Two Worlds Collide Chapter 5, an instant star fanfic

Chapter 5

"You said you didn't need me but you did
you said you didn't want me. But you do
it's kinda like a comedy
First you kiss me and then say we're through

I say you've got some issues, Yeah you do
Some things you gotta work through, you really do
It's sorta like a talk show
No wait, a freak show when the freak is you

I'm the smoke from your fire
I'm that guy you can trust
I'm a cord on your guitar
I'm that girl you can't shut up
I'm the blood you might need
In your car when you speed
In that cigarette you breathe
you can't get rid of me

You said I wasn't funny when you laughed
you said I couldn't drive fast, and then you crashed
Funny how it works out with your big mouth
You'll always get it back

You thought you had me worked out, you're not deep
Mr. I screw about, you're still a creep
At best you could've confessed that you're A big mess
And that you're so damn weak

but still I try and justify
try and let this die, you'll never say goodbye again
I can't quite rub it in your face
Just in three more days I'll send you home to cry

I'm the blood you might need
in your car when you speed
In that cigarette you breathe
You can't get rid of me"

Jude finished That Girl with a rock out. As Tommy watched her perform, he couldn't help but feel pride. Jude Harrison really is an Instant Star. The girl had a natural talent that could never be learned or taught.

Jude bowed as a chorus of cheers exploded throughout the theater. After a moment, she ran behind the stage, a huge smile plastered on her face and Tommy couldn't help but be reminded of the 15 year old girl she used to be.

He stood in the background with his hands in his pockets as she was congratulated by the stage crew. He saw Jude turn to Georgia and give her a hug; EJ and Kwest appeared and he watched as they congratulated her and hugged. He felt a slight pang in his heart, knowing he used to be the first she ran to after a great performance. Mark walked up to Jude and whispered something in her ear, the girl nodded and said her thanks before following him away from her praise; probably off to talk about the show. Tommy thought, walking over to Georgia and Kwest.

"So, what do you think?" Georgia asked.

"I didn't fail to notice that she didn't do anything new." Tommy stated and added "She's Jude. She's a natural performer. She couldn't tank a performance even if she tried." Georgia nodded in agreement and Kwest's eyes narrowed at Tommy's words.

"So, Georgia, out of curiosity, when are you going to tell Mark he's fired?" Kwest asked.

"As soon as Tommy is safely back to L.A." Georgia stated. The guys laughed. She put her arm around Tommy. "Don't want my producer to be killed or injured in anyway." Tommy scowled and Kwest laughed at his friend's expense.

Georgia and Kwest continued to talk but Tommy was only half listening. He was watching the hall where Jude escaped, waiting for her to reappear.

Mark led Jude away from everyone and shoved her into an empty room behind the stage. He left the door open and stormed up to her; anger flaring in his eyes. Jude stood her ground and looked defiantly into his.

"I told you to do the new arrangements." Mark said his voice venomous.

"And I told you I don't like them." Jude told him, her voice even and unemotional.

"I'm your producer now; you do what I tell you to." He demanded, grabbing her arm roughly. "Do you understand me?" He demanded. Jude glared at him.

"Everyone else likes the original arrangements. I'm not changing them." She said her voice even, her gaze blazing. Mark's fists clenched as he shoved her arm out of his grip. Jude rubbed her wrist gingerly.

"You will do as I tell you." He said, his voice dripping with warning.

"Or what…?" Jude asked, rolling her eyes. Like she was scared of that threat.

"I can make your life hell Jude. You think its bad now, you don't know anything." He said.

"Oh, I'm real scared." Jude said, very sarcastically.

Before she knew what happened, she found herself hunched over on the floor, her head spinning and her cheek stinging. Jude pushed herself to her knees and she sat on her calves, her hand coming up to her cheek to rub the soreness out of it. She kept her eyes to the floor. She did not want to look at him. Did not want to give him the satisfaction of seeing her rattled. She promised herself she wouldn't cry. Not before this bastard.

"Is there a problem here?" A voice asked. Jude didn't need to look to see who it was. She knew already and she felt herself relax and let relief flood over her. Tommy wouldn't let Mark anywhere near her; not if he suspected fowl play and she knew he did. Tommy always did.

"Quincy, this has nothing to do with you." Mark spat out, looking at his foe. Tommy held up his hands in a sign of surrender.

"Hey man, I'm only here to congratulate my friend on a good performance." Tommy stated and Mark glared at him.

"I know what you're really doing Quincy." Mark said. "Jude's mine; not yours." He said. Tommy's eyes darkened.

"Really? Here I thought Jude was her own person." Mark scowled. "Besides, Mark, I thought I was only here to be a friend and congratulate Jude; but apparently, you know more about it than I do, so enlighten me, what am I really doing here?" He said a smirk on his face.

"Just so happens her friend is her former producer?" Mark barked.

"Shit happens." Tommy said with a shrug. Mark glared at Tommy but Tommy wasn't at all intimidated. He could eat guys like Mark for breakfast if he wanted. Tommy glared back and Mark shoved past him. Tommy watched him leave and walked over to Jude and knelt down next to her.

"Jude?" Tommy asked, trying to get the 18-year-old to look at him. Jude started to shake slightly and Tommy laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. Jude turned to him, tears forming in her eyes and Tommy's heart broke when he saw the bruise on her face. Then he felt angry at Mark for hurting her.

"Tommy, don't." She said, as she realized he was connecting the dots.

"He. Hit. You." Tommy said, slowly, trying to keep is anger in check. He examined the bruise and Jude let out a small sniff. "Bastard." Tommy spat, his eyes darkening further in more anger.

"Don't. You'll just make things worst." She said, tears beginning to fall.

"I'll let it go, but Jude, you have to"

"Tommy, just shut up!" She said, breaking into sobs. Tommy quickly wrapped his arms around her and Jude wrapped hers around him. She sobbed into his shoulder and Tommy silently vowed he'd make sure Mark Snow never hurt her again.

Tommy heard a noise outside the door and he glanced up to see Kwest giving him that all too familiar look of disapproval as he closed the door on them. Tommy made a mental note to think him later and continued to hold Jude as she sobbed, murmuring words of comfort to her.