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The Small Hours	By : lunavin Category: Singers/Bands/Musicians > Metallica Views: 2991 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the members of Metallica. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter Five: Lars tries to do Damage control
Author’s Note: This is AU and there will be no Metallica wives.

Jason had woken up alone the next morning. He was confused, and a bit worried about how the previous night would affect his already rocky relationship with James. But when he walked out into his kitchen he found James was standing there eating buttered toast and brewing coffee.

It was a small awkward conversation that had followed. James was more than amicable; he was downright frighteningly pleasant. Jason was quiet at first, and let James lead the conversation. The Mighty Het actually thanked Jason; those nights mourning Cliff even with Lars and Kirk were always the hardest for him. He was glad that Jason had had some kind of connection with Cliff as well, and that they could share some of that last night.

Jason apologized for not having told the James the truth earlier. James shrugged, Jason had a point, James had punched him for it. Either way, water under the bridge, James said. The night was over and it was time to focus on Metallica on what it was at present.

Kirk and Lars had arrived early that morning at Jason’s house to find their band mates calmly watching the morning weather report together. Kirk pulled Jason aside, concerned with the bruises forming on his, and James was bruising as well. But Jason told Kirk, and James told Lars, that they had it out and settled a few things; each man giving a PG-13 rated account of the night.

In a turn of events that had Kirk and Lars scratching their heads, things between Jason and James were near perfect from then on. In the next few months it was evident that a wall had been torn down between the two. Gone were all the teasing, ill words, and condescending actions from James. On some days, James and Jason would even hang out on their own without the rest of the band, something that had never occurred in the past save for when they had been doing interviews together.

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Metallica was currently working on the new album, tentatively called Load, and between the four of them, because suddenly Jason was contributing as much as Kirk, there was going to be too much for one single album. Lars was at the studio late one night with Bob and Jason, fiddling with a few of the bass tracks. Kirk and James were off getting some well-deserved rest.

James had reassured Lars that things were cool between himself and Jason. Lars had been very happy to see that it was true. But within a few more months of watching the two men closely, Lars was worried once again.

His first clue that something was going on was on Jason’s birthday. Normally, Jason flew home to his family unless they were touring, but this time, James had asked him to stay, said they were planning something special for him, which wasn’t true as far as Lars knew. But on Jase’s birthday, Jason was still in California and the guys took him out to a bar where a local band performed covers of Black Sabbath.

After that, Lars started watching the two suspecting that the two were carrying on an affair behind his and Kirk’s back. It had greatly upset Lars to think that his best friend would not trust him enough to tell him. Lars tried hinting to hint to James that he was aware of this new romance, but at James blank looks it became apparent that there wasn’t one at all. Things were far more complicated than Lars had imagined.

"I think you got it Jase," Lars said over the speaker to Jason who was in the studio.

"Yeah? All right. You wanna work on King Nothing?"

"No, I wanna go home already. Tomorrow, dude."

"All right." Jason started un-strapping his bass with a chuckle.

Bob Rock, sitting next to Lars, turned to the drummer. "I think Jason's come a long way. I don't remember him being so... full of suggestions... on the Black Album."

"No, he wasn't." Lars replied, but didn't add anymore.

Jason came out of the studio then and grabbed his messenger style bag off the floor. "Same time tomorrow then?" he asked.

At that moment the phone rang, and Bob hit the intercom button. "Yeah?"

"It's James," the voice over the phone started. "Is Jason still there?"

Lars crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head in a defeated manner that no one saw.

"I was just heading out," Jason replied. "What's up?"

"My truck is making a weird noise. I'm gonna have someone look at it. Can you pick me up tomorrow?"

"Take a fucking cab!" Lars said exasperated.

"I know I can take a fucking cab," James responded. "But Jase is staying two blocks away. Let me conserve energy and save the environment or some shit."

"I'll be there at noon," Jason responded. He had bought a house a few months ago that was right by James house. James had suggested the place after Jason had gone on another rant about his neighbor’s breeding loud-ass barking dogs.

"All right, man,” James answered. “Thanks. Laters. Get some fucking sleep, Lars." He hung up.

"You all right?" Jason asked Lars.

Lars turned to Jason and gave him an incredulous look. But then it softened a bit. Lars knew that what was very obvious to him, was lost on Jason.

"Not here, okay. C'mon, I'll walk you out."

"See you guys tomorrow," Bob called out after them as the drummer and bassist left the studio together.

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Lars and Jason walked all the way out to the parking lot. Lars was trying to think in his head what he wanted to say to Jason, and how to phrase it so the bassist wouldn't get angry or freak out. Perhaps, Lars hoped, Jason was aware of all Lars was going to point out to him and was taking care of the situation himself. Lars doubted that highly, and prepared for the worst.

When they got to Jason's car, Jason opened the driver's side and threw his bag into the passenger seat before turning around to face Lars.

"Was there something you wanted to say?" Jason asked. His face showed more fear and irritation than actual surprise or curiosity.

"It's about James."

Jason gave a slightly suspicious look. "What about James?"

"Well, like right now for example. James calls you for a ride to the studio instead of calling Kirk, or me, or just getting a cab."

"So what's wrong with that? I'm living closer to James now than the two of you."

“And how did that happen? James just happened to see a house for sale sign in his neighborhood, and just happened to remember it?”

“You are making no sense whatsoever right now.”

"I'm saying that you and James are getting awful close."

Jason looked puzzled now. "I thought that was a good thing. Why are you mad?"

Lars sighed. "I'm not mad, I'm just worried."

"Does this have anything to do with Metallica? I honestly thought you were following me out here to bitch about my having an actual opinion for this album instead of standing around like a good little robot like I always did."

"No, Jase, I'm glad you're giving input, I'm glad James is listening to you," Lars sounded sincere. "I'm talking about what's going on between you and James."

"What's going on between me and James?"

Lars ran his hand along his newly short hair. "Dude," Lars paused unsure if he even wanted to say it aloud, "he's falling in love with you."

Jason gave him a shocked look, which turned to puzzlement. Then, suddenly, Jason's laughter rang through the parking lot. "Oh, man, I thought you guys were done fucking with me." He continued to laugh despite the serious look on Lars face.

"I'm not fucking with you man." Lars replied. "You keep all this shit up with James and I don't even know what. It's just not going to end well. Unless..." Lars trailed off.

Jason sobered a bit. "Unless what?"

"Unless, you're falling for him too."

This brought on a whole new wave of laughter from Jason. Lars was getting pissed at not being taken seriously.

"This is not a joke, Jase." Lars grabbed Jason by the arm to get his attention, and shook him a little before letting go.

"How can you be serious?" Jason screamed back. "James barely tolerated me 6 months ago and now you think he's falling in love with me?"

"You think you know James better than me?" Lars asked, and Jason shook his head in the negative. "I know him better than anyone. I was there for all of it when he was with Cliff. I know what he's like; I can see it now, Jase. He's falling in love you. It's only a matter of time before he realizes it himself. And that's when the shit is going to hit the fan."

"Really?" Jason sounded unconvinced. "So suddenly I'm as good as Cliff to James? I'm not that fucking stupid, Lars."

"You look it from here." Lars snapped and Jason rolled his eyes. "Watch him tomorrow, Jase. Just look in his eyes, it's all there."

"Fine, fine." Jason waved off. "And then tomorrow when I pick up James and look in his eyes he's gonna start laughing his ass off that I've fallen for another one of your pranks."

"Fuck, Jason!" Lars felt like ripping his hair out. "It's not a prank, all right, I'm sorry we gave you so much shit all these years, really.” He started pointing his finger at Jason, “And don't get all bent on comparing yourself to Cliff. Cliff practically gave you a seal of approval from beyond the grave."

"Oh, is that why you treated me like shit since I joined this band?"

Lars was beginning to realize how much Jason had been holding back all these years. He'd never talked to the rest of the group like this. "I meant now that we all know about what happened. James told me, Cliff picked you out at the meet and greet that night you three hooked up. Combine that with Cliff listening to your old band... if James ever had any reservations about what Cliff would think if he found someone new, it’s over now. Cliff saw something in you, and now James sees it too. You're on of us, Jase, and I'm sorry I treated you otherwise."

Jason took in all of Lar's words slowly, "thank you."

"Yeah, well it’s true," Lars breathed out. "So now please, I don't want to see my best friend hurt and I don't want this to break up the band. Just tread carefully with James. Unless you feel the same way."

"I'll pay more attention to James, see if I see what you're talking about," Jason conceded, "but I swear to god if this is another fucking prank..."

"Don't start," Lars cut him off, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow" Jason responded and got into his car.

Lars turned and walked the few feet over to where his car was parked. Overall, he was glad he had said something, and only hoped Jason would live to his word and watch James more closely. He would be more than happy if the two could find love and happiness with each other. No one in the band had ever really stayed in a relationship for very long. No one ever compared to the thrill of being with each other, with the rest of the band. At least that’s how he felt, and couldn’t really speak for Kirk or Jason. James he felt was similarly cursed.

Lars knew he could read James like a book. He knew his friend was falling for their bass player. Perhaps if James hadn’t been so against Jason, for no one could reach the pedestal he’d put Cliff on, this might have all started happening sooner.

After years of keeping Jason at a distance, Lars couldn't read the bassist at all. Tonight’s outburst was proof that although Jason appeared to have grown indifferent to their somewhat harsh treatment, he really hadn’t. Instead Jason had become very good at hiding his feelings, and Lars knew he was partly to blame for that. If this thing between James and Jason didn't work out, he somehow felt he'd be partly to blame for that too.

As he drove home, Lars replayed the conversation with Jason over in his head a few times. He couldn't remember Jason ever denying having feelings for James, only the disbelief that James could feel that way about him. The edge of Lars' lips turned up in a smirk, and suddenly he felt a new hope.
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The Small Hours