(A/N: The start of the next heist, only this time with more stakes.)

Cue Opening Theme: Saints Row 2 OST - Pause Menu Theme

TWG:R

~Endless Possibilities Arc~

Chapter 63: The Nostalgic Exchange

San Andreas

Monday

The Blue Baneko clubhouse was in high spirits as some of the members, sans Tomoko, Jase, Yara, and their chapter presidents, were all having a hearty breakfast.

"So Alex, welcome back. How was your honeymoon? Did you have fun getting dicked down on the daily?" Beatrix joked as Alex blushed. "And where is your hubby?"

"Spending time with our son." Alex affirmed. "While also planning out what school we're going to put him. We have more options. And yes…it was nice to spend time with him. We've been trying for another kid."

"Figures." Tricia said. "He loves your boy, but he'll want kids of his own. Not that it's an issue…sorry, I just got bad experiences with stepdads."

"It's a real gamble." Heather said finishing her coffee. "But I think you got easier as you were a widow…from what I hear. What happened to your-"

Heather was cut off by the phone ringing, a landline in the clubhouse. Alex, being the most senior member in the room, answered it.

"Yes, Chapter President?" Alex asked after hearing Isaribi's voice. "A job? I'll let them know. And you want me and Jase for a meeting by lunch…we can make it."

She hung up.

"Ok, Chapter President needs three people for a job." Alex said. "Didn't give details but it's important."

"Dibs." Beatrix said getting up. "Besides Marisol and Maritza got that job escorting that biker fanatic around town."

"He's cute, but a bit too dorky." Marisol said as Maritza gave him a sharp look.

"He is paying us to drive him around Los Santos and has been nothing but polite. We get a cushy job and you want to complain." Maritza said as Marisol groaned. "I swear, it's something with you."

"I'll go with you." Tricia said, fluffing her jacket. "Heather should come, she needs more experience."

"Can't. Doctor's appointment." Heather said. "I was just here for the free breakfast."

"I'll go."

Jon spoke up. He had mostly kept quiet in the clubhouse as it was his first time there.

"The new fish. The…I know for when it's a girlfriend or wife, it's an old lady. It's old man for him…right?" Tricia asked.

"Yeah, but let's not use that. Heck, old lady is usually reserved for a biker's wife or long term girlfriend. Calling him old man won't fit because those words used to refer to fathers…just call him her boytoy." Eva said as the girl snickered. "Or maybe loverboy is better."

"Hardy har har." Jon said as he left with Heather and Bellatrix.

Beatrix went onto her Hexer Custom as Jon got on his Thrust which had yellow flames on the sides. Heather had gotten herself a new motorcycle thanks to Lindsay…a burgundy colored Shitzu Vader, a light and lithe choice that suited her. The three rode out as Josephine caught up on her Sanchez.

"Heading into town on a job." Josephine asked.

"About right, looks like Isaribi planning something big." Beatrix remarked.

"How's Sadie Mae handling things?" Tricia asked.

"Well enough. She misses home, but I don't it's sank in how fucked things were." Josephine said sadly. "And I hope she keeps being innocent of the truth long enough."

~TWG~

The four arrived at the Heist House to be let in by Naruto.

"Josephine, you're with us. The rest of you are going downstairs in the heist room, Isaribi's waiting." Naruto remarked.

Jon, Beatrix, and Tricia descended downstairs to find the heist room. Isaribi was sitting in an office chair with Hongli in her lap, petting it to keep herself relaxed.

"Oh man, we're in for a heist! Who we robbing?" Tricia asked excitedly.

"Merryweather." Isaribi said as Tricia balked.

"The PMC with a lot of money and guns." Jon said. "I'm inclined to ask why."

"Wet work for IAA." Isaribi said casually. "That was our last heist and our friendly agent wanted to hire us again."

"Pay's good?" Tricia asked as she nodded.

It was a relief on Isaribi's end (and for the other protags) that thanks to a new 'update', the System would auto-pay allies who join in on labs. Something Isaribi could pay off as their cut or something.

"We're doing an exchange. I just need to retrieve some codes from an agent. We're expecting heat…from the FIB who wants to kill her and blow the operation open. So, Jon…you'll be my bodyguard. Beatrix, Tricia, lookouts. Any questions?" Isaribi asked.

"We're going to need heavier weapons." Beatrix affirmed.

Isaribi explained that Danica dropped some weapons for them. Hongli jumped out of her lap and left the room. The four left after getting weapons and were on the road. Isaribi was riding on the back of Jon's bike, opting not to go on her own bike.

"This is Agent 14. Listen, my contact needs to get in and out quick, so keep the lot clear." Agent 14 said.

"Roger." Isaribi responded back. "These bureau guys got a real target on her back? Figures, she knows how to backstab a person."

"You could say that…but I'm sensing something between you and her." Agent 14 said as the group were arriving at the meeting spot.

"Don't worry about it. I assume if the Bureau shows up…kill them all to leave no witnesses. Am I in the ballpark?" Isaribi asked as they got off their bikes.

"That you are. Get the plans and return them to the planning room. Agent 14 out." Agent 14 said.

"Beatrix, Tricia…take positions and stay out of sight with your eyes on me and Jon. Jon, follow me." Isaribi said as Beatrix and Tricia sought out vantage points.

Jon and Isaribi got to the spot to wait for the arrival for the exchange.

"So I didn't know you were a cat person." Jon remarked as Isaribi handed him a pair of gold rimmed aviators. "Thanks."

He put it on as she chuckled.

"I can do either on cats or dogs. Hongli sort of found me." Isaribi remarked seeing a black Zion roll up. "Stay sharp. They're here."

It had been seven years…but Isaribi saw it was clearly Michelle…or really Karen. Isaribi noticed she aged pretty well with her brown hair still the same length. She wasn't the skinny young woman who looked at crime from an outsider looking in, but was in the trenches. She came out with her own bodyguard.

"You here for the key—"

Karen's word died in her throat seeing Isaribi was giving her the side-eye and it didn't help that she took the shades off.

"Isaribi…well this is awkward." Karen remarked.

"I see you moved up in the ranks. I guess you like working for the IAA now." Isaribi said. "So what you said to be about leaving IAA years ago was bullshit."

"Ok, I found my calling there…I really was going to quit, but the pay was too good when I was offered a higher position." Karen admitted. "I didn't want to lie to you, but I couldn't contact you after you stopped working with IAA and got cut loose before leaving Liberty."

"Hold up, boss chick worked with IAA." Tricia said over her comm line from her vantage point.

"Clearly as a hired gun…" Beatrix shot back.

"It's water under the bridge." Isaribi said calmly as she put the shades back on. "We all can't be independent mercs. Now, the codes."

"We're waiting on confirmation." Karen said. "I'm surprised you're not more upset."

"Not really. I had seven years to deal with it…so has Niko…who's happily married with a kid of his own." Isaribi mused as Karen looked faltered. "But you know that?"

"Not on purpose…" Karen said dryly before her earpiece buzzed with the confirmation. "Ok, here's the brief-"

Tires squeals as several FIB Buffalos blocked the entrances and exits before agents sprang out opening fire. Karen's bodyguard got winged in the case.

"Shit!" Karen said, tossing Isaribi the case as they all ducked for cover.

"Of fucking course, this happens. J, I'm going to clear a path…when I do. Take the briefcase and get back to the heist house. I need to get Karen out of here." Isaribi said, sliding him the briefcase.

Isaribi unleashed her rocket launcher, blowing up a car to torch several agents. Jon got his bike, racing off with the briefcase.

"Beatrix, make sure he gets back to the house safely. Tricia, you stay with me. Make sure one of those cars is functional." Isairbi said over earpiece before switching her custom carbine rifle.

She kicked over the dead bodyguard's pistol to Karen. Despite the two's history, they knew they needed to work together. Karen could appreciate that despite not having to, Isaribi wanted to make sure that she made it out. Beatrix had rode off after Jon, before shooting a mook trying to follow.

"I see you improved your weapon skill." Karen said as Isaribi picked off two more guys.

"I see that you hit the gym. You're not as scrawny as you were before." Isaribi snarked back as Karen got a headshot.

The two had rolled out of the way when one of the agents decided to try using a grenade which blew up Karen's Zion. Tricia used a sticky bomb in a car to stick the accelerator down to send it barreling into several agents before blowing up.

"I think that's the last of them…" Tricia said before getting her bike. "I'll see you back at base."

Isaribi got in one of the FIB Buffalos not riddled with bullets as Karen got in the passenger side before driving away.

"So the bank job? That was you right…" Karen asked. "With your associates."

"Not like it matters to you considering you need me for your dirty work." Isaribi said. "Where am I even dropping you off at?"

"The Ten Cent Theater on Sinner Street." Karen said as Isaribi quickly pulled up to the place. "Thanks. Look when this is over…we can catch up on drinks. My treat."

She got out as Isaribi drove off. She asked her teammates for a status report and was being told by her teammates they were waiting for her outside of the house to be let in. She returned home…stashing the car in the garage before letting them in.

"That wasn't too bad." Jon said, relieved.

"You barely did any fighting, hot shot." Tricia joked. "But you got the case…"

With them in the heist room, the mission was passed.

[Setup Passed! +$20520, +2046RP]

"Your payments were sent." Isaribi said as they left the heist room. "Good work."

Tricia looked at her phone and whistled in appreciation over the amount given. Beatrix and Tricia would take their leave citing Isaribi to call them if they were needed. Isaribi slumped on the sofa with a tired sigh.

"Karen…why did I have to see you so soon?" Isaribi said as Hongli rubbed on her legs.

"You got history with her, right? How'd that happen?" Jon asked, sitting next to her.

"I've been telling the long story…but I can give the abridged version." Isaribi said wistfully.

(A/N: Karen finally makes her appearance in the Heists DLC, and I did add in an extra scene of her being saved by Isaribi to set something up for the future. Karen being here made it realize that I have not written a Liberty City flashback chapter in a while ... .let's fix that!)