Can't Stop (Frusciante fan fic)

Part 23-The Last Stop First

A/N: Don't get me wrong. I'm sure most of us appreciate, like, or even love Stevie Nicks and Dave Matthews Band. But this story is primarily about John, Ellie, and Sophia, so I'll try to keep the rest of the concert details short. John will be heavily involved in later chapters, don't worry!

John's POV

I barely sleep when I get back to my hotel room. Suddenly, all of our things are packed at 5 AM on the bus. Usually, I'll play on my guitar alone or even jam with Flea on the bus, then sleep on the plane, which usually is a quick flight back to L.A. 

As tired as I am, I'm still thinking about last night and craving Ellie. I shut my eyes as I lean against the bus seat, hoping for 30 minutes of happy dreams. Then Flea sits across the aisle from me and starts talking. 

"So John, what time did you get back to the hotel last night?" Flea asks, giving me a dirty look. 

I return his stare back. "Later than you for sure, Flea," I smirk. "Well, John, I'm old now, and so are you. We need our beauty sleep." I can't help but laugh. 

"Seriously, John, I know Ellie's beautiful and an absolute sweetheart. With a beautiful little clone, nonetheless. Just be careful with them, OK? I can see someone getting their heart broken here. I don't know which one of you guys it will be, but um, yeah," he remarks.

I glare at him. He may have a point. But I hate being lectured by him. I'm not that much younger than he is. "Look, Flea, I appreciate your concern. But I just need some sleep.. And I think when we get back, we should work on recording right away."

"Do you mean today, John?" he inquires. I nod back. "You are really crazy, John," he laughs. "I'll think about it." I don't know why he wants to delay any further. We've all been waiting to put out a new album for months now. It would be a great Christmas present for everyone I know and love. 

Ellie's POV

I awaken around 9 AM, not having set an alarm. Stevie Nicks doesn't play until tonight, and Blondie is the only act I really want to see other than Stevie. Man, I feel old, I think to myself. Then again, Stevie Nicks isn't that much younger than my late parents, and she still sounds and looks incredible. I've never seen her or Fleetwood Mac live, but I imagine I will make more of an effort after this. Or at least make an effort to do so. 

I indulge more today in the wine tasting. I find myself becoming tipsy, which I know isn't the best idea being alone here, but there is so much variety and I haven't been wine tasting since 2013 with my parents at a local winery in Santa Cruz. The food here is really off the charts. I find myself spending more money than I want to, even skipping out to the ATM to get more cash.

Anyway, moving forward about five hours, and Stevie does not disappoint. The crowd looks older tonight, even older than I am, but it's nice to see younger people enjoying old music as well. She still belts out "Edge of Seventeen" and "Landslide," songs which always make me choke up because of my parents' deaths. And the loss of Sophia's father, who is pretty much dead to me. That reminds me that I have to deal with her recent desire to see him and behave like an adult about it when I get back. 

I head back to the hotel, trying to walk with groups of people as it is dark outside. I can't wait to see Dave Matthews Band tomorrow. I have seen them live before, and I haven't seen many concerts in my lifetime. But it was the best concert I'd ever been too when I saw them with my ex at Shoreline when we were together. Clearly, that is now eclipsed by seeing the Chili Peppers twice. With their performance with John on Friday. But, I like the way they put so much energy into touring and live shows, rather than making album after album just for the sales.

I grew up as a teen with DMB, and listened to them constantly in my early years of college, which was sadly, the time when John was struggling with addiction and recovery. I didn't, and still don't, care for One Hot Minute, much like John. Dave Navarro was pretty hot back then, so I did watch the videos and have the album at home. "My Friends" and "Love Rollercoaster," are my favorites from that time period. I know John would never have "stooped to the level" of doing an animated video with Beavis and Butthead, but I think the video is silly and hilarious and the guitar rocks on that song.