Tommy was clicking away madly on his laptop when the door to Studio B opened and snapped shut like so many other times that day. Tommy glanced over his shoulder and caught sight of a platinum sheet of blonde hair. Tommy twisted around in his chair and locked his gaze on Sadie Harrison.

"And to what do I owe this pleasure?" joked Tommy while smiling at Sadie.

Sadie shook her head and tried to suppress her grin "Darius…" started Sadie.

"Didn't buy my 'right on schedule' ploy?" offered Tommy with a small grimace.

"Actually no" corrected Sadie, as she walked across the sound booth and leaned her hip against the sound board. "I have been sent to fetch you, and send you to the lions den".

"Ugg" moaned Tommy throwing his head back so that the nape of his neck rested against the back of his rolling chair. "So that means I get to hear the wrath first hand?" he asked peeking up at Sadie.

"Hey" sighed Sadie holding up her hands in surrender "I don't know when I'm the barer of bad news or not".

Tommy let his neck hang limp over the back of the chair for a few more seconds before he sighed audibly and sat back up. He leaned across the sound board and pressed the intercom button "Hey, Chloe" he called through "take ten I need to go see Darius". Chloe gave him a thumbs up through the dividing window before pulling off her head phones. Tommy looked back over at Sadie as he stood up "Happy?"

"Pleased" said Sadie sarcastically and walked out the door into the core with Tommy right at her heels.

Tommy wrapped his knuckles lethargically against the dark wood door to Darius's office. He knew better than to just barge in on Darius. Darius held a strict 'wait to be told' policy…that no one dared to over rule. So it wasn't till the deep husky voice of the lion within passed through the door did Tommy push it open and enter the lavishly decorated office.

When Tommy entered he watched Darius look up from his paperwork and place down his pen. Tommy made his way over to the usual two leather chairs in front of Darius's desk.

"T" said Darius clasping his hands and leaning back in his rich black leather desk chair. It groaned and Tommy proceeded across the room and slung himself down in one of the chairs facing Darius.

"And to what do I get the honor of being called in here?" asked Tommy sarcastically.

Darius grinned and shook his head, chuckling under his breath before he looked back up at Tommy "You always think I've caught you for something don't you?" He continued to shake his head and chuckle. "Then again" he added looking up at Tommy and ceasing his laughter "you usually have done something wrong".

"Look D if this is just another rant about how 'irresponsible' I am" sighed Tommy aggravated "then I'm going to go be the responsible one and do my job".

Darius cleared his throat and leaned forward. He rested his elbows on his desk and stared at Tommy "Well lucky for you I have nothing on you at the moment".

"So glad" mocked Tommy, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

"I needed to meet with you" said Darius louder, as if trying to ignore Tommy's last comment "because I needed to fill you in on some appearances you'll be doing".

Tommy stared at Darius "Appearances? D, you have got to be joking!" said Tommy leaning forward in disgust.

"Yes appearances" said Darius unfazed "I need my whole staff on board for the Instant Star Season Four Finale" boomed Darius.

"Uh if you haven't noticed D" said Tommy angrily "I've been here since seven AM busting out workable tracks for your iTunes gig with the contestants!"

"Which are off schedule!" boomed Darius, leaning back in his chair and eyeing Tommy.

"Which I've been busting my ass to get done!" retorted Tommy loudly "Look I can't control when people get sick!"

Darius's eyes closed momentarily, and Tommy knew that he was trying to internalize his hatred of the fact that Kwest was sick this week of all weeks. But just as quickly as they had closed they were open again.

"None the less" boomed Darius standing and walking over to one of his book shelves. Tommy's gaze followed his as he crossed the room and pulled out an envelope "I need you on board for a very special aspect of the opening".

"And why is that?" sighed Tommy slightly standoffish.

"Because" sighed Darius crossing the room and handing Tommy a manila envelope "it has to do with your girl".

Author Note:

Dun Dun Dun!

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