AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed my last chapter. Funkyicecube, love your username. And Duddley111, your comment reminded me to keep things real. And Tommy4eva, I couldn't agree more with your comment. I hope that doesn't happen on the upcoming episode.
Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star or any of the characters.
Last time…
"Do you love him?" Jamie said, raising his head to look at her.
Jude slowly looked at Jamie, noticing how hurt and upset he must be. "Jamie, he's my producer. You can't expect us not to have a relationship after spending so many hours in the studio together."
"That's not what I asked," Jamie said, then repeated his question. "Do you love him?"
For a long time, Jude couldn't answer. Finally, she spoke. "I don't know."
"Then I don't know if we can be friends," Jamie said, getting up and heading toward the door.
"I'm tired of watching Tommy hurt you...If you think I'm going to wait around forever, I won't. Until you figure out who it is you want, I don't know if I can be around you anymore," Jamie concluded, disappointment laced in his voice. He walked out, and Jude crumpled to the floor, sobbing.
Minutes later, Tommy came back in. He saw Jude on the floor, and knelt down beside her.
"Shh, Jude, it's going to be OK," he murmured, wishing he could take away all her pain and sorrow. She cried harder into his shoulder instinctively, as he continued to stroke her hair, her shoulders, her back, and he wiped her tears away with the back of his hand.
"Tommy, don't," Jude said, suddenly realizing what she was doing. "I…I can't do this, not with you," She got up, backed away, then turned and fled.
Tommy was left all alone, wondering how he could keep working with her after what happened. He buried his face in his hands, then raked his hand through his hair. Hours passed, as Tommy contemplated what he had to do. Finally, Tommy made what seemed like the most difficult decision he'd ever made, and he went to talk to Georgia.
Chapter 7: Choices…
Tommy slowly trudged toward Georgia's office. He saw that it was slightly open, and knocked politely.
"Come in," Georgia called. As Tommy entered, he saw that Georgia's office had its usual appearance: papers scattered everywhere, several lines flashing red on her desk telephone, and Georgia rummaging through them all. She looked disheveled for one so usually composed, and Tommy couldn't help but feel guilty about what he was going to spring on her.
"Can I get back to you?" Georgia asked whoever was on the line. She waited for a split second, then put the person on hold. She put the phone down, then folded her hands in her lap. "What can I do for you, Tommy?"
"Georgia, I was wondering if I could take a break. Just for a little bit," Tommy said.
"Sure, go out for a few hours, then come back. I do that sometimes when everything's piling up on you." Georgia looked relieved. She'd thought that Tommy had come to see her about something more important.
"Look, G, that's not what this is about. I meant, could I take a break? As in, I don't know when I'll be back?" Tommy said, waiting for Georgia to blow her top.
"I'm sorry, Tommy, I really am. Normally I'd say yes, but all our producers are booked. I can't afford to let you off for a few days, weeks, or even a few months, on such short notice." Georgia knew Tommy wouldn't take off like this, unless… "Tommy, is there something I should know about?"
"No, not at all," Tommy said, a little too quickly.
"Are you sure that it doesn't have to do with a certain famous redhead-turned-blonde?" Georgia smirked as Tommy immediately reacted.
"What makes you think this has anything to do with Jude?" Tommy said defensively.
"You said it, not me," Georgia shot back, triumphant. "Anyway, doesn't it always? You never leave when we're in the middle of an album. Especially not hers."
"Georgia, let me explain. I just can't be around Jude right now. Can't you put Kwest on it? Please?" Tommy flashed one of his thousand-watt smiles, and Georgia caved in.
"OK, but you owe me. Big. Jude's not gonna be the same without you producing her. I can see it now: Watch out, people! Make way for moody, sobby, Jude Harrison…She just hasn't been the same since former Boyz Attack member and former producer left her to fend for herself. Jude Harrison: Underage Druggie? Punk Princess Jude Harrison Thrown In Jail for Drinking, Vandalism, and Assault. And if anyone asks, I'll just be sure to tell them that it was because you left her." Georgia sat back, looking extremely pleased with herself.
"Fine, whatever," Tommy ground out. "It doesn't matter anyway. She doesn't want to be around me."
"Don't be too sure about that," Georgia replied, a gleam in her eye. "Since you're officially done for the day, why don't you go on your mini-vacation?"
"Thanks, chief," Tommy said, and practically ran outside to his waiting Viper.
Georgia murmured, "The things I do for them…" She got up, walked over to the studio where Jude was practicing. Kwest had taken over the soundboard, and another engineer was helping him.
She held down the button, and spoke into the intercom. "Jude, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Jude put down her guitar, jumped up, and came over. "What is it?" Kwest glanced at the engineer next to him, and he got up and left like his pants were on fire.
"I've been thinking, maybe you need a break. You've spent all week in here, and I keep having to excuse you from school," Georgia hoped she didn't sound like she was promoting education more than she was music.
"No, it's great," Jude said, although Georgia thought she detected a little bit of insincerity in Jude's voice. "You're always after me to write something new, and I've written a lot of new stuff." She looked at Kwest, who quickly added, "Yeah, you should hear some of it. It's awesome!"
"If it's about heartbreak, toss it. I don't want you to become the next country music star," Georgia said.
"But…" Jude protested. She glanced at Kwest as if to say, "Back me up." Kwest just shrugged, clearly at a loss for words. He knew when to cross Georgia, and when to back off, and this was one of those times that he needed to let it go.
"No buts, Jude. I want you to go in there, and come up with a song that has a positive message," Georgia said firmly. "You're one of the voices of this studio, and I expect that you'll live up to everyone's expectations of how G Major artists are supposed to act."
Jude consented, knowing that if she didn't, more lectures would be given in her direction. She turned and began to walk away, but before she could take the first step, Georgia held out her hands. Without another word, Jude handed her lyrics over to Georgia, and walked away glumly.
"Oh, and Jude?" Georgia said. Jude was halfway to the door.
"Hmm?" Jude wondered what Georgia wanted to tell her now.
"Kwest will be your producer until further notice." Georgia waited for Jude's reaction.
"Great!" For the first time in a long time, Jude looked completely happy.
"Georgia, I can't, I'm swamped," Kwest complained. "Why can't Tommy be her producer?"
Jude flinched as Kwest mentioned Tommy's name. Georgia shook her head, and Kwest got the hint.
"OK, Jude. What about Jamie?" Georgia tried again.
Jude froze as Georgia mentioned Jamie's name, and it was Kwest's turn to shake his head.
"On second thought, I'd be glad to help out," Kwest said, just as Jude threw herself at him.
"Thank you, Kwest," Jude said, "You won't regret this."
"If you say so," Georgia said under her breath. She cleared her throat, and Jude glanced back at Georgia. "OK, go record if you're ready. Go write if you're not," she said as Jude took off, her notebook and pencil in one hand, and her guitar in the other.
"What about Tommy?" Kwest asked, slightly worried that Tommy would be upset if he knew Kwest had taken over producing Jude's album.
"Tommy's on break until further notice," Georgia said. She expected that Kwest would be upset; most of the staff would.
"Oh," Kwest nodded in understanding. Apparently, Kwest knew more about Tommy and Jude's situation better than most people gave him credit for.
"One more thing…" Georgia prompted.
"I know the drill. I'll have something for you tomorrow," Kwest promised.
"Now that's what I like to hear," Georgia clapped him on the back. "What are you waiting for? Go," she urged. Kwest did as Georgia told him, and she escorted him to the door. She followed Kwest out the door, and went into the main lobby.
"Hold my calls, will you?" she asked the main secretary. "I'll be back in a few hours." The secretary nodded as Georgia left the building. She knew better than to question the big boss lady.
Georgia got to the parking lot, and hopped in her car. She drove to two places, and bought an item from each.
"I can't wait," she thought, loving how good her actions made her feel.
AN: OK, I'm sure I gave away a little more than I wanted to, but I'm sure you can figure out what's next. Soooo, is it good? You tell me. And if you have any suggestions on how to make this better, I'd love to hear them. And I can't stress this enough, but please, please, please, keep your reviews coming! I even encourage flames! I got one once, and it helped me a lot with my writing (At least I hope it did. But that's up to you now, isn't it? I think reviews are a measure of how good one's writing is. So if I don't get that many, I'll feel like I've failed you all, and that I should just quit and spare the rest of you from the horror of reading my awful fanfics). Thank you!