Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Instant Star.

A/N: Thanks for those who took the time to review. Very much appreciated.

I wrote about 5,000 words (first chapter was ~3,400) and posted it all as Chapter 2, but I'd like for people to actually read this, and even I would run from that wall of text. So I split it where it would cause the least flow issues, though I'm still not entirely happy.

I hope you enjoy Chapter 2.

"T, my office please." As polite as "please" normally is, Darius was not requesting. He was demanding. Like always. Tommy sighed and made sure his eyes didn't wander as he slowly followed Darius to his office. He didn't want to see a certain someone just yet. He'd have all day to be on the surely-emotional ride that was to come. He could at least delay it for another ten minutes.

Since he had woken up this morning, Tommy had mixed feelings about being in the studio with Jude today. He was excited to get closer to finishing this album for the sake of completion, but at the same time he was dreading it. No longer being her producer would be the best thing for both of them, especially after last night. And for the most part, that's how he felt. The part of him that wasn't ready to let go yet was pushed far away but could still be heard, just faintly, in the back of his mind.

A faint smile played on his lips as he remembered how strong Jude had been last night. She knew what she wanted and she didn't falter. He knew – or hoped – that she still cared, which would make it even harder for her to keep him at arm's length, and he knew that from experience. He was proud of his girl. She was growing up. He just wished that part of her growing up didn't have to do with leaving him behind. Their connection, their feelings for each other, their love for music – all of that should mean that she would grow towards him, not away, especially with his huge involvement in her life until this point. Despite everything they'd both been through – that he'd put them through – he'd really thought that everything would be okay in the end.

And despite his efforts to avoid seeing her, Jude passed right in front of him before he got to Darius' office. She smiled warmly and gave a little wave, not missing a step, and then she was out of sight again.

Having no emotional attachment to Tommy would be the easiest way to take this on. But since that will never happen, at least not any time before either of us is old and gray, the best I can do is fake it. And thanks to Darius, I'm getting better at that every day. Stupid Girl, anyone?

Jude glanced at a clock on the wall and saw it was 11:30. Usually Tommy was there earlier than she was, but not today, which meant that after last night, Tommy had fallen asleep. At least one of them had been able to. She was glad it had been Tommy, though it was all she could do to keep standing so she wouldn't fall asleep on any horizontal surface available. That he got some sleep meant that maybe he could have a clear head and he could be the stone-cold jerk he usually was whenever something happened between them. It would be easier for both of them if they could push feelings out of the equation. Just music, she thought. That's all I want to focus on.

But music was all about feelings. Jude's plan was already shaky, and she hadn't even implemented it yet besides a cute smile and a wave.

"So, D, let me get this straight. You're pulling me off of Jude's album to produce somebody else? Jude's album that is a week from being finished? Even less than a week if, oh, I don't know, she has a producer that she can count on?" Tommy's arms were in the air, and his face was in Darius'. "Who are you going to get to produce the rest of her album? Did you even think of that? Nobody can handle her like I can. Good luck finding someone who's good enough to make the end of her album as amazing as the beginning."

Darius was leaning back against his desk casually, his arms crossed over his chest. He stared at Tommy, his face unmoving since the beginning of Tommy's rant. "You done?"

Tommy set his jaw and took a step back, putting his hands up, palms out, even his gestures full of sarcasm.

"Good. Now, if you did less talking and more listening, you would've heard," Darius said loudly, walking around to the other side of his desk. "You're taking on another artist. In addition to Jude. Not instead of." He picked up a disk and threw it to Tommy. "Trent Williams. His father's a good friend of mine. We'd both sleep better at night knowing that he was in capable hands. Your capable hands." Darius motioned to the man in the chair to the left of Tommy who had been ignored during the entire conversation.

Trent stood and extended his hand to Tommy. Tommy glanced down at his hand and then up to his face, and turned back to Darius. Trent lowered his hand and shoved it into his jean pocket, looking down at the floor with a smile.

"Finishing Jude's album is going to be a full-time job until it's done. My attention can't be split right now."

"Am I missing something here?" Darius asked, returning to his original position in front of his desk. "T, this is a new career opportunity for you. Your career with Jude will be over with this album, and you'll need a new artist. Here he is." He motioned with one arm to Trent, and then crossed both of his arms over his chest, waiting for whatever rebuttal Tommy had for him.

"Exactly. When this album is done, I'll need a new artist. This can't wait a week?"

"Mr. Mills-" Trent started, but Darius interrupted him.

"It's Darius, Trent, you know that."

"Darius," he said with a single nod, then glanced at Tom before returning his gaze to Darius, "I can just work alone until Tom is ready to take me on. I can wait as long as it takes for the best producer in all of Canada."

Tommy put an arm up in Trent's direction. "See, D. It's fine." Tommy would've been appreciative of his help, but the kid was the reason he was in this situation to begin with. There weren't going to be any warm feelings between them just yet.

Darius lifted his chin and looked between the two men in front of him, his face unreadable.

But Tommy knew that meant something bad was coming. There was something going on in Darius' big bald head and Tommy knew he wasn't going to like it.

All he wanted was to be able to focus on nothing but Jude. He could always force her to talk to him as her producer, whenever they got in a fight, or whenever she was throwing a diva fit, or whenever he messed up. But when he wasn't her producer anymore, what was stopping her from never talking to him again? He needed to know that they would still be okay after he wasn't her producer anymore. That he wasn't going to lose her. And the thought of having the time he needed most with Jude taken away from him by some punk kid drove him crazy. Surely Darius' alternative that he was almost definitely concocting at this very moment would be better than less time with Jude.

"Alright." Darius finally said, looking at Tommy.

The evil, satisfied look on his face made Tommy inwardly groan. Darius pushed up from the desk and stood, then walked around his desk and sat down in his chair. He leaned back and stared at Tommy for a few moments before finally speaking.

"A week. More than you claim to need. But that's it – that's all you get."

Tommy was relieved, but he knew his happiness would come at a price. It always did. Especially with Darius at the reins.

"And in return for my generosity, I get a duet."

What?

Seeing the look on Tommy's face, Darius was sure to speak before he could. He stood up from his chair and put his hands down on the desk in front of him, leaning forward. "Jude and Trent will write and sing a song – together. And it will be a hit." He glanced at Trent, glad to see that he only had to sell this idea to one person instead of two. "Because you will be producing it, Tom."

Just like Darius took some time to devise his plan, Tommy needed some time to get his anger in check and think logically. Is it worth it?

"When is all of this taking place?"

Darius smiled widely and stood up straight, pulling his jacket together in the front over his torso.

"You have your week to finish up Jude's album. And then you three have another week to work on my duet." Darius smiled, and then, meeting nothing positive from Tommy in return, his smile faded. "Trent here has a performance on Friday. Two weeks from now. You'll have that song ready to perform and ready to wow."

"Sounds fair to me," Trent said, eager to please Darius and fill the silence in the room. Darius smiled at Trent and turned back to Tommy.

"That's my only offer, Tom. Take it or leave it. Either way, I'm getting my way. So however you want to do this, it's up to you. But decide on your own time. I got work to do." Darius sat down in his chair and focused on the work on his desk. "You know where the door is. And Trent, Studio 3 is yours for the day. Anyone who wants to tell you differently, send them to my office. I'll take care of them."

Tommy was already out of the door by the time Darius mentioned Studio 3. He heard Trent say behind him, "Thanks, Darius," and then "Hey Tom, can you wait a minute? I'd like a word, if that's okay."

All Tommy wanted to do was get back to working with Jude and have things be as normal as they could possibly be between the two of them. Their relationship was anything but normal, but he could settle for close to normal right about now. And this kid was really getting on his nerves.

"You know, I'm kind of busy right now," Tommy said, refusing to turn around. He kept walking. He heard Trent's footsteps as he jogged to catch up. What is it with kids being so persistent these days? What about respecting your elders? Or just knowing when to shut up? Where did that go?

"Then I'll walk with you," Trent said, finally catching up. "Look, Tom, I'm not interested in stepping on your toes. I'd actually like to be your ally someday. Having the great Tom Quincy as my producer is an honor, and I'd like to be on your good side. I have things I'd like to say, and you're the producer who can help me get the words out to the world, through my music."

Annoying and eager to please. Great.

"No offense, Trent," he said pointedly, "I don't need an ally right now. I just need to get in the studio and start recording real music with my artist." He stopped in front of Studio A where he saw Kwest at the soundboard and Jude in the sound booth, and turned to face Trent. "And unless your words include "How do you take your coffee," I still have a week before I have to help you get them out."

I had serious reservations about splitting it, and I'm still not entirely convinced, so Chapter 3 will be posted sometime soonish.

- Once "Matthew," the new artist is now "Trent," due to reading breathewithoutyou's fic, "Affairs of the Rich and Famous," - about half an hour after posting chapter two, sigh - where one of the character's names is Matt. Just hoping to avoid any confusion and choosing to go for a more rare name that I don't think I've ever seen in a fic or book before. - Check out her fic if you haven't yet!