The Vault

I'll Be There For You - Jimmy Fic (requested)

August 8, 1975

"Don't think I've quite gotten over what you did to me last night..." Jimmy growled in my ear, low and sexual as he had me pinned to the door of his dressing room. He was about to head off on stage to dazzle thousands with his skill and beauty and style. "Turning me on and then just leaving me to perform with a raging hard on... I should punish you for that..."

"I'm suprised you didn't after last night's show..." I mused, smirking softly - my wit and cheeky attitude was always the one thing that Jimmy said he admired most about me.

"Oh I will... Just you wait." He grinned, biting down on the soft skin of my neck. He was about to push his hand down into my pants when there was another knock on the door; a roadie telling us that Jimmy really needed to get up on stage now. He rolled his eyes and gave me a quick peck on the lips before lacing his hand through mine and bringing me out of the room. We walked down the corridor to the side-stage where he picked me up by my hips and sat me down on top of his amplifier, giving me the perfect view for the show. "If you move your pretty little backside from this one spot at any point tonight, I'll ruin it - and that's a promise."

"Hmm... I might have to take a walk around the stadium then," I grinned, kissing him quickly before he put the strap of his Les Paul around his shoulders and walked onto the stage where Jonesy and Bonzo already were. Robert met up with Jimmy just as he picked up his guitar and they walked out together.

About half way through the show, a roadie came up to me, tapping on my shoulder to get my attention over the loud music.

"Ari?" He screamed, making me turn around.

"Oh, hey Joey!" I smiled, turning back to Jimmy for a moment to see him entirely lost in the music, or so I thought. For a split second, he turned his head to look at me, making me grin widely as I hopped down from his amp so I could talk to Joey. Something wicked flashed in his eyes, making my insides rumble. I winked at him and then turned my attention back to Joey, who seemed worried, to say the least. "What's up?"

"Ari, I just got a call..." He stuffed his hands in his jean pockets and looked down at the floor, not wanting to meet my gaze.

"What call?" I asked, getting worried. "Joey... Answer me. What call?"

"I- It's from your father... Your mum... She... She just..." I could tell instantly why he looked so embarrassed - he didn't want to be the one to share this news. "I'm sorry."

Instantly, my mouth dropped and my hands flew up to cover it, in horror.

My mum... my beautifully, perfect, stunning best friend that my mother was... She's gone? She can't be.

I ran back to Jimmy's dressing room as quickly as I could, so I wouldn't be faced with the embarrassment of sobbing in front of the entire zeppelin entourage - it was bad enough that no one really took me seriously, being Jimmy's girlfriend and all. They all thought I was just some blonde bimbo, rather than a girl with a Master's degree in biological studies. To them, I was a joke. To them, I was worth nothing more than a quick shag, which they're convinced is what I am to Jimmy.

All these thoughts made my heart lurch into my throat and tears prickle in my eyes. I couldn't take it. Getting into Jimmy's dressing room, I slammed the door behind me and let out a heavy sob, unheard over the sound of the music blasting from the stage. I screamed and cried and hoped to god that this was all just a sick joke.

I knew it wasn't - calling my father had lead to my suspicions being confirmed. This hellish nightmare was, in fact, very real.

"I'm so sorry, baby girl," my dad sniffled. "I'm so so sorry."