It's September 9, 1988 nine a.m. and Riot is looking out the window of his private office of Starlight Music. His band was just getting ready to start their rock fashion book. Riot's girlfriend Jerrica had set up a meeting with Robert Arlington of Arlington Publishing so the two men could meet. However, unknown to him Jerrica had slipped inside his office. Watching him look out the window, Jerrica thinks about the previous night. Her boyfriend was wearing his Stingers Trademark outfit. Underneath a yellow and black blazer was a white long sleeve silk shirt and although it was very attractive, that wasn't what got her attention. It was his black leather pants that were so tight it was like they were a part of him. She licks her lips remembering last night. "Stop it Jerrica, you have to concentrate. She then walks up behind him and slips her arms under his, wrap them around his waist.
"Good morning Rory, are you ready to meet with Mr. Arlington?" she asks him as he faces her. "Yes, however if he asks to do you and the Holograms first I don't mind waiting. The stingers can do their rock fashion book after yours is finished." Jerrica giggles, "Oh ok if that's what you want then fine, now as for this surprise?" she asks him wondering what it was. "Now that I won't tell you not until after tonight." he then kisses her on the lips; and as the two kiss Riot remembers how he had discovered Jem was Jerrica. To think all this time she was Jem." In fact he found the same way that Raya did. In fact to this day he had to admit seeing Jem change back to Jerrica still amazed him and it all happened three days after Jem had helped Riot and his father make amends. Right before Jem and the holograms next concert Jem and the Holograms had just finished their practice session at Starlight Auditorium. Although it had taken them a while to pick a song it was finally decided unanimously that it would be a song they had played during their first year.
(Flashback February 25, 1988)
The girls had been going over songs for a benefit concert for Haven House and for a while they thought it would be easy but, as they were looking over their previous hits that they had done that year and the year before that, nothing seemed to grab them. It was Raya who got inspired to offer that they play something from when they first started. "Alright Raya what did you have in mind?" asked Jem.
"Well I've always liked the song, there's a Melody Playing. I think it was one of my favorite songs and it has that awesome drumbeat." Jem looks at the other Holograms. The group then begins to play an hour passes and after seeing that they looked, ready Jem suggests that all they needed to do was choose their clothes.
Instantly Kimber decides she wants to wear her pink striped pantsuit. The remaining Holograms turn facing her. At times Jem feared her sister was sticking manly to one type of outfit and it was getting tiresome. Why, don't you wear that cute little blue and white diagonal striped dress," replies Shana. Having that problem solved the other Holograms decided on what they were going to wear. Aja and Shana felt that since they had worn particular concert outfits more then a few times. Aja white vest and gold vest outfit while Shana wore a lot a purple bluish cap sleeve dress. Seeing this Aja decides that she would wear her blue jumpsuit outfit with gold gloves and Shana made the decision to wear her gold and white stage ensemble.
She felt her white fashion would go well with Jem's purple white Hollywood Jem outfit. Last but not least was Raya. With her it was even simpler since it was the blue wrap dress that she wore when she won the drummer contest, that she would wear that. The girls then got ready to leave the auditorium. Well, that is, except, for Jem. Jerrica still had some work to do and she wanted to finish it up. "Ok, but don't take to long we have a busy day tomorrow," adds Shana. The Holograms then leave the room. However, as the Holograms were coming out they didn't notice Riot who had arrived on the scene with a dozen red roses. He wanted to take Jem to dinner. The blonde singer felt he owed Jem something for helping him and his father make peace. He waits until the Holograms are out of the room, but, just as he enters the room, he sees something; something that shocks him. To this amazement Riot watches Jem being surrounded in a pink light and after it dissipates is Jerrica Benton.
Instantly Riot is awe by what he sees. Jerrica was Jem he quickly turns back towards the wall to lean back against it. Was he seeing things? It couldn't be possible he turns back now there was a woman hovering over Jerrica. At first Riot can't believe his eyes especially the fact this was purple woman.
"Ok Rory get a grip on yourself," he had said that day. He turns back to look again. The purple woman then speaks. "Jerrica I am concerned. Are you falling in love with Riot?" "That's silly Synergy I can't be. Jem is in love with Riot not Jerrica," she had stated. "But Jerrica you are Jem. Remember Jem is only a hologram. A program your father created so you could become a musician. At times I wish you remember that." "I know Synergy, I know. I feel I have to keep telling myself this." Jerrica then sighed. "At times I don't know what to do." "Please explain," Synergy had asked. "I thought Rory Llewelyn was an arrogant uncaring jerk Synergy but after seeing how he was around his mother it dawned on me that maybe the arrogance might have been an act. That maybe he really wasn't that bad. I just wish he had given me a better chance."
Jerrica then took a seat on the stage. She was in a dilemma. A dilemma she didn't how to fix. Synergy then lowered herself so she could sit next to Jerrica. "Jerrica he could be like Eric or the misfits." Jerrica nodded her head but her heart was somewhere else. "He can't be like them. Not once did he ever ask who Jem was. Not once even on that island when we were alone together. I know a few times on the island during those three days I changed back to myself.
I'm lucky Rory didn't notice, but then again maybe he might have understood." Jerrica then turned and faced Synergy. "I'm lonely, Rio wants only Jem now." Synergy stares at her. "Yes I know I'm saying myself as a third party. It's a habit I have to break but still that's how it is. He loves the illusion not me. I thought we were okay after Minx's little near death accident. We were happy at least I thought we were, but then I was wrong.
See Kimber told Rio about me helping Rory with his parents.It made him angry. He told me as Jem that he didn't want me to talk to Riot. I asked him as Jem if he loved me he said he did, that was when I asked him about Jerrica. Yes again I stated myself as a third party but what else can I do. Rio then told me as Jem that Jerrica at times didn't want to be with him. That all I cared about were the starlight girls and running starlight Music.
I was to busy to spend time with him; and you know something Synergy I would like to spend time with him but how can I Kimber refuses to still to help run our father's company. All she cares about is that Jem goes to events and that we can go to more parties. I don't know how much longer I can run Starlight Music without help." Jerrica then got up and walked over to her brief case and open it. She took out a picture of her parents.
"You had it easy dad, you had mom then Eric help you run Starlight Music." The words nearly knock Riot over as if punched in the stomach. The roses he had with him fell to the ground. This gets both women's attention. The two women look to see Riot standing in the doorway. Now he had to face the music he couldn't disappear now. Jerrica gulped. "Riot?" the blonde singer can only shake his head. On the island he thought what he had seen was a trick of the sun but now it made sense.
"Jerrica I don't understand." She then got up and walked over to him. "Before I answer that I need to know right now that the man I had seen fall apart when he had found out his mother was ill was not an act to get sympathy. That you are a good person like I had hoped and you won't go to Eric and tell him what you saw here. Nothing would make him happier to see me fail." Immediately Riot took her hands in his. "I would never do that do to you. Your identity is your business not anyone else's" he then lead her back to the stage and after seating her on it asked her to explain. "You were there for me when I needed you something tells me its time I return the favor."From that day things changed between Riot and Jerrica. At first it was just a friendship but that was not long because two weeks later after a hectic St. Patrick's Day Riot and Jerrica started to date. Although it hadn't started out that way it seems after drinking a little bit too much champagne the two ended up necking out by the Aeolean harp. They were in the back of Riot's white limousine. As Riot started to remove Jerrica's sea-green long dress with short sleeves off her shoulders kissing her neck.
Immediately the blonde singer heard her moan. After removing her bra Riot began to kiss lower and lower until he reached her panties and that was when Jerrica stopped him with her hand. "Rory," she had asked touching his face. "Uh I hadn't counted on this. What are we doing?" Riot raised himself up and caressed her cheek. "Ok maybe things have changed but is that so bad?" he had asked her as he kissed her. "I think we can easily assume we don't need to pretend we are just friends anymore." He then lowered his hand to her panties slipping it inside.
"Technically speaking I think we are far, far past that," he had stated his moved two of his fingers inside her. Jerrica tried to argue with him but as she felt his fingers moving inside all she could do was moan in ecstasy. Who was she kidding he was right. She was Jem. All those times Riot and her kissed he was technically speaking kissing Jerrica Benton. However as the clock struck twelve Riot decided not to rush things. When he and Jerrica made that important decision he wanted it to be romantic. He wanted it to be in his suite in his bed candles lit surrounding them soft music playing in the background. Then after taking her home Riot kissed her goodnight. That perfect evening would happen just not yet. One month later and on a cool spring evening Riot took Jerrica back to his place where just as he had planned lit candles surrounding his bed. Flower petals on the floor this was an added touch of romance he just couldn't resist and some soft music being played in the background Jerrica Benton lost her virginity to Rory Llewelyn. The following morning she awoke to a kiss and breakfast in bed. Riot then after waiting for Jerrica to finish her breakfast wrapped her in his arms. He then whispered just as he had when he had entered her the night before told Jerrica he loved her.
Knowing that it was Sunday Riot thought why the rush and insisted that they spend the rest of the day together. One month later Jerrica took Krissie and Banee to their school to see their pictures. Mainly it was for parents of the kids so they could see what their kids were doing however as Jerrica took her two girls to look at the pictures Banee started to cry. She wanted her father. Not wanting to cause a scene Jerrica took the girls home and even though Krissie and Ashley tried to cheer Banee up with Carrot cake or go see a movie it didn't' pan out. Jerrica even tried to get Randy James to come over to see Banee. That failed as well. Not knowing what else to do Jerrica got the holograms together. "I'm going to see Riot." "But why Riot," asked Kimber. "His father is in Army Intelligence," she replied. Jerrica then changed into Jem saying that Riot may not want to help Jerrica but he would help Jem. This was a lie. By now Riot knew everything. Jerrica had told him from beginning to when she first met Riot at Le Klub Kool. At least now she had someone who understood her dilemma. Jem then went to see Riot at his place and after changing back to Jerrica told him the situation.
"Of course I'm not as heartless as you think." He then kissed her. "Do you think after I get the information from my father we could have dinner." "That would be wonderful." She then left his apartment. Two days passed and after an exhausting search for Banee's father Jem and the holograms were able to reunite the two. Although saddened to see her go Jerrica was given support first by the holograms and then by Rio but only as Jem. Their road manager didn't really have much sympathy towards Jerrica now.
Nevertheless Riot came by later not wanting his companion to be left alone in despair he insisted that she come with him back to his place. If anyone needed support right then it was her. As the weeks passed and Mother's day arrived Riot did everything he could do to support his girlfriend's sadness. Knowing that her mother was gone Riot did everything he could to support her even by having Jerrica spend time with his parents especially with his mother. That helped a lot. However as June came by and their relationship was become more serious Riot decided that it was time to make a request. He didn't mind Jerrica not wanting to tell the holograms about them dating but Rio he had to be told.
