I needed help.

"Synergy?"

"Yes Jerrica?" the computers soothing voice came through my JemStar earrings.

"I'm going to tell Rio about me." I told her flatly. "I need to tell someone; and I've been needing to tell him for a long time."

"If you feel you need to tell him the choice is yours Jerrica."

"Thank you Synergy." I told her as I picked up the phone and dialed Rio's number.

It had been a few weeks since I had spoken to him last and a little over a month since I'd seen him. It was unusual, but had happened in the past, especially when Jem and the Holograms were on hiatus allowing me to be Jerrica and get business done at Starlight Music. I was looking forward to hearing his voice.

"Jerrica?" Rio answered.

"Hello Rio. I was hoping we could have lunch at Le Klub Cool." I twirled the phone cord around my finger. "It been awhile since we've just had a date."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that Jerrica. I've been busy with my electronics training classes." I could see Rio running his hand through his midnight purple hair. "Lunch sounds good. Do you want me to pick you up or do you want to meet there?"

"Can we meet? I've got a few details at Starlight Music I need to finish up."

"Deal. See you then."

After getting up and dressed I made my way to Starlight Music without incident, all the Holograms off doing their own things. But when I got there I ran into a surprise. As I was digging in my purse I ran right into someone. Before I could fall however, a pair of hot hands grabbed my arms and held me up.

"Jerrica?" a silky smooth deep voice asked. "Are you alright?"

"Riot?" I asked brushing my hair out of my face. He was dressed a little less flamboyantly, but still like his rock star alter ego. Black patent leather jeans, bright gold shirt and white suede jacket.

"Hello lovely." He purred releasing me and pressing the up button on the elevator that I had been rushing to. "I was wanting to see if Jem was in so I could ask her to lunch."

Quick, think of something.

"Uh, no. Actually she told me that she was going on vacation on a family friends land out in Texas." I watched his expressive face freeze slightly. "I wish she had given me specifics, but you should know that she's notorious about keeping her private life private."

"Ah yes, I do." Riot nodded as the elevator dinged and opened. "Very well. Have a nice day Jerrica."

"You too Riot." I smiled at him as I stepped into the elevator.

"You may call me Rory." He smiled in return as the doors slid closed, the same odd look on his face as the one he had in Mexico.

My heart was racing and I felt a little light headed as I reached my office. Riot, er Rory, always made me feel excited and at the center of the universe. Especially as Jem. Even as my regular self his charm went to my head every time. Doing my best to put it out of my head I set about doing what work I needed to do until it was time to meet Rio for lunch.

Le Klub Cool always was full of good music and food. I love coming here. It was a good place to mingle with music industry moguls and hotshots alike. But it was also a close knit group, lifelong friendships and fruitful partnerships were formed and terminated inside the club. The energy inside the club was electric, second only to being on the stage and performing. Arriving before Rio, I requested a small table towards the back of the club, tucked off to the side away from what I hoped would be too many prying eyes.

Standing I give Rio a kiss when he arrives, butterflies in my stomach. We order and eat, catching up on what has been going on in our lives all the while my mind is racing, not to mention my heart.

"Rio." My tone made him look up. "I need to tell you something. Something important."

"Of course, you can tell me anything."

Oh boy, I doubt that.

"Please know I had no choice." I start, looking the man whom I've had a relationship for nearly a decade. "I never wanted this and never dreamed it would have gotten so out of hand."

"Jerrica?" Rio leaned across the table and took my hands in his, and for once in my life his touch did nothing to calm me. "What's wrong?"

Taking a deep breath I said,

"I'm Jem."