Ch 2

The next night Kerry was standing in the full length mirror in her room. She glanced at her phone and then looked up. For better part of the day she had gone back and forth about canceling her blind date that night.

"Good as it's going to get." She muttered grabbing her purse. She walked outside and got in her car.

"I fucking hate blind dates." She muttered starting her car and pulling out the driveway. She passed Gemma who was driving and the two women waved. Gemma walked into the house to see Tara and Jax in the living room with Abel.

"Kerry looked nice. Did she have plans?"

Tara laughed.

"Gemma, she was set up on a blind date. She was thinking of bailing this afternoon."

"What? No way. I'm still holding out hope for her and Opie."

An hour later they heard a car door slam and Gemma who was sitting by the window glanced out.

"She looks pissed." Gemma walked to the door. "Hon, come on in for a drink."

"I could use one. That was one of the worst dates ever." Kerry said as Gemma nodded. Abel was asleep and Clay had joined the group. "Hi everyone." Kerry said as Jax handed her a beer.

"It was that bad?" Tara asked as Kerry nodded.

"Tom is the brother of one of my co-workers. He was so geeky and seriously looked like the 40 year old virgin."

Jax nearly spit out his beer as Clay laughed loudly.

"That is priceless."

"Kerry, did Tara invite you to the party at the clubhouse next Saturday?" Tara went to open her mouth. "Oops… I beat her to it." Gemma said with a smile.

"Sure."

"Great, I was telling the guys about you." Gemma took to asking Kerry lots of questions.

Kerry explained why she and Dan had been fighting, mainly because of her knowing members of the club. Clay didn't looked to happy to have a bystander know about the clubs past, especially someone who hardly knew the members.

"It's not a big deal. Dan of all people should know things aren't black and white, his brother has been involved with a group of guys in Brighton. Kelly has gotten himself into some trouble but he's one of those guys you'd want on your side in a fight. Being linked with the IRA is nothing I'm not familiar with. A good family friend helps raise money for them in Boston."

"I trust you'll be keeping all of this to yourself." Clay said as Kerry nodded.

"I'm a Townie born and breed, we have the Code of Silence and I'm keeping to it." She said pointing to the shamrock tattoo on her ankle.

"Code of Silence? I like that." Gemma said as Kerry explained it more.

By the end of the night Clay and Jax felt more relaxed because Kerry had been honest about what she knew and they could tell she was no rat. The week seemed to pass in a blur for her. She had parent and teacher conferences all week after school so that kept her busy until Friday night when she could finally relax. Kerry had no idea if she should bring something or not so she decided the safe bet was to bring a case of beer and some cookies. She made a list for the store and then plopped down in front of the TV to get caught up on her TV shows for the week.

On Saturday morning Kerry went to a spin class then picked up the beer and the supplies she needed for chocolate chip cookies. She started on the batter then went to take a shower since it was late afternoon. The cookies were finished not long before she was due to leave because they were better warm. Tara had offered to drive her but Kerry wanted to take her own car, being a city girl she always liked to be independent. She arrived at the time Gemma suggested and saw a line of motorcycles already there and a few cars. Kerry was opening the trunk to get her things when she heard a bike pull up. She glanced up and he had just finished parking his bike and was taking off his helmet.

"I'll help you." He said grabbing the case of beer.

"Thanks."

"I'm Happy, Jax introduced us a few weeks ago."

"Kerry." She said with a small smile as they walked inside.

"Hi Kerry, you didn't have to bring anything." Gemma said coming over to hug her.

"Cookies and booze, your good." Jax said giving her a wave.

"Come on over I'll introduce you to everyone." Gemma brought her around and gave introductions.

Kerry was taking it all in and after Dan's lecture they didn't seem like too much of a dangerous bunch, some of her friends back home looked more dangerous. She found the mugshots on the wall to be funny.

"These cookies are great." Tara said as Abel moved his hands for one.

"Thanks."

"Hey Bobby, she's going to give you a run for your money with the baking." Juice said as the older man gave him a whack on the back of the head.

"So everyone due to Kerry being an outsider I was reluctant to have her in the clubhouse but her friend gave her the inside scoop." Clay said as a few of the guys rolled their eyes.

"ATF?" One of them asked.

"No, he's a detective in Nashua New Hampshire. The idiot claims it was him being helpful but he's just being an ass. Dan's gone and won't be coming back."

"So that's what all the yelling was about?" Opie asked.

"Oh yea, we used to get into it a lot mostly about sports but this has been brewing since he starting dating the skank. He felt like he could get in my business but I couldn't give my opinion without him getting all pissy. No great loss." Kerry said sipping her beer as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. "Be right back." She said walking outside.

"See? Isn't she great?" Gemma said as the door closed. All of the guys looked to Clay.

"We talked last night, she's ok to be here."

"Yea, where she grew up had this thing called a Code of Silence. She seems really into that so we don't need to worry about her ratting or anything." Jax added.

Kerry was gone for awhile and Tara stuck her head out to see if she was still in the lot. She spotted Kerry leaning against the wall still on her phone.

"Sorry, it's my sister. I'll be right in." Kerry said as Tara nodded. 5 minutes later Kerry came in laughing to herself.

"Sorry about that, it was my sister asking for advice that she'll never listen to."

Kerry fell into easy conversation with the guys. She and Juice got into a heated debate over Boston verses New York sports which everyone sat back and watched. Gemma sat next to Tara who was rocking Abel to sleep.

"Look at that." Gemma whispered as Tara looked at see Happy staring at Kerry who was defending Tom Brady and the Patriots. Tara smirked.

"I've never seen him that interested in a woman before." Gemma said walking away. The conversation turned to cars and the guys were impressed she knew how to change oil, flat tires, and install a sound system.

"Watch out or Clay will be hiring you." Jax said going to get himself another beer. Clay started tossing questions about cars most of them Kerry could answer.

"Why would an attractive lady such as yourself move to Charming?" Tig asked.

"I couldn't find a job. I worked in a private full inclusion school for the last year and half before moving here. I applied all through the Boston area and even New York City, that's where my sister is living and I couldn't find anywhere that would hire me. New York wanted more experience and Boston wanted diversity hires and since I'm white I was piss out of luck."

"That's ridiculous!" Piney said as the others nodded.

"I saw Charming and one other town nearby was hiring so I flew out and after an interview and an observation I was offered the job here. Some of my co-workers are a bit much but I like it here."

Kerry was invited to Sunday dinner at Gemma and Clay's and was given a standing invitation to the clubhouse. When Gemma was attacked Kerry was brought in to help along with Tara and Unser. It was then that David Hale became interested in her. He first noticed Kerry at the hospital when she was dropping off some food for Tara since she was working late.

"Who is she?" He asked Tara.

"That's Kerry O'Brien."

Later that day Kerry was stopping for coffee on her way home from a meeting when the deputy chef introduced himself.

"I'm David Hale." He said extending his hand.

"Kerry O'Brien." She said as she waited for her drink.

"So your new in town?"

"Yes."

"And your a teacher?"

"Yes, first grade."

"That must be a challenge."

"Sometimes."

"I-I was wondering if you'd like to go out sometime?"

Kerry was shocked and her mind started to quickly run through reasons but before she came out with an excuse she blurted out "sure."

"Great, how about tomorrow?"

"I actually have something. How about coffee some morning?" She was ready to hit herself but coffee was less serious then dinner.

"Ok."

"How about Monday morning?" She said as he nodded.

"Great." She got in her car and drove away.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck, what did I do?" She muttered to herself.

The club was on edge with everything that was going on. Kerry rarely saw anyone except Tara if she could squeeze in time for a quick meal while at work. Monday morning Kerry arrived at the coffee shop early to see David already at a table with two coffees and some muffins on the table.

"Jessie, told me how you like your coffee." Kerry nodded and sat down. It was an awkward conversation and Kerry glanced at her watch.

"Crap, it's getting late. I better be heading in. Thanks for breakfast." She hurried out and got in her car and drove off.

That afternoon when she got home Gemma was outside her house.

"Coffee date with Hale?" She asked as Kerry frowned.

"He cornered me and-"

"I heard from Tig you were there and he said you looked like you wanted to throttle the guy. He was going to save you but you bailed."

"It was terrible."

"I bet. David Hale does not seem like your type." Gemma followed Kerry into the house.

"He isn't. Way too clean cut for me." Kerry said going to the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of wine and two glasses. She made a motion and Gemma nodded.

"So what is your type?"

"I like tattoos, someone not traditional, and someone not afraid to live."

"It sounds like you'd be perfect for a club member." Gemma said sipping her wine as Kerry flushed.

"I don't know-"

"I know one of them is interested, actually more then one. Clay already gave you the ok."

"So how does that work out? Tara was trying to explain it to me and I have no idea."

"I think your Old Lady material, that means your a long term girlfriend or wife. Once your an Old Lady your guy will give you their crow. A crow eater or a crow is a skank that hangs around the club doing whatever the guys want or need. They are hoping to become an Old Lady or some just like what they are doing. Right now Tara and I are the only Old Lady's, Chibs is married but his wife is in Ireland. Bobby, Tig, and Piney are all divorced but Piney's a little old for you. I know Tig and Juice are very interested." Kerry's face fell a bit. "And then there is Happy." Kerry flushed a little as Gemma chuckled. "For awhile I was thinking you were Opie's type but he's seeing Lyla now. Happy's single but he's a bit more complicated then the others."

Kerry took it all in and the women finished off the bottle of wine.

"I should be heading home." Gemma said tiredly. "There is so much going on. I'm hoping it will be over soon. It's taking a toll on everyone. Thank you for the wine, I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon."