AN: I know pretty much all my readers are Caryl fans, so I want to assure you that if you give this one a chance, even though it's an SOA crossover, it's still very much a Caryl fic. It's basically a Caryl AU in the SOA setting instead of TWD setting. There will be some Gemma/Nero as well, but if you're not familiar with them you can just see them as OCs and I hope I'll give enough detail that things won't be confusing for those who don't know anything about them. I'm really hoping y'all will give this one a chance. I think it'll be a fun one. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 1

Her body was still sore as she walked down the hallway after being discharged. Carol didn't miss the looks of pity from the nurses. Her face still held the evidence of the most recent beating she'd taken from her husband Ed. She maintained that she'd fallen down the stairs while doing laundry. Just like all the other lies she'd told the nurses and doctors over the last 10 years. She'd learned a lot, like how to pop her own shoulder back into place and put her arm in a sling to prevent yet another trip to the hospital, or how to use butterfly bandages to patch a deep cut and avoid stitches.

But the last beating nearly killed her. She'd been in the hospital for 5 days after being delivered to the ER unconscious. From her crumpled state at the bottom of the stairs (yes she had indeed fallen down the stairs, but it was a hard shove not an accident) she had passed out 4 times before she was able to get herself to a phone and call 9-1-1.

Countless doctors, therapists, nurses, and psychologists had tried to get the truth out of her. They knew. But Carol kept her story the same and dismissed their help. Now, it was time to leave. Time to go back home to the monster who hadn't even come to visit her once. The monster who wasn't coming to pick her up. The monster that would put her right back to work the second she walked in the door…And now Carol was wishing she had of told the truth to someone.

There was somewhere she needed to go before she left. There was one person she needed to tell the truth to, even though he already knew. With a deep breath she pushed open the door to the chapel and stepped inside. Thankfully it was empty, just like she'd hoped it would be. Carol walked to the front and took a seat. She looked at the cross hanging on the wall, studied it, and thought about what the man himself had been through. "I will survive," she whispered to him. "I'm strong."

Carol closed her eyes and started to pray. She spoke to God about everything that happened that awful day. How one little thing led to Ed almost killing her. She told him how terrified she was to go back to Ed. And she told the lord how she still felt like she could change him, and find the man she'd fallen in love with once again. Then she asked for a sign to show her the way. If she wasn't meant to go back to Ed she prayed that God would give her another path.

When Carol opened her eyes she realized someone else had come into the chapel. The woman was tall, with long curly dark hair that had blonde streaks. She was beautiful, likely a few years older than Carol, and dressed very sexy. Carol looked down at her own clothes with envy. She might not have the body this woman had, but she would have loved to be able to show off her own curves, at least a little.

The woman sat down across from her and their eyes met. "Oh shit sweetheart. Who did that to you?" Carol was too shocked to reply. "Your husband?" As hard as she tried to stop them tears sprung to her eyes. The woman moved across the aisle to sit closer. "You're not going back to him are you?"

Carol opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. The tears were rolling down her cheeks. Finally she was able to get a sentence out. "I have no where else to go," she whispered. She'd been to shelters before and she always ended up going back home. She wasn't going there again.

"Well you do now, come on," the woman said, standing up. Carol stared at her. What did that mean? She sighed. "I'm sorry. Gemma," she said, reaching out her hand.

Carol shook it. "Carol," she replied softly.

Gemma sat down again. "Listen, I've been where you are. But for me, it only happened once. I left the man I've loved half my life. It was hard, but he will never hurt me again. I know you're scared right now, but if you come with me I promise my family will keep you safe." Carol's heart was pounding. She'd asked God for a sign and now this complete stranger was offering her help. Was this her sign? She had to believe it was. "Come on Sweetheart," Gemma said, standing again.

"Okay," Carol replied, nodding her head. She felt like she was in a daze as she followed her saviour to a black SUV and climbed in. "Why are you doing this?" she asked as they pulled out of the parking lot.

Gemma laughed. "Well believe it or not… I actually came in the chapel to pray." Carol wasn't sure exactly what that meant. "My new man might be rubbing off on me," she added. Carol noticed the little smile and glow on her face. The new man must be pretty special, she decided. "But when I saw you there… I don't know… I was going to leave because you were so focussed, but instead I watched you for a minute… And I decided to stay. Something just told me to stay, I can't explain it. When I saw your face - I knew. And I guess…" she paused and looked thoughtful. "I guess it just all added up and I knew I needed to help you."

It all made perfect sense to Carol, especially after she'd asked for a sign. "Well, I don't know how I'll ever repay you for your kindness, but… thank you."

"I'm glad to help," Gemma said, looking over at her. "So listen, first thing we're gonna do is get you some clothes. I would take you to my place, but Diosa is closer and they have way more sizes."

"Diosa?" Carol asked. "What's that?"

Gemma had a little smirk on her face. "It's a club. We're almost there." Why so mysterious, Carol wondered. "Here we are," she announced moments later.

"Oh," Carol said in surprise. "Is this… uh… a strip club?"

Gemma laughed again. "Oh no, not a strip club." She didn't offer any further explanation, just got out and headed for the door. Carol quickly followed. When the stepped inside she realized it wasn't a strip club, but some kind of gentleman's club or something of the like. Carol followed Gemma's eyes to a handsome hispanic man talking to a pretty blonde across the room.

Carol noticed the glow again. "Who's that?" she asked. "He's cute."

Gemma looked at her with a smile, "That's my pimp."

"Your pimp… you're a…" Carol was stammering, but she certainly hadn't pegged Gemma for a prostitute.

"Relax," she laughed. "He's a pimp. And he's mine. Two independent things." She started towards him. "Come, I'll introduce you." The man was smiling as he watched them approach. "Hey Baby," Gemma said, leaning in to kiss him warmly. "This is Carol. Carol, Nero."

"Nice to meet you Carol," he said, lifting her hand to his lips. His accent was sexy and the whole encounter made her blush.

"Nice to meet you too," she said shyly.

"And this is Lyla," Gemma said, introducing the blonde. They exchanged pleasantries and Gemma continued. "Can you take Carol into wardrobe and let her pick out a couple outfits please?"

"Yeah, of course," Lyla replied, without needing any further explanation at all. "Come with me," she said sweetly to Carol.

"It's okay," Gemma said reassuringly when Carol hesitated. Carol followed Lyla down the hall into a big room filled with clothes. There were racks of costumes and skimpy lingerie, a huge selection of shoes, and several racks of dresses, dress pants, casual clothing, blouses… Carol had no idea where to even start.

"Take what you like, we get new stuff in all the time… job perks," Lyla said with a wink. "Oh and don't worry… all the stuff in here is clean. Half of it probably still has the tags on it." She grabbed a pair of pants and showed Carol the tag to prove it. "I'll let you try stuff on," she added, starting towards the door.

"Uh… Lyla…" Carol stopped her. She was completely overwhelmed and out of her element. She looked down at her clothes and then up at the young woman. "Do you have time to… um… help me?"

Her face softened and she nodded, "Of course. We'll find something perfect for you. What kind of look are you going for?" Carol shrugged and gave her an apologetic look. "It's okay, let's just start looking through the racks." In a matter of minutes Carol started to relax and pretty soon she was having the time of her life. The clothes in that room were things she had dreamed of wearing. Things Ed would never have allowed her to buy, let alone wear. The first outfit she tried on made her feel so sexy and beautiful it brought tears to her eyes. Lyla was an absolute sweetheart and pretty soon they had put together 3 amazing outfits that Carol loved. "Who knew you had that body under those baggy clothes," Lyla said with a whistle. "You look hot."

Carol blushed as she studied the outfit in the mirror. "Thank you," she whispered, turning towards Lyla for a hug.

GEMMA - GEMMA - GEMMA - GEMMA - GEMMA - GEMMA - GEMMA

"Am I crazy?" Gemma asked Nero with a sigh.

"Nah Mama, you just have a great big heart in there under this scar," he replied, tracing a finger along the raised bump of skin that trailed down between her breasts. His touch made her shiver. "Ain't nothing wrong with helping someone in need."

"I saw her there in that chapel and I just… I had to," Gemma shrugged. She couldn't explain what she'd felt inside when she saw the bruises on Carol's face. It wasn't in her nature to pick up strays, she had enough shit going on in the family.

"Hey, shhh, you don't have to explain," Nero said, slipping his arms around her waist. "You did the right thing Gem. It's okay." Gemma laid her head against his chest. Nero was such an amazing guy. He was kind and warm, and he balanced her abrasiveness.

"Am I getting soft?" she asked, drawing back to look at him. Nero was smirking at her and she smacked his ass. "Fuck off," she said with a laugh. "You and your damn charity are rubbing off on me." She knew he had a weakness for helping others in need.

"The little mariposa is lucky you found her Gem," he said, kissing her. "Woah… she ain't no mariposa no more… Lyla turned your little butterfly into a sexy zorro…" Gemma looked at him, in her annoyed look that meant she needed a translation. "Fox," he added. Gemma turned and her jaw dropped. The abused housewife had it going on. Tight jeans tucked into a sexy pair of black high heeled boots with a black tight shirt, with cut outs showing her shoulders and some cleavage, and a gorgeous wide silver chain belt that sat low on her hips, accentuating her curves. "Wow, you look amazing," Nero complimented her, giving Carol a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks for the clothes," Gemma said, tangling her fingers with Nero's and giving him a smile. "Time to take you to the clubhouse to meet the others," she said to Carol.

"Thank you all, so much," Carol gushed, looking teary eyed. She hugged Lyla and took the rest of the clothes and Gemma led her towards the door.

"See you tonight," she said to Nero, giving him another quick peck at the door. When her and Carol were back in the truck she headed towards TM. "So you'll be safe here and you can stay as long as you need. There's a spare room, it's all yours," Gemma explained on the way. "There's always someone around, you'll never be alone. But I need to warn you… it's Chib's birthday and there's a big party tonight… it's gonna get pretty wild. Nero and I will be there for a while." Carol looked a bit nervous as Gemma pulled into the lot. "Tell you what… I'll leave you the key to my office," she said, pointing at a little building. "There's a couch in there, so if it's too noisy you can sleep there."

She saw Carol's eyes widen as they parked and got out. "You're… this is… SAMCRO?" Carol whispered nervously. Everyone in town knew who the Sons of Anarchy were and most were scared of the biker club.

"When you're part of the family these guys will die to save you Sweetheart," Gemma said, leading her towards the clubhouse. She noticed most of the bikes were gone, including her son and club president Jax's, so the crew must have been out on business. "Don't be scared," she said, reaching out to touch Carol's shoulder as she led her inside. "You're safe now."

When they got inside there were only a few people around. Gemma waved over the closest guy. "Hey, Prospect, get over here." The newest recruit came right over. He was a handsome young guy with the sexiest arms she'd ever seen. He was a bit shy, but Gemma had liked him instantly and he'd really fit in with the club right from the start. "This is Carol. You're going to show her around, introduce her to everyone, make sure she's comfortable… oh and keep her safe. Her husband is a colossal asshole." He looked at Carol's face and understood, giving a nod. "Basically… you're her bitch until I say otherwise, got it?" He nodded again and she turned to Carol. "I'll be in my office most of the day and then I'll be back tonight for the party. He'll take good care of you, or I'll serve up his balls on a platter," Gemma said, giving the Prospect a look. "You good?"

"Yeah… I think so," Carol replied, looking a little more relaxed. "Thank you Gemma."

"Okay… Good." And with that Gemma left, leaving Carol in the capable hands of the handsome Daryl Dixon.