Chapter 4

Kate was making dinner for two when Richie walked in the kitchen. Kate felt him coming and before he say anything she turned. "You look good!" she said and Richie looked to himself. "Thank you for the clothes, i hope your boyfriend don't mind!" Richie answered. "I-I don't have a boyfriend! I told you these are my brother's!" Kate replied and she was suprsed a little. She told him that 20 minutes ago.

"I'm sorry! I didn't hear it!" Richie said. he really didn't hear her saying it. He was buzy looking in her light blue eyes. These were the lightest blue eyes he've ever seen. In the corners there was a little black lines that make you feel comfortable and uncomfortable in the same time. There so no doupt she was a very good looking woman and he really wondered why she didn't has a boyfriend.

Several minutes later the table was seatled for two. Two plates of pasta were waiting for them. The clock was saying 3.00 am. It was early in the morning and Kate was sitting opposite to a rock star, that she didn't know nothing but his name. She wasn't used at it. She wasn't used it at all. With Peter, her ex-boyfriend, took her more than two months to feel comfortable with him around. But with Richie was diferent. She felt comfortable with him in her house from the first second, and that scared her a lot.

Richie was watching her eatting her pasta. Her long blonde heair were up ina loosy ponytail. She was wearing glasses. It was the first time in his life he found cute when she make them up to the right place when they rolled a little. It was too quite the only sound was the one from the rain outside.

"Mmm Kate that pasta is delicious! I loved it!" Richie said and put his fork down. "Thank you!" Kate answered and got up. She took their plates and left them in the sink. "Dalrin' that's my job! the only job my mum is proud! I'll wash the diches!" Richie said and he got up and took the plates from the sink and start washing them.

Kate was watching him washing their diches. Peter has never washed the diches, don't even offered. He said, she was the woman and that was her job. One more time Richie suprised her.

Once Richie washed the dishes it was pretty late for him too. He didn't slept more than two hours since April's phonecall. Kate yawned. "I'll go to bed! If you need anything feel free to take it! Exept my music collection!" Kate warned him. "Okay! Good night Kate! And thanks again!" Richie answered and watched her walking up the stairs.

Richie watched her walking up the stairs. When Kate couldn't be seen anymore Richie checked his watch. The time was almost 4.00 am. He shut on the couch and reached for his bag. he forgot that he left it in the guest room. He went there and pulled out of his bag a pack of cigarettes, the notebook and a pen. With the notebook in his hands he walked back to the living room. He saw that there is no ashtrey in the living table. She propably didn't smocke he thought. he walked to the kitchen. He took a chair from the kitchen table and shut next to the trash bin. He didn't want to search for an ashtrey in the middle of the might in a strange house. He lighted up a cigaretter and opened his notebook.

It's been a while since he wanted to write. he was buzy travelling all over the world and he didn't have any time to write. He had already done the half of his new solo album but he still mist write some new songs. All the songs he had wrote have a sad feeling. His mind was still in Cher. He might tell that he've overcome her but he didn't. He still wanted to be with her, he'll give everything to be with her again. He thought that he have found the love of his life in her face. He didn't want to accept that she left even 4 years later. He thinks that when he's back from a tour she's there in his house waiting for him, but she's not.

The next morning Kate woke up from the first sun light was able to get throught the curtains of her bedroom. Today has the afternoon shift in the hospital so she has all the morning to enjoy the day. She wore her glasses she took from the night stand and got up. After washing her face she wore her robe and he slippers and left her bedroom. Walking down the stairs the air was filled with bacon smell followed by coffee. She smiled. For a spare moment she thought it was Peter but she forgot about him the moment she saw Richie making breakfast.

He was in the kitchen fixing some bacon with eggs, it was the onnly thing he could cook for breakfast. The kitchen table was seattled for two. As Kate passed the living room to go to the kitchen the smell of cigarette smocke came to her nose. She hates smockers. She didn't seem to be suprised that Riche is smocking, he's a rock star after all. She saw the mess was in the living room. There are several paper balls on the floor.

Kate walked closer to the kitchen and Richie turned holding a sauce pan in his hand serving it to the plate. "Oh Kate good morning! I had breakfast i hope you don't mind!" he said and smiled. "Good morning to you too! And no i don't mind it at all! What did you make?" she asked and shut in the chair waiting to be served. "The only thing i know, bacon and eggs! I know it's pour but is the only thing i can do to thank you!" Richie answered and put in her plate the bacon and then the eggs. "I didn't done anything!" "Oh yes you did! You helped me when i was in need and i can't help you enough!" Richie answered and served his plate and shut next to her her.

Richie fill her cup of coffee and then his. "So, how did you slept?" he asked first. "Very good! You? I saw you slept on the couch." "Yeah, i fall asleep in the couch!" he answered and took a bite of his eggs. "Mmmm Richie that's delicious!" Kate said to him and he blushed. "Thank you!" he answered and took a sip of his coffee. "So, any siblings?" he asked her.He really wanted to know. She hepled him in a strange way to forget Cher. He now can say that he likes her.

"I have a brother older than me, doctor too! You?" "I'm an only child!" he answered and smiled. "So, what kind of music do you like?" he asked. He couldn't be with a woman that she didn't like music, he hoped that Kate wasn't one of those. "Classic! I don't want you to get me wrong but i prefere that kind of music!" "I like that kind of music too but i like to make sound! You know with guitars and drums solos!" "Do you know how to play piano?" Kate asked. She couldn't imagine her life without playing piano.

Okay, she doesn't know who i am and what i do! That's good! At least if she's going to love me she's going to love the REAL me! Richie thought before answered "Of course and i do! I wrote the music in my first solo album on piano!" Richie said with a proud voise and the smile followed. "Oh i'm sorry! I'm forgot that you're a rock star! I'm so sorry!" Kate said feeling a little guilty. Helen was talking about him in the hospital the whole night. How can you be so stupid, Kate? You just forgot that a rock star was sleeping in your couch? But well, he acts like he is not a rock star! Maybe he's diferent! Kate thought. 

"It's alright Kate! But this is what i do and not who i am..... at in some parts!" Richie answered. Kate took the last bite of her eggs and bacon and looked him in the eyes. "Are you up for a challenge Mr Sambora?" she asked him with almost devils's look. "A piano challenge?" "Yeah!" " Fine! If i win i'll take you out for dinner and if you win i'll do WHATEVER  you want, deal?" he said and held out his hand "Deal!" Kate answered and shaked his hand.

Chapter 3

Kate was on the highway on her way back to her house in Perth Amboy. The rain was getting worse and worse with every minute. While Kate was driving her eye caught by a car on the right side of the road. She passed it but sadenly she stoped. There was no traffic at this hour on the road so she didn't caused any problem.

She drove back and stoped to where the other car was. She knew that was a little dangerous but when she was in need someone helped her. Now was her time to help. She took the umbrela from the backseat and got out of the car.

Walking closer to the man was fixing the wheel her breath caught in her throat. It was him. The tall dark haired rock star. He was down on his knees and his hair were so wet from the rain. He was wearing only a t-shirt. Probably the rest of his clothes were wet too. She could see the tattoos in his arms.

She cleared her throat and said "Sir, are you okay?" Richie turned his head from the direction he heard the voise. Brown eyes met blue and he got up from the ground. It was her. The tall blond haired doctor was standing there in the middle of nowhere in the rain. "Yeah, i'm okay! I'm just fixing the car wheel! I'm sorry if i worried you everything is okay!" Richie answered to her question.

"Sir, i bet you know that you're only wearing t-shirt and is the middle of January and is raining! That can cause you from a flu to pneumonia! As a doctor i will not let this happen! Grap your things i'll take you home!" Kate answered. Does she really said that to him? Why does she told him that? Her father and brother have told her not to talk to strangers. And she just broke the rules.

"My name is Richie and you don't have to take me home! I can take care of myslef!" Richie answered and kneelt down the wheel. "From what it seems you don't! In the hospital you're wearing a coat don't you Richie?" Kate asked. Richie looked at her once again. He have never hear anyone else telling his name like this. He didn't know what she've done but there was something about her that he wanted to know.

"I'm not leaving alone from here! I can stay here all night if you want!" Kate told him. Richie couldn't deny that. "Okay Mrs Jones...." was the only thing he could say. He got up from the ground and said "Just give a minute to take my staff!" Kate couldn't do nothing but smile.

"You can call me Kate!" she yelled while Richie was taking his coat from the front seat. Richie gave a look at her. The umbrela she was halding was complitely wet just like her coat. He took the umbrela he had from the backseat and opened it. "Let's go! I don't want you to get cold because of me!" he said and took her umbrela from her hands. He opened his and put his hand on her waist. The umbrela wasn't that big as hers but still was doing what it was ment to do.

When Richie put his hand on her waist she shuddered. The last time a man put his hand on her waist was in the University almost 10 years ago. They passed the road close enough to fill her lungs with his perfume. Arriving at the car they got in. They both blew out the sigh of relief.

"This is rain!" Richie said first. "Sure it was and still is!" Kate put the machine forward. "So, where is your house?" Kate asked. "I live in New York but i stayed with my parents, in Woodbridge!" Richie answered. She was amazed by his answer. A rock star styed with his parents for the night. She couldn't remember when was the last time she slept in her parents's house.

"Oh man! Damn my mind! I left the keys of the house in the car!" Richie said a few seconds ago and interuped her from her thoughts. "It's alright! You can stay to my guest room for anight!" and then she hit her again. She broke her rules once again. She never invite even her friends to come over for a night and she just invited a rock star to spend the night. This is not Kate, she start loosing her mind.

"No no Kate thank you! You've done so much for my already! I can stay to a hotel!" Richie answered back. "There are no hotel here and plus we're here!" Kate answered and opened the gate of her house. She drove the car in and parked it.

"Look Kate you don't have to! Ι can go to a hotel, really!" Richie said to her when she parked the car. "With that rain? You're going to be sick!" Kate told him. "No, i don't want to make troubles to you!" he answered looking her in the eyes. "You're not a problem Richie! I was going to sleep alone one way or another!" she said and she didn't gave him any time to answer. She opened the door and get out of the car with the umbrela. So, did Richie.

Kate opened the door and said "This is my home! Make your self comfortable!" walking in te warm house Richie looked a little amazed. "You got a nice place here!" he said looking to the big living room. Two big couches were placed as long as a TV. "I'm going to give some dry clothes and prepare the guest room! Everything you need you'll find it in the fridge!" she said and dissapear in the stairs.

Richie was looking her the intired time. When he couldn't see her anymore he looked back to the living room. He walked to the kitchen and pured himself a glass of water. Above from the sink was a big window. He opened the curtain and start watching the water falls in the ground. It was right here where Kate found him.

There was no lights on and he could see him the twilight. Looking sexy as hell all wet as he was. She swalled hard and cleared her throat. "Are you okay? Do you need anything?" Richie turned back as he hear the voise behind him. She have changed to pijama's and slippers. "Here! is what i found for you to wear! Is my brother's i  think they'll fit you like a glove!" Kate said and passed him a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.

Richie took them in his hands and said "Thank you..... again!" he walked away from her and dissapear on the hallway. Kate was watching him close. With every step he took Kate liked him even more. Get yourself back together Kate! she told to herself.

She turn on the lights and start making some dinner. It was the first time in a very long time she was preparing dinner for two. She've had missed that. The last time she was in relantionship with someone was in the University but he never slept in her house. Richie is her very first guest.

Chapter 2

"April? Are you okay?" Richie asked. "No, David's in the hospital! Sice he came back home he had throwing up all the time! He look so pale! I don't want to do!" April sound tirified from the other line. "Did you call an ambulance?" "Yeah, they're on their way!" "Okay, i'll meet you in the hospital! I'll call the others! Just calm down and take some deeps breaths! Will meet in a few minutes!" Richie said and hung up the phone.

He picked it up again and called first Jon and then Tico. Once he was done the midnight calls he walked upstairs. He went to his parents bedroom and found both his parents awake. "Richie everything alright?" Joan asked. "No, David is in the hospital! April just called me!" Richie told his parents. "Oh pour David!" Joan said again. "Dad i'll take your car!" Richie told him. "Sure! Call us when you can!" Adam said. "I will!" Richie said and went back to his bedroom.

He put some clothes on and left his house. Thankfully there was no traffic on the road and went to the hospital in no time. He was walking from hallway to the hallway to find the guys or April. Finaly, he found April sitting in a chair. Her head was in her hands. Richie walked to her side and said "Hey!" April lifted her head and saw Richie. "Oh Richie thank you so much for coming!" she said and gave him a quick hug.

"What happend?" Richie asked when they broke apart. "When he came back to the house i had made dinner. And when he sut to ate with me beforehe ate the first bite he went to the bathroom and stayed there for two or three hours! I was watching him and i can't put into waords how he was feeling or how i was feeling! I didn't know what to do and i called an ambulance and you! I'm sorry if i woke you up!" April explained to Richie. "Oh darlin' there is nothing to be sorry about! You did well!" Richie said and put his arms around her.

Kate was sliiping throught the sheets that the recepionist has given to her a few minutes ago. She stopped to the the one that was saying with red letter Emergancy. Her best friends and co-wrorker Helen walked beside her and asked "What are you looking at?" "Some new patients and there's one emargency in 208 room. We should check out Mr Rashbaum! From what i can see here you need to go NOW!" Kate said and got up from the chair while Helen was standing there. "Earth to Helen!" "You just said the name Rashbaum?" Helen asked. Kate took the parer in front of her and said "Yeah, David Bryan Rashbaum! What's the matter?" Kate asked not haviny any idea who he was.

"Seriously? You don't who he is?" Helen asked with her eyes rolled. "No, i don't know who he is!" Kate answered and turned to the hallway following by Helen. "You've never hear Bon Jovi?" "What's that? Is it a TV show or a shampoo?" Helen laughed. "Is one of the best rock bands ever!" "He's a rock star?" "Oh yeah he's and married!" Helen informed her. "You're a fan?" "Of course and i am since the begging....." "Great, now can you walk a little fatser? He's waiting for us!" Kate said but Helen stoped her and hold her arm. "And because i know the tape man you like if you see a tall dark haired man try to stay calm!" "Why i have to stay calm?" Kate said and opened the door.

And there he was. The tall dark haired man Helen was talking about a few seconds ago. He was sitting there next to April. "Welcome to the club Kate! Oh shit! Why Jon wherever he's going he takes his wife with him? We get it he's married!" Helen said a little aggresive. "Could you please stop talking? We have a patient to examine!" Kate said annoying and walked faster.

When April saw the two doctors coming she jumped from her chair "Hello Mrs Rashbaum! My name is Kate Jones and here is my parteren Helen Carter! We'll make sure that Mr Rashbaul is absolutly healthy when he leaves the door of this hospital!" Kate took the lead because she saw Helen was gatting more and more nervous with every stpe they're taking.

"And now if you exuse us!" Kate said again and opened the door of David's room and walked in closing the door behind them. "I don't trust them!" Jon said when they're gone. "Why?" Richie asked "I trust them! I'm sure will make it!" Richie said with cofidence. "Boys could you plese stop fighting?" Dorothea stoped the chat between her husband and his best friend. "April do you need something from us? Will be a long night! Do you want to go home? We'll stay here with David!" Dorothea said looking April. "Thanks Dot i'm okay! And i'm not leaving this hospital until David's with me!" April answered to Dorothea.

Richie stood up and said "I'm going to buy some coffee! This night will be long...." Richie after taking orders for the coffee he went to the hospital's cafeteria. Even it was the middle of the night in the heart of the winter he could still be recognized. And he wasn't very happy about it. Is just not that he doesn't love his fans. Is just sometimes he wanted to be alone away from everything and everyone.

With the coffees on his hand he took the way back. While he was waiting for the elevator to come in his mind came Kate face. He couldn't hide from himself. She was looking very good even with a doctor robe. She had long blonde hair in addtion with Cher's. He was alway a fan of long hair. Her eyes were light blue. But the bigest advantage she had was her height. She was pretty tall for a woman and that was what took Richie's attetion from the first time.

Without even know it he opened the door and walked closer to where Jon with Dorothea and April were sitting. He gave them the coffee and shut in the chair. Jon was standing next to the window sai said "Man is rainning as hell! Rich you should go back home!" he said looking to Richie direction. "No, man thanks i'm okay!" Richie answered and took a sip of his coffee. "Richie Jon is right! You should go home! You came with your father's car and is not good as yours! It rains cats and dogs out there!" April said to him touching his hand. "I don't want to you alone April!" "I'm not alone i have Jon and Dot! Go....." April said again. "What the doctors said?" Richie asked. "Dc Jones said the he caught a South American parasite and he must stay in the hosptal for two weeks or so!" April answered. "And you want me to leave after that? I'll stay here!" Richie said and crossed his arms.

"Rich go home tonight and you can come tommorow so Dot and i can leave!" Jon said. And he was having a point as always. "Okay, Mr Right! I go home for tonight but tommorow i'll stay ALL the day, got it?" Richie answered and looked the other three who nobbed. Richie kissed them goodbye and left.

Kate opened the door of her office and shut in the chair. She run her hands throught her long blonde hair. It was a very long day. Lots of new petiences and one of them was a rock star. She couldn't deny his attitude has nothing to do with a rock star. And also she couldn't deny that the tall dark haired man Helen had tald her about was very atractive.

She took in her hands Mr Rashbaum's folder and checked it one more time about the medicine he must take. She closed it and left it in the middle of the desk. She took her pirse from the corner and got up from the chair. She walked out of the office and locked the door behind her. She walked to where the elevator was. She puched the bottom of the underground parking lot as she walked in. She arrived to her luxurous SUV. Being a well famed doctor as she was she could affort more than an SUV.

She opened the door of her car and got in. Once she put the machine forward she unparked the car and drove away.

Chapter 1

1992 - Woodbridge, New Jersey

The Keep The Faith world tour had finaly came to an end. After touring to all over the world and visited 37 contries and performed 177 shows they are coming back home. Sure all of them had missed their families and their wifes whose who were married. Richie and Tico weren't that lucky yet.

They were all sitting in the Bon Jovi jet waiting to touch the ground. They were all tiried but exited to see their families after all these months. Richie was sitting and was starring out of the window. "Hey Rich everything fine?" Jon asked him notising him. "Yeah, everything is fine, why are you asking?" "You seemed so lost!" "Not lost just tiried and this flight is fucking endless!" Richie answered. "Yeah, i can agree with that! So, what are you gonna do back home?" "Sleep, see my parents! You know the usual! I want to work on some songs for my solo! I'm gonna be a little busy!" "Keep your mind working!" Jon said meanning what Richie had thought.

"Jon i've told you i've overcome Cher!" "I know you do but i want to be sure!" "Whatever!" Richie said and turned his head on the other side. It's been over a year that Cher told him one day that this relationship was going anywhere. She left him alone in a hotel room heartbroken.

The Bon Jovi jet landed to the New Jersey airport. All of them left the jet and headed to where cars were waiting fro them. Richie said goodbye to his 'brothers' and got in the car. He told the driver to drive him home to Woodbridge. The route didn't take long. There was no traffic in the road. Richie was looking forward to see his parents again. He wanted to suprised them. he told them that he was coming home in three days and not in two.

The driver pulled to the driveway and stoped outside of the Sambora house. Richie paid the driver and took his suitace. He walked the few stairs and left his suitace down. He rung the bell and waited. A few seconds later the woman he loved the most opened the door. "Richard?" Joan asked suprised. Her son was the last person she was exepting to see. "Hey ma!" Richie answered and hugged his mother. "Come in, it's cold out there!" Joan said and Richie took his suitace and walked in his house.

He found his father sitting on his favorite spot, next to the fireplace. "Richard? What a suprise?" Adam said and went to hug his only son. "You're not happy to see me?" "Of corse and we are but we didn't exept you today! You said you're coming tommorow!" Adam answered. Richie took of his coat and left it on the top of the couch and sut.

"I told you a little lie......" "It's alright son! It's our pleasure to have you back here! But why you didn't go to your aprtement in New York?" Adam asked his son. "It was empty and i didn't want to sleep alone my first night back home! So, i came here! And i wanted to see you...." Richie replied.

They both heard Joan from the kitchen yelling "Dinner is served boys!" Adam and Richie got up from the couch and went to the kitchen. Entering the kitchen it was full of the smells of steak. "Mmmm steak, my favourite....." Richie said and sut on the chair. "This smells perfect!" Adam said and sut next to his son. "Thank you!" Joan answered and sut on the chair too.

"So, how was the tour son?" Adam opened the subject. "It was good like always!" "You seems to lost some weight! I hate when you're on the road! You guys don't eat healthy!" Joan said looking to her son eatting. "No, ma we're ok! We've been doing this for 9 years now!" Richie answered and ate a bite of his steak. "How are the guys with their wifies?" Adam asked again. He didn't really die to know but no one else was saying anything.

"They are all good! Oh Jon sent his greetings!" "Oh, so nice of him..." Joan said and smiled. She loved Jon from the first she saw her. "He's a good kid, a married one!" Adam said his thoughts. That was his wish. He wanted to see his son happy with a woman he deserves to be with. He wanted to be a granfather. He wanted to hold in his arms his grandchilder before he close his eyes.

Next to him Richie stop eatting. He knew what he father wanted. He was in his 30's alone. Richie wanted to be married too. He wanted to have childern, lots of children. But he wasn't luck at this point of his life. "I'm done! Can i go to my room? I'm tiried!" "But you didn't finished your dinner....." Joan start saying but Richie had already left the kitchen.

"You should be shamed Adam!" Joan slaped to her husband. "It's ok! He'll be fine." "You shouldn't have said this! You broke his little heart!" Joan said knowing how Richie was feeling. "I am not the one who broke his heart! That little bitch left my son....." Adam said aggressive. He didn't like Cher from the first he saw her. He knew deep inside that she was going to break his son's heart and she did.

"Adam don't talk like that!" "Joan are you kidding me? That woman broke our son's heart! She left a note saying him that was over and left him in the hotel room! And you tell me not to talk like that!" Adam said pissed. "Richard overcomed her!" "That is was he's saying! But i don't think he is!" Adam said and drunk a sip of his water.

Richie took his suitace and walked to the second floor. He walked to the end of the hallway and turned left to where his bedroom was. He left the suitace down to the floor and looked around to the room. It's been more than 5 years since the last time he slept in his bed. He saw that his mother didn't change the decoration to his room, the Beattles posters were still on the wall.

It was strange feeling seeing his first guitar. The one that his father took and gave the accordion. He stills remember that day like it was yesterday. He run his hand to the old desk and looked outside of the window. The neighborhood was the same since the day he left it. He singed when he remembered the first time he kissed the girl he was in love with in the High School. It was right there to the corner. He singed again and pulled from his pocket the pack of cigarretes. And he lighted one.

His father was right. After he broke up with Cher 4 years ago he didn't have relationship with any other woman. He could lie to his parents and friends but he couldn't lie to himself. He has not overcome Cher. He now understand why everyone was against of this realtionship at first place. And that prove them right.

He finished his cigarrete and sut on the bed and kicked off his boots. He opened the suitcase and wore a t-shirt and a pair of pants. Once he was dressed he heard a knock on his door. "Come in!" he answered and the door opened. Joan walked in. "Richard how many times i told you not to smocke on your bedroom!" she said a little pissed and she opened the window. "I'm sorry Ma!" Richie answered. "Anyway, do you want anything before i go to bed?" she asked her son. "No, i'm okay thanks! Do you need anything from me?" Richie answered back. "No, dear! If you need an another blanket in in the closet!" Joan informed him. "Yes, Ma i know! I lived in this house the half of my life you know!" "I know, i know! Is just i'm exited to have you back here even for a night!" Joan answered and smilied.

Richie had alrady lied to his bed and Joan sut next to him. "Don't pay attetion to what your father say! You have to think with that......" she said and pointed his heart "... and not with that!" she said and placed her hand to his head. "Good night Richard! See you in the morning!" she said and kissed his forehead. "Good night Ma!" Richie answered.

And that feeling again. He watched his mother turn off the lights and closed the door and felt like a teenager again. He was always feeling weird when he came back to his house after a long time. He ckecked his watch next to hm to the night stand. It was very late and he was very tiried. He closed his eyes and fall asleep.

About 5 hours later the phone rung in the Sambora house. Richie as he heard the phone ringing in the middle of the night he got up. Running down the stairs laki crazy he picked up the phone "Hello?" "Hey, Richie! It's me April!" the woman in the other side of the phone sound like David's wife and she was.