Disclaimer: If I really owned Jem, I'd be a millionaire and she'd still be on tv. So take a good guess on my ownage status.....I only own the fic idea dude! Songs count too. I'll credit them later.

I'M ALIVE!!!!! And with a new Fic in a new section! JEM!!!! I love that show! This is my first Jem fanfic so be nice! You know the rules: You flame, I'll shame!

And this is an AU fic, but it kinda can go along with the show.

Note: Jerrica Benton's birthday is June 1st, 1966. Jem was started in 1985, so this fic takes place in 1987, making her 22. And Rio worked for Jerrica's father, that's how they met, so I assume he's older than her a bit. Since I don't know his actual birthday, he'll just be 25 in this story.

And you must know something about Jem otherwise you wouldn't be reading this! So no need to go there. Just for those who never saw any of the Parent Trap movies or read the book, when I say "...pulled the parent trap...", that means she switched places.

Now for the Jem theme song!

Jem! Jem is excitement! Oooooooooh Jem....Jem is....whatever, just read!! LOL

*~*~*~*

Chapter 1: Reflections

Jerrica Benton sighed as she signed yet another paper. Being President of Starlight Music was a long tiring job, but someone had to do it.

When Jerrica wasn't working in the office, she was Jem! The multi platinum Princess of the music world. She was every girls inspiration and every man's fantasy. But in Jem/Jerrica's heart, there was only one man on her mind...

Rio...

Being two different people and keeping it a secret was getting harder and harder to do. Jerrica was literally being pulled into two different directions and it hurt because they kept her away from Rio.

Tears fell down her face as she thought about it. She loved Rio more than anything and they told each other on numerous occasions. But deep in the back of her mind, she knew that Rio was in love with Jem.

In a way Jerrica would feel happy because she was Jem. But Jem is another woman, another side of Jerrica that no one knew about. Behind the glittering make up and outrageous costumes was the secret Jerrica Benton side.

//Who is that girl I see

Staring straight back at me?

Why is my reflection

Someone I don't know?

Must I pretend that I'm

Someone else for all time?

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

Why must we all conceal

What we think, how we feel?

Must there be a secret me

I'm forced to hide?

I won't pretend that I'm

Someone else for all time

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside?

When will my reflection show

Who I am inside? //

Jerrica's father always knew that she had a natural singing talent. Hearing her in school plays and with her friend over the years often made him want to let Jerrica make an album. But Jerrica always said no. She was too shy singing in huge crowds. Then after her father's death and Synergy's appearance, Jem was made. She was Jerrica's gift and curse.

Jem was a mask Jerrica hid behind while singing. Free to express herself without the world knowing who she really was. At first it was like a Godsend. Then the dream was over and reality stepped in.

Jem was like a second job. People wanted her more than Jerrica, even Rio!! Almost everywhere Jerrica went, she had to be Jem. And if both of them needed to be in the same place at the same time, Jerrica had to pull the "parent trap" move and switch places, or make Synergy project holograms. Those tricks were getting riskier to take now because Jerrica was almost caught, arrested and blackmailed numerous times!!

Jerrica was sobbing silently as she went over those memories. She wanted to help everyone, especially the Starlight girls since she did this to help them from the very beginning, and to make a difference in her father memory, but it was killing her! Her work load was near impossible, she was barely sleeping or eating, and her relationship with Rio was suffering. This was a lot for a 22 year old to handle. She didn't even want to keep this up for years on end. So much deception and lying...Sometimes she felt like she didn't know who she was anymore...

Maybe it was time to end the charade and tell the world the truth? Or at least Rio? But Jerrica was scared everytime she thought about it. Would he still love and want her? Accept her for who she is like he always did before??

Or would he hate her for lying to him for years about her double life and walk away still in love with a hologram?

//Deception!

How long must I continue this deception?

This masquerade!

Deception!

My life seems like it's nothing but deception!

A big charade!

I never meant to lie to you,

I swear it!

I never meant to play those games

At times I wanna cry to you!

Cause I can't bear it,

When I fear our love will land in flames!//

Before Jerrica could come up with an answer, the phone on her desk rang, breaking the silence of the room. She yelped a bit from being startled, then snatched the receiver off the hook.

"Yes?", she answered breathlessly.

"Ms. Benton? Rio is here to see you. Should I send him in?", Gloria, the receptionist asked.

Rio!! Jerrica's blue eyes widened from being caught off guard, and didn't know what to say when she left Rio come in. Hear heart was on overload and if one of them said the wrong thing or got into a fight, it would burst and who knows what would happen then.

She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. "Yes...Send him in please...", Jerrica said before hanging up.

*~*~*~*

On the next chapter of Jem!: Rio surprises Jerrica by showing up at work. Why the surprise visit? Why does he look so sad? Will Jerrica tell him her big secret? And why is Jerrica in the hospital soon afterwards?! Find out next time!