**Miami, Florida - New Years' weekend**

"This is the Captain speaking. Mr Bongiovi, Mr Bryan...just letting you know we'll be landing in about half an hour. Your transport is waiting at the private terminal. Vicky will be around shortly to make sure everyone is seated and buckled for landing. We hope you've enjoyed your flight."

"Dear g-d! Get me off this plane!" David complained, rubbing his temple. "It's like having screaming fans that you can't shut up."

"Welcome to Bon Jovi Daycare," Julie said sweetly as she fed Samara.

David peeked out and shouted, "Hey! Colty! Hands off the babe!"

Jon, who had started making sure Arielle was seated and buckled next to Jesse, whipped his head around to pin David with a look before his laser-beam glare found Colton...who just so happened to be sitting next to Stephanie.

Colton felt Jon's look and held his hands up. "They never left my lap, Uncle Jon. I swear."

"Jess, look after your sister for me, bud?" Jon said. "Ari, stay there."

"Okay, Dad," they both chorused and Ari giggled at her big brother.

"Buckle up, you lot," Jon groused at the older kids. "Trust me, you don't want Vicky getting mad. I've been on the receiving end of that!" As he walked back past David, he smacked the back of the annoyingly curly head and slipped back into his seat, "Don't even go there, man!"

Leesha giggled and glanced over her seat, finding Gabby strapping in Ethan and Ellie. "I think this is the softest side I've seen of your daughter."

"She has it in her occasionally," David laughed and held his wife's hand.

"Are you nervous, Rockstar?" Julie asked her husband as he leaned over Samara and kissed her head.

"What makes you ask that?"

"Oh, I don't know...Mr Grumpy-Pants," she smiled as their youngest drifted off into a milk-induced coma.

"Sorry, babe," he sighed. "Do you want me to take her?"

As scheduled, Jovi Air landed on the private airstrip with no troubles. After Vicky had opened the door and the captains shook the men's hands, everyone disembarked into two separate black mini-buses and waited for their luggage to be unloaded.

"You could ride with us," Colton suggested to Stephie.

"Or not!" Jon interjected and snapped his fingers for his daughter to hurry. David and Leesha corralled the Bryan kids into one bus with the expected chaos from their clan. Jon simply rolled his eyes.

"So what's the plan, Dad?" Jake asked as Jon got onto the bus finally.

"Hotel to shower and change quickly," he emphasised, "then Tico's place."

"But Daddy," Ari piped up, "do we need to change if we're just going swimming?"

"Yes!" Julie and Jon spoke at once and the driver started toward the hotel.

Two hours later and much arguing with the younger members of the tribes, the buses pulled into Tico and Alejandra's driveway before disgorging all their passengers.

Jon made arrangements for the drivers to return upon receiving a phone call as Tico opened the door of their Spanish influenced home.

"Uncle Tico!!!" The kids all shouted in unison and rushed to get the first hugs in.

"Welcome, everyone," he said in his gravelly voice. "Everyone else is out by the pool. Lema...Jonny...Ladies."

"Buenos días, Tio," Colton greeted Tico in perfect Spanish.

"Ahh nice one, mijo," Tico replied.

"Suck up," Gabby piped in. Colton stuck out his tongue and grabbed Steph's hand, leading her towards the pool.

"No sneaking off, you two!" David yelled.

Tico looked between Jon, David then to Colton's receding back. "When the hell did that happen and how is that kid still walking?"

"Don't ask," Jon grumbled. "Sorry we're late to the party...had to wrangle the kids off the plane, then to the hotel."

"Caught them...what...four years ago fucking on the kitchen counter," David explained, "They've been inseparable since then."

"Don't get Jon started on it, T," Julie smiled, "It's so good to see you! How have you been, sweetie? Where's Alejandra? Did the caterers do everything as instructed?"

Tico hugged Julie and puffed his cigar. "She's making drinks for everyone. The catering is set up. Relax, mi bella."

"Uncle Mookie!" Ari's happy cry filtered through the house.

"I should probably tell you now. Alec and Richie are already here," Tico added. "As are Hugh, Kellie, Phil and Lyndy."

David grumbled, "Greeeeeaaaat. I'm pissing my pants in joy," and exchanged a glance with Jon. Leesha looped her arm through his and rubbed his chest soothingly.

Tico led the way through to the pool and took a drink from his wife. Their large living room opened up through large glass sliding doors to the pool area, melding the outside with the inside.

The caterers had decorated the two areas in black and gold, as instructed and had set up a buffet table close to the kitchen for ease of service. The fully stocked bar was in the pool area, off to one side. Alejandra pulled Julie and Leesha aside for a quick catch up, leaving the men to their own devices.

"Hey! Look who decided to show up!" Tico announced, finding all the kids in the pool. Absolute silence fell over them. Richie looked to Jon, Jon to Richie then to Alec. David smiled at Alec and ignored Richie.

"Well," Richie spoke up first, "the gang's all here." He took a step toward Jon and simply said, "Good to see you, brother."

"Rich," Jon replied. There was so much he wanted to say but it just wasn't the right time, here and now. Instead, he said quietly, "I love you, man."

Tears formed in Richie's eyes. "I love you too. Let's get it on." He wrapped his arms around Jon as best he could with Jon still holding Samara and everything seemed right in the world for a moment.

"Like you tried to do with my wife?" David mumbled and folded his arms. Leesha and Julie appeared in the doorway and all eyes turned to her.

"You said you'd behave yourself," Leesha snapped at David and smacked his arm. "Hey, Richie..."

"Hey, darlin'," he replied warmly. "How have you been? I see you're still with that one."

"Happily too," David snarled and glanced around. "Yet I'm not seeing Becca. I take it she skipped out too?"

"Actually, she's inside, freshening up, asshole," Richie growled.

Julie, who was sensing trouble, tapped Richie on the shoulder, "Do I get a hello, big guy?"

Richie spun on his heels and smiled, "Well, well, well...aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" he grinned and enveloped Julie into his arms, "I've missed you, sweetheart."

"We've missed you too, Mookie," she whispered back. "All of us."

David snorted and called out, "Alec! What's good, my man? Have you met Julie yet? She was the second Jovi wife that Richie fucked with."

"Still a charmer, aren't ya?" Richie quipped.

"Knock it off, you two. My house, my rules," Tico growled.

"No! You two need to hash this shit out. Now. Get it out of the way so we can enjoy the weekend," Hugh said, walking over to the commotion then added, "Just not in front of the kids." David and Richie both looked over in shock as Hugh was never one for confrontation.

One by one, the men filed into the house and left the women outside with the kids. David and Richie sat in plush armchairs across from each other with the rest of the band on the two sofas. Together they formed an impenetrable circle.

Hugh broke the silence, "Alright, David. Since you've been the aggressive one since arriving, you can start and get it all out."

David took a moment to massage his temples and closed his eyes. When they opened again, the men were surprised to find tears threatening to fall. "You abandoned us and the fans during a tour. Not a word and expected what? For us to pick up the pieces or were you hoping it would fall apart? You were and still are a selfish, arrogant asshole. And what the hell gives you the right to talk to my wife like she's your best friend and not even try to contact any of us!? Then suddenly you're all about being buddy-buddy when you haven't wanted shit to do with us for five years?!"

His chest heaved and both his arms and legs twitched. At that moment, he appeared like a caged jungle cat. It didn't take much imagination to see that he was capable of exploding into action at any moment.

"I-I fell into a depression," Richie started, having deflated under David's harsh words. "I'll admit...I just didn't care anymore. I didn't have the energy to care. With everything going on with Heather, Ava needed me and I needed her. Heather needed both of us and she wouldn't be here if we hadn't been there."

"But you just...left," David's voice cracked on the last word. "After everything we'd all been through, you up and left without a word."

Rather than denying it, Richie nodded and leaned forward in his chair. He scrubbed his face with a low sigh. "I did check up on you guys through Leesha, but when it came to actually contributing in the studio or live with the band, I couldn't anymore. It hurt too much. That part of my life was over and I had to let it go."

"What happened when my wife went to your room after our fight? Did you sleep with her?" David asked hesitantly.

Much to everyone's surprise, Richie shook his head. "She was the only one who came to check on me and the only one who would listen. But she's your lady and she loves you. I never tried to do anything with her. I just needed someone to listen."

"None of that explains why you aren't speaking to the rest of us! I mean what the hell, I called you like a hundred times and you never answered once!" David protested.

"You're right. I should have answered. Not to excuse my behaviour, but the fact is I did see your calls and messages but ignored them on purpose. There was no way I could go back and you needed to move forward. It'd be selfish of me to hold you back and, if anything, I should be grateful you guys decided to carry on without me."

"Stop being so selfless. It's annoying," David grumbled.

"Selfless or not, it's the truth. What more do you want from me?"

The room went silent. David had no answer and he knew it. Vicious black moods formed within as he realized his enemy was not in front of him but within himself. He stared into space and wished for a smoke, but he had quit years ago along with the rest of the band. The tension in the room was too much now.

"We...I...I miss your ugly face and your bad jokes, man," David said quietly, staring at the floor.

"I miss you all too," Richie sighed, looking at each of his former bandmates individually. "But it's better this way, Lema. Seems you're in capable hands now, anyway." The room fell silent before Richie spoke again. "Would it help if I don't ignore your calls from now on?"

"If you do, I'll have to kick your ass," David replied through his tears. "I fucking missed you, asshole."

Richie stood and crossed to stand in front of his keyboardist, ignoring everyone else momentarily, and held his hand out. David looked up and blinked a couple of times at the offered hand before Richie let out a frustrated noise and grabbed his friend by the shirt and hauled him up into a bear hug.

"I love you, ya son of a bitch," Richie mumbled.

"And not one punch thrown?" Alec piped in. "You sure these are the same two from the 80s?"

"Older, definitely," Richie shrugged. "Wiser? Meh...not so sure about that one."

"Bullshit," Tico grumbled, puffing his cigar and chuckling. "Anyone else? Or can we fucking celebrate the fact we're getting into the hall of fame now?"

"Let's fucking party!" Phil exclaimed, jumping to his feet like an excited puppy, which seemed to spur everyone into moving. He held out his arms and waved them in. One by one, the guys stood gathered into a tight group huddle, arms around each other and their heads together.

For the first time since 1994, every member was present. Old brothers and new ones, the inner circle. The foundation and walls that formed Bon Jovi. Tears were shed and Jon slid his hand to the middle...the rest followed his lead.

"Guys...this is our time. Our party. This is what we've worked for. Over 35 years! To have the critics listen to our fans, the people that got us here...they finally had their voices heard. We owe everything...not just to them, but to each other. Let this be the dawning of a new era. Brothers reunited...our foundation sealed for a brighter future!"

"And fuck you Rolling Stone!" David cried out.

"Fuck you, Rolling Stone!" All of them echoed and broke the huddle.

"It's good to have you back, man," Hugh said quietly to Richie as the men mingled before rejoining the rest of the party.

"Thanks, man," Richie smiled. "I'm not lying when I say I've missed everyone. Haven't missed Jonny's overlord BS, however," he chuckled.

"Let's get outta here," Everett said.

David opened the backdoor for his brothers only to reveal all the wives together trying to look inconspicuous with drinks in their hands, trying to eavesdrop. "Can we help you ladies?"

"We were just...uh...you know," Kellie started.

"Checking out Kellie's tits under better light," Leesha cut in and squeezed one of the blonde's boobs.

"Hey! They're my toys," Hugh exclaimed with a lascivious grin.

"We're okay," Jon said, moving to Julie's side. "No one was drawn and quartered...today, anyway."

The Torres' backyard was filled with splashing of kids in the pool and laughter as the adults joked, everyone stuffing themselves with the various offerings of food and desserts. As the hours passed and the sun got lower on the horizon, band members curled up with their wives.

Ellie was the first to get tired and was helped out of the pool by Hector. She toddled over in her towel to David and giggled when her daddy picked her up into his lap. He gave her a sippy cup of juice and cuddled his daughter, her head tucked under his chin.

"Daddy, sing the song?" She asked.

"You want me to sing?" Ellie nodded sleepily. "It's all the same, only the names will change. Every day, it seems we're wastin' away. Another place where the faces are so cold. I drive all night just to get back home...I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride...I'm wanted dead or alive...Wanted dead or alive..."

Slowly the crowd quieted to listen. A few were surprised by how well David sang the song. More bluesy and soulful than the original. Richie leaned over and smacked Jon's arm, pointing to David with a grin. Jon could only nod and smile as though to say, "Yeah, I know!"

Richie took a sip of his water before joining in softly, working his way into the old groove of matching his voice to David's. He stretched back in his chair and turned his face up to the night sky and closed his eyes, letting his memories take him away. He did miss it, but he couldn't go back...not yet at least. He felt the cushion beside him dip and opened his eyes long enough to see Ava smile at him as she curled up beside him.

"Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days. The people I meet always go their separate ways. Sometimes you tell the day, by the bottle that you drink. And times when you're all alone all you do is think..."

Richie and David swapped in and out of the chorus, now having everyone's attention. Jon was enjoying the peacefulness that wrapped around them, his arms around Julie and lazily stroking her hair.

He smiled at her and jumped in with his brothers. "I walk these streets...A loaded six-string on my back. I play for keeps 'cause I might not make it back. I've been everywhere, still, I'm standing tall...I've seen a million faces and I've rocked them all..."

When the three ended the song, there were whoops and whistles from everyone. Ellie had long since fallen asleep and Dave was barely able to reach out and fist bump Richie. "Nice one...it's been a while. Usually, it was you and Jonny."

"We shoulda mixed things up more often," Richie replied, his subtle jibe not going unnoticed.

"Alright, alright," Jon sighed. "Message received loud and clear. Which is not what my voice is any longer." He downed the rest of his wine in agitation. "Somedays I feel like you left and took my fucking voice with you."

"Rockstar...," Julie murmured, trying to soothe her husband.

"It's workable, Jon," Tico offered. "You gonna look into the voice coach like you said one time?"

"Least you still got a voice, Jon," Alec offered. "Don't expect those high notes I used to do for you, anymore."

"You know the new song we wrote fits your vocal range now," David said, smiling.

Richie looked between the two, shocked. "New song? Well c'mon then...let's hear it!"

"Lema...you wrote it. You should sing it," Jon replied.

"Teek, you got a guitar?" Tico nodded at David and disappeared into the house. Leesha took Ellie from David and snuggled her between them. Tico reemerged five minutes later with a black acoustic and handed it to Dave.

"Hector's been taking lessons," Tico said proudly and watched as his friend tuned it.

David began strumming the intro and closed his eyes, willing himself not to cry as the lyrics clutched at his heart. "We were young, unafraid...We were finding our own way. There's no wind, there's no rain. In the eye of the hurricane. Every time you climb that mountain. There's another one left to climb. Don't go looking for tomorrow. Leaving yesterday behind..."

Then Jon joined in for the chorus, his voice harmonizing perfectly with Dave's baritone. "Writing every page together. Those days were not to last forever. Diamonds in the rough...When we were us. Burn the house and torch the skyline. There was more than fire in our eyes. Love meant more than lust...When we were us..."

Leesha laid a hand on her husband's back, trying to comfort him as tears fell and his pain leaked into his voice. She exchanged a look with Julie, knowing how much this song meant to Jon and Dave. From the tears and silence, it was resonating with the other men as well.

"We were one, born and raised. More than blood runs through these veins. Cuts can heal, scars will fade. What we had will never change. Seasons pass and time will move on. You don't ever have to let it go. You can only go so far now. Till you're on your way back home..."

Leaving David to finish playing, Jon lowered his guitar with hands shaking. The keyboardist, however, stopped playing and it went silent.

"I want to hear you sing it," Richie said, laying his glass on the table, looking at Jon.

"Not now, Rich," Jon shook his head, standing suddenly, "Excuse me a moment...too many wines."

Jon made his way through to the powder room and emptied his bladder and washed his hands. He looked at himself in the mirror, taking stock of the person staring back at him. Greying hair, deep lines on his face...his voice breathy and shaky...who was this person?

Richie hadn't fared much better in the aging process but at least he still had his voice. That voice that could do things to Jon that no woman had been able to do. He leaned heavily on the basin and dropped his head, trying to shake away the maudlin feelings.

He pushed away from the sink and unlocked the door only to find the man himself standing, waiting for him. They stood looking at each other for a long moment.

"I'm sorry, Jonny," Richie said. "I didn't mean to...embarrass you?"

"I'm not embarrassed," Jon replied, pushing past him. "Just didn't feel up to it. I knew this album was a mistake..." He started to walk away before turning back to face the man that walked out of his life. "I should hate you, Rich. I should! But I don't...god help me, I don't."

"I know. I don't either," Richie sighed. "I didn't want to hurt you, that was never my intention. But you needed to wake up to what was going on around you. You weren't willing to open your eyes. I hope that has changed now...for the rest of the guys' sake."

"Is it too late...," Jon asked. "You know...for us, for the band?"

Richie sighed, scrubbing his hand over his face. "Fuck...I dunno, Jonny," he said. "Let's just...let's just take it step by step, huh?"

Jon nodded, unable to say anything. He started to push past his friend to head back out, when Richie gripped him by the arm, turning Jon back to face him.

"Don't ever think that I don't love you, Jonny," he said. "I'll always have your back...I just can't..." he sighed again, "I just can't do that at the moment. I can't be just another face in the crowd. I...we...Lema, Tico, Hugh...we deserve our due."

Richie let Jon go and walked back outside, leaving Jon staring after him.