Hey TJ? Who's the hot new bartender?

We don't have a new bartender Gunner.

"Then who's the hot chick mixing drinks?" TJ lazily looked over his shoulder at the bar. Sure enough there was a beautiful woman mixing drinks like an absolute pro. Each movement was precise and graceful. Even in his drunken haze TJ could see that. He sobered up a bit. Had the others hired a new bartender? Probably.

"Who knows, she must have been hired by one of the other managers." He waved off his friend with little to no worries.

"She looks good." TJ just hummed in response. He had to admit, the woman was beyond attractive. She had black hair that shone in the club lights. She was dressed in a T-shirt that all the employees wear. It' had been tied along the side so it hugged her waist more. It was a good look. "I'm gonna go get a closer look. You good man?" Gunner got up, he eyed the woman that surrounded TJ. His friend simply shrugged.

The pounding music hit Gunner like a freight train as he descended from the VIP booth. He wasn't really looking for anything. But that girl caught his attention. It took a good 10 minutes to make it to the actual bar. The Dome was packed wall to wall. It was good for TJ but annoying as shit to try and navigate through. Gunner reached the bar. Julian the head bartender headed over once Gunner was within view.

"What can I get you man?"

Gunner's POV

I nodded towards the girl, who was now dancing while mixing drinks. She looked so familiar. I couldn't place her though. "Who's that?" Julian looked over his shoulder.

"That is an angel good sir. Kenny called in sick, but happened to know her. Her name's Lilly I guess, She's filling in for Ken until he gets better." My eyes were studying the woman as she swayed to the obnoxiously loud music

The music was pounding throughout the club as hundreds of people danced to the sound. Losing themselves completely. I couldn't help the triumphant smirk I had on my face. Standing in the VIP section watching over my success. It had been a long time coming. But here I was, clean with a successful club. Douggie and Anne had come to celebrate with me. Gunner was here too. Mom was busy but what else was new. I didn't dwell on that. Now wasn't the time. My eyes wandered over to the bar. The club was packed. Wall to wall people came to make an appearance here. The bar had been preforming perfectly. No complaints, no problems at all. Glancing proudly over my bartenders I noticed a face behind the bar that didn't belong. Being the owner of this club I knew everyone who worked here. They were working for me after all. I don't know her though.

"What's up bro?" Douggie asked stepping towards me.

"That bartender."

"What about her."

"I didn't hire her." Doug looked confused as well.

"How does that happen?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to have to go talk with Julien. He shouldn't be letting random people behind my bar."

I decended into the main floor. Shuffling towards the bar. People ranted and raved at the success. A few drunk men and woman had gotten a little touchy feely. It took a full 20 minutes before I actually made it to my destination.

"You have no idea how much you saved my ass tonight Lil." Mark one of the bartenders was speaking to someone. It was the bartender that didn't belong.

"Oh honey, I know." The woman had a beautiful laugh. It stirred something in me. "Besides, I needed an excuse to come here."

"Since when?"

"Since I pissed off a certain future Mrs. Hammond." How the hell does she know Annie?

"You know Annie?" She laughed bitterly.

"I used to. Once she got on the fast track to success she was very happy to forget about little old me."

"That's not like Annie."

"This is DC honey. Everyone is wearing a mask," Another rush was forming around the bar and the two stopped chatting and got back to work. I was curious now. She seemed familiar. But I don't remember Annie ever talking about her. I don't listen to her a lot of the time. I kept watching the woman work. Lil what was that short for? Lilly? Lillian? I've got no clue. She looked my way and caught my stare. I don't know what happened, but for the first time tonight I watched her lips curl down ever so slightly. She quickly broke contact and kept with mixing. Does she know me? Do I know her? How the hell would I? Someone tapped my shoulder.

"Hey man, you've been gone for an hour. Wanted to see if you were still here." I nodded. Gunner turned towards the bar as well. His shoulders tensing the minute he laid eyes on the female bartender. He walked over quickly. Pushing a very drunk man out of his seat. The woman visibly gulped when she and Gunner made eye contact. She started making a drink. Setting it down in front of him within 30 seconds. With Gunner sitting at the bar the woman was shying away from that end. Of course she had customers. Gunner kept is eyes on her the whole night. Now I'm extremely interested. After the lines slowed down a bit Lil spoke in Mark's ear and walked over to Gunner. I couldn't hear them because of the music. Gunner took her hand and led her to a quieter area of the club. Was she his or something? She was even more beautiful up close. Gunner seemed to have forgotten I was there at all. Which worked for me.

Following as closely as I could in a club this packed Gunner led the woman out back. Propping the door open so they could get back in.

"What the hell are you doing here Al?"

"Good to see you too Gunner."

"Don't sass me. You know how much trouble you'll get in if she finds out you are anywhere near TJ." There was a pause. Why did this woman I didn't know need to stay away from me?

"Look, I knew Elaine wouldn't be here, alright? I mean when does that bitch ever support Teej unless it's on her schedule?"

"Al, if he recognizes you…"

"I know I know okay. I just, I had to be here Gun, I had to. He doesn't have to know that I'm here."

"He does, he just doesn't know who you are." She let out a strangled laugh. "Douggie's here too Al, and he was not drugged out of his mind okay? If he sees you, or if Annie sees you, you're going to jail."

"He's worth it." I barely heard her speak.

"It's been 7 years Al…"

"I know. Trust me I know. I just…. I wanted to be here for him, okay?"

"I can't let you back in there. You know that."

"I can't stand you sometimes Gunner. Like I really can't"

"What the hell are you doing in a club anyway? Behind a bar! You're supposed to be sober Allie!"

"I am sober Gunner!" I heard her scoff and someone was slammed against the wall. What the hell. "You didn't see me Gunnie. You got that?" Her voice was cold and low. Peeking out the crack in the door I could see Gunner was pinned against the wall.

"Like I want you to end up in jail."

"Elaine can go suck a dick. She needs to get laid anyway." The girl shrugged her arms and turned, and that's when I saw it. Her left shoulder was burned. I gasped and rushed backwards. Allyssa Krenton. She was supposed to be dead…. "Don't worry Gunnie. I'm going. I just wanted to be there for Teej. I'm so proud of him. And I hate myself for not being there."

"Allie, let me give you a ride."

"Sorry Gunner, but I'm into Homos with perfect blue eyes." She took a pause. "He's. He's okay right?"

"As okay as he ever is." They both paused. In the quiet my anger rose. How the hell was she alive? How the hell didn't I recognize her? What the hell did she do to her hair?! I got worse because I thought I'd kill her. Why the hell wouldn't they tell me she was alive?! Footsteps were walking away. I don't know what took over me but in 30 seconds flat I had the woman pinned against the wall. Next to no space between us. My chest heaving as I took in the woman I left behind. The woman I thought was dead.

"Hey Teej…" she breathed. My lips were on hers in less than a second. Complete. That's what I was. Complete.