Kiera couldn't remember the last time she rode a motorcycle, let alone driving this distance. It was a long way to home. Home, the word seemed to hit her in the stomach. She hadn't lived in Charming, even visited, for almost ten years. But it was and always would be her home. Her dads old motorcycle road easily along the curves of the California highways. The memory of the day he brought it home, brand new, flashed through her mind. She had just turned ten when he pulled it into their driveway off Shepard Street in Charming. It was a beautiful Heritage Softail* but not something her mother was that happy to see. She remembered them arguing that night about the amount of money that bike would cost us and that all he was doing was trying to keep up with his brother. That next day he came back home with a Celtic trinity knot on the side of the bike, he said it was to remind him of her every time he rode it. It took Kiera a long time to understand why her mom quickly went into his arms with happy tears. It was his way of saying how much he loved her. Moving one hand from the handles, she traced her fingers along the worn down symbol feeling tears starting to build in her eyes.
The streets of Charming were quiet in the early morning as she slowed her speed toward the Teller-Morrow shop. That really wasn't anything new. The town was small, a little worn down but looked just as she remembered. The familiar roar of another bike came up behind her. She glanced in the rear view mirror immediately recognizing Jax with a very confused look on his face. She couldn't help but smirk as she lead the way to the parking lot. He parked along the line of bikes as she pulled off to the side. The scowl was apparent on his face as he strode over to her, girls riding bikes was fairly unheard of around those parts. She took off her helmet letting her strawberry blond hair fall down her back but kept her sunglasses on just to see how long it would take him to recognize her. Once he got close enough to see the design on the side of the bike he went from scowling, to confused to ecstatic in a matter of seconds. "Kiera?!"
She took off her glasses, put them atop her head and nodded. "Hey Jackson. Care to give me a hug?"
He gathered her in his arms and lifted her off the ground in one of his hugs she had remembered since her childhood. "Jesus. What are you doing here? It's been how long?"
"Ten years." She answered sadly. "I've missed my family."
"We've missed you too, girl." He kissed her cheek before setting her back down.
"I can't wait to see everyone." She looked towards the worn down club house.
"We're just about to have church, in fact I'm late, everyone should be here."
She replaced her sunglasses with a smirk. "Let me head in first. Shake 'em up a little."
He just laughed and motioned for her to lead the way. Making an enterance was always something Kiera loved to do.
Quietly opening the door she saw her opportunity; a prospect was near the entrance with his back to her. He was younger than she was but had his heigth against her. She slipped her knife off her side, wrapped her arm around his neck and held the tip to his throat.
"Hey! Woa!" He held his hands up in surrender. Every member of the club was quick to draw their guns. "Who the fuck are you?" Tig asked what everyone was thinking.
"Someone who will kill this prospect if," she removed her sunglasses with the arm around the kids neck and smirked, "she doesn't get a hug from her favorite outlaws." She released the kid who stumbled away very confused and returned her knife to her hip. Jax came in laughing and patted her on the back. Chibs was the first to recognize her.
"Kiera? Baby girl!" He quickly rushed her and scooped her into his arms, kissing her multiple times on the cheek. She was quickly surrounded by everyone but three members; the prospect, a nomad and a new member about her age with tribal tattoos on the sides of his head.
All the men she had grown to love all her life took her into their arms warmly. Bobby's beard still tickled her hair as she disappeared into his hug. Tig still kissed the same spot on the side of her head. Piney still smelled of pine trees and cigars. And Opie still towered over her, leaning down a little to rest his head on top of hers. It wasn't long before Clay moved everyone out of his way and opened his arms in a wide greeting to fold around her small frame.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" He asked laughing and kissed the top of her head. "Alright, lemme look at cha." He held her at arms length seeing a beautifully grown woman in front of him. She was a little taller than he remembered, now standing about five foot eight inches. Her blond hair had natural highlights of red in it. She wore tight dark jeans tucked inside leather riding boots that reached her knees, a white tank top with a black leather jacket over the top of it and a Celtic cross around her neck. "You look just as beautiful as your mother." He smiled.
"Aye," Chibs agreed, "'cept she got her da's blond hair. Though the damn Irish red does show through."
"Boys. Come meet the daughter of Jim Teller." Clay instructed the three hanging back awkwardly. Hearing the name their jaws dropped.
"My little cousin." Jax said proudly, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "This is Happy." Jax nodded to the nomad. He was a handsome, bald and looked like he could break her with one hand.
"Nice to meet you." He said in a deep voice.
She laughed and nodded, he certainly didn't seem very happy to her.
"That's Juice, he's slightly retarded don't mind him." Jax pointed to the kid with tattoos on the side of his head.
Juice took her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles. "But I'm a genius when it comes to computers and sex." He winked before getting hit on the back of the head by Piney.
"And the throat you almost cut open is Halfsack."
The kid took her hand as well but gave a firm shake. "I won't let you catch me off guard again."
"Sorry about that. Just needed their attention." She smirked.
"This girl always did need to make a big entrance. 'Bout gave her da a heart attack too many times to count." Chibs laughed handing her a beer and pulled her into his lap. He was so happy to have this girl in his arms again.
Juice watched quietly as the girl was fully introduced. He kicked himself for that whole sex comment he made. This girl was practically royalty. It would be like saying something sexual to Gemma. He cringed at the painful thought. It wasn't much longer that Clay called church and Kiera was settled down at the bar waiting for them to finish.
Everyone moved quickly into their respective chairs. "I'm only going to say this once." Clay started. "That is my niece out there. Next to Gemma she is the most precious girl to me. Do. Not. Touch." He made a pointed look at Halfsack, Juice and Happy since they were the only ones who didn't know her growing up.
"Aye, I'll second that." Chibs said with all the rest nodding in agreement.
Feeling that was enough on that, Clay moved on to other business.
Outside of church Kiera was happily throwing back a few beers when she heard a door slam. "Where the fuck is she!?" Gemmas voice rang through the bar. Sliding off the stool, Kiera prepared herself for any wrath from Gemma. The mother hen stopped a few feet short of her, giving her a once over. "Christ girl, you're even prettier than I remember. Come here." She ordered hugging her niece tightly. It always amused Kiera that Gemma could hug tighter than any of the bikers could.
"I missed you too aunt Gemma." She had missed her aunt terribly but had been too much of a coward to come back.
"Where you stayin' baby?" Gemma asked.
Kiera looked around the clubhouse with a smirk.
"No." She shook her head. "No way you're stayin in this filthy place."
"I stayed here plenty of times growing up." She looked around again as a few memories played through her head. "Reminds me of the old days."
Gemma knew it was a fight she was going to loose. "Alright fine." She pouted a little. "But if you want a real place to stay Clay and I always have a room for you." She kissed her niece as the guys exited chapel. "I'm throwing a dinner for my favorite niece tonight. You all will be there." She ordered before going to kiss Clay. Kiera remembered when she would kiss her uncle John that way.
Jax came over with another beer for Kiera, bringing her out of her memory. "Mom convince you to stay with her?"
She laughed and shook her head. "She asked but I'd rather stay in the dorms. Your lovely mother can be a little controlling, I got enough of that from my own."
"Come on I'll get you set up."
"Wait," she got up, "gotta get my bags off the bike."
"That's what prospects are for." Jax snapped his fingers at the prospect who quickly came over. "Grab her bags off the old bike out front and bring them to the dorms."
He nodded quickly and ran out.
"I could have done it." She protested lightheartedly.
"He'll do it out of fear you might slit his throat." He chuckled as she gave him a certain finger.
None of the dorm rooms were very big but it was all she needed. At least it had its own bathroom so she didn't have to worry about any guys walking in on her in the shower. There was a lumpy full sized bed and posters of naked women on the walls. She wouldn't have had it any other way.
Jax left her to get settled in. She laid back on the bed and stared at the ceiling when a knock came to her door. She sighed only wanting a moments peace before yelling that whoever it was could come in. She was definitely not moving from her spot, she was too weary from the drive.
"Hey um," it was Juice standing awkwardly at her doorway. He couldn't help but let his eyes roam her body. Her shirt was raised slightly giving him a peek at the orange rose that started on her left hip bone and disappeared below her jeans. He also saw on her right shoulder a reapers scythe with thorns all around it. Now he was curious what other places she had tattoos.
"Did you need something? Or just come to stare?" She asked with a smirk.
"I, uh, just wanted to apologize for my comment earlier."
She laughed, hard, holding her stomach. "You really came to apologize?"
"I just didn't want you to think I was some pig." He didn't know why but he cared what this girl thought of him. "I mean you are kind of like royalty around here." He frowned a little when she was still laughing softly. "I guess if you need anything just ask." He started to close the door before he heard "wait".
She sat up with a smirk. For the first time he got a good look at her deep green eyes. "How long you been patched in?"
"About two years." He wasn't sure where this was going as he watched her.
"Then you know all about old ladies, sweetbutts and croweaters."
He merely nodded to let her continue with her point.
She got a serious look on her face. "Well, I'm none of the above. I make my own decisions so I'm no old lady. And if you even think you have a chance of getting me in your bed like a croweater I will take your balls off and make the prospect eat them. Got it?"
He nodded and left the room. He wasn't sure why but her threatening him turned him on. But she was certainly not like any girl he'd ever met before.
A few hours later Kiera was showered and on her dads bike headed to the police station. She remembered exactly where it was having spent some time there in her teens usually because of trouble her, Jax and Opie got into. She smiled at the memory as she walked into the station. There were a few people she recognized from growing up around town. Not that she knew their names or anything, not exactly people she hung out with. Most were too afraid to befriend her knowing the reputation her family held.
She walked up to some girl she'd never met before and put on her best friendly smile. "Is Unser around?"
"I'm sorry he's not. But Deputy Chief Hale is, if you would like to speak to him." She offered warmly before she saw the devious smirk come to Kiera's lips.
"As in David Hale?"
"Yes ma'am." She started to pick up the phone. "Can I ask who's here to see him?"
"An old friend." She started walking through the station to Hale's office, leaving the woman protesting behind her.
She stood in the doorway, leaning against it with her shoulder, watching Hale at his desk. Just as he looked up the woman came running up behind Kiera.
"Sorry sir, I couldn't stop her."
It took Hale a moment starring intently at Kiera before he knew for sure it was her and stood from his desk. "No one can stop Kiera when she's determined." He didn't take his eyes off his old friend as the woman turned to leave.
"Deputy Chief David Hale." She smirked as the words fell delicately from her tongue.
"It's been so long." His smile brightened as he quickly hugged her. "What brings you back to this hell hole?"
She chuckled as he pulled back and tucked his thumbs into his gun belt. "I was looking for Unser, missed that old man."
"You aren't in trouble are you?" He grinned as she rolled her eyes just as she did when she was fifteen.
"Always." She smirked.
He laughed and nodded. "You just back to visit or stay?"
"I'm sticking around for a bit. You know this town sucks you back in. It was good to see you. I'm sure I'll see you around. Let Unser know I came by." She turned and started to head out before he called to her.
"Have dinner with me tonight."
She threw her long hair over her shoulder, giving him a look that sent chills down his spine. "Can't. Gemma has a dinner for me tonight."
"Tomorrow then." She gave him a pointed look and pursed her lips. "Just as friends." He added quickly.
"Alright," she agreed, "just as friends."
"Pick you up at seven? Where are you staying?"
She smirked. "The clubhouse. Maybe I should meet you somewhere?"
"No, the clubhouse at seven it is." He stood his ground, smiling.
"I'll meet you out front then." She compromised.
He laughed and nodded. "See you then."
She headed out of the station to the bike before hearing, "Jesus Christ." She turned and saw Unser headed her way. "Unser." She smiled and quickly hugged the aging man.
"My God girl look at you, just the spitting image of your mother."
She laughed figuring she'd be hearing that a lot. Next to Gemma, Bridget was one of the most recognized women in town. You could spot her fiery Irish hair from a mile down the road. And just like Gemma, she didn't take shit from anyone. "Thanks. I missed you."
"You in town for a while?"
"Probably for a bit. You know aunt Gemma will keep me here as long a she can."
He chuckled and nodded. "Watch her or she'll have you handcuffed to the clubhouse."
She laughed but knew it was entirely true. "It was good seeing you. You look good." She kissed his cheek and climbed onto the bike that had become hers.
Gemma always threw the best dinners. Food, alcohol and laughter were always abundant. Kiera could smell her favorite food as soon as she stepped through the door. Racks of ribs, smothered with chipotle barbecue sauce, red potatoes and onions and corn on the cob. Her aunt had outdone herself. Kiera walked up behind her and gave her a kiss. "You are the best aunt any girl could ask for."
"I know." She smirked and pushed Kiera out of the kitchen as she was grabbing for a small piece of rib. "Out with you. Go see the boys. You never could keep your fingers out of the food."
Laughing, she made her way into the living room where everyone had gathered. She immediately spotted Tara on Jaxs' lap. "I thought you were some big shot doctor?" She asked Tara.
"We all end up back here, don't we?" She chuckled.
Kiera knew the story of Jax and Taras breakup. But she could see by the look on her cousins face he was happy and that's all that mattered to her. And the fact that Gemma hadn't killed her, was even okay with her being at dinner, meant that things weren't too tense between the two.
She sat down next to Tig as Juice handed her a beer. Apparently, she hadn't completely freaked out the Puerto Rican. It wasn't long before the table was set and they were ready to eat. Kiera sat to the left of Clay, a spot her father once held. Only back then John was at the head of the table and Clay was to his right. Jax sat across from Kiera and Chibs sat next to her. Clay stood with his beer raised. "I want you all to raise your glasses to the fact that my beautiful niece is back home." All glasses and beer bottles clinked around the table as Clay kissed her on the top of the head. He made her miss her uncle John. She remembered bits and pieces of him from her childhood and was always reminded what a good man he was. After Clay married Gemma, he happily took the title of uncle to Kiera and brother to Jim.
Dinner lasted about an hour until everyone, including Kiera, was so full they could barely move. She may look girly with long blond hair, long legs and a perfectly curvy body. But when it came to Gemmas food she stuffed herself like everyone else.
All the men and Kiera went back to the living room while Gemma and the old ladies, including Tara, cleaned up. Chibs handed Kiera a glass to scotch.
"You didn't." She put her nose to the glass, smelling the amber liquid. "You sly Scot, you did. Every time I go to the liquor store I look for this but can never find it."
"Aye, it's me own little secret. Was saving it for when you came home." He chuckled and clinked his glass to hers before taking a sip.
She took her own sip with a contented sigh. "Just as good as I remembered."
Gemma kicked everyone out around midnight. Kiera was one of the last to leave, saying her goodbyes and getting an old picture. "Here baby, I found this today. You should have it." The picture was of Kiera and her father sitting on his bike laughing. She was about twelve when the picture was taken with the red from her mother starting to appear in her hair in the sunlight. She choked up a thanks and rode back to the clubhouse.
Most of the guys still around the bar were getting ready to settle in for the night with a croweater. She shook her head and grinned as Chibs was one of them. One of the new girls stepped in front of Kiera before she could make her way down the hall. "Sorry Barbie, no admittance unless one of them chooses to bring you back." She looked her over with a sneer. "Though I doubt they would. They don't usually go for prissy bitches."
Kiera just laughed before bringing her fist as hard as she could into the girls jaw. Before she could drop to the floor in pain, she was held up by her neck and thrown against the wall behind her. Kiera was so close to her face she could smell the blood starting to pool in her mouth. "You might want to watch who you talk to around here." She could hear the guys heading her way to stop her from really hurting this girl. "Maybe you shouldn't talk at all. Just use that mouth for sucking cock, that's about all it's good for." The girl was starting starting to turn blue when Kiera felt a few strong arms pull her away.
She watched the girl drop to the floor gasping as she pulled away from whoever held her back. By the laugh, she guessed it was Bobby who got to her first. She stormed back to her room and slammed the door.
"Juice." Bobby called, still laughing. "Take our killer some ice for her hand. By the looks of that girls face she's gonna need it."
Juice paused before nodding. He wasn't sure if Kiera might try to swing at him for bothering her. He quickly gathered up ice in a bag as Halfsack was ordered to get the croweater cleaned up. "She's getting blood everywhere." He heard Tig say as he made his way to Kiera room. He knocked softly, when he wasn't met with an answer he quietly opened the door. Kiera was at the end of her bed with a photo in her hands. Blood was slowly dripping to the floor from her knuckles she must have split open on the girls teeth.
"Hey," he whispered softly. "I brought you some ice for your hand."
She quickly stood, making him jump back a little, and put the photo on her nightstand. "I don't need any ice."
"You are bleeding though." He pointed to her hand. "At least let me help wash it off."
She gave him a look implying she didn't want help.
"If I go out there without helping you and your hand looks like shit tomorrow they will kill me." He informed, getting a small smile from the girl. "Come on." He headed to the bathroom as she followed. Every bathroom was stocked with plenty of alcohol and bandages. She lit a cigarette as he started cleaning her wound. "I didn't know you smoked."
"You think you can grow up in this life and not take it up?" The memory of Jax handing her her first cigarette flashed through her mind.
He shrugged with a grin. "I couldn't imagine being a girl and growing up in this life. Bet you had a hard time getting approval for any boyfriend."
"That's why I learned to sneak them around."
Being this close to her he could smell the citrus in her hair. "Can I ask you something?" A shrug was the all he got in response so he continued. "Why did your family leave Charming?"
"That, Juicy, is a story for another time."
He nodded. "You gonna stay?"
"Probably not," she grabbed the ice from him and put it on her hand. She sat down on her bed.
"If you need anything." He offered before leaving her in peace.
She laid back on the bed as he made his way to his room. He left the croweater he was thinking about taking to bed for someone else. That night he only wanted one girl. And that girl was very far out of his reach.
After grabbing a big cup of coffee and a joint the next morning, Kiera made her way up to the roof. She was a California girl after all so sunning was always something she enjoyed doing. Removing her tank top, revealing a bright blue bikini top, she sat back on a towel. It wasn't long before she heard the door open and Jax lightly kick her foot. "What are you doing up here?"
She lifted her sunglasses and smirked at him. "Getting some sun. Don't wanna be as pale as you." Taking a long pull she offered him a hit. "For my nerves."
"Just try not to let the guys see you dressed like that. It's hard enough keeping the 'don't touch the girl rule' without you flaunting it every chance you get." He chuckled as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Then don't let them up here." She returned her sunglasses to her face.
Jax went back down to the shop to actually work his day job. He was under the hood of an old Cadillac when his cell phone went off, reading "Unser" on the caller ID. "Yeah?"
"Don't say anything, just listen." The urgency in his voice immediately put Jax on edge. "The bitch Stahl got a warrant passed to search the clubhouse for guns. They're sitting right outside waiting for the word to come through. You maybe have a couple hours. Get any guns out, now." Without any goodbyes they hung up.
Jax turned to his brothers. "We've got a problem." He filled everyone in quickly and looked outside to see the black sedans of the FBI agents.
Kiera woke up, from her nap to hear the sewage truck pulling out of the parking lot. Only moments later police sirens started blaring and tires screeched into below her. She peeked over the edge, trying to keep out of sight and saw cars with FBI agents pull up.
"Shit." Kiera grabbed her cell phone and dialed Unser. "What's going on?There's FBI cars everywhere."
"Kiera just relax and don't say a word. The boys already know everything. Don't resist or run." She clicked the phone shut as the door to the roof opened.
"Got one up here!" The agent yelled as he strode towards her. "Come on honey, you get to come sit with all the rest of the scumbags."
She growled and pulled away from his hands. "Don't put your hands on me, pig."
He advanced her quickly and put her hands behind her back. "Don't struggle now, princess." She felt the cold metal snap around her wrists. Always a fighter, she pulled from him while he led her down to the clubhouse where the guys were on the floor in handcuffs. Agent Stahl was pacing in front of them with a smirk on her face. She quickly turned as Kiera was escorted the room. The older woman looked over Kiera with a devious grin.
"You must be the daughter of Jim Teller. I heard you were in town." She made it very obvious as she looked up and down the young girl in just a bikini top and very short jean shorts.
"Kiera." She introduced herself. "I don't think I've had the displeasure."
"Agent Stahl. I'd shake your hand but," she nodded to the cuffs around Kiera's wrists.
"There's no reason she needs to be cuffed." Clay protested from the floor, not liking his niece in the metal.
"She was putting up a struggle." The agent who had grabbed her confirmed.
Stahl just laughed and focused her attention back on Kiera. "So how does a pretty thing like you not get passed around all these criminals like every other whore?"
Kiera leaned a little closer to the agent. "They can't handle me sweetie." She looked Stahl over seductively. "You might be able to though. I'm sure you like it kinky and I'm already handcuffed. I don't normally go for old pussy but I'd let you give it a lick."
Stahl laughed and tossed some of Kiera's hair that had fallen forward over her shoulder. They could hear some cuffs rattle as the boys seemed to not like her being touched. Kiera knew better than to break eye contact or back down. "I heard your daddy is dead. So sorry for your loss. I'm sure he had plenty of information on SAMCRO." The sarcasm dripped from her like venom.
"Do you really care? Or are you just jealous because my daddy and all of these men loved and cared for me? Where I'm guessing your daddy stuck it in your ass, turning you off to men forever."
The agents face started to turn red as she forced Kiera roughly to the ground next to Juice. "You're on my list sweet-tits."
"You okay?" Juice whispered when he saw the girl wince from her position.
"Fine." She growled. "Been in cuffs plenty of times before."
"Agent Stahl," another agent seemed nervous, "we didn't find any guns."
She narrowed her eyes at the man. "You better be fucking kidding me."
"No, ma'am."
She crouched down in front of the smirking Jax. "I don't know how you did it, but I will find those guns."
"What guns?" His eyes were full of fake innocence as he just smiled at her.
"Uncuff 'em." She instructed before storming out of the clubhouse.
Juice offered a hand to Kiera once they were both released. She paused for a moment before taking it. "Don't get used to helping me." She whispered in his ear before heading to the bar.
He couldn't help but notice they way her breasts pressed into his chest and wondered how that would feel without their clothing in between them.
"How'd you get them out?" Kiera asked her cousin who still held a satisfied grin on his face.
"We didn't get shit out." He winked and handed her a beer.
She shook her head and drank with the rest of them until she had to get ready for her dinner with Hale. It had never been her dads place to know about the gun running the club did. All he wanted to do was ride his bike and drink with his friends. It was his brother John that started the gunrunning business back in Belfast. The brothers respected each other enough to let them have their difference and still be in the same club. Kiera knew that it wasn't her business about any illegal happenings in the club either. Of course, if they ever needed help or bail money she'd do whatever she could to come through for them. It was just what family did.
Kiera might not have had much interest romantically with Hale anymore but it didn't mean she wasn't going to torture him a bit for the night. After her shower she dried and straightened her hair and found a green summer dress and heels she had packed. She applied just a hint of makeup, mostly around her eyes to brighten them up. When she felt satisfied enough, she went back out into the bar just as the guys were heading into church. She knew they were more than likely discussing the raid that took place only a few hours earlier. Before they could enter through the doors they all had to give a cat call to Kiera.
"Damn, girl." Chibs took her hand and spun her around. "Where are ya going dressed like tha'?"
"Just meeting an old friend for dinner."
"A date? We can't 'ave tha' now." He tired to give a stern look before his laughing undermined him.
"How about you all just go into church and let me have a night to myself?"
"Here," Tig handed her a condom in front of everyone, "just in case."
She tucked it right back into his pocket seductively, running her hand up his chest. "You might need it more than me." Trying to glare at everyone else but failing miserably she said, "now go into chapel and stay out of my business."
Chibs laughed and kissed her cheek following the rest into their meeting.
Happy paused smiling at her. "They're just jealous. They wish their old ladies could look as good as you." He winked before heading in.
Juice was of course the last to head in. "You do look amazing."
"I know." She kissed him on the cheek and sighed in relief once the doors closed. They really didn't need to know she was meeting with Hale.
A little before seven she walked out front just in time to see David pulling up in a police jeep. She was thankful he wasn't in his uniform. He quickly got out and opened her door for her. Ever since she could remember Hale had always been a gentlemen.
"You look," he paused giving her a once over, "incredible."
"So I've heard." She laughed and slid into jeep as he made his way around to the drivers side.
They made small talk as he drove to a restaurant just inside Lodi.
"Remember being teenagers and dates consisted of drinking down by the lake?" She asked, almost wishing she could go back to those times. Back when her father and mother were alive.
He chuckled. "Don't forget the making out and eventually getting busted by Unser."
They pulled into the parking lot and he made his way around to her door, helping her step down. He slipped an arm around her waist as they walked in.
"I'm surprised you didn't cancel dinner after the raid today. I'm sure you have paperwork to do." She smiled softly.
"Wait," he looked at her and put down his menu. "Were you there for the raid?"
"Of course I was." She laughed. "I was up on the roof when they pulled in. Met that bitch Stahl."
He reached for her hand. "I'm sorry. You shouldn't have gone through that."
"I've been through worse, David." She pulled her hand back and reached for her wine glass to not lead on she was pulling from him. "Comes with the life."
A flash of disgust came across his face but just as quickly as it appeared it was replaced with a smile. "Let's not talk about any of that tonight. Let's just be two friends catching up."
That's just what they did. While enjoying a good meal they caught up on the past ten years of each others lives. He asked about her college days. How she ever got the okay from her overprotective parents to go away and live in the dorms. She told him that she promised to come home whenever she could. She, of course, asked him about becoming and cop and taking over for Unser. Though it really didn't surprise her with his family always being on the side of the law her family never was. All-in-all she really did enjoy catching up.
Luckily, there was no one outside when they pulled back up to the clubhouse. Once again Hale opened her door and helped her out. If it had been anyone else she would have complained about being treated like she was fragile. But she learned a long time ago that David was just David.
"Night David. Thanks for dinner." She started to head in when he grabbed her and forced his lips on hers. The moment she realized what was happening she pushed him away. "What the hell?"
"Sorry," he rubbed the back of his neck, "I just thought since we had such a good night."
"What? That you could just sleep with me?"
He looked offended and little pissed off. "It was just a kiss, Kiera. I'm not like all those guys in there."
Their voices started to raise, drawing some attention. "'Those guys' are my family and friends. They're a part of my life. You could never accept that. Why would anything be different now? You're a cop." She was letting her Irish temper get the better of her.
"You don't have to live this life." He grabbed for her arms but she pulled away.
"This life," she motioned to the clubhouse where a few of the guys were starting to come out to see what all the commotion was about, "is the only place where people care about me and accept me for who I am."
"I care about you. I have since you were thirteen."
"But you can't accept me and you never will." She quickly turned and walked away.
Hale looked to the men who had always protected her and knew if he didn't get out soon he wouldn't hear the end of it.
Juice had stood beside Tig watching the scene play out between Kiera and Hale. He still had a hard time believing that she had willingly gone on a date with him.
"Just like old times." Tig commented, amused.
Now Juice was confused. "You mean they've dated before?"
"When she was about fifteen and he was seventeen. Of course our girl was always old for her age, came with hanging out Jax and Opie all the time." He took a swig of his beer. "They snuck around most of the time behind her dads back and the clubs. If Clay hadn't been there one night when Hale was caught sneaking out her window, Jim would have killed him."
He pictured the scene in his head and couldn't help but laugh. "If he would have we wouldn't have Hale up our asses now."
Tig slapped him on the back. "So true."
They watched Kiera storm into the clubhouse and Juice started to make his way towards her. "I wouldn't." Tig called to him. "Best let her cool down." That was enough to make him pause. They knew her better than he did and more than likely knew when she needed to be left alone.
"Baby girl?" Chibs asked as she stormed past him, grabbed a bottle of scotch and went back to her dorm. He could hear her mumbling something about Hale and made a good guess why she was angry. He sighed, hating that he had hurt her again after all these years. He still remembered the night her dad caught Hale climbing out of her window. Clay had been the one to grab Jim before he could hurt the boy. Chibs grabbed Hale by his collar and started escorting him off the property. That's when Kiera came running out in nothing but running shorts and a tank top.
"Chibs stop!" She called to him. "You're hurting him."
"No one touches her, understood?" He glared at David.
Kiera was grabbing the back of his cut, trying to get his attention.
"Whatever man, I wouldn't touch her. Not with all you assholes protecting her like she's some princess." He protested, trying to shove Chibs away.
"I'm not some princess, I can make my own damn decisions." She got between Chibs and Hale. "Besides, I started it." She smirked, seeing Chibs face turn red with anger.
"He should have fucking stopped it." He went to grab the boy again.
"Hey," he stepped back with his hands raised, "alright I'm done with her." Kiera looked at him in shock. "You won't see me around again." He looked to Kiera who had tears starting to form in her eyes. "We're done. You're not worth getting killed over."
Chibs was torn between killing Hale and comforting Kiera. He chose the latter and pulled her into his arms as she cried. Once the tears were out, she got angry and pulled back to slap him. He caught her hand mid-air and looked sadly to her. "I hate this place." She pulled from him and ran back inside.
Chibs had never told Jim the story of what happened that night and Kiera never mentioned it again. It took months for her to talk to him. Bridget asked a few times why she was so mad at him. He just replied she was mad at the club for scaring the boy off. When he couldn't take it anymore, he bought Kiera a Celtic cross to apologize. A cross she hasn't taken off since then.
Kiera stumbled back out to the bar a few hours later. It was after three o'clock in the morning and almost everyone had left for the night. Halfsack was passed out, face-first on the bar, and Tig was passed out face-first in some croweaters breasts. Juice and Happy were just about to call it a night when they heard her crash into something in the hall and limp towards the bar. She had an empty bottle of scotch in her hand and was clearly looking for another.
Happy went over to gently stop her. "Hey darlin' I think you've had enough."
She pulled from him, scowling. "No I haven't. I can still remember." She slurred a few words in her protest and looked to Juice for help. "Juicy, can you grab me another bottle?"
"Sorry hun," he said as she pouted at him, "I have to agree with Happy."
"You two are just like all the men around here. No one thinks I can take care of myself." Both men reached for her when she tripped over a stool and started to fall. "See that's exactly what I mean." Seeing her opportunity, she snagged a bottle that was half empty on the bar and turned back towards the dorms. "I don't even know why they call you Happy, you don't seem happy. And you aren't Juicy." She slurred as she walked away.
Juice sighed. "I'll go make sure she doesn't drink herself to death. See ya later man." He patted Happy on the back and headed down the hall.
Kiera's door was still cracked open so he pushed it and stepped in. She was laying on the bed, staring at the ceiling and holding the bottle lightly in her grip over the side of the bed. He could tell she was about to drop it. Being as gentle as possible, he pulled the bottle from her hand. "I can take care of myself." She repeated and started to close her eyes.
"I know you can." Juice set the bottle on her dresser and pulled the blanket over her. Looking down at her he couldn't help but notice how young and fragile she looked. He was sure she could take care of herself, she insisted on that. But there was something about her he just wanted to protect. He sat back in the chair and watched her sleep, figuring if she got sick during the night she should probably have someone there. He was also going to make sure she didn't get up and decide she needed more liquor.
Sunlight came through the window landing right on Juice's eyes. He blinked a few times and cracked his neck from sleeping sitting up. At first he wasn't sure where he was or why he was sleeping in a chair, but once he saw Kiera sleeping on her bed the night came rushing back to him. "Shit." He whispered before slowly moving out of the room in hopes she didn't wake up. He backed out and slowly pull the door closed behind him. Right as it clicked shut, he was pulled by the back of his shirt and thrown into the wall opposite her door.
"What the hell are you doing?" Opie towered over Juice threateningly. It was like looking to an angry older brother.
Juice held his hands up in defense. "It's not what it looks like. She drank too much-"
"So you fucked her?" He cut him off, still trying to keep his voice down so he didn't wake anyone.
"Of course not." He pushed the larger man away. "I wouldn't do that. You know that. I just wanted to make sure she didn't get sick or something. I guess I fell asleep." Opie went to grab him again. "On a chair!" He added quickly.
"Touch her, you die." He reminded him.
"Yeah, yeah, I remember." Juice brushed himself off and headed towards his room.
The next few days went on as business as usual. Juice and Opie never mentioned that morning. Juice never mentioned to Kiera that he even stayed in her room. She had started helping out in the office of Teller-Morrow automotive to get some extra cash. She spent her days with her nose in the books and her nights drinking with the guys. A few days she ate lunch on the picnic table with Juice. She couldn't help but notice something different about him. He wasn't an asshole for starters. He was a little quiet but seemed to easily open up with it was just the two of them.
One day he couldn't help but ask about the whole Hale situation. "I'm not trying to pry or anything. But you two did make a big scene that night."
She took a drag from her cigarette, figuring out how to word it. "You aren't gonna accept the 'we have a history' speech are you?" Her smile meant she was teasing him.
"Not a chance."
She laughed and nodded. "Didn't think so. Except that's basically all it is. We dated when we were teenagers, he broke my heart and he couldn't just be friends this time around."
"So you're not like into him?"
"God no. I thought we could have been friends. Let him see there's one person with relations to SAMCRO that he doesn't have to hate. But no, all he wanted was to fuck me. Or 'save me' or whatever." She rolled her green eyes.
"Maybe you shouldn't have worn that dress." He teased, hoping for that smile to come back.
She fought it, but eventually smiled at his comment. "Bite me."
"If you really want." He flirted as Chibs came storming out of the clubhouse.
Kiera ran up to him to see what was wrong. He barely looked at her, only to Juice. "You better get in there. Tha' stupid Irish kid, Eddie, decided it was a smart idea to show up at our fucking clubhouse."
She grabbed Chibs by the shoulder and turned him around. "Edmund Hayes?"
"Aye," he growled in annoyance at the situation as Kiera took off into the clubhouse with Juice and Chibs running after her, very confused.
She pushed Opie out of her way to see that he was actually there just as the two men caught up with her. "Eddie?" She whispered.
"What is she doing here?" Clay asked but was ignored.
"Kiera, lovey. It's so good to see you." Edmund started towards her but she took a small step back.
No one seemed to notice her fist clenching. "Your dad told me you were dead."
"Aye, we had to. To keep ya safe, doll."
"Are you fucking kidding me?" She glared, not even caring that everyone in the clubhouse was watching them. "They came looking for you Eddie. They didn't believe that you were dead. They tortured and beat me before leaving me for dead." She swung so fast no one saw her fist coming to his jaw. He fell to the ground as Chibs grabbed Kiera's arms and held them behind her back. "I would be dead if Fiona and Jimmy hadn't found me." She aimed a kick at him but he scooted away. "I had three broken ribs, a broken arm and more bruises than I could count."
Eddie held up his hands and tried to get to his feet. "At least you're safe now. You were found and taken care of."
"'Taken care of'? By Jimmy? Jimmy always gets what he wants and he wanted me. I had to keep him happy or he threatened to take it out on Kerriann. I love that girl like family and he knew I'd do anything to keep her safe. It wasn't until Jimmy took a trip to the states I was able to leave. I only pray he didn't hurt either of them when I left." She felt Chibs hands around her lighten their grip so she lurched forward again towards Eddie. She threw an assault of punches at him, feeling the tears starting to well in her eyes.
"Grab her!" Clay yelled as Chibs grabbed Kiera once again. "What you can't hold onto a sixty-pound girl?"
"She slipped." Chibs said sarcastically.
"Get her out of here. And you," he turned to Eddie who now had a bloody nose and a swelling left eye, "don't come back to my clubhouse."
Chibs wrapped his arms tightly around Kiera and led her back to her room. He buried his face in her neck and pressed her back to him. "I'm so sorry, love. I didn' know." He whispered.
She slumped against him, exhausted physically and emotionally. "No one knew. I made sure to keep it that way once I got back to the states."
"If Clay would 'ave let me I would 'ave just let ya kill 'im." He pulled her onto the bed and wrapped his arms tightly around her. He couldn't keep her safe then, he'd do everything he could to keep her safe now. "Why 'ere you in Ireland anyway?"
"When mom died I took a trip over there to find family. They didn't want to be found I guess. She married dad so I'm just some offspring of them not family." She tucked her head under his chin. "I did some sightseeing on my own." He felt her smile a little. "It was beautiful over there."
"Aye, it is." He sighed. "Ye should 'ave told me."
"I didn't want to worry you even more. I know the ties with Jimmy and the IRA. I didn't want to screw anything up."
Gently, he pulled her chin up so she'd look at him. "Promise me ya won't go near Jimmy again." She nodded with a few tear stains on her cheeks. He leaned down and placed a small kiss on her lips before tucking her back under his chin. It wasn't long before her breathing slowed and she was fast asleep safe in his arms.
"You should have let her kill him." Jax was beyond pissed off and taking it out on Clay. "That asshole almost got her killed. And then the shit with Jimmy?" He threw a fist into the wall.
"That wouldn't be good business, now would it?" His stepfather was just as angry but trying to think clearly. "We need the Irish. We're running low on guns and resources."
"So you're okay with what he did to her? What Jimmy did to her?"
Clay was about to respond when Bobby interrupted. "Walk away Jax, you know he'd never want any harm to come to Kiera. None of us would." He stepped in front of Jax before things got too heated. Giving one last glare to Clay, Jax headed out to the picnic table to smoke.
Juice sat on top of the table next to the chain smoking Jax and lit his own. The younger member was content to sit there as long as it took with Jax. They didn't need to talk about it. Everyone knew how Jax felt and Juice being there was supporting him. The thought of what happened to Kiera in Ireland made Juice sick to his stomach. Given the word, he would happily kill Edmund and Jimmy. But Juice knew better and so did everyone in the club, they wouldn't break their ties with the Irish unless given orders.
The words that came out of Jax's mouth shocked Juice. "Get Kiera out of here for a day or so. Go for a long ride up the mountains to the cabin or somethin'."
Juice looked at him with his mouth hanging open. "Me?"
"Yeah, she seems to like you. And I would hope you weren't stupid enough to touch her."
He shook his head. "We're friends. But are you sure about getting her out of Charming? You really think she'll go?"
"We'll just have to convince her."
"Like hell you're shipping me up to the mountains." Kiera yelled at Jax before turning to Juice. "Why are you okay with this? Aren't you needed around here for club shit?" She paused. "That's what this is about. You need time with the Hayes boys without me interfering. And Juice here is my babysitter in case I get into trouble."
"It's not like that, Kiera." Her cousin protested. "You need some time away from Charming. Away from the stress of the club. Jesus just in the week you've been here you've been in cuffs and beaten the shit out of two people. You need to relax."
She glared at him. "I'll relax when I'm dead."
Jax turned up his charm and put his arm around her. "Please, for me. You've got me worried about you and I think it's a good idea."
She looked to Juice. "Go pack. Looks like we're going for a ride."
Jax kissed her on top of her head but she playfully smacked him away.