A/N: I'm tired, so I'm going to keep this short. PLEASE EVERYONE MAKE NOTE OF THE RATING CHANGE. I'm bumping it up so I have more creative license in future chapters.
Disclaimer: If I owned Instant Star, do you really think I would be writing a post-season two fanfic?
Chapter 11
"I think you need to change the chord progression," Jude suggested a few weeks later. Tommy was recording What I've Done in the booth, and Jude sat, feet up on the sound board, much to Tommy's distress, in a casual stance as he went over the guitar chords.
"Really?" Tommy questioned. "I like the way it sounds."
"Play it again," Jude requested, "and listen."
Tommy played the series of chords again. He was nearly through, when Jude held up a hand.
"There!" she exclaimed, stopping him. "You hear that?"
Tommy played it again and realized the problem. "Hmm," he remarked. "You're right. It's off. I'll try speeding it up."
Jude nodded, "Try roughing it up a bit, too."
Tommy grinned suggestively, "I knew you liked it rough."
"Calm yourself, Quincy," Jude smiled, "Wouldn't want Little Tommy Q getting too excited. We are at work."
Tommy scowled playfully, and the pair spent multiple hours in session. Jude helped Tommy pick the song apart detail by detail. Note by note.
"You ever think about producing, Harrison?" Tommy asked from the sound booth where he was recording. Jude had just made a suggestion for his vocals that had made it much better than before.
Jude shrugged noncommittally, feigning disinterest. "I don't know. It could be fun, but I'm an artist, Tommy, not a producer."
"I'm both, aren't I?" Tommy smirked. His gaze softened, "I think you would be good at it."
Jude rolled her eyes. "Quit exaggerating, Quincy."
"What do you think you're doing right now, Jude? You're co-producer without the title."
"I've barely even touched the sound board, Tommy," Jude insisted.
"You talk like you don't know how to use," Tommy began, "when we both know you do."
"Well yeah, but…"
"Not buts, Harrison. It's the honest truth. You would make a good producer."
Jude grinned. "Producer, huh? You don't think I would be encroaching on your territory?"
"What's yours is mine, girl," he smiled, "We'd be co-producers. Partners."
Jude's lips curved upwards. "I like the sound of that."
"Co-producers?" Darius repeated when the pair pitched the idea.
"She's good, D," Tommy informed his boss seriously.
Darius raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you think so, T. But I don't know that." Darius turned to Jude and spoke, "You sure you can handle this, Jude?"
"Of course. What's to handle?" Jude smirked.
"I want a sample of your work," Darius decided. "Go produce something. I expect it on my desk by the end of the day. Then I'll evaluate."
"You want to produce What I've Done?" Tommy offered as they entered the studio.
"Really?" Jude smiled, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Definitely. Anything for my girl."
"Alright then," Jude replied, "Get your lazy ass in the studio, Quincy!" she smacked said 'lazy ass' playfully.
Tommy's mouth dropped open in surprise. He let out a loud laugh. "That's sexual harassment, you know. You are acting as my superior, and I find your behavior to be highly inappropriate."
"Shut-up or I'm going to have to spank you," Jude replied seriously.
Tommy grinned cheekily. "You make this promises, Harrison…you better deliver."
Jude smiled coyly. "Maybe later."
Tommy headed into the sound booth and adjusted the microphone. They had the laid the music tracks earlier in the day.
"You ready?" Jude inquired.
Tommy nodded his consent and put on his headphones. The music rang in his ears, and he sang the lyrics with passion.
After a few moments, Jude came over the intercom, "A little more power. The song is strong. Your voice should be too. Less rasp," she added.
Jude replayed the music, and Tommy began again with more power in his vocals this time.
"Better," Jude commented. "That last line, though…it needs more edge."
Tommy followed Jude's direction accordingly. The couple continued this for many more hours, breaking only briefly for a quick lunch in the G-Major kitchenette. They finished the song around 6:00 PM, much to their mutual relief. They took the song to Darius' office and played it for him.
Darius had his poker face on again. The man was expressionless and judgmental as he listened, making no obvious signs of approval or disapproval. The final notes of the song faded, and he looked to Jude.
"You produced this?" he asked gravely.
Jude nodded silently and awaited his response.
After a moment of calculation, Darius' face split into an uncharacteristic grin. "It's brilliant. You got the job."
Jude tried in vain to contain an excited squeal, grinning until her cheeks became sore. "Thank you!" she exclaimed.
Tommy pulled her into a tight, pleased hug of celebration, moving them side to side. Darius shook his head at the pair in amusement and left the room.
"Congratulations, girl," Tommy whispered into Jude's hair.
He tilted his head downward and captured his lips in a kiss very reminiscent of their infamous second. They had been in Darius' office then, as well – a kiss of celebration for their song being put on her second album. Jude's lips were soft, supple, and malleable, timed in perfect synchronization with his. Tommy's hand trailed along Jude's shoulder blade, and she shivered. Tommy pulled Jude's body closer to his and back themselves up, lightly pressing Jude into the wall. Jude parted her lips, and he immediately slipped his tongue into her mouth. His tongue slid against hers, and they explored each others mouths, teeth, skin. Jude moved her hands into Tommy's hair, tugging tenderly. Tommy's hands grazed her hips, working their way under her t-shirt. The waist band of her pants was loose and had been pushed down a bit. His thumbs traced circles on Jude's hipbones, and she sighed in pleasure.
Several more minutes passed, and Jude finally pushed Tommy away, a bit unwillingly. "We need to stop."
Tommy wiped his bruised, swollen lips with the back of his hand, and Jude straightened out her clothing.
"We're in D's office," Jude stated. A small giggle escaped her, and Tommy let out a throaty chuckle.
"We should get out of here," Tommy agreed. He took Jude's hand and looked at her with a hopeful expression. "You want to go to dinner?"
Jude hesitated, biting her lip. "Public? I don't know, Tommy…"
"You're not supposed to be home for another few hours, right? So your dad will never know. And we'll keep it discreet. Besides, you've got yourself a new job. It's a celebration dinner. And celebration dinners are always required." Tommy nodded adamantly with a convincing smile.
Jude laughed. "Sounds good to me. Lead the way."
Tommy and Jude walked down the street, arms swinging by their sides, fingertips occasionally touching briefly. They decided on a no PDA rule. The paparazzi could be anywhere, and Jude was still a minor. She smiled as Tommy discreetly brushed his arm against hers. Such a simple, innocent action still managed to send Jude reeling.
The pair stopped at a casual restaurant. They were hardly dressed for anything fancy, and they weren't about to use their fame to get special treatment.
"How many?" the hostess asked. Much to Jude's displeasure, she seemed to recognize Tommy immediately. The busty brunette's eyes lit up, and she immediately licked her lips and ran a hand through her long, straight hair.
Jude rolled her eyes. "Two."
The hostess looked at Jude with disappointment. Obviously she didn't like that Tommy was at dinner with someone else. But she was not deterred. The woman led the pair to their seats, purposely swaying her hips as she strutted along. "Table for two," she spoke the final word with a hint of disgust, a sickly sweet smile plastered on her face.
Tommy and Jude took their seats.
The hostess turned to Tommy. "I'm Brenda. If you need anything…anything at all…please let me know." She leaned down to give him a glimpse of her cleavage as she passed them their menus. "I would love to be of…service…to you."
The hostess left them, hips swaying exaggeratedly. Jude made a sound of revulsion. "Nice place we picked," she commented.
"Aw, babe," Tommy spoke with a grin, "You know I don't want anyone but you."
"Stop quoting my second album," Jude teased.
"I love you like a star, Jude."
She rolled her eyes and smacked him playfully. "Shut-up, Quincy. Stop making fun. You helped write that song, you know."
Tommy smiled softly. "I did, indeed, Harrison. That was a good night."
"It was a great night. Still one of my best."
"It's a damn shame we got interrupted," Tommy lamented.
"Probably not, actually…" Jude drifted off.
Tommy asked, "Why's that?"
"Well, if we hadn't been interrupted, I probably would have ended up cheating on Spied."
"You made out with me in D's office the same day you and him broke up a few weeks later," Tommy remarked.
Jude laughed. "I had to do it in the right order!"
Their waiter came a few minutes later, not recognizing either of them, much to their pleasure, and the pair ordered. Their food arrived shortly after – it wasn't a busy place – and they finished their food and paid within the hour.
As the couple left the restaurant, Brenda ran up to Tommy, handed him a piece of paper, and shouted, "CALL ME!" in a desperate voice.
Jude took the paper from his hand, crumbled it into a ball, and threw it at Brenda's head as they left through the front door.
Tommy couldn't control his laughter as they walked down the street. The initial shock and awe had been wiped from his face when he saw Jude's smug expression. The laughter had set in then, and it had not fully stopped for blocks.
They walked towards Tommy's car, shoulders brushing once and again. They were almost to his car when Jude froze in her tracks, fear mingled with dread apparent on her face.
"Jude?" Tommy began, "What's wrong? What's-"
"JUDE HARRISON!" It was her father's voice.
"Shit," Jude and Tommy muttered in unison.
Stuart was in front of them. He bellowed, "I told you I did not want you seeing that man!" He emphasized the last word greatly, obviously not a supporter of the age gap. "Not outside the studio!"
Jude closed her eyes, waiting for the worst from her father.
Mr. Harrison continued, "I'm taking you home. Now! And you can say goodbye to your car, Jude, because I will be driving you to and from the studio from now on.
Jude sighed, wiped her moist eyes, and grabbed Tommy's hand. She squeezed it, seeing his pained and guilt-ridden face. "I'll see you tomorrow, Tommy," she whispered. She turned to him and mouthed, "Love you."
He nodded sadly in reply. Father and daughter left the street together, leaving Tommy alone.
That's the end of the chapter. I hope you enjoyed. Please, please review.
Oh, and random, but want to know something cool? I may be doing a dance solo to 2 AM. I'm pretty excited. :)
-Laura
