Chapter 12

Seattle 1986

The bus pulled into the arena parking lot two hours before the concert was to start. In swift succession the band was lead to the dressing rooms, then onto the stage for a sound check. As the guys ran through a couple of songs quickly, Jacqui spoke to the concert co-coordinator getting the after show specifics, such as; what transportation had been arranged, where the hotel was, what rooms they had and where the hot spots in town were. Tonight they had a three day stop over before heading onto the final leg of their tour. On those days they spent the time relaxing, sight-seeing and even hitting the quieter bars to jam with local musicians. Jacqui looked forward to those days and nights, as she and Jon could forget for a moment in time about being in a rock-n-roll band. It didn’t last long usually because someone or another would recognize him or one of the guys.

Finishing up her conversation with the coordinator she walked to the stage and watched them finish the sound check. Jon was “on” even when rehearsing, always giving his music his all. The music was him and he was the music. He didn’t pretend to be anything other than what and who he was, Jon Bon Jovi, an everyday guy who just happened to sing for a living. Being famous was a part of the job so he ensured that every fan that got a chance to actually meet him face to face got a hug, an autograph or a picture taken. She smiled as she remembered his view on his job. “Babe, it’s my life, and I know it’s hard on you to see them all over me, but remember, it’s a job. When the concerts over and the last hand shaken, or autograph signed, it’s you I look for.” She smiled as the guys filed off stage. The time for the concert was drawing near and it was time for them to get ready. Jon wrapped his arm around her waist, giving her a swift kiss as they moved into the dressing room to put on the trappings of “rock star musicians.”

~~~~

Adam Pierson sauntered into Joe’s bar, his hazel eyes scanning the room with an instinct born of thousands of years of survival. He had felt an immortal presence just before entering and wanted to make sure it was a friendly person, not some strange immortal looking for a fight. Seeing that it was only his friend Duncan, Adam made his way to his favorite bar stool and sprawled back against the bar as only he could. Settling his lanky form he glanced at Joe, the bartender and ordered his usual. “I could bloody well use a beer.” Joe grinned at Adam as he could always use a beer, for that matter use quite a few beers without ever seeming to get drunk.

“You can always use one Adam.” Joe grinned as he sat the beer before the man. “I assume you want it on that ‘tab’ you’re supposedly running?”

Adam smirked slightly and took the beer in hand, sipping it as if it were the finest of wines. “Now that hits the spot.” Turning to Duncan, “so what are your plans tonight Highlander?”

Duncan gave Adam a quizzical gaze before shrugging. “I have no particular plans tonight. Why do you ask?”

“I thought you might want to attend a concert with me Boy Scout, my treat.”

“You actually purchased tickets to a concert Adam? Let me guess, Queen’s in town.”

Adam laughed and shook his head. “No, Queen isn’t in town, and before you say a word, I know you don’t like this kind of music, but I have an extra ticket and I’d like your opinion on something at the concert.”

Duncan stared at Adam as if he’d grown a second head. Adam never asked advice and he never just gave something away. He knew something was up the second Adam started speaking. “Ok, fess up old man; I know there’s an ulterior motive in there, so come clean.”

Adam gave Duncan a who me look before sighing. “Ok, ok, I bloody well do not like that you can figure things out so well sometimes. It’s this group I ran into about 3 months before in Vancouver; spandex big hair rock star and his little girl friend. They are both pre-immortal, but hell even I can be wrong sometimes. I just thought you could maybe check them out and see if you get the same reading as me. You’re the one who likes to watch over the babies, not me.”

Duncan grinned as Adam showed a bit more of his true self than he probably wanted. He acted all nonchalant and uncaring, but time and time again he had seen Adam get involved in situations that the old immortal had claimed was too dangerous for him. He had watched over many a pre-immortal in his day, Claudia Jardin being one, checking a couple out wouldn’t be that big of a deal. With a grin on his handsome face Duncan responded, “Sure Adam, I’ll go along with you.”

Adam grinned knowing that Duncan was more of a classical music man, so tonight should be fun, if just in watching Duncan grimace through all the loud parts, and he was pretty sure it was gonna be damned loud that night. He hadn’t kept up with the group, but if they were playing the Seattle Center they were doing better than he had originally thought they would do.

The men sat talking amicably with Joe for the next hour, until the bar started to get a little busy and it became time for them to leave. Giving Joe a wave, both men walked from the bar and decided to use Duncan’s car to go to the arena. It didn’t take long to get there, but when they hit the parking lot they both looked at the crush of people in total amazement. “My good Lord Adam, whose playing tonight, the Pope or something?”

Adam grinned at his friend and replied. “No, just some little hard rock band called Bon Jovi. I guess they’ve become more popular than I had originally thought.” As the two men got out of the car and made their way up to the ticket booth Adam recounted the story of how he had found the two young pre-immortals in Vancouver. The line at the door seemed a mile long, but Adam noticed the shorter VIP line to the left. Grinning at Duncan he motioned to follow him and walked to the VIP clerk. Handing over the tickets the two men were ushered in first, before the rest of the concert goers and lead to a spot in the front of the arena, next to the biggest speakers there.

Duncan wasn’t sure how he had pulled off the VIP stunt, but Adam had a few tricks up his sleeve at all times. Duncan glanced at the speaker and shook his head. Tonight promised to be rather loud it seemed. As they stood waiting the arena started to fill with people. In short order, it seemed, the place filled to capacity with the chatter of thousands of voices. They watched as band members began to walk on stage and started strumming a note or hitting a key or two. Looking at Adam Duncan shook his head noting he had felt no faint pre-immortal hum.

Adam just smiled. “The one I was talking of hasn’t come on stage yet Highlander, and when he does I can promise you; you wont be able to hear yourself think because the music’s gonna get bloody loud and the screaming even louder than that. Turning back to the stage Adam smiled to himself remembering his days as a roadie for the Stones. This group, he remembered were not as good as Jagger and a few months ago, but they had promise. With the equipment on stage he was willing to allow himself to believe that they might have gotten that good.

It was then the music started in earnest and Adam nearly laughed out loud at Duncan’s can I cover my ears now look. It was that exact moment that the screams doubled in decibels and Jon Bon Jovi took the stage. With a soft “good evening folks” Let it Rock began to flow through the speakers followed in rapid succession by other songs. Duncan watched not quite believing his eyes as the lead singer went from one song to another, dancing, singing and inciting the crowd into a frenzy of sound. Centering himself he slowly let the music and frenzied background fade as he centered his entire self on the young man front and center stage. Yes, it was there, the faintest immortal hum. He said not a word as Adam wouldn’t have heard him over the music anyways. He resigned himself to enduring the rest of the concert and hoping it would be over soon.

It seemed to take forever, although to all the fans it wasn’t long enough by far, the concert was over. The two men stood silently in the VIP section watching the concert goer’s filter out of the arena. Generally, VIP guests were taken backstage after the concert, and Duncan wondered if Adam actually wanted to go backstage and meet the band. Seeing his friend’s curious look Adam nodded. “Not sure if the petite auburn haired girl is still with him Highlander, usually girls don’t last long around musicians, but if she is, I want you to check her out.”

Duncan nodded as the VIP manager came from backstage and lead the few people who were still there backstage. Both men walked along with the rest of the group studying the area and people quietly. Duncan was pretty sure he was going to be bombarded with wild talk and partying, and hoped they could escape it pretty fast. They were ushered into a large room; that was like most conference like rooms was full of tables, couches and the ugliest shade of green they had both seen in a long while. Within short order the band came in and they watched as each person there jockeyed for a position to shake their hands or get an autograph.

Off stage the guys actually seemed pretty quiet. They spoke to each person politely and did the meet and greet scene with polish. Adam’s eyes were drawn to the door as the lead singer walked in and he nudged Duncan to look, because there on the arms of the rock star was the pretty girl he had seen so many months ago. He motioned for his friend to follow, as Adam made a beeline to Jon and Jacqui, striking up a quick chat. As he chatted to them, applauding them on the concert that night Duncan quietly observed the young girl. There was no doubt, she was pre-immortal. It was rare to find two in the same area, yet alone seemingly in love and traveling together.

Before they knew it they were being motioned to leave. Shaking Jon’s hand and giving the girl a smile both men left the arena. They walked to the car without saying a word and started the trek home. “Hey boy scout, how about a beer? My car’s there so we have to go by there.”

Duncan laughed, his even white teeth shining even in the dark night. “I could use a beer myself old man, and some decent music to wash the last two hours out of my ears.”

Adam’s head tilted back against the seat, a grin upon his lips as he pondered how to approach the question he wanted to ask. Shrugging to himself he decided just asking was the way to go. “So, Highlander, “he paused a moment, and was interrupted before saying more.

“Before you ask, yes Adam, I felt it too. Quite unusual I have to say. You don’t normally find two, and never together like that. It’s a rare occurrence. I sure hope they both live a healthy life.” Adam nodded. There really was nothing to say to that. He had hoped the same. They both lapsed into silence the rest of the way to Joe’s Bar.