Claire was wide awake at four in the morning. She didn't sleep very well anymore. It was too quiet in her apartment. Being in prison, she had gotten used to the sounds of her cellmate and the other women in the cell block. But here? Here she was all alone.

She sat up and turned off her alarm clock. It wasn't due to go off for another hour. She should probably get a TV, or a radio even. Maybe the white noise would help her sleep better at night. Either way, she needed to get something. She'd been living in the apartment for two months now, and it still felt less like home than prison had.

She could see out one of the flat's windows from where she was sitting. Dark blues and purples littered the sky, signaling that dawn wasn't far off. It was as a good a time as any to start her day.

Coffee, shower, breakfast; the little routine that she'd started her first day on the outside had become exactly that. By the time she had finished her cereal, the sun was beginning to cast flecks of gold around her kitchen; time to go to work.

She'd done most of the prep work last night for the things that needed to be baked fresh for the morning crowd. Muffins, some doughnuts, and other pastries; all she needed to do was put them into bake. Before long, the kitchen was filled with warm comforting smells. She smiled.

Claire was frosting some cupcakes when Abby flounced in. "Good morning boss lady," she declared in a bored yet cheerful voice.

Claire looked up from the oven she was checking. "Look at you, on time and everything. Did you stay in last night or something?"

"You know Claire; I don't go out drinking every night. It's not a necessity to me."

"Nothing going on?"

Abby sighed, "Nothing. The place was a ghost town."

"Bummer. Now go open up."

"Yes, ma'am." Abby gave her boss a sarcastic little salute before she walked through the swinging doors to the front of the shop. She stashed her bag and opened things up for the day. Then she stood behind the counter and waited.

Now, Abby loved Claire to death, even if she was a little weirdo. And she generally liked working in her shop. It was just that sometimes it was so... boring. Especially in the early morning hours.

Claire came through the swinging doors carrying a tray of muffins for the display case. Abby trying to think of something that she could complain about when she heard a motorcycle engine pull up outside and come to a stop. What did we have here? Seconds later, Bobby walked through the door.

"Morning ladies."

"Hey Bobby, how're things going?"

"Shitty. Things are always shitty. I'll have the usual, Abby."

Abby looked over at the display case. Claire was still loading it up for the day. "Hey Claire, can you get me a dozen of the organic muffins?"

Bobby looked over at the red head. "You're Claire?" There was a tone of surprise in his voice.

She looked over at the biker, weary. "Yeah."

He gave a little chuckle and held out his hand in greeting. "Name's Bobby. Nice to finally meet you."

She smiled in return, a little confused, and briefly took his hand. "Likewise. Any preference with those muffins?"

He shook his head. "Nah. Just make sure you toss a couple blueberries in there."

Claire nodded and began loading them into a brown paper bag while he paid Abby.

"Here you go."

"Thanks." Bobby returned, taking the bag. "Everyone over at the club house just loves these. It's like you laced them with crank or something."

Claire nodded and smiled in thanks.

Bobby winked. "Well, I'll see you girls later."

Claire went back to arranging the display case. "Well, he was nice." she commented after his bike roared down the street.

Abby scoffed. "Yeah. Bobby's adorable."

Tig was in the garage when Bobby rode in. He pulled to a stop and hoisted up a big brown bag. "I got the good shit" he declared. Tig followed him into the clubhouse where he dumped the bag full of muffins onto the table.

Piney and Chibs quickly grabbed one up.

"These muffins are great with tequila Bobby."

Chibs concurred. "Aye. Shit's addictive. It's turning me a fat bastard."

Bobby yacked on for a moment about flour or some shit, but he didn't answer the question that was pressing Tig's mind the most.

"Bobby, where'd you get these?" He finally asked.

Bobby looked at him and laughed. "Oh, you're going to love this."

He shook his head vehemently. "No. No, I'm not."

"I actually met her today. She seems nice. Not at all like someone that would blow up a building."

Piney and Jax laughed.

"Yeah, well she doesn't look like she'd pull a knife on you either, but she did. That bitch is crazy."

"The good ones always are," Pinney reflected.

Tig gave the muffins one last look and grabbed a beer instead.

Darby looked at the empty parking space where his Suburban had been. This whole situation had turned to shit.

The only reason he'd made that deal with the Mayans was because he needed their money and the muscle to help the Nords take down Samcro. And now, that stupid-ass wetback was trying to double cross him. Well fuck him them. Darby would take them all down and keep all of the profits to himself.

Only problem was that he needed some of the money the Alvarez had promised him.

Abby was dealing with the late afternoon crowd when Darby walked in. Fucking Darby? She thought, What the hell is going on around here?

The stupid skin head walked right up to the counter, ignoring the line of customers.

"You need to wait in line," she told him as she bagged a loaf of Italian bread.

"I'm looking for Claire Stanton, not fucking bread."

"She's in the back, but-"

Darby ignored her and walked behind the counter.

"Hey asshole, you can't go back there!" She yelled at him. He ignored her though and disappeared behind the swinging door.

"Fucking Nazis," the next guy in line muttered.

Abby was tempted to go after him, but there were too many people in the shop. Whatever, she thought, let Claire knife the bastard. Do everyone a favor.

Claire looked up when she heard the door swing shut, expecting Abby. Instead, she saw a face that she'd never forget. Ten years ago she'd been too frightened of the man to stand up to him, but she'd learned a thing or two since then.

"You're trespassing." She stated firmly. "Get out of here before I call the police."

Darby laughed at her. "Claire, we both know that you won't do that. If you do, I'll tell everyone the truth about your sister."

Claire stared at him, fighting the urge to throttle him. "What do you want?"

"Money." He answered simply.

"Tough shit," she spat back at him, "I don't really have any to spare."

He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a lighter. Fiddled with it. "Well, we both know that you're an extremely resourceful girl. I'm sure you could scrounge something up."

"You done?"

He shrugged. "Just think about it. It'd be easier for everyone if you just gave me what I need voluntarily."

"Leave."

He smiled at her. It was a sick smile. "Nice seeing you again Claire."

After closing time, Claire told Abby what Darby had said. They went up to her apartment and talked it over. Abby was the only other one that knew the truth about what had happened to Shannon.

"You need help Claire. You can't take on Darby all on your own."

Claire busied herself making tea. She put two mugs of water in the microwave to heat them. "Who's going to help me?" she asked as she leaned against the counter. "Everyone in this town hates me."

"Well, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, right? So, you go to someone who's against Darby. You go to Samcro."

Claire shook her head, "No. I did not come back here to get involved in gang land politics."

Abby held up her hands in frustration. "Then why did you come back? Because that's the only way to survive in this town; by taking a side. You can't go it alone."

Claire ran her hands over her face. She knew in her heart that Abby was right. She'd been gone a long time, but things hadn't changed that much. She knew the way things worked in Charming.

"This could fuck up my parole. You know that right?"

Abby shrugged. "Sons can help you with that. If you're with them, then you're with them Claire. They look after their own."

"I just wanted to move on from all this. I thought, maybe, that the past would stay in the past." She paused and got the mugs out of the microwave, putting the tea bags in to steep. "Who do I talk with over there about this?" she asked.

"Don't worry about it. I'll set it up" she as we're as she took the mug from Claire.

"Thanks. And thanks for letting me vent."

"No problemo." She tried the tea. Too hot. "After all, it's in my best interest to help you out with things like this. Darby, messes with you? I could be out a job."

Claire laughed. "Well, thanks just the same."