Disclaimer: I do not own Sons of Anarchy. I do, however, own Marlowe, Nico and any other OCs that appear in the 2 Sons Universe.

Reno, Nevada—Saturday, March 26, 2011

"Why is it that I am plagued with stubborn children whose only aim in life is to cause me nothing but pain and suffering?" Rosanna Torelli moaned as she eyed her youngest daughter across the kitchen's island as she calmly sliced prosciutto for the large tray of antipasto she was preparing. "If only my Gianni was here I wouldn't have to tolerate this foolishness. He is the only one that can get through your stubborn Italian hide. As God is my witness I'm going to an early grave." Rosanna's theatrics increased as she paced back and forth on the kitchen's marble floor, the heels of her Gucci pumps clicking loudly.

Refusing to make eye contact, Nico rolled her eyes as she continued her preparations.

God, somebody, please give me a gun so I can put myself out of my fucking misery.

Unfortunately no one appeared to hear her inward cries for intercession as her mother continued to berate her. As Rosanna Torelli entered the second hour of bitching and complaining, the usually fun-filled family event had quickly soured for everyone involved.

It would seem that not even her sisters would take pity on their younger sibling as both had their heads down to keep themselves out of the line of fire. Standing next to Nico at the kitchen island, Donatella prepared Ravioli from scratch, cutting the pasta into small squares with absolute precision, a bowl of a savory blend of three-cheeses and spices waiting to be stuffed and sealed into the pasta, while Gianna—ensconced in a comfortable chair at the large oak table that had belonged to Rosanna's great, great-grandmother—meticulously chopped tomatoes, basil, fresh garlic and Pamesan cheese for Bruschetta. Only Dominic, her partner in crime, made a couple of vain attempts to try to rein in his mother's untimely temper tantrum, but to no avail.

The Torelli's kitchen was a massive affair. Nearly twice as large as Nico's own kitchen, it was a room that for the most part was usually occupied by the servants that Rosanna Torelli had trained to take care of the nutritional needs of her family, the health of her husband being of primary consideration as well as making sure to keep her still stunning figure at the age of 64. Rosanna took pride that she could still bounce a quarter off her ass and had often smirked that she looked far better than her much younger and but extremely trashy counterparts on the reality show Mob Wives, which to her mind was little more than an expose into the life of the wives of former big bosses who had subsequently been arrested for their crimes.

As a true mob wife, Rosanna took great pride in her family, and on days where the matriarch of the family wanted to have her clan about her, the social event required all the Torelli women to gather together to create the home cooked meals that Gianni Torelli loved so much.

Nico's eyes were wistful as they traveled around the kitchen. Usually most of the family would be underfoot as the meal was prepared, and prior to her father's incarceration, as the head of the family Gianni would be joking and telling stories to his grandchildren while sitting at the head of the oak table, usually bouncing the youngest on his knee. However, with Nico's nieces and nephews staying far away from the kitchen having correctly ascertained that their Nonna was on a tear and her brothers-in-laws making the very rational decision to have a cigar out by the swimming pool out of the line of fire, Nico had no other family around to come to her rescue as her mother tore another strip off her ass. The ass ripping was, of course, on the usual subject and one that Rosanna had taken to heart more and more since the death of her ex-son-in-law.

"There is absolutely no reason why Tonio should stay at that school away from his family!" Rosanna walked around the island to shake her bejeweled fingers in Nico's face, her many diamonds and rubies sparkling wildly as she made her point. "I never could understand why in the world you and Rocco—May he rot in Hell—sent my grandson half way around the world to be raised by a bunch of strangers!" Rosanna threw her hands up in the air for emphasis.

"For the last time, Mama, Tonio is not being 'raised' by strangers. I raised my son for 13 years before we decided he was old enough to appreciate experiencing some new opportunities," Nico ground out through clenched teeth. "It was Rocco's and my call to make, not yours, especially considering I'm the one who pushed him out!"

"And I'm the one that pushed YOU out!" her mother replied angrily. "Show me some respect!"

"Mama, Mama," Dom crooned in a consolingly tone as he put his arms around from his mother's waist from behind. "Calm down."

"Why should I, mio figlio?" Rosanna sniffed dejectedly. "Your sister is ruining her life!"

"Oh come on Mama. You don't really believe that shit," he countered.

"Abbastanza! No nasty talk in front of me or my new grand baby," Rosanna eyed Gianna from her position at the table protectively. "You'll make the baby come out ugly."

"Oh puh-lease!" Nico said crossly. "No more old wives tales. This is the 21st Century. You're killing me, here!"

"You're killing ME! If I end up at the emergency room at St. Mary's, it won't be hard to know the reason why." Rosanna turned to vent her feelings at her oldest daughter. "It's bad enough she won't bring my grandson home, but your sister is determined to remain an old maid for the rest of her life instead of getting married again and having more children before her eggs dry up. Oh no, being a wife and mother is not good enough for Nicoletta Antonia Torelli. She has to leave her poor, lonely, and decrepit mother behind to go be a lawyer and work for a bunch of dirty bikers," Rosanna bemoaned, smoothly moving onto her next bone of contention. "I can't believe Giacomo supports you abandoning the family."

"First off, you are not 'poor', lonely or decrepit'," Nico shot back. "Second, unlike you, Zío knows I'm a grown woman and he fully supports my decision."

"My brother is just giving into to you because he's spoiled you rotten."

"Kill me now," Nico murmured to Donatella. "If you love me, grab a butcher knife and just stab me to death in the fucking heart."

"You know Mama has a point," Donatella said as she eyed her sister sympathetically. "You still look good, but you're not getting any younger."

"See!" Rosanna said triumphantly as Nico hung her head in despair. "At least one of my daughters has common sense."

"I have common sense too, Mama," Gianna complained.

"Of course you do my sweetheart. Here, let me get you another glass of milk for the baby," Rosanna crooned as she retrieved a glass from a cupboard and got a pitcher of milk from the oversized refrigerator.

"Of course Donnie has sense because she lives by 'Rosanna Torelli's Italian Guide to Love, Marriage and Happiness'," Nico said pointedly. "Too bad it doesn't always work Mama. Rocco Agnello as Exhibit A shoots your record to hell."

At that Rosanna stomped past Gianna's outstretched hand to slam the glass of milk down on the island. Refusing to acknowledge the truth in her daughter's statement, Rosanna cupped her son's face in her hands. "At least you haven't done anything to send me to an early grave. That's something to live for at any rate."

I need to get Mama off my ass, Nico thought grimly and eyeing her brother decided that a sacrificial lamb was in order.

"Mama, at least I gave you a grandson. Did you know that Dom's girlfriend doesn't want any kids?" she said archly as she placed the large platter of antipasto on the table opposite her pregnant sister who promptly snatched up a piece of mozzarella cheese and prosciutto and shoved it into her mouth with gusto.

Watching Rosanna's scandalized face and the sudden stream of Italian that she aimed on her hapless brother, Nico grinned.

"Shit," Donatella muttered as she eyed her younger sister with amazement. "That was so wrong," she mouthed at her as Dom put his hands on his mother's shoulders as he tried to calm her down, shouting over her wails.

"Yeah, I know," Nico replied in an undertone, "but when your ass is getting slow roasted, sometimes you have to throw different log on the fucking fire." Grabbing the glass of milk, she handed it to Gianna before stripping off her apron, and making a break for the door.

I need a drink.

Sitting in her father's large executive style chair, Nico put her bare feet on top of the desk and sighed as she sipped a glass of brandy. Her father's study had always been a refuge for her ever since she was a little girl. Whenever she got into trouble with her mother, the first person that she would seek out was her father who was invariably in his study. The large room was definitely a man's domain, with deep rich wall paneling, oversized leather chairs, thick carpeting and smelled of the fine liquor and expensive cigars that he loved to drink and smoke.

Now as she sat back in his chair, Nico contemplated her last row with her mother wondering why if she was such a great lawyer she couldn't out argue the mother that had pushed her out into the world, but when she thought about it, Nico realized that Rosanna Torelli could probably take on the Pope. And win.

You have nobody to blame but yourself. You should have just called from Charming and left Mama a message that you'd be out of town for six months.

Nico loved her mother, she truly did, but she was starting to think that there should be a law on the books that all teenaged girls who had a controlling harpy as a mother should be allowed to take them to the doctor and put them on valium when they hit puberty or their mother hit menopause, whichever came first.

"Well thanks a fuckin' lot," a voice growled from the door and she looked up to spot her aggrieved brother.

Nico winced a little taking in Dom's tense broad shoulders and his folded arms across his broad chest.

Little brother is pissed.

"Uh, yeah, sorry about that but—" she said apologetically, but was cut off.

"But nothing! That shit was wrong!" he said as he strode into the office. "How could you throw my ass under the bus like that?"

"I know, I know. It was low, but I couldn't take it anymore. It was either that or I was going to leap across the kitchen and wring her neck and I didn't think that would go over too well since Papa still loves her and shit." Nico peeped at him between her lashes. "Is she still breathing?"

"Barely," he muttered. "It was a miracle she didn't have a heart attack right then and there. If Gianna hadn't faked a back cramp to distract her and save me, Mama would still be ripping me a new asshole."

"Then let me make it up to you," Nico said consolingly. Standing up she walked towards him, dragging him over and shoving him into their father's chair before going to the liquor cabinet and fixing him a stiff drink. "Here, this ought to relax you a bit," she said before she plopped herself in one of the chairs across from her father's desk.

"I'm going to need more than this shit to get over Mama." Dom took a couple of swallows before putting the heavy crystal tumbler down. "At least you're getting away for a while. It's bad enough I'm stuck here trying to learn how to run this shit. Now I'm going to have Ma crawling up my ass about Elena too."

Seeing his forlorn expression, Nico rose and rounding the desk perched herself on the corner of the desk as she eyed her brother's dismal stare. "It won't be as bad as all that, Dom."

"Yeah it will. These last couple of weeks have been tough." Dom reached out and took her hand in his. "How am I supposed to get through this shit without you backing me up?"

"Little brother, I'm not worried about you at all. You can do this with one arm tied behind your back. You don't think you have the ability to handle the business, Dom, but you do. Staying here and running it is your destiny. I wish it was anything but that, but it is," Nico said compassionately.

"You're much better at this shit than I will ever be," Dom replied. "You don't think I know that a lot of shit you cleaned up while Pop has been inside was fixing up Rocco's mistakes? That some of the deals that the family has been working on came out of your head first?"

"That's not the point, Dom."

"It's exactly the point. You have the brain for this shit. Yeah, I probably can learn what I need to know to run shit adequately, but you have Pop's gift for organization and development naturally. You know I never wanted to do this shit," Dom sighed ruefully. "I never wanted a ready-made empire, Nic. I've always wanted something of my own, to put my own ideas into play. This," he gestured to the expensively designed room, "is all Pop's. It's his legacy. He earned all this shit. I didn't."

Nico squeezed his hand gently. "I know, but I'm proud of you just the same. You went out and made your own way for the last few years and you did it well. Your crew is yours and you've been doing what you love the best, but you are right about one thing. This is all Papa's and he's not around to protect what's his. You are. He needs you to step up and protect the family until his return," she counseled, looking at him.

"I know, and I'll do it. I'm not going to step back from my responsibilities. It's just that doing this shit would be a lot easier with you around."

"And that's the reason why I need to go," Nico urged. "Zio is right. You need to take up the reins of the family and you can't be seen as relying on anyone to make the hard calls who doesn't have a pair of big brass ones, Dom, otherwise you'll lose respect. A few of the Underbosses may respect the fact I have a brain, but there are those who aren't too happy that I've been the go-to-girl of late. Me being out of town for the next six months gives you the opportunity to show them and the capos that you are in control, maybe implement some ideas that you been wanting to explore. Zío is all you need to keep you on point while you get up to speed, and this time away will give me time to think about what to do about Tonio."

"You know I'd never bust your chops, but maybe Mama is right. Why not bring my nephew home, Nico? I can't really believe that you want him to stay away, especially now that Rocco is gone," Dom paused, reaching for her hand to give it a gentle squeeze. "You know, we haven't really talked about him since the shit went down."

Nico sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair. "No, we haven't. I thought it was best. I know you were having a hard time with it. Finding out about some of the shit he was into was difficult for you."

"Not as hard as it was for you and Tonio, although I'm starting to wonder if you knew beforehand some of the shit he was into and kept it from us all." Dom smiled as he noted her look of surprise. "What? Just because I considered Rocco to be as close as a brother doesn't mean that I didn't acknowledge his faults although I didn't realize how deep they ran. You know, you two kept a pretty good front on things, but I think I knew for a long time that shit wasn't right between you, especially after you sent Tonio away to boarding school. I guessed that you more or less tolerated being married to him for Mama's sake, so when you announced that you two were getting a divorce, as much as I valued my friendship with Rocco, I supported you and did what I could to calm Mama's ass down because you are my sister and blood is always thicker than water.

"Now, knowing what the piece of shit was into and how he put you in danger with his gambling and shit, I don't regret that Rocco's dead. He had it coming. Because of his massive gambling debts those assholes made an example out of him by killing him. They could have killed you too." Standing up he wrapped his arms around Nico. "Losing you would have killed me, big sister."

Squeezing him gently, her face buried in his chest, Nico's heart ached with guilt. The lies she had told to keep the truth from Dom about Rocco's culpability in their father's hit had been difficult and setting up the scenario to cover her tracks had been a necessary evil, but she hadn't really realized just how much of a toll it had taken on her brother. It had certainly taken one on her and until Nico could be sure that the attempted coup was definitely put to bed, there was no way she would allow her son to come home permanently until she was sure of his safety.

Pulling away from him, Nico rested her hands on his shoulders. "Hey, no need to go there. It's taken me some time, but I've chosen to accept that everything happened for a reason and worked out the way that it did. Rocco is gone and you're taking your rightful place as head of the family. I have full confidence in you doing what needs to be done to protect us all and believe me, when I think the time is right, Tonio will end up where he needs to be. As for me, I need this time away. Helping the Sons straighten out a few business affairs is something for me to do on the lighter side of things and most importantly the move prevents me from committing matricide. All-in-all, I think it's a good play."

"I just can't see how you working in Charming is going to be that much fun. You, in some sleepy little town getting along with hardcore bikers?" Dom kidded and winced as Nico hit his shoulder with a balled up fist.

"You make me sound like a fucking snob. I'm not Mama."

"No, but you aren't white trash either." Dom eyed her warily. "Are you certain your excitement about taking it easy has nothing to do with that bald-headed motherfucker I busted your ass with a month ago?"

Tamping down her dismay, Nico eyed her brother derisively. "Oh come on Dom. Don't be crazy. Just because a woman wants a tune up every now and then doesn't mean she's on the hunt for a new man."

"Hey, I didn't say you were looking for a new man. I'm just expressing my concern that you might be getting yourself involved in something that's over your head. That asshole didn't seem to be the type to sweep you off your feet. More like a fucking Hell's Angel."

"He's a Son of Anarchy, Dom. Get it right. And no, he's definitely no angel." Nico patted his cheek confidentially. "Don't you worry. I think I can handle myself around a bunch of outlaws."

"Just checking is all. I'd hate to have to show up in Charming because some shit got twisted."

"Never you mind about Charming. Just keep your mind on what's important and leave the Sons to me."

Ely State Prison Infirmary, Nevada—Sunday, March 27, 2011

"Papa, I know Mama put the girls up to that shit. You have to concentrate on getting better so you can get out of this hell hole to keep me from killing your crazy ass wife," Nico said with a mix of love and exasperation to the prone figure lying on the hospital bed in front of her. Biting the inside of her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood, Nico was determined not to allow herself to break down as she observed the fading virility of the man who was her father.

"Bella mia, it would probably take a better man than I am right now to stop your mother from working shit behind the scenes. Throw your sisters into the shit pot, and it's all but impossible," Gianni Torelli said, his voice raspy. "So which one of them tricked your ass into coming?"

"Donatella." Nico watched as a familiar broad grin crossed his face and suddenly it was if the old Gianni Torelli was alive and present.

"She's my flesh and blood and I love her to death, but that one's a sneaky bitch," Gianni pronounced with pride.

"Tell me about it," his daughter said irritably as she sat in a dilapidated chair next to his bedside.

Briefly Nico's mind cast back to the last time her father was together with the family shortly before his incarceration. An exuberant Gianni had spent the entire evening swinging his wife of over 43 years around the ballroom of their home as they celebrated their anniversary among friends and family. His dark hair liberally streaked with gray had been perfectly styled above dark eyebrows and deep aquamarine blue eyes had twinkled merrily in a handsome face as he looked down with love at his wife, his powerful but stylishly trim figure in a custom made tuxedo on his 6'4 frame.

Now Nico could only hope that it was just the cloudy late afternoon sky that filtered through the barred windows that accounted for the almost gray pallor of her father's cheeks and the perpetual five o'clock shadow he wore, and that the deep shadows that the semi-dark room cast over him only seemed to diminish his larger than life personality, shrinking his once impressive frame.

With the other beds empty next to her father, the Torelli family were the only occupants in the prison's infirmary. The minimum security prison for mostly white collar criminals was small, holding less than 900 prisoners and predominantly housed convicts who were doing short time—usually two to seven years for a variety of offenses from corporate espionage to money laundering and Ponzi schemes, although there were some prisoners of a more lethal variety—con artists, a few low-level drug runners and the like. Considering the fact that her father's case—had it been properly handled—should have netted him no jail time at all instead of the 5 to 7 year sentence he received, Nico was grateful that he had been sentenced to serve his time here, as opposed to a prison that was full of far more dangerous convicts. Unfortunately, the combination of Ely Prison's minimum security rating and having the Warden in one's pocket had not prevented her father from getting shanked in the shower and nearly dying like an animal only a year and a half into his sentence, the outcome of which led to the discovery of liver cancer and subsequently kept him isolated in protective custody.

The close location of the prison—about an hour's drive from Reno's city limits—made it easy enough for Nico and the family to visit the Don often and to keep close watch on his health. Nico often made the trip once or twice a week to check in on her father and keep him abreast of family affairs and issues within the Syndicate.

"So," Gianni drawled, "who is the man your sister is trying to hook you up with?"

"Someone who works with Alberto," Nico sniffed audibly. "Bitch ass used her kids as a bargaining chip to get me to come over," she grumbled, her blue eyes somewhat stormy. "Said they were missing their favorite aunt so I caved in like an idiot. I should have known something was up when she insisted that I didn't show up wearing a t-shirt and leggings, to put on 'something nice'."

Nico rolled her eyes as her father chuckled. "Sounds like you should have seen that shit coming."

"Well I didn't," she said miffed. "Instead I get to Donnie's and she and Al and Gia and Enzo and the kids were all dressed up. Next thing I know I'm being introduced to fuckin' Lorenzo Amici." Nico watched as her father quirked an eyebrow.

"I think I met him before," Gino smirked. "Doesn't he have sweaty hands?" He watched his daughter shudder.

"Does he ever! And he has a full beard."

"Your sister is getting forgetful. She must be going through the Change early. She knows you hate beards."

"Exactly! A little stubble, five o'clock shadow, fine, sure, that's sexy as hell, but a full fuckin' beard?! It's like kissing a mouth covered in steel wool!" Nico practically bellowed. "The minute I was introduced I knew that I had been had. I tried to make up an excuse to duck out, but Donnie wasn't having it. Instead I had to be lectured by Al about my responsibilities towards my family."

Although Nico loved her brothers-in-laws dearly, they were still a part of the "male only" club that typified the Syndicate. They had some appreciation of her skills as a lawyer, but, like most of their associates, they believed that a woman's place was in the home. A woman was too fragile and emotional a creature to handle the hard realities associated with living the life in the mob, the exposure to violence and the vices that the family provided to its clients to make a fine living too difficult for any woman to accept or handle with the stoicism necessary to control a large organization like the Syndicate, never mind them making life altering decisions that their menfolk had to make in order to protect the family.

Nico sighed as she relayed a part of her conversation with her brother-in-law to her father. At 51, Alberto Lipari was a handsome man in his prime, his dark hair tinged with silver making him appear more like a distinguished banker than a part of an Italian-based crime syndicate, something that he used to his advantage. His loyalty to the Syndicate was second only to his love for Donatella and Gianni Torelli who had been so good to him. So Nico knew that the concern he expressed towards her was well meaning and genuine as he tried to get her to see the benefits of seeking another mate, but nonetheless, it had been still irritating.

"You are still a young woman, Nico," Alberto had said as he cornered her in the living room. "Yes, Rocco turned out to be a bad husband spending more time in Vegas with whores and gambling and shit, but that doesn't mean you can't find someone who is worthy of you. Lorenzo is perfect for you, and can give you a chance to do right by Tonio and give him some brothers and sisters while he is still young enough to enjoy them. And Lorenzo is very broadminded for an Italian. He won't have a problem with you continuing to work for the family although I'm sure he wouldn't mind it if you chose to be just a wife and mother again."

"I was never just a wife and mother, Albie," Nico had retorted, "something which you've seem to have forgotten."

Nico shook her head at the thoughts of her well-meaning family as she reached out to clasp her father's hand. "Papa, after everything I went through with Rocco I couldn't break it to Alberto that I'm not trying to find someone worthy of me," Nico said with exasperation. "I just want to get fuckin' laid on the regular," she continued, biting her lip to smother her laughter as a slightly pained expression crossed her father's face. "Sorry Papa, but it's the truth."

Gianni rolled his eyes. "Don't apologize bella. We're both adults, here. I know you have needs," he huffed, "but it's probably best for all concerned if Rosie never finds out." He squeeze her hand gently. "You know your mother means well—"

"I know Papa, but she needs to quit that shit already. After everything that happened with Rocco I would have hoped that she would leave me be to handle my own shit by now."

"You need to resign yourself to the fact that that shit is never going to happen. She's a mother and what mother is ever satisfied that their child knows what will make them happy better than she can?" Gianni eyed her with fierce blue eyes. "I know it's hard, but you need to cut your mother a little slack."

"But—"

"No buts, bella. Your mother is having a hard time of it. I'm stuck in here, and she's out in the world and the one thing that matters to her most is that all her chicks are happy and safe and for Rosie she equates being married and loaded down with children as being safe and happy. It's the only life that she knows and if she's using this opportunity to push you into another relationship I can guarantee it's because maybe on some level she feels responsible for pushing you to marry Rocco, as I do," he said a little wistfully.

Nico sighed as she took in her father's disheartened expression. "Papa it wasn't your fault," she started but was interrupted.

"I know it was, sweetheart and it's a father's lot in life to accept the mistakes he has made for his children. Maybe if I had been less of a chickenshit and a little more progressive, you could have avoided all that shit with Rocco."

Nico's brow crinkled into a frown. "What do you mean?"

Gianni gestured to the water bottle on table beside his bed. Passing it to him, Nico watched as her father took several deep swallows, handing the bottle back before he finally spoke.

"I love all of my children equally. I tell this to everyone I know in the hopes that if I hear myself saying it enough I'll eventually believe it. But it's a lie."

"Papa—"

"Listen to me now," he said sharply. "I watched all four of you grow up, saw all of your traits—good and bad—and the fact is that you, bella, out of all your siblings are something special to me—smart, dedicated, you love your family and you have a fuckin' head for business that is second only to my own. Don't get me wrong, I love your sisters, but they are just like your mother, God bless her—they live for and die for the family and their children.

"And I love my son despite his need to go out on his own and spending all his time racing cars and shit. I love Dom. Always have and always will, and according to your Uncle Jimmy, he is coming along with the business and I have no doubt that eventually he will take over the family and do right by it. But you—you are just like me. I saw that ever since you were a tiny little girl. You're a fighter, don't take shit from nobody. You went to school and when you graduated cum sum laude from University and Law School, you showed people what we Torelli's are made of. I was more proud of you on those days than the day I walked you down the aisle, well, except for the day you gave birth to my grandson," he said, noting the moist eyes of his daughter.

"But if I wasn't such a stubborn ass guinea, if I was strong enough to have paved the way for you to take my place as head of the family despite all the fall out that probably would have gone down, even if some of the underbosses decided to bail on the Family, you never would have married that fake ass Rocco, never have had to go through being with somebody that wasn't worthy of you. Wouldn't have had to clean up my mess and get rid of his ass for trying to kill me and wrest away control of the Family. Now I know this is a lot to drop on you, but I wanted you to know how I felt in case—well, if I don't get out of here—" he trailed off.

"Don't ever say that shit Papa," Nico said brokenly. "Don't even think it."

Gianni reached up to wipe the tears from his daughter's face cupping her cheek in his large hand. "No days are promised to anyone sweetheart and I don't want to leave this earth with things unsaid," he said adamantly. "I just want you to know how proud I am of you and that I know that you coulda have run the whole family if need be. I know it's not something that you ever really wanted, but I want you to know that I know you could have done it. I always knew it, but instead, I backed your mother on her insistence on you tying the knot and I was wrong. So now that you got rid of that piece of shit, I'm not going to back your mother or anyone else pressing you into another marriage. And I'm not going to bust your chops about who you wanna be with or stop you from getting a little enjoyment out of life. So if you wanna as your generation says 'knock some boots' with some bald headed biker, I'm not going to give you any shit on it!" Gianni said with a grin as Nico's mouth dropped open. Tapping his fist lightly on her chin, the Don grinned widely. "Yeah, I know about that shit. Your uncle ratted you out. I didn't get my boxers in a twist. You deserve to have a little fun," he said shrugging his shoulders philosophically.

Nico sat back in her chair and laughed long and hard swiping away tears that ran down her cheeks. "I knew Zio had given me his 'blessing' to get my freak on, but how the fuck did Zio know I was having a little fun?"

"Well you can thank Dom for that. He blew your shit up to your uncle. Now, now, it was just out of brotherly affection and concern," Gino warned as he noted a battle light enter his daughter's eyes. "Just because you're his older sister doesn't mean he ain't gonna look out for you so he casually brought it up with Jimmy. Dom was pretty surprised that your uncle seemed okay with your new 'friend' and Jimmy gave me a heads up just in case Rosie found out so I could rein her ass in if need be." Gianni shook his head wryly. "I have to admit, I'd rather you find somebody who was a little more refined, but you're a grown ass woman. You know what you like. Now your mother, should she find out that your fucking a biker—she's a whole different kettle of fish," he warned.

"Then I'll make sure she doesn't find out shit," she promised.

"So," Gianni said casually, "is this shit serious between you and this, eh, what's his name?"

"Happy," she supplied not entirely surprised by his interest.

"Strange name," he muttered.

"Even stranger man," Nico replied. "As far as it being serious, no. I'm just letting my hair down a little, that's all."

"Well, Jimmy seemed quite impressed with how he handled Rocco."

"He and the MC did a good job for us."

"Which is why you want to help them out."

"His President is willing, so yes. Besides, it will give me a chance to get out of Reno for a while, and to keep out of Dominic's shadow while Zio is training him. Dom needs to do this on his own, without me being around to hold his hand."

"Too true."

"Being in Charming, I can work for the Club, still coordinate things on the corporate side, troubleshoot any issues for the Family and continue to oversee working on shit to get you out of here," she paused. "And we are going to get you out Papa and right into the best facility money can buy to get you well. I've got everything set up. You've just got to hold on until we can get you out. We're going to petition the Court to bring in a specialist to see you; see if we can get specialized treatment here for you that we pay out of pocket at no cost to Nevada taxpayers."

Gianni grinned as he reached out again to cup her face in his large hand. "Whatever happens bella, I know you've done your best and to me that's all that matters."

Charming, CA—Monday, March 28, 2011

This rest stop off of I-22 is a surprisingly quiet place for an assignation, Jax Teller thought as he lit a cigarette and blew a trail of smoke through the window of a blue pickup. Sitting in the farthest corner of the mostly empty lot, the chilly spring air wafted through the open window as the biker waited patiently for his new partner.

If Clay knew who I was waiting to see, he'd probably shit a brick, Jax thought with some amusement. After all, men of money and privilege usually had little interest in mixing company with men who were considered the scum of society, but as the dark gray 2010 Lexus pulled up beside him indicated Jacob Hale Junior had come to understand that outlaw scum had their uses.

Tossing his cigarette out of the window, Jax got out of the truck and slammed the door shut and watched as his partner did the same. The two men ambled off to the side to where a weak lamp cast enough of a glow so that they were both visible to one another.

"Jax," Hale said in a measured tone.

"Hale," Jax replied. "Glad we could meet up tonight."

"Maybe we should have picked a place more conducive for a discussion. Its nearly pitch dark out here," Hale said uneasily as he eyed the deserted lot.

"Well you could have stopped by at T-M, but I figured that might have been a little too high profile for either of us."

"There is that," Hale admitted. "So I guess I should start off by saying thank you. You really delivered."

"You're welcome, but if you'll recall I didn't help you out of the goodness and kindness of my heart," Jax smirked.

"No you didn't," Hale said gruffly. Putting a hand into his trench coat pocket, he withdrew a long envelope.

Jax reached out and took the content, shoving it into his kutte. "So this is all I'll need?" He watched as Hale nodded.

"It's an advanced copy of the request for proposal. You're getting it ahead of the rest of the other garages in NorCal bidding for the project. Just have your counsel prepare it and provide all of T-M's details. When I get a better sense of what the bidding will come in at, I'll provide you with the numbers you need to complete your proposal. It will go through review and when it's all done, Teller-Morrow will be awarded the contract for the maintenance of all of Charming Heights vehicles, all above board."

"I have to say I like how old white money operates. All legal and shit." Watching Hale's expression, Jax quirked an eyebrow. "Problem?"

"No problem," Hale said quietly. "I'm just surprised about how surprised I am at all of this. The Club has been fighting progress tooth and nail ever since they arrived in Charming. I guess I'm finding it hard to understand why you're turning over a new leaf."

"Well you know what they say: if you can't beat 'em, join em." Jax smiled in the darkness. "Just remember what I told you Hale. With me sitting at the head of the table, things in Charming are gonna change for the better, which brings me to another part of our upward and onward plan. You still have that lot next door to T-M on your books?"

"Yes," Hale said after a long moment. "It's been on the market for five years now. I've been trying to sell that parcel of land forever but with—" he stopped short.

"—with the Club next door, it wasn't that big of a draw," Jax concluded with a smile. "That's all good, because I think it's time it comes off the market." For the next few minutes, the outlaw outlined his plan to the amazement of the local developer.

"That's a pretty big investment to make, Jackson. Are you sure about this?"

"Is that concern I hear in your voice for me Jake? I think I'm touched."

"Just thinking that you might be biting off more than you can chew is all."

"No need for you to be concerned. I'm sure your interest is due to your fear that the town won't be too happy with you but I wouldn't sweat it. Your term is up this year and it's unlikely that you would get reelected again so you don't have to worry about pissing off the townsfolk. Besides, at least you'll get something for the land, more than you will ever get from anybody else looking to start a business next to a bunch of bikers."

"I guess there is that," Hale allowed.

"But next door isn't the only piece of property I'm interested in." He watched as Hale smiled wryly.

"I didn't realize I had such a budding entrepreneur on my hands."

"In more ways than one. I have a couple of opportunities that I need help on and I think we can help each other out." Jax grinned as he saw the spark of interest in Hale's eyes.

"Well, then," the older man grinned. "Let's talk."

Glossary

Abbastanza enough

mio figlio my son

Bella mia my beautiful

A/N: Dealing with a mother like Rosanna Torelli is not at all easy so it's a pretty good thing that Nico is going to get herself some time off. Yet it is also obvious to see the very close bond that Nico shares with her father, as well as how much love and respect Gianni has for his daughter, and his willing acknowledgement that Nico has the right to live her own life. With things being put in motion, stay tuned when Ms. Torelli arrives in Charming in the next chapter.

I want to thank all of you who posted a review on the last chapter. I am getting a little nervous though as the number of reviews that have been coming in seem to be dwindling. I really get a lot of encouragement when I get detailed feedback on what you enjoyed about the chapter and it spurs me to keep going, so when I don't see a lot of reviews it makes me wonder if there is really any interest in the story. I also thought that maybe some of you are a little reluctant to review because you're not sure if I am really going to keep posting regularly. So to prove it, I decided to post this chapter a couple of days early. I really need some love hits from you guys to know that I'm not wasting my time, so please send a little love my way!

Hugs, WebStar