Brian’s POV:
I walked in the door, Tammy’s fingers laced with mine only to have her ripped from my grasp as Jimmy scooped her up in a bone crushing hug. “Oh my god you’re back. Don’t ever leave me again. I don’t care if you leave Gates, just don’t ever leave me again.” he said twirling her around. “Ok, ok Jimmy, but I can’t keep that promise if you don’t let me breath.” she choked out. “Sorry.” he said plopping her down and grabbing her wrist, “I was so worried,” he started to ramble dragging her away, “I didn’t know what to think when Linkin Park showed up for your stuff. Then Matt tells us what happened, and I thought I would never get to see you again, and then I wouldn’t have 2 more reasons to party in February…..” his voice trailed off when he dragged her away out of ear shot. I chuckled a little, and shook my head. He decided that we would celebrate her birthday, then have a joint birthday party, then his birthday. Man we’re going to be so hungover that week.
I made my way to Matt’s office. I swear this guy lives in there. I pushed open his door that wasn’t closed all the way, and walked in. He was dialing a number on his office phone. Smiling at me he waved me over as the other line started to ring. “Shadows,” I heard James Hetfield answer, “what can I do for you son.” he greeted. “Afternoon James,” Matt replied “I need to make arrangements for a new recruit.” he told him. “Adding another are we? Okay what’s his name?” James asked. We silently chuckled. “Well her name is Tammy.” Matt stated. “Absolutely not.” we heard Kirk on the other line. Our faces dropped. We didn’t even consider Kirk having a problem with it. “I’m sorry Shadows, but the main reason most of us lost contact with her was to keep her out of this life.” he explained. Most of us? “I understand that Kirk, but she’s been in this life for the past six months. I strongly feel she can handle what comes with it.” Matt tried pleading a little. “No. I won’t allow it.” Kirk stated firmly. “Now hold on a minute,” we heard James interrupt, “Shadows has she already agreed to join?” he asked. “Yes.” there was a pause. “Look Kirk I realize that this young lady is like a daughter to you,” we heard James reasoning with him, “I understand your concerns. I too have children I did not want in the life, but from what I’ve heard over the years, you’ve always wanted her to live her life the way she wanted. If this is what she wants then let her live it.” he said. “Besides I don’t think you could ask for a better gang for her to join.” James added. Did I hear him right? Did he just compliment us? I saw the wide smile on Matt’s face that matched my own. It wasn’t often Metallica complimented a gang. It was kind of a big deal to us.
I heard a distant sigh on the other line. “I don’t like it.” he said. “Neither did I Kirk, but the last thing she needs is someone else controlling her life.” James said. “Fine.” we heard him sigh out. “Alright then. Can you be here Friday at 7?” James asked. “Absolutely.” Matt replied. We’ll have to find someone to fill in for her at the club. I hope we won’t have to find someone new altogether. This could be conflicting. “Then its settled. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you all, and finally meeting this young lady I’ve heard so much about.” James stated. “Um excuse me Kirk?” I stopped Matt from ending the call. “Gates?” he replied. “Pardon me for asking, but what did you mean when you said most of us lost contact?” I asked. “It’s not a problem son,” Kirk started, “I kept in contact with her over the years. I wanted her to live her life, but I wasn’t going to make her do it alone.” he said. “She never told us that.” I said. “No I told her not to tell anyone about me. People didn’t need to know how important she was to me. That could cause her unnecessary problems. She never had a way of contacting me, but she never spent a birthday or holiday alone.” he finished. “I see. Thank you sir.” I said. “You’re welcome. See you soon.” We said our goodbyes, and Matt hung up.
Matt looked at me with relief. “Thought things were going to be shot for a minute there.” he said. I nodded. “She here?” he asked. “Yea. Jimmy drug her away rambling as soon as we walked in the door.” I said. He chuckled a little. “Well then,” he said standing, “shall we go tell everyone the great news?” he asked as I stood. We headed for the door when Matt stopped us suddenly. “You’re cool with this right?” he asked. “Does it really matter?” I asked. “Yea.” he said. I haven’t given it much thought. Yea her life will be at risk at times, but she can handle herself in front of danger. For some reason I wasn’t that worried about it. “Yea man, I’m cool.” I said. “You sure?” I nodded, and we left his office.
“BOOM! HEAD SHOT!” we heard Jimmy yell from the game room. Well at least we know where they all are. We followed the laughter down the hall, and walked into the game room. They were all sitting around playing COD on different systems and TVs. Leave it to the girl to talk the guys into adding more shit, so they could all play against each other. “Damn it you guys have been playing this longer than me. Why am I backpacking you?” Tammy playfully scolded the Berrys. “Cause they’re scrubs.” Shadz said hopping the back of the couch, and plopping between Tammy and JB. “Oh thank God,” Tammy said as soon as he sat down, “JB give Matt your controller. You, number 2,” she said with a smirk looking and pointing at Matt Berry, “drop out or be kicked.” she finished. “Hey!” they said in unison. She giggled a little, and Shadz yanked the controller from JB’s hands. “Hey, who does number 2 work for?” he asked Matt with a smirk. Matt rolled his eyes and dropped out of the game. “No, no, no.” protests came from Jimmy, Zack, and Johnny. “You two aren’t allowed to play together remember?” Zack said. After a few games it was decided that Tammy and Shadz weren't allowed to be on the same team cause they always won. So now they‘re always team captains when they play against each other. Its evened things out. “What? Its two against three. I think we have the disadvantage here.” Tammy argued. “I agree, so quit your bitchin.” Shadz said taking over JB’s game.
It wasn’t long before Shadz helped Tammy come back, and were on their way to winning. “So I was thinking about a vacation in Vegas for a week.” Shadz stated not looking away from the game. “Fuck yea. Sin City. Always a good time.” Jimmy said. “Gotta be there by 7 Friday night, and meet Metallica.” Shads said. “Why are we meeting Metallica?” Zacky asked. “Oh cause we’re adding a new member.” Shadz said glancing at Tammy through the corner of his eye. “BOOM! HEAD SHOT! Final kill bitch.” Tammy gloated at Jimmy jumping up from the couch. “No fair I was distracted.” Jimmy whined. “Oh I don’t wanna hear your excuses.” she said. “Wait. Whose joining?” Johnny asked. “Me, Stubby!” Tammy said pulling him into a headlock, and messing up is perfectly spiked Mohawk. I watched the smiles spread across the room at the news. “Yay! You’re really not leaving me ever again.” Jimmy said scooping her up again, freeing Johnny from his noogie from hell. “Again… Jimmy... Need… To… Breath.” she choked out. “Right. I keep forgetting.” he said plopping her down.
She took her seat back next to Shadz. “Kirk wasn’t too thrilled about the idea.” he told her. “He’ll get over it.” she said. “He also told us about staying in contact with you over the years.” he added. “Yea. Sorry I would have said something, but he told me not to tell anyone that I even knew him.” she said. “He had good reasons.” Shadz told her. He stood abruptly. “While I’m thinking about it….” he trailed off to himself as he left the room returning moments later with a large .45 caliber gun. “Here you can have this back.” he said handing it to her. “Sweet. I was wondering where this went.” she said taking it from him. “Sorry I had to hold on to it.” he told her. She nodded. “That’s a hell of a gun,” Zacky spoke up, “you know how to use it?” he asked cocking a brow. “Why don’t you run, and we’ll find out.” she smirked pushing in the magazine. “I’ll just take your word for it,” he replied, “May I?” he asked reaching out. She handed over the chrome .45 with yellow grips, her favorite color. “Nice. Where did you get it?” he asked. “Jacoby left it for me.” she said. She told me about the storage unit he rented for her. He left all the clothes he bought her, that gun, 20 grand, and some other necessities for her to get started on her own. He said, when we were talking yesterday before Corey showed up, that he didn’t want to leave her high and dry. He filled me in on all the bad things that happened then. The stuff she doesn’t like to talk about. I can’t imagine seeing the things he saw, feeling the pain he felt knowing he couldn’t save her because her dad could have easily had him thrown in prison. He agreed to step aside if she ended up coming back to me. I asked him what he was doing buying a prostitute. He told me that when word gets around that there is one out there you can do whatever you want too, you get curious. Her dad liked to cater to the darker sides of people. The fear he saw in her eyes told him this wasn’t something she would normally do. “So whose going to play this weekend then?” Jimmy asked. “Lidia can do it.” Tammy said. Who the fuck is that? “Right I forgot she can play and sing.” Jimmy said. “Who is Lidia?” I asked. Tammy gave an are you serious look. “You don’t know the names of your own employees?” she asked. “Jesus Christ Gates she’s one of the violinist in the orchestra.” Jimmy piped up. So I didn’t learn their names sue me. I nodded. “I guess that’ll work. She any good?” I asked. “Wouldn’t have suggested her if she wasn’t.” she said. Well I guess that settles that. “We’ll leave in the morning that way we’ll have time to check into the hotel and rest up before we meet them.” Shadz explained. “You ever flown before?” he asked Tammy. “Once. Coach when I moved out here.” she said. “Ewww coach.” Jimmy pretented to gag a little. She chuckled. “Take it you fly first class?” she asked. “Fuck that. We have our own private jet.” Jimmy said with a smirk.

Notes

A little boring, but you know those boring ones gotta be in there at times.
VEGAS BABY!!!! Last person for her to be reunited with, well last of the good guys anyway......