It's amazing how a little criticism can motivate someone. In the last four years, I've written Nic Quincy into roughly eleven stories somehow and I recently received her first critique. I'm not mad or upset; it's actually refreshing. I know she can be a little polarizing with her personality but I've put so much of me into her that I don't think about how others will see her anymore. With all that said, this is officially my last Instant Star story. There isn't really a demographic for them anymore and I just don't have it in me. This chapter finally reveals the real truth about Nic and Tommy to Jude and there will only be a couple more chapters after this one. Reviewers-both good and not so-I really do love all your feedback. It's gotten me this far.

"Jude," Tommy said nervously as he turned around. "How much of that did you hear?"

"Enough," Jude declared. "When were you two going to tell me you knew each other? There's no way in hell two people who just met would speak so heatedly like you were just doing."

Nic instantly realized Jude hadn't heard him admit to being her brother. "Tommy and I met two years ago," she said quickly, thinking on her feet. "When Leo jumped ship at Sony, every label wanted him, big and small, and that included Darius. Tommy and I were at odds over who would be his next producer so even though I'm freelance, I latched on at Piccadilly because I knew Liza would offer Leo the best deal. He spent a good deal of time over here while he and I courted Leo and when I won, Tommy didn't exactly bow out gracefully. We shared words in a hotel lobby and have been pretty competitive ever since."

Jude eyed Tommy. "You never mentioned any of this to me."

"I never thought you'd come to Piccadilly and end up working with Nic," he admitted, trying to stay cool. "I have issues with several producers at other labels; Nic is just one of many."

"Losing Leo was a real blow to his pride and he never forgave me," Nic added. "When you signed with Piccadilly and I was assigned to be your producer, he heard about it through the grapevine and assumed I'd wooed you here to piss him off. I didn't, by the way, but he doesn't believe that."

"Tom Quincy!" Liza boomed as she emerged from her office. "I never thought I'd see the day you waltzed into my studio."

"Liza," he nodded, shaking her hand. "I guess I just figured it was time to get over losing Leo to you guys."

"Right," Liza smirked, instantly in on the ruse. "Though it seems I've gotten quite good at stealing artists from under you and Darius Mills, eh? Jude's doing very well over here. Maybe one of these days you'll join us."

Nic frowned. "Let's hope not."

Back at Jude's, Spiederman sat on the window seat in the living room while Karma browsed television channels.

"This place is so dreary," she complained. "I can't believe you chose to come here."

"Yeah, we're having a hard time wondering why Spied would ever want to leave home for a week in London," Kyle joked from the kitchen.

She glared at him. "I know what you're saying with that and I don't appreciate it."

Spiederman ignored them and pulled his cell phone from his pocket to text Jamie.

My wife is here and she's the last person I want to see, he wrote. Save me, please.

Moments later, Jamie called.

"Zeppelin and I are going to check out some record stores," he said. "Do you wanna tag along?"

"Yes," Spiederman answered quickly. "I'll pick you guys up at your hotel in a cab as soon as possible." He hung up and turned to his wife. "I'm meeting Jamie and Zeppelin."

"Can I come?" she asked. "I'm tired of being in this hotel. I want to check out Harvey Nichols and Sloane Street."

He frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea. We're just going to check out record store while Wally and Kyle search for the best place to get fish and chips. You should probably shop by yourself. Or you could call Sadie, I guess."

Karma stood up and put her hands on her hips. "I came here to work on our marriage and you're running away at your first opportunity."

"Maybe that should tell you something," Wally whispered.

"Shut up!" she yelled at him. "Vinnie, do you want to salvage our marriage or not?"

Spiederman picked up his jacket and shoved his wallet into his back pocket. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I came here to decide that on my own so you being here is sort of throwing that off. I'll see you guys later."

"I can't believe you know her and didn't tell me," Jude grumbled as she and Tommy sat in the lobby at Piccadilly. "I feel like an idiot."

"Don't," Tommy shook his head. "I should've told you, I guess. I just thought it was better to pretend we'd never met because my meetings with Nic weren't so pleasant."

Jude sighed. "Well, cat's out of the bag now."

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I guess our great day is ruined now, huh?"

"No," she denied. "I was thinking we could make go out to dinner? Maybe something fancy? I haven't had anything like that since I came here."

Tommy thought about his plans with Nic but knew he could cancel; she had almost blown their perfectly-crafted cover after all. "That would be nice. I know the perfect place."

"Great," Jude smiled. "I'm gonna run and talk to Liza for a minute and then we can go."

Once she was gone, Tommy walked to the studio Nic was working in and leaned against the door frame. "Glad to see you still think quickly on your feet."

"Someone has to," she muttered without looking up at him. "This isn't exactly the ideal time for her to hear the truth."

"True," he agreed. "Listen, she wants to go to dinner tonight so I'm gonna have to bail on your little show or whatever. I'm sorry."

"Whatever," Nic replied coolly. "You can go, Tom. I'll find someone else to take with me."

"Ready?" Jude asked as she rejoined them.

"Jude, can I get the number of your friend Jamie?" Nic asked. "He mentioned that he did A&R at G-Major and it might be interesting to get his opinion on this band tonight so I was thinking I'd invite him and Zeppelin."

Jude grinned. "They'd probably love that."

After Jude and Tommy left, Nic pulled out her phone and called Jamie.

"Hello?" he answered as he, Zeppelin, and Spiederman made their way into a dark record store.

"Hi, Jamie, this is Nic Hill," she told him. "I know this is a bit strange but I know you did A&R at G-Major and I was hoping I could borrow you for the night. I'm checking out a new band that's gaining a lot of popularity around here and I'd love another ear. They're called Mumford & Sons and their recordings are really spectacular. I'd love for Zeppelin to come, too."

Jamie was a bit taken back but intrigued. "Uhh, sure. It would be interesting to check out London bands before they make it big." He covered the mouthpiece. "Zepp, Jude's producer wants to know if we wanna check out a new band with her tonight. You in?"

Spiederman looked up at mention of Nic. "She does?"

"I'd love to," Zeppelin nodded. "The Kooks weren't my favorite but I still get the idea she has good taste in music."

"We're in," Jamie said to Nic. "Should we meet you somewhere?"

"I will pick you up at your hotel at eight-thirty," Nic declared. "Thanks."

Jamie ended the call and put his phone back in his pocket. "That was nice of her."

"Yeah," Zeppelin mused, checking out a Ramones bootleg. "So, Spied, how's it having Karma here?"

"Suffocating," he admitted. "I came here to get away from her, to figure out what I want to do about our marriage, but having her in my ear makes that a little difficult."

"Well, what are you thinking?" Jamie wondered.

"I think I like Nic," Spiederman said quietly. "I know I just met her but sometimes you get a feeling about someone right away and I have that with her. She's funny and beautiful and uncomplicated. She loves music and knows a lot about it. I feel like Karma is just the first girl I ever really loved and I've been clinging to that for far too long at this point."

Zeppelin eyed him. "Look, I like Nic from what I can tell and I've made my opinions about your wife pretty clear but is a girl you've known for a few days enough to get divorced for?"

"I'm twenty!" Spiederman exclaimed. "I don't know what I should be doing about any of this. I feel like a total jackass for agreeing to stay married to her but I did see a different side of her for a while. I'm beginning to think that was just a show."

"I don't know what to tell you," Jamie murmured. "You're in a really rough spot but I literally have no advice."

"Well, I never thought I'd see the day when Jamie Andrews wouldn't have an opinion about something," Spiederman smirked.

"I'm insulted," Jamie scoffed mockingly.

When Jude got home after her and Tommy's trip to Piccadilly, Sadie was at her apartment with Karma and Spiederman.

"Hey," she greeted them all. "How were your days?"

"I had lunch with Kwest," Sadie spoke up. "It wasn't anything to get all crazy about but it was nice to talk without wanting to kill each other."

Karma rolled her eyes. "I sat here and watched something called Skins all day."

"Jamie, Zepp, and I went browsing for records," Spiederman added. "Nic invited them to hear some band play tonight. She said she wants their opinions as label owners or something."

Jude heard the disappointment in his voice, even if Karma didn't. "Oh, you're not going?"

"No, he's spending time with me," Karma declared. "He doesn't have a choice."

"Okay then," Jude whispered. "Sade, can you come to my room with me?"

Sadie followed Jude to her bedroom and sat down on the chest at the end of the bed. "What's up?"

"So I had lunch with Tommy today," Jude began, "and it was really nice. We talked about what's been going on and he wasn't professing his love or making me feel like shit for coming here. Then we get to Piccadilly and run into Nic."

"Oh, yeah?" Sadie mumbled. "How was that?"

Jude went to her closet. "It turns out, they've met."

"Oh, no," Sadie groaned. "They told you?"

"You knew?" Jude cried.

"I'm sorry!" Sadie apologized quickly. "I overheard Tommy and Kwest talking about it back at G-Major and I couldn't believe he would order his baby sister to watch over you but I agreed to play along because I figured it was something for you two to work out on your own."

Jude stared at Sadie. "What do you mean, 'baby sister?' Nic and Tommy fought over Leo James when he left Sony."

Sadie's hand flew to her mouth. "Damn it."

"She's his sister," Jude realized. "No wonder it was so icy when I saw them. Competing producers wouldn't have that much tension, not two years later." She sat down on her bed. "I should've known. Now that I think about it, their features are almost identical."

"I'm so sorry, Jude," Sadie breathed, taking her sister's hand. "I should've told you, I know, but he managed to convince me that it was between the two of you. And then I saw how much you like Nic and I thought it might be for the best. In her defense, I don't think she agreed to produce you so she could help him keep an eye on you. She told me she thinks you did the right thing by coming here alone."

Jude didn't say anything. Instead she reached for her landline and dialed the one number she knew by heart—Tommy's.

"Hey," he answered happily.

"I'm not going to dinner with you tonight," she told him stoically.

"What?" he asked. "Why not? Is everything okay?"

"No, Tommy, it isn't," she denied. "I really think you should spend some time with Nic."

"Nic?" he repeated. "Jude, that Leo thing is in the past. Why would I want to hang out with her now?"

Jude took a deep breath. "Because she's your goddamn sister, you fucking liar."

Click.