When Rock Meets Melody (a Mötley Crüe fanfic)

Chapter 5 - Girl, Don't Go Away Mad

Rehab? Done. Still rock to the day they'll die? Hell, yeah. The now-sober Mötley Crüe return to the studio to create their fifth album, Dr. Feelgood. Months before the album's release, Nikki gets help from his bandmates to rebuild his friendship with Melody... the backstory on how they produced the track "Don't Go Away Mad."

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March 28th, 1989 – One year and two months later...

Getting Mötley Crüe back on track required a lot of effort through small steps toward sobriety and rehabilitation; thank God I recorded this in my diary because I have no idea how I survived touring with them. I came back home to San Francisco only to cry, rage and scream. How can one girl who's never taken drugs, or drinks when needed, and still be single, take on so much?

My one question will be about their change. It's been nothing but drugs, alcohol, sex, girls, mayhem, and non-stop trouble.

One year later, I came home to our answering machine having a red button flash on.

"You have one message. Message one," the operator said, sounding a small beep in response, followed by my voicemail. "This is Raewood residence. If you hear this message, then we're not home. Please leave a message, or my mom will go nuts."

Another beep followed.

"Hey, Melody. It's Nikki."

SHIT!

Everything had hit me all at once.

The rehab plan and Doug's promise to call me back once they get out.

I didn't get calls since they started, but he called to check how they're doing and asked about family. All I'd done was return to my normal life and not deal with rock stars night after night.

But I did not expect Nikki Sixx to call.

"Hope you're okay," he continued speaking. "I know this sounds stupid. Well... to you, it may be hearing this from a guy who has been through a lot of shit over the last few years."

His voice, tainted by the effects of heroin, echoed in my ears...

"Why don't you just go back to San Francisco and just go away, Mel? YOU CARE... SO MUCH, DON'T YOU?!"

"I CARE BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!"

"Please help me, Melody."

I almost blacked out, my body trembling from the memories of what had transpired between us.

"Good news, we're out of rehab now. We're in Vancouver, making a record called Dr. Feelgood," Nikki added, accompanied by a small chuckle. "Aerosmith's just next door to us, so we're getting them on some tracks. If you're not too busy, you wanna hang out with us? I mean... It's up to you. Just know that I miss you. Vince, T-bone, and Mick said hi. Call me back, okay?"

The beep signalled the end of the message. I stood there, stunned, unable to find the words to respond. Each word he spoke caused my heart to ache. Despite being in my hometown, I felt an overwhelming sense of homesickness. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, my cheeks turning a faded pink as my heart skipped a beat. 

Without hesitation, I grabbed my car keys, nearly stumbling in my rush, and dashed to catch the next flight to Canada.

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The next day...

I'd made either the dumbest or the genius idea ever, but going back to Mötley Crüe was the only way to make things work again. Half of me screamed to keep my ass back after the flight, whereas the other told me no.