Chapter 10:

"Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you"

-Coldplay "Fix You"

Ava and Happy had easily gotten Kozik situated and comfortable on her couch. He sat against the arm with a stuffy, soft pillow behind him and a super soft and cozy blanket across his lap. Ava ad set a drink on the end table for easy reaching and the remotes as well.

Kozik would have said he was being spoiled if not for the shooting pain in his abdomen every time he moved anything other than his head. The fact that Ava was with him helped. She looked at his with such worry and care and something else that he hadn't deciphered yet. He could only assume that it was good and be happy with that.

Ava leaned over his shoulder to speak to him, "I'm gonna cook tonight. I'm taking requests."

Kozik turned his head to the side to look at her. "I've got a taste for something in a brunette. She's got brown eyes and full lips. Anything I can get like that." He smirked at her.

Ava didn't answer; she simply pressed her lips to his and let the feeling wash over her like a wave sucking her out to sea. Their lips parted and Ava licked between his, their tongues dancing slowly over one another. Slowly they pulled back. It had been an amazing kiss like Ava had never felt. Her feelings affirmed, she smiled, "I think I got something like that, but how about beef stew just in case."

Kozik smiled in response. Sure he was feeling the pain something intense. Considering his past indiscretions with drugs, he's refused the prescription pain killers, opting for Tylenol and a little loving from his woman. But Koz was a Son through and through—he could handle it.

Happy sat in the living room with Kozik and stared at the goofy smile on his best friend's face. "You're whipped as shit. She ain't even wearing your crow." He shook his head. Truthfully, Hap was a little jealous. He was notorious for his fuck and duck routine. He never bedded a woman and kept her around after he busted he busted his nut. In recent months he had been feeling a little cold. He was getting older and had been seriously considering venturing outside of the croweaters and looking for a strong woman that could kick his ass around a little bit. Kozik had found that.

"I'm not even gonna lie. Yeah. She's my Gemma—my queen. I'm pretty sure." Ava was certainly a strong bitch. He had only been with her one night and he was positive he had been ruined for any other woman. The way she responded to his touch, the utter worry on her face when he was shot—those were all the signs he needed to know that she would be it for him—he would assure it.

Ava was on fire in the kitchen. She cooked beef stew with rice for dinner and decided that desert would be fresh as well. She made a fresh apple pie from scratch and homemade peach ice cream with her machine. She was well pleased when it was all done a laid out on the counter. She was feeling like a million bucks with a guy she really liked in her living room and an evening well spent in the kitchen finished. Happy was staying with her as well for protection. Ava had no doubts in the man's ability to keep herself and Kozik safe. Without further wait, she fixed the men bowls of dinner and served them in the living room before taking her seat on the floor in front of the couch so that she could use the ottoman as a table.

Kozik and Happy devoured their food in haste and seconds. Ava was shocked at the amount of food the two men put away. She was even more surprised when they ate most of the pie and ice cream by themselves. She had no doubt that she was a good cook, but the men put it away like nothing she had ever seen.

"So I was thinking about asking Bobby to go into business with me when I open my bakery. He's got skill," Ava tossed the idea to the men and waited for a reaction.

Happy made no face to give away his stance until he spoke. "Yeah, his muffins are the shit."

Kozik nodded, "I think it would be a good idea. He could use the cash too. Child support is sucking him dry."

"You think he'd go for it?" Ava asked warily.

"Yeah. Why not?" Happy set her mind at ease and dialed the man in question's number before tossing Ava the phone.

"Hey Hap," she heard Bobby's distinct voice through the line.

"It's Ava actually. I wanted to get your opinion on an idea…" She paused before continuing to her point. "So, I'm opening a bakery soon. It's going to be a while before I procure a space and open, but I can't do it all by myself. Would you be willing to look at my business plan and consider doing it with me? I…I know you don't know me that well, but I would really like you to think about it." Ava's voice was so unsure—so unlike her. She was a strong woman who stood tall. Hearing her voice shaking at the idea of rejection was unsettling. But she saw Bobby as someone who could be like a father to her. He just gave and aura that resounded with her. She barely knew the man, but she was terrified that he might not approve.

"I don't need to think about it." Ava stopped breathing before Bobby could continue on. "You carry yourself well. You got a good head on your shoulders and you managed to rope one of SAMCRO's most eligible lifetime bachelors in. There's gotta be something right with you. I'll do it."

Ava smiled. "Thanks, Bobby. Once this whole Kozik gunning thing is taken care of, we can sit down and look at the business plan. See ya later, Bobby." Bobby bid her goodbye and hung up the phone. The broad smile across Ava's face told of his answer.

Shortly after dinner, Happy and Ava slowly helped Kozik into a shower where Ava washed and dried him. Happy then helped her to put him in her bed. Happy headed to the guest room before Ava stripped down and climbed carefully into bed. She rested her weight on her elbow so she could look over Kozik, her face scrunched in thought.

Kozik eyed her consciously. "What's wrong?"

Ava took a deep breath before speaking. "You getting shot scared the shit out of me. I don't want anything to happen to you, Kozik. I'm not letting you go. I hope you understand."

Kozik carefully reached a hand behind her head and pulled her face to his. Their mouths molded together in perfect sync. It wasn't a heated kiss full of passion and lust—it was a kiss of understanding. It was their way of saying they were all-in.

AN: I'm having a tough time with this story. Between my grueling work schedule and lack of inspiration, I feel I have written the suckiest chapter EVER! I will definitely try to write a few good chapters before the end of the week.