AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed my last chapter. Jess, thanks for the tip. I think I might use that idea in a future chapter (I don't know yet). Chloe, you got it. This one's for all of you.

Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star or any of the characters. But I do own Nicole.

Last time…

Tommy jumped in his Viper, and floored it all the way there.

When he got there, Jude was waiting outside.

He got out of the car, and walked over to where she was leaning against her car.

"Hi," Tommy broke the silence first.

"Hi," Jude responded.

For a second, neither of them moved. But as they continued to gaze at one another, something inside them snapped. They threw themselves into each other's arms, and held one another for what seemed like an eternity. After a long time, they broke apart.

Chapter 9: The Long Road Back

"Tommy, I-" Jude backed away again, realizing what she'd almost done. Again.

"Jude, wait." Tommy pled, letting his emotions get the best of him.

"Tommy, no," Jude fought to keep Tommy from embracing her. She struggled to keep him from hugging her, but he did it anyways.

"Hey, it's me," Tommy said softly, gazing into her eyes. "Your producer? Your wingman?" He touched his forehead to hers, and continued looking into her eyes until she finally calmed down.

They stood in silence, not touching, not moving. Finally, Tommy ran his hand through his hair, and spoke up.

"Look, Jude, about Jamie-" Tommy began.

"That's my business, not yours," Jude said, sounding defensive.

"I know," Tommy said, backing off. "I just, I wanted to tell you that I went through it with my best friend."

"Chaz?" Jude was repulsed.

"Not quite. His little sister. Her name was Nicole, and she was just about the biggest Boyz Attack fan ever. But her favorite member wasn't her brother, Chaz. It was me. Every time I had a break from touring, Chaz would invite me over to his place, and Nicole would always try to throw herself all over me. At first, Chaz thought nothing of it. He was happy that his little sister liked our group. But after a while, Chaz and I began having disagreements about little things, like the kind of music we wrote, our dance moves, everything. And it didn't help that he would go home and rant, and Nicole never took his side. She took mine. She told him that if he were any good like I was, that he'd have no trouble getting along with me. That it was his fault we were fighting, that he was the one stirring up trouble. I kept trying to tell her that it wasn't Chaz, it was just a difference in opinion, but the more I told her that, the more she saw me as a humble, modest guy trying to distort the truth from what it really was. Eventually, I quit the group, knowing I couldn't resolve the increasing distance between them, which I'd started in the first place, and to this day, Chaz has never forgiven me or Nicole."

Tommy stopped just then, and Jude looked at him. "Tommy, I had no idea."

"You never asked," Tommy returned evenly.

"Yeah? Well, you never mentioned it. Come to think of it, why do you always know everything that's going on with me, but I know nothing about what you're going through?" Jude wondered.

"Because I care," Tommy said. Before Jude could read more into it, he quickly added, "Look, if something's bothering you, you're not gonna be as good as you can be. I'm here to fix that. I'm the guy who listens to what you think, and I try to get you on the right track if you're not. I'm here for you, to listen, to give advice, or whatever else you might need. So, tell me what's wrong," Tommy said, drawing Jude back into his arms and just stroking her back gently.

"OK," Jude sighed, as tears threatened to fall once more. "How do you tell your best friend that you're not interested in a relationship?"

"There's no easy way to do that," Tommy stated the obvious. "But you can be a friend to him. Once he knows you're there for him, that you're always going to be there for him, it'll be a little easier to take."

"You think so?" Jude was still worried.

"Yeah, and if all else fails, set him up with Kat." Tommy said, as if that solved everything.

"A distraction…I like that," Jude said, beginning to smile a little. Then her expression turned serious. "So where does that leave us?"

"Jude, where is this coming from?" Tommy asked, thinking that he already knew the answer.

"Just something Jamie said," Jude replied.

"Would you mind telling me about it?" Tommy asked as politely as he could.

"He asked me…he asked me if I loved you…" Jude's voice trailed off, as she looked questioningly at Tommy.

"Do you?" Tommy asked bluntly, already knowing the answer.

Jude couldn't bring herself to say yes, but the look on her face said it all.

"Jude, you know we can't be involved," Tommy said, wishing with all his heart the opposite was true.

"Tommy, why?" Jude didn't think her heart could break any more than it had, but just when she thought she was as heartbroken as anyone could be, it got even worse.

"Jude, I can't. You're my artist, and I'm your producer. If Georgia finds out about this, she could fire us both. And I won't let that happen to you. You're just starting out. You've still got so many years ahead of you." Tommy hated doing this to her, but it was the truth after all.

"Tommy, don't. Not again," Jude begged.

"It has to be this way, Jude. Don't you think I wouldn't love to sneak around with you, stealing kisses when we're alone, holding hands, and just being with you? But what good is that if we can't be in love in front of the people who know us best? Your family, your friends, Georgia, E.J., the rest of the industry? I don't want to ruin your career, and you don't want me to lose my job. But at the same time, we can't stand not being together, but if we do, that means people will find out, either I, you, or both of us will be fired, and I don't work as well without you, and vice versa. So either it's friendship or nothing, Jude, take your pick."

"I choose...friendship," Jude conceded, looking completely miserable at the thought.

"I do too," Tommy said, gazing at her lovingly. Then he remembered he wasn't allowed to have feelings for her, and tried to change the subject by saying, "Come on, let's go in."

They walked in the club together, and noticed that there were a few people inside setting up tables and chairs.

"Hey, wasn't this a broken down club a long time ago?" Jude remembered when it came out over the news a few years ago.

"Yeah, but it's not anymore." Tommy took in the decor, then said, "Did you bring your dress with you?"

"Oh no," Jude clapped her hand to her forehead. "I left it back at the studio."

"Come on," Tommy said, "We've got to be back here in an hour, and it's a 20-25 minute drive one way." As an afterthought, he said, "Let's take the Viper."

"Why do we need to go back?" Jude said, puzzled. "Tommy, what's going on?"

"OK, I booked you for a couple songs, and you're on in an hour. So let's go already!" Tommy said, hoping she'd agree to it without complaining about how short-notice it was

"Oh, I'm so glad you decided to tell me about it now. Why didn't you tell me about this before?" Jude was furious.

"Because I didn't think you wanted to do it," Tommy guessed.

"Of course I do, I live to perform." Jude was still angry at him, but her animosity faded slowly as she looked into his deep blue eyes.

"Just, do it, OK? For me?" Tommy gave her his best smile, knowing she'd be putty in his hands in no time.

"Fine, but you so owe me, Tommy Q," Jude said. She thought for a moment, then said, "How about…I get to drive your Viper?"

"No way, I saw you drive before, and I'm not letting you touch my baby." Tommy said firmly, frowning.

"Aww, is widdle Tommy Q protective of his widdle car?" Jude said, using baby talk.

"Hey, don't push it," Tommy warned. "Let's just go before I smack something."

Jude hastily agreed (while trying to conceal her laughter), and they drove back as fast as they could.

Once they got the necklace, the dress, the shoes, they drove right back.

"Go get 'em, girl. Bring the house down," Tommy said, right before Jude took to the stage.

AN: Soooo, what's next? I've got writer's block, but you can probably guess that. I need your help to come up with something good, otherwise, the next chapter might be my last. And I hope the story flows well (although I know I kinda jumped from Jude being all mad and upset over the whole thing to laughing at Tommy's anger over being teased about his nickname and being protective of his car).