AN: Thanks to everyone who responded. I live for feedback, suggestions, and without you guys (and Instant Star, of course), this wouldn't be possible. I don't own Instant Star, 24 Hours, Tommy, or Jude (but if I did, they'd be together already :o)!). Read on…and please review. If you think it's too predictable, or if it's moving way too slow, let me know. If you have any suggestions to make this better, then feel free to tell me. You never know if or when they'll show up. Just for the record, this is going to be a long chapter, 'cuz I felt like it was moving too slowly.

Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Instant Star, 24 Hours, Jude, Tommy, or any of the characters. But I really wish I did. I love Tim Rozon! Alexz totally rocks!

Chapter 3:

Kwest: "It's about time you showed up, man. Have you seen Georgia yet?"

Me (pretending not to know what's he's talking about): "No, why?"

Kwest: "Let's just say that you should stay clear of her for a while. You know, since you're a half hour late. Hey, have you met Jude, our very own Instant Star?"

Me (giving Jude a once over and smirking): "Nope. I figure you've seen one rocker chick, you've seen 'em all. Let me guess, you're the type of girl who's moody, rebellious, and immature, and you always have to disagree with everyone and everything, right?"

Jude (already starting to hate me for being so cocky): "I guess so. Wait, that must make you the type who always has to have everyone tripping all over themselves and giving you everything you want whenever you want just to please you."

Me (slightly surprised by her witty comeback): "You don't know anything, do you? Of course not, you're just a kid. You're so predictable, it's not even funny. I could see that coming a mile away."

Jude: "Oh, really? And what do you think I'd do when you pass by and order me around all the time? I'm sure you know I'm not the type to fall down and worship you whenever we're in the same room, but I know you're the type to get all whiny and complain to anyone stupid enough to listen. But I guess that can be expected from a former boyband member like Little Tommy Q."

Kwest (bracing himself for the verbal onslaught he expects to hear from me, since he knows I hate being called Little Tommy Q, a nickname from my Boyz Attack days, quickly interrupts): "OK, Jude, I think we should go meet E.J. now. I'm sure Georgia's done talking to her. And Tommy, I think you should go talk to Georgia, before she hunts you down and really lets you have it."

Kwest quickly pushes Jude out of the studio, with Jude completely clueless as to why she has to leave.

I knew that Jude didn't know that I hated that name, since I didn't want to be known only for being an ex-boyband member, but at that point, I really didn't care. I knew her type, I used to date girls just like her. But that was when I was a moody and rebellious teen. Now, I was one of the hottest writer/producers in the music biz, and everyone knew it.

I decided to take Kwest's advice and get my tongue-lashing over with, before everyone in the studio knew before I did. I made my way over to Georgia's office, where the door was slightly cracked open, and I could see that she was on the phone. I tried to make my getaway, hoping that she hadn't seen me, but then I heard her call out "Quincy, get in here now!" I opened the door and stepped through, hoping that whoever she was talking to on the phone had gotten her in a good mood. From the look on Georgia's face, I knew I was in for it.

Georgia: "Why were you late this morning? I thought I told you that we had a meeting with Jude at 9:00."

Me: "You did. I just overslept, that's all. Then I almost got run over by a crazy driver on the way over here, which reminds me, they should really keep those people off the road. (AN: Little does Tommy know that Jude is one of those drivers, but don't worry, I'll get to that part in a few more chapters ;o).) Then I go to talk to Kwest, but instead get a verbal assault from Jude about how I always have everyone falling over themselves trying to do everything for me, and how everything's always about me. And then I have to stand here and have you lecture me for being late, like this isn't the first time. I know the drill already, Georgia. The real problem is this girl you signed. You know I've told you before, Georgia, we really don't need someone like Jude. You know, the overly emotional, immature, and rebellious kind. Why couldn't we have gone with someone else, someone who's willing to work with us and take our advice?"

Georgia (sighing deeply): "Because, Tommy, I wanted someone who was a songwriter, and you know she was the best one out there. And for the record, she's not as overly emotional, immature, and rebellious as you think she is. I remember you weren't so far off yourself way back in the day."

Me: "Don't remind me. I'd like to forget that part of my life, remember?"

Georgia (finally smiling): "Sure, whatever you say, Tommy Q. Why don't you go and work with her in Studio C? Maybe if you spend a little time getting to know her, you'll find that the two of you aren't all that different."

Me: "Whatever, I just wanna get this over with."

Georgia: "You do that, while I call Jude's school and excuse her from the classes she's missing."

On my way over to Studio C, I passed by the lounge, where I saw E.J. and Jude talking.

Me: "Jude, do you have a minute?"

Jude (still glaring at me): "For you, no way."

Me: "E.J., do you mind?"

E.J. (as she crosses her arms and walks away): "Fine, it's not like Jude and I were discussing anything important…"

Me (trying to be the bigger person, since I was more mature and the one in charge): "OK, look, Jude, I didn't mean what I said back there. I'm sorry, OK?"

Jude: "Yeah right, like I'd buy that for a second."

Me (trying to remain calm and cool as I always am, and pouring on my irresistible charm): "Come on, Jude. Are we cool, or what?"

Jude (hesitating, as she tries to resist my smile, finally gives in and smiles): "We're cool. For the moment, anyway. But I swear, if you try and pull anything, I'll have plenty to say about it."

Me: "I'm sure you will. Listen, the reason I came over to talk to you…"

Jude: "I knew there was a reason, or do you just love to torture me?"

Me: "Ha ha, very funny. What I was trying to say, before you so rudely interrupted is that Georgia told us to go to Studio C and get started."

Jude: "Why Studio C? Kwest told me that I get Studio A whenever I want it."

Me: "He told you that? No, Jude, Studio A is for the good, serious musicians. You belong in Studio C."

Jude: "Yeah, well, if I'm only good enough for Studio C, then you can go shake your boyband butt outta here, 'cuz there isn't room enough for us both at G major."

Me (rolling my eyes for the umpteenth time that day): "Fine, whatever, let's just get to work, OK?"

Jude (reluctantly): "OK."

Minutes later, in Studio C:

Jude starts singing her song, 24 Hours, as she strums her guitar. I'm not impressed. Girls like her are a dime a dozen. I interrupt before she can do any further damage.

"Jude, you're gonna have to stop, 'cuz you're hurting my ears."

Jude gapes as I walk over to her.

Jude: "What's wrong with the way I sing?"

Me: "You sing it like it's a funeral dirge. You gotta pick up the tempo, straight quarters on the bottom. Here, let me show you."

She glares at me as she passes me the guitar. I ignore it and show her how it's supposed to be done.

As I strum the opening bars, I tell her to sing, and sing faster than she was. "Jude, what's with these lyrics? We're on the road alone again, we're tired of giving in. Who's we?"

Jude (defensively): "It's about me and my best friend."

Me: "We don't care about your friend, Jude. You gotta make it more personal."

Jude: "I think it's fine the way it is."

Me: "Look, the song may have won you the contest, but it's not ready. Not until we rewrite the lyrics."

Jude: "I'm not going to change, not for anyone. And especially not for Little Tommy Q."

Me: "First, I could care less about your winning the contest. And second, the names Tom Quincy. I'm gonna let this one slide since you didn't know any better, being a kid and all, but don't you ever call me little Tommy Q again, understand?"

Jude: "Whatever, I'm gonna go, 'cuz I don't think this'll work. You're impossible."

Me: "See ya."

Jude made her way to the door, and after tugging on it, slowly turned around and said, "Tommy?"

Me: "What?"

Jude: "I think the door's stuck. I can't get it to open."

Me: "That's because you're a girl. Move over, and let me open it."

I jiggled the knob, hoping it wouldn't stick, but since Studio C was hardly ever used, it was more like a storage closet than an actual studio.

"Great, just great," I mumbled to myself.

"What? Don't tell me I'm stuck here. I wouldn't mind it, but seeing as I'm stuck with you," Jude complained.

"Yeah, so how do you think I feel?" I shot back.

For once, Jude didn't say anything and we sat together in silence.

AN: What's going to happen next? Only I know. Please read and review. Keep your comments coming!