The partying at the clubhouse raged on into the early morning. AJ and Juice were curled up together in Juice's bed, sleeping deeply. Their clothes were strewn about the room, leaving the area looking chaotic. Deciding to surprise AJ, Kozik called Jax to let him know that he was on the way in from Tacoma. Jax knew that AJ wasn't going to be the only one getting a surprise. He was aware of the attraction Kozik had for AJ, even if she wasn't. How she could be blind to that was beyond him. Did AJ honestly think that Kozik spent all those nights on her couch for her own benefit? He was more of a self-serving kind of person. Jax never mentioned anything to Kozik about the situation between AJ and Juice, figuring it best to stay out of it. Although, if things went the way he thought they would, Jax would have to get involved.
Pulling into the clubhouse right at sunrise, Kozik backed his bike right along the line of the fence with the other Harley's, most of which he recognized. Walking inside the Charming SOA clubhouse was like being home. He had spent quite a bit of his time here, and knew he way around. He wondered if things between Happy and AJ were better. Kozik guessed he would find out soon enough. Looking around, Kozik was aware that he had missed one hell of a party the night before. He glanced around the room and laughed to himself. Everyone was passed out in various states of undress. AJ, however, wasn't among them. Thankful for that, Kozik decided to find an empty room to crash in for a few hours. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
AJ's alarm rang out from her cell phone on Juice's bedside table, alerting her to the fact that they needed to get ready for work. After yesterday, she knew that Gemma was going to be on their asses hard, and they'd be lucky if they got a lunch break. Looking at Juice, sleeping soundly, AJ smiled and leaned over to kiss him. "Come on babe, we gotta get up. Don't want to give Gemma anymore to bitch about than she already has." Laughing, Juice opened his eyes. After a quick shower, the pair dressed and exited the dorm room. Making their way through the hall, AJ was taken aback when she saw Kozik exiting a room further down the hall. "OH MY GOD!" she yelled. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" "I wanted it to be a surprise. Jax was the only one that knew" he responded, wrapping his arms tightly around her. Looking over her shoulder, Kozik saw Juice's jaw clench and anger flash across his face. "Oh, hey Juice. How's it going?" Kozik was still wondering why Juice had reacted so harshly when AJ turned back to Juice. She put her arm around Juice's waist just as he draped his arm across her shoulder. "We've got to get to work Koz. How long you gonna be here?" AJ asked the blonde. "Well, that depends on how long you want me around" he told her, laughing. Juice leaned over to kiss AJ before informing the pair that he would be in the garage. Seeing the jealousy on Kozik's face brought AJ back down from the high that occurred anytime Juice kissed her. "I suppose I should explain..." "Nope, no need to explain. You came back to Charming because you said you missed your family and, what, suddenly find true love with the kid? Come on AJ, do you think he's going to give up the crow-eaters for you?" "Kozik, I don't think any of this is your business. You're my best friend and you helped me through a really hard time in my life, but I'm happy with him. I feel like I'm a complete person again, like everything is and will be ok." "And I suppose those bruises and bandages just came from love taps, right?" "Koz, calm down" AJ told him, sensing his rage at her appearance. "Juice didn't do this. This happened when one of Jax's plans backfired. It looks worse than it really is. I'm fine, and I swear to you, Juice had nothing to do with it. He didn't want me to go in the first place." "But you thought you knew better, and went ahead with it, not thinking of your safety. Typical AJ" he said. Laughing, AJ lightly punched Kozik on the arm. "So, are you two official? I mean, are you, you know, his old lady?" Kozik asked her. "Well, we haven't exactly discussed that yet. I'm not sure how he'll feel about my aversion to that whole 'what happens on a run, stays on a run' bullshit. I'm not a jealous person, but I don't think I want some random bitch blowing my man." Rounding the corner, Juice heard the last part of the conversation and smiled to himself. "AJ, Gemma says if you don't get your skinny ass over there and get to work..." he started. "No need to finish that threat, I'm coming" she told him. "I've heard that before" Juice said, grinning widely at AJ, who was turning 3 different shades of red.
Gemma wasn't joking when she told them they had to work overtime that day. Unwilling to cede her control, Gemma made them all work until dark. Dog tired and dirty as hell, AJ went back to the clubhouse to wash the day's dirt and grime off her body. Juice knew her shower would last long enough for him to discuss his plan with Happy. "Hey Hap, you got a minute?" Juice asked nervously. Sauntering over, Happy sat down with a grunt. "What Juice?" "I need you to do something for me." "Again, what Juice?" Happy asked for a second time. "I'm thinking of asking AJ to get my crow. I was wondering if you could do it" he asked, never meeting Happy's dark eyes. Finally looking up, Juice saw a smile cross the man's face. "I'll draw it up for you, but I think you should probably ask AJ first. Just to be sure you want to go through with this, cause once it's there, it's there forever" Happy told him, well aware of AJ's dislike of the guys' behavior on club runs. He was almost positive that would be a deal-breaker for Juice, but then again, he also remembered how persuasive AJ could be. "Thanks Happy" Juice told him, "I've got a girl to talk to." Juice opened the bed room door just as AJ was coming out of the bathroom. Wrapped in just a towel, hair still wet from the shower, AJ smiled up at Juice. In the state of undress, with no makeup on, the extent of the damage done to AJ was obvious. Juice frowned a bit, remembering how broken she looked when she was brought back into the clubhouse. Looking at her now, the only sign anything happened to her was physical. Mentally, she was the same AJ everyone knew. Juice knew then that AJ was a lot stronger than even he gave her credit for. She was exactly what he wanted in an old lady, and he was about to make the biggest commitment in his life. "AJ, can I talk to you?" "Yea, sure, what's up?" she asked, warily, worried where this was going. "Look, I know this is kind of soon, but I love you AJ, and I know you feel the same. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to go about doing this, so um..." Juice said, dropping down on one knee "AJ, will you be my old lady?" AJ smiled down at Juice, giggling a little bit at his current position. "Juice, you know you don't have to be down on your knee like that. But yes Juice, I will. Only if you can understand one thing. Gemma and some of these other women are ok with the 'what happens on a run, stays on a run' crap. But I'm not. I don't like to share...anything. I can't go along with that bullshit. If you can't keep it in your pants for the time that you're away, then this won't work..." "AJ" Juice interrupted "I can promise you, that nothing will happen between me and anyone except you. I mean, how many other women can there possibly that can do that thing with her tongue like you and who also don't have a gag reflex" he said, growing hard at the thought of her mouth, wrapped around him. "Just as long as you remember that" AJ whispered, moving closer to Juice, running her hand across his stomach, then slowly tracing her finger along the elastic of his boxers. Moving slowly, Juice picked AJ up and laid her down on the bed, her wet hair splayed out all around her. Unwrapping the towel, Juice trailed his tongue down her body, pausing at her nipples, taking her pert peaks in his mouth, sucking gently. Moving on down her body, Juice grabbed AJ's thighs and moved them apart. Licking his lips at the sight of her glistening entrance, Juice dived in, intent to make her feel the happiness and joy that he was feeling. Licking and sucking on her clit, Juice's ministrations soon had AJ writhing in pleasure. Just as AJ was about to reach her peak, Juice stopped, and looked up at her. Moving himself so that he was hovering over AJ, Juice looked down at her. "I love you AJ." "I love you Juice" she said, as Juice began pumping in and out of her.
In the bar, Happy was sitting alone at a table, piece of paper down in front of him. He was working vigorously on the drawing. "What's that?" asked Kozik, taking a seat at the table, beer in hand. "Just something I'm working on for Juice" Happy grunted, sitting back in his chair to admire his work. On the paper was a simple crow with lightning bolts in its claws. Above the crow was a banner with Juice's name on it. "Wow, so it really is that serious, huh?" Kozik stated. "Guess so" Happy murmured. "You ok with that?" Kozik asked the man. "Yes, I am. She's happy" he said simply. Kozik knew that was the end of that conversation. "Well, I guess I'll go see what AJ is up to." "I wouldn't do that. If she's in there with Juice, they're probably banging, again." "You say that like it's a regular occurrence." "It is" Tig spoke up. "They're worse than rabbits. I swear if I have to hear her calling out his name one more time, I'm throwing them both out of here." As if on cue, AJ screamed out, loud enough to alert the men in the bar as to what was going on. "Alright, that's it, I've had enough" Tig said gruffly, walking toward the back. As he reached the hall, the front door of the bar opened, and in walked the queen of SAMCRO herself. "Tigger, hold it right there. I've got something here that will solve the problem that you have" she announced to the room. Walking to the table where Happy was sitting, Clay hot on her heels, Gemma produced the deed to a house. "Just as soon as Alexa signs this, the house will be hers, and she can move in." "I'll go pack her things" Tig said, moving toward the back of the bar to grab some empty boxes. Arm full of boxes, Tig walked down the hall to Juice's room, banged on the door twice before entering. When he opened the door, Juice and AJ were cuddling in bed. "What are you doing?" AJ asked Tig, as he began gathering up her things. "Gemma's waiting in the bar for you" Tig told her, still packing up AJ's things. Pulling on her sweat pants and one of Juice's shirts, AJ walked out of the room to see what Gemma needed. "I asked her to be my old lady" Juice blurted out. "Well good for you" Tig said. "She said yes. Hap's gonna do her ink." "It's about time somebody tamed her wild ass" Tig said, picking up more of AJ's things. "What are you doing, Tig?" Juice asked. "Gemma bought AJ a house, so I'm getting a head start on her packing. There's more boxes out back. You can pack your own things." "What do you mean, pack my own things?" "Juice, do you really think AJ is gonna stay in that house without you there? You really are as dense as you look" Tig said.
"Hey Gemma, Clay" AJ said, entering the room. "Come over here and sign this" Gemma ordered. "What is it? I'm not signing my life away to you Gemma, or any part of my soul or future children" AJ said, jokingly. Kozik laughed heartily, earning him a slap on the back of the head from Clay. "It's the deed for your house. No, you can't pay me back for it, it's a gift. Now maybe these guys can get a break from you two." This earned a loud cheer from everyone in the room. "Gemma, thank you, so much. I don't know what I would do without you guys" AJ said, teary-eyed, as she hugged Gemma. "Ok, AJ, enough of the tears, just sign the damn deed" Gemma told her, choking back tears herself. Signing her name on the line, AJ smiled, looking out at the her family. They weren't blood related, but they were family where and when it counted the most. Standing at the back of the room, leaning against the wall, arms folded across his chest, was her old man. Wow, she was going to have to get used to saying that. Happy stood up, handed AJ the piece of paper he had been working on, and said "Let me know when you're ready to get it done" before crossing the room to the bar. Looking down at the piece of paper, AJ gasped in awe. "It's perfect Happy. Thank you" AJ said, moving toward him. When she reached him, she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck. "Thank you so much" she whispered in his ear. "You're welcome" he whispered back.