A/N: Thanks for all your reviews. You completely surpassed the number I had in mind so here's the next chapter far sooner than I expected to put it up. I can't promise that the next one will be as quick though.

Also I think I need to clarify some things. The timeframe of my last chapter was perhaps a little vague and takes place several days after the previous chapter as alluded to early in this chapter. Although I delve into this a little deeper in the next few chapters, my Happy is very pensive and calculating. He does everything for a reason and let's face it Gemma picks up on everything. And as far as asking Hailey what she thinks Opie is going to do, he knows it's not going to end well when Opie finds out. Like I said the next few chapters delve a little deeper into both Happy and Hailey's minds so please bear with me as they figure this out, perhaps a little steamily along the way.

Anyways this chapter introduces another two OC's one of which may stick around in some way.

Growing up Hailey had always done her best to distance herself from club business. Samcro was her family but she had no desire to get dragged down in the darker side of things and Opie was more than happy to not enlighten her. As far as he was concerned if she was to stay in Charming the less she knew the safer she was and he liked it that way. At the same time though he didn't like it when the club was on lockdown. It was the one time he could tell his sister was grappling with her decision to not be told details. She knew enough to know that shit had gone so far south that family and all directly involved with Samcro were in potential danger and he knew that the potential ramifications of that scared her.

The room was abuzz with activity, in preparation of what was to be a big day for Samcro as he sat watching her across the room where she pretended to be reading a medical journal. Since their trip out to the diner several days earlier she'd been somewhat disengaged like she had other things on her mind. He figured she was getting used to being back here and settling into a new job and all. She and Happy hadn't been laying into each other at all and had actually been sticking to their word and avoiding each other which had been a welcome relief to all; however he'd be damned if he hadn't just caught them making eyes at each other across the room. He knew his sister well enough to know the look she'd just given Happy and he had returned had absolutely nothing to do with anger. The look he had just seen conveyed genuine concern from his sister toward the man she claimed to hate. He didn't know what had gone down between them at that diner but he'd bet it was more than either of them were sharing.

Lockdowns scared her. That was a fact. It was the only time Hailey was forced to see what this family of hers really was – a group of outlaw bikers and that at times brought the heat of the law among other things crashing down upon them and those closest to them. She was quite happy not knowing the ins and outs of the club but when it came to a lockdown she knew serious stuff was afoot and no one ever knew what the end of the day would bring.

Until the previous night she and Happy hadn't spoken since the day at the diner and whether or not that was diffusing attention away from them or making the others suspicious she didn't know. Despite their declaration to avoid each other she'd often found herself exchanging looks with him across the room. At first they were plaintive questioning looks, each wondering the others thoughts of what had transpired between them; but they'd quickly turned to furtive and perusing, each at one point or another catching the other out. She felt sure that his actions the night before had aroused suspicion amongst his brothers. She still couldn't explain the feelings she was beginning to have for the outlaw but she knew after last night it was at least reciprocated. Hailey grew increasingly anxious as she watched the hive of activity that ensued around her. She sat with a medical journal in front of her but she knew he could tell she wasn't reading it. She fixed him with a worried questioning stare. Her heart skipped a beat as he approached her before heading out the door behind the others that were slowly starting to file out the door. He paused briefly next to her, just long enough to whisper "Don't worry Princess. I'll be back for us to sort our shit out," his lips brushing her ear, before he made his way to the door.

She couldn't help but wonder what the day would bring and in truth she was still happy not knowing despite the ball of worry that was forming in the pit of her stomach. Nothing however prepared her for what she was told at the end of that day.

She watched from the Clubhouse door as dusk was falling and they started to ride back in. The set of their shoulders, the slowness of their walks towards her and the harrowing look she saw in her brothers eyes as he approached told her things had not gone as planned.

She looked toward the gate waiting for two more bikes. But they didn't follow.

"Where's Jax?" she asked, "And Half Sac?"

"Hailz," Opie said as he approached, "I know you said you don't wanna know about club business but we have no choice but to tell you what went on today."

And it was with that, that he placed his arm around her and led her into the clubroom and sat her down as she watched the rest of his forlorn and road weary brothers follow suit. With a few stern looks and words to those that hung about the clubroom it quickly cleared out. Opie gave a nod to Tig who sat across from her. He'd been chosen to break the news of the day's events to her.

"Hailz, things didn't go too well today. We took care of what we needed to but in doing so there was some unexpected backlash. Gemma is on the run with Unser."

"What? Why?" Hailey was incredulous. After all the years she'd known her she had never known the Samcro queen to be directly in trouble with the law.

"She was framed for the murder of one our Irish contacts, Edmond Hayes. That's all you need to know." Tig answered. "But that's not all. His father, Cameron kidnapped Abel we think in retaliation. He killed Half Sac before he tied up Tara and took him. Jax is in a bad way."

"Oh my god." She murmured softly as she looked around at the sea of faces surrounding her. All eyes were crestfallen and looking around the room or at each other as they grappled with how best to approach this new situation that had befallen them, all except one. The dark as sin eyes stared straight at her demanding her attention.

"So what happens now?" She asked, holding his gaze but it was Clay that answered.

"We have a lot of shit to figure out but first and foremost is finding where Abel is and getting him home. Someone will go keep an eye on Gemma and you need to have someone with you all the time. Whenever you're working, whatever you're doing one of us or a must escort you. You understand?"

"Yeah." She said quietly.

"Church in an hour." Clay declared before rising from his seat and heading towards the garage. The others all rose one by one and either headed toward the bar or into the arms of one of the sweet butts milling about.

"You got a minute Kiddo?" Opie asked his sister as he watched Happy rise from where he sat and head toward the dorm rooms.

"Yeah, I guess." Hailey sighed still letting everything she'd just been told sink in.

"What's with you and Happy?"

"Nothing." She lied.

"I saw you making eyes at him this morning before we all went out Hailey. What was that?"

She sighed. "You know lockdowns scare the shit out of me Opie. For some crazy reason I do actually trust Happy. I just wanted some reassurance that everything was gonna be okay."

"That all it is?"

"Yes Ope."

"Cos I swear Hailey if there's anything else going on I'll castrate him."

"Ope, you're the reason I've had him following me for five years. Why wouldn't I trust him?"

"That better be all it is Hailey" Opie answered. "Where's Lyla?"

"Working I think. Juice escorted her a little while ago." She answered.

"I'll bet he did." Opie frowned as he rose and headed to the door.

Hailey headed toward the kitchen to give herself a few minutes to get a hold of her emotions that threatened to crumble out of control. She stood steadying herself against the bench, her back to the door before she felt her hands begin to stop trembling. She turned to leave and head towards Opie's dorm room. Fumbling with the key in her pocket she ran straight into Happy's rock hard abs as she neared it. He placed his hands at her shoulders, steadying her.

"You okay, Princess?" he asked.

"Yeah, fine." She said trying to move past him.

"Not so fast Princess."

She glared up at him in response. "Hey I thought we were past that." He said

"Then where are we at Hap? What's with all the looks all week and what was with that stare down out there? And last night? What the fuck was that?" She demanded.

"Relax Princess. You're so edgy."

"Yeah well I think I'm entitled to be with all the shit that's just gone down." She growled.

"Whoa. Princess. Enough. Unlock the door." He commanded her. There was something about the tone of his voice that she knew not to question. She opened the door and he shoved her through it, slamming it before pinning her against it.

"Does Opie know about us?" he demanded.

"Are your balls still intact?" She quipped back.

He smiled a glowering half smile at her before absorbing her lips with his own. She was somewhat taken aback but returned his kiss before pulling away.

"It's not gonna be pretty when he does find out Hap."

"I know that Princess." He said as he brushed aside her belongings on the desk next to the door and hoisted her up onto it. He pulled her to him before pressing his lips back against hers. He knew that he'd been fighting the desire to do this for quite some time. She kissed him back, for a moment, relishing the unexpected softness of his lips. His tongue pressed imploringly against her lips as she parted them slightly allowing him to plunge it into her mouth. He ran his hands up the inside of her thighs, up under the leg of her shorts before she reached up and pressed her palms against his shoulders pushing him back.

"Hap, what is this?" She asked.

"You can't tell me you're not enjoyin' it." he smirked.

She smiled. "Seriously Hap, where is this going?"

"Quit thinkin' and just kiss me Princess." He said absorbing her lips once more. She lost herself in his kiss after that. Somewhat surprised at what an amazing kisser he was she let her hands roam across his perfectly toned and muscular body and allowed his to do the same over her petite yet perfectly curvaceous one. She grew increasingly hot and wet between her legs and it was on the tip of her tongue to beg him for more.

"Happy, Church brother." The Scotsman's voice bellowed across the clubhouse. Happy pulled away from Hailey, took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. "Gotta go Princess." He whispered taking in her flushed cheeks and lust filled eyes. Even in a whisper his voice was gravelly and sexy as hell. He turned for the door and she slid down off the desk to follow him out.

She stood in the doorway and watched as he headed down the hallway. "Hap?" She called after him. He turned at the sound of her voice and gave her a questioning look. "I have a shift in an hour."

He nodded. "Someone'll tail you."

"You?" she asked quietly.

"Probly not Princess." He took in the crestfallen look on her face as he rounded the corner toward the clubroom. He knew that whatever this was developing between them he wasn't going to be able to hide it from his brothers for much longer.

Hailey headed back into Opie's dorm to take a shower and get ready for her shift at the hospital. She enjoyed her work despite working with some seriously ill children it made her day if she could bring a smile to the face of some her sickest patients.

She stood under the stream of hot water and allowed herself a moment to imagine Happy's hands upon her body once more. She could no longer deny that she was attracted to him in a big way and probably had been for some time. She had to admit that she had grown somewhat used to having him watch her back all the years she'd lived in Tacoma. He hadn't always been around keeping tabs on her but whenever she spotted him across a road or a parking lot sitting casually on his bike eyes cast in her direction she had felt safer. For a long time she had denied that thought and told herself how unfair it was that Opie didn't trust her but what she would never admit to either biker was that she had a long time ago grown somewhat fond of Happy. The need to be escorted to where she needed to go scared her almost as much as lockdown and she realized she'd prefer him tailing her over anyone else.

She emerged from the shower and dressed for work before heading out to the clubroom to await her escort.

A short time later they emerged from Chapel, grimfaced and heading off in differing directions. Happy headed over to Hailey and placed his hand on her shoulder. "C'mon Princess. Let's get you to work." He said.

Hailey smiled as she followed him out. She cast him a furtive glance as she headed toward her car while he went to his bike. She knew he must have personally requested to be her tail and truth be told they probably hadn't batted an eyelid since he'd been tailing her for so long now at Opie's request. She glanced in her rearview mirror as she pulled out of the lot and felt an overwhelming sense of comfort to see him following behind her.

He pulled up next to her in the hospital parking lot and waited while she got out. He placed his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him. "Dunno how much longer this is gonna stay between us Princess. 'Specially when you're personally requesting me to tail your ass."

"And when you're cornering me in hallways and dragging me into dorm rooms?" She grinned back.

He didn't answer her but just kissed her forehead before turning her towards the entrance to walk her in. "Someone'll be here when you're done 'kay?"

"'Kay." She watched him turn away and head back towards his bike.

As much as Hailey enjoyed her work night shifts were hard and this was her first since starting at St Thomas nearly a week ago. It was at night when some parents went home that the kids on the paed ward were left alone with their demons. Sleepless nights brought out their worries and nightmares were not uncommon.

"Hi Hailey." Ava greeted her as she clocked on for her shift. She had worked with Ava during her first shift earlier in the week. "First night shift here hey?"

"Yeah." Hailey answered. "Anything I should know about?"

"Not really. Katie Lorenzo's mom has gone home so she might be a little lonely. She said Katie likes you. Other than that it should be a pretty straight forward night."

"Okay." Hailey answered taking a seat at the nurse's station to look over some paper work. It wasn't long before one of the patient call lights lit up.

"That's Katie darl. Do you wanna go?" Ava said to Hailey.

"Sure. She hasn't been doing so well lately has she?" Hailey said looking up from the papers she'd been reading.

"No. It's not looking too good for the little lass," Ava answered frowning slightly.

"Okay." Hailey said with a sigh as she made her way to young girl's room. She was 6 years old and had leukemia which had not responded to recent treatment.

"Hey sweetie." Hailey greeted the little girl as she entered her room and saw her sitting up in her bed. "You're supposed to be sleeping Honey."

"Hailey!" The little girl immediately brightened. "I can't sleep but I'm glad you're here."

"Well me too. I was kinda hoping I'd get to hang out with you tonight Katie." Hailey smiled at the little girl. "How about you lay back and we get those covers back over you?"

"Okay Hailey." The little girl settled back against her pillows and allowed Hailey to pull the covers back up over her.

"What's bothering you tonight sweetie?" Hailey asked.

"Mommy said today that I might die. I'm scared Hailey." The little girl confessed a tear rolling down her cheek. Hailey sighed and fixed her best encouraging smile upon the girl. This was often the hardest part of her job and an added reason why she wasn't keen on night shifts. With no one else to talk to all the troubles and worries of the day often came out at night.

"And what did she say would happen if you do honey?" Hailey asked, not wanting to tell the girl anything that her mother may not have addressed or believed in.

"She said that I'd go to heaven to be with Poppy." She said.

"Is Poppy your grandpa?"

The little girl nodded. "And she said that God needed me to be an angel just like Poppy is now."

Hailey smiled. She wasn't quite sure what exactly she believed in since losing her mother at such a young age but she liked to think that there was another place out there for us once we pass. In talking to young children about death, angels and heaven were often the easiest to relate to.

"Well you know honey that God only chooses the best people to be his angels." She said.

"That's what mommy said. And she said that Poppy needs a friend but she was crying when she said it." The little girl seemed confused. "Why is Mommy sad if Poppy will look after me?"

Hailey smiled. "Your mommy knows that your Poppy will look after you honey but she will miss having you here."

"But she knows that I'll always be looking down on her." The little girl said.

"It sounds like your mommy has told you everything you need to know sweetie." Hailey said with a smile.

"Yeah. Do you know anyone who died?"

Hailey gave a sad smile and nodded. "My mom died when I was just a little girl."

"And is she up in heaven looking down at you?"

"Yes. I think she is at least sometimes I can feel her eyes on me, like when I'm happy I think she would be happy too."

The little girl seemed satisfied with the conversation and snuggled down into her pillows. "Hailey please stay till I'm asleep."

"Of course Katie I'm right here."

"Can you talk till I fall asleep? I like your voice."

Hailey smiled. It was often so hard not to get too attached to these little people.

"Sure. What should we talk about?" She asked.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Katie asked.

"Oh … well" Hailey started slightly taken aback, "Not really."

"What do you mean not really?"

"Well it's a little complicated plus we didn't used to like each other."

The little girl giggled. "How can someone you don't like be your boyfriend?"

"Like I said it's kind of complicated Katie. But he helped me one day and we discovered that we kind of do like each other after all."

"Tell me about him. I bet he's nice if he likes you."

Hailey smiled. Nice and Happy Lowman were not words she would typically put in a sentence together.

"Well he is kind of gruff and seems grumpy a lot of the time actually."

"Then why do you like him?"

"He seems grumpy because he doesn't really like showing his feelings, but he is very loyal, which means he would do anything for his family and the people that he cares about. And when he isn't grumpy he has the cutest little smirk that lights up his almost black eyes. When he smiles at me it's like …" Hailey trailed off as she noticed the even breathing of the little girl and saw that her eyes were peacefully shut. She smiled at how sweet she looked as she rose to leave the room.

"Is she okay?" Ava asked as Hailey returned to the nurse's station.

"Yeah, just a little worried about stuff." Hailey responded.

The other nurse nodded. "That's what makes night shift on this ward hard isn't it?"

"Yeah … shit … that's Lucas Pond's room" Hailey said looking to the switchboard. "He's on the heart monitor right?"

"Yes. Let's go." Ava said quickly making her way to the young boy's room. Hailey quickly followed her only to find that the young boy's heart rate was crashing. Ava hit the code blue button on the wall. "Call Dr Knowles." She ordered Hailey who ran from the room to make the call as an orderly and another nurse came running into the room past her.

A short time later Tara Knowles came bustling in by which time the young boy had been stabilized but she checked him over anyway. She came out of his room and addressed the two nurses. "He's stable now but have him booked in for an ECG and MRI for first thing in the morning. I need to check that nothing was missed in surgery today."

"Sure I'll do that now." Ava answered the pediatric surgeon.

"Hailey? Do you have a minute?" Tara asked.

"Sure." Hailey answered as she followed Tara a short way down the corridor knowing that this was unlikely to have anything to do with St Thomas.

"Did they tell you what happened today?" The older woman asked.

"Yes. Are you okay?" Hailey asked. "Sorry I didn't even think when Ava said to call you in."

"It's okay Hailey. I was on call. But yeah I'm okay. A little shaken but it's Jax I'm worried about. Could you ask the guys to come over in the morning? I think he needs his brothers." Tara asked.

"Sure. I'll mention it as soon as I get in. My shift finishes at 6."

"Thanks Hailey."

Hailey watched as Dr Tara Knowles walked down the corridor away from her. She couldn't help but notice how emotionally exhausted the other woman seemed. She wondered if that was the path she was destined to go down herself should things continue between her and Happy. She'd always vowed to herself that her father and brother would always be her only connection to Samcro and she would never go down the old lady path. She didn't want to be presumptuous about where she and Happy were headed but if things became serious the thought of being anyone of importance to Happy Lowman both excited her and terrified her all at the same time.

A/N: so I hope you still like where this is going. Also in Hailey's conversation with Katie, please remember she'd describing Happy Lowman to a 6 year old; he's a hard nut to crack let alone describing his personality to a child!