Chapter 46

Adam started toward Richie, preparing to help him through the next few minutes just has he had helped Amelia and Jon. Before he took five steps he felt Jon’s hand on his arm. “No, I’ll do this, It will come better from me.”

Jon took a deep breath and walked to Richie. Kneeling in front of him he winced as he saw the pain in his friend’s eyes. Was this what he had looked like the day he woke up at Amelia’s? He figured it was a damn good approximation. “Bro, listen to me. Richie LOOK at me.’

Richie couldn’t look, he was afraid to move his head. Every time he did another frisson of pain zigged and zagged down his spine. “Damn Frank, what happened to me?”

Jon decided gentle wasn’t gonna cut it, time to talk to Richie like Richie was used too. “Dammit Asshole look at me.”

Richie glanced up, a wry smile on his lips, “Fuck off Frank, I have a headache.”

“Dean, look into my eyes, your safe, things are ok. Just realize your ok.” Jon repeated the words he remembered Adam saying to him, hoping it would help.

Richie’s eyebrow lifted. “Did she buzz ya up on drugs or something Frank?” He grinned as their normal banter stabilized him. Jon always could make things right.

Jon stood and reached out offering his best friend a hand up. As Richie gained his feet he was barreled over by a petite red head that was still sobbing, only this time she was sobbing with happiness. “Oh your back your back, I thought, Oh gosh YOUR BACK!!”

Richie’s eyes traveled to Jon’s as a spike of worry planted itself in his brain. “Where’d I go Red? I was tied like a bull on branding day.”

Jon shook his head, his blue eyes centered on his friend. “Dean, it’s not that simple. You know when we said our friendship would last forever?”

Richie grinned and nodded. “Yeah I remember bro. And at least your side of it will.” He stopped a moment, the memories of the night nagging at his mind. Jon, the stabbing, Amelia crying and the pain; he remembered the pain. Looking up at Jon, his eyes growing wide, “Fuck me sideways bro, do not tell me what I think you’re trying to tell me.”

Jon started to laugh, “Ok I won’t tell ya that Dean, but in say 100 years, when you still look like you do, and we’re writing the ten thousandth song. I’ll remind you what you said.”

“Fuck me.” Richie stood there astounded, surrounded by his friends, his life opening up in ways he had never before imagined. “Fuck me sideways.”

Jon laughed again, “I keep telling you Dean, you just aren’t my type.”

Richie started to laugh, “Fuck if this ain’t something.” Never the type to over think anything he turned and looked at Duncan, Adam and the woman who had instigated his trip into the immortal zone. “So whose gonna be my teacher huh huh?”

Adam looked at Duncan and begin to grin as he spoke. “I bloody well took on the last two. You get to play with this one.”

Duncan’s soft Scottish burr filled the room as he cracked out, “He’s not my type either old man.”

Richie and Jon grinned. He was going to fit in fine in Jovi land.

The next few months flew by as Richie adjusted to life as an immortal. Nothing seemed to slow him down, but then Richie had always been the easy going one. What amazed them all was how easily he had adapted to life as an immortal, as they watched the sword become a simple extension of his long supple hands. Whenever quizzed about it Richie would laugh and say “It’s just like my guitar, a natural part of me right?”

Training not withstanding, the Jovi machine was as usually in full movement. Days blended into weeks as the Lost Highway Tour kept moving from country to country. Their album was flying off the shelves and the tour was quickly turning into one of their biggest grossing tours of all time. It wasn’t without its publicity either. Jon and Richie would spend hours laughing over the “What drug is Richie now on to be looking so slim,” type news articles. Richie would often comment that it would be a great thing to bottle and sell. “Die and get fit,” he’d call it.

One of the hardest moments for both men was the day they had to tell Tico and David. They had taken well to the knowledge of Jon being immortal, but now they had two to deal with, which meant double the danger in their lives. The night they told them Jon had offered to let the band disband and fade into the mists of music time, and received two hard whaps up against his head from his friends.

“Just cuz your immortal doesn’t mean we aren’t friends. We’re the best of all time and just cuz you wanna have an extremely long life time does not mean we can’t keep making music. Right Teek,” David whipped out, his grin softening his serious tone.

Teek nodded and grinned. “You two are going to have enough time without us once me and Curly there get old, grey or dead. You’ll just have to put up with us til then.”

Amelia wandered into the hotel room in time to over hear the conversation and smiled. She had always known Tico and David were great men, but their words had put the icing on the cake. She walked over and graced the two men with a smile before dropping a kiss on each man’s head. “I always knew you four were the luckiest sons of a guns I had ever known, and you just proved it. It’s gotta be hard knowing that they will be here even when you aren’t, and yet you accept it and its business as usual. I love you guys.”

David looked up at her, a serious expression on his handsome face. “Baby it just means Jovi music WILL make it in to eternity. We planned on that all along.”

Amelia laughed softly, “You know what? I believe you. No telling what you guys would come up with to keep evolving.” She watched as the guys stood and they walked out to go to yet another sound check. Life wasn’t going to change what they were and neither was immortality.

They were going to be just fine.

Epilogue ((some 60 years in the future))

The two men stood quietly overlooking the lush grass of the New Jersey Cemetary, one tall and dark with shoulder length hair that even now held silvery hair danglies. It was the other man that caught the most looks though. He was young, with shaggy neck length hair and startling blue eyes, and as the men talked and his smile flashed a stray passer by would swear she was 50 years younger and swooning again over her favorite group.

As the old lady watched them a beautiful red head sauntered up and wrapped her arms around the Jovi look alike and kissed his cheek. She grinned at the obvious love between the two, and the easy camaraderie between all three.

Jon studied the simple head stones, a far away look in his crystal blue gaze. “Damn those were there days Dean.”

Richie grinned at his friend of over eighty years. “Yeah Frank. Those were the days. We still make our music now though, and in a few years we might even start a new band, who knows?”

Amelia laughed softly. Even after all this time Richie was addicted to his music and his guitar and even now he and Jon spent hours just composing and arguing over riffs. She doubted they’de be any different in two hundred years. It’s just what they were; it was in their blood this love of music and she wouldn’t change them for all the gold in the world.

“I miss ‘em though Bro. Even were we to do it again, it wouldn’t be the same. Dave and Teek made the group. God those were the days, when we were too young to know better and appreciate it.” Jon sighed, the memories washing over him like a gentle spring rain.

“Yeah I miss them too Bro, but ya know they kept up with us til the very end. Nothing will ever be Jovi, but we never expected it too.” He looked over at the companion gravestones, one with a drum statue on top and one with a set of keyboards he smiled. They were something else though, remember the day when Dave….” Richie’s voice trailed off as he watched an elderly lady approach.

The older lady smiled up at them and smiled. “I know you boys probably won’t know what I’m talking about, but I just had to tell you thank you.”

Jon turned his azure gaze upon the frail little lady, his whiter than white mega watt smile flashing, “Thank us for what ma’am?”

She smiled sweetly as she continued, “Just seeing you here today, while I was visiting my Stanley there, gave me a moment to remember being young. When I saw you I remembered my all time favorite rock band. You boys are the spitting image of the Dynamic Duo. I was able to remember the days that a much younger Stanley and I went to their concerts and danced and screamed the night away singing along with the band. As young as you are you probably wont know about Bon Jovi, but they were the best darned thing in music when I was a young girl, so I wanted to say thanks.” She grinned softly, “Maybe you’re related to them and don’t know it, who knows, but you two fellas made my day.”

Richie stepped over and gave the little lady a kiss on the cheek, and drawled, “Darlin you just made my day.”

Jon quickly followed suit giving the diminutive lady a wink and a kiss.”Ya never know who you might run into baby, but Dean there is right, you’ve made our day.”

Amelia glanced over at the boys catching their wistful expressions. She leaned forward and whispered to Jon and received a bright smile in response. Stepping away she walked swiftly to their car and returned carrying two cases, handing one to each man. Hopping up on the wall she watched as magic begin to swirl in the air and the boys once again began to shine.

Richie smiled then helped the older lady sit on the wall beside Amelia. He grinned that little grin of his and said. “This one’s for you Darlin?”

The little old lady’s heart skipped a beat, as she time faded away while she listened to the two voices rise in harmony.

Hey, man, it's been a while
Do you remember me?
When I hit the streets I was 17
A little wild, a little green
I've been up and down and in between
After all these years and miles of memories
I'm still chasing dreams
But I ain't looking over my shoulder

I like the bed I'm sleeping in
It's just like me, it's broken in
It's not old - just older
Like a favorite pair of torn blue jeans
This skin I'm in it's alright with me
It's not old - just older

It's good to see your face
You ain't no worse for wear
Breathing that California air
When we took on the world
When we were young and brave
We got secrets that we'll take to the grave
And we're standing here shoulder to shoulder

I like the bed I'm sleeping in
It's just like me, it's broken in
It's not old - just older
Like a favorite pair of torn blue jeans
This skin I'm in it's alright with me
It's not old - just older

I'm not old enough to sing the blues
But I wore the holes in the soles of these shoes
You can roll the dice 'til they call your bluff
But you can't win until you're not afraid to lose

Well, I look in the mirror
I don't hate what I see
There's a few more lines staring back at me
Now the nights has grown a little colder
Hey man, I gotta run
Now you take care
If you see coach T. Tell him I've cut my hair
I've kept my faith
I still believe I'm just...
Ha

I like the bed I'm sleeping in
It's just like me, it's broken in
It's not old - just older
Like a favorite pair of torn blue jeans
This skin I'm in it's alright with me
It's not old - just older

As the song ended, they helped her from her spot on the wall and smiled.

Jon gave her a look and smiled, “Thank you for all you’ve said, hope you enjoyed the song.”

The old lady smiled, a glow in her eyes, her heart again feeling young.. As she turned to walk off her mind whirled with how much like “her boys” they were. It was almost as if they WERE them.

Richie looked over at Jon, a grin plastered on his face. “We still got it bro.”

Jon and Amelia laughed as Jon punched his best friend’s shoulder, “Never was any doubt my man.” All three turned to walk from the cemetery, minds whirling with possibilities about the future.

As they walked away the little lady turned, her eyes misty with remembered times, as a smile played about her face. “So long for now Jon and Richie, or whoever you are now.” As she settled herself into the awaiting taxi, the driver glanced back, “Where too Miss Helene?”

The old lady smiled, her eyes still locked on the backs of the two men walking away. “Take me home, I have memories to revisit.”

Finito

Chapter 45

He stood there beside her his mind whirling, her voice urging him to move, but something deep inside revolted against the urgings coursing through his mind. He shook his head, trying to clear the rampant white noise that was making it so hard to think. He didn’t do what he just did, did he? To be sure he didn’t just stick a dagger through the chest of his best friend. Glancing down at his hands he saw the blood and his heart began to pound in an abnormal rhythm, as reality settled onto his shoulders like molten lead. He had done it as assuredly as the sun would rise again on the morrow. He had put an end to an innocent life but it wasn’t his fault and the one who had
managed to make him do it needed to pay.

Somewhere deep within him a roar began to build, a roar steeped in agony and rage that built as it raced its way from deep within his belly to his throat. As the roar reached his throat and bellowed from his lips his hands snaked out and wrapped around the throat of the woman next to him. “What the fuck do you think your doing?”

Cassandra’s eyes widened as she felt the effects of the voice fade. As she scrambled for a thought she whispered in that husky vibrato. “Let me go pretty boy.”

Hands tightened around her neck as crystal blue fire blazed from his eyes to hers. “Not on your fucking life. I don’t know what you did, I don’t know HOW you did it, but you WILL explain WHY you felt a need to have me kill the most decent guy I know. What had he ever done to you huh? What vast crime against you did HE supposedly commit? Why did you have me kill him huh?” He got face to face with her, his breath whispering white hot across her cheek. “You say Adam is bad for all he did to you, but in this day and time he hasn’t hurt a pure innocent. You whine about something the man did three fucking thousand years ago as if it were yesterday. Well lady times are different now aren’t they? You don’t just kill someone to achieve and aim. Hell when that psycho stalker had Amelia all he did was grab her and hold her for the police. Jesus you’re a piece of work, you bitch about what he did to you, but YOU have me kill a man whose ONLY FUCKING CRIME was to love his music, his daughter and his brothers. Lady you take the cake.”

As Jon railed against her she slowly worked her hand to her hip and unsheathed the dagger there. With one fluid move she went to put the dagger to his neck only to have Jon’s hand flash out and grab the dagger with speed born of years of exercise from dancing from stage right to left. “Oh look at that, your next answer is to hurt the one finally daring to speak a bit of truth eh? Well lady I might have been a foundling, but I was raised in Jersey, and you don’t pull a fucking knife on a Jersey man!”

“Now answer me Dammit. Why did you have me kill Richie? He was tied up and helpless and you did away with him without a thought. The only murdering piece of shit I’ve seen lately is you. NOW EXPLAIN IT!”

Cassandra gasped, tears filtering from her eyes as she realized that all he said was true. She was worse than Adam, had let her entire life be warped by something that was only a flash in the pan of her life. She gasped until she started to laugh, her murky gaze brightening as she blinked away the tears. “Oh hell, you idiot pretty boy. How many folks STAY DEAD around our kind?”

Jon blistered out at her, his rage growing by leaps and bounds, “My fucking God, now you’re trying to play a game? Had he been like us Duncan or Adam would have realized that.”

Cassandra’s voice was soft as she replied, “Sometimes immortals can catch it sometimes they can’t. Maybe I was more in tune to that man’s baby signature than Adam or Duncan.”

Whipping around behind her Jon began to manhandle her back to the doorway. “Well you better hope your right Bitch, because if you aren’t, so help me God Adam and Duncan be damned I’ll saw your head off inch by fucking inch, so slowly you’ll be screaming even after I’ve removed it.”

Cassandra allowed for the treatment and let him push her back towards the other immortal hums. Her mind swirling with all the words that he had spat at her as she let her life run before her eyes. So many decisions, all based in hate, how could she have been so blind, so wrong to what she had done? Even the night when Duncan had screamed “I want him to LIVE,” she hadn’t gotten it then either. She was blindly stupid to anything but her need for revenge. It was true, times were so different then, she had changed over the millennia, why couldn’t he have changed? He probably had, just as she had to survive.

As they entered the door, her eyes fell upon the sobbing woman, and then slowly moved up to the two men standing over her. Jesus, she never thought of how her actions could affect anyone else. She whispered a soft ‘I’m so sorry I didn’t think,” as Jon reached the three people standing watch over Richie and shoved Cassandra into Duncan’s hands. His hands jammed into his pockets and fisted as his blue eyes took in Amelia’s tormented sobs. Dammit, he hoped she wasn’t lying, because if she wasn’t he’d never be able to live with himself. What was he without his best friend? He vaguely realized that Duncan and Adam were moving Cassandra off to the side as he slowly knelt and took Amelia into his arms, his tears starting as he allowed himself to grieve over the sight before him. He was still finding it hard to believe that he had done it. Richie might make him nuts sometimes with his goofiness and child-like exuberance, and sure he might have even muttered a death threat or two, but he couldn’t have ever harmed the man who was closer than a brother to him. “Oh God Bro, I’m so sorry, so sorry, just so damned sorry,” he sobbed as the tears began to fall in earnest.

His voice seeped into her grief, and something inside of her recognized his pain. Bolting upwards she wrapped her arms around him, her head burrowing into his chest. “Oh God Jersey, what we gonna do now?”

He held her tight his throat too tight with tears to even answer. Hell he wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to talk again considering. He could only pray that the night ended better than it had began. He rocked Amelia, trying to get as much comfort as he could give, his pain and guilt racing through him as his eyes drifted back down to Richie, his pain threatening to overwhelm him. He was too still; for twenty five years he had never seen him that still, not even in sleep. What would he do now; he couldn’t answer her because for the first time he just didn’t know.

~~~~~~

Murky grey eyes flooded with regret reached out to Duncan. “I never thought about the results, never thought about anything but revenge, and I was so wrong, so wrong about it all.” She glanced at Adam momentarily, “I never gave you credit for changing because I was so swept up in hating. How could I live so many years and not realize that if I could change so could you? I won’t ask for forgiveness, I doubt there is any to be had for me, but I am even worse than you. At least there was an excuse for the Horsemen, that’s how those days were, but me? Look at what I’ve caused in a day and time where it’s not excusable.” She reached behind her and lifted her sword from its sheath and offered it to Adam. “Just take me out back somewhere and take my head, I deserve worse, but it’s all I have to give in apology.”

Adam shook his head, as words he never thought he’d verbalize began to pour from his lips. “I couldn’t kill you three thousand years ago, and I couldn’t kill you when Kronos reappeared. Haven’t you figured that out yet? I couldn’t stop Kronos back then; he would have had both our heads. The only way to save you, to keep you alive was to let him take you. I was helpless against him then, just as I was when he wanted to reform the horsemen. All I could do was strategize and plan and hope you’d survive it.”

He sighed softly as he watched Duncan’s eyes widen. “You changed my life Cassandra. Sure you were a slave, and I had done that too you, but you changed my life, made me see what else could be out there. You made me realize there was more to life than death and war. I could have recaptured you after you stabbed Kronos, hell I followed you for days, but I let you go, I let you live.”

She gasped softly, “just like you let me live in Paris.”

He nodded wearily, “just like Paris, even though you nearly cost me my best friend.”

She went to reach out to him, confusion painting her eyes a luminous grey. “You cared about me.”

Before he had a chance to respond they both heard a screech of rage and turned towards the sound.

~~~~

Amelia shot to her feet, her scream of rage echoing throughout the building. She raced towards Cassandra hands curled into claws as she went for the woman. “YOU BITCH! I’ll rip your head off with my bare hands!”

Jon bolted up and after Amelia, grabbing her around the waist. “No baby, stop, you can’t do it”

Amelia looked at him wild-eyed, grief and rage shimmering from every pore. “You’re protecting her? The woman who bewitched you into killing Richie? His last words were to take care of you and Ava and you protect the one who caused his death? You may have been the one to use her dagger, but it was HER that caused it.” Her voice dropped into a deathly whisper, “Or do you protect what you fucked?”

He held tightly too her knowing her pain and grief was talking more than her reasoning. “Baby, I’m protecting you not her. You’ll regret it if you do anything before you hear the entire story.”

She twisted in his arms her eyes centering on Cassandra, her need to reach out and snap her neck shining brightly in her eyes. “They want me to listen to you, I can see it in Adam’s eyes and Jon’s and even Duncan’s. All I want to do is give to you what you arranged for Richie. My god what made you think it was ok to cause the death of such a sweet man?” She began to struggle, to get free of Jon’s arms when Cassandra just stood there unable to reply. She wanted so badly to just shake the woman, to make her feel the pain and grief she felt inside, that she knew Jon felt inside.

Jon's entire being was intent upon holding Amelia tight. He knew that if she got loose there would be hell to pay. Adam and Duncan were both intent upon taking Cassandra and stepping back a few paces. They knew if Amelia reached her she would be one short one head. As for Amelia her entire being was centered upon the woman who had started this whole mess.

Each person, in his own space and mind were so intent upon what they were doing that they missed the slight sounds behind them. Soft coughs began to wheeze through a throat that had for 2 hours had been dry and set. Slowly fingers began to twitch as blue fire raced through a body too long on a cold hard surface. Eyelashes fluttered and slowly opened as quizzical brown eyes took in the fact he wasn’t tied anymore, but he ached all over was cold and was still flat out on the floor. With a soft cough he turned his head to the sounds to his left and groaned.

“FUCCCCCCCCCCK, what truck hit me?”

To a person five stunned bodies turned and 5 pairs of eyes took in the personage of Richie Sambora.

“Whaaaaaa?” he started to ask, just as a blistering mind numbing headache struck.

Chapter 44

He awoke to the sounds of “Hey bro are you alive? Hey KIDD Dammit answer me!” Blue eyes slowly fluttered open then closed quickly as the intensely bright light hit him square in the face. A groan

whispered over his lips as he wished yet again for one simple set of
sunglasses. He tried to get up off whatever he was laying on only to find that he was for all intents and purposes unable too. Damn he must have really poured one on after the concert. He couldn’t
remember ever being this hung over before.

“What the hell truck hit us man? I don’t remember taking the first drink.”

He could hear Richie’s snort of laughter whispering over his face causing him to risk the bright light as he slowly opened one eye.

“Damn man, you’re the last face I wanna see when I wake up. Where’s Fire?”

“Um Toto, we aren’t in Kansas anymore. And trust me, no matter how much the ladies like you, you aren’t exactly what I like to wake up tied too.”

Jon muttered softly as his brow arched slightly, “Yeah I just love waking up face to face with your ugly mug Bro. How the hell did we get into this mess?”

“The last thing I remember is this gorgeous lady with a voice that just went through me. Dude, I remember you kissing her like there was no tomorrow too, and I remember hearing a very pissed off Amelia, at least I think it was Amelia. The next thing I remember is waking up here trussed up worse than a pig on slaughtering day.”

Jon groaned softly, “I kissed her?”

“Bro you were doing more than kissing her.”

“Fuck me” Jon spat out, his eyes growing angry. “What the hell did that bitch do?”

“I don’t know Bro, but trust me, I don’t wanna be you when Amelia finds us, and I’m so totally sure she will if only to stomp your ass for kissing that woman.”

Cassandra walked back into the room a half grin on her face. “Well, it looks as if you boys are finally awake. Really, I’m sorry for how this had to come down, but it had to be. I’m sure you understand that sometimes a person just has to do something this drastic to solve a problem.”

“Lady there is no excuse for kidnapping someone” Jon speared her with his blue gaze. “No fucking excuse to hog tie a man and make him do things he wouldn’t do normally,”

“Yeah honey, I mean, we like ladies, you could have asked me nice, I would have probably obliged ya, and you’re a looker after all.” Richie winked her way.

Cassandra walked closer to Richie and leaned over him. She pitched her voice slightly lower and allowed it to hum, “Smooth talker that you are, you can just be silent for now.”

Richie’s face blanked over as he quieted, his brown eyes searching her face curiously. What was it about this woman that could have him losing the power of his own voice, something no one had accomplished in all his life. He risked a glance at his best friend and recognized the beginnings of the famous Bongiovi wrath beginning to seep its way into his blue gaze.

It was then he began to speak and Richie cringed hearing the condemnation in his friend’s voice. “I’m so sure you have this rabidly good reason for kidnapping us, but I doubt any excuse is a good one. So pray tell lovely ‘lady’ and I use that term more or less loosely. Exactly what gave you the bright idea that it was ok to kidnap us?”

Cassandra laughed softly. “Oh you are a feisty one. Does all that energy translate to a bed I wonder? I know it does to a stage.” She walked over closer to Jon and traced his lips with one slender finger.
“But to answer your question pretty boy, your friends with Death and that’s what has you in this predicament.”

“I’m sorry I don’t have an acquaintance with death. Try something that actually works this time,” Jon bit out impatiently.

“Oh you wouldn’t know him as Death, that name is thousands of years gone. But the memories of what he did to me then are as fresh to me as if they happened yesterday.” Cassandra tilted her head,
“you would know him as Adam, teacher, and friend; but he has you all fooled. He is a mass murderer of women and children, one of the original four horsemen. He is DEATH and he needs to die.”

Jon started to laugh, “So you’re telling me that quiet scholarly Adam is this terrible bad man that you think deserves to die because of something that happened thousands of years ago? Lady get a grip. Times change, people change. You can’t tell me you haven’t changed over the years. Why couldn’t he? Why hold something against him like that?”

Cassandra yelled. “You don’t get it. He killed my family and friends; he killed me made me immortal. He forced me to love him, back then there wasn’t any Stockholm syndrome or whatever it’s called now. He trained me and beat me until I was an obedient slave. He made me love him and then he just let his brother have me. Three thousand years has not dulled the hatred I feel for him.” Richie’s eyes widened as he listened. The entire thing was ridiculous. No one could hold a grudge that long, could they?

Jon’s next words were soft, but intensely spoken. “Sounds to me like you still harbor love for the man. No one holds a grudge for three thousand years without some pretty deep feelings being involved.”

“I do NOT love him, I hate him don’t you see? For all he did, he ruined everything for me. I HATE HIM!”

Jon gave her a half smile. “I think the lady protests too much.”

Cassandra nearly screeched, “You’re worse than Duncan MacLeod. Honor driven and decent, you think EVERYONE deserves a second chance; that they can change. Well you’ll see pretty boy you’ll see!” Cassandra turned to storm from the room, “I was going to loosen the binds, but now you can just lay there and suffer, maybe it will teach you good sense!”

As she left the room Richie’s need to stay silent faded. “Damn Kidd, you sure have a way with the ladies.”
Jon just looked at him and groaned.
~~~~~
She had lost track of time since returning to the hotel. Watching the clock had made it even worse. She knew Duncan couldn’t blink himself from Vancouver to where she was, but she wished he could. It was taking so long for him to get here. Joe had called with the information hours ago. They had an idea of where Cassandra was holed up. Just standing here waiting was making her insane, insane to the point she wasn’t sure if she could continue to wait. Her entire body was vibrating with the need to find Jon. Something bad was happening she was sure of it, something that could very well rend the fabric of her existence and she didn’t’ want that to happen.
She glanced back at Adam, who by and large was sitting calmly on the couch as if everything in the world was fine and dandy. There had to be a way around this waiting, there had to be.

“You can’t go after her Ammie, you can’t go up against a three thousand year old immortal. Oh don’t give me that look wench. I’ve known you twenty bloody years; I can tell what you’re thinking.”

She smiled at Adam, her brain whirling with plans. “You know me so well Adam. I always go off half cocked; I’m just this fount of never ending stupidity right?”

Adam sighed softly, nothing he could say would make it better. “Duncan will be here soon Amelia. We’ll get them back.”

“You keep thinking that way Adam with your holier than thou five thousand years of life. YOU assure me nothing is going to go wrong and insure it. YOU CAN’T. God, I can see why she’d want you dead, your insufferable when you think you’re right!” Amelia turned and veritably stomped to the door.

“Where the bloody hell do you think you’re going Amelia?”

“If you must know Adam, I am going to go talk to David and Tico, they are bound to be worried about everything and they deserve to know what’s going on. It will be them the press hounds if we don’t get Jon and Rich back before the next concert.”

Adam’s eyebrow quirked upwards in doubt, “and exactly what are you going to say to them?”

“I’ll be fucked if I know Adam, but I’ll come up with something. NO you aren’t going to escort me, you’re going to stay RIGHT HERE and wait on Duncan!”

She slipped through the door and to the elevator. As she entered the elevator her finger went to press the up button to go to the floor David and Tico were on, but her finger pushed down instead. As the elevator came to a stop she hurried from the hotel and motioned for a cab. Settling into its interior she gave the cabbie the address and the offer of an extra fifty bucks if he could make good time.
Adam stood and watched the window. He knew she was lying, knew she was going to go after Cassandra. He started altering his plans to include her in the rescue, then his plans on how to best punish his student for her blatant idiocy. Love makes people do some outrageously stupid things, but he had to admit this one would probably take the cake.

~~~~

She had the cabbie stop a few buildings down from where the bitch on wheels was supposed to be. Taking a deep breath she asked the cabbie to wait, offering him an extra bonus on top of everything else if he was there when she returned. Slipping into the shadows she silently made her way to the building Joe had named as Cassandra’s. With the barest of movements she peeked into the first set of windows and saw nothing, so with quiet determination she moved to the next set of windows in turn searching for anything to alert her as to what was going on in that building. In the last set of windows she caught a hint of movement and ducked down with a muffled oath.
Cassandra grinned to herself as she reached out with her powers to see just who was peeking in the windows. If she had pegged the little immortal lady correctly she came alone to find out what was going on. Knowing Adam he would have stayed back waiting on reinforcements, which is exactly how she wanted it for now. She mumbled a few words under her breath, enhancing all sound around the area and ensuring Amelia heard exactly what she wanted her to hear... She wanted the little red head to hear everything clearly, see everything with clarity; it was a sight she didn’t want her to miss.
Moving over to the two men she began to untie Jon as she began to speak. Pitching her voice to a vibrato she began to murmur words of love and caring, casting a bewitching spell over his mind. As the last tie came undone, she pulled him to his feet and began to rub the circulation back into limbs long gone numb from being tied so tightly.
Amelia peeked up over the window sill and watched with widened eyes as Jon began to make love to the woman with him. Each sound they made was heightened in her ears and burning a path of pain straight to her soul. He didn’t seem to be prisoner to the woman; in fact he seemed to be a very willing participant in all she was doing. Tears began to ghost down her cheeks as Jon slid up against the woman, his soft groans filling the night with their intensity. She almost stumbled backwards as his strong fingers began to undress the woman then slid over the skin revealed.

She turned from the window in despair, her tears increasing. How could he want her after she took him, what had that woman done to him to make him ignore the presence of his best friend tied at his feet? Why was he giving that woman something he promised would forever be only hers? The woman’s soft laughter had her turning back to the window in horror, her mind unable to accept all she was watching. The passing of the knife, the whispered command, those strong artistic hands plunging downwards, the look of utter shock and amazement on the face of a man she called friend. It wasn’t happening, it was just a dream, and it had to be because Jon wouldn’t do that, not for sex, not for a woman, not for anything. HE WOULDN’T DO THAT! Her mind was screaming in panic as she watched Jon and the woman pick up their clothing and leave the room, their laughter floating out over the night in a mockery of what had just been done. She slumped to the ground, horror written on each feature.

She had to do something, anything. She couldn’t just sit there. Taking a deep breath she made her way to the door and tested it, knowing it would be locked but praying intensely for luck. Oh god it wasn’t locked, she might have time! Taking off her boots she tiptoed into the room her green eyes overflowing with tears. Kneeling beside Richie she whispered, “Oh god Sambo I’m so sorry, so sorry.”

With a shiver she picked up the dagger Jon had dropped to the floor and began to cut the bindings from his cold body. “Talk to me Rich, come on I know you can.”

Weary chocolate eyes opened and blinked, focusing on the familiar voice. “Red.”

“Come on Sambo, let’s get you outta here. Come on hon, we have to hurry.”

Richie gasped out, “Can’t Red, too tired girl. Go, find Jon, and help Jon.”

Amelia listened to his breath rattling and shivered. This just wasn’t good, “How could he do this to you Rich? You are his brother. Oh god he just, I saw it and I can’t believe it. Now come on, we have to get you some help. Just move a little for me Rich, your too big for me to do it alone.”

He shook his head weakly. “No can do Red, sorry bout that love. It’s not his fault, don’t you go blaming Kidd. Its that witch, she’s done something to him, don’t you ever blame him you hear?”

Her hands went to his chest, trying to stem the flow of blood, god so much blood, so much beauty falling to its death upon this floor.

“Come on Richie, I know you can do it. You gotta keep trying, for Ava honey, come on. Don’t just lay there and let it work on you.”

“Sorry Red no can do. I guess it’s my time to go play a bit of guitar in heaven huh? You listen to me. You find our Jonny boy. And you keep him happy forever you hear me? And take care of Ava. My baby she’s gonna need someone more than ever. Take care of my brothers. They gonna need you more than ever. Don’t let me down honey girl you hear me?”

Amelia sobbed softly. “Dammit Richard Steven Sambora. Don’t you talk like that. You’re gonna be ok. You gotta be ok.”

Richie gasped as the pain started to fade. “It’s not so bad Red, really, feels sorta numb now really. I hate leaving you all. I had so many more songs inside me, so much more to say to the world, but we can’t choose our time. You tell Jonny for me, the last twenty five years were a blast, I couldn’t have asked for a better brother.”
Amelia laid her head on his bloody chest and sobbed. “God don’t do this Richie. Fight it for me. Want to live!”

“Aww darlin, I never wanted to go out this way. Always thought I’d go on stage you know? But if it means Jon’s gonna survive then I couldn’t’ have picked a better way. Love you girl, thank god Jonny found you again.” Richie’s eyes closed as his breathing grew shallower. “Getting kinda hard to talk girl, but at least if I have to go I do it with a beautiful woman next to me.”

Amelia laughed through her tears. “Dammit Sambo, you say the dangedest things you know that?”

A half smiled played out upon his lips, “That’s me, Goofball supreme.” With a broken breath he continued, “your gonna watch out after my Ava right? And my brothers? You wont hold this against my Jonny you hear me girl?”

“Let me go for help Richie. We could still save you.”

“Naw darlin, I’d be gone before you got back, I can tell that. And I don’t wanna go into the hereafter alone, so you just hold on to me darlin and heaven will have to admit me.”

Two hours later, when Duncan and Adam finally arrived at the house that belonged to Cassandra they found Amelia prone over Richie’s body sobbing as if her heart had forever been broken.

Chapter 43

“You know this bitch Adam?” Amelia’s eyes were blazing green fire as she watched her teacher. “Why aren’t we following them? DOING SOMETHING?”

“Bloody hell Amelia, if we follow her she’ll bolt and she’ll take the
guys with her. We can’t just go after her that way. You don’t understand, you just don’t bloody understand.” Adam sighed. He knew the next few minutes were going to be hard, but the tormented look on his students face was even harder to bear.

“Perhaps you should explain it to me then Adam. Please explain to me why we just let an immortal with an obvious grudge walk out of this place with the most important man in my world AND his best friend.” Her eyes pleaded with him for understanding, and Adam for all his reticence at not telling much about his past, had to explain but first he had to take care of the more important business. Pulling his cell from his pocket he swiftly dialed an oversea’s number and muttered impatiently until the call was answered.

“Joe, Adam, we have a situation.” Adam grimaced at the snort on the other end of the phone. “I know I know you’re just a watcher, but this involves Amelia and Jon. Seems Cassandra, you remember her right, has reared her head. Matter of fact thanks to her grudge against me she’s taken Jon and his friend Richie more or less hostage.”

“I know Joe, you’re just supposed to watch, but hell, find her watcher, find out where she is, and for bloody hell’s sake get Duncan to fly here. I don’t know how much time we’ll have, but I want to stave off whatever damages I can.” Giving Joe the name of the hotel he softly said his goodbyes and flipped his phone closed.

“Come on Amelia, until he calls us back there’s not much we can do, so let’s go back to the hotel away from the other eyes and ears here and I’ll explain the best I can about Cassandra.”

She gave him a look that said clearly she didn’t believe he could give an explanation good enough to allow for all that had happened in the last half hour. Standing she began to move to the exit without a word spoken. He knew that telling her of his past risked losing him a student, but worse than that it risked losing him a friend like it had nearly done with MacLeod all those years ago. It was something that he couldn’t avoid now however as Cassandra had made herself a part of his life yet again. Walking silently behind Amelia he slides into the limo behind her his mind whirling with possible ways of explaining him, his life, and how he was over three thousand years before. Would she be accepting or would she react as Duncan had years ago. He had no regrets over his five thousand years on this earth, but if he did he was sure it would be Cassandra.

The ride to the hotel was long and filled with silence, Amelia refusing to speak and Adam unsure of what to say. As for her, she was choosing to reserve judgment and trust in the information Joe would soon give them. As for Adam he was sifting through his memories and preparing for the explanation he had to give. As the limo stopped in front of the hotel she slid from the car and walked into the building followed by Adam. As they walked into the hotel room Adam watched as she stopped and took a deep breath, her eyes tearing up as Jon’s absence there seemed to hit her harder. It almost broke his heart to see her as tormented as she was and know it was because of him, or at least because of something that he couldn’t change.

She walked quietly into the room the absence of Jon hitting her harder here than anywhere. His scent was in this room beckoning to her, calling to her and mocking her with the knowledge that the man that owned the scent was out of her reach now. Just the idea that they couldn’t safe him and Rich had her chilled to the bone, she just felt so cool inside and out. Moving over to his luggage she pulled one of his favorite, for the moment long sleeved t-shirts from the bag. Lifting it to her nose she couldn’t stop herself from inhaling deeply, pulling what little essence of Jon there was into her system. With a sigh she slid the shirt on over her chilled flesh and walked back into the living room. Settling herself onto the couch she raised her eyes to Adam and uttered one soft word. “Well?” Adam sighed and walked over to the window looking out over the countryside. He began talking, his voice soft with memory as he began to paint pictures within Amelia’s mind of his life nearly three thousand years old.

~~~


“We were brothers, brothers in blood and spirit; each and every one of us an immortal.” His voice almost quivered as he continued. “In those days it was kill or be killed, so we killed, not just one, not just ten, but thousands. Caspian, Silas and Kronos were their names, Kronos was the warrior. He lived for fighting and killing, and until the day he was beheaded by Duncan he continued in that vein. Caspian was insane and Silas well he was just a big kid really and loved his animals. As for me, I was Kronos’ right hand, I was Death and I liked it, loved planning the raids and strategies to make us richer in slaves and treasure. It’s not something I am proud of now, but the times were different then.

We rode out that day to pillage and kill and found a very small encampment that was led by some type of healer.


While we were killing I felt the smallest immortal signature. Curiously enough it was coming from the healer’s daughter. The thought occurred to me somehow that having an immortal slave that wouldn’t grow old or die form the diseases running rampant in those days would be a bonus, so I decided to capture her. I ran my blade straight through her and wrapped her in a rug to bring her back to our camp. I felt her begin to move as we reached our camp so I threw the rug from the horse and unwrapped her, telling her ‘surprise you’re not dead, that her kind was hard to kill.’ The wench tried to stab me. I had to grab her and tell her she had to try harder than that. When she asked me where here people were I explained we had killed them, but I did it in a very graphic way by pointing to all the skulls surrounding our camp.”

“She couldn’t believe we had killed them all, until I had pointed to the hole in her clothing. ‘Including you.’ I said. She looked at me with this look I’ll never forget and said that she should be dead. I let her know then and there that she lived because I wished it and that she would stay alive as long as she pleased me. After that she tried to run away a few times, each time I caught her and brought her back, each time I whipped her with no mercy knowing she would survive it, until I finally broke her of it.”



She became a good slave for me, maybe too good because I bloody well grew reliant on her even more so than my brothers. She grew to love me, I know that, but that didn’t stop me from the riding or pillaging, it didn’t stop me from being Death. We rode each day, killing men women children and it just didn’t matter. Then came the day when Kronos decided I was becoming too reliant upon my slave. He reminded me that as brothers we always shared everything. He wanted her and I couldn’t go against him, then or years later I couldn’t fight him. I let him take her, and to this day I will not forget her screams as she cried for me to save her. “

She killed him somehow that night and escaped, and this time I let her. Maybe it was a mistake, I don’t know to this day. Had I known that she would harbor such a hatred for me, for what happened I would have, I simply don’t know. Not long after her escape I grew tired of Kronos, my brothers and their never-ending need for blood and destruction and I left them. I wandered for thousands of years, never stopping in one place, never knowing the peace of having a home. I often wondered what happened to her and if she had survived.”

Adam sighed softly, his hazel gaze tormented as he glanced back at Amelia. “I can see it in your eyes, why didn’t I save her from Kronos, why didn’t I rescue her if she was important to me? My sense of self preservation was too strong and he was my BROTHER. We had ridden together for a thousand years. It was, at the time, all I knew or understood. “

I left them soon after she escaped; something inside of me wanted more of life. I simply mounted my horse and rode as far as I could from what I was. For a thousand years I roamed from place to place, gathering knowledge and education. I slowly learned something other than a life of death and swords. I changed, but what man won’t given the time and ability?”

I met Duncan MacLeod, that damned Boy Scout and he shook me to the core with his honor. I should have told him of my past, but you know he sees things in black and white so I never told him, until the day I happened into his dojo and Cassandra was there. Imagine how surprised I was that the woman had survived three thousand years and just happened to have known Duncan for hundreds of years. Stupidly I denied knowing her. She tried to go after me but Duncan stopped her. As I ran from her, my past decided it wasn’t finished rearing up to bite my ass and Kronos showed up. Imagine that, in the 1990’s he decided it was time to reform the horsemen and take over the world. “

To make a long story short, I allowed for it, I let Duncan believe I was back with them and that all the things Cassandra said were truth. They were as she knew it. But I did what I do best, I planned, I strategized and made it possible for Duncan to thwart Kronos’ plans. When it came down too it at the end, I couldn’t kill Kronos, but I knew Duncan could so I planned a way for that to happen. I ended up having to kill Silas though, I liked Silas, I loved his gentle nature, but I killed him all the same. Strangely enough Duncan was fighting Kronos at the same time and Kronos died at the same time as Silas. We shared a double quickening that night.”

As I was kneeling there on that wet cold concrete, too exhausted from the fight, sobbing at the loss of Silas, the loss of my friendship to Duncan, bloody hell just sobbing because I hurt, Cassandra had crept up behind me ready to behead me with Silas’ axe. I vaguely heard her ask if she was supposed to forgive me, but I couldn’t reply, I was just too out of it. I heard Duncan yell that he wanted me to live. I don’t know if it was seconds or minutes later but I heard her drop the axe and stomp off. That was the last time I saw her, but it’s obvious she still doesn’t believe I had changed.”
“Amelia, I couldn’t kill my brother because of who he was, and I can’t go after Cassandra for the same reason. Do you see that? It’s why I called Joe and why I asked him to get Duncan here. If anyone can handle her it’s Duncan. Call me weak if you will, but I gave up being Death and I can’t visit Death upon someone I wronged, even if the wrong is thousands of years old. Do you get that Amelia?”

Amelia looked up into Adam’s hazel eyes and sighed. “I don’t understand how Duncan didn’t see the difference Adam, but at least you two repaired your friendship. Do I understand all that you just explained, well not really, but I do get that all that happened a very long time ago and that you are a different man now. We both know however, that it was your past that is affecting me now so if we don’t save Jon, I charge you with beheading me, because I will not live without him. If we don’t save them from this woman then I want your promise that I won’t live an extra second longer. I demand you give me your word on this Adam.”

Adam’s eyes widened, “What makes you think I can kill you if I couldn’t kill her?”

“You’ll do it because I wish it, because if you don’t agree I’ll ask Duncan too.”

Adam’s eyes widened in shock at the words she uttered. He knew if she asked Duncan that Duncan would agree, and in that agreement he would lose the friendship he savored. “I’ll promise you that Amelia, but I also promise you it won’t come to that. We will get them back.”

“We better Adam.” Amelia looked up at him with eyes that held certain desperation. “We had better.”

Chapter 42

Cassandra smiled as the security man lead her to the backstage area. Mortals were so easy to bewitch with the voice. It was rare to find anyone with a strong mind that could ignore her once she used her special talent, and the security guard was weaker minded than most. It had only taken a moment to implant the suggestion that she was supposed to be taken to the VIP area. With a humble smile the guard stopped at the dressing room door and looked up at her, a willing smile on his lips. “This is the room you were needing ma’am. I hope you enjoy the meet and greet.”

Cassandra granted him a grin and a pat on the cheek. “Oh, I will enjoy it I assure you.” She motioned the guard away and reached for the door knob and slowly opened the door.

~~~

As the door opened Richie glanced up. The meet and greet wasn’t supposed to start for another fifteen minutes so he was a bit confused. Usually staff in the arenas didn’t dare enter until the allotted time they had set for showering and dressing after a show. His eyes widened as one single woman walked through the door. Damn she was a looker, with hair the color of honey flowing over her shoulders and the most beautiful set of hazel eyes. She was quite the looker, tall with curves in all the right places. “Well hello there Darlin, what can I do for you today?”

With a wink she pitched her voice to a soft vibrato, set to pull Richie right into her control. “You can come here big boy and stand next to me.”

With a grin Richie straightened and walked over to the woman and tried to give her a hug. As his arms reached for her, Cassandra’s voice whispered over his mind. “Now where is that pretty boy that sings for you?”

“Aww he’s taking his shower pretty lady.”

Cassandra smiled at Richie as she reached up and traced his lips with her index finger. “It’s not time for fun yet, so you just stand there and prepare to protect me pretty boy.” He followed the urging of the lady and stood there behind her, a defiant and protective look sliding over a face that was suspiciously devoid of any other emotion.

~~~~

As Jon stepped out of the shower and dried off he felt the distinct buzzing at the back of his head that signaled an immortal near by. He thought nothing of the sensation and assumed that Amelia or Adam had finally finished up the end of concert duties and had made their way into the main dressing area to go with them to the meet and greet. Glancing around he saw that Amelia had laid out his post concert clothing too. Groaning slightly he took a deep breath, exhaled and went to slide into yet another set of very tight jeans and equally tight black t-shirt. With a shake of his head he walked to the door and entered the main dressing room.

He was all geared up to give Amelia some witty response to his clothing when he realized the woman in the room wasn’t her. His eyes narrowed as he took in the picture of Richie standing at attention in behind the woman, Thoughts blazed through his mind as he comprehended that the immortal was a woman, wasn’t who he thought it was, that he didn’t exactly have his weapon on him and that this just wasn’t good at all. Stopping dead in his tracks he uttered “And who might you be?”

Cassandra smiled and summoned the voice again. “I am the realization of all your dreams singer. Come to me.”

Jon shook his head, fighting the urge to go to the woman. “I should do that why?”

Once again that soft beguiling voice washed over him. “You should come to me because I wish it and because it will keep all you love alive and safe.”

Jon tried valiantly to not listen but found himself slowly being pulled towards that voice. As he reached her the voice washed over him again, soft vibrations that echoed and resonated inside of him causing him to take the woman in his arms as his lips reached for hers. His hands went around her and cupped her ass as he sinuously ground against her. She reached back and pulled Richie into her, a simple whisper of a command having him nuzzling her neck.

It was this exact moment that Adam and Amelia walked up to the main dressing room door. Stopping suddenly his eyes grew cold and distant. “Bloody fucking hell there’s an immortal in there.”

Amelia laughed softly. “Duh Adam, Jersey is in there getting dressed.”

He shook his head and replied, “No Ammie, this immortal signature is stronger, older. We have bloody problems.”

Armed with the knowledge that Jon was in trouble she wasted no time and jerked the door open. Gold flecked green eyes dulled to mere green as they widened at the sight in front of her as she processed that not only was Richie all wrapped around some strange woman, so was her Jon, and that woman was the immortal Adam has just warned about.

“What the flying fuck is going on in here?” Amelia sputtered as she stepped into the room. Jon reached up for another kiss as Amelia stalked over to him. “Jersey what the fuck do you think your doing?” Jon glanced at her but didn’t respond. “Dammit Jon answer me.” As the moments passed and she got no answer Amelia began to shake with anger. “What the hell is wrong with you Jersey?”

“Well hello there little girl, your interrupting me you know. He won’t answer you; you might as well stop trying to get him too. He’s mine now.” Hazel eyes drifted slowly over a very irate redhead. “Ah and hello to you Methos, or are you still pretending to be a scholar named Adam?”

Adam stood there as still as death as his memories of his time as Death and the reunion a few years previous washed over him. Like a bad penny Cassandra had shown up again and although it didn’t seem to be him she was after, he knew that she was doing all she was doing expressly to pay him back for what happened thousands of years ago. She was obsessive about hating him for all that had happened and refused to believe he was a changed man.

Laughing softly Cassandra crooked her finger and began to walk to the door. “Well it’s getting a bit crowded here. I think I’ll just take my boys and find somewhere a bit more private.”

“Jon! Richie! Stop for god sakes STOP!” Amelia was nearly shouting as she watched both men blankly begin to follow the woman out. “Adam, Dammit DO something, stop them!”

Adam finally spoke up. “What do you bloody well want me to do Amelia? We can’t challenge her here.”

“Why the hell not? I’ll challenge her if it will mean Jon and Richie are safe.” Amelia was ready to blow a gasket as she continued. “You’re supposed to be helping protect him and you’re just standing there.”

Cassandra laughed as she reached the doorway. “Typical Methos, no brothers to back you up, your spine is like a wet noodle.”

Adam growled softly, “This isn’t the way to handle your vendetta with me Cassandra. Release the men.”

She laughed as she walked past. “Isn’t it Methos? I think it is a way to handle things.” She glanced over her shoulder at Amelia, “I think the blonde one will be great fun to handle my vendetta with. The other is just icing on the cake. Don’t you worry little girl, I’ll take good care of your Jersey, such good care he won’t ever remember you existed.” Adam growled softly, his hazel eyes blazing with a Death like anger as Cassandra and the men left the room.

Amelia ran up to Adam and began to beat on his chest, “why didn’t you do something? You let her take them away, you fucking shit. WHY couldn’t you stop her?? WHO IS SHE THAT YOU OF ALL PEOPLE WOULD LET HER GET AWAY WITH THAT?”

Adam sighed softly and accepted Amelia’s frantic chest beating. “She’s a shadow of my past, one you won’t be able to hurt and one I can’t kill. Her name is Cassandra.”

Chapter 41

After they entered the limo Amelia slid over to sit between David and Richie. That call had been a bit too close for her liking. Unknown immortals were an unknown factor that could end in a certain death for anyone. Gold flecked green eyes blazed as she glanced at Jon. “So tell me again whose bright idea it was to leave without me?”

“Red,” Richie began only to get a talk to the hand motion from Amelia.

“No don’t even Sambo. I know you; you’ll back him up from here to eternity and then some. I know who the control freak is here and I KNOW who decided not to wait on me and go on into that store. Isn’t that right Jersey boy?” She leaned forward a bit, her gaze steady on the man she loved.

For his part Jon was having a problem concentrating on her words as his eyes traveled to how her leaning forward was giving him a hint of heavenly skin leading to her breast. “JON FRANCIS BONGIOVI! I’m talking to you my face is up this way.” She leaned forward a bit further and reached out to put a finger under his chin and lift his face until he was looking her in the eyes. “What did I tell you about leaving without me or Adam with you? Can’t you do ONE simple thing we ask?” She turned her ire towards Richie, David and Tico, “I told you guys, he’s not ready. Why didn’t one of YOU come get me or alert me he was going to saunter out into the world to play fucking Rock Star unprotected?”

“Hey darlin, don’t go crawling the guys. I’ve been the boss for twenty-five years. They do what I want. I thought it was safe. Get over it babe. I’m a grown man last I checked so I can make my own decisions.” His fingers tapped against the handle of the door. “So you can just stop the lecture babe. I’m not gonna let this new thing in my life affect how I do things. I’ll just be more careful.”

Richie winced as he listened to his brother. He wondered if sometimes Jon was as smart as he seemed. Amelia had a point with what she was saying and Jon had brushed her worries off. He risked a glace at Amelia and the look she was giving Jon had him wanting to slide as far from the fall out as he could get.

“Oh so I’m lecturing you now is that right? What did I find in that store Jersey, an immortal! We don’t know how old or experienced that immortal was, you could be DEAD right now had I not gotten you out of there. Jon you HAVE to start thinking more strategically. YOU have to consider the what ifs now, more than ever.”

He leaned forward and grabbed her hands and pulled her into his lap. “Aw babe, don’t be mad at me. It all worked out okay after all didn’t it?” He flashed her a sexy pouty smile then whispered softly into her ear, “don’t make me beg baby; I’ll try to do better next time. What can I do to make it up to you?” His fingers brushed over her belly.

She bit back a whimper as she glanced up at him. She knew exactly what he was trying to do and damn it all it was working. She never could stay mad at him when he’d flash a pouty smile her way but she was going to have to try. He needed to learn that being immortal was serious business. She pushed his fingers off her belly and went to slide back to her seat next to Richie only to find he had his arms around her and was holding on to her. His arms were like steel bands, so strong and muscular and had her quite the prisoner. He had went right back to stroking her tummy and whispering sweet sexy things into her ears, all of it designed to make her forget her anger. She sighed softly and shook her head, her anger dissipating slightly but not entirely; it was however a way to get what she wanted for the night. “Jersey, you aren’t playing fair here and you damn well know it. I’m right about what I’ve said and trying to play on my emotions is just wrong.”

Jon laughed softly, “All’s fair in love and war babe.

Amelia growled softly and pried his hands apart and swiftly slid off of his lap back to the other limo seat. She turned her head and watched the country side flash by as the limo speed towards the arena. It was the hardest thing she’d done in her life; moving off of his lap and ignoring his sexy breathy teasing voice, but he had to learn that he had to be more careful.

Jon watched her as she studiously ignored him, with good right. He had a hard time ever admitting he was wrong, especially after twenty odd years of being the front man, the one responsible for the success of everything; it was time he realized that he wasn’t in control of everything now. He began to contemplate how to make things up to Amelia. He wasn’t sure but he had a feeling he’d be paying for today for a while. He wanted to do more than whisper sweet nothings to her, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t be doing any of that until she wasn’t angry.

Within short order they had arrived at the arena and exiting the limo, Amelia swiftly walked off towards the backstage area, intent on putting a little distance between her and Jon. Jon for his part was just as intent to keep up with her and make things right. As David, Tico and Richie watched the two of them enter the arena they began to laugh. “You know,” David started, “For a control freak the boss is so not in control when it comes to her.”

Richie nodded as they started into the arena a grin flitting about his lips, “well I’d rather have him like this than the cold hard professional we’ve dealt with for all these years.”

“It is like my amigos, that she has breathed life back into him after all this time.” Tico added.

“That’s exactly it Teek,” Richie finished as they entered the building, “he was damned good all these years, no doubt about it, but he’s on fire now.”

As the three men walked down the hall to the dressing room they could hear a rather loud disagreement taking place; “I AM NOT WEARING THAT TONIGHT!”

“Why yes you are Jersey. It’s what the women want to see.”

“I HAVENT WORN THAT IN FIVE YEARS, IT’S TOO TIGHT!”

“Jersey, quit yelling honey, it’s not too tight, you LIKE it tight; all the better to shake your assets.” She reached over and trailed a finger along his chest, “Besides, it’s a good way to say I’m sorry for today and you ARE sorry aren’t you Jersey?”

Jon closed his eyes and groaned softly. She had him right where she wanted him, stuck between a rock and a very hard something. He nodded with a sigh. “If that’s what you want me to wear I’ll wear it, thank god it wasn’t something made with spandex.”

“Oh I thought about that Jersey, I really did, but I wouldn’t do that to you no matter how good you’d probably look in some of those get ups now.” Amelia laughed softly then kissed his cheek. “I’ll leave you to get ready.”

She walked out of the door about the time the guys entered granting each one of them a smile. “Your outfits are laid out guys. Dave, I went with one of your pullovers, nothing Liberace flashy tonight ok? As for you Teekie, basic black all the way for you. Richie, I have your hats ready and well something bright the way you like it.” She turned to him as she heard him clear his throat. “Yes Rich?”

“Um, what’s Kidd wearing tonight Red?” Richie was dying to know.

Amelia gave him a wide grin. “Oh you’ll see Sambo, you’ll see.”

The guys went on into the dressing rooms and started preparing for the concert. As they entered they saw Jon staring at a pair of jeans and a shirt with a look that would have had anything else spontaneously combusting. “Bro, you’re wearing that tonight?”

“Yep,” Jon’s reply was a bit soft and a tad mournful.

“She picked that out for you didn’t she?”

“Yep.”

“Are you really gonna wear it?”

“Richie, Do I wanna make love to her again or do I wanna lose my head?”

“You’re wearing it. Gotcha Bro.”

Jon walked into the bathroom and quickly showered. After patting himself dry he began to dress alternately cussing himself and the clothing. Damn the pants were tighter than he remembered, or maybe they were cut that way as he hadn’t changed sizes in all these years. With a groan he lay flat on the floor and slowly managed to get the zipper up. “I’m either gonna lose circulation tonight or split a seam, but she wanted tight and she damn sure gonna have it,” he thought as he pushed himself to his feet. Exhaling slowly he walked to the mirror and finished his preparations, never once sitting down. Truth be told he was a bit afraid to sit down as a seam somewhere might explode and show more Jovi than he was willing to show.

As he walked from his dressing room he nodded to his band mates who were also exiting their rooms. Each man arched a brow and took a second look at his outfit. “Can ya breathe Jon?” David quipped with a silly grin.

“Let’s hope so Dave.” Jon grimaced. “Maybe after I move around a bit they’ll give. Damn what I’ll do to apologize amazes even me.”

After knocking and getting a chorused “come in,” Amelia walked back into the dressing area, her eyes lighting up as she saw Jon in tighter than tight blue jeans and an off bluish black skin tight leather shirt. “Well don’t you boys all look just spiffy?” She smiled as she continued. “You got 5 minutes to get on stage guys.”

They all began to filter out giving her a high five as they exited. Just before Jon walked out the door she moved up to him and wrapped her arms around him, her hips grinding into his slightly. “Seeing you like that is hot, makes me even hotter Jersey.”

Jon could fill his pants getting tighter and just groaned. “Baby your just trying to torture me. Now I have to go on stage like this.”

She grinned and smacked his ass as he turned. “That was the entire idea Jersey. I’m gonna have fun watching tonight.”

She followed him as he ran to the stage and out as the beginning chords of the first song began to play. She stood on the side of the stage and watched as they entertained the crowd with their music. Jon danced and pranced as if he were twenty four all over again.



She was pretty sure there wasn’t a dry set of panties in the audience including her own, he was that on fire. She smiled as he announced that Richie would be singing the next song solo and watched as he quickly walked off stage as the strains of These Days began to play. He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms to steal a kiss, then began to do a slow grind dance with her as they both got lost in Richie’s steamy whiskey hued voice. The song was over all too soon and with a final stolen kiss Jon ran back up on stage his killer smile whispering out over the audience.


As that song wound down Jon began to talk. “You know ladies and gentlemen, I have to be the luckiest son of a bitch that ever walked this earth. And today it’s truer than it ever was.” As the band began to segue into Born to Be My Baby Jon ran to the side stage and grabbed Amelia’s hand pulling her to the stage. He began to sing as he held Amelia close. The song swiftly turned into Bed of Roses as he began to slow dance her across the stage. As they came to the stage exit he gave her a kiss and whirled back to stage front to finish the song.

The concert ended a half hour later with the singing of their national anthem. As the band all walked to the front of stage to do their normal bow Jon’s head snapped up as he felt the beginnings of an unknown immortal hum. It didn’t take him long to usher the band off stage, ignoring for once the calls of “more, more, more” from the audience, something that usually had him prancing back on stage for a second encore. The band recognized that something was up and they all crowded around him as they walked from the stage.

Walking up to Amelia who had been joined by Adam right after the Bed of Roses song Jon whispered, “Did you feel that?” They both nodded at him, intent on just getting out of the arena and avoiding what ever immortal had decided to attend a Jovi concert. As they walked to the dressing rooms so that the band could shower and change they didn’t realize their lives were getting ready to wander straight into the stress zone.

Cassandra, Witch of Donan Woods was already at the backstage door using her voice to charm her way into the meet and greet.

Chapter 40

Adam was bone tired. Five cities and two countries in less than a week had him feeling every year of his five thousand years on this earth. He wondered if they were going to keep up this pace of a city every other night. He groaned as his rolled his shoulders and shoved the next piece of the stage together. Of course he’d get the job with the manual labor and the wench the easy job of handling the bands wardrobe, but that was ok, it gave him reason to be extra hard during the rock star’s training session. He grinned as he planned that lesson, even contemplating the merits of letting his “brothers” watch. It wouldn’t hurt to take the rock star’s ego down a notch or two, if that were even possible.

~~~
Amelia muttered softly to herself as she organized each man’s stage locker. As she went through Jon’s she wondered what had happened to all of his leather and tighter jeans, the things the fans wanted to see didn’t seem to be in the case. She stood up and put her hands on her hips, blowing a stray lock of hair from her face. It wouldn’t do for him to saunter on stage in an old T-shirt and baggy set of khakis. As she looked around the dressing area she spied a battered case shoved against the far wall and walked over to it. Opening it up her eyes brightened and a wicked gleam began to shine in her eyes. Oh these were just perfect, now to convince him of it. She checked her watch and realized that she was late for the Music store promotional appearance. Dropping everything she rushed out to the waiting car and as she slid into the back seat urged the driver to put petal to the metal.

~~~~
The limo pulled up in front of the music store and four sets of eyes looked at the crowd milling around. “Bro, are you sure about doing this before she gets here? I’m sure if we wait a few minutes it will be ok.” Richie studied Jon, whose sunglass covered eyes were scanning all the people standing around the car.

“Rich, it should be ok, it’s just a signing. I doubt I’ll be in any danger. After all I have all 3 of you surrounding me.” He grinned at his best friend as his hand went back to swipe gently at the nape of his neck, “and I have a certain sharp thing with me too. We’ll be ok.”

Dave chuckled and spoke up, “Yeah we’ll be totally ok, until Miss Redhead realizes you left without her.”

Tico chimed in, “yeah and she knows how to play with pointy objects.”

Jon laughed, “So do I boys. Now, let’s get inside and make our fans happy.”

The guys exited the limo and smiled as the fans crowded them. They smiled and signed autographs as they walked into the store. Within minutes they were seated with people lined up in front of them and interviewers throwing question after question at them. For twenty minutes the men chatted to each fan lucky enough to get inside, and signed whatever piece of paper, or multimedia thrust in front of them. About mid-way through the appearance Richie noticed the slight wince that crossed Jon’s face as his head whipped up to study the room intently and recognized that look. It was a look that said “trouble” in big capital letters.

~~~~~

Amelia was out of the car before it even came to a good stop. She swiftly walked towards the door of the store intent on getting inside. She felt the familiar hum of what had to be Jon’s immortal signal humming along her nerve endings. She reached the door and slowly pushed it open, her gold flecked green eyes swiftly searching the room. As her gaze centered on Jon, he looked her way and smiled only to receive a slight frown back for the effort. He knew she was pissed from the way her eyes were snapping fire back his way.

He grinned and watched as she made her way back towards their table only to be stopped by a security man. The guards had been hired to keep overly zealous fans from getting too rowdy or breaking the line formed, and it seemed that Amelia had been pegged as just that type of fan. He bit back a grin as he nudged Richie to watch. Richie’s head swiveled that way just as Amelia began to grow red faced in anger. She had shown the guard her band pass, her identification that was proof she was with the band and he had still refused to let her go past the line to the table beyond. With a look to her face that boded ill for the men at the table she stepped into the line and waited her turn, like any good fan would do.

Richie bit back a laugh as he watched Red’s little adventure, “Bro you sure you want to let her be treated that way?”

Jon turned to look at Richie and grinned as he whispered back, “I’ll straighten it out soon bro, but she was late, she’s gotta pay the price.”

Richie grinned at the fan in front of him and signed his name to the CD handed to him. “Jon, you love taking them risks man. I wouldn’t be so brave if I were you.”

It didn’t take long before Amelia was finally at the front of the line; and she was ready and loaded for bear. Jon wanted to play games; well she was up for the game. “Let him deal with this” she thought as she smiled at Richie. Jon looked at her expecting her to lean over to speak to him, but received a big surprise when Amelia all but ignored him.

In her best dizzy lady voice she simpered out, “Ohh Richie Sambora, I’ve waited so long to meet you.” She leaned way forward and captured Richie’s lips for a sizzling kiss then slipped a note into his hand. “You can meet me there after your concert if you like. I’ll be all ready and waiting.”

Richie glanced at Jon and almost split the seam of his pants with laughter. The look on Jon’s face was priceless. “Well darlin, I’m sure we can set something up. Let me just arrange you a backstage pass.” Amelia squealed and jumped into Richie’s arms, as a few women behind her squealed or moaned softly at the woman’s luck. As she smiled Richie settled her onto his lap a wicked grin floating out to all the other women. “Ain’t I just a lucky fella for this lovely woman to be sitting in my lap?”

A few of the women muttered about how it was the redhead’s lucky day, and Jon muttered under his breath as Richie and Amelia played it up for the audience. She risked a glance at Jon and winked before leaning close as if to kiss Richie again. Before her lips could touch his she was pulled into a familiar lap and kissed breathless. “Just thought I’d show you what you were missing Miss.” Jon whispered dramatically. As the women standing in line applauded and Amelia vainly tried to regain her faculties she registered the familiar sensation of yet another immortal around. Her gaze searched for Adam among the people in the store and didn’t see him. She glanced back at Jon and leaned in to whisper. “We have to get out of here Jon, before whoever this is sees exactly who is giving off the signature.” Leaning over to Richie she whispered, “We gotta jet Sambo, its getting dangerous in here if you get my drift.”

Richie grinned and stood, pulling Amelia up from Jon’s lap; “so missy, did ya choose dark or light?”

Amelia looked back at Jon then at Richie and picked their little game back up. It would probably make the papers the next day, but it could only further their reputations. “Aww, do I have to choose? Ya can’t choose between day and night, you need them both you know.”

Jon sensually stood from his chair and wrapped his arm around Amelia. “Well we have till concert time to get you to choose sweet lady.’ He turned to the crowd in the store. “I’m really sorry we didn’t have time to get to all of you, but the concert draws near. If you’ll leave your address with the store here, we’ll be sure to mail you an autographed picture.” Motioning to Tico and David he began to walk swiftly to the front of the store, his arm still wrapped around Amelia. She had her arm around Richie; her plan to make it hard to tell which was immortal or not was hopefully working.

The tall gorgeous woman watched them walk from the store, a slight grin on her face. The little redheaded girl was obviously protecting one of the band members by that overly flirtatious scene she had played out. She had no interest in baby immortals or the game and hadn’t for many years, but it was always fun to see how they reacted to her immortal buzz. The young redhead had been trained by someone good; it was obvious from how quickly she had gathered up her little band and vacated the store.

With a tilt of her head the woman brushed her brunette hair back and concentrated on the red head exiting the store. She was called the Witch of Donan Woods for a reason. She had gifts, always had even before becoming immortal, and she didn’t mind using them when needed. With a whisper she was able to scan the surface thoughts of the young redheaded woman, her eyes growing wide at what she saw.

Cassandra shivered as the picture of Methos floated unbidden to her mind. So you’re still around. Duncan didn’t do away with you, and now you’re teaching other immortals your way of doing things. We can’t have that now can we?” It was time to make him pay for all he had done three thousand years before, and even a few years ago when the Horsemen had reunited. “I won’t be able to get to you directly yet Methos, but I know the perfect way to get AT you. I’ll just start by taking away what’s most important.”

Her mind was awhirl with plans, but first she had to find out which man the little red head really preferred. After all it wouldn’t be good to bewitch the wrong man; it would unhinge all of her plans. “I guess I’m heading to a concert tonight, and finding a way backstage, and then the fun will truly begin. I’ll make them all hurt for what he did to me, and in the end I’ll have his head; with no Duncan MacLeod around to stop me this time.

Cassandra, the Witch of Donan Woods, began to laugh hysterically as she exited the store in search of a ticket merchant.

Chapter 39

He awoke first and propped himself up on one elbow to watch her sleep. It wasn’t often that she was that still. Unable to resist he reached over to brush a stray lock of her auburn hair from her face, his fingers tracing lightly over her lush lips. He smirked as she brushed at the offending tickle and lightly traced over her cheek to her ear. A throaty chuckle escaped him as she slapped at the pesky thing interrupting her sleep. Tilting his head close, his lips brushing her lobes he whispered, “It’s time to get up sleeping beauty. There are people wanting to see that you’re ok.”

She pressed back against him, her hips wriggling slightly. “Do we really have to?”

He bit back a groan as she pressed back against him and dug deep within for the control she was playing havoc with. “Darlin, we have to get out of this room some time.”

She turned then, her cat green gaze searching out the baby blue eyes she loved. “I’m,” she paused, searching for the words to convince him to stay here where it was safe.

He read the trepidation in her eyes and smiled gently. “Now that’s not the strong independent lady I know. She wouldn’t let a bump in the road have her cowering in fear. They are all your friends Fire, and they love you. They understand what you went through. Let them help you instead of hiding from them.”

She sighed softly, a smile playing about her lips. “When did you get so smart Jonny?”

He flashed his megawatt grin her way. “Who says I haven’t always been that smart?”

With an impish look in her cat green eyes she whispered, “I remember who put your wardrobe together in the 80’s Darlin.”

He rolled on top of her and began to tickle her sides, his eyes sparkling with mirth, “yeah, yeah, yeah, you liked that then, just like you love what I do now. So tell me again who is the smartest.”

She gasped as his supple fingers ran over every ticklish spot she had, but she refused to full out laugh. “Richie?” She laughed out loud at the perplexed look on his face, and then started squirming in earnest as his fingers dug in lightly at a very sensitive spot.

“So, Richie is smarter than me eh?” He gave her a little boy pout, the type that always made her melt and change her mind.

“Stop Jonny, please stop,” she gasped as he continued his flurry of tickles, “aahhh stop it!!”

He leaned in and captured her lips in a kiss that had her more breathless than the tickles. “You know its me Darlin, stubborn, smart and I never give up. You might as well give in.”

The tears were streaming from her eyes as she laughed and tried to get away from his merciless fingers. “Ok, yes YOU always have been very wise and tough and a touch more stubborn than needed.”

The tickling stopped as he pulled back and winked at her. “See I knew you were a smart lady. Now quit trying to hide in this room and let’s get back to living. You have ten minutes to pull it together before we leave this room.” He leaned in again and gave her a tender kiss. “You are a fighter, so prove it.” Standing he went to the closet and pulled out a pair of fit him like too tight gloves black jeans and a red silk shirt. “Time’s a wasting Darlin. Want me to pick out your clothes for ya?”

Her eyes widened as she bolted from the bed. “Damn Jonny I want to breathe today. I like my blood circulating even if you don’t.” Within mere minutes she had pulled on a pair of soft suede slacks, and an emerald green velour peasant style blouse. With economical moves she quickly had her hair twisted back into a soft bun.

“And you call MY pants tight Darlin? You’re trying to drive me crazy right Fire?”

Amelia laughed softly and turned to walk to the door, an extra swish to her walk. “I aim to please Jersey. You telling me you’re not pleased?”

“Hey I’m a man, if you had on burlap and it was that tight, I’d be pleased.” He walked over and took her arm in his. “Let’s go gorgeous.”

~~~~~

Five men sat in the kitchen chatting amiably as their day started. The musicians in the group were discussing upcoming rehearsals and concerts, and how to dynamite Jon from the bedroom for said rehearsals or concerts. Adam and Duncan were throwing in their two cents worth on how to accomplish the goal when all five men heard something at the kitchen door. Five sets of eyes swiveled to see a tired but happy looking lead singer and his lady enter the room.

All five men stood and swarmed the couple, thumping Jon on the back or alternately punching his shoulder, then hugging Amelia.

“Air, I need air here boys.” She laughed as yet another hug came her way. “Sheesh you’d think I died or something.” She slid from between them all and meandered over to the coffee pot. “I’ve been out of the loop for days, who wants to update me on everything?”

“We were just discussing how Kidd must really be getting older than it seems as he has seemed to have forgotten the concerts coming up.” Richie grinned as Jon flipped him a finger. “He’s usually the one ten steps ahead of all of us.”

She poured herself a cup of coffee then turned as she sipped it slowly, one fine eyebrow arching quizzically. “And what makes you think he forgot anything?”

Jon shrugged, and then spoke softly, “I didn’t forget, but I was totally prepared today to cancel had Fire not been better.”

Dave, Tico and Richie looked at Jon stunned amazement evident on their faces. He never cancelled a concert, not even when their plane nearly crashed. “Man, you’ve never cancelled, not in twenty five years even when your voice nearly went. Hell you nearly missed a birth here and there because you said you couldn’t or wouldn’t let down the fans.” Richie tilted his head, “you losing the love for it all bro?” He knew that now that Jon’s life was different that things might end, but he wasn’t expecting that soon an end to things.

Amelia started laughing about the same time Jon started grinning. “You find that bottle of peyote Bro? I am a musician, singer writer and I always will be. You watch, I’ll be doing this long after many are dead and gone. But our lives mean something too. I’m learning that sometimes you have to prioritize a bit. I wouldn’t have let our people hanging, I would have rescheduled, gave them the concerts free; hell something in return you know. We don’t have to worry about that now do we? The studios ready and we are going to go to work. I actually have the set lists more or less set. I had a lot of time to think this week you know.”

Amelia walked over to Jon and handed him a cup of coffee then looked at Richie and the guys. “I suggest you all just prepare to pack because I have a feeling this week is going to fly by and before you know it your going be seducing the masses again.” She turned and winked at Richie, “well all except for Jersey there.”

Richie started to laugh as he caught what her wink said that her words didn’t have too. “Well my friends I think we need to go ahead and rehearse. I hear the boss is back in business.”

~~~~~~~~~

The next ten days was a flurry of activity as the band prepared for their next scheduled concerts. Set lists were written, rearranged, discarded and rewritten time and time again. Jon was brimming with an energy the guys hadn’t seen him show in many a year, and each one knew that it was the doing of Amelia. Their concerts over the last twenty five years had been awesome, but they were already realizing that the ones upcoming were going to blow the past out of the water. Each man was stoked and it showed in each thrum of the guitar or beat of the drum.

During this time, Duncan had taken his leave. It was time to return to Seattle and to reopen the Dojo. He would miss this little group, but he had promised to show up at one of the concerts in Vancouver. Adam had disappeared for a few days claiming research he had to do, but had promised to be there on departure day to play his part as personal trainer.

Richie was worried though about Jon’s new found immortality and how it would affect the band. He felt a bit guilty about Tico and Dave being in the dark about everything and didn’t know how he would handle things if something were to actually happen to Jon. It was time to beard the lion in the den and talk to Jon about the brothers.

That night as Tico and Dave left to get a snack, Richie walked over and picked up his Alvarez, then sat and began to strum the strings softly. It was a signal that either inspiration had hit or he had something on his mind. Jon had seen that happen so many times over the years that he knew something was up. He watched for a few minutes then went over and sat down on the stool beside him. “Ok bro, what gives?”

“Kidd,” Richie sighed, “I’m just worried dude. You have all these new things in your life, and for the first time in twenty five years we’re keeping secrets from Dave and Tico. I know it’s important to do, but I’m feeling like a hound doing it. Man it’s always been; what goes on in the band stays in the band and now we’re separating them from us. I understand it man but I don’t like it. I just wish there was a way to fix it.”

Jon sighed softly. “I understand Rich, and I wish I could tell them. I have a feeling Adam would be pissed to hell and back, and Amelia too. It’s just not safe to let many mortals in on this secret.”

“Hell bro, Tico and Dave aren’t just ANY mortals though.”

“I know bro.” Jon didn’t know what to say really. He agreed with Rich about Tico and Dave. He wanted to tell them. He stood and walked to the window and looked out deep in thought, wishing for the hundredth time he could find a way to let Teek and Dave in on the new wrinkles in his life.

Amelia stood quietly in the door way watching them talk. She had only caught part of the conversation, but she could see the concern in Richie’s chocolate gaze, and the pain in Jon’s azure eyes. He had done so much for her after the kidnap. Hell, he had taken her back and forgiven her for all she’d down twenty years before. With a sly smile she figured out exactly how to repay all that love and kindness. With a shake of her head she whirled and walked quickly to the kitchen. All she needed now was an audience and something really sharp. Jon was gonna be happy, Richie was gonna howl and Adam would probably curse her out, and she’d handle it all.

~~~~~~~~

Twenty minutes later Tico and David had returned to the studio ready to start rehearsals again. They looked at Richie and Jon, noting the tenseness in the room, but put it down to a slight artistic difference the two men probably had. Sometimes in setting up set lists Richie would disagree a bit with Jon and they’d go all silent, but they always worked it out.

Before they could gear up for the next song, Amelia wandered in with a grin on her face. “Hey guys!”

Four totally in tune voices mimicked back, “Hello pretty lady! What brings you in here?”

“Oh, I needed a bit of help and as I have four big strong fellas right here, why should I try to handle this alone?” She wandered over to Richie and gave him a wink before leaning over and whispering, “Buckle your seat belt Sambo and keep them all from killing me ok?”

Richie grinned and nodded; a curious gleam to his brown gaze. Red was up to something and it promised to be interesting, if the wicked look in her eyes was any indication.

She continued, “Now Teek and Dave would you please come here and take a seat on these two stools beside Jon and Rich?” The two men got up from their respective instruments, curious as to what was going on. “Bear with me now. I promise this will be fun, for most of us that is.”

Jon tilted his head studying Amelia intently. Fire was up to something; she had that look in her eyes, and as he recalled that look didn’t bode well for someone. “Ok Fire, what’s up?”

She smiled at Jon and didn’t answer him right away, choosing instead to walk over to Dave and Tico. Leaning close to them to slowly pulled a very wicked looking butcher knife from her belt and handed it to Dave. “Joker honey, can you tell me if this lil old knife is sharp enough? I think I need to sharpen it more.”

Dave took the knife and tested it a moment before nodding. “Ok I don’t get it Red, why you wanted that as help, but yeah its pretty darned sharp, but I think you could tell that?”

Jon’s eyebrow arched nearly to his hairline as he walked over to Amelia. He was concerned that she was flashing back, that the peyote was not out of her system like they had all thought. “Babe, I’ll fix the knife for you honey, just hand it here,” he said very softly as he held out his hand.

At this moment three very concerned men suddenly realized by the tone in Jon’s voice that maybe everything wasn’t ok with their favorite auburn haired beauty. They recognized that they needed to sit very still and be very quiet and let Jon handle what he had been taking care of all week.

“Awww Jersey, now why would you want my knife? But if you want it you can have it!” Amelia grinned out as she turned towards Jon brandishing the knife. “Baby, come on, just give me the knife ok? We’re all friends here, nothings going to hurt ya.”

She smiled softly. “Your wish is my command Jersey. Always has been you know that. I love you Jonny, don’t be mad, I couldn’t think of any other way to do this.”

Jon’s head snapped up as Amelia, swift as lightning slid the knife home, straight through Jon Bon Jovi’s chest.

~~~~

Riche started laughing as Jon’s hands flew to his chest, a stunned look of total amazement in his blue eyes as he hit his knees. Amelia dropped the knife and looked over at Tico and David who were standing there their eyes moving from Richie to Jon to her. They didn’t know what to do or say, or who to help first.
David finally reacted and ran for the phone. “Oh my God, Amelia have you lost your fucking mind? Teek, grab her, my god she’s killed him!”

Richie fell back onto the couch crowing with laughter. It wasn’t funny by God but it was hilarious too.

Amelia arched a brow at Teek, and then spoke softly. “David honey don’t you dare pick up that phone. You won’t like the consequences I promise you. Just come right back here and sit down.”

David looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “Lady, you just put a knife through his chest, he’s bleeding to death. How could you do that to him?”

Amelia laughed softly. “Calling the police wont help, they’ll think your crazy by the time they get here. Calling an ambulance wont help, he's dead as a door knob already Joker. Now come sit down!”

Riche spat out between guffaws. “Best you just do what she says Dave. It’s not what you think.”

Tico growled out in his aged whiskey Spanish accent. “Then what is it my friend? I know what it looks like to me. You must be crazy too!”

David studied Amelia for a moment. She didn’t look too crazy matter of fact, she even looked pretty calm. He walked over to Jon and knelt feeling for a pulse didn’t feel one. “My god he’s dead. Red you’ve killed Bon Jovi. Why? I thought you loved him?”

“David it’s because I love him so much that I did this. You’ll understand soon. It was the only way to show you all how much he’s loved, and how much he loves you. I had to find a way to repay all he did this week.”

David shook his head, more confused than ever. “So killing him is repaying him? Lady your more nuts than I originally remembered thinking you were.”

Amelia sighed. “Once upon a time thousands of years ago a new species of human was born upon this earth. They are called immortals. They are destined to live forever, without aging, growing old or dying. Most wounds will heal; normal deaths can be recovered from. As long as you don’t sever the head from their body they can and WILL revive you see.”

David and Tico both started to laugh hysterically as David spat out. “You’re insane, that’s just totally impossible!”

Amelia turned a gentle gaze towards Dave. “Now do you really think that I would kill the one and only man I love if I wasn’t totally sure it wasn’t permanent? What I am telling you is truth. Once an immortal dies the first time they come back, to be forever immortal. Once immortal they are a part of what we call the game. The game goes on until only one immortal remains. That immortal will win what is called the prize. Do not ask me what the prize is, no immortal knows. “

David arched a brow but kept listening. “You see David, the only reason I left twenty years ago is because I died and became immortal. That is what forced me to leave Jon. Now twenty years later I find him in the snow with amnesia and low and behold it seems he was immortal too. I can only guess that he died when that plane he was on crashed that night. Anyways, you know the rest of the story. We brought him home, he got his memory back and I was with him.”

“What you didn’t know was that now he is immortal, he has to carry a sword at all times and we have to protect him as he learns to use that sword to protect his life. Nothing is going to change as far as Bon Jovi goes. There are ways to help him age “gracefully.” He already looks younger than he is anyways, that will be a breeze.”

“The only wrinkle, boys, was that he couldn’t tell you, his brothers that he had changed. It was eating him up inside to carry the secret so I fixed that.”

David and Tico looked at her as she quieted and Tico gave her a certifiable look. David though, had to say his part. “He still looks pretty damn dead to me.”

It was at this moment that a gasp was heard from the floor. Four sets of eyes turned to watch blue eyes open and a handsome face grimace. Tico nearly fell off his stool and David yelped “Fuck me!”

Jon groaned as he stood. “No thanks Bro don’t think I want to do that, but I AM considering that whipping is good enough for a certain redhead.” He turned to Amelia, an exasperated look on his face. “You ruined my shirt.”

She smiled innocently. “I solved your problem.” She turned to David and Tico, “what goes on in the band stays in the band right? Now you understand the true need for secrecy. Sometimes, Jon or I might act a bit wired, if we sense another immortal around. We are trusting in his family, his brothers here in this room, to understand and help.”

David walked over to Jon and couldn’t resist poking him in the chest. “Damn no hole or anything. Now that IS a nifty trick.”

Jon grinned. “Yep it is at that bro.”

The four men joined hands just as they always did before going on stage. “Nothing changes guys. The concert’s in a couple days.”

David looked at Tico who looked at Richie who was still laughing. He looked up at the men who still looked a bit stunned, and fell back into laughter as David asked, “Dude does it hurt when she does shit like that?”

Jon looked at David a grin on his lips. “What the fuck do YOU think. “


David smiled, “I think we all just took a bypass into the twilight zone, that’s what I think.”

Richie Jon and Amelia nodded. “Good a thing as any to call it Joker.”

Jon clapped his hands together. “Ok guys, fun times over, lets get back to work.”

Tico spoke up. “AFTER you take a shower dude, you’re a bit messy there.”

They all took a look at Jon and began to laugh as he grinned and walked from the room. David nodded and thought, “Damn and I thought life was interesting before. No telling what it was gonna be like now. Immortals among us, and you couldn’t tell which was which. He was sticking close to the ones he knew. Sharp things hurt and he wasn’t a hurting kind of man.

~~~~~
Two days later found them all at the airport preparing to take off for the first leg of the concert tour they had set up. The four members of Bon Jovi had pulled even tighter together if possible. Every so often Tico or David would think up a question and without reservation would ask it. They always got a complete and honest answer from either Amelia or Jon.

As they entered the airport, Adam joined them having just returned from his trip to Vancouver. As he gathered his baggage and handed it over to be placed on the Jovi Jet he played catch up with what had happened in the few days he had been gone.

As a group they all walked to the private plane area and boarded the jet, settling down to get ready for the flight to Japan, their first set of concert’s set. As they buckled in, David leaned over to ask Amelia exactly how immortal healing worked.
Adam’s head snapped up as his hazel gaze impaled Amelia with a dead on you didn’t look. Before he got a chance to say one word Jon tilted his head and grinned. “yes Adam they know about me, I told you once before I wouldn’t keep my brothers out of the loop about me and Amelia,” He stressed those two names, letting him know Adam’s secret was still safe. “They are family, have been for twenty five years, what they know what go beyond us. What happens in Bon Jovi stays in Bon Jovi, but I wont damage relationships with these men for anything. You trust me, I trust them. Enough said.”

Adam gave Jon a searching look, then turned to Amelia was smiled. “We’ll discuss this later Rock Star.”

Jon gave Adam his Jersey boy grin as Amelia laughed. “Doubt you will Adam, just go with the flow. Jersey and his boys are worse than the mob when it comes to trust. They trust and that’s all that matters. “

Adam leaned back and let it go. Plenty of time later to give the bloody rock star hell for not discussing it with him first, plenty of time to take it out of his hide in training. Adam grinned and closed his eyes.

Adam just didn’t get what being Jersey boys meant, but then not many would.