Credit goes to Garbage for the use of their song "Vow"
Disclaimer: I do not own Instant Star, or it's characters, but I do own this plot.
"Jude, you're late again," Tom Quincy pointed out as his artist flew into the studio.
"I know, I know," Jude Andrews threw her purse on a chair and scurried into the recording booth.
"Jude, come back here," Tommy said.
She slowly walked back into the main room and sat down in a chair beside Tommy.
"What's going on girl?"
"Nothing, I'm just stressed I guess."
"You've been late three times this week, and you've only had four work days."
"I know."
"Darius is getting pissed to say the least."
"Tommy, I know," Jude said, getting frustrated.
"Does it have anything to do with Jamie?"
"Of course not!"
"Okay, I was just asking."
"Can we start recording please?"
"Yeah sure."
Tommy watched as Jude walked into the sound booth. She had been married to Jamie Andrews for almost a year and it killed Tommy everyday. For the past few months, Jude hadn't been the same. She'd be late for things, she wasn't putting everything into her music, and she was usually in a daze, and Tommy had no idea what was going on. He'd ask her and she'd just get mad at him, and brush everything off. He guessed her and Andrews were having problems but he wasn't going to say that to her face.
"Tommy?" Jude's voice brought him back to reality.
"Yeah?"
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah, just a sec," he said as he pressed the record button.
She tried singing, but her voice squeaked and faltered. After three more takes she took her headphones off and threw them to the ground. She sat down on a stool and put her face in her hands.
Tommy sighed and walked into the booth.
"Jude, we both know something's going on. It would be so much easier if you'd just tell me so I don't have to keep bugging you."
"Nothings going on Tommy! I'm just tired okay?"
"Cut the shit Harrison."
"It's not Harrison anymore," she said in a fierce tone.
"I know that Jude," he reached out to touch her shoulder and she tensed up. "Ya know what Jude, just go home. I can see we're not going to get anything done."
"I'm sorry Tommy," she said as she walked out of the booth.
"Yeah, story of my life," he whispered to himself.
After Jude had left G Major, he sauntered out of the studio and went to grab a cup of coffee.
"Hey man," Kwest greeted. "Jude here yet?"
"Yeah she was late again, and she couldn't sing so I sent her home."
"Darius is not going to like that."
"Something's up Kwest. I just don't know what it is."
"I can ask Sadie I guess," Kwest said, referring to his wife of four months.
"That would be great."
"Yeah anytime."
Tommy walked into his office and locked the door behind him. He was the only single one in the group of friends lately. Jamie had asked Jude to marry him as soon as she had turned 21, Kwest and Sadie were married, as well as Kat and Mason. Everyday he beat himself up over losing Jude.
"Tommy," his intercom buzzed.
"Yeah."
"It's Portia. Jamie Andrews is on the phone."
"Okay. Thanks." Tommy picked up the phone.
"Hello."
"Hey Quincy. Have you seen Jude?"
"Yeah, I just sent her home about fifteen minutes ago. She's not home?"
"No, but I'm sure she will be soon. Thanks Tommy," he said in an irritating voice.
"Yeah, anytime."
"Come on Sadie, pick up the phone," Jude said to herself, as she tried to reach her sister.
After six rings, she finally gave up and ended the call. Seconds later her cell rang. "Hello."
"Jude, why aren't you home?"
"Jamie, I um, I stopped by the store to get some toothpaste."
"Come home Jude, now."
The next day, Jude was late for work, yet again. She was greeted by a scowling Tommy.
"Tommy, don't even say anything. I know I'm late."
"I wasn't going to. I was just going to say that we better get something done today or we could both lose our jobs."
She quickly rolled up her sleeves and Tommy caught sight of a purplish bruise.
"Jude, what is this?" he asked.
"It's nothing."
"Nothing?"
"I fell down the steps."
"I don't believe you."
"Well that's just too bad now isn't it?" she said, quickly pulling her sleeves down and entering the sound booth.
"Just press record Quincy."
Tommy obeyed and Jude's usual flawless voice filled the room.
I can't use what I can't abuse
And I can't stop when it comes to you
You burned me out but I'm back at your door
Like Joan of Arc coming back for more
I nearly died
I nearly died
I nearly died
I came to cut you up
I came to knock you down
I came around to tear your little world apart
I came to shut you up
I came to drag you down
I came around to tear your little world apart
And break your soul apart
You burn and burn to get under my skin
You've gone too far, now I won't give in
You crucified me but I'm back in your bed
Like Jesus Christ coming back from the dead
I nearly died
I nearly died
I nearly died
I came to knock you up
I came to cut you down
I came around to tear your little world apart
I came to rip you up
I came to shut you down
I came around to tear your little world apart
And break your soul apart
I nearly died
I nearly died
I nearly died
I came to cut you up
I came to knock you down
I came around to tear your little world apart
I came to shut you up
I came to suck you down
I came around to tear your little world apart
Tear your little world apart
Tear your little world apart
And break your soul apart
I can't stop when it comes to you
I can't stop when it comes to you
When it comes to you
When it comes to you