Deliver Me

By Zyris De'Lat

Chapter Six:

Jerrica Benton was sitting in her office at Starlight Music looking over a pile of papers to sign. The paper work really built up over the time Jerrica took leave to spend with Rio in the hospital, and it has only been a week. Rio, I hope you get better…'

Jerrica rested her elbows on her desk and laid her head in her hands. She gave a deep sigh with a hint of agitation. Jerrica directed her eyes over to the clock on her desk. The clock read two-thirty. Jerrica gave a disgusted groan. She hated doing paper work, and the worst part was she had another two and a half hours left for paper work.

"I need a break from all of this," Jerrica muttered to herself, "before I drive myself insane with all of this madness." Jerrica couldn't help but give a small chuckle to her contemplation. She pushed her chair out from underneath her desk and stood up. She turned around to face her large sky view window. Jerrica loved the size of her window and the view it gives her, but she really missed being able to open her window up for a breath of fresh air. Jerrica's eyes suddenly lit up with excitement.

"Why shouldn't I have a window that can open?" In response to her own question, Jerrica started to half run to her office door. She was so excited to tell her secretary about her idea. It seemed a bit silly to her that she was acting a bit childish, but any reason is a good reason to escape from her paper work for a while.

Jerrica bolted out of her office door and hurried to her secretary's desk and nearly collided into a blond, young man who was calmly asking her secretary something.

"Excuse me, I am…" Jerrica lost her train of thought when she suddenly realized who was standing before her. Jerrica's astonishment suddenly turned to anger, and she couldn't really explain why. It was just something about him that rubbed her the wrong way, but it is only when she is Jerrica...

"Riot, what are you…" Riot held up his hand before Jerrica could get a chance to finish her question.

"Please Jerrica, call me Rory. Rory Llewelyn. Riot is only my stage name, and today I come to you as Rory," Rory gave Jerrica a half smile and did a slight bow of courtesy.

Jerrica eyed Rory with suspicion, something about his actions just didn't seem right. A piece was missing, a major key piece to his puzzle. Then Jerrica noticed, there was a sad, desperate plead coming from his eyes, almost to the point of being deranged… Rory appeared drained and run down, like he fought his last major battle and lost. The hairs on the back of Jerrica's neck started to stand up. 'Something isn't right. I can feel it.'

"Riot…I mean Rory. Can you please tell me what you are doing here?" Jerrica tried to ask Rory in a smooth and calm voice, but it ended up showing a great deal of disturbance. For Jerrica, today was just not a good day. She just wanted to go home and curl up on her couch with a nice hot cup of tea. Maybe even add a sappy "chick flick" on top of it all. Jerrica knew she must also look worn around the edges and run down.

"I know I am the last person you ever want to see, but please hear me out. I really need to talk to you," Rory said to Jerrica with a great deal of emotion in his voice. Rory then knelt down in front of Jerrica and grabbed both of her hands in his, "If I have to beg for you to listen to me, then I will if that is what it will take."

Jerrica's face turned a brighter shade of red. "Please Rory, get up. You don't have to do that," Jerrica tried to whisper to Rory. She hated being put on the spot in front of everyone. A bit ironic, since she is the number one singer among many listeners of Jem and the Holograms.

Rory looked at Jerrica with amazement and surprise. She always knew how to keep her cool, but Rory actually believed he caught her off guard for once. Jerrica walked over to her office door and tried to regain her composure. Jerrica motioned for Rory to come into her office while she held her door open. Jerrica walked over to her desk and seated herself. She motioned for Rory to do the same in one of the two chairs resting in front and facing her desk.

Rory took in the atmosphere of Jerrica's office. To him, her office appeared dull and a bit on the cold and edgy side. Rory let out a deep breath and took a seat in front of Jerrica's desk. Rory still couldn't believe he came to Starlight Music today. He also couldn't believe he let Jerrica see him like this. After today she will never see him again as the same person. All of his effort and work to win Jem will be gone, down the drain, and lost forever.

Jerrica took a deep breath. The more she looked at Rory, the more she became afraid. Never in a million years had she ever thought of seeing Rory like this. He looked like he was on the verge of committing suicide.

"Okay Rory. What did you want to see me about?" Jerrica asked Rory in a calm and soothing manner.

"First, I want to thank you Jerrica from the bottom of my heart to take the time to listen to me. I really appreciate it," Rory said with a deep gratitude. Rory then took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. "There is something important I feel you should know. It has been going on for three years know, and I still don't know why or how it began."

Rory leaned forward and looked Jerrica in the eyes. "Every night when I go to bed, Jem comes to me and seduces me in my dreams. It has been getting worse as the years go on. I think I am going to go insane. I didn't know who she was when she first came to me. So I searched for her, hoping that when I found her she would leave me alone at night. So I came here to Los Angeles and found her, but the nightmares will not stop. This obsession will not stop!" Rory then looked up at Jerrica to find she had a horrified look on her face.

"Please Jerrica, you have to help me. I don't know whom else to turn to," Rory pleaded with her.

"Whoa, wait a minute, Rory. You are telling me that Jem, my singer, personally comes to seduce you at night? That is insane! Why do you think I would…? Why are you telling me this?" Jerrica said with astonishment and anger displayed on her face towards Rory.

Rory then looked Jerrica in the eyes and figured she has to know sooner or later. So why not tell her now. "Because Jerrica, I want this to stop. Over the past few days, I have been realizing that I don't love Jem. I don't want to be with her. I want to be with you, Jerrica Benton. I want you to be the only woman I think about when I fall asleep at night." Rory looked deep into Jerrica's eyes, "I love you, Jerrica Benton." Rory then paused while searching for an answer in Jerrica's eyes.

Jerrica's eyes widened in surprise, they then quickly regained their composure and coolness. "Rory, what ever made you think I would believe a far fetched story like that? And why come here? Was it just to get me to fall for you so you can toy with me in bed? You disgrace me. Please leave my office at once," Jerrica managed to say in a level voice. Her voice started to crack and tears started to well up in her eyes.

Rory was astounded. He couldn't think of a reply. Rory's small spark of hope diminished. He blew it. Rory opened up his mouth to protest, but then decided to leave the case rest.

"Please leave, now!" Jerrica belted out and then turned towards the window and let the tears fall down her cheeks.

Rory pushed himself out of the chair and walked over to Jerrica. He stood behind her and saw the tears running down her cheeks in the reflection of the window. Rory slowly pushed Jerrica's hair away from her left shoulder and lightly brushed his soft lips against her ear.

Rory started to whisper softly in Jerrica's ear, "Why are you so afraid of letting me in? Your cold shoulder will not stop me. I know somewhere in your heart there is a place for me. I will not give up so easily on you. I love you Jerrica and I will always be here waiting for you." Rory then pressed his warm lips on her neck and gave it a warm kiss. "Remember Jerrica, you were the one who entered my life first."

Rory then let her go and left the office quietly. Jerrica closed her eyes and tried to calm her heart. It was racing so fast. Her face was also hot and flushed. Jerrica slowly brought her hand up to her neck and felt were he had kissed her.

'Why do I always feel so powerless when I am around him? And what did he mean by I was the one who entered his life first? If his story is true…..does he know I am Jem?'

Jem, and everyone within it, is owned by Hasbro.