Everything SOA related belongs to Kurt Sutter and FX. I only claim the ownership of Ashley and everything else that you haven't seen/ heard on TV.

Happy dialed Jax's number, he picked it up almost immediately. "We had to call if off, boss" Hap started, looking at Ash from the corner of his eyes, "she got sick.. yeah we're heading back."

"I could pull it through you know," Ash protested as Hap ended his call and started the engine.

"Unnecessary risk," he answered in cold voice, steering the wheel to turn the car around.

There was no use in arguing with him and to be all honest, he was actually right this time. Going for a killing spree in the state of mind and body she was in would have indeed been a pointless risk. They were both quiet for most of the road. It was only when they were back on the streets of Charming, that Hap turned to her, "Back to the clubhouse?"

"I think it would be better if you dropped me home," she decided quickly. They resumed to their awkward silence once she had given him directions to her new place. It was relatively small and nothing special, but it felt like home and home was the only place she wanted to be right now. Hap parked the car without shutting off the engine. Coming to think of it, it was the first time it was clear, that he was not intending on following her inside. Not that he should have been, but the way he acted was almost screaming "GET GOING ALREADY". Rolling her eyes slightly, she opened the door and jumped out saying "Thanks for the lift." Ashley didn't really expect him to stop her, but somehow him actually acting so indifferently towards her, hurt her deep inside. In her heart she had hoped for him to suddenly turn out and make it alright for weeks since she had left Tacoma. But it was so painfully obvious now, he didn't feel that way at all.

Ashley got inside and poured herself a glass of whiskey. Raising it to her lips, she suddenly remembered the incident that had ended their 'Italian road-trip'. Searching around for her calendar, she finally spotted it on the bottom of her nightstand's drawer. "No.. oh no NO NO NO," she traced the dates with horror.

"Hey, Tara," she started cautiously as her sister-in-law finally answered her cell. "I need a favor.. Could you get me an appointment for tomorrow, for some blood-tests?"

"What exactly? I'm not sure if I can get you in so fast, but maybe I can help you out somehow myself?" Tara asked.

"Well.. hmm. I need a pregnancy test and I need to be sure about the results, so I'm not even going to take the drugstore one," Ash spoke in one breath.

"Oh.. Okay, come by tomorrow around twelve then," Tara said, without asking further questions.

"Thank you. Really! See you tomorrow!" Ashley ended the call and sat down on the floor. It wasn't long before there was a doorbell. "Go away," she muttered dragging her feet to the door.

"Hey, heard you got back sooner," Kozik stood on the other side, a huge grin on his face.

"Yeah we did," Ashley moved to let him in. Instead of simply passing, he stopped right in front of her and moved his head so, that his lips were just inches away from hers and whispered, "I'm glad," before backing away.

He always knew how to bring a smile on her face. It was so easy with him and he was not giving her any bullshit. Still the fear over the possibility of someone growing inside of her had already ruined the whole evening and she just wanted to be alone.

"I feel like a proper asshole, but can we postpone this? I'm not feeling well and I kind of forgot about our plans and was actually thinking of after a quick shower heading straight to bed," she looked at Kozik apologetically.

"Sure you don't want me to be here taking care of you?" he softly touched her cheek with the back of his hand.

"Next time," she rested her hand over his.

"Alright, see you tomorrow," he lowered his head to capture her lips. He kissed in a passionate, yet tender way that made her knees weak. All too soon he let go of her.

"See ya," Ashley said to his back as he was already on his way out.

Ashley had spent the whole night tossing and turning, waiting for the morning to come. She got to the hospital right on time, meeting Tara on her way to the elevator.

"Oh hey!" Tara greeted her with a sincere smile.

"Hi! How soon can I get the results?" Ashley asked impatiently.

"Well I can put you on top of the list, so should be really quick," Tara said showing her the way.

"Thank you again, I think I'm wrong, but the mere thought of the possibility is driving me crazy at the moment," Ashley sat down, looking at Tara over the desk.

It took some time, but Tara was finally back with the results. Ashley inspected the look on her face, hoping for it to give something away, but Tara had the perfect poker face. She sat down, flipping through some papers.

"The test was positive, you are pregnant," Tara smiled at her, "Congratulations!"

"Oh god no," Ashley covered her face with hands, hoping it was all just a bad dream. Tears started running down her face. She was not ready for a child. She wasn't even sure if she would ever be.

"Oh," Tara came in front of her and took her hand. "It's going to be okay, whatever you decide," she promised. "But I suggest you really think this through. If I might say, Kozik seems to really care for you and I'm sure he'd be a great father," Tara tried reassuring her.

"Kozik?" Ashley eyed Tara questioningly. "He's not the father, we haven't even slept together," Ash got up and walked to the window, leaving Tara speechless.

"It's Happy's," Ashley turned around, a tear running down her cheek.