Title: Incomplete
Rating: R for eventual sexual situation
Author: Carenicole
Disclaimer: I don't own instant star or the characters
Summary: Part of my own Instant Star Universe. A few-shot prequel to "Everything I Have". This is my own version of what happened after season 3. It doesn't really follow any of the spoilers or anything for Season 4. Read on to find out more!

Part 1

"Okay, guys. Why don't you take a break, relax for a few? We can meet back here in fifteen," Jude said into the small mic. The band members on the other side of the glass nodded enthusiastically and she got up from where she was seated in front of the soundboard.

She made her way out of the small studio and went directly to the makeshift kitchen of NBR studios. For the last six months she'd been working as one of NBR's main producers. Paegan and Jamie's fledgling recording studio had signed several hot new artists, including the band Jude was currently producing.

She grabbed a chipped mug from the cupboard and set about making herself a cup of hot tea. As the tea steeped she leaned back against the cupboard, her eyes darting to the small TV on the counter top. The volume was muted but the channel was set to an entertainment news station. Normally Jude didn't pay attention to celebrity news, especially because she'd been working pretty hard to avoid the media spotlight after a fairly disastrous TV interview on one of the morning shows. The shows' host had made Jude cry on live TV and it had been all anyone had talked about. She got a steady stream of calls and requests for other interviews after that; all of which she politely declined. The only person she really wanted to talk to had disappeared from her life almost six months ago.

Jude sighed and took a sip of her tea. She missed Tommy. And with each passing day, her regret became more acute. She'd chosen Jamie because he was safe and she was afraid. But the minute the choice was made she knew that it wasn't right. By then it was too late, Tommy was gone and no one knew how to reach him.

Jamie forgave Jude and they started working together, the venture successful so far. Jude was happy with what she was doing, even though her third album sat, incomplete. Deep down she was afraid that it would never be finished, not when she felt so restless and empty.

Her attention was drawn to the flashing TV again and Jude almost dropped her mug in surprise. Darius' face flashed on screen and the camera panned back to the show a panel of five men seated behind a table, microphone in front of them. It was Boyz Attack and in the middle of the group sat Tom Quincy.

She hastily set her tea down and grabbed for the TV remote, unmuting the sound.

"In exciting news," the E! news host announced. "Darius Mills, owner of G-Major Records, announced that Boyz Attack has decided to reunite. All the former band members have been secretly working together on a new album. Here's the press conference from earlier today." The show cut to the press conference; a blur of questions and flash photography.

"What motivated you guys to get back together?" a reporter threw out.

Tommy was leaning back in his chair. He looked uncomfortable, like he didn't really want to be there. That aside he was definitely a sight for sore eyes and Jude drank the image in, admiring his expertly tousled hair and the way his stubble made him look dangerously sexy. He was wearing a familiar leather jacket; his favorite sunglasses were on the table in front of him.

Chaz answered the first question. "We were all thrilled when Darius suggested it. We've missed performing for the fans."

Darius pointed at another reporter. "Tommy, you were the one that split off from the group before. Why the change of heart?"

Tommy leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on the table. "Darius can be pretty persuasive," he said into the mic and then leaned back to resume his position.

Darius piped in. "Tom's been instrumental in getting this comeback off the ground. He's done ninety percent of the song writing for the new songs on the album and the fans are going to love it."

"When does the album's first single drop?" Someone shouted over the din of questions.

"Next Tuesday. It's going to have Boyz Attack's greatest hits and the new songs. We're going to premiere the single and the other new songs at a private VIP concert the Monday before," Darius explained.

Jude watched, completely stunned. How could this be happening? Tommy had sworn that he'd never reunite with Boyz Attack after the nearly disastrous charity concert and yet here he was.

"Jude, how's it going?" Jamie asked as he entered the kitchen.

Jude barely nodded, unable to answer. She couldn't tear her gaze away from the TV.

Jamie noticed where Jude's attention was directed and his jaw tightened.

"Jude…"

She interrupted him before he could launch into one of his pep talk speeches. "Jamie, I'm going to need to cancel the rest of today's recording session. I-I can't do this today."

She left her tea on the counter and rushed past Jamie to grab her things. She had some phone calls to make.

The press conference had been a new version of hell. It had been years since he was last subjected to one and he found that the spotlight had most definitely lost its appeal, especially when one didn't have a choice.

Tommy was relieved when he reached his apartment and planned on doing nothing but hiding for the next 24 hours, because after that his life was going to belong to Darius. Rehearsals for the concert were set to start, not to mention the scheduled appearances and interviews to promote the concert and album. Tommy doubted he'd be getting any kind of decent sleep in the next month.

But none of that mattered, because he owed Darius, big time.

Truthfully, Tommy would be glad for the breakneck pace. If he was busy, he wouldn't have time to think. And thinking was bad lately, especially because his thoughts always wandered to Jude.

It had been six months and the ache in his chest still hadn't faded. It had been present ever since that day he'd boarded the plane alone and known that he'd lost her. He knew Jamie had something to do with it and at first he'd been angry with her for being so fickle, for telling him she loved him and convincing him to be with her and then running away when he said it back. Granted, his track record wasn't the best and that kiss with Sadie had hurt her. He knew that he'd messed up, but she hadn't given him much of a chance to fix things between them. He wanted to stay angry with her, but he couldn't, and because he loved her, he just wanted her to be happy and if that meant Jude being with Jamie, then so be it.

He had spent his whole trip to Asia expecting to come home and hear all about the happy couple. Instead he'd been informed that Jude was single and Jamie was dating Paegan's daughter. For weeks he debated about calling her. He might have if Darius hadn't called in the favor Tom owed him and then sequestered him with the rest of the members of Boyz Attack to write and produce the new album.

His heart really hadn't been in it. He was no longer the same naïve kid that wanted to strut his stuff for the female fans. He was a grown man and he'd had his heart broken. The things he wrote about now were more mature, deeper than the teeny-bop pop that had made the band famous. And Tommy wasn't the only one who had changed. When he let the rest of the guys listen to the new stuff he'd been working on they immediately liked the new direction he wanted to take the music.

Darius wasn't as easy to convince, but after they finished several tracks, he went along with it. Tommy was actually pretty pleased with what they'd done. And now the album was weeks away from being released. He thought maybe writing those songs would help him start to move on, but even after six months, that just didn't seem possible. She was still there, stuck inside of him, driving everything he did.

It didn't help that he was a masochist, that he kept a picture of her, of them, by his bed and on his refrigerator. About a month ago he'd found out she was doing an interview with the Toronto morning show, to discuss her Juno nomination and so he'd Tivoed it. Five weeks later he was still getting up in the middle of the night to watch it.

Tommy grabbed a beer from his fridge and settled onto his leather couch. It wasn't the middle of the night but he flipped on the TV and hit the remote button that brought up the Tivo list. He ignored the old episode of Grey's Anatomy and scrolled to Jude's interview.

The show started and Tommy hit fast forward to the part where the host introduced Jude. She came out on stage, waving at the audience as they screamed and clapped for her.

She'd gotten her hair cut. The first time he saw it, he'd been surprised. It made her look so much older, more mature. Still beautiful.

The host droned on, highlighting Jude's career and congratulating her on her Juno nomination.

"So tell us what you've been up to. It's been almost a year and a half since your sophmore album 'Learning Curve' was released and went double platinum. What's been going on?"

Jude smiled. "The album just did better than I could have ever imagined. In fact the song 'There's Us' is still working its way through the top 40. So that's pretty great."

"I think your fans think so too. In fact there's been a lot of clamoring for details on when your third album might be released," the host commented.

"Well, the next album is already in process. Some of it is done, but production kind of came to halt awhile back and so I've been taking a bit of a break from the recording studio. At least as far as my own music goes. Right now I'm producing the debut album for a new band that was just signed to NBR, which is Paegan Smith's new record label." She was wearing her favorite brown boots and her leg jiggled nervously as she spoke.

"So you're no longer under contract with G-major?"

"No…No, I'm still signed with G-major," she corrected.

"There have been a few rumors that you've had some creative differences with Darius Mills. Any truth to that?"

Jude shifted uncomfortably in her spot on the couch and ruffled her hair, another one of her nervous gestures. "Darius and I have a really good working relationship. As I'm sure everyone is aware, there was some G-Major drama awhile back and D and I both felt that a break might be good."

"You've managed to keep a pretty low profile since the 'drama' you mentioned. A lot of the fans were shocked when they heard about that attempt on your life after the fur incident. How have you recovered?"

"Oh, wow. Uhm…first I have to say that the fan support has been great. I wouldn't be here with out that. As far as recovering, I've just had a really good network of friends."

The host smiled and went in for the kill. "Does that still include Tom Quincy?"

Jude's smile faded and she looked surprised. "What?"

"For a long time you and former Boyz Attacker Tommy Quincy seemed inseparable. There were even some romance rumors. Lots of people want to know what happened to 'Jommy' as you've been dubbed by the fans and media."

Jude stuttered, "I-I…"

"We have a clip here from the MTV show that you did." The show cut to the clip of Jude and Tommy in the alley behind G-Major where Jude told the camera how Tommy opened her soul and brought out the real music.

The morning show cut back from the clip then and focused on Jude's startled face. She hastily wiped her eyes, but not soon enough to hide the tears. A stray tear escaped down her cheek as she calmly told the host that her relationship with Tom Quincy was personal.

"Even so, he helped produce your second album. If you win the Juno will you be thanking him?"

Again, Jude looked surprised by the question, her eyes still bright with unshed tears. "Of course I would thank him. He's been one of the biggest inspirations in my life, that album wouldn't be what it is without him."

Tommy stopped the Tivo playback. Watching it again, even though he'd done so at least a hundred times, still managed to get to him. She looked amazing, but still sad. When he'd walked away, he'd only done it because he thought she'd chosen what made her happy. Her tears from the interview haunted him and gave him the smallest bit of hope. Maybe there was still a chance.

He'd find out when the new Boyz Attack single was released. It had been a last minute addition, inspired by Jude's interview. She'd know it was for her the minute she heard it; what he wasn't sure of was if it would even matter.

"I need to get tickets for the Boyz Attack concert," Jude told her sister.

They were having lunch together and Sadie had barely been seated when Jude made her statement.

"Uh, excuse me? Did you just say you wanted tickets for the Boyz Attack concert?" Sadie's eyebrows arched in confusion.

"Yes. You still work at G-Major. Can you get them from Darius?"

Sadie sighed. "Jude, Darius is barely in the office anymore. And besides he told me I wasn't allowed to relay messages from you anymore. He wants you to call him."

Jude sighed and hunched down in her seat. "I can't. He's going to yell at me. I've been AWOL from G-Major for six months. And I've ignored all of my publicist's calls since that disaster of an interview."

Sadie patted Jude's hand sympathetically. "Jude, that interview was not a disaster. They ambushed you, caught you off guard. You're human, it happens."

"Sadie, I cried over Tom Quincy in front of millions of viewers," Jude protested.

"I'm sure you're not the only girl to ever cry over Tom Quincy on live TV," Sadie offered as she took a sip of Jude's lemonade.

"Not helping, Sades."

"Sorry," she paused. "You should call him. He's obviously back now."

Their conversation was interrupted as the waitress took their order.

"Don't you think I tried that? He never returned any of my messages. He obviously wants nothing to do with me." Jude rested her elbows on the table and ran her fingers through her hair in frustration.

"So, going to the concert is going to do what? You hate Boyz Attack's music and you used to tell Tommy that constantly while you teased him about his parachute pants," Sadie pointed out.

Jude smirked. "But he looked so cute in them." Her smile faded. "I just want to see him, maybe try to talk to him in person. I don't know. Maybe I just need closure?"

Later that night, as Jude paced around her apartment, she broke down and did something that she'd been avoiding for months.

She called Darius Mills.

She continued to pace as it rang, walking the length of her couch, back and forth until…

"Well, well, well, to what do I owe this long overdue call?" Darius' voice boomed over the phone.

"Hi D. Uhm…it's Jude…but you already know that. Uhm…sorry it's been so long."

"And that you haven't returned any of my phone calls and that you are currently in breach of contract. Did you want me to go on?" D asked.

"Uh, no. I think you covered it." Jude sat down on the edge of the couch.

"I'm calling," she hesitated and Darius cut in.

"I'm a very busy man, Jude. You better be calling to tell me that you'll be at the studio bright and early to finish recording your album."

Jude sighed. "I really wish that were the case, D. The truth is…I uh, haven't written anything new for, well, for awhile."

There was a pause. "I was afraid of that. So why did you really call? Because I know it wasn't just to chat."

Jude held her breath and then expelled it all at once as she blurted, "I need tickets to the Boyz Attack concert on Tuesday."

She waited and then… Darius Mills laughed. And he continued to laugh until he grew serious and answered her with a very definitive "No."

"No?"

"I said, 'No', Jude. I won't have you there, causing a distraction," Darius explained.

"I am not a distraction 'causer'," Jude protested lamely.

"Tommy's on his game right now, Jude. The guys are getting ready to tour again. I don't want you interfering while we're trying to promote the new album. And you will most definitely be a distraction." He went on, "I don't know what went down between you and T but you shouldn't be letting it ruin your career. It's like you've thrown away what Tommy did for you."

Jude stopped pacing at Darius' words. "What do you mean, what Tommy did for me?"

There was another pause. "I gotta go, Jude. Don't call me again unless you're planning to get your scrawny ass back into the studio."

He hung up, leaving Jude staring at the phone. "My ass is not scrawny," she mumbled as she tossed the phone aside onto the couch.

"I want to be sure that the volume levels on the strings section come up here," Tommy explained to the sound engineer. They were doing a mini rehearsal for Monday night with all of the musicians. Tom took charge of checking the levels and making sure all the instruments were in tune. The other Boyz Attackers were practicing the harmonies on the new songs.

"Still gotta be in charge, I see," a voice said from behind him. Tommy turned and a grin spread across his face. He stepped forward.

"Long time, no see, man." He and Kwest shared a 'guy' hug and a slap on the shoulder.

"You've obviously been busy," Kwest commented and nodded towards the stage.

"Yeah, well…" Tommy shrugged.

"You got time to grab a burger with me? Maybe catch up?" Kwest asked.

"Yeah. Give me a minute." Tom turned back toward the stage and asked if they'd all be cool to take a dinner break and meet back up in an hour. The group agreed and he grabbed his leather jacket and followed Kwest to his car.

He sat in the passenger seat and immediately reached for the radio controls. The car filled with Jude's voice and Tommy froze as White Lines played.

Kwest flipped it to a radio station and offered his friend a sheepish shrug. "Sorry about that. Sadie likes to listen to Jude's disc."

"Don't apologize. I've got a copy in my CD player at home. It's a good album. She's probably going to win a Juno for it."

Kwest nodded and grinned. "Yeah, my money's on your girl."

Tommy shook his head. "She's not my girl anymore." He turned his head to look out the window, watching the scenery. Both men were silent; the only sound in the car the radio.

They didn't really talk again until they were seated in a familiar diner, a place they used to go to all the time when they needed a break from the studio.

The waitress brought their drinks and the silence became too much for Tommy. "So what's been going on with you? Last time we talked you and Sadie were headed to Mexico." Tommy took a drink and watched Kwest grin.

"That good, huh?" he joked.

Kwest laughed. "Yeah, it was good." His face grew serious. "I think I'm going to ask her to marry me."

Tommy's eyes widened with surprise. "Really? Wow. That's kind of …wow."

"The last few months have been pretty amazing. We moved in together after their Dad sold the house and took that job in Montreal."

"Stuart sold the house?" The shock on Tommy's face was apparent and Kwest realized that his friend didn't really know anything that had gone down the last few months.

"He got a job offer that he couldn't pass up. Jude wanted to buy the house but the bulk of her money is in a trust Stuart set up for her when she won Instant Star. I think she was pretty upset when he wouldn't help her work it out. Sadie was upset too, but she agreed with her Dad that she didn't want Jude to live in the house all alone. So now she's got her own secured apartment near NBR."

Tommy nodded. "Jamie and Paegan's new label. She's…uh working for them now, right?" He ate a French fry and took another drink of soda as Kwest hesitated.

"Yeah, that's right," he finally said.

Tommy looked up from his food. "It's okay to talk about her. I won't fall apart. She was a big part of my life for three years. It's bound to come up, especially when she's your future fiancé's sister."

Kwest nodded and another long pause followed as they both continued to eat. They made some idle chatter about things. Tommy asked how Kwest liked the motorcycle and told his friend about the new car he'd gotten. "It's all about hybrids now," he explained as he described his purchase.

"Whatever happened to the Viper? Did you give that away too?" Kwest leaned back in his chair, more relaxed than earlier now that they'd eaten and reestablished their old camaraderie.

"Uh…no. I sold that." Tommy looked away nervously and signaled the waitress for the check.

"I never thought I'd see the day you'd part with that. She was your baby…" Kwest paused and a look of realization crossed his face. "Is that how you bought Jude's music catalogue?"

Tommy shook his head. When he realized Kwest wasn't going to change the subject he gave in. "I used the money from the car to pay off Hunter, to get him to stay away from Jude. Although that didn't exactly work."

"You really would do anything for her." There was awe and understanding in Kwest's voice at Tommy's confession.

"You have no idea," and then because he needed to talk to someone, he told Kwest the rest of the story.

"The music catalogue…I sort of made a deal with the devil to get it," he told his friend.

"That's the reason your doing Boyz Attack again, isn't it?"

He didn't need to answer that for Kwest to know it was true.

Now Kwest shook his head. "Does Jude know how much you love her?"

Tommy raked his hands through his hair. "I told her. But…I don't know, maybe she didn't believe me. She doesn't know about any of this other stuff though, so don't…"

"Maybe you should tell her," Kwest suggested.

Tommy shook his head no. "She doesn't want to be with me. And that's fine. I didn't do those things so she'd take me back. I did them to protect her, to make sure she's happy."

"Yeah, but your miserable."

"Do you think I want to still love her? I've tried to forget her for the last six months but the most I've managed is to be angry with her for being so…so 18, ya know? But the problem with that is that I understand it. I was 18 and married and I get it. I warned her that I was messed up and that it wouldn't work, but she insisted that she didn't care and that she loved me. But I should have known better. If it was real she wouldn't have been able to just turn around and run to another guy like what we had meant nothing." He knew that he was ranting but it had been a long time since he'd had anyone to talk to.

"You know she's not with Jamie, right?"

Tom nodded. "It doesn't change that she didn't pick me. I told her that I wanted her to be happy and she picked a life without me to do that."
Kwest sighed. "I probably shouldn't tell you this but, Sadie told me Jude hasn't written anything since you left. Not a single word or note."

Tommy's head shot up in surprise. "She's not writing? She's always writing. Its how she expresses everything she's feeling. If you want to know what's going on in her life you just have hear one of her songs."

"Well, she hasn't been feeling much of anything. No new songs. All she does is work, sleep and occasionally eat dinner with Sadie and I, but only because Sadie drags her to our place."

It was too much for him to take, to hear that she'd thrown it away, that she wasn't making music anymore. "I gotta go," Tommy mumbled and got up from the table.

"I'll drive you back," Kwest offered and started to get up, but Tommy stopped him.

"No…I need to walk," he paused. "Listen, uh, let me know when the wedding is. I'll send a gift." He offered his friend a weak smile and left the diner, walking as quickly as he could, trying to get away from everything he'd just learned.

TBC...let me know if you guys like it and want more!