A/N: As I started describing the character of Jack an image popped into my head. He would look something like Mickey Rourke's character in the movie Domino. Look it up if you want.
Piney watched as Katie's face turned snow white as she looked over the strangers face. He held her confused gaze waiting for her to say something. The man was not quite six foot tall, but built like a house. His broad shoulders were squared and his back board straight. Combine that with his shortly cut hair and it was safe to assume he was military. His face had a few miles on it, a scar under his left eye gave him a harder look, causing him to look older then he probably was.
"Jack?" Katie finally asked in a quiet voice.
"Who else," he replied with a smile.
Katie got up slowly and walked a few steps to the man, studying his face. After a moment her expression changed and she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly around the neck.
"God, I thought you were dead… What the, I mean how?" She said as she pulled away to look at him, and then hugged him tightly once more.
"Calm down Kate, don't get all emotional on me," he chuckled in a rough voice.
"I thought you were dead, go to hell, deal with it," she said before pulling herself from the large arm wrapped around her.
"Eh, em," Piney cleared his throat reminding Katie of his presence, wanting to know who the stranger was.
"Oh, Piney," Katie said turning back to the old man. "This was my Master Sergeant Jack Hayward, Jack this is Piney Winston. Up until a few minutes ago I was led to believe Jack had been killed the day we got blown up."
Fast forward a few hours…
Jack had told the story of how he had survived and made it back. By the time he was able to get in touch with anyone Katie had already been released. Clay and the guys had made it back in one piece and were now sitting watching yet another reunion. Everyone could see it, the relief and happiness in Katie's eyes shined loud and clear as she sat next to Jack telling stories. She looked as though the weight of the world had been lifted, she had finally found her peace. Everyone finally understood her darkness, she had carried the guilt of being the only survivor when so many others lost their lives. But now with Jack next to her the glimmer found its way back into her eyes and a smile was plastered across her face.
"This is one tough girl you guys raised," Jack said patting Katie on the back with a large, bear claw like hand. "I would take her watching my back over a guy any day."
Tig sat back and watched, Katie never stopped smiling and it was refreshing to see her happy. He felt a little guilty now that he knew what she had been carrying around with her, maybe he was a little too hard on her. He hated apologizing but he knew it was something he would eventually have to do if he wanted to salvage their friendship. Tig saw Jack get up and walk outside after claiming he needed some air. He figured now was a good time to feel out the situation. Was Jack just a friend or another man he had to worry about? When he walked out Jack was leaning up against the club house smoking a cigarette and staring off into the sky.
"Hey man, you alright?" Tig said walking up slowly unsure how to start.
"Yeah brother, just needed a little breather," he said taking a long drag.
"You know you made Katie's year by coming here. When she came home she just wasn't herself, but wouldn't tell anyone why," Tig said lighting a smoke himself.
"Yeah, they said she was taking it pretty hard. I didn't want her to have to live with that, I had to come. Plus, I really don't have any family, she's about the closest thing I've had to family in a long time," Jack said staring at the ground.
"So you're going to be staying a while?" Tig asked.
"Yeah, I mean I'd like to. Look man, I'm not here to move in on whatever you guys got going on. I don't see Kate like that. I know how she's feels about you, shit only heard about a million stories about you over the years," he said with a chuckle.
"What do you mean you know how she feels about me?" Tig eyed him.
"Like I said. I've heard about a million stories about you. She used to talk about you all the time. I think she was counting down the days until she could come home, but she was always worried about how she would be received. She carried a lot of guilt around about the way she left, ya know?" He tried to explain.
"What did she say about me?" Tig asked feeling like a high school kid.
"I don't know man, she used to talk about how close you guys were and how well you understood her. It was always you and that Chibs guy, I think she missed you guys the most. She used to tell me stories about the crazy shit you guys used to do together, or the fights you guys would get into just to fight," he replied. "Couple times I told her if I had to hear one more damn story about you I was gonna beat the shit out of her."
Tig smiled to himself, maybe he hadn't screwed up as badly as he thought he had. Maybe if she had missed him that much and cared that deeply about him there was still a chance. Maybe there actually was hope.
"I don't know man, I was kind of a dick to her. I think I might have screwed things up," Tig said bowing his head.
"Come on," Jack chuckled. "I've only known Kate a couple of years, but I know one thing… That girl is fiercely loyal. Once she loves you and you gain her trust, that's it."
"Yeah, I know but I think I blew my chances for anything more with her. I think she's going after Chibs," Tig said bitterly, mentally kicking himself.
"He's the one with the scars right?" Jack asked waiting for Tig's nod. "Yeah, she's got the hots for him, but I don't think it's much more than that. I know they are close like I said, but from the way she has talked not the way you two are."
"I don't know man, it comes down to I fucked up and don't know how to fix it," Tig said getting frustrated.
"Think about it, I'm sure you will come up with something," Jack replied.
And think about it he did, in fact he dwelled on it all damn night. He realized he had to do something to remind her how close they once were. After hours of lying awake it finally hit him. They were so much alike, both sick and twisted. They found joy in the same screwed up things. What better way to draw her close again then to remind her of that.
The next day was busy, the garage was swamped with repairs and business. Katie and Chibs were out all day on Repo's so Tig didn't see much of her except for when they came back to unhook a car. It bothered him slightly that Gemma sent the two of them out together, the last thing he wanted was for them to spend more time together.
When they got out of the tow truck they were laughing together and carrying on which made his heart sink. Maybe he was too late. Maybe he lost her quicker than he had anticipated. The more he watched the two of them interact, it down right pissed him off.
"Darlin' I 'ave ta say I'll take workin' with you over the prospect any day," Chibs said standing behind Katie as she bent over to unhook the car.
"Oh yeah, and why is that Chibby?" She asked still bent over.
"The view is definitely better," he said smacking her on the rear before walking away.
Tig watched waiting for Katie to say something or yell at the Scot, but instead she simply stood up and smiled at him. Little did Tig know Gemma was standing behind him as he watched the scene unfold in front of him.
"I've seem that look before Tigger," Gemma said behind him.
Startled he spun around to see Gemma leaning against the office door with a knowing look on her face.
"What are you talking about?"He asked walking past to pretending to look at the schedule in the office.
"You know," she said crossing her arms.
"No, I don't Gem, I got a lot of work to do," he replied trying to walk past her.
"Something going on between the two of you I don't know about?" She asked with an arched eye brow.
"Obviously you should be asking Chibs that question, not me," he said finally pushing past her.
All the while Katie was unaware Tig was even watching. She was having a good day and was in a damn good mood. Jack tracking her down was the best thing that had happened in what seems like forever and she couldn't be happier. The day was easy, repos and riding around in the tow truck with Chibs laughing and flirting. His little comment about the view and the smack on the ass was bad enough, but when she looked up and saw that smile on his face, it made her want to throw him down and rip his clothes off.
It was the last repo of the day, but she had to go check with Gemma to see if anything had come in. She walked into the office but instead of finding Gemma, she found Tig. They stared at each other for a minute before either spoke.
"Where's Gem?" She asked shifting her weight.
"She had some running to do, just left," he replied.
"Anymore repos come in?" She asked looking for the list.
"I don't think so. You guys done?" He asked seeing his window of opportunity.
"Yeah, just unhooked the last one."
"Got anything going on later?" He asked trying not to sound to desperate.
"No plans, why something going on?" She asked eying him.
"Not really, I was thinking about going for a ride, putting some miles on the bike. Wondering if maybe you wanted to join me… Like old times," he said watching her face for a reaction.
"Sure," she said after thinking for a minute. "What time you thinkin'?"
"Hour or so, I got a few things to finish," he said with a slight smile.
"Okay, I'm gonna go grab a shower. I'll be in the club house, come get me when you're ready," she said before walking away.
Tig wanting to go riding made her wonder why all of a sudden he wanted to be all buddy buddy. Did seeing her with Chibs finally get to him, or was there another reason? Either way she decided she would tread lightly around him until she found out.
After her shower she stood trying to decide how to dress since she wasn't quite sure of his motives. She decided to dress in a simple pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She put on her K-Bar, slide on her shoulder holster and put on her leather vest then made it out into the main room.
"Aye darlin', ya all cleaned up now?" Chibs asked with a smile as she made her way towards him. "Shoulda let me know, I woulda been more 'n' happy to give ya a 'and."
"Thanks Chibby, I'll remember that for next time," she replied with a smile before he pulled her into a kiss thinking they were alone.
"Darlin' ya smell incredible," he said breaking the kiss and pinning her against the bar. "And look good enough to eat." He added before pushing his body a little harder against hers and kissing her once more.
"Chibs you are not helping her in the shower and you better get your damn hands off of her," Clay barked walking into the club house with the other guys. "And don't give me that look girl!"
"Sorry Uncle Clay," Katie chuckled as she tore herself away from Chibs.
She took a deep breath trying to calm herself down, causing Chibs to raise an eyebrow.
"Did I turn ya on a bit darlin'?" Chibs leaned in and whispered in her ear causing chills to go down her spine.
"Hey, back away from my niece damn it. And you," he said looking at Katie. "No matter how damn old you are, you're still my little girl. And you all better remember that," he finished as he shot a look at all of his brothers.
"What trouble you getting into tonight?" Clay asked looking at how Katie was dressed.
"What makes you think I'm gonna get into trouble?" She asked with an innocent look.
"You really want me to answer that?" He asked.
"Not necessary," she said as she cracked a beer. " Goin' riding with Tig shortly."
"I ain't bailing the two of you outta jail," Clay said with a warning scowl.
Just then Tig walked in.
"Ready babe?" He asked looking at Katie then to Clay.
"The two of you stay the fuck outta trouble!" Clay barked again, this time at Tig.
