A/N: I don't own Instant Star. Reviews are always welcome.

Episode 12 – Brand New

(A month later) Jude and Tommy were finally heading back. They were about an hour out of Toronto and decided to make a pit stop at a grocery store for reinforcements. Tommy was in the fruit section while Jude was casually making her way down the chips/cookies aisle and was grabbing everything in sight. She met him at the fruit section a few minutes later. She dropped everything in the cart. "Jude you can't seriously be thinking about eating all of that, do you?" he asks. "Why you think I didn't grab enough," I say teasingly. "No I mean with that much sugar in your system I don't think the seatbelt is going to be enough to hold you down," he says breaking out into a grin. "So, funny Quincy," she says and playfully punches him on the shoulder. An older woman in her late 60s has been watching them for the past few minutes and politely says, "Oh how long have you two been married? You two remind me of my granddaughter and her husband who have been married for about 2 years now." Tommy and Jude both look at each other and turn slightly red. "Oh we're not," they both say at the same time. "Are you sure dears, you two seem like newlyweds to me," she says with a grin. "You two have a nice day," she says before pushing her cart along to the vegetable aisle. They quickly paid for their items and got into the car. "That was…" I say. "Odd," he says finishing my sentence. About thirty minutes of silence pass before I break the ice. "Have you ever though about it," I ask. "What," he says casually. "You know, the whole married with kids and a white picket fence," I venture. "Jude, I got married at 18 and was divorced within the first month," he says. "So that's it then, right," I say a little annoyed. "Jude…" he says letting silence fill the air before continue. "Whatever I'm gonna say you're either going to take the wrong way and be pissed or freak out," he says. "Try me," I say. Tommy takes a deep breath and exhales, "Jude, I love you. I've loved you since the first day you walked into the studio called me a boyband has-been and less than useless producer, and to top it all off you called me Little Tommy Q. My love for you, it's as certain as the sun rising and setting, but marriage is a whole new complicated, thing. You're only 18. You have your whole life ahead of you. What if you realize one day that I'm not the one for you? That I can't give you everything you want and need. I don't ever want to let you down. Because you're it for me. I don't want anyone else. Ever." They drive the rest of the way in silence. Both of them casually glancing at each other about to say something, but then don't. Tommy drops Jude off, she doesn't invite him up, so he drives off. (cue music)

Part 1

Jude sees her machine blinking and presses the button before collapsing on the couch. Her first message is from Georgia. "Hi Jude, this is Georgia. Hope you had a restful vacation. Anyway I wanted to remind you that your contract is up and Darius wants to see you first thing tomorrow. And just wanted to say that it's been a pleasure working with you, but I'm going to be leaving G Major as is E.J. Anyway, really glad your back." Her second message is from Kat going on and on about how much she loves going to school in New York and how her internship is going with some snooty designer who basically treats her like crap. Her third message was from Jaime who is also going to school in New York and he's totally stressed out between managing some bands and school work. But he said not to worry, that's he's happy, just stressed, and that both of them will be seeing her when they get back for winter break. The next couple of messages were from her mom and dad pretty much pleading to set up having dinner with her and spending time with her. Jude groans aloud. "Hey shorty, what's wrong," asks Shay strolling in.

Part 2

Shay and Jude were eating pizza and she obviously didn't want to talk about anything. Shay decided she needed to talk. "So, you going to sign with G Major and Uncle D?" he asks. "I don't know. I was kind of thinking about doing my own thing, you know," I say. "I've got more money than I can think of and I was kinda thinking about starting my own label and maybe trying to produce and sign some talent," I say. "This is really gonna piss off Uncle D" he says grinning from ear to ear. "Jude, I'd like to be your first client," he says and playfully shakes my hand. "We should both start looking for a fallout shelter," I joke. "Oh yeah, and you should probably finalize your will," he says with a smirk.

Part 3

The headline the next day, with a little help from Shay's contacts in the media read, "Jude Harrison stages coup at G Major and leaves with key staff members, including R &B crooner Shay, to form her own record label, and shocks the music industry." She was on her third cup of coffee, having been on the phone all last night and this morning talking to Georgia, E.J., Kwest about her decision, when Tommy strolled in with a copy of the paper in his hand. "I see you've been productive since I dropped you off, yesterday," he says putting down a cup of her favorite coffee. "Here for an interview, Tom" I say. "Are you serious," he says. I gaze at him unflinching. "Okay, fire away then," he says indignantly. "What are your credentials," I ask. "Jude we both know I produced both your albums and Shay's and they both went multi-platinum," he says. "Jude, why didn't you tell me any of this was going on inside your head," he asks. "It was just an idea I had, I didn't really have any intention of going forward with it" I say truthfully. "What changed," he says. "Georgia left me a voicemail telling me that she and E.J. were leaving," I say. "The two of them had done so much for me and I just didn't want them to walk away," I say. "I know totally selfish," I say. "Darius was changing the label and making it his. He was turning it into something I didn't want to be a part of anymore," I say truthfully. "If it's that important to you Jude, then I want to help. I want to be your partner," he says. "Okay, but my name goes first on the sign," I say. "Harrison-Quincy Records" I say triumphantly. "What's with the slash?" he asks. "Oh, no reason, I just thought it sounded better." I say innocently.

Part 4

The whole setting up your own record company didn't go as badly as I thought. Tommy came in as a producer and of course I had Shay who had tons of friends who were producers that he brought in. I told Georgia and E.J. that they had the same duties as they had at G Major and told them in no way did I think that I was their boss; I mean I was just footing the bill, so I thought I didn't really have to be involved, boy was I wrong. I had to sit through all the meetings. Everyone wanted my input on exactly everything. It was crazy, but a good crazy I guess. I talked to Jaime and Kat every week and kept reminding them that they had a job waiting for them here, even tried convincing them to drop out of school, so they could hang out with me, I mean work with me, but their parents said no, so it was no dice. I was just hiding out in, get this, my office and just savoring the silence when I heard a knock on my door and low and behold it was Darius.

Part 5

I had been hoping that I wouldn't have any sort of confrontation with Darius and was surprised to find myself sitting across from him with a role reversal. "Jude you can stop looking like I'm gonna attack you or something," he says. "I actually came here to tell you that I respect you and am proud of you," he says. "Huh," I say totally confused. "I gave you wings and it was time for you to fly on your own, I get it," he says. "In some ways I pushed you in the direction to do this," he says. "Yeah, you did," I say. "God he's making this all about him, typical," I think to myself. "So, no hard feelings?" I say. "Consider me your mentor," he says getting up and getting ready to leave. "Of course, Darius, thanks for stopping by," I say as cheerily as I can. As soon as he leaves, I slump against the door wondering what the hell had just happened.

Part 6

I knock on the door of Studio C where Shay is producing a song for a new artist we had signed. "Come in," he says. "Take 5," he says into the microphone. He gets up and gives me a hug. "You looked like you needed it," he says before sitting back down. "So I had a visitor today," I say. I see him visibly stiffen. "Still not talking to your Uncle?" I venture. "Nahhh" he says casually, although I know it's been eating away at him, which is why I'm reluctant to bring up what happened. I've stopped talking and he's zoned out. "If you want to leave here I won't take it personal. You should patch things up with your uncle," I say guiltily. "And give up what I've got here. I'm free here, Jude. I can do what I want without having to worry about what he thinks and knowing he'll disapprove of everything. I can make the albums I want. I'm producing. You've let me be myself. Besides, he sees what I did as a betrayal. I've already tried to apologize. I'm done with reasoning with him. If he's got a beef with me he should come talk to me. I'm done running after him. Are we done here," he says a little too harshly. "Yeah, sorry" I say biting my lip.

Part 7

"God Jude great job! Way to make things worse," I say. "You know crazy people start out talking to themselves," Tommy says teasingly before enveloping me in a hug. I barely notice that we've moved into my office and are lying comfortably on my couch. "Worrying about whatever's bothering you is gonna give you wrinkles, girl" he says. "Yeah, you'd know," I say. "Hey," he says. "Sorry," I say. "It's just Darius came and saw me and said we were cool, but things obviously aren't improving between Shay and him" I say. "Can you talk to him," I ask. "Who, Shay?" he asks. "No, with Darius," I say. "Yeah and when they're fishing my body out of the lake you'll have yourself to thank," he says. "Please," I say making puppy dog eyes. "Alright, but you owe me," he says with mock seriousness. You can start making it up to me right now," he says kissing me.

Part 8

Darius and Tommy are sitting in Darius office. "Hey D. Listen about Shay, it's time to forgive him and cut him loose," I say. "You never were one to sugar coat anything, were you Quincy," he says. "He turned his back on me and left," he retorts. "Can you really blame him, you were a dictator. You mapped out everything for him and you made him ask permission for every little thing in his life. I'm surprised he didn't do this earlier. It's time for him to stand on his own. But he needs to know that if he falters, that you'll be there for him. He's your blood, Darius. And if I haven't convinced you, listen to a few tracks he's been working on," he says and with that Tommy got up and left leaving Darius alone with his thoughts.

Part 9

"Hey Jude you have any idea where those tracks I've been working on went," Shay says. "No idea," I say guiltily. "You're a horrible liar by the way, J," he says. Just then his phone started vibrating in his pocket. "I need to take this, but seriously I want to know where my tracks are," he says quickly stepping into one of the empty studios. Fifteen minutes later he emerges stone faced out of the studio. "Darius wants to see me," he says.

Part 10

A few hours later Jude is still in the studio going over some paper work or other but she can barely see straight and her lids are getting heavier and heavier when Shay comes in. "Hey," I say with a huge yawn. "How'd things go," I say. "Went well," he says and slides his CD towards me. "He told me he wouldn't be needing this anymore," he says. 'Oh, um how did he get that," I say. "Seriously Jude you're like the worst liar I've ever met" he says with a genuine laugh. "It's nice to hear you laugh," I say. "Thanks," he says in a serious tone. "Me and Uncle D are cool," he says. "That's great Shay," I say and jump up to hug him. The hug lasted a little longer than normal when Tommy came in. "Hey Jude ready to…." he stopped mid-sentence. "How'd things go with Darius," Tommy asks. "Good, he told me about your lecture" Shay says. "I just told him the truth," he says. "So you guys done here. We should probably get going Jude," Tommy says.

Part 11

"Tommy nothing's going on with me and Shay," I said in a panic. "Did I say anything," he asks lacing his fingers with my own. A few minutes pass when I notice that I have no idea where we're headed. "Tommy, uh, are you lost," I say. "No, and don't say are we there yet" he says. We pull up to a house with a for sale sign on the front. "Tommy I didn't know you were into breaking and entering," I say whispering. "Jude, relax, I got this for us," he says handing me a key.

Part 12

I race around the empty house for about 30 minutes marveling at everything when I reach the master bedroom. "Funny, Quincy, how this is the only room with furniture," I say staring at the bedroom with a 4 poster bed. "I thought, I'd get the essentials," he says before planting a kiss and pinning me to the bed.

Part 13

It's still dark out when Tommy and I head downstairs wrapped in sheets and into the kitchen. I open the fridge, which is empty. And start rifling through the cupboards. "I thought you said you got the essentials," I say. And lo and behold he opens the pantry door, which is stuffed with all my favorite junk food and he starts making us coffee. I'm happily munching away on my poptart when he throws one of his t-shirts and boxers to me, tells me to get dressed, and grabs my hand.

Part 14

"Where are you taking me," I say indignantly with his hands wrapped around my eyes. "You'll see, Harrison, just relax," he says. He puts my hand out to touch something and uncovers my eyes.

Part 15

"It's my horse from your grandfather's place!" I exclaim as I give the horse some carrots. "Did you bring yours too," I ask. "Yeah, he's just a few stalls down," he says. "So do you want to take a look at the property", he asks. It was about the same size as his grandfather's, which meant a couple of acres where we had plenty of space to go riding. The house was amazing complete with a studio in the finished basement. "What about your other house," I ask. "I sold it," he says with a shrug. "So we're really doing it, huh," I say. "Doing what, Harrison," he says. "We're moving in together," I say.

Part 16

"You're not happy," he says matter-o-factly. "It's just that the last serious conversation we had together didn't exactly end on a fuzzy feelings note," I say. "Jude, could you get something I left on the bed for me," he says. "Why can't you get it," I say. He rolls his eyes at me. "Alright, whatever," I say. I bound up the stairs and stop in my tracks. I follow the rose petals to the bedroom door where there's candles lit and flowers everywhere, in vases, on the floor, on the bed. And when I reached the bed there was a small box, which I slowly picked up. I hadn't even noticed that I was sitting on the bed. "Are you going to open it," he asks nervously. He covers my hands with his and helps me open the box. "Jude, I…" he says. "Yes", I scream and tackle him planting his face with kisses. "I didn't even ask you yet," he says. "Okay, go ahead," I say breathlessly. "Jude, will you marry me?" he asks. "Yes, of course I'll marry you," I say with tears in my eyes.

Part 17

E.J. helped me throw together a wedding in record time. I can hardly even remember the ceremony or the reception, but all the magazines had covered it. We were just getting back from our honeymoon from Hawaii. "Jude we left with 3 suitcases and you do realize now we've got about 8," he says putting them all down in the living room. "I had to get presents for everyone" I say without sympathy. "We seriously need to get furniture," I say. "Your wish is my command" he says. "Really," I say with an arched eyebrow before leading him to our bedroom where are sole piece of furniture was residing.

Part 18

(Next day at the studio) "What's up married girl," Shay says without looking up from his coffee. "Hey yourself," I say. "What no tan," he says. "Pale people don't tan, Shay, they burn." I say. "You got a little color" he says. "Yeah, red, and then pink, and then pale once the new skin grew back," I say. "So how're things," I say. "Good," he says. "You?" he asks. "Good," I say. Things were definitely weird with us.