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.