"How long are you going for?" Her father asked frowning. He didn't like Charming at all. He left the minute he divorced his ex-wife and was more than happy to hear his daughter choose to do the same, after she graduated from high school.

"Just for the weeding" Catherine assured him. He didn't look convinced. She sighed, "I promise"

He sat back on his chair, focusing on the paper on his hand. "Who's she going to get married to anyways?"

"hmm" Catherine mumbled. "She didn't tell me actually. Guess she wanted to be a surprise" Her father barked a laugh.

"A surprise? Why would she want to make it a surprise?"

"I don't know dad, maybe she wants to keep me curious to assure my presence" she tried to joke.

"Yeah…just be careful. That motorcycle gang is still there doing the same crap they always do"

Catherine smirked. "Not a gang. It's a motorcycle club"

He scoffed, flipping the page violently. The doorbell rang and Catherine got up, mostly to hide her playful smile. "Motorcycle club" he snorted.

"Ahhh oh my goodness" The girl beamed hugging her friend as tightly as she could. "I can't believe you're getting married!" she grinned.

"I haven't seen you in years!" she accused. "Where have you been?" Lyla asked as they sat down.

"Working" Catherine shrugged. "Mainly with my dad's side of the family over in San Fran" They sat down next to their group of friends who were simply chatting amongst themselves and having a good time. Lyla let out a sound of surprise hearing her response.

"I can't believe you were in San Francisco this whole time and you haven't come visit yet!"

Catherine glanced down at the table not feeling like she had a good response to give. "Well I'm here now!" she said taking a deep breath. It's not like she didn't knew those questions were going to be fired at her, she simply didn't wanted to be confronted about the reason why she hadn't come back. She haven't had the courage to face the consequences of her leaving.

And eighteen year old Catherine sat on the backward of her home, a pen on her mouth as she tried to think of a way to finish her essay. She ripped out the page in frustration, taking a lazily rolled up joint out of the pocket of the sweatpants she was wearing.

"Oh, darling always liked you better when you're feisty" She almost jumped at the sound of his voice but quickly relaxed in realization.

"What do you want Teller?" she took a deep puff of the joint between her lips. His blue eyes roamed her tense body as he sat down with an amused smile. "Just you" he smirked. She rolled her eyes passing him the joint. He gladly took it from her fingers, his other hand making its way onto her waist pushing her against him like he always did.

"Thought your dad didn't want you smoking back here" he commented.

She put the notebook and pen besides her. "Well my dad isn't here right now"

They finished it together and by the time Jax had put it out on the floor, their eyes were reddish and he was sure his jacket had fallen without him noticing it. Jax took one look at her face and didn't resist the urge to press his lips into hers.

Their lips moved in sync. Her hands grabbed his neck as he pushed her gently against the grass, she felt his body pressing against hers urgently, and their minds seemed to be clouded with smoke only having each other to keep them grounded.

"See this is why we agree to let me finish all of my essays first, you distract me too much Jax" she said against his lips.

"I didn't agree to that, you did" His right hand went underneath her shirt caressing the end of her bra, making her sigh in content, his lips refused to leave hers not giving her a change to complain or end their time together.

"Jax..." she began softly. He leaned back slightly, his stare burning holes on hers.

"Don't"

As she observed his boyish looks and his almost too innocent blue eyes she wonder if she was going to handle being without him.

Catherine threw him a smile masking her overwhelming thoughts. She kissed him, stopping herself before she gave out something she shouldn't. He seemed to have that effect on her.

He had missed being with her intimately more than he admitted, even to Ope. He rolled his eyes every time his friend made a comment about them or gave him a knowing look when the three were together. Yes, he liked her, he told her a few years prior. The thing was, Opie insisted it was more and while Jax had dismissed it many times he never corrected him or told him otherwise.

His fingers danced around her stomach, leaving goosebumps behind until it found the waistband of her sweatpants he smiled as he felt her arch into his hand giving him the green light.

"KIDS! Where are you guys?!" They heard her mother yell. Catherine groaned, with her hands on his hair messing it up in frustration.

"Just when it was getting good" he shook his head amused.

"Shut up. Let's get inside before my mum starts throwing us condoms" she groaned knowing that was a very possible scenario.

He laughed, but didn't move an inch. "And my mother would probably help"

She smiled untangling their legs. "Jax?"

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Your hand" she hinted. Jax chuckled pecking her lips and got up, extending his arm to help her.

"I will leave that for another day" he winked, entering the house.

"You do that"

The room was getting louder by the second, groups of people started to come in more frequently, and the empty glass of shots began to piled up. "Don't try to get me drunk I need to drive later" Catherine warned Lyla as she threw her another drink.

"Wouldn't dare" Lyla smirked, her eyes shone with happiness.

"I still don't know why you haven't told me anything about this mystery guy"

Lyla's smile widened as she thought about her fiancé. "Okay I guess I can tell you now, it's not like you're going to run away right?" she gave her a look.

"I won't miss your wedding for anything"

"Good. Okay its Opie" she rushed out. "Opie Winston"

Catherine almost chocked on her drink. "What!?" she asked her eyes wide. The drinks weren't helping with her attempt at being subtle. "You're going to marry Ope? My Ope? I mean yours I guess now-" she quickly corrected. "The Ope that I've known my whole life?!"

"Is that a bad thing...?" Lyla bit her lip doubtful her reaction not exactly helping. Although she knew Catherine hadn't spoken to them in a while, she still meant a lot to the guys, her opinion matter to her.

She shook her head, "No, no. Of course not. If he is going to marry someone I'm glad it's you" Catherine took the last shot. "It's just- I've been gone for so long I wasn't expecting to face it yet"

"Face what?" Lyla asked curious.

"That they are all grown up. That time, didn't stopped and I'm not fifteen anymore"

"How's he?" she changed the subject now urging for more information. "If he doesn't treat you right I will personally kick his ass"

Lyla laughed a dreaming look upon her face. "He treats me right" she assure her friend with a grin. "He's amazing honestly. We're thinking of having the weeding next week when the rest of the guys are out" She told her.

Catherine furrowed her eyebrows together. "What do you mean? Who's locked up?" she asked leaning slightly forward.

Lyla thought for a minute. "Huh, Happy, Bobby,Juice, Tig, Clay and-" She stared at Catherine in the eye, knowing that they were both avoiding the obvious so far. "Jax" she added, clearing her throat. Catherine tried not having a different response to his name but she couldn't help the little jump her heart made when she heard it.

"Jax" she repeated, nodding. Her hair falling fowards.

"Yeah... Opie told me what happened, some of it, when he found out that we knew each other. He didn't want to force you to come if you knew but we really want you there" she confessed.

"Was it his idea to not tell me?" Catherine asked surprised.

Lyla looked down biting her lip. "Kind of"

"Bastard, like I would miss your weeding" she said. "Of course I knew Jax would be there. Ope wouldn't do it without his best friend"

"I will pass by the garage to see how things are and then I will bit his head off"

Lyla laughed in agreement. The two girls finished their conversation and joined the rest of their friends catching up on everything they'd missed. It's needless to say, the next day not so much fun.

Catherine walked into her mom's kitchen the following day, not feeling as bad she thought she would. Hanging out with Lyla and being back in Charming felt like coming home after a long day of work. She tried to push back those familiar feelings for her and her father's sake. She opened the fridge door, stopping on her tracks when she noticed a small figure on the corner of her eye.

A little boy sat on the counter, drawing on a piece of paper, "Hello" she said as she took an apple from the rack, she closed the door, fully facing the unknown child.

"Hi" he said distractedly.

"Are you here alone?" he shook his head. "Are you hungry?" she insisted, still confused on why there was a kid in the room. Last time she checked she was an only child.

"No"

"Mom!" she called, turning her head to the hall.

She heard footsteps, and her mom appeared from the kitchens entrance.

"I'm here, what's wrong?" she asked putting on earings on her ears, she always envied the way her mother manage to preserve her good looks throughout the years. Not that she was considered old, she had had Catherine when she was young part of the reason she and Gemma got along so well.

"Who's this?" she asked.

Her mother smiled,"Oh, this handsome boy is Abel" she kissed his head lovingly. "Gemma's going to pick him up in a little bit"

"Oh," she let out a sound of surprise, she walked towards the boy. "It's Gemma's kid?"

Her mother laughed, "God no!" she grinned amused. "Sometimes I forget you don't know - it's Jax's" she passed a gentle hand the through Abel's head.

"Can't you tell by his smile? He looks just like Jax when he was little"

She stopped herself, noticing her daughter's expression changing. "The mother's not in the picture" she assured quietly because of Abel. "Don't have to worry"

Catherine coughed. "Why would I be worried?"

Samantha gave her a look as if she were to say, 'you know exactly why'. Catherine ignored her mothers assumptions changing the subject. "I'm going to see Ope today at the garage" she told her finishing her apple. Samantha's face light up as soon as the words left her mouth. "That's great honey! He will be so happy to see you!"

She nodded. "Who else is there?"

"Chibs, you might remember him faintly and the prospects" she nodded satisfied.

"Ok," she smiled. "I will be in my room getting ready" she turned away, dumping the apple in the trash.

Catherine got dressed, feeling slightly nervous but still excited as she thought back to her best friend and how she missed him so dearly. She put on skinny jeans and some boots, grabbing a random top from her bag, she hadn't unpacked yet it was a dreadful process she thought.

"I will be back soon mom" she warned as step into the kitchen once again, Samantha was next to the boy as she thought how much her mother wanted another kid but time didn't worked her way. Catherine placed a kiss on her mom's cheek and smiled brightly at the little boy. "Bye Abel. It was nice to meet you"

"Bye" he muttered, staring at the girl curiously and Catherine's chest tightened at the same time she recognized his eyes.

"Am I dreaming or what?" Chibs exclaimed, a smile spreading through his face as he saw the not so small girl anymore walking in his direction. "God you're...not little anymore" he gave her a hug.

Catherine chuckled. "Thank God for that! You look the same Chibs"

"C'mon, Opie's inside" They walked inside the clubhouse, and her eyes observed the place where she practically grew up, and she sighed happily seeing nothing had changed. She never thought it would feel so right to be back there, the wall full with the mugshots, she got out of Chib's hold, and walked calmly towards it with a faint smile on her lips.

She stood there for a few seconds, her smile flattering when she found John's as it always did, his death touched her deeply not only because she knew the man but because she was there for Jax to pick up the pieces. And those memories still laid heavily on her mind. One of the reasons she left, the pressure, the overwhelming feeling that something was bound to happen to him and she couldn't handle it. "You guys never learn do you?" she asked out loud the frames of the closest people she had, staring right at her.

"Not really" Opie responded happily, behind her. He looked at his friend with excitement when she turn around, when he stared at her eyes directly he felt like he was seeing a 15 version of herself. He threw his arms around her as she did the same, they hugged each other tightly. "I missed you" he breathed out.

"I missed you too" she replied in the same tone. "Now why the fuck did you ask Lyla not to tell it was you? Did you really think I would miss it?" She hit his shoulder.

Opie seemed reluctant in answering. "...Yes?"

She hit on his arm half heartily a laugh escaping her mouth. "I would never"

"Well you seemed really ,uh, decisive- determined the last time we spoke. I had no idea how you would react" he tried to excuse himself.

"Ope" she said using that nickname for the first time in a long time, "I love this place and you too much to miss it"

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking, catching up with Chibs and they told her all about the members she didn't quite remember as well or haven't even got to known. When Chibs got up to go to the garage. Opie told her about the tension between Clay and Jax, and he stopped for a second when he said Jax's name. "You can say his name you know?"

"I never know how you will react when it counts to him. When you too get together it's chaotic to say the least"

'"We're not teenagers anymore, Ope. I'm sure we will behave"

"So no more broken windows?" He smirked.

"ha ha. You know that story was not well told. He made me sound like I was trying to commit murder or something" she pointed out, lighting up a cigarette.

"So you didn't broke the window?"

"No I broke it" she nodded confirming it. "But I wasnt trying to. Didn't meant to hurt him either"

"You threw a rock at his face,"he said laughing. "I'm sure that counts as you trying to hurt him"

"I threw the first thing I saw. Not my fault it was a rock. He just made me so mad,"

Opie continued to be amused by her actions, he always did enjoyed seeing their little fights and chases.

"Now I know why you brought the car" she smiled into his eager lips. " Don't think we should be here, Jax. You're barely old enough to drive, if Unser catches us again..."

"Unser doesn't give a shit" he interrupted her, pushing her body against his own. His young brain only having one thing on his mind. Even when it came to her, even if she was one of his closest friends. He couldn't ignore anymore all the shit inside of him screaming to just be with her.

She still remained indecisive, he peck her close mouth repeatedly until she caved into a small smile. "C'mon it's you and me right? Who gives a shit about the rest"

"I do— you're just saying that because you have been wanting to fuck me for months now" she pursed her lips, her fingertips traveling through his neck, as he spoke. "Did Ope made a bet with you or something?" She continued before he had the time to defend his case.

"No" he replied frowning. "You know Ope, he respects you, he wouldn't don't that" He looked at her sternly, his gaze softening as he leaned in kissing her, with caution now.

Catherine let the boy she had known her whole life explore her entire body, their lips didn't stay apart for too long. Although they had done other things as their bodies and minds grew up, the hormones settling in, making a mess inside of them- they never had sex. It had been coming for a while, when Jax made his almost daily appearance on her bedroom at night, when they wanted to do more than just talk and play around.

Half of their clothes soon landed on the seat, and floor of the car, as they got more and note involved in each others presence. She rolled in the condom and he groaned deeply while kissing the nape of her neck.

Raising her knees on each side on his thighs, he cupped her cheek, his eyes checked if there was any shadow of doubt on her expression. Because he would stop- he would stop the moment he saw she didn't want to, no words were necessary between them he knew her better than anyone.

His heart pounded on his chest as he entered her, she pressed her lips to his on pure instinct, their mouths moved in sync, while she moved slowly up and down making him think he could die at that moment and that would still be the best day of his life.

It was a lot better than what she expected.

Everything was so rushed with other people, but with him felt right and just natural. "This ain't going to change anything" she let out lowering her gaze.

"What do you mean?" A small frown appeared on his face as he saw her put on his jacket after she got dressed.

"You know what I mean, Jackson" she sighed.

"You don't want us to be-" he tried to spit it out,gathering the courage and patience to finally say what was on his head.

"What? Together?" She asked arching her eyebrows. "I love you, you know that , you and Ope mean so much to me but that's it. You get it right?"

"Yeah. It's simple right?" He couldn't help but sound bitter, as he repeated the words he heard so many times.

"Jax.." She called his name quietly trying to catch his attention, he didn't responded as he turned to the front seat, getting behind the wheel. She sighed, knowing the night that been cut short. And she felt bad for possibly hurting his feelings.

He parked the car around her house, without talking. "You know Ope might not have talked to you but he talked to me, about this" she began. "Long story shirt I was the one who agreed on the betting"

"What? Why did you gave me that speech then?" He turned fully to face her.

She shrugged. "Wanted to know what you would say" she grinned satisfied. "Opie might respect me but I don't think he respects you that much" she smirked.

A faint smile played on his lips as he shook his head. "Did you won?"

"Yeah. Wasn't that hard to get you there"

"It's getting late, you should go" he pondered.

"It was late two hours ago, Jax. Now it's a fucking disaster" she acknowledged glancing at the clock that read 4:20AM. They really needed to stop sneaking out past midnight, good thing it was a small town and everyone knew who they were.

For a moment she almost mentioned John, sometimes she forgot the accident had really happened and he wasnt there anymore. She almost hit herself remembering how harsh she must've sounded before.

She knew Jax hated when people acted differently when he was around, he didn't liked changed it reminded him it was too real. But she couldn't help but being less... Aggressive than usual these past few weeks, in a way she was grieving as well, grieving for the closest person she had , had lost a piece of themselves , so young.

"Hey" she turned off the engine, her fingers laced with his, on his lap. "Why don't you stay? It's late and my bed is more comfortable than yours" she smiled. He didn't answer for a few seconds, she took the key of the car opening the door. "C'Mon"

"We never dated. He isn't my ex-boyfriend. It isn't like that" Catherine said for the what it felt the hundred time, she had forgotten how stubborn and strong minded Gemma truly was, when she put something on her head nothing could take it out.

Gemma had shown up with Abel at the garage when Catherine was talking to Opie, the moment she saw her, a smile came over her and she did what she knew best.

Now they were back at Gemma's house, for dinner, Catherine and her mother (who she assume was there a lot especially now that Gemma was alone).

The older woman didn't stopped herself for throwing her questions she had been dying to ask.

"He's something" Gemma fired. "You might not have dated, but he's been in love with you since he was a boy" Abel looked around the two if them curiously like he knew exactly what the conversation was about.

"We will see about that, let's just eat" Gemma let her change the subject with a faint smirk playing on her mouth.

"Whats wrong with you?" She called after him. Jax had come n her room on a unusual mood, laid down on the bed without saying a word, out of the sudden he told her he was leaving for a few days on a run, his first , she had nodded and in the middle of her response out of the blue he had gotten up enraged by something she said.

"Whats wrong with me?! I should be the one asking you that!" He yelled, he tried to kept his emotions in check but shit was pilling up, and all he wanted was to be with her in silence. No worries, just them.

"You're the one that wants to go risk your life without even knowing what you're getting yourself into!" She raised her eyebrows as she tried to make a point.

"You don't understand" he sighed exasperated. "It's what my dad would have wanted" he said his tone now softer.

"Your dad wouldn't want you to follow his steps, " she paused. "to die the same way he did"

"My old man died on a accident"

She shook her head. "That's not what I mean"

He turned around anger clear on his voice. "What do you know? You don't know shit"

She pursed her lips, letting his tone slid. "Well now you're just being hurtful"

He shook his dead not saying anything for a while. "It's your dad isn't it? He never liked us, he's messing with your head" he accused.

"It's not about me, Jax. You just don't see it" She glanced down, not wanting to argue anymore with him. She sighed taking a long look at the determined boy.

"I got to do it. It's all I know" he spoke more calmly now, kissing her exposed shoulder, he left her room sparing her a glance as he close the door.

If only he knew that would be the last conversation they would have for a long time.

"Just a few more hours! Ah, you excited love?" Chibs dropped an arm around her shoulders on the counter as he poured them both a drink. She had been enjoying the time she spent there for the last week and so, made her doubt why she left in the first place.

Not that she had regret it, she visited new places, met new people, worked all kinds of different jobs before she settle in with her father. It was great, but something always felt misplaced. She never felt like she belonged anywhere, and when she finally passed the sign that said welcome to charming, she found it again. "Or maybe that's too much to ask?"

"I'm happy for them, for you guys. Of course" She threw him a sincere smile.

The boys were getting out the next day and the preparations for the unavoidable party were already being made, making sure there was plenty of alcohol, the prospects had been cleaning the bar and doing whatever the guys asked them to do.

"So who was that guy that was here when I arrived?" She asked.

Chibs finished drinking his beer before he answered with slight annoyance on his voice. "That's the new sheriff, Roosevelt. Just another stick to take out of our asses"

"What about Unser?" She asked, he had been the sheriff for as along as she could remember.

Chibs passed her a joint. "Cancer. Still alive but he's retired now"

She smirked doing the math in her head. "And I'm guessing this one is not so easily persuaded by the Sons"

"Looks that way"

The following night

"Maybe I should leave , while I can still stand and see straight" she grabbed her jacket, the very crowed room seemed more alive as the night unfolded.

"Stay for a while longer, we've missed you" Ope side hugged her, squeezing her a little too tight for her framed compared to his tall one. "You haven't even seen Jax"

"I will see him tomorrow" she said.

"You guys are too stubborn" he shook his head.

"Did you told him I was here? When you guys picked them up?"

Ope chuckled. "No. We thought it would be a nice surprise" He shrugged, smiling.

"Asshole" She said her goodbyes but only manage to get to the entrance, as Chibs wrapped an arm around her waist, stopping her on her tracks before getting into her car. "Now where do you think you're going love?" He glanced slightly down at her.

"Leaving, that's allowed right?"

He chuckled, "Not right now you're not"

She furrowed her eyebrows, following his gaze. "Your fun just arrived"

A/N

Hello so that was something that was on my mind for a bit and i finally got it done. There's one more part that I'm completing and i dont know, I just love one shots. :)

Thank you for reading!