Chapter 20

Los Angeles, CA ~ 2022

Kate was sitting at her desk. The laptop was on and some music was playing on the back ground. That summer Sun was burning outside but she wanted to stay inside to study. She is a professor on medical school of California state after all and studying was her daily routine. She left her pen on the desk and looked outside of the window. Being next to the beach especially in the summer was very noisy. For some reason she remembered the first time she got there.

Pregnant, lost and broken hearted. After what happened with him, she never said his name again. It causes her so much pain that any painkiller can’t easy. She loved him with every cell of her body. She couldn’t believe that all the pain was caused by her family, her own brother who has sworn to their mother’s grave that will always protect her no matter what.

When her brother and father died on that car accident all their money and properties were hers, but she didn’t care. She sold everything. She didn’t want to have anything that will remind her of their actions both good and bad. She kept the money and asked for a transfer in any hospital. The further is was form New York the better. That city had a special place in her heart and she couldn’t say goodbye, but her brain accepted that transfer to California.

And now there is was. Twenty five years later from all that pain and suffer she had finally done something for herself. Being a doctor helped a lot. She wanted to forget everything and focus on her career, and she did. She is now one of the best doctors in California with a specialty in cancer. Any type of it. Because of her cleverness and her true passion, she is also one of the youngest professors of medical school in history of the USA.

“What are you starring at?” she heard in the middle of her daydreaming. She looked up the door of her office and there he was. He was standing and looked at her a little puzzled. He knew her mother had some issues, mental issues. But he never asked why or how. He never knew his father and that is his biggest question. Every time he starts this conversation Kate starts crying and she always tell him that one day when she is strong enough, she will explain to him.

“The beach.” Kate simply answered. She had a ton of work to do and she was thinking of what hurted the most. “I’m going out… I won’t be late. I have to study Anatomy for the semester exams.” Benjamin told his mother. “Yeah, I know. You better start studying young man.” Kate answered as she put on her glasses. “Mum please don’t start….” He replied annoyed. “Ben you know, I will not help you study. Medical school was your choice, now you have to face the consequences.” “I know and I will.” Benjamin said while he was looking around. “Are you looking for something?”  Kate asked her son. “My helmet. Have you seen it?” he yield from the kitchen.  

Kate sighed as she as stood up. “How many times do I have to tell you not to leave things all over the house?” Kate exited her office and walked to the kitchen but her son wasn’t there but as always he had left the kitchen door open. As she was walking out she heard the garage door open. Just a few seconds late the engine of Benjamin’s bike was on. When Kate reached the garage she saw her 27 year old son wearing his helmet. Wearing the leather jacket of the biker’s club he is in and his sunglasses was looking just like his father. Tall with brown hair and chocolate brown eyes was always a reminder for Kate. As she was looking at him waving at her and leaving she knew that someday she has to tell him the truth. That his father is Richie Sambora.

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On the other side of town Richie was watching TV. He wasn’t paying attention it was his company for thinking. His other company was sitting right next to him probably sleeping but who could know, that’s what dogs do. He pet Ivar with his right hand and for some reason his eyes stayed on what is left of the stitches David gave him all those years ago. When he closed his eyes, he saw her. In that ware house in New York where his life changed forever.

He had never stopped thinking about her ever after her brother and father died he wanted to go and find her. He wanted to be with her with all his heart. In any case his heart will always belong to her. He had never loved any other woman so deeply, so desperate. But he was so coward back then and afraid that she might didn’t want him anymore. Afraid that she might had find someone else to fill her love. He was afraid that she might had forgot about him and everything that they’ve been through.

That city only caused him pain. He had sworn that he will never step a foot in New York or in New Jersey but he did. His second visit was beyond his imagination. He remembered when him mother called him in the middle of the night and told him that his father was in the hospital. He flew from Los Angeles to New York just to be in the same hospital that she was. He spent days in that hospital making even more bad memories. The nights he spend with his father dying from lung cancer made him release how much he wanted someone to lean on. He had the boys of course but it wasn’t the same. He wanted someone who can pour his heart out without judging him or judging his actions. He knew he wasn’t a saint and who was?

“Hey Dad I’m going out with the girls.” Ava said while she was walking down the stairs. Richie was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t hear her. Ava knew that look in his face. She saw that look a lot these days. She was now big enough to deal with the problems that her family was facing. What was left of her family. Her mother was in and out of jail for the past few months and her father was her father. Dealing with his problems which he never talked about with anyone since he left the bad in 2013.

Ava walked closer to her father and said again “Dad are you listening?”. Richie jumped. He didn’t realize his daughter was there. “You want anything?” he asked. “I said, I’m going out with the girls.” “Oh great. Have fun.” Richie answered simply and took the remote in his hand and changed the channel. Ava hated to see him like this but there nothing she didn’t try to make him talk to her, she is his daughter after all. That wasn’t the Richie she knew and admired and that made her so sad. He is all she got left for a family and wanted to make things right for the first time in her 25 years of her life. 

Chapter 19

Richie was sitting on the chair in the kitchen. His right arm was lifted and Kate was trying to pull out the bullet from his arm. Before moving to his arm Kate had managed to clear the blood from his face. It was clearer now, thankfully the blood was still fresh and left using only a towel with water. His lips were still swollen but Richie managed to drink some water and eat some bread.

"David hold it open just a little more." Kate told him. He was the only one with medical knowledge who could help her. David was trying to do his best. He couldn't remember when was the last time he touched medical equipment. It was one of his dreams to be a doctor and only the other dream came true, but he wasn't complaining about that.

Kate was holding her tongs and she was trying really hard to find that bullet in Richie's arm. "Aaaah!" Richie almost creamed when she found a muscle she mustn't find. "Sorry, about that. If we were in the hospital you wouldn't feel anything." Kate apologized and looked at him. She could tell by the colour of his face that he was getting better.

"Are you done?" Richie asked under his teeth. The pain he was feeling was so bad that he couldn't even keep his eyes open. Kate was exploring his arm with her tongs. She had find the spot where the bullet was but she couldn't bring it out. Her hands had start shaking. She could feel them getting all sweaty under the gloves she was wearing.

She had done thousants of operations more difficult that this one but she couldn't get this bullet out of his arm. She was getting nervous now. "Kate, i can do that." David spoke up when he saw her. Kate shallowed hard and looked at David and smiled. "No, thank you David. I can do that. I have to do that. It's my fault." Kate looked now at the opened arm that was in front of her.

The bullet was still there waiting for the tongs to got it. And they did a few minutes ago. "That feels good." Richie said a nd shut back on his chair feeling relieved and in pain. Kate placed gently the bullet on the pieve of paper on the table. "That those every 6 hours. Will easy the pain." Kate told him and dissapeared.

Richie looked at David. "There something you don't know man." David started and pured him a glass of fresh water to drink the pills. Richie managed to swallow the pill and the water helped him a lot. "What i don't know?" he looked David in the eyes. That was his surious look and he couldn't fool around with something like this. "We made a deal with Jackson in order to get you back." David said  and shut on the chair next to him.

"What kind of deal?" Richie asked him back. "You're leaving tommorow. And in one and a half man we start a 6 weeks tour for the hits album." David told him as quick as he could all that he had missed. "And where am i going? Will Kate be with me too?" Richie asked him a few seconds later. he couldn't tell the words like before but David understood every word. "Nobody knows where you're going Rich, only Jackson. And Kate will not be with you. I'm sorry." David answered and touched his knee. It was the only part of him who didn't cause so much pain.

Richie was looking down on the floor for sevelar minutes. David did on his arm the stitches he needed it. Richie didn't said a word or showed that he was hurted either by what David told or was doing to him. He was just sitting there. He didn't want to leave. And sure, he didn't want to leave her behind to where the Hell he was going. He knew deep inside his mind that she feels responsible of what happend to him. But all that matters to him right now was to hold her.

"Are you done with the stitches Lemma?" he asked at some point. David looked at it one more time and felt nothing but proud of what he had done. "Yeah, you can go. Do you want me to help you stand? You're very wear now and you don't want those stitches to get cut." David answered. But he didn't really wait for his to answer.

He walked on the other side and help his get up from his 'good' hand now. "I know where you want to go." he told him and helped him walk and stopped in front of their bedroom. "I'll close the door on my way out. Take care Rich! I'll come back tommorow to say goodbye." David said  and gave him a quick but carefull hug. "Thank you, for taking care of her while i was gone." Richie said when they broke up the hug. "No problem man." David answered back and walked away.

Richie looked at him walking away and looked now at that closed door in front of him. He touched the doorknob with his 'good' hand. He was bracing him himself of what he'll face as soon as he'll open the door. Taking a deep breathe Richie opened the door of their bedroom and saw Kate sitting on his side hugging his pillow. He tryied to smile and it didn't hurt so bad now. In fact it didn't hurt at all.

Kate lifted her head and saw him standing tall in front of her. He had his right arm in a distance from his body, probably David did him the stitches she couldn't finish. She wiped of her tears quickly and answered. "You should had stayied on the kitchen." she was trying hard not to look at him. She ddin't want to remember his face like that. She knew these were the last moments they'll spend together.

Richie walked slowly and shut on the edge of the bed. "You remember one night that we're walking in Sentral Park and it start raining?" he looked at her. She nodded her head. "Do you remember my fall? It was the most epic fall ever! I saw you laughing so hard while i was still lying on the wet ground and i was thinking you will never forget that. Or the other day when we found some pap's taking picutes of us and i was running after them because i didn't want those picutes to go public. Do you remember that?" he asked and looked at her.

"Yes, i remember." she answered at him laughing. That smile Richie thought to himself. That smile she wore made her so special. Least did they know that the most beautiful smile hid behind itself a soul darker than the night, a cry so loud that the devil will be terrified, a plea suppressed deep within her heart to save her from the demons she possessed yet that were not her own. All they ever saw and believed in was that smile that never left her lips no matter what.

"David told me about the deal you made with Jackson." Richie finally spoke. "That's alright i understand." he added and touched her right leg. Richie looked up at her. She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings. She jumped a little when he touched her.

"Can you move a little? That's my side." he told her. Kate did as she was asked not sure of what was on his mind. It took Richie a while to lay on the bed next to her.And when he did he pulled her close to his body. He hugged her with his left hand and kissed her foarhead. "I didn't want to fall in love again or need someone. I really didn't want anything. But, then you appeared that night and start wanting everything."Richie told her and kissed her hand. That was causing her pain and he didn't want that because she was evrything to him.

Kate was doing a great job of not looking at him. A part of her didn't want to see him and the other part of her didn't go to get her eyes of him. "I know why you don't want to look at me. But please let me see you one more time before i leave. I know there will come a day that we can't be together. I'll keep you in my heart and you'll stay there forever." Richie said and felt his own tear rolling down his demaged cheek.

Kate looked up at him. Even though he was all bitten up she always loved the way he was looking at her. She loved everything about him she couldn't recall anything bad about him now. She moved closer and she stayied there. She let him kiss her slowly all afraid that might caused him any kind of pain but it didn't. He couldn't feel anything from his head to toes all he could hear was his heart racing like it was his first kiss. Sure, it wasn't the first but it was defently one of the lasts.

She had realized within seconds of meeting him that he was rare. She had known within hours that he was everything she ever wanted.

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Richie opened the door of his hotel room and Jon walked in a little faster than the usual. "Hey, what happend? You said you'll all come in 30 minutes. I'm not ready!" Richie ansewered and closed the door. When Richie walked back to the room he found Jon sitting on a chair with a smile from ear to ear. "What it is Johnny?" Richie knew that look.

"You'll be the first one to know. Dot is pregnant... again!" Richie rolled his eyes. "Really man? That awesome! Congratulations!" Richie ansewered and hugged tight his best friend. "Thank you Rich! I'm sure you and Heather will have many kids too." Jon said when they broke the hug. "Yeah, i hope that too." he answered.

"I asked her to marry me and he said yes." Richie dropped the bomb a few seconds later. "You did what? Are you sure man? You don't know her that well. I know you love her but with Ka..." Jon tryied to finish but Richie jumped. "Please, don't say her name. I haven't hear it since i left New Jersey. I haven't even say it out loud." 

Sudenly sadness moved in to Richie's face. "Hey! She was a part of your life, but heather will be your wife someday soon. I know you still feel something for her but you'll never see her again. You know i'm really sorry for that, don't you?" Jon said. "Yeah, man i know." Richie answered and he was still feeling somehting that words couldn't describe.

"Let's see some TV before the rest of the guys some here." Jon said and opened the TV. 

BREAKING NEWS.

The well known doctors Timothy and Jackson Jones were had a terrible car accident which costed both of their livies. Like the forencic surgeor mentionted both father and son were killed instantaneously. The only living family member that remains is Jones's daughter Cathrine. Their funeral will take place tommorow at the New York City Marble Cemetery.

Richie jumped. Jon touched his hand. "Let it go Richie." he told him.

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Kate was keeping a distance from the sink and what was on the top of it. She knew very well that this little thing will change his life forever. It's only been a few days since she had buried her father and her brother. She wasn't feeling that sad as she should be. And that was was scaring her the most. She was feeling much different now without them. They had caused many pain to her and the people she loved. So, yes it was way much better without them breathing.

With very small steps Kate managed to arrive at the sink. She took it in her hands and closed her eyes. She was holding it so tight in his hand that broke it. But it didn't care. It was the fourth after all. She stepped on the closed door behind her rolled down. 

As soon as she hit the floor she start crying. She knew that this will not change what had happend but she couldn't do anything else. And of course she couldn't change the fact that she's pregnant and the child she's carrying it's Richie's. 

Chapter 18

Kate was sitting on the couch. It's had been only an hour since they had watched the video tape that Jackson delivered to them. She couldn't control herself and start crying. Jon had already informed David and Tico and they were on their way to his house. The time was passing fast and they must find him before he bleeds to death.

"Kate how much time do we have?" Jon asked at some point. He knew she wasn't in the mood of talking but she's a doctor and Jon needed to know how much time they had. Kate looked at him. Her eyes were red because of her crying. "I don't know. If it's a vein probably three or four hours more. If it's not we have until the end of the day." Kate answered after a long enough pause.

It was way more painfull feeling all those emotions than just anounce them to the family of the patient. Jon was keep looking at her. He could see it in her eyes that she was a very deep pain, much deeper than he could ever feel. She loved his best friend in the way no other woman had ever loved him and that was good enough for Jon. The bell rung. "They're here." Jon said relived and walked to the door. He re-enter the living room with Tico and David.

"Okay, Richie can't be at the house in New York, is very easy." Tico said a few minutes ago when they had moved in the kitchen and they were trying to find Richie. "I agree with Tico. I think he's somewhere close to the house so he can go there without loosing any time." David told his opinion too. "Kate do you know about any other properties he has on his name exept the house in New York?" Jon asked and all the tree men looked at Kate.

"I-I don't know. I told you we didn't really talk after i left the house when i was 18." Kate answered. "He's defently in New York, there is no point of taking him away from the State especially if he doesn't own a property there." David said. "Yeah, Dave is right. Do you think you can find all the properties in his name?" Jon asked Kate and looked at her one more time.

Kate looked back at him. "Yeah i think i can do that. I have a friend who can help us." Kate answered and she start feeling a wave of happiness that she can save the man she loves. "Jon pass me a paper with a pen and your phone." Kate ordered Jon decidedly. It was time to take back what is hers.

Jon did what he was asked and a few seconds later the three men were listening Kate talking with her friend in Land Registy Depertement in New York. "Hey Grayson it's Kate Jones, how are you doing? Pretty good thank you! I was wondering if you can tell me all the properties my brother has i his name. He's looking to buy a new house somewhere in Maiami i think. Can you please check it? Jackson Nathan Jones is his full name." Kate said and looked from Jon to Tico while Grayson was doing his research.

"Okay, so he has the manson in New York, a vocation house in St Barts, a beach house in Puerto Rico and a warehouse in New York's port." Kate said out loud while she was writting down on the paper. "Yeah, yeah you helped a lot Grayson! Tell your kids and wife i said hi! Goodbye." Kate finally told Grayson and hung up the phone.

"Boys we're going on a road trip to New York's port." Kate told them and looked at each one of them. "Let's save Richie boys!" Jon said and hit his hand on the table as all the four of them were walking outside to the parking.

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Kate was walking up on front being followed by David, Jon and Tico. They were walking for 30 minutes now to find the number of the warehouse the man on the gate told them. "How many more Kate?" Tico asked her. "About 30 more Teek. We're getting closer." Kate answered and looked over her shoulder back to Tico.

They were keep walking across the New York port. It was in the middle of afternoon for late September it was very hot. Even though they were walking next to water that didn't change a thing. They were getting closing to Jackson's ware house where they all hoped Richie was there. "What is Dave?" Jon asked him. He didn't say much and that was very suspicious. "Do we really thing we can fool him?" David asked and everyone stopped walking and looked at him.

"What do you mean by that?" Kate asked David. "He did all this because he thought that Richie is not the one for you and he'll break your heart someday." David started. "He told you that to get him back you must stop seing him and loving him is that right?" David added while he watched three pair of eyes looking at him weird.

"Come on guys don't you get it? There is no way Jackson give us Richie without making sure you'll not see him again." "David are you listening to yourself?" Jon jumped in. "There is no way i'm leaving this fucking port without Richie!" Jon yelled this time. "I'm sorry Jon but you'll leave without him. The only way we'll take Richie back is not knowing where he is." David replied calmy.

He was thinking about that since he got that phone call from Jon. "Look, i know this one sounds confusing but listen to me." David looked at them all. They were looking him in the eyes. "Jackson wants you Kate don't see him again. So, when we got there i tell him to choose a city and sent him there without telling us. And if he accespts that we take Richie back but not with us. Plus, a mini tour for the new hits album will help a lot." David tried to explain to them what was in his mind.

"Lemma i know we don't tell you this often but this is genious!" Tico spoke up. "Thank you Teek. It's the only plan i can come up with. At least we'll take him back. Kate what do you think?" David turned and faced her. She shallowed. She knew she wasn't able to live without him but David's idea was what they all have. Richie safe and sound somewhere in the United Sates.

"I think we should hurry. Richie is waitng for us!" Kate answered and smiled.

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Jackson was keep looking at David who just finished his idea about taking Richie back. They were outside of the warehouse. Jackson didn't allow them to come inside. "You choose a city Jackson. Wherever you want. We talked with our manager and told us a mini tour about 5-6 weeks will be great." David added a few seconds later. He was the one who did all the talking because it was his idea and he knew it better than anyone else. 

"Okay, that sounds fair enough mr Bryan. I'll book him a flight to this city and i'll find him a hotel to stay until he finds a place to stay." Jackson finally answered and looked back at David. He shaked hands with David who couldn't stop smiling. "And as far as my sister don't you ever think about telling her where your guitarist is or you could not play the piano." he told David. "The guitar." he turned at Jon. "Or the drums mr Torres." Jackson looked at Tico at last. 

"Of course." David answered back before he looked at Jon and Tico from behind. "Good. When the mini tour starts?" Jackson aasked them. "We don't know the date yet. We want to make sure that Richie can play." Jon spoke up. "You better rush things a little about his recovery. I'm sure my sister could help him." Jackson answered and looked far away where Kate was standing. 

Jackson put his hands on his pockets of his suit while he was keep looking at Kate. They all notished the epression in his eyes had changed. "In the end, we are all just humans drunk of the idea that love, only love could heal our brokeness." Jackson spoke while his eyes were never leaving his only sister who was sitting on a bench far away from where they were standing. 

Tico, David and Jon looked at each other not sure if they had heard those words from him. "So, that means we can take Richie back?" Tico asked him a little hesitated. Jackson turned and looked at him. "Yes, mr Torres you can take him back. I'll deliver you the ticket at his apartement." Jackson answered and walked away.

As he was walking away Jackson waved at some guards who were standing in front of the door of the warehouse. One of them opened the door. Once the door was opened every single guard who were across the warehouse walked in the two cars which were parked next to the warehouse. 

The three members of the band were watching them driving away. Jon looked at them and said "I'll go to get Kate." "We'll go inside. See how he's doing." David answered. "Okay." Jon answered and walked away.

Jon was walking fat to where Kate was sitting. "Kate!!" Jon yelled from behind and Kate turned around. "Come on! It's time." Jon told her. Kate looked at him and start running to the ware house. "Run Jon! He had lost a lot of blood. We need to hurry!" Kate yelled while she was running on top speed until she stopped in front of the warehouse.

She was trying to catch her breathe. She saw the door was opened, probably David and Tico were inside with him. A part of her wanted to go inside and hug the man of her dreams but the half of her was terrified of what she'll face when she'll walk inside the warehouse.

Kate shallowed hard as her right foot walked in the dark warehouse. In the middle of it she notished David and Tico. They were standing in front of Richie who was sitting on the chair. Kate couldn't see him all she could do was walking closer and closer. The smell of dry and fresh blood were too much for her take. That smell was making her sick to her stomack, she wanted to throw up right there only a few feet away from him. But she didn't. Instead, Kate took a deep breathe and stopped behind from Tico and David.

David turned and faced her. "Kate, you should go outside." he told her. His voice was low and shaken. David was standing tall in front of Kate. She tried to look behind David's shoulder but all she managed to see was Richie's headleaning in front and a blood late around him. "David i'm a doctor! I've faced worse situations." Kate answered. "But not your loved ones, Kate." he said and looked at her. David moved and let her walk a few steps. Tico saw her and moved on his right to let Kate some space.

Kate's heart was beating so fast like it was going to expload at any second. Her hands were shaking as David and Tico moved and let her walk to where Richie was standing. Hot tears rolled from her eyes as she faced him. His head was leaning in front of her like he was praying. His bloody hands were resting on his knees. His jeans were covered by his own blood as long as his t-shirt which from white tirned to red. His long hair were a mess. Kate notished a piece of someone's shirt was covering Richie's right uper arm. The bullet might had found there Richie's arm.

From what Kate had seen the bullet didn't find a vein. A part of her felt relived because they still had some time. Kate stopped in front of him and she knelt down to meet his face. She placed her right hand on his cheek. Her hand was filled with his blood but she didn't care. All she wanted right now was be with him, try to save him and kiss him for the last. With a very carefull move Kate lifted Richie's face only to see the results of her brother's actions in the name of her protection.

Both of his eyes were bruised, they had that purlpe colour which Kate hated. His right eye was so shollen that he couldn't keep it open. Richie opened slowly his left eye, which it was in a better condition. He saw Kate there in front of him. It was her for real? Or his mind was playing the worse possible tricks? He had dreamed of her many times since Jackson kidnapped him. It was the only thing that could make him feel good and didn't cause so much pain.

When Richie realized it wasn't a dream or his imagination he tried to smile at her. But the pain he felt on his mouth was too much for him to handle. Kate was watching him close as she said. "It's over now Richie. You're safe."

They all heard a car running inside the warehouse. The entrance was big enough to fit Jon's car. He stopped the car right in front of them and jumped out of the driver's seat. "Let's take him home. We have work to do." these were the last words spoken on that warehouse before they left it behind and all that pain that goes with it. 

Chapter 17

Jon was running on the corridor as fast as he could. It was only an hour ago when Kate called and told him that Richie had been kidnapped. Or at least that was he managed to understand of what Kate told him while she was crying hard.

Jon turned right on the end of the corridor and there he found the door opened. He stopped. The door was wide open. He walked slowly to the entrance of the apartement not sure of what to expect. There he saw Kate sitting in the middle of living room. He noticed a guitar cut in half. Kate raised her head and faced the suprised Jon who was standing in front of her. It didn't long for Jon to see that she was crying.

He walked inside the apartment and knelt in front of Kate. She wrapped her arms around Jon and hugged him close. Jon let her cry for a few minutes. That gave Jon some time to think what might had happend to his best friend. Kate broke the hug and looked at Jon. "What happend Kate?" he asked.

Kate was keep looking at Jon. She must tell him what happend because she wanted to find Richie as soon as possible. She shallowed hard and started "I was watching MTV and they said you're in the 4th place of US Billboard charts with Always and i told Richie to come and check this out. He came and then i asked him to play a song on the guitar for me. He went to bring the guitar when..." she paused. "When the bell rung, it was my brother. He found out that i was living with Richie and he came to take me back. I said no of course. Then he turned on Richie and broke my favourite guitar." she paused and they both looked at the broken guitar.

Kate looked back at Jon once again. "Then Richie got pissed beacuse it was my favourite, he punched him and Jackson pulled a gun at him." tears rolled down to her cheeks as she remembered what happend earlier. Jon was listeinging to her and he couldn't imagine how she must feelling. He had no idea how he would feel if something like will happen to Dorothea while he was watching. A part of him wanted to tell her to stop but the other one wanted to know what happend next.

"Then he aimed at Richie but i begged him not to kill him." she shallowed. "He took Richie with him." she added. Kate looked back at Jon who had that lost look on his face. He was still trying to understand what he had just heard. All these seemed iimpossible to him to understand, but that's the truth after all.

"Come on Kate. Let's go in my house. See what we can do." Jon said and stood up helding his hand out. Kate looked up at him, she was still sitting on the floor. She wanted to stay there but she knew staying there and crying won't bring Richie back. With Jon's hand as a help Kate stood up. They were walking out of the apartement when Kate stopped to take a last look at it before she closed the door.

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"Where is her? I want to see her!" Adam walked in the living room yelling followed by Joan. They were all sitting on Jon's living room. All looked at angry Adam and sad Joan while they walked in the living room. 

Kate stood up from the couch when she faced Richie's parents. She understands how they must have feel, it's not easy learning from the phone that your son had been kidnapped by your girlfriend's brother. Adam stopped in front of Kate and looked her in the eyes. "You are responsible of what happend to my son! First, your brother kicked his ass and now he had kidnapped him! I can't believe this shit! You better pray that my son walks out of this safe and sound otherwise you'll be your client!" his voice was steady. He ment every word. He wasn't foolling around.

"Adam you said enough!" Joan jumped in. She walked in front of her and asked. "Are you alright sweetie?" Joan hugged Kate close. She knew Kate had nothing to do with her brother's actions. And she knew for sure she couldn't do anything to hurt Richie. She loves him too much to make him suffer like this.

Kate looked at Joan when she broke the hug. She was really suprised of what she just did. "Joan what are you doing?" Adam asked his wife. "What do you think like i'm doing Adam? Kate has nothing to do with what happend to Richie. And she's the only one who can really help us to find him. So, being mean to her doesn't help at all Adam." Joan answered as she looked back at him.

She was sure he'll react like that. He was so silent of the ride from their house is Red Bank and she could tell what he was thinking now. Kate explained to them one more time what happend a few hours ago in New York when the phone rung. Not Jon or Dorothea were in the mood of talking on the phone right now but someone has to pick it up. Jon knew his wife will be tiried of taking care of Stephanie and he stood up.

"Hello." he said with annoying voice. "You finally answer it. You know is not right leaving him wait for too long." Jon raised his eyebrows. He had never listen to this voice before. It was completely stranger to him. "Who are you and what do you want?" Jon asked back angrily. "You must be Jon, right? I'm Jackson and i want to have a word with my sister." Jackon answered from the other like of the phone.

"Joooon!" Richie screamed with all the power was left. Jon hear it and his face lighted up. "Richie!" he said smiling. All in the living room turned and looked at Jon. Kate stood up and walked next to him. "Shut up you piece of shit!" Jackson yelled full of anger. The next thing Jon and Kate heard was Richie screaming out of pain.

Kate's eyes filled with tears one more time. Just even thinking that Richie was with her brother somewhere she couldn't do anything to take him was driving her crazy. "Jackson?" Kate asked almost hesitate. "Cathrine, finally!" Jackson said. He looked next to him the chained Richie who his face lighted up when he heard her name. "Don't you even think to talk or i'll kill you!" Jackson told him.

"I'm sorry for that, but your rockstar doesn't behave and i must teach him some manners since his family failed to teach him any." Jackson placed the phone better on his ear so Kate could hear loud and clear what he was about to say.

"Kate, i'll go straight to the point. To get your rockstar back, or what is left of him, all you have to do is stop loving him and of course never see him again." Jackson told her. Kate shallowed hard. Her palms were getting all sweaty. She knew he mean it otherwise why would he had done all these? At this point she didn't know what was worse answering this or trying to live without Richie. Things are are getting serious now.

"O-Okay, i think i can do that. Where are you?" Kate asked. Jackson start laughing hard. "You really think that will be easy? I want to make sure you will not see him again in your life. So, Jon i hope you have a nice suit to wear in his funeral." Jackson said and hung up the phone.

Kate hung up the phone too and looked to every single one who was there. "What did he say?" Joan asked and looked Kate in her eyes. "He said we need to find him..." Kate started. Tears rolled down to her face. She couldn't finish. "Or i have to wear a nice suit in his funeral." Jon said from behind. It was hard fro him too. Hell, it was hard for all of them.

"And now?" David asked as Jon and Kate shut on the couch with every one. "We need to find him before it's too late." Tico said. Trying to sound as calm as a person in his shoes will be. Kate wipped off her tears. "I don't think that's easy. They can be everywhere in the world." Kate said. "No, i think Richie is somewhere close." David answered. "We'll find him Kate. You'll see and you'll be back together." David added seconds later and touched Kate's shoulder.

Kate smiled. "I hope you're right David. But when we'll find Richie and make sure he's alright i'm leaving." she answered looking back at David.

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The next morning was sitting on the same spot she was sitting last night since she talked with her brother on the phone. She didn't move, she didn't eat, she didn't sleep. She was just sitting there. Jon walked in the living room holding Stephanie in his arms. He saw Kate sitting there and walked closer to her. He shut next to her and Kate looked at them.

"Do you want to hold her?" Jon asked hoping she will say yes. He wanted to make her forget what is going on with her life. The one year old Stephanie was now in Kate's arms. Kate at first was afraid that she might do something wrong and will make Stephanie cry. Holding Stephanie in her arms she felt something different. It was that momment when she realized how much she wanted to have kids on her own.

She hasn't really talk about this with Richie but she had heard him many times saying he wants a big family. She wanted a big family too. But now things had changed a little. She loved him since day one and each day even more. But all that love lead him being kidnapped by her own brother.

Kate was spending some time with Stephanie trying to get away from everything even she knew that was impossible. Jon was watching them as he was walking to answer the door. "Hello?" Jon said as he opened the door. "Mr John Bongiovi?" the unkown man asked him. "Yeah." Jon asked a little suprised. He was sure they didn't order anything.

The man gave Jon a small box. "This is for you from mr Jackson Jones. Please sigh here." Jon sighed and closed the door behind him. He was walking to the living room with not a pleasant look on his face. Kate notised that and asked him. "Jon eveything okay?"

Jon looked up at her. He didn't know of he was afraid the most. Opening this little box or telling Kate that this was delivered by her brother. Jon shut on the couch next to her and gave Kate that little box. Kate saw her brother's name on it and rolled her eyes.

"I have no idea what it's in the box." Jon told her. Kate looked at Jon and gave Stephanie to him. She must be the one who opens this box. Kate almost with shaken hands she opened the box. Both Jon and Kate rolled their eyes. "Really? A video tape?" Jon said. "Why i have a bad feeling about this?" Kate answered while she saw him turning on the TV and the video.

"Hello Kate, Jon and whoever is there with you!" Jackson said in front of the camera. They could see in the backround Richie chained on a chair in the middle of the empty room. "Come on Kate he's alright. He's still breathing." Jackson said sarcasticly.

The camera moved closer to Richie who is obviosly tired and bitten up. His shirt was all covered by blood. Kate could aslo see some scracthes in his arms. Her heart sink. And she felt like she doesn't want to live anymore. She was so devastated of what she had seen already. She wanting it to stop.

"Everything was fine until this fucking asshole appeared in your life. You don't need no man Kate. And sure not him." Jackson pointed Richie who he hadn't moved an inch. "So, you need to hurry Kate. I spend my whole day watching him and i don't have time to do anything else. And since you're a doctor you know how much time takes to a person to bleed to death." Jackson said looking at the camera.

"Oh my God!! No!! Jack please!! NOOOOOO!!" Kate screamed as tears were rolling down to her chicks. She was keep screaming as she watched some men unchain Richie and help him stand up. He was so weak, he barely tryied to keep his eyes open. Richie was watching Jackson walking away holding something in his hands. He couldn't focus, that hurted very much. He saw a camera a few feet away. A red light was flashing. He knew very well what he was doing.

"Hold his right arm up." Jackson demanded. Richie wanted to resist but he was powerless now. "It's been a while since i practed on aiming." Jackson said and armed the gun he was holding. He closed his right eye in order to help him aim better Richie's arm.

He was standing about 80 feet away from Richie. Jackson's left indext finger was placed gently on the trigger. He aimed closer to where he wanted to fire and he suddenly pulled the trigger. He heard the sound of Richie's flesh being torn apart and saw red, hot blood running from his veins as he screamed out of pain.

"The clock is ticking, Kate!" were the last words he said on the camera before he turned it off.

Chapter 16

Kate was keep starring at him. She was trying to understand what his words meant. Did he really say that? Or was just her mind doesn't pay attetion? It's been more than 16 months they were together. She had met his parents. She had diner, lunch and even breakfast with them. She was the one who didn't want to rush things. She knew very well what happend the previous time she let someone in, he knew too.

"You really want me to move in with you?" she asked him several seconds later. "I would love that." he paused and looked at her. "You don't?" "I do. Of course and i do." she answered. "Then why you look like that? I want to spend my last few months before the tour with you. The hospital is 30 minutes driving istead of 1,5 hour if you keep living in Jersey. The studio is in New York. The house in in New York..." he said.

That momment it crossed his mind he didn't want to stay with him in the house. But why? They have such a great time together. Why she doesn't want it as much as he does?

"I know. Everything is closer. But i think you rush things a little bit." she looked at him. "Rush things? Kate we've been dating for a year and a half." he raised his voice a little. "I know. I know. Is just i want to study for my MBA and you'll be busy playing the guitar or the piano and i can't study." hse finally told him what was on her mind.

"Just for the next month. We're working on a song which is giving us a hard time. But when you'll study i won't play. You think i'm that asshole?" "I don't think you're asshole. I just want to study and get this degree so i can teach to College." Kate answered.

"You can stay for a week see how this goes and if you think is too much for you, you back. Simple as that." Richie came up with an idea. "I think i can do that. Since you'll be my first. I'll do my best." she smiled. Richie raised his eyebrows. "Your first?" he asked confused. "I've never stay with an another man before. So, that makes you my first." "Really?" he asked again suprised. "Don't be so suprised. You know i don't open up that easily. I'm not like you." she answered.

It was true. It took her her while to get used to him, to them. He told her everything form the first tree months, while she was there listeing to him. She wasn't ready to tell him everything she had faced in her life. She had done that with Peter and he left her. And if Peter did so can Richie. Even though Richie has nothing to do with Peter.

He looked at her smiled. "I'm sure you will not regret it darlin'."

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A few weeks later Kate was staying with Richie in New York. The press found out which made Kate nervous. Richie was now used to it and doesn't really care what the press say anymore. He told her that they'll find it one way or another. Kate knew he was right. She was trying got used to the paparazzis wherever they are going. Richie was more leraxed about that, he was fooling around when he'll see any. He wasn't afraid of them, like Kate was.

Kate was doing some house works in the moring while Richie was in the town talking with Jon about their new song. Kate wanted to hear it like crazy. But Richie told her he'll play it for her when it was ready. The video clip was finished but Richie didn't want to show it. The only thing Kate knew was the realised date, 20th September 1994. Which was only 5 days ago before its realise. 

She was in one of the best rooms in the house, the tiny studio he had on his house. It could fit a grand piano and about 20-25 of his guitars. Nothing more, nothing less. While she was cleaning she saw a music sheet on the piano. She read the title. "Always?" she asked herself out loud. 

She took the first page in her hands and start reading the notes and the very first lyrics. She looked once at the piano and the next pages. She left the page where she found it and sut on the chair in front of the piano. 

She looked at the sheet and plased her fingers on the the first notes. She didn't have any problem on finding them. She was taking piano lessons since she was ten. That song will be a piece of cake for her. She had played thousands of songs but she had never playied any that he had wrote. She wanted to memorised every single song he had wrote. She wanted to feel him while he was writing.

So, taking a deep breath she prresed the first notes of the intro. The more Kate was playing the more she loved the song. The music was pefrect and she couldn't hide that smile on her face. 

Richie opened the door of the apartment holding a video in his hands. It was the first copy of their new video clip of their new song, Always. He had promised to watch it with Kate. It was a love song after all, he couldn't watch it with anyone else. 

As he closed the door behind him he heard someone playing the piano. He recognise it in no time, it was Always. He had totally forgot he left the piano sheet there. He left the video on the kitcehn table and followed the music. 

Once he arrived he saw Kate playing the intro of Always. He smiled. From what it seemed she just started. Richie had an idea. Without making any noise he took the guitar he used on the video clip and conected it with the power. It was only a few notes before the singing will start when Richie hit the cord that matches with the piano. 

Kate's eyes opened wide as she heared the lectric guitar. She knew it was Richie and smiled. When the intro finished Richie start singing the first verse. It was easier for his to sing it. The verses didn't have that much guitar. In adittion with the piano which it never stops until the end of the song. 

Richie was keep singing while Kate was reading the lyrics on the sheet. She wanted to stop playing and turned to watch him as they reached for the solo, but she didn't. She was feeling so alive playing that song that she couldn't stop or taking her away from the sheet. She was enjoying herself while they were playing together. Unfortunately, the song finished and Richie hit the last cord.

Kate turned slowly to him and said "That was beautiful. Is that the new song?" she got up. "Yeah, that it." he asnwered proudly. She wrapped her arms around him while she was kissing him deeply. "I guess that you listen to it already." he said when they broke up the kiss. "I couldn't wait." "I was going to play it for you once i was there but you got me first." Richie said and left the guitar on the stand. 

"I couldn't wait much longer. Are you mad?" she asked with low voice. "Of course not darlin'. How can i be? You probably play it better than i could." he said and pulled her closer for a kiss. "We can do that more often. Just us, piano and guitar." she said while Richie's lips were moving from her lips to her neck. "We can do that with Liviv' On A Prayer." she said while he was kissing her neck. "With I'll Be There For You." she said again. His hand moved to her belly. She shudderded but she loved it. With an easy moved he slipped his hand under her panties. She moaned.

"Or with Bed Of Roses." she said when she found her voice. Richie took his hand and lift her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist while he was walking. He placed her on the piano. They both heard several notes as soon as Kate sut. 

While he was kissing her he took of her t-shirt. She wasn't wearing any bra of his suprise. He liked that. he placed his hands gently on her one breast and start playing with her already hard nipple. He never stop kissing her. He could feel her breath changaing while he was kissing her. With his other hand he got off her shorts. Kate helped him a little, it wasn't fair doing all these on his own. 

Richie was still working on her nipple when Kate took of his shirt and unzipped his jeans. He paused just for a second to catch his breath and found his way one the other nipple of her but this time with his mouth. Kate moaned hard as he start playing it with his tongue. 

A few minutes later they were both naked and Kate was sitting on the piano. Kate opened her legs and Richie was positioning himself before he entered her slowly. She loved when he was entering her slowly. 

Her breathe caughed on her throat when he went deeper inside her. She looked her arms around his strong shoulders. With every push Richie was making they were getting closer. She had buried her head on his chest ejoying every second of it. Even tough she was on the piano her orgasm found its way. 

"The piano will get dirty." she managed to say between some thrusts. Richie looked at her. "I'll buy an another tomorrow." he said and kissed her. With every kiss he was going deeper and deeper. He wanted to go where never have been before. 

"Oh God..." she said when he was moving faster and deeper. He could tell she was enjoying it. A few pushes later he found his realise too. But he didn't want to stop. He wanted more, he could tell she wanted more too. 

"That was amazing." she said when she found her voice. "We're not done yet." he said and put his hands on her waist. He lifted her up and walked while he was still inside her. He pished in her on the wall while he start pushing and kissing her. 

She looked her legs around his waist and her arms around her neck. His elbows were resting on the wall while his head was in her chest. He had never stried that before neither the piano position. It was the first time he saw her enjoying their love making that much. Their orgasms came almost the same time leaving both of the breathless. 

Kate was looking at him. His long hair were a mess and he was all sweating. She has never seen his chicks so red before. He pulled out of her and gently let her feet touch the floor. 

"I love you." she told him for the fisrt time and disappear on the bathroom. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Richie was playing with his guitar on the studio at his house when he heard Kate yelling his name. All afraid that something might happend to her he run in the living room where she found her smiling and jumping around like crazy. She was pointing the TV. 

"Richie you made it in the top 4 in the U.S. Billboard charts!" she almost yelled and hugged him tigh. "Thank you, babe. But it's not the first time and sure not the last one." he said once they broke the hug. "Yes of course. How can i forget that you play for the best band in the world." she smiled proudly.

"We are not the best band in world but we keep trying." "For me you are." she said and kissed him. "Thank you. And you are my favourite doctor too." Kate looked at him with a weird look on her face. "But you don't know many doctors." He smiled while he expleined. "I know you. And i don't think any other doctor will be able to pass you, ever." he smiled again. 

"Can you please play me The Answer?" she asked for the fourth time that day. "Again? You didn't get bored the three previous times?" he asked. Of course and he didn't mind playing it one more time. he could play it every day if she was asking him. "You know is my favourite. And it's better to hear it live instead on the radio." "Okay. I'll go get the guitar." he said and left. 

The bell rung and Kate walked to the door and opned it. Furious Jackson walked in. "Great. Now you open the doors." he said while he walked inside the apartement. "Jackson get out of here please!" Kate said pointing the door. 

Richie walked in the living room with the guitar and smile on his face. He froze when he saw Kate's brother standing there in the middle of the living room. "Jackson get out of here!" Kate yelled this time. Jackson looked at her. He put his hands on his pockets as she spoke "You know at first i thought to myself: Okay she wants to have fun for once in her life, be with a rockstar, go the best clubs, meet famous people and many more." he paused and looked at his sister. 

"Now a year and h half later you have done that many times. So, end this sister quickly and i'll wait for you downstairs." "I an not going anywhere with you. I'll stay with Richie." Kate said and walked next to him. 

Richie was studying his face wondering what he'll do next. He knew from the previous times he didn't like Kate being with him since day one. Richie watched him as he was walking closer to him. "I heard the new song on the radio, Always isn't it?" he asked and looked him in the eyes. Richie nodded. "I hope you don't need this guitar to play it." Jackson said and with rapid move he grabbed the guitar from Richie's hands. 

He raised his rioght knee and he smushed the guitar to the toip of his knee. The guitar was cut in half a hit the ground as soon as Jackson left it from his hands. Richie looked down to his guitar. It was one of the first he even bought. He loved all the guitar he has, both old and new. But he liked this one because it was Kate's favourite guitar.

Kate held out a scream. Richie looked up at him. Now he was more mad that ever. As fast as he could he grabbed him from his suit and punched on the face. Jackson couldn't believe Richie would have been so strong and he left on the floor. As her brother hit the floor Kate saw something strange on his back. She rolled her eyes when she saw the shade of a gun.

"Richie he has a gun!" Kate screamed but Richie didn't listen to her. He was so blind by his anger he couldn't even listen to God himself. He walked to where Kackson was lying and before he could get his hands on him he pointed the gun Kate screamed seconds ago at Richie. 

Richie's breathe was caugh on his throat at the sight of the gun. Richie took a few steps back once he saw the gun. That gave more space to Jackson and he got up. "I am tired of this fucking shit! You pack your staff and come with me!" Jackson looked at Kate while the gun was looking at Richie.

"I told you i'm not leaving." she spoke. The sight of the gun was terrorizing her but she must defend her feeling for him. "Wrong answer." Jackson said and armed his gun. He pointed at Richie who closed his eyes. 

"NOOOOOOO!!!" Kate screamed with all the power her voice had. Tears filled her eyes as she said more calmy now. "I'll do whatever you want. But please don't kill him." she begged him. Jackson looked at his sister and then at Richie. 

"Sambora come here!" he ordered him. The gun was still looking at him. He didn't have any choise. While Richie was getting closer Jackson said again "On your knees." Richie did as he said. "Kate you can take an another look of your rock star because you'll never see him again." 

Kate looked at Richie. Richie looked at Kate. "Okay that was enough!" Jackson said three seconds after. He looked down at Richie. "You get up." Richie got up. "Now, walk." Jackson said and pointed with the gun the door. 

Kate made a step. "Don't you even think about to follow us. You can do it, if you want to die in front of you." he turned to his sister. "Kate it's okay." Richie spoke. He couldn't see that kate was crying and he didn't want her to cry. "Who said you can talk?" he turned on Richie and punched him on his stomack. 

That made Richie cut in half. He couldn't breathe for a few seconds. "Come on now! Move!" Jackson ordered Richie. He didn't have any choise but do as he said. Kate watched them as they were walking away, doing nothing. 

Chapter 15

After the frontpage in the newspaper and the fight between the two of them Richie thought it will be better to keep some distance. It was hard for him to say it but all he was thinking was how to protect her from the spotlights. The band just announced a new album and a world tour after that. He knew the press will go crazy. That was what he was thinking while he was driving to Jon's house for the meeting.

He rung the bell and Jon opened the door seconds later. "Hey man!" Jon said and Richie walked in. "Hello to you too!" Richie answered with his eyebrows raised. "What is it Jon?" he asked him while they were walking to the kitchen. He knew him for 10 years now and he could tell something was up but he didn't know what.

In the kitchen they found Dorothea who was eatting some ice cream. "Hey Dot. Are you doing okay?" Richie asked and sut next to her. "Pretty good." "Where did you found ice cream on the 10th of January? We live in New Jersey not in Brazil." "Jon bought it for the New Year's but none ate it. And i was thinking how is it possible having this delicious ice cream in front of you and don't want to eat it all. I just can't understand you people!" Dorothea's answer was a little bigger than Richie was expecting.

Dorothea took the ice cram and left the kitchen without saying a word. Once Richie was sure she couldn't hear them he turned to Jon and asked. "Is she okay?" "Yeah, isn't she beautiful?" Jon answered with his arms crossed while he was resting on the counter. "Are you okay? Did you smocke anything? You were the one who said these belong to the past if you remember." Jon looked at him "Jesus Richie! Of course not! When the time is right you'll know. Just wait a little longer." Jon answered.

In the next minutes the rest of the guys were sitting on the living room waiting for Alec. "Man i'm going home." David finally spoke and stood up. "Dave wait. He'll be here in a minute." Jon answered. "You said that 45 minutes ago, Jon."Tico jumped in. "Is the third time in a raw that he's late. We should talk to him." Tico added.

The bell rung. "There he is!" Jon said hoping he'll see him when he'll open the door. Once he opened the door Alec was there but not the Alec he knew. "Hey, yo Johnny boy!" he said and walked in. "Where have you been?" Jon asked and closed the door. "We have been waiting for you since 5." David said with a pleasant look on his face.

"What?It's 5 o'clock now. We have a meeting." Alec answered with a voice of a 4 years old. "Alec are you okay?" Richie asked him and walked closer. "Yes, Teek i'm fine thank you." he answered. All the others looked at each other. They knew now he was highed, again. "Jon call him a cab to take him home." Tico as the older spoke. It was the best they can do for now. "Yeah sure." Jon said and left to the kitchen were the phone was.

Richie walked closer to Alec who was starring out of the window. "Hey..." he said and toucked his right shoulder with his hand. "Don't touch me!" he yelled and Richie took a few steps back. "I want to see if you're okay..." he answered. "You never cared about me, you piece of shit!" he looked him in the eye before he even now he punched him on the face.

Richie covered his nose with his hand. he saw the blood in his hand and Alec's crazy eyes while Tico and David were trying to calm him down. Alec with paranarmus power managed to escape from both of them. He took the vase from the table and threw it with all his strength to the wall while Jon was running to the living room when he heard some noice.

Thankfully, God was with him and vase broke a few meters away. "What the fuck is going on here?" he asked and looked around. From highed Alec to bleeding Richie. Dorothea heard the vase breaking and walked down a few steps from the stair. As soon as Jon saw her he yelled. "Dot go upstairs NOW!" Dorothea did as he said and disappear.

Jon was now mad. Not being afraid of anything and anyone took him from his coat and threw his out of the house without saying a word. When he came back Tico and David were cleaning the mees Alec left behind. "What the fuck happend guys?" Jon asked. "He attacked in Richie and punched him." David answered first. "And then he threw the vase on the wall for no reason." Tico added.

Jon couldn't believe it. "Is Richie alright?" "We think so. He's in the bathroom trying to stop the bleeding." David said and flidded a bag with all the broken glasses. Jon sut heivy on the couch. "Hey, man don't be like this. We knew this day will come." Tico said. Jon was the one who brought Alec on the band. he knew that somehow feel responsible of what happend. "Is not your fault Jon. We have warned him many times." David jumped in.

Richie walked in the living room with a lot of paper around his shollen nose. "Is he gone?" he asked. "Yeah, i put him on the cab. Are you okay?" Jon answered. "Yes, i'm fine. the bleeding stopped but the bathroom is a little bloody." Richie said and sut next to him on the couch. "That's the least i'm worrying about." Jon paused for a few seconds. "What if Dot was there he threw her the vase? I don't want anything to happen to them because of me."

All three of them looked at each other and then at Jon. "Is Dot pregnant?" Tico asked. "Yes she is. We leant a few days ago. She's 4 months. Her due is late May." "Man tha's awesome. Congratulations!" Richie said and hugged him first then David and last but not least Tico. "Thank you guys!" Jon answered and smiled.

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Richie was waiting outside of the hospital for Kate. It's been more than 5 days he hasn't seen her that was driving him crazy. Smocking his cigarette he was looking the shapes that the smocke was making before they're gone in the New York night sky. He was enjoying it because he knew Kate hated it and he has to respect that.

After throwing the butt on the ground he looked at the entrance of the hospital and saw Kate walking out. He wore the best smile of his and opened his arms. Kate hugged him tight. She has missed him too, more than she was willing to admit. She was kissing him for a long time. She couldn't get enough of him and he couldn't get enough of her. They both got lost at each other and totally forgot where they were standing.

"We should get going." he said and jumped in the car. After Kate sut next to him he drove away. "How was your shift?" Richie asked. "Good but too many operations. I can't feel my arms." she answered. "You should get a special treatment then." he looked at her and smiled. Kate saw him better and opened her eyes wide. "Richie oh my God! What happend to you?" "Oh the nose? It's nothing really."

"When did that happend?" "When we have the meeting with the guys. Alec came highed and he punched me, that's all." Richie replied. "You call that nothing?" Kate asked back suprised. "It wasn't the first time he was highed on a meeting. But now he's out and we must find an amother bass player for the album." Richie sighed.

"What about Hugh? He was the one who played the bass on the first song so why not?" Kate answered a few seconds later. Richie looked at her suprised. "And how do you know about Hugh? I've never told you anything about this." "Helen told me because i asked her. You know i feel strange being your girlfriend and don't know your greatest hits." Kate told him and looked down.

"You don't have to feel this way. Being my girl doesn't includes knowing all the songs i wrote." Richie answered. "Too late for that. I'm listening to Slippery When Wet now." Kate answered and laughed. "You're unbelievable!" Richie answered and smiled.

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Kate looked up at him while he was holding her close. His eyes were looking at the door but she was sure his mind was somewhere else. "What are you thinking?" she asked him a few minutes later. Richie looked down at her her smiled. "You haven't said a word since we had sex. Was i that bad?" she knew sex  wasn't her best part but she was trying to be as good as him. 

He laughed out loud. He kissed her foarhead and he answered "Of course not. I was just thinking about us." Kate was starring at him. She didn't really liked his answer. he could think many things about them, good and bad. Richie saw that suprised look on her face. He felt her heart skip a little. 

"The new album will be realised in October." he said. "Oh... that's good." she answered trying hard to hide her sadness. She knew what an album means. "What about the tour?" she asked." "It's a hits album with two new songs. We need a new album to go on tour." Richie answered. "We'll have one soon. Now that David is back on the studio with us and not helping April with the twins it won't much. Plus, we need him for the shooting." 

When Kate heard 'shooting' she looked at him. "Oh i'm sorry, i should had told you that first. We'll start filming a video clip for Always on Friday." Richie said. "Really? Where?" Kate asked. "I have no idea. Jon told me earlier he had an idea. He made some calls and he found the starts and the place." he said. 

She didn't like this much. he was spending all his time in the studio for the last five months now. They were together for 1,5 year now. She got used to his lifestyle and him gone the most of the days. But she was gone all the day too. She was spending almost all her day in the hospital or studying in her office. 

Richie looked at her and he knew what she was thinking. It's been a long time since they could spend two days together without having to go somehwere. But he had already took his decision. "Kate?" he asked taking a deep breathe. Kate looked at him. He had the surious look on his face and that made Kate's heart start racing as long as her mind. "Whould you like to move in with me?" he asked leaving Kate speechless. 

Chapter 14

The doors closed behind them as they walked away almost running. Arriving at Richie's car he said "I'm sorry for what i said about your mother..." Kate looked at him. "I didn't mean to talk to him like that but he turned me on when he talked you that way." he put his arms around her waist. "Ι was sure something like that will happen." Kate answered.

She looked at him "Can we please get out of here? We give them too much attetion." He smiled. "Okay. Where do you want to go?" he asked her. "I don't know..." she said as she was thinking a nice place. "We can go to my place, if you want. Order something to eat." he came up with an idea. "That sounds good." she answered and smiled.

"I'm sure you'll love the view to the Central Park, especially now that is snowing." Richie said as they both got in his car. A thin line of snow covered it. "I love it already." she smiled. "I hope is not far away from here, i'm freazzing." she added as she was trying to warm her body. "No, in a few minutes we'll be there." Richie answered and drove away.

As he promised in a few minutes they walked in the dark but her warm apartement. Richie turned on the lights. "Welcome!" he said smiling and closed the door behind him. "Wow! This is what i call a nice view." Kate said with wide eyes and walked closer to the large windows where the snowed Central Park was the star. 

Richie smiled behind her. "I'm glad you like it." "What not to like?" she turned to face him. "It's really beautiful." he smiled and kissed her. "Thank you darlin'." he answered after the kiss. "So what do you want to eat?" she asked him. "Do you like chinise?" Richie asked hoping for a possitive answer. "Of course and i do!" she answered and looked at him. "Oh thank God! I'm the only one of the guys who likes chinise. Now i know i'm not alone!" he said and went to the kitchen to find the menu. 

After ording their dinner Kate jumped in the shower. So Richie find the time to relax and write some music. He took the notebook and the guitar and shut on the couch. He read what he had already wrote but nothing could express what he was feelling right now. He found the next blanc page and start writting. 

Life is a road

forever winding 

where it leads us i don't know

In it together

for better or worse

searching for a pot of gold

Time leaves a trail of broken hearts

o many arrowsjust keep missing their mark

But baby that ain't us

Nothing else matters if you're in it for love

Together we can olny go higher

We can reach any rainbow that we're 

dreaming of

Nothing else matters at all

when you're in it for love, baby

He read it again and it was all that he had felt since he met Kate and then her family. He knew this one is going to be a ballad. Lighting up a cigarette and taking the guitar in his hands already  knowing the rythme in his mind. It didn't take long to start singing alone the lyrics he just wrote. 

The melody filled the whole apartement inclouding the bathroom, where Kate just finished. She wrapped a towel around her body and walked out listening him singing. She had never heard him singing a ballad. The only song of his she has ever heard was Livin' On A Prayer and that's on the radio. She was standing here listening him playing and she could tell that was way more relaxing than a shower. 

He paused on the first verse to write down the music and continue his cigarette. After blowing the smocke he sung the first verse. Kate walked closer to him when he finished. "That was really beautiful." she told him smiling. Richie turned his head and said "I thought you were in the shower." "I was but the melody told me to get out and hear it. You should finish this one." He left the guitar next to him on the couch and finished the cigarette. Blowing the smocke he said "Maybe. I don't know yet." he answered.

The bell rung. "Food time!!' Richie said exited but hungry. He got up and opened the door. After paying the delivery man closed the door. "You want some wine darlin'?" he asked her. "Sure. I think i saw a bottle of a red one in the kitchen." "That's true. I'm never running out of alchool, cigarettes and guitars." he said. Richie left the bag on the table in front of the couch. "I'll go get the wine." he walked in the kitchen and came back seconds later with the wine and two glasses.

Kate had already put out their food. He sut next to her. "You know about what you said before about alchool and cigarettes do you know how much damage cause to your body? From the smell to cancer." "You don't really like it?" he asked back. "I hate it, to be honest. I'm not telling you to stop both of them just try to drink and smock less." he said and start eatting. "Well, right now that will be a little hard. We're writting a new album and when i write i smock and when i'm nervous i drink." Richie answered.

Kate didn't like his answer. She was sure that she'll hear an answer like this. But now she has better things to worry about. "New album?" she paused. Richie took a bite and looked at her. She was just starring at him. "And that means lots of hours in the studio?" she asked again. "Yeah." "And a tour after the album?" "Yeah." he answered. He knew she didn't want to hear this kind of answer but this is what it going to happend.

Next morning Kate walked in her office. She left her bag while Helen walked in the office. "Kate just stay calm." she told her. "Good morning to you too, Helen." "You should not be this happy." "And why is that?" Kate asked without knowing a thing. "Because of this." Helen said and showed her a newspaper. The frontpage was a picture of her and Richie walking in the entrence of his house hand in hand.

Kate froze. She read the big title: 'Bon Jovi's guitarist finally found his Bad Medicine'  She found the page 14 where there was more details. Kate scanned them. "Kate are you okay?" Helen asked as she saw her friend looking upset. With fast moves she took her staff and left the office while she told Helen "Cancel all my dates for today." Kate said and got her purse while she opened the door.

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Richie opened the door of his house while his mother's head turned to face him. "Richie what are you doing here?" his mother asked him and stood up. "Have you seen the blue-grey notebook? I have five songs there and we have a meetting today for the new album. Jon will kill me..." he explained while he closed the door. 

"I think i saw it in your bedroom. You left it the night you returned from the tour. Is David alright now?" Joan asked him. "Yeah, he is the David you know." he replied and walked up the stairs. He arrived at his bedroom and found the notebook he was looking for right in the middle of the desk. 

The door opened and Adam walked in yelling "Joan! Joan!" he closed the door behind him. "What is it, Adam?" she asked back suprised. He was very happy and with a hige smile on his face. "Richie has a girlfriend!" he answered proud of his son. But Joan couldn't believe him right away. "Did Caleb came up with a story again?" "No, he didn't!" he paused and showed her the newspapar he was holding. 

"You could no tell that a rumour. They say he found his Bad Medicine!" he added. Joan took the newspaper in her hands and she read this with her own eyes. Adam was right. "When he'll come down he'll explain this." Joan said. "Is he here?" Adam asked.

Richie walked down the stairs with the blue-gray notebook in his hands. "Hey pop!" he said with a smile. Adam turned and faced him. With a big smile on his face he gave hm a hug. "Why you didn't tell us?" Richie was starring at him having no idea. "Tell you about what?" he asked and looked both of his parents.

"About the doctor. It's not right learning it from the news!" Joan answered while she had already read the article. Richie froze as he heard his mother. His mind was trying to understand what he just heard. "You said from the news?" he asked when he found his voice. "Here look from yourself." his mother passed hm the newspaper.

And there he was at the entrance of his apartement building hand-in-hand with Kate. He read the title and roll over to the page 14 where the whole article was. He scanned for a few seconds not believing what was reading. He knew she was going to be mad about this, but he didn't know how much. Reading the article he was getting mader and mader about the dicovered all these. He was trying hard to keep this as mush as could as a secret but he couldn't hide it anymore. 

"You should come over for dinner sometime." Joan broke the silence. "Your mother is right. It would be nice to meet her." Adam added. "I don't know. We don't want to rush things. And after this i'm not sure if she wants to see me again." Richie looked down to his feet for a second. "I gotta go." he said and he stood up rapidly. Before his parents could say anything he was already gone.

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Richie walked in the hospital knowing that Kate will be there mad as Hell waiting for him. When he arrived at her office he knocked and walked in. Once he walked in Helen was there reading some folders. "Have you seen Kate?" was the only thing he asked. "She was there half an hour ago." helen answered and got up. "You saw the newspaper too?" she asked him. "Yeah, my father brought it home. They want to meet her really bad." Richie answered. Kate had told him that Helen can be trusted. She knew more than ten years and she knews everything.

"Do you want your parents to meet her?" "The point is what Kate wants. We only are dating for a month. I don't want to rush things and make her feel unconfortable. Especially after meeting her family." Richie said. "I don't think your parents have anything to do with hers." Richie looked at her more suprised than ever. "What? I've seen them on the grocery store. I live in Woodbridge too and i'm a fan." Helen answered smiling. "That explains a lot."

"You should go to her house. She has no else to go." Helen said after a few seconds silence. "Yes. Thank you for hearing me out Helen." he told her and smiled. "That's what friends are for!" Helen smiled back while Richie had already left the office.