying not to cry. "I didn't mean it. I was upset and scared and... and I don't know what I was thinking." She held his hand. "I can't stand to see you hurt. I begged God to spare you. It looks like He did."

"So you're not breaking up with me?" he asked.

"Never," she said, red hair swishing back and forth as she shook her head.

Judd grinned. "Now how 'bout that

kiss?"