FicWad

Chapter Twenty Two -

14th November 2006



Jill could feel her heart beating heavily in her chest as she walked up to lift, Bob instantly took her bags from her and before she had a chance to stop him. She looked at him and sighed, he was so good to her but they only had such a short time together before he would be off again. Jill knew she couldn't let herself become too relaxed or used to having him around. They both followed Worm as he led them out of the hotel and into the underground car park. Jill couldn't help but think of the A-Team when she spotted the blacked-out van that they would be travelling in to the venue.

"You both finally made it then," Frank shouted as Jill pulled herself into the van.

Bob followed Jill in and sat down beside her, "We're not late." Bob replied.

"Ahem," Ray said pointing at his watch, "I think Worm said 4pm and it's now 4.30pm."

"Kinda strange though because Bob is never late." Gerard added as he smirked at both Bob and Jill and he noticed Jill start to go red.

"Look at that innocent face going all red." Frank added pointing at Jill.

"You guys are just evil," Mikey said as he looked at Gerard and Frank, "Don't let these guys bother you Jill, they're just frustrated because they ain't getting any."

"I think you guys have the wrong impression of me," Jill pleaded, "Nobody is getting any, I mean, "Jill paused looking at Bob, "You lot think something is going on when it isn't and well, I'm gonna stop talking now," Jill covered her flaming cheeks with her hands and wished she didn't go red so easily.

"I'm sure her nose just got bigger," Frank whispered to Gerard.

"I bet that's not the only thing that got bigger," Gerard quipped back.

They instantly shut up as Bob turned and gave them an icy glare before silently telling them off with a hand signal.

"You guys are so dead," Mikey whispered as he lent forward in his chair to be close to Gerard and Frank.

"Totally dead," Ray added grinning, "You just made the Bryar mad."

As the van made it's way through the city centre all Jill could do was wish the ground would swallow her up. She could take the teasing and joking around but she worried about the impression she was giving out of herself. Bob seemed to pick up on her discomfort as he discreetly wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed it gently. Jill glanced out the window as the van made it's way through the busy city centre streets.

"What you doing?" Bob asked as Jill began to gather her bags as she recognised the street that would lead them up to the Barrowlands.

"I don't want to get lynched when I get out of here and now I look like I'm working," Jill smiled as she put the strap of her laptop bag over her head.

Bob sighed as he watched her, he had become to realise in the short period they had become closer how much she bothered about what other people thought of her. He wasn't mad at the other guys for joking around as they could be merciless with each other at times but he was so tempted to slap them hard when he had them on their own.

The van stopped at the back of the barrowlands and Worm opened the door.

"Can we please go and see the fans now?" Frank asked Worm.

"Five minutes Frank and I mean it, you guys are already running late and Brian will have my head if you piss off the press for being late." Worm said.

"I promise," Frank replied as he grabbed Gerard.

"Hold on, who's all going because I'll need to get more security in place." Worm asked sounding exasperated.

"It's just a small group of fans," Frank added

"I'm not taking any chances," Worm replied phoning through for more guys as Gerard, Ray and Bob said they would go.

"Mikey you coming?" Gerard asked noticing his brother starting to walk towards Jill.

"Em, nah, I'm gonna keep Jill company." Mikey replied.

"You don't have to do that," Jill said looking up at him.

"I'm not very good with the fans anyway," Mikey said as he scrapped his feet against the path, "I get too self-concious and they think I'm stand-offish and rude so it's probably best not to bother."

Gerard watched from a distance as his brother spoke with Jill, Mikey's head was down as he looked at his feet. It was like a knife to his stomach, he had seen his brother act like this before and he hoped to hell it wasn't starting to happen again. He was pleased to see Mikey at least talking to Jill as he knew like him it usually took his brother took a long time before he trusted someone. His worries subsided slightly as he continued to watch them as they both started to laugh before they turned to walk into the venue.

"You've got a good one there Bob," Gerard said as the words just rolled of his tongue.

"Eh?" Bob replied.

"When are you guys going to stop pretending that there is nothing going on?" Gerard said.

"I should be kicking both your asses anyway," Bob suddenly said to Frank and Gerard.

"What did we do?" Frank replied back innocently.

"You know exactly what you did," Bob responded.

"Sorry Bob, we just get carried away." Gerard replied.

"mm" Bob said raising his eyebrow, "Just be careful what you say around Jill."

Frank stopped for a moment, "So what's going on with you two?"

"It isn't really the place to talk about it." Bob replied nodding towards the now very excited fans.

"There's always a way to avoid the question with you." Frank said showing his frustration.

x------x


The Glasgow Barrowlands was known as one of the best places in the UK to play with it's underground vibe and the fact that you played within touching distance of the fans. Jill had always loved going to see bands there but as she sat in her own makeshift office, she felt the creepiness of the dark corridors start to get her. She started up her laptop and tried to settle down to finish her latest update for Ruth.

x------x

Bob let his mind wander as the band were interviewed by yet another journalist, he had improved over time with dealing with this part of his job but everytime he tried to focus on the words being spoken his mind would drift off to the one person who was not in the room. He breathed heavily as he thought about having to leave in two days. Before coming back to the UK he had managed to put aside his feelings for Jill as just a simple attraction but now having spent some time with her he knew it was so much more. He thought about how much she made him laugh, the way she made him feel when she did simple things like place her hand within his and the way she had looked at him when she pinned him down in that seat.

"Earth to Bob," Ray whispered as he noticed the vacant look on the drummers face.

Frank couldn't help but giggle as Bob completely ignored Ray, "Come in number seven, you're time is up."

Bob stirred slightly as he snapped out of his thoughts,"Eh, what?"

The interviewer tutted slightly, "Sorry to bore you to death Mr Bryar," he snapped.

"I'm really sorry," Bob tried to apologise as the man stood up from his chair, "I'm not usually like this, I just have a lot on my mind."

"Whatever man," the man shrugged leaving the room.

"He was a bit of a rude bastard," Mikey said as the door to the room was shut.

"You forgot the arrogant part," Gerard added standing up and ruffling his brothers hair.

"Hey Gee, leave my hair alone," Mikey replied getting up to check his hair in the mirror.

Gerard just smiled at his brother, "I mean it though if one more person asks me about my hair I'm shaving it off."

"Will I get the razor ready then?" Frank responded crossing his arms, "It's always cold in this place."

"It's all the ghosts," Jill responded as she walked through the doorway behind them causing Ray and Bob to jump.

"It wouldn't surprise me if this place is haunted," Frank replied looking round at her.

"Me neither considering the murderer that picked his victims up from here." Jill replied nonchantly as she sat down beside Frank.

"Oh what murderer?" Gerard asked suddenly very interested.

"You've never heard of Bible John then?" Jill said looking at them all.

"No," Gerard replied.

"Well, during the 1960's three women were murdered after they had each had a night out here, it used to be a dancehall which is why this place is sometime refered to as the Barrowland Ballroom," Jill explained, "Anyway each of the girls had been spotted becoming aquainted with a man who was described as slim and well dressed and the three murders were linked together."

"But why was he called Bible John?" Ray asked slightly puzzled.

"Well the last victim had been on a night out with some friends and they recalled him quoting from the bible and stating that he didn't drink but just prayed," Jill replied, "Although I don't know why they let their friend go off with this guy he looked so creepy according to the drawings made of him."

"I love this kind of thing," Gerard replied hanging off Jill's every word.

"You're just sick dude," Ray responded laughing.

"He's kinda right Jill, I am a bit sick." Gerard added smiling at Jill's shocked expression.

"Anyway, I thought you wanted some quiet to get your work done?" Ray asked trying to stop Gerard freaking Jill out.

"I didn't have much to do and anyway it's too creepy to be on your own back here and since you guys are finished with the press I thought it would be okay to come back in here." Jill explained.

"Well I don't know about that because technically you do work for a magazine and are writing an article on us so I'm not sure if you qualify for special privileges," Gerard teased.

Jill didn't know if Gerard was being serious with her or not, he was so difficult to read at times and she knew they would probably want some alone time before their final sound check.
"You know I'm really sorry I really shouldn't just assume its okay for me to walk in here," Jill replied starting to stand up.

Gerard looked up at her with surprise, "I'm kidding with you Jill, of course you are more than welcome to stick about with us."

"Oh," Jill replied.

The lights started to flicker and Jill froze with horror as the room was soon plunged into darkness.

"Nooo, fuck it, I'm freaking myself out here," Jill said anxiously before she felt an arm going around her.

"It's okay,"

"I must be the only person that can scare herself with her own ghost stories," Jill replied relaxing as the guys each lit their lighters, "I suppose this is the one time where it counts to be a smoker."

"You okay?" Frank asked as he dropped his arm from around her.

"I'm fine now, thanks Frank," Jill replied.

Frank instinctively stepped away as Bob eventually reached Jill and he watched as Jill instantly calmed with the reassurance of Bob being beside her.

"Hey guys, it's just a fuse problem with a couple of the back rooms," Worm said as he stood at the doorway, "Lights will be back on in a minute."

"This place reminds me so much of some of the places we played around New York," Ray said as the lights began to flicker back on.

"Totally, I kinda like it," Frank replied sitting back down.

"I've never been to New York." Jill added as she plonked herself down beside Frank.

"You are joking?" Frank replied.

"Nope, never been," Jill said smiling," I haven't even been to America."

"I would have thought with your job," Gerard added.

"I always get so close to finally bagging a trip but it never works out," Jill sighed, "I was supposed to do an interview with Green Day and it was all set up but it didn't work out."

"Well we'll just have to think of an excuse so they can send you over there," Frank said, "You would love New York, personally New Jersey is the place to go, Manhattan is just nuts,"

"Don't listen to him Jill, if you want to see the real America you need to bypass New York and fly straight on to Chicago," Bob said as he leaned into her.

"The windy city," Jill replied.

"Best city in the world." Bob said proudly.

Frank burst out laughing, "You're so deluded."

The door opened, "Right guys final sound check."

They all automatically stood up except Jill.

"You want to come and watch us?" Bob asked holding out his hand to her.

"That'd be great," Jill replied not wanting to be left on her own.

Jill stood in the corner of the hall as they ran through a couple of songs, they were so good and the sound bounced off the walls of the small venue. Jill realised that this could be one of the last times that they would ever play such a small venue and it was such a shame. She was so pleased that they had achieved the level of success all their hard work had earned but she couldn't help but think that the essence of seeing a band like this live was to be packed like sardines in a small venue, with no razzmatazz but just 5 guys playing their hearts out on a stage.

After the sound check they all returned to the dressing room and Bob insisted that Jill work from this room despite her protesting about being in the way. As they continued to light-heartedly bicker with each other, much to Frank and Ray's amusement, they didn't notice the man who had entered the room with Worm. That was until Gerard almost yelled out and jumped up from his seat.

"It's such an honour to meet you and I'm so glad you could make it," Gerard said looking overwhelmed by the meeting.

"Guys, I'd like you to meet Grant Morrison," Gerard said proudly before he ushered the man to a seat. Jill glanced over as they all shook hands and she smiled as they all looked puzzled, well all except Mikey. Gerard was in his element as he puffed on his cigarette and talked so animatedly with Grant. Jill knew who Grant was but she fascinated to see Gerard get so excited to speak with him.

"Who's the guy?" Bob asked as he sat beside Jill.

"He's a Scottish writer, he mainly works on comics and his stuff is amazing." Jill replied her focus still on Grant.

"Did you know Gerard's writing a comic?"

Jill's attention snapped back to Bob, "Really?"

"Yeah, he's just struck a deal with Dark Horse comics," Bob replied.

"Wow, that's brilliant," Jill said, "What kind of comic will it be?"

"I don't think I'm supposed to say but it's called The Umbrella Academy," Bob whispered, "You should ask him about it, he loves talking about it."

Jill looked back at Gerard, "That's so cool having your own comic series."

"Please don't tell me you have a geeky obsession with comics too, I'm surrounded by these nutters," Bob laughed.

"No, you're fine," Jill replied, "I like the odd comic but I usually just read them if they're lying about."

"I can live with that," Bob instantly replied.

Jill looked over at him, "Unless it's Spiderman, I'm afraid I can't resist Spiderman."

Bob laughed again, "That's okay I can cope with Spiderman."

"20 minutes until show time," a voice shouted through the door.

Jill glanced at her watch and the time seemed to have just disappeared. She closed down her laptop and put it back in her bag. She was determined to give the guys some peace before they went on plus the fact she wanted to get out there amongst the crowd.

"You leaving us?" Frank asked as he noticed her gathering up her things.

Jill nodded, "You guys need some alone time plus I want to bag a semi-decent spot to enjoy the show."

"That's alright then; take care of yourself out there as it's usually a bit mad here." Frank said before he insisted Jill hug him.

"Will do," Jill replied hugging him.

She laughed as they all then held out their arms.

"It's a tradition; everyone in the room gets a hug." Ray explained as Jill was hugged, spun around and then hugged again.

Jill swayed slightly as she tried to regain her balance," I better be off then," she laughed trying to open the door but due to the dizziness she missed the handle completely and they all laughed at her. She smiled at Bob as he opened the door for her and followed her out. He glanced back into the dressing room and stuck two fingers up at his bandmates, "I'll be two minutes guy."

"Thanks Bob," Jill said as Bob put her bag down in her little spooky room.

"It is a bit of the stuff of nightmares in here," Bob said laughing.

"It is," Jill replied suddenly aware of the fact that they were once again alone, "You better be getting ready Bob, since you appear to have only dressed your bottom half."

"I kind of like it like this, with the black parade trousers and hoodie," Bob replied, "I tell you it gets really hot in that jacket."

Jill laughed nervously, the idea of Bob getting all hot and sweaty popped into her head and she swore that every day she spent with him her mind was getting filthier by the minute. Either that or she was so used to spending so much time with Ruth it had finally worn off on her.

"I better go," Bob almost whispered as he moved to hug her.

"mmm," Jill replied leaning into him, "It'll be a brilliant show if the sound of the crowd is anything to go by."

"BOB, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?" Ray shouted

"I'm coming goddamit," Bob replied as he kissed Jill on the forehead.

"Ewwwwwww, do you have to give us the graphic details?" Frank yelled back.

Bob looked at Jill and watched her roll her eyes at Frank's comments, "I swear Bob, Frank's a gutter merchant."

"I know, but just wait I shall have my vengeance," Bob replied smirking.

"Have a good one," Jill said as she watched him disappear back into the dressing room.

Jill made her way from the back stage area and showed her pass that Bob had given her earlier which allowed her to move freely throughout the venue. She quickly hid it in the pocket of her jeans as she joined the crowd. The show was fantastic and all that was missing were her usual gig buddies. Jill was used to going to shows by herself with her job but nothing beat going with your friends and just losing yourself completely.

x------x

Jill was exhausted as she wearily walked into the hotel, she had only been with the group less than a week and it made her realise how difficult it must be to do this non-stop for months on end.

"You look totally beat," Ray said as he walked beside her.

Jill looked over at him, struggling to keep her eyes open and feeling that drowsy sickly way when all you want to do is sleep but you can't, "It's been a long day." She mumbled back, "how do you do this for so long?"

"You mean the touring?" Ray asked as Jill nodded her head,"You get used to it, plus you're working every spare moment you get whereas we sleep."

"I guess," Jill replied trying to focus on the door ahead of her, she just needed to get through that door, jump in the lift and drag herself down a corridor to her room and nice warm bed. She didn't even hear Bob approach her and she immediately leaned back into him as she felt his arm going round her.

"Will you be okay?" Bob asked.

"Yeah, I just need to sleep." Jill replied relieved to finally be in the lift.

As the door opened at her floor, she staggered out.

"Night Jill," Gerard laughed.

"Night," Jill mumbled as Bob led her back to her room.

Worm held the lift open as he watched Bob help Jill open the door, "Will he becoming back?"

"I think so," Ray replied looking over at the other guys who all just shrugged their shoulders.

Bob quickly came back to the lift, "She's really tired."

"mmm," Frank replied.

"Just say nothing Iero, nothing," Bob warned as the lift doors shut.

x------x

Jill staggered over to her bed and pulled back the covers, she didn't even bother to get changed as she slowly kicked off her boots and fell into her bed.


Thanks for all the reviews and i'm so pleased you guys are still enjoying the story. Please feel free to rate/review as they keep me going - THANK YOU :)