Welcome to Charming.

Yeah... welcome to the place that will always find a way to suck you back in, and kill every ambition and dream you ever had.

Welcome…

I sighed as I drove by the sign that signaled the entrance into my, or what used to be, my home town. It had been years, the day I left for college I told everyone I would never come back, and I didn't, not until today; it was my father's funeral.

My father lived in Charming his whole life he even owned his own store, there was no other place in this entire world he wanted to be laid to rest, so as his oldest child I respected his wishes. Even though I didn't live anywhere close, I moved to Tennessee after high school, we still talked every day for at least an hour. I was only able to convince him to come to my neck of the woods during the holidays, but that was about it. Luckily, he had my brother, Jesse, who stayed somewhat close to home for the rest of the year.

It was only a short drive into town from the entrance sign, so there is where my thoughts about the past stalled. It was like nothing ever changed, except the people and maybe a few of the older stores closed up, it was like time was frozen here. I pulled my car to a stop in front of the family sporting goods store, there were some good memories in this place. Running my fingers down the smooth glass of the front door I smiled for the first time since I found out the news about my dad. Shutting my eyes I hope to God the door wasn't locked, I just wanted to see where it happened. My fingers slipped around the handle as I tried to yank the door open, but it was locked. Frowning, I let my hand fall down to my side and headed for the funeral home memory lane would have to wait for now; I was late anyway.

It was never hard to navigate around the small town of Charming, even after being away for nine years I still knew every turn to get to the funeral home. I quickly spotted my brothers SUV, my eyes then found an abundance of black motorcycles parked next to each other. Great, they were here already. Taking a long breath to calm down the anger bubbling inside my stomach I wrapped my fingers around the steering wheel. A loud knock on the glass startled me, making me jump my green eyes snapping to see who did that.

My younger brother smirked this eyebrows rising in the cocky manor they always did when he caught me off guard. I scrunched my face at him and opened the door, immediately Jesse's arms wrapped around me pulling me the rest of the way out of the car. I thought I was okay, it wasn't until I felt my brother's body shake from tears that the wave of sorrow washed over me.

"Did he ever mention anything?" Jesse whispered into my ear.

"Not once, he said everything was fine…" My voice was soft… maybe if I just listened a little better this wouldn't have happened my voice cracked out.

"Just like dad huh?" Jesse said as he wiped his eyes.

"Yeah, got damn crazy old man," I shook my head the sadness starting to feel a bit less overwhelming.

"Oh, before I forget there's someone that wants to see you," Jesse said as he composed himself wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"Who could possibly want to see me?" I asked giving him a look.

We made our way up the tiny grassy hill from the parking lot to the funeral home, my stomach twisting and turning thinking about how my father was in there… he was in there way before his time…

"Jordan, that couldn't be you!" a Scottish accent broke into my head.

Pulling my eyebrows together I recognized the voice "Chibs?"

Jesse pushed me forward and quickly jogged passed and headed inside with everyone else.

"It's been awhile now hasn't it," The man who was like an uncle to me smiled.

"Too long," I jogged over to him throwing my arms around him. "I missed you,"

"If you visited every once and a while you wouldn't," He let me go speaking very frankly to me.

I pursed my lips "Got a point… you know why I left,"

"I do. I know it doesn't sound like it but I commend ya for staying away you made something of yourself kid," he paused and bent down to look into my eyes "Your da was proud of you, you remember that,"

The sting of fresh tears started to hurt the back of my eyes, they were on the verge of spilling out when I pressed my face into his jacket. The smell of cigarettes and leather filled my nose, the familiar scents making me feel oddly comforted. Chibs hands wrapped around my back as he let me use his shoulder as a tissue for my eyes and nose.

I sniffled "I- I'm sorry,"

"It's okay love, you needed it," He answered.

"I used you as a human tissue," I chuckled.

"I've been though worse," Chibs gave a reassuring smile his distinct facial scars crinkling.

"I don't doubt it," I gave a half hearted smile.

"Ah, we should probably head inside, everything's startin up," Chibs changed the subject as he guided me to the funeral home doors.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," I whispered "Should I have come back? Maybe if I came back sooner this…"

"Jordie this isn't your fault don't go thinking that," Chibs again reassured me.

I clenched my teeth "Somebody should have been there," The anger was starting to bubble up again "Where were you Chibs? Where were any of you fuckers!" I snapped "Isn't that what he paid you guys for, so this wouldn't happen!"

"Hey don't blame this on the sons girl, nobody here is to blame we all loved your dad!" Chibs raised his voice a bit.

"Then why did you let this happen! If anything was going on why did you leave him there alone!" I almost yelled at him I knew it wasn't Chibs's fault hell it wasn't even the clubs fault but I couldn't stop it, I had to blame someone.

"Jordan you know we didn't let this happen!" Chibs grabbed my shoulders making me look at him "We, I, would NEVER let that happen! Think about it!"

My breathing was ragged from my excitement but my thoughts were starting to clear, he was right but I didn't want him to be…

"Just calm down and go inside," Chibs added his stupid accent comforting me.

I took a few more breaths and looked down at the floor letting a few more stray tears fall from my eyes "Okay… I'm clam… Chibs I'm sorry… you know how I get…"

"Yeah," He raised his brows "I know,"

Letting his hands drop from my shoulders, he pushed me forward and didn't let me stop until we made it inside the room my father's remains were in.

"Go pay your respects," Chibs commanded softly.

It was cold in there, not just because they had to keep it like an icebox in there, it was a chilling sensation one that went straight to the bone; air conditioners don't do that. As I approached the casket my stomach turned and twisted again, I shut my eyes and knelt down bowing my head to pray. Normally, I wasn't a church going person, I didn't like funerals because this wasn't the man I grew up with; this was his shell. But, I was glad I was here, getting to see him one last time gave me some kind of comfort. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I got up and turned around and headed away from the casket.

The room was filled with people from Charming each of them giving a sad smile when they saw Jesse or myself anywhere in the room. I stood up and headed for the water fountain when a big guy in a Sons of Anarchy leather vest stepped in my way; great.

I cleared my throat.

The bearded man looked down, a sad look in his brown eyes, a scowl on his face "What?"

"Can you step away from that water fountain?" I asked sarcastically.

"What? Oh," He mumbled as he stepped to the side.

Thanks," I rolled my eyes, I really didn't like the Sons.

After my drink I went outside to get away from the eyes of everyone in Charming, it was starting to nauseate me. Thankfully, it was a nice day so being outside wasn't bad, never mind the fact I was alone out there.

"Jordan?" A deep voice I didn't know asked,

I frowned, I couldn't be alone with my thoughts for five minutes "Yeah,"

I turned as found Clay Morrow leaning against a post "Want a smoke?"

"Oh, no I quit," I answered hiding my frustration the president of my favorite group of vigilantes.

He nodded "Sorry about your dad,"

"Thanks," I answered shortly.

"I know this isn't the place, but we have to talk some business," Clay said taking a seat next to me.

"You're right, this isn't the place," I scowled at him.

"If looks could kill," Clay mumbled to himself.

"You be a dead man a long time ago," I answered my scowl deepening.

"hmpt," Clay nodded "You got some balls kid,"

I turned to him "What do you want Clay?" I paused "You're obviously not going to go away so just say whatever it is you want to say,"

"Alright," he almost chuckled "Your dad's store,"

"I'll be taking it over," I answered crossing my arms.

"We had a somewhat of a deal going on. He paid up monthly for protection,"

I interrupted "Lot of good your protection did him,"

Clay clenched his teeth "I hope we can continue with our previous arrangement,"

I turned my head and got up from where I was sitting "I don't want your help Clay, I don't need it, you can forget that deal," My voice was very even as I spoke it didn't waver once. I wasn't scared of this man.