Disclaimer: I don't own Sons of Anarchy or anything else associated with the franchise. All that beautiful goodness comes from its creators. Thank you

Note: Should have put this in the first chapter that this story spans from season 1 up to the beginning of season 4. Please pay close attention to the dates as they will jump around in time, I made them in bold in hopes they will be easier to notice. Story is rated M for mature themes, language and sexual content.

Note 2: I know that the time line doesn't add up well in the show, so I adhere to my own timeframe to make it work…hopefully

P.S. Thank you to everyone who has followed or favorited this story. Another giant thank you to the people who have reviewed. I truly appreciate your interest.

October 17th, 2008

Opie stopped the truck in front of Clary's house, honking the horn letting her know he had arrived. He only had to wait a few minutes before the front door opened, and she came bounding down the walkway her face full of excitement.

"Morning Ope!" she called out cheerfully climbing into the truck.

He smiled at her as he started driving down the road, "Morning Clary, who do you have watching Josie?"

"Happy is watching her."

Opie turned with a raised eyebrow, "Happy babysits?"

"Yeah, it's surprising that a man with his reputation is so good with kids. Josie absolutely adores him," she smiled, "And he's putting out all the Halloween decorations for me today."

He chuckled at that, "I can see him being really into Halloween."

"Best holiday of the year!" Clary responded leaning forward to start spinning the dial on the radio.

Opie watched her as she rolled all the way down to one side of the radio and then back to the other side. Static and muffled songs came from the speakers as she kept rolling. Opie glanced over to Clary, "Are you going to pick something or just keep trying to annoy me?"

She stuck her tongue out at him as she kept spinning, making him laugh. A few more turns of the dial a familiar melody started playing making her eyes light up and she turned to Opie with a goofy grin before belting out,

"Ooh you're the best friend that I ever had, I've been with you such a long time, you're my sunshine…."

Opie turned his head away from the street to look at Clary with a horrified expression, "Jesus you sound like a dying cat."

"Hey!" she laughed shoving him in the shoulder.

He chuckled turning forward again, "Nice to know you're not good at everything."

"Blah Blah Blah," Clary waved her hand at him as she leaned back against the seat.

The rest of the Queen song played out as they pulled into the grocery store parking lot. Since it was just a few minutes passed eight am the parking lot was pretty empty. Opie parked the truck close to the building before glancing over to Clary as he pushed his door open, "Why isn't Tig or someone else helping with the grocery shopping?"

Clary slipped out of the truck and turned back to look at him through the cab while holding up one finger, "First it has been ages since we've hung out with each other."

They both stepped back closing the doors as Clary's hand shot into the air over the top of the truck with two fingers this time, "Second I needed your truck for all the groceries I have to get."

Opie walked around the truck meeting up with her at the back and they walked together towards the grocery store as Clary raised her third finger up, "And third, both Tig and I are not allowed in here at the same time anymore."

"Why wouldn't…." Opie started to ask looking down at her with a raised eyebrow, but stopped shaking his head, "Never mind I don't want to know."

Clary replied with an impish grin as they entered the store. She grabbed a grocery cart and wheeled it over to Opie so he could push it for her. He followed dutifully behind her, "So what are we getting?"

"I have to make three batches of Gemma's chili recipe, a veggie chili and four large sheets of corn bread. I also have to grab all my regular groceries."

Opie pushed the cart into the produce department, "Shit is Gemma cooking anything?"

"She's setting up the booth today, but she is coming over in the morning tomorrow to help cook."

Clary dropped a bag of onions and a bag of potatoes into the cart and glanced up to look Opie in the eyes, "So how is everything going?"

She watched his shoulder slumped as he let out a deep sigh, "I don't know how to make it all work."

"Donna is pretty anti-club." Clary responded as they turned out of produce.

Opie continued behind her, "I was hoping I could convince you to talk to her. You know try to get her to lighten up a bit."

"I don't think that's a good idea Ope," she squatted down to start pulling cans of beans from the shelves before looking over her shoulder at him.

"Oh…." the sound of disappointed in his voice was apparent even with that one word.

Clary rose from her crouching positing and turned to him with her arms full, "It's not like that Ope. Donna sees me only as family, someone she can complain to about the club without that person trying to convince her otherwise. Me trying to convince her to get off your back will just take that away from her."

Opie nodded giving her a sad smile, "Yeah I get it."

"She deserves someone she can let all her frustrations out on, but if you really want me to, I'll talk to her and try to get her to understand what the club really means to you."

"No, I will figure how to make it work. Just keep being there for her like you have been doing." he sighed.

Clary sat all the cans into the shopping cart before continuing down the aisle. They walked along talking about how Ellie and Kenny were adjusting to him being home. Turning down the cereal aisle Clary stopped to grab a few boxes of cheerios and two boxes of frosted flakes.

"Got enough cereal?" Opie chuckled.

"Ellie and Josie like the cheerios and the frost flakes are for Kenny."

"I thought the kids only eat junk food when they hang out at your place."

Clary smiled up at him, "Oh they do. We just haven't gotten to the junk aisle yet."

Opie chuckled again as they started forward and he looked forward catching sight of a young stock boy placing boxes on the shelves. The twenty-year-old stock boy looked up as they approached and when his eyes landed on Clary, he turned bright red.

"Hi Patrick." she smiled at him as they passed.

He turned even redder once she spoke and he quickly sputtered, "Ms. Winston."

After they passed him Opie looked down with a raised eyebrow, "What was that about?"

"He's the one that caught Tig and I going at it in the stockroom." Clary smirked as they turned the corner to the next aisle.

"Fucking Christ Clary." Opie cursed shaking his head.

She laughed, "You asked."

They made their way around the rest of the store before heading to check out with the shopping cart overflowing with groceries. The morning rush was just starting as they checked out and walking out to the truck to load the bed up full of grocery bags. Clary grabbed the cart pushing into the cart holder as Opie backed the truck out of the parking stop and waited in the lane for her to climb into the cab.

She pulled the door closed and Opie shifted into drive heading out of the parking lot. They had just pulled on the road when he turned catching sight of Clary starting to open her mouth and he quickly cut her off, "No singing."

"God you're such a buzz kill."

The pair caught sight of Happy already out in the front yard when they returned back to the house. He was setting up some skeletons, making them stick out of the bushes in front of her porch. Opie pulled into the drive way and stopped the truck before hoping out. He headed for the truck bed, grabbing some of the grocery bags he turned heading for the front door. Clary had already grabbed some bags herself and had caught up with him just as he approached Happy.

Happy had stopped his decorating to face the two. Opie lifted his right arm to swing it out gesturing to the decorations that were already out, "Looks good Hap."

"Thanks man." he grunted and Opie headed into the house leaving Clary behind.

Clary was looking around the yard at everything Happy had completed so far and when she turned to say something about them, she noticed a red mark on his arm. Tilting her head, she noticed the mark on his arm was a tiny bite wound, one that looked like it would come from a toddler.

"What happened?" she reached out to grab his hand.

Happy opened his mouth to say something, but was caught off by a loud shout coming from inside, "Ahhh!"

Both Clary and Happy turned to look through the open front door just in time to see Josie running from the kitchen to the living room hunched over so the shark fin on her costume was sticking straight up in the air. They could hear her giggling all the way from outside as she shuffled along. Opie appeared in the hallway with his hands raised up a look of confusion on his face, "She bit my leg."

"Her Halloween costume arrived while you were gone. She asked to wear it." Happy pointed to the door with a grin.

She shook her head before shouting, "Josephine!"

It took a few seconds but eventually the toddler's head peaked out from around the living room door way. Her little face was barely visible behind the row of shark teeth on her costume. Clary had to bit her lip to herself from laughing at how adorable she looked.

"Young lady," she started and she could already see Josie cringe, "I told you that you were not going to be allowed to bite anyone."

Josie stepped forward into the hall crossing her arms and stomping her little foot, "I's a shark!"

Happy laughed and reached out to take the groceries from Clary but she shook her head, "I got it."

She walked into the house and stopped at Josie pointing outside to Happy. The shark head flopped back as Josie stared up at her with a smile before running out the front door. Clary grinned as she turned into the kitchen carrying the bags across to the counter and setting them down on top. She started pulling things from the bags and putting them away as Opie continue carrying the rest of the bags into the kitchen.

After a few trips Opie dropped the last of the bags onto the counter and turned towards Clary, "That's all the bags. Is there anything else you need before I head over to TM?"

"No, but I was going to tell you that I would make a batch of chili tonight and drop it off at your house. That way Donna doesn't have to worry about cooking anything."

"That would be great," Opie smiled walking over and giving her a hug.

Clary returned the hug, squeezing him tightly, "I love you Ope."

"I love you too Clary," he leaned down kissing the top of her head, "I don't know what I would do without you. Everything you did for Donna and kids while I was inside… I'm not sure how to ever thank you."

"Donna helped me out with Josie just as much as I helped her out with Ellie and Kenny, so there is no reason to say thank you."

Opie smirked as he squeezed her, "I know about the pocket money you would give Donna for watching Josie and the snacks you sneak into the house for the kids like we wouldn't notice."

"I have no idea what snacks your talking about." Clary replied with an innocent flutter of her eye lashes.

"Sure!" he chuckled.

They slowly broke apart from each other, but Clary kept her arm linked in his as they walked out of the kitchen to the front door. When they reached the threshold to the house both paused in the doorway to see Josie running around the yard giggling her head off with Happy right behind her, chasing her around with a skeleton arm.

"You got a great kid there. She is going to turn out just like you." Opie chuckled as he left the porch heading for his truck.

Clary watched as Josie ran after him to say goodbye, she gripped the door way and whispered to herself, "I really hope she doesn't."

When Gemma stepped into the house, she could already smell food cooking and pushed the door behind her before heading to the kitchen. Stepping into the kitchen doorway she immediately caught sight of Clary pushing a pan into the oven. There was already a large pot cooking on the oven which meant she had been up for a while already.

"It's only seven thirty. Don't you ever sleep?" she asked dropping her purse on the table.

Clary spun around as she closed the oven door, "Oh good morning!"

"Where's Josie?" Gemma questioned glancing around.

She smiled as she answered, "Oh she's still sleeping. She has been out all night, Happy wore her out yesterday running around all over the yard."

"The decorations look great."

"Yeah, Happy did a great job," Clary spoke heading for the refrigerator to get started on the next batch of chili.

Gemma walked over to the counter, "What can I do?"

"Slice and wrap the corn bread that is already done on the counter."

Gemma smiled, "Yes ma'am."

The two of them chatted as they worked together, preparing the chili before letting it simmer on the stove to keep it warm. As they were slicing up the third pan of corn bread little shouts from down the hallway caught their attention. Clary set her knife down to head to Josie but Gemma held her hand up to stop her, "Don't worry I got her."

Clary nodded as she grabbed the plastic wrap and started wrapping the individual pieces. Gemma returned a few minutes later carrying Josie who was already dressed for the day. She sat her down in her new booster seat at the table.

"Cheerios baby?" Gemma asked.

Josie smacked her hands on the table, "Yes, Please!"

Gemma grabbed a bowl from the cupboard and the box of cheerios from the counter. She turned back to the table placing the bowl down before pouring the cereal into it. Josie waited patiently for her to return with the milk and a spoon. She held the spoon out towards her with her brows knitted, "Can I trust you not to dump this on the floor?"

"Yes!" Josie squeaked, her eyes wide and shining, knowing how to behave for Gemma if she wanted to get her way.

Gemma handed her the spoon before walking back over to Clary with an amused smile, "She's too cute."

"She just already knows how to work you." Clary laughed.

A laugh escaped Gemma as she got back to cooking, "She knows how to work all of us."

"A little Gemma in training." Clary responded with a sly grin.

"Hey!" Gemma glared throwing the corn bread in her hand at the younger woman making her laugh. Clary dodged the flying bread with ease before turning around to start on the last bout of chili.

Kids were running around shouting and their parents were walking around the booths partaking in whatever each had to offer. The Sam Crow booth had a line stretching down the sidewalk, Gemma's chili recipe was fan favorite of the locals. Clary stood next to Gemma scooping out hearty spoonsful of the chili onto plates as the line moved along.

They were only half way through their available stock on food and making good money when Gemma suddenly growled, "Oh shit!"

Clary turned her head to see Gemma stomping off after Bobby, she slid up next to Luann with a raised eye brow. Luann just grinned, "Someone's late."

With a shake of her head she turned back to their customers with a bright smile. Gemma eventually returned next to her huffing in anger that Bobby had made the kids wait at the Elvis booth. As the day went on the crowd started to dwindle a bit, so Clary stepped back to grab her water bottle to take a quick sip. Taking a swig from the bottle her eyes glanced around the crowd, moving over the egg toss she caught sight of a familiar looking man with dirty blonde hair.

"The fuck," she whispered to herself lowering the bottle down to her side as she squeezed it tightly.

Stepping forward she grabbed Gemma roughly by the arm making the older woman snap around towards her, "What the hell Clary?"

"What the fuck is Hobart doing here?" Clary hissed through clenched teeth pointing in the direction of the former SOA member.

Gemma straightened up to tower over Clary with a frown, "April came by yesterday to ask if I could ask Clay if Kyle could come watch his son's band play. I asked him, he brought it up to the club and they decide he could come."

"The guys voted that?"

"Yeah, which is the only reason he's here."

Clary mimicked Gemma's frown back at her, "Why would you even ask Clay to bring that to the table? Especially after what that piece of shit did to my family."

"Because sweetheart that's what being Queen is. Doing what's right for the club and the people who support us. April has had our back and has done everything she could for the club without even having to been asked," Gemma answered leaning forward closer to Clary's ear, "And someday when you're ruling, you're going to have put your personal differences aside and do what's right for the club, even if you think it's wrong."

Clary's eyes darkened as she stared the Sam Crow Queen down, "I get it Gemma, I do. But, not for that piece of shit."

Gemma straightened up as Clary broke away from her, stomping out of the booth and heading out into the festival. She watched her disappeared in the crowd, "God damn it. I'll be right back Luann."

Following Clary's exit, Gemma stomped out of the booth looking around for the other woman but noticed Jax instead. She walked over the grass approaching Jax from behind she grabbed his arm. He jumped a bit spinning around to look at her.

"We need to talk!" Gemma growled.

Jax brushed his hair back, "Jesus Mom you scared me."

"Why didn't any of you tell Clary that you were letting Kyle come watch his kid?"

His eyebrows furrowed at that, "Shit she already saw him?"

"And about ripped my head off because she didn't know he was going to be here Jackson. I don't need her causing a scene here."

Jax nodded giving his mother's arm a comforting squeeze, "Don't worry. I'm keeping my eyes on Opie and Kyle. Tig is in charge of curbing Clary's anger, I'll let him know to go track her down before she does anything."

Gemma gave her son a disapproving look "You better make sure when Tig curbs her anger it's not in the view of any of the kids."

"You got it," Jax laughed kissing her cheek before wandering off.

It took twenty minutes for Tig to finally find her, he knew if Clary didn't want to me found it would be fucking difficult. He was sure he had probably passed by her several times before finally noticing her. When he did see her, he had caught sight of her watching Hobart with a dark look from next to the inflatable house.

He strode forward approaching her from behind, "Hey baby!"

She ignored him so he wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning down to press his lips against her neck. He gave her a few kisses before she broke away from him turning around to glare up at him.

"Why didn't any of you tell me about Hobart?"

He stepped forward grabbing her and pulling her towards him, "Come on doll, we just voted it yesterday. It was a last-minute thing."

She continued to glare at him so he started running his hand up and down along her torso, squeezing her in all the places he knew she enjoyed. He felt her melt into him just the slightest bit before stepping back, grabbing her hand and tugging her forward.

"What do you say we go find the principal's office?"

Her eyes took on a mischievous glint, "I already know where that is."

"Fuck doll, if you weren't pregnant before you would be now!" he groaned stepping back away from her as he pulled the belt off his neck.

Clary laid face forward on the desk breathing heavy as she glanced behind her and up at him noticing his belt had left a good mark on his skin. She rose up, turning around to face him while knocking a few more things that had managed to stay on principal's desk onto the floor. Sliding onto the wood surface she looked up at Tig who was smiling down at her as he adjusted his pants, "You feeling better baby?"

"Your dick doesn't magically solve problems."

He wiggled his eyebrows, "Of course it does doll. Any problem you got, the big guy can solve it."

She laughed at that sliding down to her feet to pull her jeans up when Tig's phone started ringing. He answered it on the second ring greeting the person with a hey, followed by a conversation of a few uh-huh's. Eventually he clicked the phone shut and turned to look at her, "I got to find the guys, Clay needs us."

"Everything alright?" Clary asked slipping her shoes on.

Tig nodded, sliding his arm around her and pulling her to the door he had intentionally left open. They headed down the school hallway to the exit and back to the Taste of Charming that was in full swing. Walking into the crowd Tig at his tall height caught sight of Opie and Jax leaving the gym with Hobart. He moved forward pulling Clary along and on their way over they intercepted Bobby. Clary grabbed him by the arm pulling him along behind her.

"Hey guys!" Tig called making the three guy looks up.

When Kyle caught sight of Clary, he impulsively stepped behind Jax and she glared at him from her spot next to Tig. Opie and Jax looked at the sergeant in arms with curious eyes, "Clay called we got a Chinese Buffet to visit."

"Alright man, we're with you." Jax nodded.

Bobby's eyebrows rose looking at Jax and the man standing behind him, "And what about him?"

"He's going to meet us at TM in a bit." the VP answered.

"Let's get moving." Tig announced before leaning down giving Clary a kiss on the cheek before walking away.

Bobby kissed her cheek next immediately followed by Opie and Jax. While Bobby and Opie walked away Jax hovered for just a second looking between the two, "Kyle we will see you later."

He looked Clary dead in the eye and whispered so only she could hear, "Behave, were partying later."

"Whatever you say Jax." she whispered back.

Jax nodded at Kyle before turning to run and catch up with his brothers. Clary looked up at Kyle with a grimace as he smiled at her, "Hey Clary….. how's it going?"

She glared at him through narrowed eyes, "Stay out of my way Hobart or else I'll make sure you lose more teeth than last time."

Clary turned on her heel stomping away from the pathetic bastard that had hurt her family, wishing she could be there when he finally got what he deserved.

May 13th, 2002

"We found him!" Bobby shouted as Tig dragged Kyle into the clubhouse and threw him into the group of angry Sam Crow members.

Jax got to him first grabbing him by the scuff of shirt and punching him in the face as he roared, "You son of a bitch!"

"I'm sorry man I panicked!" Kyle grumbled holding his jaw from here Jax just popped him.

Jax was pacing from side to side glaring at the other man, "You left Ope behind! He's going to go to prison because of you."

"Calm down son," Clay spoke grabbing Jax's shoulder stopping him in his tracks.

Kyle looked around at Bobby, Clay, Tig, Chibs, Piney and Jax each of the men looking at him with hate filled eyes. He raised his hands looking directly at Clay and started begging, "Please Clay, man…. I heard the sirens and I just panicked. I didn't mean to leave Opie behind."

"Silence!" Clay immediately yelled as the men started to shout. When they went quiet Clay opened his mouth to speak, "We take this to chu….."

The sound of the clubhouse door flying open and slamming against the wall cut him off. Clary stomped through the door looking murderous when her eyes feel on Kyle. She charged forward, the guys stepping out of her way since they figured all she was going to do was scream at him.

"Clary please…" Kyle started holding his right hand out towards her.

She approached him grabbing his wrist with her left hand and with a surprising speed twisted his arm and use her right arm to lock his elbow. Before anyone could register what was going on, she snapped his arm, the sound of it echoing around the room. Kyle screamed slumping to his knee and without any pause Clary grabbed a bottle of jack that was sitting on the bar next to her. She swung it the side catching Kyle in the jaw, the man crumbled onto his side.

"Jesus! Stop her!" someone shouted from her side.

Tig leapt forward grabbing the bottle out of Clary's grip before she could swing it again. Chibs stepped up from behind her wrapping his arms around her arms and torso to keep her from moving. Clary trashed against him looking absolutely murderous and growling, "Let Me Go!"

"Get her out of here!" Clay's voice boomed.

Chibs backed away with Clary, heading for the clubhouse door. Tig moved with them to grab the door and hold it open for Chibs so he could carry her outside. Meanwhile, Clay and Jax stood over Kyle who was still slumped on the ground his right arm positioned unnaturally on the ground. His mouth was slacked, blood pouring from his mouth to pool on the ground next to him along with three of his teeth that had been knocked out by the hit from the bottle.

Bobby came to stand next to them, "We're either of you expecting that?"

"Calm down love!" Chibs nearly shouted in her ear as she struggled against him.

He got her as far the picnic tables before he had to stop and set her down. He placed her feet on the ground, but kept a firm hold on her. She had stopped struggling against him yet he could feel her breathing heavy in a rage. Leaning down he placed his lips right next to her ear, "I'll let ye go… if ye relax."

She took a few deep breaths and after a moment he felt her relax against him. His arms loosened their hold, he moved them back and down till his hands were resting softly on her hips. Clary remained still for a moment taking a few more calming breaths before turning around to face the Scots man.

As she turned around, she could feel Chibs's hands remaining on her hips. At her height staring straight she was looking at his chest, the Redwood Patch just visible at the top corner of her eyes. She rose her hands up resting them on his chest to grip his kutte.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…." She started, but trailed off when she felt his hands still on her hips.

Clary took a sharp breath looking up at Chibs's face, her hazel eyes meeting his brown. Somehow his thumbs had made its way to her skin and she felt his hands tighten on her. Her eyes were still locked with his when one his thumbs moved ever so slightly, she leapt back away from him like she had been burned.

Chibs watched as she suddenly started pacing from side to side like a wild animal unsure of what to do when it was being cornered. She was fidgeting glancing back at the clubhouse door like she wanted to go finished what she had started. He stepped to the side to block the view of the door, "You surprised the 'ell out of us darlin."

That stopped her pacing and she looked at him, "What?"

"Ye keep saying ye can 'andle yourself. All the boys thought ye were just puffin' smoke."

She grimaced at that, "Well years of martial arts and self-defense classes really paid off."

"We just weren't expecting it love. Was actually rather fantastic to watch." Chibs ginned.

Clary blushed at that, biting her lip as she looked at the ground, she quickly moved to change the conversation, "What are all of you going to do with him?"

"Take a vote to kick 'im out…maybe a mayhem vote."

"He doesn't deserve to live Chibs."

"Not mine or your call love."

Clary gripped her fist tightly finally making eye contact with him again, "I finally just found my way back to Opie…. I don't want to lose him again."

Chibs stepped forward stopping just inches from her, "It will be alright, lass. I promise."

He reached out to stroke his hand across her face as the door to the clubhouse swung open. Bobby's head popped out through the doorway looking around for them.

"We got church," he called out disappearing back through the door.

They turned back towards each other, "I 'ave to go back in darlin. Why don't ye go 'ome and get some rest."

Clary nodded and she watched as Chibs smiled at her before turning and heading back into the clubhouse leaving her alone. She stayed rooted to same spot for several minutes after he left, her hips still burning from his touch.