Chapter 17

Jon was surprised to hear guitar play when he entered his apartment. He was sure Richie would still be at Fran’s.

“You’re already back? No luck, buddy?” Jon asked while sitting down at the couch.

Richie sighed. “It’s complicated.” Jon raised his eyebrows questing.

“Well, she likes me…and I like her too, but…” Richie stopped.

“Of course she does… is it the kid?” Jon asked concerned. That would practically end everything.

Richie smiled. “Nah, Jason likes me too…well, or maybe the transformer I gave him.”

Jon chuckled. “Spoiling the kid, huh? Smart man!...So, what’s the problem?”

Rich sighed “She has the feeling she would betray her dead husband when she would get more intimate with me.”

Jon looked at him shocked. And he thought he had problems. He knew at least that he was in a relationship…well, sort of. Somehow Kim was still rather reserved when it came down to intimacy. He could see that she wanted him, that there was again a mixture of curiosity and longing in her eyes, but something was holding her back. Something was scaring her.

He tried not to push, tried to give her the time she needed, tried to show her that this wasn’t just a fling for him, but something serious, but it didn’t seem to help. As soon as he was getting his hands under her clothes she blocked.

He’d hopped that when they would fool around a bit, he could take some of the fear away, but it wasn’t working. As much as he hated to admit it, the phone sex they had was the closest thing to intimacy they had so far. He’d even gone home every evening and was sleeping in his own bed alone…or better he tried.

But all this was something he could get out of the way when he would find the guts to talk to Kimberly about it and how it was affecting him. His best friend here on the other hand was going up against the dead deeply loved husband. He had no idea what he would do in a situation like that.

“What are you gonna do?” Jon asked after they sat there for a few minutes in silence.

Rich sighed. “Don’t know…Wait, I guess…I really like her and I think she only needs more time to get used to the idea of dating again.”

Jon nodded agreeing. “So, there has been no one since Michael?” He was surprised.

“No, nothing serious. She had some ‘lunch dates’…but she never met with someone more than once…and she never introduced one to Jason.” Richie explained while strumming his guitar again.

“Well, that could get interesting then.” Jon shook his head. “We two really got it bad, man.”

“Yeah….” Richie agreed and wrote some notes down. Jon could see he really didn’t want to talk anymore about it.

“What are you working on?” he asked curious.

“I don’t know…it’s something that came to my mind after Fran and I talked…”

“What do you got so far?” Jon asked grabbing his own guitar.

“Listen…” Richie said and started to sing softly.

There’s something about you

I want to rescue

I don’t even know you

So what does it mean

Maybe I’m cynical

I’m painfully logical

You’re tragic and beautiful

And that’s enough for me

You’re looking for a hero but it’s just my old tattoo

Tonight I swear I’d sell my soul to be a hero for you

Who’s going to save you

When the stars fall from your sky

Who’s going to pull you in

When the tide gets too high

Who’s going to hold you

When you turn out the lights

I won’t lie I wish that I

Could be your superman tonight

“Wow.” Jon said impressed that he even incorporated his superman tattoo. The transition to him singing it would be much easier then. “I think you found more material to write about.” He chuckled.

“We are so screwed man, we are so screwed.” He added softly.

Rich could only agree to it.

****************************************

After Richie left, Fran tried to continue with her normal day to day work at home, but she couldn’t focus on anything. Finally she called Kim and asked her if she was at home. Not even half an hour later Jason was playing with the dogs at the patio while she and her best friend were talking over a cup of coffee.

“So, he wasn’t angry or disappointed.” Kim stated clear. Fran shook her head.

“No, he was very understanding and said that I just need some time to get used to being with someone again. While we were sitting together none of us mentioned it again.”

“So, what did you talk about?” Kim wondered.

Fran smiled. “The kids…he really adores his daughter.”

“Well, I know a certain woman who has the same feeling for her son.” Kim said with a twinkle in her eyes. Fran chuckled and turned to watch Jason through the patio door.

“Yeah…” she paused and stared in her coffee. Kim frowned and put her hand on hers.

“What is it Fran?” She sighed.

“I’m not even sure I only stopped him because of me….I mean, don’t get me wrong, I really felt like I would cheat on Michael, but…” hers eyes drifted back to Jason.

“You are afraid how it will affect him, right?” Kim said softly. Fran nodded.

“But you said he seemed to like Richie.”

“He only met him twice…”

“Maybe…but you know kids…and you know Jason, when he doesn’t like someone he shows it right the first minute…we both know he can be rather brutal.” They both smiled remembering some not so funny incidence a couple years ago.

“And what if we get together, Jason gets used to him and we split up? He already lost his dad; I couldn’t watch him losing someone else again.” Fran sniffed desperate.

“Oh, Fran…don’t cry…” Kim hugged her. “I think Jason is old enough to understand that sometimes people separate again. It’s not the same as with his dad.”

Fran nodded. “Yeah, you are right. Sometimes I forget that my little baby is getting older.” Kim smiled and squeezed her softly. “But what should I do now Kim?”

“What do you mean?” Kim asked confused.

“I mean…he asked whether we can see each other again next week…” Fran explained nervously. Kim smiled.

“Well, an old lady told me once to relax and be myself like the last times when I met my special somebody. He seemed to like me when he wants to see me again.”

Fran laughed. “Brat.”

Chapter 16

Fran was back in a flash. He was still there, standing in her living room. Damn, she could get used to that sight.

She closed the door and fiddled nervously with her hands. Richie watched her with a little smile. Why was she so nervous? They had met before.

“Uhm…would you like some coffee?” Fran asked and already rushed over to the kitchen.

“Yeah, sure.” He followed her and watched her opening different cupboards before finally finding the necessary items. She was obviously confused. He shook his head. How could he calm her down? Get her more comfortable?

“It should be ready in a few minutes…” Fran said and turned around. The next words were stuck into her throat. The picture just a couple inches in front of her was just too overwhelming and breathtaking.

Richie was leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his button down shirt with only half off the buttons closed, now revealing even more bare chest. He had a light smile on his face and his brown eyes watched her carefully.

Slowly he moved forward and closed the little distance between them. He could see a small flush creeping up her face again; nervously she was running her tongue over her suddenly dry lips. He took another step and she could feel the heat coming from his body.

“What…What?...” she stuttered and leaned back against the kitchen counter. Her hands clenching around the edge of the counter for support which her legs weren't really giving her anymore. She closed her eyes briefly and tried to get herself under control again. This wasn’t really happening, right?

“What are you doing, Richie?” she finally asked.

“What do you think?” Richie whispered softly and reached out to sweep a streak of dark hair from her heated face. Gently he caressed her cheek. Fran held her breath.

Slowly Richie leaned down to her, stopping shortly and searching her eyes. He smiled when he saw a longing there and brushed his lips gently against hers.

Fran felt herself kissing him back and sighed happily when Richie deepened the kiss. His tongue was running over her bottom lip and asked for entrance and Fran willingly obliged. She moaned when his tongue danced with hers and he pressed her stronger against the counter with his body.

Her hands ran over his chest, locked themselves around his neck. She was standing on tip toes to get closer to him.

Richie groaned when her small hands touched his bare chest. It felt like she set him on fire. He was trying hard to control himself, but it was getting evident that he was more than turned on by this beautiful woman in his arms.

Fran felt his erection pressing against her thigh. She shivered. It had been way too long since she felt like now. Her body started a living on his own and pressed her stronger against him, her hips moved involuntarily.

Richie’s hands started to wander down her shoulders, her back to the soft skin of her hips, which was exposed by locking her arms around his neck. His fingers softly brushed over it before slipping under the fine material of her blouse.

Fran sucked in a sharp breath and pushed him back.

“No.”

Richie looked at her surprised. She was still leaning against the counter breathing heavily. He could see, hell he could feel that she was as turned on as him. So what was wrong?

“Richie…I can’t…I’m sorry…I can’t…” she tried to get breathing under control. Oh, God…what have I done?

“But…” Richie closed his eyes and took a deep breath willing his body to calm down.

“Is it because we just met?... I mean we are both adults and we obviously know what we want…and…”

“No,…no, it’s not that…” Fran interrupted him. Her expression saddened.

“…it just feels like I would betray Michael…” she suddenly whispered with tears shinning in her eyes.

Richie’s face softened. Michael, her husband who died three years ago.

“Oh, Fran.” He hugged her softly and kissed her temple. “You don’t.”

She looked up at him with sad eyes. “It feels like it. I’m sorry.” He must think she was a complete idiot.

“It’s ok, darling. You need some more time. That’s ok.” Richie smiled and tried not to sound disappointed. He sure wanted her, but he could also wait.

Fran was staring at him surprised. She sure thought he would be mad.

“So, how about we have some coffee now?” Richie suggested.

“If you still want…” Why was he still here when he couldn’t sleep with her?

Richie sighed seeing the confusion in her eyes. “Fran, I didn’t come here with the intension to bed you down…if it would have happened, it would have been great…promised…” he winked at her and she rolled her eyes smiling lightly.

“I’m just a normal guy from Jersey.” Fran shook her head at his comment.

“Yeah, right.” She said dryly. Rich looked at her surprised.

“I am!” he said forcefully. She could see he really believed that.

“And I would really like to get to know you better, Fran.” He continued seriously while looking deep into her green eyes. She smiled.

“I would like that too.”

Chapter 15

Nervously Richie was standing in front of Fran’s apartment. He couldn’t get her out of his head since he met her two days ago. She was so relieved when Jason entered the living room again after Kim took care of him. Her green eyes were shining happily.

He smiled. Her eyes were haunting him in his dreams.  After two nights he knew he had to see her or he would never get a minute of sleep again. Jon couldn’t control his laughter this morning when he told him about it. He knew the minute he saw Fran that Richie would like her.

Her small figure, the full breasts and those beautiful green eyes in combination with this long dark brown hair and full lips were like a magnet to Richie. Honestly he had no idea why. Normally he was falling head over heels for blonds. But Fran was just breathtaking.

Exhaling sharply Richie knocked at her door.

“Richie?” Fran looked at him surprised when she opened the door.

“Hi Fran.” He smiled. It was great to see her again. Her green eyes were sparkling and this time her hair wasn’t forced in a do, but was covering her back.

“Uhm… Come on in.” she stuttered.

“Thanks, darling. How is Jason doing?” he asked when he was standing in the middle of the small living room.

“He’s doing fine. Quite happy that he didn’t have to go to school yesterday.” Fran said while running her hands nervously through her hair

Richie laughed. “Who wouldn’t be?”

Fran nodded smiling. She couldn’t believe he was actually here… in her apartment again. Sure she wanted to see him again, but she thought he wouldn’t be interested, thought he was only nice to her, because of her panic. Why should Richie Sambora be interested in her?

“Uhm…these are for you.” Richie’s voice let her snap out of her thoughts.

“Oh, they are beautiful. Thank you Richie.” He handed her a bouquet of red roses and stunningly beautiful pink and white lilies.

“I will put them into a vase. I’ll be right back. Feel like at home.” She said and walked over to the kitchen.

Richie’s eyes were glued to her back. She sure was a sexy woman. Those jeans look lethal on her and the blouse hugged her curves perfectly. It took all his self-control not to grab her and take her right here in the living room.

“Thanks…uhm…where is Jason?” he asked, while looking around in the small room and trying to get his mind occupied with something else.

“He must be in his room.” She said while placing the flowers on the small table.

Carefully she peered over to him while arranging the flowers. Why does he have to wear this tight black jeans and this brown nearly see-through button down shirt, she loved so much during the Bounce era? She already wanted to rip it from his body when she saw the promo pictures that time. How in hell should she keep herself in check now?

“Jason, baby. Come here please.” Fran said with lightly raised voice. Her son would prevent her from doing anything stupid. A few seconds later the boy strolled into the room.

“Oh, hi Richie.” He said when he spotted the guitar player.

“Hi buddy, how are you doing?” Richie greeted him.

“I’m fine.” He grinned when Fran shook her head. “Mom is still babying me though.“ he whispered. Richie grinned.

“I heard that Jason.” Fran said in a calm voice. Her son blushed and Richie chuckled softly.

“Well, I thought you might need something to get better.” He said and handed Jason a neatly wrapped present. Jason beamed and started to rip the blue paper apart.

“Oh, Richie that was really not necessary.” Fran protested and sat down on the couch next to him.

“Ah, come on…kids, who are sick or hurt get presents.” He said with twinkling eyes. Now Fran blushed lightly.

“OH WOW! Mom it’s an ‘Optimus Prime’.” Jason yelled when he unwrapped the present. “And it’s the Nightwatch setting…look Mom this is so cool!”

Fran and Richie looked at Jason confused. Richie shrugged his shoulders.

“I simply liked the colors.” He whispered so only Fran could hear him. She grinned. Good to know she wasn’t the only one, who didn’t have an idea what her son was talking about.

“Nightwatch?” she finally asked while looking at a black and blue truck with silver applications and flames on the hood.

“Yeah, the flames ain’t red-orange.” Jason said excited.

“Ah, I see.” Fran said still not sure what to think about it.

“Thank you, Richie. Thank you so much.” Jason said and without thinking hugged Richie dearly. Surprised by so much affection Richie needed a second before he was able to say something.

“You are welcome, buddy…” he squeezed the boy shortly. “…Glad you like it.”

“I love it.!” Jason said happily. “Mom can I show Patrick the Transformer? Please mom, please.” He begged and jumped from one leg to another. Fran sighed.

“Ok, ok…let’s go.” She said and opened the front door.

“I’ll be back in a minute; it’s just across the street. I wanna make sure Patrick’s mom is at home.” She explained to Richie. He nodded and hoped Fran would come back alone.

Chapter 14

Returning to Jason’s room, Kim nearly laughed out loud. While Jon was pressing the towel to Jason’s head, the boy was walking around in his room and showing Jon his toys and his beloved guitar.

“Auntie Kim gave it to me for my last birthday. She said her guitars needed to be save again.” Jason explained when he showed Jon his dark blue kid’s guitar.

“So, you tried to play hers?” Jon asked grinning.

“Yeah, she lets me play all her instruments. She’s really good at it.” the boy nodded and Jon’s hand moved with him. “Are you really playing Giants Stadium?” The boy asked a bit sceptical

“Yeah, probably. We already did that a couple times, you know.” Jon answered.

“What are you two doing?” Kim asked with a light laughter in his voice.

“Jason is showing me his toys.” Jon said with an innocent look on his face. Kim grinned.

“Auntie Kim, can we go and watch Jon and the band play Giants stadium?” Jason asked excited. Kim laughed.

“We talk about that, but before you go anywhere we need to put you back together or your mom really gets scared.” Kim said and made Jason sit down at his desk.

He looked at Kim sadly. “I didn’t wanna make her cry.” He whispered.

“Oh, baby I know.” Kim kneeled down beside him and pulled him in a hug. “And she knows that too. She was just scared that you hurt yourself badly.”

Jason nodded. “Good, then let’s start.” Kim said and took the necessary items out of the different suitcases.

“Cross your arms on the table and put your forehead on them, Jason.” Carefully Kim removed the towel and turned on his desk lamp. It would give her enough light to work effective.

“Ok, you will hide now under this nice green fabric…” Kim explained after carefully shaving Jason’s hair around the wound. “And Jon will hold your head, so you don’t move it, ok buddy?”

She put Jon’s hands at the boy’s temples. He had to admit he felt a bit uncomfortable. The idea of assisting her while she was working on Jason made him nervous. He always felt terrible when his kids had to go to the doctor.

“Hmmm.” Jason answered. He was scared, Kim could see that.

“If something’s wrong you tell me, ok Jason?”

“Yeah” he answered and Jon softly caressed his cheek with his fingers. He was nearly as nervous as the boy.

“I will sedate the wound now, so you don’t feel me suture it.” Kim explained and took the injection out of her suitcase. She waited till Jason’s face was under the fabric on purpose. The needle looked rather scary.

“With a needle?” Jason asked nervously.

“It’s a really small one, buddy. Am I right, Jon?” She lied with a pleading look at him.

“Yeah, it is….you can barely see it Jason.” Jon assured him and watched her with huge eyes putting the needle directly into the gaping wound. He swallowed hard and closed his eyes.

“Ouch!” Jason whined, but didn’t move his head.

“All over, buddy.” Kim calmed him and peered under the green fabric. “That’s as worse as it gets. Now we wait a couple minutes and when you don’t feel anything anymore I’ll start.”

************

Meanwhile Fran was sitting with Richie in the living room. She was a complete mess. Her little boy was hurt and the man she always wanted to meet was not only sitting beside her, he was actually holding her in his arms.

She tried to relax, tried to get the trembling under control, but that wasn’t easy with his strong arms around her shoulders, holding her close to his warm body.

“I’m sure, it won’t take long.” Richie assured her.

“Hmmm.” Fran nodded.

Richie grinned. Since she realized he was in her apartment, she hadn’t said a word. He could see how confused she was. A quick glance at her CD collection earlier told him that she was a huge fan. She didn’t only have all Bon Jovi albums, but also Jon’s, David’s and his own solo projects along with some live recorded bootlegs.

He wouldn’t have been surprised at all when she would have screamed and attacked him like a crazy woman, but instead she turned rather pale and silent.

If he’d only knew what to say or do to make her feel more relaxed and take her mind off Jason. You could see she worried like hell. He knew damn well, he would when his little angel get hurt. Nothing could calm him until he would have his daughter back in his arms.

Maybe if I…NO!…  

She was a beautiful woman, no question about it and under normal circumstances he would have started to flirt with her, but it didn’t seem appropriated in this cases. I need to say something.

“I’m sorry, that I’m so…absent, Richie.” She suddenly said and got up to walk over to the window. “I’m just extremely worried about Jason.”

“Fran, that’s normal. He’s your kid. Of course you are worried.”

He followed her and softly put his hands on her shoulders. He smiled when she shivered lightly and had to fight for control not to pull the pins from her dark hair and let it cascade down her back. I wonder how it looks like when it’s not forced in a do.

She turned around and he saw a light blush creeping into her face, when she realized how close he was standing to her, but her emerald green eyes were taking in every tiny bit of him. Gently he squeezed her hand.

“You should see me, when Ava gets hurt. I go crazy.” He admitted and gave her his best smile.

Fran nearly moaned. God those dimples!

Chapter Thirteen

“Why isn’t she calling an ambulance?” Richie asked when they were in the elevator.

Kim sighed. “Because Jason is extremely and I mean… extremely …afraid of hospitals.” She started to explain.

“He was four when his dad died in hospital. He was there with us. Fran wanted her husband see him again. It’s not that he was in the room when Michael passed away. But he remembers being in a hospital, seeing his dad and then his dad was dead.”

Jon and Richie swallowed hard. “He wasn’t able to make the connection that his dad was in the hospital to get help. We tried to explain it to him and I’m sure today he understands, but nevertheless he’s still extremely afraid of hospitals. He goes crazy …really crazy when he is in one. We tried it, it’s not working.”

Kim sighed again trying to push the pictures away from that horrible day in the hospital that would always come back when she was talking about Michael’s death. She’d never seen her best friend so devastated.

“So, for now he and I made a deal.” She continued. “When he gets hurt, I’m coming and when I’m able to help him without taking him to the hospital I will do it. If he needs to go to the hospital I will not leave his side.”

“Sounds like a good deal.” Jon said watching her carefully. He sure saw the emotions in her eyes. Kim nodded and finally the elevator doors opened.

“Come on, move it.” She said and sprinted out of the building. Jon and Richie watched her stunned for a second, then followed her.

Surprised they realized she was running down the street. They hurried to catch up with her, which wasn’t an easy task with all the people walking around and the heavy suitcases in their hands.

Jon, who was running a couple meters in front of Richie, could hear Kim Shouting: “Excuse me…excuse me…” Every time she was coming close to a pedestrian.

Richie suddenly showed up next to him, gasping strongly. He really needed to get in shape again. “Do…you…have…any …idea…where…Fran…lives?” he asked.

“No.” Jon answered and rushed to follow Kim around a corner. He was glad about his work out right now and wondered how she could run like that in those high heels she was wearing. Training, he guessed.

Suddenly Kim stopped and walked up to the door of a four story apartment building. She turned around and waved them to hurry up.

Breathless the to men followed her into the building and especially Richie was glad when Kim didn’t walked upstairs, but turned to enter one of the apartments on the street level.

“Fran...it’s me!” She knocked at the door loudly. A few seconds later the door was ripped open by an obviously very scared Fran.

“Oh, Kim…there’s all this blood…my little baby. He’s everything I still have…” Fran sobbed loudly.

“I know Fran…where is he? In his room?” Kim hugged her best friend shortly and crossed the small living room with big steps, when Fran indicated where Jason was.

She had to check on him first. When he was fine, Fran would calm down on her own, but right now she was not the well trained nurse she was working with in the hospital everyday, right now she was an extremely worried mother.

“Hi Jason…what happened, buddy?” Kim asked in a light tone when she entered his room and saw him lying on the floor with a big towel under his head. Blood was visible on the floor and the distance he was laying to his loft bed gave her a rather good idea what happened.

“Hi, Auntie Kim.” The boy said with a smile on his face. He wasn’t really worried it seemed. “I…uhm…jumped.” He added hesitant.

Kim gave him a stern look. “I thought we had the deal you stop jumping around up there.” She pointed up to his bed.

“Yeah…I know…I forgot…” he said contrite. “But I’m fine!” Jon had to grin. Jason sounded a lot like Jake.

“Fine!” Fran said with a trembling voice. “Jason, you…” she stopped when Kim glared at her.

Kim shook her head in disbelieve. “Well, I think from now on you will remember, right?”

“Yep!” the boy answered grinning, but turned serious when he saw his sniffing and upset mother.

“Ok, let’s see how huge the damage is.” Kim said and put on some disposable gloves. Carefully she examined Jason and checked for broken bones or internal bleedings. But except of a laceration on the back of his head he was fine.

“How in hell did you hit the back of your head?” Kim wondered while she checked him for symptoms of a concussion by flashing him with a light.

“Back flip…” Jason mumbled. Kim put the flashlight down and looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“Yeah, I know stupid idea…” he said. Richie needed to cough to cover his laughter. That little boy was great. Jon shot him a warning glance, but couldn’t hide his grin either.

“Was he unconscious, Fran?” Kim asked her still shaking friend.

“No, but he didn’t cry either.”

“Mom, I’m seven!” Jason protested. Kim nearly laughed out loud.

“Yeah, you are The man….” Kim said and ruffled his hair. “Ok, I have to suture the laceration…” Jason gulped.

“With a needle?”

“Yes, buddy.” Kim said and looked at him apologetic. He grimaced.

“Do you really think we shouldn’t take him to the hospital…?” Fran started and made Jason sit up immediately.

“NO!” he screamed in panic. Kim hurried to press the towel to the back of his head.

“It’s really not necessary, Fran. I can take care of it here.” Kim said calmly. But her friend started to protest again.

“Fran, stop!” Kim said and got up from the floor. “Jon, could you please continue to press the towel to Jason’s head?”

“Sure.” Jon said and winked at the boy. Jason smiled.

“Fran come with me…” Kim pulled her gently out of Jason’s room. “Fran, I know you are scared, but he’s fine….” her best friend tried to interrupt her, but she didn’t let her have it.

“Listen, you know very well, I would take him to the hospital immediately, if it would be necessary. Just because he’s afraid of going there, wouldn’t make me risked his health or his life. And you know that head wounds always look more dramatic than they really are.” Kim said in a calm, but demanding voice.

“I know he’s your last connection to Michael…”she continued softer and pulled Fran into her arms when tears started to shine in her best friends eyes again. “…I know you are scared to loss him, but that will not happen…I will not let it happen. Ok?” she searched Fran’s eyes.

“Ok.” The other woman nodded.

“Good. I want you to sit down in the living room and wait until I’m finished.”

“But…” Fran started, but stopped when she saw the look on her friends face.

“Ok.”

“Good...maybe Richie can bear you some company.” Kim said and looked at the guitar player standing in the doorframe watching the interaction between the friends. You could see how close they were and he could totally understand Fran’s panic. He would go crazy when Ava gets hurt.

“Richie?” Fran asked confused.

“Hi darling.” Rich said softly and stepped closer.

“Oh, my God.” Fran whispered. She hadn’t realized at all that Jon and Richie were in her apartment. She was focused that much on Jason.

Kim smiled and indicated Richie to sit down with Fran on the couch.