Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Instant Star. Leona Lewis' Better In Time is also not mine, but I use some lines from her song in here. Lovely song if you haven't heard it.

Enjoy!

"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."

Jude was feeling a mixture of butterflies and sickness in the pit of her stomach as she sang the first verse of her new song. The song was rough – really rough. It needed a lot of work, and Kwest had made than known several times in the past two hours. When Jude opened her eyes at the end of the verse, they fell on Tommy. He stood on the other side of the glass, talking to a guy she'd never seen before. Tommy said something with his hands, as he usually did, and then the guy he was talking to glanced into the sound booth. Catching her eye, he smiled at her, and she smiled back half-heartedly. She was shocked... or something. She wasn't sure what.

His smile was gorgeous. He was gorgeous. And, she realized after he turned around and her focus returned to Tommy, they looked almost exactly alike if you didn't look too closely. She stared at the two of them. Gelled, dark hair. Faded jeans. Same height. But the other guy was slightly skinnier, with slightly lighter hair. Not enough of a difference to matter. Nobody at G-Major needed a second Tommy Quincy. Especially not Jude. She made a mental note right then and there to stay far away from this guy... whoever he was.

"Jude?" Kwest was trying to get her attention. Her attention snapped back to where she was and what she was doing. She hadn't realized she'd still been singing. "That was better. More relaxed, less forced. Let's try that again from the beginning. This time with more energy."

Tommy pushed through the door as the music started playing again, and sat down at the soundboard next to Kwest. "How's she doing?"

Jude glanced over to where Tommy and Tommy Jr. were standing and saw Junior walking away. He even walked like Tommy – confident, like he owned the place. And he hadn't even been here for a day. She turned her attention back into the sound booth, careful to avoid Tommy's gaze, and opened her mouth to sing the first line of her new song for the person it was written about.

"It sounds like she's trying too hard. I haven't been able to make her relax all morning. Maybe you'll be able to," Kwest said with a glance at Tommy. But he wasn't listening to Kwest. He was focusing on Jude.

It's been the longest winter without you
I didn't know where to turn to
See somehow I can't forget you
After all that we've been through

"Hey Portia!"

At her name, she turned around and smiled as soon as she saw who was calling her. "Trent! It's so good to see you!" Her voice was warm and smile genuine. "Took D long enough to get you to sign that contract." She pulled him into a hug when he reached her. When they pulled apart, she kept her hands on his shoulders and held him at arm's length. "Tell me, how's your first day going?"

Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
It'll all get better in time

Trent glanced around the large room and nodded, a smile on his lips. "Yeah, everything's great so far. And actually, I, uh, met the infamous Tom Quincy, my soon-to-be producer."

"Ah," she said knowingly and crossed her arms. "And how was that?"

"Just as I imagined it. You painted the perfect picture," he said smiling. "But, speaking of Tom," he tilted his head to the side and looked hopeful, "do you know how he likes his coffee?"

Portia looked at him, an eyebrow raised.

Even though I really love you

Writing this song and singing it in front of Kwest were one thing. Singing this song for Tommy was another.

I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to

Jude's chest felt tight and her stomach still felt unsettled and full of butterflies, like it had all morning.

It'll all get better in time

It was hard, and it took courage, but she finally let her eyes meet Tommy's. Her lips turned upwards in a sad smile when their eyes met and she saw his feelings, which, for once, were all over his face. Or maybe she was just seeing him clearly for the first time.

Since there's no more you and me

Tommy's focus was solely on Jude. This morning he'd been so worried about when her album was finished and what would come afterward that he had neglected to think about last night's song. He hadn't even considered that he might not be able to handle hearing it, and now he was unprepared and his heart was sinking quickly. All he could do was sit and watch as Jude sang to him and only him, and told him she was moving on.

It's time I let you go so I can be free

And live my life how it should be

"Wow," Trent muttered as he stepped through the door of Studio 1, coffee in hand which he was very careful not to spill. He was staring at Jude through the glass. "Her voice is even more beautiful in person."

No matter how hard it is, I'll be fine without you
Yes I will

Tommy pulled away from Jude's eyes briefly and glanced over at the younger man, too deep in this trance to care. He quickly ran his hand over his face and left his hand covering his mouth and chin while he looked back at Jude. She was beautiful, and she was strong. And he was proud. A slow smile crept across his lips, realizing that she was taking a big leap. And he wanted to be there, behind her, supporting her the whole way.

Thought I couldn't live without you
It's gonna hurt when it heals too
It'll all get better in time

She saw his smile and it was contagious. For a song that should have brought out pain, hurt, and unresolved feelings, the two of them certainly felt anything but. Probably because their feelings were out and open. That's what last night was about.

Even though I really love you

I'm gonna smile cause I deserve to

It'll all get better in time

As the music faded out, Kwest leaned forward and said, "Jude, that was great. Best take today. Go take a break and we'll give it another go when you get back." Jude slowly pulling the guitar strap over her head.

Tommy waited for Jude to come out of the sound booth. As she passed by him, their eyes met and he nodded at her. She glanced down and back at him with a smile that was breaking out despite her teeth biting her bottom lip, then turned away slowly and walked out of the studio. Tommy was still watching her walk away when Trent held the cup of coffee in front of his face.

"I heard from a reliable source that you liked two creams, two sugars in your coffee. Pretty good taste, I like mine the same way." This kid really didn't give up. Sure, they may have gotten off on the wrong foot in Darius' office. Tommy was pissed and wasn't exactly warm and welcoming, which, admittedly, is something that he might have been a little sorry for – if, maybe, the kid had given him some space to feel sorry.

Tommy ignored him for a few moments, still watching Jude, until she went out of sight. Then he slowly moved his attention to the cup and then to Trent's face. He stood up without breaking eye contact, and came face to face with him. "Well, I'd stop taking advice from your source; they're not as reliable as you might think." He patted Trent on the shoulder and gave him a tight smile on his way out. As the door shut behind Tommy, Trent let out a long breath. He glanced over at Kwest who had been watching the scene play out quietly from his chair in front of the soundboard.

Trent held out the cup. "Want some coffee? I hate this stuff."

Tommy knew exactly where she'd be. And as he pushed through the door to the alleyway and stepped out into the cold air, he knew he was right. As proof, her arms wrapped around him the second his foot hit the ground outside. He was thrown off-balance but regained it quickly and they both slowly rocked side to side together. His arms wrapped around her back tightly, and he squeezed her briefly before letting her go.

"I just need one more song, and then my second album is done!" she said excitedly. "I'm soo close I can feel it in my hands." She cupped her hands like she was holding her second CD, right then and there, and held them out to Tommy. "Look, it's right there."

He had been grinning while he watched her, and at the air CD, he laughed. "You don't have to tell me, I know. It feels good, doesn't it?"

"It feels incredible! Because then I get to start my third album." She said, pleased with herself. She shoved her hands in her pockets.

"Maybe take a break first? Not getting burned out before you start a new album... probably wise. And once you start your third album, D will be on you until you finish it. He's all about the money. Let him savor the benefits from the second album for a while." He thought back to his earlier conversation with Darius and Trent, and the duet.

"Well I'll take that into consideration then." She sighed, content, and leaned against the wall opposite the one they'd leaned against last night. " I don't know why you gave this up, Quincy. It's amazing."

"I didn't give this up. I never had this. Boyz Attack was never the real deal. But you are," he said, taking another step towards her but still keeping his distance. He put his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

"And I guess I have you to thank for that." She said softly, looking at him under her bangs. He looked down and cleared his throat.

"Well," he started slowly, "let's make the most out of this album, because this is it. After this, you're on your own."

"Yeah. I will be on my own." She nodded, liking how that sounded. "I want to ask Darius about working on my own for a while. I think it's time."

Tommy raised his eyebrows. "Wow, Harrison. You think you're up for being your own producer?"

"Well, without you, I don't trust anyone else." She looked down. "So I don't really have a choice, do I?"

He shook his head and shrugged. "I guess not. And speaking of not having a choice..." She looked back up to him. He took a deep breath and continued. "You know the punk with the cup back there in the studio?"

Jude thought back to the Tommy Junior and then realized that he had been who was standing next to Tommy towards the end of her song. Coming down from the high of singing, she hadn't even noticed him when she left.

"Yeah, what's his deal? Who is he?"

"He is Darius' newest artist. And Darius wants him to be my new artist."

"Oh." She dug her hands farther into her pockets. "Well that's good, isn't it? Getting a new artist to produce? It could be really good for your career." She was trying to be as supportive as she could be. She was happy for him, she really was. But she was really being replaced already? She was relieved when she got the vibe that he wasn't totally on-board with the idea either.

He brought a hand to the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess so. But I have to start producing him now... before your album is finished."

She pushed away from the wall and crossed her arms. "Like, instead of me?" As much as she was looking forward to producing her own stuff, as long as Darius agreed that is, she wasn't ready to start now.

"In addition." Not as bad, but she still looked down.

"So we have even less time together than I thought, huh?" Tommy was surprised to see that she seemed upset. He thought that she might embrace the idea to start working alone, with the way she'd been acting since she came back from her tour several months ago, and especially these past two days. But maybe she wasn't as sure inside as she was showing him outside. One side of his mouth turned up into a sympathetic smile for her, and he gently squeezed her upper arm.

"Or," he paused until he knew he had her attention. "You can do a duet with him and we have the whole week by ourselves to finish your album."

Jude had vowed to stay away from Tommy Junior. She didn't want another album devoted to a Tommy, whether it was Quincy or Junior she was writing about. But looking up into Quincy's eyes, seeing the flash of hope that was there before he pushed it away, she couldn't resist him. She knew she would need to deal with the consequences later on, but she pushed those aside. All she cared about right now was her Tommy Time and not letting it be taken away. Who knew how much Tommy Time she'd have once her album was finished?

"I'll do it." And that's what he'd been hoping for. She wanted to save the last of their time together as much as he did. He smiled slightly at the thought and looked into her eyes, nodding slowly as his smile grew.

"Good."

Trent made his way to Studio 3 with the help of Portia. Once they got to the door, she left his side to get back to work. "Thanks!" he called after her. Shifting the weight of the guitar case over his shoulder, he turned the knob and pushed open the door. He was excited to get working under his new contract.

And there he found Jamie and Patsy asleep in the middle of the floor. Seeing no fabric besides the blanket that was – thankfully – covering most of their bodies, he quickly looked up and away, turned around and shut the door behind himself.

The sound of the door woke Jamie, who looked around in a panic as soon as he realized where he was. "Oh god." He glanced at his watch then stood and started gathering his clothing. "Oh god, oh god. Patsy, you have to get up now. Patsy, it's like noon. We fell asleep." He had socks and boxers on, and was sliding his arms into the sleeves of his dress shirt when she opened her eyes.

"Me likey, Jimmy." She smiled at his pant-less outfit and stood up slowly, then fell into him as soon as she was on her feet, her mouth going for his ear.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and gently leaned her against the soundboard. He tried to look her in the eyes, but she wouldn't keep her head still. "Patsy, we have to get dressed. Then we can leave, okay?"

Patsy, always one to get out of G-Major as fast as she could, started getting herself dressed while Jamie cleaned up the mess from last night. Jamie had most of the studio clean and they both had most of their clothing on – Jamie was missing pants and Patsy, a shirt – when Liam opened the door.

Jamie and Patsy both looked to the door. Patsy laughed upon seeing Liam and tried to find the right way to put on her shirt while Jamie covered his lower half with the blanket in his hands.

"Liam, hi," he said quickly. "We were just-"

"I don't need details, Mr. Andrews. In fact, I would prefer it if you kept them to yourself. Just get dressed. And get out. This studio is reserved for those whose presence is not costing this studio more than they're worth," Liam glanced at over at Patsy who had finally managed to get her shirt on.

"But uh, I thought," Jamie was struggling to put on his jeans with one hand while he held up the blanket with the other, "that this studio was for Patsy. So that we could work on her album? We need this space."

"No," Patsy said, putting her arm in front of Jamie, her eyes on Liam, "it's okay Jim-bone. I need to jet anyway. It suddenly feels as though all of the life's been sucked out of the room and into a giant corporate vacuum." She brushed her shoulder against Liam as she passed him, and, seeing Trent standing behind him, said, "Get out while you can, before they turn you into an empty shell in a business suit."