Lily did her best to keep her mind off of Chibs and what he may or may not be doing at the moment as she strolled into Saint Thomas. She took deep breaths reminding herself that she couldn't let her imagination get the best of her each and every time Chibs went out for Club business.

She would drive herself insane if she allowed herself to think about all the horrible things that could happen to Chibs out there.

She had to remain calm and keep faith that Chibs would be just fine. He was tough after all. He'd been to hell and back more than once in his life and each time he burst out of the flames spitting brimstone. He was strong, probably one of the strongest people she knew. She had to keep that in mind.

A good old lady kept faith in her man. She couldn't let herself drive herself nuts with worries. She had to believe in her man's ability to stay safe. She needed put her faith in his brothers to keep him safe. That was what Gemma would say, Lily told herself.

So it was no surprise really that she found herself casually stopping by Saint Thomas knowing perfectly well that she'd find the Queen of SAMCRO at her grandbaby's side.

She had dropped Jade off at her apartment leaving Juice to hold down the homefront, which roughly translated to playing x box with Jade until Lily got home.

A tiny part of Lily worried about leaving Jade and Juice alone of course. She knew though that she would have to trust that her talk with Juice had been a fair enough warning to stay away from her baby sister.

The man seemed to understand that Lily meant business. Jade was far too young for Juice and hopefully the Son understood that.

Lily knew of course that Chibs might not be too pleased to know that she'd ventured out on her own without Juice's protection, but Juice very well couldn't play bodyguard forever.

After all Chibs had said it himself; it seemed that Julio was all talk and no action. He was just a newbie trying to impress the older bikers within the Mayans. Apparently the jerk had decided that making empty threats against her was the best way to achieve this.

Lily knew that she had her gun just in case Chibs and she were wrong about this theory. If she'd learned anything from Gemma it was that a loaded gun was a girl's best defense.

Of course Lily wished that this entire situation with Julio would just disappear completely. She knew though that it was easier said than done. The Mayans and SAMCRO had never been on good terms. There was little chance of peace between the two clubs.

It was unlikely that she would be able to ditch her worries about Julio anytime soon. She knew the best she could do was move on with her life and keep her gun close.

She shook these worries from her mind as she exited the elevator and made her way down the hall to the neonatal unit of Saint Thomas.

Lily had to smile as she leaned up against the doorframe to the little neonatal ICU room tiny Abel Teller was being kept in. Gemma sat by the boy's incubator the book Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss open in her lap.

Lily felt herself drifting into a slight trance at the sound of Gemma's voice briefly allowing herself to be brought back to a time when a tiny version of herself had sat in Gemma's lap listening to that very book.

She pulled herself out of this memory as she entered the room staring down at baby Abel. She was still in awe of just how tiny he was. It was almost hard to believe that he was real. He was just so small, like a little doll.

She tore her eyes away from him as Gemma spoke giving her goddaughter a tired smile. "Hey baby."

"Hey Momma Gemma." Lily replied staring back to Abel.

She spoke again swallowing the lump in her throat that always seemed to develop at the sight of the boy. "He's looking better."

"Yeah. He's getting stronger everyday. His heart is running smooth as can be." Gemma remarked a proud smile crossing her features.

She spoke again rolling her eyes. "I'm going to drop in on the junkie later."

"What for?" Lily asked her brow furrowing at the mention of Wendy.

"Just making sure she understands her place." Gemma replied her voice smooth hiding the real reason she was dropping in on Wendy.

She couldn't have the junkie mentioning to anyone that Gemma herself had been the one to bring in that crank. She'd just been giving Wendy an option. Gemma hadn't injected the drugs into her arm. Wendy had made that choice herself.

Gemma knew well enough that this had to be her little secret. She knew no one would understand, not even Lily and especially not Jax. Nothing got in the way of protecting Gemma's family, especially not her conscience.

The calm smile faded from Gemma's lips as she spotted Lily's worn expression. "You okay Lil?"

Lily shook her head as she placed her purse on a nearby rolling counter that was more than likely filled with medical supplies needed to keep Abel's incubator running smoothly. "Just tired. It's been a long day."

"I'm guessing you talked to your old man?" Gemma asked as she shoved the half read book into her purse.

Lily sighed leaning back against the window that opened up to the hallway allowing family in friends to peer in at Abel Teller. "Yeah. How can something like that happen Gemma? It's so...sick. She's only a little girl."

Gemma sighed nodding her head in agreement. "I know sweetheart. It's fucked up. Our men will fix it though. They're going to get revenge for that little girl."

Lily gave her godmother a tired half smile not shocked to hear the pride and self-assurance in her voice as she spoke of their men.

The smile faded from her features almost as soon as it appeared. She couldn't stop herself from speaking her stomach in tight knots. "I just hate the way my mind races when Chibs is gone. It seems like I worry about him no matter what I do or how hard I try not to worry. I know I don't have the right to complain though. I knew what I was getting into falling for him. I knew there'd be nights where I'd be left sitting up worrying."

"I know sweetheart. I wish I could tell you it gets easier with time, but it doesn't. You can get through it though. Just keep on supporting him baby. That's all you can do. He'll appreciate your support more than anything on this planet. A good old lady keeps her man strong and he gives that strength back to her. Him being gone just makes the time you have with him more precious. You know that you aren't going to be alone when he's gone. You have your family to lean on baby. We take care of our own." Gemma remarked more than accustomed to giving this speech to old ladies.

"I know, love the man learn to love the club. The club is the glue that holds shit together when things get tough. I know the speech Gemma." Lily stated shaking her head her voice cracking slightly.

She took a deep breath telling herself to toughen up. There's no place for vulnerability in this life. People will use your weaknesses against you if you let them. You have to be tough and roll with the punches. That was what Gemma had always told Lily growing up.

Gemma had raised her to be tough. She'd always told her to never let anyone see any signs of weakness. There was no place for crying. You had to be strong for your family. A strong woman took the reigns and rode through the shit life threw her way. A strong woman didn't sit around crying over her problems.

A strong woman sure as hell didn't complain like a brat. She grew up and put on her big girl panties.

It had been a hard day though. It wasn't just what had happened to Tristan Oswald and the Sons plans for revenge that was weighing Lily down.

This whole two week run up north Chibs was leaving for tomorrow made Lily's stomach churn and cramp. She felt her fears and worries creeping up on her in the back of her mind like some masked villain planning to attack when she was at her weakest.

It wasn't fair. He'd just come home and now he was going again. How many times would this happen in her life with Chibs? How many birthdays and holidays and plans would be shoved on the back burner for club shit?

Lily knew of course that she'd have to get over it. She knew what she was signing up for by falling for Chibs. She knew his life. She had been raised into this. She had to grow a pair and be the old lady Chibs needed. It was just easier said than done.

She knew that it was a little immature being so bummed out about this all. After all she was pouting like a child, but this next week was going to be a hard one for Chibs.

His daughter's birthday was coming up. He'd seemed so relieved that he wouldn't be alone on that day and now he was going to be just that; alone with his pain and sorrow.

She had promised him she would be there to support him and now that wouldn't be happening.

It was clear that he loved his daughter so much. It was so unfair that he couldn't be with her.

It made Lily angry that he couldn't be with the child he adored. She hated Jimmy O' for denying the Chibs his daughter. Lily had never wished anyone dead before, but she wished that Jimmy O' would drop dead for what he did to Chibs.

Lily knew that Friday was going to be hell for Chibs. Kerrianne was turning fourteen. It was yet another year that Chibs would miss his daughter blowing out the candles.

Lily spoke again shaking her head slightly. "I'm sorry for dumping this all on you. I'm just feeling down that's all. These next few weeks aren't going to be easy for Chibs. His daughter's birthday is coming up. He's going to be all alone during it. I'm just worried about him. We were going to spend Friday together you know...just try to keep his mind off of shit and get him through the day without breaking down."

Gemma sighed knowing that Lily was right. This time of the year was always hard on Chibs. He tried hard to hide how rotten he felt, but those who knew him best could tell.

Around this time of the year Chibs would glue himself to the bar pouring down shot after shot after shot. He shut down completly. He wouldn't joke around with his brothers. He would avoid the croweaters. He just moped around the clubhouse.

Gemma had hoped that having Lily by his side would ease the pain. She'd held hope that this year would be different for Chibs. She had hoped that with Lily by Chibs' side he'd get through Friday sober and content.

So obviously Gemma had been none too pleased when Clay had decided to send Chibs off on a run with McKeavy.

She stood up giving Lily a gentle hug as she spoke. "It's okay baby. I know you love him. I'm sorry sweetheart. I wish I could tell you that next year will be different, but we both know that wouldn't be the truth. You know how club shit has a way of sneaking up on you."

Lily let out a heavy sigh nodding her head. She knew Gemma was right on the money with that statement. Club business could hit when you least expected it.

Outlaw biker clubs and criminals didn't take days off.

Lily knew that fact well. She'd grown up seeing holidays and birthdays interrupted by chaos. She could still remember the Sons Mayan war.

The rival clubs had really gotten into it back in the mid nineties right around the time John Teller died. Lily could remember her father waking up in the middle of the night and rushing off to the police station in an attempt to keep the peace in Charming. She could remember the clubhouse being filled with mourners when one of their own gave their life for the club.

Though Gemma had shielded Lily from the violence the girl had been aware enough of her surroundings to figure some things out. Not to mention she'd overheard Jax and Opie talking about it from time to time, the older boys obviously more in-tuned to the club through their fathers.

Lily ignored the chill that ran down her spine at these memories. She prayed that nothing like that would ever happen again. She knew better though.

The Sons life was a life of violence. It was the price one paid when they chose to live on the fringes of society. It was the price you paid when you made your own rules for life.

Lily knew that if she knew what was good for her then she'd run far far away from this life. Hell her father would probably throw a party if she chose to pull away from the world of SAMCRO.

Lily knew that she would never leave this life though. This was her family, not by blood but by love. She knew that in this life you had to take the bad with the good even when there seemed to be way more bad than good.

She loved Chibs far too much to pull away. He meant the world to her. She knew she had to stay by his side through the shit. He needed her just as much as she needed him.

I'm yours and you're mine.

She sighed again her mind drifting back to Chibs and the hell he was going to go through come Friday. "I just hate that Filip can't see his daughter. If I could kill that Irish son of a bitch for what he did to Filip, I would gut him. Jimmy O' is a bastard."

Gemma smirked a bit proud to hear the venom in Lily's voice. Just like a real old lady; protecting her man.

She pressed a kiss to Lily's temple nodding. "I know baby. I've had that thought before myself. And don't get me started on that Irish Bitch."

Lily felt her stomach flip quickly translating Irish Bitch as being Fiona. The thought of Fiona made her feel frankly uncomfortable.

How was she supposed to feel about her boyfriends wife though? Well estranged wife.

She pushed Fiona far from her mind shaking her head as she glanced over at Gemma. "I just wish I could find a way to make Friday easier for Chibs. I know we can't be together that day...but I still wish that there was something I could do to make that day less gloomy for him...A phone call just doesn't seem to be good enough, but I don't have any other choice."

"I know. I wish I could keep Chibs here, but you and I both know Clay means business." Gemma remarked shaking her head.

Lily gave her godmother a small smile half joking. "Yeah but you mean more business Momma Gemma."

Gemma chuckled nodding her head. "I usually do baby. But not on this."

She gave Lily's shoulder a squeeze as she spoke again. "Just give Chibs all you can Lil. That's the best thing you can do for him. Just call him and let him know you're there to listen. He knows you care hon. I know I've said it before, but I've never seen Chibs so happy."

Lily nodded her head knowing Gemma was right. A phone call would have to do.

She smiled shaking her head. "And to think I resisted you setting us up."

Gemma chuckled nodding her head. "Yeah and I got my way."

Lily gave her godmother a small smirk. "Mother knows best."

She allowed Gemma to press a kiss to her head spotting the spark of pride in the woman's eyes as Lily said mother.

Lily bit the inside of her cheek knowing that she might be going in for a long shot, but if she knew anything it was that if you wanted something done you went to Gemma. "Can I ask you a big favor?"

"Depends." Gemma remarked seeing the little look in Lily's eyes. It was the same look Lily had given her as a child asking for ice cream right before bedtime.

"Can you talk to Clay and see if he could maybe give Chibs a few days away from the garage and the club when Chibs gets back home...I want to borrow the cabin too...I just want to take Chibs up there for a few days...make up for being apart for his birthday. Please."

Gemma frowned knowing that what Lily was asking might be a hard thing to sell to Clay. She knew though that if anyone could get Clay to do something it was his Queen. "I'll try baby. I can't promise anything though."

Lily gave her godmother a hug feeling as though a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "Thanks Mom."

Gemma smiled at this comment. Jax might be her baby boy, but Lily would always be her baby girl. She would do anything to make the young woman happy, just as she'd do anything for her son.

Lily pulled back from the hug giving her godmother a soft smile. "On the bright side I'll have a ton of time in these next few weeks to help you out with the Taste of Charming Festival."

"Who said you weren't going to be helping even if Chibs was here?" Gemma replied chuckling. She always put her family to work for the big festival she put together every year for the Charming School District.

Gemma had started the Taste of Charming Festival a long time ago back when Jax and Lily were still in school.

Gemma always ran a baked goods stand that had expanded to selling other fatty treats. She ran in under the Samcro name. After all the club was considered just a harmless club of Harley enthusiasts to the town of Charming.

Gemma had worked her charms and brought other people in on the festival; the Charming Police Station who did a big barbeque stand. A few local businesses that set up little food stands and carnival games. There were all sorts of fun raffles. There were always local bands to see. The school even set up a tent where you could look at some of the local students art projects, which was a personal favorite stop for. And of course there were fireworks considering the festival occurred right before the forth of July.

Lily had been working her ass off at Gemma's food stand selling brownies and other little treats for as long as she could remember. Gemma liked to keep her hanging around for the old ladies to coo at. Afterall how else could sell sweets to a little old lady better than a cute kid?

Jax and Clay complained about having to put in work for the festival of course, right along with the rest of the Sons. But Lily always looked forward to it.

It was fun in Lily's personal opinion, seeing all the stands and knowing that she was raising money for the local school. She loved swinging by the art tent given that her own art had once been featured there back when she was student. Not to mention the fireworks were always a blast to watch. Who didn't like fireworks afterall?

Gemma spoke up giving Lily a smile. "I'm going to need you to help out with the facepainting stand this year."

"I thought Bobby handled the kids doing his Elvis gig for them?" Lily asked her stomach turning at the idea of facepainting.

It wasn't that she didn't like kids. Actually she loved kids. She had at one point entertained the idea of taking the classes to earn a degree to teach art in an elementary school or a middle school class.

It was just that it could be a pain to be expected to paint rainbows, unicorns, and kitty whiskers on a line of kids with high expectations that went far beyond Lily's painting skills...well her painting skills when it came to crappy facepaint.

"Yeah he's still going to do the Elvis thing. I just need another activity to keep the little ones amused. We've already rented a little metal motorcycle for the kids to sit on for pictures. So I might put you on that in the afternoon." Gemma explained knowing that she trusted Lily to have the patience to deal with whiny kids without snapping.

Lily sighed almost tempted to ask if she could just do the photography job and skip the facepainting, but she knew enough not to argue.

After all Gemma was the boss. Mother knows best.

"Okay. I'll do it. I guess it's better than working the barbeque stand with my dad. He tried to set me up with some new cop last time I got talked into working that stand." Lily remarked shaking her head at the memory.

Lily had the feeling that even though she was now with Chibs, her father still wouldn't lay off trying to set her up with someone who he thought was a better match for her.

Gemma sighed shaking her head as well. She knew well enough that Unser wasn't going to accept his daughter being an old lady.

She was tempted of course to confront the sheriff about this. Gemma knew though that this was Lily's battle to fight.

Lily would have to be the one that eventually told her father enough was enough. Gemma just hoped that Unser didn't wreck Lily's relationship with Chibs.

Chibs was good for Lily. Lily was happy with the Scot. Gemma knew that Unser couldn't see it, but she could. Lily needed a Son. It was the only way she'd ever truly be safe and happy.

Lily pressed a kiss to Gemma's cheek as she spoke. "I better get home. I'm out without Juice or the prospect."

"You can handle yourself baby." Gemma remarked as Lily turned to leave.

Lily nodded her head a heavy sigh escaping her throat as she left the little room. "Tell my old man that."

She made her way down the hall stopping at a coke machine beside the elevators. She frowned as she heard a familiar pair of voices.

Lily fetched her Diet Dr. Pepper from the soda machine as she began to round the corner. She stopped in her tracks peeking around the corner at the owners of the familiar voices.

She rolled her eyes at the sight of her least favorite person Dr. Tara Knowles talking with Deputy Hale. Lily already knew the last thing the Sons wanted was the good Deputy shoving his nose into the Oswald case.

Lily stood her ground moving back just enough to stay far out of sight. She kept silent as she listened in on the pair.

Hale spoke up. "They think they're protecting her by building a wall around her."

Tara looked up from the paperwork she'd been signing a frown on her face. "Tristan needs to talk to somebody."

Hale spoke leaning a bit closer to Tara. "I need something...anything...to help catch this guy so we're not doing this all over again with another girl."

Tara stood silent for a bit clearly thinking this over. She spoke after a few moments of silence. "I know Karen needs to sign some insurance forms. I'll try to get an admin to keep her busy for a while."

Hale nodded his head turning to leave. "Thank you."

He didn't get far as Tara reached out clasping on to his arm. "I need a favor too."

Lily raised an eyebrow at this leaning a bit closer to get a better listen as Hale spoke. "What is it?"

Tara waved a hand her voice breaking a bit as she clearly tried to keep a calm demeanor. "It's more of a question really."

She chuckled her cool cracking for a brief moment. "It's going to sound very dramatic."

Hale frowned spotting the break in her calm. "Okay"

Tara tilted her head to the side her voice picking up a bit of fear. "If I had a restraining order against someone in another city would it still be valid if I went somewhere else?"

Lily widened her eyes at this comment her gut churning. She felt her mouth grow dry as she continued to eavesdrop.

Hale frowned worry crossing his features as he answered Tara. "That depends. Every states a little different. You think this someone might be coming here?"

Tara shook her head her eyes growing a little wide. "No, no. I doubt it...There was this guy I dated during my internship in Chicago. Things got weird. He got a little- It's hard to explain."

"Well. You want to give me his name and I can run it through the system?" Hale asked the look of worry still etched into his face.

Tara shook her head holding a hand up as she replied to this offer. "No. That's okay. I'm just being paranoid."

"How long did you get the restraining order?" Hale asked.

"About six or seven months ago...Just forget it...I'm fine." Tara replied clearly wanting to end this conversation.

Hale frowned not buying this comment. "I'll make some general calls okay? See if it still plays out here."

Tara gave him a relieved smile nodding her head before taking off. "Okay thanks."

Lily glared at the back of Tara's head as she disappeared out of sight.

She knew that the doc was up to no good. She knew that Tara didn't come back to Charming for no reason.

Lily sighed leaning back against the wall as she weighed out her options. Now what should she do with this new piece of information?

Chibs stumbled into Lily's darkened house his body sore and tired. He groaned as he took a quick glance at the panda shaped clock above Lily's tv. It was almost three am.

He stumbled through the dark thankfully not tripping over anything. It seemed for once Jade and Lily had kept the living area floor free from shoes, purses, and laundry.

He loved his old lady, but her half sister was a little bit of a slob. Not that he had much room to talk. After all Lily was forever and a day complaining about how he left his dirty socks at the foot of her bed.

It was just no fun tripping over junk when he was coming in late.

Chibs tossed his keys down on the table by the hall closet as he made his way down the hall back towards the bedrooms.

He tried not to laugh shaking his head as he entered Lily's room to find her slumped over asleep on her bed an open book sitting out beside her.

Chibs leaned over beside the bed picking the book up thankfully without waking her. He glanced at the cover to find that it was some book she'd bought about the famous pin up Bettie Page.

She had taken a real interest in pinup given her new job. Lily was even talking about maybe doing a tribute to Bettie Page mimicking her famous shoots in one of Lily's upcoming shoots for Cara Cara.

Lily fluttered her eyelids open as Chibs placed the closed book on her bedside table. She wiped the sleep from her eyes startling him slightly as she spoke. "Hey."

"Hey you. I thought I told ya not to wait up fer me love." He replied giving her a crooked grin as she sat up and smoothed back her dark hair.

She grinned shaking her head. "And I told you I was going to wait up no matter what you said."

Her smile fell as she spotted the startings of a bruise along Chibs' jaw. She stood up pressing her fingertips to the swollen area causing Chibs to let out a small hiss at the contact.

Lily sighed shaking her head as he spoke. "Ya should see the other lad."

She said nothing disappearing from the room momentarily and coming back with a frozen package of carrots.

Chibs shook his head trying hard to resist. "I don't need that Lily."

Lily shook her head back motioning down towards the bed. "Sit."

He tried not to chuckle at this as he took a seat on her bed. She sat down beside him pressing the bag to his jaw.

He spoke shaking his head already having decided that he'd tell her an edited version of what had happened tonight. She didn't need to know that Oswald had gained a conscience and that Clay had set up the motions to blackmail Oswald. "Gatherin up the bastard ran into a hicup. We got him though."

"I'm guessing this bruise is part of the hicup." Lily commented shooing his hand as he reached up to hold the bag of chopped carrots himself.

He chuckled at this action nodding his head. "Aye. Like I said ya should see the other lad though. We got em all good. I headbutted the bastard that hit me and knocked him out cold. The prospect beat the shite of a lad three times bigger than him. Tig bit off a bit of a lad's ear. It was beautiful."

Lily shook her head more than accustomed to hearing tales of the Sons fights from them. They all got the same boyish grin on their faces and bragged like they'd hit a homerun in the world series. She had long ago grown out of being disgusted by things like bitten off ears. "You got the pervert though?"

Chibs sighed nodding his head hating to admit that the cold bag of carrots did feel good against his bruised jaw. "Aye. It was the clown that was in the duckin tank. Fucker was bein hidden by the other carnies. We got him and took care of it."

Lily felt a chill run down her spine at this bit of information. Jade and she had passed that dunking tank more than once. The clown had looked just like any other guy dressed up at a clown. Lily had thought nothing of him other than thinking he was obnoxious and loud.

It just went to show that anyone could be a monster.

She spoke her throat tight. "Are you feeling better?...earlier you...I know you were having a hard time with the entire situation baby."

"I'm better...takin care of that prick burnt off some steam. I'll be okay love." Chibs replied as Lily finally allowed him to hold the bag against his jaw.

He wasn't lying. Taking care of the man who'd raped Tristan had eased a bit of the worry he'd felt for his own daughter.

It was one less pervert in the world at least.

He spotted the worry in Lily's eyes his stomach dropping. He hated that she was worrying about him. He changed the subject trying to take her mind off of things. "So what did Jade and ya do tonight?"

"Nothing much. Ate a salad for dinner and watched tv. Juice left pretty soon after I got home." Lily answered sighing at the flash of annoyance in Chibs' eyes at the realization that she had gone out without her bodyguard.

She spoke again frowning. "I can't hide forever Filip. I can't count on the guys to stay by my side every second you aren't around. It's not reasonable. I have to learn to take care of myself. And besides you said it yourself. Julio was more than likely just trying to talk big and win points with the older Mayans."

Chibs let out a huff wanting to deny it, but he knew Lily had a point. It wasn't reasonable to expect Lily to always have someone by her side for the rest of her life.

This whole mess with Julio was tied into this whole mess with the Mayans. It wasn't going away anytime soon, but it didn't mean that Lily should be expected to watch her back every minute of every day.

Lily had to take care of herself. Not entirely of course. Of course Chibs wanted her to be safe. He didn't want her out there all on her own.

He knew that Lily was prepared. She'd been raised by Gemma afterall. Gemma had raised Lily to be assertive and take care of herself. She knew how to fire a gun. She knew how to defend herself.

They would just have to take this all one day at a time. He'd have to believe that she could defend herself if she had to.

He nodded his head pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I know darlin. Ya can't blame me fer wantin my old lady safe though love. I know it aint reasonable fer ya to have one of the lads by yer side twenty four seven. Let's jus take this one day at a time yeah?"

Lily gave him a tired smile nodding. "Okay."

He spoke up shaking his head chuckling. "Juice mighta been better of with ya and Jade. Fuckin idiot passed out after Tig gave him some downers to hold onto. He took the whole bag. He left us high and dry with rifles without clips when we were out followin a lead on Tristan. Thank god we didn't need those clips afterall."

Lily felt her stomach drop at this. She took a deep breath telling herself not to freak. He was all in one piece after all. "What did you guys do to him?"

"We put him in an adult diaper and stapled a sign to his chest askin if anyone would adopt him before leavin him out in front of the police station. Juicey should figure out that he screwed up once a cop wakes him up from his stupor." Chibs explained causing Lily to burst out laughing.

She shook her head almost wishing she could have seen this all. Her father was going to hate finding a knocked out biker in a diaper out in front of his police station. She wished she could see the look on her father's face.

As much as she loved her dad she also loved a good prank.

She felt her mouth go a little dry as she remembered what she'd overheard at the hospital earlier. She twisted the ring she had forgotten to take off before changing into her pjs as she debated what to do with this information.

She sighed knowing she needed to tell Chibs. She trusted him with this information. She needed his opinion. "I overheard Tara and Hale talking at Saint Thomas earlier."

"Bout Tristan Oswald?" Chibs asked thrown off by this bit of information and just why Lily seemed so troubled by it.

Lily looked up at him giving him a small nervous smile. "Yeah a little bit. But Tara asked him about a restraining order."

Chibs frowned puzzled by this comment. He frowned confused. Who would Tara have a restraining order on and why would it bother Lily? "On Jax?"

Lily shook her head sighing. "No. She said it was on some guy she went out with back in Chicago. She wanted to know if it was still valid here...I knew she came back to Charming for something...I don't trust her."

Chibs sighed a small laugh escaping his throat. "What is it with ya and Gemma hatin Tara Knowles love?"

Lily sighed shaking her head. "She broke Jax's heart. He was a mess after she ran off...I guess I'm still sore over it all. I'm protective of Jax. He's like a brother to me. He's always looked out for me and I just want to do the same for him."

Chibs chuckled at this nodding. "Aye. Ya sound like my sister love."

"So does this mean Cait Telford is protective over her big brother?" She asked her mood lightening for a moment.

He grinned at this finally dropping the bag of carrots on her beside table. Cait made Lily look tame. He could still remember how much Cait had fussed when he'd married Fiona. The two women had hated eachother from the moment they met.

"Aye. I think she'd like ya though Snow. She'd like how fierce ya are. She's the type to put lads in their place when they need it, jus like ya."

Lily smiled at this a part of her wishing that she could meet Chibs' family somehow. She sighed knowing that it would more than likely never happen. Chibs' family was back in Scotland and parts of Ireland.

It was a world away. A world Chibs was banned from.

She pushed this thought from her mind as Chibs spoke again. "Are ya goin to confront Tara bout what ya heard then? Or are ya goin to tell Jax?"

"I don't know...I need to think about it. I doubt Jax would get why it bothers me...he thinks I'm being overprotective."Lily explained.

Chibs nodded his head sighing. "Yer jus lookin out fer him. I wasn't round back when Tara took off, but I've heard shite from some of the other lads. I know it messed Jackie boy up, her leavin him. I know Gemma doesn't like her either. I trust yer judgement lass. Maybe ya should jus let Jax handle it though love. Ya can't protect him from everything."

Lily sighed knowing that Chibs had a good point. She knew it was the Gemma in her though. She wanted to shield the people she loved from things and people that could hurt them. It was just in her nature to overreact and overprotect at times.

She knew Chibs had a point. Jax was unlikely to think it was a big deal. And Jax was a grown man perfectly capable of protecting his own heart.

It was just that Tara had done such a number on him the first time around. Lily didn't trust Tara to not make the same mistake once again.

It was something she'd have to think long and hard about. For now though she'd keep the whole restraining order news to herself.

She sighed giving him a tight smile. "I'm going to have to think about it. I don't want to piss off Jax."

She changed the subject before Chibs had time to say anything about the pissing off Jax comment. "At least I'll be kept plenty busy while you're up north. Gemma is putting me to work getting things together for the Taste of Charming Festival. I'll be working the facepainting booth and taking some photos."

"Aye that's good ya won't have to spend the whole time crying over me on a hill of tissues." Chibs teased pressing a quick kiss to her lips.

Lily chuckled shaking her head. "Yep you'll have to do all the sobbing for me. I am sort of bummed that we won't get to watch the fireworks together."

Chibs gave her a cheeky grin not missing his chance. "Aye we'll jus have to make our own fireworks when I get home then yeah."

She burst out laughing at this. "That was smooth Telford."

"Aye well Smooth is my middle name." He replied the smile still on his face as he allowed one of his hands to run along her exposed thigh.

Lily shook her head at this. "Yeah last time I checked your middle name was James baby."

She pulled back from his touch before she gathered the frozen bag of carrots giving Chibs a small smile. "Wait here I have a surprise."

"Aye a naked surprise?" Chibs called out after her causing her to laugh.

"Maybe"

He was stunned as she returned a few minutes later holding a wrapped large envelope along with two small brightly wrapped gifts.

She sat down beside him handing him the longer bright orange wrapped present. "I figured since we won't be together for your birthday you can have some of your gifts early."

"Ya didn't have to buy me any gifts Lil." Chibs remarked still stunned by the presents.

Lily rolled her eyes laughing at this. "Yes I did. It's your birthday. Now come on rip it open. I want to see you open it."

Chibs smiled tearing into the gift just like a little kid on Christmas morning. He smiled as he opened the box revealing a soft purple scarf.

He held it up admiring how soft the material felt against his hands. It was a fuzzy warm material that felt heavenly against his skin.

Lily spoke nodding down at the scarf. "You'll need that for your run. I know it can get cold on that bike. You can finally throw out that gray mess you've been holding onto."

"Aye It's perfect lass. I'll wear it out jus like I wore out that gray scarf." Chibs remarked meaning everything he said.

The scarf was something he would never have thought of to buy for himself. He couldn't help but to like that Lily was thinking of things like this; thinking of little ways to make his life easier.

It was something he wasn't used to; being taken care of. He knew he could definitely get used to being taken care of like this. He hoped he'd be able to get used to it.

Lily spoke her voice giddy. "Now open this one."

Chibs took the small square bright blue wrapped box tearing into it quickly. He opened the gift with the same enthusiasm he'd opened the other gift with. He grinned as he opened the box spotting the last thing he would have expected; a golden pin that was shaped like a reaper.

Lily spoke as he took the pin out of the box holding it gently admiring it. "I saw this while I was out with Jade earlier. I thought of you when I spotted it."

"Aye. I love it Lily. Thank ya Snow." Chibs blurted out in awe of the little pin.

It was another thing he never would have thought to buy for himself.

He pressed a lingering kiss to Lily's lips before she took the pin from him delicately pinning it onto his kutte right over the Redwood Original patches.

Chibs stared down at it a small smile on his face. It looked as though it should of always been there.

He knew that everytime he stared down at the pin he would think of his old lady.

He slid his lips along hers once again a smile on his face. "Thank ya Snow. I love ya."

"I love you too. Now open this." Lily remarked her stomach turning as she handed over the thin envelope.

She'd wrapped the shipping envelope up with the same orange paper she'd wrapped the first gift with. She just prayed that she wasn't making a gigantic mistake doing this.

Chibs raised an eyebrow staring down at the odd gift. He had no idea what she could have possibly stuffed into such a thin light envelope.

After some work Chibs managed to get the envelope unwrapped and open without ripping anything that shouldn't be ripped. He pulled the envelope open and slowly slid out what was within it his eyes growing wide.

He stared down at the photo stunned at what was in in front of him. Lily in a pair of cherry red heels, a black thong, a lace bra, and one of his work shirts. She was posed beside an old Harley holding a socket wrench in her hand.

She was staring straight at the camera her eyes holding a playful glint. Her lips were painted the same bright red as her nails and the red heels.

His jaw dropped as he took in the picture. He shifted a bit in his seat as the blood in his body all rushed to one paticular place making his pants a bit tight.

Lily felt her mouth go dry as a cotton ball as she took in Chibs' silent reaction. She placed a gentle hand on his her voice holding a hint of worry. "Do you like it?"

Chibs stared up at her his eyes still wide. Did he like it? Was she honestly asking him if he liked it?

He answered her by pressing his lips to hers in a deep bruising kiss. He wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her close forcing her to straddle his lap.

She placed her arms over his shoulders her fingers threading through his short hair messing it.

When the need for oxygen finally became too much they pulled apart. Chibs placed his hands on Lily's hips keeping her locked tight in his lap. "This is amazin love. It's goin straight into my wallet. I'm not goin to be able to keep my eyes off of it."

Lily smiled at him her heart lifting at this statement. She pressed a quick kiss to his lips speaking. "As long as no one else sees it buddy."

"Aye I'll blind any lad that tries." He remarked only half joking.

He knew it would take some serious folding to get it in his wallet, but he hated the idea of going up north on this run without the sexy picture of his old lady.

Lily spoke up pouring her heart out to him. "I was afraid you'd hate it."

"Why love? How could I possibly hate a sexy picture of ya." Chibs asked puzzled by this comment.

Lily sighed biting her bottom lip as she continued to pour out her heart. "I was freaked out it'd make you think about my job with Cara Cara...I know you say you're okay with it baby, but I can tell how much it bothers you. I just didn't want you to see that picture of me and think about me modeling...I just wanted you to look at it and think I'm sexy and that I love you."

Chibs sighed knowing that she could see right through all the times he told her he was fine with the modeling.

Of course she could see it. Yes he'd told her that he was uncomfortable with it, but he'd also told her that he wasn't going to make her quit.

He felt like someone had ripped his heart in half as Lily look downwards avoiding eye contact. She spoke her voice sounding so vulnerable. "I just don't want you to hate my job...I love it and if you hate it, it makes me feel like you don't like that side of me...like you're ashamed."

He placed a gentle hand on her cheek forcing her to look up at him. "I could never be ashamed of ya Lily. I love ya. Yer my old lady. I love everything about ya. I'm not goin to lie there's parts of ya modeling that bother me...it's got nothin to do with ya though love. I just hate the idea of other men seein ya like that...I know ya only want me, but I still feel possessive sometimes...plus I worry bout ya bein in that world love. Luann's world isn't a pretty one sweetheart. I don't want ya getting hurt."

Lily nodded her head understanding everything he said. She sighed wanting so badly to fix all of this; to take away the things he hated about her job. "I know I can't do anything about you feeling possessive...I know you don't want me to quit because of that...Maybe we can set boundaries though."

"Boundaries?" Chibs parroted raising an eyebrow at this word.

"Yeah...like things that you don't want me to ever do with my job. It might help if you have some control over what I'm doing...I mean we can't stop me being on the website, but we can at least rule out things you'd rather have me not doing." Lily explained knowing that it was all she could give him.

She already knew she wouldn't quit her job. She knew Chibs didn't want that, not really. He'd feel guilty if she quit something she loved just to make him feel a little less possessive. He'd told her that himself.

"Aye that could work." Chibs replied thinking for a moment about all the things he never wanted her to do.

He spoke again sighing. "I don't want you ever doing videos and I don't want ya doin cam work."

Lily nodded in agreement. "Neither do I. I made Luann put that in the contract I signed with her."

Chibs sighed feeling a bit better knowing this. He spoke again clearing his throat. "I don't want ya posin with anyone else...not even another lass. I don't want anyone touchin ya...I don't want ya doin anything too...graphic. I want ya to jus stick with the softer shite...the pinup stuff and the schoolgirl theme you've been doin."

Lily nodded her head knowing that this was all perfectly acceptable. "Okay anything else?"

"I don't want ya doin anything that might hurt ya...ya know bondage shite...being tied up. I don't like the idea of ya getting all bruised up or bein uncomfortable." Chibs admitted feeling a little less tense about this all.

Maybe she was right, Maybe boundaries could make things less tense.

Lily nodded her head pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "I'm okay with all of that."

She paused giving him a tight smile. "I just want you to be proud of me Filip. I want you to be as proud of me as I am of you."

Chibs frowned hating the doubt in her voice. He pressed a kiss to her lips doing his best to reassure her. "I am proud of ya love. Yer amazin. I'm so grateful that yer mine. I love you Lily."

"I love you too." Lily replied holding on to him her head resting on his shoulder.

They sat like that for a long time soaking up eachother before Chibs pulled back pressing a quick kiss to her lips as he changed the subject. "Now enough of this talkin bout Cara Cara shite. I think ya owe me some lovin before I have to leave."

Lily chuckled thankful that they'd talked about this all. She just prayed he loved the rest of the photos as much as he loved the one she gave him.

She planned on giving him the other photos when she took him up to SAMCRO's cabin after he got home from the run.

She pressed her lips to his allowing him to pull her back on the bed.

Lily allowed herself to get lost in his kisses and the feel of his hands on her skin. She loved him and she prayed that he'd return home to her in one piece.

She just had to get through the next two weeks without driving herself nuts with worry. She hoped she could make it.

Reviews? Constructive Criticism?

Sorry it took me so long, but I got stuck on a scene in this chapter and it took me a bit to sort it all out and make it look the way I wanted it to.