The ride into Charming was one she thought she would never take again, or maybe never have to take again. It was raining which was a perfect touch to her return home. It had been 6 long years since her departure from the little town and she suddenly started to worry that her return wouldn t be well received. She hadn t exactly left on the best of terms, well on any terms for that matter, she had just left. As her bike roared down the soaked street toward the garage she started questioning her decisions. She had left all those years ago to get away from everything and everyone but, ever since she left all she could think of was the day she would finally be home.

After her mind ran wild for only God knows how long, she was in the parking lot of the garage, standing in the rain, staring at the door to the club house. Finally, after working up her courage, she grabbed her cane, threw her bag over her shoulder and limped towards the entrance of the club house. The main room was empty, except for a prospect standing behind the bar stocking it up. He quickly glanced up at the sound of her cane against the floor.

Can I help you with something? He said making his way from behind the bar. As he did he quickly did a once over, probably wondering why a girl in military fatigues was doing here.

Yeah, I m here to see Clay, she said limping a little close.

He s in a meeting right now, you ll have to come back another time, he said shortly.

I m sure if you go in and get him, he won t mind, she said sternly.

Look, I don t know who you are or what you want with him but

No, you look kid. I just drove from South Carolina all the way thru to get here. I ve been stationed in the biggest fucking sandbox you could possibly imagine for the last 5 years. I might look like a gimp, but if don t march your ass in there and get Clay right now, I will shove this fucking cane so far up your ass that it will come out of your eye socket. Now, go get Clay, she growled.

The kid looked like he was going to shit a brick. As he turned to get Clay he glanced down at the name tag Morrow.

Uh, sorry Clay but there s someone out here demanding to see you, he said with a stutter.

She didn t say, she s a Marine, and the tag on her uniform says Morrow, the kids replied. Says she rode all the way from South Carolina to get here.

Clay and the rest of the guys froze. Clay placed his hands flat on the reaper table and slowly pushed himself up. The rest of the guys followed with hesitation as Clay made his way through the door. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes met hers.

Hi Uncle Clay, she said in a low, tired voice.

Katie? He said inching closer, blinking his eyes expecting her to disappear like a ghost.

After blinking a few more times, and realizing she was still there, he almost broke into a run, arms out stretched and scooped her up. He hugged her as if she were going to slip away. It had been so many years, days, hours of praying she would come back, that she was ok, wondering where she was. It was 2 weeks away from her 18th birthday when her father, Clay s brother, died of a heart attack. Her mother was an abusive, drug addict that took her anger out on Katie every chance she got. When she was a kid, she spent every day at the garage working on cars and bikes, shooting pool and hanging out with the guys. She had been like a daughter to Clay and when she left it tore him apart.

Half Sack, call Gemma, tell her to get down her right now! Clay said letting go of Katie and taking a step back.

God, you re soaked, he said rubbing the sides of her arms.

Yeah, that usually happens when you ride in the rain, she said flatly.

Still a little smart ass, he said. Why don t you go change into some dry clothes?

Actually, I d rather have a drink first, she said limping to the bar.

What the help happened to you? A voice asked from the front of the pack.

Hit by a road side bomb. Fucked up my leg pretty bad, she said easing onto the bar stole.

The Clay and the guys followed her, Clay on one side, Tig on the other, the rest of the guys scattering around them.

Half sack, shots of Jack, we got some celebrating to do! Clay said with a smile.

The prospect moved behind the bar and started pouring shot. After he was finished pouring, he turned to put the bottle back, but was stopped.

Wait, bring that back over here, Katie said quickly.

When he put the bottle back on the bar, she grabbed it with one hand and pushed the shot glass to him. The guys broke out into a roaring laugh. It was good to be home, good to see her uncle and the guys. She hadn t really realized how much she missed them until just now, why did she ever leave? Just then her thought were interrupted but the sound of a familiar voice.

Katie? Oh my God, baby girl! the voice said from behind her.

Katie turned to find Gemma standing behind her with tears coming down her face.

Aunt Gemma, she said hugging her tightly. I ve missed you.

As the reunion carried on, Tig watched Katie, lost deep in his thoughts. The little girl he knew all those years ago was gone; in her place was this beautiful woman. They were always close, she confided in him a lot after her dad died, in fact he was the last one to see her before she left. Her hair was pulled back and wet, her make up almost nonexistent, but man was she beautiful. Something struck him though, her eyes, they weren t the same. The once bright, blue, smiling eyes he remembered so vividly were gone. Her eyes were still beautiful, but instead they were dark and empty, the loneliness consuming them like a thick fog, the hurt and anger radiating through. He knew that look all too well. After Gemma finished making a scene, Tig figured it was his turn.

Katie felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see who it was. The hand belonged to Tig, she hadn t seen him earlier, but then again she was kind of in a haze.

Tigger, she said meeting his eyes with hers.

They sat like that for a few minutes, staring at each other, almost having a silent conversation. Tig reached out and pulled her into him, holding her for a few minutes.

Good to see you found your way back, he said before letting her go. Why don t you go change into some dry clothes? You can use my room.

Yeah, might be a good idea, she said grabbing the bottle of Jack and her and cane.

Tig watched as she struggled to make it to her feet, it was almost heart breaking. When someone asked her what happened, she offered nothing more than a short, non descriptive answer but he could tell there was more to it.

As she went to grab her bag, she looked up to see him standing there with a smile on his face and the bag over his shoulder.

Come on doll, I ll give you a hand, he said heading towards the room.

Once inside he threw the bag onto the bed and said if she needed anything just to yell, he would be right outside. Katie looked around a minute after he left, for what, she didn t know and started peeling away the wet clothes. The pain hit her sharp every once in a while causing her to curse and wince. She grabbed a white wife beater and slowly pulled it over head, and then it was time for the tricky part, the jeans. It was difficult to put on pants for her because her leg still wouldn t bend, but after a bit of a struggle, she finally had them on.

Tig, Katie called. Come on in.

Tig opened the door slowly and walked in.

I, uh, need a little bit of help, she said quietly.

OK, he said shutting the door behind him.

She was sitting on the bed face him, her tank top half on.

Everything you need is on the bed behind me, she said with a nod. The bandage on my back needs changed. Take the old one off, pour a little peroxide on the wound, dry it off then put a new bandage on and tape the edges.

Tig followed her instructions, took off the old bandage and was somewhat take back by what he saw. The wound was about 6-8 inches longs, stitched up, red and swollen. It looked incredibly painful and he could feel her flinch as he poured the peroxide onto it and dressed the wound.

You ok? He asked a little worried.

Yeah, just a little sore, that s all, she winced. Can you help with my boots?

Sure thing doll, he replied kneeling down in front of her.

What the hell happened out there? How did she get that gash and how did she control herself with everyone hugging her and slapping her on the back?

He had forgotten how beautiful she was, if it was possible. Her long, dark, hair, perfect skin, and awesome body, he hadn t realized until then just how much he really missed her.

There ya go honey, he said standing up.

Tig held out his hand to Katie to help her up. Katie smiled taking his hand, but when he pulled her up it was a little too much and she flew straight into him. He caught her right before they collided, inches away from each other.

Sorry, guess I don t know my own strength, he laughed as he steadied her.

Guess not, she said quietly.

Being so close to him was almost intoxicating to her. She had always felt close to him when she was younger and as she got older, it turned into an attraction. She could feel the warmth of his arms around her and the heat of his body pressed tightly to hers, it was almost too much to take. His incredible blue eyes seemed to burn into hers and the next thing she realized the space between their lips was starting to close. Her heart started to pound against her chest in anticipation, was this really happening?

His lips softly touched hers with a hint of hesitation, giving her enough time to pull away and slap him if she wanted. She didn t slap him so he took it as a sign and deepened the kiss. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Hey, hey is everything ok in there? We want our girl back out here! Clay yelled.

Uh, yeah Uncle Clay, Tig was just helping me with something, be out in a minute, Katie replied stepping away from Tig.

Her eyes softened when she looked over at him, then it faded and the darkness took over once again. Something definitely happened to her while she was over there, something more than she was letting on and he was going to find out. But, then again, what just happened to him?