A/N: a slightly longer one this time coz you guys just kept me so motivated!!!

Things will start picking up from here, so enjoy!

Thanks to everyone who reviews and PMs me, and to those who favourite and follow. If anyone could shed some light on why some readers aren't getting alerts until days later that would be awesome. Fanfiction net doesn't have a tech support contact so I have no idea what to do!

But in the meantime read, review, and enjoy!

xxx xxx

The next two days passed by painfully slow. Molly had heard nothing from Kyle and knew she probably wouldn't. She just didn't want to think about him any more but there were a lot of mixed feelings about what happened.

On one hand she had really felt something for him, but now she was doubting that. Juice likened it to some kind of Stockholm Syndrome, and she figured he was probably right. His departure had kind of woken her up to the life she'd been living the last few months and the crap she had put up with that she shouldn't. So although she was mourning what had been an important relationship she was also celebrating her freedom.

That confusion also extended to Happy, who had spent the last two nights camped in the SAMCRO van in her driveway. The feelings she had started feeling for him six months ago still lingered but now they were tainted with the fear from the cabin. Luckily she hadn't needed to leave her house yet and didn't have to have anything to do with him.

She knew he swapped out with Juice a couple times a day as he'd come knocking on her door with some food and offered company, but thankfully didn't try to talk to her about everything.

Happy had been going insane. He wanted to try and talk to Molly. He wanted this to be sorted between them and it was killing him knowing that she was scared of him. Usually he got a kick out of the fact people feared him when he didn't really try to, but now he hated it.

Juice would come over first thing in the morning with breakfast for Molly. Happy used the time to go to the clubhouse and rest up and refresh. Then same again in the evening with dinner and Happy would go have a couple hours shut eye before coming back with takeout to eat in the freezing cold van.

It was Christmas in a few days and the height of winter. So he was freezing his ass off. But Clay had told him to keep watch and he would have anyway. He just wished it was inside. With Molly.

By the third day he was ready to storm into her house, but Juice came and relieved him just in time after he'd sat seething in the van all night.

"Dude you look like death." Juice handed him a takeaway coffee.

"Fuck off." He grunted and took a swig of the hot liquid.

"You sure you don't want me to take over? Then you can actually sleep properly." Juice offered.

"Nah. I want to be here. Plus Clay can't spare you and Quinn can spare me." He shrugged. "I'll figure it out. She can't stay mad forever."

"She can't stay mad but she can stay scared." Juice made a move towards her front steps. "I'll talk to her. See what I can do."

"Your funeral." He said before starting the van and backing out of the driveway.

Juice shook his head and knocked on Molly's door. She answered while wrapping her wooly dressing gown tighter around her against the cold. She looked past Juice into the drive and smiled when she noted Happy had gone.

"Morning." She greeted him cheerfully.

"It's fucking cold out. Lemme in." He pushed past her into the house. "Jesus Moll! Why is it so cold in here? Don't you have a heating set up?"

"It broke. The house is fucking old." She shrugged and took the bag of diner food from his hand.

"I'll send someone round to fix it." He commented and followed her to the dining table, glad he'd worn a hoodie and a long sleeve top under his kutte.

"What? You don't know how to do some DIY?" She chuckled.

"Tech and car mechanics are my thing. Shit like that I got no idea. But I'll get someone to figure it out."

They ate in comfortable silence and Molly was glad for the company. She hated being alone and the last 3 days had been torture. Knowing Happy was outside but not wanting him to come in was killing her. And on top of that Juice was her only friend and the only one of the Sons she wanted to see. Tara had checked in again yesterday but her hours were crazy at work and she had Abel to look after. Gemma had come round too but Molly wasn't in the mood to talk to her and sent her packing. Something the queen said she wouldn't forgive a second time. So she was waiting for her inevitable return.

"You're gunna have to talk to him some time." Juice commented.

"No I don't." She said obstinately.

"Molly, the guys been out there three days. And he's stubborn as fuck and has orders from Clay to look out for you. He's not budging. Least you could do is let him in the house." He pointed out. "Not that it's any warmer in here. But beats sitting in a van all night and sleeping three hours a day. Dude hasn't even had time to have his dick sucked he's so preoccupied with getting back here." He tried joking.

Molly scoffed. "That supposed to make me feel special?"

"It should. He cares about you Moll. A lot." Juice held her gaze.

"Didn't seem like it when he ran out on me. Or when he brought a bag of weapons into the room when I was tied to a chair and out my mind drunk." She was pushing out the fact that he'd admitted he cared for her. To be honest she wasn't sure if that was just her drunken interpretation. But either way it didn't help with her confusion. How could someone claim to care about you yet want to hurt you at the same time? That's what everyone had warned her about with Kyle.

"He didn't want to do that. And he didn't do it. Believe me, Happy would use any excuse to practice his dark side. But with you he believed you straight away. He would never have been able to follow through, despite what he may tell himself or anyone else."

Molly sighed. Juice did point out some good truths, and she wasn't one to be mean for the sake of it. "Fine. I'll think about it."

xxx xxx

Molly didn't chat to Happy all day and Juice had called Molly around dinner time to say he got called away and couldn't come relieve Happy for his usual dinner time period. So Molly sucked it up and opened her front door to go talk to him.

Happy had been watching the street and didn't notice Molly coming out so he jumped when she tapped on the glass. That annoyed him, that he'd not been focused enough to take note of someone moving from the front of the house.

But he cooled down and rolled down the window. "You ok?" He rasped.

Molly held his gaze for a second before looking away. "Yeah. Juice called to say he couldn't come by tonight. So uh... do you wanna come inside?" She shifted nervously on her feet and Happy sighed.

"I'll just use your bathroom and I'll come back out."

"You don't have to."

"Molly, I don't wanna make you nervous in your own house. You don't want me in there, I won't be in there." Molly looked up to him and saw the earnest look in his eyes.

"It's ok. I don't mind." She pulled on the door to open it and let him out but it was locked. So she just stood back and let him come to her.

He grabbed his bag from the passenger seat and locked up the van. When he caught Molly eyeing the bag he stopped and opened it up.

"Just clothes. I promise. Though I do have my gun and knife but they're for defence-"

"It's ok Hap." Molly sighed. "I'm gunna trust you but please don't make me regret it."

Happy caught her gaze and she could see he meant his next words. "I won't."

xxx xxx

Molly took pity on him, he looked so tired and seemed to be really willing to prove himself to her. So she'd set him up in the spare room like before and sent him for a shower. Then started on organising some dinner. She really needed to go to the shops. However she managed to scrounge up enough to make a curry and let it simmer.

Happy eventually arrived back in the living room with track pants and a long sleeve, gray, thermal shirt on and accepted her beer.

"It's fucking freezing in here." He observed.

"Heater packed in. Juice said he'd send someone round to fix it but I guess they're all busy." Molly walked into the room, still unsure of what to do around Happy.

"Where is it? I'll take a look." He stood up and placed his beer on the table.

"In my brother's room- I mean garage." She corrected herself.

Happy followed her into the room and took in the bare walls, dresser, and desk. He recalled previous conversations about her brother and his room and was surprised it was now empty.

"What happened to all his stuff?" He asked.

Molly cast a sad look around the blank room and cleared her throat. "Kyle wanted somewhere for Charlie to sleep when he came and Chloe had my old room." She said softly.

"He made you clean this out?" Anger surged through him then. He knew Molly was still cut up about her brother and there was no way she'd have been ready for a step as big as this.

"It was better that way. Saves me clinging onto it and it hurting more when I had to do it years down the track." She shrugged.

"Where is it all?"

"I sorted through it. Kept the most important stuff. Half Sack and Gemma helped me."

That was a concession at least. Gemma would have been a good support. "You shouldn't have had to do that." He said softly.

Molly watched him for a second, her gaze lingering on his soft features, something she didn't see in him often. "Maybe not. But it was probably for the best." She turned and walked briskly over to the heating system in the corner of the room and gestured to it.

Happy followed and had a quick look at what he was working with. He fiddled with some things and Molly watched him work, relishing having someone to help with these things for once.

Then it occurred to her and she gasped, causing Happy to turn around. "Has anyone told April and the kids?"

Happy nodded. "Gem did the other day. Before she came round here."

"How did that go?"

Happy shrugged, he hadn't really listened to the whole conversation. He couldn't give a shit about the rat, or his family. Harsh as it was. "Dunno. Not good from what I gathered."

Molly flopped on the bed and groaned. "Fucking April will hate me even more now. And those poor kids..."

Happy stifled a snort. "Are they even gunna miss much? From what I heard he was a real douchebag to his kids. Didn't even want em in the first place."

Molly didn't answer. She didn't really know what to say. She'd picked up on that while they were together but the few times they had the kids over Molly tried her best to make up for Kyle's lack of enthusiasm.

"They're just kids. They don't deserve this shit." She finally said, still flopped on the bed staring at the ceiling.

Happy rocked back on his heels and stood up. "No one deserves the crap they get as kids. But it's how you handle it that shapes you as an adult." He played around with the pilot light controls and Molly pushed up on her elbows so she could watch him.

She had no idea what that meant. Sometimes he was so mysterious without even trying. She knew, deep down, he carried some hurt with him, and maybe over time he'd share that with her.

xxx xxx

Happy got the pilot light working again and slowly the house started heating up. Molly plated up their dinner and they moved back through to her living room to watch some tv.

She was starting to feel a little more comfortable around him but still hesitated when it came to the easy banter they'd once shared. Neither were huge talkers but together they used to share with each other. It was easy for them. Now it was strained and despite their earlier chat in her brother's room Molly still harboured resentment toward him for his treatment of her in the past.

Luckily, or unluckily depending on how you look at it, they were saved from further awkwardness by the door bell. Happy insisted on checking it first and when he opened the door to Gemma, Molly groaned internally.

"Good to see you two have made up. Means you might be more amenable to me then." Gemma barged into the house.

"We're not made up Gem. I just took pity on him." Molly huffed as she put the coffee maker on, Happy smirking to himself and resuming his place on the sofa.

"You keep telling yourself that sweetie." Gemma sat down at the dining table and Molly rolled her eyes and sat opposite. "Anyway. How are you doing?"

"Fine. I guess." Molly shrugged and although happy couldn't see them he did strain to listen to their conversation while pretending to watch tv.

"So you're over your little issue with the club?" Gemma cocked an eyebrow.

Molly scoffed. "It was not a little issue Gemma!" She hushed her voice down after her outburst. "They took me from my home, held me hostage, tied me to a chair, and sent Happy in to torture information out of me. That's not a little issue."

Gemma rolled her eyes and lit a smoke. "Please. That's nothing for that lot." She lit her smoke and leant forward on the table. "Did he even harm a hair on your head?" Molly shook her head no. "That's what I thought." She reached over and patted Molly's arm. "That guy likes you a hell of a lot more than he's letting on. I doubt he'd have gone through with touching you Moll." She turned to look at Happy, who was far enough away, she thought, to not hear the next bit. "That guy is ride or die loyal, to the club for sure, but to you baby? He'd go to the ends of the earth. Of that much I'm sure." She pulled back. "So if what I've heard is true, and he is into you? Then that's the kinda loyalty you've got on your side. Don't let it slip away over some petty grudge."

xxx xxx

Gemma had insisted Molly come over for Christmas dinner and at first she had been a bit apprehensive. But then she decided to embrace it seeing as she'd spent last Christmas alone, drunk, and still mourning the loss of her brother. Then Boxing Day had been spent getting shit faced with Andrew Hale and continuing on the downward spiral she had started.

So waking up on Christmas Eve morning she figured she needed to do some shopping. And fast. Coming into the kitchen she was ready to go and battle the last minute shopping crowds while Happy sat tentatively in his sweat pants and tank top.

"Where you going?" He asked, noting her ready to go so early.

"Well Gemma insisted I come to dinner tomorrow and I don't have any presents or any food to bring so I'm going to brave the mall in Lodi." She grabbed a coffee from the coffee maker Happy must have turned on.

Happy groaned. He knew he had to stay with her and watch over her and he hated malls at the best of times. "Really?"

"Yup. Really."

"Fuck." He sighed. "Gimme a sec I'll go get ready." He slurped back the rest of his coffee and stood to go to his room.

"You don't need to come." Molly offered.

"I have to." He stalked off down the hallway.

Well this will be fun.

xxx xxx

"Should have brought the fucking bike." Happy growled as he finally got a spot at the furthest end of the car park.

"No room for presents then Mr. Grinch." Molly joked as she hopped out the car. She was still bitter about everything that happened but she did feel like maybe she was coming round. Now the hurt had worn off and she was slowly forgiving Happy she could somewhat understand the club's point of view.

Happy muttered some curse words under his breath but followed her through the car park. "And it's fucking freezing."

Molly laughed. "Such a baby. Thought you'd be used to the elements."

"It's different on the bike." He shrugged.

"So what presents do you need to get? Or have you done your shopping already?" She doubted he'd have had time seeing as he'd been off doing Nomad things until a few days ago.

"None. I don't buy gifts."

"Not even for your ma or aunt?" She knew little about his family but knew his aunt and ma lived together in Bakersfield.

"My aunt doesn't expect anything and ma wouldn't care even if I did buy her something." He said as they wound their way through the shoppers at the entrance.

Molly looked at him for a second, he didn't look at her though, just straight ahead while clenching his jaw.

"That's a shame." She said softly.

"Whatever. Makes my life easier." He said brusquely and kept moving.

Molly put a hand on his arm and stopped him. "Look, why don't you go chill in the food court and I'll slam round the shops? Meet you back in an hour? I don't have much to get really. Just something for Gemma, Abel, maybe Jax and Tara."

Happy considered for a moment. "Fine. But anyone approaches you, you call me."

"Sure. See you at 10:30." Molly smiled and happily walked away.

Happy watched her until she disappeared among the crowd of frantic shoppers and felt the anxious pit in his stomach start churning.

xxx xxx

Molly sighed as she looked at store front after store front. She had bought Kyle and his kids a present ages ago but had been putting off getting the few club members gifts and doing her food shopping. And now she was stuck with presents she wouldn't need to give and nothing for those she should have bought for in the first place.

Reflecting on the changes in her life the past week was tough, yet at the same time she was starting to feel more and more free and happy. Returning to her old self. It was strange, she hadn't realised she had gone down such a dark path until now. In some ways what happened with Kyle had been worse for her than what happened with Andrew.

Now was the time she did things for herself. She didn't need to change for a man and she shouldn't have to compromise her personality. She thought about Happy, sitting, probably glaring through the Christmas carols in the food court, and smiled. She remembered feeling so safe and comfortable with him when they were first getting to know each other. She itched absentmindedly at the tattoo he'd given her, remembering his softness, his kisses, that night. It had been darkened with his leaving while she slept but now she thought a bit more rationally about it she could tell he had probably been freaked out.

Juice was right. It was obvious he had something for her and maybe that had freaked him out. From what she knew of Happy he was quiet, reserved, and at times cold. He seemed... emotionally stunted.

Lost in her thoughts she wandered around and managed to find some baby toys and a book for Abel, a nice purse for Tara, some blingy earrings that were right up Gemma's alley, and found her way over to the men's accessories in search of something for Juice. She settled on some fitness watch thing, seeing as he'd been all about getting fit recently. Then she saw the wallets. She thought back to Happy's wallet that morning. She'd watched as he checked it before clipping it to the wallet chain and shoving it into his pocket. It was worn and falling apart.

Molly hadn't intended on getting him a gift at first but she'd softened to him over the last 24 hours and it seemed like a nice thing to do. Maybe a peace offering. And it was only right he have something to open on Christmas morning.

xxx xxx

Happy had wandered slowly towards the food court. He wasn't one to sit there and sip on a coffee like some dad waiting for his daughters to finish shopping. So he decided maybe to do some shopping of his own.

Passing a jewellery store he stopped in the window to have a quick look. Maybe getting Molly something nice would help her forgive him. Show her that he did actually care. Plus she deserved to have something to open on Christmas morning. He doubted she would have had anything last year and that thought made him sad, he didn't care how alone he felt but he didn't want Molly to feel the same. Not if he could help it.

So he sucked in a breath and walked into the plush store. Immediately the older saleswoman scowled and walked away, scared and annoyed he'd dared walk in their store, but he ignored her and the younger sales girl was at his service in a heartbeat.

"How can I help you?" She asked in a sickly sweet voice.

Happy eyed the young blonde and smirked slightly to himself, bitches were always the same, wet at the sight of the kutte.

"Need a christmas present." He rasped.

The sales girl smiled. "For a relative?" She pried.

"Nah a woman." He caught the slight downturn of her expression before she plastered her smile back on.

"Ok, we thinking rings? Or something simpler?"

He almost choked at the mention of a ring. "Simpler."

"This way." She led him over to one of the display cases and pointed out a few bracelets to him. "Simple but still gorgeous."

Happy eyed the case and spotted on that was perfect. "I'll take that one."

xxx xxx

Molly finally had what she needed and decided they would stop at the grocery store on their way back to Charming. It was too crazy in the mall to even bother with food shopping.

She spotted Happy as she made her way down the escalator to the food court and was about to head his direction when someone bumped into her. Dropping a couple of bags Molly apologised profusely and picked them up again. But as she rose she came face to face with April.

"You have some nerve." April barked out.

"Excuse me?" Molly asked.

"You should have taken off with him, stupid whore."

"Uhm, in case you hadn't noticed his handiwork-" she gestured to her face- "that was never going to be an option."

April scoffed. "Haven't you done enough? Messing around with man that much older than you and taking him away from his kids now you've chased him off as well? Right before Christmas?"

"I didn't chase him off!" Molly protested.

"Sure! He was probably dying to get away from you, worthless bitch." April shoved her. "What do I tell my kids? Huh?"

Before Molly could respond Happy was at her side. "You tell him he's a fucking rat." Happy sneered. "And that he's dead if he ever shows his face around Charming again."

Happy's glare was menacing, a few bystanders had gathered but none dared intervene.

April huffed, but stormed off, she knew Happy and was already scared of him so the glare was enough to send her packing.

Happy grabbed some of the bags from Molly's hand, placed his hand on the small of her back, and guided her through the crowds towards the car park.

When they were finally in the car he started it to get the heat blasting and turned to her. "You ok?"

Molly cleared her throat. "Yeah. Let's just go."

xxx xxx

Molly had been quiet the whole ride back and through the shop while she grabbed bits for lunch and Christmas breakfast. Happy just pushed the cart and left her to her thoughts.

When they got home he helped her bring everything in and let her set him up with a beer while she went to wrap the presents.

An hour or so later and she was done, heading back through to join him with another beer.

"You ok?" He asked again.

Molly nodded and took a sip of her beer. "I guess. Didn't think she'd be such a bitch. I didn't mean to make him leave."

"You had nothing to do with him leaving. That's him being a cowardly bastard." Happy growled.

"I still have no idea what prompted it though. Like why he turned on the club all of a sudden." She shrugged and looked down at her beer.

"Again. Nothing to do with you. He's just a rat and who fucking cares why he did it? Just forget about him." He decided.

Molly nodded again. "I'm trying. I guess it shouldn't be so hard, but I dunno..."

Hapoy reached over and squeezed her hand. "You'll get past it."

There were so many things she wanted to say, or ask him, but she pushed them back and decided to move into what she thought was safer territory.

"You going to see your mom at all?" She asked softly.

"Nope. My aunt has her kids round and they don't like me so much. Ma won't notice either way so it won't matter." He shrugged. "I'll head down there some time in the new year."

"Is- is your mom ok? She's sick isn't she?"

Happy looked away. "Sick is one way to put it."

She could tell he didn't want to talk about it so she moved on. "What do you want for dinner?"

xxx xxx

Happy lay in bed that night pondering what his next move would be. She was obviously still hung up on the rat but being in close proximity to her was killing him. He wanted nothing more than to make a move, but he knew right now that would kill any chance of a relationship with her. And he'd decided that's what he wanted.

However Molly was slowly forgiving him and trusting him again. He didn't hear the click of her lock that night as she went to bed, so that was a good sign. At least she trusted him to be in the same house as him without protection.

He rubbed a hand over his stubbly face in frustration. He was getting in to deep over Molly. Fuck, it had been a downward slope the past 8 months, it was about time he just embraced the slide.

xxx xxx

Happy woke early the next morning to the sound of cooking in the kitchen. He smiled to himself as he pulled a tshirt on, knowing Molly probably wouldn't appreciate him walking around shirtless, it was a long time since he'd woken up in a comfy bed to the sounds of someone making him breakfast.

"Merry Christmas." Molly smiled as he entered the kitchen. "I'm just finishing up, was about to wake you, I'm starving."

Happy helped himself to coffee. "Thanks." He smiled, the dimples showing in his cheeks causing Molly to swoon a little.

After a quiet breakfast, that Happy constantly praised, she ushered him to the sofa so they could lounge and watch some Christmas tv. And so she could give him his present.

Happy could sense she was buzzing and guessed she was enjoying having someone to spend the day with. And Molly was grateful of the company, this shaping up to be the happiest Christmas since her mom died, but she was also excited to give him his present.

Once he was settled she quickly grabbed the small package from the corner table where she'd set up a little light up desk tree she'd pulled from a box. Bounding over to the sofa she thrust the gift into his hand and sat down.

"It's just a small thing, but it's kinda a peace offering I guess... plus it was nice to have someone to buy something for and have company with this morning. So thank you, even though you're here under orders." She quirked a lip.

"Orders or no orders I'd be here if you wanted me here." Molly caught his gaze and quickly dropped her eyes, that was definitely an admission of something. "Thanks. It should be me making the peace offerings though." He reached into his sweatpants pocket and pulled out the little gift box, his wasn't wrapped though. "Also something small. Mainly to say I'm sorry."

Molly smiled. "Thought you didn't buy gifts?" She raised a brow.

"I'd do anything for you." That was a bit strong he thought after he said it. Molly gulped but took the box from him, his fingers brushing ever so slightly against hers. "You gunna open it?" He asked after a moment.

"After you. I went first." She smirked.

Happy nodded and pulled off the perfectly neat green wrapping and saw the leather company box underneath. As he opened it he noted she must have spent some lot of money on it. It was a good quality, leather wallet, nice brand too.

"Thanks Molly." He opened it up and a dime plopped out. He picked it up confused.

"It's bad luck to give a wallet or a purse with nothing in it." She said as if it was obvious.

Happy chuckled and slipped the dime back, but this time in the inside pocket, he wanted to keep that one separate. "Thank you, this is really cool." He smiled. "Now you."

Happy watched apprehensively, hoping she'd like it. He was shit with jewellery and chick shit, and had gone back and forth on deciding whether he'd actually give it to her. But after she'd given him his he decided he'd suck it up and do it.

Molly opened the blue box and gasped. He'd chosen a silver bracelet chain that had little black gems studded along the length of it. It was delicate, yet very Happy. "Wow Hap, really, wow. You shouldn't have done this. It's beautiful."

"So you like it?" He asked tentatively.

"I love it." She clipped it on her wrist and studied it. This was the first item of jewellery a guy had bought her. Sure the club got her the angel necklace for her birthday but that was a joint, Gemma organised, gift. This was a gift from a guy. A guy she knew she liked, despite the healthy amount of fear she had for him.

"Thank god. That was the most fuckin awkward experience of my life." He joked.

"In that case I think you should go back and return it. I'd love to see you in that shop." She giggled.

Happy rolled his eyes and nudged her, with that the tension of the moment was gone and they settled back in to watch the Grinch. Occasionally stealing glances at one another Molly could see he was relaxed, laughing uncharacteristically at the kids' film Happy looked totally at ease and... well... Happy. Molly studied his features again, much like she had at the diner that time, and while he was doing her tattoo. There was just something about this man.

But at the same time the hurt was there still, just ever so slightly, along with the chilling confirmation of Happy's exact role in the club and the havoc he could wreak on her life.