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.