Chapter 21

The trip back to Westminster did not yield any clues either, though they did get to linger longer over a few of the things mentioned in the book. Madison left with an awe and an appreciation for man's sense of perseverance. The arts and the knowledge they left behind had survived the millennium for the benefit of man kind.

"You really love all this, don't you?" Richie had been watching her silently viewing the displays, immersed in her thoughts. "It seems like you've left and went back to that time in history."

"Yes," she nodded and smiled at him, "it gives me the assurance that no matter what happens, life will go on."



They strolled back to the hotel scanning the shops when she suddenly stopped and peered inside at a window display of a jewelry store. "Do you want to go in?" Richie was curious to see what had caught her eye.

Inside the shop, Madison asked the clerk to see a certain necklace from the display. It was a gaudy piece with wirework and semi precious stones in oddly mismatched colors. Richie wondered if her taste in jewelry had changed as he watched her carefully examining it. She then smiled and handed it back to the clerk. "Thank you."

Once outside, he asked her, "do you like that necklace?"

"No, it's ugly."

This perplexed him. "Then why were you looking it over like that?"

"The clasp. It's unique. I just had to see how it was made. Sometimes even the worst piece has a bit of art in it."

*****

Back at the hotel, Madison and Richie parted ways to finish up their packing. She was looking over the room to make sure she had everything when Joanna came up to her.

"Where were you last night, Maddie? I thought you'd come with us to David's suite. You didn't even return to the room at all."

When Madison just looked at her without answering, Joanna sighed. "Look, Maddie, I'm just a little hurt that I invited you on this trip and you're spending your time with someone else."

"I'm sorry, Joanie." Madison suddenly felt guilty. "I don't mean to shut you out. I'm going to visit Rosslyn Chapel tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?"

"Jesus, Maddie! Not another church," Joanna was exasperated, "no, you go ahead on your little jaunts, we're going to take in the sights around the city and do some shopping. Honestly, I don't see what's so fascinating about churches, there are tons of them at home."

*****

The ride to the airport alternated between quiet reflection and the Battle of David and Kris.

"There, Vassallo, do I still look like a Shirley to you?" David had purchased some odd military hat and was modeling it for them.

"Well now, that absolutely takes all the Shirley out of you, that's for sure."

David's smug sneer quickly turned into glaring scowl when she added, "now you look like Captain Crunch," amid the hoots and laughter coming from the others.


On the plane, almost everyone had just stretched out and dozed off for the short flight when Richie pulled Jon off to the side. "What are the rooming assignments?"

"What do you mean? It's the same as London, of course. Why should it be any differ..." Jon rolled his eyes and got on the phone.

*****

A few hours later, the group found themselves at the elegant One Devonshire Gardens. "Jesus! Look at this room!" Joanna, Kris and Patti had walked into the gorgeous suite, quite happy that the management saw fit to room the friends in connecting suites. Joanna was puzzled, however, when she saw that while one room had two king sized beds, the other had only one.

"Wait a minute. Where the hell is Madison?" Joanna was puzzled and even opened the door to check if she was somehow standing out in the hall.

Kris had a pretty good idea where she would be and tried to divert Joanna's attention. "Hey, you guys! Come get a load of this bathroom. Did you ever see anything like it?" The luxurious bathroom boasted a roll top tub situated in front of a large bay window. Luxurious drapes flanked either side of the frosted panes that overlooked the lush gardens.

"Joanie? What are you doing?"

"Calling her." Richie had gotten a phone for Madison and Joanna was scrolling through her list to find the number.

Kris came and took the phone away from Joanna and shut it off. "Look, Joanie, she's a grown woman. Let her make her own mistakes, okay?" She was pretty sure, though, that this was no mistake.

"Fine. But she'd better not come crying to me when she gets her heart broken. Or worse, I better not find out that she's been putting Richie on the spot. How embarrassing would that be?"

"Joanie, if Richie is just out to break her heart, I will find something of his to break. And as for her embarrassing you, don't even worry about it. Richie is no fool. Even if he is being put on the spot, which I'm sure is not the case, he wouldn't blame you for it. Just let it go."

Joanna let out a heavy sigh and shrugged, "okay, but I hope you know what you're saying. I've known her for a long time and she's a very emotional girl. Not to mention that she's rather gullible. I'm worried that she's going to get hurt. I think she's just getting swept up in all this."

"Swept up in 'all this' what? That might be true if it was you or me, but she's not a fan. Don't forget that."

They let the subject drop when the phone rang.

"My room, ten minutes. Be prepared to lose." Kris rolled her eyes as she hung up.

"David?"

"Yep."

*****

Madison let out a gasp as she walked into the beautifully furnished suite. "I'm getting the feeling that you guys go on tours just so you can stay in places like this."

"Believe me, darlin', if we had a choice, we would choose to stay home. It gets old after a while and I really don't like being away from my family. That's why we changed our schedule, so that we'd be able to go home every few weeks."

"Who do you miss the most?"

"My daughter, Ava. As corny as it may sound, she's the light of my life. There's nothing that can compare to the feeling of having a child." His love for her was reflected in his voice as he spoke. He looked at Madison and saw the pain and longing in her eyes.

"Shit! I'm sorry, baby, I wasn't thinking." Richie rushed to her and wrapped her in his arms. "I didn't mean to hurt you, to make you remember."

"Don't," she interrupted him, "I don't want you to feel like you have to tip toe around me. Micah's death is not your fault. Don't stop cherishing your daughter because you think it will hurt me. She doesn't deserve that."

She looked up at him and continued, "I want to remember him. His smile and his quirky sense of humor. How he loved to draw.....and collect bugs. I think he did that just to freak me out." She chuckled, remembering the pranks he used to pull, laughing when she had screamed at finding a plastic roach in her jewelry box. They'd sit for hours talking while he watched her carve out her designs. She missed him like crazy and sought comfort in Richie's arms.

"Tell me about Ava."

Chapter 20

"Morning, baby."

Madison opened her eyes to find herself looking into deep pools of chocolate brown. "Morning." Her voice was still a bit raspy from last night's tears. She was exhausted but also felt a heavy burden beginning to lift from her heart.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?"

"Better." She managed a smile. "Thank you."

"Good." Richie kissed her and sat up on the bed. "Why don't you go start the shower and I'll order us some coffee and breakfast."

She was standing under the hot spray letting the steam and the heat work on her tense muscles when she heard the shower door open. "Mind if I join you?"

She was in his arms the second he stepped in. When he lathered up her hair with the fragrant shampoo and started massaging, she sighed. "Feels like I'm in heaven." And when his hands caressed down her delicate body, she knew she was. Their lovemaking this morning was tender and unhurried, unlike the night before. When he had carried her back to the bed and she had asked him to make love to her, her need and hunger was almost palpable. She seemed to be trying to drown her helpless despair and painful memories and his heart ached for her. "Shhh, easy baby." He had wanted to heal her, to let her see that it was alright to move on but he knew that only she could do that. He could only be there for her, to support her and he felt powerless knowing that he could not protect her from the pain.

The waiter rolled their breakfast cart into the dining area and bidding them a 'good day', left them to enjoy the fresh fruits, breads and coffee. Richie had also ordered a platter of crisp bacon and scrambled eggs. He picked up one strip and devoured the savory meat while ignoring Madison's disapproving glares. "What?" he grinned, "I need my cholesterol fix." Madison shrugged and followed suit, picking up another before she even finished the first. "Hey, bacon pirate!" Richie sprang up and grabbed her from behind, trying to wrestle the bacon from her hand. "No! Mine!" Madison was laughing and squealing as she tried to protect her bacon.

A knock on the door ended the food fight and Richie opened it to let Jon in. "You're looking better this morning, hon." Jon was glad to see that Madison's spirits had lifted. She walked over and hugged him. "Thank you for being so understanding.....I'm so sorry about..." "Uh uh, I told you, don't be."

"She's not good at following directions, you know." Richie came up and hugged her to him. When Madison pouted up at him, he leaned in and kissed her.

Jon cleared his throat. "Oookay....Just wanted make sure you knew today's itinerary. We leave for the airport at 5 and if everything goes according to schedule, we should be able to check in at the hotel by 9 tonight. You two have anything planned for today?"

Richie waggled his eyebrows which earned him an eye roll from Jon and a jab in the stomach from Madison. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Where are we going next?" Madison hadn't really looked at her schedule.

"Scotland, you'll love it there."

She sucked in a breath, "Scotland? That's where Rosslyn Chapel is."

"I know." Jon smiled at her, "And I've arranged for someone to take us there tomorrow."

She ran up to Jon hugging him tightly, leaving Richie to wonder if he should actually start reading the book, instead of just looking at the pictures.

"Wait a minute. Did you just say 'us' ?"

"Of course. I want to see Rosslyn for myself. Do you have a problem with that, Sambora?"

Before he could reply, Madison smiled at Jon. "Thank you. I think it would be a great help to have an extra set of eyes."



Jon left them to make some calls and Madison turned to find Richie curled up on the couch with the book. "What are you doing? I thought we were going out to see more places before we leave."

"I just want to make sure that I know what to be looking for when 'we' get to Rosslyn." He sounded like a child on the verge of a temper tantrum. Madison gaped at him for a moment before she burst out laughing. "What is wrong with you?" Richie pouted at her question making her laugh even more.

"That does it."

Richie wrestled her to the couch, but before he could do anything, Madison reached up and kissed him soundly. "Now," she asked breathlessly, "can we go?"

Shaking his head, he pulled her up, "Don't you want to go back to your room and change before we leave?"

"Oh, yeah," she grinned at him sheepishly, "I think Joanie and the girls are out shopping by now. It should be safe to go."

"Will you stop worrying about Joanie?"

Madison couldn't. Something about the way Joanna was trying to keep them apart unnerved her. She understood that her cousin was just trying to look out for her, but she was a grown woman now, not the gullible girl she once was. Right?



Walking into her room, Madison rummaged through her suitcase for some change of clothes while Richie helped her pack her things for the flight out.

"Geez, Maddie, we missed you last night." Madison jumped and turned to find Kris standing in the doorway. Taking in Madison's still damp hair and noting that she was wearing last night's clothes, she gave her a knowing smile. "But it doesn't look like you missed us very much."

Madison blushed a deep red and Richie just grinned like the Cheshire Cat. The one who ate Tweety Bird.

Noticing Madison looking around, she assured her, "Patti and Joanie went shopping while I stayed back to enjoy my hangover." When Madison smiled gratefully at her, she winked, "don't worry, I've played football with my brothers growing up. I'll run interference for you."

"So, where are you two headed off to?"

*****

Deciding that there must be something that she overlooked, she found herself back at Temple Church, again. Walking through the round nave, she studied the inscriptions on the walls, the human head gargoyles and even the scroll designs that Lindsey had pointed out. Nothing really reminded her of the pendant and as she led Richie around the ancient walls and the effigies, she once again became mesmerized by the sense of history surrounding them.

"Just think, Richie. There's almost a thousand years of history within these walls. Can you imagine if those gargoyles could talk? God, I can just see the knights discussing the Crusade."

She reached out a hand to touch the walls. "These are the very same walls that they probably touched, the very same floors that they walked on." She stopped in front of one of the effigies; William Marshall, First Earl of Pembroke. He was missing his left foot, a result of WWII.

"Don't you wonder if these were originally tombs?" She looked around the nave once more. "It's like we've been transported back in time. This place is just so.....so....what's the word?"

"Creepy?" Richie offered.

When Madison glared at him, he tried to weasel out by grinning at her. "Awww, come on, honey. I'm just kidding. I know how you feel about this."

"Let's go, you big baby."

When they exited the church, Madison was sure that she saw someone watching them, but when she stopped to get a better look, he or she was gone.

Chapter 19

"Mommy! Help me! Mommy!"

"Micah! Open the door! Open it!"

"I can't, mommy, it's too hot!! Please! Come get me!"

"Jason! Let go of me! Get Micah! What the hell is wrong with you? Get him!"

"Mommy!!!"

"Micah! Open the door! Jason, let go!! Let go!! How could you...?"

"Micah!!!"



"Micah!" Madison sprang up from the bed, still in the panic of her nightmare. Dragging half the bed clothes with her, she ran for the door.

Richie bolted out of bed and caught her just before she grabbed the knob. Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her close. He could feel the terror and anger rising up from her. "No! Let go of me! If you won't help Micah, I will. Let go! How could you...?" She broke down sobbing.

"Shhh, baby. It's okay. I'm right here. It's okay."

"Richie?" She had calmed down a little becoming aware of where she was.

Richie let go just long enough to pull on a pair of sweats. He then wrapped her gently in the sheets, scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the living room. Sitting down on one of the couches, he cradled her in his lap. He soothed her, gently stroking her arms and hair, and kissed her forehead and waited.

There was a knock on his door and Richie instinctively knew who it was. He put Madison down on the couch and got up to answer it. "It's okay, baby," he assured her again, "I'll be right back."

"What's going on? Is everything okay?" Jon was concerned.

Richie sighed, "yeah, I think she had some nightmare or something." He stepped back allowing Jon to come in. Leading him back to the couch, he picked Madison up into his lap again. She was still recovering and Richie just held her and rocked her gently.

"Hey, hon. You gave us quite a scare. Are you okay?" Jon was sincere. He had come to love Madison for he saw what effect she had on his best friend. "It might help you to talk about it."

Madison nodded but was silent for a few more minutes.

"Micah was my son.....is my son." A sob escaped her. "When he was eight, we were on our way to my sister's house for my nephew's birthday party. It's about a thirty minute drive and the freeway was packed with people heading to the stadium for the big game."

Madison leaned into Richie and pulled the sheets around her tighter. "He was showing me the pendant and talking about secrets when I heard a screeching. Then....the sound of metal crumbling. I've never heard a sound like that before. A huge truck had rammed into us."

"We were pushed several hundred feet and had crashed against the guard rail. Jason, my husband, screamed at us to get out of the car. I did, but Micah's door was jammed. Before we could do anything, the car burst into flames." She was shuddering. Richie hugged her tighter and stroked her back soothingly.

"He was screaming, pleading for us to help him. Before I could reach the car, Jason pulled me back. I screamed at him to help Micah, but he kept saying it was too late, too dangerous." She was now shaking almost violently. "How could he? How could any father even think about his own safety before his children?"

"He was so small, so helpless. He depended on us to take care of him, and we didn't. Oh god, Richie! We just let him die!" Madison buried her face into Richie's shoulder and cried for long minutes.

Both men sat in silence knowing that nothing they could say would take away the hurt and the despair. Jon thought about his four kids and Richie's thoughts drifted to Ava. They knew she was right. Nothing, not even the force of nature, would stop them from trying to save their children. They wondered how she got the strength to go on.

Jon got up and got a bottle of water from the mini bar and unscrewing the cap, offered it to Madison. "Drink some of this, honey," he told her gently. Madison had run out of tears and was now leaning into Richie with soft hiccupping sobs. She took the water from Jon. "Thank you," she smiled weakly, "I'm sorry to wake you like this."

"Don't be." Jon stood and kissed her forehead. Saying good night, he left knowing she was in good hands.

Richie carried her back to bed and held her close, still soothing her. "Don't blame yourself, honey. Some things are just out of our control."

"I know. But we didn't even try. I let Jason hold me back. I can still see Micah's eyes...questioning...pleading..." A tear trickled down the side and Richie gently wiped it away.

"Micah knows how much you loved him. He knows you would have done whatever you can to save him. I'm sure he doesn't blame you. Don't let your last memory of him be that one."

"The pendant," Madison looked at him, "I promised him I'd find out what the secret was. I have to...I promised."

"We will. I promise."

She lay for a while, enveloped in the warmth and safety of his arms, the terror and the pain slowly dissipating.

"Richie?"

"Yeah, darlin'?"

"Make love to me?"

Chapter 18

Madison told Richie about their visit to Temple Church and the 'prison stint' on the way back to the hotel. Richie laughed at first but then turned to her, concerned. "One day your curiosity is going to get you into serious trouble, young lady. What if no one heard you?" he scolded. "Next time, don't go walking into unknown places unless I'm with you."

"And you're okay with being locked in a dark room with me?" Madison snorted.

Richie's eyes heated at that question. Oh, yeah. The look in his eyes when he grinned down at her, made her flush, but before she could think of a smart comeback, his lips were on hers, tasting and teasing. Any notion of resistance went right out the window as his tongue sought entrance and she parted her lips in invitation. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, hands fisting into his hair, their tongues dueling. Richie had to fight to keep himself in control and refrain from laying her down right there in the back of the limo.

As the car neared the hotel, he reluctantly eased back from her. He helped Madison out of the limo and led her into the hotel, past the fans that had camped themselves outside. He was glad that his shirt was untucked and covering the front of his jeans, or it would prove to be embarrassing, though he still found it difficult maneuvering through the lobby.

In the elevator, he rained soft little kisses on her face vaguely aware of the security cameras. When it stopped on his floor, he led her into his suite. She had seen it before, but tonight, the soft lighting dotting across the room, gave it a different ambiance. The soothing music was floating through air - the songs unrecognizable, but serving well to fill the silence.

Madison suddenly felt nervous. How could it be that she felt so strongly about a man she knew for only a few short days? Am I doing the right thing? This is so unlike me. What if.....

Richie came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "What's the matter, darlin'?" He leaned in and kissed her temple. When he kissed down to the hollow of her neck, she let a small gasp escape. Turning her to face him, he took her hands and pulled them slowly up to wrap around his neck. He kissed her softly then demanded to be let in. She complied and he slid his hands down her arms, fingers lightly grazing her sides, thumbs stroking the underside of her breasts. When she didn't try to stop him, he deepened the kiss and let his thumbs slide across her nipples and circled the hardening tips. His arms slid down and around to cup her butt. Pressing her to him, he groaned when he felt her hands tangle into his hair as she slid her body up hard against his growing arousal.

He broke the kiss long enough to take her hand and lead her into the bedroom. Caressing her cheeks, he leaned in to kiss her and felt her trembling. "Sweetheart, I'm not going to ask you to do anything you don't want to. We can wait." When she looked up into his eyes, there was no false sincerity and she knew that his feelings for her were genuine. She replied by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. Gentle and tender at first, then when her hunger gripped her, more demanding. Breathless, he whispered, "are you sure?"

"Yes."

He needed no other encouragement and he ran his hands down her sides, under the hem of her top, caressing her soft, firm breasts as he moved her closer to the bed. Lifting her top up and off, he gazed down and gently played his hands over her breasts feeling her nipples peak at his touch. He hooked his fingers under the straps and slowly slipped one, then the other down the curves of her shoulder, nuzzling her neck and making her shiver. Then his hands found the clasp and deftly unhooked and removed her bra and tossed it some corner behind him.

He laid her on the bed, then, lying down beside her, slowly and agonizingly began to caress her. Stroking her hair, down to the hollow of her neck, he made his way to her breasts. When he took a nipple into his mouth and sucked, she gasped. His tongue played on her, nipping, laving until she was ready to scream. She grabbed at his shirt and pulled up until he was forced to part from her. He removed it and flung it to join hers on the floor, then continued to ravish her. His hands traveled down, between her legs and stroked her intimately through her jeans, eliciting a ravaged moan from her lips.

She let her hands wander over his broad chest and raked her nails across his nipples making him groan as his fingers found the button of her jeans and snapped it open. Sliding her jeans down her legs, he slid back up and straddled her. Gazing down at her quivering body, he again began the slow maddening stroking, beginning at her cheeks, down the sides of her neck and following the lines of her shoulders, down her arms giving her goosebumps in the process. When he stroked up to her breasts, her hands on his thighs moved up to stroke him along his length until he hissed. She helped him out of his jeans and welcomed him into her arms, kissing him with a yearning she had long forgotten.

He eased her panties off and slid his hand up between her thighs finding her wet for him. Sliding one, then two fingers into her, he realized how tight she was and knew that he could hurt her if he took her now. "Baby, I want you to relax," he whispered, deepening each stroke until she was squirming beneath him. "Richie!" She grabbed at him. "Not yet." He held her hands with his free one and continued stroking until he felt she was ready for him. Leaning over her, he entered her slowly but froze when he heard her gasp and clutched his arm tightly. "Relax, baby." Pulling out, he thrust a bit deeper and when he thrust a third time, he did not stop until he had completely filled her.

Madison bit her lip and almost whimpered at the fullness she felt. One hand fisted into her pillow and the other grabbed his wrist, but as he set a slow, smooth rhythm, she did relax and let the sensations take over. She brought one leg around and stroked up and down the back of his as she scraped her nails gently down his back, urging him deeper.

Richie felt her tightening and knew she was close. He hooked one hand under her knee and brought it up, then started thrusting harder and faster. The change of angle was her undoing. She felt the tremors starting and gripped his wrist, "oh god, Richie!" She came hard. Her head fell back as she closed her eyes and bit her lip. "Baby, look at me." She fought to focus on him, on this man who in a few short days had managed to unravel the cocoon she had woven around herself. She traced her hand along the features of his face then leaned up to kiss him.

She drew a sharp breath when he pulled nearly all the way out then plunged deep into her. The rhythm he now set was fast and frenzied and she was shocked when another orgasm coursed through her, this time taking him over the edge with her.

They lay there, hearts pounding, stroking and soothing each other as they waited for the world to slow down. Kissing her gently, he rolled off taking her into his arms and hugging her close. She snuggled up to him, one leg on his body, her head resting on his shoulder, tracing lazy circles on his chest.

That's when he noticed it.

"Tell me about the tattoo."

There was a tiny rose low on her left hip. A perfect bud just beginning its bloom.

Madison averted her eyes. "It's about trust. Or lack thereof," she stated flatly.

He crooked a finger under her chin and made her look at him. "Tell me."

She was hesitant at first, but then nodded.

"Before Jason, my ex husband, and I got married, we promised each other that we would get tattoos. What the tattoo was, would be a surprise. Well, I chose the rose because it symbolizes love. When I showed it to him, he just laughed. I asked to see his tattoo and found out that he didn't go through with it. He said he couldn't believe that I would be so gullible, that he was only kidding."

Madison turned her eyes away from Richie. "I know it's silly to be upset over a small thing like this, but I felt betrayed. I just felt so...stupid."

"It's not stupid, darlin', you trusted him and did it because you loved him. You have a right to feel betrayed." That asshole.

He turned and looked at her and saw that vulnerability once again.

"Do you trust me?"

"You haven't done anything for me to not trust you....."

"That's not what I'm asking." He looked deep into her eyes, "Madison, do you trust me?"

When she looked into his, seeing the depth and the emotions within, she knew the answer.

"I do."

Chapter 17

Richie was pacing in his dressing room. Sound check was over and the band and guests were having a light dinner in an area set up behind the stage. Madison had not shown up yet, and he was beginning to worry.

I'll bet she's either lost or had forgotten the time. Richie tried to keep in mind that she was not a fan and being on time for their concerts was probably not a priority to her. He finally grabbed one the management staff, "what's the number of the cell phone you gave to Madison?"

"Um, she didn't get one. It's only the winner that did."

Shit! Neither Madison nor Lindsey was one of the winners. Making a mental note to get one for her, he continued to pace when there was a knock on his door. His relief was a bit premature for when he opened it, Nina was standing on the other side.

"Hi," she greeted him with a come-hither smile, "can I come in? I've never seen a rock star's dressing room."

Before he could reply, she stepped around him and walk up to the table sitting in front of a huge mirror. Checking her makeup, she glanced up and smiled at Richie who was reflected in the mirror. "What's the matter? You look nervous."

She turned and stepped up to him. Stroking her hands across the bare chest showing through his unbuttoned shirt, she purred, "why don't you close that door and we can get to know each other?"

"Uh..." Richie stammered, backing away, "no, I think you'd better leave."

"Why, baby? You don't think you're man enough for me?"

"No, it's because he's interested in someone else and he quit playing those stupid games years ago."

Jon was standing with his arms crossed at the entrance of the room. "Rich, the girls just arrived and security is bringing them here now."

Thank God! Richie hurried out of the room to go find Madison.

Jon had seen Nina go into Richie's dressing room and decided to intervene. Richie had a good thing going with Madison and he was not about to let his buddy get sidetracked. He did not have to worry, though, as he witnessed Richie back away from that predator. He just wanted Nina to know that she would have to go through another barrier in order to get between Richie and Madison. And he could be a pretty damn good barrier when he wanted to be.

"Hmph!" Nina scoffed at him, "think you're so smart? Then you've got another thing coming." She turned on her heels, and stalked off.

Yeah, bring it on, Elvira...

*****

As soon as Richie saw Madison, he scooped her up in is arms and swung her around. "God, I was starting to worry!"

When he put her back down, she eyed him warily. "Do you have separation issues? I've only been gone a few hours." The words were softened when he looked at her and saw that she was teasing. "I have two year olds at my school who adjust better," she smirked.

"Smartass." But he grinned. "You're late. You almost missed the start of the concert. What happened to you two, anyway?"

"Rich!" Jon called out, "time!"

Richie nodded and started to follow him.

"We were in prison."

He stopped dead. "What?!"

"I'll tell you about it later. Now, go!"

Madison laughed at his confused expression.

*****

Madison had not seen anything like this. The stage, the screens and the light effects were mind boggling, but what she noticed the most was the connection Jon and the band had with their audience. The energy and the emotion were palpable as they played to the crowd. Some songs she recognized but most were new to her. Nonetheless, she felt, probably like most of the women there, that they were playing just for her. If she wasn't a fan before, she became one tonight.

Kris, Joanna and Patti were beside themselves with excitement, which was heightened further when Jon selected not just one but all three of the winners, in turn, to dance with him during Bed of Roses.

When it was Nina's turn, she leaned in close enough for him to hear, "it's not over, Bongiovi."

He gave her the best fake smile he could muster up, "it will be." He had to restrain himself from adding "Elvira".

As they were taking their final bows, Richie saw Madison in the wings watching him and he winked at her, making her blush.

"You guys were fantastic!" she gushed as they came off the stage. "I can see now why my cousin is so enamored."

They grinned at her; they had just earned themselves another fan.

"Thank you, darlin'." Richie leaned down and kissed her. "Wait here, we'll be right out."
He thought of something and stopped and turned, "then you're going to tell me what you were doing in prison."

*****

That bitch is taking away everything I've been dreaming of. She won't get away with that. Richie will soon understand that it's me he should be with.

*****

They were all milling around the refreshment area when the boys emerged, all showered and full of high energy. "Everyone ready for the party?" At the resounding "Yeah!" they all headed out to the waiting limos.

They had rented out the entire pub for the after party and the place was packed with guests, crew and management. The band and the girls made their way in with Richie holding Madison's hand. Once in the pub, everyone mingled, talking with the guests, and thanking the people for their part in a great concert. Finally getting their drink orders, they found seats and were looking over the menus because, as they put it, they were starving after such a workout and could eat a horse. Seeing that there were no horses offered on the menu, they settled for more traditional dishes including fish and chips.

"Now, what's this about you being in prison?" Richie was not going to let this one go. All eyes turned to Madison. "What did you do now, Madison?" David leered at her, "did ya steal a National Treasure or something?"

"Smartass," she groused under her breath. Richie was starting to rub off on her. "No, Shirley, I did no such thing."

David's eyes grew bigger and just as he was about to reply, Jon groaned, "why did you have to remind him? Now we'll never hear the end of it."

"You think I'd forgotten? Hell, no! In fact, I've got a game scheduled right after this party, right girls?" David turned around looked over to the next booth where Kris and the girls were sitting with Tico and Hugh.

"You got it, Rashbaum!" came the reply.

"Not in my suite, you don't." Jon was bone tired and wanted to hit the sack early.

"Fine, they'll come to my room." David turned to Madison, "are you up for a game?"

"No we're not."

"Who asked you, Sambora? And when did you become a 'we'?"

Richie responded by pulling Madison closer as Jon just smiled and shook his head.

*****

Getting up to refresh Madison's drink, he was standing at the counter making small talk with the bartender when he felt someone lean into him from behind. He turned and found a completely soused Nina trying to hold herself up against him. "Richie, I've had too much to drink. Would you be a sweetheart and escort me to my room?"

Richie helped her into a stool, "don't worry, darlin', we'll get you to your room."

Nina smiled up at him, "thank you, you're so sweet," then turned and sneered at Jon who was watching the whole thing.

"Nina." She turned at his voice. "Nina, this is Pam. She's part of our security team and she will take you back to the hotel and up to your room." Richie was standing there with a formidable looking woman.

"But, Richie, I..."

"I think you should go back and get some rest. Pam will take good care of you."

Furious, Nina stalked out with Pam following at her heels.

Jon smiled in satisfaction. He actually wanted to burst out laughing but Madison had not witnessed the exchange and he didn't want to call attention to it.

*****

"Maddie, I hope you're coming back to David's suite with us."

"Why, Joanie? You know I don't play cards."

"I already told you. We're guests. I don't want you to be a burden on Richie."

Madison stared at her trying to get her thoughts together. Was she right? Is Richie just being nice?

"Ready to go, darlin'?"

Richie was holding his hand out to her. The look in his eyes told her that Joanna was wrong.

Without looking back, Madison slipped her hand in his and they walked out together.

Chapter 16

Madison was a bit flabbergasted when Lindsey suggested that she'd go with her but didn't want to pass up on this opportunity. Kris thought it was odd and eyed Lindsey warily but decided to let it go.

"Dress for the concert. I want to head straight for the arena when we're finished," instructed Lindsey.

Madison opted for casual, selecting a simple boat neck top paired with jeans. She wanted Richie's gift to be the highlight of her outfit and this would show it off nicely. Donning plain hoop earrings and sensible sandals, she was ready.

As she led the way out of the hotel, she heard a clack, clack, whomp, clack, clack, whomp coming up behind her, and turned to find the source of the noise. Lindsey was hobbling along behind her wearing stilettos with her ankles giving way every other step. "Lindsey! Why are wearing those? You're going to kill yourself before we even get to the church."

"This is how we always dress for a Bon Jovi concert," she informed Madison. "I'm fine. Now let's go before we're late."

Clack, clack, whomp, clack, clack, whomp.....

They opted to take a cab for the three miles to save time and Lindsey's feet. In less than ten minutes, they were standing in front of the Temple Church.

Temple Church
Built by the Knights Templar, Temple Church consists of two parts; The Round and the Chancel. The Round Church, consecrated in 1185, was designed after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, considered by the Crusaders to be the holiest place in the world. It is in the nave of the Round Church where the effigies of the knights lay in eternal silence.

"Ewwww!" Lindsey was squealing - and clacking - around the effigies, "what the hell are these, mummies?"

"Shhh! What's wrong with you?" Madison was mortified, "we're in a church. And no, those are not mummies. They're just stone effigies."

"Effi....what?"

"Effigies. Like statues. There are ten of them."

"Why are they lying down, then? And there are only nine statues. That one over there is just a slab."

This was true, for while nine of the effigies depicted the knights in various positions of repose, one sported what appeared to be a sarcophagus lid. Madison walked closer to it to read the sign at its foot: Attribution Unknown

"I'm not sure what that means." She didn't really care, either, as she was mesmerized by the sense of history as she crossed to the far side and touched the stained and crumbling walls of the many arches, imagining the stories they held. Between the arches of the alcoves, grotesque heads protruded from the mortarboard, seeming to mock her attempts to cajole them into telling her their secrets.

She was holding the pendant and scanning the alcoves for any significance to the writing that was on it, trying to recall what part the Temple played in the novel.

"What are you looking for?"

"To see if there's a connection to this pendant here."

Lindsey came up and took a closer look at the pendant. "I don't know. Part of it looks like those spirally designs," she pointed up towards to top of the polished dark marble columns. The columns, which were leaning outward at an odd angle, were not original to the structure and they contrasted with the ancient scroll work.

"Hmmm, maybe, but those designs are quite common. There must be something else." Madison smoothed her fingers over the etchings and scanned the nave. The high arches and the detailed stained glass windows offered no clues however, and crestfallen, she decided that this was not the place she was looking for. Could it be that I missed something at Westminster?

"Can we go now? This place creeps me out." Lindsey was starting to whine.

Madison sighed, but since they were not looking for the Holy Grail, agreed. If they hurry, they might be able to still make it to the sound check. Or at least catch the end of it. It was getting pretty late and if they kept dawdling, they might miss the start of the concert.

As they started out for the exit, Madison noticed a small set of stairs leading downward. "Let's check this out. Maybe there's something interesting down there."

They reached the bottom and seeing a door slightly ajar, pushed it and entered a small, dark room. "There's nothing in here, and it's dark and spooky. Let's get out of here." Lindsey was getting agitated at the delays.

"Fine." They turned to leave just as they heard the door close with a definitive click.

*****

"We're locked in!" Lindsey was hysterical. "Someone is trying to trap us here!"

"Calm down. It probably just closed on its own." Madison groped through the dark and found the handle. "It's locked."

"See what you did? I shouldn't have come with you. We're going to die here!" She was screaming.

"Lindsey! Stop!" Madison could not think with all the screeching. "I'm sure someone will come down soon," she said, her shaky voice betraying her confidence.

"No! Please, just get it open. I can't stay here, I can't..." Lindsey was sobbing now.

It dawned on Madison that Lindsey was claustrophobic and her initial irritation turned to sympathy. "Look, it's going to be okay." She put her arms around Lindsey and held her. Lindsey was resistant at first but then leaned into Madison and sobbed into her shoulder.

"Oh, my god. This place...it's dark and closed in...it's like a tomb..."

"Shhh, it's okay. We'll get out, I promise."

They stood there, Madison with her arms around Lindsey, for what seemed like an eternity. It could have been an hour, or it could have been a few minutes. It was hard to tell the passing of time when you were standing in total darkness.

"Aren't you afraid of anything?"

"Sure, I'm afraid of life, of failure, spiders..."

"No, I don't mean stuff like that." Lindsey suddenly remembered something in her purse and dug through it. After a few moments she produced the object in triumph.

Madison jumped back from the flickering flame coming from the lighter in Lindsey's hand. "What are you doing?"

"Getting some light into this god forsaken place. What's wrong?"

Madison fought to keep her fear in check as she knew that Lindsey needed that tiny bit of illumination more than she needed the solace of the darkness. Lindsey watched her as she backed away from the only source of comfort in the room.

"You're afraid of fire! Why?"

"Someone close to me died because of it."




They heard the turning of a key and suddenly the door swung open, flooding the room with the light coming from outside. "What are you people doing in here? This place is off limits to the public."

"Sorry, we thought there was more to see down here." Lindsey and Madison could not get out of there fast enough.

"This used to be a prison cell during the days of the Knights Templar," the church staffer told them, "it's a good thing I thought I heard voices down here."




"Nina will never let me live it down. She used to torment me when we were kids because of my fear of closed, dark spaces."

"Nina does not need to know."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Madison?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

Madison smiled a genuine smile for the first time at Lindsey. "Come on, we've most likely missed the first few minutes of the concert."

"How are we going to explain that?"

"We'll just tell them that we were in prison."

Laughing, they hurried off to find a cab.

Clack, clack, whomp, clack, clack, whomp.....

*****

Chapter 15

Madison tossed and turned for the second night in a row, thinking about her day and about Richie. This man that she had met just a few short days ago, had managed to invade her thoughts where no on else could in the past five years. He was funny and charming and had eyes that mesmerized and dimples that accented a boyish grin. Yet, there was something else. A connection that went beyond the fluff. A sense of loss and a searching for something that was just beyond their grasps. After several hours, she finally fell into a fitful sleep.

The morning was not kind to Madison. She felt like she had been flattened by a steam roller. Noticing that Joanna had already gotten up, she dragged herself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The quick shower did not do much and she wondered if she could just go back to bed, but she heard the murmur of voices coming from the sitting area and decided to go seek some coffee.

Wrapping her wet hair up in a towel, she put on her shorts and the penguin T-shirt and walked out of the bedroom.

"SURPRISE!"

There were a dozen silvery balloons floating around the room, bouncing off the ceiling as the roses tied to their ribbons kept them from flitting about aimlessly. On the coffee table sat an artfully arranged medley of fruit with one candle spilling over its wax melted by the flickering light. Situated around the 'cake' were a few beautifully wrapped presents.

Madison looked around and saw the smiling faces of Joanna, Kris and Patti, jubilant that they had managed to pull this off. David stood next to them, his wide grin making it obvious that he had had a helping hand. Tico and Hugh stood behind them, with Hugh holding the streamer of the one balloon that screamed 'Happy Birthday!' Jon was off to the other side, holding out a cup of coffee to her. Even the sisters were there, though their amusement seemed to be in the state of Madison's dishevelment. Richie's eyes heated as strands of wet hair escaped her towel and were framing her face in a way that conjured up other thoughts. He shook those thoughts out of his head and grinned at her, "Happy Birthday, darlin'."

This was a hundred times worse than she had imagined.


Richie noticed her slight hesitation and came up behind her. "Are you alright? It's just a candle, darlin'."

Moved by his obvious concern, she smiled up at him, "I'm fine." Then, removing her towel, she turned to the others, "thank you. It's been quite a while since someone had surprised me wearing my pajamas."

"Yeah, I would be surprised, too, if someone was wearing my pajamas." David yelped as that remark earned him a slap upside his head and he turned and scowled at Kris.

Following a hearty breakfast that was catered in, Madison blew out the one candle on her 'cake' and opened the presents. The girls had managed to find a bead store and had gotten her a set of fine European jeweler's tools. So that's what they were doing when I was in the art store. The guys gave her silver charms of famous London landmarks. She was surprised that the sisters had a gift for her; a key chain with little stars, hearts and tags emblazoned with the Coach logo. "They're beautiful! Thank you so much."

Jon thought his gift was a bit wacky, but Richie had insisted that she would love it. And he was right. The tiny brooch with a medallion of a man's head was received with laughter and a big hug.

Richie was a bit nervous about his gift. It was not something he would traditionally give to a girl, but when he saw it, it made him think of Madison. It was artsy and unusual and fit in with the styles of jewelry he'd seen her wear. He had seen it in one of her art magazines during the flight and ordered it and Jon's gift right after the dinner.

"Oh my god! I love it!" Madison immediately took it out of the box and put it on. Richie helped her fasten the necklace and she modeled it for everyone. He then frowned, "hey, how come I don't get a hug and a kiss?" He did.

"What is it?" Jon came to examine it up close. Joanna and Kris touched it, feeling its soft, malleable material. "It looks like a tattoo." David was trying to read the writing; 'My latest fantasy is about jumping on a moon walk...' "Cool."

Richie once again staked his claim by wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her free of them. Jon rolled his eyes, yet again.

*****

"We leave for sound check at two, girls. Be sure you're back in time for the ride to the arena."

"What's 'sound check'?" Madison wanted to know.

"That's when we test out the equipments and run through some songs. We need to make sure everything is working properly in each venue."

"Do I have to go? There's another place I really wanted to check out before we leave tomorrow."

Richie wanted Madison there with him, but he understood her need. "I wish you would come with us. But if you're going to go off on your own, take your pass with you so you won't have any trouble getting in."


After the men left for their interviews, the girls were lazing around their suite trying to decide what to do. Lunch was the farthest thing from their minds after that huge breakfast and they chose to just shop around near the hotel.

Madison was trying to get Joanna to go with her but she might as well have tried to move a mountain. "Are you nuts? Why would I miss a Bon Jovi sound check to go see another church with you?" Madison sighed and relented as she did not want to go roaming in an unknown town alone.

*****

"What are you doing with all those travel brochures?"

Lindsey was watching her sister spreading out the pamphlets on the bed. "Madison wants to go somewhere but not by herself. Just checking to see where she might want to visit."

"You're going to go sightseeing with your nemesis?" Lindsey was incredulous.

"No, Einstein. You are."

"What? No way. I'm not missing sound check."

"Look, Linds, I did not have to bring you, you know." Nina glared at her sister. "You will go with her wherever she wants to go. Besides, you owe me. You gave her my key chain."

"We couldn't just go empty handed," Lindsey reasoned.

Nina ignored her. "This will give me enough time to get to Richie.......alone." Nina smirked and patted herself on the back for this fleeting moment of genius.

"But I don't have a pass to get in..." Lindsey trailed off as Nina held out an all access pass to her.

"Always thinking ahead, huh, sis?"

*****


*Author's note: To see Madison's gifts, check out The Visuals*

Chapter 14

"So, what do you want to do on your birthday, Maddie?" They were lingering over coffee after a filling dinner arranged for the band and the girls in a private dining room.

"Joanie!" Madison groaned, "you know I don't like to be reminded of my birthday."

"Why? What's wrong with getting older?" Joanna countered.

It wasn't that Madison had anything against growing old. She just didn't like the fuss that went with birthdays. A nice dinner with a small group of close friends was the most she was willing to bear.

"You didn't tell me it was your birthday, darlin'." Richie was oddly hurt that she had not let him in on that bit of information.

"That's because I quit having birthdays when I was twenty five."

Richie laughed at her logic. "I don't think that's how it works, sweetheart."

"Well," Joanna interrupted the two, "at least let me take you to lunch tomorrow."

"Fine.......and thank you."

*****

After dinner, David announced another poker game and everyone groaned.

"Awww, come on, you guys."

"Just give it up already, Rashbaum," Tico spoke up, "they're never going to tell you, anyway."

Jon turned to Kris, "why don't you just make something up so he would stop driving us crazy?" Then he added in a lower voice so David couldn't hear, "but you can tell me what the real story is."

"Oh no, you're not getting a freebie, mister." Kris smirked at him. "If you want to know, you're going to have to work for it."

"Fine by me," he shrugged, "it doesn't really bother me anyway." In truth, he was just as curious as the rest of them but was not about to get sucked in by their little game. No, that would positively be too immature. He would just beat it out of Rich.

Game or not, they all ended up in Jon's suite again.

Jon, Richie and Madison made themselves comfortable in one corner and were discussing the book. Well, Jon and Madison were discussing the book. Richie was feeling left out since he hadn't read it and tried to make his position known by wrapping his arm around Madison's waist and pulling her close to him. This action was not lost on Jon and he rolled his eyes. Possessive SOB.

Tico and Hugh were arguing with Kris and the girls about what game to play.

David was whining.

The sisters sat aloof, all decked out in their Dior-Or-Is-That-Chanel-Clashing-With-Herrera-And-What-The-Hell-Kind-Of-Belt-Is-That finery that no one noticed.

This scene would be the setting for many nights to come.



"So, what do you think about the theory that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene?" Jon wanted to know her point of view.

Madison thought about it for a moment before she spoke. "I think it's plausible. I mean, it would be odd not to be married in those times." She bit her lower lip in concentration, then continued, "either way, there is really no way to prove or disprove it, is there?"

"I guess not, but a lot of Christians got upset over this book."

"I don't understand that. It's fiction. Dan Brown said so himself." This was a pet peeve of Madison's. "There were many books published as fact or theories on this same subject before his novel came out, and I haven't heard a peep out of those same people. At this rate, soon we're going to have people bent out of shape over the existence of the Jedi."

"But what do you think this book has to do with your pendant?" Jon was studying the silvery object.

"I'm not sure," she sighed. "My art teacher sent it, and I accidentally shook out the bookmark she'd set to mark the page for me."

Madison was feeling dejected. This was not going as well as she had hoped. While Jon was flipping through the book, she got up and walked over to the tall windows and stood gazing out to the streets and the park below. Richie came up and put his arm around her and she found comfort in that small gesture.

"Hey, come on, we'll figure it out. I give him a lot of shit but Jon is really good at this stuff. And if we can't find something by the end of this tour, we can extend it for a couple of days and really go out and investigate."

"Really?" Madison was touched by his offer. Her elation was short lived however, as she realized she would be taking advantage and quickly declined. "Thank you, but that's not necessary.....I mean, it's not that important....."

"Not that important? Madison, this is the reason you came on this tour, isn't it? I don't know what meaning this pendant holds for you, but it's obviously not some frivolous treasure hunt." Richie held both of her shoulders and made her face him. "I know it's important to you and I want to help. No ifs, ands or buts."

"But....."

"Nuh uh, what did I just tell you?" Richie scowled down at her. "You're not good at following directions, are you?"

"Of course not," she laughed, "I'm the teacher! I'm used to giving them." Then she paused and gave him a wary look. "What makes you think that that's the reason for me coming here?"

"Well, the only one of us you recognized was pretty boy over there," he gestured towards Jon with a jerk of his thumb. "And obviously, a dead crab was more interesting than me."

Richie was pouting again, bringing out the giggles in her.

"Well, things have changed," Madison gave him a demure look, "at least I realize now that there is actually something else I find quite enticing. Something that makes me glad I decided to come."

"Yeah?" Richie grinned down at her, "and what might that be?"

"Europe is fascinating!" she teased and squealed as Richie grabbed her and started tickling.

"Okay, okay! I give up!"

Richie stopped the tickling but kept his arms around her waist. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "I'm helping you. End of story."

They sat back down with Jon and scoured over the book with Madison relating the crux of the novel to Richie. "Yeah? Holy crap, now I have to read it."



They had planned to end the evening well before midnight as the band had an early start the next day with interviews beginning at noon, but they didn't count on Kris and the girls winning almost every game and David demanding a rematch.

"Just let him win once, for crying out loud!" Hugh was ready to strangle him.

David was indignant. "I'm being gentlemanly and letting our guests win. Where the hell is your hospitality?"

"And what's your excuse when one of us wins?" Hugh shot back, following that with a roll of his eyes.

David just opted to flip him off.

Finally, at nearly two AM, they decided to call it a night and everyone started milling around for their belongings. Richie was engrossed in the book he had wrested from Jon, and was flipping through the pages with one hand while the other was firmly wrapped around Madison. Jon had rested his head on the back of the couch and had promptly dozed off. Madison had followed suit and was sleeping on Richie's shoulder.

"Maddie, wake up, we're leaving." Joanna gently shook her.

Instinctively, Richie's arm tightened around Madison. "It's okay, Joanie, let her sleep."

Joanna glared at him for a second but then smiled. "No, she shouldn't be imposing on you like this. Sorry about that, Richie."

Before Richie could reply, Madison stirred awake. "Are you guys leaving?"

"Yes, we are. Now come on, get up." Joanna practically pulled her up from Richie's grasp.

Madison looked back at Richie and he understood the unspoken apology in her eyes. Sighing, he nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Maddie! Stop dallying, let's go!"

Jon had watched the entire scene while pretending to be asleep and argued with himself whether to butt in or not..

*****