A/N: 3 months. Time needs to slow the eff down. Or I need to get with the times. I'm still not sure. Here you go…

Oh and semi-big news: If you happened to read 'Rock N Roll Singer,' (before it fell off the face of the earth, that is) I heard that there's a high chance of an update soon. There was a song and the finding of some old papers and you know how those wheels start turning… :]

THANKS: to you.

Disclaimer: A/N at the bottom. I own Samantha and Jessica. Don't own The Bitter End (and I'm okay with that seeing as The Sunset Strip owns my soul…). Song lyrics info will be released in two chapters, but there is a thing called Google if you're impatient like me. :]

R&R or R&L please.

THANKS MUCHO!

From "One Summer Night":

Jude brushed the man off and dropped her t-shirt, the fabric clinging to her body. "It's not a big deal."

"I think my friend has a spare tee in his office, if – "

"Okay," Jude started, as she finally looked up at the man. Her eyes widened. "Tommy?"

Don't Stand So Close To Me

Chapter 31

"G-Major Pain In My Ass"

His eyes had been glued to her chest, but when he heard her say his name, he looked up. There she was. He swallowed hard. "Jude?"

"Tommy."

"Ju – "

"Jude! You made it."

Jude looked over her shoulder; the sudden onslaught of hearing her name repeated so many times creating a pain in her head. There stood a smiling Kwest in the doorway of the studio she had been intrigued by before she ran into Tommy.

Tommy.

Jude pointed at Kwest and then at herself. "You. Me. Now."

Kwest sighed and backed away, letting Jude into the studio. Tommy caught his eyes and Kwest shook his head. "Go fetch us a sandwich or something. We're going to need it."

Tommy shook his head, a smirk on his face. Then Kwest's words registered in his head. We're going to need it.

Tommy groaned and turned around, realizing how much of a mess his spilled iced coffee really made.

-M-

The studio was silent sans Jude's breathing. Her I-can't-get-enough-oxygen, I-can't-feel-my-fingers, If-I-die-it's-all-Tommy's-fault breathing.

At least that's how Kwest took it.

He hated being the bearer of bad news, but being Tommy's best friend – bad news was the territory they lived in. And Jude had to realize that. Especially now that her career depended on it.

That was probably the worst thing – worse than telling Jude Tommy was back and most likely for good. That his job was done – that Tommy would be the one producing her. That she would have to be in the same room as him for long stretches of time and she couldn't scratch his eyes out with her pencil. Or cut off some part of anatomy he'd probably like to keep with her guitar strings.

She had to be professional.

When the spots before her eyes started to get smaller, Jude spoke again. "How long have you known?"

Kwest chose his words wisely. "Known what exactly?"

Jude arched an eyebrow. "Everything."

"I knew before he did." Kwest sighed. "I always knew he'd leave. He had to. It's how he works."

Jude began to close her eyes.

"But I always knew he'd come back too."

Jude stared at Kwest. "Did you know where he was? All this time? What he was doing?"

Kwest swallowed hard. He didn't want to lie to her. Especially not now. Not when they had formed a semblance of friendship. "I knew where he was. All this time. Because I'm the one who set it up."

Jude clenched her jaw. She wanted the truth, but that didn't mean it was easy to hear.

"I vaguely remember the what though. The places and services they provide all seem to run together now."

Jude's eyes widened. "Did you think this was the first place he'd run away to? Did you forget about Angie already?" Kwest asked.

Jude rolled her eyes. "I didn't forget. I just chose not to remember. Girls like to think they're special, you know."

A smirk formed on Kwest's face. "And you picked my best friend for that? Nice choice."

Jude flipped him the bird, a faint smile on her lips. She turned her chair slightly and then looked at Kwest, a question beginning to form. "So this was the reason you really came to Boston?"

Kwest frowned. "I didn't lie about why I was there. It was a little A&R."

"And a little birdie didn't tell you I was at Berklee?"

Kwest smiled. "I knew where you were. I knew that the chance of running into you was there. Did I think it would actually happen? Hell no."

A laugh poured out of Jude's lips and Kwest relaxed for a few seconds. "When I got there and saw you, I was intrigued. Then I heard you sing and I – I got chills." Jude looked away, a blush forming on her face. "That's why I wanted to sign you. Not because I knew you had dated Tom."

"Thank you," Jude said softly.

"But hearing you scared me." Jude stared at Kwest, taken aback by his words.

"Why?"

Before Kwest could answer, a knock sounded and the door opened. Tommy's head peaked around. "Sandwich?"

Jude rolled her eyes, getting out of her chair. Well there went that conversation. "I'm going to go get some coffee."

"You don't have to go. I – "

Jude stopped and stared at Tommy. "Yes. Yes, I do." She walked passed him before he could say anything.

"What exactly did you tell her?"

Kwest sighed. He wanted to finish his conversation with Jude. He knew she needed to hear him out. "Anything I thought she should hear – " Tommy groaned. " – from me."

Tommy stared at Kwest. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Kwest stood up. "It means you're not off the hook. You have some explaining left to do. I've cleaned up your messes long enough to know you still haven't learned all there is to about relationships, so deal with this one on your own."

Tommy sighed, brushing his face with his free hand.

"And don't fuck this up, T. We're actually starting to like each other."

-M-

Jude took one sip of coffee and smiled. The hot liquid took away everything she was feeling in that moment and she had never been more grateful.

The idea that Tommy – Tom – was back made her brain hurt. When he left over a year ago, she thought that maybe, probably, some time down the road, she'd see him again. In a supermarket with his wife and 2.5 kids and a white picket fence waiting for him at home. In an article in the newspaper from her hometown where he was a teacher and had been praised for some kind of award. At a restaurant where he sat in a dark corner with a brunette, looking longingly into her eyes.

But not like this. Never like this.

At a record label, spilling iced coffee on her shirt. Where his best friend had told her he was now her producer.

How the fuck had this happened?

"You look like me when I go shoe-shopping."

Jude turned her head and there sitting at the breakfast bar in G-Major's Hospitality was a blonde, sipping on some kind of tea. She wore a floral halter top that showed off her tan and a thick black headband held back her straight hair. Jude knew if she had tried to wear something like that, it would look all kinds of wrong. But on this chick, it looked effortless. Her mind flew to a brunette who also seemed to do – wear – say things effortlessly and Jude tightened her grip on the ceramic coffee cup in her hands.

"You sound like my sister," Jude said, smiling softly. She put her cup down on the counter and held out her hand. "I'm Jude."

The blonde shook her hand. "Samantha."

"So what's your genre?" Jude asked, picking up her cup again.

Samantha shook her head, a smirk on her face. "I don't sing, play, whatever. I stopped trying a long time ago. When I made my uncle deaf." A soft laugh filtered out of Jude's mouth. "I'm just here with the boyfriend."

"But you'd rather go shoe shopping."

"Is it that obvious?" Samantha whispered over her tea.

Jude shrugged. "Like I said, you sound like my sister. She'd probably hate it here too."

"I don't hate it here…exactly," Samantha said. "I just think I could be using my time a little more wisely is all."

Jude nodded. She understood Samantha…kind of. Okay, not really. But the idea of using someone's time wisely was pretty subjective, right?

"I just want to do – babe!"

Jude looked over her shoulder, trying to gauge whoever had gotten Samantha's attention, and coming around the corner was none other than…Tommy fucking Quincy, smiling widely no less. Asshole!

Jude felt all the air rush out of her body and her coffee cup slipped slightly in her hand. "Tom…"

Tommy turned his head. "Jude." The smile faded from his face.

"You two know each other?" Samantha asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

Tommy cleared his throat. "He's my producer," Jude said through clenched teeth. She put her coffee cup down, knowing it was only a matter of time before she dropped it or decided to chuck it at Tom.

A soft fluttering of clapping filled the space and Jude looked back at Samantha. She smiled widely. "Ooo, yay! I really like her, Tom."

The coffee swirled in her stomach and Jude wanted to punch something. Or someone.

A throat cleared and Jude looked over Samantha's shoulder.

"Ms. Bevans will see you now, Jude. You too, Tommy," Jessica said, a few files resting in her hands. "If you'll follow me."

Jude didn't bother saying goodbye. Not when she knew who Samantha was now. Not when she knew that Tom had moved on. Not when she felt like one wrong move on her part would cause her to lose control.

Jude took a deep breath, clenching her hands. Then she brushed past Tom and followed Jessica down the hall. She didn't bother turning around to see if he was behind her. The sound of lips against lips said it all.

-M-

The room was silent sans Georgia's soft voice and the papers she was shuffling around. Jude pulled at the loose threads from the hem of her t-shirt, humming a melody to herself. The smell of coffee resonated from the fabric and Jude cringed. Tommy.

As if on cue, Tom shuffled his feet against the wood floor again. Something was making him uneasy and Jude couldn't figure it out. She was sure her mere presence wasn't the cause. After all, it had only taken a year for Tom to replace her with a clone resembling her sister.

Jude sighed, the melody shifting in her head. Her fingers curled and she itched to have her guitar or at the very least a pen and piece of paper. From what seemed like out of nowhere, a ballpoint pen hit her right thigh and fell to the floor. Jude reached down to pick it up and then glanced to her left.

Tommy smiled sheepishly, holding a scrap of printer paper between his index finger and thumb. "I know that face."

Jude's jaw clenched. "I don't know what you're talking about." The mere thought that he could know exactly what was going through her head frightened her. Had this been their common ground all along – music?

Tommy sighed. "Jude – "

"Tom, I don't…care." But she did. More than she was willing to admit – even to herself. Instead of correcting herself, Jude grabbed the piece of paper from Tommy's hand and began jotting down the song that had started to build in her head.

Sometimes I watch the world go by
I wonder what it's like
To wake up every single day
Smile on your face
You never tried
We both know we can't change it
But we both know we'll just have to face it

Georgia placed the phone back onto the receiver and smiled. "Jude?"

Jude looked up, mid sentence. Georgia stood up and walked around her desk. Jude crushed the piece of paper in her right hand and slipped into her back pocket as she stood up.

"We haven't been formally introduced," Georgia started, extending her hand. "But I'm Georgia Bevan, owner of G-Major Records."

Jude nodded as she shook Georgia's hand. "Hi. Jude Harrison." Her voice was soft and timid.

"And I take it that you met your producer, Tommy Quincy?"

Jude turned her head and glanced at Tom. He was staring at her. "Yep."

"Well," Georgia said, wrapping one arm around Jude's shoulders. "I hope you enjoy G-Major and if this kid gives you any trouble, just holler." Jude smirked. "He's made superstars in the past, but sometimes he lets his head get the best of him."

Jude's jaw tightened, not quite understanding everything Georgia had said. Had he done this before? What exactly was their relationship? Jude's brow furrowed as her imagination went into overdrive.

Georgia squeezed Jude's shoulders and walked back to her desk where her phone began to ring. Before she picked it up, she glanced at Tom and then at Jude. "Glad I met the girl who stole Tommy's heart." Georgia winked. "Hope you're ready to take on the rest of Canada's."

-M-

"How are you holding up?"

Jude spun her chair around. Kwest leaned against the door jam of Studio C with his hands across his chest. "No clue. This is all a little…overwhelming."

Kwest smirked. "The 'Tommy's back' part or the 'I'm going to be a rockstar' part?"

"Both. I feel weird saying this, but I think things would be easier if you were my producer. I'm kind of starting to like you."

"Right back at you."

Jude bit her bottom lip. "Please tell me you're not going to hug me now or something."

"It never crossed my mind."

Jude smirked.

"About earlier…"

"I get it."

Kwest cocked an eyebrow.

"To say that I'm not still a little hung up on Quincy would be a lie. I know my songs show that. Lately I haven't been able to write about anything but him. Even I find it annoying." Jude ran her fingers over the scrap of paper she had moved to the front pocket of her jeans.

"I just don't want that to affect your career, Jude. I know T. Once he realizes there is something still there, he's going to try and bring it out…" Jude raised an eyebrow. "Because he knows better than anyone that love songs not only sell, but they can make your career."

"Realize something is still there? He has a girlfriend now. I'm not that kind of girl," Jude aid, shaking her head.

"I didn't say you were. I just want you to be prepared."

Jude nodded her head silently.

Kwest sighed. "I know you might not want to, but if you're up to it…T's doing a stint at The Bitter End." Jude's eyes widened. "Don't act surprised. He may be a producer now, but his love will always be the stage."

"Will Samantha be there?" Kwest didn't answer. "What does she even see in him?"

Kwest gave her a pointed look.

Jude sighed. "Okay, I know what she sees in him. I guess I just wish she didn't."

A/N: Preview

Don't Stand So Close To Me

Chapter 32

"Lost"

Teasers will be posted shortly. Check my profile for them. :]