There's Something in the Water

Excuse me Babe what are you talking about?” he asked her trying to be all innocent.

“You know damn well what I said Jon Francis. Are you sick and if you are what the hell is wrong? Or is it something that you don’t want me to know buster!” she said to him a little afraid of what it could be.

It took him just a sec to figure out what she may have thought it could have been and he freaked. “No! No, no no no! It not that oh God no! Nothing like that Baby ok nothing venereal I promise.” He told her panicked.

 Walking up to her he gave her a hug then as she just stood there and looked at him with a curious look she asked him, “So then what is it?”

“I have a sore throat and the doctor just wants to keep an eye on it that’s all. Actually Doc wants the doctor to keep an eye on it because he’s a gold digging Bastard and wants me to and the band to keep going til we drop but I feel fine Babe I do. And I’m doing everything that I’m told to so there’s no need to worry ok? So let’s get going because we can’t be late seeing we’re the first act.” He told her trying to get out the door.

“Ok fine but we are going to talk about this more tomorrow you do know that right?” she told him grabbing her pocket book and walking out the door not too happy.

Saying to himself, ‘I know I know I couldn’t get that lucky for you to drop it could I.’

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At the arena the guys were getting off the stage. They were soaking wet and pumped. Jon’s throat wasn’t that bad but it was a little sore but the guys pulled their weight to help him out with all the high notes tonight as Doc requested. Doc wanted Jon to be able to sing on the new album with no problem.  Ellie was off to the side when the guys came running down and basically ran past her. They were given towels to wipe off with and they continued down the hall to the showers as she stood there and wondered why she didn’t even get a hello.

Obie saw this and walked up to her and said, “Hi Ellie.”

“Oh hey how are you?” she said to him still confused only because he never did that before.

”I don’t think Jon meant to do that.” He told her.

“What?” she asked him.

“Run past you like that. Yeah I saw him do that.” Obie told her.

“Ah so it was obvious. You know that’s the first time he’s ever done that to me. I mean I don’t want to be one of those “girlfriends” that need to be tied to the hip or showered with gifts you know. But we had a little tiff before we came here and I was just wondering if that had something to do with it.” She explained to him.

“How little? He asked smiling.

Chuckling, “Very little. Sometimes I think he picks them just so we make up you know?” she said smiling.

“Well knowing Jon he probably does. But you have to know one thing that all he knows is fighting because that’s all he did with Dorothea. So give him time because you’re really good for him.” Obie told her. ”Come on I’ll walk you over to reception.” And took her by her arm and graciously walked her over.

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  Back in the shower area the guys were just finishing up and dressing when Richie got Jon alone. “Hey what was your problem with Ellie when you got off stage?” he asked him curiously.

“What do you mean?” Jon asked him back as he was putting on his shirt.

“You know damn well what I mean Kidd. You went right by her when we got off the stage. Didn’t you see her face as you went by? She seemed hurt.” Richie explained to him as he looked surprise.

“Well I didn’t see her. I guess there was too much sweat in my eyes. I’ll make it up to her.” He told him as he was now shaking out his hair.

“You didn’t see her? Kidd are you nuts? We all saw her how the hell didn’t you? We were talking while you were showering and we think there’s more to it.” Rich told him.

“We? You guys were talking about my personal life behind my back and now you’re confronting me about it? You guys got balls.” Jon said pissed.

“Jon I saw you look at her. The guys saw you look at her. She saw you look at her. You’re an ass! So what’s up?” Richie wanted to know.

Jon sat in the chair rubbing his face then looked up at Richie. “We’ve been fighting since she got here Rich. At first I didn’t think anything about it. But then we got here and I see all the people kissing, having fun and then I heard a couple of the roadies talking about their families and girlfriends and well it just seemed different you know?” he was trying to explain the best he could to Richie.

“Jon we live our lives differently than they do. So of course they’re relationships are going to be different from ours. What did you two fight about anyway?” he asked him curious.

“Well she found some black panties in my room that I have no idea how the fuck they got there. So I had to tell her about Doc and what we thought he was doing, and no I didn’t tell her that I slept with Mindy I mean I’m still alive and still have my balls don’t I. I just told her that we used her to find out that it was Doc. Then she overheard me and Doc out in the hall talking about my throat. Or actually she listen. Damn it she listened to my conversation. Fuck! She was eavesdropping.” Now Jon was pissed at Ellie for that but Richie was trying to stop his buddy for ruining the best thing that came along for him in a long time.

“Jon drop it just fucking drop it. Because if you don’t you will lose the best thing that has happened to you in a long long time. Plus I don’t thing you want to lose your son in the process do you?” he asked him.

“No but I can’t just let her think that’s ok Richie.” He told him pissed.

“No but if you do you’ll lose her if you treat her like an employee or a child. Do you want to do that?” Richie warned him.

“You really think that she’ll leave me knowing that she needs a father for Jimmy?” he asked Rich.

“Well if you tell her like that and she’ll drop you like a hot potato. And you want to know what?” he ask his best friend.

“What’s that?” he said almost bored.

“We’re not going to like you either fucker.” He told him as he turned around and left him alone.

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Sitting and having a diet coke Ellie was talking with Kip Winger who came to watch the show. He was in Europe with his band to do some smaller gigs and thought he would swing by to see the show and maybe have his manager pick Doc’s brain a little bit. Ellie and him were hitting it off as he was very nice and easy to talk to. The guys walked in and saw them on the couch chatting and nearly had heart attacks on each other.

“Now what are we going to do? If Jon sees this he’s going to blow.” Richie told the other guys.

“Why she’s only talking to the guy it’s not like she making out with him.” Dave said.

“No I just left him and he’s in a mood. One sec he’s fine and the next he’s pissed off. I don’t get it. And he told me something and I told him if he plays caveman with her she’s going to drop him cold.” Richie told them.

“What? Is he out of his freaking mind? All we’ve heard these pasts months are Ellie this and Ellie that. And now he wants to jeopardize it? Alec he’s not taking anything from you is he?” Dave asked him.  

“NO! He’s never come to me for anything. Honest.” Alec told them looking over to Ellie.

“Well if he’s not getting anything from Al then who?” Dave asked.

“Maybe nobody. Who says he’s on anything. Maybe he’s having an allergic reaction to something we don’t know about. Look I’m going to go over there so when he comes in here it won’t look like she’s alone with him. Just standby in case he does freak ok?” Richie said.

Walking over to Ellie and Kip, “Hey guys mind if I sit down?”

“No go right ahead Rich. Do you know Kip?” she asked.

They were introduced and the three of them started to talk when the others started to roam around the room. It wasn’t long after that Jon showed up and walked thru the door. He looked around and saw David talking to one of the Scorpions with Tico and Alec were making out with some blonde girl’s in the corner. He looked to his left when he saw Richie, Ellie and Kip Winger all on the couch laughing and talking as he made a face and trying to figure what the hell was up with that.

Walking over, “So what you all talking about that’s making you laugh?” Jon asked.

“Oh Hi Honey, Kip was just telling us one of his weird fan stories.” Ellie told him still chuckling.

“Really? Why the hell are you sitting in the middle of these guys?” Jon said angrily.

“What?” she asked him confused.

“Alright Jon knock it off.” Richie told him before he did something stupid.

“Shut up Richie.” He told him as he gave him the stink eye.

“What’s going on Richie?” Ellie asked him.

“That’s a good question.” He said as Jon started in.

“So Kip why don’t you take a hike.” Jon told him.

“What’s your problem Jon?” he asked annoyed.

“You’re my problem. She’s taken so piss off.” Jon demanded.

“Whoa ok let’s take it easy. Honey what’s the matter? All we’re doing is talking.” She told him as she stood up and took a few steps towards him.

 He looked her dead in the eyes, “Did I ask you?” he said pissy to her.

“No you didn’t but I’m telling you anyway Jackass. What’s the matter with you? You have been going up and down since I’ve gotten here. (whispering now) you’re not taking uppers or downers are you?” she needed to know so she could help him.

Laughing, “You think I’m doing drugs? No I’m not like your precious Elvis Baby.” He said as she stood frozen.

“What the fuck did you just say to me?” she thought she just heard him wrong.

“You heard me right.” He said smugly.

“That’s what I thought you arrogant Mother Fucker! Don't you ever say anything to me like that again! And you would be fucking lucky to ever walk in his shoes Jackass!” Ellie yelled as everyone in the room just looked at them.

She turned and shoved him out of the way and left him standing there with a dumb ass grin on his face. “Women right.” Was all he said and went to get himself a drink.

Ellie went to see if she could get herself a ride back to the hotel. Richie ran after her and caught up to her just outside of the door. “Ellie wait up.” He yelled to her.

Ellie turned around and saw Richie running to her. As tears were running down her cheeks she asked him, “Yeah Rich what is it?”

“You do know there’s something wrong with him right?” Rich asked her.

“I want to believe that Richie I really do. While he’s here I’ll go back to the room and look around and see if I can find anything and see if he’s taking something. I was on some Beta Blockers in the early Eighties and believe me I know they can do some really crazy things if you have a reaction to them.” she told him.

“Why what happened if you don’t mind me asking?” he said.

“No I don’t mind. I blacked out. I don’t remember some of the things that I did and I guess I pulled some whoppers. My siblings even didn’t like me for a time being. My mood swings were really bad so when I went back I told my doctor he took me off of them and I went back to normal. And that was all for my migraines and depression and it didn’t help, made it worse actually. Do you think that doctor put Jon on something?” she asked Richie.

“Well now that you mentioned it and after you just mentioned what happened to you he could have. Come I’ll go with you and we’ll both check out the room.” He told her.

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Richie and Ellie got back to the hotel room and Ellie first went to put her pocket book down on the bed. “Rich where do you want to start?” she asked him.

“Well why don’t you start in here in the bed area and I’ll go in the bathroom how’s that?” he asked her. Ellie shooked her head and was kind of relieved only because she had her med’s in the drawer next to her side of the bed. So that’s where she started. She searched that table first and when she found nothing she searched the one on Jon’s side. Still nothing. Then she looked underneath the pillows and under the bedding but the only thing she found was a Hustler magazine. She let out a little giggle and put it back underneath the bed. No use in ruining everything for him she thought. As she was looking under the bed Richie was looking thru out the bathroom. He was looking behind the toilet and inside the tank. Also he searched the sink and underneath that. Even the tub wasn’t off limits. When he was done in went back into the bedroom where he found Ellie in the closet.

“Hey have you found anything yet?” he asked her as she was standing on a chair to look up on the shelf.

“No did you?” she asked.

“Nothing. I don’t think he’s keeping anything in here then. He’s not that stupid.” He told her.

“You know Richie he told me that he’s seeing a doctor per Doc. You don’t think that they’re giving him something do you?” she asked him scared to death.

Richie thought for a moment before he answered her. Finally looking at her, “Well there’s one way to find out. I can ask Doc or the doctor. I’ll take either Dave or Tico with me and we’ll make sure we’ll get some answers.” he told her.

“Rich go to that doctor don’t go to Doc only because I don’t think he’ll give you any answers. Besides I think the doctor will be more helpful don’t you?” she asked him.

“Yeah you’re right. Hey don’t worry ok? We’ll figure this out. I’ll get a hold of the guys first thing tomorrow and I’ll let you know what happens.” He told her as he gave her a kiss on the cheek and left to go to his room to figure out on what he was going to say to this guy.

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Jon was mingling with everyone and was pissed that Ellie left him alone there for the rest of the night. What was worse she left with Richie. He was getting tired of talking with these suits who were trying so hard to be hip with him. He even insulted a few of them and they didn’t even realize it. He even had a few drinks with a few of the girls that managed to make it over to him. And sure enough they were wearing the same perfume that Ellie was wearing tonight.

David saw this so he intervened. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You know there trying to set you up.” He spat at Jon.

“Yeah I know and what does it look like? I’m playing their game. Chill out Joker will ya? I know what I’m doing.” Jon told him.

“I really don’t think you do Jon.” Tico told him coming up behind him.

Turning around and facing him Jon said, “What the hell is both you’re problems?” he asked them.

“Why don’t you tell us? You were fine just before Ellie got here so what the hell happened?” Tico asked him.

“Nothing except she’s on my ass. Ok look she found one of the damn panties Mindy must have left when she well you know and she freaked out about it. I told her all about it, well not all about it I don’t have a death wish you know, and she seemed ok with that. Now she wants to help us is that ok with you guys?” he asked them smugly.

“We have a better idea why don’t we take you back to the hotel and let you get a good night’s sleep and then we’ll all talk about this tomorrow say around breakfast.” Tico asked him.

“Well why don’t we say Brunch because I have other ideas for Ellie and I for the morning.” Jon told them wagging his eyes.

“Well good luck with that pal.” David said chuckling.

“What was that Dave?” Jon asked him pissed.

“Nothing oh nothing. Look let’s just get the hell out of here and get back to the hotel like Tico suggested ok?” Dave told him anxiously.

Jon looked at them and agreed only if too see if he would find Ellie and Richie together.

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Ellie had changed into sweats and a Tee just in case any more of the guys decided to show up and wanted to talk. But it was starting to get late and she was wondering where the hell Jon was. It was now approaching two a.m. and he wasn’t back yet. Usually they would leave together but tonight was well different to say the least. She promised herself she would try and not let him get her upset knowing that this may be some kind of allergic reaction to something he may have taken to something he was given that he didn’t even know about. If Doc had drugged him for no good reason and only to break them up well he better head for the hills because if she finds anything like a baseball bat or even his white mic stand she was going to beat him to a pulp with it. She was just finishing up in the bathroom when she heard the door open up in the bed area.

“Well I don’t see her? If she’s in Richie’s room so help me God!” he yelled out.

Coming out of the bathroom, “What’s your problem Jon?” she asked him surprised at his attitude.

Of course David couldn’t help himself. “Jon was worried that you were at Richie’s.” Jon quickly gave him the stink eye.

“Oh really? Why?” she asked Jon.

“Really? Well you left with him didn’t you?” Jon loudly told her.

“Well yes you knew that remember?” she said annoyed now.

“Ellie are you going to be alright here alone with him because I’m exhausted and I think Dave is too.” Tico told her.

“No you guys go ahead we’ll be alright. We’ll see you in the morning.” She told them and they kissed and hugged goodnight.

Jon just rolled his eyes and went to sit down. “Oh wasn’t that sweet you done with the Lovey Dovey crap?” he said as he leaned back on the chair with his legs crossed.

“Yes Jon I’m all done. Now you can sleep over there on that couch I set it up for you. You have a good night sleep ok?” she told him as she started to crawl into bed.

“Wait just a freaking minute Baby; I’m paying for this room so I get the bed. If you don’t want to sleep with me you can take that broken down couch.” He told her matter of fact.

“Well aren’t we a gentlemen. Fine I’ll take the couch and when you can talk civil to me maybe I’ll sleep back in the bed if I don’t go home first.” She told him.

“You know don’t threaten me with that I’m going home crap ok? Either stay or do it because I’m tired of you saying it when you don’t get your way. Now if you excuse me I’m just going to wash up then I’ll hit the hay.” He told her without much feeling. Ellie tried really hard not to cry. She knew something was going on with him and would have to wait until she would hear from Richie. In the mean time she would have to put up with his crap.