Chapter 1

Home

Where is home? Is it the place you were born, the place you grew up, the place where your family is? To me, it was wherever your heart is, and although I hadn't been here for nearly twenty years, my heart had never truly left. Charming was all those things and more, and to me it would always be home.

As I rode into town on the Harley Davidson Sportster XL I had just bought, the place I hadn't seen in over half my life suddenly felt as if I had never left. Riding down the main street, everything felt familiar yet foreign at the same time. It felt strange to not be the little girl running down the street, chasing after the older boys as they tried to beat the motorcycles to the corner. Although I hadn't been here since I was a child, I knew Charming like the back of my hand, and it wasn't long before I looked upon the place where I had spent most of my childhood.

Teller-Morrow Automotive Repairs.

I sighed. I wish so much that I had been returning under better circumstances. I had talked for so long of returning to Charming, of being reunited with my original family. And now I was here. Only I had a nagging feeling in my heart that some of my family were not.

Pulling into the parking lot outside the garage, the familiar sight of the Reaper welcomed me - a symbol that meant home, no matter where in the world I was. I turned off the bike and took a moment to take in my surroundings. I wasn't really sure how I would feel when I finally returned to my hometown, but was surprised to find my heart breaking to realize how much I had missed it over the last 15 years...

"You right, Bro?"

I looked up, pulled from my daydreaming by a rough voice. Standing over me was a bald guy in a cut, with a face that said "don't mess with me". He was deadly - a soldier through and through.

I stepped off my bike and pulled off my helmet, letting my hair cascade loose down my back. "I'm looking for Jax Teller. He around... Bro?"

He looked startled for a minute, and a look flashed across his face, but it was gone before I could place it. He composed himself quickly, and was back to ice cold. "He's not here. What do you need him for?"

Before I could answer, a older woman walked down from the Garage, drawing my attention. There was once a time when Gemma Teller-Morrow had been the closest thing I knew to a mother, but it had been over a decade since we had spoken to one another. She looked as if she was heading towards the pair, but a dark truck pulled into the lot with a man and a woman inside, and she headed that way instead. Just behind the truck roared two bikes, one with a girl on the back, clutching onto the rider.

I sat back, watching as they all talked. They seemed to be talking about the blonde girl who had been on the motorcycle. They were too far away to hear any of their conversation, but I wasn't interested in they were talking about - I was too busy watching the younger guy who rode in with the girl. I would recognize Jackson Teller anywhere, no matter how many years it had been. Although older, his long blonde hair gave him away in an instant.

"So, what's your business with Jax, Crow-Eater?" the bald guy asked again.

"Crow-Eater?" I was pulled from my thoughts in an instant at his comment, my temper rising as I pulled off my sunglasses and glared at him. Not that I had a problem with them personally, but I has never had much respect for those who chased after the Sons, so desperate and easy. "Darling', I'm no whore."

"That's what they all say," he muttered, a smirk across his lips. "And then the legs open -"

That did it. Fuming, I stepped away from my bike, walking up so I was inches from him. Although short, I could stand up for myself and did, usually without much though of the consequences.

"You got something to say, mate?"

He smirked again. "Oh how cute. The Crow-Eater is all tough and -"

That did it. Before he knew what was happening, my fist flew around, connecting with his jaw, before my knee came straight up to his groin. He dropped to the ground, holding his family jewels.

"Not so cute now, huh?" I taunted, taking a step back.

"Bitch," he swore, starting to get up.

The group from the over side of the lot came over, and within seconds, two strong hands were on my shoulders, holding me back as Jax picked the guy up off the ground.

"What the hell is going on, Hap?" Jax asked, as the other guy was brushing himself off.

"Ask her. Bloody crow-eater came in here looking for you."

I went to go at him again, but the Scottish voice holding me back said "Easy, Lass."

"Enough." Jax turned around and looked at me, now that I had shrugged myself out of the Scotsman's grasp. "What do you - wait, do I know you?"

I smiled. "What, you don't remember your first kiss, Jackson?"

Jax looked confused for a moment before recollection swept across his face.

"Georgia? What the hell are you doing here?!" he asked as he pulled me into a bone crushing hug. "I should have known it was you with that temper..."

I punched him playfully in the chest and looked up as I stepped away. "I spoke to Opie a week ago. He sounded really off, Jax, the whole conversation left me with a really bad feeling, like something wasn't right. And then when I couldn't reach him for a few days, I got on the first flight over..." I trailed off as his face grew dark. "Oh no, Jackson..."

"I'm so sorry, G." He sighed and took a deep breath. "Opie was killed 2 days ago."

My hands covered my mouth - although I had feared something was wrong, hearing the words out aloud broke something inside. "Oh god," I whispered, my stomach dropping. "A part of me was hoping I was just being paranoid..."

"Someone tell me who this crazy chick is?"

"Sorry Happy," Jax replied, turning back to the others. "Everyone, this is Georgia Moran, her father was Otto Moran, of the First 9."

"Lil' Killer's kid?" Happy asked, a look somewhere between admiration and amusement crossing his face. "Geez, can see you obviously take after your Daddy with a swing like that."

"Yeah, sorry about that," I said, feeling bad now that my temper had dissipated. "You ok?"

"Takes more than that to put me down, baby."

"Mother of Christ, didn't think I'd be seeing you again, Georgie," the Scott behind me said. I turned around and looked up at Chibs. He had just joined SAMCRO after leaving the Belfast charter before my Uncle and I moved to Australia to start the Geelong chapter.

"Good to see you again, Chibs. Momma G," I smiled at Gemma. After I lost both my parents before I was 2, and lived with my Uncle, Gemma had taken on the role of surrogate mother, and I had spent most nights with her watching me while my Uncle was with the club.

"Little Georgia," she came over and kissed my forehead. "I've missed you, baby girl."

"I've missed you too. All of you. I just wish I was back under better circumstances."

Jax wrapped his arm across my shoulder, rubbing my arm reassuringly. "It's good to have you back home."

Jax gave instructions to the others, and everyone dispersed, heading in their own direction as Jax and I walked inside the clubhouse.

"How long are you staying for?" Jax asked as we walked.

"Not sure," I admitted. "I hadn't really made plans to come, and likewise haven't made plans to return yet. So are you going to tell me what happened with Opie? Has this got anything to do with Piney?"

Jax looked confused. "You know about Piney?"

"Opie told me he was killed. Didn't give me any details, but he seemed to think it was an inside job. We spoke a lot, Jax," I explained as he looked surprised. "He got in contact with me after Donna was killed. I think he just needed someone outside the club that he could talk to that knew what this life was like."

"I had no idea you guys were still keeping in contact." He sighed and went to the empty bar inside. He poured himself a drink and placed one in front of me. "No, it wasn't related to Piney. Those are both two very long stories with lots of moving parts. Anyway, with Ope, some shit went down a while back and we got ourself some serious heat from a serious OG. A real big player with his hand in everything around here. There was a warrant out for me, Chibs and Tig and we were arrested. Opie punched a cop and got himself sent to county too, to protect me I guess. While we were there, this guy, Pope, told me that he needed a dead Son in payment. The guards were all in on it. They told me I had to pick someone and when I refused, they told me they would choose. Opie knew all of this, and he sacrificed himself."

"Jesus, Jax," I whispered, tears starting to form in my eyes.

He stared at his hands, lost in his own world for a moment. "They beat him to death, right in front of me, and I couldn't do anything. He shouldn't have gone like that, it should have been me. He was my brother and I couldn't protect him."

"Oh, no Jax." I held him tight and wiped away the single tear that fell from his eyes, while mine were steaming down my cheeks. "Opie made his choice. You know he would have died for you in a heartbeat, and you for him. That's what brothers do. You can't blame yourself for what happened."

It could have been two minutes, it could have been twenty that we sat there, both absorbed in our own thoughts. "When do you bury him?" I asked finally, breaking the silence

Jax cleared his throat, wiping his eyes quickly. "His body will be here soon. We'll be having a wake here this afternoon."

I nodded. "Still have that room here? I could do with a hot shower to freshen up. It was a long overnight flight."

"Of course, Darlin'."

Opie's body arrived a few hours later. I watched as the boys carried him into the Chapel, and rested his sleek, black coffin on the table. A few people were already there, with others still coming through. I was sitting, talking with Gemma and Nero, her new boyfriend. I really liked Nero, he seemed like a genuinely warm-hearted guy. I was just finding more out about Nero when the boys all gathered and headed outside. A few minuted later, they returned with a blonde lady, around the same age as me.

"Is that Lyla?" I asked. Gemma nodded. Opie had spoken of Lyla, his wife, but obviously I had never met her before. I could tell that she was gorgeous, but at the moment, she was a mess. The death of Opie had hit her hard. Jax walked into church with her, and the door was closed behind them, giving her some privacy.

When they exited the room, Lyla looked completely broken. Jax whispered something to her and they walked over to where I was sitting.

"Lyla, this is Georgia, she was one of Opie's closest friends when we were kids. Georgia, this is Lyla, Ope's wife."

Lyla nodded. "Opie talked about you often. He said you were like a sister to him."

I smiled and put my hand on her arm. "Ope was my brother, even if we didn't share DNA. Which would make you my sister, so if you or Ellie or Kenny need anything, you make sure you let me know."

She tried to smile, but instead just nodded again, tears streaming from her eyes. Jax mouthed thank you and lead Lyla over to Gemma, who wrapped her arms around her.

We all had our chance to say goodbye to Ope. After the Sons went in to say their farewells, Jax came with me and stood beside me as I stepped in front of the coffin.

"He looks so peaceful," I whispered, running a finger across his cheek. It was cold, which surprised me for some reason - he looked like he was just sleeping. But unfortunately he wouldn't wake from this sleep.

"He does," Jax agreed. "I don't think Ope's been at peace for some time now."

I leant down and kissed his forehead, a single tear falling from my cheek to his.

I stepped back and looked Jax in the eye. "I understand you're President now, and I get I'm not in the Club, but I want answers, Jax. I know that you know what happened to Piney, and I know there is more to his and Ope's death than you're telling me. Ope was my family too, and if you won't be straight with me, I will get the answers myself. I may not wear a cut but I'm as much a Son as anyone here, and you know it. I know we haven't spoken in years, so if you don't believe me, you ring my Charter and they can tell you exactly how committed I am to the Reaper."

I turned around and walk out of Church, passing the mourners on the way. I was lost in my own thoughts as I climbed on my bike, barely noticing the man standing against the wall behind me. I pulled out from the garage, and headed back to town to find a motel for the night.