New update finally! :) Sorry I've been so bad at updating. There's been a lot going on in my personal/work life, and I haven't had time to focus on the story! But bear with me! I'm still working on this story slowly but surely! Thank you so much for sticking with me for so long!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to read, review, favorite, and follow! I appreciate and love all of the support and kind, encouraging words! Its been a rough couple of months, so reading them made me feel a lot better! :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Angela, Chloe, Lino, and Evie. The rest is all from the mind of the brilliant Kurt Sutter. :)

Overexposed

Chapter 19: Darkness

By Love Ink

There were six fluorescent beams of light hanging from the ceiling with three fans spinning slowly between them, six broken glasses by the bar, and black and white checkered tile with ten black and ten white checks per bigger square of tile. Chloe knew all this because it was all she'd been focusing on for what felt like hours. Every so often she heard a gruff chuckle or cough from the men sitting in the balcony. The smell of weed wafted down from their location, the smoke making the light around her strangely hazy. She was okay with that, though. Let them get high out of their minds. So high that when someone finally came from her, they were too stoned to react as fast as they needed to. She tilted her head back, staring up at the fans again, focusing on their humming to drown out her thoughts.

A higher pitched humming joined them, whirring around for a moment, a blur of white passing in front of her eyes. She raised an eyebrow, blinking quickly; she had to be seeing things now. Maybe it was the dehydration finally settling in. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been offered water. She heard it again, whizzing about her head. It was a drone, she realized after a moment. A drone that was flying around lightning fast almost as if to scope out the layout of the place. It stayed mostly in the shadows, trying to keep out of sight, whoever was operating it was ballsy since that was exactly where Lin's henchmen were hiding. She almost wondered if it was one of them playing with the drone.

"You see that shit?" a voice asked from the shadows. "That ours?"

"Yo, anyone got a drone?" asked another. After the resounding sound of 'no' rung out around the room, a loud shot went off.

Chloe felt it zing by her, stinging her arm as it grazed her. She hissed in pain, gritting her teeth together to keep from crying out. "Idiot," someone said, voicing her own thoughts. "We're not s'posed to hurt her!"

Another shot went off, this time actually hitting the drone and sending it to the ground in the corner farthest away from her. The men left their stations to check out the fallen drone, at least five of them hovering around it for a moment. And then it went off. A loud blast, knocking them all back on their asses. Chloe felt the heat of it on her face, felt the sting of shrapnel on her bare arms and legs, but she couldn't help but smile; it looked like the Sons had stepped up their warfare technology. All was quiet for a moment before the shots started. Quiet at first, dampened by silencers, she was willing to bet, and then loud. Doors slamming open and closed, men stampeding inside with their guns drawn.

Bullets flew by her left and right making her realize that sitting up, she was too big of a target. She kicked her feet against the restraints, moving her shoulders at the same time. The movement earned her the desired effect and her shoulder hit the ground with a loud smack. She groaned at the pain of it, but if it kept her from getting shot, she was all for it. Closing her eyes tightly, she prayed to be saved, prayed the good guys would win this time. Even if the good guys were outlaw bikers.

She felt his presence before his calloused hands found her wrists. "Hap," she breathed, feeling a hot tear slide down her face.

"I got you, Braun," Happy assured her, cutting the ties from her wrists and legs. "Can you stand?"

She wasn't sure, but she tried. Her legs trembled for a moment, and she stumbled. "Shit," she cursed, ducking down with him to keep lower to the ground.

He shoved a gun in her hand. "Watch my back," he said, grunting as he lifted her onto his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Chloe nodded, holding the gun tightly in her hand. Gunfire came from a corner nearby, whizzing past them, and she aimed in the general direction, squeezing off a few shots the way Happy had taught her to. It was too dark to see if she'd hit anything, but the shooting stopped. Looking over her shoulder, she could see the doorway, feel the cool breeze on her face. And then another barrage of bullets came through. She felt one slice through her shoulder and gasped in pain. "Fuck!"

"You hit?"

"I'm good! I'm good! Keep going," she ground out, gritting her teeth together. They were almost at the door. He struggled with opening it for a moment, and she squirmed against him. "Put me down, Hap."

He nodded, setting her down on her feet before kicking open the door. She felt a searing pain hit her back, but she pushed through it, stumbling out the door as Happy pushed her out. The fresh air hit her face, and she took a minute to look around, take in the number of bikes and vans around her before her legs gave out. She felt her knees hit the ground before everything went dark.

All Happy saw was blood. Her shirt was soaked in it. A hole in her shirt visible on her lower back as she lay face down in the dirt. "Chloe!" he shouted getting down to his knees next to her.

"Don't move her!" Chibs shouted as he knelt down beside him. He pressed his fingers into her neck, feeling for a pulse. "Pulse is strong. 's a back injury. If the bullet's in there, we need to stabilize her or it'll move 'n' she'll never walk again."

"Hap? Is everything okay?" Angela's voice came from his earpiece. His blood was boiling now. These men had hurt his girl, had tried to hurt his kid. They had to die. Like a lot. "Hap!"

"Don't worry about it," Happy muttered before tearing the earpiece of his ear and tossing it to the side as he stood from the ground. He didn't hear Chibs as he shouted for whoever was close enough to bring him a board, as he started to make plans to move Chloe. Instead, Happy grabbed the gun Chloe had dropped and a spare magazine, loading and cocking it quickly. All he could see was red as he walked back into the building despite the way his President was yelling at him to stop. There were no bullets flying now. No, there were Sons holding some of Lin's crew and some Niners down on their knees in the center of the room. Hostages they'd probably use for bargaining or something. He didn't give a shit.

"Hap, don't," Rat started as if knowing what he was about to do. "We need them to..."

"Where is she?" he ground out to the first of Lin's men, his gun pointed at his forehead. When he hesitated, he squeezed the trigger. The man hit the ground with a satisfying thud. He stepped up to the next one, a Niner. He knew this one from some of the business deals they'd had in the past. That shit didn't matter now. As far as he was concerned, he'd shot his girl. Chloe's life was in jeopardy, and he wasn't going to rest until he'd killed every last one of them. "Where is she?" he demanded.

"Who?" the man had the gall to ask.

"Charlie Lin."

One of them started laughing from over his shoulder. He turned and found Charlie's righthand man, Shang, standing there, blood coming from his mouth as he laughed. "You're never going to get to her," he said on a laugh.

Happy stepped up closer to him before nodding to Tig. "Kill the rest of 'em. This one's mine."

Angela couldn't stop pacing the waiting room, her stomach churning as they waited to hear anything about Chloe's status. As soon as Chibs called to say Chloe had been shot, she'd gotten to work on calling Margaret Murphy to make sure she got an operating room ready for her. After having helped Margaret and Tara escape when they were kidnapped by Salazar, the Nursing Supervisor turned Head of Hospital owed Angela more than a few favors. The club's big black van was no ambulance, but they got there crazy fast. And Margaret, true to her word, was ready and waiting with a crew of her medical staff ready to save her. Chloe had been in surgery for about an hour, and they had yet to hear anything about her. She could feel Juice's concerned gaze on her, his fingers tapping nervously on the arm of the chair. Evie was passed out in his lap, her bulldog tucked underneath her arm.

Lino was in the corner of the room, chewing on his fingernail while he checked his phone, Soli asleep beside him, her head on his shoulder. Sons and Mayans alike had taken over the small waiting room waiting on bated breath to hear anything about Chloe and Dia. From what Angela knew, the Mayans were still working on getting Dia back, and after seeing what had happened to Chloe, they were all nervous to see if the Mayan Queen was going to be okay.

"Angel," Juice's voice was rough as it broke through the tense silence. She stopped pacing to look at him, eyebrows raised. He looked tired and worried beyond belief, a feeling she shared with him. He nodded towards the door. "How 'bout you go visit Lena for a while? Sit with her for a sec."

He didn't tell her to relax, and for that, she was grateful. He knew her too well to think she'd be able to go anywhere and relax. No, he wanted her to get off her feet and rest, which she couldn't really blame him for. Still, she didn't want to miss anything. "I'm good. I'll just..."

"Go rest, baby," he said, a little sterner this time. "We get an update, and I'll come get you. Won't let them say anythin' 'til you're here. Promise. Just...rest. Get off your feet. For the bugs. Please."

The bugs. Angela's hand dropped down to her stomach. He was right, of course. She was pregnant; a fact she kept forgetting with so many other things going on. "Yeah...yeah, okay. Does she...know?"

Lino nodded slowly. "Your Ma's got a big mouth."

She smirked and nodded, giving Juice a quick kiss. "I'll be right back."

"Don't rush. Rest!" he called after her as she walked out of the room.

Angela was grateful Elena was already awake when she walked into her hospital room. Awake and watching some Spanish telenovela. "Hey Tia," she greeted on a soft sigh.

Elena sat up with a groan, a soft wheeze escaping her as she moved. "Hola, mijita. Come in. Come sit with me. You've had a busy day."

She climbed on the bed beside her aunt, settling into her side. Elena's knotted hands went to her hair, stroking through it soothingly. "I just want them to be okay," she told her softly. "I can't stop thinkin' about them. Chloe might never walk again. Shit, she might die. Dia might already be dead, and I'm just...here. Useless."

"Que useless! Don't be ridiculous, Angelita! You are growing two babies inside of you," Elena reminded her with a scowl. "And Chloe and Dia are going to be fine. They are very strong women. Like you. Like me. They're not going anywhere anytime soon. I promise you that."

"I hope so."

Elena kissed her temple softly. "I know so. Now, tell me about the babies, mija. Do you know what you're having yet?"

She smiled softly, knowing Elena was only trying to distract her. "Not yet. Not that far along. Been forgetting I'm pregnant lately, actually. Juice keeps bringing it up, reminding me. I mean, we haven't even told Evie yet."

"Oh, she's going to be very excited."

"I know," Angela said, her smile growing a little bigger. "She asked for a sister last Christmas. Juice almost choked on his beer. We'd already been tryin' for one, but the fact she asked for one was just...hilarious. Harder still was explaining to a two-almost-three year old how exactly she'll get that sister. Come Christmas, she forgot all about wanting a sister, though."

Elena laughed, her laugh turning into a loud, deep cough after a moment. Angela sat up in concern, but she waved her off. "Don't worry. I'm okay. Lay back down and rest, mija," she encouraged with a small smile. "Now, tell me, what are we going to name these babies?"

She sighed, raking a hand through her hair; it was hard to ignore just how bad her aunt's cough had sounded. "I dunno. Juice hasn't mentioned any he liked. He said its my turn since he named Evie. Which isn't really fair because there's two of them this time. I did think Elena was a pretty name for a girl."

"No, not for a first name. I will not have any Juniors," Elena replied, tugging lovingly at Angela's hair. "That's too much pressure for a baby. A lot to live up to. Use my name as a middle name if you want pero no first name."

Angela laughed in disbelief, rolling her eyes at her Aunt. "Seriously? Well, there goes my name choice."

"Gloria."

"What?"

"I like the name Gloria. It's a strong name. Beautiful."

She rolled her eyes again. "Tia, I am not naming my baby after Gloria Estefan," she said around a laugh. Growing up, the singer had been like royalty in their household. Elena was obsessed with her, listened to her music daily, and had even made Angela dress up like her once for Halloween.

"Why not? Gloria is a good woman. A strong woman! Cuban!" she stated passionately. "She went through a bus crash and survived just like you and the babies and your little crash. Gloria's a beautiful name for a little one."

"Gloria Elena?"

"Yes! Perfect! Gloria Elena y pa el nene name him, Manuel. That was your Uncle Chico's real name, you know. No one knew that. They always called him 'Chico' because he was short and thin, pero he was born Manuel. That's Happy's middle name too, sabias?" (And for the boy...did you know?)

Angela smiled a little; she'd known it was Happy's middle name, but she hadn't known why. She had to admit, she liked those names, especially knowing Elena had chosen them. "And what if they're both girls or both boys?"

She waved away her theory with a scowl. "That's not going to happen. God will give you one boy for Juancito and a girl for you. No out numbering for you."

"I dunno. It might be nice to have two of the same. Dress them all matching and stuff. Can you imagine my Mom buying stuff for two little girls?"

"She'd go crazy," Elena said with another raspy laugh. She grabbed Angela's hand and squeezed it lovingly. "I'm so proud of you, mija. You have come so far from my little chola. This life you have. Your family. It's what I've always wanted for you."

Angela felt a lump form in her throat as she smiled. "Sometimes, I can't believe its real, Tia. There are times I wake up in the middle of the night, and I'm back here and Juice is dead and everything is...horrible. Then I turn, and he's there. Usually snoring away, and I just...thank God every day for him, because he's the reason for all of this, for everything."

"No, Happy is the reason for all of this," Elena reminded her with a smirk. "Without him, you would still be in Oakland, knocked up with that gangster man who treated you like dirt."

She scowled slightly, though she knew her aunt was right. Her thoughts went back to Dia and Chloe, her stomach churning as she remembered their lives were still hanging in the balance. "What if something happens to Chloe? Hap's gonna...he'll..."

"Chloe is going to be fine, and Happy too. I know it."

Angela wasn't so sure. If Chloe didn't survive this surgery, she was afraid Happy would let the dark side of him take over. He'd dive in too deep into that darkness, and she'd never be able to pull him out of it. "I hope so, Tia. I really hope so."

Happy's arms felt heavy as he walked into the hospital. He couldn't remember what had happened between him and Charlie, but he knew it hadn't been pretty. He'd gone into a strange sort of autopilot. All he saw was red. His moves were mechanical, grabbing his different tools, using them in the same familiar ways he always did to torture his victims. Charlie had screamed and cried, begged for her life, but he had barely even heard her. What he'd done to her was for Chloe. With Angela gone and his mother sick, Chloe had been his light. Without her there to pull him back, to remind him of the good in life, the darkness took over and he had to admit, he didn't mind it. If he lost her, he knew he could live in that darkness forever.

Chibs spotted him first. The SOA President quickly stood out of his chair and pushed him back out of the room. "Are ye crazy, brother? You're covered in blood! The little one is in there! She can't see ye like this," he seethed, pushing him away. "You'll scare the shit outta her!"

"Where's Chloe?" he asked, ignoring what Chibs said.

His look softened, his hands falling from Happy's cut. "She's in surgery still. It looks like she may pull through."

Happy nodded, rubbing a hand over his head. "Good."

"Ye take care of what ye needed to?"

"Yeah. All taken care of. Lin's crew got what was comin' to them."

"Good. And Alvarez?"

Happy shrugged a shoulder. He left Alvarez with Charlie's henchmen to do whatever he wanted to him for his own vengeance. "He's got his own shit to deal with."

"And his Old Lady?"

"In better shape than mine," he answered, clenching his jaw again. It was the first time he'd referred to Chloe as his 'Old Lady', though his brothers did it all the time. Almost losing her made him realize just how much she meant to him.

Chibs sighed softly, shaking his head. "Go wash up, Hap. I'll come get you when she's out of surgery."

Happy nodded slowly. He knew his Ma had a shower in the bathroom of her hospital room, so he headed in that direction. The room was dark when he walked in, but his cousin's face was illuminated by the phone in her hand. She was sitting on the chair by his Ma's bedside, hunched over as she read something on her phone. " 'ey."

Angela's head whipped up, her eyes growing large as she took him in. "Holy shit, Hap," she said, getting to her feet and going over to him. "Are you okay? What...are you...who's blood is that?"

"Lin's," he replied curtly. His little cousin looked exhausted beyond belief, almost as if she hadn't slept in days. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she answered, squaring her shoulders a bit. "I'm fine."

"You should go home. Sleep. Sittin' here worryin' ain't good for you or the monsters," he told her on a frown.

She scowled at him. "I'm not goin' anywhere until I hear news about Chlo," she stated stubbornly. "What about Dia? Did you hear anything about her?"

"She's whole. Think they're takin' her back home," he told her, feeling strange when she looked relieved. Angela's ties to the Mayans weren't new, but he still was irked every time she brought them up. "You should go to their place. Get outta here, put the brat to bed."

"Stop trying to push me out of this, Hap. She was my best friend 'fore she meant anything to you," she said, glaring at him.

Happy returned her glare, taking a step closer to try to intimidate her, but she didn't back down; he'd taught her better. "Get outta here, kid. Ain't gonna say it again."

Her chin jutted up in an obstinate move she'd done since she was little. "No."

"Stop fighting," Elena's weak voice said from the bed. They both turned in time to see her press the button to lift the head of the bed so she was sitting up. "He is right, mija. You should get Evie home to bed. She's too little to understand what's going on. It is probably very scary for her."

Angela looked between them for a moment, messing with her ring as she considered what she'd said. "She's fine. She's asleep."

"For how long? She's gonna wake up and start askin' questions soon. What're you gonna tell her? That her Godmother got shot?" Happy demanded, knowing he was pushing it but also wanting her to get the hell out of St. Thomas. He didn't know why he wanted her gone so badly, but he did. He didn't want her to be there, didn't want to have to worry about her when he had his own shit to focus on. "Get outta here, kid. Now."

She stepped back from him, shaking her head. "You're fucking ridiculous. Scared I'm gonna see you weak or some shit? That why you pushed me away for almost three years?"

"Basta, Angela," Elena said, a warning in her voice. "Now is not the time for this. Go home and sleep, mija. You need it. Chloe will be here when you get back and I'm sure someone will call you with any updates." (Stop)

Happy fought the urge to smirk; Angela would be stubborn and fight against him, but she rarely fought his Ma, especially not when she was sick. "You want SAMCRO or the Mexicans to follow you there?"

She raked her hands through her hair. "This is fuckin' ridiculous. I'm not a child. You can't tell me what to do anymore. I want to be here for my friend."

"She would tell you to go home 'n' you know it."

Angela's hands clenched into fists, her jaw ticking a bit. She was pissed, but he knew she was going to cave. "Whatever, Hap," she muttered, walking away and shoulder checking him on her way out.

Once she was gone, Elena sighed tiredly. "Esa nena is going to hurt herself and those babies worrying like that. She's so worried about everyone else que she's not taking care of herself." (That girl...)

"Been like that since she was a kid," he muttered before gesturing to the bathroom. " 'm gonna go...wash up."

"Shower y despues, you rest too. Chloe isn't going anywhere." (After...)

Happy shook his head slowly. "This was on me, Ma. Shouldn't a ever started with her. She deserves better."

"She doesn't want better, mijo. You are a good man, a strong one. She needs someone like you who will let her do what she wants, lets her be herself, makes her life exciting. Do not give up on her for your own selfish reasons. You will hurt her even more that way."

He smirked; his mother knew him too well. "Yeah, we'll see how she feels if she gets out of this."

"As my beloved Kozik would say, don't doubt yourself, its unattractive. Now go shower. I'll call Graciela. Have her get you clothes."

He leaned over the bed to kiss his temple. "Love you, Ma."

...to be continued ;)

As always, let me know what you think! Your encouraging words and reactions is always appreciated! I don't think y'all know how much your reviews mean to me. :)

Hope you all have a very Happy Holidays! I'm going to try to post another chapter before the Christmas holiday, but in case I don't, I hope you all have a great whatever you celebrate!

~Love Ink