AN: I'll be posting up a couple of chapters today, since I won't have any time tomorrow to write. Thanks to Chloe as always for reviewing – you rock! And tampabay15, star08, Shannon (I love your comment – it was so funny ;o)! ), Elizabeth Busa, ilovetommy (I can't get enough of your username ;o)! ), tommys21, jcriminal714, and everyone else who reads my fanfic (but doesn't review). Thank you all – I love you guys!

Disclaimer: I don't own Instant Star, but I wish I did. Enough said.

Chapter 13: One Step Forward…

Andrew had the receptionist call in their order, and immediately set to work on sectioning off the search area. He surrounded himself with maps, usual escape routes, anything that would give a clue as to Jude's whereabouts. He spent the next few hours hard at work, and came to talk to Tommy, Kwest, and Lisa to update them on his plans.

"You look awful," Andrew said to Tommy, noticing the sad look in his eyes, flattened hair, and how he was busy fiddling with the zippers on his leather jacket. His gaze roamed over to his untouched slices of pizza, and smiled as Kwest and Lisa's plates were empty, except for a few crumbs.

"I can't eat, I can't think, I just want her safe," Tommy said, helpless to control his emotions. "I want to find her, see if she's OK…"

"We all do, man," Kwest said, patting his friend's shoulder. "But you can't save her if you starve to death. Why don't you get a couple bites, then we'll go looking out in the streets for her?"

"Yeah," Lisa added. "Andrew, got a plan that will help us rescue Jude?"

"Yeah, I think this is the best way to go about it," Andrew said. He quickly filled them in on what he was planning, while Tommy managed to get a few mouthfuls of pizza down. Then they set off in Kwest's car, so that they wouldn't attract attention if they were spotted.

About 40 minutes later, Kwest pulled slowly up to the place. "Are you sure this is it?" He asked, looking anxiously at the property. It was a typical house in a residential neighborhood, except for the fact that all the lights were off, there was no car in the driveway, and the house looked like it had been years since it had a fresh coat of paint, and the yard looked as if it hadn't been mowed in months.

"According to the information I have it is," Andrew said. He glanced around to make sure no one was around, then motioned for everyone to follow him.

They crept up to the place, as it was now evening, and they got to the front door.

"What now?" whispered Lisa.

"Shh," Andrew put a finger to his lips, and shook his head. He motioned with his head to go in.

Then they noticed the front door wasn't even closed, and they slowly but quietly pushed the front door open and walked inside.

It was pitch black, and Andrew had brought some flashlights for them to use, in case someone was there.

"This way," he mouthed to the group. The house was almost completely empty, except for a couple boxes and a couple of chairs.

Andrew's detective skills kicked in as he quickly scanned the room. Then his gaze fell on one of the chairs, which was situated near one of the boxes. He walked over, and picked up a sheet of paper. He quickly skimmed over it, then read it aloud.

"Dear Tommy and Kwest,

I know the cops are involved, so I've taken her to a safer place. One you won't be finding anytime soon, not even with Andrew helping you. Good luck in finding her, guys. You're going to need it.

The Kidnapper"

Tommy cursed as he heard this, and Lisa asked aloud, "How'd they know about Andrew?"

"He, or she, just wants to psyche us out, make him/her think they're all professional. But sooner or later, they'll slip up, and that's when we'll get 'em."

Then Kwest voiced his concern, the one that Tommy had been too afraid to talk about. "What if it's too late? What if Jude's gone by the time we find her?"

The four of them looked at one another silently, not knowing what to say, then Andrew called the station to file a missing persons report.

AN: I know, it's a little short, but I think if they're short enough, I'll just have to post more often. Let me know if you like it so far (or if you don't).