Disclaimer: I don't own Sons of Anarchy or any of the characters in the show. It's the property of Kurt Sutter, Sutter Ink and FX.

I know I still have reviews to reply to and I'm getting to it, I just wanted to finish this chapter first. Until you get a proper reply, thank you so much! A huge thank you to all readers and reviewers with an extra thank you to the guest reviewers.

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Chapter 37: Among Female Dragons

Happy saw Grace coming into the garden with Skip's arm around her. When she noticed him she gave Skip a kiss and came towards him.

"Hi, Dad." She gave him a hug. "I love the tattoo."

"Wasn't more than right."

"That he got your approval?"

"Not only. That he got the ink to remind him that it was his job to take care of you now." He kissed her cheek. "So he knows I'll kill him if he doesn't."

"I think he knows that even if he didn't tell me that last part."

He'd done his tattoo to prove to her and Ava how serious he was about Grace, that he'd be there for her no matter what. He'd explained that to Skip too, that getting that ink was more then just getting her face on there. Skip had nodded and said he understood and since he believed him, he did it.

"He knows what it means and he wanted it."

"Lucky thing I still loved him then."

"I knew you did, Baby Girl." He smelled her hair. He had loved her visits in prison but he wanted to welcome her back properly, their way. "Wanna take a ride with me after dinner?"

"Yes." The smile was huge and it calmed him down, she'd missed it too.

"Sure you can stay away from him for a while?"

"For my dad and favorite biker, absolutely."

He put his arms around her shoulder and they started to walk towards the house. "You're a terrible liar, Sugar."

"What?"

"I know I'm not your favorite biker anymore."

She stopped and when he turned around she put her arms around his waist again. "You're my dad and that means you'll always be my favorite guy because I know you'll always have my back, no matter what I do."

"That's my job." He pushed her towards the house. "Go and help the ladies. We'll talk later, Honey."

He watched her go towards the kitchen and saw her hug Pete through the window. Peter been a bit early and Happy had been impressed when he didn't wait for Grace, he simply walked inside, gave Gemma a hug and told Tig their couch wasn't the same without him snoring in it. The kid had balls.

Happy had given him a hug and talked for a few minutes before Gemma whisked him away nagging about some salad dressing only Pete knew how to do.

Skip was sitting on the porch and Happy walked over to sit down next to him. He handed him a beer.

"All good?" he asked as he sat down.

"Missed your snoring last night."

"Fuck you!" he said and laughed. "She ok?"

"Yeah, think so. Told her mom is coming tomorrow."

"She'll do fine." He wasn't worried. If you'd grown up with Gemma as your grandmother you could handle anything.

Skip looked through the kitchen window and noticed Peter. He wanted to talk to him, make sure they were ok at least.

"I'm gonna go and say hi to Peter."

Hap nodded and Skip got up and walked inside. When Peter saw him he smiled.

"How's the arm?"

"All good. She's a good shot." They stood silent for a while and finally Skip reached for him and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry."

"No worries. I'd to the same if it was the other way around," he said as he patted his back. "Take care of her."

"I will."

He watched Peter go over to Grace and say something and she looked at him but they were interrupted when something gently but firmly pushed him to the side. He looked down at the huge, white beast that pressed passed him to get into the kitchen. Zeke strolled up to Grace and sat down next to her.

Skip shook his head when she croched down and patted him, seriously kissing the damn dog. When she got up and walked towards him.

"You need to get used to him," she smiled. "Cause he's coming with us today."

"Want me to take him on my bike?" He wasn't looking at her when he said it, he was looking at Zeke.

"No, I'm going for a ride with dad after the dinner and then I'll take the car from the clubhouse."

Wait!" He looked up at her. "You're taking him to my tiny apartment?"

She moved closer and kissed his cheek before whispering to him. "Scared he'll watch?"

"Guess I'll have to do you in the bathroom, Hottie." She laughed and kissed his cheek. He felt the dog sit down on his feet. "Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"A good. He likes you."

He put his hand on Zeke and scratched him behind the ear. It might be possible to get used to him. When he walked outside, Zeke followed him and once he sat down the dog sat down next to him. Skip decided that this was a good sign as well. However a very uncomfortable sign.

Happy looked between him and Zeke, "How did you do that?"

"No fucking idea. He just followed me out here."

Grace watched Skip and Zeke through the window. He didn't look terrified anymore so she guessed it might work out.

The dinner was great, it was just like old times and it was nice to be surrounded by all of them again. When they'd eaten she sat down next to Peter.

"I'm going on a ride with dad after dinner but if you want, I'll come with you to your parents grave after that."

"I'd like that." Peter took her hand. "I'm glad you called. I had a good time."

"It was all Gemma's doing."

"I know, but still..." He looked at Happy. "Give me a call when you two are done and I'll meet you at the cemetery."

She gave him a kiss and said goodbye to everyone before climbing up behind her dad on his bike.

The moment she sat down on the bench, leaning her back against the table, it felt like she was home for real. She felt her dad's arm around her and he handed her a smoke.

"I'm glad Pete came to the dinner. Did you ask him?"

"No, it was Gemma." She knew she was tense and she knew that he noticed. "Dad, before... all this happened, Skip asked me if he could ink me. I asked him today if he still wanted to."

"I don't even have to guess what he said."

"I'm not sure what it'll look like..."

Her dad interrupted her. "I know."

She started at him. "You know?"

"Sure." His smile was big. "Eight months in the same cell, we talked about shit. I didn't know he'd already asked you before you left but I know what he wants to do."

"You're ok with all this?"

"I'm not ok with you still living in San Francisco."

"Dad, I want to do this at my own speed, not the speed the club or you wants me to."

"Make sure it's his speed too, Sugar. Don't leave him hanging, he deserves better than that." He pulled her closer and kissed her on top of her head.

She'd pay a lot of money to hear some of the talks the two of them had inside because even if she knew Happy was on her side, he really wanted her with Skip and wanted to make sure she didn't blew it, again.

"Will you do it? The tattoo I mean."

"Sugar, as long as I live no one else is going to ink you." He looked her straight into her eyes. "That's my job."

"Had a feeling that's how you saw it." She kissed his cheek. "You know, if I'd done what you told me to, I'd still be a single virgin and Skip would be in Rogue River."

"Don't even try." He glared at her but she knew how hard he was trying to not smile.

"Just once, come on, let me hear you say it." She cupped her hand behind her ear towards him.

"Not going to happen." His jaws were tense but it was simply since he tried to not laugh.

She leaned closer to him. "It's not that hard, dad. Let me hear it." She lowered her voice and tried to imitate him. "Grace, I was wrong. That's all you have to say."

"Don't know what you're talking about." He laughed when she turned and smiled at him. "Fuck! Fine, you were right."

"Nooo, that's not what I wanted to hear."

"That's all you'll get, bitch." He stood up and lifted her up in an embrace. "Come on. I'll take you to his place."

"I need to get to the clubhouse for my car."

"Why?"

"I'm picking up Zeke at your house and meeting Peter at the cemetery." He put her back down and Grace sat down on the bench again. He looked at her and followed her lead. "Can I ask you something else?"

"I'm not admitting to anything else today, but shoot."

"Are you letting Skip's parents stay at your house to keep an eye on his mom?"

"Yup. If she tries anything I'll fucking kill her."

"It's Skips mom. I think it can be a slight problem to our relationship if my dad kills his mom."

"I've shared a cell with the kid for eight months. He's fed up with her butting in on you two. I think I'll get away with a couple of cuts at least."

"Go for the face!" Happy laughed when she said it. "How much does she know? I know she doesn't know that I shot him, but the rest. How much does any other club know?"

"Not much. It's not one of our proudest moments. Kidnapping and torturing an eighteen year old, even if we never got to the torturing. Your best friend no less. They know someone tried to kill you and that you took off. We sent out word for them to catch you at first and then Jax changed it. Said to keep an eye on you but at a distance."

"Why?"

Happy looked at Grace and stroke his hand over her hair. He didn't care that she was twenty, he still loved doing that. "Your mom. She told me to back off, that you needed time. Didn't think you needed this much time. Quinn knows more but that's mostly since he was here."

"So Linda basically knows that someone tried to kill me and then I took off."

"It's not a farfetched story, most people would be scared."

"Makes me sound like a fucking coward."

Happy laughed. "Yeah, the saving best friend and shooting boyfriend has more balls to it." He put his arm around her. "I think Tiny knows the truth."

"What happened, with the rest of that, about the fallen ones? I asked Jax and he told me some of it but I think he left parts out."

"You're about to become an Old Lady so..." He picked up another smoke and handed one to her. "They'd been guards in the Mexico tunnels for a cartel and stole tons of blow from them. We guess to sell and build their own army."

"Sounds plausible. So when they were hiding it was more from them than from you?"

"Probably. Quinn talked to a guy from a cartel. He told us to stay away. They were going to take them out, all of them and wanted us out of the way."

"And you agreed?"

"We can't take on a cartel, Sugar, so Jax got the word out. We could defend our territories the way we had but no bigger hits."

"Jax's smart." Happy turned to her and she smiled at him. "He told me they left a guy for you."

"Yeah. They wanted to apologize for the incovinience their negligence had caused us."

"That was a direct quote," she laughed.

"Yes. It was probably to scope us out too. See how serious we was."

"You took your time, I take it."

"I did." He was looking into the park now. That guy had not died easy and he had told Happy everything he wanted to know. The only one left in the room towards the end was the guy from the cartel and when he finally put a bullet in his head, the cartel guy had walked up to him and nodded. "They approached us in jail, to protected us."

"For what?"

"Guns and we helped them inside too."

Grace was a smart girl and he wondered how long it would take her to figure out some other things and ask him about it.

"Drugs, you pushed drugs?"

About three seconds. "No. We were muscle. Me, Skip and Filthy Phil is a pretty impressive wall of flesh. Chibs looks badass just standing there."

"Ok. And now?"

"We don't know. We might keep selling them guns or they might be finished with us." He looked at her again while she put out her cigarette. "Any other questions?"

"No. I think that was all." She took a deep breath. "Need to tell you something though."

"What?"

"I called the Richardsons and I met them. I wanted to have it done, it was hanging over me and I needed to get rid of some of the things that hung over me."

Happy wasn't sure how to react. "And?"

"You were right."

"They fucked up and hurt your feelings."

"Mary. I went there and she kept... saying shit about you, mom and the club. I warned her but she didn't stop."

"And?"

"I got up and left." She shrugged and he put his arm around her, his loyal daughter. "I'm not going to have anything to do with them if they can't... accept who I am and who I love."

"Thank you, Sugar." He pulled her in and kissed her temple. "Ready to go?"

"If we do this soon again."

"Whenever you want to, Sugar. I missed it."

-o0o-

Skip was lying in the couch and watched some movie when he heard the door open. He sat up and saw Grace walking inside with Zeke in front of her. The dog immediately started to walk around in the apartment, smelling everything. He watched it for a while before looking at Grace.

"What's he doing?"

"It's a new place. He's just checking it out, getting familiar with it." She laid down on top of him in the couch. "Missed me?"

"Yup."

"What are you watching?"

"A movie, wanna hang with me?"

"Sounds good. I'm still full from that dinner. I might throw up if we try some Hanky Panky now."

"From 'fucking' to 'hanky panky'. Did you age forty years since I saw you last?"

She pulled his beard instead of answering. "Told dad about the ink."

"Guess he was pleased." Happy had told Skip that he fully expected him to put that crow on her within three months. He had the sketches from Skip's explanation done, just waiting for Grace to agree.

"He was."

He held her chin between his thumb and forefinger. "You're not getting it before you move back here though."

She glared at him when he said that. "No?"

"No. Might get you to move back a little faster."

"Wonder what dad says when he finds that out?"

"He knows."

She'd told him while he was inside that she wasn't moving back to Charming yet. That she wanted some time with him in San Francisco too, just the two of them and he liked the idea. Besides, San Francisco wasn't that far, he could go there over night so he wasn't that bothered by it even if he preferred her in Charming.

"How much did you talk about me while you were inside?"

"A lot." He laughed at her horrified face and kissed her forehead. "And you're going to have to live with me when you move back. And before you say anything, yes, he knows that too."

"You two have been scheming, haven't you?" He almost laughed at her expression. She looked pleased and scared at the same time.

"Yup, we realized we had very common goals when it came to you."

Grace glared at him. "I'm not living in this apartment."

"Why not?"

"Too small. Need a bigger one or Zeke will go crazy. At least a one bedroom."

"Ok. I'll put Gemma on it." That was an agreement Grace-style.

"Lazy ass, why can't you look yourself?"

"I tried, when I was looking for this but she complained about everything so this time I'll just let her do it directly. I don't know the neighborhoods here and was apparently looking in all the wrong ones."

"Were you straying to far from Sam Crow's corner?"

"Something like that."

Grace looked stroke Skip's cheek. She didn't have a problem with moving back to Charming, that had been the plan all along anyway. Moving in with him was another thing. On the other hand they'd pretty much spent all their time together before and living with Peter had taught her a couple of things. Besides, she could clearly see her dad's hand in this entire plan and if he was in on it, so was her sneaky mom.

She decided to leave it for now anyway but she was going to talk to Gemma so she didn't went overboard on the apartment hunting.

"Dad said that Tiny knew about what happened when I left but that he was the only one outside Redwood."

"We left out some details to the other clubs and I didn't want to tell mom either. Especially not about the shooting part."

"Made me sound like a coward though. Like I ran because I was scared."

Skip was quiet for a while. "Yeah. Didn't think about that."

She moved up and kissed him and while she was doing it she saw Zeke from the corner of her eye. He was sitting next to the couch and when she looked at him he buffed her with his nose.

"What does he want?" Skip said, lying completely still and looking slightly worried.

"Attention." She scratched him behind the ear and gave him a kiss. "Think he's done with the tour of your place."

When she'd kissed him he walked away and laid down in the corner he obviously picked for himself.

Skip sat up and looked at Zeke. "And now?"

"Are you going to be like this around him all the time?"

"Is he gonna attack me if I fuck you and you scream?"

"Doubt it. Give me some time to digest all that food and we'll give it a try."

-o0o-

Skip woke up the next morning and gave Grace a kiss. He liked Zeke a little better since he'd completely ignored them while they had sex. He'd come to the bed really early in the morning and Grace took a walk with him. He woke up the next time when she crawled back into bed next to him. It was a pretty nice way to wake up so Zeke was getting higher up on his list of things he liked.

He got up, made some coffee and noticed two bowls on the floor, one with water and one with food so obviously Grace had bought it when she was out in the morning. While he was on the balcony the door was pushed open and Zeke came out. He sniffed Skip and seemed to smile when he got a pat. Then he sat down next to the bars to look outside.

Skip studied him. The only thing that moved was his head and his ears and by the looks of it, he didn't miss a single thing that happened outside.

"I'm guessing my next apartment needs a balcony."

When Skip spoke, Zeke turned around and came over to lick his hand. He petted him again and that when Grace came outside.

"I see that you two are getting acquainted."

"Think he likes the balcony."

"He loves it. Don't you boy?" She kissed the dog and hugged him. "Keeping an eye on people, smelling things."

She stood up and gave Skip a kiss. "Wow, thanks, second to the dog."

"Jealous of the dog?" she laughed.

"A little." He looked at Zeke. "And I'm still not putting my face anywhere near those teeth."

"I wouldn't worry, he knows I like you."

"That's it? You like me and he's ok with me for that?"

"When I'm all over you like this, yes, that's pretty much it. He's ok with you but you're gonna have to work if you want him to like you."

"How do I know when he likes me?"

"When you wake up with a wet face or he runs towards you and gives you a wet face when you come home."

"Wet face equals dog likes me?"

"Yup."

He watched the two of them for a while. Zeke had his head in Grace's lap until she started to drink her coffee and then he went back to his place by the bars, looking outside. Now and then he got really eager and turned to Grace and Grace indulged him by leaning forward to see what it was that got him all worked up.

Seeing how the dog obviously adored Grace made him like him a little better. Even if he still wouldn't put his face near that mouth. That beast had jaws and a neck absolutely riddled with powerful muscles. It looked like he could snap the neck of someone by accident while eating.

-o0o-

Grace was outside the clubhouse. The Rogue River crew had called and they'd be there at any second. Grace had a plan but she was still worried about the outside things. Mostly Happy and Zeke.

"I think we should put Zeke inside for a while." She didn't think her dad would agree to the same thing but she could still control her dog at least.

"Why?" Happy asked.

"I'm not sure how he'll react when they come. If feel threatened he could... not attack but, like, growl and I don't think it'll help my case if he bites Linda's face off."

Skip laughed and hugged her tighter but Lemmy jumped up. "I can take him for a walk." He knelt down in front of Zeke. "Wanna go for a walk with me?"

They took off and Skip hugged her again. "It'll be fine."

"I know. Just trying to make it run as smoothly as possible."

The bikes drove into the lot and there was a car behind them. Linda stepped out first and on the other side came Megan. She was moving slowly and when she came around the car, Grace saw why. She couldn't help herself and started to walk, half run, towards her.

"Oh my God! You're pregnant!"

Megan laughed when she reached her and gave her a hug. "It's good to see you."

Grace couldn't tear her eyes away from the big belly. "Can I touch?"

"Of course. You didn't know?"

Grace glared at Skip. "No! I didn't." While holding the stomach she looked up at Megan. "How long?"

"In two months." She looked so proud. Suddenly she reached for Grace again and hugged her while whispering in her ear. "You're a badass bitch, you can do this."

Grace laughed and realized that Megan probably knew the truth about what had happened. If Tiny knew it wasn't that farfetched that he'd told Megan about it. She turned around and looked at Linda.

She had given this a lot of thought, especially while walking Zeke that morning since that's when she did her best thinking. Linda was the Old Lady of a president her her boyfriends mother. Lashing out at her wouldn't help. The best way to deflate the situation was to be respectful in public but not crawl. Basically, look the bitch right into the eyes, give her a smile. If Linda attacked, moped or refused to greet her back, Grace would have the upper hand. So Grace smiled and extended her hand to Linda.

"Hi, Linda."

Linda laughed a little before giving her a hug. "Hi." She leaned back and looked at Grace. "I like your hair, brings out your eyes."

Grace didn't think for a second that she was off the hook but at least there wouldn't be a big scene right now.

Skip was standing next to Hap and Gemma when Grace ran up to Megan. When she turned around he held his breath and couldn't help notice the others do the same. When Grace smiled Hap chuckled.

"That's my girl," Gemma said when Hap started to walk towards them. Gemma turned to Skip. "You can breath now, baby."

"Don't think it's over yet."

"No, but Grace did good. She showed respect in a way that made it impossible for Linda to lash out at her in public. Whatever's gonna happen is gonna happen where you and Hap can watch over it and in private. No public shit."

He felt a big hand on his shoulder and turned around to see his dad. He gave him a hug.

"Good to see you out, Son."

"Good to be out."

Al nodded towards his girlfriend and his mother. "Impressive. No squirming or bowing but she still managed to defuse the situation."

"She was taught by the best."

He laughed and gave Skip another hug. "I had a talk to mom, I think she'll be playing nice."

"What did you say?"

"That if she wanted to see half of her grandkids on a regular basis she needed to behave. And that her dad was called 'killer' for a reason and we were living in his house."

"Thanks, dad."

"I also have a feeling there's more to this than you told us." He added the last part with a low voice and Skip chose to shrug. Al would bring it up again when he saw it necessary. THat's the only time he brought things up, he didn't pry or gossip but he wanted to know the facts when he needed them.

Linda came walking towards them and he gave his mom a hug. "Hi, mom."

"Hi, honey. How's life outside?"

"Good. So far."

He kept his arm around her and they both looked at Grace who was welcoming Zeke back. Linda lit a cigarette and turned to Skip.

"When are you inking her?"

"What makes you think I am?"

Linda rolled her eyes. "I'm your mom. I know shit."

"When she moves back to Charming," he admitted and hugged her again. "And she moves in with me so you're gonna have to be nice cause she's not going anywhere."

"Good to see you're making some demands on her."

He kissed his mom's cheek. "Be good."

"I'm gonna talk to her."

"And I'll be there, doubt you'll be able to shake Hap either." He noticed her jaws tense. "And don't try to corner her somewhere, don't piss me off, I'm serious, mom."

"Fine." She looked at Grace again and laughed. "She did good."

"What, just now?"

"Yes. She did really good. Smart girl."

"She grew up among female dragons."

That made Linda laugh. "Did you just call me a dragon?"

"Term of endearment."

"Cheeky." She gave a kiss. "I worry about you. You're my youngest and she hurt you. It's hard to forget."

"I hurt her too, mom." He saw the question in her eyes. He was going to have to talk to Hap at least before he told her anymore. "Leave it for now, ok?"

"Ok, but you're going to have to talk to me and make me understand why."

"I love her, that's why." He kissed her cheek. "We'll talk later."

"Fine." He let go of him and walked towards Gemma and Ava who were standing by the door to the clubhouse.

Grace was next to Megan. Tiny came up to him and gave him a hug.

"That went surprisingly well. Megan was so worked up about it I was seriously worried she'd go into early labor."

"She's big."

"Ready to pop," Tiny looked proud when he turned his head to the two girls. "She'll do fine. Your girl I mean, when mom talks to her."

"I know. Don't want mom to burn all the bridges though. She's a bitch and a dragon but she's still my mom."

Tiny laughed. "Mom's smart, she migt balance on the edge but she doesn't fall of that often. Besides, you've been away for two years, it's not like you'll be coming home to be mommy's boy even if she manages to push her away." He looked around the lot. "I'd say she'd be the only one who wanted to separate you anyway and if I know that, mom knows that."