Hello, friends and neighbors! Sorry about the delayed update; there's been a lot going on around here. I'm so glad that Marcus is getting so much good feedback! It's not very often that an OC character turns out to be likeable, and I'm glad I could accomplish that. Hee hee. SO! On with the story!


During the next week or so, G-Major was buzzing with activity. The upcoming album release party was foremost on everyone's minds; EJ was consumed with decoration ideas, obsessed with the color schemes and whether or not to use streamers. Georgia went over the finances, checking and re-checking numbers until she was satisfied with the end results. Everyone else was preoccupied with making sure every detail of Jude's CD was correct...everyone else except for Marcus, who was setting his plans into motion.

.o.o.o.o.o.

"So remind me again...why do I need THREE people to shop with me for this stupid dress?" Jude groused, browsing the racks sullenly. The owner of the boutique, a short balding man with an excessively large nose, sniffed loudly as if offended. Jude just rolled her eyes, walking over to a plush chair and flopping down.

EJ frowned and opened her mouth, but Marcus hurriedly cut her off before she could answer. "Because, my darling...you need to look extra special. It's your night! A celebration of your achievements!"

"You never get dressed up, Jude. It would be nice to see you in something vaguely feminine every once in a while," Sadie added with an arch of her expertly tweezed brow. Marcus asked her to tag along on this shopping adventure when he picked up Jude, figuring that he needed all the help he could get in order to squeeze the rebellious rocker into a couture gown.

Jude sighed heavily, and Marcus edged over towards her while EJ and Sadie continued browsing the racks. "Besides, Ms. Harrison...this is part one of The Big Plan. I suggest you get your cute little butt into gear if you want this to work!" he whispered. She perked up at that, running over to the nearest rack and thumbing through the selections with a renewed zest.

"Thatta girl!"

.o.o.o.o.o.

Jude poked her head out from behind the dressing room curtain, a grimace marring her otherwise pretty features.

"Do I really have to show you guys every one of these dresses?"

"Yes!" EJ said, snapping her gum. Sadie nodded as well, and Marcus just cleared his throat slightly. Jude sighed, pulling the curtain back to reveal the first dress.

The crimson halter-necked gown hugged every curve of her body like air, ending just below her knees in a pencil skirt. The back was made up of a complicated web of straps, most of which Jude had gotten tangled up in.

"Okay...first of all, I can't breathe. Second of all, I feel like I'm caught in a fishing net or something," Jude breathed, looking more than a little uncomfortable.

Marcus nodded, replying "Yeah, it's a little...forward. Next!" Sadie looked a little disappointed.

"I don't see anything wrong with it..."

.o.o.o.o.o.

The second dress was more of an evening gown; the cream-colored fabric wrapped over one shoulder and trailed down her back, while the full skirt brushed against the floor.

EJ gasped with delight, her eyes slightly misting. "You look gorgeous!"

Jude shifted a little, her mouth twitching up at the corners. "It's great, EJ...but don't you think it's a little much for my first CD release party?" Sadie and Marcus nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I know..." EJ sighed. "I just wanted a preview for when we go to the Grammys." Jude knocked on a wooden beam nearby, and Marcus laughed.

"Come on Jude, next dress!"

.o.o.o.o.o.

Two hours later, patience was wearing thin and the stack of discarded dresses grew from three or four to about thirteen. The last dress had been picked on a whim by Jude herself as a last-ditch effort to find something decent so that she could get out of there a go home.

"I think I found it, guys!" she called from the dressing room. Marcus woke up with a slight snore, and Sadie and EJ lifted their heads from the magazine they were browsing through.

Jude gently pushed the curtain aside and stepped out, a gigantic grin spread across her face. She did a little twirl, letting her three stylists see every angle of her latest pick.

"Wow," Sadie gasped. "That's...wow."

EJ almost dropped the magazine in surprise. "You...you picked that? I think the girl has morefashion sense than she's letting on!"

Marcus raised a brow, a slow smile spreading across his lips as he winked at Jude. "That's definitely the one. Part one of The Big Plan accomplished!"