Producer's Note: Hello to all of my loyal and faithful viewers and reviewers! I hope you are all enjoying this series so far! Credit for the chorus used in this episode belongs to American Mom Productions, song titled Dream: A Children's Lullaby.



World Instant Star: The New Generation

Episode 104

Opening Credits… Jude Harrison.. Tom Quincy.. Kwest.. Sadie Harrison.. Vincent Speiderman.. Karma Speiderman.. Wally Robbins.. Kyle Bateman.. Jamie Andrews.. Zeppelin.. Mason Fox..

Kris and Butterfly sit in the same chairs Tommy and Jude had more than twenty years ago when they were nearly done with her duet. Now it's the new generation who is wrapping up the duet and killing time with one another. He watches her for a moment before patting her right foot which currently rests in his lap. "Let's play a game. We're ahead of schedule so no one will mind if we slack off part of a day."

"Depends, what game do you have in mind?" She tilts her head to the side slightly. She's only been working with him since August but already she can see how Jude and Tommy became friends. Part of her even wants to outside of the studio but she's not ready to tell him her secret.

"Questions."

"You mean twenty questions?"

He shakes his head softly. "No. This is a more never ending concept, unless we run out of questions."

"Okay, what are the rules?"

"We can ask anything but we have to respect if the other isn't comfortable or unable to answer. Also one question a turn. Ladies choice in who starts."

"You, please."

"Okay, hm…" He pauses putting thought into the direction he wants to start this. "When's your birthday?"

"July 7th, yours?"

"May 17th, When did you become emancipated?"

"Wow… Already with the big questions? Eight months before my fourteenth birthday. How do you know everyone at NBR?"

"Parents, and I grew up with them. First kiss?"

"Hasn't happened, yours?"

"Same actually."

She looks at him skeptically, "Seriously?"

"Yes. How many boyfriends have you had?"

"None, girlfriends?"

"Three. Two in grade 9 and my last was in grade 11. Why did you get emancipated?"

"To get away from child abuse, freedom, do you know anything about the Quincy's AWOL son?"

"Yes. So what secret are you hiding?"

"No."

He starts to ask something further when her cell phone goes off. He watches her walk into the sound proof side of the glass and pace anxiously across the floor. He straights up in the chair tempted to turn on the feed and find out what's going on.

While he's still battling with himself over the idea of invading her privacy she comes tearing through the sound room. She stops long enough to look at him and say, "I have to leave right now. Something's come up. I'll talk to you later." She doesn't wait for a response as she nearly flies out of the building.

He rakes his hand through his hair as he tries to process what has just happened. He barely looks up at Casey as he takes the seat Butterfly had occupied just a few minutes ago. "She's quite a puzzle man."

"One you seem determined to understand. You never work this hard to be friends with anyone, male or female. What's so special about her?" Casey questions him with honest concern.

"I honestly don't know. I'm just… drawn to her I guess. I can't really explain it."

"Well you've really gotten her to come to life man. I think I even saw her having a real conversation a couple of days ago."

"Good, while I love being her friend and the important one she needs female friends. I just hope Mel or the others don't learn her secret before I do."

Casey leans forward and studies Kris for a moment, "You had better be careful man. You are dangerously close to falling for this kid, if you haven't already."

"She has legal control over her own life remember? That's not saying I have intentions of any kind, but legally we would be safe."

"That wasn't my point. I was more implying as to your lack of experience with females. Then there's also the fact she seems to have a secret and getting to where you are ready to approach the topic of your own. Do you think you're ready for an outsider to know?"

He looks at Casey for a long moment before shrugging, "I honestly don't know."


Commercial: Now would be the time for a word from our sponsors, but they are currently experiencing writer's block!


Kris is pacing back and forth in front of the receptionist desk with worry written on his face. The sight causes Sadie to stop and ask, "And why are you trying to wear a whole in the floor of the lobby Kristopher?"

"Because it's 10am!" He exclaims simply as if it explains everything while never breaking stride.

"Why is the time so important?"

"She's never late, yet it's 10am and nothing!"

Before Sadie can respond to him her cell phone rings. "Hello?" She says into the receiver before pauses listening to the caller a moment before speaking again. "I understand but you really need to talk to Kris. He's pacing a hole in the lobby floor. I'll tell them." She holds her cell out to Kris. "It's Butterfly."

He stops in mid stride taking the phone from her and speaking into it quickly not caring just how noticeably panicked he sounds. "Where are you?! Are you okay?" He frowns when she tells him she's not coming in but going to the doctor. "I'll be right there." He doesn't wait for an answer before hanging up and handing the phone back to Sadie. "Tell them I'm taking her in to the doctor and I won't be coming back today. " He grabs his leather jacket from the reception counter and heads out the lobby doors not hearing Sadie calling out in a weak attempt to stop him.

By ignoring the speed limit he makes it to her apartment in fifteen minutes, under half the time it should take. He knocks on the door and tries to calm down while he waits for her to answer. He doesn't have to wait long, when she answers he speaks quickly. "Are you ready to go?"

"As I tried to tell you on the phone I appreciate the offer but I'll get there on my own. I also don't need to leave for another hour. I'll see you Monday Kris." Her expression is noticeably sad as she shuts the door without waiting for him to respond.

Frowning and placing his hands into the pockets of his jeans he walks back to his jeep. He doesn't get in but pulls a book out of the back before lounging against the side. Her front door in his view so she won't be able to leave without him noticing.

He knows his actions are a bit stalkerish, but he's worried about her health and her safety. He's also almost positive that whatever her biggest secret is has everything to do with why he's never been in her apartment and why she always leaves by five.

He doesn't have to wait the hour he had expected, thirty minutes after he spoke to her he sees her door start to open. He tosses his book in the back before leaning against his jeep again. When he looks towards her door again he is instantly glad he was still wearing his mirrored glasses, they were going to help hide his shock.

She hears him clear his throat causing her to look up in his direction when she is only half way down the walkway from her door. Her olive green eyes widen in obvious shock as she says, "What are you still doing here Kris?"

"Not giving up. I didn't like the idea of you being on a bus or bike or walking when sick. I figured if you didn't want me waiting inside I decided I would wait here. Care to explain?"

She frowns down to the bundled up blanket in her arms trying to find the best answer for a question she wasn't ready for. She decides basic truth is the best way to go right now. "This…" She pulls away the blanket. "Is my daughter," She looks up at him waiting for a reaction, hoping for the best and fearing the worst. Her voice is barely a pleading whisper when he still remains like a statue against the jeep. "Say something, please?"

He stills remains silent despite her soft plea as he stares at the small girl in her arms with shoulder length curls the same strawberry blond color as Butterfly's. He pushes away from the jeep, moving slowly towards them. He reaches out touching the child's hair when he reaches them in silence until he looks up at her. "You lied to me?" His voice betraying the hurt he feels at the very idea.

"No. You assumed because I had never kissed a guy or had a boyfriend that…" She can't finish the sentence but she knows he understands where she was going with it.

He can also see the pain on her face so he changes questions hoping this is a less painful one. "How old is she?"

"She's a little over a year."

He nods silently though can still see fear in her eyes. He finally truly understands her fear of rejection. He reaches up and removes his glasses, tucking them into his pocket before gently asking, "May I hold her?" Holding his arms open as he does.

She looks up at him and into his beautiful sapphire blue eyes before handing the sleeping baby over to him. Nervously she slides her hands into the pockets of the faded denim skirt she's wearing. "Her name is Lillian Isabella." For the first time her air of confidence is failing her.

"Beautiful name," He shifts his gaze from the baby back to her. "She's as beautiful as her mother." He shifts the little girl in his arms to free up one hand. Once he has he reaches out to tuck a stray curl behind her ear before caressing the side of her face with the back of his hand to get her to look back up at him from her daughter. "Relax doll, our agreement still applies. You'll tell me the rest of your story when you're ready. I know I forced this out of you but I can't say I'm sorry because I'm glad I know. Now maybe you'll ask for help and accept when it's offered, now for example."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you should let me take you to the doctor. I'm assuming by her temperature she's the one who actually needs one. I know a fantastic pediatrician who is very discrete. She's even tended to all of NBR's kids."

"You're really okay with this?"

"Yes, I promise. Now, do you have a car seat?" When she nods silently he motions for her to lead the way.

She unlocks her door and picks up a heavy child seat, the front facing kind that comes after the infant carrier (designed like the Costco Alpha Omega Elite).

He watches her struggle getting it outside, so when she sets it down to lock her door he picks it up and nods towards the jeep. "Come on, I'll call on the way. You just hold her and I'll put the seat in." He chuckles when she looks at him skeptically while following him. "What? I've helped with Molly when she was this size."

"You're just full of surprises aren't you?" She knows there's more to this than he's saying but lets it go for now. She figures since he knows one of hers he'll eventually share one of his.

Once they're loaded up and on the road he places the call to the peds office and sets the little one up with an immediate appointment with Dr. Sarah James.

Fade out. Scene change…

Standing on either side of the exam table with Lily-Bell between them they wait for the doctor to come into the room. When the door opens a woman in her early forties, with black hair and chocolate colored skin, walks into the room with a sweet cheerful voice greeting them, "Good morning miss Rose. What's wrong with your daughter this morning?"

She looks from the doctor to Kris and back again, unsure if she really grasps the amount of secrecy needed. Out of the corner of her eyes she sees Kris nod giving her the strength to answer the woman. "She started running a high fever yesterday around 3pm. Then she started vomiting around 2am. Since then once she had expelled everything she refuses to drink or eat anything," Her voice starting to quiver towards the end.

Sarah nods and steps forward, "Let's take a look then." She reaches for her stethoscope, shaking her head to silently stop Butterfly from moving as she listens to the baby's breathing. She smiles and coos softly at Lily-Bell but otherwise stays silent throughout her examination. When she's through she looks up at Butterfly, "In the last twenty-four to forty-eight hours how many wet diapers has she had? Also was it dark yellow almost orange? Strong?"

"She went through three yesterday, and her last one was at around five this morning. It was pretty dark by then and really strong."

"Do you nurse? Or is she on formula or regular milk?"

She bites her lip as she takes a deep breath, not sure of Kris' reaction as she admits, "I'm still nursing."

"Did you stop when her symptoms started?"

"Yes ma'am."

Sarah makes a few notes on the baby's chart then looks back up at them. "With your permission miss Rose I'd like to run a couple of blood tests. The results shouldn't take long. Would that be all right?" She watches her nod hesitantly. "Don't worry I'll send in someone I know I can trust. She's helped me with all of the kids of NBR," When the girl nods again nervously she leaves the room retrieving the nurse; Monique.

Monique enters the room not even five minutes later with a warm smile, "Good morning! Well you are just a pair of dolls aren't you?" She greets both girls as she approaches them. "I want you to just hug her against you with her back to you and just talk to her or sing to her." She instructs Butterfly.

"Yes ma'am." She turns Lilly-Bell around as instructed though she is half asleep. Before the needle is even near her she starts singing what sounds like the chorus of a song no one else has ever heard before, a lullaby, causing the sleepy girl to look up.

Hush lil' angel,
And close your eyes.
Sleep lil' angel,
And dream through the night.

Hush lil' angel,
And close your eyes.
Sleep lil' angel,
Dream until the morning light.

Lilly-Bell only whimpers at the initial prick of the needle and towards the end of the second vial, her attention fully enraptured by her mother's voice. The pacifier in her mouth moving as she sucks it, her cloudy blue/green eyes looking around, this time she seems more aware of the other people in the room.

Monique gathers things up saying, "I should have the results within the hour, Sarah will come back in and discuss everything." Before she makes it out the door she is stopped by Kris who whispers in her ear. She nods and touches his cheek, "I'll pass the message along to Sarah dear. Take care and stop being such a stranger, okay?"

Once she is gone Butterfly looks at a very nervous Kris asking, "How do you know them? Who are they?"

He walks toward her, stopping on the other side of the exam table from her as he rakes a hand nervously through his hair, "Sarah's maiden and professional name is James, and married is Mills. She's Shay's wife. Monique is Kyle's wife. That's how I know they'll keep your secret and not just from the press."

She lets what he's said sink in a moment before saying, "Thank you, for bringing us here."

Softly he smiles as he reaches out to stroke the baby's too warm cheek with the back of his hand. "You both deserve the best kiddo, as your friend I'm planning to ensure you stop trying to settle for less."

"You know after this morning I am sort of sorry I kept this from you for so long."

"Well I', sorry I pried so hard. Everyone has at least one secret they're waiting for the right person to come along to tell."

"Even you?"

He laughs nodding his head as he walks over to the empty chair beside her, "Even me. You think I am just an open book don't you?"

"Aren't you?"

He pats the chair beside him, waiting until she and Lilly-Bell have sat down facing him before he starts, "I'm polite and friendly and I grew up with all of the kids of NBR, but aside from Casey and Melody I am not exactly friends with the others. It's like being friends with a sibling or a cousin, sometimes it happens and other times it doesn't. I've only known you a month maybe but with the way we talk it's more. I talk to you in some ways more deeply and intimately than anyone else, even Casey. But because you didn't grow up here you're as in the dark as anyone else who didn't." He can see it in her eyes that she's upset to be as in the dark as the public when he knows her secret, well one at least.

Before either of them can say anything else Sarah walks into the room carrying the baby's chart. "Well Miss Rose you did the right thing seeking medical attention. For starters your daughter is dehydrated. Until she's back to normal and not vomiting you need to be giving her pedialite. If she has problems keeping it down give her a table spoon every minute. Also keep nursing her or pumping. I am going to give you something that will hopefully settle her stomach. I am also giving her antibiotics for her ear infection and bronchitis. She needs plenty of rest and plenty of fluids. If she is still having trouble keeping down fluids call me first thing in the morning and we may need to have her admitted. What brought all of these on is that she has the flu." She hands the prescription to Kris before leading them out and sending them on their way.


Commercial: Now would be the time for a word from our sponsors, but they are currently experiencing writer's block!


Kris and Butterfly are sitting in a dimly lit living room on an old tattered sofa talking quietly. She's now bringing up the conversation that had been interrupted in the doctor's office. "Since you know one of my secrets, will you tell me the one you mentioned earlier?"

He sighs softly nodding as he says, "Yes, it's only fair after all." He turns to face her more fully. "This won't sound like a very big deal to you, especially considering Lilly-Bell. For me though it's everything." He pauses again as he rakes his hand through his hair before finally getting to his secret. "Remember yesterday when you asked about my parents?" I asked you to let the issue go then because I didn't want to flat out lie to you. It's also why I danced around the subject of Jude and Tom's AWOL son; same reason. Outside of family now no one knows I'm the one who went AWOL," His last sentence coming out in a mere whisper as he drops his gaze to his lap.

She looks at him confused and skeptically asking, "But they named their son Tom, didn't they?"

"They did, Thomas Kristopher Quincy Dutois. I used our private legal last name and my middle so that I could make my way in the business on talent and not just who my parents are. I also got tired of the paparazzi stalking me." He can see the expression marring her features but he can't figure out if it's good or bad, the former is what he's hoping for.

She can read the worry in his eyes and reaches over touching his knee. "I'm glad you told me Kris, it's just a bit to take in."

"But you're okay with it?"

"Of course, I understand the desire for privacy. That's why I want to keep my daughter a secret. You and Sadie are the only ones at NBR who know."

"What do you do with her while you're in the studio?"

"An older woman who lives upstairs comes down and stays with her." The ton of her voice gives away the fact she doesn't like the arrangement in the least.

He looks around her small two bedroom apartment, in her defense it wasn't a bad place to live. In his opinions however it is not ideal or safe for her or the baby. "Why don't you two come over to my apartment for the weekend? That way I can help you with her while she's sick?"

"I don't know… She's a handful when she's sick and besides, would we get in trouble? Friends or not professionally I'm still your artist."

"I'm sure they would understand. Though since you don't want anyone else to know about her yet I'll just tell them you were really sick and I felt it best if you were there with me so I could look after you."

"You're determined aren't you?"

"Of course, besides, it's that or I'm crashing on your couch for the weekend. I think my place would be more comfortable for all of us, don't you?" He flashes an innocent smile.

"Okay, I give. Let me get a bag ready. Then will you hold her while I fold up her bed?"

"She's sleeping in a playpen?"

"Yes, her room isn't very big and I couldn't really see buying two beds since I need her in my room sometimes so a playpen seemed the most logical."

"That makes sense." He waits until she's out of the room to start texting his aunt Sadie.

TK: Aunt Sades cover for me w/rents this wk/nd?
SW: What's going on?
TK: Found out Rose's secret. Baby sick, taking them to my place.
SW: Story be, Rose sick you're caring for her as a friend?
TK: Yes thanks!
SW: YW Be careful
TK: ?
SW: You know how your rents started.
TK: Just friends and my record's spotless.
SW: Exactly. Careful. Luv you!
TK: Luv you too!

He ends the conversation just before Butterfly comes back into the room. He allows himself to be lost in his thoughts even as he helps load up the girls into his jeep, taking them to his penthouse on the other side of town.


Today's episode was brought to you by American Mom studios of California. In association with Space Monkey productions and sponsored by Space Monkey Inc. Though SM inc. is currently experiencing writer's block…

On the next episode World Instant Star: The New Generation

"So my very sexy wife, did you come in here with a purpose other than to torment me?"

"Ray-Ray? There's no way I would ever…"

"How could I have been so stupid!?"

"Honestly? He looked devastated, like he had just lost his best friend."