"Best Friends?"

Summary: Tommy Quincy hates Jamie Andrews with a passion. But why? Takes place after "Date With the Night."

Disclaimer: All chapter titles are songs by Fall Out Boy. Also I don't own anything related to "Instant Star" except for a couple of Jude-centric fantasies.

Author's Note: I've finally beaten new ideas into my muse. Sorry it's been so long but hopefully this chapter will be worth the wait. Or not.

Two Days Later.

"What happened?" Jude asked. She, her parents, Jamie, Liam, and Sadie were all gathered in Darius' office. The police had interrogated the man they had caught and were shocked to find out that he was simply a homeless man who had been hired to pick up the package.

"The blackmailer sent us another drop address and said that he wants Tommy to deliver it with no police intervention," Darius answered.

"Are we sure that's a smart idea?" Jamie spoke, remembering Darius' theory.

"We don't have a choice," Liam answered. "The first picture is already on the internet."

"What?" Jude cried.

"You're clothed," Darius said, putting his hand on Jude's shoulder.

"We need to act fast," Liam continued. "The blackmailer has threatened to post more pictures every hour until Tommy delivers the money."

"Why Tommy?" Stuart asked.

"Because they're close," Darius said. "The media always makes it look like they're a couple."

"And because I'd do anything for her," Tommy said as he entered the office.

Jude stood and glanced at Jamie, whose face was unreadable. "What are you doing here?"

"I think that's a little obvious," Tommy replied.

"I know that," Jude said, "but why did you come here? Why not go straight to the site?"

"Because," Tommy began but he quickly hesitated. "I came to apologize. To you and...to Jamie."

Jude motioned Jamie over and said, "We're waiting."

Tommy sighed and looked at his feet. "Jude I'm sorry about the way I acted. I never wanted you to see me like that and I hope you'll never seethat again." At this point he glanced up in hopes that Jude's face was softer but if anything it was even more grim and now she had locked arms with Jamie.

"Jamie." Tommy took a deep breath. He wasn't quite sure how to say what he was feeling.

"Could you guys give us a minute," Jamie finally spoke. Darius nodded and ushered everyone out. "You too," Jamie whispered to Jude. The pop star's look told Jamie what she thought of the idea but Jamie simply pointed to the doorway. "Go."

Jude sighed and marched away. "Go ahead," Jamie said, turning back to Tommy.

"Jamie I never, ever, wanted to hurt you," Tommy finally managed. "We've had our disagreements in the past but...you're like a brother to me. An annoying little brother. And I guess...look, when I found out you'd been spying on me and Jude I just sorta lost it. Not only because you were invading our privacy but because I had thought we were friends."

"We were friends," Jamie said. "But it was my job. And I know it was wrong of me but Darius and Liam are my bosses and I can't afford to piss them off. Plus, given your track record..."

"You just wanted to protect her," Tommy finished. "And I know that now. And that makes what I did to you even more unbearable."

Jamie smiled slightly. "You know I hated you for the longest time. I blamed you for everything that went wrong with me and Jude." The intern looked Tommy square in the eyes. "But I was wrong. I was responsible for everything that went wrong. Because I had her but I kept looking over my shoulder foryou."

Tommy put his hand on Jamie's shoulder. " I felt the same way. Every time me and Jude got close...there you were, putting your nose where it didn't belong. But I get why you did it."

Jamie nodded and said, "It's too bad we both love Jude. Otherwise we could've been great friends."

"I'd like to think there's still a chance," Tommy replied.

At that moment Liam burst in. "Another picture's been posted. We have to go. Now."

Author's Note 2: Big plans for the next chapter and Jude loses 'it' pretty soon. By the way, I apologize if this chapter came out a little slashy, it doesn't end that way I promise. Oh no, there will death, demise, and destruction before I'm through.