Georgia waved her hand at Jude, signaling for her to come into the conference room. "Jude! Good news!" she exclaimed as Jude entered.

Jude glanced around the table and saw EJ and Tommy, as well as a young blonde lady she didn't recognize. She smiled nervously and returned her attention back to Georgia. "What is it?" she asked as she took the chair across from the unfamiliar woman.

"There is a benefit concert and CD being arranged, and we think this would be perfect for you," Georgia stated.

Peyton smiled and nodded to Jude. She was excited that G Major was so encouraging, and also that she was meeting this years' Instant Star. Jude Harrison would be her biggest act in the concert so far, even if she wasn't quite famous yet. Peyton stretched her arm across the conference table, holding her hand out for Jude to shake. "I'm Peyton. I'm organizing the 'Friends with Benefit' concert."

Shaking her hand gladly, Jude returned the smile. "Jude Harrison," she replied simply. Jude flashed glances between Peyton and Georgia as she repeated, " 'Friends with Benefit'? That's for cancer, right?"

"It was for breast cancer last year," Peyton answered. "This year the cause is depression."

Jude continued passing the glances between Peyton and Georgia. She wasn't sure how to react, especially not knowing much about depression. All Jude really knew was that EJ was probably excited for the free publicity, and Tommy would be anxious to nail a certain set for the concert. Now she was just looking to Georgia to see if it was already arranged, and Peyton to see what's up with the benefits.

Recognizing her confusion, Tommy quickly stated, "It's a great cause, Jude. You'll be doing a lot of good by performing."

Peyton nodded slowly in agreement while trying to read the expression on Jude's face. She could tell that Jude wasn't exactly so excited for the benefit, more like she was just thrown into the position and automatically assumed to participate. "You don't have to or anything. It's totally up to you, and you can think about it for awhile if you want," Peyton commented, feeling a little bad for putting Jude into this situation.

"Oh," Jude replied. She liked that Peyton was giving her the choice, but she also knew that both Georgia and Tommy were pushing it. She didn't want to let anyone down, but she really didn't know if she wanted to put her name on this concert. "Yeah, I'll need to think about it," Jude stated softly.

A little disappointed that Jude actually accepted that option, Peyton nodded in short movements. "Okay. Just let me know." She tried her best to put that smile back on her face, but it wasn't so genuine.

Seeing that discontent on her face, Georgia thought about what she could say to make Jude contribute without seeming too forceful. If Georgia knew anything, it was how to get her way without directly stating it. She knew ho to play the game, and that was one of the main reasons she had survived so many years in this business.

At the same time, Tommy could read what was going through everyone's head around the conference table. He could see Georgia strategically planning a way to persuade Jude. He could see Jude debating the pros and cons of performing, dwelling on how she'd come off to other people. He could see EJ fidgeting on the many ways she could spin this concert to get Jude some media hype. And then he saw Peyton just wanting to put a good concert together for a worthwhile foundation. And being Tommy, he didn't want to let any person around the table down.

"I'll perform," Tommy blurted.

Heads turned and all eyes were on Tommy. Everyone was in shock, to say the least. They knew he said he'd like to help, but they weren't expecting this. Even Tommy didn't think he really said that for a moment. He had been behind the music for so long, he didn't even know if he could hit the stage and have a decent performance again.

"Really?" Peyton inquired.

Tommy nodded with a clenched jaw. He had no idea what he had just gotten himself into, but still tried his best to smile. "Anything I can do to help."

With those words, Jude could tell he really was into the cause. And it if was good enough for Tommy to crawl out of his hole, it was good enough for her to make a charity debut. Plus, there was no denying that she wanted her changed to perform with the famous Tom Quincy. "I'm in too," she stated.

Peyton's excited smile glowed. Now she had two more performers on her program. Not only that, but she had a semi-legend and his protégé, not to mention a studio to record the CD. "This is amazing, you guys. Seriously, I cannot thank you enough."

"No need," Georgia commented. "You're doing something really great, and you just need a little backup."

Jude smiled at everyone's pleased attitudes. It was nice that almost everyone benefited from the event. "So, when and where?" Jude asked when she realized she didn't have much information.

"Three weeks from tomorrow at the underage club I help manage, Tric," Peyton answered. She reached into her messenger bag and pulled out her sketchbook. She scanned through the pages and pulled out some loose papers for them. Peyton knew it was highly unprofessional, but at the same time, what did they really expect from a seventeen-year-old blonde? "Here's a schedule, and a map. And here's some of the fliers that are hanging up around Tree Hill."

"Tree Hill..?" Jude looked at Peyton and the map a few times. "That's quite a distance."

Peyton chuckled lightly. "As long as my car doesn't breakdown on this road trip, the distance isn't so bad," she remarked.

Georgia took her own copies of the papers and started looking them over. She smiled at Peyton's statement and inquired, "So, will you be in town awhile longer so we can make arrangements?"

Peyton's eyes grew a little wider like she was caught red-handed for a crime. "Well, not exactly," she stated nervously. "I have exactly enough money left to get me home, so I have to leave tonight."

Slowly nodding, Georgia stared down at the papers. It really was quite a distance, and they still had many details they'd need to go over. A few hours wouldn't be enough to get them through all the work that needed to be done. "I don't know if we'll be able to organize this. There's such little time with so much that needs to be figured out." Georgia explained.

Nodding, Peyton understood where she was coming from. "I'm sorry. I just don't have much for hotel, and basically just enough for gas." She shrugged and continued, "I wish I could stay longer."

"We have a guest room," Jude said loudly. "I mean, I'm sure you could say with us if that's what you're worried about."

Peyton looked at Jude with uneasy eyes. "I don't want to impose," Peyton stated. She truly did feel like an intruder if she did accept. It was weird enough to be making so friendly with people she didn't know for the concert, but living with them for a few nights? She just didn't think that'd be right.

Still reclined in his chair, Tommy turned slightly to have a better look at Peyton. "You wouldn't be. You're putting together a benefit concert to save lives… You're no imposing."

With a faint smile, Peyton nodded at Tommy. He had a point, and she really didn't need to make this happen. She wouldn't let her awkward feelings stop her from helping people. That's just not the kind of person she is. "If it really is okay with you, Jude…"

"Of course," Jude replied simply.