Rose n bud 2 – taking root
…...
Warnings: no warnings other than rough language, implied unsavory intentions
…...
Swearing under his breath, Axl pulled Rosie close, steadying his guest-turned-charge. At this point, there was no way in hell he'd let her out of his sight, not when he had no idea who had slipped her a mickey. The only thing he felt sure of was what had been intended, and that was not going to happen.
"Come with me, Rosie. I'll keep you safe tonight."
Rosie peered up at him owlishly, still swaying slightly. She nodded, her head bobbing, limbs loose and rubbery. With his guidance, they started heading out of the party room towards his suite. Duff sidled up, smirking.
"Was kinda joking earlier. You really gonna go for it?"
Axl favored him with an acid filled scowl, making the guitarist step back a bit.
"Shut up, fuckhead and lend a hand. Some asshole roofied Rosie and I'm not going to let them finish the job."
Duff's dark eyebrows nearly hit his hairline. "That's fucked up. Gimme a sec."
He scooted around, threading a long arm under Rosie's on her other side. Between the two of them they were practically lifting her as they walked swiftly towards the elevators.
Rosie whimpered, looking up at Duff with a hazy confusion laced with fear. The blonde favored her with the kind of comforting smile he reserved for his daughters, doing his best to look as unthreatening as he could.
"It's alright, Rosie. You're gonna be ok. Just let us help."
She rolled her head towards Axl, the singer also giving her a soft look.
"Safe, Rosie. You're safe. It'll be fine, you'll see."
He felt her hand grip gently at his shoulder, her breath hitching as they finally made it to his suite. With Duff's help he got Rosie into the bed, leaving her shoes on and tucking her in, stopping himself just in time from kissing her forehead as she looked up at him.
Closing the bedroom door, he walked Duff out to the hallway, the blonde's room just across from his.
"You sure you don't wanna call a doc or something?"
Axl groaned, leaning against the wall for a moment. "This is already gonna be a shitstorm, no sense traumatizing her more by bringing medics and hospitals and police into it when she can't tell them anything anyway. Better for her to sleep it off, deal with the fallout when we've all had some rest. If she really freaks, well, there's lawyers and money, same as always."
"Fair enough. Alright, old man, if you need help, you know where to find me."
Duff patted his bandmate's shoulder, turning and opening the door to his own rooms. Axl ran a hand through his hair again. "If you hear screaming, at least knock before you break the door down. Unless it's me who's screaming."
Duff chuckled. "Shouldn't be hard to tell, her voice was lower than yours, least when she sang."
"Bastard."
"No, that'd be you. Goodnight, old man."
"'Night."
Axl closed his own door, wandering back in to the bedroom to check on his charge. She lay curled up tightly, squeaking when he sat down on the other side of the bed to reach over and rub her shoulder.
"I'm gonna get you some water, Rosie, it'll help you feel better. I'll be right back."
Coming back to the bedside with a mostly full glass, he set it on the nightstand near her,
"OK, Rosie. It's just me. I'm going to help you sit up." He lifted her upright, seating himself almost behind her on the bed to be her support, holding the glass as he wrapped her shaking hands around it, lifting it carefully to her lips.
"There you go, take it slowly."
His voice was soft and low in her ear as she finished the water, moving the glass to the stand when she was done.
"Alright now, let's get you tucked back in. You'll feel better in the morning…well, after you've slept some, anyway."
Axl moved to get up, only to have Rosie cling to his arm, shaking like a leaf. In the dim light of the side table lamp, she looked pale and fragile, and he could feel his resolve crumble.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath.
"OK, Rosie. I'll stay. I'll be back in a moment, just hang on."
He slid out from behind her, hitting the bathroom before coming back to sit on the other side of the bed, taking off his boots, and staring at his jeans for a moment. He turned, catching her eye as he put a hand on one of hers.
"Rosie, I hope you don't hate me later, but I can't sleep in these. I swear I mean no harm."
He skimmed quickly out of his pants, slipping under the covers and pulling her close. She whimpered a little, hands gripping at his t-shirt, as she curled up into his side. He stroked her hair, leaning in to kiss Rosie's forehead.
"You're fine, Rosie. Just get some rest, I'll be right here."
He drifted off, the feel of Rosie's head on his chest a comforting weight.
…...
Dawn was barely breaking, the sky peeking through the curtains a paling blue as Axl was roused from deep sleep with a smack to his face, followed by several more across his chest and a knee dangerously close to his jewels. He sputtered and sat up, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
On the other side of the bed, Rosie was sitting up, hyperventilating, eyes rimmed with white.
"Rosie, it's ok, you're alright." He reached out, only to watch her startle, tipping over the side of the bed and landing with a thump and a squeak on the floor.
Running a hand across his face, he got up, walking around the bed. Rosie scrabbled away from him, stopping when her back hit the wall. She held up shaking hands as he got close, her body curled protectively away.
Axl groaned as he kneeled down, his knees protesting. He reached out slowly, keeping his voice low and gentle.
"It's gonna be ok, Rosie. You're fine, no one hurt you. No one is gonna hurt you. You got roofied, and I brought you here to sleep it off. See? Your shoes are still on. Nothing happened."
He took her hand, rubbing it gently with his own. Even keeping up the soft chatter, it took a while for her shaking to stop, breathing to finally slow down to something like normal.
She turned her head to look at him, tears spilling down her cheeks. Snuffling, hiccupping, she caught her breath, glancing at Axl but unwilling to hold his gaze.
"Hey there Rosie, tell me how you're feeling now, alright? Is there something you need?"
She pulled her hand away from his, swiping at her eyes. "I'm …ok? Nothing happened?"
"No, Rosie. I kept you safe, just like I said I would. Can't you tell? Does anything hurt?"
"No…no…I don't feel bad…just my head hurts a little…"
Axl sighed. "That's the drug. You're probably a bit dehydrated. Do you want some water?"
She rubbed her arms, glancing around. "I…yeah…I just need to…umm…"
Huffing out a smile, Axl leaned back on his heels. "Water pressure?"
She nodded. With an exaggerated groan, he levered himself to his feet slowly, holding out his hand. "Need a hand up? God knows I almost didn't make it."
A shadow of a smile twitched at her lips, and she nodded again, reaching tentatively out to grasp first one of his hands, then the other, as he smiled and helped pull her to her feet, where she wobbled a little.
"Just lean on me, I'll get you to the door and you can take it from there, alright?"
"ok."
"Thata girl. You'll be fine. But just holler if you need me. I'll go get some water."
When he came back into the bedroom, Rosie was exiting the bathroom, her face looking freshly washed. She looked at the bed a moment, frowning.
"Feeling better? Come sit down and have some water."
Rosie gave a pale smile, walking more steadily to sit on the edge of the bed. Axl sat beside her, handing her the glass, not letting go till she had it in both hands.
Her first sip was barely enough to wet her lips, but after that she drank it all down. She held the glass in her lap, rubbing the side with her thumb.
"What happens now?"
"It's up to you, Rosie. If you want, I'll get you a ride back to your hotel, one of my own drivers who'll make sure you get there safe and sound. Or, you can sleep here, and I'll go sleep out on the couch. A little more rest will do us both good."
"I…I'd like to stay here, if that's ok? …I don't really want to be alone."
Axl smiled gently, reaching out to take Rosie's hand in his again.
"That's fine. I'll just grab a blanket out of the closet and we'll be all set."
He moved to get up, but she kept gripped his hand, glancing at him from the side, head dipping.
"You…you don't have to sleep on a couch? …I…would feel better…if I wasn't alone."
Axl chuckled. "You sure about that? My kidneys are still recovering from your fierce attack."
She bobbed her head again, face flushing. "Sorry!"
"Heh, don't be. I've endured worse wake ups." He patted her hand gently. "Ready to get some more sleep?"
Rosie nodded. He stood up, pulling her up with him. "Alrighty then. Might want to take your shoes off this time, but it's your call."
Getting over to the other side of the bed, Rosie looked at Axl pensively. He flashed what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Something wrong?"
She shook her head, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "I…don't want to sleep in my pants either? You'll…I'll still be safe?"
"Rosie, you could strip naked and you'd still be safe. I meant what I said. Have to say though, if you did, I'd be mighty tempted to look…but I'd never touch without a clear invitation."
She gave a pale smile, sitting down to kick off her shoes and peel out of her jeans, sliding under the covers without revealing anything but bare feet. Axl slid in, turning towards Rosie and leaning up on his elbow.
"You sure you're ok with this, Rosie? You've had a bit of a rough night, and I don't want to make it worse by making you uncomfortable."
She turned to look up at him. "No…you're fine, really. I should be thanking you for your kindness. You've been awfully patient with me."
He snorted; eyes bright. "Not my first rodeo, Rosie. I can't even count the number of times I've helped people come down off drugs, intentionally taken or otherwise. You're actually one of the easier cases, really. Even with the pummeling."
Rosie's expression drooped, her eyes going sad. Scooting closer, she reached out, putting a warm hand on Axl's cheek.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
"You didn't, little lady. It's really fine." He took her hand off his cheek, kissing her knuckles, smiling when she blushed. "Should I be worried about your husband finding out you slept with a Rockstar?"
Her smile vanished. "He…I'm a widow, Axl."
"Shit. I'm sorry, Rosie."
She gave a sad huff. "Nothing for you to be sorry about. You didn't know."
He rubbed the back of her hand gently with his thumb. "Is that why you were crying on stage?"
Rosie stared at Axl a moment before dropping her gaze, her voice rough with emotion. "No…my children…are gone too."
Axl sighed deeply, running a hand over his face, settling back down on his pillows. "Jesus, Rosie…I'm really sorry for putting you through all of this. You just stood out, there on the floor. I really was trying to do something nice."
She hiccupped; throat still thick. "I know, Axl. And it was…amazing, really. Being up there with you, that was the best thing that's happened to me in a really long time."
"You…maybe want a totally nonthreatening hug?"
Sniffling a little, she moved closer. "That really would be nice."
Turning, he lifted an arm invitingly, and she snuggled in, nestling her head against his chest. The way she fit against him felt so perfect, he felt his own throat close up a little.
"Don't be telling anyone now. After all, I've got a terrible reputation to keep up."
Rosie made something like an amused noise, as a soft hand slowly patted his chest. "Your secret's safe, mister. Besides, who'd believe me?"
Managing a dry chuckle, Axl rubbed her back. "Well, you've got me there, I guess."
Curling an arm around him, she nuzzled closer, breath slowing. Feeling her relax against him, he kissed her forehead, settling back as sleep reclaimed him.
…...
Axl woke again several hours later, more decently close to noon. Looking over, he saw Rosie was still asleep, curled up with her back to him, face peaceful in her rest.
Smirking at a stray thought, he got up carefully, making quiet use of the bathroom before padding out to the outer room and making a call. A short while later, he knelt down by Rosie's side of the bed, placing a light hand on her shoulder and shaking her gently.
"Hey, nice lady. Time to wake up now."
She cracked a slightly puffy eye at him, smile tweaking her lips. "Do I have to?"
Axl laughed, patting her a little more firmly. "Yup. Rise 'n shine, up 'n at 'em. All that shit."
She sat up, groaning, turning her head and stretching, letting off an alarming amount of cracks and pops.
"Shit, I thought I was the only sounded like that when I woke up."
Rosie turned a smirk Axl's way. "Body like rice krispies, yeah? Just snap, crackle and pop."
Heaving himself to his feet, his laugh was deep and hearty. "Just like that. Go ahead and put yourself together, breakfast…well, brunch really, awaits."
"Coffee?"
"Of course! I'm not a savage like Duff, who gets up at the crack of dawn chipper and cheery."
"Ugh, so unnatural."
"I know, right? See you out in the main area."
He went out and sat down, ladling up a heaping plate of the breakfast room service had delivered. Rosie came out and joined him, smiling happily at the spread, grabbing a piece of bacon to chew on as she poured herself coffee.
"I see you go for the vital substances – pork and caffeine. A girl after my own heart, really."
Rosie laughed. "Caffeination recapitulates phylogeny."
"Wait, what?"
"Coffee allows one to re-evolve from a single cell to a complex, multicellular organism."
"Too many big words, not enough coffee. Ow, hey!"
Rosie pulled her foot back after kicking him gently under the table, smiling impishly. "Brat."
"I'm a brat – you kicked me!" Axl chuckled, tossing a grape at her.
Her eyes flashed wickedly, smile growing, and she cast around for something to retaliate with. Axl put out a staying hand. "Rosie…"
Just as she took hold of a soft strawberry, a knock came at the outer door.
"Peace?"
Rosie smirked. "This time, imp."
Axl flashed a bright smile, getting up to answer the door. Duff and Slash stood outside, the blonde raising an eyebrow in silent question. The singer just grinned, waving them both inside.
Duff was the first to lock eyes with Rosie, smirk plastered on his chiseled face. "Rosie! Feeling better?"
She nodded, dipping her head, more soft-spoken than she'd been moments before, not meeting Duff's gaze. "I am, thank you. I…think you helped me too?"
"Yes, I'm surprised you remember." He came over, crouching down so he didn't loom, and placed a hand on the arm of her chair. "I'm very glad we caught you in time. Those parties aren't anything like they used to be, but that doesn't mean shit doesn't still happen now and then."
Rosie turned his way, giving him a soft glance. "I'm glad too. I hope… no one else suffered?"
Duff sent an uncomfortable look Axl's way. The singer sighed, nodding. "We'll check with security. It might be difficult to be sure though, there aren't surveillance cameras, only a couple of security to cover both rooms. It's not something we really gave any thought to before, as long as we kept ourselves clean."
"I understand. But I'd hate to think someone else was hurt just because I escaped."
Patting Rosie's shoulder, Duff stood up. "You're really much too nice for all this. How'd you get mixed up with this asshole again?"
"Ugly bastard, speak for yourself. I'm an angel. Isn't that right?" Axl did his best to give a most innocent look at Rosie.
"I'm quite sure butter wouldn't melt, Axl."
"See…hey! You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I am, but one can only stretch credulity so far…"
The two guitarists started cackling, Slash reaching over to thump Axl on the back.
"No quarter for you, old man."
"Fucker. And stop eating Rosie's breakfast."
"I'm eating your breakfast, there's still plenty left for Rosie."
Axl rolled his eyes to the heavens, then looked back at a giggling Rosie. "See what I have to put up with?"
"Aww, poor baby…sleeping in, eating fancy meals in hotels, hanging out with celebrities, traveling the world…must be so rough on you."
A wicked look came over Axl, and he gave Rosie wide grin.
Watching the singer, Duff frowned. "Axl…"
"How'd you like to find out for yourself?"
Rosie gave Axl a blank stare. "What?"
"Come with us, at least to the next city, and watch our next show. I'll get you back home after. Whaddaya say?"
"I…" A look of grief passed briefly over Rosie's face, gone almost too quickly, but not before the men around her noticed. She took a ragged breath, smile working its way back. "That…sounds wonderful. Are you sure, though? I wouldn't want to be more trouble than I've already been."
"No trouble at all, Rosie. We'll be taking a bus from here to the next show, leave in about an hour, I think? That enough time to get you back to your place and pick up some stuff?"
Rosie looked a little stunned. "A…yeah, more than enough. My hotel is just around the corner."
Axl nodded. "Alright then, its settled. Go get your stuff, come back here and we'll hit the road."
"I…just come up here? To this suite? Will they let me?"
"Don't worry, Rosie. I'll send one of the guys down to wait for you."
"OK. I'll just go get my things then. Thank you." She got up, patting Duff on the back very gingerly, walking towards the door. Axl stood and moved to catch up with her.
"Hang on there, Rosie, and say goodbye proper." He caught her up in big hug, squeezing her hard enough to hear her 'oof'. Pulling back, he looked her straight in the eye. "Now, no bailing, at least not without letting me know. Matter of fact, give me your phone for a second."
He held out his hand, and reluctantly she pulled her phone out, opened it, handing it to him.
"Huh, pretty background." He quickly added his phone number, took a quick selfie to add as an icon and went to find ring and text tones. "Darth Vader…really? Rosie! Don't you have any of our music?"
She snorted. "I don't pay for music anymore, Axl. Save for what's in my old files, I just use free streaming. That's what poor people do."
"Hrmph. I see you have Pink Floyd. Guess that'll have to do." He punched in a few more things, then handed the phone back, picking up his own and texting quickly. The intro to "Wish you were here" started, and she giggled.
"There, now you're all set. Back here quick as you can."
She flashed a relieved smile, opening the door and waving as she left.
Closing the door, he turned to see Duff and Slash looking at him with exasperated and amused faces, respectively. Duff was the first to speak.
"What was that? You manage to get your little diversion past last night's fuckup without wanting to sue the pants off us, now you want to bring her along like some kind of pet? What were you thinking?"
Slash gave Duff a cool look. "Relax, man. She's a chill chick, I can tell. It'll be fine."
Duff rolled his eyes. "You would say that. You never worry about anything. And you're still trying to get in her pants." Turning back towards Axl, he raised an eyebrow. "Did you get in her pants? Is that why you want her along?"
Axl scowled. "No, I didn't, rotten fucker. That's not why I want to bring her." He frowned harder at the looks of disbelief on their faces. "Fuck you both. I can be a gentleman when I want. And you have no idea what she's been through. It wouldn't kill any of us to be nice to her for a little while."
Slash looked Axl over thoughtfully, a smile twitching at his full lips. "You're sweet on her."
Axl glared at him, but didn't say anything.
Slash chuckled. "You really are. So, is this your way of testing the waters? See if she can handle this life, or if it'll scare her away for good?"
"Asshole. So what if it is?"
Duff groaned. "You really have great timing, jackass. We've got our groove back, now you wanna throw a wrench in it?"
"It'll be fine, Duff…just cut me a little slack on this."
The blonde ran long fingers through loose locks, sighing deeply. "I hope you know what you're doing, 'cause this is either going to go really well, or end in Armageddon."
Axl plopped down in a chair, draping himself over it and throwing an arm over his eyes. "I know it, Duff. Believe me, I know."