Two Different Roads

You've Really Got A Hold On Me

They spent the next few days in Lennon's company. One evening, he invited the trio to join him at another nightclub, this one called Sybil's. Ellen wasnt surprised in the slightest when her former lover took advantage of the opportunity to attempt to get close to her again.

"If Mike doesn't mind why don't you have a dance with me?"
"Well if HE doesn't mind, perhaps I DO."
"Really?" He whispered, leaning close. "If he doesn't care about the dance I'm fairly certain he would about that kiss."
"You wouldn't actually tell him?"
"Oh I would though...they say all's fair in love and war Little Girl, and this is both."
"You are a right bastard, you know that."
"Well they also say 'nice guys finish last' don't they."
She rose from the table reluctantly and let him lead her out onto the floor where Johnny Rivers' version of "Baby I need your loving" had just begun to play. The lyrics were added salt in the wound : "although you're never near, your voice I often hear. Another day, another night, I long to hold you tight. Cause I'm so lonely..."
"Watch those hands unless you want Michael to hit you again."
"We're just dancing Ellie."
"But you almost never dance. This is just an excuse to touch me and hold me in your arms."
"You know that, and I know that, but your husband doesn't."
"Michael is a very smart man. He doesn't miss much."
"Yeah, but he likes me."
"He wouldn't if he knew that you're still after me and this so-called friendship is simply a means of throwing him off."
"Who ever said that? I told you, I like Mike. The fact that I want his wife doesn't change that fact. One has nothing to do with the other. I'm sure he wouldn't see it that way though, so we'll just keep that little secret between ourselves...unless you can't control yourself with me."
"I can control myself just fine."
"That isn't what it looked like when you were practically sucking on me tonsils. You're a complete liar Dear. I may be a bastard, but I'm honest. I can't control myself at ALL with you, and I don't even want to TRY."
He suddenly leaned in again to whisper in the sexy tone that had always made her melt, "What do you say we do our usual sneaking off to the loo for a quick knee trembler?"
"John Winston Lennon, if you suggest that again, I'll see to it personally that you won't be able to use your dangly bits for ANYTHING for the foreseeable future."
"You'd never. You like my dangly bits too much for that."
"Don't push me, or you'll find out. Song's over. I'm going back over to my husband."
"You may have won this battle, but the war is just beginning Luv. Trust me, by the end you'll be BEGGING to lose"

II
The next skirmish was waged the following night when they attended a recording session/party at Abbey Road. The Beatles were in the midst of what the world in general would later call their masterpiece, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." This evening they were working on John's epic, "A Day In The Life" with complete orchestra, and virtually EVERYONE was in attendance, including The Rolling Stones whom Ellen had not previously met. Mike pointed out Mick Jagger in particular, asking her if she thought he was sexy as it seemed nearly every other woman in the world did.

In truth she had very little interest. Other men had NEVER interested her. She knew it secretly pleased her husband to have it confirmed that his wife only had eyes for him, but she did take the opportunity to catch up with her many old friends, the other Beatles, George Martin, Mal Evans, Neil Aspinall, and of course her former boss and surrogate big brother, Brian Epstein.

You look wonderful Ellen. Married life agrees with you, and your husband is an extraordinary man, quite intelligent, witty and confident."
"I absolutely adore him Eppy. I'm very happy."
"I'm glad to hear that. Just don't let anything spoil it," he told her pointedly, glancing at John.
"Don't worry I won't. Now if you don't mind I think I need to get some air."
"By all means. We'll talk again later I'm sure."
III

Ellen had never been a huge fan of crowds, and she still hadn't entirely recovered from her experience in the Philippines, so a trip up to the roof of the studio and a clandestine cigarette to calm her nerves were quite welcome if not mandatory. She didn't do this often as Mike didn't approve, but occasionally the old habit beckoned.
Another asserted itself a short time later when John suddenly appeared.
"I thought I'd find you here. You never have been comfortable around lots of people for too long."
"And you think I'm comfortable around YOU?"
He chuckled. "You know WE come up here all the time to smoke," he remarked, swiping the cigarette from her mouth and taking a large drag. "Does Mike know you still smoke these things?"

"No, but I don't even do it very often."
"I won't tell. I can keep me gob closed about a lot of things if i feel like it," he told her with a slightly suggestive smirk then abruptly removed the lovely, velvety royal blue suit coat he was wearing to place it around her shoulders. "Have me coat. It's brass monkeys out here."
"Thanks Johnny."
"Me pleasure."
It smelled like him. A wave of nostalgia hit her hard.
"You know if you really want to relax, I've got something much better."
He ground out the cigarette with his heel, produced a joint from the pocket of his pants and lit it. She accepted, and they spent the next few moments passing it between them. Soon they were both a bit giggly, the barriers Ellen had carefully erected between them weakening with the drug's influence. It was impossible to tell exactly who initiated it, but somehow she ended up in his arms once again, and they were kissing like a pair of infatuated teenagers.
"Christ John!" His tongue was in her mouth now, his hands on her hips, then her ass, pressing her against his erection.
"I want you Ellie. I want you right here, right now."
Somehow she managed to find the strength to refuse him. "I can't. You KNOW I can't."
"I notice you're not saying you don't WANT to."
"Same difference."
"Not at all My Love."
She pulled away from him at last, handed him his coat. "I'm going. Wait a few minutes before you come down."
"Yeah, wouldn't want your husband to suspect what we were up to would ya?
"It was just another kiss."
"Bollocks-we very nearly got it over right here."
"I don't seem to recall that," she told him with a grin.
"I find that hard to believe seeing as how you were basically dry humping me hard on."
"Laters Johnny," she said, giving him a brief kiss on the lips and then turning to walk away.
"Fucking tease," he kidded to her retreating back.