AN: Thanks to everyone who's ever read or is reading this. And thanks to everyone who's reviewed. You all rock! Just a quick note: I think this chapter's supposed to be rated M, because…well, you'll see. But I didn't know if you all would like it or not, since none of us like the people who are involved in what happens. And if this sounds confusing, it'll all become clear really fast. So if you're underage, please don't read this. For the rest of you, here's the next chapter. As always, let me know what you think, OK? Good. I hope you like it.

Special AN's:

Rachel, I know, I'm evil. And I also don't know who it's going to be. OK, I do, and I think I know what everyone will say right after they read it.

Lizzy, I know, OK. I'm going to tell you right now. Or once I finish my special ANs.

jude-and-tommy-4eva-summer-bay, you'll find out soon enough. Just read below…

Tanya, aww, you're soooo sweet! Thank you soooo much! I had a great birthday. But it could've been better if I got Tim. Lol. Now where have I heard your suggestions before? Lol. Although the E.J./Speed thing would be kinda scary. I'd hate to see what kind of kids they'd have. Crazy, non-stop talkative rockers/fashion consultants, that's for sure.

Tommys my 21, thank you! I think I've heard that one before. I think one of them should be Darius. Or maybe not. I don't know yet.

judetomfan101, I so can't agree with you more! But I do love that accent. If only Liam weren't such an ass.

Carlz02, nah, you're much sweeter! Lol. And I'm soooo happy you love it! This chapter's going to be a little different, but the weird part's really small, so it'll be over before you know it.

Monkeyluver42, I'm dying to find out myself. But we'll find out who it is right…now.

Disclaimer: I wish I owned Instant Star and the characters. But it doesn't matter anyway. Tim's mine!

Last time…

While we were still making out pretty heavily, we heard sounds coming from the next room. They sounded like us. Jude broke away, and glanced at me curiously.

"As much as I hate to end our little orgy, do you want to see who's hooking up?" Jude said.

I contemplated her question, and thought that even though I loved making love with Jude, I was dying to find out who it was. I nodded, as Jude and I started dressing, and then we walked over to the other room.

The door was locked, as was ours, so we resumed making out until we heard the door open. I turned around, since Jude was facing the door, and I was looking at the wall, and our jaws dropped as we saw who it was.

"OMG!" Jude said, as our minds finally processed what we'd just witnessed.

Chapter 37: A Secret Tryst

My mind went blank, as I saw who emerged from the room.

"Darius?" I said, still struggling to picture Darius with someone. He was so, well…Darius. The only thing D loved more than himself was money, which could probably explain who he was with.

"Liam?" Jude asked, as Liam followed Darius out.

"Don't say a word," Darius hissed through his teeth. "You saw nothing, you'll do nothing." He looked menacingly at us, while Liam smirked. He knew he could get away with anything now that he was with Darius.

Jude nodded mutely, too afraid to say anything. I also nodded my head. If I said anything about this, no one would believe me.

Liam took Darius' hand, and they walked away before Jude or I could say anything.

"Wow," was all Jude could say after what had happened.

"Yeah, I sure as hell didn't see that coming," I admitted. I knew Darius and Liam were close, but not that close. I'll have to keep my gay jokes to myself now. And Kwest. He likes Sadie too much to be gay.

"Yeah, I guess I can't complain to Darius about Liam anymore," Jude was still stunned.

"You're right, even though Liam's the biggest butt," I said, as Jude burst out laughing. She took my arm, and we went back to the party.

The first person we saw was Georgia.

"Hey, G," I said, trying to look as casual as possible. "I just saw Darius. Know why he's here?"

"Yeah, he's probably trying to scope out your studio, see what he's up against," Georgia called out over the roar of the crowd.

"That figures," I said, as Jude looked worriedly at me. "He loses his top producer and artist, and a few of his best people, and he says it's nothing to worry about, that he'll still be the king of the music world, but he still worries enough to check us out. I got him right where I want him."

"Yeah, but how are we going to compete with all of the talent he's acquired?" Jude said. "We'll probably end up getting his scraps."

"Maybe we will, maybe we won't," I said mysteriously. I was planning to start off small, recruit some of the artists who didn't win the competition, but were up-and-coming in the charts. Enough to make waves and send Darius's nerves on overdrive. Then, when my artists started churning out #1 singles, I'd get more and more publicity, and more and more artists would want to join my label. Then, Darius would start losing his grip on his huge piece of the music industry, and they'd start coming to me like bees to honey.

"What do you have planned?" Jude asked, knowing I was up to something.

"Well, for starters, I was going to recruit some local talent, and see if any of them would work with SME," I said, knowing I'd get Georgia's attention.

"Just what I was thinking," Georgia said, nodding her head in approval. "And once we get E.J. on it, it'll be all over the news."

"Yeah," Jude said, smiling. "No one's better at getting attention than E.J."

"Did someone call me?" E.J. said, breezing past us and stopping. She put her arms around Jude and Georgia, looking at all of us curiously.

"Yeah, E.J., we were just talking about you. Can you spread the word that SME's going to be performing at our new studio?"

"Can I put together a wardrobe for everyone and plan a huge party within an hour?" E.J. wondered aloud. Without waiting for anyone's response, she said, "Duh. I'll have at least a hundred people here by tomorrow." She rushed off, and started networking the way she always did.

"No one outlasts E.J. when she's going, and going, and going…" Georgia quipped, using the phrase that was usually reserved for the Energizer bunny.

"You got that right," I said, running my hand through my hair.

"Or Tommy," Jude smiled coyly at me, insinuating what I thought she was.

"God, guys, is that all you can think about?" Georgia threw up her hands in mock exasperation. "We'll never be able to outdo Darius if you guys are too busy doing it 24/7."

"You're right, Georgia. We do have to catch our breaths, you know. And when we do, we'll schedule our artists around our all-out sex marathons. At least until we're up for another round." I smiled as Georgia shook her head mutely, not knowing what to do with us.

"Speaking of which," Jude said, wrapping her arm around my waist. "We never did finish what we started…"

"Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking. Care to join me, Jude?" I replied, holding my hand out for Jude to take.

"It'd be my pleasure," Jude said, her emotions displayed openly for everyone to see.

"Only half," I said, grinning.

"I'd like to challenge that statement," Jude responded.

"Oh really? We'll see who's right, won't we?" I said, as we completely ignored Georgia and left the party to finish our own.

AN: I've got a great idea for the next chapter, and then after that will be the first day of Tommy's and Jude's studio. We'll see how that goes, and if it works out for them. Until then, please review (and let me know if you like it or not).