by Metallica

Jo had a hard time sleeping that night. She was anxious to see him again. At nine o'clock she finally gave up. She got out of bed and went in the bathroom to take a shower. She started the water, then looked at herself in the mirror. She hoped the other guys wouldn't get the wrong impression from the bags under her eyes. Once she got in the shower, she stood under the stream hoping the hot water would wash away the signs of her restless night.

When she got out, she heard someone knocking on the door. She quickly wrapped a towel around her body, and went to the door. When she opened it, she saw Rob on the other side. He left his long dark hair hanging loose, his brown eyes were covered by a pair of dark sunglasses. "Hi. Um... You didn't call."

"I called. You didn't answer."

She clutched the towel between her breasts. "You must have called right after I got in the shower. Come in. It won't take me long to get ready."

Once the door was closed, she turned around to find him standing behind her. He stared down into her pale eyes. He laid his hand on her cheek, and slowly slid his thumb under her eye. "If I didn't know any better, I would think I spent the night by the size of the bags under your eyes."

She smiled as her eyes drifted closed. She leaned into his touch. "I couldn't sleep last night."

"Why not?"

"I guess it was because I was really happy that you wanted me to come with you today." When she opened her eyes she noticed he had removed his sunglasses and hung them from the front of his Lakers jersey. She gripped the towel tighter as he came down and softly kissed her. "Rob, I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I'm not "easy"."

"I know. If you were, you would have asked me to stay last night." His hand slid down her cheek and neck, then over her shoulder. He leaned down, and kissed her again. "I'm trying to be a good guy. You may want to get dressed, before I throw that idea out the window."

She blushed as she smiled at him. "Give me about fifteen minutes and I'll be ready to go."

"Take your time. We have about an hour before they get there."

She went into the bedroom, pulled out her clothes and slid into them as fast as she could. She went into the bathroom and put her make up on. She grabbed a hair clip off of the counter and clipped her hair up at the back of her head. When she came out Rob was on the couch petting Mellow. "See? He just had to get to know you."

"Yeah, he's being nice today." He looked up at her and stopped petting the dog. Her black muscle shirt was tight across her breasts. Between her shirt and jeans was two inches of smooth bared flesh. Her jeans, while not tight, flattered her curves.

"Rob..."

"Yeah?"

"Close your mouth before you drool."

He laughed. "Sorry. You look great."

"Thank you. I'm ready when you are."

"Um... Yeah. Let's go." He got up from the couch as she walked to the door. Before she reached it, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. He leaned down and kissed her again, this time a bit more urgently. "I had to do that."

She smiled as she laid her hands along his jaw and wiped the glittery gloss off of his lips with her thumbs. "I'm not complaining." Her thumbs slowed as she reached the corners of his mouth on the final stroke. She slid her hands down to rest on his chest. As she looked up into his eyes her pulse quickened. "I, uh... Yeah, we should go." She stepped away from him, grabbed her cell phone and went out the door with him behind her.

They were quiet on the ride to the rehearsal studio. The quiet gave Rob time to think. He was losing his cool for this woman, and he hardly knew her. He'd had one-night-stands and partied with girls for awhile, then left them... But he knew he wasn't getting any younger. It was only a matter of time before the "family bug" bit him in the ass. He turned to look at her for a moment. He had to admit, he liked Jo. She had all of the womanly qualities, but she could fit in with the guys.

As they pulled up to the building, he said, "well, we're the last ones here."

"I hope I didn't make you too late."

"It's no problem. They were probably early. Just be ready for any excuses they throw at us for being late."

She looked at him and smiled. "Like the guys thinking we had sex?"

"That will probably be the main one." He laughed. "I don't care what they think. You might, though."

"Not really. I'll make it look good for you," she laughed.

He laughed as he got out. He walked around to her side as she got out. "Stop."

"What?"

He reached to the back of her head, and took the clip out of her hair. As he slid his left fingers through her hair, his right hand threw her clip in the car. "I like your hair down." He slid his hand down her arm and loosely laced his fingers with her's.

As they stepped inside the building, Jo couldn't help but look around at all of the flags and various pieces of old stage props that were hanging. "Wow! This is like every fans' dream to be in here with you guys," she told Rob.

"So, you are a fan."

She gave him a look that said "as if you didn't know". "How else would I have known that you and James were connected? I have every album this band has put out."

"It's about time you showed up," Lars yelled at him. He looked at Jo. "Shit... You held us up for a piece of ass?"

Rob looked at his watch. "I'm five fucking minutes late."

"Maybe we'll have to make it faster next time," Jo said.

"Oh, hell... I thought I wouldn't have to see her again," James said when he spotted Jo.

"What's the matter? Still sore about losing Friday?" she taunted.

Lars and Kirk laughed. Rob laid his hand on her shoulder and smiled at James. "By the way, thanks for losing."

"Yeah, yeah... Let's get down to business."

Rob turned to Jo. "Have a seat somewhere." As he leaned down to softly kiss her, the familiar whining guitar began. She couldn't help but laugh. "What?"

"The song... When I raced James Friday night I was listening to "Sweet Amber"."

James took the opportunity to taunt Jo. "Alright, you beat me at cars. How about guitars?"

"I can't play. You win by default." She mock-bowed to him. "All hail the mighty Hetfield." He laughed as he went back to starting out the song.

After a few songs, she felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulled it out and looked at the tiny screen. "Dammit." She stepped outside the doors, as she pressed the button to answer it. "Hey, Mike."

"Hey, Jo. I know it's Sunday and all, but I just checked the messages."

"And?"

"A guy called about renting the track for a birthday party."

"Anybody I would know?"

"The party is for your opponent from Friday, James Hetfield. The guy that called was Lars Ulrich."

She laughed. "What a coincidence..."

"What?"

"I'm with both of them right now. I'll have a talk with Lars and handle the paperwork when I come in."

"Will you be in tomorrow?"

"I don't know at this point. I may have to wait until tomorrow to speak to Lars."

"Alright. I'll see you when you come in."

"Alright. Thanks for letting me know, Mike. Later."

As she hung up the phone, she turned back toward the building. She hadn't heard the door open. When she looked up and saw Rob, she jumped. "You scared the hell out of me."

"Is everything ok?"

"Yeah. That was my assistant, Mike. I guess now would be a good time to tell you where I work. I don't just race at the track. I handle the special events and promotions at the track. Lars is trying to rent it for James' birthday."

Rob laughed. "Does Lars or James know that?"

"No. I need to speak to Lars alone about it. Could you be a sweetheart and occupy James for a few minutes?"

He laid his hands on her hips. "Hmm... If you do something for me."

She laid her hands on his chest. "Name it."

"Come home with me when me and the guys are done."

She smiled at him. "I guess Mellow will be ok without me for a while."

"I'll get Lars out here for you."

"Thank you." She stood on her toes and kissed him.

As he went back in the building, Jo waited outside. Before long Lars and Kirk came out. "No shit? You really work at the track?"

"Nice coincidence, huh?" she laughed. "I suppose Kirk knows what's going on?"

"Yeah, I do. We came up with this together."

"I'll make a deal with you guys. I'll waive the security fees and put them on my account. Lars, since you called I'll need you to come to the track sometime this week to go over the paperwork and work out the details."

"Why would you do that for us?" Kirk asked.

"Because James did something for me. He probably won't admit it, but I know he threw that race the other night. And, because I'm a huge fan."

"Ok. Is tomorrow okay with you?" Lars asked.

"Better make it tomorrow afternoon. Two o'clock?"

"Sounds good." He held his hand out to her. "Thanks, Jo."

She shook his hand. "No problem, man. I'd let you guys have the track for nothing, but that would piss my boss off."

"Hey, any help you can give us would be great. We need to get back in there before James gets suspicious."

"Rob's taking care of that. If I may say from a long time fans' perspective, he's a great addition to the band." As she turned to go inside, she mumbled, "I never did like Newsted." The guys laughed as they went in.

They stuck around for three more hours, before the guys called it quits for the day. On the ride to his house, Jo's mind swirled with doubts and fears. The worst was that Rob was only taking her to his house to get in her pants. She had been used too many times before. She knew she would be crushed if he only wanted to get her in bed.

"Here we are," he said as he turned down a driveway. He pulled up to the front of the house and killed the engine.

As she got out and looked at the huge house she swallowed back her fears and doubts. She followed him to the door and waited for him to unlock it. He held the door open as she walked inside. "Wow! You have a beautiful house."

As he closed the door he said, "mi casa es su casa. Look around if you want. I need to get out of these sweaty clothes and cool down."

She wandered around for a few minutes before she found the den. On the walls were framed albums that went back to his time with Suicidal Tendencies and Ozzy. In the adjacent room, she heard a sliding glass door open. She didn't think anything about it until she heard bare feet running across the tile floor, then Rob yelling, "bonzai!" The sound of splashing water told her what he was doing. She went into the room and looked out the door, to find him barely coming to the surface.

"Is this how you cool off?"

"Come on in. The water's warm."

She smiled at him. "I don't have my suit."

"I don't have one on either." He leaned back and floated on the water, showing her that he wasn't lying.

She leaned her head on the wall just inside the door. "Oh my gawd... He's hung like a horse," she thought to herself. She looked out at him again. He was still floating.

"Come on. Are you shy?"

"Maybe just a little."

"Then leave your panties and shirt on."

The longer she watched him, the more her longing grew to be out there with him. "Fuck it... If he uses me, atleast it will be good," she thought. She unbuttoned her jeans and let them fall. "I'm not wearing any panties," she told him. She took off her shirt and dropped it on her jeans. She ran out and jumped in the pool. As she came up she turned on Rob. "You liar! The water's fucking cold!"

"Need me to warm you up?"

He started swimming toward her. He stopped in front of Jo and reached his arms out to encircle her. "Rob, I... I don't want to be used for a sex toy."

He saw the fear in her eyes. "If I was going to use you we would have gone back to your place." As he pulled her flush against him her arms went around his neck. He lifted her legs to wrap them around his waist. "I don't want to use you. I want you over and over and over again."

He kissed her lips, then parted them with his tongue. She allowed him to slowly search her mouth as she relished in the feel of his body against her's. "I need you, now."

He made love to her in the pool, the cool water doing nothing for the heat they built together.

When she woke up in the morning she was laying on him on the couch, the only thing covering their naked bodies was a blanket. She placed a soft kiss in the middle of his chest, then slowly, gently moved his arms so she could get up. After making sure he was still asleep she went into the kitchen where she left her clothes piled on the floor. She found a woman at the stove cooking. As she picked up her clothes the woman turned around. "Uh... Hi."

"Oh hell... Not again."

"Excuse me?"

"Every time I come home there's another woman running around naked in this house."

"I'm sorry. Who are you?"

"You should be. I'm Rob's fiance. Who are you?"

She rushed to get her clothes on. "I guess I'm his mistress. When he wakes up tell him I said not to call me or come over again." Jo stormed off toward the door. She saw his car keys sitting on the table next to the door and came up with an idea. She grabbed the keys, walked out the door and slammed it so hard it woke Rob up.

He nearly fell off of the couch. "What the hell..." He looked around. "Jo? Baby, where are you?" When he didn't get an answer he got up and followed the scents assailing his nostrils. As he neared the doorway to the kitchen he said, "I didn't realize you could cook." When he saw the woman standing by the stove he hid his body behind the wall. "Goddamit!!"

"It's not like I haven't seen you naked before."

"Sonia, what the fuck are you doing here? We had an agreement. You were supposed to call before you come over in case I have company. Chinga..."

"She left and she said not to call or visit her."

"Did you happen to tell her you're my sister?" he growled at her.

"Don't be so dramatic. I got rid of the little whore for you."

"Dammit, Sonia... I wanted to keep her."

She smiled at him. "About time big brother got serious about a woman."

"And you probably fucked that up." He stormed off to get dressed. Once he was done he went to the door. He looked for his keys, but didn't find them. "Sonia, where are my keys?"

"They were on the table when I came in."

"Shit." He opened the door and found his car missing. "FUCK!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

************************

As soon as Jo got home she turned down the volume on the answering machine and turned the ringer off on her phone. She took a shower and dressed for work. With her hair still wet, she left for the race track. She made it into her office at one-thirty to find Lars and Kirk waiting for her. "You're early."

"We have rehearsals this afternoon."

"Let's get to it." She sat at her desk and pulled some papers out of a drawer. "How many people are you planning on having there?"

Lars thought for a moment. "The four of us, our families, I guess you're coming with Rob..."

"I won't be with Rob, but I'll be there. I have to be there."

"Ok. James' brothers and friends, some of the crew... Let's say about a hundred people."

"Ok. If you guys want, we can open up the consessions. We can do an open tab, if you want."

"Sounds good."

"Alright. Now, I'm waiving all fees, except the consessions and the rental. The lowest I can go on the rental fee is three hundred an hour. How long do you think the party will be here?"

"From ten until four."

"Alright, anything over I'll be hounding you guys for it later. When do you want to do it?"

"Friday."

She looked at her calandar of events. "This Friday?" Lars and Kirk nodded. "No later than five. The amatuer stock racing starts at seven. That gives us two hours to clean up."

"That's cool."

"Alright. Here's the paperwork. You know what to do with it." She pushed it towards Lars, then looked at Kirk who looked back at her.

"Why won't you be with Rob?" he asked.

"Don't ask again. I look a hell of a lot calmer than I am." She felt the keys jabbing her leg through her pocket. "Can I get you to do me a favor, Kirk?"

"What?"

"Take Rob's car back to him."

He laughed, but agreed. Just then the intercom buzzed in her office. "Hey, Jo, there's a guy on the phone named Rob Trujillo. He said it's urgent."

"Tell him to go to hell."

"Joanne, tell him yourself."

"Michael, I don't want to talk to him. Now, you can tell him you can't find me, or you can leave him on hold and call the unemployment office."

The blinking light on her phone stopped, stayed lit for a moment, then went out. She turned back to Lars and Kirk and found them looking at her. "I'm still not saying."

"Hey, what happened is between you and Rob. But do you think you two can coexist for this party?" Lars asked.

"We're gonna have to. If it comes down to it I can direct traffic from my office and avoid him all together."

Lars signed on the dotted line, then handed the papers back to Jo. "Then we have a deal."

Once Lars and Kirk left Mike slowly walked into the office. "Is everything ok, Jo?"

She sniffled and wiped at her eyes. "I'll be alright. I'm sorry about what I said."

"I know you were just blowing smoke out. This guy must have done a hell of a number on you."

"Yeah, he did. I don't know why I thought he would be any different than the rest of guys I've been with."

"Because you wanted him to be."

She grinned. "Probably."

"I'd gladly kick his ass for you."

She laughed. "That's sweet of you, Mike, but I have to deal with this by myself."

"By avoiding him? You know that's not going to resolve anything."

"It may help me get what shreds of dignity and sanity I had left back."

"Not by hiding from him."

She sighed. "Do I have anything else planned for today?"

"Nothing until Friday's stock races. Then, Saturday we have the funny cars."

"Let's call it a day, then. If there are any messages for me, call my cell."

"You got it."

*****************************

Rob and Sonia arrived at the rehearsal studio not long after James. "Hey, man. Who's the chick?" James asked.

"She's my little sister. The one I'm thinking of disowning," he growled as he glared at her for the hundreth time.

"Dammit, Rob, I said I was sorry. How the hell was I supposed to know she'd steal your car?"

"It's not the car I'm worried about."

"Where's Jo?" James asked.

"That's what I'd like to know. Sonia went and told her she's my fiance. Jo got pissed, stormed out of my house and stole my car."

James laughed. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

Rob growled. The door opened before he could say anything. "Hey, guys," Kirk said. He saw the woman standing next to Rob. "I guess she's the reason why Jo is pissed at you."

"You saw her? Where is she?"

"At her office. She asked me to bring your car to you." Kirk handed him the keys. "And, I don't know what her assistant told you, but he was supposed to tell you to go to hell."

Rob growled again as he walked away. He punched the steel door as he went outside. He got in his car and started it. He looked in the rear view mirror and saw the car park behind his. They both got out. "Going somewhere, Rob?" Lars asked.

"To find Jo. I want to straighten things out with her."

"Give her a chance to cool off. I don't know what the hell happened, but I know you'll see her again."

"I know I will. As soon as you move this car so I can find her."

"Look, she said she has to be at the party Friday. Give her until then to cool down. Then you can work your shit out."

Rob sighed as he leaned on his car. "I haven't been like this for a woman in a long time."

"I don't know how you fucked up, but if she takes you back and you want to keep her, I don't suggest doing it again." Rob explained what happened. Lars laughed. "So, you really are the innocent here."

Rob got back in his car and turned it off. "Why am I taking advice from you?" he said as he got out and slammed the door.

"Because I know something you don't."

"Oh, yeah? What?"

"I asked her assistant a few questions, and he mentioned her Norwegian temper. She flies off the handle when she's pissed, just like me."

He smoothed his hair out of his face. "I really like her, man."

"I know that much, but do you love her? You have four days to answer that one. Until then we need to get inside, loverboy."

At nine-thirty Friday morning Jo opened the gates for the staff. At ten o'clock James' guests started showing up. She tried to stay hidden in the shadows, not knowing how seeing him would effect her. When she saw him arrive with the woman by his side, she felt the threat of tears. As he looked around, his eyes landed on her. It was too late to run away. He made a beeline for her. She went back to what she was doing with the staff.

Rob came up from behind, grabbed her arm and spun her around. "We need to talk."

"The hell we do. Go back to your fiance. Stay the hell away from me." She turned back toward the staff members.

"She's not my fiance. She's my sister."

She turned on him. "Oh, fuck you! Like I haven't heard that line before. I told you I didn't want to be used and that's exactly what you did. You fucking used me to get your rocks off. Well you know what? I hope you burn in hell!"

She stormed off, but he gave chase. He grabbed her arm to spin her around. Bad mistake on his part. She spun around with a balled up fist and punched him in the eye. "Don't you ever fucking touch me again, asshole," she said in a deathly tone. She pulled her arm from his grip and walked away. She found Mike and pulled him aside. "Hey, I'm going up to my office. If anything comes up call me up there."

"What's wrong, Jo? You usually stick around for these events."

"I uh... I just have a headache."

"Alright. I have some aspirin in my drawer if you need some."

"Thanks, Mike."

She went upstairs to her office and sat in her chair staring out at the races. An hour past before she heard anything. "Hey, Jo, there's a woman on her way up. She said she really needed to speak to you."

"Did you get her name?"

"Sonia Trujillo."

"Oh, gawd... They got married this week," she thought to herself. "Alright, Mike. I'll handle her."

Fresh tears stung her eyes. They were falling freely when she heard the knock on the door. "Come in."

She entered and closed the door behind her. "Joanne?"

Jo stood from her chair. "What do you want? Do you want to rub it in that you married the man of my dreams? Do you want to rub it in that the best three days of my life were a lie? A scam?"

"I came to apologize."

"What? Why should you apologize?"

"I'm not married to Rob and I'm not engaged to him. Rob is my brother."

Jo flopped back in her chair. "What did you say?"

"Rob is my brother. I thought I was doing him a favor by getting rid of one of his one-night-stands. He's never been so pissed at me as he has this week."

"So, he's not seeing anyone?" She opened her desk drawer, pulled out two glasses and a bottle of scotch. "I uh... I need a drink." She poured some of the alcohol into both of the glasses, then handed one to Sonia.

"I hope I didn't screw things up too bad between you and him. I was just trying to look out for my big bro."

"I have to talk to him before even I know that. I mean, I stole his car, cursed him like a sailor and punched him in the eye," Jo laughed.

"He may not have said it, but he fell fast and hard for you."

"I did for him, too." They gulped down their drinks, then Jo refilled the glasses. As they knocked back their second drink there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?"

The door opened and Rob stuck his head in. "Is it safe to come in?"

"Yeah." She pulled the last glass out of the drawer and poured some in the glasses. "Sonia was just telling me that she is your little sister."

"My very annoying little sister." He took the glass Jo offered him. He gulped it down, then set the glass on the desk. "I tried to tell you."

Jo stood up and stepped over in front of him. "If I apologized for everything, would you want me back?"

He smiled down at her as he wrapped his arms around her. "You don't even have to apologize. Just come home with me tonight."

"Alright."

He leaned down and softly kissed her. "Sonia, leave."

"Later, Jo."

She stared into Rob's eyes as she said, "Later, Sonia."

Once the door was closed Rob kissed her again. "You're all I've thought about all week. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep. All I wanted was you. It's starting to sound like an 'I love you' is in order."

She smiled at him. "Yeah, it kinda does."

"I love you, Joanne."

"I love you, too, Robert."

He grabbed a handful of her hair as he came down to kiss her hard and deep. As the kiss ended Jo laid her hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry."

"I thought I said you didn't have to apologize."

"I had to, because of the black eye."

"I'll be alright." He sighed. "I'd love to stay locked in here until you can leave, but I know three guys that want to see us downstairs."

"I guess I should say hi to the birthday boy."

Hand in hand, they went downstairs and out to the track. They found James standing on the sidelines as his buddies raced. She let go of Rob's hand and went over to him. "Hey, James. Happy birthday, hun," she said as she hugged him.

"How did you know we'd be here, Jo?"

"I work here. I helped Lars and Kirk set this up for you."

"You're a sweetheart." He looked up at Rob's black eye. "But not much of one. What happened to him?"

Jo just blushed. "Lars was right. You don't want to piss her off," Rob said.

At four o'clock the guests slowly left for James' house. Rob and Jo skipped on the cake. Rob sent Sonia with James to watch the kids. Jo informed Mike that he was in charge for the night, then followed Rob to his house in her own car. Once they were through the door, they dropped their keys on the table, then he led her up the stairs. Once in his bedroom with the door closed, he turned and framed her face with his hands. He leaned down and kissed her. As the kiss grew deeper and more heated his hands slid down her neck and across her shoulder to push the small shirt straps off. She laid her hands on his chest to stop him.

"Before things get too hot I have to know something..."

"What?"

"Are there anymore relatives with keys I should watch out for?"

Rob smiled down at her. "No."

"Good." She pulled her shirt off. "So I get you all to myself."

"For now. Sonia will be back tomorrow." He laughed. "You may want ear plugs for that."

"Why?"

"She's taking care of James' three little ones. They've been trained in baby-sitter torture."

She laid her finger over his lips to silence him. "We'll worry about her tomorrow."

She removed her finger from his lips, then slid her hands under his shirt to touch his skin. He reached down, and pulled the shirt off. She leaned forward, and placed a kiss in the middle of his chest. He tunneled the fingers of one hand through her hair as the other went around her to pull her flush against him. Jo looked up at Rob, her eyes heavy with need. He leaned down to claim her lips; soft at first, then hungrily, as if he wanted to consume her.

As the kiss ended Jo felt chills run down her spine. She opened her eyes. She didn't even notice she had closed them. Her hand was hidden in his dark hair. "I need to do something real quick. Where are your hair ties?"

"The drawer in the bathroom."

She eased her hand out of his hair and ran it along his jaw. "I'll be right back."

As she walked away he laughed. "Baby, you don't have enough hair to get in the way."

She retrieved one of the ties, and walked back to him. "It's not my hair I'm worried about. Sit." He sat on the edge of the bed, then she sat behind him with her legs around his. She gathered his hair, then seperated it into three sections. As she began braiding his hair, she said, "I love your hair, so I don't want to tangle it."

"Is that why you raced for that date with me? Because of my hair?" he laughed.

"No. I can't explain why. You're hot. How's that for an answer?"

"I still think it's the hair."

She pulled his braid. "It's not your hair." She sighed, then mumbled something that he couldn't hear.

"What did you say?"

She finished tying the band around the end of his braid, then threw it over his shoulder. "The walk... The monkey walk, some call it. That one you do while you're playing... It makes you look very sinister and dangerous." He laughed. She sighed again. "I shouldn't have told you. You probably think I'm an idiot." She fell back on the bed.

He continued laughing as he turned his body to look at her. He sobered before he spoke. "Jo, I don't think you're an idiot. I do that just screwing around. I never thought a woman would find it attractive, or whatever." He ran his hand over her stomach, then up through the valley of her breasts. He cupped her breast, then rolled her nipple between his thumb and finger. "But I'm glad you do. Otherwise we never would have met." He smiled as he moved his hand up to slide his thumb along her jaw. "And I wouldn't have a beautiful woman in my bed, waiting for me to make love to her."

Jo laid her hand on his wrist. "How long do you plan to make me wait?" she asked with a smile.

Rob let out a low growl as he turned to lay over her. As he claimed her lips he wrapped his arms around her, then rolled onto his back taking her with him. She raised herself up on her hands. He reached for the buttons on her jeans and undid them. She slid her hands down his torso to undo his jeans. Once they were undone, they stood from the bed and removed their shoes and pants. He gave her a sideways grin. "Lay down."

"No. You had your fun Sunday. It's my turn. You lay down."

He did as she said and laid back on the pillows. She crawled on the bed, then over his body. She kissed his hard muscles as she made her way down his body. As she reached his length she looked up and gave him an evil grin before sliding her tongue up his shaft. She took him into her mouth as far as she could, then slid her lips back up. As she slid her lips and tongue up and down his rock hard flesh, he tunneled his fingers in her hair and moaned.

She crawled back up his body minutes later, then straddled his hips. She adjusted her body until he was aligned for entry. With a quick drop of her hips, he was fully sheathed. She had to stop because of the death grip her inner walls had on him. Rob laid his hands on her hips and guided her rocking.

He leaned forward and captured her nipple between his teeth. She gasped at the almost painful sensation. When she looked down she stared into concerned brown eyes. She laid her hand along his neck. "You didn't hurt me," she whispered. "You surprised me."

He pulled her down to kiss her as they moved together. It wasn't long after that the first waves of pleasure washed over Jo. She cried out as her orgasm hit in full force. Her inner grip tightened around his length again. Unable to maintain his control, he released his seed within her.

Jo gathered her strength and laid to his side with her head on his chest. As one hand held her to him, his other roamed her curves. She loved being with him, having sex with him, laying beside him... But, she knew it wouldn't be long before he went on the road with the guys again. Tears stung her eyes at the thought of losing him for months, or even years. "When do you and the guys leave for the tour?"

He felt a warm drop fall on his chest. "In two weeks. We'll be in the States for three months, go home for a month, then go to Europe for four months, then we'll see." He looked down at her and petted her cheek. "What's wrong?"

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too, but I have to go."

"I know."

He smiled. "Come with us."

"I can't. I have to do my job, too. Plus I have to take care of Mellow."

"You and Mellow can stay here while I'm gone. You can help Sonia hold down the fort. You'll get to find out for yourself that she's not so bad for a little sister. Atleast when she's not chasing my girlfriend away."

Jo laughed. "Well... Since we have to share you, I guess I could give her a second chance." She made herself comfortable in his arms. "I love you, Rob."

"I love you, too, Jo," he said before kissing the top of her head. Soon after they both fell asleep.

Two weeks flew by fast. Too fast for Jo's taste. She wasn't ready for him to leave. He stood in the doorway with his packed bags, waiting for James, his wife, Lars and Kirk. He looked at his watch for the tenth time. When he looked up he saw her with tears in her eyes. "Come here, baby."

She walked over to him, and wrapped her arms around his ribs. She laid her head on his chest to listen to his heart beat. "I miss you already, and you're not even gone yet."

He squeezed his arms around her shoulders. "It could be worse. They could have planned another two year tour." She looked up at him. He kissed her eyelids, then softly kissed her lips. "I'll call you every day, and think of you every second."

She smiled. "You may want to concentrate on the shows. The guys would give you hell if you screwed up." He smiled, because he knew it was true. She sighed as she rested her chin on his chest. "I guess these tours are cool if you're going to the show, but it sucks when my man has to be in a different town every night."

"It's only for three months. If you get some time off, you can join us until you have to go back to work. Sonia can watch Mellow. Just call me and let me know when you're coming."

"I'll try."

"I found your book," Sonia said as she joined them.

"Hand it over."

"Do we have to do this again?"

"You're going to do it with Jo, so she doesn't think I'm just getting on to her."

Jo had a puzzled look on her face as she read the title of the book. "King's Castle?"

"Yep. Left hand on the book, right in the air and repeat after me." They did as instructed. "I, state your name."

"I, state your name," Sonia and Jo said.

He rolled his eyes. "I expect that from Sonia, but not you." Jo laughed through her tears. "Do solemnly swear..." They repeated. "...not to put any flowers in the house..." They repeated. "...or make it smell like a girl..." They repeated. "...or change any part of the way the house looks on the inside..." He paused for them. "...and there will be no parties in this house." He glared at his sister. "Sonia..."

"No parties in this house... Yeah yeah... Invite friends over once, and I can never live it down..."

"They desrtroyed the house, clogged the filter for the pool and there was a condom in the hot tub. I don't want to have to drain it again. If anyone gets laid in the backyard, it's going to be me and Jo."

"Ew... More info than I needed."

They all heard the horn honk outside. "I have to go, ladies." He looked down at the black dog. "Mellow, keep these two out of trouble." The dog lifted his paw as if he were waving goodbye. Rob picked up his bags and went out the door with Jo not far behind. He tossed his bags in the back of the mini-van. After he closed the hatch, he walked over to her. He framed her face, then kissed her slow and deep. "I love you," he said as he ended the kiss.

Tears fell freely from her eyes. "I love you, too."

He wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "Don't cry. We'll be together again before you know it."

"Come on, loverboy. We have to get to the airport," Lars yelled out the opened door.

"We're not getting any younger, here," Kirk yelled.

"By the time you two finish saying goodbye we'll need walkers to get on the stage," James teased.

"Leave them alone. The plane can't leave without you guys on it. Besides, I think it's very sweet," James' wife said.

"Yeah, you would," James replied.

"I have to go, Jo." He gave her one last small kiss.

"Goodbye, Rob."

"Goodbye, baby. I'll call you when we land."

"Alright." As Rob got in the van she waved at the others. "Bye, guys. Have fun and kick a lot of ass."

Unable to stand there any longer, she went inside as the van pulled away. "Hell, would you put a ring on that girl's finger already? She's nuts about you."

"We've only been together a month, James. Don't rush me. I don't know if she's the one."

"Do you love her?"

"Well, yeah."

"Then, she's the one. That's all I had to know to put a ring on her finger," he said as he pointed to his wife.

Rob rested his chin on his hand and looked out the window. "We'll see what happens when we come off the road."

***************

As Jo walked inside, she saw that Sonia and Mellow had disappeared. She heard something glass being set on the counter in the kitchen. She followed the noise and found Sonia scooping ice cream into a couple bowls. Mellow was sitting behind her. Sonia looked up and smiled at Jo. "I thought you could use some ice cream."

Jo wiped the last of the tears from her eyes. "That sounds great." She took a seat on one of the bar stools in front of Sonia.

"The man of your dreams, huh?" Sonia laughed.

"What?"

"When I helped patch things up with you two, you called Rob the man of your dreams. Do you think you could handle him leaving like this all the time?"

"If I have to. I love him to death. He has a job he loves, and I'm not going to keep him from it."

"So, when he calls you, if he asked you to marry him, you'd say yes?"

"It's a little early for that, but I probably would." Sonia set one of the bowls in front of Jo. "Do you always interview his girlfriends?"

"He hasn't been serious about anyone for a long time. The last one screwed him over. I just want to be sure you won't."

"Look, if this is about his money or fame..."

"It is."

"I don't want it. I don't want one rosie red cent from him. I wouldn't care if he kept it all to himself. No matter what happens with us, I plan to keep my job and make my own money. I've lived alone for ten years. I didn't need a man to take care of me in all those years. All I want... All I need is a man to love me. I believe Rob is that man."

Sonia smiled at her. "You'll make an alright sister-in-law some day."

Jo took a bite of her ice cream. "If and when he's ready to ask."

"He's forty. He's not getting any younger."

"I'm twenty-eight, and couldn't care less. I'm not going to rush your brother into anything."

Sonia grabbed her bowl and carried it around the counter to sit next to Jo. "If I was testing you, you just passed. I just wanted to know your intentions with Rob."

"I feel like a guy being grilled by his date's father," Jo laughed.

Sonia laughed. "You think I'm bad? You should see Rob with some of the guys I've introduced him to. You'd think he was my father."

The days dragged on for the two lovers. A month and a half through the American tour, Jo sat at her desk doing paperwork. She missed him so much that it was driving her insane. She stared at her computer monitor, a St. Anger wallpaper gracing the desktop. All she could focus on was him.

Mike walked into her office carrying a cup of coffee for her. When she didn't notice him, he looked at the monitor. "I didn't realize you were that big of a fan." She finally noticed him, and looked up. He was studying the picture. "He kinda looks like the guy you left with after that party a couple months ago."

"He is that guy. They're on tour right now, and I miss him like crazy."

"Ask Sparx for some time off, and go see him. I can handle things here."

"Are you sure? I don't want my love life to interfere with your life."

"I'm positive. Besides, you're more help following him around than you are moping around here."

She stood and kissed his cheek. "You're a sweetheart." She picked up the phone, and called her boss. He picked up on the third ring. "Sparx, I need to ask a huge favor."

"Name it, Jo."

"I need about a week off. Mike said he can handle things."

"That's all? Nothing's wrong, I hope."

"No, nothing's wrong. I need to go see someone."

"Alright. If you swing by here, I'll have your check ready for this week. A little extra spending money for you."

"Thanks, boss."

**********************

In Houston, the guys were in the middle of sound check at the Toyota Center. After they finished a couple practice songs Rob paced around like a caged animal. "Hey, Rob," James said, testing the microphone. "You ok, man?"

Rob just nodded. He knew James would only try to pressure him again. Every time he mentioned missing Jo, the "M" word came up. The low whine of the guitar began, and Rob stopped and hung his head. When it continued he turned to look at James, who was smiling like the Cheshire cat. "Just what I thought."

As he flipped James off, he felt his pocket vibrating. He took his phone out of his pocket, and looked at the number. He quickly flipped it open. "Hey, Jo. Just a sec." He pulled his bass off of his shoulder and set it in the stand. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah. I just talked to my boss. I have a week off."

"Are you coming to Houston?"

"I'm on my way to the airport. I land at Hobby at two-forty five."

"I'll be there."

"Are you sure? I can take a cab to the arena."

He grinned from ear to ear. "I'm sure. I want to see you when you get off the plane."

Jo heard James do the chords on his guitar again. "Did I interrupt something?"

"Sound check. Sweet Amber isn't even on the set list. James is just fucking with me."

"I'll let you go then. I love you."

"I love you, too. See you when you land."

He closed the phone and slid it back in his pocket, the smile still on his face. "Speak of the devlin?" James said.

He picked up the bass, and slung the strap over his head. "I have to pick her up in a while."

*********************

It was three o'clock when the plane finally landed. When she laid eyes on him, she ran and jumped into his arms. "I missed you so much."

He caught her in his arms and held her up. "I missed you, too, baby." He kissed her. "Let's get your bags."

Once in the car, she asked him, "when do you guys go on stage?"

"Not until nine." He looked at her and saw the smile grow on her lips. "What do you have in mind?"

"Probably the same thing you do."

"The hotel?"

"Unless you found a private place at the arena."

"At this point, the back seat is looking good."

They both leaned toward each other, then turned to look in the back seat. "Nah. It's kinda cramped back there."

"Yeah." An evil grin spread across his lips. "The arena. We'll hijack one of the trucks."

As it turned out, their plans were disrupted. Jo wound up spending time with the guys from Godsmack, while Rob and the others met with some members of the Metallica fan club. She didn't mind. She was just happy that they were in the same city again. And Sully Erna turned out to be a pretty funny guy. As Rob walked into the room some time later, Sully excused himself. Rob held his hand out to her. "You wanted to see the trucks, didn't you?"

She smiled as she laid her hand in his. "Hunny, we don't have to right now. It can wait until after the show." She stood from the couch and kissed him. "I'm just happy being with you again."

He wrapped his arms around her. "We can atleast find a place to be alone for a while."

Almost as if on cue, Lars, Kirk and James came in the room. "Hey, uh... Are we interrupting something?" Kirk laughed.

"We were just going," she said.

She lead the way out into the hall. As Rob passed him, James grabbed him and pulled him back. "Just ask her, man. Stay engaged for a couple years. Just find out what she'd say."

"Go to hell, James. Leave us alone." He followed her out the door and down the hall. They found a room with a lock on the door. When he opened it, they found a couch inside. "This will do."

They went in, locked the door and got comfortable on the couch. He laid back, with her between his legs, her head resting on his chest. "Mike pushed me into asking for time off. He caught me staring at a picture of you." She smiled as she said the last.

"Why would you want to stare at my ugly face?" he teased.

"You're not ugly. And I missed you so bad I couldn't concentrate."

He laughed. "I've had a similar problem. Every time I mentioned missing you James said I should marry you."

"Sonia asked what I would say if you asked."

"What did you tell her?"

"That I'd probably say yes, but I wasn't going to pressure you into anything."

"So, if I asked you right now, you'd say yes?"

She lifted her head off of his chest and looked up at him. "Are you asking me?"

He pushed her hair behind her ear. "Will you marry me?"

She smiled and bit her lip. "Yes."

Jo watched the show from the entrance to the backstage area. During Kirk's "doodle" (his long solo) the other guys went back stage to cool down a moment. Rob was soaked with sweat. He went up to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Ew... Get off," she laughed.

"I thought you loved me."

"I do, but... yuck!"

"You have to take the bad with the good, the wet with the dry, the musty smell of work with the musky smell of sex," he growled the last in her ear. He scraped his teeth across her neck.

"Teasing me will only get you attacked."

"That's the plan." He kissed her, then went to cool off. On the way back out to the stage minutes later he slapped her ass.

"I am so going to get him for that," she vowed.

After three more songs the lights went down and a blue spotlight shined on Rob. Lars, Kirk and James went to the back. "What do you think so far?" James asked.

"Great as always. Now, quiet. I'm trying to listen to my fiancé."

He smiled and put an arm around her shoulders. "Congrats."

"Thanks, James."

"You can go out there and watch him. Enjoy the Junglessence. When we come out, you'll have to come back, though."

"Alright." She walked out into the darkened arena and stood next to the stage. When he caught sight of her, she mouthed the words "I love you", knowing he'd never hear her if she said it. As if to answer her, he did "the walk". As the crowd grew louder, she looked around. When she looked back up, he was gone. She looked across the stage, and found him playing to the other side.

James came up behind her and patted her back. She nodded, then went back to the entrance. She couldn't explain how seeing him like that felt. It thrilled her to know that they were surrounded by thousands of people, but when she looked up at him they were the only ones there.

When the show was over she pushed him up against the nearest wall. She stood on her toes and kissed him. "Do you realize how hot it was to watch you up there?"

He laughed. "I can take a guess." He leaned down and returned the kiss. "Ready for the hotel now?"

"Fuck the hotel. I can't wait that long. Shower." She ran her hands down his chest. "We can get dirty, then clean."

He gave her an evil grin. "I love the way you think."

"I'm full of good ideas," she laughed.

******************

When they joined the others sometime later, a knowing grin was on James lips. Jo blushed as she ran her hands through her wet hair.

"I hear we have something to celebrate," Kirk said.

"What's that?" Rob asked innocently.

Kirk walked up to him and shook his hand. "Congrats on the engagement, man." Then, he hugged Jo and kissed her cheek.

"Thanks, Kirk," they both said.

Lars was next to come up to them. They slapped hands. "Remember what I told you about her temper."

"What about my temper?"

"Nothing, Jo," he said as he backed away. He laughed as he walked to her and put his arms around her. He kissed her cheek. "Congrats, you two."

Rob looked down at her after Lars released her. "How do they know?"

"I told James."

"Trying to shut him up for me, huh?"

"Yep. You know, I still could have told him you asked if you weren't ready to."

"Damn... Why didn't I think of that?"

"Alright, you two... I get the point. I'm a pain in the ass," James said. He slapped hands with Rob. "But it was for a good reason. Congrats, you two."

Jo hugged him. "Thanks, James." She stepped away. "I think he would have come around on his own, though." She looked up at Rob. "Maybe in about a year."

Rob put his arms around her waist. "Instead of getting engaged in a year, we can get married then."

"Sounds good to me." She stood on her toes and kissed him.

"I hate to break up this love-fest, but I miss my wife and kids enough. I'm going to the hotel."

"Goodnight," they said.

As much as she loved Rob, she was glad to be back at his house. Flying to a different city every day wore on her nerves. As she walked through the door she was greeted by Mellow. "Hey, boy. Did you miss me?"

"He whined every night while you were gone," Sonia said. "How did your trip go?"

"Well, I have a better idea of what Rob does. I hate his schedule," she laughed.

"I know. I went on the Ozzfest tour with him a couple years ago."

"I have a question for you, and it would make me very happy if you would say yes."

"What is it?"

"Will you be my matron of honor? All of my friends are guys. I'd like to have my future sister-in-law standing next to me."

Sonia smiled from ear to ear. "When do you need me?"

"In a year."

"I'll keep my schedule cleared until you give me a date," she said as she hugged Jo. "Welcome to the family."

******************

Over the next month, Jo and Sonia would stay up until the wee hours of the morning coming up with ideas for the wedding. At times, they would fall asleep in the living room as they looked at the various magazines.

One morning, just two weeks before Rob was due back home, Jo awoke feeling her last meal in her throat. She jumped off of the couch and ran to the bathroom. Moments later, Sonia knocked on the door. "Are you ok, Jo?"

"Yeah. I think I have a flu bug." She closed her eyes and leaned against the tub. "I'll be fine after I get some medicine in me. Is there any Pepto around here?"

"All we have is that bubbly stuff. I can go get you some, though."

Jo stood and opened the door. "I'll go."

Sonia looked her over. "The hell you will." She helped Jo back to the couch. "Lay down. I'll be right back."

Jo did as told, and quickly fell back asleep. When she awoke, Sonia was setting a bag down beside her. She opened it up and looked inside. She found a pack of crackers, a bottle of Pepto and a pregnancy test. She grabbed the test out. "What the hell is this for?"

"In case you were worried about it."

"I'm not pregnant."

"It's morning, and you were puking your guts up. Anything is possible."

Jo groaned. "Damn you suck..." She sat up. "I guess I should go take this now, before I take the medicine."

She took the test into the bathroom, and grumbled as she opened it. "It's the winter... The flu is going around. There's no way I'm pregnant." She followed the directions, then left it sitting on the counter. She didn't even bother to wait for the results.

She went up to the room, grabbed her stuff and brought it downstairs. "Well, what did it say?" Sonia asked.

"I don't know. Check it after a while. Mellow and I are going home, so I don't get you sick."

"Alright. I'll call you later and let you know what it says."

"Alright. Later."

Minutes after Jo left, the phone rang. Sonia picked up the cordless phone and pushed the button. "Hello."

"Hey, Sonia. How are things at the house?"

"The house is fine, Rob, but Jo is sick. She and Mellow went home. She said she didn't want to give it to me." As she talked to him she walked into the bathroom to check the test.

"What's wrong with her?"

"She thinks she has the flu." She smiled as she looked at the test. "But what she has isn't contagious."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh... nothing, Papa."

"Sonia, quit playing games."

"I'll let you call her and break the news to her. I got her a pregnancy test just in case. She's carrying your kid." The line went silent for a long time. "Rob? Are you still there?"

"I... I... I'll call you back."

**************************

As soon as Jo and Mellow walked through the door the phone was ringing. She dropped her bags, and answered it. "Hello."

"I, uh... We're gonna, uh..."

"Rob? What's wrong, baby?"

"You... Baby... We..."

"Rob, hunny, take a deep breath and try to think before you speak."

"I just got off the phone with Sonia. She gave me the results of your test."

The line was silent a moment. Her nerves had her stomach in knots. "And?"

"Seems you brought home a souvenir. Most people bring home a shirt or snow globe." He chuckled. "You brought home a child."

"Oh, shit..." she said before the phone hit the floor.

"Jo, baby, talk to me."

She picked up the phone. "Rob, I'm so..."

He cut her off. "Don't you apologize to me. I had something to do with this, too, remember?"

"Yes, but..."

"But nothing. We're already engaged..."

"And I'm ready to marry you..." She paused. "...but I'm not sure I'm ready for a kid."

"Don't say that," he said softly. "I have to go. I'll be home in two weeks. We can talk about it then."

Jo broke down, and started crying. "Rob, I can't..." She paused again, sobbing. "Alright. If it's even an issue then."

"Jo, don't do anything..." Then he heard the dial tone. She had hung up on him.

As the fear of what she would do built up within him, so did his anger. "FUCK! GOD DAMN IT!"

He pushed the button on the cradle, then dialed James room number. "This had better be good," he said groggily.

"Hey, I have to do something. I'll be back before tomorrow night's show."

"Rob? What's going on?"

"I can't tell you now. Just let the others know I'll be there for the show."

**********************

Just before two o'clock, there was a knock on Jo's door. "Come in," she yelled from the kitchen. When she heard the door open she said, "I hope you have a gun or a knife." She tipped back her bottle of tequila again. When she took it from her lips, she saw him in the doorway. "I was expecting you to send Sonia over to make sure I didn't kill myself."

"What did you mean "if it's still an issue"? That is our child."

"Yep. Our child..." She held the bottle out to him. "I've been celebrating for the past two hours, and I'm wasted. Care to join me?"

Rob walked over and stood between her legs at the counter. He took the bottle from her hand, took a long drink, then poured the rest in the sink. When he turned back to her, her head was hung and a tear fell from her eye. "Come here, babe," he said as he wrapped his arms around her.

Her arms went around his neck, and she cried on his shoulder. "I can't... I can't do this."

"Do what? Carry our child?" he asked softly.

"Yes. I can't do it all alone. Carry the child, plan our wedding, plan for the child to be here before the wedding... I'm already going nuts thinking about it."

"Shh... It's ok." He slightly pulled away from her to look into her eyes. "You're not alone. If you don't have anyone else, you always have me and Sonia."

"But you're going to be on tour, and I can only lean on Sonia so much, and..."

Rob put his finger to her lips. "I'll handle the wedding. It may not be anything big and fancy, but at the end, we'll be married, and that's what matters."

She grinned at him. "You're right." She laid her hand on his cheek. "I've never been this serious about anyone before. I guess with everything happening so fast, it's freaking me out. The results of the test was just the breaking point. I mean, there's still a chance I'm not. Those tests aren't always right."

"See? You could be going psycho over nothing."

"I know. I made an appointment with the doctor to find out."

"Is that what you meant by "if it's still an issue"?"

"Yeah. What did you think I meant?"

"A few things popped in my head..." He sighed with relief. "I don't leave until tomorrow morning. Why don't we go do something to put a smile on your face again."

"Like what?"

He shrugged. "We can go pick out your rings." He softly kissed her as he pulled her off of the counter. "No matter what happens, I love you. Don't forget that."