Chapter Two

It was midmorning when Jon woke up. His head felt like a lead brick and his mouth was as dry as the Sahara dessert. He was lying on his stomach and as he started to roll over, he felt a barrier of sorts to his right side of the bed. He froze for a second at the thought of what might be lying next to him then it dawn on him that Mary had surprised him last night by showing up at the after party. He blew out a breath of fresh air and smiling he turned to wrap his arms around her and nuzzle her neck. He started to get an erection and the girl in question started to back up into him wiggling her ass and sighing. She slowly turned around to kiss him and when he kissed her back he realized that it wasn’t his Mary. He opened his eyes and shot backwards startled and yelled out.

“OH MY GOD! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU!” he screamed.

  “What! I’m Katie. You know Katie from last night.” She told him shocked that he didn’t know her.

“NO! NO! I don’t remember. I thought you were my girlfriend.” He told her still a little dazed from last night.

 “No you didn’t. You came on to me last night and then brought me up here to your room.” She told him now getting a little upset with him.

“No I couldn’t of. I wouldn’t of done that to her.” Jon said really confused now.

“Done what to who?” Katie wanted to know.

“Cheat on my girlfriend, that’s who.” Jon said disgusted with himself.

 “Oh is her name Mary by any chance?” Katie asked him.

 “Yeah it is why?” he wanted to know.

 “You kept calling me that last night. I thought it was part of the game we were playing. You said something about playing a game.” She told him.

  “A game?” he couldn’t think of what game she was talking about.

 “Yeah. So I just went with it. It sounded like fun. You were certainly fun.” She said as she again stoked his chest.

“Cut that out!” he said as he threw her hand off him. “Well you certainly didn’t mind it last night. In fact you really seemed to enjoy the things that I did to you last night.” She said as she reached for him again.

“I said stop that.” Again he slapped her hand away. “Look you really need to leave.” He told her feeling like a shit!

“Are you sure Sugar?” she asked him trying very hard to seduce him more.

 “Very!” he yelled pissed.

 “Fine but it’s your loss.” She said getting up and putting on her clothes.

“I’ll manage trust me.” He said rubbing his hand on his face. As she left Jon had gotten dressed and was pacing his room. He couldn’t believe what had happened. This wasn’t the first time this had happened but he really hadn’t cared because he was single those times. Well most of those times, twice was with his ex and that’s why she had left him. That’s why he didn’t want Mary to leave him over this. He was panicking now. He picked up the phone and dialed Richie. After the fourth ring he finally answered.

“Hello?” Richie said as he answered his phone very sleepily.

 “Rich man thank God I need to talk to you right away. Can you come to my room ASAP? I really, really fucked up man.” Jon said upset as he was pacing in his room with the phone as the base was in one hand and the receiver in the other.

 “Calm down man. What the hell happened?” Richie said scared now at the way Jon was sounding.

“I can’t say over the phone just get here fast okay.” Jon told him as he rambled.

 “Yeah I’m on my way, just sit tight.” Richie hung up and quickly put on his shoes. He was nervous now because Jon sounded upset and he knew it took a lot for him to get upset over the littlest things. He knew Jon had had a lot to drink last night and had lost track of him when he found himself this cute little thing but he knew Jon had been good the past month and wasn’t worried. He bounded out of his room and down to Jon’s and knocked on his door. “Hey Jon it’s me.”

 Jon opened the door and nearly threw Richie into the room. “Hey man what’s up with you? This is one of my good tees.” Rich said smoothing down his shirt.

 Jon started to pace his room again. “Rich I did something, something very, very bad.” He told him looking like death had warmed over.

Richie looked at him with a grim face. “Oh God Jon please don’t tell me what I think you’re about to tell me.” Rich said unhappily.  

Jon just looked at his friend then looked at the floor and shook his head yes. “Damn It Jon! You Didn’t It!” Richie exclaimed.

 “Yeah I did. She was there right beside me this morning whatever, when I woke up. And the funny thing is I really thought she was Mary. Really, really I did. She even kinda resembled her. Especially when your stinking drunk.” He said as he put his hands on his face. He went to sit on the couch as he was nearly in tears. “Rich I really screwed up.”

 “Well you only screwed up if you tell her Jon. And you’ll only hurt her more if you tell her.” Rich said.

 “I know but if I don’t and she finds out like Dot did I hurt her anyway. I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t.” Jon said.

 “Well if you tell her you get it out of the way and she knows you’re honest. But it also sounds like maybe you want out of this relationship. That’s what it sounded like to me in the car yesterday.”

 “If I wanted out of the relationship I would have kept her in my bed this morning Rich. Plus she said I kept calling her Mary.” Jon told him getting rather pissy.

 “Really? You’re more screwed up than I thought. Look if it was me I wouldn’t say anything. But that’s me. You need to do what’s best for you. You know her better than I do. But I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time man. And it’s because of her.” Richie stated happily.

“What do you mean by that?’ Jon asked confused.

“Easy you’re not screaming at everyone, not being a prick to everyone, you’re walking on cloud nine for another and not nick picking at everything.” Richie explained to him trying not to throw up and smirking at him.

“Okay, okay I get the picture. I just don’t want to screw this up Rich. I do Love her. And that scares the hell out of me. I Love her more than I Loved Dot. Than anyone. But what scares me the most is I don’t really know how she feels about me, okay.” Jon said uneasy.

 “What do you mean you don’t know how she feels about you? When you’re with her is she affectionate or cold?” Richie asked confused now.

“Affectionate!” Jon exclaimed.

“Then that should answer your question. Because if she wasn’t affectionate she wouldn’t love you. Why don’t you invite her to come out here, you know come on tour with us for a while. That way she can see what you do.” Rich asked Jon.

Jon just looked at Richie, shook his head mildly and let out a deep breath. “Doc doesn’t want her here. He thinks she’ll distract me and doesn’t want me to see her either.” Jon said sadly.

“He said that to you! All because of what happened. If it wasn’t for the Simons in the first place you would be dead.” Richie spat.

“Yeah I know. “Jon said trying to stay calm.

 “Well did he say to you to break up with her?” Richie asked.

“More or less. But I told him to go to hell. Nobody tells me who I can date, but most of all that he had to realize I sign his damn pay check and if he doesn’t stay out of my personal business he can look for another job.” Jon said angrily.

“Well good for you, I mean you are the boss.” Richie said smiling softly. “Still Kidd I don’t know what seems to be the problem. I mean we’re cool with her. And we’ll even intercept Doc for you.” Rich suggested.

 “Well that’s all good I guess but I really don’t know if she evens wants to come. She was hemming and hawing about we’ll see how things go with Doc, the tour, if I have time, if she has time that matches my time, you know crap like that.” Jon explained to him as he was throwing his hands in the air.

 “You mean the Great Jon Bon Jovi is going to let her get away with that!” Richie exclaimed sarcasticly.

 “What the fuck are you talking about?” Jon shot back not amused.

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about. She’s just as scared as you are you moron. After all the crap she’s been through too she’s afraid of getting hurt, physically and emotionally.  What you need to do is to talk to her, really talk to her Jon. If you want this to work you’re going to have to make this work.  So keep your mouth shut about the slip up, and start being honest about your feelings for her.” Richie suggested.

"Thanks Rich I will. I really do want this to work. I’ll try calling her tomorrow hopefully we can get a few minutes at least to figure out when we can talk to each other.” Jon said hopefully.

It was midafternoon by the time Rick and A.J. reached their office. They hadn’t had any luck in their search of the fence’s list. “God I hope Mary and the Barrett’s had better luck than we did. How many more on the list do we have to go?” Rick asked A.J. “Only four and there on the east end so we can either hit them tonight to tomorrow if you want.”

 “Tomorrow I’ve had enough of these guys for one day. At least Town had some good news for us.” Rick stated.

“Yeah, the Barrett’s are on the up and up. But we’ll need to fill in Mary that Mick is an ex-cop and why he resigned. Oh speak of the devil here they are.” A.J. said. The door open as the three walked in.

Rick asked “Well I hope you guys had a better day than we did.”

The three of them looked at each other and Mick started “Well it started pretty crappy until we hit the fifth one on our list.”

 “Really? Who was that?” A.J. asked.

“It was Sam Jenkins place.” Mary said. Rick just made a face. Mary started to laugh. “Yeah that’s right and Mindy was there too. She says HI!”

“I just bet she does.” Rick grimaced.

“Nice girl Rick you really know how to pick them.” Mick chuckled.

 Rick just shook his head and said “Can you guys just get on with it.”

“Sure Sam said that two guys came into his place to try and fence the stuff but he told them he doesn’t fence stolen goods so they left. He said to try McKenzie’s place.” Mary Said.

“Well that’s great. We’ll try McKenzie’s tomorrow that sound alright to everyone?” A.J. asked. Everyone seemed to agree. “Great, how about the same time tomorrow then?” A.J. suggested. They all agreed on the time and to meet the Barrett’s again at their motel. Just then the Simons phone rang and Rick picked it up.

 “Hello? Yes Mrs. Brady how are you?” Rick said as he gave A.J. the signal to pick up the other end.

As the boys were explaining to her their progress Mick gently pulled Mary off to the side “Can I ask you a question?”

 “Sure go ahead.” Mary said as she walked over with him.

 “I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me tonight?” Mick asked hopefully.

 Her heart just fell into her stomach. “Oh um you know I would really love to Mick but I um I’m seeing someone.” She said.

 “Oh okay, lucky guy. Well if you ever get bored of him just let me know. I’ll see you tomorrow then.” He looked at Joe and they left. 

She plopped herself into one of the chairs and waited until her brothers conversations were over. As the guys finished up their phone call Rick looked at his sister and asked “So what got under your skin? You seemed okay when you walked in now what’s the matter?”

 She just sat there making faces before she answered him while the brothers just looked at each other shrugging their shoulders.

“Well?” Rick asked.

“Well what?” she answered annoyed.

 Looking at A.J. Rick said “Well I’m done you try.”

“Sweetie what’s wrong?” A.J. asked concerned.

“Nothing.” She said pouting.

 “Is it boy trouble?” A.J. asked.

“Maybe.” She said still looking troubled.

 “Are we going to have to drag this out of you?” he asked.

“No. I just don’t want to talk about the jerk that’s all.” She told them sighing.

 “Okay, well we got some info on the Barrett’s today would you like to hear it?” A.J. asked as he looked up from his desk.

“Really, what?” she asked as she perked up.

 “Well according to Town Mick is an ex-cop who quit the force about a year and a half ago due to losing his partner during a shooting that had gone bad.” Rick said.

“Really? What else.” She asked.

“Let’s see they lost they’re parent’s when his brother was about five years old so he had to take care of him. Looks like it was some kind of car accident but Mick always thought it was a hit out on them. Apparently his father was an undercover cop, detective. But when the investigation was completed everything looked like it was just an average accident. But he never accepted it. I think that’s why he became a cop.” Rick finished.

 “But why quit the force just because of a bad shooting. Every cop now and then goes through that. Was he responsible for it?” she asked.

“Well according to the file Town gave us he felt that way but no he wasn’t. I guess he just couldn’t handle it. In fact it says here he froze in the line of duty. Maybe that’s way he resigned, he felt he couldn’t give hundred percent to the job anymore. And as you know you need to give more than that to be a cop honey.” A.J. answered. She shook her head in agreement. “Hey you’ve done enough for today why don’t you go to my place that way we all can get a head start tomorrow, relax, talk to that jerk that you don’t want to talk about.” A.J. said smiling.

 “I don’t think he wants to talk to me. We had a little spat on the phone last night. I’ll see you guys later, alright.” She said. She got up to leave and Rick was about to say something but A.J. waved to him not to.

As she walked out of the door Rick looked over to A.J. and asked “What the hell was that all about?”

“I don’t think she wanted to talk about it with her brothers.” A.J. said. “Just let her go. She needs to get through this herself. We can’t handle all of her battles for her. She’s a big girl Rick.”

“I know but…” Rick wanted to help but A.J. cut him off.

 “I know, I know.” A.J. felt just the same but he knew they had to let her sort this one out by herself.

 Back at the motel the Barrett’s had just gotten back when Joe asked Mick “You we’re awfully quiet on the way back here. What’s up?”

 “Nothing why?” Mick asked but really didn’t want to discuss it with his brother.

 “I saw you talking to Mary before we left, what was that all about?” Joe asked again still trying to get an answer from him.

 “Again nothing.” Mick answered annoyed now.

 “Don’t tell me nothing Mick I see the way you look at her. You like her don’t you?” Joe asked knowing his brother.

 “Don’t start Joe. And besides she shot me down if you have to know.” Mick said discouragingly.

“Ouch, she did? How come?” Joe asked feeling for him.

 “She says she is seeing someone that’s why.” Mick stated the obvious.

“You believe her?” Joe asked.

“Why shouldn’t I, I have no reason not to.” Mick told him.

“Mick I know you, you’re not going to stop are you?” Joe asked him worried.

“Joe don’t, okay just don’t. I’m going to try really hard to not mix business with pleasure alright.” Mick tried to reassure him.

 “Please. Let’s just do our job and get the hell out of here and back home okay.” Joe asked him.

 “Deal.” Mick agreed.