Happy stood with crossed arms, his dark hoodie stiff with Nova's dried blood. He could feel the fabric sticking to his skin, the feeling not all too unfamiliar to the killer, but uncomfortable just the same. He couldn't bring himself to clean up though. He deserved to wear it. Nova was somewhere inside that hospital fighting for her life because he was selfish enough to think he deserved someone like her. Happy knew he was to blame for her injuries. Everyone should know how bloody his hands were just by looking at him.

"I'm looking for Nova Daniels' family." A voice announced from the emergency room entrance.

"Here." Happy rasped, stalking towards the thin man in scrubs. A doctor mask hung from his neck, the blue cloth speckled with blood. Happy grit his teeth as he scanned the other man for more traces of Nova.

"I'm Dr. Richards. I'm taking care of Ms. Daniels. And you are...?"

"Her old man." Happy rasped, ignoring his brother's wide eyes and sudden clearing of throats.

"Uh.. Right. Okay. Come this way."

The doctor motioned for them to follow him into a small room with an empty gurney. He flicked a couple switches and slid an X-ray onto one of the light boxes mounted on the wall.

"So, as you know, Ms. Daniels was shot in her left side. The bullet travelled through the abdominal muscle, it grazed her spleen and lodged itself here." The doctor pointed at the X-ray showing Nova's spine. Sharp white shards stuck out on the dark image, metal fragments embedded in bone and shattered vertebrae.

"In many ways this was lucky. It did not severe her spinal cord but it has fractured both L1 and L2 and in result is putting pressure on the nerves leading to her legs. As of right now, she is showing little to no reaction to stimuli in both legs."

"What do you mean?" Happy growled, his hands tightening into fists as he pinned the man with penetrative stare.

"There is a high possibility of partial to full paralysis from the waist down." The doctor informed, collecting the X-rays and medical records. "Right now we have the best spinal surgeon in the region visiting so Ms. Daniels is very lucky. Dr. Giovanni is scrubbing in now and soon we will go in and remove the bullet fragments and repair the damage to the vertebrae. We will also repair the small wound to her spleen."

Happy's chest was tight as he asked, "Can he fix her?"

"Best case scenario he will be able to fuse the vertebrae with titanium rods and salvage her lower spinal cord. After the swelling goes down and extensive physical therapy, there may be a return to her motor functions but it will be a waiting game. It's not impossible but we like to prepare families for all outcomes."

The room was dead silent until Happy rasped, "Can I see her?"

"Yes, she's in pre-op right now, but I can have a nurse take you back for a few minutes."

The doctor gave him a grim smile and shook his hand before leaving the room, the men left standing to absorb the information.

"Jesus Christ." Donut muttered, his eyes going between the others. "At least she in good hands here, man. I mean they sound like they know what they're doing."

Happy ground his teeth, stepping out of the room looking for the nurse who would take him to Nova. He paced a few times in the hallway, his hands gripping the back of his neck as he took a few deep steadying breaths. His mind was racing at the information the doctor had just unloaded on him.

Nova was paralyzed.

The gunshot, that was most likely meant for him, had crippled her. Happy had never felt such soul crushing guilt before that moment. He'd never regretted anything more.

He'd ruined Nova's life.

Clenching his eyes at the thought of her bound to a wheelchair, Happy begged a god he didn't believe in for some kind of miracle.

"Mr. Daniels?"

"Lowman." He replied as the nurse approached. "Take me to her."

"Oh, okay, Mr. Lowman. Follow me." A mousy blonde nurse instructed, her rubber shoes squeaking as she led the way.

The hallway was long and every step Happy took felt like it lasted an hour. The hallway grew longer and it never seemed as though it were going to end.

When he finally entered the room, a ghastly sight of Iv fluids, winding tubes and wires, greeted him. Nova was draped with whites sheets, her small pale body fragile among the machines keeping her alive. She was unconscious. The blue eyes he loved were hidden. The surrounding skin was sallow and bruised from blood loss. Her head was stabilized in a neck brace, a large tube inserted in her mouth to help her breath. There was a steady rhythm pumping into her lungs and a constant beep coming from the machines.

It was the most sickening thing he'd ever seen.

Happy slowly took her tiny hand into his and bent to kiss her forehead.

"M'sorry, sweetheart." He rasped quietly, closing his eyes as they began to burn relentlessly. He placed his forehead against hers and stroked the soft skin on the back of her hand as he spoke into her ear. "I love you so fucking much, Nova."

"We've got to take her back." A nurse spoke from behind him.

Happy nodded, pressing another kiss to her cheek and whispering, "See you soon, little girl."

They stood in the surgical waiting room, all three men standing in a quiet corner. Happy listened as Lee informed Chibs of the attack. The Tacoma president was calling the mother charter for assistance with the rival club. The fellow president would be arriving the following day with Tig, Quinn, Tank and a Rat Boy. SAMTAZ as well as the Nevada charters were sending men as well.

The group attacked the SAA of the the mother charter and viciously wounded the woman he considered his old lady, they weren't going to let Los Diablos walk away from the incident.

Donut leaned next to him and informed, "We called Frank when you were back there. Lee told him what happen, not everything. Just to get here."

Happy grunted, popping a toothpick in his mouth to chew agitatedly. "We have eyes out looking for these pricks?"

"Yeah. Dobie and Chevy are rolling through brown town to meet with Paulo. His crew's been fighting LD for months now for the square. Biggest apartment blocks have the most buyers so LD got it in their heads they'd move on it. Paulo lost his baby cousin to these assholes when they shot the shit out his house. He's out for blood."

"Trigger man is mine. So is the no fingered fuck. Should've taken him out that first night."

"Yeah. Crazy shit that you ended up dating her."

"Knew her before that." Happy confessed, rubbing his shaved head roughly.

"No shit? Did you know it was her that night?"

"Nah. Didn't even know she was his kid either. Met at a bar, had a good time together."

"Fuck I bet. She's a ten, brother."

"Yeah." Happy grit out, shaking his head as the guilt seemed to wrench his ribs another thread tighter.

"Hey." Donut murmured, "don't blame yourself, man."

"How the fuck ain't it my fault? This shit. Her being... it's on me." He growled, pounding his fist on his chest. "If I was really her old man this fucking shit wouldn't have happened to her. I never should've pushed her for it."

Nova rolled over in bed, her eyes crinkling as she smiled at the sight next to her. Happy was sleeping on his stomach, his relaxed face pressed into the pillow. He looked so much younger when he wasn't mean mugging it. God, she loved that man.

"What?" Happy grunted, one eye glaring at her over his inked arm.

Nova giggled, scooting across the mattress to curl against his side. "How do you always know I'm looking at you?"

Happy shrugged, rolling onto his back to pull her across his chest. She smirked down at his sleepy face, her arms bracing her body above him.

"Can always feel you." He rasped, the hoarse words making her chest ache pleasantly. Happy was a stoic man. He didn't waste time with pleasantries or small talk. When he spoke, it was of value. No one could guess the sweet things the Tacoma killer had uttered to her.

Nova leaned down, kissing him soft and slow. She pulled back to see his deep hooded gaze, "I like you feeling me."

Happy smirked, his hands sliding up her sides and shoulders. He cupped her neck and head, pulling her mouth towards his to kiss her deeply. His arm wrapped her waist and he flipped them over, pinning her to the bed.

"If you give me your crow-"

"When I give you my crow." He growled, smirking down at her while sliding a hand up her hip thinking of just what he wanted to do to her pretty pale skin.

"When you give me your crow, where will it be?"

His hand slid along her soft thigh and hip, his thumb tracing the ink scattered there. "Wanna put it here. I can pull all these together with a crow in the middle. You can show everybody who you belong too with all those short ass skirts you wear."

"Figured you'd put it on my forehead or something."

"Nah. Kinda like your face the way it is."

"Oh, well that's good." She laughed, her hand stroking his chest. "I like your face too."

"Yeah?"

"Mmhm. It's pretty."

Happy snorted, his eyebrows raised, "Did you just call me pretty?"

"Yep." She popped her lips, her grin widening as he scowled. "What're you gonna do about it, tough guy?"

Happy grinned wickedly as his fingers curled into her sides, tickling her mercilessly. Nova squealed, her body writhing to get away only to find herself completely subdued. She shrieked with laughter and squirmed under his weight. He smirked as she gasped for air when he finally relented and rolled onto his side, his hands brushing hair from her flushed face.

"You're beautiful when you laugh." He rasped, his eyes trailing over her slowly.

"Aww. Hap." She murmured, her lip bitten shyly.

"Nah. Don't ruin it."

Nova chuckled at his instant refusal to acknowledge any softness in his broad tattooed chest. "Okay fine."

"Good. Now sleep, little girl."

"Okay, old man."

"Mhm. I like that."

Frank came barreling down the hallway towards Happy and his brothers. He tightened his jaw and prepared to take whatever Frank wanted to hand out.

"What did you do?!" Frank snarled, clutching the front of Happy's kutte into tight fists as he slammed him into the wall. Lee and Donut hovered nearby waiting for things to become too violent.

"Did you kill my little girl?" He shouted in Happy's face, slamming him against the hard surface repeatedly.

Happy's hands hung limp at his sides and he took the right hook to the jaw without flinching. He deserved to be ground into a paste for what he'd done. Blood filled his mouth as his teeth cut into his cheek from a second hit.

"Frank, easy, Frank." Lee growled, pulling him away with the help of Donut. "Stop, brother."

"Is she dead?" Frank growled, shoving Happy from his grip while shaking off the other men.

"She's alive. She's in surgery." Happy rasped, slumping against the wall and wiping his bloody lip on his sleeve.

"How bad?" Frank demanded, his eyes jumping between them.

"She was shot in the side. Doc said possible paralysis from the waist down." Lee answered, his hand grabbing Frank's shoulder as he swayed from the news. He took a moment to absorb the words before his rage filled eyes landed on Happy.

"This is your fault." He snarled lunging at Happy viciously. The other men tried to stop the sudden beat down he rained upon Happy, but couldn't stop him from busting his eyebrow open and splitting his lip. Happy didn't raise a hand to protect himself, his face and ribs taking the brunt of the punches.

"Frank!"

"Security." A nurse shouted behind them.

"Frank, shit man your gonna get us all kicked out." Lee shouted, finally getting through to the rage filled father.

"You crippled my little girl." Frank sneered with bared teeth, stalking away from them as security approached.

"Sorry guys." Donut intervened, his hands up peacefully. "Just some upsetting news, we're all good now. Promise."

"Anymore disruptions and you're all out." The large guard growled, "This isn't a fucking bar room."

"Got it man." Lee growled, crouching in front of Happy with a bandana. "Here brother."

Frank returned, his shape hovering in the background as Happy pressed the cloth to his eyebrow.

"I want him gone." The father demanded angrily.

"Frank." Lee replied, standing up to the face the long time friend. "You can't put all this on Hap, brother."

"Fuck you." Frank snarled, jabbing a finger in the Tacoma president's face.

"It was Los Diablos, man." Donut snapped, his temper finally getting the better of him. "The only reason they were popping off at us was because the club did you a solid by sending them a message. Now don't fucking put this shit on his back alone."

"If he wasn't chasing after my kid like she's some piece of club gash she wouldn't have been on that fucking bike to begin with!"

"You don't think he's thinking the same shit, brother?" Lee snapped, pointing at Happy who stayed hunched on his knees, blood dripping from his face. He didn't want his brother's defending him but appreciated the help. Happy hoped he would be able to see Nova awake one last time before Frank banished him. He couldn't stand the idea of never seeing her gorgeous blue eyes again. His last memory couldn't be her bleeding out in the back of an ambulance.

"Does he look like he's feeling guilt free right now, Frank. It doesn't matter if you don't fucking approve, that's his old lady back there whether you like it or not. This shit is crushing him too. It's the world we live in, shit like this happens. Don't blame just him."

"It's not her world. She didn't choose this life."

"She did when she chose to be with Happy." Lee replied, his hand landing on Frank's shoulder. "She's a grown woman, brother and from what I saw just this morning, she was all in with Hap."

Frank smacked Lee's hand away and pointed and angry finger at Happy. "Don't come near me or my little girl again. You're not fucking welcome here."

"Frank, come on." Donut growled, as he tried to reason with the man.

"Not another word, D." Frank growled, his hands balled into fists.

"Frank. Don't you think Nova's gonna be upset if he's not here when she wakes up? She's gonna want to see her old man." Donut pleaded, his hand grabbing Frank's wrist only to be shoved into elevator door.

"He ain't her old fucking man." Frank shouted, his voice ricocheting off the walls.

"Jesus Christ." Lee sighed, pulling him away from Donut as the security guards began to look interested again. "Come on, Frank. Let's take a walk before you get us all arrested."

Frank followed Lee away from Happy and Donut. Helping his brother to his feet, Donut looked Happy over.

"Shit man, you're gonna be like one giant bruise tomorrow. Frank's got anvils for hands."

Happy stayed silent, his chest throbbing from more than just the meaty punches Frank had landed. He could feel his throat tightening in a way he'd only felt since Jax's death. It was like the air was slowly becoming too thin to breath and when he tried it felt like razor blades in his throat.

"Fuck." Donut muttered, guiding Happy from the hallway towards the closest exit door.

Once outside, Happy gasped for air, his knees buckling below him. He braced his hands on his thighs as his head bowed, his eyes suddenly full to the brim. He couldn't hold back the sob that tore through his throat as he finally broke to pieces. Anger and guilt bubbled up so rapidly it was all Happy could do to keep from killing anything or anyone near him. He wanted to burn the whole world down.

"Shit."

Happy felt Donut gripping his neck, his body crouched slightly as he muttered lowly.

"Let it out brother." His voice resonated against Happy's skull as he shuddered next to him. "I got your back, Hap. I got you."

It took several minutes to calm his breathing and scrub away the tears that somehow escaped. Donut helped him to his feet, offering him a smoke without a word. Happy took it, while looking away from his brother and friend, sucking a deep drag to take the edge off his nerves.

"She's strong, Hap."

"Don't." He growled, his hand tightening into a fist to keep from pulling out his gun to get his point across. He didn't want to hear any words of encouragement, he wouldn't survive if life didn't measure up to the hope grown from them.

"I'm just saying that I wouldn't discount her overcoming this shit."

"I said don't." Happy barked, flicking the spent butt into the street. "I don't need a fucking pep talk."

"I know. You just want your old lady back." Donut replied solemnly.

"She's not my old lady."

"Yet."

"No." Happy grunted, "Not after this."

"Don't do it man."

"What?"

"Don't walk away from her or let Frank push you away. It's shit like this that can make or break a person, brother. She's gonna need you."

Happy shook his head, his eyes going to the door as Lee stuck his head out. "Nurse came out, she's out of surgery."

Dr Giovanni greeted them with a tired smile, the short bald man shaking their hands before speaking. "I'm Dr Giovanni."

"How is she?" Frank asked instantly, stepping closer to the doctor. Happy clenched his fists at being all but pushed aside. He knew she was his kid, but Happy couldn't help but feel his possessive streak ignite.

Dr. Giovanni motioned to the chairs nearby and took a seat, "The surgery went really well. We were able to control the bleeding and rebuild both L1 and L2 vertebrae. I stabilized the spinal column with two titanium rods and five pins. I don't see any reason her spinal column won't heal to almost 100 percent. The spinal cord was not damaged, no serration of the lumbar nerves but there was bruising and quite a bit of swelling surrounding tissue."

"Is she paralyzed?" Frank asked instantly.

"At the moment her lower limbs are not reacting to stimuli however that does not necessarily mean permanent paralysis. It could be just a result from the trauma. We're giving her heavy doses of anti-inflammatories to reduce the swelling, I'm hopeful that with time she may recover partial if not full use of her legs."

Happy clenched his jaw shut as the news settled in his gut like a stone. The man may be optimistic of Nova's future but Happy wasn't a glass half full type of guy. He wouldn't believe it until she walked again.

"The only reason I'm letting you near her is to keep her from getting upset while she healing. Once she stable you're fucking gone. You hear me?"

Happy ground his teeth at the man's words. He didn't want to walk away from Nova, but he knew he had to. He wasn't good for her and as of the night before, he was down right deadly.

"I hear you." He rasped, his dark eyes moving to the door leading to Nova. Frank swallowed thickly as they both seemed hesitant to enter.

Finally giving in, they entered into the private ICU room. The space was filled with equipment, the devices all leading to the small figure in the giant bed. Nova looked half her size. Her body was propped up and attached to countless wires and tubes.

Happy's chest clenched as he took in the sight of what he'd done to the only woman he'd ever loved. She was pale, her eyes sunken and shadowed. He could hardly breathe as he stepped up to gently touch her hand, her fingertips, surprisingly warm.

"Fuck, angel." Frank's voice broke through cacophony of machine sounds. "Jesus, baby girl."

Happy closed his eyes to the returning burn and focused all the violent pain on the rage slowly growing wilder inside him. He was going to hunt down every last one of the little bastards who called themselves the devils and cut them to pieces. There wouldn't be a single shred left of them by the time he was done. He was going to wipe the earth of Los Diablos.

"You find these pricks and make them pay." Frank growled from across Nova's bed. Happy slid his eyes from Nova's pale face to Frank's angry one.

"Yes I will."

Happy and Frank sat in the ICU waiting room after he nurses escorted them out, stating they needed to change dressings and do some tests. Both settled in to wait until allowed back into the room. Lee and Donut left hours before for church, the men needing to discuss the search for the Los Diablos. The Tacoma charter president promised to keep Happy and Frank both informed on the progress as soon as he'd spoken to his intelligence officer and scouts.

They'd sat in silence for nearly twenty minutes when Chibs and Tig strode out the elevator doors. Happy swallowed thickly as his brothers gave him tight bear hugs before introducing themselves to Frank.

"Sorry to meet ye like this brotha," Chibs drawled, shaking Frank's hand while gripping his shoulder. "We're all rooting for your daughter. She's a lovely lass."

"You've met her?"

"Aye. Just last week, even had the pleasure of hearing 'er sing too. Real sweetheart."

"How's dollface doin'?" Tig asked, his hand landing in Happy's shoulder. His bright eyes were full of concern as he peered towards the ICU.

Frank growled lowly, his angry eyes flashing to Happy's as the others waited for an answer. "Tell them killah."

Happy ground his teeth together at the accusatory tone, his jaw popping from the pressure. "She had surgery. They put rods in her back. Fixed the bones but... there's no feeling in her legs."

"Shit, brother." Tigger cursed, his hand cupping Happy's neck. "What're the docs saying?"

"Said there's a chance when the swelling goes down she might get it back but there's no way to know."

"Well there's something, aye?" Chibs replied, bobbing his head a bit. "She's a strong lassie. She'll overcome this shite. I'd bet my ride on it."

"Yeah. She's gotta be a real tough bitch to put up with a fucker like you, Hap."

Frank growled at the statement and stood up, "I'm gonna see if I can head back inside. You guys should take off."

Happy watched Frank stride off but stayed in place with his brothers. Tig gripped Happy's neck, his voice low and solemn, "She's gonna be fine, brother."

"Yeah." Happy grunted, pulling away from him. "Anything from Lee?"

Chibs nodded, crossing his arms as he informed, "They've got a few leads. If you're up for it, he's got a meet set up with one of 'em."

Happy nodded, while looking down the hall to see Frank being allowed inside Nova's room. "Gonna check in first."

"Take your time, brotha."

Happy could feel Frank's eyes burning into the back of his neck as he leaned over Nova's unconscious body. He'd snuck into the spot near her when Frank was busy questioning her nurse. His shoulders relaxed as he finally had the opportunity to touch her, the stoic man gently brushing hair from her forehead.

She was no longer on a ventilator, her pale face looking far more peaceful as she slept off the anesthesia. Her pouty lips were chapped and red from the tubes and tape, the normal supple skin irritated and angry.

"Gonna need that lip shit you love, baby." He rasped quietly, his eyes scanning her for movement. Slipping his hand over hers, his brushed his thumb across her knuckles and kissed her temple.

"I'll be back soon." Happy murmured, his dark eyes closing a moment as he pressed his forehead to the side of her head. "Love you little girl."

Happy kissed he crown of her head before straightening up and slowly releasing her hand. He glanced at Frank who was leaning against the door frame, his mouth downturned.

Swallowing thickly, Happy stopped at the threshold of the room and rasped, "we've got some leads. Gonna leave a prospect to watch her."

"You think she's in danger?"

"I'm not risking it."

"I'll be here, so don't bother."

"I'm still leaving a prospect here." Happy growled, his eyes flicking to Nova's sleeping form. "I'll be back before visiting hours are over."

"There's no need." Frank replied gruffly.

Happy clenched his jaw and tightened his hands into fists. He used the last of his control to speak calmly to the father of the woman he loved. "I'll be back tonight."

Thanks for reading! Please review. Next chapter, Nova wakes up and Happy goes hunting.