A/N: Thank you to all the love and support I've received so far on this story!

This chapter is dedicated to Lauren, thank you for your kind review, and I completely agree- Creeper is definitely underappreciated – I hope we get to see a lot more of him in Season 3!

As always, please review if you enjoy the chapter 3

Chapter 4

(Maya's POV)

The next two weeks were torture. My head felt like it was going to explode and I couldn't stop shaking. I had a constant fever, switching from freezing cold to sweating out my body weight, feeling like I was sitting out in the desert. I don't know what was worse; feeling this way or knowing I could make the pain go away in an instant by taking a drink.

And I wanted to give in. Some moments I even pleaded to.

But Neron kept me straight.

He kept me away from the clubhouse when people were drinking. Whilst my brother, Obispo, has always been there for me, he didn't understand what I was going through the way Creeper did.

When I cried, Neron held me. When I said I wasn't strong enough to beat this, he reminded me I wasn't alone. All of the club tried to help… in their own way. When my brother wasn't doing 'president business', he lurked like a shadow, watching me with concern and fear in his eyes. I knew he just wanted me to get better and, somehow, he felt responsible for this downward spiral my life had taken. Gilly told me lame jokes, trying to keep me smiling and Angel challenged me to card games. Chucky made sure I was fed and watered, even when I was non-stop throwing up. It was these moments where, surprisingly, Letty jumped in if Creeper wasn't around.

She held my hair back and readied my toothbrush with toothpaste. I appreciated all of my family for the way they took care of me, but none as much as Neron. He was my rock through it all and nothing, no matter how bad it got, chased him away. Whilst I was grateful for it, it also made me wonder what I had done to deserve it.

That was the thought I was pondering now, as I lay in the quiet. For the first time in weeks, my head wasn't thumping and I didn't feel sick. Neron was asleep next to me, his arms having wound its way around my waist during the night. Absentmindedly, I traced his ink with my finger.

"That tickles," he whispered quietly and I smiled. I hadn't realised he was awake.

"Morning," I spoke quietly, surprised by how calm I felt in this moment. I knew it wouldn't last, that the cravings would always be there in one form or another. But, right now, I was in control for once… and it was an amazing feeling.

I watched as he opened his eyes, blinking lazily before looking over at me. He smiled when he saw me watching him.

"How are you feeling?" He smiled, his gaze warm and calm.

"I'm good actually," I responded, blushing at the revelation of it all. I went back to staring at his ink, finding it easier to express how I was feeling when I wasn't looking at him. "I woke up this morning and… I felt like me. It feels nice." After a few seconds of silence, I dared a peek at him, surprised to see him watching me, smiling.

"I've been waiting for you to say that since the night we brought you home," he admitted. "It's so nice to hear. Just remember to be kind to yourself, Maya. It's still early days. Don't expect too much of yourself, y' know? The rest of your life… it's a marathon. Not a sprint." He reached up, cupping my cheek in his hand as he kissed my forehead. "Would you like some breakfast?"

I smiled at the kind offer but shook my head.

"Actually I was wondering if we could stay here for a bit, just the two of us?" I asked shyly, blushing as he grinned and pulled me into his embrace.

"I don't have anywhere to be right now," he told me, rubbing my arm soothingly. Being in his arms always felt incredible. I never wanted it to end.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked quietly, nervous to upset him.

"Sure," he answered easily, still stroking my arm.

"How are you so good at this? I mean… what's your story, Neron? I know you told me you had previous addictions but… I don't really know anything about you before you patched." I thought he would find the question intrusive, but he surprised me by chuckling.

"Do you even remember that? When I first came to Santo Padre?" He asked. I nodded against his chest.

"Course I do. You had a bit of hair then," I teased. "No, seriously. I remember the day you rode into the lot. My primo came to introduce you to my brother, said something about you looking for a fresh start. He was just starting up the Santo Padre charter and you had already prospected. Bish needed people he could trust. At the time, I was working the office when I wasn't studying. Honestly… I thought you were hot." I blushed at my bold confession, closing my eyes. I wasn't ready to see his reaction. After throwing myself at him a few weeks ago, I didn't want him to think that was just because I was drunk. I'd always had an interest in Creeper, I just didn't want to mess things up for my brother.

His arms tightened around me minutely.

"I met your cousin when I was living in Oakland," he began his story. "We had mutual friends. Marcus was distributing all over the city, my friends were his dealers… and I was testing the merchandise." I couldn't help my sharp intake of breath. I knew he used to take drugs, he told me himself, but I had no idea that my cousin was enabling, or encouraging, that shit. I don't know why it bothered me, I knew what my family did for a living, but it was entirely different when it impacted on someone you knew personally. Maybe I should feel relieved Marcus was testing the product before putting it on the market, to prevent any unwanted deaths and attention on the business, but I was fuming that it was Neron who had taken on that role. He could sense my discomfort, resuming the gentle rubbing of my arm as he continued his story.

"As crazy as it sounds, for a long time in my life, it felt like a good gig. I tested the shit, I helped to sell the shit, which paid the bills and funded my lifestyle. I didn't have a great childhood. My dad was a drunk who beat on my mom. Put her in the hospital twice. She coped by shooting up herself. It was her way of escape and trying to deal with the pain. After my pop went to prison, the only way food was on the table was if I put it there. My mom tried for a while, in ways I don't even want to mention, but in the end she was too far gone. I came home one day and found her with a bullet through her skull. The place had been trashed… she clearly owed a debt she didn't tell me about and time was up.

"I took all that anger and spiralling and I put it into the streets. It took me a damn long time to realise that all the booze and drugs were just a way to fill the void in my life. They were never going to fix what I was missing; family. And that's when I really noticed the Mayans for what we are; family.

"It took a long time to prove to Marcus that I was serious. He made me get clean and stay clean for 6 months before he would even let me approach the table and ask to prospect. Then, no one wanted to sponsor me. Can't blame them," he chuckled to himself, seeming to enjoy the memory. "I was a scrawny dope fiend – a flight risk. They didn't want to suffer the responsibility if I failed to patch. So, Marcus agreed to be my sponsor."

I smiled at that. Horrified as I was at everything he had been through and the fact that Marcus had helped lead him down a path of drugs at first, I was pleased that my cousin had then helped him out of that hole. Creep's loyalty to the club now made so much more sense.

"I prospected the full year sober and then I got my patch. I haven't touched a drop of alcohol or a hit since the day I put my prospect kutte on. For the first time in my life, I had a real family. I didn't need that shit in my life anymore. The Mayans gave me purpose. Without El Padrino… who knows what gutter I'd be in right now. I'd probably be rotting in a shallow grave somewhere. When Marcus told us about this Charter starting up and Bishop needing guys he could trust, I jumped at the chance to repay everything he had given me." He suddenly tucked his head so he was looking at me.

"I know how it is to need your family and feel like, somehow, you're not good enough. I get you, Maya. But just because you left, does not mean that you don't deserve us and you don't got us because you do. You're Santo Padre's princess and always have been. Hell, when 90% of the guys prospected, you put them through their paces!" I had to smile at that. "We respect you and we got you. Always will have." Feeling a tear slip down my cheek, I gently placed a kiss on his chest.

"Thank you for letting me in, Creep. I understand you so much better now," I told him honestly. "I'm sorry about your mom. She deserved better, you both do."

"And so do you, babe," he responded quietly, reaching over to tuck my hair behind my ear. "you deserve an amazing life… and I'm glad to be a part of it."

"You're one of the biggest parts, Neron," I corrected him, poking him in the nose, "I have to ask though… after everything you've been through, how can you mule the shit you do for Galindo?" I wasn't judging, I just didn't understand.

He smiled gently, not seeming to be offended by my question.

"This pipeline feeds a lot of people. You know how it is across the border. Ain't no opportunities. Drugs feed whole communities, that's the reality of the situation. It may not be 'right' but, right now, we play the hand we are dealt with, y' know?" I did know. I may not agree with my cousin's decision to work with Gallindo, but I know that Mayan's not only took care of their own, but they looked out for their community too. The Mayans had sure as hell looked out for me.

"You still feeling ok?" He asked, looking over at me. I grinned.

"Hungry, actually. I think there's a fair chance I may even keep breakfast down this time," I joked and he smiled, letting me go so we could climb out of bed.

I watched him as I gathered my clothes from the side. He was in nothing but his boxers, ink covering every inch of his upper half. He might not be as big as the prospect, but Neron was all muscle. He slipped on a pair of black jeans, and I contemplated how weird it was that we were so comfortable around each other. Since the night I gave him the bottle, we had slept in the same bed without even thinking about it. Nothing had happened between us – not since I had tried to bone him in my drunken stupor. But there was nothing awkward between us either. In fact, when I thought about him, I got butterflies in my stomach. He was quickly becoming my rock in my new life back home, and I was terrified that something would come along and change all that.

I took a deep breath, pushing the thought away as I grounded myself, like Creep had taught me. I needed to be present; that's where I belonged. Not in the void of doubt in my mind.

I dipped into the bathroom, pulling on a pair of leggings and a Mayan's t-shirt. One of Creeper's actually. I knew he wouldn't mind. When I reappeared, he was fully clothed, wearing his kutte. I smiled at the sight of the familiar leather. The kutte represented my family and I was proud to be a Mayan by blood, even if I would never wear the leather myself.

He held open the door for me and, together, we walked into the clubhouse. I spotted my brother sitting with Taza and Hank, drinking coffee. They didn't look like they were having a serious chat, so I walked over, kissing my brother's cheek before taking the spare seat next to him.

"Morning," I greeted them both, smiling my thanks at Chucky, as he appeared with a plate of pancakes and a steaming mug of coffee.

"Hey, it's nice to see you up and about," Bish said, smiling at me.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Taza asked.

"Better. I feel like myself. Maybe today is a new start," I admitted.

"That's good to hear," Bishop smiled, before becoming serious. "We're going on a run tomorrow night. It's pretty important Cargo." I knew what he was trying to say.

"You need your road captain," I supplied, looking down. I felt bad that Creeper had stepped down from the runs over the past couple of weeks, in order to be close to me. The club had been riding one man down as a result, and that could be the difference between life and death.

"Stop that," Bishop growled, knowing my thought process. "Creeper wanted to stay with you until you were passed the worst of it and the club voted in agreement. We wouldn't have had it any other way. I know this is going to be a long road for you, and we're all here to help. But we need him on this run, tomorrow," he said seriously. "Are you going to be ok?" I smiled at the concern in his tone.

"I'll be fine, 'mano," I told him, "I promise." I needed to do this; to prove both to my brother and to myself that I was turning a corner. I knew it'd be hard but I would just take a step at a time and stay strong.

"Talk to Creeper about setting up for the run," My brother instructed Hank, who nodded and winked at me before standing up and heading over to Creeper, who was eating breakfast with Riz.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, as I stuffed my face with my pancakes. They were delicious. Eventually, Hank came back over with Creeper in tow. He looked concerned, until I smiled softly at him, letting him know I knew what was happening and I was ok.

"Just got off the phone with Gracie," Hank told Bishop, indicating the phone in his hand. "Something went down at Wonderland last night."

"Trouble?" Bishop asked.

"I'll give you guys some room," I told them, not wanting to intrude on club business.

"It's ok, you can stay," Bishop replied, surprising me.

"Seems Galindo's guys went up there last night for some information and weren't too gentle about asking for it," Hank answered and Creeper swore.

"Jesus Christ," my brother said, "didn't Nestor learn from the last fucking time?" Hank shrugged.

"She said the place was whole but she seemed pretty shaken up. One of her workers got a bit banged up and they can't take her to the hospital," He replied.

"Got no papers?" Bishop guessed and Hank nodded.

"Alright, let's head out," He instructed to Hank, Creeper and Angel, who all nodded.

"Hey… do you mind if I come?" I asked quietly, and they all looked surprised. "You said someone got hurt and they can't go to the hospital… maybe I can help?" I didn't like the thought of someone in pain and not being able to get help.

My brother smiled.

"Sure, that would be great," he nodded and I smiled back.

"Do we even need to ask who the princesa is riding with?" Angel teased. I blushed, avoiding Creep's gaze at all costs, which only made Angel let out a laugh.

"I have no problems shooting you brother," Creeper told him calmly, and then Bishop called them to order.

We walked into the lot and I climbed on to the back of Creeper's bike without a second thought. He handed me a spare helmet, which I clipped on, and wrapped my arms around his waist. Feeling his body against mine was warm and soothing, in the same way it felt when he held me.

I enjoyed the ride immensely. I forgot the feeling of freedom that only comes when you're on the back of a Harley, cruising the freeway. It was like flying.

I was grinning by the time we made it to Wonderland. I got off the bike, walking over to the fence where the dogs were already jumping up and barking, alerting our arrival. I had always loved this place. I was a big animal lover, and all dogs were big softies inside. Gracie, the owner, was a kind-hearted soul. Anyone who simultaneously looked after abandoned dogs and de-intoxicated people that had no where else to go, was an angel in my eyes. I had known her for years and we had gotten on well, before I moved away. I was hoping there'd be no hard feelings that I hadn't stayed in contact.

"Come on through, boys," I heard her familiar, cheerful voice, as we walked through the door. We found her by the dog kennels, placing down food bowls. She smiled as my brother approached her, kissing her cheek.

"Everything ok?" He asked and she nodded.

"You know how it is. They want something, they don't care how they get it," she replied sassily, shrugging. "Couldn't give them what they wanted though. It didn't stop them slapping one of my girls around though."

"I'm sorry about this, Gracie," Bishop told her sincerely. "I'll speak to Alvarez about Nestor and his cronies. This shit ain't good for anybody's business. How is your girl?" Gracie shrugged again.

"Took a couple of shots to the face. She may have been mouthing off," they all smirked at that. "She got cut pretty bad around the eye though. I've cleaned it up, but I think she might need stitches. She's only been here a couple of months, hopped the border. Can't exactly take her to the ER." Gracie looked upset that she couldn't help her more.

"I believe that's where I come in," I spoke up, holding my hand up shyly. Gracie looked over for a second, grinning when she recognised me.

"Maya? Maya Losa? I don't believe it! Come here girl!" She smiled, rushing over to wrap her arms around me. It really was great to see a friend.

"It's so good to see you, Gracie," I told her honestly. "We will have to catch up. But first, show me your patient." I was in automatic nurse mode. She nodded, starting to lead me to the back before turning back around to the guys.

"Um… some of the cages got smashed up pretty bad last night. I don't suppose you strong gentlemen would mind bolting them back together for a girl like me?" She asked, grinning cheekily.

"No problem, preciosa," Bishop replied, nodding to Creeper and Angel. I smiled; it was great to see their business relationship had remained after all of these years.

I walked with Gracie to the back room, where I found a young girl. She couldn't have been more than 16. The right side of her face was a mess, all swollen and bruised. Gracie had done a fair job cleaning her up, but she was right; the girl needed stitches.

"Clarisa, this is Maya," Gracie introduced us. "She's a friend of mine and she's a nurse. She's here to take a look at you." I smiled at her, which she returned.

"¿Te duele?" (Does it hurt?) I asked, pulling on a pair of gloves from my rucksack. I'd also brought along my medical kit from the clubhouse.

"I've had worse," she replied, surprising me that she wanted to speak English. I nodded, carefully analysing the cuts to see how deep they are.

"I think we can close one with butterfly strips," I told her, holding them out for her to see, "but one needs stitching. It's going to hurt, do you want something for the pain?" She shook her head, instead curling her hands into fists.

"Do your worst, doc," she grinned at me. I prepared the needle and cleaned the area, making quick work of fixing her up. I tried to keep the stitches as small and as tight as possible, to minimise the chance of any scarring, and butterfly strapped the other cuts. She was brave, only hissing when the needle went in for the first time.

"All done," I told her when I was finished and she smiled.

"Gracias, doc," she nodded her thanks. "Can I go back to the pups now?" Gracie rolled her eyes, nodding.

"Course you can," she said. Clarisa grinned and hurried out of the room.

"Pups?" I asked, as I washed my hands.

"Yeah, we found a pregnant bitch a few months back. Saint Bernard, unusual dog to find around here," she answered. "She had her pups 3 months ago. They're just about ready to be adopted out. Do you wanna see?" She asked, knowing I loved dogs.

"Hell yeah, I do," I grinned and she led me over to the pen.

"They're so beautiful," I exclaimed when I saw them. Clarisa was already in the pen, with two balls of fur and cuteness trying to crawl in her lap. They were already quite big, neither of them had any hope of fitting on her lap together.

"Aren't they just?" Gracie agreed, picking one up and holding it out to me. I took it in my arms eagerly, holding the puppy close to my chest. "This is the runt of the litter. She's a sweetheart though." She really was. She put her paws up on my shoulder, leaning to sniff and lick my cheek playfully. She was quite a chunk for the runt, but Saint Bernard's aren't known for being delicate little things. She was sturdy, with the most adorable brown eyes. I fussed her ears, stroking her soft fur. She was beautiful.

"So… are you staying?" Gracie asked. She knew that I had left to be with Nathan, and she was one of the people that warned me I would regret it. One look in her eyes told me she had guessed we hadn't ended well.

"I honestly have no intention of leaving again," I told her, making her smile. "San Diego was a mistake. Santo Padre is my home."

"Damn straight it is," She grinned, nodding. "I'm real glad you're home, Maya. It hasn't been the same without you."

"Well…good. Cos you're stuck with me," I told her, giggling as the puppy in my arms started trying to chew the hood of the jacket.

"Oh, you are too sweet, you know that?" I told her, stroking her head. She barked happily, and I felt her tail wagging against me. I was quickly falling for her, which I had a sneaking suspicion was exactly what Gracie wanted.

"What trouble have you got my sister into now, Gracie?" I heard Bishop call, as the guys found us.

"I made a new friend," I told my brother happily, turning so he could see the sweetheart now falling asleep in my arms.

"They certainly do look good together, don't they Obispo?" Gracie said, grinning wickedly. I looked at Bishop with hopeful eyes; I knew I couldn't bring a dog back to the clubhouse without his permission. He took one look at me, groaning, before rubbing his hand down his face.

"Fine, yes, you can bring the dog home," he finally relented and I squealed with happiness. "Maybe it'll be good for you to have some company when we're gone."

"Gracias, 'mano," I said sincerely, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek.

"Yeah, yeah," he said impatiently, but I knew he was pleased to see me so happy. "Gracie, just get together all the stuff we will need and I'll call the prospect to bring the truck round to pick it all up."

She nodded, heading out the back to pack up the essentials I'd need. My new girl started wriggling in my arms, so I put her on the floor, where she promptly started play fighting with one of her siblings.

"We need to head back, sort some stuff out," my brother told me. "Creeper will stay with you until the prospect comes."

"Ok, brother," I replied, pulling him into a tight hug. "Thank you again. I think I really needed this." I didn't just mean the dog. I meant everything since he had picked me up.

"Don't mention it. I'm just happy you're home," He whispered, kissing my hair before releasing me.

"Look after her," He directed at Neron, who nodded. He had somehow made his way on to the floor, and was surrounded by puppies. I laughed at the sight, whilst my brother shook his head.

As the club took off, I knelt on the floor with Neron, stroking momma's head gently. She was relaxed, despite all of the strangers touching her babies. Gracie had done a really good job looking after her.

"You did so good, momma," I told her, kissing the top of her head. "Look at all your beautiful babies. I promise I'll take good care of your little one." I laughed as I watched Creeper trying to gently wrestle a puppy away from his kutte, who was doing its best to chew a hole through the leather.

"I didn't know you were an animal lover," I smiled and he looked over at me, nodding.

"I love all animals, always have," he responded, throwing a toy to distract the little monster. "Dogs have a special place in my heart though. Speaking of… what are you going to call her?" He asked, nodding towards my new baby, who had made her way around the pen back into my lap. I snuggled her into me, wanting the cuddle as much as she did.

"Hope," I told him, smiling. "Her name is Hope."

For the first time in a long time, hopeful was exactly how I felt.