Jude sighed and rubbed at the crease between her eyes, attempting to alleviate some of the tension that was coursing through her body. She wasn't sure if she was completely ready to do this, here, but the larger part of her, the part that wasn't screaming at her to run, knew that this was the best choice for her. It was a chance to make music, somewhere familiar, and she knew Sadie was grateful even if she was trying desperately to hide the relief from her sister. The past couple of days had been long ones, filled with working out her new plan and working with Agnes to make the studio vaguely livable, a task which Agnes called "Herculean" and "completely impossible, you stupid cow, is that a cockroach!?" The studio was nowhere near ready to be lived in but it was getting there and Sadie wasn't planning on kicking her out anytime soon. 'Stop stalling, you baby,' Jude thought before knocking on the large door before her.
"Enter!" Jude steeled herself before pushing open the door and walking in. It was a little cleaner and brighter, more modern, but the stupid gold cheetah-lion-cat was still there as well as its owner. Darius did not stand up, just leveled a stare at her, elbows resting on his desk, fingers templed before him. Slowly, ever-so-slowly, a wide smile broke across his face and he stood up and crossed the room, gathering Jude in his arms before she had a chance to think or resist. "Welcome home, superstar. You look great, fantastic. I loved the last album. Have a seat."
"Thanks Darius, you look great too. Sadie told me things are going well here," said Jude, lowering herself into one of the seats across from Darius' desk as he settled himself back down behind it.
"Better than well - G Major is bigger and better than ever - more styles, more artists, more hits. You should hear my new girl, Farrah - she's going to be massive."
"That's great D, really."
"But we're not here to talk about me, we're here for you, superstar. Thinking of rejoining the G Major family? There's always room for you." Jude almost laughed at that remark - Darius was always about revising history to suit him - but she managed to control her mirth. 'Suck it up, Harrison,' she thought before letting out a deep breath.
"Sort of - you know my label in London and I… parted ways?"
"Of course, Big D knows everything. Their mistake."
"Right. I'm not sure if I'm ready yet to jump into anything quite yet with another label. I think I need a break from the whole business for a little while." Jude watched Darius stiffen slightly, the jovial expression hardening at her perceived rejection. Jude rushed on, "but G Major is at the top of my list for when I do decide to return full-time."
"Full-time?"
"Well, I can't just drop out completely - I'm working on some new songs I might want to record and there are always concerts and stuff I might want to do, just to keep me in the public eye."
"What exactly are you suggesting?" Jude could see the wheels turning in Darius' head, could practically hear how his mind was trying to work out what, exactly, was in all of this for him. "You want to record here, have a little representation, but no contract?"
"Wow, okay, that was just a really good guess."
"Why would I give you anything? No contract? What's in it for me?"
"Because I'm working on some of my best stuff in years and when my next album comes out it'll be huge. Because I'm promising you that album if you give me some time, some help, with no pressure. Because I'm worth the risk and you know it, just like you knew it all those years ago when you put me on your magazine cover. Because if you don't accept this offer then I'll go to Jamie."
"Why G Major? Why not just go to the geeky little traitor? We both know how things went down between us last time."
"I did some of my best stuff here and I know, when the time comes, that you'll push me for more of my best stuff. G Major is familiar, it's home. I'm ready to be back here - just trust me, one more time, D. I won't let you down this time."
"I don't know what it is about you Harrison girls. You can do some recording - when there is free space - and Sadie will let you know about the publicity stuff. Just remember that I'm not that patient Jude, I won't wait forever."
"You won't have to. So, it's a deal?" Jude stood, arm outstretched toward Darius. He waited a moment, seemed to go over the pros and cons once more in his head, and Jude worried that he would change his mind, force her to sign a contract, before smiling and grabbing her hand.
"Welcome back to the G Major family."
"Over my dead body!"
Elsewhere in G Major
It was the shrieking which drew his attention away from his quest for coffee. All eyes in the office seemed to be drawn to Darius' office which seemed to be at the epicenter of the shrieking. 'Please let this not be some new sex game or group bonding thing.' It had been a long couple of days for Tommy - avoiding Sadie and thoughts of Jude had become a full-time job and he was exhausted.
"I cannot believe you wouldn't even discuss this with me! What is wrong with you? And Darius? I thought you hated him-" The sound was muffled quickly, as if someone had opened the office door, probably to escape, only to close it again before they could get out. The voice was unmistakable, however. Angry Sadie was scary. 'I wonder what Kwest did to tick her off, and with D of all people.'
"Hey man."
"Shit! Don't do that. And if you're here, who's Sadie screeching at?"
"Not sure," shrugged Kwest as he moved toward the refrigerator, intent on starting one of his famous sandwiches.
"Aren't you curious as to what has your fiancee in such a rage?"
"I'm sure she'll tell me later," said Kwest, not even turning from his sandwich preparations. Tommy marveled a little at Kwest's calm in the face of Sadie's anger. Okay, so it would be unprofessional to interrupt Sadie right now, and Sadie took her job seriously, and she would most likely tell Kwest later but, for some reason, Tommy was itching to know what had Sadie all riled up. Maybe it was the tension he'd been feeling lately or just simple curiosity, but he felt like he had to know. Forget the years of secrets and lies, his belief in privacy - there was something about this conversation that felt like it would be important to him.
"Fine!" Sadie's voice broke Tommy out of his reverie and even caused Kwest to jump a bit. "Just see if I care what you do! Don't come to me then when you can't handle it!"
"Oh, I can handle it just fine, Sadie. I've been doing it for the last 6 years without you!" The second voice caused Tommy to blanch slightly and step back. Jude?
"Look how well that turned out - your label droppe you, remember?"
"Bitch!"
"Yes, I'm a bitch and I'm also your sister. I'm trying to help you, Jude!" Sadie's voice had softened slightly, "this is not the right choice, not now."
"I'm not the same person who left here, I've learned to play the game - this is the right choice for me and my career, you'll see."
Jude gave Sadie and quick hug before walking out of G Major without a backwards glance. 'What the hell?' thought Tommy as he watched Jude go. 'Is she back at G Major?' The sound of Darius' door slamming against the wall as it was thrown open once more startled Tommy out of his thoughts once more.
"Well don't you just look ecstatic. Ecstatic! I swear D, if you mess with her…something will happen that you won't like!" With that, Sadie slammed the door shut and stalked toward Kwest, throwing out a "get back to work" which sent most everyone scurrying. Tommy watched her approach with dread although he noted that Kwest seemed less than scared of Sadie at the moment.
"Sadie, um, how's it going?" Tommy winced internally at just how stupid those words sounded coming out of his mouth but Sadie only laughed before planting a kiss on Kwest's cheek.
"I told you it would work - he'd already agreed to her terms by the time I got there but I think the dramatics will help keep him in line. He doesn't want to lose me but he'll also get some sick pleasure out of proving me wrong. You should never doubt me babe."
"I don't know what I was thinking," said Kwest with a smile before grabbing his plate and heading off toward a studio. "I'll see you guys later."
"I've got to get to work too, busy, busy."
"What the hell was that all about Sadie? Why was Jude here?"
"Didn't you hear, Tommy? Jude's back at G Major," said Sadie before flouncing off with a satisfied smile on her face.
Tommy's face dropped. "Shit, I'm so screwed."
