Timeless

3

1970-July-Lindsey

We've been in and out of festivals for a month and a half now. Today we ship out to Woodstock. Opening one night for Jimi Hendrix and one for Janis Joplin. I can't say I'm thrilled about Janis, but Jimi is one of my all-time idols.

"Do you think we'll meet Janis tonight?" Stevie asks as we pull into our motel.

"We only open for her Kitten, we probably won't even see her," Javi says from the driver's seat.

Stevie's light goes out and my heart breaks for her.

"Hey, we still might see her," I whisper to her.

We've grown close the past couple of months. She'll often fall asleep on my chest or shoulder when we're driving into the night. We've bonded over many things, songwriting being the biggest. She's talented and I often wish we could sing one of her songs. She's a lot better at lyrics than Javi is.

"Stevie, I want to rebel tonight. You know when I do my solo in the set?" I whisper.

"Yes." She looks at me.

"I want to do your song about the cat and darkness. I know the chords." I look back at her.

"Rhiannon?" She asks.

"Yeah." I nod.

"Are you sure. We're going to be in so much trouble," She bites her thumbnail, "Okay."

I laugh, and we shake on it. During my solo, we do Rhiannon. Cal and Bob catch on quickly and add little bits in. Javi is fuming and as the song comes to an end, Stevie smiles widely and runs over to hug me. Not thinking, I quickly lean in and kiss the top of her head.

***

As we exit the stage Javi is screaming. "WHAT DID I SAY? MY SONGS! THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS LINDSEY'S SOLO."

"It was Lindsey's solo. He wanted to that song and I agreed!" Stevie exclaims.

"Steph let it go. Let him yell at us. We did it, it felt great. Let's leave it at that." I reply

"Steph was it, did you write that song. Birds in flight, who will be her lover?" We turn around and I about pass out. It's Janis Joplin.

"Why yes, I did. It's called Rhiannon." Stevie tells her. Eyes sparkling.

"It's lovely, I think you sang it beautifully. I'm Janis Joplin." She smiles holding her hand out.

"I know, I'm Stevie Nicks. This is Lindsey Buckingham." Stevie answers, taking her hand.

"Lindsey, it's nice to meet you. I have to go onstage but we should hang out after." She takes my hand and smiles.

"By the way, you two make a cute couple." She adds and Stevie blushes.

Javi gives a sharp look but I speak before he can say anything. "Stevie and I would love to."

"Perfect! I'll meet you here then." Janis smiles.

"You two can find your own way back to our motel then." Javi spits when Janis walks away.

***

Janis gets us a room at the Ritz and while we're sitting in the king-sized bed, we stare at each other.

"We could have this someday Steph," I say to her.

"Lindsey, what she said earlier about us being a cute couple. What do you think about it?" Stevie questions.

"Do you want the honest truth?" I sigh

"What do you mean?" She gives me a look.

"The first day I met you, I knew I liked you. I was just in a relationship already and too shy to say something to you. I thought a lot about you. I do really like you. If you want to be in a relationship I'd like that. And when we're done with the tour, I'll properly wine and dine you." I say shyly.

"I don't know if you can afford me." She bats her eyelashes.

"One-Hundred dollars a gig baby." I chuckle.

She busts out laughing and then we lock eyes. We stop and slowly start leaning into each other. We consummated our relationship in the luxury of the Ritz.

***

The next day of Woodstock we rolled up with Janis Joplin and the rest of Fritz's mouths dropped open.

Rhiannon became a setlist staple and Janis gave Stevie several notes that she followed to a T. Every time Stevie sang it she transformed into a new person. Sadly, Janis died on October 4th. Stevie was heartbroken and when we met at the park for our weekly picnic she cried into my chest. So, I took her out and bought her a picture frame to frame the polaroid she had taken of Janis, me, and her at the Ritz.