A/N-thank you all SO much for reviewing! You guys are fantastic! And to those who read and reviewed Fade To Black you guys also fantastic! The feedback was really interesting to read about the last chapter. A lot of you seemed to like Tessa, and that's good! As for whose she's gonna hook up with? I'll never tell! Lol. I hope you enjoy this next update! The chapter after this has some Jommy that will just make you die! Lol! Oh, and I don't own anything associated with Instant Star, just the new characters and the songs I come up with. And I am REALLY sorry about not updating in a while! I'll try to update more quickly! Anyways, without further ado, the next chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Operation J.T.C.

Sadie and Tessa had been planning Operation J.T.C. (Jude Tommy Connection) since Tessa had mentioned it to Sadie the day before. Tessa had planned out everything and Sadie added a few touches here and there. The first part of the operation was to get some dirt out of them, have them "accidentally" let out some secrets about one another while Tessa and Sadie tape record everything. Tessa decided she'd go first. "Okay, listen, I'm gonna go first, seeing as how I don't really know Jude and everything.

"Okay. Let's check over everything. Tape recorder?"

"Check."

"New batteries?"

"Check."

"New tape?"

"Check."

"Looks like you've got everything. All you need now is to find Jude and get the info we need. You ready?"

"Yeah. Do you know where she is?"

"I think she's in Studio B. Good luck."

"Alright, here goes nothing." Tessa walks toward Studio B with a grinning Sadie looking after her. Jude was in the studio at the soundboard listening to SME. She pressed the intercom button to talk to the guys who were in the recording booth. "You guys need to increase your tempo around the end if you want the sound you're looking for."

"Coolness, dude."

"Spied, right now, I'm producing you which means I'm pretty much your boss. So, could you please be a little professional and call me by my name?"

Okay, Jude." He put a strong emphasis on her name. Jude sighed into the mic when she noticed someone standing in the doorway. "Oh, hey Tessa. Is there something you needed?"

"I was just wondering if we could, uh talk."

"Yeah, sure. What's up?"

"Well, I was just wondering if we could get to know one another, since we don't really know each other." Tessa slipped her hand into her pocket to press the Record button. The tape recorder started to record the conversation. "Um, okay. Why don't we head over to the couch and sit."

"Sure."

"Okay, guys, you can keep playing or take a break. Your choice."

"Well, the dudes and I have decided to take a break. That alright with you, Jude?"

"Shut up and get out."

"Yes ma'am. Yeesh, when did you become so rude?" Jude gave him a look that told him, "You better get out of here or else." Spied got the message and walked off with Kyle and Wally. Jude sauntered over to take a seat beside Tessa on the couch. "Okay, you wanted to talk?"

"Yeah, um, so how are things?" Tessa had made sure the tape recorder was in her right pocket so she could record easier. "Well, things are good. I'm producing a lot more now. I just started working with SME this morning. My fourth album is processing right now. Tommy's in Studio A listening to the tracks I laid down yesterday."

"Hmm. And how are things with Tommy?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean since he got back and you guys have been working together. How's that been?"

"Oh. Well, fine I guess." Jude failed to mention all the things that had been going to between her and Tommy, such as the kiss, or the extra burst of flirtation, or the butterflies that flew around in her stomach every time she looked at him. It was becoming even more difficult to restrain herself from acting on her feelings for Tommy. "Jude."

"What?"

"It's just you and me. You can be honest." Jude looked around. The door was closed. There was no one else in the room. She turned to look at Tessa. There was sincerity in her eyes. Jude wanted desperately to tell someone her real feelings, so she confessed the truth to Tessa. "Things with me and Tommy are fantastic. Every time I see him, my stomach starts flip flopping. Every time I say or hear his name, I can't help but smile. Every time we touch, I can feel my whole body tremor form the electricity. Every time I think about him, my heart skips a beat. What I'm trying to say is that I am completely, madly, head-over-heals in love with him."

"Ah, I thought so. Does Tommy know any of this?"

"No. Well, yes, but not in detail."

"Why not?"

"Well, for one, I've got a boyfriend named Jamie."

"Why is that exactly?"

"Beg pardon?"

"Why is it that you're with Jamie when you have these strong feelings for Tommy?" Jude sighed a heavy exasperated sigh. "I chose Jamie because I was afraid of getting hurt again by Tommy."

'I see."

"He's hurt me so much, and yet I can't stay away. Like, for instance, on my sixteenth birthday, when he kissed me, and then took it back."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. And then, on the night of our very first date, he leaves me. Tells me he's gotta go and he doesn't know if he's coming back. I was hurt, broken. I couldn't perform. I was a mess. Then he comes back, so things go back to normal, that is, until my eighteenth birthday. We had been dating for a few days, and he wanted to go public. I didn't. I think I pushed him away without meaning to, so I go sing him a song, telling him and everyone else that we're in love. Big mistake. He tells me I'm drunk and that I'm embarrassing myself."

"He didn't."

"Yeah, but it was for my own good, believe it or not. Anyway, he gets drunk, and the next thing I know, he's kissing Sadie, or she's kissing him. You see, the guy has ripped out my heart and handed it to me back in pieces so many times. There's only so much heartache a girl can take."

"I get your point. But, excuse me if I'm out of line, but if you both love each other so much, shouldn't the pain be worth it? Shouldn't you want to risk getting hurt just as long as you end up together?" Jude pondered this thought a moment. Tessa brought her out of her thoughts with a question. "Just answer me one question. Do you love him?"

"I do. I love Tommy with my heart, mind, body, and soul. I love him with every fiber in my being. He's my everything." Jude looked at Tessa a long time, a comfortable silence falling over them. After about a minute, Tessa spoke. "That was a good answer." She smiled and Jude smiled back. Just then, Kwest walked in. "Jude, Darius wants all artists and producers in his office, ASAP."

"Okay, on my way." Jude got up to leave, but not before turning around to Tessa and saying, "Thanks for listening."

"No problem." Jude walked out of the studio as Tessa was turning off the tape recorder. "Tessa's Phase One of Operation J.T. complete. Jude walked towards D's office and noticed Tommy coming out of Studio A. She looked at him, suddenly feeling over exposed because of her earlier confession. "Hey Jude," he said simply.

"Hey Tommy. Do you know what Darius wants?"

"No clue."

"Hm." Jude and Tommy walked into his office and Jude noticed all the other people in there. Karma, Spiederman, Kyle, Wally and Kwest were all sitting in a circle around Darius's desk. "Jude, Tommy, have a seat." Tommy took a seat beside Kwest and Jude sat next beside Tommy. "I called you all in here because I have some very important news. You guys are going to a Christmas album."