A/N ((Thought I would show the beginning insight to Nora and Happy's history.))

Charming, five years ago…

Crickets chirping in the grass the air was muggy and hot. Skin covered in a fine sheen of sweat it caused the thin white tank top to stick to her skin jean shorts low on her hips. Outside or in the air conditioning had just broken that morning causing the inside of the house to become a miserable hot box, outside there was at least the occasional breeze. The railing of the porch hitting her across the stomach as she craned forward at the waist long curls falling over her head like a curtain. Rising up slowly she combed the long hair back the echo of rumbling motorcycle engines drowning out the summer noise. Two men wearing black leather Cuts with a Reaper patch across their backs rolled in to the driveway and she took the time they spent getting situated to study them both. The shaggy haired blonde man who removed his matte black painted helmet off first was a familiar face. Kozik he was from the Tacoma chapter, she'd known him for almost ten years but the man with him she had never seen before.

Wearing relaxed blue jeans and a plain white shirt the lower half of his face concealed by a skull bandana. Even from where she stood Nora Jean Rawlins could feel his dark eyes watching her, an electric charge prickling against her bare arms. The man remained on his bike staring her down as Kozik walked up the drive, black military style backpack slung over one shoulder. Setting it down at the foot of the steps he took them two at a time picking her up as he reached the top, wrapping her legs around his waist. Hands against his shoulders Nora squeezed her eyes shut as he spun her around.

"You don't call, you don't write. I thought you were going to run away with me."

Smiling she laughed at his flirtatious greeting.

"I've known you to long Koz, I already know you're an asshole." She replied playfully, slapping his cheeks with her palms.

Feigning hurt he set her down hand over his heart as he picked up the bag.

"That hurts Nora Jean…Cuts deep."

Running a hand through her hair Nora twisted it in to a messy bun holding it together with one hand as she pointed to the bag with the other.

"Tig told me you were dropping off supplies from the warehouse, only one bag this time?"

Koz nodded, at the mention of the other man he rubbed the back of his neck. He knew well enough that Tig had raised hell about him being the one to drive up for the drop. Jackass wouldn't have blinked twice if it had been anyone else, he just had to bitch about it.

"For now, you should expect more in the next few weeks we'll have moved it all from the warehouse in Tacoma by the end of the month. Anybody making the drops has your cell so they'll text before they come, make sure your home. It shouldn't be a problem for you."

Nora wasn't worried about any problems, always willing to help the Club she was used to these types of visits. Carrying no financial or well known connections to the notorious MC she made for a reliable and trustworthy resource. It also helped immensely that she was Tig Trager's god-daughter.

Glancing from Kozik to his friend she pointed a thumb in the direction of the front door.

"You and your silent partner there wanna stay for dinner?"

Kozik was a smart man, when a woman offered you a hot dinner you didn't refuse.

"I dunno, what did you make?"

Giving him a pointed look Nora went to walk inside.

"What do you mean 'what did I make' you know damn well Koz you'll eat whatever I made…Meatloaf and fried green tomatoes. There's beer in the fridge."

It was Kozik's turn to laugh now, she did know him to well. Turning he waved a hand towards his friend who had remained seated during the entire exchange listening from where he was.

"Hap you interested?"

Taking off his helmet he hung it off the handle bar, removing the bandana he tucked it in the back pocket of his jeans. Rolling his shoulders trying to ease some of the stiffness the mute flick of his chin the only answer, knowing he didn't need to wait around for him Kozik turned and walked inside. Taking in the surroundings it was a pretty basic set up, nothing really out of the ordinary. A reasonably sized television mounted against the far wall the only seating in the room an old recliner chair and a leather sofa. Pharmaceutical text books scattered across the coffee table, highlighters and sticky notes on the arm of the sofa. But its the pictures on the wall above the sofa that pique his interest. One is of Two young men in Marine core dress uniforms posing in front of a plain yellow building, a small girl standing between them wearing a white lace summer dress her face looking up towards the man on the left. He recognizes this man by the piercing blue of his eyes. The second is a more recent picture of Nora her head resting against Trager's shoulder eyes closed in an expression of pure contented bliss.

Stealing his attention from the wall Kozik handed him a beer as he passed, bag in hand heading to what he assumed was the cellar. Coming to stand in the kitchen archway Happy was able to see the young woman more clearly. She couldn't be more than 5ft 1 at best, slender build long hair reaching past her shoulder-blade. Her back to him she stood on her toes reaching up into a high cabinet for a set of dishes, a delicate tone to her upper arms and legs telling him she was probably a dancer. If he had to guess she looked around twenty six, twenty eight years old. Wearing no makeup he could see a dusting of freckles across her cheeks and nose. She was undeniably pretty it wasn't something he was going to dispute. Taking a swig of his beer he found himself staring as she started plating up their meals lost in her task tucking a stray curl of chestnut colored hair behind her ear when suddenly she dropped the casserole dish on the tiled counter top.

Hissing she cursed sucking on the end of her thumb.

"Goddamnit…Ouch." Nora said before realized she had an audience.

A little embarrassed she turned back to the counter, picking up a serving spoon to scoop a hearty portion of meat loaf on the white dinner plate and set it on the counter. Grabbing a fork and knife she set them down beside it.

"If you want more, you're more than welcome to help yourself." She offered with a smile. Hazel eyes meeting his openly.

Taking a seat at the breakfast counter Happy only set his beer down before starting it eat, Kozik who joined them again made a beeline for the empty plate beside the stove. Gently elbowing him she whispered.

"Are you going to introduce or what?"

Kozik shook his head stealing the last of the fried tomatoes from the frying pan.

"Fuck I'm sorry, Hap this is Nora Jean. Nora Jean, meet Happy."

Eyes widening she felt her cheeks blush.

"Nora…You can just call me Nora."

Sitting beside his Brother, Kozik watched as Nora left them to finish their meals. Retreating to the leather sofa in the living room she tucked her legs beneath her and picked up one of the open books. Happy's eyes never leaving her. It wasn't long before Nora realized she'd been reading the same sentence about drug interactions for the last-minute and a half. Chewing on the end of her highlighter she stole a glance towards her guests and was oddly surprised to see Happy watching her. He made no apologies for the action simply turned back to his plate after a heartbeat and continued eating. When he was done he pushed back from the counter motioning to that he was going outside to smoke.

Looking back down at the book, it wasn't until she knew he was outside again that she could focus at all. Nora recognize the type of man he was, dangerous. A cunning man perfectly evolved to do exactly what he needed to do, whatever that may be. It should have frightened her but it didn't. Perhaps time had conditioned her to consider such people a normal occurrence. If she was perfectly honest she found it exhilarating, pleasantly familiar. She'd seen the patch on his Cut 'NOMAD' in bright white stitching telling her he had no one affiliation to any given charter.

Shoveling the last of the food on his fork Koz finished it off picking up both plates and setting them in the otherwise empty sink. Walking to the sofa he sat down beside Nora, glancing at the text he whistled loudly.

"I don't know how you read this…can you even pronounce this."

Closing her book with a soft glare she set it down beside herself.

"Yes I can, you coming back with the next delivery?"

Koz shook his head.

"Nah, Tiggy got his panties in a fucking wad when he heard I was making this run. Don't know what his fucking problem is."

Nora smiled.

"Tell me about it Koz. I got a phone call about 3am of him halfway through a bottle of Jack Daniels. You want to get a Club transfer to Charming you better start bribing him with hookers and weed."

Swearing under his breath Kozik took a drink of his beer.

"I'm not givin that asshole jack nothin, Sooner or later that votes going through."

Standing up Nora shook her head marveling at the never ending rivalry between the two men. Most of it was all in good fun considering what they considered to be 'fun'. But Nora knew there was something deeper, something in the past that neither wanted to acknowledge. Walking them to the end of the porch she watched as her guests took their leave backing out of the driveway, tail lights glowing red in the night.

()()()()()()()()()()

The first month went by life returning to normal the drop off's going according to schedule and a small part of herself hoped that Happy would came back; unfortunately it had only been prospects and patched members from either charter. Strictly business they'd come and gone without much conversation, she could always recognize the prospects Tig was mercilessly tormenting purely by the way they treated her. The last prospect visiting whose unfortunate nickname had been Halfsack had fought between being polite and refusing to make eye contact. She couldn't really be upset; it was just Tig's way of being protective of showing he cared. Absolute overkill and in often poor taste but she wasn't going to tell him that. Nora respected Tig's decisions, she'd always felt compelled to obey him a part of her always eager to please the man.

Glass of wine she padded barefoot through the house checking all the locks as she went. It was only 8pm but Nora couldn't find any other reason to stay in the living room, finals were over thank god and she felt as if she could finally breathe again. Setting the glass down on the nightstand she crawled on top of the bed wearing a pair of black yoga shorts she was able to appreciate the simple pleasure the of the silky suede comfort against her skin. Stretching her arms out above her head she brought them down slow arc down her body trailing her nails along her sides. Bringing her left knee up sliding the bottom of her foot against the bed she shivered against the touch. Breathe hitching then easing out slowly as she inched the fingers of her right hand beneath the band of her shorts.

Brushing her index finger across herself the touch was already not enough and unwilling to wait for the sensual build of pleasure she rocked her hips. Willing it to climb higher she ran her fingers across her nipple until the she felt it pebble against her touch, pinching between forefinger and thumb. Eyes closed she gave a small moan, imagining the sultry foreplay was being committed by stronger more work roughened hands. Alone in the privacy of her room she could give herself over the fantasy no shame or embarrassment and to think she'd never even heard him speak. Thumb pressed against her stomach she sped up the speed of her fingers the pleasure building, stacking higher. Imagining the gentle hold of his hand around her throat Nora cried out head crane back as she came hard. Body swallowed by the ecstasy she stopped instantly, cries silenced as the hand against her throat shot up to cover her mouth the sound of loud knocking. Frozen in place her mind reeling with the knowledge that whoever it was had more than likely heard her.

When the knocking came again louder and more insistent than before she sat up scooting to the edge of the bed going to dresser she pulled out a purple cotton v-neck t-shirt. Slipping the garment on Nora paused in the entry way only able to see the tall dark outline of someone through the frosted glass of the front door. Opening the coat closet nearest to her she pulled out an Express Compact Synthetic twelve gauge shot-gun, resting it carefully against the wall she eyed the door before peeking through the curtains of the window. Moving cautiously to the door she opened it carefully only as far as the dead bolt would allow, not that it would stop a man of his size. Happy stood there with a balled up shirt held against his forearm the once white shirt now stained brown with blood. Nora made the decision to open the door, closing it briefly she took off the dead bolt.

Stepping aside she wordlessly invited him in turning on the entryway light as crossed the threshold. He regarded the Twelve gauge shotgun with cool indifference the young woman walking around him to lock the door again. Standing awkwardly next to the coffee table Happy watched her disappear through the bedroom and to the houses only bathroom. When she returned she carried a first aid kit in her hands setting it down on the coffee table next to him. Hesitantly she reached out resting her fingers on the balled up shirt.

"Can I see?" She asked softly, inwardly hoping she sounded like she knew what she was doing.

Happy took the ruined shirt away from his forearm, revealing a deep cut probably two inches long, while nowhere near life threatening it would keep bleeding. Judging the severity she rubbed her fingers along her brow. Knowing better than to ask how he got it, years of being around her father had taught Nora that sometimes you were better off not knowing. Taking out a pack of clean gauze she pressed it firmly to the wound, motioning with her free hand she indicated that she needed him to hold it again.

"It'll need stitches; I have medical grade sutures…but no painkillers. I also have superglue, it'll hurt like hell but it's quicker."

He seemed to weigh the options, though his response was not what she expected.

"You're here alone?" Voice raspy and deep.

Starting to look up from the medical kit eyes widening she forced her attention back down to his arm, willing her hands to keep moving her voice betrayed her as she blurted an answer.

"Yeah, I live alone. Can you sit on the couch for me?"

Humoring her Happy did as she asked, enjoying the way his question caused her to bristle with nervous energy. He'd struck a nerve.

Her eyes meeting his they revealed that she knew with perfect certainty what he was really asking. Pressing her lips together Nora bit the inside of her cheek. On the edge of the coffee table his arm laid out across her lap she did her best to ignore the way his skin felt hot against hers the back of his fingers brushing casually against her lower stomach through the fabric of her shirt. Pinching the skin together she started to apply the super glue. His hand clutching into a fist as it made contact with the open flesh the burning vicious and biting. Happy easily pushed the pain from his mind his will stronger than it, as the young woman's mild touch sending goose bumps along his bicep and shoulder.

Holding the wound closed Nora blew a gentle breath of air willing it to dry. She could practically feel the heat of his gaze boring down on her. Heart thudding in her chest she was grateful when she was able to release his arm. Standing up carefully she turned her back to him gathering up the first aid supplies and hastily shoving them back inside their box.

"I have work in the morning so I need to get to sleep; you're welcome to crash on the couch." She offered, giving herself the excuse she needed to escape his close proximity. Though it was plain it was only uncomfortable for one of them.

Walking to the linen closet near the bedroom door Nora pulled out a large blanket and pillow, setting them down on the coffee table before making her exit the bedroom door closing behind her without another word. Grabbing the pillow he tossed it against the arm of the couch leaning over to unlace his leather boots with one hand, occasionally looking to the closed to the door.

Happy Lowman had spent the better part of his life perfecting the violent and rapacious code he lived by. Never a victim of careless sentiment he'd grown accustomed to taking what he wanted and apologizing for nothing. He'd been called many things by many people in his dealings for the Club, a sociopath an outlaw a killer. He knew in his bones that Nora recognized him for exactly who and what he was. It was obvious in her wide eyes, the soft touch of her hands upon his skin. The thing that intrigued him most was when he realized she didn't fear him his nature; she respected it, a bold difference that was commonly confused. Uninjured arm behind his head he laid back on the leather couch. Gun on the coffee table and boots stacked neatly beside it he spared one last glance in the direction of her door. By the time she woke he would be gone.