Chapter 42

Jon groaned as he received a sharp jab in the ribs.

“Fuck Sambora! Move over man! Stop hogging the covers and get to your side!” He shoved a little too hard, forgetting his own strength and send Richie flying from the bed. The dull thud and incoherent mumbling plucked a snort from Jon’s lips and within seconds wild, sleep dishevelled hair appeared above the mattress.

“Was that necessary? Damn, I was sleeping man!” Indignant eyes stared at the electric blue ones full of laughter.

“You’ve been giving me hell all night asshole, groping me, rubbing me up…and then the jab…I had enough dammit!”

Sleep fled from his eyes.

“I ..WHAT?! Aahh no fuck man!” Richie stared at his long fingers, shaking it violently as if to rid them of Jon’s scent.

The hysterical laughter on the bed whipped his head up.

“I’m just fucking with ya but fuck man you can’t sleep like a normal person! You snore like a bear and you kick and jab all night long! No wonder you don’t have a steady girl, who wants to sleep with that?”

Pushing himself off the floor he padded towards the bathroom. They had decided sharing a bed would be much more comfortable for Richie than the couch and although Jon was bitching like an old woman, Richie knew he was over exaggerating, as usual.

Brushing a quick glance over his wrist he realized they had to be up anyway. Their flight was in a few hours and they needed to get going.

“We can just as well get our shit ready. I’ll catch up on some sleep on the plane...ALONE.”

“Well if my nose is right, we aint the only ones up, I smell a mean breakfast in the making.” Jon sniffed appreciatively.

“Since when do you like the smell of food?” Relief flooded through Richie at the thought that the potion might actually be something besides poison.

The men dressed and threw the last of their clothes into the bags, ready to follow the enticing aroma.

“Well Good morning sweetheart. You’ve been a busy girl I see?” Jon peeked over her shoulder.

A becoming little blush crept up her neck and she smiled.

“I’ve been working my whole life, I hate sitting around doing nothing, so I thought making you guys a breakfast to thank you for all you’ve done for me so far might be petty but it’s all I can do for now.”

Jon squeezed her shoulder.

“It’s the little things in life that means so much more, Sweetheart. You remember that ok?”

She searched for Richie’s appreciation but there was none.

“This is all cute and dandy but what the fuck were you thinking going out and going on a shopping spree?”

Tears welled up in the beautiful green eyes, her lip trembling.

“I…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…to…I’ll give you the money back, I promise…I…” She was at a loss for words. Slumping her shoulders, she took on her protective stance, the way she always held herself at the house of death. The harshness of Richie’s face and voice opened a festering wound of fear and she coward backwards, inching behind Jon.

“Now was that fucking necessary?” The words were bit out.

“She’s not thinking Jon! I don’t care about the fucking money! Have you two forgotten how we got her out of there? We kidnapped her, stole her. Do you think the crazy professor will just leave it at that? Stop being naïve and think people for fuck’s sake! There might be people on our trail already!” Richie puffed as he stumbled on, his face sharply etched.

Pulling the now crying girl into his arms, he kissed her gently on the head.

“Well couldn’t you just say it like that the first time? Shit man! Ksenia had seen a lot of shit in her life and I doubt that she had to do with men treating her well. Your shouting just sent her over the edge again! It’s ok Sweetheart, he can be such an asshole sometimes.”

Now tell her you’re sorry.

Richie stepped forward, holding his hands up, reaching for her, he waited for her to do the same. She did.

“Ksenia, I’m sorry I yelled at you darlin’ but we need to be careful here. If they take you from me again, I’d don’t know what I’d do! I promised to keep you safe and Jon and I will do that but then you need to give us the opportunity to. Will you forgive me for shouting at you?”

She nodded, smiling through tear blinded eyes.

“I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I just wanted…”

“Yeah I know…” Richie lifted the tear streaked face.

Kissing her softly on her trembling lips, taking care not to touch the cut there, he sighed. He could crush her to him and keep her chained to his side forever but that was the mad man in him talking. She had a life of her own and she might even decide to go at it alone somewhere in the future. The thought made him hug her harshly to him, her soft groan bringing his thoughts back.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry.” His arms fell to his side and she stepped away.

“So are you ready to eat?” She wiped at the tears on her face.

“Sooo ready.” Jon offered.

A confused frown burrowed in her forehead.

“Are you actually serious? You want to eat breakfast, real food?” Green eyes investigated his face.

“UUmmm..yeah!” Jon snorted.

Her hand fluttered towards his face, feeling his forehead, she inched closer, staring at his eyes, suddenly pulling his eyelids away.

“Ok damn! What is this?” Jon stood patiently, waiting.

“Your eyes have healed nicely. Where are your shades? Stick out your tongue…” She said in one breath.

“My shades in..uuuuuuhhhhhhhh…” She tucked, poked and prodded.

Richie leaned against the kitchen cupboard, his laughter was close to bursting.

“Wow! You are in good shape! I’ve never seen anyone reacting so well to the potion.” Astonishment lit her face.

“Uuuuhhhh…”, he tapped on her hand and she released his tongue. “Thank you for giving it back, for a moment there I thought I’d be tongue less.”

“Did you feed last night?” Shaking his head she wowed.

“Ok then, lets eat.” Washing her hands in the basin, the men just stared at her. Her demeanor changed the moment she took on the role as caregiver.

“Amen!” the two men cried simultaneously.

A feast was set before them, crispy bacon, scrambled egg, toast, *blini, cheese, a variety of jams and steaming coffee.

“Girl you outdid yourself!” Jon dug into the food with zest, his tastebuds exploding!

“Food have never tasted this good!” He savored each taste, chewing slowly.

Ksenia was flabbergasted at his reaction and she cleared her throat, a thought crossing her mind.

“Jon? Would you be insulted if I keep a diary on your progress? I’ve been around the professor’s research my whole life and this is just…incredible! It would be totally confidential of course.”

“Yeah, why not? Go ahead. You scared you might not have much to do with yourself?”

He hit the nail on the head it seems and she suddenly drew quiet.

“I don’t know what is laying ahead of me. I cannot let you take care of me forever. I’m a grown woman and I need to find something to bring in some income.”

Richie groaned aloud. There ! It had begun quicker than he anticipated! The independent streak all women craved!

“You think we’re gonna let you laze around on that cute butt of yours? You’re the property of Bon Jovi now, Sweetheart. We’ll keep you so busy your head will spin, as for the salary we can discuss it now if you’d like to? Oh yeah and before I forget….” Jon munched on another blini and groaned in appreciation, sliding her passport across the table.

“You are ready to leave Russia honey. You are free.” The immense triumph he felt by saying those few words was indescribable, maybe this tiny thing he did right would somehow push his recent fuckups to the background…only time will tell!

Richie’s grateful sigh was only caught by Jon. Richie’s sudden panic as Ksenia chattered on about leading her own life and making a salary speared towards Jon and he knew he owed his friend big time.

Ksenia jumped up, her face blooming as she stared to Richie then Jon.

“You got it? How? When? Are you guys serious? OH MY GOD!!!!!!!” She giggled and shrieked, jumping up and down like a little girl before flinging herself into Jon’s arms. She stiffened as she hit the hard body and Jon snickered.

“Steady there hun. We don’t want you to hurt yourself even more. It was right where you told me it would be, in the professor’s safe.” For his trouble he received a smack on the lips and a tight hug. She twirled around making her way towards the tall, dark man on the opposite of the table, taking care this time not to crash into him with her bruised body. The kiss was more than just a smack and when she retreated Richie fought for breath and tried to will his painfully stiff member in his pants to recede.

*Small pancakes.