It's been nearly four weeks since the night Donna was shot and she's still pretty weak. She had two bullets removed from her left arm just below her shoulder and was stitched up where the other two only grazed her. Her doctors are sure she will make a full recovery if she takes it easy until she's finished with all her physical therapy for the movement of her upper arm and shoulder.

Kenny and Ellie have always been helpful kids - they've always done their chores with little to no complaining. But since the night Donna was shot they've been especially helpful. All the housework is done by them such as the cleaning, the laundry, and a majority of the cooking with Donna's guidance of course. A nurse comes daily to help Donna, but she has been struggling with letting people help her do simple everyday tasks. She has always been a very independent person so having to sit back and allow people to help her shower and dress herself has been an extremely emotional experience for her. She feels violated and helpless.

Her relationship with Opie faltered and she again threatened to leave him if he didn't remove himself from the club. He had already spent five years in prison for crying out fucking loud and she couldn't take it anymore. She fought with him even though he tried his best to calm her down, not wanting her to overdo it and ruin all the progress she had been making. Kenny and Ellie spent many nights at Jax and Tara's as well as at Clay and Gemma's. Both Opie and Donna didn't want their children to listen to their fights about the club. Opie feared that leaving the club would be more dangerous in the long run. He knew he and his family would always have protection if he stayed loyal to his brothers. The thought of leaving it all behind and having to protect his family on his own scared him more than anything.
Also, chopping wood definitely doesn't pay all the bills.

"Look, Donna.. I know how fucking terrible this is and I wish more than anything you would have just taken the kids home and I would have stayed to help clean up. This wasn't meant for you and I know there's nothing I can say to make it better. But this is all I know. I know that I love you and the kids more than anything, but I also know that the club is also one of my priorities. I can't change who I am now - it's too late.

But Opie wasn't the one to convince Donna that being in the club was the safest thing for their family right now..

Donna pulls up to Gemma's house and removes her key from the ignition. She takes a deep breath and lets it all out, sighing as she unfastens her seatbelt and makes her way up Gemma's beautifully landscaped front walk. The door opens before she even has a chance to knock on it.

"Your mom's here, kids!" Gemma yells to Kenny and Ellie who are watching tv and laughing in the living room just after finishing eating the lunch she'd made them.
"How'd it go?" Gemma asks, shutting the door behind the girl she had watched grow into a woman.
"It was good" Donna says with a smile. "It gets easier every time. I'm really thinking I'll manage a full recovery."

Gemma smiles gratefully. "That's so good to hear, honey. You're a tough woman, that's for damn sure. It seems just like yesterday you were a teenager and spending the night here with Opie."
She brings Donna in for a hug. "About that.. how're you two?"
Donna's smile fades and she feels a tug in her chest.
"Well... we're doing okay I guess, I -" Donna stops herself as her kids join them in the kitchen. "I'll meet you out in the car in a minute, guys."
The kids share a knowing glance. They hug and thank Gemma.
"No, problem, babies. You're always welcome. I love you."
"We love you, too, Grandma Gem." They say with smiles.

Donna watches to make sure the kids head for her car. She turns to Gemma who seems to be looking at her expectantly. "I'm still worried about his involvement in the club.. I - I just don't want anything else bad to happen. Especially to my kids. They're too young to see or be involved in such violence.. and what happened to me? I still think he needs to earn straight and keep his distance. It hurts that he won't listen even after this." Donna says shakily, pointing to her injuries.

Gemma steps closer and gently squeezes her hands. "Donna, what happened to you was absolutely terrible. I can't even begin to understand how you must feel. You truly are so lucky to have survived what was meant to happen... to happen to Opie" Gemma swallows, knowing what she's saying is hard to hear. Something like this isn't just brushed under the rug and forgotten.
"But the boys have already handled it. You truly weren't in any danger in the first place. Hobart was never after you.. he went crazy after what happened.."

Donna knows Gemma is referring to how Hobart was set up and forced to have his tattoo removed. She shutters at the thought of them torching his entire back over a fucking tattoo, but club rules are club rules and she knows better than to question them.

Donna had no idea that had even happened to him until after she was shot. Opie told her everything he knew about Kyle Hobart when the club found out he was the one who tried to kill him.
Donna's memories of that day at the fundraiser are actually good ones. She had a great time with her family and, for the first time in a long time, she wasn't burdened with worried thoughts of how the bills are going to be paid.

Sydney is standing under the tents behind the tables full of food with Gemma and Luann.
"Where are they?!" Gemma asks angrily.
Sydney nods her head towards Bobby and Tig heading their way.
"Oh shit. You are late, Elvis." Gemma follows Bobby and Sydney hears him ask "do you have any idea how difficult it is to get this into a helmet?"

Sydney grabs a water from her grandma's cooler and chugs half of it, wiping her mouth and screwing the lid back on. Tig puts his hand on her shoulder. "Having fun, babe?"
"It's important to grandma and Luann. But I already know you know that."
The corner of Tigs mouth kicks up into a smirk. "You know it."

Gemma rejoins them and Tig goes off to reunite with his brothers. Sydney looks up and sees her father has a man whom she recognizes pinned up against the side of a building. Jax glances over and meets his daughter's scared eyes and his expression softens. He then meets his mother's disapproving gaze.
"Grandma, I think I remember that man. Why is dad cornering him?"

Gemma doesn't look away from her son until he's taken his hands off Kyle. "He probably made a smartass comment." Gemma lies. "Help me with the potato chips, baby."
Sydney reluctantly turns her attention away from her father and the man to help Gemma.

Just then Donna and the kids walk over to say hello. "Hey Donna, hey kids. I'm glad you're here. Help yourself to the food." Gemma and Luann smile warmly. Sydney walks back over to them with a bunch of bags of chips in her arms. "Hey, guys!"
Both Opie and Jax walk towards the tables and start picking at the food. Jax nods at Opie. "I'll be back, I need to talk to Syd."

Sydney looks up at the mention of her name. "Can I borrow my kid for a few minutes?"
Gemma nods warily, wondering what he is going to tell her about Kyle. "Relax, ma'," Jax says before he makes eye contact with Sydney, "Over here," he says as he jerks his head to the left letting her know he wants her to follow him. They walk towards the end of the tents so they are no longer separated by the tables.
"Having fun?" Jax asks her as they walk leisurely, his hands in his pockets. She snorts. "Tig just asked me that. But yeah, it's fine. I'm glad Ellie and Kenny are here now."

Jax nods. "Listen, Sydney. I'm sorry you had to see that. I just don't want you to be wondering or worrying about anything. It's all good, okay?"
Sydney nods but doesn't make eye contact. He sets a hand on her shoulder and stops walking which also stops her in her tracks, forced to look up at him.
"I remember him, daddy. Isn't he a club member?"
Jax sighs and runs his hand over his face. "Jesus, kid. No, not anymore. Not much gets past you, does it?"

Sydney squints her eyes at him but doesn't push for information, already knowing he'd never tell her. It's unusual for ex-memebrs to actually be living, let alone showing their faces in Charming in broad daylight. She wonders what he's doing here.
"I can read you like a book, little girl. Stop concerning yourself with club shit, alright? Come on, let's head back before your grandma has another cow before 1 o'clock."

Sydney giggles, following him back towards the tents. "Well, if you just would have been on time there wouldn't be a problem."

Donna approaches Opie and leans into his side. "So.. I signed you up for some activities with the kids.. think you can hold off on whatever shit you guys are gonna do until afterwards?"
Opie grins. "I think I can do that."
"Good, because the egg toss is starting," Donna says while looking back and forth between her husband and Ellie. Get your asses out there!"
Ellie cracks an evil smile. "The egg's gonna break all over you, Daddio."
"Shit! Already? Jax, Sydney? Follow them, I signed you guys up as well" Gemma smirks.
Donna, Gemma and Luann all laugh while watching the egg toss begin. "The only thing Ellie can throw is a punch.." Donna admits nervously. Gemma and Luann crack up.

Kyle's life had gone to shit after he was excommunicated from SAMCRO. It lead to his divorce which resulted in a tense relationship with his children. Showing his face in Charming, though he was granted permission by Clay, was a bad idea. Being tricked into thinking he and the club were on good terms was truly the icing on top of the cake.. having to choose between fire or a knife and then being chained up.

He used to live and breathe for the club, one of the reasons he had such a hard time actually having his tattoo blacked out. Everything changed after that night back in Charming though.. or so the story goes.

Kyle had fallen into a deep, drunken depression after finally being released from the hospital. He resented the club, especially Opie. He believed that Opie should have ran from the cops with him - he too could have gotten away with arson. To Kyle, Opie's five years in prison could have easily been avoided and he himself (Kyle) would still be a patched member of SAMCRO.

These thoughts ate away at him and kept him awake most nights. Hate and violence were festering up in his heart and he finally snapped.

One night in early January he set out on a drunken rage and it's a mystery as to how he was able aim a gun let alone fucking drive.

A week after Donna was shot, Tig saw him drunkenly stumbling up and down Main St. Tig went after him to see if he had heard about Donna. Tig was confused as to why Kyle was back in Charming but he did not mean him any harm. His tattoo was removed months ago and all ties had been cut, Tig did not give a damn if Kyle wanted to show his face in Charming.
But Kyle ran off which was very odd to Tig.

Tig informed the club which resulted in them seeking Kyle out. He was so frightened and drunk that he admitted that he went after Opie for ruining his life before the club had even questioned him. To put it shortly, the club voted that the ex member meet Mr. Mayhem...

Donna shakes her head to clear her thoughts of Kyle and her hesitation makes Gemma speak again. "If Opie leaves the club, the club won't be able to protect him or you and the kids.. Opie wouldn't be able to show his face around here ever again for betraying them. You think it's dangerous now?.. What happened to you isn't the norm.. I've stood by the club for over thirty years with two different husbands and I am a stronger woman for it. People respect me and if for some reason I am unable to protect myself, I know the club has my back.. I know you want to blame the club, but SAMCRO is not the enemy; it's the glue. The one thing that will always be there to pull you through the ugly shit. You have to stop fighting us, Donna. You need us."

Donna takes into consideration what Gemma has just told her. She doesn't want to admit Gemma's right even though she knows she is. Opie has been involved with SAMCRO since they were sixteen years old.

Donna looks Gemma in the eyes and nods. They embrace and Gemma strokes her hair. "I'm here for you, baby. I know what happened to you makes this even harder. Raising a family with a member of the club can be very stressful, but know that your kids are, and will always be, loved and protected by those men."

Donna exits the house and walks out to her car. She sees that Ellie is turned around in her seat talking to Kenny who is sitting in the back.
"Shh," Kenny warns his sister. "She's coming."
Ellie snaps her head around and sees her mother walking towards the driver's side door. She turns around in her seat and fastens the safety belt.
Donna gets in the car and no one says a word. She starts the car and turns to look at them. "Everything okay?"
Kenny looks down as tears burn the back of his eyes and Ellie manages a nod. "Are you sure? Kenny? Look at me, baby" Donna commands turning to look at him.
Kenny refuses to look up as his tears roll down his cheeks. He lets out a sniffle.
Donna turns to her daughter expectantly.
Ellie sighs. "We aren't dumb, mom.. we know you and dad are having issues. Are you getting divorced?"

Donna's eyes widen at the blunt question. "What? Who put that idea into your head?
Ellie tilts her head back and groans in anger before narrowing her eyes at Donna. "You and dad! And just five minutes ago in the kitchen with Gem before you obviously waited for us to leave before you answered her question?"
Donna sighs. "All marriages have rough patches. I love your father. We are heading to the shop to see him now."
Kenny wipes his tears, finally looking up. Donna smiles at him, tears brimming her own eyes.
Ellie turns away and stares out the window.

Opie and Jax are in the garage working on a transmission rebuild while Tig and Juice are doing a tune up.
"So, how's Donna been since that big fight you two had?" Jax asks. Opie snorts, "which one?" Jax frowns, "that bad?"
Opie nods. "She'll come around.. at least I hope so. She always has before.. but this shit is deep."
Just then Donna and the kids pull up to the garage. "Speaking of the devil.." Opie smirks.
Kenny runs to his dad to give him a much needed hug and to see what he and Jax are working on.
"Hey buddy, did you have fun at Gemma's?" Kenny nods, "I always do." Kenny is a spitting image of Opie. Their baby pictures are nearly impossible to tell apart other than what's written on the back. He's not as tall as Opie was at his age but everyone thinks he will hit a growth spurt and tower over his mom and sister within the next year or so.
"Are you okay?" Opie says as he stares at his son, knowing damn well he's been crying.
"Yes," Kenny nods, shrugging it off. He and his older sister are only thirteen months apart so he will be twelve in a few months. Though he's still young, he tries to be as tough as possible.

Donna and Ellie finally make their way up to the garage. Jax continues to walk Kenny through their transmission rebuild as Opie greets his wife and daughter. Donna walks into Opie's open arms and they share a chaste kiss. Opie keeps one arm around Donna as he holds open his other one. Ellie closes the distant between them and hugs him back. She sighs, feeling safe and at ease in the strong embrace of her father. Donna too wraps her other arm around Ellie and they share a group hug. Donna kisses Ellie's head before walking away to greet the other guys, hoping Opie will know what to say to make her feel better.

Opie wonders why Kenny was crying. Though Ellie is tall for her age, the top of her head just barely reaches Opie's chest. Donna and Ellie are extremely close, but there's just something about her dad that is so comforting to her. Opie places a hand on the back of her head while the other is on her back. "What's going on? Why was Kenny crying?"
Opie pulls away from the hug and exits the garage and she follows him.

"Did something happen at Gemma's?" he asks her as they are about halfway to the picnic tables.
"No.. well, kinda.. but not exactly" Ellie answers. Opie looks down at her and frowns. "What do you mean 'not exactly?'"
Ellie sighs and leans up on the end of a picnic table as Opie sits on top of the one beside it with his feet (barely) hanging above the ground so they are facing each other.

"Are you and mom getting divorced? Are we not going to see you anymore?" Ellie again asks bluntly. She sees no need to sugar coat this.
Opie raises his eyebrows but Ellie speaks again before he can answer. "As we were leaving Gem's today, she asked mom how you guys are doing just before Kenny and I entered the kitchen. They obviously stopped talking and waited until we had gone outside before they continued the conversation. Kenny and I know something is going on. All the nights we've spent at Gemma and Clay's.. and at Uncle Jax's?"

Opie runs his hand through his beard. He stares at the smart, beautiful girl he is proud to call his daughter. "Baby, listen. I love your mom. I'm pretty sure I've loved her since the first time I laid eyes on her back in elementary school." Ellie can't help but smile.
"And yes, we are going through some shit right now. I can't deny that. But we've always managed to overcome our problems in the past" Opie explains.

Ellie groans again. "Neither of you are answering me! It's a yes or no question, are you getting divorced or not?!" Ellie snaps. She sits on top of the picnic table she was just leaning against and rests her feet on the bench connected to it. She's now facing the clubhouse. She takes deep breaths and tries her hardest to swallow the lump burning the back of her throat. Tears pool in her eyes and she looks up in hopes of preventing them from rolling down her cheeks.
Opie hops down from the other picnic table and sits on the bench right next to where she's resting her feet. He sets a hand on her bare, sun-kissed knee, biting his tongue about the fact that she's wearing the shorts he's told her multiple times show a little too much of her long, lean legs.

With her sitting on top of the picnic table and Opie sitting on the actual bench, she's taller than him for a change. She still has her head tilted back, but with one blink a tear rolls down her temple and into her hair. Opie wipes it away and she finally looks at him.
"Mom and I aren't getting divorced. And if we were we wouldn't hide it from you. Go easy on her, Ell. She's been through hell and back and she needs us now more than ever."
Ellie sighs, "I know, daddy.. I didn't mean to be harsh. I know she has every right to be scared or whatever and feel the way she does. But Kenny and I spent nearly half our lives visiting you in prison.. we're a family again and I don't want to lose that."

Opie nods as he wipes another one of her fallen tears away, "I'm not going anywhere and neither are the rest of you.. things will get better in time. I love you, kiddo. Remember that."
He starts to stand up and gives her a kiss on the top of her head, "I have to get back to work now, baby."
Ellie nods and follows him. He pulls out a pack of cigarettes and lights one, taking a drag. He checks the time and whistles, "I can't believe I spent my entire smoke break on you" he shakes his head, teasing her. She shoves him with a giggle.

Ellie joins her mom and Opie gets back to work. "Sorry, bro" he apologies to Jax for his longer-than-anticipated absence.
"Don't be" Jax tells him, thinking it's ridiculous of him to even be saying sorry. He himself knows the struggle of consoling a moody, teenage girl.