A/N: I know it's been forever. I apologize. Life got in the way. So did Breaking Dawn. Twilight, anyone? Lol. Anyway, here it finally is. It's a bit short, but I'll try and update next week. I'll try really hard. Promise! Enjoy, and please review!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own IS. I don't own Tiger Lily, either, for that matter. That belongs to Matchbook Romance. I'm kickin' it old school.
Chapter 8
Jude arrived at the studio early the next morning, thanking every god she'd heard of that it was a Saturday, and she didn't have school. She'd woken up quite early, against her nature, just to come to G-Major – anything to get away from her recently over-bearing father. Jude figured that she would work on her music by herself for a while – maybe put some lyrics to that song that was building within her – while waiting for Tommy to arrive. She surmised that she probably had about another hour or so.
To her great surprise, Tommy was already in Studio A when Jude arrived. He was scribbling furiously in a notebook she didn't recognize. He didn't seem to notice her entrance as she closed the door carefully behind her. Jude was quiet and careful not to let her presence known. She watched Tommy put down his pen and grabbed an acoustic guitar that was propped up against the wall. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise as he began to play, glancing occasionally at the lyrics in his notebook.
"We drive tonight
And you are by my side
We're talking about our lives
Like we've known each other forever
The times flies by
With the sound of your voice
It's close to paradise
With the end surely near"
Jude smiled as Tommy picked up the pace ever so slightly. She couldn't help but see how the lyrics directly correlated with their relationship. She hadn't heard his lovely voice in a long time. It was nice to hear him singing again.
"And if I could only stop the car and
Hold on to you
And never let go
I'll never let go
As we round the corner
To your house
You turned to me and said
'I'll be going through withdrawal of you
for this one night we have spent'"
Jude sighed quietly. It all sounded so familiar. The good and the bad.
"And I want to speak these words
But I guess I'll just bite my tongue
And accept "someday, somehow"
As the words that we'll hang from
And I…I don't want to speak these words
'Cause I…I don't want to make things any worse
And I…I don't want to speak these words
'Cause I...I don't want to make things any worse"
The lyrics really were beautiful, Jude decided. She hadn't heard much of Tommy's original stuff, but if this was any glimpse of it, she was going to like everything she heard.
"Why does tonight have to end?
Why don't we hit restart
And pause it at our favorite parts?
We'll skip the goodbyes"
Tommy strummed the guitar roughly, emotion displayed nakedly on his face.
"If I had it my way
I'd turn the car around
And run away
Just you and I
And I…I don't want to speak these words
'Cause I…I don't want to make things any worse
And I…I don't want to speak these words
'Cause I...I don't want to make things…
And I…I don't want to make things any worse"
At the song's end, a beaming smile played on Jude's lips. She applauded softly from her side of the room, and Tommy's head shot up towards her. She hoped he wouldn't be angry at the invasion of privacy.
"How long have you been standing there?" Tommy's tone was sharp, and he was visibly on edge, not used to being observed when he worked on his own music.
Jude hesitated. "Long enough."
Tommy scratched his head in silence, and Jude sat down across from him on the couch.
"It was good," Jude commented with candor. "You shouldn't be ashamed." She grinned ruefully. "It's a hell of a lot better than 'Frozen.'"
Tommy hung his head in shame, but Jude could see the barely contained mirth in his eyes. "Don't even remind me of that song."
They laughed together, the mood lightening.
"Are you thinking about a solo project?" Jude questioned hesitantly.
Tommy paused, then nodded mutely. He seemed to be a bit embarrassed by the silent statement.
Jude smiled, struggling in vain to contain her excitement. "It really was good! I loved the lyrics."
Tommy let out a whooping laugh. "Shocking," he said with sarcasm. Both he and Jude knew the song was about them.
"It's going to be hard," Tommy stated after a comfortable silence.
"What is?"
"Me making a solo album. People don't want to hear this from me. They want to hear cheesy pop songs and music videos where I shake my ass. They don't want this," he gestured towards the guitar next to him, "from me."
"You'll have to make them want it."
Tommy shrugged noncommittally.
Jude looked thoughtful for a moment. Her eyes lit up, and she grinned, grabbing his hand in a rush. "Come on," she dragged Tommy out of the studio. "I have an idea."
She led him Darius' office, much to Tommy's surprise.
"Are you pitching a concept?" he asked.
"Maybe," she replied coyly.
Tommy eyed her skeptically. "Without me knowing what it is?"
"You'll like it. Promise," she added, as if that fixed everything.
"I think Tommy and I should make a collaborative album."
The silence was deafening.
"You serious?" Darius asked.
"It's been long enough, D. The public can't just expect boy bander crap from him. And it will be a smoother transition if we are on the same album. A few duets, maybe."
Jude risked a glance at Tommy. He looked a little surprised, but not opposed to the idea. She smiled in satisfaction. It would be good for both of their careers and a great excuse to spend even more time together.
"His stuff is good, Darius," Jude insisted.
"Hmm," Darius rubbed his chin. "The comeback of Little Tommy Q." The mirth in his eyes was barely contained.
Tommy finally spoke up. "I refuse to go by anything other than Tom Quincy."
Darius laughed which Jude took as a good sign.
The office was quiet as Darius contemplated the idea. "A Jude/Tommy mash-up." He paused and then grinned. "I like it."
Jude jumped up and gave Darius a quick hug. "You won't regret it!"
Darius gave Tommy a pointed look. "Don't go all 'Frozen' on me, T."
Tom rolled his eyes. "Hardly."
Darius smiled smugly. "Get out of here. I want a demo on my desk in the morning."
Jude and Tommy exited the office, excited at the future prospects.
Once they were back in the studio, Tommy turned to Jude, a true smile on his face, and said, "This is going to be good."
Hope you enjoyed!
Anyone watching the olympics? Just wondering. I'm an ex-gymnast, and I had so much fun watching All-Around last night. Go Nastia! Go Shawn! Nas is sweet. I've met her a few times. Shawn is just adorable, isn't she? Um, anyway. Phelps is awesome too, for that matter.
ANYWAY. Review! Press the...periwinkle? button. What color is that anyway? Well, press it, whatever color it may be.
-Laura
