Chapter 71

"Ow!" he flinched back and frowned "Grovel?? But she...."




"Richard!"  She turned to Shay and sighed, "You said he scared you yes?"




Shannon nodded then gave Richie a pitifully pouty look.






She whirled back around, her eyes boring into Richie as her heart started racing. "why?"




"Cause she came in here all motherly like. Was I was gonna listen to her when all she's doing is taking orders from Mr. Big Britches! Hell no!"




Her toe started tapping, as she watched him squirm. At fifteen the squirms were cute, at twenty seven they were freaking potent. "Then its all about that fuckin' competition. All about Jon. I see. You didn't need me at all." 


She turned to Shay and winked. "Where did you say..." Her voice went a little breathless, “Sebastian was?"




"I uh... he went to sound check..."






Richie frowned and sniffed. "What do you mean competition? I don't need you? What the fuck is that? Did you fly over here to bitch at me Mel or what? Because seriously I don't need it right now ok? I’ve been missing you like fuckin crazy. It’s so bad I can't fucking think and you come on over and say I don’t need you?"




Her head twisted as she glanced his way, "Fuckin' coke has you where you can't think, missing someone don’t do that.... Soooo Shay, does he dress all skimpy like Jon? Or in spandex like Rich?"




"Huh?" Shannon looked at Mel with a confused expression, "Who?" 






Richie rolled his eyes "SO I snorted a few lines.. so what?"




“What was it you called him? Bax? Baz?"  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Ignoring Richie was the hardest thing she could do, but she needed him clear headed. Risky as it was, she'd always managed to clear his mind when he had a good mad on. "Maybe Baz," She drew his name out long and slow, "Could show a lady a nice time without being all doofy from stuff that shouldn't be in his body anyways."





“Woman!" Richie’s eyes fired up along with his temper, his mind clearing in an instant, "I'll knock that little kid into next Christmas if he lays one hand on you."




She risked a glance back, one fine brow arching slightly, only to start laughing. "I choose who lays hands on me."




Seeing the sparks flying between her sister and Richie, Shannon meekly said "Um.. I'm leaving now... bye." She ducked quickly out the door only to lean against the wall. [i]Oh man, I’d never make Jon mad like that, jesus she’s nuts.[/i]






"Oh no you don't Melanie you're my woman!"




Her laughter trailed off as he stalked forward, her hand going up to stall him inches away. "MY Man doesn’t ruin his life and his health with crap cuz he don’t get his way, MY Man, don't sit around pouting cuz he can't have what he wants."




Richie grasped her hands and dragged her up against him, "Well then it's a good thing you came out and stopped me, I was tired of pouting anyway."




"Richard Stephen," she sighed and tried to keep the anger flowing, "Don't do this to me again. If you died... if...."  Her eyes welled up at the thought, "I'd die too."




Richie looked curiously down into her face,"Aw Mellie, I wasn't in any danger, I was just...." he frowned, "Coping that’s all, I would never do anything like that."




She stood there watching him silently, her head shaking. It was more than coping. No one coped at the bottom of a bag. He’d scared Shannon to the point she didn’t want to even come to his door. She'd kept rubbing her wrist too. 


Her brow flicked upwards as the thoughts circled. He wouldn't get physical would he? He was usually a happy drunk. She didn't know what to do, hug him, slap him or kiss him, and in her indecision she stood there saying nothing.


Richie watched her watching him and loosened his grip a bit, he couldn’t remember exactly what had happened with Shannon the day before, he only remembered being angry, her yelling and flushing his stash then running out. "Look Mel, I.. I guess I haven't been myself the last day or two ok? And... I'm sorry just... I NEED you."




"YOU are an idiot YOU know that? So many things you could have done. Shay said it wasn't Jon, SHE said he didn't care if I came. IT was Doc.. and you could have fixed that, YOU, Dork who figures out how to get exactly what he wants.... But did you figure out how to get me here? Huh? NO.... you figured out how to get that damned baggie though."




Richie let go of her and crossed to the bed sitting perched on the edge. He sighed, "I'm just so tired Mel"




She winced slightly, he was tired? Of course he was. Non Stop touring did that, but it went a bit deeper and she knew it. "So tired you couldn't think, so tired..." 


She huffed and stalked too him, pulling his head onto her chest. "So tired you chose the easy way out?"


He breathed in the scent of her perfume and wrapped his arms around her waist reveling in the comfort she gave, "Yes."




She sighed softly as the first little doubt tried to work its way into her heart, "I guess I need to change, it was easier to fry that crazy brain of yours than to figure a way to bring me here. I'm so sorry Rich, with all you have on you, you don't need me being all nuts too."




: He pulled her down onto his lap, "I like your brand of Nuts Mel, without it I feel so lost."




Her arms went around him as she held him. "Why baby? For as long as I've known you.. you've always .." She sighed unsure exactly how to help him. "I am so not helping this am I?"




"You're here now Mel, that’s all I need." He held onto her silently. As nuts as she could be, with everything else going on, people falling apart around him, friends biting and hissing at the least little thing, she was stable to him, he needed nothing else when she was with him.






It was them doing this to Richie, he'd always been so happy, nothing ever got to him. She closed her eyes as anger started creeping in, anger at Doc for pushing them all so hard then USING them to cover his own mistakes. She felt the stirrings of anger at Jon, who trusted the fat jackass so implicitly he was letting it ruin them all. No one would do that to her Richie, not to the point he had to use drugs to stay upright. "Honey, where's Doc and Jon?"






He was tired, too tired to even think for himself, and she knew she had to get him through the next two or three days. The only way to do that was fill him with energy, a good kind of energy, the  protective kind, and that meant one thing. She'd have to play up her crazy, at least until bed time.


"I dunno" Richie shrugged, "Mellie, just lay with me? Please?" His voice was a barely there whisper, his voice rough with the feeling that he was a bit more like a child than a grown man at that moment. He knew he'd done wrong and he knew he'd have to atone for it eventually but at the moment he just wanted to sleep, to sleep and know she was there and everything would be alright.




She sighed as her eyes glanced at her watch, then mentally shrugged as she stood up. When his beautiful eyes glanced upwards she cursed under her breath. The shadows were digging deep underneath those brown eyes. Without a word her hands moved up to slide her jacket from her body and let it drop to the floor. Moving forward she pushed him backwards, her body dipping to slide the boots from his feet before lifting them to the bed. 


Without thought she settled herself beside him, tugging his head to her chest as she whispered little nothings too him. The time to argue had flashed past, the time to give Doc and Jon pain loomed, but right now, in this second, he needed sleep, and that she could give him.




As he sighed and shuffled closer, his hands roaming to her ass she chuckled, "Sleep now, play later. I'm not done with you yet you know."

Chapter 70

Bone tired was beating a static refrain in her brain as the car pulled up to the hotel. She glanced around, mildly in awe at the sights. She was in fuckin' Moscow, Russia. She wasn't sure exactly how Shay had managed to convince Doc, that was one thing she was finding out soon, but convince him she had. Now it was time to chew a bit of bubble gum and kick a little ass Daniels style.

Nodding to the driver she slipped from the car and aimed her tired body through the doors, praying for someone who spoke at least a little English. As she got close enough to the concierge's desk she heard a chirpy voice and glanced over her shoulder, only to see Shannon stepping from the elevator chatting up some tall stringy blonde that wasn't Jon.

A wicked grin settled onto her lips as she turned. "Well hallelujah, you traded up!"

Mel!!!" Shannon squealed and nearly bowled her sister over in greeting. After hugging her sister near to death she stepped back and took on an air of seriousness. "Mel this is Sebastian, he just left Richie's room. He's been um.. hangin' out with him for me, just ya know to keep him um.... ya know." She whispered a bit not wanting the whole place to know what was going on.

She speared the lanky young man with a look. "Sebastian? What a cute name. So tell me Seeebastian.. what the fuck you did to Do...Sca..Umm Richie."

Sebastian Bach stood towering over Mel, an amused and youthful grin plastered on his face. He'd heard all about Melanie, from plenty of different sources and he knew she was a force to be reckoned with. "I got him all mellow for ya!" He grinned widely. He felt very proud of himself as Richie hadn't even mentioned gettin' a line the whole time he'd been up there. "He's chilling out just waitin' for the ride to sound check."

"So he’s totally sober you think, and totally in his right mind?" She glanced up at the young man and almost felt a need to tug those shiny blonde locks. "We talking bout Jon or Richie here? Trust me, he's sneaky."

Turning to Shannon a moment she let her smile free. "Show me too him sis," Her arms went around her suddenly as she dipped in to whisper, "I owe you forever for taking care of my dork." The anger of the following weeks had turned to mist and drifted away over a long flight as she realized her overly young sis had done the impossible.  Her anger over the wedding long forgotten before she’d even landed in Russia.

Shannon waved a thank you at Sebastian as she took off for the elevator with Mel. "Well, if it were Jon, I'd hope someone would tell me." She pushed the button for the 4th floor. "He's probably not TOTALLY sober,  Baz likes to smoke weed ya know, Probably kept him high to keep him from.... the other."

She sighed as she watched the elevator door. "It's time for a little Dork lesson for Shay. How much you wanna bet me we find that white powder when we open the door hmmm?"

"No, Bas doesn't do that stuff."

"Didn't say HE did but obviously Dork decided too. Which I may just kill him for."  She followed Shannon down the hall and wondered where the hell his door was.

Shannon stopped and pointed, "There ya go... I'll be .. over here... in my room... hiding."

Her hand snaked out and captured Shay’s quickly. "YOU knock, you talk.. Lemme surprise him."  She stepped to the side and winked. "He won’t hurt ya promise."

"No..."Shannon whined, "Why???" She huffed and knocked, fidgeting for a moment before cracking the door and calling out, "Richie?? Can I come in?"

His hand lifted as he swiped it under his nose, the blast of the powder making him almost giddy. "Whatever Shay, it ain’t locked!"

She stepped timidly in the room, "I um... I just... wanted to check on you..."

His hand wiped under his nose again as he grumbled, "I'm fine. Don't need a fuckin' babysitter either, I'm fine."

Her eyes narrowed when he wiped his red nose, "Oh really? Where did you get that?"

His lip quirked up and his brows waggled, "I have my ways. Baz ain’t the only fucker on this tour ya know."

Shannon stole a glance over her shoulder, she knew Mel was standing just out of sight listening. She growled in frustration. How did she deal with him? "Oh don't go trying to be all cute with me! I tossed that shit once and I'll do it again damn it!"

His head popped up and he glowered her way. "You fuckin' try that shit again....."

She took a step around Shay, hands going to her hips as the anger in her fired, "And you'll wait?"

Richie stood up blinking his eyes rapidly at the vision that appeared before him. He looked back and forth between Mel and Shannon both striking an indignant pose and glaring his way. "I.. what? Melanie?  YOU! why you little snitch!" he barked at Shannon.

She glanced down at the table next to the bed and started to snort. "You might wanna watch that mouth Dork. Or maybe you didn't want me here? Hmmm Shay calls, says your SAD,” she emphasized the word as her brow quirked, “she makes arrangements to get me here behind your buddy's back. I show up see what I see and YOU call her names?? Maybe I should go home."

"Home... uh.. NO!" He shook his head, his brain wasn't functioning quite right. He was so confused. "I ... um... I'm just uh... " He shrugged then picked up the bag of white powder,"Ya want some?"

"You have 10 seconds to flush that shit or I'm flying home." She took a step forward and started to count. "1"

Richie raised an eyebrow. Now she wanted him to flush it? but....

"2"

He eyed the bathroom, then searched Mel's face. Oh boy she's pissed!

"3"

"Ok, ok I'll get rid of it"

"4"

"Mel!! " with a groan he took the bag and made for the bathroom, dumping the contents in the commode he flushed, "There?? Ok? Happy now?"

"Nope." She stepped closer to him her finger reaching up to flick his nose. "Grovel for Shay, you hurt her."

Chapter 69

Mel  picked at her dinner, her mind thousands of miles away. Damn she missed him. Nearly fifteen years without him and now after a few scant months he was just as important as breathing again. Why the hell could she not get him off of her mind?  She growled and pushed the plate away. The last time she’d been unable to eat thanks to him he’d ended up putting a car through the football field fence. Stupid internal radar, stupid fanciful thoughts. He’s in Russia so of course all those old Grade B movies you’ve seen have you thinking something’s wrong.

She shook her head and tugged her plate back in front of her, knowing she had to keep her strength up at least. If she wasn’t on her game when they got home Poofster would for sure find a way to egg something else on. Bad enough he’d found a way to keep her from going with Richie. How could she watch out for Richie with Jon always in the way?  Didn’t he know how Richie got when he’d been thwarted? Richie had wanted her along, fucking badly . She’d seen the look in his eyes when he found out she wasn’t allowed to go. Jesus that look always spelled trouble.

She growled again and shoved the plate away a final time. It was no use, she couldn’t get him off the mind. Something had to be up, but what?  As she stood to take her plate to the kitchen her brow flicked up at the phone’s sudden shrill. She glanced at the phone muttering,“Who would be calling me at 8pm?”  Settling the plate on the counter she lifted the phone to her ear. “Yo?”

"Mel?" Shannon said timidly into the receiver, "Mel are you there?"

Oh hell it was Mrs. Poofy, otherwise known as her sister. Taking a deep breath she turned to lean against the counter. "Well where else would I be Squirt? Moscow? No, not there.. so must be here. How's things going in the land of the rising sun? Everyone ok? You better be calling me to tell me things are ok."

She crossed her fingers and was tempted to cross her eyes too. Please God tell me everything’s wonderful and you're all having a wonderful time.

"Mel... I don't know what to do." Shannon nearly whined. Mel would know what to do, she always did, she always made things better.

"Married Life not suiting ya Squirt?" She closed her eyes and offered up a soft prayer. Let it be trouble with Jon, Let it be trouble with Jon, let it be..  At the soft whimper her heart fell to her feet. "It's not about Jon is it?"

"Not yet..." Shannon fought back the tears and failed, "Oh Mel it was awful! He was so.. so MEAN and he... he.... I've never seen him like that, he scared me!" She rambled as she swiped the tears from her eyes. She felt like such a baby right then but damn she'd been so frightened and confused! "I flushed it! Flushed all of it and he was angry. He was so angry but Mel I didn't know what else to do, I can't tell Jon he'll lose it!"

She took a deep breath. "Ok slow down. Who was mean? What did you flush? Who scared you? Jon? I'll kill him, He being rough with you?"   God what was going on over there? Where was Richie? Was he ok? Had something happened?

"Dammit Shay, quit sniveling and TELL ME they are all OK!"

"Ri...Richie! I tried to help him.. he hates me.... cocaine.... flushed it Mel, please don’t YELL AT ME!" Shannon finally got it all out albeit brokenly and tried in vain to get her tumultuous emotions in check. She hiccupped  and took a deep breath.

She turned, her fist connecting to the cabinet door with a rattle. "Now just wait a minute here Squirt. Coke? You better not be fuckin' telling me Dork’s snortin'."

Shannon whined "I'm sorry Mel... I... I didn't know what to do! He was yelling and leaning over. He got in my face and grabbed me and he was saying shit and I just... I got scared and ran, then I got... angry and well... I went back in and made him stop. I knocked it away from him then took the bag and flushed it and.... and for a minute I thought he might hurt me but I got out and... and I called you. You know him best; you'll know what to do. Don't you?"

She started muttering as she paced the kitchen, the phone cord growing more taunt by the second. "I fuckin' knew it, you don't thwart him, he self destructs. Goddamit all ya did is put it off. He's there with all those guys. Shit Squirt, YOU’RE the rock fiend, tell me.. how bad can that Motley bunch and the Skiddies something be?  Tell me he can't find more Shay. Please tell me that."

"Uh..... well.." Shannon stopped sniveling and started thinking. "No, I don't think, well Baz is the pot guy, he's cool just a pot head really, Motley..." She really hadn't  spent much time around them, they seemed a bit wilder than anyone she'd met before and if it could be gotten anywhere she was sure it was with them.

"Those Motley Crue guys are... well um, even a bit much for me Mel."

Mel took a deep breath, counted to ten and started talking as her mind raced ahead with plans. "Listen to me. You find Doc and you repeat to him what I say ok?" She took a deep breath as her mind went into over drive. “You repeat it verbatim Squirt or this won’t work you hear me?” At her sisters squeak of agreement she started to talk.

She glanced up at the clock, Richie had said they were hours behind Jersey. "You tell that fat bastard that Melanie said there better be arrangements for transport to Moscow for her at the airport within the hour. If there's not, she'll be feeding Jon's cock and his to the fishies from the pier the first chance she gets her hands on them. You got that squirt?"

"Uh.... um.. ok Mel" Shannon swallowed hard she knew Melanie was on a mission and she knew Doc was not gonna like it hearing something so rude but, she'd do it.

She sighed a moment at the uncertainty in her little sister's voice. “Listen sweetie, he don't hate you, but he just gets... well.. crazed when he can't get what he wants, and the ONLY way to get Doc to listen is to threaten him. Just tell him Mel said it. He knows I mean business. If I don't get there, Richie's gonna end up ..." she couldn't say the word, she couldn't; she just knew she had to get there ASAP. "Can ya do that for me sweetie?"

"I can, I....." Shannon paused unsure if she should say anything more, but she trusted Mel, "I .. don't like Doc, and I think he's the reason Jon’s been so...... well.. you know...Jon."

She nodded in agreement, yet another sigh whispering out of her. "Listen don't you dare say anything, but I think I agree with ya. Jon trusts him too much, but if you tell then I can't razz the boy, and he so deserves it based on his hair alone ok?"  She felt the first laugh of the night escape her before the worry returned. "He's not so bad, I mean if Dork likes him he's gotta be ok right?"

 Shannon felt a bit of her worry easing away at her sisters words, "He really is  a sweetheart Mel,  underneath it all." She glanced at the clock once more, "Shit, if I'm gonna corner him without Jon around, I better get moving."

"You tell him, he has exactly one hour. I'm gonna pack and head to the airport, and trust me. YOU KNOW ME sis. If he fucks this up I'll kill him."

"I know...I know." Shannon started to say something else only to hear the dull buzz of the dead phone. Melanie was already on the move.

Time to beard the lion in his own den.

Chapter 68

Shannon stood in the hall stewing for a full two minutes. He was snorting coke? He was doing hard drugs to deal with not having Mel around? Didn't he know that could kill him? And Jon, Why would Jon agree with Doc? If Jon knew how much Richie really needed Mel.... Jon would have a fucking cow if he knew about the coke.  So would Mel... Oh god Mel cant find out, she'll kill them ALL.

Shannon stomped her foot in anger, "God Damn fucking Rock Stars!" she yelled as she slammed Richie's door open again. Eye's flashing fire she swiftly crossed to where he was perched on the edge of the bed inhaling a line. She reached out and swiped the lined powder off the table. "That's enough of that SAMBORA! No fuckin' way in hell you're killing yourself on MY watch!"  She grabbed the half full baggie out of his hand and stalked to the bathroom dumping it in the toilet before pulling the flusher in one swift motion. Crossing her arms she stood and challenged him. "Now sober up!"

He was off the bed in a flash, crowding into in the door. "You fuckin' flushed? YOU FUCKIN' FLUSHED? Shit you think that’s all there is?" 

He turned to stalk to the door, "I'll just go see Vince. There's more to be had. You aren't my fuckin' watcher. Go back to pansy ass. Go be with your husband, he shit us all over for you."


As he reached the door the knock sounded, his hand reaching out to open it as a grin floated to his lips. Nodding at the waiter, he signed the slip of paper and grabbed for the bottles before slamming the door. "You wanna be sober? Go play with dickhead."

He grinned even wider, "Hell maybe Sabo has some, his is usually better."

Now that she knew he was strung out, his nasty verbal barbs didn't hurt quite as bad. She knew he was just drunk AND jacked up. "You really think drugs are the way to deal with this? What would Mel say Richie? Huh? Think you big fucking brute, pot brownies are one thing but this?" She tried reasoning with him.

"Mellie would get it." He just knew she would, it was coke or broads. He was pretty sure she'd go for the coke over him finding a broad to ease what was hurting. "Yeah, Mellie would be cool with it. She's not a nun for all you and fuckhead thinking she is."

Shannon raised an eyebrow, "Oh she would get it?" she moved toward the door once more. "Ok, if you say so... don't say I didn't warn  you." with a shake of her head she silently left the room one more time. 

He glanced down at the bottle then the door. Vodka or Sabo? Vodka or .... Sabo would have girls around, he was pretty damned sure of it. Shrugging the thought off he unscrewed the cap and upended the bottle.

Shannon slammed the door to her and Jons room and ran her hands thru her hair as she paced. What the actual fuck was going on? Richie using cocaine? Jon would absolutely flip over this shit! She sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her neck as her mind flailed. What should she do? She couldn't tell Jon. Not only would that be akin to being a little tattletale, but it would set her husband over the edge. As much as she loved him, no matter what anyone else thought, she was not blind to his shortcomings, and right now, he had ALOT of them. He was so stressed, overworked, his throat was constantly sore, almost raw, they just didn't understand! He was always butting heads with Doc about what should or shouldn't be done concerning the band. She had a sinking feeling that this whole fiasco with her and Mel had more to do with Doc's decision than Jon's. Jon had told her weeks ago he didn't care one way or the other if Mel came along. 
She stared out the window, her needed nap long forgotten now. She had to do something.  Richie couldn't do this, not with a show the next night. Did Mel really mean that much to him that he would risk it all, even his own life to numb the pain of being apart from her? That was insane! Mel wouldn't stand for it! Mel would slap the stupid right out of him! She glanced down at her wrist and rubbed it gently while  fighting back the tears. He always seemed so happy, so, silly, goofy...a ... well a dork like Mel said. So why was he acting like this?

She sighed as she sat there. Maybe the pressures of the road were different for Richie, but whatever it was, she could smell a rift forming between the two men, and this decision of Doc’s that Jon had went along with wasn’t helping it one bit.

 She pulled her sleeve down to cover the slight bruising he'd left in his anger.  Thank god Jon’s just a yeller! If he ever got like THAT I think I'd die! She looked at the bedside clock, Jon wouldn't be back for another hour or so. Doing a quick calculation in her head she decided Mel should be awake and at home. She picked up the phone. She was calling her sister, even if Mel was angry with her for the whole wedding fiasco, Shannon knew she would forgive her everything if she helped her stop Richie from drowning himself in drugs. Even if Jon got angry with her for going behind his back, she had to do it. If Mel loved Richie as much as she herself loved Jon, it was only right.... She picked up the phone and dialed.

Chapter 67

He slumped back against the chair, his eyes moving to the empty bottle sitting beside him. Only good thing about Russia was the premium vodka, and hell even after finishing off the bottle he still felt empty. Fuck Jon and the horse he road on, Fuck 'em all. He wanted Mel.  Standing he swayed his way to his door, opening it in an aim to make it downstairs to the bar. He needed more to make it through the next three days.  Stupid fuckin' concert wasn't for another couple of days and he was already sick of the touristy things they had them all doing.

Shannon stepped out of the elevator and fished around in her purse for her room key.  She couldn't wait to just fall on the bed and take a nap! How did he do it? Keep going like this without rest? It was insane. She'd seen so much over the last few days, but it was all a blur. Thank goodness Jon had some sort of meeting that she was not invited to. Her feelings were not hurt in the least. She heard a door creak open and she stopped fumbling in her purse to look up. She caught site of a disheveled and weary looking Richie swaying in the doorway. Oh god poor thing. Look at him! She shook her head, this was all her fault, if she hadn't opened her big mouth on the plane he wouldn't be in such a state but how was she to know that doc, ok and Jon but mostly doc, had said no to the whole girlfriends thing? "Richie," she said tentatively, "Richie are you ok?"

He glanced up, blinking hard to focus on the body speaking to him. Was he ok? Fuck no, but he wouldn't let Miss Perfect know. "Will be as soon as I get another bottle."

She blinked rapidly. He didn't need another bottle, hell, he could barely stand as it was. "You um... you need another bottle?" She shook her head. “Bar's closed Rich... why don't we go back in here." She gently grasped his arm aiming him back into his room, "We'll just call room service hmm?"

He jerked his arm away. "So gonna start bossing my world too Mrs. Bongiovi? He that contagious is he? Can't have what I want, can't play what I want, can’t DRINK what I want? What the fuck is next?"

"Richie I just..." Shannon was at a loss. This was the second time Richie had lashed out at her and she knew he would normally never behave like this, or at least she thought he wouldn’t. "I'm trying to help you!" 

He leaned in and wavered slightly as he tried hard to focus. "Then go fuck off, at least you can get fucked. Oh wait I did too. I trusted that fuckin' husband of yours whose supposed to be my friend."

"Get fucked? I.." Shannon put her hands on her hips and glared at Richie, "Look Sambora! If you need to get 'fucked' so damn bad why don't you? Not like there’s not a million willing chicks, after all you don’t even have the decency to MARRY your girl so why  make yourself suffer?" She spat the words his way as her anger got the best of her.

He reeled back then straightened. "Cuz she said NO!"  Deep inside, her little trill of anger felt so good, so familiar, something he'd been missing for days. His head fell, his eyes on the floor, "She said no cuz it woulda been too fast, too much like trying to catch up to the asshole. "She turned me down, and he wouldn't let me bring her along. She's all alone now, what if..."

Her anger cooled a bit at his admission. "You... you asked her and she said no? So... you really ARE serious then not just.... ya know messin' around?"

His head jerked up, "I Like my cock where it is for fuck sake."  His brow beetled down at her final words. "Whose been saying I fuck around? Goddamit Shay I can't even go see strippers without being in the doghouse. You think I wanna lose her over some groupie?"

"Well, Jon said you guys just..." Shannon sighed, "Never mind, look Richie I'm sorry you seem to hate me right now but I'm really not the wicked witch of the west ok?"

The fury folded in on itself, icy calm invading every pore. "Exactly what did Jon fucking Prince of jackasses say?”

His sudden calm frightened her more than any of his previous yelling. She realized she had said too much, had probably added fuel to the fire of this brewing storm that seemed to be building with Jon. "He um, he didn't say.... um.." She fumbled back in her purse nervously pulling her room key out. "Look Richie, I'm gonna go.. just um.. look I'm sorry ok I just wanted to say I'm sorry." She backed slowly towards the door.

His arm shot out, fingers curling around her arm as he leaned in closer. "What the fuck did your shithead of a husband say?"

Shannon gasped, "Nothing Richie, He just ... doubted your.....dedication is all but you... but it's ok , I believe you , really I do so...please let me go?"

He felt the rumble in his chest as the words kept growling through him, "Did he tell you I was fucking around on her? I'll fuckin' kill him."

"No, no ok?" She finally got her sense about her and jerked her arm against his grip, "Now will you PLEASE let me go?" she begged, trying to keep the fright out of her voice. He really was just as insane as Mel. No wonder they made such a great fucking couple.

He tugged her closer, his lips moving to her ear, "I'll fuckin' kill him, you hear me. There’s no one but Mellie. She shoulda been here, NOT you. She's been around forever. SHE belongs!"

Shannon squealed when he tightened his grip and yanked her closer. She could smell the vodka's odor rolling off his breath. What was going on? This was not Richie, not the Richie she knew. She shoved against him looking around the empty room wishing someone, anyone was there but all she saw was the empty vodka bottle by the bed and a mess of different things strewn about. She almost missed it in her panic. What was that? Her eyes flitted back to the side table, white powder, in a line... he was...."RICHARD STEPHEN SAMBORA!" she yelled as her fear got doused in burning anger and outrage. This was why he was being so violent! "LET GO OF ME THIS INSTANT YOU ... YOU COKE FIEND!"

He let go suddenly, stumbling back at the fury and fear mixed in her voice, his entire being shuddering. "Aww hell Shay, wouldn't hurt ya." He glanced to where her eyes had honed in on and shrugged. "It's just a teensy bit."

Shannon stepped away quickly heading towards the door. "You wouldn't hurt me? You don't even know WHAT you’re doing! All drunk AND coked up?" She rubbed her wrist and bit her bottom lip shooting him a disheartened even betrayed look. "And here I thought I could help you." She lowered her head and shook it with a sigh. 

He sighed as he settled himself back on the bed, his head dipping in to pull in a long slow inhale of the powder that was keeping the hounds of hell at bay. "You can help. Gimme another bottle, then tell that jackass husband of yours that Mel belongs with me everywhere. Fuck I miss her."

Shannon narrowed her eyes "Get your own god damn bottle!" She spat as she slammed the door.

He shrugged as the door slammed, one hand moving to the phone as he yelled, "I can do that. It’s the one thing IM ALLOWED.”

He spoke into the phone, his eyes on the little bag next to the phone as he grinned. He'd do what he was allowed, to make it through this, otherwise he'd be missing a frontman. Jon  was on his hit list now. Stupid lil wife of his wanting to tell him what to do too? Fuck it all.

Chapter 66

Shannon ducked as she stepped onto the plane. She looked around at the chaos and chuckled wondering how on earth she was going to get through a whole week with so many crazy people. She scanned over the various heads of long hair until she found her husbands poofy one and sighed with relief. "Hey babe...I'm here! I made it!" She called over the seats as she made her way down the aisle to him.

He glanced up as a smile split his face. As she reached his seat he tugged her down, his lips finding hers quickly. "About fucking time. What took you so long?"

"Last minute shopping..." She grinned and stood for a sec to look around the plane once more. "Hey, where's Mel?"

Jon shrugged slightly, his eyes straying to a slumped in his seat Richie."Fucked if I know baby. By now she’s probably at home."

Shannon glanced over at Richie and frowned. He was sleeping already? Mel at home? "Why would she be at home Jon?  Hey Richie?? Where's Mel??" she nudged the big man gently.

"Why don't you ask the fucking asshole?" He growled and turned his head away a moment, until the voice that had asked seeped into his already pickled brain. 


His head jerked up as his eyes went wide. "What the fuck are you doin' here?"

Shannons gaze shot from Richie to Jon and back to Richie again, "I'm going to Russia?"

His glower grew as he stood and moved to the aisle leaning into Jon as the anger grew. "YOU FUCKIN' SAID NO WOMEN on this flight ASSHOLE!"

Jon's public businesslike grin slid into place. "I said no girlfriends."

Shannon stood shocked still between the two men, eyes wide. She placed a hand on each mans chest and lightly shoved them back, "Hey you two um... could you not..."

"Fuck off Mrs. Bongiovi. This is between me and the asshole here."

Jon surged to his feet, "don't you dare talk to her like that." 

At Richie’s barked order Shannon sat down hard, her breath catching in her throat. She blinked to keep the tears back. Why was he so angry at her?

Richie spat, "you said no WOMEN!"

Jon's palm flattened on Richie's chest as he pushed backwards. "I said, no girlfriends, NO women. This is a public relations thing. Besides she’s not a woman she’s my fuckin' wife and I will bring her wherever the hell I please."

"You son of a..." Richie didn't think he simply let go. One large arm swung wide expecting to contact with hard body. His eyes widened in surprise when it was stopped mid air with a firm grip on his wrist. 


He looked down to see Tico shaking his head, "No man, not here."

Jon nodded at Teek before turning back to Richie. "Try that again man, I swear to fuckin' God I won't allow women on any fucking piece of the tour. What the hell is your problem? You used to be easy to get along with. Fuck."

Richie jerked his hand out of Tico's grasp and growled, "I used to be....you..." Through his anger he couldn't even form words. No Women this time around? Well what the hell was Shay then?  " You know what Jon, You're nothing but an egotistical, selfish....” He turned to go back to his seat.  “Oh never fucking mind."

"Takes one to know one Sambora, and hey, lay off the fuckin' booze. We're supposed to make an impression here."

Richie slumped back down in the chair after one more glare at Shannon sitting meekly and quietly in her seat. "Here's an impression for ya!" He flipped Jon the bird.

Jon shook his head and turned, slipping into his seat beside Shannon. "Sorry bout that baby, he's a bit drunk." And why am I making excuses for the shithead? He knows wives are different. Fuck it.

Shannon sniffled a bit and tried to keep her voice firm. "Jon if Mel can't come I should not be going either, it isn't right." she said quietly.

He tugged her close, then leaned in to gently swipe at her tears, his lips pressing against her cheek gently. "Sure it is, you're my wife baby. That makes it right."

"Jon," she sighed, she didn't want to argue with him but she honestly felt he was a bit over the top on this one. "It's not like it's just the flavor of the week ya know... it's Mel..."

He tugged her into his lap with a shrug of one shoulder. "So? Dave has a girl so does Teek. You don't see them bitching babe. Hell there’s too much to do here, they won't be hurting. If they get horny they'll just find a willing chick at the gigs. Me? I'm married, I want my wife with me. Nothing more or less to it."

Shannon furrowed her brow "Find a girl? Jon they wouldn't! Richie wouldn’t? "

He chuckled at her look. "Sure they would. Do it all the time. Lots of girls willing baby."

She leaned away from him, peering into his face "And you?" She felt doubt tingling at the back of her neck. The way he said it so easily made her wonder about the times she wasn’t around. He wouldn't would he?

He snorted, "Now why should I? I have my wife with me and she’s better than any groupie." He watched her a moment and saw the doubt flickering in her eyes. "Baby from the day I met you I couldn't even think of another woman."

She searched his face looking for any hint of a lie and found none. She sighed and slipped her arms around his neck hugging him tight.  "Maybe it's the same for Richie?" she whispered.

He didn't want to hurt his wife, he didn't, but seriously if it had been the same for Rich, he would have married Mel by now. "Doubt that baby. I took the step to marry ya right?  If he really loved her like that wouldn't he have made the step too?"

She looked over at RIchie's slumped form and nodded sadly. It made sense. If they were so in love why hadn't they? Was Mel really in love? Sometimes she wondered, as much as she and Richie fought, but... the way they looked at each other you'd think so though. "Yeah I guess he would have."

He grinned and tugged her closer, his arms wrapping around her. "Now quit worrying that pretty little head about them baby. It's time to have a bit of fun seeing all those new places I promised ya."

Shannon smiled weakly and pushed her doubts about her sister and Richie back. She had things to see and a husband to do. She'd worry about everything else later.