The concert was spectacular, as expected. They met up with the boys in line, and found a nice spot not too far from the stage. Sarah stayed with them through the opening act, but then went to find somewhere to sit as the crowd started to pack together more tightly. Eddie kept a firm arm around Rosie, standing protectively over her as they began to get jostled about. The guys also did their best to stay close.

She'd been to a few gigs before, and so had they, but Iron Maiden were extremely special on stage, and put everything into their shows. So it went without staying that while they played there was little time for chit-chat, or anything else. Rosie turned on a few occasions to check on Eddie, finding him smiling rapturously up at the stage, a happy little twinkle in his eyes. He caught her once or twice, hugged her back closer to him. Kissed her hair. When a giant dummy Eddie (the mascot) lumbered close on his rampage across the stage, her Eddie chewed her neck and roared playfully in her ear.

Rosie swore he wept a little at the last song, but was too busy wiping her own eyes to be sure.

With the guys and Sarah in tow, they practically skipped back to the hotel. The group left them to get to the motel, leaving Eddie to serenade her annoyingly for three more blocks.

"Stop!" Rosie protested, glancing around at people passing. "You're so embarassing!"

"The bugle sounds, the charge begiiiiins!" He shrieked, catching her by the arm as she tried to escape.

"Shhhhh!" He tilted his head away as she tried to cover his mouth.

"But on this battlefield, no-one wi-iiins!"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Someone yelled from above.

"Sorry, I'm just trying to impress my girlfriend!"

Rosie yanked him away, still singing. They met a few concert-goers on the way, who only encouraged Eddie by singing back. She would have liked to have blamed substances, but they'd only taken a few quick hits before they left, and had three beers inside. This was pure adrenaline.

She did not complain, however, when they got back to the hotel. Turned out behind closed doors that adrenaline evolved into something much more enjoyable. Unable to keep his hands off her, Eddie collapsed down after their third round, hair in disarray and grinning goofily.

"You're the best, Babe." He still hugged her tight, assaulting her neck, trying to run his tacky fingers through her own tussled hair. "I love you so much."

"MMmmm you too." Rosie traced his mouth with her tongue, his insatiable lust quite literally rubbing off on her. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"Amazing?" That delighted him. "I mean, I knew it was good, but -"

"No. Not just that. You. You make me so happy."

"You too. You too."

Rosie touched a finger to his lids. "Oops. Little leak. I'm sorry, Ed."

"No, no it's okay." He used the sheets as a tissue. "Happy only. Let's just be happy, for now."

Rosie woke alone. For the first time in months, she woke alone. Her eyes immediately went to the hotel room door, but it was shut tight. Relief. Then she head the sound of running water, and noticed the bathroom light was on.

"I don't like this."

His mumbling met her as she skulked in. The sink was close to overflowing. The shut off the water quickly, and examined Eddie. He was standing in nothing but his boxers, staring up at a point in the ceiling.

"Hey. Hello. Rosie!"

"Eddie?"

"Wake up, Rosie."

"Ed…"

"I don't like it."

"I know, Eddie."

"Not funny….it's not funny…."

"Come on, Eddie. With me."

He started to shuffle back with her, but didn't look away from the ceiling. "Wake up! Please!"

"Ed."

"You gotta wake up! I don't know what I'll do if you don't wake up!"

"Here. Back to bed."

He stopped at the threshold. Wouldn't budge. "I don't know what I'll do, Rosie!"

"Here."

"Rosie, wake up!" His face scrunched up now. He was getting really upset. "Wake up! I can't…I can't…"

"Eddie, hey!" She clapped her hands in front of him.

"Please. Just take me instead! Take me!"

"Eddie! Eddie!"

"Let her wake up! Rosie. Wake up!"

She had him by the arms now, shaking. "EDDIE!"

"Just wake…Let….Rosie?"

And there he was, blinking groggily down at her.

Rosie stood on tiptoe to kiss him, though he wasn't fully awake. "I'm here."

"I was dreaming again."

"Yeah. Just dreaming."

"Dream."

"Follow me. Back to bed."

"Can I hold you?"

"Of course. I'm right here."

He buried his nose into her hair, inhaling. "Go back to sleep, Babe. Sorry I woke you."

Sunlight streamed through the window. Rosie held her arm up to ward it off. Had they left the drapes open again? Whoever worked across from them was really getting a show.

"Ed." She rolled back to greet him. Hand slapped down on cold sheets. "SHIT!"

He was gone again. She sat bolt upright, not caring that the covers fell away for an entire office to see her boobs. No light on in the bathroom this time. No sound of water. She peeked in, just to be sure. Pulling on a robe, she opened the door and stepped out into the hall.

"Eddie?"

The cleaning lady waved at her. She waved back. No sign of him. Rosie went back into the room to get dressed, only to find a tray on the dresser. The pancakes and coffee were still warm, so it hadn't been there long. It had a note, too. Scratched out in Eddie's cramped handwriting:

Morning Beautiful,

Didn't want to wake you. Ordered breakfast. Hope it's still warm.

Gone out with the guys for the morning. Be back around 2pm.

Don't miss me too much.

(a poorly drawn heart)

Ed

Huffing till her heart stopped palpitating, she folded it. Rosie then tied her robe more securely, and sat on the bed while she ate. The pancakes were fluffy, the fruit fresh and the yogurt Greek. She was pretty sure someone had squeezed the orange juice that very morning. Not a bad way to start the day. There were even little cookies to dunk in her coffee.

She ate, then showered. Taking her time to scrub head to toe and condition her dry hair. Cut herself twice trying to shave with the cheap hotel razor. She played for a while with the toy Eddie had bought her, this time closing the curtains, then dried off and got dressed. It was still only 12:30, so she went for a walk. The canal was nearby, so she brought a book and sat on a bench near the water, relaxing in the shade of a young tree. A few locals walked back and forth, some with dogs or families. It was peaceful.

Rosie arrived back at the hotel after 3pm. Unlocked the door gently and for good reason. Eddie was sprawled on the bed, fully clothed but dozing, his hair splayed around his head like a halo. He stirred when she sat next to him.

"Hey." Rosie leaned down to kiss him. "Still tired?"

"Good tired."

"Same."

"Where'd you go?"

"Just to the canal." She held up her book.

He yawned. "That sounds nice."

"It was quiet. Did you guys go for breakfast?"

"At first."

"And then?"

He smiled sheepishly. "I did something."

She narrowed her eyes. "Whaaaat?"

Eddie sat up. "It's not much, but -"

At first she thought he was flipping her the bird. Almost gave him a shove for it. Then she registered a small black rose on his middle finger. She smacked his shoulder instead.

"EDDIE!"

"You like it?"

"What the hell?"

"Do you like it?"

"Is that real?"

"Of course it's real. Got it done this morning."

"Oooh jeez!"

He pouted. "You don't like it."

Rosie gathered herself. Took another, less emotional look. "It's a really nice tattoo, it is. But really? A rose?"

"Wait." He nudged her mockingly. "Don't tell me you're superstitious. Do you think it's bad luck?"

"I don't believe that, no."

"Then what?"

"No…it's just… if we…" She pulled at her hair, trying to consider his feelings. "I don't want you to regret it."

"I won't regret it." He stated. "Not a chance."

"You can't know that."

"I'll never regret you."

"You can't know that!"

"I do."

She gently took his hand, mindful not to touch it. It was still covered in saran wrap, but infections were a bitch, all the same. "It's nice. It really is."

"I figured since you have this," Eddie tugged on the lock around her neck. "I'd get something for you. And look!" He really flipped her off, now. The little rose stood up straight when he did."We can always do this together. No matter how far apart."

"How romantic."

"I have the right inspiration." He kissed her.

"Still wish you'd told me before."

"So you could talk me out of it? Not a chance."

"Nah. I'd kinda like to get something done, too."

"Oh." He jumped up, excited. "Shop's not far, if you want?"

"I don't have an idea."

"There's flash books. You can just get something small."

Rosie picked up her purse. "Lead the way."