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Chapter 25

Melissa came out of Happy's bathroom early the next morning to find him sitting in a chair at a small table across the room, he had her gun completely taken apart cleaning it. Each part was neatly placed in a line on the table, across from that was a very precise row of bullets to be put back in it. He was focused on what he was doing and didn't notice her approach him, she watched as he methodically worked and when he was done with one piece he'd put in line with the other pieces. She'd also noticed that his belongings in his dorm were also placed neatly in stacks and rows. The room was exceptionally clean and neat too. It seemed her tattooed killer was a little bit obsessive about some things.

When he finally looked up at her, she asked him with a smile, "Whatcha doing?"

"Cleaning your gun and making sure it's good."

"I could have done it."

"Not with your hands like they are. I'll do it when it needs to be done." He told her.

She didn't think that he caught what he'd said, implying that in the future he'd be doing it too. Melissa didn't point it out to him either. Walking closer and sitting on his lap she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Well, thank you for taking care of it and me too." She meant it.

He nodded in reply, stopping long enough to pull her close and kiss her. She knew he was more on actions then he was words when it came to things like this and that was fine with her.

"Do you think I can go to my house today? I'm going to need to get some clothes, I can't wear your t-shirt all day."

Grinning at her, "Why not? I don't mind. Taking it off now is fine too." Knowing she had nothing on underneath.

Melissa was getting ready to answer him when there was a knock at the door. Hap had just finished with her gun and got up to open the door. Tara stood there waiting to be let in. She was holding a bag that Melissa recognized as hers from her house. Tara stepped into the room watching Happy place the gun on the table beside her phone. He touched Melissa's lower back and told her he'd be out in the clubhouse when they were finished. Nodding at Tara he closed the door on the way out.

"You know, I didn't really believe Jax when he told me about you and Happy. It is still surprising to see it though."

"Well to be honest, it kinda surprises me too, for a few different reasons." Melissa told her.

"Jax mentioned what had happened to you; that you didn't like people to touch you outside of family. Happy seemed to be the exception." Tara seemed to want to ask something, "He scares the crap out of me most of the time. I'm taking it that he doesn't scare you?"

"At times he does, but in general I feel pretty safe with him." She smiled at the doctor. "I like him."

Almost like she just remembered the bag in her hand she handed it to Melissa. "Shep sent this with me, said he found it in your closet and it was already packed. Hoped you could use what was in it. If not they'd take you over to your house today."

"Thank you."

"So how are you feeling? I'll take a look at everything before you change if that's ok?" She pointed to the bed as she said it.

Sitting down while Tara examined everything, they talked. Talked about what had happened yesterday, her first attack, how she'd met Happy and Chibs, and even how Hap had kissed her that first day. Tara was still shocked by Happy's behavior, considering that he'd never shown any interest in one particular woman in the past.

Finally she asked about Melissa's conversation with Jax about getting SAMCRO into legit business. When Melissa told her what she had done for El Paso and what she had planned for SAMCRO Tara's eyes teared up.

"You have no idea how important it was for me to hear you say that. I want Jax and the guys to be out of all the illegal shit, I can't have our boys growing up in this, the way it is now." She genuinely looked relieved, "If you need me to help in any way, let me know."

"I will. I've already started on a few things, I can get the rest going while the guys are on this next leg of the run. I've got a feeling I'll be on lockdown here for a while so you'll have to come and save me occasionally."

"It's a deal. Has Gemma came to see you yet? I figured she'd be here before me." Tara asked her.

"No, not yet. I've been expecting her though."

"Get ready, she's a force to be reckoned with. I think you'll do fine, just remember to keep some things to yourself where she's concerned. Gemma has a way of using things against people when it suits her." Tara warned her.

"Thanks for that, I'll be sure to."

"Oh and I talked to your Dr August before I came in, he mentioned the sleep issues and night terrors. I told him I'd talk to you about it if you needed to."

"Auggie's been worried. I'm maintaining right now barely, I know ones coming, especially since yesterday. Running and keeping busy helps to keep them away. I'll let you know if anything changes."

"Have you considered just trying to let it happen?" She asked Melissa.

"I've thought about it, but they're almost as horrific as the actual attack was, it takes me days to get my mind back to a functional state. Right after the attack it sometimes took me weeks to recover. I'm just too scared to invite that kind of trauma, I'll fight it off as long as I can." She answered, not able to keep the slight edge of panic out of her voice.

Tara must have noticed too, she backed off, "Just let me know if you need anything. I'm going to head out to the bar before Bobby's muffins are gone. I'll tell him to save you one." She got up to leave just as there was another knock at the door. She grinned at Melissa, "And, there she is."

Tara opened the door and standing there was a tall, dark haired woman. She was beautiful in a harsh edgy way, you could tell that she was used to getting her own way. Her eyes went straight to Melissa sitting on the bed in Happy's tshirt.

"Gemma, this is Melissa. Shep's sister. And I will see you ladies out front." Tara closed the door on the way out.

"Hi darlin' nice to meet ya. Jax has told me quite a bit about you." Gemma said in a friendly but controlled voice.

"Nice to meet you too." Pointing at her bag, "Do you mind if I change real quick?"

"Go ahead sugar, I'll wait. You might want to make sure it's something loose, those cuts and scrapes aren't gonna be comfortable no matter what you wear."

Melissa walked into the bathroom and changed into a simple sleeveless dress that hugged her body stopping above her knees. It would have to do until her knees and legs healed a little. Pulling her hair up into a ponytail and sliding on some sandals that were in the bag, she stepped back out into the room.

Gemma grinned at her, "Well, I can see why Happy doesn't want to let you out of his sight. Smart man." She stared at Melissa for a minute, "You gonna be trouble?"

"I'd like to say no, but the best women are always trouble. But, well worth it." She grinned at Gemma causing the brunette to let out a loud laugh.

"Sweetheart we're gonna get along just fine." She laughed. "Plus, I heard you know how to keep bitches in the clubhouse in line."

This caused Melissa to laugh as she nodded her head. Gemma pulled up the chair that Happy had sat in earlier and pointed for Melissa to sit on the bed. The questions Gemma had were very calculated but not underhanded and Melissa answered them honestly. They spent the next while talking, getting to know each other before getting up to head out front.

Melissa dreaded what was coming next.

-xx-

Chibs sat at the bar talking to Piney when Tara walked up and sat down.

"How's Melissa doing this morning?" Chibs asked her.

"Pretty good considering what she's been through. She'll be sore until things start to heal up. I taped up a few places that probably should have been stitched up, we'll see how that goes. The lack of sleep bothers me more though, being in a new place with strangers won't help either. She's pretty, the men will try to be all over her and the way she feels about being touched, I'm sure it will be stressful."

"I'll keep close to her." Piney told them. "Won't let anyone mess with her."

Tara stared at Happy, "You think he's serious about her?"

"Tha day we stopped on the side of the road to help her, she got under his skin when he first layed eyes on tha lass, before she even spoke a word to us. Hap loves that woman and he hasn't figured it out yet." Chibs said. "From what I've seen they seem to be a good fit."

"That's what Jax said." Tara turned back to them, "Said she's smart too."

Chibs chuckled at the last part, "She's smart, enough to make Hap furious and not flinch when he loses his shit."

Piney and Tara both agreed that they'd have like to have seen that. All three made bets on how long it'd take Happy to put a crow on her and make her his Old Lady.

Tara knew she'd like having Melissa around, she seemed smart and seemed easy to get along with. She hoped they caught whoever was trying to hurt her soon.

-xx-

Picking up his phone and dialing, he waited for Creagan to answer.

"You fucking idiot, you said she'd be easy to grab." He almost screamed. "Now I've got two dead guys and still don't have the goddamned bitch."

Clenching his fist the Son growled back, "I didn't expect her to fucking run. But, she's in Charming now at the SAMCRO clubhouse. Won't be much protection for her there. Leaving out for the rest of the run tomorrow."

"I've a fucking mind to kill you too, you said those fucking packages would work. I'm on my way to Charming by the end of the day. Gonna grab the bitch myself, don't care if I have to do it in broad damn daylight." Creagan sneered. "At this point I don't even give a fuck if you're there. You had your chance. Now we do things my way. Keep your phone close." With that he hung up.

Pacing back and forth trying to get his rage in check, he couldn't let Creagan be the only one to make her suffer. He'd have to come up with a plan fast to get her before Creagan snatched her, he'd waited too long to miss his chance of making the bitch pay.

Dialing again, he spoke into the phone, "You owe me, time to do something for me." He gave the man directions to where they would meet in two days.

-xx-

Happy sat around the table with Jax, Shep, one of her cousins, and Tig. Chibs walked over to join them too.

"Tara check up on Melissa?" Jax asked Chibs. "Yea, said she's doin' okay, fixed up a few places, made her take some pain medicine. It should make her sleepy before too long. Gemma's back there now."

Jax shook his head, he'd known Gemma wouldn't waste any time.

Hap sat back and listened as they talked about what they needed to do at the warehouse to get ready for the next parts of the run. After that they asked him some stuff about Melissa and if she'd talked any about yesterday. He told them what he could, she'd need to fill in the details. Just as he was finished her and Gemma walked in. Hap watched as the men who were around the clubhouse that had not met her checked her out. It pissed him off. He knew what they were thinking as they openly stared at her. He wasn't the only one who had noticed either, Jax muttered, "Oh hell."

They all knew that since she wasn't officially someone's Old Lady, girlfriend, or wife, most of the men considered her as new pussy at the clubhouse. It didn't matter if they were scared of Happy or not. The only small amount of protection she did have, since Hap hadn't claimed her, was that she was a club presidents sister. Even that would wear thin after time. Hap watched her with his jaw clenched, he didn't notice the guys at the table had been watching him.

Tig leaned forward, "You know if you'd just go ahead and make her your Old Lady it'd put a stop to that shit before it even got started." He said with a smirk while the others nodded in agreement.

Happy just glared at them. Glancing back at Melissa, he watched her slowly scan the room. Her body didn't show her anxiety, but when she turned to them, for just an instant her eyes gave away her anxiety and panic. Then it was gone, replaced by relief when she started to come toward them. When her eyes met his the relief changed to confusion before she looked away. What the hell was that about, he wondered. Hap could still see the other Sons that were in the clubhouse staring at her and he glared at them.

Shep and her cousin Banks made a point to stand up and come around the table to hug her, making it clear to the fuckers staring at her that she was with them. For some reason that bothered Hap, he should've been the one making that point but he hadn't.

Melissa sat down, "Well, let's get this over with. You want me to start or do you have questions first." She asked and he watched her put her slightly shaking hands in her lap.

"Go ahead, start from the beginning. Don't leave out anything." Shep told her.

She took a deep breath and she stared at them while she started to talk. It didn't take long before her eyes lost focus and he knew she was playing it all in her mind as she spoke. People moved around the table and she never even noticed. She described the man driving the truck who had choked her, told them details about the other ones, what they had said, even that they'd called the traitor by name and she couldn't hear it in her mind right now.

They'd asked questions and pushed for answers when she was done and she answered each one. By the time they were finished she looked exhausted.

"I'm gonna go lie down, I'm tired now. If you need anything else I'll do it later." She stood up and headed back toward Hap's room, ignoring the men who'd leered at her earlier.

Going over a few things about what she'd told them. they were gonna have Juice check into it. Most of them got up to leave to head for the warehouse to help get things ready. Hap stayed in his seat, Shep got up and nodded in the direction Melissa had headed, "I'll come back later and check on her."

Hap nodded and watched Shep leave. Gemma walked up to the table and sat down across from him. This couldn't be good, he'd always thought she was a little scary in a crazy way.

"She seems like a good woman." Gemma stared at him as she talked. "I know what she's been through, how it makes you feel. If you ain't gonna do right by her and make sure all these fucking men know she's off limits, that she's yours, don't pretend you aren't the one responsible for throwing her to those wolves and making her fend them off herself. That's a shitty thing to do to her."

Happy just stared at her in disbelief.

"Think about it sugar, I know you wouldn't want her to get hurt because of your male ego. Even the toughest men keep their women safe any way they can." Gemma said as she got up and turned to leave.

"She's not my Old Lady."

"Darlin' she may not be, yet, but you know you can make it very clear that she's off limits. But that's your choice." She said as she walked off.

Jesus Christ." Happy muttered to himself. Could nobody just leave him the fuck alone about the Old Lady shit. Feeling pissed off he headed back to his dorm, when he opened the door he slammed it on the way in.

"You're not my Old Lady!" He told her loudly. Happy hadn't realized that she'd fallen asleep on the bed, him yelling and slamming the door had startled her awake. Fuck, now he felt like shit.

Glaring at him with tired eyes, "I don't remember saying I was! I've asked you for very little and you know it! Don't yell at me like I've been making demands on what we are or aren't! Do you think I'm stupid, right now I'm just the woman you're fucking, who just happens to be a club presidents sister! You, you'll get a slap on the back for that! Me, the only thing that will keep anyone from calling me a whore or slut is the fact that Shep is my brother and they respect him!" She yelled back at him. Standing up she went to walk by him to the door.

"Melissa." He reached out and grabbed her hand as she was almost past him. Feeling her flinch but not paying any attention, "That's not true, I didn't mean-"

"You didn't mean what, Happy? To come in here and yell at me, to accuse me of something I haven't even implied I was, because I'm pretty sure you meant to do that, or you didn't mean to be an asshole?" Jerking her hand out of his, he watched as she flinched again, "If somebody said something to you that you don't like, take it up with them!" Looking down at her hands she turned and went into the bathroom and slammed the door in his face as he tried to follow.

Stunned that Melissa had slammed the door in his face and that she'd yelled at him, he just stood there. It was then he noticed that his hand had blood on it. He'd grabbed her hand hard enough to make some of the cuts and scrapes bleed, that's why she'd flinched. He'd hurt her and she hadn't said a word about it.

Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door, "Open the door." He demanded.

"No. Leave me alone." She huffed.

Not taking the risk of breaking the door down, he went and sat on the bed. He felt like a fucking asshole. Thinking about what she'd said as he sat there, he realized that he didn't agree with what she said. She wasn't just a woman he was fucking, it was more than that. Melissa was a lot of things and a whore wasn't one of them, he knew that, he'd cut out anyone's tongue who dared say she was. He'd made demands and she'd agreed to most, but she was right, she hadn't really made any demands of her own. Damnit, he had let his temper get the best of him and he'd fucked up.

Looking over at the nightstand he saw the packs of pain pills Tara had left for her. Two slots were empty and he remembered Chibs saying Tara had made her take them to help with the pain. No wonder she had fallen asleep so fast, that along with how tired and sore she was, and him waking her up yelling at her. He was a fucking asshole.

He'd wait a little bit, maybe she'd calm down and come out.

-xx-

Melissa sat on the bathroom floor, it was the only place she could stretch her legs out. Holding a cloth on her bleeding hand, she took deep breaths to calm herself down and wiped away a few tears that had fallen. She'd be damned if she let him see that he'd made her cry. Happy had scared the shit out of her yelling and slamming the door. It had taken her a minute to fully comprehend what he had said, but once the sleep had cleared from her mind, she'd been furious.

How dare he say that to her! She'd never pushed for anything from him, that didn't mean she hadn't wanted something more from him. Melissa just knew that it would have to be something he figured out on his own. She'd meant what she'd said too. It was only out of respect for her brother that people in the club didn't call her a whore or slut for sleeping with Happy. And, that respect for her brother wouldn't last long in another club. They'd view her as fair game, new pussy, theirs for the taking.

As she sat on the cold bathroom floor getting drowsy again from the pain meds, it hit her that she had started to have feelings for Happy. Groaning, she knew she was in trouble. She loved him. There was no way she was telling him either. He'd probably lose his shit for sure if he knew that.

Turning a little so she could rest her head on the side of the bathtub, she put her hand on her leg holding the cloth in place until it stopped bleeding. Everywhere was sore and she was so tired, closing her eyes, she thought about what she'd just figured out.

-xx-

Happy didn't know how long he'd been sitting on the bed, but it had been a long damn time. What the hell was she doing in there? How long did women stay mad for? He'd never had one long enough to know these things.

Standing up he went over to the door and knocked on it. When she didn't answer, he tried the doorknob. It wasn't locked, so he slowly opened the door expecting something to be thrown at him or her to yell some more. Happy wasn't prepared to see her sitting in the floor with her head resting on the side of the tub, asleep.

His stomach tightened when he noticed the blood soaked cloth her hand rested on and that her eyes even though closed looked like she may have been crying. It was his fault too. Leaning down and gently sliding his arms under her he picked her up, he was a little relieved that she didn't wake up. Hap didn't really know what to say to her.

Laying her on the bed, he checked her hand, Tara would probably need to make sure it was ok, it looked like it had been taped closed. He'd have to explain it was his fault, not Melissa's. Pulling a blanket over her, Hap smoothed some hair back away from her face, leaned down and kissed her. She may not be his Old Lady, but she was his Woman and for the first time, admitting that didn't make him panic. He'd make sure the fuckers here didn't mess with her or they'd have to deal with him.

Feeling his phone buzz he answered it. Jax and the others needed him at the warehouse. Not waking her up again, he went to the door and called for one of the prospects to come keep an eye on her in case she needed anything. Hopefully she wouldn't be so mad when she woke up.