A/N: Hey all, sorry for delay in posting, but I got busy. I hope you guys like this chapter and I'm posting chapter ten Saturday later evening. Enjoy Instant Star tomorrow! I unfortunately, have to catch an encore on Saturday. Enjoy the chapter, I promise another update Saturday, and thanks to the couple who reviewed the last chapter.

Chapter 9

Jude left Georgia's office and went in search of Kwest. She ended up finding him in the tech room, working on backtracks for an artists album. She quietly snuck in and walked quietly behind him. Once she got close, she moved her hands carefully to cover his eyes when his voice stopped her.

"Hey Jude." He said, like it was obvious the younger woman would be there. Jude gaped at the soundtech and he turned around, grinning widely at her.

"How did you…?" Jude managed to squeak out and Kwest just smirked.

"A true magician never shares his secrets." Kwest said, winking at the younger woman.

"Magician my ass!" Kwest acted hurt, but he stood up and gave her a quick hug. "It's good to see you again kiddo." He said.

"It's good to be home again." She said, for the first time, feeling like she truly meant those words.

"Looking for Tommy or"

"Georgia already said he was out of the studio today."

"Yeah, he's at the Viper Room doing a sound check." Kwest said, stopping the tracks he was working on and turning his full attention to her.

"That's what Georgia said. Who's performing?" There was a long moment of silence before Kwest answered.

"You haven't heard?"

"Heard what?" Jude asked, feeling confused. Kwest got a look of all knowing wisdom and smirked at her.

"Well…I shouldn't be the one to tell you…" Jude reached over and hit Kwest lightly on the arm.

"Oh right, like you're one to keep a secret." Kwest looked wounded but shrugged. "If anyone asks, tell them I beat it out of you." Jude said, looking interested. What could be so big that Kwest didn't want to tell me? Jude wondered.

"Tom started working on his solo album again." There was a long moment of silence.

"So Tommy's actually.."

"At a sound check for his own performance later tonight." Kwest explained and Jude's jaw dropped and she stared at Kwest in total disbelief.

"Wow." She said, shaking her head in disbelief. She always knew Tommy wanted a solo album, but he seemed too hesitant to go for it since Frozen. She had several times caught him in the studio, strumming his guitar and looking like he was in writing mode. Whenever she would walk in, He'd stop and say he was trying to get ideas for another band or something similar. Jude knew he was lying though. She always could tell when he was lying.

"Yeah, he started it about six months ago, but I think he's been writing for it for longer than that."

"So he's not producing anymore?"

"Why? Looking for a producer?" Kwest asked, looking excited.

"No…I'm just surprised, that's all. Last time I checked, he liked producing."

"Oh, trust me, the man's still doing it all. He's producing other bands, practically producing his own album, singing, songwriting, you name it, he's doing it. I don't know how he's fitting it all in 24 hours…" Kwest said, shaking his head in amazement. Jude frowned at that knowledge. She knew Tommy well and when he buried himself in work, it usually meant something was on his mind he didn't want to think about. The busier, the better. "…You should come tonight." Kwest finished saying and Jude snapped herself out of her thoughts.

"Yeah…wait...what?" Kwest smirked.

"Thinking about a certain former boy-bander?" He asked, looking all knowing. Jude was about to protest and decided against it. She sighed.

"Yeah."
"You should come tonight, check out the show. Though Tom's only the opening act…" Jude raised an eyebrow.

"He's only opening for some of the bands he's producing…killing two birds with one stone by getting his stuff heard and recording the live performances." Jude nodded in understanding.

"Yeah, I'll be there." Jude said, smiling earnestly. She was excited at the prospect of hearing Tommy's songs. After all, over the years he had heard her heart being poured out before him. It was her turn to see what was in his.